NO. 2042. ARCHEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS— BUSHNELL. 657 



MOUNDS. 



Two mounds have ali'eady been mentioned on the preceding pages, 

 one on the village site at the mouth of the Saline, the second on the 

 high point, D on figure 1, just south of the site. The latter occupies 

 a very prominent position, and from its summit the view is one of 

 great beauty and interest. The old bed of the Mississippi, its course 

 untU a few years ago, is visible for miles in both directions. East- 

 ward across the low, bottom lands are the bluffs beyond the Kaskaskia, 

 locally called the ' 'Okaw." The French settlement of Kaskaskia and 

 the sites of the villages of the Kaskaskia may also be distinguished in 

 the distance. 



As the mound crowns a high natural point it is difficult to ascertain 

 the exact dimensions of the artificial work. It is, undoubtedly, to 

 some extent artificial, but an excavation made on the west side, and 

 extending beyond the center, failed to reveal any evidence. The 

 stone grave discovered at the foot of the mound evidently extended 

 below the base. No traces of fire were met with in the single excava- 

 tion, and neither ashes nor charcoal had been brought to Ught by the 

 plow; consequently the mound, although occupying such a prominent 

 position, had not been used as a signal station. 



About 300 yards south of this point, on the edge of the plateau, is 

 another mound. Its surface has been plowed for many years, and as a 

 result the work is reduced in height and spread. Like the preceding, 

 it would be difficult to ascertain the dimensions of the artificial 

 portion. The mound was partially examined some years ago, several 

 pits were dug near the center, but nothing could be learned of the 

 results and discoveries. 



In the heavy timber, about 1 mile southward from the point and 

 nearly midway between the SaHne and the former course of the Mis- 

 sissippi, are three elongated mounds. These are approximately 75 

 feet in length and 12 feet in height. They are narrow and form a 

 narrow ridge along the summit. No measurements were made. 



Other mounds will be mentioned in the conclusion. 



CAVES. 



A short distance from the left bank of the Saline, in the limestone 

 cliff, about one-half mile south of west of the salt spring, is a small 

 cave of the greatest interest. It is scarcely 12 feet in width, while 

 down the middle is a chaimei worn deep in the limestone. Water 

 flowing through the cave falls into a narrow chasm, which extends 

 nearly east and west. From the bottom of the channel to the top 

 of the cavity is little more than 4 feet, but it is very irregular. The 

 rock surface on both sides of the channel is quite level and on this 

 95278°— Proc.N.M.vol.46— 13 42 



