38 



SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS 



VOL. ']'] 



verging sufficiently to meet behind. All the rounded or oval ends, 

 as may be seen in the illustration (pi. 2, fig. 2) are pointing in a 

 common direction. They vary in size but their general contours are 

 fairly alike. 



None of these markings occurred in regular sequence and none was 

 found giving evidence of having been impressed into the surface of 

 the sand. After a careful examination it was my conclusion that 

 they do not present a series of fossil tracks, but were nothing more 

 than a staining of the sandstone, the deeper coloration making them 



Fig. 



23. — Hoplichinis cquiis Hitchcock. Doubtfully regarded as 

 animal tracks. 1/7 natural size. (After Hitchcock.) 



stand out clearly against the lighter colored background of sandstone. 

 A few through weathering showed surface depression but a section 

 obtained in one place clearly indicated that this deep coloration ex- 

 tended downward into the sandstone for at least four inches. 



In a search of the literature in an attempt to get light on the origin 

 of these curious markings, it was of interest to find that Hitchcock' 

 had described supposed tracks (see fig. 23) from the Triassic of Con- 

 necticut which bear a striking resemblance to those under considera- 

 tion. Their resemblance to a horse's hoof was apparently recognized 



' Hitchcock, PIdward. Ichnologj' of New England, 1859, p. 134, pi. 24, figs. 3 7. 



