208 ANIMALS OF THE PAST 
The next mastodon to appear on the scene 
was the so-called Missourium of “Albert Koch, 
which he constructed somewhat as he did the 
Hydrarchus (see p. 61) of several individuals 
pieced together, thus forming a skeleton that 
was a monster in more ways than one. To 
heighten the effect, the curved tusks were so 
placed that they stood out at right angles to 
the sides of the head, like the swords upon 
the axles of ancient war chariots. Like Peale’s 
specimen this was exhibited in London, and 
there it still remains, for, stripped of its super- 
fluous bones, and remounted, it may now be 
seen in the British Museum. 
Ee ————— 
Many a mastodon has come to light since _ 
the time of Koch, for while it is commonly 
supposed that remains of the animal are great 
rarities, as a matter of fact they are quite — | 
common, and it may safely be said that during _ 
the seasons of ditching, draining, and well-dig- — | 
ging not a week passes without one or more | 
mastodons being unearthed. Not that these 
are complete skeletons, very far from it, the | 
majority of finds are scattered teeth, crum- 
bling tusks, or massive leg-bones, but still the 
