ANTHROPOLOGY. 419 



the sides and near the base, aiid in such close proximity to ancient fires 

 bhat the advocates of the " cannibalistic propensities of the ancient in- 

 habitants" would need no further proof. I admit that the finding of 

 human bones in the fragments of a feast looks, to say the least, a little 

 suspicious, especially as they occur in company with those of the turtle 

 and deer, but I think we can account for it satisfactorily without resort- 

 ing to the repulsive theory of cannibalism. 



In the first place, it must be remembered that these heaps are com- 

 posed of very loose materials liable to move and change position at the 

 slightest tonch, and it is not only possible but extremely probable that 

 the boues found near the sites of former tires along the sides and base 

 had been carried there by the sliding down of the shell along the crest 

 where they were originally decently interred. All the bodies found upon 

 the crest had been buried in the usual manner and none of them were 

 on or near a fire-place ; hence I argue that these were chance burials 

 made, long subsequently to the erection of the mound, and in no manner 

 connected with the history of its erection. 



Having now considered the origin and construction of the shell-heaps 

 nothing remains but to give a list of the principal ones along the shores 

 from Clear Water Harbor, on the Gulf coast, around Tampa Bay, to the 

 mouth of Manatee River. 



The first shell-heap of any consequence occurs at D wight's orange 

 grove, one mile north of Clear Water post-office. It consists of two long 

 heaps lying nearly parallel with each other, and at right angles with 

 the coast, and one rather small one between them. These heaps are 300 

 feet long and from 10 to 15 feet high. From these heaps a well beaten 

 roadway extends 150 yards to a fresh-water pond. The roadway is still 

 distinct, although the land has been in cultivation for ten years. 



Two small heaps occur five miles south of this, near Indian Pass 

 Church. 



The next of importance is on Four-mile Bayou, near Murphy's. 



Two more occur near the water's edge on the sand fiats at the mouth 

 of Bear Creek, Boca Ciega Bay. 



Extended banks of shell wind along the shores in every direction at 

 Maximo Point, Boca Ciega Bay, and continue at intervals all the way 

 to Point Pinellos, occasional mounds occurring here and there at differ- 

 ent points. 



At Pinellos post-office, on Big Bayou there are three immense shell- 

 heaps, IT) or 30 feet high, and from 300 to 400 feet in diameter, composed 

 almost entirely of oyster-shells. 



One mile north, on the land of Mr. Cox, is a huge shell heap nearly a 

 mile inland. It is about 15 feet high and 200 feel in diameter. 



On Booker Creek, one mile north of this, are several Large shell-heaps 

 on the premises of Mr. Williams. These heaps are from 25 to 30 feet 

 high, and from .500 to 350 feet in diameter. The largest can be seen for 

 several miles. 



