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NATURE-STUDY REVIEW 



[12:5— May, 1910 



were not paired ; that the largest one was above the base of the tail 

 and not over the hips as previously supposed; that there were only 

 eighteen of these plates ; that there were but four sharp spines near 

 the end of its tail; and many other important details relating to 

 the general appearance of this great 15000 pound reptile, which 

 lived about eight million years ago. 



In general appearance this early reptile was a monster standing 

 nearly nine feet high at his hips, and measuring about fifteen feet 

 long. It was probably covered with a tough, horn-like hide, 

 reinforced on the top and sides of its head and neck with bony 

 knobs which were in effect not unlike armor plate, or, at least 

 rivet heads. Extending from its small, lizard-like head along 



**«' 



Stegosaurus 



its back and well towards its long, tapering tail were great sharp- 

 edged plates arranged alternately in a double row. Its legs and 

 feet were similar to those of the alligators and crocodiles of our 

 age, but the forelegs were much smaller and weaker than the hind 

 ones, due to its heritage from some ancestor which walked on its 

 hind legs. It seems to have possessed little brain and it may 

 have been for this reason that it was so well protected by armor. 

 In a recent publication written by Charles W. Gilmore, assist- 

 ant curator of fossil reptiles in the United States National Mus- 

 eum, there were reproduced ten pictures of restorations of the 

 stegosaurus as depicted by various authorities, between the years 

 of 189 1 and 191 2. Mr. Gilmore has also prepared a model of the 



