326 On the Falls of Niagara. 



Art. XIX. — On the Falls of Niagara and the reasonings of 

 some authors respecting them ; by Henry D. Rogers, F. G. S. 

 of Lond. &c. 



The magnitude of this noted cataract, the circumstance of its 

 being the outlet for the waters of an immense surface and the evi- 

 dences of its retrograde movement towards lake Erie have made it 

 a subject of much interest and speculation among Geologists. The- 

 ories have been framed to explain its origin, and data collected to 

 compute the term of its existence, which, if not always sound have 

 been to say the least, curious. 



BeHeving that the writers who have conferred upon Niagara 

 its celebrity as a geological wonder, have overlooked some par- 

 ticulars in the surface of the surrounding region, essential to be 

 known in speculating upon its origin and age, I venture to state 

 some views which may, I conceive, tend to inspire salutary doubts in 

 the minds of those w^ho are disposed to theorise upon this difficult 

 subject. 



The scenery of this mightiest of water falls has been so faithfully 

 and vividly portrayed by both Capt. Hall and Mr. R. Bakewell, Jr., 

 that I shall content myself with referring those who have not beheld 

 it, to the accounts given by those gentlemen.* 



The speculations however which these and other geologists have 

 entered into concerning the mode in which the deep perpendicular 

 valley below the falls was formed, and their calculations of the time 

 employed by the cataract in excavating this ravine of seven miles 

 in length, demand, I think, fresh examination. 



I am especially desirous of calling the attention of geologists to 

 the true nature of this remarkable valley below the falls, as it has 

 recently been much discussed by foreign writers, some of whom are 

 in danger of misconceiving its theoretical bearings from their imperfect 

 knowledge of the physical structure of the region in which it occurs. 



Mr. Fairholme in particular, has indulged in some speculations 

 about the age of the Falls of Niagara, which more precise concep- 

 tions of the geology of our lake region would, I cannot but believe, 

 induce him to revise, and perhaps to retract. 



* The most correct general description of Niagara, its structure and scenery 

 ■will be found, I believe, to be that given by Mr. Bakewell in the sii number of 

 Loudon's Magazine of natural history. 



