126 NATURE STUDIES. 



in its nature, but a strict link between these classes. 

 For, firstly, it has the tail of a lizard, that is, the tail 

 is long and jointed, and has no plough-share bone, as 

 in other birds (Fig. 2, B, I) . Secondly, the bones of 

 its palm were not joined together as in all other birds, 

 whilst at least two of its fingers appear to have been 

 provided with claws, a feature of exact reptilian nature. 



A 



Fig. 2. A. Hinti leg of bird ; B. Tail bones of bird. 



Then it likewise has been ascertained, by the discovery 

 of the recent specimen already referred to, that this 

 old bird of the Oolite possessed teeth. Judged fairly, 

 then, Archaeopteryx is, at the very least, as much a 

 reptile as a bird. Its shoulder and fore-limb (or wing) 

 are decidedly those of a reptile, whilst its hind limbs 

 are bird-like in nature. The facts that such a race 



