206 



Scientific Geology. 



found exactly of the same depth under ground. It was about a mile 

 and half distant from the great River, and about one hundred and 

 fifty miles from the sea. But now for the Prodigy. The Monster 

 extends above one hundred and fifty foot in length. A credible per- 

 son who measured the Trench out of which it was taken, brings the 

 account unto us, and brings with him one Joint of the Back-bone, 

 which the workmen gave him, and which I find is Five inches and 

 a quarter in depth, Five inches and a half in width, Four inches 

 and an half Diameter backwards and forwards, and though it be 

 grown very dry, and some of it be worn of£ yet it weighs thirty-three 

 ounces and an half. Monstrum horrcnclum. 



I shall not go to trouble you with any of my poor speculations on 

 the subject ; chusing and wishing rather to be instructed from yours. 

 And so, only praying for your Deliverance from a greater Dragon 

 then that whose Bones were lately found in Virginia, I subscribe, 

 Sir, your most hearty Servant." 



Cotton Mather. 



June 3, 1723. 



I do not know that this letter has ever been published. That fact 

 may be ascertained by a reference to the Transactions of the Royal 

 Society, or the " Philosophical Transactions." The author of the 

 letter above, had, at the time of its date, in England as well as in 

 America, a high reputation for learning and it is altogether probable 

 that it was published there. I have never heard that it had been 

 published in this country, and presume that it never was. 



Accept, I pray you, my best wishes for your health and happiness, 

 and believe me to be with 



Very great respect and regard, 

 Your Friend and Servant, 



Christopher Columbus Baldwin, lib. a.a.s. 



4. NEW RED SANDSTONE. 



Under this name I have included all the sandstone in the valley of 

 the Connecticut ; extending from New Haven Ct. to the north line of 

 Massachusetts in Northfield. On a geological map, given in the 

 6th. volume of the American Journal of Science, I have marked 

 the inferior beds of this formation as Old Red Sandstone. Nor do I 



