TS = 
é. 
Ra) 
XAG 
a 
80 Notice of a New Species of Batrachian Footmarks. 
impressed, and hence the inference, that if the other set of feet 
touched the ground, their forms would necessarily have been re- 
tained. But on the contrary, there is situated, invariably, be- 
hind each footprint, a deep elliptiform impression, pointing for- 
ward and somewhat outward, the pair being more widely sepa- 
rated than the footprints. (See the diagram, B. B.) 
From a patient investigation of these curious forms, aided at 
length by an exquisite specimen, the inevitable conclusion is, 
that the compound impressions were produced by the animal 
when advancing by leaps, and that from its peculiar organization, 
one set of feet did not touch the earth.* It is difficult to explain 
* To render these views more intelligible, the accompanying diagram is given, 
taken from a beautiful specimen in the possession of T. Lronanrp, Esq., reduced 
one half in linear measure. 
A, A. The footprints. Each 
foot is comprised of five toes, 
the central one having four  \ 
articulations, while each lat- 
eral one from it, diminishes in 
4 Cl 
ey 
number by one, in their order. 
The impress is exquisitely A 
fine. Thespread of each foot, Se eee 
or rather its diameter, meas- 
ures two and one half inches. hee: 
B, B. The posterior oblong 
impressions, five inches in 
length by one and one half 
in breadth. The outline is 
not only irregular, but the ¢ 
impression varies much in 
depth. It is a deep concav- 
ity at a, and becomes superfi- 
cial at b. Itis deep and con- 
cave atc. At d, d, d, it is 
superficial, but the outline is 
clear. The appearance of 
this impression suggests the 6b 
probability that it was produ- 
ced by the flexed limbs while 
in a sitting posture, a, b, c, be- 
ing the first or lower joint, 
and d, d, d, the succeeding 
one, folded upon and overlap- 
ping it. The impression of 
the integuments, is absolutely life-like. Ate, on the opposite impression, it is ob- 
literated by a splendid ornithichnite. The impressions in question are associated 
with several species of bird tracks and with rain-drops in wonderful preservation. 
ts a 
ie 
eM eee 
