24 SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY 



Genus RHABDOSTEUS Cope. 



Ehabdosteus latiradix Cope. 

 Plate XV, Figs. 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5. 



Bhabdosteus latiradix Cope, 1867, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., voL xix, p. 133 



(report of verbal communication), and pp. 144, 145. 

 RhoMostem latiradix Leidy, 1869, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 2nd ser., vol. vii, 



p. 435 (mention only). 

 Bhabdosteus latiradix Cope, 1890, Amer. Nat., vol. xxiv, p. 607, fig. 4, p. 615. 



Description. — In the report of the verbal communication of Cope we 

 find the following : " Bhabdosteus latiradix Cope was a peculiar genus 

 near the Delphinidae, allied to Priscodelphinus Leidy, and perhaps 

 Platanista of the Ganges. Characteristic of it was a muzzle formed 

 of the usual elements but entirely cylindrical, the alveolar series approx- 

 imated underneath, and ceasing near the middle. Beyond this the 

 muzzle was prolonged like a cylindrical beak of a sword-fish, or 

 CoelorJiyndius, and probably much farther than the mandible. Alveolae 

 longitudinal. Fragmentary specimens of this muzzle have been found 

 by the discoverer 2.5 feet in length." 



On page 145 of the same volume Cope gives the generic and specific 

 description of the form, " This genus is either referable to a family 

 not yet characterized, allied to the Platanistidae and Delphinidae, 

 or belongs to the first named of these recent families. 



" Premaxillary and maxillary bones forming a cylinder, bearing teeth 

 on its proximal portion, and prolonged in its distal portion into a 

 slender straight beak. Teeth with the enlarged crown separated from 

 the fang by a constriction." 



The original description of the species is as follows : " A portion of 

 the muzzle of this species which is preserved, measures 12 inches 7.5 

 lines in length, 12.5 lines in transverse, and 11 lines in vertical diameter 

 at the base. 



" The superior edge of the maxillary bone forms the external out- 

 line, while the remainder of this element is entirely inferior. The 

 palatine face is convex, and the alveolar series approximated. The 

 alveolae themselves are longitudinal, two in .75 of an inch, and sepa- 

 rated from each other by spongy septa. The vomer does not appear 

 in the portion of the muzzle at my disposal. 



