Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-08-12
Fossil Remains i'm Nevada.
ANCIENT PETRIHcATIoNs AND ANTEDILU-
WAN LEVIATHANSQ ON TIE PACIFIC

ABOUT one hundred miles to the south
east of Hamilton is high plateau of
land containing an extensive deposit of
marine shells and the fossil remains of n
large variety of extinct species of fish.
But the curiosity which most challenges
the interest and investigation of antigua
ries is the petrified form of was evident
ly once an immense sea monster. 1t
lies on the high plateau in position Civ
ing rise to the theory that its locale was
once a great shoal, and that this ante
diluvian leviathan foundered and perish
ed on the surface as the water receded.
The petrifaction is perfect, and is esti-
mated to weigh about ten tons. 1t pre-
sents dual appearance-tbe head and
body that ofa humpback whale, and the
extremities extend into feelers and an
tenna like the polypus or devil fish, with
the exception that they were evidently
during life lined with hard and bony
substance. The eyes are set in each side
of the head, which is fat and oblong,
and are twenty-four inches apart. The
mouth is armed with triple rows of teeth
which are sharp in front, but underneath
and we'll into the jaw they turn into
grinders, capped by solid osseous for
nation, running back from the widest
portion of the head. In this respect it
resembles the celebrated marsh COW of
Central America, amphibious in habit
gramnivorous on land and carnivorous
In water.
The length of this singular relic of an
unknown race has not yet been deter
mined; but as the body blends into the
tail, it tapers down to so small size
that, making due allowance, its entire
weight would not be far from that stated
This inland county abounds In curious
fossile of a marine character. We have
seen specimens of crustacea found III our
immediate vicinity which puzzled scien-
fists and antiquaries. There is a preg-
nant field in this region for savans, such
as Agassiz, who have made the piscal
kingdom, both of this and past ages, a
study of love.
There is some talk among the parties
who discovered the remains of the stran-
ded monster described, of making an eff
fort to remove them to the railroad. We
see that Barnum has been buying one of
the Calaveras big trees. If he will turn
his attention hitherward he can procure
one of the most astounding curiosities of
the day. We doubt whether it can be
removed in bulk, and if an accident
should happen in the attempt, its value
would be greatly lessened, and its use
fulness as study would be materially
impaired
We would suggest the consideration of
the plan so successfully carried out in
removal of the Cardiff giant. A plaster
of Paris mould could be taken first of
the perfect form, then the shape of the
entire anatomy would be preserved in
case the effort to remove the whole should
prove failure. But in case of break
age, and the impossibility of saving the
curiosity without mutilation, it might be
reduced to powder, removedin detail and
remodeled in New York, where it would
doubtless be placed on exhibition and
become an interesting aid in science in
determining many antediluvian specula-
tions now requiring investigation and
proof