This Dinosaur Had A Mohawk Of Horns
Fossil Spiders Found With Glowing Eyes In South Korea
'Beautiful' Dinosaur Tail Found Preserved In Amber
Biggest Known Bee Discovered .... Again!
Would Dinosaurs Have Died Out Without An Asteroid Strike?
Japanese Researchers Are One Step Closer To Mammoth Resurrection
University Of Alberta Report The World's Biggest Tyrannosaurus Rex
In the same time period that Lexovissaurus and Loricatosaurus were on vacation in Marseille, and while Stegosaurus and Kentrosaurus were in China visiting Wuerhosaurus and a number of other cousins native to that country, in Johannesburg, South Africa, Junior Ground Sloth and his mother were in their beloved avocado grove eating their lunch.
"Do you know what I read in the science papers today, mama ? I discovered something very interesting," said Junior.
"What did you discover, son? The matter of mammal science fascinates me." rejoined his mother, Widow Ground Sloth.
"Well, wait til you hear this. I mean, I do like avocados and all, I appreciate our avocado grove, I think I always will."
"Where is this conversation headed?" asked Widow Ground Sloth. "Are you, like Brontosaurus, having a midlife crisis and considering changing your name?"
"Actually mama, I am proud of my name; I'm not changing it. What has me intrigued is the science papers now speculate that we Giant Ground Sloths, ( someday I will BE Giant ), were not just avocado eaters, but that we also eat meat from time to time."
"Very interesting," said Widow Ground Sloth.
"My question is, the next time that the mammal who helped us to replant our Avocado Grove .... Steve Beaver visits, can we eat him ? I want to know what meat tastes like!"
"You must be kidding, Junior ! No, you may not eat Mr. Beaver. Giant Ground Sloths are civilized and do not eat our friends !! Where would we be if we didn't have this Avocado Grove? If we didn't have this nice grove, we'd have to stomp forthrightly all the way into Egypt to get decent avocados !! Oh dear, oh dear !! I have always been worried ever since your father became extinct in the tar pit that you would become a juvenile delinquent !! Oh dear !! oh dear !! Whatever shall I do with you ?!? Is this the way you treat your long suffering mother in her old age ? I'm a little over 11 thousand years old, and I never imagined in all my 11 thousand years that I would live to see the day that any son of mine would be so dreadfully uncivilized as to consider becoming a meat eater !! Why, its so low that it is just like what a meat eater would do !! Let me make this clear, so very clear that even our friend Stegosaurus with his walnut brain could understand it ! YOU, YOUNG SLOTH, ARE GROUNDED!!"
"But, but, mama, " Protested Junior Ground Sloth, "It's science !! Don't you believe in science? I read it in the science papers, I'm not making it up!"
"Go eat Avocados and tree leaves until you get this idea of meat eating out of your mind ! Furthermore, the next time Steve Beaver visits you must mind your manners and apologize !"
"Oh but mama, he doesn't know !! That's not fair!"
"If I ever catch you eating Steve Beaver or anything else other than our usual diet, there's going to be trouble!"
"Didn't you just say that the article was very interesting?!"
"Do as you are told, Junior Ground Sloth !" commanded Widow Ground Sloth to her son.
Thus, Junior Ground Sloth, dejected, went into the Avocado grove and began to eat leaves as he was told.
After a good couple of days in the corner of the Avocado Grove, Widow Ground Sloth spoke to her son.
"Junior, I'm sorry for what I did; I know I told you eating meat was interesting. I just want to be sure you know that if you start eating meat, that we really should not eat our friends. I want you to be a good Sloth; it would honor the memory of your dearly departed father."
"I know, mama, I know.I promise to be a good Sloth from now on. I will be a plant eater."
So it was that Junior Ground Sloth left the Avocado grove in search of some animal that would allow itself to be eaten in order to satiate his curiosity.
First he arrives at the African plains and finds Sister Quagga in her usual spot trimming the plains.
"Hello, Sister Quagga," said Junior Ground Sloth.
"Hello, Junior Ground Sloth," said Sister Quagga. "What brings you away from your Avocado Grove to the African Plains?"
"Sister Quagga, I know you are wise, and maybe you can help me. I read in the science papers recently that Ground Sloths are omnivores; and I am now obsessed with the idea of being a meat eater. The problem is that I have disturbed my poor mother who grounded me for a few days, and I can't think of anyone I could ask about how to hunt for meat because any meat eaters I could think of would also eat me. I only know plant eaters because I've only ever eaten plants."
"I understand," said Sister Quagga. "Even I, myself, tend to know mostly plant eaters. But I do have one suggestion. I would still advise caution, but consider speaking to Spinosaurus. Spinosaurus has a reputation of restraint due to his work with Stegosaurus Claus at Christmastide. Maybe he will help you."
"What a great idea !!" exclaimed Junior Ground Sloth. "Thank you Sister Quagga. "Let me ask you, do you, yourself ever have any curiosity about eating meat?"
"I cannot say that I have," said Sister Quagga honestly, "Though I do try to help my friends in whatever way I can so I directed you to Spinosaurus. Again, I caution you to be careful. Forgive your mother, and proceed with caution; you don't want to give her the experience of losing her son so soon after losing her husband."
"Don't worry, Sister Quagga," said Junior Ground Sloth. "My mama and I are on good terms. I understand her concerns. Thank you for your help."
Thus, Junior Ground Sloth departed the African Plains for the Niger river. He saw Nigersaurus there, but did not speak to him, as he saw the sauropod was napping in the river with the shade of a nearby tree covering his head. When he had crossed the section of the river in which Nigersaurus lived, he quickened his pace, knowing that anon he would see the pool where Spinosaurus lived ever since science told him he could swim.
He waited patiently for Spinosaurus to emerge, which he did after about a half an hour to 45 minutes.
"Oh, look !" Spinosaurus said. Here's my morning snack, right on schedule!"
"Wait, please, Spinosaurus," pleaded Junior Ground Sloth. "I need your advice, and was directed to you by Sister Quagga."
"Make it good, little Ground Sloth; I'm hungry !" replied Spinosaurus.
"Spinosaurus, I have a favor to ask of you. I've read in the science papers recently that we Ground Sloths are omnivores. After a lifetime of eating plants, and avocados, I'm really curious to know what meat tastes like. Can you catch something for me to try? I don't know how. If i really like meat, I'll learn how to catch it on my own."
"Very well, I will catch a fish for you from pool I live in. When you come recommended by Sister Quagga, I must use my manners and not eat you. But I must also be honest in that for the future you should be careful around my pool since I do consider Ground Sloth one of the great delicacies."
"Wonderful, thank you, Spinosaurus," said Junior Ground Sloth. "Your warning is well noted."
Shortly, Spinosaurus returned with a mouthful of Tilapia for Junior Ground Sloth to try, which he did, quickly. In part, because of his zeal over eating meat, but also a sudden fear for his life.
"Thank you once again, Spinosaurus. May I take a few fishes home to our avocado grove for my mama ??"
"Yes," said Spinosaurus, licking his lips.
Junior Ground Sloth, realizing that it was still quite some time before Spinosaurus would be bound by his Christmastime promises of good behavior decided not to test the patient generosity of the hungry dinosaur before him. He took the remaining Tilapia and returned to his mother and their grove of avocados as quickly as he could.
Salut, mon nom est Lexovissaurus !!
Ma charmante épouse et moi avons appris le projet de réunion de famille de Wuerhosaurus (annoncé alors comme une mystérieuse surprise), mais nous étions un peu en retard car nous étions en vacances à Marseille, et même si nous venions de rentrer, nous avons immédiatement décidé d'y assister. Heureusement, j'ai empêché ma femme de manger notre radeau.
Le voyage a été long et heureusement sans incident. Arrivés à Macao, nous avons découvert un joli bosquet de Populus euphratica à manger. Je pouvais dire qu'un troupeau de nos cousins avait été ici avant nous, donc je savais que c'était quelque chose que nous pouvions manger qui ne violerait pas les coutumes de notre pays d'accueil. Alors que nous consommons tous les deux des arbres avec zèle, Wuerhosaurus est venu sur nous, arrivant avec un très petit cousin que nous n'avions jamais rencontré auparavant.
« Salut, bons cousins ! dit Wuerhosaurus ; « Bienvenue dans ma réunion de famille ! Voici votre cousin Chungkingosaurus. Nous sommes ravis de vous voir ici. Nous sommes si heureux de vous voir venir nous rendre visite, car j'ai encore une surprise, une surprise bienvenue pour vous et les vôtres."
"Nous vous souhaitons la bienvenue pour votre gentillesse et votre générosité Wuerhosaurus. Et c'est agréable de rencontrer enfin votre cousin Chungkingosaurus", a déclaré Loricatosaurus.
"J'ai beaucoup entendu parler de vous deux," dit Chungkingosaurus. "A tel point que j'espère que cela ne vous dérange pas que j'observe la seule chose que je suis sûr que nous ayons en commun. La rumeur est que je suis peut-être un juvénile de Huayangosarus, ce qui ferait de moi un nomen dubium individuel dans l'espèce et vous , Lexovissaurus m'inspirent à passer à autre chose malgré le décret potentiel des paléontologues des mammifères ; jusqu'à ce que je sache ce qu'il adviendra de moi, et ainsi je tirerai le meilleur parti d'exister jusqu'à ce que les paléontologues savent si j'existe."
"J'ai récemment appris moi-même que je n'existe pas", ai-je dit à Chungkingosaurus. "Alors, s'il vous plaît, parlez-moi ou à ma charmante épouse si vous avez des questions. Il y a encore tellement de choses que vous pouvez faire quand vous n'existez pas. "
"Oui, nous serons heureux de vous aider", a déclaré Loricatosaurus.
Les quatre Stegosaurids se sont ensuite rendus dans la province chinoise du Xinjiang où tous les autres Stegosaurids ont patiemment attendu leur arrivée.
"J'ai exprimé ma surprise en voyant un mammifère parmi mes cousins y paître paisiblement. Wuerhosaurus m'a expliqué : "C'est un célèbre mammifère chinois nommé Dong Zhiming ; il m'a découvert en 1973 et, au cours des prochaines années, de nombreux cousins que vous rencontrerez aujourd'hui. "
"J'ai tout de suite reconnu mes cousins Stegosaurus et Kentrosaurus qui broutaient ensemble."
"Bonjour bons cousins !" Stegosaurus m'a dit ainsi qu'à ma charmante épouse.
"Dieu soit loué, car vous êtes tous les deux arrivés sains et saufs", a déclaré Kentrosaurus.
"Je vous suggère fortement de prendre le temps de parler au très intelligent mammifère Dong Zhiming", nous a conseillé Stegosaurus.
"Vous pouvez en apprendre beaucoup sur vous-même en apprenant ce que les mammifères ont appris sur vous." ajouta Kentrosaurus.
"Je suis toujours en faveur de l'apprentissage", a déclaré Loricatosaurus.
Très cher, tu es toujours curieux, le plus intelligent des dinosaures », ai-je dit à ma femme.
Nous quittons alors nos cousins les plus connus et recherchons immédiatement l'audience du mammifère Dong Zhiming, ravi de nous rencontrer en personne.
"Je suis si heureux de voir que vous avez finalement réussi", a déclaré M. Zhiming. Puis, à ma femme, il a dit : « J'attends avec impatience une discussion avec le seul dinosaure à avoir un diplôme dans ma profession. Je suis, après tout, aussi curieux de tout savoir sur vous.
"Nous apprécions tout ce que vous avez accompli pour notre race au cours des 50 dernières années", a déclaré Loricatosaurus. "Ou, la semaine dernière, aussi longue que cela ait été."
Une telle passion est mon honneur », a déclaré M. Zhiming.
La discussion à long terme qui a suivi a rassemblé tous les Stegosaurids alors qu'elle devenait une conférence informelle. Kentrosaurus a comparé les pointes d'épaule avec Tuojiangosaurus et Huayjiangosaurus, tandis que j'ai longuement parlé avec Chungkingosaurus des particularités d'être nommé dubium. Ma femme Loricatosaurus a dit à nos cousins orientaux que cela ne la dérangeait pas d'avoir des pointes d'épaule et de ne plus avoir de pointes d'épaule.
Cousin Stegosaurus a accepté. Il a dit: "Cela ne me dérange pas que je n'aie pas de pointes d'épaule ou de dos pour me défendre ou me comparer aux autres; j'avoue que ce que je désire, c'est faire pousser des plumes et glisser comme des oiseaux, comme je peux le faire dans les livres."
"Comptez vos bénédictions, cousin Stegosaurus", a conseillé le cousin Bashanosaurus. "Car la vérité est qu'aucun de nous ne sera jamais aussi bien considéré que vous ni aussi aimé par les petits enfants partout pendant des générations."
Les choses que les mammifères ont apprises de Bashanosaurus et de moi sont significatives », a déclaré Miragaia ; "Pourtant, nous nous tiendrons toujours dans ton ombre."
Stegosaurus a rejoint avec reconnaissance, "Merci bons cousins. J'ai une queue fraîche et hérissée là où ça compte."
"Et ainsi, nous sommes restés visiteurs dans le pays de Chine jusqu'au début décembre. Ce fut une délicieuse réunion dont nous avons profité, retournant dans notre grotte en France à temps pour célébrer les fêtes de fin d'année."
Wuerhosaurus then led his cousins to one of his favorite places in the forest: a grove of Populus euphratica for dinner.
"My dear cousins," said Wuerhosaurus, " I have another guest to introduce to you after dinner. Please enjoy these trees; they are of my favorite variety in my native province. Whenever I visit from my adopted Tibet, I make sure to eat a few. They are a delight and I hope you like them."
"I do not think I have ever eaten this species of tree before, cousin," said Stegosaurus.
"They are delicious. "Thank you for introducing me to them. The delicious fruit that they bear is so delicious that it is worth standing on your hind legs for brief periods of time in order to reach them. "
"Glad you like them, cousin, I prefer the seeds within and the leaves of variable shape on the tree myself."
"Just like Brother Horse," observed Bashanosaurus.
"Who is our mystery guest, Wuerhosaurus?" asked Kentrosaurus.
"A very special mammal," said Wuerhosaurus. "He is a paleontologist and knows all about our fossils."
"Learning about what mammals know about us, and what they think they know about us is always interesting, " observed Tuojiangosaurus.
"I look forward to making the acquaintance of this mammal," said Miragaia.
When the herd of Stegosaurids had finished dinner, Wuerhosaurus led his cousins back to his cave, where, as he expected, his guest had arrived and was awaiting the return of Wuerhosaurus and his cousins.
"Here he is, my cousins, the mammal I have wanted to introduce you to. This is Professor Dong Zhiming, a very famous paleontologist of my native Country. He discovered me however partial I may be, in 1973. I am one of the youngest Stegosaurids to exist; I am about 70 million years old, and my partial fossils have been discovered in Mongolia as well as right here in the Chinese province known as Xinjiang. He also discovered and named many of you here today. Please welcome this very wise mammal and make him feel at home."
"Hello, Wuerhosaurus," said Mr. Zhiming, Thank you for the introduction Wuerhosaurus. I am very glad to be here to meet with you all and am honored to be a part of your celebration. The discovery of Bashanosaurus and his age particularly, brings great honor to the country of China as well as the history of the species of Stegosaurus."
"We are all pleased to have you with us Mr. Dong Zhiming, we'd like to thank you for discovering and naming many of us," said Wuerhosaurus.
"I am myself honored to be a part of the process, but I do not deserve all the honor. It is you who inspire me, to pursue my life's vocation. My life's calling. Without you I'd have nothing to discover, name or classify."
"We appreciate your humility; Thank you," said Huayangosaurus.
"We do not want to forget our visitors from other lands, the Stegosaurus species from places other than China. Namely Kentrosaurus of South Africa, and the iconic Stegosaurus of Colorado in the United States. Ah! Where are our French Stegosaurids Lexovissaurus and Loricatosaurus?" asked Dong Zhiming.
"Good sir," rejoined Wuerhosaurus, our French cousins had a prior commitment, we are told, in Marseilles, and have been invited to visit my cave on their own as soon as they can get here. If you'd like to remain here for an extended stay, or return when they are here to visit us, you are certainly welcome to do so," said Wuerhosaurus.
"I will certainly do so," said Dong Zhiming. "It is an honor. "
"Would you like to try a meal of Populus euphratica, Mr. Dong Zhiming?" asked Stegosaurus. "I am sure you'd like them. I find them very delicious."
"Thank you Stegosaurus, but I am a mammal, you know, and find a simple bowl of rice to be sufficient for my needs."
"Oh I like rice. It goes very well over a nice meal of aloe plant," observed Stegosaurus.
The Stegosaurids were absolutely delighted to be in the presence of a mammal who knew so much about them, even things they didn't know themselves.
"Turns out its really not easy to know things about yourself when your brain is the size of a walnut," observed Chungkingosaurus.
Wuerhosaurus was glad as it turned out that his French cousins did not attend; this meant, with the added help of Professor Zhimming it would be a great incentive to hold another party, and thus, maximize the amount of time he can spend and things he can learn from his cousin, and other family members. He and his cousins spoke long and well into the night, fascinated by the knowledge of their special guest. Of course, everything they learned, they forgot shortly thereafter; but in that moment, they learned much as quickly as they could, and were understandably proud of the role of the Stegosaurus family in the history of China.
"I got communication from my cousin Wuerhosaurus in Tibet very recently," said Stegosaurus. "The missive was longer than his usual as he excitedly suggested to me a family reunion in Tibet. He also hinted that he had a grand surprise, and could I be sure to invite Kentrosaurus, Lexovissaurus and Loricatosaurus ? They must, ideally be present," he insisted.
Subsequently, I sent my own communication to Kentrosaurus, and though he expressed some confusion about Wuerhosaurus' uncharacteristic evasiveness, he told me that he had received permission from Woolly Mammoth for time off from his groundskeeper duties at the Church, and he said he'd see me in Tibet. Unfortunately, Lexovissaurus responded to me that he and his wife would not be able to make it as they were shortly to go on vacation in Marseille and regretfully declined. I wished them well, and promised to visit them soon. It has been a while since I, myself, have been to France.
I managed to construct a raft, ( having eaten the one I used on my last rafting trip, ) and set off for Tibet from Colorado on the Summer Solstice. I had a long but uneventful trip, all the while my curiosity grew about Wuerhosaurus' surprise and the reason he requested his cousins to visit him at this time. He's usually so busy meditating and contemplating that he does not make plans for all his cousins to be in one place for a reunion so large. I was surprised he wanted it in Tibet, but I have enjoyed my visits to that country, and had no objection to returning. I just remained curious about the surprise.
When I reached the Pearl River Delta and the port at Macau, my claws were weary and ready to once again feel the Earth I was going to go in search of some good roots to dig up, but before I could commence I heard Kentrosaurus calling to me. I was surprised and delighted that he was here; I had expected him to take longer to arrive.
"Cousin Stegosaurus !!" He said, "The Lord be praised for granting you safe arrival in Tibet !!"
Yes, it definitely was Cousin Kentrosaurus, and there was Wuerhosaurus with him !!
"Hail, Cousins Kentrosaurus and Wuerhosaurus !! Delighted to see you both!" said Stegosaurus.
"I am sure you are hungry," said Wuerhosaurus.
"Indeed I am, and I was just thinking of digging up some roots to eat, I also need to sharpen my claws a little bit." Stegosaurus rejoined.
"We need not dig here," said Wuerhosaurus. "Recall that in this area grows Nelumbo nucifera, the official flower of the city of Macau, but I have stored some roots in my cave that I would gladly share with you, or we can dig for roots in another place where the Nelumbo nucifera does not grow."
"Very well, cousin," said Stegosaurus. "I meant no disrespect. Now can you tell me what the surprise is? Why is it so important that we be here right now?"
"It is regrettable that our cousin Lexovissaurus and his wife Loricatosaurus cannot be here with us. I am sure there will be another time that they can come. But, I am so delighted that you both are here and have taken the arduous journey to my beloved Land. Come with me back to my cave in Tibet. You will discover there what my reason is for asking you to visit. "
Kentrosaurus and I looked at each other and sighed. If we waited this long, we can wait a little longer !!
When we got to Wuerhosaurus' cave in Xinjiang, he dug up roots for Stegosaurus to eat, for which Stegosaurus thanked him profusely; he gave some to Kentrosaurus as well, who was also thankful. So much so, that with permission he gave grace, which his cousins tolerated and participated in politely. Then Wuerhosaurus presented bowls of rice and the popular dish Buddah's Delight, with the Ginkgo nuts were not used as before and replaced with Chinese celery.
"Won't you tell us what the surprise is?" asked Stegosaurus.
"All will be revealed when we get to my home cave in Tibet, cousin Stegosaurus," assured Wuerhosaurus. "I am teaching you patience. All will be revealed, and be worth the wait. I am now planning to meditate for some time, before we proceed to Tibet. Should you like to join me, there is room for all of us just outside my cave."
Kentrosaurus was skeptical of the necessity of this, being sure that it wasn't Christian; then he recalled the times that Woolly Mammoth went into the Church prayer garden to pray; or the time that Mammoth stomped all the way to Zion in Egypt and he agreed to participate. Stegosaurus was glad; he did not wish to see Wuerhosaurus offended.
In due time, in total of several hours, Wuerhosaurus ended his meditation, by announcing: "The time has come. Let us go to Tibet at once."
Stegosaurus and Kentrosaurus got up and followed. They both remembered the mountain terrain from their first visit in 2016; it was strenuous, but the dinosaurs were in good health. It was certainly an area that Wuerhosaurus knew well and had traveled often. Then, he abruptly commented to his cousins,
"Actually, I rarely leave my cave. I am usually content to stay there and meditate upon my existence; everything I could want or need can be found within. This is only the second time I have left it since your last visit; the other time was when Loricatosaurus came here looking for herself."
"Such calm demeanor reminds me of how I feel while I eat the Prayer Garden at the Church," observed Kentrosaurus.
"When you find peace within, only then, can you give it to others. You cannot give what you do not have yourself. Such a gift, given honestly, will be replenished and never extinguished," said Wuerhosaurus.
"Don't you agree, cousin Stegosaurus?" Wuerhosaurus asked.
"Oh, yes, yes I do," replied Stegosaurus. For his part, Stegosaurus often chose to remain silent on the matter of religious faith; rather than express it outwardly and impose, he chose to let the example he set speak for him. In his conduct with others, in his calm demeanor, unwillingness to use his cool, spiky tail except in circumstances where it was used to protect his life or the lives of his friends. He let each find their path on their own, but always hoped they'd follow, for he was certain of his own salvation, and knew the best way to help his friends and loved ones was to set an example consistent with his ideal, which when it was all said and done, was not far off the mark of his cousins'.
Finally the Stegosaurids arrived at Wuerhosaurus' Tibetan cave, and Stegosaurus and Kentrosaurus both were genuinely surprised to see 5 Stegosaurids they had never met before grazing just outside Wuerhosaurus' cave.
"I told you I had a surprise," said Wuerhosaurus. "Stegosaurus, Kentrosaurus, please welcome your Chinese cousins, Tuojiangosaurus, Huayangosaurus, Chungkingosaurus, Miragaia, and the newly discovered Bashanosaurus. He's our elder Statesman."
"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Stegosaurus, Kentrosaurus," said Bashanosuarus. As Wuerhosaurus has told you I am indeed your oldest cousin. I lived here in China 168 million years ago 168 to 174 million years ago."
"That makes you 28 million years old or a little more than Stegosaurus and myself," said Kentrosaurus.
"Yes, indeed it does. I was discovered in the Shaximiao Formation in the Chongqing municipality of China in the year 2016, and I have some distinctive features that differentiate me from other members of the Stegosaur family. For example, as I'm sure you've noticed already, I was blessed with longer tail vertebrae and narrower shoulder blades that flared out. In addition, the base of my spiff, sexy plates flare outwards as well. I measure in at a respectable 9 feet, and I like to eat the same kind of verdure that you and your cousins do. My plates are not large, nor do they extend all the way across my back, In that respect I am like you, cousin Kentrosaurus."
"Interesting," said Stegosaurus. "Prior to your discovery, my oldest cousin was Lexovissaurus, discovered in France in 1954, who had his fossil remains reassigned to Loricatosaurus in 2008. They are a lovely couple, you'd like them. It was once believed that Loricatosaurus had shoulder spines as you do, and she attended a class on their proper usage in finishing school, but as it turns out, the scientists tell us the spikes belonged on her tail. She is really very intelligent, and has a paleontology degree from Oxford, England."
"I am impressed, and hope to make the acquaintance of Loricatosaurus and her husband soon," said Bashanosaurus.
"I must know," said Kentrosaurus, "If I may ask, do you know Jesus?"
"I know of Jesus, yes, a fine teacher. But, I am not a Christian. Like Wuerhosaurus, here, and your Chinese cousins Chungkingosaurus, Tuojiangosaurus, and Huayangosaurus, I am Buddhist. I understand that you mean well, my dear cousin, and hope there will be time in the future for us to discuss matters of religion."
"I am pleased to meet you," said Kentrosaurus contented for the time being with the response.
Then, Miragaia spoke up. "I was discovered in Portugal in 2009, named after the parish where I was found: Miragaia. I am roughly 150 million years old and I weigh about 2 tons, and I'm 18 to 20 feet long!"
"Pleased to meet you, Miragaia; I recall when the mammal news initially reported your discovery as a Stegosaurus stenops, like myself,"said Stegosaurus.
" ..... Yes, and you had a branch of your School of Dance placed in Portugal that year which I really appreciate. As it turns out I like dancing too!" said Miragaia.
"Delightful!" said Stegosaurus. "We'll have to spend some time dancing during this visit!"
"I would like that, said Miragaia. "I will also speak more about my characteristics, of which I am proud. I have been discovered to have the longest neck of any previously known Stegosaurid; I have seventeen vertebrae which is even more than your average sauropod."
"I am impressed," admitted Stegosaurus I only have twelve or thirteen. I must say though that I do like my neck the way it is. I don't mean to complain."
"You should be proud of who you are, I don't mean to demean anyone I am just describing myself by what mammals know about me," said Miragaia.
"I must know," said Kentrosaurus again, "Do you know Jesus?"
"Yes, friend Kentrosaurus," said Miragaia. "I am Catholic."
"Woolly Mammoth's Church in South Africa where I am groundskeeper is not Catholic, but it is Pentecostal; despite the differences I invite you to visit us at any time you please."
"Thank you," said Miragaia.
Then spoke up Chungkingosaurus. "I am the smallest known Stegosaurid, but I am not intimidated by that fact. I was discovered in the Shaximiao Formation in China in 1977 and classified by 1983. I was only partially discovered, but it is assumed that I have double rows of plates and spikes along my back like our African cousin Kentrosaurus. In 2010 it was suggested that I am a juvenile to our cousin Tuojiangosaurus; and this is possible. He and I were discovered in the same formation, but the mammals have still not reached a conclusion on this matter so at present, I am my own, short, and mighty determined species."
"Pleased to meet you," said Stegosaurus; I like determination and I am sure we will be great friends."
"Thank you Stegosaurus, I am also glad to make your acquaintance. And to you the same, Kentrosaurus. I look forward to grazing together soon. Do you enjoy bird watching?"
"Yes, by coincidence, I do!" exclaimed Stegosaurus.
"And do you enjoy maintaining your garden?"
"It is one of my favorite hobbies !!" exclaimed Kentrosaurus.
"Well then, I can see we have much in common! declared Chungkingosaurus.
Then, Huayangosaurus spoke up, saying, "Like Chungkingosaurus I am relatively small; a whole foot smaller indeed but we were discovered in the same province, and I was discovered around 1980, and classified in 1982. I am roughly 20 million years older than you, Stegosaurus. My name is derived from an older name used for China's Sichuan province. I will note that the mammals generally will place me in my own taxon; but I have no formal definition, and I am its only member. But, I do have some distinctive features that later Stegosaurids do not have. My skull in much broader, and look at my smile ! I have teeth in the front of my mouth, whereas later Stegosaurids did not. Later species have rows of teeth beginning in the back of their mouths. I have smaller plates than Stegosaurus does, which for the scientific mammals throws some doubt onto the idea of the spiff, sexy plates' thermoregulatory function. I will say that I also have really spiff shoulder spikes like Kentrosaurus, which helps me in defense if any meat eaters try to eat me".
"Do not let being small deter either of you, Huayangosaurus, Chungkingosaurus." said Kentrosaurus gently. "The Lord Jesus loves all his creations equally".
The two Buddhist dinosaurs accepted Kentrosaurus' words kindly, as they knew he meant well.
"Peace be upon you, dear cousin," they told him.
"Thank you," Kentrosaurus rejoined.
And, at last, Tuojiangosaurus spoke. "I am the most like Stegosaurus stenops here; but I yet have my own distinctive features. I was discovered in 1974, during the building of Wujiaba dam in Zigong, Sichuan; I was properly classified in 1977, 100 years since our cousin Stegosaurus was himself classified. My given name is derived from the nearby river Tuo, and includes the latin multus spina, which means in English, "many spine" At the time of 1977, I was the most complete Stegosaurid fossil found in China. Whereas Stegosaurus has 64 teeth, I have 25. My spiff, sexy plates are in double rows, but they are not wide, instead being triangular in shape towards my lower back and on my tail; but on my neck and upper back they are pear shaped. I am over 6 feet tall and weigh about 2.8 tons and I am roughly 20 million years older than cousin Stegosaurus. As you can guess by my name and where I was discovered, I really enjoy being near bodies of water. I like to hang out with the sauropods a lot. I am particularly fond of our cousin Chungkingosaurus, since the scientists say we might be directly related ... He might be my young. So I look out for my smaller cousin especially.
"We are all so pleased to make the acquaintance of you all," said Wuerhosaurus, who through most of the introductions had remained silent. "I felt it was at last important to all of us that there be a family reunion here and that it should last for several pleasant weeks. We can discuss much and graze often. I have asked that the mammal who discovered me, and at least two of you who are partially discovered, Dong Zhiming visit with us, and he has agreed to spend some time with us, though it will take him some time to arrive yet".
"Before we head to the meadow for dinner I would like Bashanosaurus to deliver some important news to us all regarding the entire species of Stegosaurus."
"Thank you, Wuerhosaurus," said Bashanosaurus.
"As I noted in my own introduction to you all, I am as science tells us, the oldest known of the Stegosaurus family, being 174 million years old. And being that there are now so many of us from China, even if some of us in time turn out to the juvenile fossils of other species of Stegosaurus, that the science mammals tell us that odds are very likely that the very genesis of the Stegosaurus species was not in Colorado, USA, not in South Africa, not the Lexovii, at the mouth of the Seine river, but instead right here in the country of China."
"This is indeed great cause for celebration!" exclaimed Stegosaurus. "Let us go at once, as a herd to graze together in celebration of this discovery. Though I am very fond of Morrison and Boulder, Colorado, USA, I am glad to embrace the theory proposed here this day and gladly take my place in the long, rich history of the country of China. It is a delight to see you and meet you all!"
Salut, mon nom est Loricatosaurus !!!
"Mon mari Lexovissaurus et moi avons profité de nos vacances depuis mes voyages presque constants pour me retrouver. Nous avons en fait réfléchi sérieusement à l'endroit où nous devrions aller. Cela a nécessité une certaine réflexion, qui, après un certain temps, mon mari s'est gracieusement reporté à mon jugement. Il a complété mon intelligence universitaire et a dit que si j'avais l'amabilité de passer du temps chez nous dans notre pays natal de France à sa demande, le moins qu'il puisse faire était de me laisser choisir où aller.
"J'aime toute la France et je serai heureux d'aller dans n'importe quel endroit ici que vous voudriez, mon cher." c'est ce qu'il m'a dit. Alors, j'ai pensé et j'ai décidé de visiter la ville côtière de Marseille.
"Tu as bien choisi, j'adore Marseille, c'est une ville très ancienne, riche en histoire. La troisième plus grande après Paris et Lyon. Beaucoup de mammifères y vivent, mais il y a aussi beaucoup à faire pour un dinosaure".
"Oh oui, mon cher," dis-je, "Par exemple, je voulais te faire une surprise, mais j'ai des billets pour l'Opéra. Un bon Opéra français."
"Oh !!" s'écria Lexovissaurus. "Lequel ??"
"La muette de Portici", répondis-je... "Daniel Auber, 1828."
"Comme c'est beau", a déclaré Lexovissaurus. "Merci beaucoup !! Nous allons passer un moment merveilleux !! Il y a tellement de choses que nous pouvons faire ! Même se vautrer dans la mer Méditerranée serait adorable."
"L'Opéra est situé à l'extrémité du Vieux-Port de Marseille, qui a été référencé dans la littérature et utilisé comme lieu de tournage de films. Ils ont aussi des musées, des théâtres et d'autres attractions culturelles. Nous pourrions aller dans un musée, et je pourrais me retrouver sans même chercher...... Il n'y a que Paris qui a plus de musées que Marseille..."
"On pourrait piétiner la Sainte-Baume et tailler les feuillus là-bas. Je suis sûr qu'il y aura plein d'Ocimum basilicum, ou Basilic de Marseille. Pensez à tous les délicieux oliviers !! Une industrie ici depuis 2 ans, 500 ans !! ( il n'y a pas si longtemps, vraiment ), le magnifique pin parasol, les pins d'Alep le long de la côte, le chêne vert broussailleux également dans les zones côtières, et le chêne-liège. Nous pourrions y croiser beaucoup de mammifères car la grotte de la Madeleine à proximité est un lieu de pèlerinage religieux pour eux, mais si nous faisons attention, ils ne se mettront pas sous les pieds. Nous devons être très prudents, environ 69 % de la population est catholique romaine et il y a un potentiel pour une grande foule là-bas. L'immigration de la population est élevée et la population est également assez diversifiée. Beaucoup de Grecs et d'Italiens en particulier. Je suis sûr que même si nous sommes des dinosaures, nous ne serons pas suspects et nous ne fondrons pas dans la masse. La température moyenne à cette période de l'année est de 103 degrés, et si nous restons en juillet la moyenne est jusqu'à ab sur 106."
"Parfait !", a déclaré Lexovissaurus. "Comme on peut s'y attendre sur la mer Méditerranée. Personne ne s'attend à rien. "Imaginez ceci : nous pouvons nous fondre parfaitement avec les mammifères. "Salut, je suis comme vous, je suis un mammifère, je m'appelle Bob."
J'ai ri de la blague de mon mari lui rappelant à nouveau la nationalité des immigrés et j'ai dit: "Je m'appelle Lexovissaurus Papathanassíou !! Je m'appelle Lexovissaurus Alessandrini !!!"
Nous avons tous les deux ri ensemble à l'idée que nous pourrions éventuellement passer pour des mammifères de n'importe quelle nationalité. Les mammifères vivent ici depuis que les Grecs de l'Antiquité ont fondé la ville en 600 avant JC sous le nom de Massalia; les Romains l'appelaient Massilia C'est l'un des plus anciens établissements établis par des mammifères dans toute l'Europe.
"Ce serait un plaisir d'aller dans un café du Vieux-Port ou du Vieux-Port, et je te lirais volontiers des poèmes du Centre International de Poésie de Marseille", a déclaré mon mari, lorsqu'il a retrouvé son calme.
"J'aimerais vraiment ça," lui dis-je. "Je comprends qu'il y a un bon restaurant là-bas appelé The Pharo Gardens ; de beaux paysages comestibles et de belles vues sur la mer avec de nombreuses plages pour se promener. Ce sera un moment agréable. Allons-y !! Merci d'y avoir pensé, chère."
"Oh, tu sais", a dit mon mari alors que nous partions pour fouler la Sainte-Baume et commencer à mettre en œuvre nos projets de vacances, "Puisque nous sommes à Marseille, il est impératif que nous chantions".
Et, nous avons chanté :
Levez-vous, enfants de la Patrie,
Le jour de gloire est arrivé !
Contre nous, la tyrannie
La norme sanglante est élevée, (répété)
Entends-tu, à la campagne,
Le rugissement de ces féroces soldats ?
Ils viennent droit dans tes bras
Pour égorger vos fils, vos femmes !
Aux armes, citoyens,
Formez vos bataillons,
Mars, mars !
Laisse un sang impur
Arrosez nos sillons !
Que fait cette horde d'esclaves
Des traîtres et des rois conspirateurs veulent ?
Pour qui ont ces chaînes viles
Ces fers, préparés depuis longtemps ? (répété)
Français, pour nous, ah ! Quelle indignation
Quelle action furieuse cela doit susciter !
C'est nous qu'ils osent planifier
Un retour à l'ancien esclavage !
Quoi! Chortes étrangères !
Feraient la loi dans nos foyers !
Quoi ! Ces phalanges mercenaires
Abattre nos fiers guerriers ! (répété)
Bon dieu ! Par des mains enchaînées
Nos fronts céderaient sous le joug
De vils despotes deviendraient eux-mêmes
Les maîtres de nos destins !
Tremblez, tyrans et vous traîtres
La honte de tous les partis,
Trembler ! Vos stratagèmes parricides
Recevront enfin leur prix ! (Répété)
Tout le monde est un soldat pour vous combattre,
S'ils tombent, nos jeunes héros,
Sera produit à nouveau à partir du sol,
Prêt à se battre contre vous !
Français, en guerriers magnanimes,
Supportez ou retenez vos coups !
Épargnez ces désolées victimes,
Pour s'armer à regret contre nous (répété)
Mais ces despotes sanguinaires
Ces complices de Bouillé
Tous ces tigres qui, sans pitié,
Déchirez le sein de leur mère !
Amour sacré de la Patrie,
Menez, soutenez nos bras vengeurs
Liberté, la chère Liberté
Combattez avec vos défenseurs ! (répété)
Sous nos drapeaux que la victoire
Dépêchez-vous de vos accents virils
Pour que vos ennemis expirants
Vois ton triomphe et notre gloire !
Nous entrerons dans la carrière (militaire)
Quand nos anciens ne sont plus là
Là nous trouverons leur poussière
Et la trace de leurs vertus (répété)
Beaucoup moins désireux de les survivent
Que de partager leurs cercueils
Nous aurons la sublime fierté
Pour les venger ou les suivre !!
