FOSSIL VARANIDAE AND MEGALANIDAE. 
391 
yet hardly possible to state which of the cervical vertebrae is represented by 
this fossil. On base of the hypapophyses it could be surmised to be the 3 d to 
6 th (7 th 9), 1 inasmuch as revealing a strongly protruding and broad sufrace 
under the ball, to which the small, massive hypapophysis must have formally 
been attached by a conjunctive tissue. Considering the whole structure of 
the vertebra in question, it might be supposed to be one of the median 
cervical vertebrae, and on comparison with V. griseus Daud. the formation 
of the lower part of the centre in the vicinity of the hypapophysis, could lead 
to the conclusion of its being perhaps the fifth, though this supposition 
cannot fail being arbitrary to a certain degree, as this single specimen is 
insufficient to prove any positive fact. 
The glenoid cavity is of a decided ellipsoid shape, 8*5 mm wide and 
5*18 mm in height ; the upper surface of the ball is partly damaged, about 
to its oblique half ; it is strongly developed, its greatest width (in damaged 
state) is 7*05 mm, and greatest height (intact) 4T4 mm. The lower side 
of the centre is bilaterally compressed, by which fact a tolerably sharp, 
concave shaped margo inferior (mihi) arises on the median line of the ventral 
side of the centre, originating from the cup and ending in the robust, roun¬ 
ded proéminence described hereafter by me as the talon of the hypapophyis. 
In Varanus the hypapophyses practically consist of two parts: a basal 
portion gradually setting out from the centre, at a certain distance from 
the ball, and corresponding to the latter, ending in a broad, rounded 
surface, to which is attached the distal portion, the real hypapophysis 
(hypapophysis s. str. mihi). 
No complete ossification or untraceable fusion can happen during 
the space of a lifetime, wherefore each separate hypapophysis is well dis¬ 
tinguishable, although their junction with the talon being so fast that 
even maceration will not part them. In the course of fossilisation necessary 
resistance could not however be opposed, hence the robust talon is all that 
remained of the cervical vertebra’s, hypapophysis. In V. griseus the real 
hypapophysis is split in two on the distal part, and is therefore doublé; 
amongst the vertebrae examined this particularity is noticed least on the 
fourth and fifth, whilst most visible on the sixth vertebra, on which the 
hypapophysis appears so to say in a double form ; the talon is here strongly 
split on all the cervical vertebrae (leaving the atlas out of consideration); 
1 In V. griseus Daud. the hypapophyses end with the sixth vertebra, the seventh 
presenting but a very slightly visible elevation, whilst with V. salvator and varius the 
hypapophyses extend down to the seventh vertebra and traces of them are to be 
found even on the eighth under the form of a small knob. The characteristics in the 
occurrence of the hypapophyses could naturally not yet be stated in the case of V. 
marathonensis. 
