An agreement was made, December 5, 1879, whereby the western boundary of Connecticut was fixed as the ex parte line surveyed by New York in 1860, which was the old line of 1731. Connecticut, therefore, gave up her claim to the twenty-six hundred acres in dispute, between the straight line and the line of 1731 as reached, in exchange for her southern boundary extended into the sound. That agreement was ratified by the Legis- ! latures of both States and confirmed by Congress during the session of 1880-81.

Topography.-- The topographical features of the

county present much that is strikingly beautiful in scenery, as well as useful in agriculture and manufactures. The surface is broken by ranges of hills running in a direction generally parallel to the Hudson River, and separated by valleys. Of the two general ranges, one borders close upon the Hudson, and the other along the I Connecticut boundary line ; besides these, many minor ridges and hills diversify the surface, and give to the watei'-courses a general direction north and south. The heights of the hills range between two hundred and one thousand feet. The continuous valleys, extending north and south have been availed of by the railroads which intersect the county, while other roads in every direction have made the means of inter-communication easy and convenient. These features give to the roads running north and south a generally level character,wliile those extending across the country east and west are a constant succession of ascents and descents. Occasionally abrupt and rocky hills break the surface, and present obstacles to travel, sometimes inconvenient, but nowhere insurmountable.