80 Geology t ^c. of the ConneciicuU 



3. Vegetable Remains* 



These appear to be either the branches or roots of trees, 

 or the relics of culmiferous plants, and therefore may be cal- 

 led lignites and rhizolites. They are usually converted in- 

 to a thin vein of coal, similar to the fish. They are com- 

 monly broken into pieces from an inch to two feet long, in 

 the manner represented in Fig. 4. Their width varies from 

 a mere line to two inches. They are not jointed — found in 

 abundance at the falls in Gill ; also with the icthyolites at 

 Sunderland. The rock in which they occur at both places 

 is hardly bituminous shale ; but a greyish micaceous sand- 

 stone. The longest specimen of rhizolite 1 have seen oc- 

 curs on the road side, one half mile south of Newgate pris- 

 on; being not less than seven or eight feet in length. 



4. Unknoion Relic. 



This is represented as well as it could be in Fig. 5. It 

 is difficult to give a perfect idea of the thing, because there 

 is a relief or swelling along the middle. It sometimes re- 

 sembles the ament of the chesnut, (Castanea americana 

 Mx.) but still more the vertebrae of a fish. But in no ich- 

 thyolite I ever found, did I see any remains of the vertebrae, 

 and it is not probable, therefore, that this belonged to a fish. 

 It is rare — found with the icthyolites at Sunderland. 



15. Alluvion. 



Colored Gamboge Yellow* 



By this term I understand those accumulations of gravel, 

 clay, sand, mud and salt, which are post-diluvian, or have 

 probably been deposited since the Noachic deluije by causes 

 at present acting on the globe. Some varieties may be 

 seen along the Connecticut which we shall mention in the 

 probable order in which they were deposited. 



1. The alluvion on the sea-coast. This is probably the 

 oldest; because the sea would begin its depositions imme- 

 diately after the deluge, if the situation of any particular 

 olace were favorable — even before it had subsided suffi- 



