718 MB. W. SATILLE-KENT OS THE [NoV. 19, 



noted the remarkable resemblance their gait presented to that of 

 a running hen. 



This recognized adan-like ambulatory deportment of Chlamydo- 

 saurus is of special interest with reference to the very generally 

 accepted anticipation that the birds are modified descendants of 

 a reptilian archetype. The temptation in this association is 

 naturally also very great to institute comparisons between, and 

 to suggest affinities with, the Mesozoic Dinosauria, among the 

 majority of which extinct reptilia a bipedal method of progression 

 constituted, there is every reason for believing, a characteristic 

 feature. The very circumstance, indeed, that the Australasian 

 region, inclusive of New Zealand, produces an existing Lizard with 

 such ancient affinities as Hattena, and the Australian Continent a 

 living freshwater fish, Ceratodus, most abundantly represented 

 in the Triassic and Oolitic formations, as also a number of mammalia 

 and other organic types elsewhere extinct, it might certainly be 

 reasonably anticipated that a Lizard with Dinosaurian affinities, if 

 existing anywhere at the present day, might be sought for with 

 the greatest prospect of success upon Australian territory. 



An examination of the skeleton of Chlamydosawus does not, 

 certainly, as hopefully anticipated, yield indications of that modi- 

 fication of the pelvic elements which is so characteristic of the 

 most specialized Dinosauria ; nor, indeed, any salient features that 

 serve to distinguish it amongst the Lacertilia from the skeletons 

 of the ordinary Agamidse. It would seem imprudent under these 

 circumstances to institute other than comparisons of mere 

 accidental and independently arrived at analogies between the 

 coincident erect comportments and corresponding external re- 

 semblances exhibited by the types under discussion. These resem- 

 blances appear, however, with relation to certain types to be 

 sufficiently remarkable as to invite brief notice. 



The order of the Dinosauria or Ornithoscelida, as at present recog- 

 nized, embraces very widely divergent forms of Eeptilia. Some of 

 them possess distinctly Avian and others Lacertilian affinities, 

 while in a third group the modification is in the direction of 

 huge brute-like forms emulating or surpassing the Ehinoeeros in 

 form and bulk. It is not proposed here to institute comparisons 

 between Chlami/dosaiirus and such Dinosaurian types as Iguanodon, 

 with its three-toed bird-like feet and ponderous trailing tail, or 

 with the colossal Rhinoceros-headed Triceratops of Marsh and its 

 allies. Within the LacertiHan section of the Dinosaurs there are, 

 however, several described types between which and the Australian 

 Clilamydosaurus there is by no means such a wide gulf fixed. 

 Xotably among these, reference may be made to the Anchisaurus 

 colurus of Marsh, of which a figure and description are given in the 

 ' Greological Magazine,' dec. iii. vol. x., April 1893. This form is 

 referred to by its describer as representing " one of the most 

 slender and delicate Dinosaurs yet discovered." Its total length 

 did not exceed six feet, and the most remarkable feature possessed 

 by it, as attested by Marsh, and in which respect it " apparently 



