Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1827-06-22
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III this city, dated New Orleans, 9TH April, 1927.
The bones present exhibiting in this city, cannot but
consider IN common with every one who has seen them az
Of the greatest cur0sitles in Natural History They
evidently belonged to annima rather should say,
monster whose species like that Of the Mammoth, has
long since become extinct Ii the creature who WELD
ed them be of aneduv.n age, can scarcely con-
ceve how the tradition Of its existence has not been pre-
served; but the tale however, may have been told.
and might have been familiar US, but for the
ignorance and rapacy of the original Spanish settlers.
These bones were discovered by acciden Of the
extensive prares near the mouth Of the Mississippi and
contains the following portons to wit: htteen or tweny
vcrtebrae: of the bOnes Of the Uranium: ribs and
part of third; thigh bone; two three bones of
the legs and several large Of cancelated structures
To what description of animal these once belonged re-
to be determined and until more of the skeleton
be discovered, any opinion this point be but Idle
conjecture Although evident these could have com.
posed but small part of the animal, yet still they
sufficient to Gas will appear in the description
shall attempt to give of them) that the monster OF which
they formed part, must have been of dmen-
sions of size indeed, which to those who have not
the speciment before U.S. would border the fabulous.
To begin with the verebr1 these regularly formed
and in toerable state of have body,
and obque transverse and spnous processes The mean
diameter of the bodies of ia. ,, .
ncles they twelve inches IN DEPTH Inc Passagc
the spinal is nine by six nche the snous pro-
cesses stand off backwards and downwards fourteen lnci'
es the dora and somewhat less in the umbac yerteba
three of which latter entire the bodice still retain
their annuar tip OF hard bone and have the general aspect
of those of other animals, but of gigantic proportion
2Ihe crania bone which among the collection ea'
|
and three four feet its extreme width aiering to
point, and of the enormous weight OF twelve hundred
pounds. . - :.
From its shape and general appearance should call it
the temporal bone, and what confirms IN ths belief
large process standing out in an oblque direction from rs
dorsum bearing strong resemblance 70 t.t
process in man, and other animals Behind this process
say about foot, indeed may say at its root large
foamen passing through the bone, aud opening wardy,
which possibly may have been for the exit OF some large
nerve, or the passage Of an artery.
It Is the opinion Of several that the process above men,
toned was weapon of defence for the animal, but thus
though plausible conjecture cannot supscroe TO-
squamous portion. ala, number of Rogx or burrows
. which evidently formed by the attachment OF mus
cles and burrows all radiae towards this process
cannot regard it in the have expressed
+ STILL however, candor cautions not to insist on wha'
have said the contrary for having had as yet but rev
the prosecution Of the study OF
anatomy say that the pecuartes which TINS pro-
cess presents may not justify the OPINION MAT wel
pom Of defence These peculiartes are iew' ana
briefly state them The of triangular and py
ramdal shape, with its base attached to inc man Dong
and having its fat surfaces groovcd its whole engh
projects from the bone about one foot from .~ and
running the direction with the taperng extremity
IF of the bone Its structure does not dfe SO at 40
Ihave examined il, from other bones. and instead OF oen
f the close compact texture could look for, we're this
process weapon OF defence. it is canceated with merely
covering Of hard bone The internal surface OF
Of this bone smooth and has several burrows form
ed by the qualifications Of what Isuppose to have been the
menngeal artery. The squamous suture Is very distinct
and there is evidently perous portion. DIS oonc 1s
towards its pointed extremity hard external
thin vitreous tables with the intermediate DPos
Of 3d. The ribs we'll formed and in perfect s'ae o.
preservation, measuring nine feet along 'ue Su''e -0
III about three inches in thickness.
4t. The thigh bone is short, being no longer than one
foot six inches but very thick The head OF TINS bone
y fully az large as that OF IN infant months OF age
to sh The bones of the leg are as long, though not a.
D, thick as that Of the thigh.
should not omit to mention that three of the teeth
- also exhibited, which of the canine shape six inches
h length. :,
has been c0nectured that il was amphoious per
O. han, Of crocodile species and in this opinion certainly
inasrnuch the great length and fairness OF thu
.. head Judging from the specimen of cranal oone) sns
a. shortness Of feet. would justify such an idea ha
been stated the calculation Of professor OF the Tram
sylvana University that the animal when alive could no
h. have measured less than IS feet around the body and l3
a. feet in length.
e. False Nose.-A French surgeon has lately restor
s. ed to an individual his nose, which had been fros
We bitten during the campaign in Russia. The usua