250 MOUNDS IN WISCONSIN AND IOWA. 



broken and the pestle removed. It was formed of a very hard, gray, 

 granite, and measured 6 inches by 8 inches. 



Owing to the rapid approach of cold weather, no further examination 

 of these mounds was made. Next spring it is my intention to continue 

 the explorations, and I hope to find more evidences of the existence of 

 this ancient race. 



PITS AT EMBARRASS, WISCONSIN. 



By E. E. Brekd, of Embarrass, Wis. 



There is a series of pits on the northwest of the northwest section 10 

 and northeast of the northwest section 10, township 25, range 15 east 

 (town of Mattesou). They are in an irreguhir line ; general direction, 

 from northwest to southeast ; from 4 to G rods apart. Quite a number 

 are in pairs. The depth, as found by excavating the earth that had 

 caved in, was originally from 4 to 5 feet ; diameter, 3 feet. In almost 

 every instance the earth was thrown out on the southwest side; soil 

 sandy. A few years ago the land was covered by a heavy growth of 

 timber, principally hemlock. Trees over two hundred years old grew 

 on the earth that had been thrown out. The chain is broken by a small 

 pond, perhaps 10 rods across, but. follows a sandy ridge most of the 

 way. 



MOUNDS IN DELAWARE COUNTY, IOWA 



By M. W. Moulton, of Monticello, Iowa. 



So far as now known, the credit of discovering these mounds belongs 

 to Mr. Rynerson, of Ilopkinton, and the following brief description will 

 convey some idea of their size and relative i)osition: Assuming a start- 

 ing point which I shall call A, as the most important mound of the 

 system, from A in nearly a westerly course is a row of mounds ten in 

 number, exclusive of A. This row curves a little for the purpose of 

 following the highest land, the surface descending both north and south. 

 Starting again at A, and following a course west of south about 20 

 degrees, for 36 yards, we come to an earth- work of continuous eleva- 

 tion and 40 yards in length. After an opening of 10 yards, this ele- 

 vation continues 50 yards farther, making a work 100 yards in length, 

 including the opening. Leaving the south end of the long earth-work, 

 and stepping 18 yards due west, then following a line parallel with the 

 long earth- work 54 yards, we come to the first of another set of mounds 

 six in number. These are in an exact line. From the most southern of 

 these, and extending nearly in a western course, is still another set of 

 six. These are also in a straight line. The north and south rows are 

 parallel to each other. It will be observed that these three sets form 



