DINOSAURS 
175 
were able in these and other ways to imitate the mammals of 
to-day, or of yesterday, why should they not have been able to 
go a few steps further, and actually become mammals ? ” The 
Evolutionist, if confronted with such a question, would say, 
that there is no evidence of Dinosaurs turning into mammals, 
but that both may have branched off at an early geological 
period (say the Permian) from a primitive group of reptiles, or 
even of amphibians. 
It must be borne in mind that, during the “ age of reptiles ” 
( Mesozoic period), the mammalian type was but feebly represented 
by certain small and humble forms, probably marsupials. As far 
as we know, there were no big quadrupeds such as flourish to-day ; 
therefore reptiles played their part, and in so doing acquired 
some of their habits and structural peculiarities. It is difficult 
for us, living in an age of quadrupeds, to realise this, and to 
picture to ourselves reptilian types posing as ‘Uords of creation,” 
or, to use a homely phrase, strutting in peacock’s feathers.” 
We now pass on to describe two of the strangest and most 
wonderful of all the Dinosaurs, recently discovered in the far 
West. The flrst of these is the Stegosaurus,^ or plated lizard, 
not wholly unknown before, because part of its skeleton was 
found some years ago in a brickfleld in the Kimmeridge Clay 
at Swindon. It has been proved that some of the bones to which 
the name Omosaurus ^ has been applied really belonged to the 
former genus. 
With such complete specimens now known by Professor 
Marsh’s descriptions, it will not be necessary to mention the 
meagre remains discovered in this country, or the conclusions 
arrived at by Owen and Seeley, interesting as they are. 
1 Greek — sfegos, roof of covering ; sauros, lizard. 
2 Greek — omos^ humerus, and sauros^ lizard. 
