New Orleans Republican., 1873-07-27

species different from any they had ever
before seen. These animals were of light
grayish color, and in form very closely re-
sembled mink. They lived in hole. bur
rowed in tie ground near the roots of trees.
Thew are remarkably feet IN their move
meuts, and whenever alarmed bT the Ap-
p:oach Of che explorers beto0k themselves
to their holes with such rapidity that sew
era! shots were fred st them before one
was killed.
Upon the largest island, north Of the
cliffs. :he explorers were surprised to find
heap. OF stones lying in such position as
20 resem ble ruins of some kIn0 OF struc-
tures. None of the ruins were extensive,
and the structures must, therefore, nave
been Of small dimensions. Similar ruins, if
such they were, were found ID grea. mum
beg. upon the small island north OF This
one. Upon the summit OF . ciit which
stands upon the eastern shore Of t he large
island the party found large heap of
stone. lying in a semi-circular form and
facing the east The length Of these ruins
was nearly 200 feet. In front of this semi
circle, and about fifty feet from IT, was a
large heap OF stones, nearly twenty feet
square. Tae ruins found on the plain be-
low and upon the small island were much
smaller than those found upon the c!i1f.
being only from five to ten feet square.
Auc.c Cdu Dc III tlc uOAOt tuC-C AACh po
Of stones are the ruins OF ancient structures,
but Of what kind of structures no one can
tel. Their limited size prec!udes tie posi-
bilty OF their having been used Tor dwell
inghouses: q. least they could not have been
used ;oc this purpose by people OF ordi-
nary size. The explorers could arrive at
no further conclusions in regar,! to these
ruins. az! leave this apparently interesting
fed sor research open to these better versed
in the archaeological science.
Having Deen DELAYED much longer in
searching the lake than they had antici
pated, the party were able to remain upon
these islands only few days and were
compelled to relinguis.l the intention which
they had at first entertained OF making An
extensive exploration OF this lake.
They decided, however, as they were re-
turning 70 the shore, to sail south OF these
islands few miles, in order to ascertain
whether or not there were any other islands
in this portion Of the lake. A large island
was discove.ed at about twelve miles dis
tarce south. which was something over fit
teen miles from the shore. The island was
considerably larger than any they had be.
fore toun:. 1t was covered partly by a
forest, and was Of very much the same
character as the islands frs, mentioned.
The party did not stop at this island. as
they were anxious to get back to the shore.
I poI slc NoI sueIA punt Va tU.S isIduu IS
thick copse. alG as the explorers passed by
it they fired into it. There were. evidently.
animals of some kind in the copse. for a
loud crashing nc;se was heard, similar to
that made by several heavy animals hurry
ing through dry brushwood.
The explorers left their boat UPON the
bank of the bayou before mentioned, and
returned home. very much gra:itied at the
success of their undertaking. They con.
template making another and a more ex
tensive exploration Of the lake at some
time during this season, and hope to add
much more to their knowledge OF this lake.
They are fully satisfied that the lake is
more extensive than has been generally
supposed. that it extends further south into
the evergiade swamp and is somewhat
wider than hitherto believed. The islands
found in this lake. although not extensive.
are at least beautiful ana interesting, and
the ruins discovered upon them may yet
prove to be key 70 the early history Of
one OF tie i,veliest portions o. America.