Ontario Lake

Ontario, Lake, lies between Canada and New York State, having the river Niagara and its falls at its western end, and the St. Lawrence as its eastern outflow. In area it is 7,240 square miles, being the smallest of the group of great North 'American lakes; and its mean depth is about 300 feet. It is never frozen except near the shores, which are, generally speaking, flat and uninteresting. Navigation is dangerous, owing to the prevalence of violent storms. The chief ports are Hamilton, Toronto, Port Hope. Coburg, and Kingston, near which the scenery is. beautifu]. Lake Ontario is connected with Erie by the Welland canal, and with Hudson river by the Oswego canal.