Al^J'D REPTILIA OF JSTOKTH AMERICA. 



203 



Another specimen embi-acing fifteen vertebrae without processes or ribs or other parts, resembles this species. 

 There is nothing additional to be learned from it. 



PHLEGETIIONTIA SERPENS, Cope. Sp. Nov 



This batrachian is much larger than the last, approaching nearly in its dimensions the Molgoplds macrurus. 

 It is represented by a series of twenty-two vertebrse, which like those of P. linearis, are devoid of ribs, abdominal 

 armatures, dilated neural spines, etc. The series when complete must have been very long, as there is little differ- 

 « ence in size between the first and last of the twenty-two. They are emarginate fore and aft, and much contracted 

 medially, owing to the transverse expanse of the diapophyses. There may be indeed a diapophysial element beneath 

 these, but if so, the two are uudistinguishable. They are connected by longitudinal impressions, indicating, the 

 existence of the tendiaous bands in the longitudinal muscles seen in Amphiuma, or the osseous spicules seen in the- 

 same situation in birds. The neural spines, as indicated by their narrow bases, occupy the length of the neural arch, 

 and remind one of Amphiuma. Width of one of the vertebrae, three lines. 



This species appears to be rare at Linton. 



MOLGOPHIS, Gope 

 Proceed, of tlie Acad, of Nat. Sci., 18G8, 220. Transac. Amer. Philos. Soc, XIV., 20. 



The characters of this genus are: Body long serpentine, without dermal arma- 

 ture, so far as known. Vertebrge large and broad with very prominent zygopophyses 

 and moderate neural sj^ines ; ribs large, convex. 



No limbs nor cranium can be ascribed with certainty to the type of this genus. 

 The ribs are long, and though the head is not bifurcate, there appears to be both 

 tubercle and head on the dilated extremity. "Where crushed, they display a large 

 median vacuity. 



This genus differs from Opliiderpeton, Huxl., in the character of its dorsal verte- 

 brae, which in their projecting zygapophyscs resemble those of Amphiuma. The lack 

 of ventral ai-mature distinguishes it from Oestocejyhalus, while its well developed ribs 

 separate it from Phlegetliontia. 



MOLGOPHIS MACRURUS, Cqje. 

 Transac. Amer. Philos. Soc, 1869, XIV., p. 21 (part). 



MOLGOPHIS WHEATLEYI, Cope, Sp. Nov. 



Established on a specimen which exhibits about twenty-five vertebrte, with ribs, and the posterior portion of 

 the cranium. No traces of abdominal scales or rods, thoracic shields or limbs are visible. By such negative char- 

 acters it is referable to the genus Molgophis, although the definition of the latter is as yet incomplete. Tlie present 

 batrachian may indeed be ultimately found to be an Ophiderpeton, to which it also bears resemblance. 



The specimen is that of an animal of very much smaller size than the M. macrurus. The vertebrae are of 

 moderate length, with a low neural spine, and centrum angular at the sides and truncate at the articular extremities 

 when in place. The ribs are rather short, slightly cuived, and apparently hollow. Although the vertebral centra are 

 ossified, the elements of the cranium have a larval appearance. These consist of two parallel flat bony plates, 

 which resemble the frontoparietal bones of a frog ; they are slightly separated from tach other, but do not enclose a 

 ft ntmelle. A wedge-shaped bono extends fiom the outside of the front of these, acuminate behind and widening 

 anteriorly, in the position of a post fiontal bone. In front of the posterior border of each (?) parietal, on its outer 

 side, a bony enlargement arises, which contracts outwardly and forward into a narrow element which curves for- 



