PHYLOGENY AND CLASSIFICATION OF REPTILES 413 



often in such cases, it was found that the foundation was insecure, 

 and the edifice toppled. Everything was made to fit the uncertain 

 base. Baur made the Proganosauria an integral part; Baur and 

 Osborn found in the ichthyosaurs a mere wing; Broom and Osborn 

 added a true cotylosaur; and Baur and Case built in the 

 pelycosaurs; Protorosaurus and Pleurosaurus were mere chinks; 

 and everybody (except Cope) united with them the lizards and 

 snakes. I do not mention these names in any invidious spirit; 

 they are all of men justly famous for their work in paleontology. 



Fig. 2. — Sphenodon, skull from side and above. Diapsida. Recent 



We all have the same proclivity, to find or to think that we find 

 those things for which we are seeking. As Baur himself has said, 

 they show "wie leicht man sich taiischen lassen kann, wenn man 

 durch eine allgemeine giiltige Anschauungsweise beeinfTusst wird." 

 A growing skepticism of the Rhynchocephalian affinities of Paleo- 

 hatteria disclosed little support for the far-reaching conclusions 

 based upon it; and, one by one, other assumptions have fallen 

 by the wayside. A careful examination of the type specimens of 

 Paleohatteria assured me that the genus was really a member of 

 the Theromorpha. Watson holds the same opinion; and Huene 

 has urged its relationship to the Pelycosauria. 



It was Cope who, years ago, first suggested that in the temporal 

 region of the skull the surest criteria for the classification of the 

 Reptilia are to be found. Woodward carried the suggestion 



