404 ETHNOLOGY. 



over one foot liigli, is formed of granitic santl, and around its circumference are 

 tlie evidences of five or six sliallow pits, surrounded by a stone enclosure now 

 almost all gone and traced by broken fragments of stone, burnt bones, &c. 

 Both in tlie central mound, in the outer wall, and in tlae soil of the neighboring 

 pits and ridges, are many old decayed bones of buffaloes, 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. 



MOlIXnS IN MISSISSIPPI. 



By Samuel A. Agnew. 



GuNTOwnsr, Miss., January 11, 1868. 



While Teading the article on " the ancient earthworks in the United States," 

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

 might l>e able to furnish some facts relating to this general subject which might 

 perliaps 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. 

 Dille remarks ''no earthworks of any kind were seen by him in Mississippi." 

 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 diflerent sections of this portion 

 of the country. During my peregTinations 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 but of an estimate made from their appearance. 



The following comprises a list of some of the mounds in this poiiion 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 EUistown. 

 It resembles in ai)pearance 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 Itones were found in this mound. 



No. 4 is on the north 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 AVilliam 

 Parkes, between Batchiecanilila 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 feet 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 summit embraces an area of from one-quarter to half au 

 acre. - Trees are growing on its sm'face. I did not ascertain its height. 



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

 thirt}^ 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. 



