A GEOLOGICAL HISTORY. 23 



is the junction of Grand, Orange, and Elm Streets, 

 and where now stands " Centre Market." The 

 Diluvium of- this hill was similar to the rest of the 

 hills of the island. It was a steep, and somewhat 

 pyramidal hill, about 100 feet higher than the pre- 

 sent level of Grand Street. On the top stood an old 

 fort, in the centre of which was a well, from whence 

 I have seen water drawn as late as 1800, and 

 which, no doubt, had supplied the garrison who 

 quartered there during the Revolutionary War. 

 It is a curious fact, that after the earth was re- 

 moved from the surrounding hills, and from around 

 this well, the bottom of it was left dry ; this shows 

 that the well was supplied with water from the sur- 

 face, and that surface wet by rains. 



A coarse gravelly range of hills* lay on the 

 west side of Broadway, north from Canal Street, 

 to near where 4th Street now is. In this range were 

 few large boulders. It was composed chiefly of 

 coarse gravel and small boulders fit for paving 

 stones. 



* Most of these hills being covered with a small growth of cedar, and 

 other trees, many kinds of game birds were found in great plenty, as late 

 as 1797, as near the then city as Reade Street on the North River, and 

 Rutgers' Street on the East River, such as Quails. (Perdix Virginiana, of 

 Lin,) Woodcock, (Scolopax Minor, Gmel.,) Snipe, &c, &c, with all the 

 smaller tribes of the neighbourhood ; and in the salt marshes, and on the 

 shore, were seen all the varieties of the water birds- 



