DESCRIPTION OF REPTILES. 217 
Such are the observed differences which seemed worthy of mention in the 
series of Paleeophidian vertebrz in the collection of Mr. Dixon. The nature of 
the differences may be interpreted in different ways: with regard to the small 
vertebre, for example, those with a single spine from the posterior part of the under 
surface (fig. 7) may be small cervical vertebree of the same species as that to which 
the large vertebre with the two inferior spines belong ; and the small vertebra with 
two inferior spines (fig. 8) may have belonged to asmaller and younger individual 
of the same species, and have come from a more posterior part of the vertebral 
column of such individual. The anterior vertebra of both Pythons and Boas, 
or example, are distinguished by a long hypapophysis (inferior spine) which 
subsides to a ridge in the succeeding vertebre as far as the tail. In no specimen 
of Python or Boa, however, have I found the vertebree presenting such differ- 
ences of character as those indicated in the larger fossil Paleophidian vertebra 
which I have described as ‘ridged’ and ‘not ridged.’ Leaving therefore the 
question of the nature of the differences in the smaller vertebree open, and as 
possibly depending upon difference of age and of position in the vertebral series, 
I believe the characters of the ridged vertebra to be those of a distinct species of 
Palgophis, for which therefore I propose the name of Pal. porcatus. The generic 
character in each species is manifested in the pointed aliform productions of the 
back-part of the neurapophyses (n p), by the uniform convexity of the costal 
tubercles, and by the minor transverse production of the lower zygapophyses. 
The Paleéophis toliapicus is distinguished by its longer vertebre in proportion 
to their breadth, and by the hypapophysial ridge, or the carinate character of the 
lower part of the centrum, in the vertebrz of the abdomen. 
The Paleophis Typheus is distinguished by its shorter vertebre and by the 
anterior and posterior hypapophyses of the vertebre of the abdomen ; its neural 
arch is narrower, and its sides not longitudinally ridged. 
The Palgophis porcatus is characterized by the longitudinal ridges connecting 
the anterior with the posterior zygapophyses, by its broader and squarer neural 
arch ; but it has the two hypapophyses below like the other Fig. 16. 
large species from Bracklesham. 
Figure 16 gives two views of two anchylosed vertebre 
probably from near the end of the tail of the Paleophis 
porcatus: this unique specimen is from Bracklesham, and is pe 
in the collection of Mr. Dixon*. Paleophis poreatus. 
* Broken Ophidian vertebre are often found at Bracklesham, but perfect ones are very rare ; they are 
