Compared with the large area of Kings county, the number of known stations is relatively small, and precise observations were not made in past times as to position and character. The interest and labor of modern local observers such as Austin, Armbruster, and Dove, in exploring and recording the position and condition of native occupied sites, together with the slender references in existing histories, have resulted in locating probably all of the chief places of residence of the one-time owners of the county.

What is lacking, however, in regard to the native stations, is compensated by the existence of consider- able definite information on the subject of native pathways. Records fortunately exist, by which the main Indian trails are identified with the King's highways and INDIAN NOTES KINGS COUNTY 131 other old roadways which became the suc- cessors of native paths, so that their actual course is now traceable, and their systematic purpose becomes recognizable.

The ingenious selection of their routes, their adaptation to topographical contours, and the connection they provided between the various native communities, are readily perceived on a study of the accompanying maps.