Saurichthyidae 
the flns were without fulcra ; the niaxillie gave off hori- 
zontal palatal plates. The species lived in the Triassic and 
Liassic seas. Also called Beloiwrhyiwhidaz. 
Saurichthys (sa-rik'this), . [NL.,< Gr. aaitpof, 
a lizard, + ix^i-f, a fish.] The typical genus of 
the family Saurichthi/idse. Aqiixxi;. 
Sauridae 1 (sa'ri-de), n. pi. [NL., < Gr. aavpof, 
a lizard, + -idse.] In Giinther's classifica- 
tion, a familv of lepidosteoid ganoid fishes. It 
is characterized by an oblong body covered with ganoid 
scales, vertebra incompletely ossified, termination of the 
vertebral column homocercat, fins with fulcra, maxillary 
composed of a single piece, jaws with a single series of 
conical pointed teeth, and branchiostegals numerous, en- 
ameled, the anterior ones developed as broad angular 
plates. The species are extinct, but formed a consider- 
able contingent of the fishes of the Mesozoic formations 
from the Liassic and Jurassic beds. The genus having 
the widest range is Semionotus, of both the Liassic and Ju- 
rassic epochs ; other genera are Lophiostomm, Pachycor- 
mwt, and Ptychotepis. Also called Pachycormidte. 
Sauridae' 2 (sa'ri-de), n.pl. [NL. ,< Saurus + -idse.] 
A family of malacopterygian fishes, typified by 
the genus Saurus: same as Synodontidee. 
Saurii (sa'ri-i), n. pi. [NL.: see Sauria.] Same 
as Sauria. Oppel, 1811. 
Saurina(sa-ri'na),M.^Z. [NL.,<<Sa!nts + -ia 2 .] 
A division of Scopelidse, named from the genus 
Saurus: same as Si/nodontidse. Giintlier. 
Saurischia (sa-ris'ki-a), n. pi. [NL., < Gr. aav- 
pof, a lizard, + lax'tov, the hip-joint: see isehi- 
um.] A suborder or order of dinosaurian rep- 
tiles with the inferior pelvic elements directed 
downward, including the Megalosauridse, etc. 
saurischian (sa-ris'ki-an), a. and . [< Sauris- 
i-liin + -an.] I. a. Relating to the Saurischia. 
II. n. A member of the Saurischia. 
saurless (sar'les), a. [Contr. of savorless: see 
savorless.] Savorless; insipid; tasteless; vapid; 
spiritless. [Scotch.] 
Saurobatrachia (sa/'ro-ba-tra'ki-a), n.pl. [NL., 
< Gr. aavpof, oaiipa, a lizard, + /Jar/xi^of, a sea- 
frog.] A synonym of Urodela, one of the ma- 
jor divisions of Amphibia: opposed to Ophido- 
oatrachia. 
saurobatrachian (sa"ro-ba-tra'ki-an), a. and n. 
I. a. Of or pertaining to the Saurobatrachia or 
Urodela. 
II. n. A urodele batrachian, as a member of 
the Saurobatrachia. 
Saurocephalidae (sa/ro-se-fari-de), n.pl. [NL., 
< Saurocephalus + -idse.] An extinct family of 
actinochirous fishes, typified by the genus Sauro- 
cephalus. They were large compressed fishes, and had 
large teeth implanted in distinct sockets in the jaws, and 
both the intermaxillary and supramaxillary bones well 
developed. They flourished in the Cretaceous seas. Also 
called Saurodontidse. 
Saurocephalus (sa-ro-sef'a-lus), . [NL. 
(Kner, 1869), < Gr. aavpof, a lizard, + KetyaMi, 
the head.] A genus of fossil fishes of Creta- 
ceous age, variously placed, but by late writers 
made the type of the family Saurocephalidx, 
having teeth with short compressed crowns. 
SaurocetUS (sa-ro-se'tus), n. [NL., < Gr. aav- 
pof, a lizard, + KJJTOC, any sea-monster or large 
fish : see Cete 3 .] A genus of fossil zeuglodons, 
or zeuglodont cetaceans, based on remains from 
the Tertiary of South America, of uncertain 
character. Also Saurocetes. 
Saurodipteridae (sa"r6-dip-ter'i-de), n. pi. 
[NL., < Gr. aavpof, a lizard, -f dim-epic., with 
two fins (i. e. dorsal fins), + -idse.] A family 
of fossil polypteroid fishes from the Devonian 
and Carboniferous formations, it includes forms 
with scales ganoid and smooth like the surface of the 
skull, two dorsal flns, the paired flns obtusely lobate, 
teeth conical, and the caudal fin heterocercal. The spe- 
cies belonged to the genera Diploptenu, Meyalichthys, and 
Osteolepis. Also called Osteolepididx. 
Saurodipterini (sa-ro-dip-te-ri'ni), n.pl. [NL., 
< Saurodipter(idse) 4 1 -ini.]" Same as Saurodip- 
teridse. 
Saurodon (sa'ro-don), . [NL., < Gr. o-aSpoc, 
a lizard, + orfoi''f (bSovr-) = E. tooth.] A ge- 
nus of fossil fishes, of Cretaceous age, referred 
to the Sphyrsenidse, or made type of the Sauro- 
dontidee. 
saurodont (sa'ro-dont), a. and . [< Sauro- 
don(t-).] I. a. Of or pertaining to the Sauro- 
dontidse. 
II. . A fish of the family Saurodontidse. 
Saurodontidae (sa-ro-don'ti-de), n. pi. [NL., 
< Saurodon(t-) + -idse.] Same as Saurocepha- 
lidse. 
Saurognathae (sa-rog'na-the), . pi. [NL., fern, 
pi. of saurognatlnts : see saurognathoiis.] A 
superfamily of birds, containing the wood- 
peckers and their allies, or the Picidx, Piniin- 
nidie, and lyngidse; the Celeomorphte of Huxley. 
W. K. Parker. See cuts under Picunmus, Picas, 
saurognathous, and wryneck. 
5355 
saUTOgnathism (sa-rog'na-thizm), n. [< sau- 
rognath-ous + -/*(.] In ornith., a peculiar ar- 
rangement of the bones of the palate which 
has been seen in some woodpeckers ; the sau- 
rognathous type of palatal structure. 
saurognathoiis (sa-rog'na-thus), a. [< NL.. < 
Gr. aaiipof, a lizard, + yvaSof, the jaw.] In 
ortiith., having an ar- 
rangement of the bones 
of the palate which con- 
stitutes a simplification 
and degradation of the 
segithognathous struc- 
ture, as a woodpecker: 
as, a sanrognathous bird 
or palate; a saurogna- 
thoiis type of structure. 
The case is far from clear or 
satisfactory, though named, 
described, and figured by high 
authority (the late William 
Kitchen Parker), and may be 
only an individual variation 
in some woodpeckers. In the 
flicker's skull here figured from 
nature is found a condition of 
things that fairly answers to 
Parker's description, subsist- 
ing mainly in the presence of 
a pair of stunted vomers sepa- 
rate from each other ; but the 
like state of the parts does not 
appear in several other wood- 
peckers' skulls examined in 
the preparation of this para- SauroBnathmis stull 
grapn. ...... , Woodpeckei (Colaptts a, 
(Sa rOld), a. and ">. v, -v, the posterior parts 
of the abortive vomer: s, point 
of sphenoid; m*t, maidlio. 
palatine ; pt, pteryeoid ; mt, 
ossified mesethinoid ', fl, pala- 
tine; y, quadrate; fr.Tia* 
one palatine is cut away to 
show the lcns; anterior projec- 
tion of the pterygoid. 
r/ f-i SL~ ill,.,, 
U. [< Gr. CaVpoeidtK, like 
a lizard, < aavpor, m. , 
, n -,. . i ' TJ 
aai'pa, f., a lizard, + ei60f, 
form.] I. a. Resembling 
a saurian in general ; 
hnvino- phflrnptprs nf nr 
1 
some affinity with rep- 
tiles; reptilian; sauropsidan, as a vertebrate; 
pertaining to the Sauroidei, as a fish. 
The existence of warm periods during the Cretaceous 
age is plainly shown ... by the corals and huge sauroid 
reptiles which then inhabited our waters. 
J. CroU, Climate and Time. 
II. n. 1. One of a family of ganoid fishes 
including the lepidosteids and various extinct 
Restored Sauroid (Pyfof terns). 
forms; a member of the Sauroidei: as, "the 
sauroids and sharks," Buekland. 2. A mem- 
ber of the Sauropnida. Huxley, 1863. 
Sauroidei (sft-roi'de-i), .pZ. [NL., < Gr. aavpo- 
tiSf/f, like a lizard: see sauroid.~\ 1. A family of 
ganoid fishes supposed to have reptilian char- 
acteristics. The name was used by Agassiz for fishes 
with conical pointed teeth alternating with small brush- 
like ones, flat rhomboid scales, and a bony skeleton. It 
included numerous extinct species which are now known to 
have few common characteristics, and also living fishes of 
the families Polypteridx and Lepidosteidee. 
2. An order of ganoid fishes : same as Holostei. 
Sir J. Richardson. 
sauroidichnite (sa-roi-dik'nit), n. [< NL. Sau- 
roidichtiites."] The fossil footprint of a saurian ; 
a saurichnite left by a member of the genus 
Sauroidichni tes. 
Sauroidichnites (sa'^oi-dik-ni'tez), n. [NL. : 
see sauroidichnite.] A generic name of sauri- 
ans which have left uncertain sauroidichnites. 
Hitchcock, 1841. 
Sauronialus (sa-rom'a-lus), n. [NL., < Gr. 
aavpof, a lizard, -f o/idfof, even, equal.] A ge- 
nus of robust lizards of the family Ignanidx. 
S. ater is the alderman-lizard (so called from its obesity), 
which has commonly been known to American herpetolo- 
gists by its untenable synonym Euphryw obesa. 
saurophagons (sft-rof 'a-gus), a. [< NL. sauro- 
phagus, < Gr. aavpof, a lizard, + <f>ayeiv, eat.] 
Feeding upon reptiles; reptilivorous. 
Saurophidiat (sa-ro-fid'i-ii), n. pi. [NL., < Gr. 
oaiipof, a lizard, + tyif, a snake: see Ophidia.] 
An order of reptiles, including the typical sauri- 
ans and the ophidians or serpents, and contrast- 
ing with the Emydosinma or Crocodilia. The 
term was introduced by De Blainville in 1816, for the same 
forms that were called Sqmtmata by Merrem. 
saurophidian (su-ro-fid'i-an), a. and . [< 
Saurophidia + -an.] I. a. Of or pertaining to 
the Saurophidia. 
II. n. A member of the Saurophidia. 
Saurophidiit (sa-ro-fid'i-i), n. pi. [NL., < Gr. 
aavpof, a lizard, + 6<j>if, a snake : see Ophidia.] 
Saururae 
A group of reptiles having rudimentary or no 
legs. It was proposed in 1825 by J. E. Gray for saurians 
and ophidians having atrophied limbs and a narrow mouth, 
and included the families Xcincida-, Anguidx, Typhlopida, 
Amphtebsenidx, and Chalcididte. 
sauropod (sa'ro-pod), a. and n, [< NL. Sauro- 
poda.] I. a. Of or pertaining to the Sauropo- 
da.ov having their characters. 
II. . A member of the Sauropoda. 
Sauropoda (sa-rop'o-da), n. pi. [NL., < Gr. 
o-at'pof, a lizard, + Jroi'f (vo&-) = E. foot.] An 
order of IKnosauria. It contains gigantic herbivo- 
rous dinosaurs with plantigrade unguiculate quinquedigi- 
tate feet with unossifled distal row of carpal and tarsal 
bones, fore and hind limbs of proportionate lengths and 
with solid bones, pubes united distally without post- 
pubes, paired sternal bones, anterior vertebne opisthocce- 
lian, and premaxillary teeth present. The families Atlan- 
toiaurida, Diplod/mda, and Morosawridx are assigned to 
this order. 
sauropodous (sa-rop'o-dus), a. [< Sauropoda + 
-CMS.] Of or pertaining to the Sauropoda. 
Sauropsida (sa-rop'si-da), n.pl. [NL., < Gr. 
aavpof, a lizard, + oif>if, appearance, + -ida.] 
In Huxley's classification, a superclass of ver- 
tebrates; one of three prime divisions of Ver- 
tebrata, in which birds and reptiles are brigaded 
together and contrasted on the one hand with 
Ichthyopsida, or amphibians and fishes, and on 
the other with Mammalia, or mammals. They 
almost always have an epidermic exoskeleton in the form 
of scales or feathers. The vertebral centra are ossified 
with epiphyses. The occipital condyle is single and me- 
dian, formed from ossified exoccipitals and basioccipital ; 
the latter is completely ossified, and there is a large basi- 
sphenoid, but no separate parasphenoid in the adult. The 
probtic bone is always ossified and remains distinct from 
the epiotic and opisthotic, or only unites with these after 
they have united with adjacent bones. The mandible 
consists of an articular element and several membrane 
bones, and the articular is connected with the skull by a 
quadrate bone. The ankle-joint is mediotarsal. The in- 
testine ends in a cloaca. The heart is trilocular or quadri- 
locular, and some of the blood-corpuscles are red, oval, and 
nucleated. The aortic arches are usually two or more, 
but may be reduced to one, dextral. Respiration is never 
effected by gills. The diaphragm is incomplete, if any. 
Wolffian bodies are replaced by permanent kidneys. 
Tkere is no corpus callosum, nor are there any mammary 
glands. The embryo is amniotic and allantoic ; reproduc- 
tion is oviparous or ovoviviparous. The Savropgida con- 
sist of the two classes Septilia and Aves. 
sauropsidan (sa-rop'si-dan), a. [< Sauropsida 
+ -an.] Of or pertaining to the Sauropsida. 
Sauropsides (sa-rop'si-dez), n.pl. [NL.] Same 
as Sauropsida. Haeckcl. 
sauropsidian (sa-rop-sid'i-an), a. [< Saurop- 
sida + -ian.] Same as sauropsidan. Huxley. 
Sauropterygia (sa"rop-te-rij'i-a), n. pi. [NL., 
< Gr. aaiipof, a lizard, + nrepuf (Trrspvy-), a wing, 
< TiTEpov, wing, = E. feather.] An order of fos- 
sil saurians usually called Plesiosauria. The 
name is now often used instead of the earlier and equal- 
ly appropriate designation. See cut under Pleswsaurus. 
Owen. 
sauropterygian (sa/rop-te-rij'i-an), a. and . 
[< Sauropterygia + -an.] I. a. Of or pertaining 
to the Sauropterygia; plesiosaurian. 
II. n. A member of the Sauropterygia; a ple- 
siosaur. 
Saurornia (sa-ror'ni-a), . pi. [NL. : see Sau- 
rornithes.] A class of extinct reptiles, the pte- 
rodactyls : so named by H. G. Seeley from their 
resemblance to birds in some respects. The 
class corresponds with the order Pterosauria or 
Ornithosanria. [Not in use.] 
Saurornitb.es (sa-ror'ni-thez), . pi. [NL., < 
Gr. aavpoc, a lizard, + &pvi( (bpvtB-), a bird.] 
Same as Sauntrse. 
saurornithic (sa-ror-nith'ik), a. [< Saurorni- 
th-es + -ic.] Of or pertaining to the Sauror- 
nithes or Saururse, as the Archeeopteryx. 
Saurothera (sa-ro-the'rii), M. [NL. (Vieillot), 
< Gr. aaiipof, a lizard, + "(U/p, a wild beast.] The 
typical genus of the subfamily Sanrotherinee, 
embracing several species of West Indian 
ground-cuckoos, as S. vetula. 
Saurotherinae (sa"ro-the-ri'ne), n. pi. [NL., < 
Saurothera + -MI*.] A subfamily of birds of 
the family CucuUdse; the ground-cuckoos. They 
are characterized by the large strong feet, in adaptation 
to terrestrial life, the short rounded concavo-convex wings, 
and very long graduated tail of ten tapering feathers. The 
genera are Saurothera and Geococeyx. See cut under chap- 
arral-cock. 
saurotherine (sa-ro-the'rin), a. Of or pertain- 
ing to the Saurotherinte. 
Saururaceae ( sa-ro-ra'se-e), n. pi. [NL. (Lind- 
ley, 1835), < Saururse +'-aeeas.] A synonym of 
Saurureie, formerly considered an independent 
order. 
Saururse (sa-ro're), n. pi. [NL. (Haeckel, 1866, 
in the forms Sauriurse and Sauriuri), fern. pi. 
of "saururus : see saururous.] A subclass or an 
order of Aves, of Jurassic age, based upon the 
