131 



was of volcanick origin, that he wrote and published a 

 work in support of his theory. 



But a more mature reflection and critical examina- 

 tion of the substances, produced a conviction of his 

 errours in a degree so forcible, that he not only sup- 

 pressed but destroyed the whole edition, with the ex- 

 ception of twelve copies.* 



Although it is very much doubted whether subter- 

 ranean fires and volcanoes ever existed in this country, 

 east of the Mississippi ; yet it will readily be ad- 

 mitted that many instances have occurred, in which 

 substances have presented themselves, bearing strong 

 marks of their having been subjected to the opera- 

 tions of intense heat ; and hence have been consider- 

 ed as of volcanick origin. 



In a number of places in the secondary range which 

 runs through the state of Connecticut, masses of this 

 kind may be found. 



In the town of North-ford, I believe, numerous 

 fragments of this description may be seen in passing 

 along the road. They are composed of an extremely 

 porous trap or whinstone, which actually appears to 

 have been in a state of fusion ; but which, however, 

 on a close examination, will not, from a variety of cir- 

 cumstances, justify such a conclusion. Among these 

 the following are not of the least importance. 



The blocks which 1 had an opportunity of examin- 

 ing, were, probably, detached portions of the great 



* See St. Fund's Travels, vol. I. page 23. 



