BY F. W. PUTNAM. 89 



regarded as of natural origin, notwithstanding the singular 

 association of several species of shells and bones of 

 mammals. Had he continued to make the excavation 

 which he mentions, to the bottom of the heap, his conclu- 

 sions would probably have been entirely different. The 

 record , however, is of interest as the first account of this 

 now nearly effaced shellheap, and is here copied in full, as 

 follows : 



"Having thus introduced you to these phenomena 

 abroad, allow me to call your attention to similar in 

 our own neighborhood and under our own eyes. Owing 

 to the suggestion of an acquaintance I was induced to 

 visit, in company with him, the southern shore of our 

 harbor in that portion just east of the very picturesque 

 group of pitch pines, contiguous to the Lead Factory of 

 Mr. Francis Peabody. Any one who has ever rambled 

 over the undulating hills of this spot is familiar with the 

 indented features of the land. After passing over the crest 

 of the hill about a fourth of a mile from where the Marble- 

 head railroad enters the point after crossing the mouth 

 of Forest River you descend into a valley, and at the 

 elevation of several feet above its level, and probably 

 more than twenty feet above high water mark, you will 

 notice the appearance of broken shells protruding from 

 the soil. Similar appearances exist on the shores of the 

 Mill Pond above the Salem railroad bridge (at the foot of 

 Circus street) , but whether referable to the same agency, 

 further examination can only determine. 



"Digging into one of these spots we found an aston- 

 ishing accumulation of shells in all stages of decay. 

 Penetrating to the depth of more than four feet there 

 seemed to be little indication that we had reached its 

 bottom. Indeed it is not improbable from existing appear- 

 ances that the bed was of indefinite extent. Specimens of 



