New-York tribune., 1899-08-23
RESEARCHES IN PATAGONIA.
RETURN OF THE PRINCETON EXPEDITION
WITH TONS OF VALUABLE SPECIMENS

RETURN OF THE PRINCETON EXPEDITION
WITH TONS OF VALUABLE SPECIMENS
Princeton. n. J., Aug. % CspeciaD.-Professor
John Bell Hatcher. Of the department OF geology
and palaontology in Princeton University. has
just returned Princeton from eight months
expedition 10 Patagonia where he has been
making researches in geology and paleontology.
Professor Hatcher and his assistant Mr.. Peterson.
left New-York December o. and few weeks
later established their headquarters at Sandy Point
on the coast OF the Straits Of Magellan. They went
inland among the Indian tribes. and explored the
plains and mountains Of Patagonia lying between
the forty-sixth and ffty-third parallels
The expedition proved successful especially in
obtaining many specimens OF fossils verte-
brate and invertebrate. large collection OF
chronological geological and botanical specimens
was also gathered. and several points in the
science Of geology and palsHontology. which have
hitherto been the subject OF controversy, will be
definitely settled. It is said. by these specimens.
on this expedition Professor Hatcher discovered
the first mesozoic mammals ever found in Pata-
gonia and obtained collection OF mesozoic inver-
tebrates which will rank with those in the best
museums OF the world. Just before leaving the
country he had twenty cases Of these in
vertebrates shipped to the United States. They
will be brought 10 Princeton University, and pre-
pared for exhibition in the geological! museum
While the expedition has. the whole. been
brilliantly successful the department OF paIeon-
tology deserves especial mention The quantity Of
material obtained is great that 1t has to be ex-
pressed in tons and the quality OF the collections
is remarkably good. The invertebrate fossils VII!
receive the careful attention OF DR.. Ortmann, OF
the university museum and ne will have some OF
them on exhibition within few months, but the
preparation and study OF the enormous collection
OF fossil mammals and birds Will require several
years Of work.
What especially charactertZes these collections Is
not only the extraordinary number OF the genera
and species obtained. but the remarkably perfect
preservation OF the specimens. Almost every
genus is represented by one or more complete skel-
etOns ano forms hitherto known only from frag-
rentary factg may now be studied In all their
parts. -, .,.....- -.
marine and fresh water invertebrates, which have
proved 10 Re OF unexpected value. he gathered a
large number OF cryptogamic plants, whicn are al
ready in the hands OF specialists. and partial &C
count OF them has been published
The expedition has also been important IN Its con-
tributions TO geography by the discovery OF noun
fairs lakes and rivers which nave never before
heen named or recorded any map. photographs
were taken depicting Photographed features oi
mat country and these may be used by professor
Hatcher in an illustrated lecture. he VIII remain
1r Princeton several months and direct the work
| If preparing the Patagonia collection. He expects
10 continue his researches In Patagonia, and VIII
probably sail for that region some time IN lSp