﻿220 FOSSIL FOOTPRINTS OF THE VALLEY OF THE CONNECTICUT. 



Plate IX- 



The footprints upon this plate belong to the same class as those upon Plate VIII., 

 and in general appearance there is a striking similarity, jet they are specifically distinct. 

 They were discovered by Mr. Marsh, at Turner's Falls, and are deposited in his cabinet. 



F>. 1 has a strong affinity to Fig. 1, Plate VIII. It has the like number of toes, but 

 their arrangement is entirely different. It has the posterior ulnar impress, in which re- 

 spect there is no resemblance. Three of the toes point forward ; they are long and slen- 

 der, the outer one diverging considerably. The fourth toe is inserted far behind the oth- 

 ers, and is short and pointed. The posterior depression is irregular, concave, and termi- 

 nates in a deep, rounded impress, while in Fig. 1, Plate VIII., this appendage is longer, 

 broad, and becomes superficial behind, until it disappears altogether. In Fig. 1, Plate 

 VIII., the feet point obliquely outward ; in this, obliquely inward, which is the first instance 

 of the kind I have seen in quadrupedal imprints. The fore foot is placed directly in ad- 

 vance of the hind one; while in Fig. 1, Plate VIII., it is planted forward and outward; 

 and in Fig. 2, Plate VIII., directly inward. These are unquestionably specific points 

 of difference. 



Fig. 2 represents a singular species of quadrupedal footprints, of peculiarly diminu- 

 tive size ; being the smallest impressions of animals ever discovered. The style of the 

 foot is analogous to Fig. 3, Plate VIII. ; that is, there is no evidence of a fore foot. Un- 

 like it, however, the toes are long, slender, parallel, and extremely delicate. The surface 

 of the stone is exceedingly smooth, giving great distinctness to the impressions, .notwith- 

 standing their minuteness. The delicate impress of the extremities of the toes in drag- 

 ging from one step to another is well marked. How strange that a creature so insignifi- 

 cant should leave such clear and indelible vestiges, enduring for countless cycles of time, 

 while the proudest efforts of intellectual man scarce survive him, and a few centuries ob- 

 literate his name, his language, and his works for ever ! 



