GENESEE COUNTY — EARTH-WORKS, ETC. 49 



The accompanying sketch, by L. H. Morgan, Esq., of Rochester, although not 

 from an exact instrumental survey, is sufficiently accurate for all essential pur- 

 poses. 



The position which the work occupies is a portion of a high plain or table- 

 land, nearly surrounded by deep ravines, bounded by Fordham's Brook and Allen's 

 Creek, which effect a juncture at this point. These streams have worn their 

 beds through the various strata of lime and sandstone to the depth of from seventy to 

 one hundred feet, leaving abrupt banks difficult of ascent. These natural features 

 are best illustrated by the plan, which precludes the necessity for a minute descrip- 

 tion. 



The peninsula measures about 1300 feet from north to south, by 2000 feet at its 

 broadest part, and 1000 feet across the neck connecting it with the general table. 

 Positions similar to this were often selected by the aborigines for defensive pur- 

 poses, but in such cases have usually an embankment and trench extending across 

 the isthmus. In this instance, however, the only trace of art is an embankment 

 and ditch, about 1500 feet in length, and running nearly east and west across the 

 broadest part of the peninsula, and not very far back from the edge of the ravine. 

 The part which is laid down in the plan is said to be still very distinct ; the embank- 

 ment being between three and four feet in height, and the ditch of corresponding 

 depth. The western extremity of the hue curves gently outwards, and extends 

 some distance down the bank, which is at this point less abrupt than elsewhere. 

 It is said that formerly trenches existed on the courses indicated by dotted lines 

 on the plan ; but the statement is not confirmed by any remaining traces. 



A number of skeletons have been found here, together with many fragments of 

 pottery. There have also been discovered some heaps of small stones; which 

 have been supposed to be the missiles of the ancient occupants of the hill, thus 

 got together to be used in case of attack. Various relics of art, pipes, beads, stone 

 hatchets, arrow-heads, etc., have been disclosed here by the 

 operations of agriculture. One of the pipes composed of baked 

 clay is now in the possession of Rev. C. Dewey, of Rochester. 

 It is represented of half size in the accompanying engraving. 

 Fig. 3. The material is very fine, and the workmanship good ; 

 so good indeed, as to induce some doubt of its aboriginal 

 origin. Another pipe carved from granular limestone was 

 found here, as were also a number of beads, long and coarse, 

 made of clay and burned. 



According to Mr. Dewey, " the trench was estimated by the 



early observers at from eight to ten feet deep and as many 



wide. The earth in making it had been thrown either way, 



but much of it inwards. The road formerly crossed it by a 



Fig. 8. bridge. When first known, forest-trees were standing both in 



the trench and on its sides. In size and growth they corresponded with the forests 



around them. Prostrate upon the ground were numerous trunks of the heart-wood 



of black cherry trees of larger size, which, it is conjectured, were the remains of more 



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