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Art. II, — 0» the Strudurcfi and Distrilmtkm of (lie Genera of the Arciftrovs Armra. 



By EnwARn D. Cope. 



ARCIFERA. 



Acromials and coracoids divergent, the former directed forward and connected 

 with the latter by a longitudinal arched cartilage, which is free from and overlapped 

 by the corresponding cartilaginous arch of the opposite side. Teeth on the upper 

 jaw ; tongue present. Tubse Eustachii not overarched so as to be prolonged towards 

 the median line. 



In this tribe the extremes of the series are more diverse than in the others, and 

 depend on the following features : 



(1.) In that nearest the Aglossa, the vertebraB are like those of the latter and of 

 the Salamanders, concave posteriorly and convex anteriorly : in the other extreme 

 the reverse. These features are not as irreconcilable as might at first sight appear, 

 as the intervei'tebral spheres do not become firmly attached to either centrum at 

 maturity in some individuals of Borborocaetes peronii, Pelobates fuse us (Stan- 

 nius) and Cultripes provincialis (Duges). (2.) Those with opisthocoelian ver- 

 tebrae agree with the bulk of the tribe in possessing dilated sacral diapophyses, 

 whilst those at the other extreme exhibit them cylindrical. (3.) A few of the 

 former possess small ribs, and (4) approach the normal condition of the so-called 

 coccygeal vertebras in possessing one pair of transverse processes; (5.) most of these, 

 with the adjoining less extreme forms, have a vertical or cat-like pupil. (6.) Many 



* The material from which the observations in this contribution, and that on the special characters of the 

 Squamata (Proc. Acad. Phila. 18C4, 224) were made, is that of the principal osteological collections of 

 Europe, and alcoholic collections of Washington, Philadelphia, Berlin, London, Paris and Vienna. Vide 

 Giinther Zoolog. Record, 1864, where an inaccurate report of the latter article is given. 



I may mention here an inadvertent omission in the memoir on Squamata, of a known distinctive feature be- 

 tween the Lacertilia and Ophidia; they should be contrasted thus: 



Lacertilia. Ophidia. 



Continuity of parietal and sphenoid walls interrupted. Continuity of parietal and sphenoid walls complete. 



Palatines united by suture with maxillaries and vomer. Palatines not in contact with maxillaries and vomer. 



Rami of the mandible united by suture. . Rami of mandible united by ligament. 



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