Lob canal 
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z _ by. Cornelius. v2 323 
» yards, when,» through the thick forest trees, a stupendous pile 
al 
the eye, whose dimensions were in full proportion to the 
‘ptrenchment. I had at the time no means of taking an accu- 
vate admeasurement. To supply my deficiency, I cut a long 
vine, which was preserved until I had an opportunity of ascer- 
taining its exact length. In this manner [ found the distance 
from the margin of the summit to the base, to be one hundres 
and eleven feet. And judging from the degree of its declivity, 
the perpendicular height cannot be less than seventy-five feet. 
The circumference of the base, including the feet of three 
parapets, measured one thousand one hundred and fourteen 
feet. One of these parapets extends from the base to the sum- 
mit, and can be ascended, though with difficulty, on horseback. 
The other two after rising thirty or forty feet, terminate in a 
kind of triangular platform. Its top is level, and at the time I 
visited it, was so completely covered with weeds, bushes, and 
trees of most luxuriant growth, that I could not examine it as 
well as I wished. Its diameter, I judged, must be one hundred 
and fifty feet. On its sides and summit, are many large trees 
of the same description, and of equal dimensions with those 
around it. One beach-tree, near the top, measured ten feet 
nine inches in circumference. The earth on one side of the 
tree, was three and a half feet lower than on the opposite side. 
This fact will give a good idea of the degree of the mound’s 
declivity. An oak, which was lying down on one of the para- 
pets, measured at the distance of six feet from the butt, with- 
out the bark, twelve feet four inches in circumference. Ata 
short distance to the southeast is another mound, in ascending 
which I took thirty steps. Its top is encircled by a breast- 
Work three feet high, intersected through the middle with 
another elevation of a similar kind. A little farther is another 
mound, which I had not time to examine. 
On these great works of art, the Indians gazed with as much 
Curiosity as any white man. I inquired of the oldest chief, if 
the natives had any tradition respecting them; to which he 
answered in the negative. I then requested each to say what 
he supposed was their origin. Neither could tell: though: all 
agreed in saying; “they were never put up by our 
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