The Sprain river, called by the Indians, Ar7ne?iperal, rises in two springs north of Thirty Deer Ridge ; the west branch in Wolf Swamp.''' The other called the Grassy Sprain, on the lands of widow Underbill. These two springs flowing south, intersect a little east of Benj. Fowler's. They again divide at the northern extremity of Thirty Deer Ridge, and running through two different vales again meet nearly opposite the Cat rocks, so called from the abundance of wild cat that once frequented the hill.

» A wolf was killed here as late as 1806.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 491

These animals Van der Donck assures us, had skins resembling that of a lioness, and not unlike them in form, with the exception of short tails like a rabbit or hare.

After uniting here, the Sprain pursues a south-east course until it discharges into the Bronx, on the lands of Nathaniel Valentine. The waters of the Sprain were pronounced by the commissioners in 1842, to be the purest in Westchester county.

This beautiful stream has been long celebrated for its trout. Well may the lover of the sport exclaim with Cotton,

None so bright,

So pleasant to the taste, none to the sight :

None yield the angler such delight.

This fish begins to bite in March or April. Very large sized trout have been caught here about the middle of March, and they continue till the months of July and August. They lie generally under the shelter of stumps, bridges and stones.