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TORONTO: PRINTED BY WARWICK & SONS, 68 AND 70 FRONT STREET WEST. 1890. / •I"'- ■^^^i^4^ n ,=?.' BbUI i 1 REPORT UN TUB BASIN OF MOOSE RIVER AMD ADJACENT COUNTRY HKI.ONfilNO TO THK I'R.O'VIITCE OF 03SrT.A.E.I0. By E. B. BORRO N, Esq. .Sti/itnUiary Muyistrate. PRINTRh HY OHUER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY. TORONTO ; PRINTED BY WAUWIOK ct HOxNS, 08 AND 70 FRONT STREET WEST V' '^■ ■ I ' I \ I t fl 1 /^ p ^ 3^ CONTKNTS. , . PAOB. I iitroductory iiiiifirks ... 3 Boundnries ;iiul jiifii of Fioviiicial Territory north of tlio wntor-iwrtiiig on tlie Huiglit-of-Liuul Pliituiiu 3, 4, 5 TOPOOKAI'HY. Nfitiirally divid.'d into tlireu liults 6 l.st, the Southerly or Height-of-Land Pliiteiui 5 2nd, the Intermediate Plateau or Belt 5 Hrd, the Northerly or Coast-Belt 5 The fuiidauKMital rocks in each 5 Exi)lanatioi s of possible discrepancies in the statements contained in reports for ditl'erent years in regard of the .same or of diflerent sections of the territory 5 Routes followed in lb79 (\ Extracts from Rkport ok 1879. De.seri[)tion of the Height-of-Land 1 lateau from repoit for that year 6 The, Northerly or Flat Coast Belt 7 The Intermediate 1 lateau 01 Belt 7 James" Bay exceedingly shallow 7 The Alhany River and Al)ittibi, Mattnganii and Missinaihi branches of Moose River navigaitle by boats for some distance in spring 7 Few if any mouniains in the two northerly divisions 8 Shallowness of rivers, and slight depth ' .'low the general surface of the countiy 8 Ice jams at or near the mouths of Mo',.se and Albany Rivers 8 Moose Factory, the princiixil trailing j 't and settlement in the territory 8 Extracts from Rei-outs of 1S8(). Regarding the Xortherly Belt or iireat Plain on the coast of .lames' Bay 8 Found to be largely overspread by peat mosses or muskegs, and the cause thereof 9 Descrii)tion of this Noitheily Belt or I lain 10 Large areas ntay, and will in the future be reclaimed and rendered fertile 11 The reclamation of peat mosses, costly even in Europe 11 Chat moss in the heait c.f Lanca,shire, England, an instance of this 11 Description of the intermediate Belt or Plateau as seen this season 11 Views expressed in first reiiort too sanguine, in leference to the ([uality and i|uantily of arable land II Object of explorations— to acquire a good general idea of the whole territory rather than an exhaustive r>xamination of* small portion only 11 o35 75'V9 IV. Explorations in .'.881. paob. Routes follo\.-ed — distance tmveiaed- mimber (.)f poitages necessarj' 12 Mr. C. H. (lamshy's rejJDrt on tlie country lying between the Miasinftibi and Mattaganii Rivei-s 18 Dr. Bell's deacri|>tiiin of the Mattiganii River 15 Extracts from otr»i Report for I SSI 16 Land in coast or northerly belt availiiblc for Jif^ricultural or pastorHl iiurjMtses, consists of three classes , IH Possibility of driiinin!,', burnin;,' and rfcliiiniinLC some thoiisuMil s(|Uare miles of this peat covered belt, and thus renderiiii^ the sami' a. aide Hi and 17 .A large proportion of the clays, sands, gravel and other loose m;iteiiul on the Intermediate Belt or Plateau, and to some t^xtent on the Hei|;;ht-of-Land Plateau also has been lironLjht from the north . . . 17 Description of this Plateati • 18 " of Hei.^dlt-of-Land Plateau 19 ROITE IN 1882 ANO E-VTRACTS FIIOM RkI'OKT KOU Til A I' YkAK 1S» Dr. Bell's descript'on of Hudson's Hay and regions lying adjacent thereto 20 Shallowne.ss of James' Bay- frontage and harhimr 22 Land rises very gradually toward the .south 22 Clay, or more jiroperly " marl " usually below the peat 22 A blue or slate colored clay — highly calcareous near coast 22 No hills and little bare rock in this belt 22 The large timber contined to narrow strips along the rivers 22 But a small i>ro|>ortion of bare rock iuttiie next or intermediate lielt T.i Evidences of erosion everywhere 2.'^ Probably due to ice ii> the form of glaciers impelled soiithwaid from a "I'olar Ice-Cap." 23 Attording vast stores of raw material for soil 24 That part of the Intermediate Belt lying south of the 4!(th parallel of latitude— more broken, better drained, and more densely timbered than tlii' flat country to tlu' north 24 Move or less red ami white pine 24 ?,lany lakes in course of being tilled up m- drained and thus converted into dry land. 24 Climate — one of extremes in regard of temperature 24 Dr. Bell's opinion somewhat ditt'erent from that of the- writer 24 Rainfall at Moo.se Factory 25 The healthiness of the climate un(|uestioiiabIe 25 EXTKA* TS FKOM RkI'ORT KOK 188:^. Itoutes followed 25 Physical features and soil of the country tiaveised 25 Di', Bell's e.\i)loration of and report on long Lake .md the country lying to the north west 2« The water-parting and width of the Hei<.;ht of- Land Plateau at this point 28 (ieneral bearing of Kenogami River from Long Lake to the eit{hteentli or last portai,'e. 28 The Intermediate Belt as seen on the Kenogami 29 29 The Northerly 'v Coa.st Bell " •• The Kenogann and Albany Rivers atl'ord 250 miles uninterrupted canoe navigation and boats also for a limited ])eriod 29 V. PAOE. .. 12 iiirtibi and 18 16 16 I pur|H)aeH, Ifi .' niikm of .... Hi and 17 al 1)11 thf lit-(>f-Laint 17 18 19 lit > 20 21.' \ 22 22 22 22 , 22 \ 2. ! 2;» \ ho-Cap." -28 I 24 * lilo— nioiv Iry til tln' 24 24 |liy land . 24 2 » 24 25 25 25 25 U> the 'ft!i;,a.. 28 29 2« riK'ition 2» 2'J PAOK. Explorations in 18h4 30 Siwcially direrlcd to llio ciiitiiniatidii nr nihci win' nf favnurahle ractit'aliility mid vidiic nf tlic imviunlile stretches on tlic .Mliiny find Ki'iiov^aiiii l< \»rs. 'I lif icHidts disii]i|iiiiiitinj{ 30 K.Vri.ORAlIoNs IN 188,') Devoted to an exjuniii.ition I'f tin eoiintiA sitnalid lietwceli the Mih.siniiilii Hiveriind Kii|inska.sini,' Ki\ei', iind from [.ake Mi.ssiiiaihi noithuard.s 30 ExhUfts Jinlii /I'ryiK'/. 'ropiii^raphical feat in es Water.'poiiils w ith lli.il on the Missinailii 32 Indioalinii the prolialde exi.itenee at one time of .m fstensive lake, now neai'lv diained .'{2 The hills fewer in numher and lower as w e pioeeed nutl hwaid 32 The l.ike.s also fewer in ninidier ainl >liallower 32 I'lmniiti,- nt' till' l.iiiiil. But a small ]n'rtion of that on the Heii,dit-of.Lanil Plaie.iu lyint; to the sonthof I,ake Missinailii aiahle , 32 Mui'h of it snited for the niow th of foiest trees and more oi K ss foi- pa.slure 32 Kveii the lakes may he rendered producti\ e ;{•_' Move and lii-tti^r lai.d in tlii' northern portion of thi.s plale.oi n-j A fertile stiip between the lJei<;lii-ofLand I'lateaii and the intermediate tir Cintral Plateau or bell :!2 Description of this better drained and more fertile .-trip 3,'{ Iteferenoe to Mr. fJamsby's report Xi River liottoms on the KajinskasiiiL; River ; fj Description lit conntry between Kapnskasini; Ri\tr ,iiid Laki' ( ipa/atika soil ;iiiil tindier. ete 31 (leiieral description of Lake Opa/atika and .idjaeent eoimtry 34 .lolm Dnvir's exploration of and report on Lake fjjia/atil'a " :;.•) tiood land on Ojia/atika lii\ei between the lake and iun> lion of jli.^f l!i\rr ;!7 North of tin. i iniietion to Lake Nasko si \\a kali. " < irassy I'oint l.,.ike." \ery little iiralile liiinl ii," T<)ler;d)ly dry and fairly good land between iln smith end f Lake Opa/atika ami Missinaibi i{iver H7 The greater |(ait of the intermediate si rip of conntiy lielweeii Laki- < >pazatika and Missin.ubi River found to be sw;inipy ;;h (1 1 boiioii! land between I he Missinailii Hi\eraiid I'.i nnsss iek l,ake .'{8 Siitiiii: mill Di-'ni'ni m' tliv Sail ;{H The InleriiK'diate i'lelt or ri.ateaii always sii|)poi ts .a ;jiow th of trees ar d shrubs of some kind 38 The timber not always a safe L'liide as to the cliaiaeter ot t he soil or l.ind 38 A natni'al rotation in the crop of forest ti-ees ;j<) FXPI.OKATION.S IN 1885. — (intliiilicil. paob. Ton II. (all iinpdrlniu-c iiiiiv l)u .iltMclu-il tn tlin inttuuiiceof the uiulerlyiiig rock on tlin conipositidii, and fi'it ility vf the tioil 89 ProfcKMCir JohiiBoii'a l'eI^ill ks on thiH subjoct 39 T hi; ff]\ ( n thiH pliittaii i r 1 fU !:!ih litth- icltitidn to tlic n cks in situ, tho nmteriiil fill' thi' most part hii\ ini; conii' fiom tho noi'th 41 Tliis (liift oi' tiiinKimrttil nialoiinl almost untircly t'liniHliid liy tliu Sihiviiin and Dt'Voninn Strata iindi-rlying the const bolt 41 Honce alnin of lime iiHsociatccl with tlie clays, nonstitiiting in many inativncuB " marls," and otcasioiiallv highly cakarociiis Hand 41 ThiH fact iiiiiicvtaiit a ctlKrwise tho soil both on the Iiiterniedia'-e atid Height of- Land Plateau, ol also on the north Uiores of Lukes Huron and Superior, must hi'.vi) been thin and poor 42 The agency by which it has been formed and transported has loft this materif\l *' imperfectly mixed." 42 The clay iinmodiatoly on the sttrlacc fref bi.th rid and white jiine on the ht>ad waters of the Mattaganii and nro'.iiulhog I'ivets 4() A few red pine on Lalic Opazatika 46 No pine of any great consequence west of the Missinaibi River 4(» S])ruce the most common tree in this territory is present in largo quantity and often of large .dze 46 Tamarac co-eNtensi\e in giowth with spruce, but smalhr and less valuable 46 Cedar on baiik.s of rivers ;uul elsewhere on tho Height-of-Land and Intermediate Plateau 46 Aspen tho most cMiinion tree with the exception of spruce in the territory, and in view of the niaiiyuscs to w'v.ch wood pul[) is being applied may bo more valu- able than any other 46 A( Ml J lSIlSKR.\LS — The only mineral of economic value and importance — discovered this season — "iron [lyrites " 47 .Vpi'areutly a large body and would he vaUiablo if more favorably situated 47 ; (ipt'iiiuL; np the iciuntiy - suggestions in refi'ience thereto 47 I AOKIfl'l.Tllt.M. Uksoi liCKS AM) C.W \ lil MTI KS. Extracts from report for 187!»-- Crops ttrown at the various Htidson Bay Coy iwsts in the territory, on the authority of Mr. tiladman 48 »{\. — — PAOE. t)ck 1)11 tllH H9 . le iimteiiiil 41 iliiviiin and 41 y iimtniictis 41 i Hoicjiit (.f- eiioi, must 42 is matui'iiv! 42 [ soiiiftiiiies 42 42 42 reafc 43 [tird to the 43 leso-oillod 44 i ht-of-Lcind 45 hi^anii and 4() 46 ; 4fi 1 46 46 y and often terniediate 46 ly, and in more valu- 46 3n— "iron 47 47 47, authority 48 AORICOLTrRAl, Rp.-lorRCES AND C'APABItlTIES. ~Cl»lt hilled. PAOE. Dr. IJell's ropurt in regard to the Hanio 48 The evidnnfu of an old resident a.' Abittibi 49 Statement of tlio H. B. Go's. otKcer there 19 Oliiiiionn formed by the writer at that time and which he lia» had no reason materially to change 49 to 6iJ Opinions on the same subject as contained in report for 1882 fill General conclusions as to the capabilities of the territory in respect of climate as well as soil 58 Experiviciitiil Farmn — Extract from rejtoit for 1HS4 strongly recommending the estjiblishuient of siieli in tills territory ag.'iin respectfully brought under the notice of the (iovernment. . 59 The objects soui^ht to be obtained, and the great interest and value of the results of the ])ro|)()sed ex])eriments 60 MiNKKAL ResoURCKS — Not a very promising field f(jr the explo >n account of the r(pck being concealed from view by the overlying dejiosits . drift , 60 Xor is the rock on the Height -of -Land Plateau and Intermediate IJell of the kind most likely to afford rich veins containing the more useful metals 60 There are however areas in which the fundamental rock is Huronian, wnrtliy of the attention of the explorer 60 Ores of iron, copper, and lead have been met witli in these belts, as also iron pyrites, luica, aiul other minerals elsewhere (JO In the northern or coast belt the fundamental rocks are stratilied or tlat lying, and consist of limestones, sandstones, shales, etc 60 \h: TJell's work entitled " The iJeulogy o"" Out; rio with special reference to Economic iMinerals " referred to til Tlie southern edge of this ])ala)ozoic jdain the most valuable jiortioii of this territory for its mineral resources (il They consist of lignite or blown coal, iron ore, china clay, potters clay, sand furglass making, gyp.iuni, fire clay, brown and jellow ochres, etc 61 (iypsum on Main Moose River as described by Dr. 15ell 61 Lignite — Saw pieces of lignite at the junction ot Coal-brook with the Missinaibi River when passing in 1 ^7'J 62 The bed discovered by Dr. Bell in 1877 and ilescribed with oilier-* m report for that year 62 Analysis by Mr. Hotfmin of the stall" of Oeological Survey ()."{ Lignite discovered " in situ " by the writer on the Mattagami and Ahittil>i Etivers . . Oli The lignite or brown coal beds examined more fully last year (IS'!)) under instrne- tions from the Hon. the ('ommissioner of Crown Lands t;;{ Report thereon 6:'. to ()9 Kaolin or china clay discoveretl on Missinaibi River by the writer in 1880 69 Analysis by the late Professor Croft HQ Thought that after grindiiii; and washing it might lu- ncai'ly if not ipiite iM|nal to the Cornish clay 70 Porcelain manufacture in Europe 70 Situated about five miles below Coal-brook 70 Description of this inipoi'tant deposit and of the aci-omi)anying white sand 70 and 71 VI 11. MiNHKVL RksOIHcKs. Ctilltililliil . PAOK. Iron ore — Df posits of oii tliu Mattagiiiiii Rivor discovered .and described by Dr. Bell . . 71 The writer discovered h dejiosit of the same kind of ore on the (Jba River 72 Potters ulfiy — .K great bed of line white clay (supposed to be |iotters) discovered at Coal-brook last year ... 72 Fire clay also found at (loal-brook 72 Ochres, yellow anil brown, found on the Mattaifanii i;i\er in t8!S'J 72 Peat — Its existence discoveretl and first noteil liy the writer in 1880 "'■i lieft^rences to rejiorts for 1880 and H'^'i, wherein is pointed out its innueiise v.ilue and importance as " fuel." . 72 If electricity can be siici'i-ssfully sul'^tituted for steam .is a motive power for tlu^ transportation of itroduce. it, with the unlimited w.iter power on the Height-of- Land Plateau, will s\\ employeil in the lin-tiade by the Hudson Hay ( iiui[Kinv. 7!^ Prohibition almost total 79 Must be some restrictions on the importation ;ind sale of intoxicating lii|Uois 80 Sniallncss of the popidation and probal)ility '>i its becoming 'till more sparse 80 Food the most )ire!iKing want .md starvation the lireatest danuer 80 The rabbit or bale, braver an I uiiskrat, .in- the Indians' mainsia\ in winter 80 Fish and wild fowl .ire tlu'ir chief reliame din ing tlu' sinumer 81 The food supply likely to be always more o?- less uncertain .lud ]irecarii>us until the terriliiry is oinned up and rendered ai'cessible by railway 81 Haliitsand character of tlu' natives 82 The injustici' of t.'ixiui,' so he.ivily tlu pe iple i nifty of 7 a )- 74 V tluist' nil k;{ 84 84 lu'iiisclvfs. Sfi HA i ami hi'aiis Si» 8fi Hciiilit -ol- 85 ii'iieial (if «6 SiMiAi, Conditions of tiik Natives, etc. — Contiuned. pacje. If iiotuxjiedient to mako treaties with these Indians as yet. tlie following suggestions are lesiiectfully offered for the consideration of the (Jovennnent 88 1. 'I he euacMneiit of a law to jjrotect the natives in their right to the game and fur- bearing animals on their hunting-grounds. 2. To prevent unlicensed persons from entering into unsurrendered territory with the intent to trade with :iie Indians 8}< Much of this territory pos.silily better fitted for the growth of forests and the sub- sistence of fur-bearing animals and game than for agriculture 88 The growth of timber, tlie preservation of fur-bearing animals and game, and the following by the Indians of the pursuits in every respect most suitab eand con- genial, arc <|uito compatible with each other SS intoxicating lii/uors are now (1800) being taken into this territory, and will doubtless be eipi)loyed in trading for furs by irresponsible and unprinciiiled traders if not prevented gil An enormous sum of money has been collected in the form of taxes on the necessaries of life from the inhabitants of this territory, for which they have received nothing .n return SO Thesotaxos phoiild be lemitted or a portion at least of the amount returned hU Tlie most i>ressi!ig needs of the people 80 1st. Hotter prices for their furs. '^nd. Ability to obtain the conveniences and necessaries of life at more leasonaMe rates, .'{rd. Medical advice. 4th. Schools, i'th. Mails. (ith. Hospital at Moose Factoiy. 7th. Religious teaching. 8th. Trotection for life and property !)4 Suggestions ns to the mode or maimer in which these Avanfs may be supplied 80 to 94 The Right Rev. Dr. Horden on the religious condition of the people of this territory, and the work of the Church Missionary Society of Lon('..iii, Eiig. therein. ...02 and 0:5 The population and various languages sj)oken in the Diocese of Moosonee 03 and 94 Conchuling remarks in reference to the timber in the territory, the advi.sability of devoting large tracts to the growth of forest trees, and finally to the making of needful provision for the preservation of law and order in the territory 04 .Xi'i'iAiux Letter from Dr. Selwyn, C.M.G., F.R.S., Director Geological and Natural History Survey of Canada. Giving the result of an examination of S|)eciniens of Kaolin or China-Clay and of White-sand. I 2* (87) r-r-r *' 1. ' • ■•"•'^'•-•'^A«.^..a.-.i„„ * ..f, ' "' ■>''"U.:i';i(ni . '-t t.. ...... t.,., , . ..if., r ;;■"•;; ••^"•"=-'-^";),, :,...,...„ ..,,,..,..,, ■' ' '■ '" ■'- ' •' " .JVi. -uwCiK' ■, , . ^. ., '•'■■'■'" .■•Jffllr \^ , , ■ ..I '•■ „ ,. , . r -i.i 1 .. 1 -' * ', " * ■ • . if^ . .... •'O'M,;; r ,„ . .,., ■ ' ' ' i" :•.• j;tu.i. ** . ■I ■ -.((1 ..-1 '" ' ■ ■ H'.n ':■ .., „ ...,., , • '"• " " ■■'. 1.-. ,:. , ;j ,., ^'- ■'■ J I'i )-•.... ■ ''■ '"' '■• '--y n .. ;,t ,^ '■ *' ' '" ■■ t< '■„,•- , I .___, '"■•' - ■■■ "■■' "'• , ;i»: -,.: • -■' •>'■ '■•;- '.y«/.ll W! f,:.: .„- ,;,,;. ... ■ ■■ ■ ' '■" ■'■' ' " •! ■ ■ < .,,, .. U ,.r. ■ r"! I I'tl-. -.' ., I 'I.!..- t, .,' J'll X'" ■'' ■it,, r 1 -./i [on. 0. MowAT, Attorney -General, etc., etc., Toronto. CoLLiNowooD, October 1, 1890. I ...f. Sir, — I have the honour to transmit herewith my report for laat year, on the northerly part of the Province. In it the result of the explorations for lignite coal, carried out under instruction from the Honourable the Oommissioner of Crown Lands, and my opinion in reference thereto, as well as to other minerals in the territory are given at considerable length. I have also quoted largely from former reports, information on other subjects, which (now that the boundary (question has been happily settled) may possess a new and greatly increased interest for many, while some of these subjects it is desirable to bring again tinder the notice of the Government. I I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant. E. B. BORRON, Stipendiary Magistrate. 1 (87) / / / ft ili 1 \ / 1 bavinj it will and VI 1 ia the hinise additi at whi I, descri due n( bartin Dead € ttraigl be foil bound I Albaa distaiK i.s aboi i^lbanj north I Jjorthe ■hort REPORT OF :. B, BORRON, STIPENDIARY MAGISTRATE, ON THE BASD^ OF MOOSE RIVER AND ADJACENT COUNTRY BELONGING TO THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO. The claim of the Province to this territory — so long and obstinately contested — ving been fully eatablisbed, many persons who have heretofore taken little interest in it will now probably be anxious to learn all they can in reference to the extent, resources a$xd value of the country. This desire may, in the opinion of the writer, be most fully satisfied l»y embodying ia the present report the principal facts and opinions contained in previ(jus reports by himself and others, no longer accessible to the public generally, together with such additional information and suggestions as recent explorations may enable him to afford, qr which the confirmation of the title of the Province may now appear to demand. I Boundaries and Area. The boundaries of the territory ^ /hich forms the subject of this report may bo briefly described as follows : Commencing at u point on the height of land where a line running due north from the head of lake Teniiscaming intersects the dividing ridge or water parting, it follows this watershed in a west nortli-westerly direction to a point near the lead of lake St. Joseph. The distance between the.se two points is about 500 miles in a Straight line, but probably not less tlian 650 miles if the watershed or " divide " itself be followed. This forms the whole of the southern and for the most part the western Iwundary also of this territory. From the point last mentioned lake St. Joseph and the Albany river constitute the northern and to a limited extent the western boundary. The distance from tbs head of lake St. Joseph to Albany Factory at the mouth of the river Is about 400 'iiiles direct, or say 475 miles, roughly estimated, by the river. From vAlbany Factory the coast of James iiay is followed to a point where a line produced due liurth from the place of beginning will strike James' Bay. This coast line completes the |iorthern and forms to some extent the eastern boundary. The length is probably little "ihort of "00 miles, but measured straight from point to point it will not exceed 130 or /I 140 miles, so far as can be judged from the somewhat imperfect maps we have of the territory. From the last mentioned point (which is expected to fall about midway between Hannah Bay and Rupert's Bay) to the height of land the Jinc^ will, when sur- veyed, run due north and south and form with the coast the eastern boundary of the territory. The length of this line will not probably be less than 200 miles, or more than 220 miles. As regards the area of this northern territory, the form as well as boundaries are so irregular, and the lengths of the lines so uncertain, that it is not possible to estimate it with any near approach to accuracy. I believe, however, that it will turn out lo be not less than seventy-five thousand sijuare miles. On this subject it may be well to quote from a report on " North-westcirn Ontario : Its Boundaries, Resources and Communications," prepared under instructions from the Ontario (Jovernmeiit, and printed in 1879. This, as will be .seen, was soon after the award of th;reat lakes, and skirting, at a distance varying from fifteen to fifty niile.s, the northern shores of lakes Superior and Nepigon. The wiwtern boundary, it was contended was to V>o ascertained by a line drawn duo north from the confluence of the (Jhio and Mississippi rivers, and which was found to hv in lon;,'titu(le 81)" It' 27" west. Such a line would lia\e intersected 'J'hunder bay, divided the existing settlement on its shui'es, alien- ated from Ontario a largo district, including the village of Prince Arthur's Landing, the population gathering round Fort William, the site of the projected terminus of the Canadian Racitic railway, and the townshi|)s of Blake, Crooks, Pardee, Paiponge, Oliver, Neebing and Mclntyre, already under Ontario jurisdiction, and left within the Province only a narrow strip north of the lakes and south of the height of land. Opinions were divided as to the rights of the Province beyond the boundaries contended for in belialf of the Dominion, but it will probably be found that the decision of the arbitrators is, on the whole, consistent with equity, convenience, and pul)lic policy. The award declares that the follownig are and shall be the boundaries of the Province of Ontario, namely: — " Commencing at a point on the southern shore of Hud.son Bay, commonly called James' Bay, where a line produced due north from the head of lake Temiscamingue would strike the said south shore, thence along the said south shore westerly to the mouth of the Albany river, thence up the middle of the said Albany river, and of the lakes thereon to the source of the said river, at the head of lake St. Joseph, thence by the nearest line to the easterly end of Lac Seul, being the head waters of the English river, thence westerly through the middle of Lac Seul and the said English river to a point where the same will be intersected by a true meridional line drawn northerly from the international monument placed to mark the most north-westerly angle of the Lake-of-the- Woods by the recent Uoundary Connuission, and thence due south following the said meridional line to the said international monument, thence southerly and easterly following upon the international boundary line between the British possessions and the United States of America into lake Superior. But, if a true meridional line drawn northerly from the said international boundary at the said most north-westerly angle of tlie L ike-of-the- Woods shall be found to pass to the west of where the Knglisii river empties into the Winnipeg river, then and in such case the northerly boundaiy of Ontario shall continue down the middle of the .said English river to where the same em^.^ies into the Winnipeg river, ami .shall continue thence in a line drawn due west from the confluence of the said English river with the said Winnipeg river until the same will intersect the meridian above described and thence due .south following tlie .said meridional line to the said inter- national monument, thence southerly and easterly following upon the international boundary line between the British po.ssessions and the United States of America into lake Superior. f i lave of the it midway , when sur- dary of the • more than laries are so I estimate it ut 10 be not rn Ontario : IS from the n after the /hich it was of the boun- tlie .subject the northern t. Lawrence y niile.«, the IS contended le Ohio and Httch a line iliures, ali(!n- danding, tlie ninus of the jnge, Oliver, he Province pinions were for in behalf ,ratora is, on ard declares 5, namely: — ailed James' would strike outh of the ■s thereon to larest line to Mice westerly re the same nternational le-Woods by d meridional lowing upon ted States of rly from the L ike-of-the- lies into the lall continue lie Winnipeg of the said he meridian ic saitl inter- international rica into lake I S " The district included within these boundaries is of equal if not of greater area than the whole of the rest of Ontario, exclusive of the lakes Ontario, Superior, Huron and Erie. Omitting those lakes, the Province within the limits embraced in the proposition of tlie Dominion, contained about 64,000,000 acres, or 100,000 square miles of territory. From the Quebec boundary line — from lake Temiscamingue to James' Bay — totheLake- of-the-Woods, the distance cannot be much less than seven hundred miles ; while, measured from north to south, the new territory covers a breadth of country varying from over three hundred to one hundred miles. The Province of Ontario will conse- quently, in future, possess an area of fully 200,000 square miles. This is 80,000 square miles ^'reater than the area of the United Kingdom ; only 1 2,000 square miles less than the whole German Empire ; only 2,000 square miles less than France, and equal to the combined areas of Holland, Portugal, United Italy, Switzerland, and Belgium. The awarded territory alone possesses an area greater by 20,000 square miles than the group of C(iuntries just named, excepting Italy.* " The height of land on which this water parting is situated is not, as many naturally suppose, a chain of mountains with sharp, well-defined ridges, dividing the waters which flow south from those flowing towards the north. It is really a table land or plateau, the elevation of which varies from eight or nine hundred to sixteen or seventeen hundred feet above the level of the sea, and averages probably about twelve hundred feet. The width of this plateau in a northerly direction is nearly a hundred miles in some places ; and including that portion lying to the south of the water parting or divide will average, I think, as much as seventy miles. The length, in a dinct line from the point before referred to as lying due north of lake Temiscaming, to the head of lake St. Joseph, being about five hundred miles, it follows that the area of the plateau included between these two points is not less than 35,00'^ .square miles. The water parting or "divide " is generally nearer to the southern than to the northern edge of this height of land plateau, and the probability is that two- thirds of it are situated on the north-rn slope or .side, and included in the territory which is the more immediate subject of this report. Topography. To render more intelligible the description of the leading physical features of this vast territory, it has been represented in former reports as naturally divided into three ttierably well-defined belts or zones, namely : — 1st, The southerly or height of land plateau. A table land chieHy remarkable for the number of its fresh water lakes. 2nd. The intermediate plateau or belt. Notable for the falls and rapids in all the rivers by which it is crossed in their course .rom the height of land plateau to James' Bay. .■3ril. The northerly or coast belt. A plain o' flat country, largely over.spieiid with ' muskegs " or peat-mosses ; almost treeless exrepting near the rivers, and extending froiii the foot of the last great fills or liipids on the northern edge of the intermediate belt to the coast of James Bay. The fundamental rocks in the two first divisions are Laurentian and Huronian, and in the last, stratified or flat rocks belonging to the Devonian, Silurian or Cambrian systems. Jn i[Uoting from former reports on this territory it may be that some of the views and opinions expressed in the earlier reports have been modified ur changed in subsequent ones. Such discrepancies as are observed, and appear of sutlicient importance, will be specially noticed. Others, however, will doul)tless pass unobserved. In all wiiich cases the later expressions of opinion, being founded on a larger knowledge and experience of the territory, will lie entitled to the greatest weight. " • Mr. Devinp, Deputy Hurvfynr-lienernl of Ontario, ffivee !)7,000 erinarc mileH hh a nmph aiipnixi- iimtc OBtiin.itii of the area of the awardi'd territory. Other authoritieH, however, consider lL'0,000 to 140,000 >i|uare miles to be its )irol)abli' extent.' w In the first report I had the honor to submit on this territory was embodied such information as I had been able to gather on a hurried trip going to rvluose factory, during three montlis of a sojourn there, and on a still rrcre hurried return trip back again to lake Huron. The route followed when going may be said to have commenced at the mouth of the French river, Asce ding this river to lake Nipissing and crossing the height of land Iwjtweeu that lake ai 1 the Ottawa valley we struck the head waters of the Mattawa and u.iscended that stream until we came to the Ottawa river. Here the routf, which had hereto- I'oi «,' been for the most part easterly, turned northward up tlie Ottawa river and through lake 'lYmiscamijigue to the head thereof. At this point the country rises abruptly, and on again entering a id ascending the river no fewer than fifteen jiortages occur in about as many miles. These aro kuowi. Lo voyageurs as " The Quinz'iS," and in this stretch the upward course is easterly. Above the last of these rapids Lac des Qdinzcs was entered, and we may be said to have now reached the southern edge of the M(dght of Land plateau. While the main Ottawa river — the source of which is upwards of 200 miles to the east — flows into the eastern arm of t''is lake, our route took us up the northern arm, and thence through a chain of lakes i some fifty miles or more in a northerly direction to the water parting or Height of Land portage. Crossing this we struck a chain of lakes in wliich the Abittibi river takes its rise. Passing through those lakes and couneclinj^' .stretches of river, still in a northerly direction, the route led us out into lake Abittibi near its eastern extremity. Thence it pursuers a west<;rly course through the Upper and Lower Abittibi lakes, and down the main Abittibi river to the junction of Black river, a distance of at least .50 miles in a direct line, and of 75 miles by tlie canoe route, liolow this Juiiclion the Abittibi river, which we still continued to follow, maintains, witii the cxci'ptiou of one westerly bend of some ten miles in length immediately above tlie junction of I'^-ederick House river, a northerly course to where it Joins tlie main Moose river. From this point the iNloose river was desi^ended abotit seventeen miles to Moose Factory, .Moose Factory is situated upon an island at the mouth of the river, and is tlie principal fur-trading post and depot of the Hon, Hudson's \>ay Company in this depiirLnient. Returning, I took what is known as "tlie Michipi(;oten route." On this r.^u^e the Moose Kiver and its nortliwest branch, llie Missinaibi River, are ascended to the Height of Land poita^e, lietweeu Crooked Lake, the source of the Missinail)i, and Matta,i{aming or Dog Lake, the source of Michipicoten River. Cros.^ing over this portage the route passes through the lake just referred to and down Micliipicoten River to Lake Superior, There near its outlet th(! Hon. Hudson l>ay Company have another estaVdishment known as Michipicoten, or Michipicoten Post, from which to Sault ,Ste. ^Nlarie the distance is about 120 miles by water, EXTR.\CTS FROM RePOUT OP 1879 UKGAUDING THE HeKUIT OK L.\ND PlATEAU, ETC. In this Report, printed by order of tlie Legislative AsseinVily in 1880, the leading physical features of the country as they appeared to me at that time are described as follows : — " The southern boundary of this territory, generally known as tlio " Height of Land," is not a continuous chain of mountains, but rather of the nature of a plateau of moderate elevation and considerable breadth. The height varies from nine hundred to seventeen hundred feet above the level of the sea. The lowest point is, 1 think, wherti it is crossed by the canoe route to Moose Factory via Temiscaming and Lake Abittibi, The breadth of this plateau is exceedingly variable, but I .should say that it would average fifty or sixty miles, if not more. The geological formation is Laurentian and Huroniaii, but for the most part Laurentian, It abounds, so iar as I am able to judge, witii likes, marshes and rocky ridges. These ridges are of no great elevation, and rarely continuous for any consideralile distance. Here and there isolated hills may be seen rising above the common level to a height apparently of five or six hundred feet, but these are not numerous. bodied such :ory, during Lck again to louth of the ight of land [attawa and I had hereto- ihrough lake t!y, and on in about as stretch the vas ent(n-ed, and ])lateau. ,0 tlu? east — rn arm, and direction to II of lakes in iiii; stretches ir its eastern wer Abittibi istiince of at his junction exception of of Frederick )iu this point jose Factory -trading post ;iis r.iuf(! the the iieiglit ittai,'aming r^e ilip route ie Superior. uent known distance is FEAU, ETC. , the loading described as ;ht of Land," of moderate to seventeen it is crossed The breadth age fifty or lian, but for :e3, marshes ous for any above the ese are not '* Many nf the lakes on this plateau, which extends a great distance both east and west of this territory, are of considerable size. Among others, ^ac Stub Lakes St. Joseph, Nipigon, Long, Missinaibi, Mistassinnie and Abittibi may be specially mentioned. So numerous, indeed, are the lakes on this height of land, that it is my impression that it would be quite possible, with a canoe, to voyage or travel on the lakes and their con- necting streams on this plateau from Lake Winnipeg to Hamilton Inlet on the coast of Labrador, without ap])roachin<;; either the great lakes on the south or Hudson's Bay on the north. Nor would any very long portages, I think, be necessary. Whoa we con- sider that the two points named are separated by some forty degrees of longitude, and distant about one thousand eight hundred miles from each other, some faint idea may be formed of this " region of lakes," and of the enormous volume of fresh water stored up, so to speak, on this height of land. "In the lakes on this plateau almost all the rivers, whether flowing north or south, would appear to have their origin. Six of these, namely : the Albany, Moose, Abittibi, Harricanaw, Rupert's and East Main, having their .sources on this plateau nearly a thousand miles apart, converge to such a degree that they pour their waters into the southern extremity of James' Hay, within a comparatively short distance of each other. If, at or around a point in the neighbourhood of Charlton Island, "- circle could be described, the mouths of all these rivers would fall within a radius of little more than sixty miles. This territory may be truly said, therefore, to be a portion of the basin of Hudson's Bay. "Of the rivers just named, the Albany, Moose, Abittibi and Harricanaw flow wholly or in jiart through this territory. "The shores of James' i'.ay, iVom the eastern boundary to the Albany river, are low and flat, and the bay is exc(!edingly shallow. I have been informed that no soujidings of any considi^rable depth can be had even in the Hudson's Buy itself. "The Albany river is the largest river in the territory. All are navigable for boats capable of carrying five or six t C( 9 " I la ] n. i w of ai ti I I ■f to : in i pa I ^'" I ^''' I I '0' I Fr liai so : thi; spr in ' unl cull apo l)er,. trai goii Evr nior cam are, tina 'An selvi the gene und- unfi rath coui my 11 ,gain. Still, in 4 I the territory. | stretches to thr i arely less than | er towards its 1 rn side of this i nust be at least i south-westerly | ridges of nieta ■■ the plain, cro}) { ess than twenty i !!•, at the Grand ! 3 Missiniiibi or ] any river. \ it at least three- ;; one consisted of i probably orij!;in. | the upper clays i is undoubtedly | ds of sand — but | some places, not ] i rom the Height ' are not, properly ndr(!d feet l)elo\v r than necessary ing of the snow ion, the (luantity ■ I'earing action of generally under- the j^eneral sui I the second by e river bottoin- |ie water, poHsesi- They are mostly liined l)y climate. bottoms. My 1, the alluviun: llrignum moss o: Its. ntry, being thu- lerous, lire shor' respect of thosi pursuing theii ;he larger rivers Bay. ariabiy to hav( [o sink into tin ; at only a shor; ; may be a frinijf or less draincf and fertile, by far the greater portion of this great plain has no natural drainag e what ever in the proper sense of the term. That this plain is in general sutHciently elevated above the rivers and water courses to admit of artiticial drainage is umjuestionable, and that vast areas of land will Ije reclaimed and rendered fertile by the ingenuity and labour of man at some future day, I have not the shadow of a doubt. " The reclamation of peat-mosses or peat-bogs, however, is a slow and costly opera tion, and has been in somi^ instances a far from profitable <'nterprise even in the mother country, with all the advantages oi abundant capital, cheap labour and the best of markets for the |)roduce of such land as might l)e reclaimed. There are hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of acres of such peat-mosses or boj.^s still unrec'ainHid in Ire- land and Scotland. Kv<'n in the very lu^art of Lancashire, one of the wealthiest and most po|)iilous counties of England, there was when 1 was a boy a moss called (Jliat-moss, which covered some twelve square miles, and the reclamation of which, if entirely com- pleted, can only have b(!en completed quite recently. 1 have reason to know somewhat of the ditliculty of reclaiming such ))eat-mosses, foi t'.n late .Mr. Ilo.scoe, of Liverpool, and my father were among the first to engage extensively in the operation of reclai'iiing Chat-moss, an iindertakini,' 'a which both spent a great deal of money and which was eon- tinned by my father many yi-ars after Mr. Roscoe's death. Knowing this, 1 must confess to a fuelling of (i.isappoint''ient, wIkmi time after tinu! on penetrating inland I came to these intei'iuinable, diomal lo' .ling jieat-mosses, where 1 had hoped to Hud at least prairie-like pasture, if not good aru'.de land. "Hitmited to the south of this Hat belt or region. Jind interme'Iiate between it and the plateau on the Height of Lnid, is the l)elt of country whieh in List year's rej)ort was called the " ste{>pes " or belt remarkable for its rapids and falls, in this zone or lu'lt, so far as 1 have yet had an opportiiuity of seeing it, 1 believe then.' is a much lai'ger pro- portion of aral)le land lit for st^lth^nu'nt than in that which I have explored this .season. From the Long Portage to (ireenhill Portage on the Moo.se and Michii)icoten route, and from the Otters' Portage to Iroquois Falls on the Abittibi, there is in the aggregate, I liave no doubt, a large quantity of land lit for cultivation, and wliich will be scuttled upon so soon as the country i.s opened up and markets rendered accessible. 1 am incliried to thiidx, however, that even in this belt there is no inconsider.ibli! quantity of land over- spread with swanips and ])ea! -mosses, more ])articuiarly on the east sidt; of the Al)ittibi, in whicli direction 1 should not be surprised to find that the peat-mosses extended almost unbroken from Hannah i>ay on the coast to near Lake Abittibi. " In thus modifying my vit'ws in I'efirenci! lo the fitness of this territory for agri- cultural, and more especially jjastoral, pursuits, I hardly feel it necessary to make any apology or excuse. Jn la.it year's report i distinctly stated (|). 15) as follows : ' From personal observation I can or.ly speak of the country on the routes over which I have trav'lled, namely, that by the Uppi-r Ottawa, Abittil)i lake and Abiltil)i river, when going to Moose Factory, and that by the Moose and Michipicoten rivers on my return. Even on these routes it was, from the nature of the country, impossible to see much more than the Ijanks of the rivers and shores of the lakes, excepting at the portages, the canqting plactss and at the posts of the Hudson's ]>ay Company. My present opinions are, theiefore, given with some degree of reserve and .should not be regarded as altogether final or conclusive.' " Again, in giving a short description of the topography of the territory I said, p. 9, ' Another f xture is the slight depth to which the rivers have worn out channels tor them- selves below Jie general surface of the country, unlike those in our north-west territories, the beds of which are described as freijuently two or three hundred feet l)elow the general surface of the prairies. This is owing doiibthiss to the greater hardness of the underlying strata in this northern territory, but is to be regretted as being on the whole unfavourable to good natural drainage.' I can only say that I am sorry that my fears, rather than my hopes, have been realized by the result of this year's explorations. "The uniformly unsatisfactory results of my excursions inland became very dis- couraging, and recorded daily, sometimes almost hourly as they are in the narratives of my expeditions, the constant recurrence of the same features described in the same 12 language, must, I am quite aware, render it nearly as monotonous for those whose duty- it may be to read, as it has been mine to see and record. " My object has been to obtain and convey a good general idfa of the leading fea- tures of a large territory, rather than spend the limited time and moans at my disposal in an exhaustive examination of a small section only of the country. It was impossible therefore to make Ion xcursions back from the rivens, even if the natun; of tlie country did not forbid it. \Vn. never therefore the failure of the timber, the depth of th(! peat, and wetness and boggines^; of the surface convinced me that 1 had l)eyond doubt come to a peatmoss, 1 at once returned, without fruitles.sly attempting to explore a bog, covering possibly hundreds of square miles of surface, and in many places not lirm enough to sup- port my weight." Explorations in 1881. In the year 1881 my canoe voyag(^ or journey to the north commenced at the mouth of the Michipicoten river, but that route to ^loose Factory was only followed about one hundred miles. At a jioint about ten nnles from the Mud.son Bay (.'oiupany s Post at the north end of liake Missinaibi, we struck eastward to Flying Post on the Ahkuckootish or Oround Hog river, and from thence to Mattawagatniiigue (soinetinics called ^lattawa- kunuiia) Post on a lake of that name, situated still further eastward. The Matagami, or South liranch as it i.-^ sometimes calleil, issues from this lake, and down it and the main Moose river we descended for some two hundred and seventy mili^s to Moose Factory. Returning, the coast of James' Bay (which, it is hardly necessary to say, is a part of Hudson's Hay) was followed from ^loosf Factory, at the mouth of Moose river, to Albany F'actory, at the mouth of Albany river, or a distance of nearly one hundred miles. Frou) theme our course lay up the Albany river to Martin's Falls Post, and from Martin's Falls to Osna lurgh House, another Hud.son Hay Company's Host at th(^ lower end of Lake St. Jos- jih and distant about four hnndri'd and twenty-tive mil(;s from the coast. From Osnaburgli to the head of l,ak(^ St. .loseph is roughly estimated at about filty miles. At this point, the route crosses the Height of Land and leaves this territory. We followed it, however, as far as the Hudson Hay Company's Post on Lac Seul, or Lonely lake. From thence we struck southward to theC.P, R. near Wabigoon lake. Here our canoe voyage t(!rminated. It began at Michipicotdu on the 2Gth of June and ended on the 1st of October. Roughly estimated tlii^ distance traver.s(?il was one thousand two hundred and seventy- five miles, in the course of which one hundred and forty-three portages, varying in length from a few yards oidy to four miles, had to be made. Observations relative to the geology, geography, soil, limber, niineral.s, etc., of the country passed through are recorded daily in the narrative of this voyage appended to the report for that year and printed by order of the Legislative As.sembjy in 188'J. To this report, covering as it does some eighty pages, I must refer for details. In ngard to the jihysical features, and more especially the i|UMlity of the land and nature of the soil, between the Missinaibi, or nortli liraneh of Moose river, and the Matagami, oi' south branch of the Moose river, I prefer to ijuote the opinion of Mr. 0. 11. Canisby, engineer in cliaige of a party sent out to explore a line for the C.P. It., co>n- niencing a little above Split lock Portage, on the Missinaibi, and running eastward to the Matagami river. This line crossed the country not a very great distance north of the canoe route over wliich I hurri< tlly passed, imd is situated for tlui most part in i\w intenneiliate lielt or plateau of this teriitory. j\s a survey such as that made by Mr. (ianisby and his assis- tants atlorded them much better opportunities of obtaining i'lt'orii ation and forming reliabli! opinions in regard of the character of the country and the soil, 1 give his report in reference thereto in full. i 1 J3 whose duty leading fea- ly disposal in s impossible ' the country of the peat, oiil)t come to i)Oj^, covering lOUgh to sup- at the mouth •d ahiuit one ■'s Post at the Vhkiu'kootish led Mattawa- 18 Mataf^ami, 11 it and the Ifs to Moose y, is a part of ver, to Albany mills. From From Martin's lower end of nil the coast, out fifty miles. Wo followed iOnely lake. •2Gth of June iiiidseventy- iiii,' in length etc., of the appimded to in 188-.'. To the land and ■ivcr, iiiiil the ion of Mr. 0. O.r.ll., com- istward to the )()(• route over ■diate lielt or md bis assis- ivtid forming ■e his report " Under the head, " Report on Survey from Moose river, running eastward, to Lake Matagami," Mr. Gamsby reports as follows : "Ottawa, December 13th, 1880. " Sir, — I have the honor to report that, in conformity, with your instructions of July 3rd, re(|uesting me to proceed to Moose river, the eastern end of my exploration of last winter, and continue a compass line eastward to a junction line with Mr. Austin, who was proceeding west from Sturgeon river, [ left Collingwood on the 8tli July, nnd after expericncini,' .some dillioulty in procuring means of transport up the Michipicoten river, we readied our initial point on the 27th of tht; .ne month, and commenced opera- tions, in accordance with those instructions, by running a compass line from the point above refern^l to in a general south-east course, carefully noting tlu! cours(!s aiidcliaiuiiig the distances and obtaining such other information as the liniiteil time at our dispo.sal permitted. We reached the one hundred and sixteenth mile of the exploration on th(* \hh October ult. ITaving arrangiid witli Mr. Austin to make the connection between our lines and otherwi.>ction 2 — Lies between the Kapaskasi and Nestodjiastona rivers, a distance of twenty-two miles. Section 3 — Lies between the Nestodjiastona and Ground Hog rivers, a distance of some sixteen miles. Section 1 — Lies between Ground Hog and ^Matagami rivers, a distance of forty-four miles. In each of these sections the soil and general characteristics are dilferent, the surface of the ground varying from lightly undulating to high ridges and broken, the soil vary- ing from the clay and clay-loam of the first section to the light aand of the fourth. Section 1. — This section, of thirty-two miles in h'ligtii and probably from thirty to sixty miles in width, from north to south, is lightly undulating, with gradual rise east- ward. The soil is clayey-loam, or gn^yish mud mixed with vegetable mould. It is identical with the soil in the vicinity of the IIud.son's l!ay i'ost called New Hrcnswick House, .vhere the agent informed me tliat tine crops of coarse grains and roots wen grown during the past season. Fully s(!V(>nty per cent, of the soil of this s(!ction may bo classed as very good. The remaining thirty per cent, is composed of interior lands, gravel ridges and muskeg. Timber (birch, poplar, cedar, spruce and lamarac) is found in abund- ance, and in many localities of large size ; the cellars are part' v.l.vrly tine. Tht! other varieties will furnish large (luaulities of i'uel when riMjuired. Section 2. — This section, of twenty-two miles in length, is apparently of less width than section one. Hroken mid high ridges (x.'cur on whii^h granite rock crops out. The clay and marl soil occurs only in belts, and is replaced by naiidy loam mix(Ml with bould- ers. Probably tifty per cent, of the soil of this .section would rank as good. TIk- remain- ing portion, although not worthless, would be classed as inferior. A large portion of this section has been burned over ; timber will be found only in the swamj)s on those portions. In the unburned portions a moderate cpiautity of white pine of fair si/.e is found, mixeil with tile varuities prevailing on section one. No imisk<'g of uiy size occurs in this section. Section li. — This section, of about sixteen miles, has a fair proportion of (day soil, oxtouding from the Nestodjiastona river, about four miles in a south-easterly direction, to 14 the Pishganagaraee river. From the latter river to the end of the section the soil becomes sandy, with boulders, and although classed as inferior, I found fine crops of bailey grow- ing at the Hudson Bay Company's Flying Post on Ground Hog lake. The barley was stored at the time of my first visit, viz., September 15th. The potato vines had been touched with frost about that time, but were not killed till later on in the season. The timber of this section is very .similar to that of section one, e.xcept that red pine takes the place of the spruce. Considerable quantities of red and white pine of good size are found throughout the whole of this section. " Section 4. — This section lies between the Ground Hog and Matagami rivers, a dis- tance of forty-four miles along the explored line. It is much higher and more broken than the other .sections. Considerable rock is met with on the higher ridges and around the lake shores, The soil is sandy loam and boulders, and may l)e classed as inferior. Barley and oats of an inferior quality wer(; grown at the Hudson's Hay Post on Mata- gami lake. 1 think the poor quality of grain was owin^' tu poor cultivation and the exhausted condition of the so;' rather than to any natural sterility. There is a great abundance of red pine growir.^i; on this section. It is tall, straight and -sound, varying from four to fourteen inches in diameter ; probably not up to the standard of lumber for exportation but of great value for local and domestic uses. The nunu^rous lakes ami streams will afl'ord an easy means of moving the raw material to points where water power may be found for its manul'acture. Means of transportation beini; furnished, there will spring up a large and increasing tradt; in the products of the forests between this section of the country and the prairies of the North-Wc.st. In considering the adaptability oj this country for railway construction it will be necessary to divide it into two sections. "Section I. — From Moose river to Ground Hog river, a distance of seventy miles, a good alignment may be obtained in the immediate vicinity of the explored line. No exceptionally shiirp curv(>s will be r(!quired. The gradients f;ir the most part will be light ; any gradient heavi<'r than one foot per 100 feet will be short, and, I think, nerd not exceed 1.2.') feet per 100 ff^et or 06 feet per mile. The work I should classify as light to medium, with very little solid rock. "Section II. — From (.Jrouiid Hog river to the ^latagami river, a distance of forty- four mih^s, will letpiire a careful examination with levels to determine the' best location. If possibh;, the line should be placed further south than the explored line, in order to reach th(! south-west branch of the Matagami river, down the valley of which a good line may be found. Sharper curves and heavier gradients will be required on this section. The work will rank from medium to heavy, with some solid rock. The muskegs are not of a serious character and are of small extent. As we cross seven distinct branches of the Moose river, considerable l)ridging will be required, but by careful selection of cross- ings I think that not more than two spans of I0() feet each will be re(|uired over any of the streams. " All of Avhich is respectfully submitted. " I have the honor to be, Sir, " Your most obedient servant, " C. H. GAMSBY, " Kngineer in Charge. " To OoriLiNawooD Schreiurr, " Engineer in Chief." In the narrative appended to my rej)ort and in an entry made on the 18th of July, (when at Matawagaminbue Post and on the point of resuming my voyage down the Matagami river to Moose Factory) will be found the following oliservation, p. 3;j ; "The size, position and geology of this and other lakes, as also of the rivers on the route from Mattawagamintjue to Moose Factory, have been so fully and carefully ascer- tained and described by Dr. Bell, of the Geological Survey, (who passed over this ground } i ! soil becomes barley grow- ) l)arley was es had been season. The line takes the iize are found rivers, a dis- niore broken 1 and around I as interior. )8t on Mata- tion and the :e is a great )und, varying A lumber for us lakes and ) water powtii' ed, tiiere will 1 this section laptability oj vo sections. ieventy miles, •ed line. No : will be li^jht ; ink, nerd not lify as ight to ince of forty - le.st location, ill order to jh a good line this section. skegs are not branches ot ition of cross- over any of 15 Charge. 1 8th of July, down the ip. 33 : Irivers on the i^fully ascer- l>r this ground iii ^ 875) that I shall, in the narrative of this part of my journey, omit much on the sub- ject of distances, bearings and also of the geology of the country which I have hitherto, at the risk of being tedious, thought it advisable to give. T have, where necessary, there- fore, made use of Dr. Bell's more careful and accurate measurements and observations on i these points." - Dr. Bell states tliat the distance from the Hudson Bay Company's Post to the outlet is sixteen and a half miles and the e.\treme length of tlie lake (Matagami) about twenty- six miles. The distance fiom the outlet to the first fall in the river he estimates at five 01 six miles. This fall is about forty-live feet, and the portage, which is on the west side jj and called "The Fishing Portage," is about a mile in length. A mile and a half below I this the river opens out into Lake Kenogamissee, said to be twenty-two miles long, I Almost immediately below where the liver issues from this lake tliere is a series of rapids I and falls, and a portage called " Wa-wia-ton," about three-qui-.rters of a mile in length. J Dr. Bell calculates a descent (from barometric readings) in the river at this point of one hundred and seventeen feet. The distance from the foot of Kenogamissee lake to Moose Factory is estimated at -li^h mili-s, in wliirh eighteen portagfs are necessary in aJililion to the two above meutiont-d. Of the.se the Long Portage is the last, the remain- ing ninety miles or so to the sea being free from obstructions other than occasional rapiils. The Lon;; Portage was found to be about four miles in lenj^th, while the first and third portages above it measured respectively thre(;-quarters of a mile and one mile and a l^uarter. Tiie total fall between the extremities of the Long Portage (according to the |i>'ailing of Dr. Bell's i)aroiueter) amounted to onll says : " Between the Height of Land and the rapid descent in approaching the Long a'tirtage the ilattagami flows through a Huronian and Laurentian plateau, having pro- |:)al)ly an average elevation of one thousand two hundred feet above the sea. The general spect of the surface is of an undulating (.haracter, but the inequalities do not often exceed ne or two hundred feet. More or h'ss rock usually crops out in the hills ami ridges, jfthile the intervals, if not occupitMl by swamps or lakes, have a sandy or gravelly sub-soil iindtirlaid by boukhiiy earth or clay, and having more or less vegetable loam on the iurl'acc, T (i " From the foot of the Long Portage to the sea the river flows through a level region iinderlaid by flat-lying unaltered rocks. In this interval the banks, which are not often ligli, urii composed, with few exceptions, of gravelly and bouldery earth and clay. The and immediately above the banks of the river is dry, and supports a second growth of )o|iular and white birch, with some coniferous trees, but at a shoit distance back it was iilways found to be swampy and covered with small black spruces and tamaraes growing n a deep layer of sphagnum moss. The islands and tiie main land about the mouth of iver consist of alluvial earth well suited for cultivation." The general impression left on my mind by what I had seen of the territory to this jime was as follows : — E.XTRACTS PUOM OWN REPORT FOR 188L " In the e.vplorations which I have made in this territory during the last two seasons, |lie main object has been to obtain reliable information as to the value and resources of the Ifi country. The narrative of this year's work which accompanies the present Report records daily the principal events as they occurred, and the leading features of the country as they | were presented to me. However tedious and uninteresting it may be, I am persuaded I that a perusal of the narrative will afford a better idea of the character of the country | than can be obtained from any formal Report it will be in my power to make. | I may say generally, that in all rel -r; to the flat country bordering on James' Bay, i my explorations this year go to confirm "^atement made in last year's Report. The ; land in this flat country, at all availabi agricultural or pastoral purposes, uiay be i comprised in three classes. I The first class consists of a belt from quarter of a mile to three or four mile.s in depth, . on the shores of James' bay, extending unbroken, save by occasional points and reefs, ^ from the eastern boundary of the province, as rixed by the arbitrators, to Albany river, | the western boundary — a distance, following the line of the coast, of at least one \ hundred and fifty miles. Tliis belt is chitjfly valuable for its fine pasture, and the great i quantity of marsli hay that it is capable of atfoniing. Wiien this part of the territory is l oj)ened up, no doubt considerable numbers of cattle may be raised here. In the second class I include all the low-lying bottoms, points and islands of alliunal soil, found at intervals on the rivers in the territory. This land is good, but generally ; more or less flooded in the spring. Few spots are so high as to be out of danger at that time, should the ice becoim- jammed and dam back the water — by no means an uncommon ' occurrence. It would, however, make line meadows for either hay or pasture, and such of it as would allow sepd to be sown before the season was too far advanced, would grow , good crops of all the grains and roots that are suited to the climate. The area of this alluvial land must in the aggregate be very considerable, but it is so scattered that it is only rarely that enough can be found in one block to form a large settlement." "The third class of land comprises a narrow strip extending along the margin ol ♦he rivers, sometimes only on one side, but more generally on each side. It is composed partly ^ of the sloping banks leading up from the rivers or river bottoms to the level of the great ;' plain above, and partly of tlie plain or )>lateau itself. The depth or width of this strip is | determined by the wetness or dryness of the soil, and the length of time which has elapseil | since the last lire ; for although the peat and moss may have been destroyed and driven J back, as it were, a short distance, they ultimately become so wet that they defy even the | begin to advance with the \ fire, and no sooner is it over than they again, it .seems to m ., .j. j^ often came sonip is, 1 mor view of retrieving their lost ground. This is the fringe or strip of good land so alluded to in the narrative of my explorations, and beyond wiiich I invariably to Sphagnum moss or peat, generally Ijotli. The soil on the sloping banks, and times on the top of the bank, appears to be gravelly or even sandy. This think, alluvial, and litis l)een deposited by the rivers when their beds wj-re nearly on a level with the plain above. Be this as it may, the subsoil, if not tht^ soil, of this great plain is almost entirely clay. Even at points where a good deal of sand was seen in the banks, the peat, at from half a mile to a mile back, nearlv always rested on clay. This clay contains a considerable percentage of lime, and is really a marl. It may be doubtful if this clay would of itself constitute an easily worked or very fertile soil, but incorporated with asuflicient thickness of vegetable mouM or even of peat and peat a.«hes, a good, useful and lasting wheat soil would, I think, '< obtained. The extreme narrowness of this strip or bi'lt — rarely exceeding half a mile, an'i often not more than a (piarter of a mile — detracts much from its value. I am of opinion however, that very extensive areas in the rear, of this belt are fre(juently but light I covered with peat, of say from one to six feet in tliickness. Now, the height of th<- plains al)ove the rivers, varying from twenty or thirty to upwards of a Imndred ft-et, amply sutiicient, taken along with its general northerly slope of some three feet per mil' to admit of a complete and admirable! system of artilicial drainage being extensive!; carried out at very moderate cost. Thus draineil, the sphagnum moss and peat woul' become sulliciently dry during the siinimer to burn, and if not the first year, by repcatiii, the process would ultimately be complet<'ly destroyed ; the ashes and a portion of thepn itself might finally with advantage be incorporated witii the clay subsoil. It is qui: 17 it Report records e country as they I am persuaded • of the country iiake. g on James' Bay, r's Report. Thf; urposes, may be ir miles in depth, points and reefs, ;o Albany river, of at least one e, and the sjreat f the territory is slaiids of alluvia! (1, but (generally t danger at that ns an uncommon isture, and such iced, would grow Tlu? area of this altered that it is uent." he margin or ♦h*' composed partly j level of the great ? th of this strip is f I'hich has elapsed I oyed and driven | t-y defy even the | dvance with the | jd bind so often | invariably came ' tanks, and sonu idy. This is, I ' jeds were mor' - bsoil, if not the > ere a good deal | lile ba<-k, nearlv i ;e of lime, and | stitute an easilv . vegetable mouM. luld, I think, be ; half a mile, anii I am of opinion ntly but li^'htlj ri height of thes' hundrefl feet, i- ee feet per mile eing extensive!^- and peat wou; car, by repeat in trtiiin of thepri ■oil. It is i|ui' within the range of possibility that many thousand square miles of this peat-covered; territory may be reclaimed, and that with such beneficial results in respect of the climate that it is also possible luxuriant crops of wheat and other grain may yet llourish on these vast plains, where at present nothing but sphagnum moss appears to thrive. In support of my opinion, that, preceded by drainage, much, if not all of the peat, where not too thick, can be got rid of by burning, I may mention that in some places on the banks of the Albany river, over which bush •■;. ^ had passed, I observed that peat and sj)hagnum moss, which must have been at least two feet in thickness, had been reduced to ashes', and the ground left in such a condition as would have admitted of its being very easily cleared up and cultivated. This was due partly to the dryness of the summer and partly to the fatt that the areas in question were naturally better drained than usual, owing to the proximity of the river and one or more ravines by which they were partly sur- rounded. The consequence was that the peat had been reduced to .such a stat<^ of com- parative dryness, that once ignited, it went on burning until the whole was completely consumed. I attribute the existence of the narrow strip of fertile land on the Iianks of the rivers entirely to this cause. But for the tires which, at longer or shorter inter- vals, sweep along the banks of the rivers, destroying tlie sphagnum moss and [leat which may have accumulated in the meantime, these strips, like the great plains beyond, of which they form a part, would infallibly have been seized hold of by this extraordinary plant. If the peat mo.sses of this region reposed in basiii.s or depres- sions in the underlying strata which deepened as we advanced from the river bank towards the centie, the ditHculty and expense of draining and reclaiming them would be greatly increased. I am of opinion, however, that, save the general declivity towards James' I!ay, the surface of the underlying clay is level or nearly so, and that the increasing thickness of the jieat as we go back is really due to a rise in the surface of the peat moss itself from the circumference or edge towards the centre. While the obvious boundary of this flat or level clay country is James' Bay on the north, that on the south is not determined with any approach to certainty. It has been supposed to extend southward to the Long Portages on the Missinaibi and Mattagami branches of Moose River, distant respectively about one hundred and thirty and eighty five miles from Moose l<\xctory, and to be co- extensive or nearly so with the area occupied by the underlying Devonian strata. The Laurentian rocks are very conspicuous in the gorges and channels of tiie river at and above these portages. On the ^lattagami river the water descends over these rocks with a fall of not less than four hundred and twenty-tive I'eet in ten miles, according to. the measurement of Dr. Bell, while the fall in the Missinaibi branch is nearly three hun- dred feet in a like distance. One is tempted to imagine that this rocky range, so conspicuous on these routes, extended both eastward and westward of the rivers encircling as it were with a piecipitous wall of rock the level clay country, and forming a well-marked and distinct southern boundary. But I doubt after all if such is really the case. Although this somewhat sudden rise in the underlying rock may circumscribe and limit the area occupied by the limestone and other Devonian strata, or even of the blue clay, yet I am satistied that the drab and light-colored clays found above the blue clay, in the level country below, overspread a great part of the territory above and to the south of this barrier. My imjtression is that the general surface of the plain commences to rise a considerable distance before the long portages are approached, and excepting where cut through or denuded by the action of tins rivers, this supposed rocky margin or rim has no visible existence, but is more or less deeply covered by the clays, sands and gravels of the so-called Drift, or glacial period.* That a very large proportion of the clay and other loose materials found on this upper plateau must have come from the north, and that it has been carried or transported in some mysterious way up hill, partly from the shores of the Hudson Bay, and partly from the lower plateau, admits almost of demon- stration. On my way to Moose Factory I found fragments of the Devonian limestone on Kaibushkasing, or Kappuskuska Lake, at least one hundred miles, and also on *lf " tlie Drift" had not been thus dopoBited, or if we could imagine it removed, the fundainnntal I'alnozdic strata of this northerly or const belt would, I believe, be found to be bounded on the simth by Hiironian and Laurentian rockw, forming "a rim" four or five hundred feet in height, and riuing tc one thousand five hundred or more feet on the Height of Land, — K. U. 13, 2(»7) 18 Kenoganiissee Lake, about one hundred and fifty miles from the Grand Rapid, on the Mattagami River, the nearest known point at which that rock is found i7i situ ; and what is still more remarkable, not less than eight or nine hundred feet above it. Again, when ascending tlie Albany Iliver from James' Bay, I found pieces of this limestone continuously, from wliere it crops out some eight miles below Martin's Falls, to Osnaburgh House, on Lake 8t. Joseph, about two hundred and twenty miles distant from and not less than six or seven hundred feet higher than Martin's Falls. From Lake St. Joseph, on the north side of the Height of Land, 1 found bits of the limestone and silicified fossils from what I believe to be the same forma- tion, to Lac Seul, or Lonely Lake, on the south side of the Height of Land, another hundred miles distant. And lastly, I traced them (although now very scarce) as far as Lake Minnietakie, .some thirty or forty miles south of Lac Seul. These fragments and fossils of the Devonian limestone were almost alwayf; associated with the drab and li"ht grey-colored clays before mentioned, and sometimes with sand or gravel. Accom- panying the fossiliferous limestone throughout, I observed, too, a very peculiar and easily recognized variety of (juartzito which 1 have never met with ''in place" any- where, and believe to liavo come from the east main coast of Hudson's Bay, probably little short of one tliousand miles distant from Lake ^linniotakie, where I got my last specimens. Thus there is, I think, sutlicient evidence to prove that more or less of the materials composing the clays, sands and gravel now fouml on the second plateau, on the Height of Land, and for many miles south of the Height of Land, liavo boeu furnished by and transjjorted from the far distant sliore.s of Hud.son's Bay. " The territory included in what may be called the second plateau (although that below it is really a plaiii) commences at the somewhat sudden rise before referred to as taking place in the general surface of the plain, at or altout the JiOng Portages on the Abittil)i, Mattagami, and jNIissinaibi liivers. This rise is not so markfid on the Albany Biver ; and while I am safe in placing the boundary not less tlian ten or lifteen miles above Martin's Falls, it may bo considerably more. Nor is its southern limit namely, whore the plateau ends, and that known as the Heignt of Land begins — at all regular or well defined. So far as I have been able to form any opinion on the sub- ject, i should place it on the east, about the lower end of Lake Abittibi, and at or about the lower end of Lake Miminiska, on our western boundary. " Intermediate between these ' Green-hill Portages ' on the ^lissinaibi River, Flying Post and the lower end of Lake Kenoganiissee may be mentioned as situated, in my opinion, on or about the southern limits of this plateau. The height of this ])lateau above tlie level of the sea (or James' Bay) ranges from six or seven hundred feet at its lower or northern edg(!, to from eight hundred and tifty to one thousand feet at the upper or southern edge. " No jiart of this zone or belt is underlaid, so far as I know, by Devonian limestone or any other rock of that formation. Where seen in place, the rock is exclusively Huronian and Laurentian. It is rarely found projecting or rising up above the general surface, even in this plateau, and although often exi)osed to view both on the rivers and lakes, it is almost always in consequence of the denudation or removal of the overlying clay by the water of such rivers and lakes. " As Dr. Bell very justly remarks, the surface, even on the Height of Land, is almost always covered with loose material of some kind. On this second plateau the loose mat- .'ial still consists of drab or light-colored clays, overlaid occasionally by gravel or sand. In these clays, as already remarked, pieces of limestone from the Devonian strata to the north may almost always be found, decreasing, however, in size and number as we recede from James' Bay ami ascend towards the ILught of Land. I am of opinion that careful analysis and microscopic examinations of the gravels, sands and clays found on or about the Hei'^ht of Land would probably throw some light on their origin. <' In the second plateau anything deserving of the name of mountains or hills are rarely met with. The rock, in all probability, had been pretty well planed down by the ice before the clays, sands and'gravels were deposited, or at least allowed finally to rest on this plateau. Still, the inequalities in the underlying Huronian and Laurentian rocks are II i 19 •and Rapid, on found i7i situ ; Ired feet above found pieces of below Martin's •ed and twenty than Martin's Land, 1 found he same forma- Land, another ^ scarce) as far ^hese fragments 1 the drab and [ravel. Acconi- ry peculiar and in place " any- i Bay, probably } I got my last •e or less of the plateau, on the boen furnished (although that fore referred to ng Portages on markiMi on the ess than ten or • is its southern Land begins — at lion on tlie sub- and at or about )i River, Flying ituated, in my of this plateau 'eet at its lower at the upper or an limestone or | vely lluronian | oneral surface, J rs and lakes, it I ing claj' by the $ land, is almost | B loose mat' .-ial | el or sand. In ita to the north e recede from n that careful nd on or about ns or hills are sd down by the | nally to rest on ntian rocks are sufficient to impart, occasionally, soucwhat of a rolling or ridgy character to the surface. Denudation has been carried out moie extensively by the rivers in this plateau than in the lower plain, and the alluvial or bottom lands are greater in proportion to the whole. Lakes, too, are occasionally met with in the southern part of this zone or belt, which have originated, it seems to me, not so much in any deep natural depressions as the rf moval of the loose surface material by the rivers flowing through them, and of which these lakes are often mere expansions.* While, liowever, there is in the aggregate a large quantity of arable land, such as may be seen at New Diunswick and at Flying Post, and a very nmcli larger area still of land that would form fine pastures and meadows, lam, notwith- staniling, strongly of the opinion that muskegs or peat mosses and swamps overspread the greater part of this belt or plateau also. This is more particularly the case as regards the lower or northern part. " Of the third plateau, or that wliich may bo said to constitute the Height of Land, I shall say little. As we approach it from the north, the outline of the country becomes liolder and more rugged ; the underlying Laurentian rocks appear more freijuently above the surface, forming low ridges or dome-shaped knolls. Viewed from the north they rarely present the appearance of a mountain range, although broken ridges and isolated hills may be seen, from two to three hundred feet in height. Only on the Height of Land, near the head waters of the Abittibi, have I ever seen what might be fairly entitled to be called mountains. These were seemingly five or six hundred feet in height, and, separated as they were from each other by huge gaps, looked like the last remaining portions of an extensive and continuous range, the greater part of wliich had been over- thrown and carried bodily away by the overpowering force and pressure of the ic(^ from the north. The hollows between these low rocky ridges are very frequently occupied by lakes, marshes and .s vamps. Sometimes these last recovered with a growth of ilder, willow, tamarac or gra iS. Beaver meadows are not uncommon, and wild rice is low and again met with in some of these lakes. The soil on the ridges is generally sandy or gravelly — rarely clay, so far as my experience goes ; although on the Height of Land Portage, on the Abittibi route, clay is i'ound at botli ends of the portage. This soil, g(Mi(!rally light and sometimes stony, is usually dry and warm, and although a small proportion of it only may be suitable for grain-growing, yet nearly all of it will aflbid more or less pasture. Peat mosses or muskegs are even to be found on and to the south of tin; Height of Land, but the area occupied by peat-mosses is relatively small compared with that which is covered with timber." The succeeding year (1882), 1 ascended the Mississaga river on the north shore of Lake Huron, and (.rossing the height of land at its source, struck the head waters of the Aiikukootish or Ciround-hog river, which was descended to its junction with the ^latta- gaiui river. This last was followed to its junction with the Missinaibi, and from that point, the united water, thereafter known as the Moose river — bore us to ^loose Factory on the coast of James' Uay. (Jn my return, I ascended the Mattagami branch of the Moose to its source, and crossing th(> watershed struck the head waters of tlie Ivist branch of Spanish river, which we descended until within a short distance of Whitetish Lake, to which a portage was mach; n.nd Whitetish riv(r thereafter followed to Lake Ifuron. These routes, very rarely travelled by other than Indian hunters, took me through a con- siderable extent of territory on both sides of the water parting about which com])aiatively Utile was then known. In my report for that year, printed by Order of the Legislative Assembly in 1883, and whioh will be referred to under this and other heads, the follow- ing will be found on p. 7 et tiei/Hcniia. Extracts fkom Repout fou 1882. "The leading physical features of the territory claimed by Ontario have been already so fully described in former reports, that little remains to be said on that subject. " Since my last report, however, the Report of Progress of the Geological survey for 1879-80 has come to hand. In it there is an interesting description of Hudson's Bay, *This is moBt conspicuous in regard to some of the lakes on the Albany River. 20 and the regions lying adjacent thereto, by Dr. Bell, assistant Director of the Survey, than whom no one is better informed on the subject, having explored in an open boat no in- considerable portion of the bay, as well as crossed it from York Factory to Hudson's Straits, in the Honourable Hudson Bay Company's ship. I have, therefore, much pleasure in quoting from the report in question, p. 27. C. et se//., where under the head " General account of Hudson's Bay."* Dr. Bell says: "In the popular mind Hudson's Bay is apt to be associated with the Polar regions ; yet no part of it conies within the Arctic Circle, and the latitude of the southern extremity is south of London. Few people have any ade(juate conception of the extent of tbis great Canadian sea. Including its southern ' prolongation, James' Bay, it measures about one thousand miles in length, and is more than six hundred miles in width, in the northern part. Its total area is in the neighbour- J hood of live hundred thousand s([uare miles, or upwards of half that of the Mediter- ranean. It is enclosed by the land on all sides, except the north-east, where it com- municates by different channels with the outer ocean. The principal or best known of y these is Hudson's Strait, which is about live hundred miles in length, and has an average ' iy.idth of about one hundred miles. " Hudson's Bay, which might have been more appropriately called Hudson's Sea, is the central basin of the drainage of North America. The limits of this basin extend tOj the centre of the Labrador peninsula, or some five hundred miles inland, on the east side and to the Rocky Mountains, or a distance of one thousand three hundred miles, on the west. The Winnipeg basin constitutes a sort of out-lier of the region more immedi- i ately under notice, since the waters drain into it from the north, south, east and west, and discharge themselves by one great trunk, the Nelson River, into Hudson's Bay, ; The southern-most part of this basin, namely, the sources of the Red River, e;:tends down ' nearly to latitude 45°. The liead waters of the southern rivers of James Bay are not far to the north of Lake Huron, while one of the branches of the Albany rises within twenty-five miles of the north shore of Lake Superior. Including the Winnipeg system. the basin of Hudson's Bay has a width of about two thousand oue hundred miles from east to west, and a length of about one thousand five hundred miles from north to soulli. and its dimensions approach tiie enormous area of three million S(;uare miles. Over a great part of this region there is a temi)erate climate, and although the soil of much of it is comparatively barren, yet large tracts are very fertile. The numerous rivers and lakes of the first class, embraced within these limits, will prove of great value in the settlement of the country. Both the bay and strait are remarkably free from rocks and shoals, which might interfere vith their free navigation. The groups of islands near the east side of the bay are surrounded by deep water, and a wide channel leads up the centre of James Bay. Fortunately the main body of the great bay, which is the portion ' which may hereafter be frecjuented by shipping, is entirely without shoals, reefs or islands. The depth is very uniform over most of the bay, and nowhere does it present any j great irregularities. It averages about seventy fathoms throughout, deepeni to one hundred and upwards in approaching the outlet of Hudson's Straits, while in ..le strait ' itself the soundings along tlie centre vary from about one hundred to upwards of three hundred fathoms. The bottom appears to consist almost everywhere of boulder-clay and mud. Near the shores a stiff elay, affording good holding ground for anchors, is ah\iost invariably met with on both sides. "James' Bay begins at Cape Jones, on the east side, and Oape Henrietta Maria on the west, and runs south about three hundred and fifty miles, with an average breadth of J one hundred and fifty miles. The east side of Hudson's Bay, including the southern pro \ lonoation is known as the Eastmain coast. Between Cape Jones and Oape Dufferin, oii J| the Portland promontory, and again in approaching Cape Wolstenholme, at the termina | tion of this coast, the land is high and bold, some points attaining an elevation of nearly I two thousand feet above the sea. The country on the south-west side of the main bay. as well as that lying to the west of James' Bay, is low and generally level, with shallow water extending a long distance out from shore. Both sides of Hudson Strait are higl; and rocky, but the northern is less precipitous than the southern. * Now that the Province has secured a frontage on its shores, everything relating to this vast inlanc Bea, and its resources becomes of special interest and importance.— E. B. B. are to : Ian riv bee of. sou WCi a c sea one ten sea! l)ra ai.^( fort stea Nel a si snia Hu rem nat' of r vess Nel a cli this aboi sllOA tlier chai extc aboi win the refe and refe: wat( exec para at a: Stan Amc gunf dest cuts, anio Komi amo Hud Acti logic the Survey, than open boat no in- ory to Hudson's •e, much pleasure head " General jon's Bay is apt he Arctic Circle, people have any ding its southern ;th, and is more in the neiglibour- of the Mediter- S t, where it com- '| r best known of ; d has an average 21 Bay, " Of the numerous rivers which run into Hudson's Bay from all sides, about thirty are of considerable magnitude. All those which enter upon the Eastmain coast appear to flow in a uniform course directly west, or parallel to one another, and as the height of land in the centre of the Labrador peninsula is furthest inland towards the south, the rivers which fall into the southern part of this coast are the largest, and the remainder become progressively smaller as we go north. Numerous! streams converge to the head of James' Bay from all points southward of an east and west line passing through its southern extremity. The ^loose, about a mile wide, is the principal of those. On the western side, the Albany and the Churchill Rivers are the lonj^est, but the Nelson, with a counse of only about four hundred miles, discharges the greatest body of water into the sea. Indeed this huge artery of the Winnipeg system of waters may be considered as one of the greatest rivers of the world. Few of the rivers of H(id.son's 15ay aflbrd unin- terrupted navigation for large vessels to any great distance fror the coast. During the •season of high water shallow draft steamers might ascend the Moose and two of its ; branches for upwards of one hundred miles. Ifayes liiver and two of its branches might Hudson's Sea, is also apparently be navigated by.i^uch craft in the spiing, to points about one hundred and basin extend tOj forty miles inland, and the Albany for nearly two liundred and fifty miles ; while larger land, on the east ' steamers might ascend the Nelson for seventy or eighty miles from the open sea. The undred miles, on ; Nelson is the only muddy vater river entering Hudson's Bay.* Most of the others have on more innnedi- j a slightly brownish tinge, but their waters are perf'ictly wholesome, and contain only very east and west, ; small quantities of foreign matter. The Churchill which is the second largest river of Hudson's IJay, is a beautiful clear water stream, somewhat larger than the Rhine. It is remarkable for having at its mouth a splendid harbour, with deep wat(;r and every natural advantage for the purpose of modern connnerce. " The only harbours on the west side of Hudson's Hay are those formed by the mouths of rivers, but none of them, with the exception of Churchill Harbour, can be entered by vessels drawing more than ten or eleven feet, and only at high water even by these. The Nelson may forni an exception to this. Most of its estuary becomes dry at low tide, but a channel runs through it near the centre, as far as the he.'id of tide-water. I sounded this cliannel in a number of places in 1878-79 and '80, and although an average depth of about two fathoms at low water was found, continuous soundin5,s throughout might have shown interruptions or shallower water in some places. As stated in previous reports, tliere is a section at the head of tide, or between the tidal portion and the regular inland channel of the river, in which not moi'e than ten feet of water were found. This may extend for about two miles, above which an apparent continuous channel, with a depth of about twenty feet, according to our soundings, extends to the lowest limestone rapid, which is the first break in tlie navigable part, and is between forty and fifty miles from the head of tide, or from seventy or eighty miles from the open sea. If the section referred to were deepened, steamers coming in from sea might enter this part of the river and find perfect shelter, or even proceed up the stream to any point below the rapid referred to. In continuation of the channel running down the estuary, a ' lead ' of deeper water extends out into the bay, and forms the ' North River,' or ' York Roads,' with excellent anchorage. The Churchill, unlike all the other rivers, has a deep, rocky and com- paratively narrow mouth, which c:in bo entered with ease and safety by the largest shi|)s at all stages of the tide. On the point at the west side of the entrance of the harbour ) Hudson's ir, e;:tends down les Bay are not iiny rises within ■ ^'^innipeg .system. ■ dred miles from I north to south, 1 miles. Over a ; le soil of much erous rivers and at value in the free from rocks ! a of islands near lel leads up the :h is the portion shoals, reefs or es it ])resentan}' eepeni to one lile in ..le strait awards of three, boulder-clay and" chors, is ahiiost rietta Maria on erage breadth of j stands the old 'Fort Prince of Wales,' wliich is probably the largest ruin in North he southern pro pe DufTerin, on at the termina vation of nearly ' the main bay. el, with shallow Strait are hi<'l; to thiH vaBt inlami 1 America. Although occupying a conmianding position, and mounting about forty large I guns, it was surrendered without firing a shot, to the French Admiral La Perouse, who I destroyed it in 1772. The ruins of this large fort are shown in the accompanying wood- I cuts, taken from photographs. Along the west coast the rise and fall at spring tides amount to about eleven or twelve feet, on an average, and is pretty uniform, diminishing Komewhat towards the south. It is greatest at the mouth of the Nelson River, where it amounts to about fifteen feet. The tides are lower all along the east side of the bay. In Hudson's Strait there is a very good tide, according to the report we have received of Acting Statf Commander J. U. Boulton's reconnaissance during the past summer. Geo- logically, the basin of Hudson's Bay, excluding the western or Winnijjeg division, lies * The water of Abittibi river is also very muddy.— E. B. B. 22 within the great Laurentian area of the Dominion. Oambro-silurian rocks, resting almost horizontally upon these, form an irregular border along the south-western side of the bay ; and in the valleys of some of the rivers they extend inland from one to two hun- dred miles. To the south and west of James' Bay Cambro-silurian are overlaid by Devonian rocks, which here occujjy a considerable area. The long chains of islands which fringe the east coast for nearly three hundred miles to the northward of Cape Jones, and also the main land in the vicinity of Richmond Gulf, are composed of bedded volcanic and almost unaltered sedimentary rocks, resembling the Ncpigon series of the Lake Superior region, which may be of Lower Cambrian age. On the western side of the bay, from Churchill northward, (luartzites and other rocks, which may also belong to the Cambrian system, appear to be largely developed. Valuable minerals may be looked for on this coast. The extensive level region around the south-western side of the bay, is overspread with a great sheet of boulder clay, which is generally covered by the modified drift. The rocks of the outlying or Winnipeg division of the basin comprise an extensive series- ranging from the Laurentian to the Tertiary." That portion of the coast of James' Bay which forms the frontage of the territory claimed by us, is low and shallow. From the eastern boundary to the western, with a frontag ■ f more than one hundred and fifty miles, there are no harbours for vessels drawing more than ten feet of water. Vessels, however, drawing ten feet cr under, can enter and ascend both Moose and Albany Eivers, as far as the factories, when the tide is at its height. All the sailing craft employed at Moose Factory and I think, also those at Albany, even to schooners of ninety or one hundred tons burden must, at the approach of winter be hauled up out of the water on to the banks some twenty feet at least above the river, to escape damage, if not positive destruction when the ice breaks up in the spring. The only deep and safe harbour that I know of, is at the north-eastern extremity of Charlton Island, some sixty or seventy miles from Moose Factory, and nearly north of where our eastern boundary is supposed to be. This was described in my second report. From James' Bay the land rises slowly towards the south at the rate of about three feet in a mile, as we ascend Moose River and its Ijranches, until we approach what are known as " the long portages," distant from eighty to a hundred and twenty miles from Moose Factory, wliere the inclination increases considerably. Tiiis lielt is a vast plain, the far greater portion of which is covered with what the natives call muskego or muskegs,, but known to us as peat- bogs or mosses. Underlying the peat, clay is almost invariably found wherever the bottom can be reached. This clay, as seen on the ptiints of jioies thrust down into it, is a bluish a;ray colour. As seen in the banks of th(! ravines and rivers it is a lij^ht gray, tonietinics a drab colour. The latter is more common in the second licit or zone above the long port- ages, and with stones of older rocks geniTally contains fiiigments of fossiliferous limestone fioiii the Devonian beds to the north. The other clay also fn queiitly contains boulders and stones of Laurentian, Iluronian and Trap rocks. Both are calcareous, and therefore what may be called maris. Below these in the lower or coast belt or zone of this teriitory a tough V'lue or slate coloured clay is sometimes met with. It often contains marine shells, but veiy few stones or boulders. Lime enters so largely into its composition, that if only si.flititntly indi.rated, it might be fairly classed as a limestone. .Sand in the form of mounds and ridges is also occasionally met with, but more generally it appears in a layer or stiatum of no great thickness in the banks of the rivers, resting on the clays. The underlying rock in the lower belt is rarely seen, but where exposed is generally found to be Devonian limestone. No hills whatever occur in this lower belt, and the timber is confined to narrow strips along the water-courses, and to islands in the larger rivers. Referring to the country* lying between the Abittibi River on the east, and the Missinaibi River on the west, although there is a sudden rise of from three or four hun- dred and fifty feet in twenty miles at the long portages, and although too, there is a- * This is the centi'L' or intermediate belt. 'I. I ■ esting almost 1 side of the to two hun- overlaid by islands which )e Jones, and volcanic and ake Superior le bay, from he Cambrian I for on this is overspread d drift. The tensive series the territory item, with a irs for vessels cr under, can n the tide is e at Albany, ach of winter ove the river, pring. extremity of arly north of econd report. f about three at.h what are y miles from vast plain, or mublcegs, ottoni can be bluish a;ray tonietinics a H' long pon- ous linie.'-tcne ins biiulders nd therefore blue or slate 'ly few stones ly indurated, ridges is also of no great g reck in the an limestone, narrow strips ast, and the or four hun- 0, there is a. 23 great deal of rock exposed in the bottom and banks of the rivers, still very little rock i» met with elsewhere, being for the most part deeply covered by the clays of the boulder or drift formation. The country, however, continues to be too dead or Hat, and notwithstanding a per- ceptible tendency to assume the form of low ridges hero and there, as we advance, the natural drainage is insuHicient, and peat mosses still overspread large tracts of what would otherwise be good land. No decided change in the character of the surface takes place until we approach the 4Dth parallel. North of this the surface is not only Hat, but there are few if any lakes. South, however, of this parallel, the country becomes gradually broken and uneven, rising into ridges from one to two hundred feet in height, and in the intervals between these we have frequent lakes, sometimes swamps, at others marshes, and not unfrequently areas of good arable land. Rock is often met with, but generally confined to the banks of the rivers, and the shores of the lakes. As we advance towards the south, not only does the country become more brokenj until at least one-third of the surface is covered with lakes, but there is a change also in the composition and character of the loose material overlying the rock, the clays or rather clay marls already referred to, give place to sand and gravel. There is a very marked increase too, in the number of l)oulders, and while there are always some of these erratic stones whose peculiar appearance or mineral composition, enables us to recognize them as natives of the far distant Eastmain coast, by far the greater number, although )rought also from the north, have not come nearly so far. ^lany of them, indeed, have been manufactured, so to speak, almost on the spot, out of material of the ridges cf Laurentian or Huronian rock (whichever it may be) lying immediatelj' or at no great distance to the north of where they now rest. The character of the loose material on the surface, the rounded and " hog-backed " shape of the hills and ridges, the deep channels and gorges extending for miles in a northerly and southerly direction, quarried by no visible haml or agency out of the hardest of rock, the polished surface in some places, and thetler drained, and much more generally timbered than the flat plains to the north. The timber too is more valuable, as red and white pine are now found growing, more pirtiuularly on the higlier ami drier ridges A' great number of the lakes aflbrd striking illustnitions of what has taken place in respect of some already, and of a change which all witliout exception are undergoing, namely drainage, or filling up and conversion into dry lund. This conversion is taking place most rapidly in respect of those lakes through which the larger rivers flow and is brought about in two ways, in the first place the.se rivers bring down vast quantities of sediment which, settling in the lake basins, gradually fills them up. And in the second place tln^. rivers are in many instances clearly seen to be cutting througii and destroying the natural bank, reef or other barrier at the outlet or lower end of those lakes, thus permanently lowering, if not draining off the water altogetiiei". The steps in this process are, the conversion of the lake into a marsh, of the marsh into a swamp, of the swamp into dry lund. It is a process, which when complete, sim))le as it may appear, has elsewhrro produced no inconsiderable proportion of the fine.st land in the world, and is doing a li .e good work here for posterity." Climate. — " The climate of this territory in respect of temperature is one of extremes. The winters are cold — the temperat'-.e falling sometim(;s as low as forty degrees below zero of Fahrenheit's thermometer, a ul occasionally rising to ninety dtigrees in the summer even down on the coast. Last year it was on one occasion ninety-four degrees in the shade at All)any Factory and ninety-two degrees at Moose Factory. Tlie mean tempera- ture of the summer at Moose Factory is about sixty degrees, varying twoor three degrees above or lielow that average in different years. We have unfortunately no record of the temperature at any of the inland posts, with the exception of Martin's Falls on the Albany Kiver, and this Post, although more than two hundred miles up the river, is still north of Moose Factory. The Meteorological Service, the head otlice of which is in the City of Toronto, has collected and is still ob- taining most valuable and interesting information relating to the climate of almost every part of the Dominion. There are two stations in connection with this service on James' Bay — one of which is at Moose Factory and the other at Albany. Observations have been made for a short time at Martin's Falls, but are now I believe discontinued. These stations are, however, in the extreme northern part of the territory we claim, and in which we are naturally most deeply interested. There are no stations in the central or southern divisions, and consequently we have no reliable scientific data to guide us. The means at the disposal of the service are doubtless too limited to allow of its Director establishing and maintaining stations everywhere at once, but I think it is very desirable to have some reliable information in reference to the c'imate of the central and upper or southern parts of the basin of the Moose River — embracing as it does some thirty or forty thousand square miles of territory. Dr. Bell is of opinion that the climate improves as wo proceed northwards from the Height of Land to Moose Factory, the lower elevation of the coast, and other favourable influences, more than compensating as he believes for the difference of latitude The sea- son, however, that Dr. Bell made his dangerous but remarkably successful exploration of the East-Main coast, was I think an unusually fine one, and hence it is possible that Dr. the ' tioni i\K 25 las been moved her mills into hen spread out, liable probably nnot admit of he territory in certain he may lier speculation will find much The Ice Age" iJS. although more . plains to the bund growing, 16 lakes art'ord nd of a change and conversion of those lakes 1 the ilrst pliice ho lake basins, istanoes clearly barrier at the ig ofFtlio water I marsh, of the rhen complete, )n of the finest le of extremes, degrees below in the summer ;rees in the lean tenipora- r three degrees nd posts, with igli more than VIeteorological d is still ob- f almost every ico on James' rvations have jiued. These I and in which al or southern The means r establishing irable to have ;r or southern orty thousand irds from the ler favourable ide Thesea- xploration of sible that Dr. ell formed a somewhat too high opinion of the climate on the coast, althou^ i it is un- oubtedly far aaporior to what popular belief has generally supposed it to be. I myself lonsider that in many very important respects, the climate of the central and southern ivisions of the territory is better than that on or near the coast. The only place in the territory where any reliable observations have been made in 'ef,'ard to the quantity of rain, is at Moose Factory, on the coast. The rain-fall //t«)'« rms no criterion on which to form a safe judgment as to what it miy be in the whole orritory, more particularly in the soutliern high-lands. From my own observations and 4n(iuirie8, I feel safe in saying that, without being too wet, there is amply surtijiv-^nt rain 'nd dew to support the most luxuriant vegetation. At Moose Factory the rain-tall in S7cS amounted to twenty inches, and of snow to fifty-nine inches, making th(! total procipi- atiou of molted snow and rain 2(5.60 inches, for that year. The number of days on which ttin fell was eighty-four. Theie were distribute 1 as follows : -January 1 day, Fel)ruary 0, larch 1, April G, May II, June !), July 12, August 7, September I'J, Ootober 14, Nov- pnil)(!r ;3, and December 1 day. At Moose Factory, while there is (juite enough of rain ■ ;luring the summer months, the rainfall is, I think, somewhat excessive in the months of August and September. Possibly this may be confined to the coast. Tiie (juantity of ' Bnow is much less than that which falls in the Province of Queboc, baing mt as much as iialf that at the city of Quebec itself. Nor is the snow-fall at Moose Factory nisarly as icavy as at Gravenhurst, Parry Sound, and other places on the north shore of Lake \ Huron. The healthiness of the climate is unquestionable." ; In the year 18S3, the route taken when going north to IMoose Factory was by steamer to Red Piock, Lake Superior, thence by canoe up the Nipigon i. Iver to Lake Nipi- gon, thence to Longlake House at the north eml of the lake of that name, thence down the Kenogami River to its junction with the Albany River, thence down the last men- tioned river to Albany Factory, thence along the coast of James Hay to Moose Factory. J Returning, what is known as the Michipicoten route was followed back to Lake Superior. EXTUACTS IKOM REPORT FOK 1883. Tiie phys.cal features of the country traversed between Lake Nijngon and Long Lake difl'er in no respect worthy of special notice, from those presented by all that portion of the Height of Land plateau south of, and near to the water parting, and in some instances for many miles on both sides of it. These leading features may be described in few words as consisting of numerous lakes and swamps, the b;inks and dividing ridges of which are usually low in the northern but higher and more vocky in the southerly por- tion of this plateau. These lakes are generally shallow, and run north and south, or in other words their longer axis point northward and southward, or from that to north-east and south-west. The soil of what may be called the dry land is for the most part .sandy, gravelly or oncumbered with boulders. On the lower portions, however, clay and clay-marl are not unfrequently met with, sometimes underlying the sand and at others forming the surface. The proportion of arable land however within twenty miles, on either side the water parting, is very small, as compared with the whole area included in this belt, the length of which, from the head waters of the Ottawa and Abittibi on the east, to those of English River and Albany River on the west, is, as already stated, not less than five hundred miles in a straight line. The fundamental rock is Laurentian or Huronian. The area occupied by bare rock is very limited even in that part of the plateau south of the watershed, and still less in that lying to the north. The Canadian Pacific Railway from Biscotasing Station on the east, to White River station on the west, a stretch of nearly two hundred miles, pisses through what auay be considered about the pooiest part of this Height of Land plateau. l)v. Bell with a strong party visited and carefully examined Long Lake and tha 1 26 I ; ! I •1 ! adjacent country in 1870, full details of which exploration will be found in the Report of the Progress of the Geological Survey for 1870-71. He gives the following description of Kenogami or Long Lake, viz : " The southern extremity of Kenogami or Long Lake is about twenty-two miles due north of Jackfish Bay, opposite the Slate Islands, the Height of Land between the waters of Lake Superior and those flowing into Hudson's Bay, being about one mile south of this point or twenty-one miles north of Lake Superior. Long Lake for the first eight and a half miles, runs nearly due north. The breadth in this part varies from two to forty chains, and averages about twenty. From this point to the outlet its course runs nearly straight, bearing N. 30" E. (ast.) ; so that its general bearing, from one extremity to the other, is about N.N.E. The average breadth of the main section, forty-six miles in length, found by taking the mean of fifteen measurements, at equal distances, is 104 chains, or a little over a mile and a quarter. Following the axis of the lake, the whole length will therefore be fifty-four and a-half miles, while in a straight line between extreme points it is fifty-two miles, As already stated, the shore line measures 192 miles, exclu- sive of islands. The following are the principal streams which enter Long Lake : — " 1. Hanes River, on the west side, at eight and a (juarter miles from the southern extremity. " 2. Ka-wesa-qua-ga-ma, or Paint River, which enters the same side from the south- westward at two miles north of Beatty's line. ".3. Ka-niuck-a-ti-wa-ga, or Black-water Itiver, which enters the same side from the north-westward, three miles north of Beatty's line. " 4. Kinongp, or Pike River, also on the west side, eight miles from the outlet. " 5. Making-Ground River, on the east side, one and a quarter miles from the outlet. "The valley of Black River, and the southern part of Long Lake, form one contin- uous depfession running due north and south. Its sides are lined with long moraines, composed of well rounded boulders. Numerous jionds lie amongst these in the lower levels. Black River takes its ri.se in a cliuin of these ponds, connected together by short links of sluggish water ; the northernmost pond being only a little over a mile south of Long Lake. This route can be followed in small, light canoes to Lake Superior, but is never attempted by larger ones on account of ditliculties in the navigation of Black River. The country around the southern part of Long Lake is rugged and mountainous with very little covering of any kind upon the hard gneiss rocks. What appeared to be the highest of these hills, lies a distance of two and a half miles west of the extremity of the lake, and is, by barometrical nieasurenient, .") 40 feet over the lev(>l. Going northward the hills become gradually lower, until about half way down the la';e (or at thirty miles on the west side, and twenty-four on the east, from the outlet), the country lias assumed a comparatively level aspect, with an occasional hill from fifty to one hundred feet high. "The lino run last summer by Mr. Walter IJeatty, P. L.S., Houth-ea.sterly from Lake Nipigon intersects the west shore of Long Lake at fifteen and a-half miles from its southern extr<'mity, or twenty miles north of llerrick's line. The latitude of this point, from the mean of several observations both of the sun and pole star, I found to be 19 22' 30". Around the southern part of Long Lake, and as far north as Beatty's line, the prevailing rock consists of the common variety of gneiss, with the usual W.S.W. strike. But from this point to within eighteen miles of the outlet, a very coarse, light recklish grey granite prevails. It is composed of whitish quart/ and vciry hirgo -jrjstals of light coloured feldspar, with occasional flakes of mica. At the above; distance the tender gray mica-schists, similur to those of ^fc Kay's Lake (and also cut by the same kind of granite veins), begin and continue for aliout two mile.s down the shore. Near the termination of the two mile.-i referred to, finely grained, highly fissile mica-schists make their appear- ance, and are almost continuously ex post d for about eleven miles along the east side, and for about the siime distance (or to the Ivin-onge River) on the west side. They stand nearly on edge all along, the strike gradually changing from about N. W. on the southern to S. W, on the northern side of the al)Ove lireadth. The prevailing colour is dark greyish- green, but some considerable bands are yellowish-grey and olive-coloured, with a talcoid. aspel tinul linel narv the rocli inenl iiiicil Norl islari syenl witlJ side n. the Report ig description wo miles due between the lie mile south the first eight from two to s course runs ne extremity )rty-six miles ances, is 104 ce, the whole veen extreme miles, exclu- Lake : — the southern im the south- lide from the 3 outlet. m the outlet. II one contin- ig moraines, in the lower her by short uile south of erior, but is in of Black Mountainous jeared to be 'xtreiiiity of northward lirty miles las assumed feet high. frcm Lake 'H from its this point, to l)e 19 ''» lino, the W. strike. it reddish lis of light endcr gray of gninito srmiuation ir appear- t side, and 'h(>y stiind southern k greyish- a tulcoid; 27 aspect. The north-eastern strike of the northern limit of this mica-schist formation con- tinues to the Making Ground river, which it intersects at about two miles in a straight line from its mouth. In one place on the east side of this narrow part of the lake ordi- nary gneiss running S. 70" W., and dipping northward at an angle of 45°, is seen belovr the fine green mica-chist. A small island in the same neighbourhood is composed of a rook rese* ibling the imperfect grey gneiss of Hollow-rock Lake and other localities already mentioned. It runs S. 70" W., is hard, fine grained, grey, silicious and somewhat micaceous, and contains numerous small patches and short cross veins of white nuartz. Northward from the limit of the greenish mica-schists just described, the shores and islands of Long Lake are occupied by a massive, reddish-grey, rather coarse-grained syenite, composed of translucent quartz, white and red feldspar, and dark green hornblende, with a little black mica. The same rock continues to be exposed in the hills on either side of the English river, as far down as the first portage." Dr. Bell gives the following description, p. .311 ei seq., of the country lying to the north-west of Long Lake, and in the northerly part of this Height of Land plateau, viz. — " The Manitou-namaig river enters the Kenogami River at six miles in a .straight line from the outlet of Long Lake. Oanoe navigation is interrupted by a rapid close to the mouth, around which there is a portage, on the north side, of twenty-six chains. The upward course of the river is north 57" west (iNIag), four miles to the lake of the same name, the river in this distance being l)roken by a few rapids, with boulders, which, how- ever, do not necessitate portages. This lake has the form of the letter "L" reversed. Tiie lower portion, which is about six miles in length, with a breadth varying from three to llO chains, runs north-west ; while the upper portion, which is said to V)e over twcdve miles long, runs south-west, and varies from twenty to about 100 chains in width. The upward continuation of the river leaves the northern extremity of the lake at the angle tornied by the two stretches described. Following this, through a sluggish stream, at the end of half a mile we conje to Round Lake, about two miles long. The course of the river above Round Luke is about west, for five and a-hulf miles ; entering Ann Lake, one mile in diameter, at the distance of about a mile from Round Lake, and terminating in a shallow lagoon, half a mile -vide, above which the main river tun i south-westward, and was not explori'd any further. The above stretch consists of dead water, with the excep- tion of a slight chute a short distance aljove Arm Lake, but this is passed without port- aging. A very crooked stream, called ilink Brook, enters the river half a mile below the lagoon. lAjllowing up this, at about two and a quarter miles in a straight line, we came to Muddy liaki^ which is two and a half miles long, and one mile wide. Only one slight chute occurs in the course of .Mink IJrook, and even here a portage is unni'cessary. .\t a bay on the west side of Muddy Lak(i a portage three (juaiters of a mile long, runs south-westward to Spiingwatcu' Lake, b'roii the northern extremity of Muddy Lake a .still-water lirook. half a mile long, led us to a pond called Head Lake. From Head Lake a portage trail runs north-westward a mile and ai|uaiter, mostly ov(!)- swampy ground, to the lower part of I'leniing's Lak^', on tho Ka-wa-kash-ka-ga-ma river, another branch of tli(! Albany, Fleming's Lake (so named after the chief engineer of the Intercolonial rail- way) runs N.E. and S.W., and is live ami a half miles long, by one mil(! and a half wide, with the exception of a narrow part in i ho middle The outlet at the north-east extre- mity breaks through a ridge of boulders, )!roducing a rapid, but below this the river is smooth to i\a-wa-kash-ka-ga-ma Lake whicli lies aiiout a mile and a half to the north, and is three miles long by two wide. The river discharges from tlie north-west angle of this lak(^ and tlows smoothly in a westward course for a considerable distance. At twc miles bel )w the lake a portage trail three quarters of a mile long, runs from tlie river northward to a beautiful sheet of water called Wa-wong Lake ; wliich discharges into it by a small brook, in tiie sanui neighbourhood. Wa-wong Lake is of a veiy irregular foim, but its general outline will probably measun^ six miles from east to west, by three from north to south. According to the sketch maps, and descriptions which we n^ceived fromi the Indians, the Ka-wa-kash-ka-ga-ma rivjr, after fiowing a considerable distance west- ward, turns northward, passing through two lakes, and finally runs eastward to the Keno- gann. This great bend in the river sweeps round Os-kana-ga or Bare-IJon< s Lake, wliich T 28 is said to be one day's journey by canoe (or about twenty-five miles) in length. Below the lakes just mentioned the river is called Pe-geon-kai-geon, after the lowermost of the two lakes. This route is sometimes used by the Indians in coming from the Albany to Long Lake House, the amount of portaging being less than in following the Kenogami ri ver the whole distance. A few miles below the trail to Wa-wong Lake, a branch, wliich the Indians follow going to Lake Nipigon, is said to enter the Ka-wa kash-ka-ga-ma river from the southward. The upward continuation of the river is found at the south- western extremity of Fleming's Lake. Spring-water Lake lies about a mile and a half south of this part of the river, into which it discharges by a small stream, and measures three and a half miles in length, in a north-easterly direction. Six other lakes, con- nected witl) the same water, are found at .short distances south-west of Fleming's Lake. One ut these is over three and another over two miles in length, I' ollowing up the main river, at about nine miles in a straight line south west of Fleming's Lake, we enter Moun- tain Lake, which lias the .same general bearings, and is three and a half miles in length. A rapid about a mile above Mountain Lake, interrupts canoe navigation for the first time in the thirty-one niiles of this river and its chain of lakes which wc examined ; while below the point reached by us, opposite Wa-wong Lake, the Indians informed us that no portage occurpd for a long distance, 'i'lio whole country explored in conn(,'ction with the Manitou-namaig and Ka-wa-kash-ka-ga-ma river, is comparatively level. Here and there a gneissoid hill is seen rising one or two hundred feet above the gtmeral surface. The most remarkable is Granite ftlountain, on the south side of Mountain Lake, which is com- posed of granite or massive gneiss, and lias an ekivation of aliout two hundred feet over the lake. This region is over8])read with a fine yellowish s.md, lieneath which a consider- able thickness of gravel is found in some places, and, underlying all, a light-coloured clay is occasionally seen. The sand and gravel are largely developed around Wa-wong and Fleming's Lakes, whose banks are from fifty to one hundred and fifty feet in height, the shores consisting of smooth, curving sandy b(!ach('s. Back from tliese lakes the surface of the country is rolling, and the soil generally of a light sandy and gravelly character. The wood consists of white birch, aspen, tamarac, spruce, balsam, iir, white cedar, and the banksian pine, or " cypress," many of the tvo.es being large enough to be of value for timber. A country similar to the one just described is reported to extend in the neigh- bourhood of the Height of Land westward to Lake Nipigon, and eastward to New Bruns- wick House, on Moose river. As illustrating the general level nature of a portion of this region, I may refer to the fact that we did not find it necessary to make a single portage in goino- all the way from the I-jiglisli river to Head Lake, exc(!pt the short one already mentioned at the mouth of the Manitou-namig river ; while the outline of the country on either side of this river and the laltes wns usually low and level. As already stated, no portage occurs along the Ka-wa-kash-ka-ga ma river in the part examiiHid (about thirty- one miles), or for some distance furtlutr dnwii. The rocks met with in the country ex- plored north-west of Long Lake House consists of l.aurentian gneiss, with some black mica-schists. The general strike is west soutii-westerly, the same as throughout the extensive regions already referred to." The first, .second and third rapiils or falls of sr.Hlcient magnitude to ie(iuire portages, on the Kenogami River, occur about three, eight and (deven miles respectively from Long Lake. Its bearing for the first ten miles is northerly, turning however to east north- east a little above the third portage ; a couis',; which with some unimportant deviations it maintains to the eighteenth or last portage. The Height of Land jilateau is here almost crossed in a N. N.E. and S.S.W. direction, by a tine navigable stretch of water. The edge of this plateau on the Lake Superior side is not more than eightcuui miles from Jacktish Bay on the north shore of that lake, and four miles from the soutliern extremity of Long Lake. The edge of the plateau on the north side is at or about the third portage, on the Kenogami river, above referred to. This makes tins whole width of the'plateaii in a N.N.lv direction, about sixty-Sfsven miles, of which tifty-Hve miles are covered by Long Lake and the first navigable strcstch of the Kenogami river. Tiie actual " water-parting " or " divide," is about a mile only south of Long Lake, iienco at tliis point that part of the plateau lying north thereof is about 61 miles, and that south, only 3 miles in width. ingth. Below rermost of the the Albany to ;he Kenogami ike, a branch, kash-ka-ga-ma I at the south- lile and a half , and measures ler lakes, con- loniing's Lake, g up the main ve enter ^loun- iles in length, r tlie first time amined ; while ued us that no iction with the [[ere and there surface. The , which is com- ulred feet over lich a consider- t-eoloured clay Wa-wong and ; in height, the kes the surface 'oUy character, cedar, and the of value for 1 in the neigh- o New Bruns- Iportion of this siii^'le portage rt one already he country on lily stated, no (about Ihirty- H! country ex- h some black Iroughout the luire portages, 'Iv from Long to east nortii- nt deviations [W, direction, Superior side Ihat lake, and llateau on th«! referred to. •seven miles, itch of the jiily south of If is about G I 29 At the third portage, what I have called " the central or intermediate belt " of this territory, begins. This belt is characterised by numerous falls and rapids in all the rivers by which it is intersected or crossed. In the next stretch therefore, of about forty miles, no fewer than fifteen portages and demi-charges are met with. If Dr. Bell's estimates of the levels of Long Lake and of Pine Lake and PemVnna Island on the Kenogami River be correct, the descent from the up|)er edge of this belt at or about the third portage, to the lower edge, at or about the eighteenth or last portage, cannot be less than 400 feet — or ten feet per mile. As there is 1 believe a corresponding descent or slope in the surface of the adjacent country, tiiere can hardly be a doubt that the land in this intermediate belt is better drained, andj therefore drier than in most other parts of the territory. The width however of this belt, is considerably less than it is at any other part 1" have seen, being only abi)ut 10 miles, and that on the general course of the river which appears to be diagonal ratiier than straight across it. On the otiier hand, the widtii of tin; coast l)elt or plain, is greater here than in any- other part of this territory. Measured due north from tlie eighteenth portage, where it may be said to l)egin, to the coast, it is not less tlian 350 miles, and by the Kenogami and Albany Bivers aljout 250 miles. The paheozoic or fundamental stratified rocks of this great Hudson liay basin, approach also mucii nearer to Lake Superior here, than at any other ))oint known to me. If the late Mr. llerrick, P.L.S., was not mistaken ia thinking that he had seen (as lie is reported to iiave said) fossiliferous limestone "iu situ "^ near the first portage ou Pic River, the distance between these rocks, both presumably paheozoic, the one nortli and the other south of the height of land, will bo little more than seventy-five miles. I liave myself seen pieces of such limestone at the portage referred to, so large and angular as to justify the impression that it may j)ossibIy be " in place " at some point not very far distant. If not, these pieces must have been transported from the north, over the heiglit of land as many otlier smaller and more rounded pieces of limestone undoubtedly have. Indeed on tiie bank of Long Ltdie itself I found two large pieces of fo.ssiliferous limestone, which had beyond question been brought from tlie north, one of which was not less than twenty pounds in weight. Long Lake, it will be remem- Vjered, lies on the height of land plateau, and is, according to Dr. Bell's estimate, 1,060' feet above the level of the sea, and about 400 feet above Lake Superior. It may be mentioned incidentally here, that Long Lake on this route, Crooked Lake on the Michipicoten route, and Matawagogig on that by Aljittibi, are I think the least elevated portions of the great heiglit of land plateau east of Lake Winnipeg and Nelson River. And tliat if there had existed any barrier at or near the outlet of Lake Superior, 500 feet in height, the waters of that lake would, I believe, have run northward into Hudson's Bay. On the other hand, supposing during the glacial epoch, Hudson's straits, to have been closed or obstructed, the ice would possibly have moved southward over the height of lanil plateau to a greater depth, if not with greater speed, at these lower points than elsewhere. At, or indeed a little above the eigliteenth portage, the Kenogami River enters the northerly or coast belt ef this territory. This is described as being " a plain or flat country, largely oversprea in the near future, be made to yield food equal in value, acre for acre, to that which ca be realized from the arable land, The swamps, too, can be drained, and will then becon arable, and large areas, both of marsh and muskeg, can be reclaimed, and made availab either for cultivation, pasture or the growth of timber. In the northern part of this plateau, from the outlet of Lake Missinaibi to the fo of the lower swampy ground, there is, T think, a larger proportion of good land. Tl swamps are still numerous and extensive, but the lakes occupy a smaller area, and thei is less rocky and stony ground. This belt is about fifteen miles in width, in a northeri direction, and extends from the Missinaibi River eastward to the Kapuskasing Rive So far as my explorations enable me to form a judgment I consider that one-fourth part of this belt may be arable, and a still larger proportion of the land suitable fi pasture. Between the northern limit of the Height-of-Land plateau, and that immediate below it, (which we may call the intermediate or central plateau), a narrow strip belt of some ten or fifteen miles in width occurs which dififers in some respects from bot and cannot properly, therefore, be classed with either. In passing through this strip belt, which commences at the foot of the lower swampy ground and terminates at t 33 je, there is a fall ii jo closely with tha ivampy ground ani » a lower plateau o i which at one tini wick and Opazatik { the Kapuskasin lake, for the surfac omparatively littl te. e hills which at ances five hundre( and elevation tha • 150 feet in heigli a great area on th ,8 we approach it In Lake Opazatik re tried by us, an' Lake, still furthi 1 20 feet, but in tl les of all the rivei indications of thes , that all the rivei , drift-wood or lar. be careful to selei !ver from the floo( the outlet of Lai ess. For, thouc afford toleraV forest trees lakes, marshf in my report f fish culture, ma; to that which ca will then becon nd made availab sinaibi to the fo good land. T er area, and thei th, in a northeri Eipuskasing Rive that one- fourth land suitable I that immediate narrow strip especta from bot ough this strip terminates at tl foot of the Thundering Water Falls ; the Missinaibi River, as stated elsewhere, descends not less than 144 feet, and the Kapuskasing River some 32 miles to the eastward, in passing through, what I conceive to be the same belt, descends about 168 feet. Though perliaps somewhat less sudden, there is, I believe, a corresponding dip or descent north- ward in the general surface of the ground. If this fall takes place in ten miles it would amount to fourteen and a half feet per mile in the one case, and nearly seventeen feet per mile in the other. Now the descent in the Height-of-Land plateau above being only one and a half foot per mile, and in the central plateau below about three feet per mile, it is obvious that even if the descent in this intermediate belt be no more than twelve feet per mile, it is eight times that of the Height-of-Land plateau, and four times that of the central plateau below. From this great difference in the slope it follows that the natural drainage should be exceptionally good, and that the proportion of arable land should be exceptionally great in this strip or belt. This inference is justified by the facts, so far as known to us, and these facts in turn serve to explain the difference of opinion between Mr. Gamsby and myself in regard to the quantity of arable land in the adjacent plateau. The engineers and explorers of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, under the guidance of Indians evidently well acquainted with the topographical features of the country, have, apparently, run their most northerly exploratory line almost entirely within this belt, from the point where it crosses the Missinaibi River eastward to the Kapuskasing River. Hence Mr. Gamsby has been led to state in his report " that in the section between the Missinaibi and Kapuskasing Rivers, thirty two miles in length, and probably from thirty to sixty miles in width from north to south, fully seventy per cent, of the soil may be classed as very yood," an estimate which appears to me too high. It was this favourable estimate of Mr. Gamsby, made doubtless in perfect good faith, and founded on what he saw and heard of the country in the immediate vicinity of the line, which led nie to hope that we should find here one of the finest and most exten- sive tracts of arable land in the territory. And to place this matter beyond doubt, and to be able to advise the Government as to the best mode of opening up to settlement a tract so valuable, were the principal objects of my explorations this season. I have already given my opinion in reference to the character of the country lying to th'; south, and will now proceed to describe to the best of my ability, the character of the land and soil in the great central plateau lying immediately to the north of this belt. As was stated in the narrative of our explorations, with which this report is prefaced, the point where Mr. Gamsby 's line crosses the Kapuskasing River is about seven miles below the outlet of Lake Kapuskasing. This is not far from the southern edge or boundary of the inter- mediate strip or belt, its lower or nortliern limit being at the foot of the sixth portage. Below the sixth portage we enter upon the central plateau, and the character of the river and of the adjacent land changt^s materially. The descent in the river doe.s not amount to more than 20 or 25 feet in the next 18 miles that we continuixl to follow it, and my guide says that for at least 10 niilos further theris is little or no fall. The current is slow, the water deep, and the inlnl^•diate and visible bank.s are low. Bottom hmtl, which is neither very common nor ot great extent in the plateau above, and still less so in the intermediate ten mile belt, now spreads out on both sides. These river bottoms, at first, are so far elevated above the river as to he flooded only when the water is at its huight during the spring freshet. The soil is a tine sandy loam, and if not suitable for U'riiin, on account of the floods, would grow good root crop.s, and make fine meadows. The timber is ton heavy on t'.ies(i bottoms to admit of the higher banks beyond being seen at any point, I am of opinion, however, that these; alluvial flats are bounded by such banks for at least five mil<>s, or until we come to the seventh and last portage, 1 landed and went iiack on the west side, about a mil*; before we came to this portage, ami iu a few hundred yards can^e to this bank. It was about 40 feet in heii,'lit and led up to the plateau. The soil was dry and of a somewhat light and samly nature, but carried goo I sized and healthy timber, chiefly spruce, white birch and cedar, some of the trees being from 50 to GO inches in circumf(!rence. Below the seventh portage the river bottoiM.s lieeome gradually lower, still widening, however, as wo advance. At length the 34 banks begin to be swampy in places, and finally marshy by the time we arrived at Ka- jee-wa-ta River, where the route to Lake Opazatika takes off. My opinion is, that the Plateau, on both sides of the river, has gradually decended until it is very little if at all higher than the immediate bank of the river. This portion of the pateau at any rate has, I feel convinced, at one time been occupied by a lake, which extended westward to and in- cluded Lake Opazatika. Where its northern and eastern banks or limits may have been cannot even be conjectured, the country in both directions being so low and flat. My im- pression is, however, that this lake, while covering a large surface, has been exceedingly shallow, and so full of islands that the dry land may have been nearly equal in extent to that which was submerged. In fact, exhibiting on a larger scale the leading features presented by Lake Opazatika at the present time. This (Opazatika) lake consists of a number of sheets of water, connected with each other by channels, but so crowded Nvith islands that in the summer (when the water is low) it has rather the appearance of being half a dozen small lakes than of a large single lake. As the water is still further drained off by the gradual wearing away of the barriers at its outlet Lake Opaz itika will event- ually present very much the same features as the country lying between it and the Kapuskasing River now presents. We will find numerous areas of dry land (once islands) surrounded, not by water, but by swamps more or less heavily timbered, and interspersed with marshes and small lakes or ponds. In crossing over from Kapuskasing River to Lake Opstzatika we passed, for the first six miles, through small lakes and marshes and their connecting creeks. Recent fires had burnt off both timber and soil in many places, and left more than the usual propor- tion of bare rock exposed. Altogether this tract did not present a very inviting appear- ance. Of the remaining seven miles nearly five consisted of portages over drier areas, which, as above mentioned, I conceive to have been at one time islands. On the first portage (two miles in length) the land, with the exception of a small muskeg aVtout a quarter of a mile wide, is arable and of fairly good quality. The soil is a sandy loam in most places, but under the muskeg it was clay. It bears good sized and healthy mixed timber throughout. I noticed a number of spruce from four to six feet in circumference, and many good sized balsam, birch, aspen, with some few poplar. Bush maple, moun- tain ash and alder formed the underbush, and wild gooseberries and currants were not unfrequently observed. On the second portage, which was two and a half miles in length, both soil and timber at the eastern end are good. The soil is a clay loam. The timber consi-sts of asjjen, birch, cedar, spruce and balsam of large size. iSIidway this portage also cros.ses a muskeg, with sphagnum moss underlaid by peat, and bearing a poor growth of taojarac and spruce. At the west end we again found better soil and larger timber, but neither was as good as at the east end. Spruce, cedar and tamarac line the Vjanks of the creek and marsh through which the remaining three miles of the route passes before we enter Opazatika Lake. I had hoped to find Lake Opazatika surrounded by the fertile belt, which Air. (iamsby had reported as occurring between the Missinaibi and Kapuskasing Rivers, and attaining, as he supposed a width of from 30 to 60 miles, in a north and south direction. Hence I had made it my principal objective point in this season's explorations. If my expectations had been fully realized, in respect of the fertility and extent of the arable land, it was my intention to have sent one of my canoes back to the Hudson Bay Company's Pest at Missinaibi, for a further supply of provisions, and to have remained here making excursions in different directions for at least a month or more. It will be seen, however, from what has already been said on this subject, that when we descend from the higher and drier belt (within which Mr. Gamsby's line is situated) and enter on this lower or central plateau, although the soil may be just as good, so much of the land is swampy or marshy that a comparatively small proportion can be called m-able. As viewed from the water the shores of Lake Opazatika, and most of the islands, present a rocky and rather barren appearance, but the very general and healthy growth of aspen-poplar is indicative of a tolerable good soil. all t( Pl rif liil till asl roi adl pol del rej in I irrived at Ka- 1 is, that the little if at all any late has, ard to and in- ay have been flat. My im- n exceedingly J in extent to iding features consists of a crowded with ance of being irther drained £a will event- en it and the ry land (once ;imbered, and \, for the Hrst Recent tires usual propor- viting appear- jr drier areas, On the first iiskeg aViout a sandy loam in lealthy mixed ;ii'cumference, aple, moun- uts were not [both soil and |er consists of .also crosses a |h of taiijarac but neither Igh which the |t, which Mr. Rivers, and itli direction, tins. |nd extent of the Hudson uid to have lor more. It lat when we [tuated) and so much of [ailed arable. Ithe islands, llthy growth 85 On examination this proved to be generally the case, the barf rock rarely rises far above the high-water level of the lake before it is covered wifh a good deptii of soil. This is usually the light coloured clay, or clay-marl, so common in this territory. In some places a sandy or gravelly loam is found overlying the clay. There are several rocky ridges from one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet in height, and on tiie top of these limited areas of bare rock are exposed, but the slopes are almost always clothed with timber. These ridges occur only on the north-western and western sides of the lake. I ascended two or three of the highest in the hope of being able to get a view of the sur- rounding country, but the growth of timber, and the thickness of the foliage would only admit of very partial glimpses being thus obtained. As stated in the narrative of our explorations, John Driver, one of my party who possessed some practical experience, was left to explore this Opazatika Lake while I descended the Opazatika River to Lake Na-sko-ae-wa-kan or Grassy-point Lake. His report is of sufficient interest to justify its insertion, especially as I was able to verity it in many important particulars, and have every reason to believe it quite reliable. It is in the form of " a diary," giving me an account of his daily work during my absence, and (with a few verbal corrections which do not alter the sense) reads as follows : July 17. "My first days work was up the Grassy River. This river comes in from the south at the middle of the narrows, between the lower and middle Opazatika Lukes. Its general bearing is north and south. The banks are very low and marshy, with a tine growth of blue joint grass on both sides, from four to five acres in width, and extending SIX or seven miles up the river. This stretch of the river is from two to three chain.s in width, with no perceptible current. The water is of a dark-brown colour Hnd quite deei). Two miles up I came to a creek which comes in from the northeast and I followed it, shoving my little canoe through the rushes. In about three-quarters of a mile it brought me to a small lake about a mile in length, with the same fine looking giass on the north side. The timber is mostly tamarac, poplar south side of the lake is bordered with gneiss rock forty and this is ribbed with small veins of (juartz. I did minerals in them. I landed here and went back a mile to see does not go far. At half a mile the ground falls away gradually. The subsoil is a giey loam sixteen to eighteen inches deep, and rests on a bed of calcareous clay. The timVier is Bspen-poplar and white birch, and some spruce quite large. After i;etting dinner 1 came out by the same creek that I went in by and came to the Grassy River again. In about one mile more I came to the upper route to the Kapuskasing River. It looks to me to be much the same as the one we followed. The banks of the river are still low, and there is no perceptible current. Here the river takes a turn to the west, but soon comes back to the south again. One mile more and the ground begins to rise and the current begins to show, as the river gets narrower. Oedar begins to overhang the 1 tanks of the river, otherwise the timber is the same as it was at the little lake, and the soil is also the same. One mile and a half further the bank on the west side is about Un to fifteen feet high, and on the east side the ground is low and looks to me to be a swiinip or muskeg. For some distance here no rock is met with on the Grassy River. At 2.30 p.m. I came to an obstruction of drift-wood which extended about half a mile up the river, and we could not get over it without carrying our canoe. After examining the soil and timber, which I found to be the same, I turned back here. At a steady speed of about three miles an hour it took us till 6.30 p.m., or three and a half hours, to get back to camp." July 18. " I started at 6 a.m. on the south-east side of the middle Opazatika from our camp to the point on which the Indian camp is situated, its bearing is 'JO*-^ east of south, and distance three-quarters of a mile. The depth of water across this stretch is from two to eight fathoms. Then south one mile the shore is sandy and gravelly, with quite a number of fossils. The bank is clay some ten to thirty feet high. Then round- ing this point the course is 10° east of south one and a half miles. This is a sandy beach all the way. Then the bearing is west. The beach here is bouldery, with some and spruce. The or fifty feet higli, not notice any the soil. The rock 36 T small pieces of limestone. The bank is low, from six to ten feet high, and is of a calcareous clay. After rounding a number of small bays and points the bearing is north for about two miles. This west side of the lake is all rock, which I take to be gneiss, with large trap dykes. The gneiss is mostly ribbed with quartz, running in every direction. Most of the boulders I took to be diorite. The timber is chiefly aspen-poplar, white birch, spruce, and a few small red pine. The depth of water is from four to live fathoms in this middle lake, and the number of islands, big and little, is twenty-live. In this portion of the lake the bearing is north-east and south-west, and the length five miles. July 19th, being Sunday, I moved the camp to the island, south-west one mile from our old camp. July 20th, I started at six a.m., and entered a narrow channel leading to the south-west arm of the lake, called by the Indians, the south end of Opazatika Lake. This channel is about a quarter of a mile in length, and bears south-west. The water is very shallow, not more than from four to six feet deep; when I went through it. T then coasted along the east side, and in half a mile, came to a high rock some 70 or 100 feet in height. This rock is gneiss, with large veins of quartz, bearing generally north and south, and a large trap dyke. I have met with this dyke in several places ; its bearing is north and south, and the width about 100 feet; its colour is dark blue. There is no apparent change in the rock for about one mile south, but I could not get ashore in some places. I found some fossils along this shore. At the south end of this arm of the lake I came to another channel half a mile long, and bearing south. "This channel is about four chains wide. I then came to a lake about three-qua,rters of a mile long and one-quarter of a mile wide. The bearing of this lake is a little west of south. At the south-west end there is a good sized river which my guide George , informs me, is . sailed Opazatika River. He further says that the Indian hunters have a way of going to a good sized lake some two or three days travel up this river. As far as I could see the banks seem to be very low and grassy. The bearing from the mouth is south-west as far as I could see up it. I then made my way homeward, coasting the west side. On this side the rock is the same as on the east side, only much higher. All the north-west side or end of this arm the ground is low, with a very healthy looking growth of fine a.spen-poplar, white birch and spruce. The soil is of a black loamy nature, from 20 to 24 inches deep, resting on a bed of calcareous clay. The depth of the water is about seven fathoms. This arm is about two and a half miles in length, and one mile in width. The bearing is S.S.E. and N.N.W. I now returned to camp the same way as I came. July 2l8t, started at six a.m., going through the ea£,t channel to the north arm which the Indians call the North Opazatika. This channel is full of islands, so I took the east route. This east side is rocky. It is gneiss rock and full of felspar. The shore is bouldery, some diorite and some small pieces of limestone. I found quite a number of fossils. The bearing of this channel is N.N.W. one and a half miles, and from fifteen to twenty chains or one-quarter of a mile wide. We then came to two small islands, the first one the Indians call Iroquois Island and the next is Green Island. On the north side of this last is a large vein of felspar ten feet in width. Its course is east and west imd it dips south at an angle of 70". The east .side of this arm is all rock, but not more than ten or fifteen feet high, and consisting of felspar with veins of quartz. The beds of <'neiss all have the same bearing or strike, namely, E. and W. Along this shore I got lots of fossils and some small pieces chert. The rocks are covered with a good depth of good soil, and the timber is principally aspen-popiar, spruce some white birch and a few red pine. At the north end I went back from the shore aV)OUt half a mile to a high barren gneiss ridge some 200 feet above the level of the lake, hi this rock I saw a large vein of quartz twelve feet wide, and full of white uiicii. The west siile has been run over by tire some ten or twelve years ago. The soil on this side is clay, ;ind seemingly good. The bearing of this arm is ten E. of N. and ten W. of S. It is tliree miles long by one wide. The depth of tii(! water is from three to four fathoms. I then came through the Avest cliauuel wiiich runs south-west and north-east. Following this channel I entered tlie middle hike at a point called Bob's Shanty, and thence turned eastward through the islands to the camp. July 22nd, I started at si veii a.m. to examine the islands, and found them to bo well timbered with aspcn-poplar, wjiito birch, spruce, cedar and some red pine. These islands is of a calcareous north for about neiss, with large iirection. Most lar, white birch, I five fathoms in In this portion miles. it one mile from annel leading to 3pazatika Lake, t. The water is )ugh it. I then JO or 100 feet in srally north and }s ; its bearing is ue. There is no t ashore in some arm of the lake channel is about [ and one-quarter e south-west end ms roe, is tailed i going to a good rl see the banks i-west as far as I le. On this side >rth-we8t side or ine aspen-poplar, k 24 inches deep, I fathoms. This bearing is S.S.E. orth arm which took the east The shore is lite a number of from fifteen to nail islands, the On the north is east and west i, but not more The beds of this shore I got a good depth of birch and a few mile to a liigh ;k I saw a large been run over eemingly good. es long by one me through the innel I entered rd through the them to bo well These islands 37 are rocky all around the shore, but on going inland I found them to be covered with i,'Oi)d soil and quite level. The most of them have from twenty to thirty acres of good tillable soil on them. One or two contain over 100 acres. In the whole of the lake there are forty-OEe islands big and little. Finishing my exploration of the islands I returned to camp and found that you had got back from your trip down the Opazatika River. I cannot see any reason why this part of the country should not be suitable for farming, as the fine grass growing on the meadow land on the borders of the lakes and rivers shows that the soil is good and rich, and tends to good vegetation. The green and healthy looking growth of timber shows that there is nothing wrong about the climate. The shortness of the season is the only drawback that I can see. An old hunter (Bob. by name) told me that he had planted some potatoes on one of the islands in the middle of the lake (which I call Garden Island) in June, and returning to his hunting ground in the fall he found a good crop and a much larger yield than he expected. This shows that roots would do well, and I have no doubt that the hardy sorts of grain would do well also. As for meadow land or rich pasture for cattle or sheep, there could not be better. In traversing the lakes I was surprised to see the large shoals of fish. My guide Georc;e told me that these lakes abound with fish. I got some white fibh from an Indian and found them very good. I am told that there is white fish, herring, pickerel, pike and suckers in this lake, and that the Indians catch them with nets all the year around." Extending along the banks of the River Opazatika from where it issues out of the lowest lake Opazatika, to the junction of I>ig River, there is an almost unbroken belt of land on each side which is more or less arable. The distance between these points is roughly estimated at about twenty-five miles. North of this junction as far as I went, say about twenty-three miles, the country is so low and swampy that there is very little arable land either contiguous to the river or on the shores of Lake Na-sko-si-wa-kan. The width of the belt of arable land above referred is very variable, as is also the character of the soil. I believe that it nowhere exceeds six miles including the land on both sides of the river, and is frequently less than one mile in width. The soil on the lower ground is usually clay. On the higher it is sometimes sandy or gravelly, and at other times the light coloured clay above referred to. This clay soil when found on ridges or knolls is not always fertile. It is sometimes so indurated and hard as to be almost impenetrable by the roots of trees or plants. This will be alluded to more fully when I come to treat of the subject under its appropriate head. One of the finest tracts of land I saw is situated a little above the second portage, which occurs after the river issues from the lowest lake. From a little pond at this part I went back in a north-westerly direc- tion fully three miles and found undulating land, moderately dry, and a good soil. On the lower ground the subsoil was a clay loam and on the higher a sandy loam. There was more than the usual thickness of leaf mould on these subsoils. The present forest trees consist chiefly of aspen and canoe birch, with some balsam and spruce. None of these trees, however, exceed three feet in circumference. It would appear that the former forest had been destroyed by bush fires and that the present timber had not as yet had time to attain its full growth. The original forest has evidently contained many tine cedar, for great trunks six and eight feet in circumference may still be seen rotting on the ground. John Driver, who made an excursion inland, on the opposite side of the river, reported that he also found a belt upwards of a mile in width of good land. The land on the eastern side of the river is on the whole, ho»vever, lower, and the arable belt narrower than on the west. But in both directions we always came at last to muskegs or swamps. On the portages (about three miles in length) between Lake Opazatika and the Missinaibi River, the land is mostly dry, and, if nov, arable, would if cleared and laid ilown to grass, afford excellent pasture. I think, however, from the healthiness, size and character of the timber that much of the land on the first or most easterly portage may be fairly classed as arable ; notwithstanding that the soil is some- what light and sandy on the higher and drier portion. The second portage strikes the Missinaibi River about ten miles below Thundering Water Falls. Between this and the junction of Brunswick River (about twelve and a half miles lower down) we 38 m made several excursions inland on the east side, with the intention of ascertaining the nature of the country lying between the Missinaibi Hiver and Opazatika Lake and Kiver. Although we selected what we thought the most likely points, wo only partially succeeded in our object. After ascending and crossing a low ridge, the soil on which was dry and fortilo. the land fell away or descended towards the east, and in less than a mile from the river we always came either to swamp or muskeg. In these muskegs the walking was so bad that we were unable to penetrate anywhere further than about four miles. Thus, whether we tried to penetrate eastward from the Missinaibi River or westward from Opazatika Lake and River, the result was that our further advance was stopped by muskegs, it would appear from this that with the exception of a somewhat limited belt of arable land on the eastern or Opazatika side, and a similar but much narrower belt on the western or Missinaibi side, the intermediate country is either swampy or muskeg. In these muskegs and swamps we met occasionally with more elevated spots which were drier, and bore a larger and better growth of timber. These must, I imagine, have Vteen islands in the lake which once, in all probability, overspread this part of the country. Above or to the south of Opazatika Portage the banks increase in height and the land becomes drier on the east side as we ascend the river until we arrive at Thundering Water Falls. The soil is in some places, however, seemingly light and sandy. But I have no doubt that there is a much larger proportion of arable land in this stretch than in that below the Opazatika Portage. On the west side of Missinaibi River from Thundering Water Falls to the south end of Brunswick Lake there is also, I believe, a considerable portion of dry, and more or less arable land. From that to tie junction of Brunswick River there is a tract of low lying land, most of which is doubtless flooded for a short time in the spring, and some of it is probably at other seasons. But there is, notwithstanding, I am pursuaded, a large pro- portion of this land which has a good soil, and will be valuable tor hay and pasture, if not also, for root and grain crops. In that portion of the central plateau which I have examined this season, 1 do not think we should be safe in assuming that more than one-third part is arable in any reasonable sense of the term. All the Indians agree in saying that west and south-west of Brunswick lake and river, there is a large tract of country in which there are very few muskegs, an^rent countries with one and other, compared next the soils of various districts with the rocks on which they immediately rest. The general result of this comparison has been, tliat in almost every country the soils have as close a resemblance to the rocks beneath them as the loose earth derived from the crumbling of a rock before our eyes bears to the rock of which it lately formed a part. The conclusion, therefore, is irresistible, that soils, generally speaking, have been formed by th(> cruml)lirig or decay of the solid rooks — that tiiere was a t'mo when »bese rocks wore naked and without any covering of loose materi- als—and that the accumulation of soil has been the slow result of the natural degradation or wearing away of the soli;l crust of the globe." Further on, however, at page 88, Professor Johnson cautions his readers in reference to the more common exceptions to this intimate relation between the fertility of the soil and the composition of the bed rock as follows : " It is necessary to guard the reader against disappointment when he proceeds to examine the relations which exist betwee" the soils and the rocks on which they lie, or to infer the quality of the soil from the known nature of the rock on which it rests, in conformity with what has been above laid down — by explaining another class of geological appearances which present themselves not only in our own country but in almost every other part of the globe. " The unlearned reader of the preceding section and chapter may say — I know excel lent land resting upon the granites, tine turnip .soils on the Oxford or London clays, tracts of fertile fields on the coal measures, and poor gravelly farms on the boasted new red sandstone, I have no faith in the theory — I can have none in theories which are so obviously contradicted by natural appearances. Such, it is to be feared, is the hasty mode of reasoning among too many locally excellent practical men — familiar it may be with many useful and important facts, but untaught to look through and beyond isolated facts to the princijjles on whi(!h they depend. " Every one who has lived long on the more exposed shores of our island, has seen, that when the weather is dry and the sea winds blow strong, the sands o' the beach are carried inland and spread over the soil, sometimes to a considerable distance from tlio coast. In some countries this sand-drift takes place to a very great extent, travels over a great stretch of country, and gridually swallows up large tracts of fertile land. Again, most people are faiuiliar with tin; fact, that during periods of long continued rain, wlii'ii the rivers are flooded and overflow tlieir banks, they not unfrtfijuently bear with theui loads of sand and gravel, which they carry far and wide, and strew at intervals over tin surface soil. 3nt countries and s a limestone, in Ul the kinds of e all either sand- ! in different pro- ly of these rocks, winds and rains even with many 1 building stones, 3re with such as y exposed to the y covers it with ^•entually form a racter and corn- owes its ori;^in, • less stiff clay — of any peculiar i"thy matter into icks of different with the rocks las been, that in beneath them as rs to the rock of ible, that soils, olid rocks — that : of loose matori- iral degradation iers in reference lity of the soil ard the reader exist betwee" le soil from the been above laid ent themselves I know excel- on clays, tracts jasted new red which are so the hasty mode may be with d isolated facta iland, has seen, tiie beach are tance from tlio nt, travels over land. Again, med rain, wlicn •ear with theiu rvals over tin 41 " So the annual overflowings of the Nile, the Ganges, the Mississippi, and the river of the Amazons, gradually deposit accumulations of soil over surface jf great extent — and so also the bottoms of most lakes are covered with thick beds of sand, gravel and clay which have been conveyed into them from the higher grounds by the rivers through which they are fed. Over the bottom of the sea, also, the ruins of the land are spread — torn by the waves from the crumbling f;Iiore, or carried down from great distance.? by the rivers which lose themselves in the sea — and form beds of mud, or banks of sand and f;ravel of great extent, which cover and conceal the rocks on which they lie. " To these and similar agencies, a large portion of the existing dry land of the globe has been, and is still exposed. Hence, in many places, the rocks and the soils naturally derived from them are buried beneath accumulated heaps or layers of sand, gravel and clay, which have been brought from a greater or less distance, and wliich have not unfreqiiently been derived from rocks of a totally different kind from those of the dis- tricts in which they are now found. On tliese accumulations of transported materials a .-oil is produced which often has no i-elation in its characters to the rocks which cover the country, and the nature of which soils, therefore, a familiar acquaintance with the rocks on which they immediately rest would not enable us to predict." Now, although no direct mention is here made of the agency by moans of which this prodigious mass of loose material has been transported, I'rofcssor Johnston shews so plainly what has occured in this territory, tliat it may be described almost in the very woids employed by him. The rocks mostly gneiss are buried, as he says, bem-ath accumulated heaps or layers of sand, gravel and clay which have been brought from a greater or less distance, and derived from rocks of a totally different kind from thuse of the plateau, on which these transported materials are now found reposing. And we are therefore warranted in coming to the conclusion, that on these accumulations of trans- ported materials tin' soil produced has no relation whatever in its character or coinfujsition to the rocks which are " in situ " on the plateau its»;lf. This loose or trdnsjiorted material has unquestionably been brought from the TiOrth. Some of it has come from the shores of Hudson's liay. The far greater portion of it, however, has been furnished by the Silurian and Devonian strata underlying the great plain, wliich stretches southward and westward from the coast, to within a short distance of the northern edge of this central plateau, and from which it is separated by an intermediate belt similar to that which has been already descriljed as intervening between the height-ofland plateau, and the central plateau. These stratified and comparatively soft rocks have not only been torn from their beds and transported a great distance; b-t have been, for the most part, ground to an impalpable powder. I have, in former reports, expressed my firm belief, that the agent l)y which this has been accomplished is undoubtedly ice, which, in a sheet proliably several thousand feet in thickness has moved southward, very slowly it may Ije, but with irresistible force. This has occurred during what geologists call the glacial epoch, era or pt'riod and the transported material is known under the name of th properly termed marls or calcareous-clays. Tlie drift sands are usually somewliat tine and soft an I might sometimes be called loamy. They are generally of a light yellowish or reddish colour. Occasionally these sands are highly calcareous, 'and they are then very line and soft and of a white or very light grey colour. The gravels on this Central Plat au I^fl 42 almost invariably contain pieces of limefitone, chert and sandstone, which can be identified as cominfj from the Devonian and Silurian strata to the north. These pieces, which are found on the height-of-laiid plateau also, increase both in numVjer and size as we cross these plateaux going northward and they frequently contain characteristic fossils. Drift boulders are not, I think, nearly so numerous on the Central as on the height-of-land plateau. If the .soils oi\ both thr.se plateaus had derived their inorganic or earthy material entirely from the uecomposition of the Laurentian and Iluronian rocks on which they rest, they would doubtless have been thin, poor and bairen as such soils usually are, o Some of the important elements of ail good soils, more particularly lime, would in all probability have been doCicient if not entirely wanting, liencc;, the great importance I attach to the fii.;t, that nearly all the eartliy matters of the soil on this central plateau and a consider ible proportion of the like constituents in the soil of the height of-lund plateau, liave lieen supplied by the stratified limestone and other rocks lying to the nortii and afiford abundanie of lime, silica, alumina, magnesia, oxide-of-iron and other sub- stances, more or less necessary in all good soils. This observation applies not only to the soils on and beyond the lieiglit-ofland, but to the soils on the north shores of Lakes Superior and Huron, wliicli have, I believe, derived no inconsiderable projiortion of their calcareous matter and probably other important elmeuts from the same source. The stratification of these drift deposits is very imperfect, and altogether unlike thai which has been efl'ected by water, whetlier it be on the banks of rivers or in lake basins In the order of super-position, where such exist, the clays are almost always lowest and found resting on tlie rock. Wiiere both occur the sand is seen usually overlying the clay ; but there nre extensive areas in wliich little but clay or clay marl can be sei'U, and other smaller tracts where sand or a sandy loam rests immediately on the rock. 'J'hus the character of the soil is variable. As a general rule, however, sandy or sandy loams iue found on the higher ridges, and clay or clay loams on the lower ground pe to lis mo in( wit ;re ;he :hU ire n ect er\ re( I iia\ e no doubt that the resulting soil would havc! Ijeen better had the fine earthy mate rials been more thoroughly and completely mixed together. 'I'his is being slowly brought about by the action of the streams and rivers. Hence the river bottoms and those s^\anlps which have once been the beds of lakes will, in my opinion, .itlbrd the richest and most fertile land in this territory. On the higher and undisturbed parts of the plateau, where tlie drift has not been exposed to the action of rivers or lakes, thise soils in which clay greatly pre|)onderates are so stitt" that the land may bedifiicult, I fear, to work. The clay soil sometimes found in such situations is exceedingly hard and dry. Such land, howi'vei-. may possibly be con- veited into good pasture. On the other hand the .sandy soils are occassionally too light and di'y to be fertile. I noticed very frecjuently that tlie claj' at and near the .surface contained little or no lime, l)ut on digging down from one to two and a half feet it ahnost invariably became highly calcareou.s. 1 was at first inclined to think that they were parts of different strata or beds, for the change was usually (juite sudihm. There was little dillerence in the appearance, excepting perhaps tliat the non-calcareous or surface clay wa.s a little dark' r or redder and somewhat stiller than the lower calcareous clay. I afterwards, however, came to tiie conclusion that thi^ clay liad been 'iniforndy calcareous, l)Ut has lost its lime at oi' near the surface. "Whether this has been brongiit about slowly l)y percolation of water, by the roots of plai.^s and trees, or by some uidcnown cliemical action, 1 am at a loss to decide, but suspect that the percolation of rain-water, holding in solution more or less potash and other substances- the result oi periodical bush fires during nuuiy centuries — may at least be one of tlie causes of this phenomenon. The quantity of organic matter in the .soil is not, 1 think, very great, especialiy on the stiff clays and ])oor sandy areas on the higher and drier sections. This may l)e partly attributed, I think, to the following causes : As a rule tho deatii of the trees of our forests results from iieing blown down and uprooted, as it iscomnioidy termed, l»y the wind. If the subsoil be of such 'a nature as to iiave invited or even allowed the roots to oil ite, iiat .erv lies 5 v. cm peel ppe I'Pa ddii )r. 1 : wi he 1] 'est! rain th orcl L'riil iitly i ■20 ill 1 ill li irt ( f I foi ■Ih bid cep ing wer 1 .lo 43 can be identified jieoes, which are size a,i we cross ic fossils. Drift- ,e height-of-land penetrate to a considerable depth, one etl'ect of wind on such trees must be (by causing them to sway to and fro and strain on their roots) to stir up and loosen the soil for a considerable [listance around each tree, thus mixing, it is probable, to some extent the upper vegetable mould with the sub-soil ; and when finally these trees are overthrown the roots tear up md overturn large masses of earth, thus incorporating a still further (juantity of mould earthy material with the earthy matter of the soil below. This continued for hundreds of generations of i on which they trees gives the ground periodically a sort of rough trenching which must tend, as it seems soils usually are, o me, greatly to ameliorate and improve the soil. But on stiff clays the roots do not lie, would in all M\t importance I central plateau he height of-hind ying to the north and other sub- )plies not only to 1 north shores of arable proportion e same source. gcthcr unlike thai or in lake basins, ilways lowest and .lly overlying the day marl can be atcly on the rock r, sandy or sandy lower around. I fine earthy mate- )!,' slowly brought lottoms and those iitlbrd the richest Irift has not been )rc'|ioud(,'rat('s are luetimes found in p()ssil)ly be con- issioualiy too light ippear to penetrate much below the covering of leaf mould. Thus it happens that when hese are overturned no such mingling of the soil takes place. As a consetjueiice of his. when a bush fire occurs the whole of the vegetable mould and other organic matters lie liurnt up, and little or nothing but the clay sub-soil and a few ashes are left. Whereas n the other case the vegetable mould and organic matter is so mixed up with and pro- ected by the earthy and incombustible material of the sub-soil that n)uch of it is pre- erved. Hence I conceive it follows that on these indurated and stiff clay soils there is rcHiuently only a thin covering of leaf mould. There may be and probably are other reasons why the amount of organic matter in the oil is not greater. In other countries various living creatures by their labors and modes of lie, greatly assist both in producing and incorporating organic juatter with the earthy naterials of the soils. All burrowing animals and many insects are of more or less irvice in this way. Among these the earth-worm is considered in Europe one of the iiost important. Xow, singular as it may ajipear, the earth-worm, if not entiiely absent, 3 very rarely met with north of the Height-of-Land. Excepting at the Eludson Bay 'ompany's Posts (whither they have been imported) I do not think I have seen a single pecimen of the earthworm anywhere between Lake Superior and James' Bay. It may ipear absurd to attribute any importance whatever to the inliuence which creatures, I'parently so insignificant and weak, may be capable of exercising, either in the way of iding to or detracting from the depth and fertility of the soil. Hut on a reference to h'. Darwin's work "On the formation of Vegetable-Mould through the action of Worms," ; will be seen that worms have, as Dr. Darwin says, "played a more important part in he history of the W(jrld than most persons would at first suppose." In previous reports it has been .shown that at almost all the Hudson Bay Company's o^ts in this territory, both the soil and cliniiiti^ are such as aduiit of most of our common rains and roots being grown. I may add that I saw this season very good crops of th oats and potatoes at Missinaibi, on thi^ height of land plateau, S(mie thirty miles onh of th(! watershed. loiitained little or ivariably became )f different strata iillcrenoe in the las a little dark' r ■i, however, came )st its lime at or ilatiou of wati'r, am at a loss to tiou more or less liaiiy centuries — [at, esp(>cially on This may be of the trees of termed, l)y the fed the roots to Also on the will enible the reader, it is hoped, form a tolerably good idea of the leading topogniphicai features of this territory, as ■11 as to some extent of the charactiT of the land and soil in the several belts, into lioli for convenience it has been divided. The soil, it will have been observed, is variable; that on the coast bidt, with the icption of the river bottoms and islands and a narrow strip on the banks of the rivers, •iiig generally of a peaty (.'haract<;r with a subsoil of calcareous clay or "marl." And that on the height of land plateau, sandy, gravelly or stony, although on the wer grounds the soil, and elsewhere the subsoil, are not unfreiiuently clay or marl. It will further have been noted that in my opinion as well as in that of Mr. (Jamsl)y d others, the intermediate or central belt contains a larger proportion of arable land in either of the other two divisions. 44 I rou tow the abo' €onc surv of t boul ivei of tl exhi river of gr meet i-'hani Jierpe will I offer In my Report for 1882, p. 10 and 11, an opinion was expressed in regard to the origin of the loose material overlying the rock, and forming both soil and subsoil in the far greater ])ortion of this territory. It was there stated that the evidence wa.*- most convincing in support of the hypothesis that almost all of this loose material had been brought from the north and laid down where we now find it, by ice, like that which forms glaciers, but having its source in what has been called a "polar ice cap," instead of in some high mountains or range of mountains, as is the case of the ordinary glaciers. In order to form an adequate conception, however, of the character of the soil in this territory, and the central belt more particularly, it is important to know somewhat of the mode or manner in which this may have been accomplished Assuming then, that during the period known as the "glacial epoch," such an ice-caf as that referred to had formed at and around the north pole, and that this ice-cap had attained such a height that by the sheer force of gravity or pressure from within, a ;.T'"at sheet of ice had been shoved southward down Hudson Bay, and up the ascent or acclivitv to, and then over the height of land. And further, supposing that this ice sheet (pro bably two or three thousand feet in thickness) continued to move for many thousands o years, something like the following effects may not unreasonably be conjectured to hav-l;,'reat been produced in this territory. In the first place, all the loose material of what'^vei in tl kind, which then formed the surface, would be at once swept from olf the underlying bel ridge.s rock, and borne southward, never more to bo deposited (in all probability) on that nortl ( side the height of land. tion o This disposed of, the ice with rocks of all shapes and sizes (many hard as adamant undur firmly set or imbedded in its substance, would in the next place attack the fundanit-nta sense or bed-rock. When we consider that the downward pressure due to the weight al^ne o muteri ice two thousand feet in thickness, would be nearly 800 lbs. on each square inch or -"li limost tons on each square foot of the bed-rock, some faint idea may be formed cf its destruotiv Some i power. Driven forward with irresisti])le force, this ponderous sheet of ice, bristling, * idded, to speak, with l>aurentian and Huronian rocks, from the north, would play tremendon iisinte havoc with the soft shales, sandstones and limestones of the coast Ijelt. That countleslnstani millions tons of the.se Palseozoic rocks have Ijeen thus torn from their beds and grouril in; an impalpable powder is to my mind an absolute certainty. That this destructi-3i not been complete over tht? whole Paleozoic reji;ion south of Hudson Bay, is doubtlefs, think, due, as Dr. Bell has i)ointed out, to the fact "that the dip of the strata happfi to be in aVjout the same direction as that which was taken by this great denudii force.' * Passing off the southern or upper edge of the Paheozoic strata, the ice-sh would then enter upon the central or intermediate belt, with its hard Laurentian ar. tl tl •''■^ardly 7 waj iiore ll Ircad/ ivers lie loc ref Huronian bed-rocks. From the northern edge of this belt to the southern edge of height of land plateau, no other than azoic and trap rocks are seen " in situ." Befoi this glacial period the surface of both this belt and the plateau above must, I think, ha^ been very broken or rough, and during the earlier part of that epoch, in spite of hardness of the rock, an enormous destruction of it, must have taken place. Much of was douV>tles8 removed in the form of boulders, much of it in the shape of stones more or less of it was reduced to the condition of gravel and sand. Where the rocks, fir broken up and reduced to these forms, were transported to and finally de[)08iteeyond t height of land may have been transported in like manner to points considerably south our great lakes. But whatever may have been the condition of the surface in this intermediate, central belt, at the beginning of the glacial epoch, it is certain that mo.st of the ine^u ties were pretty well plr.ned down before the end of it. Those eminences that remained, whether in the form of isolated hills or short ridges, rarely rising in the cen* belt more than one hundred and fifty feet above the general level. They are aUv Ic \\\ ai#''"*' ■III, ',\>nt: iti'-ivil ■rritoi I' t< ;, * The (it'olopy of Oiitari". p. 50. 45 rounded off by the ice, and present with very few exceptions a sloping face or side towards the north. This feature is even noticeable on the height of land plateau, where the hills are sometimes as much as five or six hundred feet in height, and fifteen hundred above the present level of James Bay. The advantage, so far as the mountains are concerned, of this particular form, is one to which, in all probability, they owe their survival in the prolonged struggle for existence against the almost irresistible attacks of this northern ice. A similar arrangement can be observed in nearly all the lioulders which, out of many thousands, have maintained their ground in the beds of rivers against the rush of water and ice to which they are exposed every spring. Many of these rocks and boulders may be seen in the summer when the water is low, and exhibit the appearance of a shoemaker's " last," with the toe invariably pointed up the river. All such stones, however, whatever may be their shape otherwise, must, unless of great size and weight, possess one sloping face, and that must be presented so as to meet tlie descending sheets of ice, which will glide easily over them. Should by any chance such rocks or boulders get turned the wrong way and present to the stream a perpendicular side or face, the descending masses of ice, butting squarely against them will knock them over and around until they are either got in the position in which they offer the least resistance, or they are crowded to the side and on to the banks, where the ','reat mass of such stones and boulders may be seen. The same peculiar shape noticeable lin the boulders and rocks in the beds of rivers is common in the knolls, hills and idges of solid rock situated in the old-time bed of this all but resistless ice-stream. It appears to me that so long as this ponderous sheet of ice was in motion, no deposi- ion of loose material could possibly have taken place in any part of the territory now ndor consideration. It was only when this motion ceased that deposition in the proper ense of the term, can, 1 think, be held to have begun. And then it was only the loose aterial, held in suspension as it were, by that portion of the ice-sheet immediately or Imost immediately overlying any particular area, that could be deposited thereupon. ?ome of this material may have been lost, but I am unable to see how any can have been dded, more especially on the height of land plateau, excepting by that slow process of isintegration of the solid rock, which there has not been sufficient to obliterate in many nstances the scratches and grooves made by the ice while in motion. sand grouvi'i int Anything that the rivers and lakes may have accomplished in that respect need destruction iw lardly be taken into account, for such rocks as we find here are very slowly acted upon y, is doubtle fs, ,y water and as a matter of fact the rivers have unquestionably carried away a great deal le strata happer. „Qre loose material than they have ever made. As an agent whereby the loose material great denudin Jready formed has been re-distributed and modified as well mixed, the waters of our rata, the ice-sh'' ivers and lakes have doubtless played a most important part, but in the manufacture of he loose material itself, it has been by no means so conspicuous. Ice on the other hand, does not possess that power, or at least in a very inferior regard to the subsoil in the nie was most] !rial had teen I ce that which ip," instead of ,ry glaciers. of the soil in I now somewhat] such an ice-caf his ice-cap had within, a t.Teati ent or acclivit s ice sheet (pro ly thousands o! ectured to hav ial of what'jvei vmderlying bel r) on that nortlJ lard as adamant the fundaiiifntaj weight alune o uare inch or •• cf its destructiv ice, bristlini;, '^ play tremendoij That countle Laurentian ar, them edge of tl in situ." Befo lust, I think, ha^ ch, in spite of t Much of pe of stones lere the rocks, ti :ref'. When the great ice sheet ceased to move it was laden with the spoils of scores of itferent formations or kinds of rock, brought from Hudson's Bay, the coast belt, and to aij""^ extent derived from the belts over which the sheet finally rested. This material ■uld be very difi'erent in different places, calf'areous in some, sandy in others. In some eas many boulders and in others little but clay. Hence, at the close of the "(rlacial por.li," when the ice thawed and this material was deposited, there was a corresponding rt' rence in the character of the loose material which still largely forms the soil of this rritorv, jei)0«ite there a great deal on that portion of the lieight of land plateau, over which 1 p.i -sed this season. As stated in previous reiiorts, there are tine tracts of both red !i \U S'te? i',.* ,^i. 46 and white pine to be seen on the head waters of all the tributaries of Moose River, lying to the east of Missinaibi River, But on the Missinaibi itself and westward to the Albany River, I have met with only a few groves, chiefly of red pine, and these of no gr^at extent or importance. Such pine as there is will all be needed to supply the local wants of the future settlers in this section. Red pine is frequently found growing singly or in clumps on the islands and shores of Lake Opazatika, but north of that lake few if any were met with. Spruce and tamarac may be seen almost everywhere north of the Height of Land. There is no tree however, which possesses in an equal degree the power of adapting itself to all the changes of soil and climate in this northern territory, as the spruce. It is con- sequently the tree most commonly met with from the moment we cross the height of landuntil we arrive at the coast of James' Bay. On the rich soil of the sheltered river bottoms, it overtops all the other trees and attains a circumference of from six to eight feet. On the coast and islands of James' Bay it still holds its ground, but is greatly dwarfed, the largest trees on Charlton Island being less than half the size of those just referred to. As is reasonable to suppose, the healthiest and largest trees are found on the best soils and in the most sheltered situations. On poor, shallow soils they are of small size and of little or no value. They will struggle for existence even on the muskegs of which with the tamarac they have a onopoly, but are there so small as to be quite worthless. In the aggregate, there is an enormous quantity of spruce of useful sizes in this territory. But the larger and more valuable timber is confined })rincipally to the river bottoms. Tamarac is almost coextensive in its growth with the spruce, I)ut it does not attain the same size nor is it nearly so plentiful, excepting on the muskegs where it like the spruce, is stunted, unhealthy and worthless. It very rarely exceeds four-and-a-half or five feet in circumference anywhere. In some of the swamj)s there would appear to be a good deal of tamarac large enough for railway ties, telegraph poles, coal-pit props and such like purposes. Cedar is found on the imtrediate banks of the rivers in many instances whore no other trees seem able to withstand the force of the current and the injurie^i inflicted by ice and driftwood. In such positions the cedar attains a great thickness at the butt, s&iuetimes as much as ten or twelve feet circumference, but it tapers off so rapidly towards the top that it may not be more than thirty or forty fe(it in height ; nearly the whole strength of such trees would seem to have been expended in the development of the roots and trunk. Good, well-proportioned cedar are, however, met with in many places both on the height-of-land, plateau and central belt. Though of no great economic importance at |)resent, the spruce, (amarac and cedar of this territory must become more and more valuable as thcsie trees o<^ the pine and other species so eagerly sought after by the lumbermen become exhausted in the older parts of the province. In view of the many important economical uses to which wood-pulp is being applied it is V)y no means improbable that tiie aspen-pojdar may ultimately become one of the most valuable forest trees in this territory. Pulp made from the aspen is, I have been informed, superior to that of any other wood for the manufacture of paper, and commands the highest price. The climate is congenial, as is also much of the soil. It is common on the height of land, but it is on the central jilateau and the banks of rivers which traverse the great plain still further north that the aspen is most abundant, It is more plentiful indeed than any other forest tree in this territory, with the singk exception of the spruce. MINERALS. The geological formation of that portion of the central plateau to which my explor ations have been confined this season is not so favourable to the production of valuable minerals as expected. But however favorable the rock of the country might be, the area 47 • River, lying tward to the ;se of no grpat le local wants 5 islands and ight of Land, adapting itself ce. It is con- the height of sheltered river m six to eight j but is greatly e of those just are found on lils they are of )n the muskegs as to be quite il sizes in this .ly to the river does not attain here it like the iir-and-a-half or d appear to be il-pit props and nces whore no I'ies inflicted by ess at the butt, ■s off so rapidly ,t ; nearly the lelopment of the n many places jarac and cedar jf the pine and the older parts ■is being applied kome one of the lis, I have been |, and commamU It is common banks of rivers Inost abundant. Iwith the single exposed to view is so exceedingly limited, that such minerals or metallic ores as may be contained will, in all probability, be discovered only when the territory is at least par- tially settled, and then as it were, by chance, I found, however, an apparently large body of iron pyrites on Big River, one of the tributaries of the Opazatika River. This from its purity and the amount of sulphur it lontains, would be valuable in some places, as great quantities of pyrites are used in the manufacture of sulphuric acid. But this deposit, like the iron ores, china clay, lignite, coal, gypsum, etc., mentioned in former reports, cannot bo utilized in any way until our northern boundary is definitely settled, and roads made to open up the territory and develop its various resources. Iiich my exploi- lion of valuable I'ht be, the area OPENING UP THE COUNTRY. The Canadian Pacific Railway, west of Biscotasing, may be said to run on the height of land plateau for upwards of 150 miles. It has been located entirely, however, in the southern portion of the plateau The line does not, at any point known to me, approach nearer than thirty-five or forty miles to the fertile belt lying to the north, and to reach this better land it will be necessary of course to cross the intervening belt of poor country. If this had required at the outset the making of branch lines of railway or even long and costly colonization roads, the difficulty and exjjense would, I fear, have greatly retarded the opening-up and settlement of the territory. Fortunately, however, nature has provided us with tlie means which will enable us in the first instance at least, to o{)en up and partially develop tliis territory at a very moderate expense, I have frequently mentioned in former reports, that the longer axis of most of the lakes on the height of land plateau have a strong northerly hearing, ranging from north-east to north-west. Many of thes(; afford fine, navigable stretches of water, and Ijy utilizing them, wv. can easily cross this height of land plateau at many of the more important points. Thus Lakt; Ni|)igon afl'ords a 70 miles stretch and Long Lake a -52 miles stretch of uninterrupted navigation. <\.nd of navigation which may be rendered continuous at a very litth; expense. Some 30 miles is offered by Lakes Esnogami and Kal)inakagami ; 25 miles by \VabaU)ngusheen and Oba Lakes, and nearly .'35 miles by Dog, Crooked and Missinaibi Lakes. And there are doubtless other lakes situ- iitcd on or al^out the headwaters of the Ivapuskasinp, (Jrouud-hog and .Mattagami Rivers, (lie navigable stretches on which may be exijeeted also greatly to facilitate the opening-uj) of the territory north of the Canadian Pacific Ivailway. Tiie only route which I shall dwell upon at any greater length at present is that by jiueaiis of which the section explored this season can, T conceive, be most easily opened-up. From tlie point wliere the C. V. R. crosses Dog Lake, to the north end of Lake Missinaibi, the distance, following the bends of the canoe route is about 35 miles, and the navigation is interrupted only at two places. These ai'e the height of land jjortage H'tween Dog Lake and Crooked Lake, and Missinail)i Portage between Crooked Lake .nd Lake Missinaibi. The aggregate length of these portages does not exceed one- hird of a mile. The difference of level is so trifling and the portages such that the onstruction of a canal with one lock (which is all that would be required to complete he navigation) could not be very costly. Hut from a point on the C. P. R, somewhat irtst of Dog Lake, a road might, I think, be made to the south end of Lake Missinailn, which would not exceed, I believe, seven miles in length, and from thence to the north nd of the lake, about 26 miles, the navigation is perfect. The navigation of the river Missinail)i is altogether too difficult and broken by apids to be of any use in opening up the country to settlement. From the north end of iake Missinaibi tiierefore, to the foot of the Swampy Ground, where the fertile belt may e said to begin, a road will be necessiry. This road which would be about 15 miles in length might be extended northward to Brunswick Lake and to Lake Opazatika. as t'tthiment advanced. Nor would this lifteen-mile stretch of road pass through a country y ail otati tl 49 at was given of 1 other sources in regard to the ome part of the iculars are given called ' forts ' oi en at these, to a ,Ioose Factory i littibi rivers, an( .what to the wes 16 east of Moosi coast of the bay of Mr. Gladmar cer in the servic epartment. isideration, but again quote froi iurnips, and oth at a large herd c 's ships winterin on the shores < nee of strawberri^ of Rupert's RivJ soil is much bettj and more favov] the boundary lladman says : .les there in £ nd pigs, were iidred miles furtl that the extens He also says, ' t.1 Soul, is of a qua lies south of M'^ at ' the soil is )t' icat vegetables. was i\ftorwu: H an exploratioi follows ; — the otliccrs ot' '}■ Al the latter. .John Mclntyre, now at Fort William, has informed me that he found spring wheat to ripen well. At Moose Factory, although the soil is a cold wet clay with a level undrained surface, farm and garden produce in considerable variety are raised every year. Among other crops harvested in 1874 were 1,700 bushels of good potatoes. Oats, barley, beans, peas, turnips, beets, carrots, cabbage, onions, tomatoes, etc., are grown without any more care than is required in other parts of Canada, and I was informed that some wheat which had got accidently sown one year was found to ripen, but no experiments, as far as 1 (ould learn, have ever been made to ascertain whether this cereal might be regularly cultivated or not. Upwards of eighty head of cattle are kept at Moose Factory, besides liorses, sheep and pigs. " An old man at the Hudson's Bay Company's Post, on Lake Abittibi, and many years a resident in that district, in answer to my inquiries on this subject, stated as follows : — " ' That all root crops and grains grow well. That in one instance from thrce-([uarters of a bushel of wheat sown, twenty-one bushels were obtained, and that one keg of barley gave a return of thirty kegs. That oats grew well, and also Imckwhoat. Tii.it ho has known .■lUmiuer frosts injure th(^ potatoes on several occasions, but that generally a large and excellent crop may be depended upon where the soil is suitable. That there was abundance ot rain at Abittibi during the growing season, and that when otherwise, it was ■ompensated for by heavy dews at night, so heavy that unless a wind be stirring, the leaves and grass are not dry before ten o'clock in the forenoon. " It is only right to mention, however, that the gentleman in cliarge of the post does not corroborate all these statements, but on the contrary, assured me that on two occasion.s within his experience, oats had failed to ripe'n. I have V)een told also by tlio Hudson's Bay Company's officers and servants at Moose Factory, that oats have failed to come to maturity there ; that barley is an uncertain crop, and that even potatoes are liable to be cut down by the frost before they are fully ripe. That these croi)S occasionally fail is doubtless true, but it would be exceedingly difficult to find any part of the world where the grain and root crops do net sometimes fail. However fine the climate or rich the soil, every intelligent farmer knows that a little too much heat or cold, drought or rain, or the grasshopper, potato-bug, weevil, and such like creatures frequently blast his hopi;s in reference to one or other of his crops. If mankind, however, had on this account been deterred from reclaiming the earth, and from sowing and planting in the hope of obtaining a return in due season, this continent would still have been a wilderness and its inhabitants in a state of barbarism. " My own residence in the territory has been too short to allow of my speaking authoritatively on the subject of the crops that can or cannot be advantageously cultivated. I have, however, quoted the evidence of those who have U 1 ampler opportunities and longer experience, and are therefore better able to judge of tue capabilities of the territory, I shall, however, give the results of my own observations during the limited perioil spent in the country, and the conclusions I have arrived at in regard to several of the more important crops grown, or which I think might bo successfully cultivated. "Potatoes. — I ssLff potatoes growing at Hml son's Bay Company's post on Abittibi Lake, at New Post on the Abittibi River, about one hundred miles from James' Bay, and at Moose Factory itself, and from my own observations and inquiries, am convinced that large crops of excellent potatoes may be grown in this territory, and that tlie crop is as unfailing as in any other part of Ontario I am acfpuiinted with. In 1874 the quantity of potatoes raised at Moose Factory was, according to Ur. Bell, 1,700 bushels. Last year (1878) tlie crop from the Company's farm was, I believe, about 1,200 bu.shels, over and above what the servants of the Company raised from small plots of ground which they are permitted to cultivate. The yield would appear to be from two to tliree hundred bushels per acre. In some in.stances I was told they had been raised for upwards of fourteen successive years without manure, on the same ground. When we consider that the nutriment aiVorded by 2.50 bushels of potatoes is about twice as much as that yielded y an acre of wheat in the most favoured sections of Ontario, the importance of the )otato as an article of food in this new territory must be obvious to all. 4 '■'^7) ■n 50 i«: " Barley. — In the quotations cited from the evidence of Mr. Gladraan and others, barley ia said to ripen well, not only at Lake Abittibi and New Brunswick, in the southern portion of this territory, but also at Moose Factory in the Tuore northerly and exposed jiortion, " By the ofliceis at Moose Factory barley was spoken of to me doubtfully, and as a crop, the ripening of which was attend'^'d with a good deal of uncertainty. More or les.s barley, however, is generally sown at Mc/oae, from which I would infer that it usually came to maturity. Two small patches only were sown tliis year. One of these was just ready for cutting when I left on the 19th of September. The grain was large and plump, and tlui yield good. The; other patch, which was very foul with weeds, was backward, and hardly likely, I think, to ripen. "Without knowing the mode of cultivation or the nature of the seed, etc., nothing reliable can b(> inferred from such a limited experience. The past summer, too, has been like that in Great Britain, exceptionally cold and wet at Moose Kvctory ; but with good cultivation and suitable seed, barley should come to maturity at Moose Factory in seasons no warnuir even than the last. "Mr. 11. Stephens, F. R.S., one of the hi'^luist authorities in England, in his wi>rk, 'The B'armer's Guide,' in which he was assisted by Pnifessor Norton of the United States. remarks as follows on the subject (Vol. I, page 448) : " ' Bailey is cultivated further north than any of the other grains ; fields of it are seen "rowing in the northern extremity of the Orkney Islands and in Siietland (lat. Gl" N.), and even at the Faro Islands (lat. Gl^ to G2^ l.'j' N). Iceland (G3^ 30' to 6G^' N.) does not produce it, although an industrious population have made every exertion to acquire some species of cerealia,' " ' In Western Lapland the limit of l);irley is under 70°, near Cape North, the northern extremity of Europe. In llussia on the shores of the White Sea, it is between th parallels of G7° and G8 on the western side, and about GG" on the eastern side beyond Archangel, In Central Siberia it is between latitude 58° and 59'^'.' " Now this territory which has been awarded to Uuturio, and which it is proposet to include in the District of Nipissing, is situated between the 48tli and 52nd parallels At G9.', iiiih s to a degree, the most northerly part of this district, therefore, is 9"^, or G2r)| miles south of the Shetland Islands, where fields of barley are, according to Mr. Stephcnss, 'seen growing;' it is 18" or 1,251 miles south of the limit of the growth of barley ii Lapland ; it is from 14^' to 16^, or from 973 to 1,112 miles .south of the .same limit on tii. shores of the White Sea, Bussia ; and it is G' 30', or 451^ miles, south of the latitude t( which barley is cultivated even in C'mtrul Siberia. Of course, it is perfectly well know that the climate is much milder in Europe than in corresi)onding Latitudes on this continent but I am not aware that this holds good as regards Siberia; at all events, to the exten necessary to account for the extraordinary inferiority which the assumption that the limi of the growth barley is south of this territory, would indicate. On tin; contrary, I ai persuaded that the presumption is entirely the other way, namely, that there is no parte this territory whert;, under a proper system of cultivation, barley may not be grown. " There is anotlier way in which the same conclusion is reached. Mr. Stepiiens, i the work just referred to, further says : — " ' A mean temperature of 4G^' 4' during the summer seems to ))e, for our continei the only indispensable! condition for the cultivation of barley. In the islands of th Atlantic Ocean a summer tem))ei'ature of three or tour degrees higher appears to l necessary for its success. Iceland, indeed, where this grain oannot be cultivated, preson in its southern districts at Ileikavik a mean temperature of 37'"' 4' for the year — 24"'"' ft the winter, and 49" 4' tor the summer. It appears that here considerable rains are tl means of preventing the cultivation of cerealia. Tims the limit of barley in the countri where the cultivation is of the most impoitanco varies between 46" 4' and 49" of meii temperature during the sunuuer.' "Now the mean summer temperature at Moose Factory last year was G2" 3', ai even this year was about 57", or nearly ten degrees higher than that which is suthcii to bring barley to maturity. nan and others, [ins wick, in the :e northerly and btfully, and as a y. More or less ■ that it usually of these was just larj,'e and plump as backward, and eed, etc., nothing ler, too, has boeii Y ; but with good 'actory in seasons and, in his wi^rk, he United States, ields of it are seen and(lat. Gl^ N.), 0' to GO'-' N.) does certion to acquire orth, the northern it is between th^ stern side beyoiici ich it is proposed nd r)2nd parallels tore, is y^, or G-J:"); r to Mr. Sttipheub owth of barley in same linnt on ih of the latitude t( ■fectly well kuowi on this continent, ents, to the exten ition that the limi h(! contrary, I ai there is no part o not be grown. Mr. Stepiiens, i for our continen the islands of tli ;her appears to niltivated, preson the year — 2 -I-"' f' n-able rains are t! ;y in the countri and -iU^ of met ar was 02" 3', ai which is sutticif 51 " In view of these facts, and of the evidence of Mr. Gladman and others on this point, it is my opinion that barley may be re<,'arded as a fairly reliable crop in this territory. " Oats. — No Scotchman, and few Canadians will underrate the value and importance of the oat whether as food for men or horses. It is cultivated both in Europe and in Asia, in latitudes far north of this territory. That oats have been grown with more or less success at New Brunswick and Abittibi posts in the southern portion of the territory is satisfactorily proved. How far north of these posts a good crop can bo depended upon, I have no means of ascertaining, but think it probable that the hardier descriptions of oat may be grown in three-fourths of this territory, it least. " Whiifii. — I was told that wheat had been successfully grown at the Hudson's Bay Company's post, on Lake Abittibi. I\Ir. (Iladman .stated in his evidence that 'he was informed that wheat had been tried with good success at iJrunswick House.' J^r. Hell says that Mr. John Mclntyre, now of Fort William, informed him 'that lie found sprin^ wheat to rip^n well at Missinaibi.' Dr. l!ell was also informt;d 'that some wlieat which had got accidentally sown one year, was found to ripen, at Moose; Factoiy. Mr. Mclntyre told me, if I am not mistaken, that it was at ' Nciw l>runsvvick ' tliat he succeederl in growing wheat, and I ratlier think Dr. Bell unintentionally (urs in saying it was at Missinaibi. JJoth posts, however, are in the territory, and not above sixtv miles distant from each other. In order to grow wheat, a mean summer temperature or not h's.s than T)?^' is said to be necipssary. In Russia, Norway and Sweden, it would ajipcai- acicordin" to Mr. Stephens, that a mean summer temperature of from Oy to Gl" is required for the growth of wheat. This does not exceed tlie temperature which will, in mv opinion, be found to prevail in the southern and central i)Oition of this territory. But wlietln^r wlieat can be grown with sulhcient certainty, to make it a desirable crop, can only be determined by experience. " Jiout Crops. — With the exception of potatoes, and perhaps turnips, none of the roots have, I expect, l)een cultivated as field crops. Of potatoes, I iiav(> already spoken at lengtii. Swedish turnips have been successfully grown at New Post, on the Abittibi River, in the gardens, carrots, turnips, beets and parsnips are planted, and I am told grow fairly in ordinary years. I noticed at Abittibi post, carrots going to seed, which had been left in the gi'ound all winter, seemingly uninjured by the frost. " Otfwr Vei/i'tahles. — Cabbages, caulillowers, peas, Windsor beans, kidney beans, onions, radishes and lettuce are planted or sown in the garden at Moose Factory. Tliey are sown and planted I presume in the expectation that they will come to maturity. '■ Mr. tiladman says : ' that he raised potatoes and otlier vegutal)!es in great aliund- ance.' Dr. Bell say.'', 'that beans, peas, turnijis, beets, carrots, eabl»ages, onions, tom.itoes, etc., are grown without any more care than is required in other parts of Canada.' My experience will not warrant me in saying so much, but as stated before, this summer has been an exceptionally cold and wi.'t summer at Mo(j8e. Most of tiie crops were therefore late, and below an average. The first green peas were brought to the talile about the last week in August, and the crop was poor. Caulillowers were ready to cut the first week in September, and were of good size and |uality. Windsor beans of a latlier small varietv, were ready to use about the same time, and a very luxuriant and healthy crop. Kidney beans were a little later, but growing tolerably well. Turnips and cal)bages had both failed, the former having been destroyed by the ' fly ' and tiie latter by the cut-worm. Of onions (potato) and lettuce, the crops were very good. Many of the crops appear to suffer from being grcnvn too long upon the same ground, tlifreby eneonraging the multiplication and increase of their natural enemies, such as the cut-worm, turnip beetle or fly, carrot worm, etc. This is not the fault of eitlier the soil or ilw, climate, but of the cultivation. The Colorado potato-bug has not yet reached Moose Factory, or any of the posts, 1 believe, on Hudson's Bay. They were numerous, however, at the, Hudson's iiay Conqiany's post at Lake Temiscaming, and have reached, I was informed, tlio height of land. '^ FrnlL — Currant bushes are exceedingly healthy and prolific at Moo.se Factory, particularly tiie red currant, the crop of which exceeded, I think, any that I have ever seen elsewhere. Both strawberries, raspberries and blue-l)erries are found growing wild. 52 and the two former might, I have no doubt, be easily cultivated to any extent. Rhubarb thrives well, and is of excellent quality. I am not awaro if any of our other common fruits have been grown, or attempted to be grown, at Moose Factory. I did not see any other than those mentioned. I have no doubt, however, that other varieties of fruit might be successfully cultiva»^^ed. '• drnsnea. — I did not observe any grassss sown or cultivated for fodder. At Abittibi, however, I saw abundance of white clover in the pastures, and found Ijoth white clover and timothy on many of the portages between Abittibi and Moose Factory, where the seed had been accidentally sown in the first instance. The timothy in some spots was nearly four feet in height, with lar^'cs liealthy lookiTig heads. This is important as proving that this valuable fodder plant is adapted to the climate of this territory. " Flowprs. — I did not pay much attention to the flowers, but most of those found wild about Lake Nipissing appeared to grow along the rivers or in the woods in this territory— the wild rose in j.articular seemed to bloom everywhere. I ohserved the sweet- william, carnation pansy, and ot}\er flowers in the gardens, " Wi'fids. — 1 met with a jiumbor of weeds that were familiar to me elsewhere, and which a]ipeared to have become thoroughly acclim^tfid at Abittibi I'ost and Moose Factory. Among them I may mention : — The nettle, thistle, burdock, hemlock, lambs-quarter and chick-we(^d. Tin- healthy and vigorous growth of these wtjetls may be of .some interest to the botanist, as indicating to him tlie fitntiss of the climate and soil for the production of more useful plants, if, witliout the active co-ojioration of man, and to some extrnt in spite of him, these weeds have become so thorough'y adaptcid to the climate and soil of this territory as to grow luxuriantly, ni'^ture their seed, withstand the frost and cold of winter, and reproduce tlieii' kind year niter year in greater and greater profusion, it must sur(!ly be within our power, by a proper study of those laws of nature by which tliis has been accomplished, hy an intelligent selection of suitable plants and seeds, and by skilful cultivation, to turn to good account every acre of arable land in this territoiy, and make it produce abundance of wholesome food for the comfortable subsistence of a large popula- tion. " Cattle. — Horned cattle are kept at all the Hudson's Hay Company's principal trading posts, but more particularly at Moose Factory, Albany and East Main. At Moose they usually have a herd of from sixty to eighty head, besides sheep, horses and pigs, all of which appear to thrive admirably. At Albany, also, horned cattle do very well, but horses, it is said, do not live long there. This may be owing to some local cause, operat- ing within a limited area, and capable of being obviated by a little skill and attention. Hay can be obtained in great abundance from the salt-marshes at the estuaries of the rivers. Owing to the tides, and consequent partial overflowing of the marshes, the grass cannot be dried on the spot. It is cut and brought in the green state to Moose Factory, a distance of not less than ten miles. There it is carried two or three hundred yards, and spread over fields which have either been in pasture, or the grass of which has been cut and made into hay, earlier in the season. This involves a great deal of labour, and with so much good land around Moose Factory, I think timothy grass could be grown on the spot, and with the improved implements now in use, made into hay, for much less than this marsh-hay costs. The hay obtained, however, from the salt-marshes must be very nutritive, for the cattle, and even horses, I am told, get nothing but this hay during the winter, and are kept in good order and condition. To partie.s having stock in the immediate vicinity of these marshes, they might be exceedingly valuable, furnishing as they would an unfailing and inexhaustible supply of grass and hay. I hardly entertain a doubt, that at some future, and probably not very remote period, vast numbers of cattle and horses will be reared in this territory, and form one of its most valuable and important resources. To the Province of Ontario, this territory may become immensely valuable, as furnishing ' a breeding ground ' for horned cattle, which, when of sufficient age, may be driven or otherwise transported south, to be fattened in the older portions of the province, for the English market. Or with direct communication by steamer, via Hudson's Bay, and Hudson's Straits ; they could be sent to England direct, and the process of fattening completed, on tlie rich pastures, of the mother country. That cattle raised in 68 Rhubarb common ; see any of fruit Abittibi, te clover here the l)ots was } proving jse foiinil Is in this he aweet- here, and I Factory, irter and [iteiest to luction of extrnt in ud soil of id cold of II, it must li this has by skilful Eiud make ;e popul?- \ trading loose they Iga, all of well, but , operat- .tteution. es of the |the grass Factory, ^d yards, has been our, and rown on uch less must be during in the kshing as pertain a I of cattle iportant [valuable, \ge, may of the [udson's locess of laised in the basin of the Ifudson's Bay would bo far more healthy and more thrifty, in England, than those of the western and south-western States, does not admit of a doubt in my mind ; for tlie climate of this territory in the summer season, more closely resembles that of the north of England or Scotland than any other part of this continent I have over lived in. When we consider th«f extent of tliin territory, equal to that of England and Wales the humidity of the summer season, the abundance of good water overywliere, the ample Hupi)ly of tiiiil)er for buildings, for fences, for fuel and for shelter, the luxuriant growth of the grasses, the healthine.ss of tlie climate both for man and beast, tlie perfect safety of life and property, and its ])roximity to luigland, tiie advantages possessed by this territory greatly ovurba]anc<% in my opinion, the one disadvantage of a wintisr a little longer but not more severe than the most favoured parts of our north-west territory. The land as seen along the rivers, altiiougli well timbered, will not be dillicult to clear, and the natives speak of (^xtensive plains in the interior, the value of which for pastural purposes, I have not yet been able to ascertain.* Extracts i'isom ilKi'OUT fok 1882. " Again in my report for 1882-83 further information is given on this subject, and al'..ough some of tin; views and opinions then held and expnjssed may be rather too sanguine, tlmy are on the whole approximately correct, and may for the reasons just given be repeated hero. Under this head, on page 13 et si'ij, the following occurs : — " It is only at the fur trading posts of the Honourable Hudson's liay Company tliat any attempt has been made to cultivate the soil. A few of the Indians on the Mattagami Itiver, who trade at Matawagamingue Post, are now trying to grow potatoes, and 1 trust that they may so far succeed as to induce others to follow their example. The otHcers of the company know very little about farming as a general rule. Their lives from the time tliey were little more than boys, have been spent in the country and devoted to the fur trade. The consequence is that the farming at the inland posts is of a rather primitive and unsoientiiic description, and confined chiefly to the growth of the potato as a Held crop. At the larger posts on the coast, partit-ularly Aloose Factory where a number of old countrymen are employe(L they understand iiow to grow the po- tato, and cultivate it well and successfully. But even at Moose very little attention is paid to drainag(!, and none whate.ver to th(! importance of a judicious cours«?, or rotation of crops. The wonder to me is that the land .so treated continues to yield any crop at all. Where the agricuitui'al operations have been so very limited, all that can bo said on the subject of the crops that have been grown in the territory has been given in former I'eports. Having now, however, visited every post but two in the territory, and traversed it in various directions, it may be expected that I should give the general con- clusions at which 1 have arrived on a subject of so much coiisiiquence. This 1 shall do, even if it be necessary to support my opinions by an ajipeal to some facts which have l)een already recorded in fornu;r reports. I'omiueacing with the cereals, we will take that iirst which is u.sually regarded as of tjje greatest importance and value : — " WJieat. — 1 am strongly of the opinion that wheat may be successfully grown where 'lie soil is suitable in all that part of this territory lying to th(! south of the; fiftieth pa- rallel of latitude. This opinion is founded on the belief that there is no otlmr part of the world south of that latitude where this grain has not or can not be grown ; that tin; mean temperature of the sunnncr in the territory south of that parallel is aiiii)ly sutlicicnt to ripen or bring wheat to maturity ; and linally, that there are good grounds for believing that wheat has actually been grown at Abittibi House, Flying post. New Brunswick, on or about the forty-nineth parallel, and certainly at Lac Scul, J)r Lonely lake, between the fiftieth and fifty-tirst parallel. More than this : J was told on the very best authority *Tliis expcctiition wus ilisapiiointi'd — my exiiloriition in ISSO, .-iml Hubrifiiiiciitly — showiiit; tliat the uiabli! land .seen on the river banks dees not extend fat inland, but tliat the coast belt here referred to, ia moBtly covered by muskegs or peat mosses. E.Ij. B. 54 that Indian corn, a more delicate plant than wheat, came to maturity last year at Osna- burgh House, on Lake St. Joseph, and north of the fifty-first parallel. Even at Moose factory, in about the same latitude an Osnaburgh and situated on the coast. Dr. Bell tells us that he was informed that a few grains of wheat accidentally dropped, grew and came to maturity. There is havdly any evidence on the other side, certainly none entitled to niiicli weight, and the probabilities are all in favor of the assumption that within the limits stated wheat may be successfully cultivated. " Barley. —The hardier varieties of this gruin can be grown further north than any other of the so called cereals. lu .Scotland it gruws on the Orkney islands and in Shet- land as far north as the .^sixty-first parallel. In western Lapland the limit is about the seventieth parallel. In Russia it is cultivated on the shores of the White Sea, every- where south of sixty-six degrees on the eastern side, and of sixty-seven degrees on the western side. In central Siberia the northern limit of the growth of barley is between latitudes fifty-eight and fifty-nine. These facts are quoted on the authority of Mr. H, Stephens, F.R.S., author of " The Book of the Farm," " The Farmer's Guide," and other standard works on agriculture, both in England and America. Mr. Stephcins further states " that a mean temperature during the sunmier of IG" 4' seems to be all that is necessary in I'^urope for the cultivation of barley, but that in the islands of the Atlantic a temperature three or four degrees higher appears to be necessary for its succe.ss. "The territory awarded to our l-rovince north of the Height of Land is situated be- tween the forty-eighth and fifty-second parallels of latitude, or from four hundred to seven hundred miles south of where barley is cultivated even in Siberia. Again, the mean summer temperature ac Moose Factory, in the extreme northern part of the territory, varies from fifty-eight to sixty-two degrees, and is probably higher in the central and southern portions. This is at all events ten degrees higher than the temperature, which according to Mr. Stephens, " is the onl// indis/jensable condition for the cultivation of barl'ij." I have seen l)ai]ey growing at Rupert's House and at Moose Factory on the coast, and at Flying Post and Matawagamingue in tbe southern part of the territory. I have been told on what I consider good authority, that it has also been grown at New Post, at Abittibi House, at N(!W lUunswick, and at Long Lake House. Thus the evi- dence is conclusive not only as to the perfect adaptation of the climate, but to the fact that this grain has been actually cultivated in the northern, central and southern divi- sions of the territory. All that even tht^ most incredulous can contend iur, is that the crop is poor or that it sometimes fails to ripen [>erfectly. Now as regards the latter state- ment, I have no doubt that in the extreme northern part of the territory, bordering on the coast, it may fail in exceptionally w(!t and cold summers to come to perfect maturity. But this will not ajiply to the vast territory to the south, where barley will prove, in my opinion, a good and perfectly reliable crop, Nor do I think it would fail to ripen at Moose Factory or even Albany, if sutlioient attention were paiil to the drainage of the land, to the sehiction of the seed, to the time of sowing, and to a proper course or rotation of crops. If the crop be poor (and it is by no means always so) it is lU all probability owing to poor farming rather than anything that is wanting either in the soil or the climate. " Data. — ^This useful grain should grow wherever wheat will grow. Indeed its growth is practicable in Scotland, Ireland and other countries where wheat will not sui'ceed. My own belief is, that the hardier varic^ties of the oat may certainly b^s cultivated in the greater part of ^he territory. I have not seen it growing, however, at any of the posts I have visited. 1 have been told that oats have been sovred at Abittibi House, at New Bruns- wick, and even at Moose Factory, and cam ^ to maturity ; but other parties again said that the crop frequently proved a failure. This, iiowever, may liave arisen from the causes alluded to under the head of " barley.'' "7?,)/''. — In Germany, Austria and Ifungnry, and other countries, rye is extensively grown, and forms the principal bread stuff of a very large proportion of the population. Its cultivation does not extend, it is said, so far north as that of barh^y, but it grows in regions too cold for wheat, and on soils too poor and sandy for any other grain. Its ripen- ing, in the opinion of some writers, can also be moi'o confidently reckoned upon in cold at Osna- ,t Moose Bell tells and came ititled to a thin the than any lin Shet- about the ea, every- f>s on the is between )E Mr. H. and other ns further all that is e Atlantic situated be- e,d to seven the mean e territory, central and ,ture, which Utivdion of ctory on the erritory. I iwn at New us the evi- to the fact tliern divi- is that the la' ter state- lordering on let maturity, rove, in my to ripun at Inago of the 3 or rotation 1 probability soil or the ed its growth L'ceed. My k tho greater [posts I have Now (kuns- again said Un from the extensively population. it grows in 1. Its ripen- lp>)n in cold 00 regions, than that of any other grain. I have neither seen rye growing, nor have I ever heard of any attempt to grow it in this territory. I am convinced, however, that at Matawagarainjjue in the southern part of this territory, and in the sandy areas on both sides the Height of Land, this important grain can and will be cultivated with very great advantage. " Peas awl Beaiis. — These, which are called legumenes or leguminous plants, produce seeds much richer in nitrogen or flesh-forming material, than the grains — wheat, oats, barley, maize, rye, etc., called cereals They form an aliment of great value, and are extensively grown in many parts of the world, where they are used as food by man and do- mestic animals. " The Windsor bean and Kidney -bean are generally relished when young and green. A small variety of bean commonly known as the " Horse bean" is extensively cultivated in Great Britain, where it is highly valued in cambination with oats as a ]iro vender for horses. The kidnej'-bean when fully ripe, is a wholesome and very nutritive aliment, highly esteemed in this country and elsewhere, especially by the working classes, and commonly known under the name of haricot or white beans. I have not seen either peas or beans cultivated as field croj)S in any part of the territory. They are common, how- ever, in the gardens eveii on the coast. At Moo.se Factory peas, kidney-beans and a small variety of the l)road or Windsor bean seem to be unfailing crops. They grow well and r have no dou])t in ordinary seasons will i-ipen their seed. They are used, however, chiefly, if not entirely, in the green state. " The beans appear to succeed better and to be more prolific than the peas, which are not always so good. I have been surprised at the invariable excellence of the crops of both kinds of beans at ^Toose Factory. Nor have I ev(>r seen a better crop of Dwarf- kidney beans than was growing at ]\latawagamingue when 1 was there last August (GOth). The bean was of a brown colour, and a little larger than the white haricot. Mr. Rae told me that they came to maturity and were quite equal to the wliiti; bean. " The vetch, a variety of the pea family, grows wild everywhere, but nowhere is it anything like so abundant as on the coast of James' Bay. So plentiful are tliey on the more sandy parts of the old beaches that I have sometimes thougiit tiiat th(> Indians would do well to harvest a lot of them for use, at a pinch during the winter. With a little judi- cious s"lection and cultivatinn this vetch might become of great service in a country, to the climate and soil of which it is so thoi-ougliiy adapted. " Potato. — There is prob.ibly no food plant that is likely to be of more importance to the inhabitants, present or future, of this territory, than the potato. Tltere is none the cultivation of which has been so thoro\ighly successful in evei'y part. The admirable fit- ness both of soil and climate for its growth has Ijeen established beyond dispute. No one who has seen the crops at Moose Factory, Rupert's House, New Post and .\Iatawagamin- gue, can entertain any doubt on this point. Whether viewed in reference to size, (juantity 01 (|uality, the crops at Moose Factory, and Matawagamingue this year would compare avorably with those in the bt.'st potato growing districts in Ontario. They keep all winter u common root-houses, and are sweet and good until the following crop is tit foi- use. 'eaty soil is particularly well suited to the growth of potatoes. As stated elsewhi-re, here are millions of acres of peat-mosses in this territory, very (extensive ari>as of which an be easily reclaimed, and wiien this country is settled and means of transport provided, t is within the range of possibility, if not probable, tliat hundreds of thousands of tons of otatoes nniv bo grown and sent south to supply ilie Wiuits of th<^ people in tins cities of iitorio and the northern states of the Fnion. " Othfr It'oots, — If in the near or more remote futun;, the breeding of cattle and lairy husbandry be likely to form important resources of this territory, as is by no mtfans inprobable, then the f. uess of the soil and climate for the growth of root crops is of the ;ii'atest conse([U(!nce. Among these the turnip is entitled to a iilace in the fiont rank, have seen small patches of turnips, usually Swedisii, at most of tlie Company's posts in lie territory and beli((ve that on suitable soils, ])i'oper culture would tMisun! large crops of .\c(>llent l)ull)s. Tiie carrot, beet and parsnip can also l)e grown, liut like the turnip have. nly hitherto l)(!en cultivated as garden cvojis. I know no reason why they should not ue and all succeed in tlie field also. ^ 66 " Green Veyetahlex. — Cabbage, spinach, lettuce, mustard, cress and radishes are grown without any difficulty. The cauliflower, so tender, as .1 thought, in respect of frost, ap- pears to be one of the surest crops at Moose Factory, and is sometimes ready for the table as early as the first of August. Potato-onions also grow well, but the season is too short to grow onions of any size from the seed. The cut-worm is the great enemy of the gard- ener at Moose Factory, as it is in many other parts of Canada, and if the cabbage and cauli- flower plants were not well looked after and protected, few would be left. " Fruit. — The only fruit that appears to be cultivated in the garden are the red and bbick current and the rasjiberry. The red current is remarkably proliflc. lihubarb also grows well. (Jther small fruit, such as the strawberry and gooseberry might, I am per- suaded, be raised with litth; trouble, for they are found growing wild in many places, and perhaps nowhere more plentiful, or of finer quality than on the coast. With these ve have the wild raspberry, a diminutive variety of blackberry, which grows only a single berry on each pl.iut, and a very .small kind of cianberry. The huckle-beiTy or blue-berry is found in great profusion from the long-portages to the Height of Land. Indeed it may be said to abound from the coast of Hudson's J5ay to the shores of Lake Huron and Sui>erior. Ft was nowhere in greater profusion or of finer quality than on the Height of Land itself. The Ixvrries gathered from one measured square yard as an experiment filled a large pint cup, * At the same rate, an acre would produce two thousand tour hun- dred (juiirts of this whole.some fruit. Even allowing that the hurries were exceptioueiUy ))lentiful on the s[)ot in question, it is not the less true that could the quantity of fruit wliieli grows in th(i country lying between Lakes Huron and Superior and the fiftieth parallel be api)roximately estimated it would appear simply inci'edible to those who hiUe not seen the country during tlu! berry season. It would dwaif into comparative insig- nificarce, in my opinion, all tlie other fruits jiut togefluir, Without any rich or strong flavour, it is a pleasant, refreshing and exceedingly wholesome fruit and niay, I think, be eaten in almost any quantity without danger. The natives are very fond of tliem. and even gather and dry the berries for use alter the season is over. J>ut all that man can use is as a drop in the bucket; the almost tinreduced bulk of the fruit forms a bcmntiful provision of Nature for her other crratures. "o the beasts of the Held and tht; fowls of the air, and e\ery creeping thing, these millions of bushels of fruit thus left over are as food ; to some, perhaps only an agreeable luxury, to all doubtless a source of delight of whicli we can form no adecjuate conception. To none of all these, perhaps, it is a gveattr blessing than to the ant, that dilifient and biave little pioneer who precedes man and earth-woruis .nlike by centuries, in the important work of ameliorating and preparing the crud(! soil for the support of higher orders of vegetable and animal life. That an oniniver- ous animal like the bear .should eat, or even subsist for a time on these berries seems quite natural, but when wo ilnd among its uonsumtMs carniveroiis aiiinuils such as the fox, the marten and the fisher, and such birds as ravens, w >od[)ecker8 and ducks, one cannot help feeling more or less surprised. " The only other wild fruit that I shall notice is also a variety of Whortleb.i ry. '''his is a bush or tree not very unlike the wild cherry in appearance. North of the Height of Land it attains a height in some placeii of ten or twelve fe(>t, but is g(>neially about .six I'eet. 'i'lie fruit grows singly, iu;t in bunches or clusters on the tice. It is of an oblong or pi'ar shape, lai'gci' thiin the blueberry, but smaller than the grape. When ripe it is of a purple or blue coldur. It is sweeter and has more flavour than the huckh' berry, and is pi'cl'ei'ied by th" natives to it. ff too is i'ound all the way from . lames' r.ay to Laki' Huron, but nowhere did I see it in greater perfection than on the .Maftagami llivei'. The fruit is not only pleasant and wholesome, but the juice would, 1 am pursu:ideft, nuiki^ an excellent wine, and the tree is worthy of cultivation and of a place in our orchards or gardens. " The high-bush Cranberry anf iisinn of Vilue-VierriHS does ji' Haiidy dlHtrictH. K.Ii.U. xtend to all this territdry. Imt is limittvl to the rocky an of frost, ap- For the table is too short of the gard- ige and cauli- the red and Ihubarb also t, I am per- ^ places, and Lh these we )nly a single or blue-berry i. Indeed it e Huron and :he Height of eriuient lilled ud four hun- exceptiouiilly .ntity of fruit \ the titluth lose who hii\e arative insig- ich or strong y, I think, be of them, and that man can ^is a bountiful d the fowls ot 't over are as of delight oi it is a greater cs man and jreparing the vt an oraniver- berries seems such as tlu ducks, ont WhortleVurry- North of the is g(>nerally leo. It is of rape. \\'lion n the buckle 1 .lames' Wwy ' .Mattagiuiii ni pursurtdt'H, 1 our orchards lauy piirt> of il I came til James' Bay. tlic rocVcv mi'l 57 " So soon as the Canadian Pacific Railway is extended through this territory, the gathering of these wild fruits will afford the natives a lucrative employment, as it does now to many of those on the north shore of the Georgian Bay. Nor to the great mass of the inhabitants of our cities will an overflowing abundance of such wholesome fruits as this territory atibrds in unlimited quantities, be otherwise than agreeable, the dearness of those cultivated fruits which can be exported to foreign countries placing them to a great extent out of the reach of the families of workmen. " Nor is there anything unreasonable in the supposition that a country possessed of a climate which enables tlie uncultivated .soil to produce spontaneously such a variety and abundance of wild fruits, may be capable of doing a great deal more with man's powerful aid and assistance. " No attempt has been made yet, so far as I know, anywhere in this territory, to grow apples, plums, or cherries. I am inclined to think, however, that these and other highly prized fruits might succeed in the southern, higher, and drier parts of the territory. I should be much more hopeful of their doing so than on the north shore of Lake Superior. " On the south side of the Height of Laml, and coming down in souk* places to within a few miles of Lake Huron, tlie country like that for a considerable distance north is full of lakes. These are not generally very deep, one result of which is that tlie water heated by the sun's rays becomes much wanner throughout than the water of lakes Huron and Superior. 1 found tlu; temperature of tln^ wat(;r of hakt' Monabing at the sui'face 70° Fall., and at fifty feet in dej)th it was still not less thiin 02^'. I am of opinion, therefore, that orchards planted on islands or on tiie warm, dry ridges of bouldry or gravely soil, lying between such lak(;s or even to the south of them, would not be likely to sull'er from summer frosts, the chief, if not the only obstacle to the growth of many viduable fruits. I saw on Whiteiish Lake, Indian corn planted in just such a locality as that 1 refer to, and this circumstance, which I have noticed elsewhere, goes far to convince me that the climate of a wide belt of territory on botli sides the Height of Land, between Lake Huron and James' Bay, is so t(!mpered and modilied Viy tin; warm waters of the numerous small and shallow lakes, which cover probably one-third of the country, as to admit of the cultivation of many of our ino.st valualde kinds of fruit. " Grasxi'.s. — Whatever doubt may remain in the minds of any as to the agricultural value of the country north of the Height of Land in respect of its grain-growing capabili- ti(!s, there can be none in regard to its iitness to produce the more important roots and grasses. From the height of land northward to the coast of James' Bay nothing on the north Shore of fiake Huron or Supiu-ior can exceed the luxurianci^ of the native grasses. These, however, are limited to beaver meadows, alluvial lands along the banks of the rivers, marshes in vicinity of the lakes, ami to a broml Vx'lt on th(^ southern coast of .Tames' Bay ; where: covered with fon^st, bush or peat mosses, little grass is to be se(iu. " I have not met with a tie^ld of cultivated grass in th(^ wliole territory. At those posts of tli(f Hudson l>ay (company wiiercs cattle ai'e kept, they obtain their hay either from the marshes bordering U|)on tlu; inland lakes or from the salt marshes on the coast. Some however, of our cultivated grass-seeds have been sown in former times at several of the posts, possibly with the view, ratln^r to improv(i the pasture, than for hay. Bi' this as it may, white clovrr is to be seen at almost all tlie posts, and red clover, sown some tifteen year.s ago at least, is still common in tlu^ iieids at Flying Post. Timothy likewise grows admirably in this territory, being (piite al)le, like tlie rtid clover, not only to tnidiuo the cold of the winter, but to mature its seed, as is proved by its Iteing still fouml on portages where the first seeds were iiccidi'ntally di'opped many years ago. These facts though meagre, are important, enal)liiig us, as they do, to t'orm at least soiik^ idea of tlie Iitness of this territory for pastoral pursuits. " C'f/,tic animals usually kept by liim enjoy excellent iiealth in this territory. The oidy exception is the horse, ami the oidy pla<'e Albany Fac^terv. Several horses having died unaccountai)ly at this post, the Company have not nmde any further atttsnipt to ket^p them there. The cause, whatever it may be, can liardly be the climat(^, as that differs but little from ^^ooHe Factory, where the horses are romarkal)ly healthy. 68 " Cows and oxen are kept at all the principal posts, and I have invariably found them wherever I have been, healthy and in fine condition, pretty good evidence of the salubrity of the climate and excellence of the pasture. At Moose Factory, where some sixty head at least are constantly ke])t, a certain number are slaughtered every fall, and are quite fat although then taken straight from the grass. The cows yield a large quantity of good milk. " Sheep. — There is a small flock of sheep also at Moose Factory. They appear to be of a common and not very large breed. It is necessary to house them at night and watch them during the day, to protect them from dogs, of which numbers are kept by the Indians. They seem to thrive pretty well notwithstanding, and are, so far is I know, subject to no particular di.sease. " Uarjs. — A few pigs, seemingly well-bred, are kept. They are allowed during the summer to run at large on an island opposite the Post, and what they can gather for themselves is supplemented with potatoes and waste from the kitchens. They are thus maintained in good health and growing condition, but cannot be fed up fit to kill without grain or meal in the fall, which is, I presume, given to them, for the home-cured haras are exceedingly fine. " Poultry. — It is impossi>)le to keep poultry at or near any of the fur-trading posts unless they are enclosed in a well-fenced yard. The Indian dogs, unbroken and half- starved, would woiry and dfvour any fowls tliat were sufl'ered to run at large. But lor this the common barn-door fowl might be reared and kept with great advantage. The turkey would do well also with full liberty to range about during summer. " The vast numbers of wild-fowl wliich migrate to and spend the summer months in this territory affords suflicifnt proof of its fitness for gee.se and ducks, both of which might no doubt be easily bred mid reared. " In conclusion under this head, the agricultural lesources of this territory are, as will now have been seen, variou.s and Ijy no means unimportant. The climate has >>een shown to be such : — " That we have good reason to believe wheat, oats, barley, and rye, as also peas and lieans can be succe.'-sfully cultivated. " That excellent crops of potatoes and turnips can be grown in any part of the territory, and that other roots such as the carrot, beet and parsnip will in all proV^ability succeed. " The cauliflower, cabbage, and all the common vegetables raised in the northern part of Ontario can be likewise grown at Moose Factory and at other posts south thereof. " That the cultivated grasses, red clover and timothy, grow luxuriantly, mature their seed and survive; the winter. " That wild fruits of various kimls, :ind valuable of themselves, are spontantiously produced in great quantities, warranting tin; inCerf^iice that cultivated varieties may l>e success fully and profitably grown in the territory. "That livestock, horses, cows, sheep, pigs and jioultry thrive remarkably well in every part of the territory where introduced, with the exception of Albany Factory, at which tilt; horses alone for some unknown reason h;ive not lived. "The soil, as might be expected in a territory .so large, is variable, ranging from clay loams at or near the cost, to light, .sandy or gravely loams towards the Height of Land, and in some sections very extensive peat-mosse.s. These peat-mosses are confined chiefly to the territory lying to tlie, north of the forty-ninth parallel. The southern limit, however, of the peal-moss region, is I lielieve very considerably north of the forty-ninth, if not ev(;n of the fiftieth parallel, west of the Mis-iuaibi Branch of Moose Kiver. These peat-mosses repose on clay marls, and although not immediately available for cultivation, 1 hav(> hardly a doubt vast tracts will be eventually reclaimed and converted into good arable land. iabljr found iTice of the where somo ry fall, and ge quantity ippear to be t and watch ept by the r is I know, 1 during th<- gather for ly are thus kill without cured hams lading posts a and half- e. But lor itage. The • months in ;h of which tory are, as ite hits l>een 18 and beans le territory, iroVee report for 1879-80, page 20-25, and report for 1882-83, pp. 13, et seq. •' To engage successfully iti these latter branches of farming it is not imperatively ifcessary that colonization or other roads should be made to each man's door. Store ittle can he driven many miles over a country, which, if not already passable, can be pndered so with very little labour. The expense of driving cattle sixty or seventy miles ;o the nearest railway station or steamboat landing is trilling ; nor would the transport t really good butter a like distance, over winter roads, be a very serious obstacle to the ijccess of dairy farming if the country and the climate were otherwi.se favourable. It is 1 very different matter when the marketable produce of a country is grain or roots, even i that grain be wheat. Of this we have already sufficient evidence in the experience of ettlers in the west and northwest. " If a portion of the money heretofore spent in promoting (iuiigration were expended a placing beyond doubt the fitness of our northern territory for the growth of grain and •oot crops, and its particular adaptability for the raising of cattle and the making of heese and butter, such an expenditure could not, in my opinion, fail to \)e, in the highest legree, beneficial. "With this object in view, I would respectfully suggest the establishment, at suitable ■oints, of experimental farms, in this territory, " The object sought to be obtained is !iot of the nature of " model farming," nor is it he raising of large crops. That which we really want to find out is, what kind of crops ;an be raised in different parts of this territory ! And further, in regard to those crops hat will grow, which are best adapted to the soil and climate ? or in other words, the uost thrifty ami productive. It is of vital importance, as hearing on the value of this rritory and the manner in which it should bo opened up and developed, that the (lov- !rnir lit should know from actual experiuumt whether wheat, barley, oats, rye, peas, jean , vetches, etc., will grow and come to maturity. As regards w\ieat again, whether 'ali wheat is or is not a reliable crop in a territory like this, where the ground is covered vith a mantle of snow the entire winter? That potatoes will grow well from the Height )f Land to the very coast of James' IJay, has been sufficiently proved at the Hudson Uay otnpany's Posts, liut there are other roots of no little iin|)ortance, such as the carrot, urnip, beet, parsnip, in respect of which it would be desirable to have further information, aiu, as bearing on the suitability and value of the country for stock-raising, and for lairy farming, it woukl certainly hv. well to know, from actual experiment, wiiat grasijos •vill grow in the territory, such as red and white clover, timothy, ryegrass, etc, including m i 60 not only those valuable for fodder, but for pasture also. It would be interesting also ti know whether the cultivation of flax, hemp, and hops might be expected to be successful And some of the smaller fruits even might be worthy of notice. " All this, it appears to me, might be ascertained by carefully conducted experiment on ten acres of land or less, and in a period of four or five years at the most. The result might not be quite as satisfactory or reliable as those obtained by farming in the larg( way, but would nevertheless, I think, be exceedingly valuable to the Government am people of this province. " The Oovernn.' nt would then have not merely opinions and reports, but reliabli facts on which to base its policy in regard to the opening up and development of th( territory. It would tlien know what kind or class of settlers would be almost, if no quite certain, to make a fair living and comfortable homes in the territory, and these an( no other should be encouraged to go there. The success and contentment of the first pioneers is the best advertisement of, and the surest way to peoi)le this oi' any othei territory. " It may be feared that these " experimental farms " will be too costly, but most oi the operations would, in reality, more nearly resemble those of the market ganlenei than of the farmer. No expensive buildings need be erected, and those absolutely required might be constructed of logs, which can be procured on the spot. I believe these farms, if judiciously located and properly handled, would be self-sustaining after the second year, and that no part of tlu^ capital invested need be lost. And further, that under any circumstances the expense will be altogether trifling as compared with the importance and value of the results. MINERAL RESOURCES. In this northern portion of Ontario, the fundamental rock is so generally concealed from view by the overlying drift, that it does not, for that reason, afford a very promising field for the explorer in search of those metallic ores, or other minerals commonly found in veins. In the banks of the rivers and on the shores of the lakes and islands the rock is occasionally exposed, having been denuded by the action of the water. But in the rivers .such exposures are chiefly met with at rapids and falls. In the intervening stretches although there may be a great deal of loose rock and many boulders and an occasional reef, very little rock is met with in KJtu. On the lakes again, it is j)rincipally on exposfil points and islands that rock is found, rarely in bays, and even when met with in such positions, whether on lake or river, the bare rock will not often be found to extend far inland. Nor is the rock itself, either on the height of land plateau, or central belt or plateau, generally of the kind most likely to contain rich veins of the more useful metals, the fundamental rock being generally Laurentian. There are, however, important areas where it is Huroniiin, and it is these more especially which should claim the attention of the pros]i(H;t()r. Ores ot iron, copper and Iciid have alnady been found in s(!veral localities, in promising, if not paying (luantity. Iron pyrites, mica and otlu.T minerals of more or less economic importance have been met with, and it is ([uite within the range of jMs.siliillii/, if not prohabililji, that as the country is rendered accessible, systematic exploration may be rewarded by the discovery of the precious metals. In the northern division or coast belt of this tei'ritory, the fundamental rocks are stratified or flat lying. They belong to the great paheo/oic division of the geologists, and consist of limestones, sandstones and siialcs, dill'ering greatly from each other in appear- ance and composition, and when fossiliferous, as many of thes(5 beds are, each group is characterised by the presence of particular fossils absent in other groups. For an explanation of the terms usually employed by geologists, and for a description of the rocks in this part of the Province, I must refer to the excellent little work of Dr. 9 interesting also t ;ed to be successfu ducted experiment most. The result •rming in the largi e Grovernment an( ports, but reliabl( levelopment of th( be almost, if no ^ry, and these anc itnient of the first this or any othei ostly, but most ofj market gardenei those ahsolutel)' '■ I believe these staining after the Vnd further, that lui pared with the lerally concealed very promising 3ommonIy found ^es and islands, he water. But the intervening louiders and an it is principally even when met ben be found to belt or plateau, ful metals, the iportant areas le attention of ind in several oth(;r minerals ithin the range 'It', systematic V c ntal rocks are geologists, and ^ier in apj>ear- each group is | a descrij)tion ? work of Dr. PLAH NOTE —Big Rapid is supposed to be about half way between the Long Portage and Moose Factory. PLAH OF LIQHITE POIHT BELOW Biq tlUFID, missinaibie: river. Scale~2o0 fee.t^l inch. SUI\¥EYD J\/lD Dl\^Wll -BY BROCK CAREV. k ■I t. i ^. ^if^ //r^//^^ ,^: ^^^ '"It ^ t 1,.' r r ' and a half miles below JJound May at the foot of Hell (latti. This b( d of lignite is aliout three feet thick, and is underlaid by soft sticky blue clay lud overlaid by about seventy feet of drift clay or till, full of small pebbles iind passing inw gravel towards the top. ^luch of tlu! lignite retains a distinct woody nature, som(> ofiL' imbedded trunks are two feet in diameter. When dry, it makes a good fuel, but contain: a little iron pyrites. On the south-east side of the river, at nineteen miles below Coai Brook, or two miles above Woodpecker Island, a horizontal scam of lignite was fouml ir. a bank of ' till" 12;") feet high. It is from 1 j, to 'Ih feet thick, and is made up principallv of sticks and rushes. Below the lignite are 80 feet of yellow-weathering grey clay, aiiJ above it 4.") feet of lilue clay. Both varieties of clay are full of pebbles, and they als) hold some striated boulders of Laurentian gneiss, Jluronian schist, and unaltered J)('vo nian limfstone. At three miles below Woodpecker Island, or nine miles above the mouth of Opazatika (Poplar) Jiiver, another bed of lignite occurs in tiio bank upon the suine side. It is G feet thick, but diminishes to the eastward, and is of a shaly character, b,'iii.; made up of lamina.' ot moss and sticks. Immediately below the lignite is a layer 1 to(.i thick, of irregularly mingled clay and .spots of impure lignite. Next below this are !.- feet of unstrititied drift, full of small jiebbles, under which are a few feet of stratiliPii yellowish sand and gravel. Resting upon the lignitf* are .') feet of hard h.-ad colored chiv with .-^eams and spots of a yellow color, and layers of I'ed grey, drab and bull'. Above n and forming the top of the bank, (ifi feet high, are 10 fecit of hard drab clay with striatci pebbles, and small boulders hohling rather large valves of Huxicdva riniona, Mkcoih" calcnri'd (Trllina proximo), and Mya trnncnta. Small seams of lignite were seen in tw places in the bank on the saiiH! side at, and again half a mile below the foot of a ra]iii which occurs about six miles above the Opazatika. In the interval, between one and tw miles above this streiMu, the whole bed of the river appears to b(> underlaid by lignit* When sounded with a heavy poie it has an elastic feel, and gives ofi' large volumes o: gas, which may also be .seen at any time bubbling up spontaneously here and there a along this part of the river. This phtxiomenon has lieen observed by the Indians from time immemorial, and the locality has received the name of the ' Bulibling Water.' -A box of specimens of the lignites of the above localities was brought to .Montreal fci examination." tweon four nni l)cd of sypsiin as a fertili/ci ail)i Rivpr, anj| l<, when' tlifl o tlu! Hudson'J tJiesand bcdaj K'iiif; unahlotol ic weather ha ut to return t :ni.sli oil witii a ire their relur is ciri;iiin.Htanc' Is, but to othr on them, llr, ilescrilies tli-i tlie Missiiinil During ihi l^ong Portii: the west huii small (lisciiarL'e h or River-si(J< of Hell Cam. y l)lue clay ami ill passing intfi ire, some of i el, but contain :1ps b(,'low Ooail was found i up principa grey clay, audi , and tliey als naitered J)i'vo JOve the mouth upon the sum Karacter, boinj a layer 1 too! ow this are 10 ■et of stratiliw ;id colored clay iff. Above ai r with striated yosn, Jfitcoiii" re seen in tw. foot of a ra)>iii n one and twc laid by lignit rge volumes of i and there ail ' Indians from ig Water.' A .Montreal fc ■^low Cokiiiff. 1' ast Coking 4r..82 44.03 r{ !).«() 41.39 11.74 11.74 2.84 2.84 ino.oo 100.00 1:1, Ki 1:1.0G 63 " No analysis of the specimeH of lignite collected by T>r. Rell in 1H77. has yot been made, ho far as 1 know. A S[)ecimen, however, obtain ,d from the Moose Kiver by Dr. liell, in 1875, was e.xaniinod by Mr. lloH'man, and gave the following results (tleolocical Report, 1875-70, page 422) :— -j v », Fixed carbon Volatile combustible matter . Water Ash Ratio of viilatile to fixed condjustUde This specimen of lignite was thoroughly air-dried. Mr. Hoffman observes in refer- ence to it : — "This ligidte is very .similar in composition to those from the Souris Valley, collect(!d and examiiKvl i)y Mr. 0. M. Dawson, as also to those from the Dirt Hills and Woody Mountains (North-west Territory), collected liy Mr. Hell." Although looked at hurriedly in passing, I had never had it in my power at all carofully to fxandne these lignite beds until last year. In addition to the places on the Missinaibi. described by I)r. l>ell, I hail in the course of my own explorations found lignite " in situ," both on the iSIattagami and Abittibi branches of Moose river. l!ut having neither tools nor men, or indeed permission to use tliem, in the work of opening up ami testing these or other mineral deposits, nothing moro was done tlian simply to report the existence and apparent size of the beds. Nor would it have been prudent to do more until the boumlaries of th(! province were linally determined. Last .summer however, by the desire of the Honorable tlie (Commissioner of Grown Lands, I took with me, when going to Moose factory, such tools and men as would, 1 expected, enable me to examine these beds ol' lignite more thoroughly, and to form a more decided opinion as to their economic value anfl importance. Owing to 'unavoidable delays arising from circumstances which could not be foreseen, Imt more particularly to sickness among the Indians at Missinaibi, and the diiliculty — amounting almost to impossibility — of obtaining voyagours or guides, either tlua-e or at .Moose factory, much valual>le time was lost. Tlie results obtained however if not entirely satisfactory, are to say the least encouraging. Seeing that it would be impossilile during one short season to test or even examine carefully the lignite-bi-ds on all the rivers m(!ntioned, 1 determined to restrict our opera- tions to those on the .Missinaibi braiich of the Moose Rivei'. We accoidingly proceeded straight to Moose Factory where it was necessary to get some tools madi; and to procure mor(! men, both of which were indispensable. Tliis done we commenced to re-asctsnd the river on the ITith of duly with the intention of examining the several outcro|)S of the beds of lignite as we came to them, beginning with the lowest at Big jiapids, aliout half way between Moose Factory and the Long Portage, and ending at Coal T.iook, some eight miles below Long J'ortage. The distance between these two points, by tlu; river, is nearly fiO miles. .luilging from what I had pre\iously seen, 1 expected to find the lignite at Coal Brook in greater (|uancities, if not of better (juality, than at any other place on the river. On the 18th of July we reached I'ig Rapids. The lignite at this point was discovered Viy one of my voyageurs in 18S0 aTid was thus reterred to in the re{)ort for that year, p, 12. " Emichoo, my bowsman, lirought mcs a piece of lignite which he had found in the bank of the I'iver a short distance above our camp, anil about midway up the rapids. I went to examine the place and found it was seemingly a regular bed situated aiiout 18 feet below the top of t4ie bank and between 2 and li leet in thickness. It was trace- able a little above the edge of the water for about 25 or 30 fathoms in length. Its strike would appear to be east and west nearly, and its dip very slightly toward the north. Immediately above the liL'nite there is a stratum of about 4 feet in thickness of sandy f" I 64 clay and pebbles. This was overlaid by 6 feet of shingle composed mostly of piecf^s of limestone, slightly held or agglomerated together. Abo e this again there was G or >"< feet of sand and sandy loam. To be workable, 1 think the stra m forming the roof of the coal would reiiuireto Kp liriuoi- (more compact) than where it is seen at the out-crop, but as it dips north, and thi' ground rises sonu^what in that dirr»ction, tlu; roof would most likely become tinner as ii took cov( r, or got deeper below the surface." The out-crop of this iicd of lignite at the time above referred to — almost tin a level with the water of the river — was this year (a month later in the season) from '.I to G feet above it. During the spring fnjshet, I hav(! no doubt that it is entirely under water. Xo tinu; was lost in setting John Culiis — a practical miner— with one of the voyageurs, to drive in on the \n-i\ from the river, while anotlusr party was sent to bore down with our " jjr'ospei.'liiig auger " at a point on the river bottom, some distance inlaml from, and a little higher than tiie immediate bank of the river. Ll may be |)rop(^r to mention her<^ that this prospecting auger was ol)tained from the Peircc Weil-Sinking \- ()il-\Veli Supply Company of New York. As everything had to be taken in canoes ami carried un the men's backs ov(>r numerous portage.s, 1 selected this auger, after some inquiry, as being, in my opinion, lighter and more portable, and on the whole better suited to our purpose, tlian any ottier. Jt l>orfd a hole 4 J, inches in diameter. The rods made from malleable iron gas-tubing, and l'^ indies in diameter, were in a feet lengths and could be easily handled. 'J'he.se screwed togc^ther by means of thimbles, and length by length could be adiled as the hole deepened. We took with us a suliicient number of tlu-Kc, to enable us to sink tifty teet in depth, where necessary, and the nature of the material to be bored through would admit, The auger was turned or worked like a -jommon wood auger. The cross-head for this purpose could not be obtained from New York witliout occasioning delay. With the kind permission however of the oflicer in charge at Moose factory, the blacksmiths there designcMl and made one for us which could be attached or screwed on to any pan of the rods, and answered the pur pose very well. The necessity we were under of drawing up the auger every nine or ten inches in (jrder to clean out " the pod." ii imediately above "the bit,'' and which wa< accomplished by means oi block and tackle, took up a great deal of tinui, 'especially when the hole had attained such a deptli as to require the putting up of a triangle. As a substitute for the triangle, we frequently took advantage of an inclined or over-hanging tree, if one coula be found at or near w'-.ere we wished to bore. Up this tree one of the Indians would climb with a small axe stuck in his belt, and clearing away such limbs as might be in the way, fasten the upper Ijlock 'AO, 10 or 50 feet above the ground. This was very convenient and expeditious where auitalile trees — and such a" could lie climbed without serious risk to the man's neck or limb.s — wen; nandy. We . 'd have found a pair of the climbers or spurs sucii as are (iiiiployed l)y thos(! men whose tjusinesa it is to ascend ttdegraph and electric light poles, e.\ceedingly useful. Such an auger as that here referrcid to would I was (piite aware be utterly worthless for boring through rock, Imt 1 did not expect to nn^et with any beds of solid rock, o\ov- lying the lignite in this territory, nor did we do so in any of the holes put down this season. In ilrift or loose material, moderately dry, and comparatively free from stones, wiiether of sand or clay, or an admixiun^ of the two, it answenul ill that could be expecteil of such a tool. I3ut in coarse gravid or drift containing many bjulders or stone.s, it was all out useless, On the river bottom at the i>ig rapids we found after i iieated attempts that it wa- impossible to bore down to the bed of lignite witli the auger. About 17 feet was tlie greatest depth attained. In this and other hole.s, the auger came U|)i)n stones of such si/e tiiat we had to desist for fi'ai- of breaking it. Tliree or four cuts W(.'re however made into the liank from the river. lire shown upon the plan or survey of this point, as also in the phot ^rapli v. li;e!i Tlie.se accom- pany this ■p irt. of picc(!S of ti was G or ^ re(iuire to lift irth, and th- firmer as it — almost on ason) from ?> itircly under li one of tlic sent to bore itance inlaml letl from tlu' thini^' liad to . selected this B, and on the 4i inches in in diameter, ' hy means of took with us u-e necessary, r was turned could not be sion however made one for ered the pur y nine or ten d which was xicially when ^ngle. As a over-hanging ie one of the lUch liraha as round. This d be climbed d have found ;ines3 it is to rly worthless id rock, over- ut down this '. from stoiKis, d be expecti'd tones, it was 5 that it was fe(!t was the iones of such river. Tiiesc v\ hii'li accom- „r.i4»>«iMnKMI!!ltffi^ " nit' ^ ^ r i N J 4, i ■ 44 4.. t. limit •^K ''/. V -' i ' ' ♦. . ..- ^ <_. *< . .'' i '• i • / 4 A4 ^ t- 4 s ' % 10 ^ A ' i k •'* *.. 44 i « * ,- A 4 A -• A.< A^ APPROXIMATE SURVEYS OF COAL BROOK, StfOWIHQ LOCATIOfl OF UQHITE 7\]srn W ORKINGS THEIREON Sfllh I .'I I'll I i'K'l' BROCK CAREY. o :>A«./'fc < i ! ',_ ^ /' s^ ,.'''^ // {" \. (55 In the first cut the lignite proved to be about 2 feet only in thickness with sand, l)Oth above and below. The strike of the bed was appai'eiitly east and west with a very slight northerly dip. The (juiiUty of the lignite was not satisfactory, the wood or trunks of trees, of which it was principidly composed, being imperfectly mineralized, and a good deal mixed with sand. The Ijank of the river at this point was seemingly 20 feet in height. The uppermost 10 feet consisted of sand, below which there was a stratum of gravel and stones of variable thickne.ss, and under this lying both aoove and below the lignite, a pure light colored sand. In the second cut the lignite was in three distinct bands. The first or lowest rested on sand and was 1 foot 5 inche-s in thickness. Above this was a stratum of sand 1 foot thick. Then another band of lignite 7 inches in thickness, and above that a .second layei' of sand - feet. Resting on this was a third band of lignite 8 inches thick. Above all these was about 3 feet of mixed sand and clay, followed in upward or ascending order by G feet of gravel and stones in an argillaceous sand, and at the top about 8 iiiet of sand. In the third opening we found about 1 feet of mixed lignite coal and sand under over of loose material, all apparently alluvial, such as that overlying the lignite in the second opening or cut. The quality of this coal is not such as will, in my opinion, justify the expectation that it can be profitably mined and transported overland to distant markets in southern Ontario, to be there eun)loyed as fuel. It is no S(joner taken out of the ground and exposed to tlie air, than drying, it begins to fall to pieces. Nothing however can be positively asserted on this point, where, as in this t;ase, the coal is obtained so near the out crop and at such a trifling depth, Between this Big Rajnd and Coal Brook several places are mentioned by Dr. Bell where lignite is met with in the banks of the Missinaibi River. Home of these beds I saw, f'tliers I could not find. Thi'y were possibly hidden from view by recent land slides which are very common on the south-east side of the river about where Dr. Bell saw ;'.ps(' beds. Such as came umler my notice did not seem to merit trial, in view of the 'imited time at my disposal and tlie more promising appearance of the Imd at Coal Brook. On our arrival at " Bubbling Wati^r.' however, a few miles abov(> the junction of ihe Opazatika River, a point where a considerable volume of natural gus continually rises up to the surface, and which Dr. I^ell attributed to the presence of lignite in the liottom of the river. I thought it would be desirable to reimiin a day or two and ascertain if possible whether Dr. Bell s conjecture was well founded or not. We first tried to put down two hoi, -i, close to the west bank of the rivev, iind opposite to wliere the bubbles of gas appeared to ri.se in the greatest abundance. At the depth of .0 feet, howevt^r, stones or b.nilders were met with in both, which prevented us tVom .-inking deep(>r. We then tried about twenty yards from the bunk, but there also met with like impediments at a depth of lofeet. 'We then went back about 50 yards intoth(> bush and tried again. At this place which was 8^ feet above the level of the water of the river, we succeeded in boring down 27 feet, or about 18.^ feet beh.w the level of the v/ater, and 13 or It feet bel-w that of the bottom of the river. Neither le.nite nor <'as w.'re struck in any of these holes. The problem therefore as ro the origin of this gas remains nnsolved. In order to do thi.s, it v.i\\ be necessary most likely to bore to a nurdi greater deptii than was reacheil by us. C,,„/ llrook — Th(! po-^ition of this brook has been described in the preceding extract trom L)r I'.i'il's rt^nort for 1877-78, and is also shown on the gcsolo-ieal map of tlie Ba.nn of Moose River While this brook is, as Dr. I!e!l says, '-a. small .hscharge or channel which leavesthe main river (Alissinaibi) opposi'te the head of the toiirMi or nver-side port, ," it is also an independent stream. It is only, J suspect, durnig the springy freshets that much if any of the water of the maiti river Ih-ws through this channel but trom the •mpearance of the banks 1 should judg,' that there was at that Lime a very large .|UantUy Tiie bed of li-nite described bv Dr. Bell occurs on the west side ot ooal Brook about h:df a nule above die innction. h aj'pears in one place, but for a few yards in length inly above ti.e lev.d of the water. A very little work however satished us .hat the .-) («7) 66 greater part of tlio bed was situated below the water level, and tiiat we should on that account he unable to drive on it. The bank al>ove the lignite is composed of drift, clay and sand, with some stones, and rises rapidly to a height of 100 feet. At a comparatively short distance to the soutii-we.st the ground is \')0 or 200 feet, it' not more, above the level of the brook, and t!ie aiijacent Missinaibi River. Indeed I am stron;;ly of the opinion that the thickness or depth of the drift material overlying the bod rock, is greater here than in almost any other part of the territory. On the opposite or east side of tlie brook the ground ii lower ami the brook a little above or to the south ot the exjiosure of lignite referred to, turns or doubles l)ack to such an extent as to form an island. Our first attempt to bore down to the coal, which we were hojieful would undrlie the whole of this low ground, was made on this island. It is nnirked No. 1 on th(! accompanying plan. This hole was put down SS feet. When coining to gravel and ston'-s, it had to be abandoned. No. 2 was started at a point a few yards distant from No. 1. Here we got down 21^ feet below the surface. The first 3 feet were sandy, j)assing gradually into drab colore 1 cl^y with some gravel, and so continuing until at about 12 feet a bed of black carbonaceous ilay was struck. This clay, with more or less lignite interbedded or mixed, continued for fef t. H(>low this, however, w'> came to a stratum of mixed sand, gravel and stone.s. which could not lie penc^trated with our anger. We then cros.sed to the; west side of tho brook, and selecting a point on the liauk about 21 feet above the water, almost immciliateiy in the tear of where the principal exposure of lignite occurs, hole No. 3 was started. In this No. 3 hole, 20 feet of light bluish gray calcareous clay (drift) containing a few pebbles, was lirst passed through. A binl of black carbonaceous chty and lignite was then struck and proved to be 18 feet lo inches in thickness. Interstratitied with, but not included in tlH> thickness of the above, were three bands of light giey, dral) and variegated clay, either destitute of, or containing' \ery littlr lime. The aggregate thickness of these was ;5 U'vt. Delow the black clay (or possibly shale) and lignite, we bored through S,-.^ feet of grey, drab, reddish and variegated clays, destitute like that above mentioned nf lime or nearly so. And I am inclined to think a good fire clay. Having bored this hole as deep as our rods would allow, we had of course to stop. In No. 4, the next hole, we were stopped by a stone at the deptli of "> feet. And in hole No. ii by (piicksand, liaving struck a spring of water at the depth oi S feet. In No. '), however, we were more fortunate. This hole was started iik(! the three preceding ones, on the west side of the l)rook, but close to tlie edge of the water and only about 18 incius above it. It was somewhat further up the river than the place where the lignitt; ajipe^rs in the bank as described l)y Dr. Bell. The iMal could b(> seen, however, in the bottom of the brook in front of where we commenced to l)or<'. 'I'he lirst 1 or ;"> feet the auger passeil through drab ami variegated clay, slightly calcareous. Then followed 7 fi^et of lignite and black carbonaceous clay, llelow tliis 2 feet of ilrab clay, followed by another stratum of lilack clay and lignite, 1 foot in thickness. Then 3 fe, t more of drab au'l variegated clay, succeeded by about .3 feet of sand and clay mixed. Underlying this there was a bed of lignite co.il 2 fe<;t in thickness. Then followed 2 feet of mixed saad and gravel, succeeded by 1 foot of variegated clay. We tlien, greatly to my surprise, struck ,i bed of tine white clay, into which we bored foi' 1) feet, when conung down on a stuu-' with the auger we were unable to sink deeper. Tlie total depth of this hole was 3.") feet Of which II bout 10 feet were lignite and black carbonaceous clay, II feet drab and variegated elay, r» feet gr"y argillajeous .sand, and 9 tei^t were white clay. This white clay is an interesting deposit. I have sent a sample of it to Ottawa for examination, but have no icply as yet. 1 hope, l>ow(iver, to receive it in time tu I'' appended to tliis report. The last hole having attained a depth of about 33 feet below the lev(d of the wat-r of Coal Brook, it was now my intention to l)ore a scries of hules, in ascending order up the hill, and in a south-westerly direction. These were to be so arranged that the bott'iu U the t 'oall we s| of (1 yell, fhiel slii;l| awal to circl as III fouil I sef higll thail 67 on thai ft, clay ratively lOVf th<; opinion ere than : a litth! b.ack to underlie I on the il stones, ;ot down b cohirel )onaceous jontinut'd id stones, the l>ank principal ■t of light ough. A 8 'feet 10 the aVjovc, •ontainin^ ilack clay jdclirtli and \nd I am i! to stop. Lnd in iiolc In No. '"., ■ding ones, t 18 inches ite aj)p'Mi'S ^ bottom of the auger I 7 feet of bj' another (' drab and ig this there i saad and ise, struck a on a stnii" was ;5'i feel ■t drali aiil > Ottawa for time til be of the water ng order up It thebott-n of each hole would be as low or on tlie same level as the moutli or top of the one wiiicii had preceded it. Thus, although unable with the tools we had to take in the whole from top to bottom with one hole, we should be almost certain to find them if any beds of lignite coal were situated higlior than the brook, and cropped out anywhere in the face of the hill above. With this view the ne.xt or seventh hole was started about 20 feet above the level of No. 6. Hole No. 7, we liad only bored •") feet 10 inches when we struck a bi^l of lignite coal, and black carbonaceous clay -^ feet in thickness. Above this seam or bed, the drift clay was calcareous, below the coal we found drab colored and variegated clays, wliich were smooth, unctuous and compact, and like the bhick carbonaceous clays contained no lune. After penetrating 10 feet - inches deeper our auger passed thrt.ugh a second seaui of lignite and black clay 1 foot 7 inches in thickness. This was followed by drab clay about t feet in thickness. At this point another (the third) small seam of iignite und black clay was met with about It inches in thicknes.s. Below this we had drab clay '1 feet 5 inches thick. Then anothi.T ( making the fourth) bed of lignite and black clay, and 7 feet 2 inches in thickms.sK. Under tiiis lignite bed we struck an indurated chiy, -aricgated in color at first, but gradually becoming white in another 2 feet. We were i.ow down nearly 37 feet in all, the bottom of this liole being 17 feet below the level of the muulh of No. G hole, and about 1.") feet below the brook. Here w.- stopped, the; hardness of this V)ed of white clay being such as not only to render our progress slow, but endanger our auger. The aggregate thickness of the four sxams of lignite .'oal thus bored througii s\ as 12 feet. Hole No. s, this hole was started 22 feet higher up the hill than last, and was bored to a depth of 2."') feet, thus going down about a foot under the level of the mouth of that immediately below. The upperniust 12 feet passed through was a calcanous sand with suthcient clay to render it pla.stic. The color at first ycllowi,sh, becoming grey or light dr.ib in depth, I'.elow this, o feet of calcareous clay, then 2 feet of variegateel clay (not calcareous), followed Ijy 1 foot of lignite, and ending with 2 feet of niixe i sand, clay and gravel. Tiie next hole of this series. No. 9, was started 2-1 feet above the last. We were only able to bore 1 7 feet at this plac on account of stones. It left a gap of 7 feet between the top of the on.; and top of the othei- untested. The nature of the ground passed through, being a line grey ealcaieous .sand siuiilar to that in hole iielow, .satisfied me that there was no lignite bed in this intervening space. Another hole, \o. 10, was commenced UJ feet higher up than the last, and sunk to that depth in calcareous .sand as before, nothing worthy of notice being met with. A recent landslide hid left an almost vertical face or b^nk rising from the Icvlof the last hole to the top of tli." ridge which is at this point a littl." over iOO feet aoove Coal lirook. If there had been anv beds of lignite or other material of e.^oununc value, w.! should have seen them in the face of this bank. It was .-omposed with the exceptmn of one or two thin and almost horizontal strata of clay, entirely of a very Une light yellowish colored calcareous sand. The day-bands were not more than :? or 1 nic thick, but interesting as showing, that this portion of the great drift deposit had h< slightly at all events modified since it was first deposited. The ground on the top of the bank or ridge now reached is level, or rather falls away for a sliort distance, after which the surface again rises in a south-westerly direction to at least 200 feet in heig. t. But the character of the surface material, and other circumstances did not appear suci, as calle.l for further boring operations in that direction as our tools would not r..ach down to where the lignite beds .Irea.ly mentioned will be found should they ..xtend from Coal Brook s.mthward and westward uud.'r this highland. I see no reason whv these b<"ds should not extend to a con.sideralde distance beneath this high ground, and if so I should confidently expect the coal to be of much better .luality tlian any yet obtained iin this river, inches )een OS I now again turned my attention to the low ground or river hottom, lying on the east side of Coal Brook, being anxious to ascertain if the bed of lignite partially exposed in the bank and penetrated by the third, sixth and seventh holes bored as well as the underlying white clay extended beneath this low ground. "We selected a spot on the east side, and inunediately opposite to the third hole, and also where the lignite crops out on the west bank. This hole, Xo. 11, and others, will be found marked on the plan. We only managed to liore down, however, about 9 feet when we struck large stones and were unable to go deeper. Down to this point the auger passe.l through coarse sand with some gravel and small stones all alluvial or de])Osited by the river. fwelve other holes were started, ten of which were situated on this flat bottom land. In no instance did we succeed in lioring to a greater depth than 13^ feet. Near the surface the material was generally sandy, with more or less gravel and occasionally stones. But at or aliout the depth mentioned tiie stones became so numerous that the holnshadto be abandoned. Finally, .John Cullis and one of my Indian voyageurs commenced to sink a pit. The soil at tirst a sandy loam, soon became a pure river sand. At 10 feet in depth it became necessary " to timber " their shaft, which was done as well as the mean.s at their disposal would permit. Two or three feet deeper, however, they came to gravel and stones forming at one time (as I think) the bed or l)ottoin of the river. From this a considerable quantity of water rose, keeping two men pretty busy draining it with an extemporised apparatus consisting of a pork barrel, rope and pulley. Cullis tried hard to get down through this stratum of gravel and stones, but in vain, tin? (low of water rapidly undermined the sand aliove, and the ends of the timber losing their support, the shaft seemed likely to crush or run together. It was already, when after a short absence, I came to see it much twisted, and dreading the possibility, even of an accident, which if it occurred might be serious. .1 ordered him to desist. Our intention had been (could we have got through this old river bed) to have then bored down with our auger, from and below the bottom of the shaft. In view of the quantity of water and of the insuHiciency of the means at our disposal to deal with it, we maile no further attempt to sink in this manner. Nevertheless, it is only by actual mining operations of this nature-sinlcing pits and driving levels, drifts or galleries, that the quality of this lignite coal, and even its workable character and extent can be fully and satisfactorily ascertained. Of the remaining holes bored, only No, 10 merits special notice, being one of those in which coal was struck. In this hole lignite was met with at a depth of -1 feet, which continued to 5 A feet. This was followed by clay, which continued to 11.', feet. From winch point to '.M)\ feet in depth, alternat(! bands of lignite, black, reddish and drab clays w re passed through, all proliahly parts of one bed 1'.) feet or thereabout in thickm^ss. Below this variegated, white and drab colored clays, were bored through in the next 10 feet, the hole ending at -lOi feet in depth in white sand. Hole No. 12, was put down 16^- feet with great difliculty in a very hard and tough grey calcareous clay, containing small stones and pebbles. This is, in my opinion, an unstratitied drift deposit, underlying most, if not all, the sands, gr;ivels and clays previously uuntioned, and forming, I suspect, "the rim," if not the bottom, also, of the trough or basin in which the lignite coal and its associated clays are situated. I was very sori'y that we could not test that point liy boring deeper here. But to have persisted longer would have luined our auger. Although the results obtained are in some important respects satisfactory, there are .some poiiils lett doulitful, which 1 .should have been glad to have seen cleared up. Till' lignite and its associated clays, wliicli in "coal-measures " of greater age would be black shales, are found in much thicker beds than 1 expected. They vary, as will have been seen, from 1 or 2 feet to 1!) feet in thickmiss. What proportion the coal bears to the shale in these beds, owin;,' to the mixed condition in which the auger brought up the material of the diUcrcnt liands passed through, is left more doubtful than 1 could have wished, and only to be determined by a very con.siderable numlier of analyses of care^'ally G9 ; on the exposed 1 as the lole, and managed )le to go avel and toni land. Near the ly stones. )les had to pit. The it became r disposal orniing at quantity apparatus ough this I the sand f to crush ;h twisted, )e serious. 1 this old ;oni of the ms at our vertheless, vels, drifts and extent of those in feet, wliich ■et. From drah clays thickn(!ss. le next 10 and tough opinion, an previously trough or very sorry ited longer important been glad age would as will have hears to the ght up the could have of cave^'.illy taken samples. As a matter of opinion, and judging from tlie appearance of Avhat was brought up by the auger, I should say that in' the deepest and apparently thickest Ijeds, not less than G feet or probably more than 9 feet may be lignite coal. The establishment of the fact that these beds underlie at all event.- the gn,Mter part of the drift or glacial dejiosits, is I tliink important in relation to the extent or ar"a occupied by the lignite. Taken in connection with the existence of lignite on the .Aliit-a- gami River under very similar oircumslances, [ am of opinion that there i.^ probai.ly a continuous belt of lignite-bearing country between these two ponits, which ar i about fifty miles apart. And that it may extend a considerable distance west of the Missinail>i and east of the Mattagami. This bed of lignite was discovered by the writer when ascending the Mattagami River on his return from Moose Factory in 188-J, a few miles below tiie Long Portagt;. 1 have no data to guide me in forming a relial)le opinion as to tie width of this belt should it prove continuous l)etween the points named, but I hardly think it will be less than ten or more than twenty miles. I may observe in conclusion under this head, that even if the (pnility of the lignite in this territory should not be such as to wai'vant the expectati^ni that it Avill e\er successfully compete with, or sup(;rs(de the use in Southern Ontario, of coal from the United States or .Maritime Provinces, it will certainly be of great value and importance to the future inhabitants of the territory itself, inclusive of those on tlie height-of-iand plateau. There is, however, a vtiry important purpose, other than that of fuel, which it may serve, and in connection with which it may prove of greater value than common coal. Lignite is, I l)elieve, found to be of great importanc in the most recent and successful mode of treating sewage. If it be found that by tliis method healtii is promoted, and at the same time some of the elements of the sewage, most valuable to the farmer can be preserved, and utilized in restorini; fertility to the soil, a demand may arise for an almost unlimited amount of this lignite, at jirices far lieyond those of ordinary coal. I have heard that the lignite hitherto employed for this purpo.se is actually imported from Euro|)e, l)Ut hardly believe that there can be any necessity for so doiuj,' unless it be much scarcer on this continent tiuxu I had any idea was the case. 1 have not had any oppor- tunity of seeing this new method of treating sewage in operation, or of making my-elf thoroughly ac(iuainti'd witli the process and its rissults, but throw ou'. this suggestion, as one at least of the possibilities of the future which may render the lignite-coal found i)i this part of Ontario of importance and value. Kaolin or Chiii'i Clmj. — This important and rare clay was iliscovered^by the writer on his trip to ^foose Factory in 1880. And is described in Iiis report tor that year, as follows: — The further discovery of kaolin or china clay on the Missiiuiibi branch of the Moose lliver will, 1 trust, also prove of some importance. I liave submitted a sample of this clay, taken haphazard from the b; nk a> I passed, to Professor if. II. Croft, well known in this city, and from him J ha\e received the following report : — ■' Cl'iii frotn the north, left htj Mr. Bnrroa : " The clay is only air dried, and contains about ti^c per cent, of moisture, move accurately .5. in. In mass it is not ipiite white, but wh?n liuely ground liecomes nearly so. (See specimen No. 1.) When ground and washed or suspended in water in the usual manner of preparing; clay, the fiunt coloration remained. (Xo. -J) There was a very slight remnant of sand or gritty matters, sand presumably. No remnants of shells could be detected under the microscope. Acted on by acids, it siiowed only a very small, almost imperceptil)le etlervescence, hence, but little carbonate of lime : a trice of that .salt was detected and an intinitesimal trace of magnesia. Tin; whole amount extracted from the clay by acid was l.o (U) per cent, of which thi^ most was alumina. " 1 have not thought it necessiiry to make an accurate quantitative analysis, as 1 am informed that the sample was simply tished out .jf the river without care, and that probably, a much cleaner specimen coidil be obtained. When burnt the original clay 7 iloes not darken to any extent, showing the absence of any organic matter. It acquires when so treated, a faint pink tinge, and the name after having been treated witli acid, lience, a very small ((uantity of ii'ou oxiile in some form. The clay .seems to me to be such that after proper grinding, washing, etc., it would be nearly, if not quite, equal to the Cornish clay used in the nuinui'acturc; of English porcelain. Allow me to add tliiit I do not compare this clay with that of Dresden (Meis.sen) in (Jermany or Sevres in France. •T.y. — I should add that the clay is perfectly plastic and can be moulded us any other kind of good day.'' The manufacture of porcelain or china is contined to a few localities even in Europe, principally because the fine clay called kaolin or china clay is rarely found. Sevres in France, and Meissen, near Dresden, in (Jermnny, are celebratcvl for the excellence of thi'ir porcelain, the clays at those jilaci's being of great purity. In Statlbrdshire, England, very fine porcelain is also made, and the quantity manufactured greatly exceeds that either of France or Germany. Some idea of the importance of this industry may be formed from iho fact that the potteries, as they arc called, give eiiqiloyment to 100,UO(J operatives, only u portion of these, however, are engaged in the manufacture of china or porcelain. The kaolin or china clay is not obtained on tlu; spot, but brought from Devonshire and Cornwall, principally the latter. The quantity of porcelain clay and cliina stone taken out in Cornwall and Devonshire twenty years a2;o, was about eighty-eight thousand tons per annum. I am not aware at what places, if any, on this continent, Hik; [torcelain clay has been found, but think at any rate that it has not been discovered in workable quantity in Canada. [ bt^lieve there are a few m'nufactorics of china or porcelain in tiie I'nited States, but how much of the clay is obtained in the country and how mucli imported, f have no means of ascertaining. It will be observed that the clay found l)y me on the Missinaibi branch of the Moos'' River is considered by Professor Croft, as nearly, if not (}uite e()ual, to the Cornish clay used in the manufacture of English porcelain. Sliould the deposit be found (as T believe it will b(^ found) extensive, and the quantit}- large, situated as thi.^ (.lay is, within a few miles of beds of lignite or brown coal, if not also of peat, it cannot fail, T think, to become of importance as soon as the country is opened up.'' Tiiis kaolin deposit is on the same side of the Missinaibi River as Coal Brook, and about five miles below the junction. Before leaving therefore on my retnrn last year, I devoted a few days to an examination of it. It shows in irregular jjatches in the east bank, and very little al)0ve the level of the water of the river. These quickly catch the eye of an explorer on account of the singularity and brightness of .some of the colours (especially pink and brown) which are imparted to the kaolin in spots, as I suppcse by metallic oxides. The kaolin forms part of an immense bank or mound of beautiful white sand which extends along the river at least a mile, and rises to a height of not less than one hundred feet. This sand is, in m v opiTiion, a product of the glacial epoch, or in other words is " a drift sand.' It was originally, or when in state of rock, probably a very light colored granite, composed of a colorless (translucent) quartz, white felspar and a very small projtortion of white nuca. Where this rock is in sify I am (juite unable to conjecture. If it be at some point in the north, as I believe, that point cannot be nearer than one hundred miles, and is probably a much greater distance. Wherever it may be, I am fully persuade'! that this material has been quarried, ground, transported and finally " dunqied down " where we now find it, by ice. I'ossibly the felspar in the rock may have b(!en more or less decomposed when it formed a i)art of the granite rock. But whether or not this felspar is much .softer, at any rate, than the other and principal element of the granite 71 —"quartz"— and my observation leads me to believe that in whatever way or manner the ice sheet has reduced solid rock to the condition of tlie loose material included undrr rhe iCeneral nanu- of "drift," "till," "boulder-clay, etc.," that th<^ softer the oric^mal rock or mineral the finer the sand or powder to which it has been reduced. Heiuie,' I inf^r that when this granitic sand was first deposited, the felspar was most likely ground cr l.ulverised to what may lie called an " impalpable " powder, while the hard.u' ([.lartz element wasimly reduced to the state of sand, f f therefore the felspar was not decomposed while tlie original granite rock was in sitv, this decomposition which lias resulted in the [Toduction of kaolin or ciiina clay, must have occurr. d since thci glacial jK-riod, or for the most part subsecpient to its deposition. That this has been tin; case, L think, in view of tli(^ I'.xceedingly tine lloury condition to which the felspar bad been brought, at least probable. 1 was dispos(>d to regard anrj call this vast deposit " felspathie sand," but the examination, micro.scnpic and otherwise, to which it has })een .submitted l)y Dr. lie'l and Mr. Holfman. of the (biological Survey, satisfy me, that although a little of thi' felspar remains still undrcomposed, the far gi'eater [lortion has already been converted into kaolin. Such being, as 1 concive, the origin of this deposit, it is (juiti; in accordance with this thi'ory, that the kaolin should be found distributed as a fine white powder in the sand, dusting and incnisting as it were, tin- grains of ijuart/. And this was found to be the case in every sample taken, even from parts of the bank one hundred feet above the level of the river. As misjlit naturally be expected, however, the percolation of water downw.irds from the suiface on which it has been falling for thousands of years in the form if ram or snow, has cairied with it more or less of the fine particles of kaolin to the lower part of the bank. We cousecpiently lind that this kaolin clay is far more abundant in the lower part, and most abundant of all at or about the level at wliich this surface water e.scapes into the main river, and its tributary brooks, several of which cut through or have their source in this deposit. Hence, wherever springs of water ate met with, eitl-.er on the (^ist bank of the river or in the ravines where this deposit is situated, there we find the china clay in the form of patches or beds of considerable extent. The (|uantity of this sand is simply inexhaustible. And it can not only be obtainc^d with the greatest ease, but by a very snnple and inexpensive mode of washing (or treat- ment iiy wat(n') the kaolin and the quartzose sand can be readily separated. IJoth materials are valiuii'le in an economic point of \iew, the kaolin for the m?nu- lacture of china, and the white translucent quartzose sand for the manufacture of glass. With cheap means of transport 1 iielieve both would be largely used in the United States. Tilt- kaolin u.sed in the potteries of the United States for tiie manufaaure of china, i>, I believe, principally, if not entirely, imported from Europe, probably from England. With a railway, 1 am of opinion, it could i»e supplied of equal (piality and at a lowea' price trom this kaolin deposit in the north. As regards the sand, I have had some experience in glassmaking, and .seen the finest sands employed for that purpose both in England and Scothmd. 1 have no hesitation in .saying that this iMoose River sand is greatly superior to anv obtained in ether country. \w\ that it will sooner or later l)e very largely used in the manufacture of the finer de.scriptions of glass on this continent. In the AppenT. Bell was also the li'-st to call attention to the deposits of iron ore in this territory, espeeiallv to that on the Mat tagami branch of Moose river at the foot of the lirand llapid some" eighteen miles or so below the Long Portage. In speaking of this ore ,()r. Hell says: "The position of the deposit is on the north-west .side of the river, at the % <^/ A^ c*. c*] > y /A IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) i.O I.I IM ilM 12,0 1.25 U IIIIII.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY 14580 (7)6) 873-4503 Luu- wood im\)Oit lat the 3ro\ioct Ipricos ; lof the liate as almost jal, but '• I quoted from various authorities, but more particularly from Dr. Steiry Hurit, facts which conclusively prove the importance and value of peat is a fuel, even when it contains as much as forty-five per cent, of water. It was further shown that with cheap transportation by rail or otherwise, charcoal made from compressed peat might be delivered in our cities at prices that would render the inhabitants in a great measure independent of foreign supplies of fuel, at least for domestic purposes. "In last year's Keport, p. 11, I again reverted to this important subject, showing that even at the lowest estimate the heat-giving power of the peat-beds in this territory is so enormous as to be almost incredible, and expressing an opinion, that before another lifty years have elapsed, this bountiful provision of fuel will, by means of electricity or otherwise, be made to contribute in no small measure to the welfare and comfort of the people of this Province. Since I thus wrote, some progress has been made in this direction. Experiments on a large scale are, 1 believe, being conducted both in Europe and America, the object of which is to substitute electro-magnetic engines for ordinary locomotives on railways. I am not conversant with the details, but as I understand it, the electric fluid is generated or supplied by stationary engines at each end of the line, if short, but at stated intervals if the road is long. The entjines that generate the electricity, which in turn propels the train, may themselves be worked by steam or water. These stationary engines too, may be many miles distant, not only from the train and its load, but if desirable, from the railway itself. All, I believe, that is really essential being, that the electricity thus generated shall be conducted without material loss or waate by means of wires or otherwise, from the stationary engine to the electro- magnetic engine which accompanies the train ; or the electricity may be stored according to Mr. Faure's method, on the j)oint of being patented and introduced into Canada. " If this system be at all successfu!, in an economic point of view, with stationary en^jines worked liy steam, the problem of the utilization of the vast stores of peat and lignite of this territory is, 1 am pt-rsuaded, in a fair way to be solved. The height of land is an extensive plateau, and not a sharply defined r» Ige. This plateau is full of lakes each j.;iving birth to streams of water wliich, uniting, soon become rivers. Some of these How to the north, and others to the south. This plateau is from a thousand to twelve hundred feet above the level of the sea ; and from five to seven hundred feet above Lakes Supf riur and H uron. Hence the rivers for many miles on both sides the height of land otl'er a succession of rapids and falls. These atl'ord water powers, the oiiu-il of which cannot, ia my opinion, be found on this continent, if in any other part of the world. The lakes by which the streams and rivers are fed, constitute, in fact, gnmt natural reservoirs, by means of which, a cimstant and steady supply of water, nt all ■•'••n--«ms, can 1)0 easily ensured. It is oi'viou.s, therefore, that if this method of propelling or drawing trains should i)rove successful, the mutive pownr necessary to transport fuel from the north to our very doors would cost literally nothing but the machinery reijuired to apply it to that purpose. Such a reduction in the cost of transportation as this pre- supposes, would probably enable us to obtain abundant and chtsap fuel for generations to come from our own territory." In conclusion, under this head, I beg to bt; allowed to oll'er one suggestion for ilie consideration of the tJovernment. The mining of lignite — coal, and the getting out of kaolin, potter's clay, and tine sand, etc., is not suliject to the fi«k and uncertainty attendant on most other kinds of mining. These minerals too have already be.'ii discov- ered, and the limits within which they will in all probability be found, pointed out. Under tijese circumstances, I am strongly of opinion that in the general interest, what- ever price the land be sold for, or in whatever ([Uantity, e small royalty if not more than from ten cents per ton on sand to fifty cents per ton on kaolin anil the other minerals in proportion, should be insisted upon. It may afiord a very large and permanent revenue some day or other, and no one so far as I can see — and I am an old miner — has any more right to complain than has the lumberman at bein^,' obliged to pay dues on the pine timber he cuts and sends to market. ir 74 THE SOCIAL CONDITION OF THE NATIVES AND OTHERS. In ray first report, the condition of the inhabitants of this northerly part of the Province was descriljed as follows : " The whole of the vast country over which the Hon. the Hudson's Bay Company --arry on. their fur trade is divided into departiuentH, each of which is the size of a good large kingdom in the Old World. This territory is a portion only of that culled the Southern Dep.irtment. Each department in subdivided into districts, with trading posts, called " forts "' or " houses '' in each. The number of Indians, or at all events the number of hunters, in each district, is known to the otBcers at the respective posts. But while our portion of the territory includes the whole of some of these districts, it more frecjuently only takes in parts of them, and hence it is impossible to form other than A very vague estimate of the population. VV^ith the very imperfect information before me, I estimate the population, both native and European, of the territory, at from two thousand to two thousand live hundred only, or one inhabitant for every twenty or thirty sijuare miles. Hut there is still a greater dithculty in determining tjn' race than even the population. After the alliances l»y marriage and otherwise, which have been going on for two centuries, to draw the line between whites and Indians, with any degree of precision is, in my humble opinion, simply impossible. Quite a large proportion of the natives of the territory, that I have seen, appear to have more or lesM European blood in their veins. " To understiind the .social condition of the natives of tliis country we must in the first place consider their position in reference to tiie Hudson's Bay Company. The charter granted hy Charles the Second to the Hudson's Bay ("ornpuny, conferred on them " the exclusive right of trade in Hudson's Bay and its waters, and all the lands and territories on their confines, not possessed by the sulijects of any other Christian prince or State." The monopoly then cr<'at)plied thenj. His furs were most likely bartered in the outset, for trinkets and baubles of little or no earthly whv to him. and he could live just as well without as with them. In course of tiuu', when trinkets became too conmion, other and more useful articles were necessary to carry on the trade. The natives of the present day are not all Indians — some are altogether, anil n consitlerable portion are, as has been ol>served elsewhere, more or less of our own ran' and blood. They have, in the course of two centuries, become dej)endent on the t'ui trade not merely for ornaments, or even luxuries, but for the very necessaries of life. They have to some extent either inherited or actjuirod new wants, tastes and feelings. Anv intelligent man must see that a monopoly of the trade now is a very diflerent thing from a niono|)oly in 1670. so far as it atlects or nay affect the native population. The power thus placed in the hands of the Company's ofticers, although negative, so to speak, in its nature, has been almost unlimited, and in a great measure irresponsible. They might if so disposed, refuse to buy from any man the only article the country afforded (furs), possessing any exchangeable value. They could give Iuhi as much or as little as they pleased. It was impossible for him to sell his furs elsewhere for there was no one to buy them. They could withhold not merely the luxuries but the necessaries of life — fiour, pork, tallow, and woollen clothing and blankets having now become 75 ts If lUI lit' to If. etl lie AH of 111' necessaries of life to many of the present generation of natives, and powder, shot, guns, axes and nets, etc., having become equally indispen^table to the rudesi Indian. These officers could, it appear.s to me, if prompted to do so by ill-will or other motives, reduce a man and his family to absolute want and misery ; and that, too, without so much as breaking the letter of any one of the Ten Commandments or bringing them- selves under the lash of the law. Nor would such acts of oppression necessarily be heard of outside of the territory in which they occurred. " All the commissioned officers being shareholders or participators in the profits, the interest of the Company and that of its chief officers in the fur tratie is one and the same. That interest is, as I conceive, to obtain the furs for the smallest price com- patible with their being caught at all. The interest of the hunter or trapper is, on the other hand, to obtain the greatest price for his furs that is consistent with tho trade being carried on at all. Thus the interest of the hunter or trapper, iind that of the Company and its officers are antiigonistic in regard to the price of the tarn, whether the same be paid for in money or in goods. "With such diversity of interest, and the pjwer entirely in the hands of the Com- pany and its officers, we can come to no other conclusion than that the puwer thus possessed liiis been used to promote the Company's interest as the first and chii-f. if not the onl}', consideration. "The position of the natives of this territory in relation to the Hudson's Bay (Jompany and its officers has, therefore, been for many years and still continues to be, ii position of absolute subservience and dependence. " Such a position, up to u certain point in the civilization of a savage race, may not be an unmitigated evil. There are not wanting those who maintain that it is no evil at any stage, of civilization, provided that the governing and directing power is not only just but mild and paternal. I shall not discuss this question — uieroly contending that the stage, if there be such, previous to which dependence and subserviency are beneficial even to the 8ub.servient race, has now been reached by the nativos of this terri- tory, and that its prolongation is altoj,'ether undesiral>le, iuasuuich as it is unjust tc the natives, impedes their further progress, retards the development anii settleincut of the country, and is inconsistent with the whole tenor and spirit of our institutions. •'The remedy, and only remedy in my humble opinion, for this state of thing's is to open up this territory, and that done, the rest may be safely left to the natives themselves, and to the energy, industry and enterprise of the people of Canaila. " In thus putting the relation in which the native population stands to the Hudson's Hay Company in what I conceive to be its true light, nothing has been further from my intention than to lead anyone to suppose that the Company and its officers have made a more selfish and unscrupulous use of th(*ir privileges and power than any other company or officers in like circumstances would have done. On the contrary. 1 sincerely Itelievu that like arbitrary and excessive powers have perhaps never l)eeii exercised with greater moderation or more rarely abused by any other company whatever." " The Indians on or near the Coast of James' Bay belong to the .Swampy Cree tribe, and speak a dialect of the Cree language. Those at Abittilii l.ike, and on or about the height of land belong, I am told, to the Chippewa tribe, and speak the Ojibbewa language. Those persons of mixed race or blood in this territory, are the offspring of Indian mothers and Hnglisb, Scotch, or Scandinavian fathers, and sulise(iuent intermarriages. Physically the natives a/e on the whole a fine race. At Moose Factory the only language spoken, excepting Indian, is English — more or less of which II iiiajority of the natives can understand and many of tliem speak. The Hudson's Bay Company's trading posts are usually situated near lakes or rivers where fish is more or less plentiful. The natives appear to congregHt<> at posts like Abittibi, and Moose Factory, soon after tin; ice leaves the rivers, and remain there most of the suiniuer. It is their season for social intercourse, which the young, at least, seem to enjoy. The women and children set out and attend to the fishing nets, while the men either hunt, or tind employment voyaging, making hay, and such like work at the posts. n " Tbny generally live in canvas tents during the summer, but prefer the nrigwaiu of birch bark in the winter. The Indian dress or costume, if it can be so called, has been discarded, and our style of dress has been adopted with the exception of boots and shoes, which have not as yet entirely superseded the mocassin. "They may, and sometimes do, suffer great privations and hardships during the winter, if game (the rabbit especially) should be scarce, or if sickness should prevent tbem from hunting. But during the summer they are not only sufficiently clothed to pro- tect them from the weather, but so far as I could judge, they had enough to eat, l)Oth at Abittibi and Moose Factory. They will, however, eat almost anything, from a bear down to a skunk, a fact of which I have had occular and other demonstration. To the tender-hearted and humane, sometimes shocked to think of poor creatures being taken and destroyed by thousands and tens of thousands, simply for the sake of their skins or fur, it may be some satisfaction to learn, that in this territory at least, the riesh of the animals thus taken is used as food by the natives. The only people I know of — less fastidious in this matter of food — are the neighbouring Esquimaux, who, I have- been informed, will not only feed upon meat in the most disgusting state of decomposi- tion, but do not hesitate, at a pinch, to eat the carcasses of dogs which have died of hydrophobia or have been destroyed because they were mad. To those who do not know that some poisons, which are fatal if introduced into the circulation of the blood directly, are quite harmless when introduced into the stomach or taken with food, this circumstance will doubtless appear incredible. Both the Indians of this territory and the Esquimaux to the north, are naturally flesh eaters, and the dreadful straits to which they are sometimes reduced, when fish and game fail, compel them to make use of anything and everything of the nature of animal food which they can get. " To such hunting and flesh-eating people, a good market for their skins and furs was and still is, a matter of primary importance. Before traders were attracted to the country, the skins of most of the animals that the natives pursued and killed for food, were doubtless thrown away as useless, or probably consumed with the flesh, after the fur or hair had been singed or burnt off. Even if the early traders gave but few articles of much value or utility in exchange for furs in the first instance, these few were so much clear gain to the Indian. When in course of time, guns, nets, traps, axes, knives and other things of the greatest use ant' value, were obtainable in exchange for peltries — the fur — trade, if not an unallowed blessing, was a boon to the natives, the importance of which can hardly be conceived. The long continued and familiar intercourse with our countrymen which the prose- cution of this trade for upwards of two centuries has necessitated, must of itself, have exercised an important and favorable influence on the Indians' character, imparting to them as it has done some knowledge of our arts, usages, laws, and (.ustoma, and preparing them for a higher social condition. The Indians of this territory appear to labor willingly whenever they can obtain employment. They work on the farms at the Company's posts, but cultivate nothing whatever for themselves, nor do they keep or breed any domestic animals, with the txcep- tion of the dog. They are tond of flojr, having acquired a taste for it, as well as oatmeal. Some twelve hundred barrels of flour, beside biscuit and oatmeal, are brought out from Eng- land to Moose Factory by the Company's ship annually. At Abittibi, the Indiams num- bering about 100 souls consume about 400 bags of flour, or 100 lbs. per head annually. A large quantity of tea is used in proportion to the po]iulation, the natives being very fond of strong tea and drinking it at every meal when they can get it. The consumption of tea by the natives at some of the posts, averages five pounds per head per annum The tarifl, more particularly that part of it which imposes fifty cents custom duty on each barrel of flour imported from England, is not at all popular, nor likely to become 8» in this country, the people of which are taxed heavily and receive no benefit whatever in leturn. lOUll! Eng- luni- illy. .ery Ition |v on so \r in I am informed that, the Indians in the greater portion of this territory are not divided into bands, nor have they any chiefs. Family ties would appear to form the principal, if not only, bond of union ; excepting, perhaps, that weaker one which arises irom the circumstance of a number of families trading their furs, and obtaining their supplies, at the same post ; where "s mentioned already, they congregate and frequently remain for several months during the summer, to be scattered again as winter approaches. ,It requires a large extent of country to furnish game and furred animals suHicient for the support of a family, and hence their mode of life does not admit of their living in com- munities however small, during the winter season. It is to be hoped that the Dominion Government will neither appoint nor recognize chiefs, in this territory at least. They can be of no u«e or advantage, that I am aware of, to the other Indians ; and will probably (if appointed) be here, as they are in some in. stances elsewhere, little better than a nuisance. It should rather be the aim of the Government, in my opinion to abolish all tribal and other divisions founded on differences of race only, than to encourage their growth and perpetuation. As one step in this direction, the Indians should, 1 think, be able to obtain their en franchiseraent, and to commute their annuities, on much easier terms than any as yet proposed. The officers and servants of the Hudson's Bay Company in this territory are mostly natives of England and Scotland, principally of the northern Islands and Highlands of Scotland. They usually enter into a formal written engagement to serve for five years, and are brought out in the Company's ships. They get a free passage home at the expir- ation of their engagement, should they wish to return. Some of these men remain in the Company's service all their lives, others find their way to Manitoba, Lake Superior, or to the Upper Ottawa. The greater number of those who come to Moose factory would appear to return to Scotland when they leave the Company's service. There is no en- couragement for any of them to settle in the territory itself ; nor, until the country is openeil up, do I see very well how they could live if they did so. Religion. — The natives of this territory, are for the most part, I think, nominally Christians ; but there are still some who cling t > their ancient faith. Those who profess Christianity, belonging almost entirely to the Catholic and Episoo- j)alian Churches. The Indians at Abittibi being almost exclusively Catholics ; and those at ^loose Factory as exclusively members of the Church of England. At Albany, I have been informed that about two-thirds of the christian population is Catholic, and one-third Protestant. The Catholic Missionaries at Temiscaming visit the different posts from thence to Albany Fort, during the summer, when, as observed before, the Indians arc usually assembled in considerable numbers, at the Hudson's Bay Company's Post. They have as yet, however, no resident priests in the territory but have a church at Abittibi, and one also, if I am not mistaken, at Albany. The Church of England is more fully organized ; This territory forming a portion of the diocese of Moosonee, of which the Right Reverend John Horden is the Bishop. The bounilaries of the diocese, I do not exactly know, but it includes all the basin of Hudson's Bay. I am unable also to say how many resident clergymen there may be in the whole of the diocese, but thre are four or five at different stations ()n or near the coast. The Bishop usually resides at Moose Factory, but is at jjresent on iluty at York Factory. The people at Moose Factory, both natives and European, are very decorous and regular in their attendance at church, and I was surprised to see the number of Indians who seemed to take pleasure in going to the evening services, which the resident Chaplain the R^v. Mr. Iveene, held twice a week or oftener. The laljoursof the Missionaries, both Catholic and Protestant, are trying and arduous, involving as they do, frecjuent long and dangerous journeys either by oauue or on snow- shoes, and much hardship and privation, in orier to reach a population so soitttM'ed a-i u 78 that of thiu territory. The influence, teaching and example of the Missionaries are undoubtedly good, and calculated to advance the cause of religion and morality. Nor have their labours l)een by any means fruitless, although not so fruitful as they might and I have no doubt would have been were the Indians more settled in their habits and mode of lite. The Missions have been established and are altogether supported und maintained by the piety and liberally of the English Church Missionary Society, with the countenance and assistance of the Hudson's Bay Company, who at their own cost erected the church and par8onaj;e at Moose Factory. Education. — There is a neat little school house at Moose Factoiy, but no school- master ; the people, however willing, being unable to pay the salary, or anything like the salary, that would be necessary to get a competent teacher. It is equally impossible for any excepting the chief oflicers of the Company to send their children elsewhere for their education. When they do so it is generally to Scotland, or England, sometimes to Red River, or other distant places in Canada. This is a source of great anxiety and distress to some of the residents, and if the Provincial Government could aid and assist in the establishment of a good school at Moose Factory, I do not know of anything that would give more general satisfaction. The people are not in a position there, and cannot be for years to come, to organize themselves into a school district, impose a school tax, and claim the aid of the Government on the usual terms. Such aid, if given at all, must be granted on exceptional grounds. The Chaplain of Moose Factory devotes as much of his time as he can spare from other duties to teaching the young. The natives are said to be very quirk and ready to learn and are able to read and write their own language in their own charactei, in an almost incredibly siiort time. Crime and the Administration ofJtistice. — Crimes in respect of property are not of very freijuent occurrence. The natives are, on the whole, honest and trustworthy, given, if otherwise, rather to pilfering than to deliberate robbery. At Moose Factory they appear to be quiet, respectful and well boliaved. The murder of a white man by an Indian is so rare as to be almost unheard of, b ut murder is too common among themselves. An Indian who trades at Abittibi Post, is said to have murdered and then eaten his wife and children some fifteen or sixteen years ago. At the same post, more recently, a wretched man, having exhibited some signs of insanity, wa> knocked on the head and then thrust through u hole in the ice, as being, in the opinion of his friends, the best mode of disi>osing of him. Only last winter two young men who traded at an Albany Post had some w-^rdt; as to the division of a deer which had been hunted and killed, I piesunie, in corapanj , one of them treacherously shot the other, wounding his wife at the same time, and then killing the sister of the murdered man. The murderer has tied from that part of the country, fearing that the father or uncles of his victims will shoot him the first time they can set their eyes on him, as they will, I am told, moat likely do. So far as my information goes, I think I am warranted in saying that, while the Hudson's Bay Company's officers in this territory h" ve been prompt to punish any crime uoU-'mitted against the company's property or servants, they have, as a rule, kept them- selves entirely uloof from the disputes, feuds and quarrels of the Indians, whether as indiviluals, families or bands. Tney seem to have held that trade, not government, or the administration of justice, was their chief or only function, and to the pro.secution of tiade have devoted all their energies. The relatives of the wronged or injured have been left to administer justice and to maintain security of life and property among them- selves in their own rough way. This policy of non-intervention, and of prompt retri- bution when necessary, has enabled the Company to plant and maintain its trading jjosts from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the great lakes to the Arctic, wherever it might 79 but lie tbe crime theiu- Bier as put, or tion of |e been them- retri- postu might be thought most convenient and advantaj^eous fcr the carrying on of tlie fur trade — among every band or tribe of indians however powerful, wild or turbulent — the trading posts of tlie Hon. Hudson's Bay Company may be found. At these posts are ample stores of all those things which an Indian most needs and moat desires : of those things, in fact, most calculated to excite his cupidity. The posts are isolated and lonely, rarely nearer to each other than one hundred miles, and sometimes a far greater distance apart. In charge of the posts we may find perhaps a commissioned olHcer, a cleric, two or three servants and a few half-breeds or Indians employed about the place — a mere handful in all. And yet these coveted goods and the Comitany's officers and servants are (judging Irom the infreqiiency of any outrage) almost perfectly safe. The policy that has enabled the Hudson's l>ay Company to do this may fairly claim to have been a wise policy, nor can the treatment of the natives generally, it is fair to infer, as viewed from the stand point of the Indians themselves, have been either characterized by bad faith cruelty or injustice. Fc. ty-seven years ago, ( 18.'52-33) one of the few outrages on record occurreil at Hannah May Po.st, in this tirrilory, about nwd-way between Moose Factory and Hupert's House . The oflicer incharg*;, his family and .several natives, in all nine persons, were treacherously murdered and the post robbed. In less than three months all the murderers were hunted I'iOwn, and shot, by parties .sent out from Moose Factory. It seems to >».ie that tbey richly deserved the punishment meted out to them, and the promptitude and vigor '^ith which it was inflicted has doubtlos.s tended to restrain (!vil disposed natives, all over the territory, from similar acts of treachery, violence and murder, not only as regards the otfic«rs, servants and property of the Hon. Hudson's Hay Compar.y, but of others also. The administration of justice and the preservation of law and order in this territory, having now devolved on the Provincial Government and Legislature, it is proper and becoming that this duty should in fiitiu'e be performed, not only in an effective Imt in a regular and constitutional manner. In addition to the steps already taken iiy the fJoverntnent in this direction, it is indispensable to the adininstration of justice in even its s inplest forms, and for otl'in'es of the simplest nnture, that a lock-up, (\nd other such necessary Imildings, shomd be erected at .Moose Factory. At present the nearest gaol is at .Sauk St. Marie, some four hundred miles di.stant from Moose Factory, quite inaccessible during the winter, and only to hv. reached during the siiinmer months at great expense. Provision should also l)i! nmde for the appoint- ment anil payment of at least one constable. Th'^ position of Moose Factory, as regards ocean and river navigation, and the faot that it possesse.s a Isrger population than any other placid in the territory, namely, about four hundred and fifty souls during' the summer season, and one hundred and fifty during the winter, point to it as the pro|)(!r place lor such public c.ices as may be necessary iia the meantime. The claims, however, of the Hudson's liay ('ompany on the .Moose island, and olse- where in this territory, should be ascertained and settled as soon as possible. Spirituous Liipiora. — In old times a large quantity of ardent spirits, principally rum, was consumed in the Hudson's Bay Conipanv's territory. It was, 1 am told, not only given as an allowance, but employtid in their trade, and sold both to their servant.-; and the Indians. The use of rum in trade, however, has bt^en discontinued for many yeirs. The leason for so doing 1 have not heard. Malt liquor was given or sold to the servants, and the officers liad an allowance of wine and spirits, until a comparatively recent period. For some time past even this allowance has been cut off, atid the servants and officers, as well lis tlie Indians, reduced to a condition of involuntary abstinence. The prohibition is not quite "total," however, so far as the officers are concerned, these gentlemen being permitted to import from London, by the Company's ship, half a barrel of ale or porter yearly. I apprehend that few, who are not total abstainers, will regard this as an excessive indulgence to men who lead such lives, in such a country and such a climate. Unt)l tho award of the arbitrators (referred to at the beginning of this report) this territory was supposed, by some, to form a portion of Keewatin, or tiie north-west terri- tories, and subject to the laws which excluded alcoholic liquors from those territories. As an integral part of the Province of Ontario I am not aware of any law to prevent a person from importing, or taking into the country, any quantity or description of li([Uor he pleases. We are called upon, therefore, to consider whether in the present state of the popu- lation, such free and unrestricted importation of intoxicating liquors is desirable ; and if not, what special legislation on this subject nmy be required. Knowing, as we all do, how dangerous many Indians, otherwise (juiet and peaceable, become when under the influence of liquor, and how difficult it is to prevent their obtaining liquor whei they are able and williny to pay an extravagant price for it, in furs or money. Taking into con- sideration, also, the remote and isolated position of this territory, and the slender means at our disposal, for the maintenance of law and order, I am quite persuaded that it would l)e dangerous to permit the unrestricted importation of intoxicating liq.iors in this terri- tory. This subject was again taken up in my report for the year 1882, wherein the follow- ing remarks in reference to the natives will be found, viz : " In the tirst report which 1 had the honor to submit on this territory, the social condition of the natives was described at considerable length. With trilling and unim- portant exceptions, the views and opinions then expressed have been conKrmed by sub- sequent observation and experience. It is unnecessary, therefore, to go over the same ground again. The poj'uUition actually resident or domiciled in tho territory claimed by Ontario, north of the height of laud, cannot be very accurately ascertained, for reasons that need not be explained at length. I am of opinion, however, that the bona fide population does not exceed two thousand live hundred. This is a very small number of inhabitants for a territory, the area of which is equal to that of England .ind Wales. It is even to be feared that the native popul.ition, small as it is, will be further reduced when it has passed through the ordeal that inevitably awaits it when brought into more general intercourse and contact with our race. In addition to those who will fall victims to the intemperate use of alcoholic liquors, several cf the diseases, such as smallpox — against which we take special precautions — and others, such as measles — which we easily get over — are very fatal to the Indians ; the mortality in the case of measles being almost as great as in smallpox. Last fall and winter measles carried off a very heavy percentage of the natives at Long Lake and Missinaibi posts, both in this territory ; but fortunately it did not reach the posts on the coast of James' Bay. Notwithstanding the smallness of the population, the food question is still by far the most important to the natives of this territory. Like all those who depend solely on hunting or fishing for a living, it is either " a burst or a starve," too often the latter. In most countries it is over population that leads to a deficiency of food and consequent famine. In this territory it arises rather from the great scarcity during the long winter months of those wild animals and birds which are capable of withsta iding the cold, and of themselves obtaining food at that season. Among animals, the deer, bear, beaver, muskrat and rabbit are those on which the Indian chiefly relies for food. Of these, the labbit, muskrat and beaver are, in this territory, by far the most important. When rabbits are plentiful the Indians do not suffer for want of food, although the tlesh of the rabbit is not very nutritious. JUit this animal, really a variety of " hare," is subject to epidemics or diseases, which periodically destroy them almost entirely ; and after one of these ])lagues has passed over the country they are so scarce that every creature that is dependent, either wholly or in any considerable degree, on them for subsistence, suffers accordingly. Thus not only the Indian, but the lynx, fox, fl.sher, etc., among animals, and -le owl among birds, sutler more or less from starvation ami hunger when the rabbits fail or become scarce. Rabbits have, unfortunately, been very scarce for several years, and a number of deaths from starvation have occurred among the Indians near the coast. Many more have barely escaped with their live.s, and the suflering has no doubt been general and great. 81 At such seasons I believe the population would almost perish bodily but for the beaver. This interesting animal is of greater value than any other to the native popula- tion ot this territory. The meat is wholesome and good ; and a full grown beaver, weigh- ing, say forty pounds, atiurds, after deducting offal, skin and bones, as much probably as twei.ty-five pounds of actual food, besides thd fur, the value of which often exceeds that of all the other furs trapped by the hunter added together. If sutticient numbers were left as a breeding stock, there is food enough in this territory for millions of beaver, but so little regard is paid to this vitally important point, that were it not for the extraordinary sagacity of the creature it must long ere this have been almost extermi- nated. One of the officers of the Company told me that in the neighborhood of his post there is a small lake or pond, the privilege of trapping in which be had acquired from the Indians, and, with a certain area of the country around, reserved for himself. In this pond lived a single pair of old beaver, which once a year gave birth to four young ones. For four years he had trapped the four young beaver, and the fifth year he had caught three, making in all nineteen beaver in five years from one pair. This was a remarkably good return, especially when we consider that they are entirely self-support- ing, both summer and winter. Hut what I wish to remark more particularly in this con- nection is, that this gentleman frankly admitted he had been trying the whole time (tive years) to catch the old beaver, but in vain ; for up to that period their extraordinary saga- city had enabled them to elude the traps to which their inexperienced otl'spring had regu- larly fallen victims. It is not that in the whole territory the quantity of game, in the aggregate, is in- sufficient to maintain the wretchedly small number of inhabitants ; but that game is so scarce that the hunter, let him cover as much ground as his strength will enable him to do, cannot obtain sufficient day by day, during the winter season, to keep himself and family alive. Neither deer or bear are at all numerous. Some few caribou and moose ileer are killed in the central and southern part of the territory ; but they are very scarce, I think, in the tlat muskeg region, near the coast. They are much more abundant on the Eastmain coast, and throughout the whole of the Labrador peninsula. The moose deer is only met with on or near the height of land. Of winged game patarinigan and grouse, often called partridges, are the only kind which remain in the country during the winter. Sometimes the patarmigan or white grouse come from the north in considerable numbers, and when they do so are a godsend to the natives ; but they are by no means a reliable source of food. The variety of grouse most frequently met with is what we call the " spruce partridge," although the ruffled grouse or common partridge of southern Ontario is frequently seen in the southern and central region. Both these varieties breed in the territory. Wild fowl are obtainable in considerable numbers in the spring and fall, especially on or near the coast, but leave for the south before the winter sets in. Pigeons, unac- countably to me, are very scarce in the territory. Nor are small birds of any kind at all numerous, excepting on the coast and islands in the bay. The fish in the fresh water lakes and rivers are neither so plentiful or good as south of the height of land. In some few places a small kind of sturgeon is caught, and is good of its kind. Pike, however, and suckers are, I should say, the most important as a food supply ; the former, indeed, under the name of jackftsh, being in many places all the natives can get during the winter. Some of the lakes contain whitefish and lake trout ; the pickerel or dore is also caught in most of the rivers. These, with a few speckled trout, and in some places a variety of chub, are the principal kinds of fish in the interior of the country. In the estuaries of the large rivers, and in Hudson Bay itself, there are other species ; these, however, have been fully described by Dr. Bell. On the whole the food supply is precarious and uncertain ; and seasons of plenty bear, I fear, but small proportion to those of scarcity, if not actual dearth. It was stated in my first report on this territory that the only hope I entertained of relief from this unhappy condition of the natives was in the opening up of the country. I am still of that opinion ; and this is one reason why I am anxious to see the Canadian 6 (87) 8f Pacific Railway located as far north as tho interests of our Province and the Dominion will permit. Even admitting that the natives may not nominally receive a great<.T money value for their furs than is now paid by the lionouralle Hudson Bay Company, all the necessaries of life would cost the Company very much less than they now do, in consequence of the cheapness of transport by rail compared with what it is by canoeK. Thus at inland posts, such as Matawagamingue and Flying Post, they could give the Indians twice as much flour, oatmeal, pork, lard, augur, and such like for their fur»• boats. Some- times thiB brigade, as it is called, consists of forty or fifty men. The brigade is accom- panied by one or more officers and the white servants, usually Orkneymen, at the posts. The white servants and the natives work together, oat together, and associate together, oil equal terms. Even tho officers often take part in the conversation, and describe or explain to the Indians, in their own language, matters which they would otherwise know nothing at all about. This association on their voyages and at the posts, continued year after year for several "generations has, in my opinion, had a very important influence on the Indians as a means of education. The discipline, the steady labour, the necessity of working together for the attainment of a common object, are all calculated to teach them valuiible lessons. They aro, too, inori' or less keenly alive to tiie appiobation or disap- probation of their oHicers and fellow-voyagers — a powerful incentive to fjood, and equally strong ro-^traint from evil. Tims there is little or no shirking of a fair share ot th-ii, included Indians ironi both sides. My own estimate, as given in the report for IH7t* 80, was 2,50", and leaving out of consideration, " the treaty Indians," many of whom hunt during the winter in the territory north of the height of land. I still think that thii population does not exceed that estimate. In the opinion of some of the Hudson Bay Company's ofttcers, with whom I hav*- conversed on the 8\ibject, the native population in this territory is not decreasing, but although 1 have seen some large families at Albany Factory, and elsewhere, 1 am jiei- suaded that the natives of the pure Indian race are not only decreasing, but must con tinue to do so. Disease, famine, and inter-marriage with other races, all combine to that end. Measles, whooping cough, and other epidemics, have carried off a great many Mrithin the last four years and as intercourse with tiie outside world beuomrs moie fre- i^uent and general, smallpox and whi^«key will each doubtless t!xact its (|uota of victims. The Hudson's Bay Company have a medical orticer on the staff at Moose Factory, but at no other post in this department. The mortality which these diseases occasion is j^reatly aj^'gravated by the want of proper food, sulHcient sh ■ 'r, if not clothing, and of good nursing. A small lio.spitai at Moose Factory is muc oeded and would save many lives, A people depending so entirely on game and tish for their subsisteiKM!, somewhat improvident in making provision for the future, ami with vi-ry inade(|uato im^ans of pre- .serving the surplus of food that may be obtainable at one season to meet the necessities of another, must frequently be reduced to the direst straits when},'ame and tish fail. Fi' '"ed, with the exception of those employed as voyageurs and haymakers at the; Hudson' i!av Company's post, and who for the time beimr are well fed, by far the greatei* proporiion of the natives I meet with on my voyages look hungry and half famished. Kven at the posts there are niany hungry-looking women and children to b(; seen. There are few (if any) Indian families, however, in the territory that do not now lonsunie more or less Hour, oatneal, lard and pork, flour more particularly, of which some families will, notwithstanding ics high price, use us much as four or tive bai^s yearly. Warm clothinji,' and blankets are almost indisptuisable as food during thi' winter season. The natixes no doubt at one time clothed themselves in the bear, heaver, and other skins that are now bartennl or sold to the Hudson's Bay (,'ompany. The skins of the rabl)it or hare are still to sunie extent made into ;^arments and blankets. They are not, however, very durable and are only tit for dry eold weather. Ndw however, the natives have generally come to dejji'ud on tin- Hudson's Hay (,'ompanv for blankets, capots and other articles of elotliini;. In fact everythiutj the natives u.^e in the way of food, (leshmcat excepted; ever\ thing in the way of clotlie.s, with th<' e.'cception of mocassi ns, and every single article they reipiire for other purposes, sucli as axes, knives, guns, nets or twine, shot, powder, <'te., is imported from eople, amount- ing on an average to at least ten dollars per annum each family, is not only unjustiliahle but positively cruel. The proper renic ' for this injustice is to make Moose Factory and York Factory free ports, until conn ed by railway or otherwise with the rest of the Domini n. It may be objected that such a concession might lead to the smuggling of goods fr in this territory into other parts of the Dominion, to the injury of the revenue, as was said to have been the case when, (to encourage settlement) the ports in Algoma and Gaspe dis- tricts were declared free. There is nothing, however to support such an objection. A glance at the map will satisfy any unprejudiced person that the positions of the ports on Hudson's Bay, and those in Gaspe and Algoma district, are totally difierent. As regards the first, tlie ocean freight is so high, and the dittlculty and expense of transport inland so enormous, that the idea goods so imported would be smuggled into the settle- ments on viie north shores of Lake Huron or Superior, or even into the north-west, is absurd. Whereas, the running of such •' free goods " from Gaspe into Quebec City, or ^-om Sault St. Marie into Collingwood or Owen Sound, was a comparatively easy matter. Thus, while smuggling in the one case might be exceedingly easy and profitable, it would in the other bo exceedingly difficult and entail a ruinous loss on the smuggler. If there be insuperable objections to making these free ports, then unquestionably the amount of the duties thus collected should be expended or returned ia such a way and manner as will be most generally advantageous to those by whom the duties have been paid. That these duties have increased the cost of all the necessaries of life to the consumers, in this part of the Dominion at any rate, no one can possibly with the slightest show of reason deny, nor will anyone have the temerity to assert that these customs duties have added anything to the value of the furs which are the only marketable pro- duct of the territory. Nor is it by customs duties alone that the prices of the necessaries of life are rendered so dear. The cost of freight or transport, which greatly adds to the price of everything, is simply enormous in resjxict of some of the most important articles. For example, flour, lard and pork, if bought either in the United States or in Canada, must bo sent first of all to London, then to ISIoose Factory, and thence inland by canoes or boats from one to three hundred miles. Again, in view of the ])Ossil)ility of the loss or detention of their ships in Hudson's Straits or Bay, the Company must always keep a two years' supply of the most necessary articles at Moose and York Factories. This locks up a large amount of capital, the interest of which has also to be charged in the price to the consumer. It is to be hoped, then, that the Dominion government will not delay to take into favorable consideration the peculiar and altogether exceptional position of the natives and others in this territory, and deal fairly, if not liberally with them. Christian philanthrophy, which has done much to promote the s])iritual welfare of the natives of this territory, might have done also a great deal to promote their temporal welfare comfort and happiness, The one has been the work of the Church Missioiuvry Society of London, and of the Catholics of Quebec ; the othor should have been, it seems to mo, the special care of the Hudson's IJay Company. The servants of the company, as distinguished from the huntere and trappers, are engaged for a term of years, at wages varying from twenty to thirty pounds a year, with a ration of food sutlicient only for themselves. A few oi' the nu'chtiiies may get mure, but the wages do not usually exceed that amount. .Many of these are Scotchmen or Scotch half-breeds. As long as tlu^y nnnain unmarried they can live, and oven save monty. Fe- , however, do this; the far greater immlier marry Indian or half-breed women. The single ration, together with what tiie wife may be able to add by fishing 85 lani of liporal lonary Iset'ins [a, aro with linuns lien or save ishiu'; and Imnting, surtices the young couple for a wliile. But as child aftor child is born, the annual pittance of wages is drawn upon not only for clothing but for food. At the prices charged (and which it is to some extent necessary to charge) in this territory, the man's wages will not go very far. The quantity of game and rish at or near the trading posts is neither great nor at all times to lie procured. And when the families are large and chietly girls, they are, I fear, very sorely pinched to live. If tht father dies, their condition is still more pitiahle. There is no employment for women, and as to getting out of the country to seek it elsewhere it is simply impossible. It is a mystery to uie how many of them do live. If some scheme could be devised to alfonl these and other poor women remunerative employment, it would greatly ameliorate and improve their condition. One suggestion I may be permitted to make, and I do so in the hope that it may commend itself to favourable consideration. A very large quantity of ready-made clothing is imported for the peojile in this territory, or for what is known as the Southern Department. The greater part, if not the whole, of this clothing could be, just as well if not better, made by the women at Moose Factory, Albany Factory, and Kupert's House, to whom such emjiloyniont, at anything like reasonable and fair wages, would be one of the greatest of blessings. By the importation of tlie materials only, instead of the made up or manufactured articles, a very considerable amount of duty would be saved. All that is needed to carry out this sclieme is an experienced foreman and a sutVicient number of sewing-ma Jiines. A foreman having a knowledge of cutting and fitting uien's clothes, with a wife who had some knowledge of dressmaking, would probably be the best combination. So far from costing anything, T believe this suggestion, if carri«'d out, would save the present importers a considerable sum of money. But even if it should not do so, iind l)e only self-sustaining, the ben:>Hts that :". could not fail to confer on a number of poor girls and women at the places referred to, should ensure its adoption. If the natives could be induced to turn their attention to the cultivation of the soil, even if it were contined to the growth of potatoes, they would form an important adtlition to their supply of food. But peas and beans can \w also grown in the greater part of the territory, and ns food for the Indians these are not only exceedingly nutritix'e. but have over most other grains this advantage, that they can bt; used whuh^ or unground, thus dispensing with tlie neces.sity for mills. The laud thus cultivated should be on or near the hunting ground of each family, in order that the food produced might be available, where and when, most required. The few simjile instructions needed in reference to the choice of the land, and tlu^ planting ot the seeds, might be veiy easily imparted at the missions or at the fur-trailing posts. If tins (fOvernment supplied seed for a few years, tlit^ cost of which would be very trilling, I am j>ersuaded that the missionaries would willingly undertake to distribute it, and do all in their power to insure the success of any etfoit to ameliorate the condition of the natives in this or any other way." No treaties have yet been concluded with the Indians in tliis territory for the sur- lender of their claims. To do so with the natives on or near to the coast of .lames' Bay nuiy periiaps be premature and uncallel for by circumstances. But as regards the Missinaibi and other Indians, wiio.se case I ha\-e promised the chi<'fs of the fornu'r band to represent, there can be no reasonat)le doubt on this subject. The Canadian I'acilic Railway for upwards of a hundred miles pas.ses through their hunt- ing grouiuls, and will un(|uestionably lead, sooner or later, to the destruction nf the larger game, the fur-bearing animals, and to some extent also of the lish, on which they are solely and entirely dependant for a living. These Indians are simply hunters and trajtpers, and not out! in twenty grows even so much as a potato. Thus they havt ik other resources to fall back upon. The completion of the railway renders their hunting giounds easily accessible at all seasons of the year, Hence it nmy be expected that white hunters and trappers from other parts of Ontario and from t^uebec will pour into 86 this territory. It is proV)able also that a large number of Indians belonging to bands ^outh of the height of land, whose own hunting grounds have been depleted of game and fur-bearing animals, will also trespass on the hunting grounds of these northern or height of land Indians. Nor can it be doubted that railway employees, squatters and lumbermen will engage in hunting and trapping for profit or amusement. Thus there are too many and strong grounds for fearing that these poor Indians will soon be deprived, in a great measure, of their only means of subsistence. It is true that the construction of this railway will materially reduce the price of provisions, but this cannot compensate the Indian for the loss of the furs and of the game which his traps and his gurt alone would otherwise have obtained for him. It matters little to him if the price of food and clothing may be lower, if lie is unable to get the furs to barter or give in fxchange for them. I shall only add, that, with this single exception, treaties have, I believe, been con- cluded with every tribe or band of Indians, from Lake Nipissing to the Rocky Moun- tains through whose hunting grounds the C. P. R. passes, and that all these bands have been for years in the receipt of annuities and presents. A number of years have now elapsed since the line on the height of land plateau was located, and since the Indian Department was aware (or should have been) that it passed through their hunting ground, and no steps have as yet (so far as I know) been taken toward making a treaty, eithei' with this Mis-iinaibi band, or those at Flying Post and Mattawagamingue. Why it is these Indians have been thus neglected, I cannot positively say. It is possible that bf'ing neither turbulent or noisy, they may have been simply overlooked. 1 hope, how- evei. that the matter will b(^ brought to the notice of the Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, ancl that a treaty will be luade, granting to these Indians that measure of justice to which I conceive they are fully entitled. It may be thought by some that this is a matter in which the Provincial Govern- ment has no interest, and with which therefore, it has nothing whatever to do. But tho!-.- wlio thus think labor under a mistake. The Provincial Government is charged with the pieservation of the peace, and the prot(;ction of life and property in this terri- tory. If these Indians become exiisperated at the continued neglect of the Dominion Government, they may be tempted to take the law into their own hands, and deal very summarily and severely with trespassers on their hunting grounds. It is hardly to be expected that Indians (however peaceable and well disposed) will tamely and without ])rotest allow strangers to shoot and tiap on hunting grounds, which hav^ been theirs and their forefathers' from time immemorial ; taking as it were the very bread out of the mouths of iheir children. Such a state of matters may lead to deplorable consequenses and not only i)ut the Province to a great deal of trouble and expense, but retard settle- nunt and the development of the resources of the territory. Thus it will be seen that the Province of Ontario has a veiy direct and material interest in the speedy conclusion ol a satisfactory treaty with thet-e Indians. If the Siiperintendent-CJencial of Indian All'airs .should be moved to make such a treaty, thf following suggestions are calculated, in my opinion, to promote their welfare, and may not be unworthy of consideration : 1st. Whatever annuity the Department may agree to pay them lor the surrender of their rights, that amount (at the outset at all events) should be, 1 think, paid in kind, and not in money. These Indians have very little idea of the value of money or currency. Their trade has been carried on exclu- sively with the Hudson s tJav Ootnpany, and in that trade no money is used. If paid their annuities in money, they would b(! easily imposed upon and tempted by unprin- cipled traders and pedlars to spend it in the purcha.so of worthless trinkets, shoddy clothing, confectionery and wliiskey. I would respectiuMy suggest that the annuity should be paid entir'.ly in flour, which is already (with many of these Indians) one of the necessaries of life, and will be of still more vital importance when game becomes scarce and ditiicult to obtain. There is not an Indian family in the territory but will require yearly, a quantity of dour, equiva- lent in value to the five dollars per head, or whatever sum the annuity agreed upon may such a elfiire, rtinent tset lit ve very exclu- { paid npriu- Ishoddy whicli be of Itiere in pquiva- kn may 87 amount to. Food is the Indian's most pressing want, and starvation during the winter season their greatest peril. By all means then, let this annuity be given in the form best calculated to appease their hunger, and to avert this danger of starvation. At present prices, an Indian family consisting say, of himself, his wife ami three children, or five in all, might be expected to receive at least ten bags of s;ood tlour annually. With this flour and such game and fish as they might still be able to procure. I think there would be no danger of their starving to death. For such other articles as they might require, they would in future, as now, have to depend on the furs they might be able to catch during the winter. The fijur should be delivered to them, at such of the^ Canadian Pacific Kailway stations as they might desire, for it is important that this point should bo as convenient to their hunting grounds as possible. As a general rule too. it would be a wise precaution, and one conductive to their welfare, if two-thirds of this tlour were given as late in the autumn as possible, say about the middle of Septem- ber : sufficient time of course being allowed to enable them to return to their hunting grounds before the close of the navigation. The Indian may be pressed with hunger, even in the summer, but it is in the winter season that he starves to death. There may be cases in which an Indian's hunting ground is so remote from the railway, and the canoe route so bad, that it would be a matter of great ditliculty if not an impossibility to get so much flour taken over it. In such cases the Indians might be allowed a part of tluir annuity in lard, the article of food next in importance to flour, and of course uunh easier to carry than a quantity of flour of equal value. Two important objects, would, I claim, be secured by this mode of payment : 1st, the [ndian will get his annuity in articles of the greatest importance to himself and family, if not necessary to iheir very existence ; linil, he cannot readily excliaiige these for anything else less useful, alto!,'ether useless or actually pernicious. For instance, a whiskey pedlar (the price of whose liquor may be, say, two and a half dollars a bottle) if paid in .silver or in bills might do a very large and profitable business. l>ut if compelled to shoulder a bag of Hour for every bottle he sold, it would seriously interfere with the success of his venture, besides greatly increasing the risk of detection and punishment. There is one other suggestion only which I shall make. Owing to the scarcity of game, and of fur-bearing animals, the Indians north of the height of land cannot possibly live together in any considerable numbers, more especially in tin; waiter season. Kach family reijuires not less than fifty, and frequently as ranch as one hundred si|uare miles of country to supply fur-bearing animals and game sullicient for its maintenance. If the Indians, therefore, are not to al)andon hunting and trapping iltoi-ethor. they iimsl of necessity reside two-thirds of the year on their hunting grounds. It consetjuently appears to me, that in this territory at any rate it will l)el)ad jiolicy to insist on herding the Indians together on what are called i eserves. The advantages that are claimed for such a policy elsewhere may, or may not have lieen rc^alized, but in this territory at all events, 1 contend ^.hat such advantages will be greatlyoutweighed by the evils such a policy will entail. In any t-eaty therefore with these Indians, it would be far better, in my oiiinion, to allow each family to select a homestead on its own liuntini,'-i,'i'ounds, jind dispense with large reserves, which too often retard and kecq) back tiie settlement of the country, with- out securing to the Indians the atlvantages that are expected. Small reservations of a thousand acres or so eacli, might be retained for their use, near the Hudson's Hay Company's Posts, or at other points where they will be nio.st likely to gather to tiade their furs, and lay in their supplies. Here they would camp for a short time in tin; summer, enjoying all the social intercourse tlu^y care for. At other seasons they will be on their hunting grounds engaged in hunting and fishing, pursuit'- thoroughly cougetiial to their nature and habits. They will thus be not only far more con tented and happy, but almost, if not altogether, self-sustaining, and not nearly so trouble- some, I believe, as those Indians who are obliged to live the whole year on their reserva tions." I have, in the reports just referred to shown that, in my opinion, treaties should have been made several years ago with those bands of Indians in the southern part of this territory, through or near to whose hunting grounds the Canadian Pacific Kailway passes. 1 still remain ot that opinion, for the reasons therein given. 88 If, however, this cannot be done at present, or if it be not expedient under the circum- stances to nicake such treaties, I would respectfully suggest the following as, in my humble opinion, the only course the Government can pursue, which will effectually protect these Indians against the robbery, hardship and injustice of which they complain. In the first place (if witlim tho power of the Provincial Legislature), a law should be enacted to protect th« rights of the natives of this territory, in respect of the ganie, fish and fur-bearing animals on their hunting grounds. Such a law should strictly pro- hibit both whitf men and other Indians from hunting, fishing or trappii.g on "unsur- rendered territory" north of the height of lar.d ; or, ut all events, without a special license so to do from the proper authority. In the second place, no unlicensed person or persons, not already authorized, should be allowed to enter into su h un jurrendered territ "^ry, with the intent to trade with the Indians. The penalties for a breach of these laws, in addition to fine and imprisonment, should include forfeiture of the guns, traps, nets or other engines used in the cap- ture of, as well as all game, fish and furs found in tlie possession of the oflending parties. I consider such laws both expedient and just, pending the arrival of the time when it may be advisable to make treaties with the Indians for the surrender of all their claims. And that for the following reasons : 1. The restraints which they will impose on unauthorized parties, are absolutely necessary for the protection of the natives, who are solely dependent on the game, fi.sh and fur-bearing animals for existence. The territory being now partially opened up and rendered accessible, hunters and trappers will lie tempted, as already said, to come in and trespass on their hunting grounds. P'rom the absence of serious crimes and otherwise, it may be inferred that these Indians are, as T have elsewhere stated, honest, peaceable and quiet. Put, if not prevented, the reckless and unjustifiable destruction of their game and of their fur-bearing animals will leave the poo natives no alternative but to defend their rights or starve. Hence the probability of bloodshed. 2. The men who thus trespass on their hunting grounds, regardless of the "moral," if not legal claims of these non-treaty Indians, are not likely to be in the least concerned as to the means employed, the season of the year, or whether or not a sulficient number of the animals are left to keep up the breed. Hence the speedy destruction of the more valuable fur-bearing animals in all those parts of this territory rendered easily accessible by railways or otherwise must follow. ;}. Much of this northerly part of Ontario is possibly better fitted for the growth of forests and the subsistence of fur-bearing animals than for anything else ; and the growth of the one is quite compatible with the existence of the other in the same region. Timber of all kinds is becoming scarcer and more valuable as the population of this continent increiv.ses. Furs and game, too, of all kinds never fail to find a market at home or abroad at good prices. Under the.se circun)stunces, taken in conjunction with tho sniallness of the returns now obtained by farmers on other than the richest soils — in the finest climates, and from land most advantageously situated in regard of markets — it may be, perhaps, the best and wis(!st policy on the part of the Provincial Government to devote no inconsiderable portion of this territory to the growth of timber, and, as a natural consequence, the multiplication of I'ur-ljearing animals and game. I Jut be this as it may, I am satisfied that under proper regulations, and with the protection suggested, the fur- bearing aniniaU, game and fish in this vast territory wiil atlbrd employment to, and subsistence for all the native hunters in the country for many years to come. Why not, then, allbrd this needful protection and allow them to follow the pursuits to which they are most perfectly adapttd by nature and in the exercise of which, they will not only be more successful, but happier than in any other. It is obviously not to S9 the the advantage of the people of this Province — nor of the Dominion for that matter — to be saddled with heavy payments in the shape of Indian annuities before there is any real necessity for it. If therefore the Provincial Legislature, with or without the co-operation of the Federal Government, can reserve to the exclusive use and benefit of these natives the game, fish and fur-bearir.^ -"^iraals, they will remain practically in the enjoyment of all that they have ever made any \ Sb of — or derived the least benefit from — or in fact of all that has been of value to them. So long, therefore, as thoy are protected in the enjoyment of these, their most valu able rights, they will be easily persuaded, I think, to give their consent to our making such use as we see fit, of the timber and the minerals — if not (to a limited extent) of the soil also. For if properly explained, they cannot fail to see that, while there need be no decrease or falling off in the quantity of furs trapped or caught, the value thereof will surely be increased — and the price of everything they require diminished — as the country is opened up and its mining and lumbering resources are developed. As regards the proposed law or regulation, requiring that parties desirous of trading with the natives in this territory, shall obtain a license so to do, I may observe that, in my opinion, such a law is necessary to prevent the Indians being debauched with intoxi- cating li(;[Uors and cheated, if not robbed, by unprincipled traders. The amount chargeil for such licenses (which should be renewable annually) is of little conse(iUence ; the chief object being to confine this trade to responsible men of good character — men able to give bonds in a good round sum, that alcoholic liquors will not be used in the trade, nor the Indians otherwise defrauded of the value of their furs. The Honourable Hudson Bay Company have not for many years (much to their credit) employed intoxicating licjuors in carrying on their fur trade in this northern territory. I have reason to Ijclieve, however, that such liquors are now being introduced into the territory by other traders. This, if not checked, in some such manner as that suggested, will soon become general, and cannot fail to load to tht; usual disastrous con- sequences. While enormous sums of money have ])eon spent on the Indians in the west and north- west, T know of absolutely nothing that has been expended on, or anything that has been done for the natives and others in this territory — unless it be to tax them, The total amount receivod by the Dominion in the shapeof customsduties since confederation, on goods impo'.ted at Moose Factory, and from dutiable articles — imported at Montreal for Abittibi, Mattagami, Missinaibi and other posts in the southern part of this territory — cannot be less, I am inclined to think, than $200,000, and possibly a quarter of a million dollars. It is, to say the least, a heartless and cruel thiny;, to exact such a monstrous sum of money as this, from a people so few in number, and of these;, many of them so poor. If the duties cannot be remitted altogether, some portion at least of this money might be, s ad should be, refunded. The way in which this should be done does not rest with me to decide. I may, however, be allowed to point out some things that appear most important to, if not most wanted by, the people of the territory. Their most pressing needs are, I conceive, (1) better prices for furs, (•_*) the uMlity to obtain the conveniences and necessaritjs of life at lower rates, (.'5) medical attendance, (4) schools, (5) mails, ((1) hospital (at Moose) for the sick, (7) religious instruction, (S) pro tection for life and property. Having expressed my views on most of these subjects, in former reports, as svill be seen by the extracts given — little more remains tb be said. As regards the first and second " needs " — reasonable comjjetition, and a reduction in the cost of transport and travel are the proper remedies. 3. On the subject of health and medical attendance, I have already reported to the Provincial Board of Health. Among other things, I suggested that a medical man should be appointed, whose duty it would be to visit the Indians — when gathered together at 90 the Honourable Hudson Bay Company's posts on or near the heightof-land — as they always are for several months in the summer. A miitable man, one not only possessed of a competent knowledge of his profession, but capable of feeling and taking an interest in his work, and anxious to promote, not merely the health, but welfare and happiness generally of the nativrs, in short a philanthropist as well as doctor, might prevent, as as well as cure, a great deal of suffering and disease, nave many lives and do an immense deal of good otherwise. To provide and pay such a man is, in my opinion, the duty of the Dominion Govern- ment. The Hudson Bay Company solely, at their own expense, maintain doctors at Moo^e Factory and at York. 4. I do not know what the Hudson Hay Company has done to promote education in other parts of the vast territory over which it so long held almost undisputed sway, and from which, it is believed, to have realized in rormer times at least such enormous profits. In this territory it does not appear to have done much. Even at Moose Factory^ — the principal trading post and centre of population — where the Company has rultd for two bundled years, and where still everything may be said to be owned by, a' d every one dependent upon the Company, 1 am not aware that it has granted or is now grantir.g any aid or a.;sistance, whatever, toward educating the Indian children or even tl;e children of its servants and oHicers. It Ik true that of late years a small school house lias been built at Moose Factory and that the Church of England missionaries have devoted as much time as they could well spare, from other duties, to teaching the children both of the Indians and of the Europeans. I am told, however, thai during the winter the ncliool house is so cold that the children cannot attend and that it is for the most part closed. And furtiier, that during the sunnner the missionaries are s ) much occupied that th(! hours are both short and irregular. To the Indians, what litti • eduiation they do receive is of the greatest imiiortance and value, even when confined, as it generally is I believe, to a knowledge of reading and writing in their own language and in their own peculiar character. But the education thus aflforded will not enable, even thv~ Indians, to become anything moii? than hunters, trappers or voyageuis, and falls far below that obtainable by the poorest white children in any other part of the Province. Such of the Company's otHcijrs, as can aflford to do so, Hend away their children to England, Scotland, or to far distant parts of Canada to be; educated. It is not only a great expense but necessitates long and painful .separution of the parents an'l children. Those who cannot do this, whether from the largeness of their families or because they occupy less lucrative positions in the service, the officers who have not yet obtained com- missions, the clerks, small postmasters or traders, the mechanict; and servants, see with anxiety and sorrow tlieir families growing up to manhood and womanhood, either alto- <. Another of the needs of the inhabitants of this part of the province is a mail, say monthly. At present the people at Moose Factory and on the coast generally only get three mails from Montre:il, and one V)y sea from London, in a year ; and these are carried by, and at the expense of the Hudson Day Company. A monthly mail would be a great boon, especially to those of our own race in this remote part of the Dominion. If these people had votes, and were "represented" as well as " taxed," iheir wants, I venture to think, would be much more likely to receive that lonsidaration to which they are justly entitled. As there are two months, one about the close, and the other just before the opening of navigation, during which it would be all but impossible to make the trip tnther on snow-shoes or in canoes, the number of trips would really be onlv ten ; the cost of which would not exceed, I think, twelve hundred dollars. In view of the fact that the net revenue received from Moose factory ali^no, by the Dominion (xovernment, amounts to about !$1 2,000 a year — a refund in this form, of one-tenth part thereof may be properly regarded as a ri<;ht, rather than a favor. 6. It was also mentioned in a former report that, in my opinion, a small hospital for the sick, at Moose Factory would save many lives, both of natives, and Oanudian or Old Countrymen. I retain that opinion, being fully convinced that, of what may be called " untimely" or premature deaths more occur from the want of proper food and good nursing when sick, than from any other cause. A hospital, if no larger than to admit of ten or twelve cots being inadti up, would not only save many lives, but alleviate a great deal of suffering. I consider that the cost of putting up and furnishing this hospital should also i)e borne by the Dominion, and made a charge against the !$"J00,000 which, as already stated, has been wrung out of the pockets of the poor people of this territory. Toward the maintenance of the hos|)ital when built and properly furnished, some assistance might be anticipated from the Hon. Hudson's Uay (Jompany. As tne company, however, keep and pay the medical ollicer at Moose, it might not in its corporate capa- city, feel inclined to do more. Hut there are many wealthy and benevolent men wiio either have been in old times, or may still be connected with this company, some of whom, as well as of the general public, will, T am persuaded, contribute liberally towara the support of such a necessary and excellent institution. The people of the country would doubtless do all they could, and the Piovinciiil (rovernment may be conlidently expected to grant at least the assista ice alforded to other hospitals. If therefore the Doi. union Government should see tit to put u|> and furnish the iiuilding, the cost of which i.eed not exceed ten thousand dollars, I am convinced that private and public beneficerje will amply provide for its maintenance. It is not merely during the prevalence of some epidemic that a hospital at Moose Factory would be a blessing, nor would its usefulness be confined to that portion alone of the vast territory bordering on Hudson's Hay, which forms part of the province. The only place between Albany Factory and Whale Iliver on the coa.st, and between the coast and the heightof-land whereat a doctor is stationi;d, and where medical advice, .surgical assistance, or even suitable medicines can be obtained, is Moose Factory. In 92 this territory, the area of which grpatly exceeds that of all Ontario, south of the hcight- of-Iand, the Hon. Hudson Bay Oompupy hn^ -, rearly twenty fur-trading establishments^ variously called " factories," " houses," and - posts." In addition to the natives who trade '^here, the company have officers, clerks, mechanics and servants at the more impor int posts, and an officer and servant at even the smallest. These are generally Englishmen or Scotchmen— for the most part married and the fathers of families. To families thus situated, and even to some of the natives at these isolated posts where it is impossible to obtain proper medical advice or assistance, however urgent the necessity, a hospital at Moose Factory would frequently prove an unspeakable blessing. At these posts, patients suffering from disease or bodily injuries (especially gun-shot wounds) often die, or become invalids or cripples for life, who, if sent to a hospital, might bo cured. Many men would not only send their wives or children to such an institu- tion, when necessary, but cheerfully pay for their maintenance while there. 7. I have ) ' 'i to add in regard to the religious condition or wants of the people, in addition to what was said in my first report and in that for 1883, from which last, I beg to quote the following information furnished on this subject by the Right Reverend Dr. Horden, Bishop of Moosonee : •'The Moose mission was commenced by the Wesleyans about the year 1838, who sent to'Moose Factory the Rev. G. Barnsley, who laboured nine years at Moose and else- where in the country very indefatigably, meeting with considerable success and baptizing a large number, both of Indians and half-castes ; he then returned to England and for four years the mission was unoccupied. But Mrs. Miles, wife of the gentleman then in charge of Moose Factory, a woman of great influence among the natives and a sincere Christian, exerted herself in a most praiseworthy manner to keep the natives, in remem- brance of the faith they had embraced, constantly exhorting them and organizing prayer- meetings among them. The Wesleyans, then in considerable difficulties and unable to send a successor to Mr. Barnley, invited the Church Missionary Society to take up the work ; this they did, and in 1851 Mr, vnd Mrs. Horden were sent to Moose under their auspices ; in 1852 the mission was visited by Dr. Anderson, the first Bishop of Rupert's Land, who ordained Mr. Horden deacon and prieut during his stay. During his Lordship's visit the Rev. E. A. and Mrs. Watkins arrived from England to strengthen the mission, and were sent forward to occupy Fort George on the eastern shore of Hudson's Bay. The bishop visited Moose again in 1855 and 1859, each time expressing the greatest satisfaction at the progress he witnessed. One great cause of advancement was the trans- lation of large portions of the Scriptures into the Indian language, the first of which were printed by Mr. Horden himself at Moose, with a press sent to him by friends in England. These books are all written in a syllabic character, the principle of which is that each letter represents a whole syllable, a consonant and vowel combined ; the system is easily acquired and is almost universally known by the natives of the whole Diocese of Moosonee, books being ])rinted in it in the Cree, Ojibbeway, Eskimo, and Chipewayan languages. In the Cree Mr. Horden has translated the New Testament, the Old Testa- ment, lessons for Sundays and holy days throughout the year, the psalter, common prayer book, hymn book, and Bible and gospel history. Into the Ojibbeway have been translated the book of common prayer, St. Matthew's Gospel, Acts of the Apostles, hymn liook, and Bible, and gospel history, and several Avorks into the other two languages named. The mission continued to grow and prosper, extending its influence more and more every year, until it was felt that the time had arrived for combining the missions around the bay into a bishopric, and accordingly Mr. Horden was invited to England in the aut'mn of 1872, and on December 15th, was consecrated in Westminster Abbey as the first bishop of Moosonee. For the effective working of the immense diocese placed under his charge, the bishop divided it into six districts. With the exception of the Eskimo in the vicinity of Churchill and northwards, nearly all the natives have been received into the Christian church, and except the Indians of the Abittibi, Waswanepe, Machiskun, and half those connected with Albany who are Romanists, and those of Oxford House, who are Wesleyans, all are in connection with 93 lh:ret;tl%et oJ wh'o^Se 7^^ '''! '''''''' '^'^^"^ ^^^ indefatigably and Churches have been erected iDart of.h ^i ^1^ "^* T"^ '"^ *»»^ highest manner. Albany, Fort George Ce^VhoLntl t?. *^ i?"^^" ^f^ Company, at Moose, Matawakumma,Plyi,^gPoTandChu;c'H ^'''^' Severn, Trout Lake, Confirmations 1 ave bin hdd in fh! i- ' '"'"'" another .g now being built at Mistasinee Rupert's Land : the bishoo ofVnn-l l'^""' 7*'^". '* ^°'"™«<* P«'t «* the diocese of Lake, Moose, NerPoSl^banvC"'!.''?? """^'"^"^ *' ''^^'^' Churchill, Severn, Trout kumma,and'hasconfirld697iC °""' ^'"""""' *'^'* ^^'^''g^ -'^ ^a**-*- ^^^ The number of communicants at Moose is 105, and in the diocese altogether about ^^tl.7'mlZ^^^^^^^ -^^«h the diocese of Moosonee is divided. No. 1, Moose, comprising : :^Jooge Population. Languages. xewp^st::; ^S ^"^l*"''- ^'•■^^• Abittibi .... a Ojibbeway. 809 No. 2, Albany, comprising: Henle^-;: Tn ^''^'''''- ^-«- Martin's Falls ....'.'.'.'.,'" 300 .. Qjibbeway. Osnaburgh, Cat Lake ....'.] 440 «• ," 1,300 No. 3, Rupert's River, comprising; eS11«Z:::;;;;:::; ToI ^"'l"'- °t- Waswanepe ^29 Mistasmee j J4 „ ^^ Machiskun gl „ ^^ Nitchekwun [ jj „ 846 No. 4, East Main, comprising : Grlwh?reRi;er' :::::••" 310 ^"^1''^- ^'"'f; Little Whale River ^ .. Esquimaux. 810 No. 5, >ratawakumnia, comprising ; Matawakumma inT Trn«i,"=u /^m i Flying Post ..:.:::: „4 ^"^Jish. Ojibbeway. Metachewan §7 „ „ Misenabe, Brunswick 250 " <« 666 *- No. 94 6, York, comprising : Population. York 330 Severn 200 Oxford House 350 Trout Lake 350 Churchill 350 LanguaKeH. English. Cree. Ojibbeway. Esquimaux. (vhipawayan. 1,586 In some cases in above table the numbers are but approximate while in others they are exact. No special mention need be made of timber, the kind and quality of which in this territory have been so frequently described in former reports and incidentally in varioun parts of this. There is a good deal of valuable pine in the territory between the Mattagami Post and Flying Post, and southward to the Height of Land. The other timber, more especially the spruce, tamarac, and aspen poplar, cannot fail to })rove immensely valuable, when the .supply of pine gives out, if not sooner. As hinted under another head, it may be worthy of the serious consideration of the Government whether it will not be advisable to devote a very large area of land in this northern part of the province almost entirely to the growth of tim ber. Now that this territory has undoubtedly come under the jurisdiction of the Pro- vincial Government, I have every confidence that all needful provision will be made for the preservation of law and order, and to promote the well-being of its inhabitants other- wise. Kespectfully submitted, E. 15. BORRCN, Stipendinrfi Maijinl rat-'. To Dr APPENDIX. L»«fii from Dr. A. R. 0. Selwyn, C.M.G., LLD., F.R.S.. Director of the (teolotjical and Natural History Survey, giving the result of an examination of Kaolin or China- Clay and of White-sand : Ofkick ok the (.lEOLOciirAi, Survey, Ottawa. 15th January, 1890. Dear Mr. Bohkon, I enclose for your information result of an examination I have had made of Homo specimens Dr. Bell gave me a few days ago, and respecting which he said you desired some information. Thoy are good, and whenever they can be made accessible might be largely utilized for various purpo.ses. I would like to qet good sized specimens for the museum. E. B. BoKRO.v, Est/., Collingwood. Yours sincerely, ALFRED R. C. SELWYN. Office of the (Jeolouical Sukvkv, Ottawa. Januauv 1 Itli, 1890. Siu,— The following has reference to the specimens received from Mr. K. 15. Uorrou : Specimen labelled, " White kaolin from bed in felspathic sand fifty feet above .Missinaibi River." Thi.s material forms with water a plastic uiasH, burns white, may be said to l)e infusible. It i.s well adapted for tlie m.uiufaL-ture of all kinds of refractory ware, i.<^., tire brick, lining for grates, crucibles, scorifiers, and the like. If employed for tine ware it would recjuire to undergo a preliminary treatment to free it fium the ubiueroiis tine scales of mica which it contains. Specimen Inl/illeil, " Felspathic sand, lOO feet above level of Missinaibi River." This sand consists of grains of colorless (luartz, with an occasional grain o'' undeconi- posed felspar, and a small amount of intermixed kaolin. Specimen labelled, " Felspathic sand, 50 feet above Missinail)i River — sifted." This sand is made up of grains of white translucent quartz, an occasional grain of uudecomposed felspar, and a little intermixed kaolin. I have the honour to be, Sir, Yours obediently, G. C. M. HOFFMAN, To Dr. A. R. C. Selwyn, CM.G., F.R.S., Director, Geological Natural History Survey of Canada, Ottawa,