Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 37.djvu/211

Rh measurements by Prof. Crosby, of the Boston Society of Natural History, are as follows: northwest side, forty-six feet; northeast, fifty-eight; southeast, forty-five; southwest, seventy. Maximum height, reckoning from the lower or down-hill side, to the highest point on the upper side, approximately, sixty feet; approximate cubic contents, seventy thousand cubic feet; approximate weight, about six thousand tons. Other and former reported measurements of this rock indicate much larger dimensions than those reported by Prof. Crosby; and, although the determinations of an expert observer like the latter are entitled to the greatest confidence, it is nevertheless true that the form of the rock is so irregular as to render an exact estimate of its size, cubical contents, and weight a matter of no little difficulty. Figs. 3 and 4 give an idea of the position, size, and appearance of the "Sheegan" Rock, as seen from the valley beneath it, looking west. The introduction into the picture of the horse and wagon beneath the rock affords in some degree a standard for estimating its height. The cavity or recess beneath the rock, which is said to have been occupied, at the time of the first settlement of the country, by a



Mohegan Indian (from whom the rock undoubtedly derived its name) as a dwelling-place, is sufficiently capacious to admit of being used as a place of shelter for the sleds and other farm implements of the farmer proprietor. A rude ladder on the southern side of the rock affords facilities for reaching its top and obtaining a somewhat extensive view of the surrounding country.

It will probably have been noticed in the above description