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opinion. As connected with the above skeleton, Mr. Catlin 
related to me a remarkable fact, which almost implies that 
the former existence of the mastodon had been handed down 
by tradition amongst the Indians. When he was in the 
locality where the bones were - subsequently exhumed by 
Koch, the Indians told him that there were several large 
bones buried at a particular spot, by some trees. Catlin said 
" How do you know ?" They replied, their fathers had told 
them so. He again inquired, " Have you seen them, or has 
any one else ?" " No ; but we can shew you the spot, and 
they are very deep," was the reply. Some fur traders had 
commenced a search for the treasure, but gave it up as 
fruitless, which also deterred Catlin, who then left for the 
Rocky Mountains. Koch next visited the district, when the 
Indians told him the same story. He expended all his cash in 
the search, and at the depth of twenty-five feet in drift and 
gravel, he found the bones of the mastodon, as well as a quantity 
of charcoal, and the above flint arrow-heads, &c. Now if the 
tradition as related by the Indians is doubted, by what 
means could they be cognizant of the fact that bones were 
buried at this spot ? it could not have arisen from previous 
diggings, as they do not disinter such remains. The Maores 
of New Zealand are aware of the existence of the bones of 
the moa and dinornis, but entertain a superstitious regard 
for them, as belonging to their ancestors, and under this idea, 
will not allow of their removal. We must, therefore, either 
believe the testimony of the natives as regards the tradition, 
or suppose that, as in Ireland, the localities where the bones 
of the giant deer are buried, are indicated by peculiarities of 
surface and vegetation. Mr. Glennon, of Dublin, a most 
successful discoverer of bones of the megaceros, informed 
me that in riding through the country he could always point 
out a spot likely to contain such remains by the peculiar 
appearance of the ground. As the natives, however, have 
