550 THE WONDERS OF GEOLOGY. Lect. V. 



Although, from the short time that has elapsed since the 

 classification of the New Red system into two distinct 

 formations, the true geological position of some of the 

 strata bearing such imprints is somewhat doubtful, (for 

 some geologists question whether a great part of the New 

 Red of North America may not be referable to the Per- 

 mian group), it will be convenient to notice the phenomena 

 in question in this place ; I will therefore, first, describe 

 the reptilian remains, and afterwards examine the fossil 

 foot-marks. 



Bones of several species of Ichthyosauri and Plesiosauri 

 have been found in the Triassic strata of Wirtemberg by 

 Dr. Jaeger of Stutgard. But the most extraordinary rep- 

 tilian remains, discovered in that country by the same 

 eminent physician, belong to enormous Batrachians, or 

 animals allied to the frog-tribe. The principal fossils 

 consist of portions of the cranium, and jaws with nume- 

 rous teeth ; and an occipital bone, with a double arti- 

 culating surface,— a proof of its batrachian affinity. Teeth, 

 portions of the skull and jaws, and a few other bones, 

 have since been found in Warwickshire; and by these 

 Professor Owen has ascertained that the animals to 

 which they belonged formed an extinct genus of Batra- 

 chians. 



11. The Labyrinthodon.*— These teeth are of a gently 

 curved conical shape, and present no peculiar external 

 characters ; but Professor Owen, having made various 

 sections to examine their intimate structure, found a most 

 extraordinary modification in the arrangement of the dental 

 elements. The teeth of the gigantic reptile of Wirtemberg, 

 (some of which are two inches long), and those from 

 Warwickshire, all possess a remarkable complicated 

 character, produced by the convergence of numerous laby- 



* Medals of Creation, vol. ii. p. 784. 



