ILLINOIS.

Q. What are the boundaries, &c. of the State of Illinois ? A. Illinois is bounded by the Mississippi river west and southwest; by Huron territory north; lake Michigan northeast; Indiana east; and Ohio river, separating it from Kentucky southeast and south.

The outlines of the state are as follows: commencing at the junction of the Ohio and Mississippi river, and thence up the latter opposite the state of Missouri, to the mouth of Lemoine river, by comparative courses 340 miles; continuing up the Mississippi to Lat. 42° 30', 200 miles; thence due east to lake Michigan along the south bound ary of Huron, 167 miles; along the southwest part of lake Michigan 60 miles; thence due south along the western boundary of Indiana to Wabash river 163 miles; down the Wabash opposite Indiana to the Ohio river, 120 miles; down the Ohio river opposite Kentucky, to the Mississippi river, to the place of beginning, 130 miles; having an entire outline of 1,170 miles.

This state, next to Virginia and Missouri, is the third in area amongst the United States; it extends in latitude from 37° to 42° 30', and in longitude from 10° 36' to 14° 30' west from Washington city. The greatest length is 382 miles, and its greatest breadth 206. Its mean width, however, is 140 miles. Area, 53,480 square miles.

Q. Are there any mountains in Illinois ?

A. Next to Louisiana and Delaware, this is the most level state in the Union. Although northwest of Shawneetown, there is a range of hills, which some have chosen to denominate mountains. There are considerable elevations along the Illinois river, and the bluffs of the Mississippi, in some places, might almost pass for mountains.

Describe the Valleys of Illinois.

There are no valleys, but immense plains, which shall be presently described.

Q. What are the Rivers of this State?

A. It is only necessary to look on the map of this state to see what astonishing advantages for inland navigation nature has given it.

The Mississippi which waters the whole western section, is the main stream.

Describe the Rivers.

Illinois is bounded on three sides by the Mississippi, Ohio, and Wabash rivers. The Illinois, Kaskaskia, Sangamon, and many smaller streams, are entirely within its boundaries. Others, as the Kankakee, Rock river, and Vermillion branch of the Wabash, run part of their courses within the state. The Mississippi, which, in its meanderings, runs about 700 miles along its western border, takes its rise on Cedar lake, in latitude 45° north.

From this, to the Falls of St. Anthony, a distance of about 500 miles, it runs a devious course, first southeast; then southwest; and finally southeast again; which last it continues without much deviation till it reaches the Missouri. From thence its course is a few degrees east of south to the mouth of the Ohio.

The appearance and character of Mississippi, above and below the mouth of the Missouri, are so distinctly marked

as to lead to the general opinion that the former is but a branch of the latter. The average width of the Missis sippi proper, is from one half to one mile; and its current is generally from two to four miles an hour, varying according to the height and volume of the water. The mean descent of this river is about six inches per mile. Its sources are estimated by Mr. Schoolcraft to be 1,330 feet above the level of tide water at the Gulf of Mexico; the distance being computed at three thousand miles.— Below the mouth of the Missouri, the Mississippi has the turbid appearance of the Missouri, and was formerly obstructed with snags and sawyers. These obstructions to the navigation have been partially removed by the enterprising Captain Shreeve and his snag boat, in the employment of the general government; and the trees that form these obstructions have been cut away from its barks.

The principal tributaries of the Mississippi, within the state of Illinois, are Rock, Illinois, Kaskaskia, and Muddy rivers. The aboriginal name of which is said to signify "Father of Waters," or "Great Waters." The Wabash river rises in the northeastern part of Indiana, and running first a southwestern, and then a south course, enters the Ohio about 200 miles above its mouth. It is a beautiful stream, and at high water is navigated by steamboats as far as Logansport in Indiana. Its head waters approach within a short distance of the waters of the Maumee of Lake Erie, with which a canal navigation is now being constructed under the authority of the state of Indiana. About 20 miles below Vincennes, and near the junction of White river, are considerable rapids, which obstruct the navigation in low water. Funds in part have been provided, and measures are in train, by the two states, to improve the navigation at this place. The character of the lands and soil bordering on the Wabash, does not differ materially from that on the Ohio and the Mississippi:

only there is more sandy soil, and its bottoms are more subject to inundation. In this region, and especially in Lawrence and Crawford counties, there are some swamps, called by travellers purgatories.

The principal tributaries of the Wabash, within the state of Illinois, are the Vermillion, Embarrass, and Little Wabash.

The Illinois, from its relative position, is a river of great importance as a connecting link in the chain of internal navigable water. This stream rises in Huron territory as far north as 43° 25', between the sources of Rock river and Manawake, and flowing thence west one hundred and sixty miles, unites with the Illinois river, in Lasalle county, Illinois.

If length of course is considered as the deciding crite. rion, Fox river is the main stream above their junction though the name of Illinois commences with the union of the Plane and Kankakee rivers. Plane river, though more generally known, is a far inferior stream to the Kankakee. The Plane is, however, from its position an important branch. Rising westward and near the shore of Lake Michigan, and flowing south nearly parallel to and about 10 miles of that lake, it has become at seasons of high water, a navigable stream 12 miles from Chicago. Thence inflecting to the southwest 40 miles, it joins the Kankakee to form Illinois.

Kankakee river is composed of two branches, Kankakee proper and Pickimink rivers. The former has its extreme source in St. Joseph's county, Indiana, and by a general course of south-west by west, about 100 miles, receives the Pickimink from the southward. The latter also has its source in Indiana, from whence curving to the southward, but by a general western course joins the Kankakee. The two rivers are nearly of similar volume and length. Below their union the water bends to north