GEOLOGY. 321 



they arc well characterized, not only by the isolation of the internal median 

 enamel column, but also by the complex plication of the interior or central 

 enamel columns. The larger specimen is firm in texture; has the enamel 

 stained jet-black, and the dentine and cement gray. Teeth of the beaver, 

 jet-black in color, have likewise been obtained from the post-pleiocene deposit 

 of Ashley river. 



" The collections contain numerous specimens of blackened molar teeth, 

 together with a few incisors and fragments of jaws, from the Ashley post- 

 pleiocene deposit, which neither differ in form nor size from the correspond- 

 ing parts of the recent musk-rat. 



"Remains of Lcpus sylvaticus common gray rabbit have been found, 

 in association with those of other rodents and of the extinct peccary, near 

 Galena, Illinois. A few specimens of molar teeth, black in color, apparently 

 belonging to this species, were obtained from the post-pleiocene beds of the 

 Ashley river. 



" Several small fragments of teeth of the Megatherium, in Prof. Holmes's 

 collection, were obtained from the post-pleiocene bed of the Ashley river. 

 Previously to the discovery of these specimens, remains of the Megatherium 

 had been found in no other locality of North America than in the State of 

 Georgia." 



As regards specimens of human art found in connection with these fossils, 

 Prof. Holmes remarks, that this is the case at only one locality, Ashley 

 Ferry, which is adjacent to a farm-yard. At other localities, where similar 

 fossils are found, no relics of art have ever been noticed. 



The fossils from Ashley Ferry present, as a group, the same appearance as 

 those procured inland at some distance from the river, by digging from three 

 to five feet below the surface. Many specimens from the ferry were con- 

 sidered as recent by Prof. Lcicly ; they appear quite fresh and unchanged in 

 color, and their texture not in the slightest degree altered. To one familiar 

 with the fossils of the South Carolina post-pleiocene, this excites no surprise, 

 as it is of common occurrence, more especially among the shells ; for exam- 

 ple, the olive shell Oliva literata is found as fresh and highly polished 

 as the recent ones from the sea-beaches along the coast ; and Cardium mag- 

 num retains often the delicate yellow and brown markings common to the 

 species. 



The color or texture of a fossil, therefore, does not always absolutely 

 determine its relative age ; as Professor Leidy has himself remarked in a 

 foot-note to his letter alluded to above, viz. : 



" Fossilization, petrification, or lapidification, is no positive indication of 

 the relative age of organic remains. 



" The Cabinet of the Academy of Natural Sciences, of Philadelphia, con- 

 tains bones of the megalonyx, and of the extinct peccary, that are entirely 

 unchanged; not a particle of gelatin has been lost, nor a particle of mineral 

 matter added, and, indeed, some of the bones of the former even have por- 

 tions of articular cartilage and tendinous attachments, well preserved." 



From the foregoing it would appear that of the ancient fauna of America, 

 which included representatives of many of our present domestic animals, 

 some species have undoubtedly become extinct; but I confess I am not yet 

 prepared to admit, from any evidence yet adduced, or from my own exami- 

 nations, that all of the living species are distinct from those found fossil in 

 the post-pleiocene. The teeth and bones of the rabbit, raccoon, opossum, 

 deer, elk, hog, dog, sheep, ox, and horse, are often found in these beds; and 



