On the Mounds of the West. 245 
earth beneath it. 143 
The layer of charcoal is not uniformly found in mounds of 
this class, though it is a feature of frequent occurrence. It would 
seem to indicate that sacrifices were made for the dead, or that 
funeral rites of some kind were celebrated. The fire, in every 
case, was kept burning for a very brief space, as is shown by the 
lack of ashes, and the slight traces of its action left on the adja- 
cent earth. That it was suddenly heaped over, is also proved 
by the facts already presented. 
Bracelets of copper and silver; beads of bone, ivory and shell ; 
mica plates and ornaments; stone instruments of various kinds, 
some of which are identical with those found in mounds of the 
first class, etc. etc., are found with the skeletons. In every in- 
stance falling within our observation, the skeleton has been so much 
decayed, that any attempt to restore the skull, or indeed any por- 
tion of it, was hopeless. Considering that the earth around these 
skeletons is wonderfully compact and dry, and that the conditions 
for their preservation were exceedingly favorable, while, in fact, 
they are so much decayed, we may form some estimate of their 
remote antiquity. In the barrows and cromlechs of the ancient 
Britons, entire and well preserved skeletons are found, alt 
having an undoubted antiquity of 1500 years. 
In some of the sepulchral mounds, as has already been stated, the 
agus, if we so please to term it, was omitted by the build- 
ers, the dead body having been simply enveloped in bark or mat- 
by a strongly marked line, and the uniform drab color of the 
h it 
tain, or distinguished individual, among the builders. It is common 
to find two or three, sometimes four or five, sepulchral mounds, 
ina group. In such cases, it is always to be remarked, that one 
