208 EXPEDITION TO THE 



currence and longer continuance of frosts and snows upon 

 tlie surface. On entering upon the mountainous range, it- 

 difference both of aspect and chaj-acter is readily perceiv- 

 ed. A multiplicity of ridges, stretching in a north-easterly 

 and south-westerly direction, alternating with vallies of 

 various widths and depths, is here presented ; the ridges 

 rise to the height of from twelve hundred to three thou- 

 sand feet above tide water. A change of climate, corres- 

 ponding to the difference of altitude, is also observable ; 

 and it is remarked that frosts occur on some of the ridges, 

 more or less frequently in every month of the year. Such 

 is the change of climate occasioned by a difference of ele- 

 vation in these ridges, that maize, which grows in 

 great perfection in the vallies, cannot be raised upon the 

 mountains, where the altitude is greater than about fifteen 

 hundred feet. It is remarkable also that wheat grown up- 

 on the mountains, at a considerable elevation above their 

 base, is heavier by a few pounds in the bushel, and is said 

 to be of a better quality in other respects, than that of the 

 vallies and other adjacent grounds. 



The surface of the ridges is often broken and rugged, 

 and generally covered Avith a profusion of rocks and stones, 

 of the older sandstone formation. The mountain growth 

 consists principally of pitch pines, scrub oaks, chesnut, 

 hemlock, aspen, laurel, bramble, &c. 



North-westwardly of the Alleghany Mountains, the 

 country presents a surface exceedingly diversified with 

 hills and vallies, yet more generally susceptible of culti- 

 vation, and not less fertile than to the eastward. Its gene- 

 ral elevation above tide water may be estimated at about 

 one thousand feet, and its climate in most respects is very 

 similar to that of the country adjacent to the mountains, 

 on the other side, in the same latitudes. In this respect^ 



