HISTORY OF DERRYFIELD. 7 



MASSABESIC. 



Four miles to the east, and wholly within the bounds of an- 

 cient Chester, this fine body of water lies in a series of bays, so 

 joined by necks and separated by headlands as to ihclude a shore- 

 line of not less than thirty-six miles. From this lake the great 

 manufacturing city of Manchester derives its water-supply. The 

 Massabesic is dotted with numerous islands and surrounded by 

 highlands, conspicuous among them being a splendid rocky 

 promontory on the Auburn shore, Minot's ledge, and the moun- 

 tain in Chester familiarly known as the "Devil's Den." The 

 old water-marks plainly show a much higher lake-level in a not 

 remote period, the water then wholly covering the present high- 

 way and involving the out-lymg meadows and lowlands. Several 

 smaller ponds are found within the limits of ancient Derryfield, 

 but none calling for more than passing recognition. 



SPECIAL FEATURES. 



Over and above the more prominent landmarks of the terri- 

 tory we have attempted to describe there are in addition a num- 

 ber of less conspicuous but even more striking points of interest. 

 Chief among these are the following: 



1. The great clay deposits about the Hooksett Pinnacle, and 

 extending north, especially on the east bank of the river. 



2. The enormous accumulations of sand upon the site of Der- 

 ryfield proper. 



3. The stupendous bulk of water-worn stones and gravel, high 

 above modern water levels, in ancient terraces and moraines. 



4. Certain remarkable instances of rock-wear performed by 

 pre-historic streams. 



5. Travelled blocks and rock-fragments transported from dis- 

 tant centres of dispersion. 



6. Curious survivals of tropical trees and shrubs. 



