MOUNDS, BONE-HEAPS, ETC 



69 



" Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal," for July, 1848. From a communication in 

 the latter, by Edward W. Bawtree, M. D., the subjoined interesting facts are derived. 

 A quantity of human bones was found in one spot, in 1846, near Barrie, and 

 also a pit containing human bones near St. Vincent's. Great numbers were found 

 in the latter, with several copper and brass kettles, and various trinkets and orna- 

 ments in common use among the Indians. This discovery led to the examination 

 of a similar pit, about seven miles from Penetanqueshene, in the township of Giny. 

 " This pit was accidentally noticed by a Canadian while making sugar in the 

 neighborhood, lie was struck by its appearance and the peculiar sound produced 

 at the bottom by stamping there ; and, in turning up a few spadefuls of earth, was 

 surprised to find a quantity of human bones. It was more accurately examined in 

 September, 1847, and found to contain, besides a great number of human skele- 

 tons, of both sexes and all ages, twenty-six copper and brass kettles and boilers ; 

 three large conch-shells ; pieces of beaver-skin in tolerable preservation ; a frag- 

 ment of a pipe ; a large iron axe, evidently of French manufacture ; some human 

 hair (that of a woman) ; a copper bracelet ; and a quantity of fiat auricular beads, 

 perforated through the centre. 



"The form of the pit is circular, with an elevated margin; it is about fifteen 

 feet in diameter, and before it was opened was probably nine feet deep from the 

 level of its margin to its centre and bottom ; it was, in one word, funnel-shaped. 

 It is situated on the top of a gentle rise, with a shallow ravine on the east side, 

 through which, at certain seasons, runs a small stream. The soil is hght, free 

 from stones, and dry. A small iron-wood tree, about two inches in diameter, is 

 growing in the centre of the pit. 



" The kettles in the pit were found ranged at the bottom, resting on pieces of 



bark, and filled with bones. They had evidently been covered with beaver-skins. 



The shells and the axe were found in the intervals between 



the kettles. The beads were in the kettles among the 



bones, generally in bunches of strings. 



" The kettles, of which Fig. 4 is an example, resemble 

 those in use at the present day, and appear to be formed of 

 sheet copper, the rim being beaten out so as to cover an 

 iron band which passes around the mouth of the vessel. 

 The iron handle by which they were suspended hooks into 

 eyes attached to the band above mentioned. The smallest holds about six gallons ; 

 the largest not far from sixteen gallons. The copper is generally very well pre- 

 served ; the iron, however, is much cor- 

 roded. Two of the kettles were of brass. 

 " The largest of the conch-shells. Fig. 

 5, weighs three pounds and a quarter, 

 and measures fourteen inches in its long- 

 est diameter. Its outer surface has lost 

 its polish, and is quite honey-combed by 

 age and decomposition ; the inside still 

 retains its smooth lamellated surface. It 



