LABORS OF ICE-BORN TORRENTS, ETU. 227 



water stands at least fifteen degrees above the mean tem- 

 perature of the year in the same latitude. But, even with- 

 out this warming influence, the mean of the climate is con- 

 siderably above the freezing point, and the cold of winter 

 does not suffice to depress so large a body of water to 

 thirty-two degrees. The lake, therefore, never sinks below 

 thirty-eight or forty degrees. The bitter westerly winds, 

 consequently, in sweeping across the lake, experience a 

 material softening before they strike the Michigan side. 

 It is worthy of note that, throughout the Northwest, the 

 severest winter winds come from the west and southwest. 

 It is for this reason that the eastern shores of the great 

 lakes are more benefited than the western. As the bitter- 

 est winds of all are from the southwest, it follows that a 

 situation which, like the Grand Traverse region, can re- 

 ceive the winds that have traveled the longest distance 

 over the lake, will be best protected from the frosts of 

 winter. 



It is probable that the Canadian region, along the east« 

 ern shore of Lake Huron, enjoys a winter climate similarly 

 exempt from destructive extremes. The influence of these 

 lakes is sensibly felt even along their southern shores. The 

 region south of Lake Ontario has long been celebrated for 

 its fruits, while the southern shore of Lake Erie has been 

 proven one of the best grape -producing districts of the 

 world. 



Such, then, are some of the beneficent results of an inci- 

 dent of the epoch of the dissolution of the glacier. The 

 ice was rapidly melted; torrents sprang into existence, 

 and scooped out lake basins; these became filled with 

 waters which, besides subserving the interests of naviga- 

 tion, exert, perhaps, a more beneficial influence in ameliora- 

 ting the condition of man in the centre of the continent. 



A different ordeal still awaited the destined dwelling- 



