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in a horizontal position, but when an outbreak occur- 

 red this regularity was destroyed. The origin and for- 

 mation of rocks and other substances which were made 

 in past ages has been the object of a great deal of study 

 and investigation by scientific men. 



When gazing upon a large rock in its present moss- 

 covered form you can scarcely conceive the many 

 changes it has gone through. Most likely at some 

 period it has been deep down in the earth, and perhaps 

 has been in a molten condition, tossed and thrown in 

 many shapes by the furious movements of the interior. 

 At last it has come to rest. Will it always stay in its 

 present condition, or will it again undergo some change 

 either by man or some natural agency? Rocks are dis- 

 appeariifg, owing to the increasing cultivation and 

 clearing of lands, but in many places they are quite 

 abundant. They make very handsome scenery along 

 creeks and lakes. One can form a beautiful picture in 

 his mind composed of rocks, water, trees and grass, a 

 picture worth looking at, and one which fills you with 

 intense admiration. There is a fertile valley with huge 

 boulders and on either side between which a little 

 stream is winding its way, and perchance in some cozy 

 nook a sparkling stream is found whose crystal waters 

 are every day bathing the golden sands and round peb- 

 bles which form its bed. Near the stream the grass is 

 growing in rich verdure, while here and there from 

 among its tender blades peep the hardy faces of beauti- 

 ful flowers, while on the summit of the banks and 

 scattered along them the trees lift their spreading 

 branches which wave in gentle swellings in the soft 

 zephyrs, in which; the birds are rejoicing in merry 



