National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1869-11-19
The Cdrdi1' Giant--4 GeoiO0ist's
Opinion.

oldlC pcoloSlSl, HdS iiduc icI'oit
III reference to the stone giant found |.
at Cardiff, Onondaigua county, New
York. He says it is clearly a statue
cut by human hands, and is in no
way connected with petlifaction or
with caIcareous deposits from springs
sometimes called petritying springs
nor is it cast or model of any kind
but an original. He ADDS:
The Importance of the object lies
in its relation to the race of people
Of the past formerly inhabiting that
part Of the country. The statue is
Of far higher order and of entire
" different character from the small
er works of rude sculpture found in
Mexico and Central America, or i'll
the Mississippi valley.
In regard to the question Of the
antiquity of its origin we are just
now compelled to rely upon the
| geological and chemical evidence
That the statue has lain for long
time where it now lies there can be
no doubt. The entire length of the
left side and the back of the statue
have coloded to the depth OF an inch
or more from the solution and re-
moval of its substance by water
percoIatiuY' through the gravel STRAIT
um upon and in which it lies embed
ed. Such process of solution and
removal OF the gypsum-a mineral
Of SLOW solubility III the waters Of
that lcgion-muSt have required Il
long period of Years.
The salt or alluyial deposit, which
covers the gravel and statue to9eth-
r,has thickness Of more than three
feet, the lower part especially con
tanning peaty matter and decayed
wood, while there is mere or less OF
vegetable matter throughout its en-
tire thickness. This alluvial deposit
: is regularly Stratiiied, and, upon
/. the sides and ends of the pit, bears
no evidence of ever having been
disturbed since its deposition from
l water. Such alluvial deposit il
! this position could only have accu
5 mulatcd slowly, aud through many
succeeding years i'll a quiet water
for there are no pebbles or otheI
substances which indicate a rapiC
l. flowing stream. Then it must b,
remembered that the present Strcan
q Of Onoudaga creek is at much lowe
- level and at a col siderable distance
while no change in the surface ha
II taken place within the recorded his
G tory or traditions Of the presen
l. inhabitants. 50 far as we can dis
& cover from the evidence before u
this statue has been deposited upol
- the bed of gravel, and has bee
Re covered 10y the SLOW accumulation c
d the alluvial deposit.
- Any theory Of the recent inhuma
Il ton Of the statue i'll this place
diSprovcd by the fact Of the cXter
. SiVe solution and removal OF til
surface by watel coming i'll alon
the gravel bed from the southNes
II The most extensive erosion has tai
10 On place upon the left side and be
' meath the back upon that side, 60
IL responding to the direction Whent
to- the water came You viii see. tier
Is fore, that upon any theory OF artii
x Cial Illumination must have tim
) for this process oil the gradual dl
'e solving of the stone. SO long as Il
H. ailuyial deposit was going on th
- portion was covered by water, an
. there would pe no current along t,
gravel bed, and this movement
Il the water would only take plaC
ld after the drainage of the stream {
T. lake to a lower level. Therefore. 5
Ie. long as the alIuvial deposit was Q
: ing on, and tho water romant
Is above that Level there would be /
ia currents land consequently no erosio
ia This statement, i think, answer
III The inquiry as to what are some
III the evidences Of its antiquity.
"I As to the inquiry whether til
nc could have been made and drpos
n' cd by the Jesuit missionaries, a
81 swer mheSitatjngly that it could u
ST have been done by them. Ia the fir
= place the surrounding couditio
ia iol babe their attention 10 any woI
on of this kind; and further, the cha
go actcr and condition Of this stat
preclude the idea that it could ha
been done bY meu Of this order.
ldl
'al The Chicago Times says pcrc II
raj aCinthc has been miserable failu
ms in this country because he did Il