40 Dr. G. Baur on Mciolania. 



frontal, maxillary, palatinuin, vomer. The inner process of 

 the prefrontal connected with the vomer, the outer with the 

 maxillary. In Chitra and Cyclanosteus tliere is no con- 

 nexion between preefrontals and vomer ; in Emi/da and 

 ''^Baiki'ea " the inner process of the prtefrontals becomes 

 rudimentary. 



y. Pleurodira. 



The inner process of the prjefrontals is absent or rudi- 

 mentary, there is never a connexion with the vomer and never 

 with the palatines. The outer ])rocess is either connected 

 with the maxillary alone or may even touch the palatines. 



Podocnemididce. — In Podocnemis and Erymnochelijs [Diime- 

 rilid) there is no connexion between the outer process of the 

 prajfrontals and the palatines. In Erymnochelys the inner 

 process is indicated very much more tlian in Podocnemis. 



Sternothcm'idie. — Like Podocnemididce, in Sternothmrus 

 niger the inner process is still more indicated than in 

 Erymnochelys. 



ChelydidfE. — In Chelymys victor ue the outer process is 

 very near to the palatines, the inner process scarcely present. 

 In Chelodina longicollis the ends of the outer process of the 

 pra^frontals and the palatines meet ; the inner process is more 

 developed, as in Chelymys^ but not so much as in Sieruo- . 

 thcerus. This is called by Mr. Boulenger a " complete bony 

 orbito-nasal septum." 



To sum up. /w all Cryptodlra (if not highly specialized, 

 as some Cheloniidge and Dermochelys) the inner process of the 

 prcefrontals shows a connexion with the palatines and the vomer. 



In all Pleurodira not only the connexion xoith the palatines 

 hut also that with the vomer is absent. 



In all Testadinata in which the inner process of the prce- 

 frontals is connected with the palatines this process is connected 

 with the vomer also. 



Now what do we find in Meiulania. There is a small 

 palatonasal opening which is shown on the right side ; the 

 inner prjefrontal process is connected extensively with the 

 palatines ; therefore a connexion must also exist with the 

 vomer. 



I may add that this region in Meiolania is nearest to the 

 condition found in the Testudinidaj. But according to Mr. 

 Boulenger " Dr. Baur is not justified in saying that the pne- 

 frontals are connected with the vomer in Meiolania.^'' 



5. Mr. Boulenger claims to be better informed as to the 



