26 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



CHAPTER IL 



"Mout^ TAINS. ---Their Direction, Altitude, Tops^ 

 Caverns, the Origin of Springs and Rivers, 



IN the formation of our mountains, na- 

 ture has constructed her works on a large scale ; 

 and presents to our view objects, whost magni- 

 tude and situation, naturally engage our atten- 

 tion. Through the whole tract of country 

 which lies between the -west side of Connecti- 

 cut river, and the east side of Hudson's river, 

 and Lake Champlain, there is one continued 

 range of mountains. These mountains begin 

 in the Province of Canada : From thence, they 

 extend through the States of Vermont, Massa- 

 chusetts, and Connecticut, and terminate within 

 a few miles of the sea coast. Their general di- 

 rection is from N. N. E. to S. S. W. and 

 their extent is through a tract of country, not 

 less than four hundred n-^iles in length. They 

 are one continued range or collection of moiui- 

 tains, a})pearing as if they were piled one upon 

 another. They are generally from ten to fifteen 

 miles in width, are much intersected with val- 

 lics, abound with springs, and streams of water, 

 and are ever}- where co\ ered with woods. Their 

 appearance, is among the most grand and ma- 

 jestic phenomena, v.hich nature exhibits. From 

 the perpetual verdure which they exhibit, they 

 " are called the Green Mountains ; and with 

 great propriety their name lias been assigned to 

 the State. 



