198 Judge Davis’ attempt to explain the inscription on Dighton rocks 
in any inquiries on the subject. From the figures above mentioned, 
no precise inference can be drawn, as to the intent and object of the 
inscription. - From the rudest people and from children among our- 
selves, nothing is more common than to see sketches of the human 
form and of animals, frequently without any particular plan, but fromthe 
wayward suggestions of an idle moment. Often indeed there is a plan 
and purpose in such delineations ; but from those figures alone, I ap- 
prehend, we can form no certain conclusion of the general scheme, 
which the delineators had in view. Some further definite elements 
are necessary to give meaning and consistency to the perform- 
ance. <A casual perusal of Charlevoix’ voyage to North America 
has afforded me a pretty satisfactory elucidation of another of the fig- 
ures on this rock, respecting which I wish to submit my impressions 
to your consideration. | “oy: 
In his seventh letter, speaking of the mades of hunting among the 
Canadian Indians, he refers to Champlain for a peculiar method of 
hunting the moose, the deer, and the caribou, which he thus de- 
scribes. “ They inclose a part of a forest with stakes, interwoven 
‘* with branches of trees, and leave but one narrow opening, where 
‘* they lay snares, made of raw skins. | This space is triangular, and 
‘‘ from the angle of the entrance they draw another triangle, much larg- 
‘* er ; so these two enclosures communicate together by the two an- 
“< oles. The two sides of the second triangle are also shut up with 
“* stakes, and the hunters range upon a line from the base. ‘Then they 
“* advance, without breaking the line ;_ and drawing nearer and near- 
“er to each other, they make a great shouting, and _ strike upo 
“* something that makes a great noise. The beasts being driven for 
‘‘ ward, and not able to escape, either to right or left, and being a 
‘‘ frighted with the noise, know not where to fly, but into the other 
“‘inclosure ; and many, as they enter it, are caught by the horns ot 
