43 



decay was too great ; on moving it, it fell to 



pieces. 



The vertebra ^Yh\cll are seen, shew the spinal 

 marrow to have been 5 inches in diameter I 

 Is not this extraordinary? Not seen, would 

 the tale be credible ? 



The huge leg and thigh bones, how mon- 

 strous, how massive I What muscles must 



have filled the inflexions — the wide and hollow 

 insinuosities ? And the fr^ements of ribs! 

 how admirable their construction I Bent on 

 the edge, they are eminently calculated for 

 strengthening a frame ordained to subsist by the 

 destruction of other animals, both active and 

 powerful. 



But, above all, I beg your attention to the 

 claw. It is sheathed and retractile ; denoting 

 an animal of the lion kind. Justified by prin- 

 ciples of anatomy I calculate, that, when ex- 

 tended on its prey, it must have been nearly 4 

 ft. long by 3 ft. wide, allowing that long and 

 firm membranes interposed between the bones 

 and toes. 



