482 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. XL 



Molar tooth of Mastodon amertcanus* Molar tooth of Elephas primigenius, 



American Mastodon. Northern Mammoth. 



(About J nat. size.) (About J nat. size.) 



had been preserved for ages, some of them in nearly perfect condition. 

 In 1799 the body of a Mammoth, E. primigenius, was found frozen 

 in the ice in the estuary of the Lena River, Siberia. It was in such a 

 good state of preservation that it is claimed some of its flesh was eaten 

 by the men who discovered it. Unfortunately, however, the carcass 

 was almost destroyed by wolves and bears before the remains were 

 ultimately secured and taken to St. Petersburg, where the skeleton 

 and some of the hide are preserved. Unlike the modern Elephant, 

 these animals were covered with long, brown hair mixed with longer, 

 black hairs, and had a shaggy mane. 



In 1 90 1 another frozen specimen was discovered near Beresovka, 

 Siberia, which was practically complete; but much of the hair was lost 

 in excavating it. The animal was saved and mounted and is now on 

 exhibition in the museum at St. Petersburg. 



We have reason to believe that species belonging to this order 

 existed in North America at a comparatively recent date and were 

 not unlikely contemporaneous with primitive man. It is interesting 

 to note that some Indian tribes have traditions that the huge bones 

 of these animals belonged to ''Fathers of Oxen," beasts that lived 

 in ancient times together with a giant race of men. 



Those who desire further information concerning our fossil species 

 are referred to such well known publications as: Extinct Monsters, by 

 H. N. Hutchinson, New York, 1892; Creatures of Other Days, by H. 

 N. Hutchinson, New York, 1894; Manual of Geology, by J. A. Dana, 

 4th ed., 1895; Animals of the Past, by F. C. Lucas, New York, 1901, and 

 other works by the same author; The Evolution of the Elephant, by 

 Richard S. Lull, Amer. Journ. Sci., March, 1908; and The Age of 

 Mammals in Europe, Asia and North America, by H. F. Osborn, New 

 York, 1 9 10. 



* Cuvier's name of Mastodon for this genus must give place to Mammut of 

 Blumenbach but the change here might be misleading. 



