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in these regions,) and from their peculiar mechanical structure. 

 One of these deposits contained, bj actual measurement, not far 

 from thirty cords of shells, stones and ashes, by far the greater 

 part being fragments of marine shells. The structure of this 

 deposit was, layers of oxydized stone, ashes and shells, 

 alternating in that order. This would seem to indicate that the 

 Indian was accustomed to cook his dinner of to-day on the 

 refuse of yesterday. The shells which compose these banks 

 are, with the exception of two species, the same as now abound 

 along our coast, though not in the same proportion. 



The Pecten concentricus has been, I believe, generally 

 considered to have been restricted to the eastern and southern 

 shores of Cape Cod, either by reason of a nice sensibility to 

 changes of temperature or want of a usual degree of disper- 

 sive energy. Now it may be interesting to note, that this 

 rather unique restriction is, after all, probably more the work 

 of man than of nature, as, in the large shell bank above men- 

 tioned, this species is abundant, and appears to be about evenly 

 distributed throughout the mass. 



A few individuals of another kind, now extinct in this 

 vicinity, are found in this deposit, viz : Ostroe.a borealis^ or 

 oyster ; though I am informed, on good authority, that on the 

 opposite shore, large deposits of shells formerly existed, which 

 consisted almost entirely of this species. 



Marblehead was evidently a favorite place with the red man ; 

 her isolated location, beds of shell-fish, and her bold shores, 

 still famous for the abundance and variety of fishes, were 

 evidently great attractions. Naumkeag, the name which he 

 gave to this locality, meaning " good fishing place," would 

 indicate that he recognized these characteristics. Accordingly, 

 relics are found on almost every part of her area, and in some 

 localities in great abundance. In addition to the shell deposits 

 referred to above, her shores are literally lined with chippings 

 of stone and broken fragments of unfinished relics. 



One of the most interesting relics of this town is an Indian 

 fortification, located on a hill nearly opposite to the mansion 

 house of the Alley farm, on the road from Marblehead to Lynn. 

 In the historical writings of Mr. J. B. Felt, this is mentioned 

 as early as 1686. If other evidence were wanting, it might 

 be found in the traditions of the oldest residents. The location 

 is on a hill, which extends farther than any hill in the yicinity 

 into a plain abounding in relics, and situated at the narrowest 

 part of the peninsula of Marblehead, and at the entrance of 

 said peninsula. The following are the dimensions of this 



