Dragons of the Air: An Account of Extinct Flying ReptilesSeeley, H. G. (Harry Govier)
Science
Dragons of the Air: An Account of Extinct Flying Reptiles
Seeley, H. G. (Harry Govier)
Pterosauria
The pelvis is exceptionally strong in Campylognathus, and although it is
crushed the bones manifestly met at the base of the ischium, while the
pubic bones were separated from each other in front. The bones of the
hind limb are altogether shorter in the German fossil than in
Dimorphodon, especially in the tibia; but the structure of the
metatarsus is just the same, even to the short fifth metatarsal with its
two digits, only those bones are extremely short, instead of being
elongated as in Dimorphodon. It is therefore convenient, from the
different proportions of the body, that Campylognathus may be separated
from Dimorphodon; but so much as is preserved of the English specimen
from the Upper Lias of Whitby rather favours the belief that our species
should also be referred to Campylognathus, which had not been figured
when the Whitby skull was referred to Scaphognathus by Mr. Newton. It
may be doubtful whether there is sufficient evidence to establish the
distinctness of the other German genus Dorygnathus, though it may be
retained pending further knowledge.
In these characters are grounds for placing the Lias Pterodactyles in a
distinct family, the Dimorphodontidæ, as was suggested in 1870. This
evidence is found in the five metatarsal bones, of which four are in
close contact, the middle two being slightly the longest, so as to
present the general aspect of the corresponding bones in a Mammal rather
than a Bird. Secondly, the very slender fibula, prolonged down the
length of the shin bone, which ends in a rounded pulley like the
corresponding bone of a Bird. Thirdly, the great elongation of the third
wing phalange. Fourthly, the prolongation of the coracoid bone beyond
the articulation for the humerus, as in a Bird. And the toothless,
spear-shaped beak, and jaw with large teeth in front and small teeth
behind, are also distinctive characters.
CHAPTER XIV
ORNITHOSAURS FROM THE MIDDLE SECONDARY ROCKS
RHAMPHOCEPHALUS
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