230 Disruption of a Bog. 



Crow-hill, the scene of this unusual phenomenon, is about 

 nine miles from Keighley, and six from Colne, at an elevation 

 of about 1000 feet from the former place. The top of the moor, 

 which is nearly level, is covered with peat and other accumu- 

 lations of decayed vegetables, of a less firm texture : the whole 

 appeared saturated with water, and in most places trembled 

 under the tread of the foot. The superfluous water, at the 

 east end of the moor, drained into small rivulets at the bottom 

 of a deep glen or gill, down a precipitous range of rocks, which 

 presented the appearance of a gigantic staircase ; this rivulet 

 passes down the valley to Keighley, and enters the Aire near 

 Stockbridge, about a mile below that town. 



At the distance of about 500 yards from the top of the glen, 

 the principal discharge seems to have taken place; here a very 

 large area, of about 1 200 yards in circumference, is excavated 

 to the depth of from four to six yards ; and at a short distance 

 from this chasm, there is a similar excavation, but much less 

 in extent. These concavities have been emptied not only of 

 their water, but also of their solid contents — a channel, about 

 twelve yards in width and seven or eight in depth, has been 

 formed quite to the mouth of the gill, down which a most 

 amazing quantity of earth and water was precipitated, with a 

 violence and noise of which it is difficult to form an adequate 

 conception, and which was heard to a very considerable di- 

 stance. Stones of an enormous size and weight were hurried 

 by the torrent more than a mile. It is impossible to form any 

 computation of the quantity of earthy matter which has been 

 carried down into the valley ; but that it is enormous is evident 

 from the vast quantities deposited by the torrent in every part 

 of its course, and from the immense quantity which our river 

 still contains. This destructive torrent was confined within 

 narrow bounds by the high banks of the glen through which it 

 passed, until it reached the hamlet of Ponden, where it ex- 

 panded over several corn fields, covering them to the depth of 

 several feet ; it also filled up the mill pond, choking up the 

 water courses, and thereby putting an entire stop to the works. 

 A stone bridge was also nearly swept away at this place, and 

 several other bridges in its course were materially damaged ; 

 we feel, however, happy to state, that it was not fatal to life 

 in a single instance. The torrent was seen coming down the 

 glen before it reached the hamlet, by a person who gave the 

 alarm, and thereby saved the lives of some children, who 

 would otherwise have been swept away. The torrent at this 

 time presented a breast seven feet in height. The tract and 

 extent of this inundation of mud may be accurately traced all 

 the way from the summit of the hill to the confluence of the 



rivulet 



