Porter. J 32 [April. 



during one of the ice-gorges which sometimes occur in the river at 

 this spot. It has fallen into the bed of the stream with the fractured 

 end uppermost. Its length is 12 feet 9 inches, and its computed 

 weight 27 tons. The oldest fishermen about Safe Harbor know 

 nothing, either from their own observation or from tradition, as to when 

 the disruption took place; and yet it must have happened since the 

 figures were cut upon the rock, for those found on the outer perpen- 

 dicular face of the fragment evidently belong to the same series as 

 those on the upper level surface with which it was once continuous. 



The Fi(/i(res.* — The two rocks contain in all upwards of 80 dis- 

 tinct figures, and a number more almost obliterated. They are much 

 scattered, and seem to have been formed without regard to order, so 

 that it is not possible for an unskilled observer to .say that they bear 

 any necessary relation to each other. They are probably symbolical, 

 but it is left to those who are versed in American antiquities to de- 

 cipher their meaning. 



Some points, however, are clear. They were made by the Abori- 

 gines, and made, at a large cost of time and labor, with rude stone 

 implements, because no sharp lines or cuts betray the use of iron or 

 , steel. This, in connection with their number and variety, proves 

 that they were not the oifspring of idle fancy, or the work of idle 

 hours, but the product of design toward some end of high importance 

 in the eyes of the sculptors. 



Letters requesting subscriptions to historical publications 

 were received from J. Gr. Shea, No. 83 Centre Street, New 

 York, and Rice, Rutter & Co., Philadelphia, and referred to 

 the Library Committee, to take order. 



A letter requesting a copy of the seal of the Society for 

 use in his forthcoming book on American Seals, was received 

 from A. B. Weymouth, No. 9 Green Street, Boston, and on 

 motion granted. 



A communication was received from Mr. P. W. Sheafer, 

 in the form of a MS. section, showing the levels relative to 

 tidewater of the various coal and oil regions of the United 

 ^ States, in a letter dated March 20, 1865. The MS. has 

 been used by Mr. Eli Bowen, in publishing his late work on 

 coal and coal oils. 



* See Plate I. 



