on the Northern Shore of Lake Superior, &c. 359 
employed for canoes by the northern Indians,) and with some 
varieties of poplar, oak, and maple. The meteorological obser- 
vations which I have made, indicate, however, a waim summer, 
the average heat of the month of June being 69°; but the climate 
is subject to a long and severe winter, and to storms, aud sudden 
‘transitions of temperature, during the summer months. We saw 
no Indian corn among the savages upon this lake 3; whether the 
climate is unfavourable to its growth, or the wild rice (Zezania 
aquatica) furnishes au adequate substitute, is not certain. A 
country lacking the advantages of a fertile soil, may still become 
a very rich mining country, like the county of Cornwall in Eng- 
land, the Hartz mountains in Germany, and a portion of Mis- 
souri in our own country; but this deficiency must be compen -~ 
sated by the advantages of geographical position, contiguous, or 
redundant population, and the facilities of a ready commercial 
intercourse. T'o these, the mineral district of Lake Superior can 
advance but a feeble claim, while it lies upwards of three hun- 
dred miles beyond the utmost point of our settlements on the 
north-western frontier, and in the occupation of savage tribes 
whose hostility has been so recently manifested. Concerning the 
variety, importance, and extent of its mineral productions, little 
doubt can remain. Every fact which has been noticed tends to 
strengthen the belief, that there are extensive copper mines upon 
its shores, while the information that has been gathered in the 
course of the late mission, renders it certain that not only cop- 
per, but iron, lead, plumbago, and sulphur are productions of 
that region, together with several of the precious siliceous* and 
crystallized minerals. It is rendered probable also, that silver 
ore is imbedded in the transition rocks of the region ; and when- 
ever it shall become an object with the American government, or 
people, 
according to the Report of the New-York Canal Com- feet. 
Raper, Ph Fe Mee Tere) oh Ta aod Bret ge 
Estimated fall of Detroit river, 20 miles at six inches permiie.. = 10) 
St. Clair river, 30 miles at four inches 1... ... 10 
Rapids of St, Clair river at the outlet of Lake Huron, in the di- 
stance of three miles... | 
Estimated fail of the river St. Mary, between the Detour and 
Point Iroquois, 60 miles at three inches per mile (rapids not 
SS JAR a OT TL SA oe Le 15 
MNOS 42 LAVAS e hd as cftds'p Sel 0'9si. dex? Cu basic . 9 
pee itar Rape) io iw s wine Aue ade Ma 6 
Sualt de St. Marie (according to Col. Gratiot) ... 0 ... 0... 22-10 
Level of Lake Superior 641-10 
* The Carnclion is first found on approaching the Pictured Rocks on Lake 
Superior, and afterwards becomes very abundant along the shore extending 
tothe Fond du Lac. Sandy Lake on the head of the Mississippi is a good 
Joculity of thiy mineral, and it is found around the shores of the numerous 
little 
