"Description of some Sepulchral Pits of Indian origin. 87 



certain seasons, runs a small stream. At the present time, there is 

 nothing peculiar or striking in its position, except, perhaps, the spot 

 being nearly central on the peninsula which extends into Lake Hu- 

 ron, between Gloucester and Nottawaraga Bays, and which is deeply 

 indented by Thunder Bay and Penetanqueshene Harbour, and from 

 both which bays the spot is nearly equidistant. The locality is not 

 elevated above the surrounding country ; the soil is light, free front 

 stones and dry ; a permanent stream runs within a quarter of a mile 

 to Nottawaroga Bay ; and there is a fine spring of water within a 

 few hundred yards. The character of the bush surrounding it seems 

 similar to that elsewhere ; the timber is generally of hardwood, and 

 well used ; a small ironwood tree, about two inches m diameter, 

 grows in the centre of the pit. 



In consequence of the scramble among the French Canadians, 

 which followed the first finding of the kettles, the exact position of 

 the difterent contents of the pit could not be accurately observed. 

 The bones had been removed to the depth of three or four feet before 

 any of the other contents. The kettles were found arranged over its 

 bottom, with their cavities upwards, placed on pieces of bai"k, and 

 filled with bones. They had evidently been covered with beaver-skins, 

 as pieces of that fur were still adhering to them in good preservation. 

 The shells, as well as the axe, were found in the intervals of the 

 kettles, the beads within them, and in scattered groups elsewhere 

 among the bones, generally in bunches of strings. The other objects 

 were picked up after the pit had been disturbed, by some Canadians, 

 who made a second search. 



The kettles resembled somewhat the copper boilers in use at the 

 present day; they appeared to be formed of sheet-copper, the rim be- 

 ing beaten out to cover a strong iron band, which passes entirely or 

 only partly round the neck of the vessel, for the purpose, evidently, 

 of strengthening them, and to carry the iron hoop by which they 

 were suspended, and which, with a somewhat clumsy hook on either 

 side, is attached to an eye upon this band. The smallest of them 

 measures about eighteen inches in diameter, and seven in depth, and 

 will hold about six gallons ; one of the largest is more than two feet in 

 diameter, and thirteen in depth, the thickness of the metal about one- 

 sixteenth of an inch. The handle remains perfect in some, in the 

 form of a strong semicircular iron hoop ; the copper is in good pre- 

 servation, the iron deeply con-oded. ISo stamp or maker's name 

 could be found on them ; on the base of one only was a mark, as 

 shewn on the margin ; in soiiio, red paint, resembling chalk, and the 

 inside of a piece of beaver-skin was marked with a similar matter. 

 Two of the kettles were of brass, constructed nuich in the above 

 manner. One only varied in shape from the others, and seemed as if 

 tiio upper part of it had been cut off : the sides, too, were nearly 

 perpendicular, whereas those of the remainder were circular in cvei'y 

 way, though varying in degree of rotundity. 



The accompanying sketch is intended to show one of the largest 



