_ Judge Davis’ attempt to explain the inscription on Dighton rock. 203 
fishes, and flowers. In the museum of the academy we have a speci- 
men of their sculpture, an imitation of a serpent’s head on the end 
of astone pestle ; and Dr. Belknap mentions a bone, on which was 
engraven by Indians the bust of a man, apparently in the agonies of 
death. “I have heard,” says the same estimable writer, “ of two spec- 
imens of an Indian gazette found in New Hampshire. One was a 
pine tree, on which was depicted a canoe with two men init. This 
is supposed to have been a mark of direction to those, who might 
come after. The other a tree in Moultonborough standing by a 
carrying place between two ponds, on which was carved the history 
of one of their expeditions. The number of killed and prisoners 
was represented by so many human figures, the former marked with 
the stroke of a knife across their throats.” {Hist. of N. Hampshire, 
Vol. III.) Of this general character I conceive the inscription on 
Dighton rock to be, though not representing such cruel and disas- 
trous transactions. The peaceful but energetic exploits of the hunter, 
I suppose, were only intended to be delineated, and the human fig- 
ures may be in honor of some of the Nimrods of the day. 
In governor Winslow’s account of the natives of New England 
we find this observation. “ Instead of records and chronicles they 
take this course ; where any remarkable act is done, in memory of 
it, either in the place, or by some pathway over adjoining, they make 
a round hole in the ground about a foot deep, and as much over, 
which when others passing by behold, they inquire the cause and oc- 
casion of the same, which being once known, they are careful to ac- 
quaint all men, as occasion serveth, herewith. And lest such holes 
should be filled or grown up by any accident, as men pass by, they 
will oft renew the same. By which means many things of great an- 
tiquity are fresh in memory.” Will not this practice account for the 
many smail cireles, which we find in our inscription, and which we may 
