The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-01-03
SOME SORT OF 'SAURUS.
Relic Of a Formidable Pliocene Monster
Found in Alaskan Ice.

Capt. Frank McDermott, United States
inspector of boilers, sent to President
Dekum, of the Northern Pacific Indus
trial association, part of the fossil re-
mains of the head of some cetacean or
reptilian monster, which was dug and
cut out of an Alaskan glacier some time
ago. This has been imbedded in the ice
for many hundreds or thousands of years,
but still retains ian ancient and a fish
like SMELL" 1t is a reminder of those far
off days, possibly of an earlier era even
than that when, according to some poet,
the inhabitants sat on some promontory
which jutted out into the vasty deep, and
pour passe lie temps "bobbed for whale
with an ichthyosaurus."
This relic of a bygone age, the mere
sight of which would make glad the
heart of San Francisco silurian, is Of
the following dimensions: Extreme
length, fourteen inches; extre1na width
at base, eleven inches, taperiHg to two
inches; extreme thickness, seven inches
There are ten teeth on each side of the
upper jaw and eleven ON each side OF
the lower, the longest two and two-third
inches, the shortest one inch. They
dovetail into each other with mathe-
nptical accuracy, and are in state of
perfect preservation. Only one of the
teeth is missing, having been broken off,
probably, by the finder to preserve as a
souvenir. Not the slightest evidence of
decay is to be seen at the place of frac-
ture.
The massive jaws and formidable
teeth indicate immense and most de-
stsuctive crushing, biting and grinding
power. What proportion of the head,
whether one-third, one-half, or more or
less, has been brought to light, cannot
with any accuracy be conjectured. Pos
sibly Agassiz or some other great natu-
raffst could tell at a glance. 1t has been
placed in the apartments of the Oregon
Alpine club for inspection. 1t is to be
hoped that, if the local savants get to
disputing over it, they will bear in mind
the awful fate of that member of the So
ciety on the Stanislaus, who, after a
memorable debate in that body, made
himself a shortstop for "passel of
bones," and then 'the subsequent pro-
ceedings interested him no more" Keep
cool, gentlemen.
On the arrival of 'sthe remains" at the
exposition building, President Dekum
called in Capt Dubois and Capt Douglas
to ascertain their opinions as to what
sort of head it was. Both of these
gentlemen "gave it up" While the above
measurements were being taken, Capt
George Pope, who has "sailed the seas
over" more than once, inspected it and
gave it as his opinion that it was part OF
the head of sperm whale which had
got caught out on first base during the
glacial period. Just then Mr.. o. P. Ma
son came in, and, after looking at the
relic of the deceased monster, declared it
to be souvenir of the reptilian age,
probably the head of plesiosaurus. In
that event he probably was not used for
bait by the antediluvian of the imagi-
native poet already quoted.
Badinage aside. the relic is most
singular and interesting one, and it will
probably be necessary to wait until Pro-
fessor Condor sees to it to have it fully
identified. Capt. McDermott states that
the relic was sent to the United States
inspectors Office by gentleman now in
Alaska, and was received on Thursday
morning, the 10th inst. 1t was taken
out of the ice about two months ago at
some point in northern Alaska. No
statement accompanied it. Capt. Nc
Dermott has written back to the finder
to forward the remainder of the body
or as much of it as can be secured He
will reserve his decision as to what dis
position he will make of this interesting
and valuable find.-Portland Oregonian.