II
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14 i C i r N O L O G Y OF A N N A N B A L E .
HERPETTCHNUS SAUROP L E S IUS , JARD.
P L A T E S IV. V.
Tiik im]n-cssions of the footprints already described, we have every reason to believe, were made by animals
more or loss allied to Clielonians. Those now represented, were imprinted by longer formed and more litlie-like
animals, which would in all probability present a Saurian aspect. Tha t to which we have devoted PLATES IV.
and A^ occurs probably next in abundance to those of C. dimcani. The general form of the impression is that
of a smooth oval hollow, as if the sand had been exceedingly moist, and the finer undidations of the sole had
been obliterated, or these arc filled up, and the sand remains in the mould. We can very seldom get a
detailed mould, and cannot remove the stone cleanly from i t ; it is therefore difficult to determine the exact
character of the foot. The specimen however figured upon PLATE V. assists us.
Pi.ATK IV. has been given to exhibit the continuous pace or stride of the animal, it is of about the
ordinary size of the impression, and is the form in which it generally occurs. From this we would j u dg e the
animal to have possessed considerable length of leg, and to have been one of no great breadth of form.
In PT.ATE V. we have some indications of the structure of the foot. These impressions are made by
an animal nearly of the same size as the former, having nearly the same length of stride. The only discrepancy
seems to be in the apparently different form of the forefoot ; in tlie other slabs aU the markings appear nearly
of the same oval form. Upon this slab we have been fortunate in having the hollow of the impressions more
tlefined. They were probably made on drier material, and had they been impressed u])on a smoother and
finer surface, they would have come out very distinct. The impression at the top of the Plate nearly
resembles what generally occurs, and exhibits, as all the others do, the pushing back motion. I^he forefoot,
of a somewhat rounded form, exhibits a single sole with four separate toes or claws of some strength, while
the hindfoot, of a more lengthened form, exhibits a series of separate toes, most probably armed witli nearly
straight claws, the second from the outside being longest and much lengthened, the exterior next, the three
u])on the inside gradually decreasing in length.
I C I I N O L O G Y OF A N N A N I) A L E.
Herpetichnvs sauroplesius however reached a much larger size than that indicated by the slabs we have
figured. Upon one bed of stone we had tracks between 18 and 19 feet in length displayed. In this the
distance between hindfoot and hindfoot was 1 . 6 ; between each Impression of hind and forefeet, not includin;:
the length of the footprint, 8. The length of impression of forefoot, 3, of hindfoot, 4. On tins slab tlie
impressions were fiUed up, and the measurement is made over the filled in sand, which taken as the general
outline, may he large ; at the same time, the second toe from outside may have exceeded that length.
HERP ETICHNUS BUCKLANDL JARD.
P L A T E y i l .
I s one of those impressions of which it is very difficidt to determine the nature and relations of the animals
imprinting them. The footprints have been made upon a very thin layer of sand, and in several the layer has
been pressed through, and as it were, Hfted the one from the other. They are from a foot of small size, and the
general appearance is as if two claws only had prominently marked ; however, in one or two of the prints, four
toes are indicated, and the outline of the foot is somewhat similar to that of the forefoot of a small liatrachian
the two centre toes being longest, that on the outside next in length, and that on the inside shaped somewhat
like a thumb.
We are not inchned to refer this to a Chelonian form, but without more distinct specimens we can
scarcely determine its place. It however may be near to the Batrachians.
The impressions
about B.
are alternate, with a stride of about 4. The diameter of the most perfect print is