162 Fossil Gavial from Neic Jersey. 



includes seven living species, from Asia, Africa, and the island 

 of St. Domingo. The third subgenus, which so far contains 

 only two species, inhabiting the Ganges, is distinguished by a 

 very elongated cylindrical beak or snout and palmated feet. 



Here are at least twelve well determined living species, di- 

 vided into three distinct groups, which not many years ago 

 contained but one species. Cuvier himself, in making this 

 division, seems to have acted with that laudable reserve which 

 characterizes all his researches ; for while he clearly pointed 

 out the distinction, he seems to have only indicated them, 

 without seizing the occasion to designate them by distinct 

 appropriate names. 



Of the fossil species of this family he has indicated eleven 

 species of the division Crocodile, chiefly from France and 

 England; and three species of the third division, Longirostres, 

 from France and Germany. In our own country but one fos- 

 sil species, and that belonging to the crocodiles proper, has as 

 yet been discovered. For our acquaintance with this species 

 we are indebted to Dr. Harlan, of Philadelphia ; a gendeman 

 whose researches have ably illustrated, in almost every depart- 

 ment, the natural history of his country. 



To those who are in the slightest degree acquainted with the 

 osteology of the order of reptiles, the position, arrangement, 

 and structure of the teeth, in the specimen under consideration, 

 and the cylindrical, attenuated lower maxillary, will be suffi- 

 cient to show that it cannot be referred to either the subgenus 

 alUgator or crocodile. On the other hand, the position and 

 configuration of the opercular bones as clearly indicate that our 

 specimen belongs to this subgenus, or subdivision, the longi- 

 rostres, or gavials. 



We may now inquire how far this American Gavial resem- 

 bles any known living or fossil species. In this investigation 

 we have, it is true, but scanty data to enable us to arrive at a 

 satisfactory conclusion. 



There are but two living species of Gavial, both from the 



