394 The American Naturalist. [April, 
to older geological layers, and thus the most modern object in the 
world can be intruded into the most ancient stratum known. 
Until this question of previous salt-pit digging by Indians is clearly 
settled, we must remain in the dark as to the meaning of the objects 
thus far found at Petit Anse. 
The following notes upon a recent examination of the spot by the 
late Dr. Joseph F. Joor, has been kindly sent me by the President of 
Tulane University, of New Orleans.—H. C. MERCER. 
Notes on a Collection of Archeological and Geological 
Specimens Collected in a Trip to Avery’s Island (Petit 
Anse), Feb. 1st, 1890. By Joseph F. Joor, M. D.—About the 
end of January, 1890, President Johnston, of Tulane University, 
learned that the New Iberia Salt Co., in opening a new shaft, had ex- 
posed a number of Indian relics and remains of extinct animals. As 
the Professor of Geology could not then leave, he requested me to pro- 
ceed at once to the spot, and secure as many specimens as possible for 
the University Museum; also to learn all I could of the Archaeology, 
reology, and Natural History of the Island. 3 
Accordingly, I left New Orleans, January 31st, reaching the Island 
the same evening. I was most agreeably and hospitably entertained 
by Mr. and Mrs. McIlhenny and the Avery brothers, who also gave 
me valuable assistance during the eighteen days’ of my stay. The 
officers of the Salt Company also extended many courtesies, without 
which my work would have been greatly hindered. 
The excavation formed a rectangle about 50x 90 feet at top, and 
30 x 70 at bottom, with sloping sides—the greater length being north 
and south. The depth to the salt varied from 16 to 25 feet. The lay- 
ers penetrated at that time, at the northwest corner, were: 
1st. Soil, 6 inches. 
2d. Yellow clay, with some sand, 4—6 inches. 
3rd. Black stiff loam, or swamp muck, 10-12 feet (pottery bed). 
4th. Blue clay, with pebbles (bone bed), 2 feet or more. 
This last was only partly removed at the time of my arrival, and 
from it came our paleontological specimens. Immediately below was 
the salt, with a very irregular surface, its hollows filled with the clay, 
which thus in some spots was nearly ten feet deep. The upper layers 
varied considerably in different parts, both in relative thickness and 
character. At the northeast corner, for instance, the yellow clay is 
partly replaced by sand. But the most important differences were in 
the loam. At the north end, near the northeast corner, a hollow, 
