THOMAS] GRAVES AND CEMETERIES. 33 



present object is to indicate the various works by the terms which liave 

 come into use in this country, they are given separately. They are fun- 

 nel-shaped or deep, cup-shaped excavations, the depth being greater in 

 projiortion to the diameter than the ordinary basin- shaped excavations. 

 Those works, to which the term is applied, appear to be of two classes: 

 First, the holes or pits made in digging for flint, which are usually 

 known locally as "Indian diggings," and which, as a matter of course, 

 are irregular as to form and size; second, the regularly formed pits of 

 but a few feet in diameter and depth, and used chiefly as places for 

 secreting food and other articles, and hence often called "caches." 



GRAVES AND CEMETERIES. 



The ancient graves of the area under consideration in this report are 

 of various types, nevertheless there are one or two of these which form 

 such important factors in discussing the question of the origin and 

 builders of our ancient monuments that it is proper they should be 

 mentioned here. 



One of the most common and most important types is the " box-shaped 

 stone grave" or cist. This is in the form of an oblong box, constructed 

 of unhewn stone slabs. Graves of this kind are found isolated, in 

 groups forming cemeteries and also in mounds. 



Stone graves of other forms occur usually in mounds, but as these 

 will be noticed hereafter it is unnecessary to describe them here. 



The term "cemetery" is, of course, used in its ordinary sense. 



GARDEN BEDS. 



These are certain surface indications, found chiefly in Michigan and 

 Wisconsin, leading to the conclusion that the limited areas covered 

 were formerly under cultivation. These indications are generally low, 

 parallel ridges, as though made in planting corn in drills. They .aver- 

 age about 4 feet in width, and the depth of the space between them a 

 few (C to 8) inches. They are generally arranged in beds or plats. 



OTHER FEATURES. 



Fire beds or hearths are nothing more than the indications of local 

 fires, found in mounds and in the ground. Camp-sites are usually indi- 

 cated by marks of fire and other signs of temporary camps found near 

 the surface of the ground. 



Ancient trails are sufiQciently indicated by the name. 



Surface figures are outline figures of the human or animal form or of 

 some object formed on the surface of the ground with pebbles or bones. 



Cave deposits are sutficiently indicated by the name. 



So far as ascertained the ancient mines of this country were limited 

 to those of copper, flint, and other stone and mica, 

 12 ETH 3 



