DOLICHOSOMATIDJE. 205 



Microbrachis mollis, Eritsch \ 



Twelve upper teeth ; cranial sculpture simpler than in type 

 species. 



Hah. Europe (Bohemia). 



R. 371. Electrotype from a fragment of shale, showing the greater 

 portion of the skeleton, the caudal region wanting. The 

 original was obtained from the Gaskohle (Lower Permian) 

 of Nyfan (Pilsen) ; the skull is figured by Eritsch in his 

 1 Eauna der Gaskohle,' vol. i. pi. xlviii. fig. 1. 



Purchased, 1882. 



Suborder AISTOPODA. 



Body long and snake-like, without limbs, and apparently without 

 pectoral or pelvic girdles. Vertebras with elongated centra and 

 aborted neural spines. Bibs slender, and barbed like those of 

 fishes. Teeth smooth, without plications of the dentine. External 

 gills probably persistent. 



Family DOLICHOSOMATID^E. 



All the members of the suborder are included in this family, which 

 is equivalent to both the Phlegethoyiidce and Molgophidce of Cope. 



Genus DOLICHOSOMA, Huxley 2 . 



Skull small, and tapering from occiput to muzzle, with smooth 

 bones, extensive vacuities in the preorbital region, and the nasals, 

 parietals, and frontals anchylosed together; mandible as long as 

 cranium, with very slender rami. Vertebrae about 150 in number, 

 with very strongly developed transverse processes. Ribs at first 

 angularly bent, then straight, with two processes. No evidence of 

 dermal armour. 



Dolichosoma longissimum, Eritsch 3 . 

 Vertebras exceeding 150 in number; the ribs twice the length of 

 the vertebras ; total length about 0,707 (28 inches). 

 Hah. Europe (Bohemia). 



1 Sitz. k. bohra. Ges. Wiss. for 1875, p. 179 (1876). 



2 Trans. Roy. Irish Academy, vol. xxiv. p. 366 (1867). 



3 Sitz. k. bobm. Ges. Wiss. for 1875, p. 72(1876). 



