THE ST. JOHN'S RIVER, FLORIDA. 



205 



Fig. 73. Pendant of earthen- 

 ware, niound near Mill Cove. 

 (Full size.) 



usual bunched form of burial, lay beneath a layer of sand colored red by admixture 

 of Hematite, and showed no evidence of previous disturbance. 



The only objects of aboriginal workmanship met with in the mound were 5 

 arrow points and a tureen-shaped pendent ornament or toy of earthenware, with 

 perforation at end for suspension. Length 2 inches; breadth, L3 inches (Fig. 73). 



A house, now destroyed by fire, at one time occupied 

 the summit of the mound. It is not probable that the 

 mound was in any way levelled for its reception, since 

 examination of the steep and symmetrical sides showed 

 no appearance of deposit from above. 



It is to be hoped that at some future time a change of 

 ownership may permit farther investigation. 



Fulton, Duval County. 



About one-half mile southwest of Fulton, a settle- 

 ment just south of St. John's Bluff, is a mound in a light 

 grove of oak and pine. The mound and surrounding 

 territory give evidence of previous cultivation. The 

 height, which has evidently suffered considerable diminu- 

 tion, is at present 7 feet, the base diameter 90 feet. About one-third of the area of 

 the mound was levelled by kind permission of H. J. Hole, Esq. 



Locally were layers of oyster shells from one to several feet in thickness, with 

 occasionally in association fragments of bones of lower animals and vertebrae of fish. 

 Sherds were infrequent. 



Superficially was a fragment of human radius, but beyond this no signs of 

 human remains were met with, nor any implements whatever. 



St. John's Bluff, Duval County. 



St. John's Bluff, by some supposed to be the site of the ill-fated Fort Caroline, 

 towers high above the water on the south bank of the river, about six miles from 

 the sea. At the point of union of the St. John's and a small creek, the bluff forms 

 a right angle, having a side parallel to each, the northern side overlooking the river, 

 the eastern rising above the creek and adjacent marsh. 



Along the edge of this eastern side is a line of curious elevations, some oblong, 

 some conical, all very symmetrical. A few were utilized as batteries during the 

 late war by the removal of central portions. 



The most symmetrical of these eminences, almost a perfect cone, had a height 

 of 9 feet and a base diameter of 47 feet. About one-half of this niound was dug 

 away by us, removing a number of feet from the summit, and exposing a portion of 

 the base. Absolutely nothing indicating human agency was met with, even the 

 heretofore, ever-present, charcoal being wanting. We are in doubt as to the origin 

 of these mounds. 



