198 E. D. Cope— System of the Batrachia Anura 



layers, several of whicli were one or two feet, and one nearly 

 six feet, in thickness, — a deposit of mucli scientific interest, 

 particularly in view of its bearings on the origin of gypsum. 

 Next above this series came a bed of yellow sandstone, about 

 35 feet thick ; then 100 feet or more of red and gray shales ; and 

 over all, near the head of the caiion, at least 40 feet of yellow 

 and gray sandstone. In the upper part of these beds, Betemnites 

 densus M. and H., and a small species of jRhynchonella were abun- 

 dant. The whole series is undoubtedly Jurassic, and probably 

 the best development of the formation yet found in this country. 



From this point, we proceeded directly to Henry's Fork, and 

 thence westward, up the stream. Ee-examining on our way 

 the "Mauvaises Terres" deposits, we found additional evidence 

 of their early Tertiary age, the lowest beds of the series being 

 evidently Eocene, and resting on the Cretaceous, unconformably 

 Continuing our journey along our previous route, we arrived 

 safely, after an absence of six weeks, at Fort Bridger. 



To Major R S. LaMotte, in command of this Post, and his 

 associate officers, including Lieut. W. N. Wann, who had charge 

 of our escort, our best thanks are returned for valuable ass^t- 

 ance, and many kind attentions. Our gi-ateful acknowledg- 

 ments are likewise due to Hon. W. A. Carter, and Dr. J. V. A. 

 Carter, residents at the Fort, for important information in regard 

 to the surrounding country, and generous hospitaHties. 



Tale CoUege, January 20th, 1871. 



Art. XXX.— On the System of the Batrachia Anura of the Brit- 

 ish Museum Catalogue; by E. D. CoPE. 



Until 1858 the Batrachia Anura was a group of animals to 

 which but little attention had been turned, and for wbicti n 

 detailed system based on any general investigations, had Deeu 

 proposed. It was, therefore, a considerable addition to kno^ 

 edge when the catalogue of the British Museum appeareaj" 

 that year, and nearly doubled the number of species airea j 

 known, and arranged them in a system which went into ^ 

 detail of structure. This detail was, however, almost entire }^ 

 with reference to external characters. This fact is sulbcien 

 excite question as to the coincidence of the system adopi - 

 with that of nature, and a full examination into the gen^ 

 anatomy of the order, has answered such question uniavor ; 

 to It m a very decided manner.* But as authors who ha^^^ 

 sequently written do not seem to be at all aware of the^denien 

 01 this system, it is proposed here to point out some ol tne^^_^^ 



1865, and Jour. Acad. Nat £i!' p£l'^" 1866-67."^ '** 



