400 PHILOSOPHY OF. STORMS. 



full fifteen inches on a level. On a considerable part of the 

 tract, we have reason to believe that it exceeded eighteen 

 inches. 



After describing a great many disastrous effects of the 

 storm, Mr. Dwight goes on to observe that, in the neigh- 

 borhood of Madison, the storm produced ravages not less 

 remarkable. At no great distance northward from the vil- 

 lage is a mountain, estimated to be six hundred feet perpen- 

 dicular height, above the plane below. The south end of 

 this mountain, which abuts upon the flat, which I mentioned 

 as having probably been the bed of an ancient lake, is about 

 one mile north north west from Madison church. The brow 

 of the mountain here, is about half the elevation of the sum- 

 mit. There is at this place a ledge of horizontal rocks, run- 

 ning a considerable distance, and terminating abruptly, 

 with a perpendicular precipice of twenty or thirty feet. 

 The surface of the mountain descends for some distance 

 back to this place. The water accumulating from above, 

 poured down the precipice with such impetuosity, as to up- 

 root all the trees in its course, down to the bottom, a dis- 

 tance of several hundred feet. The descent is rapid from 

 the foot of the precipice to the bottom of the mountain. 

 Throughout this distance a large ravine was formed. All 

 the trees, and earth, and stones beneath, were washed away 

 down to the solid rock, which lay below; and the whole 

 mass except the trees was precipitated beyond the road, 

 which winds near the base, upon a tract of arable and 

 meadow land which it covered, as I was informed by Mr. 

 S., a gentleman who had examined the ground with atten- 

 tion, to the extent of two acres, and to the depth of from 

 six to ten feet. No water, if I am not misinformed, has 

 been known to run in this place, heretofore. The descent 

 of the water down the precipice occasioned a loud roaring 

 sound, like that of distant rolling thunder, and excited no 

 small astonishment at the distance of a mile. 



