10 Scientific Society of San Antonio. 



ica are found only in the later Tertiary and in Pleistocene de- 

 posits. The most recent species, Mastodon gigaiitcus, survived 

 to a late Pleistocene period. There is some evidence that this 

 huge mammal was a contemporary of early man. As to the 

 age of our specimens, I can only say that thousands of years 

 must have elapsed since the individuals that possessed them 

 roamed over the plains of western Texas. 



As has already been shown, there were found in a circulai 

 area but five feet in diameter, remains of at least three masto- 

 don. In view of the facts already given, it is reasonable to 

 suppose that we have here a fossil deposit of large extent, pos- 

 sibly as rich as that of Kimmswick, near St. Louis, where in a 

 limited area bones representing several hundred individuals have 

 been exhumed. The correctness or fallacy of this view could 

 be established by sinking test holes at several points in the de- 

 pression. 



SOME SUGGESTIONS AS TO FUTURE EXCAVATIONS. 



I have some suggestions to make as to the mode of procedure 

 in case this society (or other organization) should decide to 

 make further excavations. First of all, some arrangement 

 would have to be made with Mr. Brucks to secure the right to 

 make excavations on his property. This having been done, it 

 would be well to engage that gentleman, or through him some 

 one in his neighborhood, to remove the earth about the old ex- 

 cavation nearly to the level of the fossils. This work .should be 

 done with a team, plow, and scraper. These preliminaries would 

 not require a visit to the locality. The organization could then 

 send a representative to carry out the excavations proper- This 

 person would have to procure several laborers, some boxes (or 

 lumber for making them), packing, plaster of Paris, a camera, 

 etc. He would also have to make arrangements for board and 

 lodging for himself and, if necessary, for his assistants. Two 

 or three days' work should enable the party to make many in- 

 teresting finds and possibly even startling discoveries. 



