In the afternoon I accom-
panied some friends to take a view of the skeleton
of a Mammoth, which was carefully put together
and set up in a convenient room in the city. When
clothed with flesh, this animal must have been of
enormous bulk. The tusks were upwards of six
feet in length, and the leg bones appeared about
the thickness of the waist of a middle sized person.
In comparing the bones of this animal with those
of an elephant, a considerable difference is observed,
particularly about the feet; those of the Mammoth
resembling the feet of a beast of prey more than the
elephant, appearing to be armed with sharp claws.
One of the claws, about eight inches in length, which
was found near the skeleton, I had in my hands.
An animal of such bulk, so armed, must have been
very destructive to the creatures around him. The
Indians have a tradition, that on this account the
Great Spirit directed that the whole species should
become extinct. Near the banks of the large
rivers in this country, and generally near the salt
springs, the bones of these animals are found. In
the inland parts of America all kinds of cattle are
excessively fond of salt, and, as in other parts of
the world, there are here many springs whose
waters are brackish. Contiguous to these springs,
the clay and earth, over which the waters have
run, are impregnated with salt; and to these
places, all kinds of wild cattle frequently resort,
and are seen licking the earth with great eagerness.