332 Natural Ice- House. 
There is a large fissure which is open towards the west, 
I think, or south-west ; above it a projecting cliff excludes 
the direct rays of the sun, from falling into the cavity, which 
recedes, under the incumbent mass, at an angle of about 
forty or fifty degrees. 
During the winter, the cavern is filled with snow, by the 
driving storms, that sweep over the mountain range, with 
great violence. ; 
We found plenty of ice with which we cooled our liquors, 
and, I was informed by several of the oldest inhabitants of 
the town, that there was ice there during the whole year. 
You can get a particular and correct account of this curi- 
ous depot, from Professor Dewey of Williams College, who 
{ presume has been to it, or will go, to gratify that very 
commendable and zealous passion, which he has evinced, to 
advance the natural history of our country. 
With the highest respect, I have the honour to be 
Your most obedient servant, 
H. A. Y. DEARBORN. 
Additional particulars communicated by Mr.'Tuomas Ives, 
of Yale College. 
Pror. Siiuiman, 
The account which Mr. Dearborn has given of the natu- 
ral ice-house, and which you shewed me in MS.’ accords 
entirely with my recollections. I visited it in the month of 
July 1818—the day was one of the warmest in the season, 
I would suggest in addition to what he has communicated, 
that the mouth of the “ fissure,” or cave has the form of an 
irregular ellipse, (or of a wedge obtruncated at the vertex.) 
Width at the top, where greatest, about ten feet—length from 
fifteen to twenty—depth not exceeding twenty. ll the 
dimensions diminish as you descend. The descent is easy: 
by two or three landing places or steps ; also assisted by 
fragments of stone and old logs.—There is likewise a thick 
growth of evergreens and other wood about the entrance, 
which contribute to exclude the sun’s rays.—It is designated 
in the neighbourhood by the name of the snow-hole, the 
contents being rather snow than ice—a micture of both. The 
distance from the College is between four and five miles. 
