46 ABORIGINAL MONUMENTS OF NEW YORK. 



miles up the stream to the top of an elevated bluff, where they determined to 

 await the attack of their enemy. I came to the conclusion that the entrenchment 

 might have been made by an advanced detachment from Sullivan's army." 



GENESEE COUNTY. 



A NUMBER of very interesting remains formerly existed in this county ; but few 

 of them are sufficiently well preserved to be satisfactorily traced. 



In the town of Alabama, in the extreme northwest of the county, were once three 

 of these works, all of small size. The plough has completely defaced them. This 

 town adjoins the town of Shelby, in Orleans county, on the south ; and touches 

 Newsted, in Erie county, on the west. It will ultimately be seen that its ancient 

 works constitute part of a chain extending from the " Lake Ridge " on the north 

 to Buffalo Creek on the southwest, a distance of fifty miles. Not less than twenty 

 ancient works are known to occur within this range. 



PLATE VIII. No. 2. 



ANCIENT WORK, OAKFIELD, GENESEE COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



In the town of Oakfield, half a mile west of the httle village of Caryville, is 

 found the ancient enclosure, a plan of which is here given. It is remarkable as 

 being the best preserved and most distinct of any in the State which fell under the 

 notice of the author. It is situated upon the western slope of one of the billowy 

 hills which characterize the rolling lands of the West, and between which the 

 streams find their way to the rivers and lakes. The banks of the little stream 

 which washes the work upon the north are steep, but not more than ten feet in 

 height. Upon the brow of the bank, where the stream approaches nearest the 

 work, the entrenchment is interrupted, and the slope towards the water is more 

 gentle than elsewhere, — indicating an artificial grade. The plan obviates the 

 necessity for a detailed description. The embankments will now probably measure 

 six feet in average height, measuring from the bottom of the trench. In the part 

 of the work under cultivation, it is easy to trace the ancient lodges. Here, too, 

 is to be found the unfailing supply of broken pottery. At the sides of the princi- 



