Page:Anthropology.djvu/109

108 collection to other causes. Two years ago I made the acquaintance of a very intelligent gentleman residing near Sumterville. Four years ago he was out deer hunting with dogs on the shore of Lake Charleossosekie. He was riding over an elevated hummock surrounded by a large sun-grass swamp, and discovered traces of old cultivation. Looking about, he discovered a heap of ancient pottery, which, he assured me, amounted to several cart-loads. He dismounted and examined a number of the vessels, and found that a hole had been made in the bottom of each to render it useless. After examining a few of them he followed in pursuit of his dogs. It seems to me that this hummock must have been the resort of a tribe of Indians, and when attacked by enemies they rendered their most valuable utensils useless to the enemy.



He had in the city, some months since, a large molar tooth weighing 9 pounds. It was picked up near Sumterville. On some of the tributaries of Pease Creek huge bones are visible in the sand bars at low stages of water.

Plan No-1 is an accurate sketch of the locality, showing the peninsula, inlet, lagoon, islands, and canals. Plan No. 2, on a smaller scale, shows John's Pass and Marco Inlet.

One mile and three quarters south of Doctor's Pass is John's Pass, with three inside channels connecting them. Three miles and a quarter south of John's Pass is Little Marco Inlet, with an inside channel connecting them.

The land on the peninsula traversed by the canal is low, and poor pine land, not over 4 feet above high-water mark. From a passing examination of the mainland east of the lagoon it presented the appearance of low pine land unfit for cultivation. It is evident that no