probably wood. In this cut are specimens of such
agricultural tools. These were doubtless furnished with handles of wood.
The notched one was perhaps provided with a handle at right angles to
it, so as to constitute a hoe. That we are right in regarding these
implements as agricultural tools, is shown not only by their large
size, but also by the traces of wear discovered on them. We must admit,
however, that agriculture carried on with such tools as these, must have
been in a comparatively rude state.

In this connection we must refer to the garden beds noticed in some
places. We read that in Western Michigan the so-called garden beds are
a distinguishing feature of the ancient occupation, often covering
many acres in a place, in a great variety of forms, both regular and
grotesque.<101> These seem from the above account to be very similar
to the garden beds of Wisconsin. Dr. Lapham tells us that in the latter
State they consist of low, broad, parallel ridges, as if corn had been
planted in drills.

The average four feet in width, and the depth of the walk between them
is six inches. Traces of this kind of cultivation are found in various
parts of the State. We are also referred to the presence of garden
mounds in Missouri, but in this case the low mounds are of the same
mysterious class that Prof. Forshey says occur by millions in the
South-west, and may not be the work of man. Just what the connection is
between the garden beds and the Mound Builders is hard to determine. Mr.
Lapham thinks that those in Wisconsin were certainly later in date than
the mounds. He observed that they were frequently constructed right
across the works of the Mound Builders. This would seem to imply that
the makers were not one and the same people.

As to the government and religion of the Mound Builders, all is
conjecture. On both of these points a great deal has been assumed, but
when we try to find out the grounds on which these theories rest we
quickly see how little real foundation there is for any knowledge on
this subject. If we are right in our views as to the effigy mounds of
Wisconsin, then a sort of animal worship prevailed. Whether the great
inclosures in the Scioto Valley were of a religious nature or not
is very doubtful. The great serpent mound was probably an object of
worship. The assertion is quite frequently made that the Mound Builders
were sun worshipers, which may be correct, but we must observe that we
have no pr