The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1920-06-03
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tortoises and crocodiles were also
found.
A surprising feature of the explora-
ton conducted by the expedition was
the failure to find any mammals closely
related to those found either on CUBA
or on Porto Rico. This suggests the
possibility that jamaica may not have
formed part of the old Antillean con-
tinent but may have existed as an
eastern peninsula jutting out from
Honduras. A second theory (but one
which has few adherents among recent
day zoologists) is that Jamaica was
isolated from all other land and re-
ceived its mammal denizens as waits
on life RATS, floating masses of vege-
tation swept down the large continent
al rivers
In addition to its success in col
lecting the fossil fauna, the expedi-
ton obtained large collection of the
living animal forms. Only one land
mammal is living on Jamaica today
the Indian Coney (Geocapromys
browneD and even that had been
thought to be practically extinct. For
the Introduction of the Mongoose on
the island, late in the last century, in
an attempt to exterminate the rats,
has resulted in the extinction of many
of the native animals.
Captain Anthony, in describing the
method of hunting the Indian Coney,
said: an order To get this animal,
which is a rat-like creature the size
of cat, the collectors went up into
the high mountains and lived with the
natives, hunting the coney in the prim-
tive fashion with small dogs. The
dogs tracked the mammal to its hole
in the rocks under some large tree,
and there, amidst great excitement,
the quarry was dug out. If the hole
is fairly large one, the dog can en-
ter at once and come to grips with it's
prey, but more often a man has to
pull away rocks and enlarge the hole.
The natives get as thoroughly aroused
as the dogs, and the scene at the
finish is one worthy Of larger game.
When the dog finally gets close
enough to the coney fight ensues-
for the animal is plucky. When the
hunters decide that the dog has Sc
cured his grip they draw him out by
his tail or hind leg and take the
coney away from him."
Captain Anthony brought back with
him more than seven hundred Speci-
mems of bats, as well as collections
Of reptiles and birds. This material.
when properly worked up, will UNI
doubtedly throw much light on West
Indian natural history, and he results
will help to direct the course of future
investigations in that region. AS the
prophecies concerning Jamaica have
borne such gratifying fruit, natural
history exploration on the islands VIII
receive a great stimulus.
The expedition encountered very
interested cooperation on the part of
the people of Jamaica, everywhere
meeting with ready assistance and un-
failing courtesy. All the important
areas of the island were visited with
the idea Of making the collection as
complete as possible.
Captain Anthony reported that the
tourist trassel to Jamaica had been I'M
usually Ileayy this winter, overtaxing
the steamship service and the islands
hotel accommodations. One of the
burning topics Of the day, there-and
by no means a one sided question-is
1.How do the Americans regard the
possible acquisition of Jamaica by the
United States?"