The situation of tiie Jay property is very fine, embracing some of the most graceful undulations of a hilly district, highly diversified with rocks, woods and river scenery. Contiguous to the southern portion of the estate, and bordering the Sound, is Maree's neck, and the neighboring islands of Pine and Hen-hawk, the latter consisting of seventy-seven acres, A curious phenomenon, called Mirage, is frequently seen from these shores, when the land on the opposite coast of Long Island appears to rise above the waters of the Sound, while the intermediate portions seem to be sunk beneath the waves. This illusion is caused by a certain state of the atmosphere, depending chiefly upon its humidity and warmth which changes considerably its ordinary refractive power. In days of ignorance and superstition such appearances occasionally excited a strange interest.

In an opening of the woods on the south east side of the mansion, is the family cemetery.

a See " Catalogue of receut shells in the cabinet of John C. Jay," 8vo. New York, 1835. pp. 56. " Description of new and rare shells with four plates," Svo. N. Y. 1836. 2d ed. pp. 78. " A catalogue of the shells arranged according to the Lamarckian system, together with descriptions of new and rare species contained in the collection of John C. Jay, M. D." 3d ed. 4to. New York, pp. 125, with ten plates.

b The title runs thus, " La Sainte Bible qui contient le Vieux et le Nouveau Testament, par David Martin, pasteur de I'Eglise Walloue d'Utrecht, Amsterdam^