38 



prospect is diversified and agreeable, displac ing 

 some of the beauties of an exuberant soil, aided 

 hy a very respectable state of cultivation, and 

 enlivened by the cheerful appearance of settle- 

 ments, and villages gradually rising into con- 

 sequence by the industry of an increasing po- 

 pulation. The Detroit opens into the south-west 

 end of Lake Erie, This lake extends from south- 

 west to north-^east two hundred and thirty-one 

 iiiiles, in its broadest part it is 63-2-, and in cir-. 

 cumference 658 miles ; near the Detroit it is 

 adorned by many pleasing and picturesque 

 islands, while its shores on both sides have 

 many indications of settlement and cultivation. 

 Gales of wind frequently occur, and bring with 

 themaheavy swell, with every characteristic of 

 a gale of wind at sea ; but there are many good 

 harbours, particularly on the northern side, 

 that afford protection to the numerous vessels 

 that navigate it; its greatest depth of water is 

 between 40 and 45 fathoms, its bottom ge- 

 nerally rocky, which renders the anchorage 

 precarious, particularly in blowing weather. 

 From the north-east end of Lake Erie, the 

 communication to Lake Ontario is by the 

 Niagara river, 36 miles in length, and varying 

 from half a mile to a league in breadth, its 

 course nearly north ; the stream in some places 

 is divided into two channels by islands, th^ 



