320 PKOCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [1894. 



and large ctiunks rather than fine soil. It appeared that a circle of 

 saplings had been placed about the log. 



" The log must have been cut at a distance and carried to the mound. 

 There is no cedar within ten miles of the structure at the present 

 day, and none was seen by the early settlers. However, it may be 

 that cedar grew upon this hill in pre-Columbian times. Tlie trench 

 extending to the northwest and uncovering the log was 35 feet in 

 width and somethina: over 100 feet in lens^th. 



"On Tuesday, September 4th, the excavation reached the bottom 

 of the log, and measurements gave its length as 18'5 feet with a cir- 

 cumference of 5*4 feet. Immediately below the log was a skeleton. 

 The saplings or small logs constructing the pen had been planted in 

 the earth around this skeleton, somewhat after the form of a tepee. 

 The skeleton itself lay upon the original shale in an excavation two 

 feet below the surface of the ground. It was 20 feet from the slope 

 of the mound directly above or 36 feet below the level of the sum- 

 mit. The skeleton lay with head to the north, arms at the sides, and 

 legs extended. Around each wrist were two copper bracelets. At 

 the neck and upon the chest were several hundred shell beads. 

 There were also the tusks of some large animal. The dry ashes 

 with which the remains were covered, and the great depth from the 

 surface aided in the presei'vatiou of such substances as usually decay. 

 Traces of hair were aljout the skull, the brain,*' dried and shrivelled, 

 was found within it, and cloth, buckskin and rude matting and bark 

 covered the remains. All of these were carefully removed and 

 boxed. 



" A rough count made on the spot gave the number of beads as 480. 



"After removing the skeleton the log was sawed into two sections 

 and carried out and shipped. The outline of the pen was photo- 

 graphed and drawn, and the whole base of the trench down to the 

 original shale carefully dug over. The loose and partly arched earth 

 on either side of the trench was carefully taken out. The possible 

 presence of other pens in the mound was settled in the negative. 

 The sides were undermined at considerable risk and the walls were 

 allowed to fall. Another inspection showed the absence of other 

 burials in the structure. 



^ This remarkable preservation of the brain is as yet unexplained, though a 

 number of authorities have been consulted. A paper will be devoted to it. — 

 C. B. M. 



