236 Transactions of the Royal Microscopical Society. 
The section of the scute (Fig. 3) exposes the large and irre- 
gular sinuses from which the Haversian canals are continued, and 
the numerous bone-cells or “ lacunae.” The structure of the latter, 
as seen in transverse sections, is shown by the higher magnifying 
power, in Fig. 4. They are notable for the great number of 
their canaliculi, and their correspondence with those of the osseous 
tissue of the femur of the Crocodile* is close. The dermal hone is 
chiefly distinguished by the greater proportion of the unossified 
part, indicated by the wider sinuses which are filled in the fossil 
by the opaque matrix. 
A section of a granicone (Plate XII., Fig. 10) showing some 
of the ‘‘ lacunae ” in transverse section ; others longitudinally 
divided, differs from the crocodilian scute in the fewer sinuses 
and more numerous Haversian canals, the direction of which is 
followed by the long diameters of the lacunae. 
The section of the osseous tissue of the femur of a Monitor 
Lizard, figured by Quekett (plate ix., fig. 30), shows the same 
diversity of the “ lay ” of the lacunae, some being divided trans- 
versely, others obliquely or longitudinally, as in the section of the 
granicone herewith submitted to the Society, and part of which is 
figured in Plate XII., Fig 10. 
In both dimensions, in size, shape, and number of canaliculi, the 
lacunae of the granicone most nearly resemble those of the Lacer- 
tians, as described and figured in Quekett’s ‘Histological Cata- 
logue’ (vol. ii. p. 122, plate ix., figs. 17, 30, 32). I there- 
fore conclude that the granicones are dermal scutes, that they 
are Lacertian, and, as far as contiguity and association indicate, have 
formed part of the external armour of the large extinct Purbeck 
Lacertian, Nuthetes destructor. 
If my determination prove correct, this species must have 
presented the same formidable and singular character of dermal 
defence as does the recent Australian lizard already alluded to, 
and which has thence received the name of Moloch ho7'ridus. The 
chief distinction is the ossification of the horn-like scutes in the 
old secondary genus, whereby they have come down to us in the 
fossil state. 
It is not without interest to note that the mammalian fossils 
associated and contemporaneous with the Nuthetes are marsupial, 
and that wherever a family or generic relationship can be deter- 
mined between them and still existing or recently extinct species, 
such species, like Moloch horridus, are Australian. 
* Quekett, op. cit., pi. ix. fig. 7. 
