CHAPTER V, 



MONUMENTS OF THE NORTH-WEST. 



It has already been observed that the ancient monuments of the Southern 

 United States, ahhough partaking of the general character of those of the central 

 region, are nevertheless in many respects peculiar. While enclosures are com- 

 paratively few, mounds are abundant and of great size and symmetry, and possess 

 a regularity of arrangement which we look for in vain among the corresponding 

 structures of a higher latitude. Proceeding to the North and North-west, we 

 find the earthworks assuming a new form and character, in many respects so 

 unlike those both of the central and southern divisions of the country, that we are 

 almost induce d to assign them a different origin. As at the South, there are few 

 enclosures or works of defence ; but, instead of regular pyramidal structures, the 

 mounds generally assume the shape of animals, presenting a thousand singular 

 forms and combinations. These effigies are situated upon the undulating prairies 

 and level plai ns, and are accompanied by conical mounds and occasional lines of 

 embankment ; but the latter, except in a very few instances, have no obvious design, 

 and enter into none of the combinations which we notice in the works of the Ohio 

 valley. The interesting field occupied by these remains has not fallen within the 

 range of the investigations of the authors, who are therefore unable to present 

 much that is new respecting them ; still, it will be necessary to embody the facts 

 thus far disclosed in a general manner, in order to an adequate comprehension 

 of the scope and character of our antiquities. And here, at the outset, we 

 have again to regret the small amount of information respecting these works in pos- 

 session of the public, as well as its unsatisfactory nature, resulting from the 

 necessarily limited and disconnected observations of those who have paid any 

 attention to the subject. These observations have been made by men of inquiring 

 minds, in the scanty intervals of professional business, and are consequently too 

 detached to justify or sustain any general conclusions. They have served rather 

 to excite than to gratify curiosity, and in this way they may have the good effect 

 of leading to a full and careful survey of the entire field. 



The first public notice of the existence of these singular relics at the North- 

 west, was made by Richard C. Taylor, Esq., in the " American Journal of 

 Science and Art," for the month of April, 1838. His paper, which was accom- 

 panied by several illustrations, attracted considerable attention, and was followed, 

 in the same Journal for 1843, by a more extended account, very well illustrated, 

 from the hand of S. Taylor, Esq. A later notice by l*rof. .John Locke con- 

 stituted a short chapter in the " Report on the Mineral Lands of the United 



