of the continental glacial, and much during the time of floods following, and the action of the sea while the region was submerged." Springs of water, clear and cold, may be found at the base of the high cliffs which bound many parts of the island, and also at other localities in its interior. The geology of the surrounding islands and promontories is much the same as that of this island.

With these general ideas, descriptive and geological, we may now proceed to visit the various places of interest. Starting from Fort Mackinac, let us follow the foot-path along the brow of the bluff overlooking the eastern part of the town. If fond of natural scenery, we shall be delighted with the grand panorama of nature, the successive scenes of which will be presented to us as we proceed. Half or three-quarters of a mile from the fort, at the south-eastern angle of the island, is the overhanging cliff known as "Robinson's Folly."* The following is the interesting history of this point: After the removal of the fort to the island in 1780, Captain Robinson, who then commanded the post, had a summer-house built upon this cliff. This soon became a place of frequent resort for himself and his brother officers. Pipes, cigars, and wine were called into requisition, for at the time no hospitality or entertainment was complete without them, and thus many an hour which would otherwise have been lonely and tedious, passed pleasantly away. After a few years, however, by the action of the elements, a portion of this cliff, with the summer-house, was precipitated to the base of the rock, which disastrous event gave rise to the name. Around the beach below is a confused mass

of debris, the remains, doubtless, of the fall.

A little to the north of Robinson's Folly may be seen an immense rock standing out boldly from the mountain's side, near the base of which is a very beautiful little arch known as the "Arch of the Giant's Stairway.” This arch is well worth the trouble of a visit.

* See Map of the Island.

A walk along the beach northward from this point is somewhat difficult, on account of the large portions of the cliffs which have in places been precipitated to the water's edge, but a good foot-path along the brow of the bluff brings us, with only a few minutes' walk, to the far-famed "Arch Rock."

This is one of Nature's works which must be seen to be appreciated. Words cannot fully describe it in all its grandeur. It is a magnificent natural arch spanning a chasm of eighty or ninety feet in height, and forty or fifty in width. The summit of this rock is one hundred and forty-nine feet above the level of the lake. Its abutments are composed of calcareous rock, and the opening underneath the arch has been produced by the falling down of the great masses of rock now to be seen upon the beach below. A

path to the right leads to the brink of the arch, whence the visitor, if sufficiently reckless, may pass to its summit, which is about three feet in width. Here we see twigs of cedar growing out of what appears to be solid rock, while in the rear and on either hand the lofty eminence is clothed with trees and shrubbery-maple, birch, poplar, cedar, and balsam-giving to

*The above cut is from Professor Winchell's "Sketches of Creation," published by Harper & Brothers, New York.

the landscape richness and variety. Before us are the majestic waters of Lake Huron, dotted in the distance with islands. We may now descend through the great chasm, "arched by the hand of God," and at the base of the projecting angle of the main rock find a second arch, less magnificent, but no less curious and wonderful. Passing under this, we soon reach the beach below, whence the view is particularly grand and imposing. The mighty arch seems suspended in mid air above us, and as we gaze upon it, lost in wonder and admiration, we exclaim with the Psalmist, "Lord, what is man that Thou takest knowledge of him, or the son of man that Thou makest account of him!" Foster and Whitney say of this rock: "The portion supporting the arch on the north side, and the curve of the arch itself, are comparatively fragile, and cannot for a long period resist the action of rains and frosts, which, in this latitude, and on a rock thus constituted, produce great ravages every The arch, which on one side now connects this abutment with the main cliff, will soon be destroyed, as well as the abutment itself, and the whole be precipitated into the lake."

season.

The following parody on a popular song was found written on a stone near the base of Arch Rock, about five years since :

Taking the road which leads into the interior of the island, we soon find ourselves at the "Sugar Loaf Rock." This rock is about one hundred and fifty yards from the foot of the high ridge, upon the south-east extremity of which stands Fort Holmes. The plateau upon which it stands is about one hundred and fifty feet above the level of the lake, while the summit of the rock is two hundred and eighty-four feet above the lake, giving an elevation of 134 feet to the rock itself. The composition of this rock is the same as that of Arch Rock. Its shape is conical, and from its crevices grow a few vines and

cedars. It is cavernous and somewhat crystalline, with its strata distorted in every conceivable direction. In the north side is an opening, sufficient in its dimensions to admit several individuals. Here one might find shelter from the most violent storm. Within this opening, upon the smooth surfaces of the rock, may be found the autographs of hundreds of eager aspirants after immortality. As we

take refuge in this rock we are reminded of the Rock of Ages, and led to sing, with the poet,

"Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in thee."

As we approach this rock along the road, the effect is grand and imposing. The patriarch of the ages, it lifts its hoary head high up towards heaven in utter defiance of the fury of the elements. The view is also very fine from the top

*The above cut is from Professor Winchell's "Sketches of Creation," published by Harper & Brothers, New York.

of the ridge, whence, by its isolated position and bold form, it strikes the beholder with wonder and admiration.

The "curious" are ever eager to know by what freak of nature this monstrous boulder has been placed in its present position. Has it been thrust up through the crust of the earth, like a needle through a garment, by some internal volcanic action-or has it been separated from the adjacent ridge and disentombed from its ancient sepulchre by a system of gradual denudation carried on by nature through the successive ages of the world's history? Science tells us that the latter hypothesis is the true one. Foster and Whitney, in their geological report, mention the Arch and Sugar Loaf Rocks "as particular examples of denuding action," and state that this denuding ac tion, producing such an opening, (as in the Arch,) with other attendant phenomena, could only have operated while near the level of a large body of water like the great lake itself. This coincides with the views of Professor Winchell, whom we have already quoted on this point. Traces of water action now seen on the vertical sides of these two rocks, two hundred feet above the level of the water, are precisely the same as those seen upon the rocks close by the water's edge. To all fond of natural curiosities these two rocks alone possess attractions sufficient to justify a visit to the Northern lakes.

Let us now return to the fort, whence we started, and again set out in a different direction. Half a mile to the rear of Fort Mackinac, and only a few yards to the right of the road that leads to Early's farm, is "Skull Rock," noted as the place where Alexander Henry was secreted by the Chippewa chief, Wawatam, as related in a previous chapter, after the horrid massacre of the British garrison at Old Mackinac. The entrance to this cave is at present low and narrow, and promises little to reward the labors of exploration.

Two miles west of the village and fort is Early's (formerly Michael Dousman's) farm. This farm consists of a section of land, and produces annually large quantities of hay and vegetables of the best quality. Near the house now occupied by