302 1:XPEDITI0N TO THE 



CHAPTER VII. 



Geology of the Mississippi. The Expedition ascends the 

 St. Peter. Character of the Country. Arrival at 

 Lake Travers. 



THE country about the fort contains several other water 

 falls, which are represented as worthy of being seen. One 

 of them, which is but two miles. and a half from the garri- 

 son, and on the road to St, Anthony's, is very interesting. 

 It is known by the name of Brown's Fall, and is remark- 

 able for the soft beauties which it presents. Essentially 

 different from St. Anthony's, it appears as if all its native 

 wildness had been removed by the hand of art. A small, 

 but beautiful stream, about five yards wide, flows gently 

 until it reaches the verge of a rock, from which it is pre- 

 cipitated to a depth of forty-three feet, presenting a beau- 

 tiful parabolic sheet, which drops without the least devia- 

 tion from the regular curve, and meets Avith no interrup- 

 tion from neighbouring rocks, or other impediments, until 

 it has reached its lower level, when it resumes its course 

 without any other difference, than that produced by the 

 white foam which floats upon its surface. The spray, 

 which this cascade emits, is very considerable, and when 

 the rays of the sun shine upon it, produces a beautiful Iris ; 

 upon the surrounding vegetation the effect of this spray is 

 distinct ; it vivifies all the plants, imparts to them an in- 

 tense green colour, and gives rise to a stouter growth than 

 is observed upon the surrounding country. On the neigh- 

 bouring rock the effect is as characteristic, though of a 

 destructive nature; the spray striking against the rock, 

 which is of a loose structure, has undermined it in a 



