* 
ai 
‘ % 
330 Geology, $<. of Tennessee, Sc. by E. Cornelius. . 
that from the time of its first appearance, it has never ex- 
tended for a greater distance than forty m 3, in one direction, 
and usually, it is confined to fifteen miles. In no other part 
of the country it ever been seen. From. this fact, it would 
seem — the cause of its existence is local. But 
what it is, none can tell. After the warm weather commences, 
it disappears as effectually from human observation, as if it 
were annihilated. Towards the close of December it springs 
up all at once into being again, and resumes the work of de- 
struction. A fact, so singular, I could not have ventured to 
state, without the best evidence of its reality. All the circum- 
stances here related, are familiar to hundreds, and were in 
almost every man’s mouth, when I passed through the coun- 
try. In addition to this, they were confirmed by the account 
which I received from Col. John M’Kee, a gentleman of much 
intelligence and respectability, who is the present agent of 
the general government for the Choctaw nation. He has 
consented to obtain specimens of the insect for your examina- 
tion, when it returns again; and will, | hope accompany the 
transmission with a more perfect description than it has been 
possible for me to communicate. 
In concluding this narative of facts, I should be glad to 
take a comprehensive view of the whole. The bold features 
in the geology of the United States, as they are drawn by the 
Blue Ridge, the Cumberland with its associated mountaiDs, 
and the Dividing Ridge, deserve to be distinctly and strongly 
impressed upon the mind. Such is the order and regularity 
of their arrangement, that they can hardly fail to conduct the 
attentive observer to important results. What has now been 
said of them, is but an epitome of the whole. I trust the 
public will soon read, in the pages of your Journal, 4 detail 
more perfect and more interesting. And allow me to suggest, 
whether, under the auspices of our learned societies, some 
men of science might not be employed and supported jn ex- 
ploring the country, with the prospect of greatly enlarging 
the science of our country, and of enriching our Journals an 
Cabinets of Natural History. Tours of discovery have often 
been made for other objects, and with success. Our country 
A ee : — —_— * * 
*,'s 
