Jávorka Sándor - Soós Lajos (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 29. (Budapest 1935)
Fejérváry, G. J.: Further contributions to a monograph of the Megalanidae and fossil Varanidae - with notes on recent Varanians
the two vertebrae concerned, a very marked difference is set forth in their shape. The caudad aspect of the ball proves spheroid in the supposed Und sacral, whilst appearing hemispheroid in the anterior dorsal, where the basal plane of the hemisphere is level with the centre's flat ventral surface. With respect to the measurements communicated by Mr. ETHERIDGE 1 am obliged to add the remark that I am unable to make oui what is to be meant under the "Vertical, or longitudinal, diameter of centrum", the length of the latter being indicated at the head of the measurement's column, and this plainly intelligible datum (3 inches) considerably differing from the unintelligible one just cited (1 inch & 3 / K ) — though, no doubt, everybody will, and with full right, suppose that the "length" and the "longitudinal diameter" of the very same object have to represent the very same distance too! With respect to our knowledge gained, by means of a pretty large material, of Megalania, we come, thus, to a rather unsatisfactory conclusion. Notwithstanding all the particulars having been published on this huge Pleistocene Reptile, we do not possess, as yet. a detailed and precise description of its single skeletal elements, nor a synoptic one throwing light upon the question how its skeleton was built up as a whole. And though, such a study, done with system, from step to step elucidating the various problems offered by the so little-known and so much neglected topographical morphology of the skeleton, is the only means to throw light upon the organization of this importaint fossil being. Nay, it's the only way to catch sight of its kinetomechanical peculiarities, enabling us to give an outline of its mode of life and to offer a reliable reconstruction of both its whole skeleton and exterior habit, complying thus with the fundamental requirements of modern Paleobiology. It should be. thus, suggested to those who are lucky enough to dispose of a large Megalanian material, I mean especially to the Australian Colleagues, to fill up, at the earliest convenience, these gaps left untouched by our scientificprecursors. 51 Turning to the question whether Megalania possesses or not structures to be identified as zygosphenes and zygantra, facts concerned may be resumed as follows: Mr. LONGMAN is perfectly right when stating that the Megalanian vertebrae do not possess "strongly developed" structures of that kind. The ostoses I designated as zygosphene and zyganiram are "strong" only if they be considered in se, but 51 Cfr. p. 460 of my quoted Monograph.
