A FraP'nient — Putnam's Rock. 37 



■t) 



nearly above the surface, while on the other side the water 

 is three or four feet deep. 



Forty years ago, I am informed, this rock was entirely 

 covered with water ; now it projects some feet. Several 

 other facts could be adduced to prove the motion of these 

 rocks, but I consider it unnecessary. Universal belief of a 

 phenomenon so uncommon, isof itself sufficient in my mind 

 to establish it. 



Respecting the causes of this phenomenon, none, which 

 are at ail satisfactory, have as yet been suggested. Some 

 pretend that it is effected by the agency of ice. We very 

 well know the great expansive power of ice ; but how it can 

 move some rocks, and not others, and even some which it 

 does not touch, we are yet to be informed. Accurate ob- 

 servations, to find in what part of the year they move most, 

 would probably afford some assistance to the enquirer. 

 That such observations be made, is highly important, and 

 earnestly desired. 



Such, sir, are the results of ray investigation. Should 

 you esteem them worthy a place in your Journal, they are 

 at your disposal. Yours, &ic. 



PETROS. 



A FRAGMENT PUTNAM's ROCK. 



Extract of a letter from Prof. Dana of| Dartmouth College, to the editor, 

 datedFeb. 5, 1822. 



I HAVE received an account of '•^Putnam's Rock," which 

 is in the river opposhe West-Point. It was given to me 

 by my friend Col. Tucker, of Gloucester, Mass. and the 

 history, as connected with the American Revolution, cannot 

 fail to be interesting ; I will give it in the Colonel's own 

 words, as there is a naivete in his manner of relating it. 



"This famous rock, originally a native of the highlands 

 above West-Point, was situated on the extreme height of 

 Butter- Hill ^l^. when the morning fog was descending from 

 the hill, it had a very beautiful appearance, not much unlike 

 a horseman's tent or hospital marquee riding on the cloud. 

 It was a common amusement for the officers when off duty 



:|:This hill is 1520 feet above tide water, and 1332 above its base, accord- 

 ing to Capt. Partridge. — J. F. D. 



