328 MOUND EXPLORATIONS. 



l;ni(l and .siinoumled <iii all sides hy liniuiuocks, was composed entirely 

 of sand. A consideiiible aiiioiiiit of cliarcoal was found scattered 

 irregularly through it, but there were uo indicatious of stratihcation. 

 It is circular in form, a little less than 3 feet high, and about 42 feet in 

 diameter. • 



In the north half six skeletons were found at the bottom, all extended, 

 heads west, and each lying on the right side. They had evidently been 

 laid on the surface of the ground and the mound heaped over them. 

 Around or about the head of each was a small quantity of red x>aint. The 

 bones were so far decayed that they cruml>led to pieces on attempting to 

 remove them. The skeleton lying nearest tlie center, though not above 

 the ordinary height, was an exceedingly stout and large-boned fra7ne. 

 No implements or vestiges of art of any kind were observed. 



Another mound near the center of Alachua county, 3 miles southeast 

 of Gainesville, situated on a high hummock on the land of Mrs. Peter 

 G. Snowdon, was examined. This was composed of white sand, with 

 sihall quantities of charcoal and ashes scattered here and there through 

 it. Trees of considerable size were growing on it, one a hickory 18 

 inches in diameter. The mound was circular, but flat on top, 4i feet 

 high, and 71 feet iu diameter. Close to the base, along the north side, 

 ran a trench from" which the material of which it was built was probably 

 taken. 



Exploration brought to light the fact that a level platlbrm about 1 

 foot high had first been formed, on which skeletons were placed and the 

 ■ mound then built over them. 



Thirty-seven skeletons, or rather the parts of thirty-seven skeletons, 

 pieces of pottery, and a few decomposed conch shells (Busycou perver- 

 ■sum) were discovered. The conditum in which the bones were found 

 showed that all the bodies, or possibly the skeletons after the flesh had 

 been removed, had been buried in the following singular manner: The 

 head was rtrst taken off and placed in an upright position and the rest 

 of the body or frame then disjointed and placed around and upon it. 

 One of the skulls had a hole through it which might have been made 

 by an ordinary rifle ball. It had entered the center of the top of the 

 head and passed out immediately behind the right ear. The hole 

 through which it entered was not ragged, but clean cut. The fragments 

 of pottery -were so placed as to make it clear that the vessels had been 

 broken before burial. 



ST. JOHNS AND VOLUSIA COUNTIES. 



The following interesting account of some mounds iu these counties 

 has been kindly furnished the Bureau by Dr. W. H. Dall, from notes 

 made during a tiip to Florida in 1885 : 



MOrXDS AT SATSrMA ANll ENTKRPRISE. 



" Having an opportunity during my absence of visiting the celebrated 

 shell iiiouiid at Old Enterpi'ise, ou Lake Monroe, I availed myself of it 



