Cope, Geol. Surv. Ohio, II, pt. II, p. 368, 1875.
Cope, Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc., XV, p. 263, 1874.
Type: Molgophis macrurus Cope.
Cope ([123]) gives the following:
"The characters of this genus are: body long, serpentine, without dermal armature, so far as known; vertebræ long and broad, with very prominent zygapophyses and moderate neural spines; ribs large, curved. No limbs or cranium can be ascribed to the type of the genus. The ribs are long, and though the head is not bifurcate, there appears to be both tubercle and head on the dilated extremity. Where crushed they display a large median vacuity.
"This genus differs from Ophiderpeton Huxley ([334]) in the characters of the dorsal vertebræ, which, in their projecting zygapophyses, resemble those of Amphiuma. The lack of ventral armature distinguishes it from Œstocephalus, while its well-developed ribs separate it from Phlegethontia."
Molgophis macrurus Cope.
Cope, Proc. Phila. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 220, 1868.
Wyman, Am. Jour. Sci. and Arts, p. II, fig. 1, 1858 (refers to a batrachian reptile).
Cope. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc., XIV, p. 20, 1869.