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extinct lie buried there. Among tho latter fauna, which occupy the upper 
beds, we find several species of camels, varying in size from the present 
Arabian type to one little larger than a Shetland pony ; numerous 
specimens of the Equidse, ranging in bulk from the heavy Flemish cart-horse 
to one the size of a Newfoundland dog, and furnished with three hoofs to 
each foot, though the lateral ones were merely rudimental. The carnivorous 
animals are represented by wolves and foxes, some of which were larger than 
any now living ; three species of the hynsedon, which were most remarkably 
rapacious, and five varieties of the Felidce, whose skulls display the terrible 
conflicts they had with their contemporaries. Among the larger and more 
interesting animals found there, owing to the fact that none of them now 
exist on this continent, are the pachyderms, which Avere quite numerous. 
They ranged in size from one no larger than a cat to one having the pon- 
derous dimensions of the African hippopotamus. Several species of the 
rhinoceros family also roamed over the lacustrine marshes existing there in 
the tertiary era, and, later still, the elephant and mastodon sought the shade 
of the tropical forests then prevalent in Nebraska. Of all the animals found, 
hoAvever, none equals in numbers the Kuminantia, for over 700 varieties of 
one species have been found. Among these the ruminating hogs, to us, arc 
the most interesting, as none now exist. These fossil bones are preserved 
Avith the greatest care, for they display no sign of abrasion, and they are as 
Avhite and clean as if they had been bleached ; and the fact that they are not 
worn in any way Avould go to prove that they have not been carried any 
distance by Avater or drift, and that the animals inhabited the region in 
which they perished. One peculiar fact in connection Avith this fossil fauna 
is that no crocodiles have been found among it, notwithstanding the Southern 
axiom that pigs Avere made to furnish meat and music to this lazy creature. 
“ ‘ While stopping there, I had the pleasure of participating in a buffalo- 
hunt, Avhich lasted three days. Few sports are more exciting. This noble 
animal will soon, however, be among the fauna of the past, for the “ pot- 
hunters” and civilization are rapidly pursuing it to decimation. It is 
estimated that the “ hide-hunters ” of Kansas, Texas, Colorado, and Southern 
Nebraska kill 50,000 each year for the skins alone ; that the Indians kill 
three times that number, and that perhaps 10,000 more are killed by sports- 
men and those pioneers Avho depend on buffalo for their Avinter meat ; thus 
avc have the enormous figure of 210,000 as the annual slaughter. But this 
even Avill not represent the grand total, for many calves are captured to be 
sold to menageries, museums, and to private gentlemen Avho desire such pets. 
I cannot approach a summary of the latter, but I think that from 5,000 to 
10,000 would be an approximate estimate, though a low one. I have known 
instances where a hundred of these creatures Avere caught in a day by being 
run down, and not more than one-tenth Avere alive the next ; for, though 
apparently strong, they cannot endure much hardship. By giving the figures 
in round numbers we may estimate that a quarter of a million bison are 
destroyed annually, and that, I think, Avill not be far from the exact number. 
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