THE UNIVERSITY COURIER.
3
In regard to the generic determination of this saurian, I can only say, that of the three well marked genera of the mosa-sauroid reptiles of the Kansas cretaceous, the specimen seems to agree most accurately with Liodon Owen (Tylosaurus Marsh). This genus is indicated by the broad neural spines, and by the fact that the number of bones in the first digit of the paddles is the greatest. The specific determination given in the title of this paper will probably be found to be correct. The specimen appears to be a small-sized individual of its species.
The following measurements are appended:
Dermal scale — M.
Length, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0033
Breadth, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0025
Length of “carina,” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0037
Dorsal vertebra —
Length of centrum, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 075
“ “ neural spine, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 095
Breadth of neural spine, at base, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 074
“ “ “ “ at tip, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 039
Vertical diameter of cup, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 058
Transverse diameter of cup, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 071
Longest rib —
Tip to tip, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Along curvature, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 418
Breadth at base, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 025
“ “ tip, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 009
“ “ center, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 012
Femur —
Length, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Breadth at proximal end, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 082
“ “ distal end, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 073
“ “ center, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 050
Front paddle—total length, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 726
Coracoid —
Length, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Breadth at proximal end, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Curvature at proximal end, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Breadth at distal end, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 056
Distance of perforation from outer edge, . . . . . . . . . . . . . 026
“ “ “ “ inner edge, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 042
Humerus —
Length, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Breadth at proximal end, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 074
“ “ distal end, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 080
Ulna —
Length, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 093
Breadth proximal, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 041
“ distal, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 063
Radius —
Length, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 094
Breadth proximal, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 047
“ distal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 041
JOURNALISM.
As we glance back over the past, and notice the advancements that have been made in manufactures, in inventions, the sciences, art, and literature, we cannot help but notice the wonderful improvements in the latter. Never since the "golden age" of Grecian and Roman culture has there been such rapid strides made in literature, and especially in that branch known as journalism.
Burke's definition of a journal as "the history of the world for one day," or Sanborn's definition of American journalism, "was nothing, is something, and aspires to be everything," gives us a general view of the object of this all important institution. The public journals wield a power in this country that could not be exercised in any other way. Dr. Tolme says, that through its assistance, as it were, a whole nation holds council and deliberates. Its mission is a high and noble one. The journalist has it in his trust and stewardship to be the organ and mould of public opinion, to express and guide it through all sectional interest, for the public good. Herein his work is allied to that of the statesman and politician, and takes ranks, as it takes tribute, of the pulpit, education, science, and the law. The perusal of the public press enlarges the mind and produces a desire for learning. Journalism, as looked upon by Horace Greeley, was "not an end, but a means to a higher end." It is brought into use to assist and advance the development of every circle of life, and it should be condemned unless it aims at the highest and noblest.
The country press does not receive the credit that belongs to it. Horace Greeley says there is probably no class of men who do so much work for so little pay as the editors of country newspapers. These journals should receive the support of the entire districts in which they are published. They are invaluable to every home. As the people of the country are the bulwarks upon which the nation rests, so is the country prest all important as their representative. As the people are pure and elevated, so the press will be.
James Gordon Bennet, Sr., Horace Greeley, Henry J. Raymond, and Chas. A. Dana, were representative characters of different styles of journalists, and represented leading American papers. They each selected a field of action, and, although differing as to the manner, aimed at the same goal, namely: journalistic success. Of these four Raymond succeeded best as a journalist, and Greeley as a moulder of public opinion. The press is a mill which grinds all that is put into its hopper. In order to keep the grist clear, we shall have to invoke the aid of the educational institutions and public schools, to diffuse among the people the exact knowledge, the careful thought, the high aim, the generous motive, and the principles of justice, which give usefulness and dignity to the newspaper press. The legal responsibility of a newspaper is great, but the moral responsibility is still greater. A journal may not be called upon to substantiate the charges it makes, but it must inevitably suffer in the minds of an educated people.
The ideal newspaper is an impossibility, and the test of a paper's excellence is the demand for it among the classes it strives to please. The greatest service the administration could do for the country would be to exclude from public offices the journalists, and thus relieve them from temptation to betray the interests entrusted to them. They make most of the great men and executives of the nation, and therefore should watch and expose their faults and wrong doings. Let us compel them to adopt an independent standpoint, and thus be able to exclaim, like Junius: "Wherever Junius appears he must encounter hosts of enemies. But is there no honorable way to serve the public without engaging in personal quarrels, or submitting to the drudgery of canvassing votes for an election? Is there no merit in dedicating one's life for the information of his fellow men?" The journalist is a news-monger, who buys everywhere, and sells wherever he can. What the press needs is conscience and courtesy. It has enough of ability and wit. I think, like Geo. W. Curtis: "What a press it might be; but what a press we make it."
C. V. K.