1869.] 259 [Cope. 



M. CAMPERI. C. PKOPTTHON. 



2 Atlas and Axis 2 



11 Cervicals with hypapophysis fi 



5 Dorsals with zygapophyses and ribs lo 



— At least to be added to this series 10 



18 1 Total 33 



2 Between the last and those bearing 

 64 ' chevron bones (estimated for C. 



propython). 9G 



51 3 Caudals with chevron bones. 60 



133 Total LSD 



Where the dorsal series of the CI. proptjtlion is interrupted, the 

 vertebrae have increased in the strength of their processes rather than 

 diminished, and I consider an addition of ten to be below rather than 

 above the mark. Of the caudals there are jireserved forty-four, all 

 with chevron bones, and none with diapophyses. I have added nine 

 for those without chevron bones, Avhilc the interruptions in the series 

 readily justify the addition of seven more. The last series is 

 estimated from that of the M. Camperi, adding relatively to the in- 

 crease observed in the series preserved. The length may be estimated 



as follows: 



Inches. 



Of the cervicals and dorsals (average) 371 



Kemaining vertebras with diapophyses 90 



" " Avithout '' 30 



The cranium 14-^ 



Total; 14 feet, 3 1 inches 171| 



The very ophidian character of the vertebrae, however, leads me 

 to suspect that the length Avill be hereafter found to be considerably 

 greater. The relative length of the cranium above given, Is not 

 greater than In the Iguana, while its dimensions, as compared with 

 the cervical vertebras, ai'e not relatively greater than in the existing 

 serpents. If the ophidian characters, therefore, were as strongly 

 exhibited in the vertebral series as I suppose, the length would b^' 

 eighteen feet at the least. 



The discoveries with reference to the vertebral column of the ]\L 

 missurienfiitt prove Cuvier's estimate to have been much too lo.v; 

 while Goldfuss' estimate for the former is probably as much behind 

 nature as Cuvier's is behind it. 



