Superficially and without magnification, the teeth of this genus are reminiscent of those of the rhinopterids (cow-nose rays). Occlusally, the teeth are hexagonal in shape and are arranged in a pavement-like fashion. Medial teeth are laterally elongated compared with those from lateral files. The lack of wear on fossil specimens suggests that the genus feed on small soft prey.

Viewed under magnification, the roots are mobulid-like and the occlusal face of the crown bears a deep ornamented depression. Laterally, the labial crown face is lower than the lingual and may be less upright. The labial margin of the crown extends significantly beyond the labial face of the root. Cappetta (1987) indicated that teeth from this genus are up to 2.0 cm in width.

Burnhamia daviesi (WOODWARD, 1889) has been reported from the Upper Paleocene - Middle Eocene of Asia, Europe, North Africa & North America and B. fetahi CAPPETTA, 1985 from the Lower Eocene of Morocco and North America. Noubhani & Cappetta (1997) discuss a few Burnhamia tooth designs that fill the gap between B. daviesi and B. fetahi during the Ypresian of Morocco. Case (1994) included B. daviesi & B. fetahi in the Early Eocene fauna of Mississippi.

Fig. 1 - Burnhamia sp Piscataway Mbr ('zone' 2) Aquia Frm., Prince Georges Co., MD From the collection of Daryl Serafin

Fig. 2 - Burnhamia cf daviesi (male) hgt = 3.2, wid = 5.5, dep = 3.4 mm Egem, Belgium

Fig. 3 - Burnhamia sp (male) hgt = 2.0, wid = 4.1, dep = 2.2 mm Nanjemoy Formation, Virginia