No. 89.] 47 



The interesting work represented upon plate XI., forms the most extensive cir- 

 cular fortification embraced in this exploration, — having a diameter of eight hun- 

 dred and sixty feet, or inclosing an area of thirteen and one-fifth acres. It occu- 

 pies a slight eminence, mainly descending in a northern and southern direction; 

 while at the distance of a few rods to the South-west, occurs a large Beaver meadow. 



The embankment has been much defaced by long cultivation; but about one- 

 third of its circumference yet remains distinctly visible. The wall is here some 

 two feet in height. Near the north-west terminus of the more elevated portion of 

 the work, embracing some forty rods, are yet observed traces of two pits, one much 

 larger than the other. These pits, in every instance two occurring together, were 

 formerly quite numerous within the inclosure, and were also noticed outside of its 

 circumvallations, but have now become mostly obliterated. Fragments of ancient 

 pottery, and other remains of art, have been disclosed by cultivation, together 

 with several entire crania. The ancient walls of this earth work have now nearly 

 crumbled in ruin, and soon will be forever effaced. 



The work last described is also the last among the series of ancient fortifications 

 yet remaining which once extended along the Cassadaga and Canadaway creeks, 

 and thence upon the hills bordering upon the waters of Lake Erie; all traces, even 

 of the location, of many of them, by long cultivation of the soil, has been lost. 

 They silently disappear, like the nearly extinct race by whom they were con- 

 structed. Two circular works, however, unconnected with this chain, and much 

 obliterated, occur upon the first terrace from Lake Erie; and another group of 

 tumuli now remains to be noticed. 



The tumuli, whose relative position is given, plate XII., are located upon the 

 shore of Chautauqua lake, nearly a hundred rods in an eastern direction from the 

 " Narrows." These mounds are of circular form, and of nearly equal dimensions, 

 having a diameter, respectively, of sixty-six feet, with an altitude now of about 

 six feet, although they were formerly much more elevated; they are separated by 

 a distance only of five rods. The tumuli are situated amid a fairie scene, which in 

 its quiet beauty might rival an Arcadian landscape. The sylvan wild-woods, 

 through whose dim retreats glides a murmuring stream, stretch down to the shore 

 bordering upon the placid waters of this lake; and we might well imagine that 

 these mounds were erected for a purpose similar to that described in the lUad ; 



" The long-baired Greeks 

 To him, upon the shores of the Hellespont, 

 A mound shall heap ; that those in aftertimes 

 "Who sail along the darksome sea shall say. 

 This is the monument of one long since 

 Borne to his grave, by mighty Hector slain.'* 



CHAPTER III. 



REMAINS OF ANCIENT ART, ETC. 



The remains of ancient workmanship, &c., which occur in connection with the 

 mounds and earthworks, possess much interest in solving the problems relating 

 to the migrations of the earlj'^ occupants of the continent, and the distribution of 

 the several groups of the aboriginal race, as well as in determining their civiliza- 

 tion. Thtse relics, together with osteological remains connected with the mounds, 

 &c., will be noticed, in the connection as they were obsci-ved in the various earth- 

 works. 



