JVotice of Hayden's Geological Essays. 51 



Mr. Hayden mentions similar facts as existing in a very- 

 striking manner, and degree, on tiie Connecticut river, and 

 on several of its branches ; the accumulations of pebbles 

 being on those banks, and in those places, which corres- 

 pond with the idea of a current from the north and east, and 

 with a consequent deposit of alluvial spoils, in a position, 

 which is south or west in relation to the current. 



Other instances are described, by the author, which, in 

 connexion with those already mentioned, go far towards 

 making out his case ; but, in order to its full establishment, 

 would it not be necessary, to enter into a very exten- 

 sive induction of particulars, regarding, especially, the great 

 alluvial formations of this country, and to derive those facts 

 from as many portions as possible, of the flat country ol 

 the southern states ? 



The general cause of these currents Mr. Hayden con- 

 cludes to be the deluge of Noah. While no one will ob- 

 iect to the propriety of ascribing very many, probably most 

 of our alluvial features, to that catastrophe, we conceive 

 that neither Mr. Hayden, nor any other man, is bound to 

 prove the immediate physical cause of that vindictive in- 

 fliction. 



Neither the fusion of the polar ice, as imagined by St. 

 Pierre, nor the subsidence of continents, as conjectured by 

 Dr. Clarke, are necessary to account for an event of this 

 nature, when it is attributed, in the history which records it, 

 to the immediate power of the Creator, who (although in 

 this instance, rains are named, and subterraneous waters al- 

 luded to, as the immediate agents) never hesitates for means, 

 to accomplish an end. 



If however, in our turn, we might be indulged in stating 

 an hypothesis, we would beg leave to suggest the following 

 as a cause which may have aided in deluging the earth, and 

 which, were there occasion, might do it again. 



The existence of enormous caverns in the bowels of the 

 earth, (so often imagined by authors,) appears to be no very 

 extravagant assumption. It is true it cannot be proved, but in a 

 sphere of eight thousand miles in diameter, it would appear ia 

 no way extraordinary, that many cavities might exist, which 

 collectively, or even singly, might well contain much more 

 than all our oceans, seas, and other superficial waters, none of 

 which are probably more than a fevv miles in depth. If 



