312 
[Assembly 
wood, bark J &c, as if it might have been accumulated on the surface of 
still water, and afterwards covered with sand and gravel. 
It has been urged as an objection, that the ridge slopes on both sides; 
but this, so far from being an objection, is a proof that it was an ancient 
shore. If we examine the shore of a lake or sea where the inland coun- 
try is not far above the level of the water, we find there is always a 
ridge accumulated. This is a natural effect from the action of the waves 
and of ice, pressing the loose materials onward till they are raised into a 
ridge, which is still increased by the wind blowing the fine sand upon 
it, which is deposited along the base. 
The ridge furnishes, perhaps, the best natural road in the country, be- 
ing from its nature at all times in good condition for travelling; and at 
such seasons as the other roads are almost impassible, this one is scarce- 
ly affected. The surface is commonly of fine gravel or sand, with coarser 
materials below, which allows the water to be absorbed and pass off be- 
neath. Its convex surface and slope on either side also prevents any 
accumulation of water. 
The detailed examination of the counties of Wayne and Orleans was 
assigned to Br. Geo. W. Boyd, the assistant geoloist to this district, and 
the economical geology of the above two counties was furnished by him 
for this report. 
LOCAL AND ECONOMICAL GEOLOGY. 
Wayne County. 
Surface of the Country. 
South of the ridge road the country is occupied by numerous parallel 
ridges, narrow and long, rising about 25 to 35 feet above the general 
level, and having uniformly a north and south direction. The ridges 
are composed of sand and gravel. 
These ridges extend regularly as far north as the ridge road, where 
they all terminate. This was observed particularly in the towns of So- 
dus, Williamson, and Ontario. We saw no instance in which these 
ridges cross the ridge road.* On the old Sodus road we travel north- 
ward, for about a mile, between two of these parallel ridges, which are 
here quite as high as any in the county, when, upon descending a little 
towards the flat country, the ridges terminate, and here a continuation 
of the lake ridge, connects the points of these ridges or hills. This 
place is about half a mile south of Griffith's tavern in the town of So- 
* This circumstance is referred to particularly, because the fact is important, in considering 
h e origin ot the lake ridge. 
