THE NORTH AMERICAN LAKES. 331 



Under such circumstances, where the salt water was 

 continually going forth, and the fresh water occupying 

 its place, it must necessarily have happened that the for- 

 mer would gradually be exhausted, and its place occupied 

 by the latter. Thus it may be conceived that the primi- 

 tive saltness of our lakes was lost. 



When, however, we survey the oceanic relicks on their 

 shores, prodigiously diversified in number, quality and 

 form, we cannot refuse full credit to the conclusion. 



And when we also reflect, that Erie and its continuous 

 lakes, Huron and Michigan, abound with animals, which 

 probably once inhabited salt water, we are led to consi- 

 der the interesting process, whereby, during the freshen- 

 ing of the water, they were weaned from their marine 

 habits, and gradually converted to fresh water animals. 



The Cod of the Lakes, (gadus lacustris) forwarded tome 

 from Massachusetts, by Henry A. S. Dearborn, Esq. of 

 Boston ; and the Salmon without teeth (salmo clupeoides) 

 brought to me from the falls of St. Mary, by Major Ro- 

 berdeau, are creatures of this description. 





