458 THE MOUNTAIN. 



local and special causes of meteoric manifestations. The 

 higher ridges, and especially the great culminating range 

 called the Alleghany Mountain, show this in an eminent de- 

 gree. Their height alone above the level of the sea would 

 give a modified meteorology. Another cause of special 

 character in the surface or local influences, is the condition 

 of that surface, its soil, rocks, etc. We have already seen, 

 in the chapter on the soil of the mountain, that it is com- 

 posed principally of sand and clay, the sand predominating, 

 and without much superficial detritus. 



From the rocky heights, terraced slopes, and precipitous 

 ravines, the meteoric waters flow off quickly by surface con- 

 duits and subterranean drainage through the fissured strata. 

 Thus, there is no intense or protracted soaking of the soils, 

 as occurs in regions of extensive diluvial deposits, or flats 

 without natural drainage, and in the composition of which 

 the clay element is the predominating ingredient. There 

 are few* ponds of water, but the very few lakes or tarns 

 that do exist near the mountain proper, are of a highly in- 

 teresting character. They are small, limpid bodies of water, 

 inclosed within folds of the ridges and hills, gleaming jewels 

 upon the bosom of the landscape. Of this character are 

 Lewis and Hunter's Lakes, in Lycoming County. They 

 have been, till within a few years, surrounded by native 

 forests, and are pools of perfectly pure water, and of exceed- 

 ing beauty. 



As would be expected, there are but few bogs, morasses, or 

 swales of any extent, and very rarely pools of stagnant water. 

 Thus, from evaporating surfaces of bodies of water, there is 



* In the northeastern and northwestern corners of Pennsylvania there 

 are many interesting lakes and ponds, forming striking features in the 

 landscapes of those parts of the State, so long celebrated for the beauty 

 of their scenery. Southwest of the waters of the West Branch of the 

 Susquehanna there are no lakes on the Alleghany range, or either 

 side of it, for long spaces extending through the Southern States. 

 There is a geological solution of this fact which is an interesting 

 scientific deduction. 



