THE REPTILES OF THE KARROO FORMATION 255 



The best known Cynodonts are Cynognathus, a large 

 carnivorous animal as large as a tiger, but with short 

 limbs ; Gompliognathus, possibly a carrion-eating form 

 about the size of a large dog ; Diademodon, Trirachodon, 

 and Microgomphodon, smaller forms with flat-topped 

 molars ; and Sesamodon and Melinodon, comparatively 

 small reptiles with molar teeth which show signs of 

 grinding, and apparently pointing to a loose articulation 

 of the jaw. Bauria is a remarkable type which though 

 undoubtedly a Cynodont, shows many affinities with 

 the Therocephalians, and is thus a most important link 

 in the line of mammalian descent. Besides the Cyno- 

 donts there are representatives of many other reptilian 

 orders. Erythrosuchus is a huge, somewhat crocodile- 

 like animal probably rather remotely connected with 

 Belodon of Europe. Large species of Dicynodon and 

 Oudenodon still linger on. The Bhynchocephalia are re- 

 presented by Palacrodon, and the Gnathodontia by a re- 

 markably interesting little reptile called Howesia. This 

 latter shows affinities with Hyperodapedon and Rhyncho- 

 saurus of Europe. There are a number of different 

 Labyrinthodonts. Portions of the skull of a carnivorous 

 Dinosaur are believed to have come from beds which 

 belong to the Cynodont horizon. 



In the Stormberg beds reptilian remains are not 

 common. Of those that have been discovered the 

 majority belong to Dinosaurs. Massospondylus, a long- 

 necked carnivorous genus, is the best known. A small 

 carnivorous form has been named Hortalotarsus, but it 

 seems to be identical with the European genus Theco- 

 dontosaurus. JSwkelesaurus is a gigantic Dinosaur which 



