130 PICTURESQUE SKETCHES 



and partly Batrachian. Some idea may be formed, 

 both of their dimensions and of the general dimensions 

 of the body, from the fact, that one fragment of a 

 lower jaw, between nine and ten inches in length, 

 corresponds to the same part in a crocodile six or 

 seven feet long ; while fragments of bones of the 

 hinder extremity, probably belonging to an animal of 

 the same species, if not to the same individual, are 

 as large as those of a crocodile thirty feet long. If 

 these bones really belonged to the same individual, 

 the hinder extremities, however disproportionate ac- 

 cording to the type of crocodilian structure, would 

 not be excessive if they belonged to an animal having 

 frog-like proportions. The actual size and shape, 

 and the general appearance of the animal, are, how- 

 ever, still doubtful. 



The evidence with regard to the animal of the 

 footsteps (the Chirotherium) stands thus. We find 

 in the new red sandstone certain foot-prints indi- 

 cating a creature remarkable for the disproportionate 

 magnitude of its hinder extremities, and also for the 

 very singular shape of the foot. In beds of the same 

 age, and in the same quarries, almost the only fossil 

 bones found are those of a Batrachian or frog-like 

 reptile (Labyrinthodon), whose dimensions and pro- 

 portions were sufficient, it would seem, to allow of its 

 making foot-marks corresponding with these in the 

 most essential character. It can hardly be considered 

 unreasonable to conclude that the Chirotherium and 

 the Labyrinthodon are one and the same animal. 



The reptiles of the new red sandstone, besides 

 those already enumerated, comprise another croco- 

 dilian genus; and if we may judge from foot-prints, 



