nd forty feet in defcent, and half a mile wide; the rocks on either fide, but particularly on the weflern, by oppofing the progrefs of the torrent downward, cause it to rebound in great quantities, with an appearance white as fnow, being converted into foam by the violence of the concuffion the vaper which is thus raised resembles a cloud, or pillar of finoke; and whenever the pofitions of the fun and the beholder are favourable, the appearance et the rainbow is produced. After this torrent has defcended, it paffes over a fhelving body through a courfe of eight or nine miles; foon after which the waters enter lake Ontario. The noife produced by these fails may, in calm weather, be diftin&tly heard at the diftance of twenty miles; fome have afferted that the found has reached, at the most favourable times, to the diftance of fifteen leagues.

Lake HURON is next in magnitude to Lake Superior; its shape is nearly triangular, and it is about a thousand miles in circumference; on the N. fide it is an ifland near an hundred miles in extent from E. to W. but in no par: above eight miles from N. to S.; it is called by the Indians, Manatau, which fignifies a place of fpirits. At the W. point of the lake are the Araights of Mihillimackinac which connect with lake Michegan; and about fifty miles to the N. E. of thefe ftraights, are thofe of St. Marie, by which Jake Huron communicates with lake Superior: they are about forty miles long, and very unequal in breadth: here are falis, but not perpendicular, like thofe of Niagara; but the waters pafs along a floping bottom, which in that country is called a rapid: this continues near three quarters of a mile. The fall here is not fo impetuous as entirely to prevent the navigation of boats and canoes downward. The fouthern point of lake Huron runs into a straight, foon after enlarges into a small lake called St. Claire, from whence runs a ftrait, which is only diftinguifhed by the French name of Detroit; this difcharges felf into lake Erie; the diftance between which and Huron is eighty miles. Although the water is level, yet the navigation of large veffels is flopped by a bank of fand. The town of Detroit, which contains upward of an hundred houses, is fituated on the western banks of this river, or ftrait, about nine miles below lake St. Claire. At the N. E. point a confiderable river flows into this lake, called the Souties, from whence there is but a fhort carrying place to the river of the Attawawas, which difcharges itself into the St. Laurence above Montreal.

Lake MIRCHEGON, to the W. of Huron, is long and narrow; extending near two hundred miles from N. W. to S. E. and forty broad from N. o S. Between these two lakes a peninsula is formed, which runs into a point at the N. W. at the ftraits of Michillamackinac, where is a fort of the fame name, which, in the language of the Chippeway Indians, hgnifies a tortoife. On the N. W. fide of this lake is a strait, about forty miles wide, called the grand traverse, in which are many iflands, fome of which are inhabited by the Ottawawas, and others by the Pontowattimic Indians. This ftrait leads into what the French called Baye Puant, but now named the Green Bay; it is long and narrow, and into it flows a large river, which rifes near the Miffiffippi, and is called the Fox river: its banks are inhabited by a powerful tribe of Indians. Near the borders of this lake grow a great number of fand cherries, which are not lefs remarkable for their manner of growth, than for their exquifite flavour. They are found upon a fmall fhrub not more than four feet high, the boughs of which are fo loaded that they lie in cluflers on the fand. As they grow only on the fand, the warmth of which probably contributes 19 bring them to fuch perfection,

they are called by the Franch, cerefe de fable; the size of them does no exceed that of a fmall mufket ball. Gooberries and juniper trees, bearing berries of a very fine k nd, abound here. Sumath likewide grows here in great plenty, the leaf of which, if gathered when red, is much efleemed by the natives, who mix about an equal quantity of it with their tobacco. Near this lake, and on the borders of all the great lakes, grow a kind of willow, to which the French have given the name of bois rouge or red wood: its bark, when of one year's growth, is of a fine fcarlet colour; but as it grows older it changes into a mixture of grey and red. The falks of this fhrub grow in clufiers to the height of fix or eight feet, and never exceed an inch in diameter. The Indians fcrape the bark which they dry and powder, and mix with their tobacco for their winter pipes.

LAKE SUPERIOR is entitled to this diftinguishing appellation, not only as it furpaffes every other American lake in extent, but as being fituated on a much more elevated part of the country, the level of its waters being feveral hundred feet higer than thofe of the St. Laurence, It may be justly called the Cafpian of America," and is unquestionably the largest piece of fresh water in the world, being in magnitude equal, or rather furpaffing that Afiaftic falt water lake. The French are faid to have obferved of the lakes, that they rife by imperceptible degrees, to about the height of three feet in feven years and an half, and fink as much in an equal portion of time, fo that in fifteen years, this watery cycle, if it may be fo termed, is compieted a change fimilar to what has been reported of the Cafpian, but per formed in one quarter of the time. According to the French charts, its circumference is about fifteen hundred miles. Carver is of opinion that "if it was coafted rou d, and the utmost extent of every bay taken, it would exceed fixteen hundred." He coafted near twelve hundred miles on the N. and E. fhores: "when it was calm," fays he, and the fun fhone bright, I could fit in my canoe, where the depth was upward of fix fathom, and could plainly fee huge piles of flone at the bottom. The water at this time

was as pure and transparent as air, and my canoe feemed as if it hung fufpended in that element. It was impoffible to look attentively through this limpid medium at the rocks below, for even a few minutes, without feeling the head fwim, and the eyes no longer able to view the dazzling fcene." It was then the month of July, and although the surface of the water, from the heat of the atmosphere, was warm, yet on letting down a cup to the depth of about a fathom, the water drawn from thience was so exceffively cold, that it had the fame effect as ice, when received into the mouth. It is faid to receive near forty rivers and fireams of water; the two principal rivers are the Nipegon or Allanipegon, and the Mickibicocton; the one from the N. the other from the W. By means of the latter a communication is formed with the lakes Bourbon, or Chriftineux, Winneptek, and du Bois and in this river fome have traced the St. Laurence. A small river on the W. before it enters the lake, has a perpendicular fall from the top of the mountain, of more than fix hundred feet, through a very narrow channel. The only paffage through which the waters of lake Superior are difcharged is St. Mary's flrait, already spoken of. There are many iftands in this lake, two of which are very large; the largest has been named le Royal, the other inland is named Phillipoux, and is fuppofed to be an hundred miles from E. to W.; but in no part more than forty miles from N. to S. Miropau ifle is likewife of confiderable extent; at the entrance of Well bay is a cluster of fmall iflands called "the twelve apofiles." On the S. fide of the lake is a

peniafula which extends into the lake fixty miles, and is called Chegomegar. The Indians fuppole thefe iflands to be the relidence of the Great Spirit.

This lake abounds with fifh, the principal kinds of which are trout and Aurgeon. The country to the N. and E. is very mountaineous and barren. Wairtleberries of an uncommon fize and fine flavour grow in great quanıties on the mountains, as do black currants and goofberries; but the moit excellent fruit in these patis is a berry refembling a raspberry in its manner of growth, but of a lighter red, much larger, and in flavour more delicious. It grows on a fhtub of the nature of a vine, with leaves like the grape.

On the N. W. border of lake Superior is what is called the grand portage ;" and there those who go on the N. W. trade, many of whom come from Michillimackinac to the lakes De Pluye, Du Bois, &c. carry ever their canoes and goods for about nine miles, when they again proceed by water carriage.

name,

There is likewife a great mart for trade about one hundred and fifty
miles to the S. W. of lake Superior, near the banks of the Miffippi,
where that river forms what is called lake Pepin. As this was fettled to be
a place of refort by the French traders, they thought fit to give it
and it has ever fince been known by that of La Prairie du Chein, or Dog
Meadows. Hither all the Indians who inhabit the adjacent countries refort,
and it rather deserves to be named the meadow of concord, for whatever
Indians meet there, though the nations to which they belong are at war with
each other, yet they are obliged to refrain their enmity, and to forbear all
hollile acts whilft they continue there. The like conduct is obferved at the
Red Mountain, which is in the fame part of the country, from whence they
procure the ftone of which they make their pipes,

The poft remarkable Beafts and Birds in the Northern interior part of
America.

THE beafls and birds we shall now defcribe, are thofe principally

found in the northern part of the extenfive country of which we have been treating. The moft remarkable, of these are the porcupine, and the wolverene, or quick-hatch; the pelican, the white-tailed eagle, the brown and Spotted heath-cock, and the white patridge.

The porcupine of this northern part refembles in shape and fize the beaver, but the head has fome refemblance to that of a rabbit: it has a flat nofe, entirely covered whith hair: its mouth is armed with two teeth above and two below, that are yellow and remarkably ftrong; its cars, which are fhort and fmail, fcarcely appear through its fur: its legs too are remarkably fhort; but its claws, of which it has four on its fore-teet, and five on thofe behind, are very long, hollow within like fcoops, and very harp pointed. This animal is covered all over with a pretty foft fur about four inches long, but beneath the hair on the head, body, and tail, it is thick fet with fharp fliff quills. which are white with black points, bearded, and not eafily drawn out when they have entered the skin. The porcupine ufually makes his neft under the roots of trees, and fleeps much. He chiefly feeds the bark of trees, eats. fnow in the winter to quench his thirst, and in fummer drinks water; but carefully avoids going into it. The Indians eat thefe animals, and esteem their flefh a wholefome and pleafant food.

upon

The wolverent, or quick-hatch, is another very extraordinary animal, and isot the fize of a large wolfe: the foout, with the upper and under jaw, as for as the eyes, is black; the upper part of the head which; the eyes dark the throat and upper part of the neck white fpotted with black; the ears finall and round; the whole body of a reddish brown, dark at the shouldas and rump, and lighter upon the back and fides. The fur of the whole body is pretty long, but not very clofe: the feet, as far as the first joint, are covered with thort black hair; but the legs are brown, and the claws of a light colour; most of the tail is brown, but toward the tip bushy and black. This creature in walking carries his head very low, fo that his back rifes archwife. He defends himself when attacked with great force and obstinacy, and it is faid will tear traps and gins to pieces in a very furpriling

manner.

There are vall herds of buffaloes to the S. of the great lakes: the American breed is diftinguished by having a large beard under the chin, and the head to full of hair as to fall over the eyes; the whole body is likewife covered with long hair, or rather wool, which is very valuable. These creatures are fo tinid that they run at the fight of a man, and a fingle dog will difperfe a whole herd.

The dogs which the Indians employ in hunting carry their ears erect, and greatly refemble the wolf about the head. They are extremely useful to them in the chafe, as they will attack the fierceft animal that is purfued as as game. They have that quality which is inherent to their species in every other quarter of the world, attachment and fidelity to their mafters; but being generally ill fel, probably from the fcarcity of food (for wilful neglect and ill treatment of fuch a fervant would difgrace the character of an Indian) are very troublesome in the huts at night.

That amphibious animal the otter abounds in North America: this creazure, though refembling the beaver, in many refpects differs from it; the teeth are very unlike, for the otter wants the large incifors, or nippers, which a beaver has, his teeth being fhaped like thofe of a dog or wolf, and 3is hair is not fo long. This animal is very mifchievous, and, when clofely purf ed, will not only attack dogs, but men. It generally feeds upon filh in fummer, but in winter fubfills by the bark of trees, and the productions of the earth. Its flesh both taftes and fmells of fish, and is neither whole fome nor palatable food.

There are many kinds of lizards here, but the most remarkable are the fwift lizard and the flow; the first is generally about fix inches long, it has four legs and a tail: its body is blue, and firiped with dark lines fhaded with yellow; but the end of the tail is entirely blue. It is fo remarkably agile, that in an infant it is out of fight, nor can its movement be perceived by the quickeli eye; fo that it may be faid to vanish rather than to run away. This fpecies are fuppofed to poison by their bite; but as they never attack thofe who approach them, chuling rather to make a precipitate retreat, they are The flow lizard is of the fame fhape as the fwift, but its colour is brown; it is as remarkable for its flow motion as the other is for its rapidity. Thefe, lizards are extremely brittle, and will break off near the tail as eafily as an icicle may be feparated.

not noxious.

The pelican is fomewhat bigger than a large tame goofe; the upper mandible of the bill is narrower in the middle than at either end, and is received into the lower, except toward the point, winch widens and receives the lower into it; the point is red, but the upper and under part toward the head are

yellow; the pouch when dry refembles an ox's bladder blown, and is prodigioully large while the creature is living. The head and neck are covered

with white feathers; the body is of a dirty afh colour, the quills of the wings are black, and all the under part is of a dark afh-colour. The legs are short, with four toes webbed together; the middle toe is longer than the leg; the claws are dark, and both the legs and feet are of a dirty yellow mixed with green. These birds live chiefly on fish: they are found in ma other countries, and in fome places are much larger.

The white-tailed eagle is about the fize of a turkey-cock, flat-crowned, fort necked, and full breaßled, with brawny thighs. Its wings are velv long, and broad in proportion to its body, but darker on the back, and lighter on the fides. The quills of the wings are black, and the breaft fpotted with white: the tail when closed is white both above and below, except the very tip of the feathers, which is black or brown: the thighs are covered with dark brown feathers, through which in fome places a white down appears; the legs, to the very feet, are covered with foft feathers of a reddifh brown. It has four toes on each foot, which are very thick and strong, Banding three forward and one backward, covered with yellow fcales, and armed with very ftrong and fharp claws of a fhining black. There are alfo feveral kinds of falcons, hawks, ond other birds of prey.

The great horned-owl is a very fingular bird, with a head very little infenor in fize to that of a cat; what are called the horns, are compofed of feathers rifing just above the bill, intermixed at the bottom with white becoming of a reddish brown by degrees, and tipped with black. The great white owi of a bright fhining colour, fo as fcarce to be diftinguished from the fnow, is alfo common in the northern part of this country, and continues there throughout the whole year, where it is frequently feen flying by day, and preys upon white partridges.

The white patridge is common in fome other countries, but is no where in fuch plenty as in the northern part of this near Hudfon's Bay. It is of a middle fize, between that of our common patridge and the pheafant, fhaped very much like the former, except its tail being fomewhat longer. Thefe birds are mofly brown in fummer, but in the winter become perfectly white. In that severe feafon they repofe in the fnow all night, and in the morning fly directly up to shake it off their feathers. They flay is thefe parts all the year.

The brown and fpotted heath-cock, which always continues in the north all the year, is fomewhat bigger than an English patridge; it is likewife longer-bodied, and has a longer tail, in proportion. The bill is black, covered with brown feathers; the skin above the eye red; the top of the head, the upper part of the neck, and down the back covered with feathers of a dark brown, mixed with a dull orange and afh-colour: the tail is of a dark brown, the throat under the bill of a yellowish white; the neck and breast of a dull orange, with Ipots in the form of half moons. The legs from the knee-joint down to the feet are covered with a kind of hairy feathers of a brown colour, intermixed with black: the feet are of a reddish brown; the three toes forward have pretty long and black claws: these toes are jagged; but the hinder toes are fmooth on the fides.

The locust is here a feptennial infect, being only feen, in any large num bers, every seven years, when they fettle in the interior parts particularly, ia large fwarms, and do great mifchief: the years in which they infeft the country are ftyled "locuft years."