168 



PETRIFACTIONS AND THEIR TEACHINGS. CHAP. III. 



oviparous quadrupeds that peopled the islands and continents 

 in the earlier ages of the world, should consult Cuvier's 

 " Ossemens Fossiles" and the works of later writers on the 

 subject ; especially those of Professor Owen on this branch 

 of British Palaeontology. 



FOSSIL CROCODILE OF SWANAGE. (Gfoniopholis crasssidens.y 

 Wall-case A. Swanage is a little town on the east coast of 

 the Isle of Purbeck, whose inhabitants carry on a brisk trade 

 in the exportation of stone from the numerous quarries in the 

 vicinity, there being a good bay and anchorage for vessels. The 

 town stands at the mouth of the bay, about six miles E.S.E. 

 of Corfe Castle. The coast presents a section of the Creta- 

 ceous and Wealden strata, from the Chalk to the Purbeck 

 beds; the Portland oolite, on which the lowermost fresh- 

 water strata repose, appearing on the south. Remains of 

 Turtles, and fishes of species peculiar to the Wealden forma- 

 tion, are often found j and occasionally bones and teeth of 

 large saurians. 2 



parts described, from Dr. Grant's articulated skeleton, which is 16 feet 

 in length. I have felt it necessary to append this note, as in a recent 

 publication the importance of a knowledge of this fact to the compara- 

 tive anatomist is put prominently forth, but without the slightest 

 allusion to the original observer. 



LIGN. 37. SACRUM AND FIRST CAUDAL VERTEBRA OF A GAVIAL. FROM A 

 SKELETON, 16 FEET LONG, IN THE ANATOMICAL MUSEUM OF PROFESSOR ROBERT 

 E. GRANT, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE. 



(^ not. size.) 



1, 2. The SACRUM, consisting of two coalesced vertebrae. 



3. The First Caudal Vertebra, having both the articular extremities convex. 



1 " Goniopholis, in reference to the rectangular form, size, number, 

 and firm junction of the osseous scutes (0o7u'5es)." Prof. Owen, British 

 Association Reports, 1841. 



2 See my " Geological Excursions round the Isle of Wight, and along 

 the coast of Dorsetshire :" 2d Edit. p. 345. 



