Geology, Sfc. of the Connecticut. 9 



retreat, or when the deltas of the Mississippi and Ganges, 

 began to encroach upon the ocean, or even to that time 

 when " all the high hills that were under the whole heaven 

 were covered" with a deluge. 



Last of all, his attention will be directed to the rock on 

 which he stands. And he will find near him those regular 

 columns and those sloping debris, that evince it to belong 

 to the trap family, so singular in its structure and position^ 

 and whose origin is so hard to be accounted for.* 



Mount Tom. 



Mount Tom is higher than Holyoke and the prospect 

 from its top is grand and extensive, but there is not that in- 

 teresting grouping of objects in its immediate vicinity ; and 

 while Holyoke attracts so many visitors, Tom is rarely as- 

 cended. Both mountains are merely distinct peaks of the 

 same greenstone range, separated by Connecticut river. 



Sugar Loaf. 



It has already been stated that this is a conical elevation 

 of old red sandstone, rising five hundred feet above the Con- 

 necticut, in Deerfield, immediately on its banks. Any 

 one passing along the stage road from Whately to Deerfield, 

 will be struck with the singular form and aspect of this 

 peak, and he will not regret a visit to its top. This he will 

 find to be an ellipse, whose diameters are about ten and 

 thirty rods. On the east and west sides are perpendicular 

 walls several hundred feet high. Connecticut river is a 

 beautiful object on the east and south, and a bridge across 

 this river, and the village of Sunderland on the opposite 

 bank, appear to be distant scarcely a stone's throw. One 

 fourth of the horizon is hidden on the northeast by the 

 trees. On every other side the view is distinct and com- 

 manding. 



In the meadows near the south point of Sugar Loaf, a 

 skirmish took place in August, 1675, between the Indians 

 and the Massachusetts forces under Captains Lathrop and 



* It ought perhaps to be mentioned that recently two commodious build- 

 ings have been erected upon Holyoke, where the visitor will find ample 

 means of refreshment. 



Vol. VII No. 1. 2 



