14 Geology, ^c. of the Connecticut. 



and I have ventured to denominate them Turner's Falls, for 

 a reason that will appear in the course of the description. 



The river at this place runs in a northwest direction, 

 crossing the rock strata nearly at right angles; and an arti- 

 ficial dam is raised upon these rocks of the coal formation, 

 so that the whole stream, which is here more than one 

 thousand feet wide, falls thirty feet perpendicularly. This 

 sheet of water, however, is divided near the middle by a 

 small island on which the dam reposes. For three miles 

 below the principal descent, the water continues to descend 

 so as to render a canal necessary. 



The proper and almost the only spot for viewing this 

 cataract to advantage is on the elevated ground forty or fifty 

 rods below the falls on the northeast shore.* Standing on 

 this spot, you have the principal fall of water nearly in 

 front, or at right angles with the line of sight ; and you can 

 see the river above and below the dam one or two miles. 

 The contrast, is, however, very great. Above the cataract the 

 water is unruffled to the very verge of the precipice, down 

 which it rolls in graceful majesty. Below, it tumbles and foams 

 among the rocks as far as the eye can trace it. A little far- 

 ther down the stream than the station of the observer, the 

 river strikes directly against a greenstone ridge,f two hun- 

 dred feet high, by which it is forced to curve to the left, 

 more than a quadrant, and afterwards runs nearly south. 

 The rocky island that divides the cataract, with the white 

 foam dashing against the base of its cliffs and its top crown- 

 ed with a few pines and other shrubbery, is a picturesque 

 addition to the scenery. Several rods below this island a- 

 nother is planted of similar aspect, but smaller, and at a 

 much lower level, and apparently inaccessible. The upper 

 island may be reached by a canoe in safety ; and then w& 

 can descend to the very foot of the falls and find the voice 

 drowned by their roar ; and in favourable circumstances, 

 see the rainbow arching over the falling sheet. 



* From this spot a view of these falls was taken, in 1818, by a friend, and 

 inserted in the Port Folio for December of that year, with a short descrip- 

 tion. The dam has recently been removed several rods down the stream ; 

 *o that the present view differs a little from the drawing which was then 

 executed ; and the removal of the dam, I think, has ra'her injured Ihe view. 



+ At the foot of this ridge, in the bottom of the stream, and adhering to 

 ihe rocks, grows in abundance the Singular Lmiania fluviatilis of Agardh. 



