69 



toward the west, we can see a very perceptable break 

 in their outUne. The natural inference is, therefore, 

 .that thr()uo:h this cut ran the stream in question. To 

 estabhsh the truth or falsity of this theory has been the 

 object of several trips over these hills, and on to a point 

 within four miles of Albany. Here we are met with the 

 complications, already referred to, each of the many 

 high ridges and their enclosed valleys, offering a tempt- 

 ing study in themselves. But the main point to be kept 

 in mind is the drainage of the old peneplain. We have 

 succeeded in defining the general boundaries of the 

 commencement of this great south-west river valley, as 

 we suppose. Lack of time has precluded the possibil- 

 ity of tracing the course beyond Lee township, but from 

 what we have gathered by inquiry concerning the topo- 

 graphy below- that section, there is reason to suppose 

 that the outlet can be traced still farther. 



Of the tributary valleys before referred to as 

 flowing in a direction opposite to the Hocking, we 

 have made a partial study of the one just across from 

 Athens, viz., Rock Riffle. While passing up the valley, 

 it is interesting to observe that petrified w^ood has been 

 found in the bed of the diminutive stream. And, 

 indeed, to the southeast of Athens, along the Jersey- 

 ville road, such petrifactions have been found in con- 

 siderable quantity, including some large fragments of 

 tree-trunks. Coming to the head of the valley, we 

 meet, perhaps, as complicated a configuration as is to 

 be found in this locality. We find the hills of ex- 

 ceptionally high altitude, and much cut up by erosion. 

 A broad ridge separates Rock Riffle valley from one to 

 the east, also communicating with the Hocking valley, 

 and from the southeast another valley joins it. 



Taking now. a course mainly to the west from the 

 head of Rock Riffle, we pass along the northern 

 boundary of another valley, which is socm joined by a 

 second valley from the southeast : and on coming to 



