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Description of the Head of a Fossil Crocodile. 



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Art. IV. — Description of the Head of a Fossil Crocodile from 

 the Cretaceous Strata of New Jersey ; by Samuel George 

 Morton, M. D. # 



[From the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, for 



August, 1644.] 



Crocodilus (Gavialis ?) clavirostris. 



Skull very broad posteriorly, whence it tapers in a gradual 

 and triangular manner to a narrow, elongated snout. Orbits very 

 large, oblique, and with but slight marginal elevation. Temporal 

 fossae of great size, and the spiracles? placed immediately below 

 and before the inner margin of the orbit. Length of the head 

 from the superior margin of the occiput to the broken end of the 

 snout 23 inches; width of the occiput behind, 12J inches ; late- 

 ral diameter of the orbit 3£ inches ; lateral diameter of temporal 



fossss 4£ inches. Remaining teeth 



13 on each side. Lateral 



diameter of terminal end of the snout 3£ inches. 



This species is wholly unlike any other, fossil or recent, with 

 which I have been able to compare it. It seems to form an in- 

 termediate link between the Gavials and true Crocodiles, for the 

 snout, though long and narrow, is gradually and not abruptly 

 produced from the head, and has probably been from eight to 

 twelve inches longer than it now is. 



This remarkably large and admirably preserved relic, was found 

 in the cretaceous" limestone which overlies the ferruginous marl 



* Communicated by the Author. 



