﻿OF THE VALLEY OF THE CONNECTICUT. 219 



quarries at Turner's Falls. They indicate animals of diminutive forms. Their peculiarity 

 consists in the great disproportion between the hind and fore feet, in which respect they 

 resemble some existing batrachian reptiles, lizards, salamanders, &c. 



Fig. 1 was discovered by Mr. Marsh, whose cabinet contains a fine collection of this 

 class of fossils. Figs. a, b, and c are consecutive impressions. The distinctive character 

 of this species consists in each foot having four tapering, radiating toes, and in a prolong- 

 ed depression backward of the tarsal bone. The fore foot is planted in advance, and a 

 little outward of the hind foot, while in Fig. 2 the fore foot falls within the impress of the 

 posterior member, and in Plate IX., Fig. 1, it is directly in advance. These impressions 

 are so perfect as to show marks of the sharp claws terminating the toes. In the short 

 stride it differs from 



Fig. 2, the stride of which is nearly twice as great, although the foot is smaller. An- 

 other distinction consists in the form of the toes, which are massive, broad, and blunt, and 

 lie in contact. I may remark here, that the position of both a and b, Fig. 2, is erroneous. 

 Fig. 2, a, should point obliquely to the left, precisely like Fig. 4 ; and Fig. 2, 6, should 

 also, be reversed. The mistake was caused in transferring the outline, and was not dis- 

 covered in time to be corrected. The impressions are remarkably fine, and are derived 

 from Mr. Marsh's museum, although I discovered this species several years ago. The 

 fore foot is usually placed within the hind one ; in Fig. 2, a, the small foot is partially 

 obliterated by the impress of the hind one. Unlike Fig. 1, there is no prolonged depres- 

 sion backward from the foot ; but, in place of it, the tarsal impress is perfect. There are 

 four toes ; the two outer ones of equal length nearly ; the two inner ones are shorter. 

 A line connecting a, b, c, Fig. 1, is abrupt ; that connecting Fig. 2 is nearly direct. The 

 animal, therefore, had very long legs, which the stride also indicates, and small feet, with 

 exceedingly thick toes. I have seen rows of ten consecutive impressions. 



Fig. 4 is strictly identical, although much larger than Fig. 2, and between them there 

 occurs a regular gradation of size. 



Fig. 3 is a remarkable example of quadrupedal imprints, and one which is difficult to 

 understand ; for, unlike the preceding figures, the impress of the fore foot appears to be 

 wanting. It is taken from a series of seven pairs of deep impressions. Each foot has 

 four toes pointing obliquely outward, and, unless upon the supposition that the impress of 

 the fore foot was too slight to be retained, I cannot comprehend the movement by which 

 the animal advanced. Mr. Marsh has a larger specimen, apparently identical, in which 

 the same difficulty exists. In both instances, the footprint is deep and imperfect, show- 

 ing that considerable change happened to the stratum subsequent to its impress ; and 

 this might suffice to obliterate a slight impression of the fore foot. 



