THE UPPER TRIASSIC OF WESTERN TEXAS. 



37 



distance. The capitular facet stands on a short process (fig. 10) rising from the anterior 

 outer angle of the lower face of the centrum; this process is inclined slightly backward. 

 The anterior face of the centrum is nearly circular; the posterior face is oval, with the 

 long axis horizontal. The neural canal is still large. 



The fourth vertebra has lost the upper part of the neural arch and the zygapophyses. 

 The transverse process (fig. 11 b) is curved outward and downward; the capitular process 

 is similar to that of the third. The lower face of the centrum is concave antero- 

 posteriorly, but nearly flat transversely. The anterior and posterior faces are trans- 

 versely oval. 



Fig. 10. — Desmatositchus spwensis. 



A. Lateral view of first ten vertebrae; the last six as they were found connected. 



B. Upper view of third to ninth cervical vertebrae. X 0.3. 



X0.3. 



The next six vertebrse (figs. 10 and 11) were found in close association, the 

 first five in position and the sixth slightly distant and turned to one side. The last is 

 thought, from its shape, to be the twelfth of the whole series and will be described in 

 that position. In the first five the faces of the centra are transversely oval and the 

 lower surface is flat. These characters change slowly toward the rear until in the 

 tenth vertebra (fig. 11) the posterior face is nearly circular and the lower surface of 

 the centrum is much narrower and longer than in those anterior to it. The zygapop^iyses 

 of all are low and flat and closely overlapping. The posterior zygapophyses of the 

 fifth vertebra show clearly a structure which is only indicated in the less perfectly 

 preserved ones adjoining it, but is very prominent on the second axis. From a point 

 just above the articular facet there is a strong spinous process which extends backward 

 and outward for at least a centimeter. This character is confined to the anterior 

 cervicals, as it is not noticeable on the eighth vertebra, where the zygapophyses are 

 thin and broad. 



