An Antilocaprid from the Lower Pliocene of Beaver County, Oklahoma

Abstract

The tips of the horn-core were lying in a steep cow-path that crossed a small gully which was developed in the Laverne formation. It was evident that the horn-core had been freshly broken. All of the recent tracks descended the steep slope. The path and the bottom of the gully were searched for the missing part of the horn-core. It was obvious that the specimen had been broken by cattle using the path. Since specimens work down-hill it was assumed that the base of the horn-core would be found higher up the bank than the tips. Excavation was begun approximately eighteen inches below the position where the specimen was found and continued along the entire surface of the path and gully slope upward to the grass roots with no success. The path was blocked with rocks at the top of the gully so as to prevent further use and to prevent excessive erosion due to the digging. During the succeeding years the place has been visited nearly every summer in search of the remaining part of the horn-core or skull. On July 24, 1950, when the locality was revisited by the University of Michigan field party, the base of the horn-core was found in place in the Laverne formation, resting upright. It had been uncovered by erosion in the old path at least 3 feet below the place where the tips had been found. It was evident that the horn-core was broken and kicked uphill by an animal going up the path.