All Items 16

Edward Hitchcock "Supplement to the Ichnology of New England," 1862 December 9

Hitchcock, Edward, 1793-1864

A paper by Edward Hitchcock read before the American Academy of Arts and Sciences intended as a supplement to his "Ichnology of New England." The paper discusses issues related to the identification of fossil footprints and refers to the species with identifications that may be unreliable and that are doubtful, as well as new species which Hitchcock believes should be added. Hitchcock also raises questions about insect tracks and addresses questions about the number of phalanges in the fossil footprints discussed and whether the animals that created the tracks were birds.

Edward Hitchcock "Supplement to the Ichnology of New England," 1862 December 9
Gideon Mantell letter to Edward Hitchcock, 1845 July 11

Mantell, Gideon Algernon, 1790-1852

A letter in which Gideon Mantell thanks Hitchcock for sending him a specimen of coprolite, comments on Hitchcock's dispute with Dr. James Deane and his own experience of not receiving due credit for his discoveries, and discusses Sir Charles Lyell's recent publication.

Gideon Mantell letter to Edward Hitchcock, 1845 July 11
On a new fossil fish and new fossil footmarks

Hitchcock, Edward, 1793-1864

An article by Edward Hitchcock extracted from the American Journal of Science and Arts second series, volume 21, number 61, published in 1856. The article describes two fossil specimens and includes an illustration. First, Hitchcock describes a fish fossil specimen, where it was found, and Professor Louis Agassiz's views about the specimen. He then provides a detailed description of fossil footprints discovered in sandstone in Turner's Falls, Massachusetts including the scientific name he has given the specimen (Gigandipus caudalus) and a description of the slab in which the prints are embedded. He posits that the tracks were not made by a bird due to the presence of a tail.

On a new fossil fish and new fossil footmarks
Charles H. Hitchcock Appendix C, "Exocampe minima"

Hitchcock, Charles H., (Charles Henry), 1836-1919

An appendix to Edward Hitchcock's "Supplement to the Ichnology of New England" by Charles Henry Hitchcock. This appendix expands upon the species "Exocampe minima" which is referenced on page 11 of the supplement. C. H. Hitchcock explains that the description in the supplement is not detailed, but he has had the opportunity to observe a slab of rock with this species' footprints on it. He goes on to present a detailed description of the species, including its size, gait, feet, and locality.

Charles H. Hitchcock Appendix C, "Exocampe minima"
Edward Hitchcock final draft, "Supplement to the Ichnology of New England," 1863

Hitchcock, Edward, 1793-1864

The final draft of Edward Hitchcock's "Supplement to the Ichnology of New England" submitted to John A. Andrew, Governor of Massachusetts. This version of the paper includes a table of contents, a preface by the editor, Charles Henry Hitchcock, written in 1865, the numbers of the track specimens referenced, a transcription of a letter from Professor James Dwight Dana regarding whether the fossil footprints were made by birds, and two postscripts. The report itself discusses issues related to the identification of fossil footprints in the Ichnology of New England, describes at length the tracks for each species mentioned, discusses different types of tracks, and addresses questions about the number of phalanges in the fossil footprints discussed and whether the animals that created the tracks were birds. Included with the paper is Hitchcock's letter of submission to Governor Andrew, as well as a letter from Governor Andrew submitting the report to the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Edward Hitchcock final draft, "Supplement to the Ichnology of New England," 1863
Edward Hitchcock draft, "Supplement to the Ichnology of New England"

Hitchcock, Edward, 1793-1864

A manuscript draft of Edward Hitchcock's "Supplement to the Ichnology of New England." The paper discusses issues related to the identification of fossil footprints and refers to the species with identifications that may be unreliable and that are doubtful, as well as new species which Hitchcock believes should be added. This version of the manuscript has lengthy descriptions of the tracks for each species mentioned. Hitchcock also raises questions about insect tracks and addresses questions about the number of phalanges in the fossil footprints discussed and whether the animals that created the tracks were birds.

Edward Hitchcock draft, "Supplement to the Ichnology of New England"
American Academy of Arts and Sciences report on paper by Edward Hitchcock, 1862 December 10

American Academy of Arts and Sciences

A report from volume six of the "Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences" on a paper by Edward Hitchcock read before the academy. The paper introduces and largely reproduces Hitchcock's paper, "Supplement to the Ichnology of New England" in which Hitchcock discusses various types of fossil footprints, questions about their identification, and his research on them when preparing his "Ichnology of New England."

American Academy of Arts and Sciences report on paper by Edward Hitchcock, 1862 December 10
Charles H. Hitchcock list of plates

Hitchcock, Charles H., (Charles Henry), 1836-1919

A list of plates in Edward Hitchcock's "Supplement to the Ichnology of New England" with descriptions of each figure. Two pages are crossed out. The list appears to be in Charles H. Hitchcock's hand, though no author is written on the work.

Charles H. Hitchcock list of plates
Benjamin Silliman letter to Edward Hitchcock, 1855 September 17

Silliman, Benjamin, 1779-1864

A letter to Edward Hitchcock in which Benjamin Silliman tells Hitchcock he will be sending an original drawing of foot tracks back to Hitchcock via Professor Charles Upham Shepard. Silliman also discusses a supposed fossil footprint he had recently seen in Portland; it was claimed to be a human footprint but is apparently only a natural formation of the rock.

Benjamin Silliman letter to Edward Hitchcock, 1855 September 17
Benjamin Silliman letter to Edward Hitchcock, 1855 October 13

Silliman, Benjamin, 1779-1864

A letter to Edward Hitchcock in which Benjamin Silliman writes briefly about a fossil specimen Hitchcock has obtained and about Hitchcock's recent visit to the Sillimans. This portion of the letter is signed by Silliman with Sarah Isabella Silliman's name as well: "B + S.I. Silliman". Silliman then adds a long postscript, dated two days after the original letter, explaining that after meeting with Professor Charles Upham Shepard, he thinks some fossil impressions were made by a tail. Silliman raises questions about the causes of certain fossil tracks, and wonders about whether these tracks were made by birds - as he and Hitchcock originally thought - or by reptiles.

Benjamin Silliman letter to Edward Hitchcock, 1855 October 13
Edward Hitchcock letter to Richard Owen, 1861 July 4

Hitchcock, Edward, 1793-1864

A letter to Richard Owen in which Edward Hitchcock asks for Owen's thoughts on certain fossil footprints. Hitchcock writes that some of his work has recently been challenged and he would therefore like additional opinions.

Edward Hitchcock letter to Richard Owen, 1861 July 4
Edward Hitchcock letter to Benjamin Silliman, 1840 January 12

Hitchcock, Edward, 1793-1864

A letter to Benjamin Silliman in which Edward Hitchcock discusses at length his interpretation of certain fossil footmarks and what he is planning on including in his report about them. Hitchcock also writes about a sample of petrified organic matter that he has analyzed, impressions that he believes were made by raindrops, and fossil footmarks recently discovered in England.

Edward Hitchcock letter to Benjamin Silliman, 1840 January 12
Benjamin Silliman letter to Edward Hitchcock, 1835 December 25

Silliman, Benjamin, 1779-1864

A letter to Edward Hitchcock in which Benjamin Silliman thanks Hitchcock for a plaster cast of a bird foot and requests that he make more at Silliman's expense. Silliman says he has received letters recently from Charles Lyell, Reverend W. D. Conybeare (William Conybeare), and Gideon Mantell, and he also discusses the appropriate spelling of the term "Ornithichnites," which is a type of footprint fossil.

Benjamin Silliman letter to Edward Hitchcock, 1835 December 25
Benjamin Silliman letter to Edward Hitchcock, 1836 November 1

Silliman, Benjamin, 1779-1864

A letter to Edward Hitchcock in which Benjamin Silliman promises to reserve space in the American Journal of Science for Hitchcock's drawings of bird tracks, and says he is encouraged by how many tracks Hitchcock has discovered. Silliman also tells Hitchcock that he has sent him some journals and letters.

Benjamin Silliman letter to Edward Hitchcock, 1836 November 1
Benjamin Silliman letter to Edward Hitchcock, 1837 April 15

Silliman, Benjamin, 1779-1864

A letter to Edward Hitchcock in which Benjamin Silliman writes that he understands that Silliman will need more time for his report on footprint fossils for the Journal of American Science. Silliman also tells Hitchcock about a letter he received from Alexandre Brongniart in which Brongniart expresses a desire for some plaster casts of bird tracks made by Hitchcock for the Museum of Natural History in Paris.

Benjamin Silliman letter to Edward Hitchcock, 1837 April 15
Benjamin Silliman letter to Edward Hitchcock, 1854 January 24

Silliman, Benjamin, 1779-1864

A letter to Edward Hitchcock in which Benjamin Silliman primarily discusses a fossil footprint on a stone slab that was kept in a place Hitchcock thought inappropriate. Silliman agrees with Hitchcock but explains why the slab has not been moved elsewhere. Silliman offers to make a cast of it for Hitchcock.

Benjamin Silliman letter to Edward Hitchcock, 1854 January 24