Show A fossil human footprint in various localities notably upon the rocks of the connecticut valley there have been found the footprints of various animals belonging to vernier geological periods which have been preserved by the hardening of the soft sand or mud into solid rock there have lately been discovered in nicaragua certain human f ot prints which have been preserved in the same manner although of much later date than those referred to above they have been described at length by dr daniel brinton and four of them have been removed to the peabody museum of archaeology at cambridge mass where they are now ori exhibition these footprints occur on the borders of alake near the town of mangue at a depth of twenty one feet below the surface several different i strata of limestone calcareous sand clay and volcanic ashes were found above them indicating an unusual activity of geological forces the whole region is of a cna ture and in former years eruptions and changes of level were much more frequent than at present the footprint is about ten inched long and irom three to four and a half inches wide the excessive width in proportion to the length is doubtless due explains popular science news to the soft earth spreading under the weight the great toe is large and prominent and is longer than the second one this peculiarity is considered by some archaeologists to be a sign of inferiority of race the fore part of the foot has made the deepest impression showing to be made by a vigorous and strong gaited person the age of these footprints is very uncertain certain fossils accompanying the footprints have been referred to the quart emary era and the bones of a mastodon were found in a layer of earth above the foot prints the country surrounding lake nicaragua is rich in relics of i inhabitants who were evidently a distinct race from those inhabiting ha the country at the time of the spanish conquest and although it is at present impossible to set a date for these literal footprints on the sands of time there can be no doubt that they are of groat antiquity and may even adafe back to that remote period when the part of the country was covered thith the snow and ice of the glacial epoch |