FOSSIL REPTILES. 381 



be one of the bones of the ilia. Also, two other bones, which 

 I imagine to have come from different pelves. 



" Time will, in all probability, lead to the complete resto- 

 ration of these beings, whose existence is already conjectured 

 from the remains in question ; and judging from the zeal and 

 ardour with which such researches are now prosecuted in every 

 quarter, we may conclude that the era of their resuscitation is 

 at no very remote distance. 



'• I have no doubt, but that in proportion as the discoveries 

 already commenced shall be completed, new discoveries will 

 be multiplied, and that, perhaps, in a few years, I shall be 

 obliged to confess, that the work which I this day terminate, 

 and to which I have dedicated so much labour, will appear 

 but a superficial view, a first and hasty glance cast over the 

 immense creations of ancient ages." 



From this last conclusion of our illustrious author, given as 

 it is with all the modesty of true greatness, we must be per- 

 mitted utterly to dissent. At all events, whatever opinion he 

 may himself entertain upon the subject — that of the scientific 

 world must ever remain unaltered. As long as a profound 

 acquaintance with all the relations of organized beings — an un- 

 rivalled acuteness of discrimination and comparison — a sober 

 soundness of deduction, united with an expansive and philo- 

 sophical genius — a union as rare as it is admirable ; — as long, 

 in fine, as the most patient and laborious research — the 

 greatest candour, and the most luminous eloquence shall be 

 entitled to the reverential consideration of mankind — so long 

 will the " Ossemens Fossiles " remain an imperishable monu- 

 ment to the memory of Cuvier. 



