488 ZOOLOGY. 



teryx hitlierto discovered — the feather which originally served as the 

 basis for the name, and two carcasses. His examination resulted in the 

 discovery of "several characters of importance not previously deter- 

 mined," viz : (1) "the presence of true teeth in position in the skull;" 

 (2) "vertebriB biconcave;" (3) " a well ossified broad sternum;" (4) 

 "three digits only in the manus;" (5) "pelvic bones separate;" (6) 

 "the distal end of fibula in front of tibia;" and (7) " metatarsals sepa- 

 rate, or imperfectly united." These characteristics indicate, in the opinion 

 of Professor Marsh, that we have in Arcliccopterux '-'■ iho, most reptilian 

 of birds." The brain-cast, "although comparatively small, was like 

 that of a bird, and not that of a Dinosauriau reptile. 



Ai^ropos of its relations. Professor Marsh found that the extremities 

 of the Dinosaurian reptile, CompsognatJms, evinced "a striking similar- 

 ity " to those of Arcliccopteryx. " The three-clawed digits of the manus 

 correspond closely with those of that genus, although the bones are of 

 different proportions. The hind feet also have the same structure in 

 both. The vertebrae however and the pelvic bones of CompsognatJms 

 difier materially from those of Archccopteryx, and the two forms are in 

 reality widely separated." Professor Marsh adds that "the nearest ap- 

 proach to birds now know^n would seem to be in the very small Dino- 

 saurs from the American Jurassic. In some of these the separate bones 

 of the skeleton cannot be distinguished with certainty from those of 

 Jurassic birds, if the skull is wanting, and even in this i^art the resem- 

 blance is striking." (A. J. S. (3), XXI, 337-340.) 



An American Jurassic bird. 



Although the famous Archceopteryx lithographicus testified many 

 years ago to the existence of birds in the Jurassic period in Europe, 

 no remains of the class had been Ibund in America older than Cre- 

 taceous. But Professor Marsh's search for more ancient forms has been 

 lately rewarded " by the discovery of various remains, some of which 

 are sufficiently' characteristic for determination." The posterior part 

 of a skull exhibited characters which have served as the basis of the 

 " Laopteryx priscus, gen. et sp. nov." The size indicated " a bird rather 

 smaller than a Blue Heron." In its main features, " it resembles the skull 

 of the EatitiB more than that of any existing birds." In the " matrix 

 atttiched to this skull a single tooth was found, which most resembles 

 the teeth of birds, especially those of Ichthyornis. It is probable that 

 Laopteryx possessed teeth, and also biconcave vetebrse." The skull de- 

 scribed " and others apparently of the same species, were found in the 

 upper Jurassic of Wyoming Territory in the horizon of the Atlanto- 

 saurus beds." The discovery thus signalized is one of great interest on 

 account of its establishing practically (what was of course theoretically 

 certain) the existence of birds in the Jurassic period, and as a presage 

 of future discovery. The specimen found was not however sufficient 

 to enable Professor Marsh to give a diagonsis which does more than 



