io6 



FOSSIL TURTLES OF NORTH AMERICA. 



Taphrosphys sulcatus Leidy. 

 Text-figs. 98-100. 



Platemys sulcatus, Leidy, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., vm, 1856, p. 303; Smithsoh. Contrib. Knowl., 



XIV, art. vi, 1865, pp. 109, 120, plate xix, fig. 4. Maack, Pal;eontographica, xviii, 1869, p. 281. 

 Taphrosphys sulcatus, Cope, Cook's Geol. New* Jersey, 1868 (1869), p. 735; Ext. Batrach., Reptilia, 



Aves N. A., 1870, pp. 159, 164, text-figs., 45, 45 his; Vert. Cret. Form. West, 1875, p. 264. Hay, 



Bibliog. and Cat. Foss. Vert. N. A., 1902, p. 439. 

 Prochonias sulcatus, Cope, Amer. Naturalist, in, 1869, pp. 89, 90; Ext. Batrach., etc., p. 165, line 8, 



plate xi, fig. 2. 



As has occurred too often in the history ot paleontology, the present species was based on 

 very meager materials. These consisted of 3 peripheral bones, regarded as the fifth, sixth, and 

 seventh, and a xiphiplastral. Only the peripherals were figured. These were large, measuring 

 altogether 8 inches along the free border. They came from the Cretaceous greensand at Tinton 

 Falls, Monmouth County, New Jersey, and are preserved in the geological collection of Rutgers 

 College, New Brunswick, New Jersey. Leidy' s description of these bones is very brief. Each 

 bone has two faces, an upper and a lower, the lower broad and flat, the upper inclining toward 

 it at an angle of nearly 45, the two meeting along an acute margin. The fifth is 54 mm. long on 



99. 



Figs. 98 AND 99. Taphrosphys sulcatus. No. 1468 A. M.N. H. 

 98. Section of seventh peripheral of type. Xi. 99. Rear of carapace. X\. 



the tree border; the sixth, 60 mm.; the seventh, 76 mm. The sixth rises from the free border to 

 the costal border, 69 mm.; the seventh, 70 mm. The anterior end of the seventh is much thick- 

 ened and has afforded an articulation with the inguinal buttress. In front of this articulation 

 the bone is somewhat excavated by the sternal chamber. The hinder end of this peripheral is 

 thin, not exceeding 14 mm. (fig. 98). The free borders of all these peripherals are acute. 

 The superior surface is ornamented by a close articulation of grooves. Fig. 98 represents a 

 section along the sulcus between the marginal scutes that overlapt this bone. The piece of 

 xiphiplastron displayed the scar for union with the pelvis. 



With this species Cope identified a specimen which he obtained from the upper greensand 

 bed at Barnesboro, Gloucester County, New Jersey. This specimen furnisht him the three 

 hinder pairs ot costal plates, the suprapygal, the pygal, and a number of the hinder peripherals. 

 There are present also portions of two bridge peripherals and some fragments of other costals. 

 I here appears to be no reason for doubting the correctness of Cope's identification. This 

 specimen (figs. 99, 100) is now in the American Museum and has the catalog number 1468. 

 It now lacks all the peripherals that Cope figured, except one. According to his figure, Cope 

 lackt the eleventh peripheral. The one now present was certainly in Cope's hands, having 

 his marks on it; and yet, after careful examination, that bone is found to fit in the place of the 



