Description of a Natural Tunnel. 347 



slight, that it would be absurd to offer the series of North 

 American beds, as we are now acquainted with them, as a gene- 

 ral type for students : that course, therefore, will be followed, 

 which promises the greatest general degree of instruction on the 

 subject, and which may lead new observers into the field. When 

 inaccurate statements concerning North American geology are 

 brought forward — and to which we are unavoidably exposed — 

 we shall be gratified if some of our correspondents will furnish us 

 with correct information, relying upon our sense of justice to give 

 them proper credit for it. 



In regard to scientific terms and technicalities, where we are 

 obliged to use them, we shall endeavour to accompany them 

 with proper explanations : but as many terms used in geology 

 require a somewhat more elaborate definition, than they hitherto 

 appear to have received, it is our intention, from time to time, to 

 insert such definitions in our Journal, and at appropriate periods. 



DESCRIPTION OF A NATURAL TUNNEL, IN SCOTT COUNTY, 

 VIRGINIA. 



By Lieut. Cot. Lonb, U- S. Army. 



Ddring the past summer, I visited a remarkable natural bridge 

 in Scott county, Virginia, to which I have given the name of 

 Natural tunnel, on account of its striking resemblance to artificial 

 structures of that kind. An account of a phenomenon so rare, 

 and hitherto unknown beyond its immediate neighbourhood, ap- 

 peared to me to deserve a place in the Monthly American Jour- 

 nal of Geology. I esteem myself fortunate in being able to con- 

 tribute so interesting a novelty to its varied pages. 



The immediate locality of this tunnel is upon a small stream 

 called Buck-eye, or Stock creek. This last name owes its origin 

 to its valley having been resorted to by the herdsmen of the 

 country, for the attainment of a good range, or choice pasture 

 ground for their cattle. The creek rises in Powell's mountain, 

 and is tributary to Clinch river, which it enters at the distance 

 of between two and three miles below the tunnel. The aspect 

 of the surrounding country, and especially of that to the north- 

 ward of the tunnel, and constituting the southerly slope of the 

 mountain just mentioned, is exceedingly diversified and broken, 



