A MYSTERY.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13567, 7 November 1912, Page 8

A MYSTERY.

AN UNKNOWN ANIMAL.

A story of an unknown animal has come from tho wilds of the Monaro district, in New South Wales. Mr. Sydney Jeplicott, a successful settlor, claims to have seen a creature closely resembling tho "missing link" described by tho scientific men, and ho has placed himself beyond the reach of tho scoffers by sending to Professor David oasts of footprints that he secured in tho muddy bed of the creek. Mr. Jephoott's attention was drawn to the strange animal early last month, when .ho noticed some unusual scratches on the trunk of a white gum tree The scratches were "in series of three on each side meeting a single scratch coming from'the opposite direction, being exactly such as would bo made by three fingers and tho thumb of a great hand with abnormally strong and long nails." From those indications Mr. Jephcott; "judged that some animal unknown to Rck-iice was at large in tho country," but ho took 7io further action in the matter. A day m two later tho creature ms seen by Mr George Summeroll, a neighbouring .settlor, during a ride through tho bush. "He rodo right up to a strange animal which, on all fours, was drinking from the creek," writes Mr. Jophcott to the "Sydney Morning fil.err.kl." It was covered with grey hair, and tho first thought that rose to Summorell's mind was, "What an immense kangtvroo.'l' But hearing tho iiorse's feet on tho track it rose- to its full height of about seven feet and looked quietly at the horseman. Then stooping down again it finished its drink and, picking up a stick that lay by, walked steadily up a slope to the •right side of the road and disappeared ••trnong the rocks and timber 150 .yards away. SummcrcU described tho face as being like that of an ape or man, minus forehead and chin, with a great trunk wll one size from shoulders to hip and with arms that nearly reached to its ankles." Tho creature left footprints and a handprint on tho mud of the creek, and Mr. . Jephcott took casts three days Inter in plaster of j-tirrs, showing a very long foot with four flexible toes and ari enormous hand. Presumably some further investigation will

be made