No. 75.] 



105 



west of the bridge over the Racket river, at a place called Racket River 

 P. O. It is on a considerable eminence, about half way between the 

 Racket and Grasse rivers, and three miles from the mouth of the latter. 

 The hill may be fifty feet higher than either river ; the ancient work is 

 on the southern declivity of the hill, near the top, and the outer ditch 

 may enclose perhaps an acre. It is nearly square, with the corners 

 projecting beyond the line of the sides; from which it may perhaps be 

 inferred that it was a defensive work, and belonging to a different period 

 from the circular works above described. The bank when first dis- 

 covered, was surrounded by a ditch about three feet wide, and between 

 one and two feet deep. In the ditch were the remains of old pine trees, 

 some of which must have been at least five hundred years old. With- 

 in the enclosure were two elevations, about fifteen feet square, and two 

 feet above the level of the surrounding ground. The location com- 

 mands a prospect of the country around, in every direction, to a con- 

 siderable distance. 



In Potsdam, St. Lawrence counfy, there existed, on the first settle- 

 ment of the country, a work similar to the one last described, but 

 which is now nearly obliterated by the plough. It was on the west side 

 of Racket river, about half way from Potsdam village to Norfolk. Like 

 the other, it was situated near the top of an elevation, conspicuous from 

 all the surrounding country. Like it, also, it was quadrilateral ; its 

 size was nearly the same, and the vicinity of both furnishes numerous 

 remains of rude potlery, stone axes, flint arrows, and various ornaments 

 wrought in steatite. 



The location in Potsdam is about eighteen miles distant to the south- 

 west, from that in Massena, and there is little doubt but that one might 

 be seen from the other, if the intervening timber was cut away. 



The foregoing are the only remains of ancient art which the writer 

 has been able to learn of in St. Lawrence county, after making the 

 most diligent inquiries. In Jefferson county there are many others, in 

 the towns of Adams, Ellisburgh, &;c., of which it is hoped a satisfactory 

 account will hereafter be given. 



