Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-03-13
ANIMAL HISTORY.
HISTORY OF THE ANIMAL RACES.

The following is fiom Prof. Silliman's last
lecture before the Smithsonian Institute,
Washington City
The history of the animal races was re-
sumed and reference was again made TO the
discovery, some years since, of few frag-
ments of the Jaws of three very small mann
malian animals in the quarry of Stoaesfeld
slate, near Oxford University. A species OF
oppossum was identified, and if there be no
mistake (ior the matter occasioned grave dis
cussious) three species OF mammala have
been made out here in the lower member OF
the oolie formation. This is bringing down
than had been before admitted for none had
been discovered below the eocene tertiary
II remains TO be seen whether other NAM
malta will be found 10 connect these points,
50 distant both in slraigraphical and chrono-
logical position.
The fossil clephcs primogenius was next
uamed-a magnificent elephan,ue animal,
equalling OF surprising in magnitude the lar
gest living elephants. From the abundant
aud wcll.preserved remains found in numer-
Gus localities there can be no doubt that the
elephas prmoSenius was extensively dis
tributcd both in the Western and the Eastern
continent, and especially in the northern lati-
tudes. large fossil tooth of this animal was
exhibited from Big Bone Lick, in Kentucky,
and the structure in plates of enamel of ivory
passing through the tooth vertically was
pointed out and also its peculiar adaptation
10 the preservation of life, by atfording fresh
cutting surfaces as the tooth is worn down by
masticalion
brief narrative and description were
given OF the discovery of the fossil elephant
Uhe so called mammolh) on the coast OF the
Northern Ocean, liule more than half CEN
tury ago The animal had been preserved
in natural ice house, being bluff or bank
two hundred to two hundred and fifty feet
high, composed of layers of clay and Ice
The progress of thawing caused the animal
10 fall upon the beach, where the fine tusks
of perfect ivory, nine or ten feet long, were
sawn Of by the nomadic Tungussian fisher
men aud the skin, " hen pealed of, requir-
ed many men 10 lift it Ii was covered with
fine curly hair, aud there were long hairs like
a maue. The ,usks aud skeleton were re-
covered and sent TO ST. Petersburg, where
they now are. The muscles of this ele-
phant were sound and afforded repast for
the dogs. Thus we learn that the primitive
elephants of the horeal regions were provi-
ded with protection against the cold, and
they could maslicate even the harsh spines
of the evergreens, and, if necessary, they
could, in winter migrate few degrees fur
ther south in search of food the climate,
although doubtless milder in those regions
than al present, was cold enough to produce
ice, otherwise this animal would not have
been preserved.
Remains of the elephas primogenius are
found all along those northern seas, and
river banks and islands, and the iusks form
a regular article of commerce. The lec,ur-
er has seen them in the museums of Europe
in perfect preservation. This race of ele-
phanis have, ages ago, perished from The
earth F; and, if livisg now, they could moi
be sustained where their remains are found
The Rhiuoceros has been found frozen 10
Siberia. The mastodon was also widely
difiused, and in The same countries with the
primitive elephant; perhaps more abundant
ly in North America than on the Eastern
continent. From the skeletons several Of
which were disinierred near Newburgh
New York, by the late MIR. Peale, of Phila.
delphia, and recently in Missouri and New
Jersey, have afforded still more perfect
specimens, and all are now well acquainted
with the structure of this truly elephantine
family. The skeleton from New Jersey,
now in the possession of DR.. Warren, senior
of Boston, is quite perfect, and retains The
gela,ine in the bones.
! The mastodon has teeth not furnished