iver. The whole is
surrounded by a wall of five miles in length, but owing to the uneven
course of the river, there are only enclosed one hundred acres. The
wall has numerous openings, which, however, are well protected by
inner walls, or mounds. These openings could be occupied by warriors
while the interior would not be exposed to the enemy. Within the
enclosure are disposed twenty-four reservoirs, which could be
dexterously connected with springs, so that in time of siege, they
would be comparatively independent. The strength of this fortress does
not depend on the walls alone, which range in height from five to
twenty feet, but upon its isolated position and steep sides. Near the
fortification are two large mounds from which run two parallel walls
for 1,350 feet, and then unite, enclosing another mound. We cannot
tell what part these outer walls and mounds played in the defence of
this fortification. But we know that all give evidence of an immense
garrison occupied by an ancient and somewhat civilized race, whose
numerous enemies, doubtless, forced such strong defence. In point of
inaccessibility, engineering skill, and strength, this famous
enclosure will compare not unfavorably with Edinburgh Castle, the
stronghold of Quebec, or the impregnable Gibraltar.

Another stronghold of considerable importance may be seen at Fort
Hill, in Highland county, on an elevation of 500 feet, and enclosing
an area of forty acres. There is another near Piqua, on a hill 160
feet high; and another near the city of Dayton, on a hill 160 feet
high, where a mound is enclosed, which like the ancient watch-towers
of Scripture, can command a view of the whole surrounding country.
Near Carlisle lies the site of another remarkable military enclosure,
which overlooks the fertile valley, between the Twin and Miami Rivers.
Two deep ravines fortify the north and south sides, while an almost
perpendicular bluff fortifies the east. The wall which is partly of
earth and partly of stone is 3,676 feet in length, and encloses a
beautiful area of fifteen acres.

The settlers state that in early times there were two stone mounds and
one stone circle, which contained such excellent building stone, that
they removed them for building purposes. They had to cut a way and
grade it, to remove the stones, which those rude architects of early
prehistoric times found no difficulty in taking from a distant quarry
to that high elevation. We must therefore agree