PTERODACTYLE. 173 



linlike to any thing that exists in the present world. — " Ce 

 sont incontestablement de tous les etres dont ce Uvre nous 

 revele I'ancienne existence, les plus extraordinaires, et ceux 

 qui, si on les voyat vivans, paroitroient les plus etrangers a 

 toute la nature actuelle." (Cuv. Oss. Foss. Vol. V. Pt. 11, 

 p. 379. 



We are already acquainted with eight species of this 

 genus, varying from the size of a Snipe to that of a Cormo- 

 rant.* 



In external form, these animals somewhat resemble our 

 modern Bats and Vampires : most of them had the nose 

 elongated, hke the snout of a Crocodile, and armed with 

 conical teeth. Their eyes were of enormous size, appa- 

 rently enabling them to fly by night. From their wings 

 projected fingers, terminated by long hooks, like the curved 

 claw on the thumb of the Bat. These must have formed a 

 powerful paw, wherewith the animal was enabled to creep 

 or climb, or suspend itself from trees. 



It is probable also that the Ptcrodactyles had the power 

 of swimming which is so common in reptiles, and which 



* In PI. 21, I have given an engraving of the Plerodactylus longirostris, 

 which was first publislied by CoUini, and formed the basis on wliich tJiia 

 genus was established. 



At Pi. 22, O. is engraved the smallest known species, P. Breviostris from 

 Solenhofen, described by Professor Soemmering. 



A figure and description of a third species, P. macronyx, from the lias at 

 Lyme Regis, have been published by myself, (Geol. Trans. Loud, second 

 series. Vol. 3, Pt. J.) This species was about the size of a Raven, and its 

 wings, when expanded, must have been about four feet from tip to tip. A 

 fourth species, P. crassirostris-, has been described by Professor Guldfuss. 

 In PI. 22, N. I have given a reduced copy of his plate of the specimen ; and 

 ill PI. 22, A. a copy of his restoration of the entire animal. Count Munster 

 has described another species, P. medius, Ciivier describes some bones of a 

 species, P. grandis, four times as large as P. longirostris, which latter was 

 about the size of a Woodcock. Professor Goldfuss has described a seventh 

 species from Solenhofen, P. fllunstcri ; and has proposed the name P. Buck ■ 

 landi, for the eighth undescribed species found at Stoaesficld. 



15* 



