166 REPORT — 1859. 



are represented by existing species, in which a close transition is manifested 

 to the next order. 



Order XI. Ophidia*. 

 Vertebrae very numerous, proccelian, with a single transverse process on 

 each side ; no sacrum : no visible limbs. 



The earliest evidence, at present, of this order is given by the fossil ver- 

 tebra of the large serpent (Palceophis, Ow.) from the London clay of Sheppey 

 and Bracklesham. Remains of a poisonous serpent, apparently a Vipera, have 

 been found in miocene deposits at Sansans, S. of France. A large fossil ser- 

 pent (Laophis, Ow.), with vertebras showing similar modifications to those in 

 the Crotali, has been discovered by Capt. Sprat, R.N., in a tertiary formation 

 at Salonica. Ophidiolites from CEningen have been referred to the genus 

 Coluber. 



Order XII. Chelonia f. 

 The characters of this order, including the extremely and peculiarly modi- 

 fied forms of Tortoises, Terrapenes, and Turtles, are sufficiently well known. 

 The chief modifications of osseous structure in oolitic Chelonia are shown 

 by the additional pair of bones interposed between the hyosternals and hypo- 

 sternals of the plastron, in the genus Pleurosternon from the upper oolite at 

 Purbeck. It would be very hazardous to infer the existence of Reptiles with 

 the characteristic structure of the restricted genus Testudo from the foot- 

 prints in the triassic sandstone of Dumfriesshire. But the Reporter concurs 

 in the general conclusions based upon the admirable figures and descriptions 

 in the splendid monograph by Sir Wm. Jardine, Bart., F.L.S., that some of 

 those foot-prints most probably belonged to species of the Chelonian order. 



An enormous species of true turtle (Chelone gigas), the skull of which 

 measured one foot across the back part, has left its remains in the eocene 

 clay at Sheppey. The terrestrial type of the order had been exemplified on a 

 still more gigantic scale by the Colossochelys of the Sewalik tertiaries. 



Order XIII. Batrachia J. 

 Vertebras biconcave (Siren), proccelian (Rana), or opisthocoelian (Pipa) ; 

 pleurapophysesshort, straight. Twooccipital condyles and two vomerine bones, 

 in most dentigerous: no scales or scutes. Larvse with gills, in most deciduous. 

 Representatives of existing families or genera of true Batrachia have been 

 found fossil, chiefly in tertiary and post-tertiary strata. Indications of a peren- 

 nibranchiate batrachian have recently been detected by the Reporter in a col- 

 lection of minute Purbeck fossils. Anourous genera (Palceophrynus) allied 

 to the Toad occur in the CEningen tertiaries, and here also the remains of 

 the gigantic Salamander (Andrias Scheuchzeri) were discovered. 



Summary of the above defined Orders. 



Province VERTEBRATA. 



Class FLematocrya. Sub-class Reptilia. 



Orders. 



I. Ganocephala. VIII. Dinosauiia. 



II. Labyrinthodontia. IX. Crocodilia. 



III. Ichthyopterygia. X. Lacertilia. 



IV. Sauropterygia. XI. Ophidia. 

 V. Anomodontia. XII. Chelonia. 



VI. Pterosauria. XIII. Batrachia. 



VII. Thecodontia. 



* ofis, a serpent. t xeXwi';;, a tortoise. + fiarpaxos, a frog. 



