272 Dr. J. E. Gray on the Species of Crocodiles. 



some slight differences ; and perhaps a complete series of the 

 perfect specimens and skulls, of different ages, from each locality 

 might prove them to be distinct; but, unfortunately, I have not 

 such a series at my command, all the specimens from the Cape 

 and West Africa being either in the adult or very young state. 



5. Molixia. 



Face elongate ; forehead swollen, convex, especially in the 

 adult; orbits without any anterior ridge. Nuchal shields two 

 or four, small. Cervical disk rhombic, of six shields. The 

 le<rs fringed with a series of triangular elongate scales. Toes 

 webbed. Scales of the fore-arm and thigh thin, smooth. 



* Face slender. Dorsal shields irregular ; the central series small, keeled ; 

 lateral scattered, strongly keeled. Nasal bones produced to the nostrils. 

 Molinia. 



1. Molinia americana. 



Crocodilus ajnericanus (Plumieri), Scbn. Amph. 167; Gray, Cat. B. M. CO. 

 C. acutus, Geoff. Ann. Mus. ii. 53, t. 57. f. 1 ; Cuvier, Oss. Foss. v.t. 1. f. 3 

 & 14, t. 2. f. 5 ; Gray, Syn. 60 ; Dum. & Bib. Erp. Gen. iii. 120. 



Hab. Tropical America. Cuba ( JF. S. Macleay) ; West Ecua- 

 dor (Fraser) ; Nicaragua (Richardson) ; West coast of America 

 (Belcher); St. Domingo (Cuvier). 



Our specimens vary in length from 19 to 103 inches ; and the 

 skulls show that they grow to a larger size. 



Var. with two additional small cervical scutella behind the 

 others. 



C. umericanus, var. c, Gray, Cat. Kept. B.M. 



C. acutus, var., A. Dum. Cat. Rept. 28 ; Arch, dtt Mas. vi. 256. 



Hab. West coast of America (Belcher) ; Mexico (Warwick). 



** Face very slender. Dorsal shields nearly uniform. Nasal bones not 

 produced quite to the nostrils. Temsaeus. 



2. M, intermedia. 



Crocodilus intermedins, Graves, Ann. Sci. Pbvs. ii. 248; Grav, Svn. 5.9. 

 C. Journei, Bory, Diet. C. H. X. v. Ill; Duni. & Bib. E. G. iii. 129; Hns- 



lev, Proc. Linn. Soc. iii. 11. 

 Croc, de Journie, A. Dum. Arcb. du Mus. x. t. 14. f. 3 (bead). 



Dorsal shields in six rows, all slightly and nearly equally 

 elevated ; the keels of the two vertebral series rather larger than 

 the others, quadrilateral, rather broader than long; the lateral 

 ones oval, with five or six large shields forming an interrupted 

 line on the sides. 



Hab. America. 



We have a young specimen, in spirits, sent by Mr. Brandt of 

 Hamburg, as Crocodilus acutus, and an adult skull received 

 from Paris, as Crocodile de I'Orenoque. 



