The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-06-30

Or has the opinion been adopted, because il
was thought more satisfactorily to account
for his extinction! If we examine This 6rst
opinion. in what does this resemblance con-
siste Not in a similar form of the teeth with
other animals of the same animalyorous ma :
ture. but barely in the circumstances of the
enamel being only external and enclosing the
osseous substance. and not being interspersed
throughout the body OF the tooth as in the
Elephant.
Perhaps also the grinders Of the Nam.
moth being armed with several connical
points may afford some farther resemblance
to animals of the carnivorous tribe. And
these slender similitddes in the opinion of
some are adequate to the OVERTHROW of the
stronger analogy resulting from similar
number OF grinders and tusks with the Ele-
plant. and from the probability that the
Mammoth possessed a proboscis for rur-
pose nearly similar with that animal fits
being amphibious is supposed to throw light
upon ITS extinction, we will examine whence
tins illumination proceeds. Is 1t the sup
position that water once covered the greater
part OF the country i'll which these bones are
found, and that by the dereliction of the
waters the animals were deprived OF that
necessary essential to their existence-
ohould tins be the opinion, it will have to
nitude. Might not some few of the race have
been carried off othe sea in the retiring of
the waters, or being left behind, have alter
wards found their way thither down the
channels OF large riverss 1t may be argued
that this happened, but if this was the fact,
1 VIII again demand why we have never dis
covered this animal whose law of existence
ordained that he should inhabit the land as
well as the waters Will it be said that nature
has dispensed with the former part of her de.
cree * that his haunts are now no where to be
found but in the recesses of the deeps On
asserting that he was accustomed to fresh
water only, will it be answered that the sa-
line quality OF the ocean, and the want OF
ms peculiar food compassed his externina.
ton! IT these last arguments be urged,
wonid reply that he might avail himself of
water OF proper quality by frcquenting the
TODD he certainly could not suffer by his trans
lation. To such extents are the advocates
for his being amphibious he pursued
Alter bringing forward the most material
reasons which have occurred to disprove the
Mammoth amphibious, / will more directly
propose what have to say OH the subject of
his food, topic which was under the fire.
quent necessity OF adverting To. in consider
ing the foregoing question. then advance
the superstition that the Mammoth was
helbivorms /; that he probably subsisted upon
the branches and fruits of trees, upon grass
&c. This Judgment derives the strongest
support npt only from the immense bulk and
awkward structure OF the animal, which
ON the idea that he was AN inhabtant of the
land, must have absolutely incapacitated him
from procuring any other than vegetable
food. but likewise from the aforementioned
r. rc N m rs lxx.:. -
at licks This would announce that he was
fond of salt, and the inference is apt that he
should be classed among herviborous ami
mais, Since he so much resembles in that
peculiar feature. Shall we overlook reasons
of such ihvinciblc strength and merely from
the form and substance of Il grinder reject
them! NnaioSical reasoning is frequently
iilusor", but never did it more directly lead
to deception than OH the present question.
a question which NOW leave for the pur-
pose of offering my opinion Oh the extinction
OF the Mammoth, in the support of which
any argument vii! he unnecessary, as have
previously enumerated must of those which
would bear upon this POINT.
In a foregoing part of my paper, rejecting
sheim immediate interposition of the Deity, as
accounting Tor the determination Of the inam-
moth, because it would be de rogatory to his
lie should afterwards repent, as also the
supposition that this end was effected by the
dircliction of the waters Here declining the
hypothesis, that his destruction was accom-
piisncd eiiher by the mortality Of a dis,e M
per, Change OF climate or scarcity of food, it
VIII no doubt, be expected that / should then
point out some other cause for his cxtirpali-
on, which III strength of probability shall SUI
persede those already adduced for the expla-
nation Ut that extraordinary fact. This l
VIII offer, simple and Tor that reason never
adVerted to, by those who would be gaping
Tor miracles, but fully adequate to the effect
which so much eAl;es our wonder. 1t is, that
TINS lesiathan Of quadrupeds "whose nom
existence, as philosophers, SAYS Doctr. Hun
ter, we lave so much To regret, but as men,
have so much reason to rejoice at" was ex-
termina ed 10y the poor Indian of the forests s,
whom We have been so much accustomed to
look upon with Contempt, and have nevef
suspected that by his powers has been accom-
plshed All event which now fills the mind
with wonccr. This solution Of the Question
SIMPLY advanced and unasssted by circum-
stances which SO much strengthen, il, certain
ly carries with j; greater probability than
tile other explanations which have been Civ
en-, but when accompanied Ivy the considera-
tons OF the magnitude of the Mammoth, and
OF structure certainly disqualified for ac-
uvi5y, IL OPPOSES d strength which cannot be
encountered. Ut any should be impressed
with establishment at this hypothesis, let
them recO'lcCt that the formidable Elephant,
and the huge Hippotamus have fallen Ivy the
same iabeciic force, and that man ia the
most wild and barbarous state of nature has
ever been able to subdue the most powerful
md toy