Page:A topographical and historical sketch of the town of Andover, in the county of Hillsborough, and state of New Hampshire.djvu/10

 line, and form the Blackwater, so called from its dark appearance, which passes rapidly through the southwesterly part of the town into Salisbury. This stream affords numerous fish, and many fine mill-seats.

There are fire ponds in Andover, the largest of which is called Chance pond, situated in the easterly part of the town, the outlet of which passes through Salisbury-Village into the Pemigewasset, a little below Webster's falls. This pond is about two miles in length, differing from one half to three-fourths of a mile in width. Loon pond lies near the centre of the town, and is about one mile in length and three-fourths of a mile in width. There is an island situated in the easterly part of Loon pond, which has long been the resort of summer pleasure parties, affording a beautiful shade and several kinds of wild fruits: this island contains three or four acres. The other ponds are called Elbine, Adder and Nether. All of them afford many fish, and in some of the connecting streams are found salmon trout.

Andover abounds with hills and dales, being in some places rocky and barren. On the north is a range of mountains, which divides the town from New-Chester. It commences near the Pemigewasset river, and extends westwardly about ten miles to the intersection of the Grafton and fourth N. H. turnpikes. These mountains are called Ragged, from their appearance, being in all parts broken, and in many places bleak and precipitous. About two-thirds of the southern side are cleared, and afford good pasture lands. In some parts, settlements have been made, and snug farms formed some way up their sides. These rural improvements, with the rocky barrier behind, present from other eminences a picturesque appearance. A little west of the centre of the range,