XXX.-Notice of the discovery of a new Fossil Animal, forming a link between the Ichthyosaurus and Crocodile, together -with general remarks on the Osteology of the Ichthyosaurus ; from the Observations of H. T. De la BECHE, Esq. F.R.S. M.G.S and The Rev. W. D. CONYBEARE, F.R.S. M.G.S. DRAWN UP AND COMMUNICATED BY THE LATTER. [Read April 8, 1821.] IN the course of a series of observations on the
organic remains contained in the lias in the vicinity of Bristol, my
attention was particularly attracted by the numerous vertebræ of
oviparous quadrupeds occurring in that formation. Of these a
considerable portion obviously belonged to the Ichthyosaurus ; the
remaining, and larger division, presented vertebra of forms
considerably differing from each other, but which, from some general
analogies, I was persuaded had all belonged to different places in the
vertebral column of a single species; and I ventured even to point out
those places, from a comparison with those of the crocodile to which
they bore a strong general resemblance, yet at the same time combined
with so many material points of difference, as to prove that the
animal from which they were derived must have constituted a separate
genus. |