60 



almost any clircctiou, many of them perched on the top 

 of high, precipitous ledges, in positions apparently the 

 most insecure, or again, scattered over the barren slopes 

 in such numbers as almost to prevent the carrying away 

 of the meagre growth of pine, which is almost all these 

 hills aUbrd of vegetation. But unless I greatly err, the 

 geologist and the casual stroller will be alike apt to forget 

 all they have seen of this kind in the vicinity, when stand- 

 ing for the first time beside this most unique and wonder- 

 ful memorial of the glacial age. 



Its position, topographically, is about one fourth of a 

 mile from the northwesterly shore of "Brown's Pond," 

 and from ten to twenty rods, as is understood, from the 

 boundary line between Lynn and Peabody here indicated 

 by a stone-wall. Approached from the north-east it 

 offers such an appearance, that with a little help, of a 

 very pardonable imagination, Mr. Kowcll easily likened 

 it to an antique chariot, perhaps that of Sol himself; 

 and by a natural transition of ideas, gave it the name of 

 "Phaeton Rock," by which it is called in his paper de- 

 scribing it, filed in the Registry of the Circle, June 20, 

 1856. On the western side, however, a different view is 

 aff'orded, and it looks more like a piece of mammoth 

 artillery. 



Those who, not having visited the place, desire more 

 full ideas of its aspect, must imagine a solid precipice of 

 sienite, from ten to fifteen feet high on its almost vertical 

 face, fronting the south, and nearly flat on the top. A 

 given space upon this flat top is toleral)l3^ level, the side 

 toward the west being a few inches higher ; and on this 

 space are arranged four sub-globular stones, three in 

 almost a straiiiht line alons; the hio^her western side, and 

 about two feet apart. These are almost alike in size, be- 

 ing about eighteen inches in diameter. A fourth stone, 



