306 ANNALS NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 



cestor of the bird though not a dinosaur was nearly a dinosaur, and that 

 the bird and the carnivorous dinosaur were derived from a group of 

 primitive dinosaur-like reptiles that were capable of running on their 

 hind legs. A recent discovery in South Africa reveals just such a type 

 as we required for the common ancestry of the birds and the dinosaurs, 

 and this form is also not far removed from the ancestor of the ptero- 

 dactyl. The birds, pterodactyls and carnivorous dinosaurs are all prob- 

 ably sprung from a small reptile such as the one recently discovered in 

 South Africa and named by me Euparheria. 



Another interesting fact that seems to be brought out by our study of 

 the South African fossil forms is that it was probably the development 

 of the active Cynodonts that led to the development of the active reptiles 

 such as Eupar'keria. For possibly two million years, the carnivorous 

 mammal-like reptiles had an abundant supply of food in the form of the- 

 small Anomodonts. In lower Triassic times, the smaller Anomodonts 

 seem to have become extinct for some reason, and the carnivorous forms 

 had to obtain a new diet, which was probably a little lizard-like animal 

 called Procolophon, and possibly other small reptiles of a similar type. 

 It was possibly this new activity that gave rise to the Cynodonts. In 

 upper Triassic times, the Procolophons became extinct, and the small 

 Cynodonts were driven to attacking the more active types like Eupar- 

 'keria. The rivalry between these forms resulted in the greatly increased 

 activity of both, the active four-footed forms becoming the primitive 

 mammals and those which run on their hind legs gave rise to the the- 

 ropodus dinosaurs and the ancestral birds. The further evolution of the 

 bird was doubtless the result of its taking to an arboreal habit and devel- 

 oping feathers. 



A fuller report of Dr. Broom's lecture is printed in the ^'American 

 Museum Journal,^' December, 1913. 



Professor Osborn spoke of the commanding importance of Dr. Broom's 

 researches and discoveries and moved that the Secretary should be in- 

 structed to record on the minutes a cordial vote of thanks to Dr. Broom. 

 The motion was unanimously carried. 



The lecture was followed by a reception to Dr. Broom. 



The Section then adjourned. 



William K. Gregory, 



Secretary. 



