666 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol.40. 



salt water had been utilized by the Indians, but to what extent was 

 not ascertained. Stone graves have been met with on the near by 

 hills, which, of course, indicate the presence of a village or camp. 

 This may have been a small, outlying camp, belonging to the more 

 extensive settlement near the mouth of the river. For quite a dis- 

 tance around the spring the ground is covered with a heavy growth 

 of timber, and the graves are in a cedar thicket, consequently an 

 investigation of the site would entail much labor. Higher up the 

 Saline, on both banks, are other salt springs, but they were not 

 visited. 



A large village probably stood near the mouth of the River aux 

 Vases, on the north or left bank. This would Jbave been about 2 

 miles up the Mississippi from the mouth of the Saline. The land at 

 this point is rather low and has often been overflowed by the Mis- 

 sissippi, and as a result all traces of a settlement are lost. The land 

 rises as it recedes from the river, and on the slope are traces of many 

 stone graves. These were quite near the surface, and many have 

 been struck and destroyed by the plow. Various objects of stone 

 and shell are said to have been found on this part of the site. These 

 had probably been deposited in the graves. Along the crest of the 

 bluff, immediately beyond the graves, are several small mounds. 

 Mounds and stone graves have been encountered along the bluff 

 extending for miles northward from this site. 



The most important group of mounds in this section is located a 

 few miles south of the town of Ste. Genevieve, in the "Big Field." 

 The group is on the level bottom land, a short distance from the foot 

 of the limestone bluff, and includes one large and seven small mounds. 

 The large central mound is of oval form and rises about 15 feet above 

 the plam. The seven low, circular mounds surround the large one. 

 All have been cultivated for many years, and the attempt has been 

 made to plow in such a manner as to cause them to spread and wash 

 down more rapidly. No measurements were made. Various objects 

 are said to have been discovered on the summit of the large mound a 

 few years ago just after the spring plowing, but no definite informa- 

 tion could be gained respecting them, nor could they be traced. 



The bluffs extendmg southward from the mouth of the Saline are 

 likewise occupied by groups of stone graves and low mounds. A 

 small creek enters the old bed of the Mississippi about 2 miles 

 below the Saline; this forms the boundary between Perry and Ste. 

 Genevieve Counties. Just south of the creek the bluff rises abruptly 

 and is visible from miles about. The highest point is capped by a 

 conical mound, and on the slope below are many stone graves. 



The many small gi^oups of graves discovered in the eastern part 

 of Missouri indicate a scattered population. The large cemeteries 

 such as existed in the country south of the Ohio are unknown here. 



