76 



The Ohio Naturalist. 



[Vol. IV, No. 4, 



small trees growing on their upper surfaces. One large mass has 

 lodged in mid-stream, and from its resemblance is called "Steam- 

 boat rock." 



About three miles downstream a softer ridge (Clinton) is 

 encountered, whereupon the valley becomes broader and the cliffs 

 disappear for the most part. About a mile further down, the 

 river passes through a still softer rock (Cincinnati limestones 

 and shales). As a result the valley becomes very capacious, 

 being one-fourth to one-half a mile wide. 



Fig. I. Looking down the Gorge towards the site of the old Woolen Mill, 



just al)ove the Waterfall. 



The .slope of the river bed in the gorge was found to be about 

 35 feet to the mile. It is hardly nece.ssary to add that this pro- 

 duces an abundant water power. Fifty years ago not much of 

 this power was allowed to go to waste. In 1855 there were in 

 the gorge alone five grist mills, one paper mill, one woolen mill, 

 one saw mill and three distilleries. But as time went on the.se 

 enterprises, one by one, were abandoned, until at the present time 

 only two grist mills are left. The only reason that can be given 



