REMAINS IN' THE COAL FORMATION OF NOYA SCOTIA. 
651 
(Received September 4, 1882.) 
Note III.—On the Footprints of Batrachians observed in the Carboniferous Rocks 
of Nova Scotia. 
Though it is impossible to identify with certainty the footprints of particular species 
of the Batrachians of the coal-formation, and though most of the animals which have 
left impressions of this kind are much larger than those found in the erect trees, yet 
to give completeness to this memoir, it may be well to notice the indications of this 
kind which have been observed; more especially as they have not previously been 
brought together into one view. 
For convenience, I shall refer the larger footprints, probably those of Labyrin- 
thodonts of considerable dimensions, to the genus Sauropus, already established by 
Lea, and the smaller impressions, due perhaps to smaller Labyrinthodonts or to 
Microsaurians, and usually showing a longer stride and more slender toes, to the 
genus Hylopus. Besides these, there are the curious trails named Diplichnitesf and 
which may have been made by large unknown serpentiform batrachians. 
Impressions of both types first appear in the lowest carboniferous or Horton series, 
corresponding to the “ Tweedian series” of Tate, the “ calciferous sandstones” of 
McLaren, and the carboniferous slate and Coomhala grit of Jukes. No bones of 
Batrachians have as yet been found in these beds, but the footprints indicate the 
presence at the beginning of the Carboniferous Period, and before the deposition of 
the lower carboniferous limestones, of both large and small species similar to those 
of the coal-formation. At the other extremity of the carboniferous system, footprints 
have been found on the sandstones of the upper coal-formation or permo-carboniferous 
series. 
1. Sauropus unguifer , Dawson, 
[Geological Magazine, vol. ix. ‘ Acadian Geology/ 3rd edition, supplement, p. 62.] 
This is the largest footprint yet found in the coal-formation of Nova Scotia. The 
length of the hind-foot, on one of the slabs having the largest and most distinct 
impressions,! is six inches, and its greatest breadth about five inches; the stride is 
from 12 to 13 inches, the distance of the two rows of tracks being about seven 
inches, and the hind-foot covering the impression of the fore-foot, which from other 
slabs would appear to have been smaller and shorter. The impressions show four 
ordinary toes, and a fifth outer toe armed with a long claw or spur, which sometimes 
trailed on the ground, and, when the foot was planted, was plunged into the mud. It 
was no doubt an aid to the animal in ascending inclined surfaces of mud. 
* Am. Journal of Science, 1873. 
t Collected by Sandfobd Fleming* Esq. ; C.E., and now in the Museum of the Geological Survey. 
