9A6 UPPER, OR FLINTY CHALK. 



In conclusion, it may be observed, that Cuvier has ascertained that 

 the original animal formed an intermediate genus, between the lizards 

 with a long and forked tongue, including the monito7's and common 

 lizards; and those with a short tongue, and dentated palates, comprising 

 the inguanas, marbres, and a7ioih. This genus, he thinks, would only 

 have been allied to the crocodile, by the general characters of the hzardsi 

 The length of the entire skeleton appears to have been nearly twenty- 

 four feet ; the head being equal to a sixth of the whole length. The tail 

 must have been very strong, and the width of its extremity so con- 

 siderable, as to have rendered it a powerful oar, by which the animal 

 could stem the most agitated waters. 



From this peculiar structure, and from the character of the organic 

 remains with which those of the Maestricht animal are associated, there 

 is every reason to conclude, that the original was an inhabitant of the 

 ocean ; a circumstance very remarkable, since none of the existing lacert£& 

 are known to live in salt water*. 



LocaUty. Upper chalk, near Lewes. 



120. A conical striated tooth; probably of some speeies of lacerta? 

 Tab. xxxiii. fig. 1. 



This specimen is of a conical form, with the apex truncated, and the 

 surface finely marked with longitudinal grooves, and striae. 



It bears some resemblance to the teeth of the Ichthyosaurus, Crocodile, 

 &c. but does not possess characters sufficiently decisive, to admit of its 

 being appropriated to any of the recent or fossil lacertee. As a rare pro- 

 duction of the chalk, it is worthy of notice, and it affords another proof of 

 the httle that is at present known, concerning the organic remains of the 

 chalk formation. 



Locahty. Upper chalk, near Lewes. 



* Vide Cuvier's interesting description of the remains of the anunal of Maestricht. Jnim; 

 Foss. Tome iv. 



