^'IAGARA PALLS. 



20i 



the rapids, and some years ago, an immense nias« 

 of the rociiy stratum was precipitated over, and 

 shook the country round like an earthquake. 



Ovid's description of a cataract furnishes but a 

 very imperfect idea of this wonder of nature. 



'' Estnemus .Emoniae. praerupta quod undique claudit 

 Silva : vocant Teinpe. Per quae Peneus ab imo 

 Effusus Pindo spumosis volvitur undis, 

 Dejectuque cravi teiiues agitantia furaos 

 JVubila cooducit, sutumasque aspergine silvas 

 Impliuit ; et sonitu plus quam vicina fatigat."' 



This cataract is a great manufactory of clouds 

 and rainbows, and it serves as a barometer as far 

 as Bafl'alo. If the spray spreads from the north 

 it is a sign of a northerly wind. — A south east 

 wind indicates rain. 



Goat Island derives its name from its being 

 appropriated to goats by Mr. Stedman, the form- 

 er possessor of For: Schlosser. It now belongs 

 to individuals, and is connected with the right 

 bank of the river by bridges. It was formerly 

 supposed that it would make an excellent place 

 for a state penitentiary oii i-cconnt of the imprac- 

 licabiiity of passing from it previous tg the erec- 

 tion of the bridges ; but this is a mistake. It can 

 be easily resched by a canoe from the place 

 where the rapids St^parate at the the head of the 

 island, but it is dilncuU to retire. Stedman used 



