SOURCE OF ST. PETER's RIVER. 169 



tions, from the partial destruction of which these extensive 

 deposites of alluvion, and the large boulders which ac- 

 company them, have received their origin. But these are 

 considerations which we shall not broach at present, as 

 they will find their place, more naturally, at a later period 

 of this work. 



Although the quantity of game in this part of the coun- 

 try is diminishing very rapidly, and although it is barely suf- 

 ficient for the support of the Indians, still there is enough, 

 and particularly of the smaller kind, to offer occupation to 

 the amateur sportsman. There are many different kinds of 

 aquatic birds, which feed upon the wild rice, (Zizania 

 aquatica,) and other plants that thrive in the swamps which 

 cover the country, Mr. Say observed, among others, the 

 mallard, (Anas boschas,) shoveller-duck, (A. clypeata,) 

 blue-winged teal, (A. discors,) common merganser, (Mer- 

 gus serrator,) common coot, (Fulicaamericana,) stellate he- 

 ron or Indian hen, ( Ardea minor,) &c. &c. In the lake there 

 is also a great quantity of fish, but none appears to be of a 

 very superior quality ; the white fish, (Coregonus albus, 

 Lesueur,) which is the greatest delicacy found in the lakes, 

 is not caught at Chicago, but sometimes twenty or thirty 

 miles north of it. 



Observations, for latitude and longitude, were made here, 

 by Mr. Colhoun, from which the situation of this place was 

 found to be in latitude 41° 59' 53" N.— longitude 86° 47' 

 15" W.— Magnetic variation 6° 13' East* 



During our short residence at Chicago, we were, by the 

 favour of Dr. Wolcott, the Indian agent, furnished with 

 much information concerning the Indians of this vicinity, 

 through his interpreter, Alexander Robinson, a half-breed 



* See Appendix II. Tl>e longitude cannot be depended upon witli 

 certainty, as there was some doubt as to the error of the watch. 

 Vol. I. 22 



