The first summary of the morphology, systematics, ecology and phylogeny of St. John's wort reptiles of the beginning of the Late Permian. The issues of the formation of some structures of the skull are considered, skin ossifications and the remains of the integument are described. Taphonomic and stratigraphic essays summarize information on the conditions for the burial and distribution of therapsid residues in the Upper Permian of the USSR, South Africa and North America.