GLACIAL DRIFT. 263 



Boulders from Mt. Ascutney. 



If different ice-currents have struclc the ledges, and transported frag- 

 ments in several directions, we shall expect to find the boulders quite far 

 apart at a considerable distance from the source. As an illustration of 

 this wide spread of materials starting from a small area, I will mention 

 what is known about boulders starting from Mt. Ascutney, as their min- 

 eral character is peculiar, and not likely to be mistaken. In Claremont 

 they are very abundant, about eight miles and a half distant, and the 

 direction south-east. In Surry, on the west side of Thompson brook, in 

 the north-west part of the town, Butler's rock, a boulder 20 feet long, 20 

 feet wide, and 12 feet high, came from Ascutney. The distance of trans- 

 portation is 27 miles in the course S. 10° E. In Keene — west part — is a 

 striated Ascutney boulder five feet in diameter, S. 8° E., and 35 miles 

 distant from its source. G. A. Wheelock informs me of the existence of 

 similar blocks at the west base of Monadnock, S. 20° E., and 42 miles ; 

 also one in Mr. Newton's garden in West Swanzey; 20 in Keene, the 

 largest on Samuel Towns's farm ; three in Surry ; several in Alstead ; 

 very many at Paper Mill ; and Dr. Prouty found one in Langdon, two in 

 Gilsum, and one in Sullivan. Others are on Mr. Gilbert's farm in Wal- 

 pole, two in Westmoreland, and one at Ashuelot. This last is nearly due 

 south, and 45 miles distant. Another is at R. C. Fisher's in Hinsdale. 

 The only other example in mind is in the north-east corner of Bernards- 

 ton, a small stone 50 miles distant from Mt. Ascutney, and S. 4° W. in 

 direction. 



If lines were drawn from Ascutney to all these points they would cor- 

 respond to radii. If the Claremont stones continue south-east, which 

 seems likely, any occurring at the south state line in Pelham would be 

 85 miles distant, and 36 east of the Bernardston example. In this in- 

 stance it is easy to account for the wide spread of the stones by the 

 south-east current for some, and the Connecticut valley movement for 

 the others. It is a question worthy of investigation, whether all boulders 

 have a radial dispersion like these from Ascutney. The facts of this 

 dispersion ought to be gathered in greater abundance, and compared 

 with those obtained elsewhere. 



