Geology of the Highlands. 231 



"The "prints" were seen when the country was first 

 settled, and had the same appearance then as now. No 

 tradition can tell any thing about them. They look as old 

 as the rock. They liave the same fine polish which the at- 

 trition of the sand and water have made upon the rest of 

 the rock which is exposed to their action. I Iiave examin- 

 ed them often with great attention. They are not hand- 

 some, but exquisitely natural, botli in the form and position, 

 spreadtOed, and of course anterior to the use of narrow 

 shoes. I do not think them "impressions," but the work 

 of hands, and refer their existence to the age of the mounds 

 upon the American Bottom, and above ihe town of St. 

 Louis. My reasons for this opinion are : 1. The hardness 

 of the rock: 2. The want of other tracks leading to and 

 from them: 3. The difficulty of supposing a change so in- 

 stantaneous and apropos, as must have taken place in the 

 formation of the rock, if impressed when soft enough to re- 

 ceive such deep anddistinct tracks. Opposed to this opin- 

 ion are : 1. The exquisitencss of the workmanship : 2. The 

 difiiculty of working in such hard materials without steel or 

 iron. 



"A block of 6 or 8 feet long, and 3 or 4 wide, containing 

 the "prints," was cut out by Mr. John Jones, a stone ma- 

 son in St. Louis, and sold to Mr. Rappe of Indiana, and, 

 uader his orders, removed to his establishment, called Har- 

 mony, on the left bank of the Wabash. 



" Very respectfully yours, 



" THOMAS H. BENTON. 



" Henry R.. Schoolcraft." 



Art. in. — An Outline of the Gedogy of the Highlands, on 

 the River Hudson — By Prof. Amos Eaton. 



Several sketches of the geology of the Highlands have 

 already been published. The best, which has come to my 

 knowledge, is that of Dr. Akerly, accompanied with a pro- 

 file view. But Dr. A. told me, that his sketch was drawn 

 up in haste, without a personal examinat'on of the whole 

 succession of strata which constitute this stupendous pile of 

 mountains. 



