Subject: Mastodons

Book published in 1833 describing the inferior maxillary bones of mastodons. Authored by Isaac Hays, this work discusses fossil vertebrate specimens and their relevance to evolutionary theories. Hays's work includes descriptions of fossil specimens and their relevance to the ongoing debate regarding the theory of evolution. The book also touches upon Hays's contributions to paleontology, his involvement in naming disputes with other scientists, and his collaborations with other individuals like Isaac Lea. Hays's arguments for the validity of Tetracaulodon as a distinct species in relation to Harlan's theory are also explored.

First edition of Volume III, New Series, of the Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, published in 1830. This volume notably includes John Davidson Godman's article, "Description of a New Genus and New Species of Extinct Mammiferous Quadruped," a significant early work in American paleontology that, although incorrect in its conclusions, sparked considerable debate. The volume also features Isaac Hays's contribution, "Description of a fragment of the Head of a New Fossil Animal discovered in a Marl Pit, near Moorestown, N.J.," which weighs in on Godman's findings. The book's importance lies in its documentation of a pivotal moment in the development of American paleontology, showcasing early attempts at classifying fossil remains and the subsequent discussions among prominent scientists of the era. The volume is beautifully illustrated with engraved plates.