The humerus, ulna, and radius are rather stout, and of a size relative to the body, as in common types of existing lizards; the ulna and radius separate. The carpus is cartilaginous; the digits are 5 well-developed fingers having phalanges in the following numbers, commencing on the inside: 3, 4, 5, 6, 5. The last phalanx of the second is obscured, and it is not positive that the number is as given; it is more probable that it was 4 than 3. The outer toe was more slender than the others; the distal phalanges of all the toes are stout, as in modern Caudata.
The ribs are long and curved as in reptiles, and judging by their distances the vertebræ are short; the latter are not well-defined, but there is no indication of prominent spines of any kind. The pelvic bones and portions of the hind limbs are present, but so obscured and confused as not to be easily made out. Enough remains to show that the hind limbs were longer than the fore. Thirteen ribs on one side and twelve on the other are preserved, with short ribs in the sacral region. The specimen is very indistinct and it is difficult for one to be sure of all the characters described by Cope.
| Measurements of the Type of Sauropleura digitata Cope. | |
| mm. | |
| Length of specimen | 115 |
| Greatest width | 80 |
| Diameter of ventral scute | .75 |
| Length of rib | 15 |
| Width of rib | 1 |
| Length of humerus | 20 |
| Length of radius | 10 |
| Length of ulna | 9 |
| Length of metacarpal | 4 |
| Length of fourth digit of hand | 22 |
| Length of interclavicle | 20 |
| Width of interclavicle | 11 |
The interclavicle is diamond-Shaped, with surface punctate and edges radiately grooved at a distance of 1.5 mm. from the edge. The hand on the right side of the specimen contains 3, 3, 3, 6, 3 phalanges. The vertebræ are all imperfectly preserved.
Other specimens of this species are 2567 ([48]) , 8376 G, 8704 G, American Museum of Natural History. Coal Measures of Linton, Ohio. Collected by Dr. J. S. Newberry.
Sauropleura newberryi Cope.
Cope, Geol. Surv. Ohio, II, pt. II, p. 404, pl. xxxvii, figs. 2 and 3; pl. xli, fig. 5, 1875.
Type: Specimen No. 8612 G, American Museum of Natural History.
Horizon and locality: Linton, Ohio, Coal Measures.