VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY IN 1912 19 



Tylosaurus and in the third a new cynodont from the Storm- 

 berg beds. More important are certain observations in the 

 fourth paper on the structure of the dicynodont skull, where it 

 is stated that the bone in which the pineal foramen (that is to 

 say, the aperture for the pineal eye) is pierced is probably a 

 special development in this group, the paired bones behind this 

 representing the parietals. 



These early South African reptiles form the subject of 

 another paper by Dr. Broom, published in the Proceedings of 

 the Zoological Society for 191 2 (pp. 859-76). The remains 

 described are referred to no less than seven new generic 

 types as well as to a number of species included in previously 

 known genera. Although several of these are of consider- 

 able interest, none requires special notice on the present 

 occasion. 



In an earlier portion of the Zoological Society's Proceedings 

 (pp. 419-25) Dr. Broom discusses the structure of the internal 

 ear in dicynodonts and the much-disputed homology of the 

 mammalian auditory ossicles. As regards the latter, he reverts 

 to the old view that the incus corresponds to the reptilian 

 quadrate ; the removal of that element from the mandibular 

 articulation being foreshadowed in the Permian African genus 

 Cynognathus, in which it has partially slipped out from the 

 joint. 



Next to Eoantliropns, perhaps the most important discovery 

 of the year in the branch of science under discussion is the 

 identification of a toad from the Jurassic of Wyoming. So long 

 ago as 1887 the late Prof. O. C. Marsh announced that he had 

 evidence of the occurrence of a tailless batrachian in the Como 

 beds of the Montana Jurassic and proposed for it the new 

 generic and specific designation Eobatrachus agilis. The two 

 specimens were never properly .described or figured and the 

 genus has consequently been ignored by palaeontologists. 

 Recently the types have come into the hands of Dr. R. L. 

 Moodie, who expresses himself perfectly satisfied {Amer. Journ. 

 Sci. vol. xxx. pp. 286-8) as to the general correctness of the 

 original diagnosis and raises no doubts with regard to the 

 horizon from which the specimens were obtained. He adds 

 that the Como batrachian appears to be a toad, probably 

 referable to the family Bufonida? and possibly even to the 

 existing genus Bufo. In stating that the earliest tailless 



