No. 384.] CHELONIAN CARAPACE AND PLASTRON. 931 
synonym of A¢lantochelys mortoni, the latter name dating from 
time of Leidy’s figure and description, 1865. 
In his discussion of the relationships of Protostega to the 
other Testudines, Case succeeds completely, in my estimation, 
in proving that the genus under consideration belongs near the 
Cheloniide. Many authors have assigned to it definitely a 
position among the Dermochelyidz ; but this disposition of it 
was doubtless due to Cope’s error in regarding the plastral 
plates as portions of the carapace. 
Case also endeavors to prove that Protostega is not distantly 
related to Dermochelys ; that it is, in fact, “a distinctly inter- 
mediate form ” between Dermochelys and the Cheloniidz. 
Dermochelys is, therefore, not worthy of being made the foun- 
dation of a distinct suborder, the Athecze of Cope, but is a mem- 
ber of the superfamily Chelonioidea. 
As anatomists are aware, the late Dr. Baur strenuously 
opposed the proposal to remove Dermochelys far from the 
company of the other sea turtles. Like Dr. Case, he regarded 
it as having been derived from the Cheloniide, differing from 
the others in having become more highly specialized for aquatic 
life. 
Baur’s arguments had evident effect on his antagonists ; and 
it will doubtless be admitted by all that he and Case have 
valiantly defended their position. Now that Protostega has 
been definitely shown to belong near the Cheloniidæ, many 
will, no doubt, be inclined to believe that the defended position 
is unassailable. Notwithstanding all this, I have not been able 
to divest myself of the feeling that Dermochelys is not to be 
admitted into the same suborder as the other living sea turtles. 
And here I recall the words of Van Bemmelen, who felt 
strongly the force of the arguments employed by the op- 
ponents of Baur, but found himself compelled to accept the 
views of the latter. 
As regards Protostega, it appears to me that Case’s investi- 
gations show conclusively that it has no special relationships to 
Dermochelys. It is in no important sense an intermediate 
form; and Case has not so regarded it in his scheme showing 
lines of descent. 
