Notice cf Big Bone Lick. 1 4 1 



inference also seems warranted, that quadrupeds have never been 

 equal, either in number or variety, since that inundation, to what they 

 were previously to it. As many of these bones are in a good state of 

 preservation, we are led to conclude that the vi^ater has retired from 

 tlie valley of the Mississippi at a later period, than it has from the At- 

 lantic States : for although it is capable of demonstration, that these 

 states have been inundated, yet the facts which constitute that de- 

 monstration, indicate also an earlier period. 



The foregoing discussion relates to a part only of this valley ; for 

 the ground on the opposite side of the rivulet, is higher and presents 

 a different class of phenomena. There the bones lie at promiscuous 

 depths, without any stratification. We must, therefore, suppose that 

 some other agent, than an inundation with its deposits, has contribu- 

 ted to the latter phenomena. 



It may excite surprise, that these bones, which have lain here a 

 thousand years, and perhaps thousands of years, should yet be in a 

 state of entire preservation. But when it is recollected, that the 

 earth here is strongly impregnated with salt, and when it is stated, that 

 many of these bones are now entirely petrified, that surprise will be 

 diminished. 



Only a small part of the earth which contains these fossils, has yet 

 been dug over. For centuries to come, these enormous bones, which 

 have been the wonder of naturalists, will still be found. 



Capt. Phinnel, who keeps the boarding house at this watering 

 place, informed the writer, that he found within a space not more 

 than six feet square, at the depth of three feet, thirty two grinder- 

 teeth of the mastodon and elephant, one of which, he said, weighed 

 fourteen pounds. They were all at one depth, and were supposed 

 to have been collected in that spot, as they have never been found 

 numerous in any other. 



In the possession of that gentleman, I saw a large bone, twenty 

 six inches in length, and weighing about sixteen pounds, entirely pet- 

 rified, which had never belonged to any of the mastodon or elephant 

 species, but to some animal now unknown. It had been part of the 

 leg of a quadruped, between the knee and the pastern joints. It re- 

 sembled in shape the bone of a hare, except being larger in pro- 

 portion to its length. The quadruped to which it belonged was eleven 

 feet high. 



