228 CERTAIN ABORIGINAL REMAINS OF THE NW. FLORIDA COAST. 



ocddentalis, and the other as the left lower canine of a puma, Felis concolor ; and a 

 shell {Glycymeris americana, Defr.). Near these or with them were: many frag- 

 ments of deer bones; one canine of a carnivore; part of a lower jaw of a small 

 rodent; a mass of shell, resembling a large imperforate bead; a rude shell gouge. 



A neatly made gouge of shell, with the upper end missing, lay unassociated m 

 the sand. 



Pierce Mounds, near Apalachicola, Mound B. 

 This mound, with a height of 16 feet and a basal diameter of about 100 feet at 

 the present time, showed traces of previous digging on every side. In addition, 

 much of the marginal parts had been hauled away for use in an adjoining cultivated 

 field. On this mound were many palmettoes, much prized by the owner, which pre- 

 cluded a full examination. Such work as was done at various points showed the 

 mound to be of sand with slight admixture of shell. A superficial skeleton lay near 

 the margin. 



About fifty yards eastward of Mound B, in a field covered with scattered shells, 

 some trenching was done by us resulting in the discovery of three skeletons at full 

 lenoth. Our work here was discontinued at the request of the owner, who did not 

 wish to have unproductive soil brought to the surface. 



In this field is a mound commonly believed to be of shell throughout. It is 

 said by some that the shell extends to a depth of about 2 feet only, after which sand 

 is encountered. As the shell is used for the streets of the town, digging into the 

 mound is not encouraged. 



Pierce Mounj)S, near Apalachicola, Mound C. 



This mound, elliptical in outline, with flat top, about 6.5 feet high, has a diame- 

 ter of 90 feet east and west and of 74 feet north and south. 



Starting from the margin, a trench 35 feet long and from 13 feet to 15 feet wide, 

 was continued to within 3 feet of the center. Part of the way, the trench was run 

 along the base of the mound, but it having become evident that the mound was 

 built upon a shell-heap, the useless throwing back of shell was discontinued and the 

 sand alone Avas removed. 



Three skeletons were met with, two flexed, and one, that of an infant, disturbed 

 by the digger. With this skeleton were a few small shells used as beads. 



Loose in the sand were various sherds with small check stamp. Pinched deco- 

 ration and complicated stamp also were represented. One small sherd bore semi- 

 circular impressions made, perhaps, by a portion of a reed. 



Pierce Mounds, near Apalachicola, Mound D. 

 This mound, in thick scrub, has a height of 20 inches. The diameter of base 

 is 40 feet. It is composed of sand blackened with organic matter and has local lay- 

 ers of shells of the oyster and of the clam. 



