222 



THE EXTINCT BATEACHIA, REPTILIA 



Where the dorsal series of the CI. propython is interrupted, the vertebrse have increased in the strength of 

 their processes rather than diminished, and I consider an addition of ten to be below rather than above the mark. 

 Of the eaudals there arc preserved forty-four, all with the chevron bones, and none with diapophyses. I have added 

 nine for those without chevron bones, while the interruptions in the series readily justify the addition of seven 

 more. The lost series is estimated from that of the M. giganteus, adding relatively to the increase observed in the 

 scries preserved. The length may be estimated as follows: 



Of the cervicals and dorsals (average), 

 Remaining vertebrae with diapophyses, 



" " without " 



The cranium, 



Inches. 

 874 

 90 

 80 



14L 



Total, fourteen feet, :>;; inches, 



171.; 



The ophidian character of the vertebra:, however, leads me to suspect that the length will be hereafter found to 



to be considerably greater. The relative length of the cranium above given, is not greater than in the Iguana, while 

 its dimensions, as compared with the cervical vertebra}, are not relatively greater than in the existing serpents. If the 

 Ophidian characters, therefore, were as strongly exhibited in the vertebral series as I suppose, the length would be 

 twenty feet, at the least. 



The discoveries with reference to the vertebral column of the M. missuriensis prove Ouvier's estimate to have 

 been much too low; while Goldfuss' estimate for the former is probably as much behind nature as Ouvier's is 

 behind if. 



The cups and balls are transversely oval, or slightly heart-shaped, and (lie centrum expands gently to the edge of 

 the ball . The latter is surrounded by a strong and wide groove except at the bottom of the neural canal. The ex 

 tremital parts of the centrum are delicately striate, while the distal parts of the diapophyses and zygapophyses are 

 very rugose throughout the whole length of the vertebral column. This portion terminates by a slight rim round all 

 the articular faces. The neural spines of the dorsal veretbrse or the parts preserved, do not present rugosity, but 

 those of the caudal vertebra: are striate to the anterior and posterior margins, and are distally deeply grooved, the 

 grooves meeting on the median line in front. The end of the spine is truncate, and longitudinally ovate; like the ball 

 oi' the vertebra, it, is surrounded by a. groove, and below this by a smooth space above the extremities of the grooves. 



The knobs representing diapophyses are very rugose. 



The diapophysis of the axis is horizontal, the posterior position is directed upwards in the fourth, and is nearly 

 vertical on the tilth, forming an Li-shape with the inferior portion. On the seventh the latter is first shorter than the 

 now vertically elongate superior extremity. On (he tenth it, first ceases to reach the rim of the cup, and on the 

 eleventh it is no more prominent than the tipper posterior angle of the vertical face, giving it, a slightly sigmoid form. 

 'fiie diapophysial face now regularly shortens; on the fourteenth its length is equal to ils projection from the centrum 



below. 



The chevron bones are likewise striate, the hamiapophysial porl i 9 very delicately, I he spinous |mii ions coarsely. 



The StriSB cease abruptly near the tip, whi :'i looks like that of a, rough stick which has bona: a- ferule. The hinder 

 face of this portion is grooved, but not so largely as the front; the branches present an angle on their inner anterior 



aspect. 



Length axis, 



" " without proc. odonto'ideus, 



Width of diapophyses, 



" " ball, 

 Depth " " 



" centrum and attached hypapophysis, 



" same with free hypapophysis, 

 Length of " " 



" " sixth Cervical, centrum (without, ball), 



Line). 



ls.s 

 14.8 

 Hi 



7.5 



(i 



lo.:; 

 14. :s 



8.8 

 12.:! 



