The whole island of Mackinac is deeply interesting to the scientific explorer, as well as to the seeker of health and pleasure. The following extract, illustrated by an engraving, is copied from "FOSTER and WHITNEY'S Geological Report" of that region:

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"As particular examples of denuding action on the island, we would mention the Arched Rock' and the Sugar Loaf.' The former, situated on the eastern shore, is a feature of great interest. The cliffs here attain a height of nearly one hundred feet, while at the base are strewn numerous fragments which have fallen from above. The Arched Rock has been excavated in a projecting angle of the limestone cliff, and the top of the span is about ninety feet above the lake-level, surmounted by about ten feet of rock. At the base of a projecting angle, which rises up like a buttress, there is a small opening, through which an explorer may pass to the main arch, where, after clambering over the steep slope of debris and the projecting edges of the strata, he reaches the brow of the cliff.

"The beds forming the summit of the arch are cut off from direct connection with the main rock by a narrow gorge of no great depth. The portion supporting the arch on the north side, and the curve of the arch itself, are comparatively fragile, and can not, for a long period, resist the action of rains and frosts, which, in this latitude, and on a rock thus constituted, produce great ravages every season. The arch, which on one side now connects this abutment with the main cliff, will soon be destroyed, as well as the abutment itself, and the whole be precipitated into the lake.

"It is evident that the denuding action, producing such an opening, with other attendant phenomena, could only have operated while near the level of a large body of water, like the great lake itself; and we find a striking similarity between the denuding action of the water here in time past, and the same action as now manifested in the range of the Pictured Rochs on the shores of Lake Superior. As an interesting point in the scenery of this island, the Arched Rock attracts much attention, and in every respect is worthy of examination." (See Engraving.)

Other picturesque objects of great interest, besides those enumerated above, occur at every turn on roving about this enchanting island. where the pure, bracing air and clear waters afford a pleasurable sensation, difficult to be described, unless visited and enjoyed.

ROUND ISLAND is a small body of land lying a short distance southeast of Mackinac, while Bois BLANC ISLAND is a large body of land lying still farther in the distance, at the head of Lake Huron, here about 30 miles wide, which width it averages for about 50 miles, when it widens to 100 miles and upward.

POINT DE TOUR, 40 miles east from Mackinac, is the site of a light-house and settlement, at the entrance of St. Mary's River, which is here about half a mile in width; this passage is also called the West Channel. At a distance of about two miles above the Point is a new settlement, where has been erected a steamboat pier, a hotel, and several dwellings.

DRUMMOND ISLAND, a large and important body of land belonging to the United States, is passed on the right, where is to be seen the ruins of an old fort erected by the British. On the left is the mainland of Northern Michigan. Ascending St. Mary's River next is passed ROUND or PIPE ISLAND, and other smaller islands on the right, most of them belonging to the United States.

On Drummond Island is said to exist a fine and valuable quality of stone, as will be seen by the following extract:

"A correspondent of the New Haven Journal denies the accuracy of the assertion that the deposit of lithographic stone lately found in Kentucky is the first discovery of that species of stone in the United States. The writer says that he obtained a specimen of the same kind of stone in 1825 at Drummond Island, at the entrance of the strait between Lakes Huron and Superior, where the supply was apparently inexhaustible. The stone was carried to Boston and tested by a lithographer, who said it was equal, if not superior, to the German stone. At that time, however, Drummond Island was far less accessible than Germany, and the discovery was, therefore, of no practical value."

ST. JOSEPH ISLAND, 10 miles above Point de Tour, is a large and fertile island belonging to Canada, which is more fully described on page 43. It is about 20 miles long from east to west, and about 15 miles broad, covered in part with a heavy growth of forest trees. Here is seen the ruins of an old fort

erected by the British on a point of land commanding the channel of the river.

CARLTONVILLE is a small settlement on the Michigan side of the river, 12 miles above the De Tour. Here is a steam sawmill and a few dwelling-houses.

LIME Island is a small body of land belonging to the United States, lying in the main channel of the river, about 12 miles from its mouth. The channel here forms the boundary between the United States and Canada.

MUD LAKE, as it is called, owing to its waters being easily riled, is an expansion of the river about five miles wide and ten miles long, but not accurately delineated on any of the modern maps, which appear to be very deficient in regard to St. Mary's River and its many islands-presenting at several points most beautiful river scenery In the St. Mary's River there are about 50 islands belonging to the United States, besides several attached to Canada.

NEBISH ISLAND and Sailor's Encampment, situated about half way from the Point to the Saut, are passed on the left while sailing through the main channel.

SUGAR ISLAND, a large body of fertile land belonging to the United States, is reached about 30 miles above Point de Tour, situated near the head of St. Joseph Island. On the right is passed the British or North Channel, connecting on the east with Georgian Bay. Here are seen two small rocky islands belonging to the British Government, which command both channels of the river.

The Nebish Rapids are next passed by the ascending vessel, the stream here running about five knots per hour. The main land of Canada is reached immediately above the rapids, being clothed with a dense growth of forest trees of small size. To the north is a dreary wilderness, extending through to Hudson Bay, as yet almost wholly unexplored and unknown, except to the Indian or Canadian hunter.

LAKE GEORGE, twenty miles below the Saut is another expansion of the river, being about five miles wide and eight miles

long. Here the channel is only from eight to ten feet in depth for about one mile, forming a great impediment to navigation.

CHURCH'S LANDING, on Sugar Island, twelve miles below the Saut, is a steamboat landing; opposite it is SQUIRREL ISLAND, belonging to the Canadians. This is a convenient landing, where is situated a store and dwelling.. The industrious occupants are noted for the making of raspberry jam, which is sold in large quantities, and shipped to Eastern and Southern markets.

Garden River Settlement is an Indian village ten miles below the Saut, on the Canadian shore. Here is a missionary church and several dwellings, surrounded by grounds poorly cultivated, fishing and hunting being the main employment of the Chippewa Indians who inhabit this section of country. Both sides of the river abound in wild berries of good flavor, which are gathered in large quantities by the Indians, during the summer months.*

Extract from a letter dated SAUT STE MARIE, Sept., 1854: "The scenery of the St. Mary's River seems to grow more attractive every year. There is a delicious freshness in the countless evergreen islands that dot the river in every direction from the Falls to Lake Huron, and I can imagine of no more tempting retreats from the dusty streets of towns, in summer, than these islands; I believe the time will soon come when neat summer cottages will be scattered along the steamboat route on these charming islands. A summer could be delightfully spent in exploring for new scenery and in fishing and sailing in these waters.

"And Mackinac, what an attractive little piece of terra firma is that island-half ancient, half modern! The view from the fort is one of the finest in the world. Perched on the brink of a precipice some two hundred feet above the bay-one takes in at a glance from its walls the harbor, with its numerous boats and the pretty village; and the whole rests on one's vision more like a picture than a reality. Every thing on the island is a curiosity; the roads or streets that wind around the harbor or among the grove-like forests of the island are naturally pebbled and macadamized; the buildings are of every style, from an Indian lodge to a fine English house. The island is covered with charming natural scenery, from the pretty to the grand, and

*Sept. 30, 1854, the thermometer stood at 420 Fahr., at the Saut Ste Marie, in the norning, a fine day for the season, with little or no wind.