OMe Hoth Contiicer 7, SYNOPSIS OF THE DE IN erm BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF NORTH AMERICA. PAL f. By EDWARD D. COPE, CORRESPONDING SECRETARY OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. aR APR 19 1935 PHILADELPHIA: McCaiia & Stavety, Printers, 237-9 Dock Srreer. Auaust, 1869. TRAN SACTI ONS OF THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. SNSNOR SES OF THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA. BY EDWARD D. COPE. Read September 18, 1868, and April 2, 1869. PREFACE. It is not designed in the present essay, to give descriptions of the known remains of the Batrachia, Reptiles and Birds, which have been more or less fully made known by others. ‘This is left for the day when our knowledge shall more nearly approach complete- ness. While the subject is in its infancy, | have thought best to describe only those species and types which are new, and those portions of imperfectly known forms which will throw additional light on their relations and affinities. In adhering to this plan, I have been able to add no little to the history of the Reptiles already described by my predecessors, Leidy, Owen, Dawson, Wyman, Lea, etc. Where, however, I have had nothing to add, I have referred to their published descriptions, which are numerous and well-known. ‘The literature of the subject will then be found under the respective specific heads. The present Memoir was originally prepared under the title of “Contributions to the History of the Vertebrates of the Mesozoic Periods in New Jersey and Pennsylvania,” and presented to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, for publication, Fifth Month, 14, 1867. The more important parts of its contents were at the same time embodied in a series of remarks before the Academy. This essay was withdrawn, owing to delay in the publication, and the remarks made were not printed. An abstract of part AMERI. PHILOSO. SOC.—VOL. XIV. 1 2 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA of them was, however, published in the Proceedings of the Academy for the same year, page 234. Additional material was shortly afterwards sent to the writer, and the important con- tributions on the Batrachia of the coal measures, and on the Elasmosauride, written. The Palaeophis and some of the Testudinata and Pythonomorpha were also added. In the course of these investigations, prosecuted during the past six years, with reference to the structure and relations of the extinct Reptilia, the following general con- clusions have been attained to, besides many of lesser significance. First: That the Dinosauria present a graduated series of approximations to the birds, and possess some peculiarities in common with that class, standing between it and the Crocodilia. Second: That serpents exist in the Eocene formations of this Country. Third: That the Chelydra type was greatly developed during the American Cretaceous, and that all the supposed marine turtles described from it, are really of the first named group. Fourth: That the Reptilia of the American Triassic are of the Belodon type. Fifth: The discovery of the characters of the order Pythonomorpha. Sixth The development of the characters of numerous members of the Batrachian Sub-order Microsauria in the United States. Imust express my obligations to Prof. Geo. H. Cook, of the Geological Survey of New Jersey, who kindly placed the specimens procured during the Survey at my disposal. I am also particularly indebted to Prof. John S. Newberry, of Columbia College, New York, and director of the Geological Survey of Ohio, for the loan of the unique and important material from the carboniferous beds at Linton, Ohio, contained in his private collection. I am under similar obligations to Wm. R. Webb, Superintendent of the Land Office at Topeka, Kansas, for the important type specimens of Polycotylus latipinnis, and to Prof. Agassiz, for the freedom of study and description of the unequalled Mosa- sauroid material in the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge. Also to Philip P. Tyson, of Baltimore, for similar advantages, and to Dr. Theophilus M. Turner, of Fort Wallace, Kansas, for the discovery of that extraordinary reptile, the Elasmosarus pla- tyurus, and its shipment in unusually good condition. Dr. E. R. Showalter. of Uniontown, Alabama, has placed me under obligation, in sending the beautiful fossil of Clidastes propython. I must also express obligations to Prof Marsh, of Yale College, Dr. Lock- wood, of Keyport, New Jersey, and to other friends. AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA, co SYNOPSIS OF THE PRIMARY TYPES EMBRACED IN THIS ESSAY. THE Classes Aves, Reptilia, and Batrachia are those over which the present review extends. The classes of veretebrata not included are: the Dipnoi, Pisces, Elasmobranchi, Dermopteri, and Leptocardii and the Mammalia. The Aves, Reptilia, and Batrachia are characterized and distinguished from all the other classes as follows: the points wherein they differ from each other are italicized. BATRACHIA,. Axial element of the brain chamber a single membrane bone, the parasphenoid ; occipital condyles two, on the exoccipitals. Mandible compound, supported by quadratum. A distinct coracoid bone. Limbs when present ambulatory, attached anteriorly to a scapular arch which is free from the cranium. Nervous System. Cerebral hemispheres larger than optic lobes, not covering the optic thalani, and with the lateral ventricle on their inner side. Fornix and arbor vite none; medulla oblongata straight ; olfactory lobes terminal, sessile. Circulatory System. Heart with two and three chambers. Three or more aorta bows ; aorta with two roots from a ductus communis and bulbus arteriosus. REPTILIA. Axis of brain case, the basi-occipital and sphenoid elements developed in the primordial cartilage, the first with exoccipitals bearing one condyle. Mandible compound, supported by quadratum. Coracoid bone distinct. Limbs the anterior attached to a scapular arch which is free from cranium. Metatarsals and metacarpals distinct; carpals and second row of tarsals also distinct; usually the first row of tarsals also. Pubis not in contact with ischia distally. 4 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA Nervous System. Cerebral hemispheres larger than optic lobes, extending over and con- cealing optic thalami, and with the lateral ventricles on their outer side. Fornix and arbor vite none; medulla oblongata abruptly curved ; olfactory lobes terminal pedunculate. Circulatory System. TWeart with three or four chambers. Aorta with two roots, and rarely an additional bow ; no bulbus arteriosus. AVES. Osseous structure as in Reptilia, except metatarsal and usually metacarpal bones are con- fluent with each other, and with the carpal and second series of tarsal bones ; first series of tarsals confluent with tibia. Pubis turned backwards and more or less confluent with ischium. Nervous System. Cerebral hemispheres larger than optic lobes, and concealing optic thalami with the lateral ventricle. Forniz and arbor vite present ; medulla oblongata bent; olfactory lobes inferior sessile. Circulatory System. Heart with four chambers. Aorta with one root turning to the right, no bows, and no bulbus arteriosus. Class dk BACs Ewan © stale Ae The vomer is double, and usually bears teeth in this class; the premaxillary is single or double.* Teeth never planted in deep alveoli. There are six orders, as follows: TRACHYSTOMATA. Caudal vertebree and frontal bones distinct. Inferior pelvic elements not confluent. O. o. maxillaria, prefrontalia, palatina and pterygoidea wanting; nasalia present. Ethmoid, two lateral pieces, each forming part of palate. Mandible toothless, condyloid, teeth pleurddont. No “postorbital and supertemporal bones.” First pair ceratohyals distinct. * Two premaxillary bones are usually ascribed to the Batrachia, but in many Salamanders they are confluent. Thus while they are double in Salamandra, they are single in Hemisalamandra, Triton and Diemyctylus. In Amblystomide they are double. Among Plethodontide, they vary. Of Plethodontine genera Batrachoseps and Stereochila (Cope gen. nov. for Pseudotriton marginatus Hallow) have them single, and Plethodon double. Of Spelerpine forms, Manculus (Cope gen. noy. for Salamandra quadridigitata Holbr.) Oedipus and Spelerpes have but one, and Geotriton and Gyrinophilus (Cope gen. noy. for Salamandra salmoneca Storer Pseudotriton salmoneus Ba.) have two premaxillaries. Desmognathus and Amphiuma have single premaxillaries. AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA. i) PROTEIDA. Caudal vertebrie and frontal bones distinct. Inferior pelvic elements not confluent. O. o. maxillaria, prefrontalia and nasalia wanting; palatina and pterygoidea present. Ethmoid* a vertical plate on each side the cerebral lobes. Mandible toothed, teeth pleurodont. Ceratohyals, first pair connate. No “postorbital and supertemporal bones.” URODELA. Usual cranial bones present, but pterygoids reduced or wanting. No “postorbital or supertemporal bones.” Caudal vertebre and frontal bones distinct. Ethmoid, a vertical plate on each side. Mandible dentigerous; teeth pleurodont. Inferior pelvic elements horizontal, in contact; no osseous pubis; ilium suspended to a sacral rib. (Mostly no quadratojugal.) GYMNOPHIDIA. Usual cranial bones present and distinct, including frontals and pterygoids. Caudal vertebrze distinct. No “postorbital or supertemporal bones.”’+ Ethmoid annulus surrounding cerebral lobes. Mandible dentigerous; teeth anchylosed by their bases.t (A quadratojugal.) * Erroneously called orbitosphenoids by me. Journal Acad. 1866, (on Anura.) + When the temporal fossa is overarched, it is by expansion of the maxillary and quadratojugal. (Stannius says. “¢Squama temporalis.’’) t The teeth of Cecilia are compressed with a trenchant posterior edge, which is crenate after the manner of Megalosaurus, Carcharias, ete. Thus to the numerous genera of Saurians and Selachians possessing this character. must be added a Batrachian. AMERI. PHILOSO. SOC.—VOL. XIV. 2 6 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA STEGOCEPHALI. Usual cranial elements distinct, including frontals and pterygoids, and adding “postor- bitals and supertemporals.” Caudal vertebree? Orbitosphenoids normal. Inferior pelvic elements distinct. Mandible dentigerous; teeth with anchylosed bases, or in shallow alveoli. Ethmoid. 2? (A quadratojugal.) ANURA. Frontal and parietal confluent, nasals wanting or rudimental; other cranial bones present. Postorbital, supratemporal, and usually nasals wanting. Ethmoid an annulus (usually complete above) surrounding cerebral lobes. Caudal vertebrae represented by an elongate compound style. Inferior elements of the pelvis consolidated into a single vertical mass; ilium attached immediately to sacral vertebre. STEGOCEPHALI. XENORHACHIA. The vertebral centra not ossified; the teeth simple; no branchial hyal bones; occipital condyles. MICROSAURIA. Vertebral centra ossified; no branchial hyoids; teeth simple or with slightly inflected enamel of the basis; occipital condyles. GANOCEPHALA. Vertebral centra cartilaginous; branchial hyoids present; teeth with inflected enamel, anchylosed by their bases. No ossified occipital condyles. —t AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA, LABYRINTHODONTIA Vera. Vertebral centra osseous; no branchial hyoids; teeth with much inflected enamel, anchylosed in shallow alveoli. Occipital condyles. Our knowledge of these forms is as yet in many cases too incomplete, to enable us to assert positively as to the structure and position of the teeth, and the preceding arrange- ment is designed to shadow out the true system, rather than to define the groups exactly. They may be arranged further in the following manner, with reference to the dermal armature. I. Three large pectoral plates. «2 Abdomen with numerous short or long bony scales in close series. # A bony sclerotic ring. Teeth simple. Xenorhachia. Amphibamus. Teeth complex. Ganocephala. Archegosaurus. #2 No bony ring. Colosteus n. gen. Pholidogaster. Pteroplax. Microsauria. Ceraterpeton. Urocordylus, Il. No pectoral osseous shields. « Abdomen with oblique series of long or short scales. Microsauria, Sauropleura. CEstocephalus. Lepterpeton. Ophiderpeton. Hylonomus. Dendrerpeton. za No abdominal scales known. Pelion. Molgophis. SXENORHRACHIA. This order I proposed for the reception of the genus Amphibamus Cope, in 1865. I proposed to regard as one of its characters, the existence of opisthoccelian vertebree. Such impressions were observed in the matrix in which the fossil was preserved, as to induce a 8 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA belief in the existence of such vertebrae, and the existence of these in a well ossified con- dition, in the apparently nearly allied genus Raniceps Wyman strengthened such belief, There were actually, however, only osseous neural arches present, and I am now decidedly of the opinion that the vertebral centra were either cartilaginous or annuliform, as in Archegosaurus, AMPHIBAMUS, Cope. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 1865. 134. AMPHIBAMUS GRANDICEPS, Cope. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 1865, 134. Palantology, Ill. State Survey, Tab. Carboniferous; Lower Coal Measures; Morris County, Hlinois. awe IGG 255 (O) SS) A 1GP dss AES This suborder was established by Prof: Dawson for small lizard-like vertebrates from the Coal Measures, which he thought presented points of affinity to the Saurium reptiles, at the same time recognizing Batrachian characteristics. These creatures form, in fact, a series closely resembling or parallel with what was probably an immature stage of the Labyrinthodontia. They are, Labyrinthodonts, with simple, or very slightly inflected enamel of the teeth, and with the extent of the exostosis of the cranial bones much reduced. This character has been much overrated by some authors. In the Dendrerpeton obtusum Cope the grooving and pitting exists only on the posterior parts of the cranium, and gradually disappears anteriorly. In the Alligator mississippiensis the same is the case. The only species, included in this tribe, in which inflections of the enamel have been described is the Dendrerpeton acadianum, and here it is only at the base of the tooth. It is, however, not impossible that this genus should not be associated with Hylerpeton, (Estocephalus, ete. The genera Urocordylus, Ceraterpeton, Lepterpeton, Ophiderpeton, and _ others recently described by Prof. Huxley, also belong here. The genus Brachydectes m. is established on portions of the crania only, while Sauropleura m. is known from portions of all the skeleton except the cranium. There is, therefore, a possibility of a double emploi in this case, though not in respect to the species. AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA. 9 PELION, Wyman. Proc. Acad. Natl. Sci. Philadelphia, 1868, p. 211. Raniceps, Wyman Amer. Journal Sci. and Arts, 1858,p. 158. Not of Cuvier, (Pediculati.) PELION LYELLII, Wyman. Raniceps lyeelii, Wyman, 1. c. This animal differs from the genus Amphibamus, in the well ossified vertebral axis; no remains of a tail with elevated neural spines exist in the type specimen, nor have ventral scales or sclerotic bones been seen. Middle Coal Measures, Jefferson county, Eastern Ohio. HYLONOMUS, Dawson. This genus embraces the smallest species of the order. They all pertain to that interesting Batrachian fauma of the Coal Measures of the Joggins of Nova Scotia, eluci- dated chiefly through the exertions of Principal Dawson, of Montreal. This fauma embraces six of the Microsauria and one true Labyrinthodont. Of the former, the Hylerpeton dawsonii Owen, is the largest species, the Dendropetons next, and the Hylonomus wymanii is the smallest. As Dr. Dawson has described these curious animals in the “Canadian Naturalist,” in detail, I will not repeat them here, but add a list expressing some peculiarities of dentition, which are highly important in the deter. mination of species. This, giving the number of teeth in a line of 1-12th of an inch, has been furnished me by Prof. Dawson. HYLONOMUS LYELULII, Dawson. Loc. Cit. VIII., 167, Coal Measures of Nova Scotia. HYLONOMUS ACIEDENTATUS, Dawson. Loc. Cit. VIII., 258, Coal Measures; with the last. HYLONOMUS WYMANII, Dawson. Loe. Cit. VIII., 270, Coal Measures ; with the last. No. of Teeth in Line. Dendrerpeton acadianum. Outer series of teeth, 4 teeth in one line to 1 line. Inner do. 4 in 2h lines. D. owenii. Outer Series, 4 in one line. Inner do. 4 in two to 2} lines. Hylerpeton dawsonii, 4 in five lines. Hylonomus lyelli, 12 in two lines. HH, wymanii, 12 in 13 lines. AMERI. PHILOSO. SOC.—VOL. XIV. 3 10 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA PARIOSTEGUS, Cope. Proceed. Acad. Nat. Sci. 1868, p. 211. This genus is represented by a large part of the cranium of a batrachian from the triassic coal measures of Chatham county, North Carolina. If not a batrachian, it could only belong to a Ganoid fish, but though some of its characters are somewhat ichthyic, 1t lacks the following important elements of the Ganoid structure, 7. e. post and suborbital bones; postnareal cavities, branchiostegal, and arched branchihyal bones. On the other hand it has a large preorbital, bounding the frontal and maxillary to the nares, and the inner border of the orbit, as in Stegocephalous Batrachia; also a postorbital element, contributing to the formation of an extended supratemporal roof. Contrary to what has been found the case in most genera of Stegocephali, the maxillary appears to extend posteriorly to a free termination, as in modern Salamanders, and the supratemporalbone presents a very prominent, obtuse, arched margin. This margin extends from the orbits on each side, and is inclined towards the posterior part of the cranium. ‘There is therefore no quadratojugal piece. The maxillary and mandibular pieces are slender, flat bones, as in Menopoma; the form of the posterior or articular portion of the latter cannot be ascertained from the specimen. The more or less exposed part of the median region of the latter, exhibits a succession of shallow transverse notches, enclosing thirteen obtuse elevations. The former resemble rudimental lateral alveolae for minute pleurodont teeth. A few other similar minute ribs, and, perhaps, a minute curved cone without sculpture, are the only other indications of dentition. The bones of the upper surface of the cranium are more readily interpreted by reference to those of Menopoma. @ INL EAS DICTYOCEPHALUS, Leidy. DICTYOCEPHALUS ELEGANS, Leidy. Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci., 1856, 256, Emmons’ Geology Nor. Amer. p 59. Tab. Triassic Coal Beds, Chatham County, North Carolina. BAPHETES, Owen. BAPHETES PLANICEPS, Owen. Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc. Lond., X., 1853, Tab. (XI notes.) Carboniferous Coal Measures of the Joggins, Nova Scotia. EUPELOR, Cope. EUPELOR DURQS, Cope. Mastodonsaurus durus, Cope. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 1866. 249. A portion of the table of the cranium of a large labyrinthodont accompanied other fragments of the same in a bed of hard black shale, according to Wheatley’s section of the Trias at Phoenixville, Pa., (in Silliman’s Journal Sci. Arts, 1861, 45.) about 181 feet from the top of the series, while a tooth formerly described with it is from near 83 feet higher, in “the Plant bed.’? The Belodon comes from the same as the last. The largest fragment is eight inches long and eight and one-half wide, and is a portion of the table of the eranium exhibiting the usual medial depression and embracing portions of the postorbital and parietal bones ; one of the former is four inches six lines long; both are pitted medially (about 33 pits in an inch) and marked with short coarse sulci posteriorly. The parietals are two inches nine lines wide behind, and four inches wide between the anterior parts of the postorbitals. On what is probably the posterior part of the interorbital region (a small part of the posterior margin of the left orbit is preserved) commence two smooth, shallow sulci 1 in. 2 1. apart, which are probably the posterior extremities of the superficial channels of the face of the Labyrinthodonts. Between them the surface is pitted (four or five to the inch). The parietal bones are throughout longitudinally sulcate (four and one-half to the inch), with obtuse ridges between. The parietal fontanelle was not discoverable, nor could the form of the orbits be certainly determined, though they were probably not large. From the Triassic Red Sandstone near Pheenixville, Chester County, Penna. Discovered by Charles M. Wheatley. Teeth subcylindric, with large pulp cavity at the basis only: external surface without grooves ; dentine divided by numerous flat vertical laminze of a dense substance, probably enamel, which radiate from very near the pulp cavity to the external enamel layer. I have been much puzzled with the teeth which I described (J. c.) in the above language, as typical of this genus. Their constitution has been chemically altered, and the section exhibits the radii of a denser material which unites at right angles with a sheath of the same substance which envelopes the tooth externally. The teeth are of various sizes, sometimes two inches long and more slender in proportion to the length than those of the Mastodonsaurus jegeri and salamandroides; they are cylindrical, gently curved and acuminate without external sulci: of the minute sculpture little can be said, but the casts of the surface are smooth. The roots exhibit a short conic pulp cavity. In a few weathered sections the denser radii are well displayed. They are not conyolute as in Labyrinthodonts, but perfectly straight and convergent to a minute central vacuity. In a tooth four lines in diameter there appear to be five principal radii, which though exceedingly delicate may some- times be seen in longitudinally fractured specimens. *The Centemodon sulcatus Lea which I referred here in my synopsis of Extinct Batrachia, Proceed. Acad. Nat. Sci., 1868, may be placed among the Thecodonts. I was induced to place it here by Lea’s ascription of sulci and pulp cavity to the tooth, which I did not understand properly. AMERI. PHILOSO. SOC.—VOL. XIV. 7 26 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA These I suspected to indicate the positions of inflections of enamel, as it is difficult to imagine such regularly radiating fractures. I cannot however, be entirely sure that this is the case. Under a low power neither the radii nor interspaces exhibit any structure ; the small pulp cavity is filled with the sandstone matrix in which the tooth is enclosed. It may be supposed that the relatively denser structure of the enamel has been preserved in the slow alteration which the composition of the tooth has undergone. They thus project on weathered or ground surfaces. The species to which these teeth pertain was originally described by the writer as a Mastodonsaurus. The latter genus however exhibits external grooves where the inflections of enamel enter and separate the dentine. These inflections, as is well known from the figures and descriptions of Professor Owen, are more or less convoluted, some of them very highly so. The laminz of the teeth of the Eupelor cannot be looked upon as inflections of enamel, but rather as branches. They are exceedingly thin, and our sections do not demonstrate them to be double. If they are double, they are very much more attenuated than the external enamel stratum. They may be distinguished ina section of the wall of the pulp cavity at the base of the root as well as elsewhere. The fluted tooth referred to in my original description, in which this structure is observable, belongs apparently to a Thecodont, perhaps to Belodon : other teeth of this genus which I have seen present the same peculiarity. As the tooth from which the description of Eupelor was derived, is from the same stratum as the Belodon and Clepsysaurus, and some distance above the horizon of the cranial bones described, after an examination of the series in possession of Wheatley, I am disposed to refer all these teeth t® the Thecodonts, and restrict the name Eupelor durus m. to the cranial bones only. Class inl Eyres ale eae lee Ace The following preliminary table exhibits the more essential characters of the orders of Reptilia, as understood by the writer :* I. Supratemporal and postorbital bones present; extremital portions of limbs not differentiated ; quadrate bone united by sutures. ICHTHYOPTERYGIA. II. No supratemporal or postorbital bones ; extremital portions of limbs differentiated. A The quadrate bone united by suture to the prootic, the opisthotic and the quadra- tojugal bones. « The scapular arch continuous, including the sternum, which is anterior and simple. ARCHOSAURIA. aa Scapular arch not continuous, sternum inferior, extending posteriorly, composed of at least eight elements: dorsal vertebree sacrum-like. TESTUDINATA. 4d The quadrate bone not united with the prodtic, and articulating freely with the opisthotic ; no quadratojugal. (Streptostylica.) Sacrum from three to five vertebre; anterior extremities excessively elongated for flight; acetabulum complete; pubes longitudinal, distinct; exoccipital not distinct. PTEROSAURIA. *Many of these groups correspond with those proposed by Prof. Owen. AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA. 27 Opisthotic united with exoccipital; brain case not closed before prootics; palatines united all round; sacrum of two or one vertebra; pubes transverse. LACERTILIA. Opisthotic distinct and distally free from the cranium; brain case partly closed before prootic, palatines united. PYTHONOMORPHA. Opisthotic distinct, free from cranium except proximally; brain case nearly closed anteriorly, palatines attached behind only. OPHIDIA. ICHTHYOPTERYGIA. Elements of the limbs beyond the humerus not differentiated, im indefinite number. Postorbital and supertympanic bones over the temporal fossa. Quadratum solidly united by suture with the prootic opisthotic and quadratojugal. Sacrum none. Pubes and ischia transverse and in contact. Neural arches free. Premaxillary divided. , ARCHOSAURIA. Elements of the limbs, of the pes and manus differentiated, in definite number. “ Postorbitals and supratemporals ” of Owen wanting. Quadratum immoveably united by suture with opisthotic, prootic and quadratojugal. Sacrum of from one to six vertebre. Neural arches attached by suture in most. Premaxillary divided. Cranial walls cartilaginous anteriorly. Palatine bones in contact with maxilliaries, and united by suture with them. Circulatory System (known only in the Crocodilia). Heart with complete septum of the ventricles ; a communication between aorta roots. Nervous System (known only in the Crocodilia). Cerebellum with small lateral lobes and weak plicae. TESTUDINATA. Parts of limbs differentiated. Dorsal vertebree without mobility: no clavicle, a procoracoid continuous with scapula: ilium vertical, acetabulum complete. Sternum not in connection with coracoid, composed at least of eight or more bilateral elements, and extending posteriorly to beneath the pelvis. 28 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA Teeth none. Quadratum immoveably fixed by articulation with the large pro and opisthotics. Cranial cavity not ossified anteriorly; no ali or orbitosphenoid. Palatine bones attached anteriorly. No postorbital or supratemporal elements. Two sacral vertebre: ischia and pubes more or less transverse, the latter sometimes not in contact. Costal and vertebral elements usually united into a dorsal shield: dorsal corium ossified. Circulatory and Nervous Systems, much as in Lacertilia. PTEROSAURIA. Limbs differentiated, one digit excessively elongated for aerial progression. Postorbital and supratempoial roof wanting. Sacrum of from three to five vertebra. Inferior pelvic elements distinct, the pubes set parallel, directed forwards and not joined. Neural arches consolidated. Palatine elements united ; one premaxillary. LACERTILIA. The distal parts of limbs differentiated ; no supratemporal or postorbital bones. Quadratum not in contact with prootic, articulating freely with opisthotic ; no quadrato- jugal. Opisthotic sessile not distinct. Sternum composed of but two elements, which are continuous with remainder of scapular arch, Cranial cavity not ossified anteriorly to prodtic. Palatine bones solidly attached to maxilla; a symphysis mandibuli. Squamosal usually present; premaxillary usually single. Limbs ambulatory, when present. Sacrum of two vertebrae, when present ; ribs single headed. Neural arches not united by suture, chevron bones present. Pubes and ischia transverse, united in pairs. Circulatory System. Heart with imperfect septum atriorum, no communication between aorta roots. Nervous System. Cerebellum without lateral lobes or plicae. AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA. 29 PYTHONOMORPHA. Characters of skeleton as the preceding, except: opisthotic distinct, prolonged from the cranial walls as suspensorium of the quadratum, No symphysis mandibuli. Squamosal present ; premaxilliary single. Cranium with alisphenoid and parietal developed in front of prodtic. Limbs inflexible, natatory ; sacrum none ; chevron bones. Neural arches not attached to centrum by suture. Pubes and ischia wanting. (?) OPHIDIA. Characters of Lacertilia except: opisthotic free, distinct from the cranium except proxi- mally, supporting quadratum ; no squamosal. Cranial cavity largely ossified anteriorly. Palatine bones free from other elements except pterygoids. No symphysis mandibuli. Sternal and pelvic arches wanting; no limbs except rarely rudiments posteriorly ; no sacrum. Vertebree united by double articulation ; neural arches continuous with centra; no chey- ron bones. Circulatory and Nervous Systems, mm important features as Lacertilia. ICHTHYOPTERYGIA. ICHTHYOSAURUS, Conybeare. Leidy says with reference to the species here described, “They have an affinity to Ichthyosaurus and Eosaurus, nor am I prepared to prove that they do not belong to one of these.” ICHTHYOSAURUS GRANDIS, Leidy. Chonespondylus yrandis, Leidy. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Philada., 1868 —178. Humboldt Co., Nevada. AMERI. PHILOSO. SOC.—VOL. XIV. 8 30 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA EOSAURUS, Marsh.* This genus, as suggested by Huxley, may be the type of a peculiar division of the Batrachia. There appears to be some probability of this being found to be the case, though present evidence is in favor of Prof. Marsh’s location here. . EOSAURUS ACADIANUS, Marsh. Amer. Jour. Science, xxxiy. 1862, 1 Tab. I, II. Coal measures: Joggins of Nova Scotia. ARCHOSAURIA. This great order of Reptilia corresponds with the Monimostylica of Muller, without the Testudinata. The latter differ too much in the vertebral and sternal structure to be retained in it. The important feature which characterizes the order, the close sutural attachment of the quadrate bone, may be readily understood by comparison of the accompanying figures of Nothosaurus from the Muschelkalk of Germany, and Mecistops intermedius Graves,t recent, from the Orinoco, with the plate of Clidastes propython, at the end of the volume. The order embraces that large series of forms which seem to be equidistant between all the extremes of the Reptilian type. It therefore is not a strictly homogenous group ; yet its subdivisions do not appear, with present knowledge, to be sufficiently marked, to render it proper to esteem them of equal value with the other orders here enumerated. This is a usual difficulty of classification ; we express it, and do not remove it, by admitting the existence of a protean type in a genus of species, a family of genera, a class of orders, etc., etc. The suborders are as follows: Limbs without flexible articulation ; natatory ; no femoral trochanters; no sacrum. A procoracoid united with scapula; a distinct episternum. Ribs single headed. * The following species have been described by Leidy, who refers them to Reptilia with doubt, and says they may be fishes. As this point remains undecided, I can only allude to them here. CYMBOSPONDYLUS, Leidy. Proceedings Acad. Nat. Sciences, Philada., 1858.—178. CYMBOSPONDYLUS PISCOSUS, Leidy, I. ¢. ? Triassic of Humbuldt Co., and of the Toiyabe Range, Nevada. CYMBOSPONDYLUS PETRINUS, Leidy, l. c. ? Triassic ; Humboldt, Nevada. + This cut is taken from the type specimen of Mecistops bathryhynchus, in Mus. Academy. The Nothosaurus is the N. andriani or a nearly allied species. Iam not quite positive that the number of alveoli on the maxillary bone is exactly correct. AND AVES OF NORTE AMERICA. al NOTHOSAURUS ? ANDRIANI. External nostrils posterior. Pubes entering acetabulum, transverse, united medially. _ Vertebre with zygapophyses only. Ribs single-headed. Chevron bones present. SAUROPTERYGIA. THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA MECISTOPS INTERMEDIUS, Limbs ambulatory, no third trochanter. Sacrum of two vertebre. No procoracoid or clavicle. Ribs mostly double-headed. External nostrils anterior. Pubes longitudinal, not entering acetabulum ; free distally. Zygapophyses only ; chevron bones CROCODILIA. Limbs ambulatory; a third trochanter on femur. Sacrum of two or three vertebrie ; acetabulum entire; pubes united. Ribs double-headed. External nostrils posterior. Zygapophyses only and chevron bones. THECODONTIA. Limbs ambulatory or prehensile. Tlium horizontal, supporting a long sacrum of five or six vertebra, the anterior derived from the lumbar series. The acetabulum thrown forwards, and not complete, but perforate. co ee) AND AVES OF NORTIT AMERICA. Ischium long longitudinal, posterior, supporting the pubis in front on a process. Ribs free, double headed. Neural arches united by suture; chevron bones present. DINOSAURIA. Limbs ambulatory. External nostrils anterior. Inferior pelvic elements in contact transversely, acetabulum imperforate. Sacrum of six vertebre. Neural arches attached by suture. Premaxillary single or double ; Teeth wanting or represented by a pair of tusks, or canines. No columella. ANOMODONTIA. Limbs ambulatory. External nostrils anterior. Inferior pelvic elements in contact transversely. Sacrum of two vertebre. A columella. Clavicle, episternum and xiphisternum present, united. Chevron bones. RHYNCHOCEPHALIA, The important modification in the mode of articulation of the quadrate bone, which characterizes this order has been overlooked in most of the systematic arrangements of the extinct and living Reptilia. The subordinate forms differ in important points, but the groups Sauropterygia, Thecodontia, and Crocodilia, appear to be related by a close bond, as for example the marine, the terrestrial, the Sphargid, and the Pleurodire tortoises. The extremities are modified for all modes of progression, except that of flight, in both; while as much gradation between these types is seen in one as in the other. In the characters ~ of the anterior and posterior nasal openings, there is a great range in these types, but the transitions in these respects occur successively from Crocodilus to Teleosaurus,* to Belodon, to Plesiosaurus and Nothosaurus. An important definitive character is found in several types of the Archosauria. The pterygoid bones are prolonged anteriorly between the palatines, and frequently as far as the vomer, completely separating the palatines. The latter then le exterior to the pterygoids and between them and the maxillaries. When they bear teeth the latter form a series within and parallel to that of the maxillary bone. This structure occurs in Sauropterygia, as Nothosaurus, (see fig. 4,) and in Rhynchoce- *See Huxley on relations of Plesiosaurus to Teleosaurus, Journ. Geol. Soe. Lond. AMERI. PHILOSO. SOC.—VOL. XIV. 9 34 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA phalia (Sphenodon Hyperodapedon.) I have not observed it in any of the Crocodilia, but the palatal roof of several genera of this order is unknown. No such structure is known among the Streptostylicate Reptilia. This order appears first in time, in its Sauropterygian and Thecodontian representatives in the Trias, and in the genus Protorosaurus Meyer, even in the IKupferschiefer, a member of the Permian. At the same time it is the only one of the characteristically extinct types, which remains to the present day. This it does in the Rhynchocephalia and especially the Crocodilia, the most persistent reptilian type. It must also be observed that the Trias of Scotland has yielded a type (Leptopleurum), which Huxley refers to the Lacertilia. SAUROPTERY GIA. POLYCOTYLUS, Cope. This genus is established on a series of vertebre with portions of pelvic arch and pos- terior extremity, discovered in the upper Cretaceous of Kansas by W. E. Webb, Superin- tendent of the land office in Topeka, Kansas. The point at which the remains were found is about five miles west of Fort Wallace on the plains near the Smoky Hill river, Kansas, in a yellow Cretaceous limestone. The animal thus indicated is of interest in American vertebrate paleeontology, as the first true Plesiosauroid discovered within our limits. That its affinities are nearer to Plesiosaurus than to Elasmosaurus will be apparent from the following description. There are wholes or portions of twenty-one vertebrae, of which but two retain their neural arches, and six are represented by neural arches only. Four centra may be referred to the caudal series, the remainder to the dorsal; there is nothing to indicate the characters of the cervical vertebre. All of these vertebrae, except the distal caudals, are remarkable for their short anteroposterior diameter and deeply concave articular faces. ‘This concavity is not however of an open conic form, as in Ichthyosaurus, but is flattened at the fundus, thus exhibiting a small slightly disciform area. The usual pair of venous foramina appears on the under side of the centum. ‘The neural arch is continuous with the latter, and exhibits no trace of connecting suture. ‘The diapophyses arise from the neural arch in all the dorsals; they are compressed and vertical in section. ‘The arch is of course narrow anteroposteriorly, and presents a pair of moderately prominent zygapophyses in each direction, the posterior as usual articulating downwards, the anterior upwards. On some of the vertebree they become closely approximated. ‘The neural spines are narrow antero- posteriorly, but much stouter transversely than in Klasmosaurus ; they are strongly grooved at the base, both anteriorly and posteriorly, most so posteriorly. AND AVES OF NORTH AMBRICA. 35 The caudal vertebre are anteriorly quite as large as the dorsals. Two anterior caudals present on the latero-inferior part of the posterior margin, a pair of widely separated artic- ular surfaces for chevron bones. A portion of one of the latter remains ; it is narrow and sub-cylindric at the base. The diapophyses are situated on the upper part of the centrum, and are continuous with it, and without trace of suture. There are two distal cervicals, which are much smaller than the preceding. They are solidly codssified and have been broken from one anterior to them, with which they have been also anchylosed. Processes in the position of diapophyses have disappeared, while a strong infero-lateral process projects from the middle of each, similar in position to the parapophyses (or whatever they may be) of the Elasmosaurus. ‘These processes are decurved and much thickened and rugose; they may be described as more or less elongate conic. The neural canal of these vertebre is well marked, though small. The codssification of cervical vertebree is a remarkable character, and very unusual. It does not seem probable that these specimens represent a diseased condition, since they are symmetrical, and the inferior surface and for- amina are unaffected. The rugosity is much that of a ligamentous articulation. Their size indicates a remarkably slender neck as in Plesiosaurus, but even more so, and perhaps as elongate as in Elasmosaurus. That the portions of an extremity alluded to, belong to the posterior, is rendered prob- able by the presence of part of an ilium, and by the fact that the portions of the vertebral column secured, are chiefly median and posterior. The fragments consist of the extremity of the femur, the tibia, several tarsal bones, and numerous phalanges. ‘The whole limb is of great size compared with that of the vertebral column, and indicates powerful natatory capacity in its possessor. What the relative length of the femur may be, cannot be ascer- tained, as the proximal portion is wanting, but if it were like the tibia, it was characterized by stoutness rather than by length. The portion remaining is flattened, and presents distally two distinct articular faces for ulna and radius, instead of the uniformly convex outline characteristic of most of the species of Plesiosaurus. The tibia is broader than long, and not emarginate externally. The fibula is wanting. One of the tarsal bones is a flat unequally hexagonal disc, of less thickness than the tibia and the tarsals which appear to connect with it. One of the latter is transverse parallelogrammic, with three faces of broad plane articulations and the outer rounded in section. Another tarsal or metatarsal is a parallelopipedon, except that one extremity presents two faces meeting at a nght angle. Another is similar, but oblique, 7. e., rhombic in section; one of the longitudinal angles is also prolonged. Of the phalanges there are individuals from three series. Portions of flat bones, perhaps, belonging to the pelvic arch, indicate, as do all the other pieces, that the bony structure in Polycotylus is more massive than in Elasmosaurus, if the only known species 36 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA has not attained such huge dimensions as some of the latter. These fragments do not throw much light on the structure of the pelvic arch. The structure of the bones is, like that in the order generally, of the coarsest descrip- tion. ‘There are no medullary cavities, but the medullary cells are large, and extended everywhere in the direction of the axis of each bone. The characters which separate this genus from Plesiosaurus may be derived from the preceding as follows: First ; the deeply biconcave, and very short vertebral centra. Second ; the tibia broader than long, resembling those of Ichthyosaurus. Third; the coalescence and depression of some of the cervicals. Fourth ; the continuity of the neural arches. Fifth ; the continuity of the diapophyses of the caudals. The only genus with which this genus compares nearly, is the Thaumatosaurus of Meyer. ‘This is known but by a few fragments, and of these, but few are present in the Kansas animal. The character on which I rely at present to distinguish them, is the much less concavity of the dorsal vertebree in Thaumatosaurus. This is however, not entirely satisfactory. Thaumatosaurus oolithicus Meyer is from the lower oolite of South Germany. The bones are thoroughly mineralized, and the adherent matrix is a light yellow chalky limestone, similar to that which yielded the fine fragments of the Macrosaurus proriger. ‘This, Dr. Leconte informs me, is probably Meek and Hayden’s upper Cretaceous No. 3, and is a higher horizon than that near Fort Wallace from which Dr. Turner procured the Elasmosaurus platyurus. The specimens were all taken out under the direction of W. E. Webb, of Topeka, from the same spot; from every point of view there is reason to believe that they belong to the same animal. POLYCOTYLUS LATIPINNIS, Cope. The anterior dorsal vertebra have the centra slightly compressed or vertically oval, while the posterior are more rounded. The anterior caudals appear to have been round or nearly so; they are somewhat distorted by pressure. The sides of the centrum are slighly concave in the longitudinal direction; below, there is no carina, but at least two venous foramina. There is another large foramen on the side of the centrum, usually not far from the neural arch ; there are usually other smaller foramina below this. The bases of the diapophyses are longitudinally grooved behind, and separate a concavity of the arch in front of them from one behind. In the most median, the most elevated diapophysis stands about equally on the neurapophysis and the neural spine above it. The diapophysis are vertically compressed, and the costal articulation of the only one preserved, is in the same plane. The margins of the external surfaces are not coarsely striate as in many Sauropterygia. The venous foramina of the distal coissified cervicals are in pairs, and of a large size. In the proximal caudals the diapophyses are above the middle of the sides of the centra. In one the basis of a chevron is preserved. It is cylindric and striate. The zygapophysis AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA. 37 on the hinder aspect of a dorsal has a disciform articular surface directed outwards and downwards : the prominence of its upper face is continuous with the lateral ridge of the neural spine. The anterior uplooking surface is equally small and little divergent. Inches. Vertical diameter centrum dorsal, 3.42 Transverse ‘‘ nS Ge 2.7 Antero-posterior diameter centrum dorsal, (below, ) 1.85 Vertical diameter centrum dorsal, (poster, ) 2.98 Transverse ‘‘ Gs £6 : 2.9 es se neural canal, 86 Longitudinal diameter base neural spine, 1.22 Gb “ ‘* diapophysis 1.2 Length between extremities zygapophyses, (dorsal,) 2.26 Depth of cup of vertebra, .63 Length centrum anterior caudal, 73 Distance between bases chevron bone, (caudal, ) 2.58 Length two coossified caudals, 2.0 Width anterior in front, 1.7 Depth ae sé of) It may be observed the anterior caudals have a nearly round articular extremity; one of them is a little wider than high, but they are too much distorted to furnish reliable measurements. The portion of ilium preserved is an extremity. It is flat on one side and convex on the other. The shaft is solid. The articular extremity is oblique. and presents a truncate extremity, which is at right angles to a short recurved margin, which has been an insertion or articulation ; the flat surface is rugose distally. Long diameter of extremity, 2in. .75; of shaft, 19 in. The articular faces of the extremity of the femur are at an open angle with each other, and are strongly concave in transverse section. The femur is here very flat, with narrow margins; it becomes stouter with diminishing width. Distally the surface is marked by grooves and small foramina. What may be tibia is the basal frustrum of a wedge ; the articular faces broad, the outer margin narrowed ; the faces slightly concaye. The inner margin is shorter than the outer, and the distal part of it presents a broad articular face. Some of the tarsal bones have been already described. There are thirteen metatarsals and phalanges. They are of stout proportions and are considerably constricted medially. Those of one series are square in section; those of another, transyerse ; those of the third transverse with one edge thinned or acuminate in section. Some of each form are more elongate than others. Inches. Width femur at extremity, (restored, ) 8. Depth <«* oh (median, ) 1.3 Width <‘‘ four inches from extremity, 6. Thickness femur ‘‘ te sf 1.95 Width tibia, 3.88 Length externally, 2.6 Width tarsi tibiale, 2.48 Thickness “ “ 1.52 Length parallelopiped phalange, 1.56 Width a ce 1.2 Thickness <‘‘ ob 1.2 oe depressed Of 1. Width ub CG 1.4 Length «6 oC 1.9 AMERI. PHILOSO. SOC.—VOL. XIv. 10 38 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA These powerful extremital pieces indicate a body to be propelled, of not less than usual proportions. If this be the case the number of dorsal vertebra is considerably greater than in the species of this order in general, and approaching more the Ichthyosauri. I do not intend to suggest any affinity between the latter and the present genus, as none exists. What the extent of cervical vertebre may have been is uncertain. The caudals have probably been numerous, though not probably so extended as in Elasmosaurus. The size of the species can be approximately estimated from the proportions furnished by Owen (Reptiles of the Liassic Formations) for Plesiosaurus rostratus. The skeleton of this species measures 11 feet 8 inches, and the dorsal vertebre are of less vertical and equal transverse diameter compared with those of the present Saurian. We may therefore suppose that the latter exceeded the former in dimensions. William E. Webb of Topeka discovered the specimens on which this species rests, and liberally forwarded them to me for examination and description. ISCHYROSAURUS, Cope. Ischyrotherium Leidy. Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc, 1860, 150. This genus has been referred by Leidy to the Mammalia, and to the order Sirenia, with doubt. Having access to a part of the remains on which it was established, I have arrived at the conviction that it really represents an aquatic Saurian more or less distantly related to Plesiosaurus. My reasons for regarding it as Reptilian and not Mammalian are: first, the articulation of the neural arch with the centrum; second, the absence of epiphyses ; third, the absence of articulation for the head of the rib on the centrum ; fourth, the lack of tuberculum on the ribs. With respect to the first of these characters, it may be remarked that it never exists in mature Mammalia, and disappears at an early period of the development of all, except in certain seals and the Echidna, where the consolidation of the neural arch is a little delayed. As to the epiphyses, there is no trace of their suture to be found on fractured surfaces, supposing their existence to be indicated by the series of foramina extending on the inferior surface of the centrum near each articular extremity. These foramina are, I believe, merely the ruptured coarse cells, which can be found near the articular faces in the vertebre in all Sauropterygia. They are unusually small in this genus, appropri- ately to the denser structure of the bones as compared with other sea saurians. ‘The articulation of the rib takes place at the extremity of a long diapophysis, and there only, there bemg no pit for the capitulum. ‘This does not occur in Mammalia, but is highly characteristic of the lower groups of the Reptilia, especially the Sauropterygia. The lum- bar series in Cetacea presents a somewhat similar structure. The vertebree in question are referred by Leidy to this position, but they are clearly median dorsals, from the elevated position and length of the diapophyses. The simple form of the ribs, some of which are from the same part of the column, is quite unknown among Mammalia. There are other significant characters of less value, which point to the saurian affini- ties of this genus, and confirm the preceding. ‘These are the very small size of the neural canal, the cylindric or thickened form of the neural arch, and the strong venous foramina AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA. 39 penetrating the centrum, which, though not wanting im such mammals as Basilosaurus and its allies, are neither so numerous nor situate so near the neural arch as here. (See Leidy’s fig. 11.) The ribs, as remarked by Dr. Leidy, are remarkably dense. He observes that “ from the solidity of structure and cylindroid form of the ribs, I suspect Ischyrotherium to be more nearly allied to the Manatee than to any other animal.” This consideration does not affect the affinities here accepted as true. ‘The structure is remarkable, and differs from that of Manatus and Squalodon much as Reptiles do from Mammals, in its homoge- neity, or when interruption of the same occurs, in its appearance as irregularly disposed cells, and in the lack of a concentric structure of any kind. In the Mammalian genera in question, as well as in Basilosaurus* this concentric structure is eccentric in relation to the circumference of the rib. The genus Mesosaurus Gervais, according to plate XLII of his Zoologie et Paleeontol- ogie Generale (the letter press has not yet reached me), presents ribs of similar form to those of Ischyrosaurus, but whether of similar structure I cannot ascertain. Leidy concludes his description of this genus with the following remarks: “ Although I have supposed the remains a z to indicate * = an animal allied to the Manatee, % * I have suspected that they have belonged to an aquatic reptile unlike any known.” * e Entertaining the opinions that I do respecting the relations of the genus, I have thought that the name applied by Leidy, which is appro- priate only to a mammal, should be changed. I therefore call it Ischyrosaurus, maintain- ing the first etymology so far as practicable. I refer it to the Sauropterygia, as the parts resemble Plesiosaurus more nearly than those of any other American genus. ‘The density of the osseous structure and the cylin- dric form of the ribs, will distinguish it from Plesiosaurus; from Polycotylus the form of the vertebree separates it at once. I suppose that this type may have been of estuary habits, and took its food in proxim- ity to land. The density of the bones is not known in, nor is it appropriate to, animals of the open ocean. ‘The presence of Hadrosaurus (Thespesius) occidentalis in the same beds, is further evidence of the proximity of land. ISCHYROSAURUS ANTIQUUS, Letdy. Ischyrotherium antiquum, Leidy. Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci., Phila., VIII, p. 89. Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc. 1860, 150 Tab. X, figs. 8-17. The dorsal vertebrze of this species present plane articular extremities. The centrum is not constricted medially, but presents a shallow concavity round its median portions. The sutural articulation of the neural arch is shallow, sub-oyate, and extends throughout the length of the centrum. The diapophyses are compressed cylindric. The * See Owen on this genus. 40 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA articular face is a transverse oval. The size of the animal is similar to that of the Plesiosauri of medium dimensions, perhaps ten feet in length, admitting elongate neck and tail, of which there is no evidence. Position.—Bed Q. Hayden’s Section of Great Lignite basin of Nebraska. (Trans. Am. Philos. Soc., 1860, 185.) perhaps of the Cretaceous age; from the Moreau River. PLESIOSAURUS, Conyb. I refer the following species to this genus provisionally, and with doubt. PLESIOSAURUS LOCKWOODII, Cope. This reptile is represented by but few remains, which are in the private collection of Dr. Samuel Lockwood, of Monmouth County, N. J. A single dorsal vertebra, which he kindly lent me for description, presents characters which are so marked when compared with other marine Sauria as to require notice. ~ The centrum is of the general form of Plesiosaurus and Cimoliasaurus, and the arch has a sutural attachment as in the former. The suture is the surface of a sub-round pit, almost like that of Ichthyosaurus, and not like that typical of Plesiosaurus, or the young of Cimaliosaurus magnus. In the latter the suture is an oval concavity which extends throughout the length of the centrum. The pit in this species measures little more than one-third the length of the centrum. The floor of the neural canal is quite flat. The sides of the centrum are strongly and regularly concave, rather less strongly below than laterally. The margins flare regularly, and are not striate grooved or ribbed as in many species. There is a strong venous foramen a short distance below the neural arch and two medially below. The species is further characterized by the regularly concave articular faces, without median plane or prominent portion, as in Cimoliosaurus species. They are more concave than those of the Elasmosauri also. The form of the surface is entirely circular. In. Lin. Width articular surface, 2 8 Depth a Ke 2 7.8 Width pit neural arch, 8.4 Length centrum, 1 11.6 This species I have dedicated to its discoverer, Dr. Lockwood, who has contributed in various ways to the progress of Natural Science. It is the earliest sea saurian from this country, as it was derived from the clays which underlie the lower green sand bed. It was dug from a brick clay pit near Matteawan, Monmouth County, N. J. CIMOLIASAURUS, Leidy. Cimoliasaurus and Discosaurus, Leidy. Proceed. Academy Nat. Sci., Phila., 1851, 325—1854, 72, tab. ii, figs. 4, 5, 6, and 1851, 326; Cretaceous Reptiles, 22 and 25, tabs. IV., V., VI. Brimosaurus Leidy, Pr. A. N. Sci., Phila., 1855, 472. This genus has been chiefly illustrated by Leidy, who has described remains of its species from the cretaceous deposits of many of the States east of the Mississippi. It has remained for the discovery of Elasmosaurus to prove that the two supposed genera named by Leidy, are really one, his supposed caudals of Discosaurus* being really caudals of Cim- * This genus was originally proposed on two vertebre from Georgia, and a vertebra from New Jersey described by Dekay. He afterwards added vertebre from Alabama, Mississippi and New Jersey. Some of these were regarded as cervicals; they are, however, anterior caudals. . As Leidy observes, there are several species among them, and it may be, several genera, but as the genera cannot be distinguished by the caudal vertebrae, it appears to me that Dis- cosaurus cannot be preserved. While distinguishing the genus from Cimoliasaurus, Leidy adds, ‘‘The supposed cau- dals of Discosaurus I have suspected to be anterior cervicals, notwithstanding the apparent provision for the articula- tion of chevron bones. If all the vertebra be viewed as belonging to one animal, they represent cervicals, dorsals and lumbars of Discosaurus,; otherwise they represent a cervical and caudals of the latter, and dorsals and lumbars of Cim- oliasaurus.”’ In case of their identity, it may be observed, Leidy refers them allto Discosawrus. Cimoliasaurus was, however, proposed first. AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA. 4] oliasaurus, the supposed caudals of the latter proving to be its cervicals. Characters dis- tinguishing it from Plesiosaurus have never been pointed out, and it is here retained apart from it on the supposition that its scapular arch is constructed on the same principle as that of Elasmosaurus, a point, however, which has not been ascertained. This genus is not as well known as Elasmosaurus, owing to the fragmentary condition in which it is usually found. Its marked character is its short depressed cervical region, as compared with the excessively long and compressed one of Elasmosaurus. It also dif- fers from it in the apparent continuity of the series of diapophyses from the dorsal to the cervical series. In Elasmosaurus these processes are wanting on the anterior dorsals. They are very elongate on the other hand, on the posterior dorsals of Elasmosaurus; in Cimoliasaurus we have as yet no evidence as to their length, as they are broken in our specimens. Fig. 13. Fig. 16. The rapid diminution in dimensions of the cervical series in Cimoliasaurus indicates a short neck, and far less slender general form. Leidy suggests from the absence of sacral characters, that posterior limbs have been probably wanting in this genus: the same vertebral characters are seen in Elasmosaurus, but it has a large pelvic and scapular arches; the presence of limbs in it cannot be doubted. The femur of Cimoliasaurus is described below, and is the only limb bone yet assignable to a species of this genus. It resembles that of Plesiosaurus. It is thicker and shorter however than in any species of the latter genus, and is quite short. The distal extremity is thick, and presents pits for the attachment of the articular cartilage ; the faces for both ulna and radius are extensive, and indicate a large manus and elongate limb. ‘The rotundity of the head indicates ex- tensive rotation; and we may be satisfied that the animals of this genus were furnished AMERI. PHILOSO. SOC.—vol. XIy. 11 49 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA with powerful propelling flippers. The preceding cut illustrates its form and size in rela- tion to the posterior dorsals from nearly the same position in the C. magnus and Elasmo- saurus platyurus. The general characters of the cervical and dorsal series are very similar to those of Elasmosaurus, but they all exhibit considerably larger neural canals. In the immature individual, the neural arch of the dorsal vertebre is not coossified, but is separated by suture as in Plesiosaurus. That there are several species of this genus is suggested by Leidy, and seems probable to the writer. As one of these has been already named, the characters of those which appear distinct may be pointed out. Anterior caudals, articular faces with rounded margins; antero-posterior diameter greater, 2 in., width, 2in. 71. Pit of diapophysis 1 in. 3 1. : C. VETUSTUS. Anterior caudals, articular faces with acute marginal angle, antero-posteriorly shorter 1 in. 71. by 2 in. 6 1. in width; pit 111. Cervical with straight sides and broader form ; width 31.2 1. by 24.5 long, the ?diapophysis narrow and stout. C. MAGNUS. ° Anterior dorsals shorter and higher than in C. magnus, the posterior cervicals, there- fore shorter than in the same; diapophysis of first dorsal longer. C. GRANDIS, Posterior cervical with neural canal as large as C. magnus, but centrum four times as large, and a strong longitudinal ridge half way between pleurapophysis and neural arch, giving pentagonal section: 45 1. long by 52 1. wide; hence longer. E. ORIENTALIS. CIMOLIASAURUS VETUSTUS, Leidy. Discosaurus Leidy, Proc. Acad. N. Sci., 1851, 326. Cretaceous Reptiles, N. A., 22. Plesiosawrus, DeKay Ann. Lyc., N. Y., 1828, 165, Tab. If the vertebrae from Alabama from Jos. Jones, described by Leidy in the Cretaceous Reptiles as No. 1, are typical of this species, they present certain peculiarities which distin- guish them from those of an individual of C. magnus which I describe below; perhaps the species are distinct. Cretaceous Alabama, ? Mississippi and ? New Jersey. AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA, 43 CIMOLIASAURUS MAGNUS, Leidy. Pr. A. N.8., Phila., 1851, 325, 1854, 72. Cretaceous Rept. N. A. 25, tab. 00. This species has hitherto been known from yertebre only. In connection with vertebre of this species, I pro- cured a long bone which has a near resemblance to the femur of Plesiosaurus. It indicates a paddle for motion in the water, as has already been mentioned. The distal breadth is equal to 13 the length. It is distal compressed, but thick and with rounded margins. The proximal portion is slightly reverted to the condyle, and compressed nearly at right angles to the distal extremity. The condyle is flattened convex and oval in circumference. The tibial and fibular articular faces form a strong angle with each other, and are pitted rugose for the cartilaginous articulation. In. Lin. Distal breadth, 4, 9. Breadth at neck, 2. 8.5 Diagonal across condyle, 3. 9. isl, Length, It is seen, therefore, that this bone is remarkably robust, much more so than in the Plesiosauri of adult age. That the individual to which it pertained is not mature, appears from the dorsals accompanying, in which the neural arch is not fully coéssified to the centrum. We can regard the species as a robust and powerful animal, in which bulk is more prominent than length. Tn. Lin. Anterior dorsal, length centrum, 2. 5.1 Width do., 3. Uo Depth do., 2. 10 Length articulation for neurapophysis, lo 11. il, ils Width do. do., The centrum is much constricted medially and the diapophyses are given off from the neurapophyses, the lower margin corresponding with that of the bottom of the neural canal. This specimen is from Barnesboro, and was submitted to me by Prof. Cook, State Geologist. Locality: the Cretaceous Green Sand of New Jersey; upper bed. CIMOLIASAURUS GRANDIS. Brimosaurus grandis, Leidy, Proceed. Ac. Nat. Sci., 1854, 72; tab. I., IT. From Cretaceous of Clark County, Arkansas (near Greenville). I have not seen any part of this, the largest species. It is, from Leidy’s figures and description, distinguished by the relatively greater width and height of its vertebra, and has been therefore a shorter and more massive animal than its congeners. As nothing beyond Leidy’s description is known of it, I append the latter. They had been kindly loaned by It was represented by vertebre from near Greenville, Clark County, Arkansas. Dr. W. T. Roberts, an agent of the Arkansas Mining Company, who had discovered them with numerous others. L. stated that, in his visit to St. Louis, Mr. Alb. Koch, the industrious collector of fossil remains, had exhibited to him a collection of bones from the same State, and apparently of the same animal, which he was on the eve of sending to Berlin. The specimens are remarkable for the robust transverse processess, which project laterally from the lower part of the body, and terminate in a large facet for the articulation of a rib. The bodies are cylindroid, and are terminated by slightly concave or nearly flat articular surfaces. The sides of the body are moder- ately concave, and have an acute margin at the articular surfaces. On each side of a median prominence of the under side of the body a large vascular foramen exists. These vertebra resemble those of Cimoliasaurus magnus from the 44 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA green sand of New Jersey, described previously in the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, but in that the large transverse process is cylindrical, while it is compressed cylindroid in the Ark. saurian, and probably the latter belongs to a distinct genus, for which the name Brimosaurus is proposed. The bones are imbedded in a hard limestone with mollusca, and they probably belong to the cretaceous or to the eocene period. One of the most perfect of the vertebre presents the following measurements: Inches. Length of the body, 33 Depth articular surfaces, 5 Breadth do. do., 6 Length of the neural arch, 3 Dr. Leidy proposes to consider this species as the type of a genus distinct from the present, because its diapophyses are compressed in section, while those of Cimoliasaurus are cylindroid. I think this difference depends on the posi- tion in the vertebral column. These processes descend on the anterior part of the column and become more flattened, until they resemble diapophyses of ordinary cervicals. This vertebra therefore was an anterior dorsal. ELASMOSAURUS, Cope. Leconte’s notes on Geology of the route of the Union Pacific Railroad, 1868, p. 68. Cope, Proceed. Acad. Nat. Sciences, 1868, p. 92. This genus has been more completely preserved to us than any other American repre- sentative of the order, and hence may be accepted as most clearly expressive of its char- acters. In the interpretation of these, however, considerable difficulty has been experi- enced, as the structure form appears, at first sight, to reverse to a remarkable degree, the usual proportions of known reptiles. The determination of the anterior extremity of the vertebral column has been rendered certain by the fortunate completeness of the cervical series, as the extraordinary length of the latter, equalling three times that of the body, renders the most careful scrutiny necessary. The neural arches are every where continuous with the centra, without sign of suture, and are externally plane. ‘The neural canal is exceedingly small for the size of the vertebrae, especially on the lumbars and caudals. The dorsal vertebree are remarkable from the fact that the diapophyses disappear on the anterior part of the series, and gradually diminish in length from behind forwards to the point of disappearance. On the median and posterior parts of the series they are very elongate, and rise for a short distance from the basis of the neural arch. Ante- riorly, they descend and shorten, and finally remain only as the slightly elevated borders of rib-pits. Throughout the whole of the anterior portion of the column to the cervicals, the neural spines are of great elevation, and of such antero-posterior extent as to be nearly continuous. The cervical vertebrae are not only more numerous, but become anteriorly much smal- ler and more attenuated than in its allies of the same family. They are remarkably com- AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA. 45 pressed, the centra much longer than deep, and deeper than wide, and with smooth con- cave sides. The ribs of the anterior cervico-dorsal region are inserted directly in the vertically oval pits of the centrum. Immediately at the point where these cease, thin transverse processes appear to arise from the lower edges of the rib pits. They form a continuous series with the ribs, and soon rise from the plane of the lower face of the centrum, and are directed obliquely downwards. At the end of the cervical series they are directed nearly vertically downwards. The number of these vertebra is very great, the anterior diminishing to a very small size, the whole measuring a little more than half the total length. Most of the cervicals possess two venous foramina below; the dorsals two, and most of the caudals one. The resemblance of the caudals to the usual type of Plesiosaurus, is seen in the fact that each bears near its posterior articular aspect, on the inferior face, a pair of articular surfaces, for chevron bones. Similar vertebree had been described by Leidy as the caudals of a genus he called Discosaurus; the study of the present genus shows that they are really of the candals of the allied genus Cimoliasaurus, The ribs are simple headed; the abdominal ribs seen in Plesiosaurus are possibly wanting, as none were found by the discoverer of the fossil, after a careful search, The end of the muzzle, with symphysis mandibuli, was preserved. This is flat, the symphysis rather short, the premaxillary grooved at the intervals between the dental alve- oli. The teeth are deeply implanted, with small pulp cavity, are cylindric and furnished with nearly straight elongate conic crowns, which are minutely but sharply striate to the tip; the ridges, straight, continuous. There are no indications of nostrils, so that these were probably posterior and near the orbits, as in Plesiosaurus. The pelvic arch is more extended than the scapular, and strongly resembles the pelvic arch of other Plesiosauride. The scapular arch is peculiar; the claviculi are broad flat bones resembling the pubes of certain tortoises, while the coracoids are much like the coracoids of Plesiosaurus. The scapular arch is remarkable for the resemblance of coracoids to those of Plesio- saurus. ‘The clavicles have a greater transverse extent than the former, and have a very extensive line of union medially, and a narrow posterior prolongation which meets a simi- lar anterior one of the coracoids, separating the intervening foramina. ‘They appear to form about-one third of the walls of the glenoid cavity, and have a constricted base as in some Plesiosauria, applied to the extremity of the coracoid. The form of the glenoid cavity cannot be readily ascertained from the absence of the scapula. What we have of AMERI. PHILOSO. SOC.—VOL. XIV. 12 46 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA it would suggest the existence of a fore limb, of comparatively little power, though no remains of such have been found. The acetabulum is smaller than the glenoid cavity ; this point, with the obvious source of propulsive power in the tail, renders it probable that the posterior limbs were the weaker of the two, if any existed. But there is no trace of sacrum nor of any modified diapophyses for support of an ilum, The ischia are flat, subtriangular bones with a long median line of junction, and communicating anteriorly with the posterior prolongation of the pubic plate. Their postero-exterior margins project well backwards. The pubes are broad plates, whose anterior margins diverge from each other. ‘They are broader than the ischia, and form a broad shallow basin for the support of the viscera. The suture defining these elements is obliterated ; they are continuous, and form a weak inferior keel on the median line. A simple curved ilium has been preserved, for which there appears to be a smooth articu- lar surface on the pubis to which it was attached. The acetabular portions of these elements are flattened and furnished with convex articular surfaces. The supposed ilia are short curved bones, resembling that of Plesio- saurus latispinus Ow., or of some of the other species of that family. ‘The shank is flattened cylindric, the distal extremity, dilated rounded and flattened. The proximal extremity sub-truncate, or truncate in two or three unequal planes, and with a median pit. It fits well when applied to a concavity on the articular surface of the pubis. The vertebre above the pelvic arch were furnished with elongate, sub-cylindric diapophyses. The question as to the presence of posterior limbs remains unsolved. Dr. Turner having made a second careful search, and renewed excavations at the original locality, failed to find any bones which can be assigned to humerus, ulna, radius, carpus or phalanges, or similar elements of the hind limbs. This is the more remarkable, as the pelvic and scapular arches were further completed, and an additional number of ribs obtained. The inferior and lateral regions of the trunk, being then so abundantly discovered, what are we to think of the entire absence of the usually numerous elements of extremities? The glenoid cavity is a rather angular cavity, and both were filled with solid argillaceous matrix. The acetabula are not cup-like, but merely exposures of the marrow, plane ex- tremities of the pubes and ischia; they were covered with thin layers of gypsum; the pieces of the ilia were found imbedded in the mass of matrix which occupied the pel- vic arch. The allied genus Cimoliasaurus Leidy possesses a femur, as described under head of that genus; it is of shorter and thicker form than in most Plesiosauri. The skeleton so nearly complete would indicate no violent disturbance of the carcass ; but if there were, it would be an unusual accident that all of the four limbs should have been removed from their sockets, without leaving even fragments. AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA. 47 This genus is well distinguished from Plesiosaurus by the peculiarity of the scapular arch. ‘The mesosternum appears to be coossified with the claviculi, and the three ele- ments form a broad breast-plate. If the claviculus was ever united with the scapula as in Plesiosaurus, no evidence of it can be seen in the specimen. Both the clavicular and me- sosternal elements are broader and more extended anteriorly. The American genera of Elasmosauridee may be compared as follows : Posterior cervical vertebree without diapophyses: cervicals longer, compressed, neck very elongate. ELASMOSAURUS. Posterior cervical vertebree with diapophyses: cervicals quadrate, shorter, depressed, rapidly diminishing in size, hence the neck shorter. CIMOLIASAURUS. Prof. Owen figures and describes (Reptiles of the Cretaceous, Palaeontogr. Soc.) a vertebra which very closely resembles the cervical of Elasmosaurus. He considers it to be the cervical of a peculiar Plesiosaurus, which he calls P. constrictus, remarking, at the same time, its remarkably inferior pleurapophyses. This I believe to be a species of Elasmosaurus or an ally, and to be called for the present Elasmosaurus constrictus. ELASMOSAURUS PLATYURUS, Cope. Leconte’s Notes loc. cit. Proceed. Acad Nat. Sci., 1868, 1. ¢. 92. Discosaurus carinatus, Cope. Leconte’s Notes, l. ec. This, after Mosasaurus the most elongate of the sea saurians yet discovered, is represented by a more than usually complete skeleton in the Museum of the Academy of Natural Sciences in this city. It was found by Dr. Theophilus H. Turner, the physician of the garrison at Fort Wallace, a point situated 300 miles westward from Leavenworth on the Missouri river, and some distance north from the Smoky Hill Fork of the Platte river. Portions of two vertebre presented by him to Dr. Leconte when on his geological tour in the interest of the U. S. Pacific Railroad Company, were brought by the latter gentleman to the Academy, and indicated to the writer the existence of an unknown Plesiosauroid reptile. Subsequent correspondence with Dr. Turner resulted in his employing a number of men, who engaged in excavations, and succeeded in obtaining a large part of the monster. Its yertebrze were found to be almost continuous, except a vacancy of some four feet in the interior dorsal region. They formed a curyed line, a considerable part of whose convexity was visible on the side of a bluff of clay shale rock, with seams and erystals of gypsum. The bones were all coated with a thin layer of gypsum, and in some places their dense layer had been destroyed by conversion into sulphate of lime. The scapular arch was found in large part adhering to the bodies and neural spines of a series of the anterior dor- sal vertebre, and was detached from it at the Academy. The pelvic arch had been slightly crushed, and the lumbo- sacral yertebre forced into contact with the ischia, where they remain. A broken extremity of the supposed. ilium was forced into the matrix which-supports the ischia. Many of the dorsal and caudal vertebre were sent, and remain in continuous masses, so that the succession is readily traced, and the true relations of the extremities preseryed. In removing the matrix from beneath the yertebre, scales and teeth of some six species of Physoclyst and Physostomous fishes were found, including an Enchodus and a Sphyraena, the latter indicating a new species, which I have called 8. carinata. These animals had doubtless been the food of the Elasmosaurus. 48 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA The end of the muzzle was broken from a part or the whole of the cranium, which has not been rediscovered, though Dr. Turner has made careful search. It was found in front of the vertebre here regarded as cervical, at some distance from them. The whole skeleton has been under considerable pressure, so that most of the ribs have been pressed flat on the vertebree; the long parapophyses of the cervicals have most of them been fractured at their bases and compressed, those of opposite sides thus approaching more nearly in the form of chevron bones than they otherwise would have done. The proximal cervicals are obliquely flattened by the pressure; the other cervicals have the bodies naturally flat, with the articular surfaces much less so than the median portion. Some of the caudals are obliquely distorted. Description— Vertebre.—The neck may be safely assumed as a point of departure, as it consists of above sixty mostly continuous vertebre, which graduate to an atlas of very slender proportions. Most of them preserve more or less developed parapophyses. At the posterior extremity of this series, sixteen are perfectly continuous, and in this portion a great gradation in form is apparent. The anterior are narrow, compressed, and similar to the more distal cervicals in the elevated position of the lateral angle; the anterior are subquadrate, thick, and with lower lateral rib, and stronger ?pleurapophysis. In these respects the latter resemble the dorsals which follow, towards what I believe to be the tail. Four anterior dorsals are in one mass (figured in plate 3); in this series the lateral angle first approach- ing, is finally lost in the margin of the rib-pit, the posterior thus resembling other dorsals. There can be so far little doubt that the anterior and posterior extremities of the masses are correctly interpreted. In a series of four anterior dorsals, which like the preceding, are in their original continuous mass, those of one extremity have centra rounded in section, with inferior rib-pits; those of the other have quadrate centra and elevated diapophyses; the former have the character of the first dorsals, the latter of the median dorsals. The posterior dor- sals and anterior caudals form in like manner a continuous series of eleven vertebre, fractured in four places. In them the diapophyses steadily descend, reaching the inferior plane in the last, thus with the reduction of the venous ~ foramina to one, at the seventh, indicating the point of transition from dorsal to caudal series. The zygapophyses preserve the usual arrangement, but are much compressed, so that the posterior or down-looking, are confluent, and searcely separated by an emargination. The neural spines at their bases have a slight posterior obliquity, and the superior portion leans strongly in the anterior direction. The inferior limbs of the cervical pleurapophyses appear to be entirely wanting. The articular faces for the chevron bones are seen at the extremity of the inferior rib of the caudal. Of the cervicals there are both axis and atlas. Of the caudals, probably the distal half, at least, is lost. A single vertebra near the middle does not relate to either of those anterior or posterior to it. There are, therefore, at least four lost from that region also. There is a considerable interruption immediately anterior to the last dorsal vertebra. Three large vertebra, with long diapophyses, belonging here, were imbedded in the hard matrix which protected the pelvic arch. These are far from relating immediately to the vertebre preserved before and behind them. I estimate the number missing as follows: Seven of the fourteen dorsals preserved have more or less elongate diapophyses. In the Plesiosauri, vertebra of this character, are much more numerous; in P. homalospondylus Owen gives seventeen. If we add ten to the series in the present species it will give the abdominal space between the adjacent margins of the o. 0. pubis and coracoidea an extent equal to the length of the pelvic arch. This is relatively shorter than in the Plesiosauri. Dr. Turner found that a space of “three or four’’ feet intervened between the two portions of the skeleton, which was otherwise continuous. I think ten an average number to represent safely the missing dorsals. From the cervical proximal regions probably three vertebrze are missing from two interruptions. The remainder of the cervical series exhibits three interruptions. Most of the proximals have been broken medially, leaving the ticulations solid, an advantage in determining their continuity. Three vertebre and one-half are thus found to be missing in this region. The whole number of yertebre preserved and lost, with the relative lengths of each, may be stated as follows: AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA, 49 Present. Lost. Total No. | Length In. | No. | Length In. | lengths. Cranium, | 24 24. : Cervicals, 685 257.5 | 3h 22.¢ | 279.8 Dorso-lumbars, 14 | 55.10 10 37.6 | 93.4 Caudals, 21 | 60.4 30 60. | 120.4 | = ——_ | Total, 103} 434 | 517.6 This gives the total length to the animal of forty-three feet, two inches, which, increased by the amount taken up by intervertebral cartilages, will give roundly about forty-five feet. Of this, twenty-two feet must be reckoned to the neck. : Measurements. The cervical vertebre from the sixty-sixth to the thirty-ninth are all longer than the dorsals; they commence four inches in length, increase to five, and diminish to four again. In. Lin. Length of sixty-third cervical, 4 9.2 Depth articular face of the centrum, 3 8. Width < a ee 3 10.2 Total elevation ninth do., 2 9. Length ninth caudal, 1 7.5 Transyerse diameter articular face, 1 6. Vertical Es articular face do., i 27. Length head of rib, 1 9.7 Width “ 1 3. shaft 1 10.5 Many of the rzjs preserved have been pressed upon the vertebra and crushed. The first dorsal is that vertebra which first presents a distinct articulation for a rib. The diapophyses are never much elevated above the centrum and are longest on the thirteenth (inserting seven supposed to be lost). Their form is stout and much depressed, and distally expanded. They diminish gradually, and on the third are represented by a longitudinal, slightly concave articular surface, somewhat similar to those of the caudals. This surface is bounded above and below by a longitudinal, angulation; the superior is first distinct on the first, and bounds the articular sur- face last on the third. They give the transverse section of the posterior cervicals a pentagonal form; that of the an- terior dorsals is nearly circular. The latter are strongly constricted medially, and the articular faces are slightly con- cave. The external surface near the included angle is coarsely ridged, in conformity with coarse cellular texture of the spongy bone. The venous foramina gradually become more widely separated, approaching each other again on the posterior cervicals. On the dorsals they occupy the bottom of a more or less pronounced concavity. These con- cavities, on the posterior dorsals, are bounded externally by a strong obtuse longitudinal angulation, giving a quad- rate outline to the section of the centrum in this part of the series. The posterior cervicals are not readily distinguished from the anterior dorsals. In the latter the ribs appear to be The articular pits continue to de- On such vertebre the inferior surface is flat. The neural spines on dorsals and posterior cervicals are of great height as well as antero-posterior width, and present, of reduced length, judging from the smaller size of the remaining heads. scend till their lower marginal ridge is the inferior lateral angle of the vertebra. they allow a very narrow interval between them. In. Din. Antero-posterior diameter ?12th dorsal, 3 7.2 Transverse diameter articular surface, 4 10. Vertical do. do., 4 2.5 Neural canal and spine (latter broken), 5 BH Length diapophysis 12th dorsal, 4 Width diapophysis at middle, 1 10. AMERI. PHILOSO. SOC.—VOL. XIV. 13 50 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA In. Lin. Antero-posterior diam. ?11th dorsal, 3 4.5 Transverse posterior of articular face, 5 3. Vertical do. do. do., 3 10. F Transverse posterior of neural canal, 10.2 Transverse posterior of articular face, 3d dorsal, 5 2.5 Elevation centrum, arch and spine, 2d dorsal, 11 oF Elevation upper edge zygantrum 2d dorsal, 6 Length zygantrum, upper edge, _do., 1 10.2 Length centrum, last cervical, 4 Width centrum articular face cervical, 5 3. Elevation neural arch and spine cervical, a 9. Antero-posterior width neural spine of cervical at zygapophysis, 3 7 The cervical vertebra are assumed to commence where the rib pits cease, and the continuous lateral processes commence. This point is ascertained with difficulty on the specimen. It is, however, perhaps the same point where the longitudinal lateral ridge leaves the upper margin of the rib pit; and it was to the series of vertebrae which pass this point, the scapular bones,—the clavicle and coracoid were found attached. On the anterior dorsals the inferior margin of the rib pit is most prominent, and is finally produced in a flat thin process which is directed obliquely downwards. Both these and the posterior ribs are crushed on the centra and project obliquely below them; their mode of attachment is thus rendered rather obscure. A similar structure exists in the posterior cervicals of Cimoliasaurus, while on the anterior dorsals or where the rib-origins are on the lower plane, short thick diapophyses support the ribs. The proximal cervicals are remarkable for their compressed and elongate form. They are for a considerable distance longer than any dorsals. The lateral longitudinal ridge rises successively nearer to the neural arch and disappears. The articular surfaces are vertically oval, flattened above and below. The inferior faces are slightly grooved in line with the venous foramina. These vertebrae diminish in length, and after the posterior third of the series, materially in depth. They diminish to terminal ones of very small size. In most the decurved ? pleurapophyses are broken near the base, but the basal portion of various lengths generally adheres. They are as wide as a rib; and scarcely half as thick. On some of the most anterior vertebra, they are quite short and broad antero-posteriorly. They have much greater antero-posterior extent on the terminal than the proximal cervical centra, having a base five-sixths the length of the latter. The zygapophyses have relatively a larger size on these than any other vertebre. In such the centrum is less compressed, though with concave sides, and with a section rather quadrate. The caudal vertebre have slightly concave articular surfaces, which are not bounded by groove or ridge. The neural arches have flat sides, and there is no longitudinal ridge above the diapophyses. The neural spines are elevated, the margins of those of the adjacent vertebra close together. The diapophysis is very short and wide, terminating in a large oval concavity for the pleurapophyses. Each limb of the chevron bone is attached to an articular surface on the lower posterior face of the vertebra, at the extremity of a strong inferior ridge. These inferior ridges are rather close together, and distinguish the vertebree from those of Cimoliasaurus magnus, where they are wanting. They are absent on the anterior seven of the caudal series. The diapophysis is nearer the anterior than the posterior face of the vertebra. The venous foramen is single and median, on all but the last six cervicals. In. Lin. Antero-posterior diameter of fourth caudal, 2 4 Transverse do., 3 10.5 Total elevation, 8 Vertical diameter centrum, 3 1.5 Anterior-posterior diam. diapophysial pit, 1 9.2 do. do. third cervical, 2 2. Transverse do. do., 2 11. Heads of fourteen 72bs are preserved, and a great number of shafts. The heads are simple, with elongate oval articular face. They are oblique in the narrow direction, and frequently in their length also; the margins are somewhat everted. The extremities of the diapophyses of the larger dorsal vertebre are transverse, some flattened, AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA. 51 the others more oval, the more anterior are sub-triangular, and the rib pits on the first dorsals are sub-round or vertically oval. Thus the heads of the ribs also vary. The shafts are all flat, probably more so from pressure. They are frequently curved in the direction of the compression, which suggests a vertical head. They however are probably more or less distorted, and the plane of compression changed. No well defined distal extremity of a rib can be made out, nor have anything like abdominal ribs been preserved. The scapular arch is remarkable for its large clavicles (or procoracoids). As preserved, the latter are quite con- vex downwards both antero-posteriorly and transversely, while the coracoids are equally concave in both directions. Fig. 7. Scapular Arch. The clayicles have a remarkable external flat projection, which is separated from the glenoid cavity by a deep sinus. The glenoid cavity is bounded by an elevated ridge, which sends a branch along the claviculo-coracoid suture to the precoracoid foramen. This foramen is relatively of small size, and is a longitudinal oval; the two are separated by an isthmus composed equally of processes of clavicle and coracoid. The coracoids are very thin except in a transverse 52 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA portion, which extends across behind the precoracoid foramina; a strong elevated rib extends across the posterior face at this point. The outer margin of the coracoid is thickened, rounded and slightly concave. In Lin. Greatest antero-posterior length scapular arch, 33 6 a He ‘< clavicle, 14 9 ss ee “* glenoid cavity, 6 9. te Re ‘¢ precoracoid foramen, 3 Transverse extent of claviculi, 27 oy GG coracoidea, 16 From acetabulum to foramen, ; vi 6. The form of the posterior margin of the coracoidea is unknown, and they are much broken on the inner margin. They may have been considgrably longer than in the accompanying cut. The greater part of the pelvic arch appears to be preserved. From the obliquity of the median suture and from the form of the pubes as they are preserved on a large nodule of indurated clay, it is evident that they have formed a boat-shaped support to the abdominal viscera, with an obtuse keel on the median line below.’ The following diagram will explain the relation of its parts. In. Lin. Greatest antero-posterior length, 25 oe aS se pubis, 18 6. Antero-posterior median length to notch of ischia, 7 Length coracoids behind notch, 4 6. Greatest width pubes, 27 6. ischia, 21 The anterior and lateral portions of the pubes are very thin, as are also the median posterior portions of the ischiadic plates. The pubic bones are thickest on the posterior margin; they present a downward prejecting median conyexity near the anterior end. Depth of the articular face, 2 in., 8 lin. The superior surface of this arch was brought to light by the exertions of my friends, B. Waterhouse Hawkins and Wm. M. Gabb, who removed a large mass of matrix which fortunately accompanied and protected it. This presents a transverse thickening extending across it, and continuous with the posterior margin of the clavicles. A median longitudinal thickening extends from this to the anterior emargination, embracing in its angle with the transverse, a shallow coneavity. The posterior projection which is continuous «with the median part of the ischia, is strongly de- flexed behind the transverse rib, and is continuous with the basin-like concavity formed by the united pubes. The glenoid surface of the pubes is a sigmoid, while that of the ischia is regularly convex. The articulation of the ilium has been exclusively with the former. Of the pleurapophysial portion of the two arches nothing appears to be preserved except two lateral symmetrical long bones. One was found imbedded in the mass carrying the pelvic arch, and they articulate well with the pubes; but the articular extremity is too short to articulate with ischia at the same time. Though they resemble the inferior view of the procoracoids, they represent the ilia of Plesiosaurus. The head is subdiscoid, rather flat, slightly pro- jecting excentrically with a ligamentous pit. The articular surface is very oblique to the axis of the shaft, and is separated from the surface by a marked angle all around. Nothing like a trochanteric ridge is apparent in this bone. In. Lin. Length in middle of curve, 9 9 Diameter at head, 3 3 a distally on curve, : 6 <¢ “straight, 4 be de AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA. 53 Fig. 8. Pelvic Arch. The shaft is flattened cylindric; much flattened nearest the proximal extremity. The latter is very oblique to the shaft and slightly convex near the proximal margin. The end of the muzzle preserved, includes also the symphysis and parts of the rami of the mandible. The parts haye been crushed together, and the ends of the teeth broken off. The alveoli of the two jaws incline at a narrow angle to each other, hence the teeth which alternate, cross each other near the middles of the crowns. The parts preserved appear to belong to the premaxillary bone, though no suture can be found, and the bony walls are so thin as to render their obliteration a probability.~ There is a keeled ridge along the middle line above, which is not continued to the margin of the bone. The form of the muzzle is narrow, the sides subparallel near the tip, which is elongate rounded. The mandibular symphysis, however, is not very elongate, as the rami are given off at three inches from the tip. The latter appear to have been quite slender from various small sections or pieces sent with the muzzle, The premaxillary border of 4 in. 7 lin. exhibits eight teeth, or their alveoli, of which the median two are close together, and not separated by any mandibulars. The sections of the teeth are round or oval, and their sizes are irregular probably on account of differing age, and degree of protrusion: the diameters at alyeolar margin vary from 6 lines to 3. Their form is slender conic, or with the root slender fusiform, and the pulp cavity is small and median, AMERI PHILOSO. SOC.—VOL. X1yv. 14 54 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA sometimes cylindric, and somtimes narrowed. The surface from a short distance above the alveolar margins to the tip, is marked with acute thread-like ridges, which are sometimes interrupted, and some- times furnished with short branchlets. They are more or less undulate, and do not unite, Fie. 11 Gp iil, Cie: but simply cease as the tip of the tooth is approached. The latter is smooth without lateral cutting edges. The width of the mandible at the commencement of the rami is 3 in. .05 lin.; of the muzzle of the seventh tooth 3 in. 7.5 lin.; at the third tooth 2 in. 4.2 lin. General Renarks.—The tail is a powerful swimming organ, more or less compressed in life, hence the specific name, which means flat-tailed. The danger of injury to which such an excessively elongate neck has been exposed, would render the recovery of a perfect specimen like the present, an unusual chance. The neural spines of the dorsal region are so elevated and closely placed as to allow of little or no vertical motion of the column downwards, while those of the cervical and caudal region being nar- rower, the elevation of the head is quite possible, and an upward flexure easy. The habit of this species, like that of its nearest known allies, was raptorial, as evinced by the numerous canine-like teeth, and the fish remains taken from beneath its vertebrae. The general form of this reptile, whether it was furnished with large posterior limbs or not, was that of a serpent with a relatively shorter, more robust and more posteriorly placed body than is characteristic of true serpents, and with two pairs of limbs or paddles. It pro- gressed by the strokes of its paddles, assisted by its powerful and oar-like tail, The body € was steadied by the elevated keel of the median dorsal line, formed by the broad, high neural spines. The snake-like neck was raised high in the air, or depressed at the will of the animal, now arched swan-like preparatory to a plunge after a fish, now stretched in repose on the water or deflexed in exploring the depths below. Differences from other Sauropterygia.—The only genus with which it is necessary to com- ea ETOOOPNTTA OLE series of cervicals rapidly diminishes in Cimoliasaurus in absolute size and in relative length of the vertebra, pare this present one is Cimoliasaurus. The following may be noted as generic distinctions: The which are not compressed. In the present genus they maintain a similar length for a considerable distance, diminish in length very gradually and are much compressed. The diapophyses of the dorsal vertebra, as they descend, in Cimoliasaurus, continue well developed until they attain the inferior planes of the centrum, and have there a downward direction. In Elasmosaurus they cease while yet on the middle of the centrum, and are replaced by pits throughout the remainder of the length. The neural canal is everywhere markedly larger in Cimoliasaurus. As the characters of lesser significance may be added, that in Cimoliasaurus magnus the dorsals with elevated diapophyses are considerably larger in the centra than those in which they are situated lower down. Jn E. platyurus these vertebrz are of relatively equal length. The cervical pleurapophyses in C. magnus are anteriorly considerably stouter and less flattened; the same applies to more anterior vertebre, where they are flatter in both. In comparing this species with the Cimoliasaurus grandis, Leidy, from Arkansas, we observe, first, the generic character of the strong inferior diapophyses in the latter. That species marks itself also 1 00 innit q as a preéminently short-necked form, as these anterior dorsals are even shorter than in C. magnus, being nearly twice t=) as wide as long. The depth of the articular faces is also relatively greater than in the E. platyurus. History.—The determination of the extremities of this species was rendered difficult from the fact that Leidy in his descriptions of Cimoliasaurus, reverses the relations of the vertebra, viewing the ceryicals as caudals and lum- bars, and describing the caudals as belonging to another genus. Not suspecting this error, I arranged the skeleton of Elasmosaurus with the same relation of extremities, and the more willingly as the distal cervicals present an extraor- dinary attenuation, even for this type, and also as the discoverer assured me that the fragments of cranium were found at the extremity which is properly the caudal. Viewed in this light many details of the structure were the re- AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA. By) yerse of those ordinarily observed among reptiles, whence I was induced to consider it as the type of a peculiar group of high rank. This view is, of course, abandoned on a correct interpretation of the extremities. Leidy detected the error in this arrangement, and the correction extends to Cimoliasaurus as well. ELASMOSAURUS ORIENTALIS, Cope. This species is indicated by two vertebre. The first resembles both the twelfth from the first dorsal of the cervi- cal series of Cimoliasaurus magnus, or the fifth from behind, of the same of Elasmosaurus. Its large size, lateral longitudinal angle and small neural canal refer it with more probability to the latter genus. It appears to belong to a species possessing some of the peculiarities of the Cimoliasaurus magnus, having the quadrate form of the median cervicals of that animal, and lacking entirely the compression of the centrum and lateral concavity of the E. platyurus. The parapophyses are stronger and slightly more descending than in the fifth cervical of the latter, again resembling the more posterior vertebra of C. magnus Leidy. The bases of the parapophyses are more elongate than in the cor- responding vertebra of C. magnus; the process was directed downwards at an angle of 45°, from the plane of the in- ferior aspect. The inferior plane is slightly concave, with two venous foramina, each in a strong groove on each side of a narrow median rib. The lateral surface is nearly vertical and slightly concave to the strong longitudinal angle. Above the latter the face is oblique concave for a width equal to that below. The articular faces are transverse ovals and slightly concave; their margin not prominent, nor ribbed on the lateral faces. Lines. Lines. Length, 45 | Width canal, Tot Width, ; 52 | Length basis of parapophysis, 20. Depth to canal, : 36 If we estimate this vertebra by the position of the lateral ridge to be about the eighth anterior to the last rib- bearing, which I call cervicals in this genus, the transverse diameter of this vertebra in C. magnus is two-thirds that of a dorsal with diapophyses near the middle of the centrum. Should the proportions haye been similar in this species, the diameter of that dorsal would measure 6} inches, indicative of the largest of American saurians. As, however, inthe genus Elasmosaurus the disproportion between the sizes of the caudals and the dorsals is less than its ally, the latter have probably presented a diameter more like the same in E. platyurus. A second vertebra from near the same part of the column of a much larger individual was obtained by Dr. Samuel Lockwood, superintendent of schools of Monmouth County, N. J., from Wm. Conovers’ pit in the lower bed, near Marlboro, in that county. The diapophyses are directed downwards at an angle of 45°. The margins of the articular faces are not eyerted, while the inferior presents an open emargination medially. The two inferior foramina are very large. The measurements are as follows: In. Din. Width of articular surface, 5 Depth do. do., Length centrum, The name is not given under any supposition of restricted habitat, which may have been similar to that of the E. platyurus, but in view of the probability of its greater abundance where its remains have been found than elsewhere. Our knowledge of this species is unfortunately confined to the two vertebre above described. The first is from the lower cretaceous greensand bed, from near Swedesboro, Gloucester County, New Jersey. It was found ina tailor’s shop used as a block to secure a door. 56 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA Incertae sedis. PIRATOSAURUS, Letdy. PIRATOSAURUS PLICATUS, Letdy. Cretaceous Rept. N. Am., 29, 30, Tab. Cretaceous of Red River Settlement, Lat. 49 deg., Northern Minnesota. Described from a tooth. THECODONTIA. Owen in part. In this suborder we have a singularly generalized group, combining characters of lizards, crocodiles and Sauropterygians. ‘The neural arch of the vertebre united by suture and the slightly biconcave centrum, resemble the last two, so also the abdominal ribs. The limbs are rather crocodilian, the position of the nares, Plesiosaurian. The clavicle is lacertian, while the three vertebrae of the sacrum and the femur are between these and the Dinosauria. The most important characters distinguishing these animals from the Sauropterygia are the presence of an elongate sacrum and the more ambulatory form of limbs. Our knowledge of the order is almost confined to Belodon Meyer, and is derived from that author’s descriptions of those large and remarkable reptiles derived from the Keuper of Wiurtemburg, the Belodon kapfii Meyer, B. plieningeri Miunst., and B. planirostris Meyer. The American species of the order are known only from the valuable collections made by Wheatley at Pheenixville, Pa., and by Emmons at Deep River, in Chatham county, in North Carolina, ‘The former are in my hands for examination and description, and will be the subject of an appendix to this work. BELODON, Meyer. Although this genus does not present the swimming extremities of Plesiosaurus and Nothosaurus, its structure in this respect is not much more different from them, than that of the marine turtles is from the terrestial families of the same order. The structure of the sphenoidal region, the peculiar position of the external nostrils, almost above the orbits, with the rhizodont dentition, are points in which they agree. The position of the exterior nares cannot be regarded as an ordinal character, since we see what remarkable differences of position it exhibits in the existing family Varanide. There is is every probability that these animals were aquatic. ‘The posterior position of the nostrils, like that in many other marine animals, enabled them to plunge the long muzzle beneath the surface of the water or mud without interfering with respiration. The dentition of the posterior parts of the mouth has been shown by Von Meyer to be quite different from that of the anterior regions; the latter are prehensile, that is elongate conic, the former cutting, 7. e., flattened, broader and with trenchant edges. . AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA. 57 On teeth of the latter kind Emmons established his Palwosaurus carolinensis and P. sulcatus; and Leidy, Compsosaurus priscus and Hurydorus serridens. On tecth of the for- mer kind Emmons based his Clepsysaurus pennsylvanicus in part; his Rhytidodon caro- linensis and R. sulcatus; Leidy’s Omosaurus perplexus and Lea’s Centemodon sulcatus had a similar origin. The names based on the lenticular teeth accompany, as prior to, or synonymes of, the latter series. There is much difficulty in collating them, but 1 may folloy Emmons at present, in seeing in the two styles of smooth and fluted teeth, those representing different species. In this way I have attached to the fluted toothed Rhytidodon carolinensis, Emmons, the Paleeosaurus sulcatus of the same author. Emmons does not offer any grounds of separation for his /2. sulcatus, nor Lea his Centemodon sulcatus; neither can I find aught in Leidy’s Omesaurus perplexus by which it can be separated. Leidy represents it to be an “ Knaliosaurian,” while Emmons says (North American Geology, 67-79-82), that it is the same as his Clepsysaurus and Rhytidodon, citing Leidy as authority for this close ap- proximation. If this be the case, the form is a shore-loving Belodont, and not nearly related to the marine reptiles included under the old name of Enaliosauria. To the smooth toothed type belong posterior teeth named by Emmons, Palcwosaurus carolinensis, and by Leidy, Compsosaurus priscus and Hurydorus serridens, and anterior teeth referred, erroneously in part, as I believe, to Clepsysaurus pennsylvanicus, Lea. The first mentioned name cannot be used, as it has been already applied to a member of this genus. The third was based on a specimen from a very remote locality, and its proper application remains uncertain. The second specific name may be employed in the uncer- tainty, though its describer included both fluted and smooth teeth in the same species. Specimens in the Academy Mus., from Montgomery Co., N. Ca., consist of vertebra, tarsal bones, etc., and parts of cranium with dermal bones of this species. A tooth in place in the extremity of the ramus of the mandible, is as smooth as those from more pos- terior positions in the jaw, figured by Emmons, N. Am, Geol., p. 69, fig. 42, which in some measure supports Emmons’ hypothesis of the uniformity of the characters of the sur- face sculpture. The cranial fragments indicate a Belodont, and the vertebre are different from those of Clepsysaurus. The vertebre, (No. 5) from the coal of Chatham Co., N. Ca., were accompanied by teeth of the fluted character, though they were not on the same block. As the former indicate a species distinct from that from Montgomery Co., I have regarded them as pro- bably pertaining to Emmons’ Phytidodon carolinensis. The remains, (No. 6) from Pheenixville, include vertebrie, bones of the pelvic arch and posterior limb, with dermal bones, but no teeth, They indicate an animal distinct from either of the preceding. AMERI. PHILOSO. SOC.—VOL. XIV. 15 58 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA Emmons describes a species Clepsysaurus leati, from the coal strata of Dan River, a from near Leakesville, N. Ca., which appears to be distinct from the Rhytidodon caro- linensis. It is represented by a cast of a block of sandstone containing 14 vertebra, etc., which indicate a species different from any of those above mentioned. Finally, although the Eurydorus serridens, Leidy, from its locality (Phoenixville, Pennsylvania), may indicate a fifth species, there is nothing in the type specimen, nor in the description, to determinine any reference. It cannot safely be regarded as the same as the Belodon here described, from the same locality, since the strata in which the two occur, are separated by a vertical thickness of 187 feet of rock. Having satisfied myself of the existence of four distinct species of Belodonts in our Triassic beds, their generic relations come next in order for consideration. Tn his Manual of Geology, Prof. Emmons figures the cranium of a Reptile (fig. 157, page 179), which bears a near resemblance to that of the Belodon plieningeri, Meyer. The cast of this cranium in the Museum of the Academy Nat. Sci., confirms the reference to this genus, and presents no characters by which it can be distinguished from it. The specimens (No. 4) consist in part of the short frontal bones with part of the orbits and cranial cavity, and a portion of the ramus of the mandible, of a saurian near the genus Belodon, perhaps the same. The ilium figured by Emmons (N. Amer. Geology, p. 77, fig. 47,) and the femur, (fig. 48), with portions of mandibular ramus (fig. 42), obviously indicate Belodonts. Of the Pheenixville saurian, portions of the ilium and ischium are preserved, which indicate that the animal is neither a Dinosaurian nor a Dicynodont, nor yet a Crocodile. The portion of ilium answers to that of Belodon, as figured by Meyer and Emmons. The Dan River species is referred to the same group without entire certainty. The only teeth occurring in the same strata are, according to Emmons, identical with those of the smooth toothed Belodont from Deep River. The cervical vertebrae are quite similar to those of the Deep River species. I can as yet find no generic characters by which to distinguish these species from the Belodon of Meyer, neither in the cranial, dental, pelvic nor extremital regions. Meyer describes and figures numerous teeth, both smooth and sulcate, without distinguishing the two forms specifically, though it is certain that three species of the genus came under his observation. He figures ilia of two species, one of which cannot be distinguished gener- ically from that figured by Emmons (1. ¢. fig. 47). This genus was referred by Owen to the Thecodontia, along with some other little known genera. Some of the latter, especially Bathygnathus and Clepsysaurus, are in our opinion Dinosaurian, while others, as Belodon, represent a family of the present order. AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA. 59 BELODON CAROLINENSIS, Lmmons, Cope. Proceed. Ac. Nat. Sci., 1866, 249. Rutiodon (Rhytidodon) carolinensis Emmons’ N. Amer. Geology, p. 82- Geol. Sury. North Carolina. Palacosaurus sulcatus, Emmons loc. cit. (posterior maxillary teeth), Fig. Emmons Manual of Geology, p. 179. Centemodon sulcatus, Lea. Proceed Ac. Nat. Sci., Phila, 1856, 78. Cope, 1868, 221. ?Omosaurus perplerus, Leidy, Proceed. Ac. N. Sci., Phil., 1856, 256. This reptile I find on examination of the type specimen to belong here. Teeth of the same are in Wheatley’s collection at Pheenixville. I do not consider that any ground of specific distinction between this animal and the @. sulcatus has been pointed out, but leave the discussion of the relations of these Triassic forms for a future essay. Lea has called my attention to the fact that through some error in reading the scale, the measurements of the type tooth published are double the correct ones. The specimen consist of the distal half of a slightly curved conic tooth, and does not display any pulp cavity; the allusion to this in the original description having reference to frac- ture. The tooth cannot be called sulcate, but is rather weakly ridged or fluted. The original description may therefore be amended to read thus: Tooth slightly curved, with low trenchant edges, rounded on the exposed face, openly fluted on the lower (median) portion near the fracture, coyered with very minute distinct strie from the point to the base, which striz cross to the flutings in oblique lines. Length, eight-twentieths of an inch; greatest breadth, two-twentieths; pulp cavity minute or none. , The enamel of the teeth of B. carolinensis is rarely preserved; when this is the ease its striz, fluting, etc.. are as ascribed in C. sulcatus. Coal Measures of the Keuper Trias. Chatham Co., N. Carolina. BELODON PRISCUS, Leidy. Paleosaurus carolinensis, Emmons, Geological Survey N. Ca., 1856, p. 80. N. Amer. Geology, 1857, 86, figs. 57-S 60. nec Rhytidodon carolinensis supra. ?Compsosaurus priscus, Leidy, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1856, 165. Clepsysaurus pennsyleanicus, ‘‘Lea,’? Emmons in parte, Geol. Survey N. Carolina, 1856; North Amer. Geology, 1857. pp. 67-71-83; figs. 37 to 50 nec Leaii. Represented by numerous specimens from the Triassic of Chatham and Montgomery counties, N. Carolina. Teeth not fluted; caudal vertebree with articular faces broad as long, and centrum little compressed. Size medium. BELODON LEAII, E£mmons. Clepsisaurus leati, Emmons, Geol. Survey N. Ca., 1856; N. Amer. Geology, 1857, p. 79, fig. 51, Pl. figs. 1-4. Emmons states that this species is smaller than the last, and that the centrum is longer than broad. Cervical yertebree short, compressed, extremities strongly concave. The Trias of Dan River, N. Carolina. BELODON LEPTURUS, Cope. Spee. noy. Represented by wholes or parts of fourteen vertebre; a left femur and fibula; a phalange; imperfect ilium and ischium attached; with numerous ribs and dermal bones, from several blocks of bituminous shale from the bone bed in the tunnel at Phoenixville, Penna. The fragments indicate the largest species of the genus, one of the vertebrae with spine, measuring eight inches in total elevation. The centra of the dorsals are wider at the articular faces than long; in the other two species the length is greater than or equal to the width. The caudal vertebre are much compressed, not subeylindric as in B. priscus. The femur restored measures thirteen inches in length. Ischium sending a process forwards bounding the acetabulum below in part, largely excavated by the obturator foramen, which is very externally situated. The bones were enclosed in five slabs of black, bituminous argillaceous rock of the Phcenixyille section, and they were taken out from the same immediate proximity by the workmen engaged in the work in the tunnel. One slab contained three dorsal and two caudal vertebre with chevron bone. The second, one and part of another dorsal yer- 60. THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA tebree and the head of the femur; the third a nearly perfect vertebra and diapophysis of another, with dermal bones; the fourth the greater part of the femur, with fibula and dermal bones; fifth, ribs and dermal bones, with pelvis. Seven vertebre present centra, and are more or less nearly perfect. There are probably no cervicals, but there are three forms of diapophyses which indicate different positions in the vertebral column. That which I suppose to represent the most anterior, has a short, wide diapophysis with tubercular articular sur- face, and a short knob with capitular articulation at the base of the anterior aspect of the neurapophysis, with its su- perior margin on the plane of the diapophysis. In the next, the diapophysis is short, wide, and closely connected at the base with a capitular articular tubercle, for the rib, the extremity of the diapophysis furnishing the tubercular surface. In the first of these the diapophysis is as long as the elevation of the anterior zygapophysis above the cen- trum, and the capitular knob measures the middle of the latter space with its superior margin, being in the plane of the diapophysis. In three others the elevated position of the capitular articulation is visible. The second form of diapoplysis is seen in a nearly perfect vertebra in immediate connection with that first described above, but probably in abnormal relation. The process is narrower, but flat, and without capitular process at base, nor is there any cap- tular articulation on the centrum. Its position is much lower than in those just described, being opposite to the middle of the centrum. Its extremities are imperfect, probably broken off. I suspect that their condition is indicated by an isolated diapophysis, which is accompanied by tubercular articular face at a distance of 18 lines from its extrem- ity, and probably at some distance from its base, which is, however, lost. The third type of diapophysis is seen in two examples; one, in normal relation to its centrum, etc. This is quite slender and elongate, compressed at base, and cylindric throughout most of the length. On the posterior face of the extremity is a slightly concave articular face; the extremity proper appears also to have borne the tubercular face. That these are the combined tubercular and ar- ticular facets is rendered altogether probable by their wider separation on the second example of this form. This is an isolated diapophysis, of slender cylindric form, which, at a distance of an inch from the extremity dilates into a right-angled flat process, whose distal side bears a narrow capitular articular face. The extremity is subcylindric, bearing the tubercular facet. This arrangement of the vertebrae is confirmed by the arrangement seen in other species, where vertebre similar to those first described are evidently dorsal. It is probable from the above, that the capitular articulation rises from the centrum very soon in this type, as in the Crocodilia, perhaps very few dorsals retaining it on that portion; and differing from the Dinosaurian type, where this facet is on the margins of the centra and not elevated on a pedicel. This form differs from the Crocodiles in the narrowing and final cylindric form, as well as descent on the centrum of those diapophyses on which the two facets approach and unite. One objection to the position assigned to the last form of vertebra, is the fact that the only one with perfect cen- trum presents an oblique truncation on the posterior margin on each side, which looks much like a capitular articular face. There is a precisely similar vertebra in the Museum of the Acad. Natl. Sciences, from Chatham Co., N. Ca., which is ascribed to the B. carolinensis. Their surface is concave in this specimen, but seems too large for the head ofarib. In both, the vertical diameter is one-half the transverse width of the articular face of the centrum. -I can- not assign the place or use of this facet with certainty, but the following light is thrown upon the point by another specimen in the Museum Academy, also from Chatham Co., N. Ca., presented by Prof. Emmons. It consists of five consecutive vertebra on a block of coal slate, of which the anterior two present the capitular tubercle elevated to the base of the short flat diapophysis, without being confluent with it in the first, but closely united to, and of equal length with the shortened second. On the third, the rib-diapophysis becomes abruptly very much wider, and occupies a position a little lower down on the centrum. The diapophysis is preserved on one side of the block. It is flat, a little narrowed beyond the middle, then dilated, and with an open emargination opening pos- teriorly and outwards, at the distal extremity. “With the extremity it bears a narrow articular surface. These I sus- pect to represent capitular and tubercular articulations. The fourth and fifth vertebra bear each, a greatly dilated and thickened diapophysis, which I have little doubt represent the sacral supports of the ilium. Their expanded bases are somewhat lower in position than the diapophyses of the vertebra in advance, and they oceupy a broad arti- cular face of their proper vertebra, and a distinct facet of that preceding, leaving an articular face on its posterior margin. I suppose the peculiar yertebre already alluded to in the B. lepturus and specimen from North Carolina, are, therefore, the last lumbars. a AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA. 60—A From the above, four points may be derived: 1. That the ribs are continued to the sacrum in this type, a char- acter not before pointed out among its representatives in this country or Europe, and one in which it differs from the Crocodilia from the Cretaceous to the present period inclusive. 2. That the sacral diapophyses articulate with two yertebre instead of one, a point similarly exceptional with the last point. 3d. That in both these points this type approaches the Dicynodontia and Dinosauria, as it does in some others. 4th. That the B. lepturus belongs to a dif- ferent species from that from N. Carolina, last described, in having at least three diapophyses with double articulation near the extremity instead of one, and to a different genus from the same, because several of these are cylindric in the former, and broadly flattened in the latter. Which genus is distinct from Belodon is difficult to ascertain. If we suppose B. carolinensis to represent it, as it certainly does in cranial characters and other respects, the North Carolina specimen will represent another genus, since a sacral vertebra of B. carolinensis presents all the characters of that of B. lepturus. The centra of the vertebree are very much compressed, and the articular faces flared out at the margins. The faces are wide vertical ovals and distinctly concave. The posterior face of the supposed last dorsal is flattened, and presents two slightly swollen triangular planes, each from the facet of the margin. The neural spines of the anterior vertebra are shorter and wider, of the posterior more elevated and narrower. The rib supporting the anterior zygapophysis is very prominent in all, as is that defining the margin of the neural arch. They include a short vertical coneavity between them, giving the vertebre a marked character. The caudals are yery much compressed, more so than in B. ? priscus, though since they are median in the series, and those of the latter are proximal, there would probably be a greater resemblance between the homologous ones. The articular extremities are vertically oval, and but little flared at the margins. The neural arch with its apophyses is compressed. The diapophyses project just below the base of the arch, and are depressed and stout. Measurements. M. Vertebra ist type, 0.18 Do. height neural spine from canal, 0.10 Do. length diapophysis, 0.026 Do. «centrum, 1 0.05 Do. diameter centrum middle, 0.021 Do. gs s¢ articular face, 0.055 Do. a a vertical, articular face, 0.059 Total elevation type 2d, 0.1951 Do. neural spine from canal, 0.122 Do. width do., 7 0.04 Do. length centrum, 0.05 Do. diameter (transverse) centrum middle, 0.023 Do. fe «5 &s artic. face, 0.054 Do. * vertical ce ot 0.06 Do. elevation type 3d, 0.186 Do. neural spine from canal, 0.11 = Do. length centrum, 0.049 Do. diam. (transverse) centrum at middle, : 0.032 IDG eg &¢ artic. face, 0.061 Do. . “- vertical ce cs 0.062 Do. expanse anterior zygapophyses, 0.07 Do. diameter neural canal, 0.02 Length diapophysis, 0.082 The neural canal in the vertebra first described, is narrower and more elevated than in the last dorsal. A chevron bone has nearly cylindric limbs and short common junction of the same. Their proximal extremities are considerably expanded, but not so as to meet on the median line. They are very oblique backwards and inwards. Distal extremity strongly striate. 60-8 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA M. M. Length, 075 Inner, 005 Proximal expanse, outer measurement, .052 3 The portion of the pelvis preserved consists of the proximal halves of left ilium and ischium, the anterior portion of the latter being broken away. This fragment is not Dinosaurian; the longitudinal expansion forbids the reference of the ilium as the ischiopubis of a Dicynodont, and the ischium is too different to be regarded as the scapula of a Belodont. It presents a broad shallow concavity as acetabulum, which on the inner face is grooved and ridged at the inferior margin, as though united to the ischium by suture. This is well shown in Emmons’ figures of the same bone of another species, in North Amer. Geology, Pl. VI. The upper plane of this element is abruptly curved backwards and then broken away. The supposed ischium presents a marked acetabular articular face at its posterior connection with the ilium. Its posterior margin is much thickened, and becomes decurved towards the symphysis, which is lost. It sends a limb anteriorly along the line of union with the ilium, and apparently terminates in a narrow obtuse ex- tremity with rugose margins. Its supposed obtruator margin is thickened along this process; the main body of the bone is flattened at a strong angle with the posterior margin, and turned away anteriorly like the ilium of a Dicyno- dont, and includes an incomplete oval foramen with the acetabular process. The two pelvic elements are crushed nearly into one plane. M. : M. Length of fragment, 0.167 Width ischium at foramen, 055 a ilium to posterior process, -0715 Thickness ‘* distally, 021 ee iliac suture of ischium, 7 Oe The mode of attachment of the pubis is not indicated in this specimen, but it was evidently quite different from that in the Crocodilia. The femur is that of the left side; it is perfect, except that the portion usually supporting the third trochanter is broken out; say two inches. The head is Crocodilian, 7. ¢., without neck and compressed in one plane. Its extrem- ity is Sightly convex inwards, the inner extremity thickened, convex and decurved; the extero-posterior thinned and curved backwards slightly. The margin continued from the latter is therefore thinned, though obtuse edged, and encloses a wide shallow groove with the inner, thickened margin. There are no distinct trochanters. The shaft is quite slender, obliquely spherical triangular in section, with an inner ridge in front, and outer behind. The medul- lary cavity is very small. At the distal third the shaft is fattened antero-posteriorly. The trochlear groove is wide and shallow, and the condyles project less posteriorly than is usual; they have, however, been under considerable pressure. The inner is wider and shallower, the outer narrower and deeper. Their extremital faces are separated by an open notch. The fibula is a long slender bone, having a slight sigmoid flexure, and ridges twisted round the flattened shaft. The extremities are more flattened, both in the same plane; the proximal is broken away; the distal is obtuse, one end terminating in a point; the surface rugose. Its form is Lacertilian. M. M. Length femur, restored, 0.34 Diameter condyles, inner, fore and aft, 0.045 Diameter head, antero-posterior, 0.09 Length fibula, broken, 0.24 ne «* transverse (greatest), 0.044 Diameter perfect extremity, 0.035 a“ shaft at middle, 0.045 Seem pertecunmans 0.042 Bb condyles, transverse, 0.083 os shaft, 0.025 What is doubtfully referred as a distal phalange, resembles that ascribed to a species of the genus by Meyer, but as I cannot find lateral grooves, and the proximal articulations are concealed by matrix, it may not be such. One lateral margin is obtuse, the other acute; body thinned out to tip, flat in cross section below, concave in longitudinal, as wide distally as proximally. M. iM Length, -035 Depth proximally, -0165 Width distally, -017 Surface striate-rugose; lines of the upper surface converging toward a median point from the base. Several more or less broken, and one complete rz) are preserved. The two heads are distinct. The perfect rib St, ae — AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA. 61 is perhaps a posterior dorsal. It is but slightly curved, has a vertically broad oval section proximally, and a depressed trigonal one distally; there is little trace of a medullary cavity. M. M. Length, 0.23 Vertical diameter at distal third, 0.014 Do. from head to tubercle, 0.93 Transverse do., 0.155. I find no abdominal ribs, such as are abundant in the North Carolina specimen described on a preceding page. This species has been distinguished from B. priscus by the form of its caudal vertebra. The measurements given by Emmons and Leidy, of the other species, differ in the greater elongation of the vertebral centra. The length of the latter is in each case greater than the width of the articular face, instead of less. They are also smaller in all their dimensions. We shall not go very far wrong in estimating the length of this species on the basis of the gavial of the Ganges, as furnished by Cuvier. This would give to the Belodon lepturus a length of about ten feet, and a habit stouter than that of the Crocodiles of the present day. This species was discovered by Chas. M. Wheatley, proprietor of the lead and zine mines at Phoenixyille, Penna. He obtained the remains from the ‘‘Bone bed”’ of the Trias, where exposed by the Phcenixville Tunnel of the Read- ing Railroad. This stratum is, according to Wheatley, 6 ft. 6 in. from the top of the series; 52 ft. 6 in. lower down is a stratum rich in plants and Saurian remains, and 95 ft. deeper occur bituminous shales with caprolites and bones. CROCODILIA. The constitution of the cranium in this order is very characteristic and peculiar. ‘The basal cranial bones are forced backwards, so that they occupy a more or less vertical posi- tion, and the sphenoid is almost concealed in many. ‘The quadratum is immoveably embraced by the exoccipital, prodtic and opisthotic. The pubes do not enter into the walls of the acetabulum as.in Mammalia and Reptilia, but originate from the inferior pelvic arch, ‘They form no common suture, but extend sub-longitudinally, thus differing from pubes generally. The latter relation of true pubes occurs among Reptiles only in Chelys, Pelomedusa galeata, and Sternotherus, among the Chelonia, and in Pterosauria. An anterior process from the ischium occupies the usual position of the origin of the pubis, as a support for the latter. There are at least two well marked types in the class, defined as follows: Vertebre procoelian, 7. e. with anterior cup and posterior ball; the sphenoid bone little visible on the base of cranium. PROCOELI. Vertebree concave or nearly plane at both extremities; sphenoid bone with larger and more horizontal exposure on base of cranium. AMPHICOELL. The only genus of Amphiceeli known in this country is Hyposaurus; the Procoelian genera are the following: 4 The teeth composed of several enclosed cones of dentine. « The cervical vertebree with very rudimental or split hypapophyses. A large fossa or foramen issuing between the prefrontal and lachrymal bones of the face ; muzzle long, slender, teeth equal. THORACOSAURUS. AMERI. PHILOSO. SOC.—YOL. XIV. 16 62 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA No facial foramen; muzzle long slender. HOLOPS. az 'The cervical vertebree with long simple zygapophyses. Muzzle long narrow, with long symphysis; teeth very unequal. THECACHAMPSA. Muzzle broad short, symphysis short. PLERODON. 44 Teeth crowns a single dentinal cone with enamel sheath. Cervical hypapophyses rudimental; muzzle broad. BOTTOSAURUS.* Cervical hypapophyses elongate, simple. EXISTING CROCODILIA. Species of this order have been abundant in North America from the beginning of the Cretaceous period to the end of the Miocene. At present they are confined to its extreme southern regions. The Cretaceous period was more prolific in them than any later one, for then the Reptilian type in all its representatives reached its fullest development in the numbers, variety and size of its members. Then our sea coasts, estuaries, and fresh waters swarmed with them, an indication of the prolific lesser lfe on which they preyed or otherwise vented their powers of destruction. THECACHAMPSA, Cope. Proceedings Academy Natural Sciences, 1867, p. 148. This genus was characterized from a few teeth from the Miocene of Maryland. Since then additional material has enabled me to construct its characters more fully. Muzzle elongate, slender, as in Gavialis, the symphysis of the mandible elongate ; den- tal series interrupted by larger canine-like teeth. Dentine of the crown arranged in concentric cones. Enamel thin, with a delicate anterior and posterior cutting ridge near the tip of the crown. Cervical hypapophyses elongate, simple. The concentric structure of the dentine in this genus is quite the same as in Thora- cosaurus. I do not discover in it sections of the teeth of Gavialis, Mecistops and Croco- dilus. The cones readily separate and fall out in the fossil specimens. Their existence would indicate a periodical cessation of activity in the secretory vessels on the wall of the pulp cavity of the teeth, with intervening increase of deposit of dentine. In a shed tooth of this genus four such cones may be counted.t+ *Probably the thin crown in this genus is composed of several attenuated cones. +A supposed affinity of this genus to Mosasaurus, which I inserted in the original description, at the suggestion of a friend, I do not now recognize. AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA. 63 This genus presents the same peculiarity of dentition as the Plerodon Meyer (Diplocy- nodus Pomel) of the European Miocenes. The P. plenidens, and P. ratelii are both of the Crocodilian type of cranium, the rami of the mandible with curved extremity and short symphysis, while Thecachampsa is a gavial, with very long symphysis and slender muzzle. I have seen but one cervical vertebra from American tertiaries, and that is of the type of Thoracosaurus ; hence this character cannot be certainly ascribed to Thecachampsa. Three species appear to exist in our Miocene beds. The T. sicaria indicates in its slender mandible one character of the genus; it shows the surface to have been ridged and pitted as in other Crocodilia. The T. antiqua Leidy indicates in its dorsal vertebra, a smaller hypapophysis than in the known species of Crocodilus. ‘T. sericodon Cope is only known from its teeth. The teeth of the three species may be thus distinguished. It must be mentioned that I have but one tooth of TT. sicaria, three of T. antiqua and six of T. sericodon. In the first the tooth has a lenticular section a short distance below the tip, owing to the great development of the lateral cutting ridges, and the compression of the crown at their bases. In the other two, these ridges are much less developed; in T. antiquus they exist only towards the tip on the inner or concave face of the tooth, while in T. sericodon they extend more than half the length of the crown towards the base, on the inner side. THECACHAMPSA SICARIA, Cope. Proceed. Ac. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1869, 8. This species is represented by a lumbar vertebra, an imperfect crown of a tooth, and a portion of the under jaw. They were submitted to me by Philip T. Tyson, State Geologist of Maryland, who procured them from near the mouth of the Patuxent River, along with the remains of Eschrichtius, Physeter, and other Cetacea. The portion of mandible indicates an animal of a size considerably exceeding both the Gavial of India and the Thoracasaurus of the Cretaceous of this country. It contains all or parts of alveolae of six teeth. Opposite the fourth alveolus from the front, the margin diverges slightly from the median line, indicating the position of the distal extremity of the splenial bone. The slight degree of this obliquity indicates an extensive contact of these elements, and not a symphysis formed merely by union of the dentary elements as in Mecistops and Crocodilus. As no curvature appears at the anterior extremity of the fragment, and the alveolae are similar to those succeeding, it has evidently not been broken from tke anterior portion of the symphysis. The nutritious canal of the ramus is thus nowhere exposed, but is enclosed in the long symphysis. The upper face of the ramus is convex, most so anteriorly. Its lateral and inferior face is more convex than in other Gayials which I have noticed, especially posteriorly. Its surface is coarsely sulcate, and with numerous small foramina. A larger space than elsewhere is seen between the two median alveolx, which is occupied by a deep con- eayity for the reception of a large tooth of the maxillary series. This indicates an irregularity in the size of the teeth of that series, as in the Crocodiles, and not an equality as in other Gayials. On placing the fragment in position the teeth are seen to have diverged at an angle of 45°. The specimen had laid sufficiently long in the Miocene ocean bottom to have been fixed upon by barnacles and oysters, as a place of abode. That it had not remained unburied very long is evident from the small size which these parasites had attained ; and that it was buried in Miocene deposits and not worn by a more modern sea, is testified to by the Miocene shells (Turritella, etc.), whose fragments were removed from its cavities with the sandy clay of its place of burial. The teeth have been broken off in this rough contact with the elements, but I procured a large and characteristic portion of the crown of a successional tooth whose apex had attained to the level of the edge of the 64 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA alveolus, and whose development had occasioned the absorption of half the fang of the functional tooth. On the basis of this tooth I am enabled to determine the distinctness of this crocodile from the T. antiqua. The crown, instead of being like that species, a cone with a circular section, with a narrow cutting longitudinal ridge rising abruptly from the surface on each side, in this tooth has a lenticular section, with the cutting ridges on the acute opposite angles. The external face is strongly convex, though not so much so as in T. antiqua. The edges are crenate, but not so as to produce a serration of the margin. Enamel finely obsoletely striate. The vertebra preserved is a posterior lumbar. The entire codssification of the neurapophysis indicates that the animal is adult ; their upper portions are lost. The diapophyses have had an oblique basis, rising anteriorly, their middle being opposite the plane of the neural canal, the whole length standing on the anterior two-fifths of the length of the centrum. The cup is subcircular, wider transversely ; the centrum is depressed ; below broad, with a median longitudinal concavity ; sides vertical. As compared with the dorsal vertebre of T. antiqua, the latter are much more compressed in the centrum ; and although the posterior lumbars are always more depressed than the dorsals, yet the present seems too much so to haye pertained to the same species. It differs from those of T. antiqua also, in that the floor of the neural canal is entirely plane and smooth ; in the latter it is deeply grooved, in consequence of the non-coalescence of the expanded bases of the neurapophyses. FE ine elon Length fragment of mandible, 8 4. Diameter of alveolus, 11. Axial width from margin alveolus to symphysis above, 1 4 do. do. do. do. below, 8 Greatest width to median line (behind), 3 3 Long diameter crown, at middle of length, 8. Width muzzle, 2 8 Estimated length cranium, 69 5 do. total length, 33 4 Length lumbar vertebra (centrum), 3 10.5 Width cup, 2 3.5 2 0.8 Height cup, The above estimate of length is based on the proportions of the Gavialis gangeticus as given by Cuvier. THECACHAMPSA ANTIQUA, Leidy sp. Crocodilus antiquus, Leidy. 1. c. 1851, 307. Journ. Ac. N. Sci., IL, 135. Tab. ?Thecachampsa contusor, Cope. Proc. A. N. Sci., 1867, 143. This species continues as-yet to be represented only by the specimens on which it was based, viz., two teeth, two vertebra, an ungueal phalange, anda rib. These indicate a large species ; the vertebra are even larger than that of the last, and the teeth will not enter its alveolae. It is probably the largest of the known Crocodiles of this country. Fig. 16. I have noticed only two dentinal cones in the two teeth we possess. AN ye The accompanying outlines are those of sections of the teeth of the present species, i I ; AN and the T. sicaria C. Fig. A represesents the former and fig. B the latter. (Sh ) G / The peculiar form of the tooth on which 7’.contusor was based, is due I find to attrition 2 and partial destruction of the enamel. B A “‘Bocene”’ of Eastern Virginia from the banks of the Potomac. THECACHAMPSA SERICODON, Cope. Proceed. Acad. Nat. Sci., Philad., 1867, p. 143. This species was established on fragments of three teeth from the Miocene of Maryland. Four additional and much more perfect teeth, with fragments of jaws, from New Jersey, presented by my friend, Dr. H. ©. Wood, Jr., elucidate the characters of both species and genus. AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA. 65 The most perfect tooth is slender and curved, and bears much resemblance to those of Holops obscurus. The section of both root and crown circular, the latter regularly acuminate, and furnished with delicate cutting ridges. Terminal half smooth, basal half with a silky striation. Fang as well as crown strongly curved. Cutting ridge descending as far on the posterior, as the anterior aspect of the crown. Ina fractured New Jersey tooth, I count three dentinal cones. In one from Maryland, four. The inner cone is weakly fluted in both, but it scarcely affects the form of the enamel. The typical tooth of this species, as compared with the T. antiqua, is more slender and curyed. Ina length of crown and fang slightly exceeding the largest of the latter, the diameters are all about one-half the same. Teeth from other portions of the jaw are but litle stouter. In. Lin. Length of tooth from New Jersey, (on curve, ) 3 8. Diameter at base crown, 6.6 Length of Maryland specimen 16.5 lines. Base of crown, 9 lines. Miocene of New Jersey and Maryland. THECACHAMPSA SQUANKENSIS, Marsh. Sillim. Amer. Journ. Sci. Arts, 1869, p. 391. The enamel of the crowns of the teeth, is in this species quite rugose. The cutting edges are short, and promi- nent ; the general form cylindric and but little curved. { Miocene of Squankum, Monmouth Co., N. J. Mus. O. C. Marsh. THECACHAMPSA FASTIGIATA, Letdy. Crocodilus fastiyiatus, Leidy. Proc. A. N.8., Phil., 1851, 327. From Eocene of Eastern Virginia. BOTTOSAURUS, Agassiz. The characters of this genus have never been pointed out to the knowledge of the writer. In the general form of the under jaw and teeth it does not seem to differ from Alligator. One character which separates it from that genus appears to be similar to that which distinguishes Thoracosaurus from Gavialis, 7. e., the absence of long simple hypapophyses on the cervical vertebra, and their substitution by low transverse or divided elevations. It also appears that the great external foramen which separates the angular, dentary and articular bones was closed up. BOTTOSAURUS HARLANI, Meyer. Crocodilus harlani, Meyer Palaeologica, 1832, 108. Crocodilus macrorhynchus, Harlan. Jour. Ac. N. Sci., Phil., 1824, 15 (name pre-occupied). Bottosaurus harlant, Agassiz. Leidy, Cretaceous Rept. N. Am., 12-14, Tab. The teeth of this species are similar to those of Alligator in the short obtuse crowns. ‘The pulp cavity is remark- ably large and extends into the crown, leaving the dentine and enamel at the apex little thicker than the sides. Besides the remains described by Leidy, portions of a smaller, perhaps younger, individual have been presented to the Academy of Natural Sciences by Dr. Ashhurst, from near Birmingham, N.J. They consist of various fragments of cranium with dermal plates. A tooth is compressed, but has a short conic acute crown, such as has not before been seen in this species. The interorbital region is strongly pitted medially, and exhibits on each side a deep, short groove. There are no marked crests. AMERI. PHILOSO. SOC.—VOL. XIV. 17 66 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA The dermal plates are about the size of Holops obscurus, but have smaller pits, wider intervals, and one margin without pits, but smooth and thinned out. Lines. Width ramus where tooth series turns from inner to outer margin, 14.5 ‘¢ interorbital space, 14, “articular facet of mandible, 19. Length dermal bone, 25. It is difficult to refer vertebree to this species with certainty, as they resemble so closely those of Holops. The species is less abundant than those of the latter, and being found with them the vertebrx, are easily confused. It is not impossible, for instance, that those referred to H. tenebrosus belong to this animal, as teeth of the latter were found near the same time and place. There have, however, come under my observation some vertebre different from those of any of the Holopes, which correspond in size and rarity with the present crocodile. A description is therefore appended. Firsi—These are a fourth cervical vertebra, and some long bones, which were presented together to the Burling- ton County, N. J., Lyceum, and were procured at Gaskill’s excavations near Birmingham in the same county. The vertebra differs much in form from other species here described, and though absolutely larger than those of T. neocaesariensis, the neura] arch was not coéssified with the body, indicating the immaturity of the individual. The body is but slightly concave between the planes of the parapophyses, which are not at all directed down- wards; the latter are very short, and their articular faces are directed posteriorly and outwards anteriorly, the posterior portions being connected by a high crescentoid ridge, whose anterior margin approaches within three lines of the rim of the articular cup ; behind, a weak median keel connects it with the body plane, which is sueceeded by a prominent tuberosity close to the posterior shoulder. The anterior parapophysial articular surface extends without constriction to the rim of the cup. The floor of the posterior half of the neural canal is broken away, revealing a wedge-shaped chamber, which extends posteriorly and outwardly nearly to the shoulder. In. Lin. Total length, Ziel: Length to shoulder, BBs Width of cup, 1 8. Vertical diameter of cup, 1 6.75 as ut to edge of parapophysis, 2 Width between parapophyses near cup, a a as S at posterior angle, 2 il, Length from post. angle parap. to shoulder, 1 1.25 Length from post. angle parap. to cup, 1 2.5 The radii of the median area of articulation are numerous, (84), fine and equal; the transyerse rugae of the anterior area are also fine, thirteen in number. Portions of femur, tibia, humerus, and ribs were in the same lot with the above described vertebra; they resemble the cervical vertebra in color and in the bright green of the matrix which adheres to them externally, as though they had been wet ; their size relates so as to render their appertainance to the same animal probable. They indicate an animal of large size. The shank of the femur is cylindrical at its middle ; the prominence of the anterior flexure is situated well below the head, while the head itself is not as broad asin some species (e. g. Crocodilus biporcatus). An obtuse ridge runs from behind forwards and downwards across the outside face of the shaft, transferring the position of the steepest face from the back to the front aspect. On the inner face the trochanter is small, and the surface is swollen near the upper edge at the flexure. Compared with the shank of the femur of Hyposaurus rodgersi, the present is less depressed and lacks a longi- tudinal concavity, with obtuse elevated margins, near the superior flexure, which is characteristic of that species. For a considerable proximal portion of the femur, the medullary cavity is quite small; at the middle it is much larger, and the walls quite thin: measurements are, AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA, 67 - SS 3 i) S. = Wrest Oe Pp WY e = i) Length of portion of femur, Largest diameter below head, Convex extent of head, Circumference of shaft, Diameter of tibia two inches below head, Length of condyles of humerus, Diameter of inner condyle, 10. es region between condyles, 6. ef shaft 2.5 inches above condyles, 4. Greatest diameter of head of rib, Second—A fifth cervical, two lumbars and fragments of long bones from Birmingham, N. J. The cervical is con- siderably larger than the last, and has the arches coéssified ; its total length is 343 lines, and is appropriate to the adult condition of this animal. The lumbars indicate further the difference between this species and the Hol. obseurus. The cups and shoulder are more expanded latterly than in any species here enumerated, even near the sacrum, and the centrum more depressed, and with concave sides. A very obtuse rib extends along the inferior face. In. Total length, 3.85 Length to shoulder, Width of cup, 1.76 “© shoulder, 1.76 Both of these specimens represent the Crocodilus basitruncatus of Owen, and should their reference to the Bottosaurus by Leidy prove erroneous, will indicate a species under that specific name. From the Cretaceous greensand of New Jersey. HOLOPS, Cope. This genus, which appears to differ from Thoracosaurus only in the absence of lach- rymal fossae, has probably been represented by several species during the Cretaceous period in New Jersey. Vertebre of two species have been described by Leidy as pertaiming to the genus Crocodilus. All of them differ from the species of the existing six genera of Crocodilidze in the absence of elongate hypapophyses on the cervical vertebra, and their replacement by bified or simple often transverse tuberosities. As observed by Leidy, the T. macrorhynchus from the cretaceous of France presents a similar character. The student should also notice that in this genus the axis is the longest vertebra, and the third cervical the most constricted. The third cervical vertebra, as well as the axis, is also in Alligator mississippiensis and Crocodilus biporcatus slightly more constricted than the succeeding vertebra. The cups widen above to the fourth dorsal; from this point to the sixth the centra narrow rapidly, presenting more difference than in the same distance elsewhere. ‘The eighth begins to widen again, though still narrowed. (op) (o'e) THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA The lumbars grow widest as respect the centrum, to the sacrum. The two sacral vertebre are the broadest and most depressed and their cups and balls are flattened. The parapophyses rise from the atlas till they stand truncated above by neurapophysial suture on the fifth dorsal. On the sixth dorsal they stand just above the suture, and on the seventh on a level with anterior zygapophysis (H. brevispinis). Among modern Croc- odiles, Caimans and Gavials, Cuvier found hypapophyses on the anterior five or six dorsal vertebre ; on the Holopes and Thoracosaurus these processes are visible on the eighth, and probably on the ninth in H. brevispinis Cope. The teeth in this genus are much curved. ‘They have long conic crowns with minute lateral cutting edges and minute striz of the enamel, but no proper ridges as in Hypo- saurus. The teeth in T. neocaesariensis are blunter than in the others. In the H. elyptodon, the teeth are coarsely fluted, and the surface everywhere, finely and sharply striate. As the vertebra of the species of this genus are very numerous, and the crania are usually much mutilated before coming to the hands of students, I give a synopsis of their characters, including those of Thoracosaurus and Bottosaurus. I. Cervicals with deeply bifid hypapophyses, and transversely oval cup. Dorsals with transverse oval cups. T. NEOCAESARIENSIS. II. Cervicals with short united transverse hypophyses, slightly bifid posteriorly ; anterior extremities more or less quadrate. Smallest species, vertebrae 16 lines Jong (without ball) ; cups of all transverse oval. H. BREVISPINIS. Large; dorsals about third and fifth, with subcordate outline and thin margins; 7. ¢., widened above, narrowed below, wider than deep; centra 20-25 lines ; cervicals with subquadrate cup. H. CORDATUS. Large, centra 20-25 lines long; dorsals about seventh, etc., much compressed; cups deeper than wide, third and fourth regularly round or oval, not cordate, with thick lips; cups of cervicals round or transverse oval. H. OBSCURUS. III. Posterior cervicals with hypapophyses searcely traceable, and well separated. Large species; dorsals near seventh, with transverse oval cup, with thick margins; cups of cervicals subquadrate, bodies little keeled below ; centra 20-25 lines long. H. TENEBROSUS. AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA. 69 IV. Cervicals with a thick obtuse transverse ridge connecting parapophyses in place of hypapophyses. Large ; cup quadrate. BOTTOSAURUS HARLANI. HOLOPS BREVISPINIS, Cope. Thoracosaurus brevispinis Cope. Proceed. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1867, p. 39. Geological Survey N. Jersey, Appendix C. The specimens on which this species are established are, a cervical vertebra in the Museum of the Academy of Natural Sciences, procured by Timothy A. Conrad at St. George’s, Delaware, and one cervical, six dorsal, four lumbar, one sacral and four caudal vertebre from the Greensand of Burlington County, N. J., which haye been liberally placed at my disposal by the Burlington County Lyceum of Natural and Civil History. The last series is from the same individual apparently, and is more complete than that of any other cretaceous Crocodile hitherto brought to light. Also on a seventh dorsal, two lumbars and a humerus from the marl excavations of Samuel Engle, near Medford, Burlington County, New Jersey. : The last are from anadult, while the more perfectly preserved is not fully grown, since the neural arches of many of the dorsal vertebre have separated at their sutures, yet its approach to maturity is indicated by the persistence of this arch of the third cervical, of some dorsals, lumbars and caudals. The species is the smallest of the genus, and will furnish reliable date for the estimation of the dimensions of other extinct crocodilia. The vertebre are relatively more slender than those of the Alligators, and the general proportions are more probably those of the T. neocae- sariensis and of the Gavials. This will give a basis of estimation for the head and tail. Inches. Length of cervical series, 7.79 “« dorsal os 15. Olina — oC 6.25 «sacral fe 2.353 Total body, 31.33 Caudal series (part estimated), 30. Head (estimated), 13. Total, 6 ft. 71 inches. Cervical vertebre.—Characteristic of the two of these before us, is the deep concavity of the inferior aspect of the centrum with only a trace of a keel, and the steep elevation of the same surface to the rim of the articular cup. The latter does not form a well defined ridge, but rather a plane, connecting the anterior extremities of the parapophyses, which, in the sixth, supports two short accuminate hypapophyses. In both cervicals the parapophyses look outwards at right angles to the centrum, but as in existing species, possess shorter articular surfaces on the third, whose body is also rather more elongate behind them. In the sixth, which will be typical of the posterior four of the series, from the crest of the posterior shoulder to the posterior outline of the parapophysis, is one-half the distance from the latter point to the margin of the anterior cup, and somewhat less than the articular face of the parapophysis. The posterior shoulder is elevated in both, and the articular globe is contracted and projecting. The vertical diameter of the neural canal of the third is four-fifths the same as the anterior cup. The latter is small, its vertical diameter being only double the depth of the osseous elevation between the parapophyses. The neural spine is little elevated, compressed, its anterior margin subacute, and obliquely turned backwards to a posterior apex. AMERI. PHILOSO. SOC.—VOL. XIV. 18 70 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA Measurements. In. Lin. Third cervical, total length, 1 5. Crest of shoulder to outer angle parapophysis, 6.5 Last point to plane of cup rim, 6.5 From middle ball to apex neural spine, 1 7. Least width of base of centrum, 6.25 Sixth cervical (larger individual), length, 1 7.5 Vertical diameter between rims of cup, 10.5 The expanded bases of the neurapophyses leave only the cariniform epapophysis between them. Dorsal vertebre.—Vhe first, third and fourth with the parapophysis on the centrum have lost only their neural arches. The parapophyses have convex articular surfaces, which have a very posterior direction and are followed by a deep depression in the side of the centrum ; in the first they are a little behind the middle of the side of the body. The hypapophyses of all are distinguished by their lack of compression and their obtuseness. They are directed vertically downwards, the anterior face posteriorly. That of the first is bifid as broad as long, the others simple, longer than broad on the third. They are preceded by a depression behind the rim of the cup, and succeeded by a second, simple, small hypapophysis near the shoulder, which is finely many-grooved; it exists asa trace on the third, which of all the dorsals, may alone be said to present a very obtuse carina below. The surface in the first three is striate next the rim of the cup ; on the shoulder on the first two. The sixth dorsal is more compressed and smoother : its cup is more produced upwards and outwards, while that of the first is more nearly round, and the others are intermediate. The articular cups of dorsals near the seventh and eighth are nearly round, slightly deeper than broad. The. horizontal width of the diapophyses is considerable, and the transverse extent of the articular (inferior) surface of the posterior zygapophysis is equal one-half the length of the centrum between shoulder and cup. The seventh dorsal of the adult is perhaps twice as large as the above, without being half as large as the same in the H. obscurus. Though the centrum is as much compressed as that of the sixth, the cup is still broader than deep vertically. The centrum has a lateral longitudinal obtuse ridge. The hypapophysis is remarkably large for the position in the vertebral column. It is trigonal in profile with truncate planes before and behind, the anterior concave. The costal articular face is half way to the extremity of the diapophysis on its anterior margin. It is transverse, not vertical as in the sixth in H. tenebrosus. Sacral.—The first exhibits a longitudinal concavity on the posterior half of the centrum below. Caudals.—The body of an anterior caudal is not compressed, those of three others, but slightly so; the cup of the first is round ; those of the others deeper than broad. Three have stout diapophyses; of these the two posterior have a concave inferior face separated by a strong angle from the sides, while there is an additional lateral angulation on the anterior part of the side of the more anterior. In the two anterior, the neural spine is twice constricted from base probably to near apex, leaving an anterior laminiform portion, and a median much stouter. In the caudals the suture of the neural arch is much obliterated. Measurements of Vertebre. Of Adult. In. Lin. Seventh dorsal; total length, 1 8. depth articular cup, 10.5 width, 12. longitudinal width neural arch (greatest), 1 8. ne ‘* diapophysis, ible Of Young. In. Lin. Sixth dorsal ; total length, 1 By length to shoulder, 1 1.5 depth neural canal to end_hypapophysis, 1 15 ‘© articular cup, 9.25 width oe BG iil, AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA. 71 Measurements of Vertebre. Of Young. In. Lin. Eighth? dorsal; total length, 1 5. length to shoulder, 1 ile longitudinal line between zygapophyses, 1 5.5 horizontal base of neural spine, 11. depth of neural canal, 4.5 “articular cup, 9.5 width of Gs ee 9.5 neural suture to nearest diapophysis, 3. Third ? lumbar; total length, 1 3. length to shoulder, 1 ile longitud. line between zygapophyses, 1 6. horizontal base of neural spine, 1 depth neural canal, 4.75 ‘* articular cup, i) width ee cs 11. First sacral ; length, 1 2.75 anterior width centrum, 1 -79 posterior ‘* s6 10. depth neural canal, 4.75 ‘© articulation of diapophysis, Hike length WY “s Ye width neural arch between diapophyses, 1 2.5 Anterior caudal; length, 1 5. ‘* to shoulder, 1 1.5 depth neural canal, 4.5 ‘* articular cup, 8. width es es 8.75 width inferior plane, 4. Distal caudal ; length, 1 5.5 GG to shoulder, 1 3.25 depth cup,* 6. width ‘‘ 5. 3.75 length base diapophysis, None of the vertebre exhibit a constriction of the neural canal by a ridge on each of its sides, as is seen in the H. tenebrosus. This specimen is named from the short longitudinal and vertical extent of its hypapophyses. A right humerus accompanying three yertebre of the adult, has the same color and mineralization, and was found with them ; it probably belongs to the same animal. Compared with a humerus of H. obscurus of medium size, it is three-fifths the length and has more strongly marked articular faces. The head is more transyerse, less rounded, and more strongly divided into the scapular and coracoid faces. The width of the head is one-fourth the length, and reaches the summit of the deltoid crest. This crest is lower down in H. obscurus, the above width only reaching its proximal base. The anterior face above the crest is concave in H. brevispinis, nearly tlat in H. obseurus. There is a moderate internal tuberosity distally, and the condyles are moderately prominent. Coronoid fossa well inarked. * Measurements of the articular cup are always made from middle to middle of the rim. 72 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA In. Lin Length, 6 8. ‘« to middle of deltoid crest, 1 8.5 Width of head, 1 Uo es shank at middle, 8.5 iw condyles, 17.5 A mass of induarted marl, with vivianite and oxide of iron from Monmouth County, N. J., submitted to me by ‘Prof. G. H. Cook, contains the posterior part of the cranium of this species, with cervical, dorsal, lumbar and caudal vertebra, dermal plates and coracoids. The individual was immature, as shown by the non-anchylosis of the centrum of the atlas, the neural arches, etc. The cervical has the small hypapophysis composed of two small separated tubercles slightly prominent. The dorsal, with a prominent hypapophysis which is trincate in front and at the end, has the round cup characteristic of this species and the H. tenebrosus. The dermal plates are large, elongate-quadrate, considerably exceeding the frontal region in width. Their fossae are in some deep, wider than the interspaces, in others smaller, the plate with a broad smooth bevelled border. The cranium exhibits the specific and generic characters very well. The muzzle is broken off at the anterior extremity of the pre-frontal bone, showing that there is no, foramen as in Thoracosaurus. The acute posterior extremities of the nasals remain. At the anterior border of the orbits the lachrymal is wider than the pre-frontal, and the pre-frontal wider than the frontal. The pre-frontal suture does not extend further back than opposite the middle point of the diameter of the orbit, No part of the orbital margins are everted, except for a shorter distance on the malar bone. The temporal or crota- phite fossae are of about the same area as the orbits. The width separating them is very little less than one-half the distance between the orbits. The anterior wall of the foramen is not quite vertical as in H. tenebrosus, nor very oblique as in another species. The sculpture is less marked than in the latter, and though it would become perhaps more profound with age, it is quite different in pattern from these. There are small pits near the orbital margins, and shallow grooves which incline backwards towards the median line, whichisalmost smooth. There are no grooves or pits on the interparietal region. In H. obscurus there are large deep pits all over the frontal, which is concave, and broad smooth margins and a median line of pits on the parietal bone. In the the third species (figured by Leidy Cret. Rept., II., 8,) the pits are more numerous and the interparietal wider, and with marginal grooves. The ante- rior face of the crotaphite fossa is very oblique, or thickened inwards below, while it is vertical in the H. obseurus. a Postfrontal Frontal Parietal suture, width. width. width. H. brevispinis, 52 1.23 6 H. obscurus, 8 2. 200 Jab Pay, off 1.95 -68 The surfaces of the malar, postfronto-parietal and post-temporal arches are marked with distant shallow pits. The superior concealed insertion surfaces of the supraoccipital are largely exposed, and rugose. The basioccipital, sphenoid and pterygoids are more or less exposed. The first is vertical, with latero-inferior processes directed upwards. The sphenoid has a very narrow exposure, but this is horizontal. The posterior-inner processes of the pterygoid lie closely appressed to the sphenoid and basioccipitallaterally. This arrangement is much as in the living Gavialis gangeticus. The posterior nares are more anterior, however, and the septum not completed. Their plane is perhaps a little above that of the orifice of the eustachian tubes. The lower extremity of the basi- occipital, has a well-marked posterior keel. AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA. 73 Measurements. In Length (median above, ) to apex prefrontal, 5.5 “« (axial) to front of orbit, A415 i Lt G6 crotaphite foramen, 2.2 Width between extremities quadrata, 6.2 ce 3 postfroutal angles, “ec muzzle at point frontal, we Length dermal scutum, “cervical vertebra (to ball), x me er rm OO vw ¢S to oo ~ Width crotaphite foramen, This species furnishes the generic characters. I have not been able to ascertain the non-existence of the pre- frontal foramen in the following species, but as they bear more resemblance in the cranial sculpture and in size to this species, than to Thoracosaurus neocaesariensis, I refer them at present to Holops. HOLOPS CORDATUS, Cope. Of this species I have only two cervical, two dorsal, and three lumbar vertebree of one individual, all in a good state of preservation. They present characters similar to those of H. obscurus in the cervical vertebre, and inter- mediate between those of that species and the H. tenebrosus in the dorsals. While the fifth dorsal in the former is deeper than wide in its articular cup and slightly quadrate, the present species presents a broadly cordate cup to the fifth, narrowed below, yet considerably wider thandeep ; the H. tenebrosus presents a regularly round or transversely oval cup in the same position, much as in H. brevispinis. The accompanying cut exhibits the difference between this species and the H. tenebrosus. The cordate form is distinct on the fourth dorsal, where in H. ebscurus the cup is regularly oval. The cervicals are not different from those of H. obscurus, except that the cup is rather more pro- longed below, or subquadrate. The cervical vertebre referred to this species may be known by the outlines of the anterior extremity outside the eup, of which the latter partakes, which is between quadrate and cor- date ; by the distinct inferior concavity between the parapophyses, and Fi by the gradual but complete lateral eversion of the latter. In the types the posterior shoulder is remarkably prominent. The inferior carina is little marked on the fourth, while the hypapophyses are small and united. Ina fifth, judging from the more posterior position of the parapophysis, it is formed of two partly confluent subacute elevations. The dorsal vertebrae, from their nimeralization, condition, and time and place of discovery, probably belong to the same animal as the ceryicals above described. The breadth of the cup of the fifth is a little greater than the length to the posterior shoulder, it differs from Leidy’s figure of the sixth of tenebrosus, T. III., f. 13, in its large hypapophysis, which stands on nearly the entire centrum, and is very prominent, and concave in front ; the sides of the centrum are concave from cup to shoulder. In the third dorsal but a narrow space exists behind and before the hypapophysis, and the yertical diameter of the cup is less than the transverse, and exhibits the same cordate outline. As usual some (the anterior) lumbars are deeper than wide, and in others the bodies are subquadrate in section, and the transverse diameter of the cup greater. Measurements are as follows : AMERI. PHILOSO. SOC.—VOL. XIv. 19 14 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA Third cervical : length to shoulder, 7 0.75 ee st “« opposite posterior angle parapophysis, 1 4.5 me oY width between latter points, 1 1055 UG sé least width behind parapophyses, 1 2. “« vertical diameter cup, 1 5.25 ‘transverse diameter cup, above, 1 5.25 ee os ae «below, ili, Fourth cervical : length to shoulder, 2 ag ce G6 end parapophysis, 1 2.20 Third dorsal : length to shoulder, 23. ef 03 ee opposite posterior angle parapophysis, 10.5 eg ue “¢ of basis of hypapophysis, 14.25 6G ee width between ends of parapophyses, 33.75 GG a6 ‘* of neural arch just behind diapophyses, 26. ub st ‘< of anterior cup, 22.5 BG aC “< of neural arch, 5.25 sc vertical diameter neural arch, 7.5 ie Gs et cup, 19. Fifth dorsal : length to shoulder, 21. ee of ‘< pasis hypapophysis, 14. a6 GG width of centrum at middle, 12.25 as ce ce cup, 21.25 ce ce vertical diameter at middle, 18. Lumbar : length to shoulder, 25.5 Ke vertical diameter cup, 20. Se transverse, 19. Portions of the frontal and parietal bones of a gavial are figured by Leidy (III., fig. 8). They are shown under the head of H. brevispinis not to be referable to the cranium of that species, or of H. tenebrosus ; whether they can be referred to H. obscurus, H. cordatus, or H. glyptodon is as yet uncertain. This species is no doubt a gavial-like animal, very near the T. obscurus. It is sufficiently different in vertebral structure ; probably other differences will be found where other bones are known. HOLOPS GLYPTODON, Cope. Thoracosaurus glyptodon Cope. Geol. Survey of New Jersey, Appendix C. This species is indicated by a few teeth only, but they are of so marked a character as to render their recognition and arrangement proper. The best preserved specimen indicates a slender, subcylindrical strongly curved crown, with the acute ridge which divides the planes extending to its base. There are probably nine obtuse ridges on the inner or concave face, each about as wide as each interval. Both ridges and grooves are covered with sharp fine longitudinal striae, which are continually interrupted and irregular. The pulp cavity, as on others of the genus, is rat her small. Length of crown, 12 lines; diameter at base, 4.5 1. The apexis slightly compressed and smooth. In an older specimen the minute strie are less distinct, leaving the fluting. From Barnesboro, Gloucester Co., N. J. Not found with or near any of the preceding specimens, but with dermal plates not distinguishable from those of H. obscurus. = t AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA, HOLOPS OBSCURUS, Leidy. Thoracosaurus obscurus, Cope, Geol. Surv. N.J., App. C. Crocodilus obscurus, Leidy, Smithson. Contrib., 1865, p. 115. Tab. I, fig. 4. Undetermined crocodile; teeth tab. I, f. 7, 8, 9. This species was established by Prof. Leidy on vertebrae from Barnesboro, Gloucester Co. and Arneytown, Bur- lington Co., New Jersey. I have procured numerous vertebre from the former locality, which were associated with a cranium, which was nearly destroyed before reaching my hands. Enough, however, has been preserved to indicate with certainty that it is a gavial, and probably of the same genus as that to which Cook’s Monmouth County skull belonged. Numerous dermal plates were procured at the same time, which however are not more certainly to be ascribed to the T. obscurus than to the T. tenebrosus, of which several portions were discovered in the same excay- ations. The vertebree from Barnesboro in my possession have apparently pertained to two individuals ; two ceryicals, a second and fifth dorsal, with six other dorsals and lumbars and a caudal, of the one, and a first and fifth dorsal with eleven other dorsals and lumbar vertebree, of the other individual. In addition to these, I have examined two cervicals found with muzzle and long bones at Barnesboro; a fine series of vertebrae and other bones in the Museum of the Academy from near Birmingham ; three fine series in possession of Prof. G. H. Cook,+ the Mount Holly Lyceum Natural History, and Prof. O. C. Marsh of Yale College, all from Birmingham ; portions of two individuals in my own collection from the same place, and a set of eight verte- bre from Mullica Hill in my possession. Numerous ether specimens of this species have fallen under my examination. Hence it is obvious that this is the most abundant gavial of the New Jersey Cretaceous. A series of cervicals from Birmingham is instructive, showing the differences in the characters of the respective vertebre, The axis, which as usual is codssified with part of the body of the atlas thereby much increasing its length, has parapophyses represented by two crests directed downwards and separated by a deep longitudinal cavity; they are united in front. An obtuse ridge onthe side of the centrum separates two longitudinal concavities. The third cervical is also deeply concave below, since the parapophyses descend much below the plane of the centrum, and are united by an arched connection in front, which is not separated from the rim of the cup. As usual the para- pophyses continue to rise, till on the sixth they are a little above the plane of the centrum. They also become more posterior, till on the sixth their centre is opposite the middle of the centrum without ball: on the seventh this pointis behind the middle. The first dorsal is readily distinguished by the small size and posterior direction of the articular face of this parapophysis ; its middle is a little below opposite the middle of the cup. On the third dorsal the same point is just above opposite the middle of the cup. On the fourth cervical a trace of median inferior keel exists ; it is quite strong, but thin and concave on the fifth, while on the sixth it is thicker, and does not separate deep concavities, but only slightly concave planes. It is still more elevated on the seventh, and increases beyond. On the third there is no distinct hypapophysis. On the fourth, a transverse elevation on the anterior arch connecting the parapophyses marks it ; on the next it appears in the same place as two small longitudinal tubercles with groove between. On the sixth they are similar but stronger. On the seventh it is much more elevated, the groove between its halves being now a transverse plane. On the first dorsal it is a simple, large process, extending over half the centrum with a small knob behind it: on the third it has a longer ‘base, but on the second the longest, extending the whole length of the centrum. On the fifth it is thick, with rounded edge below, and with a truncate triangular face in front. It is apparent on the eighth, as an obtuse eleva- tion in front. From the fourth posteriorly the characters are drawn from other series, which show many of these vertebre. The cups of the third to fifth cervicals look a little more truncate below, owing to the prominence of the trans- yerse ridge. They are almost perfectly round thence to the second dorsal, where the transverse diameter begins to exceed the vertical a little. First on the fifth dorsal the cup assumes some of the narrowed form of the centrum. The very numerous lumbars present nothing peculiar. As in other species they are more or less striate grooved at the bases of the cups and balls. The series first mentioned as from Barnesboro presents typical characters of the cervical hypapophyses. + The types of T. obscurus preserved in the museum of Rutgers College have been kindly placed in my hands by John Smock, Asst. State Geologist. 76 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA Tt is in the third a short acute transverse crest truncate in front, gradually inclined behind; fourth, a similar crest curved into a crescent quite as in Leidy’s plate* above cited under T. obscurus. In the fifth they are two weak eleyations, much less marked than in the above in my possession. All the above exhibit a well marked constriction between the parapophyses and the rim of the cup. The dorsals with hypapophyses are distinguished by the less cordate form of the articular cups, they being relatively broader below, and in the second to fifth, narrower aboye than in the T. cordatus. Their neural arches have on the inner faces a ridge constricting the neural canal slightly. The hypapophysis of the two-fifths in my possession are rather short, broad and obtuse. The cervicals may also be known by their strong posterior shoulder, and constriction of the body behind the para pophyses, where the width enters the length (exclusive of ball) twice: the relation is 1:1.5 in T. neocaesariensis. The parapophyses are most abruptly turned out, and are directed downwards, thus embracing a median concavity which is divided by a rather narrow carina. Separated from the rim of the cup bya narrow transverse plane, a hypa- pophysial elevation extends transversely between positions in front of the parapophyses: this is less elevated medially than exteriorly, the latter position being marked by a prominent angle. The articular cup of the first dorsal is a slightly transverse oval. The lumbar vertebre exhibit little to distinguish them from those of other species. An anterior caudal is more depressed than that from near the same position in T. brevispinis. The cup is broader than high, and the inferior plane broad and concave. Measurements. In. Lin. Fifth cervical ; total length, 2 9. length to shoulder, 2 1.5 width of neural canal, 9. “between ends diapophyses, 2 8.5 re rie “¢ parapophyses, 1 9.5 lateral depth of body in front, 1 9. median UG a ee il 8. depth articular cup, 1 4, ue es fg 1 4,75 Seventh dorsal ; total length, 2 lif length to shoulder, iL *al)33) width neural canal, 6.25 depth anteriorly, with hypapophysis, 1h 2 aDleb) width of cup, 1 6.75 depth ‘ 1 6°25 Posterior dorsal ; length to shoulder, 24.25 vertical diameter cup, 20.75 transverse ‘‘ Gb 19. The mandible preserved, indicates an animal of considerable size. Estimated according to the proportions of . . . .. existing Gavials its length would have been :— In. Head, 28.7 Body, 92.85 Tail, 69.64 Total, Wes by Ss Abo, slag) In. Lin. Length of mandible preserved, 13. nf symphysis, 11.5 ob splenial in front of fork, 4.6 * TL, fig. 4. AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA. -t —t In. Inn. Width at anterior point of splenial, 2. «« near extremity, 1.9 «* an inch behind fork, ie 4 “« between rami at same point, 13 Teeth opposite symphysis, 13. The larger teeth are all broken, but one with fang exposed, would probably measure when complete 1 in., 10 lin. The form of some of the smaller is well represented in Leidy’s figures above cited; they are acuminate, strongly incurved, of a full lenticular section, with an anterior and posterior raised cutting ridge, in the transverse plane of the crown. The sides present numerous narrow weakly defined facets, and are in a half protruded one, finely striate. The alveoli do not open on the horizontal plane of the inside of the mandible, but the latter is raised above them for the posterior half of the symphyseal portion of the jaw; the latter is more depressed towards the extremity. Teeth from other specimens and localities exhibit marked characters. They are all much curved and slender conic, and subeylindric ; the tip smooth, the remainder more or less extensively minutely striate, but not fluted or ridged. The fang is slightly flattened. In T. neocaesariensis the crowns are relatively shorter, less curved and more obtuse; in both the anteroposterior dividing ridge is well marked. Part of the teeth attributed by Leidy to Hyposaurus belong here ; see synonymes. The muzzle of a larger individual from Birmingham, acconipanied vertebrze of this species, with a smaller gayial cranium in fragments ; and a cervical vertebra similar to that described under Bottosaurus harlani. Its reference to this species is not certain, but I give a figure of it. The lateral maxillo-premaxillary suture is not preserved, so the number of premaxillary teeth cannot be exactly ascertained; there are four to the line of the posterior margin of the large incisive foramen, of which the anterior is quite small. The posterior palatal suture of the same element is prolonged in a narrow chevron on the median line below, to opposite the eighth alveolus from the front; there are nine alveoli behind this point, to the broken extremity. A noteworthy character consists in the presence at the posterior part of the series of deep fossae Letween the maxillary alveole for the reception of the mandibular teeth, showing that the latter did not project externally between the former, as in the existing gavial. The same structure appears in the smaller cranium which accompanied it,* but is not found in the Thor. neocaesariensis. * The fronto-parietal region of this one is described under head of H. brevispinis. AMERI. PHILOSO. SOC.—VOL. XIV. 20 78 THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA Measurements. In. Lin. Length of muzzle to 16th tooth, 16 0.5 ne se ‘* extremity of premaxillary bone, 7 il. “s Ge “ to posterior edge incisive foramen, 2 4.5 a sf ‘“tojanterion | (°° us G3 1 7.5 Humerus.—This, with a femur, belongs to the right side of the series from Birmingham, first described. Its characters are indicated under the head of T. brevispinis. The shaft is rather slender and curved outwards; the head is strongly curved backwards ; its articular face is narrow, and remarkably convex. The condyles are broken away, leaving the comencement of the coronoid fossa : In. Lin. 5 Ql Length (restored), «to summit deltoid ridge, Width head, Circumference shaft (least), ww wo Femur.—This piece is perfect ; two distal ends from Barnesboro, besides numerous proximal ends, have also come into my hands. It is more slender than in the caimans and crocodiles of the present day. The inner trochanter is quite prominent, the articular face of the head very convex. The shaft is sigmoidally bent anteroposterioly, and is bowed extero-internally, with a subordinate abrupt incurvature below the head. The latter is largely caused by a prominent thickening on the inner side. The outer condyle is twice the size of the inner, and they are continued into obtuse crests on the upper face of the bone, of which the outer is much more elevated. Below their sides spread apart. In. Lin. Length, : 10 u ee of head (straight), 7 “ (transverse) of condyles, 2 3 Least circumference of shaft, 5 Of dermal bones, those of two species, perhaps of more, were procured from the excavations that produced four species of Gavials, with Bottosaurus,* and to which they are to be referred is not very clear. In the one, the pits or fovea are yery large and are separated by narrow elevated partitions ; in the other they are small and are separated by flat intervals wider than themselves. In the former the fovea extend to the edges of the plate on the bevelled edges ; in the latter, the bevelled edges are without fovae. Leidy says of those of this type, ‘‘plates coarsely foveated.’’ The first described belong to the median series of the present species, as they usually accompany its bones when they occur alone; and the latter to the external series. : Parallelogrammic dermal bones without pits, and with very high longitudinal crests, standing on more than half the length, frequently accompany remains of this species. They are cervical or nuchal bones, and are of relatively large size, equalling those of the dorsal region. The crests are oblique in the direction of their length. Such bones belong to this species, perhaps to H. cordatus also. HOLOPS TENEBROSUS, Leidy. Crocodilus tenebrosus, Leidy. Cretaceous Reptiles U.$., 115. Tab. III, figs. 12-15. T'horacosaurus tenebrosus Cope. Geological Survey of New Jersey, Appendix C. This species is as yet little known. Leidy’s type is represented by two cervicals, a seyenth dorsal, a caudal, and portions of humeri ; on account of their close resemblance, and marked specific separation from H. obscurus, I regard as the same an animal of which a cervical and three lumbars are preserved in my collection. The dorsals exhibit a * Several simple coprolites which accompanied these remains, probably belonged to the same species. AND AVES OF NORTH AMERICA, 79 round cup with thick edges. In the cervicals the hypapophyses are represented by rudimental elevations separated by a space, except on the third, where there is the usual anterior cross ridge, followed by a concavity. I refer here a dorsal, kindly lent me by Prof. Marsh, where the cup is more transverse oval than in T. obscurus. The lumbars from Barnesboro are characterized by a form more slender than those of the T. tenebrosus, more nearly resembling some from the series of T. obscurus. Measurements of : In. Fifth cervical: length to shoulder, 21. ‘¢ posterior angle parapophysis, 15. 28 RPO WEL ALOU Vi MY Ta ep oD} P YNY JOY » 0 If 2) £ é vA ve. sth. Ph claim's L: Sim : aurus hartany¢. il Ih, Sov Ser. Yl pe OHA lye yh a A Niplelera Ga Figs./-3 Holopsobseurus. 1-01. brevispinus. 7H cordatus. 8-9 bollosaurus-hartant T Simolair’s Lith, Phila. / Palacophis — hitorals, 2 2 hatidanus. 3 Clidastes 1quanarus. + Mosasaurusdepressus. D Macrosaurus—ralidus. 0G 7 hecachangsa —srarta: 7 I serwadon= Par mse eat MS capete $ oa * Nt £ — Cope C1? - Tol Nipheloi Ae. ; Zoe : Ge ? Yip: YAWN. YY U7 Ewcelastes platyops Cope. LN GW AVY opua. O Osteopy gus chelydrinus. J Luclastes. p hrosphys molops. v mi ray an eal lpn CH ¥ ac Vieplelea Az ; ; ’ - | 1 Pleurosternum pectorale: 2 “Uapleura repunda: 3 Osteopygis emarginatus. FT Propleura sy pe 6 Osteopygis chelydrinus. 9 Huclastes. ; ‘ - platyops. OTP Stylemps nebrascensis. 12 Triomyx pennatis. “tT lama: 15 T hulophelan 16 ae rasphys molops. F ay a. , , a ‘Ta - ‘Se .¥ =~” Lung urs (ope: DS— Le me. a PRS me ara MOTE or aon Li A, YG AO SIRURLIRI So ere asin sinter secre crea area rad Saal tes Sil ld Pec Hees ten emer) ECANAS S oI ne SOC) eatreetet weinna Eoserisens es pone FN hd ROIS mre tomes) Sot mere we omccesee SN a a en SOLA Sin: Bn To 0 ny ns vis ype IE Faye f Vipltlea Ae. ‘ Ri: " C YY J f ‘ CP ed. hp : Vii . Tie LAW. Yo Af Rey pe t j ‘ > Aa — pe 7 ee SiC O70 ¢ Le Tiplilea AGL ‘ eae , Y,, c Nye Phiisda 1 Lytoloma angusta. 2 Prochonias sulrwtus. 3 Hyposaurus radgersi 4-5 laelaps aquilungazis. 6 Mosusunras depressas. 7. Mo maximus. 8& Mmitchellit. 9 Rhabdopelix longispints. —— WE GH y ¢ ee te. ¢ Uy i oe VBE XE \ : T. Sinclair lith.. Philada. LY. nth — — - } y GF O fs f. , I oe one Aanel Miyplilen Ae Seana eel ii HI 1-2) Clidastes Propy thon. 22-24 Macrosaurus PTOVLGEL. T. Sinclair lith.Philada_ ox 5 7 A $e ‘ % ¥ i : - ¥ + ae . yay ir S oe Facey < wil NN