Record oe Geology of Texas, 1887-1896. 
41 
Cope, Edward D. 
horses of the genus Equus {E. simplicidens Cope) in association with 
mastodons of the molar dental type of the Tetrabelodon angustidens, an 
association not previously met with in ISTorth America. In addition to 
these sipecies, the presence of a peculiar land tortoise {Testudo turgida 
Cope), and of a new genus of birds allied to the rails [Grecoides Shuf.) 
was established. 
“I propose to present to the Academy a list of the species obtained, so 
far, from the Blanco beds by the present expedition, with such conclusions 
as may be derived from it.” 
Testudinata : Testudo turgida Cope loc cit. T. pertenuis sp. nov. 
Description. Edentata: Megalonyx sp. Carnivora. Proboscidia: Mas- 
todon successor sp. nov. M. cfr. mirificus Leidy, M. cfr. shepardii Leidy. 
Perissodactyla : Equus simplicidens Cope, 1. c. E. sp., E. a second sp. 
Aritiodactyla : Pliauchenia. 
In the 'Texas Panhandle. 
Oorrespondenee. 
Amer. Geologist, Vol. X, pp. 131-132. 'Minneapolis, August,' 
1892. 
A letter dated Clarendon, 'Texas, June 13, 1892. A ride of 250 miles 
from Big 'Springs, a station of the Texas and Pacific railroad. Dry season. 
Weather. Difference in temiperature between day and night often 30-40 
degrees. Difference 'in the feeling of heat here and in Philadelphia. Bad 
water. Party in charge of W. E. Cummins. Line of travel along the 
eastern escarpment of the iStaked Plains. Accessible Permian, Trias, Loup 
Fork and Blanco beds. The latter contain a new vertebrate fauna, mostly 
mammals. Of fourteen species collected, ten are new, two of them mas- 
todons. Loup Fork beds and numerous fossils — horses, camels and mas- 
todons. Acres covered with bones. The Blanco beds form the entire sur- 
face of the Llano Fstaeado. Underlain by Trias and Permian. How far 
the Loup Fork passes under the plains is unknown. 
.44. 
(Geology of the ^^Staked Plains.’^) 
Amer. Geologist, Vol. X, p. 196. Minneapolis, SeptO'mber, 
1892. 
A note, under the heading Personal and 'Scientific News, beginning as 
follows: ‘According to Prof. E. D. Cope, the ‘'Staked Plains’ of Texas are 
composed ef Cenozoic strata, divisible into Equus beds, Blanco Canon and 
Loup Fork, the last being lowest, conifirming the determinations of Prof, 
Hill.” Underlain by Trias. Equus beds have a well-known vertebrate 
fauna. Same true of Loup Fork beds. Paleontological blank between filled 
by the discovery of the Blanco Canon beds. No marine forms in these 
beds or in the Triassic or Permian below. He considers the Equus beds 
as probably of the age of the La iFayette. He obtained the remains of 
Megalonyx in the Blanco Canon beds and several species of the horse in 
the Equus beds. 
