THE SALT LAKES OF NORTH AMERICA. 349 



In relation to lake Ontario, the following statement 

 concerning the appearances on its southern side were 

 made by Dr. Clinton, in his address to the Historical 

 Society : 



" From near the Genesee river to Lewiston, on the 

 Niagara river, there is a remarkable ridge, or elevation 

 of land, running almost the whole distance, which is 

 seventy-eight miles, and in a direction from east to west. 

 Its general altitude above the neighbouring land is thirty 

 feet, and its width varies considerably ; in some places 

 it is not more than forty yards. Its elevation above the 

 level of lake Ontario is, perhaps, one hundred and sixty 

 feet, to which it descends by a gradual slope, and its 

 distance from that water is between six and ten miles. 

 There is every reason to believe that this remarkable 

 ridge was the ancient boundary of this great lake. The 

 gravel with which it is covered was deposited there by 

 the waters, and the stones everywhere indicate by their 

 shape the abrasion and agitation produced by that ele- 

 ment. All along the borders of the western rivers and 

 lakes there are small mounds, and heaps of gravel, of a 

 conical form, erected by the fish for the protection of 

 their spawn: these fish banks are found at the foot of the 

 ridge, on the side towards the lake; on the opposite side 

 none have been discovered. All rivers and streams 

 which enter the lake from the south have their mouths 

 affected with sand in a peculiar way, from the prevalence 

 and power of the northwesterly winds. The points of 

 the creeks which pass through the ridge correspond ex- 

 actly in appearance with the entrance of the streams into 

 the lake. These facts evince, beyond a doubt, that lake 

 Ontario has receded from this elevated ground ; and the 

 cause of this retreat must be ascribed to its having en- 

 larged its former outlet, or to its imprisoned waters 



