Science, Geology and Physics 



1819 



FOOT, LYMAN. Notices of geology and mineralogy (of Niagara Falls 1819 

 region). (Am. jour, of sci. 1822. 4: No. 1, 35-37.) Foof 



A letter dated June 15, 1819, in which the author describes the forma- 

 tions and outcroppings on the Niagara river which were noticed on a trip 

 from Fort Niagara to Buffalo. 



1820 



Eaton, Amos. An index to the geology of the northern states, with 1820 

 transverse sections, extending from Susquehanna river to the Atlantic, E* ,OI » 

 crossing Catskill mountains; to which is prefixed a geological grammar. 

 2d. ed. Troy. N. Y. 1820. Pp. 214-215. 



A quaint book by one of our early scientists. The extracts here given 

 are quoted by Eaton from Bakewell's " Introduction to Geology." 



On the continent of America, nature acts upon a magnificent 

 scale. Were her operations attended to, they might illustrate 

 many interesting facts in geology. Since the banks of the cata- 

 ract of Niagara were inhabited by Europeans, they have 

 observed that it is progressively shortening the distance from Lake 

 Erie to Lake Ontario. When it has worn down the intervening 

 calcareous rocks and effected a junction, the upper lake will 

 become dry land, and form an extensive plain, surrounded by 

 rising ground, and watered by a river or smaller lake, which will 

 occupy the lowest part. 



In this plain future geologists may trace successive layers of 

 fresh-water formation, covering the subjacent limestone. The 

 gradual deposition of minute earthy particles, or the more rapid 

 subsidence of mud from sudden inundations, will form different 

 distinct beds, in which will be found remains of fresh-water fish, 

 of vegetables and of quadrupeds. 



Large animals are frequently borne along by the rapidity of 

 the current, and precipitated down the cataract. Their broken 

 bones mixed with calcareous sediment, may form calcareous rock 

 where the waters first subside after their descent. Bones of 

 quadrupeds are found thus intermixed in the calcareous rock at 

 Gibraltar. 



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