NIAGARA, a river of North America, which flows from lake Erie northwards into lake Ontario. It is about 36 m. iu length, and its descent from the level of one lake to that of the other is about 334 feet. Ou issuing from lake Erie it is three-quarters of a mile broad; but as it flows on, it becomes several miles whit, making room for a number of islands, the larae4 of which, Grand island, is 12 tn. long, and from 2 to 7 broad. At the foot of Grand island, which reaches within 13 in. of the falls of Niarara, the river is contracted to a breadth of 2/,- in., and grows narrower as it proceeds. By this and by the descent in the channel, which is about 60 ft. in the mile above the falls, are produced the swift currents known as the Rapids, in which the river, notwithstanding its great depth, is perpetually white with foam. At the fails, which are 22 in. from lake Erie, the rivet is divided by an island containing about 75 acres, called Goat island; but in consequence of a bend in the channel, by far the larger portion of the water is sent down by the Cana dian side. On this side, therefore, is the grander cataract which has been named the Horseshoe fall, but no longer bears the name appropriately, as the precipice has been )1 ore from a curved into a somewhat angular shape. This process of wearing away goes on gradually still, a large projection on the Canadian bank, known as the Table rock, having partly fallen off in 1863. The Horseshoe fall is above COO yds. in breadth, and about 154 ft. in height. The water is so deep that it retains its green color for some distance below the brow of the precipice; and it rushes over with such force that it is thrown about 50 ft. from the foot of the cliff. One may thus, having donned an oil-skin dress, enter two or three yards behind the curved sheet of water; but the spray is so blinding, the din so deafening, and the current of air so strong, that it requires a tolerably calm nerve and firm foot. The separation caused by Goat island leaves a large wall of rock
between the Canadian and American falls, the latter being again divided by an islet at a short distance from Goat island. This fall is from 8 to 10 ft. higher than the Iloreshoe, but only about 220 yds. broad. A little above the fall the channel is divided by Bath island, which is connected by bridges with Goat island and the American shore. A small tower, approached from Goat island, lies been built on a rock over the brow of the Horse shoe fall: and from this the finest view on the American side may be obtained, the Table rock on the Canadian side giving the completest view of the entire cataract. The falls can also be seen from below on both sides, and every facility is given for viewing them from all the best points, while magnificent hotels, Canadian and American, offer their inducements to the tourist to stay till he has received the full influence of the scenery. The river is crossed about 200 or 300 yds. below the falls, where it is 1200 yds. broad. The current is lessened for about a mile, but increases again as the channel becomes nar rower and the descent greater. Between 3 and 4 m. below the falls, a stratum of rock runs across the direct course of the river, which, after forming a vast circular basin, with an impassable whirlpool, is forced away at right angles to its old channel. The dile brated wire suspension bridge for the Great Western railway, with a road beneath for vehicles and foot passengers, crosses the river I+ m. below the fall; it is 800 ft. long, 40 broad, and 200 ft. above the surface of the water.