Ancient Mining on the Shores of Lake Superior. 179 



boyua. 5. The species and varieties of Celebes possess a striking 

 cliaracter in the form of the anterior \vings, different froin that of the 

 allied species and varieties of all the surrounding islands. 6. Tailed 

 species in India or the Indian region become tailless as they spread 

 eastward through the archipelago. 



From Ancient Mining on the Shores of Lake Supe^-ior. By Charles 

 * Whittlesey. 



By whom \veve the ancient* mines wrought? I have already given 

 reasons going to show that it was not the present Indian race by whom 

 these mines were worked. 



As yet no remains of cities, graves, domicils, or highways have been 

 found in the copper region. As the race appears to have been farther 

 advanced in civilization than their successors, whom we call the abo- 

 rigines, they probably had better means of transportation than the 

 bark canoe. They might thus carry provisions a great distance by 

 water. Then* mine works are open cuts exposed to the day, which in 

 the winter in this country, where snow lies from three to five feet in 

 depth, could not be occupied comfortably without shelter. ^ISTo re- 

 mains of such coverings have been discovered, nor is it probable that 

 any traces of such should now be recoverable. On the upland the 

 thermometer descends to minus 38 deg. This would not render these 

 trenches absolutely untenable, but would present great difficiilties in 

 working them. Even in modern shafts and galleries, that are closed 

 by self-shutting doors, frost penetrates to a depth of twenty and thirty 

 fathoms. It is frequently necessary to put stoves in the upper levels, 

 in order to prevent their being filled with ice. It would, therefore, be 

 barely possible, by no means ])rofitable, to work in open trenches dur- 

 ing winter. The miners could readily bring with them in the sprin*>- 

 supplies for three months, and before these were exhausted the same 

 craft might return for additional supplies. After spending the months 

 of summer, the miners could return to their homes for winter, carry- 

 ing with them the mineral ol)tained during tlie season. 



In relation to their dead, it may have been a custom, perhaps a part 

 of their religion, to restore the bodies to their friends. If tlie number 

 of operators was not great, and the mortality was no greater than it is 

 now, this would not have been a great burden. In case there were no 

 women and children, the proportional number of deaths would be less 

 than at present. It is now, for the season of navigation, not far from 

 five in 1,000, including females and children, and including also those 

 killed by accident. 



