870 PAPERS RELATING TO ANTHROPOLOGY. 



ing blocks, which gradually increase in size as the interior or "coffin" 

 of the mound is reached. The "coffin" is made of large bowlders of 

 the same stone. These stones are rarely spherical, but range from a 

 few inches square to a weight of several hundred pounds. 



No. 1. The first grave examined was situated midway on the side of 

 the mountain. It was built in a small hollow or ravine, down which in 

 wet seasons water flowed. Within 40 or 50 yards there were three 

 others, two of which were opened and examined. 



It (1) was very large, about 50 feet in length, 25 in width, and from 4 

 to 5 in height. It was flat on top and extended lengthwise north and 

 south. The excavation was commenced on top at the southern ex- 

 tremity. After working downwards and northwards through the mass 

 of rock for the distance of 3 feet, we came to some very large bowlders. 

 Taking these as a guide we continued to work along the western side 

 towards the north end of the mound. All the rock that remained at the 

 north end and over the body of the "coffin" or cavity was next removed, 

 and the earthy d6bris cleaned away. From the south end of the 

 " coffin " was then removed the large rocks with which it was filled. 



Then began the examination of the dark earth with which the floor 

 was covered. The mass of the material was decayed wood-earth to- 

 gether with a small quantity of light colored clay. At the lower end 

 were found one long bone and more fragments, presumably leg or thigh 

 ibones, and at the north end a fragment of a skull. No pottery or stone 

 implement of any description was exhumed. The sides of the case- 

 ment for the remains were constructed of large bowlders 1£ foot high, 

 placed closely together throughout the entire circuit. Beneath there 

 was a floor of flat stones, and at the upper end one was raised about 

 2 inches above the rest, near which the fragments of skull were found. 

 No. 1 B. As yet only half of the first mound had been torn away, 

 and encouraged by the find, though we mainly directed our attention 

 to the discovery of stone implements, the destruction of the remaining 

 mass was begun. 



Commencing on the east side of the grftve just opened we soon 

 reached another wall of large bowlders, running in a direction parallel 

 to and placed directly alongside of the wall of the former. Upon re- 

 moving the stones from the sides and central portions as before, the 

 e xcavation of the coffin was commenced. But a most careful search 

 w . is ineffective in bringing to light any relics. The absence of all 

 jjm nan remains may be possibly attributed to the position of the mound, 

 w jjj t tfi was such that a very large quantity of water annually passed 

 throL ^ ^' rendering the decomposition of the bones more rapid. 



^j 2. About 20 yards to the right, when looking down the mountain 

 and fat ™& the easti 5 a second grave was opened, which was situated a 

 little to * ne s *°- e °f tne follow. 



This n *° una \ though not so large, extended in length in the same 

 direction north and south, as the former. In appearance, (save that it 

 was not fla *>) ^ otn externally and internally, it was similar to that of the 



