PREFACE. THE reader is reminded that the general map of the geology of the United States and Canada forms the frontispiece of the second volume, and that the line of my route is traced upon it in the manner described in the explanation of the map at Vol. II. p. 238. As the present work embraces a great variety of subjects to which my thoughts were turned during my travels in North America, I have endeavoured to confine myself as far as possible to the communication of such scientific matter as I thought might be of interest to the general reader. For a more detailed account of my geological observations alluded to in the course of these volumes, I must refer to the following published papers and abstracts of memoirs read to the Geological Society of London. 1. Letter to Dr. Fitton on the Blossberg Coal District and Stigmaria: Proceedings of the Geological Society, vol. iii. p. 554. 1841. 2. Recession of the Falls of Niagara: Ibid. vol. iii. p. 595. 1842. Resumed, vol. iv. p. 19. 1843. 3. Tertiary Formations in Virginia and other parts of the United States: Ibid. vol. iii. p. 735. 1842. 4. Fossil Foot-Prints of Birds and Impressions of Rain-drops in Connecticut Valley. Ibid. vol. iii. p. 793. 1842. 5. Tertiary Strata of Martha's Vineyard in 6. On the Geological Position of the Mastodon 8. Coal Formations, Gypsum, and Marine Lime- 9. Bed of Plumbago and Anthracite in Micaschist, near Worcester, Massachusetts, with Appendix containing Analyses by Dr. Percy : Quarterly Journ. of Geol. Soc. No. 2. p. 416. May, 1845. 10. Cretaceous Strata of New Jersey, with Appendix, on the Fossil Corals of the same, by Mr. Lonsdale: Ibid. No. 1. p. 301. Feb. 1845. 11. Miocene Formations of Virginia and North Carolina, &c., with Appendix, on Fossil Corals, by Mr. Lonsdale: read to the Geol. Soc., March, 1845. Ibid. No. 4. Preparing for publication, 12. On the White Limestone of South Carolina and Georgia, and the Eocene Strata of other parts of the U. S., with Appendix, on the Corals, by Mr. Lonsdale: read to the Geol. Soc., March, 1845. Preparing for publication, Ibid. No. 4. Abstracts of most of these papers have also appeared in Silliman's "American Journal of Science and Arts," for the corresponding years. London, June 14th, 1845. CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME. Voyage.- Harbour of Halifax. - Excursions near Boston. - Difference of Plants from European Species, and Correspond- ence of Marine Shells.-Resemblance of Drift, Erratics, and furrowed Rocks, to those of Sweden. -Springfield. —New- haven. Scenery of the Hudson. — Albany. - Geological Surveys.- Mohawk Valley.-Ancient or Silurian Form- ations. Prosperity and rapid Progress of the People. Distant and near View of the Falls of Niagara.—Whether the Falls have receded from Queenston to their present Site.- Geographical Features of the Region.—Course of the River above and below the Falls. - Recent Proofs of Erosion. Historical Data in the Works of Hennepin and Kalm.- Geo- logical Evidence derived from Fluviatile Strata or Remnants of an old River-bed in Goat Island and elsewhere.-Diffi- culty of computing the Rate of the retrograde Movement.— Varying Hardness and Thickness of the Rocks undermined.— Future Recession.-Age of the Drift and Limestone Escarp- ments. Successive Changes which preceded and accompanied |