272 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1904. 



prehend the effect of subsequent uplift in tilting- rock strata.) By 

 the operation of submarine volcanoes during- this period the strata of 

 coal, clay, and amygdaloid were formed and intermixed at various 

 intermittent times with the other strata. 



During the second period the Cumberland Mountains emerged from 

 the sea, the waters of which sank to a level of 1,500 feet above those 

 of to-day. The formation of the schistose rocks proceeded, vegetation 

 began, and streams began to flow. 



During the third period the level of the water was reduced to 1,100 

 feet and all the table-lands and highlands of Kentucky became uncov- 

 ered. An inland sea still covered the Ohio limestone basin, extending 

 from the actual mouth of Sciota River to that of Salt River. Land 

 animals, inseets, reptiles, birds, and quadrupeds were created during 

 this period. 



During the fourth period the level of the sea was reduced to 700 

 feet, and the limestone sea of Kentucky drained. Alluviums and 

 bottoms began to form in the valleys and gulfs by the attrition of the 

 strata and soil conveyed and deposited by the streams. Sinks and 

 caves in the limestone region were formed. Lastly, Adam appeared 

 in the Garden of Eden. This fourth period of Kentucky history 

 thereby answered to the sixth day of the general creation. 



The fifth period was that of Noah's flood, though Ratinesque 

 acknowledged he failed to find an} r traces of such a violent convulsion 

 in Kentucky. The ocean, which still bathed its western corner, sub- 

 sided to about 300 feet above its present level and abandoned Ken- 



and the continuity of the description is much interrupted. We do not object to this 

 in that part of the work entitled 'General Descriptions of North American Rocks,' 

 though some have said that these can hardly belong, in a general view, to the dis- 

 trict of the canal. But in the ' Description of rocks in the vicinity of the Erie 

 Canal,' page 47, the fault often occurs. We mention the account of the hornblende 

 rocks near West Point, page 54; of granular quartz, pages 56, 57; of granular lime- 

 stone, pages 57, 58, and many others which are not found near the line of the canal. 

 " If the work should pass to a second edition, which is highly probable, and even 

 rendered somewhat necessary to make it as complete as the subsequent examinations 

 of Professor Eaton enable him to do, and as the light thrown on the subject of the 

 newer formations by the very able work of Conybeare and Phillips on the Geology 

 of England and Wales seems to require, we would suggest as an improvement of the 

 work that the notices of rocks which are not found along the line of the canal be 

 omitted in this part of the work, or be reduced to the bare remark that they do not 

 occur in the district, and that the remarks and localities of rocks in other parts of 

 the country be taken from the text and put into form of notes. In this way the 

 continuity of geological description of the country along the canal will be unbroken. 

 We think no one can read the work without being sensible of its interest and 

 importance to every one who examines the rocks of this district. The localities are 

 given with much precision, and the traveler is enabled at once to ascertain the 

 rocks intended by the names which Professor E. has given them. It were to be 

 wished that the common nomenclature of the rocks had been altered with a more 

 sparing hand." 



