SEPTEMBER. 223 



a distant geological epoch. It is the Art that here over- 

 shadows every natural feature, to which I have referred — 

 the handiwork of an unknown people, who, finding this 

 region suited to their needs, wrested it from Nature. 



The great Serpent Mound of southern Ohio is one of 

 those curious earth- works that for nearly half a century 

 has been a puzzle and delight to American archaeologists, 

 and one that has led to much wild speculation. Much of 

 this is truly funny, and none of it more absurd than the 

 dogmatic assertion recently given to the world that it is 

 of Cherokee origin and of no significant antiquity. But 

 before discussing its age and origin, let us consider what 

 it is as it appears to the visitor of to-day. At first glance, 

 one might suppose that the earth had merely been heaped 

 up into a long and gracefully curved line, so as to repre- 

 sent an uncoiling serpent or a snake in motion. It is 

 more than this. Before its construction, the place was 

 leveled, and the serpent, in all probability, outlined with 

 stones and clay, and not only all the material gathered in 

 clearing the ground, but more was brought to the spot. 

 In short, the work was planned before its construction was 

 commenced, and built with care. Its architect was at 

 once an engineer, a naturalist, and an artist ; or, if the 

 joint product of a community, then they all showed skill 

 in high departments of human intelligence, such as we 

 look for in vain among historic Indians. 



When, by whom, and for what purpose, then, was this 

 Serpent Mound constructed ? These are the three ques- 

 tions every visitor will ask — does ask, at this writing — of 

 the eminent archaeologist, Prof. F. W. Putnam, who is now 

 on the spot endeavoring to solve this triple problem. I 

 will not, at this time, anticipate any of his conclusions, but 

 consider some of the suggestions he and others have al- 

 ready given to the world. 



Concerning the antiquity of the mound-builders and 



