METEORIC RIVERS OR WATERFALLS. 401 



On the eastern declivity of the same mountain, about two 

 miles north of Madison church, a portion of ground about 

 forty-five feet in length, and of about the same breadth, was 

 entirely removed to the average depth of four feet. This 

 ground, and all that adjoining to it, was previously covered 

 with forest trees. The trees on this plat were all borne 

 away. It seems remarkable that the excavation commen- 

 ced suddenly, being of the full width, and depth, at the top. 

 Neither was there any appearance of water having run from 

 the grounds above, the decayed leaves and brush wood be- 

 ing in place. I have not examined this spot, but received 

 the above particulars from a respectable farmer, residing in 

 ths neighborhood. 



In a south western course from Madison, distant from one 

 to two miles, there is a high and sharp ridge, on which are 

 several similar ravages. This ridge or mountain, which is 

 upwards of four hundred feet in perpendicular height, above 

 the plain below, was throughout, so far as can be seen on 

 the eastern side, covered thickly with forest trees. The 

 eastern acclivity is as steep generally, as the sharp roof of 

 a dwelling house. The largest excavation is about two 

 hundred and thirty feet wide at the bottom. Owing to the 

 steepness of the acclivity, I could not measure its length, 

 or the width at the top. I estimated the height to exceed 

 three hundred feet. Tracing it from the bottom up the 

 acclivity, about one hundred and fifty feet, it becomes fork- 

 ed, or divided into two branches, with a tongue of land 

 between, which is covered with trees and shrubs. Below 

 the fork, all the trees except two small ones, and the shrubs, 

 were torn up by the roots, and carried by the force of the 

 waters to the bottom. The ground, which was composed of 

 soil of a moderate thickness, and of gravel and stones un- 

 derneath, was washed away to the depth of four, five, or 

 six feet in most places ; and in some instances to the deptlp. 

 of ten feet or upwards. Below this are ledges of horizontal 

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