48 THE GEOLOGY OF MINNESOTA. 



[Beltrami, 1823. 



ing also "the actual sources of the Mississippi." This remarkable lake, 

 which he styled lake Julia, is described as "about three miles around, in the 

 shape of a heart, and it may be truly said to speak to the very soul. Mine 

 was not slightly moved by it. It is but justice to draw it from the silence 

 in which geography, after so many expeditions, still suffered it to remain, 

 and to point it out to the world in all its honorable distinction." 



The stream from the small basin that has been noticed, on the south 

 side of the hill, runs directly south, and after three miles reaches Turtle 

 lake. " The majestic river, which embraces a world in its immense course, 

 and speaks in thunder in its cataracts, is at these, its sources, nothing but a 

 timid Naiad, stealing cautiously through the rushes and briars which 

 obstruct its passage. The famous Mississippi, whose course is said to be 

 twelve hundred leagues, and which bears navies on its bosom, and steam- 

 boats superior in size to frigates, is at its source merely a petty stream of 

 crystalline water, concealing itself among reeds and wild rice which seem 

 to insult over its humble birth." 



TURTLE LAKE. 



Turtle lake, including its bays, he estimates at more than one hundred 

 miles in circumference. The first lake below he christened Jeroniine, from 

 the countess to whom his letters were addressed. Another, seven or eight 

 miles further east-southeast, he named Monteleone. A stream coming into 

 the Mississippi from the northwest the Indians styled Scisaiaguay, or Heron 

 river. He passed up this tributary, and found it drained a number of small 

 basins, the highest of which he named lake Torrigiani, "from the stately 

 and spreading trees which overhang its banks." From this he made a port- 

 age northward and came to another lake of an oval form, which he named 

 Antonelli, four or five miles across. This discharges into Turtle lake near 

 the point at which the Mississippi leaves it. 



Descending below Turtle lake he passed four lakes, which he named 

 Providence lakes, on account, as he says, of the fields of wild rice which 

 Providence has formed there, the ears of which resemble those of the 

 land of promise. The river, throughout, to Bed Cedar lake, is described as 

 having a deep, steady and uniform channel and current, the land all being 

 low and frequently submerged or shaking. 



