SACREDEN CLOSURES. 99 



tributary of the Muskingum. Tlie hill or headland is one hundred and fifty or 

 two hundred feet in height ; and the effigy rests upon its very brow, conforming to 

 its longitudinal as well as lateral curve. Its form is accurately indicated in the 

 plan. It is known in the vicinity as "the Alligator;" which designation has been 

 adopted, for want of a better, although the figure bears as close a resemblance to 

 the lizard as any other reptile. It is placed transversely to the point of land on 

 which it occurs, the head pointing to the south-west ; its precise bearing is S. 67° 

 W. The total length from the point of the nose following the curve of the tail to 

 the tip, is about two hundred and fiity feet ; the breadth of the body forty feet ; and 

 the length of the legs or paws, each thirty -six feet. The ends of the paws are a 

 little broader than the remaining portions of the same, as if the spread of the toes 

 had been originally indicated. The head, shoulders, and rump, are more elevated 

 than the other parts of the body, an attempt having evidently been made to 

 preserve the proportions of the object copied. The outline of the figure is clearly 

 defined ; its average height is not less than four feet ; at the shoulders it is six feet 

 in altitude. Upon the inner side of the effigy is an elevated circular space, covered 

 with stones which have been much burned. This has been denominated an altar. 

 Leading from it to the top of the effigy is a graded way, ten feet broad. The 

 earth has been excavated at various points of the figure ; but nothing was dis- 

 closed except the fact that the framework is composed of stones of considerable 

 size. The superstructure is of fine clay, which seems to have been brought from a 

 distance, as no signs of excavation are apparent in the vicinity. 



The headland upon which this effigy occurs is so regular as almost to induce 

 the belief that it has been artificially rounded. Its symmetry has lately been 

 somewhat broken by the opening of a quarry in its face, the further working of 

 which will inevitably result in the entire destruction of this interesting monument.* 

 It commands a view of the entire valley for eight or ten miles, and is by far the most 

 conspicuous point within that limit. • Its prominence is, of necessity, somewhat 

 exaggerated in the small map " exhibiting a section of six miles of the Newark 

 valley," (No. 4 of the Plate,) in which it is indicated by the letter A. The exten- 

 sive work E, in the vicinity of Newark, would be distinctly visible from this point, 

 in the absence of the intervening forests. In the valley immediately opposite, and 

 less than half a mile distant, is a large and beautiful circular work, C. To the 

 right, three fourths of a mile distant, is a fortified hill B, (see Plate IX,) and upon 

 the opposing side of the valley is another entrenched hill, D ; all of which, together 

 with numerous mounds upon the hill-tops and in the valley, are commanded from 

 this position. 



It seems more than probable that this singular effigy, like that last described, 

 had its origin in the superstitions of its makers. It was perhaps the high place 

 where sacrifices were made, on stated or extraordinary occasions, and where the 



* The proprietor of this structure, Ashei. Aylesworth, Esq., we are happy to say, has determined to 

 permit no further encroachment upon it. It is to be hoped that the citizens of Granville will adopt means 

 to permanently and effectually secure it from invasion. 



