The consistency of this tar varus from :i lighl miry liquid to 

 a very heavy almosl solid, immovable mass, which on drying becomes 

 so flint-like as to turn the points of a pick. The condition varies 

 much with the change in temperature, hence specimens in the bank 

 which would be removed with difficulty in the morning, when healed 

 by the ooon-day sun would fall out. The springs too, become more 



active in the su ler season, and in the afternoon <>f each day. At 



the time of greatesl activity the bubbles are smaller and more fre- 

 quent, while at nt her times larger and more massive. 



The "stick tu-at iv< ness" of this materia] is evident from what 

 has been said, and those who work in the beds understand it per- 

 fectly, for the clothing becomes covered with tar, and layer upon 

 layer improves the durability of the garments so much that a second 

 pair of shoes is not Deeded. Then, too, there is no need for rubber 

 Loots nor leggings for the penetrating tar fills the fabric, rendering 

 it perfect l\ impervious to water. This sticky mass prevents water 

 from entering the pit, though the digging is now about ten feel 

 below the level of the lake. The penetrative power of this asphalt- 

 bearing oil is so great thai there is not a substance, (day. sand, wood, 

 or bone within several feet of the spring that is not thoroughly 

 impregnated with the tar; and it slowly oozes from the long bones 

 for weeks, if they ate not opened and cleaned or thoroughly soaked 

 in coal oil and rinsed in gasoline. 



The surface layers of varying thickness from the pure glistening 

 tar to the hard asphalt pavement, are formed by the evaporation of 

 the volatile ingredients. These, in connection with the dust and 

 drifting sands carried by the winds, make a deceptive covering for 

 the spring, causing it to appear firm and strong. The quantity of 

 water in the cavities, or the scanty "salt grass" which grows around 

 these springs are quite tempting to a .thirsty or starving animal. The 

 bait is thus placed and the trap is set. 



It is thus easy to see how an animal wandering in the twilight 

 in search for food and drink would in the extremity of famine be 

 driven to partake of the last lingering remnants of food. When once 

 the feet begin to sink into the sticky mass, while quenching the 

 burning thirst or satisfying the gnawing hunger, they could not lie 

 withdrawn, and hence while the animal would try to release one 

 foot the other would be forced downward the farther. Deeper and 

 deeper until limb and body, neck and head are completely submerged, 

 or perchance in the struggle only the nostrils are (dosed with the 

 tarry mass and death by suffocation ensues, or it may be from sheer 

 exhaustion the animal yields to the inevitable and groaning, sinks 

 to the ground limp and' dying. Again, it doubtless occurred that an 

 animal caught, either cried for help or out of distress, and thus 

 attracted tin- preying beasts. It was then that a horrible feast fol- 

 lowed when the 'lion, the tiger, the wolf and coyote, alike trained 

 to the piteous cries hastened to the scene to satiate their appetites 

 while the killing was being done. The tiger drank the blood; the 

 lion quickly found the great, deep muscles, the wolves and coyotes 

 were content with the smaller parts, and quickly the unfortunate 

 creature was torn asunder from limb to lung and scattered in every 

 direction. Judging from the way the bones of the same skeleton are 

 distributed in the deposits the' parts which would otherwise have 

 stood upright in the mire, were pulled from the tar and greedily 

 devoured. The maiiv gnawed bones suggest the great scarcity of food, 

 while the interlocked jaws and broken teeth and scarred skulls tell 

 most vividly of the frightful struggles which went on. 



17 



