The form is lying on its back, the head towards the east and the
feet toward the west. The reclining posture is a perfectly natural
one, the limbs and feet being slightly drawn up. The figure
appears as if a person had fallen there and died. There seem to
be evidences of considerable physical anguish in the position
of the limbs, of the body, and in the tension of the nerves as well
as the contraction of the muscles (which are fully developed.) The
right hand rests upon the lower abdomen, and the left is pressed
against the back directly opposite. The left foot is thrown
partially over the right one, the leg resting partly upon its fellow,
but not crossing it. The head is inclined to the right.
The face is the only part seemingly free from traces of the agony
of dissolution. The expression is calm, thoughtful, almost sweet.
The high, massive forehead sets off with grand, yet benevolent
dignity, the well rounded and proportioned features. The
countenance is a study. Beautiful despite its immensity, it
displays a largeness of kindly feeling not commonly surmised from
Fairy tales of Giants and Giant deeds. The spectator gazes upon
the grand old sleeper with feelings of admiration and awe. "Nothing
like it has ever been seen," say all who have gazed upon it. "It
is a great event in our lives to behold it," (is the universal
verdict,)--" worth coming hundreds of miles for this alone." "I
would not for anything have missed seeing it, for I consider it
the greatest natural curiosity of the age," say Geologists,
Naturalists, Students and all who can intelligently examine the
Onondaga County Wonder.
The increasing interest of the public and the constantly enlarging
attendance corroborate the previously expressed opinions of the
inestimable value of the discovery, and sanction the verdict that
the Cardiff Giant is the great wonder of the Nineteenth Century.