224 EXPEDITION TO THE 



The Coteau des Prairies is a very remarkable feature in 

 the aspect of this region, situated between the waters of the 

 Mississippi and those of the Missouri. It may be regarded 

 as the dividing ridge between those waters, and is doubt- 

 less the grand dike which has obstructed the latter in its 

 progress eastward, and caused it to flow southwardly 

 through a distance of many hundred miles, before it could 

 agyin resume a direct course to the former. This huge 

 swell has an elevation of about one thousand feet above the 

 common level of the country just described, and extends 

 from the 44th degree of latitude, in a direction north-north- 

 west to the sources of Pembina river, in latitude 49° north. 

 It presents a rounded summit, with but few irregularities 

 of surface, and is for the most part destitute of a woody 

 growth. Its easterly slope exhibits a gradual declivity, in- 

 tersected at intervals, by ravines which serve as channels 

 to numerous streams, that pay tribute to the St. Peter and 

 Red rivers. The distance from Lake Travers to the base 

 of the Coteau, is about twenty-five miles in a w^esterly di- 

 rection, while that to its summit is said to be more than 

 double that distance. Its width, character of its western 

 slope, &.C. could not be satisfactorily ascertained. It is said, 

 however, that this ridge is succeeded by another, parallel 

 to it and of a similar appearance, at the distance of thirty 

 or forty miles, between which and the first is a river of 

 moderate size, probably Jacque or James river of the Mis- 

 souri. It is further stated also, that the western declivity 

 of these ridges is considerably less than the eastern, which 

 is in accordance with the deductions to which the hydro- 

 graphy of the country give rise. At both extremities the 

 Coteau loses itself in a multiplicity of hills and swells, 

 which give to the country an aspect highly varied- 



