The herald., 1894-07-12
VISIT TO NIAGARA FALLS
BIOLOGISTS OPINION AS TO THE
AGE OF THIS WONDER.
Thrilling Sensations of Visit to the
Cave-of-the- -Winds-Graphio De.
scription of the Wonders
of Niagara.

Niagara falls, the supreme natural
marvel of both continents, is divided
into two cataracts, viz: American falls,
flowing toward the American or western
side, and Horseshoe falls. which dis
charge toward the Canada side, the two
being separated by Goat island. The
height OF the former is l04 feet. and the
latter, owing to the limestone strata not
yet being worn away, is one foot higher.
by which it is reasonably concluded that
one time nearly all the flow was
toward the American side, because
the discharge over the western fsll is not
now so great as that toward the Canada
side. This tremendous flood of waters ia
from Lake Erie through Niagara river
into Lake Ontario, and the retrogression
| of the cataract caused by the wearing OF
the limestone ledge. inclines geologists
| to the opinion that the flow has con-
tinued for period OF not lees than 81
900 years. The width OF Niagara river
at the falls is 4503 feet. of which
American falls occupies HOO feet, Goat
island 1400 feet, and Horseshoe falls
1000 feet though the deep curve in the
latter, whence its name is derived.
makes the line of fall more than 5000
feet. 1t has been estimated that the
discharge exceeds 1000. 100000 gallons
OF water evsry IL hours, and that the
force thus developed is equal to soms.
thing more than 100000 horsepower.
The astounding power displayed by
the river dropping over q wide and
lofty ledge ia scarcely more bewlldering
than that exhibited by the rapids,
which extend for half mile from the
point of descent, and meeting a ewift
current, the flood is lashed into fury
that is frightiul to behold. rising in the
center like huge beasts in combat and
tossing wave-caps nearly so feet above
the surface. At times the spray rises in
snch clouds as to completely obscure
the falle, and borne some distance by
the winds ia condensed, and long-con-
tinued rain follows, which renders con-
siderable stay in the neigh borhood
some what dsagreeable.
While an admirable view OF the falls
may be obtained from many points Of
observation ON the bridge, or along both
shores, the greatest interest attaches to
visit to the many csverna that are be-
hind the descending food. These may
be reached by means OF spiral stairways
built for the purpose, but the visitor
must prepare for the trip by investing
himself in suit OF oilskin, and for
awhile must assume the character of an
amphibian. At the bottom OF the deep
descent are atones in great confusion, over
which we must scramble to reach the
Cave OF the winds, watery grotto in
deed, in which the air is agltated by the
laundering cataract that fairly snvelops
you. The scene here is beyond the
scope OF pen or brush, for these appeal
only to sight and understanding, while
the awful presence copjnros all the
senses. Behind the giant curtain OF
in its intensity and unnaturalness, and
to the ears there comes a mufIlad roar,
which, while not jarring, seems to per-
wade and penetrate like the dull
rumble of an earthquake. This uucer-
tsin disturbance, which coniuses with
strange noise, ia intensified by wind
that s here created by what appears to
be come mysterious agency; and other
| curious things are noted that would
suggest to the imaginative mind re-
gion OF the supernatural, whore indis'
/ tinct voices warn and then invite, but
are always clamorou5, like q crowd OF
! bedlamites.
| Below the falls the river narrows to
| 800 feet, between precipitous walls,
which add swiftness to the current. and
| three miles from Horseshoe Falls the
impetuous stream strikes point OF pro-
! jecting land in such a manner that
terrible whirlpool is created, capable OF
smoking down O large steamboat. By
means OF car, which ia controlled by
cable. visitors may ride down the very
steep incline to the edge of Whirlpool
Rapids. and view in safety the awful,
mad-lashing waters. swirling with ex'
traordinary rapidity and throwing high
the touseled heads OF ravening waves,
which appear 10 be lusting Tor victims
and believing for vengeance.
This graphic description o. Niagara
and its wonders is copied from No q OF
Gllmpses OF America. We are this week
distributing parts 20, 81 and 90 which con-
tain about 60 very excellent photographs
and eloquent descriptions Of Niagara falls,
the marvellous scenery about Watkins
and Havana glens, the Ausable river, the
St. Lawrence and Thousand islands,
the Adirondacke, the Oatskilla, the
Hudson, ETC.. etc. Every one should
possess these three splendid numbers.
They aie incomparably beautiful, and
contain a wealth of information about
subjects OF the greatest interest to every
American. See plan of distribution in
large advertisement and on the coupon.
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