146 G. F. Eaton — Prehistoric Fauna of Block Island. 



Cervus virginianus (Virginia Temnodon saltator (Bluefish). 



Deer). Acipenser sturio (Sturgeon). 



Phoca vitulina (Harbor Seal). Venus mercenaria (Quahog). 

 Grus canadensis (Northern Mya arenaria (Long Clara). 



Brown Crane). 

 Podiceps griseigena (Red-necked 



Grebe). 



On the accompanying map of Block Island (PL II) the posi- 

 tions of the shell-heaps and deposits are marked thus *. As 

 may be seen, they are without exception placed close to the 

 Great Salt Pond, where the Indians probably obtained most of 

 the bivalves used for food. The mussels, however, which they 

 consumed in large quantities, were no doubt gathered from the 

 rocks lying awash off the sea-beaches of the Island. The prob- 

 lem of existence must have been simple for the Manissees when 

 they were not at war with the Montauks and Narragansetts, 

 for they apparently had an abundance of shell-fish in the Great 

 Salt Pond within bowshot of their villages, and a plentiful 

 supply of fresh water in the ponds which are to be seen in 

 nearly all the clay-lined basins throughout the Island. 



Age of the Shell-heaps. 



In many places along the Atlantic coast of North America, 

 indications as to the age of shell-heaps explored have been 

 furnished by the overlying forest mould and by large trees of 

 slow growth whose roots have forced their way through the 

 deposits. Block Island, now denuded of its wealth of forest 

 trees, affords no such evidence of the age of its shell-heaps, 

 and reliance must be placed upon those indications which are 

 obtainable from the contents of the deposits themselves and 

 from the few existing references to the early history of the 

 Island. In 1636, the Massachusetts Bay Colony, in revenge 

 for the murder of John Oldham by the Manissees, sent an 

 armed expedition under the command of Capt. John Endicott 

 to make conquest of Block Island. This was accordingly done 

 to the extent of killing fourteen Indians and maiming others, 

 killing several dogs, burning many deserted wigwams and 

 "great heaps of pleasant corn ready shelled," and carrying 

 away " many well-wrought mats and several delightful bas- 

 kets." From the records of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, 

 under date of October 19, 1658, the following extract is made : 



" This Court, in consideration of the honnored Gouernor, 

 Jno. Endicott, Esq, his great services to this country, together 

 with the good services of Rich Bellingham Esq, Dept Gou- 

 ernor, and in respect of Major Gen Daniell Dennison, his 

 great paynes in transcribing the lawes, & in regard of Major 



