Jensen, Utah, Oct. 16, 1910

Dr. Wm. J. Holland

Carnegie Museum

Pittsburg, Pa.



My dear Dr. Holland:-

Your interesting letter of Oct. 7th came yesterday. I am sorry that you do not feel as well in every way as you should. When you are able to start the trip out here might be the best thing for you. Do not be anxious or worry about things here. It seems to me that the greater part of our most difficult task is over. -- though, of course there are difficulties to overcome all along.

My health is as good as usual, so are my spirits. The splendid things at the quarry keep one inspired. It is raining to day or I would probably be there part of the day if it is Sunday. I have two good men. Mr. Ainge and I are the only pioneers left. Mr. Neilson hated to go but now was his opportunity to attend school. I thought I had another good man but for some reason he didn't come. I hope to get him or another good man in a day or two.

It seems certain that the skeleton which we are now after is not Diplodocus. I have called it Morosaurus because it seemed to most resemble what I know of that genus but if it is not that it will probably turn out to be something new or little known.

I think there is no doubt that we shall settle beyond all dispute the no of Dorsals. We have 10 uncovered wh. are certainly dorsals, and an 11th (anterior) which it seems ought to be a dorsal as the rib on the 10th, from the pelvis, is so large. But just at this point the spinal column runs under the anterior dorsals of No. 1 and nearly under dorsals of Diplodocus. These we are getting pretty nearly ready for removal and hope to know more soon.

We have, as I said before, parts of skeleton of Diplodocus in sight and it is probable we will get whole skeleton but disarticulated and somewhat separated. It is very dif. from the so-called Morosaurus yet proportions of hind limbs similar.

We have uncovered 6 1/2 feet of a coraco-scapula under No. 40, to a crack and it is still "going some", I dont know how much. In removing block from behind scapula we got 10 teeth, about uniformly spaced in a straight row. They must be attached to a jaw and we are, of course anxious to see it. The teeth apparently belong to a carnivorous animal. We strike something interesting nearly every day.

I am glad that you are coming out to help in making contracts &c. This will also give you a chance to understand the situation better than I can do by pictures or writing.

I have talked a little with Mr. Ainge about the winters work so as to hold him if I could and of course he wishes to lay plans. He said if he did not stay here he would go to Park City and work in the mines. He could get more there but he would rather, I think, carry on the work here. He and Mr. Kay are having splendid success in handling powder. I know of no one whom I would like to trust except Mr. Ainge. He is a valuable man for us.

I think you are quite right about the Uinta material. There is a lot of it which I wish Prof Osborn could see but it is easy stuff to spoil. Part of the skulls which you sent might have been made into bone dust with much more ease. I would like as you say to unpack it, and if one or two men could get at it for awhile some good things might be gotten out. There is a lot of most important material there but I dont know when I will get time to study it up. These big reptiles seem to monopolize the most of our time now. How long it will last no one can predict.

Riggs got some things in the Uinta but I dont know how much. He claimed to have a nearly perfect skull and a good skeleton of Uintatherium. But just what skeleton means or how much, I am not sure.

How is Raymond? I hope he is better.

I sincerely hope that you will soon get rested mentally and physically.



With best wishes

Earl Douglass