FOSSIL REPTILES OF DORSET. 13 



Steneosaurs and resembles the modem Crocodile in the festooned 

 contour of the alveolar border, in the stoutness of the jaw, and 

 in the unequal size of the teeth. The external nostril is dilated 

 transversely and wholly visible on the upper surface of the snout, 

 and above it the upper jaw is constricted as in the Gavial. The 

 femur is relatively longer and is less bent than either in the existing 

 Gavial or Crocodile. The tibia is also longer and thicker. The 

 whole of the upper surface of the skull, including the snout, is 

 richly sculptured. 



GONIOPHILIS SIMUS, Owen* 



This species is founded by Sir K. Owen upon the entire skull, 

 including the upper-jaw. The skull corresponds in shape with the 

 broad-faced living crocodile ; the temporal foramina are much 

 longer and subquadrate in form. The posterior nares are also 

 longer and not situated so far back in the skull, and are nearly in 

 the same plane with the bony palate ; in this respect it approaches 

 Teleosauri. The external nostril is more terminal than in 

 Goniopholis crassidens, and is exclusively formed by the premax- 

 illse ; teeth more slender than those of G. crassidens. The upper 

 surface of the skull is rugose and pitted ; the pits being circular 

 or sub-circular. It is possible from the position of the posterior 

 nares it is intermediate between the Crocodile and Teleosaurus. 

 Mr. Hulke says these two species may be placed in a group 

 between the Mesosuchia and Eusuchia, designated Metamesosuchia, 

 and intercalated between the Liassic and Oolitic Crocodilians. 

 From the Middle Purbecks of Swanage. 



GONIOPHOLIS TENUIDENS, Owen. 



Founded by Sir R. Owen upon portions of both rami of the 

 lower-jaw, in which the whole or nearly the whole of the dental 

 series is preserved, and characterised by a proportion of breadth to 

 length of crown less than in G. crassidens, and therefore slenderer. 

 From the Feather-bed of the Middle Purbecks, Swanage. 



* Hulke, on two skulls from the Wealden and Purbeck Formation, 

 Q.J.G.S., vol. xxxiv,, p. 37, 1878. 



