Emblematic Mounds. 



219 



possible to trace a single outline that would give the idea that it was an 

 elei)hant effigy. Tliis finished the search, for it was evident that the effect 

 of the discussion was to create these imaginary figui'es, and it did not seem 

 worth while to follow up uncertainties. The theory in reference to the 

 clan emblem was confirmed, and tlie impression was made all the stronger 

 that the effigies of "Wisconsin were imitations of the animals which were 

 once common in the region, and that no extinct animal is to be found rep- 

 resented by them. 



Fig. 11. 



A few words more in regard to the effigies, which might be easily 

 mistaken for the elephant. There are two effigies at Merrill Spring, 

 near Madison (see Fig. 11), which have been by some supposed to represent 

 elephants. They are probably effigies of buffalo. They are placed 

 around a large conical burial mound, or lookout station, in the midst 

 of a group which was designed to guard the camping place at the spring. 

 There is also an effigy on Peck's place near the city of Beloit (see Fig. 12), 



Tuvt, 



Fig. 12. 



which at first siglit resembles an elephant. It has the sloping rump and 

 large, heavy body of the elephant, but lacks the proboscis. There is a pro- 

 jection above the head which is probably designed to represent horns. 

 This is in the midst of a buffalo game drive, and represents the dream 

 god, or game god, or fetish, of the hunters. There was formerly a large 

 ©ffigyon the Do wne place, east of Beaver Dam. It is nearly obUterated 

 now, but formerly represented some four-footed animal, such as bear, buf- 

 falo or moose. It might have been mistaken for an elephant. There is a 

 mound which Mr. T. H. Lewis discovered on the bluffs on the west side of 



