CHEMUNG COUNTY. 



There is a work in this county which possesses pecuhar interest, from the cir- 

 cumstance that the embankments still retain unmistakable traces of the palisades 

 with which it was crowned, thus demonstrating the correctness of the conjectures 

 already indulged in, as to the probable construction of the entire system of earth- 

 works of Western New York. The accompanying plan and description are from 

 the note-books of Prof. E. N. Horsford, of Harvard University, who visited this 

 work in company with other gentlemen connected with the State Geological Sur- 

 vey, at the time that enterprise was in progress. 



PLATE VI, No. I. 



ANCIENT WORK NEAR ELMIRA, CHEMUNG COUNTY, NEW YORK, 



" This work is situated about two and a half miles west of Elmira, upon the 

 summit of an eminence, the base of which, upon one side, is washed by Chemung 

 River, and upon the other by the waters of a deep and almost impassable ravine. 

 It is, in fact, a bold headland. The approach is by a narrow path, which in 

 some places will admit of the passage of a single person only, and which traverses 

 the very abrupt crown of the ridge. Towards the top, the ascent is more gradual, 

 and the ground continues to ascend slightly until we reach the defences. The 

 site chosen exhibits the strongest proof of design, being such as to command a 

 most extensive view along the course of the river, and being, except from behind, 

 accessible only by the difficult pathway already mentioned. 



" The ai'tificial defences consist of an embankment, with an outer ditch, which 

 extends, as shown in the plan, from the steep bank towards the river, to the brow 

 of the ravine upon the other side. This embankment is about two hundred feet 

 long, fourteen feet broad at the base, and about three and a half feet high. The 

 rotting stump of an old pine-tree, three feet in diameter, and a yellow pine-tree, 

 nine feet in circumference, are standing upon the wall, and indicate its high anti- 

 quity. 



" What appeared to be a furrow was observed extending along the summit of 

 the embankment throughout its entire length. Upon examination, it was found 

 that this appearance was produced by a succession of lioles, about a foot in depth, 



