Such a combination of fresh-water supply and of shelter from the northwesterly gales of the winter season, with a natural grade for its drainage, as existed on the west side of the little lakes, would today invite the exploration of the expert investigator, who would confidently expect, on the removal of the surface of turf and leaves, to find the familiar shells and carbonized debris that proclaim aboriginal occupancy.

The position of native lodges and firepits would be predicted almost certainly on the west bank of the lake, on which side alone no marshy fringe existed, and at that point where shell-beds were present there must undoubtedly have been a number

INDIAN NOTES

MANHATTAN

of such habitations, the traces of which were ruthlessly shoveled into the lake when its neglected condition led to its entire obliteration, by the process of cutting down the hills and filling in the ponds. It seems from these circumstances that the needs of aboriginal residence would have been served by a site under the lee of the Kolch hill, between Duane and Leonard streets, on the sloping ground between Broadway and Lafayette street. It is through this area that the grading of Pearl street west of Park Row cut between the two ponds and disclosed the shell-beds that marked a village-site.

We may from this comparative study come to the interesting conclusion that the chief place of native residence on lower Manhattan was close to the present center of municipal government of the great metropolis, which has become its overwhelming successor.