xi. MEGALOSAURUS HABITS OF LIFE. 217 



inches. 



Height of the same 2*50 



Radius of curvature of the distal articulation . 1-35 



Arc intercepted i8o'O 



Chord of this arc inclined to the axis of the bone . 7o'o 



The ungual bone appears in a very compressed form, with a 

 length of four inches, and a height of 1-9 (Diagram No. LXIX). The 



Diagram LXIX. Middle metatarsal of megalosaurus, one-tenth of natural size. 

 i. Seen from above. 2. Seen laterally. 3. The claw-bone. 



surface is grooved for the attachment of the horny claw ; the arti- 

 culating face is like that of the crocodile, but rather more arched, 

 and much higher and narrower in proportion. 



What may be regarded as the family affinity and personal history 

 of Megalosaurus Bucklandi has become much more interesting, and 

 even important, in science than it was in the days of its discoverer. 

 The creature was a lizard allied to crocodile in his vertebral system 

 and the general character of his respiratory structure ; claiming 

 kindred with the monitors in his dentition ; and offering analogy 

 with pedestrian birds in the scapular and pelvic girdles, and to 

 some extent in the limbs. He was carnivorous, if we may trust 

 the finely-crenulated sabre-like teeth, and the large and powerful 

 hinder claws. 



He was habitually able, and probably preferred, to move upon the 

 land whether bipedally is not ascertained, though the fore limbs 

 appear to have been only half as long as the strong yet not 

 clumsy hind legs. These appear, by the enormous ilium, to have 

 been well devised for firmly supporting and propelling the body. 

 The remains are found scattered in a lagoon or shallow estuary, 

 and it is conceivable that the fishes which abounded in that water 

 were the favoured food of the carnivorous reptile. One seems to 



