8 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



soils and their tillability, the location of springs and lakes, the 

 courses of the streams and the occurrence of falls as sources of 

 power, are almost wholly results of conditions and agencies that 

 prevailed during the glacial period. The purpose of the present 

 work is, first, to describe the glacial deposits in regard to their com- 

 position, distribution and topographic forms and, second, to deduce 

 from these data the steps of geological history recorded. 



PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 



The surface distribution of the glacial deposits, especially those 

 laid down during the epoch of flooded waters, was determined 

 largely by bedrock topography. A brief description of the general 

 physiographic features of the area included within the quadrangle 

 will be therefore first given. 



The area presents marked contrasts in topographic features. The 

 southeastern portion, including a strip along the middle eastern 

 margin, lies within the general valley of the Hudson. It bears the 

 character of a sand plain and is continuous with the extensive 

 region of like character which prevails north and south in the 

 Hudson valley. The village of Saratoga Springs is built upon this 

 plain. The general elevation of the plain is about 320 feet except 

 in the southern portion where, in the paths of late glacial water- 

 courses, the sands have been swept away. A portion of Saratoga 

 lake, the elevation of which is 204 feet, occupies the southeastern 

 corner of the quadrangle. Rocks outcrop along the shore of the 

 lake and it is inferred that the bed of the lake is an old erosion 

 valley. 1 



West of the Hudson Valley plain and lying within the township 

 of Milton is a level, sandy tract some 6 square miles in areal extent 

 which stands at 400 feet elevation. It is separated from the Hudson 

 plain by a slope of low pitch but distinct and continuous and clearly 

 indicated by the contour lines of the map. As will be shown later, 

 this Milton plain originated under conditions difTereiutiating tit 

 from the lower level plain. 



In contrast with the low elevation of the Hudson plain area are 

 two regions of highlands. One of these lies in the northeastern 

 and middle eastern portions of the quadrangle and includes in its 

 southern development the hilly and in large part forested country 

 north of the village of Saratoga Springs. On its eastern border it 

 is sharply separated from the plain area by a steep slope which in 



1 Woodworth, /Indent Water LeveU' N. Y. State Mus. Bui. 84, p. 76, 1905. 



