On Bones of a Sauropodous Dinosaur from Madagascar

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
O riginally described from the Lower Cretaceous and Jurassic rocks of England and other parts of Europe, the gigantic dinosaurs commonly known as sauropods have been subsequently discovered in great abundance in North America, while they have been recorded by myself some years ago from Southern India, and quite recently from Patagonia. We have thus evidence that the group had a very wide geographical distribution; and it is noteworthy that, while several of its North American representatives appear inseparable from their European allies, the Indian and Argentine forms are likewise referable to one and the same genus. Hitherto we have had no evidence of the occurrence of the group in Africa or Madagascar; and it is therefore a matter of considerable interest to be able to bring before the Society the fact that these gigantic dinosaurs were represented in the island last named. Before proceeding to the consideration of the specimens themselves, it is important to mention that remains of a Mesozoic reptile of a Jurassic type have already been recorded from the island, and referred to the European genus Steneosaurus . The presumption thus afforded of the occurrence of Jurassic strata in Madagascar is converted into a certainty by the discovery of a large series of molluscan remains belonging to forms characteristic of that period. The specimens that I have the opportunity of now bringing under the notice of the Society comprise a large series of reptilian bones collected by Mr. J. L. Last, at a spot about 20 miles to

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: