242 On the Mounds of the West. 
French. Sucha conclusion would, nevertheless, be quite as well 
warranted, as some which have been deduced from the absolute 
identity of certain relies, taken from the mounds, with articles 
_ known to be common among the existing tribes of Indians. ‘The 
fact of remains occurring in the mounds, is in itself, hardly pre- 
sumptive evidence that they pertained to the builders. The con- 
ditions attending them can alone determine their true character. 
As a general rule, to which there are few exceptions, the only au- 
thentic and undoubted remains of the mound builders, are found 
directly beneath the apex of the mound, on a level with the 
original surface of the earth; and it may be safely assumed, that 
whatever deposits occur near the exterior surface are of a date 
subsequent to their erection. 
In the class of mounds now under consideration, we have da- 
ta which will admit of no doubt, whereby to judge of the origin, 
as well as the relative periods, of the various deposits found in 
them. If the stratification already mentioned as characterizing 
id 
to protect the form of the mound, and which purpose it admira- 
bly subserves, is entirely wanting. 'The number and relative 
position of the sand strata are variable; in some of the larger 
mounds, there are as many as six of them, in no case less than 
one, most usually two or three. 
In one case which fell under our observation, and in another, 
of which we have an account from the person who discovered it, 
the altar was of stone. This altar was elevated two and one 
feet above the original surface of the earth, and was five feet long 
by four broad. It was a simple elevation of earth packed hard, 
and was faced, on every side and on top, with slabs of stone of 
regular form, and nearly uniform thickness. They were laid 
evenly, and, as a mason would say, “with close joints,” and 
though uncut by any instrument, the edges were straight 
smooth. The stone is “the Waverly sandstone,” underlying the 
coal series, thin strata of which cap every hill. ‘This stone breaks 
readily, with a rectangular fracture, and hence the regularity of 
