The Clans of the Effigy Builders. 
301 
urements are taken, and the lines drawn according to a scale of 
inches. The eye is useful in determining the animal intended 
but the platting brings out the attitude more perfectly. Take an¬ 
other instance: There are two animals north of Buffalo lake, not 
far from Crooked lake, which resemble squirrels. The platting of 
these effigies brings out the fact that they are not squirrels at all but 
raccoons. We find in them both nearly the same measurements, but as 
the lines come out on paper we fin$ the crooked legs, the small head, 
the high curved back, the short belly and the curved, bushy tail — all of 
which are peculiarities of the coon. Near these CDons we find a turtle — 
but a turtle in a most novel attitude, the same. attitude which a horse 
assumes when he “ racks,” two legs upon one side thrown -forward, two 
on the other side turned back, the whole figure being distorted and 
twisted as only a turtle can twist. (See plate XII.) On the west side 
of Green lake, squirrels appear in great numbers; every one of these 
squirrels has a different attitude, but an attitude perfectly natural to 
the animal. 
II. In reference to the work of identifying the animals in the effigies. 
A writer in the Nation of New York, seems to have doubts in reference 
to this point. He thinks it is impossible for any one to train his eye to 
recognize the animals in the figures and insists upon it that the sur¬ 
veyor and the naturalist be summoned before one undertakes to ident¬ 
ify the animals or decide as to the intent and hidden significance of the 
figures. This is an old complaint but one that is too hypercritical to 
be heeded. We do not deny the value of the surveyor’s services and 
stated in the very introduction to the book that the first discovery of 
the shape of the effigies, was made by those engaged in the work of sur¬ 
veying the mineral lands. We have also everywhere given credit to the 
gentlemen who first platted the effigies. We have frequently quoted 
Dr. Lapham, and have acknowledged our indebtedness to him. We 
have also used the unpublished notes of Mr. H. M. Canfield, of Baraboo. 
This gentleman seems to have been correct in all of his observations. 
We have found from experience that the eye does become trained, so 
that it takes in large figures, and one may come to recognize the animal 
intended even before the measurements have been made. This, how¬ 
ever, must always be subordinate to the surveying and every observation 
must be verified by measuring and platting. 
The hidden significance of the effigies can not, however, be given by 
surveying. This comes to the mind only after a long, close study of the 
effigies in connection with the very locality where they are found. They 
must be compared with one another and classified. The totem system 
also of the wild tribes must be studied and then taken as a key into the 
field and applied to the different groups and collections of groups. We 
do not say that the totem system as it is now known will solve all 
the problems, for there are many things which baffle us, notwithstanding 
