MONUMENTS OF THE NORTH-WEST. 131 



feet long, and twenty-four broad. " Throughout this region," observes Mr. S. 

 Taylor, " embankments of this form are very numerous : some have two parallel 

 projections from the back of the head ; in the present case they seem to be so 

 blended as to represent but one." 



Number 12, one mile from the English Prairie, represents, according to Mr. S. 

 Taylor, " a species of mounds which, under various modifications, are very 

 numerous, comprising about one fifth of the embossed works of the region in 

 which it occurs. The elevation of the figure, as well as of the group of which it 

 forms a part, is about four feet. Between the base of the trunk and the southern 

 wing, is a mound twenty-one feet in diameter, and five feet high." Supposed to 

 represent a bird with wings partially expanded. 



Number 13, designated the "horned bird" by Mr. Taylor, is situated in the 

 county of Grant, upon S. 16, T. 8, R. 1, W., where an extensive group of several 

 hundreds may be seen. 



PLATE X L I V . 



Number 1. — The only enclosure in Wisconsin at all resembling those of a lower 

 latitude, or which seems to partake of a defensive character, is situated upon the 

 west branch of Rock river, township seven, of range fourteen east, in the Mil- 

 waukie land district. It is known as the city or ruins of Aztalan. Several 

 brief notices of this work have appeared in the public prints ; the only account, 

 however, which is at all satisfactory, was communicated, together with an illus- 

 trative map, by Mr. S. Taylor, to the American Journal of Science and Arts, in 

 1843. 



This work, although possessing several features peculiar to itself, has others 

 closely resembling those that characteriae the works bordering the Gulf. It is 

 described as situated in a beautiful rolling country, conveniently interspersed 

 with timber, and watered by Rock river and its tributaries. It is said to consist 

 of a " brick wall " five feet high by twenty-five feet base, enclosing an area of 

 twenty acres, and having the general outline of an oblong square. Upon three sides 

 the wall is interrupted, at intervals of from two to five rods, by bastions of the same 

 height as the main wall, and extending seventeen feet beyond it. The inner wall, 

 extending along the bank of the river, is much lighter than those upon the remain- 

 ing sides, and is destitute of the singular feature last mentioned. Within this 

 enclosure are a number of truncated pyramids, forty or fifty feet square upon the 

 top, and between fifteen and twenty in height. Two of these are connected with 

 each other by an elevated way, after the manner of some of the Mississippi and 

 Louisiana structures. (See Plate XXXIX.) Two parallel ways or embankments 

 are carried longitudinally, nearly the whole length of the enclosure. Several 



