HIGH SCnOOL ZOOLOGY. 



117 



which inhabited the seas along with them. These arrange 

 themselves under several orders of which the Sauropterygia 

 (^Flesiusauria) and tlie Ichthyoplergia {Ichthyvaaui'ia) are the 

 best known. To the former (Fig. 84) belonged huge forms from 

 10-50 feet in length, with flippers something like a seal's, and 

 an extremely long swan-like neck, which must have allowed 

 great freedom of movement to the head with its formidable 

 teeth. To the latter belonged short-necked forms reseml)ling 

 in shape the whales of the present day, but provided with, a 

 long and powerfully toothed snout. (Fig. 85). 



Fig. 85— Restoration of Ichthj'osauru8. i^. 



25. Among the fossil orders are likewise forms which attained 

 a huge size, whose limbs, moi-e lizard -like in form (Sauropoda), 

 attest to a terrestrial or amphibious life, but whose teeth indicate 

 that they were herbivorous animals feeding either on aquatic 

 or marsh plants or on the forest vegetation. (Fig. 86.) Some 



^*tft«Ut<»>n=~ 



Fig. 86— Kestoration of Brontosauras. 

 (After Marsh). 



of them (Atlantosaurus) measured 100 feet in length by 30 in 

 height, the locomotion of such enormous masses being only 

 rendered possible Ijy the fact that the skeleton was extremely 

 li<jrht, the bones being filled with air. The Sauropoda were 

 <»/ithout the protection of an exoskeleton, whereas Stego 



