The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-11-22
TIE MLSSZN4 LINK

A correspondent of the ". Y Herald
from Washington-who appears to be a
scientific man-has recently visited the
quarry in western Nevada where Pro-
lessor LIE Conte has observed what he be.
lieves to be human footprints in sand
stone formation of great antiquity. The
correspondent of the Herald says that
the impression is exactly like that of an
Indian moccasin pressed into shallow
mud, and that the theory about them
gaining the most followers is that the
creature who made the tracks ais the
missing link in the chain of human evo-
luton"
If this be so, "the missing link" was
obviously tremendous and very com
Portable fellow-as he wore shoes meas
uring 19 inches in length. We are also
told that there are impressions of chris
ties" in the hardened mud, which evil
IDENTITY appertain, not to the sandals, but
to the leg or foot of the animal. The
link must, therefore, have been a sort
of brute-and it is little singular that
he should have worn shoes.
This is no doubt the same individual,
described by State Geologist Whitney,
who manufactured the granite mortars
found at the depth of 800 feet from the
surface under Table Mountain in Cali
fOrnia. He used these granite vessels for
drinking cups. A three-legged "skillet"
was also one Of the relics found in the
same deposits. Probably used to fry his
bacon.
P. S. Since the above was put in type,
the subject referred to has been brought
before the Academy of Science, which
was in session last week in New York
by Prof. o. @. Marsh, who gives it a
quietus. We really feel sorry for those
who are agonising over the discovery of
something which may fill the place of
the missing link" The disappoint-
ments have now been very numerous.
Shall we never find it2
The following is from the ". Y Herald
of Saturday last:
Nor HUMAN FooTPRIETs.-Th last paper read
was by Professor o. G. Marsh, on The Sup
posed Human Footprints Recently Found in
Nevada" These supposed evidences of pre-Ad
ANTE man. it will be remembered, were found
near Carson, New, last summer, and noticed at
great length in the papers of the Pacific slope.
The impressions found on the rock resembled a
human foot in sandal They were plain. num-
erous and continuous for long distance. Pro-
lessor LeConte, who had written much about
| the find >" had not committed himself to an
! identification Of these marks He remarked
however, that he also found present with these
footprints elephant remains and other fossils Of
the upper Pliocene period. AS man is supposed
/ to have appeared on the Pacific slope during
this horizon much scientific speculation resulted
on the announcement Of the footprints Pre-
| lessor Marsh said he had not visited Carson. but
/ from letters, photographs and sketches he iden-
O.. tihed the footprints as those Of the megatherum
or mammoth soth, evidences Of whose presence
he had discovered in California some wears
since. The stride Of the footmarks. he said
were not longer than would have been mads bv
a man whose general physique was symmetrical
with such feet, but they were too wide apart to
have been the steps Of a man. Then again. the
peculiar curvature Of the footprint was striking
/ ly characteristic Of the sloth and quite unlike
what human foot would have made