Reports on the Geology of the State of Maine. 155 



feet, the paroxysm extending to the mountains of the interior, 

 and producing dislocations and chasms in the soUd substratum of 

 granite.* As a still later example, might be mentioned, the vol- 

 canic island which suddenly appeared in the Mediterranean, and 

 almost as suddenly disappeared. 



The topographical features of the State of Maine, are more 

 striking than has generally been supposed. Dr. Jackson has de- 

 termined the height of some of the most elevated points of land, 

 by barometrical observations, confirmed by triangulations by the 

 aid of Sir Howard Douglas's reflecting semi-circle, and a pocket 

 sextant. Mount Ktaadn is the highest, " being 5,300 feet above 

 the level of the sea, or a little more than one mile perpendicular 

 elevation, and forming the most abrupt granite mountains in New 

 England." The accounts which are given of the ascent of some 

 of these most remarkable eminences, as well as of the pictur- 

 esque features of the country generally, are written in that graphic, 

 enthusiastic style which it might be expected the subject would 

 naturally inspire ; and some of the incidents related, show that 

 perils were encountered of no common magnitude. Much nov- 

 elty was added to the expedition, by the necessity of engaging 

 Indian guides into some parts of the State, unoccupied by, and 

 almost unknown to the whites. The last report is in the form of 

 a daily journal or record, which though it does not admit of the 

 same generalization, has the advantage over every other, in in- 

 suring greater accuracy and minuteness of local detail ; a desid- 

 eratum in the case of lands not yet disposed of, and of which 

 the rightful possession by Maine has been denied by a neighbor- 

 ing Province. 



In thus giving the readers of this Journal but an imperfect 

 sketch of these able and interesting reports, we hope we have 

 prepared them for a rich treat in the entire perusal of them, and 

 led them to look anxiously forward to the completion of the sur- 

 vey, and the publication of the remaining reports, and the final 

 one, which will be accompanied by a geological map, colored 

 sectional views, &c. &c. The State of Maine, we trust, having 

 secured the services of one so thoroughly qualified by study and 

 observation, will not permit a work so creditable to their liberal- 



* Mrs. Maria Graham, as quoted in the Geological Manual, by De La Beche, 

 p. 131. 



