F. T. Maidwell—The Kegworth Footprint. 421 
VY.—Norr on tHE KerewortH Footprint. 
By F. T. MAIDWELL. . 
(See Pl. XVII, Fig. 2.) 
(V\HIS footprint was noticed by Mr. A. R. Horwood in the British 
Association Trias Committee’s Report for 1909 (5) and there 
referred to as resembling Cheirotherium herculis (Kg.) and to be from 
the Lower Keuper Sandstone. As mentioned in that note, it was 
found in an excavation at Kegworth, North Leicestershire, some 
thirty-four years ago by Mr. J. Large, who in 1909 presented it to 
the Leicester Corporation Museum. It is interesting as being the 
only Chirosauroid print so far recorded from the Keuper rocks of 
_ Leicestershire, and proves the occurrence in that area of animals and 
conditions similar to those which existed in Cheshire, Staffordshire, 
and Warwickshire during the Keuper period. 
The print shows the cast of an impression of four digits with no 
trace of a fifth. Close behind the first digit the surface is slightly 
raised and protuberant, but so little that it needs no further notice. 
The first digit has its origin farther back than the roots of the other 
toes and is the shortest of the four, the third being the longest. The 
angle of divergence between the first and second digits is considerably 
greater than between either the second and third or the third and 
fourth. The outer edge of the third digit has an inward curve, 
whilst the fourth is distinctly curved towards the third. Unfortu- 
nately a portion of the distal end of the fourth digit has been broken 
off on its inner side. The digits taper rapidly from their root ends, 
and in cross-section are slightly rounded on the sides with a slight 
flattening of the soles. The digits show no trace of pads, but their 
root ends stand out slightly from the posterior under surface. Short 
folds can be detected crossing the inner sides of the second and third 
toes. The digits were deeply impressed towards their distal ends, 
the greatest depth shown on the cast being about 4 centimetres. 
The following are the principal dimensions :— 
Length from distal end of 3rd digit to the broken posterior end, 12°5 cm. 
Greatest breadth between the distal ends of Ist and 4th digits, 15,cm. 
Distance between centres of root ends of digits I and IV, 7°5 cm. 
Distance between centres of distal ends: I to II, 6°5 cm.; II to IH, 6 cm. ; 
III to IV, 6 cm. 
I. II. Iii. IV. 
Length of digits . : : ; 25 4 5°5 4°7 cm. 
Breadth of digits : j 4 3°3 5 5 4°5 em. 
[All measurements are given in centimetres. | 
In describing a fossil footprint it is always necessary to remember 
that we are dealing with the impression, or cast of an impression, of 
a foot and not with the foot itself. The same foot may in the course 
of a few strides make many different impressions, due mainly to the 
‘varying condition of the mud upon which the animal walked. 
This footprint probably represents the left pes, but as it is a solitary 
specimen we cannot say definitely whether it be pes or manus, but 
1 Being Appendix (11) to Mr. A. R. Horwood’s paper on the Upper Trias of 
Leicestershire. 
