Oldal 72 [72]
spray in front of the American Fall. Entering the cave you are behind the great sheet of fall¬
ing water, which curtains the outer world from view. The roar of the water is fearful and
unceasing. ‘The spray dashes and whirls about you and you behold the most awe inspiring
scene at Niagara. Its immensity is startling. The cave was formed by the action of the dash¬
ing water in washing away the soft substratum of the precipice, leaving the stratum of limestone
over-head. After ascending the stairs drive to
TERRAPIN POINT.
An easy stairway and path leads to the very brink of the Horseshoe Falls, which is before
you in all its magnificence. It will at once be seen that the water is deeper as it passes the
brink at the centre, than at the American Fall. The beautiful green centre will force admira¬
tion, for the stream bends solidly over the precipice and does not burst into foam as 1t drops
from the ledge. In 1833, a tower 45 feet high, 12 feet in diameter at its base, and eight feet
at the top, was built here to increase the facilities for viewing the falls. It stood until 1573,
when it was torn down, being considered unsafe. In the gorge below, the water is churned
into a milky whiteness. The Horseshoe Fall is frequently referred to as the Canadian Fall.
It extends from Goat Island to the shore of the Dominion of Canada, In 1542, its crest line
measured 2,260 feet; in 1890 it was 3,010 feet. This fall shows a mean total: recession of I04
51“ 100 feet in 48 years, the total area of recession being 275,400 superficial feet or 6 327/100
acres. In height the fall is 168 feet, the rapids above having a descent of 55 feet 1n three-quarters
of amile. The volume of water estimated to pass over the fall 1s 15,000,000 cubic feet per
minute, or, about one cubic mile per week. Many geologists feel assured that the Horseshoe
Fall is the engine that ploughed the great gorge. It certainly falls away more rapidly than the
American Fall, as the soft stratum of rock below is undermined by the action of the water so
that finally the weight of the heavy limestone top forces it to fall.
THREE SISTER ISLANDS.
In driving to these islands, which are a short distance above the brink of the Horseshoe
Fall, a very fine view is obtained of the Canadian rapids, the water running at the rate of 25
miles an hour. The Sister Islands are three of the most delightful spots about Niagara. On
all sides the river is of wondrous beauty and the many freaks of the course of the river are
charming to a great degree. While standing far out on the Third Sister Island a fine view is
obtained of the river and the cascade that extends to the Canadian shore, varying in height
from 10 to 15 feet.
The drive around the head of Goat Island brings an entire change of scene. The river lies