Marvels of the Universe 



343 



the ancestors of the bird retained the thumb but lost all traces of the fourth and fifth fingers and 

 of the fifth toe. 



The Pterodactyls proper, the remains of which are commonest in Germany, were quite small 

 flying reptiles, the largest having a spread of five feet across the expanded wings, while the smallest, 

 with a body about the size of a lark, flew with wings measuring ten inches from tip to tip. But the 

 supreme development of this order during the last part of the Secondary Epoch in the United States 

 gave to the world flpng monsters with wings twenty jeet across ! In this type — the Pteranodon — 

 the muzzle has developed into a huge beak without any teeth ; but the true Pterodactyls had teeth 

 in their jaws, which in some instances grew into ferocious fangs. 



The accompanying illustration of an immense Pteranodon stalking a smaller flying reptile is 

 photographed from the model erected by Mr. Hagenbeck at Stellingen after the designs of Herr 

 Pallenberg. 



FROST CRYSTALS 



BY RICHARD KERR, F.G.S., F.R.A.S. 



When the air of a room charged with moisture deposits its load of vapour on the cold glass windows 

 in hard, frosty weather, beautiful designs are wrought in solid ice. The ice-trees are formed ! All 

 the panes of glass become clothed with frosted-silver robes as if by elfin craftsmanship. Each pane 

 displays a fairy-like scene wondrously pure. 



Ptioto hy'] 



[(7. I'nrH, 



FROST CRYSTALS ON THE WINDOW-PANE. 



A delicate moss-like pattern 



ven on the windov 



