44 THK KI,0(11) OF 1843. 



former time, the banks of the stream or current, so that, I 

 think we may assume the area of the cross section as at least 

 two-thirds of the rectangular area given by multiplying the 

 breadth by the height. Assuming then the numbers 535 and 

 21 as representing these (neglecting the channel actually 

 occupied by the creek) we shall have the area of the cross 

 section 7490 square feet. Assuming the creek to be si.xty feet 

 wide and six feet deep, and its cross section a rectangle (as 

 it is very nearly ) we have an area of 360 square feet for the 

 creek at its ordinary high water, by which we see that the 

 cross section was increased twenty times. The increase of 

 velocity I had no means of ascertaining, as the greater 

 breadth at this point gave rise to the formation of extensive 

 eddies." It was not intended by the foregoing comparison 

 between the cross section of the flood and that of the creek, 

 to establish any proportion between the quantities of water 

 which passed in a given time, during ordinary low water, 

 and at the time of the flood. The measurements were made 

 at the head of a dam, and during a time of flush water; 

 besides it is probable that the velocity was ten times greater 

 during the flood than at the ordinary stage of the stream. 

 Professor Frazer is of opinion that at Mr. West's (judging 

 from the motion of the cotton bales j the velocity of the 

 middle of the stream was not less than from fifteen to twenty 

 miles per hour. 



At the farm of Mr. West, the creek makes a westerly 

 curve, and the race from I"'lower's dam is taken out and car- 

 ried down near the foot of the slope on the cast side of the 

 valley of the creek. The space between the creek and the 

 upper end of the race was covered with standing trees. Some 

 of the trees in this grove were uprooted or broken ofT, but the 

 bulk of them remained firm, and formed a general lodgment 

 for floating materials from above. About one hundred trees 

 of various sizes brought down the current, found a resting 

 place on this small jiiece of ground, besiilcs timber from the 

 wrecks of l)uildings, together with broken furniture, :ind parts 



