40 ABORIGINAL MONUMENTS OF NEW YORK. 



usual rude relics of Indian art. It is mentioned by Mr. Schoolcraft, that the 

 Senecas deduce their descent from the remarkable eminence upon which this work 

 is situated.* 



Between three and four miles west of Canandaigua, on the road to Victor, 

 there is a long, narrow trench running nearly in a direction from N. E. to S. W. 

 It may be traced, with occasional interruptions, for some miles, and has been erro- 

 neously, but very generally, believed to be a work of art. It marks the line of a 

 long, narrow fissure in the limestone substratum, into which the earth has sub- 

 sided. The water which accumulates in it sinks, to swell the volume of some sub- 

 terraneous stream. The cause of this singular fissure is worthy of the inquiries 

 of geologists. 



Judge Porter, of Niagara, mentions another ancient enclosure, similar to that 

 above described, in the vicinity of Canandaigua ; but its locality could not be ascer- 

 tained. It is probably now completely destroyed. 



PLATE VII. No. 1 



ANCIENT WORK NEAR GENEVA. 



One and a half miles west of Geneva are the traces of the old Indian " Castle" 

 of Ganundesaga, built by the Senecas, and destroyed by Sullivan in 1779. Near 

 it is a mound thickly covered over with graves. A plan and description of this 

 work will be given in another connection. About two miles beyond, in the same 

 direction, in Seneca township, is another work of more ancient date, a plan of 

 which is here presented. It is situated upon elevated grounds, and coincides 

 generally with those already described. The position upon the east side is protected 

 by a steep, natural bank, perhaps sixty feet in height, which subsides into low, 

 marshy grounds. At the foot of the bank is a copious and perennial spring. Upon 

 the west, south, and north, the ground falls off gently ; and here we find the arti- 

 ficial defences. Although the whole has been for some time under cultivation, the 

 lines of entrenchment may be followed throughout nearly their entire extent, with- 

 out difficulty. The usual evidences of ancient occupancy are found within the 

 area. 



Half a mile further to the westward, upon a corresponding site, are the traces of 

 an ancient palisaded work, which will be described in its appropriate place. 



* Notes on the Iroquois, p. 196. 



