from the Strata of Tilgate Forest. 177 



of the College, in the sudden expansion of the head. Fig. 3 appears to be the proximal end of 

 a tibia. In others of the long bones from the Tilgate strata, there are longitudinal grooves which 

 accord with what is observable in the metatarsal bones of birds, but similar grooves appear also 

 to characterise most of the long bones of Pterodactyles. However, the metatarsal bone (ficr. i, 

 a, b,) settles the question in my mind as to the existence of the remains of birds in the strata of 

 Tilgate Forest." 



The confirmation of my opinion, first by the immortal Cuvier, and now 

 after a rigorous examination of other specimens, by Mr. Owen, must I con- 

 ceive remove all doubts on the subject, and the occurrence of the remains 

 of birds in strata antecedent to the chalk, be henceforth considered as unques- 

 tionably established as that of mammalia in the Stonesfield slate. 



I proceed to describe the specimens of birds' bones in my possession ; they 

 are but few in number, and unfortunately all of them are more or less imper- 

 fect, the extreme thinness of the bones, and the compactness of the rock in 

 which they are imbedded, rendering it impossible to extricate them without 

 injury. 



Tarso-metatarsal hone of a Wader, PI. XIII. figs. I, a, b. — This is the most important spe- 

 cimen hitherto found ; it consists of the two extremities only, the shaft of the bone having been 

 crushed, and a considerable portion of it, perhaps four or more inches, lost. Its circumference 

 is three times that of the corresponding bone of a heron. The annexed sketches illustrate its 

 most essential characters; the distal extremity, fig. 1, &. is represented on its posterior aspect: 

 0, shows the oval depression for the articulation of the hind-toe, or thumb : x , a ridge for the 

 attachment of the aponeurosis of the tendinous sheath which embraces the tendons passing down 

 to the foot ; fig. 1, a, anterior view of the same specimen. 



" Tibia? or metatarsal." Cuvier. PI. XIII. fig. 6. — A slender bone, six inches and a half in 

 length, the head of which is partially exposed ; the distal extremity is wanting. Fragments of 

 similar bones are represented, PI. VIII. figs. 1.18. Fossils of Tilgate Forest. 



Tibia? PI. XIII. fig. 3.— The head of a tibia (?): this specimen is figured PI. VIII. fig. 11. 

 Fossils of Tilgate Forest. 



Ulna. — I have two fragments of cylindrical bones, apparently portions of the ulna, each having 

 a small tubercle, like that observable in birds for the attachment of the quills of the secondary 

 feathers ; but these specimens are too imperfect to warrant any positive inferences. 



Such are the scanty materials from which I venture to infer the existence 

 of birds during the Iguanodon epoch ; and if my deductions be correct, 

 another beautiful instance is afforded of the light shed by anatomical science 

 on the obscure records of the early history of the earth. 



VOL. v. SECOND SERIES. 2 A 



