REVIEWS. 
439 
Journal of the Geological Society.' In a subsequent visit, Dr. Dawson 
obtained from another erect stump many additional remains of these smaller 
reptiles, and, on careful comparison, was induced to refer them to three 
species, all apparently generically allied, and for which he proposed the 
name of Hylonoraus or " forest-dweller." Hylonomiis Lyelli was an ani- 
mal of small size, of lacertian form, with large and stout hind limbs, capa- 
ble of walking and running on dry land ; and though its vertebrte were 
imperfectly ossified externally, yet their articulation was sufficiently firm 
to have enabled the creature to erect itself on its hind limbs or to leap. 
The ribs, long and much curved, imply a respiration of a higher character 
than that of modern batrachians, and consequently a more vitalized mus- 
cular system ; if to these structural points we add the somewhat rounded 
skull, indicating a large brain, we have before us a creature which, how- 
ever puzzling in its affinities when anatomically considered, is clearly not 
to be ranked as low in the scale of creation as modern tailed batrachians, or 
even as frogs and toads. The bony scales, moreover, with which it was 
armed below, and the ornate apparatus of horny appendages with which it 
was clad above, show that this little animal was not a squalid, slimy dweller 
in mud,]ike Menobranchus and its allies, but ratherabeautiful and sprightly 
tenant of the coal-formation thickets, " vying in brilliancy and perhaps in 
colouring with the insects it pursued and devoured." The remains of as 
many as eight or ten individuals obtained from three erect Sigillariae is 
an indication that these creatures were very abundant. Htjlonomus acie- 
dentatuswvm about tvvice as large as the species last described ; its habits 
and food may have been similar, but its dental apparatus was stronger and 
more formidable. Of Ifylunomus Wymani no complete remains have been 
found ; it was very diminutive, all the fragments met with being almost 
microscopic in size. Its length could not have exceeded 4 or 5 inches, and 
its form was thin and slender. It might be questioned whether this little 
creature was not the young of one of the other species, but so far a com- 
parison does not favour such a view. 
" Hylonomus Wymani probably fed on insects and lavvfe, and searched for these among 
the vegetable debris of the coal-sw ainps, which would afford to a little creature like this 
abundant shelter. It occasionally fell a prey to its larger reptilian contemporaries ; for 
quantities of its tiny bones occur in coprolitic masses, probably attributable to Dendrer- 
peton. It is interesting to find reptilian life represented at this early period, not only 
by large and formidable species, but by dimiimtive forms, comparable with the smallest 
lizards and newts of the modern world. The fact is parallel with that of the occurrence 
of several small mammalian species in the mesozoic beds. It will be still more signifi- 
cant in this respect if the species of Hylonomus should be found to be truly lacertian 
rather than batrachian." 
The Hylerpeton Dmvsoni was found by Dr. Dawson in the laminated 
material 'which fills the erect trees of the Joggins, the more distinctly sepa- 
rable surfaces of which are often stained with ferruginous or coaly matter, 
or fine clay, so that the fossils which occur on these surfaces are rendered 
so obscure as readily to escape observation. The specimen on which this 
species is established consisted of detached bones of a reptile scattered 
over a surface so blurred and stained, that they escaped notice until most of 
them were lost, and only fragments of the skull, a jawbone, and a few 
other bones, were secured. On these fragments Professor Owen founded 
the genus. 
" On the whole," says Dr. Dawson, " the Hylerpeton must have been generically dis- 
tinct from the other reptiles found with it, and it is probable that it was of more aquatic 
habits, swiramins rather than walking; and feeding principally on fish. More perfect 
