peculiar and distinct. It is proper I should state, that my explorations 

 were chiefly limited to the slope extending from the ridge to the ocean on 

 the south, and to the western portion of the island. This range embraces 

 that section of the territory to which my investigations were particularly 

 directed, and afforded me, in the cultivated districts, the data I required 

 for contrasting the soil of the plains with the fertile farms. 



GrEOLOGY. — The geological structure of Long Island discloses a remark- 

 able similarity throughout its whole extent, which is rarely if ever found 

 in an equal area of territory. The ingredients of the soil, in every section 

 that I have been able to examine, and the same fact, I was assured on the 

 most reliable authority, exists in every part of the island, exhibits the 

 most singular uniformity. In these respects, and in most of its physical 

 features. Long Island presents a peculiar arrangement that has no analogy 

 to any other district within my knowledge, and indeed distinguishes it from 

 all others. That it is alluvial, and of recent formation, there exists every 

 proof. In my personal explorations, I saw no rocks in site, but perceive 

 that geological authors refer to their appearance near Hurlgate and at 

 Hallett's Cove. These doubtless reveal the croppings-out of the rock of 

 the adjacent mainland. Huge boulders are scattered copiously in the soil 

 at Brooklyn, and in other localities, but upon the plains scarcely a stone 

 occurs over the size of a large pebble. The basis of the entire island 

 appears to be a formation of large pebbles, worn and rounded by attrition. 

 On this foundation reposes a substratum of small pebbles mingled with 

 the superficial soil. Above this substratum occurs the soil of the island, 

 ranging in depth from one foot to three feet, and it is a singular circum- 

 stance, which mai'ks the anomalous arrangement of the whole island, that 

 unlike every other territory, the soil is the thinnest and least fertile in 

 depressions, than upon the elevated parts of the surface. The elements of 

 this surface soil are as nearly as possible identical in every part of the 

 island, but varying to some extent in its combinations. In some districts, 

 where clay predominates, it may be termed a clayey-loam ; in others, silex 

 is the most conspicuous ingredient, when the soil becomes a sandy-loam. 

 In some limited sections of the island, localities of pure sand are found, 

 but through the center of the island, and particularly on the plains, I saw 

 no appearance of a soil of that character. The greatest prevalence of 

 sand, and the lightest soil I examined, was on the north side of the ridge, 

 in the town of Smithtown ; and the next, most assimilating to this, was in 

 the Happaugh valley, in the same town. Both of these localities are upon 

 farms which have been cultivated for generations. 



The submergence of the island at some period is demonstrated by 

 numerous circumstances. The gravel formation I have just alluded to, is 

 a sufficient proof. Mr. Thompson, the historian, speaks of fossil remains 

 being exhumed in digging wells, and the marine shell, discovered in the 

 beds of the " Dry rivers," can be traced to no other cause. Possibly the 

 foundations of the island may have been upheaved by some natural con- 

 vulsion, but I have not scope to pursue this enquiry, and can only assume 



