Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1871-01-19

The San Francisco Bulletin says Gu
rious reptile was discovered about three
weeks ago, by workInen engaged in pre-
pariug rock from the petri6ed forest, Of
which material Samuel Brannan Is build
| ing house at Calistoga. In breaking n
petrified tree with q slcdge hammer, they
came upon an animal bearing more re-
sembance to lizard than any thing else.
| With blind faith in tho prcscrvstive pow
er of liquor they clapped him into bot
tie of whisky, which OF course, killed him.
Several days aftcrward Mr.. Brannan WAS
near them at their work, when blow OF
! tho hammer split portion Of a petriied
teee, revealing similar reptile nearly m
large. Mr.. Brannan. with that reverence
for any thin gprimitive. which is character
istic of California pioneers, secured the
creature and placed 1t in vial. The ani-
NAL is about two inches in length from It's
nose to the tip of its tail. The tail forms
about one third Of its whole length. 1t
has four legs and feet. The fore ones are
attached to its body just back Of its head.
and the hind ones Just at the junction Of
the tail and body. The fore feet are fur
nished with four claws. or fingers. one Of
which being shorter than the others re-
scmbles thumb. Tho bind feet have
one more finger. The head and mouth re-
semble those of diminutive frog. IL
does not open its mouth. but kceps its
throat in constantly paipitating motioo-
Its eyes are dark and resemble snall glass
beads stuck ON the head. Held between
the sunlight and tho eye, the body and
tail, legs and feet. appear translucent.
Down the back the spinal column makes
dark streak, and two spots darker than
the rest, indicate the location Of the dj-
gestive organs. al
The reptile is kept in a coskod four
ounce vial. A little water is in the bot
tom of the vial, but the animal Keeps as
far away from it as possible. 1t ls Also
exceedingly ayerse to light. The forma-
ton Of its feet enable it to climb up the
inside Of perpendicular vial. even when
wet. 1t takes its station as high up ~ it
can get, and remains there until dislodged.
The creature was found imbedded in
the body of petrifcd fir tree about two
or three feet in diameter. By counting
the layers Of the tree it was ascsrtained
that it was Eve hundred years old when 1t
commenced to petrify. II was lying pros
trate on the ground when found, bat Tho
m amer liz which II was broken from its
adjacent stump shows that it must have
petrified while standing. Il was found
in the midst Of petri6cd forest about
three miles and half west Of Calistoga. in
Napa county. This forest embraces about
ten acres Of trees, sll Of which are Ia n
complete state Of pstrifAction. Most OF
thcm have fallen to the ground, bat = few
well rooted are standing. their immensc
weight, however causing them to lean.
They comprise redwood, Inadronc. man
xanita snd oak, and contain specimens as
large as eleven feet in circumference. The
petrifaction Of She fr species is the most
pleasing in. appearance. The pitch layers
have formed into beautiful quartz crystal.
and are really handsome ornament for .
mantel-piece. Savans say that the forest
ages ago was ininerscd in water. and that
the petrification took place while % i'm
mersed. ,sss
Mr. Brannan, 10 preserve sorDo Of ahe
best specimens of thx forest, has had haul
cO 10 tbe SfOuuus VI nus hoeSA AZ N"ss "sSEsr
material for summer grotto, Its built
in the form Of pyramid, about eighteen
feet in height and eighteen feet in circum-
ference at the base. 2 The tree trunk from
which the reptile wss takcn WAS broken
to length of about AZ feet. It's weight
was 80 great that il took the strength ~
two yoke of cattle to raise il to perpen-
'dieular position.
g Many scientific moa have examined tho
animal, but all are nonplussed and una
bse to classify it. A gentleman il very
anxious to procure il for the Smithsonian
Institute, but Mr.. Brannan wishes TO re-
retain it, to see how lonG il viii live. He
has had IL thrce weeks. II eats nothing
and has not grown. Our Aoademy of Sci
euce should endsavor to secure i for their
cabinet. II is at present ir Mr.. bfan-
mans Office, ON Montgomery street.
IN, IL - DIs1~x>1~lss