Mount Tom. 81 



expect a very smooth path in reaching them ; for he must clamber 

 over a large amount of debris, sloping at an angle of 45°. 



Titan's Pier. 



Standing upon Holyoke and facing the south, one has directly he- 

 fore him, and as it were under his feet, the deep gorge between Hol- 

 yoke and Tom, through which Connecticut river passes. Following 

 the western side of the mountain, as it rapidly descends to the river, 

 we find it terminating with a naked rock extending several rods into 

 the river, and nearly perpendicular on the side next to the water, from 

 20 to 100 feet high. A considerable part of this naked rock exhibits 

 a columnar structure; not in general as perfect as the spot above de- 

 scribed, yet sufficiently regular to require little aid from the imagina- 

 tion, to be regarded as artificial ; though obviously demanding giant 

 strength for its construction. I have said that the columnar structure 

 was not in general very perfect. But if one can work his way along 

 the western face of this precipice at low water, he will find, near niere 

 the rock passes under the river, the tops of numerous columns of great 

 regularity ; their upper portions having been removed by the force of 

 the stream, which for so many centuries has been battering this cliff 

 with logs and ice. By referring to the next part of my report, a more 

 definite idea can be obtained of these columns. But from what I have 

 now said, every intelligent man will perceive that these columns are 

 very similar to to those on the coast of Ireland, which form F'mgaVs 

 Caveand the Giant's Causey. The nature of the rock too,is essentially 

 the same in all these places. Why then may I not be permitted to de- 

 nominate this rock, Titan's Pier? At least, may I not hope by this 

 description to attract the attention of visitors to Holyoke to this spot ? 

 Hitherto it has been passed unnoticed. 



Mount To m. 



As this is higher than Holyoke and insulated in the same great val- 

 ley, the view from its summit cannot but be commanding; Yet most 

 of the interesting group of objects around the base of the former, is 

 wanting around the latter. Hence Tom is not much frequented ; while 

 during the summer months, Holyoke is a place of great resort. 



I obtained from this mountain one summer morning, a striking view, 

 while yet the whole valley of the Connecticut was enveloped in fog, 

 and Tom, with a few other elevated peaks connected with the green- 

 stone range, alone rose above the vapour. The sun shining brightly 

 11 



