Natural Resources of the Western Country. 125 
ville is built,) which is surrounded by four smaller ones, situated on 
the outside of the former, and on the prolongations of two rectangu- 
lar diameters. Would it not be a matter worthy of investigation to 
determine what could have been the use of these works? 
3. The remains of animals in the West, though less numerous than 
the two former kinds, are still very interesting; and some of them are 
quite peculiar. The gigantic animal. bones found in Kentucky, are 
perhaps different from any known species or genera. Of this, how- 
ever, we shall be better informed when they shall have been exam- 
ined by scientific men;* and I understand that they are now under- 
going that examination in Europe. Other remains of animals have 
been found on the banks of the Mississippi, and in the State of Geor- 
gia; but for the want of persons capable of investigating them, but 
little is known of their peculiarities. 
Mr. Flint of Kentucky, has done much for the natural history of 
the Western States; and it is to be hoped that he will yet do much 
more. 
An Antiquarian Society has been established in the State of Indi- 
ana, for the sole purpose, I believe, of investigating the history, &c. 
of the Aboriginals of that country. I have not yet seen any of their 
proceedings, but to judge from the characters and talents of the 
members and the materials they have at hand, I should say they 
would effect much for the cause in which they are engaged. ‘The 
Legislature of Tennessee, with a truly enlightened patriotism, has 
lately passed a law creating a professorship of Geology and Mineral- 
ogy for the State; and it is much to be desired that other States 
should follow the example. 
The above remarks contain a notice of only a very small num- 
ber of the objects worthy of a scientific investigation in the Western 
Country. K. 
West Point, February 10, 1852. 
* Our correspondent does not appear to have read the very exact account of these 
bones, given by Dr. De Kay and Mr. Cooper, of New York.—See this Journal, 
Vol. XX, p. 370. , 
