42 Geological Reports oti the State of New York. 



" Wherever wells have been dug, or excavations made in this ridge, 

 fragments of decayed wood, bark, and often branches and trunks of trees, 

 are found deeply imbedded in the soil. Shells of the Unio, &c. are also 

 said to have been found, but I have not been so fortunate as to obtain a 

 specimen. In one excavation I obtained fragments of bark, wood, and 

 part of a branch, the latter of which was partially mineralized, present- 

 ing the appearance of charcoal, bat harder, very brittle, and with a shi- 

 ning luster These specimens were obtained from about six feet below 

 the surface, where there appeared a thin stratum of fragments of wood, 

 bark, &-c. as if it might have been accumulated on the surface of still 

 water, and afterwards covered with sand and gravel. 



" It has been urged as an objection, that the ridge slopes on both sides ; 

 but this, so far from being an objection, is a proof that it was an ancient 

 shore. If we examine the shore of a lake or sea where the inland coun- 

 try is not far above the level of the water, we find there is always a ridge 

 accumulated. This is a natural effect from the action of the waves and 

 of ice, pressing the loose materials onward till they are raised into a ridge, 

 which is still increased by the wind blowing the fine sand upon it, which 

 is deposited along the base. 



" The .ridge furnishes, perhaps, the best natural road in the country, 

 being from its nature at all times in good condition for travelling; and at 

 such seasons as the other roads are almost impassable, this one is scarcely 

 affected. The surface is commonly of fine gravel or sand, with coarser 

 materials below, which allows the water to be absorbed and pass off be- 

 neath. Its convex surface and slope on either side, also prevents any ac- 

 cumulation of water." 



" According to estimates made upon streams running from the ridge 

 to Lake Ontario, its height above the lake appears to exceed 200 feet j 

 but upon this point we are not prepared at present to give positive infor- 

 mation." 



Outlet of small lakes into Lake Ontario. — A glance at a map 

 of the State, shows, in the western district, a large number of 

 beautiful lakes, several of them long and narrow. It is remark- 

 able that all of them, fifteen in number, become confluent in the 

 Oswego river, which discharges through this river into Lake 

 Ontario. 



Hardening of Iron. — "When casting plough irons, they run them 

 upon a hardener, (which is a piece of cold iron,) so that for two inches 

 or so on the edge, which is liable to wear, the castings are hardened like 

 steel. The effect is, to change the usual granular texture of the casting 

 into one that is lamellar, like bismuth. This difference is perceptible, 

 and the line of demarkation is also very evident when the casting is 

 broken." 



