On a fossil Ox from the Mississippi. 281 



a time. In the mean time the surface was sinking, and a 

 black liquid was rising up to the belly of my horse, who 

 stood motionless, struck with a panic terror."* 



It was by one of these eruptions, that the fossil skull now 

 under examination was ejected. Its numerous cavities and 

 foramina were, accordingly, filled with sand, pebbles of various 

 sizes, and numerous pieces of carbonized wood, thus corrobo- 

 rating if necessary its subterranean origin. 



The comparatively rare occurrence of the bones of the genus 

 Bos in a fossil state, naturally gives much interest to this spe- 

 cimen, and it was at once perceived that the skull in question 

 could not with propriety be referred to any animal at present 

 existing within the limits of the United States. 



The whole anterior part of the cranium, (with the excep- 

 tion of the hollow space between the horns) and all the bones 

 of the face are wanting. The parts remaining are fragments 

 of the bony processes supporting the horns, a small part of 

 the os frontis, the posterior part of the cranium, the foramen 

 magnum entire, and the base of the skull. The whole speci- 

 men, either from previous accidents, or from rough treatment 

 by those who first discovered it, bears numerous marks of 

 injury. Many of the inequalities are rolled smooth, and to 

 these causes must be attributed, whatever obscurity or doubt 

 may arise during the present investigation, as to the proper 

 species to which it should be referred. 



The weight of this fragment is twelve pounds. Its texture is 

 evidently altered, and although not mineralized, is exceeding- 

 ly dense and compact. 



The following details are offered to the Lyceum. It is 

 hoped that other crania more perfect, may at no distant day 

 be discovered, to remove any doubts remaining from the 

 investigation of this mutilated specimen. 



* Briogier American Jour. Sc. III. £0 et seq. 



