104 



Topographical Geology. 



Canaan Falls. 



These are just within the boundaries of Connecticut, on the Housa- 

 tonic. The water takes two leaps within a short distance; the upper 

 one of 20 feet, and the lower one of 70. It then foams and dashes a 

 short distance and takes a third leap of about ten feet. The effect of 

 the whole scene is imposing. 



CAVERNS AND FISSURES. 



Southampton Adit. 



I have alluded in the first part of my report, to this artificial exca- 

 vation, 900 feet in length, at the lead mine in Southampton. It is a 

 perforation mostly in solid rock, large enough to admit a boat with 

 several persons ; and in this manner might be entered with perfect 

 safety. Being unique in this part of the country, it had become a 

 place of considerable resort by gentlemen and ladies during the sum- 

 mer months. At present the entrance is blocked up ; but it is to be 

 hoped that ere long the working of this adit will be resumed, and an 

 opportunity again afforded for so fine a subterranean excursion. 



Sunderland Cave and Fissure. 



The following section will, I apprehend, render intelligible, not 

 merely the form and situation of this cave and fissure, but also the 

 mode of their production. They occur in a conglomerate rock of 

 the new red sandstone, on the northwest side of Mount Toby, in the 

 north part of Sunderland. The conglomerate strata are several feet 

 thick ; and immediately beneath this rock lies a slaty micaceous sand- 

 stone, which is very subject to disintegration ; as may be seen a little 

 north of the cave, where the conglomerate projects several feet be- 

 yond the slate, whose ruins are scattered around. The spot is per- 

 haps 300 or 400 feet above Connecticut river : yet there is the most 

 conclusive proof in all the region around, that water once acted pow- 

 erfully, and probably for a long period, at various elevations on the 

 sides of this mountain: and not improbably this aqueous agency as- 

 sisted in undermining the conglomerate rock by wearing away the 

 sandstone. 



