Deerjield Disruption* 28P 



disruption at right angles. The scale is 4 rods to an inch, al- 

 though in laying off the heights and levels, the exact propor- 

 tion was a little varied, to render the irregularities of surface 

 more distinct. The letters of reference correspond to those 

 on fig. 2, and need no explanation. 



Fig. 2. is a bird's-eye view of the disruption and the ad- 

 joining region, very obligingly sketched by Mr. Deride Barnard 

 of Troy, New- York. The surrounding country is somewhat 

 contracted to bring more of it into view. 



These are all the facts I am able at present to collect con- 

 cerning this phenomenon. I have been particular as to the 

 temperature of the air, and the situation of the adjacent coun- 

 try, from an idea that frost was a principal agent in producing 

 it ; and that, therefore, these circumstances would be impor- 

 tant in fixing a theory. I will not, however, hazard any hy- 

 pothesis on the subject ; but if you deem the fact of sufficient 

 importance, your opinion, Sir, is respectfully solicited. 

 Your humble Servant, 



EDWARD HITCHCOCK. 



Deerjield, Mass. March 26th, 1818. 



Deerfield, June 3d, 1818. 

 Sir, 



SINCE I sent you a description of a singular disruption in 

 the earth in this town, another has been observed in the same 

 meadows, about one mile from the former. This is less than 

 the one of which I sent you an account, but its situation is al- 

 most exactly similar ; it being on a small elevation, on the sides 

 of which, at a few rods distant, is low wet ground. Indeed, 

 the general description which I sent you will answer for this 

 smaller disruption. The diameters of this last, are only 7 and 

 8 paces, and the curve is not perfect. There appears to have 

 been an expansion of the earth's surface around both these 

 spots, or disruptions, by which it was forced to give way at the 

 point where there was the least resistance, which, of course, 

 would be on the highest ground. The more I observe of this 

 phenomenon, the more I am inclined to impute it to the agen- 

 cy of frost. 



Vol. I....N0. 3. 23 



