a stratum of limestone. There are fifty-one and a half feet of the trunk visible, eighteen inches in diameter at the smallest, and probably three feet at the other end.

Muriate of soda, or common salt, is found in various parts of the state, held in solution in the springs. The manufacture of salt, by boiling and evaporation, is carried on in Gallatin county, 12 miles west-north-west from Shawneetown, in Jackson county, near Brownsville; and in Vermillion county near Danville. The springs and land are owned by the state, and the works leased.

A coarse freestone much used in building, is dug from quarries near Alton, on the Mississippi, where large bodies exist.

Scattered over the surface of our prairies, are large, masses of rock, of granite formation, roundish in form, usually called by the people "lost rocks." They will weigh from one thousand, to ten or twelve thousand pounds, and are entirely detached, and frequently are found, several miles distant from any quarry. Nor has there ever been a quarry of granite discovered in the state. These stones are denominated bowlders, in mineralogy. They usually lie on the surface, or are partially imbedded in the soil of our prairies, which is unquestionably of diluvial formation. How they came here is a question of difficult solution.

Q. Are there any mineral or medical springs in this State?

A. Medicinal waters are found in different parts of the state. These are chiefly sulphur springs and chalybeate waters. There is said to be one well in the southern part strongly impregnated with the sulphate of magnesia, or Epsom salts, from which considerable quantities have been made for sale, by simply evaporating the water in a kettle over a common fire. There are several sulphur

springs in Jefferson county, to which persons resort for health.

Q. Are there any caves in this State?

A. The "Cave in Rock," or "House of Nature," below Shawneetown, is pointed out to passengers on the Ohio, as a great curiosity, and its front is marked with the names of its visitors. Above and below it, are high, perpendicalar limestone bluffs, surmounted with cedars, above which are sailing in the blue, eagles, birds of prey, or aquatic fowls. The entrance to the cave is just above high water mark. It has an arched roof of 25 or 30 feet high, and extends back 130 feet. It has occasionally afforded a temporarary winter asylum to families descending the river.

Q. What are the natural curiosities in Illinois ?

A. Rock Fort is a projection from the left bank of the Illinois river. Its base is washed on three sldes by the Illnois, which here flows rapidly over a rocky bed. Broken masses of rock are seen above the surface of the water. The judgment of the beholder would give the height of this cliff at 250 feet. The actual admeasurement however, might fall short of this. Its perpendicular sides, arising from the river, are inaccessible. It is connected with a chain of hills that extend up the Illinois by a narrow ledge, the only ascent to which is by a winding and precipitous path. This rock has on its top a level surface, three-fourths of an acre in extent, and covered by a soil, several feet in depth, which has thrown up a growth of young trees. These form, as they receive their peculiar tints from the seasons, a verdant or gorgeous, and partycoloured crown, for this battlement of nature's creation. The advantages which it affords, as an impregnable retreat, induced a band of Illinois Indians, who sought a refuge from the fury of the Pottawattamies, with whom

they were at war, to intrench themselves here. They repulsed all the assaults of their besiegers, and would have remained masters of their high tower, but for the impossibility of longer obtaining supplies of water. They had been used to attaching vessels to ropes of bark, and dropping them into a river from an overhanging point. Their enemies stationed themselves in canoes at the base of the cliff, and cut the ropes as fast as they were let down. The consequence of this was a surrender, and the entire extirpation of the band. An intrenchment is distinctly visible, and fragments of antique pottery, and other curious remains of the vanished race are strewed around.

Q. What are the natural productions of this State?

A. The principal trees and shrubs of Illinois have been noticed under the head of "Forest, or Timbered Land." Of oaks there are several species, as overcup, burr oak, swamp or water oak, white oak, red or Spanish oak, post oak, and black oak of several varieties, with the blackjack, a dwarfish, gnarled looking tree, excellent for fuel, but good for nothing else. The black walnut is much used for building materials and cabinet work, and sustains a fine polish.

In most parts of the state, grape vines, indigenous to the country, are abundant, which yield grapes that might advantageously be made into excellent wine. Foreign vines are susceptible of easy cultivation. These are cultivated to a considerable extent at Vevay, Switzerland county, Indiana, and at New Harmony on the Wabash. The indigenous vines are prolific, and produce excellent fruit. They are found in every variety of soil; interwoven in every thicket in the prairies and barrens; and climbing to the tops of the very highest trees on the bottoms. The French in early times, made so much wine as to export some to France; upon which the proper autho

rities prohibited the introduction of wine from Illinois, lest it might injure the sale of that staple article of the kingdom. I think the act was passed by the board of trade, in 1774.

The editor of the Illinois Magazine remarks:

"We know one gentleman who made twenty-sever barrels of wine in a single season, from the grapes gathered with but little labour, in his immediate neighbourhood."

The wild plum is found in every part of the state; but in most instances the fruit is too sour for use, unless for preserves. Crab apples are equally prolific, and make fine preserves with about double their bulk of sugar. Wild cherries are equally productive. The persimmon is a delicious fruit, after the frost has destroyed its astringent properties. The black mulberry grows in most parts, and is used for the feeding of silk-worms with success. They appear to thrive and spin as well as on the Italian mulberry. The gooseberry, strawberry, and blackberry, grow wild and in great profusion. Of our nuts, the hickory, black walnut, and pecaun, deserve notice. The last is an oblong, thin-shelled, delicious nut, that grows on a large tree, a species of the hickory, (the Carya oliva formis of Nuttal.) The pawpaw grows in the bottoms, and rich timbered uplands, and produces a large, pulpy, and luscious fruit.

Q. What is the climate of Illinois ?

A. In the southern part of the state, during the three winter months, snow frequently falls, but seldom lies long. In the northern part, the winters are as cold, but not so much snow falls, as in the same latitudes in the Atlantic States.

We are satisfied, (says Beck,) after a long course of observations, much travelling, and conversing with many hundreds of families with the view of arriving at correct

conclusions on these subjects, that there is no such operation as that of emigrants undergoing a seasoning, or becoming acclimated, in the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, or the Wis consin Territory. Nor does it make the least difference from what part of the United State, or Europe, they come, nor whether they arrive here in spring or autumn. The impression has formerly existed abroad, that Illinois is less healthy than other western states. This is entirely erroneous.

New comers will find it advantageous for protecting themselves from the damp atmosphere at night, to provide close dwellings; yet when the air is clear, to leave open doors and windows at night for free circulation, but not to sleep directly in the current of air; and invariably to wear thin clothing in the heat of the day, and put on thicker garments at night, and in wet and cloudy weather.

Those families are seldom sick who live in comfortable houses, with tight floors, and well ventilated rooms; and who, upon change of weather, and especially in time of rains, make a little fire in the chimney.

In case of sickness, physicians are to be found in almost every county, and every season adds to their number. Charges are somewhat higher than in the northern states. Many families keep a few simple articles of medicine, and administer for themselves. Calomel is a specific; and is taken by multitudes without hesitation, or fear of danger. The milk sickness is a disease of a singular character, which prevails in certain places. It first affects animals, especially cows, and from them is communicated to the human system by eating the milk or flesh. Much speculation has been had upon its cause, which is still unknown. The prevailing idea is, that it is caused by some poisonous substance eaten by the cattle, but whether vegetable or mineral, remains undetermined. Physicians and others