New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-24
MASTODON A yOUNGSTE|
COMPARED TO NEW FIN
Skeleton of ECtoconus In
earthed in Mexico by Expedi-
tion of American Museum.
AGE SET AT 3 MILLION
Professor Henry Fairfield 0s|
born Announces Discovery
Made by Dr.. w. Granger
and His Party.

Professor Henry Fairfield Osborn. presi
dent OF the American Museum OF Nat
ural History, told yesterday of a mos
important discovery in northeastern New
Mexico by members OF the staN of TIL,
institution Of a mammal that will round
out a period in the worlds history about
which little has heretofore been known
Professor Osborn said: THE mastodon IL
ike a thing Of yesterday when compared
with it,"
The fhmmal In question is known as an
ectoconus, an herbivcrous creature that
lived three million years ago In fact, IN
geological time II is thousands OF years
older than any other mammal skeleton
discovered Up to now. Only in northern
France and in Belgium have any fragment
airy evidences OF mammals nearly that old
been found. The two hundred specimens
collected by the museums party in New
Mexico include complete skeleton OF the
ectoconus. which will take It's place In
the mammalian hall as one Of the mu-
seum's most treasured possessions.
Professor Osborn, who has just returned
from two months visit to three regions
in the West where museum expeditions
are at work, was greatly gratifed By the
find. He said that DR.. Walter Granger.
who had found the complete skeleton Of
the four-toed horse some years ago. had
also been at the head of this expedition In
New Mexico.
THE ectoconus." raid Professor Os-
born. dates from the very beginning OF
the age Of mammals. The skeleton was
discovered n a stratum not far removed
from that in which the remains of the
dnosaur OF the reptilian period were
found II showed that the ectoconus fol-
lowed shortly after the reptilian period
came 10 a close The discovery rounds
out very little known period in the
worlds history. II is OF great significance.
and high praise should be given the men
who discovered IT,"
Professor Osborn said the ectoconus.
Judging by its skeleton, somewhat resen1-
bled the wolf in size and contour and was
peculiar TO the North American Continent,
and was of a type no longer existing.
The skeleton was discovered 1000 feet
below the surface of the earth. IL was
found on the side Of bluff. Remains OF
the nearest existing mammals have in the
past been found at 200 feet.
The present arid region where the Inn
portant discovery was made at the time
of the ectoconus was traversed by a
stream somewhat In size and shape Ike
the Orinoco River OF South America. The
ectoconus lived In large numbers in this
land OF plenty at that time.
Professor J. II. Sinclair, OF Princeton
University, was one of DR.. Changers ex-
petition.
Professor Osborn also visited the Mo-
brara region in Western Nebraska, where
a museum party under Albert Thompson
has been at work. He was shown the
bottom Of an old stream which was ex-
posed through the use by the expedition
OF 500 pounds OF nitroglycertne. Hers
had been discovered skeletons Of the NOR
pus, an herbivorous animal larger than the
rhino. and specimens Of the pygmy rhine.
They existed IN a period midway letween
the mastodon and the ectoconus. Three
OF each will be exhibited in a group TO so
In the centre Of the MAMMALIAN hall.