THOMAS.] 



WEST VIRGINIA. 



409 



As typical of these heaps, Fig. 288 a h is giveu, showing one of the 

 most perfect observed, which was thoroughly examined, carefnlly 

 measured and sketched. At a it is shown as it appeared before being 

 opened; at b is a vertical section showing the central cavity or " well- 

 hole." This heap was found upon a rocky spur of Mount Carbon at 

 the height of fully 1,000 feet above the river level, a point overlooking 

 the valley of tLe Kanawha, and from which the latter could be dis- 

 tinctly seen for several miles both above and below. It measured 42 

 feet in diameter at the base and 6 feet S inches high on the inside of 

 the well, which was in the center, and a trifle less than '6 feet in 



'.■r-^2«.r- 



lieap with two i-avitie.s. Fayetti' county. We.st Virfj;inia. 



diameter throughout. Although oi)en at the top at the time it was 

 examined and containing only an accumulation of decayed bones and 

 rubbish, there were stones out of place and scattered about it sufQcieut 

 in number to ha^'e finished it out and capped it oyer as indicated by 

 the dotted lines in the tigure. Whether they were used to complete it 

 as indicated by these dotted lines is a matter of conjecture only. 



Although rock heaps of this class generally have but one "wellhole" 

 in them, we occasionally meet with one having two, as shown in Fig. 

 289. As a rule these piles are much less perfect than those shown in 

 the figures, most of them being in a more or less disturbed condition. 



Fio. 290.— Section of stone heap with triangular lavity, Fayettf county, West Virginia. 



A somewhat different type of these heaps from that described is 

 occasionally observed, especially on the sharp, rocky ridges. A section 

 of one of these is shown in Fig. 290. These, which have a triangular 

 cavity, were undoubtedly burial places, and were not built u]) with the 

 care bestowed upon the others. 



ANCIENT .'^TONE WALL fl'ON MOUNT CAKlioN. 



About 1,000 feet above the town of Mount Carbon are heavy and valua- 

 ble veins of coal. Some hundreds of feet above these are the remains 

 of an ancient stone wall, the tortuous course of which can be followed 



