70 



the'^Albany road, we note a confluence of this with two 

 other valleys. The valley thus formed continues but a 

 very short distance,* when we reach the Hocking" valley. 



The Hocking River even now seeks a new course 

 over its flood plain. Such is noted in the Athens Loop. 

 On the southeast of the town proper, the river not long 

 a^o, changed its course from a horse shoe-shaped 

 situation to a nearly straight bed. Again, directly 

 south, we find the same occurance. At this place, as 

 the river changed its bed, it flowed clear around the neck 

 of land and made an island. Some of the oldest citizens 

 remember where the people living on this island were 

 obliged to visit town in a boat. At both places the old 

 river bed is plainl}^ visible. 



There is another such horse shoe bend at the base 

 of the Asylum hill, but though the river here struggles 

 for a new course, the State keeps it back by large 

 dykes. 



