190 QUARTERLY JOURNAL. 



height, the Taconic range gradually diminishes to the level of the 

 Hudson. The hills are less and less elevated till we reach the 

 vicinity of the river, which is bordered or edged by a range of 

 hills about 200 to 250 feet in height. This elevated ridge is found 

 on both sides of the river, and is distant from it three-fourths of a' 

 mile or less, so that the width of the immediate valley of the Hud-* 

 son rarely exceeds two miles. Without occupying more space in 

 detailing the facts relative to height, we may state generally, that 

 along the same ranges north and south, the height of the places 

 given is an index to those which are omitted ; that is, the valleys 

 situated north or south of Hoosic, the height of which has been 

 given at certain places, will give the approximate heights of places 

 in the same range north and south for the valleys or for the moun- 

 tain ridges ; and to form a just idea of the face of the country, we 

 have only to conceive long narrow valleys bounded by long narrow 

 hills or mountains. The northwestern slope, where the rock appears, 

 is always steeper than the southeastern. Where the hills are merely .'I 

 of drift, they are steepest upon their north sides. \ 



The upper half of the Taconic range is too steep for the plough, \ 

 especially on its western side ; but on the eastern side, it is, or mayi|i 

 be ploughed for two-thirds the distance to the tops of the mountains, ij 

 This peculiarity in the steepness is owing to the uphft of the rocks, j 

 which break out, and are bare, or more or less exposed upon their 

 steep sides ; and it is here that their dip will be found, and that 

 they may be seen to plunge steeply to the southeast at an angle i 

 varying from 30 to 60°. 



The passage of the drift over the surface of the rock has worn 

 it smooth. This circumstance has an important bearing in deter- 

 mining the condition of the soil, as it favors the passage of water 

 over the surface, and serves to dry the soil sooner than if it were' 

 rough. Especially are the channels which are cut by the drift move- 

 ment upon the upturned edges of the slate, calculated to effect & 

 speedy drainage. 



We conclude o\ir remarks on the face of the country, by referring! 

 the reader to the woodcut fig. 1 . It represents the eastern face of 

 the Taconic range, as seen from the south end of Stonehill in Wil- 

 liamstown, Massachusetts, and looking southwest. Hji 



