174 



THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA 



The cotylus bearing extremity is oblique, the eotyli being sub- lateral for a flexed articulation, as is always found 

 to be the ease with the wrist of the Pterosauria, as well as the Aves. This bone resembles no little the same element 

 in another species, from Solenhofen. 



There is in the private collection of Charles ,M. Wheatley, A. M., of Phoenixville, Pa., a specimen of two slender 

 cylindric articulated rods, in a fragment of bituminous slate from the tunnel at that place. These have been already 

 alluded to by Dr. Leidy* as probably indicating Pterosauria during this period, and though from a different bed from 

 that at Gwynnedd, may have belonged to an allied species. They are strongly confirmatory of the characters adduced 

 from the former. The phalanges have perhaps been second and third of a small Individual, and neither are complete. 

 The stouter measures 10.35 lines in length, and 1.6 lines in width at its slightly dilated proximal extremity. 



The greater part of a femur occurs among the Gwynnedd specimens. It has been considerably enlarged at appa- 

 rently the proximal extremity, where its seel. ion is subtrigonal, owing to a broad rising ridge with a shallow groove 

 on one side. The distal extremity is compressed in a direction at right angles to the proximal, and is oval in section. 

 No condyles preserved. 



Length of part preserved, 

 Diameter at proximal fourth, 

 " narrowest; portion, 



Lines. 

 16. 



2.25 

 1 .5 



A phalange (No 43) appears to have belonged to the foot of a larger individual than any whose hones are above 

 identified. The proximal extremity is occupied by a cotylus; the distal follows immediately a constriction, and is 

 curved slightly upwards, ('urnisliing an extensive longitudinally oval condyloid surface. It is immediately followed by 

 a portion of a succeeding bone, which may have been the ungueal phalange. Length, 4.5 lines; depth at cotylus, 

 1. 1 line. 



Two pairs of elements ! have regarded as pubes, though they are narrower than usual in Pterosauria, ami nearly 

 of the form of those of crocodiles. Their sizes differ, and an: appropriate to the proportions of two individuals, to 

 which other elements appertained. In both cases the pubes are parallel to each other and near together; their 

 proximal extremities slightly dilated arid concave; distal extremities much more dilated and convex. These are not 



diapophyses broken off, as they are more constricted medially and dilated distaUy. The longer pari- lie closer to the 



series of vertebrae No. 20, which arc sacra,! or lumbar, and have short, broad, and not; dilated diapophyses. 



Length of oik' of longer pair, 



Distal breadth, 

 Length of shorter, 

 Distal breadth, 



Lines. 

 5.2 

 2. 

 8.5 

 1.5 



A short, element, with terminal divaricating limbs, which are equal to it, and to each other, resembles the fur- 

 cula of Pterosauria from Solenhofen, and especially a, similar element in the Megudaotylus polyzelus, The 

 limbs are not, strictly symmetrical, which may be owing to the character of the fracture, or to pressure; it, may, how- 

 ever, indicate that they are a, curved pterygoid with divergent, ectopterygoid. at, one side. Length of shaft, :!.)! lines: 

 of a, limb, 1.75 lines; width of a, slightly dilated extremity of the same limb, 1.4 lines. 



Two similar pieces occur several times, which are of difficult interpretation. Each is subpara!]elogTainniie with 

 one nearly straight side; the extremity is entirely occupied by the mouth of a, deep, narrow emargination, which is, 

 therefore, bounded by two points, one of which is the longer. From the other side of the longer point projects a 

 rounded quadrate portion, whose outline comes into that of the point; its other outline is opposite the angle of 

 the emargination. Margin behind it, broken. 



Ef the preceding interpretations be correct, the genus Rhabdopelix had an elongate nock, with the Ion- tail »i 



* Copied in Dana's Manual of Geology. 



