68 ANTIQUITIES OP WISCONSIN. 



My investigations in the vicinity of the Wisconsin embraced Prairie du Chien, 

 and extended about thirty miles on the north side of the river, commencing at 

 Helena, the site of the oft described Shot- Tower. Two miles above this place (on 

 section eight, township eight, range four, E) are some mounds ; but the first of 

 much note as we ascend the river, along the road on the north side, are those on 

 section four of the same town (see Plate XLII, No. 1), consisting of a series of 

 oblong and conical tumuli, with one apparently leading the flight, in the form of a 

 bird with outspread wings. These are composed of sand ; and in some cases, where 

 the road has been removed or destroyed, the wind in dry weather is fast reducing 

 them to a level. The bird, of which an enlarged plan is given on the plate (Plate 

 XLII, No. 2), is of the same material; and we found it very difficult to trace 

 the exact original outline, from this cause. It may be regarded as representing a 

 barbed spear-head or arrow-point. Were we to confine our attention to one or 

 two of the oblong mounds on the edge of the bank, we might be led to regard them 

 as breastworks, or parapets, for defence, and perhaps to command the channel of 

 the river ; but an inspection of the whole group shows clearly that no such purpose 

 could have been intended. 



They occupy a sandy plain, bounded by the channel of the river, or bayou, on 

 one side, and by the bluflfs on the other. The ground is covered with scattered 

 trees, and an undergrowth of grass and weeds ; but few shrubs being present. 



About a mile and a half beyond, on the side of the road, is the human figure 

 with its gigantic arms, having a stretch or extension of two hundred and eighty- 

 eight feet (see Plate XLII, No. 3) ; so great, indeed, that the size of the plate 

 adopted requires the omission of part of one of them. They are both of the same 

 length. The body is fifty-four feet long, if we include the head and neck. 



This figure stands by itself, in a valley or pass between two of the high sand- 

 stone blufis, one of which rises immediately above the head. A small brook, a 

 tributary of the Wisconsin, runs a little to the east and south. 



From the site of this remarkable and lonely structure, the road leaves the imme- 

 diate valley of the Wisconsin, and, passing a " divide," descends into the valley of 

 the stream called Honey creek. Towards the mouth of this creek are numerous 

 works of great interest; the first, near the residence of Mr. Mosely, being represented 

 on Plate XLIII. Unluckily the breaking-up team had, only the week previous to 

 our visit, turned over the natural sod upon most of these works ; the four figures 

 at the southwestern part of the group only remaining uninjured. Here we found 

 a number of forms quite different from any heretofore described. One is apparently 

 intended to represent the human shape, though very deficient in the proportional 

 length of the arras and legs. (See Plate XLII, No. 4.) 



Another, and larger mound, of similar general form, stands adjacent ; and it can 

 hardly be supposed that the object of the one was very different from that of the 

 other. Perhaps they are designed to represent a male and female. 



These earthworks are four feet high at the intersection of the arms, where they 

 are highest. The arms are in a straight line, at right angles with the body. The 

 resemblance of the latter figure, however, to some supposed to be intended to repre- 

 sent hirds, shows that there is a gradual transition from one form to another among 

 mounds of this kind as well as others. 



