56 



History of Hingham. 



water from the first might descend. Moreover, a large portion of 

 the rock surface shows not only glaciation but continued water 

 action. 



■■WUfottM-M'j 



Figure No. 5. 



It is very certain that no river has ever existed in the region of 

 the pot-holes at Cohasset to account for their existence. We are 

 forced, therefore, to ascribe their origin to the flowing of water 

 from the great continental glacier. 



Considering the shallowness of the portions of the pot-holes de- 

 scribed on Cooper's Island remaining for our observation, and the 

 probability that they have been visited by generations of people, 

 both of the Indian and the white man, it is not surprising that no- 

 thing is left of their contents in or about them. There is, however, 

 one rounded stone in the possession of Mr. Charles S. Bates, the 

 owner of the estate on which the pot-holes are found, which tra- 

 dition states to have been taken from the deepest one mentioned. 

 It is elliptical, nearly spherical, in form, — its longest diameter 

 being about four and a half inches, its shortest four inches. Trans- 

 versely, it is quite circular. It is of granite, not unlike that of the 

 surrounding country. There is no reason to question the truth of 

 the tradition. 



To account for the phenomena presented by the pot-holes de- 

 scribed, it is necessary to recognize that when the great glacier 



