76 



Topographical Geology. 



to its extremity, and then, on turning northerly, he will find before him 

 a gulph at least a thousand feet deep, the four sides of which seem (al- 

 though it is not strictly so) to converge to a point at the bottom. The 

 slope of these sides, is so steep, that one feels dizzy on looking into 

 the gulph. These steep sides are all covered with trees of various 

 species, among which are occasional patches of evergreens, giving to 

 the whole slope a rich and captivating appearance. On the northeast 

 side, however, may be seen the traces of several mountain slides, by 

 which the trees and the loose soil have been swept away from the 

 height, in some cases, of 1600 feet, and of considerable width. It is 

 not more than six or eight years since one or two of these slides oc- 

 curred ; and the paths which they left behind, are yet entirely naked 

 of vegetation. In some instances of earlier date, we perceive the ves- 

 tiges of the avalanche only in the stinted growth, or peculiar character 

 of the trees, that have sprung up. It is said that one of the most re- 

 markable of these slides, took place in the year 1784 ; and that one 

 dwelling house was swept away by the inundation, though the inmates 

 escaped. 



Scattered through the valley of Berkshire and among the high ran- 

 ges that bound it on either hand, are many other mountains and peaks 

 that present delightful and extensive landscapes from their summits. 

 There is, however, such a general resemblance in the scenery of the 

 county, that a particular description of each prospect will be unnec- 

 essary, after what has been said of Saddle Mountain. In the southern 

 part of the county, the Taconic range reaches a height not much in- 

 ferior to that of Graylock. That part of the range is called 



Mount Washington. 



It lies in the southwest corner town of the State, (except a small 

 triangular unincorporated tract at the very angle of the State, called 

 Boston corner,) and as it occupies most of the town, both have the 

 same name. It has two principal peaks ; the highest and most nor- 

 therly of which, rises 2400 feet above the valley of the Housatonic, 

 and 3150 above the ocean. The summit of the ridge is mostly naked 

 rock, with even very little shrubbery. The ascent is easy on the eas- 

 terly side, and the view of the plain of Sheffield and the valley of the 

 Housatonic generally, is delightful. 



A somewhat interrupted range of mountains extends from Stock- 

 bridge through the easterly part of Great Barrington and Sheffield, pre- 

 senting several distinct peaks, which have different names, such as 



