1853.] OWEN ON THE BAPHF.TES PLANICEPS. 20/ 



and muscular impressions somewhat similar in shape and position 

 to those observable in the same valve of C. comoides. 

 Fig. 13. Interior of the dorsal valve of the same Ckonetes (fig. 12). Re- 

 niform impressions (V) similar in character to those of Productus, 

 but not to those of Leptana. 



3. On a Fossil imbedded in a mass of Picxou Coal,, from Nova 

 Scotia. By Professor Owen, F.R.S., V.P.G.S. &c. 



[Plate IX.] 



The fossil imbedded in the mass of Pictou Coal, from Nova Scotia, 

 subuiitted to my inspection by the President of the Geological 

 Society, consists of the anterior extremity of the cranium and upper 

 jaw, with the exterior of the bone imbedded in the matrix, and its 

 substance, for the most part, reduced to a thin layer by abrasion of 

 the exposed inner surface (see Plate IX.). It displays accurately the 

 contour of the fore-part of the upper jaw, which was broad, obtuse, 

 and rounded : and some portions of the bone, with the inner surface 

 entire, prove this part of the cranium to have been broad, flat, and 

 of very little depth or vertical diameter. 



The parts preserved include the premaxillaries, 21, nasals, 15, and 

 portions of the frontal, u, prefrontal, i4, and maxillary, 21, bones, 

 the proportions and connexions of which best agree with those in the 

 skull of the Capitosaurus, — a Labyrinthodont Batrachian, from the 

 Bunter sandstone of Bernburg. 



The premaxillaries, which show some obscure traces of a symphy- 

 sial suture at the median line, anterior to the nasal or naso-palatine 

 vacuities, extend outwards, on each side, for an extent of 2\ inches, 

 and there join the maxillaries. Traces of round alveoli for teeth, some 

 of which are 2 lines in diameter, are visible on the alveolar border 

 of the premaxillaries. The alveolar border is continued, by the 

 maxillary bone, for an extent of 4|- inches beyond the premaxillaries ; 

 and this border shows still more distinct traces of alveoli, of a circular 

 form, about a line in diameter, and rather closely set in a single series. 

 The fore-part of the orbit is very unequivocally displayed, the smooth 

 under or inner surface of the bone forming that part being entire ; 

 and this shows the fore-part of the orbit to be formed, partly by the 

 maxillary, partly by a lacrymal or prefrontal bone in close sutural 

 union therewith, — a structure which does not exist, to my knowledge, 

 in any recent or fossil fish with a dentigerous superior maxillary bone. 

 Where the substance of the bone has been detached so far as to expose 

 the exterior layer in contact with the coal, as e.g. on the frontal and 

 part of the prefrontal bones, the exterior surface of those bones is 

 shown to have been impressed by subhemispheric, or elliptical pits, 

 from 1 line to l^- line in diameter, and with intervals of half that 

 extent : and this coarsel}^ pitted chai'acter agrees with that presented 

 by the outei' surface of the similarly broad and flat crania of the 



