Excerpt from Memoir on the Extinct Species of American Ox

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 no indigenous 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.

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