PHYSICAL GEOGRArilV. 27 



acquired a lompcraliirc of 48*^. From tliis lake issues a 

 rivulet, necessarily of increased ini})orlance — a cradled Her- 

 cules, giving promise of the strength of his maturity ; for its 

 velocity has increased ; it transports the smaller branches of 

 trees ; it begins to form sand-bars ; its bends are more 

 decided, until it subsides again into the basin of a third lake, 

 somewhat larger than the two preceding. Having thus ac- 

 quired renew^ed vigor, and tried its consequence upon an 

 additional length of two or throe miles, it finally empties into 

 Itasca lake, which is the principal reservoir of all the sources 

 to which it owTs all its subsc([uent majesty." — Nic. Rep., 

 p. 58. 



" For the first twenty-five or thirty miles the bed of the 

 river contracts or dilates, according to the character of the 

 shores. Its navigation is greatly impeded by erratic rocks, 

 trunks of fallen and decayed trees, as well as impending 

 branches of living ones, and rapids, which, in proportion to the 

 changes of level in the bed of the river, carried along our frail 

 canoe with the rapidity of an arrow, or left us, when wanting, 

 in perfect repose. I may remark here, that, on this river, 

 like all those of this region of country, where, on the narrow- 

 ing of the valley, there grows nothing but willows and aquatic 

 plants on the shores, with a fine sand at bottom, its bed is 

 peopled with innumerable shells, especially iinios and ano- 

 dontcB. So far, I saw not a solitary fish." — Nic. Rep., p. 60. 



At fifty miles below Lake Itasca the river acquires a 

 greatly-increased width. I give again the words of Mr. 



Nicollet : — 



'' At this stage of its progress, the Missisippi river is wide, 

 winding itself in large folds, as if to take masterly possession 

 of the country ; whilst its waters arc enlivened by ininimer- 

 able flocks of wild fowl. Then comes another contraction of 

 the river, whicli soon opens again, and extends itself to 



