File:The Quarterly journal of the Geological Society of London (12736833294).jpg

698
PROF. OAVEN ON THE EANK AND AFFINITIES IN
lizard (Amblyrhynchus) agrees with the rest of the Iguanidce and
some other Saurians.
The main distinction of the pterygoids in the great extinct Sea-
lizard (fig. 16, 24) is their extensive median suture, by which these
bones have their fixity more assured, and contribute a greater share
to the roof of the mouth. It is probable that observation of this
character may have led Prof. Cope to reject thedetermination by
Cuvier of the pterygoid nature of these bones, and to propound
their homology with the palatine bones of the Beptilia, and espe-
cially with those in Ophidic/, (fig. 17), in which these bones, 20, as
well as the pterygoids, 24, support teeth.
Python.
The bony palate.
The narrow fore end of the ophidian pterygoid (fig. 17, 24)
articulates by a squamous suture with the palatine (ib. 20) ; a similar
suture attaches the low outer angle to the " transversal " or
ectopterygoid, 25, and the opposite inner one to the pterapophysis
of the basisphenoid. The elastic connecting tissue allows some
yielding motion at all these joints. There is no trace of a colu-
mellar articular process on the upper part of the bone in any
Ophidian, nor is there a trace of the " columella." The long hinder
extension of the tympanic process, Z, so characteristic of the ptery-
goid bone, is as well developed in Ophidia as it is in Lacertilia ;
but it is more bent in Python than in Amblyrhynchus or in Mosa-
aaurus.