OF EXTINCT MAMMTPEROU8 <}l VI1IM IT.M-. 18 



tion, belon^ini; to the beautiful Museum of 11. Peale of New 

 York; of a fourth we have heard, a> being in possession of 

 a distinguished scientific gentleman of that city, though of 

 this we can affirm nothing positively. Il i*- highly probable 



that other specimens have been raised by those i Qgaged in 

 canalling, ike. that have been laid aside a> Mastodon bones, 

 which they so closely resemble.* 



In regard to the relative position of the animal in the class 

 Mammalia, we are led by the form of the lower jaw and tusks 

 to believe that it should -land between the genera Mastodon 

 and Hippopotamus; being allied to the former by the genera] 

 character of the teeth ami skeleton, and to the latter espe- 

 cially, by the inferior tusks, i- w< 11 a- the form of the molar 

 teeth. The same circumstances would cause as to conclude 

 that the regimen of our animal might have been of a mixed 

 character, or that like the Hippopotamus this genus was some- 

 what aquatic and fed upon the productions found in rivers, 

 lakes, or marshes. However this may be decided, the proofs 

 of the former existence of the genus arc unequivocal, and will 

 no doubt be multiplied if proper attention be paid to tin , \- 

 plorations making throughout our own country. 



In concluding this paper the writer would feel culpabl< ■>! 

 neglect did he not return his warmest thank- to tin intelli- 

 gent discoverer of these bones for the opportunity afforded of 

 examining and describing them, as wefl as to his friends Dr 

 Boyd of New York, ami Messrs Rubens ami Titian R. Peale 

 for their much valued assistance. 



[Read, Friday, January 1st, 1830.] 



~dcc this paper was in typo we bate learned with much pleasure th . 

 exploration made by .Mr Crawford baa been »ery productive, and thi i 



to hope that Mr Rubens Peale will he enabled thereby to mount an cnt; 

 of the Teiracaulodon Mastoilontoiib 



