15 



from six to eight feet high. In all the others yet opened the 

 structure has been simply of earth of various kinds heaped 

 together. It is possible that the mound containing the log 

 erection may have been for sacrifice, for the logs are found 

 to have been charred. One purpose of all the mounds of the 

 Takawgamis was evidently sepulture ; and in them all, char- 

 coal lumps, calcined bones and other evidences of fire are 

 found. It would seem from their position that all the mounds 

 of this region were for the purpose of observation as well as 

 sepulture. The two purposes in no way antagonize. For the 

 better understanding of the whole I have selected the largest 

 mound of the Takawgamis yet discovered, and will describe 

 it more minutely. 



THE GRAND MOUND. 



It is situated on the Rainy River, about 20 miles from the 

 head of Rainy River. It stands on a point of land where the 

 Missachappa or Big American and the Rainy River join. 

 There is a dense forest covering the river bank where the 

 mound is found. The owner of the land has made a small 

 clearing, which now shows the mound to some extent to one 

 standing on the deck of a steamer passing on the river. The 

 distance back from the water's edge is about 50 yards. The 

 mound strikes you with great surprise as your eye first catches 

 it. Its crest is covered with lofty trees, which overtop the 

 surrounding forest. These thriving trees, elm, soft maple, 

 basswood and poplar, 60 or 70 feet high now thrust their root 

 tendrils deep into the aforetime softened mound. A foot or 

 more of a mass of decayed leaves and other vegetable matter 

 encases the mound. The brushy surface of the mound has 

 been cleared by the owner, and the thicket formerly upon it 

 removed. The circumference of one fine poplar was found to 

 be 4 feet 10 inches ; of another tree, 5 feet 6 inches, but the 

 largest had lately fallen. Around the stump the last measured 

 7 feet. The mound is elliptical at the base. The longest 

 diameter, that is from east to west, the same direction as the 

 course of the river, is 117 feet. The corresponding shorter 

 diameter from north to south is 90 feet. The circumference 

 of the mound is consequently 325 feet. The highest point of 

 the mound is 45 feet above the surrounding level of the earth. 

 As to height the mound does not compare unfavorably with 

 the celebrated mound at Miamisburg, Ohio, known as one of 

 the class of " observation mounds," which is 68 feet high and 

 852 feet around the base. In addition to its purpose of sepul- 

 ture, everything goes to show that the " Grand Mound " of 

 Rainv River was for observation as well. 



