Observations on the Mammoth. 59 



taken, and of which every one could judge ; besides, 

 the bones of the animal lay around, and added a si- 

 lent, but sure, confirmation. The vvhoie rested upon 

 a lime-stone rock. I have not seen, as yet, any part 

 of those contents ; for, though I was within two days' 

 journey of the place where they were found, I was so 

 well satisfied with the narration of gendemen who 

 had seen them, and upon whose veracity, as well as 

 accuracy, I could rely, that I thought the journey 

 unnecessary ; especially as I took measures to en- 

 sure the transmission of a sufficient quantity of the 

 contents, together with all the bones, to WUliams- 

 burgh. When the contents arrive, a part shall be 

 forwarded to you. I hope to form a complete ske- 

 leton of this vast animal, having given directions to 

 spare no labour, in digging up every bone. 



We should not be surprised, that these substances 

 should be thus preserved, when we recollect the state 

 of the rhinoceros, mentioned by Pallas. Blumenbach, 

 in his Manuel cVHistoire Naturelle, vol. 2. p. 398 

 (traduit par Artaud), has a note, which is very appli- 

 cable to the present subject. He says, '* Qnelquefois 

 on trouve encore des pieces animales qui out con- 

 serve, sans alteration, leurs parties molles; mais, ce- 

 pendant, comme elles se trouvent aussi enfouies dans la 

 terre par la suite de ces grandcs catastrophes des tempi* 

 anterieurs, on doit les ranger parmi les corps petrifies, 

 dans le sens le plus etendu. Je citerai, par cxemple, 

 le rhinoceros deterre pres de Wiloi, en Siberie, qui 

 offroit encore des restes tres-reconnoissables, memc 

 ayant encore I'odeur animal de muscles, de chair, dp 



