ME SO ZOIC ERA. AGE OF REPTILES. 



333 



from the curious, dartlike bone (Figs. 275, 276), which is 

 often the only part found. Sometimes the soft parts have 

 been found ; the ink-bag (Fig. 277) has been found so per- 

 fect that good ink has been made of it, and the animal 

 has even been drawn with its own fossil ink. From the 

 various parts found it is possible to restore the animal with 

 some confidence. In 

 Fig. 278 we give such 

 a restoration, and in 

 Fig. 279 aliving squid 

 for comparison. 



Crustaceans and 

 Insects. There is a 

 steady development, 



FIG. 277. FIG. 278. FIG. 279. 



FIGS. 277-279. 277. Fossil ink-bags of Belemnites. 278. Belemnite restored. 

 279. A living squid. 



during the Mesozoic, of crustaceans, toward the highest 

 form, viz., the crabs. This, however, was fairly attained 

 only in the Cretaceous, though a spider-crab has been 

 found in the Jurassic. 



Insects also are far more numerous and diversified (Figs. 

 280, 281) than heretofore, although even yet the highest 

 forms, such as ants, bees, and butterflies, are not found. 



There is little of importance to be noted in regard to 

 Fishes. We therefore pass on to Reptiles. 



