12 GEOLOGY OF THE SECOND DISTRICT. 



even an outlier is to be seen which would go to show the gradual extinction of the force 

 which upheaved them ; the whole force seems to have been concentrated upon the space be- 

 tween the Champlain and tlie St. Lawi-ence. We have indubitable evidence of this mighty 

 and concentrated force in the magnificent cliffs and precipices, which are continually arrest- 

 ing the attention of travellers. 



To the southwest of Racket lake, this broken range appears to assume an east and west 

 direction, and to consist of two parallel ranges, forming between them an important valley, in 

 which are situated tiie Fulton chain of lakes, and through which there is a feasible route for a 

 road by which to gain the table land of tlie Racket, and thence any point on Lake Champlain. 



As I have already remarked, the western and northwestern slope to the St. Lawrence is 

 long and not abrupt, as may be proved by the sluggish movements of the rivers which take 

 their rise upon this table land, some of which are boatable for long distances. The country, 

 it is true, is somewhat broken by ridges of a limited extent, but the characters are materially 

 changed from what they are upon the eastern and northeastern slope. 



Before I close my accoimt of the mountain ranges of the north, it is necessary to notice 

 one feature which they all present. I am not prepared to say whether this is peculiar or re- 

 markable ; it is, however, interesting, and is worthy of attention. 



The fact which I wish to present is, that the mountain ranges do not present a uniform, 

 unbroken ridge, but are made up of subordinate short ridges, whose axes are oblique to the 

 axis of the main range in which they are situated. The axes may be called the major and 

 minor axes of the range ; the former lies in the principal direction which the range pursues, 

 which is from the southwest to the northeast ; the latter in the direction of the short inter- 

 rupted ridges, which is from the southeast to the northwest. I shall not attempt to explain 

 the mode by which such an arrangement was produced, though it is unquestionably due to the 

 mode and direction by which the elevating force operated at the time of the uplift. 



I may remark, however, that it is to this pcculiaritythat the diihcuUy arises in determining 

 the range to which many of the mountains belong, or in attempting to reduce to order the 

 several chains which traverse this portion of the State. 



Valleys. — The Second Geological District is penetrated by a few valleys only, and these are 

 long and narrow ; and as in all mountainous districts, so in this, they partake of the nature of 

 gorges, having abrupt sides and very hltle width. Their number and diiection may be determined 

 by the rivers laid down upon the map. The valley of the Hudson river is the longest and 

 most imj)ortant ; the Schroon branch rmis through it ; and although it is high for a valley of its 

 length, yet it presents an accumulation of diluvial gi-avel and rounded pebbles throughout its 

 entire length, a hundred feet or more above the banks of the river. Another valley extending 

 from Corinth to the head of Lake George, connects the plains of Saratoga with the valley of 

 this lake and Lake Champlain. 



But the valleys to which allu.sion has already been made, require a more detailed account. 

 I refer to those which surround the Second Geological District. They contain a great extent 

 of arable lands, and receive the drainage of from eight to ten thousand square miles, princi- 



