File:The Ceratopsia (1907) (19968212963).jpg

Title: The Ceratopsia
Identifier: ceratopsia00hatc (find matches)
Year: 1907 (1900s)
Authors: Hatcher, J. B. (John Bell), 1861-1904; Lull, Richard Swann, 1867-1957; Osborn, Henry Fairfield, 1857-1935; Marsh, Othniel Charles, 1831-1899
Subjects: Ceratopsia
Publisher: Washington, Govt. Print. Off.
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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114 THE CERATOPSIA. A comparison of the vertebra still preserved with others from the same region in the vertebral column, but belonging to the skeleton of a large carnivorous dinosaur, probably per- taining to some species of Dryptosaurus, from the Laramie of Converse County, Wyo., and now in the collections of the Carnegie Museum, demonstrates conclusively that the remains upon which the present genus and species were based belonged to the Theropoda rather than the Predentata, and that it was therefore not a member of the Ceratopsidse. Its likeness to the carnivorous genus Dryptosaurus is seen in the general form of the dorsal centrum, the coarsely cancellated internal structure of the bone, and the deep fossa on the superior lateral surface of the centrum. The similarity of structure shown by the type and a vertebra from the Carnegie Museum skeleton is remarkable, and I may remark in this connection that there can be no doubt that the latter pertained to a member of the Theropoda, since it was found associated with the skull and a considerable portion of the skeleton. The present genus and species is therefore not a member of the Ceratopsidse and needs no further consideration in this connection. CLAORHYNCHUS Cope. 1892. Type species, 0. trihedrus. Original description in Am. Naturalist, vol. 26, 1892, pp. 757-758. Osborn, H. F., Contr. Canadian Pal., vol. 3 (.quarto), pt. 2, 1902, pp. 19, 20. The genus and the species were founded on a rostral and predentary bone, neither of which I have been able to discover in the Cope collec- tions. No locality or definite hori- zon other than Laramie was given by Cope. It was presumably from South Dakota. Cope's original de- scription is as follows:
Text Appearing After Image:
Fig. 105.- Vertebral centrum of Marospondylus gigas Cope, type, No. 3982, American Museum of Natural Ilistorv. One-fourth natural size. Claorhynchus trihedrus Cope. 1892. Type (No. 3978, American Museum of Natural History) consists of a rostral and a predentary. Original description in Am. Naturalist, vol. 26, 1892, pp. 757-758. Osborn, H. F., Contr. Canadian Pal, vol. 3, pt. 2, 1902, p. 15. Char. gen.—This genus is established on a rostral and predentary bones of a species of the Agathaumida?, which were found together and with the fragments of a massive supratemporal bone. They are distinguished by their absolutely flat inferior faces, there being no alveolar ridges as in the forms described by Marsh. They are not compressed but are as wide as long. They are not adapted to the muzzle of Monoclonivs, where the rostral bone is compressed (M. sphenocerus). Char, specif.—Rostral and predentary bones as wide as long, with flat inferior face and rounded superior median angle. Transverse diameter rather exceeding the vertical. Sides convex. All the surfaces furrowed by coarse grooves which termi- nate in foramina. The short, wide form of this species differs from that seen in the species of the family Agathaumida? which have been yet described. The extremity of the beak had apparently a4"-orny sheath and was adapted for crushing comparatively hard substances. The comparative dimensions of the rostral and predentary bones given by Cope suggested to me that Professor Cope had mistaken the exact homology of the former element and that these bones may have pertained to a member of the Trachodontidse, and in a recent paper on the genera and species of that famity I have included the present genus and species in the Trachodontidse. a In the absence of the type material for direct comparison it is impossible to determine the affinities of the present genus and species with certainty.6 If, however, as Professor Cope states, they are without alveolar ridges, have absolutely flat inferior faces, and are as wide as long, they would seem, unless these characters are due to crushing, to pertain to a member of the Trachodontidse rather than the Ceratopsidse.. a Annals Carnegie Mus., vol. 1, pp. 377-386. b The type has recently been identified by Dr. Matthew.—R. S. L.

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