The Signs of the Times, vol. 10

July 31, 1884

“Dragons” The Signs of the Times 10, 29, p. 461.

DRAGONS are often mentioned in the Scriptures, especially in connection with the ruins of cities, as in Isaiah 13:22; but the imagination has always supplied any description of them that there might be. Now, however, through the researches of geologists, the veritable dragon itself has been brought to light. From a recent article on the subject, by C. F. Halder, in the Youth’s Companion, we extract the following:— SITI July 31, 1884, page 461.1

“They ranged in size from that of a snipe up to nearly thirty feet in width, and when flying must have presented an astonishing spectacle. Those discovered in the chalk beds of the State of Kansas had no teeth, the jaws being covered by a horny case, as in the birds; in fact, when they were first taken from the ground, the discoverers did not hesitate to pronounce them a new and strange bird. SITI July 31, 1884, page 461.2

“There was a long, bird-like, toothless head; the sternum had a keel like that of birds, and the limb bones were also hollow, and contained air cells. But here a curious fact presented itself, the limbs themselves were those of a lizard, and the strange creatures were found to be reptile-like bats, being a combination of reptiles and flying birds; in fact, forming a link between them. In Europe most of these creatures found have ferocious teeth, and in all but the fiery breath and double heads are perfect dragons. In one specimen the membrane that formed the wing is perfectly preserved. SITI July 31, 1884, page 461.3

“The animal was bound in the lithographic slates near Eichstadt, Bavaria. It had fallen upon its back and had been buried up in that position, and preserved for untold ages. The membrane forming the wing is held in place by what corresponds to our little or fifth finger, which, curiously enough, like some of the Japanese finger nails, has grown out so that it is almost as long as the animal’s entire body, thus forming a boom for the sail-like wing. If the reader can imagine his or her little finger ten feet long, and from its tip a wing or membrane extending to the ankle, an idea may be obtained of this curious contrivance. SITI July 31, 1884, page 461.4

“The hind limbs were also connected by a web that presented a surface like a kite, while the tail had grown out to a prodigious length, almost twice that of the body, and ending not in a point, but in a broad, leaf-like, vertical paddle or rudder that our dragon used to guide himself in the air. SITI July 31, 1884, page 461.5

“This membrane was rhomboid in shape, was probably of the same thickness as the wing, and held in position above and below by a series of cartilaginous spines that were flexible enough to allow a movement to and fro. The jaws of this monster were armed with teeth that protruded forward in a singular manner, seemingly utterly useless in either tearing or holding prey. SITI July 31, 1884, page 461.6

“The strange sight presented by these bat-like forms can only be imagined. From the cliffs along the shore, they perhaps hung like the bats of to-day, soaring away through the air with clumsy, labored flight. When crawling upon the ground the long finger was probably extended backward at an angle, and their motions could only be compared to the awkward shuffle of the bats. SITI July 31, 1884, page 461.7

“The living dracos or flying dragons of the East India Archipelago are also remarkable creatures. Between the limbs they have a membrane that is supported by the much prolonged five or six hind ribs. Their colors defy all description, and, flashing and glistening in the sun, their snake-like tails winding in and out, their curious ruffs trembling, they are dragons indeed.” SITI July 31, 1884, page 461.8

A. T. JONES.