} 
Deerfield Disruption. - 289 
disruption at right angles. The scale is 4 rods to an inch, al- 
though in laying off the heights and levels, the exact propor- 
tion was a little varied, to render the irregularities of surface 
more distinct. The letters of reference correspond to those on 
. fig. 2, and need no explanation. 
Fig. 2. is a bird’s-eye view of the disruption and the ad- 
joining region, very obligingly sketched by Mr. Derick Barnard 
of Troy, New-York. The sutrounding country is prs eetigeaes 
contracted to bring more of it into view. 
These are all the facts I am able at present to dlaees con- 
cerning this phenomenon. I have been particular as to the 
temperature of the air, and the situation of the adjacent coun- 
try, from an idea that frost was a principal mp koien producing 
it; and that, therefore, these circumstances would be impor- 
tant in fixing a theory. Iwill not, however, hazard any hy- 
pothesis on the subject; but if you deem the fact of sufficient 
importance, your opinion, Sir, is respectfully rere 
Your humble Serva 
DWARD SprOEOeEs 
Deerfield, Mass. March 26th, 1818. 
—24+o-— 
Deerfield, June 3d, 1818. 
Sir, 
SINCE I sent you a description of a singular disruption in 
the earth in this town, another has been observed in the same — 
meadows, about one mile from the former. This is less than 
the one of which I sent you an account, but its situation is al- 
Most exactly similar; it being on a small elevation, on the sides 
Of which, at a few rods distant, is low wet ground. Indeed, 
the general description which I sent you will answer for this 
Smaller disruption. ‘The diameters of this last, are only 7 and 
8 paces, and the curve is not perfect. There appears to have 
been an expansion of the earth’s surface around both these spots, 
. disruptions, by which it was forced to give way at the ‘point 
where there was the least resistance, which, of course, would be 
on the highest ground. The more | observe of this phenomenon, 
the more I am — to ae it to the agency of frost. 
Von I 
