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NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



conforming to the outer shape of the mound. The stones varied 

 from i to 20 pounds each, but those forming the bottom of the 

 basin were the smallest of all. Some showed the action of fire, 

 but there were no traces of this in the mound. In making a cross- 

 section some fragments of birch bark and bone were found above 

 the stones. He said: 



The other mounds examined agreed in all particulars of con- 

 struction with that above described, excepting in one pair where it 

 was evident from what remained that the inside margin of the basin 

 of each mound had been surrounded with flat stones placed vertically 

 and touching at their edges, as if designed to prevent the earth 

 falling into the hollow. Similar stones, perhaps used for the same 

 purpose, were observed lying near most of the other mounds in this 

 vicinity. 



He thought these had been displaced by diggers, and added : 



In several instances the builders have been forced, from the nature 

 of the surrounding country, to carry their material from a distance, 

 but to obtain the usual covering of mold for the pair of mounds 

 last mentioned they have bared the smooth underlying rock of its 

 scanty soil, in a well defined circle about the works. The use of 

 broken gneiss for a building material, to the almost entire exclusion* 

 of limestone, is a noticeable feature. 



Limestone was most easily procured, but I think its change by 

 fire may have made it objectionable. Large trees grew on some 

 mounds, one oak stump being 8 feet around. 



So far the likeness to the Perch lake mounds is that of external 

 form, size and situation, with a tendency to pairs. The interior 

 differs in the character and arrangement of the stones, and the 

 absence of coals. Similar ones were examined later, but one was 

 of a sepulchral nature. This was excavated from the center to the 

 natural surface. Some of the diagrams made are here partially 

 reproduced. 



Plate io, figure 3, shows a section of the mound in which skele- 

 tons were found, with general features of the construction of all. 

 In this appear the interior stones, the overlying soil and the central 

 depression. Figure 2 shows the position of some articles found, and 

 the central chamber. Ground was broken at 10, and a little below 

 the surface was a flat, horizontal limestone, with fragments of human 



