Superior

Superior, LAKE, is the most westerly and northerly situated of the great chain of American lakes, and lies partly in the United States and partly in Canada. Of a somewhat irreglar crescent shape, it lies E. of Minnesota, N. of Wlsconsin and Michigan, and S. of British America. It is 420 miles long by 160 broad, con tams 31,000 square miles, has 1,750 miles of shore-line, and a depth of 79 fathoms. The N. shore is bold and precipitous, with cliffs from 300 to 1,500 feet high; the S. is sandy and low, except here and there, where are limestone ridges. One of these, the Pictured Rocks, forms a perpendicular cliff, 300 feet high. To the S. and N. are islands, the larger being to the N. and affording good shelter and harbourage, while those to the S. are smaller and without harbours. Isle Royal, the largest, belongs to the United States. The lake receives about 200 streams, and has an outlet to E. by Ste. Marie river. Rapids prevent navigation on the river, but the difficulty is avoided by canals. The waters are transparent, and there is good fishing, especially of trout and sturgeon. Copper abounds on the shores and islands.