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 
