ABORIGINAL SITES IN LOUISIANA AND IN ARKANSAS, 21 
It had grown up under aboriginal occupancy and was composed largely of 
shells, Rangia cuneata, a clam very abundant in this region. No burials were 
found in it, though human bones are said to have been plowed up from some of 
the other mounds at this place. 
In midden débris was a sherd of inferior ware, on which was red pigment. 
At Loreauville, Iberia parish, are two mounds a short distance apart, both 
in sight from the water, each about 5 feet in height and 80 feet in diameter, ap- 
proximately. Human bones in fragments were visible upon one, and both 
mounds had: an inviting appearance, but multiplicity of owners and of heirs 
living at a distance made investigation impossible. 
LAKE LARTO, LOUISIANA. 
Lake Larto, in Catahoula Parish, La., has long been famous locally for 
the discovery of aboriginal relies. 
The lake, somewhat resembling a horseshoe in shape, is about ten miles 
in length. It is comparatively narrow, but less so at the head of the lake, near 
which is an island of considerable size. 
Lake Larto is connected by bayous with Catahoula lake, Little river, Black 
river, and Red river, Big Larto bayou, its main outlet, joining Red river about 
forty miles by water from Mississippi river. The lake has Little river to the 
north, Black river nearby, to the east, and Red river to the south. To the 
west is a region bounded by Red river, and directly east, beyond Black river, is 
the Mississippi. Such parts of all these rivers as are near or comparatively near 
Lake Larto have been investigated by us without results of especial interest. 
Captain J. S. Raybon and a companion ‘searched the lake in our behalf 
previous to our coming. 
MAYES MOUNDS, CATAHOULA PARISH. 
About one mile along the western shore of Lake Larto from its union with 
Big Larto bayou is open woodland, forming part of a property belonging to 
Miss Josie S. Mayes, of Harrisonburg, La. One-quarter mile in from the landing, 
approximately, on this property, are two mounds, the one nearer the water 
being irregularly circular in outline with a basal diameter of 165 feet. The 
height of the central part of the mound is about 5 feet, though it was doubtless 
somewhat higher at one time, as indicated by the superficial position of some of 
the burials in it. Though a few trees are upon the mound at present, it has 
evidently been under cultivation in the past, and the dark superficial soil, which 
no doubt covered it to some depth at one time, has now disappeared in places. 
The mound, with pens and a shed upon it, is a refuge for cattle and hogs in 
periods of high water, therefore an investigation impairing its usefulness was 
not to be thought of; nevertheless, we were able to put down very many trial- 
holes in all parts of it, greatly enlarging them in some instances, and after most 
2 JOURN. ACAD. NAT. SCI. PHILA., VOL. XVI. 
