2 HE DRAGONS OF OLD TIME— D /NO S A DR S. 69 
strong and massive^ and the limb-bones solid. As if partly in order 
to balance the neck, we find a long and powerful tail, in which 
the vertebrae are nearly all solid. In most Dinosaurs the fore 
limbs are small compared to the hind limbs — e.g. Megalosaurus, 
Iguanodon, and Scelidosaurus, — but here we find them unusually 
large. In this case, then, it is hardly possible that the creature 
walked upon its hind legs, as many of the Dinosaurs did. 
But, at the same time, we may believe that occasionally it 
assumed a more erect position ; and may not the light hollowed 
structure of the vertebrae in the fore part of the body, already 
alluded to, have imparted such lightness as made it possible for 
the creature to assume such attitudes ? There can be little doubt 
but that many other fierce and formidable Dinosaurs were living 
at the same time and in the same region with Brontosaurus, whose 
remains are found in the Jurassic rocks of Colorado (Atlantosaurus 
beds). 
How this apparently helpless and awkward animal escaped in 
the struggle for existence it is not easy to conjecture ; but since 
there is reason to believe it was more or less at home in the 
water, and could use its powerful tail in swimming, we may 
perhaps find a way out of the difficulty by supposing that, when 
alarmed by dangerous flesh-eating foes, it took to the water, and 
found discretion to be the better part of valour. Although 
apparently stupid, the Brontosaur probably possessed a good deal 
of cunning, and we can fancy it stretching its long neck above 
reeds, ferns, and cycads to get a view of the approaching enemy. 
The Sauropoda, or lizard-footed Dinosaurs, show in many ways 
a decided approach to a simple or generalised crocodile ; so 
much so, that Professor Cope is inclined to include crocodiles and 
sauropodous Dinosaurs in the same order. Still, there are im- 
portant differences in other members of this sub-order. Unfor- 
tunateiy, our knowledge is at present rather limited, owing to the 
want of complete skeletons. Vertebrae, limb-bones, skulls, and 
teeth have all been discovered through the zeal and energy of 
