250 MOUND EXPLORATIONS. 



observed, though some fragments of pottery were picked up from the 

 surface, which had probably been turned oxit by the plow. 



No. 3, about the same size as No. 2, though carefully explored, re- 

 vealed nothing worthy of notice. 



Another conical mound near this group, 35 feet in diameter and 3i 

 feet high, was also examined. It was composed of loose, black loam, 

 through which were scattered fragments of jiottery and mussel shells. 

 In the south side, at a depth of 2 J feet, was a fire bed about 10 feet in 

 diameter and 6 inches thick. This was covered with ashes, charcoal, 

 fragments of pottery, and mussel shells. In the south side, at the 

 depth of 3 feet, was a single skeleton, by which lay a broken cliiy pipe. 

 An oak tree, 3 feet in diameter, stands on this monnd. 



About 150 feet east of the last mound is a small circular tumulus 

 with a Hat top. This was composed tliroughout of very hard, dry, yel- 

 low clay, but contained no indicationsof burial, no evidences of fire, nor 

 relic of any kind. This is somewhat remarkable, as tlie form and ma- 

 terial render it more than probable, .iudging by what has been ascer- 

 tained in regard to the mounds of this state, that it was built for a 

 house site, and hence, according to the rule, should have contained fire- 

 beds and ashes. Possibly it Mas the site of a baracao or storehouse, or 

 was built for a house site, but not used. 



LOUISIANA. 



The explorations in this state were confined tt> Washita, Catahoula., 

 and Tensas parishes. 



THE I'AROOID GROUP. 



This group, located in Washita i)arish, consists of two mounds situ- 

 ated on a i)()int of land between Washita river and Giiauvin bayou. 

 The larger one, about 28 feet high and flat on top, has had the sides 

 cut away to obtain material for repairing the road that runs by its base. 

 From this (as permission to exph>re it was refused) it was ascertained 

 that it consists of several strata; first, a top layer, 2 feet thick, of black 

 sandy soil, next 15 inches of yellow sand and black loam intermixed; 

 then 18 inches of black sandy loam; next 2 feet of yellow sand, and 

 below this, yellow sand and black loam intermixed. In the last were 

 some pieces of pottery. The layers on the opposite side differed some- 

 what from the order and tliickness given, though the material was the 

 same. 



The smaller nioiind is conical in form and only 6 feet high. 



Evidences of house sites were found in the surrounding area, such as 

 beds of burnt clay and ashes. 



TROYVILI.K MOtNDS, CATAHOULA PARISH. 



This interesting group, a plat of which is given in Fig. 155, is located 

 at the junction of the Tensas, Washita, and Little rivers, where the 

 three unite to form Black river, and consists, as shown in the plat, of 



