The practice of the inhabitants of building adjoining the public roads, often occasions too great a distance from springs, and they might frequently be conveniently supplied with water, were they to build on other parts of their farms. There is however a considerable number of streams suitable for mills, insomuch as the greater part of the inliabitants are not farther distant than a few miles from mills ■vvbich are plentifully suppUed with water in all seasons.

WESTERN NEW- YORK. 1177

As to curiosities, ths falls of Niagara and Genesee river, are very remarkable ; the falls of Niagara being the greatest curiosity of the sort in the world, falling 157 feet perpendicularly, where the river is three quarters of a mile wide, and are sometimes heard at a distance of 40 or 50 miles. There are many remains of antient fortifications, a chain of which appears to extend from the lower end of lake Ontario to the west of the Ohio river. These forts afford much speculation concerning their origin, but the most probable conclusion is that they were erected by the French upon their first settlement in America, about 200 years ago.

The following are the principal rivers and lakes:

Genesee river, rising in Pennsylvania, runs a northeasterly course of above 100 miles, and empties into lake Ontario. It is situated 40 miles west from Seneca Lake, and is boatable nearly 50 miles, but its navigation is interrupted by some falls. On this river are extensive and very rich bottoms, which are in some parts nearly two miles wide, and are partly overflowed in the spring season ; in consequence of which the inhabitants near them are subject to agues and other bilious complaints. Its flats are in some parts cleared of timber for several thousand acres, which are covered with very high and thick grass.