Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-06-03

GREAT NATURAL CURIosIrY We
find in one Of the latest numbers Of the
Louisville Journal, the following very
curious account Of what is, in one .ense
at least, the greatest natural curiosity
ever known 10 man -
TIE MissoURiUM.--This gigantic
wonder Of the animal creation has at
length arrived in our city, and will be ex-
hibiled ut the Washington Hall as soon
as the bones, which are now contained
in fourteen large boxes, can be pu, to-
gether. In the mean time we will en-
deavor, from data furnished us in PRINT
ed description OF the skeleton, to give
our readers some idea Of this mighty
wonder OF creation {; as such It may well
be regarded, for, III comparison with the
Missourium, maInmOths, mastadons, and
sll other hitherto discovered monsters are
but small affairs.
The skeleton measures hnty-t,ro feet in
length aud fifteen IN height. The head
MEASURES from the tip OF lhe nose to the
spine of the neck, 6 feet. From the edge
of the upper lip, measuring along the
roof Of the mouth, TO the socket OF the
eye, is 8 fee, from the lower edge OF
the upper lip 10 the first edge OF the
front tooth, 90 inches. Each Jaw has 4
teeth, and the upper jaw has beside two
enormous tusks. The teeth are inches
broad. The nose projects > inches over
the lower Jaw. The tusks are ten feet
long, exclusive Of foot and inches,
waich forms the root, and is buried in the
skull The right tusk was found firm in
the head, and remained fixed in the sock
et during its excavation and transporta-
ton TO ST. LOUIS, which fortunate cir
cumstance enables US TO know the exact
position and situation which the tusks oc-
cupied in the head ot the animal during
its life. They were carried by him al
most horizontally, bending somewhat
down, and then coming with their points
up again, making a sweep from extlemi-
~ to extremity, IN a straight line across
the head, Of ID feet. The longest rib
measures s feet 6 l2 inches in length,
the shortest , feet 3 inches. The soap
ula, or shoulder-blade, is 3 feet inch
IL length, and 2 feet inches in breadth.
The length OF the humerus, or forearm
is 3 feet . l-2 inches, and its greatest
circumference 8 feet inches. The le-
mur, or thigh-bone, is feet inches
long, and 8 "a inches in diameter. The
feet Of the animal appear to have been
webbed. The fore loot has four toes aud
thumt. The longest toe measures |
foot 8 inches, the shortest, | foot, aud the
thumb Z inches. All the bones of the
animal are firm, and contain 10 marrow.
The cavity Of the brain is quite large.
The proprietor, Mr.. Koch, in his print
ed description Of the animal, makes the
following remarks on his supposed habits
and nature -
'Ihe animal has been, without doubt,
IN inhabiiat Of water-courses, such as
large rivers and lakes, which is proved
by the formation Of the bones list, his
feet were wcbbed 2nd, all his bones
we're solid and without marrow, as the
aquatic animals Of the present day Sd
his ribs were too small and slender 10 re-
sIst the many prsssures and bruises they
would be subject TO on land 4th, his
legs are short and thick 9th, his tail is
fiat and broad 9th, and last, his tusks 5
are so situated in the head that il would
be utterly impossible for him 10 exist in a
timbered country. His food consisted
as much of vegetables as flesh, although
he undoubtedly consumed a great abun-
dance OF the latter, and was capable oi
feeding hlinself with his fore foot, after
The manner OF the beaver or otter, and
possessed, also, like the hippopotamus,
the faculty Of walking on The bottom oi
waters, and rose occasionally to take
air !"
"Ihe singular position of his tusks has
been very wisely adopted by the Creator
for the protection OF the body from the
many injuries 10 which It would be en-
posed while swimming VI walking under