J5o EXTINCT MONSTERS. 



There may be differences of opinion among palaeontologists 

 as to the appearance presented by this formidable creature when 

 alive, and no doubt the nature of the skin must always be more 

 or less a matter of conjecture in such cases, but we venture to 

 hope that the restoration here given, based as it is upon Mr. 

 Smit's thorough acquaintance with living animals and Professor 

 Marsh's description, will meet with a favourable verdict. 



Looking at the skeleton, one is struck with a certain resem- 

 blance to the rhinoceros on one hand, and to the elephant on the 

 other. The legs are very elephantine, and the feet must have 



FIG. 42. Skeleton of Tinoceras ingens. (After Marsh.) 

 been covered with thick pads, but the body reminds one more of 

 the rhinoceros ; and yet, again, there is some suggestion of the 

 hippopotamus. The eye was small and deep set, as in the 

 rhinoceros. In the upper jaw the two canine teeth are developed 

 into dagger-shaped tusks, the use of which can only be con- 

 jectured. In the females these are but slightly developed. 



It is quite clear, then, that we cannot place the Dinoceras 

 in any order of living mammals. It is what palaeontologists call 

 a " generalised type ; " that is to say, it presents certain characters 

 seen in several groups of living quadrupeds, and not any of those 



