Brinton.] 44 J [Nov. 18, 



The deposit of ashes, No. 6 on the section, is held by Dr. 

 Flint to mark a period of volcanic energy of wide extent and 

 important consequences in modifying the physical geography of 

 the region. It led to the elevation of the coast range and the 

 separation of Lake Nicaragua, previously a bay of the ocean, 

 from the sea. Dr. Flint's expressions are : 



" West of Jinotepe a well was sunk one hundred and nineteen 

 varas in search of water ; there this ash deposit is fifteen feet 

 thick, at least twenty miles from the nearest crater. 



" We see many proofs, that the cataclysm enclosing Lake Nica- 

 ragua (formerly salt water) was at the time of this ash erup- 

 tion; while the tufas, previously ejected^ pushed over the sea 

 inlet at Tipitapa, enclosing that of Managua ; they were not 

 broken up by the cataclysm, nor those at the quarry, and all on 

 the northern slope ; nor the slip of coast north and south of 

 San Kafael." 



Passing to a study of the tracks themselves, they are described 

 by Dr. Flint as quite numerous and passing in both directions, 

 that is, to and from the lake shore, from which the average dis- 

 tance of those found is about 300 feet. The maximum stride 

 was 18 inches, and the longest foot measured 10 inches. 



The specimen which he has sent me, and which is offered for in- 

 spection [specimen presented], is the impression of a left foot. 

 The total length of the impression is 9i> inches, the breadth at the 

 heel 3 inches, at the toes 4i inches. The apparent length of the 

 foot itself was 8 inches. The instep was high, and the great toe 

 large, prominent and exceeding in length the second toe. This 

 last peculiarity has been by some considered of ethnic import- 

 ance.* The greatest depth of the impression is at the ball of 

 the foot, the weight being evidently thrown forward as in vigor- 

 ous walking. At this part the maximal depression below the 

 plane of the superfices is 2 inches. 



The footprints on the tufas at Managua are not the onl}^ ones 

 discovered in tiiat Republic by Dr. Flint. Others were seen on 

 the southern slope of the Sierra de Managua, near the town of 



*See J. Park Harrison, " On the Relative Length of the First Three Toes of the Human 

 Foot," in the Journal of the Anthropological Institute of Great Britain, February, 1884. The 

 general conclusion seems to be that a long second toe indicates a lower stage of develop- 

 ment . 



