72 Medical Topography of the Military Tract 



the outlet of the Skaneattelas ; the east by the Ostisca ; 

 there is one pond, covering about three acres of land, 

 situate on Lot No. 84, near the old Genesee-road, 

 which, at all times, emits a nauseous effluvium ; but, in 

 dry summers, is very offensive to all those who live in 

 its vicinity. From tlie exhalation arising out of this 

 pond, from four streams and marshes, we cannot but 

 have an air highly impregnated with marsh miasmata. 



On the banks of these streams, around our ponds, 

 and in our marshes, there are swarms of bats, gnats, 

 flies, and muschetoes. The bats are so numerous, par- 

 ticularly in the month of August, that in crossing the 

 Seneca, in a still evening, you may strike, at random, 

 and cannot help killing, some at every stroke. The}'' 

 will frequently fly against you, and fall down in the 

 boat. 



It is on the banks of these streams, and near our ponds 

 and marshes, that we find the most and the worst cases of 

 fevers. The mud is frequently found of great depth, and 

 our small streams, in many places, arc not easily fordabic 

 on this very account. The soil, in some parts, consists 

 of a black mould, of considerable depth, and, when trod 

 up, has the appearance of lamp-black and hog's fat, 

 mixed together. In other parts, we have large beds of 

 clay, which is, generally, found coveringastratum of lime- 

 stone. In some parts, we have a soil of a reddish cast^ 

 which appears to be a compound of red sand and clay. 

 This kind of earth is found, in the greatest abundance, 

 in the town of Lysander, and is highly esteemed by our 

 farmers for raising Indian com. 



