208 KANSAS CITY REVIEW OF SCIENCE. 



glomerate beds lying above the chalk along the Saline and Smoky Hill, thus in- 

 dicating what would likely be the result of an exploration in these beds, those 

 gentlemen were too much interested in the Niobrara reptiles and birds to spare 

 the time for extended explorations in a formation where at best it was uncertain 

 whether any very valuable or new material would be found. While exploring 

 the Niobrara of the Smoky Hill in 1877 an old-time hunter named Abernathy 

 (who was killed by the Indians on the Sappa in 1878) told me of a large masto- 

 don skull that he had seen projecting from a ledge of rocks on Sappa Creek. I 

 had little faith at first in what he told me, but at last becoming more convinced 

 by his oft repeated assertions I followed his lead, and after traveling seventy-fi;ve 

 miles I found by his directions the mastodon skull, which proved to be a large 

 land turtle shell. I remained some time and collected eighty land and fresh water 

 turtles, besides some valuable bones of mammals, which are in the hands of Prof. 

 E. D. Cope, of Philadelphia. 



ARCHAEOLOGY. 



INDIAN PICTOGRAPHS IN MISSOURF. 



CHAS. TEUBNER, JEFFERSOM CITY, MO. 



During a visit to Columbia, Boone Co., Mo., last fall, I learned that the 

 bluffs on the Missouri River below Rocheport, which is situated in the extreme 

 southwest corner of the same county, contained a number of pictures painted in 

 red on the face of the cliffs, the supposed work of Indians. Trustworthy inform- 

 ants assured me that these figures were known to the oldest inhabitants, and I 

 found several who saw them thirty five or forty years ago. Lately, in passing 

 through Rocheport, I concluded to take a look at them, and therefore made my way 

 to the farm of Mr. L. Torbett, about four miles east of Rocheport, where, as 1 

 was informed, they were located. Mr. Torbett's farm also contains eight or nine 

 mounds, some of large size. His house is built on one of them, the smokehouse 

 on another, and there are two more in the rear and to the right of the house. 

 The site of the house is a commanding one, and affords a fine view of the sur- 

 rounding country, while at the same time the neat cottage, with its sloping lawn 

 dotted over with stately forest trees and the green mounds in close proximity to 

 the house, present a pleasing appearance from tne road. 



Receiving a hearty welcome from Mr. Torbett and his excellent wife, and 

 after refreshing the inner man with a substantial dinner, I was supplied with a 

 guide in the person of L. Torbett, Jr., a bright little lad, and together we wended 

 our way eastward from the house, hundred yards or more, and then turned south 

 through a small corn field, at the edge of which a short path led down a steep 



