MODIFIED DRIFT ALONG CONNECTICUT RIVER. m 



say of its history through this vast extent of time is, that it probably had 

 for the most part a temperate climate, and witnessed the same slow suc- 

 cession in its forms of vegetable and animal life of which the coal meas- 

 ures and later rocks in other parts of the United States bear witness. 

 This comparative stability through long ages makes it more probable that 

 these recent changes in the relative heights of land and sea are due to 

 the cause which we have explained rather than to movements of the land. 

 The exploration of the modified drift in New Hampshire, under direc- 

 tion of the state geologist, was principally made in 1875. In this work 

 on the Connecticut and Merrimack rivers the author had the valuable 

 assistance of William F. Flint, being thus enabled to map all the terraces 

 of these rivers, and measure their heights by an engineers' level. On the 

 Connecticut, this was more conveniently done, and the expense lessened, 

 by employing a boat, which was built by Mr. Flint, for the journey be- 

 tween Mclndoe's Falls and Massachusetts line. The particular descrip- 

 tion of the modified drift of the state will be taken up in the following 

 order: Connecticut river, followed by such of its tributaries as have been 

 examined ; Merrimack river, followed by Contoocook river and Winnipi- 

 seogee and Squam lakes ; Androscoggin river ; Saco river and basin of 

 Ossipee lake ; basin of Piscataqua river ; and the sea-coast. 



Modified Drift along Connecticut River. 



The sources of Connecticut river, its hydrographic basin, its course 

 and descent on the west side of New Hampshire, and its tributaries from 

 this state, have been described in the first volume of this report.* The 

 territory of Vermont extends to the west shore of this river, but in explor- 

 ing its modified drift equal attention has been given to both sides. Only 

 by this study of the whole valley could the history of these deposits be 

 discovered, and the portion in this state be understood. A series of 

 maps occupying three plates accompanies the following descriptions. 

 The various terraces which border the river are there delineated, and 

 their heights stated in feet above the sea. The extent and contour of 

 the modified drift is thus shown along the whole valley. Throughout 

 this distance the alluvial area is bounded on each side by high hills, 

 which are only interrupted by the entrance of tributaries. 



pp. 222-224, 299, 302-305, and 31 



