PUGET SOUND AND OKONAGAN, 415 



After forming our encampment near by (which was surrounded by 

 Seringias in full blossom), and giving Lieutenant Budd and Mr. Eld 

 orders, Mr. Anderson and myself, with six men, set off for the Bute 

 Prairie, with shovels and picks. We reached the place about five 

 o'clock, through a rain which had wet the bushes and undergrowth so 

 much, that in passing through the Indian trails, we were completely 

 drenched. These bushes consisted principally of Rubus and Alder. On 

 our route we passed several beautiful and secluded prairies, of excellent 

 soil, and covered with many flowers. The men began their digging 

 early in the morning. These mounds have been formed by scraping 

 the surface earth together in a heap. The soil, therefore, is very rich, 

 and they have a rank growth of vegetation on them. a Much of this 

 rich earth or mould must have been brought from a distance. The 

 regularity of their construction and shape, as well as the space over 

 which they are scattered, are surprising. Although I could obtain no 

 direct information respecting them, I was one day told that the 

 medicine-man gathered his herbs from them, to make the decoctions 

 with which he effects his cures. 



Although all tradition concerning them may be lost, yet the custom 

 of these medicine-men may have survived, and taking into considera- 

 tion the influence they have had and still have over the tribes, it is 

 possible that their predecessors might have had something to do with 

 the formation of these monuments. They certainly are not places of 

 burial. They bear the marks of savage labour, and are such an under- 

 taking as would have required the united efforts of a whole tribe. 



The hole, which was dug directly in the centre, was about four feet 

 in diameter. At a depth of about six feet was found a kind of pave- 

 ment of round stones, laid on the subsoil of red gravel. No articles 

 of any description were discovered in the mounds, 

 which seemed to be grouped in fives, as in the figure § 

 annexed. Although there is a general resemblance 'M 

 among them, they evidently have been constructed 

 successively, and at intervals of several years. I heard 

 it suggested that they had been formed by water-courses, but this I view 

 as impossible, for they are situated on a level prairie, and are at least 

 a thousand in number. 



Observations for latitude and longitude were obtained here, but the 

 weather did not permit me to get angles on Mount Rainier, as I was 

 desirous of doing. The next day I parted with my friend, Mr. 

 Anderson, who desired to return to Nisqually, while we returned to the 

 falls. The ride was more disagreeable than we had before found it, 

 and I felt heartily glad to get back to the surveying parties. 



