Animals Before Ma 



n 



better defended than their ancient relatives, 

 for the only part of the body left unguarded is 

 a narrow belt along the sides, which permits a 

 little expansion and allows a caiman to eat a 

 hearty meal without a feeling of undue tight- 

 ness. The largest of the belodonts so far found 

 in this country come from the Trias of Utah 

 and Arizona, and these were from 12 to 15 feet 

 in length."^ 



Another, of almost equal size, called Eph- 

 coposaurus by Professor Cope, was much longer 

 limbed than any modern crocodile, not unlike 

 many dinosaurs in this respect, and this species 

 was very heavily armored. The bony plates 

 covering this animal were from J to ^ an inch 

 thick, and many of them measured 3 by 6 

 inches ; and yet in spite of all this the creature 

 went out of existence as quickly as did others 

 less well defended. 



So far as size and strength go none of the 



* The writer pleads guilty to having named this species 

 Heterodontosuchus ganei, Gane's different-toothed crocodile, the 

 generic name being an allusion to the difference in size between 

 the front and other teeth, as well as to a peculiarity in the shape 

 of all the teeth. The specific name is to credit Mr. Gane with the 

 discovery of the specimen. 



134 



