414 ARCHEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS—II [BTH. ANN. 44 
portion of small gravel, or “buckshot,” found at varying depths 
in ravines and the river bank, but not on the natural surface; and 
finally old persons who have known the place for many years say 
that it was once level on top, with sides so steep that a horse had 
trouble in climbing them, and with a definite shape like that of the 
other flat-topped mounds; so it must be admitted into the category 
of aboriginal constructions. One reason, perhaps, for its present 
shape is a peculiar form of movement in wet weather of such earth 
when piled up; instead of only washing down from the top, it also 
oozes out at the bottom. This is especially noticeable in vertical 
banks; after a season of unusual rainfall, soft mud will squeeze out 
in a continuous stream or sheet at some lower level and creep 
perhaps 30 or 40 feet before its motion is checked. The superin- 
cumbent earth cracks in various directions and settles unevenly; 
and then erosion wears it into all manner of fantastic shapes. Some- 
thing of this sort happened with Mound 2. The bottom had crawled 
out here and there; and many years of cultivation, with resultant 
erosion of the loosened earth, had altered the upper portion out of 
all resemblance to the form which its builders gave it. Its present, 
dimensions, between extreme edges, are 290 feet on a line running 
north 70 west, and 236 feet on a line north 20 east. The highest 
remaining part is 12 feet above the base. In the map an attempt 
is made to show it in the shape it seems to have had when completed. 
Mounp 3.—This has been cultivated until much lowered. At pres- 
ent its dimensions are 314 by 60 feet. A circle 20 feet in diameter was 
laid off on the highest part, and all the included earth removed, into 
the undisturbed soil below. On the natural surface, a few feet to 
one side of the (apparent) center, were some ashes and charcoal, 
remains of a small fire which does not seem to be in any manner con- 
nected with the mound. There was nothing else; not the slightest 
indication as to the purpose for which the mound was built. 
Mowunp 4.—With the exception of the structure 4 miles northeast 
of Marksville, which is similar in form but somewhat greater in 
all its dimensions, Mound 4 was the largest dome-shaped or “ conical ” 
mound in this part of the State. It is in uncleared land, consequently 
its shape was that in which its builders left it except as it had been 
changed by action of weather. The symmetrical outline and nearly 
uniform slope from top to bottom showed that alteration from any 
cause had been but slight. The elevation was almost exactly 20 feet 
and the diameter at base 100 feet, giving its surface a sharp inclina- 
tion. The owner, Mr. A. Schaub, of Marksville, was at first unwilling 
to have it disturbed, properly appreciating the sentiment that a work 
of such striking appearance should be preserved as a monument to its 
builders. Realizing, however, that some future owner might not have 
