428 THE VARIOUS EXPLANATIONS. [The 10th. ] 
not think there is any insuperable unprobability in the case. The 
nearest analogy that I can suggest, however, is that of the Chla- 
mydosaur, a large terrestrial lizard of Australia, whose lengthened 
neck is furnished with a very curious plaited frill of thin mem- 
brane, extending like wings or fins to a considerable distance from 
the animal.” . 
(Foot-note:) |“It was not till after this paragraph was written that 
I noticed the very close similarity of the fins with which Hans 
Kgede has adorned his figure of the sea-serpent (copied in the II- 
lustrated London News, Oct. 28, 1848), to the frill of the Chla- 
mydosaurus.’” | 
“'l'wo strong objections, however, stand in the way of our ac- 
ceptance of the present existence of Analosauria; and these are 
forcibly presented by Professor Owen. They are, — 1. The hypo- 
thetical improbability of such forms having been transmitted from 
the era of the secondary strata to the present time; and 2. The 
entire absence of any parts of the carcases or unfossilized skeletons 
of such animals in museums.” 
“My ignorance of the details of palaeontology makes me feel 
very diffident in attempting to touch the former point, especially 
when so great an authority has pronounced an opinion; still I will 
modestly express one or two thoughts on it.” 
“There does not seem any @ priors reason why early forms 
should not be perpetuated; and examples are by no means rare ot 
animals much anterior, geologically, to the Hxahosaurs, being still 
extant. I'he very earliest forms of fishes are of the Placoid type, 
and it is remarkable that not only is that type still living in con- 
siderable numbers, but the most gigantic examples of this class 
belong to it, — viz. the sharks and rays; and these exhibiting 
peculiarities which by no means remove them far from ancient 
types. The genus Chimaera appears in the oolite, the wealden, 
and the chalk; disappears (or rather is not found) in any of the 
tertiary formations, but reappears, somewhat rarely, in the modern 
seas. It is represented by two species inhabiting respectively the 
Arctic and Antartic Oceans.” 
“Now, this is exactly a parallel case to what is conjectured of 
the Hxahosaurs. They appear in the oolite and the chalk, are not 
found in the tertiary strata, but reappear, rarely, in the modern 
seas, represented by two or more species inhabiting the Northern 
and Southern Oceans. 
“Among Reptiles, the curious family of river tortoises named 
