Jensen, Utah, Jan. 2, 1912

Dr. Wm. J. Holland

Carnegie Museum

Pittsburg, Pa.



My dear Dr. Holland:-

I send you list of specimens numbered in 1911. This is a continuation of the list of 1909-1910.

At your request I send also list of contents of Boxes for 1911. This, like the other supplements the list of 1909 & 1910.

I have practically no literature on the Dinosaurs here and if I had it all, I probably could not answer one or two questions which have recently occurred to me. I suggest them as much for your contemplation as my information. You have studied the matter with especial interest and have examined the accessible Dinosaur material in most of our museums. The late developments at the quarry have forced these questions upon me. Has a skull or part of a skull of Diplodocus ever been found in such a position that we can be positively sure that it belongs to Diplodocus? Can we be positively certain that the supposed skull of Diplodocus is not that of Brontosaurus? Where and how associated were the fragments of the supposed skull of Brontosaurus described by Marsh? Is it possible that Marsh was mistaken about the teeth and are we certain that Brontosaurus teeth were not like those of Diplodocus even if scientists have been right about the skull of Diplodocus?

The fact that the complete skull of the supposed Diplodocus which we found last year was practically lying on -- at least nearly touching the neck of No. 40 and in a place where if it became disarticulated we would reasonably expect to find it, together with one or two other things, makes one wonder if this may not possibly be the skull of No. 40.

I remember that last winter you questioned me very closely about the skull with an anxious look but I could give you no hope. So far as we could see, and we could see a good deal of it, it was apparently just like what we have called Diplodocus only large. It seems hardly probable that the skulls of Dip. & Bront. would be so much alike. No. 40 may not be a typical Brontosaurus but I really do not see any Diplod. characteristics, though remember when you saw part of it exposed you even inclined to call it Diplodocus.

Really I believe that No. 40 is Brontosaurus and the skull that of Diplodocus, though I would be glad to give a fellow crown of glory if he'd convince me otherwise. Anyway the matter is worth considering though I dare not indulge in any great hopes. If it does prove to be the skull of Bront. it will make some things at the quarry seem less incongruous.

Mrs. Douglass and myself feel truly grateful for your thoughtful holiday remembrance of us --both you and Mrs. Holland. We wish you not only one but many prosperous years.



Yours Sincerely

Earl Douglass