REPORT ON THE EXCAVATION OF MASTODON 



REMAINS, UNDERTAKEN BY A COMMITTEE 



OF THE SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY 



OF SAN ANTONIO. 



By Bernard Mackensen, B. S., 



READ BEFORE THE SOCIETY SEPTEMBER 13, 1904. 



PRELIMINARIES. 



On the morning of August 18, 1904, a committee of the so- 

 ciety, consisting of Col. J. Pitman, U. S. A., Mr. Edward W. 

 Heusinger, and myself, set out for Hondo for the purpose of 

 carrying out the wishes of the society as to the investigation of 

 the reported finds of fossil remains of the mastodon in that 

 locality, and to report on the advisability of excavating the same 

 for the society. Arriving at Hondo about 11 a. m., we were 

 met at the station by Dr. A. J. Glaser, to whom we are indebted 

 for information as to the different localities near Hondo in which 

 mastodon remains" have been found, and for other courtesies 

 shown us while in that town. After making some inquiries it 

 was decided that the most promising field of investigation for 

 the committee was to be found on the ranch of Mr. O. H. Brucks, 

 situated some 11 miles north-northeast of Hondo on the border 

 of the Edwards plateau. Immediately after dinner our party, 

 consisting of Dr. Glaser, Mr. L. J. Brucks, the members of the 

 committee, and a colored driver, and occupying two vehicles, 

 set out for the locality determined on. After a brisk drive of 

 something over two hours we arrived at our destination, where 

 we were met by Mr. O. H. Brucks, and immediatelv escorted 

 by him to the spot where the rind had been made. 



