2T6 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP [1884. 



tion ; that one is from Somal Land, in Africa, ten degrees north 

 of the equator. 



There are, however, some very ancient Chinese inscriptions, 

 dating from about the fourth century before our era, which show 

 a similar device. For this reason. Dr. J. F. Salisbury, of Ohio, 

 has maintained that some connection existed between the mound- 

 builders and the ancient Chinese, 



My own opinion, based on a close inspection of the inscribed 

 rock in Licking Co., Ohio, is that the so-called bird-tracks were 

 never intended to represent the footprints of any species of birds, 

 but are conventional signs for arrows or arrow-heads. My reasons 

 are the following : 



In no case are there representations of toes or claws. The 

 centre line is fi*equently prolonged, passing be^'ond the junction 

 of the lateral lines, thus giving to the figure a cruciform appear 

 ance. More often it is prolonged in the other direction — some- 

 times to three or four times the length of the lateral lines — 

 presenting an unmistakable picture of a barbed arrow-head on a 

 shaft. 



The lateral lines are usually three or four inches in length, 

 while the median line is always longer. The incisions are clean 

 and clear, the edges sharp and singularly firm, betraying a 

 practiced hand and a powerful instrument. 



On the supposition that these are intended for arrow-points, I 

 propose for them the name of " cuspidiform petrogl^'phs." This 

 is descriptive of their actual appearance, and also indicates what 

 they were doubtless designed to represent. 



Granting this, we do not have to go far to ascertain the idea 

 which this sign was intended to convey. There can be little doubt 

 but that the arrow signifies a warrior, or some related military 

 conception. 



This, in turn, throws light on other points in the archaeology of 

 the Ohio region. The inscribed rock at Newark is within about 

 eight miles of a very remarkable series of works between the 

 north fork of Licking River and Raccoon Creek. One of these 

 works is a mighty circular embankment, enclosing an area of 

 thirty acres, now used as the fair grounds of Licking Co. In the 

 midst of this area, headed toward the only entrance, is an effigy 

 mound, of large size, commonly supposed to represent an eagle. 

 At present, however, the alleged eagle has no head, and I could 



