16 



TIIK EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA 



SAUROPLEURA DIGITATA, Cope. 

 Proc Acad. Na.l. Bci. Philadelphia, 1868. 216. 



This species had a length of body about equal to that of a fully grown Chamteleo vulgaris of the largest size or 

 of a half-grown Menopoma. Thirteen ribs on one, and several on the oilier side, ;ire preserved; where they 

 terminate, probably at the pelvic region, some small or rudimental ribs project from the two or three first caudals. 

 Three ribs and their interspaces extend over live lines. The humerus is broken, but its length can be clearly made 

 out lo be seven lines ; it bus no condyle, and is dilated at both extremities. The ulna and radius are distinct, 

 truncate, hollow, and dilated at the ends. Length of ulna 5.1 lines, distal width 1. 8 lines. Carpus not ossified. 

 The fourth toe is considerably longer than the others, the fifth is next, and reaches the basal third of the antepenult 

 phalange of the fourth ; the third is very little shorter ; the first is not quite so long as the first two of the third. 

 The bones of the bind limb are not readily distinguished. They are evidently much longer and larger than the 

 anterior; no part of a foot is preserved. 



This form is probably allied to Crocordylus. It has relatively much stronger ribs in relation to the vertebrse 

 than we have seen in that genus, and there is no evidence of the existence of the vertebrse characterizing the latter. 

 The limbs are relatively much stronger than in CEstocephalus, and it lacks the peculiar dermal armature of 

 that genus. 



CESTOCEPHALUS, Cope. 

 Proceed. Acad. Na,l. Sci. Phila., 1868. 218. 



This genus is represented by a more complete series of remains than any other of the 

 Linton bed. 



As before remarked, it represents in many respects, the Ophiderpeton of Buxley, and 

 has been alluded to by I )r. Newberry as allied to it. It however, differs markedly in 

 the narrow Lanceolate form of the head, with probable accompanying peculiarities of 

 detail, and in the presence of limbs, which have not been found in the Irish genus. The 

 Ibrni of the head is somewhat nearer that of Loplerpeton lluxl., but the remarkable 

 form of the spines of the caudal vertebrse so characteristic of the American genus, are 

 not found in Lepterpeton. In this Latter respect it is allied to the Urocordylus of 

 Huxley, recently discovered in the Coal Measures in Leinster, Ireland. It differs only in 

 the presence of elongate lizard-like ribs and in the absence of "oat shaped scales" of the 

 lower surfaces. 



It is a matter of much interest in American Palasontology that this remarkable type 

 should be found to occur in our Coal Measures, it was first announced by Dr. Newberry 

 at the meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for 1867. 

 (See p. 141), as an ally of Urocordylus and Ophiderpeton. 



The forms discovered by Dr. Newberry Lave an interesting relation to those of 

 Ireland, such as types of the present period frequently present. 



The characters of Oestocephalus are: neural and haemal elements of the caudal 

 vertebrae, elongate, distally, dilated and grooved, attached by contracted bases. Ventral 

 aspect defended by a close series of oblique dermal rods on each side, which meet anterior- 



