Account of a Remarkable Storm. 137 
ene hundred and fifty feet, it becomes forked, or divided 
into two branches, with a tongue of land between, which 
is covered with trees and shrubs. Below the fork, all 
the trees except two small ones, and the shrubs, were 
torn up by the roots, and carried by the force of the 
waters to the bottom. The ground which was compo- 
sed of soil of a moderate thickness, and of gravel and 
stones underneath, was washed away to the depth of four, 
five, or six feet in most places; and in some instances to 
the depth of ten feet or upwards. Below this are ledges of 
horizontal rocks, which have been laid bare to a considera- 
ble extent,and which were before invisible, rising tier above 
tier, and receding from below upwards. A great quantity 
of earth and stones were washed into the plain below, to- 
gether with a part of the trees, and shrubs, and carried to 
the distance of ten, twenty, and in some instances thirty, 
rods. A much larger mass lies immediately at the bottom. 
The trees have been since chiefly removed. ‘T’here are two 
or three other similar excavations not far distant. They 
may be seen at the distance of fifteen or twenty miles, on 
the high grounds eastward. 
South of this ridge, at the distance of one or two miles, is 
another of less elevation, presenting on the eastern declivity 
similar ravages, in two or more places. These I did not 
examine particularly. 
Generally, it may be stated that, within the limits of this 
township there are nine or ten similar excavations on the 
sides of mountains, and sharp ridges, which were occasion- 
ed by this storm ; that in each instance there exists no rea- 
son to believe that the water was accumulated from “the 
neighbouring grounds ; that the ravages commenced sudden- 
ly, and are largeand deep at their commencement ; that the 
dead leaves and brush lying immediately above, and at the 
sides, do not appear to bear any marks of a change of posi- 
tion, nor to have been in any manner disturbed from the 
flowing of water ; and that the configuration of the ground 
is in each instance such, as to forbid the supposition, that 
the water might have accumulated from the adjoining 
ground. Did a cloud highly surcharged with water, rest upon 
each of these places, till its contents were emptied? Did 
waterspouts discharge themselves here ? 
Inthe same range further south, the storm raged with 
Vou, IV.....No. 1. 18 ‘ 
