172 - Geological Observations upon 
Those geologists whose theories lead them particularly to the study 
of the causes now in action which modify the earth’s surface, would find 
in the frequently recurring sinks as they are called, and in the occa- 
sional outbreaking of fountains, almost peculiar to this country abun- 
dant materials for reflection. ‘The causes of the sinks, are no doubt, 
correctly apprehended, in the prevailing opinion, that they are occa- 
sioned by the underground passage of large bodies of water, traver- 
sing a weak and cavernous rock. Bartram has given one account, 
the subject of which is near Tallahassee, which I think deserves to be 
revived at this time. 
“Next day early in the morning we left the town and the river, in 
order to fix our encampment in the forests about twelve miles from the 
river; our companions with the pack-horses went a-head to the place 
of rendesvous, and our chief conducted me another way to show me a 
very curious place, called the Alligator-Hole, which was lately formed 
by an extraordinary eruption or jet of water. It is one of those vast 
circular sinks, which we beheld almost every where about us as we 
traversed these forests, after we left the Alachua savannah. This re- 
amarkable one is on the verge of a spacious meadow, the surface of the 
ground round about being uneven by means of gentle rising-knolls:. 
some detached groups of rocks and large spreading live oaks shade it 
on every side: it is about sixty yards over, and the surface of the water 
six or seven feet below the rim of the funnel or basin; the water is 
transparent, cool, and pleasant to drink, and well stored with fish; a 
very large alligator at present is lord or chief; many have been killed 
here, but the throne is never aie ice oes vast pelghburiig ponds 
so abound with them 
‘‘The account that this gentleman, tho was an eye-witness of the 
last eruption, gave me of its first appearance, being very wonderful, I 
proceed to relate what he told me whilst we were in town, which was 
confirmed by the Indians, and one or more of our companions, who 
also saw its progress, as well as by my own observations after I came 
to the ground. 
“This trader being near this place (before it had any visible exist- 
ence in its present appearance,) about three years ago, as he was look- 
ing for some horses which he expected to find in these parts, ona sud- 
den was astonished by an inexpressible rushing noise, like a mighty 
hurricane or thunder storm; and looking round, he saw the earth 
overflowed by torrents of water, which came, wave after wave, rush- 
ing down a vale or plain very near him, which it filled with water, and 
soon began to overwhelm the higher grounds, attended with a terrifie 
noise and tremor of the earth. Recovering from his first surprise, he 
