PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 31 



described three of each kind in the appendix to the Second 

 Expedition of Major Long. 



" The portage between these lakes and rivers is effected by 

 means of intricate paths, the key to which it would be well 

 to have, as, without it, an Indian war in this quarter might 

 present still more difficulties than those experienced in 

 Florida. For this reason, I have been particularly careful in 

 laying these portages down on the map, which I could not 

 have done had I adopted a smaller scale. It must be borne 

 in mind, that, in this region, during six months of the year, 

 no use can be made of either horses or carriages ; it is abso- 

 lutely necessary to have recourse to bark canoes. Any one 

 consulting the map to study the portages, will soon perceive 

 that an enemy, after crossing one of the larger lakes, may 

 make his escape in almost all directions. In this respect, its 

 utility becomes, I think, obvious, not only to travellers, but 

 to the civil and military department of the national adminis- 

 tration." — Nic, pp. 64, 65. 



" St. Peter's is in my opinion the finest site on the Missi- 

 sippi river ; the natural beauty of its environs adding to its 

 importance and grandeur. Upon reaching this place the 

 traveller is already premonished of the magnificent scenery 

 which he will enjoy in ascending the river through its long, 

 naiTow, and deep valley. At the confluence of the St. Peter's 

 and the Missisippi, there is an extensive and fertile plateau 

 reaching far to the west, and presenting to the delighted gaze 

 a level country, interrupted by moderate undulations of the 

 surface, and beautified by intervening prairies, tracts of wood- 

 land, and lakes. Fort Snelling is located on the rocky point 

 at this confluence of the two rivers, the sight of which inspires 

 a sentiment of self-protection in the civilized man thus con- 

 fronted with the wilderness. Looking to the right of the 

 fort, we behold a continuation of the valley of the Missisippi, 



