p. 3

"The impulse by which loose materials were congregating into hills merits
our attention. The manner in which earthy particles collect when agitated
on a loam was considered but decisions to observe the effects an extension attraction we drew a magnet rapidly over ferruginous sand scattered evenly on a
plain. When paper was introduced to prevent an actual contact. The experiment was successful the sand was collected into long ridges irregularly grouped and resembling the hills of Ontario in miniature."

Traveling to the Grand River I came opposite of hill called "Sugar Loaf" it is situated
on the north shore of Lake Erie. The shore is very sinuous and the bends on which the hill stands coincides nearly with the magnetic meridian. The base of the west side of the hill is washed by the Lake while the opposite based is washed by the west
side by a pond or marsh on which side also the road is cut near the foot of the hill it
is about 6 chains ? at this part the lake to the pond. I found the height of the hill to be 157 60/100 feet above the of Lake. In order get it I procured a carpenter square
and driving two straight stakes into the ground in a line with the top of the hill and
made one of them perpendicular at the at the same time the tops were level and with a straight edge board with one end even with the top of the forward stake I form a right angled triangle the hypothesis striking the top of the hill I than measure the base arm perpendicular of the triangle, and by measuring horizontally to the top of the hill I had sufficient data to calculate the height by trigonometry.

The southern extremity terminate very abruptly and the sides also is very steep. On
the Northside about the distance of 1 1/2 miles there are more than five hundred smaller mounds of sand rising one after another and gradually diminishing in height
till they entirely run to nothing. They are interspersion ? ?. Some lying contiguous side by side across the beach and on the base of one commences the base of another
they are composed chiefly of siliceous and ferr(?) sand. No gravel or round stones appear in sight. they are covered principally with ? maple, hemlock and oaks. there are also several small mounds of the same materials to the south of the main hill but stand entirely unconnected and so on terminate, by admitting that the theory of an extension attraction we can solve all the appearances and may appear clear
and consistent.

I shall answer one of your letters in one dictated to Father respecting the progress of the Welland Canal. I am now examining and exploring the canal route from the
Chippewa to the Grand river. Shall be engaged about ten days.

One plant which I hear David Thomas mention that he would like to get some of the seed was the horse chestnut which grows in in that part. The botanical name is probably the Asculus Glabra ? leaves germinated very smoothcorrolla form, petella, spreading with the claws as long as the calyx stamens longer than the corolla fruit spinous [prickly like the common chestnut] Habits wood, flowers in May a large shrub flower large yellowish white panienlata [in clusters]

Is there no appearances of a deluge or any circumstances that will tend to through light on that subject in your neighborhood. Examine the face of the country.
hills and there formation & 6.

I am your affectionate Brother
Darius Lapham

Increase A. Lapham
Shippingport
Kentucky