GORGONOPID.E. Ill 



INCERTJ3 SEDIS. 



Family GORGONOPID.E. 



In the one known representative of this family the temporal fossae 

 were roofed over, but the cranial bones are not sculptured ; the 

 dentition being of a carnivorous type, and differentiated into 

 incisives, tusks, and cheek-teeth. Apparently no secondary pos- 

 terior nares. No teeth on vomer. 



In the roofing of the temporal fossa Gorgonops agrees with Chilonyx 

 (supra, p. 95, note 2), and also with the Pariasauridce (infra), 

 although differing from the latter and also from the American 

 Pariotichidce in the absence of sculpturing on the cranial bones. 

 This genus probably forms a connecting-link between the typical 

 Theriodontia and the Pariasauria. 



Genus GORGONOPS, Owen \ 

 The type and only known genus ; described upon the evidence of 

 the cranium. Skull depressed, long and narrow, with the orbits 

 small and lateral, approximated to the occiput, and far removed 

 from the muzzle. Nares forming small horizontal slits, overhung 

 by the large nasals. Upper incisives five in number. 



Gorgonops torvus, Owen 2 . 

 The type and only described species. Of considerable size, the 

 length of the cranium being 0,205 (8*1 inches). 

 Hab. South Africa. 



R. 1647. The imperfect cranium; from the Beaufort beds of the 

 (Fig.) Karoo system at Mildenhalls near Fort Beaufort. The 

 type specimen ; figured by Owen in his ' Catalogue of the 

 Fossil Reptilia of S. Africa,' pis. xxi., xxii. The preorbital 

 portion of the specimen is nearly entire, but the hinder 

 region is imperfect, portions of the roof of both temporal 

 fossae being broken away. The broken bases of the 

 incisives are shown on both sides, behind which the 

 alveolar margins of the jaws have been ground down to 

 exhibit the alveoli of the tusks ; no traces of cheek-teeth 

 are visible. The vomer is well displayed and is seen to 

 have no teeth. Presented by A. G. Bain, Esq., 1853. 



1 Cat. Foss. Eept. S. Africa, p. 27 (1876). 2 Loc. cit. 



