106 FOSSIL TURTLES OF NORTH AMERICA. 
Taphrosphys sulcatus Leidy. 
Text-figs. 98-100. 
Platemys sulcatus, Letpy, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., vit, 1856, p. 303; Smithson. Contrib. Knowl., 
XIV, art. vI, 1865, pp. 109, 120, plate xix, fg. 4—Maack, Paleontographica, xvii, 1869, p. 281. 
Taphrosphys sulcatus, Cope, Cook’s Geol. New Jersey, 1868 (1869), p. 735; Ext. Batrach., Reptilia, 
Aves N. A., 1870, pp. 159, 164, text-figs., 45, 45 brs; Vert. Cret. Form. West, 1875, p. 264.—Hay, 
Bibliog. and Cat. Foss. Vert. N. A., 1902, p. 4309. 
Prochontas sulcatus, Cope, Amer. Naturalist, 111, 1869, pp. 89, 90; Ext. Batrach., etc., p. 165, line 8, 
plate Xl, hg. zi 
As has occurred too often in the history of paleontology, the present species was based on 
very meager materials. These consisted of 3 peripheral bones, regarded as the fifth, sixth, and 
seventh, and a xiphiplastral. Only the peripherals were figured. einer were large, measuring 
altogether 8 inches along the free border. They came from the Cretaceous greensand at Tinton 
Falls, Monmouth County, New Jersey, and are preserved in the geological collection of Rutgers 
College, New Brunswick, New Jersey. Leidy’s description of these bones is very brief. Each 
bone hae two faces, an upper and a lower, the lower broad and flat, the upper inclining toward 
it at an angle of nearly 45°, the two meeting along an acute margin. The fifth is 54 mm. long on 
-F 
Fics. 98 AND 99-—T aphros phys sulcatus. No. 1468 A. M.N. H. 
g8. Section of seventh peripheral of type. 99. Rear of carapace. X}. 
we 
the free border; the sixth, 60 mm.; the seventh, 76 mm. The sixth rises from the free border to 
the costal border, 69 mm.; the seventh, 70 mm. The anterior end of the seventh is much thick- 
ened and has afforded an articulation with the inguinal buttress. In front of this articulation 
the bone is somewhat excavated by the sternal chamber. The hinder end of this peripheral is 
thin, not exceeding 14 mm. (hg. 98). The free borders of all these peripherals are acute. 
The superior surface ts Scnamented by a close articulation of grooves. Fig. 98 represents a 
section along the sulcus between the marginal scutes that overlapt this bone: The piece of 
xiphiplastron displayed the scar for union with the pelvis. 
With this species Cope identified a specimen which he obtained from the upper greensand 
bed at Barnesboro, Gloucester County, New Jersey. This specimen furnisht him the three 
hinder pairs of costal plates, the suprapygal, the pygal, and a number of the hinder peripherals. 
There are present also portions of two bridge peripherals and some fragments of other costals. 
There appears to be no reason for doubting the correctness of Cope’s identification. This 
specimen (figs. gg, 100) is now in the American Museum and has the catalog number 1468. 
It now lacks all the peripherals that Cope figured, except one. According to his figure, Cope 
lackt the eleventh peripheral. The one now present was certainly in Cope’s hands, having 
his marks on it; and yet, after careful examination, that bone is found to fit in the place of the 
