21 < EXPEDITION TO THK 



oats, and other products, but they have otten proved fruit 

 less. 



In the vicinity of the Mississippi, the high lands on both 

 sides of the river are intersected by numerous d-^ p ra- 

 vines and water-courses, which, together with the bluffs 

 and precipices by which the river vailey is bounded, give 

 to that part of the country a hilly and broken aspect. At 

 the mouth of the Illinois the high lands are elevated from 

 one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet above the river. 

 At Prairie du Chien their elevation is four or five hun- 

 dred feet. About one hundred miles above this place, the 

 high lands are said to be more elevated than on any other 

 part of the Mississippi, rising to seven or eight hundred 

 feet. At the mouth of the St. Peter, their height varies 

 from one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet. 



On the Wisconsan river, at the distance of fifty or sixty 

 miles eastward of the Mississippi, commences a region of 

 hilly country, which extends northwardly to Lake Superior, 

 and embraces the head waters of the Wisconsan, Fox, Me- 

 nonione, Ontonagon, Bois Brule, St. Croix, Chippewa, 

 Black, and Prairie de la Croix rivers. To this region the 

 name of the Wisconsan Hills has been given, which are 

 terminated on the south by the Ocooch and Smoky Moun- 

 tains, whose altitude is about twelve hundred feet above the 

 common level, or two thousand feet above tide water. Its 

 aspect is exceedingly diversified by hills and vallies, the 

 former of which are high and rugged, supporting a heavy 

 growth of pine, &c. while the latter often present exten- 

 sive flats, abounding in lakes, swamps, and ponds, yielding 

 wild rice in great abundance and perfection. The rocks of the 

 southern portion of this region may be regarded as of a se- 

 condary character, while those of the northern, according 

 to Mr, Schoolcraft, are primitive. In the former of these 



