| Reference number | AP/65/8 |
| Level | File |
| Title | Unpublished paper, 'Researches on the structure, organization and classification of the Fossil Reptilia. Part IV: On a large humerus from the East Brak River, South Africa, indicating a new order of fossil animals, which was more nearly intermediate between reptiles and mammals, than the groups hitherto known' by H G [Harry Govier] Seeley |
| Date | 1888 |
| Description | Seeley describes a bone, identified as a right humerus, which was sent to the British Museum by A G Bain. It is 3 cm long. He writes that the crests at its proximal end are compared with those in the corresponding bone of Saurischia, Omithosaurs, and Anomodonts; and they show a strong general resemblance to the crests seen in Monotremes, though their direction may be more reptilian. The distal end of the bone is entirely mammalian in plan. Its resemblances are about equally strong to Edentata and Monotremata, and there are evidences of more distant relationship with Insectivora, with certain marsupials, seals, and other Carnivora. On the whole, Seeley suggests the evidence is insufficient to refer the fossil to the Monotremata.
Annotations in ink throughout. Includes one page of figures of the humerus.
Subject: Zoology / Osteology
Received 5 April 1888. Read 26 April 1888.
Whilst the Royal Society declined to publish this paper in full, an abstract of the paper was published in volume 44 of the Proceedings of the Royal Society as 'Researches on the structure, organisation, and classification of the Fossil Reptilia. IV. On a large humerus from the east brak river, South Africa, indicating a new order of fossil animals which was more nearly intermediate between reptiles and mammals than the groups hitherto known'. |
| Extent | 20p |
| Format | Manuscript |
| Drawing |
| Physical description | Ink and graphite pencil on paper |
| Digital images | View item on Science in the Making |
| Access status | Open |
| Related material | DOI: 10.1098/rspl.1888.0013 |
| Related records in the catalogue | AP/72/2 bis |
| NLB/2/477 |
| RR/10/218 |
| RR/10/219 |
| AP/72/2 bis |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | Name | Dates |
| NA6493 | Seeley; Harry Govier (1839 - 1909); palaeontologist and geologist | 1839 - 1909 |