472 



UNITED STATES. 



Leaji^ is deservedly ranked as one of the greatest 

 natural curiosities of South Carolina. 



From the valley below, it looks like an immense 

 wall, stretching up to heaven, presenting its naked;^ 

 but unchangeable front, ever to the influence of the 

 season. This precipice descends fi^om the summit 

 of the mountain, a depth of near four hundred yards^ 

 apparently of solid rock. From its base to the val- 

 ley, over which it stands, is probably four hundred 

 yards more. Below this proud eminence, rests the 

 whitened bones of various animals, whose incauti- 

 ous steps led them too near tlie edge of this despe- 

 rate height. And above, its summit is often enve- 

 loped with heavy clouds. Towards the base of this 

 precipice, and in many parts of the mountain, are 

 caverns, which attract the notice of travellers. 



The Great Flat rock of South Carolina, is ap- 

 proached through a valley, at the head of which it i« 

 situated. It is so called to distinguish it from the 

 *Flat rock on the road from Camden to Lancaster 

 court-house ; and it consists of a huge body of solid 

 rock, covering at least fifty acres of land. On the 

 side of the valley to the west, it is elevated above the 

 tops of the trees, and is inaccessible ; to the east, the 

 rock is not so high ; and a little up the side of it are 

 two caverns. The cavern having the smallest en- 

 trance, is said afterwards to widen considerably; 

 and to extend farther. The walls of the cavern are ^ 

 highly polished.* 



Flovjer imder ground. In May, 1800, a labourer, 

 in digging a mill-race on the Opeckon creek, a branch 



* Srayton'G View of South Carolina. 



