DINOSAURS 



illustrious Baron Cuvier. Let us begin with the teeth, since 

 they were the first part of the monster brought to light. 



The first specimens of the teeth of Iguanodon were found by 

 Mrs. Man tell, in 1822 (see Fig. 53), in the coarse conglomerate 

 of certain strata in Tilgate Forest, belonging to the Cretaceous 

 period (see Table of Strata, Appendix I.). Dr. and Mrs. Mantell 

 subsequently collected a most interesting series of these remark- 

 able teeth (which, for a time, puzzled the most learned men of 



PIG. 53. Tooth of Iguanodon, with the apex slightly worn. (From the 

 Wealden Beds of Tilgate Forest. Natural size.) 1. Front aspect, showing the 

 longitudinal ridges and serrated margins of the crown. 2. View of the back, or 

 inner surface of the tooth, a. Serrated margins, b. Apex of the crown worn by use. 



the day), from the perfect tooth of a young animal, to the last 

 stage, that of a mere long stump worn away by mastication. 

 In external form they bore a striking resemblance to the grinders 

 of herbivorous mammals, and were wholly unlike any that had 

 previously been known. The first specimen that arrested his 

 attention was a large tooth, which, from the worn surface of 

 its crown, had evidently once belonged to some herbivorous 

 animal. In form it so entirely resembled the corresponding 



