102 PICTURE-WRITING OF THE AMERICAN INDIANS. 
That the ancient bird-track character belonged to the mound-builders is evident 
from the fact that it is found among their works, constructed of soil on a large scale. 
One of these bird-track mounds occurs in the center of the large circular inclosure 
near Newark, Ohio, now standing in the Licking county fair grounds. Among the 
characters will be noticed the human hand. In one instance the hand is open, the 
palm facing the observer, and in the other the hand is closed, except the index 
finger which points downward to the base of the cliff. Of the bird-track characters 
there are many varieties. There is also a character resembling a cross and another 
bearing some resemblance to an arrow. 
Fig. 64 is an illustration of the Independence stone, which is de- 
scribed in the same volume, pp. 98, 99, as follows: 
Great care has been taken to obtain a correct sketch of what remains of this in- 
scription. A very rude drawing of it was published in Schooleraft’s great work 
upon the Indian tribes, in 1854. 
The rock here described only contains a portion of the inscription. The balance 
was destroyed in quarrying. The markings on the portion of the rock preserved 
consist of the human foot, clothed with something like a moccasin or stocking; of 
the naked foot; of the open hand; of round markings one in front of the great toe, 
of each representation of the clothed foot; the figure of a serpent, and a peculiar 
character which might be taken for a rude representation of a crab or crawfish, but 
which bears a closer resemblance to an old-fashioned spearhead used in capturing 
fish. 
Fic. 64.—Independence stone, Ohio. 
Fig. 65 is a copy of the drawings on the Track rock, near Barns- 
ville, Belmont county, Ohio, the description of which is in the same 
volume, pp. 89-93. 
The rude cuts of the human faces, part of the human feet, the rings, - 
stars, serpents, and some others, are evidently works of art, as in the 
best of them the marks of the engraving instrument are to be seen. In 
all cases, whether single or in groups, the relative dimensions of the 
figures are preserved. The surface of this block is 8 by 11 feet. 
