314 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



opposite in the two walls. These three peculiarities distinguish this 

 from all other earthworks known east of Ohio. 



Ten rods south of this work lies a peat swamp, 2 miles in length 

 by i mile in breadth. This swamp is or has been covered by a 

 heavy growth of black ash timber. A vertical section of 7 feet in 

 this swamp shows, first, the remains of trees to the depth of 2 feet, 

 next below the remains of marsh plants, gradually becoming peat, 

 which, as the depth increases, changes in character and color from 

 dark brown to light blue. At all depths in this peat are to be seen 

 the remains of leaves evidently brought by the winds from the forests 

 of the surrounding higher land. Underlying this peat is a stratum 

 from 3 to 5 inches in thickness, composed entirely of fresh-water 

 shells, mostly univalves, some of which are apparently species of 

 Paludina. Beneath this stratum there occurs another, composed of 

 blue clay intermixed with sand, containing occasionally the remains 

 of shells, among which have been found specimens of the fresh- 

 water clam (Unio). 



These facts lead to the conclusion that this peat swamp was prob- 

 ably a shallow lake at the time when the works were constructed. 

 This conclusion is also strengthened by the fact that there is no 

 evidence of the existence of a permanent supply of water elsewhere 

 within a mile of the work. 



It is proper to state that the supply of fish in this ancient lake was 

 abundant ; replenished during the time of high water in the spring 

 of each year from Lake Ontario, 13 miles distant, through Oak 

 Orchard creek, into which its outlet flows. 



West from the work, at a distance of one-half of a mile on the 

 eastern slope of a sand hill, is a large " bone pit " where the bones of 

 hundreds have been deposited. It is said by " old settlers " that 

 those portions of the work now included the cultivated fields spoken 

 of, originally presented the same features now seen in those which 

 the forest includes. 



Of course exaggerated stories are told of the relics which have 

 been plowed up in these fields. Without doubt many which would 

 be of great interest to an ethnologist have been found, kept for a 

 while, and then given to the children as playthings by those who 

 knew nothing of their value as relics. 



On making excavations in those portions still uncultivated, many 

 specimens of great interest are found. They usually lie from 6 to 

 1 8 inches beneath the surface, often imbedded in charcoal and 

 ashes. They consist of hammers, sinkers, celts, stone ornamtents, 

 pipes, pottery ; also implements and ornaments of bone, such as bone 



