230 



ANCIENT MONUMENTS. 



The sculpture of these articles, which is sometimes attempted in imitation of 

 the human figure and of various animals, is often tasteful. But they never 

 display liio nice observation, and true, artistic appreciation and skill exhibited 



Fig. 128 



by those of the mounds, notwithstanding their makers have all the advantages 

 resulting from steel implements for carving, and from the suggestions aftbrded by 

 European art. The only fair test of the relative degrees of skill possessed by the 

 two races would be in a comparison of the remains of the mounds with the 

 productions of the Indians before the commencement of European intercourse. 

 A comparison with the works of the latter however, at any period, would not fail 

 to exhibit in a striking light the greatly superior skill of the ancient people. 



