Page 133 - Encyclopedia of the Unusual and Unexplained Vol. 3

Mysterious Creatures 113

to transform into a wolf, and take on all of sauropod Any of various large semi-aquatic
its characteristics. plant-eating dinosaurs that had a long
neck and tail and a small head. From the
metrology The scientific system or study of
suborder Sauropoda, a Latin word meaning
measurements. From the Greek metrologie,
lizard foot.
meaning theory of ratios and metron, or
measure. therianthropic Used to describe a mythologi-
paleoanthropology The study of humanlike cal creature that is half human and half
creatures or early human beings more animal. Coined from the Greek therion,
primitive that Homo Sapiens, usually done meaning small wild animal, and anthropo,
through fossil evidence. meaning human being.
paleontology The study of ancient forms of Wiccan Someone who is a witch, a believer or
life in geologic or prehistoric times, using follower of the religion of Wicca.
such evidence as fossils, plants, animals, zoology The scientific branch of biology that
and other organisms.
studies animals in all their characteristics
putrefy Causing something to decay, usually and aspects. From the Greek zoologia, liter-
indicating a foul odor. From the Latin stem, ally the study of life and from zolion, or life
putr, meaning rotten, plus facere, to make. form.

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