ANOMALOUS REPTILES 



121 



The animal was about three feet in length. The general aspect 

 of the skull differs from that of modern lizards, and resembles 

 that of a bird or a turtle, which resemblance is increased by the 

 apparent absence of teeth. There was, however, a single row 

 of teeth on the palate. Professor Owen concluded that this 

 ancient creature had its jaws encased in a bony or a horny 

 sheath. The fortunate preservation of the skull has brought to 



FIG. 37. Skull and mandible of Hyperodapedon Gordoni. A. Upper view ; B. Side 

 view ; c. Mandible. From the Elgin Sandstone of Triassic age. (After Dr. A. 



Smith Woodward.) 



light a curious modification of the lizard type of structure, that 

 seems to lead on towards birds and turtles. 



The Hyperodapedon was a much larger creature. It was a 

 terrestrial reptile, some six or seven feet long, and does not 

 appear to have been armed with scutes or spines of any kind. 



