62 ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 



though it is stated that the Mascontins [Oens des Prairies) were there at one time.^ 

 The former were driven away by the wandering and warlike tribes of Sauks and 

 Foxes, who very early united, and, penetrating to the west, first established them- 

 selves here. They were in turn compelled to move further west by the Chip- 

 pewas, aided by the French.^ How long the Chippewas maintained possession is 

 not known. In 1766, Carver found on Doty's island, " a great town of the Winne- 

 bagoes ;"^ and more recently this region has been occupied by the Menomonees. 



Which of these tribes, if either, perfoi'med the labor of gathering up the stones, 

 it would be difficult to decide; nor are we able to say whether the heaps are of the 

 same age as the mounds or of later origin. 



From Menasha we went in a sail-boat across the north end of Lake Winnebago, 

 to examine and survey the mounds on the top of a high limestone clifi' or ledge. 



On the northwest quarter of section thirty-six is a small clearing on the bank of 

 the lake, not far from the foot of the bluff, in which were traces of three long 

 mounds; and in the adjacent forest are three small embankments, extending across 

 a small ridge from the bank of the lake to a valley back of it. We had much dif- 

 ficulty in climbing the ledge, which has quite a formidable aspect, and is probably 

 two hundred feet high above the water ; the last forty or fifty being perpendicular, 

 or nearly so. From the top commences an almost level plateau, extending towards 

 the east ; and here we were fully paid for our labor, by the magnificent view of the 

 lake and surrounding country. Those who have examined the banks of the Niagara 

 below the great falls, or the mountain ridge as is seen in western New York and 

 Canada, will have a correct idea of this ledge of limestone ; and being composed 

 of a rock of the same geological age, the resemblance is not to be wondered at. 



Passing along the ridge, we came upon the series of ancient works" represented 

 upon Plate XLI, No. 1,* extending for some distance hear the edge of the rocky 

 escarpment. It will be observed that they are of the same forms as those hereto- 

 fore described further south and southwest, and, with one or two exceptions, are 

 arranged with the heads towards the south. 



The fact that the first figure is placed transversely, preceded by two mounds or 

 advanced posts, may have a particular significance; but, if so, its meaning is now 

 lost. The cross, near the centre of the group, is usually called " the man" by the 

 few persons who have seen this locality ; but it wants the legs and the contraction 

 for the neck, seen in the mounds of human form at the West. 



These are the most northern of any animal-shaped mounds in the eastern part of 

 Wisconsin. They terminate near the south line of section thirty-six, township 

 twenty, range eighteen. 



Although tormented by mosquitos, and oppressed by the close, hot, and damp 

 atmosphere of the dense forest, we followed the ledge five miles to another series 

 of similar remains, represented on the same plate. No. 2. 



* Drake's Life of Black Hawk, p. 16. 

 ° Supposed to have been in 1106. 



^ Carver's Travels, &c., N. T. ed. 1838, p. 41. 



* On this plate the figures are brought nearer together than the scale requires; but the distances 

 thus encroached upon are given on the plate. 



