On a New Mesosaurian Reptile. (Noteosaurus africanus). 359 



For the new type I propose the name Noteosaurus africanus, 

 g. et sp. nov. 



The specimen was discovered in the district of Victoria West by 

 Mr. Blake. There is no doubt it is from the same horizon as the 

 South African species of Mesosaurus. Unfortunately only the pelvic 

 region with the anterior part of the tail and the greater part of the 

 two hind limbs are known ; and further, though the feet are satisfac- 

 torily preserved the pelvis is almost hopelessly weathered away. A 

 part of the ischium is preserved, a fragment of the pubis, and a fair 

 portion of the ilium. There is no evidence as to whether the pubis 

 was perforated or notched. 



The femur measures 33 mm. in length. The ends resemble those 

 of the South African Mesosaurs rather than the Brazilian in being 

 less completely ossified. The tibia and fibula agree rather with 

 those of M. brasiliensis. The fibula has, as in that species, the 

 typical Cotylosaurian shape. It measures 21 mm. in length, and 

 the head is 5'3 mm. wide. The tibia is rather slender. 



The tarsus is well preserved. The two large proximal elements 

 are very similar to those in M. brasiliensis and M. capensis, the 

 resemblance to those of the former being the more marked. 

 Distally there appear to be only four tarsalia. The shape of the 

 elements will be best understood from the figure. 



The following are the lengths of the metatarsals and digits in 

 this new species, and, for comparison, the lengths in the foot of the 

 Nieuwoudtville Mesosaurus which is believed to be M. capensis. 



Noteosaurus Mesosaurus 



africanus. capensis. 



1st metatarsal 9 mm. 8'7 mm. 



2nd 12 ,, 12-4 ,, 



3rd 12-8 15 



4th 13-5 16-5 ,, 



5th 14-5 18 



1st digit, iucl. metatarsal 15 - 5 ,, 16 ,, 



2nd 24-7 24-6 



3rd 28-6 31 



4th 33 37 



5th 39 39 



In comparing the feet of the two forms the most striking- 

 differences are the relatively greater lengths of the 3rd, 4th, and 

 5th metatarsals in Mesosaurus, the greater length of the 4th toe 

 in Mesosaurus, and the relatively greater length of the 5th toe in 



