DESPOTS OF THE SEAS 69 



The Plesiosaur did not look at all like the Ich- 

 thyosaur. He had a thick body, short tail, four 

 very strong and large paddles, a remarkably long 

 neck, and a small flat head somewhat like that of a 

 snake. Some one once said that this creature looked 

 like a snake threaded through the body of a turtle. 

 But the name given him is in no way connected 

 with snakes or turtles, for Plesiosaur means "near 

 to a lizard." 



When swimming, the Plesiosaur could stretch his 

 long neck far above the water; and many a little 

 flying creature which happened to come within 

 reach of his cruel, toothed jaws met a quick death. 

 When his head was below the surface he could twist 

 his neck in all directions, looking for enemies, and 

 this gave him an advantage over the Ichthyosaur, 

 which had a very short neck. But, when it came 

 to a downright fight between the two, the Ichthyo- 

 saur had the advantage, for he was swifter in his 

 movements than the Plesiosaur and stronger of 

 muscle. Yet he did not always win the battle, 

 although when he charged upon his foe with jaws 

 set ready to sink those two hundred forty teeth 



