I s 



116 



THE GENESEE FARMER. 



May 



TEW OF NIAGARA FALLS, 



Agricultural d?cologp. 



NIAGARA FALLS -ITS PAST, PBESENT AND PRO- 

 SPECTIVE CONDITION. 



BY DR. E. EMMONS. 



Among the phenomena of waterfalls and river 

 gorges the Cataract of Niagara is justly regarded as 

 holding the first rank, and as standing an index in 

 the path of time, by which the influence of num- 

 i s npon the surface of our planet may be 

 recorded. Its present, its former and its prospective 

 Itions have engaged the investigation and specu- 

 lation of many philosophers. The possible conse- 

 quence of its entire reduction, and ; . aioage of 

 the upper lakes, have excited the wonder and appre- 

 hensions of many. The estimated time of its reces- 

 sion has sprinkled gray hairs among the fresh locks 

 of the young and blooming earth, and alarmed those 

 who would consider her still youthful in years. 



But amid all these speculations, Niagara still re- 

 mains : the thunder of its cataract still reverberates 

 through its deep chasms, and its ocean of waters still 

 rolls on as, unknown to the white man, it rolled a 

 thousand years ago. When we come to the investi- 

 gation of facts, we find that, except to travelers and 

 the aborigines, Niagara was unknown until within 

 the last fifty years ; and that even during this time 

 no accurate observations hare been ma.de, no monu- 

 ment erected to determine whether the falls are retro- 

 grading or not. The testimony of living witn 

 and historical evidence unite in confirming the opin- 

 ion that the water is wearing away the rock, and 

 that the outline of the falls has changed. From 

 these general observations, it has been estimated that 

 they have receded at the rate of about a fifty 



years. Without pretending to i the accura- 



cy of this or any othi ate of the kind, or to 



Wish any rate of retrogression in the falls, we 

 may examine its present, and from numerous facts 

 infer its past condition, and from these we are enti- 



tled to draw an inference for the future, though with- 

 out specifying time. 



Both in relation to the former condition and to the 

 future recession of the falls, we may regard the prob- 

 lem as undecided with respect to time. So many 

 disturbing causes are constantly presenting them- 

 selves, that, although the great principles may be re- 

 garded as established, still it is impossible to calcu- 

 late accurately the effect of these minor influences. 

 The recession of every mile changes the whole as- 

 pect r new elements are brought into operation ; the 

 nature of the strata varies ; the relative height of 

 certain portions, and the elevation of the whole cas- 

 cade is altered ; and we have had time to observe 

 only one of the phas js, and to reason from that to 

 the future, before the condition is changed^ and we 

 must take into the account new influences, which the 

 previous changes have called into operation. 



The great difference in elevation between Lake 

 Ontario and Lake Erie, and the occurrence of the 

 Cataract of Niagara, form one of the most striking 

 features in the topography of Western New York. 

 The difference in elevation of the upper great lakes 

 is comparatively small, they being nearly in the range 

 of the strike of the strata, while the passage from 

 Lake Erie to Lake Ontario is directly across the line 

 of dip.* Lake Erie is 334 feet above Lake Ontario, 

 and the greater part of the descent from one to the 

 ether is" overcome by the rapids and falls of the 

 I Niagara river in the space of one mile. 



Niagara Limestone. — Asilico argillaceous lime- 

 stone forms the bed of passage from the soft shale 

 below, to the purer limestone above. When freshly 

 exposed it is often of a dark or bluish color, but soon 

 changes to light gray or ashen ; and though variable 

 in character, it is a 'constant accompaniment of the 

 group as far as observed. It forms a good hydraulic 

 cement, where it has been used for that purpose. 



*The geological positions of Lake Superior and Lake Ontario, 

 the highesl and the lowest of this chain of lakes. OCTrespond vcry 

 nearly with each other. 



