On Agrosaurus Macgillivrayi (Seeley), a Saurischian Reptile from the N.E. Coast of Australia

Abstract

In July 1879 the Geological Department of the British Museum obtained by purchase from Mr. E. Charlesworth some fossil bones, which were dispersed at the sale of the collection of Mr. S. L. Waring, F.G.S., of Norwood, then recently deceased. They are labelled, in a small, delicate handwriting, “‘Ply,’ 1844. Jn. Macgillivray, from the NE. coast of Australia.” I believe this to indicate that the specimens were collected by Mr. Macgillivray during the voyage of the ‘Fly,‘ from some locality which was then unnamed. The bones were placed in the Mammal Gallery, where they have since remained. They comprise a complete left tibia, a less perfect proximal end of the corresponding right tibia, a fragment which I regard as a portion of a fibula, attached to matrix, which besides other fragments of bone contains two laterally compressed claw-phalanges. There is necessarily no direct evidence of their geological age. But as they indicate a new Saurischian reptile, which has its nearest known allies in the lower Secondary rocks of Europe and the Trias of South Africa, it is not improbable that the animal belongs to the Lower Oolites or Trias. I have not noticed any reference to the specimens by Professor Jukes in the “ Voyage of the ‘Fly’” or in his other books and papers, or in the writings of Mr. Macgillivray. The left tibia (figs. 1, 2) is about 20 cm. in extreme lengthy with the usual sub-triangular flattened proximal articular surface. That surface is nearly 5 cm. deep