CROCODILIA. 119 



Vertebrae of the Crocodilus champsoides. 



Figui'es 7 and 8, PI. 3 A, give two views of the third cervical vertebra of the above- 

 named gavial-hke Crocodile, which vertebra, besides its longer and more slender propor- 

 tions, differs in the smaller size of its hy|}apophysis from the corresponding vertebra in 

 any existing species of Crocodile or Gavial : the process in question being in the form of 

 alow crescentic ridge, as shown at figure 8, between the bases of the parapophyses {p). 



Both parapophyses terminate by a convex surface, which appears to have been 

 a natural one. Between the parapophysis {p) and diapophysis [d), fig. 7, the side of the 

 centrum is more deeply excavated than in the Crocodilus toliapiciis. The centrum 

 contributes a small part to the base of the diapophysis, as in the third cervical vertebra 

 of modern Crocodiles. The neurapophysis are thinner than in the Croc, toliapiciis, and 

 their bases do not join one another above the centrum. The longitudinal ridge 

 extending from the anterior to the posterior zygapophysis is sharply defined. 



Figure 4, PI. 3 A, is the first dorsal vertebra of the Crocodilus champsoides, in which, as 

 in existing Crocodiles, the parapophysis {p) has passed almost wholly from the centrum 

 upon the neurapophysis, the diapophysis {d) having been subject to a corresponding 

 ascent. The base of the compressed hypapophysis extends over the anterior third of 

 the middle line of the under surface of the centrum. There is a remarkable transverse 

 constriction at the base of the posterior ball of the centrum, as if a string had been tied 

 round that part when it was soft, and there is no appearance of this groove having been 

 produced by any erosion of the fossil, or being otherwise than natural. 



The same character is repeated, though with less force, in the posterior dorsal 

 vertebra, fig. 9, PI. 3 A, and, together with the general proportions of the specimen, 

 supports the reference of that vertebra to the Crocodilus champ)soides. There is a slight 

 longitudinal depression at the middle of the side of the centrum near the suture with 

 the neurapophysis («, n). 



Figure 10 is a side view of the first caudal vertebra of the Crocodilus champsoides : 

 besides being longer and more slender than that vertebra is in the Croc, toliapicus, the 

 inferior surface of the centrum is less concave from before backwards. 



Tlie evidences of Crocodilian reptiles from the deposits at Sheppy less characteristic 

 of particular species than those above described, are abundant. Mr. Bowerbank 

 possesses numerous rolled and fractured vertebrae, condyloid extremities, and other 

 portions of long bones ; with fragments of jaws and teeth. 



Mr. J. Whickham Flower, F.G.S., has transmitted to me some fragments of the 

 skull of a Crocodile from Sheppy, including the articular end of the tympanic bone, 

 equalling in size that of a Crocodilus hiporcatas the skull of which measures two feet 

 eight inches in length. 



Mr. Leifchild, C.E., possesses a considerable portion of the lower jaw of a Crocodile 



