V.—On a new Stegocephalian (Batrachosuchus Browni) from the Karroo Beds of Ariwal North, South Africa

Abstract

In the collection of Mr. Alfred Brown, of Ariwal North, there is a fairly complete skull of a moderate-sized Stegocephalian which differs very considerably from that of any form hitherto described. The specimen is in a sandstone matrix. Owing to a crack produced by weathering practically all the cranial bones adhered to the counter slab when an endeavour was made to display the remains. The sculpturing of the bones is thus hidden, but the sutures are for the most part distinctly seen. Fig. 1 represents a slightly restored view of the upper side of the skull. The most striking features are the great breadth of the skull and the relatively advanced position of the orbits. In these respects it makes a slight approach to the condition found in the American genus Diplocaulus. There is no distinct notch in the post-temporal region, as in most Stegocephalians, and there are no ‘epiotic’ cornua. There are two rudimentary cornua on the posterior cranial border, but they are formed by the so-called ‘supra-occipital’ bones. In the middle line between the frontals and nasals is a median bone, probably an ethmoid. I fail to detect a supra-temporal element as distinct from the quadrato-jugal, which is of large size.