INVESTIGATION OF FAUNA AND FLORA OF TRIAS OF BRITISH ISLES* 227 



A 2. 



i _ 



6- 



-Left Pes. 



pads on the fifth digit, the number of joints has been estimated from its 

 curvature. 



The pads, if there are any on the manus, are too slightly marked to 

 o-uide us in making any formula for that foot. The manus, whenever at 

 all clearly shown, shows distinctly that it was pentadactylate like the pes. 



The larger and stouter prints from Storeton appear practically identical 

 with those from Hildburghausen, to which the name Cheirotherium was 

 originally given. 



A 2. — A form differing somewhat from the typical Cheirotherium 

 stortonense is found occasionally at Storeton, but more frequently in the 

 Lymm district. The print is broader than A 1, and 

 the digits are rather shorter in proportion to the 

 length of the foot, and are widest at the base, where 

 their width slightly exceeds that of the middle of the 

 Cheirotherium stortonense. They taper rapidly to 

 their extremities, which show the pi-esence of nails. 



The sole of each of these digits, instead of present- 

 ing a gently rounded surface, rises sharply from each 

 side towards the middle line, forming there a slight 

 ridge. There are no indications of pads on the digits, 

 but those at their base are clearly marked. 



The first and fifth digits are both much shorter in 

 proportion to the others. The fifth, whilst projecting 

 outwards at a considerable angle, has not the curva- 

 ture so characteristic of Cheirotherium stortonense, 

 neither does it nor its pad form so conspicuous a feature. 



The size of the foot is generally about the same as Cheirotherium 

 stortonense. (Plate V.) 



The manus in the few specimens seen would seem to be rather 

 broader and the digits rather stouter and more 

 divergent than in Cheirotherium stortonense ; pos- 

 sibly these are only individual peculiarities. 



A 3 is represented by the form found at Tar- 

 porley, Cheshire, and described by Sir P. Grey 

 Egerton ' under the name Cheirotherium Hercidis 

 from the specimens now in the British Museum 

 (R. 295) : in many respects this resembles A 2 ; 

 but besides being much larger — about 15 inches 

 in length — it is much elongated and the digits 

 are shorter in proportion to the whole length. 

 No impression of the manus has been recorded as 

 associated with it. (Plate VI.) 



The possibility of the appearance of the first 

 four digits in A 2 and 3 being due to the condi- 

 tion of the mud in which the prints were made 

 and that such conditions might be more frequent 

 in the Lymm district or the horizon in which 

 these prints have been found, has not b'een over- 

 looked ; but as the digits of this form are associated with a much smaller 



' ' On two Casts in Sandstone of the Impressions of a gigantic Cheirotherium from 

 the New Red Sandstone of Cheshire, Proc. Geol. Soc. voL iii. p. 14, and ' Notes on 

 Type Specimen of Clieirotkerium, HerculAs (Egerton),' H. C. Beasley, Proc. Liverpool 

 Geol. Soc, voL ix. p. 81, pi. 5, March 12, 1901. 



Q 2 



A3. 



X _ 



6- 



-Left Pes 



