Geological Papers. 



115 



a fossil tusk found in the equus beds in 

 Mcpherson county. 



By E. O. Deere, A. M., Bethany College, Lindsborg. 



"1 AST May, while digging in a sand-pit near tiie head of 

 ^ ^ the east branch of Sharp's creek, the workmen found 

 what they at first thought was a large petrified cottouAvood 

 root. Upon closer examination it appeared to be petrified and 

 partially decayed ivory. As soon as we heard of it Prof. J. E. 

 Welin and myself drove out to the place and examined the 

 find, which proved to be the right tusk of a mastodon (M. 

 Americanus?) . When we arrived the fossil had already be- 

 gun to crumble, being exposed to the sun and wind. Besides, 

 the sand-bank in which it lay had caved in, so that the distal 

 half and part of the base were broken into small pieces, so 

 characteristic of decaying ivory. We at once set at work to 

 gather up all the fragments and place the part yet intact into 



View of tusk and bed in which it was found. 



