912 



DR. R. BROOM ON THE 



other reptilian group. In front it meets the jngal and the 

 palatine and lies along the outer side of the vomer. It forms a 

 large descending ^^terygoid process. Posteriorly it lies against the 

 vomer and terminates by meeting the alisphenoid as in 

 Cynognathus. 



Text-fig. 178. 



Posterior view of skull of Gomplwgnathus : 



The basioccipital, basisphenoid, and exoccipital are all 

 apparently veiy similar to those bones in Cynognathus. There 

 is a large foramen for the exit of nerves ix., x., xi., and xii. 

 Outside of this foramen, but further from the base, is another 

 foramen which I believe to be the fenestra ovalis, but this is less 

 ceitain than the nature of the larger foramen, aboxit which there 

 is no doubt. 



The alisphenoid in all its relations is very similar to that in 

 Cynognathus. At its lower end near where it meets the pterygoid 

 is an opening which leads into the brain-cavity, and most pi-obably 

 it was by this opening that the internal carotid artery entered 

 the cranium. 



The quadrate is relatively rather smaller than in Cynognathus, 

 but is fixed into the squamosal bone in a very simila,]- fashion. 

 It clasps the lower margin of the bone, and posteriorly it has two 

 processes which lit into grooves. In the type specimen of 

 Gomiphognathus kannemeyeri, where the articulars do not lit on to 

 the quadrates, I thought the quadrates had been displaced, but I 

 am rather inclined to think it is the articulars, as the London 

 specimens show that the quadrate is not likely to be readily 

 disarticulated. 



In the median section of the skull (PI. XLVI. fig. 9) a number 

 of most interesting featui-es are revealed. In the posterior 

 cranial region there are seen the foramina for the exit of a 

 number of the cranial nerves. Close to the occipital condyle 

 are two small foramina for nerve xii. These after pa,ssing a 

 short distance through the bone open into the large foramen 

 lacerum posticum. This laa^ge foramen is also situated well back 

 and doubtless transmitted also nerves ix., x., and xi. In fronb 



