ANCIENT WORKS NEAR THE FISHTAKA RIVER. 21 



outline correctly, than to attempt a delineation of what may be supposed to have 

 been intended by the builders. 



On this mound was, at that time, a recent grave, protected by pickets driven on 

 opposite sides, so as to cross at the top, as represented on the plate. The Indians 

 had but recently left the place, and the trail leading from the river to their wig- 

 wams ran directly over two of the mounds. This turtle was then a very fine 

 specimen of the ancient art of mound-building, with its graceful curves, the feet 

 projecting back and forward, and the tail, with its gradual slope, so acutely pointed 

 that it was impossible to ascertain precisely where it terminated. The body was 

 fifty-six feet in length, and the tail two hundred and fifty ; the height six feet. 



The ground occupied by this group of works is now covered with buildings. A 

 dwelling-house stands upon the body of the turtle, and a Catholic church is built 

 upon the tail. 



Another turtle, represented on the same plate, was found on the college grounds, 

 and differs from the other in being concave on the back, as shown by the section. 

 It is also less symmetrical. 



Plate XX. represents a group of structures occupying the very high hill a little 

 east of the town. It consists of two round, four oblong, one turtle, and one bird- 

 shaped mound. Of the last an enlarged view is presented on Plate XXII. No. 1, 

 with its dimensions. Its position is peculiar, on a steep hill-side, with its head 

 downwards. The general outline of the figure, and the shape of the head and 

 beak, leave no doubt that a bird was intended to be represented ; but whether 

 an eagle, a hawk, or any particular bird, must be left entirely to conjecture. It 

 will be observed that this bird is but a modification of other forms represented on 

 the same plate (Plate XXII. Nos. 2 and 3) ; a slight curvature of the wings, and 

 the addition of a beak, being the only difference : and this gradual passage of one 

 kind of mound into another is often noticeable, as we shall have occasion to show 

 elsewhere. 



The very fine group, half a mile south of the town (Plate XXL), fortunately is 

 upon the grounds of Carroll College ; and we may, therefore, hope it will be for 

 ever preserved as a record of the past. These mounds form a quasi inclosure, and 

 hence, like many other groups of works, have been, by casual observers, called a 

 fort. If we were not well acquainted with works of defence in Ohio and elsewhere, 

 which show that the mound-builders were considerably advanced in military arts, 

 we might suppose this was intended for a rude fortification ; but we can only regard 

 it as an accidental arrangement, and not designed for any such purpose. 



Much of the ground about Waukesha was, in 1836, covered with " Indian corn- 

 hills," or remains of their recent cultui'e of maize. In this locality, as at numerous 

 others, the mounds occupy the highest ground and the points of hills and other 

 places, whence the most extensive view, both above and below, can be obtained. 

 The town of Waukesha stands on a slightly undulating plain, surrounded by hills, 

 forming a fine amphitheatre, which, in ancient times, was doubtless crowded, as it 

 is now, with a numerous population. 



The mound marked a on the map (Plate XVIII.) was selected for examination ; 

 much of the earth having been removed by the town authorities, so as materially 



