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number of The American Geologist, and Mr. Frank Leverett, in the March number of that journal, dwells at some length upon this subject. In response to an inquiry, I received the following note from Dr. C. Hart Merriam, the naturalist, on the burrowing of native animals:
"In reply to your inquiry respecting the depth to which our burrowing mammals penetrate, I regret to say that precise information on the subject is somewhat meager. A number of species, such as our woodchucks or marmots, skunks, foxes, coyotes, badgers and prairie dogs live in burrows of greater or less depth which they construct for themselves. In a few instances these burrows are known to extend to a depth of eight feet or more. One of the gophers is said to dig a spiral well fifteen feet deep. Badgers and prairie dogs are notorious diggers, making vast numbers of holes and bringing up immense quantities of material from unknown depths. Their burrows, moreover, are usually very steep, so that a stone or other object falling into one would descend to a considerable distance before being intercepted. Badgers and coyotes make very large holes, though small in comparison with those of the large wolf, which was formerly abundant throughout the Mississippi Valley; the burrows of the latter animal are of sufficient size to readily admit the body of a small boy."
The Loveland specimen was recovered at a great depth beneath the surface but we are bound to raise the queries, Is it an implement? Was it in place; and what is the meaning of the dark soil found on its surface? Of the Newcomerstown specimen it may be said that the collector had little knowledge of the nature of the gravels and of the treacherous character of talus deposits, or of the importance or peculiar bearing of the find. There is, therefore, a most serious possibility of error. There is a decided chance that errors of observation may have crept in in all the cases.
And what is the story of the specimens themselves? The Madisonville object is to all appearances an ordinary reject of the flint-blade maker. It can be practically duplicated upon