174 



THE PERMO-CARBONIFEROUS RED BEDS OF 



The remaining scapulae may be divided into two groups: those with a 

 foramen in the supraglenoid fossa and those without such a foramen. The 

 first condition mentioned has previously been observed only in the Cotylo- 

 sauria and in Ophiacodon. 



Figure 48, c, d and e, shows two imperfect scapulae of the first kind (No. 

 3435) . The blade is slender and resembles in proportions that of Dimetrodon. 

 The coracoid portion is wide and rounded in outline ; the sutures can not be 

 certainly made out, but there are breaks in the normal position of the sutures 

 and probably follow them. The cotylus is exceptionally deep, with the scapu- 

 lar face looking almost directly downward. The front limb must have been 

 held almost at a right angle to the body. 



A second scapula. No. 3439 (plate 24, fig. 8), of similar form but much larger, 

 is represented by a nearly perfect scapula and part of the coracoid. The supra- 

 glenoid foramen occupies the same position and the cotylus is proportionately as 

 deep. Boththisand the smaller specimen show a strongridge on the outer face 



Fig. 48. 



(a) anterior edge, {b) posterior edge of imperfect scapula of left side of unnamed reptile, No. 



3443, showing curvature of blade. X %. 

 (c) scapula of right side, showing proportions of blade, {d) outer face of a second right scapula 



with coracoid, (e) posterior edge of same, showing cotylus, of unnamed reptile. No. 3435. 



(/) articular face for the coracoid elements of the scapula shown in plate 24, figures 6 and 7 

 No. 3437. X%. F H-, B / 



of the blade, probably marking the lower limit of the cleithrum. The supra- 

 coracoid foramen is very small and lies just beneath the scapular process of the 

 cotylus. Another (imperfect) scapula (No. 3443), figure 48, a and b, is prob- 

 ably related to this one, but shows a most remarkable peculiarity in the curva- 

 ture of the blade, which gives it a strong resemblance to the pubis of Varanosau- 

 rus. It can not be regarded as a pubis, however, and while a single bone can not 

 be considered as sufficient material upon which to establish a new order, it is 

 altogether probable that it indicates the existence of a new group of animals. 

 It may be that these scapulcc with the epicondylar foramina will turn 

 out to be amphibian. 



