he large band, which, as I before noticed, united all the pieces of
bark at the top of the cone: it follows that each of these four strips
formed a sort of oval, least rounded at its inferior extremity, and
widest and most rounded above; and as each of these ovals corresponded
with one of the sides of the inverted pyramid, it is not difficult to
conceive the elegance and picturesque effect of the plan.

"After looking some time at this monument, the use of which I vainly
strove to fathom, I soon resolved to push my examination to a greater
length: I removed several thick pieces of bark, and readily penetrated
to the interior of the building. The whole of the upper part was vacant:
at the bottom was a large flattened cone formed of a fine light grass,
laid with much care in conuntric and very deep strata. With my doubt
respecting the purpose of this, my curiosity increased. Eight small bent
sticks crossing each other at the summit of this cone of verdure, served
to preserve its form; each of these sticks had its two extremities
fastened in the earth, and kept firm in their position by a large piece
of flattened granite. So much care led me to expect some important
discovery; nor was I mistaken. Scarcely had I raised the upper layers
of turf, ere I perceived a large heap of white ashes, apparently
collected together with nicety: thrusting my hand into the midst of
these, I felt something hard, withdrawing which, I found it to be the
jaw-bone of a man, and shreds of flesh still adhering to it. I shuddered
with horror. Still, reflecting a little on all I had observed in the
composition of the monument, I soon experienced sensations widely
different from those I felt at first: the verdure, the flowers, the
protecting trees, the deep bed of herbage which covered the ashes, all
united to convince me that I had here discovered a tomb.... Succeeding
ideas caused new reflections: I asked myself, 'What can have originated
this custom of burning the dead? Separated from the rest of the world,
and at its farthest extremity, these people cannot have adopted it from
communication with others; it must irrefutably therefore be an idea of
their own. But, in that case, wherefore prefer this mode of disposing of
the dead? Can the preference be the effect of chance? Or does there
exist some physical reason for it, dependent on the nature of things, or
the particular social organization of these men?' ...

"This last measure is to burn it. E