128 NATURAL SCIENCE. Feb.. 1894. 



and hence named Microccehis, appears to indicate a type unknown 

 either in Europe or North America, while two vertebrae point to 

 the existence in Patagonia of a Dinosaur more or less closely allied 

 to the European Megalosauvus. With the discovery of these interes- 

 ting Dinosaurs in Patagonia, we have now evidence that this ex- 

 traordinary group of reptiles was represented during the upper half 

 of the Secondary epoch by allied forms throughout the greater part of 

 the world, their remains having now been obtained from Europe, 

 India, Australia, South Africa, and North and South America. The 

 vertebrate land fauna of the world seems therefore at that compara- 

 tively early epoch to have been much more homogeneous than it has 

 ever been since, while there is no evidence of any marked distinction 

 between the types of life inhabiting the northern and southern 

 hemispheres. 



To give an exhaustive account of all the treasures of the 

 La Plata Museum would entail an amount of space far beyond that 

 which is here available, but I trust that the foregoing brief sketch 

 may convey to the palaeontologists of Europe some idea of the 

 richness and interest of the collections which are stored in the 

 handsome building in La Plata. The Government are, indeed, to be 

 congratulated on having founded such a noble institution as the 

 Museum ; and it is to be hoped that, when the scientific value and 

 importance of its contents are more fully realised, they will not refuse 

 such financial support as may be necessary for ensuring their 

 preservation, and for making them known to the world at large by 

 means of suitable publications. 



It is not, however, solely as a geological, palaeontological, and 

 zoological institution that the Museum of La Plata demands 

 admiration and support. It is likewise a great printing and charto- 

 graphical establishment, where Government documents and maps are 

 produced with a speed worth}^ of all commendation. The aim of the 

 Director is, indeed, that the Museum should eventually display the 

 entire evolutionary history and the whole of the natural products of 

 Argentina ; while it should at the same time be the depository of the 

 whole of the data relating to the geography and topography of the 

 country, and the place where all information on such subjects should 

 be readily accessible to the public. For the success of this grand 

 and noble scheme the Director has, as he deserves, our most cordial 

 good wishes. 



In conclusion, I have the pleasure of tendering my most hearty- 

 thanks to Dr. and Mrs. Moreno for the hospitality and unvarying 

 kindness which I received at their hands during my brief but 

 pleasant sojourn in La Plata. 



Richard Lydekker. 

 Las Bandurrias, La Colina, 

 Buenos Aires, 

 November yd, 1893. 



