On the Quadrate Bone of a Gigantic Pterodactyl. 255 



In conclusion, I desire to make the following sugges- 

 tions : — 



First. It is evident that the study of the phenomenon of 

 cross-fertilization of flowers by means of insects is still a 

 profitable field for observation and discovery. 



Second. The effect of external conditions in reference to 

 dichogamy should be the subject of critical experiments. 



Third. Teleological explanations should be avoided as 

 much as possible, here as elsewhere, according to the spirit 

 of modern investigation. 



Finally. The relative number of cases of cross- and close- 

 fertilization should be compared, and it should be determined 

 if cross-fertilization actually takes place in all cases wdiere 

 this is assumed. 



XXXVT. — On the Quadrate Bone of a Gigantic Pterodactyl 

 discovered by Joseph ]\Iaicson, Esq., F.G.S., in the Creta- 

 ceous of Bahia^ Brazil. By A. SMITH WOODWARD, 



F.L.S., F.a.s. 



Neaely five years ago Mr. Joseph Maw^son discovered the 

 first evidence of Pterodactyls in the rocks of the Southern 

 Hemisphere, consisting of two fragmentary quadrate bones 

 from the Cretaceous of Baliia, Brazil*. Quite recently he 

 has returned from a further examination of the cliffs and 

 shore-reefs in the same district, and now he has obtained 

 another example of the same bone, interesting not only on 

 account of the locality, but also as belonging probably to tiie 

 most gigantic Pterodactyl hitherto recorded. 



The new specimen, shown from the posterior and articular 

 aspects and in transverse section in the accompanying figures, 

 belongs to the right side of the head. A little more of its 

 proximal portion is preserved than in the previous example, 

 but the pterygoid plate is similarly broken away, the facette 

 for its articulation alone being indicated. The bone is much 

 compressed antero-posteriorly, its outer margin being a sharp 

 edge, and a transverse fracture immediately above the con- 

 dyles (fig. C) shows that its lower portion is solid. The 



* A. S. Woodward, " Evidence of the Occurrence of Pterosaurians 

 and Plesiosaurians in the Cretaceous of Brazil, discovered by Joseph 

 Mawson, Esq., F.G.S.," Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. [6] vol. viii. (1891 ), 

 p. 314, fig. 2. 



