112 



around. In several specimens, I thought I could perceive indistinct 

 traces of encrini, such as are frequent in that rock. Possibly, how- 

 ever, these masses may have become entangled in cavities on the 

 limestone, in which by chemical action, they were subsequently ce- 

 mented. 



One of the most curious objects in the particular district of which 

 we have just been treating, is the lake near the summit of the Salt 

 Pond mountain. The erroneous impressions and absurd specula- 

 tions to which it has given rise, will be accepted as an apology for 

 the few descriptive remarks which I shall here present. This beau- 

 tiful sheet of water is situated at the intersection of the Salt Pond 

 mountain and several of its spurs, and not, as is commonly supposed, 

 on the top of the mountain. Its height above the base of the moun- 

 tain, is probably from 900 to 1000 feet, but it is surrounded by steep 

 and lofty hills on every side, excepting that by which it is approach- 

 ed, and that through which its waters find a small outlet, falling in 

 a picturesque cascade of great height, and then flowing rapidly into 

 the creek below. The outlet appears formerly to have been deeper 

 than at present, and the extent of the lake was therefore much less 

 that it now is. Rocks and earth gradually accumulating at the 

 passage, have dammed the waters up, and hence the trees and 

 shrubs which grew upon its margin, may now be seen sometimes 

 standing erect at a considerable depth beneath its surface. Its 

 length is about three quarters of a mile — its greatest width about 

 half a mile. By careful soundings from side to side, in many parts 

 of it, the greatest depth that could be found was from 56 to 60 feet; 

 but such was the transparency of the water, that the bottom could 

 be seen nearly in its deepest parts. No animal is found in it but a 

 small species of salamander or water lizard. 



Of the south-west portion of the state so little is known, further 

 than the existence and value of its gypsum, lead, salt and iron, that 

 no general views, even of its important geological features, can be 

 ventured on with safety for the present. Even the tracing of the 

 limits of those formations that connect a portion of it geologically 

 with the great Virginia valley, would as yet be premature ; and of 

 the true character of the more western parts, we have no means at 

 present of forming any accurate opinion. Hence, in introducing the 

 few remarks relating to its structure and economical resources, 

 which I shall presently bring forward, little or no regard will be paid 

 to any imaginary lines of demarkation, which might be conceived 



