352 
[Assembly 
distant, with an intervening hill, higher by some 50 feet than this re- 
markable hole. This ledge of rocks skirts a valley on the west v^hich 
is about 100 rods wide, and its direction is about north and south. This 
hole is from 24 to 30 feet deep, and from 12 to 14 feet in diameter, 
bearing the usual marks on the interior of water-worn surfaces. Upon 
the summit of the intervening high ground and the river, we find the 
polished rocks ; in one place a mass of the Potsdam sandstone, still 
adhering to the primary, 7 or 8 feet in diameter, of an oval form, and 
about 2 feet thick, is all that remains of the stratum at this place, and 
grooved in the usual manner, with the scratches in a north and south 
direction. Now, is there any connexion between the pot hole and the 
abrasions of the sandstone ? We know the former could not have been 
produced by an iceberg, and probably not by the deluge, but we know 
they are the effects of running water. There may be a connexion, but 
it is not possible to demonstrate it. Both phenomena have the appear- 
ance of having been produced by one agent, but we are wanting in 
facts, and are necessarily obhged to wait the progress of discovery ei- 
ther to prove or disprove the inquiry. 
It is evident, objections to theories are easily raised, and it is diffi- 
cult even to propose one to account for ancient phenomena, which shall 
be free from objections. This is strongly felt by all who have attempt- 
ed the task. In relation to the phenomena which have been discussed 
in this chapter, it is clear that we are not yet in the possession of facts 
which can sustain any theory. It is not sufficient that we admit that 
the deluge may have carried along stones, rocks, &c. or that ice-floes 
do the same, since both may be shown to belong to periods more recent 
than the phenomena they are intended to explain. 
Five Hints to Agriculturists. 
\st. Drainage. The cure of a very common evil, that of a cold, wet 
soil, may be effected by knowing the nature of the rock which consti- 
tutes the substratum. Springs which supply this excess of moisture, 
issue from reservoirs formed in the cavities of rocks, and it is a very 
common circumstance, that the issue of water is at the edge of the 
jointed rock, or perhaps the efflux of water is determined by a fault. — 
In either case, the remedy is to drain the water into the joints of the 
rock. It may be, however, that drainage cannot be effected. The 
nature of the substratum or rock determines the question. Geological 
knowledge is required in the first place, to know how, and in the se- 
cond, to determine when it is possible to effect it. 
