The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-23
rows or rArAeoSrAx FOSSILS.
Princeton University Enriched By Prof
John d. Hntaher,s Expedition.

PRINCETON Unworthy EnricneU ~ frots
John D. Hntaher's Expedition.
PRINCETON, N. j., Aug 22.-Prof, John D.
Hatcher. head OF the Princeton University ex-
petition to Patagonia. returned to Prince
ton to-day He said that the expe-
dition was by far the most successful
OF the three that the University has cent out
since 1906. Valuable collections Of fossils.
skins and skeletons OF birds and mammals
were made, Tho features OF the expedition
were the discoveries OF the teeth OF mesozoic
mammals. which are the first TO be found by any
explorer in South America. and the skeletons
OF other prehistoric animals Before leaving for
home, Prof. Hatcher shipped from Patagonia
several tons Of the remains Of mesozoic inver-
tebrates. which are now on the way to the
United States. They viii be mounted and
placed In University Geological Museum.
These specimens. added to the collection al
ready at Princeton. will give tho university
one OF tn o finest geological museums In the
country.
Prof. Hatcher said: I'VE left New York for
Patagonia on Dec. 8. 1893. and arrived there
Jan. 7. 1899. Our base OF supplies was at
Sandy Point Most OF our work was con-
Quoted In tho vicinity Of the Straits OF
Magellan and from there inland. The
principal object OF the expedition was
to gather materials for n satisfactory
study OF geology and paleontology. The col
lection we have made is not only remarkable
for the numbers and varieties OF the speci-
mems. but on account OF the perfect state Of
preservation they are in. Nearly every genus
is represented BY one or more COM
known from fragments. The most remark
able feature OF the expedition to my mind was
the finding OF teeth which are beyond doubt
the teeth Of mesozoic mammals What makes
this find so valuable. 10 the fact that nothing OF
the kind has ever been discovered before In
South America
THE natives were very friendly. and We had
no trouble whatever with them. In my former
trips 1 made myself acquainted with their
habits and manners and this time our relations
were almost cordial The majority OF
the tribes are composed Of men Of fine.
large stature. most OF them six feet
in height and Weighing about 175
pounds. The women are also large The
photographs taken and considerable material
illustrating the life and customs OF the Pata-
Ronian Indian tribes will be presented to the
Bureau Of Ethnology In Washington. l also
succeeded in obtaining large series OF mega
tives which show the geological and physiolog-
ical features OF the comparatively unknown
region"
Prof. W. B. Scott head OF the department
OF geology at Princeton, said In relation to
Prof. Hatcher's expedition: 1T is as yet too
early to give more than avery brief and imper-
feet outline Of the results attained. as the
immense quantity OF valuable material
which has boen brought together will re-
Quire years OF labor and study before
1t can all be prepared. described and published.
However, 1t is clear that the work has been
crowned with most gratifying success and
that all honor Is due to Mr.. Hatcher and his
associates for the energy and courage with
which they have overcome great difficulties.
and for the unusual skill with which the oper-
atoms have been conducted.
1t Ia at last possible. as has not been the
case before. to institute a direct comparison
between the fossil mammals OF Patagonia. on
the one hand. and those OF Europe and North
America on the other. 1t 10 hardly an exag-
geration to say that no geological or paleonto-
logical work Of recent years is Of greater gen.
eral interest and importance than that OF Mr..
Hatcher and his colleague. Mr.. Peterson.