In the vicinity of Newark, Ohio, are two examples of effigy mounds. This
cut represents what is called the alligator mound, but it is probably
the effigy of a lizard. The position which this mound occupies is
significant. It is on the very brow of a hill about two hundred feet
high, which projects out into a beautiful valley. The valley is not very
wide. Directly across was a fortified camp, in the valley below it was a
circular work, and a short distance below on another projecting headland
was a strongly fortified hill. The great works at Newark were six miles
down the valley, but were probably in plain view. That it was perhaps a
signal station, is shown by the presence of traces of fire.

Illustration of Alligator Mound.------------

The length of this effigy is two hundred and five feet, the breadth
of the body at its widest part, twenty feet, average height about four
feet.<58> The effigy mounds of Wisconsin, and the other few examples
mentioned, are among the most interesting objects of aboriginal work.
Except in a few favored instances, they are rapidly disappearing. To
the leveling influence of time is added the assistance of man, and our
knowledge of them will soon be confined to existing descriptions, unless
something is at once done to preserve them from destruction. Interesting
mementos of a vanished race, we turn from their contemplation with
a sigh of regret that, in spite of our efforts, they are still so
enwrapped in doubt.

Mounds and effigies by no means complete the description of Mound
Builders' remains. One of the most interesting and mysterious class
of works is now to be described. Early travelers in Ohio came here and
there upon embankments, which were found to inclose tracts of land of
various sizes. It was noticed that the embankments were often of the
form of perfect circles, or squares, or sometimes octagons, and very
often combinations of these figures. It was further evident that the
builders sought level, fertile lands, along the various river courses.
They very seldom built them on undulating or broken ground. Often have
the very places where civilized man has laid the foundation of his towns
proved to be the sites of these ancient works of the Mound Builders,
and thus it has happened that many of the most interesting works of
antiquity have been ruthlessly removed to make way for the crowded
streets and busy marts of our own times.

The larger number of inclosures are circula