OF NEW-YORK. 88 
Still further south there is said to be another chain of forts running parallel 
with the former, and about the same distance from them as those are from 
the lake. The country here exhibits two different tables or sections of bot- 
tom, intervale or alluvial land—the one nearest the lake being the lower, 
and if I may so denominate it, the secondary table land. The primary or 
more elevated table land is bounded on the south by hills or vallies where 
nature exhibits her usual aspects. The primary alluvial land was formed 
from the first retreat or recession of the lake, and then it is supposed the 
most southern line of fortifications was erected. In process of time the 
lake receded further to the north, leaving another section of table land on 
which the other tier of works was made. The soil on the two flats is very 
different, the inferior being adapted for grass, and the superior for grain—and 
the timber varies in a correspondent manner. On the south side of Lake 
Ontario there are also two alluvial formations—the most recent is north of 
the Ridge Road. No forts have been discovered on it—whether there be 
any on the primary table land I have not learned—South of the mountain 
ridge many have been observed. 
In the geology of our country, it is important to remark that the two allu- 
vial formations before mentioned are, generally speaking, characteristic, of 
all the lands bordering on the western waters; while on the eastern waters 
there is oftener but one alluvial tract. This may be ascribed to the distance 
of the St. Lawrence and the Mississippi from the ocean—their having pros- 
trated at different periods impediments or barriers, and in consequence of 
thus lowering the beds in which they flowed, having produced a partial ex- 
haustion of the remote waters. These distinct formations may be consider- 
ed as great chronological land-marks. The non-existence of forts on the 
secondary or primary alluvial formations of Lake Ontario is a strong cir- 
cumstance from which the remote antiquity of those on the highlands to the 
south may be deduced ; because if they had been erected after the first or 
last retreat of the lake, they would undoubtedly have been made on them 
as most convenient and best adapted for all military, civil, and domestic 
purposes. 
