NARRATIVE OF THE EXPEDITION. 123 



which is the general custom, a roof of bark is put over the de- 

 ceased. This inclosure has an aperture cut in it at the head, 

 through Avhich a dish of food is set for the dead. Oblations of 

 liquor are also sometimes made. This ancient custom of offering 

 food and oblations to the dead, reminds the reader of similar 

 customs among some of the barbarous tribes of the oriental world. 

 We noticed also symbolic devices similar to those seen at Huron 

 Eiver or Lake Superior, inscribed on posts set at the head of 

 Indian graves. It seems to be the prime object of these inscrip- 

 tions to reveal the family name, or totem., as it is called, of the 

 deceased, together with devices denoting the number of times he 

 has been in battle, and the number of scalps he has taken. As 

 this test of bravery is the prime object of an Indian's life, the 

 greatest efforts are made to attain it. 



A word may be said as to the climate and soil of this region, 

 and their adaptation to the purposes of agriculture. By the 

 tables of temperature annexed {vide Appendix), the mean solar 

 heat, in the shade, during the time of our being in the country, 

 is shown to be 67°. It is evident that it is the idle habits of the 

 Indians, and no adverse circumstances of climate or soil, that 

 prevent their raising crops for their subsistence. 



Arrangements for a light party to ascend the Mississippi, and 

 seek for its sources, having been made, we left Sandy Lake, in 

 two canoes, at nine o'clock in the morning on the 17th. This 

 party, in addition to his Excellency Gov. Cass, consisted of Dr. 

 Alex. Wolcott, Capt. Douglass, Lieut. Mackay, Maj. Forsyth, and 

 myself, with nineteen voyageurs and Indians, provisioned for 

 twelve days. A ^oyage of about a mile across the western pro- 

 longation of the lake, brought us to its outlet — a wide winding 

 stream, with a very perceptible current, and rich alluvial banks, 

 bearing a forest. After pursuing it some mile and a half, we 

 descended a small rapid, where the average descent of water in a 

 short distance may be perhaps three feet ; it appeared, however, 

 to give the men no concern, for they urged their way down it, 

 with full strength of paddle and song, and we soon found our- 

 selves in the Mississippi, The first sight of this stream reminded 

 me of one of its striking characteristics, at far lower points, 

 namely, its rapidity. Its waters are slightly turbid, with a red- 

 dish tint. Its width, at this point, as denoted by admeasurements 



