

364 Miscellanies. 



I 



natural consequence of the high temperature of the interior of the 

 globe, which being, as most geologists suppose, in a state of gradual 

 refrigeration, the incandescent nucleus suffers contraction, and the 

 surrounding or enveloping mass, as by its own pressure it adapts 

 itself to the retreating nucleus-, necessarily cracks, rising in some 

 places and sinking in others, so that there will remain few points 

 in which there will have been no alteration. ^ In Sweden, the 

 gradual elevation of the ground is attended by subterranean re- 

 ports, with a rolling movement, apparently proceeding from north 

 to south, perceived at different points in Sweden and Finland, but 

 not sufficiently powerful to produce projections through the surface 

 of the earth. 



There is hardly a year, in which there are not notices in the Swe- 

 dish gazettes, of one or two subterranean reports. The phenomenon 

 in question, appears to be a necessary consequence of the contrac- 

 tion of the globe, and that fact being admitted, theory would lead 

 us to expect the result, as it is observed in Sweden. 



We may add then, that similar results may be expected in other 

 countries. Subterranean noises have been Ions observed in the re- 

 gion of the Connecticut river, near Haddam, attended, at times, 

 by considerable movements of the earth. The WTiter has been, for 

 many years, in possession of statements of facts on this subject, and 

 has been waiting for a convenient opportunity to visit and examine 

 the region. Any authentic communications respecting these remark- 

 able movements, would be very acceptable. These reports have 

 been always known by the name of the "Moodus noises" — Moodus 

 being the Indian name for Haddam. 



9. Extract of a letter to the Editor^ from a gentleman in Eng- 

 land, dated Scarborough^ Oct. 12, 1835, with a notice of a Plesio- 

 saurus and other fossils, and of remarJcable human remains, (not 

 fossil,) SfC. — I fortunately came to this place, about six weeks ago ; 

 the week after my arrival, a magnificent Plesiosaurus, measuring 

 near sixteen feet without neck or head, was found in the alum shale, 

 nine miles north of Whitby, which I have purchased. It will re- 

 quire the whole of the winter to arrange this splendid relic of an- 

 cient days; when that is completed, you shall hear more about it. 

 This specimen was found in the alum shale, at the bottom of which 

 are also found most curious fish, vulgarly called scale fish, (Lepido- 

 tus latissimus,) and will be properly described by M. Agassiz, in the 



