398 Miscellanies. 
influence of the opening spring, and the vis medicatrix nature, re- 
lief came of her electrical vexations, of most of her neuralgia, and 
other corporeal infirmities, and to this time, a much better state of 
health has been enjoyed than for many years. 
Orford, N. H., Nov. 16, 1837. 
3. Impressions of feet in rocks.—Those who are acquainted with 
the earlier volumes of this work, may remember that in Vol V. at 
p- 223, there is a full account, with a drawing, of the famous copies 
of human feet found in limestone near St. Louis. In a letter to the 
editor, recently received from an eminent English geologist, dated 
September 9, 1837, are the following striking remarks : 
“Lest I should again neglect to call your attention to a subject to 
which I have long since intended to claim your particular regard, I 
will in this brief space allude to it. In the 5th volume of your 
Journal, (1822,) there are remarks on the prints of human feet ob- 
served in the secondary limestone of the valley of the Mississippi, 
y Mr. Schoolcraft and Mr. Benton, with a plate representing the 
impressions of two feet. Ever since my researches on the rippled 
sandstones, (published in Jameson’s Edinburgh Journal,) I felt per- 
suaded the prints alluded to were the genuine impressions of human 
feet, made in the limestone when wet. [ cannot now go on with 
the arguments that may be urged in proof of my opinion ; but rely 
upon it, those prints are certain evidence that man existed at the 
epoch of the deposition of that limestone, as that birds lived when 
the new red sandstone was formed. Pray get all the evidence on 
this head you can—rely upon it most important results will be the 
consequence. Iam prepared to find man and the cotemporary ani- 
mals much lower down in the series than is generally supposed. My 
friend Sir Woodbine Parish, (the discoverer of the Megatherium,) 
tells me that similar impressions have been seen in South America ; 
and there was a dispute among the catholics whether they were the 
feet of the apostles! But truth often lies hid beneath such strange 
conceits. 1 can remember the time when my explanation of the 
rippled sandstones was ridiculed, now no one doubts it.” 
To these remarks of our respected correspondent, we add the 
following fragment, dated Baltimore, Oct. 14, 1836, and addressed 
to the editor. 
“ Having lately read in your Journal the communication of Prof. 
Hitchcock concerning the impressions of birds’ feet on the sandstone 
