228 



PREHISTORIC FISHING. 



northeast of Keyport, and about three-quarters of a mile south of a small pro- 

 jection of the coast, known as Conasconck Point. 



Fro. 360. Plan showing the location of the principal shell-deposit at Keyport. 



The road leading from Keyport to the village of Union passes through the 

 farm-land and borders the shell-bed, indicated by a dotted space on the accom- 

 panying plan. It spreads over an area of six or seven acres, and forms several 

 extensive heaps or ridges, on an average five feet high. The accumulations con- 

 sist of shells, mostly imbedded in sand, and intermingled with innumerable 

 pebbles, representing a great variety of mineral substances. The oyster and 

 hard-shell clam are here, as elsewhere in the neighborhood, the prevailing 

 species ; but I found also, though not very frequently, shells of Pyrula, both 

 canaliculata and carica, which doubtless were eaten by the aborigines. I col- 

 lected only a few valves of the soft-shell clam, and none of the mussel, the last- 

 named bivalve occurring but sparingly in the neighborhood. In addition, there 

 were a few broken valves of the scallop, and some specimens of Nassa obsoleta, 

 the latter doubtless accidentally brought to the place. The few bones noticed by 

 me were so much decayed that they almost crumbled to pieces when handled, 

 and their condition rendered identification impossible. The non-conservative 

 quality of the surrounding sand accounts for their destruction. 



