FOSSIL VARANIDAE AND MBGALANIDAE. 
393 
and length could therefore not be ascertained; their strongly diverging, 
sharp back edges protrude from the median region of the vertebra, about 
at the same height as the ventral limit of the ball, these therefore being 
already situated on the centre ; these projections are broad, slightly con¬ 
vex on their dorsal surface, whilst concave on the ventral one, directed 
downwards and a little forwards ; the direction followed by the front edges 
cannot be traced on account of the fractured state of these parts, 
Proc. obi. ant. much damaged; slender in form, they gradually 
widen towards their distal end ; the formation of the latter is not distin¬ 
guishable ; the yet visible dorsal surfaces are obliquely inclined towards 
eachother (in median direction), flat or very slightly concave, and gradually 
rise, wing-like, in distal direction. Behind the anterior proc. obliqui the 
upper arch, as characteristic in Varanus, looses in bulk, exhibiting remar¬ 
kable slenderness, and its concave outline, bending over into a convex 
curve, forms the proc. obi. posteriores. Of the latter the left one only re¬ 
mained undamaged, ending in the shape of a pointed ellipsoid, with a well- 
detached outer edge ; another sharp edge is formed by the junction with 
the proc. spinosus, in consequence of which the proc. obliqui show an asym¬ 
metrical tectiform shap^ ; this edge may have extended approximately 
to the median line of the proc. obliqui or rather towards the inner side of 
them, gradually diminishing towards their point ; owing to a slight frac¬ 
ture the latter formation could not be determined with absolute precision. 
The lower surface of the posterior proc. obliqui is leaf-shaped and bordered 
on both sides by a sharp edge, forming an angle of scarcely 45° with the 
basal portion of the spinal canal. The diameter of the spinal canal is middle- 
sized, comparatively narrower than with other species examined. 
Measurements ; 
Entire length of cervical vertebra measured in the median line : 18*48 
Entire height of cervical vertebra measured in the median line : 20*5 
Height of proc. spinosus, measured from its posterior point to 
anterior outlet of spinal canal (both extremities fractured): 16*18 
Length of upper edge of prue, spinosus (slightly damaged) : 7*61 
Distance between posterior point of proc. spinosus and hind border 
(remotest) of proc. obi. post.: 10*08 
Distance from hind point of proc. spinosus to the upper border of 
spinal canal (measured in the median line) : 9*41 
Height of spinal canal (measured at its posterior outlet) : 4*49 
Width of spinal canal (measured at its posterior outlet): 4*02 
