6 DISCOVERT OP THE SKELETON. 



arms in a forward direction to extricate itself from a 'morass, into which 

 it had sunk. The posterior extremities were extended forwards under the 

 body. The tusks lay with their convexities outwards, their anterior extre- 

 mities opposed to each other nearly meeting ; and thus the two tusks, taken 

 together, described a large part of a circle. ( Vide Vignette.) 



At the end of the second day's labor, the whole of the skeleton had 

 been obtained, with the exception of the posterior part of the sternum, a 

 few bones of the feet, and a number of the caudal vertebra?, some of which 

 were recovered afterwards. The bones were in an almost perfect state of 

 preservation. They were not black, like most of the Mastodon bones, but 

 of a brown color, like those of a recent human skeleton, which had been 

 in use a considerable time. It is worthy of remark, that no Mastodon bones 

 but those belonging to this individual, and no other bones excepting two 

 or three of animals recently entrapped in the mire, were found in this 

 deposit. ( Vide Appendix B.) 



The skeleton, having been extricated from its muddy bed, was deposited 

 in the stable of Mr. Brewster ; and, after being cleaned and dried, the bones 

 were ingeniously articulated by Dr. Prime, a scientific physician in the 

 vicinity. They were then exhibited in the city of New York, and in a 

 number of New England towns, for three or four months; after which 

 they came into my possession. 



When the skeleton was first seen by me, I perceived that some changes 

 in its arrangement were necessary ; and, being very much engaged in my 

 course of anatomy, I requested the aid of my friend. Dr. ]ST. B. Shurtleff, a 

 gentleman equally remarkable for his knowledge of comparative anatomy, 

 and his mechanical ingenuity. He kindly and readily undertook the 

 details of disarticulating, and re-arranging the bones, — a work which was 



