56 Miscellaneous Geological Topics 



the land much trodden by cattle. The whole of this piece of land 

 was so situated, as to be drained by one outlet or valley. We fre- 

 quently observed, that the heaviest falls of rain upon this land, pre- 

 vious to clearing and cultivation, did not exhibit the least sign of wa- 

 ter on the surface of the vale. But after a part was put into culti- 

 vation, it was seen that a canal would- be necessary to secure the 

 crop from occasional inundation. So soon as all the land was turn- 

 ed to use, the canal was enlarged from year to year, until it was ten 

 feet wide and six feet deep, before it was of sufficient dimensions to 

 retain the water on its passage, and prevent an overflow, during a 

 heavy fall of rain. 



INSTANCES OF THE INCKEASE OF SUKFACE WATER. 



■ The next case is not a part of a plantation, but of a tract lying on 

 each side of a well known water course of this country, called Coles' 

 Creek ; — we shall suppose this tract to extend fifteen miles in one 

 direction ; but as the creek has branches, we will confine our re- 

 marks to its northern stream, in which it may be supposed to con- 

 tain eight or ten square miles. Sixty years ago, this tract, as well as 

 that in the vicinity, was a gloomy region of perpetual shade. Our 

 informant, Mr. Daniels, reports his frequent visits about this time, for 

 the purpose of hunting here the bear and the deer : for many years 

 in succession, and often, several times in the same year, he crossed 

 this then dry ravine, without either a channel or water. After a 

 ■term of years, when setdements were made round about, and the 

 cattle of the plantations extended their range, treading the land and 

 breaking the texture of the roots of the cane brake, holes appeared 

 in the ravine where now is Cole's Creek : they were occasioned by 

 the land and cane sinking into the subterranean passages, which had 

 been made by the water. In wet seasons water was found in these 

 openings ; but in dry weather there was none. At length a ditch 

 of five or six feet wide, and eight or ten feet deep, was formed by 

 the rains. For some years after, Mr. D. could step across it in 

 some places, and in others he could jump over it. Twenty six 

 years since, when we first observed this creek, the usual crossing 

 places did not exceed ten or twelve steps in width and eight or ten 

 in depth. But as the country was cleared, the creek continued to 

 enlarge its dimensions until the present time, when it is between two 

 and four hundred feet wide, and at least twenty five or thirty feet 

 deep. The inundations are more frequent now than twenty five 



