26 Human Foot-Prints in Solid Limestone. 
each foot is ten inches and a half, the spread of the toes four 
inchés, indicating the usual stature; and the nature of the im- 
pression shows that the feet were unconfined by shoes or sandals, 
This phenomenon, unique of its kind, is fraught with so much 
importance, that I have requested Prof. Silliman to ascertain the 
hature of the sandstone, and the period of its formation.” 
. The shrewd Leonhard, though of a-country where traditions 
of the marvellous commonly find no little favor, is utterly scep- 
tical in regard to this matter.. His remarks are brief, and some- 
what tinged with severity: He says: 
. “Impressions of the human foot are also said to exist in rocks 
of a calcareous nature on the banks of the Mississippi, in the state 
of Missouri. . As is said, the impressions partly must have been 
made by a man while standing still, who, judging from the form 
and extended spread of the toes, could not have been accustomed 
to having his foot protected, and partly, there are evident marks 
about the impressions indicating that the feet were covered after 
the fashion of the Indians. The reporter of the story mentions 
expressly, of course, that the tracks are so distinct, that the im- 
pressions of the least. muscle can be recognized ; but this very 
circumstance casts suspicion on the whole narrative; and it ap- 
pears probable that these marks were artificially cut in the rock. 
But that which excites the greatest doubt in this and other in- 
stances is, that such phenomena, until now, have occurred so 
isolated ; the footsteps of the walking man cannot be followed 
farther.” . Satin sie 
» With opinions so variant before me, and such names arrayed. 
on either. side of the question, it is with diffidence that-I shall 
proceed, after describing the slab in my possession, to venture my 
opinion as to the probable origin of the impressions it-eontains, 
While I cannot unite with the learned German -professor. in the 
implication conveyed by the italicising of the words “of course,” 
in the above extract, not doubting that Mr. Schoolcraft ‘sought 
faithfully to embody the impressions. made upon him by the ap- 
pearance of the phenomenon, yet I must be permitted to remark, 
that I am unable fully to endorse the unqualified expressions of 
admiration in regard to the matchless, workmanship and inimita- 
meee oneness eee 
tho apecimen wHisis the onbjoct of thece ssa eee 
