The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-09-20
THE NEVADA FOOTPRINTS.
We're They Made by Human Being

The following are the main points of
DR.. d. w. Harkness' paper on the Ne
vada footprints, read before the San
Francisco Academy OF Sciences:
while some express the belief that
the tracks are those of a quadruped--
Professor Marsh, even before so august
body as the National Academy, ven
lures to give name to the animal who
made them-there are others, including
the writer, who are equally sanguine in
the belief that the footprints in dispute
are OF bipedal origin. The question is
gradually being brought within narrow
er limits, and it is likely that in the fu-
ture the principal point of discussion
will be whether the tracks are those of
quadruped or those of man, as it
would appear that if it were once salts
factorily determined that they are sure
ly the imprints of biped, it will prove
but an easy task to show conclusively
that they were made by the progenitors
of the human race.
II am fully aware that there are like
ly to be many delicate points which
must yet be adjusted before the scien-
tist will give full credence to
SO MOMENToUs A CONCLUSION.
1t is of Importance that the exact ge-
illogical period should be determined,
so that other remains of man of that
period-if any such should eXist-such
as tiints or other implements, may be
grouped together, and their relations,
the one with the other, definitely deter
mined. When this work shall have
hnnn fn of nH hn hot
the Nevada man will take the position
to which he is entitled.
''All animals which walk upon the
earth's surface are provided with GER
tain pads, or cushions, which serve the
double purpose of protecting the foot
while in contact with the earth. and also
by their elasticity facilitating motion.
These pads or cushions vary greatly in
form and density in the different ami
mails, so us to meet the requirements of
The individual to which they may be-
long; so that these pads may often
serve as Important aids IN the determi-
nation OF species. If, by way of illus
tration, we examine the foot of the or
dinary barnyard fowl, it will be seen
that the bones are protected by these
pads; and this is especially the case
where any articulation is in the least
exposed to pressure. Among the high
er animals we find essentially the same
conditions existing; in some instances
the condition is modified Gas in the frog
of the horse) so as to meet its require
ments.
Il now call your attention to far the
most important prints to be found in
that locality, viz, the tracks made, as
the writer believes, Homo Navadensis.
These are about four hundred in num-
ber and belong to seven or eight dis
tinct series, made apparently by as
many different individuals. In length
the prints are
FROM FOURTEEN TO TWENTY INCHES,
with breadth of eight. The length of
step is from three feet two to three feet
three inches. The width of trackway
(straddle) is eighteen inches, while the
step is no longer than that of a man of
the average stature. Here, it must be
admitted, the trackway is of abnormal
width. Of this, however, l shall speak
presently.
"As stated in my previous paper, in
outline these impressions follow closely
the shape of the human foot. From the
toe outward the line is gradually drawn
in toward the heel. while from the toe
inward there is a graceful curve to the
instep, and thence in an outward direc-
ton to the heel. In one series of tracks
this curve is much sharper than in any
of the others. After repeated and care
full observation, have failed to discov-
er in any one of the 400 tracks the
slightest indication of the imprint OF
pad or toe, of instep, of claw, or OF
heel. The absence of such marks be-
comes the more significant when we
take into consideration the fact that
they are surrounded and actually
crossed by tracks of other animals,
which are so easily identified by their
tracks alone.
''In each one of the footprints we find
evidences, as l believe, that the foot
had been protected by some artificial
means; in some cases this was made OF
wood, as it would seem, or some other
material equally unyielding, as the i'm
print is that of plane. In one or two
of the series depression along the cen.
trail line of the track would indicate
that in this case the individual had useC
material more yielding than wood,
such as the dried skin of an animal
which, becoming moistened, was BEN
upward at the sides.
THE SANDAL WAS EIGHT INCHES II
WIDTH.
We can easily imagine that the use o
such unwieldy foot-gear, especially
when walking in muddy ground, woul,
serve to account for the great width o
trackway.
''Briefy reviewing the subject, ther'
are many reasons which have led mi
to the conclusion that these imprint
are not of quadrupedal origin. Amons
the most important of the. objection
are: First-The entire absence of sucl
distinctive marks as would indicate al
unprotected foot. Secondly-There ar
no indications of misstep, either b,
accident or at points where the anima
has deviated from the straight line
Professor Marsh's statement that he
assured that double trackway ha
been found is certainly news to thos
who-like myself-have personally ex
amined the tracks as they now appea
upon the floor of the quarry. Third
The curve of the foot is so regular an
so constant as to show that in every IN
stance the hind foot-if of quadrupe
was at all times placed exactly upO