Niagara Falls 



1838 are thrown together in the greatest confusion, and bear con- 

 clusive evidence of the action of a powerful current. Dr. Scovill 

 has erected a large house and several other buildings on the top 

 of this elevation, (A), from the imbedded masses; a well was 

 dug seventy feet deep in the same place, without finding the ter- 

 mination of the deposit. Since the period of this deposition, the 

 river has been reduced to narrower limits, and has worn its 

 channel in the strata here represented. 



Between the falls and Lake Erie are several islands, com- 

 posed chiefly of pebbles, gravel, clay and sand. Among these 

 is Goat Island, which divides the waters of the river, making the 

 two falls, one on the Canadian, the other on the American side. 

 The accompanying woodcut represents a section on the south- 

 west side of this island ; the height above the river at this place is 

 about 20 feet. The coarse gravel and pebbles forming the upper 

 part of this island are filled with shells of Unios, Melania, 

 Planorbis, and Lymorea, the same species as those now inhabit- 

 ing the lake. The elevation of the part of the island containing 

 shells, proves that at a former period the waters were at a 

 much higher level than at present. In order to raise the river to 

 that height, it would require the falls to be carried towards 

 Lewiston more than a mile. 



1838 VANUXEM, LARDNER. Second annual report of the geological survey 



Vanuxem f tne third district of the state of New York. 183&. P. 271. 



Describes the crystallization between the layers of Niagara limestone. 



In the limestone at the Falls of Niagara, and of numerous, 

 other places, and in some of the water limes below that lime- 

 stone, there is at the separation of the layers a singular columnar 

 appearance, presenting itself at right angles to the layers, extend- 

 ing unequally as to length, bearing no small resemblance to the 

 sutures of the scull, When examined they show the impress 

 of a parallel fibrous or striated appearance, which is almost 

 invariably covered with minute scales of coaly matter. In vain 

 I sought last year for the cause of this common appearance. In 



544 



