358 GEOLOGICAL APPEARANCES 



rain. On the Canada side, they are in a great degree 

 concealed from sight by the foaming water, and the rising 

 spray that invest them. But on the New-York side, 

 where the height of the fall is greater and the quantity 

 of water smaller, owing to a dip to the west or rather 

 northwest, the inferior ledge o rocks can be better dis- 

 cerned as they lie piled upon each other in all the rude- 

 ness of accidental disposition ; these form a barrier to 

 protect the basis of slate and sandstone from the assault 

 of the water. By the intervention of these impassive 

 heaps, the shistus, notwithstanding its shattered constitu- 

 tion, maintains its ground remarkably, and yields but 

 slowly. Yet, under the operation of such powerful 

 causes, it gives way at last, though only inch by inch. 

 In consequence of this moderate, but certain removal of 

 the shistic foundation, the calcarious strata are at length 

 deprived of their support, and yards and perches, as is 

 believed, of their extremities have disappeared within 

 the recollection of persons now alive. 



By this means the cataract seems to have moved its 

 place, and not to have been stationary at any one point. 

 Beyond a doubt, it is proceeding up the stream, and 

 drawing nearer to Chippeway and Erie. And if in its 

 early existence, it thundered where Q,ueenstown now is, 

 it must have worn its way about seven miles in the lapse 

 of centuries, to its present seat. Strange as this conjec- 

 ture may appear, to many it really violates no probability. 

 On the other hand, it is countenanced by several impor- 

 tant considerations. A little above that village, the plain 

 which reaches northwardly from the shores of Lake Erie, 

 ceases. There is a rapid declivity to another plain 

 which Extends to Ontario. The difference of these 

 levels is rather more than the height of the falls. The 

 beholder is impressed with the belief that the river once 



