Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-06-24
THE SEASON AT NIAGARA.
Changes Occurring in the scenery az
the Falls.
THE PHENOMENA PRESENTED By THE SCOUTING
HORSESHOE.

Niagara Correspondence n. Y. Times.
Natural changes in the appearance of this won
derful cataract are not SO frequent that the
curious spectacle which is now presented at the
Horseshoe falls can be passed over without some
brief mention. Many persons are still living
who remember the excellent vantage ground
afforded by the Table Rock for view of the
river above and below the falls. and of the
banks at the bottom of the cliffs on each
side Thirty-two years ago this overhanging
rock split with crash, and with a sound like
thunder went tuInbling down into the
abyss. The place where it joined the
cliff is marked by fractured edges. and
tue spot is regarded to this day with
curiosity Since that event the Horseshoe Falls
have lost that regularity of outline which suc-
gested their name, and indenta5ions in at least
two spots give them ali angular appearance, not
unlike the letter w in general shape This is
accounted for by the wearing away Of the brink
more rapidly at these two points than anywhere
else along the entire edge of the Canadian falls.
Another change. and one at which the natives
OF these parts greatly marvel Is the spouting of
water by these same Horseshoe Falls. The older
and more observing villagers solemnly declare
That this curious spectacle has been growing
more and more noticeable for the past three
years. until it has become so well defined that
the name of the Spouting Horseshoe is now ap-
piled to that portion of the Canadian Falls.
None OF them pretend to know the cause of this
singular action of the waters. They content
themselves with pointing it outas another curious
freak OF nature. bound to add new attraction to
the vicinity and to swell an income which has
never been inc0nsiderable in the drlllest of sum-
mers. 1t Is best observed On a clear sunshiny
day, when but little wind disturbs the surface
OF the river From the center of the Suspension
bridge, which is short quarter OF mile below
the Horseshoe, the spouting is clearly visible.
On such day the clouds of vapor barely rise to
height of twO-thirds of the falls, and the brink
Is never obscured by fine mist Under such con-
ditions the eye has an unrestricted view of
the dark blue waters as they hurry toward the
edge OF the precipice, only to be transformed
into broad sheet Of milky whiteness when
they take the plunge and disappear in the eter-
nal clouds Of mist that envelop the foot of the
cataract. Suddenly there rises to a level with
the top OF the falls mass of spray, increasing
in volume and rising in height until from out
their midst spout number of well-de-
fined jets which mount upward many
feet and then melt away in vapor.
figure, to be the altitude of the Horseshoe Falls,
these jets seemingly must shoot upward to
height of 200 feet. They certainly add variety
to the scene and attract at once the attention OF
visitors. The duration of this phenomena, if
such it can be called, is from 10 to Is seconds.
The clouds of vapor, like volumes of white
smoke, continue to I'll the air above the Horse
shoe for full half minute after the Jets have lost
all outline, and then they too gradually die away,
and for about 10 seconds longer the spot is again
free from all turbulence, and nothing but
stretch of water far as the rapids is presented
to the view. Sometimes these Jets of water
drop their tassel-like tips in graceful arch, in
Ginning toward the Canadian shore, and again
they fall over upon the brink of the Horseshoe.
The regularity with which these slender, taper
ing jets appear and disappear is one of the fea-
lures OF peculiar exhibition which promises to
excite as much attention as any disturbance in
the outline OF the falls themselves that has been
noted in recent years.