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MEMOIR

1 1

ON THE

EXTINGT SPECIES OF AMERICAN OX.

BY

JOSEPH LEI'DY, M. 1).

WASHINGTON CITY:
PUBLISHED BY THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.

DECEMBER, 1852.

NEW YORK: G. P. PUTNAM.
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. JOSEPH PANCOAST, M. D.
' ' ' ; JOSEPH HENRY, .
Secretam-S. I

 

INTRODUCTION.

 

FOSSIL remains of the ox tribe have been frequently discovered in the United
States, of which descriptions, scattered through various works, have been given;
but no approach to a correct View has been obtained of the number and character
of the extinct species. The author, having the best opportunity of inspecting most
of the specimens which have been described, has availed himself of it to give in.
this Memoir as clear a history of the animals as the remains would justify. In
this endeavor, he has been very much assisted by the examination of additional
specimens, in the cabinets of the American Philosophical Society and Academy of
Natural Sciences of Philadelphia; and others, loaned with the utmost liberality by
the Boston Natural History Society; Prof. Samuel St. John, of Hudson, Ohio; Mr.
J. W. Foster, and Mr. Thomas Kite, of Cincinnati; to all of whom he now ex-
presses his sincere thanks.

The ox tribe is surpassed by no other in economical importance to man, and
it is also one of peculiar interest to the naturalist and geologist. The existing
Species are numerous, and are indigenous to all the continents excepting South
America and Australia.

America, at the period of its discovery by Europeans, possessed notindigenous
species of horse; although the New World presented such favorable conditions to
the-existence of this animal, that, a few years after its introduction, it formed
large herds, now found in a wild state. This is a remarkable fact, especially as
recent researches have proved the former existence of at least two species in
North and South America.

The non-existence of any species of ox indigenous to the latter continent is,
however, still more remarkable; for, not only are the conditions so favorable to its
development at the present time, that the Domestic Ox introduced by Europeans
exists in immense herds upon the extensive pampas in a wild state, but there are
also found two species indigenous to North America. Nor have any remains of
extinct species of ox been found in South'America, while such have been discovered
in North America, indicating the former existence of three and probably four

‘ 299312

4 INTRODUCTION. III.

species; and it really appears as if circumstances had always been absent upon the
former continent, which have been at least coincident- with the primitive origin of
the 0X tribe in other countries.

Of Australia, we know too little to say positively no species of the ox tribe has
ever existed there ab origine; and it would probably even be unsafe to infer from a
View of its recent fauna that there did not.

The two recent species of OX of North America are the Bison Americanus, Gray,
and the Ovibos moschatus, Blainville.

When North America was first colonized by Europeans, the Bison Americamos,
or Buffalo, ranged over nearly the whole continent; but it has gradually retired
westward in advance of the migrating column of the white race of man, until it
has entirely disappeared west of the Mississippi. To find it now, in large numbers,
it is necessary to travel far west of the latter, even to the foot of the Rocky
Mountains; and the day is not far distant when it will become quite extinct, unless
protected by a munificent republic, as has been done by the Emperor of Russia in
the case of the Aurochs, or European Bison, now kept in great herds in certain
forests of Lithuania.

The Ovibos moschatus, or Musk OX, is rarely seen by travellers and naturalists,
being confined to that part of America west of Hudson’s Bay, and north of 65° of
latitude, to which climate it is peculiarly adapted by its thick long fleece.

A fine specimen of this animal, preserved in the British Museum, we are informed
is the only one contained in any collection of Europe or this country.

 

CHAPTER I.

GENERAL REMARKS.

§ 1. Fosst REMAINS OF THE AMERICAN BUFFALO, BISON AMERICANUS.

REMAINS of the American Buffalo are frequently discovered within the circuit
of its former habitation east of the Mississippi, more especially at that remarkable
cemetery of mammalia, Big-bone Lick, Kentucky. Mr. Lyell, in the description of
a recent visit to this locality,1 remarks that, within the memory of persons now
living, the Buffaloes crowded to the springs of Big-bone Lick ; but they have
retreated for many years, and are now as little known to the inhabitants as the
Mastodon itself. In reference to the same place, he observes he saw remains of the
Buffalo in great number in a superficial stratum cut open in the bank of the river.2

In the Museum of the Academy of Natural Sciences there is a collection of
bones from Big-bone Lick, which I do not hesitate to attribute to the Buffalo;
although, from no recent skeleton, excepting crania, of this animal being accessible
for comparison, I cannot positively ascertain their identity.

The specimens are as follow :—

I. Fragment of the left side of the lower jaw, containing the last molar tooth.

2. Fragment of the left side of the lower jaw containing four teeth, from an old
individual.

3. The occipito-parietal and temporal bones of a young individual.

These three specimens were presented to the Academy by Dr. Richard Harlan.

4. Two superior molar teeth; presented by Thomas Fisher, Esq.

Besides the foregoing, there are numerous bones from Big-bone Lick, presented by
Thomas Jefferson to the American Philosophical Society, and now on deposit in
the museum of the Academy. The specimens are dark-brown or black in color,
with a lustrous surface, and are dense and unaltered in their texture. The interior
of the long bones is filled with a hard, dry, pulverulent, chalk-like adipocire.

They are as follow :—

1. A dorsal and a lumbar vertebra, and a sacrum of five pieces belonging to an
individual not quite adult. They are about the size of those of the Domestic OX.
The epiphyses are separated from the bodies of the two vertebrae and lost. The
pieces of the sacrum are firmly anchylosed together, but the first piece has lost its
anterior epiphysis.

 

 

‘ Travels in North America (1845), vol. ii. p. 55. 9 Ibid. p. 56.

6 MEMOIR ON THE III.

2. A radius about as large as in the common 0X.

Length internally . . . . . . 11% inches.
Breadth of proximal articulation . . . 3% “

“ distal “ . . ' . . 372; “
Circumference at middle . . . . 4% “

3. Two metacarpals of the right and left foot of two different individuals, about
as long as, but broader than in the common ox. '

Length . . . . . 8 inches and 8 inches 3 lines.

Breadth of proximal articulation 2 “ 11 lines and 3 inches 1 line.
“ distal “ 3 “ and 3 inches 3 lines.

Circumference at middle . . 5 “ 2 lines and 5 inches 7 lines.

4. Three metatarsals about as long as in the common ox, but narrower.

Length . . . . . . . . . 9 inches 3 lines.
Breadth‘of proximal articulation . . . . 1 inch 10 “

“ . distal “ . . . . . 2 inches 3 “
Circumference at middle . . . . . 3 “ 11 “

5. Six first phalanges about 2% inches long.
6. Five second phalanges measuring from It to 1% inches in length.

§ 2. GENERAL HISTORY OF THE REMAINS OF EXTINCT SPECIES OF AMERICAN OX, WHICH
HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED.

Remains of extinct species of ox are also quite abundant in the post pliocene
deposits of North America.

The first distinct Species of extinct American ox was announced to the world by
Mr. Rembrandt Peale.1 It was established upon a fragment of a cranium with a.
portion of one horn-core attached, which was discovered in the bed of a creek falling
into the Ohio River, twelve or fourteen miles north of 'Big—bone Lick, and was pre-
sented to the American Philosophical Society by Dr. Samuel Brown, of Kentucky,
and is now deposited in the museum of the Academy of Natural Sciences.

Notwithstanding the greater size of the specimen as compared with the corre-
sponding part of the skull of the Aurochs, Cuvier, who subsequently described a
cast of it sent to the museum at Paris by Mr. Peale, considered it as having
belonged to the same species,2 and in this View he has been generally supported by
succeeding writers on the subject. It is, however, exceedingly doubtful, abstractly,
whether the same species of Aurochs was ever common to the eastern and western
world; and in the absence of any correct evidence to favor such a View, Dr. Harlan

 

‘ Account of some Remains of a Species of gigantic Oxen found in America and other parts of the
World, by Mr. Rembrandt Peale. Philosophical Magazine (1803), vol. xv. p. 325, pl. vi. The latter is a
. good representation of a posterior view of the specimen.
2 Ossexn. Foss. ed. 4, t. vi. p. 287.

III. EXTINCT SPECIES OF AMERICAN OX. 7

was quite justifiable in proposing for the animal to which the fragment under
consideration belonged, the name of B08 Zalifrons.1

In the American Journal of Science for 1846,2 Dr. W. M. Carpenter described a
portion of a fossil 0X skull, and a molar tooth of an old individual, found on the
banks of the Brasos River, near San Felipe, Texas, which appear to belong to the
same species as that just indicated.

A second species of extinct OX was established, by Dr. Wistar, in ,the year 1814,
upon part of a skull with both horn-cores nearly entire, found at Big-bone Lick.3
This specimen, and many other remains of mammalia, were obtained through the
exertions of Thomas Jefferson, in his zeal for the advancement of science, and-
presented by him to the American Philosophical Society, which subsequently
deposited them in the museum of the Academy of Natural Sciences, that they
might be accessible to the inspection of all persons visiting Philadelphia.

To the species indicated by Wistar, Dr. Harlan afterwards gave the name of Bos
bonzbéfrons.4

Mr. William Cooper, in a communication entitled “Notices of Big-bone Lick,”5
observes, that he found a second head of this species among a collection of bones
discovered by Mr. Finnell at Big-bone Lick, much in the same state as that figured
by Dr. Wistar.

A third extinct species of 0X found in North America was first indicated by Dr.
De Kay, from a fragment of a skull with portions of both horn-cores attached,
which was ejected by the shock of an earthquake in 1812, at New Madrid, on the
banks of the Mississippi, and was presented to the Lyceum of Natural History of
New York by Dr. S. L. Mitchell.6

Under the impression that the specimen belonged to the same species of ox as
two crania described by Pallas,7 and a third by Ozeretskovsky,8 for which no name
had been proposed, Dr. De Kay designated this as the Bee Pallasii, and provision-
ally referred his specimen to the same species ,9 which is, however, without doubt,
incorrect, as will be seen hereafter.

Mr. Cooper states that, during his stay at Big-bone Lick in 1828, a mutilated skull
of this species was found at that place and brought to him, and is now deposited
in the collection of the Lyceum of Natural History. He also adds he saw another
specimen of the same species from Ohio.10

 

1 Fauna Americana, p. 273. 2 N. S. vol. i. p. 245.

3 Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc. 11. s. vol. i. p. 381. 4 Fauna Americana, p. 271.

5 Am. Month. Journ. of Geol. vol. i. p. 173. 6 An. Lye. Nat. Hist. vol. ii. p. 280.

7 Nov. Comment. Petrop. vol. xvii. p. 606. 8 Mém. Acad. de St. Petersb. vol. iii. p. 215.

9 An. Lye. Nat. Hist. vol. ii. p. 291. 1° Am. Month. Journ. of Geol. vol. i. pp. 173, 174.

8 MEMOIR ON THE III.

CHAPTER II.

DESCRIPTIONS OF EXTINCT SPECIES OF AMERICAN OXEN.

BISON, HAM. SMITH.

IN the skeleton of the genus Bison, the skull presents the most important cha-
racters, by which it may be distinguished from B08 and extinct species may be
recognized. As in Bos, the horn-cores are on a level with the orbits behind, but
they come off an inch or more in advance of the inion. In Bison, the forehead
is broad, quadrate, and slightly convex. It has no trace of lachrymal fossae.

BISON LATIFRONS, LEIDY.

Great Indian Bufi‘alo, PEALE: Philos. Mag. Vol. XV. p. 325, Pl. VL; Hist. Disq. on the Mammoth,p. 84.

, FAUJAS-SAINT-FOND : Essai de Geol. I. 347 ; An. du Mus. II. p. 192.

Auroch‘s, CUVIER: An. du Mus. Vol. XII. p. 382, P1. 34, Fig. 2; Ossem. Fos. IV. p. 50, Pl. III. Fig. 2;
Ed. 4, t. 6, p. 287, P1. CLXXIII. Fig. 2.

B03 latifrons, HARLAN: Fauna Americana, p. 273 ; Med. and Phys. Researches, p. 276; Edinb. New
Philos. Journ. XVII. 359 ; COOPER: Amer. Month. Journ. of Geol. Vol. I. p. 174; DE KAY: An. Lyc.
Nat. Hist. of New York, Vol. II. p. 286; New York Fauna, Zool. Pt. 1, p. 110.

Urns prisons, BOJANUS: Nov. Act. Acad. Nat. Cur. XIII. 427.

Great fossil ox, GODMAN: Amer. Nat. Hist. Vol. III. p. 243, P1.

Bos priscus, H. v. MEYER: Nov. Act. Acad. Nat. Cur. XVII. p. 141; GIEBEL: Fauna. d. Vorwelt, I. p. 153.

Fossil om, CARPENTER: Am. Journ. of Science, 11. 5. Vol. I. p. 245.

Bison latifrons, LEIDY: Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Vol. VI. p. 117.

 

 

The Bison latifrons is established upon the fragment of cranium‘ before referred
to, presented by Dr. Samuel Brown to the American Philosophical Society.

The specimen consists of the hinder portion of the cranium with a fragment
fourteen inches in length of the left horn-core (Plate 1.), and indicates a species as
large as the existing Arnee, or Buflalo (Bubalus bufi’elus, GRAY), of India and Java.

The sutures of the remaining bones of the specimen are anchylosed; but the
positions of the frontal and fronto-parietal sutures are yet distinguishable as slightly
elevated zigzag lines (Fig. 1).

The form of the cranial fagment with its attached portion of horn-core is almost
a repetition of the corresponding part of the skull of the Buffalo.

The base of the horn’core is situated five inches in a curved line outwards and
forwards, or two inches and a half in a straight line, in advance of the position of
the occipito—parietal crest.

The forehead is slightly more flat antero—posteriorly than in the Buffalo, arising
from the occipito-parietal crest, being a little less below its level.

The lateral margins of the inion are broken away in the specimen; but the

III. EXTINCT SPECIES OF AMERICAN OX. 9

remaining portion exhibits the same appearances in detail as in the Buffalo, though
in an exaggerated degree corresponding to its much greater size (Fig. 2).

The base of the specimen is very much broken, but that which is preserved
indicates the form to have been the same as in the last-mentioned animal.

The occipital condyles are alike in both, and, at their anterior part, advance in
a concave manner to the posterior muscular protuberances of the basilar process.
Between the condyles and paramastoid, a large deep fossa exists, having at its inner
side the foramen condyloideum.

The foramen magnum occipitis is slightly wider than high, being two inches one
line by one inch eleven lines.

The basilar process in the fossil, at its posterior muscular protuberances, is four
inches Wide and two inches and a quarter at those joining the body of the sphenoid.

The OS tympanica has been large and inflated, as in the Buffalo, and a portion of
one glenoid articulation remaining in the specimen presents the same form as in
the latter.

Admeasurements.
Breadth of forehead between the bases of the horn-cores . 15 inches.
Height of the inion from the upper edge of the occipital
foramen . . . . . . . . . 5% “
Circumference of the horn-core at its base . . . 20% “
Circumference of the horn-core ten inches from its base . 17% “

As before observed, the fragment of a fossil ox head and molar tooth, described
by Dr. W. M. Carpenter, also belong to the Bison latifrons.

The cranial specimen, Dr. Carpenter states, consists of the frontal bone with
portions of the horn-cores. From one broken extremity of the latter to the other,
the measurement is fifty-six inches; the right portion being two feet, the left
eighteen inches in length. The base of the horn-cores is seventeen inches in cir-
cumference, and at the distance of eighteen inches from the head fourteen and a
_half inches. The frontal bone is nearly plane, and between the horn-cores, which
arise laterally from the same level, is fourteen inches in breadth. The horn-cores
are nearly cylindrical; and from the wood-cut representing the specimen, are
directed outwards, a little backwards, and slightly upwards.1

The tooth found with the above specimen, Dr. Carpenter observes, is a second
true molar of the upper jaw of the left side. The crown is worn down nearly to
the fangs, and the characteristic ruminant triturating surface is nearly obliterated.
The antero-posterior diameter of the crown is a little over an inch and a half, and
the transverse diameter is an inch and a sixth.

In the cabinet of the Academy of Natural Sciences there are preserved five molar
teeth, about one-third larger than those of the Buffalo, which I am disposed to con.-
sider as having belonged to the Bison Zamfions (Plate IL, Figs. 2—7).

 

1 Dr. Carpenter says “forwards,” but, from the out, he evidently means upwards—Am, Jon-m. of
Sci. vol. i. 1846, p. 245.
2

10 . MEMOIR ON THE III.

All the specimens are from the vicinity of Natchez, Mississippi. Two of them
were found by Dr. M. W. Dickeson in association with remains of Mastodon, qums,
Ursus, Cervus, Megalonyw, and Myloclon ,- the others belong to the American Philo-
sophical Society, to which they were presented by W. H. Huntington, Esq., who
discovered them in association with remains of Mastodon, Equus Amerieamts, and
the jaw of Felts atroac, described by me in the Transactions of the latter Society.

Three of the teeth are superior molars; one, the last of the series (Plate IL,
Fig. 4), is unworn, the others are moderately so. The inferior molars are both the
last of the series; and one is unworn, while the other is worn down within half an
inch of the fangs, which are elongated, as is ordinarily the case in the teeth of old
ruminating animals.

In the upper molars the external side exhibits six folds relatively not more pro-
minent than in the common ox. Internally between the principal lobes, the acces-
sory column is very well developed and robust (Figs. 2, 4). The crescentic enamel
pits or islands of the grinding surface are more simple than in the 0x, and appear
relatively more capacious as a result of their greater simplicity or less degree of
inversion of the sides of the pits (Fig. 3).

The last lower molar (Fig. 5) also presents a well-developed accessory column
between the anterior pair of principal lobes externally, and in the worn down
specimen (Figs. 6,‘ 7) , upon the triturating surface forms a correspondingly larger
fold. In the unworn specimen, the summit of the posterior lobe bifurcates ante-
riorly, one portion joining the postero-internal fold of the middle lobe, the other
the postero—external angle of the same lobe.

Admeasurements of the Teeth.

Unworn superior last molar:

Length . . . . . . 36 lines.
Antero- -posterior diameter externally . . 20% “
Transverse diameter at the middle of the tooth anteriorly 14 “
Transverse diameter at bottom . . . . . . 17 “
Two superior true molars, probably first and second:
Length. . . . . . . 80 and 33 “
Antero—posterior diameter . . . . . . 18 “
Transverse at middle . . . . . . . 13 “

Unworn inferior last molar:

Length . . . . . . . . . 36 “

Antero-posterior diameter . . . . . . 25 “

Transverse . . . . . . . . . 9% “
Worn inferior last molar:

Length of crown . . . . 6 “

Antero-posterior diamete1 of triturating surface . . 25 “

This last specimen appears somewhat water-worn and rolled. A portion of the
anterior fangs are broken off, and the posterior, which is now fourteen lines long, is
partially worn away.

vt

III. EXTINCT SPECIES OF AMERICAN OX. 11

J. Hamilton Couper, Esq., of Darien, Georgia, presented to the Academy of
Natural Sciences an os humeri and a tibia found in excavating the Brunswick
Canal, in Georgia. The specimens are well preserved in their texture, are hard and
lustrous, and brown in color. The former has its upper extremity broken off, and
the head of the tibia is somewhat mutilated. They belonged to a species of OX
considerably larger than the Buffalo, and probably belong to the Bison latifrons.

The os humeri is of the right side, and measures nine and a half inches in circum-
ference at the middle of its shaft, and four and a half inches in breadth at the i
condyles.

The tibia, also of the right side, anteriorly, from the summit of the spinous
process of its ploximal articulation, is eighteen inches in length, and the distal
articulation 1s three and a half inches 1n breadth.

Mr. Couper also presented to the Natural History Society of Boston, an atlas
and a metatarsus of an extinct ox found in the same locality as the preceding
specimens. They have been kindly loaned to me by the Society, for examination.
They are perfect, are dense and heavy, and black in color, and if they do not
belong to the same individual as those just described, they, at least, probably be-
longed to the same species.

The atlas is about one-fifth larger than in the common ox, but it does not fit the
condyles of the specimen, which has been described, of the cranium of Bison
Zait'frons, being a little too small. Its exact measurements are as follow :—

Breadth transversely . . . 9% inches.

Breadth of transverse processes; greatest, obliquely and
antero-posteriorly . . . . , . . 6 “

Diameter of the spinal canal posteriorly, nearly . 22L “

(6

Depth from spinous process to front tuberosity of the body 4%

The metatarsus is of the right foot, and is about an inch longer than those attri-
buted to the Buffalo from Big-bone Lick, and is one-third more robust. Its
measurements are as follow :— '

Length . . . . . . . . 10?: inches.
Breadth of proximal articulation . . . . . 2% “

“ distal “ . . . . . 3 “
Circumference at middle . . . . . . . 51} “

BISON AN TIQUUS’, LEIDY.
Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Vol. VI. p. 117.

This species is proposed with some hesitation upon the greater portion of a right
horn-core, with a small fragment of the 0s frontis attached (Plate V. ,Fig. 1).
The specimen indicates an animal intermediate in size to the recent Bison Ameri-
canus and the Bison Zatzflons, as characterized in the preceding pages. It was
found at Big-bone Lick in association with remains of the recent Bufl‘alo, and belongs

12 MEMOIR ON THE III.

to the Jefferson collection deposited by the American Philosophical Society in the
cabinet of the Academy.

The specimen is rather too small to determine positively whether it is a distinct
species or not from Bison latifmns. It did not belong to an aged individual, as the
suture is still open between the frontal bone and that portion of the parietal which
forms the upper boundary of the temporal fossa. It belonged to a species of Bison,
as indicated by the advanced position of the horn— e-ore, and resembles more the
corresponding part 1n the Bison prisons of Europe, as represented by Cuvier and
others, than it does that of Bison Zatvfrmzs. The horn-core is more abruptly
eonoidal, and relatively more curved than in the latter. It is not improbable,
however, that the fragment may have belonged to a female of Bison latifions. The
only characteristic measurements to be obtained from it are as follow 2——

Length of the fragment of horn- core . . . 10 inches.
Circumference on a line with the basal margin inferiorly 141 “
do. five inches from the basal margin superiorly 1.0 “
~ BO0THERIUM, LEIDY.

This is a new genus proposed in the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural
Sciences, upon two species of extinct 0X of North America. Its diagnostic charac-
ters, so far as they have been ascertained, are distinct, and briefly as follow :—

1. The os frontis rises into a hump, or forms a prominent process, from the sides
of which arise the horn-cores.

2. The latter arise above and posterior to the orbits, but considerably in advance
of the inion, and curve downwards in their course, but do not turn up at the tips,
as in Ovibos.

3. The species possess lachrymal depressions, or larmiers, as well developed as
in cervine animals.

Bootherium is closely allied to the Musk OX, Ovibos moschatus, Blainv.; and pro-
bably, like the latter, the species were clothed in a long fleece, and inhabited the
great valley of the Mississippi, just anterior to the drift period. The genus occu-
pies a position intermediate to BOS and Ouis.

BOOTHER IUM CAVIFBON S, LEIDY.

Bos Pallasii, DE KAY: An. Lye. Nat. Hist. of New York, Vol. II. p. 280, P1. VI.; New York Fauna, Pt. I.,
Z001. p. 110; COOPER: Amer. Month. Journ. of Geology, Vol. I. p. 173; HARLAN: Med. and Phys. Re-
searches, p. 276; Edinb. New Phil. Journ. XVII. 359; II. v. MEYER: Nov. Act. Aead. Nat. Cur. XVII.
1835, p. 155; GIEBEL: Fauna d. Vorwelt, I. p. 154.

B03 bombifl'ons: Proc. Am. Assoc. Cincinnati, 1851, pp. 179, 235.

Bootherz'um cavifi‘ons, LEIDY: Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Vol. VI. p. 71.

Through the kind recommendations of several friends, Professors Baird and
Agassiz, and Mr. W. S. VauX, Mr. Thomas Kite, of Cincinnati, Ohio, brought
with him to Philadelphia for my inspection, in the spring of 1852, an excellent
specimen of the cranium proper of an extinct species of ox, to which I have given

III. EXTINCT SPECIES OF AMERICAN OX. 13

the above name. It is well preserved, compact, heavy, and brown in color from
the infiltration of oxide of iron (Plate 111., Figs. 1, 2; Plate 1V., Fig. 1). Mr.
Kite discovered the specimen in the but of an Indian, in which it was used as a
seat, and he was informed it was found in a neighboring gravelly bluff, near Fort
Gibson, on the Arkansas River. '

Compa1 ed to the cranium proper of the American Buffalo, it is relatively higher
and narrower. The inion is also relatively higher and nar1ower (Plate 111.,
Fig. 2).

The bases of the horn-cores, instead of being placed on a line with the orbits pos-
teriorly, as in the Bison and Domestic OX, are elevated above them, as in the Musk
OX. They are also united together on the tOp of the head, forming a very remark-
able process, covering the os frontis like a huge exostosis (Plate 111., Fig. 1). This
process extends from within ten lines of the inion the entire length of the os frontis,
or four inches anterior to the bases of the horn-cores, and two inches posterior to
them. Its length is ten and a half inches, and between the horn-cores it is five
and a half inches Wide, and anterior to them five inches. At its posterior extre-
mity (Fig. 2), it is one and three-quarter inches thick, and at its anterior border
about half an inch. The whole process is remarkably rough and tuberculated, and
presents, in some degree, the appearance of an exostosis, the result of disease. Its
upper surface is depressed into a concavity, deepest between the horn-cores and
divided at bottom by a prominent median ridge. Laterally, the frontal process is
continuous with an elevated rough ridge curving in a sigmoid manner beneath the
base of the horn-cores. About the middle of its course this ridge comes in contact
with the post-orbital ridge proceeding backwards from the postorbital arch.

The horn-cores project outwards, downwards, and forwards. They are demi-
conoidal; being flattened on their antero-superior surface the whole length, but
in a most marked degree at the basal and distal third. The latter portion of
the horn-core has a slight twist directing the flat surface more upwards. The
under or convex surface of the horn-cores is marked by deep vascular grooves, and
others corresponding to ridges of the inner parietes of the horns. The flat surface
is relatively smooth except near the tip, where it is also marked, though in a less
degree, by grooves corresponding to ridges of the horns.

The inion (Plate 111., Fig. 2) is seven and a quarter inches in height from the
upper margin of the occipital foramen to the top of the frontal process, or four
inches five lines to the parieto-occipital crest. The middle of the latter is consti-
tuted by a quadrilateral rough protuberance for the attachment of the ligamentum
nuchae. On each side below the crest is a deep oval muscular impression.

The supra-orbitar margin is situated three inches below the line of the highest
part of the horn-cores, which commence above the position of the posterior fifth of
the orbital entrance. It is notched at its junction with the lachrymal bone. The
latter, one and three- q-uarter inches antero— internal to the notch just mentioned,
forms a deep lenticular depression, or larmier, such as exists in the Deer and Sheep
(Plate 1V., Fig. 1).

The occipital condyles in the specimen appear to have suffered in some degree

14 ' MEMOI‘R ON THE III.

from the wearing influence of running water; but they appear originally to have
been more uniformly convex than in the Bison, or they have not been so abruptly
bent about their middle. The inferior portion also is very much less inclined out-
wards from a level than in the latter.

The occipital foramen is absolutely a little less in size than in the Bison, and
is almost one inch and a half in diameter.

The base of the paramastoids is thick and pyramidal, and between these and the
condyles is a broad shallow concave surface not more than three fourths of an inch
deep from the level of the lowest part of the condyles, while in a corresponding
position in the Bison a fossa exists at least two inches in depth from the same
points of measurement.

The basilar process is three and a half inches Wide posteriorly, and is strongly
marked by the attachment of the anterior cervical muscles. The prominences
just in advance of the condyles are one and a half inches wide, and to their outer
side, about ten lines in advance of the condyles, is the foramen condyloideum. Just
anterior to the latter, and separated from it by a simple transverse ridge, is the
jugular foramen, and in advance of this is the os tympanica, not at all inflated, but
presenting an irregular crest continuous from the base of the paramastoid inwards
and forwards to the side of the basilar process, and there terminating in a short
' compressed conoidal apophysis. Immediately internal to the latter is the foramen
lacerum, and from this the groove is continuous to the inner side of the pterygoid
processes, for accommodating the Eustachian tube.

The stylal depression is a cylindrical pit half an inch deep and in diameter.

The auditory process commences in a vaginal apophysis, continuous with the
0s tympanica, forms the anterior wall of the stylal depression, and has an
oblique position outwards, backwards, and upwards. Its anterior surface is con—
cave, and' its lower margin presents a groove, passing outwards from the stylal
depression, bounded on each side by a ridge, the anterior of which is acute and con-
tinuous with the margin of the vaginal process. Between the paramastoids, stylal
pit, and auditory process is the stylo—mastoid foramen.

The meatus auditorius externus is longitudinally oval, and is situated about
twenty lines above the level of the lowest part of the basilar process.

The glenoid articulation is, in a trifling degree, less convex than in the Bison, is
about two and a half inches in breadth, and one and a half antero—posteriorly, and
is on a level with the upper part of the meatus auditorius externus.

The post-glenoid tubercle is compressed conoidal, with a slight twist, and is longer
than in the Bison. _ '

The glenoid foramen is circular, about two lines in diameter, and occupies a
position immediately outside of the post-glenoid tubercle.

The root of the zygoma, at its outer margin, projects considerably external to the
position of the base of the horns. Its upper surface above the glenoid articulation
presents a large deep concavity, above which, posteriorly, are two large foramina.

The space between the glenoid articulation and the root of the zygoma is much
narrower than in the Bison, and the foramen rotundum is less advanced, being on
a line with the anterior face of the post-glenoid tubercle.

III. EXTINCT SPECIES OF AMERICAN OX. V 15

The process formed by the conjunction of the temporal, sphenoidal, and frontal
bones, at the inferior limit of the temporal fossa, is very much larger and more
prominent than in the Bison.

The supra-orbitar foramen is placed about twenty lines within the supra-orbital
margin.

The temporal fossa (Plate IV., Fig. 1), is relatively more superficial than in the
Bison, but is more oblique in its course forwards and downwards, and has a
greater breadth from the base of the horn—core to the. root of the zygoma.

Aclmcasm'emems.

From middle line of 0s frontis to the tip of the horn-

core above . . . . 16 inches, 6 lines.
Length of posterior curve of horn-core . . 15 “ 6 v “
Greatest distance between the bases of the horn- cores

above . 5 “ 6 “
Antero posterior diameter of base of horn- cores 4 “ 6 “
V ertical “ “ “‘ 3 “
Circumference at base . 12 “ 6 “

1“ three inches from the base above 10 “

Greatest breadth of head at the supra-orbitar ma1 gins 9 “ 6 “
From occipital condyle to the lachrymal margin of

the orbit 11 “

Ieight from basilar process to summit of frontal

process at the 1nion . . . . 9 “
Breadth at the glenoid articulations . . . 8 “ 6
Length of temporal fossa . . . . . 6 “ 6 "‘

The specimen of the cranium of an extinct ox, described by Dr. De Kay, before
referred to, without doubt belongs to the Boot/Lerium camfrons. From its muti-
lated condition, the concavity of the frontal process was suSpected as being the
- result of the removal of the whole of the external plate of the os frontis, and the
species was supposed to be the same as that indicated by two heads described by
Pallas,1 and one by Ozeretskovsky.2

One of the specimens of Pallas was discovered on the shores of the Oh, imme-
diately under the arctic circle; the other was found more northerly in the region
of Tundra. That described by Ozeretskovsky was obtained at the mouth of the
Yana, between the Lena and Indigirska.

In the better specimen of those indicated by Pallas, Cuvier3 says the forehead is
flat, and the bases of the horn-cores occupy all the space from the orbits to the
occipital crest, and approach on a straight line, leaving not more than a finger’s

 

1 Nov. Com. Petrop. xvii. p. 601; Nov. Act. Petrop. i. 2, p. 243.
2 Mém. de l’Acad. de St. Petersburg (1810), iii. p. 215, tab. 6.
3 Osscm. Fos. ed. 4, t. vi. p. 313.

16 MEMOIR ON THE III.

breadth between them, and adds that it would be difficult to distinguish this cra-
nium from that of the recent Musk OX.

Of the specimen described by Ozeretskovsky, Cuvier is undecided whether to
consider it as belonging to the same species of the latter or not, but a simple in-
spection of Ozeretskovsky’s figures, reproduced in Cuvier (Plate CLXXII., Figs.
6 and 7), proves a very close relationship with the recent Musk OX, and indicates
a very distinct animal from Bootherium cart/Irons, as represented in the figures
of the cranium, in Plates 111., IV. of this memoir. At a glance, it will be ob-
served that in the former, the horn-cores approach very near each other along
their bases, and turn up at their tips like in the Musk OX, while in the latter,
the horn-cores are widely separated at base, and do not turn up at the tip.

Among a large collection of bones and teeth of the Mastodon from Benton
County, Missouri, purchased by the American Philosophical Society, and deposited
in the Academy of Natural Sciences, I have observed the cranial portion proper of
the head of three individuals of Bootherium cam'frons, agreeing in all the details
with the specimen just described. With them, also, there are fragments of five
horn-cores of the same species.

All these Missouri specimens are much decomposed, being exceedingly friable,
white, and chalk-like. They are much mutilated, but all the cranial fragments
still possess the remains of the remarkable frontal process, and, in one specimen,
this verges close upon the inion, and in that position is two and a half inches in
thickness.

In the collection of the Boston Natural History Society, I observed a specimen
consisting of the posterior part of the cranium with portions of both horn-cores of
Bootherium cavifrons, which was discovered in the alluvium of the Kentucky
River, a tributary of the Ohio River, in Kentucky, and was deposited with the So-
ciety by Mr. J. W. Foster.

Through the kindness of Professor Baird, I have received, for inspection, from
'Professor Samuel St. John, of Hudson, Ohio, a much water-worn fragment of a
cranium with one horn-core attached, of the same species, which was found in
Trumbull County, Ohio.

Thus have been indicated portions of the crania, of at least twelve individuals of
Bootherium camfrons, all found in the great valley through which flows the Missis-
sippi with its tributaries. And from the number of remains, it is probable that
this animal, at a former period, fed in vast flocks upon the rich prairies of the val-
ley and the fertile banks of its streams.

Accompanying the fragments of crania and horn-cores of Bootlzerimn cavifinns,
from Missouri, above described, were two astragali and a metacarpal bone in the
same condition of preservation as the former specimens, and no doubt belonging to
the same animal.

The astragali have their surface much disintegrated, and, in their present state,
measure about three and a quarter inches in their long diameter, and two inches in
their breadth.

The metacarpal bone is also much injured upon the surface.

Its measurements are as follow :—

III. EXTINCT SPECIES OF AMERICAN OX. 17

Length . . . . . . 9 inches, 7 lines.
Bieadth at the proximal articulation . . . 3 “ 4 “

“ distal “ . . . . 3 “ 5 “
Circumference at middle . . . . . . 6 “ 3 “

Among the collection of Jefferson from Big— b-one Lick, there is a specimen of a
right metacarpal in perfect condition, which may also probably belong to Boothe-
Hum cavifi ens, although it is a little larger than that last described. It 1s not im-
probable that it might belong to Bison Zatofrons.

Its measurements are as follow :—

Length . . . . . . . 10 inches, 3 lines.
Breadth at proximal end . . . . . 3 “ 9 “

“ distal “ . . . . . 3 “ 7 “
Circumference at middle . . . i . . 6 “ 4 “

A metatarsal bone and a first phalanx, in the collection Of Jefferson, probably
also belong to this species. The former is of the left foot, and is a little shorter
and considerably less robust than the corresponding bone from Georgia, attributed '
to the Bison latifrons.

Its measurements are as follow :—

Length . . . . . . . 10 inches.
Breadth of proximal articulation . . . . 2 “ 3 lines.
“ distal “ , . . . . 2 “ 7 “

Circumference at middle . . . . 4 , “ 9 “

The phalanx measures three and a quarter inches 111 length.

BOOTHERIUM BOMBIFRONS, LEIDY.

 

, WISTAR: Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc. 11. B. Vol. I. p. 359.
B03 bombifrons, HARLAN: Fauna Americana, p. 271; Med. and Phys. Res. p. 275; Edinb. New Phil. Journ.
XVII. 359; COOPER, SMITH, and DE KAY: Amer. Journ. Sci. XX. 370; COOPER: Am. Month. Journ. of

Geol. Vol. I. p.173; DE KAY: An. Lye. Nat. Hist. II. 286; New York Fauna, Z001. Pt. 1, p. 110;
MEYER: N. A. A. Nat. Cur. XVII. p. 143.

Bootlzerium bombzflons, LEIDY: Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Vol. VI. p. 71.

The only characteristic specimen which I have seen of the Boothem'nm bombi-
frons, is that first described and figured by Dr. Wistar from the collection of J effer-
son. It consists of the cranium proper, with both horn-cores attached, and presents
the ordinary condition of preservation of all the preceding bones described from
the morasses of Big-bone Lick (Plate IV., Fig. 2; Plate V).

The upper outline of the head of Boothem'um bombzfrons, when Viewed laterally
(Plate V., Fig. I), resembles in its posterior rise from the inion and its abrupt
declination forward that of the Sheep. The os frontis, instead of forming an ex;
ostosis-like process, as in Bootherinm ccw'zfrons, rises gradually from its com--
meneement anteriorly, and forms a sort of hump, from the sides of which, like

0
L)

18 MEMOIR ON THE III.

in the last~mentioned species postero—superiorly to the orbits, the horn-cores arise.
The highest portion of the os frontis is between the posterior part of the bases of
the horn-cores, and in this position is elevated over two inches above the line of the
supra-orbitar margin. - Anteriorly to this most elevated part, the os frontis inclines
at an angle of about 45°, but poSteriorly has a less degree of inclination. The
apex is transverse, obtuse, and impressed at the middle. The parieto—frontal sur-
face is quadrilateral, about four inches square, moderately convex, and presents a
broad shallow impression at its central part.

The horn-cores curve outwards, downwards, and slightly forwards. They arise
about three and a half inches in a curved line from the inion, or about two and a.
half in a straight line. They are elongated, conical, curved, and longitudinally
furrowed. .

The inion (Plate V., Fig. 2) is about four inches in height above the occipital
foramen, and in its details corresponds pretty closely with Bootherium cav-ifrons.

The relative position of the orbits to the horn-cores is the same as in the species
just mentioned. The supra-orbitar margin is about two inches below the highest
part of the base of the horn-cores, and these commence anteriorly about the poste-
rior sixth of the entrance’ of the orbits. At its anterior third, the supra-orbital
margin is deeply notched, and the supra-orbital process upon the upper or frontal
surface, about an inch and a half from the margin, is pierced by three foramina
arranged in an antero-posterior row.

In advance of the orbit, the lachrymal bone is depressed into a remarkably deep
fossa, or larmier, which appears to have been hemispherical, but, in the specimen,
the lower portion is"broken away (Plate IV., Fig. 2). At the orbital margin, below
the larmier, a deep, broad, lachrymal groove exists, as in Bootkerium Gabi/Crone.

The temporal fossa presents nearly the same degree of inclination as in the
latter, and also has the same relative degree of shallowness and length and
breadth of surface which this has in comparison with that of the Buffalo.

The ridge, which in Bootherium cavifrons proceeds from the frontal process late-
rally, beneath the base of the horn-core, is but very feebly developed in Bootherium
bombifmns. -

The base of the cranium, though much mutilated, is sufficiently well preserved
to exhibit the peculiarities which associate it in the same genus with Bootlzerium
cavifrons. The foramina and processes have the same relation of position and
form. Like in the latter, the occipital condyles appear to have been less bent than
in the Buffalo, the paramastoids have been large and robust, and the fossae between
them and the condyles have been superficial also, as in Bootheri-um cavifi-ons.

The basilar process is broad and strongly marked by processes for muscular
attachment.

The form of the os petrosa, auditory process, and relative position of the meatus
auditorius are the same as in Boothem'um cavifrons.

The post-glenoid tubercle is relatively larger than in the latter, and between it
and the auditory process is a pit, into which opens a large foramen, piercing the
root of the zygoma, from the temporal surface. Both the pit and foramen exist,
but are much smaller, in Bootherium emf/”r0728.

III. EXTINCT SPECIES OF AMERICAN OX. 19 i.

‘ Admeasurements.
From middle line of 0s frontis to tip of horn-core 12 inches, 6 lines.
Length of horn-core . . . 9 “
Distance between the bases of the horn-cores “

(d ‘4

O)

6
Circumference at base of “ 8
Greatest breadth of head at the supra-orbitar margins 6 “ 4 “
From occipital condyle to lachrymal margin of orbit 8 “ 6 “
Greatest height from basilar process to summit of 0s
frontis . . . . . . 7 “
Length of temporal fossa . . . . . . 6 “

With the same collection of bones which contained the specimen just described,
there is preserved a small metacarpal bone, which I suspect to belong to the same
species. It is of the right foot, is an adult specimen, and has the following mea-
surements. '—

Length anteriorly . . . . . I . 7 inches.
Breadth of proximal articulation . . . . 2 “ 4 lines.
“ distal “ . . . . . 2 “ 5 “

Circumference at middle . . . . . . 3 “ 11 “

 

REFERENCES TO THE PLATES.

P L A T E .I .
Figs. 1, 2. A portion of the cranium and left horn-core of Bison Zatz'frons, one-fourth the diameter of
nature.
Fig. 1. Upper view of the specimen.
Fig. 2. Posterior view of the specimen.
P L A T E I I .

Fig. 1. Posterior View of the right horn-core of Bison antiquus, one-third the diameter of nature.
Figs. 2—7. Molar teeth of Bison Zatzflons, the size of nature.

Fig. 2. Inner view of the second superior true molar of the left side.

Fig. 3. View of the masticating surface of the same tooth as the last.

Fig. 4. Inner View of the last superior true molar of the left side.

Fig. 5. Outer view of the last inferior true molar of the left side.

Fig. 6. Outer view of a much worn last inferior molar of the left side.

Fig. 7. Masticating surface of the same specimen as the last.

v11...

20 i i . REFERENCES TO THE PLATES. . i ' ,III.

PLATEIIL

Figs. 1, 2.‘ Cranium with both horn-cores of ,Bootherium cavif'rons, one-fourth the diameter of nature.
Fig. 1. Superior View of the specimen.
' Fig. 2. Posterior View of the specimen.

PLATEIV.

Fig. 1. Lateral view of the same specimen of the cranium of Boothem'um cavifi (ms, represented in Plate
III., also one-fourth the diameter of nature.
Fig. 2. Upper View of the cranium with both horn- cores of Boothem’um bombz'frons, one-third the diameter

of nature.

PLATE V.

Figs. 1, 2. Views of the same specimen of Boothem'um bombifrons, represented in Fig. 2, Plate IV., also
one-third the diameter of nature.

Fig. 1. Lateral View of the cranium.

Fig. 2. Posterior View of the cranium.

 

PUBLISHED BY THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION,

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