28
Plate tlie tenth—an iiivalualilc relic of a patriarclial Chiropolyostinus found in Somerset—presents
us witli teeth in a singular stage of decay and reproduction aud demonstrates the perfect dimensions of
the species to be about ten feet maximum length.
Tlio orbits are large and tlic central point for the visual organ—surrounded by twelve sclerotic
plates—is cnonnous, but we bave not detected the median foramen of the Chiroligostinus.
Eighty teeth in the superior jaw, seventy in tlie lower one—following each other in close succession,
with smooth alveolar bodies, numerous well-marked strice in tlieir middle third and obtuse extremities—
distinguish the Chiropolyostinus.
THE TRUNK.
One hundred and ten vertebræ compose the spine—forty dorsal, seventy caudal. The anterior
thirty dorsal vertebræ receive the ribs into a ball-and-socket joint while tlic remaining ten have two
concavities for articulation with them. A tubercle for tlie chevron bone marks the succeeding twenty-five
caudal vertebræ, all of which—save the last thirteen—have spinous apophyses for the nervous choixl.
The sternum found upon the twelfth plate—a limestone slab from Street—is thick; the long bone
that completes tlie sternum, or rather the sternal arch, was united at its middle by synarthrosis.
Wlietlicr this be a peculiarity of the species or a cliaractcr of the genus we cannot determine thougli we
incline to tlie latter opinion.
The thirty-nine ribs are long and thin, but of true bony structure throughout. The twenty
intercostals—so beautifully shown in plate seven—demand our special admiration. Accident swept them
to the spot wliich the anatomist himself would have selected if possible; mark their exquisite form—that
yielding median articulation designed to obviate the weakness of the long ribs—those delicate bones,
fibi'es, wiiich finished the groove into which the wtiole costal apparatus was knit.
The bones of the pelvis arc very small,—the ilium is particularly thin, but the pubes and ischium
liave an immoveable articulation at Lhcir femoral end.
THE EXTREMITIES.
No words can express my sense of tlie beauty of those two paddles in the seventh plate; what a
multitude of pentameters belong to tliosc ossicular strings every one of them worth a necklace of orientaj
pearls. Tliose paddles are exquisitely beautiful—they are natures own mosaic.
That short strong humerus is succeeded by the equally massive radius and ulna. A row of three
bones and another of five claim the name of carpus. The meta-carpus has eight bones; the nine
fingers—« hich thin off towards their posterior region—contain no less tlian two liundred and twelve.
So strong a resemblance exists between the .anterior and posterior extremities that we shall only
observe of the latter that seven bones succeed the tibia and fibula, whicii arc followed by four
mcta-tarsals. Tliere are seven phalanges having seventy bones.
The paddles of the Chiropolyostinus—unlike those of the other species—are sliarp at their
termination.
ICHTHYOSAURUS CHIROSTRONGULOSTINUS.
Naturalists liave a conviction' constantly tlirust upon them of the utter impotence of earthly tilings
to satisfy the cravings of an infinitely progressive faculty—the soul. But although the ambitious man
may obtain the object of his aspiration—the ne plus ultra of his most sanguine hopes—while the other
plods his quiet path as far from bis ultimatum as ever; nature, as if to recompense toils that have no
end, reveals to licr votaiy so many beauties—at every turn of his footsteps such unexpected novelties—
that like tlie fabled Antmus lie gathers strength in every rencontre and fans a flame which purifies tlie
grosser elements of his constitution and exalts him to the condition of a god.
No mistake is more general in this country than chat the investigation of science indisposes to piety,
riiac much musing upon matters difficult to find out deadens the apprehension of spiritual things and
inclines a man to dangerous scepticism. Egregious error! Science—but another name for truth—
dazzles tiie sincere neophyte with revelations that awaken the holiest feelings of his heart and points out.
lo him the high-way that conducts to unfading joys. Tlio giddy mortal who approaches capriciously her
effulgent throne is victim to his own folly wlieu he becomes the admonitor of tlio wise.
The earliest people in record, of simple and tlierefore innocent usages, have been distinguished as the
most virtuous and happy. The Great Father blessed liis children oT the Golden A ge; their unaffected
devotions, their offerings of flower and fruit were accepted in Uic sight of licaven. With the canopy of
cloud for a temple and a ritual lliat nature taugiit, the primmval Adamites cliorislied tiic virtues that
minister to the well-being of man.
But we iiilicrit with the advantages of civilization a host of prejudices—the offspring of many
incongruous ages. These, probably wholesome at their original, grow antiquated with time and become
oven pernicious by aggregation. Yet otlier strange combinations of them are brought forth of the
national genius until an unshapely idol—like the cold stalagmite formed by infinitissimal drops of water
from the roof of an anto-diluvian cavern—is set up, before wliich every knee must bend and lip confess.
But a Daniel beiongs to every age—one whose bosom nurses so heavenly a fire that mankind
acknowledges—a Titan confest. These, not squared to the dimensions of ordinary mortals, spurning
tho yoke which chains them to thoir cabined self, wander tho earth exiles forbid tho charities that make
it habitable and descend to the tomb shriven by no friendly band, unmourncd and desolate. Oli fatal
error! as tlioiigh the man were the mind’s inlnimau Frankenstein.
Nature lias no temple but the blue licaven, no other shrine tlian tlic heart; the most fervid
worshippers arc those who love truth the most, and that man is a sincere disciple ivho offers the
invaluable productions of an exalted intellect or tlie useful fruits of a well-regulated disposition.
May legislators, who command tho destinies of unborn generations, understand this and let the
Vandal Spirit—the Dragon to wliicli so many Immaii sacrifices arc being continually made, be cast out:__
Toplict is the place of Dagon, why troiiblctli lie us ?
II. Tlic way to accomplish the correction of the public taste is by affording the people every
opportunity for improvement. Repeated appeals to their bettor passions, urged with that kindliness
ivhich is ever duo to necessary imlearncdncss, must lead to some effect; one advance in knowledge begets