. The coal measures Amphibia of North America. Amphibians, Fossil; Paleontology; Paleontology. 74 THE COAL MEASURES AMPHIBIA OF NORTH AMERICA. vertebras, as preserved, are somewhat quadrate in outline and constricted at the mid- dle, as though they were of the typical microsaurian type. No ribs are preserved. There is an impression anterior to the right humerus which may represent a part of the pectoral girdle, but its form is so obscure that it can not be determined. The pelvic girdle is entirely wanting in the specimen. Remains of the fore and hind limbs are preserved. The arms are especiall
. The coal measures Amphibia of North America. Amphibians, Fossil; Paleontology; Paleontology. 74 THE COAL MEASURES AMPHIBIA OF NORTH AMERICA. vertebras, as preserved, are somewhat quadrate in outline and constricted at the mid- dle, as though they were of the typical microsaurian type. No ribs are preserved. There is an impression anterior to the right humerus which may represent a part of the pectoral girdle, but its form is so obscure that it can not be determined. The pelvic girdle is entirely wanting in the specimen. Remains of the fore and hind limbs are preserved. The arms are especially well pre- served and consist of a strong humerus, a separate radius and ulna, and phalanges, the carpus having undoubtedly been cartilaginous, since there are no traces of carpal bones. Wyman has figured a small ossicle (fig. 17) which might be interpreted as a carpal, but it is further removed from the carpal region than his figure shows and I would interpret it as a fragment of a phalange, since the first digit seems to be turned aside over the vertebral column. The right hand is but imperfectly preserved, but the left hand is nearly entire. There are evidences of 4 digits, possibly 5. The metacarpals are elongate and rather stout. The phalanges of the distal series have been lost, so the phalangeal formula can not be determined. On the whole, the hand has a very broad aspect and is not at all slender, as in the majority of the microsaurians from the Coal Measures of Ohio. It resembles in a great measure the broad hand of a toad and may thus be indicative of a terrestrial life. The humerus is well developed and has pronounced swellings, as though for the attachment of strong muscles. These indications would favor the view of the animal being a land dweller. The femur and a part of the tibia (?) of the right side are all there is preserved of the hind limb. These elements show the leg to have been quite long, though weaker than the fore limb. The femur has a large distal art
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksub, booksubjectpaleontology
