GEOLOGICAL PAPERS. 93 



The arrow and other points were the same as those found at Fossil 

 lake, though not so much injured by the weather because longer cov- 

 ered with sand. ... I concluded, therefore, that the bones of the 

 extinct animals had been covered with sand, protected by sage-brush. 

 It would naturally be a good place for game, on account of the water. 

 The Indians would lose many arrows and spears. A powerful wind, 

 like the one that covered the village, drifted the sand away from over 

 the bones. Arrows, being heavy, would drop down until they became 

 mingled with the bones, and may not have been over a hundred years 

 old. 



This experience has taught me caution in accepting the first evi- 

 dence of ancient man that comes along. Paleontologists wish to add 

 to their reputation by discoveries in the remote past, and it is natural 

 for them to take the first evidence that comes to hand, so they may 

 have the credit if it proves of value. If they are, after all, mistaken 

 they either stick to their first opinion with a determination that seems 

 foolish to an outsider, or back out as gracefully as jDossible. 



Although I have spent many years collecting extinct animals, the 

 arrow-head in the buffalo at Pine creek, Oregon-Washington, is the 

 only evidence I ever found pointing to the great age of man in 

 America. It has always seemed a little remarkable. I suijpose that 

 man lived during the time when sand and clay were being deposited 

 in inland lakes. As sand acts as a reservoir for water, grass and other 

 vegetation cover the deposits, thus jDrotecting them from denudation, 

 and the contained fossils are hidden from view. A chance discovery, 

 like that at Lansing, is not likely to be often made ; so we may only 

 accumulate the evidence wanted through a long series of years. So 

 it is very important that when a discovery is made it should be sub- 

 stantiated by the great authorities in this line, and be put on record 

 in such a way it cannot be questioned in the years to come, as have, for 

 instance, the Calaveras county man and similar di3coverie3. 



