80 Topographical Geology. 



of the loveliest spots in America, is too far removed for an exhibition 

 of its beauty. Other places south of Springfield are indistinctly visi- 

 ble along the banks of the Connecticut: and even the spires of some 

 of the churches in Hartford, may be seen in good weather, just rising 

 above the trees. Still farther south in that direction, may be seen the 

 abrupt greenstone bluffs mid way between Hartford and New Haven; 

 and looking with a telescope between these, other low hills may be 

 indistinctly seen, which are probably the trap ridge encircling New 

 Haven, or the shores of Long Island. 



Facing the southwest, the observer has before him on the opposite 

 side of the river, the ridge called Mount Tom, rising one or two hun- 

 dred feet higher than Holyoke, and dividing the valley of the Con- 

 necticut longitudinally. The western branch of this valley is boun- 

 ded on the west by the eastern slope of the Hoosic range of moun- 

 tains ; which, as seen from Holyoke, rises ridge above ridge for more 

 than twenty miles, chequered with cultivated fields and forests, and 

 not unfrequently enlivened by villages and church spires. In the 

 northwest the Graylock may be seen peering above the Hoosic ; and 

 still farther north, several of the lofty peaks of the Green Mountains 

 (which are merely a continuation of the Hoosic,) shoot up beyond the 

 region of clouds, in imposing grandeur. Nearer at hand, and in the 

 valley of the Connecticut, the insulated Sugar Loaves and Toby pre- 

 sent their fantastic outlines ; while far in the northeast stands in insu- 

 lated grandeur the cloud-capt Monadnoc. 



Probably under favourable circumstances, not less than 30 church- 

 es, in as many towns, are visible from Holyoke. The north and 

 south diameter, of the field of vision there, can scarcely be less than 

 150 miles. 



The Columns. 



Less than half a mile south of the road leading to the prospect 

 house on Holyoke, and in the western face of the ridge, may be seen 

 some interesting examples of greenstone columns. They stand side 

 by side to the height of many feet, and as the lower part of the outer 

 ones has fallen down, their curiously formed tops project from the cliff 

 and seem to threaten the observer with destruction. In the third part 

 of my report I shall describe these columns more particularly. But I 

 think they must prove attractive to every one to whom a visit to the 

 top of the mountain, is interesting. The visitor, however, must not 



