556 BRITISH FOSSIL REPTILES. 



The " Swindon Brick and Tile Company's Works/' whence, through the kindness of 

 the managing director, James K. Shopland, Esq., the above-described fossils were obtained, 

 are situated on land adjoining the Wilts and Berks Canal. The vertebrae were found, 

 associated with remains of Pllosaurus brachi/deiriis, in the Kimmeridge clay, at a depth 

 of fifteen feet. The clay here is of a deep black-blue ; and a mass of lignite, 

 seemingly derived from a crushed trunk of a tree, and burning like ordinary coal, was 

 here discovered. 



Order. DIN08AUB1A. 



Genus — Omosaurus, 



Species — Omosaurus armatus, Owen ('Dinosauria/ Plates 64 — 75). 



Shortly after the foregoing pages on Bothriospondylus had been penned I was 

 favoured with the subjoined note,* announcing further discovery of larger bones in their 

 Kimmeridge Clay works, followed by a liberal offer on the part of the Company t of such 

 of these fossils as might be found worthy of being added to the Geological Collection in 

 the British Museum. Mr. William Davies, of that Department, was thereupon instructed 

 to inspect the diggings, and, on his ' Report ' of the appearances, was authorised to 

 take the requisite steps to remove and transmit to the British Museum as much of the 

 matrix as gave evidence or promise of containing organic remains. This operation 



* " Swindon Brick and Tile Company, 



" Swindon, Wilts ; 2'ird May, 1874. 

 "Dear Sir, 



" I last year had the pleasure of sending you some Saurian Remains discovered in 

 this Company's Kimmeridge Clay Pits, and I beg to inform you that we have just laid open other remains 

 considered to be unusually large and fine, which are left in situ, carefully covered over. 



" As exposure to light and air will, I fear, cause the remains to split and crumble, I should suggest 

 your coming or sending some one to inspect them at once ; the clay adjoining I will leave unworked until 

 Wednesday next. 



"I am, &c., 



"James K. Shopland. 

 " Professor Owen, British Museum." 



t It is due to their enlightened liberality and prompt co-operation in applying to the advance of science 

 whatever, in the course of the works, might aid therein, to subjoin the names of the Directors of the 

 Company: — J. C. Townsend, Esq., Thomas K. Shopland, Esq., Henry Kixneir, Esq., Richard 

 Rowley, Esq, 



