THE PELVIC GIRDLE OF ZEUGLODON, BASILOSAURUS 

 CETOIDES (OWEN),' WITH NOTES ON OTHER PORTIONS 

 OF THE SKELETON. 



By Frederic A. Lucas, 



Curator, Division of Comparatlvi' Anntomy. 



Notwithstanding the length of time that the Zeuglodon has been 

 known and the comparative abundance, though usuall}' in a more or 

 less fragmentaiT condition, of its vertebrse and ribs in many parts of 

 the Gulf States, portions of its structure have remained somewhat 

 problematical. This is particularly true of its limbs, and it has been 

 an open question whether or not even vestigal hind limbs were present. 



The fact that Zeuglodon bones are found in comparativelv soft, 

 superficial deposits that have been deeply gullied by the action of 

 water, to the consequent loss of the smaller bones, is largely respon- 

 sible for this lack of information, though it may also be noted that 

 little sj'stematic search has been made for Zeuglodon bones. 



In 1894 Mr. Charles Schuchert, of the United States National Mu- 

 seum, visited Alabama for the express purpose of obtaining remains 

 of Zeuglodon and succeeded in securing parts of several animals, 

 including 24 consecutive vertebrae from the anterior portion of one 

 individual running from the atlas to the third lumbar. This material 

 which also comprised the scapula, humerus, radius, and ulna was 

 briefly described^ and used as the basis for the restoration shown at 

 the Atlanta Exposition in 1895. 



In 1896 Mr. Schuchert again visited Alabama and this time secured 

 35 consecutive vertebrae of one individual, counting from the penulti- 

 mate forward, the small rounded vertebra which terminates the verte- 

 bral column of cetacea being apparentl}^ wanting. 



' Harlan's name of Basilosaurus antedates Owen's of Zeuglodon and sliould there- 

 ore be used; Zeuglodon remains a good popular name and is thus employed in this 

 paper. 



''The American Naturalist, August, 1895, pp. 745-746. 



Proceedings U. S. National Museum, Vol. XXIII— No. 121 1 . 



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