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TRANSACTIONS 



AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY 



SYNOPSIS 



OF THE 



EXTINCT BATRACHIA, REPTILIA AND AVES OP NORTH AMERICA. 

 BY EDWARD D. COPE. 

 Head September 18, 1868, and April 2, 1869. 



PREFACE. 



It is not designed in the present essay, to give descriptions of the known remains of 

 the Batrachia, Reptiles and Birds, which have been more or less fully made known by 

 others. This is left for the day when our knowledge shall more nearly approach complete- 

 ness. While the subject is in its infancy, I have thought best to describe only those 

 species and types which are new, and those portions of imperfectly known forms which 

 will throw additional light on their relations and affinities. In adhering to this plan, I 

 have been able to add no little to the history of the Reptiles already described by my 

 predecessors, Leidy, Owen, Dawson, Wyman, Lea, etc. Where, however, I have had 

 nothing to add, I have referred to their published descriptions, which are numerous and 

 well-known. The literature of the subject will then be found under the respective specific 

 heads. 



The present Memoir was originally prepared under the title of " Contributions to the 

 History of the Vertebrates of the Mesozoic Periods in New Jersey and Pennsylvania," 

 and presented to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, for publication, Fifth 

 Month, 14, 1867. The more important parts of its contents were at the same time 

 embodied in a series of remarks before the Academy. This essay was withdrawn, owing 

 to delay in the publication, and the remarks "made were not printed. An abstract of part 



AMERI. PHILOSO. SOC VOT-. XIV. 1 



