lf and that portion of the Southern coast where the mollusks exist,
bears upon the question of migration and tribal intercourse, and
the commercial value of these articles. Obtained from a distance and
regarded as precious commodities, they were used in exchange, for the
material of ornaments, and for choice utensils. Only two or three of
these shells have been found in a perfect condition, but defective
ones are frequent, with fragments, "cuttings," and various trinkets
made out of them--such as ornamental pins, needles, crosses, buttons,
amulets, engraved plates, and beads. From one of the specimens
recovered from the mound sepulchre, the spire and columella had been
removed, leaving a hollow utensil. It would have been suitable for
a water vessel, but for a hole in the bottom, which had furnished a
button-shaped ornament, or piece of money, which was found with the
relic, and exactly corresponded to the orifice. The twirled end of the
shell, however, had been improved for a handle by shallow cavities,
one on the inside slanting from the middle longitudinal line, and one
crossing that line at right angles on the convex side, so as to be
fitted to the thumb and fore finger of the left hand, suggesting a use
of the implement as a shield, or a mask held before the face. Adair
speaks of large shells in use by the Indians of his time (1735),
suspended about the neck for shields, and regarded as badges of
priestly dignity.

A trench was dug on the east side of the mound, nearly corresponding
in dimensions to the one on the west side, making the length of the
whole excavation, including the central cavity, thirty-two feet.

In the last opening, eight skeletons were exhumed; the mode of burial
was the same throughout. The only article of value recovered was a
curiously wrought pipe of stone, having a "figure head" representing
the human face, which I have put down in a list of "articles stolen,"
and which the thief can describe better than the writer. After filling
up all the gaps, and levelling the surface to suit the taste of the
proprietor, we closed our labors on the mound in the Bent.

Of the skulls collected, it is sufficient to say that they belong to
the "short heads," the length and breadth having a comparative medium
proportion, a common form of cranium in the mounds of Tennessee.

Of stone implements I specify an ax of serpentine, ten inches long,
two thick, and four broad, having plain sides and a straight edge