SOURCE OF ST. PETER^S RIVER. 61 



nation. It is situated about three miles west of Piqua, on a 

 bluff elevated about thirty feet above Uie level of the 

 valley of the river. The wall, which is considered by 

 some as having been erected for purposes of defence, stood 

 near the brink of the hill, facing to the south-east. It has 

 been completely thrown down, but its limits may be very 

 distinctly traced by the stones which lay on the ground, form- 

 ing an ellipsis whose axes are respectively fifteen hundred 

 and nine hundred feet.* This work is stated upon the autho- 

 rity of Col. Johnston, to enclose an area of seventeen acres. 

 The longest axis extends in an east and west line ; the distance 

 of the nearest point of the ellipsis to the river was estimated 

 to be about seven hundred yards. At its south-eastern 

 part, it is supported by a circular earthen fort, similar to 

 those previously described, and measuring about thirty -six 

 yards in diameter. The stones, of which the wall was 

 built, are all rolled, mostly granitic, few of them are cal- 

 careous : they are in every respect similar to those we find 

 scattered over the country, and especially on the banks of 

 the river. At present they form a loose pavement, about 

 six feet wide round the ellipsis. The figure of the ellipsis 

 deviates in some cases from a strict regularity, probably to 

 accommodate itself to the surface of the country as it then 

 was. In sundry parts, and more especially towards the 

 west side, are many gateways or interruptions in the walls ; 

 which are generally from six to eight feet wide. Back of 

 these, and within the area of the ellipsis, we find a number 



* This as well as the measures given for the preceding works, must 

 be taken as approximate. When the distance was small, it was determin- 

 ed by means of a measuring tape ; when long, by pacing the ground ; the 

 measure of the pace having been first determined by experiment. 

 The courses or directions are coiTcct, having been taken with a com- 

 pass. 



