Diastema in some Fossil Reptiles 



381 



mandible, described in this notice. la any case, it may be 

 inferred that the crowns of the teeth, indiccited by the circular 

 outlines of their roots, were slender, sharp, and conical, in 

 striking contrast with the masticating molars behind, and 

 equally in contrast with the corresponding teeth of 6^. Jeanne- 

 meyeri. 



A more instructive dental condition is seen in the skull, 

 probably of the same species of Gomphognathus, which I found 

 at Lady Frere, indicated as 11. 2578 in the British Museum. 



eth roots. 



-.Matrix. 



First molar crown. 



Right ramus of mandible of Gomphoc/nathns {DiaMe))wdo)i) dimorphodon, 

 seen from above, showing extent of symphysis and roots of teeth iu 

 the diastema. 



In the middle of the maxillary diastema on tlie left side, 

 behind the canine tooth is one crown quite perfect, small, 

 strong, sharply pointed, recurved, which may be an early 

 premolar. It is the typ^ of cutting ])rehensile crown which 

 may have existed in the specimen o£ G. poh/phagus from the 

 same locality, numbered in the Brit. Mus. 2576-7, and may 

 liave been present in the allied species indicated by this 

 fragment of the right mandible. The bases of those teeth arc 



