MKTALS. MINERALS. FOSSILS, ETC. 281 



The tribes visited by De Soto indicated some portion of the South Appalachian 

 chain as the locaHty whence they obtained the co|)|)er in their possession. We 

 are ignorant of the sources whence the Indians on the Hudson procured the copper 

 which was found among them ; it probably reached their hands by a course of 

 exchange with western tribes, and came from the north-west. Silver has been 

 found in very small quantities, and was evidently exceedingly rare among the 

 mound-builders. The specimens recovered are pure, and were undoubtedly derived 

 from the same locality with the copper. 



It is not certain, but nevertheless extremely probable, that the race of the mounds 

 were acquainted with the art of reducing lead from its ores ; the absence of the 

 metal may be accounted for by the fact that, from its nature, it could not be applied by 

 them to any useful purpose. Too soft for axes or knives, too fusible for vessels, 

 and too soon tarnished to be valuable for ornament, there was little inducement 

 ■p.'for its manufacture. Still, unless we suppose that it was valued and used to a 

 limited extent, we can hardly account for the amount of galena found in the 

 mounds. The nearest locality, from wliich it can be obtained in quantities equal 

 to those found, is the mineral region of Illinois. 



Fo.ssiLS. — A variety of fossils, selected for purposes of use or ornament, are 

 obtained from the mounds. Among the more remarkable may be mentioned the 

 fossil teeth of the shark, and some large teeth, probably cetacean. About one hundred 

 of the latter were found in one mound ; but they were too much burned to be 

 recovered entire. One of the largest measures six inches in length, by about four 

 inches in circumference at the largest part. They are destitute of enamel, and 

 have a pulp cavity at the base, something like those of the whale, from which, 

 however, they differ widely in shape. They have not yet been identified, although 

 they have been examined by several eminent naturalists. The mound-builders 

 evidently used them for various purposes, and some of the articles supposed to 

 be ivory may have been made from them. Some of the specimens have been 

 variously wrought, drilled, sawn, and polished. The strife produced by sawing are 

 distinctly visible. Accompanying these were found several beautifully carved 

 cylinders of a compact substance resembling ivory. These were variously and 

 tastefully ornamented. One of the rods was originally fourteen inches in length, 

 and, when found, was closely enveloped in sheet copper. It has been suggested 

 that these were carved from the ribs of tlie manitus ; the bones of which animal, 



as if burnt ; large wooden wedges were also found in the same situation. In this shaft were discovered 

 a miner's ' gad ' and a narrow chisel made of copper. 1 do not know whether these copper tools are 

 tempered or not, but they display good workmanship. There have been taken out of the excavations 

 more than a ton of cobble-stones, which have been used as mallets. These stones were nearly round, 

 with a groove cut round the centre, for the purpose of putting a withe around for a handle. The Chip- 

 pewas all say that this work was never done by Indians, This discovery will lead to a new method of 

 finding veins in this country, and may be of great benefit to e.xplorers. I suppose the miners will continue 

 to find new wonders for some time yet. as it is but a short time since they first found the old mine." 



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