200 PICTURESQUE SKETCHES 



species stood above the ground in proportion to all 

 other reptiles ; and the height is indicated not less 

 by the actual size of the bones of the extremities, than 

 by the provision made in the skeleton to resist the 

 pressure of an enormous weight. 



The Megalosaurus was a gigantic carnivorous land 

 reptile, its body being of enormous size. In all pro- 

 bability it was not, like the crocodile, clothed in 

 scaly armour, but it stood with its whole body con- 

 siderably above the ground, in bulk and general 

 appearance rather resembling the hippopotamus than 

 the gigantic alligators of the present day. It was 

 most likely provided with a true reptilian tail, whose 

 length was considerable, although not nearly so great 

 in proportion as that of existing crocodiles andalligators. 



The form of the fragment of the jaw which has 

 been preserved (fig. 77) marks in some measure the 

 shape of the head, showing that it was terminated 

 by a straight, narrow, and long snout, not tapering, 

 but compressed laterally. The teeth were of mode- 

 rate size. They formed, however, strong and powerful 

 cutting instruments, for the fore part was sharp and 

 jagged, and the hind part much thicker and blunt, 

 while ample provision was made for a constant succes- 

 sion during the whole lifetime of the animal. 



The vertebrae are somewhat peculiar in form, and 

 present nearly flat surfaces to one another ; but it is 

 chiefly one group, consisting of five, firmly cemented 

 together into a solid mass, and distributing the weight 

 of the body upon the hinder extremities, that forms an 

 exception to the ordinary reptilian character. Except 

 the megalosaur, and the two or three extinct species 

 now grouped with it, and belonging to the same pe- 



