706 THE MICROSCOPE. 



reptiles in the Lower sandstones of the New red system, 



in Warwickshire, have been placed 



Fig. 337. 

 1, Section of the tendo-Achillis as it joins the oscalcis ; showing the stellate 

 cells of tendon gradually coalescing to form the round or oval cells of the 

 cartilage. 2, A small transverse section of enchondroma, showing the gradual 

 change of the cartilage-cells at a into the true bone-cells, termed lacunoe, 

 at b. with their characteristic canaliculi. 



beyond a doubt. By 

 the microscope, the 

 supposed monarch 

 of theSaurian tribes 

 — the so-called i?a- 



^ silosaurus — has 

 been deposed, and 

 removed from the 

 head of the Repti- 

 lian to the bottom 

 of the Mammalian 

 division. The mi- 

 croscope has de- 

 graded the Sauro- 

 cephalus from the 

 class of reptiles to 

 that of fishes. It 

 has settled the 

 doubts entertained 

 by some of the 

 highest authorities 

 in palaeontology as 

 to the true affinities 

 of the gigantic Me- 

 gatherium ; and by 



A ^ VM^ 'Ami r^W. \ V 



) 





Fig. 338. — Microscopical character of Enchondroma, 

 from a finger. The cartilage undergoes a gra- 

 dual change, and is seen converted into bone 

 at the upper portion. 



