limitations op present knowledge 325 



Pathology of Eeptiles 



It will be apparent, especially to those interested in other lines of 

 paleontological research, that the above discussion relates entirely to the 

 fossil reptiles; and, indeed, I know no other Mesozoic pathology. The 

 Mesozoic fishes, amphibians, birds, mammals, and hosts of invertebrates 

 have not been drawn on at all, for the reason that I know very little of 

 pathology in these fossils. The title of this paper should then read : 

 "The status of disease during the Mesozoic as evidenced by the fossil 

 reptiles." It is rather strange that nothing of jjathology is known among 

 the hosts of Cretaceous fishes. Various types of tumors are said to be 

 common among recent fishes, but I know of no examples in the fossil 

 condition in any age. This will show us clearly how meager indeed is 

 our present knowledge of Mesozoic pathology and what great vistas of 

 research are open to us for future exploration. 



