Scapherpeton excisum

This salamander is represented in the collection of the expedition hy vertebrae of three individuals of different sizes. They all agree in having the anterior zygapophyses separated by the concave excavation of the roof of the neural canal usual in ordinary salamanders, and in the moderate development of the hypapophysial keel. As a result, the articular extremities of the centra are not produced so far inferiorly as in S. laticolle. The longitudinal ridge from the inferior part of the diapophysis is pronounced, and separates a deep fossa above it from another below it. The longitudinal perforation of the base of the diapophysis issues in the superior fossa. while in the two smaller specimens a vertical perforation joins it from the inferior fossa. As in the preceding two species, one articular face is a little deeper than the other. Measurements. M. Diameter centrum No. 1 {longitudinal vertical transverse. 009.006. 005 Width of neural canal do.. 003 Depth “ “. 0015 Diameter centrum No. 2 {longitudinal vertical transverse. 0060. 0033. 0030 Specimen No. 1 is as large as the corresponding portion of an Amphiuma means.