Topographical Nolices. 279 



terminated by one of superior size, about ;iii acre in extent. 

 Against tbe*e the river is precipitated with a force which 

 completely curves tlie surface of its channel several feet 

 from the horizontal, and thus forced abrn[)tly to the riglit, 

 it descends in great heavy swells^ through a pass two or 

 three hundred feet wide, curling up into fierce breakers, 

 when fairly clear of the strait. Below this, is a smooth deep 

 basin, of a circular shape, by which the water, now 

 streaked with foam, wheels swiftly round the KocherCapi- 

 taine, and recommences its rapid course along the base of 

 the rocks, which had intercepted its progress. 



Above the Kocher Cajiitaine, is a free navigation about 

 ten miles to the Deux Rivieres rapids, the character of both 

 the river and the shores continuing much the same as 

 before. Towards the upper end of this stream, the channel 

 gradually narrows, until it is scarce a furlong wide ; wind- 

 ing along the base of the ridge, which is liere precipitous 

 to the height of four or five hundred feet immediately from 

 the water. For a short s|)ace here, ice never forms, which 

 is rather unaccountable, as the current is not of remarkable 

 strength. The channel must of course be very deep, and 

 it is strewed with bowlders, some of which, frum the depth 

 at which they approach the surface, ai)i)ear of inimense 

 size. Beyond this confined place the river widens, a 

 little below the Deux Rivieres rapids; and we find that we 

 are no longer skirting the foot of the heights, but fairly 

 proceeding into the heart of them, the channel being now 

 lined with high barren hills on both sides. 



At the Deux Rivieres, the Ottawa breaks through the 

 ridge, along the base of which, it id'teruards fiows /or 

 about one hundred and fifty miles. It cannot be said to 

 dcuceud from these height?, as the wiiolc full here is ccr- 



