130 Progressive Changes of Matter. [March, 



northern extension, covering the regions of the northern part of 

 the State of New York. 



The next question arises, what was the probable depth of the 

 secondary formation, and particularly that of which we are speak- 

 ing? And of this fact we have not the means of making even a 

 probable estimate. The out-crops of the rocks extending to the 

 line of Otsego, have been estimated to be more than 5000 feet in 

 thickness. The geologist of Pennsylvania, Prof. H. D. Rodgers, 

 has laid down on his map of these rocks, (and of which these in 

 New York are but an extension) as being more than 30,000 feet 

 in thickness, 6 miles at least. Prof. Emmons, speaking of one of 

 the lower groups, the Taconic slates, and of that which lies be- 

 tween Lansingburgh and Bennington, says : " I have often ex- 

 " amined it two miles, perpendicular to its strike, and found no 

 *' indications of its repetitions." All the facts therefore that can 

 be brought to bear upon the subject only prove that the second- 

 ary deposit was enormous. This primary nucleus is now from 

 3 to 5000 feet above tide level, and the boulders and field stones, 

 the beds of gravel and sands in addition to the parts which have 

 been carried into the sea, and which once constituted an integral 

 part thereof only tended to increase its hight. Upon this rested 

 the aqueous rocks. 



We are next to consider the condition of this over-lying mass 

 on its being uplifted from the sea. The primary rocks we should 

 infer, from their appearance in many places, were forced up by a 

 protrusion, the indications of which are now seen in perpendicu- 

 lar cliffs, and in pyramidal mountains. In many places there are 

 dome-shaped crests and undulating ridges among these igneous 

 rocks, evidently proving that there was to a certain extent, a com- 

 mingling of the primary and secondary rocks. In this view of the 

 subject we can easily imagine how readily currents of water would 

 change the position of matter when flowing over it. 



In a previous number we gave our views in relation to the for- 

 mation of river currents, and the ever active laws by which they 

 ■were perpetuated ; and they were the agents, we now affirm, 

 that were employed to reduce and demolish the towering mass- 

 es of our new formed continent, and to give to its present surface 

 its peculiar configuration. 



To maintain the above hypothesis many things are to be viewed 

 in a different light than that in which we now behold them. Do 

 we look upon the present rivers as the agents by which the won- 

 ders of antiquity were achieved? We might as well look upon 

 the now living Egyptians as having constructed the pyramids. 

 We have at times been asked, did the West Canada creek ever 

 roll its periodic flood over that high lange of land, intervening it 

 it and the Mohawk, and by Mhich the majestic boulder was roll- 



