FLYING REPTILES 89 
animals was that of the Flying Reptiles which go 
by the name of Pterodactyles (Greek, pteron = wing, 
and dactylos=finger). Several forms of these long 
extinct animals have been found in rocks of Jurassic 
age. ‘They must have been most extraordinary and 
uncanny creatures. They were not birds, but 
genuine reptiles which had acquired the power of 
flight. Their wings had no feathers; they were 
membranes ; each one stretched from the side of the 
body and the extremities of the hind-leg to a very 
long kind of finger or toe of the 
front-leg. When not in use the 
wings would probably be folded, 
like those of a bat ; indeed, if you 
know what a bat’s wing is like 
you will be able to form a very as! 
fair picture in your mind of the ay 
wing of a Pterodactyle. The Fic. 33.—Toora or 
restored skeleton of one of these e ne ar ag 
flying reptiles (Péeranodon) shows See eee 
a stretch of wing so extensive 
as eighteen feet, but they were not all so great. 
Some were quite small, hardly bigger than a bat or 
a pigeon. They must have borne a clumsy look, 
for their heads were quite out of proportion to their 
bodies. Their jaws were long and strong; some 
species possessed pointed teeth, others were tooth- 
less. The bones of these beasts were hollow like 
those of birds. In an age when reptile life abounded, 
and when there was a great amount of fighting done 
among them, you can see that the winged reptiles 
would have a great advantage in their power of 
flight. They would pursue prey and secure food 
12 
