SOURCE OP ST. PETEk's RIVER. 213 



cnt routes through which loaded canoes have passed from 

 one to the other in times of inundation, without the inter- 

 vention of portages. 



The foregoing remarks are intended as applicable more 

 particularly to the tract bounded, north by the Wisconsan 

 and Fox rivers, south by the Illinois, east by Lake Michi- 

 gan, and west by the Mississippi river, than which few 

 countries of equal extent can boast of a finer aspect. The 

 rivers included within the limits just assigned, are the Chi- 

 cago, Milwacke, Manitowacke, and several others of less 

 note, tributary to Lake Michigan, the Des Plaines, De Page, 

 Fox, Mequin, &c. tributary to the Illinois, the Rock and 

 Makabea or Small Fox river, and several others of smaller 

 size that mingle their waters with the Mississippi. Rock 

 river has manj^ tributaries, among which are the Kishwake, 

 Pektannon, Little Pektannon, and Wassemon rivers, all 

 respectable streams, never before recognised in the geo- 

 graphy of the country. The vallies of the water-courses 

 generally, and particularly of those just mentioned, are 

 bounded by parallel ranges of hills, of moderate height and 

 gentle declivity. 



The country embracing the southern extremity of Lake 

 Michigan, and extending inland many miles from the 

 lake, presents no hills, except the elevated sand-drifts that 

 bound that extremity of the lake. On the contrary, an ex- 

 tensive flat embracing woodlands and meadows alternating 

 with each other, spreads from the St. Joseph to the Des 

 Plaines, and from the lake to the Kankakee. Its soil is ap- 

 parently good, but the chilling northerly winds, which 

 blow from the lake, charged with vapour, seem to carry 

 with them blast and mildew, and render its prolific ener- 

 gies abortive. At Chicago, which is situated within this 

 tract, attempts have been made to cultivate maize, wheat, 



Vol. IL 2S 



