USA > Vermont > Outlines of the geography, natural and civil history and constitution of Vermont. Also the Constitution of the United States. with notes and queries > Part 5
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ton),. 1
Connecticut River), N. IL .. 1589
Willoughby Lake,. .1161
Questions.
What modifies the climate of the State ? What elevation affects the thermometer one degree ? How do high mountains affect tem- perature ? How bodies of water ? What is the elevation of the islands in Lake Champlain ? From what source are the altitudes in the table taken ? Give altitudes in the table.
LESSON XXVI.
Curiosities.
Natural curiosities are found in Vermont, which deserve notice. Among these are fifteen or twenty caves or under- ground rooms. Some of these are small, and others have not been sufficiently explored to be fully described. One, very interesting, is found in the northeast part of Arlington, which has its entrance on the east side of a steep hill. The entrance is small and will admit but one person at a time. The cavern is thirteen rode in length, and its medium width
Feet. l'iFt
Lake Memphremagog, .... 695 Elligo Pond (Craftsbury). . . 893 Savanna Pond (Sutton) , . . . 1210 Winooski Pond ( Pescham), . 1410 Joe's Pond (Cabot) . . . . . . . . 1544
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OEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
and height about eight feet. One conical shaped room is more than fifty feet in height, and has stalactites upon its sides. [Stalactites are formed of limestone, and in shape, resemble icicles.] A cave on the east side of Mount An- thony in Bennington, has stalactites hanging from its roof and sides.
About a mile and a half east of the village in Brandon are two caves, the largest sixteen or eighteen feet square, reached by a perpendicular descent of eighteen feet. From this room is a narrow passage into another still larger. . 1 cave called Devil's Den, in Wright's Mountain in Bradford, is supposed to have been inhabited formerly by human be- ings. In Burlington is another cave with the same name.
A cave in Clarendon is very interesting. The descent into it is through a passage about two and a half feet in width, and thirty-one in length, leading into a room twenty feet long, twenty feet high, and nearly thirteen wide. From this room a similar passage leads into a room thirty . feet long and twenty wide. This room is sometimes filled with water. In Danby are several caverns, but they have not been thoroughly explored. En Dorset is a very large cavern, which is entered by an aperture about ten feet square, lead- ing into a room nine rods in length, and four in width. From this cave are two openings which lead into other rooms. One of these apartments is twenty feet long and twelve wide, and is connected by a long, narrow passage with an- other cave eighty feet long and thirty-six wide. The left hand passage, from the first room, leads into another cave twelve feet square, out of which is a passage into an apart- ment of considerable size, containing a spring of water. This cavern has been explored for 40 or 50 rods without finding the end. An examination of these rooms is excee.1- ingly interesting, to those who delight in the Creator's works. The caves in Duxbury and Halifax are said to be very in- teresting, though not so extensive as some others. " In the northwestern part of Monkton, is a noted cavern. The ori- fice, by which it is entered, is at the foot of a large chasin on the side of a small hill. After descending about 16 feet
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GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
from the opening, you arrive at a room 30 feet by 16, from which is a passage leading to a second apartment, not quite so large, but more regular."
In Plymouth also are beautiful caves. The largest of these is entered by a perpendicular passage about the size of a common well, and ten feet deep. This leads into a room thirty feet long and twenty wide, from which a broad passage conducts into another about half the size of the first. From this cave are passages into several smaller ones ; from one of which, is an opening into a large room, thirty feet long, twelve wide, and twenty high, whose sides meet at the top, like a roof. A narrow passage from this room leads into another, shaped like an oven, which has beautiful stal- actites hanging from its roof. Many of these have been broken off and carried away by visitors.
A cave in Salisbury is said to have been once inhabited by Indians. There are caves in some other towns One in Ilighgate has a large opening, and extends twenty or thirty fect into the side of the hill. A small cave has recently been explored in Bristol. Many others are found.
In several places in the State there is strong evidence of a great force having operated after the mountains were thrown up, by which the strata of rocks have been much fractured, and sometimes chasuis of great depth formed. In the town of Arlington, Rel and West mountains furnish evidence of having been much disturbed. The broken frag- ments of the limestone and slate have been thrown into con- fused masses, leaving what have been called .' sink-holes " or " mitural wells." Some of these have been explored to a depth of from 150 to 150 feet. The cave described by Mr. Thompson. in the northeast part of the town, doubtless originated in the same way. A spring, which seems to have a real ebb and flow, has been discovered in the sune town, and another from which i ques a current of air, sufficiently strong to extinguish a lightel candle. The frozen well in Brandon has been regarded by all who have visited it as a great curiosity. The present valley of Lake Champlain was once much lower than at present, and was covered by
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GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
the waters of the ocean. This is proved by the remains of a fossil whale, and also immense quantities of sea shells, still existing in the clay banks on the borders of the lake. Rocking stones of great size, and so nearly balanced that they may be moved several inches by the strength of n single man, are found at Greensboro. The rocks in the vi- cinity seem to have been as much fractured as those men- tioned at Arlington. Rocking stones are found in other towns.
Questima.
What are some of the natural curiosities of Vermont? Desc. it the cave in Arlington. What are st dactites ? What is said of the cave in Bennington ? Where are the caverns in Brandon sita- ated ? Size of the largest ? How is it entered? What cave in Bradford? What at Budingt m ? Describe the cave in Clarendon. Have those in Danby been fully explored ? Describe the principal rooms in the cave at Dorset. Mention other towns where caves are found. What can you say respecting the Plymouth caves ? What of the one in Salisbury ? In Highgate ? What natural curiosities on mountains in Arlington ? What occasioned them ? How far have some been explored? What other curiosities described in this lesson ?
LESSON XXVIL Curiosities, Continued.
A curiosity of different character is worthy of being men- tioned. In the northeastern corner of Hydepark are many depressions or hollows, that have been appropriately called " dry bowls." Many of thein are shaped very much like the inside of a bowl, and are of various dimensions. Some aro only a few feet across, and others are many rods. The water that flows into them from rain and melting snows, disappears as readily as on the surface of plains. The bot- toms of the " bowls" are as capable of cultivation as table lan Is in the vicinity. While such depressions elsewhere would be filled with water and constitute ponils, these sel- dem contain any standing water. The plain in which they
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GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
occur was doubtless the bed of an ancient lake, or perhaps ocean. It is covered with a shallow soil, beneath which, to a great extent, is loose gravel or rubble, from which the finer parts seem to have been washed out by the action of water. Green river, which passes near, loses much of its waters before reaching the Lamoille river, several miles distant.
Pond walls, a great curiosity, occur in several places in Vermont. Some of these appear almost like artificial walls. Those on the casterly side of Willoughby lake rise to the height of five orsix feet, and are at the base but little thicker than heavy stone walls, constructed for fencing fields. On the northerly and westerly borders of Franklin pond, such walls and sand banks are much broader and higher. The road for considerable distance prisses along on the top of one, forming a natural turnpike. The bog on one side, is but little higher than the surface of the water on the other. In other places similar walls occur, united with sand banks.
Questions.
What remarkable curiosities are found in Hydepark ? How aro these hollows shaped ? Of what size are they ? What is said re- speeting the water that flows into them ? Are they capable of cul- tivation ? Do they usually retain any water ? With what is the plain now covered ? What is raid respecting Green river ? What other curiosity is mentioned ? What do they appear like ? How high are those at Willoughby lake? Where are similar walls found ? What is said of those at Franklin pond?
LESSON XXVII. Falls in Vermont.
Several falls in Vermont deserve to be ranked among the objects of interest and curiosity. Though our streams are not large, yet on some of them the fall is great. The " fifteen- mile falls" on Connecticut river aro remarkable only for their length. The falls on Black river, in Cavendish, are 4
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GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
very interesting. The river has worn down a channel of one hundred feet, and huge rocks have been undermined and thrown down one upon another. IToles of various sizes and forms are worn into the solid rock. These are from one foot to eight feet in diameter, and vary from one to fifteen in depth. Others are still larger, and " worn almost per- fectly smooth into the solid body of the rock." McConnel's falls, on the Lamoille river in Johnson, are of much inter- est. The water after pouring over a ledge of rocks fifteen feet high, takes a northwestern course over a bed of rocks, about one hundred rods, narrowing its channel and increas- ing in velocity. Then, forming a whirlpool, it sinks " be- neath a barrier of rocks which extends across the river." " The arch is of solid rock " and about eight feet in width, forming a bridge when the water is low. "Below this, the water rises through numerous holes, exhibiting an appear- ance similar to the boiling of a pet. On a branch of White River, in Granville, are the "Moss Glen Falls," surrounded by beautiful scenery. "The water falls over a massive rock one hundred feet ; fifty feet, at the lower part, is a perpen- dicular descent."
Questions.
What is said respecting the falls of Vermont ? For what are the fifteen-mile falls remarkable ? On what river are they ? Where are falls on Black river ? How deep is the channel worn in the rock ? Describe the holes in the rock. Where are McConnel's falls ? Describe them. What is said of the arch ? What curiosi- ty below the falls? Describe the falls at Grauville.
LESSON XXVIIL.
Falls, Natural Bridges, S.c.
In the town of Milton, the Lamoille river falls one hun- dred and fifty feet in the distance of thirty rods. "Near the middle of the cataract or falls is a small island, on each side of which the water rushes down with the greatest violence,
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GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
rebounding from rock to rock, sending its spray er mist into the air," and almost stunning the visitor with its incessant roar. In Troy, the Missigco river falls over a ledge of rocks about seventy fect in height. These falls, and the still, deep water below, present an interesting and giand spectacle, when veiwed from the rock which projects over them nearly one hundred feet in perpendicular height.
The waters of Winooski river in Marshfield, fill over . ledge of rocks, it is sail, five hundred feet in the distance of thirty rods. The stream is not large, bat the fall is co great as to render it very interesting.
In Middlesex, the Winooshi river at a former perist made its channel considerably north of the present bed, being turned by a rocky barrier above Middlesex villige. But by a long process of erosion, that barrier has been worn away and a deep gorge made in solid reck. The beauty and sub- limity of this is of great interest to the beholder. Ta order to be appreciated it must be scen, as no brief description can fully portray its grandeur.
In Waterbury, this river has wom a channel into the rocks nearly a hundred feet deep, and as many wile. This channel is worn through a hill, and proves that at some former period there was a pond above, and large falls in the river. "On one side, the rocks are nearly perpendicular, some of which have fallen across the bed of the stream, and now form a natural bridge." Others appear to bare bech loosened and to have fallen against the wall, forming caverns which seem like rooms fitted up for the convenience of man. This channel may be seen by stepping culy a few feet front the road that passes near the river.
Very many other curiosities of the same Lindt are found in different parts of the state. Those mentioned above and the falls at Vergennes, are the most interesting.
Stone bridges are found in several places. One, o .. r Stone Bridge brook in Georgia, is twelve or fourteen let wide, and the top of it is zeven or eight feet above the sur- face of the water. The width of the arch is forty or fifty feet.
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GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
In Norwich a singular curiosity has been found -- two pine trees, one eighteen inches, the other two feet in diameter, standing about twelve feet apart, and united to each other by a large limb growing from one to the other aboat twelve fect from the ground; and the trees, above the lib being nearly equal in size.
Nearly at the south line of Hardwick, formerly stood two pine trees, united in a different manner, which have sinee been felled by some ruthless hand. 'They stood nearly a rod apart, but inclined towerd each other, and at the height of fifteen er sixteen feet from the groand one free grew through the trunk of its neighbor and then Leouine :perate again.
In Brownington is a singular tree, of which one-half is maple and the other white ash, each part having ale leaves and bark, usual with its own variety. This tree is on the farm of A. K. Smith, Esq., and stands about one hundred and eighty rods from the village, in a westerly direction.
PART II.
NATURAL HISTORY.
LESSON I.
NATURAL HISTORY comprehends a description of the works of nature, particularly of plants, animals and minerals.
The history of plants is called Botany. A full descrip- tion of all the plants, herbs, &c., of the state, would require a volume much larger than this treatise. No state of equal area furnishes a greater variety. Many are medicinal, others are valuable for dyes, and were much employed by the early settlers, who manufactured most of the garments worn.
The whole musher of Vermont plants arranged by Messrs. Zadock Thompson and Wir. Oakes, several years ago, amounted to 1031. More than 100 now known were not described by thea, and no doubt a large number not here- tofore discovered will yet cmich the herbariums of botanists.
The youth of the commonwealth will be richly repaid for searching; after and preserving all the varieties within their reach. Dy mutual exchanges, an herbarium of great value may ve seenred and preserved by any one. The location of most of the plants heretofore discovered is given by Mr. Thompson in his History of Vermont and Appendix.
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GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
FOREST TREES These exist in great profusion and vari- ety within the state. The white pine is the largest tree found, and was formerly very abundant, but on account of its great value for timber, &c., it has now become quite rare. Several varieties of oak, walnut, and chestnut are found in the southern part; butternut, elm, ash, maple, birch, beech, bass, and iron or leverwood, abound on the in- tervals, and on much of the upland. Cedar and tamarack are most abundant in swamps. Hemlock, spruce and fir, cover most of the mountains, and have given name to them, from the fact that they are always green.
Of some of the trees mentioned above there are several varieties, as the red, white and black ash; the red, white and blue beech ; the white and red or slippery clm ; red and white oak ; the Norway, white and pitch pine; red and white cedar; also the red, white, striped and sugar maple, &c. The elm attains great size.
The sugar maple is one of the most valuable trees now found in Vermont. It is often called rock maple. It yields sap, from which sugar is manufactured, often as good as any which is imported. This tree is used for cabinet work, and furnishes the best wood for fuel. It is also a beautiful shade tree. Walnut and white oak furnish the most valuable tim- ber for wagons, sleighs, &c. The white elm, white ash, and red oak, are also used for these purposes. Pine, spruce and hemlock are sawed into boards, made into shingles, and hewed for building timber. Bass, birch, maple, butternut, and cherry are employed for cabinet work. Cedar and tam- arack are most valuable for rails and posts for fences.
There are many other trees in Vermont, not so useful as those before mentioned. These are the poplar, moose wood, sassafras, willow, button- wood, balm of Gilead, and moun- tain ash. Many trees are planted and cultivated that did not formerly grow in Vermont. The locust tree and many fruit trees are of this kind.
Questions.
What does Natural History comprehend? What is Botany ? About what number of plants in Vermont ? For what are plants
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GEOGRAPHIY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
useful ? What is the largest forest tree? What trees grow only in the southern part of the state? What on the intervals and up- lands ? What are most common on the mountains? What trees grow in swamps ? What varieties of ash are found ? Of beech ? Of birch ? Maple? Ehn ? Pme? Cedar? For what is the sugar maple most valuable ? Walnut? White oak ? What other trees are used for the same purposes ? For what purposes are pine, spruce, and hemlock used ? What timber is employed for cabinet work ? Uses of cedar and tamarack ? Mention other trees.
LESSON IL.
Wild Animals.
Quadrupeds or four-footed animals are of two kinds, wild and domestic. Wild animals are such as live in the forests, and are not provided for by man. These are not so plenti- ful as formerly ; and some that once were numerous are now scarcely known. The native varieties, or those which have been found wild in Vermont, are said by Rev. Z. Thompson, to be forty-five in number. The moose, elk, deer, bear, wolf, lynx, catamount, wolverine, raccoon, fox, otter, skunk, weasel, ermine, mink, martin, hedge hog, woodchuck, beaver, rabbit, hare, scal, muskrat, mole, shrew, rat, mouse, squirrel and bat. Of some of these, several varieties are known. The moose is the largest wild animal. It has been known to be seven feet high, and to weigh thirteen hundred pounds. It is seldom found at the present time. The elk is now unknown in Vermont. Deer were found in great abundance when the country was new, and were very valua- ble to the first settlers for food. They are pretty and harmless animals, having horns with several branches. Tho bear is next in size, or rather in weight, to the moose. It is very mischievous when hungry, and will attack and destroy sheep and young cattle. Bears often injure fields of corn. Their favorite food consists of vegetables, such as corn, nuts, berries and roots. When these aro abundant they do not often destroy animals. Bears hide themselves in dens or hollow trees during the winter, and sleep till spring with-
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GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
out food. When they appear again in spring they are always very fat, but soon become lean after leaving their dens. .
The wolf resembles the dog in shape. It is a trouble- some animal, and kills sheep merely to suck their blood, often leaving hardly one of a whole flock alive. The wolf is a fierce animal, and sometimes destroys persons. It is now rarely found in the state.
'The lynx was never very common in Vermont, though frequently seen by the early inhabitants, and is sometimes found at the present time. It is fierce and cunning, de- stroying smaller animals, and sometimes attacking larger ones, such as deer, sheep, calves, &c. One kind of lynx is generally known by the name of wild cat.
The catamount is a fierce and terrible animal. It destroys other animals much larger than itself, and is capable of leaping to a great distance to seize its prey. Its common weight is from eighty to one hundred pounds. It is an ani- mal of the cat kind, and was never very numerous in the state or country.
The wolverine is next to the catamount in size, but is now seldom found.
The raccoon was formerly very common in all parts of . the state, and exists in the mountainous parts in considera- ble numbers at the present time. It resembles the fox in shape, but has short legs, and is heavier in proportion to its size. It is very destructive to green corn and some other crops.
'The fox is quite common, and is a sly and cunning ani- mal. It destroys lambs, small birds, and fowls. Four varieties are known in this stato. The yellow fox is very common.
The beaver, though once numerous, is now scarcely ever found in Vermont. It is a very singular animal, and builds a house for itself of wood, mud and stones, and constructs dams across streams. Many such old dams are found in the state.
The otter lives in holes in the banks of streams, and feeds upon fish, frogs, and other small animals. The Otter Creek
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GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
river derived its name from the abundance of these animals, formerly found on its banks; but at present they are seldom seen in the state. The other animals are small, and so well known as not to require a particular description.
Questions.
How are quadrupeds divided? Where do wild animals live ? How many kinds are named by Mr. Thompson ? Mention the more important ones. What is said respecting the moose? The elk ? Deer ? Bear? Wolf? Lynx ? Catamonnt ? Wolverine? Rac- coon ? Fox? Beaver? Offer? What can you say respreting the other animals mentioned ?
LESSON III.
Domestic Animals.
DOMESTIC ANIMALS are those which are reared by man. On every farm several kinds may be seen. Horses, cattle, sheep and hogs are most numerous and important. Hardly any region is better adapted to raising or fattening them than this state.
The number of horses in this state when the census of 1860 was taken, was 67,250; milch cows, 171,698; work- ing oxen, 42,860; other cattle, 149,359 ; sheep, 721,998 ; and swing, 49,493.
Many horses are taken to Boston, New York, and other places every year for sale. Large droves of cattle are sent to market yearly for beef. Hogs also are sent to market in large numbers from this state. In most farm-houses a dog and eat are considered necessary. Fowls are generally kept. Turkeys, geese and hens are often raised for market Doves are numerous. Dueks are sometimes kept, and occasionally peacocks and Guinea hens.
BIRDS. Those which live on the borders of lakes, ponds, rivers, swamps, &c., are the goose, duck, teal, gull, heron, cout, crane, stork, snipe, shelldrake or goosander, loon, &e. Of some of these there are several varieties. The birds of prey
1
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GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
are the eagle, hawk and owl. Two varieties of the eagle are found in Vermont, ten of the hawk and nine of the owl.
Those usually called singing birds are the robin, thrush, blackbird, bobolink, bluebird, yellowbird, wren, catbird, springbird, goldfinch, linnet, &c.
Other varieties of birds are the crow, woodpecker, par- tridge, blue jay, raven, swallow, king fisher, night hawk, snow bird, humming bird. There are several varieties of the woodpecker, also of the wren, sparrow, swallow, black- bird, and some others. The whole number of species of birds in Vermont, as now known, is between one hundred and sixty and one hundred and seventy.
Questions.
What animals are called domestic ? Which are most numerous? How many horses in the State when the census of 1860 was taken ? How many cattle ? Sheep? What is said respecting the cattle and horas? What other animals are common ? Which are raised for market ?
What birds live near water or swampy land ? Mention the birds of prey. How many varieties of cach ? What are some of the singing bird- ? What other birds can you mention ? How many varieties fomal in the State? Of which are there several kinds ?
LESSON IV.
Fish, Serpents, Inscots, S.c.
Fish. There are about fifty varieties of fish found in the lakes, ponds and streams of Vermont, of which the fol- lowing are the principal, viz : sturgeon, salmon, salmon trout or longe, trout, shad, bass, pickerel, pike, pout, min- now, perch, sucker, dace, ecl and lamprey.
Some of these are now seldom taken, though formerly abundant. The salmon trout, or longe, in many of the ponds, are very large and nearly as fine flavored as salmon. SERPENTS. There are few snakes in the state, and these are usually less poisonous than those found in warmer climates. The rattlesnake is the only venomous kind in
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