RULERS OF THE ANCIENT SEAS 51 



in one of the caverns of the interior of the 

 mountain, perceived, to their astonishment, the 

 jaws of a large animal attached to the roof of 

 the chasm. The discovery was immediately 

 made known to M. Hoffman, who repaired to 

 the spot, and for weeks presided over the ardu- 

 ous task of separating the mass of stone con- 

 taining these remains from the surrounding 

 rock. His labors were rewarded by the suc- 

 cessful extrication of the specimen, which he 

 conveyed in triumph to his house. This ex- 

 traordinary discovery, however, soon became 

 the subject of general conversation, and excited 

 so much interest that the canon of the cathedral 

 which stands on the mountain resolved to claim 

 the fossil, in right of being lord of the manor, 

 and succeeded, after a long and harassing law- 

 suit, in obtaining the precious relic. It re- 

 mained for years in his possession, and Hoff- 

 man died without regaining his treasure. At 

 length the French Revolution broke out, and 

 the armies of the Republic advanced to the 

 gates of Maestricht. The town was bom- 

 barded ; but, at the suggestion of the commit- 

 tee of savans who accompanied the French 



