AMERICAN ARCHEOLOGY. 3 



country, and to the natural advantages and geological history of 

 the location. 



3. Number and Grouping. — However abundant earthworks and 

 other aboriginal remains may be in any locality, on careful inspec- 

 tion, they will generally be found in groups, having some relation 

 to each other, to the points of the compass, or to the topographical 

 features of the country. An accurate survey and plot, indicating 

 each member in its place, is the most instructive method of repre- 

 senting the facts. Where this is impracticable the individual con- 

 stituents should be carefully counted and their relative location 

 sketched as definitely as possible. 



4. Shape and Size. In different portions of North America the 

 earthworks and other structures exhibit certain conventional shapes, 

 notably the animal mounds of Wisconsin. In order to ascertain 

 the geographical distribution of typical forms it is very desirable 

 to obtain ground plans and sectional drawings as accurate as cir- 

 cumstances will allow. In several States surveys of the most cele- 

 brated works have been made, and others are in progress. The 

 plots of Moses Strong (Smith. Rep., 1876, 424-432) may be taken 

 as models for ground-plans. Cross-sections and elevations are im- 

 portant in conveying an idea of complicated works. It is well, 

 moreover, to observe the effect of weathering and of cultivation. 

 Notice should be taken, also, of the age of trees growing upon the 

 work or upon lands in the vicinity supposed to have been cleared 

 by the ancient inhabitants. 



5. Internal Structure. — The study of the structure of an aboriginal 

 work has reference to the nucleus or central portion, and to the 

 enveloping mass. Leaving the former to be considered under the 

 next heading, whatever is said here concerning structure will relate 

 to the latter only. The internal structure of aboriginal remains 

 depends upon their design and the material at hand, quite as much 

 as upon the conceptions of their builders. In some the mass is homo- 



