60 Roxhury Rocking Stone. 



general outline. Upon the north eastern side the lower 

 part bears some resemblance to a shoe. 



Mr. W. observes, " the lower side, on the East, is arched 

 from the middle to the northern end, where in descending 

 it terminates in a short rounded projection, upon which this 

 end is supported, as may be seen in the N. E view ;* from 

 the middle to the southern end, it ^s nearly upon a straight 

 line; the point upon which this end rests is not so evident 

 as the other. It is marked by the letter A in the N. E. 

 view. The average elevation from the lower rock, on the 

 east, is about an inch and a half. On the west the lower side 

 is gradually elevated from the northern to the southern end, 

 where it is raised a foot and a half from the supporting rock. 

 On the western side of the northern end the weightiest part 

 is at the bottom, but on the eastern side at the top." 



By a Hue drawn around it, from end to end, Mr, P. found 

 its largest ciroui'iference to be thirty seven feet and lour 

 inches ; its smallest twenty feet and eight inches. From its 

 irregularity, he could not obtain its cubic dimensions with ac- 

 curacy ; but concluded that it was equal to a regular solid of 

 fifteen feet in length, six in breadth, and six in thickness ; 

 equivalent to five hundred and forty cubic feet. A small stone 

 of a regular form composed of the same ingredients as the 

 moveable stone, and containing by admeasurement thirty six 

 cubic inches, he found to weigh lour pounds ; which is at the 

 rate of one hundred and ninety two pounds the cubic foot. 

 Consequently, the weight of the rocking stone is one hundred 

 and three thousand, six hundred and eighty pounds, or forty 

 six tons and upwards. A child six years of age can easily move 

 it with one hand, and any adult person with a single finger ; 

 indeed Mr. P. could move it very perceptibly with the little 

 finger without much exertion. Mr. W. represents its 

 motion more difiicult, " By using some exertion and 

 pushing forcibly against the northern end, it may be made to 

 rock a foot or more. It is not attended by any noise, and the 

 friction is so very little, a person would not know that it was 

 moving, unless he kept his eye fixed upon it." While in 

 motion it has a terrifying appearance to the bystander, 

 and seems ready to tumble and crush him to atoms. 



When set in motion, it vibrates nearly a minute before 

 it becomes poised in its accustomed situation. I have no 

 doubt, says Mr. P. that it is agitated by every strong wind, 

 * See Plate I. Fij'. 4. 



