The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-21

mains enough to show that it was longer
than a horses head and shaped like that
of moose. The teeth are longer than
those found in horse, being about three
. or four inches long and IL inches wide,
and they are arranged in long rows, show
ing hat the extinct creature had a mouth
built for heavy business. From the fore
head a massive horn prOtrudes like the
spike of a rhinoceros, but of different
shape, being fat and resem bling the broad
portion of the moose deer's horns. 1t
gives the head a formidable aspect. Now it
is merely asphaItum that indicates the bone
fiber.
As a scientific discovery the Importance
of these fossilifeTous fragments can be ap-
.preciated when it is known that scientists
differ regarding the origin of asphaltum.
Some of the most eminent biologists have
satisfactorily reached the conclusion by in
duCtive processes that 1t is mineral
formed by certain chemical action, while
others, whose standing entities their
opinions to quite as much respect, claim it
is vegetable substance, or at least organic,
and probably was animal matter similar
to what can now be found at the bottom
Of the ocean.
The fragments are now packed ready to
be sent to the University of California,
where they viii be classified if possible
and preserved as some of the most inter
esting specimens in the Berkeley museum
Of natural history. The fragments of
brambles embedded in asphalt will also be
forwarded, and no doubt there will not be
much difficulty in determining its species.
The discovery and preservation of those
exceedingly valuable specimens are mainly
due to Bernard Bienenfeld, civil engl-
neer connected with the mines at Asphalto,
who studied at the university,
at deals with the mysterious" said he,
while describing some of the wonders of
study in the almost scientifically unknown
region of Asphalto. sit brings Us to think
of what might have been. The mysterious
study opens up new world to our view"
And is it really so wonderful?'
''Well, who can explain it all? Asphal-
tum is supposed to be of animal origin, or
of vegetable origin. The presumption IA
vors the theory that it is from the animal
matter Of infusoria.
"And here-see for yourself-we have
well-preserved head of an animal hewn out
of the asphaltum deposit l2U feet down in
the earth. would not wish to set up an
opinion or draw an inference from this
fact, but it does impress me strongly that
this head was part of the animal remains
that formed asphaltum. Possibly it was
millions of years ago-who knows2 Who
can count the geological periods in years?
Time is lost in it. And, think of it, here
are teeth with the gray enamel still firm,
sui SIQOOIO anu SHINY; III Tic dS pDdiL.
He unpacked the fossils with extreme
care lest pieces of the friable stuff might
'crumble off at his touch. Remember,
strictly speaking, they are more than
fossils, for the teeth are enameled, and
fancy the sensation of handling portions
OF creature that moved and had its being
countless ages before this world was ready
for mani
One package contained a piece of jaw
br,r hon l,a fha cir Ia
another showed sections of teeth and the
bone in which they were embedded, with
mere shell-like covers for asphalt that once
was dentine. A tooth curved ike a seq
ment OF circle, fully inches long and
inches by IL inches in section, weighed
nearly a pound. The horn is a horrible
-thlng to look at. 1t measures about 6
lhches IN length, inches in width and
from 10 nall an inch in thickness. This
STOOD erect between the animals eyes, and
must have proved a most persuasive
feature IN his way of arguing.
among the other interesting pieces is a
JaWoone seven inches long, in a good state
OF preservation, and clearly showing the
zone hper, although really nothing but so
projects. They will have to he mt tooether
by the professors at the universitv who
may be able to reconstruct a comnlete
skull OF q prehistoric animal thai roamed
over California; the tertiary or quaternary
Practically little geological work has
were found. just fifty miles to the e0 1ese,
Bakersfield, high up in the desoiate NOM ~
tains skirting the western San Joaonin /
Valley, this strange land lies. BGnding /
ashes, and parched white dust. pools o} |
liquid asphaltum and streams Of that
pitchy Viscid stuff trickling from cracks in