32 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ASSOCIATION OF 



the Manis, or scaly ant-eater, that Cuvier, at first sight, referred this 

 species to an animal of that genus, and named it 3Iani.s f:i^a7itca. 

 In oflering you my own views of this peculiar specimen of a departed 

 type, it should be stated that various notions exist among different 

 naturalists, as to the real nature and habits of the animal in ques- 

 tion. Some German naturalists place it among the Pliocrc. Blain- 

 ville took it for a pachydermatous animal, closely allied to the ele- 

 phant. Kaup considered that it might range as a fifth and last 

 family of the class Edentata. Others referred it to the herbivorous 

 Cetacea, &c. &c. 



Dr. H. also made some observations upon the remains formerly 

 described by him as belonging to the " Basilosanrus," but which 

 he is now satisfied, from the microscopic examinations of a sec- 

 tion of one of the teeth by Prof. Owen, should be refenvd to a 

 genus of the aquatic mammalia, and \vhich is now narned 

 " Zygodon," — specimens of the vertebrae of which, from the ter- 

 tiary deposits of Alabama, he exhibited to the Association. 



Mr. Nicollet then made some highly interesting remarks 

 upon the geology of the region of the Upper IVIississippi, and the 

 cretaceous formation of the Upper IVIissouri. 



He referred to his arrival in this country for the purpose of making 

 a scientific tour, and with the view of contributing to the progressive 

 increase of knowledge in the physical geography of North America. 

 After spending several months in Philadelphia, Baltimore and Wash- 

 ington, he proceeded through the southern states ; explored the south 

 Alleghany range, the states of South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, 

 Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Ai'kansas Territory, and 

 Missouri ; ascended the Red River, Arkansas River, and to a gi-eat 

 distance, the Missouri river. Having thus made himself well ac- 

 quainted with the lower half of the Mississipjii, he undertook the 

 full exploration of that celebrated stream, from its mouth to its very 

 sources ; the latter of which he successfully reached near the close 

 of the month of August, 1836. During five years of unremitted exer- 

 tions, he took occasion to make numerous observations calculated to 

 lay the foundation of the astronomical and physical gcogi'aphy of a 

 large extent of country, and more es]iccially of the great and inter- 

 esting region between the Falls of St. Anthony and the sources of 

 the Mississippi. With these labors was connected the study of the 

 customs, habits, manners and languages of the several Indian na- 

 tions, that occupy this vast region of countr>^ 



Mr. N. acknowledged, in feeling terms, the generous hospitality, 

 on the part of our citizens generally, of the agents of the American 

 Fur Company, the civil and military officers, as well as the kindj)ro- 

 tection of the government, extended to him on all occasions, so as 

 greatly to facilitate his operations and second the accomplishment 

 of his designs. At the expii-ation of this long and arduous journey, 



