178 KANSAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



Symphyse verschinolzen. . . . Sammtliche Wirbelkorper sind ziemlioh kurz, 

 vorn und hinten fast flach oder nur ganz schwach ausgehohlt; die Bogeu durch Nahte 

 mit dem Centrum verbunden, so das sie sich leicht abloen."' Furthermore, both 

 Seeley and Lydekker would restrict the genus Plesiosaurxs to the Lias. 



From Cinioliosaurus. in Lydekker"s wide sense, there are important differences. 

 The anterior teeth are much larger than the posterior ones, and there are no xygos- 

 phenes on the cervical vertebrae. But, while the genus is evidently different from 

 Cimoliosaurus as there defined, it is not so certain that it is distinct from some of 

 the forms included under it. Lydekker. and, following him, Zittel, divide Cimolio- 

 saurus into two groups, the coelospondyline. "probably equivalent to Polycotylus 

 Cope," and the " Typical Group," including Elasmosaurus Cope, Mauisaurus Hector, 

 and Murcenosaurus Seely. From this group. Lydekker's definition will sharply ex- 

 clude our form; but, nevertheless, I do not feel so sure that it is generically different 

 from Elasmosaurus. Cope had only a fragment of the skull, and the cervical verte- 

 brte that he describes and figures had the jJi'ocesses so broken away that there is but 

 little left for comparison, save the relative lengths. From this character alone it 

 appears that the vertebrae of our species are less slender, the greatest disproportion 

 between length and height being as nine to seven, while a median cervical of Elas- 

 mosaurus platyurus Cope, figured by the author, has a relation of eight to five. 

 There are, also, other differences in the sculpturing, which are, at least, of specific 

 value. If the type of Elasmosaurus has zygosphenal vertebrre, there can be no ques- 

 tion of the generic distinction; but I cannot find any statement of the author to that 

 effect. So the question must yet remain of the generic identity of the animal until 

 more material has been obtained. Of the specific distinction, however, there can 

 be scarcely a question, and, hence, the name here given. 



Great credit is due to Mr. West for his recognition of the value of this siiecimeu. 

 and his corresponding care in its collection. I desire, also, to express my thanks to 

 my friend. Dr. George Baur, of Clark University, for the communication of litera- 

 ture, and various suggestions. 



LIBRARIAN'S REPORT. 



BY B. B. SMYTH, TOPEKA, LIBRARIAN. 



ACCESSIONS TO THE LIBRARY FROM OCTOBER, 1889, TO OCTOBER, 1S90. 



The figures in brackets following each book represent the number of cents post- 

 age required for its transmisson by mail or express to members of the Academy: 



ARGENTINE REPUBLIC. 



Buenos Ayrks. — Aeademia Nacional de Ciencias en Cordoba: Boletin, Tomo IX, ISSG [24]: X, 1S87 [18]; 

 XI, 1888 [18]. 



AUSTRO-HUNGARY. 



BuDAPHST, RvtiaAUY.— Magi/nr/ioni Fi'ildlani Tarsulal — Ungarisehen Geologlsehen Oesellschajt: FoUItani 

 Kilzlony-Zeitschrift, XIX Band, 188!) [.30]; XX, 1890, 1-10 Heft [6 ea.]. These are beautiful 

 works, printed in both Hungarian and (ierman. 



Prag, Bohkmia.— /iTo/iij?/. B'lhmisclien Gesellschaft der Wissenschafien — Mathemalisclie Naturicissnschaft- 

 Hc/if. Classe: Sitzungsberichte, Jabrgang, 1889 [35]; 1890, 1 [15 |. Jahresbericht fiir 1389 [2]. 



WiKN ( ViKNNA), Austria.— 



liELGIUM. 



Brussels.— ia SociHf: Ruyale Lhinienne de Bnuelks: Bulletin, Tome XV, 1888-9 [12] ; Toiue XVI, Nos. 

 1 et 2, 1890 [2]. 



