THE KANSAS UNIVERSITY 

 SCIENCE BULLETIN. 



Vol. XIII.] July, 1922. [No. 12. 



Indications of a Gigantic Amphibian in the Coal 

 Measures of Kansas. 



By H. T. AL\RT1N, 

 Associate Curator, Paleontological Museum, University of Kansas. 



INTRODUCTION. 



IN the summer ol 1919, Robert and James Coghill, students of the 

 University of Kansas, discovered in the sandstone cliffs border- 

 ing the Wakarusa creek, five miles east of Lawrence, what to them 

 appeared to be the footprints of some large animal impressed in the 

 hard, sandy bottom of a small, narrow ravine that empties into 

 Wakarusa creek from the east near Dightman bridge. The writer's 

 attention was called to the find, and a visit to the locality revealed 

 three or four tracks exposed to view. Unfavorable weather condi- 

 tions prevented the removal of the tracks at the time, and the sub- 

 sequent rains covered them with silty mud. It was not until the 

 spring rains of 1921 had again washed them clear that work on 

 their removal could be carried on. By this time additional tracks 

 were exposed, and in a distance of thirty-nine feet, where the animal 

 had traveled in a nearly direct line, nine very fine impressions of 

 his huge feet were recorded. 



The impressions, although in a nearly straight line, were not in 

 consecutive order. As shown in the diagram (plate I, figs. 1 to 9), 

 one space of twelve 'feet from the first track to the second was 

 eroded and no impressions remained. Midway between the third 

 and the fourth, a distance of eight feet, there is an indication of a 

 track, but with no character. From track four to track five the 

 bottom of the ravine is still covered with mud, and it is possible that 

 more tracks will be found here. Eight of the tracks have been 

 safely removed and placed in the museum. The first in the series 



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