96 



bordering the Atlantic shores from Long Island to the 

 gulf of Mexico, was formed by the operations of this 

 current. 



Istly. On almost all the rivers in America, that have 

 a southerly course, and run any distance through an al- 

 luvial formation, (that on the borders of the ocean ex- 

 cepted,) we find from actual observation, and from 

 Stoddard's Sketches, Drake's Picture of Cincinnati, 

 Lewis and Clarke's, McKenzie's, Herriot's and other 

 travels, two, and sometimes three, alluvial banks on 

 each side.* Those which are next to the rivers, on 



* It is particularly worthy of remark, that the same circum- 

 stance is observable in the great alluvial region of America, which 

 bounds the Atlantic on the south ; and that of Asia, which bounds 

 the Arctic sea on the north. 



The Abbe Chappe D'Auteroche, who visited Siberia in 1761, 

 has taken particular notice of this fact. He describes the plains of 

 Siberia, wbich extend to a great distance within the dominions of 

 Russia, to be four hundred leagues in breadth, in their widest part, 

 from south to north, and upwards of seven hundred leagues in ex- 

 tent from west to east. Over this immense region he travelled se- 

 ven hundred leagues. In this distance he observed three, and in 

 some parts, four distinct plains, the height of which, above the sea 

 he ascertained. 



Three of these plains he describes as being parallel with the ho- 

 rizon. The third he observes, " makes an angle of about two de- 

 grees and a half with the horizon at Tobolsky." And further, ' It 

 rises more and more towards the south, and sinks towards the 

 north." Or, in other words, as it approaches the Arctic sea. Abbe 

 Chappe's Travels, page 156 and 32. 



The alluvial region of America will doubtless afford corresponding 

 results, should any one undertake to make the necessary observa- 



