ROOM III. PTERODACTYLUS MACROXYX. 189 



observed on the stone surrounding the phalangeal bones (as 

 in Lign. 42). 



The nature of the original animal was traced by Baron 

 Cuvier with his accustomed terseness and perspicuity ; and 

 later discoveries, though enlarging our knowledge of this 

 remarkable order of reptiles, and presenting us with far 

 more colossal forms than could have been rationally predicated, 

 have added nothing of importance to the original sketch by 

 the master-hand. 



" The Pterodactyle," observes M. Cuvier, " was an animal 

 which in its osteology, from the teeth to the extremities of the 

 claws, and from its skull to the end of the tail, presented the 

 classic characters of the saurians. We therefore cannot doubt 

 that it had the same modifications in the integuments and soft 

 pails j their dermal covering, circulation, organs of generation, 

 <fcc. At the same tune, it was provided with large mem- 

 branous wings, and its powers of flight must have far ex- 

 ceeded those of the Draco volans, the only existing reptile 

 that can traverse the air, and probably equalled those of the 

 Bat. It doubtless could flit and soar on the wing as long as 

 the strength of its muscles permitted, and suspend itself to 

 trees or rocks by its short unguiculated toes. Its position, 

 when in repose, would probably be like that of birds, on its 

 hind legs, with the neck straightened and curved back, to 

 preserve its equilibrium." 



PTERODACTYLUS MACROXYX. Wall-case A-B. l These unique 

 remains of a species of Pterodactyle, which, when living, was 

 about the size of a raven, were discovered in 1828, by the 

 late Mary Anning, the well-known intelligent collector of the 

 fossils from the liassic deposits that form the cliffs along the 

 coast of Dorsetshire, near Lyme Regis. I have not heard that 

 any other relics of this species have been met with. 



This specimen was figured and described by Dr. Buckland 

 in " Geol. Trans." vol. iii. PL XXVII. with the specific name 

 macronyx, suggested by the great length of the claws. 2 It 

 consists of a few fragments of the cervical and dorsal vertebrae, 

 and three caudals ; the scapulae and coracoids ; and the bones 



1 Figured and described by Dr. Buckland in " Geol. Trans." voL iii. 

 new series, p. 217. 



2 The specimen was purchased of Miss Anning by the Trustees of the 

 British Museum. 



