No. 200. 1 
373 
Between the falls and Lake Erie are several islands, composed chief- 
ly of pebbles, gravel, clay and sand. Among these is Goat Island, 
which divides the waters of the river, making the two falls, one on the 
Canadian, the other on the American side. 
The accompanying wood cut represents a section on the southwest 
side of this island; the height above the river at this place is about 20 
feet. The coarse gravel and pebbles forming the upper part of this island 
are filled with shells of Unios, Melania, Planorbis, and Lymorea, the 
same species as those now inhabiting the lake. The elevation of the 
part of the island containing shells, proves that at a former period the 
waters were at a much higher level than at present. In order to raise 
the river to that height, it would require the falls to be carried towards 
Lewiston more than a mile. 
We have other and interesting facts to communicate on this subject, 
but they will require larger drawings for illustration. 
The agricultural interests of the counties have been among the promi- 
nent objects in the examinations of the past season; every extensive 
characteristic or variety of soil has been collected, and specimens pre- 
served in the State collection, for examination and analysis. Specimens 
of the different varieties of marl have been collected, and at some future 
time the value and importance of this substance will be more fully ex- 
plained. Their adaptation to different soils, and the advantage result- 
ing to crops from their use, can be known only by a long series of ob- 
servations. 
Specimens illustrating the geology of the four northern counties of 
the district are deposited in the geological rooms at the Capitol. More 
than thirty boxes have been collected in these counties, and along the 
Genesee river, towards its source. 
JAMES HALL, 
State Geologist, 
