ANALOGIES OF THE PTERODACTYLI. 131 



those to which we have compared them. But the struc- 

 ture of the Pterodactylus is altogether different. It not 

 only, in its general form, has so much the aspect of a 

 bird, that M. Blumenbach thought that it really be- 

 longed to the feathered class; but its anterior extre- 

 mities, beyond all doubt, were actually a pair of wings. 

 A single glance at the figure of the Pterodactylus longi- 

 rostris, will prove this, were we even inclined to doubt 

 the accurate deductions and the unequivocal opinions 

 expressed by aU naturalists. Nor does the similarity 

 here cease ; for the hinder feet, like those of birds, 

 were so elongated, that the animal, when walking, must 

 have stood nearly erect. This power, denied to all 

 other known reptiles, is, nevertheless, what we should 

 look for in such animals as would connect lizards to 

 birds. In the present instance, as M. Cuvier has well 

 observed, this erect position would be almost essential 

 to the equilibrium of the body, which was compa- 

 ratively very small, yet had to sustain a long neck, 

 added to an enormous prolongation of muzzle. Birds 

 alone exhibit similar proportions, and we find the 

 vertebrae of the neck, like that class of animals, are 

 large and prismatic. Finally^ we may even establish 

 this affinity by the words of M. Cuvier : — ^^ In the 

 Pterodactyli" observes his translator, "we find an animal 

 which, in its osteology, from the teeth to the end of the 

 claws, presents us with all the essential characters of 

 the lizards. But, at the same time, it was an animal 

 provided with the means of flying, and one which, in 

 a stationary position, would make but little use of its 

 anterior extremities, if, indeed, it did not keep them 

 folded up, as birds do their wings. It could not 

 employ its little fore toes to suspend itself to the 

 branches of trees, but its tranquil position would be 

 ordinarily on its hind feet, like birds. Like them, too, 

 it would keep its neck straightened and curved back, 

 to prevent its enormous head from destroying its 

 equilibrium." * 



* Griff. Cuv. 330. 

 K 2 



