UNITED STATES. 



It has been observed, that the rivers in the south- 

 ern states frequently vary their channels ; that the 

 swamps and low grounds are continually filling upl- 

 and that the land, in many places, annually infringe*> 

 upon the ocean. It is an authenticated fact, thatn© 

 longer ago than 1771, at Cape Look-out, on the 

 coast of North Carolina, in about latitude 34 deg. 

 50 min, there was an excellent harbour, capacious 

 enough to receive a hundred sail of shipping at a 

 time, in a good depth of water. It is now entirely 

 filled up, and is solid ground. Instances of this kind 

 are frequent along the coast. 



It is observable, likewise, that there is a gradual 

 descent of about eighteen hundred feet, by measure^ 

 ment, from the foot of the mountains to the se^ 

 bound. This descent continues, as is demonstrated 

 by soundings far into the sea."* 



Whatever may have been the cause of the incr 

 qualities at present existing on the surface of .thi^ 

 globe, observation teaches, that the hills and moun* 

 tains are generally in a crumbling condition, and 

 descending gradually to the plains below. The chief 

 agents in this process, wtuch are incessantly charrgr 

 ing the face of things, are, 1. The undermining of 

 waters. ^2. The washing of rains and torrents ; and 

 3. The irresistible force of frost. 



The undermining operation of the ocean water, is 

 very evident on the south side of Moniauk point at 

 the east end, and on both sides of Cow -bay on the 



* In confirmation of Mr. Morse's assertion, it may be mentiened. 

 that the gradual descent is very observable from the valley of 

 ISTatchez to the coast of the bay of Mexico,— -See Mr. Dunbar ort 

 Mississippi." Trans, Amer. Phil. Soc. vol. 6. 



