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10/ a stratum of bones, but they were so decomposed as to be deaf to all my enquiries. Upon descending, deeper, 14 inches I came to another stratum of bones which were sufficiently sound to admit of being handled. But I discovered no confusion - and it will be seen presently that Mr. Jefferson mistook order for confusion.

The high bones lay nearly parallel and pointed to the S.E. the leg bones lay between them and pointed to the N.W. the knee pans were found near the extremities which they had assisted to articulate the fore arm bones lay crossing the thigh bones at very accute angles, and the whole constituted almost a parallel bundle. The arm bones were further in the rear and lay by the side, or over the hip bones; the under and upper Jaws in most instances, the astragalus and calcis, with neck bones in several instances, and in one the head of the thigh bones, were found within the Cranium. (It will be of course, understood that the base of the cranium had decayed off which admitted of the introduction of the other bones.) In every case the Sacrum was found between the hip bones, and generally under the cranium. The rib and spinal bones lay in disorder under and around the head. The crania were generally resting on their bases. These facts show very clearly that the sepralchral attitude was the flexion of the legs upon the thighs - the body erect and the haunches resting on the heels. This is the attitude of a Burmese Idol, and also that of some pieces of rude sculpture found in Mexico and attributed to the Checkimecas. From the direction of the thigh bones in the above examinations it is evident that the face was to the S.E. The settling of the Mound explains the introduction of foot bones into the cranium. Such was unquestionably the case in Mr. Jefferson's Revanna Mound. With each of the skeletons I examined, I found a small quantity of burnt or calcined bones, consisting of fragments of the Jaws, cranium and cylindrical bones, and occasionally small...and portions so calcined that their place could not be determined....I found in every instance burnt straw or grass of a large size. About fourteen inches below this stratum of bones I found another, but no peculiarities except such as has been described. The crania in all these instances were so mutilated by the pressure of the mound that I could not determine their form; but my recollection of the form of the Os frontes, satisfies me, since, I have seen the flat heads of the southern mounds, that they had also been flattened. I examined another mound in Rockbridge Co. Va. and the facts were the same as those above named. As regards the current bones, the dental sockets of the maxillary fragments are sufficient to show that they were not of children. The facts which these examinations disclose are sufficient to produce a volume of the most interesting reflections. Did a Hindoo custom, of destroying the wife at the death of the husband, prevail with this people? I will refrain from enlarging on this subject till I have made more observations. The more I reflect on this curious subject, the more do I feel its important connexion with the history of our country. These Mounds and their contents are the only memorials which are now allowed inquisitive men for the satisfaction of a laudable curiosity in relation to the race that first peopled this extensive country. These frail memorials like every thing earthy, are now fast hastening to a complete decay, -