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THE GEOLOGY OF MINNESOTA. 



[Carver, 1766. 



distance they appear to be much higher than they really are. The above-mentioned traveler has 

 laid them down at about sixty feet ; but he has made a greater error in calculating the height of 

 the falls_of Niagara, which he asserts to be 600 feet, whereas, from later observations accurately 

 made, it is well known that it does not exceed 140 feet. But thej good father, I fear, too 

 often had no otherfoundation for his accounts than report, or, at best, a slight inspection. 



FIG. 3. CARVER'S SKETCH OF THE FALLS OF ST. ANTHOXY, 1766. 



In the middle of the falls stands a small island about forty feet broad and somewhat 

 longer, on which grow a few cragged hemlock and spruce trees, and about half way between this 

 island and the eastern shore is a rock, lying at the very edge of the fall in an oblique position, that 

 appeared to be about five or six feet broad and thirty or forty feet long. These falls vaiy much 

 from all the others I have seen, as you may approach close to them without finding the least 

 obstruction from any intervening hill or precipice. 



The country around them is extremely beautiful. It is not an uninterrupted plain where 

 the eye finds no relief, but composed of many gentle ascents which, in 'the summer, are covered 

 with the finest verdure, and interspersed with little groves that give a pleasing variety to the 

 prospect. On the whole, when the falls are included, which may be seen at the distance of four 

 miles, a more pleasing and picturesque view cannot, I believe, be found throughout the universe. 

 I could have wished that I had happened to enjoy this glorious sight at a more seasonable time of 

 the year, whilst the trees and hillocks were clad in Nature's gayest livery, as this must have greatly 

 added to the pleasure I received ; however, even then, it exceeded my warmest expectations. I 

 have endeavored to give the reader as just an idea of this enchanting spot as possible in the plan 

 annexed ; but all description, whether of the pencil or the pen, must fall infinitely short of the 

 original. 



At a little distance below the falls stands a small island, of about an acre and a half, on 

 which grow a great number of oak trees, every branch of which, able to support the weight, was 

 full of eagles' nests. The reason that this kind of birds resort in such numbers to this spot is that 

 they are here secure from the attacks either of man or beast, their retreat being guarded by the 



