CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE REPTILES 
OF THE KARROO FORMATION. 
By Dr. E. C. N. VAN Hoepen, M.I. 
3. The Skull and Other Remains of Lystrosaurus Putterilli n. sp. 
Some time ago our collector at Harrismith, Orange Free State, found 
tlie remains of a giant Lystrosaurus. The remains proved to consist of 
the skull, of which the lower jaw was badly damaged, and of different 
bones of the fore- and hind-legs, the shoulder girdle and the pelvis with 
some ribs and vertebrae. All these bones are greatly displaced, and were 
really scattered through the matrix. It was, therefore, not impossible 
that the missing parts had not been observed by the discoverer and that 
they might be found by a closer investigation. Moreover, the fossil having 
been found in situ, some definite information might be obtained about 
the strata, its mode of deposition with regard to the conditions under 
which our fossil lived, its contemporaneous life, etc. The Director and 
Committee of this Institution therefore decided that a closer examination 
of the locality should take place. Circumstances, however, have not per- 
mitted us to follow up this decision as yet. This will be done as soon as 
possible and the results published here. 
General Remarks. 
k As already mentioned above, the different parts of the fossil do not 
occupy their original position with regard to each other. The front half 
of the lower jaw lies against the upper side of the right maxillary. The 
hinder portion of its right ramus is situated crossways in front of the right 
quadrate and squamosum. The position of the left scapula is exactly 
behind the middle of the skull. The left humerus is situated at right angles 
to the axis of the skull, while the right humerus lies parallel with this axis. 
The right coracoid and procoracoid are at the proximal end of the right 
humerus and completely under the skull ; the corresponding bones of the 
left side have not been found. The right (?) clavicle is also situated under 
the skull and parallel with its axis. The left (?) ulna is situated above 
and behind the right squamosum. Ribs and vertebrae are scattered 
among the other remains. The sacrum covers part of the right squamosum 
and the left ulna. The left ilium is situated at some distance behind the 
skull with the outside up and the longest dimension at right angles to that 
of the skull. The right ilium turns the inside up and has the largest 
dimension parallel to that of the skull. Pubis and ischium have not been 
found. The right femur is situated with the proximal end away from 
the skull. 
How are we to explain this chaotic condition ? What causes have 
thrown all the bones of this fossil in a heap, and why is it that the bones 
of others occur all in their original relative position ? It is my intention 
to try and find an answer to these and other questions relative to this 
