109 
BELOW NIAGARA 
A great confusion of gigantic rocks tossed and piled 
promiscuously together can scarcely be designated 
“ flats/' and the modern name “ Niagara Glen " 
seems more appropriate for this fascinating touch of 
nature's hand than the local name ** Foster's Flats." 
In cutting the deep channel from Queenston to the 
present site of the falls the waters of Niagara have 
sported and gambolled in wild caprices, and below 
the present whirlpool on the Canadian side they have 
left most delightful mementoes of their savage joy. 
With ceaseless rush and roar they tore away the lower 
strata of the rocks, while one by one the great irregular 
masses of the higher levels broke away with their own 
weight and settled into the loud, foaming current. 
Here at one time there was the cataract, its ceaseless 
strength concentrated on the widening gorge. After 
it had worked its way backward there was a magni- 
ficent whirlpool, and this made for itself a deeper 
channel on the eastern side, leaving the great abraded 
masses of rock on the sloping, shelving ledges where 
they fell. Then in her tireless energy nature set to 
work to cover the irregular rocks with verdure, 
choosing many of her most daintily appropriate 
