The Pleistocene of North America and its vertebrated animals: From the states east of the Mississippi River and from the Canadian provinces east of longitude 95°

Oliver Perry Hay

Jun. 2022 · DigiCat

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The writer has been engaged for several years on an investigation of the Pleistocene geology of North America and of the Vertebrata which have been discovered in the deposits of this epoch. At the outset the writer was convinced that, before just conclusions could be reached, it was necessary to know what fossil materials had been collected and under what geological and geographical conditions. He therefore made as thorough a search as possible of the literature for reports of discoveries of fossil vertebrates. In order to show the geographical distribution of the most important species that occur in considerable numbers, a series of maps has been prepared. Where the map of a State has become too crowded with numerals, a special map of that State for that species or genus has been prepared. There are maps of the edentates in Florida; mastodons of Indiana, of New York, of Ohio, of Michigan, of Florida; Elephas columbi in Florida; Elephas imperator in Florida; horses in Florida.

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Oliver Perry Hay (1846-1930) was a distinguished American paleontologist and naturalist whose scholarly contributions significantly enhanced the understanding of Pleistocene fauna in North America. Born in Saluda, Indiana, Hay pursued his interest in the natural sciences, culminating in a noteworthy career marked by thorough research and prolific writing. His work was renowned for its meticulous attention to detail and for synthesizing a breadth of paleontological data into coherent narratives about prehistoric life. Hay's magnum opus, 'The Pleistocene of North America and its vertebrated animals,' is a testament to his scholarly dedication. Within this seminal tome, Hay provided a comprehensive survey of Pleistocene vertebrates, drawing connections between fossil evidence and the biogeographic patterns observed across the continent. His approach combined elements of taxonomy, geology, and evolutionary theory, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of paleontological inquiry. Hay's literary style was characterized by clarity and precision, allowing his work to be accessible not only to fellow scientists but also to an informed lay audience interested in the ancient history of North America's fauna. His contributions have left a sustainable imprint on the field of vertebrate paleontology, and successive generations of scholars continue to draw upon his findings and methodologies as foundational reference points in their own research.