12 FOSSIL REPTILIA OP THE 



Genus — Suchosaurus, Owen} Suchosaurus cultridens 2 (PI. IV, figs. 5 — 8). 



In the Wealden formations have been found detached teeth and vertebras, indicating 

 the existence, at that period, of a large Amphiccelian Crocodile specifically and generically 

 distinct from both Goniopholis and Petrosuchus ; for, since the discovery of associated bones 

 and teeth of the former genus has made us acquainted with its vertebral characters, 

 an exhaustive analysis of the other reptilian fossils of the Wealden series leave 

 only the form of Saurian tooth, PI. IV, figs. 5 and 6, wherewith to associate the 

 equally peculiar form of Saurian vertebra, ib., figs. 7, 8. This vertebra is readily dis- 

 tinguishable, by the length of the centrum and the compressed wedge-shaped character of 

 its middle part, from all other known Saurian (Dinosaurian or Crocodilian) vertebras of the 

 Wealden period. The specimen (No. ~%, Mantellian Collection of Wealden fossils in the 

 British Museum) is the centrum of a dorsal vertebra, with both articular extremities slightly 

 and equally concave ; though narrower at the middle than at the ends, it is more uniformly 

 compressed than in other Crocodilian vertebra?, the sides converging to an inferior 

 obtuse ridge, which is very slightly concave in the antero-posterior direction. The sides 

 are not flat in the vertical direction nor slightly concave, as in many of the Iguanodon's 

 vertebras, to which the present form approximates ; but are gently convex, so that a 

 pencil laid vertically upon the sides touches it only by its middle. A more decided 

 difference between the present Crocodilian vertebras and those of the Iguanodon is, that 

 the former are longer in proportion to their height and depth. The external surface at 

 the middle of the body of the vertebra is very finely striated, so as to present a silky 

 appearance ; near the margins it is sculptured by coarse, longitudinal grooves and 

 ridges. 



The base of the neurapophysis which, when anchylosed, leaves an evident trace of 

 the suture, is nearly equal in length with the body of the vertebra ; it does not wholly 

 include the neural canal, but leaves the impression of the lower third of that canal upon 

 the upper surface of the centrum. On the outside of the neurapophysis are two slightly 

 developed, broad, obtuse ridges, converging towards each other from the outer side of 

 each angle or end of the base of neurapophysis ; the ridge corresponding with the 

 posterior of these in the Iguanodon's vertebra rises more vertically, and is in higher relief. 

 The neurapophysial suture slightly undulates in its horizontal course, and rises in the 

 middle instead of descending upon the centrum, as in the Plesiosaurs. 



The present vertebra is alluded to at p. 70, and figured at pi. ix, fig. 11, of Mantell's 



' Report,' ut supra, p. 67 (Gr. loiixos, an Egyptian name of the Crocodile, and oavpos, lizard). 

 2 lb., ib. 



