ANOMALOUS KEPTILES 121 
The animal was about three feet in length. The general aspect 
of the skull differs from that of modern lizards, and resembles 
that of a bird or a turtle, which resemblance is increased by the 
apparent absence of teeth. There was, however, a single row 
of teeth on the palate. Professor Owen concluded that this 
ancient creature had its jaws encased in a bony or a horny 
sheath. The fortunate preservation of the skull has brought to 
Fic. 37.—Skull and mandible of Hyperodapedon Gordoni. a. Upper view; B. Side 
view; c. Mandible. From the Elgin Sandstone of Triassic age. (After Dr. A. 
Smith Woodward.) 
light a curious modification of the lizard type of structure, that 
seems to lead on towards birds and turtles. 
The Hyperodapedon was a much larger creature. It was a 
terrestrial reptile, some six or seven feet long, and does not 
appear to have been armed with scutes or spines of any kind. 
