122 Mineralogy and Geology of the White Mountains. 



falls below their summits ,• though in the article quoted above, it 

 is asserted, that vegetation uniformly rises higher on the western 

 side than on the eastern of these mountains, and the difference is 

 attributed to the greater elevation of the whole country on the 

 western side. 



The Franconia Notch, 



seven miles south of the village of Franconia, is approached 

 by a very considerable ascent in the road to the summit level. 

 Some beautiful lakes on the north of this give rise to one branch 

 of the Amonoosuck, and another lake on the south forms one of 

 the sources of the Pemigewasset, while lofty mountains rise on 

 each side of the road, which on the left are almost perpendicular. 

 The profile on the west, or La Fayette mountain,* is still in 

 high perfection, reminding one of an ancient warrior with his 

 grisly beard and projecting helmet, and a countenance of deter- 

 mination and majesty ; the whole presenting, in sharp outline, a 

 face full of expression, like the most labored production of the 

 chisel. 



The Basin. 



Three miles south of the mountain-house, on the right of the 

 road, is a wonderful excavation in the granite rock, called '-'■ the 

 basin." It is perfectly ovoidal, and its diameters (by the eye) 

 twenty five and twenty feet, depth fifteen feet, and filled with 

 water of a pellucid sea-green, and rounded stones in great number 

 lying on the bottom. 



A small stream, the outlet of the lake above, pours through 

 " the basin" with great vivacity, entering on the N. E. strikes 

 against the south, and receives a circular motion westward, pro- 

 ducing eddies and a complete revolution, and is discharged on the 

 S. W. side. The concave above the water, which is perfect on 

 the N. W. side, and projects over the basin at a height above the 

 water (to the eye) of some fifteen feet, is beautifully rounded 

 and smoothed. It is obvious that the water once flowed so as to 

 strike the highest point, where the granite is most worn, and by 

 its constant circular motion, aided doubtless by the stones and 

 gravel carried round with it, has produced this astonishing cavity. 

 The ledge of granite above, and especially below the basin, is 



** See a notice and sketch of this colossal profile, Vol. xiv, p. 64, of this Journal. 



