84 EXTINCT MONSTERS. 



the name Ceratosaurus, 1 because its skull supported a horn. But 

 the horn is not the only new feature presented by this interesting 

 creature. Its vertebrae are of a strange and unexpected type ; and 

 in the pelvis all the bones are fused together, as in modern birds. 

 Externally, also, the Ceratosaurus differed from other members of 

 the carnivorous group, for its body was partly protected by long 

 plates in the skin, such as crocodiles have : these extended from 

 the back of the head, along the neck, and over the back. An 

 almost complete skeleton was found which indicates an animal 

 about seventeen feet long. When alive it was probably about 

 half the bulk of the Allosaurus mentioned above. (See Fig. 16.) 

 Seen from above, its skull resembles in general outline that of a 

 crocodile, the facial portion being elongated and gradually taper- 



FIG. 17. Skull of Ceratosaurus. Top view. (After Marsh.) 



ing to the muzzle, with the nasal openings separate, and placed 

 near the end of the snout. 



The teeth of this horned Dinosaur resemble those of the 

 Megalosaur. Its eyes were protected by protuberances of the skull 

 just above the cavity in which the eye was placed (see Figs. 17 and 

 1 8). The brain was a good deal larger in proportion to the size of 

 the animal than in Brontosaurus and its allies ; so perhaps we may 

 infer that it was endowed with greater intelligence, as it certainly 

 was more active in its habits. The fore limbs, as in Megalo- 



1 Greek keras, horn ; saurcs, lizard. Some authorities consider it to be 

 identical with Megalosaurus. 



