44 EXPEDITION TO THE 



dules, which had been imbedded in a rock, in the manner 

 in which the same substance lies in the chalk of the neigh- 

 bourhood of Paris; its colour is black. Upon inquiry we 

 were informed, that these blocks are gathered from the 

 fields, where they are found loose and scattered; they do 

 not carry with them the appearance of much attrition. They 

 are used in the glasshouses in the preparation of fine white 

 glass. 



Among the features which strike the traveller, as he 

 contemplates the scenery of the Muskingum, none contri- 

 butes more to give a character of originality to the land- 

 scape, than a rude bridge erected across the river, in which 

 the architect has contrived to connect three forks or arms, 

 one of which reaches to the cape formed by the junc- 

 tion of the Muskingum and Licking creek^ while the 

 other two establish a connexion between the opposite banks 

 of the Muskingum, below the junction of the two streams. 

 This presents an uncouth mass, contrasting well with the 

 magnificence of the scenery. The bridge appears destitute 

 of solidity, and will probably be soon replaced by a more 

 elegant and permanent one. It is thus that the rude works 

 of the first settlers in the west are disappearing gradually, 

 and making way for the more improved structures of civi- 

 lized life. 



Having remained half a day in Zanesville, we continued 

 our journey towards Columbus, which we reached on the 

 19th. The route between these two places ofiered us but 

 little interest. To the mineralogist it presents none at all, 

 being level, flat, and covered with an alluvium. We were 

 informed that coal had been observed in many places, 

 but in no instance of a quality to warrant its extraction ; 

 and that no where had it been worked beyond five miles 

 west of the Muskingum. Our road, which led us through 



