THE GREAT FISH-LIZARDS 
65 
the workmen to keep for him all the remains they might find. 
In this way he finally obtained the co-operation of all the quarry- 
men in the county. 
When, however, he complains of the Philistine dulness and 
stupidity of quarrymen, who often, in their ignorance, break up 
finds of almost priceless value, we can fully sympathise. 
In general contour the body of the fish-lizard was long and 
tapering, like that of a whale (see Plate IV.). It probably showed 
no distinct neck. The long tail was its chief organ of propulsion. 
We notice two pairs of fins, or paddles; one on the fore part of 
the body, the other on the hinder part, like the pectoral and 
abdominal. fins of a fish. The skin was scaleless and smooth, or 
slightly wrinkled, like that of a whale. No traces of scales have 
ever been found ; and if such had existed, they would certainly 
have been preserved, since those of fishes and crocodiles of the 
Jurassic period have been found in considerable number and 
variety. It is therefore safe to conclude that such were absent 
in this case. In the Lias strata, at least, the specimens are often 
preserved with most wonderful completeness (see p. 70 ). 
The long and pointed jaws are a striking feature of these 
animals. The eyes were very large and powerful, and specially 
adapted, as we shall see presently, to the conditions of their life. 
It might, perhaps, be asked whether the fish-lizards breathed, 
like fishes, by means of gills. That question can easily be 
answered ; for if they had possessed gills for taking in water and 
breathing the air dissolved therein, they would reveal the fact by 
showing a bony framework for the support of gills, such as are to 
be found in all fishes. These structures, known as “ branchial 
arches,” are absent ; therefore the fish-lizards possessed lungs, and 
breathed air like reptiles of the present day. Their skulls show 
where the nostrils were situated ; namely, near the eyes, and not 
F 
