Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-08-10
that that which is wanting in one ia fur
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uisneu Dy DINERS which follow.
In nearly all the toe portion of the san.
DIAL IL well shown, it being as smooth as
the work of mason, for the distance of
two or three inches. Backward from the
toe we generally find the impression of the
outer portion of the sandal When studied
as whole we can determine with good
deal OF exactness the actual length and
breadth OF the sandal, which we find to be
nineteen inches in length, eight inches at
the ball OF the foot, while the heel is six
inches In breadth. In its outline the i'm.
preston follows clearly the shape OF the
human foot. From the great toe outward
there is a really graceful curve, which
draws in toward the heel; while from the
great toe inward the line is drawn toward
the instep and thence in an outward curve
to the heel. In one series this curve is
deeper, showing slightly different form
of sandal.
The average length of the stride is two
feet three inches. The distance between
the feet or the straddle is eighteen inches.
1t must be borne in mind that these foot.
prints proceed outward from the part of
the quarry the rock of which ia still in
place, the face standing like a wall fifteen
feet high.
CAST OF A PLIoCENE FOOTPRINT.
1t seemed very important to know if
there Were more footprints of the same
series still runring on into and under this
rock face. To determine this fact Mr..
Garrard, who was anxious to assist us in
every way possible, Immediately com.
menced tunnel upon the line of the
prints of the same series, if such existed.
In this effort he was completely successful.
bringing to view four other footprints,
three of which were more perfect than
those which had been previously exposed.
One of the four, owing to fault in the
rock, was too obscure to be of value. OF
this series we secured twelve more or less
perfect casts In plaster, which are placed
before you for inspection this evening
One marked feature to which we wish to
call your attention is that in all of these
tracks the toes all turn well outward.
which is not, as a rule, the habit of the
North American Indian. Within few
PAGES OF the prints we have described is to
be found another series of tracks made by
an individual who was walking in deeper
mud, which chung to and closed in upon the
foot. Seven or eight such are to be seen
in regular order. and then the track, like
the one previously described, ia lost in the
ledge toward which the steps are tending.
On the western border of the area are four
other series Of tracks. Three of these are
somewhat smaller than the ones described,
while one has sandal more curved than
that of his fellows. These are also lost in
the ledge, where they may be followed by
future explorations. These prints appear
to be upon floor few inches lower than
the one first described.
Returning now to our first.described
tracks, we find at distance of ten or
twelve PAGES other tracks, which we sup
pose to have been made by mammoth.
They are in regular order and eight il mum.
Der, with an average stride of four feet four
and half inches. The foot is twenty.one
inches in diameter. They were found i'm.
printed on what is now a pretty compact
sandstone. We find no distinct traces of |
toes, but only 8 general outline Of the foot. |
Neither did we find any distinct impress
sions of the pads of the foot. Underneath |
each foot we found thin layer of calcare. |
ous formation, which rested Immediately |
upon the sandstone. Owing to the pressure |
of the foot ridge of soft material of one or |
two inches was forced up and hardened |
around each footprint. As the direction of |
these tracks was also toward the edge of /
the exposed ledge, we were anxious to fol-
low them further. To thoroughly satisfy |
every wish of ours, Mr.. Garrard immedi- |
ately began 20 tunnel into the ledge By |
this means two more tracks were fully un-
covered and exposed to our view, thus civ.
ing us ten tracks in line. The newly
exposed tracks were found TO have been
made in mudto soft that ridge had formed
around each to hight of nearly five inches,
while the imprint upon the rock was like
that we had previously examined. Il was
now made APPARENT that all these nam.
moth tracks r.pon the exposed portion of
'he ioor oi the quarry had been made in
,he same layer OF soft material, and that |
,he raised border had been removed by the
Iuarrymen IN the progress of their former
work. Each footprint had evidently been
illed with ram water, and the sand had
been blown into and filled it. Owing to
the sand continued to adhere
20 the moist surface, and thus had formed !
\ mound of and above each footprint. At |
Ter the formation of this mound tongue
If sand had drifted out from it short dis.
.ance in northwesterly direction, and as
his tongue Of sand had been hardened into
stone, it has remained as an Indication that
:he wind which raised these mounds above
the tracks had come from the southeast
It was only with much difficulty that we
the superintendent sand by
breaking it carefully into fragments. Had
We attempted to save this entire we should
certainly have injured, if not have frlly
destroyed, the footprints which we were
most anxious 10 preserve.
After the removal Of the stone above the
'avity, the cavity was, in each instance,
Ibout five inches in depth, and showed the
of the side of the foot with toll.
'rable distinetness. We did not deem it
advisable, however, to take a set of casts
If these since they could not be of much
ervice in determining the exact form OF
he foot.