On the Mounds of the West. 239 
stratified mounds were always raised over symmetrical monu- 
ments of burned clay or of stone. 
The altars, or basins, found in these mounds, are almost inva- 
riably of burned clay, though one or two of stone have been dis- 
covered. They are symmetrical, but not of uniform size, and 
shape. Some are er others ee and others square, or 
parallelograms. Some are small, measuring barely two feet 
across, while others are fifty feet long by twelve and fifteen wide. 
The usual dimensions are: from five to eight feet. All appear 
to have been modelled of fine clay, brought to the spot froma 
distance, and rest upon ro original surface of the earth. In a 
few instances, a layer or small elevation of sand had been laid 
down, upon which the bdtas was formed. The elevation of the 
degree or continuance of heat, de it is manifest aaah in some 
cases, the heat was inten On the other hand, a number of 
these altars have been actibed which are very slightly burned, 
and such, it is a remarkable fact, are destitute of remains. 
The characteristics of this class of mounds will be best explain- 
ed, by reference to the accompanying illustrations. It sho 
be remarked however, that no two are alike in all their dpi 
_ rig: i. bee reece 
The SE a section a9 ee here given,* occurs in 
“Mound City, * a name given to a group of twenty-sir mounds, 
* Horizontal scale of section fifteen feet, and the vertical siz feet, to the inch. 
