﻿TRIASSIC PERIOD 



77 



REPTILES 



bones were well- jointed and ossified : and their tooth-enamel 

 was infolded in a still more complex or labyrinthine 

 manner. 



Although hard pressed by reptiles they were able to keep 

 up a good front for the greater part of the Period. Towards 

 its close they dwindled into utter insignificance ; and the 

 heroic days of amphibians came to an end. 



Among reptiles remarkable developments were taking 

 place. The creatures, however, were still in what is termed 

 a generalised condition ; that is to say, it was as yet un- 

 certain what particular forms of animals their descendants 

 by successive modifications might become. They stood, in 

 short, at the parting of the ways. New forms, not greatly 

 differing from the Sphenodon semi-lizard type of earlier 

 times, were appearing (Telerpeton, Hyperodapedon) ; and 

 they ranged from western Europe far into Asia. Other forms 

 — remains of which have been found in Europe and North 

 America — seem to have been developing in the direction of 

 long-snouted crocodiles (B do don). At the same time they 

 possessed features in common with dinosaurs — the " terrible 

 lizards " that were just beginning to appear. Certain small 

 forms — not much more than two feet in length — seem to have 

 been committed to a more or less crocodilian development 

 (Aetosaunts). 



The well-crested reptiles no more graced the scene 

 (Edaphosaurus, Dimetrodon, etc.). But descendants of 

 certain " beast-shaped " Permian reptiles, with vegetarian 

 tastes, were in great force (Pareiasaurus). By going about 

 in large companies, these animals no doubt enjoyed greater 

 security, but the flesh-eaters were also represented by 

 numerous descendants, deeply imbued with family traditions 

 (Inotransevia, Dicynodon, etc.). Possibly in response to this, 

 some small " beast-shaped " vegetarians were now to be 

 seen with heads grown fearsome with bony excrescences 

 (Elginia mirabilis). 



In addition to these various reptiles, some allied but quite dinosaurs 

 distinguishable forms known as Dinosaurs, or " terrible 

 lizards," were now in existence. Their range was already 

 extensive, for remains of them have been found in Europe, 



