MANKIND’S CRADLE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11493, 21 November 1931, Page 12

MANKIND’S CRADLE

WHERE MAN FIRST WALKED

Proof that the ‘‘bitter lands” ot Patagonia were the first place on tiro earth’s surface where creatures that crawled evolved into creatures that walked is claimed by Dr. Geo. Gaylord Simpson, who believes lie has solved the 50,000,000-year-old paleontological stecrets of the desolate South American region. “There is no doubt that Patagonia was the centre where the mammal originated,” Dr. Simpson, leader of the Searitb Patagonian expedition which has recently -completed an eight-months' expedition, told the 'American United Press. “It was the first place which saw the evolution of warm-blooded creatures which were soon to dominate and practically drive -out the cold-blooded reptiles which, had Ixien the only form of life oil tlm earth. Hence the discovery we, have made in Patagonia is of primary importance to paleontological (.studies.-

“I admit wc did not expect to meet with such astounding luck. AVe struck the richest pocket I have ever seen, a veritable treasure of human knowledge containing several perfect fossils of the Isopbemnus (a low form of life which has nearly equal fore and hind wings) and some 300 other specimens of different genus. All the animals of that age were smaller than those of today; evolution of the warm-bloods was still on the upgrade. “Patagonia (which stretches from the Gulf of Sail Matias to the southern tip of South America) must have been much warmer than it is now. Probably it was covered with thick vegetation. The fossils were found in either volcanic ash or lava, which would point to terrible Volcanic eruptions at some later date, which completely changed the face of the country, leaving it stark and rugged. “It is ail arid and rough country. The first to point to the region as the possible solution of scientific problems was Charles Darwin, who a century or more ago, conducted an investigation along the coast. and found a few incomplete fossils. It was fifty years later that the Argentine Brothers, Florentine and Carlos Amarghino. found a few more which strengthened the theory. .But no more were found until our expedition set out. The country is not flat, but of tile broken table land variety, and conditions were unusually severe. 4Yw were almost ready to quit in disgust when we f ried a table mountain some distance from Puerto Visser. IVe were surprised to make our rich discoveries there where we spent some five months.” Dr. Siinpsou is now carrying out research work at- the La Plata museum. Sixty cases of specimens found in Patagonia have been sent to the American Natural History Museum.