128 



¥NITED STATES. 



able for the abundance of virgin copper that is found 

 on and and near its banks. Many small islands, par- 

 ticularly on the eastern shores, abound in copper ore 

 lying in beds, with the appearance of copperas. 



Storms affect this lake as much as they do the At- 

 lantic ocean ; the waves run as high, and the naviga- 

 tion is equally dangerous. It discharges its waters 

 from the south-east corner, through the straits of St. 

 Marie, which are about forty miles long. N^ar the 

 upper end of these straits is a rapid, which, though 

 it is impossible for canoes to ascend, yet, when con- 

 ducted by careful pilots may be descended without 

 danger. 



Though Lake Superior is supplied by near forty 

 rivers, many of which are large, yet it does not ap- 

 pear that one-tenth part of the waters which are 

 conveyed into it by these rivers, is discharged by the 

 above-mentioned straits. Such a superabundance of 

 water can be disposed of only by evaporation. The 

 entrance into this lake from the straits of St. Marie, 

 affords one of the most pleasing prospects in the 

 world. On the left may be seen many beautiful little 

 islands that extend a considerable way before you; 

 and on the right, an agreeable succession of small 

 points of land, that project a little way into the' 

 water, and contribute with the islands to render this 

 delightful bason calm, and secure from those tem- 

 pestuous winds by which the adjoining lake is fre- 

 quently troubled. 



^ A very curious occurrence, according to M^Ken- 

 zle, was observed some years ago at the grand 

 portage on this lake, for which no obvious cause has 

 been assigned. The water withdrew with great 



