ANCIENT VALLEYS. 155 



such collections that we would notice. Properly speaking, the drift, also, Avas accumu- 

 lated below the surface of the ocean. But we draw a line of distinction between Sea 

 Bottoms and Drift ; the drift accumulations were collected together by the joint action 

 of water and ice ; the oceanic deposits were the finer materials of the drift sorted out and 

 transported, or else are drift, modified subsequently by aqueous agency. 



In addition to the moraine terraces in the east part of Pownal, there are beds of gravel and sand, which 

 we should refer to Old Sea Bottoms. They are not confined to East Pownal, but may be fotind along the 

 valley of the Hoosac River, in Pownal Center, and continuing along to Bennington. Another example is 

 in the west part of Bennington. The wide valley north of Mt. Anthony, extending to Shaftsbury, includ- 

 ing the three villages of Bennington, has many alluvial deposits upon it that can be referred to no other 

 agency for their formation. And in fact there are beds at intervals along the whole of this great valley, 

 from Connecticut, through Berkshire county in Massachusetts, to Addison county in Vermont, which are 

 to be ascribed to this same agency. We find the shores of this ocean upon the summits of the Green and 

 Hoosac Mountains, and why should not the bottom of that ocean be found in the valley below ? 



In the south part of Brandon is another noticeable deposit of this description. 



In the town of Washington, in Orange county, the alluvium is so extensive that we found it difficult to 

 learn the dip of the older rocks, as they were all out of sight. This deposit is water-worn, and should be 

 referred to the class of which we are now treating, at least to the height of sixteen hundred feet above the 

 present level of the ocean. As the adjoining towns, particularly Williamstown, are covered with similar 

 deposits, the same name should be given to them, at least as low as seven hundred feet above the ocean. 

 We did not mark any sea beach upon the map for the higher grounds of Washington, but are inclined to 

 believe that the highest parts of this deposit might properly be referred to beaches. 



One of the most noticeable and interesting features that remained indelibly impressed 

 upon us, when standing at sunrise upon the summit of Mansfield Mountain, and admiring 

 the grand view spread out beneath, was the existence of several great north and south 

 valleys running through the State. Foremost was the great Champlain valley, at its 

 commencement in Danby exceedingly contracted, but gradually widening through Rut- 

 land, Addison, Chittenden and Franklin Counties, till it was lost in the greater valley 

 of the St. Lawrence. East of us there was a wide valley, from Jay and Troy in Vermont, 

 extending much farther in Canada, and passing through Stowe and Waterbury. East of 

 this was the great valley of Lake Memphremagog. Upon this subject we find a few 

 remarks from Mr. Hall, which we will quote : 



" There are several valleys that seem to have a remarkable continuity in direction, 

 nearly opposite to those through which the present leading rivers flow, in Avhich are often 

 found the remains of ancient river deposits, regularly stratified ; and in many places, of as 

 great depth as river deposits found in the present valley of the Connecticut, Merrimack, 

 and other large streams. One of these extends from Lake Memphremagog, through Cov- 

 entry, Irasburg, east part of Albany, Craftsbury, Hardwick, Woodbury, East Montpelier, 

 Barre, Williamstown, Brookfield, Randolph and Bethel to White River, and perhaps 

 farther. There is at Williamstown an elevation of a few hundred feet, (907 above the 

 ocean) and another at Woodbury (about 1500 feet above the ocean.) Otherwise there is 

 very little difference in the general level through the whole of this chain of valleys, from 

 the level of the places where the La Moille, Winooski and White Rivers intersect it. 



