[Junior]

Please note, dear boy, that "three ear bones" goes hand-in-hand with differentiated dentiture, warm-bloodedness, and having a certain number of holes in one's skull. Each of these can be ascertained from skeletal remains. This combination is not shared by any other group of animals. Period. If scientists are not allowed to draw conclusions that, based on the fact that all living animals share these traits then all extinct animals with these traits are most probably mammals, then what is science to do? You seem to believe that simply because there is no living representation of a particular animal that we cannot with any certainty classify it shows a woefull lack of knowledge when it comes to basic biology, let alone evolutionary theory. You are completely ignorant of that which you purport to preach on, as anyone on these threads can see, and many have commented upon.

[gore3000]

Please note, dear boy, that "three ear bones" goes hand-in-hand with differentiated dentiture, warm-bloodedness, and having a certain number of holes in one's skull. Each of these can be ascertained from skeletal remains. [emphasis mine]

Correct, these characteristics were determined by looking at evidence, evidence from living species. They were not determined by theory, by equations, or by some kind of mathematical proof. They were determined by observation. The phony science of paleontology is trying to replace observatioon with circular reasoning. It is trying to say that just because other mammals had those qualities all others must do so. As I pointed out many times already live bearing has a much greater necessary connection to mammary glands than ear-bones or anything else you mention above. The connections of those features to mammary glands are coincidental not necessary therefore the presence of those features in species which are supposed to be evolving proves nothing about other features which may have been present in those unknown, not living species.