Ancient Linear Measures. 217 



the 7 larger divisions ( =23 ° smaller) are as near as can be =2J- 

 mound inches ; but that multiplied by 2 or 3 does not, however, 

 give an exact half-foot. It must be borne in mind, also, that as 

 the mound-builders were skilled in square and circle mensuration 

 and circunivallation, it is possible some reference to the well- 

 known ratio of 3 to 1 might even have been intended in connection 

 with circumferences of circles and their diameters, or possibly 

 with diagonals and diameters ; for opposite each of the larger 

 divisions there are on an average 3-J- smaller ones. Supposing, 

 say, that the fourth division meant 400 feet (of either scale), then 

 400 x 33 might roughly have stood for the more exact 3 to 3*14. 

 This is, however, a less likely explanation than the simpler one — 

 viz., that the tablet was a half-foot measure, showing two or three 

 different co-existing linear units of measure, used by several 

 neighboring or allied peoples. The whole of this tablet is most 

 curious and important, and so far has never been explained. On 

 the reverse side of the stone are three large rough grooves, evi- 

 dently made by the sharpening of some pointed tool. Involved 

 with the scroll pattern on the upper side may be noticed seventeen 

 small bosses or centres, many of which give, very exactly, dis- 

 tances apart of one inch, both mound and Mexican. The pattern 

 itself may be semi-Mexican. 



As no mound measures, so far, have been found in Central 

 America, Peru, or Mexico, it would follow that in all probability 

 the mound-builders themselves neither migrated there nor came 

 from thence; and it confirms the opinion that the Toltecs and 

 aDcient Mexicans came in all probability from the North, as has 

 generally been indeed supposed; but what is most interesting 

 would seem to follow, viz., that the mound-builders, and the 

 people allied to, or the ancestors of, the Toltecs, etc., must have, 

 perhaps some two thousand years ago, coexisted and lived together 

 in large parts of America, extending from New York to Ohio and 

 Tennessee, and not been exclusively confined to the mound district 

 par excellence. In fact, objects giving mound measures seem to 

 occur in New Jersey and the New England States, and each set 

 of people used their own peculiar standard of linear measure, 

 consisting of twelve smaller or larger inches to a corresponding 

 smaller or larger foot, probably employing also a 10 or 30-foot 

 measure, and having a fixed acre with side of 300 mound feet, or 



