Tlie Use of Mica Plates by the Momul- Builders. 165 



communicated to the writer a few dayf< ^iib<equent to tlie discoveries, 

 by an intelligent gentleman who conducted the exploration. He pre- 

 sented me with several pieces of the mica, most beautiful specimens 

 as regards transparency. 



The fact of mica being interred with the remains of the Mound- 

 Builders is, of course, not new, but for what purpose I had never 

 ventured even a conjecture. From this, and numerous other discove- 

 ries, I am inclined to the opinion that mica was used by this ancient 

 people to exhibit the features of the dead, in the manner that glass 

 is now used by the more enlightened nations of the earth. Whether 

 the body at death was put in some kind of casket with the mica placed 

 over the face, and in this condition seen by the friends for the last 

 time, or whether it was placed in a vault in the mound where the rel- 

 atives could enter, and through these transparent plates look upon the 

 departed, may never be determined. There is some evidence, to 

 which Ave may briefly allude, fayoring the idea that these burial 

 mounds, at least some of them, were real vaults or sepulchers. 



There is another theory as to the use of mica, and which might be 

 rendered plausible, if it could be shown that the religious ideas of this 

 people were similar to those of some of our Indian nations, that is, 

 that these transparent plates, being placed over the face, assisted the 

 deceased to see his way as he journeyed to the far off" country, or 

 "happy hunting ground." To say the least, this peculiar mineral, to 

 them, undoubtedly possessed wonderful virtues of some kind. 



To w'hat extent mounds have been found containing chambers, we 

 are not advised ; Ave know, hoAvever, that they do exist. With the 

 smaller mounds Ave should not expect to find the rooms remaining. 

 Any door-Avay to the interior Avould also be obliterated. It raiglit be 

 urged, that if these mounds Avere once holloAV, depressions, caused by 

 the earth sinking from above, Avould be noticeable. Such depressions 

 may have once existed, but the ceaseless Avear of centuries, it may be, 

 since the sinking in, has rounded off the exterior, and Ave have, as is 

 often Avitnessed, a circular mass of earth, say thirty feet in diameter, 

 with a height of no more than three or four feet. 



In opening a mound, it not unfrequeritly occurs that near the 

 base and center the earth becomes quite loose, and in some cases dark 

 streaks of vegetable mould are seen, caused, as I believe, by decayed 

 wood, possibly the roots of trees. In the few cases Avhich have come 

 under my own observation, the streaks Avere too straight and uniform 

 in their course for decayed roots. The idea suggested Avas, that the 

 mounds had contained rooms, and these dark streaks resulted from the 

 decay of timbers Avhich supported their roofs. These streaks or dis- 



