Paleobiology Commons^™

The Mounted Skeleton Of Bison Occidentalis, And Associated Dart-Points, Erwin Hinckley Barbour, C. Bertrand Schultz

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

A composite skeleton of Bison occidentalis was mounted and installed in its case on the lower floor of Morrill Hall, on April 22, 1932. The skeleton in itself is attractive because of its size and excellent preservation, and is rendered additionally interesting by two dart-points, one found under the scapula, and the other under the ribs.

A New Oreodont Slab, Erwin Hinckley Barbour, C. Bertrand Schultz

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

A slab of pale, reddish-brown sandstone, exhibiting the articulated skeletons of two oreodonts, has been placed on display in the west corridor on the first floor of Morrill Hall. Apparently, a female and well-grown young one lay down together and perished, perhaps from disease, or from chilling winds. They must have been buried quickly, for all of the bones are present, are in perfect condition, and are in articulation, especially in the old one. In the adult the articulation is complete from the ungual phalanges of the two forefeet to the terminal caudal, even though in the figure the skeleton …

The Mandible Of Platybeldon Barnumbrowni, Erwin Hinckley Barbour

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

Platybelodon barnumbrowni was described originally as Torynobelodon barnumbrowni.¹ The Nebraska State Museum was visited and this unique specimen studied by Dr. Henry Fairfield Osborn and Dr. Walter Granger, August seventeenth and eighteenth, nineteen hundred and thirty-two. It is the opinion of both that this specimen belongs properly to their Mongolian genus Platybelodon. With certain reservations the writer wishes to defer instantly to their judgment, which is based on unequalled experience. It is perfectly apparent that this form makes a close approach to the remarkable Platybelodons found by Granger and Andrews in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia, later figured and …

The Skull And Mandible Of Mastodon Moodiei, Erwin Hinckley Barbour

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

The mandible of the Milford mastodon, Mastodon moodiei, was figured and described in Bulletin 24, December, 1931. In the meantime, the fragments of both skull and mandible have been properly cleaned, put together, and mounted for exhibition. No essential parts of the skull or mandible are wanting or are seriously damaged.

The Articulated Skeleton Of Eubelodon Morrilli, Erwin Hinckley Barbour

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

The mounted sketleton of Eubelodon morrilli was installed in the west wall case of Elephant Hall December 31, 1931, and has attracted the attention and favorable comments of citizens and other guests. It should be explained that the case in which it is displayed is ten feet deep, sixteen feet high, and extends the length of the hall. Altogether it is a large and impressive mount which reflects credit upon its preparators, and is an important and instructive addition to the Morrill Palaeontological Collections. The pose is spirited and interesting, and the action is all that can be expected of …

Association Of An Arrow Point With Bison Occidentals In Nebraska, F. G. Meserve, Erwin H. Barbour

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

Of late, anthropological literature relative to the association of man and extinct mammals, especially bison and mammoth, has received many contributions from various and widely separated sources. Naturally the question has arisen whether man's advent in America is somewhat earlier than has been generally admitted, or whether certain extinct animals have persisted longer than has been realized. The issue is one of such importance and interest that even minor contributions seem desirable. It is well understood by all that the evidence, when submitted, will be properly weighed, and that conservative judges may rule out much or all of the testimony. …

The American Mastodon With Mandibular Tusks, Erwin H. Barbour

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

Mastodons and mammoths, represented by their relics, are so frequently exposed by shovel, plow, road grader, dredge, and rains, that they have become household words. They are plainly the commonest and best-known vertebrate fossils. They were fortuitously entombed, and are now accidently found. Their relics, though numerous, never represent the grand total that lived. Indeed, it was a rare individual that fell where circumstances favored rapid interment and consequent preservation; the grand majority fell in the open where their bones suffered rapid and complete decay. The American mastodon occupies a position between the long-jawed, long-skulled, four-tusked ancestor called Palaeomastodon, and …

The Milford Mastodon, Mastodon Moodie I, Sp. Nov. A Preliminary Report, Erwin Hinckley Barbour

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

In developing the hydro-electric plant of the Iowa and Nebraska Light and Power Company, a number of dams were thrown across the Blue River and its branches. One of these, known as Dam No.7, was built across the West Blue, about nine miles southwest of Milford, Seward county, Nebraska. This dam raised the water well above the ordinary river level, and flooded fifteen or twenty acres of valley land. The impounded water soaked into, and washed against, the base of a twenty-foot bank of cross-bedded sand, until some time during the winter of 1931, a portion of the bank near …

The Musk-Oxen Of Nebraska, Erwin Hinckley Barbour

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

The remains of no less than eight fossil musk-oxen are already known in Nebraska, of which one is preserved in the Museum at Hastings, Nebraska, and seven in the State Museum at Lincoln. This is a large number to be recorded in anyone state. As late as 1891 authors wrote that but two examples of musk-oxen were known in the United States, one from Kentucky, and one from Arkansas, if, indeed, they be valid species. Now that pioneer days are well behind this commonwealth, and that there is a growing sentiment for exploration and proper display of the State's resources, …

A New Crinoid Slab, A Bit Of Mississipian Sea Bottom, Erwin Hinckley Barbour

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

Crinoids are popularly known as stone-lilies, featherstars, and sea-lilies. The word lily is a misnomer, and many, misled by the name and by the lily-like form, associate crinoids with the plant kingdom. The name, feather-star, seems explicit for it refers to the feathery arms surrounding the cup or calyx, and expresses relationship to the starfishes and their kind. The cup is attached to a stem, and the stem is anchored to the ocean floor by so-called roots, which are really hold-fasts, or anchors. These features may be seen in the diagram at the end.

A New Amebelodont, Torynobelodon Barnumbrowni, Sp. Nov. A Preliminary Report, Erwin Hinckley Barbour

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

The subfamily of longirostrine mastodonts known as the Amebelodontinae have been so recently discovered and described that as yet they; are little known by the citizens of this state. They are most briefly and directly described as shovel-tusked mastodons. The first one found, namely Amebelodon fricki, was secured in April 1927, and was published June 1927. In the meantime, many other examples of Amebelodonts have been added to the Morrill Palaeontological Collections of the Nebraska State Museum. The exact number cannot be stated until the material shipped in from the field during the current season is unpacked, cleaned, and identified. …

Evidence Of Dinosaurs In Nebraska, Erwin Hinckley Barbour

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

Nebraska has long been a collecting ground famous for its fossil mammals, but as yet no dinosaurian bones have been reported, nor have they been expected. The distal end of a finely preserved femur, however, has recently been brought to light, supposedly occurring in position in the Dakota formation of eastern Nebraska. It was discovered, collected, and donated by Mr. J. B. White, (University of Nebraska, Law, class of 1899) on his farm two miles south of Decatur, in northeastern Burt County, near the Missouri River. It was found in undoubted Dakota sand associated with many leaf impressions. This is …

The Giant Beaver, Castoroides, And The Common Beaver, Castor, In Nebraska, Erwin Hinckley Barbour

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

Respecting the giant beaver, Castoroides, in Nebraska, four occurrences can be reported. Of rodents in general the dawn. was in the early Eocene, at which time there were in existence certain squirrel-like members of the order. Rodents are a persistent group, and are among the smallest, most distinctive, most numerous and widely distributed orders of terrestrial mammals. No other order boasts of so many species, the number being between nine hundred and one thousand. In spite of wide divergencies and modifications adapting them to various modes of life, such as climbing, burrowing, swimming, flying, leaping, and running, there is remarkable …

A Morning's Consignment Of Proboscidean Freight, Erwin Hinckley Barbour

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

In the accompanying cut the array of great tusks outlined through their rough crates may lack attractiveness, nevertheless the assemblage is quite out of the ordinary, and seems worth recording in bulletin form. In all museums, and like institutions, freight and express deliveries are matters of daily routine; however, the morning's freight shown in the cut is unique. Herein is represented the more showy portion of the proboscidean freight received at the Nebraska State Museum in a single consignment, in the field season of 1930. The other boxes of mammoth skulls, jaws, and bones, received at the same time, are …

Amebelodon Sinclairi Sp Nov., Erwin H. Barbour

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

Amebelodonts are so new and so rare that even fragmentary facts relative to the group seem worth publishing. The specimen under consideration is a mandibular tusk found on the farm of Mr. A. S. Keith, Freedom, Frontier County, Nebraska, on the Morrill Geological Expedition of 1928, and is numbered 1-17-7-28, S. and L., the collectors being Bertrand Schultz and John LeMar, both of the class of 1931, the University of Nebraska. The formation was Late Pliocene or Pleistocene.

The Mandible Of Amebelodon Fricki, Erwin H. Barbour

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

The type specimen of the genus Amebelodon is installed in the Nebraska State Museum, the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. It consists of a mandible with tusks and teeth, all of which are dense and perfect, barring minor cracks and breaks. One toe bone and part of a rib found associated with this mandible may belong to this animal. It was discovered by Mr. A. S. Keith on his farm near Freedom, Frontier County, Nebraska; was secured for the palaeontological collections of Hon. Charles H. Morrill by Mr. Phillip Orr, April 4, 1927; was briefly described and figured in a Museum …

Torynobelodon Loomisi, Gen Et. Sp. Nov., Erwin H. Barbour

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

The group of proboscideans which we have called the shovel-tuskers or Amebelodonts, was announced in June, 1927,¹ following the discovery of Amebelodon fricki. In the field season of 1928, two additional species were found which are represented by mandibular tusks. One of these is a tip of a large and unique tusk, numbered 2-3-9-28, S. and L., the collectors being Bertrand Schultz and John LeMar, both of the class of 1931, the University of Nebraska. It was found within 200 to 300 yards of the spot on his farm where Mr. A. S. Keith, Freedom, Frontier County, Nebraska, found …

The Mandibular Tusks Of Amebelodon Fricki, Erwin H. Barbour

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

The ponderous mandible of the great shovel-tusked mastodon, Amebelodon fricki, was figured and described before it was practicable to remove the plaster cinches. In the meantime, this rare specimen has lain on its sand table awaiting the time when sections and casts could be made before mounting it permanently. A rare specimen, especially if heavy, unwieldy, and fragile, is rarely dismantled for study after it is mounted and installed in its case. A gelatine cast of the alveoli has been made, and through the assistance of Mr. Murray Jerome Roper, a cast of the left mandibular tusk has just been …

Preliminary Notice Of A New Proboscidean Amebelodon Fricki, Gen. Et Sp. Nov., Erwin Hinckley Barbour

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

Pursuant to advice from Mr. A. S. Keith of Freedom, Frontier County, Nebraska, the first Morrill Geological Expedition of the year was organized with Mr. Philip Orr in charge, and Mr. Keith's farm was visited at once, and on April 4th, 1927, the mandible, one rib, and a toe bone of a new proboscidean were procured.

Directory Of Certain Alumni The Department Of Geology And Geography The University Of Nebraska, E. F. Schramm

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

In the Department of Geology and Geography, The University of Nebraska, there have been over 10,000 registrants between the years 1891 and 1926. So many inquiries have been received concerning alumni and their addresses that it seems advisable to publish this directory. The list is necessarily incomplete since many of the alumni have not informed the Department respecting their addresses and change of positions. Out of the total number of those who have pursued professional vocations the following have kept in close touch with the Department.

Archidiskodon Maibeni, Erwin H. Barbour

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

Archidiskodon maibeni was first described in Bulletin 10 of the Nebraska State Museum under the title" Skeletal Parts of the Columbian Mammoth, Elephas Maibeni." * Dr. Henry Fairfield Osborn finds it expedient to found a new genus, Archidiskodon, to include the earlier and more primitive mammoths. Hence the change in the generic name. t'Mammoths and modern elephants have long been grouped together under 'the genus Elephas. Subdividing the genus does not necessarily do away with this convenient and rather familiar old arrangement.

An American Fossil Giraffe, W. D. Matthew, E. H. Barbour

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

A fragment of the lower jaw of a large fossil mammal with two well-worn teeth was dug up in June 1918, at a depth of 20 feet, while digging a cess pool at Bradshaw, York County, Nebraska. This unique specimen, accessioned 7-7-18, was brought to the Nebraska State Museum by A. Archie Dorsey, and was donated by C. B. Palmet, both of Bradshaw. It undoubtedly occurred in loess, which is thickly as well. as extensively developed in this region. It is a ruminant jaw, the teeth preserved being P4 and m1. The characteristic pattern of the premolar excludes reference to …

Prosthennops Xiphodonticus, Sp. Nov.: A New Fossil Peccary From Nebraska, Erwin H. Barbour

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

During the field season of 1915, while collecting, a mile or two west of Valentine, Cherry County, Nebraska, Messrs. A. C. Whitford and J. B. Burnett secured for the Morrill-Maiben Palaeontological Collections, The Nebraska State Museum, The University of Nebraska, a finely preserved jaw of a small fossil hog, or peccary, belonging to the genus Frosthennops, accessioned No. 85-11-8-15B. & W.

The mandible under consideration was preserved in fine sand and is without blemish save that the condyle and coronoid are wanting. The dentition is perfect. In allusion to the sword-like tusks, which are unduly large, the species name xiphodonticus …

Sand Fulgurites From Nebraska Their Structure And Formative Factors, Abram E. Anderson

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

So much has been written during the past century on the origin, structure and occurrence of fulgurites, or lightning tubes, found in many parts of the world that it would seem as though little remains to be added to the literature on the subject; but the discovery of a considerable number of unusually large and complete specimens in Holt and Stanton Counties, Nebraska, which exhibit remarkable definition of the particular features that have occasioned so much controversy regarding their formative processes, has added an important type to the representatives of this phenomenon and afforded clearer interpretation of the origin of …

Skeletal Parts Of The Columbian Mammoth Elephas Maibeni, Sp. Nov., Erwin Hinckley Barbour

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

The skeletal parts of Elephas columbi are said to be unknown, although teeth, jaws, and skulls are common enough. Columbi is a mammoth of southern adaptation, hence its parts are found from Nebraska southward. Elephas columbi occurs abundantly throughout the State and many examples are preserved in the Nebraska State Museum, as will be seen in an accompanying list.

Tetrabelodon Abell, Sp. Nov., Erwin Hinckley Barbour

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

Brown County, Nebraska, which has been so prolific of long-jawed mastodons, has yielded another form which seems to be new and which may throw light on certain small tusks that occur where Tetrabelodon bones abound. Heretofore, we have considered these to be embryonic, but they show apparent wear, and in other respects they are enigmatic, and at best, atypical. Tetrabelodon tusks proper, however young, are typical, and are obviously tusks in miniature. The tusks in doubt are of varying lengths and about the diameter of one's thumb, but taper backwards, are worn to a bluntly oblique point, and are slightly …

Hackberry Conglomerate A New Nebraska Rock, Erwin Hinckey Barbour

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

In the cabinets of the Nebraska State Museum are several excellent rock specimens, which at first sight pass for pisolite, which they simulate. Scrutiny shows that they are hackberry seeds in sand, cemented by lime and clay into a firm, compact rock. The term hackberry conglomerate seems apropos.

Notes On Nebraska Fulgurites, Erwin Hinckley Barbour

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

Some six or eight years ago the writer contemplated a study of Nebraska fulgurites, both in the field and in the laboratory. In the meantime however, it proves to be superfluous for, after supplying Mr. A. E. Anderson, of the American Museum of Natural History, with certain material and data he proceeded in a masterful way on a technical inquiry, and it is with pleasure that, although delayed in publication, his findings follow in Bulletin 7 of the Nebraska State Museum. The present paper will deal as briefly as possible with the mode of occurrence and gross structure.

Sand Fulgurites From Nebraska Their Structure And Formative Factors, Abram E. Anderson

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

So much has been written during the past century on the origin, structure and occurrence of fulgurites, or lightning tubes, found in many parts of the world that it would seem as though little remains to be added to the literature on the subject; but the discovery of a considerable number of unusually large and complete specimens in Holt and Stanton Counties, Nebraska, which exhibit remarkable definition of the particular features that have occasioned so much controversy regarding their formative processes, has added an important type to the representatives of this phenomenon and afforded clearer interpretation of the origin of …

Manganese Fulgurites, Harold J. Cook

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

During August, 1924, while doing reconnaisance work near the head of Chugwater Creek, Wyoming, on the ranch of Mr. J. L. Jordon, the writer's attention was called to some unusual and interesting specimens found in a limited area, perhaps an acre or so, on the slope of the small butte flanking the Chugwater Valley. The hills of the region are of Tertiary age, the particular spot under consideration being Oligocene, the Brule stage, or Oreodon beds.