THOMAS] THE ILLINOIS DISTRICT. 553 



middle. Under tlie layer ol' aslies was a single layer of stones extend- 

 ing over the central portion bnt not reaching the outer margin. When 

 these were removed it was ascertained that a basin-shaped depression, 

 oval in outline, 10 by 13 feet and nearly 3 feet deep in the middle, had 

 been made in this central mass. This was lined throughout with a layer 

 of stone and was filled with the yellow surface soil of the ridge, but 

 immediately over the stones was a thin layer of white ashes mixed with 

 charred leaves and grass. Under the stones, resting on the natural 

 surface of the ridge, was a thin layer of decayed vegetable matter. 

 Under the center of this, in a slight excavation in the original soil, was 

 a single skeleton lying at full length on its back — but, strange to say, 

 the head was wanting. Xot a tooth nor any otliei' part of it could be 

 found, though careful search was made. As the other bones were com- 

 paratively well preserved it is presumed that the head was removed 

 before burial. It is worthy of note that the stones bore evidence of 

 having remained in position exposed to the air for a considerable length 

 of time before being covered. The similarity of this structure to the 

 so-called " altars" of the Ohio mounds is so apparent that it is only nec- 

 essary to call attention to it. 



In other mounds of the section under consideration cubical piles ot 

 stones occur similar to those observed in some of the mounds of west- 

 ern North Carolina. In one instance a beehive-shaped vault i if hard- 

 ened clay covering a skeleton was observed, reminding us of similar 

 clay vaults in some two or three mounds of Kanawha valley, \Yest Vir- 

 ginia, and the little ^tone vaults in the mounds of western North Caro- 

 lina and eastern Tennessee. In addition to these resemblances is the 

 well-known fact that in the section now referred U) the curved base or 

 monitor pipe, so characteristic of the typical mounds of Ohio, is found 

 in large numbers. 



There are, however, other features of the mounds ot this region 

 Avorthy of notice, some of which indicate the jjresence of other tribes 

 than the builders of the mounds alluded to. It is assumed that, as a 

 rule, the presence of the monitor jjipe in a mound may be taken as 

 evidence that the builders, notwithstanding the differences in the con- 

 struction of the mounds and mode of burial, were related to the authors 

 of those referred to or had adopted some of their peculiar customs from 

 long, intimate association. It is often the case that different modes of 

 construction and burial dependent upon station, condition in life, calling, 

 achievements, etc., are found in the mounds apparently constructed by 

 the people of a single tribe or even a single village. For example, the 

 mounds of the Cook farm group, Scott county, Iowa, from which the 

 well known engraved tablets of the Davenjiort Academy of Sciences 

 were taken, presented the following different features: Some were 

 stratified, others not; in some the skeletons were placed horizontally 

 on the ground, in others they were in a sitting posture, while in others 

 they were dismembered and in a confused heap; in some there were. 



