Sale NH0903 Lot 203

FOSSIL GAR FISH
Lepisosteus simplex
Eocene
Green River Formation, Lincoln County, Wyoming, USA
The Green River Garfish is one of the very rarest species in the abundant fossil record of the "Fossil Lake" area, and this is a superb 15 1/8 inch example. It was a slender eel-like creature with an elongated toothy snout; in addition to this effective predatory weapon, the body is encased in tightly-layered armor-like scales, making it a formidable presence in the waters of of its time. The garfish was most probably found basking near the surface and, unusually, often breathing the atmospheric air. This specimen displays an unusually high standard of preparation and preservation, even for fossils from this region, with superb three-dimensionality to the diamond-shaped scales and terrific texture to the bony head. The slender tendril-like bones of the fins have been finely rendered and the body strikes a gently curving pose with deep warm brown coloring on the pale 21 3/4 x 12 1/4 inch limestone plaque.
Estimate $3,600-4,200