228 



THE EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA 



point, it differs from the latter in the greater transverse diameter of the cup and ball; these are transversely oval; in 

 the P. UttoralU sub-triangular ovate; the centrum is naturally less constricted and broader in the former. The articu- 

 lar face of the zygapophysis is broadly ovate in the P. halidanus, narrowly so in the smaller species; while there are 

 indications of similar posterior hypapophysis in both, the anterior in the P. halidanus appears to have been smaller. 

 As compared with the species described by Owen, the cup and ball are more transverse than in any noticed in the 

 British Fossil Reptiles, approaching that figured by him in PL 8, fig. 22-4; the ball has not the oblique, up-looking 

 profile of that species, but Conns a nearly regular arc, with its posterior margin superiorly a little behind its position 

 interiorly. The hypapophysial ridge is considerably interrupted as in the P. typhosus, while P. littoralis agrees with 

 the P. toliapieus in having it continuous. The two last named species differ in the development of their hypapophyses. 

 In the American species both arc large, especially the posterior; in the English, the anterior. process is weak or want- 

 ing; the ridge connecting the zygapophyses disappears in the P. toliapieus, continues in the P. littoralu. The general 

 proportions of the centrum are slender as in /'. toliapieus, and not so stout as in P. poreatus, Owen. 



The diapophyses in the P. halidanus are not so pedunculate as in P. typhosus, though they arc separated above by 

 a notch from the vertical ala which descends from the zygapophysis, which I do not find in the P. littoralu. They 

 approach near the margin of the cup in their transverse extent below. 



The horizontal ridge between the zygapophyses is strongly marked, andin the specimen in hand comes off from the 

 anterior vertical ala below the zygapophyses, rather than from the plane of that process, as in P. littoralu. The neu- 

 ral canal is depressed behind below the margin of the ball, and has an obtuse epapophysis along flic median region of 

 its median line. There is no ridge parallel to the hypapophysis. The cup is partially broken, but its transverse diam- 

 eter appears to have been one-fourth greater than the vertical. The transverse plane of the face of the zygapophysis 

 is transverse. A large part of the neural arch is broken away. 



IAn.es. 

 Length from edge cup to convexity of ball, 12.75 



Width between anterior zygapophyses, 13.5 



" cup. 8.4 



Depth " fi.2 



Least width centrum at middle. 5. SI 



Width neural canal, 4. 



Locality. This serpent was found by my friend, O. B. Kinnc, in the excavations of the Squankmn Mail Com- 

 pany, at Squankum, Monmouth Co., N. J., a, few miles south of Shark River. The horizon is Eocene. 



This animal was probably a, sea, serpent distantly allied to the Boas, and far exceeding in dimensions the Bydro- 

 phidse at present inhabiting the Indian Ocean. Its size was similar to that of the very largest of terrestrial serpents 

 of the modern era, and was probably proportioned to a, length of twenty feet. 



Certain ovoid bodies have been found with the above by (). 15. Kinne, at Squankum, which look like fossilized 

 dicotyledonous seeds allied to LeguminOSiteS of Bowerbank. 



PALJ30PHIS GRANDIS, Marsh. 



IHnophis grandis, Marsh, Sill. Am. Jour. Sci. Arts, 185!), ;i!)8. 



The largest species of the genus (if such it be), yet discovered, and represented by a 

 single dorsal vertebra, with the neural arch well preserved. It is thus described by 

 Marsh. 



The general form of the centrum is elongate, and considerably compressed behind the middle. The articular cup 



and ball are sub-triangular ovate, and their faces are much more nearly vertical than is usual in ophidian vertebral, 

 the cup looking but very slightly downwards. The neural arch is elevated and massive. The neural canal is broader 

 than high, and its floor depressed posteriorly, with indications of a, slight medial epapophysis. The sides of the canal 

 arc marked by a, sharp longitudinal ridge, which, in connection with the arched roof above;, gives a, trifoliate outline 



