A Miocene mammalian fauna from Beatty Buttes, Oregon

Abstract

Fossil mammalian remains were first discovered in tuff beds of the Beatty Buttes area in 1938 by Dr. Warren D. Smith and Lloyd Ruff, of the University of Oregon. Shortly thereafter, the occurrence was brought to the attention of Dr. Chester Stock by Dr. Smith. During the summer field seasons of 1940 and 1941 collecting parties from the California Institute of Technology examined the region and obtained much additional material. The original locality at Beatty Buttes lies approximately 22 miles southwest of Blitzen, Oregon, and nearly 100 miles south of Burns, Oregon (see map, fig. 1). Here the tuff beds in which the fossil mammals are found border the north side of the volcanic cone of Beatty Buttes. Most of the material was collected in an area lying approximately 5 miles from the highest point of the cone and nearly due north of it. At a second locality, here designated Corral Buttes, occur fossiliferous deposits that are unquestionably like those exposed at Beatty Buttes. Fossils were discovered in these beds by K. A. Richey and J. C. Stock in l941 Corral Buttes lies approximately 20 miles northwest of Beatty Buttes. The author is indebted to Dr. Chester Stock not only for suggesting the problem, but also for valuable advice and criticism during the progress of the study. The field party of 1940 was under the supervision of Robert Leard, and that of the following year was led by K. A. Richey. The assistance and advice kindly given by E. L. Furlong and K. A. Richey are deeply appreciated. Dr. Robert W. Wilson furnished information which aided in the identification of some of the fossil rodents. Dr. W. D. Smith, who is familiar with the geology of the region, made many helpful suggestions. The illustrations were brought to finished form by David P. Willoughby.

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