S66 EXPEDITION TO THE 



the sources of the most considerable rivers are distant from 

 the high chains of mountains."* 



The country which extends between the forty-fifth and 

 forty-eighth parallels of latitude, and between the ninety- 

 third and ninety-seventh of longitude, presents perhaps an 

 example of the interlockage of the sources of rivers, which 

 few, if any other spot on the surface of the earth, can equal. 

 Here, no high ridge extends to divide the sources of three 

 of the largest streams that are known. The mighty Mis- 

 sissippi and many of its tributaries run from the same lakes 

 or swamps, which supply the waters of Nelson's river and 

 of the St. Lawrence. This limited tract of country includes 

 the head of the Sioux river, and Red fork of Red river, of 

 the grand fork of Rainy Lake river, of the St. Louis river 

 of Lake Superior, of Rum river, the Mississippi proper, the 

 Riviere de Corbeau, and the St. Peter. The Indian and 

 the trader constantly pass in their canoes, from one to an- 

 other of these rivulets, and without meeting with half the 

 difficulties which they experience lower down upon the 

 same streams, when swelled to the size of mighty rivers, 

 for in fact the whole of that country is an immense swamp. 

 Carver, who states this important feature of the country, 

 destroys all the value of his information, by placing in the 

 same district, the sources of the Oregan, or Great River of 

 the West. 



In tracing the general aspect of the country, of its ridges 

 and streams, we have omitted the little incidents which 

 attended our progress from Lake qui parle to Lake Tra- 

 vers, and although the trifling adventures, which attend a tra- 

 velling party, lose all their importance, when compared to 



•Introduction to "'Humboldt's Political Essay of the Kingdom of 

 Kew Spain, translated by John Black, London, 1811," page Ixxxvi. 



