DINOSA URS. 



119 



it ; and he concludes that as these changes took place in the 

 course of the evolution of this wonderful Dinosaur, the head at 

 last became so large and heavy that it must have been too much 

 for the body to bear, and so have led to its destruction ! This 

 conclusion, if sound, is a warning against carrying " specialisation " 

 too far. If we wished to write an epitaph on the tomb of the 

 monster, it ought (according to Professor Marsh) to be, ** I and 

 my race died of over-specialisation." 



After all these various efforts to improve themselves and to 

 perfect their organisation so as to bring it into harmony with 



^. 



Fig. 31. — Bony spines belonging to the skin of TVzV^ra/^/j. (After Marsh.) 



their surroundings, or " environment," as the biologists say, it 

 seems rather hard that the Dinosaurs should have been ex- 

 tinguished, and their place in Nature taken by a higher type ; 

 but all things have their day, even Dinosaurs. 



With regard to the difficulties, hardships, and dangers attend- 

 ing the discovery and transport of the remains, Professor Marsh's 

 concluding remarks may be quoted here, since they give us a 

 glimpse into the nature of his explorations in the far West that have 

 now become so famous. He says, " In conclusion, let me say a 

 word as to how the discoveries here recorded have been accom- 

 plished. The main credit for the work justly belongs to my able 



