Recieivs — Fn'tsch's Permian Amphibia. 273 



genera: — Branchiosaurus (Fr.), AmpMhamus (Coyie), Felion (Cope), 

 Protriion (Gaudry), Pleuroneura (Gaudry), Sparodus (Fr.), BracJiider- 

 peton (H. and A.), JSylerpeton (Owen), Daiosonia (Fr.), Hijlonomus ? 

 (Dawson). 



The next family treated of is termed Apateonid^e, but the author 

 finds all his specimens referable to a genus which is named Melaner- 

 peton. This genus is defined as diff'ering from Branchiosaurus in the 

 form and proportions of the head and in its length relatively to tlie 

 body, for while the head is between a third and a fourth of the 

 length of the body in Branchiosaurus, it is here between a fourth and 

 less than a fifth. The brain case has a similar posterior develop- 

 ment to that seen in Branchiosaurus ; the supratemporal bones are 

 placed more anteriorly. The width of the vertebra is to the length 

 of the vertebral column as 1 to 8 in Branchiosaurus, while in 

 Melanerpeton the proportion is 1 to 11 or 1 to 13. The sacral 

 vertebrge enlarge and the ribs attached to them are modified in form. 

 The ribs are short, and extend throughout the body, and are developed 

 in the first five caudal vertebrge. The thoracic plates have a median 

 stalk-like prolongation or interclavicular process. The abdominal 

 armour was either absent or but faintly developed. Of this genus 

 three species are described. The palcBontological value of these 

 presumed generic characters may perhaps require further considera- 

 tion, llelanerpeton pusillum 

 is estimated to have been 45 

 to 55 mm. long. The head, 

 which did not exceed a cen- 

 timetre, has been carefully 

 restored ; but the restoration 

 wants the quadrate-jugal and 

 quadrate bones. According 

 Melanerpeton pusillum (Fritsch). Natural to the figure, though I do 

 size. From the Permian Limestone of not find any corresponding 

 Olberg near Brannau. explanation in the text, the 



pre-frontal and supra-tem- 

 poral bones are both blended with the jugal. The external or 

 anterior nares appear to be in contact with each other, and occupy 

 the middle line of the snout just behind the pre-maxillary bones. 

 There are two small fontanelles about the size of the parietal 

 foramen placed in the middle of the suture between the nasal and 

 frontal bones ; there also appears to have been a fontanelle in the 

 middle of the suture between the supra-occipital bones. The 

 maxillary bone contains 11 smooth small teeth. Melanerpeton 

 pulcherrimus is a much larger species, having a length of 125 mm. 

 The body is three times as long as the head. The skull is sub- 

 triangular, being broad behind and relatively shorter than in 

 Melanerpeton pusillum. The supra- temporal bone is deeply excavated 

 behind. The surface structure of the skull bones is radiated. The 

 author describes in detail tlie various elements of which it consists, 

 but as the skull closely resembles that of Branchiosaurus (see Geol. 

 Mag. Dec. II. Vol. VI. p. 524), it is unnecessary to describe it fully now. 



DECADE II. — VOL. VIII. — NO. VI. 18 



