70 



TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



This is made apparent by the very distinctly stratified character of 

 the soil, which consists of dark loam with more or less sand, im- 

 purities, and broken relics. 



It is difficult to say to what extent the stratification is aqueous, 

 or to what extent" the result of periods of unequal artificial accumu- 

 lation. The fact that the base of the exposed section is several 

 feet lower than the present surface of the lake, suggests the possi- 

 bility that its waters actually washed the walls of the ancient settle- 

 ment. The level of the lake has, during historic times, undergone 

 such diverse changes that it cannot be surmised what was its condi- 

 tion at any particular period of the remote past. 



The accompanying section, figure i, although representing but a 

 small part of the horizontal exposure, shows all the important fea- 

 tures in their proper relations to one another. It is the result of a 

 number of visits to the spot, most of which were made with the 

 purpose of assuring myself of the accuracy of preceding observa- 

 tions. The deposits of fragmentary pottery reach to the base of the 



Fig. I. — Section showing two periods of occupation. 



section, and are so arranged as to show beyond a doubt, that they 

 accumulated with the soil and are not subsequent intrusions. This 

 is apparent, not only from their deposition in more or less contin- 

 uous horizontal layers, as shown in the section, but from the identi- 

 cal character of fragments occurring at corresponding depths. 



The prevailing type of ware, throughout the lower part of the 

 section, is very archaic and is to all appearences quite distinct from 

 the handsome pottery characteristic of the upper half of the section. 



It was simple in form and rude in finish and little superior in any 

 respect to the rudest products of the wild Indians of North America. 

 At the base the fragments are small and much decayed; higher, they 



