1768.] TO JOHN BARTRAM. 299 



I had some doubts, so carefully examined the Ohio Ele- 

 phant's long teeth, with a great irumber (at a warehouse) from 

 Asia and from Africa, and found them agree in every circum- 

 stance ; and they agree with what is called the Mizmmot's Teeth, 

 from Siberia, of which I have many fine specimens, sent me from 

 thence. 



It is all a wonder how they came to America ; and yet a greater 

 is, that no Elephant's grinding-teeth are found with them, but very 

 larged forked, or pronged teeth, that have no relation to elephants. 

 I have one, weighs near four pounds, with as fine an enamel on it 

 as if a recent tooth just taken out of the head of the animal. This 

 puzzles beyond measure ; from whence no other conclusion can be 

 drawn, but that they may belong to a new species of Elephant, that 

 has long teeth, with these pronged or forked grinders ; or else they 

 belong to some vast animal that have these forked grinders, diffe- 

 rent from any other animal yet known. But how they came mixt 

 with the Elephant's, is incomprehensible. 



As to the Fossil Horns, digged up in Ireland, that long contested 

 point is now settled ; for last year, my friend, the Duke of Rich- 

 mond, had a large pair of your country Moose-deer horns sent him 

 from Quebec. At the first sight they have not any affinity with 

 the Irish Fossil Horns, but come very near to the European Elk. 



So here are two animals, the creature to which the Irish horns 

 belong, and the creature to which the great forked or pronged 

 teeth belong. Whether they exist, God Almighty knows, for no 

 man knows : whether antediluvians, or if in being since the flood. 

 But it is contrary to the common course of Providence to suffer 

 any of his creatures to be annihilated. * 



It is wonderful the snakes should forget their mutual animosity, 

 for the means of keeping one another warm. 



Thy suggestions on the decrease of your animals are very likely 

 to be the cause that so few are now found. 



I have the pleasure to tell thee, that the Agave prospers wonder- 

 fully. I shall have Solander here to-morrow, will show it him 

 as a great rarity, being, I believe, the first that has been seen 

 here. But I am not so great a favourite with the ladies as my 

 friend John, for Mrs. Bee, notwithstanding all my care and 

 indulgence, remains quite inactive, yet I live in hopes. * * * 



If the Pennsylvania first settlers naturalized Bees, in your 

 province, then I have no doubt of their extending themselves in so 



