The State of Michigan * lies between about 41° 45’ and 48° north latitude, and between 5° 23’ and 18° 32’ longitude, west from Washington city. Its boundaries and shape are very irregular. It is bounded on the north, north-east and east by the British province of Upper Canada, from which it is separated by the straits of St. Mary, St. Clair, and Detroit; and by Lakes Superior, Huron, St. Clair, and Erie; on the south by the States of Ohio and Indiana, and on the west and south-west, by the territory of Wisconsin and lake Michigan. Its boundaries, as established by an act of Congress passed June 15, 1836, defining the northern boundary of Ohio, and admitting Michigan into the Union, as a State, on certain conditions, are as follows, to wit:

“Beginning at the point, where a line, drawn direct from the southern extremity of Lake Michigan to the most northerly Cape (called North Cape) of Maumee (Miami) Bay, intersects the eastern boundary line of the State of Indiana, and running thence with the said line to the said most northerly Cape of the Maumee Bay; and thence from the said north cape of the said Bay, north-east to the boundary line between the United States and the province of Upper Canada in Lake Erie; thence, with the said boundary line between the United States and Canada, through the Detroit river, Lake Huron, and Lake Superior, to a point where the said line last touches Lake Superior,” (being the mouth of Pigeon river), “thence, in a direct line through Lake Superior, to the mouth of the Montreal river; thence, through the middle of the main channel of the said river Montreal, to the middle of the Lake of the Desert; thence, in a direct line to the nearest head water of the Monomonie river; thence, through the middle of that fork of the said river first touched by the said line, to the main channel of the Monomonie river; thence, down the centre of the main channel of the same, to the center of the most usual ship channel of the Green Bay of Lake Michigan; thence, through the centre of the most usual ship channel of the said bay, to the middle of Lake Michigan; thence, through the middle of Lake Michigan, to the northern boundary of the State of Indiana, as that line was established by the act of Congress of the nineteenth of April, eighteen hundred and sixteen; thence, due east, with the north boundary line of the said State of Indiana, to the north-east corner thereof; and thence, south, with the east boundary line of Indiana, to the place of beginning.”

Its extreme length from the north-western point the mouth of the Pigeon river, to the south-eastern point the northern cape of the Miami Bay, is computed to be, in a direct line, 540 miles. Its breadth is various. The Peninsula Proper is 282 miles long from north to south; its breadth in the southern part from east to west is 170 miles; its breadth, south of Saginaw Bay, 194 miles; its average breadth, 140 miles. The north-western or Upper Peninsula, from its extreme eastern point, the Point de Tour, to its extreme western point, the mouth of the Montreal river, 01515is 324 miles. Its extreme breadth, from north to south, in a direct line from the isthmus of the Kew-y-wee-non Peninsula to the Lake of the Desert, 108 miles. Its average breadth about 60 miles.

Natural Divisions. Michigan consists of two Grand Peninsulas—the Peninsula Proper, or southern peninsula, and the Northern or North-western Peninsula. The former, by way of eminence, is usually termed the Peninsula; the latter, in this work, for the purpose of distinction, will be designated as the Upper Peninsula, or Upper Michigan.

The Peninsula is bounded on the south by the States of Indiana and Ohio; east by Lake Erie, Strait of Detroit, Lake St. Clair, Strait of St. Clair, and Lake Huron; west by Lake Michigan. On the north it borders the two latter lakes, between which it terminates in a point at the Strait of Mackinac.

The Upper Peninsula borders Lake Superior on the north; the Territory of Wisconsin on the west and southwest. The eastern portion terminates in a point at the confluence of the Strait of St. Mary with Lake Huron, having the Strait of St. Mary and the lower part of Lake Superior on the north-east, and Green Bay, Lake Michigan, Strait of Mackinac and Lake Huron on the south-east. *

The superficial contents of the whole State, as embraced in the boundaries established by Congress. (including both land and lake surface) are estimated at 96,844 square miles.

The area of the Peninsula is estimated at

Thus it will be perceived, that upwards of one third of the state, or 36,324 miles, is water, and the remainder, 60,520 miles, being less than two thirds, is land; no estimate being made for the numerous rivers and interior lakes.

The Surveyed part of the State, which is erected into countries organized and unorganized, contains 16,407,040 acres, or 25,636 square miles. * The unsurveyed part of the Peninsula, north of the surveyed portion, constituting one part of the country of Mackinac, is computed to contain 9,100,800 acres, or 14,220 square miles. To this add the Upper Peninsula, 20,664 square miles, and there remain 34,884 square miles, or 22,325,760 acres in the State which have not yet been surveyed.

That portion of the State lying in the Upper Peninsula between the Chocolate and Montreal rivers, to which the Indian title remains unextinguished, is computed at 12,888 square miles, or 8,248,320 acres.

That portion of the Upper Peninsula lying east of the Chocolate river, the Indian title to which has recently been extinguished, is computed at 7,776 square miles, or 4,976,640 acres. Thus is appears that little less than two thirds of that great section of the state remains in the possession of the aborigines.

Of this portion of Michigan, very little satisfactory information is to be had, and that which is known, is of a 01717character devoid of much interest. It is inhabited almost exclusively, by Indians, in a wild, uncivilized state, who are visited by traders to obtain peltry and furs. It might be expected that this latter class of persons would possess particular knowledge of the country, but it seems that they are mostly men whose tact and talent lie either in this peculiar occupation alone, or else, when possessed of intelligence, the exclusive abstraction of mind, induced by this species of commerce, preclude any considerable attention to extraneous subject. Hence the dearth of geographical knowledge. most of the information therefore, respecting this region, is to be had from the observation of intelligent travellers.

The surface of the Upper Peninsula is much diversified by mountains, hills, valleys and plains. The eastern portion, from the lhead of the peninsula to the Pictured Rocks, is represented as undulating, rising gradually from Lakes Michigan and Superior to the interior, where it terminates in more elevate table land, with a shore on the north, sandy, and, on the south, calcarious rock. Proceeding westward, the country becomes broken into hills, with intervening plains, until it is interrupted by the Porcupine Mountains which form th dividing ridge, separating the tributary waters of Lake Superior from those of Lake Michigan. The highest peaks, toward the western boundary, have been estimated at from 1,800 to 2,000 feet high. * Their true position and extent appear to the undetermined. The ridge is often broken through by the larger streams, bordered by extensive valleys. The spurs of these mountains project in different directions, often exhibiting their denuded cliffs upon the northern shore.

This ridge has a greater proximity to the northern coast, which it lines with rock, from the Pictured Rocks to the western extremity of this peninsula, except when interrupted by occasional plains of sand. The structure of a part of the northern and eastern portion is to the primitive, and the southern, of the secondary formation. Many parts, and especially the belt embracing the northern portion, exhibits little else than “developments of sublime scenery,” Almost entirely unfrequented by man, (or by beast, except the 01818more obnoxious species) some portions appear like a dreary, deserted solitude, surrounded by all the frightful terrors incident to such northern latitudes.

The greater portion of this peninsula, the sand plains excepted, is covered with immense forests principally of white and yellow pine; a proportion of spruce, hemlock, birch, oak, and aspen, with a mixture of maple, ash, and elm, especially upon the rivers. Of the pine lands, there are millions of acres, and much of a superior quality, unscathed by fire, stretching between the strait of St. Mary, the Ontonagon and MOntreal river. To convert this into lumber, there are discharging into the Lakes, 40 large and 60 smaller streams, whose descent warrant the belief of their furnishing many hundred mill sites of sufficient hydraulic power to answer all desirable purposes.

These streams, the longest of which does not exceed 150 miles, irrigate the country abundantly, and by their facility for navigation, furnish easy access to every part of the interior. The head branches of the opposite lake streams often interlock, and, when they do not communicate, furnish an easy portage from one to the other by which navigation from each lake is easily effected with the lighter craft. The lake coast alone has been estimated at between 700 and 800 miles in extent, and that five-sevenths of the entire peninsula may be reached by the common lake vessels. There can be no doubt,that these pine lands, will, from the universal and increasing scarcity of lumber, become very valuable, and their produce an article of export.

This peninsula, (the northern par to which has sometimes been called the Siberia of Michigan,) it is probable, will never be noted for its agricultural productions, or immediately for the density of its population. With the exception of the fertile intervals on the rivers, the soil of the northern portions has all the evidences of sterility, as is exhibited in its mountains and barren sand plains. The southern part, in climate and soil, is more congenial to agriculture. This is the lime stone region, which extends to an undetermined line, separating the primary and secondary formations. Throughout this region, we find the sugar maple in abundance, interspersed with the white and red oak, the beech, and, occasionally, tracts of spruce, and other forest trees. It is here that the more even and fertile 01919tracks of land are found, and where, at some future day, will cluster and enterprising population.

The soil is admirably fitted for the grasses and all esculent roots. The superior quality of the potato is not exceeded by any section of country. Garden vegetables grow with luxuriousness. Wheat and the other small grains may be cultivated, but for corn the country or climate appears to be uncongenial.

Of the other sources of wealth, the fisheries are destined to be of no inconsiderable importance. The very excellent quality, and inexhaustible supply of the fish on the shores of this peninsula, are notorious; and their increasing demand will add to the increasing commerce of the State. The wandering bands of Indians inhabiting this region, in the abandonment of the chase, subsist upon fish as their dependence, which is attributable to their excellence, and the facility with which they are taken.

The other remaining source of wealth will exist in the development if its mineral resources. Without anticipating the result, which the future geological exploration may bring to light, it may be proper to observe, that from the earliest discoveries of this region, by the French, to the present time, it has enjoyed the reputation of a valuable mineral district: though ignorance of geological structure has prevented all enterprising experiments for working its mines, from producing any available profit. Iron, copper, lead, &c. are supposed to exist here. Indication of these metals are exhibited by the vast quantities of iron sand upon the coast, iron pyrites, found in the interior and upon some of the rivers, and the masses of native copper discovered upon the Ontonagon. But time and examination will better determine the question.

The fur trade and fisheries are the only present productive sources of profit arising from this territory, and the former is one the decline.

The climate opposes the greatest obstacle to vegetation, though decidedly favorable to health. The summers are shorter than in lower Michigan, but vegetation is quicker in growth and maturity. Native and acclimated exotic plants can be profitably cultivated. Summer commences and terminates of a sudden, and winter departs of succeeds 02020often without the intervention of spring or autumn. In fact, the two latter seem scarcely to be known. The atmosphere of St. Mary's is subject to great changes. It is not unusual for the thermometer to stand at 70°, 80° and 90° above in summer, and in winter at 20°, 25°, and lower, below zero. In dry, cold winter mornings, smoke rises from the chimney tinged with a reddish hue—a phenomenon referable to atmosphere origin. The mean temperature of June and July is from 60° to 64°. Strawberries ripen at Keweena portage the 25th of June, and potatoes are planted at the village of the falls the 20th. Although climate has, undoubtedly, a check upon the growth of vegetation, yet it is believed the indolence and improvident habits of its population have a greater; and that, with proper attention and husbandry, scattered tracts of this peninsula might become farming districts, which, in conjunction with the wealth of the forests, fisheries, and mines, would yield ample rewards to the industry of an enterprising population. (See Climate and Health.)

The soil is of various kinds, but is subject to a general classification sufficient for the present purpose. It is generally free from stone, and of a deep, dark, sandy loam, frequently of the richest quality, and often mixed with various proportions of gravel, and sometimes of argile or clay. It may be classed agreeably to its natural covering, or the aspect of its surface, as the pine lands—timbered lands—openings—plains—and prairies.

Respecting that portion of the peninsula, which is unsurveyed, especially all that section lying north-west of Saginaw Bay, very little accurate information has been received. As was previously observed, it has been unfavorably represented, and the aspect of the shores around it is of the most forbidding character.

But little reliance, however, can be placed on those reports which are not the result of actual survey and intelligent examination. It should not be forgotten, that during the long period, from the discovery of Michigan to the time of its survey, it was characterized either as an interminable morass or a sandy waste, and that the older geographies gave circulation to similar representations. It is said, even some of the first attempts to survey it, were abandoned for like reasons. But as it was surveyed and brought into market, its superior excellence gave it the reputation of one of the best agricultural regions in the western country.

Very flattering accounts have been given of the south-western portion of the unsurveyed part, lying on the tributaries 02323to Lake Michigan, north of Grand river, and it is not improbable, that it will be found to possess tracts of excellent land.

On the north-eastern border, the evergreens seem to predominate, as pine, spruce, hemlock, &c. and in the northern part, extending into the interior, are found large forests of pine and extensive tracts of well timbered land. Extensive groves of beech, birch, sugar maple, and other forest trees, are common. The sandy soil of the pine lands in the surveyed part, is generally well known, though it is stronger and more productive than it is commonly believed to be, by those unacquainted with it, as may be seen by reference to the Second Part of this work.

The Timbered Land is found mostly upon the intervals, the low and wet and the elevated broken lands. It generally consists of such tracts as have either too moist a soil to admit fire to overrun them, or of a dry soil, otherwise protected from its ravages. If often appears in dense and lofty forest and scattered groves, interspersed with timber of the largest size. Forest trees of almost every variety found in this latitude, are found here. Those which predominate are black and white walnut, hickory and oak of every species, hard maple (commonly called the sugar maple), soft maple, elm, all the different kinds of ash, bass or linden, sycamore, hackberry, cottonwood, aspen, locust, butternut, box or dogwood, poplar, whitewood beech, cherry, sassafras, white, yellow and Norway pine, hemlock, spruce, tamarack, cedar, cypress, chestnut, pawpaw, &c. &c. together with a great variety of the smaller trees and shrubs, as the willow, alder, sumac, honeysuckle, &c. including most of the varieties found in the Middle and Eastern States.

These are some of the varieties of timber found in Michigan, growing of course on soils suited to each respectively. Some of these trees are scarce, as the chestnut, the hemlock, &c. though the latter is plentiful on the coasts.

Trees growing on every kind of land in this State, owing to the great depth and lightness of soil, take an unusually deep root, and often appear to have sunk in the ground. Hence, it is very rare to see a tree blown down by the wind, although heavy winds are sometimes experienced. The soil of interval, timbered lands, is usually black, and composed of decomposed vegetable matter, of great fertility. The 02424soil of timbered lands is, generally, not warm. It is admirably fitted for the grasses, and produces the best crops of oats, potatoes, &c., and when dry and sufficiently warm, excellent crops of corn. It is not so congenial to wheat. The interval or “bottom lands,” in this State, are not in better estimation than the uplands; but the country on the Kalamazoo and St. Joseph is in high repute.

The Openings are sometimes distinguished into openings and timbered openings, owing to the different density of their timber. The major part of the unsurveyed portion of this peninsula is open land, or openings. These generally consist of table lands, lying between the rivers, and often bordering the streams themselves. They are sometimes deficient in timber, though frequently skirted with “plains” and woodlands. They are usually but very sparsely interspered with oak trees, of different varieties, often of a good size, but of a diminutive height. There is no underbrush, and the trees are in appearance unthrifty; the cause of which may be traced to the annual fires which have been suffered to pass through them. But after these fires have been kept out for a few years, an undergrowth of timber springs up, with a thriftiness that proves the congeniality of the soil to the forest tree. A thick grass sward covers the soil, and, although it requires no labor to prepare the way for the plough, it requires the strength of three or four yoke of oxen to break it up the first time; yet, afterward it is cultivated with the same ease as the older lands. The soil is a loam, with a mixture of clay and sand, generally of a dark color, dry and stiff in its structure.

There seems to be very little or no covering of decomposed vegetable matter on this soil, but there is another more durable principle, universal in the table lands, attributable to the mixture of lime, which not only makes the soil fertile, but makes it increase in fertility the more it is improved. This is superior for wheat growing. There is another characteristic which is rather unaccountable. In some of the uplands there are found tracts of land, with a scarcity of timber, and a yellow or reddish soil, which to the casual is apparently sterile, or, at least, second or third rate lands. But these are often the best of lands. On being ploughed and exposed to the 02525action of the atmosphere, the soil undergoes a chemical change, its color very soon turns black, and it is found to be in the highest degree productive.

The Plains very much resemble the openings, except the soil usually contains more sand or gravel in its composition. They are often covered with a beautiful growth of timber, free from underbrush, and appear like cultivated orchards, or groves planted by the hand of man. They are easily improved, and are said to be much fertilized by the addition of plaster. The timbered lands, openings and plains, yield according to circumstances; of corn, from 40 to 80 bushels and upwards; of oats, from 40 to 50 bushels to the acre. It is not unusual for the plains and openings to produce 30 bushels of wheat to the acre; sometimes more; the average may perhaps be placed at 25 bushels.

The Prairies are mostly small, the largest but a few miles in circumference. They are found in different sections, but mostly in the southern and south-western portion of the Peninsula. There is less prairie land in this, than in several other of the North-western States. This land is known by two appellations, the wet and the dry prairie. Prairie is the French word for meadow, and is properly wild or natural meadow land. They are free from all timber and shrubs of every description, and covered only with grass.

The dry prairies are often a little undulating by means of which the water is conducted off, and they make arable farm land, possessing a rich soil, of easy cultivation, and producing the largest crops of grass, and every species of grain. Many of the prairies near the Kalamazoo and St. Joseph rivers, have a black, deep, rich, consistent soil, inferior to none in the western country. Vegetation is so luxuriant, that after the seed is deposited, they require little or no farther cultivation. From 30 to 50 bushels of corn per acre, have been raised upon them the first season, without being ploughed or hoed after planning; and after the soil has been subdued, from 30 to 80 bushels of corn, and 40 of wheat, are usually raised to the acre. Other vegetation flourishes in the same proportionate luxuriance.

The wet prairies are more commonly too level to admit 02626the proper drainage of the water. These, in their natural state, are generally too moist for grain growing, but they afford an abundance of wild grass which serves for either pasture or hay. With proper attention they become arable.

Prairies are supposed to be the beds of once existing lakes, or ponds of water, which has evaporated. Others attribute their origin to the same cause that produced the openings and plains—the ravages of the annual fires. It is the universal custom with the Indians, occasionally to set fire to the prairies and forests, for the purpose of burning the dead grass and combustible matter on the surface. The consequence is, a fresh growth of tender grass, which serves to decoy the deer, and enhance the value of their hunting grounds, as well as to destroy most of the timber.

There is yet another species of land, commonly denominated swamp or marsh hand, found in different parts of the State, and sometimes in considerable tracts. One description of marsh is inundated with water during the winter, and wet season of the year, but in summer, it becomes measurably dry. Another is wet and swampy, even to mire, during the whole year. This is commonly covered with a few scattering trees, sometimes by groves of tamarack, and occasionally with an overspread of tall coarse grass. These marshes are caused mostly by beaver dams, which were made across some brook or rivulet, prior to the settlement of a civilized population. This is evident, as the dams are still to be seen. Experiments which have been made, prove, that by ditching through the dams, they can be easily drained. The abundance of other land has averted the farmer's attention to drier soils, but when they have been ditched, they have been found to make excellent meadow, and produce good crops. It may be said, with propriety, that Michigan, (the unsurveyed part at least) possesses no irreclaimable marshes, or barren plains or ridges of sand.

The lands of this State are generally equally well adapted to grazing and tillage, and no obstacle presents to prevent its becoming a good dairy country.

The wild grasses grow with the greatest luxuriance on every kind of land. The blue joint is found predominant on the prairies, growing five and six feet high, and, by good judges, considered for cattle nearly equal to timothy. The 02727wire grass and red top grow on the openings and prairies, in abundance, the latter of which is excellent for cattle. The wild rye, which grows to the height of six and eight feet, is an excellent substitute for the other grasses. All these grasses are very nutricious, and cattle, turned upon the ranges in heat of summer, will fatten upon them. It is said that herds of cattle driven across the southern part of the peninsula, during that intense season, and left to range at night only, have been found much improved at the end of the journey.

Wild flowers grow very plentifully. The prairies, in particular, are literally covered with many varieties, of every hue, pink, crimson, white, purple, violet, orange, &c.

With few local exceptions, the country is plentifully irrigated by pure, cool salubrious drinking water, and where springs and rivulets are not found convenient, the best water is procured by sinking wells.

Timber, though sparse on the openings and plains, is sufficiently plenty, or easily obtained from the adjacent forests, to answer for farming and other economical purposes in a new settled country. As the State becomes more densely populated, it will be in greater demand. But to supply this demand, correspondent to the increased necessities of the farmer, it is believed the young growth of timber, consequent to the final stoppage of the annual, desolating fires, will be amply sufficient.

Some discrepancy occurs in the estimates of different individuals, as to the amount of labor and expense of clearing and cultivating different kinds of land. It is thought, by some, that for the farmer without capital, the timbered land is the best; but when capital is added, the openings and plains. The universal practice is to cut down and burn, on the timbered, and to girdle the trees, on the plains and openings. When the timber is thus destroyed on the timbered land, it is ready to be sowed without any ploughing, and requires only a team and drag to finish the work. The price for clearing timbered land is from 10 to 12 dollars the acre. * The plains and openings require three or four yoke * The difference in the expense, for the same object in 1683 and 1838, is not inconsiderable. There are no record, in Hartford, Conn. bills of labor for clearing a home'lot, which show that the price of clearing land for the plough was then fifty pounds sterling, per acre. (Vide Webster's Hist.) This seems almost incredible when the then enhanced value of money is taken into the account. But it should be remembered that the process of clearing land in those days, by cutting and digging up the roots of trees, with much other equally unnecessary labor, was tedious and dilatory in the extreme. Our New England ancestors would probably not have been easily convinced of the feasibility and superiority of our Western system of husbandry, for a new country. 02828of oxen to break the sward, considerable labor to harrow in the seed and transport the fencing timber from a distance. The poor man, with his axe and single team, can therefore accomplish more on the timbered, than on the open land.

Every production of the earth is properly classed under one or other of the grand divisions of natural history—the animal, the vegetable, or the mineral kingdom. It cannot be expected or required, that much should be said on this subject, neither will the attempt be made. Results in either of these great divisions of nature, or their sub-divisions, can be attained only by prolonged and extensive research. Michigan is a new State. Her existence is still inchoate—the offspring of yesterday, though the promising youth of future scientific annals. The genius of civilization has but just begun to dispel the mists of savage life, or the power of science to imprint her footsteps upon the remaining vestiges of Indian haunts. The range is laid open, a wide, extensive, and untried field, for every department of natural science. For the full development of her natural resources, the State, with a spirit as enlightened and liberal, as honorable to herself and the cause of science, has made provisions for its exploration. By the first act, passed in 1837, $29,000 were appropriated for the object—$3,000 the first year, $6,000 the second, $8,000 the third, and $12,000 the fourth year. The act of 1838 is still more liberal, in the increase of appropriations. In place of the previous appropriation, the annual sum of $12,000 for 02929three years, is applied to defray the expense of a geological survey of the State.

According to this act, four departments are constituted; first, the geological and mineralogical; second, the zoological; third, the botanical; and fourth, the topographical.

The geological corps consists of a State geologist and three chief assistant, vix: a zoologist, botanist, and topographer, each of which has the conduct of his appropriate department under the general supervision of the State geologist. To complete the corps, the geologist is entitled to one minor assistant, the zoologist two, and the botanist one.

It becomes the duty of each, accurately to examine all parts of the State, and collect specimens in each department, one for the State, and if possible, sixteen more similar specimens for the University and its branches. Under the act of ‘37, the State geologist * was appointed, and the preliminary steps to a thorough exploration commenced. Under the present act, the geological corps has been completed, and the survey is progressing with increasing vigor. From the known high reputation of the geologist, and the respectable character of the scientific corps under his superintendency, a full and successful development of the natural resources of the State may be expected in the progress of their labors.

In view of this prospective result, but a passing notice will be taken of the various subjects properly coming within the purview of this article, under the classification indicated at its commencement; and, indeed, this becomes measurably necessary from the death of information, and the want of the proper scientific lists, which is attributed to the slight attention hitherto directed to the subject.

The rivers of Michigan are, in general, comparatively smaller but more numerous, having in the peninsula, according to the volume of water, a greater length from their mouths to where they head, than is commonly observed in most other sections of country. This latter circumstance may perhaps be attributed not only to the uniformity of descent, but to the more favorable structure of the interior to furnish them constant supplies. * The Detroit, St. Clair, and St. Mary's ar more properly Straits, and and rivers. * What is the common intendment or literal signification conveyed by the words river, creek, brook, run, &c. is to be understood, not by any definite dimensions of the stream, but by the notion of comparative size locally attached to them, in different sections of country. In New England the streams are mostly small; in the Southern States larger; in the South Western, and North Western States, generally numerous and very large. Hence. in New England, the streams, though in general very diminutive, are commonly termed rivers, and the most trifling are called brooks; and thus in some parts of New York. But in a greater portion of the West, and especially in the South Western States, the grade of the streams is so various from the Mississippi downward, a different notion prevails, and names are applied accordingly. Thus the larger are called rivers, and what are termed rivers in New England are called creeks in the West, and a brook is called a run. But in Michigan, the rule is somewhat varied from other parts of the West, and, although many streams are called creeks, yet it is frequent to find very insignificant streams dignified with the name of river. 04646They are tranquil, deep, copious and expansive streams, uniting the great lakes, the waters of which, they conduct toward the ocean. The largest rivers of the Peninsula are the Grand, Maskegon, St. Joseph and Kalamazoo, which flow into Lake Michigan; the Cheboiegon and Thunder Bay River, that discharge into Lake Huron, and the Saginaw into Saginaw Bay. The streams flowing eastward are small, owing to the position of the dividing ridge, which is considerably east of the centre of the peninsula. The largest are the Raisin, Huron, Rouge and Clinton. The largest rivers of the Upper Peninsula, are the Montreal, the Great Iron, the Ontonagon, Huron, St. Johns, and Chocolate, which put into Lake Superior: and the Monomonie and Monestee, which flow, the former into Green Bay and the latter into Lake Michigan. There are several other considerable streams, though of a smaller grade, and which, together with all the before mentioned, may be found described in the Third Part of this work. In th surveyed part and in the remainder of the State as far as ascertained, the streams are, with few exceptions, lively, pure and healthy.

Michigan is encompassed by five lakes, four of which are the largest collections of fresh water on the globe. They are Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair, and Lake Erie. These are connected by the Straits of Detroit, St. Clair, Mackinac, and St. Mary.

Of these immense Mediterranean waters, Lake Superior is by far the largest. It is situated between about lat.46°20’ and 48°58’ N. and 84°12’ and 92°25’ West. It lies directly north of the Upper Peninsula, and the greater part of its Southern coast is bordered by it. Its length is estimated at 500, its breadth in the widest part 190, and its circumference 1700 miles, (by some 350 long, and, and 1500 in circumference.) The coast, as well as the lake itself, is very irregular, exhibiting frequent indentations and bordered, especially in the N. W., with numerous small islands. The largest are Middle Island, and Isle Royal, near the American coast, and Michippicotton near the northern part of the 04747lake. Its tributaries are numerous, and many of them considerable streams, the greater portion of which put in from the American shore. St. Mary's Strait is the outlet that conducts its waters through a devious channel into Lake Huron.

Lake Michigan is the second in size. It is between lat. 41°38’58” and about 46° N. and lon. about 84°40’ and 87°8’ W. It is a long and narrow lake, stretching a little northeastwardly between the Peninsula on the East and the territory of Wisconsin and state of Illinois on the west. The northern part, together with the straits of Mackinac, separate the two peninsulas of Michigan from each other. It is 330 miles * in extreme length, and on an average, 60 broad, and distant 120 miles from the Mississippi. It contains, according to Hutchins 16,981 square miles, or about 10,868,000 acres. It has many subsidiary streams both from the peninsula and Wisconsin. Its coast is generally sandy, but preserving great regularity. It is mostly free from islands except in the north, and in the strait of Mackinac, which communicates with it and Lake Huron on the northern point of the Peninsula. There are only three bays of any importance. Green Bay, † the largest, takes its name from the unusually dark green color of its waters. It lies on the N. W. and the great and little Traverse Bays on the north of the Peninsula.

Lake Huron is the third in point of size, and is situated on the north-eastern border of the Peninsula, separating it from Upper Canada. It lies between lat. 43°5’ and 46° 12’ N. and between lon. 79°50’ and 84°30’ W. Its length from north to south, is 260 miles, and coast wise on the south western shore, 360. It is 160 miles in breadth from east to the west, in the widest part, but exclusive of the Bay, on the north east, it is only 90, and its circumferance 1100 miles. Its area is 7,828 square miles, or 5,009,920 acres. The shape of this lake is extremely irregular. Its principal indentations are Saginaw Bay, which extends down into the Peninsula, and two others, one immediately north of the Manito Islands, and the other, south 04848east of them. The latter, sometimes called the Manito Bay or Manito Lake, is very large, estimated at one fourth of Lake Huron. Huron receives several considerable streams, but far less in number and amount than either of the two former lakes. The waters of this lake find an outlet in the Strait of St. Clair, which conducts them from its southern extremity into Lake St. Clair.

The next larger lake bordering this State is Lake Erie. Lake Erie extends from N. E. to S. W. between a peninsula of Upper Canada on the north and New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio on the south, and Michigan on its western border, between 41° 30’ and 42° 55’ N. lat. and from 78° 35’ to 83° 20’ W. lon. More than 30 miles of its coast border Michigan. The lake is estimated at 280 miles long, and from 10 to 63 in breadth, and 654 in circumference, containing 3,520 square miles, or 2,252,800 acres. * It has comparatively few tributary streams, the largest of which is Maumee. It has its outlet on the north eastern extremity through the Strait of Niagara, which conducts its waters into Lake Ontario.

Lake St. Clair is the smallest of the five lakes, bordering this State. It is situated on the east of the Peninsula, nearly midway between Huron and Erie, between about lat. 42° 18’ and 42° 45’ N. and lon. 82° 23’ and 82°46’ west. Its greatest length from N. W. to S. E. is 30 miles, and greatest breadth 28, and 90 miles in circumference, containing about 127 square miles, or 81,500 acres. Its shape might be compared to the figure of a heart, but, unlike it, receiving its fluid at one extremity, from the Strait of St. Clair, through eight or ten large, beside numerous small channels, and discharging it at the other extremity, by the Strait of Detroit.

Interior Lakes. Michigan seems truly to be a lake country. Not only surrounded, but the interior is interspersed with them from one border to the other. Of the unsurveyed part, there is less certainly, but in the southern half of the Peninsula, the country is literally maculated with small lakes of every form and size, from an area of one, to one thousand acres, though, as a general rule, they do not perhaps 04949average five hundred acres in extent. They are sometimes so frequent, that several may be seen from the same position. Did they not possess so much beauty and so richly add to the picturesque and rural scenery of the country, there would be less propriety in bestowing upon them the dignified appellation of “ Lakes, “ when a less elegant designation would be more appropriate to their extent. They are usually very deep, with gravelly bottoms, waters transparent and of a cool temperature, at all seasons. This latter fact is supposed to be in consequence of springs which furnish them constant supplies. They are the favorite resort of various kinds of aquatic fowls, and are supplied with an abundance of fish, of the varieties and sizes found in the great lakes; as the trout, bass, pickerel, pike, muskelunjeh, dace, perch, cat, sucker, bullhead, &c. &c. which often grow very large. It is usually to find some creek or rivulet originating in them, but what is a very singular fact, and not easily accounted for, many of these bodies of living water have no perceptible outlet, and yet are stored with fish. A lake of this description, with its rich stores of fish and game, forms no unenviable appendage to a farm, and is properly appreciated.

The coast of the great lakes, contiguous to either peninsula, wears a forbidding aspect and exhibits all the evidences of sterility. The northern and southern shores of Lake Superior are rocky, barren, and in some places elevated. From Point Iroquois to the Pictured Rocks, it is sandy, then rocky to Fon du Lac, with occasional plains of sand, exhibiting the usual forest of those latitudes, as the pine, hemlock, birch, poplar, spruce, &c. There are several objects of curiosity on the southern shore, as the Pictured Rock, Doric Rock, Cascade La Portaille, &c., (for which See Third Part. )

The eastern coast of Lake Michigan is more regular, but exhibits a continued line of barren sand, covered occasionally with pine and some other evergreens, and extending sometimes, but rarely, several miles from the shore. The most prominent features are frequent sand hills, or bluffs, rising often from one hundred to two hundred and fifty feet high. The “Sleeping Bear” is a noted curiosity of this kind. (See Third Part. )

The northern coast of Green Bay and Lake Michigan is, 05050in general, barren, consisting, in the main, of pine ridges or naked calcareous rocks.

The Peninsular coast of Lake Huron has generally high and gravelly banks, some of it rocky, exhibiting frequently, primitive boulders of every larger dimensions, especially north of Saginaw Bay. These may be seen likewise in great number at the bottom of the lake, at a great depth, near the coast. The Highlands of Sauble, which extend a considerable distance along and above Saginaw Bay, are seen from the lake, covered, like the coast, with firs and evergreens.

The southern shore of Lake Erie, in part, presents a rock bound, inhospitable appearance, not greatly unlike what has heretofore been mentioned, but it may be remarked that all these outward appearance have proved very incorrect indices to the condition of the interior country.

Wild fruits of different kinds are found on all these coasts. Juniper and strawberries, red and black sandcherries are found on the islands and shores of Lake Huron, in the greatest abundance. The latter grow to the size of the common tame cherry, and have a sweet, delicious taste.

The rocky shores and uniform transparency of its waters, render it probably that the bottom of Lake Superior is of rock. From like indications, partial soundings, and other signs, the same is inferred of Lake Huron. The bed of Lake Michigan is of both rock and sand. The foul, turbid state of Lake Erie, when ruffled by a gale of wind, is conclusive evidence of a muddy bottom, even where it is not proved by soundings. St. Mary's strait, and some parts of the strait of Detroit, have a rocky bottom.

The depth of the three larger lakes has been the subject of speculation. It is generally said, though incorrectly, that they are “unfathomable!” *

Lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron, have been put down at 150 fathoms, till more recently, discoveries have doubled that depth, placing it at 300 fathoms, or 1,800 feet. Their depth below this is uncertain. A trial to this depth is said to have been made at the entrance of Saginaw Bay in Lake Huron, without reaching the bottom. No soundings are found in either Huron or Michigan, 15 miles from shore. Lake Erie is comparatively shallow. The deepest water found in this lake is opposite and between Long Point and the town of Erie, Penn. Here the water has been found 60 fathoms, or 360 feet deep. The average depth of this lake is 25 or 30 fathoms, 150 to 180 feet. The average d