FALLS OF THE OHIO. 267 



depositions that are made to them, and I was enabled to count 

 six rows of the same species rising in different gradations. 



We at last reached what are termed the Falls of the Ohio, 

 a name given to a succession of rapids, caused by a stratum 

 of rocks crossing the channel of the river, and form the only 

 obstruction to navigation in the whole course of the Ohio. 

 The falls are about two miles in length, and the descent in 

 that distance twenty-four feet. When the river is high, ves 

 sels pass up and down the falls, and when low, through 

 a canal lately opened on the south side of the river, com 

 mencing a little below Louisville, and extending nearly two 

 miles. The Helen Mar had some difficulty in getting over a 

 bar and rapid below the entrance to the canal ; on reaching 

 which I walked forward to Louisville, over a verdant smooth 

 turf, which I enjoyed greatly, after so long an absence from 

 nature s best carpeting. 



The water in the Ohio was still low, although our captain 

 had often been told on the voyage the river had risen eighteen 

 inches in course of a few days. The rising of the Ohio and 

 most of the western rivers in autumn is observed to take place 

 annually, without a considerable fall of rain occurring in the 

 lower part of their courses. This is generally accounted for 

 by the diminished temperature of the atmosphere lessening 

 evaporation on the earth s surface. In all probability it is; 

 more owing to suspended vegetation, the falling leaves and 

 decaying herbage ceasing to throw off moisture. 



In the course of our voyage from St Louis to Louisville, a 

 distance of six hundred and thirty miles, passengers were 

 received and landed at many intermediate places, but the 

 majority of them continued the whole distance. My time 

 being spent chiefly in viewing the different objects on the 

 rivers and their banks, I did not become intimate with any 

 individual, except one, Mr Gemble, with whom I afterwards 

 travelled by stage to Columbus in Ohio, and met at the 

 Washington Hotel, on my return to New York. In course 

 of conversation I learned he resided at St Louis, had travelled 

 in the Rocky Mountains, and was on his way to the eastern 

 shore to visit an aged parent. W T e spent a considerable part 

 of fourteen days in close conversation, without making the 



