212 



ANCIENT MONUMENTS. 



weapon. This notion is favored by the order in which some of the specimens, 

 near the edges and least disturbed portions of the altar, were found. 



Some spear-points of ohsidinn have been found, which, judging from the frag- 

 ments, must have been of large dimensions. The ready fracture of this mineral, 

 upon exposure to strong heat, has been exceedingly unfavorable to the recovery 

 entire of any articles composed of it. This is the more to be regretted, from the 

 fact that it is believed to be found in place only in Mexico and the volcanic 

 regions of the South-west, and a comparison of the articles found here Avith those of 

 the same material obtained from that direction, might serve to throw some degree of 

 light upon the origin and connections of the race of the mounds. A further notice 

 will be taken of the mineral when we come to speak of the minerals and fossils 

 found in the mounds. 



Arrow-Points. — Arrow-points are abundant throughout 

 the West, especially in the valleys where the mounds 

 occur ; but although frequently found, they are not plentiful 

 in the mounds themselves. They are much less numerous than the lance-heads 

 just noticed. Sketches of a number, exhibiting their predominant forms, are 

 given in the engraving. It will be noticed that they possess a great diversity of 

 form. Some are barbed and have a serrated edge quite as sharp and ragged as the 

 edge of a saw ; some are so chipped that the hne of their edges forms a large angle 

 to their planes, as if to give them a revolving or tearing motion ; and others are 

 narrow and pointed, as if particularly designed for penetrating deeply. If anything 

 were to be gained by it, a classification of these relics might be attempted. We 

 might designate those having serrated edges and barbs, as the war-arrotv, intended 

 not only to penetrate the flesh, but retain their hold and rankle and fester in the 

 wound ; those destitute of this feature, as the peace-arrow, or hunter-arrow. 



Many, as has already been remarked, and as will be perceived from the engrav- 



