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and washing of water, for a considerable period, to arrange 

 tiself according to its degree of fineness, and thus form strata; 

 and secondly, from a tendency in earthy matter consolidated 

 both by water and subsequent exsiccation, to divide, independently 

 of the fineness, or quality of its component particles, into strata 

 and laminae. The tendency of the earthy matter is generally to 

 divide along the lines formed by the arrangement of the particles 

 according to their nature, or quality ; this is not, however, 

 always the case, as was proved by the observations noted, and 

 which is also conclusively shown by the examination of almost 

 all stratified rocks. 



In the valley of the Connecticut, where the sandstones 

 remain unaltered to any great degree, by heat, or dislocation, 

 the stratification produced by the several causes may be clearly 

 seen, and studied. On the western edge of this deposit, we have 

 rocks composed of strata, which would at once be referred to 

 the action of tides, or inundations, by the most inexperienced 

 observer. The strata here may form the fraction of an inch to 

 an inch in thickness ; they are also covered with mud-cracks, and 

 the various markings which are usually found upon a shore or 

 beach. In other portions of the valley, we have strata divisions 

 occasioned by the lines which separate materials differing either 

 in quality or nature, as the shales from the sandstones, the 

 coarse conglomerates from the fine sandstones, or the highly 

 bituminous shales from those less bituminous. And then, upon 

 the extreme eastern edge of this sandstone deposit we find strata, 

 the leaves of which measure from one to two, and in some 

 instances, three feet in thickness, each embracing in itself mat- 

 ter ranging from a coarse conglomerate to the finest sand, and 

 yet none of these within the limits of the particular strata-leaf 

 in which they are included, exhibit the slightest tendency to 

 break or divide in any one direction more than another. 



The observations here stated I am happy to find have been also 

 noticed to some extent by others conversant with the subject of 

 stratification. Saw-dust, subjected to the filtering action of water, 

 has been observed by Prof. Agassiz to assume a regularly strati- 

 fied appearance. The same has also been noticed by Dr. Hayes, 

 of Boston, in the vats in which clay, used for the manufacture of 

 alum, is washed. I have also noticed regular stratification in the 



