DINOSAURS 185 



bear its armour of bony plates, the neck first, then the fore feet, 

 and then the whole skeleton was specially modified to support 

 it; and he concludes that as these changes took place in the 

 course of the evolution of this wonderful Dinosaur, the head at 

 last became so large and heavy that it must have been too much 

 for the body to bear, and so have led to its destruction ! This 

 conclusion, if sound, is a warning against carrying " specialisation " 

 too far. If we wished to write an epitaph on the tomb of the 

 monster, it ought (according to Professor Marsh) to be, " I and 

 my race died of over-specialisation." 



After all these various efforts to improve themselves and to 

 perfect their organisation so as to bring it into harmony with 

 their surroundings, or " environment," as the biologists say, it 

 seems rather hard that the Dinosaurs should have been ex- 

 tinguished, and their place in Nature taken by a higher type ; 

 but all things have their day, even Dinosaurs. 



With regard to the difficulties, hardships, and dangers attend- 

 ing the discovery and transport of the remains, Professor Marsh's 

 concluding remarks may be quoted here, since they give us a 

 glimpse into the nature of his explorations in the far West that 

 have now become so famous. He says, " In conclusion, let me 

 say a word as to how the discoveries here recorded have been 

 accomplished. The main credit for the work justly belongs to my 

 able assistant, Mr. J. B. Hatcher, who has done so much to bring 

 to light the ancient life of the Eocky Mountain regions. I can 

 only claim to have shared a few of the dangers and hardships with 

 him, but without his skill little would have been accomplished. 

 If you will bear in mind that two of the skulls weighed nearly 

 two tons each, when partially freed from their matrix and ready 

 for shipment, in a deep desert canon, fifty miles from a railway, 

 you will appreciate one of the mechanical difficulties overcome. 



