Mr. Fairbolme on the Falls of Niagara. 1 1 



of magnetic forces, inserted in the Transactions of the Royal 

 Society of Edinburgh, and I find that this gentleman has 

 noticed a change in the law from the inverse ratio of the 

 square to the simple inverse ratio of the distance, when two 

 magnets were brought near each other; but the greatest de- 

 gree of approximation he has given is ^th of an inch. The 

 magnets he used were much larger than mine. 



II. On the Falls of Niagara; with some Observations on the 

 distinct Evidence which they bear to the Geological Character 

 of the North American Plains. By G. Fairholme, Esq.* 



TT has been well remarked by Captain Basil Hall, in the 

 ■*- minute and luminous description which he has given us 

 of these celebrated falls, that the river on which they occur 

 is unlike any other stream with which we are at present ac- 

 quainted. It is at its full size from the first moment of its ex- 

 istence ; and although it contains more water than almost any 

 other river, at the same distance from the sea, it is no larger 

 at its mouth than at its commencement. Its course, too, in- 

 stead of being of vast extent, proportional to the body of 

 water of which it consists, is not more than about 36 miles. 

 This anomaly is, however, at once explained when we con- 

 sider that the Niagara is but a communicating link between 

 two of the great American lakes ; and that in its short and 

 turbulent course, it has neither time nor space to acquire 

 nourishment from subsidiary streams. 



It is a common remark of strangers who are proceeding to 

 view this wonderful cataract that it seems unaccountable how 

 such a phenomenon can exist in a country which appears, on 

 all sides, to present so level and unvaried a surface. In passing 

 down the river from Lake Erie, the banks, thickly clothed 

 with forests, seem on a perfect level with the surface of the 

 water, and the general tameness of the scenery is not such as 

 is well calculated to introduce the traveller to so speedy and 

 violent a change. In approaching in a cross direction, the 

 roads also pass through level and extensive woods, as little 

 indicating a change of surface; and it is only on approaching 

 from the side of Lake Ontario, and in passing up the stream, 

 that the gentle inclination of the country which has given rise 

 to the cataract is distinctly perceptible. 



When we consider, indeed, the nature of this country, and 

 view it on that great scale which alone is suitable to its vast 

 expanse, it will be at once acknowledged that the whole globe 

 may be passed under our review, without exhibiting any si- 



* Communicated by the Author. 

 C 2 



