438 Dr. C. W. Andrews — Extinct Egyptian Vertebrates. 



were very common. They belong to two types, one an extremely 

 large Python-\\kQ form, and the other a smaller, though still large 

 snake, the chief characteristic of which is the great height of the 

 neural spines. These two types are briefly described below. 



Gigantophis Garstini, gen. et sp. nov. (Fig. 1.) 



The large vertebree of this species occur very commonly in the 

 lower beds associated with remains of Moeritherium, Zeuglodonts, 

 and Sirenians. In one case a series of about twenty vertebrae 

 were found in their natural relations to one another and beautifully 

 weathered out of the matrix by the action of sand-drift (Fig. 1a). 



The form of these vertebras (Fig. 1) approaches most nearly 

 to that seen in Python, to which genus it seems probable that this 

 species was nearly related. The articular region of a mandible 

 lends support to this view. 



In the vertebrae the anterior cup of the centrum is transversely 

 oval, and the corresponding posterior convexity is similar in shape 

 and looks somewhat upwards. The neural spine (n.s.) is short and 

 stout, and has a flat truncated extremity ; the neural canal is 

 relatively much smaller than in the recent type, but has the same 

 somewhat trilobate form. The articular surfaces of the anterior 

 zygapophyses (a.z.) are slightly above the level of the floor of the 

 neural canal. The form of the zygosphene (zyg.) and zygantrum are 

 as in Python. The transverse processes form massive protuberances, 

 bearing on their outer ends articular surfaces (r.) for the ribs, and are 

 of similar form to those seen in Python. The hypapophysis (hyp.) 

 in most of the vertebrae is small, and consists mainly of a small 

 tuberosity near the hinder end of the centrum. 



These vertebrse are all of large size, much larger than in any 

 existing Ophidian. If the proportions of this snake were the same 

 as in the existing Python sebce it probably reached a length of about 

 30 feet. 



The dimensions of one of these vertebrae are as follows : — 



mm. 



Greatest height (from top of neural spine to end of hypapophysis) ... 57 '5 



Greatest width (between the ends of the transverse processes) ... 63 



Width of zygosphene 29 



Width of articular cup of centrum 22 



Height of articular cup of centrum 19 



Width of articular ball of centrum 23 



Extreme length of centrum 40 



Width of neural canal (approx.) 12 



To this form the generic name Gigantophis, referring to its large 

 size, may be given, the specific name being Gigantophis Garstini, 

 in honour of Sir William Garstin, K.C.M.G., the Under Secretary 

 of State for Public Works in Egypt. 



Moeriophis Schioeinfurthi, gen. et sp, nov, (Fig. 2.) 



Perhaps the commonest fossils in the lower beds are the vertebras 

 of a large snake, which in the main points agree with those upon 

 which Owen founded the genus Palceophis. Owen's specimens are 



