26 | CLINTON ON THE GREAT LAKES. 
1. In our Lakes there is, apparent to every observer, a sort of flux and. 
reflux, which we would naturally attribute to the wind, and might therefore 
pass it over without particular attention. But a more discriminating view 
has resulted in a conviction with many accurate and distinguishing observers, 
that the peculiar motion of the waters is entirely independent of the winds ; 
that it occurs within stated periods ; that it is not subject to the irregularities 
of occasional or accidental causes, but that it depends for its existence upon 
a power operating with unceasing vigor, and with unintermitted regularity 
at the same place, although varying as to the quantum of its influence at 
other places. On the other hand, it is supposed by some that these appear- 
ances are occasional and irregular, and do not result from uniform causes. 
I shall now refer to some prominent authorities on this subject. 
La Hontan is the first writer who touches on this phenomenon.* ‘On the 
29th of May, 1689, we came,”’ said he, “toa little deep sort of a river, which 
disembogues at a place where the water of the Lake (Michigan) swells three 
feet high in twelve hours, and decreases as much in the same compass of 
time. Our tarrying there three or four days, gave me an opportunity of 
making the remark.” An appearance of this nature could not escape the 
observing eye of Charlevoix, the most sagacious, able, and learned of the 
French writers on America. Speaking of Lake Ontario,} ‘I observed,” 
said he, ‘that in this Lake, and I am told that the same thing happens in all 
the rest, there is a sort of flux and reflux almost instantaneous, the rocks 
near the banks being covered with water and uncovered again several times 
in the space of a quarter of an hour, even if the surface of the Lake was 
very calm, with scarce a breath of wind. After reflecting for some time on 
this appearance, | imagined it was owing to the springs at the bottom of the 
Lakes, and to the shock of their currents, with those of the rivers which 
fall into them from all sides, and thus produce those intermitting motions.’’ 
Pownallf says, ‘‘ Lake Ontario, like the Mediterranean, the Caspian, and 
—— 
* La Hontan’s North America. Vol. 2d. 
t Journal Historique, d’un voyage, de L’amerique, Letter 13. 
t Topographical description of part of North America. 
