404 ETHNOLOGY. 



over ono foot liigli, is formed of granitic sand, and around its circumference are 

 the evidences of fi^'e or six shallow pits, surrounded by a stone enclosure now 

 almost all gone and traced \>f liroken fragments of stone, burnt bones, &c. 

 I'oth in the central mound, in tlie outer wall, and in the soil of the neighboring 

 pits and ridges, arc many old decayed bones of buflaloes, fragments of antlers, 

 &c. No human remains, nor any tools, weapons or utensils of any kind, except 

 two flint fragments and a number of plates of mica, were discovered. 



MOr\DS IN MISSISSIPPI. 



By Samuel A. Agnew. 



GuNTowN, Miss., January 11, 1868. 



While reading the article on "the ancient eai'thvvorks in the United States," 

 Ml the appendix to the Smithsonian Report for 1866, I thought that perhaps I 

 might l)e al)le to furnish some facts relating to this general subject which might 

 perhaps contribute something to those engaged in the study of ancient Indian 

 remains, and I venture to forward them to the Institution, although I am uncer- 

 tain whether or not what I may state is unknown to those pursuing such studies. 

 Pille remarks ''no earthworks of any kind were seen by him in IVIississippi." 

 I am a citizen of that State and have resided here fifteen years, and being a 

 minister of the gospel have had occasion to visit diflFerent sections of this portion 

 of the countr3\ During my peregrinations several mounds have attracted my 

 attention, and I will proceed to note down the localities of those and of others 

 of which I have some knowledge. I should state that when I mention the 

 height, circumference, or area of mounds, the figures are not the result of meas- 

 urement l)ut of an estimate made from their appearance. 



The following comprises a list of some of the mounds in this portion of the 

 country : 



No. 1. On the land of Joseph Agnew, on Camp creek, in the southeastern 

 part of Tippah county. It is about ten feet high and has several trees growing 

 on it. It has never been dug into. 



No. 2 is near James Wiley's, in Pontotoc county, six miles west of Ellistown. 

 It resembles in appearance and is about the same height as No. 1. 



No. 3 is near John M. Simpson's, five miles southeast of New Albany, in 

 Pontotoc county. The road cuts into one side of it. The elevation above the 

 surface is six or eight feet. Human bones were found in this mound. 



No. 4 is on the nortli side of Tallahatchie bottom, on the road from New 

 Albany to Ripley. Its top has been flattened, and when I last saw it, eight 

 years ago, a neat little residence was on the summit. 



No. 5 is a large mound in Pontotoc county, near the residence of William 

 Parkes, between Butchiecunifila and Oconitahatchie creeks, about ten miles 

 southwest of New Albany. It is quadrangular, with a flat top, and contains, I 

 suppose, as much as a half acre of level land on its summit. It is from ten to 

 fifteen leet high and I think has not been examined for remains. 



No. 6 is in Tishomingo creek bottom, near Dr. Selman's farm, five miles 

 west of this place. Its sammit embraces an area of from one-quarter to half an 

 acre. Trees are growing on its surface. I did not ascertain its height. 



No. 7 is on the same creek, near Duncan Clark's, ten feet high, and about 

 thirty feet in diameter. 



No. 8, near Mr. T. A. Sullivan's, in the same vicinity, is another mound ten 

 feet high. Two large post oaks are growing on its top. It was dug into 

 several years ago and a bed of ashes was reached, when further excavations 

 ceased. 



