78 



MOUND EXPLORATIONS. 



and near them a siugle chipped stone hoe. A little northwest of the 

 center, at the depth of 5 feet and apparently lesting on the natural 

 .surface of the ground, were the remains of five folded skeletons, heads 

 north and faces west. Under one of these was a single perforated 

 bear tooth. The skeletons had been covered with a mortar-like sub- 

 .stance which was dry and very hard. 



Ko. 2, 100 feet northwest of Xo. 1 (measuring from base to base), 75 

 feet in diameter and 7 feet high. This was composed throughout 

 (except the surface layer) of blue clay mixed with sand, very hard and 

 tough. Large sandstones, weighing [from 10 to 100 pounds, occurred 

 at all depths, but not placed with any regularity or according to any 

 perceptible plan. At the depth of 8 feet, and hence slightly below the 

 original surface of the groiuid and a little southwest of the center, were 



Fig. 35. — Mound group near BattUs ialaud, Vernon county, Wis. 



six folded skeletons, lying on the bottom with the heads east and faces 

 north. As soon as they were uncovered the bones fell to pieces so that 

 not even the skulls could be saved. The dirt immediately around them 

 was wet and sticky. 



No. 3, 60 feet north of No. 2, 40 feet in diameter and 3i feet high. 

 The top layer, li feet in depth, consisted of black, rich loam, the re- 

 mainder of blue clay. The original soil had evidently been removed to 

 the depth of a foot or more — in one portion to the depth of 2 feet — 

 before burial. On the north side, not far from the margin, the clay, for a 

 considerable space, was very hard and dry, immediately beneath which 

 were some four or five folded skeletims, with heads, so far as could be 

 determined, in various directions. Near the southeast margin, at the 

 depth of 6 feet, lay six other skeletons at full length with heads in 

 dift'erent directions. llTiderone of them were three bears' teeth. The 

 owner in a previous examination found near the center, at the depth of 

 15 or 18 inches, a long string of glass beads. 



