610 KB. BRANSON 



Eryops Cope 



Skull long, comparatively narrow ; proportion of length to breadth 

 about 9 to 7. Roof bones coarsely sculptured posteriorly, finely 

 sculptured anteriorly. Nasals and premaxillse very large; froritals 

 excluded from orbits by junction of pre- and postfrontals. Pterygoids 

 not meeting in the median line ; parasphenoid dagger-shaped, tapering 

 gradually to a point just in front of the palatine foramina; prevomers 

 large. Orbits subcircular, situated in the posterior half of the skull; 

 nares subovate, remote, at a considerable distance from the tip of 

 the skull. Many minute denticles on pterygoids, palatines, pre- 

 vomers, and parasphenoid. Teeth circular in cross-section, strongly 

 ribbed near base, dentine strongly infolded. Three large teeth on 

 each palatine. Mandible without postcotyloid process. Vertebrae 

 rhachitomous. Ribs double headed. Pelvic bones coalesced. 



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 



The investigations of the writer on Eryops and the Labyrintho- 

 dontidae were carried on under the direction of Professor S. W. 

 Williston, head of the department of vertebrate paleontology of the 

 University of Chicago. The writer's sincerest thanks are due Pro- 

 fessor Williston for the privilege of studying the specimens in Walker 

 Museum, and for his valuable advice and encouragement. Thanks 

 are also due to those in charge for permission to examine the speci- 

 mens of Eryops preserved in the American Museum of Natural His- 

 tory of New York City. 



