SECTION EIGHTH. 



OF METEORIC RIVERS OR WATERFALLS. 



192. ON the morning of the 19th of June, 1838, a most 

 destructive flood took place at Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. 

 A paper published in that town, says, " About six in the 

 morning the wind shifted, and soon after the rain, which, 

 for three or four hours had descended from the north in 

 sheets, abated, and not long after ceased altogether. The 

 flood attained its greatest height about six o'clock in the 

 morning, and very soon began to subside, and fell as rapidly 

 as it had risen. No conception can be formed, by those 

 who were not present, of the singular character of the flood. 

 The storm, it is allowed, began about twelve at night, and 

 continued with unabated fury, until after six in the morn- 

 ing. During that time the Juniata had risen about fourteen 

 feet above its ordinary surface. About nine o'clock we 

 were able to leave our dwelling, from the first floor, on 

 horse back, and reached Hollidaysburg amidst the warm 

 congratulations of the delighted crowd, and at twelve o'clock 

 the river had returned to its usual channel." 



On reading this account, I determined to visit the lo- 

 cality of the storm, as soon as my business in Philadel- 

 phia would permit my absence. I arrived in Hollidaysburg 

 on the 26th of July, and remained there eight days, visiting 

 the sides of the ridges and mountains every day. 



The first ridge which 1 examined is west of the town 

 about half a mile, at its nearest part. It runs east and west 



