He roamed about in the marsh and swamp lands of that region, feeding on the tropical grasses and plants, the fossil remains of which are found buried with his skeleton. The specimen mentioned above comes from Quarry No. 1, in Fremont County, near Cañon City, Col., where it was found by Mr. M. P. Felch in 1885. Brief articles concerning it were written from time to time, but it was not assembled and mounted until two years ago, and never completely described until recently.
With the exception of the removal of some of the sandstone which surrounds this valuable specimen, it has been left in the position in which it was discovered so that the relation of the various bones and skin armor may be seen and studied by scientists. In order that the lower side of the skeleton and the back plates may be seen, two mirrors have been placed beneath it in such a manner as to reflect the exact structure and location of the various bones.
The undisturbed position of the bones and the surrounding sandstone indicates that this monster died in the water, or on the bank of a stream, and from some natural cause. It is possible that the carcass floated down the stream, as the arrangement of the different bones and spine plates indicates a gradual washing and tipping over, rather than the crushing action of a heavy force. The skeleton is quite complete and lies partly on its side and back, with nearly all the bones in their relative positions, rendering it of infinite value to scientists for study and as a reference type.
In life this peculiar reptile, of such gigantic proportions, must have presented a forbidding appearance; it measures about nineteen feet in length, was evidently more than eleven feet in height at the hips, and was covered with a very tough and horny scalelike skin, studded here and there with bony buttons or knobs of armor. Along its back were arranged great sharp-edged plates, set alternately and projecting upward like the teeth of a huge saw. This odd armor plate extended from the small, wedge-shaped reptilian head all the way back and well down the tapering, lizardlike tail, which was tipped with four long, sharp spines. Its legs were not unlike those of a lizard or other reptile, except that the forelegs were rather short and much weaker than the hind ones, an indication that the great animal could sit up like a kangaroo, and was perhaps descended from a bipedal ancestor.
From a study of its teeth it has been determined that this prehistoric beast was a plant eater, as is suggested by its habitat. Further investigation of its head, which is so small as to be quite out of proportion to its massive body, reveals the fact that it had scarcely any brain. Although the body of the Stegosaur is supposed to have weighed more than that of an elephant, the brain of the latter is fifty times as heavy, which fact appears an excuse for the immense amount of defensive armor with which it was equipped, making it practically impregnable as far as its enemies were concerned, provided it had any. Its bones alone weigh nearly a ton, and it has been estimated that in life the Stegosaur weighed between seven and ten tons.
Panama-Pacific Fair is Now Open.
The greatest day in California’s history has been recorded. Responding to the touch of President Wilson’s fingers on a telegraph key, the great Panama-Pacific International Exposition was formally opened, and 400,000 visitors joined in the cheering, the singing, and the first tours of inspection of the stupendous show as seen in full running order.
It came through flawlessly. There was no hitch in the ceremonies. From the dawn, when San Francisco was awakened by a volume and variety of noise such as never was imagined before, until late in the evening, when the heavens were lit with the great play of lights from the exposition’s wizards of illumination, the program of the opening day was carried out as it was planned in the minds of the fair’s builders.
Shortly before noon a great procession of citizens, headed by the mayor, marched onto the grounds. Charles C. Moore, president of the Exposition Company, informed President Wilson by direct transcontinental telephone that his wireless flash had been received, and the president conveyed his greetings and good wishes. Thus the two latest methods of long-distance communication vivified the fair opening. Ceremonies of dedication and acceptance as brief as possible inaugurated the exposition.
Forty-five foreign nations, forty-three States, and three Territories are represented at the exposition.