S7 



The hasisphenoid is so destroyed by crushing, that nothing 

 can be said of its shape or of its foramina. It was, however, 

 evidently very stout. The alisphenoid is large and smooth 

 and is not ridged; \.\\q fonunoi ovale is small, and is not pro- 

 duced into an anterior notch. The suture between the alis- 

 phenoid and the pro-otic are quite distinct, but the latter is so 

 firmly anchylosed to the quadrate that its limits are indeter- 

 minable. None of the other periotic bones are visible. 



The quadrate is very long and broad. In shape it resembles 

 the corresponding bone of the alligator, but is somewhat 

 broader. The lower surface is divided into two unequal 

 parts b}' a conspicuous ridge, which runs to within an inch of 

 the articular surface. This surface has a more decidedly 

 grooved or trochlear appearance than in the common croco- 

 dile ; but not to the same degree as in the specimen described 

 by Dr. Leid}-. It is more like the Mississippi alligator in this 

 respect than any living species of which we have specimens. 



The pterygoids are of peculiar shape ; they are long, 

 slender, and pointed, and meeting the basioccipital on the 

 median line in front, they project downwards and backwards. 

 Their posterior border is very deeply emarginate, so that they 

 seem to have no connection with each other, or with the basi- 

 occipital ; instead of having the broad, plate-like appearance 

 of these bones in recent species. The suture between these 

 on the palatal surface is long ; and the processes of the ptery- 

 goids, which bound the posterior nares, are long and stout. 

 The posterior nares have the position which they take in the 

 recent species ; they are visible in the occipital surface, and 

 are directed backwards as well as downwards. They are 

 rather small, and appear to have no septum between them, 

 but this cannot be said with any certainty. 



The transpalatine is also somewhat peculiar in shape ; the 

 process which joins the pterygoid is of great length, being 

 nearly as long as that bone. The other limbs are more normal 

 in length. The three processes are connected at the usual 

 angle. 



The palatals are long and narrow, becoming wider ante- 

 rior to the foramina. The suture with the maxillaries is 

 rounded, and there are no forward processes as in the true 

 crocodiles ; but at the same time, these bones are not of the 



