652 PROCEEDI^'GS OF THE XEW YORK MEETING 



Of tlie find itself. Dr John C. Wnri-eii. the New England author of a mono- 

 graph on the mastodon, said in 1852 that "there probably never has been a dis- 

 covery in science which excited more intense interest." He relates that Peale's 

 mastodons were at that time the greatest curiosities in natural history in 

 America, and virtually credits the artist with the awakening in this country 

 of the first genuine interest in vertebrate paleontology. 



Of considerable interest in connection with this painting is a letter written 

 by Peale. just after its completion, to the celebrated Benjamin West, whose 

 early pupil he had been. It appears in the Pennsylvania Magazine of History 

 and Biography, volume ix. 1885, pages 130-132. 



I quote a single paragraph : 



"Philadelphia, Decemher 16, 1807. 



"Dear Sir: . , . . . . . 



"Desiring to represent the scene of getting up the Mammoth bones, it being 

 a very interesting article of the museum, last summer I undertook a picture 

 of it. This picture contains a gi*eat nundier of figures, for while I was engaged 

 in that labour my exertions excited the admiration of "all the people for a 

 considerable distance round that country : few people could conceive why 

 I should incur so much expense to get the bones. Although I have introduced 

 upwards of 50 figures, yet tlie number of spectators in fine weather amounted 

 to hundreds. Eighteen of my figures are portraits, having taken advantage 

 of taking most of this number of my family. I have introduced my painting 

 this picture in order to state to you that I still doubted my ability of making 

 a tolerable picture, and at the commencement of it I made use of a temporary 

 easel and other apparatus for painting ; however, as I advanced in the work 

 it seemed to engross my whole attention, and I really took pleasure in paint- 

 ing fi-om morn till night and even to use lamplight. I then ordered the cabi- 

 net-maker to make me a commodious mahogany easel, &c. ; so instead of 

 burning my pencils and totally quitting the art, as I thought very probably 

 would be the case. I found it much less difficult than I imagined and have 

 ever since regretted that I had not taken a larger canvas and devoted more 

 time to give a higher finish to the piece. I often say that the aged ought not to 

 be discouraged from undertaking works of improvement. . . . 



"Make my most respectful compliments to Mrs. West, and believe me with 

 great esteem, your friend, 



"C. W. Peale. 



"Mr. BE>^.T.\iiix West, 



London." 



The painting is at present in the custody of the Woman's College of Balti- 

 more, to which it was loaned by Mrs. Harry White, of Massachusetts, and 

 where its centenary unveiling will shortly occur. 



RELATIONS OF THE ITHACA AXD CHEMU^'G FAUNAS OF WESTERN 



MARYLAND 



BY C. K. SWAETZ 



This paper was transferred with the author's consent to Section E, 



