CHAPTER II. 



THE 



GENERAL PHYSICAL FEATURES 



OF MINNESOTA. 



BY N. H. WINCHELL. 



It is intended in this chapter to give only such general statements as 

 will se*ve to make intelligible the more special descriptions of following 

 chapters. The physical features of the state may be considered from differ- 

 ent points of view, viz: 



1. Position, boundaries and area of the state. 



2. The distribution and character of the drift. 



3. The surface configuration of different parts of the state. 



4. The relative elevations of different parts of the state. 



5. The kinds and distribution of the soils and subsoils. 



6. The lakes and rivers, and the qualities of water of different portions. 



7. The nature and distribution of the native forests and their relation 

 to the prairies. 



8. The commanding geographical and commercial position of the state. 



I. POSITION, BOUNDARIES AND AREA. 



Boundaries. The northern boundary of the state of Minnesota, as far as 

 the lake of the Woods, was defined by the terms of the treaty of peace between 

 the United States and Great Britain, concluded at Paris, September 3d, 1783. 

 The boundary line of the United States was declared to run along the mid- 

 dle of the Ontario, Erie, Huron, Superior, and Long lakes,* and their water 



*Carver's map, published in 1770, in London . shows Long lake as an enlargement of the lower part of Pijfeon river. 



