oldest class of- forts, such an obvious advantage
in defence does not appear to have occurred.
Fire, and the coal chisel, or digger, “were the
ready means of. felling trees, and of dividing the
trunks into suitable lengths for palisades. To
heap a pile of earth within and without such lines,
was the mode adopted by the Tuscaroras at the
siege of Naharuke, in 1712, and it is probabk?
that this Z/ie« powerful and warlike nation had
inherited much of the skill in fort building possessed
by their northern predecessors.
The chief point in addition tp. its numerous
breaks in the wall, before noticed, in which this
work differs from thegenerality.ofantiquë.native
forts of the oldest period in this state, is its very
well preserved elliptical form.' "A circle is^the
usual form of the antique forts of Indian origin
in western New" ïbrk; and
generally placed on the apex :of-a hill, covered
by ravines as a natural moat,, or they occupy an
eminence which commanded other advantages.
ANCIENT ELLIPTICAL WORK AT CANANDAfgfJA.
The Senecas deduce their descent from a noted
eminence,’bearing the title of Fort Hill, at the
head of the sylvan expanse of Canandaigua lake.
The term of Fort Hillds, however, not confined
to that spot, but is, as in the work under consideration,
one of common occurrence; in sundry
parts of the ancient and extended area of the
Six Nations. The subjoined sketch, denotes the
vestiges of an ancient strong-hold of the Senecas,
of an elliptical form, on elevated lands about a
mile northerly from' the, village.
This work has been'nearly obliterated by the
plough. The only portions of the ancient wall
yet remaining, are indicated by the letters B B.
At A, a dwelling househas been erected, flanked
by gardens. C5- is a turnpike or rectangular
town road, passing over the apex of the elevation.
The dotted angular lines denote fields in