Volume 04 April 1957

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Speculations on some advanced mammalian characteristics in the higher mammal-like reptiles
(The Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, 1957) Brink, A. S.
This paper deals with a number of skeletal characters of the higher mammal-like reptiles from which inferences may be drawn regarding soft anatomical and physiological features. Although these characters, when evaluated individually, do not indicate conclusively the exact proximity of these animals to truly mammalian conditions, the collective evidence and mutual support which they afford suggest that enlightening progress can be made towards establishing the following: the significance of the mammalian single dental succession, secondary palate, ethmoturbinals, as related to a high constant blood temperature; the latter's relationship, in turn, to hair and sweat glands; the origin of milk glands; and the mode and significance of mammalian birth. These considerations throw some instructive light on the origin of mammals.