The St. Louis Republic., 1903-10-18

WRITTEN FOR THE SUNDAY REP PUBLIC.
Since 1891 from TWO 20 four eNpelitl'ar
annually have been sent out by the Amer
icRn Museum Of Natural History among
all the Western States and Territories, IN
cludlrE New Mexico. Arizona, Texas, Col
orado. wyoming. Utah. Nebraska and the
Dakotas. IN search OF the remains OF eI-
tinct animal life.
Twentv-four OF these expeditions were
devoted to the age oc mammals. with esti-
mated duration OF three million years
PRIOR 20 the age OF man
Twelve expeditions were concerned with
the age Of reptiles. with an estimated du-
ration OF thirteen million years prior 10
the age OF mammals.
Briefly stated, the object ot these eNps-
dltions was 10 secure & complete history
Of the ancient vertebrated life OF North
America during a period which extended
back 10 the age OF amph!bians and Ife
EtIl more remote age OF fishes, estimated
from thirty 10 fifty million years ago.
Splendid collections Of the amphibian
age have been secured by the purchase
and gift 10 the American Museum by ifs
president. Mr.. Morris X. Jesup, OF the
great aCgregati0ns Of fossils OF the late
Professor f. D. Cope OF the University Of
Pennsylvania
While no expeditions have as vet been
sent to this field. the other fields men
toned above have been fairly covered.
Dinosaur Hall IS 10 be the name OF the
great new corridor Of the east wing. 20 be
suits OF the expeditions into the age OF
reptiles
STAR ATTRACTION
NOW BEING MOUNTED.
The preparators OF the museum are now
bUsilv engaged in mounting the star at
traction OF this hall-the skeleton OF the
brontosaurus excelsus (see illustration).
Although seventy-fiys feet across. the
hall IS too narrow for this monster. so
that the tan viii he turned about
The tips OF the Epines reach within i've
feet OF the high ceiling.
Adjoining will be the huge skeleton OF
the allied light-limbed dinosaur diplodo-
Gus, or the amphicOelias altus OF Cope Csse
Illustration.
The skeleton OF the carnivorous dinoss IT
sllosaurus Csee illustration), which preyed
on the above reptiles: the skeleton OF
mosasaur marins saurisn) and one OF the
huge plated dinosaur called stegosaurus
will form a rival Eroup.
Near by Will be the duck-bIued dinosaur
called the hadrosaur. or diclonius.
One Of the most impressive exhibits VIII
he the colossal skull OF the herbivorous
dinosaur, called triceratops, measuring
seven ana one-half feet in length and five
and One-haH feet in height the largest
reptile skull ever unearthed, brought in
ouIlhE lhe last summer by q party IN
der Barnum Brown and r S. LulL
Near Il Will be the skeleton OF laelaps
the leading dryptosaur, its especial en-
emy, and an undoubted descendant Of the
hosaurus, the enemy OF the Jurassic her
bivorous dinosaurs.
Several million years ago the principal
creatures Of earth were various forms OF
reptiles Of mostly gigantic size, peculiar
ly armed for offense or defense. or both.
OF the land forms some walked or, r-y,
legs and tail. tripod fashion. others ON I'll
fours
sERFENTLIIlE INHABITANTS
or THE SEAS
Some Of those Inhabiting the salt seas
were sea-serpentlikc. as we understand
tho term Of popular Etbirs. some species
having huge. crushing Jaws and paddles
by which. with long. :arerlug ta!Is. trrv
swan with incredible swiftncss preyin-
on each other. or fishes. and on turtles
Among these forms were the mosasaurs
and the surface skimmors and divers
somewhat swanliko In outline hut ciEan-
tic in size. known as pleis0saurs.
Then there were winged forms called
pterosaurs. which. being weaker. were en-
Hbled by batlike wings. to escape the cen
liens Of the land and sea. and while prey
ing on smaller types unable 10 cope with
them.
During the period Of some millions OF
years these creatures existed on the earth
many causes contributed TO their exiting
tl0n and the preservation or their slsa'e-
tons. Unfortunately. however. later e-e-
T ents. such as natural commissions and
fercely moving waters. broke up the slloI-
4 etons largely and scattered the fragments
over wide areas. or perhaps ground many
OF them To dust
Thus it happens that so many species