branches, the mountain becomes a distinct and continuous range. becoming more elevated as it extends to the north, affording some bold elevations, of which Bald mountain, situated between Somers and Stafford, is the most distinguished. The prevailing strata of this range are primitive granite; but in many of its declivities micaceous schistus abounds.

Mineralogy. The mineral treasures of Connecticut are valuable and extensive; but they have received but little attention, with the exception of iron ore. This is the most important mineral in the State. It abounds in Salisbury and Kent, and is of an excellent quality. It is also found in Sherman, Roxbury, Washington and Cornwall, and bog ore, of an excellent quality for castings, is found in Stafford. Copper ore abounds in various places in the greenstone range, particularly in Granby, Hamden and Cheshire. Iron pyrites has been found in Hamden and Berlin; and there are indications of galena, or lead ore, in Berlin, Cheshire, Middletown, Brookfield and Killingly. Black lead, or plumbago, has been discovered in Cornwall and Marlborough. Porcelain clay has been found in New-Milford and Cornwall, white clay in Washington, and yellow ochre also in Washington and NewMilford. Recently a valuable cobalt mine has been discovered in Chatham. From the examinations which have been made, the ore of this valuable mineral is extensive; being found principally in micaceous veins. This is a very valuable mineral, and promises to be a source of great profit.

Limestone abounds extensively in the western section of the State, particularly upon the borders of the Ousatonick river, and in the vales intervening between the mountainous eminences and ridges, which characterize this section of the State. Marble is found in New-Mil

ford, Washington, Brookfield and Milford. That in the latter place is clouded, resembling the Italian dove marble; has a rich colour, an excellent texture, and sustains a very high polish.

Quarries of freestone exist in various places, particularly within the argillaceous district upon Connecticut river. Those most deserving of notice, in a general view, are in Chatham, Haddam and East-Hartford. There is also a quarry of excellent white fire proof stone in Stafford, suitable for furnace hearths; a singular coincidence, that stone, suitable for furnace hearths, which is rarely found, should exist in the neighbourhood of iron ore, of a suitable quality for casting.

Some small quantities of coal have been found in Berlin, and recently in Suffield. There are also some indications of coal in Middletown and Hartford.

The mineral waters of the State are numerous; but there are no watering places of much celebrity, except those of Stafford and Suffield. The first of these has deservedly acquired a conspicuous reputation, is a place of extensive resort, and is provided with very ample accommodations; the latter is also provided with convenient ac

commodations, and at some periods has maintained considerable reputation.

Waters. The waters of this State are abundant and various, and afford all the advantages and conveniences which can result from an extensive sea-coast, safe and convenient harbours, numerous bays and inlets, large navigable rivers, and innumerable small streams, which intersect and fertilize the State in every direction, abounding in sites for bydraulic works.

There are three considerable rivers in this State; the Connecticut, Ousatonick and Thames; which, together with their numerous branches, bays, and inlets, water a considerable section of the State.

Connecticut river, from which the State takes its name, and which ranks among the most considerable rivers in the Atlantic States, intersects the State into nearly two equal sections, running through it in a southerly and southeasterly direction, a distance of 70 miles. The extreme head of its tide waters is just below the village of Warehouse-Point, about 64 miles from the mouth of the river at Saybrook bar. Sloops ascend to this place, in the season of high water. This is one of the most beautiful rivers in the world; flowing with a placid but majestic tide, through an extensive vale, affording the most interesting scenery and landscapes, its borders being embellished by extensive and delightful tracts of alluvial, unrivalled in fertility and beauty. This river affords very important facilities for navigation and commerce, and contains numerous shad fisheries, some of which are the most valuable in the United States. The principal branches of the Connecticut, within this State, are the Tunxis or Farmington river, a very beautiful and interesting stream, which comes from the west, and the Scantic, Hockanum and Salmon rivers from the east.

The Ousatonick is the second river in this State. This river runs about 90 miles within the limits of Connecticut; and, together with its branches, waters the western section of the State. Its navigable waters extend to Derby, about 12 miles from its mouth, and boats ascend to Southbury, in seasons of high water.

There are some valuable shad fisheries in this river; and in many sections its borders are lined with alluvial. Its principal branches are the Naugatuck and Shepaug. The practicability and expediency of a canal upon the borders of this river, extending boat navigation into the interior, have been suggested, and we think are deserving of consideration. Navigation, upon this river, is very limited; and a canal would supply this defect, and afford very important facilities to commerce, and essential advantages to agriculture and other important interests, particularly those of the manufacture and marketing of marble, lime, iron, timber, lumber, &c.; articles that this region affords in abundance, and which are bulky and heavy, requiring the advantages of navigation to facilitate their transportation.

The Thames is the third river in size in Connecticut. This river, with its two great branches, the Shetucket and Quinibaug, and their

numerous tributary streams, water the eastern section of the State. The Thames admits of ship navigation to Norwich, the head of tide water, about 14 miles from its mouth. The principal branches of the Shetucket are the Willimantic, the Nachaug and Hop rivers. The Shetucket, the Quinibaug, and their branches, afford some excellent shad and salmon fisheries. Salmon are taken in the Willimantic, as high as Willington; and in the Quinibaug, as far up as Thompson.

The most considerable harbours and bays in this State are those of New-London, New-Haven, Bridgeport, Stonington, Black-Rock, Norwalk, Stamford, Killingworth, Guilford, Sachem's Head, Milford, Greenwich, Saugatuck, Mystic and Niantic. These are all upon

Long-Island sound; in addition to which, there are numerous safe and convenient landing places upon the navigable rivers.

Climate.-Climate depends not only upon general, but also upon local causes. Of the former, general location, or the relation which a place has to the equator, is the most important, and has the most extensive and uniform influence. There are, however, some other general causes; such as the influence of the sea, of an extensive elevated region, and of a settled and uniform current of the atmosphere, or course of winds. Causes, not of a general nature, consist principally of local situation; the physiognomy and character of the country; its being elevated or flat; inclined to, or from the equator; being wet or dry; the soil cold or warm; and the surrounding country mountainous or level, covered with forests, or in a state of cultivation. From the influence of local causes, the climate of this State, although possessing small territorial limits, is very various in different sections. The great vale of the Connecticut, and the borders of Long Island sound, enjoy a salubrious, mild and uniform climate, and will compare with the northern departments of France, and Devonshire in England. These sections are not subject to frequent storms, either in winter or summer, as is the case in many parts of the United States; and there is probably as much uniformity in the weather here, as at Philadelphia, or any other part of the Union. The rigours of winter continue from two to three months; and the rivers are usually "bound in chains of ice," for about this period; and the earth. is usually covered with snow, so as to afford sleighing, from five to seven weeks.

In the climate of which we are speaking, the apple, peach and water melon come to the highest perfection. The grape vine grows spontaneously, and the mulberry tree flourishes with little attention. Destructive frosts are rarely experienced; two only are recollected within the last thirty years, that were extensively injurious to vegetation. Severe droughts are equally rare; and it is believed that there is no part of our country, where the productions of the earth are more sure, or where the fruits of agricultural industry can be relied upon with more certainty. In the northwest section of the State, where the surface is mountainous and elevated, and particularly in the

evergreen district, the climate is much more cold and frosty, the winters more rigorous, the usual quantity of snow much greater, and the weather has less uniformity. And these observations are applicable, with some qualification, to the mountainous districts in the eastern part of the State. Peaches, water-melons and some other summer fruits, do not come to as great perfection here as upon Connecticut river, and the borders of Long Island sound. This, however, may not be entirely owing to the climate, as the soil is less congenial to their growth.

Natural and Agricultural Productions.-The forests of Connecticut are principally deciduous; consisting of oak, chesnut, maple, walnut, butternut, ash, elm, beech, birch, button-wood, bass, and various other species of trees. They comprise also white and yellow pine, spruce, hemlock and other perennial trees. The oak, of which there are several different species, prevails most extensively, and is of the greatest utility. It affords a valuable and durable timber for various purposes required by the useful arts and the conveniences of life. It makes excellent ship timber; which, for strength and durability, is surpassed only by the live oak of the southern States; being equal to the boasted oak of England. The maple is a most valuable tree, not only for fuel and timber, but for the manufacture of sugar. This tree, which abounds extensively in some of our forests, is highly deserving of preservation, and ought to be regarded as an object of culture and particular attention, by our farmers. In those parts of the State, where this tree flourishes, every farm ought to have reserved upon it, a suitable maple orchard; which would be equally an ornament, and a source of family convenience and economy. The most extensive and valuable forests, in this State, are in the towns of Guilford, Haddam, East-Haddam, Chatham, Southbury, Oxford, Woodbridge, Farmington, Killingly, Stafford, Union, Tolland, Goshen, Winchester, Colebrook and Barkhamsted.

The agricultural productions consist of grain, of which rye and Indian corn are principally cultivated, although wheat and oats receive some attention; and in some sections, the former is a leading crop ; butter, cheese, beef and pork. The raising of cattle, sheep and swine, is an object of general attention. The products of our dairies, butter and cheese, are not surpassed by any in the United States; and it is believed, that the business is carried on as extensively and as advantageously here, as in any section of our country.

The best grazing and dairy towns, in the State, are Pomfret, Brooklyn, Woodstock, Lebanon, Stonington, North-Stonington and Groton, east of Connecticut river; and west of it, Goshen, Bethlem, Winchester, Norfolk, Torrington and Colebrook. Besides the articles of butter and cheese, the more direct products of the dairy business, large quantities of beef and pork are annually made in these towns, and sent abroad for a market. The towns best adapted to a grain culture, and in which the largest quantities of grain are usually raised,

are East-Windsor, Enfield, Somers, Ellington, Southington, Farmington, Windsor, Simsbury and Granby, principally within the great vale of Connecticut river; and Sharon, Salisbury and Canaan, upon the borders of the Ousatonick, in the western section of the State. These are rich and fertile townships, possessing extensive resources of soil, and affording great facilities of cultivation; and it is believed, that there are few sections in the Atlantic States more favourable for a system of grain culture, particularly that of rye. It has been estimated, that 70,000 bushels of this grain have been raised in the town of East-Windsor alone, in one season. But, by mentioning these, it is not intended to have it understood, that grain is not successfully cultivated in other towns; it is raised advantageously in Cheshire, Wallingford, Southbury, Woodbury, Newtown, New-Milford, Danbury, Fairfield, Stratford, Milford, Plainfield, Windham, Mansfield, Canterbury and others. Indian corn is cultivated most extensively and successfully upon the alluvial on the Connecticut, Tunxis and Quinibaug rivers, and upon the borders of Long Island sound.

Apple orchards in this State are extensive, and a source of considerable profit. They abound most in Hartford and Middlesex counties, and in some towns upon the Ousatonick river; but are to be found in every part of the State. The most numerous and valuable orchards in Hartford county, or in the State, are in Farmington, Simsbury, Canton, Granby, Berlin, Windsor and Suffield. In these and in many other towns, a great quantity of cider is annually made, which is used extensively, as a common drink; and a small proportion of the surplus is exported; but the principal part of it is manufactured into spiritous liquor, called cider brandy. There is probably no part of the United States, in which the growth of the apple is so sure as upon Connecticut river. Here it never entirely fails. Cider is an excellent and wholesome beverage; but its quality depends in a great measure upon the attention which is bestowed upon its manufacture and preservation; and it is much to be regretted, that so important an article should in general be so much neglected.

Of

Although confined to a general view, yet we cannot permit the culture of onions, in the town of Wethersfield, to pass unnoticed. this rare and valuable root nearly one and a half million bunches have been annually raised in this town; which is undoubtedly a greater quantity than is produced in any other town in the United States. Of other local agricultural interests, the cultivation of tobacco and hemp, in East-Windsor, water-melons, and other vegetables for market, in East-Hartford, and garden-seeds, raised for market by the Shakers in Enfield, are deserving of notice.

Roads. In addition to the public roads, which are numerous, and generally well made, the State is intersected in every direction by turnpikes. The turnpike roads belong to, and were constructed by, incorporated companies. They are generally well constructed,