202 PREHISTORIC FISHING. 



before stated, nearly a semi-circle, both ends resting on, or rather terminating 

 at, the bank, the latter forming the base of a segment, or a chord of a circle. It 

 is continuous save toward its eastern extremity, where there is a break or gap 

 of twenty-four feet. Connecting the ends of the semi-circle is a straight wall 

 built close to the shore, and at the foot of the slate bank or bluff already men- 

 tioned, which latter has a height of twenty-five feet. Beyond the curve to the 

 west, and connected with this straight stone work, extends another wall, the 

 object of which is not apparent, unless it served as a wharf. Near the centre of 

 this shore wall, or chord of the arc, within the weir, and standing on the edge 

 of the embankment, is a stone post of curious form, deeply embedded in the 

 wall, the apex being about three feet above the ground ; while near the middle 

 and on top of the wharf there is another stone, bearing evidence of having long- 

 withstood the ravages of time. It is tw'o feet long, with a small round knob as 

 a head, w-orn smooth by friction. Its broad pedestal is surrounded Ity large 

 stones, deeply planted, which hold it firmly at a sharp angle to the land. A 

 glance at the accompanying map, drawn by my friend, Mr. W. T. Markham, 

 will make this description plain to the reader. The day following my visit, 

 Hon. J. P. Butler and Professor Henry McGuier, of Saratoga Springs, drove 

 over to the spot, and took the following measurements, which may prove valu- 

 able to the scientific delver after archaeological data : — 



Descriptive. Feet. 



Arc to opening 384 



Weir opening ------ 24 



Remaining arc ------ 40 



Chord of arc (stone or shore wall) - - 390 



Axis of arc ------ 84 



Wharf 160 



" The cobble-stones have all been brought from a field three-fourths of a 

 mile distant. 



" This structure is evidently not the work of whites, as may be conjectured 

 from the facts that the oldest settler has no record or tradition regarding it, and 

 that there are directly upon the top of the wall, in different places, stumps of 

 white oak betokening a growth of several centuries. The wall has so much 

 sunk that it is at present but two feet above the water of the swamp. It does 

 not appear to have been the woidc of the aborigines inhabiting the country when 

 discovered ; for had it been, those Indians would have had a tradition regarding 

 its origin, and would not have failed to communicate it to the early settlers, by 

 whom, in turn, it would have been transmitted to their children and grand- 

 children, manv of the latter of whom are vet living. Yet that it was meant to 



