PREFACE. 



Extracts from the papers included in this volume were published in pamphlet form, 

 March 1st, 1858; but the edition was soon exhausted. The discovery of fossil bones and 

 teeth which could not be distinguished from similar parts of recent domestic animals, 

 excited general attention, and the subject was freely discussed in the public press both at 

 home and abroad. 



In April, 1859, additional evidence of the age of the beds from which these fossils were 

 obtained, was afforded by the discovery of a fragment of Indian pottery associated with the 

 bones and teeth of mastodon, horse, deer, etc., (Plate XIX and XX.) These specimens 

 were taken to Philadelphia, and submitted to the inspection of the members of the 

 Academy of Natural Sciences, at a meeting held July 12th, and published in their 

 proceedings of that evening, page 177. The subject caused considerable speculation, and 

 it was concluded to republish in part what had already appeared in the pamphlet issued 

 in 1858. 



A description of the geological formations or beds in which these remains have been 

 obtained, etc., etc., will be found in the introduction to this volume. 



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 



In acknowledging our obligations to friends who have kindly assisted us whilst engaged 

 m the preparation of this work, the first place is due to Prof. Joseph Leidy, the eminent 

 anatomist of the University of Pennsylvania, for devoting so much of his valuable time 

 and talents to our aid in describing the vertebrata; his kind attention to our interest places 

 us under profound obligations to him. 



To Major A. H. Bowman, U. S. A., Chief of the Architectural Bureau at Washington, 

 we are under particular obligations for the use of his valuable and rare collection of fossils 

 from the Ashlev beds, and for the deep interest he has always evinced in our work. 



Our sincere thanks are also gratefully tendered to the following gentlemen, from whom 

 we have received many kind favors: Dr. Edmund Ravenel, of the Grove, St. Thomas; 

 Henry W. Ravenel, Esq., of Aiken, S. C; Win. Simmons, Esq., Yonge's Island, S. C; 

 Dr. Klipstein, Christ Church; Maj Wm. M. Murray, Edisto Island; Jabez J. R. Wescoat, 

 Esq., Edisto Island; Chas. Boutelle, Esq., U. S. Coast Survey; Prof. Wm. Hume, Citadel 

 Academy; Prof. Saml. II. Dickson, Jefferson College, Philadelphia; Alderman Lucas, 

 Charleston; Dr. R. W. Gibbes, Sen., Columbia, S. C. 



