Permian of Neio Mexico. 381 



observe being the right hind foot, and perhaps a part of the 

 left hind foot, both which had been more or less exposed and 

 the bones somewhat weathered. This skeleton lies in the most 

 orderly relations, with all its parts in close articulation, save 

 such as had been disturbed by gravitation. It is without break, 

 at least as far as the proximal third of the tail ; some of the 

 smaller caudal vertebrae may be missing, but, fortunately, the tail 

 seems to be quite complete in the other specimen. This more 

 perfect specimen (No. 811), which may be considered the type 

 of the species, was found among unpacked material only a few 

 weeks before my departure from New Haven became neces- 

 sary, and its preparation has not been quite completed. When 

 fully worked out from the matrix and prepared for exhibition, 

 it will be one of the most notable specimens of a reptile ever 

 obtained from the Permian deposits of America. 



The skeleton is evidently that of an animal which had died 

 peacefully in some pool or body of water undisturbed by waves or 

 currents ; nor does it show any indications of extraneous forces. 

 The animal at death rested with its ventral side downward 

 upon a hard bottom, since all the bones had fallen, so far as 

 was possible with their natural articulations, to a level, as is 

 the case with fossils preserved in marine deposits. The skull 

 and limbs are in complete articulation, the vertebral column 

 curved gently to the left, the pectoral and pelvic girdles intact 

 and in position, and with all the bones of the limbs closely 

 articulated, so far as they are preserved, at least, save a few of 

 the terminal phalanges. The sacral vertebra is attached to the 

 ilia, but the vertebrae immediately preceding and succeeding 

 it had fallen to the level of the pubes and ischia. As the 

 specimen lies in place it measures three feet and four inches to 

 the hind end of the ischia, while the articulated or nearly artic- 

 ulated tail of No. 809 has a length of forty inches to' where 

 the centra measure ten millimeters in diameter. Yet smaller, 

 unarticulated vertebras among the unassociated material indi- 

 cate -u possible length of the tail of forty-four or forty-five 

 inches, or a total length for the skeleton of about eightv-four 

 inches. 



Skull. — The skull of Limnoscelis paludis is remarkable in 

 many respects, and fortunately this part of the specimen which 

 serves as the type is remarkable for its completeness and perfec- 

 tion of preservation. Like the remainder of the skeleton, with 

 which it was in close articulation, it lay upon its ventral side, 

 slightly depressed by its own weight in fossilization, and a little 

 skewed to the right. As collected, it was broken in eight or ten 

 pieces, the bone so firm that it permits the matrix to be removed 

 very completely, which has been done by the skillful head 

 preparator of the Yale Museum, Mr. Hugh G-ibb ; not quite 



