224 MESSRS. HANCOCK AND HOWSE ON A 



result merely of pressure, it is undoubtedly composed of the re- 

 mains of a few of the dermal scales to be afterwards described. 



The limbs are not present, nor can any trace of them be ob- 

 served. There is, however, a thickish mass of bony matter in 

 the dorsal region in front (g, g), lying incorporated with the 

 proximal extremities of eight or nine of the anterior ribs, and 

 extending in advance of them nearly as far as the curved line of 

 the cervical vertebrae. This may, perhaps, be the remains of 

 the scapulas and other members of the shoulder-girdle, but the 

 forms of the parts are entirely obliterated ; indeed, there is no 

 indication of the mass having been composed of distinct parts. 

 The thickness of the bone, which, however, cannot be easily 

 accounted for in any other way, justifies the above supposition ; 

 and in fact, from its extent, measuring as it does five inches 

 long and nearly two inches wide, the fair inference would seem 

 to be that the fore limbs must have been largely developed. 



There, is, however, another explanation which has been sug- 

 gested, which, though possible, can scarcely be considered pro- 

 bable : it is, that this bony mass may be the remains of the large 

 pectoral plates found in all Labyrinthodonts, which in some way 

 or other have been removed thus far from their natural position. 

 But this bony mass lies united to the ribs, and is covered by the 

 dermal scales already alluded to, which appear to be undisturbed. 

 This could scarcely be the case did this bony mass originate in 

 the transported pectoral plates. 



Further back, incorporated with the dorsal extremities of the 

 ribs there situated, is another considerable accumulation of bony 

 matter (h) in the form of a very irregular elongated belt. The 

 greater portion of this is undoubtedly derived from the surface- 

 scales and the crushed ribs. At the anterior part of the belt, 

 however, the bony substance is too thick to be thus accounted 

 for, and, had it been placed sufficiently far backwards, it might 

 have been supposed to be the remains of the pelvic girdle ; but 

 we fear its nature must be left undetermined. 



The head, we have already observed, is seen in section, lying 

 in a reversed position below the ventral margin, which to a 

 limited extent overlies it, the muzzle being directed backwards 



