in former times great changes in the relative elevation of land in different places; some parts having been elevated, while others were depressed. Indeed, this operation is now going on gradually in some parts of the world. May we not, therefore, suppose that similar changes have taken place in the region of these lakes? A depression of the country about the Niagara river of one hundred and eight feet, and an elevation of the northern portions of Illinois of only forty feet, would produce all the changes here indicated. These changes of level would reduce Lake Erie to the original level of Lake Michigan, and at the same time elevate the latter so as to turn its waters into their present course. The description of Lake Michigan, and the interesting facts connected with it, would not be complete without a notice of the remarkable succession of sand ridges between Chicago and Michigan City, described by Prof. C. U. Shepard : "On drawing near the head of the lake, by the way of the road to Michigan City, we find the surface of the prairie invaded far inland by a succession of ancient beaches, formed with the utmost regularity as to width and height, as well as conformity to the existing shore of the lake. Leaving Chicago, the road, for about fifteen miles, is on the beach, or just behind it on the border of the level prairie. It then begins to diverge from the shore, and passes obliquely across a succession of ridges, each resembling a turnpike in its rounded form. These ridges are wooded, while the intervals between them consist of wet marsh, or level prairie. Advantage is taken of the ridges, as far as possible, for the course of the road. After proceeding a number of miles in a southeasterly direction, the road takes a south course at right angles to the coast, and runs for a distance of five miles, over about fifty of these ridges. They vary from four to ten rods in width, each one, however, preserving with exact uniformity, its own breadth, and separated from each other by intervals of from six to forty rods. When midway between any two beaches, the eye is presented, in opposite directions, with an almost interminable vista, whose bounding lines of trees are perceived to be slightly curvilinear, the curvature of the ridges corresponding exactly to the broad sweep of the lake shore. No visible difference of level is apparent in the beaches, while the marshy prairie between them is so low and sunken as to be almost impassable, and apparently corresponds in level with the prairie in the rear of Chicago. "At the termination of the above series commences a new order of ridges, all of which are situated at a somewhat higher level. They have an average width of only one hundred and twenty feet, and are separated by depressions of the same dimensions. In these, both the ridge and the valley are dry and wooded. The road crosses them for a distance of one mile, after which, assuming a more easterly course, it descends upon a flat prairie, about three miles wide. "The succession of beaches described, would appear to have been occasioned by the action of southerly winds, operating on the whole range of the lake, thereby producing an accumulation of water in this region, as well as a strong impulsive action upon the bottom of the lake, from the motion of the sea towards the shore." This explanation, it is believed, would account very satisfactorily for the formation of a single beach line, and perhaps of an extensive flat of level sandy prairie; but it is difficult to conceive how it should produce a regular succession of such beaches, separated by intervening valleys; so that this matter remains to be hereafter explained. Lake Michigan is destitute of islands, except a few near its northern extremity, and it is unfortunate for the interests of navigation that it does not present along its shores many deep and narrow bays, or other places of security for vessels during heavy winds. In this respect, however, its character is quite similar to the other lakes. Navigation usually commences in the spring about the middle or last of March on this lake; but as the straits of Mackina remain closed with ice after that time, we usually have no arrivals from below until about a month later, as shown by the following statement of the arrival of the first steamboat at Milwaukee, since the first year of their navigating this lake: Mean or average, April 22-being about the same time that Lake Erie is open at Buffalo. But as that lake is open from Cleveland, and the other points west of Buffalo to its western extremity, about a month before this time, it will be seen, that upon the completion of the railroad through Michigan, and the southern railroad in New York, the merchants of Wisconsin can receive their spring goods, and commence sending off their winter's supply of produce, lead, &c., a month earlier than at present. We may also look forward to the time, certainly not very distant, when this lake will be navigated during the whole winter. WALWORTH COUNTY Is bounded on the north by Milwaukee and Jefferson counties; on the east by Racine; on the south by the State of Illinois; and on the west by Rock county; embracing the townships numbered one, two, three and four, in the ranges numbered fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, and eighteen It is, therefore, twenty-four miles square, and contains sixteen townships, or five hundred and seventy-six square miles or sections. It was set off from Milwaukee county in 1836, and organized as a separate county in 1838. The population of this flourishing county was then (1838) one thousand and nineteen. In 1840, it had more than doubled, being two thousand six hundred and eleven; and in 1842, it had almost doubled again, being then four thousand six hundred and eighteen. It is now estimated to be about ten thousand. The county seat is established at Elkhorn, which is exactly at the centre of the county. This county occupies the high ground, or summit, between the waters of the Pishtaka, which runs through Racine county east of it, and Rock river, which runs through Rock county at the west. It is one of the richest and most important agricultural counties in the Territory; possessing a rich soil, with about the proper proportion of timber and prairie land to suit the convenience and fancy of the first settlers of a new country-hence its rapid settlement. It has no abrupt or steep hills, deep valleys, and but little waste. land of any kind. It is well watered by numerous small lakes in the north part of the county, and three larger ones at the south part, and by numerous springs and rivulets. The position of Walworth county, midway between Lake Michigan and Rock river (which will ultimately be made. navigable), must render it important, by having a choice of two markets for the surplus produce. The town system was adopted in this county, and for the purposes of government it is divided into the following towns: BLOOMFIELD, township one, range eighteen. DARIEN, township two, range fifteen. DELAVAN, township two, range sixteen, except section one. SUGAR CREEK, township three, range sixteen, except section thirty-six. GENEVA, township two, range seventeen (except section six), and five acres at the southwest corner of township two in range eighteen. HUDSON, township two, range eighteen. LA FAYETTE, township three, range seventeen, except section thirty-one. LA GRANGE, township four, range sixteen. LINN, township one, range seventeen. SPRING PRAIRIE, township three, range eighteen. TROY, township four, range seventeen. WALWORTH, township one, range sixteen. ELKHORN, 'a small town, organized in 1846, embracing four sections around the centre point of the county. There were in this county in 1840, agreeably to the census, 409 horses, 2,861 neat cattle, 410 sheep, 6,380 swine, 10 stores and groceries, 1 distillery, 3 grist-mills, and 7 saw-mills. The products of 1839, were 59,580 bushels of wheat, 1,499 of barley, 35,155 of oats, 205 of rye, 1,754 of buckwheat, 40,837 of Indian corn, and 42,455 of potatoes, 3,624 tons of hay, and one pound of reeled silk. These statistics will show what crops are usually raised in this county, and the proportion they bear to one another. Several thriving villages have sprung up in this county, the chief of which are ELKHORN, the county seat, at which there is published a weekly newspaper; WHITEWATER, situated near the northwest corner of the county, having a good water power well improved; GENEVA, at the outlet of Geneva Lake; DELAVAN, and TROY. There are nineteen post-offices in Walworth county :at Bigfoot, Darian, Delavan, Elkhorn, East Troy, Fairfield, Geneva, Goodlet, Granville, Heart Prairie, Hudson, Lyonsdale, Round Prairie, Richmond, Sugar Creek, Spring Prairie, Troy, Whitewater, and Walworth. The principal streams in this county are HONEY CREEK, |