So I have again written out my lectures, with the aid of the latest discoveries, and the story of animal structure has lost nothing in interest as a twice-told tale. It still presents in epitome the story of life on the Earth. He who understands whence the Flying Reptiles came, how they endured, and disappeared from the Earth, has solved some of the greatest mysteries of life. I have only contributed something towards solving the problems.
In telling my story, chiefly of facts in Nature, an attempt is made to show how a naturalist does his work, in the hope that perhaps a few readers will find happiness in following the workings of the laws of life. Such an illumination has proved to many worth seeking, a solid return for labour, which is not to be marketed on the Exchange, but may be taken freely without exhausting the treasury of Nature's truths. Such outlines of knowledge as here are offered to a larger public, may also, I believe, be acceptable to students of science and scientific men.
The drawings given in illustration of the text have been made for me by Miss E. B. Seeley.
H. G. S.
Kensington, May, 1901
CONTENTS
| PAGE | |
| [CHAPTER I.] | |
| FLYING REPTILES | [1] |
| [CHAPTER II.] | |
| HOW A REPTILE IS KNOWN | [4] |
| [CHAPTER III.] | |
| A REPTILE IS KNOWN BY ITS BONES | [11] |
| [CHAPTER IV.] | |
| ANIMALS WHICH FLY | [15] |
| [CHAPTER V.] | |
| DISCOVERY OF THE PTERODACTYLE | [27] |
| [CHAPTER VI.] | |
| HOW ANIMALS ARE INTERPRETED BY THEIR BONES | [37] |
| [CHAPTER VII.] | |
| INTERPRETATION OF PTERODACTYLES BY THEIR SOFT PARTS | [45] |
| [CHAPTER VIII.] | |
| THE PLAN OF THE SKELETON | [58] |
| [CHAPTER IX.] | |
| THE BACKBONE, OR VERTEBRAL COLUMN | [78] |
| [CHAPTER X.] | |
| THE HIP-GIRDLE AND HIND LIMB | [93] |
| [CHAPTER XI.] | |
| SHOULDER-GIRDLE AND FORE LIMB | [107] |
| [CHAPTER XII.] | |
| EVIDENCES OF THE ANIMAL'S HABITS FROM ITS REMAINS | [134] |
| [CHAPTER XIII.] | |
| ANCIENT ORNITHOSAURS FROM THE LIAS | [143] |
| [CHAPTER XIV.] | |
| ORNITHOSAURS FROM THE MIDDLE SECONDARY ROCKS | [153] |
| [CHAPTER XV.] | |
| ORNITHOSAURS FROM THE UPPER SECONDARY ROCKS | [172] |
| [CHAPTER XVI.] | |
| CLASSIFICATION OF THE ORNITHOSAURIA | [187] |
| [CHAPTER XVII.] | |
| FAMILY RELATIONS OF PTERODACTYLES TO ANIMALS WHICH LIVED WITH THEM | [196] |
| [CHAPTER XVIII.] | |
| HOW PTERODACTYLES MAY HAVE ORIGINATED | [213] |
| [APPENDIX] | [231] |
| [INDEX] | [233] |