ON SOME ANCIENT MOUNDS OF THE BAY OF QUINTE. 411 
writers, as found at intervals from the Alleghany to the Rocky Moun- 
tains, or even to the Pacific coast,* alike intermingling with the huge 
structures of the Mississippi and Ohio valleys, and the more humble 
works of the Atlantic States, may perhaps give them a degree of 
interest beyond their immediate locality. 
Commencing at Rednerville, in the Township of Ameliasburg, they 
may be traced along the Bay shore to the Plains of Massassaga Point, 
a distance of about eight miles. In this space, including the islands 
of the so-called “ Big Bay,”’ upon which they also occur, perhaps one 
hundred distinct mounds can be counted ; they are not, however, con- 
fined to these limits, for, from enquiries made with a view to ascertain 
their extent, it is probable they will be found at intervals following 
the shores, from the eastern to the western extremity of the Bay ;. 
they are likewise said to occur at a place called “ Perey Boom,” upon 
the River Trent, and perhaps by ascending to the head waters of that 
river they may be traced to the shores of the Upper Lakes, and thence 
to the most remote parts of the continent. 
As far as has yet been ascertained, there is but one class or form of 
mounds in this part of the country, and the truncated cone is the 
shape they assume. In size they vary from a diameter at the base of 
thirty to fifty feet, to a diameter at the apex of twelve feet Each 
mound has a shallow basi or circular depression upon its summit, 
which, whatever be the size of the work, has a diameter of eight feet ; 
and no mound under my observation possessed an altitude of more 
than five feet. It is a remarkable peculiarity of these works, that in 
almost every instance they occur in groups of two, and at irregular 
distances the one group from the other. Irregularity is likewise 
observable between any one mound and its fellow, these being some- 
times found in juxta-position, and again from fifty to one hundred feet 
asunder. 
The two of the same group are always of one size. With respect 
to the surrounding country they are situate apparently without design, 
now at the foot of a commanding hill, then half way down the side of 
a bank,,and again so near the shore that in several instances they have 
been destroyed by the action of the water. Twice they have been found 
in very low or swampy ground, and in those cases they occur singly. 
In the month of August, 1859, I caused five of the mounds upon 
Massassaga Point to be opened as follows :—Through the centre of 
® Smithsonian Contributions, Vol. I, p. 2, and foot note. 
