298 



ANCIENT MONUMENTS, 



part, about three fourths of an inch wide by half an inch deep, sometimes a httle wider 

 and deeper : the outhnc of the principal figure on the large rock is not less than 

 an inch wide and three fourths of an inch deep. Some of the round holes, which 

 are very regular, will contain a gill of water each. The lines, as observed respect- 

 ing the rock first noticed, do not appear to have been chiselled, but pecked into the 

 stone. Where hard iron seams occur in the rock, a narrow ridge is left, — the rude 

 instruments employed having evidently been inadequate to cut or break through them. 

 That some of the tracks of animals, particularly those of the bear, were rubbed 

 and smoothed with stones after having been chipped into shape, seems extremely 

 probable, from the fact that they are not rough like the other lines, and exhibit the 

 muscular developments of the foot with much accuracy. It is barely possible that 

 they have been thus worn by the action of the elements. 



Fio. 206. 



Fig. 206. A rock of similar character with those above described, occurs upon 

 the Virginia shore of the Ohio river, four miles above the town of Steubenville in 

 the State of Ohio, and about fifty miles below the city of Pittsburgh.* It is a 

 detached block of sandstone, measuring seven feet by nine. The figures are cut 

 in the same style with those before noticed, and are quite numerous. They com- 

 prise outlines of men and animals, including the tortoise and several serpents. 

 There are also human footprints, and the tracks of animals, together with other 

 emblematic figures, including the Indian symbol of the sun. The striking resem- 

 blance of tlie lower right-hand figures to those occupying a corresponding position 

 on the Dighton rock, will not be overlooked. 



A very interesting rock of this description lately existed at Catlettsburgh, on 

 the Kentucky shore, at the confluence of the Big Sandy and Ohio rivers. It was 



* These rocks are noticed by Dr. B.irton, Transactions of American Fhilosophical Society, vol. iv. p. 

 195. He regards them as " tlic work of a people acquainted with the use of iron instruments, or with 

 hardened metallic instruments of some kind." The engraving in the text is from a sketch made for Mr. 

 McBride. by .1. W. Krwin, Esq, 



