4 BUREAU OF AMEEICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull. 48 



A trench was run from near the center of the mound, extending 

 northeast 47 feet and continuing beyond the edge of the artificial work 

 (fig. 1) . Tliis was evidently a domiciliary mound. Two fire beds were 

 discovered. The first {a), near the center of the mound, had a diam- 

 eter of a trifle more than 2 feet; it was slightly concave in form and 

 was situated at a depth of 15 inches below the surface of the mound. 

 The second fire bed (Jb) was discovered near the edge of the artificial 

 work, evidently on or near the original surface; tliis was similar to a 

 in form, size, and situation, but sloped toward the northeast. Both 

 fire beds showed evidence of considerable use. As a result of the 

 heat, the earth was discolored to a depth of from 6 to 8 inches be- 

 neath the surface of the hearth, and to a depth of several inches it 

 had become quite bard. 



The mound was formed of a compact, homogeneous mass of clay 

 and sand. There was practically no surface soil or vegetal mold, 

 consequently it was not possible to trace the old sod line, and thus 

 to distinguish the artificial from the natural formation. 



Fig. 1. — Section of mound excavation. 



A deposit of shells (c) was revealed a short distance from fire bed 

 &, as shown in the drawing; this extended in a general direction from 

 northwest to southeast and was examined for a distance of 10 feet. 

 At the point of intersection by the trench the mass of shells lay 

 from 2 J to 4 feet below the surface of the mound. The width of the 

 deposit was about 4 J feet and its thickness 10 inches. 



For reasons stated above, it was not possible to determine whether 

 the shells rested upon the original surface or filled an artificial exca- 

 vation. They appeared, however, to be below the original surface, 

 as indicated on the drawing. 



The shells were those of an edible clam (Rangia cuneata Gray) 

 found in vast quantities in Lake Pontchartrain. Intermingled with 

 the shells were quantities of bones of deer, rabbits, and alligators,^ 

 that had served as food, many having been broken open for the 

 removal of the marrow. Fragments of many pottery vessels also 

 were recovered, but no entire objects of any sort were found, nor 

 was a single piece of stone discovered in any part of the excavation. 



a These were identified by Dr. M. W. Lyon, Jr., of the U. S. National Museum, to whom the writer 

 desires to express his indebtedness. 



