Group

A

B

C

D

No.

MEAN

No.

MEAN

No.

MEAN

Longitudinal diameter,

6.5

3

6.56

57

6.5

90

7  

Inter-parietal diameter,

6  

3

5.87

57

5.6

90

5.5

Vertical diameter,

6.2

3

5.93

57

5.3

90

5.4

Frontal diameter,

4.5

2

4.3 

57

4.4

90

4.3

Inter-mastoid arch,

16  

2

15.6 

57

14.9

90

14.6

Inter-mastoid line,

4.5

2

4.45

57

4.1

90

4.2

Occipito-frontal arch,

13.8

2

13.9 

57

13.6

90

14.2

Horizontal periphery,

19.8

2

19.65

57

19.4

90

19.9

Facial angle,

81° 

3

79° 40ʹ

55

75° 35ʹ

83

76° 13ʹ

Internal capacity,

90  

2

85   

57

76.8

87

82.4

Group

E

F

G

No.

MEAN

No.

MEAN

No.

MEAN

Longitudinal diameter,

147

6.75

8

6.7 

3

6.8

Inter-parietal diameter,

147

5.55

8

6   

3

5  

Vertical diameter,

147

5.35

8

4.8 

3

4.8

Frontal diameter,

147

4.35

8

4.9 

3

4.2

Inter-mastoid arch,

147

14.75

8

14.6 

3

13.3

Inter-mastoid line,

147

4.15

8

4.1 

3

4  

Occipito-frontal arch,

147

13.9 

8

13.1 

3

14.3

Horizontal periphery,

147

19.65

8

20   

3

18.8

Facial angle,

138

75° 45ʹ

8

69° 30ʹ

3

67° 20ʹ

Internal capacity,

144

79.6 

8

79.25

3

73.2

p293

CHAPTER XVIII. SCULPTURED OR INSCRIBED ROCKS.

Rocks rudely inscribed with figures of men and animals, have been observed at various points within the United States, and have commanded no small share of attention. Their general character seems, however, but imperfectly understood; and for this reason care has been taken to preserve sketches and descriptions of such as fell under notice in the progress of the investigations recorded in this volume. In presenting the following illustrations, we are not to be understood as supposing that any of these rude monuments are referable to the era of the mounds, or that they have any extraordinary significance.

These illustrations comprise sketches of six sculptured rocks which occur upon the Guyandotte river in Virginia, and which have never before been noticed; together with a sketch of one occurring upon the Ohio river, never before figured, but to which distant allusion has several times been made. Notices of the locality and general character of several others, occurring chiefly within the valley of the Ohio, are also appended.

Proceeding upon a very vague intimation of the existence of certain rocks of this kind, upon the banks of the Guyandotte river, in Cabell county, Virginia, a visit was made to the locality in the autumn of 1846. The first of the series of rocks was found near the pathway, about eight miles above the town of Barbersville, or sixteen miles above the mouth of the river. It is a large detached block of weather-worn sandstone, of coarse texture, presenting above ground a flat but somewhat irregular surface. The edges are much rounded, and the rock closely resembles the water-worn boulders sometimes found on the alluvions. Immediately in the centre, which is slightly depressed, is cut in outline a rude effigy of a human figure, with arms extended and elevated, and apparently in the attitude of running. It is manifestly intended to represent a female, the breasts and other distinctive features being depicted. The action of the figure is well expressed, and the proportions are not materially wrong. It is four feet in height. Upon the edges of the rock are other outlines of the human figure, though too much obliterated to be traced with satisfaction or exactness. They are considerably less in size than the one just described. Besides these there are cut into the rock, at all angles to the plane of stratification, a number of tracks of various beasts and birds. Among them are those of the deer, bear, wolf, and turkey. They are very truthfully indicated, and it is no longer a matter of p294 surprise that similar sculptures have been mistaken by the uninformed for veritable impressions from the feet of the animals themselves. They were cut at a later date than the other figures, or have been cut deeper or subsequently retouched. The turkey tracks are as distinct as if they had been left but yesterday in plastic clay by the bird itself. Among the tracks of the animals occurs the Roman capital P, exactly formed. This cannot be supposed to be anything more than an accidental coincidence. The lines are from one half to three fourths of an inch deep, and for the most part appear to have been pecked, instead of chiselled, into the stone. The rock measures about ten feet square. It lies close by the side of the road or bridle-path, upon the east bank, and about seventy-five yards from the river. Just below this point is quite a broad interval of level land, which is now under cultivation.

Fig. 200.