vestiges of great numbers of their buildings. These were mostly
circular, but those of a square or rectangular form were also observed.
In Arkansas their location was generally on low, flat mounds, but
vestiges of some were also noticed near the surface of large mounds.
In Southern Illinois, South-eastern Missouri, and Middle and Western
Tennessee the sites of thousands were observed, not in or on mounds,
but marked by little circular, saucer-shaped depressions, from twenty to
fifty feet in diameter, surrounded by a slight earthen ring. We know the
framework of these houses was poles, for in several cases the charred
remains of these poles were found. We know they were plastered with
a thick coating of mud, for regular layers of lumps of this burnt
plastering are found. These lumps have often been mistaken for bricks,
as in the Selzertown mound. In several cases the plastering had
been stamped with an implement, probably made of split cane of large
size.<32>

On the lower Mississippi we meet with the Natchez, a tribe that has
excited a great deal of interest; but at present we only want to note
that they also constructed mounds. They were nearly exterminated by the
French in 1729. But before this Du Pratz had lived among them, and
left a description of their customs. Their temple was about thirty feet
square, and was situated on a mound about eight feet high, which sloped
insensibly from its main front on the north, but was somewhat steeper
on the other sides. He also states that the cabin of the chief, or great
sun, as he was called, was placed upon a mound of about the same
height, though somewhat larger, being sixty feet over the surface.<33>
A missionary who labored among them, stated that when the chief died his
mound was deserted, and a new one built for the next chief.<34>

Neither was this custom of erecting mounds confined to the Southern
Indians. Colden states of the Iroquois: "They make a round hole in
which the body is placed, then they raise the earth in a round hill
over it."<35> It was the custom among a large number of tribes to gather
together the remains of all who had died during several years and bury
them all together, erecting a mound over them.<36> Mr. Jefferson, in
his notes on Virginia, describes one of these mounds, and relates this
interesting fact in reference to it: "A party of Indians passing about
thirty years ago through the part of the country where this barrow
is, went through the wood