294 PETER COLLINSON [1767. 



from this view it is wonderful to think what was the original state 

 of all the lower country, throughout all our colonies, once, undoubt- 

 edly covered by the sea ; but what great revolution in nature brought 

 about this extensive retreat of the ocean, who can pretend to say ? 



The third index contains all the remarkable things not compre- 

 hended under the other two. All have the pages annexed ; so that 

 for a further explanation, I can immediately have recourse to the 

 article itself. 



Now, any curious friend can be entertained, that hath not leisure 

 to peruse seventy-nine pages ; yet, what I have done can only 

 serve for private amusement. It is too short an abstract for pub- 

 lication ; and the original wants more pains and leisure than I am 

 master of, to dress it fit for the public, which gives me no little 

 concern, that so many useful discoveries should lie concealed. 



What fills us with admiration is the wonderful fossil presents, of 

 elephant's teeth, &c, sent over to Lord Shelburne, and our 

 friend Benjamin Franklin, by George Croghan. Elephants 

 were never known in America ; and yet the great fossil teeth of 

 elephants, found under a high bank on the sides of the great lick, 

 near the River Ohio, would force one to believe, by their vast re- 

 mains, that they once existed there. Some of these great tusks, 

 or teeth, were entire, near seven feet long, and of the thickness of 

 common Elephant's teeth, of that length. But what increases the 

 wonder and surprise is, that with these long teeth (which are fine 

 ivory), is found great numbers of grinding teeth ; but the marvel 

 is, they are not the grinding teeth of Elephants, as Ave have recent 

 Elephant grinders to compare them with. So that this phenome- 

 non must be resolved into this conclusion; that these remains 

 that George Croghan says are at least of thirty animals, are 

 some vast creatures, with the long teeth or tusks of Elephants, but 

 with great grinders belonging to some animal not yet known. This 

 affords room for endless reflection and admiration, * * 

 * * * * 



We have had a continual dripping summer ; but yet some inter- 

 vals to get in the harvest, which is plentiful, that I hope will soon 

 , reduce the high price of bread. 



Now, dear John, farewell, 



P. Collinson. 



