26 BULLETIN OF THE LABORATORIES 



connected with the drainage systems of adjoining counties. The 

 case is not explicable by existing agents of erosion. . . . The drift 

 in the vicinty of Cynthiana often exceeds fifty feet in depth, and the 

 origin of the great excavation which has here been effected must be 

 sought in the glacial epoch, or in preglacial times." 



Dr. G. Frederick Wright, in a number of articles published at 

 various times, makes mention of the Beech Flats and the surrounding 

 topography. In his recent work "The Ice Age of North America," 

 1 89 1, on page 333, he gives a map showing the relation of the Flats 

 and the head waters of Baker's Fork of Brush creek to the surround- 

 ing drainage systems, and makes some generalizations, based upon 

 the Fiats and certain features of Brush creek, which bear upon the 

 important theory of the " Ice Dam at Cincinnati." While the value 

 of this theory is not brought in question here, yet our conclusions, 

 with reference to the origin of the Flats, lead to the belief that this 

 theory must rest on other proof than that furnished by this region. 



It has been my privilege to visit this region on a number of occa- 

 sions, and personal examination has been made of almost the entire 

 area represented on the map, Plate II. This map is constructed from 

 data obtained from the following : " Map of the Marietta and Cincin- 

 nati Railroad, prepared by M'Gee and Phillips, Geological Locations 

 and Sections by Prof. E. B. Andrews"; " Highland County, Ohio," 

 from "Ohio Geological Survey"; Report of 1870; " Map of High- 

 land, Ross, and Pike Counties"; of the " Ohio Geological Survey " 

 Vol. II; " Pike and Road Map of Adams, Brown, Butler, Clarke, 

 Clermont, ('linton, Darke, Fayette, Franklin, Green, Hamil- 

 ton, Highlands, Madison, Miami, Pickaway, Pike, Preble, 

 Ross, Scioto, and Warren Counties", "Geological Maj) of Ohio by 

 Edward Orton " to accompany Vol. VI, "Ohio Geological Survey "; 

 "Geological Map of Ohio by Edward Orion" to accompany Vol. 

 VII, 1894, of the " Ohio Geological Survey"; with others. The 

 topographical characters indicated on the map have been as accurately 

 located as possible by sketch maps and field notes. They were lo- 

 cated on the sketch maps in the field work, in relation to the pikes 

 and roads, but it was not thought best to enter such details on this 

 mai) as were not essential to the explanation of the work. 



In order to get the facts presented in a connected manner, the 

 reader is invited to accompany the author on an ideal trip of investi- 

 gation, which is, however, with but one or two slight deviations, al- 



