126 A N C 1 E N T M N IT M E N T S . 



these remains. It is to be regretted that explanatory sections do not accompanj' 

 the plans, so as to exhibit, at one view, the altitude as well as general outlines 

 and dimensions of the figures. 



PLATE XL. 



ANCIENT MONUMENTS, DADE COUNTY, WISCONSIN. 



This group of mounds is figured and described from actual survey, by Mr. R. C. 

 Taylor.* It occurs about eighteen miles west of the " Four Lakes," and seven 

 miles east of the " Blue Mounds," in Dade county, Wisconsin. It is situated on 

 the Great Indian Trail already noticed, and consists ; as will be observed, of efiigies 

 of six quadrupeds, six mounds in the form of parallelograms, one circular tumulus, 

 one effigy of the human figure, and a small circle. The area comprehended in the 

 map is something less than half a mile in length. The dimensions of the figures 

 and their relative positions are indicated in the plan. It is not easy to make out, 

 from the efiigies, the character of the animals intended to be represented. It has 

 been suggested that they were designed to represent the bufifalo, which formerly 

 abounded in the vicinity ; but the absence of a tail and of the characteristic hump 

 of that animal would seem to point to a dififerent conclusion. They display a 

 closer resemblance to the bear than to any other animal with which we are 

 acquainted. These figures seem to be most prevalent ; and, though preserving 

 about the same relative proportions, vary in size from ninety to one hundred and 

 twenty feet. In many other places, as at this point, they occur in ranges, one after 

 the other at irregular intervals. In the midst of this group is the representation 

 of a human figure, placed with its head towards the west, and having its arms 

 and legs extended. Its length is one hundred and twenty-five feet, and it is one 

 hundred and forty feet from the extremity of one arm to that of the other. The 

 body is thirty feet in breadth, the head twenty-five feet in diameter, and its eleva- 

 tion considerably greater than that of most of the others, being not nmch less than 

 six feet. The human figure is not uncommon among the efiigies, and is always 

 characterized by the extraordinary and unnatural length of its arms. The conical 

 mound in the centre of this group is the most elevated work, and commands a view 

 of the entire series. These works are situated upon a high open prairie, on the 

 dividing ridge between the waters of the Rock and Wisconsin rivers. Haifa mile 

 westward of this remarkable group, and on the same elevated prairie, occurs a 

 solitary mound, about ninety feet in length, representing an animal in all respects 

 like those just described, but lying with its head towards the south-west. 



* From Sillimaii's JouriKil of Science and Art, vol. xxxiv. p. 91, 



