Loss of the “Walk-in-the-water."—­This fine steamer was wrecked near the foot of Lake Erie, in November.  A friend in Detroit writes (November 17th):  “This accident maybe considered as one of the greatest misfortunes which have ever befallen Michigan, for in addition to its having deprived us of all certain and speedy communication with the civilized world, I am fearful it will greatly check the progress of emigration and improvement.  They speak of three new boats on Lake Erie next season; I hope they may be erected, but such reports are always exaggerated.”

Geology of Detroit.—­“No accurate measurement that I can find has ever been made of the height of the bank of the river at this place.  As near as I can ascertain, however, from those who have endeavored to obtain correct information respecting it, and from my own judgment, I should suppose the base of the pillars at the upper end of the market-house, which stand three hundred feet from the water’s edge, to be thirty-three feet above the surface of the river.  The bank is of a gentle descent towards the water, and gradually recedes from the river for one mile above the lower line of the city.

“In digging a well in the north-east part of the city, in the street near the Council House, the loam appeared to be about a foot and a half deep.  The workmen then passed through a stratum of blue clay of eight or ten feet, when they struck a vein of coarse sand, eight inches in thickness, through which the water entered so fast, as to almost prevent them from going deeper.  They, however, proceeded through another bed of blue clay, twenty or twenty-two feet, and came to a fine yellow sand, resembling quicksand, into which they dug three feet and stopped, having found sufficient water.  The whole depth of the well was thirty-three feet.

“The water is clear, and has no bad taste.  No vegetable or other remains were found, and only a few small stones and pebbles, such as are on the shores of the river.  A little coarse dark sand and gravel were found below the last bed of clay, on the top of the yellow sand.”

The boring for water in 1830 was extended, on the Fort Shelby plateau, 260 feet.  After passing ten feet of alluvion, the auger passed through 115 feet of blue clay, with quicksand, then two of beach sand and pebbles, when the limestone rock was struck.  It was geodiferous for sixty feet, then lies sixty-five, then a carbonate of lime eight feet, at which depth the effort was relinquished unsuccessfully.—­Historical and Scientific Sketches of Michigan.

“Bed of the Detroit River.—­I am induced to believe the bed of the River Detroit is clay, from the fact that it affords good anchorage for vessels.  Neither limestone nor any other rock has ever been discovered in it.”