Scientific Memoranda. 43 



noticed in this report will be examined in detail. The able friend 

 to whose pen the scientific public will be indebted on this occa- 

 sion, is a perfect master of the subject, and has personally exam- 

 ined that remarkable Kentucky deposit. Editor. 



Report of Messrs. Cooper, J. A. Smith, and Dekay, to the Lyceum of Natural 

 History, on a collection of fossil bones disinterred at Big Bone Lick, Kentucky, 

 in September, 1830, and recently brought to this city, (New York.) — Read 

 May 30, 1831. 



The Committee beg leave respectfully to report, that these 

 bones, having been landed only within a very few days, sufficient 

 time has not been aflforded them, for the accurate determination 

 of every imperfect, or mutilated fragment. The greater part, 

 however, belonging to well known animals, were immediately re- 

 cognized, and it is not believed that anything of much importance 

 will be hereafter observed. They therefore submit, this evening, 

 a general account of this collection, reserving, for a future occa- 

 sion, such further particulars as may be deemed of sufficient 

 interest. 



The remains of the great Mastodon compose more than one 

 half the entire quantity of which this collection consists. Among 

 them is a head, which, though not entire, is in better preserva- 

 tion than any of this animal heretofore discovered. It enables 

 us to form a better idea of the figure of this important part, than 

 could hitherto be obtained. It is found to have the cranium 

 much depressed, in which it deviates remarkably from the 

 elephant. Both the tusks are preserved, one having been found 

 still in the socket, and the other lying at a short distance off. 



Of other large tusks, there are besides, five that measure from 

 six ^nd a half to twelve feet in length, and many more large 

 fragments of others. 



Six portions of upper jaws, all containing teeth. 



Fifteen portions of lower jaws, twelve of which contain from 

 one to three grinders each. 



Besides these, there are seventy-three detached molar teeth 

 of all sizes, some of them as large as any yet discovered. 



Of the large bones of the anterior extremity, there are 

 five scapulae, seven humeri, three ulnae, and one radius, more or 

 less perfect. 



Of the posterior extremity, six ossa innominata, ten femora, 



