53^ TRANS. ST. LOUIS ACAD. SCIENCE. 



trils, indicate a very pi-ominent arched nose, which is accurately 

 produced on all pieces of pottery that I have seen representing a 

 human face. I also found on every skull that was sufficiently 

 well preserved to permit of examination, the flattened shape of 

 the occipital region so characteristic of the Mound-builder head. 

 In stature these people were not giants, accurate measurements 

 of all the skeletons that came under my notice proving them to 

 have been of medium height, although the bones were large and 

 joints massive ; I did not find a skeleton that measured six feet. 



During the examination of the second mound a hearth was ex- 

 posed covering a space of about twelve feet square, in the imme- 

 diate vicinity of which three vessels were discovered which had 

 contained red and yellow paint. From this circumstance com- 

 bined with the unusual size of the hearth, I was led to the con- 

 clusion that they had carried on the manufacture of pottery at 

 that point. In removing a portion of the hearth, the spade struck 

 and crushed one of the pots containing red paint which had been 

 placed beneath it. Why it had been deposited in such a position 

 I could not conjecture. 



The Pottery, nearly all of it graceful in curved lines, and many 

 pieces smooth and well polished, is decidedly beautiful. It doubt- 

 less formed a prominent feature in their domestic affairs as it 

 evidently did in their burial ceremonies, and must have been 

 regarded by the owners as of the greatest value and importance. 

 These articles of combined utility and luxury, when placed in the 

 ground, we feel assured, were filled with food such as tempted 

 the appetite of the living, that it might cheer and support the 

 spirit on the journey to its future abode. The several vessels 

 were arranged systematically around the head, generally two 

 pieces to each body, viz. a bottle and pot. In some instances this 

 was varied, I suppose according to the wealth, prowess, or exalted 

 position of the individual ; there were instances where three pieces 

 had been provided, a shallow dish being added to the other two, 

 while at the head of others there was but one piece. To the arti- 

 cles of pottery enumerated, I must add a class of vessels occasion- 

 ally met with, which, from their diminutive size, shape, and the 

 holes in the rim for suspension, I conclude were incense cups. 

 The pottery varied greatly in the amount of ornamentation be- 

 stowed upon it. Some vessels were elaborately wrought into the 



