V32 [Assembly 



The jBnal " breaking up " of the ice in the spring often affords 

 a scene of intense interest. The evidences are readily recog- 

 nised, which portend the event. Its surface exhibits several 

 marked and peculiar phases, which indicate the progress of decay. 

 Its usual transparent and brilliant clearness, yields to a dark and 

 clouded aspect. This is succeeded by a soft and snowy color, as 

 the moisture leaves the surface and penetrates the mass. The 

 •next stage in its dissolution is exhibited as the body of ice be- 

 comes porous and loosing its buoyancy, sinks to the level of the 

 water. Its appearance tlien is black and portentous, and can 

 scarcely be contemplated without a feeling of awe and dread. 

 The fissures now^ open and expand. The ice separates into larger 

 bodies, and driven by the winds in immense fields, is broken up, 

 and often piled in huge masses upon the shores where it remains 

 late in the spring, a memorial of the passed empire of' winter. 

 At other times, the ice continues nearly entire, until saturated 

 with water, it at once, in a moment as it were, disappears, dis 

 solving into its original element. 



In the progress of dissolution of the ice, a singular phenomenon 

 Is revealed. The mass at this time, exhibits a combination of an 

 infinitude of parallel crystals or icicles, arranged in a perpendicu- 

 lar formation, and each distinct and perfect, extending from the 

 lower side to the surface, or in other words, from the water to the 

 atmosphere. These particles separate from each other in the pro- 

 cess of disintegration. 



A day of jubilee and rejoicing succeeds, when these icy fetters 

 are finally broken, and intercourse is restored. The advent of 

 the first steamer of the season, always rejuvenated during the 

 winter, and fresh from the hands of the painter, is hailed at each 

 landing by shoutings and the pealings of artillery. 



Interior Lakes and Rivers. — The numerous lakes and gem-like 

 ponds, that stud the surface of the county in such profusion, not 

 only diversify and adorn the scenery, but are the sources of the 



persons followed liim to near the center of the lake, -when he rushed upon an apparent snoir 

 drift, and began to dig with the most piteou%cries. He soon revealed beneath the wreath of 

 snow the lifeless and frozen remains of the unfortunate master, his courage and sagacity had 

 failed to save. The faithful creature was preserved and cherished as his intelligence and 

 fidelity deserved. — Col. C. M. Watson. 



