A Lecture on Zoology in "the Pit. 



In 1S7o Mr. Win. Denton received from Major Hancock one of the 

 very large sabers of the Saber-tooth tiger. Thus the Major was doubt- 

 less tlio first one to observe the peculiarity of these bones, and recognize 

 them as belonging to extinct forms. 



On further inquiry the writer learned that Mr. W. W. Orcutt, secre- 

 tary of the Union Oil Company, was the first geologist to consider the 

 bimcs of this deposit as being really prehistoric. 



The deposit on Rancho La Brea has been variously styled La Brea 

 Beds; The Death Trap; The Fossil ({aniens; The Asphalt Beds; The 

 Bone Field; The Pit; Raneho La Brea Beds; Eancho La Brea Forma- 

 tion; La Brea Pleistocene Beds; La Brea Pleistocene Formation, etc., 

 intended to designate the deposit of hones in the tarry pits on the 

 Hancock ranch. All these designations, each suggesting an element 

 which should be in the name, lack very essential particulars. A name 

 should include reference to the greatest deposit of its kind, the 

 location, and due credit to any person directly concerned in its dis- 

 covery. In view of these three essentials, and by the consent of the 

 owner of these deposits, T have used the name, The Hancock Brea 

 Deposits. 



Up to date the most extensive explorations have been carried on 

 by the Southern California Academy of Sciences. This Academy, wholly 

 in the interest of free educational advantages for public good, has 

 secured a very great quantity of most excellent material, which forms 

 the chief subject-matter of this article, and the results of its labors 

 will be placed before the public in the large and convenient Museum 

 now in process of construction. 



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