330 Geology, ^c, of Tennessee, fyc, by E. Cornelius 



that from the time of its first appearance, it has never ex- 

 tended for a greater distance than forty miles, in one direction, 

 and usually, it is confined to fifteen miles. In no other part 

 of the country has it ever been seen. From this fact, it would 

 seem probable that the cause of its existence is local. But 

 what it is, none can tell. After the warm weather commences, 

 it disappears as effectually from human observation, as if it 

 were annihilated. Towards the close of December it springs 

 up all at once into being again, and resumes the work of de- 

 struction. A fact, so singular, I could not have ventured to 

 state, without the best evidence of its reality. All the circum- 

 stances here related, are familiar to hundreds, and were in 

 almost every man's mouth, when I passed through the coun- 

 try. In addition to this, they were confirmed by the account 

 which I received from Col. John M'Kee, a gentleman of much 

 intelligence and respectability, who is the present agent of 

 the general government for the Choctaw nation. He has 

 consented to obtain specimens of the insect for your examina- 

 tion, when it returns again ; and will, I hope, accompany the 

 transmission with a more perfect description than it has been 

 possible for me to communicate. 



In concluding this narrative of facts, I should be glad to 

 take a comprehensive view of the whole. The bold features 

 in the geology of the United States, as they are drawn by the 

 Blue Ridge, the Cumberland with its associated mountains, 

 and the Dividing Ridge, deserve to be distinctly and strongly 

 impressed upon the mind. Such is the order and regularity 

 of their arrangement, that they can hardly fail to conduct the 

 attentive observer to important results. What has now been 

 said of them, is but an epitome of the whole. I trust the 

 public will soon read, in the pages of your Journal, a detail 

 more perfect and more interesting. And allow me to suggest, 

 whether, under the auspices of our learned societies, some 

 men of science might not be employed and supported in ex- 

 ploring the country, with the prospect of greatly enlarging 

 the science of our country, and of enriching our Journals and 

 Cabinets of Natural History. Tours of discovery have often 

 been made for other objects, and with success. Our countrr 



