( 352 ) 



The Mastodon Jbrmerly eoctended over the entire surface of the 

 American Continent, and the Horse was probably an origi- 

 nal inhabitant nfthe New World * ? 



L HE committee beg leave respectfully to report, that these 

 hones having been landed only within a few days, sufficient 

 time has not been afforded them for the accurate determination 

 of every imperfect or mutilated fragment. The greater part, 

 however, belonging to well known animals, were immediately 

 recognized, and it is not believed that any thing of much im- 

 portance will be hereafter observed. They therefore submit, 

 this evening, a general account of this collection, reserving for 

 a future occasion such further particulars as may be deemed of 

 sufficient interest. 



The remains of the great mastodon compose more than one- 

 half the entire quantity of which this collection consists. Among 

 them is a head, vvhich, though not entire, is in better preserva- 

 tion than any of this animal heretofore discovered. It enables 

 us to form a better idea of the figure of this important part than 

 could hitherto be obtained. It is found to have the cranium 

 much depressed, in which it deviates remarkably from the ele- 

 phant. Both the tusks are preserved, one having been found 

 still in the socket, and the other lying at a short distance off. 

 Of other large tusks, there are besides, five that measure from 

 six and a half to twelve feet in length, and many more large 

 fragments of others. Six portions of upper jaws, all containing 

 teeth. Fifteen portions of lower jaws, twelve of which contain 

 from one to three grinders each. Besides these there are seventy- 

 three detached molar teeth of all sizes, some of them as large as 

 any yet discovered. Of the large bones of the anterior extre- 

 mity, there are five scapulce, seven humeri, three idnce, and one 

 radius, more or less perfect. Of the posterior extremity, six 

 ossa innominata, ten femora, and five tibioe. Some of these are 

 almost entire, others are much mutilated. 



• The above is a Report of Messrs Cooper, J. A. Smith, and De Kay, 

 read on the 30tli May 1831 to the Lyceum of Natural History, on a collec- 

 tion of fossil hones, disinterred at Big Bone Lick, Kentucky, in September 

 !030, and recently brnu<;ht to New York. 



