p. 724

-631-
[-724-]

1848.

Milwaukee Aug. 3rd, 1848................

Dear Brother,--

I own that I have been rather remiss in my duty in regard to writing letters this summer. I begin to think as I grow old I grow lazy at the same time, but I hope always to be able to call up a streak of industry broad enough to keep my near and dear relatives and friends acquainted with matters and things of interest concerning my humble self and my family.***

A few days ago I went with Col. Stone, my brother-in-law by way of East Troy, Janesville, and Madison to the Blue Mounds, which we ascended and enjoyed a view of some fifty miles radius in every direction. The mount is a little mountain, being 1,000 feet about the Wisconsin river, a few miles to the north of it. It appears to be composed of a hard flinty rock, which has remained while all the soft limestone around it has been carried away in the course of numerous geological ages. I found several new plants there/the trees look stunted and have quite an Alpine appearance.

Coming home I got some stalactites from the newly discovered cave near Madison, but I did not go into the cave. It has been explored about 1000 feet and extends further. It is evidently the bed of a subterranean river of muddy water, the stalactites being black and muddy throughout.

Visited also the out-crop of primitive rock in Dodge County, which was discovered last winter. It is a very interesting place for a geologist.

I am to go next week with Mr. Hurd of your state to examine the iron mines lately found in another part of the same county so you see I am getting rather deeply interested in the geology