220 EXPEDITION TO THE 



tween the lakes and the Mississippi, through which boats 

 have been known to pass. The valley of the Wisconsan 

 is somewhat narrower than those of most other rivers of 

 this region, but in other respects it is very similar to them. 

 The high country here assumes a more hilly and broken 

 aspect, and the soil becomes more sandy and meagre. 



While on the subject of water communications it is pro- 

 per to remark, that a third route, viz. by w^ay of the Rock 

 and Milwacke rivers, has been found practicable for ca- 

 noes. 



IV. Of the St. Peter river and adjacent country. Also 

 of the Coieau des Prairies. 



The St. Peter, called in the Sioux language Menesota 

 Watapan, or River of turbid water, receives most of its 

 waters from a remarkable ridge distinguished by the name 

 of Coteau des Prairies, hereafter to be noticed. Its most 

 remote source is a small lake, called Pole-cat Lake, about 

 three miles in circumference, situated at the base of the 

 ridge just mentioned, in latitude about 45° 40' N. and lon- 

 gitude 96° 36' W. It enters the Mississippi nine miles 

 below the Falls of St. Anthony, in N. latitude 44° 53' 

 49" and W. longitude 93° 8' 7". Its length, following its 

 meanders, is about five hundred miles, but in the direction 

 of its immediate valley, does not exceed two hundred and 

 seventy-five miles. Its course is exceedingly serpentine, 

 varying from side to side of its valley, and is interrupted 

 by several rocky ridges extending across the bed of the 

 river, and occasioning falls of considerable descent. About 

 fifteen miles from its source it passes into Big Stone Lake, 

 which is about twenty-five miles long, and from four hun- 

 dred yards to one mile and a half wide, lying in a direc- 



