298 A. Smith Woodward — On Ceraterpeton Galvani. 



exhibits two phalanges ; Nos. ii to v, of the proportions shown in 

 the figure, are beautifully displayed on both sides, and their 

 phalangeal formula is clearly proved to be 3, 4, 4, 3, 



No impressions of the skin are preserved, and there is no trace 

 of the scutes of the ventral dermal armour, 



Mr. Eobertson's new specimen of Ceraterpeton is thus of special 

 importance as making known for the first time in the type-species 

 the characters of the clavicular apparatus, the phalangeal formula of 

 the hind-limb, and the relative proportions of the tail ; for the 

 fossil was obtained from the same formation and locality as the 

 original specimens, and the only important differences it presents 

 may easily be explained as the result of accident. On comparison 

 it will be observed to differ a little in the shape of the head, which 

 is relatively nari'ower ; it also seems to differ in having two or three 

 fewer presacral vertebrae. As Huxley remarks, however, the head 

 in the two examples he figures is not improbably widened by 

 crushing ; while there may be a mistake in estimating the number 

 of vertebrsD covered by the clavicular plates in the fossil described 

 above. 



It now appears, indeed, that the amended diagnosis of Cerater- 

 peton based by Fritsch on specimens from the Lower Permian of 

 Bohemia, does not apply to the genus with which Huxley was 

 dealing when he originally proposed the name. It has already been 

 pointed out by Andrews ^ that the skull of Ceraterpeton discovered 

 by Ward in the Coal-measures of North Staffordshire, differs in most 

 essential particulars from the Bohemian skulls ascribed to the same 

 genus by Fritsch. It is now clear that there are equally important 

 differences in the trunk and limbs. The species from Bohemia ex- 

 hibits (i) more numerous presacral vertebrae and more slender ribs, 

 (ii) a clavicular apparatus of entirely different shape, as interpreted 

 by Fritsch, and (iii) distinct ossifications both in the carpus and 

 tarsus. The generic name Scincosaiirtis originally applied by 

 Fritsch ^ to the Bohemian specimens ought thus to be adopted for the 

 species genei-ally quoted under the name of Ceraterpeton crassum ; 

 while the only definitely known species of Ceraterpeton is the type. 

 The skull from the Coal-measures of Ohio described by Cope under 

 the name of C. lennicorne seems to be correctly placed here ; but of 

 this animal the trunk still remains unknown. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE XII. 



Ceraterpeton Galvani, Huxley ; outline of nearly complete skeleton, ventral aspect, 

 nat. size. Coal-measures : Castlecomer, Kilkenny, Ireland, cl., clavicle ; fe,, 

 femur; Ji., fibula; fr. frontal; i.cl., interclavicle ; md., mandible; orb., orbit; 

 pin., pineal foramen; r., radius; sc., supposed scapula; t., tibia; «., ulna; 

 X., coracoid or humerus. [Collection of J. G. Robertson, Esq., Dublin.] 



1 Log. cit. 1895, p. 83. 



2 Sitzungsb. k. bohm. Gesell. Wiss. 1875 (1876), p. 72. 



