304 Prof. Owen. On the Gigantic Land-lizard. [Apr. 15, 



to the mode of formation of the positive column ; and fourthly, as to 

 the relation of the molecular streams to the discharge proper. 



But for the details of these conclusions the reader mast be referred 

 to the paper itself. 



April 15, 1880. 



THE PRESIDENT in the Chair. 



The Presents received were laid on the table and thanks ordered for 

 them. 



The following Papers were read : — 



I. "Description of some Remains of the Gigantic Land-lizard 

 (Megalania prisca, OwEXj from Australia. Part II." By- 

 Professor Owen, C.B., F.R.S. Received March 22, 1880. 



(Abstract.) 



Referring to a former Part ("Phil. Trans.," 1858, p. 43) the author 

 gives, in the present, descriptions of subsequently received fossils of 

 Megalania prisca, advancing the knowledge of that species of large 

 extinct lizard. Characters of the dorsal, sacral, and caudal vertebrae, 

 with those of a considerable portion of the skull, are detailed. So 

 much of the upper jaw as is preserved shows the species to have had 

 that part sheathed with horn, as in the tortoise. Upon the head were 

 seven horns, three in pairs and one single ; they are defined as the 

 " supraparietal," " supratemporal " and "post-orbital" pairs; the 

 single and symmetrical horn is " nasal." 



In the comparison of this character with the known genera of 

 lizards, the author finds the closest correspondence in the diminutive 

 existing Australian species, Moloch horridus, Gray. He concludes with 

 remarks on the probable habits and conditions of extinction of the 

 subject of his two papers. 



The cranial fossils were discovered by George Frederic Bennett, 

 Esq., Corr. Member of the Zoological Society of London, in the bed of 

 "King's Creek," Queensland, Australia ; and were transmitted to the 

 author by George Bennett, M.D., F.L.S. 



