Vlll GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 



extends in a southwesterly direction up the Saranac River 

 to the beautiful cluster of lakes of that name — thence with 

 no intervening ridge it passes up the Raquette River, 

 through Long and Raquette Lakes ; and thence in the 

 same general direction, and with no opposing barrier, down 

 the Moose River and its chain of picturesque lakes, and 

 terminates in Oneida County, near Boonville. This valley 

 is remarkable for its extent — being about 150 miles in 

 length — for its nearly uniform direction, although it is 

 formed by the basins of three different systems of waters — 

 for the productiveness of its soil in the upper sections of its 

 course — and especially for its almost unparalleled line of 

 natural navigation. 



" The western portion of the table, or rather that which 

 is situated west of this valley, presents a varied and pic- 

 turesque, though not a mountainous surface. The Adiron- 

 dack Mountains are seen towards the east, with their bare 

 and rocky summit, dim in the distance, projecting their 

 spurs clothed with black forests to the shores of this central 

 line of waters. Proceeding westwardly from this line, the 

 physical aspect of the country undergoes a marked and im- 

 mediate change. The mountains are reduced to hills of 

 moderate elevations; and, instead of being covered with 

 rugged and sterile peaks, their rounded summits display a 

 luxuriant growth of valuable timber. They appear to be 

 disposed without much conformity to any general system of 



