8 A C U K D E N C! L S U R E S . 97 



slopes rapidly, though it is not so steep as to preclude cultivation. The top of the 

 hill is not level but slightly convex, and presents a very even surface, one hundred 

 and fifty feet wide by one thousand long, measuring from its extremity to the point 

 vs^here it connects with the table land. Conforming to the curve of the hill, and 

 occupying its very summit, is the serpent, its head resting near the point, and its 

 body winding back for seven hundred feet, in graceful undulations, terminating in 

 a triple coil at the tail. The entire length, if extended, would be not less than one 

 thousand feet. The accompanying plan, laid down from accurate survey, can 

 alone give an adequate conception of the outline of the work, which is clearly and 

 boldly defined, the embankment being upwards of five feet in height by thirty feet 

 base, at the centre of the body, but diminishing somewhat towards the head and 

 tail. The neck of the serpent is stretched out and slightly curved, and its mouth is 

 opened wide as if in the act of swallowing or ejecting an oval figure, which rests 

 partially within the distended jaws. This oval is formed by an embankment of 

 earth, without any perceptible opening, four feet in height, and is perfectly regular 

 in outline, its transverse and conjugate diameters being one hundred and sixty and 

 eighty feet respectively. The ground within the oval is slightly elevated : a small 

 circular elevation of large stones much burned once existed in its centre; but they 

 have been thrown down and scaftered by some ignorant visitor, under the pre- 

 vailing impression probably that gold was hidden beneath them. The point of 

 the hill, within which this egg-shaped figure rests, seems to have been artificially 

 cut to conform to its outline, leaving a smooth platform, ten feet wide, and some- 

 what inclining inwards, all around it. The section a b will illustrate this feature. 



Upon either side of the serpent's head extend two small triangular elevations, 

 ten or twelve feet over. They are not high, and although too distinct to be over- 

 looked, are yet too much obliterated to be satisfactorily traced. Besides a plat- 

 form, or level oval terrace, at B, and a large mound in the centre of the isthmus 

 connecting the hill with the table land beyond, there are no other remains, except- 

 ing a few mounds, within six or eight miles, — none, perhaps, nearer than the 

 entrenched hill in Highland county, (see Plate V,) thirteen miles distant. There 

 are a number of works lower down on Brush creek, towards its mouth ; but their 

 character is not known. The point on which this effigy occurs commands an 

 extensive prospect, overlooking the " bottoms " found at the junction of the three 

 principal tributaries of the creek. The alluvial terraces are here quite extensive, 

 and it is a matter of surprise that no works occur upon them. 



The serpent, separate or in combination with the circle, egg, or globe, has been 

 a predominant symbol among many primitive nations. It prevailed in Egypt, Greece, 

 and Assyria, and entered widely into the superstitions of the Celts, the Hindoos, 

 and the Chinese. It even penetrated into America ; and was conspicuous in the 

 mythology of the ancient Mexicans, among whom its significance does not seem 

 to have differed materially from that which it possessed in the old world. The 

 fact that the ancient Celts, and perhaps other nations of the old continent, erected 

 sacred structures in the form of the serpent, is one of high interest. Of this 

 description was the great temple of Abury, in England, — in many respects the 

 most imposing ancient monument of the British islands. 



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