MOUNDS, BONE- HEAPS, ETC. 71 



" The third of these pits was examined in November, 1847. It is situated in 

 the township of Oro, on elevated ground. The soil is a Hght sandy loam. It 

 measures about fifteen feet in diameter, has the distinctly defined elevated ring, 

 but the centre less depressed than in those before examined, which may have 

 resulted from the greater bulk of its contents. On its margin grew formerly a 

 large pine, the roots of which had penetrated through the pit in every direction. 

 The bones, which were of all sizes, were scarcely covered with earth. The skele- 

 tons amounted to several hundreds in number, and were well preserved. On some, 

 pieces of tendon still remained, and the joints of the small bones in some cases 

 were unseparated. Some of the skulls bore marks of violence. 



" As in the first noticed pit, so in this, were found twenty-six kettles — four of 

 brass and the rest of copper, one conch-shell, one iron axe, and a number of the 

 flat perforated shell beads. The kettles were arranged in the form of a cross 

 through the centre of the pit, and in a row around the circumference. The points 

 of this cross seem to have corresponded with the cardinal points of the compass. 

 All except two of the kettles were placed with their mouths downwards. The 

 shell was found under one of the kettles, which had been packed with beaver-skins 

 and bark. The kettles were very well preserved, but had all been rendered use- 

 less by blows from a tomahawk. The holes were broken in the bases of the vessels. 

 Should any doubt exist as to the purposes of these pits, the fact that the kettles were 

 thus rendered unserviceable would tend to increase that doubt, as it appears to have 

 been a proceeding so veiy contrary to the habits and ideas of the Indians in general.* 

 " A pipe was found in this pit, described as having been composed of blue lime- 

 stone or hard clay. On one side it had a human face, the eyes of which were 

 formed of white pearly beads. An iron axe and sundry beads were also found here. 

 " A fourth pit was opened in December, 1 847. It is situated on a gentle slope, 

 in the second concession west of the Penetanqueshene road, in the township ofGiny. 

 In size it corresponds very nearly with the two first described, and probably con- 

 tained about the same number of skeletons. In it were found sixteen conch-shells ; 

 a stone and clay pipe ; a number of copper bracelets and ear ornaments ; eleven 

 beads of red pipe-stone ; copper arrow-heads ; a cup of iron resembling an old iron 

 ladle ; beads of several kinds, and various fragments of furs. The shells were 

 arranged around the bottom of the pit, not in a regu- 

 lar row, but in threes and fours ; the other articles were 

 found mixed with the bones. The bones were of all 

 sizes, and the skulls uninjured except by time. The 

 accompanying sketch (Fig. 7) will sufficiently indicate 

 the character of the pipes. The arrow-heads, as they 

 are supposed to have been, were simple folds of sheet 

 copper, reserabhng a roughly-formed ferule to a walking- 

 stick. Besides the flat circular beads, which were found 



* Dr. Bawtree is mistaken in supposing this practice uncommon. The Oregon Indians invariabljt 

 render useless every article deposited with their dead, so as to remove any temptation to a desecration of| 

 the grave which might otherwise exist. A similar practice prevailed among the Floridian Indians. 



