of the United States. 33 



view, from that in which it seems to have been hitherto re- 

 garded. 



In the first place, the opinion that it is alluvial or deposited 

 by the ocean or by rivers, at a comparatively recent period, 

 seems quite inadmissible. The eastern shores of continents 

 are more liable to lose than gain from the ocean, and there 

 are no rivers on that coast which could have deposited such 

 an accumulation of sand and marie, and the hills of lime- 

 stone which that country contains. 



In strict geological language the term alluvial can only be 

 applied to the depositions which take place on the banks, or 

 at the debouchure of rivers, such as are formed by the 

 Ganges, the Nile, the Danube and the Mississippi, the ex- 

 tent of which is easily ascertained by a correct map. Small- 

 er rivers, such as occur more frequently on the Atlantic 

 border of the United States, do not in centuries deposit suf- 

 ficient sand to alter the geographical features of a country. 



The following descriptions of strata found near the At- 

 lantic are taken partly from my own notes on the few which 

 I have seen ; from the publications of Mr. Maclure, Dr. 

 Mitchell, and Mr. Hayden, and from the personal informa- 

 tion of several friends to geological science, amongst whom. 

 I wish more particularly to mention the names of J. G. Bo- 

 gert, Esq. and Major Delafield of New-York, and Major 

 Ware of Philadelphia, all of whom are well known in the 

 scientific world, and upon whose correctness, every reliance 

 can be most firmly reposed. I have added the name of the 

 strata in England and France, to which they may probably 

 be referred, at the same time I do it merely as a slight 

 sketch of what may be attempted by future observers, and 

 submit it to the public with ev^ery possible deference to 

 their opinion. It is merely an outline which must be left 

 to future geologists to fill up, and to ascertain, in a more 

 rigid manner. It is sufficient to the present memoir if it 

 merely suggests the coincidence between the higher forma- 

 tions in Europe and those of America, leaving it to abler 

 pens to correct the mistakes, and supply the deficiencies of 

 the present essay. 



Vol.. VII.— No. 1. 5 



