396 S. W. WILLIS TON 



A single genus has been found in the Coal Measures of Ohio, v/hich is repre- 

 sented by a species v/hich I shall call Tuditanus punctulatus. It is of small size, 

 and the maxillary teeth are of equal length. I can not distinguish it from Iso- 

 dectes, which belongs to the Pariotichidae. The other species v/hich are referred 

 to Tuditanus are Stegocephalia. This is the first identification of a true reptile 

 in the Coal Measures. 



In the following year {Proc. Amer. Phil. Soc. 1897, p. 88), under 

 the heading Isodectes punctulatus, he said: 



A collection from Linton, Jefferson County, Ohio, obtained from Mr. Samuel 

 Houston, contains the greater part of the skeleton of what I suppose is this species. 

 The head, scapular arch and [most of the] fore limbs are lost. The remainder 

 agrees very well v/ith the typical specimen which v/as obtained by Dr. Nev/berry 

 from the same locality and horizon .... The specimen is of importance as 

 pertaining to the oldest known reptile, and the only one v/hich has been, thus far, 

 positively identified from the Coal Measures. 



The paper was not published till after Cope's death, and he did not 

 see all the proofs. 



Hay, in his catalogue, for what reason I do not know, refers the 

 species back to Tuditanus and the amphibia, and there has been no 

 further reference since of any kind to the species. 



Very recently, through the kindness of Secretary Walcott of the 

 Smithsonian Institution, and Professor Dean of Columbia University, 

 the type specimen of Tudilanus punctulatus, and the specimen referred 

 to above by Professor Cope, have come under my observation. The 

 original type of Tuditanus punctulatus will be shortly discussed by Mr, 

 Moodie of this university. The specimen which Professor Cope so 

 positively and decisively referred to the Reptilia is of great interest 

 in view of the recent discussions as to the origin of that class of verte- 

 brates. Because of recent discoveries connecting so intimately the 

 Stegocephalia with the primitive reptiles, it is somewhat hazardous to 

 say with assurance that the specimen really is that of a true reptile. 

 Perhaps all of significance that is now left as a distinguishing char- 

 acteristic of the two classes is the greater or less development of the 

 parasphenoid, and, as the skull is wanting in this particular specimen, 

 as it also was in the specimen referred by Thevenin to the reptiha, 

 we must await future discoveries for the final solution of the question. 

 It is my opinion, however, that Cope was right, and the form should 

 be, provisionally at least, referred to the reptilia. 



