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 1 2 3 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
SD 
 
 y T«EN FROU 
 
''■/ 
 
 DESCRIPTIQI^ 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SURVEYED TOflSHIPS 
 
 AND 
 
 EXPLORED TERRITORIES 
 
 OF THE 
 
 PROVINCE OF QUEBEC 
 
 m OTHER OFFICia SOURCES 
 
 PUBLISHED BY ORDEE OP TFE.LEGISLATUEB 
 
 ^'^ ••« *.*v' 
 
 QUEBEC 
 
 PRINTED BY CHARLES-FRANgoiS LANGLOIS 
 Printer to the Queen's Moat ExceUent m^tf ^ ^ 
 
 1889 
 
 
 I 
 
Commissi 
 Prelimin 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 Commissioner's Report. 
 Preliminary Notes 
 
 Pages. 
 
 . XIII 
 
 . xvu 
 
 SURVEYS. 
 
 Surveyors. 
 
 3 
 4 
 4 
 
 5 
 6 
 
 13 
 
 Township. 
 
 . .Grandison (Allbright) . . 
 
 Grenville, Gore (MacMartin) ...".' 
 
 Montcalm (Quinn) 
 
 . Wentworth (Barnard) ...'.*.*. *..'.**.' 
 
 ]^°'^* (Laviolette, Barnard, Leclerc) . . . 
 
 ..Bulstrode. (Legendre) 
 
 ..Adstock (Legendre) *" " 
 
 ^•^"^field (O'Neil, T.-G. Bignell) .*.'.'.* 14 
 
 Gayhnxst... (j. Bignell) ,5 
 
 ^^^^y (W. Henderson, R.-J. Ross) 17 
 
 L»n'^re (Neilson, R.-J. Ross) 
 
 ^o"»se „ . . . Q..G. Bignell) 
 
 ^^^^°* (A. Ross, J.-G. Bignell) 
 
 l"""^ (T.-B.-O. Legendre, F. Legendre). . 
 
 Risborough (Bouchette, A. Ross, J.-G. Bignell) 
 
 Shenley ; . (j. Bignell) 
 
 ^P*'<i'"g (Duchesnay, J.-G. Bignell) 
 
 •A™agh (Casgrain) 
 
 Bellechasse (Lavergne) 
 
 5"^^'^"'* (A.Ross,Dub^,Fournier) !!!.'."!; :, 
 
 J^aaquam (Casgrain) „ 
 
 ^o"'' (Tetu, Lavergne), ' „ 
 
 •B'^ssard (Laporte) ' 3^ 
 
 Provost and Brassard (Laurier). , 
 
 Pfovost (Laporte). 
 
 r.Carleton (Murison, Lepage) 46 
 
 Casunscull (Legendre) 50 
 
 (B^langer) ^^ 
 
 •• (Legendre) ee 
 
 ^^^^P^^ (Legendre, Lepage, Bdanger) 
 
 Milnikek (LeBcr) 
 
 New Richmond (Roy) 
 
 2T 
 32 
 
 22 
 
 24 
 
 as 
 29 
 29 
 
 31 
 31 
 
 40 
 41 
 
 Cox.. 
 Mann. 
 
 (Macdonald) -j 
 
 Patapedia 
 
 Port Daniel (Bourget) 
 
 Ristigouche (Legendre, Belanger) 
 
 Assemetquagan 
 
 58 
 67 
 
 68 
 
 71 
 73 
 
 i 
 
 I' 
 
 V«i«' •' 
 
 -. (Legendre). , , ji 
 
PHIH 
 
 1 
 
 'ii 
 
 Township. 
 
 . Boucher . 
 Carignan 
 
 1 
 
 County, 
 
 Champlain 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do Mekinac to lake Edward. 
 
 Charlevoix, . Calli^res 
 
 do Chauveau 
 
 do. DeSales 
 
 Chicoutimi . . Alma Island . . . 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 Bagot . 
 
 Boiieau 
 
 Bourget 
 
 Chamouchouan 
 
 Chamouchouan and Demeules. 
 Charlevoix 
 
 Surveyors. Paces. 
 
 (Barnard) ^^ 
 
 T ,. , „ . - (De Lachevrotifere) -, 
 
 Ungeher and R.ver Creche (De Lachevroti^re . ' ' ,« 
 
 mS (DuTremblay.LeL). ;.■.•;.•.•.•.•.• s'o 
 
 Mekinac;..'.;;:.' (De Lachevrotifere) g. 
 
 Poiette (Legendre) gj 
 
 ^ (Desruisseaux) of, 
 
 iT:T ^""f .^°i!"^- • •. • • • • ^^«"a«) «.; ; ; ; 86 
 
 (Casgrain) ^^ 
 
 (Gagnon) ^g 
 
 (Demeules) ^^ 
 
 (Demeules) ;;; ,^4 
 
 ^:^-s'j- a^c. :::::::::::::::: ;„1 
 
 (Tremblay) ^^g 
 
 (Gagnon) 
 
 (Duberger, Dumais) 
 
 (Dumais) 
 
 (Tremblay) ^^ 
 
 (Dumais^ ^^/r 
 
 CaronandM^sy ^j^^^^-^j ^^ 
 
 ^^'"'^^•••- (DuTrembiay) ;;;;; 
 
 Da mas and Taillon (DuTrembiay ... 
 
 S!!!. .f."'^ ^^"berger (Tremblay) .......'.[.[[[ ] [ [ \ 
 
 (DuTrembiay) ^2^ 
 
 (DuTrembiay) j^g 
 
 (DuTrembiay) ;; " 
 
 (Gagnon) 
 
 (Boivin) 
 
 ^ . (Duberger) 
 
 \T'" '"'I ^.T^^"^' {^^^^ni,., DuTrembiayi : ; ; ; ; ; ; ; \%, 
 
 Labrosse and Albert (Gagnon) ^ ^ 
 
 L^'^"'^'-^ (Gosseiin) ;;;;;;;;;;;; 
 
 (DuTrembiay) ; ] . '. 
 
 (Gagnon) 
 
 (Dumais) 
 
 (Tremblay), \\ j^g 
 
 (Dumais) ^^^ 
 
 (Tremblay, Dumais igj 
 
 (Tremblay) [ jg 
 
 (DuTrembiay) jgg 
 
 (Dumais)... ,gg 
 
 Demeules 
 De Quen. 
 Dolbeau. . 
 Dufferin . . 
 Ferland . . 
 Jonqiiiferes 
 
 Metabetchouan 
 
 Metabetchouan and Charlevoix 
 
 Normandin 
 
 Otis 
 
 Ouiatchouan . . .... 
 
 Parent 
 
 Perigny 
 
 Racine 
 
 Roberval 
 
 no 
 no 
 113 
 
 119 
 
 121 
 124 
 
 132 
 
 135 
 136 
 141 
 142 
 142 
 149 
 t5o 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 Joliette ... . 
 Kamottrask 
 
 do 
 L'Islet. . . . 
 do 
 do 
 
iii 
 
 Pages. 
 
 76 
 
 77 
 
 78 
 
 80 
 
 82 
 
 85 
 
 86 
 
 86 
 
 92 
 
 .... 96 
 
 97 
 • . . . 104 
 
 .... 106 
 
 ' . • . J06 
 
 . . . . 108 
 
 . . . . 110 
 
 . . .. no 
 
 .... 113 
 
 ... n5 
 
 ... 116 
 
 ... 116 
 
 ... 119 
 
 121 
 ... 124 
 
 127 
 
 . .. 128 
 
 .. 131 
 
 •• 132 
 
 •• 133 
 
 •• 135 
 .. 136 
 
 .. 141 
 
 142 
 
 142 
 
 . . 149 
 
 .. tso 
 
 •• 156 
 
 •• 159 
 161 
 
 167 
 
 . 168 
 
 169 
 
 County. 
 
 Chh outiuii 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 Compton . 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 Dorchester 
 do 
 do 
 do • 
 do 
 do 
 Gaspk 
 
 Township. 
 
 . Ross . 
 Signal 
 Signai, 
 
 SURVKYORS. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Sf. 
 
 Simard 
 
 Simard, Tremblay, Falardeau 
 
 (A. Rops, Duchesnay). 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 Joliette . . 
 
 170 
 
 (Maltais) 
 
 ■ ' (Uumais) 
 
 Labarre and Caron (Tremblay). . '^' 
 
 ^^'"i'^'^""^'" (Gagnon) '^'^ 
 
 "■'■'^'^^ (DuTremblay) 
 
 174 
 175 
 177 
 180 
 
 (Wallace, Diimais) 
 
 Tach""' ''*'"""^^' falardeau... (Tremblay) 
 
 T,'.,, ' ■ ■ ■ (I^u Tremblay) . 0^ 
 
 Ta. on and Delisle (Langlois) . .'^ ^ 
 
 Taillon lyyj Z. '. ^ 183 
 
 /•>, , (»V. Iremblay) o 
 
 • Chesham ,(^,,^ ,./', 183 
 
 l^itton ... ■ n. "^""l '''"'''°''^' ^''^'^'^'^^) • ■ • ^85 
 
 ^ , (ODvvyer) .. A 
 
 li^mberton /^..p, , 
 
 ., (ODwyer) 
 
 Marston /ni 1 • 1 x 
 
 ,.,,., (Biaikiock), 
 
 Whitton ,-^, . . / 
 
 Woburn 
 
 sLan^evin 
 
 188 
 192 
 196 
 202 
 203 
 211 
 
 220 
 220 
 221 
 
 221 
 
 (Fletcher) 
 (Biaikiock) 
 
 v,^, „ (Casgrain, Henderson) 
 
 Metgermette North (Temple, Proulx) . 
 
 Metgermette South (LegeLe) ''^ 
 
 Standon i\> \ 
 
 Ware ^ ^^ ' ' ' ' 
 
 „, /' (Henderson) 
 
 Watford /* r.. J 
 
 ■ Cape Rosier, Gasp^ Bay North 
 
 and Fox . . /n j • ^ 
 
 ^, , .J (Poudrier) .... 
 
 Chlondorme /p,,- , ,v 
 
 ^, . (Painchaud). . . 
 
 Christie /tj • l ,^ 
 
 ,,, . . (Pamchaud). . . 
 
 Christie and Duchesnay (Roy.)- .... 
 
 Denoue /d • u ,'x "• 
 
 „ , (Painchaud). . . 
 
 ^°"t^ (H. O'Sullivan) 
 
 Douglastown (LeBouthillier). 
 
 iJuchesnay /d • u j\ 
 
 Fortin....'. P t'"?/-- 
 
 (Painchaud) 
 
 (LeBouthillier) '. .".'.'.'. ' * ' * ^36 
 
 (Painchaud) " ^,8 
 
 224 
 
 225 
 
 226 
 
 226 
 
 229 
 
 230 
 
 231 
 
 232 
 
 Perce 
 
 Rameau 
 
 Taschereau /p^.-^^u j\ 
 
 - ,. (rainchaud) 
 
 ■ •Toilette ir^ . ,, . 
 
 Kamouraska . Bungay (Qumn, Martm. Dorval) ,^j_ 
 
 . r, , • (Desrochers) 
 
 z./2° C'":::::::;::;-'- <^°™"' 
 
 do Ashford 
 
 do Beanbien .... 
 
 (Belanger) 
 
 (Dugal, Fournier) . . 
 
 (Breen) 
 
 239 
 242 
 
 243 
 243 
 24s 
 24s 
 
 246-248 
 
ir 
 
 County 
 
 risUt. ... 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 Maskinottge 
 do 
 <io 
 do 
 do 
 Megantic . 
 
 do 
 Montcalm 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 Surveyors. 
 
 Township. 
 
 .Fournier .... ,\r ■ v 
 
 (Verreault) ,_ 
 
 (.arneau, Casgrain & Lafoptaine. TRtu) ^^ 
 
 Lcssard /'» l ' '"' 
 
 (Breen) . . 
 
 Les.sard and Heaubien (Belanger) 
 
 L^^™ (Ten.).... 
 
 iSoTnes.".";;;. ^'^'1""'^^. ^^i 
 
 Houde De Lachevrof bre) ,5, 
 
 ,, (Arcand) 
 
 Masson /r.„ r i. s . 
 
 ,, . , , (Ue Lachevrotifere) 
 
 leerborough (Laurier, Martin) . 
 
 . .Loleraine /t u \ 
 
 (laschereau) 
 
 (Legendre) 
 
 . , (Mathieu) ,.0 
 
 Archambault and Lussier (Quinn) 
 
 Doncaster ' ^" 
 
 Thetford . . . 
 • Archambault 
 
 Page. 
 
 247 
 348 
 249 
 
 3^0 
 
 257 
 257 
 
 259 
 
 Lussier 
 
 (Oilman, Regnaud) j6o 
 
 J»/.///.«.r^.^...Ashburton .... Qumn, Math.eu) ,^^_ 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 Otta7va . 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 -do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do . 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 <k) 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 --^ 260 
 
 Bourdages.... Langlois, Laberge) ,5, 
 
 Rolette and Panet ." .' .■;:.•.■ S)' '"'"^ ''' 
 
 Talon . i, ■■■■n^:"\ *^3 
 
 .... , (Belanger, Tetu) .gg 
 
 ;^^^:"«'<^" (McArthur) . . . '^ 
 
 Add.ngton and Labelle (McMartin ,,« 
 
 Amheisi /M^\f, .• \ *°^ 
 
 (McMartm) ^g^ 
 
 (Magrath) . 
 (Woods) 
 
 Aumond . 
 Baskatong 
 
 p^ ^i (Roney, Johnston) , ' 
 
 Bouchette . .- . iv> t, • ■ . ' 
 
 p , .„. (Roney, Rainboth- 
 
 ^°"'^'"'^^ (McArthur) 
 
 ^'"^^ • (Lucas, Rainboth) 
 
 Campbe 1. ... /d • u i.\ 
 
 Clyde ..;■.;;; ^^""^"''^^ 
 
 Dudley and Kiamika 
 
 Egan 
 
 Hincks 
 
 269 
 
 270 
 
 o 
 
 272 
 
 273 
 274 
 
 27s 
 
 (Mathieu) 'I 
 
 (A'M :::: 27 
 
 (O'Hanly) '\ 
 
 ";'"''''' (McArthur) , ' 
 
 J^'y (Crawford). '^ 
 
 J^^"?^^°" (Roney) V ! ! :! ! ! ! ! ! ! to 
 
 (Mathieu) 28r 
 
 (Mathieu).... ■■_■ 282 
 
 (Johnston) ; 282 
 
 (Martin) \ . 
 
 (^^^^"•M 284 
 
 (McArthur) 28c 
 
 Kiamika 
 Labelle . , 
 Lathbury 
 Lesage . . 
 Loranger 
 Lytton . . , 
 
 Cou 
 
 Ottawt 
 d( 
 dc 
 dc 
 dc 
 dc 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 Pontiac. 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do, 
 do' 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 Portneuf. 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
County. 
 Ottawa Marchand 
 
 Township. 
 
 Surveyors 
 
 Page. 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 do Wobassee 
 
 Pontiac Aberford . 
 
 do Aldfield . . 
 
 j^^j^ij, (Crawford, Martin, Mathieu) ,85 
 
 -, , (Rainboth) 
 
 j?"'s^^;:« (Johnston) ;:;;:••• 
 
 ;°"'°"^y (McArthur, Crawford, Fletcher)" 
 
 „ P^--- (Griffin) 
 
 Portland 
 
 287 
 287 
 288 
 291 
 
 Preston , 
 
 Ripon 
 
 Robertson . 
 Suffolk.... 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 Portland East.'.;'. .■.■.■:.'::;:;:; (Ratbothj;:.":; '^' 
 
 p°:\'«"d West (Rauscher) \\ ;.v;;;; ::;■■• 
 
 (Mathieu) 
 
 (Johnston) 
 
 (Rainboth) '.■.■*'!!;.■..: Ill 
 
 c «. „ , „ (Symmes, Rainboth) -o- 
 
 Suffolk and Ponsonby (Griffin) ^^ 
 
 Wakefield and Templeton (Austin) ^^* 
 
 ^^^"« (Roney):;:;:::;;::::;::;;;;- '-^ 
 
 (Rauscher) 
 
 (Sinclair) 
 
 (McGrath) . .* ." ." .' ' _' ' ' 
 
 (Holmes) 
 
 (Michaud) 
 
 ^. . (Roney) \\ 
 
 ^'^P'^a™ (Roney)..... 
 
 i?"''"'"^' (Roney, Dumais).. ::".:::;::: ,04. 
 
 S°"?"-;-; (O'Hanley, McArthur) ' \^l 
 
 Duhamel, Laverlochfere and Gui- ^ 
 
 8"«^s (Ashe) 
 
 ^^^'^ (Dumais) 
 
 S"'T'-;;: (Roney,Dumais). .■.■.■;;::;;::.. — 
 
 ""f.^^"fi/'d (Griffin, Brabazon) ^, J 
 
 Leslie and Cawood (Roney) 
 
 I-orrain /n.,r«o;<,\ 
 
 (uumais) 
 
 (Brabazon) 
 
 (Evans) !^,i 
 
 Thome (Roney). ......::;::;;:;:;; -^ " ' 
 
 Alleyn . . 
 Boisclair 
 Church . 
 
 Mansfield 
 Sheen 
 
 292 
 
 294 
 *9S 
 
 29a 
 
 299 
 
 300 
 
 30* 
 
 30* 
 
 30* 
 
 305 
 
 304 
 
 304 
 
 310 
 31* 
 
 315 
 
 316 
 317 
 317 
 
 Waltham (White)' ' ^'^ 
 
 Portneuf. . . .Bois. . . . m t u " ' ' ".v' \ ^^^ 
 
 ,/ „, (De Lachevroti^re) ,,. 
 
 ^"^ ^^l^'gny (De Lachevrotifere ' \l\ 
 
 Colbert (Langlois) ' lH 
 
 Colbert and Ossonane (Griffin) 
 
 Colbert and Rocmont (Ddry) . , ' ^*^ 
 
 Gosford and Rocmont lDhv\ ^^^ 
 
 LaSalle !! V^'.' ' " ! 33o 
 
 
 (Robertson) . 
 
 330 
 
vi 
 
 COVNTV. 
 
 Portneuf. . . 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 JiiMouski. . . 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Sagiienay. . . 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 S/. ALxitrict'. 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Temiscouatd 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Page. 
 
 33.3 
 333 
 
 '^°^'*«"'f- Surveyors. 
 
 • J-aSalle and Larue (LefraiK^ois) 
 
 Montauban (DiJry) 
 
 To"'' (Png^) "."..." 
 
 • Awantjish (Breen, LeBer) ~~" 
 
 J^^d''^"^ (IVAuteuil, (laron) ' „6 
 
 B'encourt (Doucet) 
 
 Cliesnier (Duval) 
 
 P^'ibaire (Lepage) \\.'.\ 
 
 J^"'l"^'s"e (daron) .■;.'." 
 
 337 
 337 
 338 
 339 
 
 (^'aron) ^^^ 
 
 340 
 343 
 
 Flynn 
 
 Hun^q"' (LeHer, Roy) 
 
 Lepage (D'AuieuJl) 
 
 M'lci^tfs (Bradley, Garon) 344 
 
 Masstf (Grondin) ■,(, 
 
 Matalek (Grondin) 34^ 
 
 ^l!^/^f, (Bradley, LepaRe) ".'.'. 348 
 
 M'lnikek (Murison) 351 
 
 Neigette (Grondin, Garon) " ' ,„ 
 
 353 
 
 Nemtay.^ (LeBer, Poudrier) 
 
 Ouimet 
 
 ^obitaille (Doucet) 
 
 l<o"i'eu (Lepage) 
 
 Roinieu and Dalibaire (Lepage) 
 
 Saint-Denis (Hill) 
 
 (Grondin) 3^4 
 
 354 
 354 
 
 355 
 355 
 
 ^ ^''"^'' (Grondin, Hill, J. G. Bignell)... ... 356 
 
 ^ ourelle (Le Bouthillier) „, 
 
 .Albert; ^" 
 
 Bergeronnes (Du Tremblay, Boivin) . . . . '.'..'. 360 
 
 Escoutnains (Boivin) 363 
 
 Iberville (o^, Tremblay ..'.'. 364 
 
 Manicouagan (Di, Tremblay) 35. 
 
 • Belleau (De Lachevrotifere) 367 
 
 Desaulniers (De Lachevrotifere) ' * 368 
 
 Caxton-(Gore) (Arcand) [ '. 353 
 
 • ^^'g'^" (Doucet, St. Pierre) '. 369 
 
 ^otsford (Duval) 370 
 
 Cabano (T^tu, St. Pierre) .' ." ' 371 
 
 Demers (Doucet) 373 
 
 E-^'court (Casgrain) 3-3 
 
 Hocquart (Fournier) 3^5 
 
 Packington (Dugal) .'.' 3-6 
 
 Packington and Robinson (Tetu) 
 
 Baudot (Fournier) !".'.!!'.'. 378 
 
 Coui 
 Terreh 
 do 
 jyo/fe . 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 ' 
 
 
 DiSTR 
 
 Ottawa . 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 St. Maut 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 do 
 do 
 
 do 
 do 
 
 I 
 
vil 
 
 County. Township 
 
 Tern/'onne . . Beresfotd and Howard 
 
 ^^'"'■"^^' ..■■■.. (Regn'aud) 
 
 •t;"^"'^^y OVelLs. Kidu.d) 
 
 Ham 
 
 Stratford 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 SuKVEvoRs, Page 
 
 • (J^^aviolelte) ^go 
 
 381 
 
 383 
 
 384 
 
 (I'oudriei), 
 (VVolls). 
 
 385 
 
 Stratford and Garthby (Michaud) ." .". ! .7. ." .7. .' ." ! 385 
 
 Surveyors. 
 
 (Cimon) . 
 
 (Russell) . . 
 (J- Bignell) , 
 
 (Sinclair) , 
 (McMartin) , 
 
 EXPLORATIONS. 
 
 DiSTKICT. TerkIIORV. 
 
 ^"■'"'"^ Region between lakes Temisca- 
 
 niingiie and Abbitibbi (McOuat) , 
 
 Between Montreal and Oitawa. . (Wagner) 
 
 Headwaters of the Ottawa (Synimes, Russell, Wagner) 4 . . 
 
 Hlock A, Pontiac (j. O'Sullivan) . / ^ 1 
 
 The Upper Ottawa (J. IMgnell) ^'^ 
 
 Otter Tail river 
 
 Rivers Rouge, Lievre and Petite 
 
 Nation 
 
 Upper Lievre 
 
 ^^^"^ "^■«'- '. (McMartin) 
 
 River Rouge 
 
 River du I3iab!e 
 
 S/. Maurice . Between tiie Lievre and St. Mau- 
 rice, west part (Temple). 
 
 St. Maurice di trict, west section . (Arcand) 
 
 St. Maurice district, east section. (Arcand, Temple) ,:« 
 
 R.ver Manouan to lake Kempt . . ^ De Lachevrotifere) . .' ." \,, 
 
 River Manouan from Temple's '^^^ 
 
 line to lake Kempt (De Lachevrotibre) .5,, 
 
 Lake Nemicach.nque (De Lachevrotiere) " T, 
 
 RiverduLoup (l.i^,,) 4^^ 
 
 Lakes and rivers in the township /^ 
 
 of Radnor and seigniory of 
 
 Cap de la Magdeleine (Barnard). 
 
 River h la Chienne (Barnard). 
 
 Between the St. Maurice and 
 
 Mekinaq. rivers, from Mekinac 
 
 township to lake Edward .... (Legendre) ,., 
 
 Rivers Moise and Croche (Page') •••••••■ 407 
 
 Country between La Tu(iue and ^ ^ 
 
 LakeSt.John (Blaiklock) g 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 do 
 do 
 
 do 
 do 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 Page, 
 
 387 
 409 
 414 
 436 
 433 
 434 
 
 435 
 443 
 445 
 447 
 451 
 
 454 
 456 
 
 do 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 464 
 466 
 
viii 
 
 Surveyors. 
 
 District. Territory. 
 
 Sf. Maun'ce...K\vQxs Trenche and Pierriche. . . (Gagnon) 
 
 do Salmon and Windigo rivers (Gagnon) 
 
 do River Matawin and its tributaries (Barnard) 
 
 Quebec, Portneuf and Batiscari. —Country be- 
 tween the Jacques-Cartier and 
 
 Batiscan rivers (Proulx) . 
 
 Country between St. Raymond 
 
 and lake Edward (Duma's) .^^ 
 
 North branch of the river St. Ann (Fafard) ... 
 
 River Talayarde (Lefrangois) 
 
 River Mauvaise (Lefrangois) 
 
 Rivers Tovvachiche and Eaux 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 Page. 
 
 47" 
 473 
 47^ 
 
 4S1 
 
 494 
 
 495 
 496 
 
 Mortes . 
 
 Lake St. /ohn.NaWey of Lake St. John (Richardson) 
 
 do Rivers Ouiatchouan, Bostonnais 
 
 and Batisca' (Dumais) 
 
 do Rivers Ouiatchouan, Eatiscan, 
 
 Bostonnais and St. Maurice . . 
 
 do ' Country between Cedar lake and 
 Lake St. John 
 
 do River Metabetchouan and its tri- 
 butaries (Casgrain) 
 
 do Region between lake Lacroix 
 
 and the Metabetchouan (De Lachevrotifere) 
 
 (DuTremblay) 495 
 
 497 
 
 503 
 
 (Dumais) ^jg 
 
 (H. O'SulIivan) 522 
 
 do 
 do 
 
 523 
 
 524 
 
 (Casgrain, Tetu) 525 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 'do 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 do 
 do 
 
 531 
 537 
 
 Block F 
 
 Rivers Mistassibi, au Rat and 
 VVassiemska (Dumais) 
 
 Little Peribonka river (Dumais) 
 
 River Shipshaw (Du Tremblay) 539 
 
 Rivers Valin, Betsiamits, Ship- 
 shaw and Peribonka (Du Tremblay) ^4* 
 
 River Valin, North Branch (Du Tiemblay) .".'.*.' .*.*.'." tl 
 
 Rivers S, Mars and Ha ! Ha !.. . , (Vincent) ..''.... 
 
 Rivers Upikauba and Aux Fcor- 
 «s (Maltais) -^g 
 
 Country around Lake St. John. . (Langlois) . 
 
 Region along the Desmarais road. (Desmeules) 
 
 Region along LAnse St. Jean 
 
 ™ad (Tremblay) ,53 
 
 Saguenay , , . .YTom the Saguenay to the Bay 
 
 of Seven Islands (Richardson) 560 
 
 River Sainte Marguerite (Gagnon) '....... 564 
 
 Region along the Maritime road. (Desmeules^ . * ,/:^ 
 
 ....... ^ .... .... .,, 205. 
 
 549 
 55» 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 do 
 
 do 
 
IZ 
 
 Page. 
 
 47> 
 
 473 
 
 47^ 
 
 4S1 
 
 490 
 
 494 
 
 495 
 
 49<i 
 
 496 
 
 497 
 
 503 
 
 5i» 
 
 52* 
 
 523 
 
 524 
 
 525 
 
 531 
 
 537 
 
 539 
 
 543 
 
 546 
 
 547 
 
 54° 
 
 549 
 
 55^ 
 
 558 
 
 560 
 
 564 
 
 ■ ■•flit ^ Kj^p 
 
 Surveyors. 
 
 Page, 
 
 584 
 
 593 
 
 596 
 
 (Casgrain) ^^^ 
 
 (Gagnon) ^^^ 
 
 District. Territory. 
 
 Saguenay. . . .Rivers Petite and Grande Berge- 
 ronnes, Escoumains, Sault-ay- 
 Mouton, Portneuf and Sault- : 
 
 au-Cochon (Dumais) „. 
 
 Rivers Betsiamits, Loup -Maun 
 
 and Outardcs (Casgrain) 
 
 Rivers Outardes, Betsiamits and 
 
 .^^"''0"^^^ (J. Bignell), 
 
 Rivers Blanche and Colombier... (Lavergne) V^ 
 
 Rivers Manicouagan, Pentecost, 
 
 Trinity and Godbout (J. Bignell) 
 
 River Moisic 
 
 Rivers St. Marguerite, k la Truite 
 
 and Manitou 
 
 Rivers St. John, Mingan, Natash- 
 
 quan and Esquimaux (Forgues) g^^ 
 
 Rivers Musquarro and Kegashka. (Fcrgues, DuTrembl- ) W'.W"" 607 
 
 Washecooiai (Forgues) " " a a 
 
 Northern Height of Za«^— Mistassini expedi- 
 
 ^ ''^^ ^^'4-85 (J. Bignell, Low) 610, 919 
 
 By the Saguenay to Hudson Bay (Albanel) 6 J 
 
 Headwaters of the Saguenay, St. 
 
 Maurice and Gatineau ....... (Richardson) 544. 
 
 Upper St. Maurice, Gatineau and 
 
 Ottawa (J, Bignell) f. 
 
 Gul/Distnct.mng^n Islands (Richardson) \\\ H] 
 
 do Island of Anticosti (Richardson) '' fifi, 
 
 do Magdalen Islands (Painchaud) . . . . '" l,. 
 
 ^"'^^ Description of the Magdalen river (Richardson) .'.'".' 670 
 
 District between Magdalen river 
 
 and Gaspd Bay (R.chardson). 
 
 Magdalen river (Bell) 
 
 Mont - Louis, Anse - Pleureuse, 
 
 Pierre and Claude rivers (LeBouthillier) 
 
 Matane, St. Anne,Cape Chat and 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 685 
 688 
 
 689 
 
 Douglastown rivers (Murray) g 
 
 . John or Douglastown and 
 
 St 
 
 Dartmouth rivers. 
 Pabos and Port Daniel rivers . . . 
 Pabos, Port Daniel, Hall, Little 
 
 Cascapedia .'tnd Nouvelle rivers 
 Bonaventure river 
 
 (Ells) 
 
 (Legendre) . 
 
 698 
 
 701 
 
 ^T.egendre) ^^^ 
 
 (Murray, H. O'SuUivan) ,0^ 
 
Surveyors. 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 Page. 
 
 7x6 
 
 District. Territory. 
 
 do Bonaventure and Cascai.edia 
 
 /'^e'-=* (Ells)... 
 
 Gulf Shore, Cape Chat and Cas- 
 
 capedia rivers (Logan) ^^o 
 
 Rivers St. Anne .nnd Ca-capedia. (I,ow) -28 
 
 xN'ouvelle river, West Branch . . . . ( Murison) . . . . . . ' ". '. '. ". ". '. '. '.'.'.".'.'" , , , 
 
 Casupscull river (Lepage) 
 
 Interior of Gbsp^ p ninsuia (Bureau) 
 
 Jii"'ouski and Temiscouata-Com^tyo{R\momk\. (Lepage) 7. . 
 
 do Rivers Rimouski, Noire and Cari- 
 
 ^.*^°%;;-: (LeBel) 760 
 
 River Sifrois (LeBel) 762 
 
 River Touladi and tributaries.. . . (Casgrain) ' -5^ 
 
 Country between lake Squatook 
 
 and Madawaska (h. O'Sullivan) 766 
 
 Cabano road (Tetu) ^gg 
 
 Cabano and Pohenegamook road (Casgrain) -60 
 
 River Noire region (Casgrain). 
 
 738 
 741 
 
 772 
 
 "<•'%.• l.»«„"i/n.'«,/«„S,.«^.„.,,M„«, 
 
 FISH AND GAME. 
 
 SALMON AND SEA-TKOUT RIVERS, (North-Shore) 
 
 Page. 
 
 Jacques Cartier ^-^ 
 
 Montmorency 
 
 Ste Anne du Nord 
 
 Du Gouffre 
 
 Murray 
 
 Canard and Noire 
 
 Saguenay 
 
 Little Saguenay 7-5 
 
 St. John (L'Anse St-Jean) 776 
 
 Eternity -»- 
 
 A Mars --. 
 
 Ste Marguerite (en haul) 777 
 
 Little and Great Bergeronnes 779 
 
 Griat Escoumains 770 
 
 774 
 774 
 775 
 775 
 
 775 
 775 
 
 Godbout. . . . 
 Little Trinity . 
 
 Trinity 
 
 Pentecost . . . . 
 
 Page. 
 
 • 782 
 . 782 
 
 • 783 
 783 
 
 Calumet and Litde Marguerite 783 
 
 Ste I\Larguerite (en bas) 783 
 
 ^loisic ^8^ 
 
 Tiout y3^ 
 
 ^lan'tou 784 
 
 St. John (North Shore) 785 
 
 Magpie ^86 
 
 Mingan ^86 
 
 Manitou (branch of the Mingan) 786 
 
 Little Romaine 787 
 
 Sault-au 
 
 Sault-au 
 
 Portneui 
 
 Laval . . 
 
 Colombi 
 
 Blanche 
 
 Plover . . 
 
 Betsiami 
 
 Missiquii 
 
 St. ] 
 
 Jtlanicou; 
 
 Mistassin 
 
 Becscie c 
 
 Rimouski 
 Grand M( 
 Matane . . 
 Tarti.sTo an 
 Great and 
 
 and I 
 Cape Cha 
 Ste. Anne 
 Claude, A 
 
 Mont- 
 Magdalen . 
 Dartmouth 
 
 Vork 
 
 St. John (( 
 
 Lake St. Jo 
 Belle Rivibi 
 Metabetcho 
 Ouialchouai 
 Oui-Uchouai 
 ! Au.\ Iroquoi 
 
XI 
 
 Page. 
 
 7x6 
 
 720 
 728 
 
 737 
 738 
 741 
 754 
 
 760 
 762 
 763 
 
 766 
 768 
 769 
 
 772 
 
 Page. 
 
 • 782 
 . 782 
 
 • 783 
 
 • 783 
 
 • 783 
 . 783 
 
 • 784 
 . 784 
 , 784 
 
 . 785 
 786 
 
 . 786 
 786 
 
 , 787 
 
 Page. 
 
 Sault-au-Cochon 
 
 Sault-au-Mouton 
 
 Portneuf 
 
 Laval 
 
 Colombier 
 
 Blanche 
 
 Plover 
 
 Betsiamits or Bersimis ^3 
 
 Missiqiiinak, Papinachois.Outardes and 
 
 St. Pancras 
 
 Jtlanicouagan 
 
 Mistassini .... 
 
 Page. 
 
 779 
 780 
 
 780 
 780 
 780 
 780 
 780 
 o 
 
 782 
 782 
 782 
 
 Becscie or Sheldrake -3 
 
 Gieat Watshtshoo, Corneille, Pasha 
 sheebo, Nabissipi and Agwanus . . 
 
 Natashquan _ 
 
 Musquarro 
 
 Kegashka 
 
 Washecootai 
 
 Romaine or Olonianasheebo 788 
 
 Coacachoo, Eiamamu and Napateepi . 780 
 Netagamu g 
 
 Little Mcccatina, Ste. Augustine and 
 
 Corkewetpeeche -3„ 
 
 Esquimaux or St. Paul -3q 
 
 787 
 787 
 788 
 788 
 788 
 
 SALMON AND SEA-TROCJT RIVERS, (South-Shore). 
 
 K.imouski _ 
 
 Grand Metis 
 
 ALitane 
 
 Tartiso and Blanche 
 
 Great and Little Mechins and Great 
 
 and Little Capucins 
 
 Cape Chat 
 
 Ste. Anne des Monts 
 
 Claude, Anse Pleureuse, Pierre and 
 
 Mont-Louis. 
 
 Magdalen 
 
 Danmouth 
 
 York 
 
 St. John (Gasp^) 
 
 Page. 
 
 • 789 
 
 • 789 
 
 • 789 
 790 
 
 Page. 
 
 790 
 790 
 790 
 
 790 
 790 
 791 
 791 
 792 
 
 Ma'baie 
 
 Grand River 
 
 Little Pabos ,..'."....". " -^^ 
 
 Grand Pabos 
 
 Port Daniel " " 
 
 Grand Bonaventure 
 
 Little Cascapedia 
 
 Grand Cascapedia '^3 
 
 Nouvelle and Escuminac Sq j 
 
 Restigouche 
 
 Metapedia 
 
 Casupscill 
 
 Humqui 
 
 792 
 
 793 
 794 
 
 795 
 795 
 797 
 
 802 
 804 
 80s 
 807 
 
 Assemetquagan g^ 
 
 LAND-LOCKE"> SALMON WATERS. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Lake St. John and its tributaries . 
 
 Belle Rivibre 
 
 Metabetchouan 
 
 Ouiatchouan 
 
 Oui.uchouanishe 
 
 ! Au.\ Iroquois 
 
 808 
 808 
 808 
 808 
 809 
 809 
 
 Page. 
 
 Ashi 
 
 luapmouchouanorChamouchouan. 800 ' 
 Mistassini , „ 
 
 Peribonka 
 
 Little Peribonka ." .' ' ." .' ' " ' _" " _' 3°^ 
 
 Grand and Little Discharge .' . ' 3 jg 
 
 ■% 
 
xii 
 
 INLAND LAKES AND STREAMS. 
 
 Page. 
 Ottawa Division : 
 
 Ottawa county 8ii 
 
 Pontiac " 813 
 
 Montreal Division : 
 
 Argenteuil county 814 
 
 Montcalm " 815 
 
 Joliette " 816 
 
 TAree /livers Division : 
 
 Berthier county 816 
 
 Maskinongd " 816 
 
 St. Maurice " , 817 
 
 Champlain " 8i8 
 
 Quebec Division : 
 
 Portneuf county 822 
 
 Quebec " 823 
 
 Montmorency " 8*4 
 
 Lake St. John Division ; 
 Chicoutimi county 
 Charlevoix " 
 
 Page. 
 
 824 
 826 
 
 Saguenay Division 826 
 
 Gaspe Division 827 
 
 South Shore Division. , . . 
 Rimouski county 
 T^miscouata " 
 Kamouraska '•' 
 L'Islet 
 
 Montmagny " 
 Bellechasse " 
 
 828 
 
 828 
 
 829 
 
 829 
 
 829 
 
 830 
 
 830 
 
 Eastern To7unships Division 830 
 
 ToHii 
 T 
 
 Mat v. 
 
 II 
 
 Territor 
 in the C 
 Canada 
 
 Th< 
 the agri 
 
Page. 
 
 824 
 
 826 
 
 826 
 
 827 
 
 828 
 
 828 
 
 829 
 
 829 
 
 829 
 
 830 
 
 830 
 
 830 
 
 To His Honor, 
 
 The Honorable Auguste Real Angers. 
 
 Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Quebec. 
 Mat it please Tour Honor : 
 
 I beg to submit the Description oftlie Surve^jeJ Tn..,«.i • 
 Terras of^He ^^ „. p^, ^1^0^^^^^^:'^ ^'°'"' 
 » tHea^n Un^ Ue^,^, as .eU a. fro. tutor ZZZZT ""'". 
 Canada and Other Official sources. ^ "^^ologwal Survey of 
 
 The object of this publication is to supply informaf inn -.u 
 the a,.e„U„a,, fore. »a „i„e.. .e.„„e" VtoT.:^:'''' '" 
 
 years past, of publishing certain extract from the renortsof.n 
 and explorations ; but there is in the Taults nf .h. A / of surveys 
 
 of reports, which have not yet Jn puM d ; lotZ""' ' °'""""'' 
 valuable information. As for those which tave tfn SC^ »"" t 
 an easy matter to procure them all without a certain amount ftb: wt 
 few persons care to undertake anrt in. ""ount ol labor which 
 
 co-ordinate, them so as tobe :Ki/. / ''°™'' °" '"""''^""« "> 
 
 I , mem so as to be able to form an coin ion nf fi,^ i 
 
 particular region as regards either the quality "„« ft, ™^ 1 ""^ 
 the timber or the existence of minerals.' Lastty, the r it^ f the' « V' 
 g.cal Survey of Canada, especially the earlier issues c„T , '"" 
 
 Ut value respecting parts of th'e Crown ro:au,e::!aTy \i«LT°"' "' 
 ■These early reoorts h«Tra K. . , generally little known. 
 
 Lained anyTtW wav *„!..""'"' ""' ^" «'^' '''^^ '"""ly 
 r u«u any otner way to brmg them to the knowleds-A nf fi.. ui- 
 [except to reprint them. i^nowiedge of the public, 
 
XIV 
 
 lands, thereby increasing the revenues of the Government and giving a 
 powerful impetus to the great work of colonization, which are the two 
 principal objects I am striving to attain in the administration of this 
 department. 
 
 Ideas more or less erroneous are generally entertained regarding the 
 geography or rather the superficial geology of the province of Quebec: 
 because the estuary of the St. Lawrence is bordered by two ranges of 
 mountains, it is concluded that the country traversed by these heights is 
 everywhere mountainous, rocky and barren ; and, in very many minds, 
 the notion is rooted that we have no good arable lands outside of the' 
 immediate valley of the great river, which does not amount to a fourth of 
 the total extent of the province. I trust that the present publication will 
 remove these false impressions, since it clearly establishes that, between 
 these ranges of hills, there are immense plains, with a soil, to say the least, 
 as rich and as easy to cultivate as that of the great St. Lawrence valley 
 Itself, which is designated by our geologists under the name of the Cham- 
 paign region. 
 
 An analysis of the reports of surveys and explorations shows that 
 
 behind the mountain chain, extending from Cape Tourmente to the 
 
 Ottawa a little above Hull, there is an immense plain which stretches to 
 
 the eastward through the valley of the river Matawiu to the neighborhood 
 
 of the St. Maurice. The general level of this plain is not more than 250 or 
 
 300 feet over that of the sea and is only broken at rare intervals by small 
 
 rocky ridges or hills. On striking the region of the Matawiu, the general 
 
 direction of this plain trends towards the north north-east and then 
 
 continues by the fine plateau between the rivers Treuche and Windigo to 
 
 Lake St. John, where it connects with that splendid valley bounded by the 
 
 mountains bordering the Saguenay on the north-east. The length of this 
 
 belt of level lands, mostly of remarkable fertility, is close upon 400 miles 
 
 and its average breadth approaches 60, which forms an area of 24,000 miles 
 
 or 15,860,000 square acres. The region drained by the part of the Ottawa 
 
 comprised between the headwaters of that river and Lake Temiscamingue' 
 
 as far as the height of lands, forms another nlatAan I-a.i««. ftnn ^- ^aa ju-x 
 
md giving a 
 
 are the two 
 
 ition of this 
 
 •egarding the 
 > of Quebec: 
 vo ranges of 
 ?8e heights is 
 many minds, 
 itside of the 
 
 a fourth of 
 >lioation will 
 fciat, between 
 say the least, 
 rrence valley 
 )f the Cham- 
 shows that 
 
 ente to the 
 
 1 stretches to 
 eighborhood 
 
 than 2-50 or 
 als by small 
 
 the general 
 t and then 
 "Windigo to 
 nded by the 
 agth of this 
 1 400 miles 
 54,000 miles 
 the Ottawa, 
 iscamingue 
 
 A> TAA J> J. 
 
 vs. tvv VSfiii 
 
 above th« sea level, generally flat and inoluding a good deal of .r.W. 1 j 
 under the head both o, ,oil and climate, and if septet n'^^t^tWn 
 «deh, another range of monntainona oonntr. iron, the great ,:^:^; 
 
 wt /.r" . ™'™'' "'"' explorations, and which oonclusivelT 
 how that .h.B northern region, too often represented as a conntry o monn 
 
 20000^00 of «res of good level lands, where colonization and agricnltoe 
 may be carried on nnder the most advantageons conditions. 
 
 In rear of the mountains of the south shore, there is the great Silnrian 
 and Devonian plam extending from the river Ohandi*re I a^TZ. 
 compr,s.ng 3,000,000 acres of the best arable lands Or very nearly! m"h 
 
 Me to r::"^ """" ''"'"™''"- '" "^ «"<"« P-Wnce lUs "C 
 ibleto road the repor.s of the explorers withont being strnck wilTTe 
 
 report for the fiscal year 1888, I direcfd Yonr Honor's attention L Z 
 advantages which this region holds out to agricnltnre and I tl That tt 
 
 Even should this book have no other effect except to spread a better 
 Wledgeofthese two great fields for colonization. I am of oLrn thatt 
 ufhty will be already established beyond question 
 
 Crown Lands Depabtment, 
 
 Quebec, 8th October, 1889. 
 
 aEO. DUHAMEL, 
 Commissioner of Crown Lands. 
 
Th 
 
 ships, a: 
 
 first par 
 
 each to\ 
 
 of surve 
 
 different 
 
 agriculti 
 
 contains 
 
 reports ( 
 
 differenc 
 
 tracts. 
 
 Now 
 
 This 
 embraces 
 Terrebonr 
 well as pj 
 greater pc 
 is tanamc 
 broken, ro 
 f which t 
 
 Da 
 
 Noir 
 Cu] 
 Gati 
 Du J 
 Petit 
 Roug 
 DuN 
 L'Ass 
 
PRELIMINARY NOTES. 
 
 The present publication is divided \nin fw« ». * 
 ships, and surveys or explorations I dtrt? ^ \ '""^"^^^ ^^*°^^- 
 
 first part is arranged ac orS^^nr o cou^^^^^^^^^^^ '"' 'T'^'"''- ^^e 
 
 each township, i.fthe order of l?e;t~„ ^ p^^^^^ ^/l^^ "^"^^ '' 
 of survey that have b.en made upon such town h^n T ''^°'*' 
 
 different report, an exact idea can be forZI f ' u 7 '°"^I^*^"»g these 
 agricultural, forest or mineral noint of vf '\'^ *"^^^*^'P ^^^ '^^ 
 
 contains good arable C t^^ r^L ^eL^^^^ father it 
 
 reports of explorations of districts i)^rn^l ^ ! f ""^ '^'''^^^' The 
 
 Now let us glance at the principal characteristics of each 
 
 OTTAWA REGION. 
 
 region : 
 
 This region has an areft of about 40,130.58 miles or 25 fJfia ^An 
 
 '^i wnich the principal are the following : 
 Names. 
 
 directions by large rivers, 
 
 Length. 
 
 ,^«. M°^ne 120 miles 
 
 Noire ^28 " 
 
 Culonge iQQ .. 
 
 Gatineau ^qq « 
 
 Du Lievre iqq h 
 
 Petite Nation 50 <• 
 
 ^onge iQQ .. 
 
 Du Nord 45 ., 
 
 L'Assomption 59 « 
 
 B 
 
 Area Drained. 
 
 1,600 miles. 
 
 1,120 " 
 
 1,800 " 
 
 9,000 " 
 
 3,000 '• 
 
 1,250 " 
 
 3,000 " 
 
 1,200 " 
 
 600 •? 
 
zviii 
 
 These rivers furnish fine water powers and splendid channels for the 
 lioating and transport of timber. Their valleys also contain good agricul- 
 tural lands, holding out all the advantages desirable to colonization, which 
 is advancing rapidly in this region. Owing to the lumber trade, the settlers 
 find an ox( ellent market for their farm produce in the chantiers, as well as 
 work during the winter for themselves and their working cattle. 
 
 A very erroneous opinion generally prevails regarding the quality of a 
 great part of the lands in the Ottawa region. Because these lands are 
 covered with pine forests, it is taken for granted that they are necessarily 
 poor an unsuited to tillage. This is a mistake, as has been proven by 
 experience and by surA-eyors who are regarded as authorities in such 
 matters. Here is what Surveyor James McArthur says in a report dated the 
 21st October, 1864 : 
 
 " The opinion advanced by interested parties that pine timber only 
 " grows upon soil of inferior quality is merely a popular fallacy, which the 
 " experience of every practical farmer and lumberer on the Ottawa proves 
 " to be incorrect, ior it is a fact that cannot be disputed that the best 
 " quality of , white pine timber is usualy found growing among hard wood, 
 " and that the most productive farms in this section of the province were, 
 " in their primitive state, covered by a very considerable proportion of pine 
 " timber." 
 
 The fact is that the finest agricultural lands in the valleys of the 
 Rouge, the Lievre and Gatineau rivers were formerly covered with splen- 
 did pine forests, where the lumber merchants carried on extensive and 
 lucrative operations. At many points, colonization has followed in their 
 wake and transformed these lands into fine farms which now support a 
 numerous agricultural population in ease and comfort. 
 
 * Generally speaking, the soil of the Ottawa region consists of a yellow 
 loam, composed of ferruginous clay mixed with sand, usually fertile and 
 easily tilled. But there are exceptions which deserve to be noted. Thus, in 
 the lake Temiscamingue country and as far as lake Abbitibbi, there are 
 immense tracts of clay and loam lands of the greatest fertility. A zone of 
 similar, but still richer and more extensive lands occurs about sixty miles 
 to the northward of Hull and takes in the townships of Lyttou, Egan, 
 Manivvaki, Campbell, Robertson, Kensington, Sicotte, Aumond, Bouthillier, | 
 Kiamika and Dudley, as well as several other of the surrounding townships, j 
 In one of his reports, Mr. James McArthur states that nowhere else in the I 
 
 Ottawa 
 
 as in th< 
 
 I lands an 
 
 hillocks, 
 
 j greatest 
 
 of excel 1< 
 
 places, V 
 
 j makes it 
 
 lother Ota 
 
 I its agrici 
 
 This 
 J of (he Ml 
 jtionably ( 
 Icolonizati 
 
XI K 
 
 annels for the 
 good agricul- 
 tation, which 
 e, the settlers 
 ers, as well as 
 lie. 
 
 e qaality of a 
 ese lauds are 
 re necessarily 
 11 proven by 
 ties in such 
 )ort dated the 
 
 timber only 
 y, which the 
 ttawa proves 
 that the best 
 5 hard wood, 
 ovince were, 
 >rtion of pine 
 
 alleys of the 
 with spleu- 
 Ktensive and 
 wed in their 
 )w support a 
 
 8 of a yellow 
 y fertile and 
 9d. Thus, in 
 •bi, there are 
 A zone of 
 t sixty miles 
 ytton, Egan, 
 , Bouthillier, 
 g townships. 
 re else in the 
 
 Ottawa country is there so large an extflnt of ra«ll„ ~i 71 ' 
 
 as in the townships of Maniwaki Egan lumLTi-^ T^ '"^ "'« ^*»d« 
 lands are generally level, their s^fC'bX o„V^^^^^^^^^^^ ^'T 
 
 hillocks, are traversed by mngnificent streams and 2 f. "" '^'^^ 
 greatest advantages to agriculture. The soHfor^h " *" '''^''^' '^^ 
 
 of excellent clay, occasionally mtxed with a v 1,! '"T' ^"' '« ^°«^P«-<1 
 places, with fine gravel. This irrJv«i 1 \y^^^^^ loam and, in some 
 
 makes it easier to drain as wenT '^' '*^^"««« °^ '^^ ^^^Y and 
 
 other atmospheric age^: ^Z^::^^^::,^ ^ '''' ''' 
 Its agricultural value. Proportionately increases 
 
 lionably constitutes one of SRnjZ^LTZ'TT''''^'''''^'''^- 
 [colonization and agricullure. * " "'"''» province for 
 
 toil is generally less rich and mo"e7ifflo„ Z u I """ "^''^' «"» "» 
 
 f.«s not prevented it from beinHhaltd hi . „ "' ™"'''' ^°^'''"' 
 
 population in the counties of Oltaw. A , » numerous and prosperous 
 
 ^«11 presenting a vast fidd fl llLtr ' '"' '''™''°-'» ""' '""- 
 
 i.nds wir^'ixrr ri^^r'arfrfiT' ''^™"'"" -'» °"-'. ">« 
 
 hose further ba^k In .herterbr ^,[7*0:'"^^ ^'^.'^ '" ""'-' °f «>» «» 
 tilly and rocky and less f^tTletLn the llnHr'.''/ ]''''' "* ""^ ''»''«■'. 
 (o .he northward. It is in this ouarte '? ■*' f"""^ '" ">« •^" »<i more 
 entides is traversed or rath r cut bv the o,' ""'" ""'"'' "^ '"« Lao- 
 he lands nearest the banks 7t ht rUr betnTJir t'"' «»'"«!-»% 
 «d are marked by all its chara. eriltTcs "h?!" .K ^''"'""'•■' '^'i^"^ 
 orthward is not touched by those mou;J^ ^ '"«""' ""^ '» ">« 
 >ore level and fertile soil All th„T '".* """""'' P"''"" a- 
 
 feon more to the northw rd a] e in avlTrh 7)% '"" """'^^ ""» 
 Ine of ,hefi,.est agricul.ural ^c^ns fhTp'otce H h T'^ 'T<" 
 low hills covered with a lio-hf K»» r .1 r,^^^- " is broken on y by 
 
 hich a great deal o al u^' Z and" "' "" n """''""^ '"^ ^''-^^^ '» 
 .-.he greatest richness o c„ '. Fr':l IThTe f T'^ """ '"'"'^''"'^ 
 [egetable *ftr,i and mould whi, h Tl '^' .?. '™'^' "■" '»™'"'<1 with 
 h Milage. Lands of th^ kfua te'7„T e ">' '»''»' "dvantageous soil. 
 f e ..tiers, especially in the vX orSa^rnrte^er "^ 
 
 1irai>a 
 
 #i 
 
XX 
 
 where there are extensive settlfmenls lor more than sixty milt-s into the 
 interior (*) 
 
 As for the climate, a glance at the map ol the province is enough to 
 show that by tar the greater part of the colonizablo lands of the Ottawa lie 
 to the southward of the latitude of Quebec and the remainder very little 
 north of it. But this difference of latitude is more than compensated by the 
 longitude. It is calculated that a degree of westing is equivah-nt to a cor- 
 responding rise of a degree in the temperature. Now, the difference of 
 longitude between Quebec and the Ottawa region is from lour to ten degrees! 
 and the same difference is observed in the temperature, as established by 
 experience and vegetation in the absence of thermometrical observa- 
 tions. The bass wood, which the climate prevents from growing in the 
 neighborhood of Quebec, is to be found nearly all over the Ottawa region, 
 even to the north of lake Temiscamingue, in the environs of which the 
 maple, elm and hemlock also occur — all woods whose growth invariably 
 bespeaks a climate favorable to agriculture. 
 
 Besides its forests, which are the richest and finest in the province, the 
 Ottawa region contains considerable mimral wealth. One of its iron mines 
 has long been worked and, in several other places, indications have beeu 
 found of deposits susceptible of profitable development, when the means of 
 transportation are easier. The mines of phosphate of lime or apatite already 
 furnish enormous quantities of ,i product of superior quality, and there is 
 every reason to believe that many others will be discovered fully as exten- 
 sive and as rich. In the meantime, the mines actually in operation are not 
 less the richest and the most prolific yet discovered either in America or 
 Europe. 
 
 (* Le Nonl, p. 29. , 
 
 Th 
 
 river w 
 St. Mat 
 1,500 ft 
 are the 
 
 ^lekinai 
 Boston n 
 Bt^R^onn 
 Oioche. 
 Trenche 
 Pierrich 
 Pierrich 
 Windig( 
 
 Stai 
 the river 
 mountai 
 good yel 
 splendid 
 the valh 
 Wessonn 
 the conl 
 except in 
 the towr 
 Malhiot, 
 and cont 
 mountain 
 V'iTmit t] 
 must be i 
 about 11, 
 comparati 
 an easily 
 generally 
 
 One 1 
 
 I its mouti 
 
xzl 
 
 miles into the 
 
 :e is enough to 
 the Ottawa lie 
 ider very little 
 •ensated by the 
 vaii-nt to a cor- 
 e difference of 
 p to ten degrees! 
 established by 
 trical observa- 
 ?rowing in the 
 Ottawa region, 
 i of which the 
 wth invariably 
 
 e province, the 
 I its iron mines 
 ons have been 
 in the means of 
 ipatite already 
 ;y, and there is 
 
 fully as exten- 
 •eration are not 
 
 in America or 
 
 ST. MAURICE REGION. 
 
 This region is traversed throughout its greatest length by the noble 
 nver whose name it bears. Allow.ug for its linuoaities.^'the course of the 
 St^ Maur.ce .s upwards of 850 miles in length and it tak;« it. rise at abou 
 
 Left bank. 
 
 ^^•^kinn^ 80 miles. 
 
 Boston nais /Little) 87 " 
 
 Bt^K^onnais (Great) 50 " 
 
 Oioche QQ II 
 
 Trenche io2 " 
 
 Pierriche (Little) 22 " 
 
 Pierriche (Great) 25 " 
 
 Windigo 50 «. 
 
 Riffht bank. 
 
 Shawinegan 35 jailea. 
 
 Matawin 95 u 
 
 Rat gg „ 
 
 Vermilion ^6 " 
 
 Flaraand 4Q .1 
 
 Manouan fj^ « 
 
 Au-Ruban gg *i 
 
 Starting from a point about a dozen miles distant from the mouth nf 
 ther.verSt. Maurice, the St. Maurice territory is everywh re h ,y and ven 
 mountainous in many places. The soil all over consists of a gene Jl v 
 good yellow loam except in several of the river valleys, which contl 
 splendid alluvial lands. Among others may be more partfcilaTly rnentbn d 
 ^e valleys of the rivers Mekinac, Bostonnais, Croche, I^lanrau Z 
 Wessonneau and Vermilion. On the left bank of the St. Mauri '' as fafas 
 the confluence of the river Croche, there are hardly any selTn^ land« 
 except in the region of the lake and river Mekinac, i/ whlh a fituated 
 
 Malhiot at the mouth of the river Bostonnais. In rear of these townshins 
 and contiguous to the St. Maurice, there are at several points arnrthe 
 mountains numerous strips of good land, but their extent is too Hm"fed to 
 rormt the formation of advantageous settlements. Exception hXever 
 
 about 17o,C00 acres of arable land suited to colonization. This tract is 
 comparatively level especially in the upper part of the valley and poL li 
 an easily cultivated soil, mainly composed of yellow loam and greyloar 
 generally overlaid with a rich vegetable mould. ^ ' 
 
 One range could probably be opened for a distance of sixty miles from 
 hts mouth, on each side of the river Croche. whose •valley,\TmmedTa 
 
ZXll 
 
 between two ranges of mountains, contains alluvial lands of remarkable 
 richness. 
 
 Beyond the rivpr Croche, there is a stretch of good lands, which calls for 
 special mention. These lands are bounded to the east by the range of 
 heights adjoining the river Croche, to the west by the river Windigo, and 
 to the north by the heights in which the rivers Trenche and Pierriche'take 
 their rise. The area embraced within these limits has a superficies of 1,500- 
 000 acres and is composed of the best ullage lands. Apart from a few rocky 
 hillocks, chiefly in the neighborhood of the St. Maurice, these lanJs are 
 level, with a slope to the southward. They have nearly all been swept by 
 fire, which greatly facilitates the work of clearing them. There still 
 remain some stretches of primitive forest, but the timber is generally of 
 second growth, which, however, does not prevent there being a sufficiency 
 for the requirements of settlers. The soil, free from rocks, is composed of a 
 yellow and a grey loam, mixed with sand in some places and every ,rhere 
 covered with a rich bed of mould. There is her^, in fact, one of tha finest 
 openings for colonization. 
 
 From the river Windigo to Kirkendatch, a distance of a hundred miles, 
 the soil presents few advantages to agriculture, judging from the tests 
 made thus far, and the climate does not seem to be much more favorable. 
 At "Weymontachinque, a little higher up than the confluence of the Win- 
 digo, excellent cereal and root crops have been raised, but they cannot be 
 
 re' 
 
 upon with certainty, as they are frequently prevented from coming 
 to maturity by frosts and the shortness of the ojfricultural season. Beyond 
 Kirkendatch, and on both sides of the St. Maurice, the country is abso- 
 lutely unfit for cultivation, as well owing to the nature of the soil as to the 
 climate : at the most it could only be turned to profitable account by utiliz- 
 ing for pasturage the natural meadows which are met with at several 
 places on the banks of the St. Maurice. 
 
 There are upwards of 850,000 acres of cultivable land, as far as soil 
 is concerned, in the valleys of the rivers Mauouan and au Ruban, which 
 are in general pretty level. Unfortunately, howev-r, it is claimed that the 
 temperature is never hiyh enough to ripen cereals in the neighborhood of j 
 Weymontachinque, a post situated in latitude 47^ 64' 24", so that all 
 occupying the same astronomical position must be struck off. 
 
 The valleys of the river Flamand, Great and Little, and of the 
 river des Grandes-Battures form a triangle, having its apex at the 
 
 Ne: 
 
 about 1 
 
 to west 
 
 of the S 
 
 miles b( 
 
 is moun 
 
 disappei 
 
 soil nots 
 
 St. Maui 
 
 plateau ( 
 
 grey loai 
 
 mixed w 
 
 covered 
 
 and Ifikt 
 
 alluvial 
 
 principal 
 
 counties 
 
XXlll 
 
 8 of remarkable 
 
 southwestern extremity of lake Mondonak and an -irea of „K . 
 
 600.000 square acres. These lands are ffenerallv levol Z / . 
 
 lake Mondonak. where they are r^o.^JnllTt^.l^i'^^^^^^ 
 part wh.ch adjoins the St. Maurice appears to be of the same quSasIhe 
 lands of the nver Pierriche. on the opposite bank..,ually leveTand poss ss 
 mg a soil composed of good yellow and grey loam Accordin/t?r 
 
 ZTl, „„„1 1 ^ *^'™™d "ver draws its waters consists of level aad 
 pretty good laud, supportmg a growth of pine, tamarac and birch 
 
 The rivers Vermilion, au Lait, LaTuque, au Rat, Wessonneaa and Bete- 
 Paante, as well as raost of the numerous lakes in that ,^mJ T^ T ^ 
 by strips of alluvion, forcing a soil of supert uX,' frth tghour^s 
 wholeextent, the ohmate is the same as at Three Elvers witk th,s lifi'ence 
 that. If he mercury falls a little lower in winter, it rises on the other hand 
 higher ^n summer, to such a degree, in fact, that all the grains, wWch rinen 
 along the St. Lawrence, come equally to perfect maturfty at driver ," 
 Bat, more thau s.xty miles to the north of Three Rivers. The expl" a, on! 
 thus far made go to show that, in the region drained by th™e dXea 
 nvers, there ,s enough good land to form several parishes. 
 
 about ,250,000 square acres. It measures sixty miles in length f-om east 
 
 f trL" V '"'"''5''' """" ""'^'^ "'"''^^ «"-» ">»- '» '"e vkiuTty 
 
 miles he; Tr">'' ™""'^'"''''''' ^"'"S "•'=»' "■"" " "'ceeds fifty 
 mtles between lakes Cypress and Morialice. The vicinity of the St. MaarS 
 
 u, monntainoas and slightly rocky, but, in advancing westwani the rocks 
 
 disappear the ground becomes more and more leveland the qud ,y ofThe 
 
 S0.1 notably improves after passing the eastern boundary ol the coLty of 
 
 S . Maunoe. From Ibis point, the valley of the Matawin forms a 1^1 
 
 plateau of good arable land, with a soil composed of rich vello^ oa,„ Ind 
 
 nmed with shght beds of gravel or a light and sandy soil. The hei.rhts are 
 covered w,th these different kinds of soil, but the lands b„rderin.r.he rive s 
 and kkes arc richer and present to the view of the ,.,„l„r,.; m Zs" 
 .llu,.al racts o the highest fertility. These rich alluvia plateaux" c^r 
 prncipally on the banks of the river du Milieu and lake Clair iii he 
 counties of MaskmongS and Berthier. (*) 
 
 (*) LeNord. 
 
xxir 
 
 In 18fi9. Hon. Louis Archambanlt, then Commissioner of Agri- 
 culture and Public "Works, visited the valley of the Matawin, and here is 
 vrhat he stated of that region : 
 
 •' To the north of Montreal, within a few years, colonization has made 
 a great stride in crossing the Lauren tian chain and in introducing settlera 
 into the valley of the river Mantawa, an affluent of the St. Maurice, the 
 waters of which flow from the same plateau as those of the tributaries of 
 theOtlawa.'»t=*^«= A few miles farther up, the township of Provost is reached, 
 by cutting perpendicularly the soi ! hern line of this township. Here, the 
 laud is g(«()d and fit for settlers, as the Laurentian chain is passed. Three 
 miles from this, is the settlement of the Rev. Mr. Provost. 
 
 •' This group is the centre of a fine parish ; for a radius of not less than 
 six miles, in all directions, extends a plateau of splendid lands, principally 
 wooded with maples, a clear indication in itself of the fertility of the soil. 
 There is a limestone quarry here, on the shores of lake St. Louis. For three 
 consecutive years, the crops in this settlement have attained the most 
 perfect maturity. 
 
 " Where the road crosses the river Mantawa over a floating bridge, the- 
 eye discerns lovely promontories and fine prairies. On descending to the 
 east the laud is level and continues so until Pine lake is reached, where is 
 situated the extensive farm worked by Mr. Hall, a wealthy merchant of 
 Quebec, for the purpose of supplying his lumber chan tiers. In general the 
 soil consists of yellow land tolerably deep : here and there it is dry and 
 sandy. 
 
 " Ascending the river towards the west, beyond Mount Roberval, 
 splendid forests and good lands are met with ; the soil is also loamy and 
 occasionally rocky. The timber is usually hard wood, but there isstill'some 
 pine. The portage is passed at the Rapide Brul6, where we enter the valley 
 of the river des Aunaies, a tributary of the Mantawa. H,ere the laud is low 
 and prairie. As far as the eye can reach, it discovers but a forest whose 
 rivid green is here and there marred by patches scarred ami withered by 
 fires. On either side of the river, the laud is excellent in quality, and 
 ample room exists for the formation of at least two fine parishes. 
 
 " From the Rapide Brule, whence begins the valley of the Aunaies, to 
 lake Bourget, there are about thirty-two miles navigable ; in all there are 
 five portages, the longest of which is about fifteen acres. The banks of the 
 river are in some places five and in others twelve feet in height ; some 
 
XXV 
 
 )ner of Agri- 
 in, and here is 
 
 ition has made 
 lucing settlers 
 t. Maurice, the 
 tributaries of 
 ost is reached, 
 ip. Here, the 
 >assed. Three 
 
 if not less than 
 is, principally 
 ity of the soil, 
 lis. For three 
 aed the most 
 
 ng bridge, the- 
 nding to the 
 hed, where is 
 ■ merchant of 
 n general the 
 it is dry and 
 
 nt Roberval, 
 so loamv and 
 'e is still some 
 ter (he valley 
 e laud is low 
 forest whose 
 withered by 
 quality, and 
 is. 
 
 e Aunaies, to 
 all there are 
 banks of the 
 eight ; some 
 
 portions of the land are covered with hav wl.il» „n,„ ~^, 
 
 wilh alders, which line long disirnces and ^d T T ""'''^ ''"^''^^ 
 These 36 miles along the shorefof the Mmtat '/T' "°'""'^' "' ^o"' 
 for the establishing !f not ^^1 s". n^w pa^fsht '' "'"^ "•""'"^""^ 
 
 bed of decomposed vegeLle mattt Z Ztlt^^ I T^'% ^ !"' ' 
 
 Hch. 40 't'^.o subsoil i! a'; ; re :;'^^e'i":^r:™d"'''"' '^ ^^^^ 
 
 :nf:hi::Tirch"t7:::rb^^^^^ 
 
 Milieu, hard wood irb:z:fd:rem:rglt:zr '^"^- 
 
 and -r:iniv;rt;„::ra„i::;™'t^rre^irr ■ ™'- 
 
 thischai„ofmoun.ai„s^^t.x^rgr;!Strnr^^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 there''is'^Ztrri\fgI':;'n!r'^f '° '"« "^"'^ °f '■>« Mautawa, 
 
 that runs towards th:h:?fZtie;1i::r'oV'o1V' 'T""' '™"' 
 might probably be established, "'^^ """'' P™*^« 
 
 .op: r r "ic-ir: v'a^^ .'ete ^retht "'- r "-«"™ 
 
 «ood groves that stretch ^ the welfa fZ i "etatTi"!"'? ',K ' 
 space, ifwe includelhelandsituated to the south of lake R, .""' 
 
 the Provost road passes, there is room to erb^fhtiipari!:^'' """'""'' 
 
 ' attemptdt'drt: iri'plrblfdurr "'^'"'k"^' "''"* ' ""^j- 
 ' ductive patches of laud to or^ani';,r " '°"™f """"S ™ade for unpro- 
 
XXVI 
 
 the lands crossed by the Gatineau and its tributaries ; we then enter into 
 the valley of the Ottawa." (*) 
 
 The foregoing clearly shows that the St. Maurice region contains 
 immense stretches of '^ood agricultural lands. The region of the rivers 
 Windigo and Trenche, as well as the great valley of the Matawin, among 
 others, offers to settlement advantages which are scarcely excelled in an^ 
 other part of the province. In the portion of the St. Maurice territory, 
 where the climate is favorable to farming operations, there are rocky and 
 barren spots, but these are the exception and not the general rule. 
 
 With the exception of phosphate of lime, the economic minerals 
 of the St. Maurice region are about the same as those of the Ottawa. The 
 ores of iron are found nearly all over, but chiefly in the lands of Laurentian 
 formation, of which the magnetic oxyde is, so to say, the characteristic. 
 Limonite or bog ore, which is produced by the decomposidon of the 
 oxydes of iron in the bed rock, occurs in almost every place where 
 water has rested and, in several instances, in workable quantities. 
 Plumbago, of excellent quality, is said to exist in the gneissoid rocks 
 of the Coucoucache and the river au Rat, and a vein of galena occurs 
 in a chain of rocks on the banks of the river Trenche. It is probable that 
 a careful exploration by competent men would lead to the discovery of 
 really important mineral wealth, but unfortunately the G-eological Survey 
 has never yet thought proper to extend its investigations to thiis region. 
 
 BATISCAN, PORTNEUF AND QUEBEC REGION. 
 
 To the northward of the county of Portneuf, the country traversed by 
 the river Batiscan contains, properly speaking, no land suited to coloniza- 
 tion. The amount of land, susceptible of tillage, is too limited to permit 
 even small and unimportant settlements to be formed in the few places 
 where settlement is possible. In the most favored spots, enough of culti- 
 vable space can hardly be found to make three or four farms. The whole 
 of this region is nothing but a series of ro.ks, which are often bare, and 
 ravines almost without bottom. This tract of sterile land extends eastward 
 to the Murray river, in the county of Charlevoix, and must be classed 
 among the regions which hold out no prospect to colonization. In addition 
 
 (*) Report of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Public Works for 1869, pages 13 to 17. 
 
XXVI 1 
 
 len enter into 
 
 sgion contains 
 of the rivers 
 itawin, among 
 xcelled in any 
 irice territory, 
 
 are rocky and 
 
 rule. 
 
 )mic minerals 
 Ottawa. The 
 of Lauren tian 
 characteristic, 
 osidon of the 
 
 place where 
 [e quantities, 
 neissoid rocks 
 galena occurs 
 
 probable that 
 3 discovery of 
 ogical Survey 
 iiiiS region. 
 
 3N. 
 
 traversed by 
 d to coloniza- 
 ted to permit 
 ae few places 
 ough of culti- 
 The whole 
 \Gn bare, and 
 nds eastward 
 it be classed 
 . In addition 
 
 pages 13 to 17. 
 
 to the fact that the soil is rockv ooor nn/i *«^ u i 
 
 temperature is also too low JlSZlT t^^,:!.^ be cuUivated. the 
 tains, there is frost in every month ntlhl .7 *^i °'' "'^"' °">"''- 
 
 such that the smallest SHoming tr.r^mh^tr'"""™ " 
 tated in rain as they pass over these hXh.s The sol ''^ "" """'"'■ 
 country are fish, which are abundant 7iXr .nJ ! °"''°'' "^ """ 
 ^vaged by Are, which, alo„« the Lake sTloCJT '" ""' ""'' 
 neighborhood of Great Lake Jacques C-riie^hayrr"" '"I "f' '" "" 
 square miles. In this ffre»t h™!?. i. It ' "" '^'«"' »' 20 to 26 
 
 of trees, there are XX ti^r\tZ h'T r"" """^ " '"^ '"""^ 
 hills, splendid pa;tura|e:l": r;:""' grl fonh' IT'" ?" ""'^^ 
 forests are almost exclusively composed of ™„1 j , ''"°'"''- "^^^ 
 of fine spruce, which is being woXrh/dSemirmblr"'? "^' ^'^' 
 in this region are every where abundanHn, 7. ^ »Moh,mls. Fish 
 
 which it is dotted, a„d%ur.wtt?mal't:S i .^ifp^r """ 
 derable numbers, especially the caribou whi.i^T " ^^ Pretty consi- 
 section traversed by L coLi/atrrrd rotrstTohu!'""™'""' "" 
 
 LAKE ST. JOHK REGION. 
 
 This region presents one of the finest and vastest fi.lH. t„ ,u 
 work of colonization. It is natnrallv diviH.H ; , V '° ""* S''™' 
 
 the southern to the south of thrtake a,^i th." 1° ""'^ ^''""'^' P'"" = 
 to the north and west of the lake """ '"'' ■""'bwestem 
 
 but :x't a ;'oVdron:Sd ':^i^r^ '"°-"^"-- -<> -ky. 
 
 proven by the prosperrus conditl oT,? "^ '"^"'"»«*<»'» ™la™tio„, 4 
 
 <»ntains/The pUTd ^f r:«irprr:rr:?;r'^"'' " 
 
 garni, where the chain of the LaurentiH.» ,h ! ^^^ ^^O" 
 
 ward, which extends to the banksTf h lake^^Arth: t'"" '"/'^ •"°"''- 
 this belt, that is to say, to the e„i and to th' '^''''V "'™™"^ »< 
 arable land, and this i:;d is aL^^'f 1^' teTtua'l 7 T So """' 
 Dumais has established that, in the remon of I.tln L L' '"^myr 
 
 .loners' lake, there is a sufficient q„ „U ^ o"/!:'; Zt^ol" ™' *'''""°"- 
 settlements and that the workofcolonizaLn mth bepiratT .hT'"r 
 tbe best conditions. To these natural advantlges C tXatl 
 
XXVIU 
 
 facilities furnished by the Quebec and Lake St. John railway, which runs 
 through this district. 
 
 The eastern part contains equally good lauds. It is traversed by the 
 great St. Urbain road, which gives it easy communication with the ports 
 of St. Alphonse and Chicoutimi. Like the western part, the soil of the 
 eastern section is rocky, sandy and light in certain places ; but it is com- 
 posed generally of a rich yellow loam easily tilled, and it may be said of 
 these lands that they are far superior to mnny others, which support in ease 
 and comfort the populations dweilijig in them. 
 
 But the finest lands, without exception, of the whole of this region are 
 found to the north of Lake St. John. From the river Shipshaw westward, 
 this lake is encircled by a belt of level land onlv broken by the splendid 
 rivers which traverse it and by a few rocky hillocks. These fine lands rise 
 m a gentle slope northward, which gives them a good southern exposure 
 and renders them all the more favorable to agricultural operations. In the 
 township of Dalmas, situated between the two Peribonka rivers, the soil is 
 composed of an extremely rich clay or yellow loam, and the timber is every- 
 where tall and mixed, including th? elm and ash, which sufficiently denote 
 the richness of the land. In the valley of the Little Peribonka river, Mr. 
 P.-H. Dumais noted the prevalence of the following woods ; grey spruce, 
 grey pine or cypress, birch, aspen, white and yellow pine, poplar, ash, elm', 
 willow, alder, bass wood, hazel, mountain ash and soft maple. He adds 
 that the soil, in general slightly undulating for the first forty miles, is 
 composed of grey and yellow clay, alluvion mixed with sand, on the banks 
 of the river, and covered with a rich mould on the higher plateaux. 
 
 More to the west, between the Peribonka and Chamouchouau rivers, 
 lies the rich and extensive valley of the Mistassini and its principal aifluents,' 
 the Mistassibi, au Rat and Wassieniska. Three fourths at least of the lands 
 drained by these rivers are adapted to tillage. They are composed of grey 
 or yellow loam or clay mixed with sand on the surface, with a very deep 
 alluvial subsoil, free from rocks, except in a few places where they crop out 
 to break the almost uniform level of the plateaus, chiefly between the thir- 
 tieth and fortieth miles from the mouth of the river. The forest is a second 
 growth dating from half a century and includes all the various kinds of 
 timber of the Lake St. John region, except cedar. The river au Rat flows 
 through similar lands, winding in a great level, alluvial bottom covered 
 with splendid timber. The same remarks apply to the section traversed by 
 the river Wassiemska, which is nearly as large as the Mistassini and navi- 
 
XXIX 
 
 y, which runs 
 
 versed by the 
 vith the ports 
 ;he soil of the 
 but it is com- 
 ay be said of 
 apport ill ease 
 
 his region are 
 -w westward, 
 
 the splendid 
 ine lands rise 
 lern exposure 
 tions. In the 
 srs, the soil is 
 nber is every- 
 liently denote 
 a river, Mr. 
 
 grey spruce, 
 )lar, ash, elm, 
 )le. He adds 
 rty miles, is 
 on the banks 
 eaux. 
 
 louau rivers, 
 pal affluents, 
 
 of the lands 
 >osed of grey 
 
 a very deep 
 bey crop out 
 jen the thir- 
 t is a second 
 ious kinds of 
 lu Rat flows 
 ttom covered 
 traversed by 
 ini and navi* 
 
 '• I cannot cloee this report, Mr. Commissioner wifh„,„ i,- 
 attention to the fact that the work I have done Z„ tChr ° "^ T' 
 fully confirmed the opinion I had formed of this mr. „f Th t^ T' *"' 
 
 valley from the first explorations I made th nT^ der^of te G '"''" 
 ment of the province. ^ * ^'^^ Govern- 
 
 " I am convinced that the ffreater narf nffViic r.^ ■ 
 vast hasin which surronnds U^^t Jo'h ' e Pe al vTth:?".^ '" ""^ 
 that is to say, an extent of four millions of lores h.snnTrfi ""' ' -"' 
 
 oflands the most favorably adapted to ag c" tu e Ts w r^n^^'^'l 
 the richness of the soil as of the mild„ess!f the climate. °""' °' 
 
 ofhein^ta^tl'rh"^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 a sufficiently large extent of fine and good land to "a Uv furnf^h 1 ' ,'""" 
 dense a population as any inhabiting the TZZn JTX^T "'• ^ 
 valley, that occupied by the cuntFes of Kiche ieu Y „. LT VeTi'""" 
 
 :;»T.r;!::s.-^ ^"-- -" c^x^hr^it't 
 
 According to the statements of all the explorers, the vallev of th. ri. 
 Chamouchouan contains still better lands A rUrr Jii f^ "^'^'' 
 
 and in many places it isoverlaid with a thi,f be7o s nrXV b^"'""' 
 with the clay when ploughed, admirably adapts this soil fo wh'.,' T""* 
 There are neither rocks nor ravines and th/llTn f ""'"■''• 
 
 tillage, especially in the town h";, of Deme" os a'd^IT '' "^ '''\»»^''==' 
 which have a collective area of 80 acT The fo r^^rf '"'"'"• 
 higher up the Chamouchouan riveTconS' land "Tlfttr' 
 accordmgto the statement of Mr. Surveyor Gairnon I t not richer, 
 strong loam or a layer of yellow loam or Ldv Z u l^^'^^^here a 
 
 subsoi, This tr J is le^el, JZml td teT^hlir'"^; 
 kinds of well ffrown timhpr Kiv»i, i u "" ^"ver^a with different 
 
 »omepi„e,infrpLrirhtv;t:bt„rw^;;irfii'''^-"''''"^ 
 
XXX 
 
 In 1884 or 1885, the Abb6 Laflamme conducted explorations in the 
 Lake St. John Region for the Geological Survey and here is what he says of 
 the valley of the river Chamouchouan : 
 
 •' In a long excursion which I made along the Ashuapmouchdnan 
 river, I had occasion to satisfy myself of the immense extent of arable soil 
 embraced in this fine section of the country. These quaternary clays are all 
 of marine origin and extraordinary fertility. Colonization would, in this 
 direction, find a very important outlet." 
 
 These good lands continue along the river Chamouchouan towards the 
 north-west, and towards the sonth-west they extend to the fine plateau 
 embraced between the rivers Trenche and Windigo, in the St. Maurice 
 region 
 
 The splendid lands, situated to the north and especially to the north- 
 west of Lake St. John, merit the special attention of all friends of coloniza- 
 tion. They represent an area of about 5,000,000 acres or sufficient to establish 
 and support in comfort a farming population of :250,000 to 300,000 souls. 
 They hold out special facilities and advantaores to agriculture from the fact 
 that, being level and free from rocks, they permit the use of all the improved 
 agricultural implements which economize labor and render farming easier 
 more expeditious and less expensive, and they could be cultivated quite as 
 advantageously, to say the least, as the finest parts of the valleys of the 
 Richelieu and Yainaska rivers. 
 
 SAGUENAY REGION. 
 
 This designation covers all the territory lying to the east of the river 
 Shipshaw and of the Saguenay, from the St. Lawrence to the Height of 
 Lands, forming the northern boundary of the province, or a superficial area 
 ofabout 65,000,000 acres. 
 
 This immense territory has been generally depicted as a barren region 
 in point both of soil and climate, with very few forests susceptible of being 
 lumbered, and, where the rocks are not absolutely bare, covered with a 
 stunted growth of worthless timber. In accepting as correct this erroneous 
 opinion resulting from the ignorance that has prevailed until late years as 
 to the true character of this great region, the door has been shut against 
 the colonization of nearly a third of the land forming the total territory of 
 
XXXI 
 
 the province, and the largest nortion of lhi<, „„..t j- . . 
 cl.83ed ..uninhabitable or at the best lonlvloTfT ^'""°' '"'' ''*» 
 thovRh it offers unquestionable .d™Xl' fo lis""''"* 'l;"'''"*' 
 ^.^, been clear, established bTltpl^ l:::^-;^!^:: 
 
 divided into plateaus running from south J., , 1 *^'"" '"'"■"'■'' " 
 
 almost parallel with the ^hofe of".he St W eZ^'C'e" "n^'""""" 
 divided from each other bv rn^tv Kill • • ^'*^'^®"°®- ^nese plateaus are 
 
 rorrnin, so to say^Le^L'^^stf^t::" ::::rtt;:cerbr:rci. 'r',^* 
 
 nses to the suma,it of the divide between the w e s fl'lw tto the St 
 Lawrence and those running towards Hudson's Bay andTtrafts! 
 
 fromtorltw^loTu^rrt'^liTr^'T.'"^"'^- 
 the chains of heights or Tulta us Tgtn r ^ 1 If °T' "™''„"' 
 an examination „, the surveyors' notes ^TZ^Z tlZmlZT^^; 
 grea tnvers have a very nearly uniform south-west and norreast flow o 
 parallel to the general course of the plateaus and transverse v to th.fT.K 
 mam streams to which they carry the tribute of th rr wl [' The rep^tt 
 of the explorers also show that the courses ofjthese great rivers are in aC 
 every case characterized by an alternation of Ion., stretches of Imi, 
 w»h series of cascades and falls hollowed out rf het, U .^^^ToTthe 
 mountam range There is no need of much reflection to co™rude,L.t 
 these stretches of calm water, where the river beds are geueraUy w de' 
 than in the parts broken by falls and cascades, occur at ITZoS ZhZ 
 these rrver cross the plateaus comprised between the rocky ridgt wMch 
 
 r^Zf of^rM-r", """ r""- ^" ""' '^ P-f-"y-'»wfsred Ty ht 
 report ot Mr. John Neilson, bearing the date of December 1888 on th. 
 exploration of the river Mecatina. Here is what he say" ' ^° 
 
 "The physical features of the section of country drained by this 
 important rrver are materially different from mo« western sections of the 
 province of Quebec particularly north of the St. Lawrence, where moduli 
 chains as a rule follow the larger water courses, rising abrup"y oft n 
 precipitously, extending on either side in low, broken hilfs between wWch 
 he numerous tributary lakes often elevated several hundred f!et"bove 
 
 M cS^fllt "Vt ^ "''' K ''^ """"'^^ "•""'«" ""'"" "- ■ ^iU ' 
 iviecatina flows, which mav be t.t^rmpH fbo s«.,*u ^--x.. r . , 
 
ZXXll 
 
 " Slopa," in marked by chains of low hills running parallel to and 
 increasing in height the further you recede from the coast, forming a 
 number of ' plateaus " from which the river drops to the one below in a 
 series of fulls and rapids. Of these rapids and falls five, with intervening 
 " plateaus," are encountered in the short distance of 14? miles from the sea; 
 beyond that distance the first of the two great " plateaus " that characterize' 
 the section surveyed is met. through which the river now undivided, 
 increasing in width and depth, flows placidly with the exception of minor 
 drops at " Smooth Water Rapid" and another below " Pork Island." Here 
 the first important barrier is encountered— a well defined chain of hills 
 trending S. W , varying in height from 200 to 400 feet, and extending in 
 breadth about six miles through which the stream narrowed to 4 or 5 chains 
 forges its way in continuous chutes and runhing rapids marked on the accom- 
 panying plan as " Le Rnpidedes Sept " after which a second wide " plateau " 
 presents itself. The river, widening at some points to 30 chains and over, 
 flows gently past "William" and " Margaret Islands," where among a 
 numerous group of sand bars and gravelly islets, a stiff" current is met to 
 " Mok-Shebi," a small tributary flowing from the north-east along the base 
 of a second chain of hills varying in height from 300 to 500 feet and 
 through which, from a )iorth-westerly direction, the river, with ever 
 increasing current, issues, passing the goal of the present survey 68 m. 
 58.47 chs. from initials, where posts of standing spruce, squared and cut 
 six feet from the ground and duly marked, stand to indicate the limit of 
 this survey and exploration. 
 
 " Beyond the terminals, the river, much narrowed and considerably 
 decreased in volume, bends northerly and tortuously rushes in chutes and 
 foaming rapids through the often precipitous gorges that mark this by far 
 the greater of the two well defined mountain ranges met since leaving the 
 coast, and known to the Indians as the " mstowa~ao-niganioajo " or Rough 
 Mountain range. 
 
 " Information obtained through the polite intervention of Mr. Scott 
 H. B. Co clerk, at Musquaro, from an Indian named Martin, as well as 
 from personal observation, the " Misto-wa-no-ni-gan-wajo " range, cannot be 
 less than twelve or fifteen miles wide ; in this distance the stream, forcing 
 Its way through many imp.^diments, descends in a grade of from 50 to 60 
 feet per mile and, according to the Indian Martin, at one point plunges over 
 a precipice of great height, forming an unrivalled water-fall, so remarkable 
 that our informant, in the figurative style peculiar to his race, described it 
 as the highest in all the word *#')(=# 
 
XXXlll 
 
 "The country bordering the Mecatina on either side apart frnm *K 
 mountain ranges above described whinh ,» , ^ "* *^« 
 
 rounded hill», peat boge. and lakei Thm„ T i """'^^ '™'"'«^' 
 
 latter .heir bed'a. nol^a. e.et, ^ ' blvT L Z.V f h'^r" '"^ 
 tribn.ary. Upward from the- Natagamu porU ,h" K M !,'-n '""'' "' 
 characterise the coast cease to hold a"d .hr^o^l th. f ^'"' "'"'"' 
 presentsnrvey the country ia thickly^ilel'TwUh ' .„ "'JT ' "'u'l" 
 blroh, scattered hill tamarac, much increasin,, in . ' ' '"''"'' 
 
 formtheprincipanig„e„u,g;owtht:r:;rui.r ;:::::,rrit,t'i 
 
 inches is common enough buttenllnXr ""TT" ''°'" '^ '" ^ 
 ^^■ith. This timber, through Zerallv t. T'' 1^"" ""'* ""^'^ »"^' 
 n.a,erial.y affect value, iMougK^/ta d Td ltt'^'''''rie:am''''' 
 true of balsam, but the scattered proves of h II 7 ^'u ^""^ '' 
 
 " second plateau," would for use asfailrnL r u™"^' ""^''''''^ °" ^^^ 
 
 by the increased capacity Z ToIdTn ^t'kes ' "''" ^'" *'^" °^'^«-^- 
 
 " The soil on either side of the stream, as well as alon., ih 
 sluggish creeks that drain the "plateaus" des" Ld t fa l^T'""' 
 case, composed of.., teds of ,ray Cay or loamy^2^;,^^ ^^^^ 
 to smdar soils found in our best agricultural districts A f^^ ' 
 
 river bank, level strios of 1«,J «,; 7 T ^^^""'^^ P°'"^« «» the 
 
 l"Inl?" "'t"n'' 'T f "'"'^'' <''=^«'-™ "o'ice. namely: ..Sunday " 
 
 |of the provnce of OnoKon- „ii \. '"f i" ovenooKed \a5t section 
 
 regarding Xh li" tniy"' i'Thirif 1?'',''^' "" '"^ °'™"'«' 
 experienced during July 2i aLI 1888 '" ^ 1 ?'^'"" ^'=''"'''' 
 
 j.iverage,IdonothesilatJ.o.l7w '. • "'"'' '"' '""''«'' "P™ »« »» 
 of cerea s couldt cTlt atedt^'th , ' T''*'''' """^ ""^ h«'dier sorts 
 
 pour very best disWcls." """^ "'""'•" '" '^'^'' "' ''^'=» »<"no 
 
 
 
XXXIV 
 
 Tho same phenomoim as rogurds the succession ol hill rnnges and 
 intormediatt' phiteiius huve been reuinrki'd in tho exploration of all tho 
 largo rivers nioro to the westward. Kvt-ry where, series of rapids and fallf, 
 indicating tho presence of mountain <hains, alternate with intervals of still 
 water, denoting plateaus through which the rivers How in wide, deep beds, 
 almost without change of level. The.se facts are clearly enough established 
 by the reports on the exploration of the 8t. John, Musquaro, Trinity, 
 Moisi«', Ste. Margueritf, Pentecost, Manicouagan, aux Outardes, Uetsiamits, 
 8auIt-nu-('o<hon and Portneuf rivers. 
 
 All these data go to show thit the superlicial configuration of the great 
 country lying east of the Saguenay is formed by an nlternaling series of 
 rocky ridges and intermediate plateaus or anticlinals of rock and synclinals 
 lilled with quiternavy deposits Add to this information that sup[)lied by 
 the general teachings of geology, and it becomes easy to form a pretty 
 correct ide.^ os to the nature of the soil of this region. 
 
 It is Well known thiit the glaciers, in their descent from the polar 
 regions, carrii'd with them on tlicir under surface masses of clay, with other 
 substances of like nature, wliiv h they deposited as they melted in more 
 southerly reg!;)ns. This explains the origin of the clay lands found in the 
 Suguenay country to the eastward of that river, as well as in the valley of 
 Lake St. John, where there are in some places beds of clay as much ^s six 
 hundred feet deep. To the action of the glaciers, depositing these claj's* 
 succeeded that of erosion produced by the marine and lluviatile currents. 
 As the sea, which covered the lower sections of the province during the 
 Champlain period, subsided ; the waters of the higher portions of the 
 northern country, in their ilow southwards, scooped out the beds of the 
 great rivers traversing the region under consideration, eroding the rock 
 ridges and depositing the sands derived from such erosions in the low lying 
 grounds near them. Naturally the clay sediments previously deposited by 
 th._' glaciers were covered over by these sands, which, in turn, carried by 
 tlio rivers towards tho south, there encountered tho great current coming 
 IVoni the south-west and were distributed by it along the shore of the Gulf 
 from the Saguenay downwards, precisely in the same manner as were the 
 sands carried down by the Ottawa and the St. Maurice, in the region more 
 to the westward. It will be easily understood that these beds of sand are 
 all the thicker the nearer they occur to the actual shore of the sea ; as the 
 sea, which covered the higher grounds, subsided, the course of tho rivers 
 lengthened, acquired more strength and occasioned a greater erosion, the 
 
XXXV 
 
 I ranges and 
 >n of rill the 
 tills and tulip, 
 orvals ol'still 
 le, deep beds, 
 h established 
 uro, Trinity, 
 N, Betsiamits, 
 
 II of the great 
 ing series of 
 id synclinals 
 
 sup[)lied by 
 )rm a pretty 
 
 >ra the polar 
 y, with other 
 I ted in more 
 I'onnd in the 
 the >'alley of 
 
 much ^s six 
 
 these claysi 
 ile currents, 
 e during the 
 tions of the 
 i beds of the 
 ing the rock 
 he low lying 
 deposited by 
 n, carried by 
 rent coming 
 e of the Gulf 
 r as were the 
 
 region more 
 s of sand are 
 i sea ; as the 
 )f the rivers 
 
 erosion, the 
 
 the,S,.L,wr,.,.,.„^.,, ''-Hy overywSrrm^r^r:''' '"" '""■''» »' 
 co„«ul„r»b]„ depth, ovvriai,! I,y bJd, oflid .? ^""^ "' "'»>■• o""" "f 
 
 feet. Hut this ,le,>th di,„i,H,hL„„'oi,"nl .'"'"? " "''"' "''""'" "">■ 
 that, ,.t tho height „l the sea ol7o Sh-!^!"'^ '"" '' '" »'")*'»«o.nblo 
 must h,.v„ be,m allogoth.,,- loca and 1^ 'f'"^' ""' """'y ""'"'ions, 
 vidnityofthoriverJiwaysoToCL th' T '"','' '" '^" '""""-"'"o 
 Ihe l"-.'»l<i"« up of the gla,L J wo^ f 11 "'">:»•"'""•■"'•' """i"? from 
 "I .hi, vast «ag„ea,v c„*„„,r; at 1"7 1 d 7 1 "'""''"'■■" ">" "•''o'-' 
 or arable land is compasM CZ"Z, Tr" '?''' '^° '''''''■ ""> ^o" 
 <'.-P.I., ,0 that i„s,e„.l of bein, id a,>d b ' ^n i " "' 'T ""' ""'" "' ''-" 
 pretended, it should be, in This 1 "1^™^ .^'',' '''^'°"' '*'' ''S'">''>-»lly 
 »e.lions of the provinc,: "^ ' "' '™''' '""y »» "ch as tho other 
 
 «» part of the soil seen al„„^ the river 'if, u^'' ^fS™^ ""■""<>"» clay 
 , '" 'he lower par, of their e.™ ses a,Id h ^'^'^^'^T' *""*"" "'"> «'■ John, 
 fully cultivated in certain p " ' " r a!' '''"' "^'^ '""' " ---»»' 
 J miy two miles of the river 8,0 L^Lf,'""'' 7°* "'»'••■'"• "•« Arst 
 |i» ..early everywhere co.npose'i of X Tv ^T't ^"™ ">" ^''•-•' '^o soil 
 ■ third mile of his survey Mr Ca^L ^ "f'""V'""' '"'"•■ »" the twenty 
 
 galley of the river at,xO„';!:rdesX^rwMfV"'1r'^" °' «'"^ "' '^' 
 other explorers a„est the presenee of el .' u"'""'"' '""' """'y «11 the 
 
 h«h.t Mr. Thomas SimardTtedt a c!7 ' " "°'"'""'"> """^ l-"" i^ 
 I* f^beo : "'"" '" " """'muuicatio., addressed to Le Jourml 
 
 f-;of;evtrs:,rSs:a z f-^r" "^^--y'-viee,! 
 
 felsiamits and its environs, ZmTts 1^ I ".' ^ '"'"''^ "^ "'^ ri^r 
 
 kters. The la..d along the ba"k of th . °" " *.''»^"«"-' '» i'^ head- 
 
 ^..erally composed of !a clayey soil „^",:'7;""' '" "' »«^hborho„d is 
 
 hm its mouth into ,he inter.Cr u! T '""'"y '«'»''«- backward 
 
 forth side there are ab^:!";" ee 1 ..'InrT hTT'T"' 'l "'"^- »" "" 
 
 h'leau, balsam flr, spruce, &c t 1 '■» d L! " T°'^'^ "'"' ^'"'f'' 
 
 hw on the south sid^ is ;;:;^;;;;:: ':^ixtzt.:7^::; 
 
XXXVl 
 
 twelve leagues from the St. Lawrence and the timber consists of tamarac, 
 ash, birch and a good deal of white and red pine. Throughout the whole 
 of this tract, as far as the Sault-au-Mouton, there are seven or eight lakes, 
 and all the land on both sides of the river is pretty level, especially on the 
 south side. There, falls are met with, formed by an extensive chain of 
 mountains, showing no arable land except a few iso.ated plateaus. On the 
 
 top of this chain, there is a lake of warm water, which never freezes over 
 
 Starting from this lake, we begin to find birch, a little pine, ash, spruce, 
 balsam lir, &c., as far j's lake Poup-Magan. BetM^een these two lakes the 
 land is level on both sides of the river as far as the eye can reach, except a 
 few isolated moxintains. The soil is a strong yellow and black loam." 
 
 The existence of this j^reat plateau, vouched for by Mr. Simard, is 
 confirmed by Mr. Dumais in his report on the survey of the river Sault-au- 
 Cochon. " On leaving the 101st mile " — he says — " the mountains disappear 
 altogether, the river has worn a channel eighty to a hundred feet deep in 
 the plain {plateau) which extends from the base of the mountains on the 
 north to the St. Lawrence, running to the east until lost to sight near the 
 river Betsiamits, and to the west as far as the bay of Mille-Vaches." In the 
 valley of the river Blanche, between the Betsiamits and the Sault-au-Cochon, 
 •' the soil is nearly everywhere a gray or yellow clayey loam," and, as in 
 the valley of the river Colombier, the land is level, according to the state- 
 ment of Mr. Surveyor Lavergne. These level, clay lauds continue towards 
 the west : Mr. Dumais tells us that, in the Escoumains river region, " the 
 land is very good for several miles along the river, especially to the north- 
 east, and is composed of clay, marl, gray and yellow earth and sand mixed 
 with fine gravel." The same surveyor indicates the clay lands he noted in 
 the country of the Bergeronnes rivers and Mr. Richardson cites the opinion 
 of Senator David Price to show that a belt of clisy land extends from I'Anse 
 a Baude to the river Ste. Marguerite, towards the north. 
 
 The foregoing pretty clearly establishes that, throughout the whole of 
 the vast Saguenay country, the arable soil is composed of glacial or 
 quaternary deposits, of which clay is the chief constituent element, which 
 is tantamount to saying th;it these lands are naturally fertile, when they 
 are not overlaid by beds of sand of recent origin. 
 
 This conclusion hardly agrees with several of the surveyors' reports 
 published in this volume. But the difference is readily explained. Most of the 
 surveyors only explored during the winter season, when the snow renders 
 it almost impossible to ascertain the nature of the soil de visu, and nearly 
 
ts of tamarac, 
 ut the whole 
 r eight lakes, 
 3cially on the 
 sire chain of 
 saus. On the 
 
 ezes over 
 
 i, ash, spruce, 
 two lakes the 
 iach, except a 
 k loam." 
 
 r. Simard, is 
 ver Sault-au- 
 ius disappear 
 feet deep in 
 tains on the 
 ?ht near the 
 ihes." In the 
 It-au-Cochon, 
 I," and, as in 
 to the state- 
 inue towards 
 region, " the 
 to the north- 
 i sand mixed 
 s he noted in 
 s the opinion 
 5 from I'Anse 
 
 the whole of 
 af glacial or 
 (ment, which 
 e, when they 
 
 yors' reports 
 i. Most of the 
 snow renders 
 u, and nearly 
 
 xxxvii 
 
 all of them a so confined their work to the immediate banks of the rivers. 
 
 without penetratmg mto the interior to assure themselves of the character 
 
 of the surrounding country. Now, it is well known that, owing to the 
 
 action of erosion which wears away the rocks, and the alluvions which 
 
 cover with sand the banks of the streams coming down from the mountains 
 
 the vicinity of rivers, situated as are those of the Saguenay region, is nearly 
 
 always rocky, sandy and barren to all appearance ; but better laid is me^ 
 
 TXr\^Tl^ M'^^'^^i^' immediate banks of those rivers, as has been 
 
 established by Mr. Simard. in the case of the Betsiamits. In support of thi^ 
 
 contention he aspect of certain rivers of the Lake St. John basin need only 
 
 be cited. It IS a matter of common notoriety that the rivers Peribonka, 
 
 Mistassini and Chamouchouan flow through lands of marvellous richness 
 
 and fertility ; yet, in their estuaries and on their banks, only sand and 
 
 stones, the products of erosion and alluvion, are to be seen. 
 
 But in any case, the nature of the soil of the Saguenay country is well 
 indicated by the forest growth of that region. Experience teaches thaH 
 lands producing good merchantable timber are sufficiently fertile to be 
 classed among good agricultural lands; now, it is a fact that the forests 
 of the region under consideration or at least of the part comprised between 
 the Saguenay and the Betsiamits furnish excellent merchantable timber for ■ 
 export, as attested by the large trade carried on there for upwards of thi ty 
 years past. According to the surveyors' reports, there is just as fine wood 
 in the country extending to the eastward as far as the river Moisic Mr 
 Surveyor Lavergne reports that the river Blanche is bordered by forests rich 
 m spruce^and red, yellow and white pine, most of which are of good 
 quality. The same speces, suitable for trade, are found on the Manicoua- 
 gan, Pentecost and Godboat rivers, together with cedar in the valTey of the 
 Trinity river Mr. C^agnon says that " the river Ste. Marguerite - east of 
 he Pentecost river-and its tributaries are well covered wfth merchantable 
 timber, such as white spruce of good quality and in larc^e auant^tv nf 
 thirty to forty inches' diameter at the stump. Ind this from Ft Touth t a 
 disance of fifty-two miles " The same surveyor noted similar forests much 
 further to the eastward, in the Manitou river country, where ''there is a 
 tact of fifty miles in length by four or five, more or less, in breadth well 
 
 umT • i:^v" ^'^ ''T 'T :""'''' *^ ''''' "^^^^^ ^" diameter at th 
 stump. Lastly, as we h ,ve already seen, Mr. Neilson found, in the vallev 
 
 o he Mecatina at a comparatively small distanc3 from the slraits of B 1 e"^ 
 
 Isle, forests of spruce measuring in general fifteen to twenty inches n 
 
 diameter, and some running even to twenty-five inches. 
 
XXXVIU 
 
 ' If must be admitted that the land on which such trees grow is far from 
 
 being barren and might even be cultivated with advantage. 
 
 In the western part of this vast country, the valley of the river Valin 
 although pretty broken, contains a little good land and a great deal of fine 
 merchantable timber. The townships of Tremblay, Harvey St Germain 
 Labrosse and Albert, situated more to the south east along the Sa-uenay 
 are partly settled. These townships are somewhat broken and even°moun' 
 tainous and rocky, but nevertheless include some fine valleys of good 
 land favorable to agriculture. The township of Tadousac is chiefly com- 
 posed of sandy alluvions and embraces but little land susceptible of 
 advantageous tillage. The best parts occur between L'Anse a I'Eau 
 and the river Baude. These good lands extend backwards into the 
 valley of the river Ste. Marguerite towards the north and eastwards 
 into the township of B^rgeronnes, which possesses some excellent lands 
 to the west of the river of the same name. The township of Escou- 
 mams also contains a sufficient extent of good laud to permit of the forma- 
 tion of considerable settlements over and above those alread, existin"- The 
 work of colonization might be continued from this township as far°as the 
 fine plateau of lake Cassette, some ,25 or 30 miles from the coast The 
 township of Iberville, which comes next, is, to say the least, equally favor- 
 able - its generally undulating lands being of trood quality There are 
 neither s>A'araps nor bottoms, and the mountains are too small to be hurt- 
 lul. The forest is composed of mixed, timber and cover, the whole town- 
 ship, except the fifth and sixth ranges, which have been burnt over and 
 are rocky. 
 
 Further to the eastward are the townships of Portneuf, Laval and de la 
 Tour, fully as advantageous as the preceding. At ten miles' distance back 
 from the St. Lawrence, the mountains disappear and the rivers flow throuo-h 
 a plateau which extends as far as the eye can see from east lo west This 
 plateau is level and composed of a sandy soil, mix^d with yellow and grey 
 loam, resting on a clay subsoil, especially in the valley of the river Port- 
 neuf, which contains a good deal of land of the best quality and of timber 
 whose size and length indicate a really rich soil. 
 
 Mr. John Bignell reports that " the banks of the river aux Outardes 
 are sandy and not generally high ; that land fit for settlement may be 
 found along the whole river for a distance of two hundred miles in tracts 
 
 TJ^^nL'"" """" ^-T f *' ^'^^^ "''"'' ""^ *^^^ ^" *^^ aggregate' upwards 
 of 7.0,000 acres might be made available." 
 
XXXIX 
 
 :ow is far from 
 
 le river Valin, 
 sat deal of fine 
 , St. Germain, 
 he S ague nay, 
 d even moun- 
 lleys of good 
 s chiefly com- 
 msceptible of 
 Anse a I'Eau 
 rds into the 
 ad eastwards 
 xcellent lands 
 lip of Escou- 
 of the forma- 
 jxisting. The 
 » as far as the 
 coast. The 
 qually favor- 
 j. There are 
 11 to be hurt- 
 whole town- 
 rnt over and 
 
 '■al and de la 
 listance back 
 low through 
 west. This 
 ow and grey 
 i river Port- 
 id of timber, 
 
 ux Outardes 
 ent may be 
 les, in tracts 
 ite upwards 
 
 Still further to the eastward, in the valleys of the rWc.r<. M>, • 
 I^ntecost. Tr.nity and Godbout, Mr. ^^4^ ::Z^r;^::^:^ 
 150,000 acres of land adapted to cultivation. Although the soil ,s sandy 
 thin and easily exhausted, it can be enriched with sea-weed, fi-.hoff.l ancJ 
 other marine manures easily procurable on the spot by the inhabitanrs. 
 
 All these data go to show that to the north of the St. Lawrence 
 between the Saguenay and Pointe des Monts, there are at least a coupl^ 
 of millions o acres of arable land, both in point ot soil and c i.nate. The e 
 are also arable .ands further to the eastward, as established by the reports 
 of Mr. Forgue., and principally by that of Mr. Neilson on the river Meca- 
 
 oMi; "".or TrX ; ''.'^^ '"' "^ '"^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^ °f l-'^^tude and north 
 of the 50th ot latitude, about 500 miles below the Saguenay. If as Mr 
 
 ^ellson pretends, roots and the hardier cereals .an be cultivated in The 
 valley of that nver, they should also be cultivable in the intermediate 
 country more to the westward and notably in the valley of the riveiSte 
 Marguerite, near the river Moisic, where there are large tracts of good land 
 The conclusion herefore is inevitable that this Saguenay couafx so Ion. 
 represented as almost completely arid, barren and worthless for s tlemenl 
 pt^rposes, contains enot^gh good land to render it a colonizable region a 
 least in many parts, and one that might be occupied by an a^ricultnr! 
 population when the other regions actually considered morfZ b 
 shall have b3en all taken up. ucs>M«rjie 
 
 It is scar.'ely necessary to state that the ligneous growth which nredo- 
 minates in th. Saguenay region chiefly belongs°to the family ol th co fer 
 Red pine occu,^ in the valley of the Little Bergeronnes river, and white 
 pme IS found throughout the whole region embraced between the Sa^^ue- 
 nay, the St. Lawrence and the Manicouagan, for a distance of flfty to sixtv 
 miles from th. shore of the St. Lawrence, in the plateau of the river Bet^ 
 siamits and the Bergeronnes. These pine forests have been lumbered for the 
 past thirty years especially in the Escoumains section, and have furnished 
 to the export trade immense quantities of fine timber. 
 
 White spruce of excellent quality is more abundant than white um^ 
 It occupies the same region as the latter, but extends very much further 
 to the northward and north-eastward, where it forms extensive forests 
 capable of being easily and advantageously worked. Abng the Trinity 
 Manitou and Ste Marguerite rivers, that is to say: in the re,ion of the' 
 Moisic, upwards of 200 miles east of the Saguenay and for 50 m les in and 
 Mr. Surveyor Gagnon found splendid forests of white spruce n.east^ri.'Jas 
 
zl 
 
 much as 80 and 40 inches in diameter or, in other words, wood that is not 
 excellfjd in its dimensions by any derived even from the best forests of {he 
 province. Mr. Neilson, as has been seen, has found in the valley of the 
 Mecatina white spruce of fifteen to twenty and even twenty-five inches in 
 diameter, which renders it suitable for export, so that it may be said with- 
 out exaggeration that the white spruce is in quality and quantity fit to be 
 worked over a distance of more than 500 miles to the eastward of the 
 Saguenay. 
 
 Red spruce or tamarac, in very much smaller quantity, is found very 
 nearly over the whole of the same tract. The finest forests of this wood 
 are met with at the head of the north-west branch of the river Ste. Margue- 
 rite ; red spruce abounds, says Surveyor Gagnon, and it is of the finest 
 growth. 
 
 Cedar is met with in the region of the Bergeronnes rivers and the 
 Escoumaius, in that of the Manicouagan near the coast and even in that of 
 the river Natashquan. 
 
 Birch is a common enough wood between the Saguenay and the river 
 Betsiamits for fifty miles from the $it Lawrence. It is found in the town- 
 ships of Bergeronnes, Escoumains and Iberville, and even far to the north 
 of those townships. The same may be said of ash and elm, which are seen 
 even in the Moisic river region. 
 
 The bass wood or linden is found in the valley of the Little Berge- 
 ronnes river for a distance of fifteen miles from the St. Lawrence, and along 
 the river Betsiamits to beyond the falls, forty-five miles from its mouth. 
 The existence of this wood in th.^se localities is attested by Mr. P -H 
 Dumais (see page 572) and by Mr. Eugene Casgrain (see page 585), two of 
 the most competent and reliable explorers. 
 
 The existence of bass-wood in these localities is one of the strongest 
 evidences in favor of the soil and climate of this;country. It is well known 
 that this wood only grows in the richest lands and the most propitious 
 climates ; it occurs only rarely in the Quebec region and, properly speak- 
 ing, only figures in the forests of the fincM portions of the Eastern Town- 
 ships, of the Yamaska valley and the Ottawa region. This tree only grows 
 m rich, mellow and deep soils and the most favorable climatic conditions 
 are (essential to its full development. According to Brown, it is generally 
 found in places where the sugar maple, the white ash and the hemlock 
 flourish most. The fact that it occurs in the Saguenay country as far 
 
zli 
 
 even in place, the least favoredHTn T T1 '''"' ""^''y "here, 
 
 branch of this stream, abovittcolZetf;. .? '"""'''''S "' *<' ""i-i 
 I the following notes : ^nA-ence with (he north fork, he supplies 
 
 Ness ::nt:rrtirr jsr:::. iz 'lurrv '"^ '»«>• '- 
 
 Ubnndant on this stretch of the rk'. ?* Although white pine is not 
 shows the most. Beyond the 30th ml " ""'""'^'^'^^ 'h-^ Part which 
 spruce however, is alundal;: n boT^ sid'r o" Ih7 ™"' V '''"« 
 enough to be merchantable The T,.f K ? , ""''■ •>»' "<>' 'wge 
 
 is less mountainous, but the h'nd it n '""" "*' ^'"'' ^'^ 80th mill 
 
 hard wood after lea in. he 8 h mile'"^ f """"'f '° ''"'^'- ' -'^ »« 
 white spruce is abundant „ 1," pUeesalr'^ff '""■ """ '""" ■""-' 
 Ifound there is merchantable There «,^ ^^* ^"•'- ^l^o ^P™»e 
 
 and sides of the rnoun „ n^" .! t^ """', ""'"^ P"»^ °» 'he tops 
 
 no merchantable timb'; mall .et and b t" """'^ °' "'^ ^""'^y. ' °»W ^ 
 Iwoods on the flats and 'rarines tL ' ''^"""■' '"'"^ ""' Prevailing 
 
 trom the west line o b „ 'h '7rt"" "' ''"'°''' "^^'^ ''-^ 
 
 fcte. Marguerite, to the 7th Ze th. °'"'' »»"'■»'<'»' of the river 
 
 Vith hard and soft wood of Zi llib" " T"^" "' "'"""'"'"^ «"««<» 
 k river. The bottoms on , hi" sidf of tie "'"' I"""'"^' '''"■»^' P"»"«l '» 
 50 chains and are formed of rlltu th T'.tT ' ^'^'^ "^ ^""" « '» 
 • «.« range. Elm, ash and b h are'o^fi ^ Jwth S, ^f""" '° "^'^^ 
 part from the mouth of the river toThel^ d T u ] ""' ""rthwestera 
 ain chain of the river Ste. Ma, Juerfte Theiv" 't '"""'' "" ""= ■»™''- 
 M cultivable land of 50 to 7°oTb I "',•'«'«""•". a strip of level 
 
 r m. 0. 50 to 70 ehams, r.chly clothed with soft and hard 
 
xlii 
 
 wood. Elm aud ash are the predominating kinds. All the tract— four or 
 five ranges— comprised between the townships of St. Germain and La 
 Brosse, is generally adapted to cultivation, although mountainous around 
 the lakes. But these mountains are splendidly timbered with liard and 
 soft woods, whiih proves that the extent of uncultivable land in this region 
 would not b.' an obstacle to the colonization of this part of the Saguenay 
 country, as one might be led to think at the sight of the mountains along 
 the Saguenay. The unsurA'eyed tract between the townships of St Grer- 
 main and I-aBrosse contains about 50,000 i r >- r>f cultivable land, allowing 
 for the space occupied by the mountai'i ■ bordering the Sasruenav 
 
 which is unsuited to settlement. 
 
 : " Near the west side line of the township of La Brosse to the north-east 
 of the river Ste-Marguerite, white spruce of lo to 20 inches is fairly plen- 
 tiful in all the cuts between the surrounding mountains. Some clumps of 
 white pine are also observable in different directions to within a few chains 
 of the west side line of Li Brosse, but they tvre few^ and small On Ibe Tth 
 mile, there are some clumps of white pine, at a distance of about a mile to 
 the north of the river, but they are of limited extent ; i ■ Iso noted white 
 pine on the 12th mile in a northerly direction, but in small quantity, for 
 a distance of three or four miles In addition to the birch, elm and ash 
 already mentioned, along the whole plateau traversed by the south-w^est 
 arm of the river Ste. Marguerite, between the 1st and 30th miles, there is 
 also a sufficient quantity of white spruce from 15 to 20 inches in diameter 
 for prolitable lumbering, especially to the north-east. The south-west side 
 of the river, along the same distance, is richly wooded with hard wood, 
 with a few white pines here and there and easily got at, to form part of 
 such lumbering. 
 
 "At the 36th mile, on the south-west side of the first fall, known 
 tinder the name of the fall of the Fraye-au-Sauraon, I crossed several miles 
 in a northerly directiim aud noted from the heights a considarable stretch 
 of good land in rear of the townships of Hnrvey and Tremblay, well tim- 
 bered with hard wo.id, among which white birch predominates. There also 
 
 pine is scarce and the spruce grows smaller after the 33rd mile There is 
 
 no white pine betwe n.the 43rd mile and the source of the river ; all this' 
 section is wooded with medium-sized grey and white spruce — merchantable 
 spruce being rare. There is no hard wood beyond the mountains to the 
 northeast of the riv^er after the 43rd mile. 
 
 " Conclusion. — On the • outh-west branch of the Ste. Marguerite, to the 
 80th mile, white spruce, large enough to be merchantable, exists in fairly! 
 
 Lt 
 
 the m^ 
 
 upland 
 
 birch, I 
 
 pine. 
 
 four tee] 
 
 and a h 
 
 hood, b 
 
 part of 1 
 
 rouudin 
 
 the Sag 
 
 yellow i 
 
 met wit 
 
 the rive] 
 
 west, th( 
 
 every wh 
 
 further i: 
 
 lent qua] 
 
 Petite Be 
 
 tance of 1 
 
 Ste. Marj 
 
 Isouth-wef 
 
 found as j 
 
 be floated 
 
 Escou 
 
 )e cut. A 
 
 liew growl 
 
xliii 
 
 le tract — four or 
 rermain and La 
 iitainous around 
 with liard and 
 d in this region 
 »f the Saguenay 
 nountains along 
 ships of St G-er- 
 t) hvnd, allowing 
 the Saguenay 
 
 the north-east 
 ss is fairly plen- 
 Some clumps of 
 lin a few chains 
 ill On Ibe 1th. 
 about a mile to 
 Iso notod white 
 all quantity, for 
 )h, elm and ash 
 the south-west 
 
 1 miles, there is 
 hes in diameter 
 south-west side 
 ith hard wood, 
 to form part of 
 
 "st fall, known 
 id several milosj 
 larable stretch | 
 blay, well tira- 
 ates. There also 
 
 ile There is 
 
 river ; all this] 
 —merchantable 
 untains to the 
 
 guerite, to the! 
 exists in fairlyl 
 
 large quantity for advantageous workino- anrl ih • " ""~" 
 
 to the drive. There Js a Lall quan "tv of si "'T ^'"'^"'^ "^ '^''^'^^ 
 In the last six miles of the survey o7the„ortr"''M' """^ '"''''' P'"- 
 is abundant. There is no cultivable land 7 TJ'-r"^' ^^^^« '^^-^^- 
 16th mile of the survey of the no th-els tt T ^.V"'"'"^^' ^^^^^^"^ ^^^ 
 there is no cuhivable'ground. From tt t. t ^."'"" ^^ """'^^"""^'^^^ 
 spruce is the only timber worth workll h! \'''^' "i^ white 
 
 little pine." vvorkmg . there ,s no hardwood and very 
 
 The following notes are found in M. ii 
 the rivers Bergeronnes, Escoumains Lfu m"'" ''''''' ^" '^' ^^^^ey of 
 au-Cochon : s^oumains, feault-au-Mouton, Tortneuf and Sault- 
 
 the ^eltnXf"";!!;^:;; lr'"1:'^^'-^-^^'^--learthin 
 uplands; the wood on tfe LlL '' f! T ,l"T' "^'' ^^^^ - the 
 birch, balsam and spruce pr Somile "with a f '" T""' "'^^^ ^^^^^^ 
 P"-. The lake des Sables.'he mo t mpo" nt onTh '''' "' ^^ ^^^^^ 
 fourteen miles in circumfereuce, beinc abo f f , "''"'' '' ^^''^''^ ^^ 
 
 and a half wide. There are several 1 1 "' "''^'' "' ^^^"^^h by two 
 
 hood, but the greater numbeV of e tX'or'""^ ^"'^'^' "^ ''' "^^"'^^- 
 part of the river to the north-east ^ lal Thirf ^" ^'^ "P^^ 
 rounding it are well covered wifb ., ^"°^ mountains sur- ' 
 
 the Saguenay districtrsprl whi e 7 TT! ""' '^"'^^ '' ^« ^^"-1 in 
 
 yellow birch, popla, coitoHo'd tda^ltl^r^T^ ^"' ''' P-^' 
 
 met with either separately or ^wint f t '"^ ^'"^'^'"^^ ^^« ^'^ to be 
 the river divides into two^rancheT the nf "' i ""'' '^^ ''^'^'^'^ -'^e, 
 west, the other in a northeas er , di 'tioT^X' -e going towards the' 
 everywhere the same; the M-ood \ ZT /^ ^'P^^* of the country is 
 further into the interio ; p ne and sori" " ^'" ''''^ '' ^'' P^-^tr'ate 
 lent quality. At the twent h ^i L T ^ "" T' P^^^^iful and of excel- 
 Petite Bergeronne, a narrow ^IgT'Lt':!^;', W' '"^^^'^^^ ^' ^^^ "-r 
 tance of two miles mpy be seen th. T . ^'^^tward, and at a dis- 
 
 Ste. Marguerite, while^tlll Trtht tsT 1 ^'^^"^^ ^^« "-r 
 
 -uth.west, are the summits of th '^ ri^hiHs^'V'' 'T^"^ ^° ^^^ 
 found as far as the source of the Tctito Ber2 . ""' ^''^ '^''''' ^^e 
 
 e boated without any other imp;o;te!^t:frar;iot^^^^^^^^^^ 
 Escoumains.—" There i« liifU ^« j.- , 
 be o„t. A great part of he ^"eltZZT "I, ""'' "'■"™ """""""^ "> 
 
 .ew growth „m ..ever UotZyZ^Jlh "^° ''t™^'" ""^ «'«• '"dlhe 
 I ^ ^"y ^'*'"e . there are. howevoj. „ f„^ i. 
 
sliv 
 
 of fine looking timber, but the quantity is insignificant. The country to the 
 height of lands presents very much the same appi^rance. Black spruce 
 and balsam are the principal woods." 
 
 SauU-au-Mouton,—"' The varieties of wood which predominate are 
 spruce, white birch, scrub pine, tamarac and pine ; the land is generally 
 undulating and rocky. The mountains on the upper part of the river are 
 not very high." 
 
 Porlneuf,-—" A third fall of some twenty feet, (on the 25th mile) neces- 
 sitates a portage of a few arpents to the east of the river. The burnt lands 
 are dotted here and there with small patches of growing timber, in which 
 some large pine and spruce trees are to be found, while the rest are chiefly 
 balsam, white birch and black spruce. The table lands — towards the 
 43rd mile— covered with scrub pine, which border on the river and extend 
 to the base of the mountains, are composed of sand, yellow earth and small 
 rounded pebbles. I descended the Portneuf to the chief fork on the fifty 
 sixth mile ; from there I scaled this branch as far as the heights, keeping 
 always towaids the east in order to reach as soon as possible the river 
 Sault-au-Cochon. In the whole cours.; of this exploration I met with no 
 change in the nature of the soil. ' Pine, spruce and scrub pine were met 
 with along the first seven miles, but, after passing the arande Chute, black 
 spruce and white birch cover the greater part of the land watered by this 
 branch, which receives several small tributaries from the western side and 
 the outlets of a number of lakes." 
 
 SauU-au-Cochoa.—" Beginning operations at the north end of the lake j 
 forming the head of the river Sault-au-Cochon, I scaled this lake and a 
 succession of small ones, following their direction down as far as lakei 
 Kakuskanus or lake des Pdcheries, of which I made a complete scaling, 
 On this upper part of the river, the country is all one rocky and mountain- 
 ous tract covered with spruce, white birch and balsam of middling length! 
 and size. The hills -between the 56th and 62nd miles— are clothed with) 
 black spruce, white birch, poplar and balsam ; in the ravines the timber is 
 larger, especially the white spruce, but the quantity is small compared 
 with that of other kinds. The timber below the Grand Portage is of| 
 better quality, but the prevailing varieties are white birch, scrub piuej 
 spruce and balsam, &c., &c. 
 
 '• From the sixty-third to the hundred and second mile the river is notl 
 interrupted by any rapid, but flows peaceably between the two parallell 
 chains of mountains rising above it, crossing the narrow valley at intervakl 
 
xlv 
 
 The river des Bculeaux discharjres itself from ihn «. . • i ' 
 
 mile. Several others^,,,, Hvers'do ^^.tZntTJltT .'J" "'* 
 the mo„n,„i„ gorge, which give passage to theirtributl °"""'' '"^ 
 batter wooded than the valley of the river pronlr '' "■•«S™er.lly 
 birch scrub pine, cypress, bals.L and poplar are XI'dTrr' 'T- """"^ 
 ercollent quality ; the best of the pine hLeve hi K F",^ '"'° ""> 
 
 Price. Brothers & Co., sent lumberers in here la ' ftlT,! Ti ^''" "^ °'' 
 or lake . Cassette on the eighty-eighth ml d „: owaMs th:!!;'' 'T 
 hundred and first mile. I scaled the lake d n««.„..! , , , '"* "" "•« 
 best part of the pine and spruce ar't! he f I' ""^ ' ""'"'^ ""at the 
 although these lands were worked n arlv twent '" * "^'Shbo^ood. 
 were small then have had lime to bZ „ '"^ <^ ''"''' '^"^ ''"' ^''''' **"" 
 lOlst mile, the mountains Tn, rely Z^p" r Th 'nf' T ''"'"' "■" 
 scrub pine, black, grey and red spfuce baW Jw e^H "^ """'^ "'^ 
 P.ne, moose-wood and alder. The soil s of better olmv L "f^' "°'''"' 
 of a size and length only found on the best." ' '" ""''" 
 
 Further to the eastward are the r«v.l pi i, 
 
 explored by Mr. Surveyor Larr^ne in 8 8 Her '"'. ^t'"''^^ ^^^'^^«' 
 notes : ^ ""^ '" ^^^^- "^^^ is what he states in his 
 
 Laval.—" The timber on the first thir(v rr.u ■ 
 .pruce and white birch; however, oV^ng'backl: Sr™"'' .'"'r' 
 the nght and left, spruce and white and yellow niZ/^° """•• ,'""'' "" 
 m pretty large quantities are found. At Iwe tv „Te! f «°°l'""""y «■"• 
 nver forms three falls which succeed each other aTslot"!?- !^' ™'""' ""' 
 saw or other mills might be built at slight cost The I '*""'*'• "''""•« 
 
 Laval traverses a less mountainous '^'1; than ^hefilt''''h ."'.'''^ '"'''' 
 poorer, being composed of nothin,. h„t „' ? ,f *' '"" "^ ^»'' "s 
 
 of the wood consists of smairlev s™.?!"" '^ '"/ '"'^" ''""'■ ^he bulk 
 tamaracs." ^ ^^ 'P'""" ""^'^<' W'"" balsam and a few 
 
 cou„f^;itThi™Vwji''::r^';'"'''°"'' °"' > '- "■"-'--.s 
 
 I other ; the country s o, lyrdlinrTe'"^ "" ""V""' P'''^'' <"- »P°» 'he 
 
 I of spruce and red, yellow a^dSe It 7'"" f '""'f'''''" '"' ™'" f"™'* 
 
 grey or yellow ohy ■• ""' °'s;ood quality, and the so,l is a 
 
 Culombier. — "This vir^v ,"o ., i. i ■ 
 
 Cher two; "everthelessrirn^vrthXhT™;™ ,1: itl""'^^ *-,"" '"' 
 [ -. . poor ,n timber-grey spruce and Lulefrb -^g 'ab^t'l::;,^';;^:^: 
 
xlvi 
 
 met with, except towards the head of Ih. river, where there arc some pine 
 ^d tamarae. On the 8th mile of the river, there is a fall of 20 feut high.' 
 
 Next comes the Betsiamits river which has been explored by Messrs 
 Casgrain. B.gneil and Low. Here is what is found iu Mr. Casgrain's notes.' 
 
 fi./.^.;.«/.s-" Considered as a forest for the supply of marketable timber 
 the region drained by the Bet^iamits and its numerous tributary streams is 
 of very hftle value; it appears to have been frequently devastated by 
 terrible fires, whicn have destroyed every thing in their way. thou^^h in 
 some places which the fire has spared, and where pine, spruce birch anS 
 ash are found of an excellent growth, there is no doubt that the utilizing of 
 hese lorest treasures would prove extremely profitable. From the ia\h to 
 the sixth mile, the river ilow.s almost continously through steep mountains 
 LVfroTfV" '''''\f'^^^'y th.'mselvcs into it. two from the east and 
 lour from the west. These waters are similarly enclosed by mountains- 
 AVithm this space along the Betsiamits and all its tributaries, valuable 
 wood IS lou.ul. viz pine, spruce, b.ss wood, birch and ash; the forest 
 continues to bo equally good as far as the eighth mile, that is to say, to 
 about fifty miles from the 8t. Lawrence. This small forest is surrounded 
 by burnt spaces as lar as the eye can reach."— (aw/^-mm.) 
 
 " For the first forty five milos from the mouth, the river is perfectlv 
 navigable. Its banks and the adjacent mountains are covered with a <.ood 
 
 ri vnd 1 1 "T'"t, ''i "'''^" ^'""^ "• ''^ ^"^«' "^^^« »>-^^h- 1-— 
 
 first f, Af "7) ;■■ .U ^•"°" '"'"■ "^'^ '"' ^^^"^ «^^h^ '"i'- f-- the' 
 irst tall. A tor that there is a young growth of the same woods, but the 
 
 trees are hardly eight inches in diameter. AH this country ha.s be;n burnt 
 over at a comparatively recent lime. 
 
 '• The river val.ey, cut in tlie surrouudiag tabie-Iand, varies from a 
 Jiuarter of a m,le to „„o mile iu wicllh. Its side! are formed by La„ Zu 
 h,lls devated from two to .i. hundred feet above the stream/ These hil 
 are well wooded w,th white and black spruce, lamarac, balsam, poplar an, 
 bnvh, and quantities ot valuable timber are taken out every year an 1 c , 
 »P by the steam mill at the mouth of the river. About .■,„;i:;; l' ^ 
 r.ver and northwards, the country has been traversed by frequent am 
 ex e„s,ve Bres, which have left very little of the original fo'rctlh el 
 ben g, for he most part, covered with second growth limber of asp™ 
 poplar, white birch, banksian pine and spruce, uo^.e of wh h h,s |S 
 
dv 
 
 u 
 
 > aro some pine 
 '20 foot high; 
 
 )rod by Messrs. 
 isgrain's notes: 
 
 ketable timber, 
 t«ry streams is 
 devastated by 
 'ay, thoujrh in 
 •uce birch and 
 he utilizing of 
 om the falls to 
 !ep mountains. 
 
 the east and 
 >y mountains* 
 tries, valuable 
 ih ; the forest 
 
 is to say, to 
 8 surrounded 
 
 sr is perfectly 
 [ with a good 
 irch, tamarac 
 liles from the 
 oods, but the 
 IS been burnt 
 
 aries from a 
 y Laurentian 
 These hills 
 », poplar and 
 rear, and cut 
 miles up the 
 requent and 
 t, the region 
 er of aspen, 
 his attained 
 
 The shores of lake Pipmankan are principally low. but in places are 
 
 |ro.ky and r.se .n elevations of one to two hundred feel above the vvater the 
 
 whole h..,ng covered with a fair growth of whiro spruce, balsam, spmre 
 
 [and white birch." (A -P. Low) """'i spmco 
 
 ^^^^ These data are completed by the letter of Mr. Thomas Simard already 
 
 Ri>er mx Ouln>fles.~" As we ascend the river from the coast ih. 
 gnnvth o timber is iir. spruce, bouleau. aspen and cypress At ^hdlaic: 
 ol 200 miles the quantity of bouleau and aspen diminishes very much and 
 n ew m.les lurther they entirely disappear, an I w. iind only smaH pC 
 famarac and cypress, and at the head of the river and height of land S 
 i-sinall stunted black spruce is found." (Bfg^eft) ^ 
 
 Jl>,,ua.juu.~ " The country from the falls up to the forks is rou^h 
 
 and hilly and n. some places mountainous ; the soil, where elevated abov 
 
 he hc.hets, IS dry sand overlaying a bed of clay and the growth is fir 
 
 bouleau and spruce, wi.h an occasional pine. About the two gr! t lakt' 
 
 L oosh-au-lagan and Tshimanicouagan. the soil is sandy and theVrowthTs' 
 
 In. spruce, bouleau, a«pen, cypress and tamara.-, but, beyond fhetkes 
 
 6W/.o,,,,,/,,,,,v^._.^ ,,^, description as already given will 
 
 l>ly to both of these rivers, viz: mountainons country, good land nea 
 
 ^ nve. he same unvarying growth of fir. spruce, bo'^feau anS asp " 
 
 nh o.ca..ionalIy cypress and tamarac. and some pine on nearing the coast 
 
 there being hovvever a little more pine on the Trinity than on the other 
 
 nvers. and on the Godbout near the coast may be found' ome cedar wMch 
 
 |is not found elsewhere." (Bigne//) «udr. wnicn 
 
 Pen^ecosi.-^' We struc-k the headwaters of the Pentecost in a growth of 
 
 spruce and tamarac ; the stream flows hence tranquilly for about idne miles 
 
 injsMng throng^, several small lakes, and then begiiJl rapidly to I"n? 
 
 palling, in the distance of fifteen miles, as manv hundred feet bein.occv 
 
 s^naly roken by falls and rapids. The country along the R:;;;:rco:ts 
 
 1"1 h oM 7 "'r= ^'''^ ''^"^ '' ^°^^^^ ^^^"^ '^' "^'-. -nJ the 
 
 ' W.01U "t-r 7 ''"f"^ ^^"'" '"^ Manicouagan; considerable 
 
 UM)nKc(.omeot,t oi a very fine quality) and tamarac are found along its 
 
zlviii 
 
 entire length , a distance of eighty miles, and. on ai,proa.hing the coast, a 
 little pine may bo found." {Bitrnell) 
 
 Sle. Ma^guerUe.-'^ The banks of the rivor Ste. Marguerite and ifs tri- 
 butaries are well covered with merchantable timber, such m white spruce 
 ot good quality and in large quantities, of thirty to forty iuches diameter at 
 the stump. This heavy growth of timber continn-s from the mouth of the 
 river up to the Grand Portage, a distance of fiftytwo miles, except a space 
 of nine miles by one and a half in depth, between the river au Canard and 
 the river Ochogan, which has been ravaged by lire. Along the Grand 
 I ortage the timber consists of hard and soft woods mixed, of medium si/e 
 Iho soil IS sandy and rocky. From the river k Gamache to the river Kama- 
 latshinekikatest, a distance of twentyfour miles, the mountains disappear 
 heaps of sand are seen in all directions and plateaus of twenty to thirtv 
 arpents in extent at different places, well timbered with hard and soft 
 woods, including considerable quantities of merchantable white spruce of 
 good growth. The sides of the mountains in the distance were swept by 
 Jire about fifteen years ago. From thr river de la Montague Blanche to the 
 forks, a distance of thirtythree miles, the greater part of the forest has been 
 destroyed by fire. Some isolated spots bear trees of large size, of both hard 
 and soft varieties ; in others the growth appears to be that of fifteen or 
 twenty years." (Gagnon) 
 
 Moisic.--The banks are sandy and generally high. The timber con- 
 sists of fir, white spruce, white birch and aspen. Along the first 12 miles 
 the wood has all been cut ofl^, leaving nothing but fir and small white 
 birch." {Casgrain) 
 
 Balsam fir, spruce and white birch, with au average of 10 inches in 
 diameter, are about the only kinds of wood met along this river." (Duberger) 
 
 Rivera la T.mV.-"The timber on this river, from the mouth up to 
 lake a la Iruite, was in g- .t part destroyed by fire some four or five years 
 ago. J he land along the principal stream is well covered with merchant- 
 able timber, such as white spruce, and is suitable for cultivation on both 
 sides lor about a mile. Elsewhere the timber is of middling and small size '' 
 [Gognon) 
 
 Mani/o,.~" The Manitou is a river on which timber may be manufac 
 
 tured to great advantage. With the exception of about two-thirds of the 
 
 and north-east of lake Manitou, which has been ravaged by fire, there is a 
 
 tract of fifty miles in length by four or five, more or less, in breadth, well 
 
zliz 
 
 aching the coast, a 
 
 Jiierito and Us tri- 
 ;h a8 white spruce 
 inches ditimeter at 
 I the mouth of the 
 les, except a space 
 er an Canard and 
 Along the Grand 
 I, of medium size. 
 the river Kama- 
 mtains disappear, 
 twenty to thirty 
 h hard and soft 
 e white spruce of 
 e were swept by 
 le Blanche to the 
 le forest has been 
 size, of both hard 
 that of fiftsen or 
 
 The timber con- 
 
 ;he first 12 miles 
 
 and small white 
 
 of 10 inches in 
 iver." {Duberger) 
 
 le mouth up to 
 our or five years 
 with merchant- 
 tivation on both 
 and small size.'' 
 
 lay be manufac* 
 wo-thirds of the 
 y fire, there is a 
 iu breadth, well 
 
 timbered with white spruce, from thirty to forty inches in diameter at th« 
 stumi , around the lakes and tributaries and along the xMaLoH l.r tk 
 river Hows through lands of a sandy nature, fit lr:SoV^^^x^„^^^^^^^^ 
 fromhiteen to twenty arpents on eaeh side, especially betwZth, I I* 
 Asec and Manitou." (Qagmn) P«uaiiy bttween the lakes 
 
 According to Mr. Surveyor Forgues, the only woods along the St T^hn 
 Mingan. Natashquan, St. Paul and Musquarro, are balsam fiinn- ^ 
 
 white birch, with a diameter of from three to e ght inchL Iw ' "l^ 
 however, apply merely to the parts nearest the cl^ rhich Trrf '' 
 
 he had penetrated more inland, judging from the result of the oXaron! 
 made to the westward and eastward along others rivers and ,.o7Il 
 the Mecatina. where Mr. Neilson only method tin?her at a ce^ n LtaTce 
 from the sea. It seems pretty probable that, in the section addn n^^^^^^^^ 
 oast, along all these rivers, the best timber has been cut off bv he 
 fishermen and the inhabitants or destroyed by fires the traces of wK, I 
 
 b t at a,:: bVfir' ''T '-''r'^ ^^« -^^^ foresl'dero d 
 
 1 ^^.^''f/"^ ^y fi'-e near the sea. but which should still exist mL 
 
 I inland in the parts not yet reached by the explorers. ^ 
 
 ^n analysis of all these notes of survey necessarilv lparl« f« ,u 
 sion that, in the whole of this vast Saguenay regioi^ her ! *^'''"^^"- 
 forests susceptible of being lumbe .d and capTbl^ s^P ^^L^^^^^^^^^ 
 |m almost niilimitable quantilies lor export. 
 
 lwealfh'"5f.Hn-^T 12 '"T°f ""'^ '^«'°» "■' i-oontestable source of 
 wea th. Id addition to the molybdenite of Quetachoo bav th, ..„„rif 
 
 Philipsite of Watsheshoo and the building and otamenU IZtS 
 
 are not without ■mportance, there are deposits of ochre and magne ic k^n 
 
 [which possess considerable value. ""oneuc iron, 
 
 The deposits of ochre are found at Tointe des Monts, on the banks of 
 
 th L We R " "■ ^"'^"^""' I' M»>"oo„agai,, the Jeremie islands and near 
 the Little Romame river, in the township of Iberville Af *k. r T . 
 
 P^ce, the deposit is three or four acres wL^'aildTr'^rbed f ^ oXee 
 
 b Li t' tT m" ""^ ''""" "'■ » ■>"'• T'"' ■'•'»™' color is yellow brovvn 
 kd black. The Manicouagan deposit is much more extensive Mr ObaUW 
 
 trafplrr .pV '^'I-^r' -P-'^' »» the whole coast l 
 ^ccuis at Paint Cove (1 Anse a la Peinture), where it covers a frontage of a 
 
1 
 
 mile and a dopth of eight or ten acres, and has a thickness of five or six 
 feet It seems to be older than the others. Opposite the .Teremio islands 
 at about a laile from the coast and along a small brook, for a distance of a 
 mile with a depth of several acres, there is a bed of ochre which attains as 
 much as fourteen feet in thickness, according to the statements of the people 
 of the loca ity. The deposits of the township of Iberville are extensive 
 have a thickness of five or six feet, and have been worked for some years ' 
 If they are not still, by Mr. John Argall, for an English company. Five 
 men could prepare four tons a day for shipment. The color of the ochres 
 when delivered to the trade, is a light red. a brown red, red, light yellow' 
 and yellow. The two last colors are natural. 
 
 Iron is met with in the form of magnetic sand. This sand is found 
 nearly everywhere along the shore from the Sagnenay to beyond Natash- 
 quan, for a distance of ab..at 450 miles and along certain W vers for thirty 
 miles inland on the water's edge and sometimes forty and fifty feet above 
 Its level. This ,s equivalent to saying that these magnetic sands are in 
 Illimitable quantities. Here is what Mr. James Richardson said on the 
 subject 111 a report on the geological exploration of the North Shore : 
 
 " In addition to the economic materials already mentioned, the iron 
 sands of this reo-ion, which have attracted considerable attention, mvy be 
 noticed. The deposits of these sands at Moisic have baen examined by Dr 
 Hunt, who has shown that they belong to the stratified silioious sands of 
 the district, which here overlie the old marine clays, at considerable hei-hts 
 above the present sea level. In many places I observed bads holdin" so 
 much iron ore as to show dark or nearly black layers among the <n-ey°uul 
 brown sihcious sands. They were seen, of this character, at various places 
 along the coast, at heights up to 100 and even 200 feet above tide-level 
 while on the Manicouagan river, twenty-four miles from its mouth where 
 It attains a height of 25G feet above the sea, the banks of sand exhibited 
 the same dark-coloured bands of iron sand, frofu forty to fifty feet above 
 the water. 
 
 " On the coast between Portnouf andSault-au-Coohon, and also between 
 the river St. Margaret and the Bay of Seven Islands, hills of post-tertiary 
 clays, containing marine fossils, and attaining heights of from 50 to 150 
 leet. are often seen to be capped with from forty to fifty feet of simil u- fiiu- 
 and coarse brown sand, banded with dark layers likewise charo-ed with 
 black iron ore. 
 
li 
 
 is of five or six 
 eremio islands, 
 a distance of a 
 licli attains as 
 ts of the people 
 are extensive . 
 for some years 
 >inpany. Five 
 • of the ochres , 
 I, light yellow 
 
 saiid is found 
 iyond Natash- 
 vers for thirty 
 ifty feet above 
 sands are in 
 n said on the 
 Shore : 
 
 'ned, the iron 
 tion, may be 
 mined by Dr 
 ious sands of 
 ?rable heij^hts 
 s holding so 
 the grey and 
 arioas places 
 ve tide-level 
 [louth, where 
 nd exhibited 
 I fijot above 
 
 :dso between 
 post-tertiary 
 
 »m 50 to 150 
 similar fine 
 
 iiirged with 
 
 by the action of the water upon these Zh„,V ^ '" »' concentratioa 
 raany places on the coast, about hth water mal TV'^T" '" " ^™' 
 nine and twelve feet wide, and frorn two i^K '//*"''' f™" "»«« '» 
 often extending, without interrup o" fir ^ef t^f^'t '" ""^'=»-* 
 
 beits ofiron sand along the por^ 'of I^L^ tlll^ al S t? 
 • 1. The vicinity of Tadousao, for a distance of three nailes downward,' 
 
 2. From Jeremie to Bersimis, and thence tn th. p • , 
 tance of twelve miles, '"*""" '" '™ Pipmachois, a dis- 
 
 " 8. The peninsula at the months nt n,„ n » . 
 rivers, for forty miles. ""' °"'"<'« ""d Manicouagan 
 
 " 4. From Unglish Point to Pentecost river, for eight miles 
 ^^^ r^l'mlL""'^ " ''' '' '^-«-' ''™'. fo^ ten. miles, 
 
 by >he aid of proper ooncentrati g ^0!^ y Wat" '"°'''' '^P^"''"^ 
 accessible in several localities near the Z. ^'"''■•P°^er, if needed, i, 
 B.11S of the river Bande, on the coast threel Tl \ """""S others, at the ' 
 fails of the Papinachois, also on ,h ' ' . "'?. ''''"T I^"""™" ^ at the 
 
 I Manicouagan, at the head of tid wate, l f ", "^ ""^ "ntarde and 
 miles from the general trend of c„a"t) at a f",, '™'' '^"'^ "»<• fifoou 
 half a mile north-east of Pentecos, rfvi; i "L ^ "''*"'■ °" ">« »ast, 
 
 Igaret, three miles from the coast ' " ""= ''"' °^ ">« St. Mar- 
 
 l-os;::\rM^:™:s\Sfrht^^ 
 
 vessels drawing twelve feet of water may e^i a h 1 Jh T'' "*"* 
 access is somewhat difficult, on account IZZ * ''"''■ "'""ough the 
 
 «f Ihem a wharf extending from forty ! m'TlT "'f''^'"^^^- I» any 
 jsufflcient to reach the channel!" ^ "' '""" ""^ '^'"<^ ^'onld bo 
 
 Mr. Gagnoii, who surveyed the river. «(„ \r 
 »™.o„, states that along aU^these^sUrarffe.::::;^;!!^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
Hi 
 
 of iron. "Along the whole course of the river Ste. Marguerite "— he 
 reports — "beds of magnetic sand are found at different points These 
 begin at the river auFer and end at the river Ochogan. a distance of 18 
 miles. The last lake on the river Ste. Marguerite is surrounded by high 
 nountams in which iron ore is also met with. It is also found on the 
 north-west and south-west banks of Trout lake, on the river of the same 
 name." 
 
 Mr. Hunt, who is an authority in such matters, submitted samples of 
 these magnetic sands to analysis and obtained the following results : 
 
 Betsiamits 
 sand. 
 
 Protoxyde of iron 
 
 Titanic acid 3.50 
 
 Oxyde of manganese Indet 
 
 I^inae traces 
 
 Magnesia 
 
 Insoluble residue 3.85 
 
 Moisic 
 sand. 
 
 85.56 85.79 
 
 ... 4.15 
 
 .. 0.40 
 
 .. 0.90 
 
 .. 1.95 
 
 93.19 
 
 Mingan 
 sand. 
 
 80.46 
 6.50 
 0.52 
 0.75 
 0.70 
 4.20 
 
 Oxyde of magnetic iron. 
 Metallic iron 
 
 92.91 
 
 92.44 
 66.56 
 
 93.13 
 
 92.68 86.92 
 
 66.73 67.58 
 
 An extremely careful analysis by the same chemist showed in the 
 Moisic iron only .0094 of sulphur and .0184 per cent of phosphorus, which 
 indicates one of the purest and most profitable irons. 
 
 ^ The magnetic sand might be cleaned and separated on the spot for 
 exportation in the raw state or for smelting there. Fuel would be easily 
 procurable, as the forests of the region include large quantities of white 
 birch, which makes one of the best charcoals. The coal of Nova Scotia is 
 also comparatively near at hand, and, with the aid of the easy harbors of 
 the North Shore, might be delivered to the furnaces for about the same 
 price as the ironmasters pay in England for their fuel. 
 
 The fisheries of the Saguenay country are unquestionably the richest 
 m Canada, and, even, in the world. Nowhere else can so many and such 
 beautiful rivers be met with and, as may be seen on reference to the part of 
 this work under the head of Fisk and Game, the portions of these rivers 
 which the salmon cannot ascend, abound with the finest trout, and in some 
 
liii 
 
 places with several other species of fish, There ar« in tk. « 
 try also immense lakes swarmin„ „Uhfi.h\. ■ , ®"Sueiiay coan- 
 Portneuf river, Pipmaukl and LT !l ' ^. '"'''' ^''"'^o^. <>- the 
 
 nns or des P^oheriTs? on the Sault !u o"?" Z,'^' .^°'^'»"""- Kakuska- 
 river anx Oatardes. Moosha„W«> and S,!™' '"" '' ""^ '«"'■» "' ^^ 
 Manioonagan, Mis ecopin "n X Pentet 7^- "?""' "' "*' ''^»'* "^ ""« 
 Matsmeck, on the Trout Zer muT' '"™'' °" ""^ '*'''"''=■ "■"! 
 statements of the Ind an he littfe iJl !°" ''"' that, according to the 
 lakes larger than Lake sT' John These .T,"™' '^^'' "^ "^^ '"'"<> 
 and deep waters, are so man; reser™ fnTh ctthet " ""^ P""' """"■» 
 «rf »>*», to stock the rivers bv wW^,^ ^ ! ""^ 'P'"*"'' multiply 
 coldness of their wat rs ill tl^^fu "!?„*'''='""^^- '^^^ P^^'y -"d 
 
 a .act noted by Mr. Neil^oT AsV tltf ^f /Jt">'- "' '^^"'^"^ '''™^- 
 a region where river fishin..- i, ™ ''"™"°'; °' ''«'• " "» impossible to find 
 
 trout the sea-troi nd h^ sJoa'aJe '""' f"" "'^"^ ""^ *-'' «'«' 
 quality and larger si.e " "" «'"'"'" 1""'"^ "'^ «? belter 
 
 But these fresh water lishpnp« om i»,„; -c 
 harvest of the sea along ,h who e 1st if T' ^^''""P^"^ "i"> 'he 
 of the cod, the herrini the rackerTand ,V\ ,T ""' ""' S"""' P"' 
 from Canada are taken All the ^rearfirR .u"''^"' '""""y '^Po^ed 
 and several ofhe,., maiml , esfahl^h r'' "'f ''°""'' LeBouthilliers 
 they catch the bulk!f he ' fish w-^fon,r "'%''""' ''''°™' ^''"^ 
 Paspebiac, to receive the finishtg Tri^ t f ~.::S;i„r ^^ 
 
 pcrti»:fteth^s:;trt^ji\'^ -rr'^ -'---^ ^ -^^ 
 
 fishermen also make fortunes L these watrl T ^.""'" """ '^"'^"■'» 
 ful than (he Canadians owinl to fh. -T^ " '' ■"■' °""' ™™^»''- 
 
 sea adjacent to this SLeTal '°w '"P"™"''' »' ">«■• 'ackle. Still, the 
 of exhaustion, be made "o "lid," ?■ ""«■"• ""*°»' ""^ ^"sbtest dagger 
 '" it. And tie pr^settL th s induT? V'^' '^ ""'"""^ '^'» 
 the fact that good harbors can be L d e Tr 'wC ":f 1"^ rT'' 
 men can and or be certain of .l,.„i » '"'f^'nere, in which the fisher- 
 taking into account thatryned'f "'ff" '"/°°' "'^^"'=^' '^"">»»' 
 selves with fish If to the I,r *^ u '''°"' ""^ ''"'™ to load them- 
 
 which frequent thclasfnmvr-T'?: *' ^''"'^ ""^ "^^ -"' •>« «<'de<l, 
 in fact-w'ill be a ily L ed thatihe fi r™"'^'^--^^"^'^"' -«»P'«d 
 richest extant. These fol^t are a 1 T " ""^ '^'"•* ^bore are th 
 
 o.«3h o.al, immense ,ua,;.= t rX' mtuT 1^1;:^ ^ l^;:!!- ' 
 
hv 
 
 from the points of view of the colonization and agriculture possible in this 
 country, containing as it does much first quality land. For the year 1888 
 the statistics of the fisheries of the Saguenay region gave the following 
 figures : , =* 
 
 Salmon, salt, barrels o-- 
 
 fresh, Jbs '"" 195678 
 
 Trout, barrels ',p- 
 
 Cod, quintals "" ■'■"■'*' ^^ ggg 
 
 tongues and sounds, ban t'ls ' 22 
 
 Halibut, lbs ro ..^ 
 
 Herring, barrels lOS'l 
 
 Mackerel, " ' ' ] '^ 
 
 Eels, " ..'1........ ....!...!!.!. 10 
 
 Canned lobsters, lbs * ^ 000 
 
 Common fish, barrels ^ ' ^q 
 
 Seal skins -^ „w. 
 
 Porpoise skins [ ' „^ 
 
 Seal oil, gallons g^ 0^54 
 
 Porpoise oil, gallons :.. '-.^^ 
 
 codiiver " " z;:;;:::::z;z 4^,425 
 
 Fish used as bait, barrels 15*748 
 
 Fish used as Ttianure, barrels '2179 
 
 Fish used for local consumption, barrels 3 224 
 
 Tot|l value of all this fish $427,709.40 
 
 It must be remarked that the figures given for the salmon-851 barrels 
 or 170,207 lbs of pickled salmon and 195.»i78 lbs of fresh salmon-onlv 
 cover the product of the net fisheries on the coast and in the estuaries of 
 the rivers ; to which should be added the quantity taken with the line in 
 the latter, above tide water, which is also considerable. Unfortunately 
 there are no statistics showing the yield of this mode of fishiu- • but it may 
 be safely asserted that it amounts to at least 100,000 lbs, which would 
 bnng up to about half a million of pounds annually the quantity of salmon 
 taken m these places ; and these figures might be doubled with the greatest 
 facility, seemg that a large number of the salmon rivers are not angled. 
 
 It may therefore be unhesitatingly stated that its extensive tracts of 
 good land Its fine forests, its inexhaustible iron mines and its valuable 
 tshenes, the most prolific in the world, render the Saguenay or North 
 
Iv 
 
 'ossible in this 
 the year 1888, 
 the following' 
 
 851 
 195,678 
 161 
 54,629 
 22 
 58,447 
 10,351 
 19 
 10 
 7,000 
 10 
 16,375 
 26 
 86,264 
 100 
 47,425 
 15,748 
 279 
 3,224 
 
 !7,709.40 
 
 —85 1 barrels 
 alraon — only- 
 estuaries of 
 
 the line in 
 ifortunately, 
 ; but it may 
 hich would 
 ;ty of salnion 
 
 the greatest 
 t angled. 
 
 I'e tracts of 
 its valuable 
 y or North 
 
 Shore region one of the most interestino- sections nP ^h. 
 
 settlers and workmen are the only things needed to detl'''"?"! ''^'' 
 
 natural resources. Within some vp JJ n T,u "^^ '*' abundant 
 
 to the st.ait. of b.,^1'i::tj:zz t *:;"" ::i -f^^ 
 
 the transit between the parts of America sitnldH J, '^? 1 shorten.ng 
 ana European ports. Be'ween thf SaJ "olT and thT 21 o? B n'Tf 
 the building of .this road wonld be of the easiest and thl ' 
 
 oonid be eifeoted at the most in f„„r davsby stealr Shonld" h" T^' 
 1)0 ever reaiiz, d, the resources of fb. '<j ««»n>er. hhould this scheme 
 
 val„ea„da.rgeportir:fir.°Vb':raX;io;,:d""^ "'" """"' '" 
 
 HEIGHT OF LANDS' REGION. 
 the few explorers who have visited thT' '""^^'^^^^^on supplied by 
 
 .iJtXiri':r.L,:;it:rdttSth\^::::js-:^^^^ 
 
 "ce talce their rise, the altitude is about 1,500 fj,"- ''•*'•'""''■'"•""' *>'• Mau- 
 .unform.ty o, the general surface of this section. The .olX^^i^tl 
 
Ivi 
 
 composed of transported matter of the glacial age, consists of clay and 
 alluvial sand. There are extensive moraines, supporting a stunted growth 
 of tamarac and other trees. On the higher and dried grounds, the forest 
 vogetutiou is composed of white birch, poplar, balsam fir and white spruce 
 ■which frequently exceed eight inches in diameter. 
 
 More to the westward, in the region comprised between File-Axe lake 
 and the headwaters of the Q-atineau, the land is drier, more sandy and 
 rocky and much more mountainous. Clay is only rarely seen, and nearly 
 everywhere tho soil is made up of sand, very often barren, with an exceed- 
 ingly poor forest growth, where the bush has not been altogether destroyed 
 by fire. Strange to say, the soil and timber are much belter on the other 
 side of the " height of lands. " Mr. Bignell reports that " the timber is more 
 abundant and larger on the northern side of the height of lands than it is 
 on the southern and contains a good deal of merchantable sprace. There are 
 also large tracts of good land between the southwestern extremity of lake 
 Mistassini and Lake St. John. " At the head of the Chamouohouan and the 
 Gatineau, the sand of which the soil is almost exclusively composed some* 
 times forms terraces attaining as much as a couple of hundred feet in 
 height. 
 
 West of the sandy country in which the St. Maurice and the Gratiueau 
 take their rise, the region embraced between the Ottawa and the h'^ight of 
 lands forms a plateau broken only at rare intervals by a few rocky head- 
 lands, and possessing a soil composed of glacial or quaternary clays 
 occasionally mixed with sand. These lands, in many places and over exten- 
 sive tracts, are remarkably fertile and clothed with fine forests, in which 
 maple and white oak occur, especially in the western section in the vici- 
 nity of lake Temiscamingue and the river Blanche, one of the principal 
 affluents of tiie Ottawa. Elm and ash are found on the low lands as far up 
 as the latitude of lake Abbitibbi. The other ligneous growths are red and 
 ■white pine, white spruce, cedar, and, in less favorable places, balsam fir, 
 wliiie birch, gray spruce and gray pine {cypriis). 
 
 The foregoing notes apply more particularly to the lauds comprised 
 between lakes Temiscamingue and Abbitibbi, to beyond the nver Blanche, 
 going eastward; but it seems evident that these lands continue for sixty 
 miles further, as they were found by Mr. Bignell in the region adjacent to 
 the YVth degree of longitude, 125 miles to the eas. of lake Temiscamingue. 
 He states that the banks of the river Kapitajewano are everywhere low and 
 flat, that the soil is excellent and that, at the confluence of the river, an 
 
Ivii 
 
 ists of clay and 
 stunted growth 
 nds, the forest 
 .d white spruce 
 
 1 File-Axe lake 
 ore sandy and 
 »en, and nearly 
 rith an exceed- 
 (ther destroyed 
 r on the other 
 timber is more 
 ands than it is 
 ace. There are 
 cmity of lake 
 houan and the 
 KTiposed some- 
 udred feet in 
 
 the Gratiueau 
 the height of 
 V rocky head- 
 t'jrnary clays 
 iii over exten- 
 ists, in which 
 m in the vici- 
 the principal 
 nds as far up 
 is are red and 
 s, balsam fir, 
 
 ds comprised 
 iver Blanche, 
 nue for sixty 
 n adjacent to 
 niscamingue. 
 here low and 
 the river, an 
 
 Indian has a large clearing and raises good crops and he omits the opinion 
 that considerable settlements will be formed in this region owing to the 
 uniformity of its level and the large extent of good lands which it contains 
 In fact, the region embraced between the height of lands and the 
 Ottawa comprises about 3.000,000 acres of good land, with a uniform levd 
 formed by glacial and quaternary deposits nearly ali composed ofclyni 
 offering a first quality soil. ' 
 
 Apart from those on the Ottawa, the forests of this region of the height 
 of lands are virtually of no value ; in addition to being too remote thei 
 wood >s too small and of kinds too little sought aftef to make t worth 
 whUe work them^ But the case is difierent with the landsTyinVLrthof 
 the tawa, where there are iine forests of pine and white spmfe, wMch 
 have, lor some years, been the object of considerable lumbering operatns 
 As regards the mineral resources of this region, McOuat in his e^nlo 
 rations between the Ottawa and lake Abbitibb,' found i^several locIuHe 
 copper pynes and small quantities of the green carbonaL of the me 
 m»tal He also noted the presence of magnetic iron at other points and 
 notably at the eighth portage of lake des Quin.e, as well as the exwt'ce of 
 other minerals, sometimes in workable quantities. eJisitnce ot 
 
 GULF EEGION. 
 
 This region comprises the principal islands situated in the gulf of St 
 Lawrence, especially the Mingan, Anticosti and Magdalen Islands. 
 
 The Mingan islan.ls are, agriculturally, worthless, that is to say thev 
 CO. ai,i no arable soil. In this respect, Anticosti is better endowed iwl 
 111 K,"? 'i'l"^'^"™'^ "f Mr. Richardson who claims toTav'e seln 
 good arable land there at West and Heath points. He even notes certain 
 crops, the ratsmg of which bespeaks a soil and climate favo able to a4 ">" 
 tnral operations, and, basing himself on the teachings of geology he emt 
 he opinion that the surface of this island must be generally levef and Zt 
 the soil is of the same composition as that of the flfnesee /aUey one of th 
 inost fertile portions of the State of New-York. He also believes "hat he 
 cWe, especially in the southern part, would not be an ottae to agri- 
 culture. Lastly, he notes the existence of good merchantable timber. If 
 
 r 
 
Iviii 
 
 all this information be correct, there is no doubt that Anticosti offers 
 advantages to settlement, especially when the wealth of its fisheries are 
 taken into account. 
 
 The Magdalen islands are much richer, and, as stated by Mr Painchaud 
 It IS even claimed that they possess a more fertile soil than Prince Edward 
 Island, which IS so often styled " the garden of North America." Unfortu- 
 nately these islands contain very little timber, and the inhabitants are 
 obliged to import their fuel from Pictou. This drawback, coupled with 
 the excessive rentals paid by these people for the tenure of their lands 
 prevents the^ population from increasing and has even driven away a lar^a 
 number of them. ^ ^ 
 
 OrASFt EEaiON. 
 
 ^ This region, especially in its eastern part, is divided into four distinct 
 belts or zones separated by the two mountain ranges, which traverse it 
 almost from one end to the other. On the side towards the St Lawrence 
 the coast is skirted by a strip of comparatively level land, nearly every 
 where well suited to cultivation, and whose breadth varies from six to fifteen 
 miles and over. In rear of this belt of arable lands, rises the chain of the 
 Shickshock mountains, whose breadth varies from six to twelve miles 
 This mountain chain forms the northern limit of an immense plateau 
 which ,s bounded to the south by another chain of hills extending almost 
 m a straight line from Perce to beyond the river Patapedia. South of this 
 chain of headlands, between the great Patapedia river and Perce, there 
 occurs another plateau of generally level land, of excellent quality 
 embracing all the settlement, on the Bay des Cha.eurs, where agriculture 
 has made marked progress, especially within some years past. 
 
 r ?' 'f: '^^'^ ^^^ '^'°'' °*' *^' ^*- Lawrence, is composed of the debris 
 0. rocks of the Quebec group, which is tantamount to saying that it is 
 generally fertile. At several points, and notably in the valley of the river 
 Metis, there are large stretches of remarkably rich clay lands. The arable 
 lauds forming this belt and adjoining the St. Lawrence extend in some 
 place, b.yond the range of mountains, following the course of certain rivers 
 and especially that of the river Matane, whose valley connects with the 
 great arable plateau at the head of the river Nouvelle and in the region of 
 the Causupscull. If the Gaspe and Peninsula Shorf Line Railway should ever be 
 
 This 
 Bhead of th 
 there are i 
 -valuable j 
 f"g lands 
 
liz 
 
 Anticosti offlsrs 
 its fisheries are 
 
 Mr Painchaud, 
 Prince Edward 
 •ica." Unfortu- 
 n habitants are 
 
 coupled with 
 of their lands, 
 laway a large 
 
 four distinct 
 ch traverse it 
 
 Si Lawrence, 
 
 nearly every 
 n six to fifteen 
 
 chain of the 
 twelve miles, 
 aense plateau 
 nding almost 
 South of this 
 
 Perce, there 
 lent quality, 
 e agriculture 
 
 i of the debris 
 ig that it is 
 J of the river 
 The arable 
 md in some 
 certain rivers 
 icts with the 
 the region ol 
 lould ever be 
 
 built, the valley of the river Matane would offer nn n 
 
 branch line extending to the village of MatlTonl ralf^ ""^^ ''' ' 
 
 The great inland plateau, which extends from G««n^ f n 
 even very much further to the westward kT u ^''^'"P^^"" ""'^ 
 
 the range of hills more to the south coiit 7''" the Shickshocks and 
 arable land. The breadth of this n ll ?'"'' ^''''^' ^^ ^^^^"^"t 
 
 trend of the two mountainlan^LtuTdi:^^^^^^^^ ,tT' T^'^"^ *° '^^ 
 but It is everywhere considerable Accorlinl l n' ""''^ '"^ ^°"*'^ = 
 Low. ofthe Geological Survey, after crossinnh I '^^' /^^*««»«»t of Mr. 
 " the country becomes compLtiveirZ 'Jith Vl\'^' Shickshocks. 
 feet, among them being a few isolated irani^ T'^i^'"' "' ^^^ '^ ^^^ 
 of more than 1.400 feet ThTs region fs T" ^^''^ "«^ '^ ' ^'^S^t 
 
 table-land which extends rom Z lake mThT"'^ °' ^'^ ^^-"^- 
 of the Shickshock range to lake St W ^'^T ? '^°"= '^' ^^^^^h side 
 
 ! rivers, forming an alm^ost level trat of oumrv f ''.I ""f '''''''' ^"^ ^^^'^ 
 way near lake Metapedia to GasT/Bl mrTit able f"*"^K °"^^^ ^^"■ 
 of railway to Gasp6 than the route bv ^ZZ T °' ^ ^'^^"^ ^•"^ 
 
 [station. " ^ ^^ ^^y of the coast from Metapedia 
 
 Mr. Ells, another member "of ih n i • i a 
 
 plateau contains from 1,200 to 1 600 .!,l.T ""'">'■ "'»'"* "»"!>« 
 
 oarij. frosts, its agrionltn™, ™ Le sXr Zt ^"f *"'' '^ ""' ->»»' *° 
 
 lent quality. He also expresses th/' ^ "'' " S^'e^Hy of e«ol- 
 
 Ue best a,Id much the ToZttu eT'tV '*' '"^ ^'-' »lateau otTers 
 
 I terminating at Gaspt *"' "" ™'«t'-nction of a railway 
 
 iehaiJ^roTL^srersraitr;::;!'^" '^-^ °- -»„..„ 
 
 quantity of splendid timberwhicrh. ^ . '^"''""''•" »»'"" •'large 
 kind and which will b7a sL ce of . ' T'''""^ ''^"^ ^'^'^^ »' -"Y 
 region of the Little Cascapedia river *;!""' •"*?""* '""■^ y^"^- I" ">' 
 birch, on the flats along the r ™r a, 'd '" ''"^ '""'"• »' ^^" ^ "•>"« 
 same forests extend tothe as ward «d Il't"h'""' '^°" "*^ ''^'='>'» ^he 
 estabiish that this great inland pTat'e^'ad h '^tZT'a ''"' '" ""<^^ 
 |oonstu„te one ofthe finest forest regions of the pToloe •'''""' '" '"*' 
 
 |head?frr7s:tntt.:d\ro;;:;;e;'7r""^ 
 
 there are mountains of serpentFne i Jhl I f" '""^ Dartmouth rivers, 
 I'aluable minerals, are alsoCr plTher loThr ?"'f '""'" ''■■''"• '-» 
 k lands Of the Gasp, limestones acr^ :^:Z:1^ Z^^l::;^ 
 
 I; 
 
 i 
 
by an American company, who are making borinjjn to endeavor to discover 
 the petroleum reservoirs. 
 
 ' All these resources give unquestionable value to this £?reP^ inland pla- 
 teau until lately represented as an utterly barren region. Ajrriculturallv 
 spoakmg, the only drawback feared would seem to be the climate • but 
 apart from the l^.ct that the forest growth appears to furllh aTotclus' ve 
 answer to the objections made under this head, it is very evident that frost 
 the only inconvenience apprehended, would b. no longer to be foared th^ 
 moment that cultivation had removed the cause which may produce it at 
 present, that is to say, the humidity of the soil. Moreover, the Shickshock 
 mountains act as a protection to this region from the cold north and north- 
 east ^^Mnds. while the southern range of hills intercepts the moist air 
 currents from that direction. 
 
 The lands comprised between the shore of the Bay des Chaleurs and 
 the range of heights extending almost in a straight line from the neighbor- 
 hood of Perce to the mouth of the river Ristigouche are nearly all of excel- 
 lent quality. They have been formed by the disintegration of the Silurian 
 Devoniau and sub-carboniferous rocks, which all produce an excellent soil' 
 111 New-Brunswuk, it is admitted that the best soils are generally found 
 on the Silurian system or the lower and middle members of the carboni- 
 ferous. The middle carboniferous, or at least a good part of it, is composed 
 of schistous clays, of purple and red sandstones, producing a compact and 
 tenacious sod, frequently even a heavy clay. With the addition of a little 
 lime, this kind of soil becomes wondrously fertile. The Silurian lands 
 generally contain a sufficient quantity of lime, are easily worked and only 
 very slowly exhausted of their fertility. - 
 
 Such are the two kinds of soil composing in general the lands border- 
 mg on the Bay des Chaleurs. In several places, these good lands extend far 
 into the interior, and notably along the splendid valley of the Bonaventure 
 river, where they stretch back for twenty-five to thirtv miles from the sea 
 shore These lands are free from rocks, even on the' tops of most of the 
 mounains which are nearly all covered with good arable soil, as noted by 
 Mr. hi Is, of the Geological Survey of Canada, who reports that the informa. 
 tion collected by him as to the character of the interior leads to the conclu- 
 sion that, on the top of these plateaus, the soil, in many places, is very 
 favorable to tillage. ^ 
 
 Bonavent 
 out piece! 
 iiiie wood 
 I could not 
 
Izi 
 
 r ■— ' 
 
 avor to disooTTor 
 
 rep'^ inland pla- 
 Agriculturally 
 le climate ; but, 
 ish a conclusive 
 ident that frost, 
 to be foared thm 
 ^y produce it at 
 the Shickshock 
 >rth and north- 
 i the moist air 
 
 Chaleurs and 
 . the neighbor- 
 rly all of excel- 
 of the Silurian, 
 I excellent soil, 
 generally found 
 )fthe carboni- 
 it, is composed 
 I compact and 
 ition of a little 
 Silurian lands 
 irked and only 
 
 3 lands border- 
 inds extend far 
 e Bonaventure 
 ss from the sea 
 of most of the 
 il, as noted by 
 it the informa. 
 to the conclu- 
 daces, is veryi 
 
 According lo the data furnishwl by (he cenmi. fh. .„ 
 hvheat to the acre in the province of Ont.4 isTo 42 h th "'^™8» /'^W of 
 countio of Bonaventure and Ga.n« itVilV.^tf'^''''^'' 
 that is to aay, that it e.ceeda by 2^,8 bnehol. o t^f t '^\^'°' 
 
 the province of Ontario where r»r^1, ""■" "■" ^'^'d '" 
 
 .reatercareth.nit,srGas"esr ThT Ld is t"'"'' "°"'""""' "'"^ 
 rich wheat ,a„d« of Minnesofa. Chor!^ e' aver le ° ZwZ^T,'] '"^ 
 the acre, according to the report of th» Mi„„ ° i i ? basheh to 
 
 I Taking as the baafs of caiclt: he tfgur ^Tutli!"; b ° t^'" "" ""• 
 average yield of wheat is 8.04 bushels Tthe »c^e ^K ^^ ""' '='^"''»». the 
 bee, 10.85 bushels in New.Bru„rick and llTs b,,?, ''•"''r °"^'"'- 
 which is far beneath the figures g^en fo r» !'u '" '^'"'" *=<"'«. 
 
 thing else will give a correcridef of th ert m;?f the s^r;'.*;, """' ^"^■ 
 ol Bonaventure and -laspe, and esn.ciallv of he ^oi I "°"""'" 
 
 I which is the only part oJ this im»e, tr « ! Xe a I'uu"^ "^ "'' 
 18 carried on. "^lory, wnere a little agriculture 
 
 .hitItte^t^hlto:^ar'7'T "^" r""^ °' "'"""-•• ^he 
 
 theprovlcesu has heO'tawa a'";t^^^^^ ""'- P-'» »' 
 
 and turns out a wood of ZZn"r^ ?"""" ''''='""'' ' >"" '' '' l»»S«r 
 pine. The latter Timber is fbuL if L"' T " ''°°^- '" ''"^'- "« "•>"« 
 liowing nor,hward"mo the gulf of St ?"'' ""'^ .'"" "'""S ">e rivers 
 it occur in the valley of th! Bo!. ' ""^ ' ''"' ""' «'"»' '<"•«»'» of 
 IwoCascapedias tis Isolbundr r!."""''^ """ "' *" 'h»«^"fthe 
 of some of the trees oa„ be iu,ll.T ?,^^'7''''"'"''' "■'' 'he dimensions 
 out the timber frhrMeanedfK 7 ""'.''"='""" '»«' ^'i-'e'. i" getting 
 river, which ySd d pts'o' souarf i- 7" ""° "'"»'"«<' ^-' °'' 'haf 
 long and U i,fches in d^mete X "m H Jh TT""^ '* '^* " '"^''™ 
 in abundance, and especiX so n ,h. .1 "'^"' '"^y^-h^e found 
 »me is to be found rIeaur„„°J,^V ^f" /"' °'' '^"'P^''^' '"'^ere 
 
 -« - ,™ ™„ .."3i';.7i.i' " '■ •'"'•■' "»' ■■■■' "- 
 
Ixii 
 
 Tho mineral wealth of this region in yet little known ; the forests 
 which still cover nearly tho whole of it have hitherto prevented the makinj? 
 of thorough exp'orations, but the i>artial surveys made by the Geological 
 Survey clearly show that the belt occupied by the Shickscock mountains 
 contains an abundance of valuable minerals. There are whole mountains 
 01 serpentine, with whi(-h chromic iron and asbestos are associated. More 
 careful and exhaustive surveys will, no doubt, bring to light the extent 
 and quality of the deposits already noted. Moreover, the beds of the 
 Lauzon formation— which in other parts of the province is pre-eminently 
 the metalliferous formation -are too abundant in Gaspesia to not yield 
 there the same mineral riches which they contain elsewhere. 
 
 TEMISCOUATA AND RIMOUSKI REGION. 
 
 In his Topograph)/ of Lower Canada, Bouchette represents as barren and 
 worthless the lands of the interior lying behind the mountain range, which 
 skirts the St. Lawrence. The foregoing notes show clearly that he is 
 mistaken as regards the counties of Gaspe and Bonaventure, and he is, 
 perhaps, still more so with respect to Rimouski and Temiscouata. 
 
 In fact, the rear portion of these two counties is made up of a belt of 
 splendid land, unquestionably forming one of the finest sections of the pro- 
 vince from the colonization standpoint. Between the rear line of the 
 townships of Nerataye, Humqui, Metalek and Milnikek, and the line 
 formed by the seigniory of Metis and the Patapedia river, there is a 
 tract ofabout 211,200 acres of excellent arable lands, adapted to the most 
 advantageous tillage, drained by beautiful rivers and dotted with charming 
 lakes. Some places are a little mountainous ; but, in general, these fine 
 lands are either level or slightly undulating. The forest, which is com- 
 posed of mixted timber, contains spruce, white birch, maple, birch, hazel, 
 mountain ash and cedar, as well on the heights as on the low lands. South 
 of the townships of Ouimet and Masse, as fur as the boundary line of tho 
 ix-ovince, and between the seigniory of Metis and the Patapedia river, in 
 the east, and the line formed by the lake and river Mistigoueche, in the 
 west, there is another tract of about 225,000 acres of excellent agricul- 
 tural lauds, of which the soil is generally level and of good quality, except 
 towards the conlluence of the two branches of the Patapedia, where 
 the ground is rocky, broken and of mediocre quality, which reduces to 
 
 ahont 180,( 
 
 luwnshipB 
 
 th>' casterii 
 
 a'mut 160,( 
 
 tho lakes ai 
 
 (jiMJity. Tl 
 
 iu.i;;uilicen 
 
 < li lin of thi 
 
 th<> soil is tl 
 
 Ch-'nier an 
 
 ol tlie coun 
 
 huul. Som 
 
 inoniitainoi 
 
 (lid plateau 
 
 tions. The 
 
 ill the valle 
 
 indicated b 
 
 • Liriety of tl 
 
 All this 
 to t!ie soutt 
 th'j county ( 
 ounty of B 
 tnr.u lands, 
 well dmine( 
 beauty of tl: 
 tioiis cakuli 
 or the openi 
 this region i 
 •jxci'pt that : 
 
 The sail 
 couata. The 
 aud lake Te 
 ni-^siiig, acci 
 liuids in oth 
 deal of the L 
 i^.'., and frot 
 th'.- Miid dist 
 between lakt 
 tract of bush 
 
the forests 
 the making 
 3 Geological 
 c raountrtins 
 a mountains 
 ated. More 
 t the extent 
 )ed8 of the 
 e-eminently 
 to not yield 
 
 barren and 
 
 nn^e, which 
 
 that he is 
 
 and he is, 
 
 a. 
 
 of a belt of 
 of the prO' 
 ine of the 
 d the line 
 there is a 
 3 the most 
 X charming 
 , these fine 
 ch is com" 
 irch, hazel, 
 ids. South 
 line of the 
 ia river, in 
 !ie, in the 
 it agricul- 
 ity, except 
 ia, where 
 reduces to 
 
 Iziii 
 
 about 180,000 acres, the available area of lirst quality lands. South of the 
 
 luwn«hip« o Ouimet and Flynn and between the rocky chain adjoining 
 "'""Zl! ^^'" liimonski river, there is still another stretch of 
 
 a -out 160,000 acres ot splendid lands, slightly rolling in -oing back from 
 ! 'T "^'•'■^•"^^ generally composed of a rich yellow loam of the lirst 
 .)u..lity. Ihe finest lands occur in the region of the Mistigou^che which is 
 in ..niihcent in every respect. The least favorable are situated in the rooky 
 . hnn of the Kimouski river and the hills adjoining the boundarv line, where 
 tho soil IS thinner and often gravelly. South of the townships of Duquesne 
 ( h-nier and Biencourt, between the Rimouski river and the eastern line 
 ol the county ot Te.niscouata, thnn' are about 225,000 acres of excellent arable 
 land. Some spots near the Rimouski river and boundary line are a little 
 inonntainous, with a frequenly dry soil ; but the remainder forms a splen- 
 did plateau, whose surface is hardly broken, except by a few slight undula- 
 tions. The soil is almost everywhere composed of a rich yellow loam and 
 in the valleys of several rivers, of a greyish earth of the utmost richness as 
 uuliaited by the presence of the cedar and mountain ash, as well as by the 
 
 aiiety ol the other woods met with. 
 
 All this goes to show that, in the part of the county of Rimouski 1 yino- 
 to die south ol the Notre Dame mountains, between the Intercolonial and 
 thi county ot Temiscouita, and including the northeastern corner ot tne 
 onnty of Bonaventure, there are nearly 850,000 acres of the finest affricul- 
 tnr.ulana.s, generally level, composed ot excellent soil, easy to cultivate 
 woll drained and dotted withj a number of fine lakes which add to the 
 beauty oi the scenery. The general level is only broken by slight undula- 
 tions calculated to facilitate the drainage, and ottering no obstacle to tillao-e 
 or the opening of roads. With respect to soil and superficial configuration 
 thi« region absolutely resembles the finest part of the Eastern Townships' 
 exci'pt that it is more level. ""' 
 
 The same lands extend towards the .south-west in the county of Temis- 
 couata. The area embraced between the eastern boundary of this county 
 aud lake Temiscouata contains lands of altogether superior quality su/ 
 r--iig, according to the statement of Mr. Survrevor O'Sullivan the finest 
 uuids 111 oth.'r pa>-ts of the province. " I have heard ' — says he—" a o-reat 
 deal of the Lake St. John district, the Ottawa valley, the Eastern Townships 
 .V-:., and trom tun 3 to time I have surveyed more or less through each of 
 thv ..aid districts, and I must say that, for richness of soil, the whole country 
 between lake Squatook and the provincial boundary line surpasses any 
 tract ol bush land I have yet surveyed. It may b^ called a roliino- hiUy 
 
Ixiv 
 
 country, but the greatest diifereuce of level between the highest hills and 
 deepest valleys would not here exceed seven or eight hundred feet ; and 
 strange to say that it is on the highest elevations we find the best soil and 
 timber. In Madawaska, the bottom Hats are covered with cedar ; birch, 
 beech, spruce and fir are confined to the side hills, and the summit* are 
 crowned with splendid maple sugaries through v»'hich one might drive a 
 carriage without cutting o twig. The soil throughout is heavy clay gene- 
 rally of a greyish blue colour, but in some places approaching to yellow. 
 There are no boulders ; some detached rocks and stones of a softer nature 
 are visible here and there ; but with the exception of an occasional out- 
 cropping ledge on the steep side hills, there is nothing to hinder the free 
 use of the plough, when the land would be cleared off." 
 
 In many places, there are extremely rich alluvial lands, especially 
 along Basley's brook and Owen's river, the discharge of lake Squatook, and 
 the Eagle lake and river. "This last river " — says Mr. Casgrain — " is still 
 water along nearly the whole of its narrow and very tortuous course. It 
 is bordered by flats wooded with elm and ash and the soil is alluvial and 
 very rich. 
 
 These splendid lands rontini'ie to the west of lake Temiscouata as 
 far as lake Pohenegamook and beyond it. The only break occurs in the 
 mountainous sections adjoining lake Temiscouata. " These lands " — says 
 Mr. Surveyor A. F. Tetu — " not being in general of superior quality might, 
 perhaps, frighten the settler as regards the character of those of the interior, 
 but, to disabuse his mind on this head, he has only to take one of the 
 branches of the Blue river and follow it to the river St. Francis ; he will 
 find the lands of such equal goodness that he will not fear to locate upon 
 them". Here is the description he gives of them : 
 
 " The Cabano road traverses one of the fuiest sections of the country. 
 The absence of rocks and stones, even on the surface, is especially note- 
 Avorthy. Apart from the two mountains of the Cabano, there are no hills 
 sufficiently steep to prove an obstacle to tillage. Everywhere the maple 
 predominates, mixed with cedar and ash. .Splendid rivers and numerous 
 brooks water the country, beautifying its scenery and contributing to its 
 richness. On the Cabano river, there is a powtrful water power. The 
 branches of the Baker river, to the south of the Cabano road, also offer a 
 number of heavy falls and excellent water powers. Lastly, I do not hesi- 
 tate to say that there is no i)art of the country where the work of clearing 
 can be prosecuted so cheaply and would yield larger returns to the settlers 
 
 than the 
 lake Ten 
 
 Allt 
 
 the east ( 
 
 Ixaspesia, 
 
 Eastern 1 
 
 occupies 
 
 Chapais, » 
 
 Leverrier; 
 
 west, taki 
 
 Roux, anc 
 
 bourne. Ii 
 
 provincial 
 
 Daaquam, 
 
 Aubert de 
 
 The a 
 
 from the d 
 schists, to 
 by dykes 
 mingled w 
 velly parts 
 and well d 
 Hats of va 
 the best po 
 sand and g 
 or clayey n 
 sition as th 
 valley. The 
 amendment 
 the underly 
 All these la: 
 the tops of i 
 St. Alexis o. 
 
 In thes 
 white sprue 
 bouleau, as| 
 ieam, hazel, 
 (vhite spruct 
 
est hills and 
 ed feet ; and 
 best soil and 
 jedar ; birch, 
 summiti are 
 light drive a 
 TY clay gene- 
 ig to yellow, 
 softer nature 
 jasional out- 
 ider the free 
 
 IXT 
 
 ii, especially 
 juatook, and 
 in — " is still 
 IS course. It 
 alluvial and 
 
 liscouata as 
 3curs in the 
 ids " — says 
 lality might, 
 the interior, 
 one of the 
 ns ; he will 
 locate upon 
 
 he country, 
 cially note- 
 are no hills 
 the maple 
 L numerous 
 uting to its 
 ovver. The 
 also offer a 
 lo not hesi- 
 of clearing 
 the settlers 
 
 than the whole of the territory lying to'the south of the Tache road between 
 lake Temiscouata, the frontier of New Brunswick and the river St. Francis." 
 
 All these lands form part of the great Silurian plain, embracing, to 
 the east of the Metapedia river, nearly the whole of the southern part of 
 aaspesia and extending westward to beyond the Chaudiere river in the 
 Eastern Townships. Further on than lake Pohenegamook, this Silurian belt 
 occupies the southern part of the townships of Chabot, Painchaud and 
 Chapais, and the central portion of the townships of Dionne, Casgrain and 
 Leverrier ; here, its northern limit trends in a straight line towards the 
 west, taking in the southern quarter of the townships of Talon, Rolette and 
 Roux, and extends to the Chaudiere river, passing to the north of Gran- 
 bourne. It also takes in the lands lying to the south of that line and the 
 provmcial boundary, that is to say, the townships of Panet, Bellechasse 
 Daaquam, Ware, Langevin and Watford, together with the seigniories of 
 Aubert de I'lle and Rigaud-Vaudreuil. 
 
 The arable soil and sub-soil of this great Silurian plain are derived 
 from the decomposition of the underlying rocks, the slates and calcareous 
 schists to w-hich they owe their fertility. These schists are sometimes cut 
 by dykes of eruptive rocks, felsites and dolerites, whose debris are often 
 mingled with those of the limestone rocks and produce the sandy or tra- 
 vel y parts of thB superficial deposits. The surface is generally undulatinn- 
 and well drained by numerous water-courses. These last are bordered by 
 Hats of varying, but often considerable width, forming large stretches of 
 the best possible 'ands. The soil of these flats is composed underneath of 
 sand and gravel overlaid with six to ten feet deep of loam made up of clav 
 or clayey matter, and exceedingly fine sand, absolutely of the same compj- 
 
 \T ^'..u """ ""^ ''*''*''^" European countries and of the Mississippi 
 
 valley. These flats are the only parts to which lime might be useful as an 
 amendment or fertilizer ; the other soils, arising from the disintegration of 
 the underlying limestone rocks, are strongly calcareous and need no lime 
 All these lands are generally free from rocks and perfectly tillable even on 
 the tops of the highest hills, a fact proven moreover by the settlements of 
 bt. Alexis of Metapediac. 
 
 In these Silurian lands, the higher and drier parts are wooded with 
 white spruce, balsam-fir, white and red pine, yellow and red birch red 
 bouleau, aspen, birch, two or three kinds of mapl., mountain-ash, horn- 
 beam, hazel, &c., while the forests on the low lands or swamps produce 
 ^vhite spruce, white bouleau, aspen, white cedar in abundance, black ash 
 
 E ' ' 
 
Ixvi 
 
 alder, willow, red osier, and dogberry, and, on the flats and along^ the water 
 courses, the elm and balsam-poplar are very common. The trees are gene- 
 rally large and tall. In the region of St Alexis and Mill-Stream, a goodly 
 number of pines were obtained last year, which turriRd out pieces of 5-ii 
 feet long and 14 inches square. The hardwood swells, covered with maple, 
 birch and beech, mixed with a few balsam-firs and white spruces, constitute 
 a strikirg feature of these lands. On the heights, the groves of sugar maple 
 are numerous, going westward. Another equally salient feature is the 
 almost complete absence of hemlock and black spruce. 
 
 It may be unhesitatingly asserted that this great Silurian plain coverin"- 
 an area of about 1,500,000 acres offers to colonization incontestable advan- 
 tages and especially a soil whose richness and easy cultivation are not 
 excelled and rarely equalled in any other part of the province. Shielded 
 from the northern and north-eastern winds by the mountain range which 
 separates it from the St Lawrence, and possessing a good southern exposun?, 
 it enjoys a climate exceedingly favorable to agriculture, which further 
 enhances its many natural advantages. 
 
 SUPERFICIAL aEOLOGY. 
 
 In his Geology of Canada, published in 1863, Sir William Logan has 
 represented the province as formed of two mountain ranges separated from 
 each other by the comparatively narrow valley of the St. Lawrence. This 
 description has given rise to the unfortunately too widely spread opinion 
 that outside of the plain adjoining our great river, tha remainder of the 
 province is nothing but a mountainous country, including only a few 
 patches of arable land susceptible of more or less advantageous settlement. 
 An exception is hardly made in favor of the Eastern Townships. It needs 
 but a slight examination of the superficial configuration of the province to 
 show that this opinion is erroneous, that, in these pretended mountainous 
 regions, there are immense level plains, free from rocks, composed of a fer- 
 tile soil and susceptible of easy and profitable cultivation. 
 
 Northern Plateau. — The Laurentian formations border the north shore of 
 the river St. Lawrence from the eastern extremity of the province at the 
 straits of Belle-Isle to Cape Tourmente, thirty miles below Quebec. From 
 this latter point, they gradually recede from the river, from which they are 
 distant sixteen miles at the Maskinong6 river and thirty in rear of Montreal, 
 
 where th 
 ville. T. 
 or waters 
 
 The 
 lying pla: 
 from sout 
 is the san 
 valley of 
 is about t 
 latter poii 
 tinning t 
 of the Ott 
 on both si 
 compriseci 
 rence, to 1 
 lower Saj 
 recede coi 
 them and 
 has been i 
 by mounti 
 
 Betw 
 Manicouaf 
 
 runs east 
 headwa-ter 
 direction, ■ 
 whence it 
 the provin 
 thus far m 
 river aux ( 
 feet above 
 and certain 
 head of the 
 Abbitibbi. 
 of and on t 
 coleau or rai 
 which seen 
 St. Maurice 
 tl ! valley ( 
 
Irrii 
 
 >ng the water 
 e.s are gene- 
 im, a goodly 
 )ieces of 54 J 
 with maple, 
 es, constitute 
 sugar maple 
 jature is the 
 
 lain coverinjr 
 itablft advan- 
 ;ion are not 
 e. Shielded 
 •ange which 
 rn exposure, 
 hich further 
 
 Logan has 
 parated from 
 '■rence. This 
 read opinion 
 inder of the 
 only a few 
 settlement, 
 s. It needs 
 province to 
 louutainous 
 ised of a fer- 
 
 rth shore of 
 ince at the 
 ibec. From 
 eh they are 
 >f Montreal, 
 
 f 
 
 where their trend takes a westerly direction to strike th-^ Ottawa in Qren- 
 ville. To the northward, these lands are bounded by the " heio-ht of lands " 
 or watershed, which constitutes the principal mass of this formation. 
 
 The surface of this great plateau is characterized by a series of low- 
 lying plains separated from each other by ridges, whose direction, o-enerallv 
 from south-west to north-east, is remarkable for its parallelism. Thefr beari no- 
 is the same as that of the chain which forms the border contio-aous to the 
 valley of the St. Lawaence. The breadth of this chain or ran4 of heio-hts 
 IS about ten miles between the Ottawa and the St. Maurice" but, at^'the 
 latter point, it merges with the other coming from the north-west' in con- 
 tinuing the deflection forming the height of lands towards the he- raters 
 of the Ottawa, the Gatineau and the St. Maurice, which are bordered by it 
 on both sides. The junction of these two chains forms the mountainous area 
 comprised between the St. Maurice, to the west, the valley of the St. Law- 
 rence, to the south, that of Lake St. John to the north, and the leo-ion of the 
 lower Saguenay, to the east. Beyond this latter region, the mountains 
 recede considerably from the ;hore of the St. Lawrence, leaving between 
 them and the coast the great plateau of the S.iguenav, whose surface as 
 has been already shown, is divided into belts separated from each other 
 by mountainous and rocky ridges running towards the north-east. 
 
 Between the eastern limit of the province and the head of the rivers 
 Manicouagan and aux Outardes, the mountain range of the height of lands 
 runs east and west, with a slight deflection towards the north • at the 
 headwaiers of the river aax Outardes, it assumes a general south-west 
 direction, which it maintains as far as the head of the G-atineau river 
 whence it continues nearly straight west to the boundary line dividino- 
 the province of Quebec from that of Ontario. According to the explorations 
 thus far made, the highest part of this chain occurs towards the head of the 
 river aux Outardes, where the Otish mountains rise to a height of 3,t00 
 feet above the sea level. This height seems to diminish going eastward, 
 and certainly does so towards the south-west, as it is only 1,359 feet at the 
 head of the St. Maurice and 900 at the most between lakes des Quinze and 
 Abbitibbi. Towards the centre of the Ottawa region, about in the direction 
 ot and on the line formed by the 4^th degree of latitude, there is a kind of 
 coteau or range of somewhat higher lands than the plains on either side 
 which seem to be a secondary anticlinal. On reaching the region of the 
 St. Maurice, it rises to the north-east and forms the dividing ridge between 
 t!' valley of the Chamouchouan and the fine plateau between the rivers 
 s "•• •"-■■•-'it- in inis Deit oi nigmaims, iiu ihe iaigesi lakes of 
 
Irriii 
 
 the Ottawa region, such as lake Keepawa and Grand lake, as well as lakes 
 Kakebonga, Mejomangoos and Kempt. The last named is some twelve 
 hundred feet over the level of the sea, while lake Keepawa is only 760 feet, 
 which proves clearly enough that the elevation of the ground diminishes 
 going westward. 
 
 The same falling away in height characterizes the mountain range 
 adjoining the St. Lawrence valley, whose principal peaks show the following 
 heights : 
 
 Height. 
 
 Eboulements Mountain, in Charlevoix 2,54t feet 
 
 Ste. Anne's do Montmorency 2,68Y " 
 
 Trembling do Argenteuil 2,060 " 
 
 "West of the St. Maurice, the general height of this chain of mountains 
 is at the most 700 feet over the sea level, which is hardly the height of hills 
 in many other countries, and it is evident that such an elevation cannot 
 exercise a marked influence on the temperature. 
 
 The space coir prised between these mountainous belts forms extensive 
 rolling plains, whose surface is only rarely broken through by the under- 
 lying rocks. In the Ottawa region, where they occupy an area of about 
 20,000,000 acres, these plain lands are not so elevated above the sea level as 
 is most of the inhabited part of the Eastern Townships and possess a soil, 
 to say the least, fully as rich and much more level. The finest part occurs 
 to the south of the anticlinal of lake Keepawa, and continues eastward to 
 the St. Maurice by the great valley of the Matawin. In the Gatineau coun- 
 try, the general elevation hardly exceeds 375 feet, as, at the confluence of 
 the river Desert, the surface of the water is only 369 feet higher than that 
 of the sea. North of the anticlinal of the large lakes, there is another plain 
 traversed by the Ottawa and extending to the height of lands. The average 
 elevation of these lands scarcely exceeds 700 feet, as lake Temiscamingue, 
 which drains this country, is only 612 feet over tide-water. Here is what 
 Mr. Russell says of the configuration of this plain : 
 
 " There is, though with great unevenness, a general uniformity of 
 " altitude in the country going from the height of land of the Coulonge, 
 " Du Moine and Keepewa rivers, northward, to the slope to Hudson Bay. 
 " The depression in crossing the Ottawa being inconsiderable, it may be 
 " considered a rough plateau t.-d but slightly inclined to the westward, 
 " however much it may rise in the opposite direction towards the sources of 
 
 " the St. 
 " inland 
 "' height : 
 " tween ^ 
 " hills, re 
 " a differ( 
 " points s 
 " hnndre( 
 
 It is 
 lished by 
 subdivide 
 summed i 
 
 Addii 
 Maskinon 
 
 AUeyti 
 Aumo'i 
 Baska 
 Blake- 
 Boscla 
 Boucht 
 Bouthi 
 Campb 
 Cameti 
 Chiches 
 Clyde- 
 Dor ion 
 woods ; roc' 
 
 Dudley 
 
 Egan— 
 
 Fabre— 
 
 Hudderi 
 
1^3 
 
 well as lakes 
 some twelve 
 »nly 760 feet, 
 d diminishes 
 
 mtain range 
 lie following 
 
 It. 
 1 feet 
 
 \1 " 
 " 
 
 f mountains 
 ight of hills 
 ition cannot 
 
 18 extensive 
 r the under- 
 sa of about 
 sea level as 
 >sse8s a soil, 
 part occurs 
 eastward to 
 ineau coun- 
 )nftuence of 
 sr than that 
 lother plain 
 ?he average 
 scamingue, 
 ere is what 
 
 iformity of 
 ! Ooulonge, 
 iidson Bay. 
 it may be 
 westward, 
 I sources of 
 
 the St. Maurice and Saguenay rivers. The highest hills, seen some miks 
 
 inland of lake des Quinze, were about three hundred and fifty feet in 
 • height ; this added to Ihe one hundred and forty feet fall in the river be- 
 ' tween would give four hundred and ninety feet, height of the Victoria lake 
 
 hills relatr ely to the four hundred and fifty feet of those below, or barely 
 ' a difference when using mere estimations. These, the extreme highest 
 
 points seen on the survey, would have an altitude above the sea of twelve 
 ' hundred and fifty to thirteen hundred feet. " 
 
 It is easy to form an idea of the other lands from what has been estab- 
 hshed by the surveys with regard to the townships actually laid out or 
 subdivided into farm lots. The notes supplied by the surveyors mav be 
 summed up as follows for each township of the Ottawa region : 
 
 Addington and Labelle - flat and rolling, slightly broken near lake 
 Maskinonge ; 
 
 il%/w— level, first quality strong loam ; 
 Aumond—lexQl surface, only varied by a few small hills ; 
 Baskat(mg~\QYQ\ or .slightly broken ; splendid lands ; 
 j5/aA;e— hilly, good land ; 
 
 £osc/mV— western part mountainous; the remainder level ; 
 
 Bouchette -xoWms land, hilly in the tth and 8th ranges ; 
 
 Bouthillier — level ; fine lands ; 
 
 Campbell—level, first quality land ; 
 
 Cawe/ore— pretty level, but rocky ; 
 
 Chichester — mountainous ; 
 
 C/yrfe— mountainous and rocky in the neighborhood of Amherst; 
 J)orion-n^i in the eastern part; level plateau covered with hard- 
 woods ; rocky m the parts adjoining the Pickanock and other rivers. 
 Dudley and Kiamika — level, fine lands ; 
 Egan — flat ; a few rocky hills ; 
 Fabre — flat ; a few rocky hills ; 
 HuddersMd—hYel, clay soil pierced by some rocky hills ; 
 
 
bx 
 
 Hincks — rolling, broken and rough in some places ; 
 Joly — isouutainous and rolling ; 
 
 Kensington — fine land, nearly all level ; 
 
 Lathbnry — some parts rough ; 
 
 Z-esag-e— broken, a good deal of good land ; 
 
 Leslie and Cawood— rough, in the northern section ; ^ 
 
 Lytton—VQxy level, excellent lands ; 
 
 Mansfield — pretty level, rough in the centre ; 
 , Afarc/mrarf— level or rolling ; lower part a little mountainous ; 
 
 McGill — northern part mountainous ; 
 
 Mul grave— hrdkexi surface, pierced by ledg. of granite. 
 
 Powsww&y— surface >yroken by hills of 200 feet high ; 
 
 Pope — flat, level, superb lands ; 
 
 Por^/awrf— slightly mountainous, heights running from north to south ; 
 
 Preston — several parts hilly ; 
 
 Ripon— hilly ; 
 
 Sheen— hilly, chiefly in the northern section ; 
 
 /S«#>/A'— parts rolling ; others very hilly ; 
 
 7/jome— hilly and rocky ; 
 
 Waltham— hilly in the neighborhood of the Black river ; 
 
 Wells — hilly in the northern part. 
 
 The surveys and explorations of territories also establish that, instead 
 of being a country of mountains, the Ottawa region forms a generally level 
 plain, whose surface is barely diversified by those accidents of the ground 
 common to all countries even the most level. Once the mountainous strip 
 is crossed, which bounds this region to the south, the country becomes level. 
 Mr. Wagner notas that, after crossing the mountainous region between the 
 rear line of Grandison and the east branch of the river Eouge, neither 
 mduntains, nor hills are any longer seen. Here is what he says : 
 
 Rouge Section is, as a whole, level and undulating, no mountains or 
 hills of any consequence, with the exception of the one constituting the 
 
 division 
 rivers. 
 
 which ci 
 only a fe 
 since I fc 
 
 "Th 
 and blac 
 agricultu 
 six miles 
 also larg€ 
 province 
 portion o 
 father's 1 
 republic. 
 
 "Th< 
 miles and 
 Rouge, w 
 
 "The 
 that is, at 
 hundred t 
 west of th 
 of acres of 
 
 '•The 
 birch, (bla 
 the swamj 
 and not in 
 
 " Thig 
 limestone 
 these near 
 below Tap 
 
 Mr. Ri 
 
 says—" ma 
 country thj 
 tion, with ( 
 tong, and u 
 
Ixxi 
 
 as; 
 
 h to south ; 
 
 lat, instead 
 erally level 
 the ground 
 inous strip 
 :omes level, 
 etween the 
 ge, neither 
 
 oun tains or 
 tuting_ the 
 
 division of the watershed between the tributaries of the Lievre and Rouge 
 rivers. 
 
 " Near the west side of river Rouge, two or three deep gullies occur in 
 which creeks are running, but beyond this the surface is almost level, with 
 only a few stones or boulders on the surface, and the land must b« warmer 
 since I found more ice when advancing into the next section than here. 
 
 " The soil varies between heavy and light loam of both colors, yellow 
 and black. The extent of this tract of good land is the best adapted for 
 agricultural purposes, which I found during my survey of one hundred and 
 six miles, and is equal to the best lands of Upper and Lower Canada ; it is 
 also larger than, perhaps, any one not acquainted with this section of the 
 province of Quebec might imagin(<. It would open a home to a large pro- 
 portion of those young Cima Jan farmers, who cannot remain on their 
 father's homesteads, and who at present emigrate to the neighbouring 
 republic. 
 
 " The distance between the Rouge and Lievre rivers is twenty-eight, 
 miles and sixty-six chains ; from, this deduct about three miles west of 
 Rouge, which leaves about twenty-five miles. 
 
 " Thence downwards about forty miles and upwards twenty miles, 
 that is, above the Bouleau farm, and we get an area of one thousand five 
 hundred and fifty miles ; add to this an area of ten miles by soventy miles 
 west of the Lievre or seven hundred square miles or one million and a half 
 of acres of land well adapted for agricultural purposes. 
 
 '• The predominating timber here is the maple, having in its company 
 birch, (black and yellow), balsam, but no beech, as far as I could see ; in 
 the swamps, we found cedar, ash and elm ; pine were few and scattered 
 and not in groves as in a regulai- timber country. 
 
 " This tract of land appears to me to be of an alluvial formation over 
 limestone or Silurian outcrops of limestone in a primitive state. I found 
 these near the height of land and again on the Lievre at the Cedar Rapids 
 below Tapanee. " 
 
 Mr. Russell has noted the same thing : " The river Little Nation "—he 
 says—" may be considered as lying along the centre of a tract of habitable 
 country that extends back from the river Ottawa in a northwesterly direc- 
 tion, with certain interruptions, as far, 1 am led to believe, as the Baska- 
 tong, and embraced between the rivers Lievre and Rouge, until they turn 
 
Iziii 
 
 away 111 a northerly unci northoastorly diroctiori. Tho hoad of the Nation 
 seemed to uie almost n hotter country lor aifricultural purposes than the 
 already settled pari about its mouth. In lik., manner, tho shores of the 
 Liovre api>eared rougher and more l.arren lor about iil'ty miles of its lower 
 course than for the Hu.veedinjf sixtyor seventy above that ; on th.^ contrary 
 the lower valley of the river Uouife is tho mo.t favorable portion ot its' 
 basin. These hiots w<nild a.?re,> in pointini.- out a band of good (Country 
 extending as mentioned north westward from the Ottawii at the mouths of 
 tho rivers Nation and Rouge." 
 
 Mr. Symmes reports that "from the headwaters of the Du Moine until 
 you approach the Gatineau, the country is very level and might be com- 
 pared to the table lands otMexico." Accordin- to Mr Wagner's statement 
 the country around lakes HarriMv and Hou-h >tte, towards the head of the 
 Ottawa, "is only broken in a tew places by hills of no importance • the 
 remainder is rolling." From Mr. Hignell, we learn that from lake Expanse 
 to lake Victoria, the banks of the Ottawa " are low, and iu miny places 
 grassy. The soil is good. The groun.l is level and no hills are visible " He 
 expresses the opinion that on account of (he uniform level of this rcnon and 
 the large extent of good land which it encloses, there is every r^eason to 
 hope that considerable settlements will be made in it as soon as it is known 
 Lastly, the reports of Mes-srs. OVSullivan and McOuat cdearly establish that 
 the region extending from lake rcmiscamin-ue to lake Abbitibbi is a level 
 clayey plateau, pierced in some places by rocky hills. 
 
 All th».se facts clearly show that instead ot being a country of moun- 
 tains, OS so many imagine, the Ottawa rc>gion, ii rear of the narrow mouu- 
 tainous strip bounding it to the soutli, is a givat and c^ompa-atively low 
 plain, with a surface now level and now rolling, pierced in some spots by 
 the underlying rocks and rising almost imperceptibly towards the east and 
 north until it connects with a level plateau, the average of whose elevation 
 over sea level does not attain eight hundred feet. 
 
 This plain c>ountiy is ccnitinued northward in the St. Maurice re<nou 
 by the plateau of the rivers Trenche and Windigo, and thenoe to the north 
 west and north of Lake St ,Tohn to beyond the river Shipshaw. Limestone 
 seems to be the principal underlying rock in nearly the whole of this tract, 
 even m the St. Maurice section, where its presence has been noted at 
 Coucouoaehe. To the southeastward ot this plain country runs the 
 mountains chain above described. 
 
 The nature of the arable soil of these great plains is pretty well indi- 
 cated by the surveyors' reports and, m the absence of more precise informa- 
 
Ixxiii 
 
 sf the Nation 
 OSes than tho 
 shores of the 
 s ol" its lower 
 thti contrary, 
 portion ot its 
 food (Country 
 he months of 
 
 Moine until 
 sfht bo com- 
 s staterueut, 
 » head of tho 
 )rt;inoe ; tho 
 iko Expanse 
 u my plaoes 
 isible." He 
 s reijion and 
 ry reason to 
 t is known, 
 tablish that 
 bi is a level 
 
 ry of raoun- 
 rrow mouu- 
 •itively low 
 ne spots by 
 he east and 
 le elevation 
 
 rice region 
 ) the north 
 
 Limestone 
 ■ this tract, 
 I noted at 
 
 runs the 
 
 well iudi- 
 e iaforma- 
 
 lion, it is easy to form an opinion as regards the unsurveycd parts from the 
 data supplied by geology. 
 
 The arable soil is derived from two principal sources : the disinte- 
 gration of the underlying rocks and transported matter. Sir "William 
 Logan notes that, in the Ottawa region, the principal hill ranges are formed 
 ol red feldspathic gneiss and that the limestone beds occur at lower eleva- 
 tions or in the valleys. As the hills only monopolize a comparatively 
 limited area, the conclusion is inevitable that limestone is the underlying 
 rock in the low grounds or arable lands. 
 
 According to the same authority, these litnistoncs desintegrate rapidly 
 under the influence of atmospheric agents. The outcroppings of some of 
 thorn have such littfc cohesion that, with a shovel or a pick, they can be 
 easily broken up into small fragments, whose pulverization produces the 
 surrounding soils, which are all very fertile. The principal mineral sub- 
 stance found in association with these lim(!stones ^Iso produce in decompo- 
 sing recognized elements of fertility, such as mica, which yields potash ; 
 serpentine and amphibole, which produce magnesia ; and apatite or phos- 
 phate of lime. The cause of this rapid disintegration is probably iron 
 pyrites, which occur in small crystals in the limestone ; by engendering 
 sulphuric acid, these pyrites convert a part of the limestone into plaster or 
 sulphate of lime, which hastens the pulv rization of the rock and renders 
 its ingredients easily assimilable, thus transforming them into agents of 
 fertility. 
 
 The transported matter is composed of clays, sand and gravel belongino- 
 to the tertiary and quaternary ages. The clay sediments, which characterize 
 the greater part of the Ottawa region, are derived from the glaciers, which 
 ]>Iiiyed so important a part in the superficial configuration of the country 
 The matter dropped by these glaciers was nearly all clay, and as the waters 
 in which those glaciers melted away rose 800 to 900 feet over the present tide 
 level, the glacial epoch must have been comparatively prolonged and the 
 deposits to which it gave rise necessarily attained a great depth in many 
 places. They were increased by those of the quaternary [)eriod which are 
 considerable and contain marine shells and fresh watei maris--. The river 
 iiliuvions formed the sand and gravel generally found in the vicinity 
 of the banks of streams. 
 
 Everything therefore points to the conclusion that, apart from the 
 summits of the higher and more mountainous parts, whi(!h must have been 
 denuded by the glacial action, the low grounds of this Ottawa plain must 
 
Ixxiv 
 
 have a gi-nerally deep soil, and this conclusion is confirmed hy t!ie exp'ora- 
 tions of the surveyors, who place this fact beyond question, as may be seen 
 on reference to their reports. 
 
 S^mlhirn Plnleau.—Th(>. northern boundary of this plateau is formed, as 
 nearly as possible, by a line starHuirlrom Missisquoi bay on Lake Charaplain 
 and endiiirrat St. Croix, on the St. I<awrence, thirty tniles above Quebec. 
 It 18 divided into two \ (>ry distinct slopes by a jrr. at anticlinal, the highest 
 parts of which constitute the Notre-Dame mountain ranjre, which is only a 
 continuation of the AUeghanys or Green Mountains of Vermont. ; ue general 
 trend of this chain of hills is from south west to north-east r parallel 
 to that of the plateau of the Laurentides. The principal peaks of this moun- 
 tainous belt are the mountains of Sutton, Knowlton Orford, Ham, Cole- 
 raine, St. Ronan in Buckland. Buard and Paradis'at the head of lake 
 Temiscouata, St. Donat, Bayfield and Logan, in the county of Rimouski, 
 Terrace and Serpentine in G-aspe. More to the south, another but much 
 lower mountain belt runs nearly direct west from the neighborhood of 
 Perce to the headwaters of the river Ristigouche, a little beyond the 
 western extremity of the county of Bonaventur,.. The principal peaks of 
 this range are mount Tracadigeche or Carleton, 1,800 feet high, and the 
 peak of Patapedia, 1200 feet high. urther towards the south-Wivst, still 
 another mountain chain coming from the United States follows, as a general 
 rule, the line of the International boundary and forms the southern limit 
 ■of the counties of Beauc^e and Compton. 
 
 West of the Chandiere river, where the ground is much more disturbed, 
 there are several minor anticlinals which cut the principal one already 
 described, in the perpendicular or transverse sense, but to the eastward the 
 mountain range forms a mass with a uniform direction and a much more 
 regular surface than the western section of the platenu. The general level 
 of their eastern part is also lower than that of the couuiry t^o the south- 
 west, judging from the elevation of the larger lakes above the sea, as shown 
 by the following table : 
 
 Western region. 
 
 Lgke St. Francis 890 feet. 
 
 " Aylraer 795 " 
 
 " Memphremagog 756 " 
 
 Eastern region. 
 
 Lake Temiscouata 467 feet. 
 " Metapedia 480 
 
 In Gaspesia, the region in which the Ste. Anne and C.ipe Chatte river.^ 
 .•ake their rise is about 600 feet over the sea level, which is with a very 
 
Ixxv 
 
 y the exp'ora- 
 s may be seen 
 
 is formed, as 
 :e Chatnplain 
 hove Quebec. 
 I, the hiofhest 
 lich is only a 
 . 'i'he gfeneral 
 st rparallc' 
 jf this rnoun- 
 
 Ham, Cole- 
 head of lake 
 •f Rimouski, 
 r but much 
 hborhood of 
 
 beyond the 
 lal peaks of 
 igh, and the 
 h-\V('st, still 
 , as a general 
 utheru limit 
 
 •e disturbed, 
 one already 
 astward th(> 
 much mori' 
 ;eneral level 
 3 the sou th- 
 ai as shown 
 
 it feet. 
 50 " 
 
 latte rivers 
 ^'ith a very 
 
 slight difference the elevation of Lake Haroi. and the other great lakes of 
 the west The central part of this interior region of Oaspesia is, perhaps, 
 highrr,butjt may bo statod without hesitation that, from Gasp6 to the 
 river Chaudiere, the level of the plateau from which the mountainous belt 
 juts up does not exceed 700 feet above th, ' of the sea. The much more level 
 I belt which skirts the northen side of the mountains from Missisquoi bay to 
 the gulf of St. Lawrence is very much lower, and does not on the average 
 exceed 150 feet ovtr the sea, especially in its western part. The elevation of 
 the lands to the south of the mountain belt is greator and increases as the 
 boundary line of the United States is approached. They are also much 
 more broken to the west than they are to the east of the '^h.udi^re river. 
 
 The whole of this southern plateau belongs to the Silurian, Devonian 
 and Carboniferous formations, pierced by eruptive rocks which compose 
 most of the mountains of the region. The schists uad calcareous sandstones 
 irom which the gro-.ter part of these lands has been formed, always pro- 
 duce by their disint. -ration a fertile soil, and it is shown by experience in 
 the case of the Eastern T ,wn8l ips, and, by the 8urvey^s and explorations as 
 regards the great belt which extends Irom the T^ ludiere to Gaepe that the 
 I nds oft! .t country are rich, easy to cultivate, and most advantageous for 
 se, lement. The soilness of the rocks and their sensitiveness to the influence 
 of atmospheric agents hasten their disintegration, which generally pro- 
 duces a deep bed of arable soil. Thi. is precisely what has been established 
 as already seen, by the explorations carried out in the Temiscouata, Rimouski' 
 ond Gasp6 regions. Even ou the hills, as in the vicinity of the RisLigouche' 
 Metapedia and P ;tapeuia rivers, the surface is composed of arable soil, every' 
 where of great depth and free from stones and rocks. And it is there, too, 
 that often the finest timber is found. 
 
 Va/ley 0/ /he Si. L(av>ence.~ ThiB section occu} ies the area comprised 
 between the two plateaus just described. It i.s ., pkiu, whose perfectly 
 smooth and nuilorm level is only relieved by the Yamaska, Rougemont, 
 BelcBil. Mont Royal ,nd Rigaud mountains, eruptive masses of f rap, isolated 
 from each other a monopolizing but a very 'imited extent of the surface 
 Its.^oil IS generally com. wsed of .lay proverbial for its rich .^ss and so 
 deep that nearly all over it is impossible to reach the rocks at a de h of 
 100 and even 200 feet. It is formed of marine a.-posits, in which the l>. ie« 
 of whales have been found on the mountain of Montreal. This great valley 
 constitutes one of the n >est anu finest agricultural regions imaginable. 
 
 i urn 
 
 ! !l 
 
8U 
 
 With 
 iiit'Jit, I h 
 lont, but tl 
 niounttiin, 
 
 To th( 
 
 |('an;idii, — 1 
 
 It'vi'l and \ 
 
 )ttiivva is ; 
 
 umber mt 
 
 'auuda ; tJ: 
 
 olonizutioi 
 
 ■oloiiizatioi 
 
 liiver Liev 
 
 lul about 
 
 alloy can 
 
 ortiiinly ne 
 
 ndoavour t 
 
 ut and not 
 
 Is looked Ibi 
 
DESCRIPTION 
 
 OK UIK 
 
 SURVEYED TOWNSHIPS. 
 
 COUNTY OF AliGKNTIilUIL. 
 
 Township of arandi8on. 
 
 tolon,>,alio„ of (he northern ro-ion I wouuZlT *'"">"™ff'^ 'he 
 oUi^ation road be opened th?on!k fw i ?° >' "•"""'"niend that a 
 «v..r Lievre, r.u.i:^^':^^ rtVvllT' 'T""'"' '° *» 
 Kl about thirty .nifes in rL of the towXtD^nt™'" h"'''^' 
 h ley eaa be ionnd citable for a road all the way through' 7.V 
 
 hl;.n.iy necessary to explore the route nrevior,lv f„ 1 ° ™"" ** 
 
 Woavour to run it thronlh th.. LT f ^f'^ ° '">''"« " "»'. ""d 
 [" aud not to the Lr, ose'to fo„^" T """""• ""^ "•■'">' """l^ ="" '"d 
 \ ..»Kod ,br, and n^rtradvant:^;! ofrtZ.'" '' °""'"^'' '^ "" """ 
 
 '1 
 i 5^ 
 
 
 i 
 
I would not be in a position to speak of the back country as I do, if I 
 had not traversed and explored most of the region, north of the Ottawa 
 River as far as Moose liiver, and a liner country 1 have never seen 
 than that between the North River and the Gatinoau; if even a winter 
 road were cut throui^h, it would answer the purpose for a few years. It is 
 necessary that something should be done to prevent our young men from 
 emigrating to the United States. I do not refer so much to the old 
 country people, for it is their nature to roam, but we see daily hundreds of 
 our Lower Canadians leaving, who know nothing about the back country 
 and are un*der the impression that it is nothing but a range of mountains. 
 
 (G. A. Allbright, 21st February, 1870). 
 
 Gore of Greuville. 
 
 The soil on the whole is very rojky and mountainous, only a small 
 proportion being lit for settlement, apart from whit is already taken up. 
 The limber is very larg,^ and of exbellent quality, hemlock, spruce and hard 
 
 wood being in abundance. 
 
 (G. E. MacMariin, 1879). 
 
 Townsh;p of Montoalm, 
 
 I jiroroedod to complete th > survey of the lifth range, thence to lot 
 thirty eight in the sixtli range being an undulating surface, tirabm- prin- 
 cipally snruce, with scattered hard wood therein, the remainder of the sixth 
 range being a worthless mountain. 
 
 The seventh range Irom the centre line is undulating and stony, but 
 intermixed with some good land. The eighth range along the whole breadth of 
 the township is also undulating and stony, but there are many arable lots 
 therein well fitted for settlement, being well watered with living streams and 
 some lakes of pure water abounding with speckled trout and also other species 
 of h.-<h ; beaver, on these lakes and adjacent streams, are more numerous 
 than in any other part. I have also seen there many otter, mink, and other 
 species of amphibious animals, and the woods abound with the moose, 
 
y as I do, if I 
 of the Ottawa 
 e never seen 
 ven a winter 
 w years. It is 
 xng men from 
 li to the old 
 y hundreds of 
 back country 
 of mountains. 
 
 ry, 1870). 
 
 only a small 
 iy taken up. 
 'uce and hard 
 
 in, 1879). 
 
 thence to lot 
 , timber priu- 
 iv of the sixth 
 
 id stony, but 
 lole breadth of 
 ly arable lots 
 g" streams and 
 ) other species 
 )re numerous 
 ik, and other 
 li the moost^ 
 
 and caribou, deer, and many other furry species, affordi 
 to the settler, trapper and hunter. 
 
 11? a profitable pastime 
 
 There are no roads through this township. 
 
 It would afford a good field for settlement were roads ,y..A .1, . 
 to encourage settlers. «•». were roads made thereto 
 
 (T. a Quinn, July, 1871.) 
 
 Township of Wentworth. 
 
 I have the honor to lay before you my report of the re-surv.. nf f>, 
 four rear ranges of the township of Wentworth ^ *^' 
 
 old trace., whioh were very Lnfficfem. '""' "'"■^'"' ^'"^ '"'"'' 
 
 foreJ™a:sr,;t:.'3;:ofrhift'"''''^ """" "^" '"--'■- --» "•^ 
 
 portion comprised hs'urv^' wS .".of '^' ^^ -■"-»' '"e 
 trcal has undertak... to oolo^ ^: ,t ^ „ t'''r 'I™"'!'' "' *""• 
 dispense with treatnig the snb|ect. ""' ""'"'" '" 
 
 In concludiuff this renort T f.K. fi^. i;u j. ^ 
 
 {James Barnard, ISth March, 1882.) 
 
 1*5 
 
6 
 
 Township of Wolfe. 
 
 I have the honor to lay bi^foro you the report of my survey of the part 
 of the township of Wolfe surveyed by me durino- last season, pursuant 
 to yoiTr instructions dated the 28th of October 18G3, which entrusted me 
 with the survey and subdivision of the arable portion of the first six 
 ranges of this township situated in the county of Argenteuil. 
 
 The northern line of Mont(;alm, by its direction, farming, with the 
 north-western line of Beresibrd, an obtuse anj^Ie of 06" 85\ renders' as a matter 
 of course, all the lots of tho Jirst range of the township ol Wolfe irreo-ular. 
 In my special rejiort of the contents of the irregulnr or broken lots of the 
 township of Wolfe, which I surveyed, I have also included the list of those 
 of the RrA range. 
 
 The suifLice, in this part of the first range, is generally undulating ; but 
 there, are several level lots and nearly all of them are so at the baseT The 
 portion luljoining the township of Montcalm is more uneven, the soil being 
 more mounlainous as it approaches the C(>ntre line. Hnrd wood is found 
 all over the first range; the soil is yellow, containing very little sand. 
 
 Several lots, in the first range, are occupied by settlers who have 
 already made quite extensive clearings. 
 
 Good crops were raised during last season off these lots, and satisfac- 
 tory setilcments are alreadv formed there. I remarked that the little river 
 crossing 1 he base line on lot number eleven, and emptying into Lake au 
 Caribou, offers, on said lot number twelve, a water power, which, thouo-fi 
 only sliglit, will hereafter be of some benefit to the settlers. 
 
 I th.-n continued successively the survey of each naige and its sub- 
 division into lots, u}) to the centre line. I scaled lakes au Caribou, de la 
 Baie, Ma)utou, Vaseux, de la Uouge and Cornu on the ice, and retained the 
 names given to those lakes by the settlers. 
 
 These lakes seem to be all quite shallow. The watev in them is pure, 
 except in lake Vaseux, where it is somewhat muddy. 
 
 The environs of all these lakes are clothed with beautiful hard wood 
 trees, ex.ei>t a very narrow belt of soft wood, such as cedar and spruce, 
 which generally borders all these lakes. 
 
 I did not meet with any remarkable river. Two large sized brooks empty, 
 
one into lake au Caribou, and the other, from lake Cor 
 
 Rouge 
 
 ■nu, into lake de la 
 
 iy of tht^ part 
 on, pursuant 
 intrusted me 
 the first six 
 
 ig, with the 
 
 rs, as a matter 
 >lfb irregular, 
 en lots of the 
 i list of those 
 
 alating; but 
 5 base. The 
 tie soil being 
 >od is found 
 e sand. 
 
 s who have 
 
 ind satisfac- 
 i little river 
 nto Lake au 
 lioh, thoush 
 
 ud its sub- 
 "ibou, de la 
 retained the 
 
 lem is pure. 
 
 hard wood 
 and spruce, 
 
 ooks empty, 
 
 The red trout found in the latter lake have given it its name. 
 Many little brooks and springs were, doubtless, crossed by mv Hups 
 without being noticed, owing to the snow and ice wiich coverJdThem up 
 
 These ranges contain some of the most desirable land forsettlement The 
 SOI IS veiy good beingmade up of a yellow clay containing buHtte Jul 
 
 inc^nation gentle. I saw only t^X^';:::;^;^!;? ^^^^^^^ 
 h gh, and their slope ran southward and stretched fa awav re'xdTrundu 
 lating. Hard wood is the only kind found growin^^ all o 4 for ^hl 
 no swamps. In many places, and over consilerable tra rthe m^trth: 
 only wood, without mixture of any other, with the exceptSn of a few 
 isolated elm or bass wood trees. These forests <,ontain magn Cuu^artT 
 which u-e always highly prized by the settler. ^ ''' 
 
 The trend of the mountains is from east to west, and all the divi 
 . on lines have their starting point on the top of a mountain o h 1 1 ot on 
 us southern slope, which they follow for a greater or less distance ' 
 
 The space comprised between the division lines is every where more 
 evel than on the hues. Whilerunning mylines.and durin^my opera ^3 
 1 met no fallen trees, except a very few so thit I am nnf Ki / ^^^^^f '°»s, 
 information regarding the'directioii ofThrhtrliZ" '^^'^ '^ ^^^^'V ^-y 
 
 I inel no pin-^ groves, nor even isolated pine-trees, with the excention 
 
 ''-.uuiiui ha,.a WOO.K with ext:::;;:;r sp,t;,°ri; •r,;"''"'»'" " "- 
 
 uhi-^T ^";;.''''' ";■' l^^o^'^with » considerable supplv of potash 
 «h,<h„ft™the ,«<l,..st means to enable him to support hfs femivu^tii 
 h. .an clear ground enough to grow food for his subsfstence ' "' 
 
 I 
 
From tho information which I obtained from hunters and from my 
 own personal observation, I have reason to believe that the part of Wolfe, 
 which yet remains to be surveyed, will be quite us suitable for settlement al 
 the portion of it just surveyed. 
 
 The best way to develop the resources of this township would 
 be to run roads through it. A colonization road, connecting with the Beres- 
 ford road, would populate this township at once, notwithstanding its 
 remoteness. ^ 
 
 At the solicitation of the EJettlers whom I met in Wolfe, I take the 
 liberty of appealing to your generosity for a delay of two years from the 
 Government in favor of the settlers in this township for the payment of the 
 first instalment on their lotti. 
 
 {God. Laviolette, 15th Jnnuary, 1884.) 
 
 Topogr^fjj/iical Notes. 
 
 The part of the township of Wolfe, which I have subdivided, is separ- 
 ated by nature into two basins, one of which drains its waters into Eiver 
 dn Nord and the other into River Rouge. 
 
 This township partly contains the watershed of these two rivers 
 Consequently, it presents, in great part, high lands broken by mountains 
 and lakes. In this respect, it rather resembles the adjoining townships 
 situated in the Laurentides. The eastern half of the fifth, sixth and 
 seventh ranges has its slope towards River du Nord, into which it drains 
 Its waters by way of the little river, which has its source in the seventh 
 range and issues from the township of Wolfe, in the south-easthern part of 
 the sixth range. This little river appears to be large enough to float timber 
 The brooks which discharge into it have several good water powers, some 
 ol which are shewn on the annexed plan. 
 
 The valley of this little river contains bat little low land suited to 
 cultivation. This portion of the township is chiefly mountainous The 
 other part of the fifth, sixth and seventh ranges and all the upper rano-es 
 have their slope towards tho River du Nord. It contains some splendid 
 valleys, especially in the eastern part of the eighth and ninth ranges and 
 around lake Wolfe, and extensive table lands in the western part of these 
 
 ranges 
 the eij 
 quite ( 
 and th 
 adjoin i 
 
 Til 
 
 very a^ 
 to be lo 
 stream 
 of wat( 
 to be ra 
 
 Th 
 runniiij; 
 appeals 
 presents 
 easily d: 
 
 In t 
 sive, alt] 
 of it, it c 
 uaturalh 
 
 Intl 
 are, in ad 
 from thir 
 hundred 
 ofgrciit h 
 profitable 
 are likew 
 which att 
 
 Natui 
 the lakes i 
 and tenth 
 which are 
 cattle of tl 
 
and from my 
 part of Wolfe, 
 'settlement as 
 
 nship would 
 ith the Beres- 
 hstanding its 
 
 3, I take the 
 ears from the 
 lyment of the 
 
 •y, 1884.) 
 
 ed, is separ- 
 rs into River 
 
 two rivers. 
 J mountains 
 g townships 
 , sixth and 
 ch it drains 
 the .seventh 
 hern part of 
 Goat timber. 
 >wers, some 
 
 d suited to 
 inous. The 
 )per ranges, 
 ue splendid 
 ranges and 
 )art of these 
 
 ranges which «ro susceptible of cultivation. In the eastern part of 
 the eighth and nmth ranges, a double range can be formed, from «^ich 
 qmte easy commumcatiou can be had with the settlements a V.iZ IWe 
 
 a^intgit '"'^ '" '''"^^' '^ '°"™-"'= '"^ Oi-tion of the .!",Ta 
 
 The western portion of the sixth and seventh ranges also contains some 
 very advantageous lots, which will eucoura-e the formation If u 
 
 to be located on the colonization road just open^I by h Lev rltn The 
 
 f^rteT'^ottr ;a '"""7"' "-^'^ -"=- oSrrnumw 
 
 to hi met wi7h along Jheli/e""" ^''""■'' °" '"^ P'^" "^ ">°- ""-» "^ 
 
 ™nnifg;:rwid-;i'™rc"r 
 
 ;=: nor:trjritf '^"' '™» "^ si.e,",rs:rp 
 
 easily drained, and f ::^^^:^^:Z^l:^^:^^! 
 
 LAKES. 
 
 are, ^^:^::^^.^:2:^^:z :t;f „tVr r """■ '^-^ 
 
 l-rolitable account by parties set led in ih '' *"'" *""""* "> 
 
 are likewise remarkable for Th 1 "dioining township. These lakes 
 
 «hich attain arsM^diitdi^ iir^rpi::!'"*"-^ -' '^='- --- 
 
 NATURAL MEADOWS. 
 
 .he ^"::^:i:^^:^it::x::::^-^ ^'-^ ^^e edges or 
 
 and h^nth .. u . "'*^^ ^^^^^ t«*kes Its source n the ninth 
 
 which! 1 iv'" It::;" f":i,d '"""■ ,"- 't;-?'"- ^^"-^ "'-^»- 
 
 !cat»leoftheear, sellers ""^'aals, could be utilized to feed the 
 
 
10 
 
 SPRINGS AND BROOKS. 
 
 The rivers and lakes which I have already mentioned are fed by a 
 quantity of spring-s and brooks that are met with on nearly every lot, as 
 will appear from the adjoining plan on which they are pointed out. 
 
 SOIL. 
 
 The soil is lyencrally rocl;y on the top of the mountains ; but, on the 
 slopes and table h.nds, it consists of a yellow earth rich enough to grow 
 grain and vegetables. The lots generally contain a proportion of arable 
 land lit for producing all that is needed for the requirements of the settlers. 
 The soil appears to be every where itdapted to pasturage, and the resources 
 of the township may be said lo be unlimited in this respect. As the soil, is 
 naturally fresh ajid well watered, there is no reason to dread either dry 
 or rainy .sensou.s. 
 
 ROCKS. 
 
 The rocks just referred to all present the same physical characteristics; 
 absence of St- tification, greyish color, irregular cleavago, very little hard- 
 ness. Away from the abrupt flank of the mountains, they .show no bare 
 surf\ice, except on numbers forty one and forty two, on the line between the 
 sixth and seventh ranges. 
 
 TIMBER. 
 
 The prevailing kinds are hard woods which generally cover all th^^ high 
 lands. In the order of their relative abundance, they consist of birch, mapU, 
 beech, white birch and iron wood. Elm, bass wood, ash and cherry'are also 
 found in less quantities. The soft woods are white spruce, tamarac, cndar, 
 hemlock, pine and aspen. The richness of this township in timber may well 
 be styled inexhaustible. 
 
 Allowing one half as the proportion of aral^le land, it may be said that 
 the other half will remain in forest, which will continue to grow and bo 
 renewed forever. In this respect, this township has the advantase over 
 many other parts of the country. Other regions which were one- well 
 wooded have been laid waste by storms and fire far more than by the 
 axe; and, though the land has been thus cleared, the forest has been des- 
 
 troyed, 
 the tov 
 saw on 
 trees th 
 trees, I 
 where t 
 The m( 
 vallevs 
 bush fi; 
 potash, 
 offer a 
 Althoug 
 liowcvei 
 
 Thii 
 
 western 
 
 roads ar 
 
 to winte 
 
 much as 
 
 on that r 
 
 and whi 
 
 sixth ra 
 
 oil accout 
 
 presents c 
 
 five hund 
 
 due to the 
 
 ill the tov 
 
 colonizatii 
 
 the speedi 
 
 better to h 
 
 comes, do\ 
 
 do for a fr 
 
 not be lost 
 
 tion in thi 
 
 ment shou 
 
 that woulc 
 
 settlements 
 
. are fed by a 
 ' every lot, as 
 2d out. 
 
 ; but, on the 
 ough to grow 
 tion of arable 
 of the settlers. 
 
 the resourct'S 
 As the soil, is 
 d either dry 
 
 laracteri sties; 
 ry little hard- 
 show no bare 
 3 between the 
 
 r all thi^ high 
 birch, mapl<i, 
 lerry are also 
 marac, e^-dar, 
 t>er may well 
 
 T be said (hat 
 grow and bo 
 vantage over 
 sre onc» well 
 than by the 
 las been des- 
 
 troyed 
 
 the 
 
 ithout 
 township w 
 
 m 
 
 uch exposed to these d 
 
 saw only one range in which the wTnd h '''°'7 '" '''''' '^''''^'''- ^ 
 
 trees there are confined to he Wd ^t t HlT' '"I ''™T' "'' ^'^ ''^"•^" 
 trees, I met only one nhce on h T ^^"''' ^''""^ '^''' ^^^^^ 
 
 where the wood was v^T;^^^^^ '"""^=">^ '' '^' ^^^-^^'P' 
 
 The mountains bi"g only tan til? ^^^^""/ ^^^ <^-J'>— of the soil- 
 vallevs generally marshv f T ^ "7T^ ""'^^ ^^""^ ^^'"«^' ^'"^ ^^e 
 bush^ fires The Zf^' T^ ' '"'^ *^^* ^^^ ^^''' '« ^^^tle danger of 
 
 p:!:h'::i.eh!rc:;:;rLr:.x^tL:t^ ^'^ -'-'-'^- ^^ 
 
 oifer a remuneration amply XL n ^.. ^^ '"^^^^ '^'^"^ ^^'«^ 
 Althouo-h pine is not Z.I '"'''"' ^^^ ^''■•^* ^^^^^ "^ clearing. 
 
 however, lir wL;;:^ t:::ir:^:r ^-^-^^"^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^--'^^^^' ^^ ^-- 
 
 ROAD.S. 
 
 :«d;L":;;:u.,jxr:a '";,::",* '";: '^'^■^■" "°"^^"- ■^''"- 
 
 to winter vehicles Ihev will I !• ' ""'' ""5' "'« <">')' »°"«1 
 
 ra> that Vive The»e rid, „l , '=°";""""«'"»» wi'h ">« sottlemeuts 
 and whi,h run' .e „ f ,h ; "". f"'""""""" ''°"'' '" »"'»»' "-• 
 
 onaoeountofthobtd, fth h '""'"'" /™:\"^ <"ffl-l'y "f -ess 
 
 i>rese„tsdi(Be„hierof ,:„:„,;,' ::,::■■'' ,"' ,f '°";."^'"-" «'■ '^"'^f-^ 
 
 live hundred pounds wei "hi ove ■ ''"""'"" "*' l«"l-->f "-^" 
 
 due to the loeatio ot-llt. ;!!'""" '' """""" ■*''"■"' "'™"""i- "- 
 i.. the township Th .„ ™,: luw "™'"'' °"'' °' ""* '''?=""" """"laitis 
 colonization rL „d C hs ' "T," '"" " """"="'" *°° »'-" f"'' » 
 tltespeedvadvaacelnto dl '" l""'^™' "ad is not adapted to 
 
 0O..U.S. down t : u"h . „ 1 ; atr't ""'. "'■ ?" ""'" "^■^■- ^^'"'* 
 do for a front rcd.'and tl: n^ n^! ™t r^'TT r',"""'^' '" '"»' '=«- 
 not be lost for the localitv l!„t t i ' *«>vernment would 
 
 tion in this part of the u, try ', J''""! "" ""''' P™«^™^ "^ "''"■"- 
 meat should use the ulmrl?;e ,r "T .""""'"""" """' "'^ *'™>-''™- 
 that would afF, rd thi most el T """ °'' "'^ ''^■=' ™»'" '" " ""d 
 
 settlements. The t^oueTwh^^ tne'r '=""■"'»"'--'-" -"h the other 
 money whiih the aovornment would spend for this 
 
12 
 
 Kfii" 
 
 would avail not only to the settlement of this township, but also to open 
 up a great many others situated in the valley of River Rouge, which the 
 township of Wolfe connects with that of River du Nord. 
 
 (/. Barnard, 27th February, 1873). 
 
 To complete the verification of the sixth range, I ran a line in rear on 
 this range, between lots numbers twenty eight and twenty nine, the 
 measurement of which gave me 83.35 chains. 
 
 This spot is fairly level, having only a few slight undulations and 
 forming a contrast in this respect with the remainder of the township, 
 which is generally mountainous, but where nevertheless advantageous 
 farm sites are to be found. 
 
 The soil is of superior quality and generally free from rooks. 
 
 The merchantable timber, such as pinchas been cut away long ago. Only 
 a few trees are to be foiind there now, and they are of no value. Mer- 
 chantable spruce is found but very rarely. The most prevalent woods, 
 of any value, are maple and cherry. The ulmacea are represented by 
 magnificent elms, which from time to time attract attention. 
 
 I noticed that the road whi .h crosses the fifth and sixth ranges, and 
 which was made with the assistance of Government grants, has been the 
 means of attracting to this region lately some hardy pioneers, who are 
 actually clearing a portion of the range just surveyed by me. 
 
 After completing the verification of the sixth range, and, as the state 
 of the ice was flivorable, I proceeded to scale lakes Helene, Carre, 
 Nantel, Godon, Gautier, a la Petite Truite and Wolfe, which last is nine 
 miles in circumference. This latter lake is known to the inhabitants of Ste, 
 Agathe only by the name of Lake aux Qaenouilles. This name takes its 
 origin from the bulrushes, of th > ^y/w/c family, improp.^rly called que- 
 nouille {diatafi), which are found growing in great abundance in the large 
 bay on the north east 
 
 Trout abound in all these lakes, and I was not a little surprised to 
 find that fishing for them is carried on extensively during the close season. 
 
 Their banks are generally covered with a growth of various woods, 
 comprising cherry, maple, fir, red and grey spruce, but as the land rises, 
 hard wood generally predominates. 
 
 (L. Lechrc, 18th January, 1875.) 
 
18 
 
 it also to open 
 ige, which the 
 
 COUNTY OF ARTHABASKA. 
 
 iry, ISIS). 
 
 line in rear on 
 aty nine, the 
 
 idulations and 
 ;he township, 
 advantageous 
 
 on^ ago. Only- 
 value. Mer- 
 ralent woods, 
 presented by 
 
 Township of Bulstrode. 
 
 For the general details of the land and the aualitv of fl,n c -i t 
 vefer U> jny FieW Book. However, I „„y .tlZ^fZ tZZl IZes 
 are nearly all covered w.th .oft wood. The land i» low and not suited '„ 
 Ullage. A. to the ttmber, i, has almost completely disappeared. Bu he 
 
 rdtttlLa."^ -' -' °^ - -"■• eWenthTnTttrSkTat^-J 
 
 of any "ktf . "" """" °' "'' ™"''^' ' '""'"' "° '""">' »'-» °'' q»«™« 
 
 (/ ^. O. Legendre, 3rd December, 1872.) 
 
 h ranges, and 
 has been the 
 ers, who are 
 
 , as the state 
 jlene, Carre, 
 last is nine 
 )itants of Ste, 
 me takes its 
 called quo- 
 in the large 
 
 I' 
 
 surprised to 
 close season. 
 
 irious woods, 
 e land rises, 
 
 y, 1875.) 
 
14 
 
 COUNTY OF BEAUCE. 
 
 Township of Adstook. 
 
 Trout and little Saint Francis lakes are very deep and swarm with Hsh. 
 Trout abound in the lirst named, while whitelish are the most numerous in 
 the second. 
 
 The soil of (he tract I passed owr isovnerally lit lor cultivation, thou«rh 
 not of superior quality. It would be very suitable for pasturage, the natural 
 meadows affording a sufficient (|uantiiy of fodder for wintering the cattle 
 The arable portions of the township would yield ordinary' cereals in 
 abundance. 
 
 The merchantable timber, principally pine, has all been cut by the 
 limit-holders. What was spared by the woodcutter's axe has be^m com- 
 pletely destroyed by the two great fires which r.vaged this township 
 sweeping off all the diiferent kinds of wood ihut grew so abundantly 
 there. ' 
 
 The semi-calcined trunks of gigantu; trci^s. which strew the soil, lie 
 there as an accusation against the careless cowrein- de. hois, who is yearly the 
 cause of the great lires which destroy the finest forests of our townships. 
 
 Several settlers have already begun to make clearings on the front line 
 of the seventh range, from number one to number ten, inclusive. The 
 magnificent results already obtained by these pioneers will certainly attract 
 a large number of other settlers to follow their example. 
 
 The prirt which I subdivided is easy of access, especially since the 
 Government has opened a road extending as far as the little lake Saint 
 Francis. 
 
 (F. O. A. Legendre, 1st August, 1883.) 
 
 Township of Ditchfleld 
 
 In the course of my proceedings, I observed that the general quality 
 of the soil in the township of Uitchlield is sandy earth, the surface is rolling 
 and hilly to a degree more than ordinary, yet these hills are good lauds and 
 
 can gei 
 land of 
 upon ai 
 tion. 
 cedar : 
 with 
 g( leral 
 tov, aid' 
 inferior 
 south li 
 thereof 
 
 Th( 
 for settle 
 main ca 
 
 Thi, 
 pect of h 
 cominen 
 is navigii 
 over eml 
 ward to 
 than ordi 
 ably infe: 
 a course 
 
 The 
 I hilly and 
 I generally, 
 j some i)lac 
 
 Theai 
 
 [and abrup 
 
 pome smal 
 
 class the S( 
 
16 
 
 can g(Mi(m»llv becultivntod to thosammit The 
 
 land (>t 
 
 rin with fish, 
 numerous in 
 
 ition, though 
 i^, the natural 
 i'^ the cattle, 
 y cereals in 
 
 cut by the 
 s boon com- 
 is township, 
 
 abundantly 
 
 the soil, lio 
 is yearly the 
 ownships. 
 
 he front line 
 lusive. The 
 ainly attract 
 
 is appeara.ico— hills, forlii 
 'holt 
 
 six rani«fjs survey .;oixt»Un 
 
 «' vales, swami-s and marsh.^« v.^^ 
 upon nn ,^ ,.. whole is of a ,oo,l ,u.,i,y and w.ll f " "t^'^ 
 
 tion. h timber ,s generally a mixtnro of «prun. bir.h and /; V 
 cedar uups and hard wood Inijs with maple .re ocasionallv to h. me, 
 
 r r II ■ ; t K^'^^"''^' ''' ""^^'^y^'^ contains'land mor 
 
 g. .era ly cov red with hnr ,,, ,,,,,,^, ,^^,,^ ^^^ ^^^ 
 
 to^ ... .the ...1. thenoruern. d.,nhis unsurveyed portion is of aquautv 
 nlor,or to none that T have seen, while in the southern part (as whenthe 
 onth hne runs) th h the soil is of ordinary good Jality the surf ce 
 
 tnereof is mo., broken and abounding with abrupt inequalines. 
 
 The beautiful location of this township makes it a desirable situation 
 lor settlements, which will facilitate it.s colonisation ; by which mi/ 
 mam capabilities will be develop-d. ^ '"' '^* 
 
 This township is adapted i arming purj.oses, and offers a fair pros- 
 pect of becoming a flourishing colony, not only i. agriculture, but al oin 
 commerce boundcHl as it is, towards the w. by lake Meg nt c vhi h 
 Ks navigable from head to foot, a distance of aboul eight mill and more 
 over embracing in its interior lake Mean vam^-k, Tvhich .xtel "a ." 
 ward to within a few miles of the proving line and causes U to b^ i ml 
 than ordmnnly pleasing aspect, from wlii.h state of thinuns we may re Ii - 
 ably infer ha a speedy colonization thereof might be effected by Llop . 
 a course calculated to promote that end. ^"lofHin^ 
 
 (/. O'Neil, 4th April 185G.) 
 
 Y since the 
 ! lake Saint 
 
 , 1883.) 
 
 sral quality 
 e is rolling 
 d lauds and 
 
 Ihillv 'V f r T'"^^ '''^'' ^^""^^>l^ •« mountainous and 
 
 hilly ad pretty stony ; but there is nevertheless some good land. The soil 
 
 gonera ly, IS more or less sandy and the stones seem t^ be verv thick^u 
 I some places, while in others there are very few. 
 
 The, north Half is more level or where hills occur thev are not so steen 
 and abrupt. The soil is not so sandy and generally not so ITy IW a ^ 
 me small pars of It that are worthless, but not a great extent. I should 
 I class the soil altogether as very Mv, to say the least of it. 
 
 With regjird to the timber, there is a very considerable quantity of fine 
 spruce and a few scattered pine ; there is also a great deal of fine birch and 
 
 !f 
 

 
 IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 v^ 
 
 /> 
 
 
 
 % 
 
 1.0 
 
 I.I 
 
 1.25 
 
 Mi. 
 
 118 
 
 2.5 
 
 iiiiii 
 
 i£ 12.0 
 
 118 
 
 U 11116 
 
 
 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 
 Coiporation 
 
 23 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. MS8u 
 
 (716) 873-4503 
 
 4v. 
 
 m< 
 
 y 
 
 \\ 
 
 
 
 6^ 
 

 /^^ 
 
 /. 
 ^ 
 
 f 
 
16 
 
 some maple In some places there is a good deal of cedar and silver birch 
 (bouleau), not saying anything of the fir. ' 
 
 In reference to the old line between the fifth and sixth ranges, it has 
 all been reopened, well blazed and correctly repost^d ; it was visible from 
 the Spalding line to lot forty one inclusive, beyond which no trace of it 
 could be found on the prolongation of that line. After some searching the 
 old line was found at six chains and nine links more to the east. I joined 
 the extremities of the two lines by drawing a line due east from the part 
 between lots forty and forty one, for the above mentioned distance, when I 
 again followed out the old line as far as th„ line of Louise. Few of the old 
 posts were found standing and some more were found on the ground 
 covered with moss, but none could have found them in walking thrcjo-h the 
 woods except by correct chainings. 
 
 The land there is apparently the same as above. There is a little more 
 hard wood and some second growth poplars, bouleau, and birch. 
 
 I beg to mention that the centre line ofDitchfield is really between 
 lots twenty sis and twenty seven, instead of between twenty five and 
 twenty six as was supposed. 
 
 (J. Geo. Bignell, 20th July, 1882.) 
 
 Township of Gayhurst 
 
 Gayhurst is comparati.'eiy level, the only range of hills being between 
 the ninth and tenth ranges, not however covering sufficient space to be of 
 much importance, and a portion of the first range is somewhat broken by 
 gullies ; the land from the filth to the tenth range is generally excellent, 
 the only drawback being that it is in some places rather stony, producing 
 principally a hard growth ; from the fifth to the first, there is more soft 
 growth produced, but there is a great deal of good land. 
 
 A portion of the first three ranges, at the north east end, I left undivided , 
 because, being slightly inferior to the remainder, some time might elapse' 
 before the lots were taken, the posts would have decayed, a;id the survey 
 consequently rendered useless. 
 
 The township is well watered throughout, some of the streams being 
 considerable and affording good mill sites. 
 
 Th 
 
 quickly 
 daily, v, 
 altogath 
 
 Ice 
 ranges c 
 it woulc 
 also to t 
 
 
 I th 
 between 
 
 ranges. 
 
 This 
 watered, 
 oifering a 
 elevated j 
 and thert 
 township 
 
 Havir 
 transactior 
 uow' only 1 
 ship, quali 
 
 In the 
 from the C. 
 a level plai 
 and third r 
 out all tuis 
 timber is la 
 
17 
 
 daily, with .he iute„tion of takilr bte tn^Z ? "^ «<"»» '" »l»ost 
 .llo..th. Canadians of a thri% a"l Ltstriotrf '"''"°^-''''>' ^ 
 I consider that if the road which rnns K^f„, 
 
 ranges of Aytaer were prolo, Jd h ™ h GavW. ,r°"'' '""' """^ 
 it would tend very material) A„/.? X''y''"«' *» ">e riyer Chaudiere 
 
 also to that of .he IZt^M^. "on Cntr "^'"^"' "' <^»^''»"'. •>-' 
 
 (/. i(?>«e//, 26th August, 1853 ) 
 
 I then returned to lot number twentv-six anH v.„ .i. 
 M«^« .he fl.t and .econd, second and thLranrth™.:;:: ™7fo'S 
 
 offering an abundance of water power tLTTk ""^'^ "' "" "^ ""»» 
 elevated and oomparativeirie'Ier The soH ,1 ? ^^''^ *^''' ^"«™» '« 
 and there is ao doubt tha the eart T ! f* '^' ''°"' ^'"aenient, 
 .ownship Win be a ,.at 1^1^ Sr, tl^T" ''"'''' '"'' 
 
 (/ &^»rf;, May, 186B.) 
 
 Township of Jersey. 
 
 Having already, in former rennrt« m„j 
 transactions up to th^ time when we fl,'; Ttj"'' "'"""'""«<' with our 
 now only to state my impression s f„ h ' 7"'"^ """^'^y- ^ ''"'' 
 
 «h-P, quality 0. soil Ind L^ra^rpr'^^ts^re^'irtireir '"-" 
 
 a level plain or table-Lnd, "^ Lh ' »dTn Hh T,' '1' """■^y"--- 
 
 ..-.. . large and sound -^';Th:rsr:iriTi:.r-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
18 
 
 pine, larch, cedar and white birch, and, when the land risos, yellow birch, 
 maple, hemlock, iron wood and many other kinds. 
 
 On the second range line (N. W.), with two or three exceptions, the 
 soil is quite unfit for any kind of culture, but improves considerably in the 
 second and third ranges, and block A is mostly all very fine laud. ■ 
 
 The southeasterly section is very superior in quality of soil to the 
 northwesterly ; like it, it rises from the Chaudiere abrupt and steep in the 
 first and second ranges, into a level plain on the third range line. At the 
 south east end of this range is a high hard wood moantdn, and two or 
 three others more to the rear of this section. 
 
 About a third of the land in the third and fourth ranges has been 
 burned about twenty-five years ago and has grown up with young balsam, 
 spruce, larch and white birch so rank and close as to be almost impene- 
 trable. The burned land also extends into the fifth and sixth ranges, but 
 ess extensively. Much excellent land is found in the fifth and sixth°rauges, 
 also in the northwesterly end of the seventh and eight ranges ; but "the 
 south east end of the seventh range is so very bad that I \At off running- 
 the range line at lot No. 60. ' ° 
 
 Ou the whole, this section of the township contains a large proportion 
 of lood laud, more especially in the fifth and sixth ranges, agreeably diver- 
 sified by hills and dales. 
 
 Pine ai d spruce of the best qualify abound in every part of the town- 
 ship. The spruce has been neglected ; bat a large proportion of the best 
 pine has been cut down and half of it left to rot on the ground for some 
 trifling defect not amoi^nting to a tenth of its value. In many places the 
 white birch is the only hard wood fuel to be met with, indispensable to 
 speedy settlement. I regret to say that most of these trees have been cut 
 down to obtain the bark, and left to encumber the ground. 
 
 In former reports, I have mentioned the indications of copper and gold 
 seen here ; we have also met with a dark brown pigment resembling 
 uipber. On lot 29, in the 7th range, we found a shrub, some six or eiglu 
 feet high, so perfectly elastic, that it might serve as a substitute for bottle 
 corks when cut transversely. Peeled lengthways, it comes away to the very 
 center in filaments, fine or coarse, as may be requireil, and as strong as hemp, 
 retaining all its pliability in its dry as in its green state, and twisted into 
 
 ropes, it 
 rope, for 
 
 Thr 
 
 places, r< 
 up and I 
 much go 
 section. 
 
 The 
 un for tun 
 they wer 
 
 Lime'. 
 
 Quar, 
 copper in 
 
 Sandi 
 pyrites, w 
 no indicai 
 
 Sands 
 brooks, in 
 what appe 
 
 SandSi 
 frequently 
 
 Sands 
 rock in Jei 
 masses of s 
 not be boi 
 was obser^ 
 seen in situ 
 
19 
 
 ellow birch. 
 
 leptions, the 
 rably in the 
 ud. 
 
 soil to the 
 
 steep in the 
 
 ne. At the 
 
 and two or 
 
 [•es has been 
 lug balsam, 
 lost impene- 
 ranges, but 
 ixth ranjQfes, 
 es ; but the 
 off running 
 
 '■ proportion 
 eably diver- 
 
 f the town- 
 of the best 
 id for some 
 '■ places the 
 pensablo to 
 'e been cut 
 
 ir and gold 
 resembling 
 six or eight 
 J for bottle 
 to the very 
 g as hemp, 
 Agisted into 
 
 Throughout this township, tho great defect is the stony and in manv 
 places rooky nature of the soil, which will be much more difficu toTar 
 up and plough than the lands in must parts of Frampton. BuUh e is 111 
 section" "' """ered with stones, especiaUy in the soultast:!!; 
 
 Geological Eemarks. 
 
 I 
 
 The specimens of the rocks in Jersey which I had obtained were 
 unfortunately lost on our way out, by cutting through the bag in wS 
 they were earned. 4mong these specimens were th^ following : 
 
 Limeslone,most\y of a bluish gray color, was seen in severafplaces. 
 
 Quarlz, for the most part embedded in clay slate or sandstone with 
 copper interspersed through it, we found in three or four places. 
 
 Sandslone, silicious. thickly studded with small angular specks of iron 
 pyrites we met w,th-none of this last metal larger th^n a p. . . held and 
 no indication of magnetic ore anywhere. 
 
 S«;^rf.s/o«e of the kind called arenaceous was met with in the beds of 
 brooks, in which, by help of a magnifying gla 3, very minute Particles of 
 what appears to be gold can be seen, ' ° ° ' ^ ™'''^^® Particles of 
 
 fre«t«^ '^^"^' '''' '^'''''''' '- ^^-^--=- *-^«. was 
 
 Sandstone ofvo.rious qualities, next to clay slate, is the predominant 
 rock in Jersey, horizontally stratified in most instances. Many verriarLe 
 masses of sandstone i-ock were met with, which, with sharp angle7 co'fd 
 not be boulders, although placed wholly above the ground ; \o quart. 
 
 C% slate is the predominant rock in Jersey, the cleavage always 
 pe pendicukr. with a slight inclination to the north west, containing more 
 ess quartz and of the ordinary grayish color; none of the dark "' 
 iinely laminated was met with. In the bads of brooks, the clay sktes 
 appeared to stratify horizontally. ^ ^**^^ 
 
"'"^, 
 
 20 
 
 Eftidole, a greenish, stratificated, whitish kind of rock was met with in 
 the 8th range. 
 
 Jasper, very hard and reddish, brick colour, finely veined by a darker 
 mineral, was found in the large stream, lot No. 14, 2nd range, north west 
 section. 
 
 SoapsUwe, a very soft dark gray rock, easily cut into any shape by a 
 knife, appears to be the same as that described by Doctor Hobart, in his 
 Geology of Shetland, under the native name cf kleber ; I forget the scientific 
 appellation bestowed on it by the Doctor. 
 
 Conglomerate, of g-ravel, very dark brownish, within small boulders. 
 
 Black Sand, met v\ith in almost all the larger streams. 
 
 Pig7)ien(, a kind ji powder resembling the sienna or umber used by 
 painters, found in a vein of qnarlz in situ, in the 3rd range, N. E. 
 
 Grarnle, syenitic or gneiss, never seen in situ ; some very small water- 
 worn boulders were occasionally met with. 
 
 , ( W, Henderson, 3rd November, 1864.) 
 
 On this tract of land, there is a good quantity of spruce for lumber. 
 The soil in general is good, especially between the ninth and eighth rano-es, 
 where it is level and chiefly timb:"red with hard wood The land between' 
 the sixth and seventh ranges is more broken, bat is good for settlement ; the 
 largest quauHty of spruce is along this line. If a road was made somewhere 
 in this vicinity from the River du Loup to the Ohaudiere, there is not 
 the least doubt bat that this land would be all settled in a short time ; but. 
 as it is, it will take some time before the lands are taken for actual settle- 
 ment, as there is no road on that side of the River du Loup. 
 
 {R. J. Ross, 26th October, 1883.) 
 
 Con 
 hird ran 
 with. Tl 
 timber is 
 
 Rosu 
 mette lin< 
 good land 
 
 Cont: 
 k'^d, pret 
 
 Beari 
 
 hmulred c 
 with som( 
 
 Prolo 
 
 range ; 
 
 loi 
 
 links 
 
 A fine stre 
 range, ofFe 
 The same 
 river. Th 
 timber has 
 
 The sc 
 established 
 Saint Comt 
 fourth ram 
 much impc 
 ill pa--s, ab 
 The land, c 
 least doubt 
 
8 met with in 
 
 i by a darker 
 3, north west 
 
 ly shape by a 
 obart, iu his 
 the scientific 
 
 boulders. 
 
 aber used by 
 E. 
 
 small water- 
 iT, 1864.) 
 
 ! for lumber, 
 ighth ranges, 
 ind between 
 tleraent ; the 
 e somewhere 
 thero is not 
 rt time ; but. 
 ictual settle' 
 
 r, 1883.) 
 
 21 
 
 Township of Linl6re. 
 
 Continued south east outline reverse lots of Metgermette to second and 
 hird range. The country through which this line runs is the best yermet 
 with. The s or.e 13 gradual to the south east branch of the Metgermette.X 
 timber is of the largest hard wood kin.ls, the soil clay. 
 
 {John Neilson. 17th April, 1866.) 
 
 Kosumed north west outline and prolonged it north east to Metier- 
 mette line, which was found at seventy chains and Efteen links vfry 
 good land on both sides of the line, and but a few stones. 
 
 Continued to prolonn. third and fourth range passed very good 
 
 Ic-d, pretty free of stones n a^^^ 
 
 Bearing on top south bank Portage, south No. 38 w.st, prolonged one 
 hundred chains third and fourth range, through average land, mixed dmbr 
 with some ash ; broken land, but of good quality as above. ' 
 
 Prolonged north outline reverse lots Portage river from third to fourth 
 range; lound Metgermelte-Liniere line ac eighty three chains and eighty 
 links... This reverse passes through probably the best land yet met with 
 A fine stream runs along nearly the whole length of nu nber nine of fourth 
 range, offering every advantage lor personal enterprise in alluvial dic^giuc 
 The same stream cuts the front- of numb.r fifteen reverse lot of p'oL °e 
 mei-. The soil IS a deep rich gray clay mixed with sand. The primitive 
 timber has been destroyed by fire. pnmiiue 
 
 {John Neilson, June, 186G.) 
 
 . f Ki u 'T ! "^ ""^^""^ ^' "^ ^^"^^^^ ''^'y ^«-^^- There is a ..o.«„y 
 
 established, on lots 18 and 19 of the third ran.,e, by one Pierre Poullno^ 
 amt Come, and there is sufiicient maple on^lots H, 18 and lot Ihe 
 fourtli range, to establish oue or two more s.^aHes. T^ere is no umber of 
 much importance There is a small quantity of spruce and someVood c dar 
 ]^^::;f'^^:^''^^-'^^^^^^^^-ts of settlers in building anl fenc nt 
 
 uJT Jl Tl^"^"^ '' ^''^ ^'^' ^^^"^^"» P»^P°«^'«' ^^"d there is not the 
 least doubt but that it will betaken up as soon as advertised for sale 
 
 {R. J. Ross, 26th October, 1883,) 
 
22 
 
 Township of Louise. 
 
 The central portion of the township is comparatively level, but the 
 south and east portions are exceedingly mountainous and rugged, especially 
 along the boundary line. The soil is generally light and sandy, and in some 
 places very stony. The greater part of the tovrnship has been ravaged by 
 fire ; the burnt portion extending from the line of Ditchfield in a south- 
 easterly direction to near the fourth range, from lot 26 to lot 42. Within 
 these limits nearly everything has been destroyed, A considerable quantity 
 of pine has been cut in this township, but there is still some remaining on 
 the mountains along the boundary line. There is abundance of spruce, espe- 
 cially on the first tea lots of the second and third ranges, and on lots 7 to 
 18 of the first range 
 
 The whole township, except the south east corner, near "Woburn, is 
 well watered, and I have been informed, since completing my survey, that 
 there is an excellent water power on the Spider river {riviiife des Amignees), 
 near the middle of the first range, but, not having scaled this river, I did not 
 fall in with it, * 
 
 (/. Geo. Bigne/l, Dec. 1880.) 
 
 Township of Marlow. 
 
 The land in general, in this section, (ranges 10 to 3, inclusive, from 
 centre line to river Chaudiere and Jersey line) is of inferior quality, being 
 chiefly soft wood, with a good deal of swamps. I met occasionally a small 
 swell of mixed wood, with a light, loamy soil, but too small in quantity to 
 form a settlement. Single detached farms might be formed here and there^ 
 The ninth range line is an exception to this, as it is tolerably good from 
 the river to the centre line and would form a point for a settlement on the 
 two ranges 8 and 9. 
 
 There is a good quantity of merchantable spruce timber scattered 
 through the whole of the survey ; there had formerly been a good quantity 
 of pine, but all the good has been cut and carried away. 
 
 There are a number of brooks from ten to twenty links wide, which 
 will serve for mining purpo^es and greatly increase the value of the lands. 
 
 [Andreio Ross, December, 1864.) 
 
 "Tl 
 of the sc 
 better ac 
 land beii 
 in soma 
 quality, ■ 
 townshi] 
 agricultr 
 water co 
 
 " W] 
 
 collected 
 selves. 
 
 "Ic 
 the progr 
 a uorthea 
 
 "Th 
 seem to r 
 rate to ag 
 wide, but 
 of Mario \i 
 he strata, 
 also. I lik 
 lot No. 1 i 
 and some 
 towards e 
 The size o 
 
 Thisp 
 there exist 
 the valley 
 high bank, 
 sometimes 
 giving a st 
 not extend 
 
23 
 
 " T^l' township is more level than that of Ui.borough, and the aaali.r 
 of the 80,1, thou-h not better than the best part of Uisborou^h i. „U ,1^ 
 better adapted for .grienltur.l purposes o„ recount oftep^^pirltofj^^^ 
 land bemg mnch greater. The spruce timber is not in as^rreat Zntity at 
 n..™m, parts of K^borough, but in many places it is larger and of bette' 
 quahty there not b3mg so many dry trees. Altogether I shoald cla.s thl 
 to>vnsh,pasg„od to say the least of it. The greatest inconvenience f„ 
 agnculture, m both townships, (if it can bo considered so) is the sc'rdtv of 
 water courses to supply cattle in summer time. ^ °^ 
 
 "^/^ ■■■^'''"•-^'"" '» 'he tiining resources of these to«-nships, I have 
 colected specmens of stone (which I produce) that will speak for tW 
 
 " I carefully noted all the visible quartz veins I came across durin.r 
 the progress of my work. The rocks are stratihed and seem to run in aboul 
 
 a northeasterly direction. "^ 
 
 "The quartz veins, where more than one exist in thn same vicinity 
 
 rltTto a"" ""'';""k '°""'^; "^^ ^"^^ ^"^"^ ^-- «-l^ other, oepa 
 late to again ,oin farther on. A very fine one of some two or three feet 
 
 wi e, but I cannot say what depth, exists ou lot No. 6 in the second ang 
 
 t^^:.l::i:t^rT '';r '" ?^^^^^*^^ been a dislocation L 
 al o tk. J f "' .^' '^^ '"'' '^^^ '' ''■ I t«°k specimens there 
 
 V Tr ri '" ^P^^'«^«n« «f q^^^rtz veins taken in a shaft sunk on 
 
 lot Jso. 1 in the 7th range of Marlow. This shaft is about six feet square 
 and some sixteen tect deep ; the two quartz veins in It which see n L run 
 towaids each other in a novtheasterly direction, are about five eTtapar. 
 The size of one is n.out ten inches broad, and the other some six inches." 
 
 (/. Geo. Bignell, 17th April, 1.882.) 
 
 This part of Marlow, (ranges 9, 10, 11 and 12), is very level althouo-h 
 ere exists an even up-hill grade going towards the south-east excepting 
 thevalley of the Samson river, along which there is a steep and pretty 
 h,h bank, sometimes on the one side, and then again on the other, a„d 
 sometimes near the nver, and then again at a certain distance there^om 
 gmng a strip of a luvial soil. But in any case the flat meadow land doe^ 
 not extend more than son.e four or five chains at the utmost. A few other 
 
24 
 
 valleys of streams or gullicH are met with, but altogethor this part of Mar- 
 low can be classed as level. 
 
 The greater part of this portion of Marlow contains some very fine 
 land, and especially along the Chaudiere and Samson rivers, where hard 
 wood is found, and hard and soft wood mixed, and again large soft wood. 
 
 The soil is principally loam and clay, and sometimes black muck. In 
 some places, especially where the land is wet, we find the soil to be the 
 stony " hard pan, " -with a thick bed of moss over it. Generally the soil is 
 more or less stony all through. 
 
 The pine timber was all or very nearly all cut and removed some years 
 ago, as well as a considerable portion of the spruce, bnt there still remains 
 in some parts quite a quantity of spruce of superior quality. 
 
 A couple of settlers have gone in and begun clearing some of the land • 
 doubtless, others will soon follow, as the means of communication become 
 easier. 
 
 I noticed quite a number of dry stinding sprnct trees apparently 
 diseased ; they appear to have been in that condition from five to eight 
 years. 
 
 (/. Geo. Bignell, 18th August, 188fi.) 
 
 the preser 
 mountain 
 copper or 
 
 "Thf 
 
 aud C, ia ] 
 part of wl 
 
 " Alt! 
 by the lin 
 settlers. 
 
 "AVx 
 
 see tlio lot 
 shortly. 
 
 " It c 
 
 settlement, 
 road from 
 third rang 
 Francis." 
 
 Township of Price. 
 
 Nearly the half of the land, in this township, is g.-nerally swampy and 
 bad, while the other half may be settled, though it is only land of middling- 
 quality. Most of the forest consists of mixed soft woods, spruce, cedar, fir 
 and pine, and the rest is mixed hard wood. 
 
 I searched for the front lines between ranges 3 and 4, 4 and 5, 5 and 6, 
 and I can certify that these lines were not drawn, for there is no trace of any 
 line in the vicinity of the central line, opposite these froat lines. I don't 
 think the land is very good in the 4th, oth and 6th rang.-s, which I consid.T 
 not surveyed ; but, from what I saw, I believe that half of it could be 
 settled. 
 
 In the tract which I surveyed, I found no stone or rock indicatin"- 
 
 Coram 
 Eisborougl 
 20O 20' eas 
 Risborougl 
 and produc 
 dicular bn 
 " United Sti 
 squared po! 
 tract, I foui 
 lots, to the 
 and ledjres 
 
26 
 
 part of Mar- 
 
 ift very fine 
 where hard 
 e soft wood. 
 
 k muck. In 
 oil to be the 
 ly the soil is 
 
 i some years 
 still remains 
 
 of the land ; 
 tion become 
 
 apparently 
 vo to eiprht 
 
 , 188f?.) 
 
 the presence of minerals of any value. I may adl that I passed elsewhere no 
 I mountain or ledge of a nature to contain metals of any kinds, suoh as giU, 
 copper or lead. 
 
 (/. B. O Lecrendre, l5th Feb., 1«70.) 
 
 " The whole of the land surveyed, except lots 13 and 14 ot ranges B 
 aud C, is fit for cultivation. The soil, though rocky, is composed in great 
 part of whitish earth. 
 
 " Although the merchantable timber, especially the pine, has been cut 
 by the limit-holders, there still remains enough for the requirements of 
 settlers. 
 
 " AV ule I was engaged in making the survey, several persons came to 
 see tlie lots newly laid out, and expressed their intention of settling there 
 
 shortly. 
 
 " It a))pears to me that the best means of encouraging the prompt 
 settlemenL of this part of the township of Price would be the opening of a 
 road from the Disraeli route, between lot^ 37 and 38 of the first, second' and 
 third ranges, and to continue it between ranges B and C as far as Lake St 
 
 Francis." 
 
 {F. Legendre, 18th Feb., 1884.) 
 
 wampy and 
 of middling 
 !e, cedar, fir 
 
 I 5, 5 and 6, 
 trace of any 
 s. I don't 
 
 I I consider 
 t could be 
 
 indicating 
 
 Township of Riaborough. 
 
 Commencing at a post on the north west outline of the township of 
 Eisborough, marked range X and Xf, I started the range-line, south 
 20O 20' east astronomically, from aforesaid post at right angles to the 
 Kisborough line, which I found to bear north 65='40' east astronomically, 
 and produced the same, subdividing th- lots of twenty-six chains perpen- 
 dicular breadth, to the intersection of the boundary line between the 
 " United Stales " and " Camda," where I planted a stone boundary and 
 squared post, duly marked according to instructions. In traversing this 
 tract, I found the first eight lots well fitted for cultivation, the remlining 
 lots, to the boundary line, being a high rugged country, composed of shale 
 I and ledges of slate and quartz, also quartz rocks in ledges of from two and 
 
S6 
 
 '•jilij. 
 
 a half to thr.M, foiit. running in a southwostorly direction, of a fmequalitv 
 also largo quantities of" iron pyrites." Th. ro.ks in g.moral are largely 
 impregnated with '• galena " and the bottom of the rivers with black sand 
 together with slate, and quartz gravel. 
 
 The numerous small streams and two of considerable note are a means 
 of watering the surrounding country ; they all keep a flow of wat.-r 
 during the yei.,r; they average from six inches to three feet of water I 
 would consider that the range line between the 11th and 12th still unsub 
 divided forms the height oi land between the waters of the river da Lo'ip 
 and those of the river Sam.on having traced the small streams to their 
 source, which fall into the Samson, three quarters of a mile north east of 
 range ten and eleven and found .that beyond this the small streams ran 
 easterly into the du Loup, after runuingand picketing the Risborouo-h lino 
 towards the south west, eighty .hains eighty links, where I pla^ited a 
 squared post duly marked between the ninth and tenth rancr^s This ran ^e 
 IS not of so rugged a nature, the land rising in a gradual ascent to the 
 boundary and crossing all theRrre.,msasa:oresaid,also the ledges of quartz 
 The land here is fit for cultivation. Thenc. I admeasured south west alon. 
 the Risborough line eighty chains eighty links, where I planted a squared 
 post duly marked, for the eighth and ninth ranges. 
 
 This line all through is well Rtted for cultivation ; the soil is loamv 
 with clay and gravel, and the rise is very gradual. It is well watered the 
 me crossing the small streams and brooks, in the accompanying plan 'also 
 the quartz l.dge as traced on this range, running in the direction as afore- 
 said^ 1 hence I traced and opened up the Risboroughlino south westward 
 to the distance of eighty chains an.l eighty links where I planted a squared 
 post duly marki'd, for the seventh and eighth ranges. 
 
 This range is in richness of soil and large growth of timber equal to 
 the other ranges, and lit for settlement. It crosses a number of streams and 
 rivulets, and a so the Samson river, where the quarts ledge intersects, as 
 traced on the plan. Thence again, along the Risborough line, south west- 
 ward eio-hty links, where I planted a squared post duly marked, for the 
 sixth and seventh ranges. 
 
 This range is of considerable value, there being very extensive sugaries. 
 
 The trees are of a large size and grow thickly tosrether. The land is 
 rather rolling, but of rich black soil, stony in parts, but well fitted for fannJn^. 
 It IS also watered by numerous small streams, also by the river Samson, 
 and the last branch thereof. The quartz ledge passes through this raiK^e. 
 
 The 
 
 bia/ing I 
 chains 0; 
 of Kisboi 
 the scali: 
 from the 
 
 range ni: 
 
 I wc 
 
 road was 
 line cross 
 I would 
 larly opt 
 sli ady ti 
 panying 
 section o' 
 from the 
 tion are A 
 highways 
 
 The] 
 will be V€ 
 
 The A 
 the spruce 
 
 Theg 
 are some 
 quantity i 
 granite an 
 
 Altho 
 country, tl 
 
27 
 
 W-> 
 
 a fine quality, 
 nl ari3 largely 
 ith black sand, 
 
 are a means 
 ow of wator 
 t of water. I 
 th still unsub- 
 •iver da Loiip 
 oams to their 
 ( north east of 
 
 1 streams ran 
 sborough lino 
 e I planted a 
 s. This ran^'e 
 ascent to the 
 
 ^es of quartz, 
 h west along 
 tod a squared 
 
 soil is loamy, 
 watered, the 
 ng plan, also 
 tion as afore- 
 h westward 
 ted a squared 
 
 iber equal to 
 streams and 
 intCi'sects, as 
 , south west- 
 ked, for the 
 
 ve sugaries. 
 
 The land is 
 
 for farming. 
 
 ver Samson, 
 
 this range. 
 
 Then<e I admeasured alouff the Ri .rroui^h line, opening up and 
 blazmg the same on each side, to the intersection of tho Spalding line 180 
 chains 05 links, where I completed the subdivision of the south west part 
 ot Kisborough, as required by my instructions. I was unable to CDmplete 
 the scaling of the rivor Samson, as required, but only that portion of it 
 Ironi tho Spalding line to its intersection with ihe ifisboiough line at 
 range ninth, where I terminated the work. 
 
 I would humbly beg to bring to your notire that some years ago a 
 road was partially opened up from the Kennebec road, along thi Kisborough 
 line cros.sing the River du Loup, and brushed out as far as the river Samson 
 I would beg to suggest for your consideration that if this road was regu- 
 larly opened up, from the Kennebec road to its junction with the road 
 all ady traced in the fi.ld, to Jersey Point, as represented on the accom- 
 panying plan, It would b.^ the means of settling and making that lar-e 
 section of wild lands of the Crown a soun-e of revenue to the Government 
 from the lact that, all along this route, the lands on each side without excep- 
 tion are fertile and advantageous to the settler, being so close to the leading 
 highways to Quebec, Sherbrooke and the United States. 
 
 (C I. Bouchelfe, 29th May, 18G5.) 
 
 The portion of country I have surveyed is composed chiefly of swells 
 with hard wood around the base, then broken rocky ledges with hard and 
 mixed wood, and the top rocky, with spruce and other soft woods. It would 
 be impossible to make roads upon any one of the lines I have surveyed. 
 
 The River du Loup branches into a number of £ne streams, which 
 will be very valuable for mining purposes. 
 
 The whole of the merchantable pine has been cut and taken away • 
 the spruce, in general, is of an inferior quality for lumber. ' ' 
 
 The general rock is slate, with quartz veins running throuo-h it There 
 are some extensive ledges totally of quartz. I have not seen"' it in such 
 quantity in any other parts I have surveyed. I saw only one boulder of 
 granite and one ledge of sand stone (white). 
 
 Although this tract I have surveyed is not adapted for an agricultural 
 country, there are many fine tracts of lands in the valleys amongst the hills, 
 
 : 
 
 I 
 
 m 
 
28 
 
 and if it become a mining country, which irora appearances I think it will' 
 these valleys would form pretty spots for the miners' habitations. 
 
 {Andrew Ross, July 1865.) 
 
 The portion of country I have siirveyed is very mountainous and unfa- 
 vorable, in genera?, for agricultural purposes ; it would be very difficult to 
 make roads through it and impossible upon the lines I have run. 
 
 There is no pine timber upon this tract and what spruce there is is 
 very inferior, being short and knotty. 
 
 The general rock is slate. I saw several quartz ledges, but the time 
 was unfavorable far geological research, as the snow was upon the ground 
 the whole of the time I was out, and was one foot deep when I feft the 
 height of land upon the twenty ninth of October. 
 
 There are a great many streams, but in general very small, at the head- 
 waiers of the River du Loup. 
 
 (Andrew Ross, 20th Nov., 1865.) 
 
 In Risborough, I ran the following lines, namely : between rano-es 3 
 and 4, 14 and 13, 13 and 12, 12 and 11, from lot one to eighteen, inclusive. 
 
 This township is more mountainous thun Marlow, but a very small 
 portion of it, indeed, if any, can be called unfit for agricultural purposes as 
 the most hilly and stony parts can be put into grass for hay or pasture. 
 
 The quality of the soil in some places is very good, while in no place 
 scarcely can it be called very bad altogether. I should call it very fair 
 There is still considerable spruce timber almost throughout all I surveyed 
 and in some places particularly it is very plentiful. ' 
 
 (.A Gi'o. Bignef/, 17th April, 1882.) 
 
 In 
 
 unlike ] 
 
 Th( 
 diere, g 
 neverth 
 of the tc 
 with, at 
 here the 
 
 The 
 black m 
 informal 
 portion 
 made an 
 from. I ] 
 laid dow 
 
 A g 
 drawn a' 
 some par 
 number < 
 dry some 
 in Marlon 
 
 The : 
 and, with 
 i.s compar 
 
 The 1 
 i^'ooil qua 
 very well 
 iiuming It 
 
29 
 
 I think it will' 
 ions. 
 
 .ily, 1865.) 
 
 lous and un fa- 
 ery difficult to 
 un. 
 
 ice there is, is 
 
 but the time 
 m the ground 
 hen I left the 
 
 !, at the head- 
 
 v., 1865.) 
 
 en ranges 3 
 m, inclusive. 
 
 . very small 
 purposes, as 
 pasture. 
 
 e in no place 
 it very fair. 
 1 I surveyed, 
 
 I, 1882.) 
 
 In general features this part (ranges 5, 6, 1, 8 and 9), of Eisborough is 
 unhke most of the rest of the township, being much more level. 
 
 There is a somewhat even gradual up-hill grade from the river Chan- 
 diere, going towards the south-east or towards the province line It is 
 nevertheh^ss somewhat hilly, but not mountainous as in some other parts 
 of the township. A few gullies, like everywhere else, are occasionally met 
 with, at the bottom of which there nearly always is a stream; as a rule 
 here the gullies do not run a great distance. 
 
 The soil generally i.. very good, being nearly all loam with a little 
 black muck. It is somowhat stony, but at the same time very fertile This 
 information I obtained from pa-ties who took up lots within this surveyed 
 portion some years ago, and who have more or less extensive clearino-s 
 made and live on their lots and have raised 3ome two or three crops thei^e- 
 from. I have entered the names of those settlers on mv plan, and have also 
 laid down the approximate extent of their improvements. 
 
 A great quantity of the merchantable timber of all kinds has been 
 drawn away, but there still remains a considerable quantity of spruce in 
 some parts, which is of a large aize, and superior quality. I noticed a certain 
 number of dry spruce trees, apparently diseased. They appear to have been 
 dry some five to eight years. The proportion of them here is not as great as 
 in Mario w. 
 
 (/. Geo. Bignell, 23rd August, 1886.) 
 
 ft 
 
 Township of Shenloy. 
 
 The land throughout is generally good, and sufficiently well watered 
 and, with the exception of some short, abrupt hills, on the first two miles 
 i.s comparatively level. ' 
 
 (/. BigneJl, March, 1862.) 
 
 To'sr-nship of Spalding. 
 
 The land, throughout the township of Spaldmg, is for the most part of 
 i^'00,1 quality loam, though rather stony in places, yet, on the whole, 
 very well adapted to agricultural purposes, and may be classed as first rate 
 
 tarraiiig 
 
 land. 
 
80 
 
 The timber is also of superior quality and of average growth, generally 
 mixed, the principal kinds being birch, maple, spruce, cedar, balsam and 
 some pine. 
 
 The whole township is well watered, many of the streams being of 
 considerable size and affording excellent mill sites, and water privileges, 
 amongst which I may mention the Nebnellis and Kokombis, names given 
 by the Indians. The river Chaudiere itself is a very rapid stream, at low 
 w^ater being not more than two feet in depth and of an average width of 
 about two chains, although at spring floods it rises to considerable size. 
 The banks are in many places rathor uneven, while, in others, good flats of 
 arable laud extend to the water edge. 
 
 {A. Duchcsnay, July, 1867.) 
 
 During the whole time of this survey, the weather was very fine, there 
 not being one half day's work lost. The seventh range of this township is 
 slightly undulating, north east of centre lino ; but a little more hillv at the 
 south west. The soil is not too sand,-, not very stony and i^ well 
 adapted for agriculture. There is considerable maple and birch, also a^reat 
 quantity of fine spruce, although the greatest part of it has been cut'and 
 removed. 
 
 The Vni and IX ranges are more mountainous than the VII and more 
 stony in most places. There is a great quantity of very fine spruce through 
 nearly the whole of the two ranges. There is also considerable hard wood! 
 Small welter courses are scarce. Taking the residue of this township alto- 
 gether, it should he classed as very fair, as can be seen by the field notes. 
 
 [J.-Geu. Bignell, 20th December 1882.) 
 
 Purs 
 sioner of 
 in the 3i 
 3rd range 
 the 5 th rj 
 is stony, 
 birch and 
 yet been 
 adapted f 
 
 In CO 
 
 taken up, 
 length, pa 
 and thenc 
 range and 
 
 Accori 
 land seal in < 
 [chasse acre 
 
 and scalin£ 
 I from the j 
 
 townships. 
 
 I also 
 [of the rang 
 
 The s( 
 [the towns] 
 country is ] 
 
31 
 
 wth, generally 
 ir, balsam and 
 
 lams beiu^ of 
 ter privileges, 
 , names given 
 stream, at low 
 rage width of 
 siderable size. 
 , good flats of 
 
 ly, 1867.) 
 
 iry fine, there 
 s township is 
 re hilly at the 
 and ic well 
 1, also a great 
 seen cut and 
 
 II and more 
 race through 
 3 hard wood? 
 •wnship alto- 
 e field notes. 
 
 r, 1882.) 
 
 COUNTY OF BELLECHASSE. 
 
 Township of Armagh, 
 
 Pursuant to verbal instructions received from the Deputy Commis- 
 sioner of Crown Lands, I altered as requested the division of the lots 
 nx the 3rd, 4th and 5th north west ranges of the said township the 
 3rd range from No. 38 to No. 57, the 4th range from No. 32 to No 57 and 
 the 5th range from No. 1 to No. 57. inclusively. The ground on the whole 
 IS stony, but level and well suited to tillage. The timber consists of spruce 
 birch and a little:maple, and here and there a few pines. No attempt ha^' 
 yet been made to open up or settle this region, although the whole is weVi 
 adapted for colonization and cultivation. 
 
 In concluding this report, I must say that these lots will be shortly 
 taken up, especially if the Government opens a road of about five miles in 
 length, passing along the side line of the 3rd, 4th and 5th north west ran-e. 
 and thence crossing the line between Nos. 27 and 28, on the 3rd north ea.t 
 range and coming out at the church. 
 
 (E. Cdsgrain, 5th January, 1881). 
 
 Township of Belleohasse. 
 
 According to instructions, I proceeded to renew or retrace the chaininn- 
 and scaling of the division line between the townships of Roux and Belle° 
 chasse across the whole breadth of those townships, and also the chainino. 
 and scaling of the line between the first and second ranges of this township 
 from the Mailloux road to the line between Bellechasse and Lano-evin 
 I townships. ° 
 
 I also did some chainino' on the Grand Mailloux line, along the base 
 I of the range's, as the whole appears by my notes of survey and journal. 
 
 The soil, in the part which I traversed, is, generally, the same as in 
 the township of Roux; being a yellow,:gray and black earth ; while the 
 country is not so uneven, hut generally more level or gently slopino- 
 
82 
 
 |i ij HI, 
 
 The principal rivers of any importance which I crossed are the rivers 
 anx Ongnaux and Brie. O,. the latter, at the G-raud Mailloux line, a Mr. 
 Lamontajrne is at present engaged in some extensive operations in changing 
 the site of his saw and grist-mills, by transporting them from one siie of 
 the river to the other, and in slightly changing the actual course of the river 
 with a view to the more advantageous working of his mills. 
 
 Fish are not abundant in these rivers, the principal kind being trout, 
 which in the vicinity of the mills are found of a large size. They are 
 also found in a small river crossing the first, second and third ranges 
 running through the Grand MaiUoux line, on the last range in the vicinity 
 of the line between this and the second range. 
 
 A stream which cuts the line between the first and second ran"-es at 
 lot No. 45 offers, at a few acres to the south, a site and water-power 
 suitable for a saw-mill. 
 
 • 
 
 The soil generally is good for oaltivatiou. Nearly all the farms in these 
 localities are taken up, and m iny of them are much advanced and in a 
 good state of ( Itivation. The prevailing timber is spruce and fir, with 
 bouleau, birch and mxple in sorn.* localities. In some places, birch and 
 maple are the most plentiful, and at some distance from the ran.o-e-lines on 
 either side some fine sugaries are m 't with and we also meet them in some 
 places along the range-lines. But unfortunately, hurricanes, runnino- north- 
 west to south-west, have here done serious damage in overturning every, 
 thing in their course, a ciroumstan >e which gave us much extra work iu 
 many places on the division line of the townships of Roux and Bellechasse. 
 
 The land which I have just resurveyed and laid out in farm lots 
 comprises a superficies of ten thousand five hundred acres. 
 
 Before closing my report, ^ belieye it my duty to advise as very desir- 
 able the opening of a road to connect the township of Bellechasse with that 
 of Langevin, t^ the want of one is greatly felt, and it would very much 
 accelerate colonization. This road, in ord.r to favour the settlement of the i 
 country, should as far as possible cross the best lands, and be as level as 
 practicable, a circumstance very important in the opening of a colonization 
 road, m regard to expense of construction and facility of traffic To further I 
 this object, I believe it would be well to have a preliminary survey made of 
 some of the ranges of the township of Bellechasse. which offer the be.t| 
 facilities for the purpose. Such a survey would obviate the mistake so ofteu, 
 made of opening roads in an iion explored country, where it is very diflicult, 
 
 if not i 
 to note 
 even shi 
 impracti 
 have to 
 impracti 
 
 The 
 
 three co 
 lakes. 
 
 The 
 three moi 
 of the to\ 
 
 This 
 
 the ohoict 
 Gervais, i 
 sixth raiu 
 
 j ^ 
 
 strewed v 
 I decayed ti 
 [portion of 
 I and soft \\ 
 [ III the rea 
 j found, mc 
 I such. 
 
 The s 
 
 with Hen 
 
 [the towns] 
 
 jtion of this 
 
 Although 
 
 [but poorer 
 
 The re 
 Ithe river c 
 
83 
 
 are the rivers 
 >ux liae, a Mr. 
 )us in changing 
 3ra one siie of 
 arse of the river 
 
 3. 
 
 id being trout, 
 iize. They are 
 I third ranges, 
 in the vicinity 
 
 ond ranges at 
 i water-power 
 
 farms in these 
 inced and in a 
 
 and iir, v^ath 
 ces, birch aud 
 range-lines on 
 
 them in some 
 unning north- 
 turning every- 
 extra work iu 
 id Bellechasse. 
 
 in farm lots 
 
 as very desir- 
 lasse with that 
 lid very much 
 element of the i 
 be as level as 
 a colonization 
 c. To further 
 urvey made of 
 offer the bettf 
 istako so ol'teu 
 I very diflicult, 
 
 if not impossible, to lay out the ground, as I have verv oftpn h.A 
 
 to note and where it has happened that J^ 7^ ^ "'^''^''^^ 
 
 even shortly after the settlers hTe oil: ^,1^^ Ven "^f ^^ " 
 
 i.practibleroad,andthewhrlrtrber^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 (P. E. Lavergne, Vth N'ov.. 1884.) 
 
 Township of Buokland. 
 
 ^ ofthe township f..„» the ^tt:ZZZ^ ""' -rtKwesterly pare 
 
 1 Gervais, i„ particular is almo, „1 II ' "^ 1 f, ' "' P""'"" J»i"i'iK Saint 
 Uih range „hn;Jlin"! oh '^ T "^ '"''"' "'"'"''"'■' ^' f""- »'' 'he 
 strewed wi h iW en ,1 lb t d "' ™t ""T^ "■'* '"°^"' everywhere 
 decayed timbe utter v^,s.:«f "'* >"'""8 ^"P™' ^*erry and 
 
 portion of this h t JtW^r H ':'"'™''* "''*'"■"'■■ '^•'<' '*°""' =^' '"'>■ 
 'ndsolt woedl ;; t7with"t '•''"^'■-"•"l --»--! patches of hard 
 
 1 1.. 0.O rear of this h w - r 't de7oT v""' 7' T^ ""^ ""'•' '■°^''^- 
 |-a, u.ore partiCariy ^^^.^X^tf^^^^^Ztl^ 
 
 iw«h^t:rnb:oTr::::;:;r.h: ":"rr r^""",^*""™'". '08.">er 
 ->.« township. fro„ the st do ;:*::: ::tr"'j""'^'"''^ '""■''°" °^ 
 
 |b«t p„:rer Z tZ Cl^ ::^:;;;,r- " ^^ "-f"^-" - '- -ny 
 
 Ithe rlt'lTs'utr :lf '"™f '" ': T'"'" "^ ■-"» -^'^ -^' branch of 
 bnd, and a number of large tributary streams extending 
 
 1^ 
 
84 
 
 over the twelfth, eleventh, tenth and part of the ninth ranges. By far the 
 greater portion of this tract is of very superior quality, excellent hard or 
 mixed wood land, up to within a few acres of theStandon line, where, how- 
 ever, it is bad throughout. This hard wood land lies in swells of some miles 
 in extent, and in many places free from stones, olferiug situations for new 
 settlements superior to any lands I have seen in the district, land, with 
 the exception of two or three lots in the tenth range, all susceptible of 
 cultivation and with mill sites abounding here as everywhere else in the 
 township 
 
 The great range of high mountains on the northern side seems to form 
 a natural boundary, sloping gradually northwesterly into Buekland. line 
 hard wood land, and terminating abruptly, mostly on the boundary' line 
 oflfering a precipitous wall of rocks and bad lands to Standon. 
 
 The remainder of the township up to the Saint G-ervais line, where it is 
 again, on the line only, rugged and precipitous, is generally gradual swills of 
 land olfering everywhere facilities for opening level good roads, which is all 
 that is required to effect the immediate settlement of Buckland ; one o-oorl 
 cart road, indeed, up the centre, of the township on the thirty first or the 
 thirty second lot would sufficiently answer that end. 
 
 (A. Ross, 'Fth December, 1841.) 
 
 The chaining from the division line betw^een the townships of Mail- 
 loux and Buckland, on the oblique line running Avestward, gave one 
 hundred and forty two chains ninety four links front perpendicular to the 
 great lines of division, which forms thirteen lots of ten chains and one of 
 twelve chains ninety four links, between each of which I planted a picket. 
 
 The whole of this block of 'and is wooded with very fine hard wood, 
 but is, generally speaking, rocky, though for the most part capable of advan- 
 tageous cultivation. The soil is generally a good yellow clay. 
 
 The superficies of the divided portion of the township of Buckland 
 amounts to 16,210, and the portion still undivided to 3,350, acres. 
 
 (O. A. Dube, 26th January, 1853). 
 
 of the g 
 declivit 
 side oft 
 venting 
 ing the 
 seen not 
 
 Befo 
 ray obsei 
 tion of th 
 able for c 
 a sure gn 
 
 I am 
 
 l^K't that 
 which gi 
 
 I only diffic 
 of some s 
 those aris] 
 
 I at no verj 
 the river '. 
 
 I sur 
 
 I linos betw 
 Jthe third i 
 jforming tv^ 
 
86 
 
 fes. By far the 
 :;elleut hard or 
 e, where, how- 
 s ol' some miles 
 ations for new 
 'ict, land, with 
 susceptible of 
 lero else in the 
 
 seeras to form 
 Buekland, lim; 
 iouiidary line 
 
 All the and surveyed here is good and very well adapted for cultiva 
 tion ; the soil is of grayish earth, not rocky, and of excellent quaHty Th 
 Ime of the trait-carre which separates range A from ranire XT rn" 
 general rule along the side of a mountain wfth a genUe Se a„d he^ rl? 
 of the ground ,s partly undulating and partly level, with very littt abru' 
 dechvi ty. except on the lots situated between lots 7 to 21 onTh north eas 
 side of the line, where there is a deep ravine cuttin- across these lor„i 
 venting cultivation through the difficulty, if not theTZss b lUv o "^^^ 
 nig the ravine, which divides the lots into two. ApTf om L iT" 
 seen nothinir else wnr^h m«nf,-.v.i.„ ^*" *''^"* *^'»' ^ have 
 
 seen nothing else worth mentionino-. 
 
 (P. Fmrnier, 12 April 1864). 
 
 ne, where it is 
 idualswills of 
 Ls, which is all 
 ind ; one goofl 
 rty first or the 
 
 ^er, 1841.) 
 
 iships of Mail- 
 -ird, gav-e one 
 dicular to the 
 ins and one of 
 in ted a picket. 
 
 le hard wood, 
 able of ad van- 
 
 Township of Daaquam. 
 
 Before terminating my report. I may say that, puttin- together «11 
 
 niy obsei-vanonsof the soil and variety of land in the course of ^ye^a 
 
 .on of the township of Daaquam. I found the lands in this townlirfar 
 
 able lor cultivation and oifering to the settler who proposes To clear th/n^ 
 
 a sure guarantee of success. lo ciear them 
 
 f.t \Z ?h' "^7" T^''^"^ "' '^'' °P^^^°" ^y *^^ ^^^« -^d remarkable 
 fact hat this locality ,s everywhere extremely level and free from ml 
 
 which gives the settlers great facilities for opening publtJX T^^^^ 
 only difficulties to be encountered in this township arfse'rom th etteic 
 some swamps here and there; but these are trifling compareTwkh 
 those arising from the inequalities of the surflxce, and I haCthe wTw 
 a no very distant day a brilliant destiny await; the valley lytbTJe^ 
 I the river Daaquam and the river Saint John. ^^etween 
 
 (E. Casgrain, 1868.) 
 
 i 
 
 P 
 
 of Buekland 
 
 cres. 
 
 ry, 1853). 
 
 Township of Roux. 
 
 Ili„ ' J""^«'l '•«' fl«' four ranges of this township, running division 
 ...OS between the first and second ranges, the second and the third and 
 he .h.rd and the fourth as well as one on each side of the Mailloux trd 
 
 lor.n,„g two ranges of fifty four chains each in depth. ' 
 
 
 i'^i 
 
86 
 
 The surfuce of this township is higher th at that of Mailloux, and the 
 soil is generally good for tillage, although uneven; seldom is rocky or 
 8\tfampy ground met with as an obstacle to cultivation. The hills are of 
 yellovviish and grayish earth, and the absence of stones is remarkable. The 
 slope of the second, third and fourth ranges is towards the south, and con- 
 sequently well suited to the raising of early crops. Settlers have already 
 commenced clearings in the hope that the Government will have the land 
 subdivided ; and on the Mailloux road, there has been a settler established for 
 nearly four years past. There have been live or six families living on the sixth 
 range for nearly live years past. Many more from the p'^rish of St. Lazare 
 will join them in the spring. The work of settlement in this direction will 
 before long yield surprising results. 
 
 {Frs. IV/if, 8th March, 1866 ) 
 
 In obedience to instructions, I resurveyed and renewed the front lines 
 of the third, fonrlli, fifth, sixth and seventh ranges, besides renewing the east 
 and west lines of the Mailloux road and the side lines of the third, fourth, 
 lil'th and sixth r;ingos. 
 
 The soil of the part resurveyed by me is generally composed of 
 yt'll()wi.'h rocky or of grayisli and poor earth with occasional low grounds 
 of gray and black loam. Jji ^ome places the ground is uneven, but as a 
 general rule it is level or slightly sloping. 
 
 The rivers iwe gonernlly rapid in their course, and, although their beds' 
 are cut down to the rock, the baiiks are not steep. 
 
 The lakes are small and very shallow and contain very little fish, trout 
 being a]x)ul the only kind to be met with. 
 
 The timber most plentiful is the white and red spruce, birch, beech 
 and ui\[Ae in some parts. The few pine trees that I saw on that part of 
 the filth range are of inferior quality. 
 
 The spruce is pretty good and might be worked to advantage by 
 means of the Etchemin, Black, White and Moose rivers. 
 
 There are some good mill sites, particularly on the Etchemin river, 
 along the front of lot number thirty three in the second and third raiii^es, 
 where the river dashing over the rocks between two cliffs is well adapted 
 
87 
 
 lloux, and the 
 m is rocky or 
 'he hills are of 
 markable. The 
 Aith, and con- 
 have already 
 have the land 
 established for 
 ff on the sixth 
 of St. Lazare 
 direction will 
 
 ch, 1866 ) 
 
 ;he front lines 
 
 ;vvinj?the east 
 
 third, fourth, 
 
 composed of 
 1 low grounds 
 oven, but as a 
 
 ig'h their beds 
 
 ttle fish, trout 
 
 , birch, beech 
 L that part of 
 
 idvautage by 
 
 ;.'hemiu river, 
 third rauges, 
 well adapted i 
 
 
 In general, owing to their rapid 
 great advantage for the building of milis7and"I few 
 already constructed. 
 
 course, the rivers offer at many points 
 saw mills have been 
 
 have been opened. '^^^ "^ '^^^'^^^ ^^''^^ lots 
 
 the workofrvelomaeTt f ^'/P'"*' .P"^* of , he sixth rang., where 
 
 also the ca." alon the ft , Tl T T' "'" ""='---g- This is 
 seUiers have .he tat Jl^ 0^4 rre^hVr;o:l^^r ' "^"^ ""^ 
 
 rlinwhi h h ""?'' '°™™»"g«the settlement of the nfth 
 
 th rtv ?„^ u '"".'^r'^'"' '""' *™«' ■•"■nber twenty five to number 
 
 auty ,„„, so much so, tn fact, that some of them were taken „p IZ^Z 
 
88 
 
 I could complete the subdivision. Unfortuautely the first lots met in this 
 range on entering it from the west are somewhat swampy, but, to the west 
 of the Et(^hemin river, there are some good lots, so that this range may he 
 said to be one of the best suited to cultivation, the ground being also a little 
 less rooky. I also think that the opening of a road along the same front line, 
 in the eastern portion or between the third and fourth ranges, would be of 
 great advantage. 
 
 The front lines of the third, sixth and seventh ranges, in the western 
 portion, cross the largest mountains. Nevertheless towards the south, start- 
 ing from the top of the highest mountain on lot number thirty in the 
 seventh range, clearings have been begun. The mountain, where it skirts 
 the front line, extends from lot number twenty nine to lot number thirty 
 seven ; but, beyond the latter, the ground resumes its usual arfpect. The 
 hilly part of the frontage of the sixth range is restricted to about the same 
 limits, but it is only between numbers twenty nine and thirty one that the 
 mountain is highest. 
 
 Beyond the discharge of the small lake, as far as number thirty seven, 
 the general slope of the ground is, towards the north or north east, and the 
 soil is of good quality, being mostly covered with hard woods, mixed with 
 balsam and spruce, &c. 
 
 (P. E. Lavergne, 6th March, 1883.) 
 
 I(( 
 divide 1( 
 
 The 
 one hunc 
 eleven co 
 ooiitainin 
 Trout Li 
 
 With 
 voyed is ' 
 are ah-eac 
 
 Alth( 
 to the nor 
 the qualit 
 rapidly, ii 
 
 Whil( 
 that the si 
 could be ( 
 I dering w 
 instructioi 
 about thrc 
 useless, as i 
 one alread 
 throughou 
 are now s] 
 
89 
 
 s met in this 
 t, to the west 
 iiuge may be 
 g also a little 
 me front line. 
 , would be of 
 
 1 the western 
 i south, start- 
 thirty in the 
 lere it skirts 
 umber thirty 
 arfpect. The 
 )ut the same 
 one that the 
 
 thirty seven, 
 
 !ast, and the 
 
 mixed with 
 
 \i, 1883.) 
 
 COUNTY OF BEUTFIIER. 
 
 Township of Brassard. 
 
 a.vi;e',ir;r:LT:j' tn;::r' -"■''-<"'- '^^ i-.. which 
 
 Trout Lake not having been surveyed. «"Periicies is not known, 
 
 With the exception of a few lots in the tenth ran-e all th. 1 i 
 voyed .s very well fiited for cultivation and about one^ f^u th of he Ti' 
 are already occupied. lourta ot the lots 
 
 Although I have not insnected tha noKf ,.rU; l 
 .0 the north oast of the Bn^sartad ^heCol ^mTiT' " '^ ''T'^ 
 the qnalityof the soil are such that I hav rdoubt tha ft ' Tu""^ "? '" 
 rapidly, if sttrveys were made and coloni JL'^ads '"pHU""" "' ^^"'"^ 
 
 While referring to this subject, I must sav th«f if ; . . 
 
 that.he™rveysea,.„„t„l„ayale»adeh:;rt^r„ararr„t::d"?^^ 
 could be done, the roads would be bpffar U^ + ^ i openea , it f his 
 
 Idering would be avoird Tb 3 t;!^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 instructions, the road to Trout Lake hid hi T ^ ''''''''^ ^^^^^ 
 
 about three hundred dolIZ had been 1^:^^^^^^^ T\""' T^^"^ 
 useless, as the side lines of the lots showino- ^ '""^'"^ '' P"'^*^^*^^ 
 
 'one already opened it will b' 1 ° ^'°^ ^ '°"'" ^^^ ^ 
 
 {Jer4mie Laporte, 28th October, 1880. 
 
 ) 
 
40 
 
 TownBhlps of ProvoBt and Braaaard. 
 
 m 
 
 Outlines, 
 
 Here the soil varies very much ; on the borders of the Mattawin river 
 there is a valley of considerably varying breadth, the soil of which is rich 
 alluvion ; beyond this valley the soil is yellow, more or less sandy, the whole 
 nevertheless, covered with a pretty thick bed of vegetable detritus Lastly' 
 there are some lands only middling on account of the sand and ro^ks. 
 
 The land surveyed is slightly broken by valleys, hills and dales ; the 
 other part is more so and by mountains more or less steep. 
 
 The large valley or plain which is seen to the south east of Lake Kaia- 
 kama is a tract of land of about three miles, bare of timber and just as level 
 as the lake itself, in winter the lake seeming to embrace it. 
 
 This valley, although low and overflowed during the month of May 
 last, 18 and will be a great resource to the settlers for a long time as it is 
 there where they make hay, the grass being very plentiful.' Every time 
 that the ground is uncovered on the points and the roads, hay grows 
 abundantly. 
 
 The different kinds of wood to be found in these two townships are 
 the balsam, spruce, white birch, cedar and alder. There is also some maple 
 and mountain ash, but in small quantities, these last growing only on the 
 banks of the river Mattawin. 
 
 I also remarked some good water-powers. I would mention amou» 
 others the falls formed by the river Mattawin which descends between two 
 rocks to adepth of thirty feet. It is at this point that the Reverend Messrs 
 Brassard are building a saw and grist mill, upon which they have spent 
 large sums of money, without prospect of remuneration for a long time 
 but with the object of favoring the settlement of these townships 
 
 The points which border the river Mattawin were covered with waN^r 
 this year during the month of May. This overflow was evidently caused 
 by a dam built near the falls a few years ago, by lumber merchants, 
 which It IS proposed to remove to obviate similar trouble in the future. 
 
 {U. Dorval, March, 1883.) 
 
 This 
 by the nc 
 second, t 
 river Mai 
 
 It is 
 partly cle 
 nviiy very 
 '|i ni rior qi 
 of yellowi 
 east of nu 
 described 
 burnt ove 
 
 LotN 
 Under set 
 
41 
 
 [attawin river 
 which is rich 
 iy, the whole, 
 tritus. Lastly, 
 iiid rojks. 
 
 ud dales ; the 
 
 of Lake Kaia- 
 d just as level 
 
 nonfh of May 
 
 ^ time as it is 
 
 Every time 
 
 3, hay grows 
 
 The general features of the region traversed is good, althoutrh. for about 
 n.ne or ten m.Ies along the line, it is of a barren nature as far I he heigh 
 of land where the waters fall each way. on the one side into the Mattawin 
 and on the other into the Mastigasse ; from the M atawin toward, the hefgh; 
 
 rlT r J; '^' l'"^ '' '°"^P°««^ '' >'"»°- -'l of a rich nature 
 well fit ed for he settler ; there exists also a very strange peculiarity about 
 
 h.s section; it is impossible to judge of the nature or quality of L soU 
 from the growth the timber thereon, it being wooded with sprue 
 balsam pnie and white birch ; however, it is good soil ; there are also nume- 
 reus lakes abounding in very fine trout and other fish, which are an induce- 
 ment to parlies to settle near their banks. 
 
 With these remarks I beg to transmit for your consideration and sanc- 
 tion this re,. -., plan and accounts, requesting that you will kindly L^rant 
 the amount thereof to enable me to continue the aforesaid survey. 
 
 {Carol us Laurier, 1868.) 
 
 )wuships are 
 
 some maple 
 
 ? only on the 
 
 ition amou» 
 between two 
 rend Messrs. 
 have spent 
 a long time, 
 ips 
 
 [ with wa*ir\ 
 ently caused 
 • merchants, 
 e future. 
 
 rch, 1883.) 
 
 Township of Provost. 
 {2nd Range). 
 
 This range is bounded to the south west by blo.-k B. to the north east 
 by the north east Ime of the township of Provost, to the south east hv the 
 second third and fourth north east ranges, and to the north west bv th! 
 river Mattawin. - 
 
 It is divided into seventeen farm lots, fourteen of which are settled and 
 P rtly cleared. The four lots to the south west are of alluvial soil and o-eue- 
 ^ nv!,y very low. The lots fifteen, sixteen and seventeen are hilly, stony Jid of 
 .. ). rior quanty. On lots eleven, twelve, thirteen and fourteen the soiMs 
 ofyelowish sandy loam with very little stones, and the lots to the north 
 east of number eleven are of excellent soil but more stony that those above 
 
 burnt ove'r ^''''^'^' *^' '^''^" ^^' ™°'^ °^ ^^' '^"=" ^"« ^'-^^^ 
 
 Unde'luleUto a^r^ ^^'' '''''' '''' '''^^ ^^^^ ^'^^^ ^^-^• 
 
 I- 
 
42 
 
 No. 6.-The same as the preceding, but hilly. Same settler, house 
 building — under cultivation, three acres. 
 
 No. 7. — Less stony, same timber. 
 
 No. 8.— The same as above occupied by Thomas Wawanalet, Abenakis 
 Indian ; house, and clearings of almost no value. 
 
 No. 9.— Rich yellowish soil, stony, balsam, spruce and white birch. 
 No. 10 —Same as the preceding with also a few cedar. 
 
 No. 11— Yellowish sandy loam, occupied by Jeremie Laporte. Under 
 cultivation, ten acres. 
 
 No. 12.— Same as the preceding, same occupant. Settled, thirty acres • 
 four chams from the south west post there is a brook of twenty links in 
 width running- north west. 
 
 No. 13.— Same as the preceding, same occupant. Undpr cultivation 
 twenty acres ; house built, twenty five feet by thirty, a barn and stable of 
 forty feet by a hundred and five. 
 
 No. 14. -A few burnt rocks, same occupant. Under cultivation 
 twenty acres. ' 
 
 No. 15.— Same as the preceding, cedar, settled by Onesime Heroux 
 Under cultivatioM, two acres. 
 
 No. 16.— Undulating burnt ground, cedar, same settler. Under culti- 
 vation, five acres. 
 
 No. 17.— Shallow, red spruce, cedar, same occupant. Under cultivation 
 tweiity acres ; house, twenty feet, by twenty two, barn and stable, thirty^ 
 SIX teet by sixty •' 
 
 No. 18.— Very low ground, tamarac, settled by Japhet Ferland The 
 post between numbers eighteen and nineteen cannot be placed, its position 
 being m the middle of the discharge of lake Saint-Michel, which is fifty- 
 two links in width. ' 
 
 No. 19.~Low. Same occupant. 
 
 No 20.— Low. Same occupant ; five acres under cultivation. 
 
 No. 21.— Low. Same occupant. Twenty-five acres under cultivation. 
 
 Thi 
 
 west by 
 yet unsi 
 The niiK 
 south w 
 j very unc 
 I of it is c 
 lots is se 
 
 The 
 
 ' and mou 
 
 i of the th 
 
 form pari 
 
 This 
 cation bei 
 north easi 
 
 This 
 
 |tre of lot r 
 I seventeen, 
 
 It hai 
 links, and 
 ' links each, 
 
 This r 
 to the nort 
 range sou' 
 generally i 
 faiing nor 
 central line 
 c 
 
 j (lisfliarge 
 
48 
 
 settler, house 
 
 alet, Abenakis 
 white birch. 
 
 porte. Under 
 
 , thirty acres ; 
 /■enty links in 
 
 r cultivation, 
 and stable of 
 
 ■ cultivation, 
 
 ime Heroux. 
 
 Under culti- 
 
 r cultivation, 
 stable, thirty* 
 
 ''erland. The 
 , its position 
 hich is fifty- 
 
 in. 
 cultivation. 
 
 Fourth Range Norlh East. 
 
 This range is north east of the third range and bounded to the north 
 west by the second range south east, and to the north east bv Orown ands 
 yet unsurve,.d Ihe soil zs .generally of rich yellowish c.y, but rocky 
 [The mne first lots are covered with standing timber and slope towards t^J 
 south west and soutl. These lots are not uneven. The rest of the r nl "i 
 very "ueven and has been almost wholly burnt over. The surveyed portion 
 
 \^:ii::^:i:^ ''''r''''''''''''''' ^^ *^-^- ^^^-- each; no^e ore 
 
 Third Range North East. 
 
 The, land all al.ng this line is uneven in (he second and fourth rano-es 
 and mounta.nous ,., the th.rd range, and for this reason number ei.hte'en 
 01 the th.rd range, wh.eh ,s moreover cut through by Front lake, ^houU 
 lorm part of number seventeen. °"i^um 
 
 Second Range South East. 
 
 This line represents the course of the road to be opened for communi- 
 I cation between the second range south east and the second and third ranges 
 north east to the range of Trout lake. ° 
 
 Second Range North East. 
 
 This line starts from the base of the second range south east, in the cen- 
 tre of lot number fourteen, and ends at the line south east of the lot number 
 I seventeen, of the north east range on Trout lake. 
 
 It has a length of two hundred and twenty six chains and ninety five 
 inks, and is divided mto seventeen lots of thirteen chains and th ity fi^e 
 I links each, equal to thirteen chains on the north course 45° west. 
 
 This range is bounded to the south west by the first range north east 
 to the north east by the third range and to th^ north west gy "he s c'd 
 range south east. This range is almost all high lands, little stony but 
 generally uneven. At the rear of number three commences a mountain 
 facm, north and finishing at lot number eleven, where it touches 2 
 central hue making a high land up to number sev«nf..n .»,.. 
 
 discharge of Trout lake. 
 
 to th 
 
 ie 
 
' I 
 
 11 
 
 44 
 
 l^ird Range North East. 
 
 This range is to the north east of the second range north east, and 
 
 bounded to the north west by the second range southeast. The divided 
 
 part comprises eighteen lots of thirteen chains each, equal to thirteen chains 
 
 and thirty-five links on the central line between tho second and third ranges 
 north east. ° 
 
 This range has been all burnt over, the land is high and of good 
 quality, level, and piotty free from stones for the first eiffht lots, but very 
 uneven, rocky and generally stony, in the south east part. 
 
 I scaled and chained thenorlh east line of Provost from the post north 
 east oi the line south east of the second range south east to Pine lake The 
 result of this chaining is as follows : 
 
 From the thirteenth mile post to Pine lake, it is generallv burnt land 
 and encumbered with fallen trees, blown down by the west wind • a 
 continual, but easy slope. ' 
 
 To the north east, many settlers are established ; they have run a 
 base line starting from the thirteenth mile post and made the scalinn. and 
 chaining of the north east line of Provost from the post north east of tho 
 base ime of the second south east rano-e. 
 
 The ground adjoining ^his line is generally undulating and of .ood 
 quality, particularly towards the north east. * 
 
 I began today to run the line which is to be the division line between 
 the third and fourth ranges north east. The ground is very even but very 
 much obstructed by Mien trees, blown down by the west wind, the timber 
 being standing to the north ea.«t and burnt to the south west. 
 
 I continued the line between the third and fourth ranges and chained 
 seventy eight chains to the six lots; this land is level, but-obstructed with 
 fallen trees on the three lots ; after that there is a clear burnt space, but hilly 
 and very uneven. ' 
 
 {Jeremie Laporte, 22nd Jan., 1880.) 
 
45 
 
 lorth east, and 
 t. The divided 
 thirteen chains 
 id third ranges 
 
 and of good 
 lots, but very 
 
 the post north 
 'ine lake. The 
 
 While transmitting to you the documents concerning the survey of 
 the township of Brassard made by your instructions of the 2nd Oct 1885 
 I have the honor to report that the surveyed lands are generally fit for cul- 
 tivation with the exception of that part which is on the banks of the river 
 des Aunais from the side line north east to lot number twenty five 
 and which tor about twenty chains on each side of the river is too low to 
 be drained. "->!-« 
 
 The part east of the river des Aunais is generally wooded but nearlv 
 wooL "'" ' ""' °' ^'^ ''''-' '' ^''^ '^'^^'^' *^«^-*- Partl^b^^^^^^^^ 
 
 The south west part of the township is generally covered with stand- 
 ing timber comprising a few maple groves. 
 
 {Jemnie Laporie, 24th April, 1886) 
 
 ly burnt land 
 A'^est wind ; a 
 
 r have run a 
 e scaling and 
 rth east of the 
 
 and of good 
 
 line between 
 ven but very 
 d, the timber 
 
 > and chained 
 itructed with 
 ace, but hilly 
 
 1., 1880.) 
 
 IC 
 
46 
 
 COUNTY OF BONAVENTURE, 
 
 Township of Carleton. 
 
 I started the centre line at the lot po,t thirteen and fonrteen on ran™ 
 two and three a. before mentioned, and ran it on a paralh-l eo'lrl to th 
 Nou,eIletown.h,plineto the depth of tlie third ran^e or-, distmoej 
 seventy n,ne chains and fifty links, where I marked and , anted Uvopo,,' 
 one marked lot post tvventy si. and twenty seven, range fo„ on the .forth 
 and the other marked lot thirteen and fourteen, rartgl three, on the on h 
 
 rur^d 'rr Snce't: ttetnsttXf r -^ --^^ 
 
 abont lot thirty nine, where the^Lter' is'::", „ " S :: :^2 
 blazes and marks of a former line. m nun old 
 
 The natural features as far as lot sixteen, third r.mo-e are ron-h n>,f 
 
 broken and utterly useless for purposes of cultivation, th'e ia ^d a nd tn 
 
 being toWly burnt, the second growth consisting of white and y^C 
 
 b,rch and poplar, very small ; the fourth range with the exception of I 
 
 lot Ihnty tour to lot thirty eight is somewhat b.ttor. a little briken bu n" 
 
 so much so as to render it unfit for cultivation ; the front is likew ;' bu , ' 
 
 and consistsof the above mentioned second growth ; the timber is m of - J 
 
 much consequence or lumbering purposes, the growth being too smaU ■ h 
 
 0,1 n, the valleys of the larg...r rivers is pretty good, the prevai int co „ 
 
 bemg red. and the height of lands where the timber is not burnt'is a 
 
 good and well adapted tor cnlfvation, a little stony in places, buMhiet 
 
 Eeturning, the soil and timber we burnt for some two or three lots l„ 
 the west ol the centre line on the fourth range, but the front and he rl 
 of the third range are totally burnt ; on the fourth range the land s mllh" 
 and ge,«rally leve until you reach the height of land ^t Stewa t r v , a, .1 
 from that nver through to Nouvelle township is very roulh m 
 
 1 :: :i,"ho w ft't r'"^ '" '"'"?"""• '"' '^^' "-'- •' ^»3, ^oi : 
 
 and'tlVcl h 1 ^yvery large, for th, most part, of white 
 
 and black birch, spruce and fir ; on the slopes of .Stewart rive and to th 
 west there IS considerable growth of cedar ; the soil is ol the same eddish 
 hue, of light texture and well ad,,pted for purposes of cultivat , wh t 
 
47 
 
 the land is not too much broken ; thi rocks 
 
 outcrop on thi) slop.-s of Stewart 
 
 rtoen, on range 
 d course tu the 
 T a dist;mce of 
 iited two posts, 
 r on the north, 
 e, on the south 
 uid one half to 
 ud on arriving- 
 ■11 in with old 
 
 ire rough and 
 id and timbor 
 ;e and yellow 
 eption of from 
 roken, but not 
 ikewise bunii; 
 r is not of very 
 too small ; thi3 
 ^vailiug color 
 ; burnt is also 
 but these are 
 
 r three lots io 
 ■ and the rear 
 and is rolling- 
 art river, and 
 I'oug-h, much 
 ?ood, consist- 
 % of white 
 iv and to the 
 same reddish 
 ation, where 
 
 river ; the strata is some 60o slope, the strike b.ing about north east and 
 south west and consisting of gray sandstone. 
 
 Finishing this range, I again returned to the centre line, ran'., three 
 and lour, and ran it upon a course parallel to the Xoavelle towushlo line 
 Close to and m the vicmityofthe head of the said centre line,the land is' 
 rough and broken along the whole course of the line with very li tie 
 exception. I afterwanls started range line four and five, ^oin, east from 
 said lo twenty-six and twenty-seven, and on said centre iin" south 3d^ 50 
 east astronomical. 
 
 With respect to the natural features of this range from lot twenty one 
 to lot forly three, the land is rolling and pretty levelin places ; the remain- 
 der is rough and broken with the exception of a few lots to the west and 
 m the vicinity of the Nouvelle township ; the soil is goad in place, and 
 consists of an intermixture of red and white loam ; the slop, of th. 
 hill fronting on the Stewart river, west branch, is very rough and broken' 
 the rocks outcropping in a good number of places, and of the same des- 
 cription and formation as before mentioned on the last range ; the timber 
 through the whole of this range is not burnt and consistrof white !md 
 black birch, spruce and Hr ; that in the vicinity of lot thirtv two is mostly 
 al spruce and fir, the birch being scarce and a graat number of dead and 
 rotten ones ; the timber on the lew lots adjoining the Maria town hi s 
 good and consists of the hard wood varieties above mentioned with th 
 intermixture of a few maples. 
 
 The sixth range is not quite so rough or so much broken up by the last 
 mentioned rivers; toward the east and where the line crosses at lot forty 
 one the head waters of the east branch of Stewart river, the hill at Stewart 
 nver west branch at lot twelve to fifteen is very rough and broken and 
 useless lor cultivation ; there is a considerable quantity of white and black 
 birch growing on the slopes on both sides, intermixed with some cedars, 
 also the middle of said range from the west branch of Stewart river to th.' 
 Welle township is considerably broken up by a large brook that runs 
 iuto the nver; from lot fifteen to lot forty six, the iand is rolling and 
 generally speaking, pretty level, and could be well adapted for cultivation 
 purposes, the soil in most places being not very stony, and the color much the 
 same as in the last mentioned range. I may add that this is the largest tract 
 ot land that is good, to be found on the part surveyed ; the remainder of this 
 
 *. 
 
48 
 
 range from lot forty seven to Maria township line is broken and useless for 
 farming purposes, but has some good timber, consisting of white and black 
 birch, spruce and fir; the timber contained between lots fifteen and forty six is 
 good, not to say of very large growth, but in most places consisting of white 
 and black birch, spruce and fir ; the greatest height of land in this^ownshin 
 IS, I consider, in the vicinity of lot thirty five, judging by the courses the 
 brooks take. 
 
 The seventh range is not quite so rough as the former, with the exception 
 ol a iew lots in the vicinity of Stewart river, west branch, and from lo^ 
 number forty three to forty eight which is pretty rough and broken • the 
 remaining portion of the range is pretty level and rolling ; the soil in the 
 vicinity of the centre line is not qui;e so good as usual and consists of a 
 whitish loam ofa gravelly nature; the timber which is small in o-rowth 
 consists principally of spruce and fir, the birch not being half so thick as 
 on the last mentioned range. 
 
 After finishing this range, I ran up the centre line from range seven to 
 out line of township. 
 
 The centre line runs up for its whole distance a small brook that flows 
 north east as far as .;ould be seen' ; the soil along the valley is not much 
 good ; the timber on the height of land and also in the valley is small and 
 of poor growth, consisting for the mo.t part of small spruce and fir inter- 
 mixed with a great number of dead trees of the same growth. I could onlv 
 see a few straggling birch here and there and not of any great size. 
 
 Taking the township as a whole, it is rough and broken, but part could 
 
 be chosen where a good number of settlers could be located, especially on 
 
 the east side and ou ranges five and six and part of seven, by coutinuin. 
 
 he road already run and opened from the front (marked in my plan in red) 
 
 to Its intersection with a branch of Stewart river east branch and contin- 
 
 uing the said road along the valley of said river as far as its source, and 
 
 by opening cross roads on and along the range line five and six to the oast 
 
 and west of said river, which would open out for settlement purposes what I 
 
 consider to be the best portion of the township ; the west branch of Stewart 
 
 river I consider too rough and the approaches too abrupt for roads. The 
 
 timber for umbermg purposes in this township is too small, no pine what- 
 
 CA'er, and the birch is somewhat small. 
 
 One 
 
 eleven ; . 
 unfortun 
 
 The 
 raountair 
 difficult I 
 
 It is 
 a great pj 
 are like a 
 fourth, fif 
 
 (P. Mimson, 31st January, 1874). 
 
ange seven to 
 
 49 
 
 I ran the range line from the centre line to lot ten anrl ro«.^ ^ •. r 
 
 As the point of intersection is a bare rock ftom wl,i„l. .1, l 
 been b«r„t off, I .-onld not plant a range p^st "" '"'' ^''' 
 
 i 
 
 fit for hrewood, and even then very hard to cret ont T J / "'"f ' . ™'y 
 partly fit for cultivation. ^ ^'^ *™ ^<* "^ »>^« 
 
 One Raphael Levasseur has built a camp on the western n«rf„fl * 
 eleven; he has begun to clear the land and got a good crop fr„ritZtv 
 unfortunately, there are only a few acres cuftiyable. """^ ''°'^ '""' y™' ■ 
 
 ^ difficult to work, wbLrUis^ptUTe lo'aXC thl' '""'" ^ " '» ™^^ 
 
 .grr;s=fhrz:fratt 
 
 (C.-X. Z,e/»ag-e, 8th May, 1887). 
 
 
fiO 
 
 Township of Oauaapaoal. 
 (River Range). 
 
 I must say that the soil of those lots is very rich and very desirable for 
 settlers. In my preceding surreys, I have met with little land so generally 
 good for all kinds of tillage. » / 
 
 My information and observations are to the effect that those lots are as 
 susceptible of cultivation as those of the township of Metapedia. 
 
 From number twelve to the river Causapscal, the land is in the highest 
 degree fertile and very level. The prevailing woods are birch, ash and 
 spruce with some enormous cedars. The fire of 1845 destroyed the bulk 
 of the timber from number twonty-three to the Causapscal river, but since 
 that ime, the lots have been visited by lumberers, who, in carrying in hay 
 let fall the seeds of timothy and clover, with the result that they have pro- 
 pagated themselves to a surprising extent, and it is stated that on some of 
 the lots towards the great elbow, opposite the Metatics brook, three 
 thousand pounds of hay can be cut, which proves that the soil is stroncr 
 and rich, tor it has never been cultivated. " 
 
 On this second line, I met a very deep valley towards the centre of 
 number thirty-two, at the bottom of which meanders a charming little brook 
 which discharges towards the front of number thirty-four. This valley is 
 the only break in that part of the tract, which everywhere else is level 
 and fertile, with the exception of the hill descending to the river, which 
 like the others, is pretty steep. ' ' 
 
 (E.-H. Legendre, 22nd April 1862). 
 
 Township of Cox. 
 
 From Paspebiac, I immediately proceeded with my party to the south 
 eastern angle of the base, taking with us. as far as circumstances permitted 
 the necessary provisions. Being unable to find any post or trace of the 
 division line between the lake range and the first range of the base, on the 
 line ot Hope, because the only wood there are young trees of the third or 
 lourth growth, fire having swept over it several times, I went on to the Pas- 
 
61 
 
 pebiac line, where I found sufficient remains of the base line to tr.o. u * •. 
 junction with the east lateral line of Cox. I as wt^ed thJ fl T 
 north 70^. west, magnetic, and, on the'srrr:;!^ ^^^^^^^ 
 magnetic variation, which I found to be 240 16 west. """"-c'ea the 
 
 As the line between Coi and Hope at this si,ot was invisible for fh 
 reasons already specified. I proceeded towards the midrie of thlnrl 
 0, concession and, having fonnd it there sufHciently dis in!t I extendT^ 
 with mnch care to its intersection with the base line ' 
 
 chain^dTtrL-llsi^nL'irr^e'rnlir-a'"- ' """"'''' ^^' 
 at each 52.68 chains a good, dlily iiTXr^d pT ""'"""■" ^'"'' ™«^ " 
 
 aista^:::^it:;r: 'o^fr.e:ri-j rp:;iira:ti tr; 
 
 was only apparent in a few places ; elsewhere no trace of it was percrptlbt. 
 The land along the line was generally level, composed of yellow mould 
 fr e from rocks „,id consequently well suited for agricultura IZ's' 
 The prevailing woods are birch and maple. Pa'Poses. 
 
 Jlfto planting a post numbered 56, I established the division line 
 between these two last ranges, parallel to the base line of the fl° ran ° 
 which I prolonged to its intersection with the Robin lot, at a d IS 
 ,17 chains from Hope, where I planted a post. uistance ot 
 
 I then returned to my starting point at the post between the lake 
 range and the first range, where I measured off lots of 19 cha^s andto 
 links, as prescribed by my instructions. I extended this line in the flrt! 
 place to the Paspebiac line, a distance of 138 chains, planting !t each 19 
 
 ot I then followed up the Paspebiac line, which I found very deteriorated 
 to Its intersection with the Eobin block, a distance of 267.27 chains from 
 
 the base Tine astronomical and forming an angle of 4^ 40^ with 
 
52 
 
 In extemhng *he Paspebiac line. I also prolonged to the east to each 
 
 concession the linos between ranges 1-2 and 3-4. doing the as I advanced 
 
 along tho Paspebiac line and in order to thus finish this subdivision. Both 
 
 rom the gc-ologzcal and agricultural points of view, the land here is similar 
 
 to that on the lino of Hope. "'uiimr 
 
 I finished this part of the subdivision on the evening of the 28th 
 December, and on the 29th I continued the extension of the base line ;o 
 the centre line, planting posts and running the lines between the lots. 
 
 In running the base line, I met the east line of the conceded lot 
 marked in brown on the accompanying plan, at 2 chains and 50 links on 
 
 i u ?\ 7u ' •'^"' V"'^^'' ^ "^•^^^tai"^^ its course, which I found to bo 
 parallel to the lines of the township, that is to say. N. 15o W. ustronomLl. 
 
 From the post between lots numbers 10 and 11,1 ran a line parallel to 
 the preceding, N. 15^ W. astronomical, to servo as the centre line and 
 .xtend.d It to the base of the 8th range, planting posts at each range of 5 ' 
 b3 chains, as J had already done on the preceding lines. In going over this 
 line I met the Cullen brook at 35 chains on the 5th rangl This brook 
 with a varying breadth of 50 to 75 links and a depth of 18 to 20 inches is' 
 generally spaaking very powerful. It Hows botwoon two small hills of 18 
 to 22 f.et in height and is capable of furnishing power to any number of 
 
 On the 24th, I continued the prolongation of the base line to No 3 ' 
 inclusively, this last having a frontage of 32 chains. 
 
 I could not find the east lateral lino of Hamilton, as it had been com- 
 pletely destroyed by fire, and I was informed that i is no where viS 
 from the range of the Bay to the river Bonaventure. 
 
 f ^^.^'I'-.^r ^^'' ^ ""'* *^' """"'^'^ ^^°^^ ^t 15 chains on No 14, and 
 
 W oHh ^rt '""''°'^' '' ^'^"^^- ' ^'^^^--'^ ^-- *he base tho^^ 
 lines of this block running north, after ascertaining the course., which 
 were parallel to the preceding, the lines being distinct enough. I fou^d h 
 easUine to be 28 chains 95 links and that o^the west side to be 13 chain! 
 
 Except an elevation extending from lot 11 to lot 22, the surface is 
 generally level a ong the whole length of the base line. The soil is a^^'od 
 to culture, and the prevailing woods are birch and maple. 
 
68 
 
 3 east^o each 
 as I advanced 
 division. Both 
 here is similar 
 
 ? of the 28th 
 IB base line :o 
 1 the lots. 
 
 conceded lot, 
 
 id 50 links on 
 
 I found to bo 
 
 astronomical. 
 
 ine parallel to 
 itre line and 
 h range of 52, 
 )ing over this 
 This brook, 
 20 inches, is, 
 all hills of 18 
 y number of 
 
 line to No 3,' 
 
 id been com- 
 v'here visible 
 
 1 No 14, and 
 base the side 
 irseis, v^hich 
 I found the 
 be 13 chains 
 
 le surface is 
 il is adapted 
 
 1 1 1., --"""ta point, 1 met a line runninor west in moof iu i ^ -j 
 
 down bv M MrDnnaLi K.t , '^ weat lo meet that laid 
 
 iv/vvu uy m. iVK jjouaia Detwoen numbprs 28 nnri on „«j n > 
 
 base line and reoo,„ueU by every onet ;^e?.;e t! ^l ^00^?.'"' '" ""' 
 I procfeded to Ihe Paspebiac line (o Ihe post betwcn the 1,1 ,„^ 9 ^ 
 ranges, where I ran a line to separate these two ranA" plrlnel to « K 
 I.ne rnnn.ng S. 7;.° 40' W. astronomical and prolon^d ifZ fi ! 
 w.lh block Y, between nu.nbers "8 and ■><, Z'lJJ "'^'■'•«"o"i 
 250 chains on „„,„l„.r 8 and aTse'rl^uf the e of th ''T''"'^ '■" "* 
 
 iu the preceding .nge, that ,s t: :;:t^j:Z t''^ ^^""^ '"""'""- ^ 
 
 .0 c Jtt!"'"' "'°"'" "■' "'^'"'"^' '^ "■" -- - '- Preoediag-vvel. suited 
 
 division line between these two ranges vunnin-l S I^IZ' W ''" * 
 
 aj. P.o,on,ed it to the east line of &ock ^^ th^e^ost^rld;:;:-^ 
 
 a^drtlriLlits'^ttZthr^'^-'^"' '^""'^'^ "-^ """"»-<' P»- 
 
 N. 79»40' east astrorn^: , tr 1 ' :;■:: X '"'I ""^'^^ "'"""'^ 
 Hobin block, a distance of Is' chains frot th ce tf^ C TJ " T ""' 
 requisite to ascertain by measureine„ls ih. a I ^ "" " ""' 
 
 in order .0 subtract its'c^rrLt r tetTTndT? '^ ''f !" "'"* 
 
 along the north lim^ nf f>,Q ki^ i • • , uifidiiwe oi j«.4< chains, 
 
 nonn line ol the block, giving the said block a depth of 81.16. 
 
 f?i 
 
If i 
 
 64 
 
 I then returned to the centre line to the poBt between ranges 5 and 6 
 and extended that line S. 79** 40' west astronomical to block Y. 
 
 On this lino, I met the Cullen brook, which I found to be about of the 
 same dimensions as previously, and the Hall river of a varying width of 70 
 to 80 links and a heavy water poWer. 
 
 The land along this line is inferior to that in the preceding ranges ; it 
 is almost wholly covered with cedar and the soil is a black loam. 
 
 On Wednesday, the 14th March, I proceeded to the Paspebiac line 
 north of the Robin block, which I discovered by clearing off the snow and 
 found it to also run N. 15" W. astronomical. I extended this line to the base 
 of the 8th range, a distance of 48 chains and 26 links. 
 
 I next ran the division line between ranges 7 and 8 running N. 79'^40' 
 E. astronomical and prolonged it to No 5 ; after which, I went to the Hope 
 line, to the post between ranges 5 and t), and prolonged that line to the 
 base of the 8ta range ; seeing that there was a small lake in the middle of 
 ■which the range terminated, I planted the post of the 8th range on the 
 north bank of the lake and then returned to No 6, on the base of the 8th 
 range, to prolong the I'le to its junction with the east lateral line of Cox, 
 which I did by planting posts and running the lines between the lots. 
 
 I then returned to the Paspebiac line to the post between ranges 7 and 
 8 between Nos 1 E. P. end 10 P. and prolonged it south 79^40' West astro- 
 nomical to the post betwec < numbers 25 and 26. The laud in this direction 
 is excellent, wooded with bii >h and maple, and, except where broken by 
 a few hills near the streams, generally level. 
 
 From the post between said ranges 7 and 8, Nos 25 r,ud 26, I extended 
 the line between Nos 25 and 26 a distance of 52.63 chains, where I met a 
 line runnings. 69O40' W. astronomical, late down by the late Mr. McDonald, 
 as appears by the report of Neil Campbell, who accorapiinied Mr. McDonald 
 at the time. I followed this line a distance of lt).50 chains and then came 
 across another line running north and also parallel to the township line 
 N. 15*^ W. a.stronomical and prolonged it to the river Duval, a distance of 
 214.90 chains 
 
 From the N. E. angle of block Y, I ran a line S. 79«40' W. astronomical 
 to divide block Z. from the 7th range and prolongpd it to the river Bona- 
 venture, a distance of 129.35 chains. 
 
fi5 
 
 Then returning to the post between ranees 1 and 8 Nos 2/5 rt„? o« t 
 prolonged this line S. 19^ 40' W. aatrono.iil to the rl^r BolatnfuV 
 planting posts and dividing the lots as previously. ^-veniure, 
 
 ^V^'qJ!!!? ^T' ^ '*" *^' ^'^'*'^°^ ^^'^^ ^«^^°«« the 6th and 7th 
 ranges S 19^ 40' astronomical, and prolonged it to the river Bonaventure 
 And lastly, on the 21st I ran the division line between ranJsT«n7 « 
 running S. JQO 40' W. astronomical and also prolongeTu to he r ver Bonal 
 venture, where I concluded my operations. » " " ^o ^^e river Bona-. 
 
 The laud everywhere is most fertile, adapted to agriculture and capable 
 of receiving a population of 175 to 200 families. ^ 
 
 A very good road runs from the Bav to the HrU ri.r^. j a- ^ 
 every facility po^ible .„ settle™ for the t^iV^ of t" e ;X' t^'o^ 
 roads can be laid out all over the township. 
 
 w 
 
 (C.-A. B6langer, 16th August, 1877.) 
 
 Township of Mann. 
 -What I have eiarained of the soil in the portion of the townshin of 
 
 olZ^rior'tlH r7,r ''r «'°" " '"^ '-' "» i-op. 'Wh« .^ 
 
 superior quality. Those who were in my company, notioins that ther» 
 were no stunted tre.,s growing there, bnt good hard wood, wefe of op nbn 
 that the land is very suitable for cultivation. I am happy o say Zffrm 
 the second range as fur as the river Escuminac, I met the same soiUver 
 
 3t 7"t. ''t.^r'P""- °f ">« '°P°f» few mountains covered wth 
 pme and white biroh near the large Busteed and Harrison brooks, 
 
 „„ ', TiTJ"' ""* ""'•" '™Ses 4 and o, 6 and 6, and 6 and 7 As I 
 expected, I d.d not me«t the Busteed brook on the line between the fourth »d 
 m ranges, as its soun.e is towards the centre of the fourth rang amTdst a 
 grove of spruce trees. Then, instead of going up and down thf iZ hnis 
 
 levd"' On lb r :," '^^ "''''^'"^ '^-Se^' I f"'""' 'he land higrbu 
 level On the line dividing the 5th and 6th ranges, I also met Hlrfso. 
 
 brook, but much reduced in volume to what I sal it in procTdtof ranges 
 
 i^ii'rrh'rriif "'"-"^ -'- '"'-' '°-- ^°- -^ '-at ifs s 
 
66 
 
 In the above ranges, the soil is excellent and very suitable for culti 
 ration ; it is less cut up by the water courses, which arl founr/ower down: 
 The timber most abundant towards the west and centre is maple and 
 birch and from the centre to the east only maple. It is surpri ng that on 
 hese heights where there is only hard wood, no rocks a^e to be found 
 tr *^!\^^f ^^^-^*h th« e-eption of the township of MatapecUa the 
 land which furnishes such hard wood is always stony, ^^hilst in thi! 
 • portion of this township there are absolutely no rocks. 
 
 fh. li^^""^^"^ *^' ^"'"'"'^ brook on the line which I ran between 
 the 6th and 5th ranges ; the str. ams crossed by me have a considerble 
 volume of water but form only small hills on that line, and the tou^^^^^ 
 which I surveyed is still more level than in the preceding ranges 
 
 {E. H. Legendre, 20th May, 1863.) 
 
 .n fit / u . ""?' ^ havemetin prolonging this line is so good and 
 o fit lor cultivation that it was taken up by degrees while I was survey ! 
 It. I was accompanied by a large number of active young men who dTd nof 
 content themselves m.rely with marking their lot., b„I who Ictuaiy cu 
 down the trees and cleared the land while I was working on th C 
 
 " This land is perfectly level and covered with very lar-e birch and 
 maple. I extends I know not how far eastward, for the litde r ver atf 
 distance of from fourteen to fifteen chains to the east of my line came from 
 
 '^::tx::z:^ ''- --' ''- ^^^^ ^^^^-^ -- -- ^-^^'^ 
 
 ^. T"^^^'''".? '''''' prolonged the rear line of the ea«t range from river 
 du Loup to the seventh range, I was enabled to ascertain that the iZ 
 already „,ent .ned extends towards the east. I fell in with i on tho 
 north part of the iifth mile and on the sixth, beyond which,T I ml^ J. 
 
 " All the land which lies between the Busteed brook and rear line of 
 the range east of the river du Loup is of the best quality, and a tho 'h 
 It IS very elevated, it is nevertheless level and of e.sy ace ss Great Z 
 of the umber is birch, of an enormous size, and sound in qua ty 
 
 "Th( 
 I am info 
 the river 
 ance' of tli 
 I prolong 
 opportun: 
 between 
 
51 
 
 able for culti- 
 i lower down, 
 
 s is maple and 
 ising that on 
 to be found ; 
 [atapedia, the 
 whilst in this 
 
 [ ran between 
 a considerable 
 I the ground 
 ges. 
 
 May, 1863.) 
 
 s so good and 
 is surveying 
 who did not 
 actually cut 
 the line. 
 
 e birch and 
 e river, at a 
 3, came from 
 id appeared 
 
 ! from river 
 at the laud 
 h it on the 
 [ may judge 
 med by the 
 
 rear line of 
 
 i, although 
 
 Grreat part 
 
 7- 
 
 "The great valley of Busteed brook is wooded with pine which 
 appeared to me for he most part sound. This brooks only extends, from 
 what I am informed, to the fourth range, where it takes its rise. 
 
 " I p oceeded to the post, between the fourth and fifth ranges, on the 
 range east of river du Loup and prolonged this line to its junction with 
 the west line of the ownship of Nouvelle. The soil which I met with 
 along this line is still finer than that of the ranges already pa.sed over, and, 
 to give an idea of it, I will say that it may be compared to that of Mata- 
 
 ; The prevailing timber is the same as that lower down, that is to say 
 birch and maple ; and, with the exception of the hill at the point of 
 departure, the land, as far as Harrison brook, is level. This hill is the last 
 m this range. The east branch of the river du Luup and Busteed brook 
 take their rise in the middle of the fourth range, in a grove of balsams, and 
 beyond this the mountains disappear. 
 
 ;' Access to any of the ranges of these townships is made easier by the 
 shanty roads along the different streams, which extend as far as the river 
 Escuminac, and, in one instance, to the head of the above named brooks- 
 nor IS there any difference in the roads, the land being the same everv- 
 where. v. > ci ^ 
 
 shaLow than in the ranges already gone through, and the land in this 
 valley is exceedingly good. The timber is of enormous size ; ash trees 
 for example, are met with as large as pines : the prevailing kinds are elm,' 
 ash and bii-ch This valley appears to me to become larger towards the 
 interior, and I do not doubt that, in the adjacent ranges, it will appear still 
 
 toT" ^h n'T I'l "" ''""'''''' '^'' ^"^'^^y ^^ '^' ^°i^' f«^ it is impossible 
 to find better, but from its greater extent of level grou.id. This brooks 
 supplies a considerable volume of water, and mills might be put in opera- 
 tion throughout its length. 
 
 "The further I adv-iince into the interior the better I find the soil, and 
 
 tl 7/. TTVl' ^' r*'""^'' ^J^^'^"*^ ^^' "^t «"ly ^^-^ the appear, 
 ance of that which I found between the sixth and seventh ranges when 
 I prolonged the rear line of river du Loup range cast, but also from the 
 
 ZZ 1 "tnt '.""f '' ^'""^^' '''"^ ^^« --«^'t of the mountain 
 between the filth and fourth ranges, into the interior of the township 
 
 I! 
 
68 
 
 From this pomt I remavked that a range of mountains extended from thJ 
 sonth east towards the north west, at many miles distance, and S th 
 ground sloped gradually from these mountains to the place ^f lervali n 
 From th.s, I am led to believe that these mountains separatrtherive J 
 Escummac on the north, and leave a very large extent of ■rronndfiVf 
 rn,med,ate settlement on this side, towards [he south west '"' 
 
 {E. H. Legendre, 1883.) 
 
 Township of Matapedia. 
 
 the i:zt ir^^^hti^^tU^dr^'^'^ ^'--'^ '» -^^^^^i 
 
 thirilT ""' '""!''"' '"" "'■ ^•"""- ^™"' I ''"""nned on a course nortk 
 lolJd^ r.r" ""«"""" '^' ""'"'"S of a division line, which 1 1 
 long d with the greatest possible care to a distance of seven hundred and 
 
 a the Z ■ '^'"'™ ' """ ^"^ *e post which I h^ planTel 
 
 at he south-west extremity of the second mile of Mill stream and at Tit 
 m.e I planted good pickets which I duly marked ac»rding to mv 
 m trucfons, as more fully appears by my plan. This range vdlTundouM- 
 edly be opened and settled very soon, for many settlers were onlv waiH»l 
 for the survey to move to it, and I do not believe that in The whnT ^ 
 ..nee of Quebec, it is possible to find better laitds than thos'e nit on,/ il 
 
 feet inTeUf "'" "'' '"" ''^'"'"" '"^ ""' '™^ ""^ '^ -^ -- 
 
 assu^::i:t:nht::errix^^^^^^^^ :Lt '°""f " ?-' 
 
 not sc good and the timber no longer the same. 
 
 usell^f ^"'''i^^'? '^°"^ *^' ^"'°"' "^ ^^^ Matapedia River are perfectly 
 useless for cultivation on account either of the proximity of the m'ounlain 
 
59 
 
 ended from the 
 3e, and that the| 
 e of observation. 
 Jarate the river 
 ofgroundfit for| 
 
 ^endre, 1883.) 
 
 to the banks of that river, or of their rocky nature, are very cultivable alon- 
 the front Ime and I have no doubt that they will be opened in preference 
 to all others. A road opened on this front line would, I am sure be the 
 key to these settlements, and it is to be hoped that your department will 
 have a line run between the second and third ranges of Matapedia for 
 those now desiring to locate there will not dare make any improvements 
 I Irom tear oi being disturbed. ' 
 
 (E. H. Legendre, 28th July, 1885.) 
 
 ed to subdivide j 
 
 1 a course north 
 !, which I pro- 
 Q hundred and 
 I had planted 
 1, and at each 
 ording to my 
 will undoubt" 
 e only waiting 
 ae whole pro- 
 e not only in 
 s evident from 
 
 •ees of various 
 3mmon. 
 
 to over seven 
 
 ivnship have 
 3eption of the 
 lere the soil is 
 
 are perfectly 
 lie mountain 
 
 Pursuant to instructions received, ordering me to continue the subdi- 
 vision of a portion of the residue of Matapedia township, I have the honor 
 to report : 
 
 0-.0 i!^^' ^^"^''^^"^ *^^ variation of the needle, which I found to be 
 ""'^f ' J?"^' '*^'"''^ ^'''™ P°'* *^^"*y ^^^^^ on the line of the second 
 iT.f'nau ^^^P'^'""''^'' I Proceeded to prolong this line to the base 
 
 ot the htth range, a distance ot eighty chains and eighty links. 
 
 I met on the above line new settlements as far as number twentv 
 seven inclusively. ^ 
 
 These settlements are all under cultivation, and the area of improve- 
 ments varies between five and ten acres to each lot. 
 
 Besides the fertility of the soil, I admired three pretty iitle lakes lorm- 
 ing the source of the south east branch of the Gleaden brook. 
 These small lakes are full of trout. 
 
 The growth of wild hay all around them is very tall, and throu-h it 
 may be seen the tracks left by the moose and caribou which feed there it 
 seemb, during the night. ■ ' 
 
 After the above measurement of eighty chains and eighty links for the 
 depth of the fourth range, I started a perpendicular line south 38° 55' 
 astronomical, which line, t. become the division line between the fourth 
 and hfth ranges of Ristigouche River, I prolonged from number one'to 
 number thirty, inclusively, a distance of two hundred and sixty six chains. 
 
 From that point, I ran a perpendicular south 51o 5', which I prolon-ed 
 
 I 
 
 as lar as the post planted by me at the rear of the third r^no-e • T 
 
 Yn /no oil >**•» w 
 
 Itl 
 
Ii 
 
 60 
 
 wTfl"thiMf,Hf^r''™ "■''^»' ■"•»■«'> distance! fo^i^I^T^ 
 to *L !l t ^"V?"'"' ""Ses ; and, m I was just preparing to return 
 
 to the division lino oi I he third range of Mataoedil I f,n f„"», '"/*"'"' 
 young Acadians, who b.,:gedofme t'o contSt tot rds C^nTZl 
 
 S an^CtT w "'id'^' '-'" ""'" ^--'-y ^perlttwchTtaet 
 
 centre of business atlh^Ta^rtlr Trel'ir'™ ^""' "'^ """'"- '»* 
 Gove'rrme1fto'°fac-t.,"'""'' "V ''"''" " ^""'^ "" '" *« '"'--■ °f ">e 
 
 .ent,whi:ras'^h::t d:s;:;:fd I— tet;^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 •eranoe considering the scanty means its members hid aMheir disnll" 
 «-hen they emigrated here and their hard luck since their arrl™!. " 
 
 perpendicular line co„i^g t.:f:rif.Z^ZT:}t:^'"\: 
 range ..n,d equal i„ length seventy eight chairld i1 ; it™! 
 
 a^^^urso south 630 ,, west astronomical, which I foli:Ld a! trBrld™ 
 
 leveWhte Wd"woJ:j""'i" """°"' "' '"°'' ''"'■■"'^ '^-l- ™mparatively 
 next sumZr P'^do'-'-ates. and which will be under tilla-rl 
 
 riZe";^'^.,:, :';:::;;-"- —^ ^'-»" '^« w^^- <>'-- 
 
 I did not deem it advisable to proceed further that Chainy Eock brook 
 as there were also many applications for surveys beyond the Lkes 
 
 of ,J/°'"""!;''»"y turned back and conlinned the prolongation of the line 
 
 brool- ^^Tf fr" °' '"'° "'"'"•' "'"J '■=» 'inks to the north of the said 
 brook and started a new perpendicular line to divide the fifth and sLJh 
 
61 
 
 found to be the 
 paring to return 
 in with twenty 
 ds Chain y Rock 
 (which I knew 
 along the north 
 tiinus oi' the one 
 ^er Ristigouche, 
 the church and 
 
 ! interest of the 
 Acadian settle- 
 stry and perse- 
 their disposal 
 rival. 
 
 ingos, and cou- 
 )erations that a 
 ' of the fourth 
 J links on the 
 fourth range 
 rpendicular of 
 lie parallel to 
 istigouche on 
 far as Brandy 
 
 comparatively 
 
 under tillage 
 
 hole distance 
 
 r Rock brook, 
 akes. 
 
 ion of the line 
 m with the 
 lumbered, as 
 
 I of the said 
 th and sixth 
 
 ranges 
 
 which line I prolonged from number 
 
 ...„.., „....^ „„. . piuiongea irom number one to number twenty inclu 
 iiveiy, a distance of two hundred and sixty-«x chains ^' 
 
 lanywhere a more level and fertile country; the so 1 is eoft.fT. n 
 .lor, covered with enormous hardwood [rLes, Z^l^tt^Zltr 
 
 I fell in on number one of this rano-*. wifli fK. 
 >et.le.nent and I can certify that it wi lb fT lowed JmrX"' f " 
 large immigration from Eustioo was to have here Wned tn """•"■^■/" » 
 .m informedlthat, being unable to definitely arraa°eThei f T- *"" ' 
 
 .a.,^ they have decided to remain on vl^^^^t^^ 
 
 .oio!^f:f^^vSSi=-:x^^^ 
 ^:r3-;jt^tt^;:--:-ttl:^;::-^ 
 
 ;anges, which perpendicular I extended like the precedinrone W 
 nurnber one to number twenty, inclusively, a distanceTone LTed In^ 
 sixty SIX chains I crossed with it the principal branch of PlI , ""f ^V 
 kn^ber six of this range, and followed it on^he rtl 1^ .tdL^^^^^^^^ 
 entne length of this perpendicular. ^^""^'^ *^^ 
 
 This branch of the brook is of considerable size and has a strono- 
 ^•olume of water; it will be very useful to settlers, in conseouenc. of f h^ 
 
 Having terminated this division line I a^rain tnrnn^ k i j 
 nu,ed the prolongation of the line of the 'seco.td an""? fhe C T' 
 .ver. erghty chains and eighty links, when I pllnted atthev posf t mal^k 
 he north east angle of the seventh range ; from this point lT!l A 
 kw perpendicular to be the division 1 „. Tf m u ''°"""' 
 
 fvhich I prolonged like the f^gtrrom'^Ut fornLrf^enTy 
 ludusively.a distance of two hundred and sixty-sii chains TI,iW^' 
 Us.d by several brooks, which all empty iuto^hrp paf ' lu^h :? 
 jUe Crleaden nver, and consequently the ground there is not J W l • 
 I .previous ranges; still this' tractf although brdcn by h U of te't" 
 I. less size, is composed of land adapted to cuItiv„tio„ ^ "■"^^ 
 
 
 m\ 
 
62 
 
 
 The so>I on these h.ll., is generally of „ grayi.h color and stony, which 
 howeyor w,Il not be an obstacle to settlement, as, boln on this sid ofJ,d ' 
 beyond these yalleys, the soil is yery fertile and covered with hlrd wood 
 
 As regards the part of the Ground, which has not been snhdivid^j i 
 mnst say that the portion comprised between the north! sta'gleofli. 
 seventh range raaning north as far as the north side line of the fol?,U 
 on the one part, and the first range or belt of the firs g:' tL Ma toplf 
 dianyerontheother.is little, if at all, adapted to cnUrvation in ct« 
 
 qnenceofthecontmuous chains ofalmost inaccessible mountain bodeZ 
 the Matapedia „yer and Mill stream; bnt, on Vr hand th! 
 
 west part is very favorable for any kind of crop.. ^^ it Ts n„„. 
 
 offered by the lands of the township of Matapedia to settlers ■ mv ,!-. 
 vtons reports have said enongh, I think, on the snbject already s sXfe t 
 for the mformafon of the Government to give here the 'salt in det 
 of the crops raised in 1866 by the Acadian settlers alo-,. ■ .i,., r , "" 
 the fall of 1866 harvested the following crops ' ^ "''"' '" 
 
 1,800 barrels of potatoes at 
 
 1,400 bushels of barley at 
 
 VOO " oats at 
 
 1'2^0 " buckwheat at.. 
 
 1,800 barrels of turnips at 
 
 80 tons of hay at 
 
 80. 
 50, 
 80, 
 80. 
 10 00. 
 
 i 80 $1,140 
 
 1,120 
 
 350 
 
 1,000 
 
 1,440 
 
 800 
 
 $6,150 
 In addition to the above produce, there are also the garden crops such 
 
 trir ' '''' '"'''''' ^''^^' '''-''' '' '-'^^' p^VtioZ; :^ 
 
 oflsIfitTr^'f* ^'' '^'' P''^"'' '^'^' ^'™' - ^h^t the harvest 
 LIT. Z\ " ^'^ '^"^'^^ ^' ^'^'' seven thousand dollars to th 
 Acadzan settlers ; and, to prove the rapid increase of products, I Ly sMe 
 that, from the month of April to the month of Julv 18fi7 tL T r 
 alone fattened and killed seventeen thousand S p^i^W^Ij 
 own horses, working oxen, cows and sheep. Their impro^'^^mtusincr' 
 
 rwS::?Ssf ^' ''-'''-'- ^^^^^ -Ln, e^iusive^:: 
 
63 
 
 nd stony, which 
 
 this side of and 
 
 with hard wood. 
 
 !U subdivided, I 
 iast angle of the 
 of the township 
 5 of the Matape^ 
 ation, in couse- 
 I tains boidering 
 ^e^ hand, the 
 -ve it is unue- 
 tbe advantages 
 ttlers ; my pre. 
 ' ; it is sufficient 
 result in detail 
 ixty families in 
 
 $1,140 
 
 1,120 
 
 350 
 
 1,000 
 
 1,440 
 
 800 
 
 ^6,150 
 
 len crops such 
 Ttionally with 
 
 The number of families has ak„ largely increased within the last 
 Ihree years and, as .t ,s almost certain that the Interoolonial railway wU 
 follow the Eobmson route, it is needless to say that the township of Mri 
 ted.a and ne.ghbour.ng townships, all so fertile, will be settled Wot W 
 
 (E.-H. Legendre, 20th March, 1868.y 
 
 According to the statements of the settlers th.^ .ml ,f fi • . 
 excellent for the culture of wheat, oats, b^lk^h t Tnd 'ha; Xfa I 
 b abundant crop and of superior oualilv Th» .„m • ^' P""'""^ ""^"^ 
 
 kclay and sand, which form a verrricMoam " ""^'^'"'' ^"""'"^ 
 
 The ravines formed bv Brand v hrnnlr n\..; r» i , 
 en brook are so deep and prec p»„„s th! \ '^ ^'""^ "'"^ "^''"'• 
 
 road from one summiMo tTe Sr of h " '"r""" '° """^^ 
 
 is generally level and of ,.o„H i . ^T ^°''""" ' """erwise, the land 
 
 .bstacle toIh'::e1tiren1o^fThe C ^betl ^Zdy bTrTph'*'" 
 Kock brook, which are the finest and richesTof thMownsMp ' °'™"' 
 
 ie..lemeI;t"ofThet't,'dT'°"\*'" """'^ "" " '"'""' °f facilitating the 
 
 it the harvest 
 dollars to the 
 ts, I may state 
 the Acadiaus, 
 'k. They also 
 lents increase 
 sxclusively, to 
 
 In ral! thr : wS ' ™" ' ^™',"''" »"<> » -- """ - Brandy brook 
 IndMlfeshl T u'!u^ worked at the highest stage of the sprin.. 
 
 tteeo and ! ™ ; '^''<'^"'^™ "■">«. 'he settlers haye to go down a ver^ 
 Kt t,^^ ■■"passable hill. I belieye that a better site for a"rist S 
 
 Sfbem™ tr-ble^and:'/' "^ 'T °^ '"^^'™ '"■°°'^' ^^^'^"^ 
 I* uie accessible and offer a greater volume of water. 
 
 k itJdLn ^'1''' ^'""^ '''"'''' ""'"'^^ ^" ^^« ^°*« °f ti^e sixth ran«.e and 
 
 tra^g^erttTui^^^^^^^^^^^ ~ -----^^ 
 
 
64 
 
 Settlement is already very advanced in the part between Brandy brook 
 the river Ristigouche. and the first range, Matapedia river, which is knowu 
 under the name of Saint Alexis. For some years past there has been no 
 complaint about the frosts, which were so discouraging to the settlers and 
 all the grains come to perfect maturity, except peas which do not ripen. 
 
 The inhabitants of Saint Alexis are actually building a church and 
 presbytery. They have had a resident cure for some years, and also three or 
 lour elementary schools. The Provincial Government is actually completing 
 a hne bridge, which will place the township of Matapedia in communication 
 with the east side of the Matapedia river and the Intercolonial railway 
 
 iO.'G. Lepage, 3rd June, 1880.) 
 
 iif 
 
 In conformity with instructions which you were kind enough to 
 address me, dated the second day of July, 1881, authorizing me to survey 
 the township of Matapedia, I have the honor to make the following report • 
 
 Ou the 15th July, 1881, I started with men, baggage and provisions and 
 reached, on the sixteenth, the rear line of range two, Matapedia river where 
 1 camped. On the nineteenth I ran a line between the lots 13 and 14 to 
 establish ray starting point, and on the 20th, I ran the line between 
 ranges one and two, Matapedia Kiver, on a north course 53° 30' west astro- 
 nomical. From this point to number thirty nine the soil is of o-ood 
 quality and the timber mostly maple and birch. " 
 
 The south bank of Robitaille brook is a cliff wooded with balsam 
 
 Wd tl". TVI ^"' ^''^ ,*^"'' '^' ^"^ ^^ ^°°^ ^'^d the timber 
 mixed. Ihe brook which runs on lot fifty five at five chains and ninety 
 
 hnks and from post fifty four to fifty five, is made up of cascades as for I 
 Mill stream, and would be suitable for mill sites. 
 
 On the fifteenth of August, I prolonged the rear line of range two, Mata- 
 pedia river on a north west course 53'> 30' astronomical, and planted a 
 post at eighty chains and eighty links. This part of the line is cut through 
 
 ZZT ^/ri' K\ ^''°^ ^°'^'''^ ^y '^''^ ^^'^k^ ; nevertheless, the soil 
 IS good on the heights. 
 
 ihe soil of this tract is good and the timber raised. 
 
65 
 
 n Brandy brook, 
 which is known 
 lere has been no 
 the settlers, and 
 lo not ripen. 
 
 a church and 
 nd also three or 
 ally completing 
 communicatiou 
 lial railway. 
 
 me, 1880.) 
 
 nd enough to 
 f me to survey 
 lowing report : 
 
 provisions and 
 ia river, where 
 s 13 and 14 to 
 line between 
 30' west astro- 
 >il is of good 
 
 with balsam. 
 nd the timber 
 is and ninety 
 cades as for as 
 
 ige two, Mata- 
 nd planted a 
 is cut through 
 leless, the soil 
 
 ^ilnikek line. 
 
 On the twenty-first, I ran the line in rear of ranire sevAn «« „ 
 south 890 lo' .es. a,..»o» =al. Along this line :Krgo:d .dZ 
 wood m,«d_ The sprace, wh ch was abundant at the western extern l 
 or ,h s hue, ha, been cut off. I also laid out the south-west line of numW 
 wentr from the post «x and seven B to its interseetion with the mr 
 me of range seven, and continued its verification and chaining to pZ 
 four and five, where it terminates. * ^ 
 
 This line south of post five and six, passes through a small cedar 
 grove containing some fine trees. 
 
 ^hi.w^/ "','' °' ^"P'r*""-' I ""fi«d the front line of the Portage rang. 
 c^ttlirhtdZf ''^*'"^'' ''''""°'"'""- 'T-oiHsg^.dafd 
 
 »v 1°"'^'? k""' ' r"V° *•" ^"' ■•'"«»■ Ki'tigonohe river, and found that 
 this line had been abandoned at Toad brook. After having extended on a 
 south west course, 550 40' astronomical this line to its inCctfon 
 with Patapedla, I chained from this point going east, as proSd by 
 my instructions. The lots twenly-seven and thirtyseven, as shownon thi 
 old plan, were not lobe founder they are lots only of thirteeTchains 
 From post thirtyseven and thirty-eight, I made a chaining for e^h of he 
 ranges one and two. The soil is of good quality on the heightHnd he 
 timber generally maple and birch. On the banks of the brooto, sift w«d 
 IS in greater abundance. 
 
 I found that the line of ranges two and three had not been run 
 
 beyond number forty s.ven and was on a north east course 68<> 20' Jrono 
 
 mical. From the post of the second and third ranges, I verifiTthe 
 
 outline of Patapedia, which I found on a north wit cour^ ll- 05' 
 
 St onomical, and extended it as far as the post of the 4th and 6th ran^s 
 
 with the south west line of number twenty, after which I prolonged to 
 ch south west line of number twenty the line between ranges three and 
 four, which I found on a north east course 60" 30' astronomical. This Itae 
 had been abandoned at number forty eight. Along the whole of tZ 
 distance, the soil is generally good and covered with hard wood and maple 
 
 Fi^m the post of the third and fourth ranges I extended towards the 
 south the south west line of number twenty to°he first range. '"''''' *^' 
 
 It V. 
 
kil 
 
 66 
 
 . J r^ .u^ r' °^ '^^ ^^^ ^"^ ^*^ '^»»*^«' «" the Patapedia line I 
 established the line between ranges 4 and 5 on a iiorth east course 64«45' 
 astronomical. From the same post I extended the lateral line of PataDedi« 
 up to post six and seven. ^ 
 
 I established the line between ranges 5 and « on a north course 68° 55 
 east astronomical. The soil on the three last lines is generally good and 
 the timber mixed. 
 
 On the seventeenth of November, I ran the line between ranges six and 
 seven, parallel to the preceding, and extended it to the south west line of 
 number twenty. 
 
 From post 6 and 1, I extended the Patapedia side line to the post I 
 7 and 8, where I established the line between ranges 7 and 8 parallel 
 to the preceding and extended it to the rear line of the seventh ran-e 
 
 On the 24th of December, I extended the Patapedia line as far as post 
 
 eight and nine. From this post, I established the line between the rancres 
 
 if''^ V° '*' ^^*^^««<^tion with the rear line of range two, Matapedia river 
 
 ihe soil IS good and the timber generally mixed. 
 
 On the fifth of January, I extended the Patapedia side line to post, 
 nme and ten. From this post I established the line between ranges nine 
 and ten, parallel to the preceding, to the rear line of range two Mata- 
 pedia river. . b "". -^'^au I 
 
 On the twenty ninth, I extended the Patapedia side line t. its inter- 
 section with the Milnikek line. The soil, in the tenth range of this te I 
 IS low, marshy, and covered only with black spruce. The soil in the! 
 eleventh range is also inferior and mostly all covered with balsam. 
 
 From post ten and eleven, I ran the line between the ran-e 
 ten and eleven parallel to the preceding and extended it to its inters'^ec 
 tion with the rear line of range two, Matapedia river. 
 
 On the eighteenth of February, I again ran the outline of Milnikek 
 and extended it as far as the Matapedia river. The soil on this line is inferior 
 and uneven and is unfit for cultivation in the vicinity of Mil. stream, 
 
 I carried out the surveylwith all rossible diligence. I chose the mosti 
 durable timber to make my posts and, as much as possible, made them of 
 cedar. The soil generally is good. The part towards the north of line seven 
 and eight and to the west of the east branch of Chainy Rock brook is very 
 
67 
 
 'atapedia line, I 
 ist course 64''45* 
 ne of Patapedia 
 
 h course 68° 55 
 erally good and 
 
 rough ai i consequently offers less advantage to settlers th,.n ♦), 
 
 to the east of the same brook, which is more lefel neverthll .. '^'^T 
 
 be placed with advantage four hundred f^Jnles i^lli^twr^^^^ "^^'^ 
 
 (C. A. B41anger, 1882.) 
 
 n ranges six and 
 uth west line of 
 
 line to the post | 
 and 8 parallel 
 Bnth ransre. 
 
 le as far as post 
 veen the ranges 
 /latapedia river. 
 
 ie line to posti 
 sen ranges nine | 
 ige two, Mata- 
 
 ine tj its inter- 
 ige of this line, I 
 he soil in the| 
 balsam. 
 
 n the 
 
 to its intersec 
 
 ranges | 
 
 le of Milnikek 
 line is inferior | 
 f MiL stream, 
 
 5hose the most 
 made them of I 
 1 of line seven 
 I brook is very! 
 
 Township of Mllnlkek. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 The south-west half of this township is bnf an oU 
 mountains and deep abysses which serve as he bed' f ^^^ '""^ ''""' °^ 
 without banks, and rushing torrents No lak has Wn .''"'' T^ "^^"' 
 the water courses which cut it up a e bv the m'^i f 'hovered in it. and 
 taries of the great river MetapedirSle'^:^! ^XlTot tt^^ernd 
 flanks of these mountains consists of baham w>.ifo ""^« «» ^ne crest and 
 biroh and birch. On the ab.npt slope 'thTs; :^L'^ZuT:i "'f 
 the pine and spruce have been worked over ■^v^r.^T i "P^eavals, 
 
 crest of „>„st of these mountains, there si rr. 1^ hT.r' .""k'""' 
 but it is only of second aualitv TK. i "^^^^^^ ^"^"^^ ^^ this timber, 
 
 ally free fro^ ro^it^^Z ^'j:^ Zr.:^^-- f'T. """''■ 
 th«.^thatn.i.ht be settled, but their a^eTirsTrst i^^ t^r^ 
 
 The north-west half of Milnikek is also mountainous • but th. 
 mountams are not so steep; the streams have a leveller bed ;apid and 
 falls are scarcer; and the flanks of the mountain, v,. rapws and 
 
 consequently, dry nature. In this last hall, there is no pine, ^'' '""' 
 
 t.l. Ai *^^^^'*^""^ °^ ^bout eight and a half miles, the rear line of Miln, 
 kek falls into a vast brule about 12 miles long and as many broad 
 
 The remarks relative to the north-west half of Milnikek shnnl^ i 
 be understood as what is said of the depth of this township '"^^ 
 
 {Hector LeBer, 6th April. 1869). 
 
 m 
 
 i 
 
68 
 
 Township of New Richmond. 
 
 Thu country bordering on the Little Gascapedia is an alluvial deposit 
 forming extremely fertile points along the river. Under the old subdivision, 
 a few lots only, situated in the same course as the river, benefited by these 
 points, while others in rear on the slope of the mountains were almost 
 worthless, with their front to the south, cut up as they were by deep 
 ravines from which issue the streams indicated on the plan. 
 
 The valley of the Little Gascapedia, stretching along the front of a 
 pretty level tract, is bounded in rear, at a distance of three-quarters of a 
 mile from the river, by steep mountains extending orer several lots which 
 are thus unfitted for culture. Deep gorges run into these hills in several 
 places, especially on the eastern side of the river. 
 
 There is a certain quantity of salmon in the river, but trout is abund- 
 ant, and last year several sportsmen from abroad indulged in fishing at this 
 place. 
 
 Ou the western side, the best timber has been destroyed by fire, but 
 there is still a large quantity of cedar along the brooks. On certain lots 
 there is nothing but small white birch, while on others it is hard to find 
 anything but aspen of six or seven inches in diameter. 
 
 On the eastern side, however, in the seventh and eighth ranges, there 
 is still some fine merchantable timber, but the pine completely disap- 
 peared, some years back, when it was in great demand for the West Indian 
 trade. 
 
 I will add a few observations on each of the ranges and the advantages 
 they offer to settlement. 
 
 Range V, lot 13 — Adjoining range IV, this lot is divided into two by 
 the Brul6 brook, which is bordered by a high bank. The po tion between 
 the Gascapedia and the brook is excellent for hay. 
 
 Lots 14, 15 and 16 — The level land extends for nearly half a mile back 
 from the river. The rear of the lots is formed of low hills, on which the 
 soil is good. 
 
 Lot No 1*7, which skirts the line of range 6, is much less valuable than 
 the others. Nevertheless, application has already been made for it. 
 
 Range VI, ivest side — Let No 16 has the drawback of being cut into in 
 front by the point of a chain of hills. The remainder of the range, flat in 
 
 i 
 
69 
 
 :he advantages 
 
 valuable than 
 
 ing cut into in 
 e range, flat iDJ 
 
 front, n e« gradually towards he rear or to the chain of hills just mentioned 
 and on the other side of which the land becomes better As a whole 
 however, this range, even with its inequalities, is excellent. 
 
 East side iot 20. -The bank of the river is steep, but. on the top of the 
 h.11, the land ,s level for a distance of half a mile after which the surface 
 becomes broken and continues so to the rear line. This lot is occupied • and 
 some improvements have already been made near the line between ranires 
 nve and six. i«us«;h 
 
 mouth 01 the .^lley which extends to the rear line which it crosses on the 
 preceding lot. The remainder of the range, level in front for a quarter of a 
 mile, contains excellent arable land for another quarter of am ile alter 
 which the hillocks commenco and continue for still another qu.rfor of a 
 milo. when they give place to steep hills, whose bare flanks exclude xU 
 idea of cultivatio,.. The rear line of the lots in this range is the ^o^ tm un- 
 tainous country m the neighborhood and is cut by four or five ravines one of 
 which, lying most to the north, cannot be ascended, as its flank in.li.i^s only 
 20 degrees from the vertical. On the south side, we were stopped by u perpen^ 
 dicular precipice 100 feet high, formed by a branch of Brown brook From 
 the north side of this valley the line traverses for some chains level ^^round 
 to end at the bottom of another valley as the commencement of th/line of 
 the seventh range. 
 
 Eange VII, toest side.-An average of a quarter of a mile of flat ground in 
 iront and then a succession of hills and small valleys in whi<.h cedar 
 abounds. A little loss adapted to settlement than the p' ceding ex.tptlot 
 20 which embraces a valley, about 10 chains wide, that penetrates into the 
 interior beyond the rear line. 
 
 1 ^!l! T^ f'^t' f '" *^' "'^^^ '^''^"' "*'"*^^'^« half a mile of good land 
 
 'J^Zt f " '!r' ^''' '' ^" '^' °*^«^ ^^^Se. the ground becomes 
 
 mountainous owards the interior. From the top of the second mountain, 
 the view, starting Irom the sixth range, extends over the surrounding^ recvioi 
 un il It rests on the Shick-Shocks. whose white peaks can be perceiveS 40 
 miles away inland. The river, from this height, seems like a brook flowing 
 at a short distance from the foot. ^ 
 
 The descent of the mountain towards a branch of Mill stream is steep 
 and difficult. A post, which slipped down from the summit, fell most of 
 the distance through the trees without meeting any obstacle to arrest its 
 
 
 ».-* 
 
•70 
 
 More to the northward, the rear line again traverses deep valleys ; but, 
 in the eighth range, the mountains are replaced by a more level country 
 o'ld one more easily worked. Nevertheless, the rear of lot 22 in range 8 
 can only be reached by ^oing around a steep hillock on the line between the 
 seventh and eighth ranges. A bush road follows Mill stream at this place. 
 
 On the east side, the spruce, cedar and birch still furnish excellent 
 timber to the trade ; but the valley of the river is getting poorer every year 
 and, to find wood of any value now, the heights in rear 'must be ascended. 
 It will, however, be always a difficult and expensive work to get it down 
 from the heights to the banks of the river. 
 
 Range VIII, east side.— Lot No. 18,little level land, but the hills have afairly 
 gentle slope ; soil in general inferior. In this range, the alluvial deposit 
 begins at the edge of this lot, penetrates into the interior for a quarter of a 
 mile on lot No, 20, and ends at the river beyond the township line. The 
 brvl^ finishes a little above this range, which produces birch," large cedar and 
 merchantable spruce. 
 
 On the west side, to the southward, the land is not very rich in any 
 respect ; still, the cedar found on it gives it some value. As for the soil, like 
 everywhere else, with a few exceptions, throughout the township, it is 
 composed of yellow mould, resting on a clay bottom. More to the north- 
 ward, the last lot, on the east side, contains between the two arms of the 
 river a piece of table land, whose soil is of superior quality, but a little wet. 
 
 The east side of this range is certainly the best land I surveyed. Still, 
 in general, none of the lots surveyed would mr^ke whatist-rmedafinefarm. 
 The value of these lots consists in the river points, which produce hay in 
 as great abundance as in the parts already under cultivation. This, with the 
 cedar on the land and the salmon in the river, will be the attraction. 
 Moreover, as the land fit for settlement in the environs of New Eichmond 
 is nearly all taken up, this part of the township will soon be claimed by 
 settlers, from whom applications have already been received for the pur- 
 chase of a certain number of lots. 
 
 The depth of water in the Little Cascapedia is from -3 to 4 feet and the 
 width of the stream from 2 to 4 chains. Some small rapids, from time to 
 time, break its course ; but there is no obstacle to the getting out of timber, 
 which, by way, wnll be shortly undertaken on a large scale, as soon as 
 Girouard & Beaudet's limits are worked, a not very remote contingency, if 
 rumor ir to be credited. 
 
 (Geo.-P. Rmj, SOth May, 1888). 
 
 Thist 
 I on two ri-v 
 I the Patape^ 
 [into three 
 three fourt 
 I large exteii 
 I centre line 
 
 Johns 
 
 [this towns! 
 jmore, and, 
 I easy of accei 
 table lands. 
 
 The Ian 
 [nearly the w 
 JPort Daniel : 
 laud the soil 
 ally reddish 
 [white birch, 
 |lO of the 6th 
 
 There is 
 
 I the Tth rang( 
 
 these lots are 
 
 made by the 
 
 indicated on 
 
 The litth 
 range nearly 
 uniform cour 
 are no falls ii 
 hemmed in v 
 heavy rapids. 
 
•71 
 
 illeys ; but, 
 el country 
 in ran^e 8 
 etween the 
 this place. 
 
 L excellent 
 every year 
 ! ascended. 
 it it down 
 
 a ve a fairly 
 al deposit 
 uarter of a 
 line. The 
 5 cedar and 
 
 ich in any 
 e soil, like 
 ship, it is 
 the north- 
 rms of the 
 little wet. 
 
 ed. Still, 
 .fine farm, 
 ice hay in 
 , with the 
 ittraction. 
 lichmond 
 aimed by 
 • the pur- 
 
 (t and the 
 m time to 
 )f timber, 
 IS soon as 
 gency, if 
 
 888). 
 
 Township of Patapedia. 
 
 This township iB uumually extensive (80,000 acres) and has a fronta<re 
 on two nvers-more than fifteen miles on the Eistigouche, ™d 16 72 fn 
 
 three fourths, well ■^<i^vtZ:J:zi':L:zi%^zz^7i:!, t"* 
 
 John Sharps and Benjamin Merrill are actnally the onlv two settler, i. 
 lh,s townshtp ; bnt, abng the frontage of the river^ there il space fofor^" 
 more, and, m the other ranges, there are elevated places, bnt which Tre 
 ISelandr ' '"'''"' '°^'''' "^ ^""--S ">* watercourses, ravtatsT 
 
 {W. Macdomld, 25th April, 1862). 
 
 Township of Port Daniel. 
 
 I wV^"V? ^'cT^ "' '^ ^°°^ "^""^^^^ ^^d fit f«r agricultural purposes 
 nearly the whole of the part extending west of the western branch of the 
 Port Danze ri.er is certainly the best for settlement, the ground h^^le^el 
 
 ally reddish mould. The prevailing timber is made up of maple birch 
 
 Vo A. «^;,^'^''" "^^ 'P''^^^ = '^''' -^ ««"^« fine cedars onlot 6 9 and 
 10 of the 6th range and lots 6, 12 and 15 of the 7th range. 
 
 There is a first class road opened between lots 2 and 3 to the middle of 
 
 hirrtaS^n :"hrni:urteXi:At l^r^ '^-''f 
 
 The little river Port Daniel, which I followed from the front of the 8th 
 rango nearly to the roar line of the west range of the Harbor pursufsa 
 ..form course Its hanks ,,. certain places are very steep and r cky "h re 
 re ..0 falls m that part of the river, but on part ol lots 10 and li it 
 
 "pMs""""" " ''^' "' ' '-''■ ''-' »'^ -^ ^» ^-■'^ "y -e ll; 
 
12 
 
 Between the two branches east and west of the Port Daniel river, the 
 prevailing woods are balsam, birch, white birch, black spruce, a few maples, 
 and the common alder in certain spots. 
 
 The land is of good quality, and the soil everywhere met with is a gray 
 and yellow mould, in which clay predominates ; there are splendid natural 
 meadows extending near the mouth of these two rivers and the two winter 
 roads opened by the Messrs. King, on lot 22, and farther east could, with a 
 little repair, become of great use to the settlors, but unfortunately, here as else- 
 where in the Gasp6 region, fishing takes precedence of everything else, the 
 cultivation of the lauds comes second and settlement makes little progress. 
 The 'Zth and 10th ranges are mountainous and little fitted for agricultural 
 purposes ; nevertheless, lot 19, which is magnificent, with a fine exposure to 
 the south west, should be excepted. 
 
 To the east of the eastern branch of the Port Daniel river, the country 
 is level, except a few points along the river of L'Anse a la Barbe and on 
 numbers 27, 28, 29 and 30 on the front line of the Gth range. The land in 
 general is not of as good quality as in the western part of the township ; 
 here the soil is a kind of gray and yellow loam composed mostly of sand 
 with a rocky sub-soil, as on lots 4T-4G as for as lot 35 of the 7th range and 
 on 39 and 40 as for as number 45 of the 6th ran<re. 
 
 Elsewhere as on lots 46, 47, 48 and 49 it is swamp land where a few 
 black spruces dispute the ground with stimted buls.iras ; an exception, 
 however, must be made for the lots 30 and 31 as far as number 39 of the 
 6th range where maple, birch, cedar, spruce, balsam and a kind of red, 
 unctuous soil are met with. The same may be said of the lots 30, 31 as far 
 as 35 of the 7th range where there is about the same kind of wood as ou 
 the same lots of the range above ; I saw a number of magnificent spruces 
 on lot 33 and on lot number forty of the 7th range the traces of a hurricane, 
 that swept from north to south, in the shape of several big birch trees up- 
 rooted and strewing the ground with their debris. 
 
 The third and fotirth ranges, traversed by the river of L'Anse a la Barbe, 
 present about the same character as those situated farther north— swampy 
 land in the eastern part from number 16 nearly to the county line ; black 
 spruce is to be seen in abundance mixed with balsams and a few cedars ; 
 farther west there is a kind of brown loam in certain places, gray and yellow 
 on certain lots, sometimes rocky, and in general of mediocre quality ; balsam, 
 birch, white birch, cedar and small spruce abound, but there are only a few 
 maples. The same remarks apply to the first and second ranges, where 
 
 
 the soil is 
 are no sw 
 [ growth th 
 and mapk 
 there is a 
 judging ft 
 indication 
 of any ev( 
 wharf (wl 
 a few yeai 
 Island, wl 
 
 In cor 
 lots a rang 
 range behi 
 gouohe, I 
 
 I lean 
 the rear lii 
 althongh I 
 fourth rar 
 form with 
 
 The s( 
 divides th 
 time and 
 could not, 
 the said li 
 west cours 
 I extended 
 I planted t 
 mence the 
 bable junci 
 lots of thir 
 west betw( 
 
IB 
 
 iel river, the 
 i few maples, 
 
 vith. is a gray 
 ndid natural 
 i two winter 
 L^ould, with a 
 ', here as else- 
 ling else, the 
 tie progress, 
 agricultural 
 e exposure to 
 
 the couutry 
 Jarbe and on 
 The land iu 
 i township ; 
 3stly ol" sand 
 h range and 
 
 'here a lew 
 1 exception, 
 er 39 of the 
 kind of red, 
 30, 31 as far 
 wood as on 
 ent spruces 
 a hurricane, 
 ch trees up- 
 
 e a la Barbe, 
 h — swampy 
 line ; black 
 few cedars ; 
 ■ and yellow 
 ity ; balsam, 
 3 only a few 
 igos, where 
 
 the soil is iu general a kind of brown and general) v rocky loam, but there 
 are no swamps as in the other places. The land is lerel, and the forest 
 growth the same as in the 3rd and 4th ranges ; there are only a few cedars 
 and maples ; very little pine was met wiih in the surveyed part, but 
 there is a considerable quantity in the northern part of the township, 
 judging from the number of logs found in the Barachois. Not the slighest 
 indication of any mineral was noted in the whole township, nor did I hear 
 of any ever having been discovered, if the limestone quarries near the 
 wharf (where they abound) are excepted ; these have been worked within 
 a few years only, and the lime is conveyed by schooners to Prince Edward 
 Island, where there is no limestone. 
 
 {C.-A.Bourget}. 
 
 Townehip of Ristigouohe. 
 
 In conformity with instructions, ordering me to subdivide into farm 
 lots a range behind the first range, on the Ristigouche river, and also a 
 range behind the range, on the Matapcdia river, in the township of Risti- 
 gouche, I have the honor to make the following report : 
 
 I learned that, owing to the length of time since the original survey, 
 the rear line of the Ristigouche and Matapedia ranges had disappeared, 
 although I was shown a maple tree still standing between the third and 
 foiirth ranges of Ristigouche and marlci ng the angle which these rauffes 
 form with the front line. 
 
 The search I made on Sunday and Monday to discover the line which 
 divides the third and fourth ranges of Ristigouche was unsuccessful, 
 time and fire having completely obliterated this line ; consequently, I 
 could not, as required, ascertain its course. On the second, I established 
 the said line, starting from the maple tree above mentioned, on a north 
 west course 38° 50' magneMcal, or north-west 69° 40' astronomical, which 
 I extended, first, for a distance of one hundred and five chains, where 
 I planted a post to indicate the front line of the fourth range and to com- 
 mence the subdivision of the lots on the second range, and then to its pro- 
 bable junction with the front line of the Matapedia range, thus laying out 
 lots of thirteen chains and planting pickets duly numbered from east to 
 west between each lot. 
 
 Hi 
 
■ ' ■If- 
 
 •74 
 
 The land along this line to the western summit of the hill of Flat Lands 
 brook IS very broken, but the soil, being composed of sandy clay, is suited 
 to cultivation, and the timber predominating is hard wood. This part com 
 prised between the western summit of Flat Lands hill and number sixteen 
 inclusively, IS nearly all settled ; the soil is suitable for cultivation and 
 yields abundant crops. The disappearance of the front line has been the cause 
 why several clearings have been made on the first range of Ristigouche. 
 
 This part of the frontline having been thus established, I ran a line at 
 right angles with the Ristigouche line to separate the second rano-e of 
 Matapedia from the second range of Eistigouche, starting from the^ost 
 between number sixteen and seventeen, running northwest 20o 20' astron 
 omical, which I extended eighty chains and eighty links, where I planted 
 a post ; from this post, I ran a line running north east 60° 40' astronomi- 
 cal to be the line of the second Ristigouche range, which I extended 
 a distance of two hundred and thirteen chains to number one corres- 
 ponding with the first range, the line between the fourth and fifth ran^e 
 having completely disappeared, and no improvements having been made 
 on this range. "*«vac 
 
 The quality of the timber of all kinds and the soil I met alono- the 
 
 whole course of this line are beyond all expression very fine, and I am' told 
 
 that they are similar as far as the north outline of the township and even 
 
 beyond it. I lave never seen anything that could rival this part of the 
 
 second range ; the black birch are of enormous size, abundant and very 
 
 sound; there are magnificent sugaries and spruce trees were met with 
 
 measuring sixteen inches in diameter and sixty feet high ; lastly, the soil 
 
 composed of yellow mould, is the richest I have seen. Among the trees jus; 
 
 mentioned grow also enormous cedars which are a sure indication of the 
 good quality of the soil. 
 
 Having verified my position as being conformable to the ori<.inal 
 survey, I continued to run the Matapedia line from the post between num- 
 ber seventeen of the Ristigouche range and number one of the second ran^e 
 of Matapedia to number twenty inclusively, following the same north 
 west course 48^ 20-^ astronomical, and planting duly numbered posts in 
 conformity with the clearings of the settlers. The most of the lots alon. 
 the last distance are being cleared and almost all of them are settled • some 
 oi he clearings are extensive and improving quickly ; but. just like the lots 
 inther.condrangeol Ristigouche. many encroach on the first range, on 
 account of the complete disappearance of the original line. 
 
 is of good ( 
 
 I met ^ 
 
 hat the m( 
 indicated b 
 
 ixed wood 
 )alsaras, anc 
 is the preva 
 to the grow 
 bank of the 
 lots, settlem 
 extent of lev 
 found on th( 
 land, apart j 
 multitude oi 
 
16 
 
 of Flat Lands 
 lay, is suited 
 lis part, com- 
 nber sixteen, 
 Itivation and 
 3en the cause 
 stigouche. 
 
 ran a line at 
 •nd range of 
 om the post 
 •0 20' astron- 
 ere I planted 
 )' astronomi- 
 
 I extended 
 
 one corres- 
 l fifth range 
 
 been made 
 
 it along the 
 id I am told 
 ip and ev^n 
 part of the 
 it and very 
 J met with 
 !y, the soil, 
 le trees just 
 tion of the 
 
 le original 
 ween uum- 
 cond range 
 iame north 
 d posts in 
 ! lots along 
 tied ; some 
 ike the lots 
 range, on 
 
 The logging roads, which were cut over these lots and which communi- 
 cate with the interior, are used for the time-being as public roads by the 
 Utlers, because the inconvenience, in crossing the hills of Guilraor brook, 
 |[owards or near the front line, would be insurmountable. 
 
 Except on these hills, which are long and steep, the land is generally 
 
 of good quality; the timber predominating is the maple and black birch 
 
 bn the heights, with cedar and spruce on the slopes and low lands, an 
 
 Indispensable advantage to settlers who always need all kinds of timber to 
 
 favor their improrements. 
 
 (E. H. Legendre, 26th May, 1S16.) 
 
 The land in range 2, of the Metapedia river and the Ristigouche river 
 Is of good quality. Ranges 4, 5 and 6, are generally suitable for settlement' 
 Ranges 1 and 8 are of good quality to the east of the centre line; but, to 
 Ihe west of that line, the lank is broken and of mediocre quality. The lands 
 In ranges 9 and 10 are little suited to settlement, being very broken There 
 Is a considerable quantity of white birch, which might be advantageously 
 "utilized for the manufacture of pulp. 
 
 {C. A. Belanger, 1883.) 
 
 Township of Asaemetquagan 
 (River Range) 
 
 I met with some fine agricultural land along this line, and I remarked 
 ;hat the more I approached the river the more fertile it grew This is 
 ndicated by the timber; for example, the bush on the six first miles is 
 ixed wood ; then come pines, between which grow an infinity of youno- 
 )alsaras. and further on, in the two first ranges of the river Metapedia, birch 
 IS the prevailing species. Here the soil is the richest and the best adapted 
 
 to the gi-owth of cereals There is little or no level land along the 
 
 bank of he river Metapedia ; it falls directly to the river ; but, on the other 
 lots, settlements might be advantageously made when the want of a larcre 
 extent of level land is experienced. On the latter a substitute for it can be 
 ound on the hills which are accessible and far from steep and where the 
 land, apart from the good quality of tne soil, has the advantage of havin- a 
 multitude of logging roads that cannot fail to be very useful to settlers " 
 
 
 [E.-H. Legendre, 22nd April, 1862). 
 
76 
 
 COUNTY OF CHAMPLAIN. 
 
 Township of Boucher. 
 
 Starting frem a point three miles on this side of the river Batiscan, 
 pursuant to instructions, I ascended a small stream that takes its rise near 
 Lac a la Truite. From this lake, following the valley of river a la Truite, I 
 traced the north west outline of the township of Mekinao, and thence pro- 
 ceeded to the post forming the northern angle of that township. From this 
 point, after making the requisite observations, I found the astronomic course 
 of .the north west outline of the township of Mekinac and ran the north 
 eastern line of the township of Boucher. After finishing this line and mark- 
 ing it with posts and boundaries, according to instructions, I made a search 
 for the north east line of the siMgniory of Bastican, which I found on the 
 right bank of the St. Maurice, but which seemed obliterated and destroyed 
 by fire on the left bank. I chained, along the prolongation of the part of this 
 line which I recognized and retraced, to the depth of the first range of the 
 township of Boucher, and I then ran the subdivision line between the first 
 and second ranges, in rear of the sixteen first lots ; also laying out a proof 
 line between Nos. 16 and 17 in the first ran^e. 
 
 I next scaled the left bank of the St. Maurice, in front of the first range 
 and subdivided it into lots, according to instructions. 
 
 I also made an examination of the lauds occupied by squatters and 
 designated on the annexed plan by red linos, besides indicatin , the blocks 
 by letters. Hereunto annexed is also a detailed statement of these blocks 
 and of the lots and parts of lots composing them. 
 
 By this statement, it appears that, actually, eighteen lots of the first 
 range have occupants and are already more or less improved. Vegetables, 
 hay and oats come to perfection and I believe that the generality of :he 
 land in this township is well suited to the raising of these products. 
 
 It is true there is but little of low fiat ground or of natural prairie land 
 as in certain places on the bank of the St. Maurice, but the soil is every 
 where loamy, and of good quality. The most elevated lands are irom seven 
 to eight hundred feet above the St. Maurice. They rise g adually to this 
 height on an extent varying from one mile and a half to five miles and 
 upwards. 
 
 Iha^ 
 of the fin 
 in summi 
 am bette 
 range of i 
 great vari 
 sisting in 
 generally 
 &c. The 
 discharge 
 
 I hav 
 part of thi 
 lots the fi 
 east bank 
 
 Thel 
 first range 
 both as rej 
 ranges to 
 
11 
 
 iver Batiscan, 
 its rise near 
 a la Truite, I 
 d thence pro- 
 p. From this 
 nomic course 
 ran the north 
 lie and mark- 
 nade a search 
 found on the 
 nd destroyed 
 le part of this 
 range of the 
 vecn the first 
 g out a proof 
 
 le first range 
 
 quatters and 
 
 g the blocks 
 
 these blocks 
 
 of the first 
 Vegetables, 
 
 rality of Ihe 
 
 ducts. 
 
 1 prairie land 
 soil is every 
 I irom seven 
 aally to this 
 e miles and 
 
 In a country presenting such steep slopes as this does, it is not surpris- 
 ing that flanks of naked rock are occasionally seen, but it is worthy of 
 remark that at the foot and on the summit of these very rocks there is 
 found a variety of fine timber which only grows on good lands. If the soil 
 18 in many places stony, this is still no invincible obstacle to the clearing 
 of the land, for, with the exception of one or two steep or rocky places we 
 everywhere planted our posts solidly in the earth. 
 
 {/ Barnard, 19th July, 1874.) 
 
 I have the honor to complete the foregoing report to the continuation 
 of the first range of the township of Boucher. As this survey was concluded 
 m summer. I had a better opportunity to judge the nature of the soil and 
 am better warranted in pronouncing it excellent for agriculture. The first 
 range of this township, which is mostly made up of high lands, is rich in a 
 great variety of timber and has also a large proportion of arable land con- 
 sistmg in marsh covered with ash and tamarac ; the higher grounds are 
 generally wooded with hard wood mixed with a rich undergrowth of hazel 
 &c. The little river Batiscan and the river des Prairies, by which are 
 discharged the waters of lakes Dickay and Dawson, oflfer magnificent water 
 powers. The mean diflference of level seemed to me to averao-e 25 feet in 
 the 1000 feet. * ° 
 
 [J. Barnard, 19th August, 1874.) 
 
 Township of Oarignan. 
 
 I have the honor to enclose for your perusal my report of the surveyed 
 part of the township of Carignan, for the purpose of subdividing into farm 
 lots the first, second and third ranges and range A, fronting on the south 
 east bank of the river St. Maurice. 
 
 The land laid out and subdivided so far into ranges and lots, viz, the 
 Hrst range, range A and the third range, is well adapted for sLttiement 
 both as regards the quality of the soil as well as the proximity of these 
 ranges to the river St. Maurice, on which they front. 
 
 m 
 
 't'wi 
 
18 
 
 There aro here some fine alluvial valleys, covered with a rich brown 
 or yellow soil wooded with elm, ash, hemlock, white birch, spruce and 
 pme. Some of these lots are taken by settlers who are livino- on them 
 The timber is generally fine and tall, consisting of the woods a°bove men I 
 tioned with the addition of bass wood and white spruce, the latter bein J 
 the most abundant. There is very little maple. The pine timber, thou-^h 
 pretty abundant, has been in some measure diminished by the use that 
 has been made of it on rather a large scale fur several years. 
 
 The climatfc is mild and favorable to cultivation, which is proved bvl 
 the large quantities of hay, grain and vegetables, which I have myself seen 
 harvested on the settlers' fields. I can imagine no better method of develoo 
 ing the resources of this township and of the St. Maurice in general th-m 
 by introducing steam navigation from the " Piles " as far as La Tuque 
 soon as the railroad to the " Piles " is completed. ' 
 
 There are several settlers in this township along the banks of the St I 
 Maurice. 
 
 (J.-C. Delachevrotiere, 31st March, 1875.) 
 
 Township of Langelier and Biver Oroche. 
 
 The township of Langelier is bounded in front on the south west 
 partly by the river St. Maurice and partly by the north easterly limit line 
 of the township of Malhiot; on the south east, by the exploratory line run 
 by R Blaiklock, P. L. S. ; on the north east, by a line running north 45 west 
 dividing the counties of Champlain and Quebec; and on the north west 
 by a hue running north east and south west (astronomically) from the afore' 
 said county line as far as the river St. Lawrence. The whole of the land 
 which I surveyed and subdivided into farm lots in this township, especiallv 
 that lying on both sides of the river Croche. is fit for cultivation mid settle- 
 ment. The soil is not composed of alluvion and clay as has been reported 
 being rather a gray or yellow mould mixed with sand in certain places and 
 covered with some fertilizing substance, which must be very productive it 
 we may judge from the luxuriant growth of timber of every kind with 
 which it IS covered. 
 
 Elm ash, alder, &c„ abound along the banks of the river Oroche : the 
 back of the lots is certianly hilly ; some of the lots are shortened by the lay 
 
 The 
 sand, un 
 rapidly ; 
 it is verj 
 was give 
 that it fe 
 and comi 
 return to 
 displayin 
 peaceful 
 
 Folk 
 ing from 
 sufficient 
 power, m 
 service to 
 These tril 
 vicinity. 
 
 Thee 
 inspection 
 seen in gr^ 
 on the bar 
 me that, 
 hundred. 
 
 It is p 
 
 settlement, 
 names I ht 
 
19 
 
 h a rich brownl 
 ch, spruce audi 
 living on them.) 
 ods above men-[ 
 ;he latter beino-l 
 timber, though! 
 •y the use that! 
 
 ih is proved byl 
 ve myself seen! 
 !iod of develop- 
 i general, thaul 
 5 La Tuque, 
 
 mks of the St.] 
 •ch, 1875.) 
 
 le south west) 
 srly limit line I 
 itory line run 
 lorth 45 west I 
 -i north west, 
 om the afore- 
 le of the land 
 ip, especially 
 >n and settle- 
 eeu reported, 
 in places and 
 productive if 
 y kind with 
 
 Oroche: the 
 d by the lay 
 
 of the hills which tend towards the river, but the remainder is land of the 
 very best quality Taking one lot with another there may be from a quarter 
 to half a mile of low lands on each bank, increasing in depth with the 
 windings of the river. Merchantable timber is not found in great abundance 
 within he township. Pine timber at present is rather scarce : however 
 Mr. Hall cuts timber here every year, and has taken out a considerable 
 number of logs this season. On the high lands the greatest amount of 
 timber appears to consist of white birch, spruce and pine. In the openings 
 between the hills tamarac is found in some quantity. Hemlock does not 
 appear to grow here, as I did not see any. Cedar and maple are rather scarce. 
 The river Croche is certainly a splendid stream, flowing over a bed of 
 sand uninterrupted by rock or fall, though in some places it flows verv 
 rapidly ; it has no great depth and is navigable only for very small boats 
 It IS very appropriately called the " Croche " or (crooked river,) which name 
 was given to it from the earliest time of its discovery. One might ima<.ine 
 that It felt reluctant to leave behind the soft bed over which it flows ffoin^r 
 and coming in such different directions that at times it appears inclined t! 
 return to its source, lingering among the forests which adorn its sides and 
 displaying through the valley which it fertilizes the graceful bends of ts 
 peaceful and capricious course. 
 
 Following its meanderings from point to point, tributarv streams flow- 
 ing from the heights on either side of the valley are frequently met If 
 sufficient magnitude to serve as mill sites, which, considering the water 
 ^ power, might be made available without much expense, and'be of ^rea 
 service to the settlers who might be disposed to settle in the township 
 These tributary streams take their source from the numerous lakes in the 
 vicinity. "'^ 
 
 The climate which is very favorable to farming (from my own personal 
 inspection,) IS most productive in hay, oats and vegetables which I ha4 
 ITn' "^""^^"^^ "^ *^« ^™« -^d outhouses of the settlers residing 
 mitle banks of the river Croche. One of the settlers. Mr. Larue, assured 
 
 rundred '"""^'"^ ""^ ^"'^^ ^'''^'^' ^^ ^^*'' ^' ^^^ ''^^'^ ^^^ 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 It is proper to state that the township of Langelier is well adapted for 
 settlement, which is proved by reference to the settlers themselves whose 
 names I have mentioned, as also their labour and imprnvem-nt« If we 
 
80 
 
 reflect on all the hardships which meet the poor settler who arrives alone 
 in the forest, distant from all companionship for a distance of at least 28 
 leagues in summer as in the case in Langelier, where he is obliged to pre- 
 pare with his own hands the timber for the erection of his house, we must 
 conclude that he finds here some advantages which are not found elsewhe* 
 
 The total superficies of the land surveyed in the township of Langelier I 
 is 25,481 acres, including the river Oroche, and the superficies of the ranges 
 is as follows : 
 
 East range 9,946 acres 
 
 West " 14,310 " 
 
 {T.-a Delachevroti&e, 2Sih June, 1S18.) 
 
 Township of Lejeune. 
 
 This surrey embraces the range line at the end of the seigniory ofl 
 Orondines-West, which is 3 miles, 27 chains long, and the south westsidef 
 line of that seigniory, where it touches the township of Lejeune for a dis-| 
 tance of 2 miles, 24 chains, which makes 2 miles, 24 chains ; and forms a, 
 total length ot 5 miles 51 chains. 
 
 The surface crossed by these lines is generally mountainous, but never- 
 theless comprises a pretty large extent of arable land composed of alluvioni 
 made up of sandy marl or of silex mixed with vegetable debris. 
 
 The mountains are formed of huge masses of quartzose gneiss running 
 nearly north and south and have a dip generally of about 23°. These rocks, 
 as already stated in my formei report are gray in color, mixed with large 
 reddish spots, and show no indications whatever of minerals. 
 
 The soil all over is covered with a vigorous growth of merchantable 
 timber, including spruce, pine, balsam, birch, beech, cedar, elm and various 
 other woods such as maple, ash, cherry, bass-wood, alder, hemlock, white 
 birch, mountain ash, &c. 
 
 The range line at the base of the seigniory of Groudines crosses large 
 lake Long, where waters are pure and very deep and whose shores are 
 broken and mountainous to the oast and rolling to the west. 
 
 {P.-P.-V. Dutremblay, 8th January, 18*73.) 
 
 I hav 
 I the honor 
 I rations in 
 
 rhet( 
 of (he seij 
 
 I seigniory ( 
 rentian sys 
 is in gener 
 
 I of slight el 
 the whole 
 
 !ln a numb 
 the primiti 
 of no impo 
 
 One of 
 [and east, p 
 lime. It v\ 
 existence oi 
 did not con 
 which I obf 
 side of the 1 
 
 On the 
 about fifteei 
 
81 
 
 ■> arrives alone 
 e of at least 28 
 obliged to pre- 
 ionse, we must! 
 und elsewhe* 
 
 lipofLangelier 
 8 of the ranges 
 
 ;res 
 
 ine, 1873.) 
 
 The tract comprised m the .oulhwe,tern portion of the town.hip of 
 Lo...n„e .s of pretty evel aspect and composed of a rich alluvial ToU well 
 adapted to settlemen^ but the north eastern part of the township i Z" 
 rally mounta.nous. the mountains being formed of mot«norphic ZL 
 compr.s„,sr almost exclusively quartzose gneiss. All these land, are coverS 
 with^^vgorous growth 01 spruce, birch, maple, elm, .,h, balsam cedat 
 
 The best way to colonize the south western portion of the township 
 01 Lceune whrch mcludes very rich land, would be to com nue tie 
 survey and the colonization road from the Chicots lakes to the township of 
 Mekinac, prolonging the latter to the river St. Maurice. "w«snip 01 
 
 (P.-P.-r. Dulremblay, 12th February, 1878). 
 
 V 
 
 le seigniory ofj 
 outh west side 
 June for a dis- 
 ; and forms a 
 
 us, but never- 
 ed of alluvion! 
 ■is. 
 
 neiss running I 
 '. These rocks, 
 ed with large! 
 
 merchantable 
 m and various 
 unlock, white 
 
 J crosses large 
 ose shores are 
 
 ry, 1873.) 
 
 I have concluded the subdiv'sion of the township of Lejeune and ha^e 
 the honor to submit to you in the following report the result of my obser- 
 valions in the course of this surrey .- ^ ooser- 
 
 rhe township of Lejeune, situated in the Lanrenlides range north west 
 of, he seigniory of St. Ann, and contiguous on the sou°h w st to th' 
 seigniory o Batiscan partakes of the character of the formatioiro the L™ 
 rentian system, within which it is comprised. The surface of this townX 
 IS 11 general exceedingly rough and broken, [t is covered with mounta^ 
 ofshght elevation, and cut up by ravines so close to each Xr" to g,> 
 he whole the appe.arance of a group of isolated hills, each of small eXt 
 .1 a number 01 the.e hills the greater portion appears to be nothinfb„; 
 
 ifU'Cr::'- '" "'""^ """ -"^- p-"- '-'^'^-^ x'ock^ Of g"r;l- 
 
 One of these mountains, that which borders lake Croche on the south 
 
 and eas presents some indications, more or less doubtful, of phosphirof 
 
 lime It would have taken a considerable amount of labor to estabhsh the 
 
 stence of this important mineral, and, not being certain of findrn" Iny I 
 
 did not consider myself authorized to undertake the work. The indlcaUon 
 
 side of the line separating these ranges. 
 
 On the south west side of the small lake Tnno- i„ n,„ <• »■. 
 •bout fifteen chains from the south east H^^ZX^^^^l^^Z. 
 
82 
 
 i 
 
 rock, whnh at its bnse, for a height of two and a half or throo yards pro 
 8ent« the appearance of Scotch granite. It is of various colors, grev red 
 black, white and orange ; and as .t contains no mica it is susceptible o^ 
 being polished. I do not venture to afiirm, but I believe this is only the 
 out-cropping of an exteneive quarry of the same granite. 
 
 The principal timber is white spruce, of which there is an enormous 
 quantity ht lor lumbering purposes, besides maple and birch. The pine is 
 almost all destroyed. 
 
 In regard to settlement, the reversed lots of ranges three and four, the 
 hrst ten lots ol the second range, the first six lots of ranges three and four 
 and all the lots to the south west of the centre line in range iour are 
 generally, one with another, fit for cultivation to the extent of about sixfv 
 acres in every hundred. The rest of the subdivid.'d portion is fit for culti- 
 vation m the proportion of tvN'enty acres in a hundred, except a few lots 
 scattered here and there, some offering a larger and some a smaller propor- 
 tion of cultivable land. 
 
 The portion of the rest of the township lying between lake Lon- and 
 the seigniory of Batiscan resembles, with respect to the quality of the'land 
 the south west part of range four, and presents a comparatively even sur- 
 face. The portion of the said remainder, situated to the north east of lake 
 Long, IS more mountainous, containing more hardwood and less good land 
 than the other. 
 
 {H. LeBer, 28th May, 1881.) 
 
 Township of Mailhot. 
 
 I have the honor to submit the report of my proceedings and 
 thru^h'^ft Tt ^M^'*^' of instructions from your department! dated 
 the 15th of September, 1875, relative to the township of Mailhot. ordering 
 meto make a survey of the outlines of this township and a subdivision 
 nto farm lots of a range on the east shore of the river Saint Maurice, on 
 the front of this township. ' 
 
 P.«f K ^V7;rl'^- °^^"^^^°^ ^« «f irregular form and situated on the north 
 east bank of the Saint Maurice river, in the county of Portneuf. It is bounded 
 Wards the south east by the township of Carignan, partly surveyed by me 
 last year, towards the north east by vacant lands of the Crown, to the north 
 
88 
 
 ree yards, pro. 
 Drs, grey, red, 
 Buscoptiblo Of 
 lis is only the 
 
 an enormous 
 1 The pine is 
 
 and four, tho 
 hree and four, 
 nge lour, are 
 of about sixty i 
 3 fit for culti- 
 pt a few lots 
 nailer propor- 
 
 ke Long aud 
 y of the land. 
 Rly even sur- 
 east of lake 
 iss good land 
 
 y, 1881.) 
 
 eedings and 
 traent, dated 
 hot, ordering 
 subdivision 
 Maurice, on 
 
 on the north 
 ^t is bounded 
 reyed by me 
 to the north 
 
 
 wf..t by tho Crocho river, and towards Iho wost bv the S»i„t M.„ ■ • 
 „„ whose o„,.„r,.ba„k ,„y i„»,r.u..io„a were .o mlk hf v": " rr":S 
 of lots, designated under tho name of Saint Mnnr.v ^ , ^® 
 
 divided iato f«r„ l„t« i.. the .„a„„or ho 'raU™i;:r "" ""'"' ' 
 
 The land along the whole of the outlines is mor« nr l i i 
 though without any very high .onntain. The soM, aTth^rh ^t t "tl' 
 here and there by rocks, is not less fitted for oultivation. '^ 
 
 The timber is generallv fine nnA fnli • ;* • 
 blaek birch, spruce, "balsa J!Ld- ..lew 'plal',' ZT'" °' "'"'^ ^'"=''' 
 
 Pine is not abundant, having been already worked 
 
 balsamlndll/er""" "™ ^™"""'' "°°"^'' -"" ^'r 'P'-e, tamarac, 
 
 Around lake Wayagamack, the soil is formed of .rood „,.. j „ 
 monld. A few rocks jut out into the lake, forn^ng h r^ °f d^^r! ''°""", 
 granue. The timber is about the same as hereinbLre" scribed "h'rr;' 
 teems with fash and the trout are of excellent onalitv ;'"""'^- J'"' '^e 
 the whole locality otTers every adva„t,gfl^;\2:t .'i g p oTnt^r 
 inents ; it seems to extend without a brp«k in *!,<. q • .\t "®' 
 
 the south side of the little rn-er Boston "^Th nor h^^MelsTu: 'T T 
 
 Mr WilliarE^t'chir r''",'':'^°""'>' forty and forty one cultivated by 
 
 by Mr G B HaU who ar"° """"^V"" "'"> '"""' "' ""^ -"^ '-ge^ 
 oy mr. t,. «• Hall, who are carrying on lumbering operations suddIv fbl 
 
 shanties with hay and oats. These farms are carefuUy kept and the . Li 
 
 .how animals of good breeds and magnificent appearance "'' 
 
 .™.1?'''' '""" '"""^ "''"'* ""'""onrf is covered with a young srowth of 
 to the Little Bostonais nver over a distance of about three miles. 
 
 i' 
 
84 
 
 The La Tuque rapids, hemmed in between two cliffs, reduce the width 
 of the river to a few chains, while above and below it measures, in some 
 places, more than a quarter of a mile wide. 
 
 These rapids are from ninety to one hundred feet high, and, in the 
 spring floods, have a depth of fifteen to twenty feet of water. 
 
 The west bank of the Saint Maurice is steep and hilly and partly 
 ravaged by fire ; but there are still many spots untouched. 
 
 Above the rapids, on lots seventeen and nineteen, is the discharge 
 of the Great Bostonais river, which previously winds through a level 
 tract composed of alluvion and clay and covered with elm, ash, willow 
 and alder, and bordered on either side by a chain of mountains alon«- its 
 whole length going towards the north east. " 
 
 The chain on the north side separates the Croche river from the Bosto- 
 nais, said Croche river discharging into the Saint Maurice two miles and 
 three quarters higher up and on the same side. 
 
 Magnificent lauds extend from the Saint Maurice for a certain dis- 
 tance into the interior, making the chain of mountains above mentioned an 
 isolated ridge between the Croche and Bostonais rivers. A great part of this 
 fine land is occupied by Mr. G. B. Hall, who has made clearings around 
 his busnu'ss posts ; the farm is in a good state of cultivation, and there is a 
 good stock oi cattle. 
 
 The sole inoouve.iience arises from the spring floods in the river. 
 
 Hen mod in, so to say, by the narrow channel of La Tuque, the mass of 
 water of the upper part of the Saint Maurice rises rapidly, driving back the 
 waters of the Croche and Bostonais rivers, and then spreading over the 
 banks, which they entirely cover. 
 
 The Saint Maurice rango, of which all the lots a-e suited to cultiva- 
 tion and settlement, the greater part being high lands, has a large propor- 
 tion of arable land in excellent river bottoms covered with elm, ash, willow 
 and alder ; hard wood is generally found on the higher grounds. 
 
 The Little Bostonais river and Beaune creek, by which th^ lake of that 
 name discharges its waters, off^er some fine water powers near their junction 
 with the Saint Maurice. 
 
 develo 
 of Cari< 
 resourc 
 steam r 
 
 Ih 
 
 fication 
 
 I la 
 were ac( 
 and veri 
 301 lots 
 total suf 
 my oper 
 105 acrei 
 said plai 
 figures. 
 
 The 
 
 mountaii 
 
 ground d 
 
 making c 
 
 rous on i 
 
 discharge 
 
 Zephirin 
 
 years on 1 
 
 timber for 
 
 of about 
 
 up on lot 
 
 consists o; 
 
 Uldei 
 reserve, hi 
 winter. 
 
85 
 
 36 the width 
 res, in some 
 
 and, in the 
 
 and partly 
 
 e discharge 
 igh a level 
 ish, willow 
 ins along its 
 
 a the Bosto- 
 miles and 
 
 certain dis- 
 entioned an 
 part of this 
 ngs around 
 d there is a 
 
 river. 
 
 the mass of 
 ig back the 
 g over the 
 
 to cultiva- 
 rge propor- 
 ish, willow 
 
 • 
 
 ake of that 
 ir junction 
 
 Kegardmg the resources of this towuship and the best means to 
 develop them my answer is the same as last year relative to the town h'p 
 of Cangnan, that ,s to say, I do not see any better means of develop^ t^e 
 resources and advantages of this township than by the in ™dS of 
 steam navgabon on the St. Maurice river belweenthe Pile, and La T^tque 
 
 T.-C. DelachevwlUre, 24th April, 1876. 
 
 Township of Mekinac. 
 
 ncatiL'-Ja tuTItr^;;^;^—^ --y a„d veri. 
 
 I laid out the ranges and lot, specified in your instrachon, whinh 
 were accom,.„„ed by a plan of the part of the townshij h ,U ' ^-^^ 
 and venfy forming ,01 lots, including ,l,e Mekinac village re 'er;™hesl 
 301 lots contan.ing 30.763 acres of land, apart from 3,090 ac^es of wat'^r or a 
 
 :ro;rit::isry:r;M^^^^^^ 
 
 flgnrel ' "' ■'"''""^•"-'' ""^"'^ '"'"1^«<1 <»' "- Pl»u in red 
 
 mo„,^tLl™'is we't-Ctfa',': 'r"-'"-''; "'■ f '^■■"-. ">o»^"h somewhat 
 
 groun, a„r.ng :^ :::^^ ^^^s'^T'^'::::^:^ 
 
 making cleanngs. and taking note of the mill «if.. k i ' 
 
 .1 . ° ^"-^ ""^^^ sites which are vt>rv mi mo 
 
 UP on lot 4 of 1 ;''.7™-"'S-"g- three and four, said mill to be put 
 — rfttcrsc'ats.™"^'' """" ^""'°'' "-^^""^ '■'"-'-• "Mch 
 
 Ulderic Cloutier is settled v.;th his family on the Meki.iac villa,r» 
 reserve, hav.ng 4 acres under cniti.a.ion and lolging visiL'Tring'X 
 
 !; 
 
 I) 
 
86 
 
 The timber of all kinds, except pine which has been nearly all removed 
 by the limit-owners, shows a vigorous growth and consists of maple, birch 
 ash, white birch, tamarac and white spruce, on the mountains and in the' 
 valleys. 
 
 Along the lines run by me in the part designated in my instructions 
 and reported in my field book accompanying my report, I consider one 
 third of the superficies already mentioned very good for cultivation one 
 third as less favorable for the same purpose and the remaining third as 'only 
 fit for a firewood reserve for the settlers who will establish themselves in 
 this township. 
 
 {H. Leirendre, 12th December, 1881.) 
 
 I surveyed the whole of the ranges and lots mentioned in your instruc- 
 tions, the same consisting of five ranges containing twenty eight lots of 105 
 acres, 20 chains each and forming a total superficies of 14,ni acres includino- 
 Lake Lafontaiue, which represents 105 acres and Lake Caribou, which con- 
 tains 267 acres of water. 
 
 Li all the ranges laid out, the land is mountainous and little adapted 
 to cultivation ; moreover, the fires of the summer of 1882 and previously 
 (for in 1869 fire had swept a part of the northwestern line of the township 
 of Mekinac) have withered up the timber on nearly all the lots in this 
 range. The timber thus dried up consists of tamarac, white spruce, mixed 
 hard wood and cedar ; the pine, which was verv common, has been cut 
 and removed by the limit-owners, so that this portion of the township of 
 Mekinac is very poor in merchantable timber and much deteriorated by fire. 
 
 (Hilarion Legendre, 10th April, 1883. 
 
 Township of Polette. 
 
 This township is bounded to the south west by thj seigniory of Ba^is- 
 can, and to the south cast by the river St Maurice, whose waters also form the 
 northwestern boundary of the township of Boucher, which is opposite It 
 is bounded to the northeast by the township of Turcotte, and to the west 
 and north by vacant lands of the Grown. 
 
 On I 
 
 operation 
 inaskin, ( 
 as well a 
 south eas 
 
 On t 
 and plani 
 
 Alou 
 meanderi 
 sometime 
 back Iron 
 quently, i 
 iug the la 
 names of 
 
 Lake 
 mountain! 
 with WOO' 
 
 As fo 
 In the pa 
 white spri 
 already sti 
 
 There 
 which is c 
 ranges. I 
 the constri 
 
 Tosu] 
 but it is IK 
 
 The SI 
 laud there 
 advantages 
 up with it 
 
8-7 
 
 all removed 
 laple, birch, 
 5 aud in the 
 
 instructions 
 onsider one 
 A'^ation, one 
 hird as only 
 smselves in 
 
 , 1881.) 
 
 >ur instruc- 
 ;lotsof 105 
 3 including 
 which con- 
 
 le adapted 
 previously 
 5 township 
 >ts in this 
 ace, mixed 
 5 been cut 
 •wnship of 
 ed by fire. 
 
 1883. 
 
 of Batis- 
 
 form the 
 posite. It 
 
 1 the west 
 
 On the 5th November, 1819, I deemed it advisable to suspend my 
 operations, as It was two early to proceed to the scaling of lake Sas^a- 
 maskin, (which we found on the range lines of the first and second ranches) 
 as well as of the river St. Maurice, which bounds the said township to the 
 south east. ^ 
 
 On the 28th of January we resumed operations by scaling the river 
 and planting posts for the division of the lots. 
 
 Along the township, the course of the river St. Maurice is gently 
 meandering ; he banks, which in general are of an average height are 
 sometimes on the water's edge and sometimes removed ten to fifteen chains 
 back from it, offering river bottoms well suited to cultivation. Conse- 
 quently several settlers have located themselves on the river and are clear- 
 ing the land, which already wears a prosperous look. I have indicated the 
 names of these settlers in my notes. 
 
 Lake Sass^amaskin and its discharge, which we scaled, is encircled by 
 mountains or hills which present a varied aspect and are in part covered 
 with wood of small growth. 
 
 As for building timber, it has been completely cut off and removed. 
 In the part which we traversed, the prevailing woods are balsam and 
 white spruce with some birch and bouleau ; but all these woods as 
 already stated, are of small growth. 
 
 There is no stream worthy of note, if I except the river Wessoneau 
 which IS crossed near the extremity of the line, between the first and second 
 ranges. It has an abundant flow of water and offers great advantages for 
 the construction of mills, besides being much used for getting out timber 
 
 To sum up, the land generally is broken and even rocky in some places.' 
 but It IS not without river bottoms and valleys well adapted to agriculture. 
 
 The surface in the second range is more level than in the first, and the 
 land there IS of average quality and would, in my opinion, ofi^er greater 
 advantages for settlement, as communication can always be easily opened 
 up with It. ■> J f "-^^ 
 
 {F. JDesruisseauz, 20th March, 1880). 
 
! f 
 
 88 
 
 Townships of Turootte and Polette, 
 
 I surveyed the front of the township of Polette and the front of the 
 township of Turcotte, with the ranges A. B. C. one, two. three and four and 
 the outlines and centre line, as shewn on the plans accompanying this 
 report, with which field notes and diary are enclosed. 
 
 The front of the township of Polette presents some very fine tracts of i 
 land-that part adjoining the St. Maurice consisting of alluvial deposits of 
 different ages arranged in successive steps, varying in height from a few 
 feet to about one hundred, and the higher and older plateaux in all cases 
 shewing the better soil. Seven of these steps or ancient banks of the St 
 Maurice can be distinctly traced in several places. The soil on these plateaux 
 IS sandy, the upper containing more vegetable matter than the lower The 
 timber is fir, spruce, pine, aspen, white, yellow and black birch, cedar, ash 
 and in some places bass-wood. Above the hill or bank proper of the river' 
 which in some places is precipitous and rocky, the soil is generally a o-ood 
 brown loam growing black and yellow birch, maple, fir, cedar, ash, beech 
 pine, tamarac, &c. ' 
 
 The country is generally rolling and not so hilly as the township of 
 Turcotte. There are two farms on the front of this township, shewn on the 
 plan, and belonging lo the estate of Mr. Hall, and the other to Mr. Baptist- 
 
 The front of the township of Turcotte, comprising the Rrst and part of 
 the second, third and fourth ranges, also presents some fine tracts of land 
 marked by the same successive plateaux as Polette and growing the same 
 
 WW f J pT ^'V^^^'^P'' here, especially in the second range, is 
 
 higher than m Polette, being in some places precipitous and rocky and 
 raising seven or eight hundred feet, and the division of the valley lower 
 being nearly north and south, there is every facility for getting on to the 
 higher lands, a number of good lumber roads being already made. 
 
 There is a large farm at the mouth of Rat river on the second range 
 belonging to Mr. Baptist, on which he raises a large quantity of hay, oats, 
 potatoes, &c^ The time of sowing and reaping are the same as in th 
 vicinity of Three Rivers, while the soil is more productive. 
 
 The remainder of ranges one, two, three and four is generally hillv and 
 mountainous, m some places broken and rocky, but presents many fine 
 valleys and valuable tracts of land. The soil is generally a rich brown loam 
 or olack mould, growing large birch, maple, pine, fir, spruce, aspen, cedar 
 
 * *! I 
 
 beech, t 
 roads in 
 them fo: 
 althoug] 
 that rivt 
 
 Rar 
 fourth Ic 
 ranges ti 
 Grande 
 hills, wh 
 in some ( 
 
 The 
 range or 
 interior < 
 fifty-six. 
 although 
 the same 
 large har« 
 
 Ther 
 From lot 
 of the pre 
 growing l 
 
 Rang 
 some pla( 
 occur. Tj 
 birch, ma 
 clearings j 
 were abar 
 the vicinit 
 
 Theu 
 and preser 
 St. Mauric 
 timber anc 
 tamarac ar 
 quality. 
 
 All th. 
 out the St. 
 
89 
 
 le front of the 
 le and four and 
 Qpanying this 
 
 fine tracts of I 
 ial deposits of 
 it from a few 
 X in all cases 
 nks of the St. 
 these plateaux 
 le lower. The 
 oh, cedar, ash, 
 r of the river, 
 lerally a good 
 r, ash, beech, 
 
 ^ township of 
 shewn on the 
 ) Mr. Baptist- 
 it and part of 
 racts of land, 
 ing the same 
 ond range, is 
 I rocky, and 
 ralley lower, 
 ng on to the 
 ide. 
 
 second range 
 of hay, oats, 
 le as in the 
 
 lly hilly and 
 i many fine 
 brown loam 
 ispen, cedar 
 
 beech tamarac, and in some spots red oak and iron wood. Nomerous lamh.r 
 roads mtersect this tract, some of them requiring little or no ab^rTo fl 
 them for waggon roads and all passing through the best valleys so tha 
 although these ranges are more broken than the land on the west side of 
 that river, settlers will have little difficulty in making roads. 
 
 Range A, which is laid oifinto lots on Rat river, as far as the twentv- 
 fourth lot, presen to this point the same soil and character as the former 
 ranges though not so broken above this as far as the fork of Cigonciqrir 
 G ande Fourche; the front of this range is bounded by precipitous rookv 
 hills, which rise m some places to upwards of eight hundred L.a,^,/ 
 m some cases, level tracts at their bases along Eat river. ^' 
 
 The remainder of the lots were laid out along the rear line of this 
 range or centre line, which will be the best locality for a rlad L tv, 
 interior of the township as far as lot fiftytwo. From'lot tweX-fou t 
 
 T'\ M T°' r"""^ ' ^"""^ <''"'' of hilly and rocky coun ry 
 although at least one half is fit for cultivation, the soil and timber be 7^ 
 he same as in the former ranges und even the more hilly parts nrovvL vlr? 
 large hard wood, and mixed timber always available foi wood kad"° ^ 
 There are also some fine level tracts growing timber of the lar-^est size 
 From lot fifty-six to the rear of the township, this range, with the elcep o u 
 of the precipitous and rocky front on Rat river, presents very Cd fand 
 growing hue timber and having large level or rolling tracts. 
 
 Ranges B and C generally present very fine tracts of land except in 
 some places along or near Rat river, where rocky and stony rat 
 occur. The soil is here also a rich brow,, loam or black mould .roX 
 birch, mapie, beech, fir, arpen, ash, cedar, rel oak. Theie arf^ev d 
 dearmgs a ong Eat r ver, some belonging to Mr. Baptist, and others Xch 
 the'ict;.""' "y 1-bermeu after they c...ased making pine timW in 
 
 The unsurveyed part of this township W;,s explored in several places 
 
 M~TRat""'^ "i '™' "l™""""'"' '"" ™ "'"y - thatZ 7h 
 St. Mauuce or Rat nver, having the same or deeper soil, growing lar<.e 
 
 imber and shewing extensive tracts of nearly level or rolhnri^d the 
 
 tamarac and black birch especially being of/ery large sizl lul supet 
 
 out the sX"""'"'"/"' ■/""*'''''" "^'''^ townships, as generally through- 
 out the St. Maurice territory, run nearly north and south presentLg valleys 
 
90 
 
 of erosion caused by the great northern drift of the glacial period lying in 
 the same direction. On this account, I would respectfully suggest to your 
 department that future townships in this territory should be laid out with 
 their side lines running east and west, so that the range lines and conse- 
 quently the range roads might be north and south for the convenience of 
 settlers, as all the inhabitants of a range have or should have constant 
 intercourse with each other. It would also be advisable to adopt this course 
 in subdividing the unsurveyed part of the township of Turcotte, whenever 
 that may become necessary. 
 
 The resources of the St. Maurice territory are great. At present the 
 only source of reveniie is pine timber, and the quantity made would be very 
 much increased, had the lumberers greater facilities for carrying on their 
 always profitable trade. 
 
 The best method of developing the resources of the territory is to build 
 a good waggon road from the settlements in rear of Three Rivers to Eat 
 river, this road there to branch oiT to the river Vermillion to the north 
 west along the A'alley of Rat river or its immediate vicinity, and to the 
 vicinity of La Tuque to the north. This should be a colonization road 
 similar to those by which your department has opened up several other 
 parts of the country and especially Upper Canada. This road would be the 
 best means of settling the country on both sides of the St. Maurice, as 
 ferries could be established anywhere below and in many places above La 
 Tuque. The settlers, besides being in themselves of known value to the 
 country and its revenue, wou'ld be of great service to the lumberers in 
 providing them with fodder for their cattle which they now have to trans- 
 port from Three Rivers, and with root crops such as potatoes. The road would 
 also be of immense value to the lumbering interests, as the lumberers could 
 use it at all seasons of the year, whereas now they have but the St. Mau- 
 rice alone as a summer and a winter road — a summ^ road for cancas and 
 scows and a winter road for teams. In the fall, before the ice becomes stron"- 
 enough to bear teams, and in spring, when it is too porous and danger- 
 ous to do so, the lumberers for several weeks have no means of transporting 
 supplies to their fields of operation. The value of this road will be appre"- 
 ciated when it is remembered that lumbering operations begin in the fall 
 about September or October, and that the timber gets to ihe Quebec mar- 
 ket in June, July or August only of the following year. Many lumberers 
 cannot send their supplies up the river till navigation is impeded by 
 floating ice and have to send up thoir drivers on the ice in thf, spring- 
 weeks before they are wanted or can do anything for their higii wa^-es. 
 
 The ro; 
 mly three 
 'uante and 
 
 The bn 
 ^rs on that 
 jupplies dir 
 [he St. Ma 
 [iver above 
 fettlement, j 
 [aurice tur 
 
01 
 
 eriod lying in 
 Lggest to your 
 laid out with 
 es and conse- 
 onveuience of 
 lave constant 
 pt this course 
 ;te, whenever 
 
 t present the 
 roxxld be very 
 ying on their 
 
 'ry is to build 
 ;ivers to Rat 
 
 to the north 
 f, and to the 
 lization road 
 several other 
 would be the 
 
 Maurice, as 
 ces above La 
 value to the 
 umberers in 
 ave to trans- 
 i road would 
 iberers could 
 the St. Mau- 
 cano3s and 
 ;omes strong 
 and danger- 
 iransportiug 
 ill be appre- 
 n in the fall 
 ^iuebec mar- 
 y lumhorers 
 impeded by 
 L the spring 
 ligh wages. 
 
 |ome lumberers on the St. Maurice now send up their supplies on the 
 liver road in the winter for the next winter's operations, not only running 
 he risk of the provisions deteriorating by being kept all the summer but 
 baying a year's intere,st on the large outlay required to furnish a lumber 
 lamp in rations and fodder. A road would remedy this state of things and 
 be beneficial to the lumbermen, the settler and the country at lariye as it 
 Ivould increase the revenue in a much greater ratio than the outlay required 
 |o make it. •' '=4""i'«-i 
 
 Ifthe St Maurice country were settled, its resources t. ould be not 
 nly pine timber, but tamarac and black birch, of which large quantities of 
 superior quality could be made by the settlers ; and when the Piles railwav 
 ; built, this timber as well as cedar and spruce and. even firewood will 
 nd Its way to Three Rivers and Quebec. 
 
 Having, according to instructions, made a few general remarks on the 
 
 amcipal geography of the country, its resources and the best mode of 
 
 leveloping them, I have only to add that the colonization road I have 
 
 mentioned could be made without any difficulty as the country is verv 
 
 tel"^ ^"""^"-^ ''-'''' ^'^ ''''-'- - ^^^- --^-d, lying' 
 
 The road could also be made at a comparatively small cost as there are 
 ily three rivers of any size to bridge, namely : the Matawin, the B6 e 
 'uante and Eat rivers. 
 
 The branch road to the Vermillion would be of great use to thelumber- 
 :rs on that vvell wooded river, as it would enable them to send the r 
 upphes direct from Rat river in summer instead of using a <.reat bend of 
 he St^ Maurice, through the worst and most dangerous rfplds of that 
 k-er above La Tuque^ It would also pass through a country weli fitted fo 
 settlement, and which would probably be the first part of the upper St 
 Maurice turned into the permanent homes of civilized men. 
 
 {Alex. Wallace, 19th November, 1861.) 
 
 5-' I 
 
92 
 
 Prom the Township of Mekinao to the Island of Lake Edward. 
 
 Having given in my annexed report a detailed account of my opera] 
 tions in the Mekinac valley, the Batiscan and the island of Lake Edward] 
 I will state in a few words what I think of that region. 
 
 To describe them more particularly, I will take each section separately 
 commencing with the Mekinac, which is the third section : 
 
 It extends from the north east angle of the township of Mekinac, goingl 
 towards the south east, a distance of nine miles. The general aspect of thisl 
 part of the country is that of a series of very high mountains. 
 
 A lake called lake Mekinac, of considerable sizcs occupies the first 
 miles of this section. 
 
 Then comes the Mekinac river which divides in two branches, a few 
 miles above its discharge into lake Mekinao. Within late years there has 
 been a great deal of timber cut on this river ; but now there is but little! 
 remaining. 
 
 The soil in this section is very rocky, ex(;ept on Hearing the river • it is 
 a little less in a few places where I here are table-lands, but this propo'rtiou 
 of good land is not large enough to justify the opening of roads. 
 
 4th SECTION. 
 
 This section extends ten miles further to the north-east, and ends wL ne 
 the waters of the Batiscan and those of the Mekinac separate. 
 
 Thisl 
 line, and i 
 distance ol 
 mountains 
 deep and f 
 
 The w 
 ravines an( 
 The country is intersected with mountains generally wooded withl^arren in r 
 white birch, balsam, spruce and a few birch here and there. On the flanks 
 of the mountains, spruce predominates 
 
 
 The soil is sandy, while on the heights, where there are a few black 
 birch. It IS yellow and rich. In general the land is rough, uneven and 
 rocky. 
 
 This section only traverses one lake of about one hundred acres and a 
 small river called I'Eau-Morte. A short distance south, the country 
 intersected with lakes. There were no minerals found 
 
 Before 
 regards the 
 of the centi 
 furnish a b 
 the name o 
 
 The ca 
 a distance c 
 tages, formi 
 
08 
 
 i Bdward. 
 
 5th SECTION. 
 
 int of my opera 
 f Lake Edward. 
 
 Like the foregoing, it runs towards the east a distance of eight miles 
 
 nd fifteen chams. of which three miles and twenty five chains are on the 
 
 sland ol lake Edward At twenty three n^iles and fifty eight chains the line 
 
 crosses one of the tributaries of the river Batiscan. which is one of the 
 
 [ischarges of lake Edward and flows towards th.. finn+K „ * .-i -x 
 
 :tion separatelyfhe Batiscan river. south-east until it joins 
 
 ^T , . - Ou both sides along the banks of this branch of the rirpr hnf J« « f 
 
 Mek,nac,.„i^Jp,aoes only .he l.nd is fit for ouuiv»tio„, JlZtlllX 
 aspect ol ,h,s|o,„posed of yellow clay, rich and fr.e from atone. Generally theS I 
 
 ^- ■roug'h, uneven and rocky. ^ muu is 
 
 apiesthe arsti This section is also out up with lakes and mountains, the latter 
 
 rooded w.th white birch, balsam, spruce and a few black birch, 
 ranches, a few| Building timber is scarce, lumbering operations having be.n carried 
 
 the river ; it is| 
 this proportiou 
 ds. 
 
 nd ends wliue 
 
 wooded with 
 On the flanks 
 
 'e a few black 
 , uneven and 
 
 ?d acres and a 
 he country is 
 
 
 6th SECTION. 
 
 This last section extends from the twenty eighth mile of the centre 
 ine, and runs north, alon^ the length of the island of lake Edwa d a 
 distance of fourteen miles, which I explored. It is intersected witrstoep 
 
 The w-hite birch is the most plentiful wood on the mountains- in the 
 ravines and valleys, spruce and balsam prevail. The soil is very ro ky and 
 barren m many places. ' ' " 
 
 Brfove concluding ihis report, I shall give you some information as 
 
 reg,uds the part of the country which lies seven or eight miles to The south 
 
 of the centre line and through which I parsed in October last, in ode "to 
 
 urnish a better idea of the character of this region, which is kiowa under 
 
 the name of the road of Lac des Isles or the canoe route. 
 
 The canoe route -to be more precise -starts from Lac des Chicots at 
 a distance of fave miles from St. Tite, and reaches Lac Long by three por 
 .ases, forming ,n all 240'chains. The lake is then used for six mU mor 
 
04 
 
 On leaving the lake, the mountain portage {portaa^e de la monlafrnr) has to be 
 crossed, forming a distance of 46n,hainH and leading on a north east courst 
 to lake Masketsi, which is ahout six miles long. Then comes a portage J 
 20 chains leading to lak > Koberg.>, which is about the same size as thelust 
 followed by a chain of small lakes connected together by a small river an 
 a few portages, forn ing in all 310 chuiiis Next comes little Lac des Isl, ., 
 virhich receives the waters of lakn Triu-p.. uoth forming a total length o 
 800 chains, followed by another portage oi 140 chains, which leads to'^littl, 
 Bostonais lake, from which thn route continues through a succession o 
 small connected lakes to the little Bostonais vh'er and four portages, form 
 ing an approximate length of 295 chains. Great Lac des Isles is 600 chaii, 
 long, and between this lake and the south west brunch of the river Batis 
 can, there are three lakes and three portages, forming a length of 350 chains 
 The point at which the river Batiscan is struck is nearly three miles moi, 
 to the south of the centre line on theiifth se( tion. In exploring this region, 
 I paid particular attention to the quality of the soil. By making a careful 
 examination of the portages, I was enabled to ascertain the general charac 
 tcr of the country. This line traA'erses a rough, broken and generally rooky 
 regioii. However, an Indian, named Simonas, a school teacher ai St. Fran 
 9ois, but then hunting at lake Masketsi, informed me that, while the 
 country in general is rocky, there is a section of about three miles square 
 of good land on the river a TEuu Morte, to lie north west of this liue.u, 
 and this report was confirmed by a foreman named George Ch »yer, in the 
 employ of Mr Gouin. 
 
 The Honorable Commissioner having expressed the desire that I should 
 make an exploration of the country east of the Batiscan, in the county of 
 Portneuf, as far as the already surveyed townships, when I was coming 
 down with my survey party, I complied with his wish. 
 
 On the 9th November last, I left the river Batiscan five miles to the 
 south east of the island of lake Edward, and took a south east course follow- 
 ing for two miles a portage road along the river Meguick. I then left this 
 river and followed the river des Aulnes to lake Caribou, a distance of six 
 miles ; thence, by keeping a little more towards the east, I made river a 
 Pierre, one of the tribularies of the river Batiscai , which I followed for 
 about four miles, when I left it and proceeded southward to the lake of 
 river Blanche, meeting along the whole route fairly good land, but only in 
 small areas. In order to make them better . known, I will describe them 
 separately, beginning with the river Batiscan. 
 
 Ac( 
 able to f 
 below t 
 II mile 1 
 also a g( 
 can at t 
 river an 
 the .strir 
 
 On 
 two mil( 
 
 T( i^ 
 soil rock 
 townshij 
 part of w 
 marked ( 
 the same 
 rusty, del 
 boots, be( 
 
 Fron 
 10 T 
 now repo 
 
 existing c 
 and main 
 
(afrnr) has to U 
 orth oast coursJ 
 nes a portage oil 
 size as the last] 
 small rivor anc 
 ie Lac des rslcJ 
 total lengtli oj 
 h loads to littlf 
 a succession oj 
 portages, formj 
 2s is 600 chaii, 
 the river Batis. 
 1 of 350 chaiii^J 
 iree miles moit 
 ng this regionj 
 aking a oarefull 
 general charac- 
 general ly rookyl 
 ler at St. Frau-j 
 that, while the! 
 s miles square! 
 t of this liue,| 
 uhtyer, in tht 
 
 3 that I should 
 
 the county of 
 
 I was corainj 
 
 e miles to the 
 course follow- 
 then left this! 
 listauce of s\x\ 
 made river a I 
 I followed for 
 to the lake of 
 d, but only in 
 describe them 
 
 96 
 
 According to information received and to my own observations. I am 
 ab e to state that on the south west sid.^ <,f the river Batiscui, at a few acres 
 below tho forks of that river there is a strip of good yello^v soil, about half 
 a mile wide and four miles long stretching along the ruer front ; there is 
 also a good sized island on which tho land is exoolleat. Leavin.r the Hitis- 
 can at the^mouth of the river Meguick, there is on the north^side of the 
 rrver another stnp of a mile wide by three miles long ; on the south side, 
 the strip IS only hall a mile wide by two miles lono- 
 
 On ! .th sides of the river des Aulnes, there is a strip of good land 
 two miles wide by four miles long. ' 
 
 T, .-ards river ^ rierre, the surface is broken by mountain, and the 
 soil rocky. This is about th. sum of the good land as far as the survey. -d 
 townships. In the township of Montauban, I met with some -ood land a 
 part of which IS already occupied. The parcels of good lau I me^ntion-d are 
 marked on the plan m red lines. In this region, the clim.te is about 
 the same as at Quebec, but so dnmp that our iron utensils quickly grew 
 rusty, despite all our care, and our clothing, especially the leather of our 
 boots, became mouldy. 
 
 Canclusions. 
 
 From the sn n of my observations, I nec-ssarily reach the conclusion : 
 
 10 That the greater part of the territory, which I have explored and 
 now report upon, is little adapted to colonization. 
 
 2« That to bring this territory nto communication with the actually 
 existing channels would necessitate a very heavy outlay for the openin- 
 and maintenance of new roads. ® 
 
 {E. Casgrain, 16th August. 18T0.) 
 
 I 
 
96 
 
 COUNTY OF CHAULEVOIX. 
 
 Township of OalUere . ' 
 
 According to the line run l)y mo in this township, 1 believe it my 
 duty to recommend to the department the division of the lots fronting ou 
 river Noire, the division of the two ends of ranges above mentioned and 
 the subdivision of part of the 0th range and part of the Hth, north of the ceu- 
 tre line. 
 
 The range along the river Noire would have a sulFioient depth of good 
 land for settlements. The two ends of ranges in the 4th and 5th ranges 
 adjoining the range of the river Noire would form 40 or 60 lots to settle 
 with advantage, the laud being generally level and lit for cultivation. 
 
 The part of the 8th and 0th ranges adjoining Duck lake is level and 
 suited to cultivation, and is timbered with a fiue growth of hard and soft 
 wood. 
 
 Kouds can be opened in the above ranjres. 
 
 All the lakes in this township are well stocked with fish and full of 
 trout. 
 
 The most advantageous spot for a village reserve would be at the 
 mouth of the river Noire on the north side. 
 
 Good mill sites may be found ou all the rivers. 
 
 {Gede'on Gagnon, 20th Dec, 1871.) 
 
 I should here remark that as the lines scaled along the river Noire to 
 establish the width of the lots of the 10th range, iu frout of that range, pass 
 through deuse groves of alders and much fallen timber, I experienced great 
 difficulty and delay. 
 
 The land along the river Noire, as I remarked in my last year's report, 
 has a sufficiant depth of good soil for settlements as far as lot 24. The 
 4th and 5th ranges as far as lot 16 are generally fit for cultivation. 
 
 Good mill sites may be found in different places on the river Noire. 
 
 {Gideon Gagnon, 19th June, 1873.) 
 
 Th 
 part of 
 chains 
 23" to { 
 ings an 
 sevctity 
 away ai 
 as far a{ 
 and clia 
 
 At 1 
 and whi 
 All ulon 
 good qui 
 calculati 
 live pert 
 balsam, 
 several a 
 
 Star 
 the rear \ 
 of the se( 
 the soil i 
 second Ic 
 to the ho 
 the groui 
 the slope 
 the eye ci 
 depth of 
 
 Fron; 
 slightly u 
 tion. 
 
 On"V 
 ninth lot, 
 tinned to 
 divided ii 
 and birch, 
 tivation as 
 
91 
 
 elievo it my 
 8 fronting ou 
 untioned and 
 th of the cen- 
 
 epth of good 
 d 5 th ranges 
 lots to sottle 
 ivrttioa. 
 
 is h!vel and 
 lard and soft 
 
 1 and full of 
 I be at the 
 
 ., 1871.) 
 
 ver Noire to 
 
 range, pass 
 
 ienced great 
 
 ear's report, 
 lot 24. The 
 on. 
 
 er Noire. 
 
 , 187'3.) 
 
 Township of Ohauveau. 
 
 Tho land i, wooded with bal.„.n, spruce and whito birch along the flr.t 
 pari of 11"" me. the we.t line i. „f g„„a q„.,H^ „„j ,„„, f„^ K'"" ^^" 
 
 or. ."'■mo It '" I.''"™ '" » '"°"""'"' "'"> "» '■'<=1"'" ouly of 
 23" to .10" to the ho„.„„, which cannot bo „ serious ol«tacle to olea,- 
 
 ,„S, nd the cult,vat,o„ of thi, part, and conlin.uc, ,o for a di.tan. of 
 
 seventy nine cha.ns on the first mile, when the land becomes level to fal 
 
 away asan, by a Kenllo dechne from the cora.uonce.uent of the second mile 
 
 as ar as su c ,a,„» and slowly ascend from ten chains up to thirty two 
 
 and chains lifty links. ^ 
 
 At thirty live chains, the land, level and wooded with balsam, spruce 
 a ,1 wh.le „rc , ,s „t ,,ood qnality and continues so to the end of th mile 
 All alons h,s l.n,., notw.thstandins aomc broken ..round, the land is of 
 SSoed quality and qu.te lit for cultivation. Lake Jacob which has > surf .ce 
 calculated by double longitudes, of forty one acres, two rods a ,d we'ty 
 ivc perches, and the banksol which are of very rich soil and wooded with 
 balsam, spruce an,l wh,l,. birch, has ou it, eastern side wild meadows of 
 several acres m extent. "i««uuw8 oi 
 
 starting from thesouth-west angle of Chauvean township and foUowin..- 
 tl rear hnc „ Mount Murray, as aforesaid, the land is level to the rddk 
 of he second lot and t.tnbered with balsam, sprace, white birch and ^pel 
 the soil ts of good qual.ty and lit for cultivation. At nine chains 1 the 
 .econdlot, the line follo^ys the northern Hank of a mountat abou? 30» 
 o (he hortzon. and which becomes steeper up to end of the third lot where 
 he ground becomes level. A short distance from the line towards lie Ir h 
 the slope ol the mountatn lowers and disappears, ana the land, as lar el 
 
 Z:rjZXX '"" "'''"'•'■ ''-'"'- --""■'"-'^ '-•«' for the 
 
 From the end of the third lot to the ninth, inclusively, the land is 
 slightly uneven and a little rocky at intervals, but generally lit forcumvl- 
 
 On Wednesday, the twenty ninthof July, havingmoved my tent to the 
 ninth lot, where had already camped ou arriving in the bush Icon! 
 tnuied to run the line, the course of which in this spot is 97" north and 
 divided five lo.s In this space, the line follows a tra^t wooded wUl bdsam 
 and birch, and the soil, though rocky and slightly uneven, is adapted to cuT- 
 tivatiou as far as the sevouteeuth lot .•ireatocnl- 
 
 7 
 
 
 i 
 
98 
 
 ^t i 
 
 I have had the honor to ffive you above the description of the land to 
 the seventeenth lot, inclusively ; from this point eastvs'ards, the character 
 of the land varies little ; it is generally v^-ooded with balsam, birch and 
 spruce, slightly rolling, and the soil, of yellow clay and a little rocky is 
 fit tor cultivation, , 
 
 Part of the twenty third and twenty fourth lots is broken by an 
 incline, slight at first,, but increasing progressively from 25° to 40° and 
 thence more gently, to die away on the twenty sixth lot in undulating 
 gi-ound, wooded as above, and which continues uniformly, until it reaches lol 
 number thirty six, a distance of twelve chains and thirty links, where the 
 line is intersected by the west branch of river Noire, which flows towards 
 the south-east over a rocky bed. 
 
 About two chains to the north the river precipitates itself from a 
 height of about twenty feet, and forms a falls which could be easily turned 
 to profitable account, because towards the east, and beyond river Noire and 
 for more than four miles to the north, notwith.-.tanding the extensive 'cut- 
 tingof timber that has been done here, for many years, there still remains 
 a considerable quantity of white pine and spruce of value to the lumber 
 trade. 
 
 At this point, the west branch of river Noire, hemmed in between the 
 rocks, lends a less favorable aspect to the land situated on the east side. 
 
 In fact, the line runs from the crossing of the river throu"-h a tract 
 rocky and of wretched appearance, for fifteen chains as far as the foot of a 
 steep mountain the angle of whose base varies from 40" to 75°. 
 
 This mountain ending at fifty links, distance on lot thirty nine, the land 
 thougn slightly undulating, then settles down level, and is covered with 
 a good growth of balsam, white birch and spruce, the soil being excellent 
 for cultivation. 
 
 From this point a tract of level ground extends to a lake called Grosse 
 rruite, which is almost dry at this season, with the exception of a basin of 
 sixty feet in superficies. 
 
 The banks of this lake are^flat and wooded as above. The same lake is 
 met at fifty links on lot 49. From this point, white pines are seen here and 
 tfiere and the ground, undulating and rocky at intervals, is still good for 
 tillage as f\xr as river Noire.^which runs here slowly between flat banh 
 lormtd of rich and well wooded soil. 
 
 IP 
 
 eighty i 
 
 undulat: 
 
 balsam, 
 
 die bran 
 
 whose b 
 
 current ( 
 
 steep, bu 
 
 unfit th< 
 
 a:>pe(.'t of 
 
 as 76 cha 
 
 river Noi 
 
 to the ea 
 
 years ago 
 
 to be wo 
 
 Atth 
 
 for 14 cha 
 
 a bare mo 
 
 to 20O for 
 
 level of th 
 
 at the hot; 
 
 the lake al 
 
 river. At 
 
 though sti 
 
 as 55 cha 
 
 altogether 
 
 on the sou 
 
 On th 
 
 extremely ] 
 transferred 
 banks of th 
 t'astorn par 
 sara and sj 
 alluvial, ve 
 for some dii 
 to follow a 1 
 which bord 
 than from a 
 perfectly le^ 
 
99 
 
 i';T 
 
 F the land to 
 
 <he character 
 
 im, birch and 
 
 ittle rocky, is 
 
 broken by an 
 •° to 40°, and 
 n undulating 
 il it reaches lot 
 iks, where the 
 lows towards 
 
 itself from a 
 easily turned 
 ver Noire, and 
 xtensive cut- 
 still remains 
 D the lumber 
 
 L between the 
 east side. 
 
 •ough a tract 
 the foot of a 
 
 nine, the land 
 covered with 
 ing excellent 
 
 called Grosse 
 of a basin of 
 
 same lake is 
 een here and 
 still good for 
 n fiat banks 
 
 
 I prolonged the eastern onlline for six ranges of eighty chains a.H 
 e.ghty s. l,nks each. AI. along this line, the°Ia„d, wLh^s gela.ly 
 nndnlating with a shght, lope toward-, the east, abounds with white brch 
 balsam, spruce, and b.rch and continues so to the intersection of the mid! 
 die branch of river .\„,re at 54 chains, 10 links on the second mile "„d 
 whose breadth at th.s p„„r, is 45 links. Eapid and hemmed in h r'e "ts 
 cvurrent offers a splendKl water power. The bank, of this stream are not 
 .steep, but the rocks w,th which they are eyery where coyercd completed 
 unfit them for t.llage. At the end of a couple of chains, however this 
 aspect ot the ground changes ; the soil grows better and continues so as fer 
 as ,echa,ns on the th.rd mile, when the line crosses the east IZlot 
 m-er None, whose breadth at this point is 4 chains 86 links. Ten chains 
 to the east the rem„ns of a dam are still to be seen, which was n.cd some 
 
 JZ Zr^T '""' *" "■"'"■ °' ""'"'' """' '^ ^'■'" " '"^» <.-nry 
 
 At the point w^here the line intersects the river the lanH i« o^o- 
 for U chains on the lourth mile; but the line then lead^:' fLro'f 
 a bare mountain the angle of whose base with the hori.on varie i^^om oo" 
 to 20" ior o2 chains on the same range. At a hei..ht „f r^n r t , ™ ^ 
 level of the river, the land is better woodtd but ™t „„ b! 7 " ""' 
 
 at .he bottom of which flow small streams ^f'^at^, T k g tr;™To' 
 the lake at the base of the mountain on the west side and formed bZll 
 
 T'- h if t'"" T, *^ ''''■* ™"=«' '''^'-o-'l become mo X,Y,, a 
 hough st.ll rolling, of better quality, with the same timber as above as far' 
 a .5 chams on the last mile, when it becomes rocky, broken a .d 
 altogether nnsuited for cultivation to the end of that mile which termi,,,^ 
 on the southern slope of a height of 50" to the horizon. ««n>»"tes 
 
 On the 20th and 21,st August, the lake already mentioned bein,. 
 extremely flat, I scaled it by following its banks in L wa r and th^l 
 
 raisferreamy tent to the post of the first mile of the east on iinf The 
 banks of th.s lake, which I shall call river Noire lake are in thl? 1 
 eastern part, slightly undulated, but the soil is gooitd wo ded ^itrbat 
 «un and spruce ; to the north east, there is little timber, but thT soil! 
 
 llurial, very rich, and covered with natural meadows ;.t!„din.. bit 
 or some distance from the river which seems to come from he we^t':* 
 
 :h^b":rt':t'''"Trra''-"':"™ .he whitebu-ches, spruces and mLI' 
 r, f ■ 7 " mountains to the northward are not closer 
 
 tha I from a n.ile to two miles, and lor that distance the surface annel 
 perfectly level and well adapted to cultivation. The lake rulrparaM to 
 
 i:^ 
 
 ■: %■ 
 
100 
 
 t^o base of the raouutain and the oast outline, and the land to the loot and 
 on the flank of this mountain, over a width of a quarter to half a mile, is 
 wooded with spruce, batsam and white birch. 
 
 1 ran the -.ne between ranges one and two on a course north 97° east 
 astronomical, parallel to the corresponding part of the rear line of 
 Mount Murray. "Wooded with spruce, white birch and white pine, the 
 land, though broken and rolling, is of good quality and suited to cultiva- 
 tion as far as the bank of the river. 
 
 I ran the same line on :; course south 30^ west, astronomical, measur 
 ing and dividing the lots as heretofore, from the east ovitline to No. 36,! 
 inclusively, (here striking a large lake, which I named Lac au Plongeoii 
 From the east outline to No. 45 aforesaid, the line follows by an easy ascenti 
 a tract wooded with baham, spruce and white birch of fine dimensions. 
 
 Lac au Plongeon, whose circumference is over five miles, has a total 
 superficies of 513 acres, 3 roods and 30 perches. Its banks, marked by slight, 
 eminences in the n^ath west part, are Hatter to the west and wooded with 
 cedar, spruce, balsam and white birch. The land throughout, though some- 
 what broken by slight undulations, is well suited to tillage. 
 
 After several unsuccessful attempts to project the line across the laki 
 with the telescope, I had to transfer my tent on the 12th November to th 
 I7th lot on the rear line of Mount Murray, thence to run a centre line am 
 thus allow me to prolong towards the east the line interrupted on the ban 
 of l^ac au Plongeon as aforesaid. 
 
 From the point above designated, I ran the said centre line, followiiii 
 a course north west and measured 80 chains 80 links for the length o 
 the first range. Along this part of the centre line, the soil is good, and th( 
 land, sloping slightly towards the north in the first part, soon becomes 
 level and so continues to the end of this mile. 
 
 I laid oitt the west part of the line between the first and second range 
 following a course south 97" west, astronomical, parallel to the genera 
 direction of the corresponding section of the rear line of Mount Murray au 
 corrected on several occasions, as I had the honor to remark at th 
 beginning of the present report. This line being finished, I divided th 
 lots as far as the intersection of the west outline, planting three gooi 
 squared posts in line, to mark the breadth and indicate the direction 
 each lot. 
 
 In tl 
 
 broken, b 
 ues so to 
 broken to 
 sixth lot a 
 point, it ii 
 mountain 
 mountain 
 posed of g 
 the first ]( 
 opposite i\ 
 this lot, at 
 
 I conl 
 course no 
 division o 
 centre line 
 then conti 
 timber, wl 
 sions and i 
 
 I cont 
 divided th 
 57*^ west 
 correspond 
 the centre 
 white hire 
 lino as far 
 ()G links ; ■ 
 broken, bti 
 
 I prol 
 In this par 
 on the nor 
 being mor 
 
 On th 
 the land, -v 
 covered w: 
 
 From 
 a mottntaii 
 
101 
 
 to the loot audi 
 half a mile, isj 
 
 north 970 east, 
 ; rear line of 
 vhite pine, the 
 lited to cultiva- 
 
 3mical, measur 
 tline to No. 36, 
 ,c au Plongeoii 
 ' an easy ascent 
 dimensions. 
 
 liles, has a total 
 arked by slight, 
 d wooded with 
 :, though sorao- 
 
 across the laka 
 ovember to tht 
 centre line am 
 ;ed on the ban 
 
 ! line, followinj 
 
 r the length 
 
 s good, and th 
 
 soon becomei 
 
 i second range 
 to the genera 
 uii Murray am 
 remark at th 
 1, I divided tb 
 ing three goo 
 he direction c 
 
 In this part, the ground, from the point of departure, is remarkably 
 broken, but, towards the end of the twelfth lot, it grows level and contin- 
 ues so to the commencement of the eighth lot, where it asrain becomes 
 broken to once more resume a more uniform aspect at ten chains o!i ihe 
 sixth lot and to so continue to eight chains on the fourth lot. From this last 
 point, it is rolling and, from six chains on the third lot, the line runs up a 
 mountain whose incline varies from 10° to 40*^ from the horizon. This 
 mountain, covered with brushwood, balsam, spruce and white birch, is com- 
 posed of good land and could be cultivated all over. At three chains, on 
 the first lot, the line attains the top of the mountain, whose incline on the 
 opposite flank varies from lO^ to 45<* and terminates at the upper end of 
 this lot, at the intersection of the west outline. 
 
 I continued the line between the first and second rouges followiu"- the 
 course north 30^ east, astronomical, from the centre line and madiT the 
 division of twelve lots in the first part to Lac au Plougeon. Fiom the 
 centre line, the line follows a descent of about 15° to the twentieth lot, and 
 then continues oA'er level land of good quality to the aforesaid lot. The 
 timber, which is chiefly white birch, balsam and spru<;e, i.s of fine dimen- 
 sions and appearance and indicates u profital)le soil for ai^ricuh aw 
 
 I continued the centre line to the depth of the second r.anffe and 
 divided the line between the second and third ranges, following a course 
 57"^ west and north 30" east. astronomi(>al, respectively, paraflel to the 
 corresponding part of the line b.'tween the first and second ranges. Along 
 the centre line, the land is of good quality, well wooded with balsam' 
 white birch and sprure, and slopes slightly in tho same direction as the 
 lino as far as the intersection of a river coming from the west at 57 chains 
 ()G links ; thence, to the end of the mile, the ground is somewhat more 
 broken, but still cultivable. 
 
 I prolonged the western part of the front line to the western outline. 
 In this part, the line follows the base of a mountain which is parallel to it 
 on the north side and which lowers as M-e advance, the land to the south 
 being more level, well wooded and suited to cultivation. 
 
 On the north side and notwithstanding thepxoximity of the mountain, 
 the land, with a slight slope to the east, is not unfitted for tillage and is 
 covered with a thick growth of fine brushwood. 
 
 From the end of the eighth mile, the line ascends the eastern flank of 
 a mountain, whose incline at first gradual and slightly rolling, becomes 
 
 hi 
 
102 
 
 
 steeper with the ascent and the angle of whose base with the horizon 
 varies between 20«> and tO° to the commencement of the twelfth lot, 
 where the ground grows level and continues so with slight undulations 
 to the west outline. 
 
 I laid out the line for the whole distance between the centre line and 
 the river Noire, besides, in addition, scaling Lac des Islets on the ice. 
 
 Starting from the centre line, the south line follows the base of a steep 
 and almost precipitous mountain on the east side, to 10 chains ou the 
 nineteenth lot. The line follows the slope of the mountain over steep and 
 rocky ground and descends again with a rapid incline over less rough 
 ground to 5 chains on the twentfoth lot. From the point of departure and 
 not more than three chains to the right of the line, the land is level, well 
 wooded and adapted to culture. 
 
 iM-om the eighth lot and as the line progresses towards the east, the 
 mountain gradually recedes towards the left, trending nearly north 10° 
 east, astronomical, and the surface as far as Lac au Plongeon, which is again 
 intersected, is remarkably level and well wooded, with a soil well adapted 
 to cultivation. 
 
 After crossivig the lake, the line passes over ground somewhat more 
 broken, but without any serious obstacle to the head of Lac des Islets, 
 which it follows from lot 35 to 36, to take it up anew after crossing a point 
 a few chains in length to 10 chains 31 links on the 39th. I scaled Lac 
 des Islets ou the ice, Avhich was then solid enough to bear us without 
 danger. According to the measurement, the circumference of this lake is 
 equal to 419 chains 36 links, and its superficies to 453 acres, 1 rood and 16 
 perches. The banks are not high, and are covered with balsam, spruce and 
 white birch, while the soil is slightly rolling and composed of a yellow 
 loam well suited to tillage. 
 
 Leaving the lake, the line follows somewhat broken ground, wooded 
 with balsam, spruce and a few white birches, and crosses at 11 chains on 
 the forty-second lot a pond, formed by Lac des Islets, about 5 chains wide 
 and 25 long, with banks wearing about the same appearance as the ground 
 previously described. From this point, the line leads over rolling and 
 cultivable laud to the forty-eighth lot, whence it follows the course of the 
 lakes already referred to and which are the source of one of the three 
 largest tributaries of river Noire. It also follows for a distance of two or 
 three chains the middle branch of that river to the fiftieth lot, where it 
 crosses the stream, above a rapid with au inch ue of at least 20^' from the 
 
 horizon, 
 and woo 
 further c 
 Noire, w 
 cut up 
 purposes 
 tributary 
 and spru 
 wooded, 
 and will 
 
 To SI 
 
 of Chauv( 
 is nevertl 
 settlemen 
 have beei 
 remarked 
 situated o 
 will not 
 ground to 
 
 In fiij 
 the openii 
 young me 
 Already c 
 selected tl 
 mence wo 
 
 Theo 
 already oj 
 
 and, for th 
 
 the new tc 
 
 
103 
 
 horizon. At this pomt. the ground is rocky, little suited to cultivation 
 and wooded with a stunted growth of balsam and gray spruce A little 
 further on, it improves as far as the east outline, but thence to' the river 
 Noire, which IS reached on the fifty-ninth lot, the soil is poor, frequentlv 
 cut up by deep, precipitous ravines, and altogether unfit for farr^ng 
 purposes. Withm the space embraced between the river Noire and it! 
 tributary above mentioned, there is still a considerable quantity of pine 
 and spruce among the balsam and white birch with which the surface is 
 wooded This timber may be serviceable to the trade in the near fX 
 and will be a great help to settlers in this new region. 
 
 To sum up, it gives me pleasure to state that the portion of the township 
 of Chauveau,which I have ,ust surveyed, without being exceptionally -^rtile 
 IS nevertheless u ell siuted to cultivation and offers as favorable a Lid for' 
 settlement as any of the new concessions in the adjacent seigniories, which 
 have been opened up for so many years. While I was in the bush I 
 remarked that the snow did not fall any earlier or heavier than in places 
 si^^nated on the bt. Lawrence, which warrants the conclusion that the climate 
 will no be more severe when the work of clearing will have opened 
 ground to the circulation of air and heat. "^ 
 
 In fine, I have no doubt that a grant, no matter how small, to promote 
 the opening of a colonization road, next season, would induce agreat manv 
 young men to take up lots and immediately begin the work o^f clearing"^ 
 A ready over 50 lots have been marked out, and the parties who h^ve 
 selected them are only waiting for an outlet through the forest to com- 
 mence work on them. 
 
 and for the moment at least, would meet the neoessities of colonization iu 
 
 the new township of Chauveau. 
 
 (J.'C. Demeules, 1st May, 1869.) 
 
 I 
 
 it 
 
 I 
 
104 
 
 Township of De Sales 
 
 From the first line between ranges IV and V, following the north east 
 branch of the river du GroufFre, the soil is equally good for meadow laud, 
 and even richer than the first part, because it would be less exposed to 
 inundations. 
 
 At the point where the line of lots 28 nnd 29 intersects the north east 
 branch of the river du Gouffre, at 74 chaitis from the line between ranges 
 IV and V, the laud rises and continues good, the timber on it being balsam, 
 spruce, white birch and cypress. The line, thus prolonged, intersects a 
 colonization road at 84 chains 20 links. 
 
 The land, in this part is level and well wooded and the soil of good 
 quality. The line crosses the colonization road above referred to at the 
 commencement of lot 8. 
 
 On Wednesday, the 1st December, 1 laid out the line between lots IX 
 and X to the line betvs'een range.-- Ill and II, a distance of 85 chains 
 and 89 links, and, in this space, the ground is level, except in the last part, 
 where it is a little more broken, — the soil, of good quality and w^ooded with 
 cypress, spruce and balsam, improving and showing blotter timber from 
 the intersection of the Ionization road. I sought for and renewed the 
 rear line, of range II west, whose length, comprised between the lines 
 of ranges X and III, according to the. original survey, is only 77 chains, 17 
 links. In this tract, the land, passably broken, seems good onough, but 
 fire has destroyed every trace of vegetation over a space of sixty chains. 
 and the new growth taking its place seems to promise only cypress in 
 great abundance. 
 
 The centre line also intersects a colonization road made some vears ai>"o 
 by the Government to facilitate the opening of the hinds in this part. 
 Although pretty broken, the laud is of good quality, including four or live 
 lots to the west of the centre line on the eleventh and twelfth ranges and 
 all the eastern part of the twelfth range towards Lac Pied des Monts. 
 Owing to the facilities ottered to settlers by the opening of this road, 
 these lands will, I hope, be rapidly cleared up, w^heu they will furnish 
 homes at no distant date to iorty families, if the obliterated subdivision 
 lines of the original survey were everywhere renewed where needed. 
 
 Before shifting my tent further on, I continued the scaling of the river 
 with the intention of using h for dividing the lots, but the ground from 
 
 the start i 
 tions, espi 
 boundary 
 
 was usele 
 I the subdi 
 
 In th 
 
 'me altoge 
 
 tains, I o 
 
 for a distj 
 
 soil is of j 
 
105 
 
 e north east 
 eadow laud, 
 I exposed to 
 
 le north east 
 
 i^'een ranges 
 
 iing balsam, 
 
 intersects a 
 
 soil of good 
 3d to at the 
 
 the start seeming unfavorable for settlement. I there suspended ray opera- 
 tions, especially as the branch of the river du GoufFre, forming the western 
 boundary of the township of De Sales, had already been scded, and as it 
 ■ was useless to repeat the same operation when the ground did not permit of 
 the subdivision of the lots. 
 
 In the western part of ranges eleven and twelve, the land seeming to 
 me altogether unsuitable for colonization, cut up as it is by high moun- 
 tains, I only ran the line and effected the subdivision of these two ranges 
 for a distance of four lots, starting from the centre line. In this space, the 
 soil is of good quality and well wooded. 
 
 {J.-C. Deniev/es, 18th February, 1876.) 
 
 
 i^'een lots IX 
 f 8-5 chains 
 he last part, 
 v'ooded with 
 imbor from 
 ?newed the 
 n the lim^s 
 7 chains, 17 
 Miougii, but 
 ixty chains. 
 ' cypress in 
 
 le years ag'o 
 1 this part, 
 four or iive 
 ranges and 
 des Monts. 
 f this road, 
 ivill furnish 
 subdivision 
 L^ded. 
 
 of the river 
 round from 
 
106 
 
 COUNTY OF CHICOUTIMI. 
 
 Alma Island. 
 
 The surface of the island is not perfectly level ; it is not without a few 
 ups and down, but, nevertheless, I consider it a fine level tract, and apart 
 irom a few rocks met with along the rear line of the first range and the 
 rear line of the fifth range, a plough would pass anywhere. The soil iu 
 general is a fine loam sometimes mixed with grey marl. In a few 
 instances, the first stratum is vegetable mould, and a few inches below is 
 found clay : the only swamp I met with lies between numbers two and 
 five of the second range and extends for about ten chains to the north. 
 The stratum of black mould on the surface is eight or nine inches in thick- 
 ness. The timber is generally large and tall. On the north side, it consists 
 of black and white birch, white and grey spruce, fir, brushwood of all 
 descriptions, cedar, ash and alder ; on the south side, a mountain covered 
 with ash is also met ; white birch is not so often seen, but all other sorts 
 are ; black sprwce is scarce. 
 
 Finally, you will see on examination of my field book that several lots 
 have already been worked upon after they were measured ; not only the 
 richness of the soil encourages, but the climate is very promising, judging 
 from the success of Mr Damase Boulanger, slide-keeper. 
 
 (E.-A. Duberger, 8th March, 1864.) 
 
 I 
 
 Township of I'Anse St. Jean. 
 
 Along the course I followed, 1 found the soil poorly suited to cultiva- 
 tion, except on the road, where it is of pretty good quality, especially from 
 the reserve to No. 35, being nearly everywhere composed of clay and allu- 
 vion and, in some spots on the plateaux near the river, of vegetable mould. 
 
 The rounded pebbles on the beaches of the river show that they have 
 been carried down by the rapidity of its current during the freshets. 
 
 rating, ii 
 ship in a 
 prosorvii 
 until th 
 tains «■( 
 larger ri 
 of a few I 
 growths. 
 These sti 
 mostly oi 
 these raoi 
 narrow n 
 
 The 
 settlemen 
 foot of th 
 places. 
 
 Thei 
 
 whole len 
 from two 
 the i'reshe 
 other two 
 the reser^ 
 drault ; tl 
 
 Ther 
 
 from its ; 
 the other 
 its aftiuenl 
 Balle, Lac 
 Jean, as w 
 
lOT 
 
 Frora No. 35 to the outline, the land is not so favorable to vegetation 
 although of good enough quality; it is composed of a yellow and black 
 soil and a little rocky. 
 
 I made no special examination of the other parts of the township 
 which 1 did not survey ; but the surface seems mountainous. 
 
 The high mountains which border the Saguenay, and which, in sepa 
 rating, iorm the deep bay called L'Anse St. Jean, extend across the town- 
 ship 111 a south-western direction for a distance of two and a half lea-ues 
 preserving about the same height for a mile and theiu.e diminishing 
 until they disappear altogether. There are also other smaller moun- 
 tains crossing each other in all dire.^ions and forming spurs of the 
 larger rnnge. These mountains are all wooded, with the exception 
 ol a lew cn^sts completely bare of trees, but covered with other vegetable 
 growths. Ihey are made up of rocks overlaid by a slight bed of turf 
 Ihese stratified rocks dip generally towards the east and are composed 
 mostly ol granite, feldspar and quartz. There is little good land Jmona: 
 these mountains, except in a few small valleys on their flanks and iu some 
 narrow ravines 
 
 The tract comprised between these mountains forms the valley or 
 set lements of L Anse St. Jean. This valley is about two miles wide at the 
 loot of the bay, but varies a good deal and is much narrower in some 
 places. 
 
 The river St. Jean, which falls into L'Anse St. Jean, winds through the 
 whole length of this valley, and has a width of 2J chains and a depth of 
 
 n W rr 'u^"' '"' ^"^""''°^ water is much greater during 
 
 the ireshets. Ihere are three mills on it, one of them a grist mill and the 
 other two saw mills. The grist mill and one of the saw mills are bul on 
 the reserve near the mouth of the river and belong to Mr Simon Bou- 
 drault ; the other is on No. 35 and belongs to Mr D. Girard. 
 
 The river St. Jean takes its rise in little lake St. Jean, ei-hteen miles 
 
 rom Its mouth. The river du Portage, .he river du MoulinTnd all the 
 
 he other little streams which water the valley of L'Anse St. Jean, are 
 
 Its affluents. It also receives the waters of great Lac des Islets, Lac a la 
 
 Jklle, Lac a 1 Ours and Lac Grenouilles, which discharge into little lake St 
 
 Jean, as well as of other streams which fall into the same lake. From the 
 
 
108 
 
 course of the rivers, it can be seen that the great valley in rear of the town- 
 ship of Otis, which extends to L'Anse St. Jean, slopes towards the east. 
 
 The growth of timber in the valley of L'Anse St. Jean is much supe- 
 rior to that of the upper Saguenay, as already noted in my report of the 
 survey of the township of Perigny, last spring. 
 
 (J.-O. Tremblay, May, 1867.) 
 
 Township of Bagot. 
 
 To comply with my instructions, I began to subdivide the land situate 
 in rear of Grand Bay range, south range, so as to form a double range run- 
 ning in the same direction as the aforesaid. 
 
 For that purpose, I ran the range line parallel with the .south east 
 outline of the towMiship of Bagot, which is parallel with the rear outline 
 of the Grand Bay soiith range. 
 
 As this line passed through the cultivated farms and did not suit the 
 •wants of the settlers, I changed the southwest part by laying out two 
 ranges in the direction of the starting line which I subdivided into lots. 
 
 Thete ranges are designated on the plan. 
 
 All this part of the township con.sists of good land, wholly taken up. 
 with the exception of a lew lots near the outline where we m»'et some 
 insignificant hills. 
 
 The soil, which is a mixture of black and yellow loam, has been almost 
 entirely burnt over. Very lew trees remain and these are either black- 
 ened or dried up. 
 
 On the range ]in(> between the 3rd and 4th raug'cs, Grand Bay, south 
 range, I subdivided the lots in a manner to suit the wants of the place as 
 well as the work done. 
 
 The lots are all taken up and various improvements have been made. 
 
 Between lot 1 and lot 16, in the third range, Grand Bay, south range, 
 the soil is of excellent quality, though naturally rocky. It contains 
 black and yellow loam, both being occasionally mixed in the middle lots 
 A few inches of clay loam lies beneath the yellow in some places. 
 
 of th( 
 
109 
 
 i§. 
 
 of the town- 
 the east. 
 
 much supe- 
 report of the 
 
 y, 1867.) 
 
 e land situate 
 
 e run£,'e ru;i- 
 
 e .south east 
 rear outline 
 
 not suit the 
 iuf? out two 
 into lots. 
 
 Ily taken up, 
 i meet .some 
 
 beeu almost 
 either black- 
 
 1 Bay, .south 
 the place a.s 
 
 been made. 
 
 south range, 
 It contains 
 middle lots 
 places. 
 
 All this part of th.^ country ik ov. red with very fine-si..tfd growing 
 timber, and, in thn foi'-th range, the soil is as good and the timber as abun- 
 dant as above ; this lark principally applies to the central portion thereof. 
 
 In proceed nong the outline, on the bank of the Sagueuay 
 
 river, I pa.ssed .-!, about half a hu-ue of barren land. The chain 
 
 of niountains, lb ui,.' the banks vf th.- river raries a great deal and is 
 very extensive here. It is several hun(' ' f, .gh and consists of bare, 
 
 treeless rock as far as tlje banks of ihe rue'uay. 
 
 I scale.l and renewed the marks (blaiie.s) along the south east outline 
 of the township of Bagot thi rhout its whole extent. 
 
 In order to verify the course of tlie line, drawn by Mr. Jean-Baptiste 
 Dul)erger, P. L. S., I made several astronomical observations which con- 
 vinced me that it was (-orrect enough. The few slight deviations, which I 
 noted, were in (he south-western part, ncnr the post forming the south-east 
 angle of the township of Bagot. I ((nrc ' them. 
 
 The i^ost, situated at the extremity of the outline a ,1 forming the 
 division line between the townships of Cimon and T* xot, is placed one 
 hundred aiulthirty chains inside the angle formed by' the township of 
 Bagot and .shown on the i)lan accompanying this report. 
 
 I also scaled about one and a half mile of the line between the town- 
 ships of Cimon and Bagot, and thus satisfied myself that it cro,s,ses in a 
 diagonal direction range 12. This encroachment on the township of Ba"-ot 
 amounts to about three thousand acres. ° 
 
 Besides the scaling of the Bagot road, I subdivided the land in lots of 
 thirteen chains each. All are perpendicular to the lines of the rano-es 
 except however lots 10 and 20 whose width is less. The land herl is 
 somewhat broken ; there are some small mountains but very little growin"- 
 timber, the latter having been iu groat part destroyed by fire. 
 
 Some of the farms in the vicinity of the river Ha ! Ha! are of good 
 quality, and consequently many of the lots are already taken up. 
 
 Throughout the 1 1th and 12th ranges, a good number of lots are already 
 occupied. The soil, however, owing to the great quantity of rock, is not 
 everywhere fit for agricultural purposes. Fire has destroyed much of the 
 timber, so that, with the exception of range 12, upou which there is a 
 considerable space covered with it, none grows but iu the neighbourhood of 
 the lakes and in some small valleys. 
 
 (/. O. Tremblay, April 4th, 1862.) 
 
 I 
 
 : i 
 
mmm^ 
 
 IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 
 .V 
 
 
 iKw 
 
 :/. 
 
 s 
 
 1.0 
 
 I.I 
 
 1.25 
 
 ui iiii 
 
 ^ 1^ 12.0 
 
 
 1.8 
 
 U ill 1.6 
 
 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 Corporation 
 
 ^■\ 
 
 
 •^ 
 
 <^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 V 
 
 
 '4^ 
 
 
 ^'h 
 
 33 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 
wmmm 
 
 ) 
 
 (A 
 
110 
 
 Township of Boileau. 
 
 The land, all along the outline which I surveyed, is of ffood qualify 
 consisting, m some places, of black, and in others, of rich yellow loam •" 
 
 There are, however, some places wheie the ground is rocky, but in 
 general, it is everywhere fit for agriculture and for settlement li ' 
 covered with hard and soft wood, such as white and black birch, white -ind 
 red spruce, white and red pine, fir, &c., &o.. 
 
 .hol":^;;: "^'^ ^"'' '' advantageously opened throughout the 
 
 I will here take the liberty of suggesting that one should be onened 
 be ween tne St. Urbam road and its intersection with the little lak. Ha^ hI ' 
 Fol owing this on the western side, it might also run along the ^reat lake 
 Ha! Ha ! as far as the middle of the township of Boileau. Ihencftor 
 the set tlements of Grand Brule. 
 
 This projected road would be a great advantage to settlers in the 
 township of Boileau, and would help to settle the land north-west of i 
 great portion of which is well adapted for agricultural purposes. 
 
 veryltt^htfdi:'" '"^^ ^"'^'^^ '" colonization, frosts occurringonly 
 
 r. . w^r* TV^"' *^' ^°'"-^°" "^' " "^""^'^ ^°"^^' I think, be near the 
 mouth of the discharge of lake Ha ! Ha ! 
 
 Splendid mill-sites can be found along all the rivers of this township. 
 The lakes abound with trout. 
 
 {Ged. Ga<rnon, April 21st, 1863.) 
 
 Township of Bourget. 
 
 With the exception of a certain tract of land, shown on my plan as 
 being quite unfit for cultivation, I do not hesitate to say that all the lot. 
 which I have divided are favorable to settlement, whether the nature of 
 the soil which IS good or its surface which is extremely level be considered. 
 There are, moreover, at each distance of twenty or thirty chains, roads 
 which have rendered great service to the firm of Price Bros., in their 
 lumbering operations, 
 
 {E. A. Duberger, 1864.) 
 
 
 II 
 
 east pa 
 
 1 V 
 
 vented 
 waiting 
 greater 
 the v&,ri 
 
 For 
 1864 by 
 being e^ 
 
 I la 
 and, in < 
 The vari 
 
 I pn 
 140 45' e 
 
 The 
 sion of s: 
 from one 
 
 Fron 
 dred to t\ 
 river des 
 the latter 
 mountain 
 
 At rij 
 I ran the ] 
 ranges of 
 outline of 
 river a TO 
 
 With 
 and of a si 
 purposes a 
 immediate 
 would per: 
 settlers pro 
 
 I ran t 
 north 70'^.] 
 
Ill 
 
 f ffood quality, 
 sllow loam. 
 
 s rocky, but. in 
 Element. It ig 
 ►irch, white and 
 
 throuf?hout the 
 
 uld be opened 
 e lake Ha! Ha! 
 ■ the great lake 
 hence to reach 
 
 settlers in the 
 th-west of it, a 
 
 )ses. 
 
 occurring only 
 f, be near the 
 
 his township, 
 21st, 1863.) 
 
 1 my plan as 
 at all the lots 
 the nature of 
 3 considered. 
 3hains, roads 
 'OS., in their ^' 
 
 T, 1864.) 
 
 
 I have the honor to transmit yon a report of my survey of the „™,l. 
 ea.t part of the township of Bourget, situated in the connty of Chfoon tot 
 
 1 wshed to talce an observation before starting, but the weather pre- 
 vented me from domg so, and thus two days were lost in nnsuolsr, 
 wa.t,ng. Owmg to fog and bad weather, espeeially at night, 1"^'^ 
 greater part of November, it took a long while before we ^on d d erm „e 
 the v&riation of the needle. uKiermme 
 
 Fortunately the line between the sprnn^ o»^ +k- ^ 
 186. by the late Ed.ond ^^^^er^^ i:ZtrtXr2r;^;: 
 being everywhere visible and in their original positions. ^ 
 
 I laid down my centre line at right angles with the said range line 
 and, iM the course of my survey, had no reason to reirret h.vinlT 
 The variation of the magnetic needle was 17« uncorreTed ' "• 
 
 I prolonged the ninth range for a distance of six miles on a north course 
 140 40 east astronomical, with the variation above mentioned. 
 
 The land throughout the first three miles is an uninterrupted succes- 
 sion of small chfFs running from east to west and diminishin/hi extent 
 from one range to the other. * ^^"^ent 
 
 ^rJ.'T *^? *°P/^*^««« ^l'ff«. ^t an elevation measuring from one hun- 
 dred to two hundred leot. the view embraces the beautiaU valley of he 
 
 TLtr r;'' *'' T ^'^^ "^^*^ ''^' -^^ ^^-t ot the rive [rOurs 
 the latter extendmg north east and north west as far as the foot of he 
 raountains, for a distance of twenty to twentyfive miles. 
 
 At rip^ht angle with the centre line and on a course south Uo 15' east 
 I ran the^range lines of the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and ei 'h h 
 ranges of the township of Bourget. east of the Centre l^re to tCt:!"' 
 outline of himard, cutting the valley of the river des Aulnets andTat o 
 river a I'Ours throughout their whole width. 
 
 With the exception of the rocks on the third and on the fourth ran^e 
 and ofa swamp on the third range, all this land is adapted to farmino: 
 purposes and would be very favorable to settlers wishin^g to loca^^ The^ 
 mmediately The bush-fires. which have destroyed par^ of the forei 
 
 :rs^;rsetr ^ ^^^^ --' -^-^ -^^^ ^^--- -^ *^^« -s 
 
 north 70M5' wet et'^r ^^/V^' township of Bourget, on a course 
 north 70 .15 west, extendmg it to the ninth mile inclusively, and laying 
 
 8 ! 
 
 I 
 
lpll««'ll 
 
 Ui i 
 
 112 
 
 oflFfrom the said line the lots of the north range from number one to 
 thirty-eight. ' 
 
 The reason why I made the division of the lots on this line is that it 
 traverses the finest land in the township and the most advantageous for 
 the opening of a road. This division will moreover enable parties intending 
 to take up lots in rear of the liourget line, to guide themselves by the posts 
 showing the course of the lots of the north range, pending the surveys 
 which must necessarily be soon made, to promote the settlement of this 
 fine district. ' 
 
 The lots in this range could not be made to front on the river des 
 Aulnets and the river a I'Ours, because the east range was too short, and the 
 two centre ranges too long and because the rocks on the west range trending 
 from south to north, cut the lots in such a way as to render communication 
 between one part of ihera and the other impossible. 
 
 I terminated the division of the lots at number thirty-eight, because 
 the ground to the west prevented the continuation of this operation the 
 rocks extending as far as lake Chabot, at the extremity of the eighth mik 
 I scaled this lake and ascertained that the land on its west side is superioi 
 both as regards soil and timber. Splendid pine groveg surround this lake I 
 and a dam has been built by the Messrs. Price to facilitate the gettino- out 
 of logs by the river des Aulnets. ° ' 
 
 I was unable to scale the river a I'Ours, because the ice was not solid i 
 -nough and the rapids, which occupy three quarters of the river, were still 
 open water. However, I determined its true position by measurements 
 and careful observations. 
 
 There are some splendid mill sites in the seventh range. A dam aud 
 slide have been constructed in the eighth range by the Messrs Price iu 
 ox-der to facilitate the descent of their timber. Several lumbering shanties 
 are in operation this winter on the land in rear of the old line and of the 
 west section of the township of Bourget. 
 
 The tract or piece of land, comprised between the river des Aulnets 
 and river a I'Ours, in the fifth range, has been, in compliance with your 
 instructions, dated January 11th, reserved for a village site and offers alll 
 the advantages that could be desired for the perpose. A mece of laud 
 reserved for a chapel, a school-house or for any other public buildino-is 
 always a wise precaution which cannot fail to give good results in the 
 future. 
 
 Thei 
 spots of g 
 
118 
 
 I number one to I 
 
 bis line ie that it 
 dvantageous for 
 parties intendinff 
 ilves by the posts | 
 ug the surveys, 
 ettlement of this I 
 
 on the river des 
 
 00 short, and the 
 
 range, trending 
 
 communication 
 
 r-eight, because 
 s operation, the 
 the eighth mile, 
 side is superior 
 round this lake 
 the getting out 
 
 se was not solid I 
 river, were still 
 measurements! 
 
 3. A dam and 
 tiessrs Price, iu 
 bering shanties 
 line and of the 
 
 '"er des Aulnets 
 nee with your 
 ;e and olfers all 
 . piece of laud 
 lie building is 
 results in the 
 
 Excep. in that part of the we fringe wh " t'"" °' ^°" "«?«""»'• 
 and on a few Jots in the Mst rlZ u u "°°^^ """P "» '» "" «»■*"«. 
 certain extent, the ^ol^^ iZ sZ^Lt^^ ^"'''''' '"V -«-PS to a 
 grey, black and yellow clayin S^Xs and ^f^ o'.mpoeed chiefly of 
 .he height., the whole well'daptel to cXvaUo.: ' " """'^ '°"° "■' 
 
 he«t '!ZZl:[^:^^, "^^^ "> f"™ « P-'^O »<• o«e of the 
 
 different kinds of grain onThese il T„ ^ fT«^ """^ "^ "'«"' """'"l 
 »d were .rtnna.f enon^r^^t whotre 'tr'p:!?^^"' 
 
 (P.-£r. Dumais, March 24th, I8t0.) 
 
 ever^^^rlflhf S'' "S ' "r J"!. ™M-ided, the land is in 
 
 experienced here at all Two h^ZlJ v. u , ! elsewhere, were not 
 spring, and the har,-est promts a"t^^"f*^'^, "' f™ ™« «>wn thia 
 
 n.ent through this township luutSt ,0 fj .T'" "/ **°™'°- 
 settlers desirous of locating there salvation of the poor 
 
 (P.-H. Dumais, August SOth. 1870.) 
 
 Townahlp of Ohamouchouan. 
 
 I proti?d7dT't!:itat/ 1?: ^"' °^ '"^ """■""''' °f «»•>->' 
 
 where I traced tL 11^1 2 °k f" '"T^'^P "^ A»l>n.pmouchouan. 
 five and suhdivt^^thrsr. t^^^lTd n'^ r^ " "" "'''"^■ 
 
114 
 
 The surface is in great part even, with undulations of the same cha- 
 racter as in the township of Roberval. There are no mountains, only a few 
 rocky places. The rivers Iroquois and a I'Ours, in wearing their beds down 
 to the rock, have formed deep cuts such as are generally characteristic 
 of the rivers of Lake St. John. There are several good water-powers and 
 mill-sites on these rivers. 
 
 All this country is well covered with growing timber of all sorts, such 
 as white spruce, balsam, white birch, cypress, poplar, red spruce, white 
 pine, ash, &c. A few elms and some young maples are also to be seen on 
 the seventh and eighth ranges. 
 
 I made the subdivision of the lots of the seventh and eighth ranges on 
 the division line at the rear of the seventh range, giving the alignment°of the 
 sides of that line, in order to admit of the establishment of a double range, 
 for which the formation of the land offers certain advantages. Another 
 double range at the rear of the ninth range will facilitate the establishment 
 of the first range in the adjoining township, where there are three more 
 range3 of good land extending in rear of the townships of Ouiatchouan and 
 Roberval. 
 
 The department is probably aware that the Eeverend Father Lacasse, 
 0. M. I., visited these lands last autumn with the view of establishing a 
 new settlement. The account which he gave me of them was very favor- 
 able, confirming the information which I had received from other sources 
 and the impression which I had derived from my own observations. 
 
 I have the honor to inform you that a number of farmers have already 
 visited this locality w select lots ; they are n jarly all men who have arrived 
 at Lake St. John since last year. They propose to make clearin<rs next 
 spring. 
 
 "With the aid of roads, which fortunately may be very easily made, 
 these settlers will form the nucleus of a flourishing parish in these town- 
 ships. Their names are entered on the specification of lot«« accompanying 
 my report. 
 
 (P-J.-C. Dumats, 4th February, 1880). 
 
115 
 
 Townehlpa of Ohamouohouan and Demeules. 
 
 From the reports which, from time to tim« ih u . . 
 aa,Wins you y„„ p„,,.M, have rZliZ «. "Lta. I'^ \T" 1 
 m he townships of Ashttapmouchouan aud Deleu es . "''i" °°" 
 quality of the soil, none can lake precedenre of^^ ,, ' '"^"'^^ ">« 
 Ashuapmouohonan. As in all otherltsof .he%" "^ °'' '""^ "™ 
 dominates. In some places, this clay is o"r aid whh T^^l' "'*'' ^''■ 
 or four inches deep; a precious element in m!J *^" "''*"<'■ ""•«« 
 
 ^owth of wheat, which! in eueh'Cdt ir^raZC'h;';::^ '"' '"' 
 
 .and,^tt;re*^-;;traid^^^^^^^^^^^ 
 ;i%rr:anrrrrrrtt^rshi:''Sr" 
 
 Demeules and I have no doubt th at X t fl b ^ntaoT"''''''""" •"" 
 seconds the exertions of th^ «„ ' ® Government only 
 
 direction. From ! f: n^uf;;^;:^: ' ?" '"*'•"' '^''"'^ ">»' 
 from a reconnaissance, which I m de Jl^f ?Tu '*"' P™""" ^ ^"^ " 
 Ashuapmouchouan, I'am tclinrd t„ beTe I'lhatM""'"^' """^ "^^' 
 tract of good land in that direction. Thebe" p oo „ th " "r"'"""* 
 climate is supplied by the success of tbeLvH' P"°; "',""' «cellcnce of the 
 township of Roberva?; adjoLtHhe Indian re^e!"''"'' "'^""'"'^ - "^^ 
 
 the rnh'Sbt Itutnlriv'Tt '^rT".'"'"^''"' "' '- - -o <•« ' 
 nier, c^r.of the Parkh re" des Ld .^"^h '7''"' ^'"'""^ !'»"'« Ber- 
 the township of LhuapZcho::' whert lt':Tl "' "'^ -^'f -"=- "^ 
 mer temperature is about the same Is that ofZ b ! withThis'd ff ' ™'"- 
 however, that north east winds are little foU f ' , 'I'ffs'-'noe, 
 
 tho,e from the south west The c"W in • . *''' ''■""'' =« """d as 
 
 stance very probably Z to the -w ""'"■ " ^'^ '"'«»»«• » "ii-cum- 
 
 the north Ld north we" t ''" '™'' "' ''"™' '»■«» «'™ted to 
 
 .6' 
 
 (P.-^. Tremblay, May let, 1862.) 
 
116 
 
 Tovrnahip of Oharlevoix. 
 
 After (oncludiug my work iu the township of Metabetchouan, I 
 hastened to the township of Charlevoix, of which I was instructed to com- 
 plete the survey, and arrived there on Wednesday, December 23rd. Ou 
 Thursday, December 25th, I sought my starting point between lots twenty- 
 four and twenty-five, on the line between the third and fourth ranges, 
 which I laid out for a distance of ten lots and continued on the thirty-first 
 of December and on the second and third of January, 1871, uot withstand- 
 ing that I had to move my camp to tho rear line of Charlevoix, a distance 
 of one hundred and forty-three chains and twenty-eight links from the 
 projected line bi'tweeu the fifth and sixth ranges. 
 
 From the fourth ol January to the sixteenth of the same mouth, the 
 weather continuing Livorable, I was able, in spite of the great depth of the 
 snow, to complete the survey of the line between the aforesaid ranges four 
 and five, besides dividing forty-three lots to the side line of Metabetchouan, 
 towards the east, and as far as the division line between the townships 
 of Charlevoix and Roberval, towards the west. 
 
 Throughout this pari, the land is comparatively level, though the 
 rocky and sandy soil seemed to me little suited to settlement, and the 
 information, which I got from persons employed for some years in the lum- 
 bering establishments, and who have traversed this region, has moreover 
 confirmed me in this opinion. This information, coupled with what I per- 
 sonally acquired on my survey of the centre line, enabled me to judge that 
 the sixth range hardly possesses any land fit for settlement. Under the 
 circumstances, in the interests as well of colonization, as of the Department, 
 I deemed it advisable to refrain from continuing this survey. 
 
 (J.-C. Dumais, 8th April, 1871.) 
 
 Townsbips of Oaron and M^sy. 
 
 The soil, throughout the fifth and sixth ranges of Caron, east of the 
 centre line, is very favorable to the opening of new settlements, whilst ou 
 the west side ot the same line, and in the same ranges, it is very broken 
 and rocky ; the land, however, is of good quality and the timber splendid. 
 
 I extended the centre line on the sixth range, measured eighty chains 
 and eighty links, and ran the rear line in order to divide ranges six and 
 
)etchouan, I 
 cjted to com- 
 »r 23rd. Ou 
 lots twenty- 
 urth ranges, 
 e thirty-first 
 ►twithstand- 
 X, a distauue 
 ks from the 
 
 mouth, the 
 lepth of the 
 
 ranges four 
 ;abetchouan, 
 ) townships 
 
 though the 
 ent, and the 
 
 in the lum- 
 is moreover 
 
 what I per- 
 judge that 
 
 Under the 
 Department, 
 
 I, 1871.) 
 
 i, east of the 
 s, whilst on 
 very broken 
 )er splendid. 
 
 ighty chains 
 ges six and 
 
 seve;., dividing the lots on each 8id« nf iU j ~~ 
 
 Quebec road threo timo. on the west J. ''f "'°?''' '»*««^««ng the 
 branch on the east side. Lot „nmb« 1 " """'''"^ *^« Hebertville 
 and forty links. ''^'^^'' ^"^ '"^^^"r^^ <wenty-three chains 
 
 e.ce^X':ii':h:::'i;:r^'r '': T'-'^'^ ^- ^^^ soin. 
 
 range line is ro. ky ; but at a ,itt?e df . r"^'' '^' "^^S'^^orhood of the 
 
 and the soil improves cl:^y'^:::^J^Z^'' '^^ ^"^'^ '^^^^P^ 
 part ofthe lots .re marked by s.aJri;^^;:::^iJ^- a good 
 
 I continued the centre line on ih^ ^ ,u 
 road .t right a«gle« at three-fourths of the'dentr" Th ""I"? "'" '^"'^"^ 
 and consists of vdlcw, grey and bla,* 1„ , 7 ™' '"'''•' '« 1«™I 
 fine timber sucli as gr;;and r"d sml hT 1'"°°? ''?''*^' '"'-''^ -"•• 
 asli, aspen and ».me cedar At , den h ' r t ""l "'""'' '>'"•''■ ?««■ A'. 
 I ran the range li„e across the whole wdthof'fh-' "'"if »"'' «''""y «»ks 
 scaling Caribou Lake on the Zes s7d7^r L '"""' *'"' "«'"'• '•»''«'«. 
 
 number one on the east side, w th aw dth „n "'":"'''• ""'' '""' '^"'^^''^^ 
 
 Qnebec road be considered"r:iri r blr:::!:^ ,7;:;:,-^^^^^^ 
 
 I neit continn,;d Ihecentre iineon 'he pf.rht). . 
 chains and eighty links. At the end ofZfy T' """"""'"S eighty 
 
 between the eighth and ninth rLc, d 'i^l .u \ ™" ""* ""S'^ ""» 
 line, scaling lake Saint .Jerome wos° offh! ! r '"'' "'""S ">" whole 
 is well stocked with fish, "is^hlrl . ™»"-'' '"« I'l-is l»ke, which 
 Conchepegamish. Lot numb oT„f 'ui ' H a branch of the river 
 
 chains and fifty ,i„k, i„ bread I ^d ti numb^rT T'"""' 'wenty-eigh, 
 ■hains and twenty-five links. "^' "" "i«>'nres twel4,i ' 
 
 which will make fine farms later on. "^ ""' ':^''"<^'>peg.mi,h, 
 
 I Ci^mpleted my operations in fh^ + l- 
 
 the «ntre line as fa^r I .h~ tl Zl'^'^f iLs t""' "^'"""-""^ 
 found at a depth of seventy chains and ninlry^fi:' ifnks "' """* ' 
 
 v.ew e«ends as far a, Lacde laBello-K^^ileThXr^trreasra: 
 
 t 
 
118 
 
 about three-quHrters of a mile from the range line and forms with la Belle- 
 Rivifire a lar^e and important valley, well suited for colonization. 
 
 I deemed it advinable to extend the grand line between the augmenta- 
 tion of M6sy and M^sy proper, from the post marked number one, on the 
 third range west, and number one of the third range east along the same 
 course as it follows lower down, tha; is to say, on a magnetic course south 
 by 32" west, (variation 17^) and serving as the centre line for my operations 
 in this township 
 
 I continued this line to the depth of the fifth range, running the 
 separating lines to the depth of the third and fourth ranges, dividing them 
 on the west side as far as the centre line of Caron, and on the east as far as 
 number twa-nty-seven, inclusively. 
 
 After exploring all the part east of number twenty-six, [judged it 
 advisable, from the inferior quality of the soil and the mountainous aspect 
 of the country, to not continue my operations any further on that side ; 
 but I prolonged the centre line to the sixth range to ascertain the quality 
 of the land in the rear. I found it suitable for cultivation and the formation 
 of a double range along la Belle-Riviere as far as the lake of the same name. 
 
 I scaled by chaining lake Camelin near the line of Caron, which is 
 surrounded by fine laud and famed for, the size and quality of its trout. 
 
 Lots number one of the fourth and of the fifty ranges of Mesy are irre- 
 gular on a<t;ount of the inclination of the outline of Caron. 
 
 The conclusion to be drawn is that the land which I have just 
 subdivided, though not as rich and as level as that in the first subdivided 
 ranges of this township, is yet of a superior quality for the growth of wheat, 
 {barley and potatoes. Timber of all kinds, such as is met in the other parts 
 of the county of Chicoutimi, is found here of unusual size and height, 
 especially in the valley of la Belle-Riviere and along its tributaries. Mill 
 sites are numerous, and timber suitable for building purposes is found every- 
 where, notwithstanding the lumbering operations of the firm of Price Bros. 
 
 The n.ountains and rocks met with and which will be always barren 
 monopolize about one quarter of the area subdivided ; but the timber with 
 which they are covered will more than repay the settler for his trouble, if, 
 profiting by the experience of past years he exercises more prudence and 
 discernment than others similarly situated have done, by consulting his 
 future interests before destroying the forest forever. 
 
 (P.'H. Dumais, January 31st, ISYl.) 
 
 
119 
 
 th la Belie- 
 on. 
 
 3 auginonta- 
 one, on the 
 Qg the same 
 lourse south 
 jr operations 
 
 puaning the 
 riding them 
 ast as far as 
 
 I judged it 
 nous aspect 
 1 that side ; 
 the quality 
 le formation 
 same name. 
 
 1, which is 
 ts trout. 
 
 sy are irre- 
 
 have just 
 subdivided 
 h. of wheat, 
 other parts 
 nd height, 
 iries. Mill 
 mnd every- 
 Price Bros. 
 
 'ays barren 
 mber with 
 trouble, if, 
 idence and 
 suiting his 
 
 mi.) 
 
 Township of Dalmaa. 
 Oenera, lU^^ „„ „, j^ ^,^^^ ^^^^ ^ ^^ ^ 
 
 From the river Moreau to lot qn n«j e , 
 bonUthe ground is absolutely „' w"!^? '"' *"" "" Great Peri- 
 undulations. From lot 67 to the Greal pln^li f,' "'°"'''''"'' »' «"«- 
 black loam ; large growing timber oTa It" 7 ' ''°"°" ™"''' "■«• «»">-S 
 alder. Prom lot^ 3I to thfLiTtL Per "o'La a b7"'^''^"'' """« "''^ 
 face, strong iirst class clay soil covered w'i,\« "'"^ '"•"»"'« »""' 
 
 a.pen, ash, birch, white bir'ch, '.Z:'^ whUetlsaT"''' '"■=" " '"'^« 
 
 covered with small gummy spruces. ^his swamp ,s uniformly 
 
 P.a„,?r:';;'y:';r lo'aror ot rckrarnVV r /'"•' ""'^' ™ '"» 
 Moreau is of strong fir»t class loam ^^ ^" ''"''""^ >"? ">e river 
 
 a.or.t:ri;';nirarrx^-^^^^^^ 
 
 cypr«. spruce, balsam.white birch, &c. ' ^'""'"'^ ""''" = 
 
 feet h^gl'""'^ "''"*' "^' ^-'»»''« - not steep ; still they are 85 to 40 
 
 ..recipi'tfu: "atr :nd;^ ' oVtht:.ir i"'^'T '"^ '"^- '-« ^'°P» '» 
 
 .n .":X^rii^t::t:drr b^^^^^^^^^^^^ — ^ -"«• 
 
 .ehoouers and steamboats as farL the fi^lins^tX CKu t^^. 
 
120 
 
 Remarks on Range 6. 
 
 Good strong loam and fine timber, white birch, balsam, sprue, except 
 TV here there are rock ledges, but these are not extensive ; strong loam, level 
 and without a single rock, fine timber, spruce, birch, aHpen, &o. 
 
 Remarks on the to/Mffrapki/ of the land traversed hf/ the Centre Line. 
 
 Apart from the swamp and the small rock ledj^.38 already indicated, in 
 the sixth range, the land is flat and of good quality. Strong or mixed 
 loam. No rocks. The soil is excellent for cultivation. The timber is lar'-e 
 and splendid. The rear ranges are better than the front ranges. 
 
 The land traversed by the line between ranges 3 and 4, from the centre 
 line to the Q-reat Peribonka, apart from the swamp, is splendid. It is a 
 strong clay loam, with a very level surface. There are no rocks or moun- 
 tains. The timber is large and tall and still includes some merchantable 
 wood, although nearly all the pine and spruce have been cut off. 
 
 The land traversed between ranges 4 and 5, like all the other land tra- 
 versed from the beginning of the survey, is absolutely flat ; there are no 
 hills, undulations or mountains. This range is nearly all strong loam, 
 without a single rock anywhere. This magnificent tract is generally and 
 abundantly covered with large timber, consisting ol white spruce, balsam, 
 white birch, birch, ash and aspen. 
 
 On the soil, at the foot of these great trees, grow alders and currant 
 bushes in many places. The valley of the river Moreau is really magni- 
 ficent in every respect. 
 
 Remarks on the Line between Ranges o and 6. 
 
 From the centre line to the little river Peribonka, the ground is flat ; 
 yellow loam, black loam and strong loam. This i>art is not all first class. 
 The growing wood is fine. The remainder of th > range from the centre 
 line to the Great Peribonka is composed without distinction of strong 
 loam, very fertile and very flat. I could not find a single rock on it. 
 
 In th 
 single r( 
 luently v 
 tinds cov 
 Ipruce, bii 
 treat deal 
 
 This 
 lertile cou 
 
 In ih( 
 hree or fo 
 lew places 
 re white 
 'his rich 1 
 
 From 
 he land is 
 imber of a 
 
 I have 
 kurveyed b 
 find Taillon 
 
 The gn 
 ^Hd is situa 
 
121 
 
 jfenn 
 
 pruc ', except 
 Lg loam, level 
 c. 
 
 " Line. 
 
 indicated, in 
 ng or mixed 
 mbor is lar'^e 
 
 m the nentre 
 did. It is a 
 cks or moun- 
 aerohrtu table 
 
 :her land tra- 
 [here are no 
 strong loam, 
 generally and 
 race, balsam, 
 
 ml Remarks on the land traversed b,, the Centre Lme belwmn ranges 6 and 7. 
 
 In the first place, her«, as everywhere elae on the survey, there is not 
 
 single rock. Strong loam almost without exception, very flat, and conse- 
 
 uently very fertile and advantageous. A strong growth of timber of all 
 
 hnds covers these fine lands. There is still a good deal «f merchantable 
 
 Ipruce. but the pme has all been cut oH' by the Messrs Pricf. There is a 
 
 ]freat deal of merchantable birch. 
 
 This line, like the others already .surveyed, traverses an extremely 
 •'e country, whose value is greatly enhani^ed by its timber. 
 
 ■erti 
 
 Remarks on the land traversed bi/ the last Ran^e Line. 
 
 In .he first place, no rooks. I did not see one anywhere, except on 
 hree or lour lots. No mountains either. Soil generally black loam ; in a 
 ew places a little yellow loam. No sand. Surface flat. Prevailing woods 
 re white spruce, tamarac, white biroh, balsam, aspen, birch and ash 
 his rich land is the finest in the Saguenay country. 
 
 From the discharge of lake Moreau on lot 24 to the Great Peribonka 
 he land ,s generally flat, of good quality, and fit for cultivation ; growing 
 imber of all kinds. ^ 
 
 {Geo.'B. dn Tremhlaij, 28th October, 1888). 
 
 and currant 
 )ally magni- 
 
 )und is flat ; 
 ill first class. 
 n the centre 
 a of strong 
 on it. 
 
 Townehips of Dalmas and Talllon. 
 
 I have the honor to submit the following report touching the lands 
 burveyed by me to the north of Lake St. .Tohn, in the townships of Dalmas 
 find Taillon. 
 
 The ground surveyed covers asup.^rficies of 39,952 acres and 8 perches 
 |iHd 18 situated on the average latitude of 48^^ 45' and 40^ 45' longitude. 
 
 I am happy to be able to inform you that this tract, together with the 
 Surrounding region, is superior to all the arable land oreviously surveyed 
 t)y me I can state that, both in point ol richness of soil and extent, it is a 
 ■narvellous country, superior to all the rest of the Lake St. John district • It 
 
" I. 
 
 122 
 
 is, ]>erhaps, the most fertile and advantageous section of the whole ProviuceL 
 "clrzali!,^ 9--,.r„,„e„t „.ay look for «,« result, in ihe derel„p„,.l /Jlh 
 
 >r ai>;ncul 
 amediate 
 itsidu. I 1 
 lerc is bo: 
 reryvvhert 
 )od brii'k-: 
 very line 
 ire of a su] 
 
 It would be out of place to here enter into the details of the field book 
 relntive to the quality of the soil, timber, topography, &c., because the «ur' 
 lace IS uniformly Hat, the soil a strong loam, and growing all such lai^e 
 timber as is peculiar to a vegetable or alluvial soil. A small part, however 
 on the iront oi the township, as indicated on the plan, is of yellow mould' 
 Here only, ou this space of ground, grow cypress and red pine in abund' 
 ance and to a larg(, size. The other woods, of which the forest is composed 
 ev.^rywhere olse, .re white spruce, tamarac, black spruce, white balsam 
 which grows in cold, wet land, and another species of balsam (Pinus Lam- 
 berlma) w1ai> h attains enormous dimensions. White spruce is the commonest 
 wood and Ircquently reaches 35 inohes in diameter. There is a good deal 
 ol aspen and Canada - oplar, in tho neighborhood of the Little Peribonka 
 which is of tine dimensions. 
 
 The havdwood bush is composed of enormous birches, white and red 
 bouleau, ash, therry, soft maple, blat k willow, he. 
 
 The large trees, of which the forest is composed, are remarkably open 
 but at their feet there i« a vigorous growth of currant, gooseberry 
 and other small bushes. Fortunately, in pleasant contrast with other parts 
 ot the Saguemiy, lire has not yet run through these fine forests. 
 
 The merchantable timber, espe.ially the pine, has been cut off. I wm 
 surprised to find in the interior and to the north of the township the 
 remains oi old lumbering establishments where there never seemed to have 
 been any licon.se granted for cutting the timber. 
 
 1 never .aw a better watered country. There is a multitude of brooks 
 and si.ia.ll rivers llowing over strong clay and in very low beds, but their r— -"^'-- 
 banks are not steep and they have j.o beaches. The falls of the large rivers '^^ ^ '"^guJa 
 are capable ol furnishing extensive hydraulic powers. 
 
 This fertile, picturesque and promising tract extends for about 45 miles 
 to the i^orth. I myself saw Lake {St. John 14 miles distant from where I 
 stood, and the immense plain extends without a break in ail directions as 
 lar as the eye can reach. We can count upon having an area of some 600 
 square miles, to the north of Lake St. John, of perfectly level and fertile 
 amble land, capable of forming fifty parishes. 
 
 The cli 
 a importai 
 perates in 
 lie ripeninj 
 
 The len 
 )llowing p: 
 
 Lai 
 
 A 
 
 From tl 
 ohn, in lati 
 seconds t 
 
 Such is 
 ast region 
 entre, espec 
 
123 
 
 whole ProviuceJ 
 he derelopnientj 
 
 f the field book, 
 because the sur- 
 r all such large 
 I part, however, 
 f yellow mould. 
 
 pine in abund- 
 est is composed 
 , white balsam, 
 iam {Pinus Lam- 
 
 the commouest 
 e is a good deal 
 ittle Peribonka, 
 
 white and red 
 
 markably open 
 at, gooseberry 
 ith other parts 
 
 5tS. 
 
 cut off. I was 
 
 township the 
 
 seemed to have 
 
 I do not believe any minerals exist there. Nevertheless, I remarked in 
 jie township ofTaillon a bed of marl which appeared to me to be valuable 
 ir agricultural purposes and as a substitute for plaster. In any case, 
 imt^diate use can be made of it to whitewash buildings, both inside and 
 itsidu. I noticed no limestone, but on the banks of the Great Peribonka, 
 lerc is some fine building stone of a rare and beautiful color. Nearly 
 reryvvhere also there are sedimentary deposits, which would constitute 
 DoJ bri.k-m.aking material. At river aux Cochons, there i«, an abundance 
 Pvery fine clay and other refractory sedimentt suitable for the raanufac- 
 ire of a superior brick and common pottery. 
 
 The climate is magnificent, the va«t surface of Lake St. John playing 
 1 important role in modifying the temperature. Another cause which 
 perates in favor of the temperature of this region, from the standpoint of 
 le ripening of cereals, is the length of the days in summer. 
 
 The length of the days in summer increases with the latitude in the 
 )llowing proportions : 
 
 Latitude 
 45° 
 
 660 
 60O 
 
 Longest days 
 
 15. 6 hours 
 
 16. 3 " 
 16. 3 " 
 
 18. 7 " 
 
 Longest nights 
 8. 4 hours 
 
 6. 7 " 
 5. 3 " 
 
 tude of brooks 
 beds, but their 
 tie large rivers 
 
 ibout 45 miles 
 from where I 
 1 directions as 
 a of some 600 
 rel and fertile 
 
 From this table, it will be readily noted that to the north of Lake St. 
 ohn, in latitude 48^ 45', the summer days are longer by about 22 minutes 
 seconds than at Quebec in latitude 46® 48'. 
 
 8uch is the character of the climate and the fertility of the soil of this 
 ast region ot Lake St. John that it should become a great colonization 
 entre, especially with the aid of the new railway and a steamboat perxorm- 
 ■g a regular service on Lake St. John. 
 
 {Geo.-B. flu Tremblay, 25th October, 1887.) 
 
124 
 
 Township of Deliale. 
 
 ih, merc'h 
 ich side c 
 rks on tl- 
 
 As I iv] 
 acts, whi 
 ooked to 
 
 The is 
 
 it is 
 
 mber, tht 
 It is 
 
 Having given you an account of my proceedingP. I will now make t""' 
 few remarks on the topography of the country, the quality of the soil m '' '' 
 
 the best way to promote colonization in that section of the Sajjuenay 
 
 From the starting point of the line between the townships of Tach.' au( 
 Delisle, on the north bank of the Grande Decharge, as I have already 
 remarked in detail in my field book and report of progress number ou; 
 the surface in general is broken. The great number of streams whicl mi 
 I intersected in my way accounts for the unevenness of the surface and foi 
 the same reason the soil is remarkably good and arable ; I do not think ii av x. .. 
 worth while to take the few rocky sections in that part of my survey intlnd on thi 
 consideration, because they an' all detached from each other, few in nutnbefr some ye 
 and of very small extent, leaving the land throughout in all respects frelrande Dei 
 and easy to cultivate. 1^^^,^. ^^ ^i, 
 
 This topographical description will answer from t'xe banks of thj 
 Grande Decharge to the vicinity of the sixth mile post, after which the soil, 
 IS poor, being composed of coarse white sand and a few swamps, with the 
 exception of the piece of land in the vicinity of the Riviere au Brochet, the 
 banks of which are wooded with large and tall mixed timber and the soil- ^ 
 composed of clay. The merchantable timber which was abundant somer ** ^''^^' ^« 
 years ago has since been cut and removed. he soil is ^ 
 
 iixh, sprue 
 )wnship, s- 
 eeu reniov 
 
 As for 
 t differ m 
 
 Th 
 
 e (0 
 
 ing surfj 
 
 Along the rear line of the township, the country has in general a more 
 even surface, but the land cannot be recommended, with the exception of a 
 few narrow strips, as it has a sandy soil and grows nothing but cypress 
 black and grey spruce and dwarf white birch. 
 
 The surface along the ma'n west line of the township of Delisle is 
 broken up by deep gullies, but the soil is of the richest kind, bein- com- 
 posed of fine clay with a slight mixture of marl, which may be termed 
 excellent arable land, except in the vicinity of the north west angle of th 
 township where the soil is completely destitute of all vegetation save on a 
 few spots on which stunted black and white spruce and white pine ol 
 inferior quality prevail. * 
 
 The description of the country along the west line of the township 
 does not vary much ; it is generally uneven. The soil is composed of fine 
 
 clay with a marl sub-soil, the timber consisting of fir, black and white 
 
 b:rch, brushwood of all descriptions, including a mountain covered withP """"^^'' ' 
 
 The 001 
 umber one 
 is uneven 
 16 Grande 
 of a super 
 )ftv and mi 
 
 The con 
 )ur is of th 
 ularly in tl 
 irge, lofty e 
 inhere it is 
 
125 
 
 Ih, menhantabk spruce, and white pine particularly on the high spots on 
 ch side of the stream which I crossed. I also fame across some detached 
 
 l-ks 0)1 this line, but they are of very little consequence as they are few in 
 imber, scattered, and take up only a very small area of land. 
 
 As I approached the G-rande Decharge with the line, I crossed certain 
 jaots, which were wooded with nothing but .-edar of a large size, but too 
 fooked to be valuable. 
 
 The island of Alma is one of the finest parts of the County of Chicou- 
 rai ; it is in general low and thickly wooded with large and lofty mixed 
 mber, the soil in general being a rich loam with a slight mixture of 
 ay. It is my firm opinion that there are not two hundred acres of waste 
 
 f my survey into nd on this island. Yet with all the.se advantages it will not be inhabited 
 
 T, few in numbei " ' ' ' "" ' 
 
 all respects free 
 
 will now make 
 ity of the soil an 
 e Sajjuenay. 
 
 ihipsofTachi'an 
 i I have alread 
 ress number onei 
 r streams whic 
 e surface and fo 
 I do not think 
 
 ie banks of the 
 ar which the soil 
 vamps, with the 
 
 au Brochet, the 
 ber and the soil 
 
 abundant some 
 
 r sonic years on account of the difficulty of the communications by the 
 rande Decharge. which is difficult and toilsome, particularly when the 
 ater is high, as is generally the case after a couple of days' rain. 
 
 As for the topography of the interior of the township of Delisle, it does 
 3t differ much from that on the main line. 
 
 i general a more 
 le exception of a 
 ng but cypress 
 
 ip of Delisle is 
 nd, being com' 
 may be termed 
 est angle of the 
 tation save on a 
 I white piue ol 
 
 The country on each side of the line dividing ranges A and one has a 
 )lling surface, except in the vicinity of the Grande Decharge, where there 
 re a few rocks. The country slopes irregularly towards the south west, 
 he soil is composd of loan, and the timber consists of black and white 
 irch, spruce, and fir, all large and lofty. When I surveyed this part of the 
 )wnship, scattered white pines wrre yet to be seen, but they have since 
 eeii n-niovcd by lumberers. 
 
 The country traversed by the line dividing ranges one and two from 
 umber one to number fourteen does not differ from that latterly described ; 
 is uneven Irom number one to number fourteen. The neighborhood of 
 16 Grande Decharge explains this unevenness of the surface, but the soil 
 of a superior quality and suitable for agriculture. The timber is large, 
 )ftv and mixed. 
 
 r the township 
 imposed of fine 
 ick and white 
 1 covered with 
 
 The country crossed by the lines of ranges two and three and three and 
 )urisof the same description. The surface is generally uneven, parti- 
 ularly in the vicinity of river Mistook and river a la Pipe. The timber is 
 jrge, lofty and mixed. The soil is loam except at the bottom of gullies 
 ^here it is blue clay. The western part of ranges one and two from 
 3t number thirty-three to forty-nine crosses a country well suited for agri- 
 
126 
 
 I) m 
 
 cultural pnrpo..s. Many whit*^ pines of -ood quality an. to be s.en ni 
 both sides oC the line and the soil does not difl'er from that already describe! 
 
 The immediate borders of the north bank of the Grande I )6charcre .J 
 high and ro.ky from number one to number ten. Briefly, the banks' var 
 m height from number one (o forty-nine ; in some parts the appear nice i 
 poor, but It changes and is of a better quality at some distance to the noJ 
 of the bank. "" 
 
 The small islands, with the exception of number one and number oi.l, 
 furnish Hue tracts of land and are generally low and wooded with bL 
 and white birch, lir, spruce and brushwood ; the pine still remaining is 
 inferior quality. The best mode of disposing of these islands wouhUe 
 ee 1 one or two to applicant., island number one. the largest of the sma 
 islands, IS thickly timbered with cypres.s, spruce, fir and red line. bS 
 enough good white pine to make a thousand or more logs. The banks ! 
 generally rocky and high. The island itself is of very uneven surfa,.; , 
 It IS very seldom that it is acressible. Island number eight is utterly worth 
 less being composed of a poor sandy soil. The island in the south chanue 
 or La lelne Decharge .U the head of the .slide is partly oultivatod b: 
 Damase Loulanger, slide-keeper; one half of the island is rocky and was. 
 and. The said Damase Bouianger c-laims as squatter about two lots 
 land on each side of the prolongation of the line between Ihe townships o 
 feignai and Labarre. upon which he has raised a good crop of barley m 
 and hay ; the climate after this test can be called favorable for a-rri.-ul'tu. 
 
 id the pi 
 lould be 
 
 There 
 id Mistoc 
 
 The sc 
 |o pine rei 
 
 The ar 
 
 I have 
 Bilges 5, 6 
 your ins 
 
 Distant 
 
 utlet also c 
 
 ntral and 
 
 Both the Petite and the Grande Decharge offer a great advantage t, T'" 
 ers by the quantity offish of different species which abound in thei, °^ ^" 
 
 ecttl 
 
 watei^, such as ,>ike. ouananiche and iMckerei;';S^;^;;;;';,;;;;i;'2rIv ab!!;! 
 the island on the b - \'rs of Lake St. John. 
 
 (Edmond Duherger, 2!)th Ai)ril 1861). 
 
 The ce 
 UTveyed ar 
 
 The soil of this township is composed of strong yellow mould, with 
 clay sub-soil, which forms first quality land. There is a spruce grove alous The nor 
 t^he centre line, at the d.pth of ranges four and five, on a part of range si r remainde 
 and on the line of range six. This spruce grove stretche. over a dozen lot. oil, mor e 
 llT^\ «^ven, which are swampy. The remainder of the ground is ver, without any 
 good and altogether free of rocks. No ash could be found to make bound.ri. :ariety of ti^ 
 
 The firs 
 hough very 
 herry and c 
 s wood lan( 
 
 The sec 
 unit tract 
 resent. 
 
 lii^ii 
 
127 
 
 airtauyaes(ribe»iould be boundaries, according to instructions, 
 inde Decharge ai 
 , the banks vari 
 :be appeariiiioe ._ 
 
 The soil is wooded with balsam, white birch, spruce, &c., but there is 
 Id pine remaining. 
 
 There are some very heavy gallies along rivers aux Harts, des Chicots 
 id Mislock. The rest of the land is very level. 
 
 ance to tho nortll 
 
 ind number oicrli 
 ooded with blac 
 11 remainiuir jso 
 mds would be d 
 rgest of the sma 
 red pine, besidei 
 The })anks an 
 even surface an 
 is utterly worth 
 he south chaniie 
 ly cultivated b 
 rocky and wast 
 bout two lotso 
 I ho townships 
 ;■) of barley, pea 
 for agricultun 
 
 The area of the ground surveyed is 17,600 acres. 
 
 {William Tremhlny, 1886.) 
 
 Township of Demeules. 
 
 I have the honor to submit the following report on the topography of 
 anges 5, 6 and 7 of the township of Demeules, which I surveyed accordi no- 
 your instructions. ° 
 
 Distant four miles only from the parish church of St Felicien. with an 
 utlet also on two summer roads, these three ranges form one of the most 
 ntral and advantageous localities. 
 
 The central part, however, which includes about one-third ot the 
 at advanticre tfT^""^ "^^' '" ^^"'''* ''''^* *''''" ^S"«"^tural purposes, being stonv and 
 
 \ 1 ■ !w^^y- 
 
 ibound in thei 
 irticularly abou 
 
 ■Vpril 1801). 
 
 The first part, shown on the plan, is not what might be called hilly 
 lough very irregular, with a full-growth of small cypress, red birch wild^ 
 herry and other stunted shrubs. At the best, it could only be classed 
 Is wood land. 
 
 The second part, shown on the plan as a subdivision of the first, is a 
 luint tract of land, unfit for colonization and valueless, at least for the 
 
 , , . , irt'sent. 
 ' mould, with 
 
 ice grove alouj The north-east, north-west and south-east parts, being the two-thirds 
 irt of range 811 r remainder of the area surveyed, are o'' % superior and rich clay 
 i-er a dozen lots oil. more especially the north-west portion vv.ich is also very level and 
 ground IS ver] nthout any obstructions to colonization, besides being covered with a 
 lake bounduries rariety of timber. 
 
 I 
 
I- 
 
 128 
 
 White spruce is abundant and can be converted into merchantabll uf 
 timber. Cypress is large and plentiful and can also be advantageously usedl^ "* 
 
 To sum up, the two-thirds Oi the land surveyed are of good quality an 
 fit for colonization purposes, while the remainder is not. 
 
 (6?. B. du Tremblay, October 12th, 1885.) 
 
 Township of DeQuen. 
 
 lar, red \ 
 
 Abo 
 inside th 
 removed 
 ranger in 
 
 This 
 the river 
 
 I am happy to inform you that this township of about 100 square 
 
 miles is as a whole adapted to cultivation, wooded with fine timber, 
 saleable as farm lots. 
 
 and 
 
 by severs 
 The part of the township of DeQuen which I surveyed, in rear chouan ri 
 of the fourth range, between lake Bonchette and the Metabetchouan riverland they 
 has a superficies of 3o,879 acres. '| 
 
 The { 
 Hfteeiith 
 speak fav( 
 
 T> A T> 1 i-i This 1 
 
 Kanges A, Ji and C, a part ol' the fifth range in the valley of the Meta^ Lake St J 
 betchouan river and a portion of ranges eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, before lonj 
 thirteen and I'ourteeu, as indicated in yellow on the plan, are extensiv( 
 tracts of first class strong clay soil, without any hurtful obstruction what 
 ever. There are no rocks, hills or mountains. 
 
 The residue of the township, shown in red on the plan, is generally 
 composed of rocky yellow loam, frequently broken by irregularities or small 
 rock ledges ; but these only occupy a small space. Nevertheless, I can 
 
 recommend this part as sufficiently good to be sold advantageously and to the final 
 
 without loss. 
 
 A third part, comprising about a twenty-fifth of the survey, being cut 
 up by a succession*, mountains and steep, bare rocks, is consequently 
 unfit for tillage, as the whole appears in detail on the plan. 
 
 I have 
 
 md thirtee 
 
 This township is covered with fine growing timber of all kinds. Then apograph 
 
 are, however, three brules, which figure on the plan in all their proportions r 
 
 There is a considerable quantity of large merchantable white spruce in th( . ^™ f 
 
 two valleys of arable land indicated in yellow. I also noticed the presence ^^=^**^^^ 
 
 of all the Saguenay woods, which only grow on the best lands. "^ 
 
 The second class of land, represented m red, is wooded with the follow '^^^ ^^^ 
 
 ing timber in the order of their abundance : balsam, white spruce, tamarr ' ^*^"^^«^^y 
 
 These 
 luperficies ( 
 imounts to 
 
129 
 
 llge'ou8l7m^^^ '".^-''u *"''""• r.^' ^'^^'o^^^-^ alder. mountai7^8h~bl^ 
 
 ^ J ^'ll'rruce rod ash, swamp a«h, black ash. yellow birch, cherry, Canada pop. 
 good quality an Jlar, red pine, cypress, soft maple, black willow and aspen. 
 
 About 10.000 spruce lugs were cut this winter (1885-86) by jobbers 
 ber 12th, 1885.) Iinside the outlines of the township, and as much more seems to have been 
 ^removed in previous years. As these lands are not under license, the wood 
 Iranger in charge ol the division must have informed you of the fact. 
 
 This township i« watered by the river Metabetchouan, the river Noire. 
 
 the nver a Prudent the Noisy river, (Qui n^ne du train), lake St. Paul, and 
 
 Iby several splendid brooks. There are several mill sites on the Metabet- 
 
 khouan river. The lakes generally abound in fish. Their waters are Dure 
 
 nd thev occunv n tnt'A] «,^,.^.R„;,.,. .r «,►, „ , cii waters are pure 
 
 irveyed, in rear 
 
 , ,', . ■■ , . — •"" o°-.c.oi,y auouna m nsn. Their waters arp n 
 
 .betchouau nv.,,l,„d they oocupy a total s»perflci» of 917 acres, 8 roods and 38 perches 
 
 bout 100 sqJfti'hXe"! w''en''r';r''»r"'*' "'""""^ "' "" "^P* of '»« 
 Bueti„.ber'a„< sptk favoZy of th! iL'te "'"^" ™ '"' """^^ of lake Bouchette, 
 
 "ey of the Me,. uJ^'x. :^'^:T:^]^r:^r ti ""*,' ™"»^ »' 
 ;;r;sr° '- -- "^ » --- of set.,,er.;r ar.;t: x-Lta^- -"■ 
 
 )struction what 
 
 an, is generally 
 ilarities or small 
 ertheless, I can 
 antageously aiii 
 
 {Geo. B. DuTremblay, 26th June, 1886.) 
 
 I have the honor to present the following report as an accompaniment 
 
 to the final reportof the survey of the ranges eight, nine, ten. eleven twTe 
 |nd tnirteen of the township of DeQuen. 
 
 irvey, being J These six ranges are the finest of the township and represent a total 
 . consequent, ll^^^^^^ 
 
 all kinds. ThenfropofjRAPHY and soil 
 
 leir proportions 
 
 te spruce in 
 
 :ed the 
 
 ads 
 
 th. ,f 
 P^'^se^c' imber 
 
 vith the follow 
 ipruce, tamarac 
 
 I am happy to inform you that this part of the township is composed 
 vegetable sou well suited to tillage and wooded with ail the khidsof 
 •er that grow in the Saguenay region. 
 
 The greater part of ranges eight, nine. ten. eleven, twelve and thirteen 
 s generally composed of strong loam or other fertile vegetable soils TWe 
 
Il'^ 
 
 130 
 
 are a few rocks in some places ; but there are no mountains or any other 
 obstruction. Tne ground is level or rolling. 
 
 The rest of the subdivided ground is rocky, with a .generally poor soil 
 composed of yellow mould mixed with sand or gray mould. This part is 
 somewhat obstructed by small rock ledges. The mountains are few and 
 small. I recommend, however, this last part as capable of being advan- 
 tageously sold to settlers. ^ 
 
 A third part, comprising about one sixteenth of the surveyed area is 
 broken by steep and barren rocks, and seems unfit for tillage. 
 
 FOREST AND WATER COURSES. 
 
 All this tract is wooded with a rich growth of timber. I noticed some 
 hue white spruce groves, which might supply several lumbering establish- 
 ments during several winters, especially along the river a Prudent and 
 the Metabetchouan river, where jobbers cut about 10,000 logs last winter 
 although the land was not under license. 
 
 I found two brm,, which, like all the other topographical details 
 appear on my plan. ' 
 
 The forest fires which rage from season to season cause more destruc- 
 tion and do more damage to the Saguenay country than does the lumberia^. 
 iHfiustry. The frequency of these fires has also for injurious result to des^ 
 troy the organic matter in the soil. 
 
 This part of the township of DeQuen is watered by the river a Pru- 
 dent, the river Qm ni^e du train, by lakes k la Passe, aux Rats, au Portac^e 
 L! r"' ^ ."r"'^'' "'' Cariboux. Ung and St. Paul and by several 
 rY™ W. "" '* """ '"""'"^- The banks of these lakes and 
 
 b« r.^n'''/^'' ^'^"i^" "'' °^'''^ for sale, it seems clear that they will 
 be readily taken up by settlers, the qualities of the soil and forest as we 
 as the position on the line of railway, assuring this result. 
 
 [Geo.-B. du Tremblay, 7th August, 1886 ] 
 
or any other 
 
 181 
 
 Township of Dolbeau. 
 
 ThH following remarks apply to the resurvey of Point P6ribonka that 
 IS, the latter part comprised between station 51 and station 79. 
 
 The banks of the river ar. everywhere low and consist exclusively of 
 strong loam. They are covered with spruce, fir, elm, ash. aspen, black Ld 
 white birch. &c. Not a single rock is seen, and the ground whi h is flat 
 and level, is of great value for agricultural purposes. 
 
 The forest is splendid. In the last mentioned part of my survev I 
 specially noticed a great quantity of spruce, suitable for logs also some 
 pine. I saw no mountains. 
 
 The following remarks apply to the scaling of the Mistassini river 
 which IS included between the centre line and the township of Racine. 
 
 Its banks, generally low except opposite the Grosse Isle, consist of 
 strong loam. The finest forest covers both shores. I saw a great quantity 
 of white pme on the right bank, and one spot, near the centre line is Hte^ 
 rally covered with the same, ' 
 
 Spruce is found everywhere, but not in great abundance. 
 
 This place, though not quite as good as the township of Dalmas is 
 very well adapted for colonization. ' 
 
 Neither rocks nor mountains are to be seen. 
 
 The following notes apply to the resurvey of ranges 2. 3 4 and 5 of 
 the townships of Dalmas and Dolbeau. - <^, 4 and 5 of 
 
 The banks of the rivrer are low and wholly of strong loam There 
 IS not a single rock, so that, considering the fertility of the soil, this river 
 may be said to traverse one of the finest regions in the world. 
 
 The forest is fine and abundant and composed of elm, ash, Canadian 
 aspen, poplar, currant-bushes, large black birch, white birch, &c., &c. 
 
 Altogether this is a very picturesque place, and farm lots are greatly in 
 demand at the present time. .^ 
 
 {G. B. du Iremhlay, May 2nd, 1888). 
 
<li 
 
 182 
 
 Township of Dufferln. 
 
 The land opened up by the rear line is of good quality, generally 
 level and »he soil composed of a stitr<aay covered here and there by yellow 
 mould. It is also equally good in the r)th, 6th and 7th ranges, to the north 
 west of the.entral lin(>. The growth of timber, both hard and sott, in 
 those ranges, is from 25 to ;]0 years old. The old trunks of trees found in 
 different pluces prove that all these lands were originally richly wooded in 
 hard and .soft timber of largo dimensions, the same us on the lands traversed 
 by the lines drawn on the opposite side of the central line, where the fires 
 have not reached. 
 
 Wild fruit trees are found every where, such as ch(irry, currant and 
 wine. Koads could be opened through all the ranges profitably. 
 
 I would here suggest the immediate opening of a road on the central 
 line, starting from the River Charaouchouaa to the rear line, to facilitate 
 the .settlement of these ranges; a large number of settlers from here and 
 elsewhere are waiting the opening of the road to settle there ; its opening, 
 with the addition of a road along the front of the township, would allow 
 more than 300 families to settle immediately. They could locate themselves 
 on lot.s, the soil of which is the richest that can be found, level, free from 
 rocks, travensed in all directions by streams, and enjoying- a climate 
 .superior to that of any locality near Lake St. John. 
 
 Lake " Witouche " abounds in fish, such as tht " Witouche," white 
 fish and delicious trout. The same remarks apply to the other lakes where 
 trout is more abundant and superior in quality. 
 
 Good mill sites are to be found on that part of the river " au Dor6 " 
 which intersects the reserve. 
 
 Throughout the whole course of my survey, I found the land through 
 which I have run lines to be excellent, being every where a good stitt 
 mould often overlying a layer of rich yellow mould over clay, and in some 
 places a. layer of coarse sand over clay. Every where the land is level and 
 free from rocks. 
 
 I consider this township to be superior to all the others in this terri- 
 tory, as regards soil and climate. The lands are covered with hard and soft 
 wood of good growth, birch, elm, ash, poplar, spruce, fir and some pine, 
 wherever the fire has not passed. Part of the 4th range, between Dameules' 
 
urrant and 
 
 188 
 
 latter range, ,„ the viciaily of the Domeules line aadlo .,?„-! * 
 
 tr.,^<. h, the ,i,.e of the 3ra range, fro. the'^ tnlr J^r^e 
 
 As I have alroitdy stated, the 
 
 later in the autumn 
 
 climate ofthetownshi 
 near 
 
 1^!^^^'.:!!!'^}-^^^:^-^ 
 
 frosts occurring 
 
 lo^h, p,ke, and perch. The trout especially i, of eiperio; q^a tv t^inH""; 
 
 well adapted for cultivation. ^' *"^ ^' '*'"® ''^^V 
 
 eleventh rX,tr:Xt\l1"|^" """"^ ^« ^ '^" '■-' "^ ««> 
 
 (Gf^rf^o« G«g-«o«. 25th March and 17th Jnly, 1879.) 
 
 Township of Perland 
 
 Thepart of the township of Ferland whirh T c„k^- i j • . „ 
 ^.. ha. .otal snperheie, oL.m acrt' ^IZ^'^t ^JZ 
 01 Ha ! Ha ! Bay, at a distance of six miles from the vilI«L .f ,± ^ ^ 
 and at an elevation of about 500 feet over Zl^ ifnT' Haf a.t ^^'^ 
 
 Geologically speaking, the land in the township o( Ferland h». ™„„l, 
 
 especially along the St Urbain road ThZ . "'' ''''* "^'^^ 
 
11 
 
 184 
 
 The soil, gonorally, is a heavy yellow loam, of oxcollent quality and 
 Hometimei mixed with yellow and gray sand. As far as I could judge, the 
 subsoil is generally sandy on the heights and clayey in the river valleys. 
 
 The ranges east and west of the bras Harael will be the first settled as 
 they are the most favorable. At the time of the survey, trom 40 to 50 lots 
 had already been marked out by proprietors at Grande Bay and St. Alphonse. 
 As these demarkations were only the beginnings of clearings, in some ins- 
 tances, or consisted merely of posts or blazed trees in others, and as to make 
 an exact report, it would have been necessary to fraction the lots, I deemed 
 it advisable not to pay any attention to them and this, with the consent of 
 the proprietors, whom I advised to wait and purchase regular lots ao soon 
 as they were offered for sale. 
 
 An old lumbering road follows the bras Hamel ; but it has become 
 much deteriorated by time. Nevertheless it furnishes a good commencement 
 for a road which the Government might complete for a relatively trifling 
 sum. This road would connect with the St. Urbain road at about 20 chains 
 from the township of Bagot. 
 
 At St Alphonse and Grande Baie there is a marked movement in favor 
 of settlinii both sides of the bras Hamel, but the settlers are waiting until 
 the Government comes to their aid in opening their road. 
 
 All the southern part of the township of Ferland, from the northern 
 line of Boileau to lot No. 41, is wooded with fine growing timber, sound 
 and remarkably long and straight. An inspection alone of this splendid 
 forest gives unmistakeable evidence of the fruitfulness of the soil The 
 prevailiiiif species are bouleau, aspen, balsam, cypress, birch and ash near 
 the rivers, The trees generally measure from 10 to 30 inches in diameter. 
 From lot 40 to the south east line of Bagot, the bush has been burnt over 
 about twenty years ago; the now growth is composed of boulf i nfpaa, 
 cypress, cherry, willow. &c. 
 
 The firm of Price, Bros. & Co. cut off and removed all the merchantable 
 timber from this ground some years ago ; but the young growth can still 
 furnish a quantity such as aspen, bouleau and spruce, and the manufacture 
 of t'i.is timber would .materially help the settlers. 
 
 Mr. Joseph Piloted >■ oji hi. farm on the St. Urbain road a tenant 
 named Francois Gau*-::: -t v/ho has erected a steam saw mill to cut the 
 bouleau into spool wood. This mill has been in operation for the last two 
 
18S 
 
 yoars, and Mr. Oanthior is doing a lar^o bus.ness. Mr. Oilbert Lavoie ia to 
 oonsfruct. ,n the course of tho summnr, another «aw mill on oTo tLe 
 splendid water powers of the hras Humel. 
 
 (AVa. Boivm, 11th May, 1887.) 
 
 Township of Jonqul^res. 
 
 The prevailing characteristics of this region are generally of a favorable 
 
 '. . royed by new and old fires, viz: in rear of the lots between number 
 thirteen and number eighteen, in the eighth range and from the southwe 
 bank ol Riviere-aux-Sables a «o in the eighth range, to the vicinity of the 
 lakes. 1 he remainder of the land crossed by the range linei« good L every 
 
 The timber consists of white birch, white spruce, li.. with some 
 tamarac and brush-wood. There are a few maples, but for. some unknown 
 reason they are sapless and dried up. All through Saguenay and Ohicou- 
 timi, the maples are affected in like manner. 
 
 The soil consists of an excellent yellow loam with a ric=h grey sand on 
 the level parts of the valep as well as in the neighborhood of streams^ 
 whose banks are lin.d with alders. «"c«iu8, 
 
 The land i« rich clayey or marly and very well adapted to farming 
 purposes^ Ihe region crossed by the division line, between the eighth and 
 the north ranges, is .Generally hilly, but the soil and timber are as good as 
 the atbove. These r-marks can also be applied to the south east side of 
 he river which offers all the advantages capable of rewarding the arduous 
 lahcrs of a courageous settler. aiiiauua 
 
 If we canjudgv from the great numbers of lumbering roads and the 
 prodigious quantitu. of pine stumps, this region must formerly have been 
 V y nch m pine^ However, considering the large quantity of inferior pine 
 « 111 remaining, the inhabitants from afar or near, who possess .MrZZl 
 oi .ourage and patience, will still be able to procure some, bv goinrfrom 
 one old lumber shanry to the other, which would be of greai alist!ncoTo 
 those whose means are limited. 3i«iauco lo 
 
 \j^umuna A. DuUKi^er, 1865). 
 
»' 
 
 186 
 
 Towns -lips ofLabarre and Kenoffami. 
 
 I have the honor to transmit you my report of the survey of the arable 
 part of the residue of the township of Labarre, as well as of the subdivision 
 of a part of the ranges north and south of the township of Kenogami, 
 executed in compliance with your instructions of September 2nd, 1871. 
 
 At fifty chains from the first mile of the seventh range, the land, which 
 in that part is of good agricultural quality, suddenly changes and preP.mts 
 nothing but denuded and barren rocks, the fire which has ravaged the 
 whole of this region having, at the same time, destroyed all power of voge- 
 tation. The desert created by those conflagrations allows the eye to take 
 in several miles presenting everywhere the same ai)pearance of sterility. 
 Convinced that to pursue explorations any further would be a useless out- 
 lay for your department, the land being unfit for settlement in this direc- 
 tion, I stopped work there, and continued the survey of the line run 
 between lots eighteen and nineteen during the oriHuiil survey. 
 
 Except I he three-quarters of the eighth range and some small strips of 
 fertile soil, the central line presents througout nothiiig but land ".n fit for 
 cultivation, and Voken by rocks which the fire has swept of all vegetation. 
 
 Disappointed in the hope of finding, on this side, a gooi space of land 
 sufficient to warrant my survey and the subdivision of the remainder of 
 the tr ship of Labarre, I hastened to terminate the survey of the line 
 between the ranges six and seven as far a.s the interse.-tionof the range line 
 of the Saguenay range, south east of the Qrande Decharge. 
 
 On the Saturday and Monday following, I finished the subdivision of 
 this range, commencing at the centre line and going on as far as the Sao-ue- 
 nay range. * 
 
 Starting from number one of the front line, the land is of good aori- 
 cultural quality, timbered with fir, white birch and spru,e, as far as num- 
 ber seventeen, where it become rocky and very broken and altogether unfit 
 for settlement. At the twenty-fifth lot, it again chan-^r^s. The soil here is 
 of the best quality and covered with a rich vegetatio-., continuing thus as 
 far as the Saguenay range. 
 
 Encouraged by such good land, I pushed on a line of exploration in 
 the direction of the alignments between lots twenty-six and twenty-seven 
 for a mile in depth with the intention of subdividing the arable part on 
 
137 
 
 ey of the arable 
 the subdivision 
 > of Kenoganii, 
 !r 2nd, 1871, 
 
 the land, which 
 •es and prectmts 
 as ravaged the 
 power of voe^e- 
 the eye to take 
 noe of sterility. 
 <e a useless out- 
 t in this d-roc- 
 if the line nin 
 rey. 
 
 small strips of 
 land ".nfit for 
 all vegetation. 
 
 i space of land 
 
 remainder of 
 
 ey of the line 
 
 the range line 
 
 subdivision of 
 ' as the Sague* 
 
 of good agri- 
 as far as uum- 
 together unfit 
 'he soil here is 
 nuing thus as 
 
 exploration in 
 twenty-seven 
 arable part on 
 
 this side, ho-Arever small it might prove ; hot I was not luckier thau before 
 ofZaTre • '" """""' ""^ '""'"^ '•"»«^"'- '" "- '»w„ship 
 
 1 engaged a man to show me some traces c" .he lines between lots 
 bllTef tr°'"'°"T.™"'^' "f Kenogami, which was tob my 
 the towLt; "'"'• """'• ' ""' "'"'"' '» """-'"^^ - ">- P-' ol 
 
 In this tract the soil totally devoid of vpcr«f«ii^» ; 
 
 the fir.s which have alternately ravlged tL w I ih. ' ^f'^''"™™ °' 
 ,..,„.*• u J ,, ^ lavageu tnis part ot the country, is rocky, 
 
 toZan "°" """' "'«•""' '■"'■■"'"« '"■">■ •»" -Wch ar^ 
 
 I scabd lake Kenogami and ran a perpendicular of about one 
 hundred a:. d seventy chains and forty link., calculated for d.ff.renl of 
 awnc'e and departure. Having only s al.d the Kenogami road which 
 follows the banks of the lakp an/1 fat^« i ^.^ ■ wnicn 
 
 oualitv of H.« In,;^ 7' . '' ^'«n«'*lerable time which the bad 
 
 quahty ot tue land was tar from jnstifving, I subdivMed the lots by 
 following the banks of the lake, placing only a single post to corre Lnl 
 I with those put down at the doiiik «f»ir„ .u n'l i" torrespona 
 
 Z • ■ P^i, t "''" "" "*" ""» ' day, making at one, a oartiai 
 
 ubdiv-ision of the lots to numbers sixteen and seventeen, where I rin a 
 
 irial-hne as lar as he intersection with th. old line of the road at thi-tvsix 
 
 chains and thirty hnks from the banks of the lake. Th. laiui Ion: th s 
 
 ine hns no agricultural value whatever and i» totally stripped o grow n' 
 
 hutMi.;Tthe"",''b ^"' '""''^'' ^■""™ -1 -«"'-"• -^- he 
 humidity d the soil has protected it against the ravages of the bush- 
 
 then nwed^'tr""' t" '°''' "' ""' '»'"'"" ''''°™ '"dicated, and 
 then moved camp three miles more to the east, to lot imrabor thirty-seven. 
 
 1 succeeded in clearing up a trial-line run in the o,i,r.„al survev 
 which I measured for fifty chains and four links as far as the pr eut Ke. ol 
 
 oXrandTtheT.''' '"r" '""^'°" '-'' »»<• "'^ ^'^"^^^ ^^d 
 I on the laud at the distance above mentioned. 
 
138 
 
 I continued scaling the lake, as far as the crossing of the trial-lJneBfj 
 between lots thirty-four and thirty-tive, which I found to correspond exactlvl/ ^ 'i' 
 with one another. J-Bttenrtea 
 
 ■fty two, 
 I ran, moreover, on that day a; front line on the banks of the lake irmho are i 
 order to ascertain the width and extent of the land cleared. I divided thMj 'h'' ^^ 
 lots thirty-two, thirty three and thirty-four, assigning to each of them linelffei"* for 
 posts. Hiey <'an 
 
 !ast, as ri 
 
 In fa( 
 
 low desc 
 
 fgood q 
 
 ioneers v 
 
 ' settle] 
 
 If the 
 ;ct, conce 
 orth rang 
 ami will 
 ossessing 
 'an older 
 
 In all this part, excepting lots Ihirty-two, thirty-three and thirty-four, 
 which ar<' taken up, the farms have no value of any kind, being moreover 
 stripped of timber in consequence of the fires and the lumberers. 
 
 I completed the survey and subdivision of this part of the south range, 
 as far as the .Tonquieres' line, running temporary lines between lots thirty 
 eight and thirty-nine, forty-four and forjy-five, fifty ond fifty-one. All the 
 farms are taken up and partly occupied in this part of the township 
 from lot number thirty-two inchisively to the Jonquieres' line. Thou4 
 they are not exceedingly fertile, yet the settlors, who have made some 
 clearings, are snfliciently rewarded for their labor, thanks to the mildness 
 of the climate, which protects their harvests, even late in the season, against 
 the disastrous effects of the autumn frosts, so injurious every where else. 
 
 I had dismissed my men when your letter, dated January 6th, instructed 
 me to survey the present Kenogami road. 
 
 The road runs through fairly level laud, but the soil, on either side, 
 is worth nothing for agricultural purposes. The eye rests only on barren 
 rocks, interrupted here and there by narrow spaces, where the land seems 
 good enough, though alternately sandy and swampy. Except the lots 
 thirty-one, thirty-two, thirty-three and thirty-four, which are taken upan(lB™"'8' "i 
 upon which some clearings have been commenced above the river Kaskauial ^ i.^^„ 
 which crosses them diagonally, I do not think that the north or south range 
 offers any inducements to settlement in this part of the township Keno 
 garni; but, going east, from the said point, as far as the outline of Jon 
 quieres, the lots are partly taken up and clearings have been commeucedL^ 
 on some oi them. Consequently, I surveyed and divided them in compliancejien'souffh 
 with your instructions. 
 
 As can be seen from the statement annexed to the present report, or 
 from my field-notes, all or most of the lots, in this last part of the iiortli 
 range as well as in the corresponding part of the south range, are taken up,| 
 but, up to the present, none are o^'cupied, except numbers thirty-eight and 
 
 In the 
 the resid 
 
 lips is fit i 
 t general 
 •ey or blac 
 id its first 
 
 There a 
 da id from 
 
 The riv 
 d marley i 
 ith wiVI h 
 
189 
 
 ^rLlpLT:^^^^ -^-h — as a mission and is 
 
 p Q exactly|tt„,aed by the parish priest of Riviere-aux-Sables, is built on lot number 
 
 |fty two, property belonging to the Fahrique of St. Cyriac. Th(^ inhabitants 
 :s of the lake ini^ho are now nearly all located on the bank of the lake and retained there 
 I. I divided theiy 'h<^ beauty of the site and climate, as well as by the great advantaffes it 
 sach of them line|ff'ers for fishing, must certainly, ere long, move nearer to th^ road where 
 W <an have^ better facilities for communication and as much, to'say the 
 ■apt, as regards the clima+e and the fertility of the soil. 
 
 Ill fact the clearings, already commenced along the part of the road 
 
 ,ow descrilK^d snow that the land is level and well-wooded, and the soil 
 
 fgood quality. Judging from the crops, already obtained by the hardv 
 
 ioneers who have tried their fortunes here, I have reason to believe that 
 
 '.settlcis would ^oon find suitable compensation for their labors. 
 
 and thirty-four, 
 
 being moreover 
 
 berers. 
 
 f the south range, 
 ween, lots thirty 
 fty-one. All the 
 of the township 
 es' line. Thoagh 
 ave made some 
 to the mildness 
 le season, against 
 very where else. 
 
 ry 6th, instructed 
 
 1, on either side, 
 3 only on barren 
 e the land seems 
 Except the lots 
 are taken up and 
 e river Kaskauia 
 th or south range 
 township Keno 
 e outline of Jou' 
 ■eeu coram eucedi 
 sm in complianci 
 
 resent report, oil 
 >art of the aortlij 
 ge, are taken up,| 
 thirty-eight andj 
 
 If the information received from parties who should be reliable is cor- 
 ,ct concerning a certain tract of land situate in rear of this part of the 
 orth range, I am sure that, ere long, this part of the township of Keno- 
 ami will be invaded by a number of settlers, sufficient to form a parish 
 "loiZ datT"^ '^'"''"*' ^^ prosperity as a great many other parishes 
 
 {J.-C. Demeules, 15th April, 1872.) 
 
 In the township of Kenogami. I subdivided the first five ranges and 
 the residue of Ihe township of Labarre, I subdivided the last four ranges 
 Irming in all a superficies of 45.000 acres. fauces, 
 
 A large proportion of the land which 1 surveyed in these two town- 
 P« IS ht or cultivatinu and advantageous, for colonization. The soiMs 
 
 bt generally composed of alluvion. It is rather a mixture of yellow and 
 ey or black earth, often mixed with sand. Such land is sufficiently fertUe 
 
 bd us first preparation for cultivation is not costly, on which account i S 
 
 ften sought for by settlers. 
 
 There are however, some fine alluvial lauds on each side of the river 
 sdaid from the seventh to the tenth range inclusive. 
 
 The river Dorval also runs in great part through a fine valley of clayey 
 |d^rley^l, traversing some remarkably beautiful meador^ 
 
140 
 
 
 
 IN THE TOWNSHIP LABABBE. 
 
 The 8th range from lot 17 to lot 21, inclusive. 
 " 9 " •' " 14 " 21 " 
 
 " 10 " " " 17 " "21 '« 
 
 IN THE TOWNSHIP KENOGAMI. 
 
 The 1st range from lot 12 to lot 33, inclusive. 
 
 Range A " " 41 " 45 " 
 
 Double range " " 24 " 43 " 
 
 4th range " " 29 " 33 " 
 
 During 
 
 ig the li: 
 
 Itrong loi 
 
 je parts ^ 
 
 Ifor culti^ 
 
 SOl't W0( 
 
 ICO, whii 
 
 The cha 
 
 livation t 
 
 the sho 
 
 All this land is rocky and generally cut iip by ravines, and is more 
 less worth clearing. The remaining lots are all susceptible of being adv 
 tageously cultivated. 
 
 It is to be regretted that the (ires which too often occur in the Sagueii 
 region have destroyed a very large proportion of the timber which fonnei 
 enriched these lands. The birch, spruce and white pine which were 
 plentiful in this country are replaced by a new growth of white birch ai 
 poplar springing up among innumerable blackened and desolate-looki 
 trunks of the former growth. 
 
 The middle part of the first range and part of the third, fourth and hf- . , 
 
 ranges have escaped the fires, and nature there app ws in all its richne ," 
 and beauty. Wt^-'s. 
 
 With a view to encouraging the colonization of this territory, it wou 
 be necessary to make the proposed road from Jonquieres to the slides aca 
 these two townships. The opening of this new m?ans of communicatii 
 connecting the settlements of the upper Saguenay with those of Chicouti 
 would be a great advantage to the colonization of this section. 
 
 The soil 
 driver Sail 
 
 e north 
 hi'se two 
 
 Along tl 
 guerite ii 
 1 ranges, 
 from the 
 ral places 
 B I ran, th 
 
 Colonizal 
 
 I will he: 
 ipened fro 
 'ortage (I 
 ements b) 
 ntaare to s 
 
 Several settlers have made here some small attempts at cultivatiJ 
 Others have made more considerable improvements and sown grain Thl 
 appear satisfied with their success and speak highly of the climate. 
 
 I laid out a double range between the seventh and eighth ranges i 
 Labarre and between the second and third ranges of Kenogami for the 
 venience of the roads proposed in the interest of the settlers. 
 
 (G. B. DuTremblay, 26th June, 1881. 
 
 [The climy 
 only late 
 
 I All the lai 
 
 I The most 
 kite St. De 
 
 |(jood mill 
 
141 
 
 li June. 1881.) 
 
 Townships of Labrosse and Albert. 
 
 Daring the whole conrse of my expbratbus, I ttotieed that the land 
 g the h„es I ran, ,. ol good quality, consisting in certain placesif S 
 rong loam and ■„ others of rich yellow monld. There are neverthXss 
 e p»r whor, the land is rocky ; bnt, generally speaking, the who e s 
 For oultrvafon and su.tab le for settlements. The timber c;„sists of hard 
 soltwood, such as black and white birch, ash, elm, white and red 
 ce, white and red pine, fir, &c. ana red 
 
 The chain of the .Saguenay capes i., in great part rocky and unHt for 
 
 ''tThroft'ri;'""'"-" "'''"' '■™» »- ™"^ '0 H«een"til: 
 
 The soil is mostly all level and of good strong loam on either side „t 
 •iver Sainte Marguerite, from the centre line, in the township of llbert 
 le north west line of the township of Labrosse, for a distance vay^.; 
 Ii.'se two ranges from two miles to fifteen chains in depth. 
 
 Along the portage between the river Saguenay and the river Saii-te 
 ;uerite intersected by the front lines of the second, third, fourth and 
 
 ranges, there are several mountains crossing on each side of^Ii. l 
 irom the Saguenay to the river Ste. Marguerite w^hertth'iaL 
 ral places is not fit for cultivation ; but everywkeTe JL 1,, ik" 
 . I ran, the land is quite well adapted for farming purpost 
 ^C'oloni.ation roads could be opened with advantage throughout all the 
 
 J I will here take the liberty to sno-o-u^f fi,..^^ i • 
 
 Ledfr<»„theSaguenay.'^,lo„;T::lty:Srr^m^t"''' 
 fottage (Portage Cove) to river Ste Marguerite „ T TT 
 
 fements by the south side of the latter Thlot'd u u "" "''" 
 
 Uigeto settlers in the township of Albert """"" '^ "' S""" 
 
 "et'tile m ""'''''""■ '^ '"^ '■- -'--""". '-'^ occur. 
 All the lakes of these townships abound with trout. 
 
 prDel™"'"'^™" ""' '"■■ ^ ""-^^ '''-"'-' -»'<• "" at the cove, 
 pood mill sites exist along all the rivers of these townships. 
 
 1. 
 

 142 
 
 The soil is generally fertile iu the township of Labrosse, except in thei 
 parts along the river Ste. Marguerite, which are little fitted for farming 
 purposes, I thought, however, that, for the greater accuracy of my lines, 
 should visit this locality as those barren lands form part of the others. 
 
 I must add that most of my survey, having been made at a season oil 
 the year when the earth is covered with a thick layer of snow, it was uot| 
 always very easy for me to ascertain, in a positive manner, the differenif 
 qualities of the soil. 
 
 {Gideon Gngnoti, 23rd September, 1864.) 
 
 Township of Laterriere. 
 
 In the north east part of the 11th range, the timber has been burnt o 
 in different places and is therefore of little valne. In the north range, the 
 timber is of the same quality and has also been burnt off in some spots Al 
 the land adapted to tillage has been cleared. Lot No. 19 in range U ij 
 rocky at its extremities. Ihe mid-section is good and under cultivation. 
 
 (Loma Gosselin, 3rd August, 1876). 
 
 Township of M6tabetohouan. 
 
 Some settlers, encouraged by the favorable appearance of the laud, 
 commenced clearing ground particularly on lots twenty-eight, twenty-nine, 
 thirty and thirty-one, where some clearings had been previously made in 
 order to sow next season. 
 
 After traversing level land of good quality, wooded with white bircli 
 fir and spruce, for twenty-five chains, the line crosses a small swum 
 running from east to west, meeting at the north-west, a small lake of about 
 ten chains in length, and continuing through rolling ground, as far as forty 
 chains from its starting point. At this point, the soil is of good quality 
 and the land, as well wooded as hereinbefore stated, becomes level and 
 preserves the same aspect to the end of this mile at the intersection of the aces, and 
 line between ranges two and three. pen on the 
 
 Then 
 ell as tl 
 !vel, thoi 
 lould fit 
 id cyprei 
 ine enters 
 [etabiitcli 
 
 Thep 
 
 well as 
 
 luality an 
 
 iferior qv 
 
 uarter on 
 
 The ni 
 jveral yej 
 e river I 
 ifficult ac 
 lought pr 
 he olher s 
 
 From 1 
 
 Hewing I 
 
 slight un 
 
 )le for col< 
 
 Where 
 nsi&ts gen 
 ring, carri 
 any valu( 
 
 At seve 
 terrnpted 
 more obs 
 rule in an 
 lains, sixte( 
 id south cc 
 vered with 
 de which \ 
 
 From tl 
 
148 
 
 ise, except in the 
 itted for farming 
 loy of my lines, 
 f the others. 
 
 de at a season oil 
 snow, it was not) 
 ner, the ditferenif 
 
 imber, 1864.) 
 
 Thence tollowing a direction south 170 3' west, astronomical aa 
 .el as that part of the centre line just described, the land is gene al^ 
 n-e though sometimes slightly undulating. It consists of good y.lbw 
 lould fit for cultivation and timbered with fir. spruce, white Tnd red pi,^ 
 nd cypress, on a space of seventy-three <,hains and fifty link. whJlu 
 ae enters a burnt tv...t (brulis) of old dat. which extends east'a.s far^s he 
 Letiib.itchouan river and beyond it. 
 
 The part of the line, between ranges two and thre., which I surveyed 
 well as the subdivision eastward, consist, of slightly rollino- Und ni!^ 
 .lity and wooded with fir. white birch and Spruce Ild^^f in, 
 >ferior quality; the latter spared when lumbering was carried on n h^ 
 barter only on account of its slight value. 
 
 The middle part of lot twenty also forms part of a burnt tract (ft.Ms) 
 veral years old which extends south and east, along the centre line ^ 
 ,e river Metabetchouan. whose precipitous and rocky banks are of Ih 
 bfficid access, and the course of the river so rapid and so deep that I 
 lought proper to end my survey here, deeming it impossible to rl to 
 18 01 her side even to regularly extend my line. 
 
 From the post situated between lot.s twentyeight and twenty-nine 
 .llowing a course north 72^ 30' west, astronomical the land. / " Ue 
 slight undulations occurring in several places, is nevertheless quite suit! 
 •le for colonization purposes. ^ 
 
 Where bush-fires have not extended, the timber is of fine size and 
 .nsi.ts generally of white birch, fir and spruce. As for the pine tTe lum 
 ;nng, ..arried on on a large scale some years ago. has not span d 01 e trTe 
 any value at presout. ' ^^ 
 
 , . -..., ... Al seven chains and twenty links on the thirtysecond lot. ihe line i, 
 
 noasly made i,|"ru„ted by a small lake measuring a few vods in superH.ies, and mee 
 . n,ore obstacles nnt.l ,t strikes the forty-second lot, where it :rossesTakl 
 rale n. aa ob l.qne direction. The last mentioned lake measures eleven 
 ..us, sixteen Imks m width and about Ih.rtychaius in length, on a nolth 
 .dso-ath course. The banks of this lake seem to be very feriie andTre 
 >vered w.th red and black spruce, white birch and fir. eLpt on AeeZ 
 de which was ravaged by bush fires some years ago. 
 
 From this point, the line follows land slightly rolling in some 
 ersecfon of lb, .ces, and occasionally co-ered with spruce, balsam, white brcha"d 
 pen on the spots where fire had not totally destroyed the trees, and strikes. 
 
 ice of th(i laud, 
 ht. twenty-nine, 
 
 ith white birch 
 a small swiinif 
 ill lake of about 
 d, as far as forty 
 )f good quality, 
 omes level and 
 
144 
 
 If 
 
 the Hue of Metabetchouau and Charlevoix without meeting any other 
 obstacle, at thirteen chains and Kfty links south of post nunaber one, situated 
 on lots two and three of Charlevoix township. 
 
 From post twenty-eight and tweuty-niue, at the intersection of the 
 front line between ranges three and four and the centre line prolonged as 
 aforesaid, the land, near the river, is of good quality over a space of about 
 twenty-six chains. Then it presents nothing but a steep, bare rock, on the 
 west as well as on the east side by which the river is reached at a distance 
 of thirty-eight chains and fifty links. The river's breadth at this point is 
 trigoikometrically, six chains and forty-two links and its smooth current 
 broken only by a small island of one acre in extent, can easily be crossed, 
 on rafts. 
 
 Starting from nurabtr twenty-nine, on a westward course, the land, 
 slightly rolling, is timbered with fir, spruce, white birch and aspen, for 
 nine chains and fifty links, where vegetation was found destroyed by fire ; 
 further on again some good land, but rather rocky and covered with growing 
 timber until burnt tracts were again met, with all traces of vegetation 
 obliterated, especially on the heights. 
 
 Beginning at the thirty-second lot, the laud is generally more level 
 and consists of good vegetable soil. At five chains on the thirty-fifth lot it 
 becomes more rocky and loses all agricultural quality both on account of 
 the rocks and the gullies which cut it in every direction. 
 
 However, at the forty-first lot, the land assumes a more level aspect, 
 and though still very rocky improves as we go on. I assured myself, by 
 an exploration line run here, that, at three or more chains in a southeast 
 direction, the land is of the best quality, quite suitable for agricultural 
 purposes and moreover covered with white birch, fir and spruce of a fine 
 growth. 
 
 From the forty-fifth lot, the land continues through hilly land, which 
 the fire has also ravaged at different periods and which offers few or no 
 attractions to settlement as far as the intersection of the line between Meta- 
 betchouau and Charlevoix which I reached on the fifty-seventh lot, at one 
 chain and fifty links south of a post put down during the original survey 
 and marked range three and N. 
 
 In the section, comprised between the river, in an eastward direction, 
 and the line situated between lots eighteen and seventeen, which guided 
 me in laying out lots perpendicular to the river, the land is of no value 
 
146 
 
 nice of a fine 
 
 whatever. We meet nothing but bare rocks and precipices, and moreover 
 the hre has destroyed all tracy of vegetation. 
 
 Starting from the point where I continued the line, on leavinff the 
 river, and proceeding on an eastward course, the land also presents a very 
 poor appearance, being cut up everywhere again by steep rocks and with 
 all vegetation destroyed by fire. 
 
 At fifty-two chains from the river the land is less rocky, but the fire 
 has also passed here, extending east and west over several miles, so that 
 the soil IS also little adapted to cultivation till we reach a point situated 
 twenty chains west of the sixteenth lot, where it assumes a better appear- 
 ance. At five chains from this point, the front line enters the bush, which 
 is composed of fir, black and white birch and spruce of lofty growth The 
 soil, consisting of yellow loam, is of good quality and suitable for'settle- 
 ment Except for some slight undulations of the ground occasionally met 
 with, the land continues thus as far as the east side line of Metabetchouan 
 where it strikes at .ight chains and fifty links on the lot marked D, aftei^ 
 crossing the line of the colonizaiion road between Lake St. John and Que- 
 bec, at three chains and thirty links before reaching the aforesaid side line. 
 
 From the point of intersection of the line between ranges th ree and 
 our just described with the line acting as the front line of the lot. perpen- 
 cicuar to the nver Metabetchouan, and which I will henceforward call 
 east centre line, following a north course 1^ 30' east, astronomical the 
 me goes through very hilly and rocky land, quite unfit for cultivation, as 
 far as the river Metabetchouan, which is reached at sixty-six chains, and 
 whose high and abrupt hanks are very difficult of access. Comino. from the 
 west this line abruptly changes its course and takes a direction almost 
 paralle to the eivst centre line which inteisects the front line at a distance 
 of eighty chains and eighty links, after ascending the east bank of the river 
 111 ail oblique direction. 
 
 The seventeenth lot, on which the river flows, has no a-rirultural 
 value whatever ; but starting from the sixteenth lot, in an eastward direc- 
 tion, the land, containing very few hills and consisting of a good quality of 
 soil well adapted to farming, is covered with fir, white birch, spruce and 
 wh.tepme; the latter being very scarce to-day, for the reasons already 
 (lofaili'd in this report. ' 
 
 Starting from the intersection of the front line with the ran-es throe 
 and lour, above described, and Ihe line serving as a base to the lots perpendi- 
 
 10 
 
 I 
 
146 
 
 cular to the river Metabetchouan, I lengthened it on a north course 1 t^l.^" 
 east between lots 17 and 16, as far as the intorseotioii of the front line 
 between ranges two and three, and, in ordnr to run this line perpendicularly 
 with the other, I had to puss the alignment line through very rocky iiud 
 rather hilly ground little fit for cultivation as far us the river Metabet- 
 chouan, here hemmed in between two rugged mountains which we 
 must descend and ascend for the purpose of arriving at eigh ty chains 
 eighty links at the intersection of the aforesaid line with the point dividin"- 
 lots seventeen and sixteen, and which I extended in a perpendicular 
 direction to the above described line on a south course 72*^30" east, astrono- 
 mical, dividing regular lots as far as the intersection of the side line, east ol 
 Metabetchouan. 
 
 I ran a part of the base line at the division of the lots perpendicular 
 to the river, uear the line between ranges three and four, as far as the line 
 between ranges four and live, a distance of eighty chains and eighty links, 
 whither I moved my camp on the 16th, in spite of many difficulties 
 occasioned by the numerous hills and windfalls. 
 
 Following the line used as a base line for the division of lots perpen- 
 dicular to the river and styled " east centre line," from the line betvvoeu 
 ranges three and four, the land is slightly rolling and of inferior quality, 
 especially towards the west side, which the fire has ravaged for six chains 
 on the twentieth lot (of the east centre line), where we enter the growin"' 
 timber here composed of spruce and fir. 
 
 Thenceforward the fire has stayed its ravages. Entering the forest, the 
 line crosses a river, twenty-five links wide, ilowiuij in a south-westerly 
 direction. The nearer we approach the range line, the better the land 
 becomes. It is timbered with fir, white birch, spruce and black birch of a 
 fine growth. The soil is level, of good quality and fit for settlement, in 
 spite of some very hilly tracts which continue so as far as the above men- 
 tioned range line, which is reached at sixteen chains and iifty links on tlie 
 lot marked C, a distance of two chains east of the two branches of the river, 
 the said branches meeting twenty chains lower down in a northern direc- 
 tion. Starting from the post marked ranges four and five, numbers six- 
 teen and seventeen, in a south direction 72"^ 30' east, the land is level, but 
 soon becomes more rolling, resuming not long after the same aspect as at 
 the point of departure. 
 
 Generally speaking, this line presents a soil of good quality quite suit- 
 able for agricultural purposes, with alternately level and hilly laud. 
 
 We( 
 the lum 
 and tak( 
 said of t 
 betchou 
 with all 
 to expor 
 by the fi 
 
 Bet^ 
 uudulatt 
 it, appea: 
 lot thirte 
 slope, at 
 horizon a 
 at the fo( 
 becomes 
 purposes 
 
 At s( 
 measurin; 
 south, au( 
 of rich SO] 
 and south 
 
 At a ( 
 IS more b 
 birch, fir i 
 some swa 
 which is r 
 through a 
 links on lo 
 
 Leavi 
 line, bet\^ 
 and the so 
 first lot it 
 slopes oft( 
 In spite, 
 
147 
 
 h course 17*18" 
 
 the front liue 
 
 porpendicularly 
 
 \rory rocky uud 
 
 river Motahet- 
 
 ius which we 
 
 eighty chains, 
 
 I point dividiiiaf 
 
 . perpendicular 
 
 )" oast, astroiio- 
 
 side liue, east of 
 
 perpendicular 
 i far as the line 
 id eighty links, 
 any difficulties 
 
 of lots perpon- 
 e line betvvt'en 
 nfcrior quality, 
 d for six chains 
 er the growing 
 
 ? the forest, the 
 south-westerly 
 t>etter the land 
 )lack birch of a 
 settlement, in 
 the above men- 
 'ty links on the 
 les of the river, 
 northern direc- 
 , numbers six- 
 id is level, but 
 ne aspect as at 
 
 lity quite suit- 
 nd hilly laud, 
 
 timbered with white birch, fir and spruce of fine growth. Numerous 
 streams cross it perpendicularly, principally on lots thirteen, twelve ten 
 three B. and D. ' ' 
 
 We only met a few white pines of inferior quality throughout this section 
 the lumberers having, some years ago, carried on extensive operations here 
 and taken all that could be sold with advantage. The same thing may be 
 said of the whole tract of land which I traversed in the township of Meta 
 betchouan. This region, judging from the numerous pine stumps met 
 with all over, has already contributed an immense quantity of pine timber 
 to exportation and trade and whatever remained of it was totally destroyed 
 by the lires which, at various periods, have swept the country. 
 
 Between ranges five and six, going east, the lino follows slio-htlv 
 undulated ground, well wooded and, in spite of the snow partly conce^alin^ 
 it, appearing of good quality and fit for cultivation, as far as ten chains on 
 lot tlurteen, where the alignment line strikes the side of a mountain whose 
 slope, at first gradual, soon increases in abruptness until it forms with the 
 horizon an angle varying between twenty-five and forty-five deo-rees vnd 
 at the toot of which we reach at six chains lot twelve, whore the' land 
 becomes level and presents a soil of good quality suitable for settlement 
 purposes and extending over a valley stretching south and north. 
 
 At seven chains, on the tenth lot, the line of alignment crosses a lake 
 measuring nine chains and twenty links in width, running from north to 
 south and about forty.four acres in superficies, with flat banks, composed 
 of rich soil, and continuing thus for a pretty good distance both in a north 
 and south direction. 
 
 At a distance of eight chains and fifty links on the eighth lot, the land 
 IS more broken, though of good quality. The timber consists of white 
 bu-oh, fir and spruce, as far as the third lot, where, at the extremity of lot B 
 some swampy spots are met with. Thence to the end of the front line' 
 which IS reached on the lot marked D at thirteen chains and ninety-four links 
 thi-ough an undulating and rocky soil, crossing five chains and twenty 
 links on lot C, a river, twenty links wide, is met,flowing from north to south. 
 
 Leaving the post marked twenty-eight and twenty-nine on this last 
 Hue, between ranges five and six, the laud is level and well wooded 
 and he soil of good quality and suitable for cultivation, but on the thirty^ 
 irst lot It becomes more broken and frequently cut by deep gullies, whose 
 slopes often form, with the horizon, angles ot thirteen to fifteen degrees 
 in spite, ot all this, there is some possibility of forming settlements here 
 
148 
 
 t 'i 
 
 t 
 
 
 At fifly links on lot forty-sevon, the nlij^nmoiit line passes at the 
 n<)rtht'rn extremity of a small lake of seven chains and lifty links in width 
 at its widest point. 
 
 All alonj? this line, the timber is of fine growth and consists principally 
 of white birch, fir, spruce, cyi^ress and red pine in the vicinity of the last 
 mentioned lake, also near another larger one, which is reached at twelve 
 (hains on the forty-ninth lot,. — total superficies,, eighty-five acres. 
 
 The banks present nothing remnrktible. Towards the north, they are 
 covered with black spruce, a sure sign that the land is better and well 
 wooded. 
 
 Ah fnr as the eye can take in the rear, the land seems mountainous 
 and little fit for cultivation. Starting from this lake, the land is also hilly 
 and of inferior quality aa fur as the side line of Metabetchouan and Charle- 
 ^oix. 
 
 In the township of Metubotchi-^an, where I surveyed three whole 
 
 rinses, viz: the third, fourth and i'^f.-^ end that part of the sixth range 
 
 situated east of the river, the lai^^^®*^^ ^out being of the best quality, is 
 
 sifRciently oood for settlement, '*^.^°tv be able to meet the wants ofl 
 
 ( xpansioii of the present settlers, ^."^^^ j, however, offering (enough ofl 
 
 c. Ivantages to colonization to attit.^^'^^o't^ iration from the older centres ofl 
 
 -e i) YvX>f 
 
 'Ojiulation. 
 
 
 v^^ 
 
 The valley of Lake St. John still -^.k tains too many good lots in its 
 western part for any one to be tempted to try such as are not of the best 
 (juality. However, thiniks to its proximity to the Quebec road, wh^oh 
 ' rosses it through all its eastern part, thanks also to the liberality of our 
 Local Government, this township will not be long without seeing people 
 /locking to it from all quarters and settling there in a permanent manner, 
 
 Lumbering in this township can promise very little for the future, but, 
 
 if we can judge by the remains of camps scattered here and there, it hiisl 
 
 (lone its share in the past for the trade. There, too, as aforesaid, disastiousi 
 
 J res hiive, on dillerent occasions, extended their ravages throughout the) 
 
 »nrth and lifth ranges. Even the timber of inferior quality became the preyL 
 
 •. f the destructive element, so that settlers must expect nothing from thisl 
 
 ource and lan only count on spruce and fir as materials lor the coustruction| 
 
 f their farm buildings. 
 
 (J.'C. Demeules, 8th April, ISTl) 
 
149 
 
 All this sectiou (of ranges A and B and niugo 1) of the township of 
 Metabetchouan has a slight slopo towards tho northeast and is ono of tho 
 roost advantageous localities to the south of Lake St. John, in .onse.men.-e 
 of us rich alluvial formation which consists of aluminum and sili. a an.l 
 on the shores of the lake, of gravel, sand and mud containing boulders' 
 pebbles, blocks of scattered rocks and numerous organic debris. 
 
 I slso found on the bank of Lake 8t. John an ochrous clay or yellow 
 ochre. 
 
 Wherever the interior of the soil is exposed either upon the slopes of 
 hill« or the shores of the lake, I remarked an immense bed of plastic bri-k 
 clay, which dips a little towards the south as far as towards the middle of 
 the lirst range and then changes into masses of grey granite rising gradually 
 one over the other. ^ 
 
 I extracted a piece of crystallized quartz, which seemed to me according 
 to all appearance to contain silver. I have the honor to send you a specimen 
 together with different samples of clay which I believe to be of good nuality 
 lenough to be advantageously worked. 
 
 I would like to have these different substances submitted to the 
 analysis of the Provincial geologist, to whom you will please transmit them. 
 
 (G. B. du T/emblay, 80th November, 1874). 
 
 I 
 
 Townships of Metabetchouan and Charlevoix. 
 
 The soil in the sixth and seventh ranges of the township of Metabet- 
 Ichouan is very suitable for cultivation, being a rich yellow loam, and 
 Icovered with a fine growth of hard and soft woods. In the fifth range 
 [although rocky in some places, the laud is susceptible of cultivation. 
 
 The residue of Charlevoix, comprising the seventh, sixth and fifth 
 Nnges, IS equally fit for cultivation, being also a rich yellow earth, and very 
 Istrong lu different places, well timbered with hard and soft wood, and 
 Iwell drained, except along the river Ouiatchouan, in the fifth and fourth 
 ■ranges, where the land is rocky for some distance. There is, however 
 labout the rear lines, a sufficient extent of good land to induce settlement in 
 |inese small ranges. 
 
 From my own personal knowledge I can say that tho climate 
 Itavorabie iur agriculture here as on the lands around Lake St. John. 
 
 18 a« 
 
 
150 
 
 The timber has been nearly all destroyed by fire along the river Ouiat- 
 chouan in the fourth and fifth ranges over an area of ten to twelve arpents 
 on each side of the river. 
 
 The lakes that I met with are all well stocked with fish, chiefly trout. 
 
 There are several good mill sites on the river Ouiatchouan, and 
 especially at the rapids marked on the plan, in the sixth range. 
 
 It will be necessary to open a road along this river, from the settle 
 ments on Lake St. John to the rear line of Charlevoix, and to continue it 
 thence to Commissioners' lake, in order to colonize the lands in the town- 
 ships of Charlevoix and Dablon and around the last named lake. 
 
 The road which was opened last summer in Metabetchouan allowed 
 the new settlers to make considerable clearings in the sixth and seventh 
 ranges, in which nearly all the lots will be 'sown next spring. It should 
 therefore, be continued as soon as possible across the township of DeQuento 
 Commissioners' lake in order to open this township to colonization. 
 
 ' - {Gedeon Gagnon, 13th April, 1880). 
 
 Township of Normandin. 
 
 In order to comply exactly with the instructions which I had the 
 honor of receiving, I went without delay to the principal outline of the 
 township of Parent at its intersection with the river Tikouapee, on lot 
 number forty-nine of the eighth range of this township. 
 
 The word Tikouapee means Andrew, and was given in memory of an 
 Indi n of that name, who, with his family, lived near the mouth of the 
 river. 
 
 The scaling of this river, very variable in its course, has been made 
 with the greatest possible care, in order to complete in a correct manner 
 the subdivision of the seveuty-six lots of nine chains fifty links formin? 
 the width of the township of Normandin. 
 
 The numerous turnings and windings of this river did not allow my 
 operations tobecarried on as expeditiously as I could have wished. However, 
 I had the satisfaction of completing the subdivision of all the lots, which 
 in the township of Normandin front on the river Tikouapee ; this w' 
 before the thaw or breaking up of the ice. 
 
 „„ J — 
 
 iX3 UUIIC 
 
151 
 
 The first water-fall, which interrupts navigation on this river, is 
 situated on lots thirty-nine and forty of the north and south ranjres, towards 
 the middle of the township of Normandin. The first mills must necessar- 
 ily be built here, and this place is certainly destined to be the centre of 
 settlements which will, ere long, cluster around this important point. 
 
 The village reserve, whose subdivision I took the liberty of recom- 
 mending last winter, could not possibly have a more central, more advan- 
 tageous and more important site than the proximity of this cascade, whose 
 height is thirty feet above the level of the basin, which the water reaches 
 after three successive falls of ton feet each. This basin consists of a 
 beautiful sheet of water, four or five chains across, with a small island 
 at its outlet. A branch of the river coming from the north falls into the 
 Tikouapee on the second chain of lot number forty-nine north range, by 
 two narrow channels, formed by an islet at its mouth. This branch^forks 
 at about a mile from the Tikouapee. There are two valuable mill sites on 
 the east branch at a distance of one mile from each other, without counting 
 the others which must naturally exist on the othsr or west branch. 
 
 The division posts of lots fifty-five and fifty-six, north and south 
 ranges, are planted near the second water fall, whose total collective height 
 is about thirty-six feet. On lot number fifty-six is another small fall 
 twenty feet high. The last cascade, met in the township of Normandin, 
 occurs on the division line between lots fifty-eight and fifty-seven ; its 
 height is thirty feet ; falling by steps or shelves, it forms an island and a 
 basin. 
 
 The river Tikouapee proper taking on lot number seventy a more 
 westerly direction, I continued the scaling of it and the subdivision of the 
 lots along the branch formed here which comes from thejnorth west. This 
 last river, measuring seventy miles, is as large as the first and was more 
 direct to terminate the subdivision of the lots, as far as the seventy-sixth 
 lot, inclusive. 
 
 Having completed this part of the work, I moved as far as the post 
 planted last winter at the north-west extremity of the grand line between 
 the townships of Albanel and Normandin. 
 
 After extending the range line for two chains, I continued the outline 
 of Normandin from the post planted lately at this extremity, on a southern 
 course, fifty-three degrees west, astronomical. 
 
 I prolonged this line ns far aa flia >.i,ray tjIj-^,, — a- -r ir^ , *■• 
 
 correctly, on the north branch, the exterior posts of lots>umber seventy- 
 
162 
 
 il 
 
 five, north and south ranges, on this line of Normandin, thereby giving to 
 these lots their regular width of nine chains fifty links, and proving once 
 more the correctness of the chaining and scaling of the river. 
 
 The north branch is at a distance of three hundred and five chains 
 eighty links from the grand range line and forty-eight chains separate the' 
 two branches of the river Tikouapee, as chained along the exterior line 
 of Normandin. 
 
 Having terminated this survey, I continued the scaling of the north 
 branch of the Tikouapee river, for a distance of six miles, the variation of 
 the magnetic needle being twenty-four degrees w^est. This difierence 
 undoubtedly depends on the attraction exercised here and there by the 
 rocks which seem impregnated with magnetic iron. 
 
 I also explored the land for some distance on each side of the river. I 
 would have pursued my operations on either of the two branches, but a 
 thaw set in, causing the ice to melt under our feet and the water to over- 
 flow, thus leaving us no alternative but to get out of the bu.h as quickly 
 as possible. ^ 
 
 I here suspended this exploration, w^aiting for new orders. 
 
 Oh the last day employed in this exploration, I met three lakes. My 
 survey ended at the first of these through which the river Tikouapee 
 flows on its whole length at the extremity of the sixteenth mile ; the two 
 other lakes are situated, one on the right bank of the river, the other on the 
 opposite side. 
 
 I think that, in last winter's report, I mentioned thai the river Tikoua- 
 pee was situated near the grand range line between the townships of 
 Albauel and Normandin, at a mile and a half from its western extremity. 
 
 The numerous branches, which form this river, and which were then 
 partly unknown to me, gave me a false idea of the g.meral course of the 
 principal branch in the last section of the township of Normandin. 
 
 The branch represented on my rough plan of the township of Parent, 
 sent to your department last winter, is really at the designated spot, but it 
 is of such little importance and so difficult of access, choked with alders, 
 and has so many windings and turnings that I thought it neither proper, 
 nor prudent to take this direction for the subdivision of the lots. 
 
 A large burnt tract, situated inland and running north and south, ends 
 on the north shore of the river Tikouapee, on number fifty-six, crosses this 
 
153 
 
 rirer and at a few chains from it continues thus over a width varying from 
 I two miles to half a mile as far as a certain part of the township of Parent. 
 
 This fire took place two years ago, and its sad memory will be long- 
 I retained by the poor settlers scattered here and there throughout the three 
 I hundred miles which it has laid waste between the upper part of Ashuap- 
 I niouchouan and Tadousac. 
 
 In my last report. I gave you a precise idea of the value and import- 
 I ance of the townships of Albauel and Normandin from an agricultural 
 point of view. The part, situated north west of these townships, and 
 which I explored lately, while scaling the river Tikouapee which crosses 
 this section, consists generally of the same kind of soil as that of the town- 
 ships above mentioned, viz : a greyish clay loam, &c., with alluvion in the 
 low lands. A few rocks, met here and there, give now and then a hilly 
 appearance to this vast flat of land. The prevailing kinds of timber are 
 spruce, fir, white birch, cypress, aspen and alders in the low lands, with 
 tamarac and a few very large pines. 
 
 The cypress generally grows on a sandy and barren soil ; here, on the 
 contrary, there is not a grain of sand if I can judge of the soil by the 
 numerous windfalls that disclose its nature at every step. This was a 
 subject of astonishment to my party and for myself. But if the cypress 
 really condescends to grow on poor soil, what would prevent it from doino- 
 I so on abetter kind ? The trees are of very good height and diameter. * 
 
 To encourage and facilitate the prompt settlement of the townships of 
 Albauel and Normandin, as well as that of the whole territory fit for cultiva- 
 tion in the north-west, not forgetting the township of Parent in the north 
 east, the openmg and immediate termination of a first-class colonization 
 road throughout this territory, one of the finest in the Sagaenay, is abso- 
 lutely necessary, together with some free grants of land in the most distant 
 ranges situated along this road. If thirty mile.- of road were opened in th^ 
 Mistassini peninsula, colonization would make rapid strides ; each of these 
 I miles would cost about six hundred dollars. 
 
 The essential, only and infallible moaiis of encouraging the coloniza- 
 tion of Crown lands, of awakening the energy and stimulating the ambi- 
 tion of the settlers, who, at least in the Upper Saguenay, are generally 
 poor, IS to offer them a plank of salvation, always at hand, to save them 
 irom want and starvation, thereby attaching them to existence and encour- 
 aging them in their hard labor. 
 
154 
 
 
 ¥m 
 
 This plank of salvation would be the creation, by and under the 
 control of the Grovernment, of a rallying point of colonization, supported on 
 a scale proportionate to the large or small number of settlements grouped 
 around this beneficent centre. 
 
 "We often see, in several parts of this country as well as elsewhere, and 
 even in the Saguenay, persons who, having spent a certain sum of money 
 in the clearing and cultivation of lands acquired from the Crown, soon 
 become possessors of fine properties from which they realize profits exceed- 
 ing their greatest hopes. 
 
 It often happens that these lucky people have not worked at all. The 
 men who have turned the primooval forest into beautiful meadows or into 
 rich fields covered with vegetation, who, besides, have made comfortable 
 homes for themselves, belong to the hardy race of pioneers, full of courat^e 
 vigor and energy whom we meet every day in new settlements ; but the 
 latter have not like the first mentioned that plank of salvation which the 
 capitalist offered them one happy day. 
 
 Money is that capital, the plank of salvation not to be found. Here, all 
 the best will in the world, all the energy and spirit of sacrifice, avail nothing 
 to progress ; they serve at the utmost to keep the poor settler from dying 
 of starvation. 
 
 Through want of money, everything remains dormant and there is ]io 
 chance for industry or trade. 
 
 Here, except the free grants made by G-overnment for the opening of 
 colonization roads, not a cent ever ascends that majestic Saguenay which 
 could so proudly bear all the riches of the world. 
 
 Trade and commerce eagerly dispute the grants, while the poor settlers 
 feel quite happy if they can even get a glimpse of that money which they 
 have so bravely earned, and for the possession of which they are willing to 
 work night and day. 
 
 If, throughout the entire country, this saddened perspective were the 
 same and the hope of anything better a vain thing, then ambition might 
 die away in the bosom of a great many, and no one would venture to com- 
 plain oi the inevitable and, knowing nothing better than such a position, 
 people would desire nothing more ; but the prospect might change with a 
 change of place, and they know it. 
 
155 
 
 and there is 
 
 ctive were the 
 
 The most favored parts of the Proviuco are justly admired in every 
 possible point of view ; some are also able to excite the envy and covetous- 
 ness of the most indifferent. 
 
 Progress and means of communication go fast and, as if by enchant- 
 ment, ambition in some places is greatly stimulated by success, while 
 fortune gayly smiles on those who court it, and from alljhese good things 
 proceed most of the welfare and prosperity which they enjoy. 
 
 The glimmering of this bright picture, slightly seen on this side of the 
 Laurentides, quite opens the eyes of the poor settler who makes long and 
 sad comparisons. In the distance, he sees the alluring panorama, life and 
 activity surrounding the privileged beings who inhabit more fortunate 
 
 places and this comfort and happiness make him dream of other skies 
 
 A cruel reality however brings him back to his own home, that poor miser- 
 able hut erected with his own hands and which is barely sufficient to shel- 
 ter his unfortunate family. With sorrow and despair, he views his small 
 patch of land covered with blackened stumps, as if it were a field of mourn- 
 ing, and although longing like others for the legitimate enjoyments of life 
 he sees himself forever debarred from them, exiled as he feels in this forest 
 which first surrounded him as a protecting wall, but which now presents 
 nothing but gloom and desolation to his saddened eyes. 
 
 The zeal of the well-informed friends of colonization naturally abates 
 their courage falters, when, daring to lift up the veil which hides these 
 unknown miseries, they behold the doleful picture in its heartrendino^ 
 
 reality. " 
 
 No wonder that the settler ponders over the question a long time 
 before penetrating into the primceval forest ; the present and the future offer 
 such uncertain prospects ! 
 
 If the industrious settler be fortunate enough to save a few dollars, then 
 his courage revives, but how is a poor follow, who has nothing else but 
 his hands to support himself and his family, to find means tc lay something 
 aside for the rainy day ? Certainly not from one of those dreadful fires 
 which, in a moment, leave him even poorer than on that unlucky day 
 when he ventured to try his fortune in this wilderness ; not from the frost, 
 which, with the harvests, destroys the labor and hopes of many a aay. 
 
 In the latter contingency what can the poor settler do, to whom will 
 he apply, who will help him— will he rap next door ? He knows too well 
 that his neighbor is as poor, if not poorer than himself. This awakens him 
 
156 
 
 
 anew ; elsewhere again he sees success, prosperity. " Let us go, fly, says 
 he from this land which God ha:s made so beautiful, but which our enfeebl- 
 ed limbs have no longer the strength or the courage to work, let us go 
 elsewhere, i.i quest of that daily bread which we have vainly sought here.'' 
 
 The model farms which the Government might establish throughout 
 these new townships would, in a great measure, obviate these difficulties 
 dispellmg as if by enchantment the shadows which darken the interesting 
 and patriotic work of colonization and transforr, ' ^ • hp whole into a uleas 
 ant reality. ^ 
 
 Since capitalists are wanting, the Government should come to the aid 
 of the settlers by making every year considerable clearings on the Govern- 
 ment reserves, employing for that purpose the poor settlers in this work 
 paying them generously, either with the produce or otherwise, raising the' 
 cattle necessary for farming, &c. If the whole were conducted with wis- 
 dom, order and economy, the Government would make as much profit as 
 any other capitanst, while proving at the same time a protection and a 
 providence for the surrounding population. If the Governm ,nt thought 
 proper to make such an experiment, it would soon be repaid by the sale of 
 provisions, &c., and by the consciousness that they would have done such 
 good service to colonization and to the brave pioneers of the forest. If to 
 all this were added facilities of communication wherever the want of such 
 IS felt, and if especially a railroad connecting Lake St. John with Quebec 
 were built, then the Saguenay would have nothing to envy other places 
 being able to vie, in every respect, with no matter what part of the Province 
 for the success and prosperity of its own inhabitants. 
 
 {P.-H. Dumais, 2nd May, 1872.) 
 
 Township of Otis. 
 
 I reached the post marking the north west angle of the township of 
 Otis, where I succeeded in establishing the starting point of the division 
 line between the townships of Otis and Casault. I continued ray operations 
 along this line until the 14th of September ; at the same time. I also ran 
 the centre line and part of the south east outline as far as the Murrav-Bav 
 (Malbaie) road. ^ ' 
 
15Y 
 
 As I give the date of each part of the work in my journal, I will refrain 
 from doing so in my report. 
 
 The land on the line between the townships of Otis and Casault on 
 the .^entre line, and south-easterly outline of Otis is very uneven 'and 
 uncultivable. On the exterior line I crossed num.^rous small lakes bor- 
 dered by hills ol various heights, which appear to extend some distance to 
 the westward. The breaks produced by these lakes, and the hio-h grounds 
 surroundmg them, by the loss of land they occasion, will always be a 
 serious obstacle to the opening up the good lands which lie around them 
 The same slope appears to extend considerably to the east, and suggests 
 the same description of land ; at the same time, the lakes are less numerous 
 along the road, and the land more level ; the high gronnd is oomnosed of 
 yellow clay, and the valleys of black mould. At the south east'end are 
 several mountains which are intersected by the interior l'"nes. 
 
 On the Malbaie road, from No. 1 to No. 14, although the laud is not 
 lere], the lots are taken on both sides, and some of them already cleared 
 The land is swampy above for some distance, but the swamp only extends 
 over a few chains of the 2nd range, and does not retard the settlement of 
 the lots. With the exception of some rocks near the Lake aux Islets the 
 rest of the lands along the Malbaie road are of good quality and some of 
 them are taken ; they are all watered by numerous streams, some of which 
 are sufficiently large to afford good water powers for a grist or saw mill. 
 
 On the third, fourth and fifth ranges, the soil is generally good except 
 the north west part adjoining the township of Bagot. over an extent varv 
 ing from one to two miles, where the surflice is broken and rocky and 
 some hills cover a considerable extent of ground. The quality of the wood 
 and soil and general appearance of the land leave no room for doubt -is to 
 the speedy settlement of these lots ; and I may add that, if the Government 
 opens roads across these lands, the squatters, who have already made some 
 extensive clearings on the borders of lake Otis, will follow the proo-ress 
 ot the clearing of the road to settle themselves on it, and those now on the 
 rang'e lines will follow tl eir example. 
 
 The extensive valley situate to the south east of the mountain^? which 
 border the Saguenay tor a distance of many mile., extends as far as the 
 high mountains of Lake St. John, near the limits of the township of Oti. 
 taking an oast and west direction, and with the large lake Otis Lake St 
 John, the lake des Islet.s, and the lake a Garth, offers a splendid view and 
 assures to cultivation a splendid held of operations certaiu to reimburse Uie 
 settler for his labor as soon as it shall le opened. 
 
158 
 
 The sixth and seventh ran-es do not olL^r quite tha same advantao-es 
 as they are more distant from the liiies of communication ; but, as soon" ai 
 the roads asked from the Government are made, they will at once be settled. 
 
 The soil is good to the south east of lake Otis, as far as the limit of the 
 township or thereabouts, especially on the heights above the lake • in hi-h 
 mountainons localities some lots might be unsuitable. To the north west'of 
 the lake, a great amount of land is uncultivable - there are a number of 
 rock ledges and rocky hills. On the banks of the outlet of lake Otis, there 
 is some good land in various ]ilaces. but it was mostly taken up before the 
 survey ; there is also plenty of maple on the hills in this direction. 
 
 The banks of the river Saguenay, at this point, are verv high, con.sist. 
 mg of lofty mountains, extending over a mile ; this land is all uncultivable 
 except in the bay formed by the outlet of lake Otis, where settlements may 
 hereafter be made. There is already a saw mill built at this spot. 
 
 The valley to the north west of the seventh range, to which I allude 
 in my notes of sur-ey, would also afford a range of good land, and which 
 if surveyed, would certainly be at once taken up. After a topographical 
 survey of this territory, I have formed an opinion of its value which I 
 subjoin : 
 
 From the centre line as fur as the limit of the township (range 1 and 
 range A excepted), the land is of good quality and favorable to cultivation • 
 there is hardly any loss ; all these lots are taken and will be purchased as 
 soon as ofTered for sale by the Government. In the other part there is .some 
 loss, but quite enough is left to form some good settlements ; several of the 
 lots here are taken. The pine wood is not of much value and is very scarce 
 there are a few red spruce and scattered pines, but in other places wood fit 
 for building is found in large quantities, as well as red spruce, cedar and 
 maple. 
 
 {J.- O. Tremb/mj, 1st June, 1SG3.} 
 
 Township of Ouiatohouan. 
 
 By starting all my range lines at right angles with the Roberval line, 
 I have succeeded in making them almost correspond with the range lines 
 of the township of Charaouohouan. The lots, on each side of the road, 
 are certainly the best in all the township, and the advantage of the road 
 
159 
 
 will greatly favor the opening of the bjautiful lancLs vvhioh border it. 
 From the Government a id, by the Roberval line, I chained the depth of the 
 second range, to eighty chains and eighty links, and planted a post and a 
 picket, numbered 21, range 2 and 3, at tht^ end of this depth. The third 
 line passes almost entirely over dry and rolling land which has been 
 burned about 12 yearp ago, and is now covered with a new and heavy 
 growth of cypress. The old trees are almost all fallen, which obstructed 
 the progress of my work. This range is in a- great measure fit for forming. 
 More than the half of the north-west part of the fourth range, and a much 
 smaller part of the fifth and sixth ranges, are rendered altogether unfit 
 for farming by the great number of rocks, which are found on them. I have 
 divided but eight lots, on the fourth range line and sixteen on the fifth and 
 sixth, but the seventh and eighth have been completely divided and form 
 a splendid tract of land well adapted for farming. The general aspect of 
 the land subdivided into lots differs very little from that of the neighboring 
 tcvnships ; it rises gradually from the bank of Lake St. John, up to the 
 chain of rocks, four miles behind, and then slopes gradually and forms a 
 rast stretch of land, level and well wooded, watered by the Ouiatchouanish 
 [river and its tributaries and offers to colonization a most fertile field. 
 
 The opening of this township to colonization will favor, by settlement 
 of its lands, the progress of the neighboring townships in the highest 
 degree. The delay in the clearing of the Indian reserve has considerablv 
 obstructed the start made by the settlers ol Beauport and other place's 
 in Chamouchouan and Demeules, and the sooner the lands are sold the 
 sooner the obstacle will be removi^d. I take the liberty to remark that the 
 Indian reserve, such as it is, to-day after the last subdivision, still paralyzes 
 to a certain point the opening of the lands which surround it. The Indians 
 of the lake are not numerous audit is not by cultivating the land that 
 they subsist ; hunting is their principal resource and their favorite passion, 
 and they want on their return after their long hunts in the interior but a 
 low feet of land to put up their tents, and some wood to light their fires. 
 When this land reserve was first given them, the Indians hastened to 
 imitate their white neighbors, to make clearings on the shores of the lake 
 and to build houses. Some of them even sowed some grain and potatoes, 
 but the most of it was abandoned and a new growth of trees promises a 
 forest in a few years. Those who take an interest in the settlement of the 
 Saguenay territory, are all of the opinion that for the advantage of the 
 Indians, who do no farming worth speaking of, and for the prompt opening 
 of the township ot Ouiatchouan, a range should be added to the last 
 
160 
 
 ffi 
 
 
 m 
 
 subdivision overlapping 28 acres, on the reserve, which will still leave a 
 space more than sulFicient for the Indians who may wish to try their skill 
 In farming. The iipper part ol the township of Roberval, which is not 
 divided, is probably the best land in the township, apart from the range on 
 the shore of Lake St. John ; the valley of the Ouiatchouanish continnes to 
 the foot of the northern slope of the Laurentide mountains and forms a level 
 tract of land and very lit for farming. A road opened on the line between 
 Roberval and Ouiatchouan, to the depth of these townships, will greatly 
 favor the opening of these upper ranges, by giving free access to parties 
 who may wish to settle thereon. 
 
 The Ouiatchouanish river furnishes splendid water powers distributed 
 over the whole lenghth of its course ; two grist mills and two saw mills are 
 at this present time in operation on this river, in the neighbourhood of the 
 new township of Ouiatchouan, and as they arc of the first necessity to the 
 settlers of Roberval, Chamouchouan and Ouiatchouan, they will be of the 
 greatest advantage. 
 
 Colonization makes wonderful progress on the shores of Lake St. John. 
 Fifty miles of the banks of this beautiful lake are occupied already by a 
 courageous and energetic population, whose industry and good will know 
 no bounds, and as soon as the Konogami road is completed from the Portage 
 des Rochers, up to the Chamouchouan river, we cannot say where their 
 progress will terminate. 
 
 The best site for a village reserve in the township of Ouiatchouan is 
 on the Government rond between the Ouiatchouanish rive, and the ro>.-k on 
 lot No. 10, of the fir.M range. From this rock, the view is truly magni. 
 ficent, embracing an urea of at least 500 square miles. 
 
 The village reserves have given and will always give importance to the 
 townships to which they belong ; the villages of Chicoutimi, Saint Alphonso. 
 Saint Alexis, Hebertville and Metabetchouan are incontestable proofs. 
 
 The lots of the first and second ranges, on the Government road, are 
 mostly all marked with the names of new settlors, and the price per acre is 
 one shilling as elsewhere in the Sagueuay. They will sell readily when 
 advertised for sale. 
 
 The resources of Lake St. John, apart of its timber, being principally the 
 culture of the land, they will be developed by degrees according as the coloui- 
 zation roads, already commenced, will be completed and ailbrd an easy 
 outlet for its surplus productions. 
 
 (P. H: Dumms, 26th December, 1860). 
 
161 
 
 Township of Parent. 
 
 The Tikouapoe river is a considerable stream, and its banks offer many 
 advantages to Ibrm new settlements, besides that of easy communication 
 no rapid causing any obstacle as far as the outside of the north west line ol 
 the township of Parent. I divided the lots of the fourth range on the 
 8onth west bank of this river up to the twenty-second lot, inclusively, and 
 divided at the same time those of the north east bank. 
 
 The soil of the township of Parent is generally composed of a clay 
 loam, covered in maiy places with a bed of sandy yellow clay. 
 
 Fire has several times ravaged a great part of the tract comprised 
 between the rivers Ashuapmouchouan and Mistassini. A considerable 
 quantity of good farming land appears to extend on each side of the Mis- 
 lassini river, whose quiet ilow seems to offer easy communication with 
 the Lake St. John settlements. At the extremity of the point formed 
 by the rivers Mistassini and Ashuapmouchouan, there are beautiful wild 
 meadows, also on the lots seventy-three and seventy-four of the third 
 range, and on the little islands situated at the mouth of the river Tikouapee. 
 All the land within the limits of the township and outside for a great dis- 
 tance is generally very level ; apart from a few rocks that I remarked on 
 the banks of the river, I did not find, on all the land that I surveyed, a 
 pebble as big as a marble. Several settlero are to sow this spring the clear- 
 ances which they made in the course of last summer. As soon as the 
 opening of the Kenogami road permits, it is certain colonization will 
 make rapid progress in the townships of Ashuapmouchouan, Demeules and 
 Parent, if the Government obliges the owners to work on their lots and 
 rnlfill the conditions stipulated in their location tickets. 
 
 {P.-A. Iremblai/, 13th June, 1854.) 
 
 i 
 
 The starting point being at the post of lots number thirty-four and thirty- 
 five of the fourth range of Parent, I ran the range line Irom this post ir a 
 southeasterly direction, straightening the pickets for a considerable distance 
 and assuring myself by the intersection of the other lot posts that the base 
 ou which I^should work was correct, and followed the original course, that 
 IS to say, south 37^ east, astronomical, the variation uncorrected bein^ lYo 
 
 u 
 
162 
 
 46' west. On this base from the post of lots number thirty-four and thirty- 
 five and at right angles I laid down a perpendicular riTining north 5;')^ 
 east, astronomical, to serve as a centre line for the part of the township of 
 Parent, vrhich I had to subdivide. 
 
 Measuring off eighty chains and eighty links on this line and startnig 
 the range line between ranges four and five at right angles therewith, I 
 struck the post of lots number twenty-nine and thirty of the original sur- 
 vey, thus completing the Jront line of the fourth range ; measuring oif again 
 eighty chains and eighty links on the centre line, I ran to this depth the 
 lino between ranges five and six on the same course and parallel to the baso 
 line. 
 
 On the north west side I came across the Parent line and found a dif- 
 ference of a few links less in the chaining of lot number forty-nine, and I 
 afterwards ascertained that this slight error was the same through all the 
 upper ranges. 
 
 This range line runs mostly through moist soil -wild meadows and 
 swamps— but, at a very short distance on either side, the land is drier, of 
 better quality and supports a better growth of wood near the river Tikou- 
 apee. The quality of the land is all that could be desired : wheat land, a 
 clay loam ; large and tall timber, composed of spruce, fir, aspen, elm, ash, 
 white birch, lamarac, pine (very few), willow, alders, moose wood and 
 mountain ash. 
 
 A great part of the lots of the fifth and sixth ranges is taken up, and j 
 some of the settlers have ten, twenty, thirty or forty acres of cleared laud; 
 sowings were made last spring on some of these lots. Next spring, there] 
 will be resident settlers on the banks of the Tikouapee river. 
 
 Continuing the centre line, I crossed the Tikouapee river and ran the I 
 boundary between the sixth and seventh ranges on its borders. I ran on 
 each side the division line b^^tween the two above me tioned ranges, from 
 the north east side as far as the boundary line of Parent, and from the 
 north west side as far as number seventeen, inclusively, as specified in rav| 
 instructions. 
 
 The ridge, which lies midway between Tikouapee and Mistassini and 
 which forms the height of lands between the two rivers, begins at the 
 depth of the i^ixlh range. Its soil is composed of yellow and grey sand 
 mixed with yellow loam, in tome places, and clothed with a forest of tall 
 and close growing cypress, of which a great part has been destroyed by fire 
 
168 
 
 hu township of 
 
 within n few years Wild hay grown abundantly in several places in theae 
 burnt tracts, 
 
 The centre line prolonged as far as the eighth range, crosses the ridge 
 above mentioned. The baseline of this range cuts this ridge diagonallv and 
 traverses to the north west the valley of the Tikouapeo, and to the south 
 eas that of he river Mistassini, on the western bank of this river. In these 
 valleys, the land and timber are in all respects magnilicent. 
 
 Continuing the centre line eighty links more, I placed the division 
 post between the eighth and ninth ranges over the cypress ridge already 
 
 r'u'"? V.u i^^'"'^ '^ '^' ''''^'' ^"^" "*'*« "« ^ ^•■^"Mine to the lots on 
 the bank of the Mistassini river, and all the other ranges to the north east 
 which border the river, have this line for their front line. This is the obiect 
 for which posts were placed every thirteen chains for the five first lots of 
 each range, and the sixth lot measuringa width of fifteen chains and eighty 
 links thus completes the depth of each range, that is eighty chains and 
 eighty links. ^ 
 
 The land in the south west being quite unfit for cultivation, I thou^rht 
 It useless to survey that section. A marsh fifteen miles long extends 
 in hat direc ion ; the Indians call it the Gra^d-Racoourci, because In winter 
 instead oi following the Mistassini river to reach the height of land they 
 go by the swamp road, which saves two days' march. ' 
 
 I nevertheless continued the centra line, dividing the lots that front on 
 the Mistassini and scaling this river with division of lots and running of 
 lines, as far as the line between the thirteenth and fourteenth ranges. 
 
 I i. . ""'"• P"^«"f"* ^« instructions, I ran the centre line lor four lots more 
 [ the north west and continued it on the same course as the preceding as 
 far as its intersection with the Mistassini river, and in the north west 
 dividing the lots as far as the line of the seventeenth range. 
 
 All the range lines have been run in this part, as well as to the north 
 ^ ^esi as to the south east of the centre line, and the lots have been divided 
 I 1 [^^'^^^fPt^^" of a few in the fifteenth and sixteenth ranges in ihe 
 
 neighborhood of the Parent line, where the swampy nature of the land 
 
 aid not allow of any survey. 
 
 All the lots fronting the Mistassini river, with the exception of a few 
 in the thirteenth and fourteenth ranges, are adapted to cultivation, and 
 otter many advantages to new settlers from the proximity of the river 
 
 y 
 
 (-^# 
 
 flHHI' 
 
164 
 
 which is navigable from its first falls terminating at number forty, 
 five of the seventeenth range ; it is the finest colonization road that we 
 could wish for. 
 
 The other part of ranges thirteen, fourteen, fifteen and sixteen is not as 
 advantageous for the present ; but, in the near future, the divisions that I 
 have made will have their value. 
 
 Alter having terminated the subdivision into lots of the arable parts of | 
 the township of Parent, I went to the north west outline of this township, 
 to the division post between ranges eight and nine. 
 
 I verified at this point the township line and the range line, and| 
 having found no error, I ran the boundary between the townships of Nor- 
 mandin and Albanel, at right angles with that outline, thus continuing the 
 line of separation between the eighth and ninth ranges of Parent, and veri- 
 fying my work from time to time for a distance of seven hundred and 
 twenty chains, as prescribea by my instructions. 
 
 Before proceeding, I placed a boundary and a strong tamarac post at 
 the intersection of the township and range lines, that is, my starting point. 
 This post is marked Albanel on its north side, Normandin on the west, and 
 Parent on the south, with the year and my name. The course of this grand 
 township line is north 37" west, astronomical, variation uncorrected, IT 
 45' west. 
 
 From my starting point, the land does not promise well; asprncel 
 grove having been burnt a few years ago, the land buried under six inches ( 
 of water, the snow which covered the earth before the heavy frosts hav- 
 ing prevented it from freezing as well as the water. The soil, being coin-| 
 posed of hard clay and perfectly level, has retained the water abundantly 
 supplied by the fall rains. At the end of the first mile, the timber changes 
 for the better, the soil drains itself easily, and the moss disappears. The 
 land consists of alluvion, loam and clay. A grey loam is seen in the banks 
 of the streams. The land continues thus as iar as the fifth mile. From this 
 point, it gradually rises and becomes undulating on the direct course of the 
 line; but this undulation is owing to the stream, which WMnds through 
 the surrounding lands in a rather shallow bed, but yet sufficiently deep to 
 nrm rivulets, which drain a great part of the moist lands around. 
 
 On the seventh mile, the line cuts at right angles one of the branches I 
 01 the Tikouapee river. This branch and another on the eighth mile 
 could easily be made navigable for boats, if they were cleared. On the main 
 
number forty- 
 )n road that we 
 
 sixteen is not as 
 divisions that I 
 
 ! arable parts of 
 ' this township, 
 
 •ange line, and 
 vnships of Nor- 
 continuing the 
 arent, and veri- 
 I hundred and 
 
 tamarac post at 
 starting point. 
 1 the west, and 
 36 of this grand 
 ncorrected, IT 
 
 well ; asprncel 
 nder six inches f 
 avy frosts hav- 
 ail, being coin-l 
 ter abundantly 
 imber changes I 
 sappears. Thei 
 n in the banks 
 lile. From this 
 :t course of the 
 winds through 
 jiently deep to 
 ouud. 
 
 )f the branches 
 lie eighth mile 
 I. On the main 
 
 165 
 
 branch are two magnificent water powers, a mile or so betw en each other 
 and about a hundred chains to the south west of the line. 
 
 I terminated the grand range line at the seven hundred nd twentieth 
 chain. I placed at every mile, while scaling this line, a sq are post re^-u- 
 larly marked. ' ° 
 
 I at the same time explored the land on each side of this grand range 
 line, for a distance of about four or five miles I was agreeably surprised 
 at meeting, in Normandin especially, land of superior quality, as much in 
 the appearance of the soil and timber as in the advantages— it offers to 
 settlers— of perfect drainage and easy cultivation with the hoe. 
 
 I came across in this township a vast extent of burnt land where 
 tillage would be so easy that two men could clear every day enough land 
 to keep a plough continually at work. 
 
 On one of these burnt tracts, where wild hay grows in abundance 
 (a significant fact, as in the other sections of tk« Saguenay, wherever there is 
 burnt land, it is either noxious weeds or a new growth of trees that comes 
 up), there is a space of several acres on which wild strawberries grow in 
 profusion and quite undisturbed ; the plants are bushy and the fruit is of 
 more than the usual size. The person, who gave me *he information, was 
 worthy of belief, and said he crossed this land while exploring last summer 
 in company with a number of others, in a part of the township of Nor- 
 mandin. 
 
 The Tikouapee river winds to the south east of the township line at a 
 j distance of one or two miles and a half towards the middle of the line, and 
 approaches it on reaching the western end. 
 
 Nothing is more charming than the valley of this stream. There is 
 nothing like it in the Saguenay, not to speak of else^^here. The gentle flow 
 of its dark waters towards Lake St. John, the elms and the willows that 
 shade its banks reflect as if in a mirror their elegant trunks, with their 
 I long and waving branches. There is a growth of tall and evergreen 
 hay at the foot of these elms which adds every year to the fertilizing 
 mould. Wild vines creep and twine from tree to tree like ivy and form a 
 continuous shade. 
 
 There is nothing more inviting to the settler who sincerely wishes to 
 become a land-clearer than these beautiful forests growing on well drained 
 and slightly rolling land with a rich and fertile soil. He would consider 
 himself rich in owning a few acres of land fronting on the Tikouapee river. 
 
166 
 
 No more anxiety ior his horse and cow ; a good pasture for summer and 
 excellent forage for winter. It is an important consideration for the new 
 settler to have fodder at hand for the poor animals that are so useful and 
 necessary. 
 
 On the ridge which skirts the valley on both sides of the river, the 
 timber, which consists of spruce, birch, fir, aspen and a few pines, is of 
 remarkable height and sizt! ; the spruce especially being of sufficient size 
 and q aality to furnish to the trade over one hundred thousand saw loo-s. 
 There are only a few white pine scattered here and there. Hunters ha°ve 
 assured me that in the upper parts of the river from forty to sixty miles back 
 from Liike St. John, there are magnificent pine groves which cover a great 
 stretch of land ; that the quality of the soil and the timber is everywhere 
 the same— strong loam and mixed timber ; that there are no mountains or 
 rocks ; and that the whole is nearly level, with an imperceptible slope 
 towards the Lake. 
 
 In the township of Albanel, the section that I explored is in all res- 
 pects like the Normandin land. The swamp of the Grand Raccourci, which 
 I met to the north east and which runs through the township across its 
 whole width, robs it of about a quarter of its area ; but the western part is 
 equal to the best lands in the townships of Caron and Signal. 
 
 On the river Tikouapee, within the limits of Normandin, there are three 
 important water powers ; the first one especially will probably be utilized 
 this spring, if your department gets this fine township subdivided. 
 
 In concluding this report, I may add that I am thoroughly convinced 
 that the north western part of the territory of Lake St. John constitutes 
 the largest, the finest, most fertile and most advantageous field in every 
 respect for the development of the patriotic cause of colonization. 
 
 "With good roads well located in the best parts of the Upper Saguenay, 
 a railroad to connect the fertile valley of Lake St. John with ^Quebec 
 city, some free grants of land in isolated localities— with these facilities, I 
 say, we would see before twenty years a population of at least one hundred 
 thousand souls, living in comfort around this beautiful Lake and iu the fertile 
 valleys of the numerous rivers which flow into it from all sides. 
 
 A railway would be the vivifying and colonizing nrtery which would 
 make the Saguenay district one of the most lieautiful as well as the most 
 flourishing and wealthy sections of the Dominion. 
 
 (P.-H. Dumais, 31st January, 1872) 
 
Vol 
 
 Township of Perigny. 
 
 After having ascertained by a good astronomical observation the vari- 
 ation of my instrument, I ran the north west outline of the township of 
 Perigny, for a distance of a mile. I then, on an astronomical course, ran the 
 south east outliue of this township for a distance of 511.68 chains, at the 
 end of which I intersected the Marais road. 
 
 With the exception of a few chains from the starting point, the land 
 on this line is very mountainous ; all this tract, properly speaking, consists of 
 a single range of mountains, with a height varying from 500 to' 1,200 feet, 
 cut at intervals by deep valleys which follow the slope of the mountains^ 
 This chain lies towards the south east and extends for about a league and a 
 half in that direction, forming at its south eastern extremity, with another 
 range of mountains running in an opposite direction, a large vaUey of good 
 and beautiful land. 
 
 The timber on the flanks of the mountains and in the valleys is of 
 fine growth. I noticed that it was of a superior quality to that of the Upper 
 Saguenay. 
 
 The brooks and str. ams which I crossed on this line fall into the river 
 St, John, and are formed by the discharges of the lakes and ponds. 
 
 I next proceeded to scale the Marais road and I'Anse St. Jean, taking 
 for the starting point a spot where I intersected the Marais road with the 
 preceding line on which chaining I gave alignments, and placed two bound- 
 aries on each side of the road. In scaling the road, I found in general the 
 land of excellent quality, very level and well wooded ; but I may note that 
 the road runs everywhere through a valley bordered on either side by 
 mountains of greater or less height, which come so close together at some 
 j points as to leave but little level ground ; nevertheless the flanks of these 
 mountains are iii great part composed of good land, which allows of a range 
 being established on each side of the road, except at the part known as the 
 Passe-de- Roches, which is situated towards number sixteen of range F. C. for 
 a distance of about sixty chains and which is nearly all unfit for cultiva- 
 tion. The mountains or elevations are rocks (granite) and are so close 
 together that they form a little valley, through which there is only space 
 enough left for the road for a distance of about thirty chains. 
 
 As for the continuation of the scaling of the Marais road from its junc- 
 tion with L'Anse St. Jean road to the St. Agnes road, I must sav that I did 
 
168 
 
 all I possibly could to find the location represented on the plan which 
 accompanied my instructions, but I could not find the slightest trace of 
 it. I made enquiries on the subject from the oldest inhabitants of the place. 
 but they knew of no other line than the one laid down in my plan. As 
 this road continued in a direction which did not suit for the division of 
 the ranges, I discontinued its scaling at the front line of range A. From this 
 point, there remain about three miles to reach the St. Agnes road. 
 
 After scaling the road as aforeenid, I proceeded to run the front lines of 
 ranges A, B, C, D, F, and the lines of verification of the ranges as appears 
 by my field notes. 
 
 The land along the range lines is broken, but generally good enough 
 for tillage. I have laid down on the plan all the timber that I met. 
 
 The river St. John which I several times met, and which is indicated 
 on the plan, furnishes quite a number of water powers for saw and grist 
 mills. It is in width from one to two chains and its still waters are very 
 deep. It has also a number of rapids. 
 
 , {J.-O. Iremblay, 4th September, 1886.) 
 
 '{? 
 
 
 Township of Raoin©. 
 
 The township of Kacine, lying between Lake St. John and the river 
 Mistassini, forms a peninsula, the surface of which is absolutely level and 
 regular, almost like that of the lake. 
 
 In the whole township there is neither mountain nor hill, rock nor 
 boulder. 
 
 The whole peninsula, which seems to have been submerged by the 
 waters of Lake St. John, is composed of alluvial sand, lightly covered here 
 and there on the surface by a layer of grey or white sand, an inch or two 
 in thickness. 
 
 This land, though not of first quality, is rich enough, and well suited 
 for cultivation. It is the same character throughout the whole of the 
 township. 
 
 The vacant land to the east of the exterior line appeared to me to be of 
 better quality, especially along the river Little Peribjnka, where several 
 
169 
 
 persons made some clearings last winter in order to make certain of havino- 
 land +here. =• 
 
 The shores of the lake, and especially Point Mis tassini, are low. 
 A considerable part of this township, as indicated on the plan is 
 kbmerged by the high water of Lake St. John ; but not every year 
 Withm the limits of the land so submerged, there is a natural meadow 
 bvered every year by a growth of wild hay, which is shown on the plan 
 In its largest extent. This meadow may be utilized for cattle raising. 
 
 In the centre of the township is an uncultivable swamp, which I have 
 lepresented in all its proportions on the plan. This swamp might be 
 Irained. It is covered in a few places by a stunted growth of small bushes 
 bt IS mostly barren. I found that in several places there was no thickness' 
 ff turi {savane). 
 
 The whole township, with the exception of this natural meadow is 
 
 overed with large growing timber, consisting of balsam, cypress, spruce of 
 
 111 kinds, white birch, ash and a few oaks, and some plots of alders on the 
 
 border of the lake. Messrs. Price & Co. ha.e cut large quantities of pine 
 
 ^ypress and spruce logs here. ' 
 
 No test has yet been made of the climate. 
 
 There are no settlements or improvements in this township. 
 
 • 
 
 isjiir' 
 
 (Arthur du Tremblat/, 6th June, 1883.) 
 
 hill, rock nor 
 
 Township of Roberval. 
 
 I . if''* T *^^ "'""^'^ ^'""^ '"^ *^^ ^°"'*^ ^«"fe^«' between lots Nos. 20 
 Ind 21, and, at a distance of 80 chains 80 links, I ran the range line 
 letween the fourth and fifth ranges, and so on for the other ranges to the 
 jifehth. The latter range is only 42 chains 10 links deep. 
 
 The lots chained in the fifth and sixth ranges are 28 in number, while 
 the seventh and eighth ranges there are 33. . 
 
 All these lots are adapted to tillage and it will not be long befoife they 
 re taken up by settlers on account of the superior advantages which the 
 luahty of the soil and the proximity of Lake St. John lend to thi« lnn«liHr 
 
110 
 
 over th« new townships to the north west of the lake. The surface is j?onerallv 
 level and only slight undulations are met with, bnt all these favor the 
 drainage of the land. The soil is a grey and yellow alluvial loam, covered 
 by a layer of humus or black mould for a depth of four to eight inches I 
 Except a few rocky spots, where the ground changes its level, there is very 
 little loss on these lots. 
 
 The part of the township which I have not subdivided consists of| 
 rocky ground that in some places has been several times swept by fire 
 and does not appear to be susceptible of cultivation or to be worth division 
 into lots except for the merchantable timber to be found on it. Here, as in 
 the part subdivided, the timber is composed of the usual w^oods observedinl 
 the Lake St. John valley, the prevailing species being white spruce audi 
 lamarac, fir, white birch and ash. 
 
 (P.-/.-C- Dumais, 4thh February, 1880.) 
 
 Township of Ross. 
 
 I have the honor to present the report of my survey of the first fourl 
 ranges of the township of Ross made according to instructions from youil 
 department in date of the 30th May last. 
 
 I began my operations at the post planted at the north west angle ofl 
 Ouiatchouan, towards the south east, for a distance equal to the depth ofl 
 three ranges of 80 chains each. In compliance witli my instructions, l[ 
 planted properly marked posts at the extremity of each range, with stouel 
 boundaries and glass underneath. I ascertained the astronomical course off 
 this line to be S 52° 55' 35" W. According to an observation which l| 
 made from the pole star at its eastern elongation, on the 20th June last, l| 
 found that the variation of the needle at this spot was 15® W. 
 
 I then proceeded to the south west outline of the township, and, start- 
 ing from a post planted at the southwestern angle of Roberval,and on the! 
 same course as the first, I extended this line for the distance of three) 
 ranges of 80.80 chains each, and planted properly marked posts and stonel 
 boundaries, &c., at the extremities of their depth. I (determined the breadthl 
 of Lake Rond trigonometrically and scaled the part of it which is includedl 
 in the township of Ross, in order to ascertain its superficies. 
 
Ill 
 
 I next went between ranges one and two. starting from the post planted 
 at 80.80 chains with double alignments, according to instructions, and 
 barking with care the numbered posts of the north west outline towards 
 It ho south west. 
 
 I next proceeded to the centre line, starting from the post between 
 |numbers 30 and 31 of the line between ranges one and two, and on the 
 Bame astronomical course as the outline, I ran the centre line to the same 
 lepths as these lines, that is to say, from the line between the townships 
 .f Loberval and Ross ; I ran this line towards the south west to the denth 
 
 jf three ranges of 80.80 chains each. 
 
 I afterwards ran the lines between ranges two and three, plantino- 
 lumbered posts at every thirteen chains and scaling the lakes intersected 
 p)y these lines. 
 
 In general, all these lands are adapted to cultivation, the soil in several 
 Places being a strong black loam. 
 
 The forest which covers them includes in many places merchantable 
 
 timber, su.h as white spruce fit for making saw logs, tamarac and white 
 
 n\ I 0";^t-houa«iche and Iroquois rivers, there are also several 
 
 mU sites which I have been unable to indicate precisely on my plan 
 
 [.astly, the appearance of the country is magnificent, being generally free' 
 
 rrom mountains and offering great attractions to settlement. 
 
 {Jean Ma/tais, 24th December, 1884.) 
 
 Township of Signai. 
 
 I proceeded to lay out tlje line between the fifth and sixth ranges 
 rem the post and boundary on the division line between the townshm of 
 tX" W . *''-"fiP;f Signal, from which post I lan it on a coLe 
 Hnl astronomical, as far as the intersection of the rear line of the tenth 
 
 k , "^.V^Vfr"'* ""* !^' ''**^''' '" ^^''^ *'^° ^-^"S^^' I <ii^'ided the lots on 
 bach side of the range line, that is to say, in double ranges, thus giviuff to 
 he inhabitants of the fifth and sixth rangvs the advantage of havTn^ only 
 to make m common a central road. * 
 
 * P. 
 
172 
 
 Apart from a swamp oi about fifty acres in superficies, ou the lots in 
 the neighborhood of the centre line, the two ranges which I have just 
 subdivided are cortainly magnificent in every respect : soil composed o| 
 clay, wheat and alluvial land, timbered with birch, spruce, fir, white birch, 
 pine, elm, ash and cedar, climate favorable on account of the proximity of 
 Lake St. John, whose waters temper and check the early fall frosts, and in 
 proximity to a saw mill, the property of the Messrs. Lindsay, on the 
 Grammont river. 
 
 It is very probable that the new parish which is being formed in this 
 township will have its centre at the intersection of the line of the fifth and 
 sixth ranges and that of the tenth range. Joseph Morel, who has already 
 formed the nuclei of three new settlements on the eastern shore of Lake 
 St. John, came and put up his house in mid forest, in the fifth range, and 
 is encouraging others to follow his good example ; many have already made 
 considerable clearings and intend to sow next season. The reserve of a 
 certain amount of land at a suitable point for a village site would greatly 
 advance colonization and lend much importance to these settlements. 
 
 The township of Signai is rapidly progressing, and, as soon as the 
 island of Alma road is terminated, all the lots will be occupied by the | 
 owners of location tickets, who are only waiting to remove thither as soon 
 as the road is finished. 
 
 (P. H. Dmtais, 22nd February, 1869.) 
 
 There was no trace left on the line batween the first and second ranges 
 to indicate Mr. Jules Tremblay's survey except two pickets in the swamp! 
 near the line of Labarre. The land, from number thirty-five as far as 
 number twenty-five, where the centre line run», is partly cleared for a depth 
 of several acres; but all the buildings were destroyed by the great fire 
 and in the rest, from the centre line as far as Labarre, no clearings have 
 been made on the second range for w^ant of subdivision. 
 
 I laid out the centre line to verify the depth of the second range, and 
 found a few stumps, indicating the original survey ; the depth was correct. 
 
 All this land is of excellent quality and the sw^amp to the south east] 
 could be easily drained. 
 
 ■S^SLfBi 
 
173 
 
 I ran and cleared the line between the second and third rano-es, 
 I dividing the lots and planting good posts duly numbered and finding 
 twenty-three lots of best quality land. 
 
 Small clearings have been made on the first two lots ; on the thirteen 
 
 I others, the settlers have taken the exploring line run by Mr. Dubem-er 
 
 r L. 8 , for the range line and have made considerable clearings near °the 
 
 I Labarre line There are also small clearings in the second and third ranges. 
 
 This line runs certainly through the most beautiful land of Signai, and 
 deserves to have a colonization road run through it to connect Lake St. 
 John with the Alma and Hebertville roads. The land is level, well drained, 
 and the quality of the soil superior in every respect. 
 
 I next went by the line of the second range, as far as the line of the 
 
 third and fourth ranges, which I chained and cleared, divided and blazed as 
 
 liar as the intersection with the Labarre line, finding from distance to 
 
 distance a few clearances in the neighborhood of this line. A few posts 
 
 were lound, but without any numbers. 
 
 The twenty three lots chained in the fourth range promise to be the 
 [ site of of a fine settlement at no distant day. 
 
 I finished my work with the chaining and division of the line between 
 the fourth and fifth ranges, planting good posts at all the lots, after regularly 
 I chaining and carefully blazing the line. This range also includes twenty 
 I three lots; on the thirty-fifth there is a deserted clearing of several acre?. 
 
 This laud is not as advantageous to begin settlements as that in the other 
 ranges ; consequently the settlers have preferred to clear the fifth range along 
 I the line which separates it from the sixth, thus forming a double range. 
 
 (P.-H Dtmais, 2nd July, 1870). 
 
 m 
 
 the south east 
 
 All this land in general is woll suited to tillage ; a large extent of it 
 was sown this spring, and the settlers are making new clearings, Li 
 j approaching the Petite Decharge, however, the lots lose a great 'Ileal of 
 their value ; rocks crop to the surface, leaving but little land fit for culti- 
 vation ; nevertheless all the lots aie taken up, 
 
 (P.-II. D/niuds, 30th August, 1870). 
 
It4 
 
 Townships of Signa!, Labarre and Oaron. 
 
 With the exception of a strip of rocky land which covers part of the 
 sixth range and of the Saguenay range, in Labarre, the three section . which 
 I have surveyed in the townships of Signal, Labarre and Caron contain J 
 considerable extent of land of extraordinary fertility. A great number of 
 farmers have made large clearings at different points. 
 
 The situation of the fourth and of the fifth ranges of Libarre will give 
 easier access to the island of Alma and to the othin- ranges of the township 
 of Signal; but this advantage would be still greater if the line between 
 the fourth and the fifth ranges were continued as far as the line at the 
 depth of the land along the river des Aulnets. The river Bedard offers fine 
 sites for the construction of mills throughout the i)art of the township of 
 Signal which it crosses; the branches of this river water a considerable' 
 extent of the fourth, fifth and sixth ranges of Labarre. 
 
 {P.-A. Tremblaij, 28th November, 1865, 
 
 Township of Saint-Germain. 
 
 The soil between lot number one and lot number nineteen inclusive, 
 south of riv.r Sainte-Margueiite, is adapted to cultivation, consisting ot| 
 rich yellow loam covered with hard and soft wood. 
 
 On the section comprised between lot number nineteen and lot fifty- 
 five, north of the same river, to the base of the mountains, a distance varying! 
 between twenty and thirty chains in depth, the land would also be well 
 adapted to settlement. 
 
 I began to skirt the southern bank of the mountain, along the river 
 Sainte Marguerite range, at the commencement of lot number four, and l| 
 followed it to the extremity of the line. 
 
 In the ranges south of the baf,e line, the land is suitable for farming, 
 with the exception of some chains of rocks existing principally along the! 
 Saguenay river and throughout a great portion of range A. 
 
 All the lakes which I met in the course of my survey abound with fish, 
 trout and eels predominating. 
 
Its 
 
 There are several good harbors along tho shore of the Sagujnay river, 
 mi the best is rAuse a Xavier, in irout of the village reserve." 
 
 All the rivers crossing this township offer spliMulid mill-sites. 
 
 Eoads will undoubtedly be opened through this township, principally 
 [throughout the part surveyed, and that r.Mnaining to be surveyed included 
 ^etween the third range and the river Ste. Marguerite, between Cap Est 
 Bud Ruisseau Rouge. 
 
 The survey of these two last sections is anxiously called for by a laro-o 
 number of settlers who have already commenced work thereon. 
 
 I further take upon myself to call the attention ol the department to 
 the nature of the soil between the river «te. Marguerite and the Saguenay, 
 east of the township of St. Germain. Having had occasion tcT travel 
 throughout the whole of this territory, in every direction, before it was 
 purveyed, I do not hesitate to say that its soil and climate are as good, if 
 lot better, than in any othjr of the air. .dy surveyed townships of the 
 Saguenay region. 
 
 (GerMm Gagnon, April 3rd, 1862.) 
 
 Jteen inclusive, 
 
 ound with fish, 
 
 Township of St. Hilairo. 
 
 The township of St. Hilaire, situate to the east of the township of 
 )eQu*Mi, and in rear of the townships of Mesy, Caron and Metabetchouan, 
 comprises a suinn-ficies of 37,000 acres. 
 
 Topography AxXD Soil.— I am happy to say that this township on the 
 ^vhole is suitable for colonization. 
 
 The valley of the Bel/e Riviirr, the left bank of the Cedar lakes, and the 
 
 right bank of the river M labetchouan, in the first and third ranges, with a 
 
 liwt of the second and fourth ranges, are considerable tracts of arable lands 
 
 jf the best quality, unobstructed by any rocks or mountains or anything 
 
 |disadvantageous. 
 
 The rest of the township is of a much poorer soil, composed generally 
 |of grey and black earth, often mixed with sand, and is also rather stony, but 
 believe it can be sold fpr farming purposes to the satisfaction of settlers. 
 
It6 
 
 f R 
 
 A third portion comprising about oue-lUth of the laud surveyed, beinj 
 cut up by small mountains and flat rooks, is consequently unfit for cultiva- 
 tion, as shewn on tlio plan. 
 
 Timber and Watkr-Couuses.— All this township is under a rich, iiew| 
 growth ot green woods, consisting of white spruce, black spruoe, fir,'bou. 
 leau, alders and aspen. In the valley of the outlet of the lake d laCarii\ 
 <Sucker lake), there is a considerable quantity of white spruce fit for makiiisl 
 logs. There never was any pine in (his region. 
 
 This land is watered by the lake of BeHe Riviere, by the Big and Littlei 
 Cedar lakes, by the Big and Little laka of Be/fe Riviere, by the river MetaJ 
 betchouan, and by many other streams and discharges running through it| 
 in all directions. 
 
 There are two magnificent mill-sites on the river Metabetchouan. The! 
 first is on let No. 67 of the first range, and the second on lot No. 33 of thef 
 first range of the river Metabetchouan. 
 
 These lakes and rivers abound with fish ; and their waters are purj 
 and good. 
 
 Climate.— The squatters, who occupy the first two miles on each sidfi 
 of the river Metabetchouan, speak favorably of the climate, which, natu [ 
 rally, must bt; as good as that of St. Jerome and 8t. Louis de Metabetf 
 chouan. 
 
 There arc also other improvements in the first range, north of the Belli 
 Riviere. Three men named Simev.n and Simon Betlamy, and Adolphel 
 Gandrault live there with their families. These brave pioneers appear to luj 
 tolerably comfortable 
 
 f!^. This township being in close proximity to the Lake St. John railway] 
 and having the advantage of a good colonization road, should, I think, be 
 soon settled. 
 
 (Arthur du Tremblai/, 11th October, 1884.) 
 
Ill 
 
 waters are pure I 
 
 Township of Slmard. 
 
 I conlinecl myself to the survey of the residue of the township of 
 Simard, m whicrli I laid out four ranges, that is to say, the sixth, seventh, 
 (.•i.ufhth and ninth, into lots 
 
 This part of the township of Simard, as well us the lower part 
 except the first range or range fronting on the River Saguenay, is a per- 
 foct level, or nearly so. with the exception of the hills and gullies formed 
 l)y the rivers and water courses ; every brook, no matter how s mall »rone. 
 rally lying in a gully formed by itself, at some depth below the general 
 li^vel, never, even in case of the river Shipshaw, exceeding hundred feet, or 
 very little more, the small brooks, being proportionately nearer the surface ; 
 
 This part of the country is characterivsed by a total absence of rocks of 
 any description, not even small stones, except at the level of the river 
 Shipshaw, and in some cases, though very rocky, at the level of the 
 " Kiviere aux Vases." The faces of the ravines formed by the water 
 courses, are composed of a light, slippery, whitish clay, from which cn-cura- 
 fitance " Riviere aux Vases " takes its name ; its bed not having yet reached 
 the rock, the water pouring from it into the Saguenay is always muddy 
 from the wearing of the clay through which it passes. 
 
 Considerable masses of rock of the kind called gneiss, a stratified 
 granite, appear on each side of the river Shipshaw near its mouth, iu the 
 lirst range ; the same rock is also seen in other pans of the river, but in no 
 other portion of the township, ex(>ept it be found at the rear outline, where 
 a stray spur ot the hills may crop into it, as the land here begins to rise. 
 
 The soil overlying the clay above mentioned is various, according to 
 Its position, some p;irts being slightly raised above the general level, others 
 slightly depressed ; the higher parts are sandy, su:h as the sixth and seventh 
 ranges near the river Shipshaw, growing chiefly a species of pine called 
 cypress, with spru(;e and lir; other parts owing to slight depression in this 
 almost too level country, are swampy, growing black spruce, led spruce 
 and tamarack, such as a portion of the eighth range between the river 
 Shipshaw and the (.-entre line, and near the " Riviere aux Vases " towards 
 the earA outline ; some p:,rts of the ninth range, especially the rear, are 
 swamps, or " savannes " almost open plains, with very little wood, owing 
 to this part being in the immediate vicinitv of the foot of the range of hilS 
 bounding this phxin to the north, and ivceiving all the drainage of the 
 
 12 
 
lis 
 
 mountains, which cannot filter throufrh the clay of the subsoil, or And 
 access to the rivers from the level nature of these portions of land ' 
 
 The rest of the township is, for the most part, a good sandy loam 
 growing- birches, black birch, firs, aspen, spruce and poplar, in some places' 
 mixed with white maple and maple ; cedar is found in many places in large 
 quantities, aud ash sometimes appears ; in these cases the soil is a black 
 mould ; many parts of this township grow red spruce, taraarac of a large 
 size, and parties are now making knees for the purposes of ship building, in 
 th'! sixth and seventh ranges. 
 
 To the west of the river Shipshaw, the soil is a little more sandy, 
 owing to the appearance of pine in considerable quantities ; there are lumber- 
 men engaged here in takijig out pine timber for Mr. Price, of Chiccutimi • 
 but with the exception of the pine ridges the land has the appearance of 
 being as favorable for settlement as any other part of the township, and tho 
 township as a whole, though the soil is not so good as that about the foot 
 of Lake St. John, is as favorable for settlement as any of this part of 
 the Saguenay ; on the south side of the Saguenay the soil improves, as you 
 leave Chicoutimi and near Lake St. John, and I have every reason to 
 believe the case to be the same on the north side. 
 
 Most of the wood in this township to the east of the river Shipshaw 
 was burnt oil', from all appearances, about seventy or eighty years ago, 
 parts of burnt stumps and pieces of large pine trees bemg still met wiUi', 
 which accounts for the somewhat light nature of the soil in somj parts, as 
 originally this must have been the same alluvial deposit as the rest of the 
 plain on both sides of the Saguenay, up to Lake St. John, but at this latter 
 place the fires were not so extensive. 
 
 There are some good mill sites on the river Shipshaw wi th water 
 power sufficient to drive mills of any size, and some sites on the small 
 streams for inferior mills for settlement purposes. 
 
 {A. Wallace, 30th March, 1855.) 
 
 letraced the lines of the third and fourth ranges on the east side of 
 the river Shipshaw and extended them on the west side. After running 
 the line of the third range. I scaled the river Shipshaw and divided the 
 lots on the west side, planting good posts duly numbered, and so on for 
 the other ranges as far as the sixth. 
 
119 
 
 3 east side of 
 
 I deemed it advisable to run the line at the depth of the fourth rano-e 
 in the direction of the post number thirty-seven and thirty-eight of the 
 feame range in order to take in nearly all the good land at the° depth of 
 these lots and to pass the line on the edge of a marsh, 
 
 I terminated this part of my work in the third, fourth and fifth rau"-es 
 11 order to establish their depth and to run the line between this rano-e and 
 range A. ° 
 
 The part of this township to the east of the river Shipshaw, from the 
 liirst to the fourth range, has at different times been swept by fire and in 
 Iv-ain did I try to find the line of the second range. As it was impossible 
 S"or me to discover the old lines of the second range, I went to the third, 
 kvhich I could follow through a swamp on number twenty-two, near the' 
 ^mall lake there, us far as the centre line, which I found at eight chains 
 and thivty-five links, to the east of the small branch of the river aux Vases. 
 
 I cleared the centre line for two depths, that is to say, 110..'54 chains, 
 md at this distance I ran the range line and chained the lots of range A 
 and of the first range. 
 
 The soil in this part of the township is generally well suited for tillage, 
 specially on the lots of the third and fourth ranges, which are composed"of 
 h grey and yellow loam of superior quality, and very well wooded with 
 Ispruce, fir, white birch, poplar, aspen, young pine, &c. Although most of 
 |he merchantable timber has been cut off, there still remains a^great deal 
 jl'or building purposes. 
 
 The land on the fifth range is drier, but swampy in rear. In rano-e 
 and the first range, the land is slightly broken and the soil is a grey 
 lilluvial earth, except on the lots from number twenty-two to thirty, iuclu- 
 Vvely, where there is a little loss, on account of rocks. The clearings in" 
 the range A are somewhat extensive and are made along the road. °The 
 [lots are nearly all occupied, 
 
 The part of the second range, comprising the lots number twenty-seven 
 Ito thirty-two, is very broken by bare rocks, and these lots are very unfitted 
 7or settlement. 
 
 (P.-T.-C. Dumais, 14th June, 1879.) 
 
180 
 
 TownshipB of Slmard, Tremblay and Pnlardeau. 
 
 I hivvo tlio honor to report that [ havo rompletod tho chtiuiuLr of the i>ivU 
 oftho townshii)s ofSimard, Trombhiy and Fahirdeau whuii were confuled 
 to ine. 
 
 I am hiippy to be able to state that I have establishnl the existence of 
 aral)le land in the srreater portion of the tracts vvhi(^h I surveyed. In the 
 reversed lots oi" range nine of Siniard and ranjfe ten of Tremblay, the laud 
 is v,'ry .-lay.^y on the surface as far as the centre line of these townships 
 whero (h(. upper layer becomes sandy, and presents a silicious appearaiuv 
 of variable thickness alternating with calcareous and argilaceous schists. 
 The i)roperly ofthe.se i-lays, of retaining water at the surlace, has produced 
 some plot^ of cold land (;overed with a layer of vegetable mould, varyiiJ 
 from a few inches in thickness. The sam.^ cau.se is perceptible in the growth 
 aiul quality <.f thi> timb >r. lied and black spruce are the prevailing°kin(l,s.| 
 
 In the other parts the limber is of a very line growth, and is chiollv 
 composed of white spruce, white birch and poplar. 
 
 In the upper portion, north of the centre line of the township of Simard, 
 and Wivst of the centre line of the township of Falard.niu, the iutermediatol 
 neighborhood of lakes has contributed to the formation of low and moist 
 lands, covered pretty tlii.'kly with timber (^fonly middling growth, such as 
 are met with in the second and third ranges on lots 7 to 15, inclusive. Apartl 
 from this small space, wheie the soil is more or less fit for cultivation, and) 
 a small mountain on the banks of lake Charles, to the south, all the land 
 which 1 surveved iu this locality is very good and may be settled upon 
 with advantage. The .soil, whicli is sedimentary, is composed of a 
 black and yellow sandy earth, overlvinu" th.' calcareous clay which is moti 
 with at various depths. 
 
 On the central line in the lirst range to the south and east oflakvi 
 <'harK-s. ilicre is a line quarry of limestone covering several lots. The Mv;i- 
 lili.Hl beds of this (juarry run from south east to north west. There are alsol 
 indications of a similar quarry on the exterior westerly line of the tovvnshji)^ 
 of l''alardeau. towards the middle of the third ran«'-e 
 
 In passing through this trai,f, one cannot help recognizing how rick 
 the forest has b.^eu: the stumps, the cuttings and the debrh of trees stivwiil 
 around arc so many evidences to attest it. From the an.Ment appciran^J 
 of this f/rbris, covered as it is with layers of mos.s of dillerent a'^es, it is notl 
 
diiiicult lo believe that lumberiiifT operations have been carried on in these 
 jlonvsfs lor over thirty years ; and this very year there have been over fifteen 
 
 thousand logs cut in them. To give you an idea of the size of the timber 
 Igrowirig here, it will be sufficient to tell you that I measured some cedars of 
 |]brty-eight inches diameter at the stump. 
 
 On the line between the third and fourth ranges, to the north of 
 iG'rand Lac Clair, over an extent of five miles, with the exception of four lots 
 Jto the east on the southerly slope of a small mountain, the soil is i'very- 
 Iwhore good, even, level and richly timbered. The prevailing woods are 
 [white spruce, white birch and poplar. 
 
 {J.-O. Trembluy, 15th May, 1883.) 
 
 Township of Taoh6. 
 
 This township, situated to the northward of the Saguenay river, 
 Jl)etween the townships of Delisle ani Bourget, has an area of 40,752 square 
 laorcs, of which at least the seven tenths are composed of arable land 
 suitable for settlement. 
 
 The first range, being partly broken up by cliffs, is very little fitted for 
 Iscttlement, but as it is partly occupied by squatters, I thought I was justified 
 liii laying it out into lots. On my way to the rear line of the township, I 
 jfound no mountains or steep hills, or any extent of rocky land. 
 
 The ground is perfectly level, the soil clayey and alluvial, inexhaustibly 
 Bortile. 
 
 Timber of every kind grows here in great abundance. The spruce 
 
 pias been cut into logs, but enough has been left to supply the settlers ; 
 
 Ithere is no pine timber at present, but judging from the stumps and 
 
 Ifragments strewing the ground, I conclude it must have existed in laro-e 
 
 quantities. ° 
 
 There are some water powers which may be useful to the settlers 
 tioreafter. The colonization road which it is proposed to run through this 
 township should pass between the third and fouth ranges, whertri have 
 Jaid out a double range for the benefit of the settlers on these two ranges, 
 have also laid out a double range in front of the second range, and survey 
 ^t the ranges east and west of the river Gervais, as I was directed, in my 
 bupplementary instructions, for the settlers' use." 
 
 {Geo. B. DuTrembtay, 29th November, 1879.) 
 
182 
 
 Townships of Taillon and Deliale. 
 
 After havino- traversed the above mentioned tract No. 1, in overy 
 direction for nearly a month, I became firmly convinced (hat it is, in every I 
 respect, most advantageously qualified for colonization. It also oiFers oroiit 
 facilities for carrying on every branch of industry, by m^ans of the power! 
 supplied by the numerous streams, falls, &c. 
 
 The tract lying between the mouth of the river Au Cochnn and that of 
 the Peribonka rivers, as far as the falls on these latter, is so flat that jnf 
 some places, when the snow melts, the waters remains a long time on the 
 ground, and even, on some few patches of considerable size, retards the 
 growth of the timber. It is on this account that is has been said by some 
 that these lands are swampy, but this idea is erroneous. Notwithstandin? 
 the heavy rains which had fallen during the month of Jnly, the water, a' 
 the time of my visit to the locality, had completely disappeared, or remained 
 to a depth of only two or three inches in the moss. These lands may even 
 be drained with facility. In these so called swamps there is an averao-e 
 thickness of only seven to ten inches of turf, overlying excellent alludal 
 land. 1 established this fact by examinations at several different places. 
 
 Apart from these low grounds, the rest of the tract in question may be 
 easily drained. The soil is entirely alhivium, a rich yellow earth, saitablel 
 for any kind of crops. The part near the lake is nine or ten feet above high! 
 water-mark, ai.l there is consequently no danger of inundation from thatl 
 side; while the banks of the livers Peribonka are from eighteen to tweutyl 
 five f'el in height. I found here many ditFerent species of wood: balsam! 
 spruce, white l)irch, yellow birch, elm, ash, mountain ash and alder, the 
 white siiruce predominating. The are all of very fine growth, indicating a 
 rich soil. Wherever 1 went throughout the whole tract, I did not find a| 
 single rock. 
 
 ]V>th the Grand and Little Peribonka rivers are quite navigable up to 
 the first lalls. 
 
 The lands bordering on them for a distance of ten miles above the lalls 
 bear the same general aspect as those above described. The soil there also 
 ie in great part alluvium. There are, however, some light elcA'ations, where 
 the soil is richer, though of the same composition. In the same portionl 
 adjoining the township of Delisle, ihese elevations are more marked, audi 
 contain a lighter rich yellow soil, upon which pine grew plentifully iuf 
 
183 
 
 former times. The woods now standing are the same as those mentioned 
 above, the merchantable timbar being chiefly spruce. There are no rocks 
 to be seen. 
 
 From the rivers Au Cochon and A la Pipe, going towards the east, the 
 land is still of the same character, except that the elavations are still 
 greater ; and while the soil upon them is fit for cultivation, they will 
 always remain an obstacle in the way of farming operations. 
 
 It will be readily perceived that this tract offers great advantages to 
 colo)iization : it is, in my opinion, the finest part of the country around 
 Lake St. John. 
 
 {John Langlois, 13th November, 1883.) 
 
 Township of Taillon. 
 
 As settlers had arrived and begun chopping along the canal to the 
 west of lot No. 72 of range I, and as the subdivision of this land, which is 
 of very good quality, involved but a few days' work, I took upon myself 
 the responsibility of dividing the lots in that portion comprised between 
 the lots Nos. QQ and 86 of range I. The parts mentioned, designated as 
 meadow on ray official plan, indicate the places overflown by the waters of 
 Lake St, John during the freshets, and on which natural ._ay grows in 
 abundance after the water has subsided. 
 
 The greater part of the township is composed of a soil of the best qual- 
 ity, notably in the part east of the central line. There are a few rocks on 
 the ranges A, L 11, fll, near the exterior Hue, but they take up very little 
 land. There is also a small swamp in range IV on lots 8, 9 10. 
 
 East of the central line between lots Nos. 40 and 80 of the ranges II 
 and III, land IV, the land is somewhat swampy, but may be easily drained 
 in this part of the township. There is on the banks of Lake St. John and 
 of the river Peribonka a strip of dry land, varying in depth from twenty to 
 thirty arpents. The soil of Point Peribonka, west cf the central line, is of 
 sand on the surface, with a subsoil of white clay at a depth of ten or twelve 
 inches, while the part of the township east of the central line is composed 
 of alluvial soil of the best quality. 
 
 The superficies of the land surveyed is 40,72*7 acres. 
 
184 
 
 I am convinced that this township will soon be colonized, and if the 
 works on the Archambault road were actively pushed on, all the territory 
 north of the Snguenay, or rather of the Grand Discharge, would be soon 
 settled, and in a few years, four or five parishes would bo formed in the 
 townships of Taillon, Tach6, Delisle and Bourget. 
 
 Another road, which would be very useful to colonization if it were 
 opened, is the projected route on the central line of the township of Taillon. 
 to or near the river Peribonka ; this route being a very short one to lead 
 from the river Peribonka at the foot of the first falls to Lake St. John. 
 
 (W. Tremblay, 28th May, 1885.) 
 
 if!, 
 
zed, and if the 
 
 11 the territory 
 
 vould be soon 
 
 formed in the 
 
 .tion if it were 
 hip of Taillon. 
 ort one to lead 
 St. John. 
 
 May, 18«5.) 
 
 185 
 
 COUNTY OF COMPTON. 
 
 Township of Ohesham. 
 
 4 
 
 The township of Chesham is bounded on the north by the township of 
 Marston; on the south by the United States boundary or province line ; on 
 
 [the oast by the townships of Woburu and Clinton, and on the north east 
 Loriier by a gore between Marston and Clinton ; and on the west by the 
 townships of Emberton and Ditton ; and at the north west corner by the 
 
 Igore between Marston and Ditton. 
 
 The rivers in Chesham are small streams, being the head waters of the 
 ISalmon and Arnold rivers. They are not of sufficient size to be of much 
 Inse for lumbering purposes, but they furnish several good mill sites for 
 |the use of settlers. 
 
 The Megan tic mountains take up a smaJl portion of the northwest 
 Icorner of Chesham ; and the south east quarter is very much broken up 
 |with the boundary mountains and ridges of spurs extending from them in 
 rarious directions. 
 
 Very little pine timber, comparatively speaking, is to be found in the 
 township of Chesham, but spruce of an excellent quality is abundant, with 
 "maple and birch in large quantities in most parts, except the south west 
 luarter of the township where soft wood principally prevails. 
 
 Water power sufficient for the wants of settlers is not lacking ; the fol- 
 lowing is a list of the mill sites that were noticed in making the survey of 
 pe township : 
 
 N« 1. Tolerable mill site : lot number four, third range on the west 
 rork of the east branch of Salmon river. This stream probably furnishes 
 l)thers in the same vicinity. 
 
 NO 2. Two or three good mill sites : lots numbers 38, 39 and 40, fourth 
 |ange, on fork of west branch of Arnold river, heavy rapids and fall. 
 
 NO 8. Good mill site : lot number two, sixth range, on east branch of 
 ^almon river, rapids and fall. 
 
 N° 4. Tolerable mill site : lot number fourteen, eighth range, on fork of 
 iouth branch of Salmon river. 
 
 f 
 
 I" 
 

 186 
 
 The wcsttM'u extromity of this r\\ngi\ is taken up, to the extent of eigh 
 or nine lolf, by a portion of the Megantic mountain raiicfe, on the easterly I 
 slope of which, however, there is some line yettlinir land ; thence easterly to 
 Clinton is a hirge tract of land generally fit for settlement, with the excep- 
 tion of some small tracts or patches, this tract extending northeasterly into 
 Marston. 
 
 A A'ery line tract of settling land lies on the south east slope of tho 
 Megantic mountains in these ranges, and between the fork of the east 
 branch of Salmon river ; adjoining to a good tract in the fourth range of Dit- 
 ton. A belt of soft wood and poor land is found near the east fork and 
 extending north easterly ; further to the east the land is high, rolling or undu- 
 lilting ridges, generally well timbered and adapted to settlement through- 
 out to Clinton, except the southerly part of the third range near Clinton. 
 
 Good land adjoining Ditton in the fourth range, and generally very 
 good land in the northern part of this range to number thirty-nine where a 
 belt of stony, soft wood land is found extending to Clinton. 
 
 The iifth range begins at number twenty-one upon a high ridge of 
 hard wood land adapted to settlement to number thirty-one, thence more 
 broken, with small tracts of excellent high lands to number forty-one, and 
 then high hard wood land generally fit for settlement to Woburn line. 
 
 Several good mill sites are found in the fourth range on numbers 
 thirty-eight, thirty-nine and forty, which form a desirable location. 
 
 A great portion of this range from Ditton to number twenty-one isl 
 most generally poor soft wood land, a small part along Ditton o::cepted.[ 
 The easterly part of the range from number twenty-one to Woburn isl 
 mostly rough, broken land with good valleys and patches of small extentj 
 not generally favorable to st^ttleinent, except a portion of the northern side 
 near 'Woburn. 
 
 Very little land for settlement is found in these ranges ; small patchos 
 of good lands are to be found in the hilly parts, but the greater portion isl 
 rough and broken, or stony, soft wood land unfit for settlement ; &oraeJ 
 well timbered hard wood ridges are met with, but they are generally| 
 stony. 
 
 In great part poor land and very rough and mountainous to the east toj 
 near the province line. A good tract of land extends from number eight toj 
 number twenty-four between the two ranges, which is better adapted toj 
 settlements than the same extent in anv part south of the fifth ransre. 
 
18t 
 
 twenty-one isl 
 
 The southern part of the tenth range runs np to the height of lands 
 which forms the province line, and is in gr.at part rongh, broken land. 
 
 Undivided tract or gore along Emberton and south of the tenth ran-e 
 ahis gore or remnant of land within the boundaries of Chesham is a narrow 
 «trip between the province line and the east line of Emberton; it contain, 
 ahou 2,400 acres, and IS mostly rough, mountainous land, generally unfit 
 lor tillage. Some imely wooded valleys and slopes are to be found within 
 it, hut these are mostly very stony. 
 
 The township of Chesham does not offer the same advantages for 
 settlement as the township of Ditton ; it has no large streams or o-reat 
 water power, while the southern part is generally unfit lor settlement. 
 
 The northwestern and northern parts, however, along Marston hare 
 some very hue settling lands in compact bodies; and here settlements 
 might advantageously be made, when a road of communication will have 
 been opened from the nearest settlements already establis'ied in some of the 
 neighboring townships. 
 
 The good settling lands in Chesham lying chiefly in a continuous block 
 con iguous to Marston and somewhat separated from the bottoms and 
 settling tracts in Ditton, it becomes worthy of consideration upon the 
 presumption that Marston offers equal or greater inducements far settle- 
 inents than Chesham, whether it would be advantageous to open a road run- 
 ning north easterly from the Hampden and Arnold river road throuo-h the 
 north west quarter of Chesham to Marston line, and thence north easterly 
 through the most desirable land for settlement, so as to intersect the most 
 southerly settlements already formed along lake Megantic upon Victoria 
 bay. 
 
 From what acquaintance with the country I have obtained by having 
 surveyed an exploratory line northerly through Marston in 1861, and from 
 the knowledge of the lands in Chesham acquired by the survey of that town- 
 ship during the past season, I should consider this route as a most desirable 
 iink in the chain of colonization roads whioh are intended to open up this 
 quarter of the Eastern Townships. 
 
 {W.-W, O'Bwj/er, 20th March, 1863.) 
 
 I 
 
188 
 
 The amount of public lauds contained in the two townships laid open 
 for settlcraei.ts by thi^ survey may be stated as follows (exclusive of allow- 
 ance for highways) : 
 
 Township of Ditton (S. "W. , lOt inrlnded) 47,500 acres 
 
 " Chesham 48,400 " 
 
 Total area of survey 95,900 acres 
 
 From this amount is to be deducted of unsurveyed tracts unlit for 
 tillage or settlements (approximatively) : 
 
 Ditton (chiefly in the S. E. quarter) 5,100 acres 
 
 Chesham (mostly in southern part) 5,200 " 
 
 Approximative area unsurveyed 10,300 acres 
 
 Leaving approximative area actually subdivided 85,U00 acras 
 
 (F.-W. Blaiklock, 20th March, 1803.) 
 
 As regards the laud in the west half of range six, it is poor and stonoy, 
 especially at the north end of lots one to thirteen. The houses on both sides 
 of the main road are mostly all vacated by the settlers, who were scarcely 
 able to procure a living from their crops and have emigrated to the Stales. 
 It is for this reason that I would strongly recommend that al} who lay 
 claim to the lots in the west half of range six should have the right of pre- 
 emption to the unimproved lands in the gore adjoining their own lots. 
 
 {Armand Fletcher, 31st January, 1884.) 
 
 Township of Ditton. 
 
 The township of Ditton is bounded ou the north principally by the 
 township of Hampden, and in part to the north east corner by a small gore 
 or remnant between the south line of Marston and the north line of Dittou; 
 on the south by the projected township of Emberton and a small portion of 
 the township of Auckland ; on the cast by the township of Chesham, and 
 on the west by the township of Newport. 
 
180 
 
 The south wost quarter of iho township of Ditron was granted by 
 loiters i)ateni, in the year 1801, and is not included in the present survey. 
 
 Th(^ princ ipal rivers ofDitton are the Salmon river, divided into east and 
 south l)ran.!he8, with its tritnitary, (ho Ditton river, which is also divided 
 into the Ditton and the Little Ditton. The widi.i of the Salmon river at 
 lou' water is from lifteen to fifty yards, and that of the Ditton river from 
 eight to twenty vards. Both are subject to sudden rises and falls, and over- 
 ilow the low lauds along their banks to a considerable extent, The Salmon 
 river is huge enough for floating lurge timber to market. Tt is ascended 
 \, hshnig boats at the lowest state ol the water, and offers a u ,idy medium 
 lor transport to settlers along its banks. The Ditton river is obstructed by 
 sand banks and jarns of drift wood at low water, but in the event of settle- 
 ment could be much improved. 
 
 The meadow lands along the banks ol the Salmon and Ditton rivers 
 are very considerable in extrnt and though partially subject to overflow in 
 certain localities will form rich lauds for settlement. 
 
 . The Megantir mountains <.r,upy a very large tra<-t in the north east 
 corner of Ditton, Ce most of which is entirely unfit for settling purposes 
 and in cc^s.^queiuv was not, subdivided in the present survey. These 
 mountains xtend into Chesham. M ;rston and Hampden : a good quality 
 of granite is found around ih-nn and good spruce timber. 
 
 Pine lumber is considerable qujuuities was formerly found, in Ditton • 
 but within a few years past tl • quarter portion has bJen taken away, so 
 that but iitlle comparatively remains; a very excellent quality of spruce 
 l.mlHT IS found in inexhaustibl,. quantiti. - in various parts of the towu- 
 slii. wii li a heavy growth of birch and m.iple on the higl r tracts. 
 
 A num;n>r of mill sites are to he Ibund in various p s , -the town- 
 ship of Diiton, sufficient for the wants of settlers and fur manufacturino- 
 purj)uscs if requireil. ° 
 
 The general quality ho soil and timber, wheth -r ffood or bad l)eino- 
 
 minutely exhibited upon ihe pi: ., and in the lield book of survey, 'it Aviff 
 
 -esulhcient herein to uive a more comprehensive view of those parts that 
 
 arel..-.st adapted to settlement at the present time, i king the different 
 
 laiii^t'S consecutively." 
 
 ^^ome good settling ]an.ls a.,.ng Newport and Tlampden ; then a vein 
 ol poor land, intermixed with same tolerabJo patches crossino- the road 
 iuie; very good land at the rear ol Ihr lots on the ■ as( side of tb,. ,-,,,1 l- .. 
 
1!M) 
 
 niul gont'rally pretly j>;ooU land to Salmon rivtn-. A l>flt of vt'iy poor land 
 on I 111! east side ol' tho rivrr, with a strip of tolorablo land adjoiuinir 
 Ilanipdt'M, near the loot of tht» Mcgaiiti- IuIIh, at nmnhi'r thirty iiino, tht'iicij 
 rough, brolv( 11, mountuiiiouH land to ('lu'f.hain may bo settled from Newport 
 to Salmon riv» r, moro or lesH. 
 
 Fino settling land iVom Newport about I'ourteen lots east taking in thti 
 road lint»: this tra(;t extonds .south easterly nearly eight or nine miles, 
 varying in width, and taken together ronns a large and advantageous 
 block lor settlement, h'roui number lourteen to Salmon River is gentu'aily 
 poor, Irorn Salmon River poor again, sonu^ lour or live lots on the hiyli 
 lands at tho base ol' the mountains, about number thirty-three, whence 
 there arti seven or eight lots lit lor settlement; tho Megiinli(; hills, from 
 niunber thirty-eight to forty-three, occupy the renuvinder of tho lands 
 to Chesham ; two mill sites are found in this range, vi/ : on lots number 
 twenty-one and thirty-live. 
 
 These raiigt's are advantageously situated, fronting on the Hampden 
 and Arnold ii\ers load line, and the gieatcr portion of the land from New- 
 port to Salmon river, a distance of over four miles, is well adapted to .settlo- 
 ment, while much of it is of the linest quality ; from Salmon river east the 
 laud, with the exception of u striji along the river, is not good, except in 
 occasional small patches till reaching number forty-eight, whence commenct^ 
 a tract of good settling land inline fourth range, extending into the lifth, 
 which runs ea.sterly to Chesham. 
 
 The line bottom lands along the Salmon river commence in the third 
 r.inge, increasing in width southerly along the river. 
 
 In the vicinity of Newport, this range, more particularly the southern 
 part, is j)oor and unlit lor settlement. At number ten commences the «;ood 
 lands noticed in the third and fourth ranges, which extend easterly to Sal- 
 mon river over three miles, and are mostly very good arable lands ; southerly 
 this tract of good lauds extends to the north line of the south west quarter 
 of Ditton, and easterly joins to the meadow lands on Salmon river. 
 
 The meadows in the iifth range im\ more subject to overllow than 
 elsewhere, but nevertheless they form a tract ol very good lands, while 
 almost every lot includtvs more or loss of high land. 
 
 To the east of Salmon river, and beyond the meadows, the quality of 
 the land is not uniform ; good and poor patches occur alternately, ending at 
 Chesham line, and, to the south of the east part of Salmon river, in a ridgo 
 of line high lands. 
 
191 
 
 A ffood mill sito is Ibiuul in tho lilth 
 
 nvujjri, oil lotM numhers iiftytwoiiua 
 "51UIU0II rivofM n-.Mii- ii. n.:., _ 
 
 e in tho third 
 
 llilty-thiv.. ; the forks of tho iJittou a.ul Suimon rivers o.rur in thi« range. 
 
 Tl.iH rnnj.-. ..ontuiuN l,ut nnieteen lots from tho south west quarter of 
 I)itt..M to uumb..r hfty-three, wh-r. tho .sixth rauo-o i« overlapped by the 
 lil, ami seventh ranyvs. The larg-er portion i« «oo.l land, in.dudin/so.ue 
 
 lol the hnent bottoms ot the Ditton and Salmou rivorn vvhi.h are but littlo 
 
 jfiuhject to overflow in comparison their extent. 
 
 A good mill site is found in the sixth range on lot number lifty-one. 
 
 A line ridge of land on the south side of the range, and west of the 
 pitton river. Ihe same ndge bears north between the iJittou and Salmon 
 hvers, and extends on the north side of the range to Uhesham liue • most of 
 fhe south side of the range from the Ditton river to Chesham, some twentv 
 ots, IS generally poor. In the seventh range are found the best mill sites 
 111 Ditton. "*^^** 
 
 The eighth range has some line lands at the wester.i extremity and on 
 he north side as iar as the Ditton river. To the west of the J)itton from 
 lumber lorty-four to Chesham line, at numb.-r sixtythree, the ..reater 
 tortion ol the land is poor and unlit for settlement, with th,. exeeiHion of 
 small tract along Chesham line to the south of the south branch of 
 Stilinon river. 
 
 The eighth range has a very good and advantageously situated mill 
 >ite on the J)itton river. 
 
 Some tolerably good lands along the south west ,,uartev ; and some 
 etter lands on the south side of the range from number thirty-four to num- 
 :;r forty-eight between the Little Ditton and Ditton ; poor land east of the 
 itton, to within lour lots of Chesham where there is a tract of good land 
 Several good mill sites are found in this range on the Littlo Ditton. 
 Good settling land along the south west quarter, and quite a tract of 
 land most y good on the south side of the range, from iiumlK>r thirty-four 
 the Ditton at number forty-r.ine ; this tract of settling land appears to 
 xtend into Emberton. There is a strip of good land along the Ditton, and 
 [iieuce mostly poor land to Chesham. 
 
 The main portion of the settling land in Ditton lies west of the Salmon 
 rer. extending it may be said continuously, in a southeasterly direction 
 om the western extreniity of the second range, and including the meadow 
 Mids on the Salmon and Ditton rivers. 
 
 ..ftfvi^ 
 
192 
 
 Besides this main tract, there are smaller patches and tracts of consider- 1 
 able extent, particularly in the fourth and fifth ranges adjoining Chesham, 
 
 From what has been shewn in detail, it may be said that the township I 
 of Ditton oilers good inducements to settlers throughout a considerable 
 portion of it ; and although in the north east and south east quarters there 
 is a great amount of waste land, yet there is much land of a superior I 
 quality along the Salmon and Ditton rivers, which being considered in 
 connexion with the abundance of water power there would seem to! 
 indicate that there is no natural impediment to this township being opened 
 and settled up as rapidly as any of the neighbouring townships ancij 
 perhaps, with greater rapidity. 
 
 Should the northern and western parts of the township of Emberton, 
 which is yet unexplored, contain good land for settlement in any 
 (Considerable amount, the settlement of Ditton would be still furtherl 
 facilitated by the survey and opening to settlement of the adjoining township 
 of Emberton. 
 
 {W. W. O'Dwijer, 20th March, 18^3.) 
 
 Township of Emberton. 
 
 Area of the Survey. — G-ross area of Emberton : 
 based on the United States boundary as laid down... 18,400 acres 
 
 Deduct nnsurveyod tracts, unlit for tillage, ranges 
 
 III & IV (appn xiinate) 1,200 " 
 
 lieniains approximate area actually subdivided 17,200 " 
 
 This includes, as a matter of necessity, a good deal ox poor land ; bir 
 none that could be left out of the survey without leaving out, probably, au| 
 equal amount of comparatively good land in most oases. 
 
 BoUNUAiMKS. — The township of Emberton is bounded on tho iiorthl 
 by Ditton. on the east by Chesham. on the west by Auckland, and oa thJ 
 south by the irregular line whi(;h forms the boundary between the Unite(l| 
 States and Canada. It is of a gore like shap^', being nine miles and a quartoj 
 in le]igth from east lo west along the south line of Ditton, with, a d^'ptli 
 of four and a half miles, very nearly, from north to south alonu" the liiH 
 
198 
 
 of Chesham ; diminishing to a depth of about fifty chains at a point about 
 one mile and a half from the Auckland line where the depth again became 
 about one mile and a half. 
 
 Outlines.— The north and west lines were established by the former 
 survey of Ditton and Auckland, respectively ; the east line with Chesham 
 was drawn in 1862, while the southerly outline was fixed by the runnino- 
 of the province line according to the Ashburton treaty of 1842. 
 
 Subdivisions. — The subdivisions of Emberton consist of four ranges, 
 running east and west, and numbered from north to south, which are 
 again divided into lots running north and south, and numbered from east 
 I to west. 
 
 The regular dimensions of the lots are of the depth of eighty chains 
 and eighty links, which forms also the width of each range, by thirteen 
 chains in width ; giving a content of one hundred acres, with five per cent 
 for highways. 
 
 Rivers and Mountains. — The rivers are Ditton river and the Little 
 Ditton. — Both of these are small, and, taking^their rise in the boundary 
 heights at a short distance, are subject to sudden rise and fall. The width 
 of the Ditton whero it crosses the north line of Emberton is about ten or 
 twelve yards, and that of the Little Ditton from seven to ten yards ; the 
 Ditton divides into three considerable branches. Same good low lands are 
 found on the Ditton, in the first and second ranges; but no extensive 
 bottoms as in the township of Ditton, on the Ditton and Salmon Rivers. 
 
 The mountains of Emberton belong to the height of land which forms 
 the province line. They are most extensive in the south eastern part where 
 thoy take up a large portion of the fourth range, and are generally rough 
 and broken To the north west these heights are mostly high, hardwood 
 ridges, sloping gradually towards the low land, withoiit presenting any 
 general impediment to settlement and cultivation. Apart from the eleva- 
 tions belonging to the boundary height of lands, a good portion of Ertber- 
 ton is either level or shows gradual undulations of surface. 
 
 The geological character of the rock is generally of the slate formation. 
 
 Auriferous deposits have been found during the past summer upon the 
 Little Ditton river, within the township of Ditton ; but no search has yet, 
 as far as I have learneJ, lieen made for the same purpose within the limits 
 of Emberton. It is by no means improbable that discoveries of minerals 
 

 194 
 
 will be made upon the sources of the Dittori, which will give value to th. 
 apparently worthless tracts of the fourth range of Emberton. 
 
 Lumber and Water Powers. - Good spruce timber is plentiful i« 
 most parts ..the town.hip, but no pine of any consequence is t'o be fouVd 
 On the uplands and ndges there is plenty of birch and maple, which t 
 places IS of a remarkably heavy growth. 
 
 One good mill site was discovered on the east branch of the Dillon 
 (lots number eight and nine, second range), and others may very likely be 
 found. In any case excellent water power is to be had in variotis parts o 
 the township of Ditton, adjoining Emberton, suihcient for all the wants o 
 settlers m the townships. ^ °* 
 
 Arable LANDS.-The general quality of the soil and timber is partieu- 
 arly exhibited upon the plan and in the field notes of survev In add tl 
 to this, It will suffice to give a short comprehensive view of the tracts o 
 parts best adapted lor settlement, taking each range or range line separltel " 
 
 of A J'Z/'f fl ^'^'''^/^''^'l ^"^^^) - Commencing at the north east corner 
 of Auckland the land in the first range is of a very good quality on th 
 a. r ge and m some parts sttperior, without break and interruption t 
 within less than two lots of the Little Ditton, making twenty-three cons^ 
 cutive lots, all more or less fitted for settlement ; anoUier settling tract "t" 
 genei.lly equal to the last, though in parts very good, i.s Ibund from num 
 wenty-nine, with some little interruption about the Ditton, to numb 
 eight, making eighteen or twenty lots fit for settlement ; Ihos on the^ 
 side oi the Ditton are Hat and l.vel, with a soil somewh.t li^ht and r. 1 e 
 dry, but on the whole they are rather above than below ^e^:^ ^^ 
 
 Settlements nearly continuous could be formed along the whole of thi. 
 hue to withm about one mile and a half of the south east corner of Ditto,: 
 
 2nd Eange (along range line I and II)-From Chesham line, westerly 
 .r sixlos oi generally good lond ; then mostly soft timber wi'lf omJ 
 patches of passable land to about number twenty-one, whence there 1 
 .everallots of very good land to number twenty-six. Tht trie ex ten 
 northerly to Ditton line ; then four or five poor lots to number hiryoe 
 and then very good land to the boundary at number forty or forty-one' 
 
 the th::d r' "'r?'- "^^^^--^-ly ^o Ditton line, and southeas erly" 
 the third range which gives a continuous belt, from the north east corned- S> 
 Auckland to about number sixteen, in the third range, of landrmoX f 
 
196 
 
 re value to the 
 
 is plentiful in 
 is to be found, 
 iple, which in 
 
 of the Dilton 
 very likely be 
 irious parts of 
 1 the wants of 
 
 ber is partieu- 
 '. In addition 
 'f the tracts or 
 le separately ; 
 
 h east corner 
 [uality on the 
 terruption to 
 ^-three couso- 
 ing- tract, not 
 from number 
 I, to number 
 56 on the east 
 tit and rather 
 ■e quality. 
 
 ivhole of thii 
 ler of Ditton. 
 
 lie, westerly 
 ' with some 
 ce there are 
 ract extends 
 ■ thirty-one ; 
 •r forty-one. 
 heasterly to 
 ast corner of 
 is mostly lit 
 
 |for settlement, being over seven miles in length and averaging from a 
 quarter of a mile to a mile in width. Some parts of this tract ar^e very finely 
 timbered with a growth of heavy maple and birch. 
 
 3rd Range (along range line II and III)-Poor land from Chesham line 
 io number sixteen mostly. Then a tract of good settling lands to number 
 khirty-four. connecting to the north west with the good lands in the first 
 knd second ranges ; beyond this to the w^est, poor, soft timbered, swampy 
 land to the United States boundary, about number forty. On numbers 
 Iwenty-one and twenty-two, there is some remarkably fine, level, hard wood 
 [and free from stones. 
 
 4th Range (along range line III and IV)— From Chesham line three or 
 four tolerable lots ; and again five or six tolerable lots to number thirteen • 
 Ihen poor laud to number seventeen with low^ land good for grass oil 
 hurabers eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one and part of twenty-t'wo. 
 
 This range line was not prolonged westerly beyond number twenty- 
 Iwo; but from ail the appearances the land thence to th" boundary on 
 dumber thirty-four is generally poor and unfit for settlemen t. 
 
 A large portion of the fourth range is entirely occupied by the 
 oundary mountains with the spurs and slopes extending northerly from 
 hem ; and, on the whole, there is but a small extent, comparatively, of 
 ^p-A settling land within the limits of the fourth range. 
 
 CoNCLUDiNa Remarks.— The township of Emberton contains less than 
 me third the area of an ordinary township. Its geographical position 
 ying along the base of the boundary range of heights, \vould seem to bo' 
 mfavourable in respect to soil and settling capacities ; notwithstandino- 
 his, rather more than half of it is fit for settlement, as nearly as can be 
 sstimaied, which may be considered a very iair proportion of good land. 
 
 Of this, some portions are excellent land ; in particular may be noticed 
 he block lying mostly in the first range, and extending from Auckland 
 learly to the Little Ditton, about four miles without interruption, all of 
 ■v'hich is more or less adapted to settlement and tillage ; while in many 
 >arts the soil and timber are of first quality. 
 
 There are also other tracts of sufficient extent to form settlements when 
 loads shall have been opened to stimulate and assist the efforts of indivi- 
 lual pioneers ; and on the whole Emberton will compare very favorably 
 
1* « 
 
 196 
 
 with any of the adjoiniug townships in respect to general natural capa- 
 bilities. 
 
 For the better development of these, it may be observed that tha open- 
 ingofaroad through Emberton, connecting the settlements in Auckland 
 and the southern part of Newport, with the settlements now forming in 
 the centre of Ditton. on and near the Arnold river road, would be a most 
 desiral)]e work in addition to the colonization road already commenced in 
 this section of the township, and would unquestionably lead to the speedy 
 settlement of the best portions of Emberton. 
 
 And further, the continuation of the Arnold river road, easterly through 
 Ditton, Chesham and Woburn to Arnold river, although it does not touch 
 Emberton, may very properly herj be mentioned as a leading route already 
 well advanced, the completion of which is much to be recommended, in 
 view of the very material tendency which it must have to accelerate'the 
 opening up, not ( iily of the townships through which it passes, but also of 
 the wild lands, generally, for some distance on either side of it, including 
 the township of Emberton, and which will no doubt lead directly to the 
 entire settlement of the extensive meadows and fertile lands of the Arnokl 
 river valley, of which it is not too much to say that their capacity for pro- 
 duction probably exceeds that of any equal extent of territory within a 
 range of many miles. 
 
 {W.-W. O'Dw/jer, 8th February, 1865.) 
 
 Township of Marston. 
 
 Cenfre line 'ircf rani^e.—kt the post of lot number fourteen and iil'teon, 
 on the line between the 3rd and 4th ranges, I carefully established a tnu' 
 meridian, by astronomical observation, (variation lo^T west) and retraced 
 the centre line across the 3rd range, the bearing of which I found to b^ 
 h^. 89^28" E. and depil 81.12 .-hains. 
 
 This line passes over n tract of good hard wood lands timbered with a 
 large growth of maple, birch, spruce and beech; the ground is undtilatiim' 
 and high, and the soil a good loam well adapted to agriculture. 
 
 I,s7 and 2h<1 range line. — This line had been started with pickets some 
 distance on either side of the centre line, and by comparing its raagneti 
 
19*7 
 
 bearing with the observation takon at the 3rcl range, I found it to agree very- 
 well. I accordingly continued it as started northward to 'he lake .shore, a 
 distance of 107.40 chains, planting posts for the subdivision into lots of 
 26.00 chains each, numbered from 15 to 19. 
 
 The land traversed by this line was undulating, mixed hard wood, th 3 
 soil generally good but stony, crossed in several places by ro:'ky ledges. 
 
 From the centre line I ran due south across the township, a distance of 
 367.75 chains, planting posts for the subdivision into lots of 26.00 chains each 
 numbered from 14 to 1 ; this line traverses land generally undulating, some- 
 what broken by ravines near " Moose Bay " and rocky ridges near the south 
 side of the township. The tim.ber is chiefly raided hard wood \d the soil 
 a black mould on a brown loam ; the whole of this range with but little 
 exception is in good settling laud. 
 
 2nd and 3rd range line.— This line I found had been run in the field 
 from the centre line northward to "Victoria Bay", and southward to lot 
 number ten, but no posts for the subdivision had been placed ; I therefore 
 retraced, brushed and chained it, planting posts for the lots of 26.00 chains 
 each ; I also continued on to the south outline, completing the subdivision 
 into lots of the required width. 
 
 The lands traversed by this line extending from " Victoria Bay " to the 
 soiTth outline was over a partly undulating surface, timbered with a heavy 
 growth of hard wood, well watered by numerous small books and springs, 
 the soil generally a black mould, with a good subsoil of brown loam, and 
 well adapted to agricultural purposes. 
 
 4th and 5th range line.— This line had been run and posted to number 
 seven, at which point I began and continued it out to the southern boundary 
 of the township, completing the subdivision into lots; upon this line there 
 was considerable broken ground, with rocky ledges and swamps, the soil 
 was in many places good, but in general very strong. 
 
 It had been run and subdivided to number eight from which I continued 
 it out to the township line ; t'va ""rst three lots traversed by this line w^ere 
 oood, being hard wood and mix- d swale land, the soil a good black mould 
 on a rich brown t'^am, well suited to agriculture ; the remaining lots wore 
 broken, rocky an< strong land, soft timbered and poor light soil, until 
 i!oar the townshi}) 'me, where good hard wood was again met with. 
 
198 
 
 ;i6.f 
 
 il 
 
 I 
 
 6th and lih range /me. -This line passes over rather an uneven surface 
 being broken by several small streams; the timber is chiefly mixed woo ' 
 the soil being black mould on a brown loam, but very strong. 
 
 Itk and m range //«e.-Thisline was run south of the centre line as far a^ 
 number nme, from which I continued it on to the township line, completing 
 the subdivision into lots; for the first five lots the land was general 
 undulating hard wood timber and good soil, but very strong ; when ne 
 AuCU'rf 7^ .the surface becomes much broken by rocky ridges 
 Although the imber is all hard vood. and the soil a good black mould on " 
 brown loam, it is almost too strong and rocky for good farm lands. 
 
 8th and m range /^V^.- Number fifteen on this was good hard 
 jood land and good soil, the next four lots, number sixteen, seventeen 
 eighteen and nineteen were moist and swampy, the soil poor, strong cla^ 
 loam, and the timber small and stunted, number twenty is good, mostlj 
 hard wood but strono-. ^ "i^ouy 
 
 From the centreline southward the line was run to the width of one 
 ot likewise from which I contiuued it on to the south outline of the 
 Wiship ; for two hundred chain., this line passed through wet and stony 
 land, a spruce, cedar and larch swamp, with the ground so level as hardly 
 to give drainage to ^^ 3 waters; the line then entered a tract of hard wood 
 of a good growth of timber and good soil, but very strong, which continued 
 With b It htile oxception to the tow^nship line 
 
 This swamp appears to be of great extent, and to occupy nearly the 
 whole of tiie central portion of the township, extending all round the head 
 Waters of the A ictoria river. 
 
 9th and 10(/i range /ine.~The line between the 9th and 10th rano-es I 
 retraced for twenty chains north of the centre line where it ended • I'con- 
 turned It on to 152.06 chains to opposite lot number twenty and twenty 
 one, to which distance it had been run from the north side of the township 
 I .joined these two lines by an olfset of two hundred and twenty-eight links* 
 and measured the width of number twenty-22.06 chains. The ground 
 undulated very gently. 
 
 Number fifteen and half of sixteen were good hard wood, maole, birch, 
 beech, spruce and white woods, and the soil a good brown loam ^ 
 
 The remaining four and a half lots were through low swamps, timbered 
 with fir, cedar, spruce, beech and ash ; the soil being black mould ou a 
 
190 
 
 cold clay subsoil very »tony ; this Hue crosses two small streams, tributaries 
 I of the Victoria river. 
 
 South of the centre line it was run only eight chains, from which I 
 continued it 326.88 chains to the township line. The ground traversed was 
 very level, wet and swampy. Fir, cedar, spruce, birch and ash, for eighty 
 
 I chains, it then entered much hard wood, birch, spruce, beech, maple, fir, a 
 good brown loam for 40 chains, it again entered swamps, spruce, fir, white 
 maple, white beech, wet and stony soil to within one and a half lots of the 
 township line, when it rises into good hard wood, birch, spruce, maple, 
 
 [hemlock, fir and white wood to the end. 
 
 10//t and nth range line.— This line had only been started north of the 
 Icentreline; I therefore ran it to 154.35 chains, opposite the post of numbers 
 1 twenty and twenty-one run from the township line. 
 
 I joined these two lines by an offset to the west of 8.37 chains, leaving 
 the width of number twenty, only 24.56 chains. 
 
 The first three lots on this line, number fifteen, sixteen and seventeen, 
 with the exception of a few chains of spruce swamp on number sixteen', 
 w^^re all good hard wood, birch, maple, beech, fir, spruce, basswood ; the' 
 soil a good brown loam but very strong. 
 
 Lot number eighteen and the S J number nineteen are spruce and cedar 
 swamps ; the north part of number nineteen and twenty are good hard 
 wood land, south of the centre line it was likewise only started, I accord- 
 ingly ran it out to the south boundary of the township, a distance of 327.39 
 chains ; the ground on this line undulated very quit-ily all the way, in good 
 and bad land alternately. It crossed two small lakes and several small 
 streams, all waters of the Victoria river. 
 
 Lot number fourteen in both ranges is chiefly soft timber, and 
 taken up by the waters of the lake ; from the lake the land ascends 
 very gently through mixed wood, gradually merging into hard wood ; 
 the soil is good but very ston> ; on lot number twelve the line enters a 
 spruce and fir swamp, the soil light, wet and stony, and the timber small ; 
 on number eleven it again changes into hard wood, the soil good but very 
 stony ; the south parts of number nine, eight and seven are all swamp ; 
 number six is mixed timber ; on number five the line enters into mixed 
 hard wood which continues on with but little change to the township line, 
 the soil generally being black mould on a brown loam, well watered 
 
 W 
 
200 
 
 with numerous small streams and springs, fro m . the base of Megantic 
 mountain. 
 
 nth and 12th range line— This line was only started at the centre liue 
 and I ran it on to 156.07 chiins, opposite to the post of number twenty and 
 twenty-one. I joined the two lines by an offset to the west of two hundred 
 and seventy-four links ; the first five lots namely number fifteen, sixteen 
 seventeen, eighteen and nineteen, were all wet and stony, spruce and cedar 
 swamp. At lot number sixteen I crossed a small pond whose waters flow 
 into the other brook. Lot number twenty is good hard wood, well timbered 
 with beech, maple, birch, spruce, basswood and iron wood, with considerable 
 quantities of mascabina, the soil a deep and rich black mould overlayin<r 
 a good brown loam. ' 
 
 From the centre line southward. I ran the line two hundred and sixty 
 chains, and posted off ten lots wh.n I came to the north east slope of 
 Megantic mountain, where the land was so steep and rocky as to be 
 quite unfit for cultivation ; indeed, the last two lots in the twelfth raiKre 
 are nearly all on the mountain ; here I ended my line, considering it useless 
 to continue it further, the land being much too steep and rocky for ao-ricul- 
 ture. " 
 
 Lots number thirteen and fourteen on this line were in good mixed 
 hard wood, moist and stony soil, black mould in abundance. 
 
 Numbers twelve, eleven, ten and nine are soft timber chiefly spruce 
 light, sandy, moist and very stony soil. On lot number eight, the line ascends 
 into hard wood gradually rising on and closing with the Megantic moun- 
 tain, the soil being good but stony; all the land round the base of the 
 mountain is rich and good, but in general very stony. 
 
 Twelfth and thirteenth range line. —This line I ran from the centreline 
 southward 182.00 chains, laying off lots from fourteen to seven, when I 
 came to the inaccessible part of the Megantic mountain, beyond which the 
 land was not arable. On the first four lots on this line, the land was level 
 wet and stony, small timber and very close woods ; the line then ascends 
 rapidly through good hard wood land up to the end ; the soil is very good, 
 but covered with large, loose stones, some of which are of a large size.'' 
 
 North of the centre line I ran 156.00 chains, planting posts for lots 
 from fifteen to twenty ; on the last lot the line entered an open bog, in which 
 I made search for the old line, run from the north side, but could find no 
 
201 
 
 se of Megantic 
 
 in good mixed 
 
 e base of the 
 
 Itraces of it. This swamp and bog extend a considerable distance to the 
 
 JBOUth west and north west round the head waters of the Otter brook, in 
 
 jfact, beyond the limits of the township and into Hampdon. It is perfectly 
 
 llevel and so low that it is flooded in the spring and fall freshets. It is 
 
 lintersocted by canal-like brooks, which are unapproachable in the wet season 
 
 I from the boggy nature of the soil, and I am of opinion that the line from 
 
 (the north side of the township (where I have myself seen it on the field) 
 
 [has never been run beyond the north side of this swamp, for during the 
 
 spring and fall it is almost impossible to traverse it. With this line, I closed 
 
 my survey of the residue of the township of Marston, and, after paying and 
 
 [discharging my surveying party, I immediately repaired to Quebec where 
 
 I arrived on the 12th November last. 
 
 Having now given a detailed account of my survey, with a description 
 I of the land and soil traversed by the several lines run, I shall conclude ,vith 
 a few general remarks on the township as far as it came under my 
 observation. 
 
 The township of Marston fronts and is bounded to the east by lake 
 Megantic, north by the township of Whitton, on the south by Clinton 
 and Chesham, and west by Hampden, It is divided into thirteen ranges of 
 an average depth of 80.00 chains ; these again are subdivided into twenty.- 
 eight lots of twenty-six chains each, but, owing to some inaccuracies of the 
 survey of the adjoining townships, the north line of Chesham cuts off 
 from Marston the whole of lot number one and a part of number two, 
 throughout eight entire ranges ; on the first five ranges from the lake shore 
 the land is nearly all good hard w^ood, well timbered with a heavy growth 
 ol birch, maple, spruce and beech, with occasionally bass wood, iron wood, 
 elm and ash. The soil is black vegetable mould several inches in depth 
 resting on a subsoil of rich brown loam ; the surface of the land is rolling, 
 and in places broken into abrupt rocky ridges, particularly on the south 
 side of the township. 
 
 This section is well watered by numerous small streams and springs, 
 and on the whole well adapted to settlement. 
 
 The Victoria river, a considerable stream emptying its waters into 
 Victoria bay on lake Megantic, traverses nearly its entire length and drains 
 the west, south wesi and north parts of the township. The land bordering 
 this stream and its tributaries is low, flat and swampy and not at all suited 
 
 I 
 
202 
 
 I' <! 
 
 for settlement ; the ground is not only low and wet. but very stmn. 
 rendering it, even it capable ol being drained, unfit for cultivation. 
 
 «" the north and south sides of the township, the laud gradually rise. 
 into rolling hills, v.ll timbered with a large growth of hard wood, the Z 
 being a rich loam ; but, like all this part of the contry. the ground is thicklv 
 covered with loose water-worn granite boulders, many of which are of 
 considerable size, rendering it somewhat difficult of cultivation. 
 
 Pine lumber in this township appears to be scarce, and confined to 
 scattered trees along the borders of the main streams, but spruce of lar.. 
 dimensions and the finest quality is very abundant throughout the townshi'n 
 xvith great lacilities for driving saw logs down to the lake by the main 
 streams. " 
 
 (F.-W. Blaikhck, 13th August, 1863.) 
 
 Township of Whitton 
 
 The land in the southern part of Whitton and northern part of Marston 
 IS rolling but not rocky, principally a heavy loam and very suitable for 
 the cultivation of wheat and vegetables. 
 
 There is an abundance of spruce, cedar and yellow birch, which sell 
 readily at the ditierent stations of the International Hail way. Most of the 
 roads are m very bad order, especially the Victoria road to lake Megantic 
 and he road along range line eight and nine to the International Railway! 
 this latter road being the principal outlet to the railway for many of the 
 settlers in Marstm, who are very desirous of obtaining a G-overnment gra .t 
 lor these roads, which is certainly very necessary. 
 
 (Arniand Fletcher, 26th October, 1882.) 
 
 Lots 
 number t 
 is also bn 
 
 In th 
 level, and 
 seventh k 
 two streai 
 for agricu' 
 hiird wooc 
 stones. I 
 the small 
 a good lig 
 land asceii 
 iiiid of a g 
 between i. 
 
 Lots s 
 timber is I 
 eating a h 
 outline is n 
 hill, formii 
 I good brc 
 ;imber var 
 generally c 
 tiiries of th 
 
 At eig 
 laid off the 
 tinued to 1 
 eighteen cl 
 and sevent 
 range from 
 
kv.3 
 
 it very strotij, 
 tivation. 
 
 gradually rises 
 d wood, the soil 
 ■round is thickly. 
 >f which are ofl 
 ion. 
 
 ind confined to 
 spruce of large 
 it the township, 
 B by the main 
 
 •ust, 1863.) 
 
 Township of Woburn. 
 
 JartofMarston 
 ry suitable for 
 
 Jh, which sell 
 y. Most of the 
 ake Megantic, 
 onal Rail way I 
 <r many of the 
 irnment gn t 
 
 )er, 1882.) 
 
 The whoh' 
 [timber of a largt 
 
 I undulating and 1 ng fo the east 
 I fork of Arno' 1 riA'er. 
 
 of the second rango is in good, open hard wood, the 
 growth, and the soil a good brown loam; the land is 
 
 !(W: 
 
 th.- 
 
 fldle branch of the west 
 
 Lots numbeis one and two in the third imige are good hard wood ; 
 number three has more [>rui he soil being light and the bottom stony ; it 
 is also broken by the m Idle 
 
 anch running through it. 
 
 In the fourth lot, thelin'^ traverses a black spruce swamp, the land quite 
 level, and the soil wet and stony and quite unfit for cultivation. The 
 seventh lot is crossed by the south fork of the west branch ; b'^tween these 
 two streams the land is chielly spruce s' np, poor ..nd stony soil, not Ht 
 for agriculture ; crossing the south fork the une ascends gentlv through good 
 hard wood to the eleventh lot, the soil being good but stony, chiefly surface 
 stones. Lot number eleven is very stony and rocky aui a little broken by 
 the small brook. In number twelve the timber is hard wood and the soil 
 a good light loam, but stony ; in the thirteenth.-fourteenth and fifteenth the 
 land ascends gradually with an inclination to the west, the timber is large 
 and of a good description, the soil a good brown loam but very stony, and 
 between the thirteenth and fourteenth somew^hat broken by rocky ridges. 
 
 Lots sixteen and seventeen ascend the hill which is very steep ; the 
 timber is large but very stunted in height with very close underwood, indi- 
 ating a hard, shallow and rocky subsoil. The land traversed by the west 
 outline is undulating to near the province line, where it ascends a considerable 
 hill, forming the boundary betw^een Canada and the United-States. The soil is 
 a good brown loam covered with several inches of vegetable mould ; the 
 timber varies from pure hard wood to spruce swamp, the former being 
 generally of a heavy growth ; two considerable brooks and also some tribu- 
 taries of the north branch of the Arnold river were crossed. 
 
 At eighty chains and eighty links from the Arnold river road line, I 
 laid off the rear line of the second range astronomically east, w^hich I con- 
 tinued to the main branch of the Arnold river, a distance of five miles, 
 eighteen chains and fifteen links, marking off" the third, fourth, fifth, sixth 
 and seventh ranges. I also posted off the rear of the lots in the second 
 range from fifty-two to seventy-three, corresponding with those on the front. 
 
B 
 
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 IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
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 S us, 12.0 
 
 11.25 ■ 1.4 
 
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 1.6 
 
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 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 Corporation 
 
 23 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 
 
 (716) 873-4503 
 
 €3 
 
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 iV 
 
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204 
 
 The land traversed by this line is undulating, hard wood with sAi.i 
 
 W ' fr/" fT'-''-' ''''' of veryexcelSnt land.ti^Tr d w f 
 
 heavy growth of maple, birch, spruce, ash. e^.m, cedar, &c., the soil bX J 
 deep black vegetable mould, on a subsoil of rich brown loam, well wa ' 
 With numerous springs and small streams. 
 
 Lots numbers sixty-three and sixty-four are traversed by a high, steer 
 
 and rocky hill, which runs in a northeasterly direction all across the ecZ 
 
 range ; the most part of the lots in this range are well suited for agricultu j 
 
 he soil being of good quality, although rather strong rnd, upon approach] ? 
 
 the river, somewhat broken by rocky ledges. PProaonino 
 
 From eighty chains and eighty links on the centre line in rear of thJ 
 TeTh 7T/Tu'^"' astronomically .outh for the division betwee„1 
 the third and fourth ranges, laying off twentyone lots of one hundred 1 
 five acres each, and six irregular lots containing a gross area of one thousand 
 nine hundred and forty-four superficial acres. "ousandl 
 
 Lots one. two, three and four are nearly all good hard wood land buttj 
 ground ^B very strong ; on the filth and sixth lots the land ascend a steep 
 hard wood hill, which slopes away to the south branch and extends Zl 
 easterly towards the second range^ From lot number seven to fourteen thJ 
 land IS undulating hard wood, and the soil of much of it is very good bein 
 a vegetable mould overlaying a clay loam subsoil, but generally strong • fro.^ 
 thefifteenthtot..nty-firs, the land is more broken.LH^^ 
 he east slope of the high land forming the province boundary ; the timbel 
 IS chiefly hardwood, and the «oil a rich loam, but very stony in soJ 
 places almost too much so to form good arable land. ' 
 
 Beginning from the rear line of the second range. I ran due south to! 
 he centre line, laying off lots from one to twenty-o1i3. inclusive ; Z^J 
 
 IntheArnoT r?""'-'*'^^'' of land between the province J 
 
 and the Arnold river for two tiers of lots. I continued this line sixty J 
 chams further and laid off five more lots namely to number twenty-six 
 
 \no ^^° J°^ ""™b^^7»e. the line descends the face of the hill at an angle ofl 
 30 to the brook and ascends 25° the opposite side ; the timber is spruce 
 with a few inferior pine, and the ground covered with large masses of 
 loose rock; lots numbers two, three, four and five undulate along the east 
 
 JLeMv i ^* "* 'r ^'"^P '^^ ^"^*"'^*^°"' the soilis good but!tony,a„d 
 the timber hard wood mixed with spruce ; number, six and seven are 
 
 mmf^£ 
 
205 
 
 wood, with a lig„ 
 d, timbered with i 
 3., the soil being i 
 oam, well watered 
 
 i by a high, steep 
 I across the second 
 ed for agriculture] 
 upon approachins 
 
 |evel, cedar swamps, black mould on a clay subsoil ; numbers eight and nine 
 are a light sandy and stony soil timbered with spruce. 
 
 From nine to fifteen, the land is gently undulating, timbered with a 
 leavy growth of birch, maple, beech, and spruce ; the soil a good light 
 oiim but stony ; for the remainder of those ranges, the line passes over 
 Imixed wood and spruce swamp, the soil where dry being light and stony, 
 ind a cold clay loam where wet. 
 
 The fourth range line consists of twei:ty-six lots and contains an area 
 |of two thousand, seven hundred and fifteen superficial acres. 
 
 1— 
 
 Although this range line passes through considerable swamp land, I 
 
 line in rear of thei^'^^'^ ^^^^'^ reason to believe it does not extend far to the west, but that 
 
 division betweenl^^^*^^^ ^* ^ood hard wood land lying between the high ground traversed by 
 
 one hundred rji*^^ ^^"^ ^^"c^ ^'"^ and the fourth and fifth, for, upon running up the 
 
 of one ihousandj*'""*^^ ^"^^' ^ ^^^^"^ S^od hard wood up ' to the foot of the hill forming the 
 boundary. 
 
 ood land, but thj 
 1 ascends a steep 
 nd extends nortii 
 : to fourteen the| 
 i very good, being 
 •ally strong ;fror 
 ne running along 
 dary ; the timberl 
 ' stony, in some[ 
 
 ran due south tol 
 iclusive ; findin J 
 16 province line I 
 lis line sixty-live| 
 r twenty-six. 
 
 ill at an angle ofi 
 imber is spruoel 
 large masses ofl 
 along theeastf 
 I but stony, andl 
 and seven are! 
 
 I ran this line astronomically south the distance of two hundred and 
 eight chains or sixteen lots, where, being about three chains from the irnold 
 rivts, I lurneci a rectangular oflset to the east, and have made lot number 
 seventten in the fifth range to front upon that stream. 
 
 The ground passed over by this line for the first sixteen lots is mixed 
 sclt wood and spruce swamp with a light sandy and stony soil in the 
 remaining part of those ranges; the lots front upon and are bounded by the 
 Arnold river, along the banks of which the soil is in many places very good, 
 hting an alluvial deposit brought down by the stream. 
 
 The fifth vange consists of twenty-nine lots and contains an area of two 
 thousand, nine hundred and seventy-six superficial acres. 
 
 From the prolongation of the line in rear of the second range, I ran a 
 line due south to the Arnold river, a distance of one hundred imd eighty- 
 six chains, and have laid off nine lots in both ranges, and thence continued 
 it between number fifteen in the sixth, and ten in the seventh range down 
 to the river, which it intersected only thirty-two links east of the line on 
 the south side. 
 
 'the ground traversed was undulating, the timber mixed hard wood 
 and the soil light and stony. 
 
206 
 
 the A™„,d rive. , distance of ei«h,y.i/eZs ^ d L X S'^ 
 timber K.-mg chiefly spruce, and the soil sandy and stony ' """ 
 
 Beginning again at the centre line, I ran due sonll. ft>,. ™ v, , 
 
 timbered with birch, spruce, m p e ced r I a7d VX f ? ""^ ""'"' 
 ov.^<u M 1.1 1 ""fi<-, ceudr, nr, ana asii of a laro-e n-rnwfk 
 
 and the 8011 black veo-ptahlp mmil^ ^« i i ^^'&« growth, 
 
 remaining part of th.^Hu 'llceTd 'Ll thTct oahTmort "^r\ ''' 
 with hard wood, but most of .t too stony andrk^fo^rCL''"''"^^ 
 
 .ou.h'5;: ecr::rtef::thT„vr^^^^^^^^^ -zr t ™^' '^ 
 
 boundary on the east side of the townshi,' ^'d tyor^fi M^dM"': 
 consider I was justified in continuing the survey as to Til 
 
 twenf;iT;x'oSst::^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 very steep up the north fa«e of a high hi" S Lr the t , "'"'"''' 
 
201 
 
 number twenty- 
 Bventh range to 
 i^-three links, the 
 
 for one hundred 
 ts from thirty to 
 3ing very level, 
 
 I large growth, 
 im subsoil; the 
 mtain, timbered 
 ivatiou. 
 
 ig in an east by 
 tig the province 
 vhich I did not 
 
 II appearances, 
 to be available 
 
 le hundred and 
 first lot ascends 
 >und rose at an 
 liar fragments 
 makes it very 
 
 to the north- 
 ofthe Arnold 
 mixed timber, 
 ttered through 
 
 >n top of the 
 d rocky ; from 
 »od sloping to 
 fit and thirty- 
 ist range, and 
 
 veen number 
 in the eighth 
 
 Lge a Idis ance of one hundred and twenty-two chains to the south east 
 lork of the ^rnold nver This line, it was supposed, would intersect the 
 l.unrlvel^ but finding it was not likely to do so, I made the south east 
 Jork the boundary down to the main river ; thenre the lots in these 
 ^anges will front on the Arnold river down to the Clinton line ; and were 
 ^)0sted oft along its banks accordingly. 
 
 The quality of the land along tuis stream is somewhat varied ; iu some 
 laces the banks approach close to the margin and are precipitous, in others 
 hey recede and have a considerable space of alluvial flat where the soil is 
 ixcellent; there .s also a considerable extent of good land lying between the 
 angehneaud the south east fork, and is continued withi," lots twenty! 
 ,me o twenty and mdeed nearly the whole of the eighth range is of a good 
 lual.ty n particular ,„ the lower part of the township, wher^ the alluvial 
 
 of 'he Arnold are of considerable extent; this range, I consider, contain 
 ome of the best land m the tow-nship. ""iciius, 
 
 This line I began at the centre line and ran due south one hundred 
 md forty-three chanis to near the summit of the mountain previously men- 
 ion ed, and laid oil lots from thirty to forty-one. ' 
 
 On the first seven lots, the line passes over low, undulating spruce lands 
 he soil hght and stony, but there appeared hard wood at a short distance 
 .n either side ; he remaining five lots are .11 on the north slope of the 
 nountam and, although the soil and timber of the lower part are ^ood the 
 and IS too steep and stony for cultivation. " 
 
 Beginning again at the centre line, I ran due north three hundred and 
 mety-two chanis and eighty-five links and have laid off lots from twentv- 
 nne to one ; the excess which is equal to fifteen chains and eighty-five links 
 i have called lot A, and is situate between number one and the clinton line 
 
 .n J^r T T Z^ ^''' f'' ^"*' "^ '^'' ^'''' ''' ^» S«^d undulating hard 
 ^ood, timbered with a good, thrifty growth of maple, birch, spruce fir ash 
 [ion-wood, bass-wood, &c , and the soil a good browi loam. ' 
 
 The remaining part of the line crosses several steen and rocky hilh 
 
 tway to he west, leaving a considerable space of arable land between their 
 bases and the Arnold river, timbered with a heavy growth of birT map 
 
 b? r;'' 'f " '"u "^- ' '^' °^^««^- '^ --« ^1^- tract at differt; 
 joints and found it such as I have described. 
 
208 
 
 The ninth range l)eino- situated near to and forming the high land of 
 the watershed, between the waters of Canada and the United States is 
 generally too rough, broken and mountainous for agricultural purposes 
 Although in several places there appeared to be good land, yet there 
 could not be any extensive or continuous settlements made. 
 
 Beginning at the fourth and the fifth range line, I ran due wst 
 between lots numbers twenty-one and twenty-two, ninety-nine chains and 
 fifty links up to the boundary, which I retraced in a north west direction 
 to the nearest iron monument placed under the Ashburton treaty in mo. 
 this line rises gently through good, mixed hard wood land, birch maplV 
 spruce, beech, fir, &c., &c., of a heavy growth to the third range where it' 
 ascends very steeply up the hill to the province line. 
 
 Again starting from the above mentioned point, I ran due east four 
 hundred and eleven chains and seventy-six links, and again intersected the 
 province line on the tast side of the township, which I retraced to the 
 nearest iron monument. For about one mile on either side of the Arnold 
 river, the land is fiat, timbered with spruce, the soil being generally a cold 
 clayey loam and very strong ; in the seventh range it crosses the north end 
 of two rocky hills, of mixed timber, with some spots of good soil between 
 them ; in the eighth the south east fork is crossed ; the land then rises 
 gradually in good mixed hard wood until it meets the high mountain 
 forming the eastern boundary of the township; between the south east fork 
 and this mountain, the soil is in many places very good, being a black- 
 mould on a brown loam, but it is all very stony, and, indeed, the whole of 
 this section of country is thickly strewed with a coarse granice boulders 
 evidently belonging to the drift period, for in no instance was the fixed 
 granite rock met with 
 
 This line I retrac. d from where it is intersected by the road lin an 
 by Mr. O'Dwyer, from lake Megantic to the province line down to the 
 bank ot the Arnold river, beyond which no further trace of it could be 
 discovered. 
 
 If it had ever been run beyond this point, the line had became lost in 
 the alluvial fiats bordering this part of the river ; I therefore continued it 
 astronomically east till I reached the province line and scaled the latter to 
 the nearest iron monument 
 
 From the Megantic road line to the Arnold river, the line descend, 
 -evy gently through soft wood land and swamp, the soil being light ; it 
 
209 
 
 1 1 
 
 the high land of 
 United States, is 
 iltural purposes. 
 
 land, yet there 
 
 I ran due wtst 
 -nine chains and 
 h west direction 
 a treaty in 1842 ; 
 d, birch, maple, 
 i range where it 
 
 •an due east four 
 1 intersected the 
 I retraced to the 
 le of the Arnold 
 generally a cold 
 58 the north end 
 •od soil between 
 land then rises 
 high mountain, 
 e south east fork 
 ., being a black 
 'd, the whole of 
 ■ranice boulders, 
 !e was the fixed 
 
 e road iin. an 
 
 e down to the 
 
 of it could be 
 
 became lost in 
 re continued it 
 ed the latter to 
 
 ; line descends 
 being light ; it 
 
 traverses the river in the alluvion forming its bank and enters a cedar 
 swamp. 
 
 Leaving this swamp, the line ascends very gently through an old 
 brule which is now covered with a small, stunted growth of spruce, larch 
 and poplar. 
 
 There appears to have been a long time ago a considerable quantity of 
 pnie growing here, as there are many charred stumps of pine trees still 
 standing ; this flat extends a long way to the north and east, as far as the 
 Spider lake and lake Megantic, and forms the much talked of intervale and 
 meadow lands of the Arnold river. These meadows are certainly splendid 
 laud, producing wild grass enough to feed a thousand head of cattle but 
 the best and- greatest extent of them are situate in the township of Cliliton 
 those in Woburnnot extending above one mile up the river and beinc^ 
 limited to a few acres in depth on either side. "^ 
 
 From the brule, the township line ascends very gradually through crood 
 hard wood land up to the province line. ' ° 
 
 The Arnold river takes its source in the high lands forming the boundary 
 between Canada and the United-States, and, after running a northerly course 
 for about twenty-five miles, discharges its waters into the Spider river at 
 about one mile from fake Megantic ; for about seven miles from its mouth 
 It winds Its sinuous course with a gentle current through the splendid 
 alluvial flats ot the township of Clinton, and is navigable for small boats 
 and canoes only; it then becomes' shallow and rapid, rushing with great 
 impetuosity over a bed of large granite boulders. 
 
 It is a small stream averaging not more than a hundred links wide and 
 
 has but a .mall volume of water except during spring freshets and heavv 
 
 rams, wh.-ii, from the mountainous character of the country in which it has 
 
 Its rise ond the rapid f^ill of its bed, it rushes down from the hjoh grounds 
 
 with such velocity that the narrow and crooked channel in the fow o-round 
 
 cannot discliarge the increased volume of water, and the consequence°is that 
 
 it floods the banks to a . onsiderable extent ; this would be a great drawback 
 
 to agricultural improv-nuent of the intervale lands and would likely 
 
 destroy either root or grain crops sown near tht banks. These freshets not 
 
 o-'ly occur in the spring and fall of the year, but also during heavy summer 
 
 rams ; I had several dollars worth of proof of this f ict by having my depot of 
 
 provisions destroyed, dthouo-h situated at least eight feet above the ordinary 
 
 lovef of the stream. ' 
 
 14 
 
210 
 
 Havmg now given you a detailed account of my proceedings, and a 
 general description of the land embraced within my surveys I shal? 
 close my report with a few remarks relative to the probability and means 
 of the speedy settlement of the township. 
 
 '?'\;'^'''* r-°;"* 1'*°^ ^hich access may be had to Woburn is either 
 by lake Megantic, the first settlement of which is distant thirteen miles 1 
 from Victoria thirty miles without even a winter road ; the first thi'u. 
 necessary therefore to the opening up of this township will be the con 
 
 '.r.f T'u-t^\'' *^' ^^''°"" ""^ ^"^^^^ "^^^^ «^ ^^^ Megantic roads 
 (both of which have been laid out), the latter of which should, in mv 
 
 opinion, be immediately proceeded with as offering greater facilities for 
 settlement along the line and being so much shorter. 
 
 The only objection to this line is that it would pass through five miles 
 of conceded land, in tb, township of Clinton, but this I conceive should 
 coloimattt ^' ^"^ °^J^^*^°'^ i'» comparison to opening up a good country for 
 
 Through the township of Marston, the road line passes through the 
 best of land for settlement, and were it opened every lot along it would be 
 immediately taken up. The township of Clinton would likewise soon be 
 settled, as it contains some of the finest land in the country, for its extensive 
 meadows offer greater advantages to the new beginner than any of the 
 adjoining townships, by enabling him to cut hay and keep stock several 
 years in advance of the former on the ordinary uplands. Until one or the 
 other of these roads be opened, but few settlers will, in my opinion he 
 found to penetrate into Woburn But few men will be found nowadays to 
 do as was done by the old colonists of the Eastern Townships, namely, to 
 take a back load of provisions and with rifle and axe traverse some forty to 
 fifty miles of unbroken wilderness to make a farm, where for years they 
 remained without the means of communication with the older settlements 
 Either the present class of settlers have much degenerated, or else the greater 
 facilities of coiumunication throughout the country hav ) unfitted men for 
 such undertakings 
 
 {F.-W. Blaiklock, 1863,) 
 
 The 
 
 VIZ : tov\ 
 
 patent ; 
 
 towards 
 
 province 
 
 Daaquan 
 
 Ont 
 mention^ 
 \i the poi 
 if the to\ 
 erve as t 
 ihip of L; 
 divided 
 to the soi 
 
 I pla 
 division 1: 
 continud 
 distance o 
 river Daac 
 which is ' 
 quality, s^ 
 ine whic] 
 ioil is of s 
 nd the so 
 
211 
 
 >coedings, and a 
 Lirveys, I shall 
 ility and means 
 
 /"oburn In either 
 
 lirteen miles, or 
 
 the first thiuff 
 
 •111 
 
 ill be the con- 
 Megantic roads 
 should, in my 
 er facilities lor 
 
 3Ugh five miles 
 onceive should 
 )od country for 
 
 's through the 
 ig it would be 
 5wise soon be 
 )r its extensive 
 n any of the 
 
 stock several 
 itil one or the 
 ly opinion, he 
 L nowadays to 
 ps, namely, to 
 
 some forty to 
 for years they 
 ir settlements, 
 se the greater 
 fitted men for 
 
 dock, 1863,) 
 
 COUNTY OF DORCHESTER. 
 
 Township of Langevln. 
 
 The township of Langevin is of irregular form, and bounded as follows 
 viz: towards the north west by the township of Ware erected by letters 
 patent; towards the south west partly by the township of Met-ermette • 
 towards the south east by the St. John river, or the boundary line of the 
 province ; and towards the north east, partly by the surveved townships of 
 Daaquam and Bellechasse. ' 
 
 On the seventh of October. 1861, having arrived at the startino- point 
 mentioned m my instructions), to the south of the river Daaquam, namely 
 t the post planted by me on the line between the first and second ranges 
 i the township of Daaquam, I ran a line south 45- W astronomical to 
 erve as the range line between the sixth and seventh ranges of the town- 
 ,hip of Langevin, for a distance of four hundred and sixteen chains which 
 divided into lots of thirteen chains front, numbered from the north east 
 to the south west. 
 
 I planted a post and a boundary, and. starting from there, i ran the 
 division line between Langevin and Ware, and running north 45« W I 
 continud It as far as the south east outline of the township of Ware for a 
 distance of four hundred and sixteen chains and fo-ty links, as far ^s the 
 river Daaquam, which I met at one hundred and eighty-five chains and 
 which IS very narrow at this point. I found the land to be of a medium 
 pahty spruce is the most common wood; but on the remainder of the 
 ■me which runs through a forest of maple, birch, elm, ash and cedar the 
 ioil IS of superior quality, comparatively free from rocks, generallv level 
 ind the soil of a grey color. 
 
 Then returning to the north east line of the township of Langevin to 
 ae post already mentioned between the second and third ranges of'the 
 ownship of Daaquam. I thence ran a line due south west to sefve as the 
 bnge hne between the sixth and fifth ranges of the township of Langevin 
 for a distance of four hundred and sixteen chains, which I divided into 
 lots of thirteen chains in breadth. On the fifti lot. I met a swamp of twenty 
 by htteen chains ; I also encountered another of circular form, measuriao. 
 
212 
 
 
 fifteen chflius in diam-ter on the sixteenth lot, as far as which the land is 
 only of muldling quality ; but, starting from the eighteenth lot, the lin. 
 crosses magnificent hard wood bush, consisting of maple, birch, ash ami 
 ^ cedar, the soil being of ,i grey color and clear of rocks. 
 
 Having returned to the centre line, I started from the post which I 
 placed at the end of eighty chains and eighty links, and thence ran mv 
 base ine to serve as the line between the fifth and fourth ranges, which 
 base line I ran four hundred and sixteen chains, twenty-five links to the 
 north west, as iar as the intersection of the line between the townships of 
 Watford and Lai.gevin. On the fifteenth lot, I crossed a little river forty 
 inks in width, ilowing towards the south. Further on, upon the nineteenth 
 Jot, the line passes on the north side of a swamp stretching towards the south 
 east and measuring thirty chains in width by about a hundred in leno-th 
 There is another little swamp to the south, on the thirty-first lot, havin^ a 
 bivadth often chains ; on the eighty-first lot, there is a large burnt trict 
 which extends as far as the side line to the north west, and for about a 
 hundred chains towards the south. 
 
 The new growth of timber which has started since the fire is composed 
 ol cherry, white birch, spruce and cedar ; the qualitv of the land generally 
 is good, and the soil is not stony. The forty-third lot is crossed by a river of 
 still water of about fifty links in width and four feet in depth This river 
 swarms with fish. The land along this front line is very level and fit 
 lor cultivation. 
 
 At the western extremity of my base line runs the division line between 
 
 he township of Langevin and those of Watford and Metgermette, which line 
 
 I was obliged to renew, the old one having been destroyed by fire, ^yhich 
 
 made a clean sweep since it was traced. In the first place I ran this line to 
 
 the north west, a distance of a hundred and thirteen chains, and placed a 
 
 post and boundary where the old range line should have passed. This 
 
 ine IS crossed at fifty chains to the north of the base line by a river of sixty 
 
 Jinks in width, flowing towards the north west. I caught a glimpse of the 
 
 old hue in this part for a space of ten chains, on a hill which escaped the fire 
 
 and I continued the base line as far as the St. John river, a distance pffiv^ 
 
 hundred and seventy eight chains and seventy five links, planting at each 
 
 range a post and a boundary. And here again I met a river which crosses 
 
 he iourth range, flowing to the south west, with a width of seventy fiye 
 
 Jinks. •' 
 
213 
 
 hich the land is 
 ith lot, the line 
 , birch, ash aiul 
 
 le post which I 
 thence ran my 
 1 ranges, which 
 ve links, to the 
 he townships of 
 ittle river forty 
 1 the nineteenth 
 wards the south 
 drod in lenarth. 
 rst loi, having a 
 irge burnt tract 
 md for about a 
 
 fire is composed 
 ; land generally 
 ed by a river of 
 pth This river 
 ry level and fit 
 
 on line between 
 
 ette, which line 
 
 by fire, which 
 
 ran this line to 
 
 s, and placed a 
 
 e passed. This 
 
 a river of sixty 
 
 glimpse of the 
 
 ?scaped the fire, 
 
 distance pf five 
 
 lanting at each 
 
 ' which crosses 
 
 of seventy five 
 
 This range is all burnt land, as also the third rango. nnd in each of 
 them the land is good and the soil not stony. On the second ran.'o at forty 
 chains, the brhlis terminates, and then begin hard wood forestsrcmnposed 
 of maple, birch and beech ; the soil, there also, is excellent, and the same 
 may be said of the timber and soil of the first range, where the old line is 
 visible. On range A, at eighteen chains. I met the line between th > town- 
 Ships of Watford and Metgermette, where I planted a post and a boundary • 
 the old line not having been run further. I extended it as lar as tlio river 
 St. John, finding everywhere hard wood and a soil nearly free of stones 
 Range B is also excellent ; the quality of the land is good, and it is wooded 
 with cedar, fir and spruce. At 194.75 chains, I placed a boundary and a 
 post on the north side of the St. John river, at the point where the line 
 touches this nver. The latter's width is seventy-five links. 
 
 Having finished my work on the south side of the river Daaquam, I 
 pitched my tent on its banks, and scaled it by rectangular crossino-s I also 
 divided the lots of thirteen chains front. This river is generally fVom three 
 to four feet deep, with an average width of one chain, a tortuou? course and 
 a quiP. flow ; its banks are shaded by trees, and the lands on the north 
 side are of superior quality, as also the hard woods, with which they are 
 abundantly covered. In addition, the river abounds with fish, and aff^ords 
 at several points magnificent water powers. The scaling of this river being 
 finished, I proceeded to the north bank of the river Daaquam, to the south 
 west line of the township of Bellechasse, and I traced and chained that line 
 towards the north west as far as the south east line of the township of 
 Ware, planting at each range good posts and boundaries for a distance of 
 lour hundred and eleven chains. 
 
 At seventy-seven chains on the eighth range, I met a branch of ihe 
 river Daaquam, whose width is one chain and fifty links. On the ninth 
 range there is a little river fifty links in width, running north west ; there 
 is another of the same width, and running likewise to the north west at 
 seventy-eight cnains, in the eleventh range. The whole of this Hue passes 
 overland covered with a mixed growth of fir, spruce, birch and cedar and 
 at one hundred and forty chains on the last range it traverses magnificent 
 hard wood forests of the best quality. 
 
 After laying down the outlines of the township of Langevin, I proceeded * 
 to the subdivision of the north part of the river Daaquam, and for that pur- 
 pose I went two chains by the north of the north west branch of that river 
 
£14 
 
 t(. fho post between the eighth and ninth rnni^oN, a.ul ran a lino due No,uh 
 we8t to serve m a range lino, a diNtan.e of four hundred and Hixteen ohuinn I 
 Whi.h I divided into lotH of thirteen chains front, meeting everywhere th 
 most beautiful hnrd wood. The «oil is of a grey color and th», 8urftt.>e«how 
 iow Mone«. On the twenty-fourth lot. there in a superb site for a church i, 
 II hard wood bush on a slight swell, presenting on all sides a inao-nifio^nt 
 view, while the surroundings would alFord a most con venieut site fom 
 village. " 
 
 Kelurning to the north oast sideline, I ran another range lino as far 
 as the south west side line, a distance of four hundred and sixteen chains 
 which I divided into lots of thirteen chains front. This lino runs over 
 level land, with few rocks, composed of a greyish loam and wooded genor- 
 flliy with maple, l)irch and beech. On the sixth lot there is a river of sixty 
 inks in width llowing southward and carrying a volume of water power- 
 ul enough to run a mill. There is another river thirty-five links wide on 
 he fourteenth lot, running also towards the south. Again on the twen- 
 
 ! /u v^^ V^""^ '^''""^ "^ ^^'''^^ '"'^' "^ ^^^th- running also towards 
 
 the south, like the preceding. 
 
 Ln«tly, I proceeded to the north east side line to the post between tho 
 ten h and eleventh ranges, and there I ran the last range line as far as the 
 south west side line. This range line passes generally through fine timber 
 and on good soil, with few rocks. Tho fifth lot is crossed by a river of fiftv 
 links m w-idth, running south. Tn. seventh, eighth and ninth lots are 
 covered with h.ird wood and slope towards the north on an angle of ei-^ht 
 to ten degree.. The land, which comes afterwards, is covered with . 
 mixed growth, .onsisting of fir, spruce, birch and cedar, and is absolute^ 
 level a. iar as the twenty-eighth lot, where it becomes rolling to the twentv- 
 htth lot wliere there is a river twenty-live links wide, flowing to the south 
 east^ The rem,, inder of the range line, as far as the central line to the south 
 west, passes thiough a magnificent hard wood bush. 
 
 1 ha ve closed the report of my operations, as well as my remarks on the 
 township of Langevin ; but before sending them in to the Crown Lands 
 department, I must say that, summing up allmyobservntions on the nature 
 ol the soil and its irregularities whilst exploring this township, I found on 
 the whole the iand very favorable to cultivation, and offering to the settlors 
 who may locate thereon the best guarantees of success. What tends most 
 to inspire me with this confidence is the remarkable fact that this territory 
 is nearly everywhere extremely level and generally free from rocks or 
 
 m 
 
21.1 
 
 I a lino duo moiuh 
 lid HixttM'ii ohainH, 
 ? ev«*rywh(!r(^ tho 
 th(? Hurfaco shows 
 
 I'or a church, in 
 Jos a ma<,'nificent 
 ivonieut situ for a 
 
 range lino as far 
 
 1 sixteen chuing, 
 I lino runs over 
 d wooded goiior- 
 is a river of sixty 
 
 of water power- 
 /■o links wide on 
 lin on the twen- 
 ing also towards 
 
 lost between tho 
 line as far as the 
 >ugh fine timber 
 Y a river of fifty 
 
 I ninth lots are 
 
 II angle of eight 
 covered with a 
 id is absolutely 
 g to the twenty- 
 ing to the south 
 ine to the south 
 
 remarks on the 
 ) Crown Lands 
 s on the nature 
 hip, I found ou 
 ? to the settlors 
 hat tends most 
 it this territory 
 from rocks or 
 
 «tonop, which permits of tho opening of roads with the greatest facility, and 
 let me add to this that splendil rivers and streams cross the lands in every 
 direction. 
 
 {E. Casfrrain, ir)th February, 1862.) 
 
 On tho twentieth of August last, having arrived in tho township of 
 Laiigevin.at the terminus of the centre line, previously run by me between 
 the fourth and fifth ranges, I continued this line southward 45^^ "W., astro- 
 nomical, for the depth of three ranges, planting at each range, namely, tho 
 fourth, third and second ranges, a post to serve as a starting point for tho 
 range line to be laid down. This lino crosses land which is rather level 
 and a pted to cultivation; the timber is mixed and composed of maple, 
 birch, cedar and fir. The soil is comparatively free from rocks. Returning 
 to the line between tho third and fourth ranges, I ran a lino going straight 
 north east and straight south west, and extending to tho north east for a 
 distance of four hundred and sixteen chains, and to the south west a dis- 
 tance of four hundred and throe chains ; I then divided this range line 
 into lots of thirteeii chains over the whole distance between the north 
 east side line of the township of Langevin, and its south west side line, 
 forming a length of eight hundred and tv.enty-two chains. Along the 
 course of this range lino, there is a great number of streams which waler it 
 in all directions. There is one on the sixth lot of the width of thirty links, 
 running towards the south ; it is fordable. 
 
 On the thirteenth lot, there is another of fifteen links, which also runs 
 towards the south and which is also fordable. A third river of twenty-five 
 links, running in the same direction as the preceding, crosses the twenty- 
 eighth lot ; at four chains, to the north of the range line, there is a lake, with 
 an area of thirty-four acres, which contains no fish, although rather' deep. 
 On the seventy-first lot is a rather large river of one chain in width abound- 
 ing in fish ; it is generally fordable. Before reaching this last lot, two other 
 rivers are met, one on the fifty-second lot of twenty-five links, running 
 towards the south west, and the other, on the fifty-eighth lot, of forty links, 
 running towards the south. At fifteen chains and twenty-five links, on the 
 sixty-third lot, I reached the south west side line. 
 
 Along the whole course from one extremity to the other of this range 
 hue, I came across nothing but level and very cultivable land, composed of 
 
216 
 
 good brown loam or black vegetable mould in the low grounds, while on 
 the swells, the soil is a greyish loam, with few rocks. This line also crosses « 
 burnt tract which extends towards the west, so that the timber is at present 
 only a young growth. The cherry, maple, the red maple, birch and whhl 
 birch have replaced the original growth, which must have been hard woods. 
 
 Srdrange.-1 went to the post between the third and second ran-e, 
 whence I ran a range line parallel to the first and of the same length LikI 
 the preceding, this one is watered by many streams. On the eleventh lot 
 1 met one with an average width of fifty links, which is fordable • the 
 twenty-third lot is crossed by another of one chain and fifty links in width 
 which, I believe, is formed by several small brooks and a small stream 
 that mingle thur waters and ultimately discharge into the Saint John 
 river On the third range, their banks are generally swampy. There i« 
 another small fordable river of fifty links, on the fiffysixth lot. On the 
 orty-second lot, at two chainr and eighty links, to the north of the ran^^e 
 line, there is a lake of about thirty-fiva acres which is rather deep but con 
 tains no fish. Its surroundings are arable, the timber is of good quality and 
 composed m part of cedar. The soil is everywhere level and eminently lit 
 lor cultivation, throughout the whole of this range, especially in the south 
 west part of the centre line, which is much preferable to the rest We 
 came across a few maple groves which the fire had spared. The soil is a 
 grey loam on the higher grounds, especially on the fiftysecond, fifty- third 
 fifty.fourth and fiityfifth lots. The land, on account of its being so per^ 
 ectly level and of its superior quality, is exceedingly fit for all kinds of 
 tillage. The woods which grow on it are the alder, the choke cherry and 
 the mountain ash. This range has also been swept by fire, but less 'than 
 in the fourth, so that in general the forest presents a finer appearance and 
 the timber IS of larger size. 
 
 From the post between the second a^.d first ranges, I next ran a line 
 parallel to t.-.e preceding to serve as a front line to the .second ran-e Herd 
 agam as m the lower ranges, the same remark applies ns regards "he lar^e 
 number of streams ; unfortunately, as water powers, all these rivers are of 
 but slight value owing to the lowuess of their banks. 
 
 On the ninth lot, I came across a river of fifty links runnino- to the 
 north east. II is fordable. The twenty-third lot is crossed by another of one 
 chain and twenty-five links, which discharges into the river Saint- Tohn 
 On the thirty-eighth lot, there is a third of seventy-five links, passing throu-h 
 a smdl fcwamp which could be easily drained. The forty-third lot's 
 
ounds, while on 
 iue also crosses a 
 ibe.' is at present 
 birch anti white 
 >een hard woods. 
 
 d second ranges 
 me length. Like 
 ;he eleventh lot, 
 is fordable ; the 
 y links in width 
 
 a small stream, 
 the Saint John 
 mpy. There is 
 cth lot. On the 
 ■th of the range 
 r deep, but con- 
 ood quality and 
 id eminently fit 
 lly in the south 
 the rest. We 
 I. The soil is a 
 3nd, fifty- third, 
 ts being so per- 
 
 for all kinds of 
 3ke cherry, and 
 !, but less than 
 ippearance and 
 
 lext ran a line 
 i range. Herd 
 ;?ards the large 
 36 rivers are of 
 
 -inning to the 
 another of one 
 >r Saint-John, 
 issing through 
 y-third lot is 
 
 21t 
 
 also crossed by a little river of twenty-five links, running south, while on 
 the forty-ninth lot, there is one of forty links, running to the north east. 
 Lastly, on the fiftieth lot, another river of thirty links flows towards the 
 south. Starting from the fifty-second lot, these last mentioned lots contain 
 ash and some cedar. 
 
 The quality of the soil, in this rango, is generally good, and mostly 
 everywhere fit for settlement. Exception, however, must be made of about 
 twenty lots which are too stony, and two or three which are swampy. On 
 the other hand, the twenty-ninth, thirtieth, thirty-arst and thirty-second 
 lots are magnificent, level everywhere and covered all over with hard 
 wood consisting partly of maple, and partly of birch, elm and ash. The soil 
 is generally a grey loam in the hard wood and a yellow loam in the mixed 
 woods. On the high grounds the sifrface soil is a yellow loam, and the 
 subsoil clay. The section to the south west of the centre line, in the second 
 range, is rolling in same places and forms a continuous succession of hills 
 and dales, offering to the settler land adapted to the most vaiied tillage. 
 Timber is in abundance. There is plenty of cedar of considerable size ; pine 
 alone is lacking. 
 
 (E. Casgrain, Itth November, 1862.) 
 
 With these trifling exceptions, all this portion of Langevin is watered 
 by rivers and brooks falling into the river Daaquara. Its main branch rises 
 in Bellechasse orMailloux, entering Langevin on the thirteenth range, and 
 leaves the township at the end of the road on the eighth range line, and 
 another large branch also rises west of Langevin, entering tha^, Township in 
 the thirteenth range, and, collecting all the small streams at or near the 
 northerly angle, runs south easterly across the township and leave.sit in the 
 eighth range ; a third considerable affluent rises in the sm'i^ll lakes and 
 streams in the westerly angle of Langevin, collecting all the small streams 
 thnt cross into that township from Ware on the boundary lino in the tenth, 
 eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth ranges of Langevin, runs diagonally across 
 that township, arriving at the Trappists' saw mills and falls into the second 
 large branch of the Daaquam in the ninth range. 
 
 As an agricultural district, these townships, particularly Langevin 
 offer great advantages as to soil, which is general l^' a sandy loam, resting on 
 sandstone, of easy cultivation and covered with dense forests of large bfrch, 
 
rm f ' 
 
 ■pf 
 
 218 
 
 maple, spruce, sapin, with some larch and ash, but very few pines and le,, 
 cedar ; although there are many rocky hillocks and mountains incapable 
 of cultivation, yet the land is generally less stony than the north part of Z 
 other townships m the county ; even among the mountains in the „or h 
 erly angle of Langevin, a great deal of very good land is found From tt" 
 light nature of the soil, the windfalls of large trees turned up by the root 
 and heaped on each other to the height of eight or ten feet, sometim 
 exceeding a chain in width, are uncommonly numerous, especially in i 
 westerly angle, where two or three interrupted our progress on almoTf 
 every bt The ground being covered with snow, I had ver^ feropponuT 
 1 les of observing rocks, contrary to the other portions of the county, whee 
 I «l;t^everywhere predominates. The rock formation in Langevin and 
 part of Ware consists almost solely of stratified sandstone, fine and coa so 
 excellent for sharpening tools of all descriptions. Clay slate is rarely Z 
 cjuarzin ..V« or granite never, nor did T see any indications of valuable' 
 metals Iron, perhaps, to some extent may be found, for I found attraction at 
 several places, particularly at post range twelve and thirteen, ^ ear line of 
 Langevin, where it amounted to a dozen of degrees westerly, with all our 
 precautions. *' " i uur 
 
 {W. Henderson, 20th November, 1865.) 
 
 Township of Metgermette North. 
 The land, in the first range, to the east of the centre line, is very ffood 
 lo the west, It 18 good enough, but swampy in some places. In the second 
 range, it is of average quality. However, towards the west, swamps are met 
 with, as indicated on the plan. 
 
 In the tWrd range, the land is very good, except near the river St- 
 John, where it is low and swampy. In the fourth range, near the town- 
 ship of Lmiere, it is good, bi : there are swamps all through this ran-e near 
 the centre line. ° 
 
 In this township, there are several mill sites, one of which is situated 
 near the road leading from the sugaries to the Kennebec road. This road 
 18 used by the sugar-makers. 
 
 Nearly all the merchantable timber has been cut off, and there only 
 remain a few small pines and tamaracs. I see no obstacle to the opening of 
 
'ew pines and less 
 1 11 tains incapable 
 ' north part of the 
 ains in the north- 
 found. From the 
 d up by the roots 
 II feet, sometimes 
 especially in the 
 ■ogress on almost 
 iry few opportun 
 tie county, where 
 in Lange\ in and 
 ', fine and coarse, 
 ite is rarely seen 
 tions of valuable 
 ind attraction at 
 teen, -ear line of 
 rly, with all our 
 
 '•ember, 1865.) 
 
 !ie, is very good. 
 
 In the second 
 
 swamps are met 
 
 ir the river St- 
 near the town- 
 this range near 
 
 hich is situated 
 oad. This road 
 
 219 
 
 colonization roads on all the range lines. I wish to call attention to the 
 splendid sugarics in the third and fourth ranges. The heavy fall of snow 
 which occurred during my survey made it very difficult for me to deter- 
 mine the nature of the soil, which I was compelled to estimate in certain 
 cases from the appearance of the ground and the character of the timber. I 
 found no geological specimen worth sending to the department ; but, under 
 this head also, the heavy snow falls prevented me from making the neces- 
 sary researches. 
 
 (Edmund B. Temple, 25th January. 1866.) 
 
 In range five, the soil is very good. To the east of the centre line, near 
 the river St. John, it is rich and very level, and contains some fine sugaries. 
 Almost all the merchantable timber has already been cut off ; only a few 
 small pine and tamarac remain. 
 
 I found no geological specimen worth sending to the department. 
 Colonization roads can be easily opened along all the range lines. 
 
 [Edmund B. Temple, 6th November, 1866.) 
 
 I havf, the honor to transmit to you the report of the survey of the 
 north east part of the township of Metgermette North, situated in the county 
 of Dorchester. I extended the central line, to the south-east line of the 
 township of Watford. In this section, I noticed that there is considerable 
 merchantable timber, consisting in spruce and cedar. All the tract, which 
 extends from the upper part of the fifth range, running towards the north 
 west and passing between the lakes, is covered generally with sugaries. 
 The land or soil is generally level and auite fit for cultivation, although 
 stony. All the part of the township of North Metgermette, which extends 
 from the eighth range, towards the north, is of rich soil and quite fit for 
 cultivation, and is remarkable especially for its timber. 
 
 {P.- A. Proulx, 10th May, 1870.) 
 
 If: 
 
 and there only 
 ' the opening of 
 
» I 
 
 220 
 
 Township of Metflrermette South. 
 
 I had to subdivide eleven ranges in this township, formino. a tot«l 
 superficies of 23.400 acres ofland divided into 279 lots of which' 1 ' 
 regular and 169 irregular. I have further the honor to oLerve that 1 
 first ranges of the township of Metgermette South consist wholly of lev 
 land and seemingly well adapted to cultivation, as much from the na u 
 of the ground as the excellent quality of the soil. As for the other r 1/; 
 hey seem little suited to settlement on account of the bad qualitv o 1' 
 
 wfth fi h d ''^ !''" ^"' ''T "'^^^ ^^^^^^ "^ ^^«-- althougla L il; 
 with fish, do not appear to offer much advantage to settlers'^s the whol! 
 
 of the most valuable pine timber has been cut and removed. GeneraHv 
 
 speaking, he section which 1 divided is fairly level ground, but it has been 
 
 stripped of all its best pine and now offers only some spruce of any utility 
 
 (F. Legendre, 15th Nov., 1886 ) 
 
 M 
 
 Township oP Standon. 
 
 The country is mountainous, but well wooded. There are beautiful 
 and good sugaries. on lots twenty-two, twenty-three, and twenty-four of the 
 first range as well as on the lauds still belonging to the Government in the 
 second and third ranges and in the last one especially, there is excellent 
 merchantable timber. As for the reversed lots, for a distance of five or sir 
 acres, from the river Etchemin, in the first range, the land is good, although 
 somewhat stony. Then. west part is taken up by a mLtdn whi5h 
 IS unfit for cultivation, but which on the slope on the river side is covered 
 with excellent sugaries and timber. In the second range, the reversed lots 
 contain about twenty or twenty-five acres of goorj land on the end joiniD. 
 the river, but the rear part is of little value, except for the timber which it 
 contains. The lots of the third range are the shortest, but the land is 
 better t^han in the second range, and there are good sugaries towards the 
 loot 01 the mountain. 
 
 {Geo. Rot/, December, 1885.) 
 
forming a total 
 of which no are 
 serve that the six 
 
 wholly of level 
 from the nature 
 the other r.iiio-es 
 ad quality oflhe 
 ough abounding 
 Jrs, as the whole 
 ved. Generally 
 , but it has been 
 e of any utility 
 
 Nov., 1886 ) 
 
 3re are beautiful 
 enty-four of the 
 rernment in the 
 lere is excellent 
 ce of five or six 
 
 good, although 
 lountain which 
 
 side is cos'-ered 
 10 reversed lots 
 the end joining 
 imber which it 
 mt the land is 
 ies towards the 
 
 iber, 1885.) 
 
 221 
 
 Township of Ware. 
 
 In ranges 6, 1 and 8. the land is generally poor, but there are some 
 good bottoms along the river. In ranges 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 the land 
 is good, generally free from stones, and the bush is mostly hard wood In 
 ranges 10 and 11, there are some fine sugaries. I do not think there are 
 any in ranges 12 and 13 towards the south east of thesouth eastern outline 
 The timber has been cut off' all along the river, but there still remains a good 
 deal of spruce. 
 
 {E.-D. Henderson, 14th October, 1873). 
 
 Township of Watford. 
 
 The part of the township which I surveyed is generally level with 
 only a few small elevations and free from rocks. I only met one le'd-e of 
 rocks and it is not high ; it occurs on lot 29 of range 7. There are a number 
 ot sugaries in this township, all situated on small swells, and taken up In 
 the low grounds, they are better and the soil is a rich brown mould Form- 
 erly, oTeat fires swept the mixed woodlands of this township, which are 
 formed of a sandy loam and generally free from stones, and destroyed all the 
 timber of any value. The new growth on them to-day is mainly composed 
 of fir, spruce, white birch, &c. This well delay settlement for some time 
 owing to the want of firewood and building timber. 
 
 This township is crossed by several fine streams, with generally deep 
 beds I only noted one place adapted for a mill site, at a falls of the river 
 Veilleux, which is about 10 feet high and situated on lot 22, in ran-e 7 
 A ong the difl-erent rivers, there are a number of bottom lands with a'rich 
 alluvial soil covered with a growth of alders. At certain points, some fine 
 Pieces of ground are met, which, if cultivated, would make splendid mea- 
 dows. Ihere is little merchantable timber in the region which I surveved 
 as the greater part of the bush has bean destroyed bv fire. As for the resklue' 
 a part of the timber has been cut off" and all of value carried away. 
 
 {Andrew Eoss ''th December, 1869.) 
 
222 
 
 'li 
 
 From lot eighteen (ranges 8 and 9) as far as lot forty-four, inclusivelv 
 we come across nothing but swamps covered here and there with shrnK 
 and hard wood. The lots as far as number eighteen are covered with mixpl 
 timber, and the soil is well adapted to cultivation. I then went to th! 
 tenth range, to the centre lino, and draw a line between the ninth and tenth 
 ranges. The land in this part, (towards the west) is not fit for cullivatinn 
 bemg nearly all covered with swamps. I renewed the line of the tenth 
 range, and continued thus for a distance of thirty-eight lots. 
 
 The soil of the tenth range isstony and covered with different kinds of 
 wood ; It IS generally of good quality with the exception of a few marshes. 
 
 The land in the ninth range is of good quality, but the eighth is nearlv 
 all swampy. ^ 
 
 I then extended a trial line towards the south, crossing the tenth ran-P 
 one part of the land being fit for cultivation and the other swampy ■ and 
 continuing the same line, across the eleventh range, I intersected the out' 
 line of the township of Metgermette at a distance of 13.93 chains from the 
 eleventh range. I found the land every where of good quality and covered 
 wnth mixed timber. > > ^ j vcicu 
 
 I then laid down the line of the eleventh range, taking ray startin-r 
 point from the trial line and running towards the east, and I intersected 
 the outline of the township of Langeviu, at a distance of sixteen lots and 
 twenty-four chains. The soil, in this section, is generally level and covered 
 with soft wood ; the land is very advantageous for cultivation. 
 
 Having completed this work, I ran the line of the eleventh range 
 starting from (he trial line and going westward towards the central road 
 of range A, township of Cranbourne, and at a distance of twenty lots ^ud 
 four chains I met my centre line, whence I continued the line of the 
 eleventh range, and measunvl from my centre line thirteen lots and fortv- 
 nine chains for the lot Gr. ^ 
 
 The land is covered with different kinds of wood and is generally 
 
 level ; it is undulating here and there and very good for cultivation with 
 
 he exception of one part close to the central line, in the direction of the 
 
 township of Cranbourne, which is not fit for cultivation and is of little 
 
 value. 
 
 Having finished work in the north east range, according to mv 
 instructions, I proceeded to the post between lots numbers iwenty-two and 
 
 The 
 ire, but £ 
 hi're is n 
 ,nd of ei' 
 
 I ne} 
 roing firf 
 or lot nu 
 J, on the 
 curse is 
 ration ; s 
 ots. I a 
 hains fu 
 Lubin D( 
 lestroyed 
 
 Thel 
 mdulatin 
 ome fine 
 
 This 
 hrough, ii 
 fveat num 
 the cou 
 Jnited Sti 
 
four, inclusively, 
 lere with shrubs 
 ■ored with mixed 
 hen went to the 
 ninth and tenth 
 t for cultivation, 
 tie of the tenth 
 
 3. 
 
 ifferent kinds of 
 ^ a few marshes. 
 
 228 
 
 wenty-three, on the south west line of range D. where I took ray startiu 
 loint. 
 
 eighth 
 
 18 
 
 nearly 
 
 the tenth range, 
 swampy; and, 
 rsected the out- 
 chains from the 
 ;y and covered 
 
 S niy starting 
 d I intersected 
 sixteen lots and 
 '■el and covered 
 )n. 
 
 le^'enth range, 
 he central road 
 wenty lots r.nd 
 he line of the 
 lots and forty- 
 
 The soil, at the beginning of the lot, has been stripped of its timber by 
 ire, but as we penetrate into the interior the woods are thicker ■ however 
 h.'re is nothing but soft woods such as fir, cedar, &c. The land' is rollino-' 
 ,nd of excellent quality. There are a few sugaries. " 
 
 I next van the line between the eighth and ninth south west ran"-es 
 roing first towards the east, andmeasuring five lots, and 15.41 chains more 
 or lot number seventeen, at the end of which I met the rear line of ran-e 
 J, on the central road of the township of Cranbourne. The laud on this 
 ourse is covered with different kinds of wood, and is quite fit for culti- 
 ation ; secondly, directing my course towards the west, I chained seven 
 ots. I again continued the said line for a distance of about twenty-five 
 hains further without, however, meeting the outline of the sen-niory of 
 Lubin Delisle, on account of the woods in this locality havhig been 
 lestroyed by fire. 
 
 The land, on the seven lots that I have just mentioned, shows an 
 mdulating surface ; the timber is generally mixed ; nevertheless it contains 
 ome fine maple groves. 
 
 This township, as far as I can judge from the sections that I went 
 hrough, IS very fertile and presents great attractions for colonization A 
 freat number of our people could, with profit to themselves and advanta-e 
 the country, settle easily on these lands, instead of emio-ratino- to the 
 
 Jnited States. ° ° 
 
 (A.-J. Duchesnay, 30th March, 1870. 
 
 i is generally 
 Itivation, with 
 irection of the 
 md is of little 
 
 ding to my 
 'enty-two and 
 
224 
 
 COUNTY OF GASP£. 
 
 Townships of Cap Rosier, Gaspd Bay North and Fox. 
 
 The soil, especially in the township of Fox, is of superior quality the 
 lower part of the lots being generally formed of very rich alluvion and'will 
 soon be entirely settled. Thanks to the zeal of the Rev. M. Buret, the cur 
 of the place, the fishermen are beginning to take more interest in aaricu'l* 
 ture. He has succeeded in starting the construction of a grist mill. a°thin<r 
 which was absolutely necessary and which will give a strong impulsp 
 to colonization. 
 
 In the township of Gaspe Bay North, the land is not quite so good- it 
 IS, however, very suitable for agriculture. The soil is rather light but of 
 good quality. The timber is not so good as in the adjoining township T 
 have no hesitation in saying that these lots would sell promptly if tne 
 Government would o-rant a small sum yearly to open the road above men- 
 tioned. i » 
 
 I returned with ray party down the river au Renard (Fox river) I 
 traced the line giving the depth of the second range, then ran the rear line 
 of that range, following my instructions with great care. The soil iu this 
 part is much superio- to that near the front, very level and well timbered 
 with maple and birch. Unfortunately the ash, which is so valuable in this 
 locality for the manufacture of tubs for the exportation offish, is becotnin'^ 
 scarce. These lands will be colonized before long, especially if the Govern- 
 ment continue to assist in the opening of roads. 
 
 The low price obtained for codfish and the construction of a grist mill 
 are both reasons which will induce the people of Cap Rosier to take up 
 these lands, which are especially suitable for wheat growino- 
 
 The survey which I have just made embraces about all the arable land. 
 Ihe chain ol mountains passing in rear even takes oflfa portion of the regu- 
 lar depth from some of the lots in the northern part. * 
 
 {A.'L. Foudrkr, 1880.) 
 
225 
 
 a Fox. 
 
 3rior quality, the 
 alluvion, and will 
 L Buret, the curi 
 iterest in agricul- 
 rrist mill, a thing 
 I strong impulse 
 
 ^uite so good ; it 
 ther light, but of 
 ing township. I 
 promptly if the 
 road above men- 
 
 i (Pox river). I 
 ran the rear line 
 
 The soil in this 
 id well timbered 
 
 valuable in this 
 ish, is becoming 
 y if the Govern- 
 
 n of a grist mill 
 )sier to take up 
 
 the arable land. 
 ion of the regu- 
 
 iritr, 1880.) 
 
 Township of Ohlorldorme. 
 
 The first range of the township of Chloridorme is in treneral very 
 mountainous, and all brooks and the rivers flow in the bottom of deep gulches 
 The best soil for culture is very often found on the sea shore, but more 
 especially at the Petite Vall6e, at Frigate Point, at Petite Anse, at the Little 
 and Orand Chloridorme and at the Pointe Seche, and over these points is 
 already distributed a population of two hundred and twenty-five souls. 
 
 There are also in the first range, in the section which extends from 
 I'Anse aux Canons, to the western line of this township, a great number of 
 lots capable, as far as the section in the immediate neighborhood of the 
 sea is concerned, of forming agricultural settlements of sufficient extent at 
 least for the fishermen ; but these lots will only be settled when the Mari- 
 time road will have been built, as all these lands can never be opened by 
 exclusively agricultural settlers. In order to induce a fisherman to settle 
 here, communication must be made easy with the coast, where he can at 
 certain seasons of the year, carry on his favorite occupation of fishing. ' 
 
 In the eastern part of this township, the mountains seem to come down 
 closer to the sea, and form on the shore capes from one hundred to one 
 hundred and fifty feet and more in height. iVevertheless, it is in this section 
 that the population is most numerous, and the more advanced settlements 
 are found in the bays of the Pointe-Seche, of Little and Grand Chloridorme 
 which were the first points inhabited, because they offered the best facilities 
 for fishing. 
 
 There is, no doubt, at the depth of this range, and more particularly 
 in the valleys formed by the rivers of the Little and Grand Chloridorme 
 and others, a goodly number of little lakes and tracts of land well adapted 
 to cultivation ; but many years must elapse before the fishermen can be 
 induced to make clearances at a distance of half a mile or more from the 
 sea shore. 
 
 (Ant. Painclmud, 12th April, 1869.) 
 
 i 
 
 f ' 
 
 15 
 
226 
 
 Township of Ohrlatle, |he Gasp 
 
 ive this 
 The soil in general in this township is good, even on the tops of th, '^'*« ^^*^ 
 mountains, where there are to be found plateaux of rather considerabli *^^^^^^^' 
 extent, and whose access is easy, if we except perhaps the Sauteux moun 
 tains. The land, in the two basins which are formed by the branches o 
 
 the Martin and Porpoise rivers, is of a fertile nature and formed in partn .„,„„hm 
 
 rich alluvion. Nevertheless, after having crossed these two valleys and 
 examined their extent, I did not find them sufficiently broad to divide then 
 crosswise into farm lots. Besides fir, spruce and the white birch so abuti ue muu 
 dant throughout the whole Gaspe district, a great deal of ash is found ii uddle of 
 this township, and on the flanks of the mountains maple groves are of suffi [rork anc 
 cient extent to form sugaries, of which many are already being worked 
 Pine is not very abundant or of superior quality, at least in the'ranges i 
 the neigborhood of the sea ; it grows generally on the tops of the momf 
 tains. Fire has done great damage to these forests, and there are mouii ^"^^^^ *° 
 
 pne runs 
 
 fteenth 
 irough a 
 
 own on 
 
 As si 
 
 tains whose entire surface has been swept, leaving only calcined rocks. 
 
 ( {A. Paitichaud, 4th March, 18*71.) 
 
 ir as the " 
 lie is clos 
 lvantage( 
 om the "V 
 
 These two townships are crossed by several little brooks, of which tw( p,^gj.jj| ^^ 
 
 Townships of Christie and Duoheanay. 
 
 left the 
 here is n 
 'he land 
 
 Thai 
 nd Duch 
 
 the Vallee and the Albour brooks, are of good size, and also by thre 
 
 rivers, the Martin, Porpoise and Claude rivers. These rivers, with tk 
 
 exception of the Porpoise, are formed by the waters which discharge iron 
 
 the north west slope of the Schikshock mountains and receive in thei 
 
 course the contributions of a large numb^^r of small tributary brooks. Alou i-^h and s 
 
 the course of these rivers, there are alluvial deposits varying from one t 
 
 six feet thick and of considerable extent. At the mouth of each, areth 
 
 om the rf 
 e gradua 
 uld be ea 
 excellent 
 
 The all 
 
 homes of brave settlers, who devote themselves to fishing and farming. 1 ^^'^^'' "^'^ 
 
 my great satisfaction, more attention seems to be paid here to agricuitu! 
 than to fishing, a disposition which unfortunately is not often noted amon 
 the settlers of the county of Gaspe ; therefore, the people here live in perfe 
 comfort, anxiously awaiting the opening of the road to see their circ 
 enlarged and their social relations increased. 
 
 The shore along the front of the townships of Christie and Duchesiia 
 is generally rocky and rather difficult of access. In this locality, as alan, 
 
 idth of si: 
 good nun 
 orked as s 
 ttlers, wh 
 ijoys an e: 
 
 From tl 
 n line bel 
 
827 
 
 he Gasp6 coast in general, the shores are bordered by high bluffs which 
 
 ■jve this region a wild and sometimes gloomy aspect/ We travel generally 
 
 on the tops of th, ^^r^ between the sea, which washes at our feet and which often stops our 
 
 rather considerabl, »ro,?ro8s, and cliffs of several hundred feet in height, whose summits frown 
 
 the Sauteux moun °^'" °^ "^" 
 
 I Vwo V. r "'"""'^'P ""^ ^^""*''' ''' ^"' ''' *^^ «^^°"^ 1°*' «e^^'«« as a road line Here 
 
 a " dUidrt:: l''' ''' -''tflr *"^-^/r-^— straight line,for on this cou 
 hte birch cab ^^ 'T ^^^^^'^^/^ f^^^^^* the construction of a cheap and excellent road, 
 mte birch so abun 'he land is perfectly level, with the exception of a little hill towards th« 
 1 of ash 18 found i, dddle of the ninth lot, and the soil is everywhere of vellow oZ . 
 
 groves are of suffi ,ork, and without stones. ^ ^ ^ '°*'"' "^'^ ^o 
 
 idy being worked mu i , j i. .^ ,. 
 
 The lands crossed by the line of the road, in the townships of Christie 
 nd Duchesnay, are all, over an area more or less extensive, easy and advant- 
 ?eous to clear. In the south west part of the township of Christie, the road 
 me runs along the height of lands, bordering the river, as far as the 
 .Iteenth lot, whence it has a north north east direction and extends 
 irough a tract of arable land, slightly sloping towards the northeast as 
 tr as the Vallee brook. Between the Vallee brook and the Martin river the 
 ue IS close to the river and runs through a tract of land which is also verv 
 Ivantageously situated for colonization. After a gradual rise, starting 
 cm the Vallee brook to about midway to the Martin river, we descend bv 
 loks, of which tw, '^«"^7^°"f. «^°P; t« the mouth of that river. The land has, moreover, a 
 md also by t "''T^ "''lu"' from south east to north west; but all the slopes apavt 
 ri V.MS with a ^" '': 1'" ^''''' ^"" ^'^"^^=^ *^^ ^^'^^- ^--k, on the north-east side 
 ich rchaTlefr ' ^f""^ .^"^ f^^^' ^^^ ^ S^e^^ number of lots are of easy access, and 
 .d ;t vH. tt :"^' '? easily cultivated along their whole length. The soil il everywhere 
 
 ary brooks A T T ^ " ^'""' '"^ '^''^™^^^' ^^^^^ ^^^^ts of fir. birchf white 
 IryUTomrtr, ^•^^^"'^^P^^^^^'^^^^^'-ywhere of splendid growth. 
 
 The alluvial deposits at the mouth of the Martin river are worthy of 
 3tice. Ihese lands for a depth of two to three miles have an averac^e 
 
 ist in the ranges i 
 s tops of the raomi 
 id there are raoui; 
 calcined rocks. 
 
 March, 18*71.) 
 
 ;h of each, are th 
 g and farming. 1 
 
 here to agricultu! "'^^h of sixty to seventy chains and a rich growth of hard wood. 
 
 often noted amon 
 here live in perfe 
 to see their circ 
 
 tie and Duchesiia 
 3 locality, as alan, 
 
 good number of rather extensive maple groves which are being annually 
 orked as sugaries. At the mouth of this river, there are also a few resideni 
 ttlers. who live by farming and fishing. As a fishing ground, this place 
 ijoys an excellent reputation. 
 
 From the hill bordering the Martin river on the north east side to the divi- 
 n line between the townships of Christie and Duchesnay. the road crosses 
 
228 
 
 land which is perfectly level. These lauds, along a frontage of from thrj ^^^ ^^*° 
 
 to lour miles, are all so advantageously situated and so suited to colonizalioi 
 that there is no doubt that, just as soon as the road is opened, there willt 
 in this section a well settled township. The same may be said of tl 
 whole i)lateau between the Martin and Porpoise rivers. For a depth 
 three to four miles, the land is everywhere of easy access and the soil, whu 
 is generally of rich yellow loam, is of superior quality. The only obstacli 
 met with here are the rather deep ravines of two little brooks known und 
 the name of the Portage brook. 
 
 gewhere, 
 80 along 
 ttltMnent 
 it they r 
 
 Theh 
 !cts equa 
 e settleri 
 
 irder the 
 Thecl 
 
 jirposes, 
 In the township of Duchesnay, the lands crossed by the road lifvautagei 
 present the same uniformity as those of the township of Christie. Tff*^'''^ ^°^'® 
 most worthy of notice are those which lie withui the alluvial deposits Jp^'*^^ ^<^' 
 the Porpoise and Claude rivers. The courses of these rivers are marked f*^?*^"'^^ ^ 
 lands of easy and profitable culture for a depth of four to five miles. T 
 Porpoise river, at a distance of about three-quarters of a mile from the sho 
 divides into two branches, both of which are bordered by good far^ning lanlaversed'^ 
 
 ramps ai 
 re invaria 
 uality. ] 
 The land crossed by the road line from the hill formed by the ravine anks of tl 
 the Porpoise river, on the south east side, to the mouth of the Albo 
 brook, are broken for about half their depth, and their cultivation is rel 
 dered difficult by the hills and mountains w^hich skirt the sea ; neverthele 
 each of these lots can show an average area of fifty to sixty acres easyai 
 advantageous to cultivate. The soil is in general a yellow and slight 
 sandy loam. 
 
 Along each of these rivers, there are extensive maple groves, of whi 
 some are worked in the spring as sugaries 
 
 len, was < 
 
 From the Albour brook to the seigniory of Mont-Louis, the land slop 
 gently towards the sea-shore, and offers so many advantages that the great 
 part is already taken up. The lands bordering the Claude river are for 
 depth of several miles more extensive than those of the Porpr^ i iv 
 The part adjoining the Gulf is already in an advanced state of cul'i-., 
 
 As I have had the honor of already remarking, the most import 
 places, along the front of the townships of Christie and Duchesnay, are . 
 the Martin, Porpoise and Claude rivers. These localities o)i account of th 
 alieady prosperous (Agricultural condition are certainly destined to fi 
 centres of colonization 
 sheltered and protects 
 
 stages of the tide, 
 
 flsJ.iw 
 
 1; the n'.outh of each of these rivers are basil 
 ■"^.jair. t the sea by long sand-bars, where, at 
 g Ci-aft seek and find excellent shelter ; consequenj 
 
 I amc 
 
 ery favori 
 
 dry and 
 
 ^<' r cove 
 
 3 seco 
 cod land 
 •et there, ^ 
 en settle] 
 lone indi( 
 ard wood 
 lorae valui 
 lettlers. 
 
!Ct 
 
 220 
 
 eso places are froquontod by fishermen from Sainte-Anno-des-Mojita and 
 gewhere, who oome laoh year to spend a few months lishin^. There ig 
 80 alonj? the frontage of these two townships a good number ol small 
 ttloments, of little importance yet, it is true, on arcount ofth«ir youth, 
 i they promise to become rather extensive. 
 
 The lands in the second range of these two townships are in all res- 
 its equal to those of the first range, and, ap.irt from the advantaifo which 
 e settlers of the first range enjoy in being close to the river for fishing 
 iirposes, it may be said th;.t all the lands of the second range are more 
 Ivautageous oven ^han those of the first range; the land is everywhere 
 ore level, and the soil of better quality. Several lots have been already 
 plied for, but this especially in order to get the benefit ot the numerous 
 garies which .*ro on the river points and on the slopes of the hills which 
 to five miles. Tl °^^^^ *^®™' 
 mile from theshoi The chief kinds of timber in the part of these two townships which I 
 ' good farjning Ian aversed. are fir, white birch, spruce, birch and maple. The cedar 
 'le groves, of wlii( «^amps are few in number and of small extent ; in all we met and which 
 
 >ntage of from thre 
 ited to colonizalioi 
 [>ened, there will I 
 nay be said of tl 
 ers. For a depth 
 s and the soil, whi( 
 The only obstacl 
 >rook8 known undi 
 
 I by the road li 
 p of Christie. T 
 illuvial deposits 
 ivers are marked 
 
 ed by the ravine 
 outh of the Albo 
 r cultivation is re 
 le sea ; neverthelf 
 lixty acres easy at 
 yellow and slight 
 
 uis, the land si 
 ges that the great 
 aude river are for 
 the Porpr' i iv 
 state of cu)*i"„ 
 
 re invariably situated in low lands, the cedar is of fine growth and good 
 uality. In some place?, we came across some pine, particularly on the 
 anks of the Vall6e brook and of the Martin river. This timber, wherever 
 en, was of good size and seemed to be of suparior quality. 
 
 {C.-F. Roy, 2l8t October, 1862.) 
 
 Township of Denoue. 
 
 I am compelled to say that the general aspect of this township is not 
 ery ftivorable for colonization. The land is very mountainous, and the soil 
 » dry and sterile. Moreover, if the G-rand Anse be excepted, there is no 
 v' r cove or river to entice the fishermen to settle there. The western part 
 ' i second mnge is, perhaps, the only one which contains a few tracts of 
 he most importi food land fit to be cultivated ; but the steep hills that must be climbed to 
 Duohesuay, aret ret there, will always be a serious obstacle to their being settled by fisher- 
 on account of th nen settlers, who always need easy communication with the sea. The timber 
 y destined to fo ilone indicates a poor and backward vegetation, and very seldom is any 
 le rivers are basi lard wood found. Pine only is abundant enough in the interior to lend 
 -bars, where, at 'orae value to this township, in which there are yet only two resident 
 lelter ; consequenf ettlers. 
 
 {A. Painchaud, 8th March, 1871.) 
 
 1 
 
230 
 
 
 Township of Douglas. 
 
 The greater part oi' the tract surveyed is good clay soil, genorallv 
 mixed with sandstone and clay gravel, except in the direction of the kuvfl 
 and fifth range line, from lot number two eastward, in both rar J 
 where It changes to a very poor quality of reddish sand, covered with 
 stratum of greyish white earth, about three inches in depth ; many si 
 stone boulders are also found, particularly on lots twenty-seven and twentv 
 eight, m the vicinity of the Malbaie line. " " 
 
 . i' "^^'p.^.^ ^^^"^ ^y ^^^ accompanying plan and profile, part of tb 
 fourth and filth ranges, between the York line and lot number six inclusi^!, 
 IS very rough and mountainous, but the land is good ; even approaching 
 the very summit of the mountain on lot number five at an elevation of 
 1,530 leet above sea level, the soil seems to bo of excellent quality • a o-ooH 
 proof of the same is that, among the brushwood, alder, pembina, hazel &o 
 are lound in abundance. ' ' 
 
 There is very little merchantable timber left standing within the limit^ 
 of the present survey. All .ho pine has been cut for square timber and th,' 
 same may be said of the .pruce also. The^e is an abundance of fir ,nd 
 bouleau, son., good yellow and black birch, and hard and soft maple'are 
 also lound here and there on the side hills. 
 
 Thewh..' tract is well watered, being traversed in the centre by the 
 river Ans^ a Jiriand; and the tributaires of Seal Cove, Bois Brule ,n(l 
 Malbaie rivers drain it in every other direction. 
 
 'J'heiv is no scarcity of water power for manufocturing purposes. 
 
 On the Ar.se a Briand and Malbaie rivers are found splendid quarries 
 of sandstone, most suitable for grindstones and whetstones and probably 
 for f-culptors' use also. . ^ 
 
 There -Ave extensive beds of these from the coarsest to the finest o-raiu iu 
 layers varying in thickness from half a.i inch to five or six feet lyin- imrth bv 
 east dip 30- and in the beds of the streams, I also found hones of superior 
 quality. I have transmitted some of them, with other specimens to vour 
 department. ' ■' 
 
 It is surprising that so much good land in such close proximity to the 
 seaboard and so easy of access remains so long unsettled : it is, hovverer 
 the case, and the reason is obvious. ' 
 
 The 
 )ther \v( 
 
 Just 
 ea and 
 ire left t 
 
 The 
 woods ir 
 
 At I 
 patches ( 
 cnltivati' 
 of the sei 
 ranges a] 
 
 The 
 St. John 
 
 Inl 
 corapeus 
 wheat, a: 
 
 The 
 
 ground, 
 long sin 
 disfavor 
 soil is ch 
 There is 
 vegetabli 
 into its 
 formed b 
 by the u 
 is compo 
 birch, a ; 
 
ay soil generally 
 :tion of the fourth 
 in both ranges 
 I, cohered with a 
 pth ; many sand- 
 seven and twentv- 
 
 ofile, part cf the 
 iber six inclusive 
 iveu approaching 
 t an elevation of 
 : quality ; a good 
 nbina, hazel, &c,, 
 
 within the limits 
 e timber, and the 
 idance of fir and 
 id soft maple are 
 
 le centre by the 
 Bois Brule and 
 
 purposes. 
 
 )lendid quarries 
 s and probably 
 
 finest grain in 
 t lying north by 
 ones of superior 
 cimens, to your 
 
 roximity to the 
 it is, hovverer, 
 
 281 
 
 The people around Douglastown are all good " fishermen, " which in 
 )ther \vords may be understood as very poor farmers. 
 
 Just as soon as spring opens, all hands capable of working are off to the 
 ea and don't return until autumn ; and only the women and children 
 bre left to attend to the farming. 
 
 The introduction of a few good, substantial fiirmers and pioneer back- 
 Iwoods men into the place would render immense service. 
 
 At present there is not a single settler in the third range ; some small 
 patches of clearance are made here and there, but the aggregate area under 
 cnltivation in the whole range w^ould not form ten acres. The greater part 
 of the second range is also unsettled, although the land in both of the said 
 ranges appears to be of excellent quality. 
 
 There is no aoubt that in Douglastow^n and up the valley of the river 
 St. John, the.e is room for extensive settlements. 
 
 In Douglastown, spring opens a little later than at Quebec, but it is 
 compensated by a longer autumn and is less subject to early frosts ; oats, 
 wheat, and other cereals and root crops of all kinds succeed well there. 
 
 {H. O' Sullivan, 13th December, 1881.) 
 
 Township of Doufflastown. 
 
 The quality of the soil is at once established by the aspect of the 
 ground. The best pieces of land seem to have been cleai-ed and cultivated 
 long since. As for the remainder, it appears to have been viewed with 
 disfavor by the squatters, probably on account of its stony character. The 
 soil is chiefly a light sandy loam at the neck of the Lagoon near the bridge. 
 There is a mixture of clay in it, and, proceeding westward, an abundant 
 vegetable matter derived from the ferns and other marsh plants entering 
 into its composition. The whole region along the shore of the Lagoon, 
 formed by the month of the river St. John, can easily be made productive 
 by the use of seaweed and alluvion. The forest, probably a third growth, 
 is composed of clumps of balsam, double balsam, fir, grey spruce, white 
 Inrch, a few alders and some elder. 
 
li'^ 
 
 ■m 
 
 282 
 
 The best lots are those near the landing, where all the business of tha 
 place centres. From the post road going westward, the lots are raoiZ 
 less adapted to cultiration. Lots 8, 11, 15 and 18 are especially well 1 
 stituted to make small farms. ^ ^ '°''- 
 
 {G. LeBonthilHer, 3rd December, 1388.) 
 
 Township of Duohesnay. 
 
 In general the soil, in this township, is not perhaps as good as in iU 
 
 township of Christie. Nevertheless, in the valleys formed by the Porpo^ 
 
 and Claude rivers and in the part of the first range comprised between th 
 
 last mentioned river and the Rebours brook, there could be made rath. 
 
 extensive settlements. The Porpoise river does not form a valley sufficieX 
 
 broad to allow the division of lots crosswise, especially in the second rate 
 
 where this river forks into two branches, and where the mountains come 
 
 closer toge her and grow higher. At the Claude river, having found land 
 
 which are taken up and cultivated, even in the third range, in a north and 
 
 south direction, I thought it my duty to continue to divide the first ran4s 
 
 Ihe land comprised between these two rivers offers few advantaees to 
 
 colonization, the tract comprised between the Rebours brock and th. 
 
 Claude river excepted. The mountains are very high, divided by a host of 
 
 sman brooks, which foriu deep gulches and discharge into the branches o 
 
 the Porpoise river and the Rebours brook. 
 
 Apart from the wood which is generally found in the Gaspe district 
 that IS, fir, white birch and spruce, pine is found here on the tops of he 
 mountains, which are not always of easy access, on account of the steep 
 chffs forming the sides of these mountains. Birch and maple are rather 
 m abundance, as also cedar and ash in the valleys of the rivers On the 
 Claude and Porpoise rivers, there are several sugaries which have already 
 been worked by the settlers located on the banks of these rivers. 
 
 As in the neighboring township, fire has committed great destruction 
 m these two first ranges cf the township of Duchesnay and has robbed the 
 forest of a considerable part of its value. The valley of the east branch of 
 the Porpoise river has all been swept by fire, which crossed the western 
 branch of the Rebours brook and extended in this valley as far as the sea 
 shore. 
 
 {Ant. Poinchaud, 5th May, 1871.) 
 
238 
 
 le business of the 
 '■ lots are more or 
 ecially well con- 
 
 mber, 1S88.) 
 
 ks good as in the 
 by the Porpoise 
 3ed between this 
 be made rather 
 alley sufficiently 
 tie second range, 
 nountains come 
 ing found lands 
 , in a north and 
 the first ranges. 
 ' advantages to 
 brook and the 
 ied by a host of 
 the branches of 
 
 ■ G-aspe district, 
 the tops of the 
 nt of the steep 
 aple are rather 
 rivers. On the 
 1 have already 
 vers. 
 
 eat destruction 
 has robbed the 
 east branch of 
 d the western 
 5 far as the sea 
 
 lay, 1871.) 
 
 Township of Portin. 
 
 These explorations convinced me that it was perfectly useless to seek 
 for land fit for settlement beyond the banks of the Malbaie river, and I at 
 once decided to limit my operations to the laying out of ranges three and 
 four, which are crossed by this river and the different brooks which empty 
 into it. This is why I began the run the division line between the second 
 and third ranges. 
 
 But soon the valley of the river began to narrow, leaving no level land 
 between its banks and the foot of the mountains, which grew higher and 
 came closer together, with their bases jutting beyond each other in such a 
 way as to render the course of the river rapid and crooked and forcing it to 
 take a north and south direction, directly contrary to its general course 
 towards the east. I crossed on lot number twenty-one the northern branch of 
 the river, which is hemmed in between two ranges of very high mountains, 
 and I again continued this division line, between the second and third 
 ranges, as far as lot number twenty-eight, when I decided to run the centre 
 line beyond each of the branches of the river, to the north and south, to 
 get a better knowledge of the surrounding country. 
 
 If, within the two first miles, or at least as far as the north branch of 
 the river, there is on each bank a stretch of fifteen to twenty chains of level 
 land, which goes on constantly narrowing, it is stony land, covered with 
 moss, and poorly wooded, indicating poor soil and one very little fitted for 
 cultivation. Beyond the forks, there is hardly enough ground on either 
 hank for the construction of a road. 
 
 In general, all this country is wooded with fir, spruce, white birch and 
 mountain ash, with a few birch, especially on the summit of the mountains. 
 The timber is not tall and the rocky character of the land prevents it from 
 extending its roots, except on the surface of the ground. 
 
 All the merchantable and building timber, which was in the neigh- 
 borhood of the river, was cut off a number of years ago. and all along this 
 river to a short distance above the forks, there is nothing but stumps and 
 the chips of pines, which have been converted into square timber or into 
 logs that were sawn into deals at a mill erected two or three miles from 
 the mouth of the river. 
 
 There are still a few pines to be found on the tops of the mountains, 
 especially to the south of the river ; but they are not sufliciently numerous to 
 
234 
 
 cover the expense of getting them to the river. The main branch of the river 
 however, does not present any great obstacles to the driving of timber as 
 the rapids, although numerous, are not of a nature to injure" the wood ou 
 Its way down. It must neverth less be remarked that, at'a distance of four 
 miles withm the township of Fortin, the course of this river becomes so 
 tortuous and changes direction so abruptly that the timber would be liable 
 to easily jam in one of these bends and accumulate and form one of those 
 jams, such as are met with on the tSaint John river and as are frequeatlv 
 difficult and expensive to break up. As for the nortli branch of the river 
 at a distance of a mile or a mile and a half, there is a water-fall of a rather' 
 considerable height which offers an insurmountable obstacle to driving tim- 
 ber. In addition, at a very short distance beyond this fall, the river divides 
 into a multitude of little brooks, whi<>h form only a continuous series of small 
 ialls m the deep ravines of the mountains. The main branch of the river seems 
 to take its rise at no great distance in a group of mountains, which seem to 
 form the watershed ol the lands between Gaspe Basin and the Bay des Cha- 
 leurs. And as iUr as the eye can reach towards the south east, there is 
 nothing to be seen but a continuous chain of mountains, having divers 
 directions and separated from each other by ravines in which flow small 
 brooks discharging on one side, to the south, into the Grand and the Pabos 
 rivers, and ou the other side, to the north, into the Saint John river. 
 
 I was already lar enough into the township of Fortin to see at once 
 that I would nowhere find in this direction land fit for colonization, and 
 that, besides the scarcity of lumber, the difficulties of transportation in so 
 mountainous a region should, far from offering any encouragement to those 
 
 ''iuu T'l? "'""" ^" ^"^ "'^'^ ^^''' ^''''"'^^' °^" i^i^l^^stry on the small tributaries 
 olthe Malbaie river, turn them from it entirely. 
 
 {A. Painchnud 2 1st December, 18G9) 
 
 Seigniory of Pabos. 
 
 Through the whole of the first concession, from the seigniory of Grand 
 Kiver as far as the Grand Pabos river, as also in the second and third 
 concession east of the centre line on Petit Pabos river, indications of a rich 
 and fertile soil are generally found, including certain tracts of low land fit 
 lor the production of hay or grass for cattle which now grows wild over 
 
235 
 
 iich of the river, 
 tig of timber, as 
 re the wood ou 
 distance of four 
 ver becomes so 
 would be liable 
 a one of those 
 are frequently 
 ch of the river, 
 •fall of a rathr^r 
 to driving tim- 
 le river divides 
 s series of small 
 the river seems 
 which seem to 
 e Bay des Cha- 
 
 I east, there is 
 having divers 
 ich flow small 
 and the Pabos 
 
 II river. 
 
 ;o see at once 
 onization, and 
 )ortation in so 
 Jment to those 
 lall tributaries 
 
 )er, 1869 
 
 and around a largo number of natural meadows and lakes, that dry up 
 during the heat of summer ; on the higher and more cultivable lands, there 
 are no rocks, and everything suggests a very productive soil, particularly 
 ou the tract comprised between the seigniory of G-rand River and the river 
 Totu, where the land is level and very well adapted for settlement. 
 
 In the peninsula of Pabos, the range St. Hubert and that part of the 
 llrst concession north of the bay of Pabos, the laud is very rocky, and it is 
 only on the banks of the bay, on lakes and in some spots where the rocks 
 do not crop out above the surface of the ground, that a limited amount of 
 cultivable land is found. 
 
 In the second concession the lands become more mountainous on 
 approaching the Pabos river, two ranges on each side of which could be 
 settled by taking advantage of certain tracts of level land between the 
 river and the loot of the mountains. The third concession west of the 
 Petit Pabos river is intersected by a branch of that river and a large num- 
 ber of streams which flow into it. These streams flow through deep ravines 
 in the mountains, and if there are fertile spots in these mountains, access 
 to them is very difficult. 
 
 This seigniory, there is no doubt, is still rich in merchantable timber of 
 all kinds. It is true that the old Pabos company has taken away a certain 
 amount of pine from the part nearest to the sea, but there still remains 
 enough to aff'ord a supply for several years, (if the wood rangers are to be 
 believed), but it must be remembered that the Grand Pabos river crosses 
 only a part of the seigniory, and " Petit Pabos, " does not extend far into 
 the interior. There still exists an abundance, even in the lirst ranges, of all 
 the other kinds of useful timbor such as spruce, balsam, birch, cedar, ash. 
 Cedar is most in demand by the neighbouring settlers, who come here to 
 foil it in large qunntities for building their lishing vessels. Circh is abund- 
 ant, large sized and sound, and will therefore become an important article 
 of trade. 
 
 {A. Painchaud, April, 1874.) 
 
 iory of Grand 
 id and third 
 ions of a rich 
 f low land fit 
 ws wild over 
 
236 
 
 £.1 
 
 Township of Pero6. 
 
 The only stream deserving of notice in this tract is Br6che k Manon 
 a river thirty links wide, running in a ravine, which I have estimated at 
 ninety feet from the highest summit, and the valley measuring about seven 
 chains along the base line ; with the exception of lots numbers five and six 
 which are broken by this river, the remainder presents a generally even 
 appearance and a soil well adapted for cultivation, resting, with a o-ood 
 depth, upon a red sandstone and limestone conglomerate formation from 
 which It derives a fair partion of aluminum, sand and carbonate oflime 
 undoubted constituents of a fertile soil. This character of the soil will 
 apply generally to the whole of the region forming the subiect of th^ 
 present survey. 
 
 Commencing again at the post numbered nine and ten. on range B I 
 chained lots of thirteen chains in perpendicular breadth, and set posts of the 
 description required by the general instructions with numbers well cut 
 thereon to separate the lots toward the east in this range, that is to say as 
 far as lot number twenty-two, inclusively. Further more to the western 
 limit of lot number one in range A, on this side of the range, the country 
 maintains generally the same level character, for I cannot but include in 
 this definition lands that are slightly rolling, and also the constituent 
 elements of the soil which produce a light red clay loam of fertile quality 
 sustaining a healthy growth of white and black spruce, white, yellow and 
 black birch, with fir in abundance, a tree so thriving ia these parts and 
 attaining such dimensions as to supply nearly the whole of the planks and 
 boards used for building in this locality and the adjacent townships. 
 
 I crossed at this point the west branch of La Petite river, a brook of 
 twelve links, and a branch of the same formed by a dried up brook discharo- 
 ing apparently through an outl ^t five links in breadth in the hio^i 
 water season, besides the bed of an old brook in which pools of water form 
 at intervals after heavy rains. 
 
 Beginning at the post marking the western limit of the base lino of 
 range A, I laid off that range. 
 
 The soil in this range is undoubtedly richer than in range B, and the 
 timber which is of the same kind is taller and of larger girth. There is in 
 addition white ash, mountain ash, a few scattered sugar maples, and a 
 luxuriant growth of underbrush. There are large tracts of brown and black 
 
287 
 
 ^che a Maiioii, 
 e estimated at 
 ug- about seven 
 jrs five and six, 
 jeuerally even 
 g, with a good 
 brmation, from 
 bonate of lime, 
 )f the soil will 
 subject of the 
 
 oil range B, I 
 set posts of the 
 abers well cut 
 at is to say, as 
 o the western 
 ^e, the country 
 ut include in 
 le constituent 
 Fertile quality, 
 e, yellow and 
 lese parts and 
 he planks and 
 nships. 
 
 er, a brook of 
 
 rook discharsr- 
 
 in the high 
 
 of water form 
 
 le base lino of 
 
 ige B, and the 
 • There is in 
 aaples, and a 
 N^R and black 
 
 loam from which the cedar has been mostly all cut away, and around their 
 trunks the alder grows in luxuriance. 
 
 The whoj^ range is composed of a moister soil than range B, aiid the 
 easy draining thereof would be well repaid by its greater productiveness 
 in comparison with the stonier surface of range B. The river Anse-a-Beau- 
 lils and its tributary are the only streams worthy of remark in this sec- 
 tion ; the former of fifty links wide and two links deep, and the latter of 
 fifteen links wide, both with high banks rising at very steep grades. 
 
 Having drawn a trial line from the part between lots numbers twenty- 
 two and twenty-three, on the fourth range, astronomically, south 25° 30' 
 east, to the intersection of the base line of the third range, I thence laid oiF 
 lots of thirteen chains each, to the eastern limit of the second range from lot 
 number twenty-two to lot number four, inclusive. 
 
 The soil is of the same description as in the preceding section or range 
 A, and well deserving of the attention of the agriculturist, but the country 
 is more rolling, especially to the eastward approaching the Mountains of 
 the Falls, so named because they begin on the side of the village of Perce 
 by deep precipices with cliffs amounting to vertical walls in many places, 
 and abruptly terminating the surrounding land. 
 
 There will be a rush for the purchase of these the moment they are 
 offered for sale. Although broken in rear by the Mountains of the Falls, 
 their proximity to the village of Perce gives them much value. Their front 
 presents a slight elevation to the north. The soil is the best in the township, 
 and the timber is of a quality to attract the attention of many wood 
 cutters, who call this tract the " Common. " 
 
 In closing my report, I may extend my remarks to the township itself, 
 and briefly note its physical aspect and resources from the colonization 
 standpoint. 
 
 Except the eastern part which is mountainous for some distance inward, 
 there remains in the subdivided ranges of the township, now in a complete 
 state of wilderness, a large and excellent field for colonization. Although 
 the banks of the streams are rounded hills rising steeply from the water's 
 edge on each side, which is often the case in many parts of this province 
 more to the south, arising, no doubt, from the proximity of the sea and the 
 favorable climate resultirg therefrom, the soil varies from the light stony 
 to the heavy clay loam, overlaid in many places with rich vegetable mould. 
 

 238 
 
 It sustains a thrifly growth of small timber amongst which Th ~^ 
 valuable is white cedar, but therp i« ole^ . ^ , *"^ "^o^t 
 
 including frequent grov s of map e S„ h "" T'^''''' ^^' ^'^^^^^^od 
 
 township in clmotrwith l^cen '.;;; ots ;nhr\^^''^^. ^^"'^ 
 intending settlers. ' ^ ^° *"® enterprise of 
 
 • (6'. LeBoulhillier, 3rd December, 18G8 
 
 i 
 
 Township of Rameau. 
 
 Although the whole of this townshin i« ,•» „ . 
 
 and intersected by branches of ri^r td I' ^"T"^- '^''^ "^"'^'^^'^inous 
 with the exception of that part lar ; tt r"""' -^ '" '^''^ '^^^'"^^' 
 the valley of the river is w der d "L' t^ T"7 "'^""'^^^'"•' ^'^-^ 
 the first and the fourth .nges, 1^^:^!:^:'^^:^;^^^^ ^^^.^^ 
 areol much greater elevatin,. nr.^.r. u- " ^esc part, the mountains 
 
 which they b^the (he J siZ a^d "^ "'""' """'' *" "''^ -■"■ "■ 
 
 route and f„II„wi„R. some sfe..., whe .' 7hril ',! o 1 '" V""" 
 always practicable. opening of a winter road is 
 
 itself for those who mth^^rr t ouUh1""'r '" ''''' ^™"^ ^'-^• 
 and it is for this reasoS th!t I relrf 1, ' ""'''^'' "'^°^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^'^^^to, 
 
 fourth range. '^'"'"'^ ^" ^'^^^ ^''^•^^"^ ^he division of the 
 
 As respects the merchantable timber T r-.nn^f . .u . ., 
 abundant or of superior quV fv 7^ '""'^^-^'^y ^^'^^^ ^^^ Pi^e is very 
 of the mountains ^r^tU^tXel^H^'' T'- "^'^ °" *^« ^^^-^ 
 the river, where, to make up o Jht d ^f V^^ ^"1""^''^^^ ^^^ 
 qnanti.es. I remarked ^om^Xle Lttni;:^;: ::? ^"^ '''!'''' 
 but in too suiall quantity to form suo.ries n ' "'ountains, 
 
 birch, which is generally sound and o >.^^^^^^^^ ' .importance. The red 
 where, mixed with white b rch hn =' '''"' '' ""'' ""''^ ''^^T 
 
 predominant. ' ^''"^'^' ^^"^ '^P^'"«^' these last being 
 
289 
 
 vhieh the most 
 ce of hardwood 
 )urcos that this 
 he enterprise oi 
 
 nber, 18G8 ) 
 
 for exportation, excepting, perhaps, the cedar, nevertheless these lots of land 
 will be alvays A'alnable for building wood and fuel for the inhabitants 
 both of the seigniory of Grand lliver and of the neigbouring townships ; 
 and I have no doubt that, as soon as they are offered for sale, they will find 
 numerous purchasers to cultivate and improve them. 
 
 (Ant. Painchaud, April, 1875.) 
 
 'i mountainous 
 1 deep ravines, 
 id River, where 
 dually towards 
 the mountains 
 to the river, in 
 ^able barrier to 
 ig a circuitous 
 winter road is 
 
 le Olio incousi- 
 
 J Grand River 
 
 by this route, 
 
 livision of the 
 
 3 pine is very 
 i the summit 
 ite vicinity of 
 and in large 
 le mountains, 
 ce. The red 
 t with every- 
 ' last beius' 
 
 traversed by 
 idant article 
 
 Townehip of Tasohereau. 
 
 Soil adapted to tillage is not found in this towmship, except in the 
 coves and valleys formed by the rivers of I'Anse I'levTreuse, of Gros-Mille and 
 of Manche-d'Epee, and alt<o on the sea shore on the fourth or fifth first lots, 
 near to the Little Magdaleine, where the mountains recede somewhat from 
 the shore. The land comprised between these different rivers is thickly 
 wooded, and composed of high mountains on whose summits there arc no 
 plateaux of any extent. Between the Gros-MsMe and I'Anse Pleureuse, these 
 mountains are from fifteen hundred to two thousand feet high, and form cliffs 
 and perpendicular rocks on the sea shore at the foot of which, in many places, 
 the sea leaves no passage. In the valley of I'Anse Pleureuse river to 
 the south of the lake, there is a pretty c oiisiderable tract of fertile laud, 
 although this valley is not more than halt a mile wide at its wndest point. 
 Around the lake, in the five first lots, there is no land fit for cultivation, as 
 the mountains rise from the very banks of the lake itself At Gros-Mc\le, 
 although the valley between the mountains is narrower, there is never- 
 theless on the banks of the river a tract of fertile land adapted to the 
 formation of good settlements. The valley of the Manche-d'Epee is, perhaps, 
 a little wider, and contains a fertile soil, particularly on the banks of the 
 north w^est branch, which will .soon be settled, for clearances were already 
 beEi:un as soon as the lots were laid out. 
 
 Fir, white birch and spruce, as elsewhere throughout Gaspe, are the 
 prevailing woods in this township. Pine seems to be more abundant in the 
 interior than it is in the first range, where it is not generally of the best 
 quality. Birch and maple occur on the slopes of the moiintains, and ash and 
 cedar, principally, on the river banks. On the mountain tops, the wood is 
 short and thin, indicating a dry and arid soil, from which it does not draw 
 
'H 
 
 240 
 
 very abundant nutriment ; but below, on the bottoms along the banks i 
 the river, it is taller and shows all the signs of a richer vegetation. 
 
 Fire has also committed much damage in this township and has alroa,i. 
 destroyed a great part of the forest, principally, in the neighborhood! 
 1 Anse-Pleureuse, of Gros-Mftle and of the Manche d'Ep^e. At this last pko 
 especially, the farmers have greatly sutfered, having lost their crops 1 .sidi' 
 several barns and other buildings. 
 
 t (Ant. Painchaud, 6th . .arch, 1871.) 
 
241 
 
 ong the banks of 
 igetation. 
 
 ) and has already 
 
 neighborhood of 
 
 At this last place 
 
 leir crops ) 'sides 
 
 larch, 1871.) 
 
 COUNTY OF JOLIETTE. 
 
 Township of Joliette. 
 
 The whole township is arable and well adapted for settlement and 
 colonization, being well watered with lakes and rivulets of pure water, 
 living springs and streams, except some mountains shown on the accom- 
 panying plan and particularly described in my field book now returned. 
 
 On the Archambault, McGee and Swaggin rivers, there are beautiful 
 mill sites, well adapted to suit the wants of settlement ; speckled trout 
 are numerous in most of the lakes and L'Assomption river abounds 
 with all species of fish. The soil is chiefly dark loam, land rather stony, 
 timber, red and white pine, white birch, cedar, spruce and maple ; the white 
 pine has been all culled and the better part taken away for lumbering pur* 
 poses, except one excellent grove from about Nos. 6 to 12, in the 5th and 6th 
 ranges ; there is also an extensive grove of red pine on the N. E. side of 
 L'Assomption river, between that and the N. E. boundary line of Cartier, 
 which has not been much culled. 
 
 The bush is plentifully stocked with moose deer, caribou and beaver on 
 the creeks and outlets of lakes, mink, marten and other species of fur-bearing 
 animals, together with partridge, ducks, &c., &c. Upon the whole it is 
 capable of aftbrding tillage land to the habitant, hunting, trapping and fishing 
 to the sportsman or hunter and lumber to the lumberer. 
 
 {F.-P. Quinn, 3rd September, 1864.) 
 
 There is unlimited water power to be found in this township on the 
 Black river, Leprohon river and the river David, which 1 doubt not will be 
 taken advantage of in time. 
 
 The general feature of this township is mountainous, interspersed with 
 lakes, more especially towards the rear. 
 
 16 
 
942 
 
 There is very little timber adapted to lumbering purposes to he m 
 with except spruce, which is generally of a large si.e and abounds in .!! 
 
 quantities 
 
 met 
 
 great 
 
 The best land is to be found in the first and second ranges and alon. 
 the valleys of the Black river and the river David. ^ 
 
 {James W. Martin, November, 1855) 
 
 The township of Joliette is situatea partly in the county of Toilette 
 and partly in that of Berthier. 
 
 d.Jh V'f '''^'^ ^''*" ^''"' ^°*« «"^ ^*« ^ breadth of eight miles and a 
 n^r^ elt;:""'" " ''' "^^^' ""^"" ^^^* ^"' '' ''' -^^- - the 
 
 The soil, in general is good and adapted to tillage, being composed of 
 a yellow loam mo^e or less sandy, stony and rocky ; there is also some 
 bJacJj mould, the whole covered with vegetable matter. 
 
 Occasionally, the eminences are remarkable works of nature, from 
 which the whole district can be contemplated at a glance until the eve 
 rests upon the horizon. ^ 
 
 The diiferent kinds of timber found in this township are the white 
 spruce cedar, maple, birch, fir, soft m.ple and beech ; there are also p 
 and white birch but in small quantity only. The prevailing timber is 
 white spruce and cedar, which ar. being worked by the lumberers sin 
 the almost total dostructio.i of the pine. 
 
 I noticed several water powers along the course of rhe rirer Noire and 
 the river David ; they are now utilized by saw and grist mills. 
 
 The 
 ml niutl 
 The rang! 
 iiid hillo( 
 lorth eas 
 and seen 
 the no I 
 
 Alon 
 
 •angos, th 
 Then com 
 was rati] 
 md heav] 
 ine of tht 
 iiiip have 
 jviTy yea] 
 rt'ould be 
 
 The settlers find a profitable market for their produce with the lumbor. 
 men, who are large consumers of pork, hay and oats. 
 
 (U. Dorval, 30th January, 1873.) 
 
 In tht 
 
 ast year, ] 
 md secon 
 nouutains 
 which em] 
 5aint-John 
 'or cultiva 
 generally £ 
 |with good 
 
UB 
 
 arposes to ba met 
 aboundti in great I 
 
 angcs, and along 
 
 COUNTY OF KAMOURASKA. 
 
 mber, 1855) 
 
 unty of Joliette 
 
 :ht miles and a 
 X ranges in the 
 
 ng composed of 
 re is also some 
 
 3f nature, from 
 ;e until the eye 
 
 ' are the white 
 ire are also pine 
 g timber is the 
 lumberers since 
 
 river Noire and 
 lis. 
 
 ith the lumbor- 
 
 lary, 1873.) 
 
 Township of Bungay. 
 
 The land is not equally good everywhere ; the sixth, seventh, eighth 
 ind ninth ranges are unlit for colonization, on account of their stony soil. 
 The range line in depth of the township is broken by rocky and sterile hilU 
 .nd hillocks, with the exception of the part of the two last miles to the 
 orth east, where the land is rather level and fit for cultivation. This good 
 and seemed to me to extend towards the south, and ends at a little distance 
 the north of the range line. 
 
 Along the range line which is drawn between the fifth and sixth 
 anges. the land is only good at intervals ; we come across stony tracts. 
 Then comes the range line between the fourth and the fifth ranges, where 
 ■ was rather pleased with the soil. The lower ranges are composed of a good 
 md heavy soil, with the exception of the last lots, adjoining the north east 
 ine of the fief Grandville, which are very rocky. The woods in this town- 
 :.ip have been partly cut over by the lumberers who seem to continue 
 vi-ry year to cut and carry off the few good trees remaining and which 
 rt'ould be required for the wants of settlers. 
 
 {Vital Desrocher.% 12th May, 1853.) 
 
 Township of Pohenegamook. 
 
 In the report which I had the honor of giving in to your department, 
 List year, I have already mentioned that the range line between the first 
 lud second ranges of this township passes in general over a range of 
 nouutaius, which runs to the height of lauds separating the waters 
 which empty into the Saint-Lawrence from those which flow towards the 
 kint-John, or the bay of Fundy, so that the land is in general rather unfit 
 br cultivation. On the other hand, in the rest of the township, the land is 
 
 (■generally good for all kinds of tillage, being mixed from distance to distance 
 ,vith good sand and clay. 
 
ii44 
 
 In addition to the range of mountains between the first and seconH 
 ranges, there are also several lolty hills in the section on the north eastsid 
 ol the SI. Francis river, as lar as the dis<;harge of the Pohenegaraook • «til 
 between these mountains, there are valleys in which the laud is vory'.rood 
 and the same is the case on each side of the lake. Although the land \J, 
 gradually to a certain height, it is generally of the be.t quality To th 
 south west of the lake, at a distance of about one mile and a half, there ! 
 also a high mountain, but it is comi)osed of arable land. I consider thatn 
 le^st seventy-five per cent of this township is good land fit for all kinds n 
 tillage. ' 
 
 I have already made a report on the importance of this township as « 
 centre lor tmde on account of its fine lake and the <ommunicatiou b 
 water trom this lake to the St. John and the St. Francis rivers, and by th 
 roads to River de Loup, St. Andrew's and other places. 
 
 The forest of this township consists of all the different kinds of wood 
 which grow elsewhere in this part of the country. The pine has been cut 
 ofl some years back ; but there is a great deal of spruce good for boards 
 and deals, maple, cedar and birch, which will make good sugaries hereafter. 
 
 .u Pt. '"'"'"'^''i' *' ^''^«««^ i" every direction by streams, the largest hms 
 he St. Francis -iver which discharges into Pohenegamook lake, and cou. 
 tinues Its course as far as the St. John river; this river is navigable for 
 .^ano"s Irom the outlet of the lake for about two miles. For a distance of 
 about a mile, more or less, its banks are high, but, on the tract between 
 these banks and its course, the land is generally of the best. 
 
 {C.'F. Fournier, 3rd May, 1854). 
 
245 
 
 i first and second^. 
 the north east side 
 lunegamook; still 
 land is very jrood, 
 gh the land rises 
 quality. To the 
 id a half, there is 
 I consider that at 
 it for all kinds of 
 
 his township as a 
 ommunicatiou by 
 •ivers, and by the 
 
 >nt kinds of wood 
 
 pine has been cut 
 
 good for boards 
 
 mgaries hereafter. 
 
 •■, the largest being 
 ok lake, and cuu- 
 's navigable lor 
 For a distance of 
 ie tract between 
 it. 
 
 i May, 1854). 
 
 COUNTY OF L'ISLET 
 
 Township of Aratfo. 
 
 The land, wliich I crossed in the cours*; of my survey, is in general 
 undulating, rising Romctimes on an average from 40 to 10 J feet in height. 
 The soil, with the exception of the 7th range, is generally quite fit, for cul- 
 tivation, although stony ; it is composed of yellow loam and a greyish clay, 
 and covered with mixed timber, including lir, birch, spruce, cedar and a 
 few maples. Merchantable timber, that is to say, the white spruce, is in 
 abundance, excepting in the seventh range, where fire made a sweep last 
 summer. As for pine, it is so scarce that it is not worth mentioning, the 
 few trees that were formerly scattered in this township having been cut 
 off and taken a way ; those which remain are dry and in small quantities. 
 
 In the interior of this township, there is on the height of lands a num- 
 ber of small lakes, discharging partly to the south and partly to tlie north ; 
 thoy are in general not very deep, contain no fish, and are very muddy. 
 Among these lakes, is the lake formerly known as Lac de I'Est, but now 
 called the Swanq) lake ; it could be easily drained and at slight cost. These 
 lakes are the sonrc^es of a number of unimportant streams which wind 
 through this tov, iiship. Of all these streams, there is, properly speaking, 
 but the Kateval river, which is deserving of mention ; it is about one 
 chain in width on the 5th range and supplies the motive power to a saw- 
 mill, built by Mr. A. Leclerc, towards the centre of the 5th range. There is 
 also another site for a small saw-mill on lot 20 of the 7th rano-e. 
 
 (P.-R.-A. Belanger, 5th April, 1881.) 
 
 Township of Ashford. 
 
 As regards the qnalitv of the soil and timber, I will not be lengthy, as 
 It would be a repetition of what you already know, and consequently 
 would only annoy you. The lumbering operations which are prosecuted 
 with great activity, in this locality, are one of the great causes which have 
 
246 
 
 'iiim 
 
 led to the disappoaranco of the ho.st timber ; there was a great ,leal of nin i 
 and there still remains some, but of poor quality. At intor^.^ls nnnL? ' 
 mot with but they are i„ such small numbed that iJ H^u^ i;: 
 rnentiou hem. The prevailing woods in this township are the fir 1 
 bin^h and spruce. The lan<l is generally rich, level and free iVon s ' 
 especially in the second and third ranges ; about six fe.t o snow? 
 covers the ground, and prevents me from judging its quality r/r 
 opinion IS that it is not very favorable as settlement land ^ ' '"'^ | 
 
 (T.-N. Dugal, 1st April, 1873.) 
 
 The land is level in all this part of the township of Ashford cxcenf (n 
 the north east of the river Quelle, where there are some hill. v^Uh X 
 elevation and a gentle slope. The timber compri.ses generally £• 
 «pruce, hr, birch, white birch and maple, in certain sections. The, w a, ' 
 great deal ol pine at one time, but a most of it has b.en cut off and take 
 away long since so that there is but little remaining now. Never he ! 
 lumbering ,s being .till carried on on river Quelle this winter. Thett; 
 considerable quantity of spruce fit for export in this part of the town^h^ 
 
 {C.-F. Fownier, 13th May, 1864.) 
 
 Township of Beaublea. 
 
 In thi, towuship, I 8ub(iiv;.l..d all thi, third a.id fourth r.uges, on.Imi,,' 
 .n «r..a ot l,v.. thousand and eighty-two acu-s. In iho rau^vs fl-.. an 1 x 
 
 tZ ,",'",' """'; u'%"' "'"'•■ '"™"'«'"' »«» ot^ix" hundred ao' 
 
 Ihere ,» „ „ti„ loss at tho depth ot ono ol' the section, of the third ran.^, 
 to the nor. I, east, as far as the end of tho ran^e, ,.aused by l,n.,k. rook, a^d 
 hecon „M.at,„„ of the Lessard had land, as tar a, a Zpth oli;" V 
 ch»,.s to the south east of the range line, north west of IJeaubion Th 
 remainder ot the nmp, although not of the best, is passably good T 
 the south west of the eentral line, we fl.rd mixed wood, bLh ma,. . 
 s,.r„ee, eedar and ash ; to the north east side, spruce pred,;,„inat:s Tl. 
 fourth range .s somewhat better than the third ; the hard wood is more 
 
247 
 
 roat (leal of pin,, j 
 rvals, mai^Ios aro 
 s uniiocessury to j 
 po tho fir, (;(!(lar, 
 troo from stoiios, 
 ot of snow now 
 lality ; but mv 
 
 ^Pril, 1873.) 
 
 «i?f 
 
 oiximon to the south west, and the spruco is richer to the 
 Hwainpy M\(\ blaclv spruce land begins to app(Mir on the 
 raiiw, towards number fifteen, and extends as far as the township of Arago, 
 running towards the south west, and making the rest of the two last 
 ranges uncultivable. The lots one, two and three, in the ranges five and 
 six, are tolera})ly good, those of the sixth range being covered with birch, 
 maple and sprui;o ; beyond these lots, going to the north east, the land is 
 not worth much, or, properly speaking, is worth nothing. 
 
 (Thomas Breen, 25th February, 1869). 
 
 liford, except to 
 «, with a slight 
 enerally cedar, 
 i. Thet- was a 
 off and taken 
 '• Nevertheless, 
 liter. There is a 
 rthe township. 
 
 lay. 1864.) 
 
 iges, en(^lo.siii-j 
 s five and six, 
 lundred acres, 
 e third range, 
 tHs, rocks, and 
 i of five to six 
 aubien. The 
 i!y good. To 
 birch, maple, 
 linates. The 
 wood is more 
 
 Township of Fournier. 
 
 The soil of the land surveyed by me is in general sandy and wooded 
 with fir, spruce, birch and white birch. It is in general a dry sand, more or 
 less stony, but nevertheless very cultivable for the greater part. The range 
 line between the eighth and ninth ranges is an exception to the general 
 rult' for all the north east side of the central line and the greater part of the 
 south west, cross sandy land, it is true, but rich and without rocks for the 
 most part, wooded with hard woods, mixed with spriice. The large sized 
 timber met with proves the fertility of the soil. The land traversed through- 
 out the survey, except on the range line above mentioned, greatly resembles 
 the soil along the Elgin road, which, as w^eknow, is not despised by settlers. 
 There are, nevertheless, a few swamps, mostly all near the lakes which', as 
 everywhere else, would bo an obstacle to settlement, especially as regards 
 roads. The surface is in general level, except a few slight undiilations ; no 
 mountains or hills are inet with, and, on all the lines which I ran, roads can 
 be easily opened. 
 
 {C.-A. VerreauU, 11th October, 1862.) 
 
 Townships of Qarneau, Casgrain and Lafontaine. 
 
 The five last ranges of the township of Glarneau, now surveyed, give 
 a superficies of twenty-two thousand acres of land, in part well adapted for 
 colonization, ollering a surface generally level and covered for the most 
 
248 
 
 purt^with mixed hardwood; i Us more rooky than the township of C... 
 
 Description of the lands surveyed in the township of Casgrain : 
 The five last ranges of the township of Oaserain Jh.VK f 
 superficies of 20,226 acres, are in general less stony tCtlsI of the tn" ' 
 ship of Garncan ; they are partly covered with ™ i '°""'- 
 
 rally sandv and of good quamV ^hltownrh n ,T ' ""T"""^ ' '"^ «""■ 
 by important and ^numerou ri™rs ZtS2 Z? f '" ""7 '"^'=""" 
 e«.ily be constructed. "'"' °' "^■"^ ^'"^ ""sht 
 
 Description of the lands surveyed in the township of Lafontaine : 
 
 There are found, in different narfs r.f +i,,„ * 
 beavers many years ago whlh Im h! „/ ! ."" ' """"^""^ """i'' ""f 
 from the facility the laTter w 1 hTve „f " ''\"""'^'' '" ""' ^^'«» 
 a rather inferior qua it^wirrnltleLTf"'';''*' ^f' "'"''' ^'""'"'"''"f 
 their cattle, during the to lea "!f ,? '" '"''""« """^ *"> «"«" 
 
 cut better Lay from th! ;?„" 1^™''','' '' '"<■ »"'■" '"'^ «- 
 groves, many of which are aTready occupied bv f ° °" 'Tl"'' ""'* 
 sugar there tor the last two or three vears.h. ."' "''° ''"" """'» 
 
 be of advantage to those holdTn^theJwk.v'"'" ^"''"^ "'" "'» 
 money by sugar-makin. tbr mafkl^ at T ^ "" i'"^ *™ '» S"'" '«'"" 
 .ible for them= to do an;thTngTalti:gX: f^wtr" '' '"'- 
 
 their''s:t;it,rt:i'r"u:;f:rr..br ^^"t "^v^""'-^ "^'-^^^ 
 
 some reason or other rf thl ^ ""'°"' "'"'" *>>' ''™'™. '"' 
 
 ban-en swamps an r As wh ly fii fXtU f"' ""^ "°"''"' ^" 
 apparently confirmed by ; strip of land 1 '^'n T'' """"' "«« 
 
 width, in rear of the seignione, 'S i, " ■ "!■ '' '™'' ""^ " ''"'f '» 
 represented the remainder tobe "^ ''"'>' "'' *'''' '>""'"^« k™ 
 
 (F/-S. TV^w, 1863.) 
 
 Township of Lessard, ' 
 
 rtrt;tr' '"■'- '-"^^ - - -f two'thrrdtriL:^ 
 
249 
 
 •wnship of Cas- 
 
 'asgrain : 
 
 which form a 
 ose of the town- 
 I ting a soil gone- 
 I every direction 
 'ery kind might 
 
 afontaine : 
 
 dows made by 
 to the settlers, 
 -h, although of 
 hem to winter 
 until they can 
 me lots maple 
 ho have made 
 ores will also 
 1 to gain some 
 )uld be impos- 
 
 ainly delayed 
 •■ hunters, for 
 3 nothing but 
 s which Were 
 tnd a half in 
 tiunters have 
 
 {«, 1863.) 
 
 colonization, 
 I range and 
 )ur hundred 
 
 Although the land is somewhat stony, it is nevertheless level if not 
 bperior to what we come across in the lower ranges of Lessard and 
 t. Cyrille. A good yellow loam and a mixed timber of fir, spruce and white 
 lirch. predominate mostly everywhere, especially in the third ran-e The 
 land is lower and fresher, on the fourth range, where cedar is much more 
 lommon. And even this consideration of wood is sufficient to give a real 
 blue to these lots, for cedar and hard woods become rarer from day to day 
 L the concessions of our older parishes, and we must go back into the 
 Interior to procure the necessary fire wood. 
 
 A visit to and close exploration of the north east section, from the cen- 
 •al line going as far as the south west range line of the township of 
 'ournier, having indicated that it was worth absolutely nothing for 
 |olonization and that not even the sale of the timber would defrav the 
 ixpenses of subdividing, I left this tract of vacant land, without subdivid- 
 no" it. 
 
 {Thomas Breen, 25th February, 1869.) 
 
 Townships of Lessard and Beaubien. 
 
 I began my operations, on the exterior north line of the first range of 
 ^0 township of Lessard. In this range as well as in the second, there are 
 everal settlers in a prosperous condition. The soil is generally good 
 hoivgh rocky. The predominant varieties of timber are spruce, balsam' 
 Jirch and cedar. I found only five posts properly marked on the whole of 
 lis line, and it was much encumbered and almost invisible in many 
 
 The exterior north line of the third range never having been run. I had 
 do the whole work anew. I also thought it well to continue the subdi- 
 ision of this range as far as the township of Fournier, the soil being of 
 etter quality than in the other ranges and a little less rocky The pre- 
 ominant varieties of wood are birch, maple, beech and white birch • the 
 ^mainder consists of spruce, balsam and cedar. The land is generally 
 .wer and colder in the fourth range, where the cedar prevails. I gave up 
 be subdnision of this range between lots 12 and 13, the rest appearing to 
 e burnt over and the soil of inferior quality. Eanges A and B are inferior 
 the rest of the township ; the soil is more rocky, and the timber of little 
 ilue, part havinsr been cut and nnrf rloofvnTrr.,1 u„ f .„„ 
 
260 
 
 Tho part of the township of Beaubien which I verifiod is generally \yA 
 suited for cultivation, except the north part of ranges 1, 2 and 3, whichis 
 very rocky, especially in ranges 1 and 3, where I could not place any posts 
 for the first four lots. The soil in this township, as well as in the township 
 of Lessard, is undulating and in some places tolerably level, well watered 
 by a number of streams, among which are the Bras tVapic, Bras tie Cest, Br(i}\ 
 du N. Est, Fuurchc des plaines, Sfc. 
 
 The timber has been cut or burnt. There is nou'^ ^ :^^ worth iuentioni 
 
 These two townships being easy of access, near . Lawrence, mid I 
 
 traversed by the Arago road, present great advantuges for colonizltiou, j 
 Nevertheless, unless the Government finds a remedy for the emigration 
 fever which is spreading among our population with alarming rapidity,! 
 fear they will long remain in a state of forest. 
 
 [P.-R.-A. Belanger, 25th April, 1883). 
 
 iiiff, 
 
 Township of Leverrier. 
 
 On the second and third ranges, the land is more unlevel thaui 
 elsewhere. 
 
 The highest mountain is at the commencement of the sixth range. The 
 general surface of this township, although broken, is all goodfor cnltiva- 
 tion ; very few lots are bad, on account of the lakes and swamps which are 
 scarce and very small. 
 
 A third of tho forest is composed of hard woods with a gravelly soil 
 and yellow loam ; the remainder is of mixed wood, covering the best land, 
 A great many brooks and a rather big river cross this township in all its 
 width, giving on each side good lands, very level, and a great deal more 
 valuable then they are, at a little distance from tho Tache road. lu the 
 greater part of the township, with the exception of pine, which been all 
 cut off, the timber varies with the qualities of the soil as elsewhere through- 
 out this region. 
 
 It may be remarked that the climate in these sections is milder than it 
 is along the St. Lawrence, for the reason probably that they are sheltered 
 from the cold north easterly winds by the high mountains to the north. 
 
 {Frs. mu, 29th April, 1864.) 
 
251 
 
 COUNTY OF MASKINONGfi 
 
 forth iuentioniiiff, 
 
 re iiulevel thau 
 
 Township of Ohapleau 
 
 All the land in this township and in the ranges surrounding the lake 
 tauxErnrces, with the exception of a mountain which passes to "the south 
 least of the lake and which bears nearly south west to where it meets the 
 Iriver ,iux Ecorces. presents the best advantages to colonization and the 
 Iclearing of lots. The land is generally even and level, or sloping slightly 
 Jtowiirds the lake. The soil is composed of good yellow earth and in lome 
 Iplaces of a greyish loam, not stony ; the subsoil appearing to b.- of clay in 
 |the lower levels. 
 
 There are no settlements yet in the township, nor any squatters 
 I living in it, but a number of lots are taken or pre-empted, and on most of 
 ithe lots bordering the lake aux Ecorces on the south west, north east and 
 I north west, choppings have been made in order to mark the lots chosen by 
 Ipartios who wish to secure them by purchase as soon as they are open for 
 Isale. I have no doubt they will do so, as a number of such parties even 
 jolfered me payment for the lots so chosen by them in order to induce me 
 Ito continue my survey farther on, because, they say, there are not enough 
 jlots laid out to meet the demand. The timber is generally line and long, 
 Ibirch and spruce being the most common; the latter is in sufficient quan- 
 tity for lumbering. Maple is also to be found in the second, third and 
 fourth ranges. There is hardly any pine left, this having been all taken by 
 the lumberers, who have left, so to speak, nothing but the stumps. The 
 lakes are well stocked with fish ; I took some excellent trout in the lake 
 \aux Ecorces. 
 
 The total superficies of land surveyed and subdivided into farm lots is 
 1,567 acres. 
 
 (T.-C. de La Chevwtiere, 12th February, 1880.) 
 
 h April, 1864.) 
 
252 
 
 Most of the farm lots, surveyed and subdivided in this township 
 are favorably adapted to settleraent.especially in the north east section of 1^ 
 ownship, which comprises the first, second, third and fourth ranges Th 
 land IS generally level and the soil composed of a sandy yellow loamou th 
 heights, and in some places, in the low grounds, of greyish loam, which 
 seems to be of excellent quality. This section is wooded with fine, tall timber 
 consisting of maple, birch, white birch, spruce and of fir, with ash, birch and 
 alders m the bottoms. 
 
 The part of the township containing the ranges B, C, D, 2nd and 3rd 
 ranges south west, which border the river aux Ecorces, is not so advan- 
 tageous for tillage, being mountainous and stony; but the proximity of 
 this river, which has some beautiful bottoms, offers certain advanta-^es 
 Ihe 2nd, 3rd and 4th south west ranges are in great part wooded with 
 white birch. This timber is now in great demand by spool manufacturers 
 who have already established two factories at Saint Alexis, a parish 
 adjoining the township of Chapleau. It will not be long before they will 
 transfer their machinery hero, because the white bix-ch is nearly all used un 
 in their neighborhood. ' 
 
 There are a great many water powers, notably those of the river am 
 Ecorces, of the South West river, and th.. discharges of the numerous lakes 
 and brooks. On all these rivers, outlets and brooks, I remarked falls or 
 rapids which are used to run mills or factories. 
 
 Pine is not abundant, having been already worked in the past • but 
 some fit for export can still be found in this township, especially in the 
 north east 2nd and 3rd ranges. 
 
 (T.-C. de Z,rt Chevrotidre, 31st May, 1881.) 
 
 Township of Decalonnes. 
 
 The soil of the arable lands of Decalonnes, and especially those which 
 border the rivers du Loup, :!:.accacomie and aux Ecorces, and also those 
 which border the south eastern environs of lake Saccacomie, is mostly a 
 yellow sandy loam. The timber in general throughout this township is 
 everywhere of fine growth and is composed of all kinds of wood, especially 
 birch, maple, white spruce, hemlock and pine. 
 
258 
 
 The land which I travers.d in the course of ray operations is moun- 
 tainous, rocky, very much broken, and in consequence interspersed with 
 many lakes ; apart from the surveys already made, and those which I recom- 
 mend to be made, I do not think there remains much land, in I^ecalonnes, fit 
 for cultivation, suited to colonization, and worth surveying. 
 
 The pine has been partly cut off in range A, by the Hunterstown 
 Company and, probably, the same may be said of the remainder of the 
 township 
 
 In addition to what I have just said relative to the nature of the soil 
 and the physical features of the township, I may mention that I came across 
 some magnificent water powers, firstly on the river du Loup at a fall of 
 that river in the first range, at the point at which it is cut by the central 
 line ; this falls is known by the name of Brul6e fall ; there is another at 
 the outlet of the Clear Water lake, on lot number two of the second rano-e, 
 a little higher than the place where this outlet discharges into the river du 
 Loup. 
 
 The resources that this township can offer consist in its timber and in 
 the advancement of colonization. 
 
 {T.-C. de La Chevrctiere, 4th February, 1870.) 
 
 The surface of the seventh and eighth ranges of Decalonnes, with the 
 exception of the section of the seventh range, situated to the north east side 
 of the river aux Ecorces, from lot number six to lot number twenty, is 
 composed of large mountains of granite rock ; elsewhere the soil is of a 
 superior quality , all these lots are taken up or preempted. The timber 
 which predominates in the interior of the eighth range is maple and birch ; 
 near the banks of the river, the basswood, the elm and fir. 
 
 The soil of the different sections which I surveyed and explored in. 
 range A of the township of Decalonnes is a superior quality. The quality 
 and the richness of the timber prove that the soil is of great iertility. 
 
 T.-C. de la Chevrotiere, 28th November, 1870.) 
 
254 
 
 Ihe third range of th« township of Decalonnes in broken and moun 
 tamous , the 8o,l. in general, is rocky, with the exception of the low land' 
 where tiiere is grey loam, which appears to be fertile. This range is wooded 
 with a fine growth of mixed hard wood ; the most common woods are t 
 map e, birch, ^yhlte birch, spruce and fir. In the low lands the ash, willow 
 and birch predominate. On the higher mountains, there is some oak pZ 
 18 not m great quantity now. most of it having been cut off some years ago 
 The proximity of this third range to the river du Loup and tb« 
 opomngofaroadwouldb. a great help to the sale of the lots ; a Z 
 of these are a ready taken ui. or pre-empted, and the other will not be lou ' 
 before It 18 taken. In this third range there are also water powers, which 
 can be utilized m the future for mills or other industrial purposes. 
 
 (T.'U. de fa Chevrotiere. Slst May. 1881 ) 
 
 Township of Houde. 
 
 The land is rocky and dotted with lakes, but, nevertheless, susceptible 
 of tillage in many places, principally on both sides of the rive au 
 Wes, in the township of lloude. where a double range could be run 
 paralle to the north east line of Peterborough. To the ea^t of this doubl 
 range there is a bare rock, about a mile and a half in superficie., unlitted 
 for cultivation. Around the great lake Saccacomie, the 'aild, as well on tS 
 top of Its banks as in the flats formed by its bays, seems very i\vvorable for 
 et lement A visit to the interior satisfied me that the soil there was ol 
 better quality and a great deal less mountainous than in the township of 
 Caxton running very nearly along the summit of the Laurentides, of 
 which the slopes should slightly decrease towards the valley of the Matta- 
 wan, which IS not very far from the north line of the projected township, 
 
 {Ldou-Z. Arctmd, March, 18t34.) 
 
 Man 
 
255 
 
 ■oken and moun- 
 »r the low lands, 
 I range is wooded 
 >u woods are the 
 I the ash, willow 
 some oak. Pine 
 r some years ago, 
 
 Loup and the 
 the lots ; a part 
 ivill not be long 
 powers, which 
 rposes. 
 
 May, 1881 ) 
 
 ess, susceptible 
 
 the river aux 
 
 could be run 
 
 of this double 
 
 'fioieu, unlitted 
 
 as well oil the 
 
 y favorable for 
 
 1 there was ol 
 
 le township of 
 
 i'lurentides, of 
 
 of the Matta- 
 
 J^tod township, 
 
 rch, 18t34.) 
 
 Township of MasBon. 
 
 The land just surveyed by me in this township is generally flat and 
 
 n-el ; two thirds of it, at least, are in hrufis and, in several spots, the fire 
 
 as mnde such a clean sweep of everything that the settler will have 
 
 ittlo labor to bring it into cultivation. The soil, which is composed of a 
 
 itrong yellow loam, though rocky in places, seumed to be of excellent 
 
 uality for grain growing. The grain which I saw growing on the lots 
 
 ccupicd by settlers on the banks of the river Mattawan, in this township, 
 
 ooked splendid, thus attesting the fertility of the soil. 
 
 As this township and a large part of the /egion adjoining the Mattawan 
 have been ravaged by fire, the timber now on it is only a second growth, 
 mostly composed on the high grounds of small bouleau and poplar, and in 
 the bottoms of small cypress. The original woods, which were commonest, 
 were the cedar, white spruce and tamarac on the flats, and bouleau, birch 
 md pine on the heights as indicated by the debris which encumber the 
 ground. Here and there, however, a few green clumps of the old timber 
 can be seen like islands, which have l)een spared by the fire. 
 
 (T.-C. de la Chevroliire, 10(h April, 1886.) 
 
 Township of Peterborough. 
 
 The quality of the land is about as follows : starting from Peterborough, 
 the land is bad, rocky and mountainous for about three miles, and then, 
 though there are moxintains, the land is in general of excellent quality, 
 along the whole length of the district line on the north-w^est line of Brassard, 
 the land is excellent, although mountainous along the whole length of the 
 Hue along the south west line of Brassard and Prevost, the land is excellent 
 in Brassard, and for about three miles to the south east of Cypress and 
 Mattawan rivers, followed by intervals of good land and of mountaim^ 
 rocks, &c. Along the south east line of Provost, the land is bad to nearly 
 the Government road, but afterwards, it is passable ; but in general it is 
 'xcellent ; sand being rarely found and the soil being a kind of yellow loam, 
 extremely rich and ijromising. 
 
 {Carolus Lauiier, 6th July, 1864.) 
 

 256 
 
 I next rnn the line between the first and second ranges whioh n4 
 tourse, pa«808 through the hettloments of the Kiv.-r Mastigoohe the land m J 
 be said to be in general pretty good along the whole of this line I Ja 
 ran the north eastern lateral line of the township, in the course of vvh 
 I lound the land to be susceptible of settlement and much superior 
 quality to what it is in the interior or central part of the township. 
 
 The general aspect of the tov^ nship is hilly and interspersed with lakes I 
 It cannot be said to abound over much with timber adapted to iumberinJ 
 purposes ; the best lands are found along the valley of the Mastigoche a^d ' 
 th e neighborhood of the several branches or tributaries of that river 
 
 (/. Martin, February, 1854). 
 
U1 
 
 COUNTY OF MEGANTIG. 
 
 Township of Ooloralne. 
 
 'I'he land which I traversed, with the exception of a bolt along the 
 vvohtoru side of the Cold Stream river is generally mountainous, and the 
 quality and size of the trees, spruce, fir and white birch, indicate poor soil, 
 not very fitted for tillage. Moreover, as fire has swept over all this tract, 
 the timber is of little value. The asbestos mines of Thetford, being only 
 seven or eight miles distant, and the configuration and appearance of the 
 land being very much alike, it may be that works of the same nature here 
 would be profitable, 
 
 (O.-S. Tuscliereau, 5th April, 1888.) 
 
 Township of Thetford. 
 
 The lands in the township of Thetford, from the fourth to the eleventh 
 ranges inclusively, for about ten lots in breadth, are for the most part uncul- 
 tivable, only fit for forest and mining lands, and the same may be said of 
 the north-east secition of Coleraine, adjoining Thetford. 
 
 The lots numbered 19. 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24, ninth and tenth ranges, 
 are good land, and the greater part of them are occupied. The lots 
 numbered 25 and 26, in the same raiige.s, are uncultivable, being only fit for 
 wood and mining purposes. I subdivided the sixth range, from the 
 fifteenth lot to the township of Coleraine, running south west, and also the 
 lots numbers twenty seven and twenty eight, fifth and sixth ranges, in order 
 to settle several difficulties relating to places for mill sites and to minino- 
 locations. 
 
 (J,-B.-V. Legendre, 26th March, 1878.) 
 
 17 
 
258 
 
 COUNTY OF MONT(ULM. 
 
 Townahip of Arohambault. 
 
 I ooinmoiicod operations at (ho point indicated in my instructions and 
 ran the lino dividing the 11th and IL'th ranges to its point of i)»terse<tioii 
 \%ith tho north west boundary line of the township, and found that a^'at 
 lu>rtion of this range is lit for settlein«Mit, although the greater pan i. 
 rolling surlaee, heavily timbered with maple and binh, soil, loam, and vvoli 
 watered; several large streams passing through I ho east and centre 
 branches of the Devil's river, with two minor streams, and all contaiiiiaJ 
 mill sites ol great power. ' 
 
 I then ran a oentro lino from lots thirty-one and Ihiity-lwo to the 
 depth of Ihe 12(h range, from which point I operated each way Irom the 
 centre line, until the other line dividing the 12th awd 13th rano-es was 
 compleled ; this range is already nearly all taken up ; in the 12th ami l;!th 
 ranges to the centre line, rather few imi)rovemeuts are to be seen. [ then 
 continued the centre line through to the .lepth of l;;th range, and opemtod 
 the sanu> way as before, until the whole line was completed. This line 
 runs through a long area of good arable land lit for settlement. I then 
 proceeded to run out the lirst and second ranges at lots twenty and twentv- 
 one. passing through some good lands, but the greater part is rough and 
 roi'ky. It also passes through Black Mountain' lake, whiiih is a lake of 
 considerable size and ahouiuling with trout 1 i)ioctH'.led then to run out the 
 second and third ranges from lots twenty and twenty-one, running south 
 west up to the thirteenth range passing along the loot of Black JMountain, 
 which is of enormous height with perpenairnhir walls of rock ; the summit 
 can be reached only by three or four diilerent routes ; the whole mountain 
 takes up an area of six or seven square miles an.l is toiully unlit for settlo- 
 ment. 1 then lan the lines ol the third and fourth and the fourth and iifth 
 ranges, commencing eiu'h at the thirteenth range, and ran into the foot of 
 the Black Mountain, as beii;g the only portion of either ranges that can be 
 cultivated. 
 
 (.V.-C. 3hithi(u, 24lh March, 1881.) 
 
259 
 
 nst ructions and 
 t of interstu'tioii 
 Liud that a great 
 groftler part is 
 loam, mid well 
 ist anil contre, 
 1 all contuiiiiiii; 
 
 irty-two to the 
 \\'ay Ironi tlie 
 3th ranjivs was 
 ! 12lh and ];ith 
 .; seiMi. [ then 
 0, and oporutod 
 tod. This line 
 innont. I then 
 ty and twenty- 
 is rough and 
 h is !i lako of 
 to run out tht' 
 running soiiih 
 ack Mountain, 
 k ; iho sununit 
 hok' nionntaiii 
 unlit ibr sottlo- 
 nirlh and lil'th 
 into the loot of 
 ^vs that can be 
 
 nh, 1881.) 
 
 Very little of the fifth concession ie fit for colonization. The other 
 ( oncessions, viz : the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth ranges are 
 for the most part fit for culture, and mostly level. The soil is good, though 
 (light and sandy in some places. The river Au Moulin flows though a part 
 of this township and- its tributaries possess first class water powers which 
 will soon be used. 
 
 {N.-C. Malhieu, 2'7th September, 1881.) 
 
 Townships of Arohambault and Luesier. 
 
 The fourth and fifth ranges, sixteen lots broad each, are rather undu- 
 
 hiting, except where the river Michel empties into said lake, along the 
 
 banks of Avhich it is overflowed as aforesaid for the breadth of about four 
 
 lots ; the high land is rather stony, but good soil and well timbered with 
 
 heavy maple, birch and spruce ; the sixth and seventh ranges, for the same 
 
 breadth, are almost level and well timbered as aforesaid ; there are extensive 
 
 JKUgarios on this land ; it is also arable and well calculated for the purposes 
 
 lof settlement and colonization, being well watered with rivers, livino- 
 
 Istreams and a portion by lake Archambault. ' ° 
 
 In the portion of Lussier, on which I have the honor to report, from the 
 
 jrear of Chilton, on both sides of the river and lake Ouareau, to number forty- 
 
 Isevon, inclusive, the land is good and level, and many of the lots improved 
 
 and well ])nilt upon, and the residence of actual settlers in the second and 
 
 I third ranges and in the fourth range north west of the outlet of lake Feu. 
 
 This part of the fourth range is high and rather mountainous and also 
 iiorth west of lakes Archambault and Feu, undulating, but well timbered 
 with maple, birch and spruce. Block A in the first range is high and 
 I covered with hard wood, mostly maple. 
 
 Tiio piece of land between the line of separation between said town- 
 Kships and lake Archambault is also high and mountainous and covered with 
 [maple. All the tract of laud situated between lakes Ouareau and Archam- 
 oault is level and of a good quality, well adapted for settlement, and all 
 taken up, and in conclusion I beg leave to state that the Messrs. Coutu 
 have .onstrucfed a grist and saw-mill on the outlet of lake Feu, and also a 
 chapel on lot number thirty-live, in the fourth range. These together with 
 the roads already made are of the greatest utility and encouragement 
 
 ■towards settlemeuts and ooloni'/atioii. I have b 
 
 eea ere- 
 
 •dibh 
 
 y iii 
 
 iorraed 
 
 that 
 
260 
 
 as many as fifty families intend settling in this locality this winter, ay I 
 the competition amongst them for choice lots is extreme. 
 
 rrove, SI 
 land sixt 
 
 The magnificent lakes of pure water are abundantly stocked with Juns aci 
 speckled trout, and amphibious animals are numerous around the lakes andBwhith a 
 
 inlets And furnish valuable furs. I 
 
 ^6ome ui 
 
 Imaple, \ 
 
 C;iSV a<'Ci 
 
 {F.'P. Quinu. 8th January, 1876.) 
 
 Township of Doncaater. 
 
 The general features of this side of the township are as follows: chiefly 
 hard wood on the hills and soft wood on the low lands ; it is well watered by 
 numerous lakes and small streams crossing the lands at convenient distances 
 
 (Robert Gihmn, 28th January, 1868.) 
 
 The land, in general, is good, being of the same quality as that of 
 Berestord. There is a considerable number of lakes and streams. The lauds I 
 have excellent natural drainage. The lakes are generally deep, clear audi 
 limpid, and their aspect is altogether agreeable, so that once this reo-iou has] 
 been cleared, it will present a charming sight. A good wide road is opeu^d 
 to the 8th range. This road skirts a portion of lake Brule. The laud in I 
 this 8th range is almost absolutely level from one end to the other, and the 
 soil seems good enough. 
 
 (F.-J.-r. Regnaud, 13th July, 1860.) 
 
 Township of Lussier. 
 
 There is no improvement in the part included in the present survey, 
 but the whole is arable, and well adapted for settlement and purposes of 
 colonization, along the first mentioned outline ; the third range is level to 
 river Ouareau, timbered with soft wood ; the fourth range, north east side 
 oi said river, is ascending and mountainous, the fifth undulating, all mostly 
 timbered with hard wood, the sixth descending through a beautiful maple j 
 
261 
 
 rrove, seveuth undulating and mixed timber. The Hue between the fifth 
 
 land sixth ranges runs descending throngh a grcv-e of good m^ple for about 
 
 ight lots, both sides ; the remainder level and mixed timber. A tier of lakes 
 
 runs across about the centre of the sixth range the north east banks of 
 
 .vhioh are mountainous, the remainder of the sixth and seventh mixed with 
 Isome undulating land, the remainder level and mostly timbered with 
 Imaplt', which is sound and well calculated for sugar making, and there is 
 
 Diisy access and a level tract for roads to communicate therewith. 
 
 {F.-P. Quinn, 1st May, 1877.) 
 
 I have the honor to report that I have closed the survey of the section 
 
 [of the township of Lussier, mentioned in my instructions, and that I found 
 
 a large part of this township level and the soil good and suitable for agri- 
 
 I culture, and a considerable number of squatters settled upon the south 
 
 Iwest part of the section surveyed by F.-P. Quinn, P.LS. 
 
 The portion of this township situated to the south oast of Mr. Quinn's 
 survey is nearly all level and the soil good. The river Ouareau crosses part 
 of the township, furnishing plenty of water for mills or other purposes. 
 The timber merchants and h .nberers have built a dam at the outlet of lake 
 Ouareau which can be utilized for mills without obstructing tho i)assage 
 I of logs or square timber. There are also other water courses and mill sites 
 ! in other parts of the township. In the eighth, ninth and tenth ranges there 
 are large plateaux of land, which, though rough in some places, are well 
 watered and timbered. 
 
 There is a number of lakes in different parts of said township, several 
 of which required scaling and occupying considerable delay, v»'hich caused 
 luc to take somewhat longer time with my survey than I would otherwise 
 have had to take. In concluding this my report, I will add that if a road 
 was opened in tiiis township passing through Chilton on the south east 
 side of lake Ouareau, thj said township of Lussier in a few years would 
 be more thickly populated than any other part of the county of Montcalm. 
 
 {N.-C. Mathieu, 20th May. 18S0.) 
 

 262 
 
 COUNTY OF MONTMAGNY 
 
 Township of Ashburton. 
 
 • VLZ^^^ *^^^ ^'''' ""'^^'^^ ^^'' retracing. This part of the townshin 
 18 well fit for cultivation, and must br ome a fine parish within a few years 
 
 The soil is generally a strong yellow earth of good quality. There m 
 numbers of boulders and a good deal of limestone on or near the surface in 
 certain places, but the quantity is not enough to hinder cultivation There 
 18 but one small mountain-Maple mountain. Some considerable elevations 
 01 land give the country an undulating appearance. 
 
 (John Langiois, 7th August, 1884.) 
 
 *•) ,' 
 
 The surveyed and subdivided land just mentioned is fit for cultivation 
 with the exception of lots twenty-one and twentytwo of the eighth and 
 ninth ranges. The soil is generally a yellow loam and grey sand The 
 predominating woods are the spruce, fir, birch and maple ; this last prevails 
 on the lots number one to seven of the seventh range, and the lots number 
 witeen, seventeen and eighteen of range nine, also on the lots thirty 
 seven, thirtyeight and thirty-nine of the south west line of the township. 
 
 {Elzear Labers^e, 25th June, 1888.) 
 
 Township of Bourdages. 
 
 In the two ranges which I divided, the soil is mostly of a greyish color 
 The hard woods occupy the high lands. The soil is generally sandy and 
 well adapted to cultivation and settlement. The timber is of good size 
 There is still a great deal of merchantable spruce, although there has been 
 some cut by William Price, Esq. 
 
 {Frs. T^tu, 4th February, 1867,) 
 
263 
 
 The soil seems to be the same evei y where ; the township is composed 
 of yellow and grey loam, mixed in some parts with gravel, and generally a 
 little stony ; the land is somewhat easy to clear and yields good crops. 
 
 On a part of the 6th, 7th and 8th ranges, the soil is generally advan- 
 tageous for settlement. There are a great many lots taken in the 10th range 
 for sugaries. The lots No. 28 and 29, of the 10th range, each show about 
 30 acres under cultivation and produce for their owner, Mr, Elzgar Methot, 
 about ten thousand bundles of hay. This township is generally wooded 
 with mixed timber. Merchantable lumber, especially spruce, is abundant. 
 Pine is very scarce. 
 
 The Saint Nicholas branch crosses this township diagonally. Two of its 
 tributaries, one called the Source u Clontier, and the other Mediant Pouce, dis- 
 charge on opposite sides into this branch ; and all of them can be used to 
 drive timber. 
 
 The Saint Nicholas branch offers water powers in this township, which 
 can be utilized in the future, 
 
 (E. Casgrain, 31st March, 1882.) 
 
 Townships of Rolette and Panet. 
 
 The first and second ranges of the townships of Rolette are more moun- 
 tainous than any of the other ranges. The soil is good, although a little hard 
 to till, especially in the south west section of the two ranges. The land 
 above these two ranges slopes gradually, and with the exception of a few 
 steep inclines is all cultivable ; two mountains occupy the extent of several 
 lots, and render them rather unfit for cultivation. These lots will not for 
 that reason remain unproductive, as they are covered with rich maple 
 groves. All the area of this surveyed land is cut up by rivers and brooks, 
 and in them has an abundant supply of water and drainage. 
 
 The third range is composed of good yellow and grey loam resting 
 on a clay subsoil ; the north east section is all covered with maple groves, 
 which were formerly worked by Englishmen, when the provincial boun- 
 dary was being run. "We find fewer maples in the south west section, but 
 more good grey loam and the surface is level. The fourth range is in all 
 respects similar to the preceding, only there are more maples, which cover 
 
264 
 
 ) ;; 
 
 r ) 
 
 a soil well adapted to grain growing. The north east section of the fifth 
 range IS m part, composed of yellow loam somewhat rocky, and is con 1 
 quently of less value than the preceding ; the south west part is very Zl 
 he same, only solt wood prevails. The north east section of the sixtLTl 
 although cut up by swamps and cedar groves, is not less fit for cultivanou 
 these swamps are al! covered with a slight layer of vegetable mould S 
 laid by a rich clay subsoil, and they can be all easily drained. 
 
 It is the same with all the swamps which are in these two townships 
 Besides a few rocky lots, the remainder is excellent, although notpres nt u 
 such great lacihties to poor settlers, who in preference cuf dowi the h d 
 woods. The rivers and brooks, which run through this part of this tow, 
 
 t^:^:u'n7 "'if' '^"'^^^ ^" ^ ''''''' ^^^*^- (quam :nd pr : 
 mg no la Is fit for mil ing purposes. The seventh range is composed d' 
 
 good yellow and grey loam, partly covered with hard and soft wood 
 
 The first, second and third ranges of the township of Panet are nartlv 
 composed o good yellow and grey loam overlaying clay, and Tee' I 
 stones on the surface, and consequently eminently fit for cultivat loT 
 
 stumpy'. ' ' " ^"""'' "^'^ ^^'^^ ^"^^ ^^^"-' -<! - »-^--lly 
 
 The fourth fifth and sixth ranges of this township comprise the richest 
 land m all th,s survey, which land extends to the south as far as th 
 boundary line ; black and grey loam, very little yellow loam, clay si U 
 low land everywhere. The swamps which cover this part of he fownsh 
 could all easily be drained, and fire would bring to L surfa-e thrfiue 
 soil which could be desired for tillao-e 
 
 Finally these two townships are excellent for cultivation, and will 
 before long bo in great part settled up. In the spring, settlers will Hock 
 into the third range of the township of Rolette, in the north east sectior 
 
 (F/-S. 7V^«, 21st April, 1862.) 
 
 What first strikes the observer in these townships is the .ood 
 
 b:vl\tol t V"';?""'"^"^^^" -prevalent; valt plains extl 
 beyond the 1 imi s of sight, interrupted only by rocks here and there, serving 
 as a relief to their immense extent. ^ 
 
265 
 
 is the good 
 piaius extoud 
 
 The river Daaquam, which traverses the township ofPauet through- 
 kt its whole breadth, waters the two most fertile of its ranges. On 
 ])ioiiohing the frontier, the land be(-omes of raiddliug quality, owing to 
 leprt?sence of swamps, which, though of no groat extent, are pretty numer- 
 Is ; still, when colonization shall have rciichod thus lar in the county, 
 eaiis will easily be fou.nd to drain them, and mako them as i)rocluctive as 
 le host parts of the township, for, as the subsoil oi these swamps is com- 
 ia^d of clay, covered with a thick coating of vegetable matter, it will not 
 iil to become extremely fertile as soon as the work of cropping has beizun. 
 10 labor will be very much facilitated by the streams whicrh ilow in all 
 reclions and empty themselves, some into the Daaquam and others to the 
 [uth of the frontier line. 
 
 In general, the soil of these two townships is mixed with sand and 
 tavel, though much clayey land is to be found, lit for cultivation, 
 lellow mould also exists, also grey and black loam, but in smaller quau- 
 [ties, although of good quality, and all well adapted for cultivation. 
 
 The timber is generally as fine as may be expected to ])e louud on 
 Ind of such fertility and which requires but a little labor to make it 
 altivable. The prevailing kinds are maple, balsam, pine, cedar and birch, 
 of excellent quality. 
 
 I am firmly convinced that as soon as the subdivision of this tovvu- 
 lip is terminated, settlers will be found lo go into it in great numbers. 
 Ihere is already a good shanty road leading to it : it is commonly known 
 the name of the Englishmen's road ; it is quite good enough for the 
 artage of provisions during the summer. It traverses a part of Rolette and 
 Its the province line a little to the east of the north east line of the town- 
 liip of I'anet. 
 
 They made use of it durir.g the shanty season ; but since the lumber 
 lusiness ceased in these parts, the road has been but little travelled, and 
 |tterly has been altogether given up. A very small outlay would put it 
 good condition. It is only necessary to remove the trees which have 
 kllen across it, and to straighten it a little, though, in general, it is straight 
 jiiough. Very little money would make it one of the finest colonization 
 Dads and one of the most travelled. This part of the country is much 
 Ike the land of the townships to the west and fully as good. 
 
 (F. Telu, 18G3.) 
 
266 
 
 . 1 1 t 
 
 lii 
 
 ■ % 
 
 ' r 1 
 1. 
 
 
 If 
 
 iW 
 
 Townahlp of Talon. 
 
 The lolul arcii ol' tlu, hjx mnjr(..s of thn tow.iHhip of Talon is 32,321 m.A 
 Iron. thi8(olaUnh,MmMvortho Inlaws, rivws and Hwampn, and five 1 
 conl lor voadH bo doductod, thoro ronuiins an aroa of 2!),114 aoroa All hi 
 Hurv..yed Hc-tion of tho lownship of q\ilon is not mado up oftho b.st U 
 lor <'nlUvation ; hut about lifty p„r cmt of it may bo salbly set down J 
 Miponor .lualily and quit, lit for cultivation, covered with hard wood 
 oedar a..<l aiders, the remainder bein- y^ry roeky, covered with hard wood 
 spruce and a few pines, and in many places swampy. Apart from a U 
 «ratt«.red n.ountaiP.s whi.di adjoin th.. central line and a number ofhil 
 which are met here and there, the land in «-em»ral is rather level, ordiffhtll 
 nnduhilnm-, ov.-r considerable areas, and presents advantageous lots whiil 
 would b.> easy lo cultivate. ' ' 
 
 IK'lbre concludin.- this report, f may remark that, in the unsurm j 
 fi<'ctionolthMownship of Talon, there is an extendve tract of about J 
 or ,hre(. n.ihvs in width, stretchin- across mostly the whole length of the 
 township, and. -onsislino: of a soil which is almost level and of excolleij 
 quality, covered wiih lin,. hard woo<ls, principally maple and birch • ihe 
 y«'"i- Inieol the sixth rang-e runs along the northern limit of this belt of 
 iiard wood. 
 
 I also sent to Sir William Logan, geologist, a box containinn- a few 
 specimens of loc-al rocks, which 1 broke olf from the rocks which mo^ 
 attracted my attention and notably a few pieces of iron ore which I took, 
 Irom a large mass of the sam.; on a mountain situated at the beginuiii« 
 ol th«> t^ixth range, on the numbers eleven, twelve and thirteen. 
 
 (Frederic B^langer, oOlh April, 18(i2.) 
 
 All ihe section of the township of Talon, which extends from the sixth 
 range towards the south as far as the boundary line, is undoubtedly the best 
 in this locality, both as regards the streams which ilow in every dilution 
 and the qur.lity of the soil, which is everywhere superior. Hard wood 
 predominates and is everywhere of line growth ; half of the subsoil is ofclar 
 and vegetable mould. Yellow gravelly loam and black loam form the othw 
 hall. There are no stones or large swamps ; those which exist can be drainod 
 
set 
 
 11 small cost. There is but one mounttvinHnear Frontier lake ; it is composed, 
 lowcvor of good land and covered with magnificent maple groves. The 
 ^iimo iimuer also exists at its base mixed with cedar and ash. 
 
 This great lake which empties into the river Quam, by a large outlet, is 
 lllcd with fish called " touladi," trout, white fish and others, and will be 
 If <rroat help to the settlers who mav locate on its banks. At the beginning 
 M'tho Buveiilh range, on the outlet, which^has a width of two chains, there 
 |8 iv rnngnificent water fall of about twelve feet which could be used to run 
 levcnil mills ; its low banks are formed of grey earth, very rich, well wooded, 
 Viul could be profitably settled. 
 
 {Frs. lyiu, 29th April, 1864.) 
 
268 
 
 COUNTY OF OTTAWA. 
 
 Township of Addington. 
 
 "With respect to the nature and quality of the soil in Addington fnr 
 agricultural purposes. I beg leave to state that the prevailing timber is hard 
 wood and the soil in general a sandy loam, which is easily cultivated, and 
 that not loss than three fourths of the area of the township are arable land 
 and fit for settlement. Comparatively speaking, the land is superior m 
 quality to that found in the adjacent townships ofRiponand Hartwell 
 which are now nearly all occupied by settlers. 
 
 I believe the recent reduction in the price of land by the Crown Lands 
 Department will give a renewed impetus to settlement in this locality. 
 
 Pine timber is for from being plentiful, but, as is usual in all places 
 where found growing among hardwood, what little there is is of exceljpiit 
 quality. 
 
 Lumbering operations are, however, carried on to a considerable oxtent 
 on the North Nation and its tributaries by Messrs. J. A. Cameron & ('• , and 
 J. K. "Ward, Esqr., of Three Rivers, has commenced the past winter tq make 
 saw logs on the Maskinonge river. This will create a demand fol- labor 
 and afford a convenient market ior the surplus produce of the settler 5 
 
 {James MrArt/iur, 7th June, 181 
 
 Townahips of Addington and Labelle. 
 
 V 
 
 There is a good portion of laud broken by numerous lakes and the 
 mountain tracts which lie chieily in the fifth and part of the sixth raanos 
 of Addington, and in ranges A. B. and C, adjoining the Maskinonge lake"iu 
 Labelle, which together are estimated by me at about fifty per cent. The 
 remaining portion through which my operations extended is well adapted 
 for agricultural purposes. The land appears to be of the same nature through- 
 out, viz : yellow and grey loam, and in some places inclined to be sandy 
 
260 
 
 n Addingtoii fnr 
 !!*• timber is hard 
 '■ cultivated, and 
 -> are arable land 
 i is superior iu 
 HI and Hartwell 
 
 lie Crown Lands 
 his locality. 
 
 LUil in all places 
 is is of excelloiil 
 
 sidorable oxlent 
 leron &('•., and 
 winter tq make 
 Jinand for labor 
 he settler s. 
 
 Fune, 187< 
 
 aiitl Ktony ; but the excellent timber which it produces viz : large yellow 
 birch, htjmlock, spruce and bass wood are sure indications of its fertility, 
 which 1 believe will favorably compare with the other rear townships 
 of the Ottawa valley. The best quality of the pine timber has been cut 
 and taken away, but there yet remains an ample KupjUy for building 
 purposes. 
 
 {G.-E. MrMartin, 3rd July, 1880.) 
 
 Township of Amherst. 
 
 The soil appears to be of the same nature throughout the entire township^ 
 it being a yellow and grey loam, and in parts slightly mixed with sand 
 and gravel, very easily cleared and producing good returns. Several of the 
 settlors who had commenced operations the pr .ions spring appeared highly 
 satislied with their crops. Lot number twenty-two in range B, having about 
 two acres cleared, changed hands for the sum of one hunbred and fifty dollars, 
 and several others at smaller pric^es. The country is exceedingly well 
 timbered, good hard and soft wood iu abundance, very suitable for building, 
 fencing, itc, &c. There is no doubt that in (.ourse of time this section will 
 furnish an abundant supply of cordwood for our markets. 
 
 The moiintainous portions appear ferruginous, which accounts for the 
 oieaf nmcunt of local attraction I experienced. There are several good mill 
 sites on the river Maskinong*'', furnishing abundance of water power. 
 The streams and lakes abound with fish and the country with game. I beg 
 to call your attention to the large amount of game destroyed out of season. 
 
 {G.-K. McMartin, 2Yth June, 1870 ) 
 
 3 lakes and the 
 he sixth raiinos 
 kinonge lake iu 
 per cent. The 
 is well adapted 
 nature through- 
 led to be sandy 
 
 Township of Aumond. 
 
 The land in the sixth and seventh ranges is without exception lit for 
 selllemont, being level and composed of sandy loam, covored with hard 
 wood, beech, inwple, bireh and pine. Only part of the eighth range is fit 
 ior settlement, s,iy, the six tenths, the remaining lour tenths being bold, 
 
2t0 
 
 rocky h.lls covered with thin, shallow soil, and hard wood growing th.r-. 
 of smaller e.ze than on the oixth and seventh ranges Trout or S.T" 
 and the Castor lake abound in ex.^ellent fish ^ ' ''"^«' 
 
 (B. Magrath, 2l8t April. 1874.) 
 
 Township of BaakatODB. 
 
 The land embraced in this survey is generallv level • soma ilof 
 ..much ., ,„„ h„„drod acres. The Io» L ligull^^oZZ^^ Z'! 
 and slony on the ridges. The western pan of ll,„ townshi,, i hni t'' 
 co,.t.i„.>e best land, as ,ar a, can 'be .indeed V rrhe'lro.'^oV f 
 .mber. Balsam and white birch are to be met all over "ie^ow," h 
 there arc some sprnce and tamarac, but too small for lumi.e in., n, "^ 
 
 :zrz^:^:-:r -" -- °'' "•« "- • - '■-■ ^'^^^^^^ 
 
 About three hiuidred acres of land are cultivated on the riv.r lot. .r 
 .^nge seventh by Gilmour .S. Co., Hamilton Bros., D v d (lalie Jo 
 Dav,d, and hve or six others. These lands give excellent crops of W o , 
 
 tTvate^ItTth^ ^"^"r' "'^r,' '^^ ^-raised, but i^notrnt^ 
 tivated owing to the nearest grist mill being twenty-live miles distant. 
 
 (J.-E. Woods, 18th March, 1887.) 
 
 Township of Blake. 
 
 cpf :b;^,::ro;'L;::iJ:::t ^hjt, ::: .:^,,:;-^ ,:fx 
 
 donbt that the land in the last two ranges will soon be taken „p. 
 
 »,,H ,f'' "°''°"'* ""'"'■""'''■'" ™'^ ''<'»'•'« «^"1 of'l-ecentre line of lihko 
 
 nomes lor themselves and children in their old a«-e. 
 
211 
 
 growing thereott 
 tor Quina's Ukel 
 
 April, 1874.) 
 
 lotue Hats cover 
 wionally sandy, 
 ip ic hilly, bit 
 gTovvth of the 
 ' the township: 
 'erinj? p*;rpo8es; 
 us of small pine 
 
 10 riwr lots of 
 I Craguier, Jos, 
 )ps of hay. oats 
 s not much citl- 
 les distant. 
 
 irch, 1887.) 
 
 lau, there is a 
 :o, and there is 
 5ses. I have uo 
 I up. 
 
 'line of Blake, 
 ratineau river, 
 ulry. I have 
 ind some good 
 d comfortable 
 
 In reference to the waters in Blake, they are, as in the other lakes in 
 ^at country, well stocked with plenty of good fish, more especially, the 
 feautiful Thirty-One Mile lake, which contnins the finest fre.sh water trout 
 Ihave ever seen. 
 
 On the range lines that I have surveyed, I have also met hills con- 
 Lining abundancse of phosphate of lime, and the day may not be far 
 Uant, when the geologist may find valuable employment in practisiujj 
 lis profession on the mountains in Blake. 
 
 {James Rone//, lOth Djee:nbjr, 1S77.) 
 
 I then proceeded to produce the centre line due west, and ranges one, 
 
 wo, three and four in their order, linding v(uy few traces of the primitive 
 
 urvey of the range lines, and none at all of the i-entre line. As regards 
 
 hat portion of the township surveyed by me lor agricultural purposes, I 
 
 onsider the proportion of land comparatively small, not from the lack of 
 
 ood soil, but more from the hilly and broken c;harai'ter of the township ; 
 
 long the front of the township there are some good tracts of land and good 
 
 oil. There is quite an extent of this good level land situated to the west 
 
 flake Davie, in the third range, extending from the foot ot the mountain, 
 
 t the head of the lake, I might say, as far as the township of Hincks, and 
 
 In breadth from a quarter to halt a mile. There are from three to foixr 
 
 lundred acres on the south west of Little Whiteilsh lake, which seem to 
 
 )e level and good land. There is also quite a large tract of very good land 
 
 'xtending from lots seventeen to twenty-two, in the second rangi.', ])order- 
 
 ng on a large bay in Great Whitefish lake and extending back from the 
 
 ake about three quarters of a mile or more in some places; it is beautifully 
 
 imbered with large hard wood and good cedar. 
 
 This land is very level and rich for about a half or three quarters of a 
 mile back. In the second range fronting on Lac des Sables to the northern 
 township line, there are only occasional good lots 
 
 Although as I have ])efore stated that the township is .so rough, the 
 soil is good, as the large size of the timber shows, and, if cleared and seeded 
 down to pasture lands, it would grow rich grass for cittle and sheep, and 
 here are small valleys throughout, which could be cultivated. 
 
272 
 
 I saw very little good merchantable pine, as it has been all culled ov 
 in past years. Thore were quite a number of small jobbers gettiuo- out * 
 logs last winter, but what I saw of these logs seemed to ba smSl aud fi 
 inferior quality ; the rest of the timber in the first three ran-es is chieN 
 very large hard wood, maple and black birch predominant, with occasion! 
 ash swales, and a large quantity of cedar intermixed throu"-hout Ou tl, 
 rear of the third range and well into the fourth, there is °a great deal' 
 burnt timber and rocky land that nay be called a brule. The rocks are veri 
 steep and broken, and generally gneissoid with veins of quartz and pyro J 
 anc highly indicative of rich mineral wealth. I would strongly recommeiil 
 an expert to make a good geological inspection of this section of the countrv 
 
 {John Mnslon, 28th October, 1886.) 
 
 Township of Bouchette. 
 
 The base line between the townships of Bouchette and Church run, 
 
 for some thirty-six lots from the beginning or top of a hardwood, rollincr hill 
 
 but lor the remaining thirty lots, the country is much superior and the 
 
 and o a more fertile nature. There is, within a short distance ol this ]i„e 
 
 towards the east, a large tract of fertile land extending northwards and 
 
 crossing once with the township of Church, about lot forty, and now 
 
 where thebasehnei« posted ; I trust that this large tract of fertile Jano 
 
 will soon be taken up and settled upon. The remainder of the township 
 
 which I hav. surveyed is of an ordinary nature for farming purposes, and 
 
 the land on the range line, between the third and fourth ranges, of asupe 
 
 nor quality, more especially that towards the south of the centre liL 
 
 which IS not inferior to any of the land in che county, for agricultural pur 
 
 suits. There are many leading roads through this township, more esperialh 
 
 one from the Lgan farm to the Desert Village, being roads that are tra 
 
 veiled all days ol the year. 
 
 {Jameii Ronei/, 1.5th October, 18to.) 
 
273 
 
 t>eeu all culled ovi 
 ers getting out s 
 
 to ba small audoi 
 ee ranges is chief 
 nt, with occasiona 
 roughout. Ou th, 
 
 is a great dealc. 
 The rocks are verj 
 aartz and pyroxeul 
 rongly recommenj 
 ion of the countrv, 
 
 )ctober, 1886.) 
 
 and Church runs 
 wood, rolling hill, 
 
 superior and the 
 stance ol this line 
 ' northwards ; 
 ■ forty, and now 
 ct oi' t'eitile iaiid 
 of the township 
 ng purposes, and 
 ranges, of a supe 
 
 the centre Hue 
 
 agricultural pur 
 
 ?, more espe(;iall\ 
 
 >ads that are tra 
 
 "tober, 18t.5.) 
 
 I have completed all the work for which I had instructions, viz : the 
 jrotracing, verification and reposting of the centre line, the northern and 
 
 southern outlines through the fifth, sixth, seventh, eight, ninth and tenth 
 |rauges across the breadth of the township and the necessary scalings of the 
 
 lakes which are large and numerous. 
 
 The portion of this township covered by my survey I consider above 
 the average, having a great many natural advantages, and about one half 
 the land a good quality of farming land ; there are several good roads, good 
 markets for all kinds of produce, the lakes teeming with fish, immense 
 quantities of which are caught every winter by the settlers, a large amount 
 of merchantable cedar, which is being manufactured principally into rail- 
 way ties and exported to the United States, and I believe there are inexhaus- 
 tible quantities of valuable minerals, although I was unable to jud«>-e for 
 myself owing to the depth of snow. " 
 
 The exploratory line of the Gatineau Valley Railway passes somewhere 
 m the vicinity of the line between the third and fourth ranges of this 
 
 township. 
 
 The general features are rolling and hilly, with intervening valleys or 
 Hats. There is a mountainous tract crossing the centre line in ranges seven 
 and eight and continuing in the direction of lake des Isles ; there is a very 
 iiue tract of land adjoining the line between ranges nine and ten, on which 
 a number of new settlers intended commencing improvements' this sum- 
 mer. The soil is generally a good quality of sandy loam, with a rich deposit 
 of vegetable mould in many places. 
 
 {E-J. Rainboth, 31st May. 1883.) 
 
 Township of Bouthillier. 
 
 The land in the township of Bouthillier, fronting on the river du Lievre 
 is well suited for agricultural purposes ; more than one third of said lo^s 
 are already o>;cupied by the lumbering establishments of Messrs. James 
 McLaren cSc Co. and Thompson & Co , who have largo farms in an excel- 
 lent state of cultivation thereon ; said establishments afford a convenient 
 md profitable market for the sale of the surplus produce of the settlers who 
 reside in the vicinity of the lumbering operations. 
 
 18 
 
274 
 
 ; > I 
 
 ''tf 
 
 ill" 
 
 ^P. 
 
 The banks of the river are for the most part level and the soil is fertil. 
 being composed of clay and sandy loam which are easily cultivated • th 
 timber is chiefly hard wood, consisting of ash, elm, birch, beech, ma.le 
 Pine timber does not appear to be in abundance, neither is it o^-oodqualitv 
 although saw log chantiers belonging to Messrs. Thompson 6c Co arell 
 active operation within the township this ^ inter. There are nume J 
 beaver meadows which produce a large quantity of wild hay. There Z 
 also numerous creeks and lakes which abound in excellent fish that ar. 
 taken m large numbers by the Indians and settlers. 
 
 {James McArihur, February. 1866.) 
 
 Township of Cameron. 
 
 The general character of the country in the south half of Cameron 
 between the second range and Big lake is rough. 
 
 rou h ""^^ P^'*^*^"^^"^^ t^« ^««t part of the fifth and sixth ranges as very 
 
 The land from the centre line to lot number twenty-one in the sixth 
 range is very poor also ; the timber is chiefly of second growth ; from twenty 
 one to lot seventeen the land is level and the soil a light sandy loam. ' 
 
 The timber is mixed from lot seventeen to lot number thirteen, composed 
 of small spruce and tamarac; a thick growth of timber from lot thirteen to 
 Jot seven ; here the ground is very rough ; the timber in this place is lar^e 
 and composed of black birch and hemlock. From lot number seven to the 
 boundary line, the land is exceedingly rough. 
 
 ^The centre line from the fourth rango line is covered with rough timber 
 
 small red pine, poplar and white birch of second growth. Between Kound 
 
 ake and Big lake, there is some good red pine ; the south outline aom 
 
 iake number two is very rough, particularly so, near Big lake. The timber 
 
 is composed oi some hard wood with hemlock and pine ; soil very poor. 
 
 (Samvel-E. Lvcas, 11th July, 1870.) 
 
 The] 
 
 back to 1 
 Grrand la 
 as small 
 one thirc 
 cations ( 
 value, it 
 beautifu 
 to the ( 
 such as t 
 in the w: 
 great nui 
 city, for 
 Post cree 
 formerly 
 rebuilt. '. 
 either on 
 
 Havi 
 [centre lin 
 ranges as 
 [outlines f 
 
 Thee 
 I ofjEoberti 
 fine; the 
 [ generally 
 
 Thee 
 
 ! another \v 
 
 Thee 
 lake inter! 
 lines gene 
 filling up 
 notes, alth 
 only mark 
 
275 
 
 There is a very fine tract of land along the river front, and it extends 
 back to Eat lake, thence south to lot number fourteen and thence back to the 
 Grand lake. There is also a good tract along the upper township line as well 
 as small flats in other localities through the township. I estimate about 
 one third of this township as arable, the remainder being rocky, with indi- 
 cations of apatite, plumbago and iron, but no merchantable timber of any 
 value, it having either been manufactured or destroyed by fire. There is a 
 beautiful stretch of lakes on Post creek extending from the Gatineau river 
 to the G-rand lake, and they are teeming with fish of the finest variety, 
 such as trout, white fish, bass, pike, &c., and a large business is transacted 
 in the winter season in fish, not only by the settlers themselves, but by a 
 great number from other localities, a number coming from about Ottawa 
 city, for the winter fishing. There are three good mill sites situated on 
 Post creek, one of which is situated at the discharge of Round lake, where 
 formerly there had been a mill, but it was destroyed by fire and was never 
 rebuilt. There is a small saw mill situated in the centre of the fourth range 
 either on lot fifteen or sixteen. 
 
 {L.-J. Rainboth, 9th June, 1881.) 
 
 Townahip of Campbell. 
 
 Having completed the survey in the township of Robertson, I ran the 
 Icentre line of Campbell through the first and second ranges ; also these 
 Iranges as shown on the accompanying plan and the upper and the lower 
 I outlines from these range lines west to the river du Lievre. 
 
 The character of the country, soil and timber is very similar to that 
 [ofiRobertson, the part along the upper township line being exceptionally 
 fine; the soil varies from a rich clay to a mellow sandy loam with a 
 [generally mixed bush. 
 
 The only hills met with are on the centre line near the river, and 
 I another near the lake at the rear of the second range line. 
 
 The country along the front of range two, south of the long narrow 
 I lake intersected by it, is low and somewhat swampy, and along the other 
 lines generally undulating. This township is a very fine one, and is rapidly 
 filling up with settlers whose names I enter in an appendix to the field 
 notes, although there is a number of names not included of those who had 
 only marked iheir locations and left to obtain supplies and help. 
 
 {E.-J. Rainboth, 26th January, 1886.) 
 
276 
 
 •n 
 
 im 
 
 Pi' 
 
 m 
 
 i» 
 
 Township of Clyde. 
 
 This line starts from a given point at Morles creek. I ran due soath 
 until I intersected the southern boundary line of Clyde and northern out- 
 line oi Amherst. This line varies considerably in its features ; as you pass 
 over It from one outline to the other, it is now level with a good soil, now 
 undulating or rolling surface, and sometimes fearfully rough and rocky and 
 absolutely worthless unles? for fire wood ; whenever a mountain is met with 
 It is of great height and rocky but chielly covered with pine. In one instance! 
 I have noticed red pine, but generally of stunted growth ; th^ soil notbeiu^ 
 adapted for that kind of wood. The principal kinds of wood are white pine 
 spruce, birch, maple and basswood, although in some places elm and ash 
 are found and are of enormous growth, from the south boundary line up to 
 Morles creek. There are a few very good lots, but not sufficient to make a 
 settlement, it being an utter impossibility to build a road along the centre 
 line, without which the summer ingress or egress would be impossible • but 
 I have no doubt that these lots will be taken by those having lots in the 
 adjoining concession north of Morles creek ; as far as the foot of Su-ar Loaf 
 mountain, the laud is level aid the soil of hrstquality. being a rich yellow 
 loam. The farm owned by Messrs. Hamilton Brothers has been cultivated for 
 forty years and produces as heavy crops now as when just opened ; a portion 
 of the line north of Morles passes through the valley of the fourth ran-e 
 consequently leaving very few lots in the fourth concession, namely from 
 thirty-one to tarty two ; north of Sugar Loaf raounttviu or the northern section 
 IS absolutely worthless unless for lumbering purposes and even then it 
 would be with great difficulty the lumber could obtained. The northern 
 section of the fourth concession is timbered with small spruce and white 
 pine ; what should be soil is rock covered with yellow moss. 
 
 Lakes are numerous and abound with trout, some of very lam-^ size 
 which I regret to say are being ruthlessly slaughtered without regard to 
 fish or game laws. The settlers repair to the lakes during the spawuin-^ 
 season, with nets, spears, night lines and all the paraphernalia of warfare a't 
 their (ommand and wage a ruthless war against the unoffending trout 
 during the spawning season. 
 
 {N.-C. Mulhieu, 17th July, 1878.) 
 
277 
 
 ran due south 
 lid northein out- 
 •es ; as you pass 
 a good soil, now 
 •h and rocky and 
 tain is met with, 
 In one instance, 
 tirt soil not beiuff 
 
 are white pine, 
 ;es elm and ash 
 idary line up to 
 cieut to make a 
 ilong the centre 
 impossible ; but 
 ing lots in the 
 )t of Sugar Loaf 
 g a rich yellow 
 n cultivated for 
 eiied ; a portion 
 e fourth range, 
 1, namely, from 
 lorthern section 
 i even then it 
 
 The northern 
 ruce and white 
 
 \''ery large size, 
 hout regard to 
 the spawuins; 
 ia of warfare at 
 )ffending trout 
 
 uly, 1878.) 
 
 Townahipa of Dudley and Kiamlka. 
 
 The soil of Dudley and Kiamika is pretty much of the same quality, a 
 Lndy loam capable of bearing good crops and well adapte I for cultivation. 
 |Aloug the river du Lievre and as tar back as the fifth range in Kiamika 
 and along the river du Cerf in Dudley, there is considerable clay sand. 
 Clay known as blue joint is abundant along the banks of the river du Lievre 
 in both townships, and is now a source of profit to the settlers who are 
 engaged in the manufacture of saw logs in that vicinity. As an indication 
 of the fertility of the soil in the region of my survey, I may mantion that, 
 on a farm in the township of Wobassee, opposite Kiamika, of which the soil 
 resembles that generally prevailing in the two townships, owned by 
 Messrs. McLaren & Co., were raised in the year 1864 : 
 
 106 tons of hay @ $20.00 $2120.00 
 
 900 bushels of oats @, 0.60 540.00 
 
 000 " potatoes @ 0.50 450.00 
 
 90 " peas @ 1.00 90 00 
 
 20 " beans® 1.50 30.00 
 
 Besides turnips and other 
 
 vegetables worth 50.00 50.00 
 
 And pasturage for fifty horses and cattle $ 250.00 
 
 $3530.00 
 
 This large crop was sown, cultivated and harvested by thirteen men in 
 five and half months at an average cost per man for board and wa"-es of $20 
 per mouth : $1,430.00, and I may add that the laud in Kiamika and Dudley is 
 on the whole not inferior to that in the vicinity of this fiirm. In short, hay, 
 oats, potatoes, peas, beans and turnips can be as profitably raised in either 
 of these townships as m the older townships lower down. 
 
 With regard to timber, the two townships are alike. The best white 
 pine has been taken away. There remains, however, yet abundant white 
 pine scattered through the hard w^ood, from which saw logs which are now 
 considered second quality could be manufactured. Maple and birch, and in 
 some places basswood, and on the flats ash, elm, cedar and tamarac are 
 abundant. The rivers and the lakes abound with excellent fish, trout, 
 pike, perch, bass, pickerel and chub, a soft watery fish averaging from four 
 to six pounds in weight, trout predominating in the lakes, in fact, mono- 
 polizing the most of them, and chub predominating in the rivers. 
 
2*78 
 
 As far as I went in Kiamika to the fifth range, and all except the south 
 western portion of Dudley as far as surveyed, the surface of the land k 
 generally free from large or abrupt hills. In the south western portion, the 
 township of Dudley is hilly, but not so much so as to render any consider- 
 able portion of the land unfit for cultivation. 
 
 {Samuel Allen, 1864.) 
 
 Township of Egan, 
 
 This township is naturally divided into two sections, which may be 
 designated the eastern and western, by the river Desert, which intersects it 
 from north to south. The eastern, the largest section, comprises the penin- 
 sula formed by the rivers Desert and Gatineau ; it is likewise the most'fertile 
 portion of the township ; the land with few exceptions is well adapted for 
 agricultural purposes, and embraces very few lots unfit for settlement. It 
 is clothed with a thick growth oi wood, varying in species and quality, 
 according to the quality of th(- soil and situation, hard wood and pine predo- 
 minating where the soil consists of gravel or mixed clay, sand and gravel, 
 and soft wood predominating where the soil is exclusively clay and the 
 country champaign. Here are to be found flourishing nearly all varieties of 
 Canadian timber, which may be classified in the order of their preponderance 
 as follows: balsam, spruce, birch, maple, basswood, elm, ash, oak, taraarac, 
 white birch, poplar, pine and cedar ; hemlock is rarely found and only iii 
 barren situations, dwarfish and stunted. There is very little pine except 
 adjacent to the river Qatineau, and that of an inferior order, all the good 
 quality being already manufactured. The surface is for the most part fevel 
 or slightly undulating, without any ranges of mountains, and, with the 
 exception of one instance, east of Balsam lake, the hillocks to be met with 
 are mere undulations. 
 
 The soil on both sides of the river Desert is chiefly clay in many places 
 covered with loam. In the interior, between the Gatineau aiid Desert rivers, 
 it is a mixture of chxy and gravel, and therefore the most available for the 
 indigent settler. Along the Gatineau there are considerable tracts of rich 
 alluvial deposits. Limestone is frequently met with along the rivers Gati- 
 neau and Desert, I think it is not the crystalline, but rather belongs to the 
 class called primozoic. 
 
2*79 
 
 The western section comprises that portion west of the ri^-er Desert. 
 I Along the river Desert, varying from one half to two miles, the land partakes 
 lof the character of the east side and is equally well fit for settlement ; west- 
 hvard, the surface is more broken and the land inferior, culminating in 
 ] barrenness towards the county line and south of the base line along the 
 jEaglo river ranges. This portion has but a few limited patches of good land. 
 iThe good land on the north of the base line is more frequent and of greater 
 [extent, and though, in many places rugged and rocky, it contains a consider- 
 able portion of good land. The soil in this portion consists chiefly of gravel 
 and sand, the surface is broken and rocky, irregular hillocks alternating 
 I with marshes and lakes. Taken as a whole, the township is well adapted 
 for settlement at least as far back as the eighth range. 
 
 From the continued and almost unvarying sterility of the rear of the 
 I township, I was constrained to desist from ts further subdivision. 
 
 (J.-P.-P O'Hanhj, 26th May, 1863.) 
 
 Township of Hinoks. 
 
 The surface of the soil in this township is uneven and stony and 
 dotted over with a large number of lakes ; not more than 40 per cent can 
 be estimated as arable ; but, on the other hand, this is very fertile and the 
 ! crops are excellent. In some places, the land is abundantly strewn with 
 rocks ; the fixed rocks are of hypozoic formation, comprising granite, 
 gneiss, &c., primitive limestone, in irregular masses, streaked with veins 
 of phosphate, mica and plumbago, which may become valuable when the 
 projected railway from Ottawa will have facilitated communication. 
 
 The different kinds of timber met with are the maple, white birch, 
 iron Avood and ash, of fine growth and good quality. The pine has been 
 nearly all removed, but it never existed except scattered through the other 
 timber and not as groves. 
 
 The line between ranges 8 and 9 runs along the line dividing the 
 waters of the Lievre and the G-atineau, thus separating the township of 
 Hincks into two distinct parts. The part watered by the Lievre is very 
 difficult of access, communication with it either in winter or summer beinsr 
 impossible except by Great Whitefish lake. Unfortunately, high winds are 
 common on this lake, and the ice is not safe for vehicles before the 15th 
 Jauiiary in each year. 
 
 {Jas. McArthur, 1888.) 
 
■Si 
 
 \l 
 
 280 
 
 Township of Joly. 
 
 This township is very much broken np by mountains and lakes and . 
 large por ion of .t will never be fit for cultivation. Alon. the River i 
 astr.p„f,aud varying in depth, but generally about thrtquarter h 
 m le toam le on each s.de, is suitable for cultivation. The soil seems l„L 
 
 I'itlT^' '»''»'.^«n-f •»-""'" thelow grounds of the v ley E.« 
 oth,s there seems to be httle, if any, farming land, with the exceptL, ,, 
 haps ofastr.palong the Cachecaehe and an occasional isolated spot 
 western s,de of the range is more promising, especially in the vidui'tv! 
 lake Maskmonge, but much of it is very hilly and quite unfit fl uK 
 tlon. The southern eastern and northern boundaries and the centre H„, 
 ross a succession of mountains, and it is very rare indeed that ai yt d 
 
 ^ZaJ 7 V™ ''•'' "=""""'«<•■ These mountains are generally com 
 posed of quart, and granite, and very frequently there is no soil whatew 
 merely a ower.ng of mass. The western boundary, although hiUy and 
 
 foundlkngT ""' • """"' ''^""' '»" ^"■"^ '^^^"^ ^-'ood f"- -'' ^ 
 
 {William Craivfurd, 27th May, 1879.) 
 
 Township of Kensington. 
 
 I further beff leave to report that the soil of this township is generally of a 
 very good quality and well adapted for the purposes of agricuUure and! 
 certam parts, the soil is, in fact, of a very superior qualit^ rnorreVeofal, 
 towards the southern extremity of the township and in the immediate vicinitv 
 
 the fif^n ^ ^ ''""^- ^"""" ^ ^^- "^^"P^ ^ -^^^ ^-^- ^-™ i 
 f !>, •, comprising a portion of six lots as represented on my plan 
 
 of the survey. The improvements, which they have ..ade on it consi t of 
 about one hundred and fifty acres in a good state of cultivation, a larc 
 barn and stables, and a good house in course of erection. 
 
 The township is accessible by several tolerably good roads ; besides 
 there are several chantier roads through the portion which I have surveyed' 
 which could very easily be rendered passable ; this will no doubt be a sl.Vhi 
 inducement for settlers to establish themselves there. It is also gLeralto 
 a level nature and as my accompanying plan will indicate, well watered 
 by several beautiful lakes and th.ir small tributary streams. 
 
281 
 
 Th(^ Reverend Fathers of the Oblat order have already two mills in 
 3urso of operation within a short distance from the township line between 
 le townships of Kensington and Aumond, and situated on the Joseph river, 
 ;rhich ip at present a great boon to the settlers in that vicinity, and which, 
 [have no doubt, will be a strong incentive to the rapid settlement of the 
 l;rrounding country. 
 
 Ill conclusion, I beg leave to state that the front or part of the town- 
 
 lip which has been surveyed for some time past is well settled, and I have 
 
 [o doubt that, as soon as some other portion of the township has been sur- 
 
 feyed, a new settlement will rapidly spring up, for T believe that its here- 
 
 jfore unsurveyed state has been the only obstacle to its settlement. 
 
 {James Roney, 26th January, 1865.) 
 
 Township of Kiamika. 
 
 From the centre line to the northern boundary of this township, the 
 )ts on each side of this line are in general very rough and rocky, but very 
 [ich in mixed timber, such as hemlock, elm, spruce, ash, cedar, bass wood, 
 We, birch, fir and maple ; the soil is good. The lots starting from the 
 bentre line ar.d running direct south are very rough and rooky. On each 
 bide of said line, the prevailing timber is soft wood ; soil good. 
 
 The lots situated on both sides of the river Kiamika are first class as 
 [■egards the quality of the soil and timber. The prevailing wood is ash, elm 
 md maple, aud the lots are nearly all level. Mr. Dufort, of Montreal, has 
 lately built a saw and grist mill on the fine water power on lots numbers 
 [3 and 14. This mill will, doubtless, be a great help to settlement. 
 
 {N.-C. Mnthieu, 1888.) 
 
^1 
 
 288 
 
 
 Township of Labelle. 
 
 The land is g.,ocl, h.in- well timbered with cedar, maple, bir.hani 
 o her valuable wood^. All across the said l.n uship line to the divis ou i , 
 of La Minerve. ,t is also well watrr.d and altogether well adapted 
 farnunjr purposes, being level and good .oil on the line and roulh. 
 small distance east of it, Returninn: to range C, I ran the lino to its junct L 
 with the rear line ; in some places there are good (lats and hill sides t 
 are wel ht or cultivation ; as will appear on plan, there are two angled 
 the central line at A and C, caused by the occurrence of i. ouu tains and ohft. 
 The eleventh range is principally hard wood, maple, birch and bas, 1 
 wood ; rolling, although rough, indifferent soil on e.ch side of the line tU 
 tenth range is also fit for settlement nearly all throuo-h. rather roul 
 simiar timber a„d soil as the preceding one. The ninth range is do 
 ".-arly all fit for settlement althou^^h somewhat cut up by lakes T 
 seventh and eighth are principally all lakes and mountains; the lakes" soml 
 ot which are very large, contained within rough and rocky shores. The' mih 
 range is good land nearly all through. The fifth range also con 
 some good land although containing some small lakes. Alonn- lake m'I 
 "onge, the land is rough and rocky and of vers little account." 
 
 On account of the number of mountains and lakes therein found this 
 township will be quite useless for cultivation unless good roads are n 
 vionsly made by Government. The townshp is rich in timber. 
 
 {N.-C. Mat/lieu, 30th May, 1882.) 
 
 Township of Lathbury. 
 
 The part of Lathbury, best adapted for settlement, is between the west 
 boundary and the centre line, but there is a strip varying in width of 
 on an average about two miles wide to the east of the centre line, of good 
 quality. To the east of this strip, the surface of the country is rou^li a.id 
 rocky and. in places, so cut up by precipitous hills as to be, at present 
 unfit for use. Much of the land in the township is very good, the soil being 
 a good sandy loam and well timbered. The ordinary varieties of hard wood 
 such as maple, birch, beech and iron wood abound ; white pine of au excel^ 
 
283 
 
 ?nt quality is found in sufTicient quantitieH to supply the ruquiruinouts of 
 |ho settler. Tin- country is well wuterud, being traversed by numerous 
 linivll streiims and two of considerable size : Blanche river, which may be 
 laid to take its rise in I he lake on lots forty-three, forty-four .uid forty-five, 
 faiiges live and six ; and Seryer creek at the eastern end of the township ; 
 )o(h of these streams have water of suffioient depth to (loi. titnber. Nume- 
 fous ponds and lakes occur ; none of them, however, are of any ffreat size ; the 
 largest is calji'd Bark lake. The to .vnship is well adapted for settlement, 
 [he chief and in fact onl) hindrance ixnwg the want of a road leading? into it. 
 
 {John Johnston, May, 1867 ' 
 
 Township of Lesage. 
 
 The land in the township of Lesn'^e is i^onerally broken, especially in 
 
 the section adjoining th" .south wesi outline, where mountains of several 
 
 luiulred feet in height occur, presenting in some places precipitous 'litfs 
 
 le void of all vegetation. However, in the central and northern sections, 
 
 Ithere are plateaux of con.s' lerable extent, with a very rich soi judging 
 
 from the size of tht limber. The sertions containing the best land are in 
 
 the third and fourtli ranges, to the north of t!ie centre line in the fifth and 
 
 sixth ranges and in the northern part of the seventh and eighth ranges. 
 
 The prevailing woods are maple, beech, birch, bass wood and a few elms on 
 
 [the high grounds and spruce, cedar, birch ar I a.sh in the low lands. Pine, 
 
 Iwhich existed abundantly in sori ' pla es, has been cut off nearly every- 
 
 Iwhere. Still a few remain here and there, especially in the southern and 
 
 Inorth wc'-'-M-n sections of the township. Sprui is more common, not 
 
 Jhaviug been yet sought after so much. 
 
 The township of Leaago contains several lakes oi" considerable size 
 with splendiu sites on their banks for the homes of future settlers. 
 
 The water powers, which « • not far from Lake Ri '^'•non, can be 
 advantageously used for saw and j^iist mil's. 
 
 {J. A. Martin, 8th August 1884.) 
 
 I 
 
f ■ 
 
 284 
 
 Township of Loranger. 
 
 The land in tho first and second ran-es of the township of UrmA 
 isshgh lyrolhngandin general very well adapted to cultivation S 
 part of the third, lourth and fifth ranges, south of little lake Nominingue 
 more broken without being very mountainous. The remainder is \^A 
 everywhere level or slightly sloping. 1 
 
 The land, along the north outline, except ranges 1. 2 and 8, is mou«. 
 tamous and rocky, showing over extensive tracts nothing but dry trees a, 
 wmdialU There IS fine land along the west outline from the north w J 
 angle to B.g Bay lake. The south side of this lake, however, is 1. 
 tainous for about two miles. The soil of this township is g.„erdly a . 
 yellow loam, usually free from ro..ks. except near the 1 rge lakes :uid To J 
 places south of little lake Nominingue, which are rocky The preva i 
 imber is spruce, fir, cedar and birch; on the higher grounds m'" 
 other hardwoods predominate. The pine, which seems to have been pret 
 
 'ZT'^A "IT'''" P>«^«\has nearly all disappeared under the lumberer 
 axe, and what remains is of inferior quality. ' 
 
 (J.-A. Martin, 23rd August, 1881.) 
 
 • .J T '" i ^^^'^ '^ ^P^^n^i^i valley extending through the fifth 
 sixth and seventh ranges for a mile and a half to two miles on each side of 
 the centre line and almost without undulations. The remainder of the 
 township, though more uneven and rocky, offers nevertheless a very rich 
 soil, covered with a splendid forest, .n which hardwood predominates • I 
 noticed in several places magnificent maple groves, which seem to be profi. 
 tably worked for sugar. ^ 
 
 (/. A. Martin, 1882), 
 
 was not c( 
 
285 
 
 Township of Lytton. 
 
 With rcispoct to the physical characteristics of Lytton, I beg leave to 
 tale that thrf land is of very good quality and extremely level ; there are 
 l-ery fi!W elevations of any considerable ex'eut ; nt least ninety five per cent 
 ll the whole is arable and fit for cultivation. There is a continual succession 
 I'hard wood ridges, with balsam, cedar and tamarac swamps intervening ; 
 jho soil on the hard wood ridges is excellent, but in the swamps it Is light 
 jud sandy. There is not much white and r«d pine in the township; occa- 
 tioually small groves are to be met with of large growth and of apparently 
 rood quality, but not in sufficient quantity to induce extensive lumbering 
 bporations. There are no settlers in Lytton, nor is there any probability of 
 Its being settled soon, as it is so difficult of access at all seasons of the year. 
 
 In no other part of the Ottawa country is there so large a tract of really 
 rood and fertile land as in the townships of Maniwaki, Egau, Aumoud, 
 picotte, and Lytton, but in order to render said land available it is abso- 
 iuloly necessary that roads should be immediately constructed or laid out 
 |thioughout said townships. 
 
 {Jamex Mr Arthur, 21st June, 1862.) 
 
 Township of Marohand. 
 
 This township is on the whole a very fair agricultural country, the best 
 Iportion being between the head of the long rapid and the bend of the river. 
 
 The soil is generally very sandy and though to a stranger it might seem 
 jpoor, yet the middle farm has been worked for a number of years without 
 
 any manuring and is still good. A good proof is that two practical 
 
 farmers, W. McGruire and Varin, who had charge of the middle and upper 
 [farms for a number of years, are about to take up lots in the township. A 
 I large extent of country in the north west part of the township has been so 
 
 badly burnt over that apparently the soil is even destroyed. The lowtr 
 Ipart of the township does not appear to be very good, more especially east 
 
 of the range, which looked so broken up by mountains and swamps that it 
 
 was not considered worth running the rear line at present. The south west 
 Iportion of the township seems mountainous, but some lots have been taken 
 
 up and are spoken well of. In the iinsurveyed parts there seems to be good 
 
286 
 
 
 ands m ..the central part of the township both east and west, but mn.l 
 limited m extent in the former. The country is generally well watered I 
 plenty of good timber both hard and soft is to be fox'nd. although ia 
 districts are thickly covered with a second growth of poplar. 
 
 {William Crawford, 26th August, 1880.) 
 
 The portion of this township which I traversed offers a fine field fm 
 settlement. The rnountains, which are pretty steep, especially in the northen^ 
 section nevertheless show fine plateaux of arable land on their summits an 
 spendid valleys between, often of considerable exteni, with a very rt 
 yellow soil free from stones. ^ " 
 
 The section to the south of the Chapleau road, although more broken 
 and rocky m many places, still offers a good luimber of lots which mi^ht b 
 profitably worked. = 
 
 The timber isof fine growth. The higher plateaux are generally covered 
 with maple beech, bass wood and birch, and spruce, cedar, birch, ash and 
 fir are found in the valleys and low grounds. Wherever pine occurred it 
 has been ca off; only a few trees remain here and there and they are' of 
 inferior quality. ■' "' 
 
 (J.-A. Martin, 1882.) 
 
 I subdivided into lots this part cf the township of Marchand under 
 the name oj the north range of the rive.i Macaya and the south bank ot 
 that river. 
 
 With the exception of .some slightly hilly lots, the surface is level 
 enough ; soil very sandy ; the prevailing timber is soft wood. I found several 
 water powers on this nnd other rivers, and among others, a splendid one 
 between lot. No. 6, called the great Macaya falls. The lots along the river 
 are nearly all taken up by .sc(uatter5. 
 
 {N.-C. Malhien, 20th March, 1884.) 
 
 ir 1. 
 
281 
 
 id west, but morel 
 well watered anJ 
 id, although lar<^e| 
 
 ar. 
 
 ugust, 1880.) 
 
 ! a fine field for 
 
 y in the northern 
 
 tieir summits and 
 vith a very rich 
 
 ?h more broken 
 which might be 
 
 enerally covered 
 r, birch, ash and 
 oine occurred, it 
 ind they are of 
 
 Township of McQill. 
 
 Ranges two and three are comparatively level, the soil varying from 
 aiidy loam and covered almost entirely by " brules." The northern part 
 f ranges four and five is mountainous and rocky, and unfit for settle- 
 ent, whereas the southern ends bordering on the Serpent creek are v^'ell 
 adapted for settlement, the soil consisting of a sandy loam with a growth 
 Jof mixed timber. There is a strip of brule running diagonally across range 
 four. The Messrs. Elie Bros, have a fine saw mill situated on the Serpent 
 Creek in this range, as well as blacksmith and general carpenter and furni- 
 ture shops, and they intend erecting a grood grist mill adjoining the saw 
 mill, nexl season. Parts of ranges six and seven are well adapted for settle- 
 ment, especially along the Serpent creek, although there is some very 
 rough country along the line dividing them ; the soil varying from sandy 
 to a sandy loam with a good growth of mixed timber. The country along 
 the centre line is very rough, mountainous and rocky, and on the lower 
 outline it is level and the soil principally a good sandy loam. There is no 
 pine of any value, but abundance of valuable cedar. There are valuable 
 deposits of apatite or phosphate of line in this and the adjoining townships. 
 
 {E.-J. Rainboih, 1887.) 
 
 nrtin, 1882.) 
 
 archand under 
 south bank ol 
 
 surface is level 
 
 I found several 
 
 1 splendid one 
 
 long the river 
 
 vh, 1884.) 
 
 Township of Mulgrave. 
 
 The character of the tract surveyed is gjuerally uneven and hilly and 
 in some places broken. The valleys are without exception arable, and 
 many of the hills are fit for agricultural purposes. It is heavily timbered 
 with hardwood ; maple and black birch predominating, witl. cedar and 
 ash in thi; lower parts. There is also a great deal of hemlock, red oak, 
 balsam, &c. In many places the hardwood is mixed with a quantity of 
 cedar and scattered pine on the high lands. Some considerable tracts are 
 covered with pine, which does not appear to be of a very large grov^•th. The 
 character of the soil through these pineries, wuth the exception of a narrow 
 belt of about half a mile in breadth and extending northward along the 
 eastern extremity of the township as far as the line between the seventh 
 and eighth ranges, which is very rocky, is a good sandy loam. Most of the 
 pine is in the eastern part of the township ; at present there is no means of 
 taking square timber out of the township ])y water, as none of the rivers 
 are sufficiently navigable to the Ottawa. 
 
288 
 
 There are two branches of the river Blanche running throu<.h J 
 township of Mulgrave, upon which there are several reserve dams ,. '' 
 structed for the purposes of the Blanche mills, in the township of LochX 
 These branches of the river empty their waters into a large lake on ' 
 south boundary ot this township, called the Blanche lake, and which ,! 
 tains a large body of very clear water. This river affords some verv ' J 
 mill s.tes in the township of Mulgrave, where grist or saw mills mi.ht 
 erected and have a supply of water sufficient to drive them duriii. ! 
 dryest season. 1 he next river is the Sinsic which receives its suppW 
 water irom numerous lakes and brooks of clear water. Saw lo-s have hJ 
 <lnven only through the lower part of this stream. This stream also ffo;" 
 ilZlTT "r A"'" " the township of Mulgrave. I have also o adi 
 that the alley of this stream which is of considerable width in some nlac! 
 IS generally composed of a good dark soil with some traces of blue clav ! 
 small gravel and offers every invitation to the agriculturist. 
 
 All the lakes in this township abound in salmon trout, some of which 
 are of a very arge six .. There seems to be no other species of fish in thl 
 lakes, except (lull lake, where perch are caught in great abundance 
 
 The part surveyed by me when taken upon the whole is well adapted 
 T"; ';; ' '"''^ the exception of some comparatively small port lo 
 IS well adapted for tillage, and as a grazing country it is equal to any t ' 
 I have yet seen, owing to the numerous springs and creeks, which Le :^ 
 
 soil As to the geological character of the township, I need hardly ay inu. 
 «s I have r ocurod some specimens of the principal rocks which I mC 
 sending to Sir W. Logan, for examination. The general characte of 
 rocks .s granitic with a large proportion of quartz; some lam-e tract 
 chieiiy gneiss and some very fine specimens of trapdikes arc' also e^ 
 
 minerals. Ihe mining operations in the rear of Lo.haber are reported t^> 
 of a more than commonly suocessfnl character. 
 
 {John JoIinsfoH, 14th June, I860.) 
 
 Township of Ponsonby. 
 The phv'sicalleatures of the part of Pon.sonby surveyed by me arP 
 the laioest growth, including maple, yellow birch, beech ; I found basswood, 
 
289 
 
 aud in some places oak, and as yet it has been uninjured by fire. Pine 
 timber is very scarce ; the few trees that were originally scattered about 
 have mostly all been cut ; what has been left still standing will not be 
 half sufficient to lurni&h building timber for the settlers ; but as cedar of 
 good qxiality and of large size are in abundance, they will in a great 
 measure supply the deficiency. There are a few cedar and tamarac swamps 
 of small extent, which being in general open and dry will not retard the 
 settlement of the township. The fixed rocks are of primary formation, 
 principally granite and gneiss ; there are indications of the existence of 
 iron to be met with in many places. The soil is generally a sandy loam, 
 ill many places overlaid with vegetable mould and alluvial deposit. The 
 suriace of the land is for the most part undulating, occasionally rising into 
 round hills varying from fifty to two hundred feet in height ; these hills 
 are to be found in greater number ou the centre line than any other part of 
 the township ; they present a uniform appearance, their south western slopes 
 being steep and barren, while the remaining sides are covered with a heavy 
 growth of mixed timber aud descend gradually from the summit. The part 
 of ranges four, five, six and seven, lying west of the centre line, is well 
 suited for successful settlement ; the land being level, well water d and of 
 good quality. That portion situated east of the centre line is not so 
 iavorable for settlement as hills similar in appearance to those already 
 described are frequently to be met with ; there are, however, fertile valleys 
 intervening, and I believe that about fifty per cent of it is arable and fit for 
 agricultural purposes ; about ninety per cent of the land on the western side 
 is arable. 
 
 The MaskilongeorMaskinongc is a very beautiful stream and is navig- 
 able for canoes from the south east corner of Pousonby as far as lot 
 luimber twenty-three, in the fourth range, and, through the whole extent 
 of the township, there is little obstruction to canoe navigation; there are, 
 however, sufficient water powers available at the first, second and third 
 chutes for grist mills, saw mills, factories. 
 
 As the land is suitable for purposes of settlement and is so easy of 
 access at all seasons of the year, it is difficult to account for the indilfereiice 
 inanifestod to this section by intending settlers. 
 
 {James McArthnr, 261 h December, 1868.) 
 
 19 
 
290 
 
 The lines run in the township of Ponsonby pass through a rouo-h 
 mountainous and rocky country as a general rule and unless the land°i« 
 very much better in the middle of the lots, of which no indications could 
 be seen, it does not seem likely that the lower part of Ponsonby will ever 
 be a very prosperous farming country. Of course, there are some lots better 
 than the others and a few very f\iir farms will be found, bu! these will h. 
 the exception not the rule. 
 
 The portion of the township of Suffolk runs through land which 
 although hilly seems to be a better farming country and the class of net tiers 
 more likely to make the most of it. In both townships a very fair start at 
 clearing the land has been made as is shown on the plan. The names of the 
 land owners are given on the plan as correctly as could be ascertained. 
 
 ( Wiluavi Crawford, 7th June, 1880.) 
 
 The country m proximity to the lines surveyed be me is rough and 
 rocky, with many lakes and streams. About one third of the sixth and 
 seventh ranges is fit for agricultural purposes, the soil being principallv 
 suitabJe to the cultivation of grain, of which some good crops have alread; 
 been raised by the settlers. 
 
 There is an abundance of yellow birch, spruce and maple, with some 
 small scattered white pine towards the north west part of the township 
 On the Maskinonge river there are several excellent chutes for mills the 
 want of winch is being at present badly felt by the settlers. 
 
 I may remark before closing that a desire was expressed by many of 
 the settlers that the lakes in this township, which are numerous and of con- 
 siderabie size, should be correctly fixed in position as they were erroneously 
 shown on the latest official plans. 
 
 (Ormond Ne/cher, 31st March, 1882.) 
 
 The general aspect of the township of Ponsonby, althouo-fi in maur 
 parts rough and mountainous, ya affords several fine tracts of loamy soil 
 well adapted for farming purposes, especially in the western part of rau-es 
 second, third and fourth and the north east part of range iive. The various 
 kinds of grams and vegetables are raised in abundance. 
 
 {Ormond Fletcher, 17th May, 1883.) 
 
291 
 
 ough a rough, 
 ss the land is 
 iications could 
 nby will ever 
 lome lots better 
 these w ill be 
 
 I land which 
 slassofnettlers 
 ry fair start at 
 e names of the 
 scertained. 
 
 ne, 1880.) 
 
 is rough and 
 the sixth and 
 ig principally 
 I have already 
 
 e, with some 
 the township, 
 for mills, the 
 
 I by many of 
 is and of con- 
 ! erroneously 
 
 h, 1882.) 
 
 ?h in many 
 
 f loamy soil, 
 
 •art of ranges 
 
 The various 
 
 T, 1883.) 
 
 Township of Pope. 
 
 This is a very fine township, level country, first class sandy loam, soil 
 covered with a growth of good mixed timber and very suiUble for settle- 
 ment. The finest farm on the river is situated in the north east corner of 
 this township, being Messrs. Jas. McLaren & Con mountain farm, on 
 which they have about four hundred acres under cultivation. The Devil's 
 mountains commence in the northern part of this township about five 
 miles back from the river and run in a northerly direction as far as the eye 
 can see. The fine tract of country of which this township forms part will 
 not be settled properly or rapidly until there is a colonization road built 
 either up the river du Lievre or from the Gatiueau roads. 
 
 There is no fine timber of any merchantable value in this township, 
 and the only water power is at the Turtle rapids, on the river front near 
 the south east corner. The country above this township still continues 
 good and well adapted for settlements. 
 
 (P. Gripn, 11th February, 1881.) 
 
 Township of Portland. 
 
 Concerning the topographical features of the tract of land, comprising 
 the verification survey of Portland East, I beg to remark that it is traversed 
 by three different water courses : the river du Lievre, Clay creek and Castor 
 creek, with their tribiitary lakes and creeks, which form as many valleys of 
 dilferent extent and fertility, and which are separated from each other by 
 throi^ mountain ranges, of which the most westerly one has the greatest 
 elevation above the level of the river du Lievre. The course of these moun- 
 tain ranges as well as the valleys is from north to south, all running 
 nearly parallel to the river du Lievre. The valley of that river has the 
 least extent, and its soil possesses the least fertility, being composed oi 
 plastic blue clay. There are only three clearings of an area of one hundred 
 and seventy acres to he met with. : ne Jley of Blue creek is of greater 
 extent, and its soil mori* valuable for agr aitural purposes and particularly 
 the northern portion ol . which is composed of black clay and vegetable 
 earth. The central pari nhibits rather too much of the plastic clay alluded 
 to before, to be employed great advantage for farming purposes. The 
 
292 
 
 southern portion is a fertile plain composed of rich alluvial soil. There is 
 only one settler in this valley, whose clearing is about seventy acres laro-e 
 The most easterly valley comprises that fertile tract of land lyin- round 
 lamo lak.-, commonly called Tamo lake settlement, and the valley of Castor 
 creek. Its fertility is very great ; the soil being composed of a rich marshy 
 soil yields great crops of grain and hay. There were nineteen settlers at 
 the time the survey was being carried out, with an aggregate amount of 
 clearings ol two hundred and eighty-three acres. 
 
 Having neglected to speak about the quality of timber which -rows 
 on the verified portion of the township of Portland, I consider it my^dutv 
 to make this addition to my report. I beg to state that hemlock is the tim- 
 ber most abundantly found all over the tract especially mentioned herein 
 and that next to it in abundance, but mixed with the hemlock, are all the 
 ditferent kinds ot hard wood, with the exception of oak, which is of rare 
 occurrence. Of extensive pineries none are to be met with. The o-reen 
 shade exhibited on my diagram, showing the timber divisions which 
 accompanies this report, indicates those places or tracts where pine is the 
 most predominant timber, but not the only one growing. I beg to mention 
 here hose places especially for your convenience sake. In the fifth ran-e 
 rom ot number one to six ; in the seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth ran4 
 from lot number one to six. Again west of lake Tamo, in the sixth rano-e 
 on lots number, nine and .a, and in the eighth range on lots seven, eio-ht 
 nine and ten. =• ' 
 
 {R. Ramcher, 1864.) 
 
 Township of Portland-Bast. 
 
 I may say in reference to the country I have gone over in this re-survey 
 that there are certainly a number of very good flats of land available for 
 coloni/ation, but the argest proportion is hilly, broken and rocky ; it is 
 nevertheless all heavily timbered with very few burnt districts ; the priu- 
 cipal timber being hemlock, birch, maple, cedar, balsam, spruce and a sinall 
 quai tity ot bass-wood ; there is very little pine timber ; doubtless, it has 
 been very rich at one time with pine, judging by the traces of old timber 
 works I might add that the best agricultural land is to be found alono- 
 the valley of the river du Lievre. ° 
 
 {G. Rainboth, 4th December, 187i 
 
293 
 
 Township of Portland-West. 
 
 Concerning the topographical features of the tract of land comprising 
 my verification survey of Portland West, I beg to state that it is traversed, 
 besides the river du Lievre, by three distinct water courses, firstly, by Priest 
 creek, which flows in a south easterly course through a very fertile tract of 
 land along its whole length to its confluence with the river du Lievre, 
 which occurs in the fourth range of the township of Portland, the tributary- 
 lakes and creeks of said creek are very numerous ; secondly, the south of 
 the former, by the chain of lakes being situate on the second, third and 
 fourth ranges and emptying into the river du Lievre in the third range of 
 the township. The general course of these lakes and connecting creeks is 
 from north west to south east. The country surrounding these water 
 courses is, with the exception of the lakes in the third and fourth ranges, 
 not very suitable for agricultural purposes on account of its mountainous 
 nature. The third water course situate in the south west part of the town- 
 ship is formed by the tributary lakes and connecting creeks of the river 
 Blanche which empties into the Ottawa river. The land surrounding these 
 lakes and connecting creeks is ol a hilly nature, yet affords good farming 
 land. The height of land separating the said second from the third water 
 course referred to before is not suitable for agricultural purposes on account 
 of its mountainous nature. 
 
 Concerning the timber which grows on the tract of land comprising 
 the verification survey of the township of Portland West, I beg to say that 
 almost all the level parts of township which I have traversed are covered 
 with hardwood, and evergreens and particularly w^hice pine are prevalent. 
 Valuable pineries are no longer in existenca, for the axe of the lumbermen 
 has years ago cut down what good timber could be obtained for the market ; 
 only timber of inferior quality is met with on the tracts I have just been 
 describing ; and should it happen that a solitary veteran pine tree be seen 
 in these regions, the cause of it might be assigned either to its sequestered 
 place of growth or to its w^ood not being sound. 
 
 (R. Rauscher, 1865.) 
 
294 
 
 Vif 
 
 Township of Preston. 
 
 I ran the west line of this township on a north course, variation 8054- 
 Along this line, the land is slightly mountainous and rocky, but the soil is 
 good and wooded with maple, birch, hemlock and spruce. 
 
 From the north western angle of the township to Long lake along tb 
 north line, the surface is rough and rocky, the prevailing wood beint the 
 maple ; but on the east side of the lake it is altogether uncultivable, bein. 
 exceedingly mountainous and rocky ; it is, however, rich in small piu: 
 and spruce. ^ 
 
 The ground is mountainous and rocky on each side of the line between 
 the hrst and second ranges from lots No 1 to No 8, inclusively. These lots 
 -nre timbered with hard woods. From No 9 to No 18, inclusively, the surface 
 13 shghtly broken, the soil light and the timber mixed. From No 19 to 
 Whitehsh lake, the land is very hilly and rocky, the soil good and the 
 timber mixed. ^ " 
 
 From No 1 to No 10, inclusively, along the line between the 2nd and 
 3rd ranges, the laud is mountainous and rocky, the soil light, and the 
 timber mixed. From No 11 to No 16, inclusively, the surface is very broken 
 and covered with hard wood. From No 17 to No 22, inclusively, it is very 
 level, the soil light and the timber mixed. From No 23 to the centre line 
 it IS mountainous and rocky, but rich in mixed timber. 
 
 From No 13 on the north side of lake Barriere or Simon to No 16 
 inclusively on the line between the 3rd and 4th ranges, the land is flat 
 and the soil very sandy. On numbers 13, 14 and 15 in the 4th ransre 
 forming part of Mr. Edward's farm, there are about 150 acres under cultil 
 vntion and the buildings are erected at a short distance from lake Barriere 
 From No Uto ISo 32, inclusively, the ground is mountainous and rocky 
 the soil good and the timber mixed. From No 32 to No 35, inclusivelv the 
 surface is broken and rocky and the soil light. From No 35 to No 44 it is 
 very mountainous and rocky, the soil light and the timber mixed. ' 
 
 The lots on both sides of the line between the 4th and 5th ranges are 
 in general very broken, mountainous and rocky even, and the soil sandy 
 Hard wood predominates. 
 
 From No. 28 to Long lake, on the line between the 5th and 6th ranges 
 the surlac. IS very mountainous and rocky. The soil is sandy and the 
 timber is solt wood. ^ 
 
295 
 
 From No. 55 to No. 48, on the line between the 6th and *7th ranges, 
 inclusively, the land is very mountainous and rocky, but the soil is good 
 and rich in hard woods. 
 
 Along the whole length of the centre line, the ground is mountainous 
 and rocky. There are several mountains covered with pine and spruce, 
 chiefly on the west side of Little Whitefish lake. 
 
 {N.-a Math:eu, 24th March, 1884.) 
 
 Township of Bipon. 
 
 I found great difficulty in surveying the residue of this township on 
 account of its mountainous character, but I am glad to be able to state, on 
 account of the future settlement of the country, that the range lines and 
 west boundary traversed the very roughest parts of the township, leaving 
 between many fertile valleys and some large tracts of good rolling land, 
 well adapted for agricultural purposes. Some few settlers have already 
 found their way into the part surveyed by me, and are making great pro* 
 gress in their agricultural pursuits. 
 
 Considi'ring the time they have been there, they have made large 
 clearances and grow fine crops of differents kinds of grains and roots, 
 snch as wheat, oats, rye, barley, buckwheat, Indian corn, flax, and the latter 
 is raised invariably by them all and woven by them into a fair quality of 
 linen. They appear to succeed remarkably well in the growing of wheat, 
 as the land in many of the valleys seems to be well adapted for its culture, 
 it being a mixture of blue clay and dark rich loam, which together form a 
 very enduring soil for the culture of exhausting cereals. 
 
 The getieral character of the soil where it is in any quantity on the 
 rolling lands is a dark sandy loam, and in many places a blue clay subsoil. 
 The valleys are gener.illy arable and much of the rolling land is well adapted 
 for the purposes of settlement. 
 
 There are some arood localities for roads through the part surveyed by me ; 
 although they may not lie in very direct routes, yet they might be made to 
 answer all the purposes of the settlers. 
 
 The timber throughout the part surveyed by me is generally of a very 
 large growth and is chiefly hard wood mixed with a large quantity of good 
 merchantable pine and hemlock, maple and black birch predominating. 
 
296 
 
 ^'; 
 
 The only notable sJroams iu the part surveyed by me is a small part of 
 heryer creek running along- the north boundary of the township upo 
 which one John Hughes has erected a grist mill within the seventh couL 
 sion of this township, and I believe soon intends erecting a saw mill uea^ 
 the same place The other is a portiou of the Sinsic creek, the geuor 
 breadth of which is about seventyfive links, and which runs through th 
 south west part of the township forming a .junction of the two brau.-he 
 near the south west corner. This stream is at present sufficiently navi-^ubl 
 to dr,ve saw logs and might with a little labour be made sufficiently nlvi.! 
 able lor square timber. Owing to some unaccountable cause the line 
 between he eighth and ninth ranges did not intersect the north boundary 
 at the full depth of the eighth range, but has left that range narrower than 
 was intended, although the line is carefully traced with pickets all th 
 way ; however, it divides the good lands in the north end of the town- 
 ship much better than it could otherwise have done had it intersected iu its 
 proper place. I would have corrected it back only on that account There 
 18 also a small part of the same line at the south end of the township that 
 I could not run on account of the extreme roughness of that part of the 
 country. " 
 
 {John Johnston, 2nd July, I8ti6.) 
 
 Township of Robertson. 
 
 Proceeding northwards, the country is uniformly very o-ood mostlv 
 level, with a fine quality of soil and bush, principally hard wood. ' 
 
 Af-ter completing the front of the fourth range, across the township I 
 proceeded to survey the northern outline, from the corner of the townships 
 of Sicotte and Aumona, along which the country is generally undulatiu. 
 with a growth of spruce, balsam and mixed hard wood, the soil beiu. a 
 shindy loam more or less strong, with a few Hats of swampy land, up to nvo 
 miles from the said corner; thence the country has a marked descent to the 
 creek or lake an feable, a tributary of the river Baskotong, one of the prin- 
 cipal ones of the Oatineau river, and is timbered with a very Rm growth 
 of hard wood, mostly maple and birch, with a good sandy loam soil and 
 well fitted for agriculture ; thence to the river du Lievre, the topography of 
 he country is very similai. being undulating without any marked desc'eut 
 nntil within a short distance of the Lievre. The only mountain visible in 
 
'97 
 
 (his part of tho country i» th Devil's mountain, lying to tho north about 
 ! miles, and visible Iron' \ oral points aloni? this line. Tho pine timber 
 jppcars to be almost cm -i ' u y exluiusted ; a good road could be })uilt across 
 ihrough this townshii trilling cost ( > <'oni i with the waggon road 
 
 leading to the Desert vi age and the " Priests' Mill" on the Joseph creek. 
 
 There is a fine mill site at I'Orignal chn .ther at the Turtle 
 
 Upid. 
 
 The tract of country in this vicinity, comprising this and the adjacent 
 townships, is one of tho finest lu th -unty, and is destined to become at 
 10 distant date a large, thriving seulement ; at the present, owing to the 
 absence of roads, settlers are all establishing themselves along the river, 
 ^hich is the great natural outlet and highway for the country. Game in 
 reat variety is very plentiful throughout this section of country and fur- 
 lishes the pioneers or early settlers with their r u food 8U['ply. 
 
 {E.'J. Rainbolh, 26th January, 1 '^^6.) 
 
 Township of Suffolk. 
 
 The general features of the land in that portton of the township of 
 Suffolk surveyed by me, are high mountains with fertile valleys iuter- 
 f\-ening. The level flats of land worthy of particular mention are firstly 
 that portion of the sixth and seventh ranges lying east of the centre line, 
 and adjacent to the township of Ponsonby. Also that portion of the fourth, 
 ifth, sixth and seventh ranges through which Leduc's exploratory road 
 lasses. 
 
 {H.-C. Symmes, 20th November, 1866.) 
 
 The surface is generally undulating and the soil a good quality of 
 sandy loam and is well timbered with yellow and black birch, hemlock, 
 maple, beech, elm, ash, bass-wood, cedar, spruce and balsam ; all the mer- 
 hantable pine having been cut for market years ago. On the whole, I 
 consider this tov/nship as above the average and possessing a good class of 
 settlers who are rapidly developing all its resources. 
 
 {E.'J. Rainboth, 19th December, 1881.) 
 
Wl 
 
 ^. 
 
 
 IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-S) 
 
 
 
 :<'/' 
 
 1.0 
 
 I.I 
 
 U Mi 
 
 £ Iffi 12.0 
 
 11.25 
 
 U 11.6 
 
 Photographic 
 
 ^Sciences 
 
 Corporation 
 
 23 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y 14580 
 
 (716) 872-4.S03 
 
 1 
 
 # 
 
 \ 
 
 iV 
 
 \\ 
 
 ^^ 
 
 
 ?i> 
 

 .* 
 << 
 
 
 f/. 
 
298 
 
 Townships of SuflPolk and Ponsonby. 
 
 ffhere a fall 
 
 ear water. 
 
 we very cle 
 
 Respecting the fitness of this township for settlement, I have to st»,* 
 
 that the^castern part of it is well watered with springs and generally w^*' ^ . 
 
 timbered with a mixture of hard and soft wood, chiefly maple birch Tr^^'^^^^, 
 
 sam and beech, fir and cedar in wet and moist places ; the soil' is a sanJr ^^' ' 
 
 loam and well adapted in parts for cultivation ; of this extent twenty per c^M I woul< 
 
 may be deduct^ed for stony, swampy and broker-, land, leaving nearly eiffhjnarked on 1 
 
 lots of one hundred acres each fit for settlemen i ; with respect to the westeXte has bee 
 
 part o. the township, the surface is hilly, often broken, rough and stony weU 
 
 watered with springs and brooks ; the prevailing timber is hard wood mixl 
 
 with white and red pine ; the soil is a good sandv loam ; of this extent 
 
 thirty per cent maybe deducted for stony, swampy and broken grouni 
 
 leaving about seventy lots of one hundred acres each fit for settlement 
 
 have also to state that the surrounding country is thickly settled. 
 
 I have also examined the geological features of the country and m 
 prepared to state limestone will be found in the township sufficient f! 
 building and agricultural purposes. 
 
 (P. Griffin, 1857.) 
 
 The cou 
 ihiefly by F 
 ising the va] 
 obe an ice t: 
 fl one hundi 
 uuning easi 
 )e adrantag 
 ■ore from w 
 mly require 
 the cenire li 
 
 The lam 
 ;hirtvfour, s 
 rood nature, 
 
 Townships of Wakefield and Templeton. 
 
 The line A. B. passes over a very rough tract of land with hardly a 
 chain of level land excepting near the point 1, the soil of a good deep hazel 
 loam, on the high land and of a clayey nature in the low flat land The 
 timber is chiefly beech, maple, birch and hemlock, with a mixture of whit( 
 spruce, balsam and c;edar. It is very precipitous and rocky ; in fact the ' 
 appearance of the country is broken, rugged and stony and almost unfit foi ''^''''" ^^^ 
 cultivation. sxtend along 
 
 fit fo!^lu^^'^'"° 'k' u"u ^ ?■ '' ^^'^ '^P^"°^' '^''^ ^^^"S ™°^« 1*^^ rky a^re,ro; 
 fit for cultivation which has been settled within the last two or three adapted for h 
 
 IZ6V7ZI r'r^I ^'^^^r^^-the highlands. On thlnd stony, c< 
 
 line a D h there IS quite a fair tract of land favorable for cultivation. Jpure springs 
 good deal of which is under tillage Iv ^P""/^ 
 
 ° III required, i; 
 
 The predominating rock is gneiss. I met with but one water poweil'^'Se tract of 
 which IS on lot number twenty-eight, in the thirteenth range of Templeton '""^ ^'^^ ^^S' 
 
 that it may 5 
 
299 
 
 I have to staL 
 1 generally V7ej 
 laple, birch, bal. 
 
 soil is a sand) 
 twenty per ceal 
 ig nearly eightj 
 ;t to the westen 
 : and stony, well 
 ard wood mixei 
 ; of this extent 
 broken ground, 
 >r settlement. I 
 sttled. 
 
 ountry and am 
 ip sufficient for 
 
 nffin, 1857.) 
 
 phere a fall of thirty feet could be obtained and a constant flow of very 
 Islear water. The lake I crossed on the line A. B. is very deep and its waters 
 Lre very clear and cold ; the banks are very steep and rocky. It contains 
 jrout.chubb and perch. Lake "Wakeiield is a m^igniEcent sheet of clear water 
 lurrounded with a tract of undulating land ; its banks are not so precipitous 
 
 I the lake before described, but slope gradually to the water. 
 
 I would also briefly remark that I met with no parts excepting these 
 larked on the B. C. line and on the eouth outline of Portland line of which 
 lote has been taken in the field notes. 
 
 The country about the vicinity of lake "Wakefield is being rapidly settled 
 ihiefly by French Canadians and promises to be a rich agricultural country, 
 ising the valleys for grain and the uplands for sheep pasture ; there appears 
 obe an ice tract yet undivided marked as a gore on my plan, having a depth 
 fl one hundred and twenty-one chains and thirty-six links from C to D, and 
 uuning eastward to the western line of Buckingham ; the said tract might 
 )e advantageously subdivided by running a line through the centre of the 
 fore from west to east, so as to make a double range, in which case it would 
 )nly require to continue the line B. C. eastward to Buckingham and run 
 the centre line abovo mentioned. 
 
 (George-F. Austin, 24th September 1861.) 
 
 with hardly J Township of Wells. 
 
 ood deep hazel mu i i ^i. , • , ,r , 
 
 flat land. The through which I have surveyed, from about lot number 
 
 ixture of white '^^^^H*^^^^' southward, to the O'Dwyer outline is generally of ordinary 
 
 y ; in fact the '^^^ "^t^^e- ^^^ t^at from lot number thirty-four to the northern outline 
 
 almost unfit foi '®^^®®" ^^^^^ ^"^^ Mcaill is generally of a hilly description. These hills 
 
 ixtend along on each of the six ranges that I have surveyed, all running 
 
 with the parallels of longitude and in some places of a considerable height, 
 
 ing more laud They are, however, separated by some good arable valleys, which are well 
 
 ; two or three|dapted for hay and other crops. The hills, although in some places rough 
 
 lands. On theland stony, contain good loamy soil, and, as they are well watered wi°th 
 
 cultivation. Jpure springs and brooks, will be found to make good pasturage for stock, 
 
 ■if required, in future days. On this north side of the township, 1 found a 
 
 water powei,!^''^® *^^^*^ ^^ ^^^^^ well wooded with maple trees ; in fact, it is the largest 
 
 of Templetcn 
 
 and best sugar bush I have ever surveyed through, and I have no doubt, 
 that it may yet became a valuable maple sugary for settlers. 
 
800 
 
 A bng the northern outline the land was generally very rough and 
 no real value for farming purposes. From lot number thirty-four throujrh 
 the southern portion of the township to the outline between Wellf. 
 Villeneuve, the land is generally well adapted for farming, and now wh 
 th.. range Imes are well opened out, and the lot posts properly plaulld 
 affords a good opportunity for settlers to make homes for themselves Thl 
 IS to >vards the centre of Wells, from the sixth range westwards, a level tr 
 of heavy land the soil in some places being rocky, and in other p)a 
 black and yellow loam, interspers.3d here and there with an occasion 
 beaver meadow. This land is certainly ^cry rich, and I have no dou 
 may yet became of great value to this section of the country. Althon 
 there are not many lakes, worthy of much notice, where I have survey! 
 still the township is well watered with pure springs and running brook 
 and small rivers all of which contain good healthy water, and are gene a 
 to be found m all directions. * 
 
 {James Roney, 23rd April, 1870.) 
 
 ■adth, anc 
 vre. The 
 hich takes 
 oxit twent 
 lOut a milt 
 [)nly called 
 erage brea 
 low it twc 
 rel countr] 
 rtion of sai 
 e country 
 ffrain and 
 urse is thi 
 ich;theB< 
 •eminent c 
 most level 
 iu chains i 
 
 Township of Wobassee. 
 
 ■ 
 
 I beg to make a few remarks concerning the topographical features o 
 
 this township as far as they have came to my cognizance. Besides the rive 
 
 du Lievre, there are four water courses which traverse the township iu 
 
 southern and southeastern direction; the most southern of them is Gatinea 
 
 creek which takes its rises on the height of land between the rivers Gat 
 
 neau and du Lievre, near the centre line of the said township of Wobasse 
 
 west, averaging about sixty links in breadth. It traverses in its lowe 
 
 course an almost level country of sandy and loamy soil. It has a good mil 
 
 site at the confluence with lake des Sables. The second water course is tha 
 
 of Bobish creek, which empties in to the river du Lievre, half a mile abov 
 
 Bobish creek rapids The upper course of said creek is very rapid, formiu| 
 
 cascades and sets of rapids in close succession. It rises on the height oflan 
 
 between the waters of the Gatineau and du Lievre, where it forms two lak, 
 
 of considerab e extent ; it averages in breadth fifty links. Near the moutJ 
 
 It forms a valley with marshy bottom. The third water course is that ci 
 
 Carp creek which takes its rise in the township of Bouthillier, near tb 
 
 south outline. It drams a considerable extent of country, which is compa 
 
 ratively level and contains good clay soil ; it averages about fifty links i. 
 
 The lan^ 
 the upper 
 odating a i 
 ^ the line \. 
 le townshi] 
 le between 
 rough a 00 
 a north w 
 le rising of 
 
 The nor 
 urposes, on 
 ay and loai 
 
 01' valuo 
 mks of the : 
 ortion of th 
 uality, yet 
 
801 
 
 very rough and 
 ty-four throughc 
 >etween "Wells ai 
 ig, and now who 
 •roperly planted, i 
 themselves. The 
 wards, a level tra 
 id in other plac 
 ith an occasioL 
 I I have no dou'n 
 uutry. Althouj 
 i I have surveye 
 i running broofc 
 , and are general 
 
 ^ April, 1870.) 
 
 Jeadth, and has a good mill site near its confluence wnth the river du 
 jevre. The largest and most northern water course is that of Pearce's creek 
 jhich takes its rise near the north outline of the township of Bouthillier, 
 lo\it twenty-two miles from its confluence with the said river du Lievre. 
 ])Out a mile from its mouth it forms a basin of considerable extent, com. 
 
 only called lake des Camps, which is nearly five hundred acres large. The 
 [erage breadth of said creek, rbove lake des Camps, is about one chain and 
 [low it two chains. It traverses noarly the whole length of its course a 
 
 rel country well adapted for agricultural purposes. Around the western 
 jrtion of said lake des Camps and on both banks of the creek below the lake, 
 |e country is all taken up by settlers, who grow a considerable quantity 
 ] grain and hay. Concerning the river du Lievre, I beg to state that its 
 
 irse is throughout very rapid and often interrupted by sets of rapids of 
 
 iich|the Bobish, Devil's, Long, Lambert's and Grenier's rapids are the most 
 hminent ones. The country on both banks of the river is undulatino- 
 jmost level, now and then intersected by narrow ridges while the moun 
 liu chains Irom the interior shoal towards the river. 
 
 The land along its western and northern shores from lake des Sables 
 the upper Lacoon consists of good farming land and - capable of accom- 
 odating a number of settlers with good farm sites. The country intersected 
 f the line between the second and third ranges of the western portion of 
 le township as fas ae surveyed is level and consists of ijand and clay. The 
 le between the first and second ranges of said western portion passes 
 rough a country which is much cut up by mountain chains, running 
 a north western direction ; and about two thirds of the land is unfit for 
 
 ■ 
 
 phical features 
 
 Besides the rive 
 
 lie township iu 
 
 them is G-atinea^*^ rising of grain, but would afford good pasturage. 
 
 a the rivers G-at: 
 ship of Wobassei 
 ses in its lowe 
 t has a good mil 
 ter course is tha 
 lalf a mile abovi 
 •y rapid, forraiuj 
 ho height of Ian 
 forms two lak( 
 Near the moutli 
 course is that 
 hillier, near thi 
 which is compa 
 ut fifty links ii 
 
 The noi-thern portion of the township is more adapted to farming 
 urposes, on account of its less mountainous nature. The soil consists of 
 ay and loam and is more accessible from the river du Lievre. 
 
 Of valuable timber, such as pine, and tamarac, none is left near the 
 inks of the river, but west of lake des Camps, in the western and northern 
 ortion of the township, some of it is to be met with, not to say of the best 
 uality, yet such as would realize a fair price when brought to market 
 
 {R. Rauscher, 25th February, 1867.) 
 
802 
 
 COUNTY OF PONTIAO. 
 
 Township of Aberford. 
 
 I have delineated the natural features of the country on the plan hem 
 with such as mountains, swamps, burned lands, and the roads. The b!! 
 part of the land is situated on the south side of the west branch of the D 
 Mome and a the north west corner of the township, but there is rather bet^ 
 land out of the township around Sucker lake than there is in t Frl 
 Sucker lake, south westward, across Bear river towards the DeuxRivZ 
 there are very nice parcels of hardwood with what lumbermen wo" 
 call scattering large white pine. "^'' 
 
 [Duncan Sinclair, *lih. March, 1861.) 
 
 ember tw< 
 ghtpen on 
 ises mixed 
 
 There i 
 ow growir 
 lere is not 
 uilding pi 
 
 There i 
 is com par 
 
 Township of Aldfleld. 
 
 The land is chiefly a sandy loam ; the township on the whole is very 
 hi y and in some places very rocky ; it is well wooded and watered S 
 settlers make maple sugar in large quantities. 
 
 Cawoo^d. ^''* ^'^^"^ ^'^''' '" '^'" ^''* "^ '^' P'"^"^*^^ ^'^ ^^ ^^dfield and 
 
 I am confident that phosphate deposits will bo fouhd \ Aldfield as 
 the rocks associated with that economic mineral crop out in .e.eral plac " 
 
 {B. McGrath, 2nd May, 1878.) 
 
 Township of Alleyn. 
 
 Tho land thronghont (he township of Alleyn ie chiefly all fit for agri- 
 
 c«tnral purpose., the soil being generally a heavy loam, timbered chiefly 
 
 lid . r • "7 ■"";^'""=*^"'" Pi»« 'in-ber (hat i. or ha. been in thi 
 
 .aid townsh.p « along the Ca.abazua creek, Grave creek, and from lot 
 
 The ar€ 
 
 )ttawa rive 
 
 lountain w 
 
 stony and 
 
 round is lis 
 
 From tl: 
 hough rolli; 
 he townshi; 
 f yellow pii 
 Im, birch, \ 
 fpine was 
 
 From tl 
 s very mou 
 and is more 
 acre to the 
 he new gro 
 1 inches in c 
 
303 
 
 5n the plan her© 
 roads. The bes 
 ranch of the Di 
 ire is rather bette 
 Js in it. Fron 
 le Deux Riviere^ 
 nbermen would 
 
 arch, 1861.) 
 
 lumber twenty-seven, on the sixth, seventh and eighth ranges, to lot number 
 Ightcen on said sixth, seventh and eighth ranges, the pine being in all 
 ses mixed with hard wood. 
 
 There is no place in said township "where pine timber has been or is 
 |ow growing bvit has been culled and worked through. I consider that 
 lere is not sufficient timber left in said township to furnish materials for 
 uilding purposes for the settlement of the township. 
 
 There is no difficulty in having roads in any part of said township as 
 is comparatively level and very free from swales or swamps. 
 
 (John Holmes, 17th March, 1862.) 
 
 Township of Boisolair. 
 
 le whole is very 
 I v^^atered. The 
 
 in Aldfield and 
 
 t i Aldlieldas 
 I bereral places. 
 
 ^B,y, 18V8.) 
 
 all fit for agri' 
 mbered chiefly 
 as been in the 
 , and from lot 
 
 The area surveyed amounts to 8,702 acres. The north bank of the 
 )ttawa river which bounds this township to the south is bordered by a 
 lountain whose height varies between 50 and 200 feet, and whose surface 
 stony and uncultivable, except in the Ottawa river range, in which the 
 rouud is flat and good and may be advantageously tilled. 
 
 From the centre line to the eastern extremity of the township, the soil, 
 ough rolling, is first class and very favorable to cultivation. This part of 
 he township is well wooded. The principal merchantable timber consists 
 f yellow pine, hemlock and oak ; maple prevails in some spots ; bass wood, 
 m, birch, white pine and cedar are also met with. A considerable amount 
 f pine was cut this winter. 
 
 From the centre line to the western limit of the township, the surface 
 very mountainous and unfavorable to settlement, but going north, the 
 and is more level and the soil better. In this part of the township and 
 acre to the north nnd west, fire, some years ago, destroyed all the timber ; 
 he new growth is < omposed of aspen, white birch, oak and pine from 2 to 
 i inches in diameter. 
 
 {J.-L. Michaud, 14th April, 18S8.) 
 
304 
 
 Township of Ohuroh. 
 
 The quality of the soil to a great extent is loam, and the timber mixed 
 hard wood, \vith in some places a' few pines. Towards the north west 
 corner of the township the land is inferior, but in other parts the land is of 
 a good ordinary nature for agricultural pursuits. 
 
 (James Roney, 1876.) 
 
 Township of Olapham. 
 
 The land through which I have surveyed is of a good ordinary nature 
 and there bemc? many good roads leading through the township. I have uo 
 doubt but ere ling it will become a good settlement. In the vicinity of 
 lake Helen and lake Kandikaginaw, the land is of a superior quality and I 
 think that, if it were the pleasure of the Government to order the completion 
 ot the survey of the township, it certainly would prove a boon to colonization 
 
 {James Roney, 8th March, 1869.) 
 
 Township of Duhamel. 
 
 Petite Riviere, wnere I began this survey, runs through a very lar?e 
 tract of the best of farming lands, and there are immense valleys of level 
 land in all directions. I am informed that the land lying in the rear of that 
 surveyed in Duhamel is superior to that included within the ran"-eliael 
 have already run, and last year several settlers have gone in and erected 
 houses and are making farms for themselves in that tract of land, which is 
 ol an enormous extent I am told. 
 
 Along the line in rear of the third rang, the land in general is of a level 
 description, and the subsoil clay with loam on the top. Alono- the line bet- 
 ween the second and third ranges there are larg^ valleys, in which the laud 
 13 of a superior description, and many of the lots are already taken up ; the 
 land that I passed over on the line between the first and second ran-es, is 
 pretty good for farming ; there are some stoay hills, that will yet be 
 required for building purposes by s 'ttlers ; but in other places there are very 
 
806 
 
 he timber mixedl 
 8 the north west I 
 rts the land is of I 
 
 "ioney, 1876.) 
 
 ordinary naiure, 
 (iship. I have no 
 1 the vicinity of 
 >r quality, and I 
 r the completion 
 I to colonization 
 
 irch, 1869.) 
 
 ?h a very large 
 valleys of level 
 the rear of that 
 fie range line I 
 in and erected 
 land, which is 
 
 ral is of a level 
 g the line bet- 
 vhich the land 
 taken up ; the 
 iond ranges, is 
 t will yet be 
 there are very 
 
 good valleys well adapted for settlement. The few lots in the first range 
 ou the point south of centre line is very rough, hilly and rocky, and will 
 hardly ever be of any use only in some places for pasturage. 
 
 The next place we came to worthy of remarking is the mining claim 
 of E. Wright and Mr. Leckie. I paid great attention to the survey of these 
 mines, and it entirely corresponded with the local survey that those parties 
 had heretofore performed. The outline between Guigues and Duhamel 
 comes out in a bay in the mining location of Mr. Leckie, this outline passes 
 through a very fine tract, and the .land is well adapted for settlements on 
 both sides of it. 
 
 A great part of the township of Duhamel is very easily cleared, and the 
 fire has passed over it and left the land almost ready for the plough. This 
 is of great benefit to the early settler, and saves him a large amount of 
 labor thai he would otherwise have to perform. 
 
 {James Ronep, tth June, 1884.) 
 
 All the land which I surveyed in this township was burnt over 
 sixteen or eighteen years ago. The new growth is poplar, white birch, 
 willow and cherry. A few small clumps of green wood are seen in moist 
 places, near the streams, rvers and lakes. The burnt timber which is still 
 standing, especially the cedar, of which there is a considerable quantity, 
 may be used in the construction of the first houses of the settlers, and for 
 firev^^ood ; but there will always be difficulty in procuring timber for saw- 
 logs and building purposes. 
 
 The Lac des Quinze road, which crosses the township from east to west, 
 is an old lumber road and is of great use to the settlers. It is practicable for 
 wheeled vehicles. The Paradis road is passable only in winter. 
 
 Water-power can be obtained on the Otter river, and on the north 
 branch of the Little White Fish river by building dams at the head of the 
 small rapids. 
 
 Moose Island, which contains a superficies of eighteen hundred acres, 
 is covered with growing timber. Young red pine predominates, and cedar, 
 balsam, spruce and white birch are abundant. I found that it had been 
 burnt over about fifty or sixty yeai < ago, and that the largest timber did 
 not exceed eighteen inches in diameter at the stump. 
 
 20 
 
3011 
 
 ffi 
 
 i\ «•¥.- 
 
 I boff l.mvo to «uffgo8l, that this island Im roservoi as a source from 
 which tnub...- may ho pro.ain.cl for (ho lutun. nHimrmumiH ol .olonizafion 
 Rud I huvo no doubt that it woubl b., in roo.I ha.idH ilirnintml to th« Ul, 
 T.'in.H.anun«:un (Jolonii^ation Society lor this purpoHo. Tho NoiJ on th.^Nlaiul 
 18 vory rich, boinj? compoN.,.! of^rroy and yoUow clayey oarth, oov.^rml with 
 n layor ol jnould IVom lour to Urn mchm in thic^knesH. 
 
 Tho 8ilvor mino, situat.Hl at tho north wost anfflc of tho townNhip ol 
 I)uhamel. is in operation sinco last spring. CruHhin- „njfi.io8 and stoam 
 drillM havo boon not up. ,S..voral tons of irtinoral hiivo boon j^ot out durinir 
 tho Hummor, Mr. Wriffht, tho proprietor, is about to go and sot upasmoltinff 
 iurnaou. ** 
 
 (P.-T.-C. Dumaix, Hth Mairh, 1886.) 
 
 Township of Dorlon. 
 
 ThiP traot is naturally divided into four grand divisions, whii^h, for 
 conv(>nionco, [ «hall dosignato tho north eastern, the south eastern, the 
 iniddle and the woK.'rn, and each having distiiiiit and well delinod pecii 
 liarities, claims and especial notice. 
 
 Firstly. Iho north eastern division comprises that portion extendin.r /,om 
 the Kandikagamaw lake o.i the w<vst, to Cherry creek on the east, and IVom 
 the Tikanock river on Iho south to an unknown distance northward. This 
 IS an elevated plateau slightly undulating and in parallelism to the Kandika- 
 gamaw lake, in general gradually descen ling to its frontier waters. Tho 
 t^oil IS of a light gravelly nature, bu-ing composed of a mixture of clay, sand 
 and gravel, and occasionally small boulders or surface stones. 
 
 The prevailing timber is hard wood, chielly consisting of maple, beech. 
 birch, poi)lar, iron wood, and in some places bass wood, oak, elm and ash; 
 soft wood is rarely to be met with, except in the immediate vicinity of 
 lakes or streams. A considerable proportion is small, apparently of recent 
 growth, leading to the belief that, at no very remote period, this locality has 
 been visited by destructive iires. Very little water is to be met with iu 
 traversing this district ; the numerous rills met in the spring are only tempo- 
 rary and are for the most extent dry in summer. This section is well fit for 
 6ettlem>iit. 
 
307 
 
 I n Honrco from 
 [)1 <oloniziif ion ; 
 t<Hl to th»> F.ak.' 
 'il on tho iNliiiid 
 1, oovtrrwl with 
 
 »' townshii) ol 
 11(^8 and stouin 
 ^ot out during 
 t up Ji smolting 
 
 ri'h, 1886.) 
 
 ns, whiiih, Ibr 
 
 Il eastern, the 
 
 dolinod pocu- 
 
 xtonding/iom 
 Mist, and I'rom 
 thwurd. Til is 
 ) th(3 Kandiica- 
 watms. Till) 
 I of clay, siuid 
 
 maple, boecli. 
 ehu and asli ; 
 e vicinity of 
 ntly of recent 
 is locality has 
 ( met with iu 
 e only tempo- 
 is well fit for 
 
 Secondly, thw Nouth oaHttirn division comprises that portion extend- 
 ing from Otter lak.s and the I'ikunock river, on the north and west, to 
 tht' Dan ford lake and Kaziihazua river on the oast unrl south. I know less 
 of this secrtion except from report than any of the others, describing what I 
 have ohsorved and the analogy between it and the remainder. This tra(!t, 
 witli the exception of a range of flat hills extending along Otter lake and 
 the I'ikanock river a little beyond where it is intersected by the line formerly 
 between Stanhop.; and Clapham, is a low flat country interspersed with liat. 
 (:oni(nil hillocks, somewhat resembling shocks of hay on a meadow. The soil is 
 various, consisting here of clay, there of sand, and again a mixture of both. 
 There are very few lakes, but a goodly number of wild meadows. The 
 timber is mixed wood, soft wood predominating in the low lands ; pine is 
 ivbiiudant and of excellent quality ; and a great quantity of saw logs is 
 nniuuiUy made here by Gilmour & Co. From what I have seen and heard 
 this section is well adapted for settlement. 
 
 Thirdly, the middle division comprises that portion between the Hka- 
 nock liivor, Otter lake and lake Dumont. In respect of quality of soil, this 
 division uuiy be divided into two sections the northern and the southern ; 
 the northern pectiou comprises that portion descending toward the waters 
 of lake Dumont, extending ibr the greater part south of the uorth outline of 
 Clapham ; this, though somewhat broken and irregular, contains much 
 good land, covered with a splendid growth oi maple, beech, birch, bass 
 wood, and is partly sot down as very eligible land for settlement. The 
 southern section comprises the remainder ; the surface of this portion is very 
 much broken, irregular hills, mural precipices and strewn with myriads of 
 boulders of all shapes and dimensions, weighing from many tons to a 
 single pound, some angular, others well rounded, and in such profusion 
 that it would seem as if they were showered upon it from the haavens like 
 ft hail storm in a heavy wind. Many isolated spots of good laud are here 
 and there to bj found, but too limited to be recommended as available for 
 SL'ltlement. The hills on :he south and west sides are generally covered 
 with pine, and on the north and east with hard wood A great quantity of saw 
 logs have been made here. I have observed through this section a curious 
 geological phenomenon. It is a well established fact that during the dilu- 
 vial formation, the glacial drift moved from a north eastern direction towards 
 the south, leaving iu a broken country the north eastern slopes bare and 
 mural, depositing the debris on the south western limbs, filling their crevices 
 and fissures and forming gradual slopes with a southern aspect. Here 
 the case is reversed and the current seams to have proceeded from the oppo- 
 
808 
 
 
 ll.'^ 
 
 site course, for tho 80Uth westoru slopcsH are bare and precipitous, iiud the 
 north eastern gradual, covered with these diluvial stones to which I have 
 already rofernid. To account satisfactorily for this seeming contradictioH 
 in science, it appears to me that the freighted wave, shortly after passin;? 
 hero mot a contrary and stroni^er current from the south, forcing the glacial 
 one back, and the southern wave being warmer speedily dissolved the berir, 
 dropping in piles innumerable its luckless, unwieldy burden. Prom the 
 foregoing it is manifest that this may be classed amongst those districts 
 unfit for settlement. 
 
 Fourthly, thi western division comprises the portion west of Pikauock 
 river. It may be subdivided into two sections, the north eastern and the 
 south western. The north eastern section comprises the belt extending 
 from the I'ikanock river to Moore's lake, thence along a- chain of lakt^s to 
 Hickey's lake, and northward beyond Squaw lake, an unascertained dis- 
 tance. This contains some of the best land in this survey, particularly that 
 on the north of Squaw lake to the river. The soil generally is a rich black 
 mould on a Rul)stratutu of clay. The surface is a little broken and the hills 
 arable to their summits, and covered with a heavy growth of mixed large 
 timber. There is much ma[)le, birch, bass wood, beech, pine and balsam 
 Great quantities of pine are annually manufactured in the east side of this 
 section. It is well tit for settlement. The south western comprises the 
 remainder of this division, remarkable for its elevation, sterility and the 
 extent of its jiineries. Much square timber has been manufactured here ; it is 
 a forbiddin*^ locality for the ajjriculturist. 
 
 From the preceding imperfect sketches, you will perceive that in my 
 opinion all Stanhope and the unsurveyed lands immediately north of it, area 
 lit and desirable locality for colonization, as well as that portion ofClaphara 
 east of the Kaudikagiwaw lake, and south and east of the Pikanock river 
 and Otter lake, and that as soon as convenient, it should be made available 
 to the settler. Also all the country surrounding lake Duu.ont, that portion of 
 Clapham we.>t of the river Pikanock, Huddersfield, northward of a line 
 joining Moore and Hickey's lakes, and the lands immediately north of it are 
 all well tit f<?r colonization. 
 
 (/.-L.-P. O'Hanhj, 29th October, 1860.) 
 
809 
 
 tou8, tthd the 
 kvhich I have 
 contradiction 
 after pjissinsf 
 ij? the glacial 
 ired the berg, 
 
 I Prom tha 
 lose districts 
 
 i of Pikauock 
 tern and the 
 It extending 
 
 II of lab^s to 
 artained dis- 
 icularly that 
 
 a rich black 
 and the hills 
 mixed large 
 and balsam 
 5t side of this 
 omprises the 
 \ity and the 
 id here ; it is 
 
 e that in my 
 thofit, area 
 i of Claphara 
 ianock river 
 ule available 
 at portion of 
 rd of a line 
 orth of it are 
 
 r, 1860.) 
 
 The land in the southern, v -stern and m'dd'.e portions of the township 
 of Dorion is comparatively level und well suited for successful cirltivation ; 
 the prevailing timber is hard wood, and the soil is for the most part a sandy 
 loam, and in some places a clay loam. There is a continual succession of 
 hard wood ridges with cedar, tamarac or balsam swamps intervening • 
 these swamps are of limited extent and will be rather an advantage to the 
 settlor than otherwise as they contain a rich alluvial soil, washed down 
 from the adjacent hills, and servo to furnish him with fence timber and 
 sometimes with wild hay and water for his horses and cattle. 
 
 The ninth range and the seventh and eighih ranges east of the centre 
 line are not so well situated for agriculture as the residue of the township ; 
 the land is more uneven and rocky ; pine and balsam are the prevailing 
 timber, there are however occasional spots of good hard wood land to be 
 found even here ; there is a considerable quantity of merchantable white 
 pine timber, and some red pine in this portion of the township, and it is 
 easily transported to the Gatineau river, by three different routes. 
 
 I have found it extremely difficult to draw^ a line of division between 
 the different descriptions of timber growing upon the land, as in most cases 
 hard wood and pine are to be found in the township of Dorion intermixed 
 together. I ha\e, however, endeavoured to follow the spirit of the instruc- 
 tions which I have received from the Crown Lands Department in that 
 respect ; the opinion advanced by interested parties that pine timber only 
 grows upon soil of inferior quality is merely a popular fallacy, which 
 the experience of every practical farmer and lumberer on the Ottawa, 
 proves to be incorrect, for it is a fact that cannot be disputed that the best 
 quality of white pine timber is usually found growing among hard wood ; 
 and that the most productive farms in this section of the province were in 
 their primitive state, covered by a very considerable porportion of pine timber. 
 
 In my opinion, the township of Dorion offers many advantages to the 
 settler ; the soil is good, and it is accessible at all seasons of the year ; 
 waggon roads lead to the eastern boundary, and one made in August leads 
 through the third range to the Ronde Raggera lake ; there is also a good 
 winter road to the north end of said lake ; it is also at a comparatively con- 
 venient distance from saw mills, grist mills, churches, stores, post-offices, 
 and besides the manufacture of saw logs is carried on to a considerable 
 extent in the vicinity, and will afford a profitable market to the settlers for 
 their surplus produce, and give constant employment to themselves and 
 their teams during the winter. 
 
 {James McArthur, 2Vth October, 1864.) 
 
310 
 
 I' 'fi 
 
 
 TownahipB of Duhamel, Laverlochere and Quiguea. 
 
 The soil throughout these townships is an excellent marl, varied 
 occasionally by a lighter black, loam/ soil. There can be no doubt of the 
 excellence of the quality of this soil as witnessed by its producing qualities. 
 The only point about it at all open to question is, as to the suitability of the 
 climate, where late frosts in the spring and early frosts in the autumn 
 prevail. 
 
 It is of importance to the solution of this question, to have the evidence 
 of a resident who has cultivated his land for twenty-three (23) years past • 
 and who nssured me that, with the exception of the season of 1885, he had 
 always secured his crops in excellent time and condition, having taken the 
 necessary precaution of the early sowing of his grain. Of this season's 
 growth, I can speak from i)ersonal observation, and I must say that the 
 wheat, barley, rye an^ oats were well headed and fully matured, this, 
 together with the appearance of the harvested fields, promised a very heavy 
 yield per acre. I am of opinion, however, that as a cattle raising country, 
 it has no superior with a similar climate ; here, timothy could be seen from 
 three and one-half to four feet high ; and the aftergrowth in the meadows 
 presented a mass of matted vegetation, in which the clover leaves had 
 assumed the largest dimensions. The certainty of crops maturing before 
 the autumn fiosts will be ensured when the area of cultivated* land is 
 largely increased, and, above all, when each farmer adopts some system of 
 drainage, whereby, owing to the clayey nature of the soil, much of its 
 superfluous moisture will be drained off, instead of undergoing the present 
 slow proces"? of absorption and evaporation. As it is, owing to this excess 
 of moisture, the crops continue growing into that season when they should 
 be ripening. 
 
 "he country is one eminently suited to settlement, both on account of 
 the nature of the soil and the present easy means of access to it. la addi- 
 tion, the larger portion is so thor ughly burnt over, that a very limited 
 amount oi labor will prepare it for the plough. A youth of nineteen 
 prepared twelve acres of land in the autumn of one year for the followin<^ 
 spring ploughing. In many places, with the exception of an occasional 
 blufFcf balmofgilead and aspen (some as large as two feet in diameter), 
 nothing remains of the original forest but here and there a solitary enduring 
 pine, with the last traces of its fellows disappearing from the ground 
 kbout it. 
 
811 
 
 J3. 
 
 marl, varied 
 
 doubt of the 
 
 sing qualities. 
 
 itabilityofthe 
 
 t the autumn 
 
 } the evidence 
 J) years past ; 
 1885, he had 
 ing taken the 
 
 this season's 
 ; say that the 
 atured, this, 
 a very heavy 
 ing country, 
 
 be seen from 
 the meadows 
 r leaves had 
 uring before 
 i^ated land is 
 me system of 
 
 much of its 
 f the present 
 ) this excess 
 L they should 
 
 n account of 
 t. In addi- 
 very limited 
 of nineteen 
 e following 
 1 occasional 
 n diameter), 
 iry enduring 
 the ground 
 
 Lumbering operations are being carried on within twenty miles of lake 
 Temiscamingue, so that employment can be very easily hid during the 
 winter months. The enormous numbers of men and teams thua employed 
 afford, and will afford for years, a most advantageous market for all produce. 
 This autumn one farmer sold forty tons of hay at $40 a ton, whilst oats 
 were worth 60c. to t5c. a bushel ; thus, a settler is certain of more than a 
 fair remuneration for hie labor. 
 
 The sub-divided portion of the township of Duhamei is much encroach- 
 ed on by isolated ridges of bare rocks, leaving, however eighty per cent 
 of available land, I should estimate. The VI range contains nearly 100 per 
 cent of land, whilst, in range VII these ridges become more numerous 
 towards the southern portion. 
 
 Ranges I, II and III of the township of Laverlochere have the value of 
 their southern portions from the centre line much interfered with by these 
 ridges : this is also the case with the undivided portion of this township, 
 leaving the land in rear of range III, on the north side of the centre line, 
 as that which is best suited for further sub-division. A reference to the 
 accompanying plan will show, approximately, what the nature of the timber 
 is. I am therefore of opinion that the north hr.lf, from the centre line, of 
 ranges III, IV and V only, could be sub-divided without interiering with 
 the lumbering interests, as there the growth is almost entirely aspen and 
 balm of gilead. 
 
 The township of G-uigues has very few rocky ridges in it ; a border 
 along the shores of lake Temiscamingue, and a very few in the interior, 
 leave a very large proportion cf laud available for cultivation. Ranges V 
 to IX might be sub-divided without getting into the actual pine lands ; as, 
 with the exception of scattered trees, the growth, where not burnt over, is 
 balm of gilead and aspen, with a few spruce. 
 
 There is a large proportion of the Isle du College covered with red and 
 white pine ; the land on these ridges is rocky and stony, leaving a few 
 limited valleys of land fit for cultivation between them. All the shores are 
 rooky, and pine-covered as well ; and in my opinion the opening of this 
 island to settlement would be an injustice to the owner of the timber on it. 
 
 Isle Brule, lying just to the north of Isle du College, and of about the 
 same size, is an island entirely destitute of timber, but on which there is 
 excellent soil. At present, there are several settlers on it, who are much 
 inconvenienced by the want of boui> Is, and each others' consequent 
 encroachments. 
 
 (W.-A. Ashe, 1SS1.) 
 
■i^ 
 
 812 
 
 
 Township of Fabre. 
 
 The physical aspect of this township is not the most inviting at first 
 sight from lake T^miscamingue, as the few mountains or rather high grounds 
 forming its shore for about half its breadth are rocky and barren, giving 
 the impression that the rear country can possess no facilities for colonization 
 However, by going back a little from the shore on the east side, one is 
 astonished and delighted to find there immense flats of fine, slightly rolling 
 land, with an excellent soil for the most difficult grain growing. The soil 
 is composed of a strong, grey clay loam, covered to a depth of 3 inches with 
 vegetable mould. The mountains only occur in the first and second ranges, 
 where they occupy about a quarter of those two ranges and are from 150 
 to 400 feet high. The remainder of the ground, as well ns in the third and 
 fourth ranges (although cut here and there by small rocks) may be consid- 
 ered first class land for colonization. 
 
 About two thirds of this township have been ravaj?ed by fire, in the 
 northern part, since some 18 or 20 years, and in the southern at a later 
 period (some "7 or 8 years). The new growth in these brul6s consists of 
 aspen, white birch, poplar, willow and cherry. The third centre is covered 
 with fine growing timber of all kinds, such as white spruce, cedar, fir, 
 white birch, tamarac, red pine, cypress, white pine, maple, mountain ash, 
 willow and hazel. The largest trees vary from 10 to 30 inches in diameter! 
 but nearly the whole of the merchantable pine has been cut off by the 
 limit owners and the proof of this is found in the fact that no more 
 lumbering has been carried on for some years. 
 
 The land is well watered by the small rivers " Young," " Lavallee " 
 and " G-rier ", and also by numerous brooks whose banks are not very high 
 in many places, and offer an incomparable soil for hay-growing. On the 
 first of these rivers, much work was done for a distance of 12 to 15 miles 
 to facilitate the descent of saw logs, and the same remark applies to the 
 second but only for a distance of 4 to 5 miles. 
 
 On each of these rivers, it will be easy to obtain water powers by con- 
 structing dams on the little rapids. These powers would not be very great, 
 but they would be enough to run saw and grist mills for the use of the 
 future settlers. 
 
 The limit owners, who get out timber at 12 or 15 miles to the east of 
 the lake have cut two roads which traverse the surveyed part from east to 
 
 In the 
 to the nort 
 upwards i 
 centre line 
 I think, h»i 
 vfill be eaj 
 through tl 
 of the cent 
 good hard 
 range line 
 for agricu 
 river, up 
 the spring 
 land in eii 
 loam, and 
 those twc 
 rivers, all 
 
 Thep 
 of colonizi 
 The soil, ^ 
 with blac 
 tops of thi 
 sandy. 
 
318 
 
 nvitiug at first 
 
 er high grounds 
 barren, giving 
 For colonization, 
 ast side, one is 
 slightly rolling 
 wing. The soil 
 )f 3 inches with 
 second ranges, 
 i are from 150 
 n the third and 
 may be consid- 
 
 by fire, in the 
 ;hern at a later 
 il§s consists of 
 ntre is covered 
 uce, cedar, fir, 
 mountain ash, 
 les in diameter, 
 5ut off by the 
 that no more 
 
 ," " Lavallee " 
 not very high 
 ving. On the 
 12 to 15 miles 
 applies to the 
 
 owers by cou- 
 be very great, 
 the nse of the 
 
 to the east of 
 :t from east to 
 
 ■vest ; these roads are very practicable, especially the one which passes in 
 he neighborhood of " Young Creek " and crosses it on the third range by 
 cans of a bridge which cost from $200 to $250, and which was constructed 
 ast summer to replace another that had fallen into ruin. The other road 
 which starts from lot 18 of the second range is not so much used, but it is 
 in passable state and will be of great utility to the new sttlers. 
 
 {P.-T.-C. Dumais, 12th May, 1888.) 
 
 Township of Ouifirues. 
 
 In the township of G-uigues, the land along lake Temiscamingue, up 
 to the north of the river Abbaka, is rough and hilly, but from that river 
 upwards it is of a more level description. In rear of the first range from 
 centre line down to outline, over southern part of the township, the fire, 
 I think, has burnt about one half of the wood and a good part of the land 
 vfill be easily cleared and made ready for crop. Thera are beautiful valleys 
 through this tract of land, and the soil is very good. All of the woods north 
 of the centre line are a heavy green bush, and in general well timbered with 
 good hard wood of a sound nature. Along the second, third and fourth 
 range line, the land in general is pretty level, and exceedingly well adapted 
 for agricultural pursuits. Around the large bay from the mouth of Ottertail 
 river, up to Grand Depot, the land is very low, and the high water in 
 the spring floods the shore for quite a distance. I found very little sandjr 
 land iu either the townships of Guigues or Duharael, the soil being chiefly 
 loam, and the subsoil clay of the very best farming descriptions. I found 
 those two townships well watered with abundance of springs, brooks and 
 rivers, all of which contained the very best of drinking water. 
 
 {James Roney, 7th June, 1884.) 
 
 The physical character of this township, is well suited to the progress 
 of colonization. The land in general is slightly rolling, not to say level. 
 The soil, which is composed of a greyish clayey earth, mixed in many places 
 with black mould, is admirably suited to the growth of cereals. On the 
 tops of the small hills, the soil is yellow, sometimes rich and occasionally 
 
 sannv. 
 
314 
 
 [ntres, it "W 
 ■ogress an( 
 
 The so.,t!.m half of this township has been ravaffed bv fire w^rTT^ 
 theless m the 7th, 8th and 9th ranges, wherever the^l„L ! 1„! ''ll fine" 
 very evel, there are strips of several hundred acres each. w\ ch ha : '1' a ,ow 
 he fire a.,d on which theprimoev.l forest still stands. The younn , 
 in the brul«s is the same as in Fabre. but there are more spaces f J 
 from 6 to 10 acres, which are real meadows and on wWch wUd havZ" 
 m abundance. "* "^^ grows] 
 
 The northern part is still covered with fine growing timber «„oK 
 white spruce, cedar, fir, red and while pine, whit^ birch^as^n and .elloJ 
 birch, ranging from 10 to 35 inches in diameter. Along the streams 
 IS also a good deal of aider. ^ streams, there 
 
 In the northern part and especialy in the vicinity of the riv.r A Respec 
 
 Quin.e, there is still a certain quantity of merchantable Lite andrrpitit 11?; 
 
 The Otter river, which waters the southwestern portion of the tnw. 1'*^ " «^i^ 
 ship, IS a stream with an average breadth of 100 feet nrv'^able wit^^^^^^^ 
 mterruption for a distance of 9 to 10 miles from its m^uth when t^S 
 ot the lake is not very low. It is used as a means of communication LT 
 new settlers. There are no mountains in this township The el on) 
 few rocks, of small extent, on the first four lots of the eih and%r . ' ' 
 near the southern outline and on the ten or twel've last lots f the ^1"^ 
 9th ranges near the river des Quinze. ^ ^"^^ 
 
 This last river, which forms the northern boundarv nf tha , 
 IS the continuation of the river Ottawa ; its bread hove^thstm^'^^ 
 IS from 8 to 15 chains. There are two fills nn +>.o V !u ^^*"'' 
 
 on the fifth range, capable of suM^n/t/Ltt Tt^w^tTr^rs t 
 
 On the sixth and seventh ranges, there are three little lakes in whi.h 
 pike abound. Lake Sassaganigou, situated at the depth of the iiTn h Tan- 
 seemed to me pretty large (4 or f, miles long.) and possesses bays Zd is .nd ' 
 
 of this lake are high m some places and in others there are fine Id 
 
 beaches. Dams have been erected at its disch.,-,... .„ k i ft 
 
 facilitate th. descent of saw logs ,: the O^er rifer "" "' ""'"""'' 
 
 aesirSrrirett Tii^^^ ^^1:^::^^ r ^' '- 
 
 »o stones; in fact, I had in certain pl^ ::'lVv:trc::rfd:- d.roeTf 
 
 ine, balsaii 
 
 parts str( 
 
 asily clear( 
 
 le deductec 
 
 red and si 
 
 espect to t] 
 
 uperior qui 
 
 veil vvateri 
 
 lard wood. 
 
 with soft V 
 
 with beaut; 
 
 mth snow 
 
 ountry as 
 
 imestone v 
 
 :uUuval pu 
 
 The lai 
 and mounti 
 tionofPont 
 as a field fo 
 still yield li 
 
315 
 
 I by fire. Neve. 
 •ound is low and 
 lich have escaped 
 lie young growth 
 } spaces varyino 
 wild hay growsl 
 
 Lr two miles for my boundaries. I do not hesitate to add that it is one 
 the finest townships in the Province of Quebec, for settlement purposes, 
 id now that we have easy and direct communication with the trade 
 
 [ntres, it will not fail to be settled up rapidly, judging especially from the 
 
 [oTress and advancement of its neighbor, Duhamel. 
 
 (P.-T.-a Dumais, 12th May, 1888.) 
 
 timber such i 
 spen and yello 
 le streams, there 
 
 >f the river des 
 ite and red pine. 
 
 on of the town- 
 ngable without 
 . when the level 
 inication by the 
 lere are only a 
 ind 7 th ranges, 
 of the 8th and 
 
 ■ the township, 
 he still waters 
 range, and four 
 er powers. On 
 cascades which 
 
 lakes in which 
 e ninth range, 
 ys and islands. 
 Jrs. The banks 
 are fine sand 
 the water and 
 
 Township of Huddersfleld. 
 
 Respecting the fitness of this township for settlement, I have to state 
 lat it is well watered with springs and brooks, and generally well timbered 
 pith a mixture of hard and soft wood, chiefly maple, birch and beech, while 
 ine, balsam, fir and cedar prevail in wet and moist places. The soil is loamy, 
 
 parts strong, but well adapted in parts for cultivation, with beautiful flats 
 asily cleared for agricultural purposes. Of this extent twenty per cent may 
 e deducted for strong swampy and broken land, leaving about one hun- 
 ted and sixty-six lots, of one hundred acres each, fit for settlement ; with 
 
 spect to the northerly and w^esterly part of the township, the land is of a 
 uperior quality, the surface not so much broken as the part already described, 
 veil watered with springs and brooks, and the prevailing timber chiefly 
 ard wood. The westerly part of the township not being so much mixed 
 with soft wood as the part already described. The soil is good and loamy 
 with beautiful flats, well adapted for cultivation. The ground being covered 
 ft'ith snow prevented me from examining the geological features of the 
 ountry as much as I could wish. I am, however, prepared to state that 
 imestone will be found in the township sutficient for building and agri- 
 ultural purposes. 
 
 (P. Griffin, 1870.) 
 
 that could be 
 Jar. There are 
 1 a distance of 
 
 The land, as is usual after leaving the valley of the Ottawa, is rough 
 and mountainous, but there are some tracts quite equal to the settled por- 
 tion of Pontefract ; on the whole. I don't th: :! it falls far short of Pontefract 
 as a field for colonization ; there are a considerable deposits of pine which 
 still yield large profits to the lumberer, although ihey have been worked for 
 
 n 
 
'M is 
 
 sia 
 
 twenty years ; there are large tracts of hardwood also Kenerallv <,r„ ■ 
 Mrongson. Many years will not elapse before hard^oK Ihe S 
 and Black r.vers wi 1 be generating steam on the OttawITr on Si" 
 and afTordmg .mmediale remuneration to the farmer for clearing thet 
 
 (S.-L. Brabazon, 1S12.) 
 
 Geologi 
 Itntiac, up 
 I minerali 
 iications 
 ae. I als( 
 hproachini 
 lis lake is 
 
 Townships of Leslie and Oawood. | thil^vTdl 
 
 On passing the corner post between Clapham and AUeyn I fonn j 
 was obhterated ; therefore I renewed it byplanting agood ^ lul 
 m Its place, and blazed around it as witnesses. ^ ^ '^^ 
 
 the<°XTiri\Tdiit\reXJr;^rit;:l:r-'"'^; 
 
 the place of thenortherlypostbetweeUXtd'cr^Z^^rcirl The so. 
 
 Grlrcrek lakeTtb'" "\°fT '«'-»"'- ^^o Zn^rl , Jotd o 
 ontHne ■ P^""' °f mtersection with the Clapham soathe, urdBofth 
 
 After having fonnd this point, 1 planted a good large post sonar. .. 
 
 '^Xz:x.i^ ^'-■'-' - --'-oawUtr;: 
 
 Frorn this post, I continued due west to open up, blaze anew out ont 
 and plant p,ckets on the original outline, between Clapham auk «• 
 planting i„, posts at the perpendicular breadth of each thirteen chaiiTfo 
 Leslie, until I intersected the centre line between lots numb! s tweZ 
 and twenty-seven, which I blazed anew. twenty.,,, 
 
 what^iluT' t,VthT.'''T' ""^ T""^ "^ ""' """herlyoutline is «» 
 wnat rough, stil' the land is productive and yields goods crons m«, 
 
 especially of fine hay, and the generality of those'^ccupin'knd hT™ Z 
 houses, and are pretty well off. ^ ^ 
 
 lakes^otwhicT thVw T' ^^" ^^^P^^^ ^ith springs, brooks, rivers anc 
 lakes, ot which the waters are pure and very healthy, borne of the lakes ar 
 
 trout'"' T '"';? ^^^"^^'""^ '""^^''^^ -*^ '^-- fi«h. and '^rli 
 trout come from a distance to feast from those lakes. The K^zaba/uITe 
 runs through a large portion of this survey ; it is a nice strtm he ban 
 m places being low, and affording the best of pasturage for Tattle The 
 are many mill sites on this river. ^ 
 
 Duhamel 
 )ruce, yell 
 nd of no ii 
 
 The lai 
 and and w 
 nile and a 
 stripped of 
 
 great m( 
 is very rou 
 
 mountain 
 ;overed wi 
 aken up fc 
 
 The ce 
 I ever saw 
 high that ( 
 
81t 
 
 enerally growing 
 i from the Coulon 
 iwaoron ilsshoj 
 T clearing the laJ 
 Brabazon, 1812.) 
 
 AUeyn, I found 
 )d large square pJ 
 
 Geological research has not much been followed in the county of 
 
 intiac, up to the present period, although I am led to believe that there 
 
 minerals in abundance in this locality. During this survey, I found 
 
 iications of minerals on the lots adjacent to Oawood and Lef lie division 
 
 e I also considered that I found indications of minerals on the outline 
 
 preaching to Moore's lake, situated at the western part of this survey. 
 
 lis lake is almost surrounded by a range of hills, and although I had not 
 
 to make a diligent search, still I think there are minerals to be found 
 
 this vicinity. 
 
 (James Roney, 9th April, 1881.) 
 
 ace in this localil' Township of Lorrain. 
 
 tid in order to fij 
 
 d, I was compeli( The soil on the portion surveyed is very suitable for cultivation, being 
 o townships fro )mposed of black, grey and yellow earth, of excellent quality. About two- 
 3Iapham souther lirds of the land were burnt over at the same time as that of the township 
 " Duhamel ; the rest is covered with mixed green wood, such as balsam, 
 )mce, yellow birch, white birch and poplar. White pine is very scarce 
 
 nd of no importance for commerce. 
 
 "^ ^ {P.-T.-C. Dumais, 1886.) 
 
 re post square «m 
 ood, and on wes 
 
 aze anew, cut out 
 pham and Leslie 
 hirteen chains fo 
 imbers twenty-si] 
 
 y outline is somi 
 >ods crops, mon 
 ? land have gooi 
 
 rooks, rivers am 
 e of the lakes ar 
 ish, and lovers o 
 Kazabazua rive 
 ;ream ; the bank 
 or cattle. Thei 
 
 Township of Mansfield. 
 
 The land on the east side of the Coulonge is generally good flvrming 
 and and will, in all probability, soon be all taken up, The land for the first 
 aile and a half, on the west of the Coulonge, has been in great measure 
 itripped of timber by fire ; it is rather poor soil, but it will also be in 
 „ great measure soon taken up ; beyond that to the centre line, the land 
 s very rough on the fifth range ; on the sixth range it is not quite of such 
 mountainous character, but it is pretty rough. Here are large tracts 
 covered with sugar maple, which will lead to a great deal of the land being 
 taken up for sugar bush, being comparatively worthless for anything else. 
 
 The centre line throughout is about the roughest line of the same extent 
 lever saw ; there are throe precipices considerably over two hundred feet 
 high that cross it nearly at right angles. 
 
318 
 
 The portion of the fifth range south of the lar^P l«tp i« rTp M"^ ' 
 ment,but is ralheH.olated ; the poHion of th . x "fa " Jrth „m TT V 77 
 lake, say, from lot number tbirty-.i^ht is ouite wor^hl '"#' ^ r 
 
 valley tbat runs from tbe west en^a ol tL'laL""to Jir 'wa'itir ' " '"ICt 
 
 White 
 his regioi 
 ibuudaut 
 )leutifal ii 
 las been g 
 he corainj 
 )een met a 
 ileventh a 
 
 (S.-S. Brabaz(m, 19th May, 1866.) 
 
 Township of Sheen. 
 
 ■ally in otJ 
 
 This I 
 )e observe) 
 
 turalTur^ofe^Hn't S^ytiretot '"'^'T' "'"'^' '^^ a*-»|leven.h a 
 
 hues which I dtd at the post between the lots fortyniue and Sfty ^ 
 
 The peninsula at the eastern extremity of the eleventh r.„„.> r .1. , 
 best not to subdivide into lots. eleventh range. I ihouj,!, 
 
 t:, ,, ,, aud lakes 
 
 boundeTb YarMoSmvry°',nd°'trr "' ^ ""'™"' ™-»-' -^ch i, »«"» ^ 
 
 composing^t, , did not !Statis,b,eT„ l:;*tC^!^'"Vh°''^ '"^ """"'" 
 range to front on that lake. ^ ^ ^ °'' '" """ '''''™'l' There 
 
 mi • .. „ township, 
 
 ran Jt cTotl"!;' ^''^t^' ^^°"''^ ^^'1^' ^^ "ot after the first mountain were prole 
 range is crossed so mu.-h so as might be expected h i« f.. i ™' .u„. u ,., 
 
 ninth range line, where it is verv hillv tT ""'"^^^ '^'^'^ 
 
 amount of labor which it reauire. T^ io i .^f ^""^^ lo^" tbe tnilmg 
 
 the districts where pine murrrrdom!,.!:' " '"''' '='""^'' °™'>""'"" 
 
 Oood wheat and oats are cont.ntially grown by the squatters occupying 
 
 that it wc 
 developing 
 
 In adc 
 mention tli 
 westerly ei 
 fire appear^ 
 empty in t 
 •iver by th 
 the seventl 
 Ottawa, ex 
 compriseij i 
 Black rivei 
 
 r 
 
319 
 
 ike is fit for settl 
 e north of the lari 
 less, except a smi 
 Waltham. 
 
 th May, 1866, 
 
 seless (for agricu 
 tern boundary. oi 
 ontinue the latte 
 md fifty. 
 
 I range, I thoutrh 
 
 )e 
 
 h range, which ii 
 lality of the land 
 s in the eleventh 
 
 first mountain, 
 s far less so than 
 >, especially, the 
 Still, Sheen is 
 istern boundary 
 the eighth and 
 pretty extensive 
 dy loam, is good 
 for the triflinsj 
 3d, excepting in 
 
 ig the nature of 
 diflicult to say 
 
 it to be thin in 
 
 t is strong, but 
 raising cereals. 
 
 ters occupying 
 
 e cleared lands there ; and one of them, James Tallen, informed me that 
 e had sold a considerable quantity of Hour last year, after supplying the 
 
 ants of a numerous families, which many farmers in the oldest settlements 
 annot assert. 
 
 White pine is so generally mixed with the other woods throughout 
 his region, that it is difficult to say where it predominates ; it is least 
 ibuudaut towards the northern angle of the district in question, and most 
 )leutiful in the vicinity of the large lakes. The marketable quality of pine 
 las been greatly thinned out and is likely to be completely cut away. During 
 he coming winter a great scarcity of red pine is observable, it only having 
 )een met with in any quantity in the vicinity of lake McQ-illivray. On the 
 ileventh and twelfth range line, another peculiarity which I observed is 
 he unusual scarcity of cedar, even on the shores of the lakes, where gene- 
 ally in other localities it is to be found. 
 
 This portion of Sheen is essentially a hardwood country, and, as will 
 observed from the plan, is well watered, the water in most of the brooks 
 and lakes being very good. Fish abound in all the large lak(?s. The 
 arieties consists of pike, pickerel, bass and trout, chieflv, but I could not 
 ascertain that fishing was pursued to any great extent by the settlers. 
 
 There is a fine tract of hardwood land extending from the rear of th » 
 township, northwards towards the Sayer and Black rivers, and it this rpad 
 were prolonged so as to strike one or the other of those streams, th ^ good, 
 that it would effect in opening up an extensive tract of country • an I 
 developing its resources, is well worthy of your consideration. 
 
 In addition to the remarks contained in the foregoing report, I miy 
 mention that we met with no burnt country, excepting in the vicinity of 
 westerly end of the eighth and ninth ranges line, where the ravages of the 
 iire appeared to be very limited in extent and partial in degree. The streams 
 empty in the Ottawa river by the Oiseau on the west, and into thi Black 
 river by the McG-illivray brook in the east. None of the waters north of 
 the seventh and eighth range line appear to discharge directly into the 
 Ottawa, excepting those of the Oiseau brook. The section now surveyed 
 compriseti therefore a portion of the height of land between the Ottawa and 
 Black rivers and consequently contains few streams of any size. 
 
 {S.-T.'A. Evans, 25th May, 18G7.) 
 
 
820 
 
 The conntrv comprised within the limits of this survey is ffenerall J ^^'^n 
 
 hilly ; It 18 well watered by small streams, springs and lakes. The soil |the outlir 
 
 generally good and abundant, consisting of various kinds of loam, such 1 IropP^d, a 
 
 where cultivated as in other parts of the township, yield highly reman ! cler for pa 
 
 rative .rops of wheat, oats and hay. The timber on the eastern portion 
 
 consists chiefly of hard wood, maple, beech, yellow birch and iron wonJ 
 
 with a few patches of white birch and iron wood ; in one or two plal 
 
 towards the western end. white pine predominates, and is of good qualib 
 
 and seemingly sound, cedar was noticed only in two localities, and the^ 
 
 only withm very circumscribed limits, red pine and hemlock are alrnos 
 
 absent, some on < he mountain near the eastern extremity of the northern 
 
 boundary and as usual, in this section of country, white spruce and balsam 
 
 are lound almost everywhere. The rock exposures, where observed con 
 
 sist of granite and gneiss, the primitive formation 
 
 COIIIHIU 
 
 I am pleased to have to report that the easterly portion, more than half th*^ c^^'^^^ 
 
 lome of ti 
 buildings 
 land oil th 
 and, altho 
 ake. I fou 
 outline th 
 
 There 
 Philip's la 
 minerals, 
 to contain 
 
 - -~—f~-' ""« ^«o«"'i'y puiuou, more tnanha 
 
 of the above mentioned section of Sheen is a good agricultural country the 
 part near Ether, in the eighth and ninth ranges is very unpromising but in 
 
 ; ' '" "*^ ^'s'"" »"^ uuiiii ranges is very unpromising, but in "^avy, lo 
 
 the tenth, eleventh and twelfth ranges, the land seems equallv ffood the north 
 
 thrOUffhout, Thn cnnnfrvr ia hi]]rr Knf i^U^ „»:i _• ^ n ^ , ^ -® -ii... 
 
 throughout, Th. country is hilly, butThe soH c"on^si8"t7of a goorand^oT 
 ductive loam. 
 
 {S.-T.-A. Evans, 19th January, 1876.) 
 
 Township of Thorne. 
 
 The land across the front of Thorne, from the Litchfield outline to lot 
 number torty-four. is in some places rough and strong, and althou-h many 
 ol the lots are occupied and improved upon, still. I hope that they maybe 
 found to be more adapted for mining operations, then they are for a"-ricu'- 
 tural pursuits. The land from lot number fortyfour, south easterly °to the 
 gore oi Thome outline, is the same as the land in general throughout this 
 township ; the soil is of an ordinarily good description, and althou-rh the 
 features of the country are hilly, the hills in general are covered wi'th rich 
 loamy soil, and having known the township of Thorne for the past 30 
 years, I consider the land on the hills equally as good for farming purposes 
 as that m the valleys, and the settlers in general are very comfortable in 
 this township. 
 
 farming, a 
 heavy, loa 
 
 a village, i 
 far distant 
 east end o: 
 cleared aiii 
 
 Thetc 
 nperior fo 
 the farmer! 
 There is a 
 )oultry es 
 eggs find { 
 is well sup 
 pure, healt 
 
 The so 
 ilthough tl 
 find well a 
 hat I have 
 
321 
 
 From the soulh west corner post of the gore of Thome, the laud along 
 the outline up to Philip's lake, is all cleared, and in summer some ol it is 
 ropped, and a portion ot it is kept in meadowing for hay, and the remain- 
 der for pasturage. The soil is very light, although the farmers occupying 
 some of the land and living proximate to this outline, have very good 
 buildings and very good, large stocks of cattle, and they live well. The 
 land on the south east side of Philip's lake, I believe, is almost nil located, 
 and, although it is somewhat rough and stony on the hills adjacjent to the 
 ake. I found the remainder of the soil heavier and better up to the Aldfield 
 outline than that I surveyed on the north west side of the lake. 
 
 There is a large range of mountains running along the north side of 
 Philip's lake, which I am of opinion contains iron ore and perhaps other 
 minerals. Those mountains are of gigantic size, and should they be found 
 to contain iron ore in abundance, may, in a future day, prove of value to 
 , more than half ^^^^ country. The land along the northern outline of Onslow is good for 
 ■„.oi „« — 1-.. .. farming, and the lots are principally all taken up. The soil is chiefly of a 
 
 .„„j^, „„, ,„ heavy, loamy nature, and the country is high and dry. The landscape on 
 
 8 equally good ^^® "°'"*'^ "^'^^* ^^^^ °^ "Wolfe lake offers every advantage whereon to build 
 a good and pro- ^ village, and, as this is a good farming country, perhaps, the time is not 
 far distant when they may succeed in their intention. Towards the north 
 east end of this outline, I found a large portion of the land in Onslow well 
 cleared and valuable. 
 
 The townships along these outlines that I have surveyed are the most 
 nperior for agricultural pursuits that we have in this country, many of 
 the farmers being rich, and the mechanics in general very comfortable. 
 Fhere is a larga amount of produce, and of horses, cows, sheep, pigs and 
 poultry exported from those townships, and the dealers in butter and 
 eggs find a large field for their line of business in this locality. The country 
 is well supplied with springs, brooks, rivers and lakes, all of which contain 
 )are, healthy water. 
 
 irvey is generally 
 akes. The soil is 
 of loam, such as 
 highly remune 
 le eastern portion 
 h and iron wood 
 •ne or two places, 
 i of good quality 
 calities, and then. 
 nlock are almost 
 r of the northern 
 iruce and balsam 
 re observed, con- 
 
 uary, 1876.) 
 
 Id outline to lot 
 although many 
 lat they may be 
 ire for agricul- 
 easterly to the 
 hroughout this 
 1 although the 
 :ered with rich 
 or the past 30 
 rming purposes 
 comfortable in 
 
 {Jcwies Ronep, 24th May, 1881 ) 
 
 1 
 
 The soil in the gore of Thome is in general of a loamy nature, and, 
 Ithongh the country is in some parts stony, still the* land is productive 
 find well adapted for agricultural pursuits. The greater part of the lots 
 that I have surveyed are taken up, some by settlers living in Bristol and 
 
 21 
 
822 
 
 Clarendon, and a largo portion by settlers living o!i thorn. Those livja* 
 on the land have good buildings and i good stock of all kinds of cattjo and 
 speak very highly of the country. There is a good main road leadinir 
 through the gore of Thome. *' 
 
 The township of Thorno is a largo and prosperous settlement, whiolj 
 has been for the last thirty years rapidly settling, and although in places it 
 IS somewhat mountainous, still in general tho soil is of that quality of loam 
 which is very productive, enabling tho settlers to live comfortably. Iti early 
 years, this was one of the best townships for pine timber that wo have had| 
 in this country. 
 
 The mineral resources of this township have received very littlo attention 
 from any geologist up to tho present date, although I have found a large 
 amount of local attraction in various places, more especially on the outline 
 between Thome and the goro of Thorno. From tho geological features of 
 this country, I believe this local attraction to arise from tho existence of 
 iron ore, which I found on the third range on the outline I have already 
 mentioned. 
 
 The Quiyo river take its rise in two branches, well up towards the north 
 west end of this township. It offers many valuable mill privileges, and its 
 waters are pure and healthy to drink. It runs over many miles of country 
 and empties its waters into the Ottawa river at tho Quiyo village. Duria<r 
 olden times this river has been famed for pine timber in tho lumber markets 
 of our country, and at the present moment it is considered a great boon by 
 the many farmers that graze their cattle along its banks. There are also 
 numerous springs, "brooks and lakes which abound with trout in this town- 
 ship, and it is as well watered as any other township we have in the 
 Ottawa valley. 
 
 {James Bone//, 28th January, 1882.) 
 
 Township of Waltham. 
 
 I commenced operations by starting the line which forms the rear or 
 western boundary of range C ; as will be seen by my plan, the contour of 
 this line with ?.v riv few exceptions is very uneven, and the adjoining lots, 
 generally spi .;:.;. , rr-ry uninviting for settlement ; the last or ninth range, 
 
828 
 
 ::n= 
 
 1. Thoso livia* 
 ids ot'oiittlo, and! 
 liu road leadinyl 
 
 ttlemorit, whiolj 
 •ugh ill plivoesit 
 : quality of loam 
 :>rtably. Itioarlyl 
 lat wo have had] 
 
 ylittlo attention 
 re found a large 
 y on the outline 
 ?ical features of 
 ho existence of 
 3 I have already 
 
 wards the north 
 Lvileges, and its 
 liles of country 
 'illage. During 
 lumber markets 
 a great boon by 
 There are also 
 it in this town- 
 re have in the 
 
 aary, 1882.) 
 
 rms the rear or 
 the contour of 
 adjoining lots, 
 
 or ninth range, 
 
 lowevtT, is superior lo any of the others ; the count* , lying between this 
 
 ne and th^' Black river is very much broken ; thero are a few good flats, 
 
 lOUgh not very extensive, particularly on the north side, extending from 
 
 le river to the foot ot the range of hills which lie along on each side. The 
 
 lest and, in fact, speaking as a whole the available part of the township is 
 
 imbodied in the seventh, eighth and ninth ranges ; that portion of the 
 
 [ownship included between the line dividing the sixth and seventh ranges 
 
 nd the third range lino is a rough, rocky and for the most part a dry, 
 
 inrnt country. There are certainly some spots that are fit for cultivation, 
 
 lut no large trp( ts in block. For this reason, I concluded not to run the line 
 
 \i(liii' the fifth and sixth ranges, as it would only incur a useless oxpen- 
 
 lituro ; it can never be made available for settlement. 
 
 {Joseph White, 6th December, 1866.) 
 
 wi 
 
324 
 
 COUNTY OF PORTNEUF. 
 
 TownBhip of Bois. 
 
 Tho portions ol' the first two ranges of this township, which have been 
 subdivided into farm lois, on each side of the river a Pierre, are quite 
 suitable for cultivation and settlement, although the soil is stony and 
 sandy. The land near the river is undulating and even for a snfFiciently laro-e 
 
 I pro( 
 ton links i 
 the said r 
 township, 
 mid 3rd r; 
 ongod au( 
 oast lino 
 and iilignr 
 the po.st 
 
 ■> ^ '" ""^"'"'""a^"«^i^vuii lurasaincientiy lavfTi. '"^ i- - 
 
 space to allow the settlers to clear their lots, erect houses and make roal^P'^'"^ ''''" ' 
 These lots are for the most part timbered with white spruce balsim .,„ J^^e towns 
 
 These lots are for the most part timbered with white spruce, balsam aiulL 
 yellow and white birch, generally of good growth, giving- reason to iiifei 
 that the soil is fertile 
 
 The part of the third range between lots 8 and 21 appeared to me also 
 as suitable for cultivation and settlement as the two ranges just described 
 1 cannot, however, say as much for the ranj,^s which I surveyed and sub- 
 divided on the south side of the river Batiscan, where the greater part ot 
 the land appeared to me to be unsuitable for cultivation or settlement 
 owing to Mie steepness of the mcuntains and their proximity to the river 
 With the exception of some thirty lots on which a few chains in width of 
 alluvial land may be found, this tract is quite unlit for farming operations. 
 The north side of the river Batiscan did not appear to me be any better 
 .nan the south side. The only thing which might induce a settler to estab- 
 lish himself there is the proximity ol" the railway. The timber of the 
 ranges which I surveyed has been in great part exhausted by the lumber- 
 ing operations which have been carried on there for many yean: ; there is 
 still, however, a considerable quantity of spruce remaining. There is no 
 great (juantity of pine ; more stumps are to be seen than°staading trer... 
 There are no maple groves, or very few ; the hard woods consist of yellow 
 and white birch. Cedar and spruce do not appear to thrive in this town- 
 ship. Apart Irom a few stunted cedars, which I saw along the river ]]atis- 
 can, 1 do not remember meeting with any others. This township is well 
 watered by a number of lakes and streams, the latter alFording water power 
 
 Ithe to win- 
 division a: 
 
 Th( li 
 (■oioniz.:.ic 
 N''Vorthel( 
 ou accouni 
 ol' yellow 1 
 aspect of t 
 the lots bo 
 especially 1 
 out of g00( 
 balsam, an 
 lourth ran J 
 
 The ri 
 frequently 
 milling or 
 
 suita))le for running mills. The water is pun^ and wholesouu 
 the lakes contain lish, among others the lakes Vcr/ and Padoui 
 
 Some of 
 
 {T.-<J. <le III Chcvm/iere, 80th April, 1883.) 
 
 Besidt 
 fine rivers 
 au 8a])le, ] 
 IJatiscan ri 
 which cros 
 ges also in I 
 
325 
 
 I proceeded to the post planted on the centre line in the 2nd 
 
 rthwest of tht 
 
 P 
 
 from ther( 
 
 range, 
 scaled 
 
 kvhich have been 
 Pierre, are quite 
 )il is stony and 
 sufficiently larn-e 
 uK 
 iiiul 
 g" reason to infei 
 
 chained i 
 er, going north west, as far as the north west line of the said 
 townshii). From the post planted on the said centre line, inscribed 2nd 
 and 3rd ranges, I ran a line astronomically noria 45o east, which I pro- 
 longed and chained towards the north east to its intersection by the north 
 oast lino of the township, subdividing it into farm lots, by planting division 
 and alignment posts at every distance of thirteen chains. I then went to 
 .->u.,i.:i«,uiy larn-ei'^" ^^^'^^ °" *^*^ ^^^^^^^ ^"''^ inscribed 3rd and 4th ranges, and from that 
 and make roac^ l^'^'"^ ^'^" *^ ^"^*^ between the 3rd and 4th ranges to the north east line of 
 race, balsam mil ^^^ township, subdividing as I went along into farm lots, by planting 
 division and alignment posts at each distance of thirteen chains. 
 
 Tht lands so surveyed and laid out are not really so advantageous for 
 <oioniz.;:ion as those which 1 surveyed in the same township last year. 
 N'vortheless, they are sufficiently fit for cultivation to be sold before long 
 oil account of their proximity to the railway. The soil, chiefly composed 
 ol' yellow and grey earth, is stony, and in some places very rocky. The 
 aspect of the township is generally mountainous, and about two-thirds of 
 the lots bordering on the river a Pierre will be sufficiently advantageous, 
 especially those in the north east part of the tow^nship. The timber is through- 
 out of good quality, the prevailing kinds being yellow birch, wWd spruce, 
 balsam, and white birch ; some maple is also to be found on the third and. 
 lourth ranges. 
 
 'eared to me also 
 fsjust described, 
 irveyed and sub- 
 e greater part ot 
 1 or settleraent, 
 lity to the river. 
 ains in width of 
 ni ng operations. 
 ne be any better 
 
 settler to ostab- 
 timber of the 
 
 by the lumber- 
 ■ yeart: ; there is 
 g. There is no 
 
 standing twva. 
 onsist of yellow 
 re in this town- 
 
 the river liatis- 
 )wnship is well 
 ig water power 
 some. Some of 
 
 pi'il, 1883.) 
 
 The river a Pierre is a rapid stream, with :i rocky bed, and, passing 
 frequently over abrupt declivities, presents some fine falls, suitable for 
 milling or manufacturing purposes. 
 
 {T.'C. de la Chevw/iere, 13th November, 1884) 
 
 Township of Ohavigny. 
 
 Resides by the Batiscnn river, this township is crossed by two other 
 fme rivers fit to drive timber : 1st The Propre river, which issues from lake 
 au Sable, passes through the Paran lake, and then discharges into the 
 l?atiscnn river, in the seigniory of Grondines ; 2nd The river Towachiche, 
 which crosses the western corner of the township of Chavigiiy and dischar- 
 ges also into the Batiscan river. This last river (the Batiscan) forms in 
 

 .' ? 
 
 
 826 
 
 diiferent places beautiful falls, especially those at the eighth and nintjl scaled tl 
 portages, which are capable of running the most powerful mills at all timXo 43 I < 
 of the year. The timber ingeneral is fine and large ; birch, maple, sprue front betv 
 and hr being the most common. I also met with fine pine, but not in ver 
 large quantities ; I saw more stumps of this wood than standiuo- timber 
 merchantable spruce, however, is still in great abundance. There ie maol 
 groves in rather great quantities, especially at the depths of the first ranee 
 to the north east of the centre line. They are all sound, contrary to wha 
 
 we see to the south of the St. Lawrence, opposite thi^ township, where the'^ The unsu 
 
 are all dead and dry 
 
 All the surveyed section of the township is generally fit for cultivatio 
 and advantageous for colonization. The finest lots occur on both sides c 
 the Batiscan river, starting from the eighth portage, going to the north east 
 to lot number ten of the first range, to the point T, as also to the south aud 
 south west sides of the lake au Sable. I had orders to survey the fourtli 
 and fifth ranges of Chavigny, to the south west of the centre line, but 
 found this section too mountainous and everywhere unfit for cultivation 
 the wood is, however, of as fine growth as elsewhere. The soil is in general 
 broken in the surveyed section of the township of Chavigny ; we also 
 come across in some places stony, granite sections, but not in sufficiently 
 large numbers to be an obstacle to colonization. In general, a layer of 
 yellow loam predominates ; the subsoil seems to be of clay ; ' it is a con- 
 tinuation of the soil of the township of Montauban, and I can say that it is 
 fertile ; I ha7e seen it this year produce magnificent crops. 
 
 land trave 
 and, with 
 nor meadi 
 tion. The 
 growth oi 
 
 well woo( 
 
 {T.-C. de la Chevrotiere, 7th November, 1864.) 
 
 The^ 
 very poor 
 generally 
 commenc 
 the lands 
 immediat 
 sandy an 
 rivers anc 
 
 Township of Colbert, 
 
 After having surveyed the centre line from the lots 26 and 2(, of the 
 fourth and fifth ranges, as far as the line which separates this township 
 from the township of Ossonane, I ran the range lines betw^een the 7th and 
 8th, 8th and 9th, 9th and 10th, 10th and 11th, 11th and 12th ranges, 
 and between each lot, I ran an alignment. In this part of the township 
 ImettheEla-k river and Petit Pioni, a branch of the Black river, aud, 
 the south branch, as also many lakes which feed these rivers. I noticed 
 exccllf-nt mill sites in diff-erent places, oftaring every facility to erect dams. 
 
 The] 
 balsam ai 
 of the spr' 
 I and other 
 
 I we 
 (du Coin) 
 township 
 course of 
 
82T 
 
 eighth andnintk 
 mills at all time] 
 
 i-ch, maple, sprue] 
 
 e, but not in ver{ 
 standing timber] 
 
 . There are maplj 
 of the first range 
 contrary to whaj 
 
 aship, where thej 
 
 fit for cultivatioi 
 on both sides o 
 to the north east 
 to the south and 
 irvey the fourtt 
 ntre line, but 
 for cultivation 
 soil is in general 
 vigny; we also 
 )t in sufficiently 
 sneral, a layer of 
 >lay ; it is a coa- 
 can say that it is 
 
 scaled the branch of the Black river from the centre line, as far as lot 
 0, 43. 1 also prolonged the alignment of each of these lots as far as the 
 Ifront between the 8th and 9th ranges. The geographical character of the 
 land traversed presents no remarkable feature ; it is "generally undulating 
 and, without being alluvial, is of good quality. There are neither swamps, 
 nor meadows, and, though mountainous, it would be well suited to cultiva- 
 tion. The 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th ranges are covered with a rich 
 growth of every kind of wood, and include magnificent maple groves. 
 The unsubdivided part to tbo north east of the centre line possesses a rich, 
 well wooded soil and could be easily surveyed. 
 
 [John Langlois, 26th July, 1881.) 
 
 mber, 1864.) 
 
 Townships of Colbert and Ossonane 
 
 The general features of the country are very mountainous and rocky, and 
 very poorly fit for settlement ; but, along the bank of the river, the land is 
 generally flat and good, well fitted for settlement, and settlement is already 
 commenced on the north side of the lakes, where the railroad crosses, as 
 the lands around these lakes are flat and good, and a large settlement will 
 immediately spring up as soon as the railroad is in operation, as the soil is 
 sandy and loamy. The township is well watered with brooks, creeks, 
 rivers and lakes. 
 
 The prevailing merchantable timber is white and black birch, tamarac, 
 balsam and spruce, which are in considerable abundance ; yet a great deal 
 of the spruce has been taken off" or cut by the firm of Benson Bennett & Co 
 I and others. 
 
 (P. Griffin, nth February 1881 ) 
 
 J6 and 2 ^ of the 
 s this township 
 een the 7th and 
 ad 12th ranges, 
 af the township 
 lack river, and, 
 •ivers. I noticed 
 f to erect dams. 
 
 Townships of Colbert and Roomont. 
 
 I went to the posts placed on the south west borders of the lake 
 (du Coin), at the line or boundary which marks the north west angle of the 
 township of llocmont and the north east angle of Colbert. I verified the 
 course of the north west line of the townshins of Rocinont and Colbert a.". 
 
(*u 
 
 828 
 
 also the one which divides these two townships, then I prolono-ed thi. U . 
 one m ascending on a course north 45« west, astronomically, for a dtLn 
 of 121 chains and 20 links, at 9 miles from the starting poini. "'' 
 
 From the starting point as far as the depths of the 7th mile I did . . 
 find any land fit for cultivation; the 8th and 0th miles are very fit fo 
 
 o i f If J"^ \^'^' ''''^ ' ^^^'^ "^ ^^°^t *^« «»il«« to two miles a.t 
 one half, and continuing as far as lakeColbert, a length of about four^i !^ 
 The soil IS composed of a layer of very fine white sand, covering grey ^ 
 red sand. A part of this section has been burnt, which has desLld n 
 the timber. At the distance of 121 chains and 20 links. I scaled at ril 
 angles o my base a perpendicular going towards the east, which I nro 
 longed for a distance of eight hundred and eight chains, or ien miles fLm 
 my base. In prolonging this line, I scarcely came across any land fit o^ 
 cultivation, with the exception of four small pieces. The first is 45 cha 
 m length an^ forms part of the tracts spoken of above. The second pc 
 IS cut up by the little river Miguick. This river furnishes very fine bu 
 
 ZL " ^^" '^''^ ^'''' ^''"^^ P^^* '^ '^' '^^'^ ^^d fourth 
 
 The soil seemed to be rather fertile. The wood is partly burnt I 
 remarked hat the top of the hills and mountains have been spared by th 
 fire. Another piece very fit for cultivation lies bet weer. the Clair lake and 
 Pauvre lake. It is about a mile and one half in length, with a wid^ 
 varying from one to two miles, according to the positfon of the littk 
 mountains which surround this land. The timber is mixed and the soil 
 IS very fertile The eighth and ninth miles are also in great part fit for 
 cultivation. I expfored the little river which is the tribut^ary of'lhePauvr 
 lake. This river gives fine bottoms of about a quarter of a mile in width. 
 The boundary of the tenth mile is on the top of a mountain of hard wood 
 The land IS stony. While exploring this sectfon, I ascertained that the rivoi^ 
 a Pierre, known to the hunters by the name of the second White river is 
 about a mile and one half to the south of the boundary of the tenth mile to 
 the extremity of my line. I returned to the boundary of the 9th mile 
 whence I started to continue the prolongatfon of my lim^ which ruiiTup 
 to the Batiscan river. I prolonged this line, as far as the intersection of 
 the Batiscan nver for a distance of fourteen miles and 35 chains from the 
 starting point. This ine strikes the Batiscan river at the place called the 
 Thr e Rocks rapid Ihis lasl distance of five miles and 35 chains is fit for 
 cult iva ion from the range which I mentioned above. This section of 
 arable land is cut by the Bellevue lake and by little mountains to the 
 
olonged this last 
 
 ly. for a distance 
 nt. 
 
 1 mile, I did not 
 are very fit for 
 
 two miles and 
 bout four miles. 
 ,^ering grey and 
 las destroyed all 
 [ scaled at right 
 it, which I pro- 
 • ten miles from 
 any land fit for 
 irst is 45 chains 
 he second piece 
 3 very fine, but 
 ird and fourth 
 
 irtly burnt. I 
 
 1 spared by the 
 Olair lake and 
 
 with a width 
 ti of the little 
 3d and the soil 
 at part fit for 
 f ofthePauvre 
 mile in width, 
 of hard wood. 
 
 that the rivor 
 White river, is 
 
 tenth mile to 
 
 the 9th mile, 
 »'hich runs up 
 intersection of 
 lains from the 
 ice called the 
 lains is fit for 
 lis section of 
 itains to the 
 
 329 
 
 east and west of the lake ; this piece of land forms about 100 lots, apart from 
 the tract which I mentioned in running the range line, going towards the 
 east of lake Clair. I then scaled the Batiscau river, following with 
 precaution and chaining with care all the different bends and sinuosities of 
 his river, as far as the confluence which the two branches form in uniting 
 at the foot of the island of lake Edward, known under the name of river a Jean- 
 notte ; and thenco as far as the boundary placed by Messrs. Legeudre and E. 
 Casgrain, on the .leannotto river, at a distance of 639 chains and 69 links. 
 Having finished this first part of my operations, I explored on my way up 
 the south shore of the south branch of the Batiscan river, as far as the point 
 or about the point, where I struck this river with my exploring line of 
 1855. The soil along this river is very fit for cultivation, with the 
 exception of about one mile in length, where the north slopes of two 
 mountains terminate at the river. This land may have a depth of one mile 
 or one mile and one half The section which lies between the rivers for 
 this distance offers no land fit for cultivation, because the mountains 
 which border the two streams lie in close proximity to one another, 
 according as the two rivers come together, and practically form together but 
 one and the same mountain. 
 
 I then explored the land starting from the Miguick river, going 
 towards the east, which I found very fit for cultivation for a distance of 
 four miles. The depth of this land is one mile and a half The valley of 
 the Miguick river gives very good land. At Mr. Barette's shanties adjoin- 
 ing the Miguick river, there are about ten acres of clearing, of which 
 four acres or about are being cultivated. I then explored the section which 
 is to the south west of my line, along the Batiscan river. I came across in 
 this section a great deal of land fit for cultivation. I am almost couAunced 
 that along the south bank of this river, from the intersection point with 
 my line, as far as the north east line of the seigniory of Perthuis, the land is 
 fit for cultivation, with thee xception of very small spaces, which are rocky 
 near the river, the area of one to two miles, in depth. There is a winter 
 road, which runs across this land and which leaves the Batiscan river at 
 different places, for a distance of about a mile and one half I am of opinion 
 that this road was made in the best locality. I then went down along the 
 river in the seigniory of Perthuis ; it is my opinion that it is impossible to 
 make a road along the Batiscan river, going down as far as the mouth of 
 the river a Pierre. On arriving at this section, a road can be made with 
 facility on the banks of this river. The valley of the river a Pierre offers 
 
830 
 
 II m 
 
 no advantages for colonization and uo land fit for cultivation • this rive 
 parses between two large mountains, which border it as far as its confi ' 
 ence with the Eatiscan river, and the land is stony. """ 
 
 {Iffnace D4rij, 22nd October, 1870.) 
 
 Townships of aosford and Roomont. 
 
 oa ^j'^.f ^^T '?.^' ""^ ^°'^''^ ^' ^°^'^^y ^'"^^^' ^^ith '^^ «^«eption of lots 
 26 and 28 In the section of the 6th which I surveyed, the lands are vty 
 
 iit lor cultivation, excepting the lots which are on both sides of the Talle<.ard 
 nyer, which are not fit for cultivation, but rich in spruce lumber. F^ 
 lots are a ready applied for. The two-thirds of the 7th, 8th and 9th ran/e 
 of Gosford, in this section of the township, are fit for cultivation, althoul 
 somewhat stony, and are very good lands ; the south west half of n3 
 17 ol the eighth range is occupied ; there is a saw mill. 
 
 v.. 'F^7;''^^'*>^ f^^^ «°il' "^ ^he section of Rocmont which I have sur-' 
 veyed lately, is about the same as in Gosford. 
 
 There is a great deal of merchantable spruce. Mr. Methot, who has a 
 imber limit in Gosford, has three or four chantiers in operation. There i 
 a^driW ""''''*'' best quality. This pine is along the lakes 
 
 (Ignace-P. Dery, 26th November, 1867.) 
 
 Township of LaSalle. 
 
 In anticipation of ray more detailed report on the nature of the soil I 
 can assure the department that apart from a few lots in the valley of the 
 Tl^^ T !f '\*^' confluence of the Batiscan and the Miguick, 
 about fifty altogether, the township of LaSalle is a very poor country fo; 
 colonization, being very mountainous and rocky, so much so that we very 
 olten had great difficulty in planting our posts. 
 
 {H.-H. Robertson, 24th March, 1881.) 
 
 HMh^te ^rta aac a waiB 
 
331 
 
 ation; this river 
 far as its conllu- 
 
 ober, IS'ZO.) 
 
 ixceptionoflots 
 3 lands are very 
 
 oftheTallegard 
 i lumber. Five 
 and 9th ranges 
 ation, although 
 lalf of number 
 
 ich I have sur- 
 
 hot, who has a 
 ■tion. There is 
 long the lakes 
 
 ber, 1867.) 
 
 Apart from a portion of ranges A and B, and the portion of range C 
 north of the river Miguick, the township of LaSalle is quite unsuitable for 
 colonization, if not uncultivable. It is covered with mountains which cross 
 and interlace with each other in all directions, most of them being very 
 steep, especially on the south side. The soil of ranges A and B is an allu- 
 vial sand of medium quality. The rest of the township is covered with 
 boulders wherever the bare rock does not appear. The banks of the river 
 Batiscan are very mountainous, except a few chains in length and width 
 of alluvium. There are several lakes in this township, among others, lake 
 Belloau, which is well stocked with fish, and lake Clair. These two lakes are 
 enclosed in the mountains where even balsam and white birch will hardly 
 o-row. The timber has been burnt in the ranges A and B. Part of the mer- 
 chantable timber, spruce and a little pine, has been cut ; what remains is 
 of little value at present. White birch is very plentiful, especially in the 
 east part of the township. 
 
 At the confluence of the Miguick with the Batiscan, one may have a 
 magnificent view of the valley of the river Miguick and of that of the river 
 a la Truite, but this fine-looking country is cut up by crooked bays of the 
 same width as the river, reaching to great distances, and forming a real 
 labyrinth. All these points of laud are covered with alders and dwarf 
 willows. 
 
 This portion of the island of lake Edward which I had heard spoken 
 of as a garden did not give me any such impression ; it is simply a collection 
 of inaccessible mountains, and there is no great difference in its appear- 
 ance from one side of the river Batiscan or from the other. 
 
 {H.-H. Roberlwn, 24th March. 1881.) 
 
 3 of the soil, I 
 valley of the 
 
 the Miguick, 
 or country for 
 
 that we very 
 
 ch, 1881.) 
 
 Townships of LaSalle and Larue. 
 
 I went to the north angle of the township of LaSalle, and I prolonged 
 the eastern line of this township, going towards the north as far as the 
 right bank of the Batiscan river. I prolonged the said line going towards 
 the north for 80 chains and 80 links, from the boundary of the north angle 
 of the township of LaSalle. This line will divide two new townships, 
 designed for the yiresent by the letters A and B, this last to the east. As 
 for the land and wood, on this last line, for 30 chains from the beginning. 
 
mm 
 
 m 
 
 us 
 if 
 
 882 
 
 the land is passably good, although somewhat stony ; we then lind . 7^ 
 steep mountain, of whi,-,h the southern slone is Zthhl K .T / ''^ 
 
 moss, as may be seen by the plan and iloldroj. ^o^V^ '''' 
 oi medium si.o ; white birch, tamarac, ..-rey snruee .,ul fir TK , "^ 
 tamarao, which was there, has been cut off Zl M . ,^^' ^'^''« 
 
 sleepers ; at the end of this lin^lZ!:t^VZn^;::t: '''T' 
 thus placed. I scaled a line at right uncrleswitlHtrr 1 K.^'^'^'^y 
 lots going towards the east, on which f IZ 1 /iXof ^ ''' 
 
 chains of width each. These lots «,•,. nf .. '''^ ''''' ^""^^ ^ laud.oi thirieoa 
 
 ang e., g„„g towards the west, o„ which I chained nine o „t L d „ 
 thirteen chains in width each. These Jands ,™ lit„ .h j °' 
 
 uneven and rocky, white birch, sprue f m „™ fir Thrrtilo'If "" 
 
 ™n..in,,thes„.Uha;fa^;?h:Z^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 and 96 hnks, meeting at 11 chains and 45 links a UU^ .,,.1 \ I, T 
 
 o'fthf it^' ''',:°' """^ ■"»»"'"" which b:rde f ke 1 iV: "i^ 
 of which the southern slope is inaccessible. ' ^ ^ 
 
 These lands are stony, and occasionallv there is litHp «^>.. u . 
 
 ttr^ThH: d" "" T' :*■'* -"' ■^'-^-t ^aliwL r r'; .r 
 
 tion. The wood is mixed and of medium si.e. white birch, spruce and fir 
 L-.S-.l,!'""; """ 'I""" ""■"' *°™ '■"'^ ">" P^Io-g'-tion of the east li„„ „f 
 
 'r;th;:i:rrrnrh:;^t[,!;;''::'nt"''"r:'"r''"""^-" 
 
 towards the east, on whth 1 m ; tred s f 1 tT^nl ^ .'' V"'""' T"" 
 each, beginning by Nos. 1, 2, 8, &c. ""'''""' "''""" 
 
 . 1'''f >; '""'^^ '"» the preceding are rocky and not very easy to cultivate 
 owing to the lutlo space which the mountains leave on thrVaXoi; 
 river. These six lots of land are situated in the township B " 
 
 I think it my duty to remark that the soil in general is stonv ■ t),. 
 mountains are in close proximity to one another, with ^te p opes ™mn„ ed 
 
 rnei afe« lots, such as those which are occupied and a few others, of 
 
then iiud a very 
 
 but stones and 
 
 ^(l is mixed iiiul 
 
 Hr. The little 
 
 make railroad 
 e last boundary 
 les between the 
 and, of thirteen 
 id, meotinij on 
 3 birch, spruce 
 
 s to say, to the 
 e river, on the 
 
 1 line at right 
 lots of land of 
 receding, very 
 railroad passes 
 the north west 
 olongod aline 
 
 '■ of 10r» chains 
 I at 71 chains 
 >ove river, and 
 
 pace between 
 k for cultiva- 
 jpruce and fir. 
 
 le east lino of 
 indary placed 
 id line, going ' 
 irteen chains 
 
 383 
 
 which certain sections will be cultivable ; they are Hat bottom lands which 
 receive the washings of the mountains, that render the soil fertile and pro- 
 ductive, as may be seen Irom the first clearings ; but the depths are not of 
 a size to compensate the loss caused by the mountains. 
 
 {N.-F. Lefranfuis, 8th November, 1887) 
 
 Township of Mountauban. 
 
 The soil in general seemed very fit for cultivation. The timber has been 
 partly cut down, with the exception of what little the shanties have been 
 cutting this w.nter. 
 
 {Ignace-P. Deri/, 20th February, 1879.) 
 
 Township of Tonti. 
 
 1 worKed on hoping to discover some fine valley ; but, after having 
 divided and crossed the greater part of the township, I came to the conclu- 
 ijion ihat all this township is traversed only by cliffs, rocks, lakes and very 
 steep mountains. I did not see any good timber; the most common woods 
 are fir, spruce and white birch, and a few birch, and the land is very sandy. 
 I see no way of turning this township to any profitable account. 
 
 {F. Page, 2nd Febrnary,'^1882.) 
 
 y to cultivate, 
 banks of the 
 
 s stony ; the 
 
 )es, composed 
 
 banks of the 
 
 w others, of 
 
U', 
 
 334 
 
 COUNTY OF RIMOUSKI. 
 
 Townahlp of Awantjlsh. 
 
 With the exception of the lots one, two. eight, nine, ten, eleven, tvveire 
 hxr een, fourteen and fifteen, the front of wh. '. is in spruce and wal ' 
 land of very h tie value, the remainder of this range is very Hne ; a S 
 yellow sandy loam, free from stones or at least having very few and ! 
 surface everywhere level, makes this range quite fit for settlement' The 
 timber is everywhere very fine, large and mixed : very large birch and 
 maple, long and very fine cedars, tall white birch and spruce. In Z 
 sections where cedar predominates, the soil is a very rich clay mixed w th 
 sand, beneath a rich layer of vegetable mould. 
 
 The south east outline of Cabot, which forms the front of the first ran^e 
 of Awantjish, passes mostly along the top of a hill running north east and 
 south west, which forms a slope more or less rapid to the north west . d 
 extending to the south east with slight undulations or apparent irreo-'uk - 
 ities, as far as the fifth range of Awantjish, where it strikes a rather^v^e 
 mountain which crosses the township over all its width in an apparent 
 
 fh. f^' f .1?*' ^'S^' ^' ^'•' "^"'^' "mentioned, at a certain distance from 
 the front, the soil improves a little, according to the undulations of the 
 land, and becomes somewhat better, at the upper extremity, without, how 
 ever, bearing comparison with the remainder of the range. 
 
 Having had occasion to .ra verse the bush, from one range to the other 
 I personally ascertained that the good land is continuous, and that the 
 loss caused by the bad land, when it happens, does not amount to much. 
 
 Tn short if we deduct for the inferior land the ten lots above named 
 822 aci-es, and add about 600 acres of good land not yet divided to the north 
 east extremity, and the 3 282 acres in the 34 surveyed lots, we get a total of 
 3,882 acres of very good land fit for colonization in the first range. 
 
 Second range.-In this range from number one as far as ten, the land 
 IS the same as in the lower range, of medium quality, but gradually incroas- 
 
885 
 
 "l«?ven, twelve, 
 3 and swampy, 
 '• fine ; a {rood 
 Jry few, and a 
 Element. The 
 rgo birch and 
 ^ruce. In the 
 >Y mixed with 
 
 "the lirst range 
 north east and 
 )rth west, and 
 *ent irregular- 
 a rather large 
 a an apparent 
 f of earth and 
 
 distance from 
 laUons of the 
 nthout, how- 
 to the other, 
 and that the 
 .nt to much. 
 
 ibove named, 
 to the north 
 get a total of 
 
 ige. 
 
 ten, the land 
 lally increas- 
 
 ing in value, as we go to the north east. The remarks on the soil, and the 
 timber of the first range are equally applicable to this range. However, to 
 the south west of the centre line, the wood is smaller, and, from the general 
 appearance of the place, the timber has evidently been destroyed some 
 years ago, either by fire or by some other cause, and the actual wood is a 
 second growth, a thick forest of small firs, cedars, white birch and spruce, 
 scarcely half grown, covering a width of ton to twelve lots along the front. 
 The soil is a good yellow loam, mixed with good sand and, when placing 
 the posts, very few stones were noticed. 
 
 All the northeastern section of the centre line and to the south east of 
 the front range line, as far as it was possible to see, is very good, and is 
 the continuation of the same kind of land as in the first range. 
 
 Deducting the ten first lots and adding to the forty-three surveyed lots 
 about 500 acres of good land not yet subdivided in the north east end, and 
 we get for this range a total of 5000 acres of very good land, in the 
 second range, making about 8,282 acres of arable land in the two ranges. 
 
 As for the cedar and black spruce swamps on the centre line of ranges 
 two and three, and on the rear line of the lots on the Kempt road, they are not 
 considerable, and are formed by low lands, gulches and the neighborhood 
 of brooks and rivers, and have no considerable extent. 
 
 Compared with the other sections of the Matapedia road, from St 
 Flavie, to the south east of the Matapedia lake, the township of Awantjish 
 is remarkably level, which, added to the fertility of the soil, and the nein-h- 
 borhood of the Intercolonial Railroad, will soon make that section an impor- 
 tant centre of colonization. 
 
 {Thomas Breen, 1st March, 1869.) 
 
 AVe can apply to this township all the remarks relative to Nemtaye ; 
 we can say to the advantage of Awantjish, that it presents in valley a much 
 larger surface than Nemtaye. The lakes of this township are more numerous 
 and generally larger than those of Nemtaye. I may also remark that at the 
 end of the ninth chain of the third mile at the rear line of this township, 
 there is a low and swampy < edar grove, where the needle deviates four 
 degrees from its ordinary direction ; I tried to get a sample of earth from 
 this place, but the thickness of the moss which covers the soil, its frozen 
 condition, the water which covers it, and the depth of snow prevented me. 
 
 {Hector LeBer, 6th April, 1869.) 
 
m 
 
 nno 
 
 Township of Bedard. 
 
 I muy Hiun up tho noU^n «j my Hurvoy by Htatiiig that tho I„n,l„ whi k 
 nr« ..,.<.HH.ul l,y tlu, TnrU ro.ul an, very fit lor lar.uing purpon.., as arTu 
 hoHo a.l„„„.„, tho .var li,.... Tlu, ti.nl.«r is largo and of go^d T, " 
 Ih." la.HlH Iro.u lim Inu. Im..vv...u .angos thr.,o an.l lour, arc g.mera I 
 NVvan„.y.M.hosoulh weH.H...lio,. u::,l ntony i„ thn north oL parf ol' 
 ;-»«"(ral l.no a„ far as lot thirt.mu. Tl.ouc, to tiio towuHhip olChLnior 
 laiKlN an« ratluM- good. "" r, me 
 
 Th« tovvuHliip „f H,',lard is g,MUMally mountainous, ospocially th. 
 north nastorn HO.. n>n ; Ihoro aro. hovvovor, but two largo mountain/ 
 
 horn aro suu.ll. i.ul olton stoop, in c-rosning thorn from the north wes 
 
 1 ho Houlh oaisl. ^" f" 
 
 Hirrh and spruoo aro tho only timhor worth .nitting. and aro in km 
 <l""nl.tu.H. Ih. p.no has boon nu,slly all cut off by jobbors fron mI 
 uuska. who usod Iho littlo Saint John rivor for drivingit. and another litt 
 tributary rivor of whirl, I ignoro tho namo. 
 
 ' {L'J. D'Aulmi/, lllh April, 1871.) 
 
 Tho soil of (ho abov'o montion,.d township, oortain hoights oxooptod is 
 m gonoral r.rh and of a yollow and groy oolor. but somowlmt stony. 
 
 Tho low soo( ions aro for (ho most part alluvions, ospocially in th, 
 
 no.ghborhood ol tho rivor Hoisbousoa.-ho, whoro thoy aro vory rich To th 
 
 "orlh oas, of th. ...ntral lino, tho 7tl, and Hth rangol an, in l^;:^;^ mo t 
 
 a.uous but novortholoss thoro aro magnilicont valloys b.twoen tho n)ouu. 
 
 nm.s. 1 ho l.mbor is of a lino growth. Tho prodominating kinds aro sprmv 
 
 <>M <> l-st <,uality, bin.h. maplo, whito birch, iir and Codar. o pS v 
 
 ^^^lMto co<lar. 1 horo is still a good quantity ofpino. ospocially in thi^ 
 
 ^ >nnng ,ho lownslup of Chosnior. Tho D.h range to tho north oast of I 
 
 '" <'^»1 Inu' olors groat advantages to colonisation. Magnificent a.ul 
 
 rather lev,'! soil ; good hard and soft wood. ^nimtnt a.ul 
 
 Tho 7,h. S.h, !.(h a.ul lOlh nu.ges to tho south west of tho cont.-aI li.ie 
 P^«on. rather good huuls. although the surlaco is somewhat broke.., 
 quality oi tho soil is good, but stony. ' 
 
thn IiuuIh vvliith 
 l>f)Ht'N, 118 art) uIno 
 )«■ good quality, 
 ro g«niorally bad, 
 » "iiNt |)art olth,. 
 olChoHuior, the 
 
 , pspociiilly th,« 
 mouiiliiiiiN ; the 
 to north west to 
 
 und uro in lurgo 
 ors iVoiu M,i(in. 
 
 id another littlo 
 
 pril, 1871.) 
 
 ^ts oxooptod, is 
 t stony. 
 
 i>eciallj ill the 
 y rich. To the 
 general moun. 
 et»n tlio moun- 
 luls art! spruw, 
 liw, ospt'oially 
 in the soctioii 
 rth east of the 
 gniliceiit and 
 
 le central line 
 t broken, the 
 
 887 
 
 The diflarnnt, kinds of wood prevailing aro Hprntre, hinih, white birch, 
 miiple, elm, hhIj and lir, on the high lands ; on the low lands, there are fine 
 ,,.ilar and ash trees, and very lino turaarao and black spruce around the 
 
 lakes. 
 
 {L.-J. Onron, 10th March, 1884.) 
 
 Township of Bienoourt. 
 
 In going through the dift'oront sections of this township, I came across 
 tho Saint John river, in whic^h there is a little, swift rapid, strong enough 
 to run J' mill. I also came across the Kagle river, which is still water, and 
 whi( h oilers no remarkable feature. The finest river, I saw is the Touladi. 
 This iiiagnilicent river is wide and the banks are high nearly along its 
 whole course; there is on this river a good mill site, but it is outside the 
 township of Biencourt, just beyond the north east outline, where there is a 
 small rapid, nearly opposite the fourth and fifth ranges. I also oamo across 
 thro(! lakes, of which one may bo about four miles in length, with a width 
 varying between eleven and sixty chains. Its banks are not very high. 
 There is another small lake of oblong form, situated on the front, between 
 tho townships of lledard and Biencourt ; lastly, a small lake on the seventh 
 and eighth ranges near the north east outline. 
 
 The lands of this township are generally good, although for the most 
 part rolling, especially in the north east section of tho central line, as far as 
 tho Touladi river, where they grow more level, in the unsurveyed sections. 
 Tho wood is mixed in nearly all the sections of the township ; merchant- 
 able spruce is very common, but good pine is scarce. 
 
 {L.-A. Dvucet, 5th May, 1875.) 
 
 Township of Ohesnler. 
 
 The wood of most cons.»quence in this township is the cedar and white 
 birch which are in large quantities ; I remarked a great deal of cedar ou 
 tho liigh lands. I measured one tree whose diameter was six feet ; white 
 birch k generally of small size, and of a very mediocre quality ; poplar is 
 
 22 
 
838 
 
 also veiy abundant, but it is young, fire having already swept over thi 
 township. I noticed some tall and fine black spruce, which would not h 
 despised by ship builders, if it were close to hand ; there is very littj! 
 tamarac, I only noticed a few ; there are also very fine and very large birch 
 but good pine is scarce, on account of the lumbering operations which were 
 carried on in this township. 
 
 The soil is generally sandy and of a greyish color ; it is a little stouy • 
 the mountains are mostly all covered with soil, but they are very often so 
 steep as to discourage settlers who would like to take up these lands. Still 
 these obstacles can only delay the progress of colonization, but they 
 will not check it forever : witness, the parish of St-Fabien, which is 
 situated opposite the township of Chesnier, and in which the mountain 
 can rival those of Chesnier ; nevertheless, the work of cultivation is a 
 advanced there as elsewhere ; these mountains start from the shore, and con- 
 tinue as far as the depth of the township ; their general trend is east and 
 west. Colonization in these places would be greatly stimulated by the 
 completion of the Government road of St-Simon to the Tache road, which 
 should not be neglected. The part of this road which is opened' is only 
 practicable for vehicles loaded with about 350 lbs. There is a powerful 
 river along the central line, which could run a grist mill all through the 
 year , the brooks in this township are rather numerous. Maple groves are 
 very scarce ; I only met one which was worth) of the name. 
 
 Thera 
 and Capuc: 
 ones whict 
 be made ui 
 
 The la: 
 fit for the g 
 is composec 
 The most : 
 a« elm. Fir ii 
 side roads i 
 
 (J.-K Duval, 26th February, ISlO.) 
 
 Township of Dalibalre. 
 
 The laud I surveyed in Dalibaire is generally quite fit for the 
 growth oi wheat, peas, barley, oats, potatoes and hay ; yellow soil, sometimes 
 grey, and somewhat moist. Vegetables would grow well in it ; white birch 
 of superior quality abounds, and the facilities for getting out timber are 
 very easy ; fir and spruce of rather good quality are plentiful, and the cedar 
 Is of all desirable sizes. The G-rand Mechins and Grand Capucins, as also 
 " La Vapeur " brook and several other brooks, offer to whomsoever would 
 wish to try them an easy and inexpensive way to float down timber to the 
 St. Lawrence river. 
 
 This p£ 
 colonizatioi] 
 
 The fin 
 
 seventh ran 
 road. The 
 a clear field 
 through. I 
 removed by 
 are being w 
 
 I then ^ 
 between the 
 west. In thi 
 which adjo 
 number tw€ 
 
■ swept over this 
 !li would not be 
 re is very litt). 
 
 very large birch, 
 ions which were 
 
 is a little stouy ; 
 -e very often so 
 lese lands. Still 
 ition, but they 
 'abien, which is 
 the mountains 
 
 339 
 
 The ranges which I surveyed are crossed at their depths by the Mechins 
 and Capucins rivers and also by the " La Vapeur " brook, and a few smaller 
 ones which form ravines of difiacult passage, across which roads could not 
 be made unless by following the small streams which discharge into them. 
 
 (C.-/S. Lepage, 8th May, 1888.) 
 
 
 uitivation IS aj elm. Fir is generally long and hard. It is very difllcult to make front and 
 
 e shore, and con 
 rend is east and 
 imulated by the 
 )he road, which 
 i opened is only 
 5 is a powerful 
 all through the 
 laple groves are 
 e. 
 
 nary, 18^0.) 
 
 The land is generally somewhat moist. The soil is of superior quality, 
 fit for the growth of hay, oats, barley and of all cereals generally. The soil 
 is composed of mixed grey earth. Sometimes yellov/loam mixed with clay. 
 The most noteworthy timber is the fir, white birch, spruce, cedar and 
 
 side roads in each of the ranges 
 
 (C.-S. Leprnre, 20th December, 1883.) 
 
 te fit for the 
 soil, sometimes 
 it ; white birch 
 out timber are 
 1, and the cedar 
 apucins, as also 
 rasoever would 
 n timber to the 
 
 Township of Duqueane. 
 
 This part of the township although rather mountainous is very fit for 
 colonization, the soil being generally very good. 
 
 The finest place for a village reserve would undoubtedly be in the 
 seventh range, opposite the centre line, in the neighborhood of the Tach6 
 road. The soil of this latter range is of superior quality, and would offer 
 a clear field to colonization, when the Tache road will have been opened 
 through. In all this section of surveyed land, the timber has been entirely 
 removed by lumbermen. In ranges nine and ten, there are sugaries which 
 are being worked. 
 
 {G. Garon, 22nd June, 1877.) 
 
 I then went to the boundary between ranges B and I, and ran the line 
 between the ranges, and chained all the lots running towards the south 
 west. In this range the land is very good, with the exception of the lots 
 which adjoin the Rimouski river, that is, from number one as far as 
 number twelve. 
 
340 
 
 The land adioining the Macp6s lake, aud in the neighborhood of the 
 river, is very fit for settlement. The soil is of rather good quality on the 
 lots in the south west section ; in the north east section, there are some 
 good lots. 
 
 {G. Garon, 1*7 th September, 1881.) 
 
 Township of Flynn. 
 
 This townshippossessesone of the richest soils of theconnty of Riraouski 
 and will be ere long a magnificent agricultural centre. The surface is lessa 
 wooded than that of the township of Macpes ; the land slopes generally to 
 the south east. All the section which is watered by the river Caribou or 
 the north east branch of the Rimouski river, the Black river and tht 
 Beaver river, is low. The soil is a kind of alluvion ; on th e higher grounds 
 it is composed in great part of yellow and grey loam mixed with clay, The 
 different kinds of wood are in general the same as iu Macpes, but I may 
 state that soft wood predominates. I may also remark that from the third 
 range of Flynn, for at least about fifteen miles, to the north east, if 
 not more, all the unsurveyed region is without exception one of the richest 
 of the province. All the valley of the eastern branch, without doubt, will 
 become iu the near future a great agricultural centre. 
 
 The centre section surveyed by me is, as you can see by examiniiic 
 the above plan, well watered ; it is crossed by many streams, and dotted 
 with lakes in great number, of which the largest and most important is 
 lake Tache, which is very deep and abounds with fish. The other lakes 
 are also well stocked with fish, among others lakes Lunette and Depot iu 
 Macpes, and lake Pierre in Flynn, which last one empties into the river 
 Neigette, which in turn discharges into the river Metis. 
 
 {L'J. Garon, 30th October, 1880.) 
 
 Township of Humqui. 
 
 The surface of this township is comparatively level, as far as I coul 
 judge when running the line which separates it from the township o 
 Nemtaye and by what I could observe from the tops of the mountains i 
 
841 
 
 ghborhood of the 
 d quality on the 
 I, there are some 
 
 ember, 1881.) 
 
 aiity of Riraousk 
 he surface is less 
 lopes generally to 
 river Caribou or 
 ::k river and tht 
 e higher grounds 
 id with clay, The 
 cpes, but I may 
 t from the third 
 the north east, if 
 one of the richest 
 hout doubt, will 
 
 ee by examiuiiig 
 earns, and dotted 
 lost important is 
 The other lakes 
 te and Depot iu 
 js into the river 
 
 cjtober, 1880.) 
 
 as far as I coul( 
 the township c 
 the mountains i: 
 
 Nemtay6 ; it contains no pine, as in Milnikek, but there is as much, if not more, 
 merchantable spruce. Cedar is also very abundant ; the other kinds of 
 timber are fir, white birch and birch. The soil is more moist and of good 
 quality. This township is altogether fit for colonization. 
 
 {Hector LeBer, 6th April, 1869.) 
 
 This township has a frontage of 7*7*7 chains and the section subdivided 
 to date into farm lots comprises an area of 33,263 acres divided into 328 
 
 lots. 
 
 Nearly the seven eighths of this area are fit for tillage and could be prob- 
 ably settled ; the land, without being absolutely level, ofiers nevertheles no 
 serious obstacle either to the facility of communication or to cultivation. 
 
 The soil in general is of good quality, although somewhat stony in 
 certain places. It is a mixture of yellow loam and grey clay. The layer of 
 vegetable mould, which covers it, does not exceed any where 10 to 15 inches 
 ia thickness, and it is only in very low and damp places like the neighbor- 
 hood of several lakes, where it is so thick ; in most cases it is only from three 
 to five inches. 
 
 In the interior of the township of Humqui, there is a number of small 
 lakes generally abounding with fish. These lakes are the source of a number 
 of brooks which flow through the township in every direction. The most 
 of these small brooks will be of great utility, especially for cattle, when this 
 important part of the country is settled up and the fine lands of the Mata- 
 pedia valley shall have been cleared and turned into pasturage. 
 
 But of all the streams which cross the township of Humqui, there are 
 a few which are important from another point of view than the watering 
 of the soil. On many of them are a number of good mill sites, and notably 
 on Indian Brook and the Humqui river. 
 
 Apart from the Matapedia river, which I may class among the finest 
 rivers of the province of Quebec, and on which I noted an important power 
 on the 43rd lot of range three. The Humqui river is by far the most 
 important of the entire valley in which it is situated, and it has very 
 properly given its name to the township which it crosses. 
 
842 
 
 The quantity of water which it carries into the Matapedia river nf 
 which It IS a tributary, seems considerable, even in the summer drou^J 
 the only time I had the opportunity of seeing it. ° 
 
 I am told that this river is fit for driving along part of its course 
 Formerly considerable lumbering operations were carried on alou- thi," 
 river, but now that the lumber trade is not so profitable, operations a 
 decreasing gradually from year to year. Moreover, merchantable timber 
 has become scarce in all the Matapedia valley, owing to the ravages of fire 
 which has ruined the fine forests that formally covered these lands. 
 
 I have already observed in one of my precedinjr reports that the chief 
 causes of trouble and hardship for the future settlers of the Mataoedi. 
 valley will be, in the first place, the improvement of the soil in certain 
 places impoverished by a number of successive fires, and next the absence 
 of lumber. 
 
 I do not exaggerate when I state that to the south and west of Mata- 
 pedia lake, and on the course of the river which bears the same name there 
 IS an area of at least a thousand miles of forest totally devastated, this 
 devastation dating back a few years ; for the new growth of all kinds which 
 to-day replaces the original forest, has not yet attained an average hei^^ht of 
 more than eight to ten feet. It is difficult to form a correct estimate of the 
 immense quantity of important timber of all kinds, which has been des- 
 troyed in this region, spruce, birch, maple, &c. ; the cedar is still in abun- 
 dance on the few spots that the fire did not touch. 
 
 The average diameter of the fallen trees, which in immense quantities 
 
 few Trr ''' ":!' "/^°" '' *° '' ^^^^^^- ^ ^-« -- come acrt 
 iew of these trees with a diameter of thirty to forty inches. 
 
 I draw attention to these facts because they attest the quality of the 
 soil which has grown such timber ; at the same time they give an idea of 
 the great loss which the province has sustained by the fires which annually 
 mai£e such extensive sweeps through our forests. 
 
 . . ^^f the Matapedia valley has a future as an agricultural region can- 
 
 ?rl S^'f? '■;* V^"'"l' '' °""^ ''^''^ '^' fi'^^-^d, which leads 
 from St. F avie to the Bare des Chaieurs, to be assured of the fact that 
 no where else can settlers find so many advantages as in this valley. Level 
 land, good soil easy communications as well by the waggon road as by the 
 Intercolonial Railroad, which will cross this valley at its broadest point, 
 
itapedia river, of 
 immer droughts 
 
 art of its course. 
 d on along this 
 e, operations are 
 -ihantable timber 
 e ravages of fire 
 !se lands. 
 
 ■ts that the chief 
 
 ' the Matapedia 
 
 soil in certain 
 
 next the absence 
 
 I west of Mata- 
 ime name, there 
 devastated, this 
 ill kinds, which 
 erage height of 
 estimate of the 
 has been des- 
 5 still in abun- 
 
 ense quantities 
 come across a 
 
 5 quality of the 
 five an idea of 
 hich annually 
 
 ral region can- 
 I, which leads 
 f the fact that 
 valley. Level 
 road as by the 
 roadest point, 
 
 343 
 
 such are the advantages on which we are warranted in basing our hopes 
 Avith regard to the future of colonization iu this part of the country. 
 
 And I may add, from the seigniory of Metis to the Ristigouche river, 
 there is not a single township better situated or which promises to be more 
 quickly settled than the township of Humqui. 
 
 {C.-F. Roy, 24th February, 1870.) 
 
 Township of Lepage. 
 
 The township oi Lepage is well fitted for settlement. The soil is gene- 
 rally a yellow loam of good quality with scarcely any rocks ; we come 
 across tracts of grey and yellow loam near the river. The most extensive 
 are on lots sixty-throe, sixty-four and sixty-five, in the first range. 
 
 The land is not so broken, as it might be supposed to be from merely 
 following the river by the Matapedia road ; as, from the centre line of the 
 township to about a half mile from the river, there is a mountain which 
 skirts the river at that distance, trendiiig towards the north west as far as 
 the 67th lot. This would be a rather serious obstacle to some of the settlers 
 of the first range, who conld not communicate with the eastern extremities 
 of their lands, without going round by their neighbors. This inconvenience 
 is all the more to be regretted that the lands, on the mountain tops, are 
 very fine, and even more level, and of a better soil than those which 
 border the Matapedia river. This mountain hus an average height of 250 
 feet, and in two places it must attain four or five hundred feet. The tract 
 comprised between Salmon lake and the mountain is very stony and little 
 adapted to tillage. On ranges A, II and III, the land is almost level and 
 very good, but the fires which have often swept over this township, have 
 destroyed a great deal of the wood in the southern part, from lot 30 of the 
 first range, ruuuing east to a little distance from the CausapscuU river. In 
 these brules, the settlers will have but very little work to do to fit their 
 land for the plough This will certainly be a great advantage for those who 
 have some means ; but those who have not will probably grumble ; this slight 
 drawback to some will be greatly compensated by advantage to others. 
 
 From the head of Salmon lake to the north west outline of Lepage, the 
 brules continue on an average depth of half a mile as far as the top of 
 the mountain. Merchantable spruce abounds everywhere the fire has 
 
844 
 
 not swept ; birch and pine are very searce, the little there was havino- been 
 cut down by jobbers from Bonaventure and New-Brunswick, but especiallv 
 from the latter. Cedar is generally thinly scattered, and I scarcely mo; 
 two acres of (;edar groves on all the lines which I ran. The townshjo 
 watered by several brooirs, of which a few offer second class water powers' 
 The Matapedia river offers also several water powers, of which one will he 
 utilized this summer by one Terriault, who is going to erect a grist mill 
 opposite the Fournier mountain, on lot 13 ; this mill will be in workinr. 
 order by next fall. ^ 
 
 The Matapedia valley will be rapic , o.tled, if the railroad passes 
 through It, for, besides the advantages which this enterprise M^ould offer 
 the soil IS generally as good as on any of the Crown lands that I have visited! 
 
 The direction of the prevailing winds is mostly always from the north 
 west, sometimes from the south east ; the climate is about the same as in 
 Quebec. Winter begins generally towards the end of November and 
 sowing can be nearly always begun in the first days of May. Less 'snow 
 fell this winter in :his section than on the shores of the St. Lawrence 
 between Quebec and Matane. 
 
 {Louts D'Auteuil, 15th March, 1867.) 
 
 Township of Maop68. 
 
 The township of Macpes, which has long been considered as poorly 
 fitted for settlement, is on the contrary the most advantageous which I 
 surveyed in this district. 
 
 In the first place its soil is generally excellent and little broken, jud"'. 
 mg from the centre line, along which no hills of any size occur from the 
 first range to the depth of the sixth range ; so much so that the superin- 
 tendent of the road, intended to connect with the Tache road, adopted the 
 centre line as the most advantageous for the prolongation of the road in 
 question. Ranges four, five and six are remarkable in many respects. The 
 land IS very level, the soil is fertile and the bush very clear. The predom- 
 inating wood in these ranges is the maple, used for sugaries on a large scale 
 by the settlers of the township and the farmers of the neighboring 
 parishes. There are already over fifty sugar shanties erected on the ranjrel 
 
 , 
 
was having been 
 ;k, but especially 
 i I scarcely met 
 The township ig 
 ss water powers, 
 hich one will be 
 ;rect a grist mill 
 be in working 
 
 i railroad passes 
 •ise would offer, 
 it I have visited. 
 
 1 from the north 
 the same as in 
 November, and 
 ay. Less snow 
 e St. Lawronce 
 
 irch, 1867.) 
 
 lered as poorly 
 xgeows which I 
 
 i broken, judg- 
 
 occur from the 
 
 it the superin- 
 
 id, adopted the 
 
 of the road in 
 
 respects. The 
 
 The predora- 
 
 lU a hirge scale 
 
 ! neighboring 
 
 on the ranjres 
 
 345 
 
 o],ove mentioned, and I know some proprietors of sugar shanties who 
 make upwards of one thousand pounds of sugar each every year. 
 
 The merchantable timber has generally been removed by lumberers ; 
 but spruce is still in abundance, so that the settler will ni»t want for wood 
 make a roof to shelter him from the winter frosts and to house his crops. 
 The streams are numerous and offer in their couse very good and advanta- 
 jreous mill sites. 
 
 One of the branches of the Grande Neigette called Little Neigette 
 icrosses this township which it waters and fertilizes. Along this river 
 which is rather powerful, since it can be used for driving logs, there are 
 imnipu^e tracts on which the soil cannot be surpassed for excellence, and a 
 considerable number of persons propose to enter upon them to make clearings 
 next spring and settle there permanently with their families. Not one 
 man of my staff could resist the temptation to imitate Jean Rivard. aud to 
 choose a lot, which they intend settling as soon as possible. 
 
 If the land in the south west part of the township is sometimes undu- 
 lating, it is not stony, so that its tillage will not be difficult or expensive. 
 
 The seventh range which is crossed by the Tache road, is certainly 
 not of the best quality, and I am astonished that they ran a line in this 
 section, for the river Ferree on the north side offers dry and stony land, 
 sometimesjclay and, in some parts, mountainous as may be seen by the plan 
 already mentioned. 
 
 Tho finest bottom lands, which I saw {clay and wheat lands) are found 
 to the south of the river Ferree, which slope gradually to the Shickshock 
 mountains at the depth of the eighth range. 
 
 In the ninth and tenth ranges, there is also some of the finest land ; 
 maple is in such abundance that it is impossible to notice other kinds of wood, 
 in the ninth range particularly ; as for the tenth range the timber is mixed : 
 birch, maple, spruce, fir and ash ; in fact, the soil is rich and splendid, I 
 have never come across more fertile, judging from appearances. 
 
 (7. -A, Brad/eij, 15th February, 1865.) 
 
mi 
 
 846 
 
 f.!^.. 
 
 wM^ 
 
 Wii 
 
 § 
 
 'I' 
 
 I 
 4 
 
 I must say that the lands in the eighth range are in general of sunerinr 
 qnahty ; we must nevertheless ex.x.pt the mountainous section, that is ! 
 say, the south east half of lot twelve as far as the twenty-eio-hth whirh 
 very mountainous, but which is nevertheless in great part "lit for tiHal" 
 this range is well wooded ; maple, birch and hard wood of the same kin 1 
 predominate ; in the neighborhood of the river Ferree and the lakes 7 
 predominating woods are the cedar, spruce, fir and white birch. The ninth 
 range is less mountainous, and in general more hvel, the predominatin! 
 woods being maple, birch, white birch, cedar, spruce and fir Theslm 
 remark applies to the tenth range of Macp6s. The soil of these three ran.. 
 IS m general a yellow and grey loam alternating and very rich • in som 
 places around the lakes and rivers, there are very rich cedar groves, whi!h 
 later will m.ke line land for meadows and pastures. The timber is of fine 
 growth, especially the hard woods, maple, birch and also the cedar As fo 
 the merchantable timber, such as pine and spruce, I must remark that verv 
 little remains, the lumbermen having mercilessly cut down all before them 
 here as elsewhere. Your lumbermen, that is, the limit holders, are never 
 scrupulous. They cut down everything, pine and spruce, large and small 
 that hey come across in their limits I know, as I have seen the thin, hr 
 myself, that they have cut down pine and spruce less than twelve iifches 
 in diameter. This is not only an abuse, but clearly a theft. Let me explain 
 The lumbermen get their sub-contractors to give them two logs of eleven 
 inches lor a standard log as they commonly call it, although the standard 
 measure IS thirteen inches, and they pay to the aovernmmt only for the 
 cutting ot one log, that is to say, on one thousand logs of eleven inches or 
 t ^ elve inches, delivered by a .jobber, the lumberman pays only five cents for 
 stumpage dues, but not on the thousand. This is a fraud on the revenue 
 and at the same time a ruin to the forest. 
 
 (L.-J. Gawn, 30th October, 1880.) 
 
 Townahip of Mass6. 
 
 f ,/J^*^««*^^tion surveyed by me, in western Masse, including an area 
 of 42.000 acres, is level and of good soil, and except the crossiSo- of the 
 rivers Michigoneche and Mercier, which have high and steep kmks in 
 certain places, it would be impossible to find a tract of land more level or 
 more valuable, both as regards timber and soil, and the section which is not 
 
 In thi 
 
 contrasts \ 
 dry and «;( 
 
 Theg 
 range one 
 4102 acres, 
 range line. 
 
 The la 
 gravely ye 
 of the heig 
 
 Onth 
 broken an 
 starting frc 
 across eve 
 the bottom 
 river. Thi 
 and certaii 
 
 Range 
 
 it occur 
 not extend 
 for tillage. 
 
 mamimm smmmwa m 
 
iuoral of superior 
 ectioa, thiit is to 
 eighth, which ia 
 I't lit foi Ullage; 
 f the same kinds 
 d the lakes, the 
 irch. The ninth 
 e predominating 
 dfir. The same 
 lese three ranges 
 f rich ; in some 
 r groves, which 
 timber is of fine 
 le cedar. As for 
 nnark that very 
 all before them 
 Iders, are never 
 arge and small, 
 en the thing for 
 a twelve inches 
 Let me explain. 
 ) logs of eleven 
 ^h the standard 
 ent only for the 
 ileven inches or 
 ly five cents for 
 on the revenue 
 
 )ber, 1880.) 
 
 847 
 
 lurveyed to the south west is just as fine, if not preferable. I cannot, how* 
 ["ver, say as much f r the northeastern part, where the laud is inferior and 
 more broken, on account of its proximity to the chain of the Notre Dame 
 [fountains, at the northern base of which passes the outline of Masse. 
 
 In this section, the swamps and low lands are more frequent, which 
 ntrasts with the south western section where the soil is everywhere good, 
 dry and covered with birch, spruce, mountain ash, cedar, &c. 
 
 (L.'S.-E. Grondiri, 26th February, 1874.) 
 
 co: 
 
 The greater part of this range line crosse.s dry and stony land, so that 
 rano'e one of Masse, to the north east of the centre line, with an area of 
 4102 acres, is little adapted to cultivation, at least in the vicinity of the 
 range line. 
 
 {L.-S.-E. Grondin, 16th March, 1875.) 
 
 lading an area 
 crossing of the 
 iteep banks in 
 1 more level or 
 u which is not 
 
 Township of Matalek. 
 
 The land in ranges A and 13 is rather good, although composed of 
 gravely yellow loam ; the last lots near the river are not so good on account 
 of the heights. 
 
 On the range line between ranges 1 and 2, the land is everywhere 
 broken and not very fitted for tillage, except the four or five first lots, 
 starting from the lateral line between Matalek and Humqui. We come 
 across everywhere very elevated land, intersected with deep ravines, at 
 the bottom of which flow small brooks that discharge into the Matapedia 
 river. The eight or nine last lots, near the township line, are more level 
 and certainly all fit for cultivation. 
 
 Range 3 presents a broken surface, but less than the lower range. In 
 it occur more d3ep ravines, but in less number. However, thoy do 
 not extend far to the west of the range line, leaving the land more fitted 
 
 for tillage. 
 
 ^v 
 
 ^:i 
 
:" %:• 
 
 848 
 
 \ ' 
 
 Rang.- 4 is ovorywhoro eomi)osod of lovol land, well ilttod lor coloni 
 /ation. All iho 8.,..tion IVom tho north lateral lino an lar as tho (.entr. ji, 
 can bo (•onsuk'r..d as a ])ottoni, except when lu^aring the centre where w 
 come ac;ros« a rather deep ravine, having on hoth sides very accessibl! 
 elevations ; IVom the centre line, running north as far as the township jj,,. 
 there is a gradual elevation of about 230 feet. Just at the starting noi„i of 
 the centre line ; the remaiiuU-r being an elevited and level plateau. 
 
 Range 5 is everywhere rather level, and mostly covered with hird 
 wood ; it contains only one deep ravine. The centre line runs throu<rh a 
 very level sec-tion, only the part situated along tho river being difficult 
 of access. 
 
 As for the lots which border they river, they are everywhere of inferior 
 quality, except the eight or nine lots at the mouth of the Matalek brook 
 and lots 34, 35, 30 and 37, which are of superier quality. ' 
 
 In short, everywhere the soil is dry, composed of yellow clay mostir 
 granulated and almost Iree from rocks, except in the range, which bonders the 
 river, and which is of difFioult access on accound of the irregularities of the 
 laud. 
 
 (L.S.-E. Orondin, April, 1869.) 
 
 Township of Matane. 
 
 The quality of the soil at the rear of the four lirst ranges, being even 
 superior to the lirst, from the lifth range especially, as tar as the eighth, or 
 even as far as the river Tetcheditz which discharges into the Matane river, ou 
 the ninth range, I think it my duty to again insist on the importance of 
 such an improvement. 
 
 The Matane river offers immense tracts whose fertility cannot be sur- 
 passed, extending into the interior for almost eight to ten leagues, with a 
 depth varying from eleven to twenty and oven as much as thirty arpeuts, 
 On these tracts, elm, ash, birch, alder and spruce grow, and Indians have 
 assured me that these fine lands extend as lar as the " Trout " river which 
 discharges into the Grand Matane, at about fifteen leagues from the sea 
 following the bends of the river, and that, at the confluence of the river 
 Touladi, these flat lands are proportionately still more extensive. At the 
 
34!) 
 
 littod lor coloui 
 i tho oeiitn; line^ 
 eontro where we 
 1 v.ory access ible 
 
 townsliip )i„^> 
 startinir point of 
 
 1 platoau. 
 
 rerod with hard 
 i runs through a 
 r bein^ difhcult 
 
 ■where oi' inferior 
 * Matalek hrook, 
 
 )W clay, mostly 
 hich borders the 
 ffularities of the 
 
 ^pril, 1869.) 
 
 fes, being even 
 IS tlio eighth, or 
 Vlataue river, ou 
 5 importance of 
 
 cannot be sur- 
 leagues, with a 
 thirty arpeuts. 
 i Indians have 
 t " river which 
 s from the sea 
 ce of the river 
 :ensive. At the 
 
 .,if ofthcse (lat lands come the hard vvoodhinds ; these are the banks of tho 
 Mutaiic river having? u slope which is slight enough ior tillage. 
 
 iMoui the nature of this region it is evident that .several hundreds of 
 ,,,ll,.r8 (ovild settle there without much expense for the opening of roads, 
 J' -in"' in this ease but their front road to make. A road is actually opened 
 I, Ihe south west side of the river, to the depth of the ninth range, and 
 liltecn settlers are already located along this road, with clearances ou their 
 respective lots, varying from five to thirty acres, who are awaiting with 
 rtuxiely the decision of the Government to this etlect. The lands are 
 ma.ruilicent in the rear of the seigniory oi Matune, and in a very short 
 tiure tlu'y would all be taken up if they were accessible by means ot a road. 
 
 (J- A. Ihadlei/, 1st August, 1862.) 
 
 In general, the land which I had to survey is undulating, broken and 
 soniotiines mountainous ; nevertheless there are tracts of considerable extent, 
 ^vith a soil of superior quality. 
 
 There is a great number of lokes whose banks are, for the most part, 
 wooded with bfack spruce. I scaled all these which exceeded twenty-five 
 acres I also scaled the part of the river Mataiie, included in this township. 
 In addition, there is the river IVtchedit/, which forks into two branches. 
 Dvuiu"- the course of last winter, a considerable quantity of spruce logs 
 were made on this river, and also on tho Malane river, by Elie Genereux, 
 esquire ; spruce is the only timber to be cut. 
 
 The land rises gradually following the centre line, from the ninth 
 rano-e to the rear line of the township, where the chain of mountains is 
 reu'^ed which borders the Matapodia river. On both sides of the centre line, 
 the waters separate, to the north east into the river Matane, and to the 
 south west into the White river, and partly into lake Matapedia. 
 
 The banks of the Matane; river are everywhere of very difficult access, 
 and render the most of the adjoining land uncultivable. They rise to about 
 fifteen hundred feet above the level ofthe-river; tho Hats are o' excellent 
 land lit for the growth of hav, but unfortunately they are of small extent. 
 On a' great many of these Hats, hay is cut by non residents, but who all 
 have houses and barns there. 
 
850 
 
 The land adjoinini? tho lakes to the north eost of the coutro !>„. ; 
 generally Btony ,uul broken a.id little suited to cultivation. ' The l.„^' ! 
 the neighborhood ol the lake., to the south west ot the ..entre line, it 
 prcferable and altogothiT arable. 
 
 The land to the north east or the river Matane i,, apart from Us (lai, 
 •aluable lor ,ts t.mber, thongh » great qua. .i.y has been removed ' 
 though another part was destroyed by lire a few years ago. 
 
 the Little Matane r.yer, wonld offer ,. nataral, and very easy ronlo fo . 
 railroad vvhtch would pass by Matane, and would Join the Intereolo i 
 *e south of lake Matapodia ; I „,n surprised that there was nobody . 
 Matane to ask lor an exploratory survey in that direction at the time „ ,h 
 eonstruolion of the Intercolonial. It is true the length of the railway w d 
 have been mereased Irora tea to twelve miles at the most, but a huX 
 mT, '°i »™,«°"''' h«-e been saved and the parishes of N. D 
 M Ntder, of St. Ulr.e, and of St. .Terome of Matane, would have seeured t 
 advantages of a ra.lroad. Ignorance cannot be pretended, as there has be, 
 
 thriZeriver"""" ''"' ' '°"'"' '"'' "^'"^ '»^« '«'"»''«"" «^ 
 
 The eleventh range is of aedinm quality in mostly all its north ea«l 
 part on account of its nume,o„s and sleep rocks; the soil is a yellow loat 
 and IS wooded with I r, spruce, white birch and birch, with a goed da" 
 ofcedar in the low lands. Towards the depths of this raug Jhe ll 
 become be ter Thesouth west part of this same range is better li ted 111! 
 being less broken and more free from stones. . °' 
 
 .^ ■ ?" T'lil! """^ ">'--'««"h ranges ate of superior quality i„ nearlvall 
 heir lengthy They are wooded with maple, white birch birch, li s r„ 
 cedar &c. The soil is yellow and somewhat clayey. It is rather le toI bu, ,' 
 
 r ,.r'7i'""'="" '""""'^ " ^-i "• ^ »"<"" 'i- whch wi ' 
 
 »" t try wT" ""'■ """ '^''" ^''*'^'''- Hay and grain would grow 
 
 The fourteenth range is also of good quality, but there are here aad 
 
 ^rediZ H^V:'*.""""' render the settlement of the lands th 
 range difHcult. The timber is fir, cedar, birch, white birch and maple, fa. 
 
 cedar^tirTf T'u" '" F"""^^^ Sood land, wooded with spruce, 
 cedar, birch, white birch, maple, fir, &c. 
 
»o oontre Una it 
 5>i. Tho lundin 
 tro line, i» much 
 
 rt from its flats, 
 ri removed, and 
 
 Petcheditz and 
 easy route for a 
 
 Intercolonial to 
 
 is nobody ill all 
 
 the time of the 
 
 railway would 
 
 but a hundred 
 
 es of N. D, de 
 
 ave secured the 
 
 there has been 
 
 Matapedia and 
 
 its north east 
 I a yellow loam 
 h a good deal 
 nge, the lands 
 ^r fitted tillage 
 
 y in nearly all 
 'K iir, spruce, 
 er level, but it 
 which would 
 in would grow 
 
 are here and 
 ■ lands of this 
 nd maple, &c. 
 
 with spruce, 
 
 851 
 
 The quality of the soil is a yellow sand, mixed with (day sometimes, 
 and "•enerally moist, Wheat, oats and hny could be grown with suci^ess. 
 Theie are, in the centre of the township, dill'erent places very advantageous 
 to build a grist mill or saw mill, either on the Petcheditz river or the 
 Lalriinoe l)rook. 
 
 A certain part of ranges nine and ten is very broken and stony to the 
 right and left of the centre lino. This part is unfit for cultivation ; the 
 value of the land being diminished by steep hills. 
 
 Front and by-roads can be easily opened everywhere, except in the 
 eif^hth range, of which the upper part is crossed in all its greatest length, 
 by the river Petcheditz, whose bonks are nearly inaccessible, and are only 
 good for their timber, which is in great abundance ; 1 am told that Mr. E. 
 Geuereux has made all the necessary preparations lo carry on consiilerable 
 lumbering operations here next winter. 
 
 (C.-S. Lepage, 29(h October, 1881.) 
 
 Township of Milnikek. 
 
 The natural features, taking that part of the township surveyed as a 
 whole, are rough and rolling, but not so much so as to discourage settlers 
 or render the land unfit for cultivation ; the whole extent of land in that 
 part of ranges A, one, two, three and four to the north east side of Milnikek 
 brook, with very few exceptions, is rolling and undulating soil, good for 
 cultivation, consisting principally of red and white loam and in places stony, 
 but unfortunately the top soil is all burnt, also the standing timber, the 
 second growth consisting of white and yellow birch, fir, poplar, wild cherry 
 spruce and fir. Eanges two, three and four on the south east side of the 
 Milnikek brook up to lot fifty-three in each of the ranges are, with thv 
 exception of front half of range two, good and especially adapted for 
 intending settlers, should they locate themselves in the vicinity of the centre 
 line ; fine, gradual, sloping land on the head waters of the Malts brook and the 
 two Connor's brooks, a good standing growth of yellow and black birch, a 
 few maples and a thick undergrowth of spruce and fir. The soil mostly red 
 and stony, but the stones not of any great size, neither soil nor timber being 
 burnt. I consider it as the most valuable part of the portion of the town- 
 ship surveyed, and with the exception of from lots fifty-eight to sixty-six in 
 
352 
 
 ranges one, two and three (which is of the same quality of land as ab 
 mentioned), the remaining part or portion is rough, hilly and broken ! 
 may be considered as generally unfit for settlement. All the merchautall 
 timbe. of any consequence has been cut away, which was pine of the fi ! 
 quality, but there are a good number of birch that will be at some fut? 
 time brought into use for shipping and other purposes. 
 
 On the question of roads, I should consider that a colonization ro.l 
 could be easily made up the valley of Connor's gulch until it intersects 
 second and third ranges ; then follow up north and along the said ran. 
 till It meets the centre line ; thence up the centre line for the depth of on 
 range, on and along the range line three and four continued both north anH 
 south for say two miles ; either way would open the finest and richest n.rf 
 
 1 lu' mT'-i r J^', ""'^ '"^ ''"'^'' ^^^"S' all burnt on the north east S 
 of the Milnikek brook renders it almost, but not altogether, unfit for set t 
 ment and ronsequently of not so much value as the lands on the opposit! 
 side of the brook. k'ywiK 
 
 I consider that the whole of this township rests upon a clay slate forma, 
 ion from the general appearance and nature of the loose stones Ivinffo., 
 the surface, but, towards the Matapedia township line, it commences'to J 
 upon a limestone bed of good quality. The height of land in the "town 
 ship lies between the Milnikek brook and Mill Stream, the mountains fallin." 
 gradually on either side of the aforesaid rivers. ° 
 
 (P. Murison, 23rd January, 1870.) 
 
 Township of Neigette. 
 
 In all this section the soil is level and covered with wood of the very 
 best grovvth such as maple, birch, ash, elm and cedar, nourished by a soil 
 composed of a calcareous earth very fit for tillage. When once the Taohe 
 road IS opened and joined by the road already begun, the proximity of the 
 Rimouski harbor, added to the good qualities of the soil, will assure tk 
 prompt settlement of this township. 
 
 {L.-S.-E. Grondin, 31st December, 18G4. 
 
853 
 
 ' of land as above 
 and broken, and 
 the merchantable 
 5 pine of the first 
 be at some future 
 
 colonization road 
 1 it intersects the 
 r the said range, 
 
 the depth of one 
 id both north and 
 
 and richest part 
 e north east side 
 r, unfit for settle- 
 ion the opposite 
 
 clay slate forma- 
 stones lying on 
 )mmences'to rest 
 id in the town- 
 ountains falling 
 
 lary, 1870.) 
 
 ood of the very 
 rished by a soil 
 once the Tache 
 >roximity of the 
 'Vill assure thu 
 
 The sixth range, in the south west section of the township of Neigette, 
 is well wooded ; the soil in general, although mountainous in the valley of 
 the Grand Neigette river, is of rather good quality. The predominating 
 woods are the maple, birch, white birch, spruce and cedar. There still remains 
 a rather large quantity of merchantable spruce. The cedar is magnificent. 
 
 The ninth range, in the south west part of this township, is in general 
 composed of very good land and well wooded. The wood is the same as in 
 the sixth range. In the north east part, I noticed several stony places, 
 especially the numbers 18, 17 and 16, inclusively. More to the east, the soil 
 ig preferable, being well wooded with hard wood. 
 
 (L.-J. Garon, 19th October, 1883.) 
 
 Township of Nemtay6. 
 
 This township is mountainous, but the mountains, although very high, 
 are surrounded with large, beautiful valleys; these mountains, which follow 
 a very crooked trend, present generally towards the middle of their length 
 a cape or a point, more or less steep. Apart from these capes, whose base 
 is small, and which never occur to the number of two on the same mountain 
 or on the same chain of moimtains, the slopes are gentle and ar<i like the 
 table lands of easy access. There is no merchantable timber in this town- 
 ship, except the fir and cedar which abound, birch and white birch ; we 
 come across in some places a great deal of maple and ash, especially on the 
 frontage which adjoins the seigniory of lake Matapedia and the township of 
 Awantjish. 
 
 Besides several small lakes, there are sufucient streams for farming pur- 
 poses. The soil is generally very good, and the settlements flourishing. 
 
 {Hector LeBer, 6th April, 1869.) 
 
 iber, 1864. 
 
 Having finished my work, I have the pleasure to inform you that, in the 
 tract of land which I surveyed, there are no uncultivable swamps ; all this 
 laud, although not of superior quality, is very fit for colonization. 
 
 23 
 
 {FrL. Poudrier, 28th September, 1869.) 
 
354 
 
 Township of Ouimet. 
 
 taoi" *^^ '""*''''' '"T"^'^ '"^ *^' township of Ouimet. with an area of 
 19 980 acres IS certainly a very fine tract of land, bein^ level and possessing 
 a soil of excellent quality, covered with different kinds of wood of very fin! 
 growth and good quality. It would be rather difficult to find a finer trad 
 of land and more advantageous for colonization, the soil being of a supel 
 quality, even preferable to that of Masse, because it is not so high. 
 
 {L.-S.-E. Grondin, February, 1875.) 
 
 Township of Robitaille. 
 
 I came across three lakes which were not very deep, but which all 
 abound with fish. The soil, although somewhat rociy, is generrii;! 
 everywhere, except on the chain of mountains to the north of the Toulad- 
 river. But on the top of the mountains and at their foot, the land is very 
 good, especially on the banks of the Touladi river, which are excellent elm 
 and ash bottoms that would soon be taken up. if the Government would 
 have by-roads made, particularly on the line between the counties of 
 Rimouski and Temiscouata, where the land is very fit for the purpose. 
 
 (G.-A. Doucet, 19th May, 1882.) 
 
 Township of Romieu. 
 
 on. lV^\^'l\^^''''' ^ *''°'' ''""^'^^ ^^^' *° ^^P^^'^ thi« township, and I 
 concluded that the greater part (the N. E. part) is uncultivable. The Can- 
 
 Cha te river, with its two branches, the Cassette brook and several other 
 
 brooks form chfFs and precipices of all kinds, which render this region a 
 
 kind of an abyss. The south west section of the ranges V, VI VII and VIII 
 
 18 wooded with white birch, spruce, cedar, fir; birch, maple,'and the other 
 
 hard woods are found in very small quantities. In the part of the township 
 
 of Romieu, which lies between the south west lateral line of the township 
 
 '?i 1 ! tI® ^'°°^' *^^ ^^''^ '' "'^'^ «^P«"«^ to that of the township 
 
 of Dahbaire. Unfortunately to the north east of this brook, there is. rightly 
 speaking, no more arable land. 
 
vith an area of 
 and possessing 
 ood of very fimj 
 nd a finer tract 
 igof a superior 
 ) high. 
 
 ary, 1875.) 
 
 865 
 
 The land, which would have bf^en crossed by the centre line between 
 lots twenty-four and twenty-five, being altogether uncultivable, almost 
 impassable, and useless, on account of the difficulty and expensiveness of 
 running aline there, I thought it better not to run it : this is why I proceeded 
 to the arable section of the township of Romieu, viz, the south west section 
 starting from the range posts on the line between Dalibaire and Romieu, 
 running towards the north east for the ranges V, YI, VII and VIII. 
 
 {C.-S. Lepage, 8th May, 1883.) 
 
 but which all 
 generally good 
 of the Touladj 
 ae land is very 
 3 excellent elm 
 irnment would 
 le counties of 
 
 purpose. 
 
 ay, 1882.) 
 
 Township of Romieu and Dalibaire. 
 
 Apart from tbo precipices, long slopes and steep rocks, formed by the 
 Grand Mechins river in crossing the fifth and sixth ranges, and also apart 
 from a small ravine formed by the Grand Capucins river in the same 
 ranges, and two or three rather deep gullies formed by brooks emptying 
 into the latter, the land is level and uniform, and I think it continues thus 
 as far as the rear line of the township. The soil is generally somewhat wet, 
 but of superior quality and tit for the growth of hay, oats, barley and 
 other cereals. It 's composed of mixed grey earth ; we sometimes find 
 yellow loam mixed with clay. The timber is composed of fir, white birch, 
 spruce, cedar, ash and moosewood. The fir is generally long and hard. It 
 is very easy to make front and by-roads in each of these ranges. 
 
 {C.'S. Lepage, 20th December, 1883.) 
 
 ivnship, and I 
 »le. The Cap- 
 several other 
 this region a 
 VII and VIII 
 and the other 
 the township 
 the township 
 ;he township 
 ire is, rightly 
 
 Township of Saint Denis. 
 
 The land, in general, is rather level. The only hills that occur are on 
 the Little Maiane and several brooks which discharge into it. 
 
 All the land traversed is arable, and the north east part of the centre 
 line, especially, is very much so. The soil is excellent, and vegetation is 
 very vigorous over all my survey. The merchantable timber is nearly 
 exhausted, owing to the limits having been worked for a long time by 
 lumber merchants. 
 
 [Jurtn siiU, iiu liuiy, xocv.; 
 
^56 
 
 Township of Tesaier. 
 
 All the eeclion situated to the south east of the Utile Matane river a 
 branch of the Grand Matane river, is broken by mountains and very deep 
 ravines which render it almost unfit for cultivation. On nearing the Matane 
 river, the soil is generally bad for some lots, except a few flats on the bank 
 of the river, on which the alluvial soil is extremely rich and fertile. Every- 
 ■where else, the land is level and covered with wood of the finest growth 
 such as maple, elm, ash, whit.- birch, spruce, nourished by a soil, com^ 
 posed of a calcareous loam, rather rich in the south west section of the cen- 
 tral line. As for the north east section, the most of it is composed of 
 alluvial soil fit for settlement. 
 
 (L.-S.-E. Grondin, 25th August, 1863.) 
 
 The land which I surveyed is for the greater part of superior quality 
 The south west range of the Matane river, of which th« banks on this side 
 are in general very high, is for this reason little adapted to tillage. Never- 
 theless the land is of first quality and wooded with birch, maple, &c., but 
 the north east range, being in great part formed by the points of rivers' and 
 the banks of this side being a great deal less steep, are decidedly arable, the 
 soil being of superior quality. The remainder of the township, that is,' the 
 ranges 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 ana 14, is a well wooded tract with a soil in gei'ieral 
 of the best quality. The surveyed land being on the limits of the firm of 
 Price Bros, pine and spruce are scarce. 
 
 {John Hill, 21st February, 1888.) 
 
 The country all through this survey is pretty mountainous. The ridgos 
 on the north west slope towards the river, and therefore the land over 
 which the range lines happened to run is much more advantageous than 
 that of .he rear line of the range north east of river Matane or the centre 
 line or the St-Denis line, where they have to go across the gully and moun- 
 tain ridge. 
 
ilataue river, a 
 and very deep 
 iig the Mafane 
 ;s on the bank 
 fertile. Every- 
 iinest growth, 
 by a soil, com- 
 ion of the cen- 
 composed of 
 
 St, 1863.) 
 
 The principol kinds of timber are fir, spruce, silver birch (bouleau), red 
 birch, cedar and some maple. I took notice of very fine cedars, as can be 
 seen by my field notes. In some places this timber is of the largest and 
 the finest quality that I have ever seen in this country, and the means of 
 transporting it being easy from where it stands, it should in the near future 
 became very valuable on account of the scarcity of such a good quality and 
 the increasing demand for it. 
 
 A great deal of this land, although mountainous and more or less 
 stony, is nevertheless good and well adapted for agricultural purposes, and 
 I have no doubt but that the part along the river will be taken up and 
 settled on before very long. 
 
 {J.-G. Bignell, 19th May, 1888.) 
 
 ierior quality 
 s on this side 
 illage. Never- 
 aple, &c., but 
 of rivers and 
 ly arable, the 
 p, that is, the 
 oil in general 
 3f the firm of 
 
 y, 1888.) 
 
 i. The ridgos 
 le land over 
 ageous than 
 or the centre 
 y and moun- 
 
 Township of Tourelle. 
 
 The first part o f my survey consisted in the subdivision of a part of the 
 ranges 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 along the south west limit of the township. In this 
 Bection the timber is very tall, and in general of middling size and is com- 
 posed of fir, white spruce, white birch and birch on the ranges 5, 6 and 7 ; 
 and of fir, white spruce and white birch on the ranges 8 and 9. The land 
 is generally everywhere fit for tillage, but preferable in the ranges 6 and 1. 
 The ranges 5 and 6 are cut by the little Saint-Ann river and the Potato 
 brook, which are bordered by hills from two to three hundred* feet in height, 
 but, being very long, the slope is generally rather gentle. On the ranges 8 
 and 9, there are several black spruce swamps, but of little extent. 
 
 The second section consisted in the subdivision of the Castor brook 
 range. The lands in this range are very good, especially those of the lots one 
 to twenty. The timber, which is very large and long, is composed of white 
 spruce, fir and white birch The Castor brook, which is very large on lot 
 one, suddenly diminishes on lots 8 and 9, owing to the hills jutting out as 
 far as the brook on lot one, and then suddenly receding. 
 
 L'Islet lake discharges into the great St. Ann river, towards the south 
 west, and does not form part of the Castor brook. I ran a line from its 
 extremity to the I'lslet lake, to establish the front of the range on I'lslet 
 lake, and its outlet. There are a few trout in the lake, but they are very 
 
858 
 
 m 
 
 I explored the unsurveyed section between thp Pacf^. v. i 
 
 the section which I divided to the ^^rZn7Z I I """^ '*"^' *'^<1 
 
 for cultivation were it Toffor the Potato tl 'n'^l^'.'^^ ^^^^^ it fit 
 
 which the banks, as already !" hth "it theT 7 ^^' '^ 
 
 of the township, on the sout'h west dde of the brook ''' '""°^ 
 
 (-E.-.1.. LeBouti/lier, 18th July, 1887, 
 
 ) 
 
859 
 
 y chains to the 
 ■es towards tho 
 ' 16 and 17 the 
 
 COUNTY OF SAGUENAY. 
 
 rook range and 
 ad found it fit 
 crosses, and of 
 ! finest section 
 
 ly, 1887.) 
 
 Township of Albert. 
 
 With respect to the physical characteristics of the land surveyed, I am 
 glad to be able to say that this part of the township of Albert offers a fine 
 field for colonization. In this township, as in all the townships of the 
 Sa'^uenay district, the land is uneven and broken ; that is to say, there are 
 no°wide valleys, nor large plateaux, but the settler can cultivate to the base 
 of all the mountains, and the soil is of excellent quality. 
 
 The mountains bordering the Saguenay river are generally high and 
 contain magnificent quarries of granite similar in all respects to those of 
 Ha! Ha! Bay. 
 
 The outlines of this part of the township of Albert run through a 
 broken and hilly country, but traversed here and thereby valleys of fine 
 
 land. 
 
 The lots specified by letters at Cape a la Boule are mountainous and 
 useless for agricultural purposes. 
 
 The line between ranges II and III, Saguenay, from lot No. 1, as far as 
 lot No. 10, traverses a level tract of excellent land. From lot No. 10 to the 
 outline the land is rough, but may be cultivated. On the line between 
 ranges I and II the land is even and of excellent quality from lot No. 10 
 to No. 14. From the latter to the outline, the land is hilly, but fit for 
 colonization. 
 
 The soil, generally speaking, is a mixture of yellow and grey earth. In 
 certain places, as in the south part of lots 10, 11, 12 and 1-3 of range II, 
 Saguenay, there is a bed of black earth over a clayey subsoil. 
 
 This township is admirably well timbered. Almost every variety of 
 timber growing in the district is to be found in it. A part of the logs have 
 been cut, but there are still quantities of building timber left. 
 
 Lake a la Boule is remarkable for its sinuous contour, the unequal depth 
 of its waters, and especially for the trout and salmon which abound in it. 
 
860 
 
 from 22 to 25 inches in length ^ ^^ ^^' ^'^^^ "^^^^^^e 
 
 be opportune to suffffest the nnpn in rr «p . J* vvitn me mat it would 
 
 \. 4. °"ob«»t ine opening of a road which would fnllnw fK^ l• 
 
 betweeH ranges 11 and ITT S«n.n^„nx, J ^" ^'vuuiaioiiow the line 
 
 The sett,e„ tUelvl clI^rfr/.Tad trA^t ^'11^- 
 
 Township of Bergeronnes. 
 tin.W o„ .e .„„„«„ .ae^C. Xl^ toLt.t .7:^ 
 
 As for the lots I surveyed on the ImX ""' '""'' ^'""•"»«»t-- 'h™- 
 
 ■ange to tl 
 
 [uality ol 
 
 his sectio; 
 
 Thes( 
 s a very r 
 11 equal al 
 line, spru' 
 eason of i 
 ilso rich, 8 
 
 I scah 
 ;hains, iro 
 n the wes 
 iretty larg 
 he second 
 tract of lar 
 )ccupied b 
 Above and 
 iinsurveye( 
 unbroken ' 
 xtending 
 to the bar 
 the river k 
 tioned shoi 
 
 The h 
 enormous 1 
 river. 
 
 Bare, J 
 range and 
 survey and 
 
 Withi 
 Bergeronne 
 and mount 
 
 mimmat 
 
' much as thirty 
 e banks of sand, 
 
 gatos placed at 
 t and California 
 le trout measure 
 
 vaited for with 
 I nearly all the 
 
 with regard to 
 ! that it would 
 follow the line 
 a Albert road, 
 le de la Qrosse- 
 t road passi no- 
 
 lle of tillage, 
 the surveyed 
 5 banks of the 
 in quantity of 
 le for settlers. 
 
 )f the scalinjr 
 I. 
 
 ^ and part of 
 eyed, as it is 
 he neighbor- 
 sments there, 
 iesire to call 
 id to suggest 
 'vey the east 
 rora the 2nd 
 
 361 
 
 ■ange to the 40th lot, through the finest land in the world as regards the 
 juality oi its soil and the richness of its timber. There are no mountains in 
 his section, except to the west of lake a Beaulieu. 
 
 The soil of all the land surveyed by me on the Great Bergeronnes river 
 s a very rich alluvion, promising great fertility. The timber is distributed 
 n equal abundance all over. The prevailing kinds are merchantable white 
 )ine, spruce and birch. In fact, I recommend this fine tract, so rich by 
 ■eason of its soil and timber. The land adjoining to the west and'Inorth is 
 ilso rich, and I would suggest that it be surveyed as soon as possible. 
 
 I scaled the river Bas de Soie for a distance of three miles, less a few 
 bains, irom the prolongation of the trial line between lots eight and nine 
 n the west range, to the intersection of the second ranffe line. There is a 
 )retty large falls at the point where this river intersects the line in rear of 
 he second range. The waters of this river are very pure. There is a fine 
 tract of land to the west and on the right bank of the river, nearly all 
 Mcupied by some ten settlers, and I would recommend that it be surveyed. 
 Above and adjacent to the 24th lot, there is a large block of arable land 
 ansurveyed, on which some 20 families are settled. The land stretches 
 nnbroken to the side line of the township of Tadousac towards the north, 
 >xtending to the east a distance of 2 miles to river a Baude and to the west 
 to the bare and barren mountains which form the western watershed of 
 the river a Paude aforesaid to the township of Albert. The tract last men- 
 tioned should be surveyed so that the Department may get payment. 
 
 The land on both sides of the river a Baude are obstructed by its 
 enormous banks, w^hich constitute a series of precipices on both sides of the 
 river. 
 
 Bare, steep and barren mountains take up nearly the whole of the east 
 range and a notable part of the west range, as detailed in my notes of 
 survey and indicated on the plan. 
 
 (Geo.-B. du Tremblny, 6<h May, 18*78.) 
 
 With regard to the topography and the character of the township of 
 Bergeronnes in general, I have to say in the first place that the land is hilly 
 and mountainous, and it would be difiicult for any one who had had only 
 
862 
 
 a general viowol'tho township to admit that it ( ontains any land fit fn, h.Mi tho ^^ 
 
 K.>ttl(Mn(M>t. Thoro are, howover, some fine valleys. This township 
 covered by a (ine and luxuriant lorest, comprising all kinds of timber 
 Bpru(v,>, baJNam, white birc^j, cedar, ash. pine, yellow birch, cypress, poplar 
 &c. Quantities ol'pine and spruce logs may still be made uere. 
 
 In the third range to the south west of the river Bas de 8oio, apart 
 from the lots or blocks which are occupied, there is nothing but naked 
 rock of no value whatever. 
 
 ot 111 (lopti 
 
 his lake is 
 
 (liratos, it 
 
 .small pou 
 
 The tol 
 
 res. 
 
 Tlie lots in the south west range are generally line, although cut across nm*' ol' the 
 mM.r the middle by rooks. Mr. Julien Bouchard and his two brothers m mits of the 
 Mr. l<.lie J.avoie have been living on their respective lots for several years 
 They appear to be comfortably of!'. 
 
 
 The south line of lot No. !), on the west side of the river Bas do Soie 
 runs up a mountain about twelve hundred feet about the level of the river 
 This height of land seems to begin near the Maritime road, at the rivei 
 Petite Bergerounes, and runs in a northerly direction. The line between 
 ranges VI and VII crosses a rough and mountainous tract, well wooded 
 but of no value except for lumbering. To the east of the river Bas de Soie 
 the land is more level. The line between ranges West and VI, and its 
 prolongation between ranges V and VI, runs through a comparatively fine 
 valley, traversed here and there by mountains. The soil is generally a rich 
 yellow earth, and the subsoil in some places clayey. The line between 
 ranges V and West passes through a line valley of level land, timbered witli 
 sprure, cypress, balsam and white birch. As this same valley continues to 
 the north of lot 40. I prolonged the lines between ranges V and VI, and V 
 and West, in order to complete the siibdi vision of the good land. 
 
 A swamp, shown on the annexed plan of the township of Bergeroimes 
 covers a part of ranges f I and III. The soil in this swamp is composed of 
 yellow and grey sand, covered with a thin layer of mould. There are only 
 a few scattered clumps of trees to be seen growing upon it, resembling 
 small islets in a large lake. 
 
 As the 
 
 lis road m 
 idicatcd on 
 1 the line 1 
 i the middi 
 ied and kn 
 ou do Boil 
 inge V and 
 mnko and 
 
 As your 
 art of the t( 
 ut a lew ge 
 
 The lini 
 iieven tract 
 !ven and ei| 
 lere by wat 
 id in many 
 lis line, the 
 
 The soil in range IV and a part of range III is composed of yellow 
 earth and sand, fit for cultivation. In the range N. E. the land is generally-.. ...., ... 
 
 level and the soil the same as in the preceding range. At the same time that I )th weil tin 
 scaled apart of the river Bas de Soie, I also scaled lake Raymond and lake a 
 la Truite. Lake Raymond is only a widening cut of the river Bas de Soie, 
 The land on the north side is low, and a certain extent of it is inundated 
 
 ;.itipmiiiM.f;. 
 
 From lot 
 inge I, there 
 
>s any land fit 
 This luvvriship ij 
 kinds of timber; 
 b. cypress, poplar 
 nere. 
 
 as de tSoio, apart 
 thing but naked 
 
 868 
 
 foiihen tho waters arn hijcjh. Tho water is good and not over twelve or fifteen 
 
 et in d('i)th. The waiter of laico A la Truito is also pure and wholesome. 
 
 his liiko is of angular shape and surrounded by low hills. As its name 
 
 dicntos, it swarms with trout. The discharge, after passing though a series 
 
 small ponds, loses itself in lake Raymond. 
 
 The total superficies of tho land comprised in this survey is 16,224 
 ree. 
 
 for several years 
 
 As tho Oovernment is now opening a colonization road known by the 
 though cut acrosi ame oC the lake a Jieaulieu road (chemin du lac u Beaulieu) within tljo 
 two brothers aud mils of the township of Bcrgeronnes, I take the liberty of suggesting that 
 lis road might advantageously follow more or less closely the direction 
 idicati'd on the annexed plan by a dotted line, then turn at right angles 
 1 tho line between the townships of Bergeronnes and Escoumains as far 
 the middle of range II of Escoumains, where it would join the road now 
 Bed and known as the Boissonneau concession road (chejnin de la conces- 
 ou do Boissonneau). A colonizat' -;n road following the line between 
 inge V and West and joining the lake a Beaulieu road would be very easy 
 mnko aud would open a line valley to colonization. 
 
 iver BasdoSoie, 
 level of the river 
 road, at the rivei 
 'he line between 
 act, well wooded, 
 river Bas de Soie 
 and VI, and itj 
 Jmparatively fine 
 i generally a rich 
 'he line between 
 id, timbered wiili 
 Hoy continues to 
 V and VI, and V 
 . land. 
 
 J of Bergeronnes, 
 
 > is composed of 
 
 There are only 
 
 1 it, resembling 
 
 ;iosed of yellow 
 and is generally 
 same time that I 
 Qond and lake a 
 rer Bas de Soie 
 it is inundated 
 
 {Elz. Bnivifi, 21st March, 1883.) 
 
 TownBhip of Esooumalns. 
 
 As your Department is already in possession of reports of survey of this 
 art of the tov/nship of Escoumains, it will, perhaps, suffice here to make 
 ut a lew general remarks on the appearance and nature of the land. 
 
 The line between ranges I and III traverses an elevated and very 
 neven tract. It passes over a chain of hills reaching a height of between 
 iven and eight hundred feet above the St. Lawrence, intersected here and 
 lere by water-courses. The timber on these hills is of very little value, 
 d in many places there is none at all ; but, north west and south east of 
 lis line, the land is of a different character. Range III and range I are 
 )th well timbered. A portion of the logs have been cut. 
 
 From lot 42, as far as the river Petite Escoumains, about the middle of 
 nge I, there are some very fine growths of cedar. 
 
864 
 
 aammi 
 
 
 Tho lots of nnigfs I and II ivro muirly all oixuipied; clouringN ui 
 iiTiprovemt'iitH hiivo be»!n begun on tho Miiritimt? road. 
 
 Froti lot 10 to tho fovvriship of ItxM-villo, the Hoil in goiiorully (lompoij, 
 of yollow earth imd jrn'y and yollow Hund. I.ot.M Nom. 27, 28 und2!) cont 
 sonu' IJMt Itiiids. th(» soil of whu;h is ulay.^y. Tho Hjvtno soil is also met vvi 
 on tho hordcrH oflhc Bay doH EscomriainM, on tho lots of rango II, find th 
 of rango «. VV. from tho lino botwoon rango.'i il and III to lot No. H. 
 
 In range A and rango I, south wosr, of tho rivor HscouinainH, tho soi 
 romposcd of yollovv and groy Han<l, is poor; a larg.( part boing uolhi 
 moro than a bare oxpanse ol land, and tho r, nt covorod with oypross i 
 white birch. 
 
 Tho village of fiscouinnina is ono of tho fin.vst and moat prosperous 
 the county of SaguiMuiy. Tho saw mills of Mr. Lumontagne employ dai 
 between 150 to 200 men. A good deal is said about tha early constriictic 
 of a wharf at the mouth of tho IJay des Escoumains. 
 
 In conclusion, I may say that, at Esooumains as at many other pjaca 
 in the county of Sagueuay, there is in proportion to the population a Jari 
 nmount of industry and activity, but too low engage in the cultivation 
 the soil. This vigorous population show no ambition for any other lil'ethi 
 that of tho lumbor-cump, the saw-mill, or tho sea. 
 
 (m1 (jiiiilily 
 
 liolliT IK 
 
 M'VciUh 
 It' Kixth lUi 
 ^th rci'ks. 
 r, is <'<>mli 
 rvoyed. 1 
 ii(> hundro 
 
 (Eizear Boivin, 14th May, 1883.) 
 
 Townahip of Iberville. 
 
 Tin' tow 
 
 HWIVlK't', 81 
 
 lU'iiiniNula 
 'ninrkcd th 
 iirt of the 11 
 vnin]'. (sav.' 
 lu'ii 1 saw 
 
 II 
 
 After having surveyed tho soigniorial lino and the centre line fra 
 the river to the front of tho Dth range, I ran the front liiuis of the fift 
 sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth ranges, and laid ofFbotween each rospectiv 
 lot an offset or direction lino In the survey of this part of the towush. 
 I mot tho rivor Saiilt au Mouton, the banks of which are composedl 
 inetamori>hic rocks and are so stoop as to be almost inaccessible. Its cours 
 is very rapid, but there is no suitable place for establishing a mill excep 
 at the mouth whore there is now one in operation. 
 
 Tho sou 
 
 liiiilly swi 
 riilly roiup( 
 DViisbip, Ol 
 iiul. Tho w 
 hnost bienc 
 nuul ne hil 
 lio inimo 
 nd ol Ihi' ri 
 
 wky biuf 
 ho south ai 
 nd almost 
 imber. 
 
 The geographical features of the laud present nothing worthy 
 
 remark. The surface is undulating and the soil though not alluvial is ( ,"J|J 
 
 Tho sou 
 tuiited blac 
 
 v&m 
 
865 
 
 iod; clouriugft ui 
 
 Js'tMicrallycorapoi 
 , 28 uiul 2!) cont: 
 m1 is also met wi 
 
 l'n>i»g.5 11, 11/1(1 tho 
 to lot No. H. 
 
 c'oumaiuH, tho soi 
 
 )art beiiiir nothii 
 
 with cyprosH an 
 
 lost prosperous 
 ngno employ dai 
 oarly construdioi 
 
 „1 nunlily Thcni is lu'ilher mnrHh nor meadow, and tho hills are ho low 
 to oiler no iiu'onveiiieiiceH to ciiltivatioii. Tho ninth, eighth and part of 
 .M'vciith rant?t'H are covered with a rich growth of titnher ol' every kind. 
 ,1 sixth and lil'lh rangew have y)een l)iirnt and are in many places covered 
 ith rdckH. The unwuhdivided part, lying to the north east of tho centre 
 ic, is composed of a ric^h soil, well wooded, and might be ndvantau^eously 
 ivcyi'd The whole area of the land I have surveyed is eloveu thousand 
 lie hundred and sixty-six acr<>s (1 1, !»(»(!). 
 
 many other placi 
 population a Jar; 
 tho cultivation 
 ■any other lileth; 
 
 th Mav, 1883.) 
 
 {Geo.-B. du 'Vremblay, 13th May, 1879.) 
 
 Township of Manioouaffan. 
 
 Tho township ol Manicoungan, situated on the left bank of the St. 
 nwiviK't". surrounded by the rivers aux Outardes and Manicouagan, forms 
 IH'iiinsula of very agreeable aspect. On landing on this peninsula, I 
 niiirkcd tho presence of a turf, foiir or five feet in depth, in a section of 
 !iit oil he first range. From the starting point A, I beheld an immense 
 vniri]; (sav.uie) exteiuling out of sight on all sides. This swamp was dry 
 lu'i) 1 saw it. It is generally covered with turf and tamarac. 
 
 Tiu! south portion, or about one-half of the township of Manicouagan, 
 iniitly swampy and unlit for cultivation, while the dry i)arts are gen- 
 riilly composed of very poor yellow soil. All the northern part of the 
 jviisbij), on the other hand, is composed of black earth, a very rich arable 
 ml. The whole surface of this peninsula is so even and regular that it 
 hnost blends with the water line. In the whole cours-? of my survey, I 
 le centre line Iroi ^^^^^^1 ^^^ ^^jU ^^ hollow of any consequence, or any other obstacle, except 
 mes of the fiftl |, tho immediate vicinity of the river aux Outardes, in the fourth range, 
 lid ol Iht' river Manicouagan, in a part of the seventh range. There i.s also 
 rocky biuflon lots 22, 2;^) and 24 in the Gth range, a3 shown on the plan. 
 
 !en each rospectiv 
 of the towiish 
 
 are composed o ]j^, ^^^^^^ ,^^^^ ^^^^ gj^j^,^ of the peninsula are from thirty to sixty feet high 
 essiblo. Its cours 
 ling a mill excep 
 
 thing worthy ( 
 not alluvial is 
 
 lid almost vertical, 
 imber. 
 
 The west side is low and covered with growing 
 
 The south part of the i)eninsula is covered with a thick growth of 
 iuiited black spruce, cypress and tamarac. All the rest, generally, outside 
 )i the swamp, is covered with large timber of great height, consisting of 
 
366 
 
 birch, and alders. Several thoiis 
 
 ianc 
 
 spruce, balsam, white pine, white „., 
 pine and spiuce logs might be cut here 
 
 The squatters, occupying the Point aux Outardesand Point M,n,v 
 gan, speak favorably of the climate, which is apparently not affected wT" 
 swamp. Early frosts are never felt there, and last fall iLvvsomTve'et ^ 
 and cereals which attested the excellence of the climate 
 
 snm!!.r Tr " f T^''"" '"'' '''''^''^ *^""^^ ^ Sreat part of the »e situated 
 summer m cutting and piling up in immense stacks the wild hay wh ^ome places 
 grows abundantly on the beaches shown on my plan. It is needlls Obstacle to 
 say that these grass-bearing flats are of great value to the settlers Thl - ' ' 
 also grow large quantities of potatoes. One of them gathered and sold s 
 hundred bushels last year to Messrs Girouard & Beaudet at Betsiamu! 
 The celebrated beaches or shoals of Manicouagan are immense. By caCit 
 tion I found that the lightship stationed off there by the Department of 
 Marine is three miles and fifty-seven chains from the shore of tfs 
 ofTTld b ^^P^'^'^^'^ °^*^'^ ^'^^^'^^'P i« ^"«^-« f-^Uy detailed at thee 
 
 The rec 
 ire situated 
 
 During my stay I had an opportunity of saeing on these beach., the 
 myriads of birds which frequent the river. Seals abound on th-^se she K 
 and one of the inhabitants of the locality killed two hundred las ty ; 
 opposite Point a Paradis. The Moutagnais also kill great numbers, ch e 
 at the foot of the falls of the rivers Manicouagan and aux Outardes. 
 
 On each of these two rivers there is a sort of natural wharf where , 
 vessel of the size of a schooner may safely make fast at high water Th 
 positions of both are indicated on my plan. 
 
 deposit of ferruginous ochre. This ochre is generally yellow or reddish 
 Ihere are also quantities of brown colon This latter brings a hi-h price in 
 the market, under the name of sienna. ^ 
 
 Ferruginous water generally oozes from these ochres and forms sloughs 
 mora or less deep in the hollows. 
 
 (G.'B. du Tremblaij, 4th April, 1883.) 
 
 ■eneral, is s 
 ind brown 1 
 are no swan 
 St. Germ air 
 and frequer 
 and their c: 
 unsurpassed 
 is favored v 
 
 The sui 
 in the town 
 everywhere 
 
 Thechi 
 of birch, m 
 growth and 
 where else 
 have Carrie 
 means, not 
 ands, the G 
 waste on a 1 
 
 The wa 
 and the oth^ 
 which are \ 
 
 As to tl 
 though ferti 
 of its rocky 
 
867 
 
 Several thoiisam 
 
 Point Manicoua. 
 ot affected by the 
 ^ some vegetables 
 
 rreat part of the 
 
 It is needless tc 
 e settlers. Thej 
 3red and sold sii 
 3t at Betsiamits. 
 >nse. Bycalcula- 
 3 Department of 
 shore of the St 
 
 Jtailedattheend 
 
 COUNTY OF St. MAURICE. 
 
 Township of Belleau. 
 
 The region in which the three first ranges of the township of Belleau 
 lie situated, from the line of lots number seven or eight, is elevated, cut in 
 
 vi^ild hay which some places by small hills, with a stony soil ; but this will not be an 
 
 bstacle to the settlement of nearly all these ranges, of which the soil, in 
 reneral, is similar to that of the township of Decalonnes, which is of yellow 
 ,nd brown loam and appeared to me to be fit for agricultural purposes. There 
 ire no swamps, marshes or steep mountains. Two settlers, named Narcisse 
 St. Germain and Israel Peltier, are settled in the second range of Belleau, 
 and frequently expressed to me their satisfaction at having located there, 
 and their crops, which I had occasion to see, presentuLl a vigorous growth 
 unsurpassed in any other locality, proving that the township of Belleau 
 is favored with a fertile soil. 
 
 lese beaches the 
 )n these shoals, 
 ndred last year 
 numbers, chieiiy 
 )utardes. 
 
 wharf where a 
 The 
 
 ?h water 
 
 is a remarkable 
 
 ow or reddish, 
 
 a high price in 
 
 d forms sloughs 
 
 M-il, 1883.) 
 
 The surroundings of the Clear Water lake, situated for the greater part 
 in the township of Caxton, are extremely mountainous and stony and mostly 
 everywhere unfit for cultivation. 
 
 The chief timber in these three ranges of the township of Belleau consists 
 of birch, maple, cedar, spruce and fir. Everywhere the wood is of fine 
 growth and size. The amount of pine remaining is small here as every- 
 where else; it has been recklessly cut down by the lumbermen who 
 have carried on operations there for many years. If there were some 
 means, not too expensive, to supervise the cutting down of timber on Crown 
 ands, the Government would be benefitted by it, as it would prevent the 
 waste on a large scale, which is being practised in the public domain. 
 
 The water powers in the township of Belleau are, one, on the Red river, 
 and the other, at the discharge of the Clear Water lake, where falls occur 
 which are powerful enough to run mills. 
 
 {T.'C. de la ChevrotUre, 28th November, 1870.) 
 
 As to the land by irif surveyed and subdivided in Belleau, the soil, 
 though fertile, is disadvantageous for cultivation and settlement on account 
 of its rocky and hilly character in places ; there are, however, some good 
 
308 
 
 table-lands in these two ranges, ospooinlly near the line of the Caxton . 
 The timber generally is fine and tall and consists usually of white hf T 
 maple and birch. I also met several maple groves, which seeaied to h ' 
 been already worked. White and red pine are ommon enou.>-h Thl " 
 IS a border of red pine to the mountains around the lakes; among oth '' 
 the one called Red Pme Lake and the white and red pine as well 
 the white spruce, are presently being cut off for the lumber trade, esn.oiali! 
 around lake a I'Isle, where dams for the purpose of driving the tim 
 have been constructed at the discharges of the principal lakes 
 
 l.-C. de la Chevrottere, 8th March, 1882.) 
 
 Township of Desaulniers. 
 
 Althoi 
 informatioi 
 three settle 
 height of 1 
 learly all 
 )irch, &c. 
 Trois-Pisto] 
 The soil is g 
 md there i 
 ire of the v 
 ;lm, ash, w 
 iraall islani 
 here is scar 
 
 The land I surveyed and subdivided into farm lots in the first r in<r. 
 of tnis township is well suited to settlement, as the river du Loup cufs"« 
 portion of the lots of the range, creating on each side, generally speakiu. 
 fine jow grounds. The soil of the latter is a black earth, but upon the 
 heights It is of gray sand. ^ ^^ 
 
 The timber is fine and tall, and consists of birch, white birch white ^'^'"'^ ^^ ^^'^^' 
 and red pine and white spruce. There is still a good deal of white pine ''>' ^^™''"'" 
 but the best has already been cut off for the trade. The three first lots in 
 the first range of the township of Desaulniers form part of the place kaown 
 as The Ked Pines." These lots are partly closed, having been formerly 
 swept over by fire and the only growth nowupon them, properly speakiu. 
 may be said to be of blueberry bushes. ° 
 
 {T.-C. de fa Chevroliere, 8th March, 1882.) 
 
 I procei 
 
 ■'^^tmi^. 
 
 Gore of Oaxton, 
 
 The soil generally is composed of yellow mould, rocky and inferior iu 
 quality ; the mountains lie in close proximity to one another : the principal 
 woods are white spruce, fir, hemlock, maple, birch and beech. 
 
 The.soil in all the sections of the gore of Caxton is composed of yellow 
 ^nd rocky loam ; the land although mountainous in some parts is fit for culti- 
 vation ; th3 growth of timber is of very fine appearance. 
 
 {L.-A.-O. Arcand, 8th February, 1876.) 
 
 owing this 
 )f wheat, be 
 )eing covert 
 euders it vt 
 lot so much 
 >ally in the 
 xcept on tl: 
 ixtendiu"- fc 
 he eighth rj 
 ery much 1 
 'edar, mixed 
 > ly rocks, tl 
 
the Caxton goro. 
 
 of white blroh 
 
 seeaied to h;iv,>' 
 
 enough. Then, 
 
 3 ; among others 
 
 pine, as well as 
 
 • trade, esp,^cially 
 
 \^ing the timber 
 
 kes. 
 
 369 
 
 COUNTY OF TEMISCOUATA. 
 
 Township of Begron. 
 
 ^arch, 1882.) 
 
 the first range 
 ■ du Loup cuts a 
 erally speaking, 
 ;h, but upon the 
 
 lite birch, white 
 of white pine, 
 
 hree first lots in 
 
 he place known 
 been formerly 
 
 )perly speaking 
 
 irch, 1882.) 
 
 Although there are no buildings on the fifth range, it seems, from the 
 information given me, that this range is taken upby twenty -two or twenty- 
 three settlers. The most striking feature of this place is the extraordinary 
 height of the banks of the rivers and also the immense extent c" 'and 
 learly all covered with dead-wood, such as white birch, fir, spruce 
 jirch, &c. The land is generally level to the banks of the five rivers,— 
 Irois-Pistoles, Boisbouscache, aux Sapins, aux Bouleaux and aux Perdrix 
 The soil is generally very good for a small distance from each of these rivers •' 
 md there is even, aloug the Trois-Pistoles river, certain small flats which 
 ire of the very best land that can be found, covered with large timber — 
 ^m, ash, willow. There is, at the mouth of the Boisbouscache river' a 
 iraall island composed of splendid land. As for merchantable timber 
 here is scarcely any left ; it has been either destroyed by fire or taken away 
 )y lumbermen. 
 
 {G.'A. Doucet, 19th April, 1870.) 
 
 and inferior ill 
 : the principal 
 1. 
 
 tosed of yellow 
 I is fit for culti- 
 
 iry, 1876.) 
 
 I proceeded to the subdivision of the base of the seventh range. Fol- 
 owing this last as far as range A, I found good soil, adapted to the'^growth 
 )f wheat, being for the most part good loam, the surface in certain places 
 )eing covered with a layer of black mould, with a good clay subsoil which 
 enders it very fit for raising hay ; it is somewhat broken, it is trie but 
 lot so much so as to be an obstacle to colonization. I also fou.nd, p'rinci- 
 )ally ill the valleys, this line somewhat stony, but nothing formidable 
 ixcept on the four first lots which at their base are covered with rocks' 
 Extending for about twenty chains to the south east. Following the base of 
 he eighth range from the centre line towards the south west, I found a soil 
 ■ry much like that of the seventh range, covered in certain places with 
 edar, mixed wood, and hard wood, with this difference that I did not meet 
 uy rocks, these last extending to the north of the river Boisbouscache 
 
 rt? 
 
 24 
 
if- 
 
 '#'■■ 
 1 
 
 870 
 
 Following the base of the sixth range from the centre line, I found the 
 first lot composed of good soil, and covered with excellent wood, but 
 the other lots, to number twenty-eight, inclusively, are of very mediocre 
 quality. From this point to the rear line of range A, I met very good soil 
 somewhat broken, it is true, but not sufficiently so to be an obstacle to 
 colonization ; on the contrary, the higher parts need but little labor to clear 
 them. Following the first, second, third, fourth and fifth ranges to the 
 north east of range A, and finding no material difference in the quality of 
 the soil and timber, where it had not been ravaged by fire, I may say that 
 these last ranges are exceptionally fine, and have a soil suited to all kinds 
 of tillage, being alternately a good loam and good clay. The timber is 
 frequently a mixture of cedar, poplar and alder, and very often mixed with 
 hard wood, but there is very little hard wood proper. 
 
 As regards the opening of these lands, in dividing the first range to the 
 south west of range B, I also found a very fertile soil, as far as the Troia 
 Pistoles river, of which the banks, being very steep, have necessarily a dry 
 soil; but from this last 1 met a level and fertile soil, to the south west line 
 of B^gon, which can also b ij surmised from the honest comfort in which 
 the settlers live. 
 
 (J.-Evariste St. Pierre, 30th July, 1872.) 
 
 gards the \ 
 lundant th 
 il is stony 
 link them 
 my repori 
 ipreciate t 
 Dsition to -v 
 a these loti 
 inds are ki: 
 ut there is • 
 fcolonizati 
 he settleme 
 
 The tw 
 rrey and bli 
 s fine and \ 
 
 Township of Botsford. 
 
 The results of this survey fully warrant the opinion hitherto enter- 
 tained of the value of these lands. This township, nearly all over, is 
 eminently fit for settlement ; there are a few mountains, but they are mostly 
 all covered with arable soil. Hard wood prevails in the first range There 
 is not a single lot crossed by my lines, which does not show birch in abun- 
 dance ; sugaries are very numerous and extensive ; the cedar groves are 
 not generally as extensive as in the townships which I previously tra 
 versed. It may be remarked that cedar occurs also here on the slopes of 
 the mountains, in many places, which shows that the land is arable. 
 Another proof in favor of the excellence of these lands is that the timber 
 is remarkably tall and large. I frequently met pine logging roads ruuniuff in 
 
 I began 
 bllowiiig tl 
 :o the north 
 range, v/her 
 broken, it is 
 soil, which 
 and in the 1 
 sections. I 
 being oi' a v 
 mould, Nc 
 partieularly 
 between thi 
 
 all directions, so that all the fine pine has been removed. As for tamarac, except in th 
 I dit not come across any, or in such small quantity that it was not worth spoken of. 
 mentioning. There are no swamps in this township. To conclude as 
 
ine, I found the 
 
 elient wood, but 
 
 f very mediocre 
 
 very jifood soil 
 
 h ranges to the 
 n the quality of 
 ), I may say that 
 ted to all kinds 
 . The timber is 
 )ften mixed with 
 
 371 
 
 gards the timber, I may say without exaggeration that hard wood is more 
 lundant than in the other townships which I have thus far seen. The 
 11 is stony in certain places ; but those places are so few, that I do not 
 ink them worthy of remark. However, I hold above all to be truthful 
 my report. All the lots along the Saint-Francis river are first class ; to 
 ipreciate the truth of this statement, one has only to see the comfortable 
 
 e an obstacle to - 
 
 ttle labor toclear °sition to which Messrs Joseph Nadeau and JohnN. Morrison, who reside 
 these lots, have already attained. I have no doubt that when these 
 
 tnds are known, they will be almost immediatly taken up and settled ; 
 
 ut there is one drawback which is calculated to greatly delay the progress 
 
 f colonization in these localities — I mean the want of communication with 
 
 he settlements below. 
 
 first range to the 
 ar as the Trois- 
 necessarily a dry 
 ) south west line 
 •mfort in which 
 
 July, 1872.) 
 
 (J.-N. Duval, 28th January, 1865.) 
 
 L hitherto enter 
 
 arly all over, is 
 
 ; they are mostly 
 
 rst range There 
 
 V birch in abuii- 
 
 )edar groves are 
 
 '. previously tra- 
 
 on the slopes of 
 
 land is arable. 
 
 that the timber 
 
 •oads runniuf]f in 
 
 As for tamarac 
 
 was not worth 
 
 To conclude as 
 
 Township of Oabano. 
 
 The two first ranges of this township are cedar groves on excellent 
 rrey and black soil. The lands to the north east of the river Bleue are just 
 s fine and level as those along the Cabano river. 
 
 {F.-A. TMu, 15th November, 1864.) 
 
 I began by running the range line between the ranges 3 and 4. In 
 bllowing this line, I passed through a number of cedar groves, principally 
 the north east of the centre line, and in the south west section of this 
 range, v/here I crossed one of great extent. I also traversed land somewhat 
 broken, it is true, but fertile, judging from the excellent quality of the 
 soil, which is covered on the heights with good mixed hard and soft wood, 
 and ill the bottom lands generally with cedar, yet somewhat stony in certain 
 sections. It is to be remarked that the soil in the cedar groves, instead of 
 being oi' a wet black earth, is good clay, covered with a light coat of black 
 mould, No wild meadows occur, but in certain sections the soil would be 
 particularly suited to the growth of hay. In following the range line 
 between the fourth and fifth ranges, I found the soil mostly the same, 
 except in the south west section, where I did not meet the cedar grove already 
 spoKen of. There is also to the north west of this cedar grove, and near 
 
372 
 
 the centre hn.. a splendid ndge of maple groves, used as sugaries Th 
 central part ox the range i.ne between the fifth and sixth ranged is owl! .' 
 covered with cedar, except on the banks of the Bleue river, wher a'f "^ 
 I can judge, the soil is mostly clay and covered with alders tL '' 
 extremities ofthis last range are somewhat broken, but the soil on 7 
 Whole, IS so rich that I would recommend this last line to make l d 
 rang. There is, iii the north east part of this range line, n sm^^l it ' 
 which has been burnt over, and which is now covered with T se 1 
 growth, consisting ofwhite birch, fir, spruce, and in some spots of a ^ ^ 
 
 am 
 
 mapio. Following .he r.„e line ^^t^^^n^suii ::{z::::zz:X! i!!:' 
 
 a very good so,I Generally covered with mixed wood, e.eept i„ h t Lt T Th 
 where, as elsewhere generally, cedar predominates, but , othin<r (U " r , distam 
 prevent the settler from locating, here. On the whole, I wourjectl ! I r " 
 
 {.J.-E. St.-Fierre, 30th July, 1869, 
 
 From t] 
 
 the Porta. 
 
 hii'h I pro 
 
 ■ed and thi 
 
 Township of Demers. 
 
 Thronghont my operations I only met one small lake called Trout iak, 
 
 he hanks o.wh,ch are not very high and which is surrot,nded by Liti 
 
 rmber. As (or the quality ol the land embraced in this survey, I L" ,1 
 
 hat ,t .s generally very good, although somewhat stony in ceLin pL« 
 
 ut no hxed rocks are met with. The region is also well adapted 
 
 tlement, as ,t ,s generally level, especially along the range line betWe , 
 
 S.X h and seventh ranges. There are also facilities for making a loo". a 
 
 m the northeastern part ol this township. ° 
 
 The land in this township which remains to be surveyed seems to ,m 
 
 ::xr;:l.i:;r™ ""° ""-^ """^ " -- '■' --■"- 
 
 {G.-A. Doucet, 20th February, 1865) 
 
 ifallible im 
 
 some plac 
 
 th banks, 
 
 )plar and e 
 
 •e every wh 
 
 All these 
 
 t this is n( 
 
 splendid 
 
 that the fs 
 
 srity of agri 
 
 ater powers 
 
 finer prospi 
 
 The nort 
 
 nged to the 
 xty links. ' 
 lod quality 
 e south wei 
 aueh of the 
 p of the hi; 
 wiiship of 
 Vfl and W( 
 a( there is 1 
 ?es are very 
 ile, the line 
 seventy-tw( 
 nd slopes a 
 I and cedar ; 
 
18 sugaries. Th 
 
 ranges is lowland 
 r, where, as tar 
 alders. The two 
 the soil, on the 
 o make a doub, 
 a small mountaja 
 i with a second 
 e spots of a 
 
 373 
 
 Township of Bstoourt. 
 
 From the north east bank of the .Saint-Francis river to the south west 
 the rortage, I ran a hue in the astronomical direction north 45« east 
 rhich I prolongt-d to Long lake, that is to say, for a distance of two hun- 
 ted and thirty-five chams and sixteen links. On the course of this line 
 _ V 123 chains, the land is level and the wood mixed, comprising cedar fir 
 enth ranges I met "uce and birch. The remainder of the line passes through a laro-e maple 
 ?t m the bottoms "ove. This land rises to 140 chains, then gently slopes towards"the lake 
 .othmg that can >r a distance of 122 chains. The soil on all the line is of excellent quality 
 ^ould recommend ? for as can be judged by the size of the timber, which is lar-e and tall an 
 a nrlrf^n *u.... .fallible indication of great fertility. The Blue river has a stron- current 
 I some places, and all the branc les furnish water powers The°land on 
 oth banks, as also on those of its tributaries, is of superior quality The 
 oplar and elm abound, specially on the banks of the main river which 
 h everywhere covered by these trees. I met no stones. 
 
 All these advantages combined render this place suitable for settlement 
 M this IS not all ; at a short distance from the Blue river, there is a series 
 splendid maple groves, which appeared to me to be very extensive 
 ) that the farmer is certain to find therein all that he needs for the pros^ 
 snty of agriculture, a fertile soil free from rocks, numerous and powerful 
 ater powers, wood of the best quality, rich and abundant sugaries Could 
 liner prospect ever be off^ered to the Canadian pioneer ? 
 
 id advise them to 
 July, 1869 
 
 ailed Trout lab, 
 mded by mixed 
 irvey, I may say 
 L certain places, 
 adapted to set- 
 ine between the 
 ing a good road 
 
 ed seems to me 
 ying that it is 
 
 lary, 1865 ) 
 
 The north east lateral line of the township of Estcourt has been pro- 
 nged to the river Cabano, that is to say. for a distance of ten miles and 
 xty links. The hrst mile crosses a very high mountain, but the soil is of 
 .od quality and covered with havJ, wood. The second mile finishes on 
 e south west side of another, but smaller mountain than the first and a 
 ancholthe Blue river flows between these two mountains. From the 
 pot the highest, in very clear weather, I took in at a glance the whole 
 ^vnshlp ot Estcourt, from which I judged that it is in general pretty 
 ^.1 and well wooded, while a closer examination enables me to state 
 at ihere is hard wood everywhere mixed with cedar, fir and spruce • the 
 ;es are very large and well shaped. At twenty-three chains on the third 
 lie, the line cuts one of the branches of the Blue river, which at this poin t 
 smmty-two links wide and flows to the north east. As flir as there the 
 nd slopes a good deal ; the most abundant woods are gen<^rally birch 
 and cedar ; the south east bank of the river is fifty feet high here. On the' 
 
374 
 
 last section of this mile, there is some pine, and also, as in the first sectioi 
 cedar, fir and spruce. The land along the whole extent of this mile 
 generally good. The fourth, fifth and sixth miles are generally level, tl 
 sell is good mostly everywhere and comparatively free from rocks, and tl 
 timber is again codar, fir and spruce. On the seventh mile the timber coi 
 tinues the same, and the soil is of as good a quality, but more rollim 
 At seventy-one chains on this mile, the line cuts the main branch of tl 
 Blue river, which in this section measures one chain in width and runs 
 the north east. The eighth, ninth and tenth miles are level ; as for tl 
 timber and the quality of the soil, &c., they are very much similar to thola 
 preceding miles. At fifty-eight chains on the eleventh mile, I met 
 Cabano river. At about fifty chains from its mouth, the laud slopes towan 
 the river, and the soil is about of the same description. 
 
 I may state in conclusion, to sum up this report, that the township 
 Estcourt is one of the finest which has ever been explored in this couiUr 
 It would not be easy to find many others so level and combining in 
 high a degree all the advantages which it contains. The climate is gon 
 lally warmer than on the shores of the Saint-Lawrence ; this winter the 
 has been less snow and the cold has been less severe than in the parish 
 on the shores of the river. 
 
 {E. Cas^rain, 18th April, 1864.) 
 
 Along the front between the fifth and sixth ra-ui^es, we meet bi 
 one river, called the Blue river, on the 54th lot. It is one chain wide ai 
 it flows south east ; its bed being composed of very fine sand, mixed wi 
 grey and white pebbles. This line is, moreover, cut at intervals by smi 
 brooks running towards the north east. On the way from one extremity 
 the other of this frout range, I noticed that the land was very arable, gn 
 and not very rocky. The most common woods are the cedar, birch, fir ai 
 spruce. The surface is generally level ; I met some hard wood ridg( 
 but not high or steep enough to prevent the making of a good road. 
 
 Between the sixteenth and seventeenth lots, I ran a line ruuui 
 towards the north east towards the depths of the sixth and seventh rang 
 
 Along the whole of my lines, the land traversed was level and very 
 for tillage, being composed generally of a grey soil. The most abunda 
 VT'oods in this part are cedar, fir and birch ; there are also a few popla 
 
m 
 
 in the first sectioi 
 3iit of this mile 
 snerally level, tl 
 rom rocks, and tl 
 lile the timber coi 
 but more rollinj 
 lain branch oftl 
 width and runs 
 i level ; as for tl 
 h similar to tho la 
 1 mile, I met tl 
 md slopes towan 
 
 at the township 
 id in this comitr 
 . combining in 
 he climate is gon 
 this winter the 
 lan in the parish 
 
 h April, 1864.) 
 
 •y,es, we meet b 
 3 chain wide ai 
 sand, mixed wi 
 ntervals by sini 
 1 one extremity 
 very arable, gr( 
 iar, birch, fir ai 
 lard wood ridg( 
 a good road. 
 
 n a line ruuiiii 
 id seventh rang 
 
 I level and very 
 e most abunda 
 so a few popk 
 
 Between the thirty-ninth and fortieth lots of the front line, I ran a centre 
 line towards the south-west, to determine the depths of the fourth, fifth, 
 sixth and eigth ranges. This line passes over generally level land except 
 on the sixth and seventh ranges, which are very broken in the neighborhood 
 of the Blue river, which crosses at the forty-fourth chain on the sixth range. 
 I subdivided the ground into sixty-six lots of thirteen chains, on both sides 
 of the Ponhenagamook road, from the south east line of the township of 
 Estcourt. This line crosses the most level land of the whole township. 
 It is everywhere very fit for tillage and very free from stones. The forest 
 growth is very vigorous ; there are magnificent maple groves on the ninth, 
 tenth, eleventh, nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first lots, which will 
 make magnificent settlements. On the remainder of the road, the timber 
 comprises cedar, birch, fir and spruce, which are all remarkable for their 
 size. Two rivers cross this line. The first on the sixth lot is not very large 
 and runs to the south west ; its width is forty links and it is fordable. The 
 second is the Blue river, crossing the sixty-fourth lot and running to the 
 sonth east ; it is one chain wide and its depth of water is three feet. Its 
 bed is covered with very fine sand. 
 
 Range VIII. At seventeen chains.on the sixty-sixth lot, I struck the south 
 east lateral line of the township of Estcourt. The land is generally level 
 and cultivable and shows few stones or rocks. There are splendid maple 
 groves on the second, third, fourth and fifth lots, and on the remainder of 
 the line the most abundant woods are cedar, fir, birch and spruce ; there 
 are also a few pine of inferior quality which the lumbermen overlooked. 
 
 Range VII. I finally went to the post between the sixth and seventh 
 ranges, on the centre line, from which I ran a front line parallel to the 
 preceding, running to the south east 355 chains, and towards the north 
 west 299 chains, which front I divided into lots of thirteen chains. Like 
 the preceding it is cut by the two branches of the Blue river, viz : on the 
 thirty-fourth and forty-sixth lots, and both streams run towards the south 
 southwest between very high banks ; otherwise, the land is generally level on 
 this line and everywhere cultivable. At seventeen chains on the sixty-sixth 
 lot, we met the lateral line of the township. My survey ended there. 
 
 From this report, it is easy conclude that this township is admirably 
 qualified for settlement, being generally level, comparatively free from rocks, 
 well timbered and watered by a rather large river ; there is no place where 
 the land is not of good quality, and it is everywhere cultivable ; in certain 
 places indicated, the soil is even of superior quality. Then are a few ridges 
 
876 
 
 here and there, but they are all cultivable. I can therefore s«v i« 
 mg this report without fear of beinsr tared ZTll I *'*'"'''^'>- 
 
 township of Rstcourt. thanks to all tl- e advr^ 1..?^^'''^ "'/^^^ ^^« 
 .ether, is ne of the .ost deser.n, of ^e :^:Z^:^ZZZ::Z:: 
 
 (E. Casfrrain, October, 18fl4.) 
 
 Before closing this brief report of my operations and observation^ 
 the territory explored, I may remark that this last nart of T fn ? '' 
 Estcourt. which I was instructed t , survey. . v ry^fi f:' n, i^Th ' 1 
 being generally level, not very rocky and well watered and af ;. f 
 my report, offering great attractions to the settlTr " ^' 
 
 {E. Casgrain, Fabruary, 1866.) 
 
 lieverthole 
 ,>li(lly pla^ 
 re very fe 
 heloss we 
 s wanting 
 ►re covert' c 
 
 Hard' 
 ines, on w 
 ire xaH, vt 
 iinall, it is 
 ;ediir.s are i 
 ,hese noetic 
 direction ; 
 )e s^een in t 
 )n the vulo 
 
 Township of Hooquart. 
 
 The land along this line is g nevallj of inferior qualitv stonv m.r^., 
 and very uneven ; nevertheless, on the seventh and l-h h r'anl'o^lhr ^ 
 fine maple groves, where sugar is made every year Bv whtt T 7. "'' 
 W the heights, a part of the fifth and sixtl rang^sM t Inlr) 
 mediocre quahty for cultivation, but the upper part of tie tw^^^^^^ 
 
 merchantable timber his beet I o^lc!^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^ *'^ ''^^^''^^' ^'^ 
 
 {Chns. Fournier, 10th December, 1864.) 
 
 Township of Parkington. 
 
 The ni 
 eminently i 
 in eertain i 
 to fhe settlt 
 throws it o 
 broken, ou 
 affluents, w 
 and up )a s( 
 prospect of 
 take their r 
 
 The soi 
 and cl;iy ; 
 with a fert 
 forests of all 
 inate in all 
 covering lai 
 )f raerchaui 
 
377 
 
 say in conclud- 
 eration, that the 
 rarely found i,,. 
 irageous settlers. 
 
 ober, 18«4.) 
 
 )bseryation8 un 
 he township of 
 Jll'ige ; the ,oil 
 li as shown by 
 
 lary, 1866.) 
 
 evertheless say with certaintv that it is not stony, as all the posts were 
 ilidly plarcd in the earth. The rivers and brooks crossed in this section 
 
 jre very few, which is the reason why the land is generally sandy ; never- 
 heloss \\.> frequently come across fine valleys (or low lands), so that nothing 
 
 is wanting for successful grain culture. The mountains, in this district, 
 
 »re covered with soil and have gentle slopes 
 
 Hard wood predominates ; there are scarcely any lots, crossed by ray 
 ines, on which I noticed any birch, but large and splendid maple groves 
 ire rat't, very lit to form fine sugaries. I also noticed certain cedar groves, 
 Binall, it is true, but so fine as to make it my duty to m ntiou them. The 
 cedars are straight and of an extraordinary size and lengiu, and the soil in 
 these sections is very rich. Old logging roads cross this townsliip, in every 
 direction; and some rather line pine, but in very small quantity, can still 
 )e seen in some spots As for taraarac, I did not see any. I n-ed not insist 
 )n the value and attractiveness of the lands just travi-rsed. 
 
 {J.-N. Dugal, 26th August, 1866.) 
 
 stony, marshy 
 iigos, there are 
 at I could see 
 lists of laud of 
 ship seemed to 
 ti to me to be 
 township, the 
 
 )er, 1864.) 
 
 nd offers '>ry 
 ed in part of 
 Le whole tract 
 lough I made 
 •ound, I can 
 
 Townahipa of Parklngrton and Robinson. 
 
 The mof=t of the land subdivided by me in these two townships is 
 eminently adapted to tillage, with the exception oi a few rocky outcrops 
 in eortain spots, so that nearly the whole of it offers guarantees of comfort 
 to 'ho settlers who vill n,*t fail to locate there as soon as your Department 
 throws it open to purchnse. The surface of tHe two townships is pretty 
 broken, cut, as it is, in all directions by brooks, rivers and their small 
 Rfllueiits, which come down from both sidos of the he ghts into the valleys 
 and uion some of which mills «:in be erected at smal eas! and with the 
 prospect of great usefulness to the settlers. These trihutiries generally 
 take their rise iu the surrounding lakes. 
 
 The soil, in such roken land, is not, of cour-<e, composed of alluvion 
 and clay ; it is rather a gi and yellow loam mixed with sand, overlaid 
 with a fertile mould, which promises well, judging from the luxurii it 
 forests of all kinds of w^ood upon it. Ash, white i>in(> and cedar predon-. 
 inate in all the bottoms of the Bakov river and a part of its tributaries, 
 covering land of the higher value. There is no longer any gr.'at quantity 
 )f merchantable timber along this river and on the heights in the two 
 
3sjm 
 
 878 
 
 townshipH. Pino, which vvuh novnr ubuiidaiit, in now all goiio, imd on the 
 luMghtHaiid thoirHlopos, tho timplo, birch, heoch, liraiidBpruco prodominatft 
 All (he latMihiintahlt! .spruco, howovor, haH heon cut off. 
 
 Tho Hakcr rivor, which dinchargcH into lako Mcrnimpticook and thence 
 into the river St. John, i8 a very pretty little stream with a Handy and rock. 
 lesH bed, and without falls, but, in (iertuin places, with a rapid and shallow 
 i'urreni, whi.di renders it navigable only by (wioes. The lakes, which 
 emi)ty inio il, are deep and, as they are lull offish, would be of great assistana) 
 to thesettlcrs locating in these townships, if their iinny wealth was not in 
 great parJ destroyed in summer by poachers from NewMrunswick, who 
 ascend this river armed with nets and weiroij-s a>"l commit irreparable havoc 
 among the large red and white trout. The so called fishery guardians do 
 not seem t(. pay any attention to this great wrong, as not one of thorn ha 
 yet taken the trouble to pay this place a visit, though one is impcrativclv 
 demanded. 
 
 In the towiiship of Robinson, some clearings have been made by get 
 tiers IVom New-Urunswick, who are located and reside on the shores of the 
 magnilicent lake IJaker. They have sehn^ted this place in order to be nearer 
 the church erected at the other eiul of the lake, a distance of four or five 
 miles. Here as elsewhere the land is exciillent. 
 
 {F.-A, 'mu, 19th January, 1881.) 
 
 Township of Raudot. 
 
 Resides the remarks contained in my field book, I think it right to give 
 you a brief report on the soil, timber, &c., of the section I surveyed in this 
 township. 
 
 Soil.— The first range of the township of Raudot is generally good 
 loam mixed with sandy lonm on which hard wood prevails and a larire 
 number of sugaries have beta established ; it is also composed of good clay 
 bottom lands well adapted to tillage. With several slight deviations, to avoid 
 two small lakes and one ridge, a good road might be opened from cue end 
 to the other on this front. The second range is generally of good land, in 
 the north east section, from one end to the other of the lots, but towards 
 the middle of the south west section, only two thirds of the lots are good; 
 the remainder, near the front between the second and third rano-es, Ts low 
 
879 
 
 gone, and on th( 
 uco prodomiaatft 
 
 tioook and thence 
 a Handy and rock- 
 ■apid and shallow 
 rh.) lakes, which 
 ol' great aHsiHtanca 
 roalth WHS not in 
 nrunswick, who 
 irreparable havoc 
 )ry guardians do 
 Olio of thorn hai 
 is imperatively 
 
 oil mad(» hy set- 
 
 the shores of the 
 
 )rder to be nearer 
 
 ! of four or five 
 
 tiuary, 1881.) 
 
 k it right to give 
 lurveyed in this 
 
 generally good 
 lils and n larse 
 >sed of good clay 
 t^iations, toaA'oid 
 id from one end 
 f good land, in 
 ts, but towards 
 
 lots are good; 
 1 ranges, is low 
 
 1 fi^vjinipy. It will never be possible to open a road on this front, from 
 one end to the other, for this reasoa. 
 
 The third range is also generally very good land, except a small part 
 ol' the front of these lots between the 80(;ond and third ranges. There is a 
 nuiriber of sugaries on this ranyo. The same may be said of the fourth 
 ranw<'. •»«»^'" ^^^ ^""^"^ ' '^ ""^^^ ^" ^"'^y needed to open up these lands promptly. 
 In all the section which I surveyed, the land is uneven, being nothing but 
 11 mass of hillocks, hills and dales, of which no part of any extent is level ; 
 jKvertheless there are no roiiky outcrops or any un(!ultivable mountains in 
 the .st!etions through which I passed ; a road can be made on this fiont from 
 one end to the other, with the exceptions specified further on. 
 
 TlMHKii. — These lots are wooded with fir, white birch, birch, maple, a 
 few beech and spruce. All this last kind of wood which was fit for logs, in 
 the neighborhood of and along the rivers, has been cut oif years ago. We 
 met pine stumps here and there, but not one single pine tree is standing 
 now, where I passed. 
 
 Lakks.— It is seldom, on the south side of the St. Lawrence, and on so 
 small an extent of land us that surveyed by me in Raudot, that so many 
 lakes occur. I was told that there is another pretty large one, on the fourth 
 range, towards the lots numbers twelve and eighteen or twenty, but I did 
 not see it. 
 
 Lake 8t. John is generally deep, although the lands, on both sides, 
 near the lake are level or gradually sloping, and seem to be well wooded 
 with hard and soft wood, especially towards the south west part of the lake. 
 Viewed from the lake, and judging from the appearance of the timber which 
 surround it, the land seems good for tillage. There is a great deal of fish 
 in this lake ; we caught three kinds white fish, of which some measured 
 from fifteen to eighteen inches in length, pickerel and trout. They say there 
 is a fourth kind, but we did not catch any. The small lake which discharges 
 into the river Boisbouscache, on the lots number three and four of the 
 third range, contains, they say, a great deal ot trout ; we did not fish there. 
 The other lakes are not very deep, and some of them, although covered all 
 over throughout the year with water, look more like swamps than lakes, and 
 contain no fish. 
 
 (C.-F. Fournier, December, 1865-66.) 
 
380 
 
 
 COUNTY OF TERREBONNE. 
 
 Townships of Bereeford and Howard. 
 
 As my inslrucHons oxpr^sslv enioin<^rl m« f^ i 
 and Bereslord tho most .sui ablo LtZ 1T r ^k' I '"'^'^ "^ ^^'^'^^^ 
 touch Howard on ^cconn^^ ^"^^J^ l^'j''' '' "^^ '''''' '^ -^^ 
 stony soil and the poor quality oL hard ^ mountainous character, its 
 unfit for oolouizatiin ; pe h p' t tttr" ;r '' I"^'"' '' ^^^*°=«^her 
 non,e ; still nothin, .-L be Li^n b"t mltlL ""' ^^"'^'''^ *^« -- 
 
 abo^r;td;;:ri^:ir^^^^^ -d p... 
 
 bounded, as far as the central 1^ e h is to lo . k" "'' ' ^'^'"^ '"^^ 
 land on I his tract is fir.e except rfewil' ^ ''^"' ^^^^^^ythree. The 
 part of these bad. Eat .^ Z Ce Jyir t "f r?'^ "M ^" " "^^^ ^^ ^"^^^^ 
 over which 1 deemed it advis-.bTe ot ! u '"^'' "^^"'^^^i" i« met, 
 
 bounded the second r-u o./ in . l '? '^'' ''''''' ^''''- ^ ^an aui 
 
 to say, to the centre 1 ^^ ^ ;;^'ir:.t'"^ "/": ^^"^^'-"^- ^^^^ ^« 
 of hard wood. I ran tho thi d ,■ ?' l ^ ' ''''^ ^^^''' '' '' ^^eat deal 
 
 tenth lot is cut bv a t ke h! h f" '^ ''• "^''^'"^ '' '"^ ^^^^^ ^^'^ 
 in length. I rana tbu.^^ ^t^et (o ^he s' T'T' "^"^ '"^ '^^ -»'- 
 that is, ten lots, not .losiriu./ for ll i. . i"? '^''''^' ^' '^' ^''^'^^^^^^ 
 From the fourth ran,: ;!. 'Sd 'th' < t ^'^^ "''^'"^^' ^^' ^^^' ''^^«- 
 
 an Nord cuts at twenty-., eh.:'';^ .;::\rt;:r ^^^"^'^ ''' ^•^^^'• 
 exce.i^l;l"trt;,:;a^':,;7::.::,7 r'"7^ ^'^^ '--^''^^ ^^-> 
 
 The largest brook .s the diW " hi r^ ^' 1"^''^ after scaling it. 
 range line on lot nine u i U f^ ^^'^^ ^!^''""' ^^^^^^^ cuts the second 
 consequently to the o ih 1 ' ""' !'r*^ "^^^ ^'^'^^ ^^^e, running 
 
 link.' I d.d not n2 :^ ^^:r:;;;;:f ^ '.ir ^^^'^^-'^^^ ^^^^^^ 
 
 around the lakes, and thev Z u J ''' ^'"''^ ^""^ «^^^«Ps only 
 
 stony. ^till,thee t r'^w ,; r^^ "^^^ ^'^^ ^-^^ - --' 
 
 account of their timber, as hr:„:L::i':;i 'th""^'!-^^ ''''''''' ^" 
 would certainly .uake line settLmentr '' ' of Beresford 
 
 {G. Lai'io/e/le, June 3rd. 185 J.) 
 
 The t( 
 mountains 
 with a gr 
 mountains 
 Th« variat: 
 irotn one 
 ~ coiitiuu. iro 
 of wood, n 
 slope, of th 
 tho suinini 
 Tho .soil is 
 situated m 
 of iiu'l. a I 
 centre line 
 divided, w 
 those alrt!! 
 judg-ing i'n 
 
 Tlie tc 
 hilLs and 
 I'six'cially 
 waters clej 
 a land adn 
 are, s(; to s 
 contain vei 
 it had all i 
 Those of tl 
 contain a 1 
 ol'coloni/a 
 
 The to 
 the except i 
 Doiica.ster. 
 
381 
 
 5y in Howard 
 y duty to not 
 character, its 
 
 ■ it altogether 
 ards the river 
 
 and planted 
 chained and 
 iy-three. The 
 only a small 
 itaiii is met, 
 '■ I ran and 
 ■dins:, th'^t is 
 a great deal 
 en lots. The 
 "O live miles 
 3 preceding, 
 of the lake. 
 ch the river 
 
 iablo river, 
 
 ■ scaling it. 
 che second 
 B, running 
 tve to sixty 
 ^imps only 
 id is very 
 ettlers, on 
 r Jieresford 
 
 185J.) 
 
 Township of Wexford. 
 
 Tlie township of Wexford presents a very broken surface, composed of 
 mountains, some of which are very high, of valleys and of level land, 
 with a great number of lakes, of which some are rather large All the 
 mountains are composed of primitive rocks, all dipping in the same direction. 
 The variation of the needle, which fluctuates in a rather astonishing manner 
 from one point to another, indicates that the most of these mountains 
 coutiiin iron. The surface of the soil is everywhere covered with all kinds 
 of wood, most of which are of line growth. It is especially on the tops and 
 slope, of the mountains that we find fine hard wood, which is rather singular ; 
 the summits and slopes of some of these mountains show excellent lands. 
 The .soil is composed of a light loam, partly stony. Nearly all the lots 
 situated near Chertsey also show very good lands, but, after all, as a matter 
 of racl. a part of all the lots of this townshij) is fit for cultivation. The 
 centre line proved that the portion of the township, which remains to be 
 divided, will give to both sides of this line lots which seem better than 
 those already divided ; at least, everything points to this conclusion, 
 judging from the view I had from the top of some high moiintains. 
 
 {F.-G.-V. Regnuud, 10th December, 1851.) 
 
 The township of Wexford is vtMy mountainous and broken, iilled with 
 hills and valleys and dotted with a considerabb number of line lakes, 
 I'siKMially in its north eastern part. All the larger lakes are deep, and their 
 watiMs clivir. lini])id and very wholesome. The slope of the mountains shows 
 a land admirably adapted to cultivation. The rocks jf the north east section 
 are, so to say, all alike. They consist of feldspar or ti'app, and in general 
 contain very little iron. I found one whith seemed to be serpentine— at least 
 It had all its characteristics ; it is located between AVexford and l)oncast<M-. 
 Those of the south west section differ little from the jn-e.-eding ; only a few 
 (ouirtin a little more silica. I searched with particular care, in the interest 
 of colonization, for limestone, but found none anywhere. 
 
 The township of Wexibrd produces nearly all kinds of timber, with 
 liieoxceplion of oak; at least, 1 saw but a few small ones, especially near 
 Doncaster. All the north east section abounds with maple, birch and other 
 
382 
 
 hard woods, aud this section is generally more favorable to agriculture than 
 that in the south west ; the land is also less broken. The south west section 
 produces fin-r.pine, but it is generally little adapted to cultivation ; the 
 mountains are moreover steeper and the valleys rockier. The surface of 
 Wr^ford is obstructed by numbers of large fallen trees, which caused me 
 considerable loss of time ; they are sometimes so interlaced one into the 
 other that they can only be compared to chevaux de frise presenting their 
 points. The prevailing winds are from the west or south west, for, although 
 the fallen trees are lying in all directions, still, in the places where there is 
 a series of fallen trees, they are mostly found with their heads to the east 
 or to the north east. 
 
 The surface and soil of Wexford can only be compared to the Vermont 
 mountains in the United-States or those of Switzerland, in Europe. I have 
 been through both of those countries, and I can certify that, if there is a 
 difference, it is in favor of Wexford. 
 
 (F.-G.-V. Regnaud, 4th March, 1853.) 
 
agriculture than 
 ith west section 
 cultivation ; the 
 
 The surface of 
 hich caused me 
 id one into the 
 resenting their 
 it, for, although 
 
 where there is 
 sads to the east 
 
 to the Vermont 
 Europe. I have 
 it, if there is a 
 
 irch, 1853.) 
 
 383 
 
 COUNTY OF WOLFE. 
 
 Township of Qarthby. 
 
 The present road lines traced in Garthby pass over a fair average of 
 land fit for settlement. From the position and extent of these road lines, 
 as delineated on the plan, it will be seen that only a minor portion of the 
 township is comprised in the lots fronting on the same, and bounded ir. 
 the field. It does not appear, however, from all the observations I was enabled 
 to make, that much land available for settlement can be found in any one 
 tract in that township. 
 
 For the purpose of affording access to the unsurveyed portion of 
 Garthby, lying to the south west of the present survey, and contiguous to 
 the augmentation of Ham and eastern part of Weedon, it would seem 
 advisable to reserve a road line along the north east line of the augmenta- 
 tion of Ham from the Gosford road on the end of .t F, quite through to 
 the tract lying contiguous to Weedon and also to reserve a road line along 
 the line between lots fifty and fifty-one, range one south, continuing in the 
 direction of that line to Weedon, in which vicinity there are some elevations 
 of land, apparently of good quality for settlement, among the unsurveyed 
 waste lands of the Crown in both townships. 
 
 {A. Wem, 18th April, 1849.) 
 
 in general the lands of the tOvvnship of Garthby are pretty level. There 
 are 'mt^wo high mountains, one on the south east lino of Wolfstovvn, 
 between lakes Breeches and Sanday, in the first range south east, and 
 the second range north, and the other to the north west and north east of 
 the East lake. The lorest is composed principally of sott and resinous 
 woods, such as spruce, fir, pine and cedar ; and the hard woods, including 
 birch, soft maple, maple, ash and beech, are generally scattered through 
 and mixed with the first, but in numerically inferior proportion ; so that 
 there are but few lots on which hard wood predominates. The lands on 
 which the hard wood grows in greater abundance are in the fourth, fifth 
 
:«■ 
 
 384 
 
 and seventh south east rani?es. I remarkprl fv,.. „ , ^ " ~^ 
 
 generally rockier than thosrupon Xh th, V '^ "'°^ ^*^"^^«re 
 
 and I have no donbt that these^st w iT b ' 7 k^ "'''^' '''' '^^ ^'^^i 
 when they are cleared. SHI li liol tLlt the I ^^^ '' '^^"'- "^^^^ 
 as much as the ibrzner, and the reason otThin f r ^'' '''''^' '^^^^ 
 
 the hard wood lands may be cult "ted a w'^^^ ^''' ^^ '^' ^^'^^ ^^^^ 
 settler, an locating on thl, re over ", 0^1?'":'' "I'u''^' '''' ^^^ 
 the ashes which he converts into ashes for tL 7 "' '* ^'^ ^^^°^ ^^'^^ 
 
 as potash and pearlash. "' '^' manufacture of alkalis, such 
 
 In general, the lands of the townshn-, of n .uu 
 quality than those of many otLr Townshinl T^' T ""' ^^ P«°^^^ 
 remarkable progress every yea whirear' ^^r\"^°""'*^°" "^^^'^^ 
 undeveloped state in whilhSev Je to H fv • f ^"^^ ^^'"^' ^^^"^ the 
 
 fertile fields, which will be the ^e ^^aHrifT^^ "^" '^ ^'^"°^^ ''^^° 
 ble by by-roads. especially if they are rendered access!. 
 
 (J.'B. Richard, 9th June, 1870.) 
 
 Township of Ham, 
 
 generally ,ood for agricultur:! t U^is 1 ; 7 llV' Th" ''' ''' '' 
 township m generally m hard wood mixed whliwhitt'^ruL ' ''''' 
 
 ^^^XZ!::^iJ ^'^^^^ the pa. 
 
 section of the township, I ha v „o d^K'^ ^ T^''"" ^" ^'"« ^-Portant 
 west of this township, as also the ninth T ^ T'^' ^"^^* ^"^^^ "-'i^ 
 township of WolfstovVn, whil tl" ^ l vM 7 ^'"""!' ^'^"-^^ ^^^'^^ 
 to settlement. ""'^'' ''^^'^' ^^'^ "^'i^h better adapted 
 
 The pi 
 
 brd, in tht 
 aiiges sout 
 for settlemi 
 ihip, and tl 
 settlement 
 cabes near 
 tioual rang 
 
 There 
 or iirsi ran 
 lot to the e 
 of these rai 
 day, be bro 
 
 The lai 
 with the ej 
 unlit for se 
 
 The w: 
 iiitersperset 
 exceedinglj' 
 
 It is sa 
 here are so 
 the north ei 
 [o decide as 
 
 {F. L. Pomlrier, 2nd October 185£ 
 
 5.) 
 
 Two-th 
 the fourth a 
 for tillage, 
 whitish eart 
 fir, cedar, bi 
 
i wood lauds are 
 !tl, soft and hard, 
 of better quaijt,,' 
 are sought after 
 s in the fact that 
 nd that the poor 
 >f' his labor rrom 
 J of alkalis, such 
 
 ■e not of poorer 
 'nization makes 
 that, from the 
 be changed into 
 endered accessi- 
 
 une, 1870.) 
 
 385 
 
 or 
 
 56 
 
 ^ mouiitainous, 
 ■II- The soil is 
 
 'his part of the 
 !e. 
 
 JUg-h the part 
 ^his iinportaut 
 ^st and north 
 ranges of the 
 •etter adapted 
 
 >er 1855.) 
 
 Township of Stratford. 
 
 The principal line of road proceeding from lake Aylmer through Strat- 
 ,d, ill the direction of lake Megantic, is on (he front of the second and third 
 ranges south west. The quality of the land on this line is generally favorable 
 [■or settlement and for the construction of a road through the whole town- 
 ihip, and there are extensive tracts of land apparently of very good quality for 
 lettlement on the south west side of this survey, extending back in some 
 cases near the southern part of the township to the depth of several addi- 
 tioual ranges. 
 
 There is also a tract of very excellent laud for settlement on the centre 
 or firsi range north east and south west, extending from the thirty-sixth 
 lot to the end of the township, and it is probable that a considerable portion 
 of these ranges to the north west of the above section will, at some future 
 day, be brought under cultivation. 
 
 The land along the line between the second and third ranges north east, 
 with the exception of the lots from number thirty-six to forty, is entirely 
 unfit for settlement, and no road line could be carried in that direction. 
 
 The whole formation in this section of the survey consists in swamps 
 interspersed with rocky hillocks, the swamps as well as the higher parts being 
 exceedingly rocky and the surface of the ground covered with a deep moss. 
 
 It is said by hunterr and others, who have traversed that region, that 
 hero are some tracts of land in the territory fit for settlement, situated to 
 Ihe north east of these ranges ; but my own : )servations did not enable mo 
 decide as to the accuracy of this statement. 
 
 (A. Wdls, 18th April, 1849.) 
 
 Townships of Stratford and Garthby. 
 
 Two-thirds of the la'.i ii= the eleventh range of Stratford, as also in 
 the fourth and fifth ranges <•" Garthby, appear in general to be fit enough 
 for tillage. The soil is somewhat stony and composed in great part of a 
 whitish earth. The timber consists mostly of pine and spruce, with a few 
 fir, cedar, birch and hemlock ; from what the people of the locality say, 
 
 25 
 
■t 
 
 886 
 
 most of these lots will be settled ere long. Lots thirty-eight, thirtv-nin 
 forty-one forty-two and fortythree of the third range of Garthby are covert 
 with timber through which fire has run. ^^ 
 
 All the twelfth range of Stratford is fit for tillage. The soil in ffenp. i 
 18 composed of black mould. The wood is composed of birch hemln? 
 ash, maple, spruce, fir, a little cedar and beech, but the bulk is hard woo!' 
 According to the information received, it would seem that all this rani 
 IS already well started for settlement. ^^ 
 
 In the sixth range of Garthby. all the soil is arable, being composed of 
 black mould. The timber consists in greater part of hard wood. Most 
 all this range is already being settled. There is a magnificent wat/r 
 power for mills on the river Saint Francis, opposite the thirty-first lot of th 
 sixth range of Garthby and the eighth lot of the twelfth range of Stratford 
 
 Before concluding. I would remark that, as for the timber which 
 remains in tiie section of the townships which I subdivided, all the best of 
 It has been cut off by the limit owners, and there remains nothing now 
 except what was of no value to the lumbermen. 
 
 I 
 
 (C. Michaud, 1st March, 1878.) 
 
 R 
 
 lu ace 
 
 season in 
 
 the Ottaw 
 
 country b 
 
 explored : 
 
 explorator-' 
 
 and in the 
 
 direction f 
 
 Between t] 
 
 iiortward \ 
 
 of which a 
 
 to this reg: 
 
 of the prir 
 
 given to it 
 
 Survey, of 
 
 occurring 
 
 south west 
 
 important < 
 
 was therefc 
 
 they extenc 
 
 the Huroni 
 
 Huron and 
 
 Leavin 
 Abbitibbi I 
 Company. 
 Quiuze, a ( 
 distance is ( 
 the Quinice, 
 
ight, thirty-niQe 
 rthby are covered' 
 
 he soil in general 
 
 birch, hemlock, 
 
 Ik is hard wood. 
 
 at all this range 
 
 ing composed of 
 I wood. Mostly 
 gnificent water 
 ty-first lot of the 
 nge of Stratford. 
 
 e timber which 
 d, all the best oi 
 ns nothing now 
 
 [arch, 1878.) 
 
 SURVEY OF TERRITORIES 
 
 OTTAWA DISTRICT. 
 
 EEGION BETWEEN LAKES TEMISCAMINGUE AND ABBITIBBI, 
 
 lu accordance with your directions, I was engaged during the past 
 season in making a geological examination of a portion of the country on 
 the Ottawa to the northward and eastward of lake Temiscamingue. The 
 country bordering the Ottawa river, as far as the head of this'lake, was 
 explored many years ago by Sir W. E. Logan ; and in 1870 and 1871, 
 exploratory traverses were made, in the former year by Mr. Richardson' 
 and in the latter year by myself, across the country in a north-westerly 
 direction from Lake St. John, on the Saguenay, as far as lake Mistassini. 
 Between the latter lake and the head of lake Temiscamingue, and extending 
 iiortward to Hudson's Bay, there is a large area, of the geological character 
 of which almost nothing was known. I was directed to turn ray attention 
 to this region, with a view of determining, as far as possible, the boundanes 
 of the principal rock formations; a special interest having recently been 
 given to it by the discovery in 1870, by Mr. Richardson of the Geological 
 Survey, of a series of crystalline schists, with serpentine and conglomerates, 
 occurring to the south of lake Misiassini, and having a north east and 
 south west strike. These rocks possess the liouble interest of containing 
 important deposits of copper ore, and of having furnished a fossil coral. It 
 was therefore part of my instructions to endeavour to ascertain how far 
 they extend to the westward, and, if possible, what may be their relation to 
 die Huronian rocks so extensively exposed along the north shores of Lakes 
 Huron and Superior. 
 
 Leaving Fort Temiscamingue on 11th of July, we set out for lake 
 Abbitibbi by the route usually followed by the canoes of the Hudson Bay 
 Company. From the head of the lake, we ascended the Oitawa to lac des 
 Quinze, a distance of about fifteen miles, though in a straight line the 
 distance is only eleven. This portion of the Ottawa is locally known as 
 ihe Quinze, from the fact that, in ascending it in canoes, about fifteen 
 
 I 
 
888 
 
 portag-os have to bo inado, thouiyh the number varies a.;cording to ciroum 
 stances. Its g-eneral upward course is PI by N, or nearly at°right amks 
 to the general direction of the valley of lake Temiscamingne, and that of 
 the river Blanche, its extension northward. It is, for the greater part of 
 the distance, a succession of formidable rapids and cascades, the difFereuce 
 in level between the two lakes being probably not less than 250 feet The 
 rocks are well exposed throughout, especially at the portages. I shall 
 therefore describe the rocks Avith refej-ence to the various portages. The 
 first of these is about two miles above lake Temiscamingue° and is 
 succeeded by two others in a distance of a little over a mile. The fust 
 two are quite short, and overcome two falls from ten to twelve feet 
 high ; the third is half a mile long, and the f\ill is about fifty-six feet At 
 one point in this latter, there is a descent of about twenty feet in a s'in<rle 
 fall, whi(-h appears to be the highest at any one point on the Quinze. The 
 rock exposed at all these portages appears to be very uniform in character 
 being a veiy hard, dark grey silicious mica slate or schist, usually having 
 a rather imperfect cleavage parallel walh indistinct whitish lines and 
 streaks. Those lines, though usually obscure, were alway.s detected on close 
 inspections ; and as they are remarkably ui^ilorm in direction and inclina- 
 tion and ai)peare(l to correspond with occasional slight variations in textm'e 
 and colour, I think they may bo regarded as indicating the bedding of the 
 io<k. This supposition is confirmed by the fact that the dip which they 
 aivo (orresponds Avith that observed further up at various points where 
 mere Cimnot possibly be anv doubt of its character. The dip obtained iu 
 this way. on the first three portago.s, varies in direction from SO'^ to 80'^ 
 W. of N.,and-in amount from tU^ to 85<\ the prevailing strike and dip 
 being about N. 70- W. < 70°. The direction of the dip appears to become 
 more nearly west, and the inclination less in going up the river. 
 
 Above the third portage, there is an interval of nearly three miles 
 before the fourth is reached. The rocks are the same, as far as they are seen 
 but there are few exposures. The fourth ])ortage is the first of another 
 group of three, occurring in about the same distance as the first throe, and 
 situated on the south side of an island which here divides the river into 
 two channels It is only a few chains long and overcomes a beautiful 
 cascade just above where the two channels unite. The whole fall at this 
 portage is about twenty feet. The rock is the same as on the lower por- 
 toges, except that it is finer and more compact in texture, and less silicious. 
 The dip, observed only at one point, is S. 68" W. < G2°. 
 
889 
 
 Ling to circum. 
 at right angles 
 gne, and that of 
 
 greater part of 
 , the differeuce 
 I 250 feet The 
 rtages. I shall 
 
 portages. The 
 lingue, and is 
 mile. The fust 
 to twelve feet 
 'ty-six feet, At 
 feet in a single 
 e Quinze. The 
 n in character, 
 isually having 
 tish lines and 
 etected on close 
 >ii and inclina- 
 tions in texture 
 bedding of the 
 p which they 
 s points where 
 ip obtained iu 
 rom SO'' to 80'^ 
 strike and dip 
 ears to become 
 iver. 
 
 ]y three miles 
 s they are seen, 
 irst of another 
 first three, and 
 the river into 
 38 a beautiful 
 ole fall at this 
 the lower por- 
 i less silicious. 
 
 The fifth portage begins about a quarter of a mile above the last, is 
 nearly half a mile long, and the fall in the river is about fifty feet. The 
 rocks are well seen, and consist chieliy of fine-grained, rather soft mica 
 slate, cleaving readily into thin, regular sheets. The colour is lighter than 
 on the lower portages, and considerable masses are very soft, and greenish- 
 dral in colour, approaching in character to nacreous slates. In the lower 
 part of the portage, the slates are interstratified with massive grey quartz- 
 ites very slightly micaceous. At the head of the portage, crystalline diorite 
 forms a ridge of about a hundred paces wide, having a direction which 
 acrord.s with the strike of the slate rocks. TJie dip of tlie rocks on this 
 portage is well seen, and is pretty uniform throughout, Ijeing about 
 S, U^ E. < 7G0. Similar soft rocks occur along the river for about three 
 miles farther, for which distance the river runs nearly in their strike, or 
 about N. 1']. and S. W, The dip, for the greater part of this distaiice, as on 
 the portage just described, is to the south eastward, but at so high an angle 
 that a very slight change would give an inclination in the o^^^osito direc 
 tion, which is the prevailing one throughout the Quin/e section. No 
 lower inclination than the above (70'^) was observed, and iu the upper 
 part of the dishmce the strata are generally nearly vertical. 
 
 The sixth portage is about a quarter of a mile above the fifth, and reaches 
 to within a few yards of the head of the island. The fall here is about 
 eight feet. On the upper part of the island there is a conspicuous exposure 
 of alight grey granitic gneiss, consisting of glassy quartz and white feldspar, 
 Avith a smaller amount of dark brown mica in small scah^s. The whole 
 mass, as far as observed, is quite uniform in colour and texture, and occa- 
 sionally there is a decided parallelism in the arrangement of th.> constituent 
 minerals. The strike and dip of the planes thus indicated, at the only point 
 where they were well observed, is the same as that of the stratified rocks 
 in the vicinity. The whole rock, however, is affected by another remark- 
 ably regular set of divisional planes, forming layers from two to five or six 
 feet thick, and of which the underlie is about N. 8*^ E. < 20'^. The mass is 
 lenticular in form, and is about six hundred yards long by one hundred 
 l^•ide, the longer axis being approximately parallel with the strike of the 
 slale rocks in the vicinity. On the south west side it presents u nearly 
 veiiical escarpment facing to the south, and rising to a height of about a 
 hundred feet above the river. At the base of this cliff, near the head of the 
 portage, there is an exposure of soft greenish-grey, massive, steatitic rock; 
 and a little farther up, soft chloritic slates are seen in contact with the 
 granitic gneiss, sometimes corrugated and apparently unconformable with 
 
J- 
 
 
 300 
 
 it, but at other points quite conformable. For about two miles abov.- th" 
 island, as already mentioned, the soft slates are the predominatinororl- Ja 
 the river runs in their strike ; but, besides these, diorites and loritic ]\J 
 are met with occasionally, and appear to come in from the south easf 8id 
 At the end of this distance there is an abrupt turn to the south iroinir n! 
 the river. " " 
 
 Just before reaching the turn, there is a short portage (the seventh from 
 Temiscamingue) on the north or right bank of the river. This leads from Z 
 river to a small lake, after following which for a few chains the caiJ 
 route pass.?s into the Ottawa again by the outlet of the lake. Immediatel' 
 below the portage, a bedof greyish feldspathic rock was observed, containing 
 a considerable qiiantity of iron and copper pyrites disseminated though it 
 At the out et of the httle lake, mica slate and micaceous quartzite, simul 
 to tha on the ower part of the fifth portage, were observed ; bit aft 
 slu^rt distance these give place, on the S. K side, to diorites and dioritic 
 
 The^upward direction of the river, for about three miles, is a few 
 degrees E. ol S. A portage leads from the river immediatly below the tun! 
 on the opposite side from the above small lake, to another small lake situat^ 
 ed m a ravine running parallel with the river above the turn, and about 
 half a mile long. This portage is about three hundred paces Ion- .nd 
 beyond the lake, another port.ge of similar length continues in the'same' 
 direction, to the river at the foot of a lake-like expansion. From this poiut 
 to the turn, a distance of nearly a mile, the river flows swiftly, with occa- 
 sional fall., between high rocky banks, and the total fall is a little over 
 lorty iect Ihe canoe-route just described crosses th.' strata nearly at ri^ht 
 angles, and the rocks are well exposed. These are chiefly massive crystal- 
 line dmrites. At the foot of the lower portage, however, the diorite is uot 
 distinctly crystalline, and is occasionally slaty. In soma parts ,t contains 
 much epidote in veins and disseminated grains. Much of this ane gniined 
 diorite seems made up of flattened shuttle-shaped masses from thnv to 
 twelve inches, or more, in width, and perhaps six or eight times as lone. 
 At one point, a width of about twelve feet was made up of re-ular hexa- 
 gonal colums, having a diameter of about ten inches, and inclining at an 
 angle of oY^ in a direction S. 420 W. Towards the head of the second por- 
 tage, the slaty character is in some places pretty highly developed. 
 
 The stratification of the massive crystalline diorites, which occur 
 largely in this locality, is well shown by the frequent occurrence of quartz- 
 
 BillK8iS ii lM f M l re»ar» r ismaM8M MMi 
 
 iti' in thin 
 miigiK'tic 
 (,])K'rv< d 
 thirty 
 o-niiiiK. 
 
 thicti" 
 ail ' l)lo(iu 
 
 irci f"i^ 
 pel led 1 
 otha, the 
 N. W W. 
 oodiiig sh^ 
 liitervnl u 
 E, and ih 
 
 From 
 lac des Q 
 length be: 
 throughoi 
 honiblond 
 thore are i 
 places mil 
 in colour 
 Hakes aii( 
 whole ma 
 line to se"v 
 the rock, 
 dred paces 
 
 is about t\ 
 
 Conti: 
 the last ch 
 its dark g 
 and lighte 
 parallel w: 
 bloiidic. 0( 
 a mile acr( 
 about half 
 lac des Qv 
 For some ( 
 
ailos above this 
 natiug rook, and 
 id ioritic slates 
 south east side. 
 south, going up 
 
 he seventh from 
 is leads from the 
 ains the canoe- 
 >• Immediately, 
 •ved, containing 
 lated though it, 
 artzite, similar 
 cd ; but after a 
 OS and dioritic 
 
 miles, is a few 
 below the turn, 
 lall lake situat- 
 iii'U, and about 
 ces long; and, 
 3 iu the same 
 'rom this point 
 tly, with occa« 
 is a little over 
 nearly at right 
 lassive crystal- 
 diorite is not 
 ts it contains 
 is iine grained 
 from thret; to 
 imes as Ions:, 
 regular hexa- 
 nclining at an 
 he second per- 
 oped. 
 
 which occur 
 nee of quartz* 
 
 891 
 
 jto in thin, regular layers, and uiten interstratificd with similar l^'ors of 
 mngnttic h ow. TLt most conepicuous example of this whi. h was 
 oliM'rv'd i ir Ih hend ol the lower portage, where a thickness of about 
 thirty - made up ot such layers. The quartzite is fine aid ''loso- 
 
 o-niiiit(. I- limes approaching |n -per in character, and in layers fro ) the 
 thiokiH" ^n i aptr to abo't :.n iii.h. ''he colours are light and dark grey, 
 ail' blood-red. Interstratified iiesimilarlayorsof black magnetic 
 
 iroi foiraing about a fourth ( h^' whole. These various layers being 
 pt'ii'ectly regular and even, and the diiierent colours alternating with each 
 otkr, the rock has li i>ry striking appearance. The dip of these strata is 
 Is', 70" W. < 7 )f>; , ,er passing tho.'-o two portages, which, with the pre* 
 (oding short one, may be regarded as a third group of three, there is an 
 mtt-rvnl uf about a mile to the next. The direction, as already stated, is S. by 
 E, and the strata are crossed obliquely, the dip being still W. by N. 
 
 From the foot of the next or nth portii ^e, the direction is east to the 
 lac des Quin/e On this portag. which is the longest on the Quinze, its 
 length being a little over half a mile, the rocks ar*^ .veil seen, and are slaty 
 throughout, displaying a fine but distinct .mination, and are chiefly 
 hornblende slate. It is usually greyish-green in colour, but frequently 
 there are streaks and patches tinged with red. There are also in many 
 places numerous obscure lenticular masses ofafeldspathic character, lighter 
 iu colour than the above, and showing crystals of feldspar, and usually 
 ilakes and streaks of dark green hornblende. The latter, as well as the 
 whole mass, which may be from an inch to several feet long, and from a 
 line to several inches in thickness, are parallel with the general bedding of 
 the rock. The dip at the foot of the portage is W.<62'' ; about two hun- 
 dred paces to the eastward, 8.82" W. <45^ ; and at the upper end, S.*78^ 
 W.<50*. The fall in the river here, as nearly as I was able to ascertain it, 
 is about twenty feet. 
 
 Continuing up the river, the rock is hornblendic slate, differing from 
 the last chielly in being apparently quite homogeneous in texture, and in 
 its dark greenish-grey colour. The same obscure interlaminalion of darker 
 and lighter layers was observed, and the rock cleaves with tolerable facility 
 parallel with these. This rock, as well as the last, though usually horn- 
 blendic, occasionally contains considerable mica. It occurs for about half 
 a mile across the strike, extending across the next or eleventh portage, to 
 about half way between it and the twelfth, which is the last before reaching 
 lac des Quinze. Here it is succeeded and underlaid by syenitic gneiss. 
 For some distance before it gives place to the latter, it is more coarsely 
 
<f^. 
 
 ^y^ •^-,,,0, 
 
 IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 1.0 
 
 I.I 
 
 1.25 
 
 Hi 
 
 2.5 
 
 1.4 
 
 120 
 
 1.6 
 
 6" — 
 
 % 
 
 '# 
 
 /: 
 
 
 %> 
 
 
 % 
 
 Fiiotographic 
 
 Sciences 
 
 Corporation 
 
 
 ^^<^ 
 ^J^^^ 
 
 23 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 
 '"i) 
 
? 
 
 .%^ 
 
 
 <i 
 
 F.^ 
 
 s 
 
 
892 
 
 1* 
 
 l^lfr- Tf ','*' '.°'°" '' "S"^^ »"d »<"•« "eariy grey. ^W^? 
 1 ghter and darker bands, and immediateJy at the base ti J^ J. "'"' 
 
 thin reddish layers rese„,bli„. the underlyttk Vum,"^; T^'^^ 
 expands to a width of about a quarter of a mile The diWdh,ri t" '"" 
 the rocks just described and the succeeding gneiss crosts th I'' ^* 
 obhquely, the rocks being exposed on both rides On The s^uh ""l^' "'" 
 shore .s low, and the rock is often concealed; but the tw' v feties jt "k' 
 uot seen tm.nediately in contact, were seen within four or five fie; S \ 
 other at a pent where the rock rises only a few inches above tt *' 
 On the north side there is an interval of 200 pa-es bet^en ZZ "'"• 
 
 ofslate and the first of gneiss. The dip heieltlThrpo, t^bX"" 
 S 2T0 wJ t"" °" I'^r" ''"' '- '^ '"-"-tely at thrpoinl o?c „l ' 
 
 reddish feldspar, with a consid;.:,!" uln" y ofdarf Z^ hrnM"?^ 
 and a smaller amount of glassy quart.? sometLes i 1? Zal t ?' 
 It .s moderately large gmned, and breaks up readilv unde the h "" 
 The hornblende and mica are so arranged as ^0 cive thTwhole .^T'- 
 appearance, which, though usually obscure, is oFten sutTen % ^it ^ 
 
 2: thep^r— T^rjTi^Bi 
 
 across. Ihe sb-atification is very obscure iu this loc^litv hnf cow. a- / 
 
 Sx2tr'' "t" """?'"'" anluttmistakeab.: The'I'^^, i t ^1 
 last (12fh) portage is about ten feet, and at the next one below, eighteen fit 
 
 thevll"''^T'' '" *' '""'' ®'™" '" "^'^ "-'P"'*- ■' '■■* """'^^ry to state ll„l 
 they are only approx.n.ate, being the result of observations with 1! 
 
 ;rttraT:'wef.d ''"''"i '--t- '^^^ *w - »- ^'e^wS 
 
 La( 
 
 about a 
 
 miles, t. 
 
 northw; 
 
 of eight 
 
 tion for 
 
 another 
 
 for thre( 
 
 the lake 
 
 miles. T 
 
 being a 
 
 strike o: 
 
 rock is c 
 
 schistose 
 
 iiig chieJ 
 
 rock was 
 
 principa' 
 
 similar si 
 
 and secoi 
 
 sometinK 
 
 amount ( 
 
 was obse 
 
 cut the a 
 
 ]\., and 1 
 
 The 
 east side 
 of it, was 
 second ba 
 
 Ou tl 
 
 the fi'ueisf 
 rock.i;. A 
 appears tc 
 wonld, w 
 traced for 
 the Laure 
 Montreal 
 to the we 
 Quinze, ai 
 
393 
 
 ey- There are also 
 eie are occasionally 
 ■his point the river 
 
 iding line bet ween 
 ises this wide part 
 le south side the 
 
 varieties, though 
 or five feet of each 
 
 1 above the water. 
 11 the last exposure 
 
 portage below, is 
 
 »e point of contact, 
 >cks, where they 
 iss is made up of 
 rreen hornblende, 
 :ains a little mKa,' 
 der the hammer, 
 whole a stratified 
 iently distinct to 
 th little change, 
 liie in a direction 
 ^ver, a quarter of 
 onstituents, it is 
 urrence of nunie 
 h as half an inch 
 ut some distance 
 n the river at the 
 >w, eighteen feet. 
 
 sary to state that 
 s with a small 
 e on the whole 
 liscaraingue and 
 ;irae barometric 
 >rtage, and the 
 le difference in 
 ■ readings taken 
 lac des Quinze. ^ 
 siderable degree 
 •ve lake Temis- 
 
 Lac des Quinze is an expansion of the Ottawa, and is in most parts 
 about a mile wide. Its direction going up stream is south east for eio-ht 
 miles, then north east for fifteen miles. At its lower extremity a bay extends 
 northward, wJth a tolerably uniform width of about a mile! for a distance 
 of eight miles, when it divides into two arms continuing in the same direc- 
 tion for about three miles further. About tw^o miles above the first bay 
 another bay, rather less than half a mile wide, extends in the same direction 
 for three miles ; and near the point where the direction of the main body of 
 the lake changes from S. E. to N. E., :. third bay extends southward for five 
 miles. These three bays are as nearly as possible parallel, their direction 
 being a few degrees E. of N. and W. of S. This is also the direction of the 
 strike of the rocks on the first two ; the third I did not examine. The 
 rock is chiefly grey syenitic gneiss, generally highly quartzose. It is often 
 schistose, and sometimes passes into well-marked hornblende schist, consist- 
 ing chiefly of glistening black plates of hornblende with some mica. This 
 rock was observed especially along the east side of the low-er half of the 
 principal bay. and it seems probable that all these bays lie on the strike of 
 similar schistose bands. On the north side of the lake, between the first 
 and second bays, the rock become finer in texture, w ith a granular appearance, 
 sometimes resembling a sandstone, and frequently contains a considerable 
 amount of epidote. On the lower part of the lake massive crystalline diorite 
 was observed at several points, and evidently belongs to two dykes which 
 cut the above rocks. They appear to have a course abou;. N. by E. and S, by 
 ]Y., and to be from fifty to one hundred feet wide. 
 
 The mean of a number of dips observed at various points along the 
 east side of the first or principal bay, from one to four miles from the foot 
 of it, was W. <29o ; that of a similar number taken along both sides of the 
 second bay w^as N. 85° W. <45°. 
 
 On the accompanying map, I have indicated the dividing line between 
 the gneissoid strata of lac des Quinze, and the overlying series of slaty 
 rock.:. Assigning to it a direction a little S. of N. and W. of S., which 
 appears to be that of the general strike of the rocks of both divisions, it 
 would, when continued southward, coincide very nearly with the line 
 traced for six or eiffht miles by Sir W. E. Logan, as the boundary between 
 tne Laurentian and Huronianon lakeTeraiscamingue, near the mouth of the 
 Montreal river. Continued in the opposite direction, it would run a little 
 to the westward of the first described or most westerly bay of lac des 
 Quinze, and parallel with it. 
 
r 
 
 394 
 
 The distance in a straijrht line, bearing A 6" W frnm a.^ .i~~~^ 
 ae. Q„i„.„ to ,ho Hudson Bay Corn,.„rsWonlL^ltmm\::"- 
 seventy-six m,I,8. Tho canoe route followed by us passes from tL' ,°"' 
 ^He we.te™ a™ of the first bay of lao des Q„Lze TllnZ r t;^"/ 
 thenoe through two long narrow lake., named respectivery Ob kl T 
 Opasa ika, which are connected by a small stream. With the «ce„M , 
 a short portage, at a rapid with a fall of four or five fee on r o„ l "^ ° "' 
 mle below lake Obikoba, there is uninterrupted nivt tin for cI^'T' ' 
 he foot of lac des Quinz. to within half a mile of the hiro llrTb f " 
 the waters of the Ottawa and those (lowing to Hudson's Bw.hl 1, '" 
 scarcely even a perceptible current to overc-ome all the way The 1.'"°" 
 from the mouth of Lonely river to the height of land i, Lut ,hf "^ 
 m-les. The rocks over the greater par. ol this di tanc are „f thl r* 
 gneissoid character as on lac des Quin.e. The re<rnlar north a °" 
 strike, and westerly dip, were, however, not observfd L.heM l' T 
 half way up lac des Quin.e bay, on the upper part of which very fewtt 
 of any k„,<| „ere seen. On Lonely river, and on the lower pJrt!fZ 
 Obikoba, .he stratification was not apparent. The rock is usual W .J fc 
 fine-gramedin texture and of very light g,ey, brown, or redd h Cw 
 often approaching white. Associated with this, there i often anothe . 1 
 
 what similar rock, but containingalarge amount of blacktrnStl": 
 the whole a dark colour. This appears to cut the former but tl>f 7 ^ 
 vanefes are often so entangled with each other that it would be d^ 'l 
 without examining a large area, to determine which is The ," tLwt^ 
 .his IS characteristic of the whob district, along the line elTZZ T 
 the head of the lac des Quinze bay to the foot of lake oZatlT dt, 
 .n a nor.h and south direction of about fifteen miles Thereto / 
 veins of coa,se granite, consisting usually of vitreous quart. dSd™: 
 and brown or greenish mica. The feldspar is occasionally n^'li wht T 
 
 of this district IS gneiss, which was observed, especiallv in th?,, .^ 
 part of the above mentioned fifteen miles, to pass nto a disLtt TS 
 -histose rock, chiefly composed of quart^ and mica ^he b t L - -f 
 .t occurs on the upper part of lake Opasatika, just above wie, 
 northward, the lake suddenly contracts In widtilm upward „f Zll 
 mile to su or eight chains. Here a well defined ™i ."P'"' ° '"'" » 
 observed, very regularly and finely str^L'tlipTe rgTA?"' W^ 
 ever the atratiflcation appeared in this locality, thestrike usualiyappiwW 
 >r ;rngr'thrrd^ ''" " ''" ^°""" "'einc.iuationapp.renfly^t^r:?;' 
 
 Ig 
 
 Towa: 
 
 wneissoid i 
 
 rapper part 
 
 upwards c 
 
 mile wide 
 
 west, and ( 
 
 the edfre o 
 
 juull grey 
 
 [slaty series 
 
 'schistose. 
 
 serii'S of st 
 
 rery niinu 
 
 almost ant 
 
 folding roi 
 
 nearly a fo 
 
 quartzite a 
 
 titles of n 
 
 appearance 
 
 with those 
 
 magnetic i 
 
 rington \vj 
 
 quartzites 
 
 schists, wii 
 
 reus minu 
 
 to the east' 
 
 The north« 
 
 massive cry 
 
 tion a littl 
 
395 
 
 'm the outlet of lac 
 ^bbitibbi, is about 
 s from the head of 
 ^onely rirer, and 
 ^ely Obikoba and 
 I the exception of 
 n Lonely river, a 
 ouforcauoesfron, 
 
 itoflandb-tween 
 B^y, there being 
 
 W- The distance 
 about thirty-one 
 are of the same 
 north and south 
 ■ther than about 
 3h very few rocks 
 i^er part of lake 
 usually granitic, 
 reddish colours, 
 m another some- 
 rnblende, giving 
 ler, but the two 
 aid be difficult, 
 > intrusive rock 
 examined, from 
 ■tika, a distance 
 e are also many 
 tz, red feldspar, 
 nilk white, gir- 
 he staple rock 
 1 the uortheni 
 inctly stratified 
 'est instance of 
 when, going 
 ards of half a 
 as gneiss was 
 I Air. Wher- 
 lly approached 
 ntly becoming 
 
 Continuing northward, the rock on the lower part of lake Opasatika, 
 
 rhere it is well seen, is the same line-grained granitic gneiss, but it is not 
 
 so much cut up and disturbed by veins and dykes as the above, and it is 
 
 jeiierally quite distinctly stratified, the bedding being often shown by the 
 
 )ccurrence of lighter and darker bands, owing to the varying amount of 
 
 lark mica in the rock. The snme rock occurs all along the lake for about 
 
 iiie miles, and then gives place to a series of slates and schists similar to 
 
 [hose of the Quinze. It seems to occur here in the form of a low anticlinal, 
 
 llhe dip being southerly in the lower portion of these nine miles, and in the 
 
 opposite direction in the upper portion. Epidote occurs occasionally in this 
 
 rock, especially in or near small veins, in much the same manner as it does 
 
 in similar rock near the foot of lac des Quinze. 
 
 Towards the north end of lake Opasatika, as already stated, these 
 Ueissoid strata .give place to others of an entirely different character. The 
 [pper part of the lake is much wider than the lower half, the width being 
 iipwards of two miles. From the east side a bold tongue of land nearly a 
 mile wide extends more than half way across, the extremity facing to the 
 west, and divided into two small promontories by a nan ' deep bay , along 
 the edge of the water round the lower promontory there are exposures of a 
 (lull grey micaceous schist, much resembling the lowest members of the 
 slaty series of the Quinze, biit more micaceous and somewhat more coarsely 
 schistose. This is overlaid by a rather complicated and greatly varying 
 seriis of strata which the time at my command did not enable me to examine 
 rery minutely. First, there is a thickness of twelve or fifteen feet made up 
 almost entirely of foliated brown mica, very much corrugated, and often 
 folding round what appeared to be nodular masses of grey quartzite often 
 nearly a foo^ in diameter. Succeeding this there are thirty or forty feet of 
 quartzite and hornblendic .schists, including layers containing large quan- 
 tities of magnetic iron, always finely stratified, and having exactly the 
 appoarance of having been originally in the condition of fine sand. Alon::^ 
 with those there is also a layer eight or ten inches thick made up chiefly of 
 magnetic i)yrites. A specimen of this having been submitted to Dr. Har- 
 rington was found to contain traces of <;opper and cobalt. Above these 
 quartzites there is a considerable thickness of massive steatic rock and steatic 
 schists, with probably chloritic schist. These steatitic roor.s contain nume- 
 rous minute grains and octahedral crystals of magnetic iron. The dip is 
 to the eastward, at an angle of about 40^, but the rocks are much disturbed. 
 The northern part of the tongue of land above described is made up of 
 massive crystalline diorite, evidently a dyke, running apparently in a direc- 
 tion a little north of east. 
 
896 
 
 fika wher 
 ibserved, j 
 he niicaoi 
 ,bout ten : 
 
 It wil 
 he boundi 
 ■port, (he 
 ivisiou 0] 
 ■ossed nei 
 then thr 
 nining. ] 
 be intercef 
 
 Immediately opposite on the west si^Ia ^rtu i i '. ^ ~~~^ 
 
 l...e of the ahovo dyke, and is, „„ doubt a Z,, " i , ! ?""" '" '4iA ho^ 
 to the south ofthe diori.o, ii^.re l.TC, TZZf '""='''•4 « »>>< 
 grey steatitio rock, while ,o the „or,h ot'lTaThi! T'^r'"*. tota„ 
 shore in such away as to Rive the idea th.t „, '".",. ^'^*;'' °<"-»'s '■ioagth' 
 the water. .,f the lake. Ther ar 'also o ul' 'Z'T "'' -™" be,«, 
 a soft greenish talcose slate, contaiuiar^ e .t u^^etTf T r""'"'"" 
 iron pyrftcs, souae of them more than half an ,""7"™.°' ^^ical crystal, „ 
 all these rocks is so irregular that t wL f ^ ''"'""""■ The dip o 
 
 correct notion of their g^e^l 'atm de^Sit^a ,:rtf '° ''™ '»> 
 
 seen a little farther north towards ^h. h TV,.' ^"^^--^^'er, are well 
 
 more regular, the dip bein, lillty N bJ W P "'% ""^ '""^ ^^^'^^^ ''''' '" 
 
 rock was seen for about two miles beyond which on I .'^ T '^' ^^'^^' "° ^'"^T "' 
 
 iarge exposures of coarse mica schist bu aTh 'h °" ^'^. «^«r<^« ^hereare '^■<>«««d ^«' 
 
 rock becomes finer grained and m re 'compact ^dT^^^^^^^^ '^« ' 
 
 grained horn-blendic slate, precisely sim^kr rl V ?*'^ ""''^^ '^'''■ 
 
 dip, as already stated, is no therir<^en a"ll olV , .? 'u' ^^^^'^^^^ ^he b^^"*^^-^ 
 
 The inclination is at first from 20° to 40 o^ kT '" '^' ^'^^^ «^ aorth.lo .Join siir 
 
 ward. ' ^" ^u , out increases on goinir north- |o the wes 
 
 ^'•^l^t'^Z^:;:''-:^:^-^^^ - succeeded, in as J"'- 
 grained sandstone or quartzitc md th.. imh Ti7 J, !" '' S"''»"xK Bnel *''™' 
 greenstone, ch.rt, and whit n„ I Thl '^u "°"'^'^' »f »y«ai,,lws, »"d 
 
 are nsually, small, but are occ!^ o lly nt L a foot ,,'° "" """"'''■ "^ "" " 
 the rock is chief y made up of these eolTeK , """""■' SomBtim.,l"y from 
 
 scattered through the maWx FroTth^ ' ''"' ™"'»"'"«>' they are siMr,el|» hills b. 
 is about half a mile, and there rsim 1. f""'" ''"""'^' "'^ dtsiaao lake, h«t t 
 intermediate point itis a hlrl'l; e I'^j;* ™ ,f -'»'' ^«' «' ..|-;'-- 
 very well developed, and the rock „„,=™^ ,, ,'. "^^ «'»'? "truolurenollv'it ; am 
 
 appear to dip with tolerable reguaritvTn 1 V'^'t-'v- ^" "'«^"-''' "" "''"' 
 dip at the head of lake Opasalik: is from 70o to sl ^'^ "' *' ""«'» "' 
 
 theheTghr::;ia:d"p^T;:t7rr:cki::'"°:"''"''™"""'°-"-'''-"''»™ 
 
 latter is dark greenish dbrite with Ll'^ "" " ™"" '"'"' '"')"'"d the 
 
 From th„siake: which ifruri'itur t"herdTr:'M^:"«^-"'^^' 
 
 ;s reached by a small tortuous stream witho'Iu 'y rim, S !^t"T' 
 the height of land portage to lake Ma.awago.i5S„ttwo ,. "".7 
 arrecttonalUtle «.s. of north. Here thero?k:^rr:.'::rrT„^rer.:: 
 
 be the hig! 
 the two n( 
 the north 
 the distanc 
 consisting 
 which we 
 rocks wer( 
 exposures 
 hill itself ■ 
 It was obs( 
 
397 
 
 brillT'^!^^ ^^"^^^ ai-liehead of lake Opasatika and the height of hind, but the conglomerate, of 
 of it ^r^^^ •" "^f ^^'^'^' however,not much was seen, is finer, having a very hard, close-grained 
 )f mas •'"^^^^'^'.^'jfatrix. and closely resembles the slate conglomerate of lake Temiscamingue. 
 it 000^^^*^ ^^'^'^"ishjhe distance across the measures to the point, from the part of lake Opaea- 
 ixis^*^-"^ '^ *^"a thlika whore this series of strata with a regular northerly dip was first 
 ! sorar"*^^ ^^"^atllbgerved, going northward, is ubout five miles ; while from the point where 
 ; exposures j^^ „,icaceous schist first appears, succeeding the gneiss, the distance is 
 
 bout ten miles. 
 
 cubical crystals 
 naeter. The dip 
 Jsible to form any 
 however, are wel 
 and the strata are 
 iiff up the lake, uo 
 h shores there are 
 a 'are reached, the 
 oiated with close 
 the Quinze. The 
 
 It will be seen by these observations that on lake Opasatika we crossed 
 he boundary liiie between the two great classes of rocks described in this 
 eport, the gneissoid division being on the south, and the slaty and dioritio 
 iivision on the north. It seems probable that from where this line was" 
 •rossed near the head of the Quinze, it runs northward for a few miles, and 
 then thrown to the westward, how far I had not the means ofdeter- 
 niiiing. It may curve round uninterruptedly to lake Opasatika, or it may 
 )e intercepted by the gneissoid rocks just described, extending westward 
 
 the west of aorth.|*° .1°'" similar rocks, met with later in the season, about twenty-five miles 
 3 on going north- |to ^^^ ^^*'^*' *^" *^® "^'*^^ Blanche. The former supposition seems the more 
 
 ■eeded, in ascend- 
 Lill, greenish, final 
 consist of syenite, 
 
 irobable, and I have so indicated it, provisionally, on the accompanyin"- 
 
 |map. 
 
 About a mile and a half south westward of the head of lake Matawa- 
 Igogig, and just on the north side of the height of land, two remarkable 
 all rounded, andl^^''^^ ^"'^*^ *° " considerable height above the surrounding country. All the 
 leter. Sometimes l^^'^y ^'^"^ ^^^^ ^'"o^ ^^ ^^^ <^^es Quinze, the country is comparatively low, 
 they are sparselyl"^ ^iils being seen which appeared to rise more than loO feet above that 
 md, the distancell^ke, but these two hills are more than 703 feet above it. Tho two face 
 each other in a south west and north east direction less than half a mile 
 apart ; and at a distance of twelve or fifteen miles in a direction W. by S. 
 an exactly similar hill is very conspicuous and is said by the Indians to 
 be the highest hill in this part of the country. We ascended the higher of 
 the two nearest ones, reaching it from the small lake already mentioned, on 
 the north side of (be height of land, the direction being about west, and 
 the distance about a mile and a half. First, we passed over some low hills 
 consisting of dark greenish diorite, similar to that seen on the lake from 
 which we started ; then for a short distance over flat ground where no 
 rocks were seen, beyond which, on the slope approaching the high hill, 
 exposures were met with, of a fine hard bluish-grey slate. The summit of the 
 hill itself was found to consist of very hard close-grained grey quart zite. 
 It was observed to contain what seemed to be very small pellucid grains of 
 
 t-i'ed but at an 
 
 'ty structure not 
 
 All these rocks 
 
 and the angle of 
 
 merate, and over 
 ^ko beyond the 
 of stratificati'a. 
 fe Matawasrosriff 
 le distance from 
 ) miles, and the 
 • those between 
 
Hk 
 
 is about ten chains across sof? °'" ■"""'"'' "f 'ho hill wh 3 
 
 Without tho .u,:::z^^z ;? z;'!' Se?i-^ """"'» ""-"^ 
 
 except Iho north, lorms vertical clifl ''eposit.on, and on „||',y "■ 
 
 ^«h. i.he height o, .i.::r™it l?;HT^i;r"!.'i'7,- *- -»"<-5 
 
 iJled eith 
 Ir less py 
 
 A fev 
 he Abbil 
 
 found to bo 000 feot. The other hill, which L„°lf° *l»''7''Sogig w Jr" "• 
 from ,h,s one by „ very deep narrow ra,t 1 u ?""!!!.'"'''• ". "'""'^IC^l^oi 
 
 from this one by a very de^ ^arwC- .^ "t ?""" "^ "''"• '» -"-M 
 appearances, as does also the more df,,.,^ , 'f" "" """"y 'Wil.r 
 
 »o .hat it see.„. very probableXt ^'TZ:^/-:;::^;- ^^ 
 
 From the summit of the above hill « o.^ ^ • . 
 surroundi., country, and it was ler e'd thTtlVh" " ^''^^^^^ ^^^ '^« 
 extends east and west for many miles Th-vn "°''^ ' '''''' '^'^^^^ 
 one rom which they were .een/thot-h :„: 'o^r "'' ^^ '^^^^ ^ *»>« 
 less than 300 f.ei above the .^eneral W? ^ "" ^'^ ^'^'^'^'^ «ot 
 
 square and precipitous, they are aT -d ' ' '".'"'^^ "^ ^^«"^- ^'^^ it 
 mostly isolated. They ' form'a ^n Luou^f^t^ ^^^'' ^ '''''' '' ''^ 
 country, and will be again referred to ""'' * ^^'"^'^ *-'^'««t of 
 
 reenish-g 
 iast and \ 
 over n mil 
 observed 
 grained a 
 ney colou 
 was not 63 
 a mile bel 
 differing i 
 appears to 
 sent uude: 
 
 A tra 
 Abbitibbi 
 his plan h 
 
 about ten feet: thence crossing the po'^l^^^ '^'^''' '^' ^^^ i« only. ^- 
 
 length, there is a rise of about rixtvfivrff ''^r.*^'"''^'^'^ ""^ ^ «^'^e i« Ihisplan . 
 and then a gradual descent of fortv fWt f" '"".u eight or ten chains, Itrate our ( 
 
 which discharges by the Abb;;Ub'bf • ^ thr^all "'^^". ''t' '""^ ^^^^^^ih^- ^^ 
 ^bbi IS about lifty feet, and therefore ZuiJ^ll^ ^^ '" ^'^' ^''^' h''''^''' ' 
 lower that lac des Quinze. As this 1«L k u '' ^^^^""^ ^^'^'^ ieet I him to the 
 
 260 feet above Jake Temisoamin<.ue .nd !« .b 1 T '''^"'^^'^^ ^° ^^ ^^out Iplan the ] 
 sea (Geology ol Canada, 1868 na^e ifi Wl I u '' '' ^^^ ^'^'^^ ^^^^^-e the | therefore c 
 the sea is about 847 feet ^ ^ *^'' ^''^^^ ^^^'^-^ ^hbitibbi above 
 
 Continuing northward to lake AbbiUhKi 
 Matawagogig and Aj^otawekam if / ^ *'" ^''''^ *^™»«^^^ l^kes 
 These are connected b? a ' ^7 ', '''^''''^'fy' ^^S^t or six miles long. 
 
 tance being about eleU ^^^t oHhTs' t"V^'^^^ ^°^^^»-' ^^^ ^^' 
 through the hilly country referred tnK '^ .?r '"''" '^'^'"'«' we passed 
 island in the upper part ol'lake Mlfaia'^o'^"" ^'''' ^'^ ^^^^P^'^ ^^ - 
 probably intrusive, the only rock elTS '""^^'^'^ <^f reddish granite, 
 greenish-grey diorite, in which no InL I ""^^ '' ** ^'^''^ fine-grained, 
 
 In most places, the r;ck rs r^rc" .^^^^ ^^ observed. 
 
 rnort or less v esicular, the vesicles being usually 
 
 Irom whic 
 
 Lake 
 the easteri 
 west. Its 
 except a li 
 ten miles 
 width of t 
 total widtl 
 connected 
 iiing in a ( 
 cular in 1 
 
399 
 
 whole w.3atherin 
 oi' tho hill, which 
 ntorm throughout 
 a»^i «u all sidesi 
 three hundred feet 
 Matawagogig was 
 > h'gh, is separated 
 :s exactly similar 
 'ntioned, so much 
 «ilar rock. 
 
 obtained of the 
 th a series of hills 
 't so high as the 
 tre probably not 
 3f rising, like it, 
 and appear to bo 
 ' Jai'ge extent of 
 
 it the foot of the 
 the rise is only 
 »'s of a mile in 
 bt or ten chains, 
 ke, the water of 
 h to lake Abbi- 
 out fifteen feet 
 ted to be about 
 2 feet above the 
 ^bbitibbi above 
 
 thro ugh lakes 
 iix miles long, 
 rtages, the dis- 
 irse, we passed 
 cceptiou of aa 
 ?ddish granite, 
 I fine-grained, 
 was observed, 
 being usually 
 
 ijled either with calc-spar or white quartz. It also contains, usually, more 
 ^r less pyrites in disseminated grains. 
 
 A few chains below lake Agotawekami, the outlet of that lake joins 
 he Abbitibbi river, flowing from the south west, and this we followed 
 own to lake Abbitibbi, a distance of about nine miles. The massive 
 iorites were not traced farther than to within a mile or two of the foot of 
 Agotawekami, where they give place to obscurely stratified, dark 
 reenish-grey dioritic schists. These seem to have a strike approachin"- 
 east and west, as did also a somewhat similar rock at a short portage a little 
 over ft mile below the lake. At an intermediate point, however, a rock was 
 observed which appears to be an impure limestone. It is very close- 
 grained and homogeneous — slightly saccharoidal — in texture, of a light 
 rey colour, but somewhat harder than ordinary limestone. As the locality 
 was not examined very minutely, the extent of it was not ascertained. About 
 a mile below the portage, a somewhat similar calcareous rock occurs, but 
 differing in being mottled with greenish and pale pink spots. This rock 
 appears to be partly composed of serpentine, and a specimen of it is at pre- 
 sent under examination. 
 
 A track survey of the route followed by us from the Ottawa to lake 
 Abbitibbi was made several years ago by Mr. Lindsay Russell, P L. S., and 
 his plan has been used in constructing a general map of the region to illus- 
 trate our observations on the geology, La!:e Abbitibbi was also sketched 
 by Mr. Russell witn a remarkable degree of general accuracy. There is, 
 however, necessarily au absence of details in the conform^ition assigned by 
 him to the shore lines, which rendered it difficult for me to indicate on his 
 plan the precise position of the rocks observed on the ground. It was 
 therefore considered advisable to make a micrometer survey of this lake, 
 from which, accordingly, it has been laid down on the accompanying map. 
 
 Lake Abbitibbi consists of an upper and a lower lake. The upper lake, 
 the eastern extremity of which we have iiow reached, lies due east and 
 west. Its length is thirty-three miles, and its width from two to eight, 
 except a little to the eastward of the middle, where a bay extends eight or 
 ten miles to the north, and another bay directly opposite increases the 
 width of the lake two or three miles southward, giving the upper lake a 
 total width here of about seventeen miles. At the north west corner, it is 
 connected with the lower lake, at its .outh east side, by the Narrows run- 
 ning in a direction about N. by W. for two miles The latter is pudely cir- 
 cular in form, with a width varying in different parts from fifteen to 
 
400 
 
 ■^ . 
 
 twenty miles. The £rrlJfl^os^ I,.i.„*k e .u . , ^ ~~~~ 
 
 .nai,. body of .h,. ,„„,. U^r „ 1 ^ I'^n irAh '7 ''™'"' ^'• 
 i^asl and west Ihiu ,-m be dr»„„ . 1 """^ "'.'"«' "' ""e other, so that ,„ 
 
 off the nbov.. montio od biv "hi , ' T^ "'"'' '"' ""^ '"'""•■ ■"" «""i« 
 to the «o„th of (h ot;',;,,: Th) ■'■ '""!'""'"' «-»'-»■•<• Will I.I 
 Abbitibbi ,« the Abbmr r tr l^y wi:" r'""' ""T, '"""'^ '"'" "« 
 "ovornl other t,-ib„t,ri™ nelX .'.s L. 1^.""' T^'V' *'""''""' «'« 
 .mme Hows IVom the ,„uth w ,t a „i .h! , , '"*""""« ""= »«« 
 
 for about »evo„ ,„ile» ,„ ih„ fi t , It. ,1 ""r' r°' "u"'' "'"" "''"•"?«'' 
 is south we.t; beyond which ullt to th"" "" """ '"' '"» »''- 
 
 oid and .'^nitie^ock^or/a r:. riLToar* 'jf'":; """"■■ '^"•*'- 
 
 the soutli east side, of the lower iJnllVTu !u '^""' "''P'"' ""J »" 
 oecupied by ,„io.,e ous, horXdio LI hi V ,!' """■"" "' ''°"' "« 
 quartzites, diorites, ani diorit thist w th " ,"'' """J™"'"'! k.,d 
 >i«e between the two classes oti ^'hr:"""^', ^"^ '"'^«^ 
 evidently from the east passes to th «' "" '7™ ""' """P' "="""»? 
 
 iake; and, tnrnin, north ne^rt^titsaf'-'l "''' '"■"■" ""^' 
 club-shaped neniiisuli on lb., , '",''**■'''"''>'» longitudinally, the 
 
 post i. .kat:,. a::t^L 2o:t^::t:T \ ^^'^^^ ^^^^'^ 
 
 westward. AtW iollowin,. the north shn f !' ^^"^*^ ^^ ^^ain tarns 
 westward through the lake (hZZ I J ^ ^'""^ ™'''^' '^ ^«"^'»««« 
 
 on the other), cuttin, a h i J^^^^^^ ^^\!^^-^« -^ one side, so.e 
 peninsula oxtondin.. more tha hnl "^^^'^h «ide of a mallet shaped 
 
 situated towards ^^ Z^^"^ ^Z:! ;r%m: t ^^"^' ^^'^' ^^ 
 it passes to the south of the N-irrnw! continuing westward, 
 
 south east part of he lotJ ^ ^'^^"^^ *° ^^^ "^^^^^-^ in the 
 
 direction, so as to inXde as Joe oVw^^'k?. °" ''^'^^ "^ ^ northeasterly 
 miles. It would appe MheTeZe ^^^^^^ *^.« TJ^^^ - ^-^^ or fourteel 
 band of these rocks oominl lorn L '^' ^'"'^'^^ ^^^^«"^i^y «f ^ 
 
 prevailing strike of thT con ;iu^^^ ^\P^t'^^' ^"^^^'^""^ ^^^ 
 
 of east. I have no means of ShL ! •^'' ^'"^"^ " ^"'^^^^^ "o^^^^ 
 
 may extend in this Erection ^^ '" ' ''"'''^"^^ '' '' ^°^' f- they 
 
 The 
 
 luiiifonnl 
 [jrrey or I 
 or light 
 scales an 
 8orat'tiini 
 western 
 the Narr 
 could no I 
 side, a co£ 
 crable an 
 
 The 
 
 greater pi 
 
 line indie 
 
 that they 
 
 band ot g 
 
 ratificat: 
 
 diuate cu 
 
 npper lali 
 
 iss, 1 
 
 I along the 
 
 I and usual 
 
 I strata are ( 
 
 lofinclinat 
 
 upper lak( 
 
 angles var 
 
 distance fr 
 
 The strike 
 
 where it if 
 
 carry them 
 
 less than 
 
 ward. 
 
 Offai 
 lake, there 
 is compose* 
 resinous lu 
 that our co 
 rock provec 
 
401 
 
 liroction about W, 
 h lakes is t!xc(^ed. 
 very grout. The 
 i other, so that au 
 latter, but cutting 
 estward wii] pagg 
 falling into lake 
 it, but thonj are 
 :»i»i»g the same 
 nd was surveyed 
 le first two miles 
 
 ■eference to each 
 the longer axis 
 "ke of the rocks. 
 ■ south. Gneiss- 
 '« npper, and oa 
 ions of both are 
 lie-grained hard 
 The dividinjT 
 ^e map, coming 
 id of the upper 
 gitudinally, the 
 iidsou Bay Go.'s 
 ! it again turns 
 es, it continues 
 one side, some 
 1 mallet shaped 
 south side, and 
 ling westward, 
 rthward in the 
 t northeasterly 
 Ive or fourteen 
 extremity of a 
 onsidering the 
 lirection north 
 • how far they 
 
 The gneisBoid rocks on this lake, as far as they were examined, are 
 uniformly massive and coarse-grained in texture, and usually of a light 
 grey or brown colour. They are chiefly composed of vitreous quartz white 
 or light liesh-red feldspar, and brown, sometimes greenish, mica, in large 
 scales and flakes, the latter being in most cases parallel with each other 
 Sometimes the mica is partially or wholly replaced by hornblende At the 
 western extremity of the area occupied by these rocks, in the vicinity of 
 the Narrows, the gneissoid structure is generally obscure, and sometimes 
 could not be seen at all. Near the lower end of the Narrows on the east 
 side, a coarse grained syenitic rock was observed, which contained a consid- 
 crable amount of magnetite. 
 
 The schistose, or slaty rocks, which, as already stated, occur over the 
 greater portion of the lake, have a strike for the most part parallel with the 
 line indicated as the boundary of the gneiss. It cannot be said however 
 that they were actually seen to curve round the western extremity of the 
 baud ol gneiss included within this line, as no exposures of rocks showing 
 ".ratification were observed in this locality ; but in the case of the subo?- 
 dniate curve indicated ou the map as occurring near the east end of the 
 upper lake, they were plainly seen to confound with the outline of the 
 gneiss. The general strike on the south side of the gneissoid area as seen 
 along the south side of the upper lake, varies but little from east and west • 
 and usually where they were seen within a mile also of the gneiss the' 
 strataare either nearly vertical, or they dip away from the gneiss, the angle 
 of inclination being some times as low as 45*. About the middle of the 
 upper lake, however, the strata, in many places, dip towards the gneiss at 
 angles varying from 45o to IQO or 80- ; but this is usually at a considerable 
 distance from the latter, and the locality shows indications of disi irbance 
 The strike of the similar rocks occurring on the north half of the lower lake 
 where It is generally well seen, is about E. by N., a direction which would 
 carry them along the north side of the gneissoid area. The dip is seldom 
 less than 80", and it seems to be about as often southward as north- 
 ward. 
 
 Off a prominent point, about the middle of the west side of the lower 
 lake, there is a small island, not more than six or eight chains lon«- which 
 IS composed of a dark green, rather soft rock, with splintery frachire and 
 resmous lustre, and weathering a dull white. It is so strongly mao-netic 
 that our compasses were found to be quite useless on this island '^This 
 rock proved to be serpentine, and specimens of it being, at your suggestion, 
 
 26 • ' 
 
 5 
 
402 
 
 handod to Dr. Harrington for examination, if was found to contaT^ 
 ol chromic iron. ^""wim grams 
 
 At Bevoral points alon^ th. south side of th. upper lako thoro ., 
 expoHuresola unk somewhat simihu- to that described on pa., o 
 having been obser^•ed on the Abbitibbi river about . mile be, ^'.^ 
 portage, and which is supposed to be partly compose.l of serpentine T 
 was observed ch.elly towards the east end of the upper lake b it!!' 
 also noticed on the south east part of the lower lake, 'it was ^t^^^ 
 tnsuu, but largo ma.s8esof it were seen on the shore of the lake, in alo.Z 
 where no other rocks were met with, their appearance bein.. u h 
 tWe can be little doubt they were not far removed from thenar a ^ 
 All the localities where no other rook was observed are on a line w h , 
 approximately parallel with the general strike of the rocks. At manv r in, 
 especially along the south side of the lake, there are large exposur s ofX ' 
 green crystalline diorites, passing into dioritic schist.s and havin^ a do!; 
 resemolance to those of the Quin.e. These usually appear to be dest U 
 of any appearance ol stratification, but as in the case oi tlie Quinz. dior ^ 
 the bedding is occasionally shown by the occurrence of thin, angular 1, 
 of quartzite. here approaching the character ot chert, with thin kyl 
 magnetic oxide ol iron, the quantity of the latter seen, howeve^^^ , 
 
 point of resemblance to the diorites seen on the Qu.n.e Besides the 
 c ystalhne diorites. there are hills along the south side of the lak' v 
 a far as examined, are compo.cd of the same light greenish-grey oTn t' 
 diorites already noticed in speaking of the hills^bserved afono E 
 Matawagogig and Agatawekami. and the connecting .tream. T°hey 
 precisely similar m appearance, and from one of them tvhich was asoei d 
 and which rises to a height of about 400 feet above the lake, the coZ!' 
 was seen to be studded with them as lUr as the eye c an reach looS 
 southward as we 1 as east and west. Diorite. similar to .hat which cc^npo's 
 
 :^t2;:zir'' " ''- '-' -^ ''- '^'^''^ r..r,^o..L: 
 
 i^' /'?7,"''^^,^\^««^^^^igr«Phical relation of the two classes of rock, on 
 th^ lake, the only tact which I have to offer is that at the only two localities 
 where they were observed to approach within about a quarL of a mt 
 
 One o'^ri" 1 V b°^V^°"^^^ stratification, both have the same dip. 
 
 One of the localities is on the poiut on which the Hudson Bay Compaiiv's 
 post IS situated, where quartzites and slates are exposed on the west and 
 gneiss on the east side, both dipping to the westward at an angle o tb t 
 
 :,()". Ti 
 
 shaped \ 
 (libtiiiire 
 attiliKl**. 
 gueisR it 
 comiio^ii 
 
 Hnvin 
 
 the lourl 
 snrvcy \ 
 ofhik'T 
 by tile Ii 
 
 The 
 
 and the c 
 stream tl 
 
 Awce 
 miles, the 
 but no r 
 occftsiona 
 little furtl 
 very lit tit 
 water, at 
 
 For a 
 
 the only r 
 tibbi. Lik 
 occasional 
 rock is wt 
 tuent min 
 of coarser 
 S. by W.. 
 though no 
 from it noi 
 verticai.it 
 
 On the 
 
 slates are i 
 immediate 
 hornblend: 
 resemblaiu 
 makes an 
 
408 
 
 to contain grain, 
 
 5er lako, thoro are 
 on pag., 125, as 
 fniK) below the 
 scrpentiiio. This 
 ■ l'<ko, but it was 
 vas not hero oeen 
 I'lko. in a looality 
 b«inj,r 8u<h that 
 n the panjiit bed. 
 I a lino which is 
 At many p.int,,, 
 ixposures of dark 
 J having a close 
 ir to bo destitute 
 Quiuzij dioriti's, 
 II, anf,'uJrtr layers 
 tb thin layers of 
 however, b.iiijr 
 I'hich is auothiT 
 Besides these 
 the lake, which, 
 ti-f?iey cotnpact 
 ■ed along- lakes 
 aam. They are 
 ti was asoeiided, 
 ike, the country 
 reach, looking 
 ,vhich composes 
 'or, about seven 
 
 jses of rocks on 
 y two localities 
 ter ofa mile of 
 i the same dip. 
 ay Company's 
 the west, and 
 angle of about 
 
 „0o. Tne other locality IS twenty .u^ies further we«t. wher«, at th^ mallet 
 pimped peninsula already noticed, both were «een, within a verv nhort 
 
 aistanro ot each other, with an east and west strike, and no.rly vertical 
 'attilMde. In both these .-ases, the only indication of stratifbuUion in the 
 
 gneiss IS the narall-lism in the arrangement of the different minerals 
 
 toinpoMug it ; out this is quite dislinct and regular. 
 
 Hnvinir rettirned to Temiscamingue on the 27th of August, we started on 
 the fourth ol beptember to (ommence the survey of the river Blanche This 
 survey was carried from the mouth of the river, at the northern extremity 
 oflak'> Tenusc«mingue,toasmalllake about three miles in diameter, known 
 by the Indinns as liouiid lake. 
 
 The upward direction to the north-west side of Round lake it, N 86oW 
 and the dist^ance in a straight line about fortyfive miles. Followinir the 
 ! stream the distance is nearly sixty miles. 
 
 Ascending the river, no rock exposures occur for about twenty-five 
 miles, the stream flowing for that distance, with a rather stron- current 
 but no rapids, between banks of clay and sand. Above this "there are 
 occasionally exposures of crystalline diorite for several miles, suc-eded, a 
 little fur her up. by chloritic and dioritic slates. Of the former there was 
 very little seen, and the slates were observed only along the ed-e of the 
 water, at the loot of high cliffs of clay and sand. = ^ ■-"« 
 
 For a distance of ten miles in a straight line, above the chloritic slates 
 
 kI'/w. T. ""''^ •' ^•'•'^"i^^'d gneiss, very similar to that of lake Abbi'- 
 
 tibbi. Like the after, it ,s uniformly coarse-grained and light grey or brown 
 
 occasionally red, in colour On the south east side the stratification of rh^ 
 
 rock is well shown both by the usual parallel arrangement of the cons^i^ 
 
 tuent mineras which is here very distinct, and by the occasional alternat on 
 
 of coarser and finer layers. The dip and strike, the latter about N. by E and 
 
 ^ by W., are exactly the same as those of the slates to the south east which 
 
 though not seen in contact with the gneiss, were observed at a distance 
 
 irom It not exceeding eight or ten chains. The dip being always nearW 
 
 verticai.it was lound impossible to determine which are the upperr^osSs 
 
 On the north west side of the gneissoid area, which extends to Round lake 
 slates are again met with. The principal exposures examined are almost 
 mmediately m contact with gneiss, and are chiefly hard grey micaceous and 
 hornbendic schists ; but a little more distant fromVe gneiss "has ^reatet 
 resemblance to the slates described above. The strike being E bTN 
 makes an angle of about 45- with that of the latter. The dip " thou c^h 
 
404 
 
 eomelimes to tho northward, appears to be usually to the sonttT^ . 
 very h,gh angle. In one plan the dip is S. E. < ok b„ h^ tic i„ t ' 
 ocahty are much disturbed, and are cut up by nume.ous dyke" of dio!" 
 and porphyry, from six inches to as many feet wide The«l»t„ ' 
 
 on th.3,ai=e for about a mile across ii~Jsl::Lltn^:^TeZ7V 
 rock which appears to be intrusive. It much resembles L^!„ ' ' 
 syenite, but was not observed to contain quTt^be rmSe uuTl "^ 
 Sratns of a rather dark red feldspar with a smalle amom.t of rreenis' "°"' 
 blende, and sometime., a little opidote. Tlis occurs all .wT ^ 
 t^ .»^. but I have no means of kuo^inrho^i^" tSX:5 
 
 .omrrentrr-B^^ihtrpr:^^^^^ 
 
 engaged for (ho short term of abou* two weeks whi h t w *" 
 
 would be required for this trip, and nothw.Th.andh.g th tZ Z'^, 
 themselves well pleased with the treatment they had rec i -ed as wT 
 wnh then- pay. it was found tmpossible either to'ndnce th™ ,; e^ ! 
 
 that the hunt.ng season had, commenced, and all the Indians w™ eat ^ 
 ger away to the.r hunting grounds. We were therefore ulb le lo ml 
 iurther .urvoys w,lh the micrometer telescope, as to do so we should W 
 
 e'en ^m": T^ T "' "^ ""' "°" ""'^ "'" '""• """^ -■" ^» 
 been w ill, u. tl„^ whole season, we .-ould man only one. Under thes,. ri, 
 
 cumstances.t was thought advisable to devote the remaind ^ h to ' 
 
 .t,l ava.lablelorour work, to making a fttrther examination of he * 
 
 Te 'ow 'lUleTtT "f."' upper portion of lac des Quin.e and t 
 x»x<.J^(_o^^a]a, (auotlier iake-JiK»3 exnans on of Hip nffo,,^, j 
 
 immediately above lac des Quini., Xh ulk s e! ::d for abo^U Zf 
 mtles to the eastward from the point where, at the foot of the firs n m d 
 we turned northward going to Abbi.ibbi. These lakes, as well as th oZt 
 
 "7 " .1 " ™' ''''°"' ""^"■' '""■'"S been already Lurveved a dm M 
 and no further measurements being necessary in order t„-fi.x tlepott^ 
 ot the rocks observed, a single canoe was snlficient for this tr.p We aT^^ 
 ingly set out once more from Temi.scamingue on the 25th of S^,tember 
 
 Q.r uze, and of the western portion of lac des Quin.e have been embodied 
 m the account already given of them. The only rock met with farthwe st 
 
 o«^s:"TeZrT°"ThJ ur- ""° •'"■■""«'^- -'^ "-aceous scSL 
 -o«rse texture. The latter is seen occasionally along the shores of th. 
 
405 
 
 le south, and at a 
 
 the rocks in this 
 
 dykes of diorite 
 
 slates are exposed 
 
 y.arecut ofFbya 
 les ordinary red 
 ^ade up of large 
 3f greenish horn- 
 along the north 
 t extends beyond 
 
 h of September, | 
 5 who had been 
 t was expected 
 t they expressed 
 eived, as well as 
 .era to re-engage 
 )ein^, no doubt, 
 IS were eager to 
 unable to make 
 ve should have 
 te men who had 
 Under these cir- 
 der of the time, 
 3n of the rocks 
 iuinze and lake 
 and occurrin<r 
 Por about thirty 
 le first named, 
 11 as the Ottawa 
 ed ard mapped 
 ix the position 
 ip We accord- 
 September. 
 
 he rocks of the 
 been embodied 
 ith farther east 
 •us schists of a 
 shores of the 
 
 upper part of lac des Quinze, where, as already stated, the direction of that 
 lake is north east for fifteen miles, apparently conforming with the strike 
 of the strata, which dip northwesterly at a high angle. The gneiss is 
 generally reddish and rather coarse-grained, with obscure bedding; but it 
 is often grey in colour, and is also, occasionally, regularly and distinctly 
 stratified. Along the upper part of lac des Quinze, the gneiss forms hills 
 which rise sometimes from 200 to nearly noO feet above the level of the 
 lake, being the highest hills seen between lake Temiscamingue and the 
 height of land on the route to Abbitibbi. 
 
 Having ascended the Ottawa for several miles above where it falls into 
 lake Mejicowaja, and the season being now too far advanced to allow the 
 ascent of this river to be continued sufficiently far to make it probable that 
 any important results would be attained, we returned to Temiscamingue 
 reaching the fort on the 12th of October. After a delay of a couple of days, 
 owing to a severe storm of wind and rain, we set out for home, reaching 
 Ottawa on the 24th of October. 
 
 In several localities copper pyrites in small disseminated grains, and 
 small quantities of the green carbonate of copper, were observed. The latter 
 were noticed particularly in small veins in the diorites and dioritic schists 
 below the eighth portage on the Quinze. At the foot of the seventh portage 
 which leads from the Ottawa to a small lake on the north side, copper 
 pyrites associated with iron pyrites were observed disseminated throughout 
 abed, about three feet thick, of a greyish feldspathic rock. The quantity, 
 however, both here and at the other localities where copper ores were seen' 
 is not sufficient to render it of economic importance. 
 
 Magnetic iron was met with in several localities The most important 
 of these is that already mentioned, on the eighth portage of the Quinze, 
 which leads from the Ottawa river, immediately below the point wherei 
 after flowing northward for three or four miles, it turns abruptly round to 
 the southwest. The portage is on the south, or left hand side of the river, 
 running in a direction about south east to a small lake in a narrow ravine^ 
 and is not more than a quarter of a mile long. The iron ore cresses the 
 portage near the upper or south end. It occurs in the form of lay^Ts from 
 tho thickness of paper to about an inch, and is interlamiuated with similar 
 layers of whitish, grey and dull red, fine-grained quartzite. The iron ore 
 constitutes probably from a fourth to a third of the whole, and as the 
 thickness of the whole band is about thiry feet, the total thicknebs of the 
 layers of iron ore would probably not be less than eight feet. The band 
 
406 
 
 was traced alouff the strike far about a hundred yards Ma£r„..li,. „ , 
 iron was observed under ai„,ih.r oondition. at ever.? f„i , " , r "' 
 portage and on the next above, but in much smaller ql ,i y T '"" 
 occurs ako on lake Opasalika, about six miles south of Ihe h^^ht I "I 
 On lake AbbUibbi it was observed on the south side of the uptr 11'""'; 
 also on the west side of the lower lake. At none of these loeaM^e h„ ■* 
 was u found in important quantities. ' ^'"'""' 
 
 A bed, eight or ten inches thick, composed chielly of ma-^netic ovri, 
 was observed on the west side of lake Opasalika, .,t the lo^ T ' 
 
 descnb^d as the first where, in going north, thegn^ssoi,, „d: l^tie tl' 
 of the snnthem part of that lake are found to have given'nk.. V 1 
 crystalline schists and conglomerates of the norlherrnarT i "■" 
 
 w.h silieious layers containing a large proportion of magnetite """'"' 
 This rock occurs largely in the same locality as the last ■ con.i^l , u 
 exposures, as has been stated, oeenrring on the Jest side of Me ! t "' 
 S eat.te w.s also observed on the Quin.e, near the upper end trt 
 
 pttr ^™"' '''' °'"''''^'' "^ ^"""'^^ '■'^ fonrth^fthidii::: 
 
 On the lilth portage of the Quinze, some of the dark-o-rey ,„,, k„i, 
 green,sh-gr,.y argill .ceous slates, which are there exposed ha'v. f f 
 perfect cleavage, and would probably be well adapted for roifl^g ;,;::: 
 
 While and red pine are found over th. wiiole region a.,d ■„■„ l, 
 means rave even as l.r north as Lake .Ihbitibbi ; bn, n h s k ^ , .r 
 except^o,. o; a few bealthylo-.king iudividuals, about six fe t in ei , 
 
 aie conhned to the rumerou.* islands an.l priints Th.'v are n.,U , °° , 
 
 and of excellent quaUy on the .lopes of thl. b Is 2,1 tHn,, If ;r 
 10ol::"^\ Wh;„as=end,ng ti>e m d. scribe 1 as :,,■*;; ? 
 700 feet :,b„ye lake .Matawagogig, on the north sid, of the he.-ht rf"", ad 
 several bae trees were measured and found to be lro,n ei.ht to ,„"?:" ,' 
 circumle.,.,, .,., at the h-ight of four or iiv, f.,et fro n Ih" 4,,. I , 
 
 the summit of ihehm, groves of while pine we obsved'".;""' 
 W^^^..„..e yellow bi.h and cedar, L also t:^;,; Ibllld^ ^l^ 
 good M/... l<ine specimens of the hiior tree— <-ilI -nul «<,. ,• w 
 
 Abbrbt.'^"'^"^ " """-' -'-=" "•» ''^"^' ™ '''^ -U' sit'oTiz 
 
 .it '^Tnuf r"*'" "'"" "'" >=''n«Pi''»<>«s along the shores of lakes 0dm- 
 t.k . and Ob,koba, generally a little distance from the water. Both red Td 
 
 of ilie la 
 
401 
 
 Maguetic oxide of 
 1 points on this 
 lantity. This o.e 
 te height of laud. 
 ^e upper lake, and 
 calities, howover 
 
 magnetic pyrites, 
 locality already 
 
 »id granitic rocks 
 
 .'en place to the 
 It is associated 
 
 etite. 
 
 it; oonsidorable 
 lake Opasatika. 
 
 per end of the 
 fifth and sixth 
 
 grejr, and light 
 I, have a very 
 •ofingpiirpi^^es, 
 
 avid are by no 
 
 lak^, ^vith the 
 ■eet in circam- 
 d scniggy, and 
 luitj ubuudanl 
 ^1 aidea of the 
 
 to a heio'iii; of 
 "i^'at of land, 
 
 to uiii.' fef>t iu 
 n:l ; and from 
 
 al! directions. 
 
 ludant, mid of 
 
 traight— were 
 
 side of lake 
 
 lakes Opasa- 
 Both red and 
 
 ^Yhite pine are met with, but not abundantly on the lower portion of lac 
 des Quiiizo ; but with one exception probably the best timber seen by us 
 during the summer is J;hat which grows on the hills on both sides of the 
 dipper part of lac des Quinze, and the lower part of Lak) Mejicowaja. The 
 exception mentioned is on the Quinze, in the vicinity of the fourth and 
 fifth portages, where there is a great quantity of very fine pine, both red 
 and white. There is very little pino on tho Blanche, the only specimens 
 observed being a few very small ones near Round lake. 
 
 Sugar maple is tolerably plentiful round the head of lake Temisca- 
 mingue, but was not seen further north. The same remark api)iies to swamp 
 maple and white oak. Large numbers of these grow on low level land 
 near the mouth of the Blanche, and also, in smaller quantities at the mouth 
 of other rivers falling into the same lake. Hemlock is abundant on the 
 lower half of lake Temiseamingue, but no spjcimsns were observ^ed as far 
 north as the Hudson Bay Company's post. 
 
 The most abundant tree in this region, north of the limit of suo-ar 
 maple, is aspen, after which come canoe-birch, spruce, Banksian pino and 
 Ca)i;.da balsam. Elm and ash occur occasionally on low flats as far north 
 as lake Abbitibbi. 
 
 The whole region examined, extending northward from the mouth of 
 the Montreal river, which is about thirty miles south of the head of lake 
 Temiseamingue, may be pretty correctly described as a level clay plain with 
 a great number of rocky hills and ridges protruding through it. There is 
 a marked distinction between thi.s region and the country to the south. 
 The unyielding Laurentian rocks of the latter maintain a uniformly hio-h 
 snrfa;'e, cons^iderably higher than th> level at which the cl ly is found ; 
 while the softer slates and schists which occupy so large a portion of the 
 country further north, havj been largely removed by denudation, leaving 
 only the harder rocdcs — diorites, quartzites, and conglomerates, — to form 
 mere or less isolated hills, surrounded by arable clay land. 
 
 The height of the clay appears to be pretty uniform throughout the 
 whole region. Around lake Abbitibbi it is about thirty feet above the level 
 ofihelake, which was estimated to be 24J Jeet higher than lake Temis- 
 eamingue, giving 275 feet as the height of the clay at Abbitibbi above lake 
 Temiseamingue. Ou the upper part of lac des Quinze it is occasionally seen 
 along the edge of the lake and rising about twenty feet above it ; and there- 
 fore as the latter lake is supposed to be about 260 feet above lake Temis- 
 eamingue, its height above that lake would be about 280 feet. On the Blanche 
 
408 
 
 lake Te„isea.i„g„e, cT,y tl^Z^tZr^tit ""^^ 'f^ 
 lac des Q„i„ze, and lake Abbitibbi, 141,?^' ^°"°^'' '*"'« 
 than the foregoing, .ince on the higheatof tl" ^^ "■ T***' ""^ 
 tage, it is abont ai.l, feet above Xlml^jX,^^''^':' '"' P"' ' 
 cammgue. Taking the mean of all th™. hllT, . *"'' "''°™ Teni^ 
 the height of lake Temiscamingue afo™ ttt'':"';?"/ " '» «12 feet, 
 the clay plain above the aea level is about 900 f^t "'"'"'« ''-SH of i 
 
 The largest areas of arable land are on tl,» ni i , ^ 
 
 Abbitibbi. On the Blanche, the bank! 1 ' . « ?'*f ""'' "■'''""'J '* 
 
 above the ordinary snmn>er' level "the rfver Ct T' 7""' t' ''^ ^'^ 
 
 they gain in height, step by step until VhirtJ ', ^'""^'"e the stream, 
 
 of from 100 ,0 160 feet abov'e the wat r. Un^CuCVf'^ "T'° ° ^'■^^' 
 
 lake, no rocks are seen, ei^cept in the channe of !k , """'''" "'^""-l 
 
 of the elifTs. Toward Round lake the "ne s onf '™. " '" *« '« 
 
 abov. the level surface. Bluish clav was e^n "fT °?'"''">''-»y «Ppea„ 
 
 all li.e way ,o Round Lake, but about half w. '° *' "^^ "^ ">» '"" 
 
 coarse brown sand, which „ i,s turn farther Z ^ " ""'"'" "^^ ^ '*' 
 
 aix or eight miles below Round 1 k; The J^C clffs" """' '^ ^''' 
 
 hundred feet high: the middle portion roZw I T '""' "P™"* »' • 
 
 summit noihing'is seen but c a^nVi ^ tn°i^.^"f ' ^'""f " "■« '^-»»J 
 
 will therefore be partly clay and part y sand pe.hl""'. "^""^ °f ""^ "« 
 
 portions. The wid.h of arable la^d is pTob'ab v on "! " ' '''"'' '"^ 
 
 than six miles, and may be much more On ,1, ' I "T^"' ""' '« 
 
 of the surface is probably swampv The b^ I ""^ ''"''' ^ S™'' •'"I 
 
 entirely denuded of vegetation b^edfif'" '"'* ""' "-» almost 
 
 Lake Abbitibbi surroundpr^ nn oil -j 
 
 good many points, however the ikri 'k f ""' "'">''""*• ^" 
 is especially the c^se Tlo i the I^h ! 1 H.. "' °' "'^ °'''^- ^k" 
 dioritic hills, already described a^ih the hi e ^T '^'f' "''^" ">" 
 generally a strip of clay land a o, g he'hte To th "T "T ""^ '' 
 the north-westward, the clav lev. i ^° """""'o. and especial], 
 
 known that it extends tthtdit rtbT' ""'"'^■''"' "'"^ " '^ ™« 
 
 tnis direction to the shores of Hudson's Bay, 
 
 at present is potafops • but 1 w-o« i»f ^ / ^^suits. iheonly crop grown 
 -farming^peratio;s";';reirZ.:'d^;-hTL"teerrf^^^ 
 
 Accordir 
 |of the wor 
 
 A.— D 
 
 B.-E 
 
 C.-Di 
 
 B.—G 
 
 E-Je 
 
 And fc 
 
 myself to t 
 
 L—Bi 
 
 Grrandison, 
 cial Land S 
 Eouge. TJ 
 especially i 
 The point ( 
 
409 
 
 i^er, are nearly ou| 
 
 5 be 275 feet above 
 portages between I 
 a greater height 
 eight of laud por. 
 feet above Temis- 
 ing it to 612 feet, 
 that the height of 
 
 and around lake 
 eight or ten feet 
 idiiig the stream, 
 y rise to a height 
 
 V miles of Round 
 » or in the face 
 sionally appears 
 bed of the river 
 rlaid by a rather 
 )verlaid by day 
 tre upward ofa 
 e at the base and 
 ley of this river 
 early equal pro- 
 verage, not less 
 els, a good deal 
 ve been almost 
 
 'ay land. At a 
 P the clay. This 
 ike, where the 
 here there is 
 and especially 
 , and it is well 
 sou's Bay, 
 
 son Bay Cora- 
 ly crop grown 
 has charge of 
 more than 
 
 lirty years at Abbitibbi, but was brought up as a farmer near Sorel, in 
 province of Quebec,) that several other crops, including wheat, had 
 ^een tried in former years, and with such results that he is inclined to 
 List that all the ordinary cereals can be cultivated as successfully at Abbi- 
 iibbi as on the St. Lawrence. Such an opinion from a man who has been 
 L so many years practically engaged in the cultivation of the soil, is worth 
 [ecording, and ought to be reliable. 
 
 Indian corn is grown at more than one locality near the head of lake 
 remiscamingue, and is said to ripen well. I am able, personally, to testify 
 this, as I was shown some good ripe ears, which had been grown durin"" 
 he summer of 18t2, on the farm of Mr. Angus McBride, at the head of thl 
 lake. It should be said, however, that the locality is perhaps unusually 
 idvantageous, as, besides being close to the lake, it is particularly well 
 sheltered on all sides, except the south. 
 
 'C'^alter McOmf, May, 18*73.) 
 
 EXPLORATORY LINE BETWEEN MONTREAL AND OTTAWA. 
 
 According to the instructions received from the Department, the field notes 
 [of the work entrusted to me had to be divided into the following sections : 
 A, — Departure section ; 
 B. — Eouge section ; 
 C. — Du Lievre section ; 
 D. — Gratineau section ; 
 E —Jean de Terre section. 
 
 And for the better review of this survey, I will, in this report, confine 
 [myself to these subdivisions. 
 
 sn 
 
 A.— Departure Section begins at the northern angle of the township of 
 IGrandison, county of Argenteuil. where a post was erected by Mr. Provin- 
 Icial Land Surveyor Albreight and extends to fr-e easterly branch of the river 
 ISouge. This section is the most mountainous of the whole line and 
 lespecially the first twelve miles, that is, to the west shore of Warm lake 
 ihe point of commencement lies about dx miles north north east of the 
 
410 
 
 Trombhug mountain, which is tho highest peak of the range of mountain 
 lyinj. between the North river and river Rouge. The issued or oonn.f^l 
 of this formation are prolonged (as far as I am informed) towards th. n 1 
 ^bo„t fjlte-n to twenty miles and to the westward to the Mancassiell 
 M'h:oh belongs to the most easterly branches of rivers crossea by mv 
 The direction of the mountains is in most instances parallel to ikl i J 
 Rouge and there are only few exceptions going from east to west Jhj 
 constituting the boundaries of lakes.which intersect this section of cou3 
 The largest lake of this part of the province is undoubtedly the Tr. J 
 b hng jnountain lake, lying on th. front of the westerly side of the T ! 
 bling mountain. The name given to this lake by the Indians aris,. f^ 
 he l.ct that, sometimes on calm days, tne lake becomes moved o.i its u 1 
 face, the cause of which is volca.iic, und not as the Indians say • ,t II 
 of evi sp.rit. We.t of it is Balsam lake, whose waters discll.g to 1 
 TremMing mountain lake, and thence into Warm lake and Mac^i jil, liej 
 The highest ridge of mountains passed over by this line is undoubted^ 
 he one situated on the northerly point of Balsam lake, and reaches ^ 3 
 ing to the measurement by an aneroid barometer) to upwards of «e ,n 
 hundred and h ty feet in k horizontal distan-e of fifty chains or three ' 
 ^.ud ..t which IS equal to oae to four. The materials of which all t Z 
 mountains consist are grey granite and notwithstanding all the pains I to k 
 I never could discover any veins of qu.rlz to any extent 
 
 From the west side of Warm lake towards the river Rouge, the surface! 
 of he whole country is gently sloping, and elevations of any amouu t. 
 only be found m places near some lakes north of Warm lake 
 
 IS. maple, beech birch and elm on , he sides of the mountain, and cedar 
 ash and ean m the lower or moist posts. There are, however, o.^asio.!' 
 
 
 „ p , . . I--.-..... ^.»x,iL- an; nuwever, O''casio'ia vl 
 
 afc V ,vhUo. |.„u.s „ „„„,,t a sreat d-al of balsam. This pW, b-lo,! 
 the luu.ts ct Messrs Ilnmilto,, n,-„,hors, of Hawkesbury, a,ul I ,n«t i,> thij 
 
 he seUlcm.nt ol the township „r Eawdou with the excolleut and ex.osive 
 ractof arable laud ly.ug i„ the next section between the rivers Ho„s3.„d 
 
 /^fflU- T , r'f ""' ""="°"' »l*™gl' 1 will not deny the many 
 difficulties wh.ch the best engineer may encounter, may yet be got, with 
 
 six miles, a 
 
 Iso larger 
 
 [he provinc 
 
 largv propo 
 
 Itlu'ir liithei 
 
 Irepuhlic, \v 
 
 section for .'■ 
 
 la po'uilatio 
 
 the very nei 
 
 me of the ( 
 
 The di: 
 |sixty-.six ch 
 leaves abou 
 
 Thence 
 is, above Ihi 
 and fifty m 
 Lievre or st 
 thousand t' 
 [acres of lani 
 
 The far 
 i monopolize 
 
aiige of inouiitain 
 lies or counoctioi 
 towards thf* nort„ 
 ;he Maricassie hke" 
 •os.soi by my line 
 irallel to th« rivei 
 sast to west wha 
 iectioii of country 
 
 ibtedly the Trem 
 sidii of the Trcin- 
 uliaiis arises fro 
 moved on its sur 
 s say : resideiici 
 iisch:)ro-,i iutoth 
 d Maccassie lake, 
 
 1113 is undoubtedly 
 .d reaches (accord' 
 p wards of sereal 
 ins or three thoa. 
 which all thesel 
 II the pains I took, 
 
 'Ouge, the snrfcicel 
 my amount oatil 
 ke. 
 
 hard wood, tjiati 
 tain^i* and cedarj 
 rer, o:'.oasio!iallyj 
 s pirt belongs toj 
 id I met ill this! 
 the river iZouge 
 
 Irahlc land enongdi to supi)ort a j^ood many lamilies, whose places would 
 ,uswl as stoppinj? places by those who intend to locate iu the sectiou 
 [etwoen the Kouge and Lievre rivers. 
 
 ]].— Police Section is, as a whole, level and uiidulating, Jio mountains or 
 lllsof liny consequence, with the exception of the one couslituting the 
 j^iviion of the water shed between the tributaries of the Liovre and Rouge 
 
 Near the west side of river "Rouge, two or three diep gullies occur iu 
 jvvhiJi (reeks are running, but beyond this the surface is almost level, with 
 Lly a few stones or boulders on the surface, and the land must be warmer 
 Jsincc I found more ice when advancing into the next section than here. 
 
 The soil varies between heavy and light loam of both colors, yellow 
 
 nd black. The extent of this tract of good land is the best adapted for 
 
 igricultural purposes, which I found during my survey of one hundred and 
 
 iix miles, and is equal to the best lands of Upper and Lower Canada; it is 
 
 dso larger than, perhaps, any one not acquainted with this section of 
 
 he province of Quebec might imagine. It would open a home to a 
 
 arge proportion of those young Canadian farmers, who cannot remain on 
 
 Itluir lather's homesteads, and who at present emigrate to the nighbouring 
 
 Irepublic, whose institutions are not familiar to them. By opening up this 
 
 section for settlement, Canada would giin double by it ; firstly, by retaining 
 
 |apoMnlation brought up to farming and used to onr customs and climate, 
 
 he very nerve and sinew of any country, and, secondljr, by raiding the reve- 
 
 ;ue of the country. 
 
 The distance between liouge and Lievre is twenty-eight miles and 
 |sixty-.six chains ; from this dedu-t about three miles west of liouge, which 
 leaves about twenty-live miles. 
 
 al purposes, this! 
 made to coauectj 
 lit and exteiisivel 
 ivers Rouge audi 
 deny the many 
 yet be got, with! 
 
 Thence downwards about forty miles and upwards twenty miles, that 
 is, above the Boulenu farm, and we get an area of one thousand five hundred 
 and lifty miles ; add to this an area often miles by seventy miles west of the 
 Lievre or seven hundred square miles, and we have in all an area of two 
 |thousaud two hundred and fifty square miles or one millio;i and a half of 
 acres of land well adapted for agricultural purposes. 
 
 The forms of the two lumbering establishments, which up to this date 
 monopolize this portion of Quebec, will give the best proof of my statements. 
 
412 
 
 and auhough these jt:ttrLrbrrt,:;;:;;:r;tu?'^'"i 
 
 settlers have left their places. ^ ^^'^'^^ "if 
 
 Up to date there is no road whatsoever except durino- the wi..f J 
 the ice and durino- thp anr«vv,«„ 1 • wmiUjr me wiiiteroj 
 
 may be approached from three different points. mMy fromXllt 
 he road pas„ng through New (:Hasgow and the village Tuwdl? 
 then by a road yet to be opened along my line to the Em,,» ^ ,?' " 
 contmuing this road up the Rouge, fu the uuly o rro-e' eufrfcl" ' 
 from the lower farm of Messrs TTu«,iU n 1 ^f^®""^*^"". lollowina 
 which from this p„ee t^Z.^7^ T^Z t aT SZ''^ "^^ 
 may remark here that wherever tho<^ ,r«nfi J u = ^ "^'^^'' 
 
 to get a communication with a marlcp^ Tho=a ! 5''''*''' P^^'^ntly, achauc, 
 
 road about thirty miles on ehe\r;rt1;ot?t;:r ^r trr'^:;'"'" 
 road could easily be found to o-^t „,-, fn ih . • "''7.^"^^'^- i^'^ora hereai 
 
 The predominating- timber herp is th^ ,T,av^l^ u • • • 
 birch, (black „,.d yello^,, balsam,;:^ o bora's LtT'Z"^ """T 
 swamp., we found cedar, ash and elm ; piue w;if w andsc Me I^-uldM 
 in groves as m a regular timber country. ™atteied ,md uot 
 
 limes™: i:in:i':lrroMir [" ''°°'"' """^''" '°™^"°" »» 
 
 these near the height of W and Zu ,1" 1 '"'"""'™ ''=""■ ' '»»»■' 
 below Tapanee. S^eciltt ' t f t" W '° ""'" "' "" °^^" ''^'"^' 
 
 The tir 
 idar, ash, 
 lod size. 
 
 The foi 
 
 Ixtent of gr 
 ixoels in ve 
 md only so 
 ;ommoncin 
 Messrs Han 
 :eep this p 
 !oo sandy o 
 
 D.-Gi 
 
 ind extends 
 lurposes th 
 md rocky, e 
 pith sudde: 
 Jol'teu also p 
 small strear 
 regions thai 
 
 I have 
 
 snow had £ 
 thirteenth o 
 a wild mou 
 
413 
 
 that they had n, 
 Is up ou thi Li^,, 
 >gh Falls up to thi 
 itches of Hue Ian, 
 r want of roads 
 
 ing the winter oi 
 ^y one to reach thl 
 re of Bu.>kiii!?haial 
 it doubt, will 
 province of Qaeb 
 from Montreal b 
 i of Rawdon, an 
 Jge. 8ecoiidly,b 
 enteuil, foUowin 
 ir provision road" 
 n eighty miles 
 ly establishment: 
 tiou and alwayi 
 ig- for the country, 
 he city ofOttawi 
 afive to those poo 
 itiently, achauc 
 would bring thi 
 va. From here a 
 and there would 
 ) the Ottawa and 
 iVa would be the 
 
 ? ni its companir 
 ould see ; in the 
 mattered and not 
 
 formation over 
 state. I found! 
 e Cedar Rapids I 
 
 C.—Du Lievre Section has to be divided into two parts. The first beginning, 
 the Lievre and endirfg at the height of land which divides the waters 
 Itween the Lievre and Gatineau is a gentle ascent for the most part. 
 
 The other half lying in the watershed of the river Gatineau is most 
 token, sudden descents and stoiiv swamps changing alternately with 
 Itonsive bogs all overflown, when 1 passed in the neighbourhood of the 
 jany creeks and brooks with which this part abounds. 
 
 For agricultural purposes only the first half of this section can be 
 [commended, and is included in the calculated area of arable land lying 
 I the Rouge section. The soil for the most part is loamy but not stony 
 jthough rough spots may be found near the boundaries of some of the lakes 
 jtuated in the vicinity of those belonging to tho Gatineau tributaries. The 
 Icond part of this section with but few exceptions will be fit for settle- 
 hent and these exceptions are in the township of Basketong. 
 
 The timber which grows on the first half is chiefly hard wood, with 
 War, ash, balsam in the lower places, mixed with a few white pines of 
 ood size. 
 
 The foreman of a lumbering establishment complained of the great 
 Ixtent of ground to pass over to get a good winter's work. The second half 
 ixcels in very good pine, which appears here more in groves, large spruce, 
 md only seldom met with, hard wood ; a large and extensive brule was met 
 ;ommoncing at the Basketong river and nearly extending to the Gatineau. 
 llessrs Hamilton Brothers, who have a farm near the Sturgeon Falls, only 
 :eep this place more as a depot and not to expect good crops, the soil being 
 !oo sandy or too rocky. 
 
 D. — Gatineau Section, which begins at the west side of the Gatineau river 
 ind extends for thirty miles to where I left off my work has to all intents and 
 mrposes the appearance of a northern climate. The whole surface is broken 
 md rocky, extensive spruce swamps with large boulders in them, varying 
 ivith sudden changes of deep ravines, caused likely by volcanic eruptions ; 
 often also passed over high and steep precipices leading to the environs of 
 small streams full of rapids, and leaving no doubt in the visitor to these 
 [regions that these w'aters belong to the Gatineau river. 
 
 I have to remark here that when passing the Rouge section where 
 |snow had gone from the ground, it was soft, but here, on the twelfth or 
 thirteenth of June, I crossed on a deep bank of snow and i^e under which 
 a wild mountain brook had made its passage ; the level parts being sprues 
 
414 
 
 bechcen by ^l^:^:^::^C.Zl:ZZr'"'''l''"' ^™"'" 'H 
 growing in this nnrf ^i n r! ^^""'" lor cultivation, andsincu thi- timhJ 
 
 wot spot., i, wm by the law of . "" ^l 'heT:::;- '" "" '""'"" 
 aborigine, or the rtite hu„t™ I LZ \ •""'""« S"'""! »r J 
 assertion the Pong,™ |„™ „',,,; u'T"";' ""J™ "8""' "» » Proof of™.! 
 Messrs. Ha.iUo„°Broth:: ofHawkl;; "" '"" "" ''"'' ''^'»"=-» ■{ 
 
 be oh™;:ri:rarr;:thtrh:s:x r:,[7r'" ^"°' -^^^^ ™»J 
 
 I left in the middle of:T„ne the oa s ^^^-^Le ' ,17.:'°"™' "T' ^'4 
 potatoes nothing was to be seei, yet. ^■"°""''- "'"' 4 
 
 ™4^ftt^r^nfi?^;rierdrr ^ r '--" -^h 
 
 there is in this section only to Tfomd whi^ r 1° '' ?" '""'' "*' 
 
 beech, balsa„ and spruce /ceda,leXJnrwhi\:;i„'r*r::d''''' " 'l 
 
 occurrence, wuuc pme or red are a rare| 
 
 W. Wagner, 24th October, 1867. 
 
 Thep 
 
 HEADWATERS OF THE OTTAWA EIVER. 
 
 After making all the necessary preparations T l.Pr n.. 
 the eleventh of March on mv iournev nn fh' n Vr ^"'*'^' '^^^ «» 
 
 mile post, the point from wh"as J "' '" '^^ ^^'^^^^^'^'^ 
 
 within nine miles of Bi^l kt on hrr?"'!"' V"^^°'"''"^^' -"-"=^ 
 came to the conclusion that asl Zj "^"^^^^^'^ ^ of the same month, I 
 party until the op n n'of „L^ l"'^'^ "' '''ff'''' ^'^^^^^ *« do my 
 Victoria lake, which i:.:LZ^t ^^ri^Wh'^ ""''^ ^° ^'^^^ ^ '^ 
 of Apr., scalm, the canoe-route ti:;^!L.^:y™;:i2^^^^^^ 
 
 of victoL lai.: w£';:H^tse r ':^ri^ ^'' ''-'''^'^ 
 
 eighteenth of May. i 'ostcutcd with diligence until the 
 
 On the twelfth of July. I made connection wiih Mr P I S W • 
 Wr survey of lac des Kapidos, whi^h lake has ^^L^^^:^:;:, 
 
 Ther 
 descriptioi 
 heir extre 
 [the therm( 
 Isummer it 
 these two 
 begins a be 
 May, whe 
 vegetables 
 pany. at 
 bushels of 
 few acres ( 
 and a num 
 
 Theli 
 
 majority ai 
 of other ] 
 Hudson Bi 
 
415 
 
 bare ioo waa visjbL 
 '•atiou would ii«vei 
 
 •lulsincuthi. timber 
 white birch, popb 
 56 iti the lower ;iti(J 
 iii\g ground of thi 
 »i as a proof of mj] 
 Torre belourrin-r ,. 
 
 spot which couial 
 ' 8ton(3s, and wh J 
 the ground, and off 
 
 ny report of thel 
 ly can repeat thitl 
 ^«plar, fir, a fe^l 
 « or red are a rare] 
 
 )otober, 1867. 
 
 Ottawa city on 
 the eighty-iifth 
 )rations, arriving 
 same month. I 
 ward to do my 
 ;«r to push on to 
 the seventeenth 
 •uctions. 
 
 ad of its eastern 
 ^ith the scaling 
 snoe until the 
 
 L. S. Wagner's, 
 s, one running 
 
 Lo the Ottawa and the other into Kake})onpa lake. I doviatt^J from the 
 jisiu OUawa and made this connection for the following reasonH : firstly, 
 ecaiise from a reliable source I ascertained that Mr. Wagner had suspended 
 
 rations before intersecting the Ottawa and a connection at some point 
 jas very desirable. Secondly, because lac des Rapides was only seven miles 
 
 a direct line from the Ottawa. 
 
 Having thus far given a general description of my proceedings, I will 
 
 low make a few remarks upon the soil, timber, &c. Generally speaking, 
 
 Ihesoil is either very rocky or sandy, and with the exception ofa few fertile 
 
 )ts at the mouths of the small rivers and creeks is totally unfit for settle- 
 
 lents. 
 
 From the head waters of the Du Moine until you approach the Gati- 
 ieau, the country is very level and might be compared to the table lands 
 |)f Mexico. In the vicinity of Big lake and the headwaters of the Du 
 [oine, white pine is found in considerable quantities, and of a good qua- 
 ; further north, a few scrubby, stunted pines can only be seen ; white 
 )irch, balsam, spruce and cedar are the most common trees. 
 
 The plants here are principally of the cryptogamic tribe— ferns, mosses, 
 cc„ and not differing from those found in the vicinity of Ottawa city. 
 
 The rocks are of the primary formation ; minerals of any formation or 
 description are unknown by the natives ; cold and heat are here felt in 
 heir extremes ; and the transition from winter to summer is very sudden ; 
 Jthe thermometer sometimes sinks in winter to 46" below zero, while in 
 summer it occasionally rises as high as 102''. The year is divided between 
 these two seasons, spring and autumn being almost unknown. The frost 
 begins about the first of September, and the ice disappears about the end of 
 May, when vegetation proceeds with great activity. Potatoes, turnips and 
 vegetables generally are cultivated with success by the Hudson Bay Com- 
 pany, at their trading post, at Victoria lake ; last jyear, three hundred 
 bushels of potatoes and two hundred of turnips were the product oi a very 
 few acres of ill-tilled land. The Hudson Bay Company have oxen, cows, 
 and a number of other domestic animals at this post. 
 
 The Indians here are mixed, belonging to different tribes, but the 
 majority are Algonquins ; their habits and customs differ little from those 
 of other Indians. The humane exertions of the missionaries and thii 
 Hudson Bay Company are fast working Christian results among them. 
 
416 
 
 The mo«t .common animaln hero are moose, doer, caribou and beav«, 
 he akes and nvers teem with iish of almost of all descriptions • T2''\ 
 the best are the white fish, which can bo caught in Victoria lako'in ! ' ' 
 quantities ; they may be compared to shad in size and shape. ^ i 
 
 In roiulusion, I would Mate that lac Barriere, the highest n^inJ 
 reached by me on the Ottawa, is, according to information received?! 
 
 the empoyees of the Hudson IJay Company, about one hundred aX^^^^^^ 
 miles, iollowmg its sinuosities from Trout lake, its source. This lakll! 1 
 between the river Jean do Torre and the west branch of the QaiinZ\ 
 
 {H.-C. Symmes, 26th August, 1867.) 
 
 On the receipt of my instruotions.supplies for the survey were forwarder! 
 to Messrs Burstall & Go's shanty on the river Du Moine. about £7- , 
 miles from its mouth. ^ '^"'^'^ 
 
 'ee 
 
 Oi. tho tlurteenth May Ibllowing, my party left Ottawa en route for 
 V.otona lake, and (Tom that date to the thirteenth of June was emploved ia 
 ravelling up the rivera Ottawa and Dn Moine, in forwarding provlo 
 from onr depot to Messra Burnstall'a shanty across the height of and Z 
 the rver Uu Mome to Victoria lalce. and in forwarding a portion of thZ 
 supphesrn advance of the survey, down the river Ottawa below Victoria I fe 
 Krom the th.rteenlh of June to the fourth August was spent on s alt. 
 of the nver Ottawa from Victoria lake to the head of the river Qai«! 
 From the fourth to the sirteenth August, was occupied in an exploraliou 
 of a portion of the ronte from the river Ottawa to lake Abbitibbi. 
 
 The portion of the Ottawa river covered by my survey fl",vs throaA 
 a country of very uniform character in nature of surface, kfud »,.!. S 
 of soil and prevalent growth of wood. The surface is everyv,her. L~l 
 being broken by the low and generally rooky hills of the Lauren tinL.' 
 tlon which extends throughout ; any of the small comparatively leve lal 
 are usually spruce and tamarao swamps. yevei areas 
 
 As will be se..,. uo reference to the plan, the river makes many and 
 lengthy zig-zag o. ,..,'erH> de lations north and south of its general wS 
 ward coarse. The».. u.e aot the windings observed in rivers flowh 
 
 The so 
 isually ligl 
 idges : in < 
 iiid lu rt 2"r< 
 limilar in c 
 lither raraa 
 ;aiM.s a narr 
 leingthe a 
 vhich this ( 
 he Ottawa 
 las got far < 
 
417 
 
 iribou and beaver 
 icriptions; among! 
 toria lako in grea' 
 tape. 
 
 the highest point I 
 on received from 
 
 ndredaiidtvveulyl 
 
 »• This lak« lies 
 
 of the (Jatineau 
 
 ^ugust, 1867.) 
 
 y were forwarded 
 about fifty-three 
 
 wa en route for 
 was employed in 
 •ding provisions 
 bt of land from 
 portion of these 
 3W Victoria lake, 
 ent on scalings 
 e river Quinze. 
 
 n an exploration 
 tibbi. 
 
 f fl'^^v's through 
 iua and qu<''ity 
 rv/ho)'y unv on, 
 urentian forma- 
 rely level areas 
 
 ikes many and 
 s general west- 
 rivers flowing 
 
 Ihrough very level oountru.s or crossing from «ide to aid., of a wide flat 
 valley. They are caused by the stream following in its deso.ut the re.ich 
 ll,k..«ynchna ax.s of the formation. The «triL of the fold I lem "iJ 
 noariy parallel everywhere, and its geuoral bearing i„ the matw v of 
 ...s about north 10^ east, being that already assigned in other T s o th. 
 \mn. formation on the north side of th/ottawa bv Sir Wmr r 
 Th„s parallelism is singularly evident from' te" tL".^ ^^^^ 
 rirer Oatmeau, b.'uig shewn eastward of mv surv«x. ,« fk .u \ 
 
 jha, ,.,d th. Kakebong., the lac d,„ K.pidc, a«<l thou iu lake Kakeblga 
 
 ".;.,.« i», though with great nuevetmess, a general umlbrmily of altitude 
 , he ..ounlry g„,„g trom the height of land of the C'oulonge Du Mdne 
 U Keepewa nvers, northward, to the .lope to Hudson Bay The denre!' 
 
 i»„mcro.«ng the Ottawa being inconsiderable, it may be .IneideTJa 
 ™gh plateut. and but slightly inclined to the wortwardfhowerrauch it 
 ..ynsem the opposite direction towards the sources if the St Mr„rici 
 .dSagucuay r.vers The highest hills, seen some miles inland ollLd, 
 Juinze, were about three hundred and Hfty leet in height • Ihi. .^,lL , T 
 
 JM hmKlred and forty feet fall in the r'iyer betwet wo^ d gtre f '': 
 kundred and n.nety feet, height of the Victoria lake hills, rdinvfly to the 
 
 f.n, hundred and fifty feet of those below, or barely a dilTerence when asil 
 
 k' estimations. These, the extreme highest points seen o«7hT ^ 
 ™«ld have an altitude above the sea of lwelve'h::^drd„nd fifty o'S 
 « hundred feet. The average height of the whole couutrystr ki it a 
 
 ^.,Sh mean between ordinary hills and the valleys, might be taL uat nL 
 
 hiindred to a thousand feet above the sea. 
 
 .»% hS :aS;XoV"te hnr "'^' ^^ -^^ ™ '"^ ^--^^ ^' 
 ■.a.es: if others L'^ j^^':!:;^:j^z7::;^rz^' 
 
 ither tamarac and spruce or o;^ Is" rtl'^ 'r^": 'T «™»''^. "- 
 » ..t far enough to the northward to be on the verge of the souihe™ 
 
'i 
 
 I 
 
 418 
 
 margin of the white clay which prevails on the adjoining slope of the Hud. 
 son Bay bas?n. This clay seems to have in places extended somewhat 
 across the height of land and over the Ottawa formation The reasons for 
 this opinion are that the waters of the Abittibi branch, and those of the 
 small creeks falling into the main stream near it are thick and of a milb 
 color, through holding in suspense much of the white clayey material 
 washed from their banks in the upper part of their course. 
 
 From appearances, the Ottawa would seem here to have, in remote times i 
 had a much wider flood plain than at present. The waters, being gorged Delow 
 at what is now the last rapids, must have spread out into a broad and com- 
 paratively stagnant reach, flooding back to near the Bear Chutes and up 
 the Abittibi branch. The alluvium of that stream and adjoining small 
 ones, by mixing with the waters of the main river, rendered the lake thus 
 formed a muddy one that deposited its silt all over its area, making what is 
 now a good deep soil. Nowhere else in the course of the survey was the I 
 Ottawa observed to have made similar deposits of any extent; its waters 
 proper are too clean, coming as they do in this part of its course out of a 
 Laurentian formation. Their characteristic dark brown color is, I think 
 owing altogether to a vegetable dye either from the living moss or decayed 
 inattpr of the innumerable mossy swamps that contribute to them. 
 
 The prevalent growth of wood is similar throughout the whole ground 
 traversed, with but slight changes in size corresponding lo the changes in 
 pos...ou from barren hill top to richer valley. The kinds observed* were 
 balsam, white birch, poplar, grey and black spruce, tamarac, pitch pine 
 and cedar, enumerating them in the approximate order of frequency; little 
 or no white pine fit for timber was seen. As the survey was confined to the 
 vicinity of the river, it would be assuming too much to affirm that this 
 would be the case all over the country, but I am afraid that the appearances 
 would lead any one accustomed to explore for timber to judge that it would 
 not be found in any size or quantity. 
 
 In this, however, as in the foregoing general character given to the 
 country the- conclusions are not based on observation of thj immediate 
 river banlis only, though even that would be of more than usual value as 
 the crooked course of this stream t ikes the observer over much more of the 
 ground than if it were ordinarily straight. Any opportunities that off.^rod 
 of seeing the surrounding country from the summits ot inland ridges or 
 hills were used, and in some cases views extending all around in a radius 
 of several miles were obtained. On account of its importance as a resource 
 
 The sn 
 hrsed by n 
 jun by fires 
 Jlternative 
 
 Of sma 
 aspberry, s 
 ir poirier. 
 
 The ma 
 he princip; 
 ickerel, has 
 old ey<\s, si 
 ream, but, 
 i the finest 
 
419 
 
 slope of the Hud- 
 tended fiomewhat 
 The reasons for 
 , and those of the 
 ik and of a milky 
 clayey material 
 
 e, in remote times, 
 Jing gorged Delow 
 a broad and com- 
 f Chutes and up 
 i adjoining small 
 red the lake thus 
 I, making what is 
 I survey was the 
 :tent ; its waters 
 s course out of a 
 color is, I think, 
 ■ moss or decayed 
 o them. 
 
 le whole ground 
 the changes in i 
 8 observed were] 
 arac, pitch pine 
 frequency ; little 
 18 confined to the 
 affirm that this 
 t the appearances 
 JO that it would 
 
 :er given to the 
 thi3 immediate 
 . usual value as 
 ach more of the 
 ties that offered 
 nland ridges or 
 und in a radius 
 ice as a resource 
 
 ,f, he country and (o the revenue, a particular lookout was kept in thi« 
 ,.,m,r lor tmber, but though care wa« taken that in Iravellil'^Jown the 
 mer none should escape notice and that on heishts inl«„i oown the 
 
 ield glass was used, yet not a single grove of wh t! p- ' n^^rt u"' 
 
 m observed. ^ ; y aescription 
 
 A few struggling small white pines were met on kk-.. K.rv,. 
 
 „ the southern .hares of lakes Expanse and Qu^lVstggrr^o^To" 
 trabby white pine was observed and one small <rrove „f ^.^ ■ = "'","' 
 
 tier lake, but not any that would be eoride^d ; V ^''bL'f t'h " 
 bre^eut time worth seekino- « "y a lumberer of the 
 
 Besides the knowledge gained on this survey I am from „ 
 :c,uamlance with a good deal of the countrv ly nVwel w^-d ofT 
 Satm«ra ale ,g the headwaters of the Desert' r„nL, nf 1 ""^ 
 
 ,.Moii,e and Keepawa rivers, ;ncli„ed to bflLTe ihSS^L tlr"™n' 
 « found northward of the sources of these streams. I i d^fflcu ul 
 
 r»on for this as the soil and climate do not differ I te" rTS? 
 If the adjoining tracts on these rivers, produoin"- the fin».t ,i I '™","'*' 
 luantities. It is not that the climatic^orthern tifoT h^^h^ ; ^.t 
 lere reached, fcr I have seen healthy, isolated individuals of 7hT 
 Ibittibi lake, nearly one hundred miles north nor Ian tb, ^''^TV'' 
 
 The small and comparatively youug growth all over the countrv fr. 
 
 Uve -oy the preLt whL''Ch"::;j j:^,:^;!!'" '""•'^' 
 
 Of small fruits the following were oocasioually met with • M„„l, 
 :tS: ^*™"'"^^- '*«'^ "»* »-i -s cranbLra„r;he/un:';ry 
 
 fke» srifVhX'ro'^T" rtr'"'' °^™''°- 
 
 tream, but, in some of the tributarv ]1J T "^^/^""^ '^ the main 
 i the finest quality. ^ '' *^'^ ^'' ^"* ^^ abundance and 
 
 i 
 
■p "4 *;, 
 
 420 
 
 Some animals are not plenty and the fur-bearing ones but moderately s 
 being pretty well kept down by the native hunters trapping for the Hudson 
 Bay Company. Moose and caribou are the representatives of the deer 
 tribe, but in small numbers— nothing like what may be found in the St 
 Maurice or more eastern territories. The principal furred animals are on 
 land : bear, lynx, fisher, fox and marten ; those frequenting the water : beaver 
 otter, mink and muskrat. ' 
 
 Of game birds and wild fowl, there are the ruffed partridge and the 
 Canada goose, rarely, the ptarmigan, ducks of various kinds, bitterns 
 occasional geese and very rarely swans. 
 
 As to climate, the country traversed would seem to be nearly three 
 weeks behind in spring that of the city of Ottawa, with a corresponding 
 earlier setting in of winter. The greater altitude and nearer exposure to 
 the bleak north winds of Hudson Bay necessarily make the summer 
 much colder than (hat of the lower Ottawa country, and also a winter of 
 longer continued severe frosts. The average fall of snow is about eio-hteeu 
 inches or two feet more than at Ottawa, and the rainfall if measured vvould 
 I think, be in similar proportion. ' 
 
 On the first point tolerably clear information can be had from the 
 natives, but of die latter their ideas are necessarily more indefinite My own 
 short experience would lead me to say that there was decidedly much more 
 snow^ than on the Ottawa below. 
 
 As to the intensity and duration of the summer heat, I do not think it 
 would ever be sufficient to ripen wheat ; oats and barley might, perhaps 
 come to maturity ; potatoes of medium size and excellent quality are "Town 
 at the Hudson Bay Company's post, on Victoria lake. 
 
 Of the fitness for settlement or other future resources of the country it 
 IS hard to draw any favorable picture. ' 
 
 Apart from climate, the nature of the surface and soil is such, that witl 
 tlie exception on the small area before mentioned at the junction of the 
 Abittibi, I neither know nor have been told of any portion of it fit for 
 profitable (cultivation in the sense understood by settlers of the present day 
 in Canada. Even in the possibly fertile situations, its climate would impose 
 too narrow limits as to the kinds of crops that could be raised. It would be 
 absurd, however, to advance that it would not by agriculture sustain a 
 certain population of human beings. When all the more favorably situated 
 parts of this continent are as thickly inhabited as those of Europe our 
 
 The 
 
421 
 
 but moderately so 
 ig for the Hudson 
 itives of the deer 
 i found in the St. 
 d animals areou 
 the water : beaver 
 
 •artridg-e and the 
 I kinds, bitterns 
 
 be nearly three 
 a corresponding 
 iarer exposure to 
 ake the summer 
 1 also a winter of 
 is about eighteen 
 measured would, 
 
 >e had from the 
 lefinite. My own 
 ledly much more 
 
 I do not think it 
 
 might, perhaps, 
 
 uality are grown 
 
 »f the country, it 
 
 s such, that with 
 i junction of the 
 ;ion of it fit for 
 
 the present day 
 te would impose 
 ied. It would be 
 'ulture sustain a 
 vorably situated 
 
 of Europe, our 
 
 northern Ottawa country may similarly to Poland or the north of Russia 
 be occupied by a scattered population who will be able by persevering- 
 industrious struggle against its sterility and severity of climate to secure I 
 poor but independent livelihood. 
 
 As before stated, no erid.nce was seen of there being any pine fit for 
 timber, and the information obtained from Indians as to the nature of the 
 country inland goes to sustain the opinion that it is of rare occurrence and 
 ,f such be the case, it cannot be classed with the Lower Ottawa as a field 
 for lumbering enterprise. 
 
 Its present growth of wood can be of commercial value at some remote 
 future period only, when even the inferior kinds of timber may become 
 scarce and in request; at the same time its numerous mossy swamps may 
 come in fit for fuel. •' 
 
 Its mineral resources are yet to be discovered. No metallic veins or 
 metalliferous rocks were met with or heard of on the survey The fur-bear- 
 ins animals and fish in the streams are the principal sources of value for 
 the present inhabitants who are likely to keep their increase in check so 
 well that they will never begot in sufficient quantities to tend to a civi- 
 lized occupancy of the country. 
 
 In giving information as to the agricultural capabilities of this and 
 similar regions occupied by them, the gentlemen in the Hudson Bay Com- 
 l^ny s service are a little too apt to deal in wholesale condemuatio.i ; on the 
 other hand some sanguine theorists wish the blank spaces on our Canadian 
 maps to be looked upon as all more or less favorable for future immigration. 
 
 ihJ^J «P""0"s here given have been as little influenced by the former as 
 those of any experienced Canadian explorer are likely to be affectedTy the 
 
 The foregoing briof description is intended to apply more particularly 
 to the country passed through on the scaling of the Ottawa. On thit 
 travelkxl during the exploration to lake Abittibi and of the valley of the 
 river Blanche, I would make the following additioual observations: 
 
 AKK-lrf •^'1''''*?''";'*^^ ^''^'"' ^'^ ^^' ''^^^^^^ f^'^"^ 1^^« ^'^^ Q^"»^-> to L.ke 
 Abbittibi IS that the Lonely river like the Abittibi branch is a muljy milky- 
 
 iookmg s^tream seeing that we are again approaching the white" clays of 
 
 Hudson Bay. Lonely River, at its mouth about a chain wide, has a narrow, 
 
 lat bank o alluvium on either side, but not extending inland any distance. 
 
 ihe general character of the country remains the same as that heretofore 
 
422 
 
 m 
 
 ■Ml 
 m 
 
 '» 
 
 iy 
 
 described until about the height of land, where it becomes percoptiblv 
 flatter and does not seem so rough, and the soil where seen is clayey. AW 
 he middJe of lake Opasatika a change occurs in the rock formatL f ^ ' 
 the hitherto prevalent gneissoid or granitoid gneiss, to a hard fine-crrained 
 greenstonaordiorite which continues through to lake Abittibi a.^l over I 
 that lake The exact point at which this change occurs could not be see 
 bu near he position indicated the last of the gneiss was seen and a f w 
 miles farther up the lake the first of the new rock was met with. 
 
 The route continues from the height of land by the waters of the! 
 Abittibi river through lake Macawagogig. a picturesque labyrinth o 
 islands.down to its discharge, a stream twice ae large as Lonely river'crookin 
 about in a flat valley wooded with the usual growth of poplar and white' 
 birch, but with a clayey soil better than that on the Ottawa left. 
 
 Then through lake Agatawekami studded with rocky islands and 
 surrounded by low rocky shores into the wide, sluggish reach in whi.h the 
 river Abittibi iiows, with one short interruption at the portage Danseur 1 
 Abittibi'"^''' ^'^^ "'*'' ^^'^ ^^"'^'''" ^""^ Company's fort on lay | 
 
 This lake, though it has a coast line of over one hundred and fifty miles 
 IS only about forty-live miles in length, with a breadth varying fmm three to' 
 twelve or iourteen miles in opposite bays. The surrounding country is so ilat 
 that barely anything beyond the immediate ro.ky shore is visible I„ 
 places, numerous islets are scattered over its surface ; these and the shores 
 are wooded with a small growth of poplar, white birch and balsam Their 
 lowness much increases the effect of apparent distances; in placs the 
 farther shores and is.ands melt down beneath the horizon, leavino- only the 
 blue iine oi .ky and water. This has, I believe, led to th. exaggerated acouuts 
 given by voyageurs of the size of this lake. 
 
 In th .usual covrespondeuee of small depth of water to fl itnesB of the 
 shore, thrs lake is very shallow and on this account in high winds the swell 
 rises suddenly and is an unpleasant curl. Its waters, like those of all its 
 feeders s.en, are white and muddy. The Narrows at about two thirds of its 
 distance do^vn^^'^rd divide it into what is almost properly two lakes. There 
 IS however hardly a perceptible current between thein. Its discharov, after 
 between three and four miles of sluggish course, precipitates itself in two 
 s eps. over all of about thirty feet high, where there was a good opportunity 
 ol estimating the size of the stream. I judged the quantity of water to be 
 about equal to that discharged bv the river Madawaska. where it joins the 
 
423 
 
 3omes perceptibly 
 
 I is clayey. About | 
 )k formation from 
 hard fine-grained 
 Abittibi and overj 
 30uld not be seen, i 
 as seen and a few j 
 it with. 
 
 he waters of the 
 lue labyrinth of| 
 ely river.crooking I 
 poplar and white 
 i^a left. 
 
 cky islands andj 
 ich in whivh the 
 portage Daiiseur 
 i^-'s fort on layj 
 
 d and fifty miles, 
 ug from three to 
 jountry is so flat 
 3 is visible. In 
 s and the shores 
 
 II balsam. Their 
 ; in places the 
 
 earing only the 
 ^ei-ated ac 'ounts 
 
 flitness of the 
 winds the swell 
 those of all its 
 two thirds of its 
 ivo lakes. There 
 discharge, after 
 ;es itself in two 
 )od opportunity 
 of water to be 
 ere it joins the 
 
 Ottawa at Arnprior. These first falls on the river below lake Abittibi were 
 I the remotest point reached by our explorations, 
 
 Next to the main inlet of the lake, by which our route entered it, the 
 
 ! principal feeder is the White Fish river, whose sources lie, lam told, about 
 
 due east from lake Abittibi ; I shouldjndge it to have a course of sixty or 
 
 seventy miles. The number of small creeks that fall into the lake contrib- 
 
 I mo the balance of its waters. 
 
 The game and fish got in the Abittibi country are thj same as those 
 I mentioned as found on the Ottawa, with the exception of the moose 
 which does not come here so far north or has been killed out. 
 
 As to climate, I am told that there is much rain and cold raw weather 
 in summer, but it is evidently warm enough to grow and ripen potatoes, as 
 they are cultivated for food in quantities at the Hudson Bay Company's 
 
 fort. 
 
 With reference to the exploration of the river Blanche, on account of 
 its reputed fertility at its mouth, I f«It warranted in devoting a few days 
 ofour yet remaining time on our homeward way to its examination— its 
 comparative accessibility and lower altitude rendering it of importance. 
 
 I ascended its main or eastern branch about thirty-five miles to the 
 first serious break in navigation. I also went a few miles up its secondary 
 branch on the west side. I also examined its banks in several places to a 
 distance of a mile and two miles inland. 
 
 Its valley presents some interesting features. It is an alluvial plain 
 rising northward from lake Temiscamingue in successive flats on the 
 upward course of the stream ; these in accordance with the theory of 
 terrace formation should, I presume, be connected with corresponding 
 changes of the level of that lake in remote time. The width of the plain 
 will, I think, be found to be limited by a continuation of the hills on either 
 side of the trench-like hollow^ containing the lake, and of which the valley 
 is evidently the production northward, having formed the north end of an 
 older lake Temis(^amingue. 
 
 On the low delta-formed islands in the mouth of the river Blanche, and 
 on its shores for several miles up it, there is a beautiful growth of elm,'oak, 
 soft maple and ash, with a small proportion of balsam and sprace ; seen from' 
 
424 
 
 the river, its rich deep banks of the fiuest soil overhuuo- with thaf h 
 growth give fair promise for the interior. * ^^'^^ 
 
 f 11 ^ WK ?.T^ di«^PP°"^ted to find on penetrating inward that the laud 
 ell and that these^woods soon gave place to a continuous black spruce 
 tamarac swamp. The surface moss and water proved to be shallow and 1 
 diggmg the good clay was generally reached at a few inches or a foo C 
 still the land, to be used, would require much drainao-e This firTfl . 
 say, from ten to fifteen feet above the low water levd of ' ke T S 
 
 oTSy ft'" ' "'" "" ^'^ ^^"^"^- ^'^ ^^"^« "- ^« '-^^ 
 
 The land is dry as shewn by extensive brules. The soil though of 
 lighter texture than that ],olow is yet quite fit for cultivation. At twel' 
 five miles up. the river is ilowing through a third level or plain about" 
 eighty or ninety feet above its waters, which are say six or eic^hi fee 2 
 lake Temiscamingue. A land slide excavation of two" or th:ee tcl • et^ 
 caused by springs gave an opportunity of seeing a section of the soil 
 
 First on the top were two or three inches of decayed leaves and then 
 about a foot ot red sand merging into grey clay, and then a dark blue! 
 plastic clay which extended down under the river. 
 
 fV w^fV^'' '°i^ '' "'^ '^"'"^ °°"^ throughout on this stream, yetl 
 think that at some future day a fair settlement may be made in i^/ll 
 connected by steamer navigation with lake Temiscamingue. As to 
 Indians inhabiing the country traversed during our excursion, I can har I 
 say anything that is not already well known. ^ 
 
 They are all of the Algonquin race ; they are quiet and orderly and 
 completely under the control of the Hudson Bay Company's officers d 
 of their zealous, self-denying spiritual teachers, the mission Jries 
 
 The combined etfect of both has been to change the savage condition 
 of these Indians morally to that of uneducated civilised man. whHst through 
 acquiring somo of the appliances and the dress of civilization, the r ou w^d 
 life approximates more to it that many are aware. 
 
 {Limlsai/ Russell, 28th March, 18')8.) 
 
 My instructions said to go down the Ottawa river until I would meet 
 a post at Barriere Rapids planted by Mr. Symmes, yet the temptation was 
 
 timber 
 
425 
 
 .. j.^ . 
 
 with that heavy ^^^ me too ffreat not to take this lake into ray plan, so I measured the main 
 Jim;ti()ii without going into details of offsjts to tho deep bays, and, in 
 
 ard that tho laud 
 black spruce and 
 shallow, and, on 
 hes or a foot, but 
 This first flat is, 
 of lake Temisoa- 
 se to twenty-live 
 
 soil though of a 
 ion. At twenty, 
 or plain about 
 eight feet above 
 ie acres in extent 
 of the soil. 
 
 leaves and then 
 a dark blueish 
 
 lis stream, yet I 
 id e in its valley 
 ?ue. As to the 
 on, I can hardly 
 
 nd orderly and 
 '■'s officers, and 
 ries. 
 
 vage condition 
 whilst, through 
 ., their outward 
 
 rch, IS^S.) 
 
 I would meet 
 mptation was 
 
 aoniovy and acknowledgment of the great services which our Surveyor 
 General for the province of Quebec had rendered to tho exploration of the 
 )ttawa river, I baptized this lake lac Bouchette, and that piece of river 
 living Itetween lac Bouchette and lac Barriere I named Bouchette river. 
 
 I thence started with my party down the river and surveyed until I 
 leached the Barriere Rapids, where Mr. Symraes had planted a post. 
 
 This place is known either as Barriere Rapids or as the Mission Post 
 |at lac Barriere. It, is the burying-ground of the Indians living in this 
 
 Idistrict. 
 
 Mr. Symmes also surveyed that portion of water which runs Irom lake 
 iRapid toward the Ottawa river and planted a post marked sixty-seven 
 Irailes sixteen chains on Iroquois point, at the head of lake Rapid where the 
 Iwaters run to the Kakebonga lake. From this post, on my return,.! con- 
 Inected with a tree post marked. H. B., at end of station twenty nine in my 
 Iformer survey of lake Rapid and river Jean de Terre. By this operation the 
 Isurveys are connected with old work on the river Desert. 
 
 It is known to your Department that lake Rapid has three discharges 
 of its waters ; one to the Ottawa surveyed by Mr. Symmes ; the second or 
 main discharge surveyed by myself a few years ago to lake Kakebonga, 
 about ten miles south from the head of this lake ; the third discharge 
 known as the canoe route has not been surveyed.and, nut having instructions 
 to do so, I only took the bearings and stepped the distances, so as to enable 
 me to give as correct an idea of the communications between these two 
 large Uikeri as possible. I have shown on my plan all their connections to 
 give a better idea of the situation of this magnificent water communication. 
 
 That portion of land through which this part of my line runs is only 
 in a lew places interrupted with hills of any consequence ; the rest was 
 of an undulating character, broken up with a great many lakes, so much 
 that I do believe at least thirty per cent is water. 
 
 There can be no doubt entertained that the line runs outside of the 
 timber region of our Ottawa waters, since I did not meet with a single 
 grove of pine ; the general sort of timber was spruce, birch, balsam and 
 
 poplar. 
 
426 
 
 For ,.,ri,..,It„.al p„.p„,os, .his tract of I.„d has no value what.„.„, I 
 J he mouiitain ranges which I passed were all cranile h.U„ ■ 
 I-.re„,au ,„r,„„ti„„, ,.„^ „„, ^heo interrupted IXe^'/'fT:^^^^^^^ 
 
 ( W. Wasrner, 1st April, 1868.) 
 
 lihOCK A, IN THE COUNTY OP PONTIAC. 
 
 With rcj,nird to the soil and timber, a refarence to fhp nl , . 
 
 notes ol survey will jjive the bosf inin.^.J 1 P'^" *"'^ ^'4 
 
 over, state that there Ta 1 r 'e ouan^^^^^^^ 'Ir ^""*^- ' "^^J^' M 
 
 along a. lino, and that tl^^^^X in 'e^laT; ? 
 very higli .nountains The soil s Lin ^ a f '^^' ^'^*^^' ^^^^^^^ any 
 J-bahle that in the ne^^' ^rl^^d^:: b'L:;;^:^!;^? ^ 
 tides, there is no doubt fh.if ,-.. fi, *■ . ., • , °^ *^"*^ Lauren- 
 
 t«- in tha, direct ' itr i 2™ e /«"' "^ T'^"""" ""»'"«« 
 ™d also „u the nith limited . Tod Zl T'"" """ "" "" ^"^^ 
 
 There is also a great doTl „? verv T„e f ""^ ?'"" ™ '''^ «"' """ilj 
 
 built, it ,v„„m!,c verv "^luabtfJ r TtT' '■""*' '''™''' " ™il«yl» 
 " 8-at deal „f the b t , t Vw "dov™ Th""'^'^' 'r^'^^' '"-«» 
 tracts ov,.rnm by fire narlic^ln L 7 ...I""' "^ '''=° ^'»»« '^W 
 
 second ransc. l'«rt'oulaily on the hlth and sixth limits i„ the] 
 
 rosiiion ,„ r,,,„r. „„' ;;rirr!;;s"„7th: i:,,;"^" ' ^'>»" •'^ "■ « •>«"" 
 
 (/»'« 0'&,Wm„, nth December, I88i) 
 
 block A. in the county opl... V'""' '""' "' ■"«"*" '"'«»■ »» 
 
 Department of Crori:::,2,7:^d'~ tt "isl" I 7'™^"°"^ '■™"' 
 
 uiie i4tn, 18«4 I gave a description of 
 
427 
 
 t maple anMjip tiinbor and land, &c., throia^h which the lines pass. I will now give a 
 oro particular description of the same and a more general description of 
 value whatsoever lihi' country around block A. 
 
 te, belonging to tj 
 eins of quaru. 
 
 t April, 1868.) 
 
 he plan and fieldl 
 >iuts. Imay,how.L 
 I agricultural land! 
 evel, without anyl 
 is it is more than) 
 fth of the Lauren.) 
 'ation would soon I 
 ine on the secondl 
 >n the first limit. I 
 'uld a railway be I 
 liowever, there is 
 also some large 
 th limits in the 
 
 make a report of 
 II be in a better 
 
 nber, 1882.) 
 
 artment, of the 
 ridian lines, on 
 ictions from the 
 a description of 
 
 From lake Temiscamingue to the 20th mile-post along the boundary 
 jliiie between the province of Ontario and the province of Quebec, the 
 country is fairly level and in great part good agricultural land. About a 
 milt^ north of the lake, the land commences to bw wet, and for about three 
 or tour miles it is swampy, but if cleared and drained it would become in 
 part ?oo(l meadow land. This is on the Indian reserve, a tract of land ten 
 miles in depth along the province line and containi)ig a superficies of 
 138,400 acres. Great part of this tract is good agricultural land, and, as the 
 Indians are very poor farmers, I am of opinion it would be better for them 
 and lor the country if the Government would have the reserve surveyed off 
 into township lots and give a certain amount of money each year instead 
 thereof to buy provisions and clothing for the tribe. Several of the Indians, 
 about liiteen or eighteen, I was told, died from starvation last winter within 
 a liicuit of thirty miles of where I was surveying. Had these poor creatures 
 had .some supply to call on for a hundred of flour and a blanket or some 
 clothing, they might have managed to pass through the winter, whereas 
 there are not more than live or six families who cultivate anything on the 
 reserve. 
 
 From the Indian reserve to the base line, the land is higher and more 
 cut up with streams and creeks. The timber on the low land is mostly 
 spruie, tamarac and iir, and on the high land bouleau, poplar, spruce and 
 small rod pine. 
 
 From the 20th mile post on the province line, the initial point of 
 departure of my survey, to the Otter creak, the land is good and level and 
 well limbered with tamarac, spruce, white birch or bouleau, red pine, and 
 poplar. TIk; tamarac is not large, but would be splendid for railway ties. 
 The line crosses the creek between 61 and 67| chains from the province line. 
 This creek is from forty to eighty feet wide and falls into the White river 
 {Kivicir Blanche) crossing province line on the 19th mile. From Otter creek 
 the land continues pretty good for about a mile and a quarter, when it 
 comrnonces to be rocky and swampy in places, the timber being of poor 
 quality. 
 
 On the fifth mile there is a nice flat of land, and the timber is mostly 
 spruce and tamarac, the latter being large and of splendid quality. On the 
 
428 
 
 seventh mile ih 
 
 high j:„d:"o T ::ir!'^'"'?L""^ 'r"- ">°w„ dow 
 
 there 
 
 On the eighth mile, bet 
 
 18 a n«o of about two hundred feet 
 
 vveen the 60th and G5th chai 
 
 n, chiefly on tj 
 
 "s distan, 
 
 white pine alono- fhis riders whi.h , ^'" '^ " splendid ffrovo nJ 
 
 timber ,s nearly all blown down whil llr " """^ ground th„ 
 
 *he land b„i,„ poor and r„,*y 6,7^ .Sr","".,!" ""' '"''™""> ™i " 
 Pme bnt it i, i„ g„„, blown down On th? K^''^ " '"°"'' ''™l'] 
 
 ".ostly taraarac and spruce, the line Tross ta! ot '"" "^ ""'" ""« " J 
 
 ^•hieh extendi nearly a mile toward/thT. "rthl"?!!''^' '''"'" "«''»'' 
 ™osUy rising land and is fairly ^oodbntheliK '"*''''''■ ■»'''» 
 There is some white pine on the high part. " ""' '" ^J' ">*■ 
 
 At 13 miles 88J chains the lin» crosses tb» ,., . u 
 and at 14 miles 88 chains the east shoTe Vh t.u^T "^ '""^ BarrieJ 
 
 ^ptt'ciiTtrdttdir-^srt'r --'»^ 
 
 Between 47 and 58 chains beyond the ISlh mil» .^ >■ 
 lake around which there is a "ood deal of n, n u '^'''■""™'»'« ai.otk.r 
 pine from around this lake last sj-rfng! ' ^''^'"' '"^ » ""» «' I 
 
 of.htrk:raCrke%r:;'iTJ:;^*i\"''"^^"'™"™-^^^^^ 
 
 From the 19th to the 31st mi"e he «n. = '""■' "' '»" ^^»'''" 
 
 parts being, in general, rocky tvUh ':"!;7\°™'»"''"'»""8'-<l. thehi.h 
 24th mile thcrels a ial of abo se^t Ave f"\"': '"" '™^'^- "" "» 
 and then a rise of about loj feet i, thtf I -.""" " -™>'>«->7 «va.»l. 
 
 -e .here is a lake -ome^it'l^it^tl-t^h JfVliliro^'I'h'er '" 
 
 Bodgt' ! w:':n:,"afi;":,t "rrh:r:L''°tT' ^-^^ »'- '-'- ^■*- 
 
 between this lake and the lake ..r„: T ?'' "^°"'- ''" *'''^ P«»"'™1» 
 tract of very good land sou h „ Zt "" ' '""' ■"">' '^-e is a Wje 
 overrun by fire ; the land™ 1, Iv „ . =''™' '""■' ■"' ''^''^ •"- bee,, 
 
 make fine meadow land Th™ a chX n?"""^ "'"^ ^°"' "'"' ^"'^ 
 
 inert is a chain of lakes south of the line from a 
 
429 
 
 own, chiefly on tli 
 •th chains distaticj 
 splendid frrovo ^j 
 d south. ThefJ 
 ' rising ground t J 
 th« -eleventh milej 
 •e IS a good deal oj 
 ilf of this mile it J 
 •e beaver raeadowl 
 thirteenth mile i,( 
 'art is A-ery rockyj 
 
 i-e of lac BarriereJ 
 »ke is the general! 
 'a and lake Abit- 
 
 ht from which to 
 tos the south end I 
 [■e are some pine, 
 
 crosses another j 
 irt took a raft of 
 
 :1 from fhi? head 
 of hie Barriere 
 
 ig land, the hiirh 
 tracts. On the 
 
 anberry swamp 
 
 orth east of this 
 
 of the line. 
 
 of a lake called 
 the peninsula 
 there is a larnfe 
 ^hich has been 
 oil, and would 
 the line from a 
 
 ,, ;ind a half to four or five miles which nearly Joins the two lakes. Ou 
 'j4tli and 2oth miles there is a good deal of white pine. 
 
 From Rodger's lake to where the line crosses the Ottawa, a distance 
 
 [live miles, is a splendid tract of country, the land being level and the 
 
 joil irood. The timber is mostly spruce and poplar, with somn tamarac, and 
 
 iu (uUl white pine ; near the Ottawa there are some large l>lack birches. 
 
 iiMO are two discharges from Rodger's lake, one at the south and ruu- 
 
 iiiig- almost due south, and discharging through a series of lakes into lac des 
 
 luinzo, and one ruuning nearly parallel to the base line on th. south side 
 
 lor lour and a half miles where it takes a bend towards the north and is 
 
 ;rossed by the line thirty chains from where it strikes thni Ottawa. It 
 
 irapties into the Ottawa thirteen chains north of the line. 
 
 The line strikes the right bauk of the Ottawa at 37 miles 78 chains, and 
 [the left bank at 37 miles 11 chains 60 links, the breadth of the river here 
 being 13 chains HO links. The river here runs nearly north and south, and 
 for several miles in both directions maintains an average breadth of about 
 twelve chains. At 49 miles 34 chains the line crosses the Ottawa a second 
 time. The tract of land enclosed by the bend of the river, and, in fact, the 
 whole tnict south, as far as lake Winnovvaya, is a poor, barren country 
 heing- either rocky hills or marshy swamps, and in great part overrun by 
 fire. There is, however, a pretty good strip of land of from iifty to eighty 
 chains in depth all along the river. 
 
 At 40 miles SJ chains the line crosses a creek forty feet wide, dis- 
 ' charging out of a lake, half a mile to the south, of about three miles in 
 length and one-half to three quarters of a mile wide. BeLw^een 45 and 52 
 chains beyond the 46th mile, the line crosses a creek three limes of about 
 half a chain in width, and another of about the same breadth at 47 miles, 
 and again eighteen chains farther ou one of 30 links wide. From this 
 stream to the Ottaw^a there is no timber but small cypress to bo seen, which 
 would indicate poor land, and yet where the soil was exposed it appeared 
 to be of a pretty fair quality. This section appears to have been overrun 
 by fnv some thirty years ago. 
 
 The breadth of the Ottawa where the line crosses it a second time is 6 
 chains 70 links, the right bank being at 49 miles 40 chains 70 links. From 
 the Ottawa to 50 miles 20 chains the land is good and the timber mostly 
 tamarac, poplar and spruce, the line then crosses a cranberry swamp which 
 extends to the 52nd mile. 
 
480 
 
 From thi! 52iicl to the 5'7ih mil,, fV. i i ^^ 
 
 •imber i, ,„„«!, .p,u,„, (,„„«„, '™' ° '^^ "from 40 ,„ «o fee,, t^^ 
 of good land. *'""*•"'"' POPI"' on lh,,>.,o|,„| 
 
 From Ih,. 57lh lo tho 60th mile or end of tk i, ,. 
 more uneven and the hill, ,„„„h higher A. Mrn'r, '".'•.""""'"' » 
 mns w,th.n „ .hain ofthe wnthend of a lake .-h! K " '''""'"' ""' "«• 
 ;o.soveral„„™, having a hreadth of'r^ ;:tVr thS^h::'! 
 
 .he m:;^ .e::"irr^nir;:n;r [ '^-^ '"■- °' -^^ p^- 
 
 some old cedHis. ' "^ bouleau, spruce uiul fir, with 
 
 Between 53 aud 65 chains on the sixtieth mil h i 
 centre of an ovaJ-shaped pond, th. va r in ^h^^'^ ^"" ''''''' °^'" ^he 
 great depth, and I could see nei.herin !I , '" ''''^ '^'^' »«'! of a 
 
 land rises towards the e.t ablut " t in' rTX '''''V''' ^^^^ '^« 
 for about sevon chains, when it a^ain descend. Ik f'T-""^''' '' '« '^^"^ 
 to. the 60th mile post. descends, the fall being about 60 feet 
 
 The 60th mile post is on the sirl.. hiu ,u 
 and about 6 inches square. I also cutoff ' ''"''' ^''"» °^ ^^"''^^- 
 
 squared it as a post, and marked on t hf r\''''"'\^''''' ' ^^^^^ ^^'^h. and 
 and the date. """ '^ *^' ^'^^^'^"^•e' the number ofthe limit 
 
 along this line can be ^a^In l^W ^^^Ih-.f i "t '^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^^-^ 
 [or eight miles, being either rocky or swl V '' P<^«r and barren 
 
 by iires. The last h:if mile next [hcO tlri^'b'"' "^ =""^* ^^^^ -'""^'^ 
 and the timber ,nos,|y popl,, tamt« 7 ' ''''^"'' ^^^"^'^^ =°«d land, 
 being a growth of about! y'^ars '"' ^'^"^^' '"^ "^* °^' « ^-=- -. 
 
 meridian line south to lake Winnnu^«. ? , ^ 'mle-post I ran a 
 The land is good all .long he 1 "biU noV"''^' V "^^^^' ''^ "^-- 
 miles next the ba.e liue. Great !rtn Tl ^^'"'''^'''^7 ^'^r the first five 
 lake and the Ottawa appeaftl be loH^;'* '' '"^^ ^^^*^^«- ^^^dger's 
 
 With tamarac, spruce. ^lill^ ^^:rte^- Z l' 'T r'' ''-''''' 
 
 ^ 1 , mere is also large bouleau and some 
 
481 
 
 •ffvvith occasional 
 ) to 60 feet. Th« 
 
 *«• o" 'h« patches 
 
 line, the l,„,d j, 
 9 chains th« line 
 n<'«rly chio north 
 three-fourths of 
 
 ?e of white pia,. 
 CO aiul fir, with 
 
 crosses over the 
 y clear and of a 
 fn this pond the 
 ^vhero it is level 
 >ff about 60 feet 
 
 ■ng" of tamarac 
 ' feet hi^h, and 
 ber of the limit 
 
 e river Ottawa, 
 ai^l of the land 
 oor and barren 
 t part overrun 
 tty good land, 
 of a large size, 
 
 •post I ran a 
 *>> t)4i chains. 
 ^ the first five 
 een ]lodger's 
 veil timbered 
 'au and some 
 
 ih. At live and a quarter miles the line strikes n marshy bay in from the 
 Qttavvii, and at miles 7 chains u bend of the river for over a quarter of 
 
 1 mile. 
 
 At 6 miles 47 chains the lino crosses a creek, one and a half chains 
 
 ^•ide, discharging out of a small lake or pond a little to the west. A quarter 
 
 Jofamilo further on, the land rises from the marshy land, between the small 
 
 (lake last mentioned and the Ottawa river. Opposite to this there is a good 
 
 Ijrrove of pine on the east side or left bank of the river. 
 
 From the seventh mile to the tenth, or to the first range, the land ia 
 Ibrokeu and rough, but the soil appears to be good. 
 
 From thfc tenth mile to lake Winnowaya, the land is low and level and 
 apparently good, bearing spruce, tamarac, poplar and fir. There is a pretty 
 good grove of pine along the Ottawa, on the west shore, a few miles up 
 from lake Winnowaya. 
 
 The best pine I have seen ap[>oar8 to ha on the south en<l of the Gilx 
 llimit, in the second range, along the west side of Rodgt r's lake, and on 
 [the ridge on the second limit. 
 
 The climate at the head of lake Temiscamingue is not much dilFerent 
 from what it is at Quebec, The season may possibly be a few days shorter 
 but the snow-fall is not so great. It is hard to judge by last spring as it was 
 a late, wet spring all through the province ; I saw very tine wheat •^rowing 
 last summer along the Quinze river, and Mr Taggart has a farm he com- 
 menced sowing last year on the west shore of the Quinze lake, and I 
 never saw finer potatoes or oats than he grew. 
 
 The Burwash brothers have two farms, one on the south side of the 
 Quinze river, and another, which, I iinderstand, is on the Indian reserve ; 
 and one of them told me last spring they had sold for over two thousand 
 dollars worth of hay and oats b^jtweeu Mr. Grant's and Mr. Taggart's 
 shanties. When I was on my way up to survey, they were getting up a 
 mowing and a harvesting machine. 
 
 From the time I arrived at where I discontinued last fall on the 24th 
 March up to the 14th April, the thermometer generally ranged between 
 five degrees above and ten below zero during the night, but the days were 
 lino. On the Ifith, 17th and 18th April we experienced a warm wave which 
 melted the snow all off in the swamps, and the men had to wade through 
 
t;i 
 
 m 
 
 4«2 
 
 il..< ^yal.«.• .••ul (l.row oil' (hrir Hn..vv-Nh.,oH ; it was morn lil-.. T.,i 7. ~""^ 
 w,.a.h.M-. P,vvious ,0 UnU. w. <.,>„l.i only In7wr h u ' "', ^'^" 
 
 «il>Io (o ,,., „p ,„ovi,si,>n«. W.. Im.l lo work on Sun.lny In 1? '"" 
 a"y« .Hh u..,hin. ,,.U ..nun.. .T wH ..i..., und a.^ii^Xl:;::;;:^ 
 
 On llu. ii7lli April wo n>iul.o.l wlioro wo Imd « «f^v <• 
 -hon I prolorrod ,., ..(urn lo „.. ,,„ n I, , , " 1"; '"'^""'"-' 
 
 ^r '•"" "'••" '"'"" '" ''^'- VVinnow..yu, '1 iT hv 1 i ""'"I'"' 
 <lu' OMawH. I proot.ro,l a l,urk o.uu. « m1 Fo,( Wi, . > J ^ '"^'^l'l'-'tn..l on 
 
 ')..> ;^n. M.,.. an., worked up ih. C).i:wl Inl r^l'^trr''^'"^ 
 "•; '"'- ' "-» »."<1 lo son.l son.o oi- .ny mo„ up (law? 'I "'' '' 
 Avhu-h wo woro unal.lo lo lako out with ,.s wh ' •'^'^■'^^'"' 
 
 «curoo. "" ""''*" "'"• l>'-oviNionH were 
 
 
 III lie 
 Idili ^nv; 
 iiioulli of 
 line bclw 
 oltlio Iril 
 
 llwl Ih,' i,v .lixiininvm'il IV(.m lli,. I„l;„ t „ .,,:i, , . '■'"'""»'• Iml lliii w 
 
 -"'11'.' '""i' »ia.. on,in«„„.,„f,„rtwoo,i j^j;"" "-""'"' ''""'"'-""n. 
 
 ',)» Iho Kill, I .s,„l,,l |,a,i „|- 1|„, „|„„,, |„ ,. I 
 
 r..|.".-ti..g on ll„. „,„.„ i;,,„i|,,,, ,,„„ ,,„. ., ' '""I' w.ll. tl... ,„io„l,o„ of 
 
 (John O'Sti/livan, 1883.) 
 
 
 lliivii 
 St'plcnilxr 
 ol'lhf L'OII 
 
 llcn^ 
 
 at lake W; 
 ill from 111 
 miiiiiiiii' o 
 
 1 1'oiiiul I li 
 iiisiilUi'ion 
 
 jH'OVCtl Ihil 
 
 uj), I I here 
 of Violoriu 
 
 ! Ihon 
 
 till.' Ttli aiK 
 and there 1 
 V\'ii!j:iu'r's I 
 
 After I 
 Kapitajewii 
 about two ( 
 are low aui 
 timber is as 
 
 I then 
 scaling a pc 
 aiul lit for c 
 
488 
 
 '" ''•l<'"''^ .■'1.(1 larjrJ 
 
 . »N it WiiNimpoH. 
 tii<l woro Novonil 
 llowaaco ofpork. 
 
 "■"<>l"|>r()viNio„„ 
 iwU thi« incridiaii 
 <liNiip|),.,ir(.,lo„ 
 '<l m Ndii'todoii 
 v'o(lff.'r\s iiv,>r to 
 ^'i lor l)atr<^'iigi), 
 pi'oviHioiiis were 
 
 " IVom (h(. ;],5ih 
 '<f»*M*, iUuiviug 
 li»t' to lh(, luko 
 'I llu' Nixlot'uth, 
 xl (loul of snow 
 
 with u survey 
 >t(avva to lake 
 r ivtuni home 
 li< that wo haii 
 ir bark canoes. 
 ii'luHl Mattawa 
 
 nfiguratioii of 
 *' intention of 
 '0 ol' business 
 Kouded ; so I 
 subject. 
 
 i«, 1888.) 
 
 TIIK liri'lill OTTAWA. 
 
 In a.vordau.u) with instru.^tioiis roceived Irom your Department dated 
 lOth Aui,ni8t last, Tor tlu» Hcalin^r ofu portion of the Upper Ottawa from tho 
 moulh ol Ihe river Shu-NJiu-Kuan to P. L. S. Wajjiior's po«t at, th») end of the 
 line between tho counties of Pontiac, and Montcalm, and also of a portion 
 of the tributaru^s coming from the North, - I besf to report a.s follows : 
 
 llavinjf made all necessary i.rcparations, I left Quebec on the 13th 
 Seplen.ber and arrived ut the head of lake Temiscamingue on the evenino- 
 
 of the 20th. ' " 
 
 Here 1 procured canoes and miMi and pro(;eed.Kl up the river arrivinjr 
 at hike Waboosknan on the 4th October and began scaling a stream comint 
 111 Irom the North, which was supi^osed to be another channel of the Ottawr 
 mniun- out of the north end of Victoria lake into lake Wabooskanan. 
 
 The !).>d of this stream was about the same width as that of the Ottawa 
 hut tin* water was shallow, with no current, and after proceeding five milesi 
 1 found that the bed of the stream narrowed to less than a half chain with 
 iiKsulUci.Mit water to lloat a canoe. The forest closing in on each side also 
 proved that the stream was an insiguilicant one and not worth following 
 up, I Iherelore al>andoned it, and afterwards learnt that it did not How out 
 ol Victoria lake, and had no connection with it. 
 
 ! then proceeded on to Kitchisagan or Victoria lake, arriving there on 
 the Tth and coulinued on to the mouth of the Shushuguan (or frying pan) 
 and there began the scaling of the Ottawa, which I carried on to P. L S 
 Wajrner's post. 
 
 After c-ompleting the scaling of the Ottawa, I went down to the rirer 
 Kapitajewano, and scuiled it for about twenty-iivo miles. This river averages 
 about two chains in width; it is deep, with an easy current. The banks 
 are low and level throughout; the soil is excellent and the growth of 
 tnuber is aspen, bouleau, spruce, lir and taraarac. 
 
 J then went do'vn to the river Shushuguan with the intention of 
 sea ing a portion of that river in order to ascertain if the soil was as good 
 and lit lor culture as I expected, but 1 had not gone far before cold weather 
 
 1!8 
 
 w 
 
484 
 
 set in, and, the ice forming rapidly, I saw that it was necessary to close 
 operations and hurry down in order to escape being closed in. 
 
 From above lake Temiscamingue to Lac des Quinze is a successioa of 
 rapids and portages, the dread of voyageurs and still more so of the 
 lumbermen on the " drive." 
 
 From above lake Expanse to beyond lake Victoria, the river averages 
 about eight chains in width, the banks are low, and in many places gras'sy 
 the soil is good and the growth of timber is, along the banks, aspen, bou- 
 leau, spruce, fir, tamarac and pine. 
 
 The country is level and no hills to be seen ; how far the growth of 
 timber and good land extend back from the river, I was not instructed to 
 ascertain. 
 
 Such crops as have been tried (principally potatoes) have proved a 
 success. At lake des Quinze and Victoria lake, large qua tities are raised. 
 I also found at north end of lake Wabooskanan a small field of them planted 
 by an Indian, who was then ab «nt from home. Again on the north bank 
 of Birch lake, a quantity sufficient for their wants was raised by Pawpawte, 
 the chief who resides there. 
 
 And again near the mouth of the river Kapitajewano, I found an Indian 
 named Natawe, who had a considerable clearing and had raised good crops. 
 He had some good cattle and had cut and stacked a large quantity of wild 
 hay as fodder for the winter. 
 
 I may remark before closing that, in view of the level nature of the 
 country, the large extent of good land, and the facilities for making good 
 roads thereto, we may expect to see extensive settlements formed there as 
 soon as the country becomes known. 
 
 {John BigneU, November, 1887). 
 
 OTTER TAIL RIVER. 
 
 According to your instructions, I should have commenced my work at 
 the 110th mile post. This was utterly impossible, as, after searching for 
 two days, I succeeded in finding only the 105th mile post, where I com- 
 
486 
 
 ecessary to close 
 Liu. 
 
 is a suocessioa of I 
 more so of the 
 
 le river averages 
 ny places grassy, 
 inks, aspen, bou- 
 
 «r the growth of 
 not instructed to 
 
 have proved 
 tities are raised. 
 of them planted I 
 1 the north bank 
 
 d by Pawpawte, f 
 
 found an Indian 
 aised good crops, 
 quantity of wild 
 
 rel nature of the 
 :br making good 
 formed there as 
 
 nber, 1887). 
 
 menced my survey, as appears by my field notes and plan. My notes are 
 ])ot voluminous, for I traversed an immense burnt tract of level, arable laud, 
 lousisting of clay and sand, very fertile and iit for cultivation, especially in 
 the projected townships of Grigues and Duhamel. In these townships 
 farming operations may be begun with very little preparation, as they are 
 nearly all burnt lands, except on the banks of the rivers and lakes ; there 
 are only a few stumps to be removed and the plough may then be used at 
 once. A Mr. Piche, who lives in the lawnship of G-igues, has a very fine 
 farm, comprising over a hundred acres in cultivation ; he has succeeded 
 very well, even growing his own wheat. From lake Temiscamingue, I 
 continued the scaling of the principal river as far as its source. I then 
 commenced operations on the Cameron branch, which I found so consider- 
 able that I followed it up, in accordance with my instructions, as far as 
 lac des Quinze. On this branch a good causeway and two slides have 
 been constructed. Three large rafts of red pine were cut there some years 
 ago by Messrs. Humphrey & Eoche. From lake Sasseganega to the river 
 des Quinze, the land is well wooded with white and red pine. 
 
 I am firmly convinced that, if it is desirable to avoid the rapids of the 
 des Quinze, it will be easy and not expensive to run timber down the 
 Cameron branch, by means of a short canal ; but for this another explora- 
 tion of a few miles of this section would be necessary, in order that the 
 most suitable pass might be chosen. 
 
 {Arthur Cimon, 24th October, 1881). 
 
 ced my work at 
 3r searching for 
 it, where I com- 
 
 TERRITORY OF RIVERS ROUOE, LIEVRE AND PETITE-NATION. 
 
 I have the honor to submit the following report on exploration between 
 the rivers Lievre and St. Maurice performed under instructions from your 
 department, dated 4th June, 1869 : 
 
 On the plan accompanying the instructions for the exploration, the main 
 or base line is divided into sections numbering eastward from its com- 
 mencement. These sections are shewn and similarly numbered on the plan 
 returned herewith. Taey aiford a convenient division for the purpose of 
 description and reference to said plan. East section, when mentioned in 
 
 i 
 II 
 
486 
 
 thiH roporl. IS lo ho undorstood to oinhrace all Ihe spare on .Mtha. ■ , . 
 main or .a.o lino, ^vilhin its distance on thai line Ind xt ul "f "^ '^' 
 ^vo«l and «oulli oa«t Ihorelrom as tho rosoarc ^ oH h "' •^"'' "°^'^' 
 
 I'scriptivo notes on the 
 
 liesides the ground in th 
 
 \ 
 
 icini(yoi'th(! actually snrvc: 
 
 supply. Th,. i„lb,.,n„ti„,. acquired o,. ideas ibnifd ml' , k'^' u"'"'"' "' 
 oiio,„li,i,..,,|„,„ p„„»,a through will ,Z „ 111 Tl r '*'" ^*"''*' 
 ,„.c,,n,cy oh,„i„..d ,,y ,he ,.l„»er 0.........".".: o ,. rof"ho'»r''°'' T' 
 
 VV.11 .,ol U. without their value iuh,.|„i„^ In .„ the sm-veys, bm 
 
 oi- the ge,,,.,.„, ,.h„,.„c,er o he : .tt^a ° .::':d:^T'™"^'•' "'"»* 
 
 «nd r„ei,itie« oracce. hy ..atural or an^hc^, ;r:"„;':ru,;::e2'r"™' 
 
 .a. Z ;:^t^.i SHhrir- ;ir :ir::r5?" r '^ 
 '!-• vaii,.y ,:,'tha, »t,;.,,:v:. ' Se'trf :.::::r ,'f "'";" """""'"'■ 
 
 1' .s <iualilied on the plan JZtl^!^"'^''''''^''''^'''''- 
 
 or yellow l,i,.cl„.», three feel th,. " ' ''^f"" d.aiueter ; black 
 
 dime,,»i„,,»„.,d.„, ,el ulod . tl ;\t'|.,;'," ""■"","","' ''"""'"'•' "'■ ^"''"'"■ 
 c.,,tio,,or,he,li,,,atevvil,ret;I,,I t^^ "^ 
 
 -m. ,hi. i would .:,,!, IV .': ".:":;;"'?•"""'• "■ '■<"■"-''»» 
 
 .mlter,.u,. ol h,rge .i.e a,.d heal l.v g^w ^ tL l' wT" :,'■ " '™'""' 
 W„.ive ev,de„ee of r....es. ol cli.„„-t; for%r„.l::;I.Te " " "' """' "^ 
 The good land is usually on the hills whil«f *k i 
 
 bei...very .wa^py iu ,„j, ,„, g:t„riy^r;r:3T.d^ri^^^^^^^^ 
 
m 
 
 ither side of the 
 L'lul as lar north 
 fploratioii have 
 ve notes on the 
 
 <'(! linos, a good 
 
 and from the 
 !uring- relays of 
 S the character 
 e precision and 
 to surveys, but 
 imate estimate 
 
 ior settlement 
 unication. 
 
 'xtrerae source, 
 work ; subse- 
 , thus giving a 
 led j>ortions ol' 
 t unoccupied ; 
 n I'avor of the 
 
 1' the northom 
 10 intersection 
 ingue waters, 
 tered nature. 
 
 1 of excellent 
 liveii enough 
 « kind ; large 
 meter ; black 
 od of similar 
 aluable indi- 
 n con)u^,ctiou 
 
 few isolated 
 ill more cou- 
 
 luds, besides 
 ubsoil under 
 
 the surface moss. In this characteristic of rich soil ou the highest hills, the 
 country resembles some parts of the Eastern Townships. The unfavorable 
 features in this section are : 
 
 First.— That there are no large connected areas of the best land. 
 
 The hills or ridges are low and the ascents and descents from them 
 generally not steep ; but the alternative of hill and hollow occurs often in 
 a comparatively short distance; the hollow is as before and generally poor 
 soil ; the ascent and descent, the change from low to high ground and vice- 
 mya, is often rocky even when not steep ; when steep, it is invariably so. 
 Thus there remains for the useful area of good land such plateau or level 
 surface, or easy slope, as may be found about the summit of the successive 
 hills or ridges. 
 
 The second unfavorable feature is that the interruptions of swampy 
 and rocky ground between the arable areas, besides necessitating a 
 scattering settlement, and thereby making for a given number of inhabitants 
 a greater required length of road, also entails a greater expenditure in 
 building such road through these interruptions, where either rocks or 
 stones have to be removed or swamps fascined and drained off. 
 
 I have spoken of the low grounds as very poor soil. T would not by that 
 he understood to say that they are without exception useless, totally unfit 
 for culture ; no doubt, with proper drainage, some of these swamps could 
 be prolitably cultivated in connection with pieces of adjoining higher and 
 more favorable ground. 
 
 They would be less objectionable than the feature of rockiuess and 
 stoniness that is met with in some of the fine hard wood groves in which 
 the soil is good and strong, and produces a heavy growth of large trees, 
 hut is yet so stony or full of boulders that ploughing would be out° of the 
 question. 
 
 Still, notwithstanding these drawbacks, I would consider section one 
 as forming a part of the tract of habitable country that extends along the 
 valley of the Nation river, thence northw^estward across the Lievre, and 
 proba})ly out to the Baskatong, and fit to be subdivided into townships and 
 farm lots for the reception of settlers. 
 
 The river Kiamika, its larger tributary creeks, and the headwaters of 
 the Nation river afford abundant water power for mills and other factories 
 near almost any point that they may be required. T may particularize the 
 
438 
 
 two falls below Biff Bark lake, river Kiamika, as excellent mill sites anv of 
 them being capable of driving half a dozen of the largest mills or faotoL 
 at any season of the ye&r. ™^ 
 
 The river Kiamika, though of sufficient size, will never, in any state of 
 the settlement 01 the country, afford a means of transport ; its course is Z 
 often interrupted by long shallow rapids of steep incline and therefore con 
 siderable fall. 
 
 No pine fit for timber was seen elsewhere in places where lun 
 
 berershadcutmost ofwhat was worth taking ; c^ • oefore they came thZ 
 must have been but little timber in this section. Where it is not hard 
 wood land. It IS generally wooded with spruce, balsam, tamarac and ash 
 the tamarac was not seen anywhere large enough for exportation, thouc^hof 
 sufficient dimensions to be useful for local building purposes. 
 
 As to the occurrence of economic minerals in this section, I am not aware 
 that our g.olo-ist, whose province it is to report on them, succeeded in 
 meeting any. None of my party saw any. 
 
 Seciion //.-Includes the space explored lying between Mr. LeBer's 
 transverse line at seventh mile of base line and Mr. Wagner's N. W. exploring 
 
 It is qualified on the plan as fit for scattered settlement. 
 
 We are in this section still in the same kind of country as in the previous 
 or first section ; all the remarks made on it apply directly to this section 
 lo describe its character would be to repeat the same words with the 
 modification that in this section there i« a slightly increasing preponderance 
 of rocky ground compared with the former section. This is particularly 
 he case northwest of the line of route from Little Bark lake, river Kiamika' 
 through Tike lake to lac des Cornes 
 
 An important omission was made in last section, when mentioniuo- 
 
 that no discovery of economic minerals was made. Though I saw no beds 
 
 of stones that would be very suitable for building, yet the fact that the 
 
 geologist found in different places bands of crystalline limestone amon- the 
 
 prevailing gneiss, assures to the future settlers a source from which to o-et 
 
 at least a supply of that useful article, lime. The examination of the ruu^of 
 
 the rocks in this region will no doubt have enabled the geoloo-ist to lav 
 
 down the probable course of these useful bands and to predict^with some 
 
439 
 
 certainty the nearest direction in which they will be found from any point 
 required. 
 
 Section III. — Embraces the ground explored along the base line, and 
 on each side thereof between Mr. Wagner's line and the transverse line, 
 twenty-third mile of the base line. 
 
 In this section a very decided change has occurred in the character of 
 the country, and an unfavorable one in an agricultural point of view. It is 
 described on the plan as having scattered small areas fit for cultivation, 
 especially between base line and the river Rouge. The change of character 
 does not, of course, follow our line of division of this from the previous 
 section, nor is it any where so evident or well defined that we can say precisely 
 where the change from better to worse occurs. 
 
 A line due east from the lac des Comes to the river Rouge would, in 
 my opinion, form a fair average line, north east of which, I am afraid that 
 no part of the country traversed by us will be found fit for agricultural 
 occupation, as understood in the present day. 
 
 This opinion is based on the knowledge acquired by seeing the country, 
 not only in the vicinity of our surveyed lines, but at many other points, 
 where the necessities of the surveys obliged us to pass. 
 
 Besides a change to greater roughness of surface, inferior sandy soil and 
 corresponding poorer growth of woods, both as to size and kind, there is 
 the fact of a generally greater elevation of the country. This change of 
 level produces the Long Rapids on the river Rouge. It is also particularly 
 conspicuous in the high lands north east of lake Kiaraika ; thence trending 
 round the Kiamika valley above that lake ; and also in the high ridges 
 running north and north west round the north east shore of lac Brule. 
 
 Whether it be owing to a difference of climate attendant on greater 
 elevation or to poorer soil, it is still a significant fact that north east of lake 
 Kiamika the hemlock ceases to be found. 
 
 The imaginary divisional line above mentioned due east from lac des 
 Comes and crossing to the Long Rapids on river Rouge would leave 
 included, in the area fit for scattered settlements, nearly all of section three, 
 on the south east side of the base line. In this section a small area occurs 
 between the base line and the south west end of lac Brule, containing pine 
 lit for timber or saw logs of good quality. The quantity, however, is small, 
 and is included in the space defined opposite the twenty-first and twenty- 
 second miles of the base line. 
 
440 
 
 ■ -''■"X~t-;s:-",-,srs-.'':;rr--':---.. 
 
 these an ercepHonal mLnle hn/ '""'"''^ .''"•"'efer, and even 8ra„„- 
 •re the prevailing woods' ' ' """""' "">"» '''■■«•'• ''«l-» a«d pS 
 
 inval!;r;%:e™^:/rn^he:uer7::hT^"''r?^' »--•» ^^ 
 
 did the picket man plant his rod whhout e„l T- '^' '-■°""'"' '«'? 
 »tone, and not a small one enooanter.ng at the first bl„,va 
 
 ^^^^^tZz::!^:^^:^: "-™i j>'"^ '^at nso *„„„ 
 
 throngh it, one is either i;The Is/y p™ Z^Z'^TuV'^^''''''' 
 the steep incline of the hill ftce ■ tl,» if T '^ ^ *'"' '">"'"' or oi, 
 being but small. However 'when 'v of l™h d' "" ^ '"" "^ *" "O^e 
 > little stronger s.il occnrs/it isTnZe ::m:irf lete "Z^ ''**-^ 
 
 ca..eiV;1;™b*c:^:tLTX''''he::T°"^' «bntar;of the R„„,e, 
 
 ^t^^^Saiditf-i tr^^^ ^'^:^z 
 
 ... a Whitish sand, and ^^IZ^ ^^^ ^^^Z::^:!^ 
 
 of the upper part of that Zm a characr" ""?""""" '"' ''=""™"°- 
 travelling up and down it i^Jly Veritd °"' observations when 
 
 five,^:*'striIi:grt:The''tr"- '""■,'■"" '"^"^^^ -otionfo„r„r 
 
 wo/^cK^ "ioraTnf;'i:d'-^^^^^^^^^^^^ 0..^ 
 
 .-described; and, for same reasons ^:Z^:::2 ^::2:X:^: 
 
441 
 
 'er, as they are 
 ants. 
 
 patches contaiu 
 d even among 
 sam and poplar 
 
 oes occur, it k 
 country rarely 
 he first blow a 
 
 that rise to no 
 t. In travelling 
 hollow or on 
 '> of the ridges 
 i^th indicating 
 es. 
 
 of the Rouge, 
 
 the country 
 
 swamps over 
 
 heing princi- 
 
 i and spruce. 
 
 he main line 
 river Rouire 
 G-overnment 
 f agriculture 
 ations when 
 
 3tion four or 
 
 'rule, by the 
 
 that would 
 
 where our 
 line. 
 
 tlement. In 
 
 umber five 
 
 the explo- 
 
 „t.on of the lines was hr ited. In fact, the character of the country would 
 U have warranted the survey of a transverse line, but knovvin<. that for 
 ,he purpose of future mapping, it would furnish a valuable tie bot ween'the 
 head of the river Rouge and the main and most easterly branch of the river 
 Lievre I considered it advisable to scale it from the one across the base 
 line to the other, thus connecting them both with that line and with each 
 lother. 
 
 I had hoped that, before reaching the north east limit of this section 
 re would strike the white pirn, timber country said to exist about the' 
 h«ad waters of the Mataw.n or Milieu river, and those of the river Manouan 
 knot this we saw no sign. Large open swamps, intersected by rocky rid-es 
 
 |v>th small white birch and poplar woods, are the prevailing features^on 
 
 Ihe north west side of the base line. 
 
 On the south east of the main line, the banks of the Rouge are rou^-h 
 nd hilly. a poor sandy soil, wooded with the same small growth of whtte 
 Ibirch and balsam, poplar and spruce. 
 
 In concluding the description of the country along the main line of 
 fip oration, I would observe that it is unfavorable for the construction of 
 loads or railroads that might at some future day be planned to connec 
 ocahties between which it intervenes. This is particularly the case with 
 lespect to railroads. ^ wim 
 
 The hills are not high, but their steepness and frequency would involve 
 learly continuous heavy cuttings and embankments to keep up anything 1 ke 
 easonable g.-ades. For common roads, this unevenness or roughness o'f the 
 .ound IS. of course, a much less obstacle, as steepness of grade is in their 
 ase to a great extent admissible. ^^^^ 
 
 Game and fish, the latter especially, are often important to the first 
 .ttlers in remote regions. I may therefore mention that the country we 
 m-ersed is as well supplied with this as most other portions of the northern 
 )ttawa country. -"c^n 
 
 biblu'^Ithp V-^ -"^"^^ 'T '''"''^. ''^'" decimated, deer, that is, moose, 
 mbou, and the Virginian or chevreuil are moderately abundant. Of fish 
 ie akes and streams seem to possess a bountiful supply, consistino- for the 
 >ost part of the finest kind of trout, pickerel or dore and the pike lamilLs 
 
 The hunting grounds seem to be occupied principally by a {^e^y of the 
 wo Mountains Indians. ^ y y <^ '«w oi tne 
 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
442 
 
 I shall proceed with remarks on the country generally in the valley of 
 the rivers Lievre, Nation and Rouge. j 
 
 The river Nation may be considered as lying along the centre of a traotl 
 of habitable country that extends back from the river Ottawa in J 
 northwesterly direction, with certain interruptions.as far, I am led to believel 
 as the Baskatong, and embraced between the rivers Lievre and Rouge, until 
 they turn away in a northerly and northeasterly direction. The head oj 
 the Nation seemed to me almost a better country for agricultural purposed 
 than the already settled part about its month. In like manner, the shore^ 
 of the Lievre appeared rougher and more barren for about fifty miles of itJ 
 lower course than for the succeeding sixty or seventy above that ; oathi 
 contrary, the lower valley of the river Rouge is the most favorable portioiJ 
 of its basin. These facts would agree in pointing out a band of good 
 country extending as mentioned north westward from the Ottawa at thi 
 mouths of the rivers Nation and Rouge. The direction of our main explol 
 ratory line north east was across the smaller dimension of this tract and 
 soon took us behind it. 
 
 Though speaking of this as good land for colonization, 1 would not'oJ 
 understood to compare it with the level and fertile plains along the Stl 
 Lawrence, in the province of Quebec, or of the western peninsula of Ontariol 
 but my knowledge of all the north side of the valley of the Ottawa west of 
 or about this, acquired by years spent in traversing it in all directioni 
 enables me to say that the tract of country now referred to is the bes] 
 wild land that still remains for colonization on the nortnside oftheOttavvl 
 above Grenville. 
 
 Communication through it will be best effected by contiuniiig th 
 road up the valley of the Nation river. It gives the shortest access to steam 
 boat navigation ; the road from the Ottawa to Papineauville, thence througl 
 St, Andre d'Avelin, is one of the best country roads on the Ottawa. It i 
 already made nearly to lac Simon or Barriere ; the gravelly and open natun 
 of the soil along this road is particularly favorable to its being a great o 
 leading road of entry into a back country, as the lainy seasons have no 
 nearly so bad an effect in cutting it up as they have on more clayey roads 
 This road would be wisely continued by taking it across to the west sid 
 of the Nation, and keeping back a few miles from the shores of lake Simon 
 proceeding north-westward through the township of Kiamika and near it 
 north-east corner, thence onward to cross the river Lievre near Messrs. M( 
 Laren & Go's, mountain farm. 
 
448 
 
 y in tho vaUe7 o£ 
 
 e centre of a tract 
 er Ottawa in 
 am led to believe, 
 } and Rouge, until 
 m. The head 
 
 Brdiches from it could be made to give access to the good lands around 
 [ije Xomiuingue lake and upon sections one and two of our exploration. 
 
 A colonization road up the river Rouge would also., doubtless, help to 
 Ltablish there a settlement. 
 
 The ground along the lower course of the river Lievre is so rough and 
 lufavorable for roads that the settlers of its upper valleys will have 
 [cultural purposes ,(,go in by the roads of the river Nation on the one side and those of the 
 lanner, the shores (Jatiueau on the other. 
 
 t fifty miles ofitsj 
 bove that ; outh 
 favorable portion 
 
 a band of good 
 he Ottawa at th( 
 I our main explo 
 
 of this tract am 
 
 {Lindsay Russell, 15th January, 18*70.) 
 
 UPPER LifeVRE. 
 
 n, 1 would not bj 
 
 le Ottawa west o 
 in all directions 
 id to is the bes 
 iide of theOttavvi 
 
 In obedience to instructions for the survey of part of the Riviere-du- 
 ievre, extending from the N. W. corner of the township of Campbell to 
 he Furks and thence up its three main brunches to their sources, &c., I beg 
 ins along the StMo report as follows : 
 
 Being unable to find the post at the N". W. angle of this township, or 
 any vestige of the line, in consequence of tho extensive lumbering operations 
 and windfalls which have taken place since the post was planted (in 1846), 
 I took for my point of departure and commenced operations at a very pro- 
 raineut mark, called the " Cheval Blanc " which is a huge grey boulder 
 near the middle of the river, some short distance below where the post 
 bhould have been found. We scaled upwards, marking mile trees as we 
 progressed and arrived at the Forks in canoes on the 21st November, having 
 eucountered ice all the way, portaging over it wherever it was stopped. 
 From " Cheval Blanc " to the Forks the land in the neighbourhood of the 
 river is level and the soil good, several farms are met with where grain and 
 fodder are raised for the lumbering establishments. The banks of the river 
 are low and the current pretty strong, broken by an occasional rapid. The 
 growth of timber is spruce, fir, birch, pine, elm, cedar and ash. 
 
 f continuing tin 
 ist access to steam 
 e, thence throujl 
 the Ottawa. It i 
 r and open naturi 
 being a great o 
 seasons have no 
 lore clayey roads 
 I to the west sid 
 •es of lake Simon 
 nika and near it 
 near Messrs. M( 
 
 From the Forks, after taking an observation ' for latitude and ascer 
 taining the variation, I ran a line due south-east to intersect the exploratory 
 Hue between rivers du Lievre and St. Maurice, and falling upon it between 
 the 32nd and SSrd mile posts as detailed in my field notes. This line 
 passes over a rough, broken and mountainous country, where arc found 
 many small lakes and streams ; the land is poor and in many places rocky ; 
 
 f 
 
 
 I k 
 
444 
 
 '^Thi>ii „ 
 
 111.' ffrnvyll, i» lir. »|,r,„.„. |,i,,.|,, bo„l,,„,. .■„,ln. mapl,. I,m,.r,i,- .TT" 
 
 "'"'■'' "" """" i- A1,,M„ ll,„ mi,l,ll,.„nL ..ightl, m,tir :,'"'" 
 
 '"' ""• '"'"'•■■""« ■■■' iln.l m„. I . lo •- ,„il,.„ „l,„v„ I, J " 
 
 '""",""'"""•■';■ »'" -'i"' ' rmm (h„ |.-,„.|<«,„,l,„ ,.X|,l„r , :"' ,vr..fin„ 
 
 v,„, y ,.,,„ „„i„„, „„a .„ii„ ,.„„. ,u ,,.,.„.„ i,„,,„«„„„. „„„;„; 
 
 I IlilVO 
 
 lit'iir rivt 
 
 Hi'iir ri 
 
 vcroriini 
 
 iblriulioiw 
 
 lllglll llllIK 
 
 izi', with ) 
 riltnliiri( 
 K' rniiin 
 
 Having: .„,ai,|,.|..,l M.i« linu. wo .vlunu.l loth.. Forks and scuK..] 1. 
 o»H l,nuu. ou i ... i..o,o .h.. on.h... of h.k. N.Mui.-a. Ium^ , , 
 
 ->no o ,hum of oo..i.l.M.al>I., .xI.m.. . Tho is,...,, .> ,,,,, ,;' ^ ' "' "' '^ ''''l 
 
 *ln-ou«houl. vi. : hilly, and in .nany ph... n onnlaiuous n i; I ""; '"' ;"'" ^' 
 
 .s poo,, ana ,.u. „.ow.h in ,i, spruoo. .ypro.. ho«h,an. ::^!: 1 '::;;*'^'''> ""^ 
 P'">- H.< las .s al.mulant, af II,o Forks an.l for 2r, mih-H abovo alo ... 
 o..sM>nu..-h ; boyo.Hl that it ain.inish..s iu (luantity v.-rv rap , VI I , * 
 Mual.iy .s vory inlorior. Alon, ,ho wost l.ra.u-h it iLi:^X^ ^i „ : 
 1 h.vs ami . loun.l .n gradually dinnnishing <iuanlitio. a. la ^ 
 
 ot lako Mo,omanj.o«« ; boyo.ul that no moro i.s seon. 
 
 From tho hoa.l oflho wost bran.-h, wochaiuod a.-ross toth.-oasf l>ra„.-h 
 M.MMo bagoos. Th,.n..o wo ohai.uxl uoross tho hoad of liibbou riv r" Z 
 
 r^^L:::::: ';;^^-'^""--<^ -^''^ ^'^^^ -- Matawi.., no.- th;^; Sa ! 
 
 rn . • ""'' '^»''^'-='^"^"'^- All this portion or tho t.^rritovv is 
 
 n n^h hdly o.- n.ountainous. tho soil is poor, boin^ sandy noar 1 Z 
 
 giovA th ,s hr. spruoo. bouloau. oypross, aspon and tamara.-. 
 
 ro.t"xt Wum!"";^ onr^oporations. wo mado our way to tho Uudsou Hay 
 rost at AVoyn.mtm-hmguo, and tho noxt day vvo travollod d..wii tho riv. • 
 M. .Mauru-o towards La Tuquo, whoro wo woro detained cio day. 
 
 (JoJin Iiio;ie/f, '22nd August, 1874.) 
 
 ill.' riv( 
 roiiiul III' a 
 'oiitiiiuing' 
 
 ';l(ll lll(. ] 
 
 iiiiiy .sniiill 
 
 The .or 
 
 jiiioiis. Si 
 uiululiiliii 
 
 Ull(iUll(liu<! 
 
 Kiiiks .»r 111. 
 
 .MltKl! 
 Iiv;uu c.JlUJ 
 
 urge tiuanti 
 ■ also a i>'oo( 
 
 oiiiidiiig till 
 oryi'air qui 
 noourag'o st 
 
 FkSH KK 
 
 ear lake, bu 
 
446 
 
 M f 
 
 •l^'* J'T lh(! lifHt, Iw 
 
 «lltli mil.', |„,yoi„| 
 nilo, l,ht( |ii,„ j„ 
 
 '«'» Taj)an.Mi 1,'ari 
 >ovi! (,li„ WnU,^^ 
 X|)I(»rat()ry Ijti,. 
 ^ Mumberod fn,,, 
 
 iks im<l ,sc,iK;,l ih 
 
 iicro.sM to tli(«\vi 
 foir(M her also wit 
 »t braiKih 2') niiloi 
 ■oti,!?h many lu^ 
 uiilry is tljd Slim 
 11(1 rocky, thii soi 
 ip<Mi, taniarac aiK 
 iihovo, aloiii<th( 
 rapidly and the 
 pltMitit'ul ill sonv 
 iN tar as th(> lioml 
 
 tot ho oast hraiich 
 ud thorcofiuimod 
 'iirivor. sculii^it 
 to ir the 8t. Man- 
 r tho torritovy is 
 noar tho rivers 
 ood doal of /)/■»/(? 
 re not burnt, llu> 
 
 lie Hudson Riy 
 down tho rivin- 
 lie day. 
 
 gust, 1874.) 
 
 HKAII lUVKIt. 
 
 I huvo tho honor to Hubmit tho follovviiijf tfeuoru! report of ray gurvey 
 IJiL'iir river and its pniieipid tribularioM : 
 
 ll^ar river iN one or tho ehiof tributarios of tho rivor du Lievro uiid a 
 ivcrol iinimrtanco, as far as tho lumber busimiss is fouoornod. It is not 
 
 iiown IIS Hear rivor, but as Deaf riviu- (rivimo du Sourd) but, m my 
 
 isim.lionNeallit Hear river, I will retain it by that name. .'.... Bear lake 
 ,hl almost bo tornu'd tho head oflhe river. Jt in a beautiful lake of -ood 
 |iw. With Jiumerous bays, points and islandH. Two largo creeks aro shown 
 tnl.ularies to tho lake, vi/ : CJameron and Kavanagh creeks. Tho former 
 th.. ninn. or luincipal cro.-k. In descending tho river from tho lake the 
 ir«t tributary met with is lioulean creek. It is of sizo sumcient to lloat 
 ^^ lo,t..s lor a distance of four miles from its mouth. Descondin<r the 
 ni is Kennedy crook, which is thcj large>it tributary of Hear rivor. At' two 
 I'lil one half miles, or thereal)outs, it branchos off. Tho branches aro 
 l^iijiliiy and have ])olh been driven by tho lumbermen. Thence descond- 
 llie river, we meet with the waters of the JJonjamin creek, whi.-h I 
 omul el atairsi/e and navigable ii.r timber the distance I have scaled 
 'oiitiiming down tiie rivor, a lew .•hutos, rapids, .Stc, are passed, when we 
 a.li the river du I.ievro. Boar river is u swift-running stream, with 
 iiiiiiy .vniiill chutes, rapids, kv.. Its power is simply immense. 
 
 The .ountry drained by tliis rivor is by no means rough or moun- 
 mm^ Small mountains surround iJoar lake, but the country in <.-eneral 
 lUHlulatmg. The lake contains some beautiful islands and the Tceuery 
 inrouiuling it is v.^y beautiful. There aro a few small inland lakes. The 
 links til the streams average iroin tix to eight feet in height. 
 
 Ti.MitKK.— Were tho value ol the pine that has boon floated down this 
 livaiu computed, it would amount to millions of dollars ; there is also a 
 fiigi' .luantiiy still standing. Spruce and tamarac aro plentiful and there 
 ilso a good deal of hardwood and a largo quantity of balsam. 
 
 Snii.-The soil consists of light clay sandy and gravelly loams. Sur- 
 ounding the lakes and on Beaulieu and Kennedy m-eoks, the soil -sofa 
 ry fair quality, but, on Benjamin creek, it is sandy and not of a nature to 
 noouragi> settlement. 
 
 Fksii .<ND Gamk. -Fish, such as trout, pike, bass, &c., are plentiful in 
 lear lake, but not so much so in the streams, owing to the swift current 
 
 I 
 
 r 
 
 v. I 
 
446 
 
 and few pools. The scarcity of fish in the streams may also be attributed 
 to the extensive lumboring operations which are being carried on. 
 
 I saw very little game throughout the whole of my survey. 
 
 {G.-E. McMarlin, 14th November, 1887.) 
 
 RIVER ROUGE. 
 
 On arriving at the place of beginning, I took a meridian at the earlies 
 opportunity and proceeded to the vorificatiou of the rear line of Clyde anj 
 the west line of Grandison, all which will bi found fully detailed in thl 
 field book. 
 
 The tributaries on the east side are the Three Branch river • tvvd 
 considerable creeks entering just below the great rapids ; Island creek al 
 forty six miles and one half, Knoll creek, at fifty-six miles and three quarl 
 ters, and the last but not the least, the Two Branch river, at forty-sevj 
 miles and thirty-five chains. 
 
 On the west are the arreat Nominingue and Pike creeks, the little Noraini 
 ingue, two large creeks below the great rapids ; Soft creek, a little above th 
 sixtieth mile, and lastly, the Stone House creek, where I quitted the sum 
 for this season. 
 
 Although all these streams were explored a short distance up, th 
 only one surveyed was a portion of the Three Branch river, that branch o 
 it call the Mocazi which was surveyed up to Balsam lake, a distance o 
 nine miles, which divides the Three Branch river, at about one mile and i 
 half, into thre estreams,called respectively the Mocazi, the Cold creek, and tht 
 Warm creek ; the first is considered the largest, it has several lakes on it 
 the second, Cold creek, has no lakes, and the third is largely supplied bj 
 lakes, but it is not so long as either of the other two, which will extern 
 into the interior at least thirty miles in length. I have learned from tli( 
 Indians that it is the Two Branch river which connects with the Matavda 
 branch of the St. Maurice. 
 
 The streams which are of sufficient size and length to require surveyim 
 are the Three Branch river. Island creek, Kuoll creek and Two Brancl 
 river on the east ; and the Big Nominingue and Pike creeks, the two creeks 
 below the great rapids, Soft creek and the Stone House cr -k on the west 
 
44Y 
 
 also be attributed 
 carried on. 
 
 survey, 
 vember, 1887.) 
 
 dian at the earlies) 
 ■ line of Clyde anj 
 lly detailed in th] 
 
 •anch river ; twJ 
 ; Island creek, a| 
 es and three quarl 
 "er, at forty-sevef 
 
 s, the little Nomial 
 :, a little above thf 
 luitted the surve; 
 
 distance up, th( 
 sr, that branch 
 ike. a distance o 
 at one mile and 
 !ald creek, and till 
 veral lakes on it 
 pgely supplied bj 
 rhich will exteuc 
 
 learned from tlit 
 ith the Miitawiai 
 
 equire surveyim 
 ind Two Brand 
 vs, the two creeki 
 '' ^k on the west 
 
 j^-ith about thirty miles more of the main river ; I quitted within three miles 
 lof Rouge lake, the only one on the main river. 
 
 The rapids of this river are rather formidable for canoes durinj^ high 
 Iwater to run them, but from the Long Rapids the stream (the rapids and 
 
 chutes) present no difficulty to the descent of timber either in saw logs or 
 jsquare timber, except in the lower part through the township of Grrenville. 
 
 This river opens early, so that any timber laid on the main river could go 
 [down in good time to market. 
 
 The banks are high and blufF-like, coarse and sandy, no stones appearing 
 
 I except at the rapids. From the rear of Clyde the mountainous aspect of 
 
 the country on the Rouge disappears as we go northward. I have estimated 
 
 the rise of the river from the commencement of the survey at Clyde to its 
 
 close at the mouth of the Stone House creek from a few cursory levels 
 
 I taken, which are as follows : 
 
 1. Iroquois Chute at 6 miles 
 
 2. Pine Rapids 9J 
 
 3. Chute ofthe Two Sisters 12 
 
 4. Chute Split Rock 12J 
 
 5. Long Rapids the less..., 13 " 
 
 6. A small rapid 18 " 
 
 7. Slippery Rock 18 J 
 
 8. Lantier's Rapids 30 " 
 
 9. LongRapids the great... 4'4chs. 56 links 1121 
 
 10. Trout Rapid 60 
 
 11. Caribou Rapid 68 m. 10 chs 
 
 12. Distance of smooth but 
 
 swift water 
 
 4 
 
 <t 
 
 II 
 
 .. 4 
 
 2 
 
 u 
 
 II 
 
 .. 14 
 
 3 
 
 u 
 
 ti 
 
 .. 10 
 
 115 
 
 ki 
 
 It 
 
 .. 50 
 
 8 
 
 l( 
 
 II 
 
 .. 2 
 
 5 
 
 (( 
 
 <i 
 
 .. 8 
 
 55 
 
 l( 
 
 II 
 
 .. 30 
 
 :sll21 
 
 <I 
 
 II 
 
 .. 840 
 
 30 
 
 II 
 
 II 
 
 .. 30 
 
 10 
 
 11 
 
 11 
 
 .. 10 
 
 1359 C 
 
 ) 1028 
 
 
 .ts 
 
 feet perm. , 
 
 
 4187 ( 
 
 
 \ 
 
 i 418 
 
 5546 
 
 1446 
 
 69 m. 26 chs. 
 13. Three miles' work with considerable rapids to Rouge Lake. 
 
 54 
 
 1500 
 
 From the Ottawa to Clyde is a distance and rise equal to the 
 
 past sum 1600 
 
 From the Ottawa to Rouge lake. 
 
 3000 
 
448 
 
 The timber (pine) has been very abundant on the banks ui , 
 Ironx the rear line of Clyde to the foot of Great Rapids, then it dimi 
 
 of this 
 
 nver I 
 .«o and quality until ihere are but a>ew te;77 wlTtVpineTo'?'''" 
 toward, the head of the rapid, and the plains above them bu„:,e:S 
 1 .uge lake, there m some quantity ol pine to be found. Of courL I ol * ' 
 »peak ol what Law; it wao but small the extent of ground Vaaw ■ 
 pared willi what I did not see. ™">- 
 
 The Three Branch river, the two Nomiuingues and Pike creek ar, „„„, 
 white p,„e streams. There is no other timber, exc.pt the wWte If 
 much value The spruce above Clyde is generally small, but tie ari 
 qnanfUes ol large spruce, in the townships of Arundel, Montcalm S' 
 berry, Ponsonby, Suffolk and Amherst, of commercial value. 
 
 The soil is generally light alluvial sand along the banks of the river and 
 back about hal a m.le on each side. The only clay we saw was a smi Isp, 
 abont the middle farm at about the twentylirst mile. The soil on The h | 
 especnJly on the west side of the river, is alight, clear, warm loam whh 
 tendency to sandntcss. The laud on theeast side of the river is more bmk., 
 wuh rocky ndges and sandy marshes than the west side is. The w«t si 
 iron, the place of beginning the survey to the foot of the Great Rapids 
 distance ol twenty-s,x miles of northing and a width of five miles, is a 1 
 country lor settlement ; and I feel great pleasure in recommending it to I 
 
 ionni:;:::h::::.:.:::::;r::!rtf:fo.^ 
 
 either side is eligible, but the west is the best ; IherlTL a Itt ti 
 lor teams and a snmmer road to drive cattle on from the end of the Gov"^ 
 raent road ,n Arundel to the Great Rapids, passing along at some di ta c. 
 oast ol the nver to Messrs Hamilton Brothers' lower farm, then" it nass 
 along on the west bank of the river for at least twenty miles to hm'idd 
 
 irrhetoToi^GrR::^!""''''*'"^^"'""^^ 
 
 ,.„. J'l'V',"r '°"" ^^ ^^'"^ ''"' '"'""'S '"">" "'""g 'he Rouge can b, 
 cached, but there ts another equally good, if not better? which would star 
 irom t .« termmatton of the Government road in the township „ Sutlk by 
 way of the PeWe Roage branch of the ^fation river, then to Maskinon^lak 
 where part ol the tract of land I have just described would be reached at 
 
449 
 
 anks of this river 
 I it diminishes iu 
 e pine to bu seea 
 but, oil reaching 
 course, I can only 
 3iiud I saw com'. 
 
 ke creek are good 
 e white pine, of 
 it there are great 
 ontcalra, Desala- 
 
 of the river and 
 was a small spot 
 soil on the hills, 
 rm loam with a 
 is more broken 
 The west side 
 3-reat Rapids, a 
 miles, is a good 
 snding it to the 
 i'3nt that roads 
 
 White pine is to be found in the 'alleys along tho creeks around 
 the lakes and swamps on the west side of the river, The hard wood which 
 largely prevails in the settling part is in general small, being poplar, birch, 
 the bouleau of the voyageurs, with considerable tracts of hard maple. 
 
 The rocks in the upper part of the Rouge are those which geologists 
 denominate metamorphic rocks, being partly stratified and partly unstrati- 
 fied, commonly called syenitic gneiss rocks. 
 
 To the knowledge I had previously possessed, I added a few more facts 
 during this expedition respecting the growth and age of pine as well as the 
 causes of decay which will be deferred until another occasion, as the 
 information elicited by the sixteen questions embodied in ray instructions 
 pertaining to this and other commercial woods will require a separate 
 paper to treat of those questions properly. 
 
 The probable area of pine timber lands on the Rouge above the line of 
 Clyde still vacant, I have estimated as follows : forty-five miles of northing 
 already done, and I think there is at least a northing of fifteen miles more, 
 which will make sixty miles, and I have ascertained that there is a width of 
 about ten miles on each side of the Rouge, then sixty miles by twenty 
 will give twelve hundred square miles, thus giving an area sufficient to 
 make twenty-five large Mmits of fifty square miles each. 
 
 {Duncan Sinclair, 20th May, 1864.) 
 
 11 there is to be 
 ! Grreat Rapids ; 
 a winter road 
 of the Govern- 
 some distance 
 ence it passes 
 to the middle 
 il it terminates 
 
 Rouge can be 
 h would start 
 p of Suffolk by 
 skinonge lake, 
 be reached at 
 
 I beg leave to present my report upon the completion of the survey of 
 the river Rouge, in the county of Ottawa, with some of its chief tributaries 
 and a part of the river du Milieu, a branch of the Matawin, a tributary of 
 the river St. Maurice, performed under instructions from the Commis- 
 sioner of Crown Lands, dated at Quebec, on the seventeenth February, 
 1864, and also supplementary instructions dated at Ottawa, the twenty- 
 seventh December, 1866. 
 
 The work done in conformity to those instructions was done in three 
 campaigns or trips ; the first in the spring of 1864 ; the second in the 
 winter of 1864 and 1865 ; the third and last in the winter of 1866. 
 
 The main Rouge has been surveyed from the rear line of Clyde to its 
 principal source ; and its tributaries which have been surveyed are the 
 
 29 
 
460 
 
 Three Branch. Lantier's creek and Two Branch river on the east, and ih I 
 Non^mingue creek and its lakes and Sougu creek, which is onl^ anot .1 
 name for the upper part of the Nominingue ; on the west the Last 
 distance of each stream is as follows : "measured | 
 
 The main Ronge, 1st, 115m- 
 The Three Branch river 
 
 -2nd,38m= 153 
 
 129 
 
 Two Branch river lYi, Lantier's creek 6 23i 
 
 Nominingue creek ^pf 
 
 Riviere du Milieu Lll 
 
 oof 
 
 Total surve3^ 
 
 450J miles. 
 
 5m/ -The soil is generally light and sandy, but there is a large extent on 
 the west side of the Rouge extending from the rear line of Clyde to that ^ 
 fifth mile at the loot of the Long Rapids, that is sufficiently fertile pt 
 duce good crops for a few years after it is cleared. The good land, which! 
 on the east side o the river, is in such small and detacSed pieces tla 
 not a very suitable place for settlements at the present time. 
 
 From the foot of the Long Rapids on the forty-fifth mile of the survey 
 the land is rough and rocky and the soil light and sandy, auu this is it 
 character of the country to the sources of the Rouge, only that it be ome 
 rnore swampy near the watershea. There is, howeve , a very n ce parcT 
 and around the last lake of Two Branch river as wdl as IrordThet 
 lake of the Matawm, nicely timbered with maple, birch and some balsam 
 and spruce. "«ioaui 
 
 From Maiawin lake down to the Riviere du Milieu, the soil is a 
 rough gritty sand near the shore, but I have no doubt that the hardwood 
 hills which wei-e in sight all the way down, were they explored, would 
 Bhow better soil than that along the margin of the stream. 
 
 . ., ^^^^'•-Frona the rear of Clyde to the foot of Long Rapids at the forty 
 hfth mile aforesaid, the Rouge is well timbered with white pine of a fair 
 average size although somewhat fiiulty ; but it does not extend flu- back 
 from the river scarcely a perpendicular depth of five miles, more especiallv 
 on the east side^ It is not to be found in paying quantities on the streams 
 or branches of Three Branch river, beyond the thirteenth or fourteenth mile 
 of the survey of those streams, viz : the Macaza, Cold creek and Warm creek- 
 but pme IS to be found in scattering quantities along- the hill sides of the 
 
 Thel 
 
 bouleau, £ 
 of woods 
 lieth mile 
 at which ; 
 cypress or 
 banks of t. 
 growth of 
 
 From 
 
 the thirty- 
 as the hilli 
 predomina 
 
 The n 
 
 timbered 
 been burni 
 to the For] 
 
 1 have 
 of part of t 
 ofTerreboi 
 the towiish 
 
 The n 
 from the ni 
 encounterei 
 surveying ( 
 rhrough a s 
 noises, so tl 
 miming po 
 passing thn 
 of Trembli' 
 
the east, and the 
 h is only another 
 ?st the measured 
 
 ...153 
 .. 129 
 ... 23i 
 
 ... 76i 
 ... 68i 
 
 . 450J miles. 
 
 a large extent on 
 'lyde to the forty- 
 :iy fertile to pro- 
 d land, which is 
 pieces that it is 
 e. 
 
 le of the survey, 
 , anu this is the 
 that it becomes 
 'y nice parcel of 
 around the first 
 d some balsam 
 
 1, the soil is a 
 
 the hardwood 
 
 sxplored, would 
 
 )ids at the forty- 
 e pine of a fair 
 ctend far back 
 more especially 
 on the streams 
 burteeuth mile' 
 d Warm creek ; 
 lill sides of the 
 
 451 
 
 gongu to its source on the west of the Rouge, and I have reason to believe 
 that ii is the same on Pike creek and the little Nominingue. 
 
 The land on the head streams of the Eouge is chiefly timbered with 
 bouleau, spruce and balsam, all small. And it is nearly the same description 
 of woods that is to be found on the Riviere du Milieu down to the twen- 
 tieth mile, and there we met with another large branch of the same river, 
 at which place we found ourselves introduced to a new kind of timber, viz :' 
 cypress or pitch pine, which is to be found thickly studded along' both 
 banks of the river down to Long lake, where we met with rather a small 
 growth of red and white pine,— I mean, small for merchantable purposes. 
 
 From the head of Long lake at the twenty-sixth mile of the survey to 
 the thirty-fifth mile, there is a good deal of white pine near the shore, but 
 as the hills rises a little back from the water edge, hardwood begins to 
 predominate which consists chiefly of birch and poplar. 
 
 The remainder of the Riviere du Milieu as far as our survey went is 
 Itimbered with w^hite pine of a small size and cypress, but every tree has 
 been burned so that scarcely a green tree is left in sight of the river down 
 'to the Forks below lake des Pins. 
 
 (Duncan Sinclair, 8th May, 1866.) 
 
 I-' 
 
 RIVER DU UIABLE. 
 
 I have the honor to submit the following general report of the survey 
 ofpart of the Devil's river audits tributaries, commencing in the county 
 of Terrebonne, at the second range of Grandisou, and extending through 
 the township of Wolfe, thence to its source in the county of Montcalm. 
 
 The name of this river appears to have been well chosen, judging 
 from the numerous falls, chutes, rapids, whirlpools, eddies, &o., which were 
 encountered during the performance of the perilous and difBcult task of 
 surveying one of the roughest of rivers. From the source the waters go 
 through a succession of turbul«-nt commotions, at places making deafening 
 noises, so that no other earthly sound can be heard, then calm, circuituous 
 miming- portions followed by waters rushing at race-horse speed, thence 
 passing through lakes, thus it continues winding its way between the bases 
 of Trembling and Blue mountains, thence passing the Tuque, a perfect 
 
1^ 
 
 r 
 
 452 
 
 pinnacle, it continues its course around the shadows of that mysterioul 
 Trembling mountain, where, being joined by the Boule river, it becomes 
 nver of importance. Bouie river is also rough and wild, and the force oil 
 these two rivers combined might be reckoned by millions of horse power] 
 
 FEATURES.-Generally near the source of rivers the country is Ibundl 
 level and rolling-, so it is with the river du Diable and its tributaries • iirst 
 level and as you descend hills rise and mountains loom and the country 
 becomes rolling and hilly, but the features of the country are certainly no I 
 unfavorable for settlement. Inland lakes are few and insignificant. 
 
 Soil.— There is no heavy soil to be seen along this river; it is either o 
 
 a light clay loam, or of a light yellow and gravelly loam, and although an 
 
 inspection gives the impression that it is not of a quality to warrant s'ettle. 
 
 ment, still there appears to be quite a number of settlers who are anxiously 
 
 awaiting the day when this country will be surveyed and thrown open for 
 
 settlement, and I have not the least doubt that, should their desire be 
 
 fulfilled, m a very short time there would be equally as flourishin"- s^tle- 
 
 ments as 8t. Jovite, which I well remember seven years ago was a's silent 
 
 as the forest. Where in Canada have there been such strides made ? No 
 
 place in the great North- West with all its reputed wealth has made -reat^r 
 
 progress. I found a town with churches, stores, hotels, saw, grist and 
 
 woolen mills, tradesmen of every craft, and already preparations werec^oin^ 
 
 on to erect a $15,000 new parish church. There is also a complete system 
 
 o water works, and every family is supplied with good water for the sum 
 
 of irom 14 to $6 per year, and all this change within seven years. 
 
 There is also a flourishing village about six mile.s eastward known as 
 fet^l^austm, which is also prosperous. Both of these towns lie within a 
 radius of four or five miles of an unsurveved country. The people are 
 inlelhgent, temperate and industrious. Such is the class of settlers, I find 
 populating our northern country and asking for more land to settle ou. 
 
 TiMBEU.-Unlike most of our streams, the river du Diable cannot boast 
 of her pme trees, and, although a well-timbered stream, it lacks the pine 
 limber, but almost every other timber such as met with in Canadian forests 
 may be found in plenty, of a fair size and of good quality. Fine hardwood 
 g-roves are frequently seen, comprising yellow birch and basswood of uncora- 
 mou size. Near the source the timber is small, but only a short distance 
 from the river a larger growth is found. I noticed that the lumberin'^ opera- 
 tions had extended up the river to the first lake; above that there is no 
 pine of any account. 
 
468 
 
 f that mysteriougj 
 ivor, it becomes i 
 , and the I'ovce , 
 s of horse power] 
 
 country is founj 
 tributaries ; iirsti 
 and the country 
 are certainly not! 
 ignificant. 
 
 er ; it is either o^ 
 and although aul 
 to warrant settlej 
 'ho are anxiouslyj 
 thrown open fori 
 I their desire bel 
 lourishing sattlei 
 ago was as sileiitl 
 rides made ? No) 
 has made greatprl 
 i, saw, grist and 
 tions wereffoinc 
 complete system 
 titer for the sum 
 . years. 
 
 tward known as 
 ns lie within a 
 The people are 
 )f settlers, I find 
 to settle ou. 
 
 ale cannot boast 
 ; lacks the pine 
 Jauadiau forests 
 Fine hardwood 
 wood of uncora- 
 a short distance 
 imbering opera- 
 that there is no 
 
 Fish and Game. — To those who are in search of sport, I can ssafely say 
 [that the country on the river du Diable is a veritable hunt(M',s paradise, 
 Vhere the forest teems with game, and trout, bass, pike, perch, pickerel, &c., 
 fill the rivers and lakes with moving things. Their only enemy is the 
 otter, which is often more destructive to the finny tribe than the seine, 
 spear, &c. Different kinds of game, such as the moose-deer, caribou and red 
 deer are plentiful, and roam free and undisturbed in these quiet forests. 
 They are actually so tame that they know not the fear of man, and can be ap- 
 proached easily to within a few yards. Small feathered game is not plentiful. 
 Of fur-bearing animals, the bear, otter and mink are numerous. Beaver is 
 almost extinct. The abundance of game on this river is due to the absence 
 of the lumberman, the sound of whose axe has never been heard in those 
 parts. The Indians, I am sorry to say, are now almost totally extinct oa 
 the Rouge and its tributaries ; the country has thus retained its primitive 
 character. 
 
 (G.-E. McMartin, 13th July, 1887.) 
 
DISTRICT OF ST. MAURICE 
 
 TEKIUTOUY BETWEEN THE LIEVKE AND ST. MAURICE, WEST PART. 
 
 On Ih., 29th of April I left camp .accompanied bv two men ,,nd .„ 
 Indian „0,om I had engaged as a guide to conduct me to the he d wate 
 of the r,ver du L.evre, and proceeded southwardly by lake Mo afc 
 hence by portages to the Pasquatezebe river, which discharges norThwa* 
 mto ake Madanbaskikac, or lake of the Graves, a lake of sLe Cni2 
 siuate about two miles south of one of the large bays of lake WabaS '" ' 
 Hound an extensive bruli on the northern shore of this lake, not vest. 
 
 iar?sVr"M "'"""'^' '^^ ' "•" ""■"""'^ •>'' "y S»id^ that it extend ! 
 iar as lake Manouan. There is an Indian settlement of four families onth 
 south shore , they have cleared a small portion of land and annually ha v!, 
 a good ciop of potatoes. ^ "amst 
 
 and Jarp. '"''" "^'""^ "''"' "'°'"' ""»''i»<>»g«. P'ke, white Ush, dort 
 
 • Leaving lake Madanbaskikac, I followed the Otatenzibe river into kk. 
 Sucrene ; here also the same burnt land prevailed. 
 
 On the south west shore of this lake is a maple grove much frennentcJ 
 by the huhans during the sugar-making season. Leaving lake S." 
 crossed over a portage of about three quarters of a mile into lake M ami 
 quahegon, Irom wh.ch the river du Lievre takes its rise. Thislke Tut 
 «ght m,los ,n length, with several deep bays. The north sho i k .d 
 
 a"d ball 1 " "■ """' "'""^ """ """^ "" •"-'' "i-". ^1"- 
 
 Having e^Jmed to the sonlh of thislake for Messrs. Eussell & LeBer's 
 hue without success, I continued down the du Lievre for aboutl mil s 
 when I SI, „ck hen- offtet line which starts from river Eouge. This 
 I followed rnt,l I mtersected the n.ain line between the 60th and 51.st m, 
 
 srrsl'jM-aV """^■' ""■*• '"'' "'^^^"°"^'^' ^^'■™' 
 
 On th. 10th of May, one canoe being completed, I left lake Tourbis 
 accompanied by two men, and proceeded down to th; farm at lac des B ^ 
 to complete my complement of men. 
 
465 
 
 WEST PART. 
 
 two men and au 
 the head waters 
 ' lake Morialice, 
 ges northwardly 
 ome magnitude, 
 Wabaskantyunk, 
 ke, not a vestige 
 lat it extended as 
 r families on the 
 mnually harvest 
 
 v^hite fish, dore 
 
 3 river into lake 
 
 mch frequented 
 lake Sucrcrie, I 
 lake Mazamas- 
 lis lake is about 
 ihore is skirted 
 k birch, spruce 
 
 ssell & LeBer's 
 bout six miles, 
 ige. This line 
 and 51st mile 
 'Urbis, where I 
 
 : lake Tourbis, 
 at lac des Bois 
 
 On the 18th of the same month (May), I left the farm and reached the 
 53rd mile post on the du Lievre and St. Maurice exploratory base line ou 
 Saturday, the 18th ot June, after four weeks, constant and arduous labor, 
 attributable in a large measure to the frequent and extended portages 
 necessitated by the numerous rapids met with on the route. 
 
 Here having obtained the latitude and variation of my instrument, I 
 laid off a line bearing north east, astronomically, continuing it for seven- 
 teen miles. 
 
 From the o3rd to the 60^h mile, the land in the immediate vicinity of 
 the line is very mountainous and rocky. The soil is ash grey and yellow 
 sand and the timber chiefly white and black birch, balsam, spruce, tamarac, 
 maple and pine. On ascending* to the top of a high mountain, midway 
 between the 5*7 th and 58th mile post, a magnificent view of the surrounding 
 country is obtained. It is very mountainous and well watered. There is an 
 extensive tract of burnt land extending northwardly beyond Madanbas- 
 kikac lake, and stretching south eastwardly as far as the eye can reach. 
 
 From the 60th to the TOth mile, the line traverses the extensive tract 
 of burnt land already referred to which is covered with saplings of birch, 
 ash, alder, cherry and maple. The latter part of this section is swampy and 
 rugcjed land, with boulders and bed rock of gneiss. The timber to be met 
 with here consists of white and black birch, spruce, balsam, ash, poplar, 
 cedar and tamarac. The soil is light grey and yellow sand, and very stony. 
 
 At the 60th mile post, in accordance with my instructions, I laid off 
 hues at right angles to the base line, and prolonged them for a mile. " 
 
 I also made explorations at irregular intervals, as will bo seen by refer- 
 ence to the accompanying plan, and found the general character of the land 
 similar to that on the main line, and, in my opinion, unfit for settlements. 
 
 At the TOth mile post having, by direct astronomical observations, 
 established the latitude and obtained the variation of my transit, I laid off a 
 line bearing north west, astronomically, continuing it for 52.33 chains, 
 when I intersected Mr. Arcand's base line for the eastern division. 
 
 I met with pine only in the vicinity of the 60th mile, and in very 
 Small quantities. 
 
 I saw no geological specimens of sufficient importance to forward to the 
 department. 
 
 {Edmund-B. Temple, 12th September, 18*70.) 
 
456 
 
 ST. MAURICE DISTRICT.— WEST SECTION. 
 
 On the 2nd June, I reached the 30th mil« post on the base lin for th» 
 eas ern division to the west of the St. Maurice. I began my operations imrue 
 diately prolonging a line running south 4o^ west, astronomical, for Tdt 
 iance of 23 miles and 50 chains, when I met a transverse line run bv M " 
 Temple, at 52 chains 33 links to the north west of the base In Zt 
 
 The country which I traversed is very broken ; it is everywhere rockv 
 or sandy from which rise some steep rocks or small chains of mouita u o 
 no great height, surrounding lakes of some size with rocky bottoms 
 
 Very seldom did we remark any small valleys covered with a layer of 
 vegetable mould of good quality. Generally speakin,., the land 7s v erv 
 sandy and seems little fitted for cultivation. The principal specie of m 
 remarked were resinous trees, such as balsam, grey pine, spruce, cedar and 
 pme, the latter m very small quantity. There is also a good deal of boulo u 
 and some rare birches. 
 
 {L.-O.-A. Arcand, 29th April, 1870.) 
 
 ST. MAURICE DISTRICT.— EAST SECTION. 
 
 We now bog leave to submit the following report of the progress made 
 m the accomplishment of the object referred to. accompanied by such 
 general remarks as to the physical features of the country traversed and its 
 adaptability for .ettlemeuts, as we deemed might prove^f vale t 
 department. 
 
 alre«dv f '. f^*^' June, having completed all preliminary arrangements and 
 already sent forward a portion of our party in canoes by the St. Maurice 
 
 Td'b in w"r' "^*' "^ '' *'^ ^^^^^' -« '''' Three'Rivers, al'^^ 
 nied by Mr. A. Webster, a gentleman attached to our siatF by Sir W Lo^^au 
 as geologist to the expedition, and proceeded overland to that place where 
 we joined the remainder of our party. 
 
 We here entered upon the more special object of our mission, and com- 
 menced operations by starting from a point on the south bank of the little 
 
467 
 
 nund river, a stream of no great magnitude, discharging itself into the 
 kt, Maurice, at a point on its right bank, about three-fourths of a mile north 
 [fthe Graiid-Detour rapids, between the 80th and 81st mile posts, as shewn 
 lad represented on Mr. Bignell's plan of the survey of the said river St. 
 klauriie, which accompanied our instructions. 
 
 Alter obtaining the latitude and variation of our respective theodolites, 
 ^elaid oifa line bearing south, 45^ west, astronomical, continuing it for a 
 bistanco of thirty miles terminating in lake Cowashekaraick, a body of 
 yater of something over five miles in length by about three miles m width. 
 
 For the first ten miles of the route, the land in the immediate vicinity 
 the line is mostly broken, hilly and of a rocky surface, intersected by 
 numerous small lakes, shallow and muddy. The soil is composed of yellow 
 Lnd ash grey sand of very moderate depth. The timber is chielly spruce, 
 |)alsam and birch, cypress and pine. 
 
 From the tenth to the tv entieth mile post, the general appearance of 
 Ihe country is extremely mountainous and rugged, being chiefly boulders, 
 kiid bed rock of gneiss with a thin surface of ash grey siuid and moss — 
 fome portion of this section being also swampy — the timber to be found 
 here consisting chiefly of spruce, balsam, birch, cypress, tamarac and alder. 
 
 Ou arrival at the twentieth mile post, from a position in the vicinity, 
 vewerj enabled to obtain a more extended view of the surrounding coun- 
 try stretching for a distance of about eight miles toward the N. W. and ten 
 (liles to the S. "W., the same mountainous character previously noted- still 
 prevailed, and, as far as the eye could see, the land appeared to have passed 
 Ithrough the ordeal of fire. 
 
 From the twentieth to the thirtieth mile post, the line runs through 
 
 [an extensive tract of burnt land above referred to, of a less mountainous 
 
 haracter than that previously traversed. The soil consists of a grey and 
 
 ellovv sand with occasional isolated spots of a more encouraging appear- 
 
 ,nce than that heretofore met with, but of such limited extent and difii- 
 
 uity of access that the probability of any successful settlement of them 
 
 would ho exceedingly remote ; the latter portion of this section presented a 
 
 rugged, broken and r(K;ky surface, covered with rolling boulders and bed 
 
 rock of gneiss and granite, rendering it totally unfit ior colonization. 
 
 At the tenth and twentieth mile posts, in accordance with instructions, 
 we laid off lines at right angles to our base line, but, owing to the evidently 
 utter unsuitability of the land for settlement, did not continue their pro- 
 
468 
 
 jeotiou lor tho distan 
 
 '•ON thi-reiii tntMitioin.(l, the surface bointr br. 
 
 stony and tho provailing character ol' the soil and timber 
 
 'kon and 
 
 the main lin 
 
 similar to that 
 
 on 
 
 At tho thirtieth milo post we established lines on each side ol the b««« 
 ino, runn.nj, N W. and S. K, astronomically, and prolonged thorn , or aS 
 tanco ol l.ur miles trom tho base lino. The land on the 8. E sid. i, of 
 better avcrago quality than that on the other offset lino, but in na t 
 very rug,-ed and stony, the timber chiedy consisting of spru o wh 
 and b acic b.rch, pine and maple, On the N. W. sido,%he line tra" 
 lake Cowa.hekamick terminating at the river Mandanak. 
 
 The goiieral surface of the country along this line is level, with somo 
 few xertile spots, and occasional marshy portions. The prevailing character 
 oJ the soil ,s grey and yellow sand. The timber found in tht viciai 
 lompnses balsam, hazel, tamarac and poplar. ^ 
 
 We also made explorations at irregular intervals, on either sido of the 
 base Inu.. alternately, at such points as we thought advisable, and 
 mdiavtod on the accompanying plan, and found the geueral surfaJe of th 
 
 tremenU' '^'' '""^ ''' ^"' "'^'"'^'^' ""^ "' "^''" "P'"'"" ^"^^^ ^'' ^^' 
 
 the fe. E. olFsot hue at the thirtieth mile, as above remarked, when speakiaJ 
 with more particular reference to the timber to be found on these respective 
 sectioiis ; at the first mentioned spot lumberers are now engaged in gettin. 
 out timber. s^''""o | 
 
 Ketur.iing to our starting point, we prolonged our base line iu a north 
 eastwaraly direction for a distance of nine and one half miles. The 
 character of both soil and timb.r is similar to that of the other portions of 
 the base iin.. At a distance of about four and a half miles from the point of 
 departure, the line intersects the river Wiudigo which empties itself into 
 the fet. Maunoe at about five miles from this point ; some pine is to be found 
 n this lu.ahty', and lumbering operations are being carried on by parties 
 who have established shanties here. While carrying out this exploration 
 toward the north east, we received instructions from the department to 
 Hose the lurther prosecution of the work on the first appearance of snow, 
 and, the o round at the time being covered to a depth of six inches, we at 
 once discontinued our labors and started on our return. 
 
 We may here remark that from information gathered from the parties 
 lumbering in the vicinity, there would appear to be, within no very great 
 
469 
 
 boidff broken and 
 similar to that oa| 
 
 h side of the 
 '«d thorn tor adis-l 
 ^- 15 8i<l- is of a 
 10, but ill part, 
 >t' spru ,., white 
 ^10 line traverses 
 
 «vel, with somel 
 vailing characterl 
 iu this vicinityl 
 
 ther skhi of the 
 Ivisable, and as 
 1 surface of thef 
 on unlit for sot- 
 
 ai8f.'vn.v from the point at which our work terminated, a very extensive 
 |trn. I of level and l.rtile country in the direction of lake St. John. 
 
 Should it be «l.M^med expedient to again rontinuo th. prosecution of 
 this exploration w. would venture to suggest the advisibility, as a matter 
 
 lote.onomy,ol having as far as possible the necessary provisions for the 
 expedition transported during the winter season and ca,l,„d at convenient 
 points along the route, thereby avoiding the numerous delays and risks 
 
 |unavoi.lably incurred in performing this service during the summer season. 
 
 {E.-B. Temple.) ^ ^^^9' 
 
 ve line and on 
 
 when speaking 
 
 these respective 
 
 ^aged in getting 
 
 Hue iu a north 
 ilf miles. The 
 ther portions of 
 •om tho point of 
 >ties itself into 
 le is to he found 
 1 on by parties 
 this eXj)loration 
 
 department to 
 irancL' of snow, 
 X inches, we at 
 
 rom the parties 
 1 no very great 
 
 RIVKU MANOUAN FROM ITS MOUTH TO LAKE KKMPT. 
 
 The country between the St. Maurice and the opening into great lake 
 Wabaskontyunk or lake Kempt, following the direction of the Manouan is 
 hmh, broken and rocky ; the surface being broken by wave-like and gene- 
 nlly low mountains. There are some chains of hills, between which are 
 small valley.s, covered with a stunted growth of black spruce, cypress, white 
 bin-h and balsam ; there are also some swampy spots growin<r tamarac • 
 but, as a general rule, from the post of the Coucoucache and even a little' 
 beyond it on the St. Maurice to the entrance of lake Kempt, the only timber 
 IS white birch, cypress, spruce and a few balsams here and th.n-e. 
 
 There are no great pine groves in this region, and the only ones I met 
 Avore towards the 25th, 26th and 38rd miles on the side of my base line and 
 also on the south .^astern banks of lake Manouan. But :i vording to the 
 statement of a competent person, who has explored the course^of the 
 Manouan, there are large quantities of pine on the shores of great lake 
 ^Vabaskontyunk or Kempt. 
 
 The soil of this vast region is wholly formed of sand.aud iu some places, 
 so covered with ro ks and stones, that the idea of ever cultivating it may 
 be renounced. There are, however, some fairly good land^i, but of such 
 inuied extent and so isolated as to be altogether unlitted lor colonization. 
 Ihe hxed rocks all belong to the granitic ibrmatiou and nowhere did I meet 
 any trace of minerals or stratification. 
 
 (T.-C. DeLachevroiiere, 31st May, 1872). • 
 
460 
 
 RIVER MANOUAN FROM TEMPLE'S LINE TO LAKE KEMPT. 
 
 I reached Temple and Arcaud's line at post No. 65. From that poinf r 
 chained, following their line northeastwardly, a distance of67chains ,1 
 links, to Its intersection with the river Baskoutysiebi, and at this noini 
 commenced the scaling of the river Manouan. My starting point was in th 
 midst of a burnt clearing, consequently I was unable to blaze anvlivin!i 
 tree near It to verify its position. From the above point, I followed t 'J 
 general course of the Manouan as far as the point where I left off last v.! I 
 at the 51st miJo post, at the outlet of lake Wabaskontyunk. I followed mvi 
 instructions as closely as possible ; I entered in my field notes the mao-n.nJ 
 bearing ofallrny courses, carefully noting at each station the ano-i; co I 
 tamed between the different courses, to the nearest minute. At tlTe end f 
 every mile along my line of survey, I planted on the south bankof fhp 
 river a post with the number of the mile marked on it, couatin. fVom 
 Temple and Arcand's line of exploration to the termination of my 006^ 
 tionsoflastyearat a post marked 51 miles. I then continued the uum' 
 bering of last year from the 51st mile post as far as the height of land At 
 the same time I blazed as many trees as possible near each post. 
 
 Wherever I met with islands, I followed as mach as possible their 
 south channel, though I was sometimes compelled by falls or rapids to take 
 the north ; m the last case. I merely noted the extreme ends of the islands • 
 when they were very numerous J measured the breadth of the largest mat 
 mg a sketch of them in my field book, and noting the breadth of the' river 
 or lake at these places Whenever the bays of lakes such as Wabaskou- 
 tyunk. Thunder Bay, Morialice, Obaouka.iane and Pinataocou, havo been of 
 considerable depth, I have made a rapid trace of their .ontour. For this 
 purpose I abP.uloned for the time my main line of op rations, followin.^ 
 theoontour of these bays from my last station in one dir..tion and return! 
 ing by another to connect with my main line, uot planting any mile posts 
 on the bays. I have further made mention, in my journal of exploration of 
 the rn-ers and streams which empty themselves into the Manouan, some on 
 one side, some on the other, with thoir names, and in addition a description 
 of the soil and wood, both as regards quantity and quality, also the general 
 appearance of the land whether level or mountainous, describino- all the 
 inequalities of the country, the burnt clearings, pine woods and moLtains. 
 with their .general extent and direction. Again I have noted all the falls, 
 wateT powers &c., which I have net with, giving their approximative 
 height, and che position of all the " portages. " I have laid down their 
 
461 
 
 KEMPT. 
 
 'rom that point 1 1 
 ' of 67 chains 30 
 id at this point 1 1 
 point was in the 
 blaze any living] 
 , I followed the 
 left off last year, 
 ■ I followed mv 
 tes the magnetic 
 I the anglo con- 
 B. At the end of 
 ath bank of the 
 counting from 
 'n of my opera- 
 nued the uum- 
 ght of land. At 
 post. 
 
 3 possible their 
 5r rapids to take 
 of the islands: 
 lie largest, mak- 
 dth of the river 
 1 as Wabaskou- 
 u, haVii been of 
 tour. For this 
 tions, following 
 on and return- 
 any mile posts 
 exploration, of 
 louan, some on 
 n a description 
 ■Iso the general 
 K-ribing all the 
 ind mountains, 
 id all the flills, 
 approximative 
 iid down their 
 
 I direction by chaining offsets from my main line to the banks of the river, 
 carefully recording the existence of any islands intervening between the 
 opposite banks of the river, and making a figurative sketch ot the whole as a 
 
 I guide in the construction of my general plan of survey. 
 
 I followed this system through the whole course of my operations, till 
 I completed the survey of the Manouan at the height of land between the 
 ^'aters of the Manouan and those of the Du Lievre. Arrived at the middle 
 of the portage, between these two rivers opposite to one another and distant 
 only about four arpents, one of which, the Du Lievre, erapiies itself into 
 the Ottawa, and the other the Manouan into the St. Maurice, I planted a 
 stout cedar post, on which I cut the following inscription : on the south east, 
 " 77 miles, 38 chains Irom the St. Maurice," on the north west " height of land 
 Yar. 130. 16 west : " on the south ; 1873. " J.-C. de la Chevrotiere, Arpt. 
 I'rov." all of which is ineffaceable. I carried out in the same way the survey 
 oflakeNemicachinque at the source of the river du Lievre. J concluded my 
 operations at the post No. 23 miles, at the outlet of the lake, which forms 
 at this point the so called river du Lievre, The posts planted at every mile 
 in the scaling of this lake begin from No. 1 at the height of land and follow 
 the contour of the lake to No. 23. 
 
 The country lying between Temple and Arcand's exploratory line and 
 the 51 mile post of last year's survey is generally hilly, but the chains of 
 mountains are of no great height ; the soil is mostly sandy ; yet in some 
 places a rich brown loam is met with, especially at the settlements of 
 Mesi^rs. Stoddart & Co. and at the principal station of the"T6te deBoule" 
 Indians, distinguished on my plan by the name of Dube. In these places 
 the land is well adapted for cultivation, grain and vegetables being per- 
 fectly ripened, which proves that the climale is much milder than at 
 ■\Ycymonfachinque, where the potatoes rarely come to maturity. This infor- 
 mation is derived from one Dube, a Canadian, who has married among these 
 Indians and lived with them a number of years, and I had proof of his 
 veracity by witnessing the harvest made at the place called Dube, last 
 autumn. 
 
 The Tete de Boule Indians are of a quiet and peaceable character, par- 
 tially civilized and speaking very little French ; they are visited occasionally 
 by missionaries, which accounts for their civilization ; at the place called 
 Dube, the site for a chapel is marked out, as well as a cemetery where the 
 Indians bury cheir dead. 
 
 I 
 
462 
 
 ■'^mSi 
 
 I deem it right to mention here the i 
 
 raprovements made by Messrs i 
 
 for the,r own benefit, th«y have opened a line of road 45} miles o'Lri; 
 hereafter may become very useful to colonization, as t hey inten?t„ "'I 
 plete It m the .onrse of the snmmer.so as to be serWceab for ll se '°'°", 
 the year In fact, this road connects the Matawin wi h the m" „ '"'' 
 place called Melabeskegariebi as shown on my plln and o^. ?h ,""" ' 
 conntry the soil is mostly level and sandy, ami the tees s ch T"" 
 whtte and red s„r„ce, white birch, &e., are'all of fll gr^lh '""'' 
 
 This part of the conntry is far better adapted for townshim ih .u I 
 
 sluT t't ,'"" """ "^"^ "' "«''•'="""- de Til r : 
 
 Simon, &c., which I visited when ascendin.^ the Manona^ .^ , 
 .ppear however, to be improving., notwithstand ng'he lev™ s'rf *" 
 the land. Messrs. Sloddart & Co, appear to be seriously disposed !ot\ 
 peat improvements on the Manouan, as within the last 1/7... u" 
 have employed about forty men erectin,. buildings on 1 r verT. li^ i 
 ganebi to serve as lodgings for the men and as stores for their Prtwf 
 
 :; ;«. ""■^^'^ ""-' """^"^-■■"•"^ '=°-''"»^'' -^ --'"> ba-ro^zr;; i 
 
 They are now about to build a steamer, for the convevance „f c i 
 on lake Wabaskontyank. Pine wood is founk in some Zn, t v7„ , 
 comprised between the entry to lake Wabaskontyank and '{he h Uhf"; 
 land as shown on my plan by the word - Pin " also in ThT I t ! "' 
 Atibene bay and lake Wabaskontyunk itsel i h " " *LT;Tth ,?™° 
 great abundance anywhere else but them i. ■ .1 ' '" "' 
 
 from what 1 have been to d by'.o dtuZ uZtT 7 ?'"T'""'^ 
 
 yjy o<jwu juuoes, It IS ail oi excellent quality. 
 
 LAKE NEMICACHINQUE. 
 
 Head of River du Z/c-ive.— The soil and o-eneral asn.^,.^ nf < K 
 about the same at Nemic=chin,ue as on the" XIT ° ' ! 'Z^t: 
 quentlyiound but a small quantity is to be had between the hei.h. o 
 land and the 7 mile post from the scaling of the lake. Th. other nv,mie, 
 of wood are about the same as on the Manouan, namely cypr 1 red tr 
 spruce, white birch, fir, and in some places cednr T f ^'"•'''•/«^ I""«. 
 
463 
 
 I! ' ' 
 
 I !- 
 
 mado by Messrs, 
 g ostensibly only j 
 niles loiior, which | 
 y intend to com- 
 'f^r all seasons of 
 he Manouan, at a 
 'd on this line of 
 5s, such as birch 
 vth. '' 
 
 vnships than the 
 I'Energie, " St 
 ^an ; these latter 
 neven surface of 
 lisposed to make 
 six months they 
 river Metabeske. 
 their provisions, 
 rels of flour, 150 
 
 y^ance of timber 
 ity in the region 
 the height of 
 space between 
 et with it in as 
 y everywhere; 
 lent quality. 
 
 Lhe country are 
 i is not so fre- 
 the heig-ht of 
 )ther qualities 
 •ess, red pine, 
 maple in two 
 u, also in the 
 count for the 
 
 I found, in some spots near the Manouan, immense burnt clearings 
 jffhich have done great damage to the timber, as shown on my general plan ; 
 Ihey were caused by the carelessness of the Indians, who latterly appear 
 jinore careful, as they found they were injuring their own interests and 
 Imeans of existence, which depend altogether on hunting. 
 
 Finally, I am of opinion that the territory I have explored this year will 
 iprove more profitable to colonization, as regards the value and luxuriance 
 jofthe woods, than that which I explored last year from Weymontachinque 
 lothe 61st post at the entry of lake Wabaskontyunk. 
 
 {.T.-C. DeLachevrotUre, 31st May, 18*73.) 
 
 I > 
 
 EIVER DU LOUP 
 
 Here follows a general description of the country through which I 
 passed, with regard to its conformation, forests, quality of soil, mineral 
 deposits, grain and fish : 
 
 The tract watered by this part of the river du Loup is generally 
 mountainous and rocky. The height of the mountains varies fror^ sixty to 
 two hundred feet, and their inclination from four to over eighty feet. 
 Several cliffs even present the appearance of vertical walls. North west of 
 the township Chapleau, east of the river du Loup,beyond the reach of vision, 
 and to the w^est as far as lake des Isles and Jake Sorcier, the whole country 
 was ravaged by fire about twelve years ago. The value of the timber thus 
 destroyed is enormous. The land surrounding the Grand Lake des Isles 
 lake Sorcier and lake Sans Bout and their discharges, and the adjoinino^ 
 lands on the west side were spared by the fire. The forest in these parti 
 still contains pine, spruce and cedar in considerable quantities. The sources 
 of the river are probably three hundred feet higher than the starting point 
 of my operations. 
 
 The cultivable land is found in isolated patches of more or less extent. 
 I have marked them on the map. as well as the mountain gorges, by which 
 access may be had from one lake to another. I found a little iron ore at the 
 surfoce of the rock on the south side of Spaulding creek, near where it falls 
 into the principal river : this place is also indicated on the map. I found no 
 iron around lake Sorcier, though the variation of the needle there ranged 
 
464 
 
 from lOo to 45-. On the west side of lac du Coteau a vein of quartz hZ] 
 inches in width, is visible for a length of ten or twelve feet, at the' end J 
 which It plunges into the rock. The surface of this vein show, some ml 
 globules of silver. Its position is marked on the plan. 
 
 Besides roaming animals, such as mink, otter and others there J 
 considerable numbers of beaver in the river du Loup. If the hunting ] 
 beaver were prohibited for ten years, the number of these animals wLI 
 increase prodigiously. ' 
 
 Except in the streams connected with lake Sorcier, Grand Lake d J 
 Isles, and lake Sans Bout, there is a surprising abundance of small trout il 
 this part of the river du Loup, but no other fish. 
 
 {Hector LeBer, 1885.) 
 
 LAKES AND EIVERS IN THE TOWxNSHIP OF RADNOR AND SEIGNIORY 
 OF CAP DTi: LA MAGDELEINE 
 
 I have scaled 108} miles of rivers and lakes, including offset linesl 
 The little river des Cinq, which comes first in the order of my operations! 
 IS represented in the above total for 
 
 The big river des Cinq and its branches jgi 
 
 The riA-er a la P^che 
 
 3| mileJ 
 
 The river Folle 
 
 The river Bouchard. 
 The river Matawin.. 
 
 21 
 
 • 20 
 
 ■ ; n 
 
 Oi 
 
 Giving a total of 68 ^ 'g miles and leaving about 40 miles for the 
 and offset lines. 
 
 The tract lying between the above mentioned rivers is about one 
 hundred miles in superficial area, and may be divided into three plateaus 
 of different respective heights. 
 
 ELEVATION.-The first plateau, that of the little river des Cinq begin-^ 
 ning nearly a mile from the St. Maurice, is about four hundred feet above 
 that river, and contains about eighteen square miles of generally level land. 
 This plateau is much the same as that of the river Bouchard. The second! 
 plateau is that of the large des Cinq lake, (Grand lac des Cinq), abou^ one 
 hundred feet higher than the first. It extends as far as the Pdche lakes 
 
465 
 
 D SEIGNIORY 
 
 Where it merges into the first. The third is that of lake Fou, about two 
 hundred feet higher than the second, and seven hundred feet above the St 
 Maurice. Its area is about tn^enty-four square miles, while that of the 
 second IS as great or greater than those of the first and third together. 
 
 WATER.POWEii..-The rirer des Cinq, which appears to derive its name 
 from the five rapids which extend from the St. Maurice to the first navi- 
 gable waters of the river Matawin, offers four good water-powers the last 
 cue down stream having a fall of about two hundred feet. On the river 
 Folle there are seven, some with a fall of thirty feet ; on the river Bouchard 
 four, and on the river a la P6che two, all of considerable strength. 
 
 Timber. -There is not much pine to be found in this tract, but spruce 
 cedar and hemlock are plentiful. I observed some groves of sugar-maple on 
 the lakes a la P^che, some of which are exploited. 
 
 The heights between lake Fou and lake Bouchard are crowned with 
 fine hardwood of diiTerent kinds, including oak. The cuttino- of cedar has 
 been begun near lake Bouchard. Although cedar is generally found 
 'growing in swamps, some considerable groves of it are met with on the 
 higher lands in many parts of the region described in this report One 
 tree that I measured was eleven feet in circumference. 1 also remarked 
 elm, ash and basswood of fine growth, butternut and pembina, which are 
 considered to be indications of good land. 
 
 SoiL.-Although I met with some fifteen rocky headlands m this tract 
 I believe that there is generally a sufiicient depth of soil for agricultural 
 purposes, except upon a mountain of the line between Radnor and the 
 Seigniory of Batiscan, over which fire has passed, leaving nothing but 
 bare rock. 
 
 One indication of a good depth of soil is that very few windfalls are to 
 be seen ; and, contrary to what may be frequently remarked in other parts 
 oi the Laurentides, the soil here appeared to me to be but slightly rocky 
 and exceptionally free from stones, and to contain but few iron mines to 
 influence the magnetic needle. 
 
 The soil is generally composed of good yellow earth, from the little 
 river des Ginq to the Matawin, with traces of clay, and becomes more 
 clayey downwards along the river a la P6che and river Bouchard, until 
 near the Saint Maurice where the clay banks come to the surface. 
 
 30 
 
 E- f 
 
466 
 
 Improvements and Buildings.— From lake Edward, down aloii.. the 
 river k la P6che, I observed the vestiges of a road constructed by the 
 Government more than fifteen years ago, with a bridge of twenty-four iept 
 span, still in good condition, 
 
 A small clearing has been made at lake Etienne, another at lake Parker 
 and a third at the first lake a la P6che, whore a good log hut has been buiu' 
 for Messrs. Boyer, Parker & Co. These gentlemen have also begun the 
 construction of another building on lake Fou. 
 
 Distance from Settlements. -There is now a chain of settlemeuts 
 from the Piles to the lake du Franpais, or fourth lake a la P6che, a distance 
 of about six miles, and within the limits of the new parish of Des Piles 
 These have all been made within the last ten years ; and, in view of the 
 development of the lumber business in these parts and the increasino- facility 
 of communication, it k ;.robable that the tract comprising these lakes and 
 rivers will be required for colonization purposes and furnish sites for new 
 parishes. The district of Thr^e Rivers will be indebted to you for renderin<^ 
 this possible by causing ligki to be thrown upon this region by operations 
 which may serve as bases for the laying out of farm lots. 
 
 (James Barnard, 4th December, 1886). 
 
 RIVER A LA CHIENNE. 
 
 The river a la Chienne, which derives its name from a rapid near its 
 mouth on the river Matawin, is navigable by canoes for the first six miles. 
 The two following miles are broken by two falls, the first about 200 feet 
 high and the second about 15 feet. These two miles bring us to a region of 
 lakes, intersected by hills, and then to a region of plains. As my opemtions 
 were limited to 50 miles by my instructions, I was unable to "explore the 
 upper part of this valley, which seemed to me suited to colonization. 
 
 The river k la Chienne is famed for its pike and trout fishing. As for 
 pike, I was anable to note their existence here, as I had occasion to do on a 
 preceding expedition, at another point on the Matawin, where I saw some 
 of these fish taken, wieghing 15 lbs. and pickerel of 10 lbs. ; but I do not 
 doubt that lac au Brochet (Pike lake), which figures on the plan of this tri- 
 butary, w^as thus named for good reasons. As for trout, I l.ave seen them 
 taken in great lake a la Chienne, w^eighing 10 lbs. and in abundance. I 
 
 also ascei 
 named lal 
 I used as bs 
 
 Thee 
 
 J river are c 
 
 few whicl 
 
 I years ago. 
 
 Thes( 
 feet thick, 
 miles front 
 appearance 
 and some s 
 on the hill 
 alders grov 
 with in m£ 
 
 To she 
 apart from 
 the river, v 
 directions. 
 
 In con 
 land, on th 
 "perous pari 
 
 iEGION BEI 
 
 Accordii 
 lalf of the te 
 ommunicati 
 >ied by a rot 
 oil is a good 
 iithesurvey( 
 rhich have i 
 ills abound, 
 
467 
 
 iown along the 
 tructed by the 
 wenty-tbur ieet 
 
 at lake Parker 
 t has been built 
 ilso begun the 
 
 of settlemeuts 
 che, a distance 
 I of Des Piles. 
 in view of the 
 reasing facility 
 hese lakes and 
 1 sites for new 
 a for rendering 
 by operations 
 
 ber, 1886). 
 
 rapid near its 
 first six miles, 
 about 200 feet 
 to a region of 
 my operations 
 to explore the 
 ization. 
 
 shing. As for 
 ion to do on a 
 Te I saw some 
 ; but I do not 
 lau of this tri- 
 ,'e seen them 
 abundance. I 
 
 also ascertained the presence of cam anri «o^.,k • ,. , 
 
 «i as bai. for trout, which .eemed to be 4 eage/tl' tLTa^f " '° "' 
 
 .w^^oh escap^d the fi.e b. which th. ':^L":^zz:.t:zz; 
 
 The soil, as well as I could ascertain under a covprino- .f 
 feet thick, appeared to be of good alluvium extending" "'"'''' ^^'"^ 
 .iles front by one in depth. It the 2X oT^fZ7:aZl' ""' "Ir 
 appearance of the vegetation, which -onsists of t«l "l^^^^"- ^^^™ ^^^ 
 
 and some scattered ash trees. In rear he In^ 1 *'",T"« ^rass, alders, 
 on the hill-sides appears to be god; ^W^^^^^^^ 
 alders growing upon them. The^ Pembilrinl" aiiorof^f ^^^^^^^^^ 
 with m many places. The absence of rock is remarkable. 
 
 To show the fertility of the soil, I consider it sufficient to remark that 
 apart from the presence of rich lands which I have noted «n ?v ^ . ' 
 the river, which was burnt over a few years ^^o, Tct r V in ^2Z 
 directions, by a heavy vegetable groM'th. > «f«a, m nearly all 
 
 In conclusion, I am of opinion that thpro ,« «j • . 
 
 land, 0. the bank, of the rive^a la Ci:fenne'rr t^e esuflireroV' '°°' 
 perous parish. esiaoiistiment of a pros- 
 
 {Jatnes Barnard, 2nd August, 1888.) 
 
 REGION BETWEEN THE ST. M.^^KICE AND B.TISCAN BIVERS, K.OM THE 
 TOWNSHIP OF MEKINAC TO LAKE EDWARD. 
 
 According to the abovo detailed report, I conclude that more than one 
 ialfofthe territory visited is fitted for cultivation and h!^ t^^n one 
 ommunications are opened by means of col o^atrn oads i wiUb"" " 
 •.ed by a robust and industrious population. ThTu'rrockv ir 00^^' 
 oihs a good quality of yellow loam, which is not excelled bva^ivTot 1 ' 
 
 l^ich have not as good a vegetable soil and are even more rockv wl; 
 »lls abound, as well as lakes swarmino- w^b ^.u tH - r?/' -T 
 
 = J' n«n. iiic uLucf half might be 
 
'4 
 
 468 
 
 retained as n fire-wood roserve and for pasturage, where the soil is rockiest 
 which, instead of hurting colonization, would he a public and private 
 benefit, bi'cause I believe it is high time to make such reserves, in openin<r 
 the soil to settlement. The lloatable rivers are the Mekinac and Eau-Morto 
 •which are tributaries of the St. Maurice. The river Batiscan has for tribu- 
 taries several disc^harges of lakes and the rivers Mequick, a Pierre and 
 Michel. The merchantable timber brought dov^^n these rivers partly sup. 
 plies the markets of Eugland and America via Quebec and Montreal. 
 However, it has nearly all disappeared under the axe of the lumberer. 
 
 To roach this region, the colonization roads might easily, but not without 
 expense, be started from the points already settled. The colonization road 
 already opened beyond the township of Montaubin might be prolonged to 
 the main line laid down in virtiie of my instructions, which is only about 
 21 miles from the township of Moutauban. This road would intersect the 
 rivers Eau-Morte and Mekinac, towards the seventh mile of that line, a 
 distance of about 21 miles. Another colonization road could be opened 
 either on the east or west side of the Bvtiscan river to the Island of Lake 
 Edward. This road, by following the south west branch of the river Jean- 
 uotte, would run in its course though lands suited to colonization. Two 
 other colonization roads actually building, called the Radnor and de la 
 Magdeleine roads, starting from points in the seigniory of Cap delaMagde- 
 leine belonging to the Grovernment. might bo directed towards this region, 
 which, after their junction at the Piles, would continue along the east or 
 west banks of the St. Maiirice to river auiHats, one of its tributaries, where 
 already, at various points, there are some new and old clearings and some 
 hardy and enterprising settlers, whose only means of communicarian with 
 their neighbors is by canoe and boat. 
 
 The climate of this region is about the same as that of Three Rivers. 
 All the wM fruits come to perfect maturity as well on the tops of the hills 
 as on the river flats. The first frost was experie'^ced on the 28th September. 
 
 On my return, I paid particular attention to the country watered by 
 parts of the rivers Mequick, a Pierre and Michel, along which I noticed 
 tracts will suited to cultivation. 
 
 {H. Legendre, 31st January, 18'70.) 
 
469 
 
 soil is rockiest, 
 ic and private 
 I'es, ill opening 
 iiid Eriu-Morte, 
 ti has for tribu- 
 :, a Pierre and 
 ers partly sup- 
 and Montreal, 
 lumberer. 
 
 lut not without 
 Ionization road 
 e prolonged to 
 is only about 
 d intersect the 
 oi that line, a 
 lid be opened 
 island of Lake 
 the river Jean- 
 lization. Two 
 lor and de la 
 p de la Magde- 
 ds this region, 
 g the east or 
 •utaries, where 
 tigs and some 
 micat'ott vvith 
 
 Three Rivers, 
 ips of the hills 
 Ith September. 
 
 r watered by 
 ich I noticed 
 
 ry, 18Y0.) 
 
 EIVERS MOIf^E AND CROCHE 
 
 I have the honor to transmit the plan and field notes of the siirvoy 
 and scaling of the river j|and lake Moise and of the river Croche. 
 
 The land in the vicinity of these rivers is generally hilly and moun- 
 tainous ; there are, however, some small patches of good arable land along 
 the Moise ; a further exploration on both sides of this river would give a 
 better knowledge of this tract, extending in the direction of the lake des 
 
 Passes. 
 
 The prevailing species of timber along these rivers are spruce, balsam 
 and white birch ; tamarac, and a variety known as epinette a chatte, are 
 also met with in some places. The soil is generally sandy ; red sand, mixed 
 with gravel, and in other places black earth. 
 
 (F. Page, 1st April, 1887.) 
 
 COUNTRY BETWEEN LA TUQUE AND LAKE ST. JOHN. 
 
 The country lying between the river St. Maurice and lake St. John, 
 is elevated, broken and rocky throughout, in which numerous of their tribu- 
 taries take their rise ; the surface is broken up into wave-like mountains, not 
 generally of high elevation, but precipitous, without connections or regu- 
 larity. There are few regular ranges of hills or extensive valleys, and the 
 whole is clothed with a dense but stunted growth of mixed timber, con- 
 sisting chiefly of black and grey spruce, fir and white birch, together with" 
 a very few scattered birch, poplar, tamarac and maple. The soil of this 
 vast region is mostly sand, approaching, in some instances, to a li'^'ht loam, 
 but of such a stony and rocky character as to afford but slight hopes of its- 
 ever being brought under cultivation. 
 
 The country is well watered by small tributary streams, and innu- 
 merable small and large hikes, but their valleys are narrow and of limited 
 extent. The fixed rock is all of a granitic formation, and in no instance 
 did 1 observe any appearance of minerals or stratification. 
 
 There are no extensive groves of pine in this country, but consider- 
 able quantities are scattered over the hills bordering the rivers and lakes^ 
 
470 
 
 chielly upon the waters of the Bostonais and Croche 
 18 sound and good, but, as a ooneral rul 
 
 wind shakes and spunk knots, and 
 
 much of this tiftiber 
 :«, many tro.js are faulty from 
 
 bearing coum.y of the St. M,u-„„« li«. to the weat of th„t r'iter "^ "" 
 
 The idea that there ex, ,te.i a lav ae and extensive valley connerti,„,K 
 St. Maunee w.th lake St. John was quite a mistaken one theT^ *k' 
 
 an elevated watershed with ranges of hills dividing th severar , ! " " 
 These h,lls, which have a considerable elevation near the m. ! 
 gradually diminish towards the height of I,,,., i, clntrv rt" " "T ' 
 .o^the dividing ridge and descending" in a similar' r:Z:'::Zl,:Z 
 
 St. ^!z:^::rzz^::::^^::^r:;;:rz^r''' ?r^« 
 
 observed that, from the broken :.nd mo„„t« ousfh ral ofTlT 'h"' "!, 
 the arid nature of the s„il, but slender hopes .^arbe en etaine. o ii 
 .emg made available for purposes of colo.U.ation ; many plof i™,,?' 
 tlvelygood lands were met within my exploration hntll^'T" 
 extent and isolated in position, that thev ™„ld n' be ml av ^U r'° 
 
 would be, ,n my opinion, by the valley of the river Croche wh ^ I, 
 
 (W.-F. Blailclock, 18th August, 1859.) 
 
 RIVERS TltENCHE AND "lERRICHE 
 
 I commenced to scale th^ river PiarHf'io ir^ Uc „ 
 betng 22 miles and 37 chains. The";.h!r:n 'U' . s,^Ti:Sh'wrth: 
 r„.r St. M.uru-e. is at this point considerably leveled. After lev lu 
 
 ?f n ,""■ '^'- *'"■"■•""' '' "'"■°^' '•»-' ^u-'cssion of rapids cascade 
 
 and fa Is^ A, the distance of a mile from the mouth of thi riverTu T,™ 
 we left the mountains behind. From the 4th mile of the seal ng we Z 
 through and generally level on each side of the river, and it extind thu 
 
 old. Fiom previous observations, I had arrived at the opinion that this 
 
411 
 
 territory had been burned over about 4O years ago. An estimated extent of 
 about. 1,000,000 01 acres had thus been swept over by fire. I remarked in 
 gomo places the trunks of trees of hirge size which had escaped the general 
 burning at that time. From these indications wo infer that these localities 
 were formerly richly timbered. The soil is in son » places yellow loam, and 
 in others grey loam, mixed h(M-e and there with sand ; there are not, 
 howover, any stones on th*^ surface, which is covered by a rich vegetable 
 mould. At the 19th mile, tlie timber is of a smaller growth, the fire having 
 swept over a second time, in some localities, since the one previously men- 
 tioned. The soil nevertheless appears everywhere verysuital 'e for cultiva- 
 tion. On arriving at the head of this river, white birch predorainatf's over 
 tho other woods ; it is ( vory good growth. 
 
 From what I saw, the strip of land between the rivers Trenche and 
 rierrichr, from their mouths to their sources, is suitable 1 - farming purpo- 
 ses, particularly that part of it between the 5th and 19th miles, whe, the 
 soil is of superior quality The climate also is very favorable, On the 
 14lh of February, the depth of s-iow there was between 10 and 12 inches. 
 
 Ithf^n returntMl to the river Trenche by way of iij.> portage at the 
 moiUhof 'he river Pierriche. After having established the variation of 
 the needle, 1 commenced to scale the river Trenche, from its mouth to its 
 source, the distance beino- 102 miles and 20 chains. Th^^ same remarks 
 made t)y me as to the land being generally level at the mouth of the river 
 Pierriche, apply also to the land at • m- mouth of the river Trenche. From 
 its month up to the fall in th( 6th mile, the river flows through good yellow 
 loiim, suitable for cultivation. This part was formerly well covered with 
 pine, but, above the fall named, little pint is now found. 
 
 There are some chantiers, nevertheless, for getting out saw logs, but 
 pine is .scarce. In the future the large quantities of cypro ; (a kind of bas- 
 tard '.'d pine) and spruce available for the wants of comnii re will counter- 
 balaiu V' the scarcity of the i)inr. The destructive tire alreidy mentioned as 
 having ravaged along f ■ river Pierriche extend d also to this river 
 (Trenche), and at the samj p.>riod ; the second gro , th of forest, which 
 includes cypres and white pine, will some years hence afford timbei for 
 commercial purposes. 
 
 Above the fall, on the river Trenche, mentioned above, dead water 
 or. nrs; there are however some -hort rai)ids up to the second fall, which is 
 at the 43rd mile post. The whole of this distance the river is suitable for 
 driving saw logs, &c. The land is generally level, and covered by a second 
 
472 
 
 the same aj; 
 it^ territory 
 
 growth of timbor 
 
 which rava-ed all th. territory hotwocMi the rivor Oh«mouohouu,ra,ui Tk' 
 river St. Maurice, seems to have rearhed as far as the hoiifht of laud ^vhtl 
 divides the wat.rs iailiug iuto lake St. Johu to au uukuovv di 
 towards the west. 'khvuuvvu cu.stauce 
 
 The whole territory thus traversed by this river as far as the 43rd mil. 
 may bo made available forcolonizatiou purposes, and extends from the Zt 
 Croche and lake St. John, on one side, to as far as the eye can reaoh oil 
 other. The land is suitable for cultivation. Between the 43rd and 60th Ji! 
 posts, the land alon,. the banks of the river is mountainous ; never hi 
 here are certain spaces of considerable extent, where farms could be ml 
 Beyond the range of mountains which borders the river, the Iandalth!«!h 
 uneven ,s susceptible of being cultivated, as both the soil and climate aT« 
 good. On the 9th of March I did not find the depth of snovv any p e 
 exceed between 12 and 15 inches. ^ ^° 
 
 From the 60th mile post, up to the head of the river, the mountains 
 gradually disappear, and the land assumes a level appearance. The!oi ii 
 composed of a rich yellow loam, and of grey loam. There are no stones on 
 he surlace. Between the 70th and 85th mile posts, however, there ZlZ 
 large boulders, here and there; the earth about them is neverthel ss o" 
 good quahty. For the last 10 miles surveyed, a recent fire has inl 
 places done considerable damage, yet in other places the cypres and si 
 might later on be used for purposes of commerce. No pine is found here 
 In some of the ravines which escaped the destructive fury of the m>at fire 
 already mentioned, we found some trees of larger dimensions, whic^hshlr 
 beyond a doubt, that the growth of timber in this territory was fullv e Zl 
 o that found m the valley of lake St. John. The.north sLre of U^I £ 
 ake of the river Trenche has often been devastated by lire ; the growth "of 
 timber there is small. The land is level, however, round this lake? which 
 a part of the river itself. This land is suitable for larming purposes. 
 
 On the I4th of March I was at the height of land which divides the 
 waters which ilow into the St. Muun, o from those flowing into the Cha- 
 mouchouan. and I there measured the depth of snow in several places, and 
 found It to vary from 15 to 18 inches. 
 
 I remarked, in several localities around the lake of the river Trenche 
 he places where the Indians of the Tete de Boule tribe resort in summe; 
 to hsh, and obtain their supply for the winter. This lake abounds in fish 
 such as dore, &c, ' 
 
 Cong: 
 1873-74, 
 tributaries 
 Pierriche, 
 iity of lan( 
 between tl 
 waters wh 
 rations tog 
 thus biK^oti 
 -ations ma 
 that the cl; 
 for grovvin 
 
 I then 
 
 Governmoi 
 
 territory b; 
 
 can be ope 
 
 river a TOi 
 
 [ks Fourche. 
 
 down to its 
 land nearlj 
 
 Until 
 'ountry an 
 )rodu(!e of 
 rice. This 
 country, s( 
 produce of 
 
 I scale( 
 its mouth t' 
 tributary ol 
 of this rive: 
 taries and t 
 mouths to \ 
 
4*78 
 
 lat the great lire 
 ohouati and th« 
 t of laud, which 
 ^•lowa distance 
 
 « the 43rd milo 
 8 from tho river 
 an roach on the 
 1 and tJOth mile 
 ^8 ; nevertheless 
 could bo made. 
 
 laud uhhon<Th 
 "id climate are 
 w any place to 
 
 the mountains 
 CO. The soil is 
 re no stoues on 
 , there are some 
 iverthelessofa 
 ■e has in many 
 [•es and spruce 
 is found here, 
 •f the great fire 
 , which shows, 
 vas fully equal 
 re of the large 
 
 1 he growth of 
 lake, which is 
 rposes. 
 
 'h divides tho 
 into the Cha- 
 'al places, and 
 
 ■iver Trenche, 
 )rt in summer 
 ounds in fish, 
 
 CoNciiUSiONH. — The exploratory survey, which was entrusted to me in 
 1873-74, of the Salmon river and of the river Windigo, and their principal 
 tributaries, and the one I have just performed of the rivers Trenche and 
 Pierriche, have enabled me to make a tolerably correct estimate of the ([uan- 
 tity of land susceptible of cultivation which is to be found in thtt territory 
 between the river St. Maurice and the height of land whii;h divides the 
 waters which flow into the river Chamouchouan. Taking all these explo- 
 rations together, I am warranted in stating that the extent of arable land, 
 thus biicome known is about one million (1,000,000) of acres. From obser- 
 ations made by mo during my explorations, I have positively established 
 that th(! climate of the forests through which I passed is fully as favorable 
 for growing grain crops as is the country around lake St. John. 
 
 I th'>refore deem it my duty to bring prominently to the notice of the 
 
 Government the importance of opening up for settlement this extensive 
 
 territory by mears of colonization roads. I am of opinion that a vv'uterroad 
 
 can be opened at little expense, commencing at the last settlement on Hie 
 
 river a TOurs, following nearly a direct line to the locality called the Forks 
 
 |/es Founiies) ; thence followitig the north east side of the river Trenche 
 
 down to its mouth, which would be a distance of about 70 miles, through 
 laud nearly all level. 
 
 Until a railroad is built, the population of lake St. John and the 
 country around it would avail themselves of such a road, for bringing the 
 produ(!e of their farms to the lumber establishments on the Upper St. Mau- 
 rice. This would give a great impetus to settlement in the lake St. John 
 country, seeing the high prices paid by these establishments for farm 
 produce of all kinds. 
 
 (Gedeon Gagnon, 4th July, 1877.) 
 
 SALMON AND WINDIOO r.IVERS. 
 
 I scaled the Salmon river, a tributary of the Chamouchouan river, from 
 its mouth to its source. I then scaled the portage of the river Windigo, a 
 tributary of the St-Maurice, as far as the intersection of one of the branches 
 of this river, which I scaled as far as its mouth, as also its principal tribu- 
 taries and those of the Salmon river, which have all been scaled from their 
 mouths to their sources. 
 
 
 I*. 
 
 .>«(vi^ 
 
474 
 
 lile, the h 
 )are. Ash 
 far as the s 
 
 <.i_ the .i.„ . .he highest i. of t„e„t, Zi I, Hh" Zl^ ^Ue"";'? 
 chams from the fortyfirst mile, on the same river is a suTtablet^t 
 
 The land through which flows the Salmon river, from its m„„tl, , ,.■ The n 
 twenty-fonrth mile is Generally level on both sides oth" r veT,, t'lhJ"^ l" 
 
 ct s'h Zil^- '^° ^t'"f=™'i ^-'"y^ itisa yellow loam ard Xi wtl I 
 cjayisn Jand. Besides the ordinal srowih fh^f fK« ft ""^agre* 
 
 ravines and low lands which i. 37 ' 'P*'"^' in *^vcover6 
 
 «oft wood, the lie wo d Twhite birch of T' """'' "^^^ ^^^^ anf-h, balsa 
 mile whi e snrnpr J!?;, i ' ^^^^^^'^n^size. From the sevenJteenth milt 
 
 »aS:rtrwrm\rt:eti-triit:s%:t:rf^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 nve. the soil is generally of rather good ,„ality thourl ; . t 
 places ; ,1 .s a mixture of yellow loam and of grey clay 
 
 The fire which devastated these lands over the whnU ,.,»» i <• 
 ..-aversed by Salmon river and its tribatari:s anTeTentr.! \^^^^^^^^ 
 west, oociirred 50 or 60 vears aw, It w„„u I j » 11 '"""""^ '" ">« oo'lk 
 
 Tji ,, p ■ sprnce and 
 
 the wood is stunted and the land stony '"* "" ^^"^ ' '!"■•■' 
 
 south rt'l!;r.'h !fTs" 7 "■^.«"-™" R'VK..-The timber alo„, lh.|frpor.io 
 
 Tflet Iw h J^l*t *''''"°'' 7": ""»"'' ■"'^o Oi»i' a-d other lakes, is 
 oinneg,o«th white birch predominates^ The land is more level he 
 mom.ta,ns are loss high : .heir sides are wooded with bi.whi „' 
 
 i:— rth.:tr\rsiti:i^f«''^,r^ r '™"- ■^'"^ 
 
 there are no stnLr w ^i"^ ™'' '* »f ^yHow color in different seclioiis, 
 wooded with uZa,. ^ «\^. ™»smficent tracts which e.tend far off 
 
 soil seemTt'bXod :imy"' ^''""°' '""' * ''^ -'""^ -''-"- ^^^ 
 
 The d( 
 
 |lormed by < 
 
 River 
 sides of th 
 growth, sue 
 latter predc 
 •iver ; l)ut : 
 tainous and 
 a great deal 
 sprnce and 
 
 groves, con 
 fifteen to i\ 
 
 River 
 Cole, as fu 
 west section 
 in diiferent 
 river How tl 
 are At for cu 
 
415 
 
 lileasfarasthefij 
 mostly acofttinoiL 
 Hs in thissectiol 
 thmile. Atfiftee) 
 I suitable milj-sij 
 ntersectioii of 
 
 River du Crax. — The land through which flows the river du Cran is 
 llevel. The soil is of superior quality, consisting in great part of clay, grey 
 
 ,i,ui, and of yellow sandy soil, on the ridges. As on the Salmon river, 
 hite pine is scarce on the river au Dore and its branches. From the ninth 
 iile, the land is stony and on the mountains of which the greater part are 
 
 bare. Ash is everywhere of good growth, from the mouth of this river, as 
 
 far as the seventh mile of the said branch. 
 
 The north east branch of the river au Dore and its tributaries flow 
 Ihrough land very fit for farming, covered with hard and soft wood of good 
 •rowth. In some places, to the north west, formerly devastated by fire and 
 low covered with trees of a second growth the growth consists of white 
 Jbirch, balsam fir, spruce and here and there a few maples. Bat from thcjfour- 
 From the sereiitJteeiith mile, on the north west side of the river au Dore, the mountains 
 e in rather grealfollovv one another as far as the head of this river, and are covered with 
 n great quaatitie«brash wood in some places, and almost bare elsewhere. Large rocks here 
 lough to be fit foWnd there border the river. 
 
 !• e balmoJ xhe dore and the witouche are the most common fish in the lakes 
 stony in certain^fornied by these rivers. 
 
 The timber in general, on both 
 
 n its mouth to thi 
 ^e river, as far a) 
 ^ loam andagrel 
 re spared, iu°thl 
 d with hard and 
 
 axtent of counirv 
 •thertothe north 
 
 mak>} an estimate latier predominates. The soil is generally very good, on both sides of the 
 
 ed iu this section 
 'lar are loaadin 
 everywhere was 
 
 • up as far as the 
 md au Rognon ; 
 
 mber along the 
 id other lakes, is 
 more Ie\el, the 
 g whitu birch ; 
 arac. The only 
 ifferent .sections, 
 extend far otf, 
 ;e birches. The 
 
 River of the Fraie au Saumon. 
 des of this river, as far as the fourth mile from its mouth, is of fine 
 growth, such as white birch, tamarac and white spruce, alder, fir. The 
 
 iver ; l)ut from the fourth mile the tract crossed by this river is moun- 
 tainous and rocky. The timber is very long and of medium size. There is 
 a great deal ot dry and fallen timber on the slopes of the mountains. White 
 ipruce and tam:irac, fit for lumber, are in rather great quantities, to the north 
 east of this rivei , on the course of which there are a number of rapids. 
 
 'Inv.R OF THE Lake des Portages.— The soil is stonv all along this 
 tributary. Certain tracts, around the Portage lake, are fit for cultivation. 
 In a portion ol th > first and second mile, there are cypress or grey ptae 
 groves, consisting of trees of medium size, their diameter varying from 
 fifteen to twenty inches. There is also white spruce. 
 
 River Cote.— The tract to the south east and south wjst of the lake 
 Cole, as far as the Salmon river, is quite fit for cultivation, The north 
 west section is mountainous. The timber of inferior growth, and in brulis 
 in diiCerent parts, as also along its head. The other tributaries of the Salmon 
 river How through land generally unlit for cultivation. The tracts, which 
 are fit for culture, are not of sufficient extent to form sittlenunts. 
 
476 
 
 The portage of lake Windigo is geuorally level, as also the land »„ 
 helakestra™...rtby this river. From the 13th to the Mth ^i" !! 
 timber IS of good growth, and tamarao predoTiiuates. AroJd The 1. ' 
 
 to 20 inches t„ d.ameter. The land is generally sandy and rocky T 
 spaces here and there might be worth cnltivating. From the I8th T 
 as the wenty. fourth mile, the land is stony and i^ l.rniron thf tu- 
 of the lakes. The same aspect is shown towards the north-east Pi t 
 
 X„d"t.rrr' """P''"'^'""-^'''-- "'d spread towarc the i 
 of lands of the tributaries of the river Chamouchouan. From hetw 
 second as far ., the twentysixth mile, the soil is of a better ". H y T 
 tract traversed by the portage, is fit lor cultivation. Timber is „(»« 
 growth. Tamarac of a diameter varying from twenty to twenty -four in ■llwhi^'i thu 
 .» m great quantities, as also balsam and white birch, which are l" ftF'i»''ig»' ' 
 growth. From the twenty-sixth mile, as far as the intersection of th K 7 -"- — 
 goanignm tributary of the Windigo river, and even farther than thk r 
 n every direction, as far as the eye can reach, the land is entirely C 
 he soil IS sandy and rocky. It is the same with all the land travLd b, 
 the river Kabetogoanigum as iar as its confluence with the Windirr v , 
 
 .^-enfy-five 
 lountainou 
 ■orih culti^ 
 
 Lake K 
 
 surrounded 
 
 iiderable ex 
 
 lalsara, bir 
 
 In the othe 
 
 lile, white 
 
 [jiver. The s 
 
 Ust, four o 
 
 reached thu 
 
 Soil ANi, Timuee or the Windioo and its Tbibutae[e.s. - From th 
 mouth of the river Kabetogoanigum, the river Windigo, as far rth, 
 fourteenth mile, is bordered by mountains, for the molt ,x,rt b™ ! 
 devoid of merchant timber. Before reaching the sources' of 'tl,i:i 
 we found a small quantity of green woods, principally towards the norll 
 west ; m some parts, the land around lake KawasLslfowa is cove, d w 
 well grown titnber; ..pruce is found in some quantities. NTo while piaei 
 ^ be seen on this or on any of the other tributaries of th • Windio-o „ , 
 
 ^X:xzz::i oJtXtlt's^nt.— ' ■ - '■"~ 
 
 thP Jlk ^i"fr ''''''' ^"''"' ^^' "'^'' Kubetogaoai:,na,n. a,s far dowa aJwoodoll 
 few w^ ''■'''''^'^''' ^' ^"'"^^^^^^ ^y^'Sh mo.uitaiMH.ofvvhicha this river 
 few reach he n.mediate borders of the ri.er. and. in .some phu... reced. 
 W twenty to thirty chains. The table hxnds are wooded with vvhi^. 
 
 white spruce and tamarac of a fine growth. 
 
 .n.J^' ^Tu' ^"T l^l ^""' '"^^"^ Kwarasesiasita, is level as far as the 
 south west branch of the Windigo river, offering a tract .f good land from 
 
 I which wou] 
 Iwithin the • 
 'mill sites a 
 mouth to iti 
 
 The Iar 
 as far as the 
 range of mc 
 yellow sane 
 White pine 
 in every dir 
 
 Fires h 
 territory drs 
 mile as far 
 cultivating, 
 
 The tra 
 wood of fin 
 
 The coi 
 the south w 
 pine and w 
 and a blacl 
 tributary o: 
 
 TheKe 
 mountains ( 
 
411 
 
 o the laud aroum 
 le ISth mile, t_ 
 Ground thelaka 
 lid varies from 
 nd rocky. So, 
 )ra the 18th as fi 
 « oil the portag, 
 th-east. Fire h, 
 "wards the heig. 
 ?rom the tweiit 
 er quality. Th 
 'imber is of a fi 
 v^enty-four inchi 
 t^h are also oflinj 
 )u of the Kabet 
 Si" than this xm\ 
 s entirely level. 
 and traversed b 
 e Windigo rivet 
 
 iiES. — From th 
 3, as far as thi 
 '■ part, bare aiK 
 as of this river 
 vards the nortl 
 is covered witii 
 
 white pine ii 
 Windigo oil thi 
 of itnprovemi'!! 
 
 as far dovvu a< 
 aiiis, of which a 
 ) [)laces, reced 
 led with whitt 
 
 1 is yellow am 
 i^'ell wooded in 
 
 1 as far as the 
 food laud from 
 
 Leiity.five io thirty thousand acres. The opposite shore of the Windigo is 
 mountainous, covered with green woods of small growth, and the soil scarcely 
 vorth cultivating. 
 
 Lake Kakashguataman, as well as its outlet, as far as the "Windigo, are 
 iuriounded by magnificent valleys ; though mountainous, they are of con- 
 iderable extent toward the west. There is an absence of white pine, but 
 alsara, birch and tamarac exist in large quantities arpund the lake. 
 11 the other tributaries, to the north west of the Windigo, from the 30th 
 ile, white pine and spruce are pretty abundant as far as the mouth of the 
 [jiver. The soil is a yellow loam, well adapted for cultivation; on the north 
 west, four or five ranges might be laid out to advantage when settlers have 
 reached thus far. For the same distance, but or. the north east of the 
 Windigo, there is sufficient good soil for the subdivision of two ranges, 
 which would give an area of about 80,000 acres of arable land, comprised 
 within the 30th and 64th miles of the scaling of the Windigo. Some good 
 mill sites are situated at different points of the river Windigo, from its 
 mouth to its source. 
 
 The land through which flows the north west branch >l mostly level 
 as far as the 15th mile and appears to extend to the north east, as far as the 
 range of mountains which enclose the river Windigo. The soil is a good 
 yellow sandy loam, free from stones, and therefore well fit for culture. 
 White pine and spruce, particularly, are plentiful as far as the eye can reach, 
 111 every direction. 
 
 Fires have extended their ravages also over the greater part cf the 
 territory drained by the north west branch of the Windigo, from the 20th 
 mile as far up as its source. The soil is sandy and stony and unfit for 
 cultivating. 
 
 The tracts, which were exempt from fire, are wooded in hard and soft 
 wood of fine growth. Good water powers are found in different places on 
 this river. 
 
 The country drained by the Kakastinowagamag tributary, coming from 
 the south west of the latter, contains a great deal of timber. We find white 
 pine and white spruce along this river. The soil is a rich yellow loam, 
 and a black mould in the ravines, as also along the lake K-^saganabiskug 
 tributary of the said river 
 
 The Kakaninacashenewac, tributary of the same river, is enclosed with 
 mountains on nearly all its course ; mostly all the ground was burnt over ; 
 
 I 
 
478 
 
 certain sections, to the south west ex.^mnf fr^o, a ~~'^\ 
 
 white spruce of medium si.e, andlu^Ie ', ^ .t^^r" T 1" 
 everywhere sandy and rocky. ^^^aanties. ihe soiligj 
 
 reo.e.,e» a.read,,„:Cd Hit:ir:f rbi;:rj^ '"^ 'r-«^ »* 
 
 the mouth of Salmon river, ascendiue the titer Ph k ' ''''^•'"■""S f^ra 
 
 seven miles, making au ar a of 50 WO aell *. •"°^°"'."' '' " ''"''"'"■ 
 tract comprised between the river desMou'e's heriv" ^™"'r '"» -" »• 
 river, enclosing an are. of 60,000 TcrJ L^e fourthf T ."'f ''"^ 
 be divided into lots. There is no white pL„nsZ "''""'' "■* 
 
 its tributaries, but scrub or -rav p ine of ™ nf, '""'"■' '"' """y «f 
 great abundance in severVpIacrTOtVtLr'H* ^'""*''' '' '™»<'i" 
 in abundance .n the tributaries of sTlmoVrivet "" "' '" "^ ''^ 
 
 Portage of the Kiver "Windigo.— With thp pr.or.H- ^ 
 crossed by the portage of the Windigo around Z 7^^?^^°^/^ «««^« Places 
 butanes of the rirer Franche there is nATr^L t. '" '"^ "^""= '^' *"• 
 The soil, generally, all ^Io^ZZ'J:^^^^ P-P^-. 
 
 useless fo- cultivation. ° '' ^^ *"^ '^'^^J^ ' therefore 
 
 branch and its tributaries"lrh„rn"ontd°rt'T '''^r'°"P^' 
 On the remainder of the Windigo river aLd Hs Wh„r i" ''"'"™''™- 
 flt for culture, to form settlements. The" i no wL .: .' ? " '""^°* 
 white spruce and tamarac in rather TZt „T Tv """■ •"" ""^ "'"^ 
 sources. There, the land seems m ' fi t Tr c'rv S " Vh , "^-^ '° '" 
 rather great quantities, as also white spruce .n,^ I "" '"'"' "' '" 
 
 J^eraud i.s .ributaries, from its l^rll^h ■ tV m^^l ^ 
 
 (G^erferw Gagnon, 16th June, 1874.) 
 
479 
 
 re covered with I 
 ties. The soil is I 
 
 r.iversed by thei 
 
 'he township of | 
 
 reckoning from 
 
 in, by a depth of j 
 des this all the 
 iche and Saimoa 
 which might 
 'er, or on any of I 
 'th, is found ia 
 ic are to be had 
 
 of some places 
 i along the tri- 
 Tcial purposes, 
 cky; therefore 
 
 RIVER MATAWIN AND ITS TRIBUTARIES. 
 
 The scaling upon which I have the honor to report embraces a total 
 length of about 86i miles, forming a superficies of about *72,00O square 
 
 icres. 
 
 Miles. Chains. 
 Dfthis length, the river Matawin takes nineteen miles and 
 
 twenty three and a half chains ly 
 
 River des Ours, five miles and twenty-one chains and two 
 
 thirds 5 
 
 Jiver Antikaiagamak, fifty-one miles seventeen chains and 
 
 a half - 51 
 
 Break d'Isaie, eight miles and sixty chains 8 
 
 River Shawinegan 2 
 
 23i 
 21S 
 
 60 
 26J 
 
 Total length 86 
 
 m 
 
 or cascades covering a totai 
 
 the mouth of 
 r the principal 
 )r cultivation, 
 ere is no land 
 
 but we find 
 le way to its 
 lite pine is in 
 the Windigo 
 liles, but not 
 
 me, 1874.) 
 
 KiVER Matawin. — I noted nine rapids 
 length of about 6J miles. The fall of the Litte G-rande Mere, which ^ j 
 bout 30 feet high, is the largest. From the foot of the falls of the G-alet, 
 ower down, an extensive brule hereinafter described is the first thing seen. 
 
 Apart from the shore line of the rapids, which is more or less steep and 
 rocky, the banks of the Matawir show alluvial tracts in the form of wild 
 meadows, extending back in some places for a depth of half a mile. Below 
 the river Antikaiagamak, the southern bank of the Matawin is covered with 
 ontinuous groves of young pine, as far as the rapid des Cinq, skirting the 
 leights which are clothed with hardwood on a clay soil. The river 
 Matawin abounds with pike, pickerel and ouatose. 
 
 River DES Ours. — This creek adjoins the brule already mentioned. 
 There are some pine groves on it and a good deal of young spruce on 
 illocks of yellow loam. 
 
 Crapaud Creek. — ^This creek leads to a large swamp wooded with 
 tamarac and showing beaver m ido r;3 here and there. Below this, on the 
 Matawin, is the rapid de Cran, whi ii is bordered by yellow loam lands. 
 
 River Antikaiagamak.— The sources of this river are close to a chain 
 of bare mountains, which can be seen at a distance of six miles ofi" and 
 around which extends a va«t brule, the western end of which I did not 
 
480 
 
 discover. Along the course of this river, there are extensive wild mead. 
 and especially on the lake of the same name. ^°^« 
 
 This river has three falls. The one above the lake of the same nam. i 
 only remarkable for its height. This lake, which is barely higher than Ci 
 level the waters of the Matawin, into which it empties hy a n vl 1 
 channel, abounds with pike. A very light white clay is one of its nS 
 features. On the branch which is.ues from Weasel lake (lac ^ la Be 
 there are some pine groves, but the commonest wood on this river is Se 
 
 IsAiE CiiEEK.-The pine here has been recently worked Th^r. 
 «ome good yellow loam and clay lands. ^''' "« 
 
 In general, this territory seemed to me fitted for settlement. 
 
 (James Barnard, 26th January, 1888.) 
 
 COUNTF 
 
 Tivor 
 
 I bega 
 and a 
 
 seigniory o 
 
 especially ( 
 
 The prevai 
 
 and fir. 
 
 becomes m 
 
 suri'ace gro 
 
 the precedi 
 
 St. Michel, 
 
 near which 
 
 being' balsa 
 
 'the timber 
 
 small I'ocks 
 
 Tantari, wl: 
 
 stocked wit 
 
 Pius and is 
 
 where its l 
 
 Beyond 
 a mile whic 
 and probabl 
 birch and a] 
 ing with mi 
 the last lake 
 fouryali, th 
 which vary 
 cultivable s< 
 
 The rv 
 St. Ann an( 
 north west, 
 width, but, : 
 
ve wild meadows 
 
 he same name is 
 ■ higher than the 
 3 by a iiavigabl, 
 ne of its notable 
 [lac k la Belette), 
 lis river is white 
 
 QUEBEC, PORTNEUF & BATISCAN DISTRIC TS 
 
 ■ked. There 
 
 are 
 
 nent. 
 inuary, 1888.) 
 
 COUNTRY BETWEEN THE JACQUES CARTIER AND BATISCAN RIVERS. 
 
 I began this exploration on the north west side of the Jacques Cartier 
 Tiver and at about two miles to the north east of the south west line of the 
 seigniory of St. Gabriel. At this point, the banks of the river are very hi"-h 
 especially on the north west side, but are of arable soil of good qualfty' 
 The prevailing timber is composed of maple, birch, beech, basswood, spruce 
 and fir. Once the summit of the river bank is reached, the ground 
 becomes more level for the space of a quarter of a mile ; after which its 
 surface grows irregular, there is less hardwood, and the land is inferior to 
 the preceding. About two miles from the Jacques Cartier river lies lake 
 St. Michel, which is about a mile long, by two thirds of a mile wide and 
 uear which there are some small rocky hills the prevailing forest growth 
 benig balsam, spruce and white birch. About a half mile from this lake 
 the timber is mixed and the land pretty good, although it shows some 
 small rocks here and there. About two miles from lake St. Michel is lake 
 Tantari, which is about tA'o miles long by half a mile wide and which is 
 stocked with excellent trout. It is the principal source of the river aux 
 Pins and is surrounded by rocky cliffs, except at its north western end 
 where its banks are lower and the rocks disappear. ' 
 
 Beyond this lake, there are four other smaller ones within the space of 
 a mile which render the surface of the land irregular ; but the soil is arable 
 and probably good. The predominating timber is .pruoe, balsam, white 
 birch and alder. The ground continues the same as far as a large brook flow- 
 mg with much rapidity to the west. The distance between the brook and 
 the last lake f a mile and three quarters. Between this brook and the river 
 rouryah, there is a large mountain, the top of which is covered with rocks 
 which vary m height and superficies ; but its flanks on both sides are of 
 ■cultivable soil. The timber here is birch, white birch, spruce and balsam. 
 The river Touryaii is one of the principal branches of the river 
 }5t, Ann and flows over a rocky bed with much swiftness towards the 
 north west. The valley in which it winds is about an acre and a half in 
 width, but, m approaching the St. Ann, the high banks fall away and leave 
 
 31 
 
ic '' 
 
 482 
 
 
 it a free passage, so that its valley widens out to seven or eight acres and 
 is composed of good cial livable soil. 
 
 From this river, the ground rises a good deal and thus continues hi 
 steps lor about two miles, the land on these terraces beino- ai-,!,K> J 
 covered with mixed hardwood of all kinds. At the end of these two mil!] 
 there IS a chain of rocky headlands extending for amileand a half from sour 
 east to north west, and intersected by a number of small lakes, of ,reLmau vock- 
 
 t^^ ::^:nr^i'^z ^^^^^^^ ^^^ .^^^^^ .^^ ^-: ^^-^-^^ ^o^^tike, the . 
 
 ilopinj^' to VI 
 limber con 
 
 Tlie sa 
 flows over i 
 The valley 
 
 Fiom 
 irs of a mi 
 
 id art' sui 
 'lerre, I n 
 louth \vest 
 lowing in 
 imall roi;k- 
 
 last of these lakes, there is abig mountain to descend for about a mile wit 
 several voy steep steps. About midwav on this mountain, the land become 
 arable and is fairly good. At the foot of the mountain, flows tho river St 
 Ann, about one acre and a third wide, over a rocky bed and with muc 
 rapidity. It winds through a small valley, bounded on the north w 
 
 ■es 
 
 side by the Ta ayarde mountain, which is simply a bare, barren rock of conr ^ 
 
 siderable height. This mountain is broken by a stream about t>0 feet wide '^'^^^ "^?' 
 which hurls Itself over the rocks with great rapidity and loses itself in th " 
 
 fet. Ann, at about a quarter of a mile to the south west. At about a mil*"'' g''^""^ 
 on the top of this mountain, I found th.ee small lakes, surrounded by rocb Hity. T 
 
 and discharging their waters towards the south. From the river St im 
 to these lakes, the surface is very irregular and strewn with rocks th 
 
 timber being balsam, spruce and white birch. From these lakes to th, ^oil Th 
 third river St Ann, there is about four miles and a half Within this' 
 
 space 
 
 the ground is mostly covered with ro.^ks, which vary in height and super These are n( 
 ficies and between which there are some pieces of cultivable land, but o 
 
 'he same 
 )ver a lied c 
 
 le V 
 
 len comme 
 
 small extent and mediocre quality, except near the latter river, where beloM lear whirh 
 
 the high bank, on the south east side, there is good deal of cultivable soi 
 between the rocks in the bank. This thinl riv.-r St Ann is an aero wide 
 
 )ieces of si. 
 here is 
 
 tlowing over a bed of large stones and with much swiftness towards the "I'-^h, beecl 
 
 south. The timber on the rocky headlands consists of stunted spru-,' balsam 
 and white birch. 
 
 ,bout two 
 
 a 
 
 hence bsgai 
 at ween Fos 
 f the seiffni 
 
 lent 
 
 At the end of these five and a half miles, I began to l-ross toward* il''' 
 the south west and so continued about .six miles. Within this space o , '^ 
 ground, I always met the same chain of headlands. About nalfway, I met. TJI '" '' 
 large moiintain which appeared to trend from north to south. On its western Z^'"t 
 slopes, I found several small lakes and at the end of the six miles, I came IZ, 
 across a branch of the river r3atiscan, called the river a Pierre, 60 feet wido. , .^l 
 flowing over a bed of large boulders and with much rapidity toward the Ctl 
 west. Thence I followed an almost south east direction to come out at 'Z". 
 Fossambault. "°°^ *owar< 
 
 jrouud is f( 
 
483 
 
 3r eight acres auj 
 
 thus continues b 
 being a,.,i!)l„ am 
 >f these two mile 
 
 1 ahalt'fromsoiu 
 all lakes, of ore 
 
 F)om this river, the ground rises considerably, and at about three quar- 
 
 lersof a mile, I found two small lakes, which discharge into river a Pierre 
 
 ,(1 an' surrounded by high rocks, and. at about three miles from river k 
 
 'iene, I met a large mountain apparently trending from north east to 
 
 Uth wost and dividing the waters flowing into the Batiscan from those 
 
 Rowing liito the St. Ann. At the foot of this mountain, there are two 
 
 • - =.-"ginall rock-bordered lakes ; but at a distance of about two miles from these 
 
 tarting from thllakes, the mountains become more regular and begin to descend by terraces 
 
 bout a milo.wif ilnnino' towards t.ho prk^ Thu vr.^1.-., ,i;„ ,^.iii •, . .. ' 
 
 Evbout a mile.wit 
 
 the land become 
 
 lows tho river S't 
 
 and with muc 
 
 1 the north wes 
 
 arren rock of con 
 
 >out (JO feet wide 
 
 loses itself ill th 
 
 At about a mil 
 
 Linded by rock 
 
 the river St Am 
 
 ithin this space 
 leight and super 
 able land, but 
 
 s"'"' «iiii u».-yiu Lu uescena oy terraces 
 
 Joping towards the east. The rocks disappear and the soil is arable The 
 limber consists chiefly of maple, birch, beech, spruce and birch. 
 
 Tiie same kind of ground continues to the third river St. Ann. which 
 flows over a bed of large stones with a little rapidity towards the south 
 The valley in which it winds is about two or three acres wide and the land 
 in it is of good quality, the principal forest growth being ash, elm, po-lav 
 md aider. The bank on the south east side is very high, but in 1 regular 
 
 ^'^ ?^''^"'^1 ^V'^y ; t^ieu, the surface grows irregular, but the soil is of good 
 
 ounded by rocks F'i^y. The timber consists of maple, beech, birch, spruce and balsam 
 fhe same ground continues to the river St. Ann, which flows slowly 
 with rocks, th »'«' a bed of gravel and contains several islands of some size and of o-ood 
 ^ese lakes, to th( 'Oil' '^^^e valley in which it winds is about four to five acres in width • 
 ihen commence the great banks on the south west side of the said river' 
 ,; Those are not very high and are composed of good soil for a distance of 
 „,.,o tbout two miles from the river, when several small lakes are met 
 i^er, where beloM lear ^vhich are some small broken hills, and between which are some 
 >f cultivable soi »eces ot good arable land. Between these lakes and lake St. Joseph 
 is an aero wide ^^^^ i« a regular swell of good land. The timber consists of miple' 
 ess towards the »>i''-'h, beech, ^c. I then went down to the mill of Fossambault and 
 d spru/e, balsam heuce bsgan to ascend towards the north west, near the seigniorial line 
 et-veen Fossambault and Bourg Louis. Starting from the last^settlements 
 to cross towml. '*'" ^''='"^'7 of Fossambault, the ground is almost horizontal as far as 
 dn'this spaJeo fj^ ^-=^'^^- !^^««Pt ««-r the different little streams. There are some small 
 iialfway I meta r' "' u i / Prevailing forest growth is composed of cedar, spruce, 
 it weTe ^'^T' '''^. '"^ ''^^''- ^'' '^' ^'""'^ ^'^^^' '^' '^'"^^'^ ^« --^Posed of birch 
 
 i. miles I 1 '' ' ''""''': T'T T^ '''^'"™- ^^' ^^''^ '' ^^■^^^'l ^l^^^i^y- L-^keSergent 
 milts, came ^ su,,o,„Hied by low lands, except on the north west side, where there is a 
 
 jradual rise for about a mile. The ground then slopes to the north west and 
 
 to come out at 1111' "^1^"^' II!^^ '" .'"^T^ "' '''' '''' '' "^"^^^ '''^' ^ ^-^« 
 brook towards the south west. After ascending the north west bank the 
 
 [round is found to be level as f\xr as the discharge of Seven Islands lake, 
 
 ix miles, I came 
 re, GO feet wido, 
 idity toward the 
 
 W^Bb) 
 
 I 
 
484 
 
 [ipuiitain c( 
 here is abo 
 be river Fe 
 L north \\< 
 
 ■which is the principal branch of the river Portneuf. Its banks are somi 
 what high. Between lake Sersrent and lake Sept Isles (Seven Isla <\s) J 
 land is excellent the prevailing timber on the heights being maple, beecl 
 birch, spruce and balsam and, on the Hats, spruce, cedar, ash, balsam anl 
 alder. l<>om said discharge to the river Portneuf, the ground rises gradL" 
 ally for about three quarters of a mile, after which it begins to slope towar^'^ ^^'"^^ 
 the river St. Ann, and, at a short distance, there is a swamp of half a mil 
 to be crossed, the surface of which is flat and the soil bad. IJeyond tU 
 swamp, the land again becomes jrood and continues so, gradually desceudia] 
 to the liver St. Ann. The prevailing timber between the rivers Portnei 
 and St. Ann is birch, spruce, balsam and alder, and the distance is aboi 
 two miles. 
 
 lile; there 
 d, at abou 
 ;treraely st 
 lasses th'' r 
 very slow 
 the east a 
 |nd then flo 
 
 The tno 
 
 leiftht of lar 
 thi.s 
 
 The river St. Ann here ilows slowly over a bed of gravel and contain 
 several islands of considerable size and excellent soil. The valley in ^hic 
 it winds is about 5 acres wide, and its banks are not high— that on t« 
 north west side being a little higher than the other. Once on top of thl^'P'^. ° 
 bank, the ground is horizontal to the third river, where there is also a hi""^ '^ ^^''^* ' 
 of medium height to descend, at the foot of which a very fine valley sprea 
 out, before reaching this third river, which ilows slowly over a bed 
 gravel and in which there are also several islan'^s of good size and soi 
 The distance between the two last rivers is about two miles andisco 
 posed of good quality land covered with maple, birch, beech, spruce am 
 balsam. 
 
 The bank on the north west side, bordering this third river, is somi 
 what high and steep ; but, once ascended, the ground becomes again levf 
 lor about a mile, when it begins to slope towards the north west for half 
 mile, when a small river of 40 feet wide is met, ilowing rapidly over a be 
 of large stones towards the east. The ground between the two last river 
 is good and the timber consists of maple, birch, beech, &;c. On tl uort 
 west side of this small river, there is a heavy hill to ascend and debcendf 
 about half a mile from the river. I again met this stream coming from th 
 north where it is skirted on its west side by a steep mountain, which 
 
 lalsam. Th( 
 
 which tht 
 
 a which ri 
 
 jalf a mile v 
 
 lasses a largi 
 
 ird of the « 
 
 .rface, th',3 g 
 
 le north we 
 
 very ro ky 
 
 ope, I p.isse 
 
 ulniiies. On 
 
 )Out half a i 
 
 sharp dcsce 
 
 hich is also 
 
 sand ill a ( 
 
 here I sivm 
 
 ascended obliquely, and the summit of which is crowned with rocks. Hei ^^^^^"^ ^^'''^^' 
 
 end the arable lands of the river St. Ann. After descending this mountan lountaiu pa 
 I was obliged to ascend another and, lastly, at the distance of 4| mill ^^ ^^il biinj 
 from the last little river, I began to fall upon small lakes, of which I me P™^® ^"^ ^ 
 five in the space of 3J miles, surrounded and separated from each other b 
 bare rocky cliffs, extremely high and steep. The waters of these floi 
 towards the south west. On the north west side of the last, there is a heav 
 
 oint at whii: 
 
 In the lo 
 he river Lini 
 
:s banks are somj 
 Seven Isia dg) tl 
 eing maple, beeci 
 ir, ash, balsam at. 
 ound rises gradt 
 lis to slope towarij 
 ■amp ol'haU'amij 
 3ad. IJeyoud tl 
 kdually desceiidia] 
 le rivi'is Portuei 
 distance is aboi 
 
 ravel and coiitai 
 le valh'y in whic 
 igh— that on t 
 )nce on top of th 
 there is also a hi 
 ine valley sprea 
 ly over a bed 
 od size and soil 
 miles and is co 
 
 lonntain covered o^ ith sniuii ooks which render its surlace irregular. 
 
 lere is al)0ut ami' la' Jf to the crossing, at the foot of which parses 
 ,e river F.>rre, « wide, flowinir very 'swiftly over a rn.;ky bed towards 
 
 le north west til > h s itself in Long la, This river is bordered on the 
 lorth west by a ! vt ( liff, the sut niit *' whi is flat for about halt a 
 ]ile; there i then a hei-vy ridge to as very uneven summit ; 
 
 id, at about vvo milps from the river -rn-, begins a descent which is 
 :treraely st(>ep and which coutiuucs for about u mile, while, at its foot, 
 lasses th' river dos Auluuies ' feet wide, (lowing towards the west with 
 very slow current ove. a hi\. jf sand. It rises in a lake a short distance 
 
 the east and loses itself in another to the west at about the same distance 
 nd then Hows toward the Batiscan. 
 
 The mountain separating this small rir.^r from the river F.'rre forms the 
 
 leight of land between the 8t. Ann and t' iatiscan. Jn th3 north western 
 
 lope ol this mountain, aboat one half of i iie ground could be cultivated 
 
 id is pretty good land. The timber consists of maple, birch, spruce and 
 
 [alsam. The river des Aulnaies winds through a small . alley of good land 
 
 which there are many alders. Leaving this river, there is a large mount- 
 
 a which rises gradually, and the top of which is flat enough and is about 
 
 [alf a mile wide ; there is then a slow descent and at a distance of IJ mile. 
 
 jeech, «nrace ani'^^''^ !J l'"""*^ '^^^'^^^ iiowing westward. On this last mountain, about a 
 ■iird of the ground may be cultivated. Between the small rocks on its 
 rface, th," growing timber is maple, beech, birch, spruce and balsam. On 
 le north west side of this large brook, there is also a high mountain, with 
 vi'ry ro ky surfooe and clothed with poor timber. On the north west 
 ope, I p.ivsed between two small lakes, which discharge into the river des 
 ulnaies. On the north west side of thes^i hikes, the ground rises slowly for 
 )Outhali'a mile, when it becomes flat for a third of a mile; there is then 
 sharp descent to the north, at the foot of which p isses the river i Pierre, 
 hich is also a branch of the Batiscan, and Hows very slowly over a bed 
 'sand iii a deep channel throu;,rh a fine valley of good land. At the point 
 
 , here I sivuck this river there are three small lakes which give it a much 
 
 with rocks. Hei ^^^^'^'^ widlh than it maintains during the rest of its course. On the last 
 Iff this mountan io"»t'iiii passed over, at least one half of the ground can be cultivated— 
 
 rd river, is somi 
 comes again lev( 
 th west for half 
 ipidly over a be 
 '■ two last river 
 3. On tl • nort 
 id and debcend t 
 coming from th 
 ountain, which 
 
 auce 
 
 of 41 mill le soil b;>ing of good quality, and the timber consistinjr of birch, beech, 
 
 , of which I m 
 >m each other b 
 srs of these ilo\ 
 t, there is a heav 
 
 prace and balsam. The distance between the river des Aulnaies and the 
 oint lit which I struck the river a Pierre is about 7 or 8 miles. 
 
 In the lower part of the last lake on the river a Pierre is the mouth of 
 he river Lincheque, 80 feet Made, flowing very slowly over a bed of sand. 
 
^■ 
 
 ,.^.. 
 
 
 IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-S) 
 
 fe 
 
 // 
 
 
 y. 
 
 i/.A 
 
 
 LO 
 
 I.I 
 
 1^12^ 12.5 
 |5o i"^" !!■■ 
 
 2.0 
 
 u 
 
 1.8 
 
 lUI IIIIIM 11.6 
 
 
 Hiotographic 
 
 Sciences 
 Corporation 
 
 23 WEST MAIN STReET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. I4S80 
 
 (716) 873-4503 
 
 ^V 
 
 %'^ 
 
 % 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^\ 
 
 <^ 
 
 <%-. 
 %■ 
 
 
 C> 
 
 "',\-fcv:-- 
 

 C/j 
 
 r 
 
 1^ 
 
486 
 
 From 
 
 Pierre, the h 
 
 rises by de«?rees for about a mile an.1 fu I Ai^nrr 
 slopes gradually to the north west for about two miles and a half AmuI •, H^ 
 foot of this descent runs the river Eatiscan, with a width o ox .''^^ ^" T ' 
 flowing slowly southward over a bed of graVel. in a ^ly ^ L l 2 '^ lit 
 
 all arable and the soil of good quality-the prevailing timber beiao. 2 
 beech, birch, spiuce and balsam. ' ^'®' 
 
 The teraperaiure seems to b^ warmer on the Eatiscan than on thp S. 
 Ann. because the same knids of fruits, which were green on the latter 
 when I crossed It, were ripe when I roached the foimer, which indica 
 difference of at least a fortnight in the season, which may be attributedl 
 the fact that the Batiscan fiows in a much lower channeHhan theSt A. 
 
 aspen, pop 
 ]o\v banks 
 of sand, 15 
 extremely f 
 rises by de; 
 quality, th< 
 
 A larg( 
 and coverei 
 almost uuc 
 between tv 
 for about a 
 tain of iirab 
 
 The valley on the north west side of the Batiscan is bordered hv . 
 small ridge, the ground then rising by degrees. The soil is of good ouaL 
 and arable, for about SJ miles, after which the surface is broken hy ro I, 
 covered mountains. In this mountain chain. I found three smal ia.esl • . , 
 surrounded by very steep hills. On the north west side of these lakes th '"" 'u 
 IS a heavy mountain to be ascended and descended with a stiff slop, 'atth T, ' \ 
 foot of which passes the river Propre, 90 feet wide, flowino- vorv swiffl ■^'^'' ' 
 over a bed of large stones between two large mountains. " The" distal ! 
 between this stream and the Batiscan is about 10 miles. But there areonlv 
 aboutSm.les from the Batiscan that the land is arable; ia the other 3 
 miles, there are also some pieces that might be cultivated, but they are of 
 limited extent. •' "^ 
 
 Leaving the :iver Propre, I went south and, at a distance of about three 
 
 miles, met a small lake, and, another mile further south, I passed between 
 
 two other small ones. The waters of these lakes discharge to the west and 
 
 they are surrounded by large mountains nearly a!l of which are corned 
 
 With rocks Between the river Propre and these lakes, there is very little 
 
 cultivable land between the boulders which strew the surface. Th. timber 
 
 however, is pretty gooJ, principally on the mountain slopes. The same 
 
 kind of land extends to another small lake, about 4 miles from the two last 
 
 mentioned, and which also discharges to the west. I next took the direc 
 
 tion of Long lake, which lies to the south west or thereabouts, and after 
 
 leaving this lake, I crossed a mountain on the summit of which there are 
 
 some small rocks here and there, when the grouud b'gius to slo]>, to the 
 
 river Batiscan and continues to descend by degrees to the valley of that 
 
 river, ^ 
 
 ibounds vvi 
 •ise by degi 
 s generally 
 
 This ia 
 about two t 
 ivith some i 
 Grrondines. 
 dered on ea 
 poi. arable 
 beech, spru 
 balsam and 
 iettlemei)ts 
 '. proceeded 
 leig'niory of 
 foot of the 2 
 Lawrence. 
 
 The pai 
 and Grondi 
 current is si 
 Its bunks ar 
 
487 
 
 t a mile and then 
 ^d a half. At the 
 idth of 2J acres, 
 lUey two or three 
 Batiscau is nearly 
 iber being maple, 
 
 than on the St. 
 en on the latter 
 A'hich indicates a 
 
 be attributed to 
 than the St. Ann 
 
 3 bordered by a 
 3 of good qualitTT 
 broken by rock- 
 iree small la,re8 
 ;hese lakes, there 
 stiff slope, at the 
 ng very swiftly 
 i. The distance 
 it there are only 
 : ill the other 3 
 , but they are of 
 
 36 of about three 
 passed between 
 o the west, and 
 ich are covered 
 Jre is very little 
 ice. Thi> timber, 
 )es. The same 
 >m the two last 
 took the direc- 
 outs, and, after 
 i^hich there are 
 to slopj to the 
 ! valley of that 
 
 Along the whole of this long descent, the ground is cultivable and the 
 >1 pivtty good ; the timber on the slopes is maple, birch, beech, spruce 
 ,iid balsam and, on the flats, ash, aspen, spruce, balsam and alder. Several 
 small brooks wator this section. The valley in w^hich the Batiscau flows 
 is about 7 or 8 acres wide, and the soil is good, the timber being ash, 
 aspen, poplar, elm and alder ; there are also some pines here and there. The 
 joff banks of the river are of clay, with the exception of an overlyin"- bed 
 of sand, 15 to 18 inches thick. The river is very deep and flows with an 
 extremely slow current at this place. On the south east side, the ground 
 rises by degrees for a distance of about 3 miles, and the land is of good 
 [uality, the timber being nearly the same as on the north west side. 
 
 A large mountain occurs at the end of these three miles, rising regularly 
 and covered on the summit with small rocks, which render the "-round 
 almost uncultivable. On the south east flank of this mountain, I passed 
 between two small lakes bordered by rocks of medium height, which extend 
 for about a mile. I then found myself on the western flink of a large moun- 
 tain of arable soil, except on its summit where there are small scattered 
 rocks, which render its surface unjvea. It abuts on the upper end of Long 
 Lake, which is about 5 miles in length by 1 in width at its widest point. It 
 ibounds with excellent fish and is surrounded by high lauds, but which 
 ise by degrees, the soil being arable and of pretty good quality. The timber 
 s generally composed of maple, birch, beech, spruce and balsam. 
 
 This lake is the principal source of Black river (riviere Noire) which is 
 about two thirds of an acre wide, flowing over a bed of stones and gravel 
 mth some swiftness and discharging into the St. Ann in the seigniory of 
 Grroudines. This little river runs in a valley from 2 to 3 acres wide, bor- 
 dered on each side by high banks, but which rise by degrees and are of 
 good arable soil. The timber on the high grounds consists of maple, birch, 
 beech, spruce and balsam and, on the flats, of ash, aspen, poplar, spruce, 
 balsam and alder. I went down by the west side of Black river to the first 
 ttlements on the river St. Ann and in the seignory of Groudines, whence 
 ; proceeded to the furthest settlements on the Batiscan rivev and in the 
 leipiory of St. Ann, where I got a canoe and ascended the Batiscan to the 
 foot of the great currents, a distance of about 75 miles from the river St. 
 Lawrence. 
 
 The part of the river which passes through the seigniories of St. Ann 
 and arondines is nearly straight; it has five falls, between which the 
 current is slow and generally deep— the course being from north to south. 
 Its banks are low, except near the fulls, where they are somewhat high. At 
 
} ..^ 
 
 488 
 
 about 8i miles above the seignory of Grondines, 1 started to eipl„„ a 
 country to the north west of the river for a depth of 7 or 8 miles. sTartl 
 from the r.ver there is a valley 4 or 5 acres wide, then the groun 1 
 g, .dually for .bout 2J miles, after which it rises by degrees a„°d le^^ 
 
 LTZT r '°'"r''?f ^teep, especially at the end of the 7 or 8 „! 
 but he land IS cultivable all over and of pretty good quality the tTl 
 cons,s„.g of birch, beech, ash, spruce, balsam, &°c. I 'then coXuet: 
 ascend the river from the seigniory of Grondines to the mouth of the rh" , d 
 Aulnaies ; ,t runs generally towards the north east, winds a ^ood deal a„ 
 has a valley of 8 or 9 acres wide. Its low banks are composed of b 
 
 I ""T^l'' " '"'* "' """ ^"-"i- " fl™- g«»«'a"y over a bed of «d 
 and sand with a very slow current between several fills which als 2t 
 m this part. ^^mt\ 
 
 Above the river des Aulnaies, it trends northward in a cenerall. 
 straighter direction ; its small banks being always the same and ils valll 
 retaining the same width to the mouth of the river Propre, where its hi 
 banks commence to come closer together and the small ones are sandv 
 with large stones scattered, here and there ; it also becomes more rapid It 
 the mouth of the river a Pierre, the small banks are higher and the^allev 
 which IS embraced within the two larger ones is no more than two or 
 three acres wide. On these large banks, small rocks begin to appear here 
 and there and they are steeper and higher. At the foot of the great currents 
 the banks come close to the water's edge, and, in the river itself there are 
 ^any large rocks. The river flows very swiftly over a bed of large stones 
 Here, I discontinued ascending it and started to explore the country on 
 both sides, proceeding as perpendicularly as possible to the river. I bec.au 
 by going up on the east side. For a distance of about two miles, I me^ a 
 great many hills of some height upon which there only grow stunted 
 spruce and balsam. Then the big mountains commence, rising by 
 degrees and falling away in the same manner, when they are broken' bv 
 streams, at about 6 miles east of the mountain bordering the river Lin- 
 cheque, on the north east side, which is very high and steep. Amon.- the 
 last mountains just passed, there are some pieces of arable land between the 
 smaller rocks on the surface of these hills, among a greatdeal ofloose 
 stones. The timber consists chiefly of birch, bouleau, spruce and balsam. 
 Between the rocks which are everywhere along the Bastiscan river, there 
 are also some small pieces of cultivable land, but so limited as to be 
 unworthy of attention for agriculture. 
 
id to explore thi 
 niiles. Startint 
 the ground risei 
 es and the steps 
 the TorSrailesJ 
 ality, the timber' 
 en continued to 
 h of the river des 
 a good deal and 
 )mposed of blue 
 sr a bed of mud 
 A'hich also occur 
 
 i in a generally 
 le and its valley 
 , where its high 
 ones are sandy, 
 more rapid. At 
 • and the valley 
 >re than two or 
 I to appear here 
 ! great currents, 
 itself, there are 
 of large stones. 
 the country on 
 river. I began 
 ) miles, I met a 
 grow stunted 
 ice, rising . by 
 are broken by 
 the river Lin- 
 >. Among the 
 id between the 
 t deal of loose 
 ce and balsam. 
 an river, there 
 lited as to be 
 
 489 
 
 I then recognized that I was at the end of the arable lands in the 
 vicinity of this river, and I next went up the west side. Starting from the 
 jiver, there are some rocky hills to be crossed, some of which are very steep ; 
 at a distance of about two miles, there are still stiffer, and at two miles and 
 jhalf I passed by the southern extremity of a small lake surrounded on 
 all sides by very high and steep headlands. Half a m ile from this lake, I met 
 another still smaller, also surrounded by great olifTs and at two thirds of a 
 mile from the latter begins a very suarp descent of half a mile at the foot 
 of which passes the river du Portage, 90 fjet wide, flowing over a bed of 
 laro-e stones, rapidly and towards the south. The distance between the two 
 rivers is about six miles, but only on the first two miles from the Batiscan 
 are any pieces of cultivable land found, between the rocks which cover 
 live-sixths of this surface. The timber, on these cultivable pieces, is bouleau, 
 birch, balsam and spruce, while, on the cliffs between the rivers, it is 
 stunted and of poor quality. 
 
 Starting from the river du Portage, there is another large mountain 
 which rises by degrees for a distance of about two miles, and is covered 
 with rocks. After these two miles, I met a chain .i. rocks of different 
 heights and size crossing each other in all directions, and between 
 which there are a great many lakes, and I continued along this ridge for 
 about 8 miles to the north west of the river du Portage, where I met lake 
 Clair, which is about 2 miles long, and the waters of which appeared to 
 me to run towards the river St. Maurice. Between the river du Portage 
 and lake Clair, I found no arable land and the wood on the heights is 
 inferior stuff. I then also recognized that I had reached the end of the culti- 
 vable lands in the vicinity of the river Batiscan. I thereupon stopped the 
 exploration .and returned to Quebec without other interruption. 
 
 The region which is bounded to the south east by the seigniories of 
 Jacques-Cartier, Bourg Louis, Fossambault and others ; to the south west 
 by Perthuis ; to the north west by a high chain of hills, and to the north 
 east by St. G-abriel, contains 89,li00 acres, but, of this tract of land, about a 
 third is covered with rocks, leaving 59,867 acres, and making 590 lots of 100 
 acres each and a small balance. The country bounded to the north east by 
 the seigniory of Perthuis, to the south east by Descharabault, Lachevrotiere 
 and La Tesserie, to the south w^est by G-rondines, and to the north west by 
 the rear line of the cultivable lands contains 140,800 acres ; but about one 
 quarter of this is rendered barren by the small rocks scattered here and 
 there over its surface, leaving 105,600 acres, and making 1056 lots of 100 
 
490 
 
 acres each. And the section bounded to the south west hv the ^~~^ 
 of Perthuis. to the north west and north east h^ "aflinl? hT'T^ 
 able lands, and to the southeast by the chain o/headirds on ils 115 I" 
 acres; but about one half of this surface i. covered with la l-n I' 
 that there only remain 57.600 acres net. ,nakin, 576 lot: of Z acrestr 
 The total number of lots is 2.229, which could ^brm four good parishes. 
 
 (/.-P. Prnu/x, 26th December, 1829.) 
 
 COUNTRY BETWEEN ST. RAYMOND AND LAKE EDWARD. 
 
 Your letter of instructions, dated 4lh Februarv lfl«f v« 
 llnd of aki m comprised between St. Raymoud and thesouth „art " th 
 
 Jea,.otte. A square post, duly inscribed, marks the starting poiat. 
 I made a careful examination of both hanlrs nf ti,„ ^> .■ 
 
 the most suitable for the passage of the in '.fd t "" u^'"'^ ^^ 
 
 2. Before continuing: the exploraiion along the Bttiscan T vi^i^ i ,u 
 
 promontory juts out on the eastern shore but not fl I. \ ^^'''^f^ 
 with the line. ^^"^ enough to interfere 
 
491 
 
 by the seigniory 
 ne of the cultiv- 
 contains 115,200 
 small rocks, 80 
 ' 100 acres each. 
 
 r good parishes. 
 ember, 1829.) 
 
 i.RD. 
 
 'espectiiig the 
 y from Quebec 
 uth part of the 
 le verifioatioa 
 
 , at the foot of 
 the 51st mile 
 e the junction 
 Starting point, 
 
 scan as I pro- 
 ble tributary 
 stern bank is 
 Buce the trees 
 3P. made later 
 . tiic el of 
 ! twenty feet 
 
 I visited the 
 inted with it 
 he mouth of 
 considerable 
 'ing a wide 
 vhich is of a 
 An isolated 
 to interfere 
 
 To the south of the lake, the opening above mentioned continues in a 
 south easterly direction, and following it for five miles, brings us to a 
 branch of the river Meguick, which winds about on our left. Ascending 
 the course of this stream we reached its head, after having left on both sides 
 other branches of more or less size, but llowingin dillereiiL directions. Over 
 these twelve miles or thereabouts from the mouth of the Meguick, no grea^ 
 dilRculty is met with, the level rises regularly to about 220 feet above that 
 of the Batiscan : the passage is in some places narrow, but sulficienly wide 
 for the railway. The ground is clear of rocks and easy t) work. 
 
 From the source of this branch of the Meguick arises also another 
 stream, llowing in an opposite direction, or towards the .south, facilitating 
 our progress : we followed it to its confluence with the north branch of the 
 river Pierre, another tributary of the Batiscan. This stream is about three 
 miles long and from five to ten links wide. On the first mile from the 
 source, the hills on either side, approaching each other suddenly, are almost 
 miited by the boulders d.'tached from their flanks ; the stream, however, 
 still finds a passage. These detached rocks are in some places piled upon 
 each other, while other spaces are left clear, facilitating the descent to the 
 river Pierre, where the level is about a hundred feet lower than at the 
 source of the stream, and where these boulders are the only difhculty to be 
 met with. 
 
 Looking towards the south from the banks of the river Pierre, the aspect 
 of the country indicates level ground, while a chain of mountains in the 
 distance extends to the north east and south west, but does not approach 
 the river until five or six miles lower down. Those on the north west side 
 approach and lecede from its sinuous course for about an equal distance. 
 
 The principal branch of the river Pierre flows through the level coun- 
 try above mentioned and joins the main river a little lower down than the 
 mouth of the stream last explored. On proceeding up this south branch, 
 three small lakes are met with in the space of two miles, and in the fine 
 laud surrounding <hom the beginning of a settlement has been made by the 
 Messrs. Bennett. A space of at least fifty acres has been put under cultiva- 
 tion, and a two story house and depot some sixty feet long serves as a store 
 for the numerous surrounding camps. The oats grown on this farm have a 
 fine appearance and are of goad quality if we miy judge from the samples 
 left in the sheds of the establishment. The cultivable land in this locality 
 may be estimated at about eight to ten thousand acres. 
 
402 
 
 3. I-oaving this part of our exploration aside lor the momeni 
 reCrt^ed to the ™o„,h of the Arog„ick and followed the couLolThe i, '"' 
 cpal braneh of thi. river for «„me dislanee upwards, bu , ndi,°l thafT 
 general d,rec„o„ lay too much to the north eart, we abandoned his S, 
 
 4 For the first ei^ht miles, espeoially on the sonlh east hint .( ,u 
 nver, the land is favorable lor the passaglof a railway Wer ,low T 
 uneven shore and the freqnent and sudden curves present somed iffi '. 
 but not anch as to be insnrmonntable. Before taki " WvT of tl ,^s f',' 
 may menfon that a pass in the mountains called",, Iw.* * I',' 
 
 ^::rof^-^'»:^rrti:j:-^:-^atStrr'-^ 
 
 work and the soil is of excellent quality ^ 'he pro,eeted 
 
 .f tl,'"'-'" Z^"" '° *""■"""' ""'luainted with the valley of the chief bnnrh 
 of the rn-erPjerre, we returned to the road which leads to Mr Bennetf! 
 d^ot, above the forks, exploring both banks to above the depot. No 
 
 n^h.„ a torrent. Th.re ,s a diir.renee of kvel on the last mil of "™" 
 hundred lect, and no improvement takes place for at least a m"e flhe" 
 
 Returning to I he river Batiscan, we made a minute examination of the 
 mountains and gorges bordering the river Pierre on the south es at 
 exactly ..r the great bend which it m .kes towards the north west at bit 
 
 Xt^^t'ofTe St T'V "r^"'>' "'^■"' '^^'^ '»""^ '0 'he ;;;';.;',:" 
 
 tributary of the St. Ann, less than a mile distant. The hcLrht from the 
 depot to the great ben.l is about seventy feet, the distance six me id 
 the ground easy and offering no obstacles. ' 
 
 t„-„ "■ "^u", '?"''' "f ""' ■'■"'" ^""■•> "'Wch we explored flows between 
 two parallel chains of mountains, Ivino- fifiep„ to tvil,,.^ i, o««'«n 
 
 runs towar.is (ho-: -: p * i i ,7 ° , 'wenty chains apart, and 
 
 en of level in th V 'f ' Montauban, four miles further ; the differ- 
 n of le,el m these four miles is sixty feet and the grade uniform. Lake 
 
fi moment, we 
 rse of the prin. 
 "ding that its 
 led this part to 
 nshipsol'Mon. 
 
 t bank of the 
 wer down, the 
 mo difficulties, 
 
 of this spot, I 
 fe coii/^e leads 
 ling the riwr, 
 
 resanm their 
 ■ions of steep 
 
 at the mouth 
 t side of the 
 , the seventh 
 
 the projected 
 
 ' chief branch 
 Mr. Bennett's 
 >t. No serious 
 level and of 
 in suddenly, 
 it up waters 
 lile of over a 
 ile further. 
 
 nation of the 
 ih east, and 
 est, at about 
 iver Noire, a 
 ht from the 
 X miles, and 
 
 ws between 
 
 s apart, and 
 
 ; thediffer- 
 
 brm. Lake 
 
 498 
 
 Moutaub .11, which we explored from the west side, where the banks do not 
 present many serious difficulties, may be also examined on the east side, by 
 leaving these bankrf on the first mile after crossing the north east affluent, 
 lontinuing along the west side of the discharge, behind Long lake which 
 wo coast on the same side as far as Mountain Bay at about two miles from 
 ihe point where the above affluent falls into the lake. 
 
 If the uneven land, the perpendicular capes 200 feet high and the walls 
 of rock which line the shores of Long lake over a distance of at least a mile 
 wore found only on one side. I would have continued the exploration of 
 this river to its fall into the great valley of the St. Lawrence, several miles 
 lower down ; but this route being too costly, we examined another passage, 
 less broken but, extending a little more to the west ; that is to say, we fol- 
 lowed the valley of the river Blanche, which we reached by Mountain Bay, 
 between which and the lake of Seven Islands, a belt of firs, sixty chains 
 across, and quite level, affords an easy passage over the height of laud. 
 
 7. From the lake of Seven Islands proceeding down the river Blanche, 
 there are uu great difficulties in the way of reaching St. Alban ; and a pass 
 a little to the east is at least as favorable ; the greatest difference of level 
 being two hundred feet over three miles of the descent to the smooth 
 valley of the St. Lawrence. From St. Alban following the base of the 
 mountain either on the north or south side of the river St. Ann, the ground 
 is most favorable for the construction of a railway as far as St. Kaymond, 
 where my exploration terminated. From St. Alban to St. Raymond, the 
 level rises a hundred feet in the space of twelve of fifteen miles. 
 
 8. In order, however, to become personally sure of tne possibility of a 
 direct line, I explored with this view the valley of the river Jacob up to 
 the source of the river. 
 
 To reach lake Simon, two different routes offer themselves, both quite 
 practicable ; but beyond that to the height of land the rise is over a hun- 
 dred feet in half a mile, increasing as we near the summit. 
 
 Considering the lateness of the season, the small stock of provisions 
 remaining, the fatigue of four months' labor, and the exhaustion of the 
 appropriation, we here ceased our explorations, ready to resume them on 
 the return of the proper season, and examine certain parts yet unknown, 
 which may give satisfactory results. 
 
 In conclusion I may say that tLis exploration on the whole has had 
 the result desired, viz : to establish the possibility of crossing the southern 
 
4!)4 
 
 declivity of th,. l.uironti.m hills, ,m<l (iiulino. „ nnu-tirnhl., rn„f u 
 
 (/'.-//. Chmink, :lij May, 187i;,) 
 
 NoBTii BiiAmMr OK ■rriu kiver st. a„n. 
 I shall .livi.lo Ihis report j,u„ Uvo .listiiict narls • (ho Hrvl r.l r 
 , tho .oct.ou s„r...y..,l l„, woo,, lh„ bo,„„huT li'u." o h,. o^vkI "If '' 
 mont a,ul Gosfora ,„ ,h„ p,,.co ,.„™,„„„ly I,|„ , ,h ■' rkl ".a I," "°'-- 
 
 ov east si,lo of .ho rh-er, is a pl„t„a„ of fairl/.e™ L, J and i , l'' ^:"'^' 
 the quality of tho s„il a,„l ,i,„,,„r a.ul tho'lpparo.astii^i^^^^^^ 
 settlers, sovo,, ia „.„.bor, who live on it, it il'.o^d lai.d to soUlo 1; '" ''" 
 
 increase ■» 1 oiHU aiM.ro th it ,. ' '"""'""""'• "''1'='' S™Iually 
 
 tains all alon.l o lo ' nk a Xeri T"' '° u'" "'"■■ ™" ™™"- 
 There is no Und u,ul ,■ Iti • t ™ on th "• l'™' *"' °" ""' °"'°'- ^'''»- 
 fo™ed hy winding, of th' H;::;™. whieUr^ytrrr' "" °" '^ """"^ 
 
 dominating. '"■'""-"•'■''» =""1 ''Pmeo. the last na.nod pre- 
 
 qnantities, but genomllv of .m 1 sit T '"'" '"''"" '" '"S" 
 
 York gen.hn„a„!a pai tlr t ^P r nm d'a!- '"'"■'"f "'''' ^' "«' 
 
 boanty of tho site and tho iutra'cto L tt pf ^ ICl!?'''"'""'^ "'° 
 perty at the " Forks "and has como there wih his ^i^t'^T'', " ""' 
 season of the last two years. ""''' "• 'P'^'"' "■"-' '"" 
 
 fa. afry t:;i;::r:zr\r;itr'';it'ht' "■>''"\^--^«^»^ 
 
 stretehos of still water, as indie ted in ^^ flu rt t T?"7 " " '^ 
 the mountains and broken all along ^>^ ^^l^]^;-^:::^ 
 
route by xvhich 
 ko St. John. 
 
 ^^f^y, 1870.) 
 
 ii'st relatiii<»to 
 ^uship of Roc. 
 niul tho second 
 n-k, iiiclu.liiij, 
 
 rth east branch 
 'he right bank, 
 judiring iVoni 
 iou of the lew 
 -ttio ou. 
 
 rnos narrower, 
 ich gradually 
 • The moim. 
 he other side, 
 or two points 
 
 ly. The tira. 
 t named pro- 
 it during- the 
 Ivou in large 
 that a new 
 inned by the 
 ;hascd a pro- 
 »end the fine 
 
 surveyed as 
 n of a few 
 ined within 
 . Even the 
 
 495 
 
 discharge of hiko C flows over ii ladder of stoop rocks, worn away by tho 
 WiittM' and tho weather. Along tho tributary of tho north oast branch up- 
 wards to the lakes A, 15, C, the country is very mountainous and the woil 
 ^uilii lor cultivation. 
 
 Tho prevailing vorioties of timber are balsam, white l)irch and spruce, 
 tho latter too small for building purposes. 
 
 Tho land in this second part is generally mountainous and unfit for 
 cultivation; tho timber, which is chiolly balsam, is too small to be of any 
 
 use. 
 
 The great number of lakes and their proximity to each other make 
 this a magnificent country for fishing and hunting; but, unfortunately, 
 sportsmen will always have great difficulty in reaching it. 
 
 The lakes contain trout, but only in small quantity and of middling 
 
 size. 
 
 • 
 
 Along the discharge of lake Crapaud, from the Forks up to the lake, 
 aie timber, which consists chiefly of spruce, is of bettor quality, of medium 
 size and very suitable for bui Iding purposes. 
 
 {EiigHne Fafard, 14th July, 1887.) 
 
 RIVER TALAYARDE. 
 
 I have tho honor to report that I have scaled the river Talayardo and 
 its tributaries in the county of Portneuf. 
 
 The general aspect of the land on both sides of this river is very rocky 
 and mountainous ill all directions. The soil generally consists i>, yellow 
 earth, very stony, and is in my opinion quite unfit for cultivation. The 
 forest growth comprises chiefly balsam, white birch, spruce and yellow 
 birch, of an average diameter often inches. Balsam is the prevailing variety. 
 
 This river, which flows towards the south, discharges into tho river St. 
 Ann in the 5th range of Gosford. Its course is for the most part rapid and 
 frequently bordered by perpendicular cliffs, which are sometimes dillicult 
 and even dangerous to ascend. 
 
 As for the lakes which feed this river, they have been better stocked 
 •with fish, perhaps, than they will be in future, as the otter, mink and 
 marten, which frequent them, destroy daily the trout and gudgeon in them 
 
496 
 
 The temporaturo was very cold and there wa« a ^ood deal otwTj 
 as a whole the season was very favorable for the work of the survey '' 
 
 (N.-J.-E. Lffranfois, 4th August, 1888) 
 
 RIVER MAUVAI8E. 
 
 I have the honor to report that I have scaled the river Mau.aise aud i„ 
 tributaries as wdl as the different lakes included in the undivided part 
 the township of Roemont, in the county of Portneuf. 
 
 The land watered by these rivers is very mountainous and rocky i„ ,11 
 directions The soil .s generally sandy. The timber consists of ba am 
 white birch spruce and yellow birch of good size for lumbering purtrs 
 This ri.er. known as the Bad river (riviere Mauvaise). flows in a serine 
 manner to the north ^vest branch of the river St Ann and i^ f i k c 
 principal lakes, which I surveyed, except that of the Bla'ck brooMri'lseJu 
 Noir) ^^^Ich is of considerable size, but lies beyond the limits as iTed ! 
 me. I hen w t .. j.^e No. 9. " situated on the hei^h oT ^d au 
 regarded as the head of the river Mauvaise and ran « U«. ?u ^*"^ and 
 
 Wth Tosaid to climate, I observed that the changes of lemnemture 
 were about the same us those experienced in thevicinity of QaebeT 
 
 (N.-J.-E. Le/ranfois, 12ta July, 1888.) 
 
 EIVEHS TOWACHICHE AND EAHX MOBTES, &c. 
 
 The river Towaohiche, in the county of Portneuf, thirty miles from the 
 bt. Uwrenoe ,„ latitude 46=, 50' N. and longitude 72", 28', SO'' We" a 
 the point ot departure, is one of the tributaries of the Ba isca^ ThTriVe 
 does not contain many fish, though the large lake Maskersy, andZ 
 
 wpecially 
 These two 
 Jlortes, its 
 lerei'k Pron 
 a la Vase, ' 
 to the uort 
 not coutaii 
 in which 1 
 tiful still i 
 Brochets. 
 la Tmite, c 
 good trout 
 and especii 
 Mortes. E 
 litile lake ( 
 
 1 am } 
 
 flow is ger 
 spruce, bir 
 tity of pin« 
 
 The c 
 
 through th 
 Towachich 
 the present 
 lakes Mask 
 follow the 
 with. Tht 
 through th 
 Notre Dam 
 Railway, 
 charged wi 
 direction s( 
 may, howe 
 often thou 
 dollars a m 
 three thous 
 still more. 
 the public, 
 
deal ot'suow, but, 
 the survey. 
 
 ugust, 1888 ) 
 
 VIamrais« and its 
 ndivided part of 
 
 and rocky in all 
 isintfi of balsam, 
 boriug purposes. 
 I in a serpentine 
 id is fed by five 
 brook, (ruisseau 
 nits assigned to 
 ■ht of land and 
 ience to "lake 
 lect my scaliii"- 
 ler and thence 
 
 eaking, abound 
 
 of temperature 
 Quebec. 
 
 uly, 1888.) 
 
 miles from the 
 , 30" West, at 
 n. This river 
 tsy, and more 
 
 497 
 
 specially lake Robergo, from which •' ia fed, abound with large trout. 
 These two lakes in reality afford very fine fishing. The river aux Eaax 
 Mortes, its north branch, and its tributaries, the river aux Brochets, the 
 creek Pronovault. the discharge of the Hmall lake des lies, and that of lake 
 a la Vase, which I also surveyed, are in the county of Charaplain, a little 
 to the north of the preceding, and flow into lake Mekinac. Those rivers do 
 not contain many fish either, with the exception of the river aux Brochets 
 in which large numbers of pike are caught. But these fish are more plen- 
 tiful still in the lakes aux Chat and aux Brochets, on the said river aux 
 Brochets. The lakes Hamel, h la Dame, au Castor, and particularly, lake k 
 laTruite, ori the north branch of the river aux Eaux Mortes, also attbrd 
 good trout fishing. The same may be said of the lakes k I'Ours, Dussault, 
 and especially, Desrochers, on the main branch of the river aux Eaux 
 Mortes. But the best places for trout and pike fishing are certainly the 
 little lake des lies, lake Long, and, above all, lake Travers. 
 
 i am happy to inform you that the land through which these rivers 
 flow is generally fit for cultivation and settlement. It is also covered with 
 spruce, birch and other merchantable timber. There is only a small quan- 
 tity of pine to be seen at two places marked on the plan herewith. 
 
 The completed portion of the Basses Laurentides Railway passes 
 through the tract surveyed by me, following the west bank of the river 
 Towachiche to within half a mile ofthelakea I'Auguste.thence, if it follow 
 the present tracing, it will turn a little towards the east, pass between 
 lakes Masketsy and Roborge, the little lake des lies and lake Long, then 
 follow the most northerly direction possible, as shown on the plan here- 
 with. The road would be more useful if it would pass more to the south, 
 through the best lands of the township of Chavigny and the parish of 
 Notre Dame des Anges, ending at some nearer point on the lake Si. John 
 Railway. It is difficult to imagine the reasons by which the company 
 charged with the construction of this road was induced to give it this 
 direction so much too far to the north, involving useless extra length. They 
 may, however, be found in the fact that the road is subsidized with a grant 
 often thousand dollars a mile, while it does not cost over seven thousand 
 dollars a mile to build it, which leaves the contractors a net profit of over 
 three thousand dollars a mile, besides the property, which should be worth 
 still more. I humbly submit that, in the interest of the Government and 
 the public, it is very advisable that competent officers should be appointed 
 
 33 
 
498 
 
 to superintend and control the tracing and construction of all the railw 
 which are subsidized by the Government. ^^ 
 
 The natural advantages of the tract which I ?ave passed over in th 
 course of this survey, the timber, the water-powers, the fishing and huntin 
 grounds, make it a desirable field for colonization. 
 
 (P.-P.-N. Du TremUay, 15th January, 1887.) 
 
 Leaving 
 
 ^ land io i. 
 
 cond canot 
 
 elake, wh 
 
 rge. Cros 
 
 ike Kenoga 
 
 lulnais, and 
 
 Johu was 
 
 [cended thr 
 
 already m 
 
 elve miles 
 
 From th 
 distance of 
 mark that « 
 Bt, shewing 
 ntly gneiss 
 foot-hold ca 
 
 Such wa 
 mk, about ; 
 iguenay, eij 
 me side, a 1 
 rface was i 
 an abunda 
 ne trees of ' 
 
 Advauci] 
 ith post-ten 
 ntiau rocks 
 le bays and 
 irts, more pi 
 le clays exte 
 d gravel. 
 
 ■ 
 
Df all the railwa 
 
 passed over in th) 
 3hing and huntinj 
 
 anuary, 1887.) 
 
 LAKE ST. JOHN DISTRICT. 
 
 VALLEY OF LAKE ST. JOHN. 
 
 Leaving Chicoutimi on the 30th September, our equipment was sent 
 land io the foot of lake Kenogami, a distance ci fifteen miles. Here a 
 Icond canoe was hired, by which I was enabled to visit several points on 
 le lake, while the provisions and other materials proceeded forward ia a 
 irge. Crossing by the Bon Portage from the head of lake Kenogami to 
 ke Kenogamishish, we proceeded to th^ foot of it and then down the river 
 alnais, and from its mouth down the Belle river to Lake St. John. Lake 
 . John was examined along the coast and around its islands, and v/e 
 cended three of its tributary rivers for different distances, the Belle river, 
 already mentioned, the Ouiatchouan for one mile and the Peribonka for 
 velve miles. 
 
 From the mouth of the Saguenay to Cap a I'Ouest on the right bank, 
 distance of fifty miles, we passed up so rapidly that I had only time to 
 mark that on each side precipitous cliffs rise to heights of from 300 to 11«0 
 Bt, shewing a succession of almost bare rocks of the Lauren tian age, appa- 
 ntly gneiss. It is only at the mouth of some of the tributary streams that 
 foot-hold can be obtained for agricultural purposes. 
 
 Such was observed at the junction of the river Marguerite on the left 
 mk, about thirteen miles from the St. Lawrence, and that of the Little 
 iguenay, eighteen miles up on the right bank, and at the St. John, on the 
 me side, a little over twenty-four miles up. In all other parts where the 
 rface was not actually denuded of vegetation, it sometimes gave support 
 an abundant growth of blueberry bushes, or some few small spruce and 
 ne trees of different kinds. 
 
 Advancing from Cap a I'Ouest the country becomes deeply covered 
 ith post-tertiary clays, through the horizontal surface of which the Lau- 
 ntiau rocks protrude like islands, with occasional cliffs of the same facing 
 le bays and the rivers. These clays form an excellent soil, but in some 
 irts, more particularly in the neighbourhood of Lake St. John, to which 
 le clays extend, they are covered over with from one to three feet of sand 
 d ffravel. The area thus covered is consid rable, and it is but little 
 
 
500 
 
 resorted to for farming. Over a large part of this, however, the defect 
 
 the light sandy soil might be easily obviated. With a small axon Jwge brea( 
 
 labor the clay might be brought up from beneath the sand and sravelPe lake is 
 
 spread over the surface, where mixing with the lighter material it wJbably as 1 
 
 form an easier worked ;soil, equally fertile with that composed entirelP more th 
 
 clay. The beneficial effects of such a mixture are shewn by natural e iPe l^st, ar 
 
 pies in some parts of the area on gentle slopes which have been formeJ«a"'«^- ■ 
 
 •denudation, where the sand gradually thinning becomes well miii..led Jrt of the ^^ 
 
 the clay for some breadth near the junction, or on flat surfaces wher Jes to the i 
 
 denudation has left the sand so thinly spread over the clay as to permit 
 
 action of the plough to effect the mixture. At the same time that su 
 
 soil possesses a great and durable fertility, it requires less labor and ca 
 
 its management t han the stiff clay. 
 
 The clay deposit between the Chiooutimi and the head of Grand 
 has in some places a thickness of 600 feet, and where this exists land- 
 are of common occurrence. They give to the surface a broken and rue 
 aspect, yet it is not uncommon to find whole farms situated on the rem 
 ofsucheboulements, while others standing on the st'U unmoved gro.- 
 might from analogy be supposed to be in positions somewhat insecure 
 greatest display of these land-slips is to be seen up the Ha ! Ha ! river and 
 river St, Alphonse, both of which empty into Grand Bay, and on the r 
 
 between Chicoutimi and the bay. But the conditions which produce th 
 
 slips exti'nd to Lake St. John, and may be expected beyond as the cl "gentian ro 
 were observed on the banks of lake Kenogami, at Bon Portage and on B ' ' ' 
 river, where in many places they have a thickness of a hundred feet I 
 here that large areas, as already mentioned, are overlaid with sand OnL 
 St. John the clays were seen to the east of the Metabetchouan at 
 Hudson Bay Company's post, and to the north west of the rivei Ou 
 
 chouan, as fas as Blue Point, where a very thriving settlement is establisl IZZl 
 
 These tw 
 when Jh 
 leen feet o\ 
 low water 
 leents a mt 
 Its through 
 ist extends 
 lam, a dist 
 [o miles, g 
 iide of this 
 eadth of Ic 
 ips of smal 
 ount of are 
 
 the whole 
 d to signifj 
 
 For the fi 
 
 arter to a h 
 11 as low Si 
 
 up. Thi 
 
 on them. To the west and north of Blue Point and around by the no 
 margin of the lake to the outlet, the shores are low and sandy. The san( .^d^rite ro. 
 greyish-white, and appears to be derived from the destruction of Laur '„' ' 'd 
 tiau rocks. '^"'-*^' P™^ 
 
 der water 1 
 
 The greatest length of Lake St. John is about twenty-six miles exte '^'»'^« ^^^ ' 
 mg on a bearing N. 20° W. from about the mouth of the Metabetchoi "» '"shes 1 
 river to that of the Peribonka, and its grestest breadth about twenty m; ''« alternati 
 from the mouth of tht Ouiatchouanish to the great discharge. The princi «'"• ^"^ ^^^ 
 rivers that flow into the lake are as follows T First, the Belle river wh ""S ^ ^"^'^^ 
 joins it on the south side about six miles above the little discharge. "* *^^°^^ ^^ 
 
 • ntian rocks 
 
601 
 
 owever, the defec 
 h a small aaou 
 sand and gravel 
 iter material it ^i 
 composed e 
 wn by natural e 
 have been forme 
 es well mingled 
 it surfaces whe] 
 clay as to permit 
 ime time that su 
 less labor and cai 
 
 |(rage breadth just above the position where it is influenced by the waters 
 
 ) lake is about one chain. Next, is the river Metabetchouan, which is 
 
 ibly as large ajirain as the Belle, and is about eight miles above it. A 
 
 more than the same distance farther is the Ouiatchoaan, equal in size 
 
 he last, and six miles beyond it a somewhat smaller stream, the Ouiat- 
 
 )nanish. About the same distance farther we come to the most eastern 
 
 ■t of the lake, and here enters the river Chamouchouan, and a couple of 
 
 les to the north the Mistassini. 
 
 These two rivers are each of them over half a mile wide at their mouths 
 when the waters of the lake are at their highest, which is fourteen or 
 leen feet over their lowest level, the two rivers join for some way inland. 
 low water the shore between them, as well as above and below them, 
 head of Grand r^"'^ * margin of dry sand of from one to two miles wide, forming a 
 his exists land-sP* through which the rivers cut various channels. This description of 
 broken and ruol'^* extends all the way to the mouth of the Peribonka, which is the next 
 lated on the rem**™- ^ distance of twelve miles, where the breadth of sand is upward of 
 '1 unmoved gro*" ™J^*^^> graf^ually tapering to nothing along the north east shore, 
 ewhat insecure. "''°"*'*^'= o-,rf^«ei^r« ,,,„«„; tA u.j _.,_j xu — •_ ., ,, 
 
 [a! Ha! river and 
 
 ly, and on the i 
 A^hich produce th 
 
 eyond, as the cl "^^"^''^'^ '"^^^^ o* ^^e interior, the accumulation of which has so far filled 
 
 ^ortage and on B 
 hundred feet 
 with sand. OnL 
 abetchouan, at 
 of the river Ou 
 
 iide of this extensive margin of dry naked sand there is a considerable 
 eadth of low sandy country supplying a growth of meadow hay, with 
 ips of small trees and brush wood, giving farther evidence of the great 
 ount of arenaceous material that is brought down by the rivers from the 
 
 the whole lake as to give origin to its Indian name of Pia-Koua-Kanny, 
 d to signify the broad, shallow lake. 
 
 For the first twelve miles of its upward course the Peribonka is from a 
 arter to a half mile wide, and it presents several low sandy islands, as 
 11 as low sandy banks. But at this distance from its mouth it at once 
 ement IS establisl ,tracts to a breadth of not much over one chain, and maintains it for a 
 ound by the no e up. Through this sluice, bounded on each side by dark violet blue 
 sandy. The san( radorite rock, the whole volume of the river rushes with immense 
 truction of Laui ,ience, producing a rapid current for some way down in the middle of the 
 der water below. Above this the river again widens out and still water 
 ty-six miles, exre '^'^'^^ f°^ * farther distance up. It then once more contracts and 
 the Metabetchoi "" i"ushes between its rocky margins with the same violence as before, 
 about twenty mi ''^ alternation of still and rapid water holds fDr some distance up the 
 .„ — mu . _.:_.: er, and the country on each side is said to correspond with the changes, 
 ring a swampy surface opposite the still water, while a ridge of rock 
 ns across the rapid part, very probably indicating the strike of the Lau- 
 ntian rocks through the vicinity. 
 
 large. Theprinci 
 ! Belle river, wh 
 ttle discharge. 
 
502 
 
 On these^ndges large quantities of pine timber are said to exist 
 hey have. I believe, already furnished a large proportion of its sunl 
 the lumbering establishment of Messrs W. Price & Son The timhf 
 the country described consists generally of .pruce, balsam, fir, yello?! 
 Avh.te birch and maple on the clay, with elm and ash in low plaoeT 
 the higher and more sandy parts white pine prevails. 
 
 ai 
 
 Imestone, 
 with for ir 
 to bend tov 
 blocks wer 
 case on Lai 
 is almost c 
 
 The va ley of Lake St. John may very properly be considered as cot, 
 mencmg at the mouth of Ha ! Ha ! bay. This constitutes the eastern extreli 
 of the general depression or comparatively level surface of which the! 
 occupied by the lake is probably the lowest flat ; and from this point U 
 boundanes of the depression separate from one another, that on the no 
 side of the Saguenay running about N. 20" W. for about thirty miles J 
 then changing its bearing to about N. 75- W., and in that direction runni 
 for abou SIX y miles. The boundary on the south side of the Saguenay sen 
 rates a it le from the south side of Ha ! Ha ! bay.in its progress rumiing'n 
 S. W. It hen gradually turns to about west of north, and gaining the sou 
 8KU of lake Kenogami, runs along its whole length as well as" lake Ve 
 beyond. It continues nearly in the same direction, and crosses the Met 
 betchouan about a mile from its mouth, coming very near the lake in aba 
 west of It It crosses the Ouiatchouan at the fall about a mile from t 
 ake and then turns about N. 55- W. Running in this direction it orosse 
 the Ouiatchouanish about six miles up, and from Blue Point it is traceable 
 
 o'fbT Tv,"'f!J^n^'''™'r'''^'^'*^^"*y "^^^^^"^''^'^'i" which it keei 
 to the south of the Chamouchouan. Between the north and south bou 
 
 daries where they can be no farther traced by the eye, there is a separatio 
 
 of about fifty miles for the breadth of the valley, the length of which upt 
 
 a line running across at the upper end of the lake is about seveuty-fir 
 
 mi es, the genera aearing of the valley being N. 70« W. How muc 
 
 farther it may extend in the same direction, I am unable to say Thirt 
 
 miles added to the distance above meniioned would give an area of 5 00 
 
 square miles. But as viewed from Lake St. John the northern boundar 
 
 appears to terminate, and the valley may perhaps spread out to the eas« 
 
 ward Indeed, one of the Indians who was with me asserted that it didsc 
 
 stretchmg along in that direction to the Seven Islands on the St. Lawrence 
 
 while in the opposite one it extended to lake Temiscaming. But it i 
 
 uncertain what dependence can be placed on his information. I may stat 
 
 however, that his account is in some degree corroborated by what I w 
 
 ^rr 5? "f^®'"^*^"^ ^^«* yea^ when at the Mingan Islands. Mr. Henderso.. 
 
 ot the Hudson Bay Company's post, informed me that large loose masses o 
 
 The n( 
 
 apparently 
 2000 feet a 
 much over 
 rounded, a 
 ever-greeni 
 vrere prett; 
 towards Hi 
 
 Theci 
 pies a very 
 crops seem 
 Tftlley will 
 to be no d( 
 the kinds ( 
 abundance 
 places mor 
 ince a subj 
 
 
 In con 
 1873, requ 
 and of the 
 the river a 
 and Ouiat( 
 my operat 
 explored. 
 
 We cc 
 Blaiklock i 
 
e said to exist, ai 
 ion of its supply 
 The timber ov 
 am, fir, yellow at 
 ifl low places. 
 
 considered as cor 
 3 eastern extremi 
 ! of which the ar 
 from this point tl 
 , that on the nort 
 t thirty miles, an 
 direction ruuniii 
 he Saguenay sepi 
 ess running near 
 gaining the sout 
 veil as lake Ve 
 crosses the Met 
 r the lake in a ba 
 a mile from th 
 irection it crosse 
 t it is traceable b 
 in which it kee{ 
 and south hour 
 re is a separatio 
 th of which upt 
 bout seven ty-lir 
 W. How muc 
 ! to say. Thirt 
 @ an area of 5,00 
 •rthern boundar 
 out to the east 
 ted that it dids( 
 he St. Lawrence 
 
 503 
 
 limestone, which from his description I inferred were Silurian, are met 
 ffith for in the interior from the Seven Islands, in a direction that appears 
 to bend towards Lake St. John, and I am inclined to think that, where these 
 blocks were seen, some of the Silurian strata will be found in situ, as in the 
 case on Lake St. John. Where flat deposits of these rocks extend the country- 
 is almost certain to be capable of cultivation. 
 
 The northern ridge is much more elevated than the southern, and it is 
 apparently destitute of soil on the summits, which are probably not under 
 2000 feet above the lake. The hills on the south were not supposed to be 
 much over YOO or 800 feet above the lake. Their tops were generally 
 ounded, and the growth of timber upon them, which was all composed of 
 ever-greens, seemed to confirm the report of the inhabitants, that these hills 
 vrere pretty well covered with soil. The range, however, gains in height 
 towards Ha ! Ha ! Bay, and all the wood is there of a stunted growth. 
 
 The cultivabk land of the valley of Lake St. John most probably occu- 
 pies a very large proportion of its area, and, as in the settled parts of it good 
 crops seem to be the general result, it appears to me very probable that the 
 valley will hereafter support a very considerable population. There appears 
 to be no doubt in the minds of the settlers that they are able to grow all 
 the kinds of grain produced in the neighbourhood of Montreal, and in equal 
 abundance ; and the unexplained superiority of climate in the valley over 
 places more to the south renders the investigation of this part of the prov- 
 ince a subject of considerable interest. 
 
 {James Richardson, 185*7.) 
 
 ming. But it i| 
 ion. I may stat( 
 I by what I Wi 
 Mr. Henderson 
 e loose masses 
 
 RIVERS OUIATCHOUAN, BOSTONNAIS AND BATISCAN. 
 
 In conformity with your letter of instructions dated the 12th November, 
 18*J3, requiring me to survey tLe river Ouiatchouan, part of the Bostonnais 
 and of the river Batiscan and its tributaries, the river Jeannotte and part of 
 the river au Lard, the river Petite-Bostonnais and its lakes, the river Croche 
 and Ouiatchouanishe, I have the honor to transmit you the final report of 
 my operations, together v^uth the field book and plan of the entire territories 
 explored. 
 
 We commenced our operations at the post planted by Mr. Surveyor 
 Blaiklock at the north east extremity of the line drawn from La Tuque to 
 
«04 
 
 the north west angle of the township of Charlevoix anrr«vm, .k u 
 lake St John to the month of the river Oniatrouan 03^11 w!?;^ 
 place the variation of the magnetic needle. On the we,t h f ' *'" 
 Omatohonan, I planted a square post to mark the 03 of", °^ *' 
 of the snrvey of the said river^continuing the cTainin/„oli ''?"'""' 
 course. I surveyed the portage of Great F«n. .,Th ® "Pwards along it, 
 
 2nd mile to the L exc^u'siveTd^trciLt utdt r^rT t"' 'J^ 
 west extremity of lake Bouchette, where a new portage which 1 '°°"' 
 conducts US to Commissioners' Lake, on the 26* mile J^fu*.' ™'"?'i 
 
 Ln?irsetrf"-----'"^^^^ 
 
 All this land gently undulating and composed of a ironH ^ni] n l 
 very valuable hereafter, and will advance the pro^e ityff the to J" v*^ 
 of Charlevoix and Roberval for purposes of colonizatbn ThV '^'^' 
 
 rnpt^here and there with rapiL.^f Which ttrrd-aLtu^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 lengthTytrrml;:^ hreadr "CTT' "'^•'""™ '' ""'^ '" 
 Which surrounds it is I "ivatn t'l? wild' wilr aU tT. 
 Saguenay timber, which may be most profitablertrlde '"""^ 
 
 oTr^^fo^r.rtrurh rttr ^'r'^^^^^-^ 
 
 level, and composMTa ^'cHnl f:rl:;e Toif '""' ' """^ '" '"'^''- ^^ 
 
 thrcu°g"h "Mcrn:tr;stt:f ::xr^^^^^ -^ -« 
 
 the little 
 pcixeived 
 tnd Batisi 
 gently un 
 
 Thei 
 length cf 
 of the rir( 
 timbered 
 of this riv 
 level. Pt 
 lake into 
 lakes, thei 
 of its chai 
 covered w 
 there is al 
 
 Lake 
 
 on a meri( 
 
 the south 
 
 the first fa 
 
 water, boi 
 
 to the rigl 
 
 occurs at i 
 
 rapid of al 
 
 Baptiste n 
 
 large basir 
 
 on the sou 
 
 mountainE 
 
 magnificei 
 
 and may c 
 
 lake Batisc 
 
 the entire 
 
 of the Met 
 
 the portag 
 
 level than 
 
 another, fa 
 
 portage w( 
 
 discharges 
 
 east and di 
 
 small lakef 
 
Jying the shore of 
 istabliohed at thL, 
 ^est bank of the 
 'int of departure 
 ipwards along its 
 noncement of the 
 'iyer to the south 
 hich I surreyed 
 th the exception 
 rocky, the soil 
 i almost all the 
 trade and for the 
 
 rood soil will be 
 3f the townships 
 he river is inter- 
 alt is the Rapide 
 
 ures 21 miles in 
 ■ters of the land 
 ith all kinds of 
 
 , drain a large 
 hich is a conti- 
 3outh extremity 
 n breadth, very 
 
 ion and passes 
 :akouagamissis, 
 in the valley of 
 soil very fit for 
 and some pine, 
 ards the south 
 i^ell its waters, 
 of lakes, up to 
 arte, formed of 
 jive here, that 
 iirentides. On 
 
 605 
 
 the little mountain, to the south east of the lake, near the portage, are 
 pci-ceived the shores of lake St. John ; the valley of the river Bostonnais, 
 and Batiscan is also in sight, as also a wide country to the east and west, 
 gently undulating and well wooded. ; 
 
 The river Ouiatchouan from its mouth to its source has a surveyed' 
 length cf 68 miles. The portage between the waters of this river and those 
 of the river Bostonnais is 47 chains in length passing over a level and well 
 timbered country as far ns Partridge lake, where the Lst mile of the traverse 
 of this river begins. The waters of these two rivers are here almost on » 
 level. Partridge lake discharges itself by a small river passing by Mink 
 lake into lake Bostonnais, at its northern extremity. Between the two first 
 lakes, there is a portage to avoid th*^ rapids which obstruct the navigation 
 of its channel. The land on each side of this little river is elevated, and 
 covered with tall and very heavy timber, such as spruce, birch and aspen ; 
 there is also a small quantity of pine. 
 
 Lake Bostonnais having been already scaled, I chained its length nearly 
 
 on a meridian line, and also traversed Swamp river, discharging itself oft ' 
 
 the south side of this lake, at about the 63rd mile ; after having surmounted 
 
 the first fall, at the commencf ment of the 14th mile, the river becomes still 
 
 water, bordered with red and grey spruce, and white birch on the heights 
 
 to the right ; the ^and to the left is level and of good quality ; a second fall 
 
 occurs at the 15th mile and the last reach on the 22nd mile is formed by a 
 
 rapid of about 12 chains in length, and on which the lakes a TEtoile and 
 
 Baptiste receive the waters of numerous small tributaries which drain a 
 
 large basin bounded on the east by the hpights on this side of Metabetchouan, 
 
 on the south by the bank of the river Batiscan and on the west by the 
 
 mountains north of lake Edward, the highest of this region. This basin, 
 
 magnificently wooded, is gently undulating and very fit for cultivation, 
 
 and may contain about 20,000 acres of arable land. From the heights of 
 
 lake Batiscan are seen the chain of mountains on the west of the St. Maurice, 
 
 the entire surface of lake Edward, the valley of the river Bostonnais, and that 
 
 of the Metabetchouan ; the river measures upwards of 31 miles in length ; 
 
 the portage to the Batiscan is a mile long ; the latter river is on a lower 
 
 level than the preceding because the portage, not going from one source to 
 
 another, falls into the Batiscan many miles below its source. Leaving the" 
 
 portage we find ourselves on lake Caribou, at the mouth of a stream whicW 
 
 discharges itself therein ; this lake runs from the south west to the north 
 
 east and discharges itself by the river Batiscan, passing through two other 
 
 small lakes which flow into lake Edward. A range of mountains bounds' 
 
aoe, 
 
 thifi rivor on tho south east side as far as this hiko, and continues Ijeyond if 
 on tho north oast side. This part of tho river is filled with rapids botween 
 the lakes ; (he last part is in dead water and bordered with the mountains 
 mentioned above ; the soil on each side, lor 15 or 20 chains back, is ol'rroorl 
 quality and well timbered. ^ 
 
 Lake Edward is of a very irregular form, presenting at first tho appear 
 nnce of a large river it changes all at once its aspect, tho deep bays which 
 surround it often hide from view tho road which the traveller "ou^ht to 
 lollow to reach its extremity, and the heights which command it form bv 
 their regularity and I heir charming outline, covered with magnificent forest! 
 ot all kinds of timber, one of the finest and most picturesque perspectives 
 and at the same time attra<;tive sites for the foundation of a colony with the' 
 advantage of possessing an excellent soil and of enjoying a climate as pro- 
 pitious and salubrious as possible. 
 
 The first discharge of lake lUdward occurs at the 13th mile of the seal 
 ingoftheriverBatiscanon the east shore of the lake; it is concealed so 
 to say, by tlie sinuosities of the shore, and requires to be known not to be 
 passed by ; even at a chain's distance from its mouth it cannot be disco- 
 vered. The entry is precisely like that of a key entering a riuo- This 
 entry, having a breadth or 30 or 40 links, becomes a lake two°or three 
 chains further on, and continues thus, for about a mile and a half, as far as 
 the first rapid, where we ceased our examination before performino- the 
 survey, being assured that it was indeed a discharge. The dischar-e'per- 
 forms Its office only when the waters of the lake rise above a certain" level 
 at other times it may be said that all these waters go to feed the river Jean- 
 notte. It the rapid mentioned above flows towards the south, it is the 
 waters of small streams above the rapid which take this direction It is 
 true that when I was there the level of the water was at least three feet 
 lower than usual ; there remained in consequence but 6 or 8 inches of water 
 at the entrance of the discharge and without the least current. 
 
 Before surveying this first discharge, profiting by the fine weather and 
 by the small quantity of snow on the lake ice, I took occasion to survey it 
 immediately in place of doing so on my return from the other side of the 
 river Jeannotte. which allowed me to send my packmen forward to carry 
 the provisions to the first easterly branch of the Batisoan, and also to seek 
 behind for the remainder of the deposit on the Ouiatchouan. The total 
 distance scaled from lake Edward by my survey is by measurement 61 
 miles without including the survey of the large island which contains 
 
607 
 
 tinues l)eyoiid it 
 I rapids botween 
 h tho mountains 
 i back, is of jrood 
 
 first tho appoar- 
 loop bays which 
 iveller ought to 
 land it Ibrm, by 
 gnificent forests 
 ue perspectives, 
 olony, with the 
 climuto as pro- 
 
 nile of the seal- 
 is concealed, so 
 nown not to be 
 annot be disco- 
 : a ring. This 
 fe two or three 
 a half, as far as 
 performing the 
 s discharge per- 
 a certain level, 
 the river Jeau- 
 outh. it is the 
 lirection. It is 
 least three feet 
 nches of water 
 it. 
 
 le weather and 
 <n to survey it 
 her side of the 
 rward to carry 
 id also to seek 
 an. The total 
 easureraent 61 
 I contains I 
 
 acros in superlunos ; this isln is well timbered and forms, throughout 
 three fourths of its extent a level of from 6 to 10 feet above the lake.* The 
 north part is much more elevated and is commandGd by two small moun- 
 tains, having their rounded summits covered with white birch, beech, 
 spruw, balsam, and some pines ; the soil of this island is composed, like 
 tne main land, of grey and yellow earth, mixed with sand, and well adapted 
 for cultivation. Other small islands ar(> also met with, all well timbered 
 and of good soil ; several tributaries flow into it, the largest coming from 
 the north. At the 7th and 11th miles, two rivers which I explored dis- 
 charge into it, with a ch«in of lakes, coming from tho east. The north and 
 west shore of the lake is more elevated th-^n that of the south and east, but 
 the land and timber are of the same quality. 
 
 The first discharge is tolerably level. The rapids are at long intervals, 
 and as far as lake a la Croix, at the 20th mile, the ground is quite flat and 
 of magniRcent appearance. At the 21st mile post on lake a la Croix, the 
 north east river Hows in, which I scaled for a distance of more than 6 miles, 
 where it is bordered in this place with high mountains and very broken 
 rocks ; it flows through poor land and is divided into many small branches 
 which run in all directions, north east, east and south east, and with a lake 
 on this river which I scaled, forms a total of eight and a half miles. 
 
 After having scaled lake a la Croix and another lake at the 24th mile, 
 I continued the descent of the river Batiscan to the 34th mile, where the 
 east river flows in. This latter part of the survey, in so far as regards the 
 island of lake Edw'ard, is altogether similar to the foregoing, but the 
 east side of the river without being mountainous, is more uneven than the 
 former part. Mountains nevertheless are met with at the 29th mile, bu^ 
 isolated and without continuance. The pine on these heights, rather abun- 
 dant, appeared to be of good quality, and up the stream, at tho confluence 
 of the east river, we saw the site of the fisrt lumber establishment worked 
 on this river. 
 
 The river Batiscan, haA'ing a breadth of two to four chains, with a 
 mean depth of three to six feet, forms here and there, by the irregularities of 
 the ground, falls and rapids (magnificent water powers) which will be of 
 use one day when this valley is colonized. 
 
 I scaled the east river to the upper extremity of the lake des Passes. 
 The first two miles of this river is but one succession of rapids and falls 
 from ten to twenty-five feet in height, and the plateau of the lake des Passes 
 is more than four hundred feet in height above the river Batiscan. This 
 
508 
 
 lake is well named, all the land surrounding it. with the exception of thaf 
 part to the north eaat. where I torminated the survey, is very fit tor cuiti 
 vation and forms as it were a basin of two or three miles in diameter of 
 level ground, well wooded and composed of excellent soil. 
 
 Ileturning to the 34th mile of the scaling of the Batiscnn, I oou- 
 tinued the chaining, descending its course, which is broken by a fall at the 
 35th mile and by heavy rapids at the 80th and 38th miles, and becomes 
 dead water at the confluence of the river of lake Batiscan, with a breadth of 
 three to six chains and a depth of four to eight feet. 
 
 The aspect of the east side is nearly the same. The mountains, althou-rK 
 more distant from the river, (about half a mile) are more lofty and closer 
 together ; one might say that they are at this dfstance to make room for those 
 which are at some chains from the river, on the side of "He Edouard" 
 approaching the east river, and which are continued almost without inter^ 
 ruption to the river Jeannotte ; and thence to below the Trois Roches rapid 
 where I terminated my exploration. These mountains are from 300 to 400 
 feet m height and do not extend towards the interior of the island • thev 
 simply border the river, leaving between them easy passes through which 
 
 fnLnl rf *-i ' ""^^^l "T"'' "^^''^ '''^ ^'•""^ ^^' numerous lakes ot the 
 interior. The soil is good, though uneven, and the timber which is seen ou 
 all the uplands ,s of remarkable length and size. The pine and grey spruce 
 have been worked for lumber, but there is still much remaining 
 
 I scaled the river of lake Batiscan, whose confluence is at the 41st mile • 
 
 leet at the 10th mile, forming the two steps by which we rise to the hei-^hts 
 among which lies lake Batiscan. It might be said that we have a Hirnpse 
 of the river Saguenay. with its gigantic hills, its masses of ^rani^e from 
 fifteen to eighteen hundred feet perpendicular, and its smooth and deep 
 
 tTlTnf U r 7' fT ""^r "' '"' '' ^"^"^^^-^ A^«"S its course one 
 third of the land IS fit tor cultivation and the timber is ol good growth • 
 chiefly white birch, long and heavy. At the south east extremity of lak^ 
 Batiscan a large stream comes in and a portage passes by the side of the 
 latter to the line of the Quebec and St. .Tohn railway. Passing thus bv its 
 Bide It rises over a height which I estimated at 900 feet above lake Batiscan 
 m he space of a mile at most. I terminated the scaling of this river jus; 
 at the south east extremity of the small lake which lies on the upland in 
 the neighborhood of the post of the 20th mile, according to what we have 
 determined by the plan furnished from your department. This post has 
 probably fallen down, or the depth of the snow (five or six feet) on the bank 
 
500 
 
 'eption of that 
 y fit tor culti. 
 iu diameter of 
 
 iscan, I ooh- 
 
 •ya fall at the 
 
 and becomes 
 
 h a l)roadth of 
 
 tins, although 
 y and closer 
 room for those 
 e Edouard", 
 nthout inter- 
 lioches rapid, 
 m aOO to 400 
 island ; they 
 roujrh which 
 s lakes ot the 
 oh is seen ou 
 1 grey spruce 
 
 he 41st mile; 
 mother of 30 
 the heights 
 ve a glimpse 
 Ti'iiuite from 
 th and deep 
 
 course one 
 )od growth ; 
 lity of lake 
 e side of the 
 
 thus by its 
 ike Batiscan, 
 s river just 
 le upland in 
 at we have 
 is post has 
 on the bank 
 
 of the mountain whore the line passes concealed our stopping place from 
 our researches. We planted a post at the inlet of the small lake where the 
 line of road, mentioned above, intersects it , and we explored the land in 
 the vicinity, ascertaining at the first glance the impossibility of constructing 
 a railroad there, with the means which the country affords at our dispo- 
 sition. This point is at an elevation of about 1,500 feet above lake St John, 
 and I thought I perceived that the lino had not yet reached the height of 
 land. The scaling of this river, including lake Batiscan, amounts to 30J 
 miles of chaining. 
 
 T then continued the scaling of the river Batiscan, left off at the 40th 
 mile. Descending from the forks, there is a large rapid which finishes by a 
 fall, where improvements have been made to facilitate the descent of timber. 
 At the 44th mile a small river coming from the west has also been worked 
 for lumber ; a camp is built at its mouth, but it was not used for cutting 
 timber last winter, nor was that above mentioned. The river then contin- 
 ues, as dead water, for several miles ; the land on both sides has a good 
 appearance ; the mixed timber such as birch, white birch, balsam, spruce 
 and pine, is of large growth ; the land, of yellow and grey loam mixed with 
 sand, is of excellent quality, if we may judge from the length and size of 
 the timber. There are some rapids and a fall at the 50th mile, and we then 
 reach the fork or junction of the two discharges of lake Edward into the 
 river Jeannotte. The two arms form at their meeting a fall of about 30 
 feet, at the close of the olst mile, and some chains lower down another fall 
 of 25 feet, followed by the great rapid, is the last which is found on our 
 line of exploration of this river. 
 
 There is an old lumber camp in ruins on the discharge of the river 
 Jeannotte, and another at that of the river Mequik, which discharges on the 
 south east side of the Batiscan at the 50th mile. I terminated the scaling 
 of this river at the line of prolongation of the township of Rocmont to the 
 Trois-Roches rapid. This line runs magnetically. 
 
 Above this spot, the river descends for nearly a mile in rapids, as far as 
 I could see. I planted a squared post at the Rocmont line, marked with 
 the number of miles, 56, as also the date and the year. From the forks, the 
 heights which border the river approach nearer to it and are steeper, espe- 
 cially on the v/est side ; the soil, apart from the mountains of rock, is good 
 and cultivable ; the timber is composed of birch, white birch, aspen, spruce, 
 pine, some elms, alders, &c., &c. On the south east side, approaching the 
 river Mequik, the land is more level, and appears to continue so in this 
 
510 
 
 9 
 
 direction for a crlaii, ,|,„ce ; „1| ,hi, l„„a i, v„ry (it for cultivatiou uul „r 
 th. rivor Mequik, and also .ome building,; l,„t no one rcido, tliorl 
 
 lieturning to tl,,. river .Ironnotlo or socond diacliargo ol' lako liJvvarH 
 mud.. 1,. »„rv.y of i, by following i, upwards to the said lake ' 
 
 hshed the drawing „f two limit, or exploration lines, one at the 1, lit 
 .nd Iheseeoudatthe 7!h raile. A lumber .;on..ern has made som, o™ r!, 
 on this river at the 3rd mile ; from the d,sehar,e to "h . Tm ,Te ^ 
 forms, as It were, one eoiitiuuou. rapid. Threli other rapl'ab' e' 
 plaee up to the great rapid ..ear lake Edward are the only obstacle to h 
 met with on this river. The land „,. each side is generally hn^a ,,1 
 wooded, lit for cleari,ig, and advantageously situated *^ "'" 
 
 I explored, on my way, a part of the river alij lake au Lard and l„,vl, 
 ascertained that the direction of this water-course keprm at a" ,2 
 irotj, instead of bringing me nearer to. the Little Boslomia" , 1 thoth 
 prudent to make use of the old portage. The land, watered by the r™ r 
 lake au Lard, is ol magnificent appearanee, covered with hard timb "h .1 
 
 yellow loam, covered with a very rich humus. ^ 
 
 The lae an Castor, connected with the river Jeannotto, receives the 
 waters ot another river which come, from the north, whose tirtuo, ba L 
 .nterlaced w.th alders and underbrush, bordering waters where no ce h,d 
 formed, decided me to pass on without scaling it. The last miirnf ,k 
 Jeannotte were scaled on the bank, from want of iee. ""' 
 
 l»t, vl" ^T'\"^ terminated the scaling of the river Jeannotte as far as 
 
 ake Edward, I explored the environs of this lake, to discover the pa " 
 
 mentioned in your instructions, and after many researches I found i ts oo "al 
 
 o departure at the south west extremity ; I ,ill„.«d the marks ad d 
 
 trees, as ar as the iner des Aulnais mentioned above, after ha-, i,.- -...wd 
 
 asuccx-ssionofsmallakes, and reached the height ,f land b ■' wv '• t 
 
 iver Jeannotte and the north west branch which" dischart si i^ „„ , 
 
 thetaHake "f "= "\T"^ "'■*'' '"l'«'"V. I -Ll it ; b yo d 
 
 porta" nheittTe'ur, " "'"""""^ "> '■"'^' ">« continuation of the 
 portage ot the Jjttle bostouua.s. Having ascertained that there was an 
 
 on^kU" u" "'"" •" °" '"» «"»■"!. 1 J-ided, after due onsMm io" 
 on taking the shortes- ti ,. to rea.h the waters of the St. Mauri T the' 
 provisions were nov .,, ilv railing, though given out by iX s, it w 
 
 latiug aiK 
 
Itivatiou ami or 
 the mouth of 
 les thoro. 
 
 I" lako Edward, 
 lake. 1 estab- 
 at the 1st mile 
 orae oporatious 
 atnp the river 
 ids above this 
 obstacle to be 
 level and Well 
 
 I'd, aud haviii"- 
 « at a distance 
 s, I thought it 
 f the river uucl 
 timber, white 
 mdy grey aud 
 
 , receives the 
 
 artuous bauks 
 
 3re no ice had 
 
 miles of the 
 
 Dtto as far as 
 T the portage 
 >und its poiut 
 arks aud old 
 growth of the 
 ia\'i)irT ';»assod 
 betwv'u fiie 
 iiwiiif into lac 
 it to beyond 
 uation of the 
 here was an 
 onsideration, 
 rice. As the 
 ions, it was 
 
 511 
 
 :i^- 
 
 pradt'nt not to lose any time in seeking a portage whoso marks or in lioa- 
 tioiis had now disappeared. 
 
 Taking a south west direction on the discharge of a stream on the bank 
 of the little lake Kcarte, I fortunately ainvodjust at the head of the priu- 
 cipai branch of the Little liontonnais. 
 
 The land along the entire length of the portage is moro or les.s uneven, 
 without being mountainous. The soil on the north side is more elevated 
 than that on the south which is comparatively level ; although broken here 
 ami there by rocks, it is not the less lit for cultivation ; the timber is the 
 saint' as th^t already described for the heights ; the low lands are generally 
 wooded with gi 3y, black and rod spruce, balsam and alders. The post of 
 the I'th mile stands on the height of land, and the descent is easy and gra- 
 dual, passing by a chain of small lakes of little importance aud forming a 
 narrow valley limited by a range of low hills on either side which disappear 
 at the 16th mile to give place to a wide plateau, level and bounded on the 
 east by the little Wayagamack, and ou .the west by the largo lake of the 
 same name. 
 
 Continuing the scaling of the river I passed, on the west side, a branch 
 coming from the north west, at the 16th mile, and met, at the 17th mile, the 
 discharge of the little Wayagamack. I there perceived that we had not 
 followed the latter part of the portage, otherwise we should have arrived at 
 the little lake Wayagamack by the inlet at that place. I was enabled to 
 assure myself, however, that the branch Which I had just scaled was longer 
 aud of greater size than that which should have followed if we had not 
 missed the portage. This did not however prevent the scaling of the little 
 Wayagamack which is a fine sheet of water, abutting towards the north 
 east on an isolated chain of mountains separating this valley from the 
 Batiscau and running from north to south ; it is well timbered, being 
 covered with pine and spruce. The shores of the lake are generally undu- 
 lating and consist of good yellow and grey loam ; some rocks project for- 
 ward into the lake, forming masses of granite. This lake abounds in fish ; 
 the trout taken there are brought to the Three Rivers' market. It is for the 
 most part very deep, excepting at its discharge, which is filled with aquatic 
 plants, whose growth also covers the bed of the lake. 
 
 I then continued the descent of the river to the great lake Wayagamack 
 which I scaled throughout its entire extent, planting mile posts on the 
 north west side as far as its discharge, and thence by the portage au Groeland 
 on the south west side to the St. Maurice, where I terminated the scaling 
 
ii ., 
 
 I 
 
 612 
 
 t*Il?3nh mile ""'"' '''"'"'■ '" *'^ ^^"*' '^"^' ^ ^^"^^-^ P°«^«^ 
 
 11. .?! Tr^iir^'""^ ^''"* ^^^' Wayagamack is composed of a soil 
 hke that 01 the little V/ayagamack. The timber is of the same kind an 
 the entire tract presents all the advantages required for the ooening of new 
 settlements, which may be extended without obstacle as* far as thesT 
 Maurice on the south side of the Little Bostonnais. The north side k mo,! 
 tamous and only fitted for taking out building timber, such as piraT. 
 spruce. The pine groves of this river have been already worked, the lake 
 has been dammed at its discharge, and an embankment and slide construct 
 €d The river St. Maurice is approached by a plateau at leSst one hundred 
 feet in height above the river, and composed of sand and yellow loam 
 superposed on the bed of clay which forms the bank. Points of the rivP^ 
 which have been cultivated by the lumberers, serve to supply the lumbe' 
 farms with hay and oats. These farms are kept with care, and the animal 
 for breeding purposes, to be seen, in their stables, present a magniCn 
 appearance. "feuiJitem 
 
 The plateau mentioned above is covered with a recent growth of small 
 White and red pine which the fire has spared. 
 
 I chained t: e St. Maurice upwards to the river Croche, so as not to 
 interrupt the continued course of my operations. The La Tuque rapi 
 Shu in between two rocks, reduces the width of the river to a f!w chl' 
 
 Th. A^" I ^^'':' '' "^"''"^''^ "^^^^ *^^" ^ ^"^''^^^ «f - ™ile in width 
 The rapid is about eighty feet in height, and, during the high waLs of 
 
 T!^%lZ' ''•' "^"^'^ '*' """*'' "^ ^^''''' '' *^«»ty *^«t- The west bank 
 of the St Maurice is steep and mountainous ; part of it has been swept by 
 fire, but there are still to be seen several pines which have escaped 
 
 it fnl wJ' *^' T^' *^' " •'"' ^««*«»"^i« i^^^^' i»- Before arriving here, 
 liollows a winding course in a level country composed of alluvium and 
 clay, covered with elm. ash, willow and alders, bordered on each side by a 
 Cham of mountains, throughout its length, in a north east direction. 
 
 nvJcrnrt''' T t^n '"""^^ ''^l ''''''^''' '^' "^^^^ ^ostonnais from the 
 nver Croche. which flows into the St. Maurice a few miles higher up, and 
 
 on the same side A magnificent tract of country extends from the St. 
 taCnf I'^tT ^'''''''' ^^ '^' ^"*^"'^^' ^^^^'i^S the chain of moun. 
 ^oTe^aldtosLnt".^^^^ '^^^'^^ '' a summit-ridge between the rivers 
 
 Alar; 
 who has 1 
 ber tlirm, 
 
 The c 
 as it were 
 upper pari 
 Croche an 
 entirely, 
 ahnost ab( 
 Hall, and 
 away by t 
 
 I am: 
 Mr. Ritch: 
 river, and 
 at our disj 
 to say ujt! 
 and whJcl 
 
 Havii 
 mouth of t 
 point of d( 
 this purpo 
 removed, 
 dulatious 
 
 At thi 
 haustible : 
 huecounti 
 three quar 
 ash, white 
 the soil is 
 forest in tl 
 
 Alonji 
 taries whi 
 their rise i 
 luxuriant 
 very rich 
 fifteen to \ 
 sand saw ' 
 this river. 
 
613 
 
 lared post marked! 
 
 mposed of a soil 
 e same kind and 
 e opening of new 
 as far as the St, 
 ►rth side ic moun 
 such as pine and 
 worked, the lake 
 i slide construct- 
 s5st one hundred 
 and yellow loam 
 ints of the river 
 ipply the lumber 
 and the animals 
 t a magnificent 
 
 growth of small 
 
 ihe, so as not to 
 ^--a Tuque rapid, 
 to a few chains, 
 a mile in width. 
 ! high waters of 
 
 The west bank 
 5 been swept by 
 
 escaped. 
 
 e arriving here, 
 )f alluvium and 
 I each side by a 
 iirection. 
 
 )nnais from the 
 higher up, and 
 i from the St. 
 chain of moun- 
 ween the rivers 
 
 
 
 A large part of this fine territory belongs to Mr. G. B Hall, of Beauport, 
 Lyho has had considerable clearances made in the neighbourhood of his lum- 
 jber larm, which is well kept and largely supplied with cattle. 
 
 The only iuconvenience is the rise of the water in spring. Dammed up, 
 las it were, by the narrow rapid of La Tuque, the ">''«<5 of waters of the 
 upper part of the St. Maurice rises rapidly, driving back the waters of the 
 Croche and Bostonnais, and then extending over its banks which it covers 
 entirely. In the spring of 1873 the rise was remarkable ; the water rose 
 almost above the windows of the house occupied by Mr. Elliot, agent of Mr, 
 Hall, and it was solely owing to the stone chimney that it was not swept 
 away by the torrent like the other buildings of the farm. 
 
 I am indebted to the kindness of this gentleman and of Mr. McGreo-or, 
 Mr. Ritchie's agent at La Tuque, for important information respecting this 
 river, and esr^ecially for the opportune aid which they afforded us by placing 
 at our disposition the stores necessary for the continuance of our operations ; 
 to say nothing of the generous hospitality offered us with warm sincerity 
 and which we accepted with gratitude. 
 
 Having been able to take an astronomical observation only at the 
 mouth of the Croche, I commenced the scaling of this river, taking for my 
 point of departure a large elm on the south east bank, which I marked for 
 this purpose, being more fit to serve as such than a post, which might be 
 removed. The Croche is certainly a fine river, winding with pleasing un- 
 dulations through a level and richly wooded valley. 
 
 At the 4th mile a large farm turns to advantage th«' riches of this inex- 
 haustible soil. To beyond the 60th mile, the same might be said, if this 
 hue country were open to colonization. The valley varies in breadth from 
 three quarters of a mile to one mile and a half, and is wooded with elm, 
 ash, white birch, aspen, poplar, birch, spruce, balsam, willow and alders ; 
 the soil is alluvium reposing on a bed of clay ; natural prairies replace the 
 forest in those places which have suffered from fire. 
 
 Along its course, there are hero and there to be met with, small tribu- 
 taries which descend from the heights, on both sides, after having taken 
 their rise in the numerous lakes in the vicinity, which serve to irrigate this 
 luxuriant valley. The principal is the little river Croche at the 60th mile, 
 very rich in pine of the first quality, and which produced last winter from 
 fifteen to twenty thousand saw logs. A.t the 42nd mile a pile of three thou- 
 sand saw logs on the north west bank is the only one which we saw on 
 this river. 
 
 33 
 
514 
 
 
 The first rapid at the 33rd mile, and the second at the 49th mil. . J 
 only a iew chains m length, and the high waters of the sprint, cor^ h 
 entirely The first fall at the o5th mile is formed by a rock which t ,^1" 
 the valley co.npletely and closes the passage of th^ riv.n- vvh t 
 descends with three falls of 40 feet each. Then risumin' it p ee'b, ""''^ 
 the valley, narrowed for a moment, continues unbrokln o thf o nr'" 
 ment of the rapid and of the uneven ground at the o5th mil. tC^ "" 
 gulanties form a crevasse in the mountain two or three hundreds, 
 depth, at the bottom of which enormous rocks have rolled from t,.f„:^l 
 and cause ihe torrent to roar in it. narrow bed. Above this rapid trC 
 changes ;ts aspect ; the soil is gently undulating and the 1 1' ^ 
 disappear. The great rapid, at the 69th mile, is rath:r a successir 7 
 varying f^o^ ,o to 25 feet, to the first lake. After passing the ^r at r id 
 the elevated plateau which follows affords a pleasin.- anS ^^ratlful 1 K 
 of contemplation to the wearied traveller. " '''^^''^ 
 
 «H , ^f ^\^^^^^^Y^7« surrounded by a gently undulating country raised but 
 
 shghtly above the level of the lake. To the right, to the left, aL n front 
 
 are perceived passes which leave us uncertain of the direction taken by tk 
 
 nver when on suddenly turning a point to the right, the river comes from 
 
 the east and changes Its appearance, taking the form of lakes more r s! 
 
 wide, with passages where the current is scarcely perceptible, to th 85th 
 
 mile, where IS situated the last fall to be met with in this pa t f t 
 
 scaling Which performed. I should have said the last falls ; the ri v r L^e 
 
 8 chains in width is filled with small islands, which form so m ny^I' 
 
 rent arms, all making the same fall, but with more or less differ ence b 
 
 height and volume of water. ^i^ieuce in 
 
 th. Itr' ^ 'n '?K ^^^"S; ^^"•'«°^^'^t^'^. t'^« lakes follow continuously to 
 the portage Ouiatehouanish. Leaving at the 89th mile the river CrochJ o, 
 the north side, we take the portage on the south east side of the last lake 
 the 0th mile. This river has still a moderate width, where we lefl to 
 about one chain and appears to come from the north west, fallino- in w th 
 these lakes on the same heights as those of the Bear and Salmon rivers. 
 
 From Uie first lake to the portagv, the land is generally undulatino- • a 
 few mountains of moderate height relieving the monotony of the scene\nd 
 giving It some variety by their picturesque appearance.' The soil i cot 
 
 nolt fTl' T.'"^ ^"^"'^- ^^"^^^^ '^ ^^^--^-^ ^^^ocks alo„,the 
 iTrl T u "^T^"" "^ '^' ^'^''' ^^^^^'*"=' between, fiats of better 
 
 land. Ihe timber is smaller, and of inferior quality : cypress, black spruce 
 ana white birch are the predominating kinds 
 
 The 
 
 icinity c 
 miles dis 
 vhich pa 
 
 The] 
 Indiisns, : 
 ice, follo\ 
 it careful 
 exploring 
 
 Thes 
 with sma 
 birch of rt 
 sible, wit 
 St. John. 
 
 Thei 
 upper ou 
 having bi 
 
 The 6 
 and the fi 
 and red s 
 kinds. 
 
 Ipla 
 miles, tht 
 
 CONC 
 
 of the ter 
 accurate i 
 be said th 
 are the ob 
 haps tell 1 
 in a far re 
 river Croc 
 
 It mi 
 
 in the coi 
 the beaut 
 waters to 
 which th 
 direetlv t 
 
515 
 
 the 49th mile, ad 
 spring cover their 
 •k which traverses 
 i-iv.n- which her' 
 s peaceable course 
 to the commence 
 
 mil.'. Thcsi irre 
 3 hundred feeti, 
 i from the summit 
 his rapid the land 
 d the mouutains 
 succession of falls 
 g the great rapid 
 d grateful subject 
 
 ountry raised but 
 left, and in front, 
 tion taken by the 
 river comes from 
 akes more or less 
 ible, to the 85th 
 this part of the 
 s ; the river here, 
 (n so many diffe- 
 less difference in 
 
 continuously to 
 river Croche, on 
 )f the last lake at 
 ere we left it, of 
 , falling in with 
 -Imon rivers. 
 
 r undulating- ; a 
 of the scene and 
 The soil is com- 
 rocks along the 
 ill, flats of better 
 ss, black spruce 
 
 The tributaries are unimportant ; a circumstance arising from the 
 vicinity of a river which flows, by its side, in a parallel direction, at a few- 
 miles distance from the St. Maurice on the west ; the river Ouiatchouanish, 
 which passes through these lakes, being at a little distance on the east. 
 
 The portage of the river Ouiatchouanish is longer than I expected ; the 
 Inditiiis, not being able to use this river in winter from the badness of the 
 ice, follow along its bank to the first lake. I followed this portage, scaling 
 it carefully, estimating as closely as possible its distance from the river, 
 exploring the land, and scaling the lakes along its course. 
 
 The space between the two rivers Croche and Ouiatchouanish is filled 
 with small hills of sand and loam, covered with cypress, balsam and white 
 birch of recent growth ; fire has committed some ravages ; it would be pos- 
 sible, with but little expense, to bring the waters of the Croche into Lake 
 St. John. 
 
 The river Ouiatchouanish, which I scaled, from its first lake to the 
 upper outline of Roberval, flows peaceably in a large and level valley, 
 having but one rapid throughout its course. 
 
 The soil is generally good ; the land of varying quality, the timber fine, 
 and the fall of water suflBcient. Pine is only found lower down ; here grey 
 and red spruce, balsam, white birch, and some birch are the more abundant 
 
 kinds. 
 
 I planted at the termination of my labors a squared post marked 1G8| 
 miles, the date, &c., &■'., as required by the instructions. 
 
 Conclusion. — The ensemble of the explorations performed in this part 
 of the territory of Lake St. John and of the St. Maurice gives a sufficiently 
 accurate idea of the relative importance of these two valleys, so that it may 
 be said that the one is almost a continuation of the other, so insignificant 
 are the objects interposed between them. The secrets of geology might per- 
 haps tell us the precise date of their separation, for Lake St. John must 
 in a far remote time, have discharged its waters into the St. Maurice by the 
 river Croche. 
 
 It may certainly be supposed, that the lands which we now cultivate 
 in the county of Chicoutimi were formerly the bed of this lake, and that 
 the beautiful and fertile valley of the Croche served as a passage for these 
 waters towards the St. Lawrence, by a channel quite different from that 
 which they now follow, and joined the waters of the St. Lawrence more 
 directly than they now do at Tadousac. This mav suffice to show clearly 
 
f 
 
 516 
 
 I have 
 rivers Ouia 
 tk island 
 lonnais au( 
 
 that the valley of Lake St. John is not a basin with no outlet tow . ^ 
 
 west, as was at first thought, and surrounded on all s d byXll^ 
 
 Cham of the Laurentides, which made the openin- of eorarnun, L ^^^ 
 
 difficult and indeed impossible for a railway, and^^atrth fi ^^^ 7 
 
 from that of the St. Lawrence and of the St MaurLe bVa «-- / ■- 
 
 than a hundred miles of unfruitful and barren land, alto.etL r;Lrpt^ ^^^^^ 
 
 purposes of colonization. ° """^ ^oftrought to 
 
 Wo ourselves crossed the Laurentides several times m those nl»J ^^' '' 
 which are known to be the least difficult and the most accessible !?'! 
 time we became convinced that this immense country vva onlv fi f 
 hunting and fishing, and that it was impossible to cons ruct raH 
 through It. unless at the expense of millions. ^'^""'^ 
 
 At present taking into consideration the past explorations whi.h M 
 have made and that iust completed, the contrast is rea'surh " n^^Z 
 ceive a ffen tie descent, wfh tin v^i,r ov,..^K„.„.i. X. , ,. « ' ^ "owper 
 
 hat it mij 
 lomain lyi: 
 10 w be no ( 
 ime be co] 
 long the S 
 he St. Mai 
 he region ^ 
 
 ceive a gentle descent, with hardly any obstacle towards the si T '""^'^ '^'T'' I 
 passinjr bv the side of f hn«« rr..J..J. IT' ^''^''^' *.^^^^' ^^™^ce feet above t 
 
 passing by the side of those moui.ain: a^r-J^^TVl^r ™: 
 regard as onr only possible passage. ™ '' 
 
 We see also a territory but little broken, lit for cnltivatioi, ,>„T „ , 
 w.th magnifleent timber, with every facility for Ir^ ' '. ^ 
 capable of rec«v„,g and settling a population of many thousand »™' 
 numerous water powers placed here and there for the utni "nd ^j 
 of th,s population ; a territory which will permit the location or^TT^, 
 more than a thousand feet below the present line, and Ibo al," t .^t^f 
 
 The valleys o^ the Ouiatchouan, Bostonnais Batisca.i T ini . t^ . 
 and the Croche, which I haye explored, cout2 ne y i. m i„;t""1 
 ™ble land, with half a milhon acres included in the coUy 'ch": U J 
 Th,s js much more than sufficient to interest the aoyemmen' and the ri „d 
 oi col„n,.at,on to lavor, and at the same lime to help, the settlement f hi 
 ast doma,u comprised within the province of Quebec, and vvW h m t 
 largely contribute to its advan.emont and prosperity. '^ 
 
 n 
 
 south of th 
 itself exteni 
 ;ioners' lak' 
 if land and 
 jawreuce i 
 icent. As 
 east sat isfa 
 ke that oi 
 •ellow eart 
 lould, whi 
 be found 
 iver to the 
 
 The isli 
 he vallevs 
 
 The soi 
 ipeak, ncarl 
 ^hich elm i 
 
 (P.-H. DumaiH, 25th July, 1874.) 
 
 : distance o 
 
 There a 
 ;rops of ha} 
 10 be seen j» 
 La Tuque. 
 
outlet to wards ,th 
 sides by the loft 
 nrnunications ver 
 id this fine valle 
 y a space of mori 
 
 511 
 
 I have the honor to inform you that the exploration and scaling of the 
 jivers Ouiatchouan, part of the Grand Bostonnais and Batiscan, conTprising 
 the island of lake Edward, and other tributaries to the east, the Little Bos- 
 loniiais and part of the rivers Croche and Ouiatchouanish, have, owing to 
 :he winter having been unusually favorable for such operations, been 
 
 itogetlier unfit fo|rought to a successful termination." 
 
 5s m those place 
 
 :cessible, but eacj 
 
 was only fit fo 
 
 astruct a railvva] 
 
 rations which w( 
 irinc- : I now per 
 
 the at. Lawrence feet above the level of Lake St. John. After passing the first hill which rises 
 
 ^hich we used t( south of the lake on the second mile, a slightly undulating plain presents 
 
 itself extending from north to south for a long distance. Above Commis- 
 
 ttion, and covered 
 port; a territorv 
 thousand souls ; 
 ii^y and industry 
 ition of a railroad 
 veall traversing 
 »ecorae rich and 
 
 The result of my operations far exceeds the hopes which I entertained 
 hat it might be possible to open up to colonization a part of the vast 
 lomain lying between us and the valley of the St Lawrence. There can 
 low be no doubt that the isolated colony of Lake St. John will in a very short 
 ime be connected by a long chain of settlements with the fine parishes 
 long the St. Lawrence between Quebec and Three-Rivers and also with 
 he St. Maurice. The Laurentian range has, so to speak, been effaced from 
 he region which I have explored ; the highest lands not rising six hundred 
 
 Little Bostonnais 
 million acres of 
 y of Chicoutimi. 
 t and the friends 
 ettlementof this 
 d which may so 
 
 iioners' lake, another rise, less than the first, leads to the level of the height 
 of land and forms the second and last plateau. The descent towards the St. 
 .awrence is almost imperceptible. The valley is wide and the view magni- 
 icent. As for the soil and timber, the essontialg of the region, they are at, 
 east satisfactory. The land is not, certainly, composed of alluvion and clay 
 ike that of the greater part of the valluy of Lake St. John, but gray and 
 ellow earth, mixed in some places with sand, and covered by a very rich 
 nould, which promises much, if the luxuriant forests of every sort of wood 
 be found in the province, which cover this part of the country from one 
 iver to the other, may be considered a favorable indication. 
 
 The island of lake Edward is the key, or rather the hyphen, connectino- 
 lievalle}-s of the St, Lawrence and the Saguenay. 
 
 July, 1874.) 
 
 The soil in the valley of the river Croche is richer. Flat lands, so to 
 ipeak, nearly half a mile wide, covered with a luxuriant vegetation, among 
 fchich elm and ash predominate, stretch away on each side of the river fo'r 
 : distance of at L ast filty miles. 
 
 There are several settlements along these strips, on which abundant 
 Tops of hay and oats ar raised. These rivers are all well timbered. Pine is 
 lobe seen all the way from the township of Charlevoix on Lake St. John to 
 La Tuque. The river Croche is rich in pine of the best quality. Mr. Hall 
 
618 
 
 makes 25,000 logs a year on it, and at the same rate there is a sunnlv T 
 many yoars to come. * ^ '° 
 
 I was rather agreeably surprised by the appearance of the St M.nnn 
 It IS almost a miniature of the ^aguenay with its steep banks 'and hZ 
 rocks, lo state that there is no practi able road along the St. Maurice th 
 the lumbering firms operati„g on the Upper St.Maurice, have not Z 
 succeeded m opening up communication with the Piles, is tantamount., 
 saying that the advantages of this part of the country do not quite ius i 
 the descriptions and encouraging reports we have so often read of th 
 interesting valley. ' 
 
 It would appear from the statements of competent parties, aooutso 
 the lumbering firms referred to above, who have lived more than "twent, 
 years in this section, that it is almost impossible to run a railway through 
 the fet Maurice valley except at enormous cost. The most natural louteand 
 the cheapest, being at least 600 feet below the line run Mr. Sullivan on the 
 heights, and which would traverse large tracts of good land and macrnifi 
 cent forests, is to be found only in the valley of the river Batisean A 
 branch could be made to connect the St. Maurice and the river Croche bv 
 the valley of the river Bostonnais, the river au Lard and Jeannotte. ' 
 
 (P.-H. Dumais, 4(h September, 1874.) 
 
 RIVERS OUIATCHOUAN, BATISCAN, BOSTONNAIS AND ST. MAURICE. 
 
 In order to carry out the supplementary instructions contained in vour 
 .etterofthe20th October last, relating to the survey of certain lines of 
 ^xploration to verify the exact position of some of the branches of the 
 Ouiatchouan, Batisean. Bostonnais and St. Maurice, we proceeded to the 
 northern extremity of lake Najaulonk to the post of the third mile of the 
 scaling of part of the river Bostonnais 
 
 Circumstances preventing us from making an astronomical observation 
 on the spot, we proceeded to the survey of the line J. K., starting raagueti- 
 cally from the post above mentioned to thesixth mile, where an observation 
 of the pole star established the course as north 65° 30' west, astronomical 
 the variation being !«-. We prolonged the line on this course to the inter- 
 section of Mr. Blaiklock's exploratory line traced irom La Tuque to Lake 
 
 St John i 
 iiii uiuleli 
 :0^ orditl 
 and AO lii 
 preceding 
 the cours( 
 river Cro( 
 
 Wei 
 
 or Kii^kisi 
 run by M 
 
 Aftei 
 fj.'rd mil( 
 ve ran th 
 which w 
 land betv 
 river, anc 
 the O'Sul 
 of 38 cha 
 van line. 
 Along th 
 and coinr 
 consists c 
 and a lev 
 
 On t 
 
 lake Edw 
 and Casg 
 the same 
 branch ol 
 its course 
 the Islan( 
 
 This 
 
 is large 
 ^vorkod. 
 mile to t] 
 
 Reti 
 order to i 
 obliged t 
 near the 
 
ere is a supply fo 
 
 of the St. Maurice 
 p banks and ban 
 i St. Maurice, tha 
 ice, have not ye 
 is tantamount t 
 not quite justifj 
 3fleu read of thi; 
 
 parties, agents o| 
 lore than twent 
 railway througl 
 natural route am 
 r. Sullivan on thi 
 md and luagnifi 
 iver Batisean. A 
 I river Creche, by 
 "eannotte. 
 
 ;mber, 1874.) 
 
 . MAURICE. 
 
 ;ontained in your 
 certain lines of 
 branches of the 
 )roceeded to the 
 lird mile of the 
 
 lical observation 
 ;arting' raagueti- 
 re an observation 
 st, astronomical, 
 irse to the inter- 
 Tuque to Lake 
 
 519 
 
 gtJohn iu 1857 and 1858, and running north 20" 30' east, astronomical, to 
 giiuudelined point, havinf? found no post on either side, but at an angle ot 
 •10'^ ol'difference from a right angle and at a distance of 8 miles, 79 chains 
 mid .'iO links from my starting point, establishing the correctness of the 
 preceding survey of the rivers Ouiatchouau and Bostonnais, and scaling on 
 the course of this line lake Kapinitikamack or lake Travers, of the little 
 river Croche. 
 
 We next proceeded to the verification of the distance between Cedar 
 orKiskisink lake, which discharges into the river Bostonnais, and the line 
 run by Mr. O'Sullivan, P. L. S., for the Quebec and Lake St John Railway. 
 
 After scaling the north eastern bay of Cedar lake from the post of the 
 (J.'rd mile of the survey of the river Bostonnais by Mr. John Bignell, P. L. S., 
 ve ran the line L. M. on a course 26*^ 50' east, astronomical, from the post 
 which we planted at the north west of the said bay, crossing the height of 
 laud between the waters of the Bostonnais and those of the Metabetchouan 
 river, and continuing on the east side of the said river to the intersection of 
 the O'Sullivan line, which we struck at an angle of 68* and. at a distance 
 of 38 chains, 60 links north of the post of the fi7th mile of the said O'Sulli- 
 van line. This verification line measures 2 miles, 73 chains and 70 links. 
 Along the course of this and the preceding line, the soil generally is good 
 and composed of yellow and grey loam mixed with sand. The timber 
 consists of white spi ace, tamarac, grey spruce, fir, white birch, birch, aspen 
 aud a few pine. 
 
 On the completion of this operation, we went towards the Island of 
 lake Edward, to there prolong the meridian line run by surveyors Legendre 
 and Casgrain. At the northern extremity of this line, we continued it in 
 the same astronomical direction to the intersection of the north eastern 
 branch of the river Batisean near the discharge of lake Edward, scaling on 
 its course lake aux Origuaux and exploring on both sides to the limits of 
 the Island. 
 
 This line E. C. traverses rolling and good quality land. The timber 
 is large and tall aud of all kinds. The pine and spruce can be easily 
 worked. The distance traversed with the chain measures, from the 14th 
 mile to the north eastern branch, 6 miles, 50 chains and 79 links. 
 
 Returning to the post of the 16th mile planted on the line F. C, iu 
 order to run a transverse line to the east and west of this post, we were 
 obliged to go further to the south to avoid the steeep flank of a mountain 
 near the line to the west and a start at right angles was made at 27 chains 
 
520 
 
 and 16 links on the 16lh mile, that is to say, to the ^ast^I^^^T^T^ 
 we prolonged the said transverse line to the^orth a t brrnch 0^^ ''' 
 Batiscan, a distance of 2 miles. 53 chains and 15 links from Jh. ^5' ''''' 
 me to 29 chains to the north of the post of the 25th mit of tt'" '''''' 
 the said branch °' '"" surrey of 
 
 "We then prolonged this same transverse line to iha ,^. . . 
 from the centre line aforesaid to the western bank If lite W "f "r™'"" 
 of 3 miles, 51 chains and 75 Ii„l;s. ''""'^ °"''''« Edward, a distanc, 
 
 herei^tftf d^cr^iTd":"' '" "" ^^""°"' ™ '"* ^^ ^ - '-e part M 
 
 wnr;;raS ::::::xrriat:Vro":;^s -:^^r'' ^^^ 
 
 where it terminates for the norti^ZX-ZiZTlT^l^T' '''I''' 
 occttrs at 15 chains o„ the 8th mile as verifl-d by „ on .hif "' "' "* 
 hne traverses a tract cut up with mountains from „„r°h .' orh"'>.'''' 
 row, interven nf«- vallevs mmnn^^ri ^f j ^ V ^"*"' ^^'^^^ "ar- 
 
 Mnds of timber "beftt^Z ' °b r^cf "ciltTr 7"^ =" "^ 
 .uanttty. The pine and spruce have b,.eu P^riSt: '"''" 
 
 post of the «h mile of ^ohS™ :evX'??'r''°™T'''™"'^' 
 chains and 40 links from the centrlh>e This lake b k"™ ° ' """'■ '* 
 north west branch of the river rZV" u!, , '''" ^'""' '"l^™ f"' "'« 
 
 to the north, away ftlmlbTr e^ 'S I tlf.t ' 3 '\"''"*^' ''' ""'"^ 
 on the Srd mile. We contin,,,.^ ,Z ? , "^ "''""" "'"^ -« ''"ks 
 
 the lakes on its coule an t lln' nlTT^ 1 " t"'""' I'";"'""^ ^"'"'"' 
 tonnais river represented bvJT f u * """"'" "* ""= ''"'le »<«• 
 
 at about 30 cha.^x'h^ ^:^:':^^:t^^-::::r '■""""'"™ 
 
 This line measures 9 miles, 36 chains and 45 links from fh. . . r 
 and is marked C. D. E crossi„o- « fi„n . . ? " , °"^ ^'''' ^'^"^^'^ '''le 
 land, but broken here ;nd the e h i -^^ '"^^^'^ ^'^^ ^^^'^^ ^^'^^erod 
 
 little lake Wayagamack ' ™'"^'""^ ^'^^^ ^^^^ -P--"^ -ar 
 
 Not ] 
 township 
 continued 
 nais, and 
 discharge 
 east outlii 
 of the 8th 
 
 In thi 
 to cultivai 
 and spruc' 
 tions to gi 
 
 Thes 
 tary from 
 outline of 
 
 Retur 
 we (lescen 
 to the line 
 the towns) 
 
 A. B.- 
 
 15^). We ] 
 push it fui 
 dons rapid 
 snow-shoei 
 
 The SI 
 md rocky, 
 lumbered i 
 umbered 
 
 We hi 
 
 kinds and 
 was far fro 
 
 Before 
 avxtumn, at 
 starting frc 
 mouth of r 
 scaling tha 
 of the heig 
 
astronomical and 
 •anch of the river 
 m the said centre 
 of the surrey of 
 
 ^est astronomical 
 dvvard, a distance' 
 
 iu the part just 
 
 1 the post of the 
 ain 
 
 strouomical, had 
 6th mile, as far 
 and it was by 
 , taking the lake 
 Batiscau, which 
 s survey. This 
 south, with nar- 
 >d with all the 
 und in greater 
 T years. 
 
 line and partly 
 mica], from the 
 e of 1 mile, 24 
 1 taken for the 
 :ges its waters 
 IS and 20 links 
 •efully scaling' 
 he Little Bos- 
 
 into that river 
 
 lie centre line 
 ^'ell timbered 
 peoially near 
 
 521 
 
 Not knowing- if we could strike the north east outline of the new 
 township of Malhiot, before our provisions ran out — for greater safety, we 
 continued, scaling the stream above mentioned, as far as the Little Boston- 
 nais, and from the latter as far as little lake Wayagamack and then to its 
 discharge into the large lake of the same name. We stopped at the south 
 east outline of the township of Malhiot, at about 23 chains from the post 
 of the 8th mile of the chaining of this line by Mr. DeLachevrotiere, P. L. S. 
 
 In the scaled part of the Little Bostonnais river, the land is well suited 
 to cultivation and the wood is well grown and of remarkable size. The pine 
 and spruce might be profitably lumbered, the river bjing free from obstruc- 
 tions to great lake Wayagamack. 
 
 The survey of this part of the Little Bostonnais river and of its tribu- 
 tary from the w^estern end of the transverse line C. D. E. to the south east 
 outline of the township of Malhiot is 6 miles, 9 chains and 17 links lono-. 
 
 Returning to the river Jeannotte or north west branch of the Batiscan, 
 we descended it to the forks and thence the course of the principal branch 
 to the line of the Three Rocks rapid, run by Mr. Dery, P. L. S., between 
 the townships of Colbert and Gosford and prolonged to the river Batiscan. 
 
 A. B. — This line runs north 45'' west astronomical (the variation being 
 IS''). We prolonged it for 4 miles, 62 chains and 30 links, beino- unable to 
 push it further on account of a heavy thaw threatening and of our provi- 
 sions rapidly running out, as well as of the dilapidated condition of oui" 
 snow-shoes, &c. 
 
 The surface, in this last part, is very broken, the mountains very high 
 nid rocky, and the merchantable timber, such as pine and spruce, has been 
 lumbered for years. Some lakes were scaled and the line marked with 
 ;mmbered mile-posts. 
 
 We here terminated the survey after encountering difficulties of all 
 kinds and undergoing a great deal of bad weather, rain especially, which 
 was far from favoring the despatch of our work. 
 
 I5efore closing this report, we should mention a verification made last 
 avxtumn, at the demand of your department, between the river Bostonnais^ 
 starting from the group of islands on that river, and lake Edward at the 
 mouth of river au Rat, which f;dls into the north-west bay of the said lake, 
 scaling that river along its whole course, as well as the lakes, the portage 
 of the height of land and the lakes thereon. 
 
522 
 
 This Kurv.'y measures 21 miles, 27 chains anrl 42 links, iududi,,™ tu 
 lak.'s. and embraces an arable tract in -reut part suited to cultiv.f 
 althou-h a little broken here and there by small heiirhts The mer h 
 able amber on the banks of the Bostounais river has been mostly ruuTl'" 
 the -umberors.but there still remains some on the shores of lake UsyJJ 
 
 lu fine, this exploration has onoe more shown that the - hole of ih' 
 still uninhabited rej,non, exte.iding to the north-west from Quebec to iJl 
 fet-John, IS well adapted to ooloni>5ation and only .^'o.is a railway to onen i! 
 «p to settlement. ^ ' " " 
 
 (P.-II. Dumais, 4th July, I87(j.) 
 
 COUNTRY BETWEEN CEDAIl LAKE AND LAKE ST. JOHN. 
 
 In compliance with your verbal request that 1 should <rWo you i 
 report^on the nature of the country between Cedar or Kiskisink lake and 
 Lake bt. John via the Metabetchouau valley, I have the honor to state as 
 lollovvs ; 
 
 From Cedar lake to the lower end of lake Naguagami or Metabet.houau 
 ake, a distance oi about lour miles, the country is rocky and hi ly d 
 here IS very httle soil or timber worth speaking of. Below Metabetc^iouau 
 lake, the country ,s decidedly better and some excellent ilats of lands ar 
 found particularly on the west side of the river. Forest fires have su p 
 considerable portion of the east side of the river and part of the west ide 
 has been burnt over also, which is now overgrown with white birch and 
 
 and along the^nver Irom lake Naguagami, down to the rear line of the 
 ownship ot Metabet.houan. a distance of about thirty miles, is lit for 
 settlement. About midwoy between lac a la Carpe and lake Neo-uao-ami 
 there appears to be a considerable extent of very good land. The soil is 
 exceedingly rich on both sides of the river, being generally a heavy clay 
 bottom covei-ed with a rich loam of darkish brown colour. In the township 
 of De Quen the soil is very good along the river and the unsurveyed laud 
 on the opposite or east side appears to be very good also. The hunlers, who 
 worked with me on the survey, say that the land is fit for cultivation for 
 iour or five miles deep on each side of the river, but I am afraid that a 
 good deal of it will be louud rather stony. 
 
8. includi,,^ tjjy 
 
 d to oultiviitiou, 
 
 Th(5 merchant.' 
 
 mostly cut olfhy 
 
 )f laku Edward. 
 
 le ^vhoh, ol' this 
 I Qutibeo to Lake 
 tilway tooptMiit 
 
 July, 187(3.) 
 
 roHN. 
 
 aid give you a 
 ikisiuk lake and 
 >iior to state as 
 
 Metabetchouau 
 and hilly, and 
 
 Metabetoaouau 
 its of lands are 
 3s Jiavo swept a 
 f the west side 
 vhito birch and 
 iater part of the 
 ear line of the 
 miles, is fit for 
 ke Neguagaini, 
 d. The soil is 
 '■ a heavy clay 
 n the township 
 [Surveyed land 
 e hunters, who 
 cultivation for 
 1 afraid that a 
 
 628 
 
 TiMHKii — Tli«'re is a considerable quantity of spruce, and some cxcelloiit 
 jriove."^ of tamnrac on either side of the river. The old hrfdds are covered 
 ^vith a thick growth of white bindi, poplar and lir, and as there is no 
 tcarcity of water-power, there would ])e no more promising site for the 
 niiiiiuracture of pulp or the different other manufaiHuring purposes for 
 whiili the above mentioned varieties of timber are sought, if the railway 
 wore built by Metabetchouau valley. 
 
 {Henri/ O'SuUivan, 8th Mar.h, 1887). 
 
 RlVEll METABETCHOUAN AND ITS TIIIUUTARIES. 
 
 Beginning my operations at the west end of lake St. Henry, on the 
 river Metabetchouau, I scaled this lake, which is at least three miles long 
 and three quarters of a mile wide, with banks rising at dilTereut places 
 rthiio>t perpendicularly from the water. The timber surrounding it is com- 
 posed of grey spruce, tamarac and white birch. The lake is contracted at 
 its southern extremity to a width of only one hundred and fifty feet. Here 
 a fall ol thirty leet, or rather two falls of fifteen feet each, separate it frona 
 lakti Hugh. This lake is almost three miles loi\g, by thirty chains wide. 
 I scaUd it completely, up to the entrance of the river Metabetchouau. 
 Thonoe I continued the scaling of the latter upwards, meeting, thirty 
 chains from lake Hugh, a strong rapid, a mile long, and a fall of fifteen feet 
 in height, then some thirty chains of still water, before arriving at its 
 oonllnence with the river Metasi ouac. Thence, leaving the Metabetchouau 
 for a time, ] scaled the river and lake Metascouac up to the fifth lak% and 
 a portion of the two branches llownng from the east. This river and its 
 branches llow^ in a serpentine course, with scarcely -my current, through a 
 level tract which has been devastated by fire, similarly to the nearest 
 mountains. Some dry trunks of tamarac are still to be seen where the fire 
 passed. The land is not rocky, and, if cultivated, would make fine meadows. I 
 then descended this river, and continued the scaling of the Metabetchouau, 
 the lake A as shown on the plan, lake a la Place, and other small lakes, up 
 to river No. 2, one of the tributaries coming from the east, which I scaled 
 for a distance of five miles and a quarter. 
 
 I then again resumed the scaling of the Metabetchouau, and continued 
 without interruption up to lake aux Eognons. a distance of about ten miles, 
 
524 
 
 n„.H ,>K fl,r,.o r„,„,l., ,ho lir»t .l,r,.o.q„„r.,.r, of,, mil,. 1„„„ „,i,h ; ,, ,, ,. 
 
 r,>II» an.l rn,„d» ol a l„,„l h,.iKlu „f over two Imn.lr,.,! C,.,, ",, " t a 
 
 ho l,r,t ,.,gl,t m,l., „l,„vo l„k„ A |„ P|.,„, „i,|, th«,.x.,.,„io„rtIl ' 
 tho nvor, s«r,„„„, wi,., ,„„„, „,,„U wi.h an almo., m, r,o,"n,Io ' 
 
 r.a,,.ly „.|-o,..Jins- »„l,.„,li,l i;,,,i„„ „,„„„j, „, ,h,. ,„: „7. J.^ ';'"'• 
 ttl.ou„,l ,„ th,.«,. ,,„rl.. Tl„. ,„ou„.ni,„, „(■ „„ « .Tiri '"'""'' 
 
 half a mile above (he lake. "'"^'"^ ^'^°"t 
 
 I first scaled (his lake, (he cinumferenco oC which is nhout eio-hf , i 
 ami . quar(cr. The mountains which enclose it on thV a I , T., t' 
 nro wooded wi(h spruce, balsam and whi(e bin-h n lulo h T ' 
 
 through which (he stream iallin, into lake aux Ro, s lo: ' ^l!-^; 
 rny opera(u>ns wi.h (he .caling of a portion of the disch^^^e o ^d 
 lies flowin^j from (he nor(h east for a distance of four milet thi tJ 
 chains; and (hat of lake des M.alcs. (lowin^r fi-om the sonth ^ 
 mips in lono-n, TV, ; ""vwii„ iiom rne south east, eleven 
 
 mi es 11. I,.ns(h^ I heir cours.8 are ,«|,rHious, on a,vonnt of lh..ir si, „„sii? 
 Imt easy, and of „„ average width of thirty.f.v,. f,.et m- soil k „l T '^^ 
 |i»a ity; whe„ it i, not ,„„„„t„i„„„, ,, i,\„„ky ^ . y^'Z ::, :™ 
 
 {E. Citsgrain, 2r)th April, 1887) 
 
 instruct ic 
 proNi'ut r« 
 
 I me 
 I saw no 
 iiliou lint 
 hurc of ( 
 all the re 
 water fal 
 
 ol' th»! S( 
 
 rivfr8 an< 
 (he plan. 
 
 Most 
 lifch : red 
 Cariboux 
 
 made in ] 
 
 The ] 
 
 and somi 
 i^carce thi 
 
 A])ar 
 C'hi('o(s, I 
 and of liu 
 
 Thei 
 
 ill ))assiii| 
 tSauviige £ 
 elsewhere 
 
 KEOION nETWKKN LAKE LAOROIX AND THE METAHETOIIOUAN. 
 
 of the :ner Batiscan. at the 20th mile of Mr. Duiuais' line, makino „ >,.^h 
 ^estwardly towards the height of lands and then.-e, follow". tMirs 
 
 tTMes^'oVTl'""^^ "^r^ Metabetchoua.;, to the;.;!::,::; 
 Jme of Messrs O. Sullivan and Casgrain, where I connected, according to 
 
 ^ 
 
 Thet 
 road to th 
 lake andj 
 fiioners' ai 
 (he line st 
 Quebec ro 
 
r. with u r„ii „f 
 
 a auccoNNJon of 
 >" ft longth of 
 both sides. For 
 »uof tvro nipif^ 
 perceptible cur'. 
 »y grows luxu- 
 1 oaribon which 
 hf, nro covered 
 kI bilsain 'j^rovv 
 
 I't^J by the dis- 
 "Kitinjf ahout 
 
 out eight miles 
 and we.st sides 
 outh is a pLiiii, 
 ws. I liiii.shed 
 rge or iMke des 
 lt?s, thirty-one 
 th east, eleven 
 heir sinuosity, 
 I is of rriediiun 
 Mevchaiitiible 
 lice and poplar 
 
 ^pril, 1887) 
 
 lIOUAiV. 
 
 formiim' pirt 
 nakina north 
 111? th'> livers, 
 i exploratory 
 
 according to 
 
 '»*>'» 
 • >ii) 
 
 instructions, ray measurements as shown on the plan accompanying the 
 pri'si'iit report. 
 
 I met no timber limits line in the course of my operations — ut least. 
 ls;iw no traces of any ; but I did meet the O'Sullivan andCasgruin explor- 
 ation line, which I followed and chained for three miles in order to make 
 Miro of the point where I should make my connection. I carefully noted 
 all the remarkable geographical features which I came across, namely : the 
 water falls, rai)id8, islands, &;c. 1 also made detailed notes of the quality 
 ol th*! soil and timber, the general asi)ect of the land on each side of the 
 rivors and lakes, the lishiug grounds, &c., &c., the whole us indicated on 
 the plan. 
 
 Most of the lakes met with on the course of the survey swarm with 
 lifch : red trout is abundant, especially in lakes aux Biscuits, Travers, Trois 
 Carihoux, Brule, &c., &c., judging from the n^sults of the fishing trials I 
 made in passing. 
 
 The prevailing timber is white and grey spruce, tamarac, whit« birch 
 and sometimes birch. Alder is common in the river bottoms. Pine is so 
 R'arce that I do not recall having seen any. 
 
 Apart from the surroundings of lake Brul6 and the small lake des 
 Chicots, I did not see any ravages committed by fire, as the wood is green 
 and of line growth. 
 
 The mountains are neither high nor steep. The lands which I noticed 
 ill ))assing and consider suited to cultivation lie on both sides of the river 
 .Sauviige and in the valley of the river Metabetchouan. As for the land 
 elsewhere, I am of opinion that it is too poor and rocky lor cultivation. 
 
 m\ 
 
 {T.-a De LaChevrotiire, 8th July, 1887.) 
 
 BLOCK F. 
 
 The third exploration embraces the tract lying between the Quebeo 
 road to the east, the exploratory line starting from the discharge of Otter 
 lake and joining lake Bouchette to the north and lakes Bouchette, Commis- 
 sioners' and Quaquagamack, to the west ; the 43rd parallel of latitude and 
 the line starting from the 72nd mile on the Blaiklock line and joining the 
 Quebec road to the south. 
 
526 
 
 From the discharge of Otter lako, going towards lake Bouchette fo,- . 
 dis anre of four miles, the laud is very rocky and bad. and the wood nri! i 
 pally balsam and spruce of small dimensions. The soil is -..nerallv fkt i" 
 cut up by nuraprous brooks, one of which has a width of 15 feet ()nT 
 fifth mile, I crossed a tract of wind-fallen trees, 14 acres louo- The si J f 
 the timber seemed to increase a little. From this point for a^distanco of 10 
 miles the soil is rocky and barren, though generally little broken Th" 
 timber, composed especially of balsam, asp.n, white birch, white snrnp 
 and tamarac is almost everywhere of medium size. On the 14th 15th • 1 
 llih miles, however, if is very small. On the other hand, I remarked som! 
 very fine tamarac and white spruce on the 14th and 15th miles On th 
 6th mile, there is a large tract of wind-fallen trees, which extends over . 
 part of the tth mile, on which I also met a swamp, a hill covered with 
 white birch and a brule. which ends on the banks of the river aux Econv! 
 on the 8th mile. ^^itti 
 
 On the other side of this river, all traces of the brule disappeared ■ the 
 woods are everywhere green as far as the 15th mile, where there is a iar^e 
 brule fully a mile wide. ° 
 
 On the 16th mile, the green woods reappear. This section is traversed 
 by the river aux Ecorces and several large and small brooks. I also met 
 some small muddy lakes on the 20th mile ; the land is good and the timl 
 chiefly white spruce of good size. This region con! uues to the 21st mil 
 
 ^u I onn ^^ "^'' °^ ^''' '''''' Metabetchouan which, at this point is 
 about 300 feet wide. On the 22nd mile, the land is v;ry good S'in 
 part a loam of excellent quality. The timber, which is composed' of poplar 
 balsam, white spruce and tamarac, is very large. There is also some aider. 
 The good soil and timb. r continue to the 25th mile at the end of which 
 there IS an alder gi-ove interspersed with large tamarac. From this poiut 
 to the 321 d rnile the soil is rocky and poor. The timber, composed of bal- 
 sa-^, white b>rch tamarac, white and grey spruce, is of medium siz.. I 
 met a few scattered pines also on the 25th mile and an alder grove on the 
 d2nd, among which I remarked very large tamarac. 1 also saw some laroe 
 spruce on the 27th and 30th miles ; but they were not numerous. Gene- 
 rally, the ground in this part is not much broken and only by slight 
 ascents and by the brooks and small lali.^s which intersect it. ' 
 
 From the 32ud mile to lake Bouchette on the 31st mile, the soil ;ud 
 timber again becoriie good. The land, nearly loamy all over, could be very 
 advantageously cultivated, with the exception of the 35th mile, where it is 
 
 On 
 
e Bouchette, for a 
 • the wood princi- 
 ^••nerally flat and 
 I' 15 feet. On the 
 oug The size of 
 »r a distrtuce of ifi 
 tie broken. The 
 ch, white spruce 
 le 14th, loth and 
 I remarked some 
 i miles. On the 
 h extends over a 
 lill covered with 
 iver aux Ecorces 
 
 lisappeared; the 
 e there is a ]ar?e I 
 
 tion is traversed 
 3ks. I also met 
 i and the timber 
 to the 21st mile 
 at this point, is 
 f good, beinrr in 
 iposed of poplar 
 also some alder. 
 
 he end of which 
 ^>om this point 
 om posed of bal- 
 ledium size. I 
 er grove on the 
 savv some large 
 i:erous. Gene- 
 only by slight 
 
 S the soil :aid 
 , could be very 
 lile, where it is 
 
 527 
 
 rocky. The biilk of the timber, which is generally of good size, is composed 
 ofsprnce, balsam, white birch, some yellow birch and alders 
 
 I then followed lake Bouchette and afterwards Commissioners' lake 
 but, at 4 miles from the head of the latter, I ran an exploratory line for 
 three miles towards the east ; all along this line, the land is of excellent 
 quality. Grey spruce, tamarac, balsam and pine predominate nearly every- 
 where. On the banks of Commissioners' lake alone, it would be easy to 
 make 12,000 logs. There is also an alder grove and some very small black 
 spruce there. 
 
 Beyond the third mile, the soil and timber seem to maintain their 
 good quality. I then returned on my steps and proceeded to the first portage 
 of lake Quaquagamack on the 48th parallel of latitude, passing through 
 a country of which the soil seemed good. Thence, I went eastward, follow- 
 ing the said 48th parallel to the river Metabetchouau. 
 
 On the first six miles, the land is very good ; it is mostly loam, with 
 some patches of black mould ; but it is not rocky. The predominating 
 woods are tamarac, grey and white spruce, white birch and fir. Some of 
 the spruce measured 20 inches in diameter. 
 
 On the fourth mile, there is a flat of 600 acres in width, covered chiefly 
 with wild hay, alders and tamarac. This flat is succeeded by a swamp of 
 
 four acres. 
 
 On the first and fifth miles, I met pretty large alder groves, the soil of 
 which is excellent. This partis not mountainous, but it is pretty rolling 
 and intersected by some small rivers and numerous brooks. 
 
 From the sixth mile to the river Metabetchouan, the land and timber 
 leave much to desire. The soil is mostly a yellow loam of mediocre quality, 
 and the prevailing timber is balsam, grey spriice and white birch, the 
 whole of medium size. 
 
 On reaching the river Metabetchouan, I met a pretty extensive brule. 
 
 On this same exploration, I followed for some time the river aux Ecorces 
 at the beginning of the 8th mile on my exploratory line north. At my 
 starting point, I remarked a great brule on the east side, grown up again 
 with balsam, grey spruce and tamarac of medium size. On the west side 
 the land is level. / '1 this first section shows a soil of mediocre quality and 
 consequently unprofitable for cultivation ; but after this the land improves 
 and becomes very workable. litre the wood is still balsam and spruce. 
 
528 
 
 Further on, the land becomes of superior quality and the timber assume 
 large dimensions. Here, there is a branch of the river comincr from th 
 south-east, with a very rapid current. The banks of this branch%how fin! 
 white spruce scattered and growing on a pretty good soil. 
 
 To sum up the tract of country comprised in my first exploration is nl 
 bad quality both from the standpoints of colonization and timber Th 
 tract embraced m my second exploration, although preferable to the Z 
 ceding, still does not possess the qualities calculated to recommend it.ithl 
 lor lumbering or tillage - in a word, it is only very mediocre land But 
 the tract examined on my third exploratory survey offers real and uuques 
 tionable advantages in all respects. True, some parts of it are little suited to 
 cultivation ; but they are of small extent. As for the quality of the timber 
 it IS sufficiently good to amply repay its working. 
 
 I must, however, note that the part of block F, which I have explored 
 only gives an imperfect idea of the lands which adjoin Lake St John to the 
 west and north west. The value of block F cannot form a basis of calcula- 
 tion for the company, whieh will undertake to build a railway connecting 
 Quebec with Lake St. John. What this company should above all consider 
 16 the exceptional fertility of the lands to which the railway would afford 
 ^n outlet. Around the lake and along the course of its tributary rivers 
 stretch immense tracts of a richness with few parallels in the other parts of 
 the province. The Metabetchouan, Ouiatchouan, aux Iroquois, a I'Ours 
 Chamouchouan and Mistassini. all drain tlie finest lands in the world' 
 borne settlements have already been formed in this valley Here also are 
 ht. Jerome, Pointe Bleue, Pointe aux Trembles, &c., born, so to say of 
 yesterday, yet already very flourishing, notwithstanding disastrous fires. 
 
 But what are these settlements as compared with the immense reo-iou 
 which only awaits the axe of the settler to produce a hundred fold They 
 <lo not form the one hundredth part of it. Thus, between the Mistassini 
 and the Chamouchouan, there stretches a tongue of land of inexhaustibi 
 fertility and measuring 15 leagues in depth ; then, from the last named 
 river to the Metabetchouan, there is another tract of land not quite so loner 
 as the preceding, but equally as fertile. ° 
 
 The prevailing soil throughout this region is clay of excellent quality 
 whose fertility has become all the greater since it has been exposed to the 
 air and ploughed and worked ever. In some places, small areas of 
 black mould very easily prepared for cultivation are met with, as well as 
 some patcnes of light loam, whose utility in farming is highly approved 
 
 Allt] 
 predomin 
 which, 1 1 
 
 As im 
 of the exp 
 to the exp 
 find the 9 
 south-east 
 accuracy i 
 continued 
 
 From 
 base the ( 
 at every fi 
 the genera 
 nature of 
 aspect of t 
 
 Mr. C 
 and the 1 
 chained tl: 
 Quaquaga 
 LaTnque t 
 west outli 
 indicated < 
 
 Thet: 
 
 parallel is 
 in all dir( 
 present, if 
 standing a 
 
 Nume 
 the platea 
 resources, < 
 
le timber assumes 
 coming from th( 
 branch show fin( 
 
 5t exploration is ol 
 and timber. The 
 srable to the pre 
 commend it either 
 diocre land. But 
 real and unques- 
 are little suited to 
 lity of the timber, 
 
 529 
 
 All this extent of land is covered with a heavy forest, in which the 
 predominating wood is spruce of large dimensions, and the lumbering of 
 which, I am convinced, would prove very lucrative. 
 
 {E. Casgrain, Yth November, 1872). 
 
 I I have explored, 
 fee St. John to the 
 a basis of calcula- 
 iway connecting 
 bove all consider 
 ay would aiford 
 tributary rivers, 
 the other parts of 
 oquois, a I'Ours, 
 is in the world. 
 Y- Here also are 
 ►ru, so to say, of 
 isastrous fires. 
 
 As instructed, after arranging with Mr. Casgrain, P. L. S., in charge 
 ofthoexploratorysurveyof the eastern part of the same block, I proceeded 
 to the exploratory line run by Mr. Blaiklock, in 1847, and endeavored to 
 find the 9th mile post, which was to serve as my starting point to fix the 
 south-east limit of said block. I succeeded in determining with enough 
 accuracy its position and thence ran my base line on a west course and 
 continued it for 16 miles, the measuring being done by stepping. 
 
 immense region 
 Ired fold. They 
 I the Mistassini 
 ol inexhaustibl 
 the last named 
 lot quite so long 
 
 xcellent quality, 
 L exposed to the 
 small areas of 
 ivith, as well as 
 hly approved. 
 
 From this line merely blazed as an exploration line and taking for a 
 base the Casgrain line of 18*70, I ran, according to the nature of the ground, 
 at every five miles, cross exploratory lines as far as the 48th parallel, along 
 the general course east and west and varying in length, according to the 
 nature of the ground, from 4 to 6 miles, noting as I proceeded the general 
 aspect of the country traversed by these lines. 
 
 Mr. Casgrain instructed me to also examine the shores of lake Edward 
 and the Island of lake Edward. To save time and transportation, I 
 chained the bay and followed the course of the river Ouiatchouan to lake 
 Quaquagamack or Commissioners', whence, taking for base the line from 
 LaTaque to Lake St. John, run by Mr. Blaiklock, I laid down the north- 
 west outline of the block to the river Croche on a western course as 
 indicated on the plan. 
 
 The tract comprised between the south-west boundary and the 48th 
 parallel is irregular, broken and rocky ; steep mountains and hills running 
 in all directions render unfit, so to say, for colonization, at least in the 
 present, if not also in the future, the few level valleys wherein, notwith- 
 standing a barren sand, there are some thousand acres suited to tillage. 
 
 Numerous lakes, rivers and brooks drain this region ; but unfortunately 
 the plateaus which they form are so disconnected that, without other 
 resources, only isolated settlements could be counted upon. 
 
 84 
 
530 
 
 Generally speaking-, the timber is of little value ; on the low ft-rounH« 
 black spruce prevails ; elsewhere, it is a mixture of white spruce ba I' 
 and wh.te b.rch. Pme is in small quantity and of little value. F re ^^ 
 committed some destruction. The burnt woods have been replaced by a 
 undergrowth ol white birch, poplar and aspen. The quantity of wLT 
 fallen rees shows that heavy storms have passed especially La oh 
 westerly direction. *"y I'l a south- 
 
 The river Metabetchouan, so to say, divides this part of block F into two 
 parts. Its width varies between 1 chain, 50 links and 9 chains, and thel 
 
 are some splendid water powers on it, which would become valuable in ! 
 better agricultural region. * 
 
 Its navigation is broken at intervals by rapids, falls and cascades 
 necessitating portages of from 10 to 80 chains. 
 
 In the part circumscribed by the 48th parallel. Commissioners' lake 
 the river Creche, and the north-west limit, the timber is larger and mor; 
 kssvalue '' "''''^ abundant, though still scattered and consequently of 
 
 In ob 
 
 survey of 
 
 make 
 
 the 
 
 As elsewhere, the mountainous nature of the ground will prevent the 
 arable lands on the banks of the river Croche, Commissioners' lake and other 
 tributaries from being utilized for many years. 
 
 Following the river Pequagasoui which forms part of the we.t.>rn 
 boundary of said block, the tract, especially in the narrow part, .eemed to 
 me very well suited to cultivation, but. where the bed of the river widens 
 out, the sou is rockier. 
 
 The exploration of lake Edward was more satisfactory. Large hard 
 and so t wood indicate a richer soil. A few mountains, it is true,lut out 
 to the lake, but their slopes are pretty gentle. Adding to the valleys which 
 hey form a superficies of from two and a half to three miles, which the 
 Island of lake Edward can give, and we get in this region several thousand 
 acres of arable land. The breadth of the lake varies from half a mile to 
 three miles, and the water is very deep at a few feet only from the banks. 
 
 (/t. mu, 12th November, 1872) 
 
 The I 
 larger, ha^ 
 myself obi 
 erablo ns 
 wards IVor 
 ■houanish 
 Mistassibi 
 as the rapi 
 end of the 
 plateau ; o 
 middle of \ 
 the south-* 
 fifth mile, 
 [)iie separai 
 ;his latter 
 atter by a 
 he Mistasj 
 an immens 
 
 On th( 
 
 the plateai 
 
 and is gon 
 
 !les are me 
 
 md two ra 
 
 :eet above 
 
 .6th mile. 
 
 eighteen cl: 
 
 iwenty feet 
 
 as far as th 
 
 ap by deta( 
 
 interrupted 
 
 mill', and tl 
 
 me. Here t] 
 
 «ome fifteei 
 
the low grounds, 
 te spruce, balsatii 
 ! value. Fire has 
 !u replaced by aa 
 luantity of wind- 
 'cially in a south- 
 
 531 
 
 f block F into two 
 chains, and there 
 )mo valuable iu a 
 
 lis and cascades, 
 
 missioners' lake, 
 
 larger and more 
 
 L consequently of 
 
 will prevent the 
 rs' lake and other 
 
 '' of the we«;ttirn 
 
 part, cieemed to 
 
 the river widens 
 
 ry. Large hard 
 • is true, jut out 
 le valleys which 
 niles, which the 
 leveral thousand 
 n half a mile to 
 from the banks. 
 
 nber, 1872) 
 
 EIVERS MISTASSIBI, AU RAT AND WASSIEMSKA. 
 
 In obedience to instructions, dated 18th January last, relating to the 
 survey of the rivers Mistassibi, au Rat and Wassiemska, I have the honor to 
 make the following report : 
 
 The Indians of Lake St. John are of opi.iion that the river Mistassibi is 
 larger, having several large tributaries more than the Mistassini, and I havo 
 myself observed that its volume of water at this season is quite as coQsid'- 
 erablo as that of the latter. It drains that vast plateau, streching north- 
 wards from Lake St. John, and which, from the neighborhood of th*e Ouiat- 
 houanish. has the appearance of a boundless plain. At the mouth of the 
 Mistassibi this plateau is 75 feet above the river, but this elevation decreases 
 as the rapids and falls are surmounted. The largest of these is found at the 
 end of the first mile, and brings us thirty feet nearer to the level of the 
 plateau ; on the second mile those that there form islands and rocks in the 
 middle of the river are shorter in the northwest arm, but steeper than ia 
 the south-east branch, where they take the form of a long cascade. On the 
 fifth mile, a fall, al o divided by islets, mingles its roar with that of another 
 }ne separated from it by a distance of only a few chains. The appearance of 
 his latter is remarkable. Running lengthwise of the river, it traverses the 
 atter by a diagonal about three-quarters of a mile long in a place where 
 he Mistassibi is only seven chains wide, and presents the appearance of 
 an immense timber slide whose surplus water is flowing off' at one side. 
 
 On the sixth mile another fall raises the river nearly to the height of 
 the plateau above mentioned ; and from thjre to the elsventh mile the 
 and is generally level or slightly undulating in some places, and no obsta- 
 ;les are met with in the passage up the river. From this point, two falls 
 md two rapids, following the steps of the plateau, raise up to about 120 
 feet above Lake St. John, a height which is increased by 30 feet more on the 
 I6th mile. The current of the river here is gentle, its vWdth from ten to 
 eighteen chains, and its depth i^u to twelve feet— during freshets, reaching.- 
 wenty feet. No further obstacles are encountered in ascending the river 
 as far as the thirty-fifth mile, where, hemmed in between rocks'and broken 
 ap by detached masses of stone, its peaceable course is more brusquely 
 interrupted by a fall often feet on the 37th mile, a small rapid on the 38th 
 mlll^ and then we arrive at the last one in the part of the river scaled by 
 me. Here the water comes covered with froth from a fall of 20 feet in height 
 «ome fifteen chains further on, after passing through a narrow defile of only 
 
582 
 
 ten feet in width, in escaping from which the rirer describes a sharp autrl 
 and by its impetuosity, contrasting with the preceding falls. Above t\^s 
 fall the river resumes its peaceable gourse in a nearly northerly diroctior 
 and maintains a width of eight to fifteen chains for a long distance Th' 
 country appear generally level towards the north-west and hilly towar/ 
 the north east, with intervals of burnt land. ^ 
 
 1 there ceased my exploration of this river, and returned to its mouth 
 in order to ascend the Mistassini and that part of the rive- an Rat ahead 
 explored. ' ^ 
 
 Judging from the explorations already . •, e here and there on one 
 bank or the other of the river Mistassibi, I have come to the conclusion 
 that at least three-quarters of the land watered by it is fit for cultivation 
 being largely composed of gray and yellow earth and clay mixed with sand 
 at the surface, with an alluvial subsoil of gieat depth, not rocky except in 
 a few places where the rocks rise through the surface to break the nearly 
 uniform level of the plateau. These rocks are higher and of greater extent 
 above the iAh mile, and seem to disappear above the 40th mile, on the 
 west side of the river. The ground is covered with tinibo. :f all the varieties 
 found in the valley of Lake St. John, except cedar. The age of the forest is 
 about eighty years, and the remarkable size and height of the tre(>s indicate 
 a very rich soil. There remains no trace of the old forest, destroyed by fire. 
 
 For these reasons, there is not much merchantable timber near the 
 banks of this river. A few hundred pine and a few thousand spruce trees 
 are about all that could be got there at present. In about forty or fifty years 
 if not ravaged by fire in the interval, this new growth Avill furnish a large 
 Eupply of timber. But the advantages which these splendid lands offer to 
 settlers are not likely to remain long unknown ; and I have no doubt that 
 were there better means of reaching them, the young forest would soon 
 give place to fine fields of wheat. 
 
 The river au Rat, another tributary of the Mistassini, flows in from the 
 same side as the Mistassibi (the north-east) at a distance of a mile above the 
 latter. From the starting point of the scaling which I made of the river au 
 Rat, to about ten miles from its mouth, it runs only a short distance east of 
 the Mistassini, viz : sixty-one chains, by the measurement of a line drawn 
 for this purpose and which served as a base of operations on this river. 
 
 After taking an astronomical observation at ray starting point, I scaled 
 this river in ascending its course for a distance of thirty miles, as directed 
 
ht3s a sharp angle, 
 ills. Above this 
 •therly direction, 
 ? dista]i(3(!. The 
 lid hilly towards 
 
 lied to its mouth. 
 ' au Rat already 
 
 md there on one 
 ) the conclusion 
 t for cultivation, 
 mixed with sand 
 rocky except in 
 break the nearly 
 of greater extent 
 )th mile, on the 
 fall the varieties 
 re of the forest is 
 ;he tre(^s indicate 
 iestroyed by fire. 
 
 timber near the 
 ind spruce trees 
 rty or fifty years, 
 I furnish a large 
 id lands offer to 
 e no doubt that, 
 est would soon 
 
 ows in from the 
 L mile above the 
 e of the river au 
 distance east of 
 of a line drawn 
 1 this river. 
 
 J point, I scaled 
 les, as directed 
 
 588 
 
 in your letter of instructions. I measured the angles of the courses and 
 chained their lengths, marking the number of each mile on a squared tree, 
 as well as on a post, and explored the banks from time to time to a certain 
 distance from the river in order to form an idea of the quality of the timber 
 and the nature of the soil. From its mouth to our starting point, the aspect 
 of this river is magnificent, and its level and well wooded banks are com- 
 posed of rich and easily cultivated soil. Three falls and some rapids are 
 placed at nearly regular intervals over these ten miles. At the beginning 
 of the first mile of the scaling, a large rapid in cascades about a quarter of 
 a mile in length, divided into two parts by a rocky islet of sandstone, marks 
 a descent of thirty feet. Near the end of the fourth mile, and, on the first 
 few chains of the fifth, two falls are met whose aggregate height is about 
 forty feet. The largest of all, and the last on the portion of the river I scaled, 
 is found on the seventh mile. It falls from a height of about sixty feet 
 in a distance of a few chains. A rapid twenty-five chains long on the 
 ninth mile, and another of six chains on the first part of the tenth mile, 
 complete the series of obstacles wich obstruct this riA'er in the thirty miles 
 explored. 
 
 The river then, at the tenth-eleventh mile, widens into a lake which 
 extends to the 19th mile, varying in width from a quarter to three-quarters 
 of a mile. It then continues its course, as varied as unforeseen, in a direc- 
 tion generally north-east, winding about through level banks of alluvial 
 soil, covered with fine timber, which stretches away to the west, by the 
 tributary which debouches on the twenty-first mile, and continues to the 
 north-oast on a strip of several chains in width farbeyond the thirtieth mile 
 post, which is marked according to my instructions. 
 
 Two tributaries flow in from the west side of this river ; the one above 
 mentioned and the river Au Foin, (Hay river) at the beginning of the eighth 
 mile. Those coming from the east are better described as streams than 
 
 rivers. 
 
 After having thus fi:iished the scaling of this part of the river au Kat 
 and explored the bank on each side to a sufficient distance to gain an idea 
 of the nature of the soil and the quality and value of the timber, I retraced 
 my steps as far as the verification line at the starting point. Ascending the 
 course of the Mistassini by this line, I arrived at the mouth of the'river 
 AVassiemska, another tributary flowing in from the south west side on the 
 fortieth mile of the scaling of the river Mistassini. 
 
584 
 
 Ihe as rouomical observation having been made as usual, I beo,n fU 
 scnhng of the nver Wassiemsk. at the po«t I had ph.nted on the >ointC ! 
 by the junction of the two nvers; measuring the angles and Z i ^^ 
 courses over the authorised distance of thirtv miles. This river n° i' 
 asoonHderableasihe Mistas.ini and parallel in eourse for a dist., f^ 
 ftfty rn.les. The land between the two is higher and morrhilly t ;! 
 oxtend„,g to the south towards Tikouapee. The soil is compost ^'^ 
 
 gey and yellow earth and sand, with here and there rocks varviLfr^ 
 filty to a hundred and fifty feet in height. ' ^ ^ 
 
 The fire of 1870 destroyed the fine forests which had covered the bank. 
 «s lar as the fifteenth mile. Beyond that point, the woods com 'set 
 «ame varieties as are found on the Mistassini. On the thirtv-first n^e h 
 forest again disappears, for a distance of about ten miles as well as I oTi 
 ni^ke out ; but the fire which ravaged this section took place previa 
 
 The only obstacles to the navigation of the part of this river sealed bv 
 nie are a lew rapids, which are not noticed in running down the rivJ 
 during the ire.hets. There are five of these rapids in the first six em 
 he water being unbroken for the remaining fourteen miles, and as mul 
 urther above. On the seventeeth mile a branch from the south woras 
 large as the mam nver. communicates directly wifh a lake nine miles Ll 
 A^'hich I scahd on my return. From this point, proceedi.c. upwird th; 
 appearance of the country is changed : the soil is more leve? "it 
 <3i.appear for a d usance of six miles, then recommence and continue increa 
 .«g ni height far beyond the thirty miles explored, but leaving iZZl 
 plateaus on each.de of the river of greater or less width, foHowh J h 
 sinuosities of the shores. 'i"\^iUs ^ 
 
 At the end of the thirty miles explored, I planted a post, duly inscribed 
 on the righ bank, ascending ; each mile of the scaling havinc.^ lo been 
 marked on the same side. ^i"o aiso oeen 
 
 Returning to the lake above mentioned, I scaled its whole length It 
 IS bounded on the west by rocks, with spaces of land of good quality but 
 of small extent. This chain of rocks ends at the head of^'the riverTikoua- 
 pee On the east side the heights are not so great and end about the middle 
 of the lake. Frorn there the land continues at the same level, and extends 
 towards Lake St. John without interruption, and to the south as far as the 
 river Ashuapmouchouan. The ground is slightly undulating, and the soil 
 
 lili 
 
 is a mixl 
 all havir 
 
 Froi 
 
 river As! 
 then to ] 
 
 I ca 
 
 your seri 
 these thi 
 tallied at 
 explorati 
 This opi 
 further i 
 than an 
 for the g 
 
 I an 
 
 within t 
 side, tha 
 compose! 
 ou accou 
 
 In 
 ■without 
 of this h 
 as large 
 St. Lawr 
 cheres, I 
 The allu 
 depth th 
 climate i 
 
 Wit 
 another c 
 the surp] 
 province 
 is the s« 
 remotest 
 understa 
 more ad^' 
 well as f 
 ni hand. 
 
usual, I began the 
 
 'U the point formed 
 and chaining the 
 ^is river is noarly 
 for a distance ot 
 >re hilly than that 
 'mposed ot clayey 
 cks varying from 
 
 685 
 
 covered the bank 
 ods comprise the 
 irty-first mile the 
 s well as I could 
 place previous to 
 
 is river sealed by 
 dov^'n the river 
 rst sixteen miles ; 
 ^s, and as much 
 J south west, as 
 '■ nine miles lontr 
 :ig upwards, the 
 ■el and the rocks 
 continue iucreas- 
 aving large level 
 1, Ibllowing the 
 
 i, duly iu£cribed, 
 aving also been 
 
 hole length. It 
 )od quality, but 
 he river Tikoua- 
 bout the middle 
 rel, and extends 
 ith as far as the 
 Qg, and the soil 
 
 is a mixture of clay, yol 5W earth and sand. There is no growing timber, 
 all having been destroyed by fire in 1870. 
 
 From the lake a James, so called, I followed a portage as far as the 
 river Ashuapmouchouan, iilong which I proceeded tu Lake St. John, and 
 then to Hebertville by the Kenogami road. 
 
 I cannot close this report, Mr. Commissioner, without submitting to 
 your serious consideration the fact that the work I have just finished on 
 these three rivers has fully confirmed me in the opinion which I enter- 
 tained at the entrance to this valley of the Lake St. John, during the first 
 explorations which I made by order of the Grovernment of this province. 
 This opinion, timid at first, but which gained strength as I penetrated 
 further into the interior in the prosecution of my work, is now nothing less 
 than an unalterable conviction, which I should like to see shared by all, 
 for the greater advantage of the country. 
 
 I am firmly convinced that the greater part of this region comprised 
 within the vast basin surrounding Lake St. John, especially on the north 
 side, that is to say, a tract of at least four millions of acres in superficies, is 
 composed of lands of the best description for agricultural purposes as well 
 on account of the richness of the soil as the mildness of the climate. 
 
 In order to establish a sufficiently close comparison, I think I may say, 
 without fear of being taxed with exaggeration, that we hav*e in the valley 
 of this lake an area of fine rich land of sufficient extent to support in comfort 
 as large a population as that inhabiting the finest part of the valley of the 
 St. Lawrence— that occupied by the counties of Richelieu, Yaraaska, Ver- 
 cheres, Bagot, St. Hyacinthe, Rouville, St. John, Napierville and Laprairie. 
 The alluvial lands of Lake St. John are as large in extent and of greater 
 depth than those watered by the rivers Richelieu and Yamaska ; while the 
 climate is not inferior to that of those old districts. 
 
 With your indulgent permission, Mr. Commissioner, I shall make here 
 another comparison. For several years endeavors have been made to direct 
 the surplus population of the older French Canadian parishes to a distant 
 province, and the idea appears to be spreading among us here that Manitoba 
 is the settler's paradise. I wish I could make my voice heard in the 
 remotest corners of the province of Quebec. I would make everyone 
 understand, that, all well considered, the valley of Lake St. John is much 
 more advantageous for my countrymen, for those who have no means as 
 well as for those who, more favored, have a few hundred dollars of capital 
 in hand. 
 
S86 
 
 In regard to the first especially there cannot be the least doubt Le, ,., 
 owner, of forms on the borders of Lake St. John be asked, ilwhen thev i 
 the.r nat,™ parishes on the St. Lawrence, they had any other cap t.H ' 
 the,r nervous arms and their axes with which to make their ho» J 
 win their bread m the forest. How far could they have got with the , 
 possessions on the route to Manitoba ? Would they ever have arriv , ! 
 their destination V As for Ihose who have some mojey to start w"h,h.™ 
 ^also a greater certainty of success for them in our own province ti, „ 
 Manilob.. To begm a settlement in the latter, it is necessary to have 
 leaat from six to eight hundred dollars. With this sum of money „ 
 energy and labor not wanting, the industrious settler may hope to mite w! 
 way provided the grasshoppers do not forestall the sickle HavingThesam 
 capital to begin with in the valley of Lake St. John, the settler' brin"! 
 the same labor and energy to bear, will be independent in a shorter u"! 
 than he could be in the North West, even with the grasshoppers left o^U 
 
 t'ZTn r Tt ': """ T'°° °"-i'^"" Manitoba that ne dnev 
 be eared at Lake St. John, under similar circumstances be it understoli 
 hat ,s, with equally available means of communication for both and .t 
 
 th:"r Un-::''^™ """"-' "-- "^ '--^ - ">» »»"="«o- state* 
 
 Is it not well known that the latter, instead of taking their crop, „f 
 Mian corn to market have frequently found it preferable to use it asfu 
 
 wit ""f tf n° """' "'"' •"•""" '' " ''='=™»« ae seLlers in the N "a 
 West of the Dominion are still further from a market for their produce C 
 they may consider themselves safe from a similar alternative ? Would ,h 
 settlers near Lake St. John ever have the shadow of such a danjrto fear 
 No tf the means of communication, such as are lavishly provided"; . 
 North West, even m advance of settlement, be not totally refused to the 
 brave habitants who have been settled for five, ten, fifteen and twel™, 
 on the borders of the lake. Notwithstanding the advantages offered by ,h 
 country of their adoption, these settlers cannot forget that fte sole obld 
 which now opposes their progress is perhaps a greater drawback than the 
 scourge of grasshoppers and the remoteness of their locality are to those of 
 Manitoba. It cannot be too often repeated that the one hundred and twenty 
 five to one hundred and fifty miles of forest separating us from a m rkl; 
 will always be an insurmountable barrier to the deveFopmeat Tf coToS. 
 
 'truc^ollf th""" ™"'^' ""'"^ " "" "'"''^ "> P'-«J «"h The - • 
 struction ot the railway so long promised. 
 
>ast doubt. Let the 
 
 if when they left 
 
 other capital than 
 
 their homes and 
 
 :ot with the same 
 
 sr have arrived at 
 
 ) start with, there 
 
 province than in 
 
 3essary to have at 
 
 ra of money, and 
 
 hope to make his 
 
 Having the same 
 settler, bringing 
 in a shorter time 
 oppers left out of 
 a that need never 
 be it understood 
 )r both, and it is 
 in the Canadian 
 tiguous States of 
 
 ■ their crops of 
 to use it as fuel 
 ts in the North 
 eir produce that 
 e? Would the 
 . danger to fear ? 
 )rovided in the 
 ' refused to the 
 id twenty years 
 !S offered by the 
 le sole obstacle 
 rt'back than the 
 '• are to those of 
 •ed and twenty. 
 From a market 
 at of colouiza 
 I with the con- 
 
 58t 
 
 '^ithout this great work, which our settlers arc still waiting for, though 
 with shaken confidence in view of the inaction of the company which has 
 been so generously subsidized by the Government of the province and the 
 city of Quebec, without this work, I say, the ten counties, which might be 
 laid out in the magnificent country of the Lake St. John valley, will not be 
 opened up for perhaps two hundred and fifty or three hundred years. By 
 pushing it forward without delay, the desired result may be attained iu 
 twenty-five or thirty years. 
 
 {P.-H. Dunum, 24th June, 1818.) 
 
 LITTLE PERIBONKA RIVER. 
 
 Taking as our point of departure a post planted on the north bank of 
 the said river, we chained it from its mouth to its source, taking note of all 
 its windings, marking the miles throughout, meeting very few impedi- 
 ments, and not losing a single day. 
 
 We encountered on the 8th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 23rd, 56th and iSth 
 miles, falls varying in height from 10 to 30 feet ; the principal rapids are on 
 the 11th, 13th, 25th, 36th, 40th and 78th miles, measuring from two to 
 eighty chains in length. The lakes are of small extent, the largest of which 
 I explored, supply the small tributaries, which flow into the river on each 
 side. On the 51st mile a brule commences and extends to the 78th mile ; 
 iire has destroyed all the primitive forest, but a new growth of scrub pine, 
 poplar and white birch is scattered over the mountains and clothes a great 
 part of the flat lands. 
 
 The mountains appear on the 34th mile, bordering the river on both 
 sides as far as the 5tth mile ; they then diverge from it principally on the 
 Avest side, approaching it again or the 74th mile, and terminating at the 
 height of land in small round hills which surround the borders of the lakes 
 and small islands sloping down to the level of the horizon iu a north-west 
 direction. 
 
 The species of lumber which predominate here are the grey spruce, the 
 balsam, white birch, scrub pine or cypress, birch, poplar, white and yellow 
 pine, cotton wood, poplar, ash willow, alder, white wood, nut hazel^ 
 mountain ash and soft maple. 
 
088 
 
 The land, jfonerally (lu or slightly undulating for the first fortv mil 
 18 composod ot grey and yellow <-layey soil, alluvion .nixed with LT' 
 
 pktel °' *'' "'"' '"' '"""' "'^' ' "^^' '"^"'^ - ^^« •'"ucip" 
 
 Those mountains which are rocky and covered with yellow snndv «.i 
 are cloth.^ with black spruce, white birch and H,l,am. with a tew >in , 
 here and there ; the loftiest do not exceed a thousnnd feet in heighr ^ 
 
 On the riTth mile the mountains increase their distance from tho riv^r 
 the valley widens by degrees and forms a basi.i from three to live mill 
 breadth, terminating at the foot of the great rapid on the 77th mile 
 
 This basin was Ibrmerly full of water forming a large lake bn .!„,, 
 he excavatmn of the natural dyke which was formed by the mountai 
 the 56th mile, it has become empty and nearly dry with the exrenii. , 
 some small lakes and winding streLs llowing^roL Vm whi^r^a y'^ 
 uniformity of the land now slightly undulating. ^ 
 
 Were it not for the old burnt trunks of trees, here and there ovpr 
 topping the forest, the new growth of cypress only twenty to thirty ya^" 
 old, of vigorous growth, and closely packed along the two banks of Th 
 Penbonka as far as the mountains enclosing the basin, we should b 
 inchned to believe that these young trees were the first product on of 
 virgin soil newly fertilized. 
 
 The sources of this river are situated on the h .ight of land over- 
 thor"fr ''"''^V""'^ °' '''' ^"^^ Peribonka.\nd on the w^^ 
 
 ty,i« '^^A ^"r.r^ l^l'v °^ ■^'" '''^'' '' '''''^^'^ "' «°™« «^^*»«' distance on 
 this side of the 14th mile post, at the starting point of a line which 
 
 measures eight miles and "Mrty-tw^o chains, running due west as far as the 
 
 western t>ankof the Mistassini. at a point llj chains from the post between 
 
 the 13 h and 14th ranges of the township of Parent, on its n^rth-east out- 
 
 line ; this pncipal fork measures 75 links in breadth at its confluence and 
 
 nows in a north-westerly direction. 
 
 The other tributaries are merely brooks ; on the course of one of them 
 about two miles from the river, there are three or four hundred pine trees 
 
 of th 43 d ' r '^''''"' ^°'''' "'*'' ^^' '"''"' °" '*' '"'* ^^""^ ^* ^^' ^'^^""^"^ 
 
 In cc 
 bonk a ii\ 
 Roberval 
 of hay of 
 of those K 
 also been 
 
 I ha\ 
 
 of the tov 
 lakes fori 
 
 Thei 
 I took on 
 
le first forty mi|,.g 
 
 xud with sand oil 
 
 on the |)riucipa 
 
 yt.'llovvfiinulysoi 
 
 with a tow pine) 
 
 t in height. 
 
 ict> from tho river 
 
 00 to live miles i 
 77th mile 
 
 [fo lakt\ brt since 
 the mountain on 
 the oxoeptionoi 
 a, which vary th 
 
 1 and there, over- 
 y to thirty years 
 wo banks of the 
 1, we should be 
 t production of a 
 
 tit of land over- 
 md on the west 
 ries of the river 
 
 line' distance on 
 of a line which 
 vest as far as the 
 he post between 
 s north-east out- 
 i confluence and 
 
 ! of one of them 
 idred pine trees 
 at the beginning 
 
 689 
 
 At the Cist mile, on the heights bordering a stream Mowing from the 
 \vest. some scattered pin»» trees overtop the clum[)8 of green woods spared 
 from tht; fires. 
 
 The pine trees on the proper course of the Little Peribonka river, are 
 scarce and can only l)e made use of by those who will, at tho same time, 
 ir(|nire the spruce. 
 
 The quality of th^' soil on the first forty miles, though not superior, is 
 ((till worth cultivating. The land is level and covered with all tho species 
 ot tinil)or found on the south bank of Lake St. John. 
 
 Should Ihe valley of Lake St. John ever be cro-ised by a railroad, this 
 northern part of the lake would soon be sought out by settlers and become 
 ns lloiiri.shing as the localities already f*ettlt'd. 
 
 The traverse line at Mistassini crosses a country perfe(;tly level and lit 
 lor rleaving, with the exception of two or three marshes extending north- 
 ward, and the bottom of which is composed of sand covering clay ; the 
 rciaionder is well wooded and of good quality. The pine trees on the borders 
 of the Mistassini have been mostly cut, and nothing now remains but the 
 new growth. 
 
 The variation of the cbmpass on the height of land, from astronomical 
 observation, is 21*^ 15' west. I further discovered a slight increase in the 
 variation by the angles of the courses, as I ascended the river. 
 
 In conclusion, I have to mention that at the entrance to the Great Peri- 
 bonka liver, the natural meadows cultivated last autumn by the settlers of 
 Roberval and Ashuapmouchouan gave a return of several thousand bundles 
 of hay of very good quality for cattle, and whi(;h horses do not reject. One 
 of these meadows is situated at the entrance of the Little Peribonka, and has 
 also been cultivated. 
 
 (P.-H. Dimnis, 22nd June, 1875.) 
 
 RIVER SHIPSHAW. 
 
 I have completed the scaling of the river Shipshaw from the rear line 
 of the township ofSimard for 150 miles going northw^ards, including the 
 lakes forming its extensions. 
 
 The rear line of the township of Simard according to a bearing which 
 I took on the spot runs north 59*^ 15' west, astronomically, or 76° 75' 
 
Th3 SI 
 mile, that 
 Lougitiicli: 
 
 540 
 
 according to the compaGs, the variation being 17« 15' west This Hm„ J 
 the first course of the scaling formed, an angle of os" on the theodo^ 
 which was used for the triangulation and our'geodesic calculates '^^'^ 
 
 Ascending the river from the starting point, its general course k nort J ^ P^"" 
 eas for a distance of five miles. Then turning abrupUy to the ea U hi It« -^^^^ ' 
 hat direction taking in the expansion of a narrow lalJ for ten . ies S U't^^ ^^ 
 lake IS a small sheet of water, dotted with some islands, bordered b A ! ' ' 
 irregularly shaped bank, and indented by several bays which form I ! 
 defined promontories. Above this sheet of water, the upper course of ^ 
 river IS nearly northwards to the intersection of the rear iL run b/i ! 
 the limit No. 64. The river in some places narrows like a brodrbut w^ 
 very strong current. » "'<""», out wjth 
 
 To this point, the land on both sides of the river is occasiona1I„ „ l 
 and bare. However, there ,re extensive intervals of belter soi" -2 
 distances ft„„ each othe-, on which white pine of fine grow h ab! I 
 and may have great c„n.mercial importance. Attempts ar^ bein. Tad t 
 P.^sent to work ,t and it is not improbable that before long rS^. 
 
 Ascending as far as the 24th mile, the river passes throngh a rich allu 
 vial platn prodnc.ng pine and white spruce in abundance This par rf 
 the river occasionally flows throngh narrow o-or^-es dash,., „,- , T 
 rapids, or hurls itself over steep , alls' Then i^i^s^Z^^Z^'Zl 
 . s course to the thirty-third mile is almost everywhere a u .'rtk '^J 
 steep. Precipices, with inaccessible sides, rise to great heHus aud 
 modera e distances, we measured some ffom 400 to 500 fee h 4 Th 
 perspective IS very picturesque, but is hardly one which wl ri,„e,d 
 this region for colonization or permanent improvements. "-'=°""»«'<1 
 
 In ascending the river, we perceived that its course was formed bv a 
 of Lisl'T f"" °' "' enlargement of about 20 chains. A 1 h™ 
 of this sheet of water on the 38th mile, we entered upon a lar-,, lake wh , h 
 was soon recognized as ,he one designated under the name ol atcW„ y 
 on the descriptive plan accompanying my instruelions. * 
 
 The scenery of this part of Shiphaw is very picturesque ; game and lisl, 
 
 n this remote and unfrequented region a safe repair. The principal tribu- 
 taries are the river Napash and the discharge of Spruce lake 
 
 We found the variation of the ueedle, at this place, to h- 190 o' 60", 
 
 and to att£ 
 of the lake 
 direction, 
 has an ave 
 of a mile 
 Ouatchiws 
 island cuts 
 a small fal 
 
 From 
 away ; bu 
 beaches. 1 
 bay, the b 
 line. As ff 
 as worthy 
 of the valh 
 the countr 
 of hare roc 
 stunted bl 
 
 The\i 
 through a 
 Clfth mile, 
 on each si( 
 with smal 
 up of brok 
 valleys th' 
 
 Beyoi: 
 susceptibl 
 the soil su 
 
 In asi 
 branch ru 
 hranch, n 
 
St. This line, witl 
 ^u the theodolit 
 Iculations. 
 
 al coarse is north' 
 ' the east, it koepi 
 
 541 
 
 Tha scaling of the shores of lake Ouatchiway was begun at the 38th 
 j^ile, that is to say, at the point where the regular course of th^ river ceases. 
 Lougituclinally, the great lake trends from south west to north east. 
 
 A portion of the eastern shore is open and exposed to all the vv'inds. 
 
 Its naked and shelterless cliffs and its rocky soil have produced a stunted 
 
 r ten tuijes Th^! growth of wood, which seems to choose the poorest soil on which to grow 
 
 ordered by a very 
 bich form boldly 
 per course of th 
 ne run by us of 
 t>rook, but with 
 
 3casionally rough 
 soil, at dift'ereut 
 ?rowth abounds 
 3 being made at 
 long 
 iver 
 
 and to attach itself to the fissures in the bare rock. The north-eastern end 
 of the lake spreads out into a deep bay, which forms irregularities in every 
 direction. At the 50th mile we reached the discharge of the lake, which 
 has an average width of two chains and which we scaled for three-quarters 
 of a mile to the west to there take up again the continuation of lake 
 Ouatchiway. This detached section has a lozenge form. A pretty large 
 island outs transversely the current, which is powerfully attracted towards 
 a small fall on the 50th mile. 
 
 lumberino- 
 offers great 
 
 )ugh a rich allu 
 36. This part of 
 ies over heavy 
 isterly directiou, 
 >rupt, rocky and 
 heights and, at 
 feet high. This 
 will recommend 
 
 as formed by a 
 s. At the head 
 rge lake which 
 'f Ouatchiway, 
 
 ; game and fish 
 iu and fox find 
 principal tribu- 
 
 -> 19« 0' 60". 
 
 From the shores of this lake, the mountains recede and the banks fall 
 away ; but sometimes they come down to the water's edge in wide, low 
 beaches. These beaches have long, gentle slopes. West of the great eastern 
 bay, the bank becomes more regular and presents an unindented shore 
 line. As far as this, there are few spots which could be reasonably claimed 
 as worthy of attention for agricultural purposes. Portions of the lower part 
 of the valley produce good white pine, but the upper parts, and especially 
 the country surrounding the lake, is exclusively made up of a succession 
 of bare rocky headlands, where the forest growth is chiefly composed of 
 stunted black spruce and dwarf cypress. 
 
 The waters which form the discharge of lake Ouatchiway creep slowly 
 through an immense swamp, winding like a serpent's folds, as far as the 
 Clfth mile. This valley is very characteristic, because it is uniformly bordered 
 on each side by a ridge with a little arable soil on it and sparsely clothed 
 with small stunted trees. At some distance in tho rear, the country is made 
 up of broken and rocky bluifs, intersected by narrow valleys. In these 
 valleys there is an immense quantity of tamarac. 
 
 Beyond these valleys to the 70th mile, we remarked several spots 
 susceptible of tillage ; these spots are occasionally pretty long and wide, 
 the soil supporting a growth of good ash, birch and white pine. 
 
 In ascending this valley, we scaled by mistake fourteen miles of a 
 branch running westward, which our guide took for the main river. This 
 branch, navigable for canoes, traverses a mountainous country with steep 
 
542 
 
 'I 
 -ill 
 
 should have reach ^^^i^:v::^:Z:Z'Z:i:'^tT' 
 the waters had apparently very much dimini hed. After much u^!!? '"" 
 
 whioh^ed ure .x ^J:7^'^:,^:i^ :^^t^ ^^^ "' '"^ ■ 
 
 which we recognized as lakp. Pnrnnn^.o.u,-.,, ^f ^ , "^'^^ ^^^^'^^s, The r 
 
 which we recognized . lak: pr^rus^ w A :/:! 1::;:^ c^'^'^^^^ 
 
 we rejoined our expedition next day. We had nrtwil , T ''"- 
 
 the eastern branch, and it «.as ascertained thath?r\u' "^'^^ '^ 
 about the same volume of water rttrtkt ^^'^^--^^ -vnod 
 
 On the 82nd mile we reached lake Pomouscachiou Tn i-f= 
 e^rywhere roc.y rdlre^'^TheTiTa: ° if ZX tTZ^l 
 nowhere of largo size in the ilemrtil,!; :fTrk: "'^"'"°-'' '"' 
 
 ..r„i^deX™rs;:it/x=^ 
 Xu^^rcczrLro?s^':;ta:vt '-'^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 extreme length of the two seotrnTrfth^Tl t ? """"^ '"'>"'■ ^he 
 sion which Lparates thim. t 68 .nUe I ' ""'"'''"=" ''' "™" ''"P"- 
 
 The river above the lake, after leaving o-round nrettv hv„l, . 
 mouth to the 150th mile win.l. .1, u '""'"' '"^""y broken at its 
 
 exclusively covered wUhtdpi"^ wT " °" "' '""""' "'»'" "'">«' 
 
 - 'He >-h mi/e, whret:';r:;rttrs ;:st'i:rr 
 
 The general aspect of this last nortinn nf ih^ .. 
 attractive. Vast swamps cover dwTtht 11 !,\ ?^ T''"'' "°^^^"= 
 distances and swarm with aauatio hL a .u'' '"'"^ '^'^ ^■'^'- ^«"= 
 
 growth. ^ ^* ^^^ vegetable and forest 
 
 Thee 
 )Vir sarve] 
 ng point, 
 miles to t. 
 
 In cor 
 u the run 
 
 Ther 
 nore or le 
 it the nan 
 ;alculatioi 
 
 Tracii 
 line para 
 we iuterse 
 river, but 
 
 As in 
 the renfiou 
 
 I scali 
 Betsiamits 
 and Peribc 
 report my 
 geographic 
 
 W^e first 
 blay on th 
 of the stee 
 
 Havii; 
 a guide, w 
 short porti 
 we descen 
 tributary ( 
 
3 are baro and rise 
 
 J instructions, vve 
 -er we noted that 
 rxiuch uncertainty 
 tt to the eastward 
 kin.ls of timber, 
 ed with islands, 
 iborious crossing' 
 scaled a mile of 
 branches carried 
 
 543 
 
 The calculation of the latitude showed that the last point reached by 
 )ur survey was by linear measure 84 miko in a direct line from our stari- 
 ng point. According to the same calculation, the last station should be 35 
 miles to the east of the starting point. ; 
 
 In its general 
 ^s in the valley 
 shores is nearly 
 and abrupt and 
 f excellent land, 
 vegetation, but 
 
 sheet of water 
 alar and broken 
 rn end are less 
 ow bays. The 
 e small depres- 
 
 broken at its 
 1 plain almost 
 or hills in this 
 5 stream, after 
 
 northern end 
 our survey. 
 
 eseuts nothing 
 away for long 
 ps are on the 
 ly drain them 
 hould be valu- 
 ible and forest 
 
 In conformity with your instructions,the last part of my survey consisted 
 the running of a line connecting the river Shipshaw at the 150th mile 
 rt'ith the river Peribonka. 
 
 The route which I should follow as the likeliest to traverse a country 
 acre or less unknown promised to be difficult, and I decided to strike across 
 it the narrowest and most advantageous point, which, according to my 
 ;alculations, was at the 150th mile. 
 
 Tracing a meridian, I took from it an angle of 75° to the west and raa 
 line parallel to the township of Simard for 11 miles and 4 chains, where 
 we intersected the river Peribonka. "We then searched for a po.«t on that 
 river, but found none. 
 
 As in o^her parts of the country where the Laurentian system prevails, 
 ;he region traversed in this exploration is rocky and sterile. 
 
 {Geo.'B. DuTremhlay, 15th July, 1875.) 
 
 RIVERS VALIN, BETSIAMITS, SHIPSHAW AND PERIBONKA. 
 
 I scaled the river Valin to its principal source, and part of the liver 
 Betsiamits, besides performing other surveys between the rivers Shipshaw 
 and Peribonka in the county of Chicoutimi, and I have now the honor to 
 report my operations and the results of my examination of the principal 
 geographical features of the ground adjoining the rivers surveyed. 
 
 We first reached the intersection of the rear line of the township of Trem 
 blay on the river Valin, which we had not followed until then on account 
 of the steepness of its banks and the inaccessibility of its rapids. 
 
 Having no exact knowledge of the region I was about to visit, I hired 
 a guide, who took me up the river Valin to its source, beyond which a 
 short portage brought us to the headwaters of the river Betsiamits, by which 
 vre descended to great lake Pipmaukan, whence we ascended another large 
 tributary of the river Betsiamits, the river a I'Epinette, to a portage well 
 
 I 
 
544 
 
 ; «ri sii' 
 
 known to the Montagnais under the name of the Portage a I'Aviron on fi, 
 Tiver Shipshaw, and thence by another great portage which finally brou.h! 
 us to the river Peribonka. It took us three weeks to clear a passage f! 
 ourselves and to ascend the river to its source. 
 
 We took levels at different points, which showed that the river fall, in 
 the average proportion of 100 feet per 14 acres, that is to say. 3 800 fJn 
 18 miles, as far as the height of lands dividing the waters which flow 
 the Saguenay and those which flow northwards towards lake Pipmauka 
 We had daily falls of snow wiach rendered travelling sometimes exceedin^; 
 difficult until we reached the highest point of thi. region, where thesn^w 
 was 10 feet deep at the beginning of February. 
 
 The general vegetation to this point has taken root in a rockv soil 
 composed of limestone and poor sand. The prevailing timber denotes 
 poor, barren country ; nevertheless, I remarked some growing pine of Jol 
 quality, varying m dimensions between 10 and 24 inches in diameter 
 White spruce is the predominating wood in this region. 
 
 The river Valin is bordered by steep, rough banks, which, with the 
 succession of mountains that adjoin it and which seem piled one upon tol 
 of the other, present the most picturesque effects ; and, although the countrv 
 IS barren, the scenery is very attractive. The hills rise to - great heiah/ 
 J. measured some of 540,300,607 and 720 feet. 
 
 The summits of these mountains are generally smooth and white, and 
 their steep flanks offer a striking contrast to the small plateaus which 
 surround them. The forest growth everywhere is stunted, but it is only on 
 tne summit of the headlands and in places exposed to the high winds that 
 it IS sickly-looking. ' 
 
 Near the township, the forest is more open and the timber of ..cod 
 quality and comparatively large. The steep hills show the same varieties 
 of rocks ; we saw some streaked, coarse-grained masses, composed of white 
 and dark feldspar and quartz. Among other substances of economic value, 
 the rocks just mentioned contain limestone and schists which in some cases 
 may be used as whet-stones. 
 
 _ The sources of the river of which I am speaking are on the crest of 
 the mountains which border the Saguenay, and its principal forks are on 
 the first, third, eighth and tenth miles. All its tributaries are large enough 
 to floa saw logs, but are not navigable for canoes on account of the rapids 
 and falls. ^ 
 
 Ont 
 
 ioiiroes 
 ind takir 
 tre inters 
 couche, 1 
 
 My c 
 
 tenninatt 
 
 The] 
 ire fed I 
 leights fc 
 ributariei 
 vventy-fo 
 linth, eij 
 Jong its ( 
 the water 
 fourth, tl 
 and seven 
 
 Weil 
 sible to d( 
 nomioal o 
 
 Toid( 
 scaled the 
 to the Fori 
 river I cro! 
 steep moui 
 barren. Th 
 small groM 
 
 Confoi 
 
 operations 
 and Peri bo 
 
546 
 
 3 a I'Aviron on the. 
 ich finally brought 
 lear a passage for 
 
 at the river falls in 
 > say, 3,800 feet in 
 ters which ilow to 
 lake Pipmaukan. 
 (times exceedingly 
 ti, where the snow 
 
 On the 2nd February, we crossed a portage of a few chains to the 
 ioiiroes of the river Betsiamits which we descended by following its course 
 md taking all the angles possible along the same to the 83rd mile, where 
 ffe intersected lake Pipmaukan after crossing lake des Isles, lake Mau- 
 couche, lake Istamanie, &c. 
 
 My operations on the Betsiamits were begun on the 2nd February and 
 terminated on the 19th March. 
 
 ot in a rocky soil, 
 
 timber denotes a 
 
 nng pine of good 
 
 hes in diameter. 
 
 which, with the 
 iled one upon top 
 ^ough the country 
 - great height. 
 
 h and white, and 
 
 plateaus which 
 
 , but it is only on 
 
 high winds, that 
 
 J timber of good 
 le same varieties 
 mposed of white 
 economic value, 
 ch in some cases 
 
 on the crest of 
 pal forks are on 
 ire large enough 
 mt of the rapids 
 
 The lakes which form the headwaters of this river are shallow and 
 ire fed by several small streams or brooks which take their rise in the 
 leights forming the watershed of the Saguenay and the north. The chief 
 ributaries are on the third, fifth, tenth, twelfth, fifteenth, sixteenth 
 wenty-fourth, forty-first, forty-fifth, forty-sixth, forty-seventh, seventy- 
 linth, eightieth, eighry-second and eighty-third miles. We met no falls 
 ilong its course. The ground slopes slightly towards the north and gives 
 the waters only a quiet flow. Some small rapids occur on the twenty- 
 fourth, thirty-second, thirty-third, thirty-eighth, forty-first, seventy-second 
 and seventy-fourth miles. We measured falls 
 
 At the 18th mile, of 17 feet 
 
 At the 41st mile, of , jg •< 
 
 At the 7oth mile, of 22 " 
 
 At the 79th mile, of " 79 « 
 
 We then endeavored to strike the river Portneuf, but found it irapos- 
 jsible todo so, before reaching lake Pipmaukan, where we took an astro- 
 nomical observation and ascertained the variation to be 16« west. 
 
 To identify a point included in the survey of the river Betsiamits I 
 .scaled the south-west point of lake Pipmaukan and ran a secondary line 
 to the Portage a I'Aviron, which I reached on the 10th March. Along this 
 river I crossed several lakes. This section of the region is furrowed by 
 steep mountains covered with stunted black spruce. The land is altogether 
 barren. The predominating timber is black spruce, cypress and balsam, of 
 small growth. 
 
 Conformably to your subsequent iustructions, I devoted my closing 
 operations to running a verification line between the rivers Shipshaw 
 ^ni Peribonka. Taking advantage of the most accessible ground, I chained 
 
 36 
 
546 
 
 westward to the post of the 60th mile of the river Peribonka, which 
 I reached on the 1st April. ^" 
 
 Like the remainder, the region traversed during this exploration i. 
 rocky and barren and will never be valuable for farming or luraberino- 
 
 {Geo.-B. DuTremblai/, 14th June, 1876.) 
 
 RIVER VALIN, NORTH BRANCH. 
 
 Conformably with my instructions for the survey of the north branch 
 ofthenverValin, dated Hth January, 1887, I ha v'e the honor to submit 
 herewith my report of the work done : 
 
 Starting from the confluence of the said river, 1 followed the windings 
 ot Its course up to its source, planting mile posts along the route. I fom'd 
 lalls, on the 1st, 6th, ISth and 14th miles, of from 10 to 30 feet in heio-ht 
 the prmcipal rapids are on the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th, 13th and 14th miles' 
 Ihese rapids are very long. Several streams flow into this tributary • the 
 chief ol them is the discharge from lake Charles, in the middle of the'^nd 
 mile. The land through which I passed is generally unsuitable for a^-ri- 
 culture the soil is part yellow and part of whitish color, yet a rich o-reen 
 forest of primitive growth covers the country. At the point of depa'rture 
 between the 1st and 2nd miles, fire has destroyed a quantity of pine and 
 other useful woods, leaving the land rough and bare. Between the 17th 
 and 22nd miles, only black spruce and other small si.e woods are found 
 which are the production of a poor soil. 
 
 n.H 7.7 ^'f ^ ""?.*?'' ^'"' *^" "''''' "" ^^^'"^ «^^^«' between the 7th 
 and 13th mi es. All the mountains, on which a deposit of soil is found, are 
 timbered with red birch and grey spruce. The highest mountains are found 
 between the llih and 13th miles. 
 
 .1, .?.t"'^''!,*r* °^^'"^' '' ''^^'^^ '°^^ «^d productions, lies between 
 the ISth and 17th miles There, the river after having left a broken and 
 uneven country, winds through a section of land whose surface is pretty 
 even and is covered by a vigorous vegetation. The principal kinds of wood 
 are pine and spruce ; there is also considerable ta^Tiarac suitable for com- 
 mercial purposes. Everywhere else the soil is broken and poor, and is 
 covered by stunted black spruce and balsam. On the 20th mile, on an 
 
547 
 
 Ji-ibonka, which 
 
 s exploration i.s 
 ■ lumbering. 
 
 June, 1876.) 
 
 le north branch 
 lonor to submit 
 
 d the windings 
 route. I found 
 feet iu height ; 
 iiid 14th miles, 
 tributary ; the 
 die of the 2nd 
 i table for agri- 
 et a rich green 
 nt of departure 
 ity of pine and 
 weeu the 17th 
 ods are ionnd, 
 
 itween the 7th 
 oil is found, are 
 itains are found 
 
 s, lies between 
 t a broken and 
 nrface is pretty 
 1 kinds of wood 
 itable for com- 
 i poor, and is 
 •th mile, on an 
 
 elevation bounded on the west by a stream coming from thi^ north, I saw a 
 quantity of tamarac and the trunks of old trees. 
 
 In conclusion, I believe that lumbering could be carried on with profit 
 on this branch of the river Valin ; but it is not possible to settle it as a 
 farming country. 
 
 {Geo.-B. Du Tremblaj/, 7th May, 1877.) 
 
 RIVERS A MARS AND HA ! HA ! 
 
 From the point of departure to the third mile, the general aspect of 
 the land is undulating and very easy to cultivate. The soil is adapted tcv 
 culture; the only wood met with being young white birch on the banks 
 of the river. It is of divers species further on. From the third to the 
 seventh mile, fire has completely destroyed the timber. The general aspect of 
 the land, however, is precisely the same as that previously described and 
 the «an.e may be said of the soil. From the seventh to the thirty-fourth 
 mile, spruce, fir. white birch and cypress are to be met with in abundance 
 From the twentieth mile, the timber diminishes in quantity, and fir, spruce 
 and white birch are only encountered. 
 
 The soil seemed to me suitable for cultivation to the neighborhood 
 of the twentieth mile. From this point to the headwaters of the river it 
 IS of inferior quality. The area comprised between the thirty-seventh m'ile 
 and lake a Mars is a swamp supporting a sparse growth of tamarac mixed 
 with a few firs and white birches. Towards the twenty-fourth mile the 
 nver is bordered by high mountains, which continue to its headwaters 
 Ihey are about a mile back from the river, but sometimes they close in upon 
 it so much that only its waters separate them. These mountains, with the 
 exception of a few in the upper part of the river, are wooded with white 
 birch, spruce and fir. I met no pine ; but a few stumps of this timber seen 
 on the first mile satisfied me that it grew there formerly, but not in lar-e 
 quantity. ® 
 
 On the seventeenth of February, I completed the survey of the river 
 
 a Mars, and. on the following day, I started to descend the latter, reachiuir 
 
 he south west line of the township ol Bagot (the point of departure) on the 
 
 twentyhtth On the twenty-seventh, I proceeded to the south-east line of 
 
 iiagot in order to immediately begin the .survey of the river Ha ! Ha ! 
 
548 
 
 On fhe following day, after having found the point of departure r 
 began the survey of said river, and in the evening, I took an astronomi;, 
 observation at the first station to find the variatio.i of the needle. Fromth 
 point of departure to great lake Ha ! Ha ! the prevailing timber is spruc" 
 white birch and cypress, and in abundance. I also saw a few elm and ash 
 but not in any great quantity. The spruce is good. The general aspect of 
 he land IS uudulating and the soil of good quality. The banks of .real 
 lake Ha ! Ha! gradually rise to a considerable height. 
 
 From the great lake to the twenty-seventh mile, the timber is the sam. 
 as in the previous section. The appearance of the land is undulatin.. Z 
 starting Irom this last mile, a chain of mountains borders the river'to it 
 sources, t rom the twenty-seventh mile upwards, there is not so much 
 timber; and, as on the river a Mars, I met no pine, the little that was ever 
 on it having been removed long ago. 
 
 (F. Vincent, 16th May, 1882. 
 
 RIVERS UPIKAUBA AND AUX EGORCES. 
 
 Starting from lake Kenogami, at the mouth of the Upikauba, I scaled 
 that river for a distance of about 60 miles and the river aux Ecorces for 50 
 going generally south-east on the Upikauba and south-west on the rivei^ 
 aux Ecorces. The average breadth of the Upikauba is about 21 chains and 
 that ot the river aux Ecorces about 3 chains. 
 
 The aspect of these rivers and their banks is very picturesque The 
 lovver ten miles of the Upikauba are all rapids. This portion of the river 
 IS bordered by steep mountains, from whi(;h the timber has been all burnt 
 off. In rear oi these mountains, however, the soil is covered by a mao-nifi- 
 cent iorest consisting of merchantable white spruce, black spruce, balsam 
 and white birch. Higher up, as far as I went on the river, rapids and still 
 wat3r alternate and contrast with each other. Here, too, the river is bordered 
 by mountains, but of lesser height and at greater distance. There is also a 
 rich growth of timber, especially of merchantable white spruce, but this 
 wood exists in still greater abundance on the banks of the chief tributary 
 the Little Pikauba. The land here is less mountainous ; there are only a few' 
 slight elevations rising above generally level ground. 
 
 The course of the river aux Ecorces presents about the same appear- 
 ance. Five miles of rapids, from the mouth up, after that still water, a 
 
5J9 
 
 >f departure, [ 
 »x astronomical 
 edle. From the 
 nber is spruce, 
 rt^ elm ajid ash, 
 Jneral aspect of 
 lanks of great 
 
 ber is the same 
 idulating, and, 
 ■he river to its 
 s not so much 
 1 that was ever 
 
 Vlay, 1882. 
 
 few small rapids, and a lake bearing the same name. The land on each 
 side, generally level, though a few small elevations may be seen is covered 
 by hne forests of merchantable timber of the same kind as on the river 
 Upikauba. ; 
 
 This part of the country also offers advantageous features. There are 
 almost as many mill sites as there are rapids. Fish abound in these rivers 
 Already there are a number of lumbering establishments begun on the river 
 Upikauba and its tributaries, the Little Pikauba, the IJpika, the Little 
 rika and on the river aux Ecorces and its tributary, the river uux Canots. 
 
 For a long time yet, there will be timber there for lumbering purposes 
 Lastly, the land, being in some places of excellent quality, is well suited to 
 colonization and we may hope when communications are more developed 
 in a future more or less distant to see many prosperous settlers there. 
 
 (/ Ma/tais, 18th August, 1886.) 
 
 auba, I scaled 
 
 Ecorces for 50 
 
 > 
 
 !t on the river 
 2} chains, and 
 
 aresque. The 
 )n of the river 
 aeeu all burnt 
 by a magnifi- 
 pruce, balsam 
 ipids and still 
 'er is bordered 
 Phere is also a 
 uce, but this 
 fiief tributary, 
 ire only a few 
 
 same appear- 
 still water, a 
 
 COUNTRY AROUND LAKE ST. JOHN. 
 
 I have the honor to transmit for the information of the Government a 
 report on the explorations which have been made under ray superinten- 
 dence : — 
 
 1. Of the lands comprised within the western limit of the township of 
 Delisle, prolonged to the river Peribonka, on a depth of ten to twelve miles, 
 north of Lake St. John. ' 
 
 2. The tract lying between the rivers Metabetchouan, Caron, Mesy and 
 riessis. 
 
 ■h The residue of the township of Demeules. 
 
 After having traversed the above-mentioned tract No. 1, in every 
 direction for nearly a month, I became firmly convinced that it is, in every 
 respect, most advantageously qualifi,'d for colonization. It also oflers great 
 flicilities for carrying on every branch of industry by means of the power 
 supplied by the numerous streams, falls, &c. 
 
 The tract lying between the mouth of the river au Cochon and that of 
 the Peribonka rivers, as iar as the falls on these latter, is so flat that in some 
 places, when the snow melts, the water rem_ains a long time on the ground 
 
L 
 
 550 
 
 and ovcMi, on somo few patches of considorablo size, retards the n-rowth of 
 the timber. It is on thi« account that it has been said by some That thJ 
 Jands are swampy, but this idea is erroneous. Notwithstaudini? the iwaw 
 rains which had fallen during the month of July, the water, at ti • time of 
 my visit to the locality, had completely disappeared, or remained to a depth 
 ot only two or three inches in the moss. These lands may even be drained 
 with iacility. In these eo-called swamps there is an average thickness of 
 only seven to ten inches of turf, overlying ex<'ollent alluvial land. I ostab 
 Jished this fact by examinations al several dilferont places. 
 
 Apart from these low grounds, the rest of the tract in question mav be 
 easily drained The soil is entirely alluvium, a rich yellow eavth, suitable 
 for any kind of crops The part near the lake is nine or ten feet above hi^h 
 water-mark, and there is consequently no danger of inundation from tlTat 
 side ; while the b^nks of the rivers Peribonka are from eighteen to twenty 
 hve leet m height. I found here many different species of wood balsim 
 spruce, white birch, yellow birch, elm, ash, mountain ash and alder the 
 white spruce predominating. They are all of very fine growth, indieatiu. 
 a rich soil. Wherever I went throughout the whole tract. I did not find a 
 single rock. . 
 
 .1, ^''l\ n ' Sr",^ ^f ^'^^^" Peribonka rivers are quite navigable up to 
 the first falls. Ihe lands bordering on them for a distance of ten miles above 
 the tails bear the same general aspect as those above described. The soil there 
 also IS 1,1 a great part alluvium. There are, however, some slight elevations 
 where the soil is richer, though of the same composition. In the portion 
 adjoining the township of Delisle, these elevations are more marked and 
 contain a lighter rich yellow soil, upon which pine grew plentifullv in 
 former times. The woods now standing are the same as those mentioned 
 above, (he merchantable timber being chie/ly spruce There arc no rocks to 
 be seen^ trom the rivers au Cochon and a la Pipe, going towards the east 
 the land is .till of the same character, except that the elevations are still 
 greater ; and, while the soil upon them is fit for cultivation, they will always 
 remain an obstacle m the way of farming operations. It will be readily 
 perceived that this tract offers great advantages to colonization ; it is in 
 iny opinion, the finest part of the country around Lake St. .Tchn. 
 
 2. Leaving the Peribonka rivers, I proceeded to the south of the town- 
 J^hips of Plessis, Mesy, Caron and Metabetchouan. The north east portion of 
 ihese lands, between the discharge of the lake lieile riviere and the river 
 aux Ecorces is very hilly and rocky. The soil in the depressions between 
 the hillocks IS of good quality, fit for cultivation. The hillsides themselves 
 
I the <?rowth of 
 ome thiit these 
 ilirii,' the heavy 
 I", at ti.,! time of 
 nined to a depth 
 VL»n be drained 
 je thickness of 
 laud. I ostab- 
 
 lestioii may be 
 earth, suitable 
 eet above hifh 
 Ltioii irotn that 
 een to twenty- 
 vood ; balsam, 
 and alder, the 
 th, indicatiun- 
 did not find a 
 
 avigable up to 
 en miles above 
 The soil there 
 tfht elevations, 
 n the portion 
 marked, and 
 plentifully in 
 >se mentioned 
 re uo rocks to 
 'ards the east 
 :ions are still 
 y will always 
 ill be readily 
 ion ; it is, in 
 Im. 
 
 of the town- 
 ast portion of 
 md the river 
 ons between 
 IS themselves 
 
 661 
 
 art' partly covered with earth, and are, like tho dales, well timbered with 
 wood of fine growth, balsam, spruce, white birch, poplar, black })irch, 
 tainarac and alder ; the spruce being the most plentiful. These slopes are 
 not susceptible of cultivation, on account of the small depth of the soil upon 
 them, I do not think that farming could be carried on with advantage in 
 this locality at present. 1 would recommend, however, that the lands be 
 surveyed, as they would make excellent firewood lots. 
 
 There are four settlers established on the east of the discharge of the 
 lake IJelle riviere, on the Quebec road. The land in this neigborhood. and 
 for a distance of two miles in an easterly direction, presents a more favorable 
 aspect, being less hilly and rocky, and may be advantageously divided into 
 farm lots. 
 
 South ofthe townships of Caron and Metabetchouan, from the discharge 
 of the lake Belle riviere as far as the river Metabetchouan, the land is 
 almost level and the soi^ a rich yellow earth of good quality, very suitable 
 for cultivation, though somewhat rocky. The environs of lake a la Carpe 
 are very fine in every respect, covered with many varieties of timber, among 
 which the spruce largely predominates. The roads required for the settle- 
 ment of these lands would be the continuation of that now being made 
 along the east bank of the river Metabetchouan, and another starting from 
 the Quebec road and following the central line of the township of Caron as 
 far as lake a la Carpe. These routes are shown on the plan annexed hereto. 
 
 3. The residue of the township of Demeules is generally stony and 
 unfit for cultivation, except only at the eastern and western extremities ; 
 that is to say, that about eight square miles at each end of the township 
 might possibly be divided into farm lots. These portions, although hilly 
 and stony, contain good land. The part unfit for cultivation is covered 
 with young cypress, while the extremities are well timbered with various 
 kinds of wood. I think that in subdividing this residue it should be laid 
 out as firewood lauds. 
 
 4. On the 22nd of September, I had completed the explorations, which 
 by your instructions dated 14th June, you had directed me to make. I then 
 received from the Rev. Mr. Lizotte, cure of Koberval, the new instructions 
 by which you directed me to go and explore the lands in rear of the town- 
 ships of Charlevoix, Roberval and Oaiatchouan. 
 
 I shall treat first of the parts above the townships of Roberval and Ouiat- 
 <:houauish, as the lands in that quarter are alike in character. This country 
 
662 
 
 IS not abHolu ely lovel ; .t use. Home what in tho shape of an a.nphithealr. 
 not very nmrked. c„ each .,de ofthe uver ()uiat.ho«anish. but moro liZ ; 
 m ho portion to the south-west of that river. The soil in the neighl o h ! 
 ot the r.ver ,s an alluvml earth, while in the higher part^ it is astln^ S 
 yellow earth o» good quality. There are very few rocks. This land fn 2 n 
 covered with various kinds of wood -spruce, balsam, black and wlh 
 birch, poplar, ash and mountain ash, the spruce prevailing. I ob.orvprl 
 natural water power in this part of the river Ouiatchouanish In ihl, "! 
 above the township of Charlevoix, west of the LaTu<iuo line, ahd lor a dmh 
 01 aboiU seven miles, or as lar as Commissioners' lak... the country is ve v 
 hilly, but suitable for c-uitivation. The hollows between the rocks a J 
 mountain, contain good land; even th. hillsides are to ,h large extent . !l 
 tnable. but the soil upon them is interior, being a very compact yellow 
 
 In. ^" *^^\:^«"^y«' ""/^ ospeoially in the immediate neir^hborhood of the 
 township Charlevoix the timber is of line growth and various k.n 
 Ihat upon the heights has been completely destroyed by fire. 
 
 I would strongly recommend the survey of these lands, which are! 
 especially favorable to colonization, both on account of the richness o t 
 soil and their proximity to the settlements already formed. I have show, 
 with care, on my plan, the manner in which the lots should be laid out and 
 the positions of roads. """ 
 
 (John Langlou, 13th November, 1883,j 
 
 KEUION ALONG THE " DE8 MARAIS " ROAD. 
 
 2.nd October, 1863, [ have the honor to forward vou my report oftke 
 exploration of the land adjo'uing the colonization road of Charlevoix com- 
 monly called the " Des Marais " road. 
 
 This road, besides being the only means of easy commuuicatiou 
 between he new but already very prosperous settlements of L'Anse St-Jeau 
 and the older centres, is also the most direct route for the population ofthe 
 lower part of the county of Charlevoix io communicate with the Upper 
 bagueuay. ^^ 
 
 Tiie 1 
 :he fall of 
 
 OlllUM'tN \ 
 
 Murray ri 
 follows a , 
 camp oocl 
 iuiroltins 
 survey inl 
 lailos and 
 
 In Ih 
 mid a pari 
 the lands 
 u.sed by t 
 inferior to 
 vatiou as i 
 
 From 
 I the middl 
 Jin several 
 I the line ol 
 Icounting 1 
 quality of 
 [iipply. 
 
 The I. 
 over two 
 (ousistis (d 
 and hospei 
 tillage, wl 
 ofOharlev 
 surface, wi 
 the land i 
 the west s 
 lor the loti 
 in its asce; 
 with the 1 
 Agues roa 
 
 From 
 to me to r 
 somewhat 
 
'«!» fttnphithoatr^ 
 but raoro distin,;! 
 the iUM^Iiborh,)o,l 
 it in a strong, rich, 
 This land is well 
 hhick and whit,, 
 ^. I oh.sLTved no 
 ''«"• In the part 
 *», and Ibr a depth 
 > country is very 
 I the rockH and 
 argn extiMit cul. 
 compact yellow 
 
 568 
 
 10 
 
 I'hborhood of tl 
 d various kinds, 
 ro. 
 
 ands, which are 
 richness of the 
 I have shown, 
 
 I be laid out and 
 
 nber, 1883.) 
 
 Quebec on the 
 y report of the 
 harlevoix, com- 
 
 commuuicatiou 
 L'Anso iSt-Jeau 
 pulatioa of the 
 ath the Upper 
 
 The line of the road, as laid down by the people of Murray Bay, during 
 he fiill ol" 1S62, Hlarts at about four miles from th»j villajjfe ofNuirneand 
 onneitN with the Queen's highway whioh follows the eafctern sidt! of the 
 Murniv rivor. Thence, it inclines to the east for about IJ mile and thou 
 lollows a (joncial north-west course for about 4 miles to roach an old lumber 
 (iimp occupied at the time of my passage by habUnntx of Murray Bay engaged 
 in getting out tamarac knees. At about 4 chains beyond this camp, the 
 survey intersected the rear line of the seigniory of Mount Murray, distant 5 
 miles and 7 chains from the settlements. 
 
 In the portion of the seigniory crossed by the line, apart from the first 
 and a part of the second concession, where the soil is of superior (luality, 
 the lands are taken up for about a third of the distance ; but they are only 
 used by their owners for their supplies of firewood and the soil, though 
 inferior to that of the first concession, is not without advantages lor culti- 
 •atiou as soon as the firewood will have been removed. 
 
 From the starting point, the ground is somewhat broken ; but, at about 
 the middle of the third mile, it becomes more level, although still brokdu 
 ill several places. Towards the fourth mile, it is level to the intersection of 
 the line of the seigniory, and continues so for two-thirds of the first mile- 
 lounting from the seigniorial line aforesaid, whence ray remarks as to the 
 quality of the soil suited to colonization along this road raorj particularly 
 itpply. 
 
 The level part of the first mile just referred to seemed to extend for 
 over two miles both to the oast and west of the road. The timber, which 
 onsistti (^hielly of white birch, fir and some grey spruce, is of line growth 
 and bespeaks a subsoil, which, if not very rich, is at least well suited to 
 tillage, when com[)ared with the bulk of the cultivated lands in the counties 
 of Charlevoix and Saguenay. It is composed of a sandy yellow loatn on the 
 surface, with a richer subsoil as proved by the vegetation. From this point, 
 the land is not suited to cultivation as far as the post marked Ist mile on 
 Ihe west side ; but on the east side the necessary depth could be obtained 
 for the lots by laying out their frontage perpendicularly to the road, which, 
 in its ascent, slowly follows u slope forming an angle of 5 to 12 degrees 
 with the horizon. This is the " Passe-des-Monts ", so difficult by the St. 
 Agnes road. 
 
 From the top of the hills to midway on the 3rd mile, the 1 ind seemed 
 to me to present all the qualities desirable for cultivation. The soil, though 
 somewhat rocky, is composed of a good yellow loam supporting ageneraUy 
 
554 
 
 
 ^■o\vs levi 
 
 I mil) 
 amis. \v. 
 
 ivams pi 
 
 |)lltll-0iist 
 
 fine growth of wh, e birch aud fir. But. from th. middle of th. ^^ 
 ihe land is hardly adapted to tillao-e, the pass which the rovd fol o i '''' 
 only about half a mile wide aud hemme I iu betweeu he no, n ''' ^''"= 
 east side aud the first lake des Marais ou the wesh " ''' '^'^ 
 
 Ou reaching the 4th mile, the uiouutaiu recedes to the east .„.! .k 
 Plaiu opens out ou both sides of the line to about a mile to the .' 
 two miles to the west. The white birch and fir are of fine ann.l '''- , . 
 the soil, not so rocky, seemed well suited to cultiva iou 1 ^ h r' ''!' "h 
 in this place. I did not note anything more rigorou th in iu loi '^'""''r] ,' 
 of Murray Bay. There was uo sno^v there y^t, thotr u tL ;^'":l 
 concessions of Murray B.y, especially at sl. Agues th snow Tr"; ' 
 
 cc.er.1 thegrouud at that period of tl^ fall. At l5 ch^ii^SO Zl^i:: r^'!' :! 
 4th mile pos the line skirts a swamp of 9 chains in lou^^th ruunint^^ Is i 
 direction of the road. This swamp, which was dry when I n.ss". u f \ 1 
 a rich subsoil of loam overlaid by a bed of yellowish "rh 4 ^^1 " " "" 
 chiefly spruce aud fir. indicates a strong soil. ' The moun hi Z.' ^'"^^l", 1 
 the west, but, on the east side, its bas^ approaclIsX^lr ^S fc T 
 distance of 8 acres After leaving the swamp, the ground pre"" 
 same uniformity for about 20 chains, when the line, after cross ng a 1 1 
 of .0 links wide, ascends a sort of hog's back for a distance of abou 
 chains at an angle of 35o. Then following the eastern brink n!,^ 
 ravine, at the bottom of which flows the bro^ok .just ^r L The t^ 
 ges upon grouud which widens rapidly towards the wes . vvhil out 
 east side, it continues to .skirt the ravine to the 5th mile wh r'o t 1 
 widens until it onus a plateau clothed with a rich forest growthcl t 
 o white birch, balsam, spruce, &c. The soil is good and sinned to n w 
 fitted for settlements on one range ou each side of the line. The surfj 
 generdly level, only presenting here and there some slight und^ i 
 
 n AL .; IT 'd' "m '°'^' ?""^' '' '''''''' '-"^^''^y '^'^^^ west apZ 
 no the 3d lake d^s Marais and the line descends at an angle of 12^0 ^ 
 
 to the eastern bank of the lake just named. 
 
 From this point, the ground presents no remarkable feature aud is harcH 
 ^y su ted to ti Inge, being hemmed in between the lake on one side ai" 
 mountain on the other. In this spot, the line deviates abruptly to th s 
 
 aTeTlaTnl "\'v 't "?''' '^ ^'^ '''" '''''' ^"^ runs towards little 
 rave lers a a th •'". "^^ '^^^^^^ ^ ^''^ ^^""^ ^^ been built fori Cedar 
 
 not hi r "■ T u^'"' *^"' '^'•^'^P- '^' ^"'^i^'^^ble ground wouldlreoediu. ! 
 
 t«ts Lt!tTr' ;'1k'"^''^ '^*"^^" ^^^ bases of the two uiouiihreeino;. 
 tains , but at 10 chains lurther on, at the most, it slopes towards the weJmd anothe 
 
 no 
 
 orth-wost 
 wards Ci 
 
 At ab( 
 ttteiuls no 
 line and tli 
 listaiKU' w 
 13th mile 
 distiuiee i'r 
 tillage and 
 of 15 links 
 loiiil ai'oui 
 jroves. 
 
 At 20 I 
 
 which exte 
 
 time the di 
 
 Taser. Tl 
 
 istaiu'c of 
 
 Cedar 
 
555 
 
 e of the 8rd milelows lovel nt about 10 chains further to the west, and would easily give 
 road follow.^ beiu*,. doi'th of two ran^res to the base of the mountain. 
 te mountain ou thl 
 
 " I may mention that lake ii la Truite dischari^es into the 3rd lake des 
 iuais, which in turn dis:harges towards the Sig'uenay river, .so that the 
 
 the east mid thligl'^^'^^t i)oint above the hivel of the St. l.awreiKie is at this spot, all the 
 le to the i>ast andlivams previously crossed or followed by the line flowing- towards the 
 tne appearance aiu )iitli-east or south-west. Towards the middle of the 9th mile, the line 
 As for the climate 'osst-'s the discharge of the 3rd lake, whi(;h discharges, as already stated, 
 un the other parts iwaidsthe north-east. From this point, the ground is a plain for about two 
 L in the inhabitec lilt's on each side of the road. The soil seemed suited to cultivation and 
 'he snow already le timber, composed of white birch, balsam and spruce, is of good growth, 
 s 80 links from the t ^tj diains, the line crosses a stream of 50 links wide ilowing to the north 
 :th running in the »st. All these brooks would alFord sufficient water power for mills of all 
 ^ I passed, showec iml**. :>i"^ the spruce is capable of abundantly supplying all the timber 
 u'th. The timber .'ants' of the settlers. This remark applies equally to the entire tract 
 itain disappears tc xplon-d from my starting point at the line of the seigniory of Mount 
 line to within a huray. The road, which had previously followed a direction almost north 
 orthwcst, bends more to the west on leaving the 12th mile and going 
 wards Cedar lake. 
 
 mud presents th 
 crossing a brool 
 ^ance of about 1 
 brink of a dee, 
 ^d, the line emer 
 est, while, on the! 
 lile, where it als 
 growth consistinj 
 eerued to me we! 
 le. The surface is 
 ht undulations in 
 he west approach' 
 
 At about 30 chains on this side of the 13th mile, the cultivable ground 
 itends no further except towards the west, and the distance between the 
 ine and the head of lake des Sables, to the east, is barely 50 chains, a 
 istancc which diminishes gradually to chains 20 links on reaching the 
 3th mile The load follows the west bank of the lake, keeping the same 
 distance from it for about half a mile. Thence, the ground is not fit for 
 tillage and is alternately level and rolling. The line follows, at a distance 
 of 15 links to G chains, a discharge coming from lake Fraser and forming a 
 loiul around which, and at several points, along its course, there are alder 
 
 igle of 12^ to 20#^°^''^^- 
 
 At 20 chains from the post of the 14th mile, the Hue traverses a brule 
 
 which extends to 50 chains beyond the loth mile post, crossing at the same 
 
 time the discharge of lake Fraser and forming a portage which leads to lake 
 
 taser. This lake, which is followed in the direction of its length for a 
 
 distance of 34 chains, is separated from Cedar lake by a portage of 20 chains. 
 
 Cedar lake, which the line follows on the east side the same as the 
 preceding lake, is a sheet of about IGO acres in superlicie^, encircled by 
 hree mountains in the form of a tripod, leaving a pass to the north-west 
 and another and easier one to the north-east. The last was followed to 
 
 ature and is hard 
 on one side and a 
 ruptly to the east 
 ins towards little 
 las been built for 
 le ground would 
 >f the two moun- 
 owards the west, 
 
556 
 
 ■ hesitiito 
 
 The road is clear on Ihe «-est ba„k and resumes an almoU „„„!, I''' " ' ' 
 
 direction to the intersection oflhe line with the 4s, a Dar^ ] " "I"""'' ™ 
 which forms the dividing ,i„e hotween th^ :o„t; sTf CharlV:'-'''!' -'■^' '^ 
 Ch,cout,m,. Th,s l,ne, deter.nined by calculation only, inters u,:,! From th 
 
 onr::d?:it::;tr:^rrh'er;:;^"™^' "<•'"-'' -^«4;Tr,' 
 
 At 29 chains 26 links hoyond fho post marked 18 ind IQ *i, l^*^ ^^'^^^ 
 
 becomes more uniform . the 'pass extends abou 30 ha. ^ to t'h v":"f « the ■ 
 
 an incline at an anHe of 5" to l"." fi,r „ ^i , '■'"' ""'^' ">« "»<' '>amM Tl.is lin 
 ».„.„ J u '".^ " distance o about 10 eh iii,« I'S . r ; 
 
 ground shows a great depression towards the east The 1011, t' '"" "' ' 
 
 planted at the north side of an alder grove extriin.r,!th , '?' I '-'" """ 
 
 crossed by the line in the direction 0!^.^ le^mh to ft s nor^he n V"" 't'""" "' ' 
 On the other side, the land is wooded with s ^1 Id bl, l'^ , .fr'F .'''■''™'' 
 .s a yellow loam, slishtly rocky, but well siiited to m^:^:^!^:^:^ ^'"'t 
 about one milc m width on the east side and two miles '„,d -^ 1, 1 I""' "'J 
 
 where the hi.ls 'i;!;^ rn,- ^i T^^TTiJr l^'^dt "' ''" \ 
 east side. "^ '^"'- *^" iMtronomical 
 
 In iutt'vior a 
 Ihe Ime cmsses Reaver hike in the direction of its o.,vatest leuo-fh ft "he ii.torsi 
 
 flowing on the same oour.e as the line for a distance of 3(J chains l.(i l2 
 At the point reached by the line, namely, fro-n the post of Ih. o.t 
 
 loot ot the mountain to the west Al ^"7 ,.li.,i-nc lu i- i u , , . 
 
 ,v.;i X i. ii . v»tM. Aioi cnaiiis t\) links bevoiid thp "Tf 
 
 h .r Tlti^T " " 'TT "'"' -'^ -'<>* - "o 10...-11 .;: 
 
 mos eriousobst iT'i ■"" '"'°' "" "■" ""'"'^ '""-• - "'«» ^» «« 
 most serious obstacle to the opening of this road for the colonizalion of th 
 
55*7 
 
 ]ake of 25 
 
 I almost north-wtj 
 
 parallol of latin,, 
 
 of Charlovoix a 
 
 , inters(;ctsthero 
 1 my startiiicr 
 
 acres ps «dja<^*^»it to the line and those of L'Anso St-.Tean. Nevertheless, I do 
 hesitate to say that, with an expenditure of |1,200, the Government 
 ,1(1 open an easy passage for vehicles ot all seasons, and the completion of 
 j entire roaa to the intersection of the St. Agnes road would scarcely 
 t moiv than i|6,000 to ilT.OOO. 
 
 poi 
 
 it 19 chains tJOlii 
 
 From the 28th mile post, the A'-alley again opens out rapidly towards 
 ! west and more gradually towards the east. The soil is excellent, and 
 
 timber, chiefly white birch, birch and fir, is of vigorous growth; but it 
 
 uld be difficult to got more than one township range between the bases 
 
 inrl IQ iU the mountains, 
 
 ana ly, the gromi 
 
 ins to the west ail At the 20th mile, the pass widens out to 60 to 80 chains and continue" 
 ! is well adapted lopeu '^^^ ^^ *'^*^ ^^^^^ ™il^. when it spreads out into a plain extending to 
 its chielly of whip "n^^'' '^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^' ^^ ^^^ *^y*^ ^^^ see. 
 
 This line of road does not follow a regular course in general. From the 
 r line of the seigniory of Mount Murray, as far as about 60 chains from 
 e ]2th mile, its astronomical direction is generally north 4J*^ west for a 
 Rtanco of 11 miles and 37 chains, ^a a straight line, giving about 8,295 
 lorthern extremitEes of arable land between the l)ase of the mountains, divided into 79 lots 
 !»■ sam, and the s(*]0,5 acres each, including the road. Thence, the general course inclines 
 ige over an arealthe west and runs north 86o 4o' west, astronomical, for 2 miles 74 chains, 
 ' .'"'^ "■ ^'"^^^ ''» 'Ipon which settlements could be formed over a superficies of 2,520 acres, 
 ains IS maiiitaiuelrided into lots of 105 acres each, including the road. From the southern 
 Y to the 24th miliidoflake Fraser, the line follows a course generally north 46° 45' west, 
 ia!i a mile on tAronomical, for 75 chains, then turns abruptly to north 20° 15' oast by 
 interior angle of 112° to the 18th mile, and lastly runs north 13*^ west 
 
 , the road dosccn 
 
 ut 16 chaiiis. T 
 
 e 19th mile post 
 
 the eastward a; 
 
 greatest length, fi 
 
 I bank of a broo 
 '6 chains l)(j liuki 
 
 post of the 24t 
 'Vith the meridia 
 Passo des- Roches 
 gradually, and, a 
 :>ad following th 
 i beyond the 2/tl 
 ng'»r more than 
 0, as well as th( 
 ^Ionization of th 
 
 )the intersection of the 48th parallel of latitude. From this point, the line 
 
 e east side. Proi ''^'^^ '^ direction north 25° 15' west, astronomical, for about 2 miles 63 
 kins, returns to a course north 10° 45' east for 1 mile, 74 chains and 90 
 iiks, and lastly runs north SO'' 15' west, astronomical, to the point of iuter- 
 eitioii with the St. Jean road, where I ended my operations. 
 
 From the intersection of the 48th parallel, the country shows some 
 ultivable patches, but few and small owing to the limited space between 
 he momitains, which come together as close as 6 chains at the narrowest 
 wintol the Passe-des-Roches. Still, beyond the line, 1,000 to 1,100 acres of 
 ettling land could be found, which would assure a permanent communica- 
 iou between Murray Bay, I'Anse St. Jean and the Upper Saguenay, the 
 rant of which is becoming more and more felt as the relations increase 
 iHweeii the populations of those different localities. 
 
 {J.'C. 
 
 n.... 
 
 ni 
 
 .//,.. 
 
 «fU A ,^~;i 
 
 CKtCOj ItH SX 
 
 yxi 
 
 I QUA 
 
 ) 
 
568 
 
 Itr-CilON ALONU 1,'aNSE ST. JE.llv ROAD. 
 
 After dotc-rminiiia; by a good astronomical observation tl,e . 
 
 the n,e of the Reserve. I prosecuted my operalions '^l^^^^T' 
 
 of the road at ,ts iutersoetiou with the line of the Iteserve v^hich I " 
 
 to the north-west outline of the township olSt. Jel e .rerint r""""" 
 
 book the course of the survey at eaeh stafion, together wh he ™i7 "° 
 
 my .nstrument. The layiug out of the road beir,s hnisld I'omTT 
 
 operat.on, along certain range lines, along which I plantl Che ' ". 
 
 correspondn,g to those on the road and showing the front TofeT 
 
 To ascertain the superficies of the lots of a part of the 11,^ , ' 
 
 obliged to also chain the depth of this range t^ tl^Lu'ttrtr:;;,: 
 
 the Reserve to number .«., ,!„„.. ...7.!'"'^ '"""''■ ''''1"'<='"% f'«" 
 
 le 
 
 the Reserve to "n^ber 8,,. almost ;ho,7col7ose^'7!;iarr"''ir"" ""'fit 
 
 and on some of the plateaus near the Resen-e, o v.!.etable 1 Id , "": f 
 
 beaches o the river there -nv snmo .,..+«.. vt^eiaoit moald. On thi ivers, it cf 
 
 rapidity of the cnrr^t d^r^Tg thrirrsMs "' ^'""" "'■*" '"'""' '^ * *'''" "" 
 
 From lot 35 to the outline thp laurl i'^. « t- ^ 
 
 The lolly headlands which border the Saguenav and ™I,i ,1, i 
 relntg^ form Ihe deep bay known as IVAns^ mZt^ Itlt^ aa-lT 
 township m a southwesterlv fhrp,.t;^„ ^ i- . ^'^L«iia acicss the 
 
 teagues/maintaining aboul L : : ihtIr"ab::,tT° r'' '"r ;' V '"" 
 then falling away gradually until th "islp"' entire! vT"h ''r'' 
 small mountains which cross e-,ch other .j-' T""*™ "'•■ "tl"-' 
 
 wood, but covered with other veovi^iinn tu «»nieiy iwie ot 
 
 overlaid by h light bed of u f Th .^7 T '^'"^'"''''^ '^ '''^ 
 
 valleys :::;cira;i :!::.^'^.r™:::~- " '- - 
 
 ains wi( 
 idy of w 
 ist and t 
 eReserv 
 other i 
 
 The ri 
 ] miles fr 
 1 the oth 
 ibutaries 
 alle, a I'C 
 
 The ti 
 f much SI 
 ray repc 
 
559 
 
 The tract comprised between these mountains forms the valley of or 
 ittlenieiits of I'Anse St. Jean. This valley is about two miles wide on the 
 ,ore oithe bay, but its width varies a good deal and it is much narrower 
 some places. The river St. Jean, which empties into the bay, winds 
 rough the whole extent of the valley ; it is on? chain ami a half to twa 
 ains wide, and two to three feet deep ; but it carries a more powerful 
 ,dy of water during the freshets. There are three mills on this river: a 
 •ist and two saw mills. The grist and one of the saw mills are built on 
 t,.d nnmh.. A " '^ Reserve, near the mouth of the river, and belong to Mr. Simon Boudrault ; 
 c^a numbered post ,e other is built on lot 37 and belongs to Mr. D. Girard 
 outage of the lots! 
 
 The river St. Jean takes its rise in little lake St. Jean, at a distance of 
 ] miles from its mouth. The river du Portage, the river du Moulin and 
 1 the other little streams which drain the valley of I'Anse St. Jean are its 
 ibutaries. It also receives the waters of great lake des Islets, lakes a la 
 alle, a I'Ours and Grenouilles, which discharge into lake St, Jean, with 
 
 D 
 
 ation the course 
 't'ffi lining the surve 
 B which Icoutinnt, 
 ntering in ^y „o 
 -ith the variation 
 tiid, Lcontinued m 
 
 10 lirst range, I w, 
 th western outliiu 
 
 pted to cultivation 
 y, especially fron 
 
 uay and aliuvioi iveral other streams which fall into the same lake. From the course of the 
 We mould. On th( ivers, it can be seen that the great valley, in rear of the township of Otis, 
 irried down by thiEhich extends to I'Anse St. Jean, slopes towards the east. 
 
 I The timber, in the valley of I'Anse St. Jean, is of remarkable size and 
 or so favorable to fm^^ch superior quality to that of the Upper gaguenay, as already noted 
 yellow and black " "^ " - ■- - - - 
 
 3 township which 
 
 i which, in sepa 
 extend across the 
 of two and a half 
 le and a halt; aud 
 - There luv. other 
 IS and which are 
 tains are covered 
 entirely bare of 
 mposed of rock 
 s dip generally 
 spar and quartz, 
 cept a i'^w small 
 
 n ray report of the survey of the township of Perigny last spring. 
 
 {G. O. Tremblay, May, 1867.) 
 
SAGUENAY DISTRICT. 
 
 PKOM THE MOUENAY TO THE BAT OF SEVEN ISLANDS.. 
 
 In the month of May last, I was instructed by .Sir W E Lo.va„ ,„ „ , 1 
 a geolog,cal exam.nation of the north shore of the Lower St Law le Trl' ' 
 the „ver Sagnenay to the Bay of Seven Wands, a distanoeTf aho,; ™^ 
 miles; I was also directed to ascend one or more of the n,i„ i 
 the coast. Those selected were the Mani:L":n and Ber'si: 'teT °" 
 was surveyed for about forty miles up, while tie latter, Xch h d a :r 
 been surveyed by Admiral Bayfield, waa ascended for'a distance o?^ 
 
 In addition to the economic materials already mentionprl fK. • 
 
 r;':d""TLT""'"'''r'" '-- '""'"-' -nsideribr::;:! t;:, 
 
 much iron ore as to show dark or nearly black layers amonrtir ^ . 
 brown silicious sands. They were seen of tM« IT . "^ ^'"^ ^"^ 
 alon. the coast, at heights uVrio::;d' .tloTtt' l^Sf T 
 while on the Manicouagan river twentv fonr n^iCf 7 tiJe-levei, 
 
 leet, are often seen to be capped with from forty to ifty fe t ofTim ll fin 
 
 bi'liZo'™-" ''"'^ """"^'^ -'"> ^"-^ '^y'- njwise':i::;rwi;i 
 
 as Dr^Hu'ifhr"'""'fr: "'"'I "'""'' "" '"'" "'""S 'he beach appear, 
 
 by theltiou othe r ■ Tu" ''■°'" " "^'""'' ""^-^ of concentratie, 
 by the action ol the water upon these sands ; they were observed in a "re.t 
 
 many places on the coast, about high water mark, in s-Hps from thrl 
 
 nine and twelve feet wide, and from two inches t; two i^ tZ^Zl 
 
661 
 
 :SLAND8. 
 
 E. Logan to make 
 ;• Lawrence, from 
 nee of about 220 
 rincipal rivers on 
 imis ; the former 
 liich had already 
 listance of thirty 
 
 itioned, the iron 
 ttention, may be 
 examined by Dr. 
 iilicious sands of 
 liderable heights 
 beds holding so 
 ng the grey and 
 it various places 
 ibove tide-level, 
 ts mouth, where 
 !" sand exhibited 
 fifty feet above 
 
 id also between 
 of post-tertiary 
 from 50 to 150 
 t of similar fine 
 ' charged with 
 
 I beach appear, 
 f concentration 
 rved in a great 
 3 from three to 
 in thickness. 
 
 Iften extending, without interruption, for miles. It is said that the visible 
 htent and the richness of these local deposits is somewhat affected by the 
 jarying action of the wind and water. The places at which I noticed these 
 i,elts of iron sand along the portion of coast examined are as follows, viz: 
 
 1. The vicinity of Tadousac, for a distance of three miles downwards. 
 
 2. From Jeremie to Barsimis, and thence to the Papinachois, a distance 
 |)f twelve miles. 
 
 3. The peninsula at the mouths of the Outarde and Manicouagan rivers 
 |br forty miles. ° ' 
 
 4. From English Point to Pentecost river, for eight miles. 
 
 5. The coast on both sides of ne St. Margaret river, for ten miles- 
 nakmg m all sixty-six miles. ' 
 
 In all these places except the first hamed, near Tadousac, I think that 
 he quantity of ore is such that it might be collected with profit, especially 
 )y the aid of proper concentrating machinery. Water-power, if needed is 
 tccessible in several localities near the iron sands; among others, at the 
 also he river Baude, on the coast, three miles below Tadousac ; at the 
 ills of the Papinachois, also on the coast; at those of the Outarde and 
 lanicouagan, at the head of tide-water (respectively twelve and fifteen 
 .lies from the general trend of coast) ; at a fall in a stream, on the coast, 
 lalf a mile north east of Pentecost river ; and at the falls of the St. Margaret 
 three miles from the coast. ' 
 
 i The mouths of the Bersimis, Papinachois.Outarde, Manicouagan, Pente- 
 cost and bt. Margaret, all afford safe harbours, with sandy bottoms, which 
 vesselsdrawmg twelve feet of water may enter at high tide, although the 
 access is somewhat difficult, on account of numerous sand-banks. In any 
 of them a wharf extending from forty to fifty feet from the shore would be 
 sufficient to reach the channel. 
 
 The surface of the whole region examined, with the exceptions men. 
 tned below IS broken and irregular. The hills of hard rock occa^^onallv 
 a ain^^^^^^^ f,,t, besides which there are "hills of 
 
 str tified clays capped by sand, often rising 200 feet or more ; and in one 
 instance near Tadousac, 400 feet. 
 
 A very thin soil occasionally occurs on the rocky hills, but generallv 
 oj large tracts where fires have destroyed the vegetation, little remail; 
 but a bare surface of solid stone. 
 
 36 
 
662 
 
 On the portion of the coast between the Saguenay and the Outard. 
 ^.here the soil per.nits, there is limber offliir size, consisting of vol low ni 
 spruce, balsam, lir, tamarac and white birch. Yellow pine was fori i ' 
 cut on the Portneuf river, and considerable quantities still remai i on J 
 rivers Lscoumains, Sault-au-Mouton, Sault-au-Cochon, Bersimis and pIT 
 nachois. Pine logs, as I saw them at the mills, and in the forest Zl 
 from twelve to twenty inches in diameter. Beyond the river Outanle n! 
 yellow pine is met with, and from thence to the Seven Islands, the oth!! 
 trees are smaller, and the barren portions are more extended. 
 
 From Tadonsac to the river Baude, a distance of about three miles aloncr 
 the coast, there extends a belt, less than a mile in width, of yellowish brovvn 
 sand, mixed with layers of the iron sand already noticed. Followiuo- th! 
 river just named, for about two miles northwardly, the clays o-raduall' 
 come out from b.>neath the sand, and afford an excellent soil. The Hon 
 David L Price, senator, informed me that this kind of soil stretches north 
 ward towards the 8t. Margaret river, and is of considerable extent ■ b;t it k 
 not accessible for want of a road. On the Little Bergeronne cove and river 
 there is a strip of similar good soil, four or five miles long by about a mile 
 wide, and on the Oreat Bergeronne cove, there are from 1,000 to 1 500 acres 
 ot excellent land, yielding good crops of vegetables and all kinds of grain 
 From the cove last mentioned to the E.coumains, a plain extends^om 
 the shore to a bare ridge of reddish gneiss, from two to seven miles inland 
 and occupies an area of forty to fifty square miles. The soil of this plain is 
 a coarse brown sand, with patches of moss, probably in depressions and 
 sustains a grovyth of blue-berry and other shrubs, with a few stunted spruce 
 balsam, fir and white birches. Some attempts have here becu made at' 
 farming but with very little success, except at a few spots on the coast 
 just to the west of cape Bon Dcsir, where the clay, which underlies this 
 sand, has been uncovered by land slides. 
 
 ,n M.r v^\' ^'^u"' '^" ^^^^°"'"^""«'^t the mouth of the river of that name, 
 to Mile Vaches bay, a distance of about twenty miles, extends a belt of 
 sand like thutjust described, and from one to two miles in breadth with 
 occasional protruding spurs of gneiss rock. Here, as before, the only sue 
 cessiul attempts at cultivation are confined to spots w^here the underivin<v 
 clay has been exposed by the cause above mentioned. ^ueiiyin^ 
 
 From MiUe Vaches Bay to S,mlt-au-Cochon, a distance of twelve milos, 
 a similar sand plain prevails along the coast also extending about two miles 
 inland. From the last mentioned point to the Portneuf river, cliffs of clay 
 
hes 
 
 nd tho OiUarde, 
 gofyollowpiny' 
 le was formerly 
 1 remain on tho 
 si mis and Papj. 
 the forest, were 
 ivor Outarde no 
 lands, the other 
 d. 
 
 I hree miles along 
 
 j^ellowish brown 
 
 Following the 
 
 clays gradually 
 soil. The Hon. 
 
 stretches north- 
 3xteut ; but it is 
 
 cove and river, 
 by about a mile 
 '0 to 1,500 acres 
 
 kinds of grain 
 
 in extends from 
 'n miles inland, 
 of this plain is 
 epressions, and 
 stunted spruce, 
 
 beca made at 
 s on the coast 
 
 underlies this 
 
 ir of that name, 
 ctends a belt of 
 breadth, with 
 i, the only sue- 
 the underlying 
 
 f twelve raibs, 
 bout two miles 
 jr, cliffs of clay 
 
 capped by sand, rise boldly up from the shore to heights of from 100 to 200 
 feet. These cliffs, which have already been mentioned in speaking of the 
 iron sands, have in their lower part from fifty to probably one hundred and 
 jil'ty feet of fine blue clay, in which the fossil remains of the mnl/otus villus 
 orcapeling, and several species of recent marine shells, were found imbedded. 
 The brown sand, often forty ur fifty feet in thickness, which overlies 
 these clays, presents alternate coarse and fine layers, and is banded with 
 other? holding black iron sand. Beyond Portneuf to Jeremie, a distance of 
 about fourteen miles, the coast is rocky, and affords only a lew isolated 
 patches of sandy soil ; but from Jeremie to Point St. Giles, at the mouth of 
 the Manioouagan, a distance of nearly forty miles, there is a recurrence of 
 the sandy plains, with occasional protruding masses of hard gneiss rock. 
 
 Along this coast considerable portions of land are covered with moss, 
 as may be seen just to the east of the Indian village and Hudson Bay Com- 
 pany's post at Bersimis. These sandy tracts include a part of the Bersimis 
 Indian reserve, together with the peninsula between the mouth of the 
 Outarde and Manicouagau rivers, and have an extent which may be 
 approximately estimated at 2C0 square miles. In ascending the Bersimis 
 river for about thirty miles, occasional patches of from 200 to 1,000 acres of 
 sandy soil are met with, lying between rocky ridges. 
 
 In ascending the Manicouagan river from a point twenty-four miles 
 from its mouth to the Forks, fourteen miles further, is a reach of deep 
 water, with a gentle current, between banks from ten to fifty feet hi"h, 
 composed of brown sand, with layers holding the usual black iron ore! 
 The river here, as already mentioned, is 256 feet above the sea,, and the 
 valley, which is about a mile in width, is walled in by ridges of o-neiss 
 rock, rising above it to heights estimated at from yOO to 1,500 feet, often 
 bare of vegetation. This sandy valley supports in most places a stunted 
 growth of spruce, balsam, fir and white birch, but at the Forks, and lor 
 about four miles below, the soil is a loam, and produces a growth chiefly 
 of poplars and white birches, which attain a fair si>ie ; one of the latter, 
 which I cut down, was eight inches in diameter at the base, and 102 feet 
 high; its age, judging from the rings of growth, was between sixty and 
 seventy years. 
 
 From Point St. Giles to the Godbout river, a distance of twtJnty-six 
 miles, the coast is mostly rocky and barren, with the exception of about 
 600 acres of sandy soil at the mouth of the river, surrounded by rocky 
 gneiss .lills ; thence to English Point, a distance of thirty-five miles, the 
 
604 
 
 country is still mostly barren and rocky. From En^linh Point to Pent. 
 river, about eight miles, another belt of similar sandy soil occnrs witr^^ 
 average width ui from one to two milet,. ' ''^ 
 
 From r 'ntecost river to L^^i, . ;<t Margaret, twenty-seven mib^s it • 
 again barren and rorky : thenco U, Seven Island Bay, a distance of t'wentv' 
 four miles, and also to a lew miles bayond the river Moisie a f 
 ther distance of thirty miles, a similar sandy soil oc. upies abelt of countrv 
 varying in width from one to about twelve miles; the whole gi; inc 
 area of about 300 square miles. In the roar of the belt between 'ointsT 
 Margaret and the Moisie river, bare rorl:y hili. are seen, bavin"- an vpr«„ ' 
 height of nearly 1 ,000 feet. " ^' 
 
 In the interior, areas not observed, oi t'le same kind of soil, may be met 
 with ; but they are probably small in extent and difficult of access. Althou-rh 
 these sandy soils are capable of being cultivated, a superior knowledge °ol 
 their management is required to do so successfully. " 
 
 (James Richardson, 18th April, 1870.) 
 
 KIVEIJ SAIiXTE MARGUERITE. 
 
 I began the scaling of the north-east branch of this river at its mouth 
 1 scaled it to the 48th mile. At 41 chains from the 45th mile, the river 
 divides into two branches, and I continued the scaling along the north-east 
 branch. At 50 chains from the 84th mile of this survey, I luet on the north- 
 west side the main brancli of this river, with a width of 100 feet. I also 
 met sereral falls in this part of the scaling ; the highest, on the 21st mile 
 40 i\«t. The river is full of rapids from the 29th to the 34th mile. A house 
 and other dependencies have been erected on the south west side of the 
 river on the 5th mile, for the accommodation of tourists during the salmon 
 fishing season, iiom the mouth to the first fill on the 5th mile. 
 
 From the mouth to the forks, there is no resident settler, and the clear- 
 ings mot with at different points to the third mile of the survev are small 
 The imrt of the river Ste. Marguerite, comprised between its mouth and the 
 8th mile, is well suited to cultivation. 
 
 From the 8th to the 16th mile, the river is bordered by burnt mouii- 
 <ains as far as the eye can reach ; there is consequently no merchantable 
 
 fishing. 
 
565 
 
 )int to Pentecost 
 occurs, with an 
 
 iveu miles, it ig 
 tance of tweiity- 
 ' Moisio, a f,,,. 
 
 abeltoloountry, 
 vhole {ri\ ing an 
 etween 'oiutSl. 
 .vingaii verage 
 
 soil, may be met 
 ccess. Although 
 ' knowledge ol 
 
 ■pvil, 1870.) 
 
 !i' at its mouth, 
 mile, the river 
 : the north-east 
 t't on the north- 
 )0 feet. I also 
 the 21st mile, 
 mile. A house 
 'est side of the 
 ng the .salmon 
 le. 
 
 and the clear- 
 vey are small. 
 nouth and the 
 
 '' burnt moun- 
 merchantable 
 
 Itimbrr there. The bottoms, on each side, vary from L' to 20 chains and are 
 [adapted to tillage, but not beyond that. 
 
 The north-east part of the river, from the 16th mile to the aoth, is less 
 mountainous than the south-west part. Althou-h white pine is not abun- 
 dant on this stretch of the river, it is nevertheless the part which shows 
 the most. Beyond the 30th mile, pine is very rarely seen. White spruce, 
 h(» over, is abundant on hoth sides of the river, but not large enough to bo 
 merchantable. The chains of mountains which border the river in this 
 direction leave barely loom enough for the portages and a > steep almost 
 iroin the river banks. The tract between the 26th and 30tu miles is less 
 mountainous, but the land is equally unsuited to tillage. I saw no hard 
 'wood after leaving the 8th mile. 
 
 Between the 85th and 50th miles, white spruce is huudunt in many 
 places and of large size. The spruce found there is merchantable. There 
 I are also sonde white pines the tops and sides of the mountains. 
 
 From the 40th to the 47th mile, the surface is generally less mouu- 
 I tainous, but the soil is everywhere sandy and rocky. A level strip for a 
 distance of 15 to „0 chains, on the last ten miles, seems susceptible ol cul- 
 tivation ai dilTerent points on each side of the river 
 
 On the last t.-n miles of the survey, I noted no merchantable timber; 
 
 small grey and white spruce being the prevailing woods on the Hats and 
 ravines ; the mountains are moreo , er ni irly bare. 
 
 I then went to the w^est lateral lini^ of the township of LaBrosse at the 
 point of intersection of the river Ste. Mai uerite, at the post planted during 
 iliosuv.ey of tha' township, and thence, after i.scerf:.inii ■■ the variation oi 
 the needle I proceeded to the scaling of that river, whic; I loilowed to its 
 source on the height of lauds, as also its principal tribut;,.ies. 
 
 I'lom the west line of the township of LaBrosse, to the 30th mile of 
 the scaling of the river, r -re is no portage, but froi. the 36th to the 45th, 
 four falls of from 70 to 8u feet ^\gh each ar,>, met with, the river beini^ 
 broken bj rapids between these tails. From the 45th mile to its source 
 til' re is a chain of lakes and still water between these aikes. 
 
 At diflierent places from the west line of the townshii) ^'f LaBrosse, to 
 the intersection of the north lin of the township of St. Germain, there are 
 several houses constructed for the accommodation of tourists while salmoa 
 fishing. This river abounds with the finest salmon and trout. 
 
 'ii« 
 
566 
 
 I 
 
 From the wost lino of the township of Lallrosse, south-west of 
 river 8te. Marguerite, to the I7th mile,there is a rHnjre of mountains oovereui 
 with hard and soft wood of good growth and running almost parull,.! to 
 thi' river. The bottoms on this side of th., river have a depth of from 40 to 
 60 chains and are formed of rieh soil, their depth being sufR.-ient to mikJ 
 a line range. IClm, ash and l>ir(;h are of line growth. 
 
 All the northwestern part from the mouth of the river to fh.> i]M 
 inile is bordered by the mountain chain of the river Ste. Margu.M'ite Th.TP 
 IS, however, a strip of level and cultivable laud, of 50 to YO chains richlv 
 clothed with soft and hardwood Elm and ash are the predominatin'-. kinds 
 • iieyond the 33rd mile on the north-east side of the river, there is no'^rround 
 susceptible of tillage. All this region, as far as the eye can reach, is .rothin, 
 but a succession of mountain chains extending to nearly the mouth of the 
 river and mostly iuaccessible on accouni of their height. The summits aud 
 flanks of these mountains are completely bare. 
 
 From one of the mountains which border the river Ste. Maro-uerite on 
 the north-west side, in the township of Champigny, I noted th»t these 
 mountains are on a level with the chain bordering the Saguenay. All the 
 tract- four or live ranges— comprised between the townships of St. Germain 
 and LaBrosse, is generally adapted to cultivation although mountainous 
 around the lakes. But these mountains are splendidly timbered with hard 
 and soft woods, which proves that the extent of uncultivable land iu this 
 region would not be an obstacle to the colonization of this part of the 
 Saguenay country, as one might be led to think at the sight of the moun- 
 tarns along the Saguenay. The unsurveyed tract between th. townships of 
 St. Germain and LaBrosse contains about 50,000 acres of cultivable land 
 allowing lor the space occupied by the mountain range borderin- the 
 Saguenay, wich is unsuited to settlement. ° 
 
 From the month of the south- wost branch of the river Ste. Mar-umtp 
 to about the 15th mile, fire has destroyed almost all the timber, especially 
 on the northeast side ; nothing bi.t brul6s can be seen ; the fire has spared 
 nothing. The few trunks of pines still standing show that this section was 
 once well covered with merchantable timber, especially pine Fire his 
 also ravaged the south-wst side along the whole distance from the Sa-uenay 
 and Ste. Marguerite to the east side line of the township of Labrosse rconse- 
 quently there is no merchantable timber there. 
 
 Near the west side line of the township of LaBrosse to the north-east 
 of the river Ste. Marguerite, white spruce of 15 to 20 inches is fairly plea- 
 
667 
 
 louth-wt'st ol'thd 
 loan tains covered 
 ilmo.st iwriillcl to 
 pi h of (Vnin 40 to 
 luinrioiif, to make 
 
 ivor to th.> 33rd 
 [iirgiKM-itc. There 
 10 chiiins, richly 
 ominatiiiq- kinds, 
 herein no s,n-oviiid 
 reach, is nothing 
 I he mouth of the 
 ['he summits aud 
 
 3. Marguerite on 
 oted th»t these 
 uenay. All the 
 >s of St. Germain 
 ?h mountainous 
 )ered with hard 
 )le land iu this 
 this part of the 
 ht of the moun- 
 In townships of 
 cultivable land, 
 e bordering the 
 
 Ste. MarjTumte 
 mber, especially 
 e fire has spared 
 this section was 
 pine. Fire his 
 m the Saguenay 
 i-abrosse ; conse- 
 
 the north-east 
 is fairly plen- 
 
 tiful in all the cuts between the surroundiim- mountains. Somi> c] 
 
 umps of 
 
 Kvhito pine are also observable in dili'ercnt dire(;fions to within a few chains 
 Jof tho west side lino of LaBrosse, but they are few and small. On the 7th 
 
 tht 
 
 mile, mere aru some clumps of white pine, at a distance of about a mile to 
 tht' north of the river, but they are c.f limited extent; I also uoted white 
 pine on the 12th mile in a northerly direction, but in small quantity, for 
 li distance of three or four miles. In addition to the birch, elm and ash 
 already mentioned, aloni>- the whole plateau traversed by the south-west 
 arm of the river Ste. Marguerite, between the Ist and 30th miles, there is 
 also a sufficient quantity of white spruce from I') to 20 inches in diameter 
 lor profitable lumbering, especially to the north-east. The south- west side 
 of till' river, along the same distance, is rirhly wooded with hard wood, 
 with a few white pines here and there and easily got at, to form part of 
 such lumbering. 
 
 At the 36th mile, on the south-west side of the first fall, known under 
 the name of the fall of the Frayeau-S-iumon, I crossed several miles in a 
 northerly direction and noted from the heights a considerable stretch of 
 good laud iu rear of the townships of Harvey and Tremblay, well timbered 
 with hard wood, among which white birch predominates. There also pine 
 is scarce and the spruce grows smaller after the 33rd mile. 
 
 l]etween the 33rd and the 43rd mile, the river is bordered by mountains 
 which are insurmountable and clothed with soft wood of a medium growth, 
 unsuited to trade. The river descend.s in rapids between lour falls ; the 
 first of 75 feet occurs at 34 chains on the 3oth mile; the second of 80 at 
 about one chain below the 37th mile ; and the third of 70 feet, at 24 chains 
 above the 42nd mile. There is no white pine between the 43rd mile and 
 the source of the river; all this section is wooded with medium-sized grey 
 and white spruce— merchantable spruce being rare. There is no hard 
 wood beyond the mountains to the north-east of the river after the 43nd 
 mile. 
 
 I also scaled the north-west branch of the river Ste. Marguerite from 
 mouth to source. The mountain chains which border this stream from its 
 mouth to the 14th mile are mostly bare, and everywhere, as far as the eye 
 can see, the soil is poor and wooded with balsam and grey and black 
 spruce of stunted growth. Ascending from the 14th mile, the aspect of the 
 ground changes and the mountains both recede from the river aud diminish 
 in height to beyond the 19th mile. There the timber is better and the sur- 
 face generally level. 
 
 
 .y!tt^j!t^ 
 
568 
 
 . 100 iecf, and occurs at 33 chains from the 18th inflo post Ano^h 
 01 75 leet occurs at 8 chains below the 17th mile post, and 32 chats I 
 he same post there is still another of 30 feet. From thelOth mik "1 
 
 to Its source is formed hy lakes, the largest of wl2ht ol^W^^ 
 m extent. At 31 chains from the l!)th ^ile post, the river forks t to ?! 
 branches, which are about of the same length 1 conthmed h f ^ 
 
 iromUB mouth. The aspect oltho land is e,CXro Totme 1? f 
 »ay, broken ■„ dilierem places, mounlah.ous anirooky ' ^^ "'"' 
 
 .pn.e .^the o..,y a„,er ^orih work:„;;^;rirha^r;;:at 
 
 The extent of cultivable land comprises about a rann-e on each sid. of 
 The continuation of the Tadousac road to the riv^v Sh. M 
 
 wo.a,;;:t:,^rr:;rr;;"r^r:;:;r:r:;-fx^:^'S: 
 
 hiignenay conulry. The towiishiiw of St t^ .. • ,„ ' '"' 
 
 a..d Albert oHer to ooloni" o„ bo^t It ""' "^TTI' '""™" 
 
 (Ged^on Gagnon, 19th July, 1875.) 
 
569 
 
 ; the highest fall| 
 >ost. Another U,, 
 d 32 chains above] 
 9th mile, the river! 
 :>n\y about a mile 
 er forks into two 
 tinued tho scaling 
 tar as tho source of 
 
 river SteMargue- 
 !ades for five miles) 
 lesame, that is to 
 
 Marguerite to the 
 le, exists in fairly 
 Jsonts no obstacle 
 und white pine, 
 ch, hrgii tumarao 
 butary. Eeyoiul 
 
 iverSte. Margue- 
 :0th miles, white 
 •dwood and very 
 
 e on each side of 
 " the township of 
 tly wooded with 
 
 Ste. Marsfuerite 
 J east side line 
 L'Anse a Vellot, 
 his part of the 
 'igny, LaBrosse 
 3d land, ri(;hly 
 y the mountain 
 
 uly, 1875.) 
 
 RKOION ALONG THE MARITIME ilOAD. 
 
 TowNNiiip OF Tadousac— The road known under tho name of the 
 road a 13aude traverses alon;,^ its whole extent land that is uncultivable. 
 Except some thirty acres of «rood yellow loam, tho remainder is composed 
 of fine sand, which the slightest breath of wind shifts from place to place. 
 Settlors, who formerly cultivated 30 to 35 acres, can only raise now a little* 
 potatoes and a few bushels of grain, and even these, only from the sand, 
 with the help of enough manure. I took the trouble to go with my men to 
 [the head of the lots to see if really it was not better than near the road; 
 but, with the exception of a few patches, which are not moved by the windi 
 the condition of things with the rest was not better. On the line of lots 
 H and I, the settlers have now put up their third fence, the two previous 
 ones having been burit^^. by the sand ; they are covered by at least fifteen feet 
 in height of sand carried by the wind. The settlers live partly by fishing 
 and hunting and partly by lumbering for Mr. Price, and others. On lots B, 
 C and D, the land is a little better, at least in spots, but these are not large 
 euoiUTh to support the families. Most of these settlers have other lots In 
 the concession of the mill a Baude, where the soil is better ; but their 
 clearings are not yet sufficient to produce food enough for them during the 
 winter, and they are too poor to clear them all. In time, they will, doubdess, 
 manage to improve upon their present situation. 
 
 Traverse des liEROERONNES. — The road known as the Traverse des 
 Bergeronnes or crossing of the Bergeronnes from the first range of Tadou- 
 sao to the crossing of the Little Bergeronne river, on lot 7, is constructed 
 across the mountains and steep rocky headlands. There is not one acre of 
 land suited to cultivation, as far as the Bergeronnes range, in the township 
 ofTadousac ; and ex.ujpt a mile and a half of gre.Mi wood, the remainder of 
 thj timber has been destroyed by fire and the bleached trunks threaten to 
 fall with the slightest wind and crush the traveller as he passes. The road 
 is very disadvantageous for the settlers, and the traveller, who should bo 
 caught on it in a storm in winter, would be nearly certain to lose his life. 
 When there is a heavy snow fall, the settlers abandon it and take to the 
 Biillantyne road which is deeper in the forest and l.ss exposed to storms. 
 Then, when the spring thaws set in, the water rushing down from the hills 
 washes away the little earth on the road, and the settlers are obliged to 
 work for ten or twelve days, with their horses, to replace the earth, only to 
 have it washed away again during the following spring. 
 
 I 
 
670 
 
 Township of BEROERONNES.-In the Little Bergoronne, the soil i I 
 cJayey ana ver. Hat. and the road from lot 13 to lot t is bordered by 1 1 
 on both sides. In the Great Berg-oronne, the soil.is sandy and verv r 7 
 m sonv. places: This road is very well built for the place and lu^ull 
 ^ndu atmg to the spot called the Plaine de Bou Desir, whore the h^d 
 very Hat. llus immense plain is sandy and. i.i gmeral. unsuited to uUi 
 ration, except some scattered patches. Althoui^h, this land is sandy ih J 
 js however, no rock. The timber is composed partly of white birch 
 balsam spruce &o,, in some places; in others, there is none what." ^' 
 The quality oi the soil is the same from the crossing of the river de Bon D-If 
 to he river Escoumains, whore the land is better to the township of lb J 
 ;;I.l;^ '""^ well wooded with white birch, balsam, spruce, ash, cedar aiidl 
 
 {P.-Th. Desme/des, 19th S.«ptember, 1876.) 
 
 RIVERS PETITE AND GRANDE BERGERONNES. ESCOUMAINS, SAULT-AU-AIUUTON 
 
 PJRTNEUF AND SAULT-AU-COCHON. 
 
 if^JV'f''^'^^ '^'^^' ^''''' ^^^tter Of instructions dated the 12th November 
 1872, directing me. in my capa.,ity of Provincial Land Surveyor, to make a 
 
 M ?' T. "'r ^'''''' ""^ ^'^'"'''^' Bergeronnes, Escoumain,s, Sauh-au- 
 Mouton, rortneuf and Sauh-au-Cochon, situated on the north shore of the 
 river St. Lawrence, b.>low the river Saguenay, in the county of S,...a.nav 
 I proceeded, immediately after the receipt thereof, to organize m; party 
 As soon as these neces.sary preparations were made. I started for the scene 
 ot my operations, taking advantage of the last trip of the St. Lawrence Com- 
 pany s steamer Clyde to reach Tadousae. I here procured vehicles to carry 
 nyself and my men to our destination, it being impossible to go by way of 
 he M.Lawrence on account of the ice therein and the high winds then 
 pu A ailing, and in due tim. we found ourselves safely arrived at the Petite 
 Bergeronne, the starting point of my operations. 
 
 *..l.^-^ "''''■ ^f^" ^^^^'-f^^^onne being still open, and not being able to 
 «cale It correctly from the banks. I employed the time while waitm^ font 
 o freeze over m exploring the surrounding country and scaliu. ^reral 
 lakes of considerable importance such as lake a Gobeil, lake Paradis. lake 
 Patrix, lakes Bergeronne and des Sables. As soon as the ice on the river 
 
 '0 ^-^^ 
 
511 
 
 A.ULT-AU-AIOUT0N 
 
 |„;is siilo to travel upon— (this river very seldom takes with jrood ice, and 
 Ihore are many places in it which never freeze over at all)— I bes?an the 
 Icaliiig. after having ascertained the variation of the compass of my''instru- 
 Imi'ut, verified, the length of my chain, &c '• 
 
 This river offers a harbor of refuge of easy access to vessels of light 
 llraupht, which can pass up as far as the bridge built by the a:)vernment°on 
 The Tadousac road. Its real mouth is bounded by high, well timbered 
 Inoiintains to the south-west, and to the norih-eastby rocks bare of all vege- 
 Jalion. But after having penetrated half a mile into the interior, the valley 
 jbycU'i-rees becomes wider, and soon forms a beautiful basin, which nature 
 Ihas lit'en pleased to .shelter on all sides from the high winds so frequent in 
 ihe.^e regions. The soil is composed of clay and alluvial earth in the 
 Jmeadows, and of gray and yellow earth mixed with sand in the uplan Is ; 
 Ithe wood on the heights is of several kinds, among which white birch, 
 Ibalsam and spruce predominate, with a few white, red and yellow pine. 
 JThe rise and fall of the tide are visible nearly three miles from the mouth 
 lolthe river, making the latter navigable for this distance by vessels of 
 I middling size. 
 
 The narrow strips of land at the foot of the mountains on each side of 
 the river are cultivated with success by some few habitants, but all signs 
 of cultivation disappear at the end of the fourth mile. There is on tliis 
 mile a remarkable water-power, capable of supplying motive power for 
 maimfactories of all sorts, especially since the execution of some important 
 work upon it. 
 
 AVithin a few chains of the beginning of the fifth mile is an almost 
 perpendicular fall of over two hundred feet in height. Here the proprietor 
 of the mill has been obliged to construct a second slide for saw logs, which 
 must have cost a considerable sum of money. The natural difficulties of 
 the upper part of this river have been overcome by the building of a dam 
 about 150 f^-et wide and ten or twelve feet in height, by which the water 
 is backed up as far as lake des Sables. The river hereabouts is, so to speak, 
 walled in as far as the lake des Sables on the seventh mile ; a rather narrow 
 strip of land on the western bank, widening more or less in different places, 
 ailbrds just sufficient spa(;e for a road by which communication is had with 
 Ihe interior. The greater part of the timbsn- thus fur has been removed ; a 
 lew pines and some grey spruce and tamarac are still to be met with, but 
 cedar, balsam and white birch, poplar and black spruce are the most plen- 
 tiful. Of land fit for cultivation there is not sufficient to settle upon, but 
 fuough to remunerate any who might clear it. The lake des Sables, the 
 
572 
 
 most ■mportant on this river, i, thirteen or fourteen miles in oircumfere J 
 beingr about four miles in length by two and a half wide. There are s3 
 umberins camps located in its neishhorhood, but the greater numblj 
 the saw logs are procured ou the upper part of the river to the north-ea 
 the lake. The h.gh mountains surrounding it are well covered with „J\ 
 vanety of timber to be found in the Saguenay district ; spruce, while feh 
 balsam, white and red pine, yellow birch, poplar, cotton wood, cedar a dm 
 
 v»ll ^r'n "" ''^•^'''""°" of P"'"' dss Sables and of a narrow strip of thd 
 valley following up tne windings of the river to its source, none of he l,„d1 
 hereabouts is fit for cultivation, being for the most part vLry mount, , 
 or covered with almost inaccessible rocks. Lake Paradis discharge " 
 the no,, h west into lake des Sables by a stream of a few chai,.: in lit 
 Lake Patri. does the same to the north-east, as well as a number of „ „ 
 mall lakes which feed the streams flowing among the mountains whS 
 urround the mam lake. The course ol the river above lake des Sable J 
 interrupted by several fulls ot no great importance ; one in particular, w „h 
 
 "ntLgy?:;::'^"' " '"'="° """"• "-^"'^ •"" »' "" -'-*- "•'* '^'1 
 
 On the sixteenth mile, the river divides into two branches, the pna- 
 apal one going towards the west, the other in a northeasterly dire.Z 
 lessirr "'""'*'" '" '••'""■ywhere the same ; the wood is less a„d' 
 
 lesslealy as we penetrate further nito the interior ,• pine and spruce are 
 
 branch takes its course toward, the S. S W. and, exte.idiug as f>r ..s l.ke 
 onTeT™«r"V° "r"""" "' ^"'■^'"■' ^■•''•*-- There" is „ smalM 
 the west bank we arrive at the source of this river in a lakelet, supplied 
 
 triable :::•'...'"■" "" """'■"''' "'^'^^ " -»■' '-' '» - "'-' i"'p«»- 
 
 Ber..tL',t! "*"""""' ""' '"'"• "" *•-■ I'^^'l"'"'"^ of the river Tetite 
 two mHe ™ r™" S-orge extends to the westward, and at a distance of 
 
 Mar.u re l." ':",','.''''' i"'"'''""'' '""'""""' ''""^'""S the river Saiate 
 
 w tholf anvoth • "'"" ''"■•S""""'^. down which they may be Uc.ted 
 
 Without any other improvements than those already made 
 
678 
 
 s ill circurni'erence 
 
 . There are severa 
 
 greater number o 
 
 to the north-east oi 
 
 n'erecl with 
 
 every 
 
 )ruce, white birch, 
 wood, cedar, aiders! 
 -tely or growiii: 
 
 irrow strip of tht 
 , none of the landl 
 ery mount liaousi 
 ischarges towards 
 chains in length. 
 number of other 
 nountains which 
 ake des Sables is| 
 particular, which! 
 terlere with the! 
 
 nches, the priu 
 isterly direi;tiou, 
 wood is less and 
 
 and spruce are 
 euth mile a new 
 ug as fur as lake 
 re is a small lake 
 jf burnt land on 
 akelet, supplied 
 
 almost impene- 
 
 the rirer Petite 
 at a distance of 
 he riv^er Sainte 
 on to the south- 
 ice are found as 
 r may be iloated 
 
 I then explored the north-east arm, with a view to gaining the source 
 the Clrande Bergeronne, passing lake Caribou and an other small lake until 
 ivached the source of this branch, and continued my course to the north- 
 Ut, but instead of falling in with the waters of the G-rande Bergeronnu, I 
 Lie upon those of the river Polette, a tributary of the Escoumaius. 
 bhauging my direction more to the east, I still failed to intersect the waters 
 i was seeking, but m^X instead with those of the river a Cassette, another 
 Iributary of the Escoumains. Having procured some information from the 
 lumberers working on this river, respecting the probable position of the 
 lonrce of the Grande Bergeronne, I decided to go and begin the exploration 
 It this latter from its mouth. I therefore at once returned down the Petite 
 Bergeronne, taking up the scaling of this river from my first point of 
 departure going down towards the St. Lawrence. This done ad having 
 loundod the Point des Sauvages, I began the ascent of the river Grande 
 Bergeronne. But considering that I had several large rivers to explore in 
 [ihe course of the winter, and fearing that if I continued the exploration of 
 the Grande Bergeronne which is the shortest, the approach of spring would 
 prevent me from completing the longar ones, I reserved the Grande Berge- 
 ironne for my last operation and continued my route to the Escoumains and 
 be^an the exploration and chaining thereof, after being delayed some lays 
 io renew our snowshoes and get our provisions and baggage in order. I 
 could not verify the variation of the needle at starting ; time would not 
 permit. 
 
 I therefore fixed my starring point at the north-east corner of the centre 
 pier of the bridge which crosses the river near its opening into the St. Law- 
 rence opposite the S. W. end of the saw-mill. 
 
 The village of Escoumaius is situated on the shore of the small bay 
 into which the Escoumains river ilows. The village is of no great size ; a 
 church stands in the middle of it, overlooking the country. Farming of a 
 good class is carried on, but on a small scale. The land is very good for 
 several miles along the river, especially to the northeast. It is composed of 
 clay, marl, gray and yellow earth and sand mixed with fine gravel. The 
 wood is a new growth of balsam, poplar, cotton wood, white birch, spruce, 
 willows and alders. On the second mile, several settlers have made consi- 
 derable improvements on ih^lc land, deriving therefrom sufficient produce 
 for their owil wants and having a surplus to dispose of. On the third mile 
 the river is crossed by a bridge constructed by the Bureau of Colonization, 
 and the road continues along the west bink, following its general course 
 
674 
 
 upwards bat at mor.or le««dista.ne accoi-di.ig to the u.cossity fora.oidi,, 
 -hills and curves, ' i^Jiaiiiij 
 
 On leaving the fourth mile, the laud ri.es graduaily aud th. v.ll I 
 becomes narrower, so much so that iu several places th«re is no room " '1 
 passage on either side of the river. ^^ ''' 
 
 On the tenth mil. the river a Cassette flows in from the wcst-north 
 west. On he e eventh mile the forest has been alu.ost completely des!!; 
 by fire, on.y a few clumps here and there having escaped. All over th 
 as far as the eighteenth mil. o..r which the fire h.s passed, a fevv sm 
 patches ot under growth, willows, poplars and alders, growing in Th tw 
 grounds and ravnes. and the char.red trunks and stumps of pi^e and son 
 trees which have been cut down on the sides of the mounta i . i ^ 
 surrounding rooks are almost the only objects that catch the eye. The ri ' 
 a Polette, coming from a direction north-west by west on the sixteeuth 
 mile, gives a view of the forest in its natural aspect, a few miles d.stuit a 
 the sides ot the mountains among which it Hows. The Messrs T.^hih., 
 re-established the old lumb-r camp, on this tributary, where they > o !! 
 j?me and spruce. This branch of the Escoumains tak.s its rise in a s^ri^s of 
 lake,s which extend on the north-west to the waters of the P.tite^liir.; 
 ronne On the seventeenth mile the river Parent, a smtll stre un llowuil" 
 from the east, falls in about half a mile above the river a Polette 1^1 
 an exploration .nd s .-aling of this stream as well as of th , lakes" A 1 , J 
 part of the timber which grew on its b.tnks has been carried away 'the 
 
 sTderabfr;,Hr, " '""' ''", ^^^"'^^--'- ^hey recede, attain I 'con- 
 siderable altitude. mMsuring eight to nine hnndrel feet in al:no,t perivn. 
 dicular height a.ul approaching so closely to the Escoumains as to lewe 
 no space tor a roai on its eastern bank, this latter and part of the river's 
 bid being encu.nb.red with heaps of fallen earth and stone.. To the u'ost 
 the mount^tins, as they extend back, rea -hia height of about twelve huud.vd 
 leet. I made an aseent ol one of these, from the top of which I hid a ma-nu- 
 ficenr vievv ot the Sc. Lawrence from St. An Ire de Ktnourask. to It,. 
 i^lavie de itimouski, and of all the islands between these two points. 
 
 I could also make out the sources of the rivers Petite Eseoumains a.rl 
 1 arent to the east, and of the two B n-geronnes. th ^ Cass.3tte and the Pol -tt « 
 to the west, as well as the ^ alley of the river St. Marguerite ; the Sa^^u^aav 
 mountains extending beyond the horizon towar Is Ihi west. ' ' 
 
 On the eighteeth mile is a stream of about a mile in length by which 
 .he surplus waters of the Little Escoumains lake are at the time of the 
 
676 
 
 Jssityfor.ivoidiu,, 
 
 lipring' IreshHts discharged into the river Escoumains. At the end of the 
 IvventyHrst mile the river has worn itself a passage through the soil to the 
 jrock, the numerous obstructions giving rise to a series of rapids, falls and cas- 
 Icades, which render navigation impossible. I neverthel.^ss continued the 
 jexploration over its whole length ; the men on their part taking the baggage 
 lover a portage by w^hich much trouble and difficulty were avoided. These 
 l)bstacles disappear on the 24th mile, whence the river continues tranquil 
 |is far as the 2r)th mile, where a contraction of the banks gives the water a 
 current of extraordinary swiftness. A small river coming from a north 
 easterly direction, discharges itself at the loot of this last rapid. A lumber- 
 ling camp was established here a few years ago, and some of the old huts stili 
 remain as they were when occupied, furnished with all the materials 
 Irequived in lumbering operations. 
 
 The little river Maclure, coming from the south west, falls into the 
 Escoumains on the 25th mile. The lake of the same name which I scaled as 
 well as the river is not large and has furnished its share of timber : there 
 are still a few spruce and pine trees there. The mountains are more distant 
 on the south-west, but on the north-east they follow closely the course of 
 the river and maintain a height of seven to eight hundred feet above the 
 [level of the water. 
 
 At the 28th mile, they suddenly change their direction, those on the- 
 south-west disappearing to the west, whilst those on the north-east form a 
 right angle as the river does, their height diminishing by degrees as they 
 follow its course. 
 
 The small river Chatignie takes its rise among the hills to the w.^st, in 
 a series of lakes which aid in rendering it uaviga},k\ All the timber ol any 
 value on these lands has been cut by Messrs. Tetu's lumbermen. The river 
 after liowing tranquilly for several miles, becomes broken by rapids which 
 have to be climbed, so to speak, as tar as lake Gorgotton on the 43rd mile. 
 Two water courses, already examined, make their ajipearance, the first called 
 riveraJos. Boucher on the 87th mile and the other, on the 38th miL, 
 named river a la Savanne. There is little or no timber iu this section remain-, 
 lug to be cut, except somy pine md spruce above lake Gorgotton. A great 
 part of the forest was long ago destroyed by fire, and the new growth^vill 
 nevirbeofany value; ther^ are, however, a few clumps of fine-looking 
 timber, but the quantitv is insignificant The rising grounds present very 
 much the same appearance. Black spruce and balsam are the principal 
 woods. Immense roc-ks cover the land, rising in some places to a height ox 
 
 I 
 
676 
 
 I 
 
 four or five hundred feet. A branch of the Tortneuf passes to the west J 
 thenvor Escoumai„H. heading it off and limiting its lenc^th to siltl 
 jn.es taking in all the winding, of the lakes and L river°Up n the r' 
 I planted a post marked G6th mile with the date and my signature! ^' ' 
 
 I scaled the principal lakes through which the river flows and sorr,« 
 oi .ts most important branches, exploring Ihem from lime to time as o 2 
 tunities presented themselves. ' P"'^* 
 
 I then returned down the river as far as lake des Co^urs anrl fV 
 there struck off in a south-easterly direction and ascended a str'JZ 
 «ome akes leading towards the hills, in hopes to fall in with the Xs 1 
 the river SauIt-au-Mouton, hut the first watercourse encounTer d n ' 
 the slope opposite the Escoumains to the eastward was a branch of tT^ 
 auxOnrs a tributary of the Portneuf Then taking a neroo^^^^^^^^^^^ 
 ^outh-east we soon found the upper waters of the river LX J 
 
 nv„le,aMarteIa„d the s.„alUt,.eams de VFM and de rol . ? :lt" 
 e« who began work last fall on the river Sant-au-Moulon to„k„„U„!,t: 
 as far as (he borders of the lake de la Tetite Monta.r„e and (he « T 
 of the forest above the lake has been explored wTth 'a ^ie: to eutrh': 
 timber as far as the source of the river if nossihlp TV,n i ^ 
 
 in this river allow of timber bein.Zte^lot n'aH TXlf I'S 
 wrth tolerable fac.hty. At the discharge ot the lake del PetUe 1^^„ 't 
 a dam etghteen leet high by at least a hundred feet in length baoks t T 
 water lor s.x or seven miles, and is of great assistance in drivitt"f b 
 creating a very- strong eurrent when the ehtices are opened. ° 
 
 The varieties of wood which predominate are spruoe, white birch 
 
 and ":;; Th""' '"7"*° """ r^'- *^ ''"•* '^ »'--''v -dulati 
 T\ u!l 7 """"'" "" """ "PP«' P"" of the river are not verv 
 
 h,gh, but below the grand rapid on the twenty-fourth mile Iheirhell 
 above the water is about doubled, owing to the Lt that the st earn rn^kt 
 
 tnen preMous kiel There are several remarkable water powers at ,liff„- 
 on places on th.s „ver : a glance at the plan accompanying th port 
 ,vtll show the.r position and enable you to estiinate Ihefr height 
 
sn 
 
 Th re « very Imle l„„a fit for ™Uivati„„ l„ the vall„y of the S»ult- 
 a«Mouto„; a lew narrow strips at ^„„ „ ^^^^^ J e »»»» 
 
 ,.p,d and at the mouth of the river „„„tai„ all that ie susceptibleM c ear 
 .ag and .mprovemen . The bay of Mille Taches near the dis„hl"ge „f 
 thenver offers a good location for settlement ; a chapel haa been erfcted 
 „e.r the bt. Lawrence and there ha, been a priest residing there for , veral 
 ,e.r«. The farms are small but of excellent quality, immenseral^ ^ 
 haeadows extend round the bay, and are of great ad valge"oTh fa me 
 who occupy themselves in raising cat! le. ">b larmers 
 
 The post of Sault au-Mouton, situated at the entrance of the river 
 l.„ns a pre y bttle village neatly and well built. A cascade ol sixty fet' 
 ,„ hcght r,dl,ng into the St. Lawrence is the last of a great number in th 
 r,v=r, whtch .ell deserves its name. Kegarded from (L St. Lawrence hi 
 ,mpo»,ng water-fall imparts a certain grandenr to the appearand o'f.h! 
 place; the piCresque mountains of the vicinity forming an adm^l 
 I background and framing to a very charming picture. »arairab.e 
 
 Having completed the required operations on the river Sault-au- 
 louton I immediately proceeded to the mouth of the river Portueuf • d 
 egan ,he scaling of that river, taking for my point of departure hchapd 
 .1 he post o oitneut on the south west bank. There is not mnch die 
 m the way of iarraing at Portneuf, the number of residents bei„,r very sma 
 .h.,c IS however sufBclent good land to allow of the fonnati,^, „t' a ll 
 ansl,, w th all the necessary elements ofsuccess.assoon asa roadCpeued 
 t cenn«i the posts lower down the river with that coming fw ,h„ C 
 .f Mllle Vaches and Tadousac. The rise and fall of the tide are p^rtfbk 
 narly three miles up this river, where it is from fifteen to twenlvT 
 wKle „„d Ihree or four fee, deep at low water. Thet ks „ ^ vt'l™ 
 Steep and rparh a hundivd loot in hoio-ht Tho lnu,l ; i \ 
 
 - yellow and grey earth, resting of : Iti,':\:,n^^^^^^^^ 
 
 exreme swiftness. Belbre reaching Mill%vater a L iTtfifr t fleT' u 
 I ght presents Itself, over which the water is precipitated iu three em 
 i an streams into the channel above mentioned. The portage is on the 
 « side ol the river and is about a mile in length. Ibove Thi faU the 
 I me, maintains a width of two, three or four chain's, up to the secold f^l 
 
 ' 37 
 
 I 
 
fits 
 
 on the twentieth mile. The burnt lands on the river begin on the «,n,aB i i.lr. 
 east bank of the Black river (riviere Noire), on the sixteenth mi jZ ll o t 
 the east. At the 18th mile to the west, the river Portneut^eoives^ Irn li.-h 
 discharge oithe river dea Cedres ; the burnt lands do not exteiul mo " 
 
 than a mile along this last mentioned river, and Irora its mouth the timbe 
 clothed heiuhts which border it are seen stretching away to the Sank .*^ 
 Mouton. On the east the brule extends about half way to the .Sault'^'^ 
 Cochon. ' '^^ 
 
 The forest hereabouts having been considerably thinned out by th 
 cutting of a large quantity of pine, the stumps and debris suppji.ul fn,'.l fol 
 the flames which have completely swept the soil, leaving only the charrec 
 trunks, which bear sufficient testimony to the extraordinary richness of the 
 primitive forest. Above the second fall, a contraction of half a chain in 
 width tor the length of a few chains has given this part of the river th* 
 nameof "Cran Serr6." 
 
 A third fall of some twenty feet necessitates a portage of a few arpeut 
 to the east of the river. The burnt lands are dotted here and there wit 
 small patches of growing timber, in which some large pine and sprue 
 trees are to be found, whili the rest are chiefly balsam, white birch au 
 black f^pruce. The laud on the flats is composed of sand and pebble^ Th 
 hiiis on hoth sides display to view the rocks of which they are formed m 
 bear no timber of any A'alue. 
 
 The burnt lands come to an end about the thirtieth mile • the vallei 
 
 here is narrow and hemmed in by high mounlains. A ravine on the eas 
 
 side gives passage to the river a la Loutre on the thirty-eighth mile auc 
 
 another on the west does the same at the forty-third mil. lor the river "au; 
 
 Ours ", the source of which I explored at the head of the Sault-au-MoiUoi 
 
 when operating on that river. The mountains run parallel with the rivei 
 
 and are from five to twelve hundred feet in height. Their varied forms am 
 
 jfgged peaks, M'ith the deep ravines which give passage to the tributarie: 
 
 above mentioned, combine to render the scenery of this locality the wMiide^t 
 
 and mofct picturesque of the whole region. The table lands covered witl 
 
 scrub pine, which border on the river and extend to the base of the moan 
 
 tains, are composed of sand, yellow earth and small rounded pebbles. Thei. 
 
 height varies from thirty to a hundred feet, and their width, according t( 
 
 the direction of the mountains, from twenty to forty chains. They ceasi 
 
 altogether at the lork of the river on the hfty-sixth mile. 
 
 The appearance and character of the river Portneuf proper here undergo 
 a change ; for the space of five long miles, it is one series of cascades and 
 
 At tf 
 lerfoctly 
 
 On tl 
 
 [it present! 
 ihe curret 
 leight of 
 growth ol 
 the nplan( 
 regetatioi 
 
 Thes 
 Ito ten feet 
 hid from i 
 jihere, sha< 
 Isnramer si 
 the river [ 
 Iwhich rise 
 lake Cach( 
 small port 
 without ii 
 pear on th 
 brnneh \\h 
 north-west 
 other, give 
 and of the 
 
 On th( 
 
 )ank has b 
 rior qualit) 
 eastern bai 
 north-east ] 
 eleventh n 
 
 I then 
 from there 
 towards th: 
 Cochon, to 
 lor the exp 
 
 fwfi-"^ 
 
m 
 
 )egin on the soutf 
 sixtoonth mil,., tc 
 rtneufrec'ives tU 
 not extiMul mor] 
 mouth the timber 
 ly to the .Saiilt-rtul 
 ay to the ISault.iiul 
 
 liunecl out by thi 
 s supplied fnol fo 
 £? only the charrei 
 »ry richness ofthi 
 of hall' a chain i 
 rt of the river th( 
 
 ^e of a few arpeut 
 re and there wit 
 1 pine and sprue 
 , white birch an 
 and pebbles. Th 
 ey are formed an 
 
 I mile ; the valle] 
 iviuo on the eas 
 eighth mile, am 
 for the river " am 
 
 Sault-au-MoiUoi 
 el with the rivei 
 
 varied forms aui 
 o the tributariei 
 ality tho L,raiidest 
 ds covered witi 
 •ase of the moan 
 id pebbles. Thai 
 d th, according t( 
 ins. They ceasi 
 
 »per here undergo 
 s of cascades and 
 
 ■mimls flowing between two walls, one ,r two chains apart ,uid a.s high ns 
 lihoseoftheSagi.M. The do ths of this ravine have never in wint* 
 
 |keen liu-hted by t sun's ^ays. 
 
 At the si mile post the river, for a space of five or six chains, was 
 
 .eri'octly impa .bi <»bliging us to raaK ,i detour of fully two miles. 
 
 On the six, , -setond mile th.. riv. >■ n as it were, the appearance 
 
 t preseni.^ lear its muath. Its width ..• , , .ora two to eight chains, while 
 Jiecurrer»t is hardly perceptible. Its banks, which rise gradually to a 
 height of five or six hundr.vl feet, were ravaged by fire many years ago : a 
 pwth of small i.opl .rs, a le birch, scrub pine and willows cover both 
 the n[.lands and the meadows, except in some spots that an^ quite bare of 
 Iregetation. 
 
 The snow which covered the hills and mountains to a depth of eight 
 oten feet at the time of making this ploration in February, doubtless, 
 hid from view the shrubs and underv I which would naturally jrrow 
 here, shading the little valleys and level banks of th. river during the 
 sninm.n- season. The first serious obstacle to the navi-ation of this part of 
 he river presents itself at the eighty-sixth mile in the shape of a cascade 
 Jwhich rises by degrees to a height of forty feet over which fall the waters of 
 lake Cach6, which is situated immediately above. Access to it is had by a 
 small portage on the west side. A series of lakes then succ..ed«, extendino- 
 without interrupfion as far as the ninety-ninth mile and the brules disap- 
 pear on the hundred and third mile, measured on the upper north-east 
 binneh which I look for the principal one on account of its width. The 
 north-west branch, coming through a narrow inaccessible ravine to join the 
 other, gives no idea of the different appearance it presents a mile further up 
 and of the large interior lakes by which it is fed. 
 
 On the hundred and fourth mile part of the timber on the north-east 
 bank has been destroyed by fire, but is in general at this height of an infe- 
 rior quality, being composed of black spruce, white birch and balsam The 
 eastern bank of the lake a I'lsle Verte has escaped the fire as well as the 
 north-east part of its feeder, which I explored as far as the hundred and 
 eleventli mile, where I ended my operations on this part of the river. 
 
 I then descended the Tortneuf to the chief fork on the fifty-sixth mile • 
 Irom there I scaled this branch as far as the heights, keeping always 
 towards the east in order to reach as soon as possible the river 8ault-au- 
 Uchon, to procure some provisions which I had had transported half-way 
 lor the exploration of the last mentioned river. 
 
 I 
 
',..w.;. 
 
 IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-S) 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 /. 
 
 ,<b 
 
 
 /- 
 
 4l/. 
 
 rf> 
 
 fA 
 
 t 
 
 1.0 
 
 I.I 
 
 S us i2.0 
 
 IL25 ill 1.4 
 
 1^ 
 
 1.6 
 
 %. 
 
 ^. 
 
 Va 
 
 m. 
 
 / 
 
 cW^ 
 
 
 
 ^4 
 
 ^/^^ 
 
 Sdences 
 Corporation 
 
 33 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. MS80 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 
 ■^ 
 
 i\ 
 
 5V 
 
 x\ 
 
 
 ^.^.^ 
 
 »."Q 
 
 ^^■<f 
 
 ««i. 
 
 ^^^ 
 
"^^ ^"i^ 
 
580 
 
 Not V 
 
 Grrand 
 
 isses, to i 
 
 iversed 1 
 
 tptibly at 
 
 In the whole course of this exploration I met with no change in n 
 nature of the soil. Pine, spruce and scrub pine were met with alonrr J 
 first seA-en miles, but, after passing? the O'rando Chute, black spruce^J 
 white birch cover the greater part of the land watered by this branj 
 which receives several small tributaries from the western <jido and tl 
 outlets of a number of lakes. 
 
 After reaching the height of land between the Portneuf and tj 
 Sault-au-Cochon, I encountered, on descending thj oppostte slop- t} 
 waters of the little river au Bouleau, and scaled A and the lakjs on ji 
 course down to its discharge into the Sault-au-Corhon on the sixty-fij 
 mile according to the measurement of the latter f-om its source downward 
 The little river bears very appropriately the name which it has borrow] 
 from the immense forest of white birch covering the mountains amoi] 
 which it and its tributaries ilow, and which bears so close a rvisemblauL- ■- 
 to the line sugaries of the Eastern Townships as to be taken for iinmeu J^*^'"'"^^ 
 
 The 1 
 
 ilsam ; i 
 lat the qi 
 
 Havir 
 
 ;aliiig of 
 lut is not 
 ree from 
 [ere, a fal 
 blig.! the 
 n the wes 
 'he tirabei 
 ailing va 
 louiitains 
 letvveen tl 
 
 maple groves 
 
 Having renewed my stock of provisions, I immediately ascended t 
 river Sault-au-Cochon to its source in order to chain it "corning do^' 
 wards. On reaching the heights, I met with several families of^India: 
 from whom I received full information respecting the principal branch 
 the Portneuf, and, finding thut I was in the vicinity of this river, I to 
 upon myself to go and make a hasty exploration thereof and of its loi- 
 lakes in order to make as exact a plan as possible, to serve in the compil 
 tion of the general plan. Beginning operations at the north end of the la 
 forming the head of the river 8ault-au-Cochon, I s.aled this hike and 
 succession of small ones, following their direction down as fir as la 
 Kakuskanusor lake des Pecheries, of which I made a complete scalin-r.auB 
 exploring only the west part which forms a lake by itself, called for a'goc 
 reason lake des Jiaies. On this upper part of the river, the country is ;, 
 .one rocky and mountainous tract covered with si)ruce, white; birch an 
 balsam of middling length and size. 
 
 
 The lake Kakuskanus is a magnificent sheet of water of a very irre^r 
 lar and capricious form, surrounded by hills and mountains whose outliu, 
 arc as varied as their elevations. The scenery is at once new and pleasiu^ 
 rivalling that of the smaller Canadian or American lakes as much wit 
 regard to general eftect as to the details visible from the many dilfeie 
 points of view. 
 
 Theg 
 
 plateaus) 
 I? 4 fork, V 
 'asteriy dii 
 
 Pre in 
 nterruptec 
 :hains of n 
 to bathe tl 
 
681 
 
 ith no change in (] 
 I met with nlong 
 ta, black spruce" ar 
 ?red by this brauj 
 '^esteni ^ido and tl 
 
 te Portneuf and tl 
 oppostte slopj, i\i 
 iiid the lakos oa i| 
 •n on the sixty-li 
 
 s source downward 
 hich it has borro\ 
 e mountains amoil 
 close a Tvisemblaui 
 3 taken for irameul 
 
 liately ascended t 
 u it coming dovv 
 lamilics of India 
 principal branch 
 f this river, I to 
 Jof and of its lo 
 'vve in the compi 
 lorthend of the la 
 ed this lake and 
 >wn as fir as la 
 )raplete scaling, ai 
 ilf, called for a go 
 •, the country is 
 i, white birch an 
 
 er of a very irreyi 
 
 Ices as much wit 
 he many diiferei 
 
 Leaving this charming prospect behind me with regret, I continued! 
 
 progress down the river, scaling it and the numerous smnll lakes 
 
 Uigh which it passes, to the Grand Portage on the forty-fourth mile. A 
 
 Ue part of this tract was traversed by fire some years ago ; the new 
 
 ^owth of poplar, scrub pine, white birch, willows and alder which clothes 
 
 I plains and surrounding hills gives it a peculiar appearance, agreeable to 
 
 nteraplate after passing through a stretch of the primitive forest where 
 
 B density of the foliage and the height of the trees prevent the windings 
 
 |(the river and the outlines of the neighboring hills from being seen. 
 
 Not wishing to risk the descent of the river by the Crans Serr6s and 
 Grande Rapide, I scaled the Indian portage and the lakes by which it 
 |isses, to its foot on the fifty-sixth mile. This path, which the Indians havft 
 aversed for centuries, skirts the sides of the mountains, arriving imper- 
 Uiblyat rhe summit, and from there descends the othn- side by similar 
 jigt^ious windings without causing fatigue or lengthening the road. 
 
 The hills are clothed with black spruce, white birch, poplar and 
 klsam ; in the ravines the timber is larger, especially the white spruce, 
 [ the quantity is small compared with that of other kinds. 
 
 Having made this portage without much difficulty, I continued the 
 laling of the river which winds and turns in a very capricious manner, 
 lutis not troublesomj to navigate, being from two to ten chains wide, and 
 ree from rapids or perceptible current as fur as the sixty-seconl mile. 
 [ere, a fall eighteen feet in h(!ight and a rapid a mile and a half in length 
 lig! the v()t/a<reur to lorsake the river for the slightly undulating portage 
 in the western bank, after which the river resumes its previous characier. 
 'he timber below the Grand Portage is of superior qualitv, but the pre- 
 ■ailing varieties are white birch, scrub pine, spruce and l;alsara. The 
 louiitains arc- from six to seven hundred feet in height and the valley 
 letvveen them including the river is from a quarter to half a mile wide. 
 
 The ground is sandy on the banks of the river and the table lands, 
 plateaus) but rocky on the heights. At the foot of this rapid is the north- 
 
 lins whose outlin, '^^^^'^^^' ^^^^^^^ ^^ "^'''"'^ ^"^ ■''^"® ^^ ^^"^ '"''^" ''^'^''' '^'^-^ ^"^^"^^ "^ '^ 'i^''^-!** 
 
 n .»r >,. } ^] ; ' "^'*^'''^ direction to join the sources of the river Laval, 
 new ana pleasiiu 
 
 Fn in the sixty, third to tho hundred and second mile the river is not 
 
 nterrupted by any rapid, but flows peaceably between the two parallel 
 
 kins of mountains rising above it, crossing the narrow valley at intervals 
 
 Tto bathe the feet of those on one side and immediately returning to do the 
 
582 
 
 a 
 
 same for those on the other. The river des Bouleaux discharo^eTZ] 
 irorr the west side on the 65th mile. Several other small rivers do tl 
 same o . one side or the other, and the mountain gorj^es wh ich give passa J 
 to these tributaries are generally better wooded than t he valley of the rivJ 
 proper ; spruce, pine, white birch, scrub pine, cypress, balsam and ponlal 
 are found of u good size and excellent quality ; the best of the pine, howev 
 has been cut. * , we\t 
 
 The firm of Price Biolhns & Co. sent lumberers in here last fall J 
 
 work Irora the river or lake a Cassette on the eighfy-eiphth mile do J 
 
 towards the falls on the hundred and first mile. NotwithstandwTh 
 
 extraordinary quanticy of snow which fell during the course of last wintel 
 
 and that the men employed at the beginning were iV^^^ the number ol 
 
 Jogs made was very considerable. I scaled the lake a Cassette, and I thinJ 
 
 that the best part of the pine and spruce are to be found in its neighborhoodl 
 
 although these lands were worked nearly twentv years ao-o, but trees thai 
 
 were small then have had time to become fit for cutting. On leaviujr J 
 
 hundred and first mile the mountains disappear altogether, the river ha] 
 
 worn a channel eighty to a hundred feet deep in the plain (plateav) whicd 
 
 extends from the base of the mountains or the north to the St Lawrence] 
 
 running to the east until lost to sight nea r the river Betsiamits, and to the 
 
 west as far as the Bay of Mille Vaches. 
 
 This plateau is nearly a perfect level and is composed of sandy soil 
 roixe.. with gray and yellow earth, resting on a subsoil of clay and inarl.l 
 Ihe varieties of wood which predominate are scrub pine, black and .ray 
 spruce. tarnnrHC, balsam, white birch, poplar, Cottonwood, pine, to.. Ar./and 
 «ider. A seiies uf magnificent water powers extends all the way down 
 the nver. 1 he soil is of the best quality and the timber of length and size 
 coiim^on only in the best lands. This tract is admirably suited for fVuminJ 
 and should very ^oon become a fine settlement if the lumbering operations 
 now being cairicd en .Icng the north shore of the St Lawrence attract to| 
 their vKinity nny number ol those sturdy settlers such a^ are scattered over 
 ine Upper feaguenay country. 
 
 On the hundred and eleventh mile is the large boom and dam fori 
 enclo^ing saw logs just above the last fall, which at a height of forty feet 
 overlooks the little village of Forestville with its chapel and mills. 
 
 A great drawback to the different posts on this part of the north shore,! 
 especnJIy ,„ ,,.,nter, is the want of a good road on land. It is very dan- 
 gerous and ofteu impossible to travel on the beach, as the ice on which the 
 
588 
 
 load is marked out is frequently detached and carried away in stormy 
 A-eather, and the traveller is obliged to return, often after a loni? journey, 
 In the course of which both himself and his team have encounten^d much 
 hardship and fatigue. 
 
 I completed my operations on the river Saiilt au-Cochou at its discharge 
 Into the St. Lawrence, and on a small islet there I planted a post marked 
 jmi, with the date and my name according to my instructions. Having 
 jbeen detained some days by contrary winds and ice, we did not immediate- 
 jly re-ascend the St. Lawrence to the Grand Bergeronne. I profited by 
 l-he delay to explore the neighborhood, and found that it was quite possible 
 Ito locate a read through it. 
 
 "We then continued our journey, partly by water and partly by land, 
 
 jup to the Grande Bergeronne. There I r.^sumed the operations begun in 
 
 Ijaiiuary last, and scaled this rirer as correctly as possible, following along 
 
 jits banks on one side or the other according to circumstances. This rive/ 
 
 Iseldom or never freezes over, and being much encumbered by alders, wind- 
 
 Ifalls. and other obstacles, I was obliged to give up chainmg i!;ove the falls 
 
 on the ninth mile. The melting of the snow, the great difficulty attending 
 
 the work, and the slight importance of this stream, joined to the fatigues of 
 
 the long tramps made during the winter and the diminution of our stock 
 
 or provisions, lorced me to refrain from exploring the river beyond the above 
 
 I mentioned point. 
 
 At the beginning of the first mile, i. e., at the Government bridge on 
 the Tadousac road, this river divides into two branches ; the north-west one 
 or river a Bas de Sole, is twelve miles in length ; and the north-east branch, 
 I the one I scaled, bearing the name of river a Beaulieu, is considered the 
 main branch of the G-rande Bergeronne. 
 
 The country watered by these rivers is nearly all good farming land ; a 
 considerable part ol it is already well cultivated; the settlers make a very 
 comfortable living, and the missionary who visits them receives most liber- 
 al contributions. As far as the ninth mile on the river Beaulieu the soil 
 is ot the best quality. The lake a Beaulieu wiihin that distance is sur- 
 I rounded by natural meadows whi^h are of great advantage to the settlers 
 of that locality. A large part of the timber hiis been cut and lumberers are 
 attain at work on the upper part of the river a Bas de Soie. I explored a 
 portion of this country and found that it contained a magnificent tract of 
 good land, well suited for settlement and advantageously situated to pro- 
 mote the Grande Bergeronne mission and to make it before long one of tho 
 
684 
 
 best parishes on this part of the Norfh ^h^r.^ a a h • . ~~-m='' - 
 
 n«.r the bridge ^^^■LenulI!:X::iJ^ tZS^^ZZTtiHZ 
 east of the river. The tide risps «« f«r o +u n "^ *° thefchich d 
 
 1 , . ^^ ^^ ^^^ ^s the rni 1, perraittitio- smili „„ i H 
 
 to reach the bridge. ^ '" "ing small vessels B rpj^^ 
 
 (^••^. Dumms, 23rd August, 1873.) 
 
 **< 
 
 BITERS BETSIAMITS, WUP-MAKIN AND OUTAEDES. 
 
 ,u Z" ' j" '''"''™"" °» the 11th Febru ,ry and ascended the river as f.r.. i 
 the falls, distant from the St. Uwrence about forty miles. Th Bels alT' 
 ■s a very considerable river, both „s regards its grJat volume and ,1;"^ 
 of t» waters. A large number of lakes and streams, vvhi.h may be 15 
 ^ large rivers, empty Ihemselves inio it, but along the whole ecu „r 
 the main river the country is very hilly; mounl.ins succeld one a„ L' 
 without inlerruplion, being mos.ly of some height, many me,suri„r'! 
 
 often of great height, some exceeding „ hundred feet. As a geTerll rul e, 
 
 dr.rt^^f;-i^::!::;/trL::™;br:^::r-;t; 
 
 wtht:.; vrz re:;rht"i;;Tr': "r "t "^ ^--'^ ' 
 which thefire h„s spared, au':it^er:;i:;:,':pZb'Sd 'LH:. tz 
 
 lon/I'Ilf ""rt"""'^'"" "'" ""'•"'■"^ '"-"y '"'■'"-' ■• "■« winter is very 
 P^y^'tate hi n tT'l^.^'fT ''°'T' -" P-'»f which faCs. I will J 
 
 shidv n ices ,r :"""■ "■"'" "•'"' '"" " S'-'^" 'J«P'I> »f »»»»■"■ 
 
 snaaj places, the trees were bare of leaves pv.>» ,-., ,k 
 
 and the cold so intense in winter h,V Z "''''* ^^''" '^'^''''' 
 
 tenf. On ., f u ^ ""''' "-'""^^ "°^ sometiinos leave our 
 
 tents. On one of the numerous lakes on the river Betsiamits. called by the 
 
585 
 
 Indians lake Pipmaukan, the ice disappeared as late as the 20th of May, 
 jjfhich delayed us a little in our work of exploration. 
 
 The above general statement of facts is the result of information acquired 
 faring the exploration as will be shown below. 
 
 At my startinj? point at the falls I planted a post. Thence I followed 
 [he river Betsiamits, a distance of ninety miles, at which distance I planted 
 Ji post indicating the termination of my exploration on this part of the river. 
 
 From the falls to the sixth mile, the river fl'jw.s almost continuo ' ' j 
 Ihrongh steep mountains. Six streams and rivers empty themselves int )i t, 
 l:wo from the east and four from the west. These waters aresimilnrly 
 lanciost'd by mountains. Within this space along the Betsiamits and allit a 
 |tributaries, valuable wood is fonnd, viz pine, spruce, bass wood, birch and 
 ; the forest continui^s to be equally good as far as the eighth mile, that 
 lis to say, to about fifty miles from the St. Lawrence. This smidl forest ia 
 surrounded by burnt spaces as far as th'^ eye can reach. The soil is a yellow 
 loam, and stony even where the mountains diminish in heiarht. 
 
 From the eighth to the eleventh mile the mountains continue of great 
 Ikeight and very near the river on the west bank, but more distant on the 
 
 least. 
 
 We hero found extensive plateaus, but the valuable timber had all 
 disappeared ; nothing is to be seen but immense burnt spaces, the new 
 vegetation on which is exclusively composed of small white birch and 
 poplitrs, with some spruce. 
 
 The river follows a north-westerly course to about the middle of the 
 18th mile, and is closely confined b 'tween the mountains which border it 
 on both sides. Between the fourteenth and eighteenth miles is a pretty 
 long portage of four miles, to avoid the numerous falls and rapids at this 
 point. Through all this region the mountains are v»My (;lose to the river, 
 and the country is one immense burnt clearing, covered with new growth, 
 such as white birch, poplar and some small spru e. In the middle of tho 
 eighteenth mile a small ream ent^-s th^ B'tsiamits; fro n this point also 
 the river takes a new direction of about N". 30^ W , whicli course it keeps 
 tf beyond the 2tth mile, diveri^ing more and more to the north. Through 
 this distance of nine miles, the mountains are I'jwcr and more distant from 
 the river. The tributary streams and rivers of the Betsiamits are six: three 
 from the west and three from the north-east. There are also some falls which 
 obliged us to make three small portages. The land about here is very poor 
 
586 
 
 •^ 
 
 and quite unfit for cultivation, even if the climate would allow it • ., ,w- 
 
 X™:;-""^ " ™' '"''• ™"^ • '-' -"-^ "^ "^i- ^i 'h, ;!>:l: 
 
 i On the 29th mile is a small lake, into which on the oiist ai,!e n„ 
 «ge stream To the south of this lake, i. a second one am lo a,, 1^,; 
 long and a mtlewiJe from east t„ west; it falls into the foTm!r Kk k; 
 smal cha,mel ; it is bounded on the west by high continuoTs m „, ,al' 
 
 very rci Ky. At the 29th mile stone we leave the river, and bao-in f h. , 
 a„t Zof: nT'' '»-»-'P"-P»»ybyaseriesofs?n;dlCt^^^^ 
 
 l^fth u t; "''!""""'■ ^'*"' »'""'"" P"°' f""" thi^ portage is oTth. 
 left bank of the latter. From thence we proceed towards the south ll 
 for five m,les, and then to the north-west for five more m le , wht Th' 
 portage reaches the Bet.iamits. Along the portage the land is very t. t 
 
 ,ht,.^" ;"?■'■ ^''""•' '"'"'y ^»" '^ '°""<1 '"-' tte thirty seld 
 thlrtythird and thirty-seventh miles, and on the thirtv.ni„.h ,; 
 
 r;it t'dT"' "'^ """'" '""=""• °f '"» p-'«*^ .le 1" hair 
 
 dev^tated by enormous fires which have destroyed all the servTceri,! 
 wood : the new growth consisting of poplar, white'birch Juh som h£ 
 f.prncc and cypress, from the 82nd to the 8Sth njile Pro,« fl,„ K , 
 
 the portage the land ascends gradually to t e th rty.fi« ! X't""'" 
 
 or or 50 Ihe la]id along the thirtieth mile is p.Tfectly level The „™, 
 tage follows the banks of seven lakes of differ nt si J, the- larg t , oi 
 jasunng more than a mile ; many other small lakes situa. d on e h sid 
 of the exploratory Ime flow into the lakes bordering the portage 
 
 n„rthwrdl7J?'°r°'',''"l "'""' ""^ "»'■"'»«• ' *°°^ ---' ^^""^ 
 northwardly so ,« to verily the course of the Brtsiamits which I h.d 
 
 been obhged to deviate from at the 29th mile, as already statU 
 
 The river from the beginning to the end of the ten mile portage follow, 
 
 noT;rS: TrZ"' r ™''"^ -'<l'«fa;f,ittendVt:;-;rd t 
 north-west. The whole of that distance is strewed with steep rapids which 
 make navigation impossible. One fall i, 25 feet hiirh; from ther' thTBer- 
 stamits makes a curve aud diverges to the west till i't meets th'portfi 
 
 but tt: nuL '™- '.^- " '"" "™"'^ '^ ">"»" »'^ ■»»- '» " di-' » 
 
 dtstan e T r\"" ;°^^ f ""^ river at this place almost double th 
 
 tolrmoted bv a? ' ^1"u T"*^'"* '"« Portage. the Betsiatoit, i, 
 
 mterrupted by a very narrow fall of about a hundred feet. 
 
687 
 
 At the fortieth mile we return to the river which we follow as far as 
 
 IthL" lorty-first mile ; the river at this point is ten chains wide, klong the 
 
 Iroute we have just followed, the mountains are very near to thu river, and 
 
 |the country appears very barren. We found here a very large lake and of 
 
 j great depth, it measures thirteen miles at its greatest length, bi'sides 
 
 numerous wide bays which we were obliged to go round and explore. The 
 
 lake is called Natuakimiu by the Indians. We made a sketch of all its 
 
 contours both on the east and on the west, so as to arrive at an exact idea 
 
 I of its configuration and of the nature of the timber and soil. 
 
 The chief exploratory line, that on which the mile posts are planted, 
 loilows the east bank of the lake; at thj forty-third mile, it strik.^s the 
 ).jrrow mouth of a very deep and wide bay extending northwards ; the line 
 crosseti this mouth. 
 
 Quitting the main line, we follow the sinuosities of the bay and return 
 to the lake which we continue to follow as far as the 48th mile. At this 
 poiut our course is interrupted by a second bay, not so long as the preceding 
 one, but much wider pnrticularly at the mouth ; the exploratory line follows 
 its whole eountour a distance of throe miles. Wo arive here at the 51st 
 mile and we follow the lake to about the mid lie of the 55th mile, at the 
 point where the Hetsiamits flows into Lake Natuakimiu. From thence we 
 (outinue the exploration along th^ west bank, following all the capes and 
 bays ; the deepest and widest bay is opposite the forty-seventh mile post 
 pliiiited on the east bank of the lake. 
 
 "With tlie exception of the Dotsiamits, very few large streams enter lake 
 Nataukimiu ; the most voluminous is on the west bank. There are hut two 
 smiill islands in this lake, both situate on the west bank, the first opposite 
 the middle of the fifty-second mile, and the other about three miles and a 
 half further north, both very close to the banks. The borders of .ake Matua- 
 kimiu are pretty, surrounded by mountains of middling height ; the soil 
 is bad, sandy and rooky. Tha asp.>,ct of the country round the lake is 
 fxtremly dreary; it is an immense brule (burnt clearing), the new growth 
 on which is miserably poor ; the prevailing products are cypress, black 
 spruce, with some poplars and very small white birch. Ttiere is no timber 
 for any useful purpose whatever. 
 
 From the point where it empties itsel^'nto lake Natuakimiu, a distance 
 of nineteen miles, the Betsiamits is interrupted by some rapids, of which, 
 one very deep is opposite the 6Sth mile post ; it is about an arpent in length, 
 and, to avoid it, a short portage must be made by the south bank of the river. 
 
 Um 
 
688 
 
 Afteer this we ro«urae the course of the river which we follow to th 
 middle of the 69 h mile: here the rap.ds ho^in a<,«i„ and continual b^J 
 . mile and a half. All this distance has to b. pottnged and th. rTvl^.f 
 «^r.umcd only at the .0th mile. This por..,^ is o^. Ik:' rt^ Z^^Z 
 
 ^^^:^t:!j::^:^;7^^^ '^ -'---' «-^" ^«'-^«- -- or 
 
 This region is very hilly, high mountains surrounding the Betsiamits on 
 
 J'^'nrttieruer. The land is rocky and gravelly almost everywhere ^^Zl 
 dV; V 7";^--- It is perfectly bare of all useful timb'r fire h v . 
 devasfaVd the whole country. At this point, nothing is to he found W 
 Bmail white birch, poplars and black spruce, with a feV cvd ss on ' 
 parts of the Befsiamits and its streams! this new go^h He y^turT 
 ctti;;:;: '''''-' '''- '^'^''^ '^ - wretchedly\.re a. to ^eTan II' to' 
 
 Before reaching the Y4th mile, the river suddenly widens and conti 
 
 the lake P.,>maukan so called by Ih. n.ighbourius Ii.dia„s 
 
 Thelakorip,„™k,,ni8of« very im-ular form; fh„ north ,h.r, i„ 
 par„o«lar„roso„l,„g bays equal i„d..p,|, loth. l„n»,h of the lakeiWf'i" 
 general shape, howevr, is.hat „f a„ ar„ „f „ ,,rde ^er.stron.ly d ■ vl ,; d 
 The south shore, o„ the contrary, exhibits a fcw indentation: only ,^ch 
 cause „o deviation from its perfectly .-ircul ,r appearance In t' ir ,,, st 
 
 mof d :r . r "'"■"" f "" -™"y '•'-"> "'il'-' o the bottom o the W 
 most distant Irom ,ts discharge, the lake measure thirty mile,- bu iti 
 
 fnto le like! "°" >'' "' l"'""»""'"- ^vhich exfud f,r 
 
 .tullT °"'T ™ ""' -'"■ "'^"y "'^" "" ™»'<I commence the survey 
 th t uaviri""''""' " T '° "■" "^"^ " "-' - ^--J with floatia, ice 
 that nav,gat.on was quite impossible, so that we had (o wail a forlni.-ht 
 
649 
 
 lor this immeiiNH field of ice to clear iivvay. Durinff our forced delay, an 
 Indian assisted by other men oompleU'd u canoo which we found necessary 
 for our descent. The remainder of the party was employed in exploring the 
 cast side of lake I'ipmiiuk.iii and a small portion of the Betaiamits from 
 tho point where it enters the lake as far as the !>Oth mile post, going north- 
 eiitit. 
 
 This post marks the extreme limit of my operations in this locality ; on 
 it I engraved the following inscription : 80. M. E. Casgrain. 27th May 1878. 
 Tho great height of the waters obliged me to terminate the exploration 
 hero. The river rose 24 feet vertically and completely covered our camping 
 frround which we were obliged to quit. 
 
 According to the Ijulian account, the 90th mile post does not indicate 
 more than hail of the total length of the Hetsiamits, the distance to its 
 source being as great as that we had traversed from the St. Lawence ; this 
 would make the river two hundred and sixty miles long. According to the 
 same ic(;ount, the river takes its source from a number of lakes, some of 
 which are of gieat ext"nt. From this station we proceeded the same day to 
 the great inlet of the lake, on the eighty-ninth mile, which was appointed 
 as n reri'lezvims for all the men of the expedition. From thencb we traversed 
 the entry to the grand inlet to continue the scaling of lake Pipraaukau, 
 tollowing the north shore. 
 
 At six miles and tluee-quarters from our staiting point, on the north 
 shore of the lake, near the grand inlel, we found a wide bay bearing north- 
 ward, going round all its banks; its total length is about fifteen miles, tho 
 width of its mouth ab)ut two, and at the head its breadth is under three- 
 quarters of a mile. The total length of this bay, scaling all its shores and 
 ooinprisinu' the depth of some small indentation--', in over thirty miles. In 
 the above bay we found four scatter^id islands, the largest measuring twenty 
 chains by twenty ; it is situate n.;ar tho western shore, from which it is 
 distant about twelve chains. Th 're is bat one siugl? island near the 
 eastern bank, ton (chains in length and br.^adth ; o;i the same shore, three 
 miles short of the head of the bay, is the bi'gi lining of a portage bearing 
 north-east ; on the western shore, about half the depth of the bay, is an 
 euormous rocky hill projecting into the bay, and being at least eight hun- 
 dred feet high and about half a mile loug. Returning to the mouth of the 
 bay on the western shore we direct our course towards the north-west, to 
 continue the scaliug of the lake. Our navigation was here made through 
 a large number of islands and bays of curved shapes each more fantastical 
 
mo 
 
 than Ih., o,h,.r ...nHim,,, w,. ..ro.,,vt great .h«t, of wat.-r for m , „„„ 
 
 lind oureclvos ulmcMt at III., point iv« .[art.!.! Iroin. I 
 
 Al l,..,sih „rt..r a „,u-isali„„ „f,„v,.ral day, through an almost iu,.„„, 
 abl,, hlhyr.nth „l l.lan.ls and l,„y», a(l,.i. havi,,^ „,„„ i„ almost, 
 
 h»„ th.. pr..,.«I>„„ „„,.., hut or m,u:h «r„at,.r ..xtoul.- Tin, l,„; i, ,, | ' 
 he co„t,nua„o„ ofluk,. I'ipmaukan, at it, ,oulh-w,„t,.n, Jxtp'-n I , 
 d,re..|,„„ ,, Houth o„,t, it, vvi.lth at th« month i, ov„r two mil,., b , ij, ' 
 
 ^v rrr "'"'''""'^ '° ••""■» •■"'»: H,to,„ii„„rr 
 
 d.rect „ ,. may b„ tak- ■■ at „.>•,.„ mil,,, ; ou it, ,.a,t„N, ,h.r,., abon, " „i, 
 and a hall Irom (h„ h,.„,l, i, a capo ol ro,.k. lour hundrod rJul^ 
 about filty cha„« long. W„ ,„a,t„d along all Iho ,hor,., of this la. 
 h,.n d,re,.t.,d our ,.o„r,e northward,, and „.vl„d tho ,oulh ,horo of . .. 1 1: 
 to It, di,oharg,. ,nlo th,. riv,,r U,.t,iamit, on the s..v„„ty.r„„rth milo. 
 
 Lako IVpniaukan i, ,lud,l,.d with a large number of i.laud, mostly oa 
 the west „do; they are gene.ally „o, very extensive. Over .ix"y v, 
 conr,,., empty them.elve, ,„l„ the lake or into it, bav. All the m. ,7 
 meut, of lake l.ipn,aukan, of it, bay, aud i,.and,f wet m IX 
 m.,-rom,.ter w„h great ,u,.e,.„. The total di.ta,„-e travelled over, aroun ,h 
 lake wuhout reekonn,g ,he line of mile po,t, on the eastern ,ho , w,, ' 
 one hun,lred aud ,ix!y mile,, wl,i,-h a,ld..d to the le„,-th of the JTj 
 of the «.e,toru .hore of lake Natuak.miu, whieh is tW;'y ^ ,„,,''' ;: 
 tha of several other httle lak.-s, a.„ouu„ to two huudrd and f„ ,y.- 
 m,le , II rou.gh he „hol,. eour.se of my exploration, at the most remarkZ 
 pent,, I have akeu numerous astronomieal observation,, and dete mi 
 the variation of the n..edle and the latitude of the pla,;e. ''^'"™"'^'l 
 
 The lake Pipmaukan is Very deep and uavig,ible all over • its b.ak- 
 
 or sandy, fhere „ no l.mher for commereial ,,arp„es, and en all s d.s il 
 1, surrounded by imraen,, brnle, ,.„vered with white birch, popi , ad 
 spruee, with ,ome eypres, of poor appearance. All the lake, ani r • s w! 
 have v,s,t,.d are abundantly supplied with Hsh of all kinds. The m t 
 eommon are the pike, tonladi, white flsh, trout and a kind of eel very l!r 
 o oodH h'-rLri "T"' •'''""'■""« '-yi'^ '-'- "'hich is more like Jh', 
 ?!n flrtvmie,r Tk r,"°' '^"'""^ "'"'™^ Belsiamits bayond the 
 beo^llr 1? T ' ^'-.^'^ ""'■">■ which was onr starting point. Oa 
 
 the othe hand game „ wanting altogether. With the exception of a few 
 beaver, the breeding animals have quite abandoned this regfon, to pin Z 
 
591 
 
 Lore (looply into thu coltltr conntrieH of th« north ; tho caribou, lor instnnoe, 
 isol'tlin P'wt. Tho Indian rtingiiig tho -r '8t8 no lonifur cxpmts to mewt 
 ili<> liirffor Buimalrf n»!ar«r thun two huiidrod and sixty or three hundred 
 
 Imilt'N from tho St. Lawronoe. 
 
 Excoptiiijr thn fIrHt pnrt of tho exploration, which is woll sto. kod with 
 si'ivic" nblo tinihor. all this iinmenHu country is a dcsort in ovory »i^tim\ 
 |rij?oi()UH (ilimatc, barren land and mountains, without tiinbor. 
 
 Tht! Ntartinj? point of tie second exploration is on the discharge of the 
 lake II I'Eau Mortc, at the point where it joins the lake dcs lies. This lak<» 
 [derives its name (rom the stillness of its waters ; it generally empties itself 
 into the river aux Outardes, but in the spring and autumn, when the waters 
 arc very high, the eastt^rn outlet is not sulFicient, and a part of its waters 
 How westward and fall into the Papinachois lake. The outlet of lake skl'Eau 
 Morte is verry narrow, it b.nng a small stream not more than hve feet wide, 
 and the bed being very rocky throughout its whole length. The lake dos 
 lies «' ITS t!ie lake du Hriil^. Its disc harge flows at first on a general north- 
 westerly course ; it then makes a long bind towards the north-east, and 
 linally towards the south-east, to pass into the lake du Brule. The ground 
 we have just gone over contains nothing worthy of notice ; it is nothing 
 hut a long series of hills and mountains denuded of all valuible timbjr. 
 
 The lake du Brule, called Kanittagamak by the Indians, is of moderate 
 extent, measuring about a mile and three quarters in length, by half a mile 
 in width ; its general direction is south westerly. The discharge of lake du 
 Brule is, properly speaking, a long series of rapids separated by small lake ; 
 it has a very sluggish current. 
 
 The whole of the tract we have just explored is a succession of hills 
 and mountains ; it is very desolate in every way, being completely devoid of 
 useful timber, the whole forest having been consumed by fire. The new 
 vegetation consists of white birch about three inche.s in diameter and of 
 miserable black spruce. 
 
 Leaving the river oflakedu Brule at the point where it joins the Loup- 
 Marin, we continued our survey, following the latter till it meets the river 
 aux Outardes. The Loup-Marin is a more considerable river than the lake 
 du Brule, both as regards its breadth and its depth ; it has a mean breadth 
 of forty feet. Before meeting the river last surveyed, the river du Loup- 
 Marin issues from the lake of the same name, and for which it serves as a 
 discharge, running north-west, then after receiving the waters of its tribu- 
 
692 
 
 ary. i proceeds towards the north-east, for a distance of eighteen oh ■ . 
 then It inclines towards.the south and south-east till it meets the i "1 
 Outardes. The re.ulanty and tranquillity of its cours aT but' t ITll 
 rupted, on y one srnoll rapid occurring- near the mouth of the ri" r o H^ 7 
 Bruh.. and a fall of t.nty feet, about .wo miles and a ^:!:t£ 
 
 Thclan: watered by the Loup-Marin is the natural eontinnvfi 
 that we have just left; the absence of good timber and h/no ^^ 1 
 
 being the same. However, on arrivin/at its mouX we' Cd ZT\ 
 lands covered with some well grown but small poplar! ^' ^'''^ 
 
 On the north point of the angle formed by the junction of the ri . I 
 Loup-Marin, with that of the Outardes wp nl.,y "'"'H 
 Tni-ll..t iH-o 1? r, ■ . / '-'uiaraes, we planted a post mark^rl " il 
 
 Juille 8,3^ L Casgrau., A. P." This po.t marks the length oi tho ^ 
 
 from lake des lies to the mouth of the river LouD-M.rVn u u '""'"'^ 
 eight miles long. From th.. post, we derndrd th!r ve^lt O^t^^r'^^'l 
 distance of twenty-live miles, taking as usual in our proC all tW 1 
 sary observations to distinguish the locality. '' "''^-J 
 
 The river aux Outardes takes a o-eneral south v. ..f 
 direction is far from being re-^nlar "It on Z 7 f '"'""''' *^"'^»^^ ^H 
 aux Outardes, it. breadUris d tu lai" ' mil f'''^^"- '" ^'^ 'n 
 eighteen chains ; at the end of another niil iU fj^e ? '' "''"" '\ 
 there receive the waters of a stream 1^; cm if c^t^'^ Nii^'f "1 
 ^nd two rivers join their waters to thos^of the ri.4 ux ()n . H 
 the ...ace we have travelled. Some flow from th west but f"' "'^1 
 number roin the east l^nvfh.v ^^""i mc west, but the greater! 
 
 <limensions. Thd "est bovt ^7,"^-7^'<^ -veu islands of dilfereut 
 the seventh mi Th^t^ t i on th T ] "^^'^'"^ "^'^^ «'^"^^-^- 
 
 part of the river aux OutardP."rh/ t ^M" '' ^^"' *""""' ^" '^'4 
 
593 
 
 .small tract of clayey mould is found near the middle of tb^U^^^^^jT^ 
 
 Marketable timber is as scarce as on the other rivers and ih.. • n 
 [a.e vegetation of white birch, .pruce and poplar otsZCt^^r " 
 
 {E. Casgrmn, 8th Sept., 1873.) 
 
 RIVERS OUTARDEK, BETSIAMITS AND PERIBONKA 
 
 In obedience to instructions, dated the 27th Julv 187fi fm- fi 
 lonlK. rivers aux Outardes, Betsiamits Peribonka vf fi ' ^^'' '''''' ^'^Y 
 U into the Lower St. Lawrence, I ^!^'::;^ ^^^:'' ''^^ '^^ 
 
 , ^ mI^oI™'? ''''\™^ °^^" immed:ate party on the 4th September 
 uie.Hl the Outardes, and arrived at the mouth of the riverau Lnnn M 
 lu.ho ponit where I commenced operations, on the lltL ^^"P"^-^"^- 
 
 This river is from 7 to 15 chains wiVl<i x^ruu 
 
 luiiaLTous shoals to form, Avhirh are co.isf.nfK. i • '•"'^^•'" clauses 
 
 Ue a. seve.l t.lls and rap.d. ^L^ ^1 ^i:; J^^^^ ^^^ 
 
 .od ot the river ,s elevated coiisiderably above that of thV M ° 
 
 Ithough distant from it but a very few miles d ft ^ '^"^^'^"^g'au. 
 
 11 1 1 . ^j- *<-*> iiiJits, <xna tne mounfaiii*< flv« iirvf 
 
 »a l,.om 50 ,o 5.000 ao,vs, and in th« a.g„,,af. up^a d, „f 70 ,2 " '" 
 slit lie made available. '"■ "" ""«« 
 
 Tlio .•limale 011 Ihe lower i,Mi of llje rivev i« .,„t .„ 
 
 "■i;;^;:f i: r:.r h:;;:" rrr^ ^^^ '-^ ' >'«'■'- 
 »*.5r 2fi', a„d ataii; . r L: ; t ; T orfrr'V'" '■■ ""■ 
 
 ihonve,. from the eoast, the grou-lh of ,i „be, I i, . ', ""»"'""* 
 
 ..d cypres. At the di^ance" of „ "s , l-Sr^n '^f"' '^P'" 
 .q.™dnniuishesverymuch,a,,daiewmie;i„.he Z. r ^ r"™ ""'' 
 .- .e ll„d only ™a,. .pruee, ta.arao f. ^ ^ ' a^ "he\ 3:^ 
 1.™ a„d height of land, only .nall stnnled black sp™:' i^flJnd 
 
 nil 
 
594 
 
 At 200 miles from the mouth of the river au-Loup-Marin, at a plaj 
 named Tee-wa-fe-lai (the confluence of rivers), where a large branch coma 
 in from the west, w^e were stopped by the ice on the 4th November • w 
 therefore, abandoned the canoes and prepared for winter travel. AVe'heJ 
 made ^uow-shoes and sleighs, having to go l)ack from the river two rlJ 
 march to find bouleau suitable for the purpose. When all our prepu-atiJ 
 were completed we commenced our scaling on the ice, measuremi-nisbeinl 
 made with the chain (all previous work having been done with the Rochol 
 micrometer), and, at the distance of 19 miles, we fell upon the large lal 
 Pletipi (which we afterwards scaled). We now ascended the inlet, °and t 
 the distance of 42 miles, the river divided, the main branch coming frol 
 the west, which we left for the present, and followed the other branc 
 leading northeasterly to the height of land, and, at the distance of a'boi 
 six miles, reached the head of this branch From this point the height c 
 land is distant northerly only four milts, and, in traversing this distauc* 
 we intersect the river Moosh-a-u-la-gan, which is here a considerable streat, 
 about 40 feet wide, skirting the height of land and leading into a lake'll 
 or 15 miles to the west. This river is the west branch of the river Maul 
 couagan, and heads in close proximity to the west or main branch of th 
 Outardes, and the head of the Peribonka. 
 
 The Otish mountains, which form the height of land, are here ban 
 rocky and desolate ; we ascended them and found the height to be l,.3q 
 feet above the pass, and d,lOO feet above the sea. Wo we°e disappointe| 
 in having a view from the top, as we were in the clouds. At their base f 
 the north is a small lake, the head of one of the branches of Rupert's rive 
 and at about 30 miles is the Hudson Bay post Nitsequan, on Rupert's rive 
 This post is supplied from Hudson Bay and is frequented by about thirt 
 families of Nascapee Indians. We now returned from the height of laul 
 to the forks and ascended the west branch to its source, and thence, iu a 
 almost southerly direction, crossed to another branch flowing into lalj 
 Pletipi. In making this crossing we intersected several small streams aiil 
 lakes, tributaries of the ri^ :r Peribonka, and arrived at lake Cawashagarail 
 (or, Clear Water). This lake has two outlets, one /lowing west into tlj 
 Peribonka, and the other southerly into the great lake Pletipi ; this lastw 
 scaled down to over 150 miles. We then went down to Teewatelui au| 
 ascended a tributary, coming from the south, called Owl river, which heat 
 m a small lake ; this lake, also, has two outlets, the other being the rivL 
 Manaouanis flowing southwesterly to a lake of the same name, which ] 
 about 15 miles in length, and is the head of the river Betsiamits. Aboi 
 
 0ns 
 
 pleted tf 
 and alth( 
 'and tlie ] 
 exceed 6( 
 sanction. 
 
 rive; 
 iBlanche. 
 [work did 
 Ivvas very 
 |l was con 
 
 This 
 Ithau the r 
 the i.'ounti 
 and red, y 
 lyellovv elf 
 
 Altho 
 of water, 
 fathoms, 
 falls, whic 
 
595 
 
 L miles to the west of lake Manaouanis, lies lake Manouan, said to be 
 |inuch larger than lake Pletipi, and the head of the river Manouan. 
 
 The country is frequented solely by Indians, the Montagnais from the 
 
 l:oast, and a fe w I^ ascapees, from Nitsequan ; in the hunting season they are 
 
 loccupied in trapping fur-bearing animals, i, e, beaver, otter fox (black white 
 
 l-ed, silver and cross), marten, mink and muskrat ; they rely for food upon 
 
 5sh, hares and partridges, but principally upon caribou, and when game is 
 
 Iscarce, they are put to great straits and often starve. Four years a^^o no 
 
 hares were to be found in the woods, and several families (comprising 4'> 
 
 iouls) banded together for the pursuit of caribou, but failing to find them 
 
 |ill died of starvation. ' 
 
 On arriving at the head of lake Manoauanis, I found that I had com- 
 pleted the scaling of 600 miles, to which I was limited in my instructions 
 and although told therein to scale also the Bersimis down to lake Periraakan 
 
 landtheleribonka, itbeing supposed that these three rivers would not 
 exceed 600 miles, I hesitated to do so without previously having vour 
 
 ^sauction. ° ^ 
 
 {J. Bignell, 18th August, 1877.) 
 
 RIVERS BLANCHE AND COLOMBIER 
 
 RIVER BLANCHE.-On the 2nd April, I began the scaling of the river 
 
 pianche As on the river Laval. I planted a post at the starting point. The 
 
 ■work did not proceed as rapidly as I could have wished, because the river 
 
 was very much obstructed. It was so much obstructed with branches, that 
 
 |I was eompelled to have it cleared along its whole length. 
 
 This river, also very irregular, flows over a less mountainous country 
 It au the river Laval ; no mountains are met with piled one upon the other • 
 Ithe country IS only rolling. The stream is bordered by rich forests of spruce 
 land red, yellow and white pine of good quality, and the soil is a grey or 
 |yellow clay. ^ ^ 
 
 Although this river is very narrow, it must carry a pretty large volume 
 vvater, as it acts as the discharge of lakes with a depth of as much as 18 
 a horns At four or five miles from the coast, there are a number of small 
 [lalls, which would be advantageous for millino- purposes 
 
596 
 
 RIVER COLOMBIER. — I explored for the best portajre from the rh 
 Colombier to the river Betsiamits. By chaining, I ascertained that h 
 distance between the source oi the Colombier and Pine island, of theriS 
 Betsiamits, is 2^ miles. The tract between these two rivers,' opposite t 
 bead of the Colombier, is very mountainous. Still, by following the valle 
 and ravines, an easy communication can be found between the two riv( 
 
 On the 14th April, I resumed the scaling of the river Colombi 
 having, as upon the others, planted a marked post at the starliuo- poij 
 This river is not less capricious in its course than the other two ; mvertl 
 less, it flows through a generally level region, but the soil is poor 
 timber— grey spruce and bouleau being about the only kinds met wii 
 except towards the head of the river, where there are some pine J 
 tamarac. On the 8th mile of the river, there is a fall 20 feet high. 
 
 (P.-E. Lamgne, 16th July, 1873.' 
 
 RIVERS MANICOUAGAN, PENTECOST, TRINITY AND GODUOUT. 
 
 I left Betsiamits on the 10th September following and, entoriim- 
 river aux Oulardes, portaged across to the river Manlcouan-aii ahovo 
 falls. The weath.'r being unflivorable, I was unable to take mi observatil 
 there, and accordinglv proceeded up Hie river to the forks, being the c. 
 iluence of the river Tootnu.stook or Elbow river from the east^with 
 Manicouagan. 
 
 The country [vm. .le falls up to the forks is roui^Wi and hilly, and 
 .some places mountainous ; the soil, wiiere elevated above the fr.'^hets, isr 
 sand, overlying a bed of clay, and the growth is fir, bouleau and si)rure, w 
 occasional pine. The banks of the river in many places for some distai 
 up are bold and rocky, rising perpendicularly to a height viuiingfroin thi 
 hundred to five hundred feet, and, in other places, these hills lil back fn 
 the river fifteen or twenty chains, leaving a strip of rich alluvial soilbetw 
 their base and the river. 
 
 Whilst at the forks, I ascertained that the Tootnustook or east bran 
 is comparatively short, heading up in the neighborhood of lake Lshima 
 c.ouagan ; I therefore thought it advisable to"follow up the \v.>st or m; 
 branch leading to the height of land, the po.sitiou of which it is desiral 
 to ascertain, as it is much further than generally represented. 
 
597 
 
 6th July, 1873; 
 
 D GODUOUT. 
 
 As we ascend, the valley of the river becomes wider, the mountains 
 ; further back and give a greater breadth to the level space between their 
 fcpeaiul the river, varying from twenty chains to upwards of a mile ; much 
 [it is alluvium, but, where the banks are too high to be covered bv the 
 leshet.s, the soil is a light sand covered with a layer of vegetable mould. 
 Ihe growth is fir, spruce, bouleau and aspen, with now and then a pine. 
 
 At the distance of 119 miles from the lower forks or (Tootnustook) are 
 ie upper forks being the coniluence of the river Mooshaulagan (from 
 ie west) with the Manicouagan. 
 
 About twenty miles from these forks, on both of these rivers, be^-ins 
 (lake, that on the west branch being named Mooshaulagan and that oa 
 lie east Ishimanicouagan, both being of about the same extent, from 45 to 
 
 I miles. 
 
 It was my intention to scale both of these lakes, going up one of them 
 jiid crossing from its hod to the head of the other, and thence down to 
 the forks, but as the season was late I w^as apprehensive that the ice might 
 form at the outlet and cause great inconvenience. I therefore scaled up to the 
 outlet of Ishimanicouagan on the east branch and returned to the forks 
 and thence scaled up to the head of Mooshaulagan, intending to cross from 
 the head of the latter lake to the head of the former, but found on my arrival 
 there that all the small lakes and rivers were frozen over. I therefore 
 returned down lake Mooshaulagan and portaged from beluw the outlet 
 across to Manicouagan, proceeded to the head of the lake and there aban- 
 Idoned the canoes ; we there and then made sleighs and snow shoes, hoping 
 to begin the ascent of the inlet on the ice in the course of a few days, but 
 were disappointed ; a heavy freshet w^as then subsiding which prevented 
 the ice from holding, and the ice driving down the river prevented the 
 ascent of canoes ; this river, at the best, is seldom ascended in canoes, on 
 account of the numerous rapids. 
 
 From the lower forks upwards, along the river, there are about seventy 
 thousand acres of good land suitable for raising grain or root crops, and 
 frost does not set in early. About the two great lak 's mentioned the soil is 
 sandy and the growth is fir, spruce, bouleau, aspen, cypress and tamarac, 
 but, beyond the lakes, spruce of an inferior quality predominaleis, and where 
 we turned back in latitude 52^ 12', the only growth is small black spruce 
 and tamarac. 
 
 Finding our cache in good order at the lower end of the lake, we 
 cutout a portage towards the Tootnustook over a hilly country and through 
 
598 
 
 a mixed growth of fir, spruce, bouleau and aspen, and struck the ho« 
 waters of that river in a small lake, at the distance of eleven miles from laL 
 Ishimauicouagan. We followed this river down for about seventy ml 
 passmg through a number of lakes varying in extent from one to nine mi L 
 U.e country through which it flows is mountainous and sometimes r;ckv 
 the soil on the low lands near the river is good, and the same o.,ovvth n 
 timber prevails, viz : fir, spruce, bouleau and aspen. W, then left°therim 
 ascending a small stream coming in from the east, and at the distauc ! 
 about nmo miles struck the headwaters of the Pentecost in a -rowth o 
 spruce and tamarac ; the stream fiows hence tranquilly for about nin 
 miles passing through several small lakes, and then begins rapidly t 
 descend, falling, in the distance of fifteen miles, as many hundred feet bein! 
 occasionally broken by falls and rapids. ' ^ 
 
 The country along the Pentecost is rough and mountainous ; good land 
 IB found along the river, and the growth of timber is better than alon. the 
 Manicouagan; considerable spruce (some of it of a very fine qualitv)"and 
 tamarac are found along its entire length, a distance of eighty miles, and on 
 approaching the coast, a little pine may be found. 
 
 On reaching the mouth of the Pentecost, we proceeded up to the river 
 Trinity which we scaled from the mouth up to the source, then cro Id 
 over to the river Godbout, which we also scaled from lake P s tone 
 
 to both of these rivers, viz : mountainous country, good lanS near the ri'er^ 
 the same unvarying growth of fir, spruce, bouleau and aspen, witn - 
 sioually cypress and tamarac. and some pine on nearin- the coast thprp 
 being however a little more pine on the Trinity than on%he other nt^ 
 
 wrei'e;^^^ "^^^ ^'^ '''-' "^'^ '' '-'^' --^ -^-' -^^^^ i^ - 
 
 Along these four river, may be found altogether about (150 000) one 
 huiidred and fiity thousand acres of good land, from which hay ud ro 
 and gram crops may be raised. ' 
 
 In travelling up the coast, I was much surprised to fmd 'hat sc few 
 people were settled, considering the great advantages there offered thm 
 a^^d canonly account forit by supposing the place to be unknown Ath„„Th 
 
 tr^lZTVt' ""f -^"y^hausted, it may by readily euncW 
 flom the sea, and the produce of the fisheries before their doors would 
 
599 
 
 id struck the heai 
 ^'on miles from laki 
 bout seventy mila 
 a one to nine miles 
 I sometimes rocky;] 
 le same growth o. 
 1 then left the rirer 
 i at the distance o 
 ;ost in a growth ol 
 ly for about nine 
 begins rapidly to 
 lundred feet, bein" 
 
 tainous ; good land 
 
 :ter than along the 
 
 fine quality) and 
 
 ?hty miles, and, on 
 
 ed up to the river 
 irce, then crossed 
 :e Pesetone, at the 
 V given will apply 
 nd near the river, 
 aspen, witn occa- 
 ? the coast, there 
 1 the other rivers, 
 dar, which is not 
 
 out (150,000) one 
 ich hay and root 
 
 find "-.hat so few I 
 
 ere offered them, 
 
 nown. Although j 
 
 readily enriched 
 
 eir doors would! 
 
 ^hvays be an easy and unfailing cource of profit to them. I have no doubt 
 jiat, if a colonization road were optMied up there, in a short time a number 
 |ol ilourishing parishes would be erected. 
 
 {Juhn Bignell, 12th September, 1873.) 
 
 RIVER MOISIO. 
 
 I scaled the river Moisic on the east side, starting from the point A 
 on the plan to the brook near Spring-Portage, where I planted a duly 
 inscribed post, and I levelled the river from the same starting point to 
 point B, where I found the surface of the water five feet higher than its 
 ordinary stage. The water w^as so hiyh that I was unable of myself to 
 ascertain where the influence of the tide ceased to be felt. 1 had to refer 
 for information on the subject to the Indians accompanying me. According 
 to their story, the tide drives back the current of the river when it is low 
 snd makes itself felt as far as point C. 
 
 The width of the river is from 10 to 20 chains. The banks are sandy 
 "and generally high. The timber consists of fir, white spruce, white birch 
 and aspen. Along the first 12 miles, the wood has been all cut off, leaving 
 nothing but firs and small white birch. The bush is so thick that not- 
 withstanding the work of the wood-cutter, labor was performed very slowly; 
 moreover, the rains were very frequent. 
 
 (E. Casgrain, 10th August, 1882.) 
 
 RIVERS STE. MARGUERITE, A LA TRUITE AND MANITOU. 
 
 iiiVER STE. MARGUERITE. —The river Ste. Marguerite is navigable for 
 schooners and barges up to the first rapid. A tributary falling in near the 
 mouth of this river affords a good water-power, which will facilitate the 
 manulacture of lumber. The banks of the river Ste. Marguerite and its 
 tributaries are well covered with merchantable timber, such as white spruce 
 of good quality and in large quantities, of thirty to forty inches diameter at 
 the stump. This heavy growth of timber continues from the mouth of the 
 river up to the Grand Portage., a distance of fifty-two miles, except a 
 
600 
 
 l':i 
 
 spnco Of nine mik.s by one and ahnlf in d.inh. ii!^^^^^!^!^^ 
 
 and tho rivor Oohogan. which has boon ravagod by fire "'''1 
 
 The soil throughout nearly the whole of those liftv-two mil . I 
 
 of olay covered by a thick layer of s.in.l Ti '''*'/\*^y ^.^« "^''^-'s *^^onsistJ 
 
 From the river au Gouffeon to th*^ rivo,- ^ Po.^, u ,• I 
 
 of tJemy.fo^tn™ fhri'; ;° '-'' ,"™ Kamaiat.hinokikatest, a di.,a„« J 
 mountains ,n the distance were swept by fire about fifteen yeare ago. 
 
 thirtjreJt^i,:nLtt''^''r; .^'^^'^ ^^ *^^ ^■°^^-' ^ ^^«^— f 
 
 Some iso LtP^ n ; K ^'' ^'"i^ "^ '^" ^^^*^^^^^=^« ^^^^ destroyed by fire 
 
 hiTth s ip ' !. "' '"' '^ ^""^"^ ^'^''' ^^' ^«^^ hard and soft variLer. 
 "1 otheis the growth appears to be that of fii'teen or twenty years ' 
 
 agricthut' '"^'' ""' '"^^ ^""^^^ '' ^^"^' ^^« ^^^"^-te is favorable to 
 
601 
 
 grey trout, pike, 
 
 iloug the whole 
 
 is favorable to 
 
 uivEii A LA TiiuiTK. — Tho tim1)er on this river, from the mouth up to 
 iiakf 11 lii Truite, was in groat part destroyod by firu some lour or live years 
 
 la','0. 
 
 The land along the principal stream is well covered with merehautablo 
 |timt)»'r, such as white spruce, and is suitable tor cultivation on both sides 
 [loral>()nt a mile. Elsewhere the timber is of middling and small size. 
 
 Iron ore is to be found on the north-west and south-east sides of the 
 |l;iki' a la Truite, as indicated on tho map. 
 
 Salmon do not pass above the falls at the mouth of this river. 
 
 KIVER MANITOU.— The Mauitou is a river on which timber may be 
 manufactured to great advantage. With the exc(^ption of about two-thirds 
 of the land north-east of lake Manitou, which has been ravaged by fire, 
 there is a tract of fifty miles in length by four or five, more or less, in 
 breadth, well timbered with white spruce, from thirty to forty inches in 
 diameter at the stump, around the lakes and tributaries and along the 
 Manitou itself 
 
 This river flows through lands of a sandy nature, fit for cultivation, 
 extending from fifteen to twenty arpents on each side, especially between 
 the lakes Asec and Manitou. The land surrounding these lakes is moun- 
 tainous and rocky, and unfit for cultivation. 
 
 The salmon-pools are indicated on the map. Trout of the finest quality, 
 twenty-five to thirty inches in length, abound in lake Manitou and in the 
 river between the two lakes. 
 
 The river is navigable at high tide for schooners and bateaux up to 
 the first rapid, where there is a good mill-site, which should be of great 
 advantage in lumbering operations. 
 
 CONCLUSION. — As the manufacture of ir jn seems likely to be in future 
 of great importance to Canada, I beg to direct the attention of the Grovern- 
 ment to the foregoing remarks. On the riviTS whi 'h I have surveyed, 
 especially the river iSte. Marguerite, there are fine deposits of pure iron ore, 
 and, as there is an abundant supply of wood in the neigborhood, the work- 
 ing of these deposits and the manufacture of iron ought to be a profitable 
 undertaking, seeing that iron made with wood charcoal is of a much better 
 quality and commands a higher price than that made with coal. The com- 
 paratively small quantity of fuel required in the new methods of manufac- 
 ture and the fact that for the production of gas to be employed as fuel, turf 
 
 '3& ."AMi^ 
 
 II? ' 
 
 
 
602 
 
 and other cheap rnatoriuls 'can be used with equal adv-aata-n, 17^!^^ 
 considorauons vvh.eh should not fail to rooeive'the attention i/ho^ 
 rested n developing th. resources of the country. Thank.s to hTal 
 tagesot the new methods of n.aaufU.ture. these deposit, of Tro^o 7 
 become sources of national wealth, while, by the use o the ord in ry m h"7 
 It would be hardly possible, at the present price of iron and 7h' 
 manual labor, to compete with the pr^ucts of'i^r^r ^^sT^r^d i:^ 
 
 (GMeoit Gajftton, 18J7.) 
 
 RIVERS ST. JOHN, MINCIAN, NATASHaUAN AND ESQUIMAUX. 
 
 I have completed the survey of certain parts of the rivers Si T„l„, 
 Mlngau, Nataslrqua,, and Esquimau., and suLit the following report ^ 
 
 i..to ^it'sur/of S^'" "°"" 'V°"'' ""' Laurentides monntaiJs and falis 
 mto he (^nlf of &t. Lawrence ahout seventy miles below the river Moisic 
 It IS navigable by canoes for a distan.* of thirty miles at the end „f ? u 
 navigation is interrupted by a high fall. The sWs for b „t tJee mi'lt 
 f om Its mouth, are clayey cliffs, covered by a layer of sand mitd with 
 black earth, suitable for the growth of potatoes and oats. Mr S rois Zi. 
 few other settlers have gathered a fair crop this year The thkl-neTn' t 
 layer of earth varies from ten to fifty feet.' Frol th 3 u^ to h «; enth 
 mile the banks are of the same character, bnt the earth overlying the " 1 
 IS not quite so good. The woods which I remarked were whL spr Ice 
 balsam wh.te birch, alder and willow. The diameter of the t es va !; 
 from three to eight inches. In all the rest of the distance ovwhch 
 e:.p lored the river, the banks are composed of granite hills from ol h™ 
 dred to nine hundred feet in height. 
 
 The climate is quite salubrious, but the summer is short. Thissnmraer 
 
 oOth ai d 81st of July, which were a little colder, the season was. so tospeak 
 hotter than ,n our latitude. There was not so much f„<. as „ ral durin" 
 the moi^hs of August and September The summer was ge e"ally v 
 
 tk rait" d'' ""tr? '''' ""* "■""'^""^ f" ^ strong%ast:l;„™I 
 
 the St John hT^ ?•"""■ '"""•"' *^'""" '""'*^- ^hioh were out ou 
 
 the M. John banks, were dnven on shore and wrecked, but without loss of 
 
608 
 
 jlite. Oth»^rs woro carritnl, with moro or lo.ss damage, as far as Ma^fpie 
 
 hurbor. The take of codfish this year has been very lair. Mr, Sirois has 
 
 (got about a thousand quintals for his share, and the"Rol)iiis four thousand. 
 
 With regard to agriculture, I remarked that the fishermen might, 
 |^vithout losing any of the lishing season, cultivate vegetables such as i^ta'- 
 toes,, calibage, &c., which succeed well. It would be an excellent thing for 
 Ithest' people, who during the winter have scarcely any provisions but'llsh, 
 lor A\ liich they pay three dollars a barrel. Unfortunately, as I was told by 
 01)1' of the fishermen, who was well informed upon the subject, they are 
 devoted to fishing and think they would incur great loss by spending an 
 hour in the cultivation of the soil. The authorities would render these 
 people an immense service by providing them next spring with potatoes 
 and vegetables for planting, and obliging them to attend to their cultivation. 
 
 Although I was not specially instructed to procure information res- 
 pecting the fishing to be done in these rivers, I shall take the liberty of 
 recording the observations I made during the exploration. 
 
 The information which I received from different parties respecting the 
 value of this river in regard to salmon fishing was not always to the same 
 eliect. But I have reason to believe, from what I saw, and from the opinion 
 oi a man who accompanied me, who understands such matters, that this 
 river is much frequented by salmon. The pools are marked on the map 
 submitted by me to the department. There is no obstacle to prevent salmon 
 from entering this river. I was not, however, able to establish their pre- 
 sence myself, as the season was too far advanced ; they had all gone above 
 the falls. Some anglers, whc have leased the right of lod-fishing t.t the 
 lulls, have taken a;, many as Uventy-seven salmon in two days. This is 
 sufficient to indicate that the fish must have been plentiful. 
 
 Although it is usual elsewhere to lease a river by pools, I do not recom- 
 mend this method, because the expenses involved in this fishery are too 
 great. It would be better to lease the whole river to one person or ro a 
 company. I did not hear any one say that this river is poached, as is the 
 case in many other places. Chambers, the guardian at the falls, maintains 
 a good watch. 
 
 The river Mingan, like the river St. .Tohn, traverses the Laurentides 
 from N. E. to S. W., and falls into the St. Lawrence. It is navigable for 
 light canoes up to the foot of the Grand Rapid, a distance of about nine 
 miles. It is impossible to go further, the navigation being interrupted by 
 impassable rapids. The shores, from the mouth of the river to the foot of 
 
 » 
 
 i 
 
»}.*,,i»*l 
 
 604 
 
 1 
 
 tho fii8t rapid, uhoul live ,nilo«. mo lorm.'d, .in on (I... St. John of sf.. 
 banks of day, rovorod by a layer of sand mixed ^vilh bla.k (Mirth Tl'' 
 thirknees of this luyor in from ton to (vvt-ntylivo f.'.-t. I remurkod th,t th 
 charactor of th.- , lay is tho same an that on tho St. John. It al«.) nimj I 
 in tho same form at Nata^liquan. 
 
 Tho timber, growing near this part of tho river, is eo-n posed ot hulsm 
 Hprure ami uhile l,irrh, IVom three to seven inches in diameter. Fm.n thn 
 hr.i lull up to the tenth mile, where my survey ended, the b.nks are formed 
 of oran.to roeks. Hen. a.ul there are seen tho bin. kened trunks of tn-es 
 burnt m a hre which occurred some years ago. The height of th.. moun' 
 taius IS from one hundr.-d to live hundred ^eet above tho level of the «eu" 
 Ihe climate and temperature are the same as at the St. John. 
 
 During my stay in this locality, a line whale, niuety-eight feet in len-th 
 was ..anght, making the third taken this year. It yiehled eighty barrel^ of 
 oil. J he others were both smaller than this one. 
 
 The salmon fishery was good this year, although the license-holders 
 do not occupy the best stations 
 
 Agriculture is not neglected here asit is at the St. John. The fishermen 
 give It all the alL-ntion possible. Potatoes, cabbage and other vegetables 
 succeed very well. The Hudson Bay Company's officer had a fine crop H 
 owns several head of cattle and a very hue horse. I mention this be..ui8e it 
 IS unusual on this coast. There are very lew people living at Mino-a,i not 
 more than three or lour besides the Hudson Bay Company's offi<;er.' ' 
 
 Judging from what I could see, salmon are very abundant in this river 
 1 cannot say how many were taken this year, for the fishermen seem inter- 
 ested m not letting the truth be known. From the mouth of the river to 
 the first fall, the pools, marked on the plan, are not first class, but those 
 higher up are superexcellent. The reason is obvious. The salmon, havin- 
 overcome the first fall, seek a resting place. The height of the small..r fiiU 
 
 ;';"^^,T T' *V'^' ^■^'^*' ^^"'»'' ^hat of the first tall is over ioUy ,->x 
 (46.18) ieet Irom the number of falls mentioned, it might be '.v.-'..r., 
 that little would be gain..d in going as far as the Grand Rapid. ' fhe 
 portages, however, are so easy and so short as to form no serious obstacle. 
 lliis IS one of the finest salmon rivers in the country. At the spawniuo- 
 season, the fish run up the Grand Rapid, and, according to reports, push 
 their way as tar as twenty \- ,:rues into the interior. The fishery laws are 
 strictly observed, as on Jv *=?t. Jo-ixi. 
 
le license- holders 
 
 005 
 
 Tht^ part of tho Nivtiishquan, whinh I nxplorod, runs almost parallel to 
 \\w Oullof St. Liuvronco, falling into it north of Point Natushquau. This 
 nortion is navijrahlt' for boats of lijyht draught up to the foot of the lirst fall, 
 ah(tut twolvo miles from the mouth. A lin > house han been built for the 
 ;i,',oinmo(bition of the antrlers who liavc; permission to fish at the falls. 
 
 As I have stated above with respert to tlie land through whieh the 
 ii\. r Miuffan Hows, it is of the same <?eoloi,'ieal ooinpusitiou ; tl»e bed of 
 ,lav is visible ouly on the islands, but exists in small thiekuoss on tho 
 hiuiks. Th(* land on tlio banks is composed of sand mixtnl with a mould of 
 ,l,>ad loaves ftiid the moss which grows here in ji^reat abnudanee. It is ot 
 little value for eultivatiou. The timber on the banks is of s^ood iyrovvth.but 
 ;!i,it on Ow isiatuls seldom attains a diameter of five or six inches. The 
 pivvniling varieties are .spruce, white bindi, l)alsaui and a ftnv poplars ; 
 iliiM,' .ire also alders and a few ci'dars. 
 
 The . limate is not ,so liealthy as at St. John and Minyau. Uurint,' tho 
 
 luvc weeks ol my stay, there was a t^retit deal of lo<>' and it rained most of 
 
 I he time, The wind blows very slrouyly from the N. W. at lIu' mouth of 
 
 this river. There has b.-eii only one storm this summer that did any damage 
 
 111 the harbour ; five fishing boats were l)lown on shore and two ol them 
 
 vreeked. 
 
 I beu- leave to mention a fact which I observed, namely, the complete 
 K'!<truclion of the herring in these laliludcs. To what is this due ? Assuredly 
 not to the \infortnnate lishtM-men <»f the locrality, whose only re.sourcj consists 
 in the fishery. The Abbe Cote, missionary at tht» place, informed me as to 
 how tlnvir bn^ad is, so to speak, stolen from b^-fore their eyes. The next 
 day. I saw some fishinn' boats crui,sing a'oul the haibnr in all directions. 
 Whenever any oltlicm met with a school of li -ni I'^s. a. seine was thrown 
 .lui and the whole si-hool captured. In this way, sixty barrels of herring 
 were taken at a single cast ol the seine. Of those only t wtMity barrels were 
 111 lor curing, the remainder, that is, two-thirds of the whoh.^ catch, were 
 throw'.' away. If, instead of seines, nets had been used, th' small fish 
 would have escaped, to become a resoun-e for subsequent years. The Abbe 
 Cote, who displays all the ardor of a true missionary, has several grievances 
 to lay before the authorities ; for instance, is it advisable to issue licenses 
 lor the .sale of liquor in a place where the inhibitants can barely procure 
 the necessaries of lile ? Last year, the use of liquor caused the loss of two 
 lives. If the fishing industry is to be promoted, I think more energetic 
 measures should be adopted. 
 
606 
 
 Tho cnKivation of tho land is vorv difficulf nnf f^ 
 ihispart or this .... i saw. howoverfjlf ^Inl s^po/XT^'r^ 
 had sncceedod very woil, but th.v r.quirod murh o.r. sl ''''"'^ 
 
 patience and love of cultivation .t.: than :T;!:;::ii^:f2:::^-" 
 
 Besides tho fishing which is done in summer se-il hnnf • I 
 
 prosecuted. This beg-ins about the end of Marrorist oi A ^ "^'^ ^'^1 
 
 lentil the end of May. It was very .rdnnn! hV ''"^' ""^^ M 
 
 TV, 1 , • 'J^ -irauous, but not succ(>«>irnl iu: I 
 
 .lonoas, wlio has hnd this rivpr fnr f„,„ „ i I'lplaiii 
 
 successful This yea. howey^l^h^^.^lr^l^L^r^!?,^-^ -T 
 
 mmbev ot barrels taken each yeav is about one h" ud" "nd t^ve„TT=" 
 Ihis nver is generally well stocked with salmon I hink h. '7^"^>-^"-«- 
 has already leased to some ano-Iers the nook Mh r . . . ^^'^P^^'-tment 
 numbers ofseals frequent this^'iyer ' '"' '^ *^^ ^■^"^- ^a^'ge 
 
 The river aux Esquimaux, otherwise known as river St Pnnl f ii • 
 the harbor of Bonne Esneriii.P if k .r .f'^^^ ^^- -^ '^ul. fulls nito 
 
 divides into two b,- „cho , e ,al ,.n r' J'' ""''' '^ "'^ '""""■. i. 
 
 of considerable tounnl brad stn: e "r r"' , " ,'? """'"''''^ ''"■• ^'--l' 
 at which r..y exploratlo. . .1; r , " ""'"'■ ' ""> "^«« '<> 'he point 
 
 Chevalier inform rmeihrlth °1TZ "?°"' "'" ^"^"^ ""-• ^Ir. 
 distance is tro. ei.h^y .1',: .""J .1 ^"Ais r! I^ i^'f '^ '" '"k '"■'■ '^" 
 
 =r;;,ac.t tr "^:i--r" " ^ ^ ""^" '~ 
 
 e.cept a L ..atcLri^ n^liwlT^jt^th LSII—" " -* 
 
 o * 
 
 The only varieties of Avood o-rovvi.,o- fV,,,.. u i 
 
 white birch. The nature of the Inn ^ . ! '''' ^"^'''•''' '^'''''^ '''^^ 
 larger diameter th-n th f -^T'"'" ^^^^^^ ^^ees from attaining, a 
 
 th;quality;f;h:^mb:^:::H^:;r- though, farther up the r.^r 
 
 coi.tt:;;:ri:d;::;:t^^^^ — '^^^---n, 
 
 I remained in this localitv th.^ V ?C^ "= '' ^'''^'^ ^''^'^ ^^" ^^^ time 
 
 wthib. The heJr:i2o:i:r^^,;:^.,^i, :■;--- o-™. 
 -fh-=::'tut:::;;-;r-^ 
 
 and f sh ucr wpn> hnf>, «,-,.. r i i f *P""o'^- inis jear, the nuutui"' 
 
 «nod. Thisr„;e":^h:r:^:h!:;^ s^zrt t:r"^ -' "-'' 
 
607 
 
 The information which I obtained respecting the salmon fisherv, which 
 I is or may be carried on in this river, is of the most favorable nature. The river 
 is more frequented by salmon than any other on the coast. Mr. Chevalier, 
 the lessee, does not work it to as great advantage as he might. This brave 
 fisherman is too poor, not to accuse him of negligence, to derive all possible 
 benefit from his occupation. He never puts up more than sixty to eighty 
 barrels a year, while five hundred barrels might certainly be taken without 
 doing the river any harm whatever. Each pool indicated is a good fishing 
 station. Mr. Chevalier does not fish the station near his residence, so the 
 department might well lease the remaining stations to other po,rties, without 
 interfering with Mr. Chevalier. This river i& much frequented by seals. 
 
 (C.-E. Forgues, November, 1885.) 
 
 RIVERS MUSQUARRO AND KEGASHKA. 
 
 The river Musquarro flows through the Laurentian mountains and 
 falls into the G-uli of St. Lawrence about forty miles below the river Natash- 
 quau. This river is navigable by wooden canoes up to the point at which 
 our survey ended, as shown on the plan transmitted by us to the depart- 
 ment. There is no land fit for cultivation on the banks of this river. The 
 only woods are black spruce and balsam, which rarely exceed seven or 
 eight inches in diameter. Having attained that size, it ai)pears to dry xip 
 for lack of nourishment, and does not j.-rovv at all except in ravines on the 
 banks of lakes or rivers. 
 
 The only fish frequenting this river and the lakes connected with it are 
 trout and salmon. The latter have not been plentiful this year, but trout, 
 on the other hand, have been very abundant. There is found in the lakes a 
 fish which I could not identify ; it is about the same size as the trout, and 
 equally good for food. 
 
 The climate is very salubrious, but somewhat cold. 
 
 The Hudson Bay Company has an important post on this river about 
 three miles from the mouth. The Indians who visit it number several 
 hundred families. 
 
 The position of the salmon pools is shown on thft pl.an. 
 
G08 
 
 We boo-au ouv operations al, the hoaJ of tidal water, where tho.o i 
 captain 13ayn.>](l onded. "^^"^ ol 
 
 At tho^rivor Kegashka the soil and climate are in all respects ih. . 
 as at the Mnscjuarro ; the distance between the two nvers bet. on ! ir'. 
 
 o i ^]'I' ^'''''''J'' ^''' ^'^ tf^'« ^-i--'- "ndcr le .so for several years His, 
 catch ol this year amounted to only twenty-live barrels of salmon and Ir 
 -It IS more largely frequented by salmon I liau the Musquarro. 
 
 The mountains along these rivers are very mu.h alike. Thev varv ,nl 
 height up to five hundred feet. '^ ^ "' 
 
 C-E. Fofii'/zes, ) . 
 N.-P. DuTremblay, \ ^^^^' 
 
 RIVEli WASIIECOOTAI. 
 
 The river Washecootai flows through Ihe Laurentides and empties 
 niothebt Lawrence about 50 miles below the river Natashcjaan I 
 navigable by canoes to the ibot of the great rapid, a di.tauce d' 15 m 1 
 r m Its moutn There is a iall, 47 feet high, at about 7 miles from the S 
 Wrence. Ih.s river ^ remarkable lor its large lakes. I had so.ndint 
 made at sev..ra points, but never reached the bottom, my soundin-. line 
 being only 1. falhoms. The banks are formed by mountains of ^^ 
 some imes covered with soil composed of vegetable mould on a led of 
 granite. I only met 25 or 30 chains, formed of ordinary sand. Th > timber 
 growing on them consists of spru..e, fir and white birch and rarely attains 
 a d ameter of more than 7 or 8 inches, generally drying up when it reaches 
 4 01 o inches. Ihe mountains run up to 500 feet in heio^ht. 
 
 The climate is generally salubrious. In summer, the nights are cool 
 and the days hot. Tne season this year wa. pretty rainy. There is no 
 cultivated land m the entire region which I traversed. 
 
 From the Jisheries' point of view, I may state that salmon did not rnu 
 much up this river this year; but I am inclined to think that they got 
 above the rapids and falls before the nets were set. Trout swarm iu the 
 lakes, attaining as much as 24 inches in length. There is also another iish. 
 
er, where thos 
 
 uig-hts are cool 
 \y. There is no 
 
 609 
 
 Lf which I could not identifiy the species. It is about the same size as the 
 Itrotit, with this difference that the flesh is whiter. I also caught a smelt 
 frhile fishing with the line. I cannot explain how this fish got up over 
 Ihe falls into these large lakes. 
 
 (C.-E. Forgues, May, 1886.) 
 
 39 
 
i 
 
 NORTHERN HEIGHT OF LAND DISTRICT. 
 
 THE MISTASSINI EXPEDITION 1884-85. 
 
 In the month of May, 1884, I received instructions to make a surveJl 
 ol Lake Mistassnu, connecting it with some survey on this side of the h^i^hf 
 of and and within this province. The route selected was the river Botsia 
 mi s, w'hich had been surveyed as far as the falls, a distance of thirtv^sir 
 miles by Admiral Bayfield, and thence a farther distance of ninety mW 
 (four miles up the inlet of lake Peet-ma gan) by Mr. Casgrain. This route 
 was chosen mainly in order to make a connection between Mr. Caso-rain's 
 survey of the Betsiamits and a previous survey of my own of the^rive 
 aux Outardes which terminated at lake Manouanis, the head waters of rhe 
 Betsiamits. Although it is double the distance of that by Lake St John 
 either by the river Chamouchouan and its tributary, river du Chef or bv 
 the river Mistase-ini, still it was preferred as both of those routes had alreadv 
 oeen traversed to Lake Mistassini, but the region between the Betsiamits 
 and Lake Mistassini was quite unknown. 
 
 On the ]5th of that month, I began making necessary pr.paratious 
 procuring outfit, having canoes built, &c, and keeping up a communicatiou 
 with Bersimis m order to learn when the spring freshets had subsided 
 suffiuently to admit ofour going up the river with heavily laden canoes 
 also to learn of the arrival, from their winter's hunt, of those Indians whom' 
 1 intended to engage to ..ocompany me on the expedition. In the month of 
 June I sent my winter's supply of provisions in charge of Mr. F.^H. Jimxe]l 
 vm Lake bt. John and the river Chamouchouan to the H. B. Go's post at 
 Mista.ssini. No favorable news was received from Bersimis until the middle 
 
 nearwllT^ri r'"f5'^'^''*^'"^''' ""''' ^^^^^i^^tly low and that 
 nearly all the Indians had arrived and the remainder of them would soou 
 be m^ I accordingly shipped all our eff-ects by schooner, which sailed 
 from Quebec on the 18th July and was to call for us at Rimouski, where 
 they expected to arrive on the morning of the 20th. On the following day 
 (19th July), I accompanied by Mr. A. P. Low, (the geologist of the party, 
 my assistant, and two others went down by Intercolonial R. R. to Rimonski, 
 where we arrived at 10 P. M. and expected the schooner on the follovvino- 
 morning. We were, however, disappointed, as a strong east wind and bad 
 
611 
 
 mther set in, and Ihe vessel was delayed and did not arrive until the "sth 
 fe then embarked and crossed to Bersirais, arrived there on the following 
 day (Saturday) and camped. ^ 
 
 I immediately took occasion to visit such of the Indians as had arrived 
 and make arrangements with them to accompany me, (the others M'ere 
 expected m a few days.) I directed them to prepare for an early start but 
 knew that it would be next to impossible to induce these men to leave their 
 friends in a hurry for an eighteen months' trip, after being absent all 
 hvintor. Moreover, their annual religious festival was at hand, and that was 
 (othem the greatest possible inducement to be in Bersimis. They, however 
 began making snow-shoes, moccasins and winter outfit, and I procured 
 other canoes, besides those already built for me, and finally, on the 19th 
 August we embarked in four heavily laden canoes, Mr. Low having preceded 
 me by a few days in a canoe with two men, promising to wait for me at 
 the falls (the first portage). I also sent up two extra canoes with provisions 
 'as far as lake Peet-ma-gan. 
 
 On my arrival at the falls, where the portages began, I found that Mr 
 Low had gone on with the two men ; as he took nothing with him but 
 his own personal baggage, he travelled rapidly, and we were left to portao-e 
 all the provisions for both parties, which caused a delay ; we finally fell in 
 )vith him a little below lake Peet-ma-gan. The ascent of the river to lake 
 Peet-ma-gan was tedious and difficult, the current was strong and the 
 portages numerous, varying in length from a few hundred yards to ten 
 miles. We arrived at the lake on the 10th of September. 
 
 As I now had to ascend the upper Bersimis (or Eetsiamits) northwardly 
 m order to connect the two above mentioned surveys, I sent the bulk of the 
 provisions in charge of Mr. Low by a shorter route north-west to lake 
 Mauouan, where I instructed him to wait for me at the portage leadino- 
 from that lake to the river Peribonka, We were wind-bound by the equf- 
 noctial galos at lake Peet-ma gan from the 10th to the 15th September, and 
 at 3 P. M., on that day (the wind having abated,) we parted, four of the 
 cano .s going north-west (having hired another man with his canoe on our 
 way up; and I, with two caaoes and four men, going up the river, taking 
 with us only what we required until we joined the other at Manouan. 
 
 From Peet-magan to Manouanis, the river bears the name " Isa-shats " 
 i-e., the main inlet (of Peet-magan ). It varies in width from two chains 
 twelve, with a strong current and numerous rapids which involve por- 
 ^agiiig. The volume of water is very considerable, the depth of the river 
 
612 
 
 vai'ies with the width between the banks and the velocity of the current 
 s^ndy shoals are often met with. The banks are generally low and on the 
 west side leveh although a small hill is occasionally seen. On tho east 
 bank at a distance of from one to two miles from the river, the country is 
 more hilly. The soil in most places is a coarse dry sand, xiufit for cujiiva. 
 tion, although in some places there is a subsoil of clay, but at a depth of 
 many feet. The growth of timber is spruce, fir, bouleau, aspen, tamarac and 
 cypress, different kinds predominating in different localities. There are also 
 many bn'iles, some of then extensive. 
 
 On the 4th of October Ave arrived at lake Manouanis and connected 
 the two surveys ; the distance from Peet-ma-gan is 126 miles. We now 
 continued our scaling southwestwardly towards Manouan, where we arrived 
 on the 11th, having passed on our way over lakes Ka-pi-to ga-mat, Opi-toon- 
 is and Opitoon. The first named flows into Opi-toon-is which is, as is also 
 Opi-toon, on the Manouan river below lake Manouan. 
 
 From Manouanis to this place, the country is level, the prevailino- 
 growth of timber is spruce, cypress and tamarac, and the soil is sandy, gravelly 
 and poor ; we were for two days and a half windbound on the lak'etbuton 
 the 16th arrived at the portage leading to the Peribonka waters where we 
 expected to find the others of our party, but Mr. Low had gone on in a 
 wrong direction, leaving a letter in which he stated his intention ol' push- 
 ing on as far as possible before winter should set in, forgetting that, when 
 the ice stopped him, it would stop us also and we would be f\ir behind 
 with no provisions except a small bag ot flour which he left for us on the 
 portage, and no snowshoes ; the consequences of this grave mistake (to 
 term it mildly) were felt throughout the winter, as it necessitated a return 
 for baggage abandoned along the route from want of provisions, and later 
 on, a return to resume the work where I had been compelled to drop it 
 (for the same reason) and a return for the canoes. All this loss of time and 
 extra walking (over six hundred miles) would have been avoided if my 
 instrnctions had been obeyed. 
 
 AVe continued on, crossing the portage to a small lake whose outlet we 
 followed down, making occasional portages to a larger stream corning from 
 the north, which we followed down to the Peribonka river at the outlet of 
 lake O-nish-ta-gan where we arrived on the 23rd. The country from 
 Manouan to here is level, nearly all burnt, and the soil is stony and poor. 
 
 As the weather was cold and there was every appearance of the rivers 
 being soon closed by ice, and as we were on the eve of running out of pro- 
 
618 
 
 visions, I dropped the work there for the time, and at noon on the 23rd 
 iiossed lake 0-nish-ta-gan, and proceeded up the Peribonka in pursuit of 
 the other party The night was cold and on the following morning we 
 oncountered a good deal of ice in the river, and, a few milos farther up, 
 found the ice stationary and the river closed. We then left the canoes and 
 a part of the baggage, to be sent for on the following day, and, seeing au 
 Indian lodge about a mile higher up, we proceeded there and camped 
 close by. 
 
 We were told by this Indian (aNascapee named Benjamin or Ne-po-shu) 
 that the other party was encamped at a small lake about forty miles ahead 
 and were making sleighs, ike, for winter travel ; they had been stopped 
 by the i:e which always makes earlier on small lakes than on large or than 
 on rivers. The next day (25th) we brought up the canoes and baggage, 
 along the battures, and, on the following one, I sent a man off' through the 
 woods (as the ice was not strong enough) to bring four men from the other 
 party to assist us in transporting our canoes and effects to their camping 
 place ; in the meantime we were occupied in making sleighs. It was for- 
 tunate that we fell in with this Indian as he supplied us with some beavn* 
 meat and was able to loan us some flour and lard until we joined the other 
 party. On the 29th the men returned at night and reported that *he ice on 
 the lakes which they crossed was weak, and that some of them had fallen 
 through. We remainet'. at this camp making sleighs until the 3rd Novem- 
 ber : on the morning of that day, we movi d off, and in three days joined 
 the other party. Before leaving I made arrangements with Benjamin to 
 guide us to the post at Mistassini, as he knew all the passes, lakes and por- 
 tages, but he said that he could not join us before two weeks as he would 
 have to make provision for his family during his absence, besides making 
 snow-shoes and moccassins. We remained at this camp until the 27th 
 of November waiting for the guide, having in the meantime, made 
 all the toboggans for the transport of baggage and provisions, and placed 
 the canoes in winter quarters. On that day. our guide having joined us, 
 we proceeded on and on the 9th of December crossed the height of land, 
 and on the following day reached Temiscamie, a large lake with sevi-ral deep 
 bays, the extent of which we could not see. 
 
 We travelled down th'^ outlet of this lake for some distance and then 
 left it, striking off for Little Mistassini, where we arrived on the evening of 
 the 13th, being almost out of provisions. We continued down the lake until 
 the 17th when we left all superfluous baggage in order to travel more 
 rapidly, and on the 19th sent two Indians on to the post for supplies from 
 
 t; 
 
614 
 
 our store which had been sent to Mistassini by way of Lake^Tl^ rp, , 
 men walked day and night, and we .et then' on fheL retlrn ': the 0^ 
 
 On the 23rd of December, when within a few miles of lU nn . 
 were met by Mr. Miller, the gentlemen in charge, atrended L ' m^ be 1 
 h,s employee, they escorted us back and we arrived at o P "m w 
 remained at the post until not day when we enc.mned C/' ^' 
 
 meantime been ho.pit.bly .m-rtanL by Mr^.^ MrMille: "' " ''' 
 
 Wc romaincd in Mmp lora w«k,lhe men ronaifinn.,,^^,.. .1, i 
 
 sins and clothing, and on ,he SO.h Ihoy «"n bik o Lmie MM ' """4 
 Mis,a.i„i. fonhe baggage, and ..„™/d b„o .ii;; i, ^n fhl^irif }" 
 
 iltbongh my instniclions were (0 winter at Mistassini, I preferreJ 
 b,™e,ng on the . ork from the Penbonka as far np as possible bS 
 
 his dnties':'"' "'"'""'""'•' '''' ™"™-' -"hongh I forbade him ,„ abandon 
 
 I now deteimincd to r.stiire the work at the Teribonl-, o„j 
 sidoable amonnt of provisions wo„,d be nqni^edt he tU J::uU 
 have to make double loads for the first hundred mil ,. , " 
 
 on the 6th, I sent the men off with 7h fi," load aTd r?' 7.' .''™"''"'* 
 started With the second, and continntd:: tt;tnt"rra:'tr. 
 .met o Lutle Mistassini on ,he 28rd. Instead of g^ing „ ,1 th Peribll ' 
 to work then.e westward, Idermined to ,vork from die nlet ofMi 
 eastward as I thus would, on my arrival at Perib™. a bt nawtZ 
 ome of the men to go for the eanoes. I began at IhemLuth of thefnl el "d 
 sea ed about eleven miles up the river, going somewhat out of my >™ 
 m Older to vtsit and mark the position of a marble cave which is laid dT, 
 on an old map made by ■• Le Pere Laure, .Tesuite, missionna e lit Jil 
 he fol lowtng ,nsc„pti„n : Anire * „,„*. «. forne ,le ,:lJ'e:ll,L « . 
 tm mtchompi, maisoii d« grand genie. " 
 
 A description of this cave which I had from an Indian had made me 
 cnrtous to see .t ; he said that there was an anteroom and an inner ol 
 
 thrl'n b ".T^T "'"' ''^ ""'"■• "•»' '"'* rooms were oval-shaped an" 
 the walls beautifully smooth and white. 
 
615 
 
 3 him to abandon 
 
 He also said that old men reported that they had always been told 
 that, in old times, a stone in the form of a bell had projected over the en- 
 trance. The cave is a remarkable one, but did not come up to my expecta- 
 tions in any way except in size. The outer room is about eighteen feet 
 wide and sixteen deep ; the door or rather opening is of the full width of the 
 room and about eight feet high. The inner room is about ten feet deep, 
 eight wide and six high. They look as if they had been rounded off by 
 boulders under the action of water ; the walls are not marble but spar. The 
 cave is on the side of a steep hill about sixty feet above the river, and fifteen 
 chains distant from it. Lapse of time (152 years) has no doubt made a 
 change and there are appearances of the face of the cliff, where the door 
 was, having parted at a fissure and fallen outwards down hill. We cached 
 some provisions in the cave to serve us on our return, and here left the 
 river (which is the outlet of lake Temiscaraie, going in an easterly direction.) 
 
 From here we had to cut our way through the woods to the Peribonka, 
 being however frequently relieved by falling on likes, which were numer- 
 ous, and on brules, many of which were extensive. 
 
 On the 11th of March we crossed the height of land, which is here 
 2,115 feet above the sea, and reached the Peribonka, making a connection 
 with our work on the 20th. Several of the party were suffering from 
 snow-blindness. On the following day, I sent four men off up the Peribonka 
 tor the canoes, and with the remainder of the party began retracing our 
 steps along our line towards the post. We recrossed the height of land on 
 the 25th, and arrived at the post on the 8th of April, expecting to find that 
 our couriers had returned from Lake St. John.but they did not arrive until 
 the 26th at 2 A. M. accompanied by two men who said they belonged to 
 Mr. Low's party who was returning to Mistassini, and that they had left 
 him about sixty miles back in want of provisions. As these men were too 
 much exhausted to return quickly, I immediately sent off two fresh men 
 with relief. On the 29th Mr. Low arrived with the remainder of his party 
 and handed to me a " letter of recall " in which I was instructed to close 
 my work and return to Quebec by the shortest route, via Lake St. John, 
 and to transfer to Mr. Low all articles of equipment, the property of the 
 Government, including provisions, stores and canoes, except such as I 
 might require on my journey to Lake St. John. The alleged reasons for 
 my recall were " loss of time and little work done." The distance measured 
 was 316 miles, which involved a travel of over 1500 miles, not of course in 
 one continuous line, but in repeated crossings of the portages with our 
 supplies, and in repeated trips with the canoes, where double loads had to 
 
 1:8*4 
 
 ii 
 
616 
 
 be made. Of these 1500 miles, about 400 were made in ca^^^^^^I^ 
 was gone over on foot, each man carrying over the portages ft- m S 
 400 lbs on his back, and after the setting in of winter every hh,; 1 1 
 drawn on sleighs over lakes and across mountains as tar Z th 17 
 Mistassmi,-.and as to loss of time, I now state emphatically that it wCd J 
 encirely to the wilful obstinacy and disobedience of Mr. Low in n>tf ll! 
 mg my instructions. • ^uw m not tollowl 
 
 wato?aMh ^T v^^"^ *^' men returned with the en .oes, reporting ope J 
 water at the Big Narrows, which are about fifteen miles from tho n. I 
 As Mr Low's party numbered six. and he had brought no p 1,? 
 with h:m I sent out some of the men to hunt in order to eke out oursunrj 
 
 111 f "'k' '"""', '^™ "^^^ ^ i^°^*^-^ ■' *^«y returnedt a ew d' si 
 brmging four beaver and a bear. > a ii-w u,iys,i 
 
 ,h ^'"'-.ru- '/ '**;''"'''■'' '^ 'n ^'"■g'-' of Mr. Wm. Miller, who resideJ 
 
 8ome of them marned. It is a cluster of four or five building, inolX. 
 the company s store ; Mr, Miller is about erecting also a small okpel The 
 post .s supplied from Ruperfs House on James Bay where Mr MH „ I. 
 annually in June with the furs collected during the ^a and rofurllw 4 
 the requisite supplies for the year ensuing. . •>"« loturns «,th 
 
 ,!,„ ^"fP"^"^"'." »;"1 o'he-- vegetables are raised at the post allhon«-li 
 the land has received anything but fair treatment, as the same ground h» 
 
 o^ V i„ ■ f ^ "' Esquimaux dogs are kept, which are emjloved 
 only m winter in drawing in the year's supply „f wood for furand „ 
 visiting the nets, some „t which are set at a distance. They re fede.d 
 Mvely onfish during the winter and in summer they forage Lthelel™. 
 On each side of the height of land and running parallel with it are 
 
 'rem ve V r f" '■ ^""'"•"" '^''" """'^^ "" »«■»-»■'- l»k««. -m« ol 
 Ihe land on the south-east side of the lake, as far as I saw it (somcwhit 
 
 bouleau (or si rT> "" ''°"- ^'"^ growth of timber is principally 
 
 targer on .he north side of the height of land than it is on the south ■ plenty 
 
 pine by the people at the post (who all come from Hudson Bay) and I 
 
617 
 
 suppose that this misnomer will account for the occasional reports which 
 I we hoar of pine being abundant in that region. 
 
 Extensive tracts of good land can also be found between the S. W.eud 
 lofMistassini and Lake St-.Tohn. The country here is not so elevated, and 
 |the height of land on this route is several hundred feet lower than when* 
 first crossed it, that is, about 160 miles farther to the N. E. 
 
 The temperature at Mistassini runs to extremes. The thermometer in 
 I winter is often down to 50 or 60" degrees below zero, (Fah.) but the cold is 
 Lot severely felt, as the air is very dry. Ice frequently forms to thi depth 
 otsix feet, and the snowfall is generally heavy ; last winter its depth was 
 five feet. Ice forms in the bays in October or November and in the big 
 lake not before January, and breaks up in the bays about the end of May 
 i in the lake about the middle of June. The summers are said to be very 
 hot, and thunderstorms are of frequent occurrence. 
 
 It used to be a practice with the Indians during a thunderstorm to 
 [run out of their camps, and with guns, axes and knives defy the storm, but, 
 on one occasion 12 or 15 years ago, when a large party were on their return 
 to the post from Rupert's House with the year's supplies, a storm came on 
 at night, the lightning fell in amongst them, killed seven and wounded 
 and mangled eighteen others. The remainder of the party narrowly escaped 
 as there were several hundred pounds of powder amongst the goods, which 
 [were untouched. Since then, the practice has been discontinued. 
 
 Indians here are not numerous ; they are Nascapoes and nominal Chris- 
 tians, and are occasionally visited by a Protestant clergyman from James' 
 Bay. Only about twenty-six hunters frequent the post for trading purposes, 
 and the only time at which they can all be seen there together is from 
 about the middle of June to the middle of July, or as soon as the lake is 
 free from ice. They then bring in their furs to trade, and each one does 
 his utmost to bring with him something to contribute to the general feasting 
 which then goes on continually until their stock is exhausted. 
 
 This stock consists of bears' meat and grease, beaver, (fresh, smoked or 
 dried,) caribou, porcupine, hares, partridges, fish of all kinds and anything 
 else they can catch. After remaining about a month at the post, they 
 disperse, each going to his own hunting grounds. 
 
 There is a great variety and abundance of fish in Mistassini whose 
 TA'aters are deep and cold, and in many of the other lakes, such as lunge, 
 trout, jackfish, whitefish, pickerel, carp, and what is there called " Maria ", 
 
(lis 
 
 . fi.h .o,„..wh,,t r,.,«„l,l,„„ ,h., ,.„d. I, „.o„ld h„ an e««y „„„„, . ,. 
 I"'l..i... I., lay ,n „ «„|,,,ly .uffi,-!,.,,, I„, ,l,o winter, but thL T," L,,!^ 
 .."I>mvu,.„l u„a ,„„r„„vvr .u,„.r.,i(i„„,„n thai „.„re. Th.y «av 11, HK 
 prov.de lor lutur. wanls. th.y will ,,,,.,.1 wi(h -ora.. mi.han In, u u 
 <ll.', and Ihc.n llu.ir labor wonld l„, lost. ' '"■"''"'■' 
 
 "llU l,la,l b,.a-8 whn* an. very larg,. Oaribcn are very «,ar,,. . 
 
 rh:lr;r '"" "■"'"•"■■" "■" ■'"' ''"^■" -- "■ '"-' "«'W i-:: u.: : 
 
 As roRards Iho si.o of Iho lako, nofhing positive is known eicont ihj 
 t ,s vary largo, and I considar its boing nnknown a proofof t gl ,' 
 as heso peopU, who arc in the habit of roaming in all directions fh", 
 dreds of miles, do not know its extent. A very intellim.,,! T,„li , l . 
 ■ »,.oke on the snbje,, told ,„e that some year ag r'h:^"l "J* 
 old ludtan who inlbrmed hi,n that Irom what ho knew and fr„"„ wT t j 
 had heard, he thonght that a good walker, carrying nothing bt"t „ha d 
 requ,r,a lor the trip, co„M in .he spring, on the crust, go frL Luo e J 
 of he lake m ten days. Now. nnder these circnmslanc:.,, a, fiftv o, sir^ 
 mtles per day wonld be considered but moderate, we may f" m ., d J 
 the approximate -xtent of .his lake, and, if we accept only ha" o. thi 
 estimate, we may still ,.all the lake an immense one. The Jne^^ „ „„ J 
 was that It conid not be sealed around in less than one sumCr! 
 
 untiUh" sir "f^'-f "'" '■•'"'"'. °f 'he men with the canoes. 80.h Apri] 
 until the 28th of May, we remained in camp at the post awaitin" „^J 
 »ater and on that day, the bay being sufficiently clear of ice we mbaX 
 lor Lake St. John, and on Ihc 80th crossed the hei-ht landTadre U 
 Gnndstone lake (lac a la Meule) improperly called Kle Axe" ' 
 
 We reached the Chamouchouan river on the 5th of June and on tk 
 10th arrived at Lake St. .Tohn, where I left with Mr. Cummins' tl Cn 1 
 
 "al;: tr°',M" Hudson BayC„mpany.s post, my canoe;, nl" 
 canons other articles sub ect to the order of Mr. Low accordine- l„ ™ 
 instructions. On ,he next day we left Lake St. John f r bh coS wh" 
 
 aT.r::::;:'dTt of ""'t'"?' '°°' ">-'--'-' 3.3c a. M.:o;rth;m 
 
 o^ theri^by f^; °" ^ '""™" "'''' "'"• '""'"' ''^^" "«'"'"' 
 
 {John Bignefl, 3rd November, 1885.) 
 
619 
 
 i^iwy mattor for [M ^^•' prooeed.'d U|) the rivor notsiamits mid rea<'h«»d tho lirst Fall on the 
 tht»y are nmnralMlil"^"-"«MlHH4), the distance btMug about forty-livo miloH in a north- 
 ^hcy 8ay that if thMest """««• '^'h" "^'^r haw been navigated to this point by a small ateamer 
 «hai) and probahi ' '^' ' ■ • ■ 
 
 ■ionising to the lumber mill situated at its mouth. 
 
 The river valley, cut in the surrounding table-land, varies Irom a 
 Lrter of a mile to one mile in width. I(k sides are formed by Laurentian 
 elevated from two to six hundred feet above the stream. These hills 
 ir,. \vll wooded with white and blaek spruce, tamarac, balsam, poplar and 
 Ijr. h, iiiul quantities of valuable timber are taken out every year, and cut 
 Ll.ythe steam mill at the mouth of the river. The valley has been 
 Ltly lilled up by deposits of glacial drift, as the banks of the river are, for 
 Ih^ nio.st part, of sand and clay, often upwards of fifty feet high. Much of 
 jthe.lny shows distinct evidence of stratification, and the different beds are 
 Viihiyhly crumpled and folded. 
 
 ]5.-tweeu these banks, the river, varying from one to two hundred 
 
 rds in breadth. Hows with a swift and even current, and is joined by a 
 
 Umber of small streams on either side, the (;hief one being ' the Neepee 
 
 nwr, which flows from the eastward and Joins the main stream at the head 
 
 lltide, seven miles from the sea. This tributary descends into the valley 
 
 Iv a beautiful fall, over 100 feet hisrh. 
 
 About thirty miles up the river and northwards, the country has been 
 IraviTsed by frequent and extensive fires, which have left very little of the 
 joriginul forest, the region being, for the most part, covered with seoond- 
 )wlh timber of aspen, poplar, white bin-h, Bank.sian pine, and spruce, 
 Hoiu- of which hns attained a large size. The first fall is formed by two 
 tes, each being about fifty feet high, with a whirlpool between them, 
 Into which a large number of logs have, from time to time, been carried,' 
 land, before escaping from its influence, having been so broken and bruised 
 jastobe unfit for commercial purposes, remain piled up on the shore 
 'bove this fall the river runs N. 30« W., and continues in this direction for 
 11 miles, with a sluggish current. The hills on either side rise to eleva- 
 kious from 800 to 1,000 feet above its level, being for the most part bare or 
 |cove'red with small second-growth timber. 
 
 The river now flows from the west for nine miles, in the lower four 
 |f which it is very rough, having four chutes of fifteen, ten, ten and twenty 
 leet, respectively, with strong rapids between them, necessitating a porta^^e 
 ■of canoes for that distance. ° 
 
620 
 
 E 
 
 From horc to "Waweashtou, distant ten miles, the course is N %^ 
 with two short portages, passing lulls of twelve and thirty feet. 
 
 At Waweashtou, a large branch comes in from the eastward and 
 main stream, turning westward, falls in the next ten miles fully 500 f1 
 from the general plateau into the river valley, and is quite impassabU. 
 canoes, so that a portage, over a mountain upwards o 1,000 feethi-vh mu 
 be made. A week was spent transporting canoes, provisions L' o« 
 this distance. Beyond this, the river turns to the north, and lb.- sixtei 
 miles widens out into lake Natuakimiu, with a width of from one-halfl 
 one anda-half miles; ly.ag very little below the general surface of tl 
 surrounding country, which is here comparatively Hat. and characteri J 
 by low hills only which seldom rise more than 200 feet above the wJ 
 level. ' 
 
 The river next runs from the west for fifteen miles, h.wino- b.n-or 
 narrow and rapid, with a mile and a naif portage at the end of the roura 
 The banks and country are similar to those on the last course. Next tarnil 
 to the north-east, the river, for a distance of eight miles, breaks in a «trai J 
 line through the Labradorite hills, which form almost vertical wills ( 
 either side, rising Irom two to four hundred feet above the water ail 
 producing the finest scenery met with on this route. Above this is iJ 
 Pipmaukan, which was reached August 25th, ana is distant by the ri'J 
 135 miles from the sea. ' 
 
 This lake is very irregular in shape, being full of deep bay.s, and h 
 an area of over 100 square miles. The Bctsiamits river Hows throiurh 
 ou the east side, the distance between inlet and outlet being nine mili, 
 Several other smaller rivers and numerous brooks also empty into tho h.lj 
 
 The shores of the lake are principally low, but in places are rorky ai 
 rise m elevations of one to two hundred feet above the water the who, 
 being covered with a fair growth of white spruce, balsam, spruce and whl 
 birch. ' 
 
 The Avaters of the lake and the Betsiamits river arc well stocked wil 
 fish, the principal kinds being lake and river trout, white fisl , pike ai 
 sucker and, below the first fall of the river, salmon and sea-trout.' 
 
 Leaving Mr. Bignell, September 15th, we proceeded by a bay nmuiij 
 to the north-west, to ripmaukan river, a small stream discharging into tl 
 lake at the head of the bay, and distant twenty miles from the outlet. I 
 crossing the lake, we were much delayed by wind, and did not reajh tl 
 river until the 19th. 
 
G21 
 
 by a hay rumiiii 
 
 Having proceeded up the Pipmaukan river.throuEfh low.swampy country, 
 [ilistanoe of twelve miles, the general course being N. 15<^ W., we left it, 
 U passing over four portages and three smaller lakes, the total distance 
 Ljiiij live miles, direction north-west, we reached a small lake called 
 Jiashoao, which discharges, by a small river two miles long, into the 
 jiaiiouan river. This river is a branch of the Peribonka, which Hows 
 [iioLako St. John, and takes its rise in lake Manouan. 
 
 At the point where we entered, it has a breadth of 200 yards. Proceed- 
 Lun the river a distance of sixteen miles, course N. 20° "W"., a fall of fifty 
 lot was reached. The stream below this flows with a slow current, varied 
 IvsoviM-al short rapids, and passes through hills with from two to four 
 Lulrod feet elevation, the ivhole having been burned over by frequent 
 liros. 
 
 Boyond this fall the river narrows, bacoraing rapid, and continues so 
 loioislit miles, while the surrounding hills reach elevations from six to 
 Lht liundred feet above its level, and form a ridge extending from north 
 Ll to south-west. The river then flows with a slow uniform current for 
 Ion miles, course N. 10* E. through a country covered by low rounded 
 lills, lying apparently in ridges, having a north and south direction. 
 Bevoiul Ihis the river spreads out, becoming very rapid and shallow for a 
 flbtaiuo of three miles. Here we left it, and proceeded by a portage route 
 )riiiiieleen miles, course nortli, through several small lakes and brooks to 
 avoid !i long bend in the rivor full of rapids and impracticable lor canoe 
 Ira vol. 
 
 Tlio river was again reached about one mile below lake Manouan, and 
 |coiitinning up it we entered thar lake October 3rd. 
 
 On arriving at lake Manouan we passed around the north side, making 
 jatirao survey of the lake, which was completed on the 8th. 
 
 This is another very irregular lake, being about twenty-two miles long 
 llrom oast to west, with several large deep bays on either side running north 
 land south. Over most of its area it is studded with many islands, both 
 Igroat and small. The country around the lake is almost Hat, being broken 
 
 by ridges of hills only to the south and west. These rise not more than 
 joOO foot above the lake, but have the appearance of high mountains from 
 
 *ht>iv contrast with the g> ieral tlatness of the surrounding country. About 
 loiio half of the timber is destroyed by lire ; what remains consists of white 
 
 and black spruce, baleam-spruce and white birch, few trees exceeding eight 
 linohos in diameter at three feet from the ground. 
 
G22 
 
 mto a branch of the Peribonka about twelve muJlomlH M '°"'"' 
 reaching this branch we descended it ahour ixte , Ji t ^^^ 1 
 mam river one half mile below l;,lfe n,.,., !^ ' '«^'h"'g thj 
 
 Thi. lake is several miles lo 1 ytwrmi^ Wrl^'™"'' ""*■""' 
 ICth, we continued np the reribonkxrivTr . i^ k , "'""= " '" ">J 
 west, which enters the rive abou Wo rnl, hel '""t"^ " """'"' ^""" 'H 
 ^-nt thirt,. milesfrom lake 0n.:l;;r:rs:'7f.l\rs etf ^f ^d 
 
 the distance is narrow and full of heavv P ' tLI ^ "'",'"'"''" " 
 nver is similar to that described arounV latrMan™ n T 7fo: I^', "" 
 have also beeu devastated hv flvr> wu ^ ■ "'"^- ^ne lorests here 
 
 growth of trees ,han1::ts.'m::,iold™"'" °' """ ^"^""'^ » '»=" 
 We ascended the tributary from the uvst «iv w,;' . I 
 
 which, being, found partly froL,, ovewcl Impelled" to" d™"" !^1 
 our canoe voyage on October 28rd A >erm,^r„, "P°'""' '» '•■si™"l>aa» 
 and Mr. Bignell joined us on November ^th lb V™ ""-'" ""'""M 
 
 ou the Per,bonka. about hlteen mrstm iake" ^;^" '"''^-' "^ '™i 
 
 of a guide, we left ke c™ Cmle o t"':':""'''."?'""? *^- »"-»> 
 land, December 9th. The route ,av eld l„r """^ '"'""'' "' *' '"^'sl" of 
 throtrgh a chain of l«r..e hkerivi^^t b , " ""' ^"""'^' "l^'"'' "-"" 
 
 from ^orth to south Thes r^ ! "'"'^'^ '"'^'^^ "^ '""■ '>'"'' ^'-'-^hins 
 than htty feet above ^i^J^^^'^^Z'Z tteT'/™ °', 'T ™'' 
 the greater part of the surface of Ihecountrt I ot: sw '"'"'\"'''"^'' ™™' 
 with a thick growth of small black s;^ ^and c Jythrn"' "f 
 for puri OSes of a£rrirnlnir« TU^ a- f ,. ' ^*' wholly unfit 
 
 of land is abouf for V ™il """ '"'" ""* '"'^*' <='""l' '° '^e height 
 
 stocked w th fi h T • ?"? '"""■''' ""'^'- The lakes are ;ell 
 
623 
 
 Irom one to three miles in width and very deep. An outpost from the 
 Ijlistiissini establishment was formerly located here by the Hudson Bay 
 Ifompany, but was abandoned some years bark, as the Indians formerly 
 Iradnig- here have either died or become accustomed to take their furs to 
 lake St. John for sale. 
 
 Following the Temiscamie river flowing out of the lake, which empties 
 Ihroiigh lake Mistassinis (Little Mistassiui) into the great lake for a 
 distance of six miles, we passed through a vtry crooked lake about four 
 lmi!e« long, and then continued down the river six miles, w here we followed 
 laportage route two miles long, and, thus reached the north-east end of 
 lake Mistassmi on December 13th. The general course from lake Temis- 
 [famie to this point is west-north-west. 
 
 The river continues almost parallel to the lake and empties into it on 
 Ihe east side about thirty miles from its north end, running out a-ain on 
 Ihe opposite side some distance farther north. ° 
 
 Lake Mistassinis, or Little Mistassini, is nbout fifty miles from north- 
 last to south-west, lying parallel to the great lake, and is from one to eio-M 
 mles wide, six miles being near the average breadth. ° 
 
 Wo passed down the east side to near the south-west end, where we 
 
 :wd, and, lollowmg a portage route through two small lakes about foui- 
 
 ailes long in all, thus reached lake Mistassini at a point about thirty miles 
 
 othe north east of the Hudson Bay post. By passing down the east shore 
 
 Ive arrived at the post on December 23rd, thus finishing a Ion- and difficult 
 
 Iramp on snow-shoes, having walked for the last ten days of the journey 
 
 lu very short rations, with the thermometer ranging to forty de-rees 
 
 pelovv zero. ■' ° 
 
 Shortly after our arrival, I made arrangements with Mr Miller the 
 
 bntleman m charge of the post, by which I obtained quarters in his house 
 
 fnd :here set up the instruments and took regular meteorological observa- 
 
 Ks during the month of January. At the end of this time, havino- had 
 
 leveral disagreements with Mr. Bignell regarding the operations o°f the 
 
 par y, determined to return to Ottawa, and having arranged with Mr. 
 
 ililer to continue the meteorological observations during my absence, I left 
 
 m he 2nd of February, accompanied by two men whom Mr. Bignell was 
 
 H„g to Lake St. John with letters. On leaving the post we proceeded 
 
 ^0 the south-west end of the lake, crossing the height of land near that 
 
 K)mt, and, after traversing several small lakes, reached a branch of the 
 
624 
 
 Chief river followed it to its junction with the Chamouchouan river ^ 
 continued down the latter, reaching Lake St. John, February 21st. 
 
 Two heavy snow storms occurred while we were on the way makiJ 
 the walking so difficult that our tent and sheet-iron stove had toCT 
 doned, and we were obliged to sleep in the snow for more than a week ' 
 
 The country passed through is very similar to that seen on the vA 
 bonka river and is described by Mr. W. McOuat in his report on the 3 
 tassmi river (report of progress, Geological Survey, 1871-72). 
 
 Since Mr. McOuat's exploration, the country has been whollv bump 
 over and few clumps of green woods remain. 
 
 LAKE MiSTASsiNi -The first person who has left any written accounl 
 of his explorations of Lake Mistassini was Tere Charles Albanel a jZ 
 missionary, who crossed it, in 1672, on his way from Lake St. JohuT 
 Hudson Bay, v^'h^ch he reached by descending the Rupert river. ^ 
 
 The following account of his exploration is taken from the " Relation 
 des Jesuites dans la Nouvelle France," vol. iii, pp. 49-50, entitled " Yoyll 
 de la Mer du Nord par terre, et lad^couverte de la Baie de Hudson. MissL° 
 de Saint Fran^ois-Xavier. en 1671 et 1672. Pere Chas. Albanel " : 
 
 Le 18 (J^ne) nous entrasmes dans le grand Lac des Mistassirini.ns qu'o: 
 lent estre SI grande qu'il faut vingt jours de beau temps pour en Mrei 
 tour. Ce lac tire son nom des rochers dont il est remply, qui sont d'un 
 prodigjeuse grosseur ; il y a quantite de tres belles iles, du gibier et di 
 poisson de toute espece, les orignaux, les ours, les caribous, le porcipic e 
 les castors y sont en abondance. Nous avions deja fait six lieues au trav'e 
 des lies qui I'entrecoupent, quand j'aper^ue comme une Eminence de tl 
 daussi loin que la veue se peut estendre ; je demandai a nos gens si c'estoi 
 vers cet endroit qu'Us nous falloit aller 1 Tais-toy, me dit nostre guide n 
 le regarde point, si tu ne veux perir. 
 
 " Les sauvages de toutes ces contr6es s'iraaginent que quiconque veutl 
 traverser ce lac doit se soigueusement garder de la curiosite de regarder 
 cette route, et prmcipalement le lieu ou I'on doit aborder, son seui aspect, 
 disent-ils, cause I'agitation des eaux, et forme des tempestes qui font transi 
 de frayeur les plus assures." I 
 
 as h^t' 'It '' '^^ *^'' ^f '' ^^^''''^ ^'' ^""«» concerning the lake, and 
 as he must have crossed only the southern end on his way to the R^perJ 
 river portage, he could speak only by hearsay of the remainder of the lake.] 
 
625 
 
 He probably obtained his idea of the lake, and the number of days required 
 tc make the tour, from the Indians Wving around it, and, if they were not 
 more truthful than their present descendants now are, their' testimony 
 was not to be relied on. Six leagues is about the distance he would have 
 had to travel down the south-east bay before reaching the islands off the 
 point, at the present crossing place, and here the islands are about six miles 
 distant from either shores. He could not have remained long at Mistassini 
 as he arrived at lake Nemiskau, on the Rupert river, on June 25th, and six 
 days are required to canoe the distance. 
 
 The name Mistassini is formed from two Algonquin words " mista " 
 signifying big, and " assine, " a stone ; and is so called because of the lar^e 
 boulders of gneiss strewn along the west shores. ° 
 
 Lake Mistassini is a long and narrow body of water, stretchino- from 
 north-east to south-west, with a perceptible curve between the ends the 
 conoavity of the curve being towards the south-east. It lies between N 
 latitude 50° and 51° 24', W. longitude 72^ 45' to 74" 20'. The leno-th in a 
 straight line between the extremities of the north-east and south-west bays 
 IS nearly one hundred miles, the average breadth of the main body beia^I- 
 about twelve miles. At either end of the lake, a long point stretches ou" 
 dividing the ends into two deep bays. Between the points, and seemiuo-ly 
 a oontmuation of them, is a long chain of rocky islands, which, by over- 
 lapping each other, almost divide the lake into two parts, so that a view of 
 the opposite side is rarely obtained in going around the shore A slio-ht 
 decrease in the present level of the lake would result in the productioirof 
 two separate lakes, as the water between the islands is quite shallow and 
 forms a contrast in this respect with the great depth between the islands 
 and shore on either side. Here the lake is very deep, an isolated soundino- 
 made in crossing, having given 374 feet at a point which, I was informed 
 was not the deepest part of the lake. 
 
 The bay at the south-east end of the lake is called Abatao-oush This 
 bay, sixteen miles from its mouth, is again divided by a Ion- point into 
 tu-o other bays. About four miles from the end of this point? and on it 
 the Hudson Bay post is situated. 
 
 The eastern part, called Cabistachuan bay, runs slightly east of south 
 in an irregular course, for about twelve miles, the Little Perch river comin- 
 m at Its head. The western part is much largor and more irregular ft 
 stretches south for sixteen miles, a small river from lake Wakiniche falling 
 mto It at that distance. A side branch of the bay runs to the westward for 
 
 40 
 
6-26 
 
 m 
 
 :,mM 
 
 upwards of ten miles. The general width of Abatu-onsh bay is on^^ 
 one-halt u.iles. The south-west, or Poonichaun bay, for a distance of twe'ulv 
 miles from Its entrance, has an avera-,, breadth of about five miles T 
 shores are broken by smaller bays, and its surface is covered with isluu 
 varymg horn six miles long, by one and one-half wide, to mere houid't 
 Alter the hrst twenty miles, the bay narrows to an average breadth of 1.'' 
 than one-hall mile, and continues in a south-westerly course for a lono- di 
 tance, as the end was not reached after ascending it fourteen -..les " Th 
 Indians say that a large river empties into the lake . . rxead of this b.v 
 The north-east and tiorth-west bays are not so deer -e southernoues • 
 the distance from the end of the point to the mouth of th. Papasqutsvtee 
 river, a large stream coming in at the head of the north-west bay. boiuo- 
 fifteen miles, with an average breadth of rather more than four miles From 
 the mouth of the Toquaoeo river, which enters the north-east bay at i^ 
 head to the end of the point, the distance is nineteen miles, the ave, Je 
 breadth being under four miles. By this river a canoe route goes to the 
 Hudson Bay post, called Nitchicoon, situated on a bnu,ch of the East Main 
 river, to the north-east. This stream falls rapidly during th dry season 
 being an exception to th« other rivers running into the lake, which taking 
 their rise in large lakes, are not greatly affected by local rainfall. ' 
 
 Beside those above referred to, the large river flowing out of l,ke 
 Temiscamie. and passing through Lake Mistassini, enters the lake on 'the 
 east side about twenty miles from the head of the north-east bay Almost 
 directly opposite this river, on the west side, a smaller stream, called the 
 Wabassmon river, enters. 
 
 The shore of the lake is indented by a number of smaller bays, and 
 many islands also occur along its marn-in. 
 
 The shores of the lake are mostly rocky, with no marshes or beach a 
 fact accounting for the absence of any great numbers of wadin- birds or 
 graminaceous ducks. The w^estern bank rises from thirty to^ixty f.et 
 above the surface of the water, and is in many places perpendicular. The 
 eastern bank is not so elevated, and rises more gradually. 
 
 To the south of Mistassini, and running north of east, is a rido-e of 
 hills forming an escarpment about 300 feet high, and constituting the 
 height ol laud between the wafers flowing to the St. Lawrence and those 
 draining to Hudson Bay. and the division line between the province of 
 Quebec and the Norlh-East Territory. To the north is another rano-e, pa^s- 
 jvs withm ten miles of the lake, and trending away to the westward The 
 
estwaril. The 
 
 62t 
 
 highest of these hills does not rise more than ijOO feet above the level of the 
 
 lake. 
 
 The country in the vicinity of the lake is f^onerally slijrhtly rolling-, 
 with rounded hills, rii«iug- from thirty to sixty f'ot above the v. ater, and 
 jnttrspersed with numerous small lakes and marshes. 
 
 As will be seen from the following summary, compiled from the daily 
 meteorological observations taken at the Hudson Bay post on Mistassini, 
 which are given in detail in Appendix (II), the climate unfits the surround- 
 ing country for purposes of agriculture, as frosts occur during every month 
 except July. 
 
 I am told that the season of 1885 was a good average of the climate 
 here, except that the rainfall was excessive. 
 
 SUxAiMARY of Meteorological Observatioas, Lake Mi'jtassini, 1885. 
 
 .laTumry 
 
 Mean tcinperiituri; 
 
 Highest toinperaturu 
 
 Lowest tciiipenitiirc 
 
 Jlonthly range 
 
 Mciui iiiaxiniuin teinpei'at\ii'e 
 Moan iiiiniiiiuni tempera tuie. 
 
 Mean daily range 
 
 Nuiiiljir of clays' rain 
 
 Niiiiiher of (lays' imow 
 
 Nuiiibcr of fair days 
 
 Itesultant tliroction of wind. . . 
 
 18., 5 
 
 l(i 
 -56 
 
 72 
 -{)o.l 
 - lil .G 
 —'20.5 
 
 Fob. 
 
 -(K).l 
 
 ;k) 
 
 -4(i 
 
 85 
 11.1 
 -09. -2 
 20.3 
 
 March. 
 
 April. May. 
 
 June. 
 
 i;i 
 12 
 
 I 
 
 N. 45'" K. I N 
 
 10 
 IG 
 50" K, 
 
 01.9 
 
 3;-) 
 -17 
 
 82 
 
 10. (i 
 -18.0 
 
 »1.0 
 
 i:t 
 
 19 
 
 N. 74" E. 
 
 N, 
 
 25. ;i 
 
 51 
 -19 
 
 7;j 
 
 .'{0.0 
 10.0 
 11.0 
 
 4 
 
 8 
 10 
 20OE. 
 
 42.3 
 85 
 08 
 77 
 
 53.0 
 29.3 
 24.3 
 17 
 2 
 
 12 
 
 ;>3.1 
 79 
 ."JO 
 49 
 07.7 
 39.4 
 25.3 
 20 
 2 
 
 12 
 
 Jnly. Augiist. 
 
 N. 48''W. S. 80° W. 
 
 59.9 
 
 70 
 
 39 
 
 37 
 
 67.0 
 
 49.8 
 
 17.2 
 
 S. 40"' W. 
 
 50.7 
 
 81 
 
 31 
 
 50 
 
 68 I 
 
 45.7 
 
 22.1 
 
 Zl 
 
 9 
 
 a 07' w, 
 
 Snow covers the ground about the middle of October and remains 
 until late in May, all the smaller lakes being frozen over during that time. 
 
 The main body of Lake Mistassini is an exception, as, owing to itsdeptk 
 and consequent slow change of temperature, it does not generally freeze 
 over before December 20th, and opens a couple of weeks later than the 
 other hikes in spring. 
 
 During the summer months, the sky is clouded a greater part of the 
 time, accompanied by drizzling lains and heavy thunder storms. The soil of 
 the country overlying the limestone basin on and about Lake Mistassini 
 is a sandy loam with clay subsoil, and would yield good crops in a mon^ 
 favorable climate. 
 
 I i I 
 
628 
 
 On the main l,ody of th.. K.ke, and (o the northward, (he s„m,„ 
 «..u.on « .hort„ and ooldor than ■„ ,he vi.ini.y o( the post D^-d T 
 mon h„l July, ,h„ lowlands hordenng (he lake were frozen solid :], 
 one oot „r ,he snrluoe ,,, all places where ehe tree, were at all dense ' 
 marl ed d, rerenee ,» nndonbtedly dne to the proximity to snoh a large I „J 
 nf ■■old water, wh.eh lowers the s,.n..ral temperature of the air ,h,rh,„ 2 
 warmer port.ons oi the years. The soil overlying the I,a„re„tian g.rei „, 
 and schtsts ,s hght and sandy, only a thin layer generally resting ot, Th, 
 
 At the Hndson IJay post, the most lavorahle point on the lake far 
 agne.,llnre, a poor crop of potatoes is raised yearly. They are small a. tC 
 
 ops are always fro.en hetbre reaching ntatu^ity. ,n the s^, .H'';:: 
 the host was ont of the ground. I sowed garde,, peas bea,rs eo n .in 
 
 «".U» on Augnst »0,h, the peas were h^innini to'fill l; ^ 
 hea,,s were ,n llower, and the cor,, only eighteen inchesabove th~i 
 h turn.ps alone were g,„wing nicely. I believe that barley has be^n „ ,' 
 he,e, b„t wo„ld„ot r,pen. A f„|l ,i,t of fees and plants, with th jr 
 Ir bu ,0,^ ,s g,ven ,„ appendix (I) by Mr. Macoun. and I w II only add 
 that no titnber ol .ommercial value was seen near the lake. 
 
 Covering the higher g,ound, at the southern end, white sprnee, ponl„. 
 balsam, spruce and white birch trees were found, some of which have ' 
 d,a,neter of eighteen inches, three (eet from the g,-o„nd. The swamp, „,e 
 _ove,.ed w,th a th.ek ^owth of .mall-sized blaek'spruce and tamar" a 
 he small areas ol burned land are generally clad with a second-grow h 
 
 Mr. Macoun, in his ,,,p„r,, also gives a list of the birds found about 
 
 n , Im ^'!,V''"*"!-^""f"'»-^'"i ■""! "II the adjoining huge lakes a' 
 
 ulolhsh. Ihe p,„,c,pal k.nds are lake t,„ul, river trout, white h. 
 
 P.ke p.ckeiH and sucker, all of la,ge size and Hue quality. These ftshe i J 
 
 would be of considerable comnrercial value, if access conll be had to th a 
 
 oy railway. t •!<:,, u 
 
 Fish IS the chief article ol food of the Indians around the lake. Duri,,- 
 «a e,, la,ge numbe,s are caught in nets, then cleaned and smoked for the 
 iuli ity ' " '*■ ^°'""™5-'» l^oP'o "1^0 catch and salt a large 
 
 lage. 
 
629 
 
 GENERAL DESCRIPTK)./ OF THE RUPERT RIVER.-As the joumey from 
 
 Ukii MistassniKo Rupert House was hurried, and consequently lar-e areas 
 ol country were passed over in a short space of time, I will, in the>ollow- 
 mg, give extracts i'rom my daily journal en route: 
 
 August 22nd.-Mr. Macoun and myself left the Iludsori Bay post at 
 Mistassnu at 4 p. m., in a large canoe, with ten men paddling, and camped 
 for the night at the " Big Narrows," eighteen miles from the post. 
 
 August, 23rd.— Started at daybreak, and crossed the lake to the west 
 side, proceeded up the shore to Portage ])ay, distant ten miles from the 
 outlet ol the river. Here, passing over a low rocky ridge, by a portao-e two 
 hundred yards long, we entered the "Rupert river, and descended it°a dis- 
 tance of ten miles, in a course of N. 16« W., to a short portage, cro^sin- 
 a long point, made to avoid heavy rapids in the river. Camped on the 
 ])ortage. 
 
 The outlet of Lake Mistassini is about one hundred yards wide. Imme- 
 diately below this, the river spreads out and forms numerous channels 
 between the islands with which it is covered. The river is so covered, and 
 has a breadth varying from one quarter to two miles, as far as the last por- 
 tage. The surrounding country is almost flat, with low, rounded hills, 
 never exceeding fifty feet elevation above the level of the river. The 
 timber is jn-incipally black spruce and white birch, with poplar, tamarac 
 and Tanksian pine, all of small size, never having a diameter exceeding 
 SIX inches, three leet from the ground. Timber burnt near the portage. 
 
 August 24th— Continued down the river, now narrowing to a breadth 
 varying fioni one hundred yaids to one mile, having a swift cnnent, with 
 several small rapids w hich nic pas.^ed by portagTs in af.<endinff ihe river 
 The river continues full of small rocky islands Distance travelled to-day 
 thnly miles in a general northerly course. The country passed is not so flat 
 as yesterday, some hills rising from seventy-five to one hundred feet above 
 the nv«-r. The prevailing timber is black >«pruce, birch, Banksian pine and 
 lamarac, all of small size. 
 
 The greater part of the south-west side has been bunit and is covered 
 uith a second growth of white birch. The north-east shore is unburnt,and 
 black spruce predominates. 
 
 Heavy gale, from the west, with showers of rain, all day, making it 
 very cold and disagreeable to travel. 
 
 
680 
 
 n 
 
 25lh.-Contimiod down the river elev.u miles to lake Miskittonow 
 throujrh the eafet end of which the river Hows. 
 
 This h,ke is .even miles long, oour«e west, with an uverag-e hn-adth of 
 one and one-half nules . On the north side of the west end is a hill olahou 
 th.ee hnndred feet elevation, forming a eonspicuous land-mark and nillod 
 Miskittenow mountain. 
 
 Leaving the river, we passed to the upper end of the lake, and thon.v 
 by a portage of 1,100 yards, to lake Kanataikow. Passing throu-h thi: 
 lake, which :s very crooked, for nine miles, we crossed a oortaov om 
 quarter mi e long to a small lake called Kakomenhane, and then through 
 It three miles to the portage at the opposite end, where camp was made For 
 the night. General course of travel for the day, N. 55 « W. The country 
 passed through was rougher than yesterday, with rounded hills risin- iVom 
 one to three hundred feet above the general level. 
 
 The timber consist of small spruce, birch, Bank^ian pine and tamarac 
 mostly of second growth. « ""uarac, 
 
 26th.— Left camp at daybreak, and, crossing the portage. 250 vards 
 long, entered Wabistan lake, the head of the Marten branch of the Rupert 
 river. W e followed this lake eight miles to its outlet by a small brook 300 
 yards long, then across a small lake one and aquarter mile, and down the 
 river two and a-quarter miles, to another sraalllake, and on ihrou-h lake 
 Mok-how-as-took for thirteen miles. Thence through seven small likes 
 connected by the river. Total distance, forty-seven miles; direction, N. (iO- 
 A\. limber very small and mostly of second-growth Banksian pine with 
 black spruce and birch. 
 
 *!,■ ■^'^^^■-^'"''^''l''^'^ 'i«wn the Marten river, passing three small lakes iu 
 thirteen miles .o Jacob's lake, and through it eleven miles. Its shores are 
 burnt and covered with large boulders. From here down the river ten 
 miles to Robert's lake, camping at its outlet, five miles from the inlet Totil 
 distance, forty miles ; course, N. W. The country was flatter than yesterday 
 no hills exceeding one hundred and fifty feet elevation. Much more burnt 
 land was seen than on previous days. The timber was very small, no trees 
 exceeding six inches in diameter, three feet from the ground, ana consisted 
 principally of black spruce. A few small balsam-spruce were seen on the 
 low river bank during the afternoon. 
 
 28th.~Heavy frost last night. Travelled all day on the Marten river 
 passing through four lakes, called respectively, Ka-we-wat-in-ou, Te-say- 
 
68t 
 
 kow, C'jopor's and Oull ; also tnndt' porta£T,.s pnst sevfral small rapids in 
 fho rivoi. Total distance, thirty six niilt>s; din'rtion. X. VV. Country 
 lliittcr than yestorday, and di'usely woodfd with hlack spruco raid tamarao. 
 with littUi birch. Not much hurnt land. Soil poor and swampy or haro rock- 
 
 :i:tth. — Continutnl down tho Marton liivcr, passini^ five sinxll chutos 
 by portages, the aggregate I'all in seventeen miles being one hund.ed and 
 ten I'eet. 
 
 Here the Marten enters the Rupert river. Passing down the Rupert, 
 whirh here has an average bieadth of one-half mile, the Nitchicoon branch 
 was passed, two and a half miles below. 
 
 Cy this river the canoes bound lor the Hudson Bay post at Nitchicoon, on 
 tlioKast Main river, leave the Rupert, and reach that river through a system 
 oflnkes similar to that passed on the Marten. 
 
 Continuing down the Rupert, with a swift current, for six miles, a 
 fall and rapid of twenty feet is pas.sed. by a portage one-half mile long ; 
 thence the river runs with a swift current three miles, to the entrance of 
 lake Nemiskau. Passing down the lake eight miles, we camped on a small 
 island, where the Hudson Bay Company have stored a supply of provisions 
 for the Indians wintering in the vicinity. The country passed through 
 to-day was much lower than yesterday, ])eing nearly ilat ; the timb.M-much 
 the same, with more second-growth birch and poplar of small size. Lake 
 Nemi.^kau is silted up by the detritus brought down by the river for a 
 distance of two miles beyond where we camped, and is characterized by 
 low islands and sand-banks, clad with willow-hush and reeds, through 
 which a channel half a mile wide runs. 
 
 30th. — Proceeded down th-^ lake to an encampment of Indians from 
 Rupert House, who were engaged netting and smoking smill sturgeon for 
 winter use. L<4't again at 2 30 p. m., and followed the north-east bay six 
 and a half miles to the small dischar<>-e. 
 
 Lake Nemiskau is made up of three deep bays, forming a Y ; each 
 being about fifteen miles long, with an average breadth of three miles. 
 The Rupert river Hows in by the south-east bay and out again about half 
 way up the northeast, having two outlets, the large- being several miles 
 larther north than the smaller. A large river flows into the south-west 
 bay, and forms the canoe route to AVashwanaby, a Hudson Bay post on the 
 Notaway river. Several other large streams flow into the lake. 
 
632 
 
 'Us. 
 
 thi» point bei"rN ™o" ;■;,.. ?'7''''''™' '=°'"''' f™'" l"ke N.,™i,kau .. 
 «n.a,! rapid,, t^It;:^ZnJX "^rN'To'^^Vv'," If', >"""",'• ""^ 
 
 r.t;r ""- ''^"^ ™ '"^ '■'- — - » -- - ":: 
 
 B.Io?u°ra™dLHl':rr"'''*^7"'""^ -"^ ...d ac,„arter mile, ,„„, 
 
 five fe...'h:!h" 'S;;r fwi -^'t ;.;: irra™- '";; ™""'r "'• '^'^''• 
 
 »ilo. Beyond thi. the river (lows pidly t e™ irrh';-""',""* 
 where we camped for the niifht. ^"''"" ""'"' '° 
 
 beiovf^hTm!: zi,:::: ;;,"^ ":,'• "","' "-^ "'"■"-' f^"' -- --he^. 
 
 feet hi.rh A ,„, I " '■""">■■ '"•''"="' ''^"l" f'O"! Ihiitv lolillv 
 
 tK. portage, and Mweet rh:f;a;:;;:a;:,':r;rhirBLr;;,r''' "^■"'" ™ 
 
 ^ u I m, . ° ' ''^'^ '^'^-'^^' ^^1^- fi''st portao-,. of'Thp Rm,,.." ^n 
 
 ;d:ofit;:s""ci,::T:ir"r'Tr^"'"'™^'"-- 
 
 ciu... of .e,' tyte f°e hen tt. . " "j" ""'""' "»*="• °™r a 
 
 0. ii% feet, p-id ; a p^rt t S";'" "l ,"' ","f '° l"" '"''" "^"'« 
 +li.. 1., .f ,. / F"ii..iat or nait a mile and down hpavv rmirls to 
 
 the ia.t portage, over rapid, with a lall of thirty feet in a quarter Zlil" 
 
 Ihe country was higher to day and the soil h^tf^r TK r i 
 »-h ,ar,er. Ba.an-pop.ar was Lt seea'lt'^^X^.tr;:: Z 
 
G88 
 
 |alsamHprace, with the ^-xcoption of a f«vv trees on th« M.rt.M, river mon- 
 ,'hh1 above. Wh'.to spruce, havinar a diumotor of twenty indies three feet 
 m tho ground, was observed on the portages at " The Fours" Ve,y little of 
 :.■ timber is burnt. The eountry seems to be descuMiding i„ a series of low 
 rrao's, similar to those seen on the shores of the St. Lawrence river • eich 
 'loM the Rupert being caused by the passage of the river over an es.arn- 
 ifiit. 
 
 .September 2nd -For seven miles the river flows with a moderate 
 lunoiit, with one small rapid, three-quarters of a mile Ion- to th,. Shekish 
 kage, one and a quarter mile long, passing a rapid and chuteof seveut /■ 
 |vefeet. »oyond this, the moderate current continues for ten miles wIiJii 
 lothor chute of twenty feet is passed by the Cat portage, one quarter m:b 
 kg, The river then again flows steadily for eleven miles to another rapid 
 [twenty feet where we camped. As fur as the Cat porta-, the river flows 
 |.tw.'..n clay banks from twenty to forty feet high, densely wooded with 
 Irue poplar and white spruce; below this, the country became very flat 
 nd swampy, covered with small black spruce, tamarac and second-rowth 
 Joplur. Ueneral course travelled during the day, N. TO" W. ° 
 
 3r(l.-Started early to-day, running the IMum-Pudding rapid, one and 
 •hulf mile long, with fifteen feet fall, and thence two miles to 8moke Hill 
 ^pid, having a tall of twenty-live feet, and parsed by a portajr,. of one mile 
 lelow, the river runs with a moderate current lor ten miles, when the last 
 fcpul, .me mile long, with ten feet fall, full of lar-, boulders, was run, and 
 jlupeil House, one mile below, was reached. 
 
 Rupert House is situated at the mouth of the river, which empties into 
 Jiiipert Bay, an extension of James' Bay. 
 
 At this point the river has a width of upwards of one milo, and dis- 
 
 Itoges a volume of water estimated equal to that of the Ottawa river at 
 
 I'ltawa. 
 
 The <ountry between Tlum-rudding Rapid and the mouth of the river 
 nery flat and swampy, covered with only a fair growth of timber The 
 loil.s.hielly a heavy clay, and is generally too wet and cold for ao-ricul- 
 |iiral pui'poses. ° 
 
 At Rupert House, garden vegetables are cultivated with fair success • 
 
 alley is also grown, but seMom ripens owing to the .shortness of the 
 
 hmi and frost during the summer. At Rupert House our season's work 
 
 as completed, and we hastened to return to Ottawa. Wa were not able 
 
034 
 
 1o k^yo however, uum .ho 0.1. when ..M-vossed the foot of JanW ,w, 
 
 H.>.t, . hen n.eu.e.o.,no,i-;.:vi::^ ,;:.::::;. tlel^^^^^ 
 
 Having been dehiyed hv high winds. Moose Faetorv was not ,m J 
 mUd the 14th. Having here change<l our eanoe Ibr a 1,^ ."1 1 
 hn. .nen we .tart.1 up the Moose r,ver next day. and reached i 
 .t the height oi hvnd. on tl;e -),h. llore taking the Oanadivu P 
 luuhvay, we arrived in Ottawa. Ortoher 2nd. ^'"^'^'^'-I'l Iac,| 
 
 (A.- P. Low, October, 188o.) 
 
 EXPLORATION OK ^.UvE ST. .)011N AND LAKE MISTASSINI. 
 
 Leaving Luke St. John, as alreadv stated, on the lath of Tnlv ,v . 
 the M.tass,ni ior a hnndred and ii^e .niles, to a ^W W ^^^^i;!^ 
 Irom , s „.outh. and distant, in a straight line, eighty miles At ^y: J 
 vveeuu on the west side, and here also we o^nme'^onf , ^ j 
 Mistassmi river liavmg been previouslv snrvoved by Mr Blai io - P T 
 
 Th,.arslpo,-,i„ru,rou,-surv>.y-lhatf,ara(h«.\ri.tas..ini,.iv,.,-,,,,WlJ 
 
 . niu k <o I ,.- C .,>.! ,;vov, „„.Mt.„nod i„ Mr [{i.-hanlsou's ivport as the mn 
 bra.„-h <,t tiK. Ash„a,>,„o„.lmuan, the <li,la„>.,. i„ ., strai v , hi 
 
 ■1. . .,Ml,o iri.,tas,.,ni, ,i,t« wh,..h il ll,Hvs, Tho second part is fnni'lli 
 ^» m..„„o,u.,l point .otIu.h..i,.ht„,iand botnve.t tlu- S, t vr v 
 
 di'ridosl,, ,';■"• "'"""'""'I" "bo,-.. „.here our lino slriloJ 
 ^■estorl) 01 those we surveyed ibr above tweuty miles above the lorks ' 
 
10 Oauadiiui Paei 
 
 , October, 188o. 
 
 nSTASSINI. 
 
 0-5i) 
 
 Th." ^•ouolill courso is nearly north and south. This is also the oouvbe 
 |n,.;irly all the small wtroains, tributary to the Ashuapmiuchouau, between 
 jjaiul the heiirht or laud, many ol which are crossed obliqm.ly by the 
 just doliued. Both this line and the prece;lini>- pass entirely orer a 
 jiuviiti.in country. The rocks are mostly grey, moderately line-i^Taiiied. 
 Loous i^neiss, with considerable dark groeu, hornbleiulii^ gueiss iuter- 
 Jiiilird, usually in layers from one inch to a foot thick. IW gneiss is 
 lly, il ever, seen. The dip is very uniformly east, or a little south of east, 
 1,1 i!i>' angle of inclination is always high, the strata beino- often nearly 
 
 Iriioal. There is a very noticeable coiuu'ctiou b.^tweeii this fact the 
 
 iloiiuly north and south strike of the strata— aiul the [)eculiar coiiforma- 
 
 iiiotihe surface.' Over the whole region from the Mistassiui river to the 
 
 Ihi of land, and two or three miles b.^yond it, as far as it could be seen 
 
 limoar line of traverse, the surface is broken by low, narrow ridges rua- 
 
 imiit';nly north and south, or a little east -of north and west olf south. 
 
 ioM' lidues are seldom more than three hundred and often not niore than 
 
 I' hundred feet above the general level. The direction of the rivers g.Mie- 
 
 |ly conforms with this arrangement, and the small streams found hi all 
 
 |e valleys frequently expand into lakes from a quarter to half a mile wide 
 
 lliorhips several miles long. These are so numerous that from the top 
 
 iFrou- mountain, a hill rising to a height of about 350 feet, and situated 
 
 lui the middle of the second of the two lines relerred to, I counted 
 
 Iwards of forty of them within a radius of six or eight miles. 
 
 The remaining distance^ from the height of land to Like Mistassini is 
 lust of the three parts into which the whole exploratory line is divided. 
 L-aistance, in a straight line, is only live and a hall' miles, and the bear- 
 In X. M^ W. The ridge forming the water-shed is about ten chaius wide, 
 M. wluMc we crossed it, is a .small lake on each side, that on the south- 
 IsisiJi" discharging by a stream which is tributary to the Ashi;apmou- 
 louan, and the other sending a contribution to Rupert's river throu^'h 
 jko Mi.siassini. These two small lakes are nearly un the same level and 
 liivsixiv feet lower than the highest part ot the dividinu- ridu'e." We 
 isroiuled to within a mile of Lake Mistassini by a small rapid called Little 
 Y'\i liver. About three miles from the lake, this stream falls about sixty 
 ii over an escarpment facing to the north-west and overlooking a com- 
 jiiatively level tract of country, extending in that direction as tiir as the 
 pecan reach. The rock in this escarpment is grey gueiss, similar to that 
 Iri'ady described, and dipping about S. 6d'» K. oO^^. About a mile to the 
 hiWAwl. and within about two miles of the lake, hard bluish-grey lime- 
 
636 
 
 stones are met with. These are the flat limestones of Lake Mist...i. • 
 tioned n. Mr Richardson, report as the northernmost ot tfel," 
 sive groups of rocks crossed by his exploratory line. 
 
 About mid-way between the last exposure of o-neiss a,ul fi, r 
 h, ...oae. a distauco, a. already statod.'of about f^X^'J^^ 
 smaile^tposuresofa reddish fuldspathic rook, apparonti; of , |, 1 
 character, wth ealeareoas s.am., and showing a considerlble .„;:;': 
 dull green steatltic mineral. This roek oeeupies as nearly as ,„ '^ h I 
 position in which one might e^^peet (o meet with Mr. Richards™ 'I" 
 group, .-hieh includes the copper-bearing strata, and inTy r Z ,! 
 of the conglomerates of that group; but, if it do.s not,' L rock, f 1 
 8cr,es were observed. Nothing was seen at all like the ehlorilic s llo 
 akes Chibogomou and Wakiuitchoe, which, on the forme Lk' 
 I,lchardson found to conlain-irnportant deposits of copper ore. 
 
 The survej^s on Lake Mistassini constitute the second of the two ,1 
 sions in o wh.ch our season's work naturally divides itself. We „^^. 
 on this lake a coast line of about a hundred and fifty miles, ineUu i ,. I 
 bays less than a mile in width. The main bo.ly of (he lake wa 1 °J 
 be of a very elongated lorm, lying in „ sonth-wes. and north-eastd , ' 
 with a perceptible cnrve between the south-west extremity and the fart 
 pom, sen by rrs, the concavity of the cnrve b.ing toward the so, 
 A long, ragged tongue of land, upwards of twenty miles in len-rth 1 
 from the south-west end, divides that end of the kke into two , ar 
 oi these the one on the south-east side divides into several lo ; L 
 arms which are out of the general direction, having a nearly „°„r 
 south trend. A series of long narrow islands, which were sec,, J , 
 a distance extends lor many mil,.s in the same direction, beyond theab. 
 mentioned poi.it, being, like it, app„,-e,„ly pa,.„|,el with the' long . 
 he lake. We earned onr n,e„su,-eme„ts ronnd the long point to ,h, , 
 om the bay on the north-west side of it, clled Pooni hna„ b T 
 bene along the ,„ain norlh-west shore of Ihe lake, for about seveiily ',„ 
 rom the ex,rcn,e soutb- west point. As no land was visible iroin 111 
 ton ooking ,„ a „„rthe„slerly dbection from a point about forty f, 
 
 ;?„nv le. ',T >"■ ";"";■ ""■ "'"•'" '""""' '"■ "- '"'« """"" '"■ ""■< 
 
 any, less than a lu,nd,cd miles. It appears, howeve,-, to be ,„,„,„, 
 
 e y nar,ow, be.ng probably not mo,e than fifteen miles wide, unless , 
 wiatli incroabes beyond whore we saw it. 
 
 r..f^ '\' Z^" "^1.^^'^^ "" ^^'' ^'^' ■'''' '^'' "^^t limestones air J 
 mentioned. Ihoy seldom dip at a higher angle than twenty do.r.v... :.nj 
 
637 
 
 Lngli very much disturb(?d by minute undulations, the general strike 
 Lirs to be witli the direction of the lake. Th.se strata appear to occur 
 jrth« whole area occupied by the lake, but they are bounded all alou"- 
 I north-west shore by the Laurentian gneiss They would appear not to 
 liid lor beyond the lake in a south-westerly direction, as it seems pro- 
 \ thnt they are there cut ofT by the meeting of the Laurentian gneiss 
 111 rock of Mr. Richardson's second group. 
 
 T1h> character of the land being much the same as that described by 
 
 llichardson, I have nothing to say on that head jA-hich appears worthy 
 
 |1k- introduced into this preliminary report, although I made numerous 
 
 loshoth on this and other subjects, which will find an appropriate place 
 
 iiniorc detailed report after further exploration. 
 
 {W. MrOmI, 1871-72.) 
 
 15Y THE SAGTTENAY TO HUDSON BAY. 
 
 Fatlier Albanel, in Les Relnlinm de^ Jemiles^, gives the following account 
 mis journey to Hudson Bay via the Saguenay, in l()71-72 : 
 
 ■On the 81h day of Angus . said he, I reached Tadousac, where I 
 
 |iidmy.self obliged to overcome a good deal of opposition on the part of 
 'Iiidiiins to this enterprise. 
 
 The alfection of this good man did not stop there ; he wanted to take 
 Iwith our baggage into his boat as being more comfortable than our 
 loos and to convey us with his people for a distance of forty leagues from 
 
 point. 
 
 Wo had already travelled fifteen by the Saguenay whni we met two 
 lo.s descending, in one of which was a man, who was supposed to 
 jnvii the routes to the sea, seeing that it was not more than eight years 
 Jv he had been there After explaining to him our design, I asked him 
 i.H as our guide, but the experience of the past caused him to fear the 
 jure, and he begged to be excused for a long time on account of the ditfi. . 
 lyot the journey. However, he had in the end to yield to the persuasion 
 |mr conductor. 
 
 Wc therefore left together on the 22nd, and, as we were opposed by 
 ladwinds, it took us four days to get to Chegoutimit, where we remained 
 
 V days. 
 
638 
 
 
 lol 
 
 ''';l'''2''ll'.»H'''m>ikn,ga,.o,,»i,U.™bIo,,ros«,>ttoth,«g„„,l|,,,,i, 
 .vh„ .. .■,,„v,.y,, „» ll,„, lU,- in (h,.i,- 1,„.,(, ana th.u,l,-o.l Ih.n, lb" t . 
 h,. ■ h,ul ,.ha„,. .iy ,,.,„l,.,v,l „», „,. ombark-od in tl.o .anoo. ,„ ,: ' 
 l.r.t rapKl, «-i,„. , p.,,,.nl,.,l ll„.n,,„.h-..» as t.r as l„k„ Konon", , 1 
 
 "I... "-.MV vo,-y happy ,., hav . ch,= oppoKunity to poHbrn, .1, ,, *' 
 to ooiil,.s.s and imvrn. tl„. Iiiily .■ouiinnnion. 
 
 On Iho 1st Sopl,.n>l„.v, w,. sl,..t l„.yo„d a small lak. „all,.,l Ki„„„j 
 ma..h,s, lanu.d lor th. nu.Uitnd. of lon,Mail,.d Iro,. whioh inhUn 
 Wl. ... u con.,n„al noakino-; it is said tl.at thov a,-„ vory , 
 ..llhough .n llus .ounlry .1,. ,„„ds, snake, and viperJare not ,^. ''"""'°' 
 
 vh„..h,s.M Issues Ions- and 10 broad; 13 n™-s Tall into this l.k ' J 
 thoro ,s only ono issuing from ii. ,vhi.h lorn.s tho o.,.o.,t and I 
 call«, the Sagnenay. This p,a..,. is b.antifnl ; th.ltds'.,.! ^^ ^d 
 
 oom ,o„d; h,.,o a,v hn,. moadows ; it is th. co„nt.-y ot ot.L ,„„' 
 boavor and . Im.ily „, Iho po,v,„pino ; it is „„ this acconnt that th,.' I " " 
 who ,vs,d,. therocall thomsolvo. ft,*,,,,*,., taking iheiv tuunV 
 
 vovd A„/..„„ « hn-h, M, , hoir ,ong„,, ,„„„,., porcupine ; it „-,« Ibnn " y . i 
 Iho place where all the nations who are between the two seas, f i ' 
 a.id l..,r h „sed to meet to trade; 1 have seen more than twenty ,bl 
 Sathored t n.re. Th,. n.habi.ants have been greatly decimated by I, 
 wars which they have ha.l with the Iroquois and by the small-pox vl 
 » the idague o the Indians ; now, they are beginning to recruit tleae 
 irom the nuMnbers ofolhcr tribe,, who have been 'oming in si 
 peace. Wo staye.l there three days to lay in provisions, which wer I e 
 bogimung lo run short. ^ vNtrcaiie.uy 
 
 On tlio 7th, ,vo ron.-lied th. end of the hike. Good lack throw tj 
 
 ndmns .n our way, who aocoiamodated us wuh two ,uns for . u ^ 
 
 lour ol our own being nsidcss. "naiiiu 
 
 The seasonlbeing ,„„ far advanced to reach the sea before the s„„„.„t 
 .by winch ,ve were slopped on the last day of October, our , 
 
 t::t':^r '- "'^"" " ""- ™ --"■" -'■ "- '^"-^ "•'-"" 
 
 .dreJivM'!.''. Ti ,'," '■'■■""'"" ""; '""■'■"""' •"■ "'"■ J™'-"-.v. The spring ,,\ 
 
 r:::;:ur"c';:i:'.rpr!::""" '-"' '- '■ ^ '"- '"^"»'- ""'■<">■ s'-i< 
 
which were ahwul 
 
 tl liKsk Uirew t\\ 
 guns for huiuii 
 
 ; g'iimo, which 
 
 G39 
 
 It was the 1st June, 1072. betoro wo left Natascheg.imiou to coutiiuie 
 ir]ouriu'y our party nunib.'.riiig uiueteeu persons, ol' whom sixt -eii were 
 [diniis and three French, in three canoes. 
 
 AVe spent six days in ascending- the rapids; the oanoos had to be 
 liiidst .ontinudly forced a;,^ainst the current, and very often we had to <;et 
 It and travel through the woods, climbing over rocks, descending iiito 
 jiiiies and ascending steep hills through groves of trees which tore our 
 Lihos, and, in addition, we were heavely loailed. Then, we were delayed 
 lodays by rain. 
 
 The 0th greatly taxed our patience, on account of a very diificult 
 Irtagv, as well by its length, which some place at four leagues, as by the 
 iiess of the roads, the water being sometime.s up to our knees and some- 
 nes to our waists in crossing and recro.ssing brooks traversiufi- a vast 
 Igioii, which must be crossed to reach the river Nikoubau, which is to 
 I south-west of that we had left. Even the Indians regarded this day as 
 ie of fatigue. 
 
 On the 10th, about six o'clock in the morning, wo arrived at Paslis- 
 kkaii, which divides the lands of the north and the south ; it is a small 
 ingue of land about an arpeut in width and two in length. The two ends 
 tthis point terminate in small lakes, from which issue two rivers : one 
 jowiiig to the east and the other to the north-west ; one enters the sea at 
 lulousuc by the Saguenay, and the other into Hudsoii Bay by J^emiskau, 
 jhich i.s midway between the two seas. Towards nightfall, we met two 
 listassirinins in a canoe, which was in good condition ; they were cominjv 
 'mt'ot us, having noticed the great smokes which we made from time to 
 |mo in approaching this tribe to signal our arrival. 
 
 On the 15th, all the Indians ieasted us in their way, and I continued 
 exercise the sacred Junctions and to instruct them. 
 
 On the l()th, after saying the holy mass, we started and arrived at 
 imagauusis, and on the 17th, at Tikousitisinacut, that is to say, at the place 
 iiLMiMiioccassins are worn out. being thus named to illustrate the difficiilty 
 
 t'llio roads. 
 
 On the 18th, we entered the great lake of the Mistassirinins, which is 
 )id to be so large that it takes 2U days of line weather to go around it. 
 Ills lake takes its name from the rocks with which it is filled, and which 
 vol' prodigious size; there are a number of very pretty islands ; game, 
 ihI M\ of all kinds ; moose, bears, caribous, porcupines and beavers are 
 
640 
 
 1 n,ulnn< Wo had ul.va.ly mad. six l.vr^nos a.non^ Iho islands whi,J 
 .nl.M-Mvl ,t vvIuM. I P.MV.MV..1 a luMo-h, of land as lar in the dishu'u 
 
 nnild S.0 ; I a.kod n.y jvopl., i| i, was lowards that point th.y vvor i, 
 
 Wpsd..nt,sa.douv,uid.., don't look at it, if you do not v4nt 3 
 liu' i ul.ans ol ih. who), ol this ro^ion imagine that, whoovor w t 
 <-ross tins lako must nuvfnlly o-uard himsell' IVom lookin,. in that dir ll 
 
 .ouo-h .unos„y and part,..uhu.ly at tho plac. whoro it is'proposod , 
 ls..podalun.s (lu.y say, .-auM-s ,h. ao-itation of the Avaters and n J 
 storms cnlrulatcd to torrily ov.n the boldest. '"'^ 
 
 On tho l!)th, w. arrivod at Mako.iamitikac.. that is to say, at tho bJ 
 ''shory : this is a ilat phu-o and the water is very low thef;. bnl i 
 |.l>undant, the little sturgeons, the pike and tho white iish m^kin. Ulj 
 homo. It Ks p easant to watoh the hears walking. along- the water's od.J 
 
 On the L>Jnd we wont to Ouitataskouamiou ; this was a hard dav ol 
 -. A\ehad to abandon the g.vat river, the waterfalls and rap Lt^ 
 00 uolent, and to eont.nue our iournoy through small lakes brlnj 
 seventeen por ages beio.e re.urn.ng to tho river. Hero our guklHo uj 
 wny tw.eo, wlueh obliged us to make a portage of two long^i;;;:,,: J 
 nvers, descents and n.ountains, Hooded plains and streams, in theVros^ .^ 
 ol whuh we had water (o ih,> w^ist. ' "Kssnia 
 
 Oa tlu-^rd and 241 h, we reaehed a loss mountainous oountry •, ho ur 
 
 "uehm,der;theeountryislineranditslandswouIdprodueewela;dwolJ 
 >o capable ol supporting a .real nun.ber ot people, ,f it was properu'S 
 Ihis c.,untrj' tho huest me. along our whole route, . .ntinu s • 
 Tvem.skau, where we arrived lowards noon, on the 2.3th .huie. 
 
 ^^om.skau is a large lake, to make the oireuit of whi.-h it takes te 
 c^y« surrounded by great mounta.ns iVom south to north lormmg^ 
 Ul K at the mouth ol th. .-rear viver, wh.oh ox.onds IVoni oast t^nor, 
 .a.t. there are vast pla.ns wlu.-h stroteh even to the tops of the mou U n 
 
 h. Mou the. seems to b. so many rivers, which form so many ishuul 
 that It IS ditfioult to count them. All those isl.n.ls .„•. 
 Willi fli.. (,...1- (• •. ihiands are so niarkot 
 
 ith the t acks o moose, caribou, beaver, deer and porcupines that! 
 they seem to bo the abode, where they usually .oar.. Five iLe n 
 di^hargoino this lake, where tho iish are so abundant that utrm v 
 < onstitutod the principal lood supply of a great savage nation who inhabite 
 
641 
 
 only eight or ton years ag-o. The melancholy remains of thoir dwellings 
 ,r.' still to bo seen there, and the ruins, on a rooky islet, of a largo fort made 
 ,ut (.1 big trees by the Iroquois, of which they guarded all the avenues and 
 from winch they frequently sallied to commit murders ; about seven years 
 ,;o. they killed or carried into captivity eighty persons, which was the 
 Liso why this place was entirely abandoned, the aborigines having removed 
 Iroiu it. Tlxure was a great trade carried on there, and those who frequented 
 
 ;.iiio from all quarters on account of the great size of the river and the 
 iroximity oi the sea. This river makes a great bend or elbow towards the 
 iorth-cast ; we had to make four long and bad portages, by little lakes, to 
 irilco It straight in the north-oast and we slept at Nataouatikouan. 
 
 Oil the 2Gth, at Tehepimout, a very mountainous country. On the 2nh 
 vo liuished getting over the portages. ' 
 
 On the 28th, we had hardly advanced a quarter of a league before wo 
 ot m a small stream a rigged vessel of eight or ten tons carrying the 
 Eiiolish (lag and lateen sail ; at a gun shot therefrom, we entered two deserted 
 bouses A little further on, wo discovered that the Indians had wintered 
 |Ioso by and that they had not long left ; we therefore continued our route 
 1 a point about six leagues distant from the houses of the Europeans 
 nmv, (ho tide being low and the wind contrary, we entered throuc^h mud 
 itho belly into a little river on (he right hand coming from the north- 
 l;ist, where, alter seeking around, w.; found two or three huts and a 
 ■esortod dog, which indicated that the Indians were not far off, and that it 
 lid not been more tlian two days since they had gone away. We stopped 
 hoiv that night, tiring otfour heavily loaded guns to attract attention and 
 musing ourselves by gazing on the sea which we had so long sought and 
 liiai lamous Hudson Bay, of which we shall speak hereafter. 
 
 Onthe2!»th, oneofour canoes left for Miskoutenagachet, where our 
 I'eopio thought the Indians should be. 
 
 Before issuing from th,. liay of Hudson, I must give you a plan of it 
 ^ut the short stay I made at Miskoutenagachet did not leave me time 
 Nuoh to visit It or to collect thorough information on the subject from the 
 Nivo. ot the bay and adjoining country ; especially as I was mostly 
 |up oyod m teaching and baptizing seventy-two persons, adults as well as- 
 Ink roil. This is why I will not give here an exact description, which 
 |m 1)0 lound on the maps that have been made. 
 
 will only state that the river by which we entered the bay is called 
 ^emiskausipiou and takes its rise in lake Neraiskau, of which it retains the 
 
042 
 
 iiaino 
 
 lliis r 
 
 ivor is a very fino ono. Tt is uh„ut half a lea-uo wi.l, 
 
 more in 8oine phxctin, but it is not voi 
 
 and extends to the uorth-west eiohty 1. 
 
 by eighteen falls ; this is why, fmmfear ofb 
 
 1 •. ,. ""<ll 
 
 y d'vp ; it com >s Irom the south oast 
 
 y lea--ues; it is very rapid and hioko,,! 
 
 the 
 
 risk of losinor all, they were portaged 
 
 •e 
 •ee leagues each, others 
 
 reaking the canoes and runiiiii, 
 
 with all their contents throu<rh 
 
 and dilRcult ; there are two or th' 
 
 ague, two leagues and t 
 
 iree 
 
 vvo and 
 
 the woods. All these port 
 of aboiit thr 
 half league 
 
 Tl.o ri«. .,,,1 rail or (Iw lid,., whirl, nr,. i,er. v.-ry rcyular, are feil fo, 
 four loagu,.. „p ,h„ river, u„,ii H,ey »ro arrested by . r.,Ii, wiri.-h do u 
 prevent he WHier irom pre«ervi„,v it, rre»i„„« duri,,. even the i>i!l" 
 t.des not only in the nver, bnt ibr lour leng,,™ out into the bay. 
 
 The distance ofthe sea, at low tide, is haidiv .Tedible ; the InJi,,,, 
 set, t down at twenty leagues; all the great spaee, as lar as the ey ' ' , 
 take n and which ,s mostly nothing b„l mnd and loeks, remains ■ hno 
 co,nplelely dry, so ,hal the river, whieh spreads over and loses itself h, ,h 
 mud, has no longer water enough to lloat canoes, 
 
 We asce,^t«in,.d that the mouth of the river is at the flftielh decree of 
 eleva ,o„, and we remarked Ihat, from its entry, it cuts the bay by win'lin.- 
 which lorn, islands lit Ibr habitation. ° 
 
 At the west point, are lodged the Kinislinon, and the Monsonnilc- 
 each tribe is .separated by the great river. The coast people dwell ou the 
 ,ortl,.e„st side on the river Itiskoutenagachir, whilher we went, !o ,, 
 twenty leagues by «.a : it is a long rocky P„i „, situated at the fi iv.B m 
 degree, where Iron, tnue iniinetnorial the Indians have been in the h d 
 gath„,ng ,0 carry on their barter. Furth,,, to the north.ea.t. are Ic , 
 .he itchibon.o„nibu..k, le, Koiiackouikouesionck and many other nati „: 
 
 hdi !,";.' HKi'';"''''- •" "';■ ""'t'r'"^'- "'■"■" '^ " S-at Hver which so.e 
 . m , . ' r™ ' ,"""""■ *'°"''" '■"■"• '^I°'«<-il™". on whi..h the,, 
 
 o Ou ,ask.,„. wh.ch ,s lorty leagues long and filled with all sons of 
 sit;'',' '""'T y '■'■''"'"""■'»'«1 '■»•■ "liiee bears ; it is said there is a 
 vintor A(My convenientlv. 
 
 I do not .speak of the abundance of game birds in this country On 
 the .sland o (.ubaskou, il' the I„dia.,s are to be believed, it is so" ,V t 
 a. a place where the birds drop Iheir feathers in the .nm.lting so^L^ou, tt 
 
643 
 
 Indians iKid the wild animals who get in among thorn are buriod over their 
 heads m feathers and are sometime unablo to gi-t out. 
 
 I say nothing- either of the variety and abundance of the fruits which 
 
 grow here, because it is not necessary to .;ome here to seek for delicacies 
 
 laiultit-bits- what presented themselves usually to my view were little 
 
 I tmits called blueberries on a.icount of th nr color, little red appU-s. little 
 
 I black poires and quantities of the goose-berries ^.^.^y ^^^^^^^^ j^ ,^j^ ^^^^^ 
 
 cold countries. 
 
 I saw a great deal of large trees in diffjrent places, from whi(^h the bark 
 had been stripped; nnd, asking my guide if these were not marks and 
 writings suc;h as they use, he replied that the Indians, drivren by famine 
 had peeled these trees to nourish themselves out of their bark. God has 
 Hivon to warm countries the necessary refreshments, and, in these cold 
 regions, the bears, the moose deer, the beaver and the porcupine are food 
 which lire bettor than (igs and oranges to fcrtify the stomach in these 
 countries, 
 
 Thev are mistaken who have believed that this climate was uninha- 
 bitable eith(>r on account of the great cold, the ice and snow or of the want 
 I ot proper building and fire wood. They have not seen the vast and dense 
 I'orosts, the beautiful plains and the great meadows which border the rivers 
 at various jioints, covered with all kinds of grasses suitable for the feedin"^ 
 of cattle; T can state that, on the fifteenth of June, there were wild roses 
 in bloom as beautiful and as sweet-smidling a.« at Quebec; the season 
 seemed to me even to be more advanced and the air very soft and pleasant 
 There was no night, when I was there ; the evening twilight had scarcely 
 endod belbie the dawn heralded the rising sun. 
 
 On the sixth, we began the journey up the river with much uitficulty 
 o:ia(voni.t of th.. swiftness of its current and the frequent waterfalls with 
 which it is broken. The Indians have then to get out into the water to 
 (Ira- their canoes by sheer strength, some of them drawing them with cords, 
 others pushing them with long poles, and very often it was impossible to 
 hteiu the impetuosity of the w^ater which dashes over the rocks with start- 
 pug' rapidity. Then the canoes and all the baggage had to be carried 
 through the woods, sometimes between lofty and frightful mountains, and 
 I sometimes over vast plains and shocking roads. 
 
 It took us four days to reach Nemiskau, where we hoisted the king's 
 arms at the point ol' the island on the 9th July. 
 
644 
 
 ^>'i f 
 
 On tho 18th, wo nrrivHl nt the river of Miiiahiffouskat, vvh.M.. two hun 
 arod other Indians w.re waiting for us, and who, after vveh-oming as accord' 
 ing to the fashion of their country, entertained us each in their turn. 
 
 On the 18th, towards two o'clock in the afternoon, I i>lanted the Uiins 
 of our mighty and invincible monarch on this river, to m^t as a safo-uu-d 
 to all these peoples against all the Iroquois nations * ' 
 
 On the 23rd, we reached Lake St. John after a good rleal of hardship [ 
 was astonished on my arrival to learn that the Mistassiriniu.s had been 
 waiting for me for a month. 
 
 On the 20th, we started from the lake to go to Chegoutimik, where M 
 de Saint-Denis, captain of Tadousac, was waiting for us to take us aboard 
 his vessel : we arrived there on the 1st Au"-ust. 
 
 Down to this, it had been considered that Frenchmen were unabjo to 
 make this journey. After trying it three times and tailing to surmount 
 Its obstacles, they had been obliged to abandon it in despair of success. 
 
 It is true that this journey is extremely difficult and that all I have 
 written is only the smallest portion of what one must sutf.n-. There m 
 200 water falls and consequently 200 portages, whor.^ it is necessaiyio 
 carry canoes and baggage together on the back ; there are 400 rapids, which 
 must be ascended by poling. I say nothing of the roughness of the' roads, 
 iis it must be experienced to be understood. But one takes courage at thj 
 thought of so many souls who may bo won to Jesus Christ. The distance 
 going and coming is 800 leagues ; we did more than 60o of these in forty 
 days. Our rule was to start early in the morning and r.^tire to rest late 
 We started as soon as the dawn of day enabled us to see the rocks in the 
 river and continued until we could distinguish them no longer owino- to 
 the growing darkness. ° 
 
 HEADWATERS OF THE SAOUENAY, ST . MAURICE AND OATINEAU. 
 
 In the month of April last, I received your instructions to make an 
 i^xamination of the unexplored counfry to the northward from Lake St. John, 
 on the Saguenay, with a view to ascertain the geological structure of that 
 region, as well as its adaptability for agricultural purposes. From Lake St. 
 John we ascended the Ashuapmoudiouan. This stream, for a little over 
 
 
 iiniety 
 phicall 
 on a SCI 
 to note 
 The gei 
 N. W. 
 branch( 
 by the 
 ihe smi 
 lock's ( 
 usual V 
 bearing 
 tions fo 
 traoted 
 at any \ 
 
 Ex( 
 
 from w 
 ii'oin la 
 lake, th 
 which ( 
 Bay. 1 
 through 
 second, 
 the hca 
 from th 
 vt'sterh 
 ihe hige 
 mile. 1 
 between 
 Jioarly ? 
 from La' 
 through 
 callod 1 
 
 This 
 further c 
 our couri 
 westerly 
 which fl 
 which d 
 
645 
 
 m 
 
 vvh(M-,' two hmi. 
 fining us iiocoi-d- 
 hoir turn. 
 
 laiit.Hl tho anns 
 as a sareguarcl 
 
 xl of hardship, I 
 iniiis had been 
 
 imik, where M. 
 take us aboard 
 
 wero unablo to 
 ^g to surmount 
 • of su()(3ess. 
 
 hat all I have 
 [for. There are 
 is necessary io 
 rapids, which 
 is of the roads, 
 courage at the 
 The distance 
 f these in fortv 
 ■e to rest late, 
 he rocks in the 
 iigor owino- to 
 
 TINEAU. 
 
 IS to make an 
 Lake St. John, 
 iicture of that 
 From Lake 8t. 
 r a little over 
 
 mnetyseveii milos from its mouth, had been proviouRly surveyed topoffra- 
 l.hically by Mr. Blaiklock, P. L. S., so that, with a plan of his survey, laid down 
 on a scale of two inches to the mile, it was easy as we pursued our journey, 
 to note accurately tho geological and other features observed aloni? the river' 
 The general bearing of the course up the river from Lake St. John is abour 
 X. "VV. A little above the ninety-second mile the river divides into two 
 branches, one of these comes from the N. N. E., and, being the larger, is called 
 by tho Indians the Chief river. The other which we ascended, although 
 Iho smaller, retains the name of Ashuapmouchouan. At the end of Blaik- 
 lock's survey, our measurements commenced and wer<? carried on in tho 
 usual way, the distance being determined by micrometer-telescop(>, and the 
 bearings by prismatic compass, checked by opposite readings The calcula- 
 tions for each day's work were made at night, and tha measurements pro- 
 tracted in the tent as opportunity offered ; so that we were able to ascertain, 
 at any time, our position and rate of progress. 
 
 Except the first mile, wh .ch is N. W., the upward course of the river, 
 from where our measurements began, is about S. W , and the distance* 
 from lake Ashuapmouchouan is about twenty-four miles. Leaving this 
 lake, the upward course is generally northwesterly to the height of land 
 which divides the waters of the Saguenay from those flowing^to Hudson 
 Bay. This portion of the river, which is called Nikoubau "river, passes 
 through several small lakes ; the first is called Lower Nikoubau ; the 
 second, Nikoubau ; the third, Perch lake ; and the fourth. Branch lake.' At 
 the head of the latter, the river divides into two branches, one comes 
 from the N E., and the other, in its upward course, coiitinues north- 
 Avosterly, and i)asses and sort of double lake, called Narrow Ilidge lake, whence 
 tho higest lake, called AVhitelish lake, is reached by a portage of about one- 
 mile. This is close to the water-shed, which is also the boundary line 
 between the province of Quebec and the territory to the north, and is 
 nearly .''M-.Mity-t wo miles from the beginning of our survey, or 170 miles 
 from Lake St John. Continuing in a northwesterly course, wo passed 
 through several small ponds, and descended for about two miles the stream 
 called Iwo-Discharges river, which forms the outlet. 
 
 This brought us to lake Abatagomaw, traversing which advanced us a 
 further di^tnnce of about ten miles, nearly in the same dirci-tion ; thence 
 our course was nearly at right angles to that hitherto followed, or north- 
 westerly. Passing through some small lakes or ponds ou a small str.'am 
 which ilows into the last mentio)ied lake, a height of laud is reached 
 which divides the waters of lake Abatagomaw from those of lake Chibo- 
 
 m 
 
646 
 
 j}romou. Tho latter Ink*' is HixtetMi milcH from the former or a little ovortw 
 huiicired IVom Lake St. John. L.ko Chihoiromou 6trot<lu>8 in the sumo 
 (northeahtorly) direction, a lurilier distance ol' tvventy-two mil-s. and 
 onipti.'H itself by two oullntM, about thiee miles apart, with u ia.j ../ihout 
 tw.-nty.iive feet in from 100 to 200 paces, into another lake, ruuninn- panUM 
 with it. ThcHe two lakes and Abitai?(»miiw are supposed to foruUhc head- 
 waters of the Notaway. whi.-h is said to be a large river where it falls into' 
 James' Hay. 
 
 Continuinoin tho same direction throuarH several small ponds and 
 oropsing another hcio-ht of land, toffcther a di>slance of a little over lonr 
 miles, lake Wakanitrhe is reached. This lake exte.ids in the .same direr 
 lion nearly twenty four miles farther. FoUowiuff the stream by whirh it" 
 discharges, and passing ihrouoh several small ponds, a dista:ice of lour 
 miles brings us to Abata-oush bay, a part of Lake Mista.ssini. This biy was 
 surveyed for thirty inih.s-thirleen miles to the Hudson Buy Compuiv's 
 post, and seventeen miles beyond it. At this point the lake opens out 
 both to the right and left; and Mr. lUirge.ss, the olfioer in ch:i;ov of the 
 Hudson Bay Company's post, told me that from this point the western 
 shore trends north for about .six miles, where a bay. twelve miles across, 
 called 1 oonichuan, stretches south and south-west for u distance of about 
 thirty miles. He further informed me that, acro.ss the bay, the coast-line 
 continues m a northwest.M-ly direction fur forty or torty-live miles farther 
 and thence north lor about sixty miles. In .som > part of th.3 latter .^stance' 
 IS the discharge of the lake, which forms the head- waters of the liuport 
 river. Thus, if Mr. IJurge.ss's estim.te of the distance is approximately 
 correct the length of Lake Mistassini. including the bays, would be about 
 1^0 miles, or but little less than that of lak,' O.itario. I have no ii.fornii- 
 tion ivgarding its breadth Besides the two bays alreadv m.Mition.>d there 
 IS a third on he east side called Cabistachuan, which ru.is to the ..u.ith and 
 west from a point about midway between the Hud.son Biy Compmy's 
 post and the end ol our measurements, and is about twenty miles deep At 
 the south end of this, a stream of the same name, said to h, of considerablo 
 si/e, enter.s irom the eastward. 
 
 The whole distance from Lake St. John to the point where our measure- 
 ments terminated on Lake Mistassini. by the route followed, is u-.uly 290 
 miles. It was iny intention to h ive proceeded farther alono- the lake but 
 our provisions having failed to reach us, and being unable to pro rare any at 
 the Hudson Bay Company's post, we were cblitred to return to lake 
 Nikoubau, where our supplies were stored. We therefore left Lako Mistas- 
 
041 
 
 r a little ovortwo 
 lit'8 in tho Niiin,, 
 •two niil.'N. iuij 
 Ih u liiii Di'jihout 
 running paralM 
 to lorni the head- 
 'hero it falls into 
 
 small ponds, and 
 i littlo ovor four 
 I the same direc- 
 3am by which it 
 tlisfixiico of lour 
 111. This l)iy was 
 Bay Compiuiy's 
 lake opens out 
 ill chiii'ge oftho 
 >iut the western 
 Ive miles across, 
 istan.ie uf about 
 Y, the coast-liue 
 .^e miles farther, 
 3 latter distance 
 i of the Rupert 
 itpproxiinately 
 would be about 
 ave no iiiforraa- 
 ifMitioned, there 
 o the fsuiith and 
 li ly Comp my's 
 miles deep. At 
 of considerablo 
 
 ire our measure* 
 I, is 11 -.uly 290 
 1' the lake, but 
 < pro rare any at 
 return to lake 
 ft Lako Mistas* 
 
 sini on the 18th of August and arrived at Nikoubau ou th.> 20th of the 
 ,m" month. From the last montiouod lake, we resumed our survey 
 Asrondmg a stream called Foam Fulls river, we pass through lak.'s Askatiche 
 Kakaskapstothiouisse and NTormandin to a height of laud wlii.h divides the 
 uaters ,d Lake Mt. .lohn from thnso of the St. Mauric-,e, a distance from our 
 >tarting point, in a gonerul south-west course, of forty-one miles ; thence 
 (onlmuing on about the same coui.e, we descended a trii)utary of the St 
 Maurice, called Clear- Water river, which passes through Clear- Water and 
 P.uiacachie lakes, and brings us in twenty-two miles to Sandy-lJea.di lake 
 Ab.Mii two miles from where we entered this lake, the river St. Maurice 
 romrs III front the north-west, and, at distam-e of about eighteen miles it 
 pasN^-s out by a narrow channel into lake Traverse. The total distance' to 
 this point from lake Nikoubau is about eighteen and a-half miles As the 
 St Maurice had been already surveyed from this point downward, there 
 was no need of continuing our measurements. We then descended the 
 river as lar as Kirkondatch, a distance of twenty miles, noting the various 
 objects ol interest met with as we went along. Having run short of some 
 iie(essary supplies, and being unable to procure them here, I was oblio-ed 
 to send to Weymontachinque, a distance of sixty miles, where we got 
 partially provided. 
 
 We arrived at Kirkendatch on the 7th of September, and the 18th 
 start.'d from that place with an additional Indian as guide, for the head- 
 wuters of the Gatineau. On this portion of the .journey, the distances were 
 ostiiuated by time, except on the portages, which were paced, and some of 
 the l;iro-..r lakes, which were triangulated from a measured base. Passiu"- 
 Irom Kirkendatch through a few small lakes, we descended a stream which 
 isthe outlet of the last one, and which falls into a tributary of the St 
 Maurice, called liair-Cutting river. This we ascended to its source in 
 Great IJeaver lake, which brought us to the height of land between the 
 waters of the St. Maurice and those of the Gatineau. This we crossed by a 
 portage about half a mile in length to Light-Fire lake. The distance from 
 Kniumdatch to this point is about thirty-five miles, in a direction about 
 south-west. Light-Fire lake is on the south-east branch of the Gatineau, 
 and several miles below its source. We descended the stream to the north- 
 west branch, and thence to the river Desert, where we arrived ou tiie 26th 
 ^eptember, a distance of al)out 300 miles from Kirkendatch. From the 
 Desert, Mr Leitch and myself travelled to Ottawa, about 100 miles distant, 
 by land, as we could thus be better able to judge of the agricultural capa- 
 bilities of the country than by following the river. The Indians, how^ever, 
 
648 
 
 went down the river with the canoes, and we rejoined them af Off 
 the 80th Septe„.ber ; the whole parly arnvin, L Moutllo ? Tm! 
 October, whence the Indians relumed to their home at Lake St. John 
 
 The whole of the season's work has been protracted on a scale off, 
 inches to the mile, and the accompanying map is a redaction from "to! 
 scale our miles to the inch. It mns. be remarked, however tha" 
 some^of the pomts, the distance, are, for ,hn present, only approxill,: 
 
 Economic minera/s. 
 
 grains t'. 
 average 
 
 OCH 
 
 of Taint 
 the mou 
 ochre or 
 
 LIM 
 
 abundai 
 
 uui: 
 each loc 
 
 ..,• ^f ^^.^^--^^PP^r-Pyntes has already been mentioned as occurrino- in th. 
 
 ne ghborhood of Pan.t mountain, on lake Abatagomaw. At a poin ^ ^^ 
 
 to the south-west of the mountain, on the lake shore, this ore is met S 
 
 m specks together with stains of the green carbonate, but no wel Wefia d vat 
 
 bed or vem was observed. The rock is a green, slightly calcareous, ch^o John ha. 
 
 B a te ihese mdicahons of copper are seen for nearly half a m le n3 aracte 
 
 easterly along the lake-shore, where a bed or vein two feet thick cola " 
 
 ing copper-pyrites is se.n in chloritic rock for about twenty fe I , 
 
 stnke IS N. 31o E. and S. 37« W.,the underlie not being determfn^itle 
 
 The portion of the vein exposed would probably yield four or fi.e per 
 cent, of copper throughout, while parts of it might produce ten or tX 
 per cent. For about three-quarters of a mile farther along the shore, specks! i, 
 of the yellow sulphuret and the green carbonate of copm^r are met wUh I , 
 
 whe^vertl. rock appears. At the end of this distan^^ aiS^j^ ^ ^ l^T 
 Pa int mountain, he rock is largely charged with fine-grained irou-pyrites 
 and specks of yellow sulphuret, in a yello^vish quartzo.e gangue Here 
 the iron-pyrites constitute as much as iif.een or twenty ^er cent, of the 
 rock, while along the whole of the dist.n.e above described, about one and 
 a quar er miles, it is never absent, though occurring in small quantities. At 
 the last mentioned place ,s the depression described on pao-e 2 )8 Is before 
 stated. It is filled with drift, and no rock i. seen in it ; li^^ f^i^ tt ^ 
 titles of iron and copper-pyrites met with in the rock on both sides of it it 
 IS quite possible that under the drift a valuable deposit of copper ore may 
 
 Ihroughi 
 irouud ] 
 
 VAL 
 
 Asc( 
 from tha 
 lent soil, 
 and, tow 
 the land 
 is small 
 
 all kindi 
 wheat, fi 
 on the 2J 
 
 IRON -About half a mile south-west of the first-mentioned copper ore, 
 and near the ake shore, there is a deposit of magnetic iron ore in chloriti. 
 slate^ts breadth is fifty feet, and it is seen ou its strike, which is S, fi.io W. 
 and N. Go^ K, about 200 paces. The ore occurs in crystalline Jumps and 
 
 Fror 
 
 rocky, \v 
 bahly 11 fl 
 coarse, ai 
 pounds \ 
 Hawk m 
 far as Hit 
 presents 
 height al 
 of 341 f 
 falls and 
 
649 
 
 grains throughout the rock. The whole fifty feet would probably yield an 
 average of from fifteen to twenty per cent, of iron. 
 
 OCHRE.— The only place this was observed was in the north-east part 
 Qf Taint mountain, where a small deposit was met with about half-way up 
 the mountain, which probably derives its name from the presence of this 
 j ochre or paint. 
 
 LIME.— In all the localities where limestone has been described, it is 
 abundant and suitable for lime-makinar. 
 
 BUILDING STONE.— It would be useless to take up space by specifying 
 each locality where material of this kind could be got, as it is abundan°t 
 I throughout the Laurentian series, as well as in the Hat limestone formation 
 I around Lake Mistassini. 
 
 VALLEY OF THE ASHUAPMOUCiiouAN.— The country arouud Lake St. 
 John has already been described in the geological report of 1857, and its 
 I character for fertility is likewise well known from many other sources. 
 
 Ascending the river for thirty-six miles, the country differs but little 
 I from that around the lake, being underlaid with clay, which forms an excel- 
 lent soil. In many places this becomes covered with sand and sandy loam, 
 and, towards the thirty-sixth mile, the sand hills predominate, rendering 
 I the land less fit for tillage than lower down. The sandy ground, however! 
 I is small in proportion to what appears to be really good soil. Settlement 
 has already ascended the river for about ton miles from Lake St. John, 
 where I was told, and from observation have every reason to believe, that 
 all kinds of grain and many vegetables yield well. A field of sprino- 
 wheat, five or six acres in extent, had a healthy and luxuriant appearance 
 on the 23rd of June. 
 
 From the thirty-sixth mile upward, the country near the river becomes 
 rocky, with but little soil. Occasional spaces of from a few acres to pro- 
 
 I bably fifty or a hundred acres in ext.-nt are covered with sand, very often 
 coarse, and abounding in rounded gneiss boulders of from an ounce to 100 
 
 I pounds weight. The gneiss hills rise from 150 to 300 feet, and one, called 
 Hawk mountain, close to the east side of the river, rises about 500 feet. As 
 far as the Shecobish river, fifty-eight miles from Lake St John, the ccuntry 
 presents a similar aspect. The river itself is almost a continuous rapid; its 
 height above the sea-level at the thirty-sixth mile is 512 feet, being a rise 
 of 341 feet in twenty- two miles! Included in this are the Ckiudiere 
 falls and rapids, 121 feet, which extend over somewhat less than one mile. 
 
650 
 
 Irom the Shecobish to LaLocho brook, the aspect of the country rernainJ 
 the same, but the nver is less rapid, the height b.ing. here 0;39 feet I 
 
 f T' !r''^ 'ir' "' '""'''^'y'^'^^ '"il^«- F'-om the LaLocho brook' to th 
 lorks, the hills r.se from eighty to 300 feet, but are still covered with 
 sandy soil nnd occasional sandy patches filled with gneiss u.ulders. 
 
 The ^vho]e of the country from Lak- St. John to the forks wu bu,-„J 
 overlastsurrauer except some islands and patches of no great exteu 
 low places near (he nver The trees of th,s burnt district, ,o lar as ob e 
 appear to have been principally spruce, bvlsam-lir, white birch no I 
 mountain ash, and a shrnb-like white cedar. The spi-uce is from tw 1^ 
 eighteen inches m diameter, and from fortv lo eighty feet Ju-rh th. Ill 
 trees being of less size. ' ^ • ^ = ' *^^ ''^^'* 
 
 From the forks upwards to withiii six or seven miles of lak. Ishu.n 
 niouchouan the surface is comparatively level. Near the river conskLnb "' 
 
 bo'uMer? Tr"\''^V^'""'' ^'^^'^ '''''^ ^^^^^ *^« --1 round":! 
 boulders. These boulder-sands have frequently a thickness of ov^ 1 
 
 hundred feet. n many places where the surface is bare of veo-etat o h 
 
 hner sands are drifted into low ridges and hillocks by the wFud F. 
 
 one to three miles back from the river, on either side, L4y nd" 'of .'l 
 
 the level of the nver. On the sandy spaces but little vegetation is 1 
 wi h and only a few small white birches and a species o X" LI 
 callea cypress, grows on the gneiss hills. Although bare rocky pa^s o ' 
 considerable areas aie covered with white birches, apparentiv of te i 
 welve years growth. There are indications that a pr cn-iouT L ' 
 
 o great size has been destroyed by fire. The river along thi.. .. , " I 
 
 ful 01 rapids In one place between the uinetyeighth Tind one huuh- 
 nd s..ond miles, there is a rise of 11.5 feet; the blight above se -1 " 
 
 at the latter point being 1,11:> feet, while in the next nine or ten mi tie 
 
 rise IS sixty-five feet, reaching 1,180 feet abo7e sea-leval. 
 
 From this last place to lake Ashuapmouchouan, the country seen is 
 
 rcX t:.:'!;'^' ^t-^'^"' -stlyasandyloam and well fiLd 
 tor cultivation The wood is spruce a.id tnmarac, both of which attain , 
 good size while balsam-fir and white birch are rarer a.id smaller A thi 
 kke on the site of an old Hudson Bay Co. post, in the cleai-ing a.out t 
 old buildings, as well as in open pbu-es near the lake and river the c .^ 
 
 SolTh Tb^ r '°^r\'"^- ''^''-^^'^"^^ timothy-g..ass w:s t v 
 high on the 9th July. Blueberries were ripe by the 5th or 6th, aiid rasp- 
 
661 
 
 le country rexmmi 
 ere fl;39 feot, a risJ 
 jocho brook to th] 
 ill covored with 
 iss b'iulders. 
 
 e forks wxi h^xnii 
 no great oxteiit iij 
 so far as observed! 
 'hite l)irch, poplar] 
 3 is from twelve tc 
 ee.t liigh, the otheJ 
 
 Lies on the *7th or 8th of July. The height of this lake is 1,184 feet above 
 
 llie sea. 
 
 The same character of soil and country prevails up ihe Nikoubau river 
 
 torn the lake of Pole rapids, a distance of about seven miles, but at these 
 
 lipids, and above this to lake Nikoub lu, the banks are eo-nposed of brown 
 
 nil with gneiss boulders, the latter occasionally large, and often so nume- 
 
 lous that the vs'hole dejjosit resembles a coarse boulder-diift, with its inter- 
 
 |ti,es tilled by sand. The country rise? above the rivor from twenty to 
 
 [ighty feet, and the boalder-deposit is occasionally interrupted by o-neiss 
 
 A' from eighty to two hundred feet high. Much of the forest appears 
 
 ohave been burnt fiom ten to twenty years ago, and these portions have a 
 
 hill growth of small white birch and cypress, and often abound with blue- 
 
 ;s ofl 1'^. 4 4 leiry bushes, which at the time of my visit were covered with ripe fruit. 
 
 ■ '^ ^^'^^^' K'here the woods have escaped the fire, they consist of spruce, balsam-fir, 
 
 aiiKiiiK", poplar and mountain-ash. At lake Nikoubau, these all attain a 
 
 rood size. 
 
 nver considerab 
 il rounded gneiss 
 vuess of over out 
 of vegetation, the 
 he winds. From 
 cy ridges of gneiss 
 ndred feet above 
 .'egetation is met 
 5 of pine, locally 
 ocky space.* oecur, 
 arently of ten orj 
 ous forest, but o 
 ■g thi.s stretcli is 
 and one hundred 
 t above sea-levo 
 3 or ten miles the 
 
 ■ country seen is 
 I and well fitted 
 f which attain a 
 smaller. At this 
 iring around the 
 river, the coarse 
 ss was two feet 
 r 6th, and rasp- 
 
 (;.\TIXEAU RIVEll FROM DESERT RI^^ER TO HEIGHT OF LAND. The 
 
 !stim;ited height above the sea-level of the Gatineau at river Desert, about 
 me hundred miles due north from Ottawa city, is 309 feet. At this point 
 nd for six miles further up the Gatineau, the soil is a sandy loam, the 
 feiiend level of the country being from twelve to thirty feet above the 
 iver, although rocky hills of a hundred feet are seen occasionally. Along 
 his distance a considerable quantity of land was under cultivation with 
 lats barley, peas, and spring and fall-wheat. Several fields of the last 
 looked healthy, and covered the ground well on the 26th of September. I 
 has informed that the yield is from twenty-five :o thirty bushels to the 
 icie. Potatoes appear to yield well and were found to be of excellent 
 luality. Above this there are no settlements, and the only cultivation is 
 111 the farms of lumbering establishments. One of theoj is Farm island, 
 beloniiing to Messrs. Gilmour & Co. ; the next and hig'iest up belongs to 
 Jlessis Hamilton Bros. Here I was furnished with the following f\icts by 
 )Ir. Grant, th<^ superintendent : The clearing is about 400 acres in extent, 
 producing 140 tons of hay, 3,r)00 bushels of oats, i>00 bushels of peas, fifty 
 bushels of buckwheat, 1,300 bushets of potatoes, with barley, turnips and 
 Miigoldvvurtzel, the quantities of which I did not a^-sertain. There are 
 ihree other farais in the neighborhood, collectively of 350 acres, producino- 
 '0 tons of hay, 3,000 bushels of oats, 100 bushels of peas, and 1,400 bushels 
 of potatoes. I am not aware whether wheat has })een grown. These 
 farms are chiefly for providing food for the horses and oxen used for draw- 
 ing th(! lumber in winter. 
 
652 
 
 It appears to me that the above facts indicate that the country is wd 
 adapted for settlement. The soil is very similar to that of the riyer Be J 
 a sandy loam, and. as far as observed, it is very much the same for a dis 
 of over fifty miles along the Gatineau from th. mouth of the Dese.' T 
 banks of the former river are from twenty to fifty feet high. Rocky hi 
 from 100 to 150 feet high sometimes rises from them, but are often er at s ' 
 distance back. Besides the great quantities of pine, which this district 
 known to produce it als. contains spruce, balsam-fir, some black birch 
 well as considerable areas of white birch, with occasionally whitel 
 brown ash Curiously enough, where maple is met with, it is in groves 
 the most elevated points. ^ 
 
 ion ^^^^ ";''^'' ^^,^^l^t»^ff ^t the portages, is generally lake-like. and fro 
 100 yards to not less than half a mile wide. There are in all ten portal. 
 varying m length Ir.ni fifty yards to about one mile. The total r se fror 
 he Desert to Ilainilton's farm is 142 feet, making the latter about ^uZ 
 above the sea. l^rom Hamilton's farm to the junction of the north-east J 
 south-east branches, a distance of about forty miles, the aspect of the countr 
 
 mTZT' f r '' "T"" '' ^'^''''' '^^*' ^""^ ' -''^' P'^'^-^ «f these fort 
 0^ Pied Iv r '''". ' uT'^ '' "^^'y >""-^ •^"^' ^>^^ "« Pl-- - M 
 
 1 ce 'th""' f '''" "" """^"""^' "^^ J^^=^'^^ ^-«^ their a pea 
 
 more'tv,? 7 ;>^.^«-:>--t,vely recent growth, very few of them bein 
 
 fo come ° ^"""'""'''^ ^''''" '^'' lumbermen for mmy year] 
 
 is ihTrj^'^VT "^'^" r''' ^'' ''^'''' ^''' ''''^'' ^^''^^'-' Mamilton-s fu-n 
 
 rise of 114 feet, Ab n-o thus the river becomes rapid, without po-ta^. s am 
 ^arro.^r the additional rise to the forks b-ing 185 feet, making th^ hu , 
 
 tl e riT '"'' r "^r ■^'"' '^'""' '^"^^'^" ^"^'^« ''^' '^^^' -"th-^ast branch, 
 T^Xrr r^^ n-« nearly 300 ibet. reaching 1,015 above the sea 
 
 • to b n T V .'''''"' "" '^"" '^''•''''^ ^^''^^' ^^''th rocky banks risiu 
 
 asc^^ntv '"r '•, '" irom seventy to one hundred feet high, covered witl 
 Pine Li! f «f"^"P17^'"S- principally white birch, with here and ther. 
 
 ol " I " ''^r\\^' ^"■^"- ' "^-^y ^--^ ^'^--k that no hard. 
 
 ^ ood t.ees. such as mnpK, black birch, elm and ash were observed abov 
 this. One small ash tree was. how ver. seen at the end of the distance 
 
653 
 
 For the next twenty-five miles, the river is less rapid, the rise being 
 
 ly sixty five feet. The country is low, with tew elevations over fifty feet. 
 
 lie soil is sandy, but supports a large growth of spruce, balsam-fir, white 
 
 iivh, tamarac and poplar, and a few pine trees of small size. Here, about 
 
 miles northward of Ottawa city, and 1,080 feet above the sea, appears 
 
 1,0 the northern limit of pine on this branch of the Clatineau. The suc- 
 
 .rtliiig twelve miles is hilly, but well wooded with spruce, balsam-fir, 
 
 iinanii', and white birch. The hills are from 150 to 450 feet high, shew- 
 
 ijr occasionally bare rocky summits and escarpment. This is succeeded 
 
 ir about ten miles by bare rocky hills, 100 to 500 feet high, with terraces 
 
 boulder sand from twenty to thirty feet high. Near the river, on both 
 
 los, small thinly scattered poplar, cypress and white birch are seen. To 
 
 •irteii river, three miles farther, the country is lower, rising above the 
 
 ivor from twenty to 150 feet. The timber is of good size, the spruce and 
 
 iiiKuac being from twelve to eighteen inches in diameter, and from seventy 
 
 ois'hty feet high. The country and the timber retain the same character 
 
 White Bear lake, about nine miles farther. The river up to this point is 
 
 II of rapids, shewing a height above the sea of 1,450 feet. Beyond this 
 
 (he height of land the stream rises to 1,500 above the sea. The aspect 
 
 tht'country is the same, except three or four miles to the south-east, where 
 
 icky hills are seen 300 or 400 feet in height, having a blackened appearance 
 
 torn recent fires. 
 
 il- 
 
 JPI 
 
 loso 
 
 The portage from White-Bear lake to Hair-Cutting lake is about half a 
 
 c; the summit is 1,514 feet above the sea, and only four feet ab ve the 
 
 ttor lakf, making here a difference of only ten feet between the waters of 
 
 I'Gatineau and those of the St. Maurice, Along Hair-Cutting lake, which 
 
 aboiTt seven miles in length and from two chanis to about two miles 
 
 ide, is a level plain rising over the lake from ten to twenty feet, com- 
 
 'd of brown sand, and mostly bare of vegetation Along the lake shore, 
 
 hue the waves have acted on the sand, iron sands like those of the lower 
 
 Lawrence are met with. Proceeding down Hair-Cutting river to Great 
 
 id Little Beaver lakes, the country continiies comparatively level and 
 
 )iijists of sandy plains, rising in terraces sometimes sixty feet over the river, 
 
 ul covered mostly with blueberry bushes and here and there remains of 
 
 mI! burned spruces. From the lake to where the traverse leaves Hair- 
 
 iitliug- liver, and thence to Kirkendatch on the St. Maurice, a distance of 
 
 ibout eighteen miles, the country is still covered with brown sand, and 
 
 eiuoqualities of the surface are from twenty to one hundred and twenty 
 
 ift^t high. 
 
064 
 
 The region aM fMr as Loon lake is well wooded with sprace ZSl 
 white birch and some balsam-fir. To the north of Loon lake a'ud ,h i 
 to Kirkencktel), there is a level spaee ol brown sand of several squa,.,' ^ 
 in extent. Ihis plain, which rises sixty feet over the St. Maurice riv.rl. 
 been covered with a growth principally of spruce trees Iroin six to' -.i 
 inches in diameter, but these have nearly all been destroyed by th. f,. J 1 
 hres which have passed over this district. On the St. Maurice li 
 Jvirkendatch, the country is tnore elevated and rocky and, for sotnedist.n 
 a least, the wood seems likewise to have been destroyed by (ire Tlic h 'iol 
 the St. Maurice above the sea at Kirkendatch is 1,275 feet. Follo.vino- H I 
 St. Maurice upward to the upper end of lake Traverse, the countrv is^^o 
 pai-atively level, and the river, for considerable distances, winds'throno 
 extensive llatsof sandv loam, which are c-overed by water in the sn-,-;^^ 
 time and daring iloods. Some of these produce an abundance of wiLU^sT 
 which would s^ipport rnnny hundred head of cattle. Mr. Spen.^e, thelU 
 son Bay Cos officer at Kirkendatch, told me that the few cows which 
 keeps thrive remarkably well, pasturing in summer on the flats, while 
 the winter they are fed on the wild g.ass cut and dried to hay. 
 
 The rise in the riyer from Kirkendatch to Sandy-Beach lake, which H 
 immediately above lake Traverse, is fourteen feet, making the latter 1 -^,8 
 feet above the sea Lnke Traverse, which is about eighteei^ miles in lo„: 
 andlromafew chains to two and a-half miles wide, has banks of . ami 
 rising from ten to forty feet above the water. Some hills two or thre, 
 miles trom the lake ri.cs from 100 to 300 feet, and others six or seven mil. 
 south-east from the f.ke, attain from -fOO to 600 feet. The woods are son J 
 tamarac, balsam-fir and white birch ; the spruce and tamarac trees b.in 
 from «ix to twelve i.ches thick at the base. The river St. Maurice, whichi 
 as already stated, faiis into this lake one and a-half miles b.low the novtW 
 east end, is aboui live rh:iins wide. 
 
 I»«scendingthM'|nar-\Vaterriver,atributaryoft;heSt. Maurice, throuoJ 
 1 emscachie, ^^ atouche, Fishing and Clear- Water lakes, to the hei<vht of lamj 
 portage, a distance of about seventeen miles, the country bears the same lovell 
 aspect as on Sandy Beach lake For nearly half this distance the woods havJ 
 been burnt considerable areas now producing only small cypresses about 
 four or fi ve.leei high. Where the forest has not been burnt, the sandy soil proJ 
 duces a smaller growth of timber than on Sandy Beach lake. The river in thisl 
 distance, to the height of land, rises only lyi foer, reaching 1,418 feet above 
 the sea. The distance from the heighl of land down from Falls river, throuoh 
 lakes Normandin. Kakaskapstethiouisse. and Askatiche, to lake Xikoubuu M 
 
655 
 
 Lnt fhirty-four miles. For the whole of this distauc>>, the .lesm-iptioa 
 [iron of tho country along Clear- Water river is equally applicable. It pre- 
 Liits the same alternation ol giean and burnt woods, as well as com- 
 Watively level, barren sandy soil. The h-i^^ht of lake Nikoubau is 1,260 
 [eet :il)ove the sea, showing a fall of l.)2 feet from the height of land. 
 
 LAKK NiKouRAU TO LAKE MisTAS^iNi. — The distance from the lower 
 U of lake Nikonban to the height of land, in a straight Hue, is about 
 Ififteen miles, but, by the river and lakes, it is about twenty-four miles ; in 
 Ihis distance the woods are generally green, and in a few places, — one at 
 Jtht lower end of lake Nikoubau, a second at Perch lake, and a third at 
 IXarrow Ridge lake, — the timber is of good size. There are a few hills 
 Ihat rise from 100 to 300 feet. Patrick's mountain, to the west of Narrow 
 IRidge lake, rises over the lake about oOO feet, and is covered principally 
 Lith white birch trees, five to eight inch s in diameter. The soil is still 
 jsaudy, as far as observed, over the whole distance. The height of land, 
 jwhich is the northern boundary of the province of Quebec, is" here 1,3,59 
 Lt above the sea. It rises ninety-three feet above lake Nikoubau, but only 
 Bitty-three feet above its headwntcrs, and only twenty kei above the waters 
 kliat runs to James' bay. The length of the portage which divides these 
 [waters is not quite half a mile. 
 
 From the height of laud to Inke Ahatagonnv, about five miles the 
 Icountry is somewhat more uneven, but stilfsandy and barren, supporting 
 jforthe most part small cypresses, with some spruce and white birch. The 
 
 "". to the lake is 153 feet, making the water 1,200 foet above the sea. This 
 lake is crowded with low rocky islands, seldom rising above the water more 
 Itlum thirty feet. The timber, ho'.vever, becomes largor, both on the islands 
 |aiidonthc mainland. The lake is supposed to m-asure about twelv.; miles 
 
 iom north-east to south-west and about nine mil(\s from vS. E. to N. W. The 
 loiitlotissaid to be at the south-\V(>st part and to form on- of the branches of 
 ItheNota way river, which empties into James' bay. From this lake to Chibo- 
 Igomou, a distance of about tight miles, the country is undulating, the 
 Ihighost part being about sixty feet over Abatagomaw, and thirteen fee°t over 
 IChiboivomou. It is rocky in s »me places, while ridges of sand are met 
 Jwith in others, for the first four miles. The rest of the distance presents a 
 Isuiiace covered with large angu ar and rounded masses of white quartzose 
 jand irranitic rocks, overgrown with from six to twelve inches of moss. 
 jMost of the wood has been burnt, and the surface is in many places 
 jcoveivd with blueberry bushes, producing very large fruit. I may mention 
 that on one of the portages a few bushes were found resembling the blue- 
 
666 
 
 If 
 
 berry, but bearing' a fruit only distinguishable from the blueberry bv if J 
 CO our, which was that of the white currant. I regret that, not haviJ 
 collected any specimens of this shrub, it is not possible to .say whotW 
 It is of a species distinct from the blueberry. ' 
 
 Lake Chibogomou is about twenty miles long, on the line followed j 
 bu , on Its south-east side, it is some live miles longer. A ridge, on which 
 stands Sorcerers mountain, 425 feet above the lake, projects to the ouh 
 west about twelve miles, between two arms. To the south-wes o?Z 
 ndge, the breadth of the lake is six or seven miles. '' 
 
 On the north-west side, it Hows, by two outlets, into another and 
 parallel lake the waters of which are said to fall into the Notaway riv 
 
 eiurof iT r K K "''"^' ''''''' '""^'^" "''^^^ '' ' P°i»t opposite the west 
 end of lake Chibogomou, and is from one to two miles wide. Lake ChZ 
 
 gomou IS studded with numerous low and elongated islands, ospecialtt 
 
 Its south-east extension. They are often rooky, and the shored of'the Ik^ 
 
 which are low show either the solid rock ot boulders, both covered vTth 
 
 abouta ootol moss. Towards the north-east-end and along ne rly the 
 
 whole of the south-east side, sandy loam prevails ; and where openiLt 
 
 the woods are met with, a good growth of wild grass is found Gre n 
 
 woods surrround the lake, except in the neighborhood of Pain t mountar 
 
 where the lorest has been burnt. This ridge-like mountain is S 
 
 TiZX^r '''''''■ '' '''-' ''' '-' -'- ''^ ^^p-- -^ '^^ ^-t o!:! 
 
 miles^'orn." ^^hibogomou and Wakinitche, the distance is about four 
 mile ^ On the portages, and around the small lakes, burnt woods preva 
 and the ground is mostly rocky and barren. The highest pointYn u"^ 
 portage to Wakenitche is 1,485 feet above the sea, and 240 fee abotlt 
 Chibogomou but only 45 feet above Wakanitche. the latte b nl 
 
 ::. tX tTi 'f "^"^7'^' '''''-'- northeasterly'lo; tell ! 
 oil miles, and is irom half a mile to three miles wide Ou the 
 
 the south-east side, a considerable area has been run over by lire wh e he 
 
 I^Tk-id^":' "'T? ™'^= the trees are o; :J:r.:,t; 
 
 th s I as" ;;7"' "T: 'r'' '^^'''^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^ balsam-fir, Alon, 
 this side, as la. as observed, the height over the lake is from 100 to 160 leet 
 
 Z lefo e oh :r ''T'/"^ '' ''" '■'''' "'^ ''''''^'^ "^t« bays runnuio. 
 paialiel to each other, and from one to four miles in length • these w 
 
 separated by narrow rocky ridges from 100 to 250 feet high.°One h^ll^tth: 
 
 Abe 
 to when 
 siiii hns 
 much th 
 country 
 Hraestoii 
 The surf; 
 feet aho\ 
 ^Vhat in: 
 mine, an 
 the Hud 
 August, 
 cultivate^ 
 
 Inol 
 the 15th 
 rivers St. 
 waters b( 
 
05Y 
 
 fniih-vvesf oxiromity and iioilh-west side is supposed to be about 400 feet 
 high Al the nnrrows, about six miles to the norlh-east.abare rorkyescarp- 
 iDt'iil extends lor about four milt's on the north-east side, rising from 150 
 to 2(iO Jeet above the lake. Half a mile back, green woods are seen. Eeyoud 
 Ihe narrows, the shore is low, and the soil similar to that on the south-east 
 side, except over Wakinitche mountain, which has been described on page 
 204. There is another rocky hill about seven miles to the south-west of the 
 last, of about the same height, but apparently of less extent. Looking from 
 the top of the first of these northward to the bays of Lake Mistassini, the 
 country is a level plain, with here and there glimpses of the long narrow 
 bays of the lake. Wakinitche lake empties into Abatagoush bay by a 
 stream of about four miles in length. In this distance, there are three 
 portages, with a fall of fifty-nine leet, which, deducted from the height 
 (],440 feet) previously given for lake Wakinitche, makes Lake Mistassini 
 1,381 feet above the sea. 
 
 About thirty miles of Abatagoush and Cabistachuan bays were surveyed, 
 ho where they open out to the main lake. The probable size of Lake Mistas- 
 sini has already been stated. Along its whole extent, it probably presents 
 
 I much the same features as in the part examined. As before mentioned, the 
 rountry soon after leaving Wakinitche is underlaid by comparatively flat 
 
 I limestone strata, the decomposition of which gives a fertile calcareous soil. 
 
 I The surface is level— in no place that I observed, rising more than thirty 
 feet above the lake, thus rendering the region favourable for agriculture. 
 ^Vhat influence the climate may have on vegetation, I am unable to deter- 
 mine, and the only fact I can ofler bearing upon this is that Mr. Burgess, of 
 the Hudson Bay Company's post on the lake, furnished us, on the 7th 
 
 I August, with fair-sized new potatoes, these being the only crop at present 
 
 I cultivated here. 
 
 {James Richardson, 20th April, 1870.) 
 
 UPPER ST. MAURICE, GATINEAU AND OTTAWA. 
 
 In obedience to instructions from your department dated at Quebec, 
 the loth day of August, 1871, for the survey of the upper waters of the 
 rivers St. Maurice, Gatineau and Ottawa, also for determining whether the 
 waters beyond the height of land near Obijouan were those of the river 
 
 42 
 
ms 
 
 Chainoiuhouaii (and coiiscqiUMilly Canada watern) or waters llowiujr i„J 
 IhulNoii Hay, and also lor tho phuiii!*- of boiindarii's on tho ht>i^rl^( oflaul 
 betwoiMi Canada an<' the Hudson ]Jay U'rriiory, I bog to roport as''l■ollu\vs: 
 AIUM• lor.viiio- (lu' TiK's, our pro^iivss was fair enough, nrrivju'^' at Ll 
 Tuque in live day^ but betw» eu l.a T,,<|uo and WeyniontarhiiKiuo V^ "o 
 on very slowly, as our eunoes were, licuvily laden and the waters unprwd 
 denledly low. The portages between those two pluees are nunieruiiN, bu 
 from the lowness of the water wo wero ooiniiellod to portage in very iniiiil 
 places where it is not ordinarily done ; however, in the eourse ol'tiiu- wl 
 passed Weyinontaehinqui' and Oskisketak f Kirlci^iidtrtch) and arrive ' al 
 mile post 100 IVoni Kat river. That being our point ot dei)arture, wc iherl 
 conimi'uoed operations, sealing with the " lioehoii mierouieler, "and uuull 
 very satisfactory progress as long as the river and lakes remained opei. 
 We managed to reach with our canoes lake Onigamis, but our larthel 
 advance was there stopped by the ice, whii^h was lirm ; linding on exumil 
 nation that there was not sullicient open water in advance of us to warraiil 
 our taking the canoes across I o it, we placed them in " winter quarters 'I 
 and there encamped to make sleighs and other preparations for laud liaiij 
 port ajid winter travel. 
 
 From our point of departure to this place, the country is level, alMioiin' 
 an occasional bill is seen in the distance. The growth is inferior sprue, 
 iir, cypress, bouleau, aspen and tamarac. The soil generally is light aiu 
 sandy. The severity of the climate and the early frosts would prevent th, 
 raising of any crops here. At Weymontachinqne, which is mu.h lowoi 
 down, although excellent crops, both root and grain, are frequently riiisod, 
 they never can be considered sure, ami at Kirkendutch, which is sixty miles 
 above AVeymontachinque, potatoes seldom or never come to maturity. 
 
 In a lew days our prep,.'rations being completed, we started olf on tht: 
 ice, which was then good, but did not remain so long, as a couple of days 
 later it was submerged by a heavy fall of snow and rendered very uusat'o 
 I do not know it it is a feature of these rivers, in consei|uenoe of being si 
 near tlu'ir sources, or whether it was caused by an exceptional season, Uiu 
 the ice was very unsal'e during the whole winter. 
 
 On lakes and rivers further south, it is customary to travel in wintLTJ 
 even over rapids with the greatest conlidence, but here every attention haJl 
 to be used in going on or olf of a river, otherwise we were sure to go inf 
 and ice on rapids was particularly un.safe. 
 
65!) 
 
 On arriving at lake Cavvakabiskitoo, l procoodod to tho upper eucl 
 ih.Mvrf, .uhI, loavin<r my party tlioro to rocruit duriiiir my ahsenoo, I took 
 with mo my chaiu-hoar.n- aiul oiio inaii, and two M.'liscau Indians, nud 
 tlionco ran a lin.' across tho height of land to waters llowing in tho oppo- 
 site direction, of whose existence I was aware I'rom previous exploration; [ 
 hadbeen informed that those wore Hudson Bay waiers, hut other autho- 
 rities slated them to be the waters of the Chamouchouan. [ therefore 
 followerl the river down until I came to a Ilvulson IJay trading post 
 caiud Metiscan. 
 
 This post is in i-harge of Mr Thomas Moore, wiio received i ^ with the 
 groaicst possible kindness (as is invariably the case at all the Company's 
 posts.) Mr. Muore gave mr all the information that I required, viz: that 
 the river was called trie Meti.can, a tributary of the Waswanepo (lowing 
 into Hudson Bay, and that the post was distant about twenty days' travel 
 Irom the coast, that there were many falls and rapids on the river, involving, 
 of course, portages, which wo\iM render travelling comparatively slow. 
 
 Whilst at MetiN(u\ii two Indiaus arrived who informed mo that tho 
 waters of the Chamouchouan were distant about eighty miles in a north- 
 easterly dire 'tion, an that the country was rough and mountainous. 
 
 The couniry from lake Onigamis to iho height of land is level, tho soil 
 sandy, but the growth of timber is larger than it is below Onigamis, parti- 
 cularly aspen and tamarac; some of the latter kind about the height of 
 lau'l is of great size. From the heigl oi land to the Hudsou Bay post 
 at Metiscan, the land is lev! or j. ntly undulatijig and the soil generally 
 sandy. About one third ol it is brule ; the remainder is covered with a 
 growth of spruce, cypress, lir, bouleau, aspen, uiul, near Metiscan, a few very 
 smalUlunted cedars, which are not found within some di tance below 
 ¥oyniontachiiique. 
 
 i 
 
 raising of 
 
 Th. limate at Metiscan will not admit of the .sucoessiu 
 crops of any kind ; they have not time to ripen ; there, potatoes are about' tho 
 size tl' walnuts, 
 
 On my return to the height of i.ual I there placed a boundary between 
 Cauada and the Hudson Bay territory, inscribing on the post the latitude 
 and vai latiou, also the distance from liut river, &c., and aiso mother post 
 on the border of lake Cawakabiskit.>e (whei I started my line across the 
 height of land) inscribing thereon i)ortage to Metiscan," and the distance 
 thereto. 
 
 m, M .drife 
 
uou 
 
 J 
 
 1 1*i 
 
 >* 'C 
 
 Havinp: IhuB satisfactorily ostablislu'd the position of tho height of land 
 "we resumt'd the scaling of tho St. Maurice to its source, ivud tho furtlu.-r wol 
 wont th«» poorer we found tho country ; tho growth, which is cypress, sprucd 
 fir, bouleau and taniarac, is small and scrubby, and before arriving at the 
 source we fell into a brule (tho same extending from Metiscan) whicl 
 reaches far to the west and south. 
 
 Tho St. Maurice, after skirting the height of land for some distiinc' 
 takes its rise in two small springs, one being in a small savanna, and th 
 other a quarter of a mile from it at the foot of a small hill, forming part o 
 the height of land. A few steps will take one across this hill into th( 
 Hudson Bay territory. Chaining on from the source in a southwest 
 erly direction, we immediately entered upon the territory, and then 
 found several lakes forming the head waters of tho river Kenusio, or Pikt 
 river, and, continuing on in the same direction a few mih.'s further, wa 
 recrossed into Canada, and immediately, at the foot of the height of land 
 struck the headwaters of the west branch of the river Gatineau. 
 
 This portion of the height of land is exceedingly poor and barren ; it is 
 stony, rough and broken into a number of short hills, amongst which av( 
 found large boulders strewed about, and occasionally between the hills is 
 found a small savanna. All this is an old brule, but the little hills ar 
 crowned with scrubby cypress a few feet in height. These hills on firs 
 coming into view appear to be high mountains at a considerable distance 
 covered with large timber, but both height and distance are exaggerated ; i 
 short walk brings you up to them, and the mountains and large timbe 
 dwindle down into small hills and scrubby brush. 
 
 I scaled this branch of the Gatineau down, until I made a connoctior 
 with the already surveyed portion thereof, and then returned and resnmec 
 my original course, upon which I struck a second and a third branch of th 
 same river, taking all these branches at their sources. I scaled them dow 
 as far as I thought advisable, that is, as far as they went upon the cour 
 which I wished to make. On finding that the third branch began to ma 
 easting, I left it, and made across for the Ottawa, which I took at its sour 
 and scaled down as far as a post planted at the end of the line between th 
 districts of Ottawa and Montreal on the border of Kamechapegat or B 
 Stone lake. 
 
 try iH't; 
 Ottawa, 
 the neij 
 is I'ounc 
 outlet 
 the fort 
 (jvuility 
 
 Thi 
 
 places a 
 rear, ani 
 
 Th< 
 
 are ver; 
 is more 
 with th 
 Gatinea 
 from th 
 lake W 
 almnda 
 found b 
 very va 
 
 
 All this portion of the Gatineau is barren and unprofitable ; the iippt 
 part is all old brule, with many bald, rocky hills, which give it a vei 
 desolate appearance. 
 
nni 
 
 thohoight of land 
 lul tho rurtht-r wo 
 is cypress, sprur.', 
 are arriving at th 
 Metist-nn) which 
 
 for some (listiinc', 
 
 savanna, and th( 
 
 ill, forminfT' part o 
 
 this hill into th( 
 
 in a southwest' 
 
 rritory, and then 
 
 : Kenusio, or Pikt 
 
 mih?s further, we 
 
 he height of land 
 
 tineau. 
 
 r and barren ; it is 
 mongst which an 
 itweeu the hills ii 
 the little hills art 
 fhese hills on lirs 
 siderable distance 
 ire exaggerated ; ( 
 and large timbe 
 
 nade a connectior 
 rued and resume(j 
 hird branch of th| 
 scaled them dowi 
 it upon the cours 
 ich began to mali 
 [ took at its sourc 
 3 line between tl 
 aechapegat or Bij 
 
 A little before leaving I ho Gatineau to cross to the Ottawa, we get into 
 srnvn timber, spruce, fir, cypress, bouleau, aspon and tamarac ; and the coun- 
 try ix'twoen the two rivers is undulating. On coming to the head of the 
 Ottawa, we begin to lind a little pine, not having seen one since we left 
 ih,. neighborhood of Weymontachinque. A small quantity of this timber 
 is found between the source of the Ot'awa and about one mile below the 
 outlet of lake Travers ; it then disappears and is not again found until about 
 the fortieth mile from tho source ; from there it increases in quantity and 
 (jviality as we descend the river. 
 
 The country along tho Upper Ottawa is comparatively level ; in many 
 places along tho river there arc low alluvial flats, with high ground in tho 
 rear, and the country generally is susceptible of cultivation. 
 
 The Indians along the Upper Ottawa l)elong to the Algonquin tribe, and 
 are very ft;w in number, although game (such as moose and caribou) 
 is more plentiful than on the Upper St. Maurice. The fur-bearing animals, 
 with the exception of the beaver, are very scarce on the Upper Ottawa end 
 Gatineau and as far as a little below the source of the St. Maurice, but 
 from the height of land through to Metiscan and down the St. Maurice to 
 lake Wesquatowcou, dark marten of very fine quality are particularly 
 abundant, and from there down, and along all tho lakes and tributaries, are 
 found beaver, otter, mink, muskrat, marten and fisher, all of which bear 
 very valuable furs. 
 
 {John Bignell, 16th August, 1872.) 
 
 [itable ; the uppi^ 
 ;h give it a ver 
 
GULF DISTRICT. 
 
 MINGAN ISLANDS. 
 
 The Mingan group of islands appear to possess but little soil. Large 
 Island, although 100 feet above the sea in some places, more particularly 
 on the south and south-west sides, is marked by the levels of ancient sea 
 beaches, composed of small limestone pebbles, and, except where the moss 
 has spread over them, but little differences were perceived between the 
 ancient beaches, and the one at present washed by the ocean. A succession 
 of these beaches is well marked by a series of steps with a horizontal sur- 
 face above each oi an irregular breadth, not always following the sinuosi- 
 ties of the one below, as sometimes two of these steps will run into one. 
 These terraces are elevated above one another from five to twenty or 
 thirty feet. 
 
 The south-w^est portion of the island is a successsion of such terraces 
 still nearly devoid of soil. It is only in patches that vegetation occurs, and 
 the patches have a very irregular contour, in no way that I could perceive 
 dependent on the form or direction of the terraces. Sometimes they would 
 shew an irregular outline on a terrace and then run up or down in an 
 irregular strip to the next terrace, giving to the whole flight of steps a parti- 
 colored aspect like that of a body partially deprived of its skin. 
 
 Another feature which marks strongly the change of relative level in 
 regard to sea and land and tends at the same time to much picturesqueness 
 of the scenery is the presence of what have been termed llower-pot-rocks. 
 These, as the name imports, resemble ilower-pots on a large scale. Hun- 
 dreds of these stand up out of the rising tide to heights varying from ten 
 to fifteen feet, with breadths from a few feet to thirty or forty, widening 
 toward the top. They are composed of horizontal layers of limestone piled 
 on one another, and are the remains of stratified masses that were once 
 united, but have been gradually worn away by the destructive action of 
 the sea, and while many of those standing in the water to various depths, 
 according to the state of the tide, show the waves still at work upon them, 
 some straggling ones are seen away high up on the island, showing a simi- 
 Jar action when the relative levels of the sea and land were from fifty to 
 sixty leet difierent from what they are now. 
 
633 
 
 The strike of the Mingan group of rocks does not differ very materially 
 Ifrcm that of the strata of Anticosti, and the distance across the measures 
 ■from the highest beds of Large Island to the lowest of Anticosti is about 
 Iniueteen miles. Supposing that the inclination in this space does not 
 jdifier from the average of those at the two extremes, which would not be 
 Ifarfrom ninety feet in a mile, the thickness of the measures cropping out in 
 llhe water woiild be about 1,700 feet. 
 
 (James Richardson, 1st March, 1857.) 
 
 ISLAND OF ANTICOSTI. 
 
 Character of the Covntry and Coast.— K great pari of the coast has a belt of 
 reefs that are dry at low water, while they are covered according to the 
 state of the tide at various depths at high water. The outer edge of these 
 reefs forms a precipice, according to Bayfield, of twenty, fifty and even a 
 hundred feet ; they occasionally shelve a little, but ge}ierally so little, that 
 vessels approaching the coast have but small intimation of danger from 
 soundings. 
 
 These reefs are composed of the argilaceous limestone of the island and 
 extend out from the shore usually from a quarter of a mile to a mile, and, 
 in one or two instances, to about a mile and a half. They conform to the 
 bends of the coast, and, where bays occur, deep water may be expected to 
 within a quarter or half a mile of the head of the bay, in a line up the 
 centre, usually at about right angles to the general run of the coast. 
 
 From the west end, the reefs are continuous on the south side to 
 p, Mary's river, for about six miles to the east of which deei- water pre- 
 vails close in shore ; from this the reefs again extend to South West point, 
 kvith the exception of a mile'before reaching it, and a mile on each side of 
 Jupiter river. From South- West point they run about four miles to the 
 east, beyond which, the Iron river, only a few points were observed where 
 Ireefs existed ; but from Iron river to Heath point, and for two miles north- 
 'ast of it, they are very general. On the north side, deep water prevails 
 close in towards the beach, as far as Observation bay ; but from Observa- 
 tion bay to the West end, reefs are well marked, with the exception of 
 about a mile, rounding North point. 
 
 On the reefs it is not uncommon to meet with boulders, but great 
 tanees may be seen without them ; where they occur it is generally in 
 
 I 
 
664 
 
 considerable numbers, covering patches of from one or two acres up to half 
 a mile; they are oftener seen in the bays than in less sheltered places; bvuj 
 North point would be an exception to this; they are there closely ])ackec 
 together for about half a mile, and some of them are of a large size ; theyl 
 belong To the l^aurentian series of rocks. 
 
 The south side of the island, in its general aspect, is low ; the mos 
 elevated points close on this coast are at the mouth of Jupiter river, wheii 
 clifl's rise on the east side to the height of from eighty to a hundred feet 
 and on the west side to a hundred and fifty feet. On no other part of th 
 south coast were they observed to rise more than from thirty to sixty feet I 
 but the general height above the sea is from ten to twenty feet. 
 
 From the South-"West point to the West end, the hills inland ate moi-i 
 elevated than they are to the eastward; in general I hey rise gradually and 
 more continuously from the shore, attaining the height of from a hitudred 
 and fifty to two hundred and fifty feet, at about the distance of from one toj 
 three miles. From this, however, are to be excepted certain localities oii the 
 coast, where plains are met with having a superficial area of from a hnii 
 dred to a thousand acres underlaid by peat, partly bare of vegetation, bix 
 over considerable spaces supporting a heavy growth of wild grass from 
 four to five feet high. 
 
 From a position a few miles east of South-West point to Wreck bay, 
 which is at the east end of the island, between Heath point and East point, 
 the elevation of the coast above high water is from seven to fifteen feet 
 with the exception of the neighbourhood of South point and Cormoraul 
 jooiut, which rise to the height of from twenty to thirty feet on the shore; 
 but very little rise takes place inland for from one to three miles, and tht 
 flat surface is hounded to the north by a gradual slope, rising to the hei^hl 
 of from one hundred to two hundred feet, probably becoming more elevated 
 still further inland. The low country is a succession of peat plains, oeca' 
 sionally bare, but often covered with wild grass ; the whole being varie 
 with strips and clumps of trees, as well as dotted with small lakes, o 
 which ducks, geese and other wild fowl breed in considerable numbers. 
 
 The whole of the north side of the island is a succession of ridge-likj 
 elevations of from 200 to 500 feet above the sea, separated by depressions 
 From English Head, three miles east from the West end, to West Cliff, 
 distance of fifty-eight miles in a straight line, each successive ridge or valley 
 occupies a breadth of from four to six miles ; the ridges forma somewhaj 
 rounded end, facin"" the sea on th-^. north ; their rise is first well marked al 
 
666 
 
 Lni a quarter of a mile to a mile from the shore, and, iu about a mile more 
 lirland, they attain their greatest elevation ; continuing this elevation to 
 Ithe .*outh and widening, they narrow the intermediate valley, until, as far 
 las known, the country becomes in appearance of a gently undulating cha- 
 Iraetor. The run of the valleys with some exceptions is from S. 10*^ W. to 
 
 Is, 30 W. 
 
 Macastey ridge or mountain, eleven miles east from the West end, rises 
 
 [upwards of four hundred feet at about a mile inland. High Cliff, eighteen 
 
 Irnilfs further east, is probably 500 feet, one quarter of a mile from the shore ; 
 
 Ithese are in some respec^ts the most conspicuous ridges. High Cliff is a 
 
 Ibold head-land, while Macastey mountain is separated by j broader valley 
 
 Itlian usual from its neighbour to the east, and is highei than any other to 
 
 the west. Macastey mountain is a conspicuous object when viewed oven 
 
 from the south side of the island, in the neighbourhood of Ellis or Gamache 
 
 bay : sailing up this natural harbour, it is observed in front a little to the 
 
 I right about five or six miles distant. 
 
 The succession of ridge and valley, from English Head all the way to 
 IVost Cliff, is regular and characteristic, and produces a pleas' " and beau- 
 tiful efiect. From West Cliff to Observation bay, a distance of about twenty 
 mile.'*: there is a similar succession, but on this part the ridges rise to their 
 full elevation nearer to the shore. West Cliff rises immediately over the sea 
 to an elevation of between 200 and 400 feet. Charleton point has an eleva- 
 tion of ICO feet over the sea, and a quarter of a mile inland rises to between 
 300 and 400 feet ; from Charleton point to Observation bay, the coast is 
 .somewhat lower. Observation bay forming an indentation on the coast of a 
 mile and a quarter deep, and five miles across ; from the head of this bay a 
 well marked valley bears S. 10'^ W. 
 
 From Observation bay to Gull cape, a distance of fifty-three miles, the 
 clili's become more prominent on the coast, rising almost ]M^rpenclicularly at 
 the points to the height of from 100 to 300 feet, and the indentations are 
 more numerous, producing more sharply defined valleys. 
 
 Between Bear Head and cape llobert, a distance of five miles and a 
 half, the greatest indentation from a straight line is about a mile and a 
 half, hut this is subdivided into Easton bay. Tower bay and White bay, 
 the' last being the largest. 
 
 Salmon river bay, east from cape Henry, is five miles wide, and its 
 greatest depth is one mile. Salmon river runs through a well marked. 
 vallev, of which the general bearing up stream is S. f)5'-' W. for nearly six 
 
6GG 
 
 ^'->^-\.4. 
 
 miles where a transverse valley, on the bearing N. 11^ W. and N 11- v 
 (about parallel with the coast) meets it, and gives it two streaa^s running" 
 from opposite directions. From the middle of the valley the land gradual;! 
 rises on each side to the height of from 400 to 450 feet, and the bed of th! 
 va ley must rise pretty fast ; for though the current of the stream i. with 
 out leaps, it IS rather rapid, " 
 
 Prinsta bay further east is an indentation of about one mile in d.nth 
 
 il \'' i!. f .' ""'^^ '"^ ' ^'^^ ' P^n^endicular cliffs surround this W 
 to the height of from 100 to ]50 feet, except at the very head, whore tl 
 ci.eks cut through the rock. On the west side of Prinsta bay is .clp .Lll 
 150 feet in height ; and on the east is Table Head. Table Head has a Cof 
 from 60 to 160 feet perpendicular, and gains almost at once an additn 
 height from the summit of which there is a gradual descent on the oppo! t 
 side, the surface, forming on that side a rough outline to the valley th ou^h 
 which Fox river passe, to Fox bay, which affords the second imnortaiit 
 harbouyn tne island. The x^pward course of the valley of the Fox Ih-er is 
 
 From Fox point on the west side of the bay to Gull cape, upwards of 
 a mile on the east side, there is a distance of six miles, in which th coa 
 IS ow. Fox point, the highest part of this, not being more than from t^^ 
 to forty ftet above the sea. ' 
 
 From Gull cape to Wreck bay, a distance of eleven miles, the cliffs are 
 in general perpendicular, and from 100 to 130 feet high, gainin- but little 
 elevation inland, probably not over 100 feet, while tlio' rurfac"\ack fit 
 them gives, as far as observed, a slightly rolling country. 
 
 .. .h^'''^.*K"^i^'' Jf '^ of Jupiter river, there are no well defined vallevs 
 on the south side of the island. 
 
 In respect to the soil of the island, the plains on the south side, as Us 
 been stated are composed of peat, but the general vegetation of the country 
 is supported by a drift composed for the most part of a calcareous .lav Jd 
 a light grey or brown colored sand. The elements of the soil would lead 
 to ^^' f^^'^l^^^on -f Its being a good one, but the opinion of most persons, 
 guided by the rules derived from the description of timber which grow*on 
 It, would not be favorable, as there is almost a complete absence, as far as 
 my observation went, of the hard-wood trees supposed to be the sure indi- 
 cation of a good settling country 
 
 The m 
 inches 
 Irth coast 
 11 wood 
 Avth ; tl 
 it is on 
 heavy 
 uted. I 
 ipenetrah 
 d rarely 
 od, comp 
 
 Piue -w 
 
 laud, wh( 
 
 euty inc! 
 
 [hty feet 
 
 ■hes to tv 
 
 ;h. Bals 
 
 as observ 
 
 iwever, w 
 
 lis timber 
 
 [ere three i 
 
 as met wi 
 
 best 
 
 Of fruit 
 
 it 
 
 gest size 
 
 le height 
 
 auches, c( 
 
 Hilus) prod 
 
 ooseberry 1 
 
 m appears- 
 
 two or th 
 
 ithit; th( 
 
 is smooth 
 
 le shrub a; 
 
 buiidant ; 
 
 smooth, r 
 
 her rough 
 
 Strawb( 
 Ittle iiiferio 
 
667 
 
 ^. and iN". "7^ e_ 
 streaajs runningj 
 he land gradually 
 id the bed of the 
 strtiam is with- 1 
 
 lie mile in depth, 
 iurround this bay 
 head, where two 
 ay is„cape.Taraes, 
 lead has a face of 
 ce an additional 
 t on the opposite 
 le valley through 
 jcoud important 
 ' the Fox river is 
 
 ape, upwards of 
 which the coast 
 than from thirty 
 
 les, the clifls are 
 lining but little 
 irface back from 
 
 defined valleys 
 
 ath side, as has 
 of the country 
 reous clay and 
 soil would lead 
 ■ most persons, 
 'hich grow,*on 
 ence, as far as 
 i the sure iudi- 
 
 The most abundant tree is spruce, in size varying from eight to eight- 
 inches in diameter, and from forty to eighty feet in length. On the 
 rth coast, and in some parts of the south, it is found of good size in the 
 !ii woods close by the beach, without any intervening space of stunted 
 iwth ; the stunted growth was occasionally met with on the north side, 
 [t it is only on the tops of cliffs, and other places exposed to the sweep of 
 heavy coastwinds, where spruce, or any other tree on the island, is 
 luted. In these situations there is oftentimes a low, dense and almost 
 ipenetrable barrier of stunted spruce, of from ten to twenty feet across, 
 d rarely exceeding a hundred feet ; beyond which open woods and 
 od, comparatively large timber prevails. 
 
 Pine was observed in the valiey of the Salmon rivei, about four miles 
 laud, where ten or twelve trees that were measured gave from twelve to 
 euty inches in diameter at the base, with heights varying from sixty to 
 [hty feet. White and yellow birch are common in sizes from a few 
 ks to two feet in diameter at the base, and from twenty to fifty feet 
 ffh, Balsam-fir was seen, but it was small and not abundant. Tamarac 
 
 observed, but it w^as likewise small and scarce. One of our men, 
 ,wever, who is a hunter on the island, informed me he had seen groves of 
 is timber north from Ellis or G-amache bay, of which some of the trees 
 ere three feet in diameter and over a hundred feet in height. Poplar 
 
 met with in groves, close to the beach, on the north side of the island. 
 
 Of fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, the mountain ash or rowan was the 
 rgest ; it was most abundant in ihe interior, but appeared to be of the 
 rgest size close on the beach, especially on the north side, where it attains 
 
 height of forty feet, with long extending and iomewhat slender 
 auches, covered with clusters of fruit. The high cranberry ( Viburnum 
 mIus) produces a large and juicy fruit, and is abundant. A species of 
 joseberry bush of Irom two to three feet high is met with in the woods, 
 11 appear? to thrive best close to the shingle, on the beach, where strips 
 two or three yards across and half a mile long were occasionallv covered 
 ith it ; the fruit is very good and resembles in taste the garden berry ; 
 is smooth and black-colored and about the size of a common marble ; 
 le shrub appeared to be very prolific. Ked and black currants are likewise 
 kndant ; there appear to be two ki7\ds of each, in one of which the berry 
 smooth, resembling both in taste and ippearance that of the garden; the 
 her rough and prickly, with a bitter taste. 
 
 Strawberries are found near the beach ; in size and flavor they are but 
 Ittle inferior to the garden fruit ; they are most abundant among the grass 
 
mW^'M 
 
 668 
 
 in the openings, and their season is from the middle of July to the end 
 August. Five or six other kinds of fruit-bearing plants were observe^ 
 some of which might be found of value. The low cranberry was r^oen 
 one or two places in some abundance, but I was informed that it was Je] 
 abundant than in many other past seasons. The raspberry was rare! 
 met with. 
 
 The most surprising part of the natural vegetation was a species of p 
 which was found on the beach, and in open speaces in the woods ; on tl 
 beach the plant, like the ordinary cultivated field-pea, often covered spac 
 from a quarter of an acre to an aero in extent ; the stem and the leaf we 
 large, and the pea sufficiently so to be gathered for use ; the straw wh( 
 required is cut and cured for feed for cattle and horses during the wiiit 
 
 But little is 3'et known of the agricultural capabilities of the island 
 the only attempts at cultivation that have been made are at Gamache ba 
 South-West point and Heath point. South-West point and Heath point a 
 two of the most exposed places on the island, and G-amache bay, thouo-h 
 sheltered position, has a peat soil, the whole being thus unfavourable. ° 
 
 On the 22nd July potatoes were well advanced and in healthy coiu 
 tion at G-amache bay ; but a field under hay, consisting of timothy, clov 
 and natural grass, did not shew a heavy crop. At South-West point, M 
 Pope had about tliree acres of potatoes planted in rows three feet apart ; 1 
 info'-med me he expected a yield of 600 bushels, and, at the time of in 
 arrival on the 5th of August, the plants were in full blossom, and cover 
 the ground thoroughly ; judging from the appearance they seemed t. 
 finest patch of potatoes I had ever seen. About half an acre of barley wi 
 at the time commencing to ripen : it stood about four feet high, wit 
 strong stalk and well filled ear. I observed oats in an adjoining patch 
 these had been late sown, being intended for winter feed for cattle ; the 
 appearance indicated a large yield. 
 
 On the day of my arrival at Heath point, the 23rd August, I accor^ 
 panied Mr. Julian, about a mile from the light-house, to a piece ofgrcui^ 
 composed of yellowish-brown loam, which he had cleared in the woods aiJ 
 planted about the middle of June with potatoes and peas ; of the potatol 
 he procured a bucket-full of good size and middling good quality. The pei 
 were in blossom, yet a few pods were found to bo fit for use. In thi.s pate 
 I discovered three ears of bald wheat, the seed of which had been amoi^ 
 the peas when sown ; they were just getting into blossom, and probabl 
 
 lob! 
 bffirienl 
 Mr. Julis 
 seven de] 
 the atmo 
 below ih 
 prob;ibly 
 
 Dur 
 
 ten days, 
 August, 
 unvisnal 
 seen tow 
 interior. 
 
 lob 
 Mr. C ort 
 been left 
 A horse 
 
 liar 
 
 hours on 
 eight an( 
 latter is : 
 cape Eaj 
 is two r 
 extendin 
 is two ir 
 than Ga: 
 with hal 
 tenths oJ 
 tenths, 
 the rock 
 which a 
 the dista 
 brought 
 at each ( 
 
 Itb 
 
 be capal 
 
669 
 
 •f July to the end 
 ■uts were ol)sorvei 
 mberry was r^eeii 
 ned that it was lej 
 spberry was varej 
 
 was a species of pi 
 the woods ; on tl 
 ften covered spaci 
 I and the leafwej 
 e ; the straw whe 
 during the winte 
 
 lities of the islanc 
 •e at Gamache baj 
 nd Heath point a) 
 iche bay, thoughj 
 unfavourable. 
 
 i in healthy cone 
 : of ti moth J', clov 
 th-West point, M 
 hree feet apart ; 1 
 at the time of ra 
 3ssom, and covei'i 
 i they seemed tl 
 acre of barley wi 
 ir kei high, wit 
 . adjoining patch 
 ed for cattle ; the 
 
 August, I accoii 
 ) a piece of grcuii 
 i in the woods an 
 IS ; of the potatot 
 L quality. The pei 
 use. In this pati 
 . haci been ama 
 >ora, and probab 
 
 ivould ripen ; the ear was an average size, and the straw about three and 
 half feet high. 
 
 I observed irost only once ; it was on the 18tli September, but not 
 ufficiently severe to do injury to growing crops ; and I was informed by 
 iir, Julian that the lowest temperature of the previous winter was only 
 seven degrees Fahrenheit below zero. On the coast, as might be expected, 
 the atmosphere is damper, and the temperature from ten to fifteen degrees 
 below that of the interior, during June, Jixly, August and September, and 
 iprobably May and October. 
 
 During the three months of my stay on the island, fogs prevailed for 
 ten days, six of which were the 31st July and the 2iid, 3rd, 4th and 5th of 
 lAugnst, while we were at South- West point ; Mr. Pope told me it was an 
 unvisual occuirence. I observed that frequent openings in the fog were 
 seen towards the land, leading to the idea that it was less dense in the 
 interior. 
 
 I observed some cattle at South-West point, belonging to Mr. Pope and 
 Mr. C orbet ; they appeared to be in good condition, although they had 
 been left to provide for themselves in the vvoodopenings.or along the shore. 
 A horse belonging to Mr. Pope was in equally good condition. 
 
 Harbours. — Gamache or Ellis bay and Fox bay are the only two har- 
 bours on the island that are comparatively safe in all winds ; the former is 
 eight and a half miles trom West end lighthouse, on the south side ; the 
 latter is fifteen miles from Heath point lighthouse, on the north side. From 
 cape Eagle to cape Henry, across the mouth of Gamache bay, the distance 
 is two miles, with a breadth of deep water of three-quarters of a mile, 
 extending up the bay a mile and a half, while the depch of the indentation 
 is two miles and a half. Fox bay is smaller and has less depth of water 
 than Gamache bay. The distance across its mouth is a mile and a half, 
 with half a mile of deep water in the centre, extending up the bay nine- 
 tenths of a mile ; the whole depth of indentation being one mile and tw^o- 
 tenths. These two harbours occur in the same geological formation, while 
 the rock presents a very regular and comparatively level surface, over 
 which a road could be easily constructed from one harbour to the other, 
 the distance being 120 miles ; by such means the whole island would be 
 brought to within a moderate distance of a road having a natural harbour 
 at each end. 
 
 It belongs to an engineer to say how far these natural harbours might 
 be capable of artificial improvement. The belt of reef about a mile wide^ 
 
 i \. 
 
G10 
 
 that linos tlu> shore within th(.ni, is coniposea of argiluceous linio.stoij 
 nearly horizontal beds, which are dry at low water of sprino- tides IWn 
 Olio mode of imi)rovement inii-'ht be to make exeavations hi the Ii,n,.sil 
 to the depth required, and to use the materials thus obtained partly to rj 
 the sides of the excavations high enoui-h for piers, and partly for (here 
 struetion of break-waters outside. The depth of water on the reefs at sniil 
 tides is about six feet, and the stren-th of the break-water mi-ht I,, 1. 
 accordingly. I have been inlonned that a vessel of 500 tons has been loai 
 with a cargo of tirnl)er in Ganuuhe bay. 
 
 During a heavy wind from the east, while [ was at Fox bay, a schooii 
 
 ran in for shelter, and appeared to be quite safe. On account of the sal 
 
 iiess of this harbour, a provision post was established in it ; but since t] 
 
 erection of Heath point lighthouse, seventeen or eighteen years ago, it h 
 
 been discontinued; not a single house now remains, although they' appe, 
 
 to have been numerous at one time. Provision post still remains iiuiicatl 
 
 there ; and it happened in one instance at least, that a vessel was wrock] 
 
 within sight of Heath point, but the crew, instead of going to the 11 J 
 
 house, went straight to Fox bay, where they conlidently expected to iiJ 
 
 shelter; the consequence was that several of them perished with cold ail 
 
 hunger (the time being the beginning of December), before they could leJ 
 
 the lighthouse at Heath point. The indication cannot be erased fromol 
 
 charts that may be in the hands of mariners, but I am not aware vvh] 
 
 means have been taken to make navigators acquainted with the change. 
 
 I do not know of any other harbours on the island that are sheltered fro, 
 all winds, and it appears to me that from everv other position on the coas 
 any vessel near the shore, down to the size of a schooner, during the exi 
 tence of one wind or other would be immediat(dy obliged to put up to soa 
 for small boats of from three to ten tons burthen, there are scarcely te 
 miles of the coast where shelter .-ould not be found by passing up the sma 
 rivers at high water ; and there are many bays that might perhaps he mtul 
 sale by excavations similar to those to which allusion has been mado 
 
 Bivers ami L(d'es.-^The streams that are met with along the coast an 
 considering the breadtli of th.' island, very numerous. There is scarcely 
 mile that IS not supplied with its clear stream of water, and everv six o 
 nine miles shew one of a size sulficiently large, and with a How suiri,'ieiitl 
 constant, to keep machinery going Waterl^vlls, near the coast, often invm\ 
 excellent sites for the purpose. The w^ater of these streams is always luor 
 or less calcareous. On the south side the largest rivers are the Becsie, th 
 
G1\ 
 
 uceous liiiie.stoneBottt'i', the Jupitor, (which is Ihe largest on tho ishiud) tho Pavilion and 
 )rini>- tidos. Posj^iijl'liaiuupo ; on Iho north, the Fox and Halmon rivers are the largest. 
 
 Un the south shore numerous ponds and small lakes, were seen just 
 iii.sidi' the shingle heai'h ; towards the east end of the island they occur in 
 low swampy ll;i(s that there run along the shore. None were met with 
 lartlhT hack, and none were observed on the north side ol' the island, except 
 ;i tow .small ponds close to the heach. 
 
 Great Salt lake, Little Salt lake, Chaloupe lake, lake Lacroix, on the 
 south side, and Fox lake on the north side, are in reality lagoons of salt 
 wairr, the tide llowinginand out and mingling with the fresh water of the 
 
 riviTs. 
 
 Most of the streams and lakes swarm with the llnest brook trout and 
 salmon trout, and large shoals of mackerel were almost daily observed all 
 around the island. But, in my tour, I saw no appearance of schooners employed 
 in li«hing, with the exception of one at South Point. The only operations I 
 hoaid of connected with the trade were carried on at the mouth of a few 
 of tho larger streams on the south side and at that of Salmon river on the 
 north by men under Mr. Corbet, the lessee of the island, and were entirely 
 loniined to the taking of fsalmon and salmon trout. Seals were extremely 
 abundant, and hut for a few Indians who come over from Mingan in July 
 aud August and take a few of them on the north side of the island, they 
 would l)e wholly undisturbed. In the bays and more sheltered places round 
 the island, these creatures are met with by thousands. It was not i ncommon 
 lo stumble across one asleep on the beach, when generally it was des- 
 patched with a blow or two of our hammers. 
 
 Several species of whales were observed to be abundant towards the 
 "Wt'si end of the island. This must be a favorite resort as they were either 
 setMi (tr heard at irregular intervals day and night. One of them about 
 sixty I'eet in length, and about fifteen feet above the water's edge, was found 
 gToundcd on the reef in Prinsta bay when we passed on the 8ru September. 
 
 The only fishing .schooners I saw, with the exception of the one men- 
 tioiu'd. were at the Mingan islands, where twelve or thineen came to the 
 harlHi) lor shelter during a storm. I was informed by Mr. Henderson, the 
 genii. man in charge of the Hudson Bay Company's post at Mingan, that 
 llit'v were all from American ports. 
 
 Wild Aninia/s.—Thc wild animals met w^ith on the island, as far as I am 
 aware, are the common black bear, the red, the black, and the silver fox and 
 
072 
 
 tho marten. BisirH are said to bo very numorous, and huntors talk orth,., 
 beiiij? mi!l with by dozens at a timo ; but on my ^x.-ursions I only obsmvo] 
 ono at l-:ilis bay, two xuv.w (!ormorajit point, and one in the neighboiiru ,0, 
 of Observation capo. I came upon the hist one on a narrow strip of | J 
 at the foot of a hiu^h and nearly vertical clitF.. Seen from a distan.ic, I toj 
 the animal for a burnt log, and it was only when within fifty yards ofhij 
 that I perceived my mistake. He at)peared to be too busily eni^aged i] 
 making his morning meal on the remains of a seal, to pay any atteiUioii || 
 me, for although with a view of giving him notice to quit I struck mj 
 hammer upon a boulder that was near and made other noises which 
 conceived might alarm him, he never raised his head to show thai li,. uJ 
 aware of my presence, but kept on until he had finished the carcass, ol)lini,i1 
 me, having no rille, to remain a looker on for halt an hour. When nothiii 
 of the seal remained but the bones, the bear climbed in a leisurely way ul 
 the fiico of the naked clitF, which could not be many degrees out oi" rhl 
 perpendicular, tlnowing down as he passed considerable blocks of .mk, aiij 
 disappeared over the summit which was not less than a hundred feJ 
 above the sea. 
 
 Foxes and martens are very abundant ; the marten was IVequentlj 
 heard during the night in the neighbourhood of our camp, and foxes woH 
 seen on several oi^casions. Of the silver-grey fox, the skin of which freqn ,.tlu 
 sells for from twenty live to thirty pounds currency, frr-m four ^ twelvl 
 have been obtained by the hunters every winter, Mr. Corbet, +he less.'.. 0] 
 the island, employs several men during that season to hunt these auimalf 
 for their fur, and I understand he makes some profit by the trade. 
 
 I heard of no animals of any other description, with tho exception 
 wild fowl, and 1 saw no frogs or reptiles of any description, and I -.va] 
 informed by the hunters that there were none. 
 
 Having in tiiis report described the geological facts presented to i, 
 observation in Anticosti, I am desirous of drawnig attention to the iufer 
 ences that are suggested by the results as connected with the agricuUura 
 capabilities of the island. From the ficts given in regard to the natnva 
 vegetation cf the island, or the limited agricultural experiments of which 
 mention has been made, little of importance can bo gathered ; but these] 
 when taken in combination with the considerations suggested by th^ 
 attitude and mineral character of the rocks, appear to me to merit serious 
 attention. 
 
61. 
 
 utors talk oFlh.'i 
 MM [only ()|)s,M-e| 
 he neighluMiih 
 row strip o\: beivJ 
 V (listaiico, I toal 
 fifty yards oi'hiJ 
 
 usily oii-ra^ed i| 
 y any att.'ntiou 
 
 lh..lralaofA„l..- , bring : „|, hori.0,,,,,1 oannot luil t„ give ,„ 
 lb,. M.rhce of tho con, v a »h ,pe i„ .omo d.gro. c„„lo,mi„g ,o Ihora TlL 
 »*■. will bo „,. , ,«..! plain with o„ly ,i,ch moMil-MolTml 
 Km-.,, from the u ,». ,v,.a,i„g in . l„„g, „„., ,,i„olio„ of sol of ho 
 
 - lh«r »«mmu, „ . direction .a.-i, ■ „,„, will%c„rol bo 
 
 .rco|,t,b e to he eye. '1 ho e.,»ily ,1,.,. ......^ .i.aractor of the Lk! 
 
 .how that h,. >vl , ' I'eXrZ^ h "" ' ?"^*° '"''"™' "'"'~^'" "f ">" -8"»- 
 eoarcas.,ohlisi,li;";'/™^^^^ given to those min. a lert.le .haracter. It i, 
 
 .-. VVho,n,otwJh ;lVe' Toit,'? u ■ '" 7"'"' «""''"°". »"'l with such an attitude, 
 
 leisuivlv w,v Mu f !u ^ "'"'"" 1«"""">1" "f Canada West are placed as 
 
 leibuiuj H.1J „«„|| „,, „f thj, Genej„g country in the Stat.' of New Vo,l- r i, 
 
 . a hundred J^.n^rtr.^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 «y ^yay be inferior to them in agricultural capabilities 
 
 .^a is::^:,:::^^^ - ^^^ ^^^-i -- ^^-^-^^^ too short a 
 
 which iVerpv .tlCin inTo V !w !h \ 7 '^'l'"T "^^^ '^' '^''^'''' ^^ ^uticosti. But 
 
 n four ^\.elvl c rand Z" iffi^^^^^^^ 
 
 •het.^he les.vo 1 1 to sTnnof^^h A r '^^ of land, I should be 
 
 med to suppose that Anticosti would not be so cold in winter nor so 
 
 iot m summer as districts that are more inland and more soutT an J that it 
 
 oukl not compare unfavorably with any part of the country b" 
 
 nd Quebec While autumn frost would take effect later at Anticortrthe 
 
 pnng would probably be a little earlier at Quebec ^"ticost., the 
 
 bet, *^^he lessfc o 
 LUt these auima 
 le trade. 
 
 the exception o 
 ptiou, and I -.va 
 
 presented to i\ 
 
 tiou to the inlei 
 
 the agricultuva 
 
 But such is the condition of the island at present that not a yard of the 
 lihas been turned up by a permanent settler; and it is the case that 
 ™ Umtlhonofacresofgood land, at the very' entrance frmtre ocean 
 V ZT'T-r '"" '° "' ™"'' "'■'''^ S'™' "PO''^"' -re incurred to 
 i to the natura£;^t al'° ''':,7f, <"»""" ""'« °f "•« "-t. Taken in connection 
 iments of .vhid , "* *" ""P^^meut of the navigation of the St. Law- 
 
 ;r b, a :;!,?:;? "; r *^"'t-'^''"^'>'"™' °' «" »g™»"uraipop„iati:; 
 
 uggested bv lht« adw T 1." ° '^ ^ " P""' '" "'^ ^^'""'^ themselves, but a 
 to merit seao«F' "'""'"S^ '" "'^ P"'^""=« "' ^'^'gO' 
 
 {James Richardson, 1st March, 1857.) 
 43 
 
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 Riotographic 
 
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 23 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.V. 14580 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 
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674 
 
 MAGDALEN ISLANDS. 
 
 In the letters-patent granting the Magdalen Islands to Isaac Coffin, 
 Esq., mention is made of only six islands ; because at that time under the 
 general name of Magdaleu Islands, were comprised Amhorst, Grindstone, 
 Allright, Wolfe and Grosse Isle, as forming but one island. The group of 
 the Magdalen Islands, however, comprises ten distinct islands, now 
 designated on all charts and puolic documents under the names ofEntry 
 Island, Amherst, Deadman's, Grindstone, Allright, Wolfe, Grosse Isle, Coffin 
 . Bi-yon and the Bird Islands. Four of these, namely. Entry Island,' Diad- 
 man's, Bryon and the Bird Islands are absolutely isolated, having no com- 
 munication with each other nor with the principal group, from which the 
 most remote, the Bird Islands, are eighteen miles distant, and the nearest, 
 Entry Island, three miles. Bryon Island is itself ten miles from the main 
 island ; and Deadman's Island eight miles from Amherst. 
 
 The six olher islands, namely Grosse Isle, Coffin, Allright, Wolfe, 
 Grindstone and Amherst, comprised in the letters-patent under the col- 
 lective name of Magdalen Islands, are in some sort united to each other by 
 banks of sand, which form lagoons of considerable extent : but these saud 
 banks are traversed by gullies or water-channels w^hich completely isolate 
 these different groups and form of them so many ditFerent islands. 
 
 All these islands together, comprised within the parallels of forty-seven 
 degrees, thirty minutes and fortyseven degrees, five minutes, of north 
 latitude, and between sixty-one degrees eight minutes, and sixty-two 
 degrees twelve minutes, of west longitude, are situate very nearly in the 
 middle of the gulf St. Lawrence, at the distance of about one hundred aud 
 fifty miles from the coast of Gaspe, iorming a very important part of Ihis 
 county, since of themselves they present an extent of coast line, of more 
 than one hundred and forty miles, by the contour of their shores, being 
 only about fifty miles less than the entire shore line of the rest of county, ° 
 
 Some idea may also be formed of their great extent, if it be considered 
 that there is a distance of seventy miles from Amherst Harbour, the south, 
 east extremity of these islands, to east point, the extreme north-east limit of 
 the principal group. Nevertheless none of these islands exceeds three and a 
 half miles in its greatest breadth ; Grindstone Island being by measure- 
 ment the widest across. 
 
675 
 
 It would be difficult to give the exact superficies of all the Magdalen 
 I Islands, taken collectively, or of each of them severally, before they have 
 I been completely measured and surveyed. But from an approximate compu- 
 tation their superficial extent may be estimated at 55,400 acres of land ; 
 which, from the statistics accompanying the census of 1871, would be disiri- 
 buted as follows : 18,300 acres for Entry and Amherst Islands ; 13,700 acres 
 
 j in Grindstone Island ; 8,600 acres in Allright Island, and 14,80o'acres divided 
 among Coffin Island, Grosse Isle and Bryon Island. Of this generai super- 
 ficies It would appear that 6,000 acres are under culture, and if to this latter 
 quantity there be added the same amount, that is, 6,000 acres, for natural 
 meadows, sand hills, swamps, &c., there remains a balance of 43,400 acres 
 
 ! of forest land, of which probably 5,000 acres may be included' in lands 
 
 j already conceded. There would therefore still remain on these islands about 
 33,000 acres of forest land not conceded, and 6,000 acres of natural meadows 
 sand hills, swamps, &c., which the proprietor may yet dispose of, and the 
 
 I average value of which may be, if not superior, at least equal to that of the 
 
 I timbered lands. 
 
 The timber which grows on the Magdalen Islands is, of itself, far from 
 giving them any importance, since its variety is limited to only three kinds, 
 balsam (sofjin), spruce and white birch. And this last, the only one which 
 formerly served for the construction of schooners, is now become very rare. 
 The inhabitants therefore see with anxiety the rapid disappearance of those 
 small forests of dwarfed and stunted timber which still cover the summit 
 of their mountains, dreading the day when they will have altogether disap- 
 peared, either by clearing the land or by being taken for winter fuel, or still 
 more rapidly by the destructive effect of a disastrous conflagrations. This, 
 then, is what gives the timber still found standing on these islands a value 
 which it would not possess in any other part of the province. And there- 
 fore also it is not without motives of grave urgency that the municipality 
 has passed resolutions, prohibiting the wanton cutting of timber, and has 
 appointed guardians to watch over each district and prevent that unre- 
 strained waste which takes place throughout the rest of the country. It is 
 evident therefore that this article, so necessary to the domestic economy of 
 the inhabitants, not only for warming their habitations, but also for enclosing 
 their lands, will every year become more and more expensive on ihese 
 islands, as it becomes by degrees more scarce, and as the population increases 
 and the clearings become more extensive. M 
 
 If, on the one hand, the scarcity of wood which even now necetesitates 
 the importation of coal from Pictou, in a locality where the inhabitants are 
 
 
 m: !l 
 
 |iii; 
 
 7 
 
676 
 
 left to their own resources during six mouths of the year without any 
 means of v'ommunicatiou with the outer world, is already a lundraneo to 
 the rapid increase of the population resident on these islands, on the otiier 
 hiind, to counler])alance this disadvantage, the inhabitants of the Magdalen 
 Islands draw from the soil of their hinds, and from the depths of tie sea 
 which surrounds them, inexhaustible riches, which demand only a judi- 
 cious and carelul cultivation to produce an abundance of vegetables, grains 
 and grass for fodder, and only strong arms for fishing, to take almost rU 
 kinds offish which the waters of the Gulf supply. 
 
 Competent persons have not hesitated to assert that the soil of the 
 Magdalen Islands is still richer than that of Prince Edward Island: and 
 this latter is nevertheless considered as the garden of North America. If 
 indeed the last census is examined, it will be found that for a population 
 of 3,172 souls, there have been produced 19, U3 bushels of grain and (J8,87(j 
 bushels of potatoes, being six bushels of grain and twenty-one bushels of 
 potatoes for each individual of the population. The -nhabitants find also a 
 still greater source of wealth in the produce of the natural meadows, where 
 they obtain au immense quantity of hay, which allows them to rear cattle 
 in such large numbers, that, in 1871, there were reckoned, for 555 fiiniilies, 
 576 horses, not including foals, 2,591 neat cattle, and nearly 5,000 sheepi 
 representing a value of more than $100,000. We should still be belovv 
 the real amount, were we to double this sum and estimate at |200,000 
 th;> probable value of the quantity of animals which might be reared 
 on these islands, when we consider the little care the inhabitants bestow- 
 on their pasture land and the immense amount of fodder which is lost 
 every year in these vast natural prairies. 
 
 If it is now desired to go further and to form some idea of the value of 
 the immoveable property, including the improvements made on the occupied 
 lands, it is only necessary to consult the assessment roll, the total of which 
 presents the very considerable amount of $159,735: an amount which 
 cannot be supposed to be exaggerated, and which might rather be carried 
 to 1250,000, if we consider the aversion which the inhabitants gene- 
 rally have to magnify the value of their property, or rather the desire which 
 they shew to have themselves assessed at the lowest figure, when the 
 municipal or school tax is in question. 
 
 It is manifest from the preceding figures that, in an agricultural point 
 ol view, the Magdalen Islands are certainly not behind the rest of the 
 country and might be advantageously compared with other and more 
 
eii 
 
 favored counties of the province. It is not. however, the soil alono which 
 contributes to (he importance ol' these islands : the sea which surrounds 
 them on all sides is capable of supplyinjr a variety of industries and of 
 inaintauiniff a .ommerce with all countries of the world to which the 
 produce of our seas can be exported. The position of the Ma-dalen [siands 
 in the centre of vast lisheries, gives to the inhabitants of these islands incon- 
 testable advantages for making the most of them. The seal, the herrin.>- 
 the mackerel, <he codfish, and a host of other lish, succeed each other 
 according to their seasons, and. when one kind is wanting, the lisherman 
 may almost always fool assured that another will make up for th(* loss bv a 
 greater abundance. ' 
 
 The produce of the sea is therefore for the inhabitants of the Magdalen 
 Islands an inexhaustible source of wealth, whi.^h will every year au^rment 
 their industrial and commercial prosperity, in proportion as their commu- 
 nications with the adjoining provinces and with the rest of the Dominion 
 become more easy and frequent, and as their relations with those countries 
 which consume their products become more intimate and more extensive. 
 
 It may, perhaps, be a matter of surprise that, v.-ith so many advantages 
 and so many facilities for advancing their material welfare, there is but a 
 small number of the inhabitants who are in a prosperous condition It 
 must be confessed that thera are but few places where the lishermon have 
 attained a certain degree of comfort and competency ; but there is no other 
 locality where they might arrive, in so short a time, at a condition of 
 independence, ifthe onerous rents which the inhabitants have to pay for 
 their lands, on the Magdalen Islands, were not an obstacle to their advan- 
 cement in the road of progress. We cannot shut our eyes to the fact that 
 the present system of land tenure will always keep these people in a state 
 ot hesitancy, which renders them inactive, lowers their moral feeling, and 
 prevents them from entering on a new career of progress and improvement 
 A large number of families have already sought a refuge on the r^orth Shore 
 abandoning their farms in a fairly advanced condition, preferring to found 
 anew settlement elsewhere than to continue improvements on lands which 
 might some day be taken iVom them if the excessive rent of twenty cents 
 an acre were not paid regularly every year. 80 long as the lands are subject 
 to this rent, the proprietors will feel ill at ease, will remain in a state of 
 maillerence, and will preserve this feeling of unconcern, preventing them 
 from laboring more actively to ameliorate their condition. Nowhere 
 besides, can there be found a race of men more intelligent, stronger and 
 more robust, mariners more daring or more hardened in the exercise of their 
 
 HM' 
 
 m 
 
 •aii'i 
 
07 S 
 
 calling, or a class of UshenuLMi inoiv i-!ip.\hlo oroiulmiivotvU thoir privmious 
 aud prolonijod labors and more roady to oiu'omitor tho poriU of tho 8oa. 
 
 "Wo should thorotbro tool a dosiro to prosorvo intaot a small population, 
 boru, so to say, upon tho soa, aud dostiuod, iu groat part, io gain tiu-ir 
 living thoio. Thoro aro no saorilioes whwh wo should not niuko to 
 amoliorato thoir position, to attach thorn to tho soil, and to improve thoir 
 lot, by adopting such logislativo onaotmouts as would ohango tlio oxi,stiii<' 
 tenuro aud would give to oaoli inhabitant a bottor tillo to tho huul whioli 
 he occupies. 
 
 {Ant. rdinrliaiiti, Dccombor, iSVo ) 
 
 >■>?■'' 
 
 .il^JBI 
 
r.Asri" nisiku^r 
 
 lUCSCUin'loN t>K VWK MAiUVU.KN \i\\ KM 
 
 Tho Mni»»li\l.m rivor lulls im». (ho SI. Livwrouoo oj> lh«» Noulh »i«lo, in 
 latiuulo •!'.>" I.'." Jl'J" N. mul lonuilu.lo (!;.«> IS" !{«{" W. m'.u'ly, IIn ui.miIU In 
 iibont sixty n>iU>s al>i>vo ('i\p(» K'o.siiM-, jiml iiluuU sin'oiily hA\\\\ V\\\u\ (MiuHo 
 Tho lUlnuin* to it IVdih tlu' .s(<ii is on llm wosi sitio oT u uol v»My «loop lisvy, 
 I'loin wliich tho rivfhl or oast Imnk ol'lho avor is soimmtiMl lor nitoui u milo 
 hy 11 Miurow strip o\ lino ^riivol, but litth> olovuto«l uhovo {\u\ hiyho^t tulos, 
 whih» tlio loll hunk consists oT un »»soiirpniont of slraliliod duv, ithont niin>(v 
 Icot iti hoiijfht, oonlnininn' mnrino sIunIIs of tho ilrit't piM'iod, This osoivrp- 
 inoiit oontinuoN out nht»ul a t|uarlt«rora nuh* hoyonti tho uit>nlh of tho rivor 
 timl, roslini;' t)n hlaok hiluniinousshalo, lorniN i\\\)o Magdalon, It oxtontU 
 up iho ooast lor hotwoon two or throo niilos, ami tho olay of whioh il in 
 iduipoMHl, spHMulinn' lor ahont a wiilo oriv niilo and a hall' inland, proMonls a 
 goiilly niululatin^' Nnrl'aoo, vvoll littod lor onllivation Homo patohoN of 
 liiiiin upon it, oonsislinu' of wlioat, ryo and harloy, appoarud to proniiso a 
 lair avora^o yiold, and otliors of polatoos nn<l turnips sooniod In ho in u 
 thriving; condition, thou.u'h tlu^ stylo of huslMUidry was hnl. indilloront. 
 I'l'oMi tho month ol'lho rivcr to Iho hijifhoNl part roach(*d hy us, Ihodislanco 
 111 ;i straight lin(> about ,S. W. is but Ihirly-ono niilos and a hall', whilo 
 li'llowinji' tho sin»iosili(»s ol' Iho slroani, il. is sixty niih^s, and Iho diNlanc(» 
 ;i(lu;dly nioasurod by niiinnnohu' is (ij niilos, *J chains, (tr» links. 
 
 Tho lirst strolch of Iho vidloy I'roni tho mouth (d' tho nvor lo Porcu- 
 pine HI u IT, (,so cidlod from our having- killed tho lirst porciipino upon iIn 
 lop) is altout (dovon inilos, but tho chunnol ol'lho sInMini inoasuroH very 
 in';iily I'ourbMMi, Iho ^onorul upward bourinH; bidng S. 'J/i" K In this a 
 HcriouH impodimoni is mot with in tho iisconi of tin* rivor aixuil. live milos 
 I'khii its moulh. It c(»nNisls ol two vortical casiuuh^s ol'Uvolvo and sixly-l.wo 
 livi n'spoolivol' , with u lornml. above ami bot.woon occiurin^- in a nari*(»w 
 prccipitouK u^or^o, with banks so sliM^p as lo bo impiissablo and rising- lo 
 llio li(M;;ht, ol' HOO or !i()0 loci on each sido (d' iiio si roam, Ovor Iho Nunimit. 
 ol this luMj^hl, on Iho oasUirn si(hs il. bocamo necessary lor us to eH'ocl. a 
 poilii^o, and l,ho (lillicullios in IransportiuH' our (!ant.»oH miroHM wore so Kroiil, 
 lliiil, sovon duyH won; consumod in the (ask, l,hou)«:h Iho dislanco was uok 
 iiuicli over a milo. Not only had wo to cut a clear road throti^^h very thickly 
 
680 
 
 growmg though not large spruce trees, but, after the road was oneuo^ 
 we were ob hgod to use ropes, and to hold on by the trees in asceudin. J 
 descending the hill, as well as to excavate foot holes with a shovel to^vl 
 slipping. ^^•''^ 
 
 In ilowing through this gorge, the stream makes a turn out of the 
 general bearing ol about half a mile to the westward, its course present n!i 
 rudely three sides of a parallelogrnm, below which the vail y rttiS 
 narrow to the flat land at the mouth, while the hills rise irrlgut 
 either bank to heights not much inferior to that of the portage. Above the 
 portage the valley is less deep and somewhat wider, the land presentin! 
 a more gradual fall from the hills, the sides of which appear^o Lo |>u 
 thinly covered with soil, while coarse gravel composes such flats as are 
 met with at the foot. The timber on the flats consists of balsam-fir, white 
 birch and cedar, with now and then ash and elm, but the last two are bv 
 no means abundant, while the mountain sides, all the way up from the sea 
 present balsam-fir, spruce, white birch and pine, the last being in some 
 abundance about the portage. ° 
 
 For the next four and a half miles above Porcupine Bluff the jjeueral 
 upward bearing of the valley is a little west of south, in which the stream 
 measures ratly^- over six miles and a quarter, to the junction of a tributarv 
 falling m on the light bank; to this from its temperature, in the abseui 
 of any known name, we gave that of Cold Water brook. This tributary 
 was the first of any importance met with ; it comes from the south 
 through a valley which is a continuatiou of that of the Magdalen up to 
 this point, and just before joining the Magdalen, it flows between t\vo 
 prominent mountains, for which their shape suggested the appellation of 
 east and west Terrace Mountains. On their north sides, particularly that 
 of he west mountain, and towards the top. several perpendicular scarp. 
 ments of from hfty to a hundred feet each rise at irregular distances behind 
 one another, and sweeping round into ^he valley of the Cold Water branch 
 
 nnHlT ^ '' ""'''\ '"^ '''''''''^'' ^''^''"^^y becoming less mtrked, 
 until they disappear altogether. By a rough measurement the summit of 
 the eastern mountain was computed to be 1375 feet above the river, or 1957 
 leet above the sea. The summit of the other, about a mile to the westward 
 was not ascertained by measurement, but it is probably about 200 feet 
 higher. 
 
 The soil and timber above Porcupine Bluff differ but little from those 
 Deiow, with the exception of an increasing abundance of white piue. It 
 
oad was opeuodj 
 in ascending amfl 
 a shovel to avoic 
 
 turn out of the 
 'Ourse preseutingj 
 
 valley continues 
 ise irregularly oa 
 tage. Above the 
 
 land presenting 
 ippaar to be but 
 such flats as are 
 )alsara-fir, white 
 i last two are by 
 up from the sea 
 st being iu some 
 
 lufF the general 
 "•hich the stream 
 )n of a tributary 
 in the absence 
 This tributary 
 rom the south 
 Magdalen up to 
 ! between two 
 3 appellation of 
 articularly that 
 idicular escarp- 
 istances behind 
 I Water branch 
 g less m irked, 
 ; the summit of 
 le river, or 1057 
 3 the westward, 
 about 200 foet 
 
 tie from those 
 i^hite pine. It 
 
 681 
 
 ippoars to me probable that between the portage and the Terrace Mountains 
 ibout one-sixth of the wood seen on the slopes was of this species ; most 
 )fit is large enough for saw-logs, and some may be of a size fit for square 
 limber. How far back from the river it may extend, I am not prepared to 
 iav; but even what was iu view would, in my opinion, be worthy the 
 oniion of lumberers. The only difficulty iu getting it out would be the 
 Is and rapids near the portage, but these might probably be improved, 
 ;vhile they would afford unlimitod water-power for mills ; from the foot of 
 ;ho falls sawn timber might be sent with safety to the mouth, where there 
 is a good harbour and deep water for two vessels, vs'hile, over the bar at 
 Iht- entrance, there is a depth of seventeen feet at the ebb of tide. From the 
 Terrace Mountains, the upward fourse turns nearly west and continues so 
 for very nearly five miles, presenting a succession of rapids, with a swift 
 current the whole way. On the south side, west Terrace Mountain is con- 
 linue.l for half the distance, but after the first mile it loses in elevation. 
 On the north, for the same distance, the hills come close upon the river, 
 presenting a height of about 500 feet. In the remainder of the distance the 
 ■"s on both sides are more detached and less elevated. 
 
 The next stretch of the valley runs X. 25° W., and in this bearing, 
 Tvhich continues for six miles, it presents a parallelism with that part 
 between Porcupine Bluff and the mouth. The hills on each side are further 
 apart than those lower down, and not so bold, the highest summits not 
 exceeding 500 feet over the river. Just at the turn at the upper end of this 
 part of the valley a tributary falls in on the left side ; at its immediate 
 luiiction, it is twelve feet wide, and its downward course south ; but as it 
 appears probable that it issues from a small lake, the position of which was 
 described to me by one of the inhabitants at the mouth of the Magdalen, 
 the general downward course of the depression in which it runs may be 
 about south-west. In this case, it would be a continuation of the next and 
 longest stretch of the valley of the main stream, and would apparently 
 correspond with the depression on the south side of the portage mountain. 
 
 The next and longest stretch of the 
 bearing of about S. 55'' W., and in this 
 twenty-four miles brings us to the end 
 In this part of the valley, the only mar 
 given is about six miles up, where the 
 about two miles. The lower end of this 
 tary fifteen feet wnde, which flows i on 
 above it, and twenty-four feet wide, tails 
 
 Magdalen valley has an upward 
 bearing a straight line of nearly 
 of our micrometer measurements, 
 ked divergence from the bearing 
 general course is nearly west for 
 divergence is marked by a tribu- 
 the right, and another half a mile 
 in on the left, while the right side 
 
 ■ (' 
 
 ■ , - 
 
 f- 
 
 Ml 
 
 im ¥\ 
 
 11 i> 
 
 'ili 
 
682 
 
 ton 
 
 two miles still furthor up presents an additional branch. This is tvvout] 
 eight leet wide, and its transparency sugjjested the name of Clear Wa J 
 brook. The only other branch of any importance in the twenty-four mil 
 also falls in on the right, about thren miles below the termination ofol 
 micrometer measurements ; at its mouth it was thirty foet wide, 
 
 The liilLs along each side of this stretch of the valley, although not 
 high over the bed of the river as those lower down, are more r"mxUv 
 their outline. They run in ridges parallel to one another. Those neun^st t, 
 river, which are at no great distance, appear to be between 200 and 3 
 feet high, and those visible farther back gain upon them but slightly 
 elevation. These ridges appear to agree in their direction with thtTgene. 
 course of the river, with the exception of one on the right side, the "scar 
 ment of which is seen three miles east of the Clear Water, and just Ini 
 of the bend mentioned, at the junction of the lowest tributary. Faciui.- tl 
 north, this escarpment rises rapidly to a height of probably 700 feet,°ai 
 the surface, then sloping more gently in a contrary direction, gives tl 
 aspect of an isolated hill. The escarpment resembles the north side of eai 
 Terrace Mountain, and, bearing exactly for the position of that mouutp.m' 
 is probably of the same formation. 
 
 From the Terrace Mountains upwards the timber of the valley -oninouu. 
 smaller tl.an lower down. It consists of spruce, balsam-fir, white bir.-h an .altered a 
 
 1011 li brat] 
 shWo the 
 he I'urve 
 
 This 1 
 rouucl, its 
 eet. Apji 
 erably, ai 
 iides of thi 
 
 cedar. Only a few trees of white pine were observed. Th§ soil is thin bot 
 on the hills and on the flats. On the latter it is supported generally o 
 coarse gravel, in which pebbles of reddish syenite abound. These pebbl( 
 wa^re smaii at the lowest point at which they were observed, but appeare 
 gradually to increase in size as \ve ascended, and, towards the end of on 
 measurements the river found its way with a rapid current amono- larg 
 rounded masses of this rock. Those masses much resemble some of the syenit° 
 of the Laurentian formation, and may have been transported from the uort 
 side of the St. Lawrence. 
 
 ill vegetat 
 About a mile and a quarter above the termination of our measnr* ovorod w 
 ments a large tribitary joins the main stream on the left. The valley i wo mark 
 which it flows is not deep, and can be traced by the eye in its up wan 
 course, which is N. 25° W. for between nine and ten miles. For a mil 
 above its junction, with an average breadth of forty feet, it presents a rapii 
 and broken stream, and probably runs with a swift current the whol aouiitain 
 distance. Beyond this, according to the description given me by a hunte 
 well acquainted with this part of the country, its upward course turn 
 
 ii'jt of so 
 
 bicli ris.( 
 
 si'veral 
 
 iiies fartl 
 
 Abou 
 le north 
 about t( 
 
 of tlu 
 ircaui fro 
 [oin sixty 
 :ght a)igl 
 roaches 
 •aiirli, th 
 I'lbe hu 
 louulaiii, 
 ireain, if 
 about a 
 itivmity 
 fhoii by I 
 plitting n 
 ontributi( 
 
 eu:^th of 
 outh bran 
 larallel wi 
 
 lows ni a 
 ind this m 
 
683 
 
 h. This is tvvftutfct of south, and in about four miles reaches the base of a mountain 
 ame of Clear WatBli''-'^ '■'''^'*' considerably above the table-land through which it Jlows ; it is 
 e twenty-four milBi "^'^'^''"''^ small lakes or ponds on the summit of this mountaiii, about two 
 
 termination of or 
 Jet wide, 
 
 iiK's liirther, that the tributary has its source. 
 
 About a hundred paces farther up the main stream than the mouth of 
 
 le north branch, a tributary enters on the opposite side, shewing abreadth 
 
 about ten feet. It runs in a depression which appears to be a continua- 
 
 Ion of the previous one, its upward bearing being S. IQo E. The main 
 
 ireaui from the end of our measurements tp the junc^tion has a breadth of 
 
 torn sixty to eighty feet, and its upward bearing is S. 70" W. or nearly at 
 
 ghi angles to the two branches. This upward bearing it maintains until 
 
 reaches the base of the same mountain th\t gives origin to the north 
 
 •audi, the distance being about live miles. From this, as de.soribed to me 
 
 ho hunter already me;itioued, it bends round the southern base of this 
 
 louutain, making an arc to which the last mentioned bearing of the main 
 
 ireain, if produced, would form a chord of five miles more, with a distance 
 
 I'about a mile and a half from the curve ; about half-way from the western 
 
 itivmity of the chord the upward course is about north for three miles, 
 
 fhi'ii by a sharp bend it becomes east for about four more, the main valley 
 
 plitting up into several subordinate depressions, each of which send a 
 
 ontribution from one or more small lakes at its source. Th>se lakes are 
 
 ir, white birch an cattered among the tops of the same mountain in which originates the 
 
 3y, although not 
 re more r<>gular 
 . Tho.se nearest t 
 tweeu 200 and 3 
 em but slightly 
 n with the gene 
 :ht side, the oscar 
 ;er, and just ^^u 
 Hitary. Faring t 
 tvbly 700 feet.^ai 
 irection, gives t 
 e north side of eai 
 f that monntp.iu 
 
 r of the valley 
 
 i§ soil is thin hot 
 irted generally o 
 id. These pebbi 
 fved, but appeare 
 irds the end of on 
 ■rent amonu' larg 
 ome of the syenite 
 ted from the nort 
 
 of OUl 
 !ft. The valley i 
 ye in its up wan 
 Biles. For a mil 
 it presents a rapii 
 
 1011 
 
 nil ])ranch, and the more southern of them are not far from its source, 
 fhilo the more eastern are not over one or two miles from tliM east end of 
 heciuve made by the main stream round the mountain's base. 
 
 This mountain rises boldly above the gvneral level of the country 
 
 iround, its summits attaining a higher elevation by probably 1000 or 1500 
 
 eel. Approaching it, the size of the forest trees appear to diminish consi- 
 
 leiably, and occasional open spaces produce only short wiry grass. The 
 
 ides of the mountain seem almost devoid of trees, and the top destii;ute of 
 
 "vegetation whatever Large areas b.4ow the summit appeared to be 
 
 measur( overed with huge detached masses of grey colored rock, and some parts 
 
 ere marked with stripes of red, while on the 20th of .Tuly along the whole 
 
 ?th of the upper surface, as seen from the mouths of th'? north and 
 
 outh branches of the river, patches of snow were abundant. In a bearino- 
 
 larallol with the depression or valley of these branches, the m.^asure of the 
 
 iurrent the whol noimtain is about ten miles. According to Mr. Murray, the St. Ann river 
 
 n me by a hunte 
 I'ard course turu 
 
 lows in a wide valley between Mount Albert of his exploration of 1845 
 ind this mountain, which would therefore, from a favorable point of view, 
 
 i' 1 
 
 I 
 
684 
 
 ft, tho r 
 vtioii, it 
 own ok 
 irod at b' 
 
 Did 
 
 ho (list 
 istruck it 
 
 appear to bo a groat isolated hill, and it ovidontly conntitutes tho ..1 
 
 eastern termination of tho Shick-Shock range ot' mountftiuH, whi.h iroJ 
 Matane, whore Mr. Murray places its western limit, would (hus h,. 
 
 length of a».out sixty-live miles. 
 
 While wo ascended the Magdalen, an endeavor was made to de(.i ,r 
 
 the rise of tho valley. The river is so rapid in the whole of its length t 
 
 wo met with scarcely any reaches of smooth water to aid us ii, ',rrv 
 
 forward ascertained levels from one part to another ; and as we hul 
 
 mountain barometer, it would have been necessary, in order to attaiii 
 
 reliable result, to use a spirit-level the whole of the way. We did not ci 
 
 sider it prua.'nt to expend upon the task tho time this would have remiir! 
 
 I contented myself therefore with measuring by means of the spivit-lelstnuk it 
 
 of my clinometer the rise of only the more precipitous parts, and e.sti,n Js 'V.^ E 
 
 others by the comparative aspect of the current, and the greater or lE to the ^ 
 
 resistance offered to the progress of our canoes. With th. exception ot tl ^ mile a 
 
 short intervals, in which the canoe-raen could use their paddles, th.v w" tlhree t 
 
 compelled to re.ort to their poles the whole distance, or jumpinc. out i*. ^vith a 
 
 the water to drag or push the canoes along with their hands "onsul 
 
 occasions w.> were often obliged to knd and scramble alono- the bank 
 
 considerable distances, and it was then I could sometimes ascertain th. r 
 
 of parts by the clinometer. The result is given for what it is worth wi 
 
 out any great confidence in its accuracy, except as a very rude app.ox. 
 
 tion to the truth. ^ 
 
 This would give for the valley a rise of about thirty-two feet in a ,n,«.c,nssue( 
 but If from the ivsult be deducted the mountain portage cascade, a. «iato.ioe 
 rapids, and the measured part of the Terrace Mountain rapids, both 
 which are ..erfect torrents, the rate of rise would be reduced to aho 
 twenty.five feet in a mile. On the St. Ann, though Mr. Murray met ^vi 
 no vertical lal s, he ascertained by barometrical measurement that th- vi 
 m the part which he measured was about twenty feet in a mile, and fro 
 the description he gives me of its navigation, I am induced to supposo th, 
 hi6 difficulties of ascent were by no means equal to ours, even when thofok is spru 
 of he mountain portage and Terrace Mountain r.pids are excluded. Tt ,uutaiu sid 
 rise given to he Magdalen therefore does not appear extravagant. Takin .th. sligl 
 
 InH^hffl ' '"'V^' "'''^ '"^^ south branches to be 2000 fee ifused n^t 
 
 and that of the mountain between the Magdalen and the St. Ann to ^ 
 1500 more, its summit would be 3500 feet above the level of the sea M| 
 Murray's barometrical measurement of Mount Albert made its summ 
 6118 feet above the sea ; and as he states that, when standing on Mou 
 
 id Water ^ 
 
 and a 
 
 li)riaer ai 
 
 A third 1 
 le; and tb 
 lall' above : 
 lich issue o 
 n at otioe 
 und of ou 
 gilaleii at 
 mediately 
 tauee to th 
 11 of prob. 
 Magdalen 
 lok is spru 
 
 iwth has s 
 
 The tree 
 ; they are 
 
086 
 
 nHHtutes thi> nl.J"^'' ''"' '"o'l^taiu to tho east of St. Aim rivor houiulod his viow in that 
 ain8, which from ■'"""' *^ ^^""'^^ ^^'''^^^ '^"^^ ''" he'.-ht must havo hot'ii ut leiist equal to 
 would thus hinl"'^'" ^*'*'^''*^'""' which would (orrespoiid nearly with tho conolusiou 
 ' ^rod lit by myself. 
 
 IS made to deh-mP ^'^""*^''' ^'''''''"■''•'"'"' ^Ist Deceuibor, 1857.) 
 
 3le of its length t] 
 to aid us in oarryi 
 and as we hi\cl| 
 1 order to attain 
 y- We did not , 
 
 'ould have requirl Tlio distance from the mouth of Cold Water brook to York river where 
 ns of the spiiit-lelstruck it on our traverse is nearly eleven miles in a 8trai<,^ht line, bear 
 
 parts, and estiinu' "" " """ ^ . 
 
 i the greater or 1 
 
 DISTIllOT BETWEEN MAGDALEN RlVEil AND GASl'li U\Y. 
 
 h- exception ol t 
 paddles, thtn- w 
 3r jumping out i 
 ir hands. On su| 
 along the bank 
 es ascertain the n 
 it it is worth, wii 
 ry rude approx 
 
 S, 2;")^ E. We followed the valley of the Cold Water, which bends 
 jri'to the west, but our greatest distance from the straight line was not 
 ir;\ mile and a half. It occurred when we had proceeded up the brook 
 ^ttt three miles and a half, where a tributary ton feet wide joins it on the 
 It, with an upward bearing south of east. From this the bearing of the 
 |tl Water valley again gradually appro.iches tho straight line, and about 
 and a quarter farther up another tributary joins on the same side as 
 
 former and runs nearly parallel with it. 
 
 A third falls in about three-quarters of a mile farther, on the opposite 
 p; and the source of the main brook is met with about three miles and 
 iall' above it. The source consists ol a great multitude of copious springs 
 -two feet in a mi lich issue over an area of from thirty to forty acres, and collecting together 
 taire cascades ai n iit once a considerable stream. These springs were on the hio-hest 
 uiul of our traverse, and were estimated to be about 800 feet above the 
 gdalen at the junctim, which would be nearly 1400 feet above the sea. 
 mediately beyond them the descent to the York river commenced, the 
 lance to the river being about two miles and a half, to which there was 
 ill of probably 800 feet. In the valley of the Cold Water as in that of 
 Magdalen, there is evidence of a thin soil. The timber up to the first 
 ok is spruce, balsam-fir and cedar, and there are large areas both on the 
 
 in rapids, both 
 reduced to aho 
 Murray met \y\ 
 ment that th > ri 
 n a mile, and fro 
 !ed to suppose th 
 , even when thos 
 
 ravagant. 
 
 Takiii 
 
 re excluded. Tt luutaiu sides and in the lower parts of the valley, where the trees appear, 
 
 mrheslightness of their hold in the ground, to have fallen over into a 
 } to be 2000 lee ifused net-work of prostrate timbar, through which a subsequent dense 
 the St. Ann to Mowth has sprung, producing a tangled mass very difficult to penetrate. 
 1 of the sea. MB 
 
 made its summl ^^*^ ^^®^s ^'^o^'^ *^Q ^^^'st brook are of the same kind as those below, 
 andingou MouJf^^'^y ^^6 small, generally from two to three inches in diameter. The 
 
686 
 
 p. 
 
 m 
 
 ■' (i 
 
 woods are open, however, and aiFord good walkinnr, and fhere is evidoiid'''^' '"^*" 
 of a previous growth having been destroyed by lire. Although pint>\vBrihwiird, 
 rarely m'^t with standing, the charred and prostrate remains ot good-si J^'^'^'"'*' 
 trees were by no means searce. From the position ./hero we struck the Yol'''^'" '''^^* 
 river to the si'ttlemonts on the north-west arm ot'Gaspo Bay, the distiiu*'"^"' '*'"^'"^ 
 in a straight line about east is thirty miles, but the lino we travellod w 
 about live miles more. The position at which Mr. Barlow separated u^^\ 
 us, which we called the Ponds, was about eleven miles forward on ih 
 line, and his traverse to the Magdalen, in which he kept a straij^-ht line J 
 63" W., was seventeen miles and a half 
 
 In the first part of our eastern traverse, we kept along the left biuk 
 the York river for about three mil(>s. Tht; width of the stream was li'o] 
 a chain and a half to two chains ; its current was rather swift, and ij 
 surfiice shewed broken water in several places. Its banks were often ahva J 
 presenting bare pre(>ipices of calcareous rock varying in height from lit'tL 
 to 200 feet. In th-- three miles that we walked along its l(dt bank wl'' "'^''*'"^" 
 
 -- ' ■' ' ltlioJ)art 
 
 laly limes 
 foot, [la, 
 jlt to the ] 
 loiicod his 
 )ullivvard 
 owing bro 
 rtwo of I'r 
 rook we a 
 uarlers, an 
 ,rtluM- Thi: 
 
 \ii I'l'din t 
 ;i! of the 1 
 jiisidcrabl 
 ist. The 
 '■'1)0 or 130 
 Id of our 
 (ra distan 
 n> norther 
 'low our c 
 
 Botwei 
 
 crossed three considerable tributaries with a general northwesterly up^ 
 ward bearing; they joined the main stream through rocky, pre.-,ipitou 
 gorges of from 200 to 300 feet deep. Below the last one, the river oajn 
 rapidly to the southward, in its downward course, being turned iii'tha 
 direction by an elevati.m of from 300 to 500 feet, in which consider;) bl, 
 vertical breaks of rock are brought to view 
 
 This elevation forms a ridge whii^h divides the York river from oik 
 wo met with at the distance of four miles frosn the last of the trihutarioi 
 mentioned. AYe supposed it to be the upper part of the Dartmouth river 
 
 It was twenty-four feet wide where we crossed it, and llowed north a.u. ^ii., 
 
 In its upward bearing, it appeared soon to turn eastward, and farther in lul thus co 
 
 that direction it probably occupies the next valley north from the York ,'ostofit. 
 
 river, and runs parallel with that river for some distance, but in a contrary by was mi 
 
 direction. About two miles and a half exactly north from our point of inter nore above 
 
 section, Mr. Barlow crossed it on his return traverse. It was there still re had t ho 
 flowing north, but it probably turns to the east not far below, to gain the 
 position wh(^re I subsequently left it at the north-west corner ol' Hmith **" '^^' 
 
 Sydenham township, and the point where our eastward traverse previously '^'^'^'"■'''■. i 
 
 came out upon it, two miles farther down. le small, bi 
 
 ^j . 11 Gaspe ] 
 
 x'roceeding on our eastern traverse, only two other streams of any aeasurino- 
 
 importance were met with, and they were both tributaries of the l^art- rithin eigh 
 
 mouth. One of them occurred about nine miles from our lirst intersection eeraed to 
 
•387 
 
 [lu> main stream. It had u breadth of twenty-four feet, and, llowiug 
 Irtliward, it must join the Dartmouth some short distance above the west 
 leol'f^onth Sydenham. The otiier was met with thr>e and a half miles 
 Ither ea«t. It goes among the settlers on GaspG Bay by the name of Lady 
 f ps brook. Where we crossed it, its breadth was twenty feet, and its Jlow 
 L from the south-west, in which direction its source is probably near 
 |;iiof the main stream. On our course i': occupied a deep gorge, with a 
 psidcrable mountain on the west and a still more important one on the 
 Ust. The latter may have a height over the bed of the stream of probably 
 h) or 1300 feet, and we gave it the name o ' Mount S.'rpentine, from the 
 jet of our having discovered on it a band of serpentine., which we traced 
 Iradistance of nearly a mile and a half. The stream turns eastward along 
 L northern base of this hill, and joins the mam river about three miles 
 [■low our crossing. 
 
 Between York river and this brook, the inequalities of the surface did 
 )t appear to be many. One occurred three miles east of our lirst intersection 
 the Dartmouth. Here an escarpment of from iifty to a hundred feet of 
 laly limestone, facing the south-west, (;appeu an elevation of from 800 to 
 iOl'oot, [lassing over which we descended as much in about a mile and a 
 tilt to the ponds already mentioned as the position where Mr. Bu-low oom- 
 loiiood his return traverse. The rills on eacih side of this ridge flowed 
 nitlivvard to the Dartmouth. The next four and a half miles, to the north 
 owing- brook already mentioned, are indented with no more than a gorge 
 r two of from eighty to a hundred fetit deep, but in a mile beyond the 
 rook we ascended 700 feet and kept at that height for a mile and three- 
 uarters, and then descended from 800 to 900 feet in a quarter of a mile 
 irtluM- This descent is within thivo-quartersof a mile of Lady Hteps brook, 
 . and farther in nd thus constitutes the ftank of the mountain already mentioned as existing 
 I'estof it. East of Mount Serpentine our way to the f.ettlements of (laspe 
 by was marked to the right by a bold range of heights rising 1500 feet or 
 Qoro above the sea, cut by occasioiuil transverse gorge.s, while on the left 
 had the valley of the Dartmouth at no great distance. 
 
 On our eastern traverse, the timber met with consisted chiefly of 
 Isamlir, tamarac and cedar. On the first part of the line it appeared to 
 lesmall, butit increased in size when we came to within fifteen miles 
 II traspc Bay. In damp bottoms, cedurs were occasionally met with, 
 neasuring ten ft-et in cin^umference. Pine was not observed until we were 
 rithin eight miles of the settled part. The most marketable portion of it 
 lirst intersection eeraed to have been cut down by the lumberers several years ago, and 
 
 
 i 
 
 ill 
 
688 
 
 
 what now remains appears to be of but Jittle importance. AscMidiu- tlirt 
 Dartmouth river from its mouth, the first nine miles, up to Ladv St... 
 brook run nearly on the strike of the rocks, and, thou-h the stream L nn ' 
 and broken, it is navigable for canoes. For two miles above this it r „ 
 across the measures coming from the north, and the lowest half-mile of H ! 
 distance IS characterized byseveral vertical falls, varying from two to t ! 
 feet in height. Beyond these two miles a zig-zag upward curse for iZ 
 miles more is sometimes with and sometimes across the stratiHcation -Z 
 reaches to the west line of South Sydenham township. This was ^s hvZ 
 we continuously ascended the stream, but its course beyond has 'alreX 
 been indicated. ^ 
 
 A little above the South Sydenham line, the river is joiued by a tributarv 
 
 coming from the north across the stratification. It is eighteen feet wide at 
 
 Its mouth, which constituted the starting point for our traverse to Gram 
 
 Etang. Severa tributary brooks and rills, running in deep dells oblique 
 
 to the stratification, flow into thie one on each side, and, crossing these iu 
 
 succession, the inequalities of the surface appear more marked on this 
 
 traverse than on the east one further south, but there did not appear anv 
 
 important difference in the soil or timber. The traverse .rom G-rifFon Cove 
 
 to Peninsula Cove was made on the new road in course of construction 
 
 by the Government In this part, there is generally a better soil and larger 
 
 timber than I met with in any other locality visited. Considerable areas 
 
 support a heavy growth of yellow birch and maple, with varieties of ash 
 
 and eim, promising, in this instance at least, fertility to the agriculturist. 
 
 {James Richardson, 31st December, 1857.) 
 
 MAGDALEN RIVER. 
 
 We commenced our ascent of the Magdalen on the 20th of June, and 
 at the end of four weeks we had reached the highest point to which canoes 
 could be navigated. M this place the river, though shallow, was sixty 
 feet broad and still contained a considerable body of water. The only shell 
 found m the river in the whole distance was Limnea umbrosa (Say) The 
 shells were generally found adhering to stones in sheltered places. ' After 
 passing the Mountain Portage, five miles from the mouth of the river they 
 were obtained in quiet pools always occurring on the right bank of the 
 river, The rirer is subject to great freshets at the melting of the snows iu 
 
689 
 
 Ascendiug the! 
 ? to Lady Stops! 
 le stream is rapidj 
 ove this, it runs 
 it halt-mile of tlio 
 From two to ten 
 I course tbr Ibur 
 tratification, and 
 his was a.s far as 
 ond has already 
 
 led by a tributary 
 teen feet wide at 
 iverse to Grand 
 5ep dells oblique 
 3rossiug these in 
 marked on this 
 I not appear any 
 )m GrrifFou Cove 
 of construction 
 r soil and larger 
 nsiderable areas 
 varieties of ash 
 le agriculturist. 
 
 iber, 1857.) 
 
 ih of June, and 
 which canoes 
 low, was sixty 
 The only shell 
 m (Say). The 
 places. After 
 the river, they 
 t bank of the 
 f the snows in 
 
 
 the .'spring, and we could perceive, by th.i injury done to the b;irk on the 
 stems and branches of (he trees by ice or floating wood, that these freshets 
 somotimes raise the water ten feet above the level at which we saw it. 
 
 Those floods extend through the woods on each side of the summer 
 J banks of the stream and often produce changes in the channel. It is esti- 
 inialed by Mr. "Richardson that, iu the sixty-two miles which we ascended, 
 there is a rise of about 2,000 feet. The river, in addition to the falls, is vapid 
 ill all its parts, and the absence of shells is probably owing to these constant 
 and periodical disquieting circumstances. 
 
 Land shells were met with in many places in the woods along the 
 river, the species being Hehx hortensis, H. slrmle/la, H lucida, Succinea nb/iqua, 
 and S. vermeta. The He/ix horlensis was a large specimen of the banded 
 variety; it was obtained on the 29th of June, about 450 feet above the sea 
 and live miles up the river, and had a number of eggs at the aperture of 
 the shell. 
 
 The woods along the Magdalen consist of white spruce, pine, cedar, 
 balsam, white birch and poplar, and, in smaller quantities, mountain ash', 
 (which we saw in blossom on the 1st July), hard mi\ple, yellow birch', 
 tamarac and black ash 
 
 The woods between the Magdalen river and G-aspe Bay are of the 
 same description, and the species of trees are about in the same proportion 
 to one another as on that river, with the exception of pine, of which we 
 saw very little. Bit ween GrifFui Cov: and Gaspe Bay some hard maple 
 
 occurs. 
 
 {Robert Bell, 1st March, 1858.) 
 
 M0NT-L0UI8, AN8E-PLEUREUSE, PIERRE AND CLAUDE RIVERS. 
 
 I began the scaling of the Mont-Louis river on the 9th August. I 
 completed the west branch on the 29th September and 1 quitted °the east 
 branch, on the 11th October, at the point where it begins to separate into 
 several branches. 
 
 From the fork.s on the west branch, the river is very rapid and hemmed 
 in between banks nearly 500 feet in height. Further on, its flow is more 
 quiet and the banks recede to come together again a little before reaching 
 
 41 
 
 Pi 
 
 
690 
 
 tho great lako. but IhtMr height (alls away to about 100 feet Around tl 
 great hike, the land is poor, being generally covered with cedar groves « 
 black spruce swnmps. The east branch was followed for seven mllos to tl 
 south-west, when it turns abruptly at right angles and Hows from thoeas 
 Along the first part, the Innd is rich in timber of all kinds and well adapti 
 to cultivation. Last fall, a road was made along this part of the east braiK 
 to convey provisions to the lumbering camps on tho Magdalen river. Tl 
 bed of the river, lor a distance of three miles, is obstructed by great jams 
 drift wood, sometimes attaining 15 feet high ; there the banks, with a hejo-. 
 of from 100 to 200 feet, a]iproach the river to recede further on, leaving^] 
 shores swampy and very often covered with large Hat rocks. There°is 
 good deal of merchantable timber of all kinds along this river. 
 
 The Anse-rieureuse river, scaled between the 17th and 28th October, 
 small, but remarkable for its falls, one of which, on the west branch, isov 
 100 feet high.The country above the forks is miserable, but contains consii 
 erable good spruce. At certain times of the year, the volume of wat* 
 below the forks must be heavy, as a number of arms can be seen, which ai 
 dried up at this season, and in certain places the bed of the river is lo 
 completely, to reappear a little further on. 
 
 I next began the survey of the river Tierre. From the coast, there is 
 cedar grove, in which the river divides into two branches, and, b'for 
 reaching the Ibrks, several good maple groves occur. I'first scaled the wei '^' 
 branch, which takes its rise in three lakes, one of which I was told was 
 mile long, but a fall of snow and the want of snowshoes forced me i 
 
 )fl'nship 
 rood as fe 
 brks to t 
 omc i:los 
 ittle falls 
 )alsam-fii 
 [he soil, ( 
 iiiirlace is 
 
 I onl; 
 erminate 
 
 Althc 
 ,11(1 Mont 
 the wei 
 
 abandon it at two to three miles before reaching the lakes. The land 
 little suited to tillage. From tHe forks, the course of the river is less rapi 
 until the banks approach the stream, when it becomes more rapid an 
 
 broken by falls of from ten to twenty feet in height. The east braucl md other 
 
 which is not loug, has its source in three or four small lakes adjoining tw 
 other lakes which discharge into the grand lake of the Mont-Louis Hve 
 and which I scaled in trying to scale the discharge of the Mont-Louis lak 
 in order to check the river Pierre with that of the Mont-Louis. Provision 
 however, failing, I was unable to do so. The land is swampy along th 
 discharge of the lake of the Mont- Louis and of that of the river Pierre lake 
 The timber is small and consists of balsam-fir, spruce and cedar. Betwee 
 the two branches, there is a range of high mountains. 
 
 The Claude river, which I scaled in the beginning of Decemk-gj^^^g ^^ j^ 
 empties into the Gulf near a cedar post planted on the line between th .^^^'^^ ^ 
 
 The^ 
 
 ' 83' W 
 
 slaud, an( 
 
 A lag 
 separated : 
 extremity 
 ilie water 
 
 find a suu; 
 [|uence of 
 
 Aboui 
 iracts to a 
 Slid at a li 
 keen estab 
 io bank, w 
 1 starting 
 akes at its 
 
691 
 
 feet Around tAwnship of Duch<?snay and the seigniory of Mout-Louis. Tho laud is my 
 h cedar grovos , ;ood as far as the forks and shows several fine maple groves. From the 
 seven miles to tl j- ' ' ^'^ ^ '- • ' • ' - 
 ilowsfrom theeai 
 Is and well adapt 
 rt of theeiistbrau( 
 gdaleu river. Ti 
 3d by great jams 
 anks, with a hei"- 
 her on, leaving tl 
 rocks. There is 
 river. 
 
 nd 28th October, 
 k\'est branch, is ov 
 it contains oonsi( 
 
 volume of watt 
 
 be seen, which ai 
 [ the river is lo 
 
 orks (0 the lake in which the east branch originates, the banks are high and 
 -ome c;lose to the stream, whose course is very rapid and broken by°many 
 ittle falls. The prevailing woods are maple, birch, white birch, spruce and 
 jalsain-fir. Lumbering for spruce and pine was carried on somd years ao-o. 
 be soil, on the heights, is pretty good. To the east of lake Claude, t"he 
 face is mountainous and to the west low and swainpy. 
 
 I only scaled the west branch for a couple of miles, my conlract havino- 
 erminated. '^ 
 
 Although I passed several times along the branches of the river Pierre 
 ,11(1 Mont Louis in search of the lines bounding the seigniory of Mont Louis 
 the west and south, I failed to find them. 
 
 {E.-A. LeBouthillier, 2nd July, 1888.) 
 
 MATANE, ST. ANNE, CAPE CHAT AND DOUGLASTOWN RIVERS. 
 
 he coast, 1 here is 
 nches, and, b'fo 
 rst scaled the wei 
 
 I M'as told was 
 shoes forced me 
 kes. The land 
 
 river is less rapi 
 s more rapid an 
 
 The east brauc 
 ikes adjoining tw 
 Mont- Louis rive 
 e Mont-Louis lak 
 Liouis. Provision 
 wampy along th 
 
 river Pierre lake 
 i cedar. Be twee 
 
 ing of Decembe 
 
 The Matane river falls into the St. Lawrence in lat. 48^ 51' N., long. 
 h' 33' W., according to captain Bvyfield's chart, about six miles below bIc 
 Islaud, and thirty-five miles above Cape Chat. 
 
 A lagoon, comprising an area of about forty-five acres at the mouth, is 
 separated from the G-ulf by a long and narrow gravel barrier, at the western 
 fxtremity of which there is a channel, measuring 363 feet across, by which 
 ihe water of the river escapes to join that of the St. Lawrence. Schooners 
 iiid other small vessels can pass through this channel, and, when within, 
 find a snug harbour, but the approach from without is dangerous in conse- 
 (ineiice of a sand bar which has formed nearly opposite the entrance. 
 
 About three-quarters of a mile south from the entrance, the basin cou- 
 iracts to a breadth of from 400 to 500 feet, the river falling rapidly into it, 
 md at a little distance up from the head of the basin, a saw mill having 
 keen established there, the river is crossed by a dam, extending from bank 
 obauk, which gives a fall of ten or twelve feet. Taking thi mill dam as 
 I starting point, the total measured distanc-on the Matane, including three 
 y , , ,, ^^^^ ^^ Jts head, was a little over sixty miies ; the upward course of the 
 
 line Detween ,^,^.^^^ without attending to the minor turns, with the measured and 
 
692 
 
 4 
 
 straight distances to the different aud most remarkable points, b 
 follows : 
 
 oins 
 
 Aloasurod Straifjht 
 Miles, Chains. Miles. Chiiin 
 
 E. 
 
 9 31 
 
 8 98 
 
 6 
 
 t)7 
 
 7 l.S 
 
 From mill dam to Bateau's brook, 
 
 left bank S! 28" 
 
 From Buteau's brook to Little 
 
 Mataue, right bank S. 45'^ 
 
 From Little Matane to Tawagadee, 
 
 left bank S. 20'^ 
 
 From Tawagadee to Trout river, 
 
 left bank 8.68" 
 
 From Trout river to foot of Lower 
 
 lake N. 80" E...10 7 3G 
 
 From foot of Lower lake to head of 
 
 Upper lake N. 7" W... 7 55 15 
 
 E...11 45 
 
 E...12 75 8 ,53 
 
 Buteau's Brook, Little Matane, Tawagadee and Trout river are 
 names by whith the principal tributaries are known to the Indians 
 others who frequent this region ; they each join the river at one of its { 
 cipal bends 
 
 The height of some of these points above the level of the sea, at 
 water mark, was approximately determined by barometrical observat 
 aud stands thus :-t- 
 
 Feef. 
 
 Little Matane 176 
 
 Tawagadee 246 
 
 Trout river 438 
 
 Foot of lakes 634 
 
 Head of lakes 721 
 
 By this it would be observed that the average fall of the river amo 
 to about twelve feet per mile ; but, as these elevations are dependent i 
 observations by a single barometer, the results are not to be taken as 
 cisely accurate. Judging from the general rate of the current, they 
 probably exceed the truth. The area of the three lakes at the head o 
 main branch of the Matane is about 667 acres, viz : — 
 
 Lower lake , 400 
 
 Middle lake 01 
 
 Upper lake... „, 170 
 
 667 
 
 Taking 
 ;, wher 
 ihe Mata 
 ),',nipied 
 ijr conne 
 >e of the 
 iin'h, whi 
 Duiil the 
 ee brauc 
 ;St. Liw 
 mitry exti 
 
 The St 
 ^ 28' W., 
 
 stivura V 
 ice being 
 loes. The 
 neo of thii 
 k'li it rea' 
 les, eight 
 
 g the n( 
 nod by a 
 43^ E , it 
 six miles 
 ro streams 
 ni which 
 Dm a lake 
 
 r an easi 
 ard, and, 
 ouiitains. 
 aiichcs wi 
 as G20 feel 
 le greatest 
 ■St having 
 probal)ly 
 
 One of 
 bill of the 
 vo miles o: 
 at river S. 
 lalf miles. 
 
693 
 
 isurod Straight 
 Chains. Milus. Chain 
 
 Taking its rise in the country to the north of the Notre Dame moun- 
 able points, beini'' ^^'^^''^ *^® uppermost, of the three lakes is situated, the main branch 
 (he Matane Hows south, cutting a deep gorg.j through the range, which 
 jeciipied by part of the middle and the whole of the lower lakes, with 
 ir connecting streams. It then runs westerly, between the southern 
 seofl he mountains and an esoarpm 'iit of limestone, to the Trout river 
 inch, which discharges into it a large body of water. Thenrse sweeping 
 Hiiil the western extremity of the ra ige, nearly op,:)03ite to the Tawa- 
 ee branch, it afterwards pursues a nottherly course to the j auction with 
 jSt. Liwrence. With its tributaries, the river probably drains an area of 
 mitiy extending over about 800 squarj miles. 
 
 9 31 
 
 8 98 
 
 11 45 
 
 6 
 
 ti7 
 
 7 l.S 
 
 12 75 8 53 
 
 10 
 . 7 55 
 
 7 30 
 
 15 
 
 "rout river are li 
 to the Indians 
 ver at one of its 
 
 1 of the sea, at 
 letrical observatl 
 
 Feet. 
 
 176 
 
 246 
 438 
 634 
 721 
 
 . of the river amo 
 I are dependent i 
 , to be taken as 
 le current, they 
 8 at the head o 
 
 400 
 
 91 
 
 170 
 
 667 
 
 The St. Anne river joins the St. Lawrence in lat. 49^ 10' N., long. 
 » 28' W., eleven miles below Cape Ch it. The total measured distance u^) 
 stivura was rather less than thirty-two miles, the river beyond that dis- 
 co being found too broken and rapid to admit of a further ascent in 
 loes. The first general course from the moath was S 5*^ \V. for a dis- 
 neo of thirteen miles, sixty-six chains (ten miles, thirty chains, straight), 
 im it reached the base the of Kotre-Dame mountains, — then S. 70° E. ten 
 les, eight chains, (eight miles, forty chains, straight), falling very rapidly 
 111^ the northern base of the range At the end of this distance, it is 
 lined by a branch from the north called Marten river, and, then turning 
 io^ E , it bears that course for seven miles and fifty eight chains, (equal 
 six miles straight), the end of the measured distance, where it splits into 
 streams of about equal size, one sweeping round the great mountaiu 
 oni which we triangulated the surrounding country and taking its rise 
 m a lake about twelve or fourteen miles to the southward ; the other, 
 kr an easterly course for three or four miles, bending round to the north- 
 aid, and, after dividing into several minor forks, terminating among the 
 ouiitains. The breadth of the stream below the junction of the two 
 ranches was about 190 feet, and the estimated height, at the same part, 
 as 020 feet, giving an average fall of nineteen feet per mile, but by far 
 le greatest part of the fall is included within the latter two courses, the 
 St having comparatively a gentle current. Thj area drained by this river 
 probably upwards of 300 square miles. 
 
 One of the most remarkable features of the Gaspe peninsula, is the 
 bill of the Notre Dame mountains. Its western extremity comes to within 
 vo miles of the eastern bank of the Matane, bearing from the mouth of 
 at river S. 25^ E., at a distance in a straight line of about twenty-one and 
 half miles. Its breadth does not here exceed two miles, while the summit 
 
 fi 
 
G94 
 
 
 heights are on an average about 2,000 feet above the level of the soa. T} 
 mountain range runs nearly due E and W. magnetic, and it increasa 
 between the Matane and St. Anne in width and elevation, advauciu"' o;J 
 •ward. At the lakes ol'ihe Matane it occupies a width of four miles, aj 
 the highest Kimmits are about 2,700 feet ; while at the Chat, where Ihj 
 river intersects the range of the Old Man and South mou'ilaing, a 
 ascertained the previous season, there is a breadth of six miles, the moai 
 elevated peaks rising to upwards of 3,500 feet. From this until strikiuo- tlj 
 St. Anne, (he highest summits on the northern crest maintain a iirettL 
 uniform elevation and still bear directly east ; but beyond that point thB'''''^''^'^" 
 
 irooks anc 
 
 consider 
 
 ^iid joins I 
 
 ard, emf 
 
 litioii, tlj 
 jastward, 
 last and rr 
 
 ho St. La 
 
 Anne 
 
 |onl(l hert 
 
 Lky cliff 
 
 Pools 
 
 Betvv( 
 
 llarteu riv 
 
 )rook for i 
 
 liters of t 
 
 jjiposite si 
 
 range appears to split, and after the valley of the river takes its upvvardi 
 turn S. of E., the highest summits on its south side recede from it three o 
 frur miles, while a range commencing on the north makes rather to th 
 N. of E. for the lake at the head of Marten river, and appears to nx 
 ultimately to Mont-Louis, on the coast. 
 
 At the forks, where our measurement terminated, the deep valleyfcaiii fron 
 
 which cuts the chain, is rather wide. On the east, elevated mountains risftoOO to 2, 
 
 up, probably in continuation of the main chain, running pu in that diiecjimnnits ; 
 
 tion, and a spur from them, bounding the valley of the St. Anne in itliver. Cros 
 
 southern turn, separates its waters from those of the Magdalen. Ou thi 
 
 w^est, a vast irountain rises over the forks, which, on ascending, was ascer 
 
 tained, by barometrical observation, to attain an altitude of 3,224 feetabov, 
 
 the point where we left the river, or 3,778 feet above the level of th«n-....v. o 
 
 sea. This mountain was named xMount Albert, in honor of His RoyaMoutherly, 
 
 Highness Prince Albert, as it happened to be upon the anniversary of hijnilivs stru 
 
 birth-day, the 26th August, that w^e scaled its sides. The summit is a barreifuiin bran 
 
 waste, extending over an area of between seven or eight square miles two miles 
 
 the most elevated parts being on the N. E. and S. ^Y. extremities, from vith an a) 
 
 each of w^hich the surface slopes gently towards the centre, where it ij 
 
 frequently soft and boggy, producing a short wiry grass, almost the only 
 
 trace of vegetation met with. 
 
 From the highest point on the southwestern extremity we had a com 
 manding prospect of nearly the whole western range of the mountains 
 among which the lofty summits of the Flag-Staff Peak and Mount Bayfield, 
 were distinctly recognizable. The valleys of the upper branches of the 
 Chat and Cascapedia lay to the west and south of us ; and, while many o 
 the mountains of Gaspe and Bonaventure were presented to us on the south 
 east, the panorama w^as bounded on the north-east by the range separating 
 the waters of the St. Anne and Magdalen. From the northeaster 
 
 ibout 290 
 50 feet acr 
 tolall intc 
 The fart he 
 've bore, I 
 be about t 
 isi'ert:iinec 
 10 several • 
 
 The M 
 
 Jxcept on 
 ocks. The 
 
005 
 
 il of the soa. T 
 , and it increas 
 111, advauciiiir ^as 
 of four milefi, an 
 Chat, where (h 
 ith mou'jlain8, j 
 jix milos, the moa 
 s until striking th 
 maintain a prett 
 ond that point th 
 takes its upward 
 de from it three o 
 kes lather to th 
 d appears to rui 
 
 the deep valley 
 
 ■itioii, the same St. Anne and Magdilon mountains bounded our view 
 ;t\\Mrd, and the same peaks in Gaspe and Bonaventure were seen south- 
 astaiul many of the same mountains to westward ; but northward of west 
 hi'St. Lawrence to its northern shore was spread out, and the valley of the 
 t, Anne could be traced extensively, while immediately below us wo 
 onld here and there distinguish its rapid torrent rushing along among the 
 ocky cliffs. 
 
 Tools and springs of excellent water were observed in almost every 
 irection over the bare surface of the great mountain, supplying numerous 
 nooks and streamlets, several of which, uniting on the south-east side, form 
 considerable body, which llow^s rapidly in a deep gorge to the eastward 
 11(1 joins the main south branch of the river ; others, running to the north- 
 aid, empty themselves into the main stream bjlow the forks. 
 
 Between Mount Albert and the eastern part of the high continuous 
 ^ hain from the Chat, the mountains do not appear generally to exceed from 
 ed mountains ris( 1,000 to 2,500 feet in elevation, and have frequently small lakes on their 
 : pn in that diiec ammits ; they stand at a distance of two or three miles soath from the * 
 s St. Anne in itBiver. Crossing this part of the country from a point about two miles bt^low 
 [agdalen. On thBlarteu river, and pursuing a S. S. W. course along the bvnks of a small 
 inding, was ascerfcook for a distance of about three miles, we came to a ridge separatiii"- the 
 )f 3,224 feet abovAators of the north from those of the south side of the peninsula. On the 
 the level of thApposite side of the water-shed, we followed the course of a brook flowing 
 lor of His RoyaMoutherly, and, keeping a parallel course for about one and a half or two 
 iniversary of hiAilet!, struck a lake which we supposed to be at the head of one of the 
 ummit is a barren main branches of the Cascapedia. This lakes measures rather upwards of 
 :ht square miles two miles in lenght, the general bearing down it being S. 60" W., and, 
 extremities, from vith an average breadth of about seventeen chains, it contains an arev of 
 
 itre, where it 
 almost the only 
 
 ty we had a ( cm 
 f the mountains 
 Mount Bayfield 
 branches ofth( 
 d, while many a 
 ) us on the south 
 range separating 
 he northeaster: 
 
 ibout 200 acres. A stream flows from the S. W. extremity, measuring about 
 50 feet across, probably belonging to the fork observed the previous year 
 to fall into the Cascapedia, about six miles below the Conical mountain. 
 The farthest point to which we could trace the valley of this stream by the 
 w bore, by compass, from the lower end of the lake.S. 65' W., and might 
 be about threandahalf or four miles from us. The position of the lake was 
 isi'oit:iined from the summit of the hill that rises over its banks, by bearing 
 to several different points already determined along the western range. 
 
 The whole of the range west of Mount Albert is covered with forest, 
 except on the extreme summits of the highest mountains, which are bare 
 ocks. The growth on the more elevated plains is chiefly dwarf spruce and 
 
 ill 
 
 in 
 
 IW 
 
696 
 
 in smaller pro;))rtion white birch tr.vs of dimunitivt? aizj, staiiJiiiir wiilt'Ivrl 
 apart, the intervals being ^eiienvlly carpeted over with a luxuriant i?rowt 
 
 of lull ferns. The mountain sides lower do 
 
 wn are cloth^il with l>alsain-lii 
 
 spruce and birch, with a few white pine and black birch trees at widd 
 intervals, and cedar in the moist places. Mount Albert itself is almost 
 entirely, both on its summits and its sides, a vast bare ro k. while thetnomv 
 tains to the e.ist of it, lying b^'tween the St. Annt' and the Magd>ilen, seem 
 likewise for the most part to be destitute of veg.'tatiou. 
 
 The country generally to the north of the great mountain range con- 
 sists of a scries of ridges running parallel to it and to one another, whicl 
 decrease in elevation as they advance to the westward and as they approach 
 the shores of the St. Lawrence. These ridges are entirely covered with a 
 dense forest, consisting of balsam-fir, spruce, white, black and yellow birch 
 trees, white pine, and white cedar ; maple, elm and ash likewise occur, but 
 are comparatively lare. Tine trees of good size, and many groves of liiia 
 spiuce, occur upon the hills, near the banks of the Ste. Anne and Chat, but 
 on the main bianch of the Matane such timber, although not altogethor 
 absent, is rare. This is the more to be regretted, as it affords facilities for 
 driving far superior to any other river on the south coast of this part of th 
 St. Lawrence, being easily accessible to the highest of its lakes. 
 
 Except on the Hats and on the low lands near the shores, the soil 
 appears to be of a very light description and holds out but few induce 
 ments for agiicultural improvement, and of this the settlements at Matane, 
 St. Anne and Ca])e Chat are examples. South of the mountain range, on 
 the Matane, the size and character of the forest growth indicate a better 
 description of soil than on the north, and the country being less broken or 
 mountainous than that to the eastward might, were it less remotely 
 situated, be cleared and cultivated. Hitherto it has been but rarely visited 
 except by Indians or hunters in pursuit of fish or furs. Game abounds 
 through the whole of these forests, and the rivers are amply supplied duriag 
 the summer season with fish and water-fowl. The Chat and St. Auiie 
 abound with the finest description of salmon and sea-trout ; but since the 
 erection of the saw mill, being unable to get over the dam, they have 
 entirely disai)pearcd from the waters of the Matane, where they are said to 
 have formely been more numerous than in any other river on the coast. 
 
 The St John or Douglastown river falls into the Bay of Gaspe, in lat 
 48^ 40' W., long 64^ 30' W. At the mouth of the river, there isa wide,opeii 
 bay, occupying an area of between two or three square miles, which is 
 entered from the sea through a channel 365 feet across, between two sand 
 
 kirriers, ( 
 loun, tl 
 j;ini el d 
 ol the 1)8 
 dioit*. w 
 clui^ler c 
 iduilh 
 pusf-ing 
 in uiiiOt 
 the coast 
 hearing 
 and 1 W 
 tlmt the 
 miles ob 
 tains nci 
 Where \ 
 ingiu it 
 rios, it •' 
 The est ii 
 fev't per 
 of the ^e 
 
 The 
 within 1 
 distance: 
 the entri 
 falling i 
 vise vci'; 
 and the 
 by the I 
 Jix"d in 
 
 The 
 
 through 
 larcli iVe 
 cedar, ai 
 dance, 
 the rava 
 small tn 
 
697 
 
 I town, 
 jam 
 
 staiidiii!T widolyHbrritT 
 uxuriaiit j^rowt 
 
 with l)alsam-lir 
 h trees at wide 
 
 itself is almost 
 
 while th(Muoim. 
 
 iVIagdalen, seera 
 
 itaiu raiiijc coii 
 another, which 
 , as they approach 
 T covered with a 
 and yellow hirch 
 :ewise occur, hut 
 ly groves of lina 
 ne and Chat, but 
 h not altog'ethi'r 
 fords facilities for 
 )i" this part of the 
 akes. 
 
 J shores, the soil 
 but few induce- 
 in en ts at Matane, 
 antain range, on 
 indicate a better 
 ig less broken or 
 it less remotely 
 )ut rarely visited 
 (iame abouuds 
 supplied during 
 it and St. Auiie 
 ' ; but since the 
 dam, they have 
 they are said to 
 ou the coast. 
 
 »f Gaspe, in latJ 
 ire is a wide,opeii| 
 miles, which isi 
 'tween two sandl 
 
 s, one joining (he main line on the south, at the villngH of Douglas- 
 
 ihe other on the noilh side, near the road to Oaspc Basin. A solid 
 
 I drift wood has blocked up the river about two miles above the head 
 
 ol the l)ay, diverting the currtnts across the low Hat lands of the intermediate 
 diore. wliith it interseds with innumerable channels, cutting it up into a 
 ,luf-ter of islands. Through this labyrinth, the experience of thos" acquaint- 
 i>d\vith the river was found absolutely necessary for guidance ; but, after 
 pushing the jam, there is no further impediment to the ascent of the river 
 in iiu.uev^, so far as our survey extendi d. The total measured distance, from 
 the coast, of the stream was forty-eight miles, seventeen chains, in a general 
 hearing upon N. 71" W. Above this, the valley takes a N. W. direction, 
 iiiid I was informed by the Indians, who are acquainted with the country, 
 that the river brunches olfinto several small streams at a distance of four 
 miles above the point we reached, ultimately terminating among the moun- 
 tains near the sources of the Bonaventurj and South-West river of Gasp6. 
 Where we stopped, the river had a breadth of about sixty feet, but, increas- 
 ing in its downward course proportionally with the supply from its tributa- 
 ries, it was at a short distance above the jam upwards of 300 feut across. 
 The estimated average fall in the whole measured distance was thirteen 
 fei't per mile, the height of the highest point being 043 feet above the level 
 of the s^ea. 
 
 There are four considerable tributaries to the St. John, two joining it 
 within the first seven miles from the mouth, the othi>r two at ths respective 
 distances of thirty-nine and a quarter and forty-six and a quart'-r miles from 
 the entrance, and all coming from the south, besides many smaller ones 
 falling in on either side. The two upper forks are supposed to take their 
 vise very near the sources of the upper N. E. branch of the Bonaveuture, 
 and the lower of the two sweeps past the western base of a mountain known 
 by the Indians by the name of Mount Alexander, one of tho high points 
 ]ix"d in oixr triangulation from Mount Albert. 
 
 The lower part of the river, for a distance of about thirteen miles, flows 
 thvou!>a a level country, proiuoing white pine, spru;e, an', a species of 
 larch frequently of considerable si'/e and of valuable quality, balsam-fir, 
 cedar, and three varieties of birch, with maple, elm, and ash in less abun- 
 dance. But where the country has been denuded of its original timber by 
 the ravages of fire, which has run over a very large area, a thick growth of 
 small trees occupies the surface, chiefly white birch and pine. 
 
G08 
 
 A ruiiiro ol' hills homuls tho southern oximt of this fl 
 cing near th.* soi toiiat at Malb 
 
 it tnint, oomm 
 
 I'll- 
 
 i"»". which, niiiniujf in a ,\. \V. .liiv.tion 
 ami graduuUy approaching tho rivor, 8trik.'s it at tho oiul of about thirt.vu 
 miles ol it« upward .ourse. On tho north side of th.^ rivor, tho country con 
 tinues to maintain its level character a<-rosstho 8outh-W..st river of (l,si)C' • 
 and appearino. to l,o covorod with a good soil of sandy loam, it is doubtless 
 well qualihod to bo brought into a stato of .ultivation, and might prol,i|.l\, 
 become us valuable an agricultural tra-.-t as any in tho peninsula. 
 
 Tho whole of the upper part of tho stream Hows through a mouatuu- 
 ous region ; tho valley in some places is wide, with extensive alluvial Hits 
 which o.cupy the intervals between tho river and iho mountains, while ,t 
 others It contracts to a deep narrow gorge, the hills rising precipitously 
 over each bank to the height occasionally of 800 or 400 feet, The hills in 
 crease m elevation with the ascent of tho stream, and the highest we 
 ascended measured 845 feet above the level of the sea. Fromthe hill 
 which rose directly over the point where our survey terminated, we saw 
 Mount Alexander bearing directly south, which, by its long and straight 
 rooHiko top, as well as superior elevation, was easily disiinguished as one 
 01 the most conspicuous points seen on our eastern horizon from Mount 
 Aibertt 
 
 A vast portion ofthis region, including nearly the whole of th it part 
 ot the river Howing among the mountains, and the eastern country b twoeu 
 Mount Alexander and the upper forks, has been completely denudoaof its 
 forest by fire, and the hilf si les, being covered over with bare pol.s and 
 charred logs, among which no new growth has yet sprung, savin- a [,xv 
 short shrubs and berry bushes, present a very dismal and dreary scne and 
 render travelling almost impossible. 
 
 {A/examirr Murray, 29th April, 18 40.) 
 
 !><T. ,TOHN OR DOUOLASTOWN AND DARTMOUTH RIVER.S. 
 
 In order to complete if possible th? survey of the St. John or 
 I)ougIastown river, which had already been measured by Mr. Murray in 
 1845 as far as tho forks, a distance by (ho river of Ibrtyeight miles, or in 
 a direct line from ;w.n..utht,l,irty.eight miles, an excursion was made to 
 tnat point. It wc.^■ , ,. nd however, after reaching the forks that, owino- to 
 
699 
 
 I runt, oonunt'ii. 
 I'. \V^ (liiv.'tion, 
 iibout thiit.vii 
 »o country con- 
 •iverofOaspC. ; 
 , it is doubtless 
 niq-ht prohiblyr 
 sula. 
 
 ;'h a inoii;itiuii- 
 alhiviil lints, 
 tains, \vhil,» at 
 : precii)itousIy 
 The hills in- 
 ho highest we 
 From tho hill 
 ated, wa saw 
 g and straijrht 
 fuished as one 
 a from Mount 
 
 e of thit part 
 mtry b tweon 
 lonudodot'its 
 ire polos and 
 savin;^- a few 
 ary scone and 
 
 ril, 184G.) 
 
 St. John or 
 [r. Murray in 
 
 miles, or in 
 was made to 
 liat, owing to 
 
 the low state of tho water au'l the imponsibility oi i,ravor»ing the wiUler- 
 Ilt'^H without a larger for<»' of men, further progress in that dire<;tu)u was 
 impossible Above this point, Mr. Murray say.s : (Reports 18ir)-|ti, p. 107-8) 
 " Tho valley takes a uorth-west direction, and I was informed ))y the Indiana 
 who were acquainted with tho country that tho river branches off into 
 several small streams at a diKtanco oi three or four miles above the point 
 ve reached, ultimately terminating among the mountains ne:ir the sources 
 of the Bonaventure and South-West rivers of Gasp6 (York). Where wo 
 stopped, the river had a breadth of sixty feet, but, increasing in its down- 
 ward course proportionately vviih tho supply from its tributaries, it was at 
 R short distance above the jam (near its mouth) upwards of 800 feet across. 
 The estimated fall in the whole measured distance was thirteen feet per 
 mile, the height of the highest point being 6-18 feet above the sea level. 
 
 " There are four considerable tributaries to the St. John, two joining it 
 within the first teven miles from the mouth, tho other two at the respective 
 distancesof thirty-nine and a quarter and forty-six and a quarter miles from 
 the entrance, and all coming from the south, besides many smaller ones 
 falling in on either side. The two upper forks are supposed to take their 
 rise very near the upper N. E. branch of the Bonavenlure, and the lower of 
 the two sweeps past the western base of a mountain known by the Indians 
 as Mount Alexander, and one of the high points fixed in our triangulatiou 
 from Mount Albert. 
 
 " The lower part of the river for a distance of thirteen miles flows through 
 a level country, producing white pine, spruce, and a species of larch fre- 
 quently of considerable t\/.o and of valuable quality, balsamlir, cedar, and 
 three varieties of birch, white maple, elm and ash, in less abundance. 
 
 " To the south this Hat country is bounded by a range of hills, which, 
 commencing at the sea coast near Malbaie, runs in a north-west direction, 
 and, gradually approaching the river, strikes it thirteen miles from the coast. 
 From the north side of the river the country continues to maintain its 
 level character across to the South-West or York river, and, appearing to be 
 Covered with a good soil of sandy loam, it is doubtless well qualified to bo 
 brought into a state f cultivation, and might probably becomj as valuable 
 an agricultural tract as any in the peninsula. 
 
 " Tho whole of the upper part of the stream Hows through a mountainous 
 region. In some places extensive alluvial flats occur between the river and 
 the mountains, while at others the valley contracts to a deep narrow gorge, 
 the hills rising precipitously from either bank to a height occasionally of 
 
} •■ . .: .:.: 
 
 "» . 
 
 
 •700 
 
 300 to 400 feet. The hills increase in elevation with the height of the 
 stream, and the highest one ascended measured 845 feet above the level 
 of the sea l From the hill directly from the point where our survey termi- 
 nated Mount Alexander bears due south. From its long and straight roof- 
 like top, as well as superior elevation, it was e isily distinguished as on > of 
 the most conspicuous points seen in our eastern horizon from Mount Albert." 
 
 The upp n- part of this stream, from the forks to a point about thirteeu 
 miles from its mouth, runs on the strikes of the G-aspe limestone series, and 
 nearly the course of an anticlinal, which is doubtless the western extensiou 
 of that which comes to the shore at Perce. The rocks displayed alotu" the 
 river are blue aud grey silicious limestone, blue and grey thin-bedded 
 limestone, and grey calcareous shales ; the thiu-bedded limestones are 
 frequently nodular and shaly. The only fossils detected by Mr. Murray in 
 these rocks were fucoids, probably Cundairalli. This would tend to plare 
 thorn on the horizon of the Oriskany formation, The lower thirteen miles 
 are occupied by grey sandstones of the Gaspe sandstone series, with plant 
 stems. 
 
 The Dartmouth river was also ascended to a point four miles above the 
 upper north fork. On this stream the line of separation between the 
 sandstone and the limestone series cannot be clearly defined ; the former, 
 whirh occupies th ' lower part of the river to the falls about three-eighths 
 of a mile above Lady Steps brook, has a regular dip 20<^-25'^ "W< 35° 40^, 
 and gradually becomes more calcareous. At the falls the bed contains plant 
 stem but, 100 yards below the second island above the falls, ledges of hard 
 grey limestone contain abundance of fossils similar to those found ou the 
 Griffin Cove river and already mentioned. The dip of these lower beds, 
 which represent the limestone series, is S. 15"^ '\V< 60^. A short distance 
 further up th.\se rocks rest upon black calcareous shales and green-grey 
 sandstones of Sillery aspect. 
 
 Thence up stream the river is occupied by calcareous shales, black and 
 grey in color, with bands of limestone, conglomerate and sandstones, re- 
 sembling the Levis formation, of which they are the undoubted equivalent, 
 but, at a point two miles and ahalf above the upper north fork, greenish 
 grey Sillery sand-s+ones are again overlaid by fine-grained limestones and 
 phales in thin bands containing fossils identical with those noted lower 
 on the stream, and clearly showing the westward extension of the Devonian 
 
 1 The iieiglit uf tliis liill should probably be given it 815 feet above the level of the stream 
 as measured by aneroid last season. 
 
•701 
 
 height of the 
 bove the level 
 r survey termi- 
 .1 straight roof. 
 ished as on i of 
 Mount Albert." 
 
 ibout thirteen 
 ou>3 seri 's, und 
 stern extension 
 yed along the 
 y thin-bedded 
 limestones are 
 Mr. Murray in 
 tend to plaoe 
 thirteen miles 
 ?s, with plant 
 
 liles above the 
 L between the 
 I ; the former, 
 . three-eighths 
 
 [contains plant 
 ledges of hard 
 3 found on the 
 se lower beds, 
 short distance 
 ,nd green-gi'oy 
 
 lies, black and 
 Lud.stones, re- 
 ed equivalent, 
 ■ork, greenish 
 mostoues and 
 noted lower 
 'the Devonian 
 
 ivel of tlie stream 
 
 basin. Above this, it was found impossible to proceed owing to the low 
 state of the water, but au attempt will bo made during the coming seasov 
 to complete the traverse of the upper part of this stream, from the York 
 river northward. 
 
 This series is exceedingly rich in fossils, large collections of which have 
 been made at different times by various mem., rs of the survey. Those 
 pertaining to the low^er portion have already been mentioned on pages 8-9 
 I) D, and for the sake of comparison other forms, which have been deter- 
 mined principally by Mr. Billing, are given. 
 
 (R.-W. Ells, ISS2.) 
 
 PABO!>i AND PORT DANIEL RIVERS. 
 
 As the ice on the Little Pabos river was breaking up froin the basin to 
 the bridge, at its estuary, I planted to the east of the bridge at high tide 
 and near the road a large post to serve as ray starting point, and I levelled 
 and adjusted my instrument so as to be ready to take observations at the 
 exact hour. After having satisfactorily determined the true m.eridian and 
 noted the variation of the needle, which I ascertained to be 2l'^45' west, I 
 began on the 26th the scaling of the Little Pabos river from the post previously 
 planted, first following the western side of the basin lo the discharge of the 
 river into the same ; and then, taking the middle of the channel, when 
 feasible, that is to say, when the operation was not interrupted by the 
 opening of the river, and chaining at different places or each time that I 
 seemed to note a change either in the widening or narrowing of the river, 
 and albC marking posts at each mile traversed to the source, which I found 
 at forty miles from the mouth, in a swamp almost completely bare of trees 
 and seemingly of great extent. Having by chance the evening before met 
 an Indian hunter named Noel Dedam, who was coming from Douglastowu 
 and going to the Little Pabos, setting his traps by the way, I learned from 
 him that I would find the source of the St John river a little beyond that 
 oi the Little Pabos, that he had hunted there almost every winter and that 
 he knew it perfectly. In point of fact, after having planted the last post at 
 the end of the forty miles, and while ray men were seeking a place to camp, 
 I proceeded on snow-shoes towards the east-north-east, and met the St. John 
 river at about three-quarters of a mile from the last post already mentioned. 
 This river flows at the base of high mountains stretching from east to west^ 
 
102 
 
 and almost totally baro of wood to their siTmmits, from which circumstance 
 they are gouerally called " The White Mountains." They also servo as a 
 landmark in summer for the fishermen of Pabos, Grand River -and Can 
 d'Espoir, when they lose sight of the shores in heavy storms. When thev 
 are cod-llshing on the distant banks, they nse them as a guide by which to| 
 steer their course back to land. These great headlands seem also to have 
 been placed where they are by nature to act as a watershed betwe.^u the 
 tributaries of the Gulf at the entry of the bay, and those of the St. Law- 
 rence. T have no doubt that they form part of the Shick-Shocks. 
 
 From the headwaters of the Little Tabos, the land seems to slope 
 towards the north ; still this change cannot easely be noted except after 
 walking some acres northward ; but, from the St. johu river, facing south, 
 the slope of the ground can an once be perceived. 
 
 The Little Tabos, from its mouth to the thirty-third mile, is a splendid 
 stream, with a strong volume of water and very rapid. There is but one 
 fall of 12 feet high in all this distance. This fall, which occurs a little 
 beyond the eighth mile, describes an angle of 40^, and the water passes over 
 a bed of rocks cut on each side into the form of spouts or slides to such a 
 depth that the largest logs can go down them without the slightest inter- 
 ruption. I was enabled to note that, after the breaking up of the ice and 
 during the spring thaws, the water often rises to a level 20 feet higher; 
 but this only occurs in places where the river is hemmed in by almost" per- 
 pendicular rocks, which prevent the water from spreading, while, in the 
 spots where Jlais prevail, the water extends over them and does no', attain 
 so high a level. To sum up, this river is one of the easiest and finest we 
 have in the county of Gaspe. It is fed by a multitude of large brooks, the 
 majority of which also offer an easy outlet for timber and several first class 
 mill-sites. 
 
 I regret to state, however, that merchantable timber is wanting, gene- 
 rally speaking. Among the mountains there is a pretty large quantity ofpiue 
 and spruce, but with few exceptions below the medium size and so diffcult 
 of access that few would be tempted to try and get them out. On the 
 other hand, the land, on the mountain tops, though broken, is fertile ; mixed 
 hardwoods predominate and are of sufficient size to prove the good'quality 
 of the soil. According to an exploration made by myself, the west side is 
 much the more preferable, the timber being generally larger and more 
 abundant. 
 
t03 
 
 lich circumstance 
 sy also servo as a 
 id River aii.l Cap 
 us. Whou they 
 aide by which to i 
 eem also to have 
 hed between the 
 of the St. Law- 
 Shocks. 
 
 I seems to slope 
 oted except after 
 rer, facing gonth, 
 
 ile, is a splendid 
 There is but one 
 :h occurs a little 
 t'ater passes OA'er 
 
 slides to such a 
 3 slightest inter- 
 p of the ice and 
 
 20 feet higher ; 
 1 by almost per- 
 ?, while, in the 
 I does no', attain 
 it and finest we 
 arge brooks, the 
 3veral first class 
 
 wanting, gene- 
 quantity of pine 
 ! and so difFcuIt 
 tn out. On the 
 s fertile ; mixed 
 tie good quality 
 he west side is 
 rger and more 
 
 Having terminated the scaling of this river, I returned down it to the 
 twenty-third mile, wh<^-e we camped late in the night. Oa the followin"- 
 day, the 20th, we proceeded to the depot of provisions which I had left at 
 the spot where I expected to meet Mr. Blaiklock's exploration line ; but as 
 repeated searches failed to find the latter and as it was — so to say — impos- 
 sible to scale the mountains with loads at this point, I deci<led to continue 
 nntil I met the rear line of the seigniory of Pabos and to lollow it up to its 
 junction with the north branch of the Great Pabos river, which wo did the 
 same day. 
 
 Having at last reached the stream which I took to bi the north branch 
 of the Great Pabos, as well by the distance travelled from the Little Pabos as 
 by its large volume of water and its position on the plan B acco.npanying 
 my instructions, I hastened to commence operations on that river. To this 
 end, I first explored the whole woods from the rear line of the township of 
 Newport to see if I could not discover the exploration line ; but, not suc- 
 ceeding in so doing here any more than on the Little Pabos river, I 
 establi.«hed my starting point at the place wh M-e such rear line of New- 
 port, which was no more traceable than the other on one side of the river 
 or the other, should pass. I first planted a post and blazed a large spruce, 
 and thence I carried on the scaling of this river to its source, which I met 
 in a swamp at 11 miles 52 chains from my starting point and, although the 
 distance thiis traversed seemed to me short, nevertheless I was still under 
 the impression that it was Pabos-North, and it was only when I reached its 
 junction with the Grreat Pabos river that I perceived my mistake. This 
 portion of the scaling brought to light much more timber than we found 
 on the Little Pabos. Except the six last miles, which are in a swamp, all 
 the remainder is well wooded with spruce and pine, and there are hills on 
 which birch of the finest quality grows in abundance. The hills, too, being 
 lower, the ground is less broken and much preferable to that on the Little 
 Pabos. Timber can be driven down this line river without any diflijulty, 
 as it carries a heavy body of water. There are several falls on its course, of 
 more or less si^c, as appears by my journal, but, owing to Iheir gradual 
 slope, these falls are not an obstruction to the passage of timber. 
 
 After planting a last post to mark the conpletion of this pirt of the 
 survey, I returned to my starting point and continued the scaling of the 
 river downwards, marking at each mile the corresponding number until I 
 reached the Great Pabos river. At the junction of the streams, I met one 
 Patrick Hamilton, w^ho resides on the west side of the basin of Little-Pabos, 
 and who had a contract to cut the timber lor the construction of bridges 
 
704 
 
 A pa; 
 
 jhas a gei 
 iiPiii'Iy ai 
 )a(l, it i 
 
 lie 
 
 because i 
 
 Ihau belc 
 
 rom its £ 
 
 lescent. 
 
 on the Pabos river.s and was then cutting it. I learned fro.n him that thAduced 
 stream I had just scaled was the Seche or Dry river, so called from the fao 5ko most 
 that it was long unknown because at its point of junction with th>! (hoat 
 Pabos, it passed under a bed of sand and thus tailed to attract the atteutioi 
 of the inhabitants, vho, moreover, seldom frequent these woods How 
 over, at presont, this river cannot be passed unnoticed, as at its month it is 
 )^ow as broad and deep as the principal branch of the Great Pabos rive 
 and rivals it in volume of water. 
 
 Having thus learned that I was only a few miiles from G-r.>at Pabo. 
 bay, and as the season was advancing and the ice threatening to br.wk up 
 I deemed it piudent to first scale this branch downwards. Accorliu<rly 
 alter planting a p:st at the western extremity of my last station in mid 
 channel of the north branch of the Cireat Pabos river, I performed thi.s put 
 of the scaling to its dischatge into Great Pabos bay, marking the trees at 
 each mile to number them from the basin or the bay upwards and theuco 
 following the west side of the bay, according to instructions, to its moutli 
 in the Bay des Chaieurs. This done, I marked my mile posts from the 
 mouth aforesaid upwards, beginning with number one and so on, and, on 
 reaching the post which 1 had planted the day before at the mouth of th.; 
 south west branch, I .scaled that branch to the mill erected by the h MvtO' 
 fore Gaspe Fishing Company, a distance from th> mouth of 38 chains 90 
 links. The lires which year after year have swept this place hadcomplet-My 
 
 destroyed the line deviding Newport from the seigniory ol Pabos, so lo doubt, 
 ■" to leave no trace whatever of it. Consequently, I could not asceitaiii its 
 
 course. I planted a post near the north-east corner of the old wharf, on wamp is 
 
 which I marked the number of chains so measured, after^whioh I refunied 
 to the main branch of the Great Pabos river and hired a boat to ascend it. 
 On reaching the river Seche, at the post previously planted at its conllueiico, 
 I continued the s^-aling of the north bran.-h of the Great ]\ibos river to its 
 source, at oO mih's from its mouth, marking as previously the numbers of 
 the corresponding miles 
 
 How 
 ?ach side, 
 brooks, w 
 largest rr 
 or saw-lc 
 Rocky br 
 ish at th( 
 [he west 
 powerf 
 iiid Otter 
 
 Atth 
 
 wo riven 
 
 ilie head 
 passes nea 
 ecogiiize 
 ieen on cc 
 
 I am happy to state that I met a great deal of timber along this stream 
 and on the height of lands surrounding it. I particularly noted a larae 
 quantity ol cedar, remarkable for its enormous size and length. It gene- 
 rally grows on large alluvial Hats, and is the finest in quality and mo,st 
 abundant in quantity that can be seen in the Gaspe district — at leas^ this is 
 the general opinion. I myself saw one of these trees cut down and 
 squared by the Patrick Hamilton already mentioned, which measured 28 
 inches square at 64 feet from the butt. And then it hid already had to be 
 
 Havi/; 
 )lauted th 
 lould disc 
 ^•hence I 
 ikerved t 
 Shat lowe 
 ilri^ady rej 
 three m 
 lescribed, 
 louulai.is 
 
•705 
 
 oin him that thtfo.luced several inches to render it more easily handled, and this cedar 
 lied irom the kc^ke most of the others, was perfectly sound. * 
 
 Apart from a few falls mot with along its course, the Great Pabos river 
 has a generally quiet flow. Its average breadth, to the foot of the falls is 
 nearly an acre, and its depth from 12 to 18 inches. Above the falls to its 
 head, it is much narrower; but it still carries a pretty large body of water, 
 because its banks are closer and cannot be overflown, being much higher 
 Ihau below the falls. Timber can be lloated down without interruption 
 from Its source to its mouth, the falls only increasing the rapidity of the 
 descent. 
 
 n with i\v) (heat 
 tract the attentioi 
 'se wools Ilo^v 
 i at its mouth itii 
 j-reat Pabos riyo 
 
 ;Vom G-r.Mt Pa1)0! 
 ■ning to broak up 
 ds. Accorliu<rly^ 
 t station in mid 
 on-formed thi.s p.irl 
 dug the tree's at 
 wards and thouco 
 ions, to its mouth 
 e posts from the 
 nd so on, and, on 
 the mouth of th.) 
 ^d by the hereto 
 of 38 chains Of) 
 30 hadcomplet>^l}' 
 
 How many fine settlements could be estab ished along this river, on 
 ach .side, if the lots had the river itself for their frontage ! The numerous 
 wooks, which fall into the river, are in most cases capable of running the 
 largest mills, and, apart from this advantage, they also offer a free outlet 
 for saw-logs for several miles from their mouths. Such among others are : 
 Rocky brook, (the fishermen's resort, " so called because strangers always 
 fish at the mouth of this brook in preference to other places) ; Deep brook • 
 [he west branch, which for seven or eight miles from its mouth, is nearly 
 IS powerful as the north branch ; Rat river, where hardwoods predominate ; 
 iiid Otter brook, on which pine and spruce abound. 
 
 At the head of the Great Pabos river, there is a large swamp, the same, 
 lovy of labos, so lo doubt, that I met at the head of the Little Pabos river, and in which the 
 i not ascoTtam its Iwo rivers, as well as the St. John river, take their rise. As a proof that this 
 le old^ wharf, 0.1 swamp is one and the same-the same range of mountains which I saw at 
 ihe head of the Little Pabos continues its course towards the west and 
 passes near my last 50 mile post. Further, from this post, I could easily 
 ecog.u/e continuing to the north-west the same mountains which I had 
 leeii on completing my survey of the Little Pabos. 
 
 Having thus finished the survey of this river, on the 25th April, and 
 lauted the last mile post, I explored the mountains in order to see what I 
 tould discover beyond them ; I ascended to the summit of the highest, 
 whence I embraced the panorama within Ihe range of vision all around. I 
 bserved that there were on the north side several other mountains some- 
 vhat lower than the one on which I stood. I also noted that the swamp 
 ilready referred to, after skirting the mountains for a distance of about two 
 three miles, stretches away to the northward to the foot of the others just 
 bcribed, where it seemed to end, giving place to higher ground. The 
 louulai.is from which I took ray observations were covered only w n 
 
 40 
 
 ^whioh I rofunied 
 )oat to a,sceiid it, 
 
 at its coiiilueiico, 
 ^abos river to its 
 
 the numbL>rs of 
 
 along this stream 
 ly noted a largo 
 ougth. It gone- 
 luality and most 
 . — at leas^ this is 
 i cut down and 
 ch measured 28 
 -1 ready had to be 
 
706 
 
 stunted wood of no value. It soemed so short and its branches grew so low 
 that I determined to measure the depth of the snow. I accordingly cut a 
 pole, which I drove to the earth and ascertained that the snow was nine 
 feet deep. This great quantity of snow, burying, so to say, the trees 
 naturally shortened their appearance. Still they are stunted and worthless, 
 
 From the mountain top, I returned to the point I had left, and then 
 following a north-east course, I struck a branch of the St, John river, which 
 I descended to the river itself, meeting it at about three miles from its 
 source. I thence ascended th.* river to about half a mile from my last 
 station to the east, where it disappears. 
 
 Having completed this part of the survey and being well av/are from 
 the advanced stage of the season and the character of the weather that it 
 would be impossible for me to continue on the other rivers, I was obliged 
 to suspend my operations, and, on Monday, the 28th April, we returned ou 
 our steps, except where the river was open. We descended the river to 
 the we&t brsnch, and thence, on a couise nearly south west, we reached 
 Port Daniel on Monday, the 1st May. At the south-west branch of the 
 Great Tabos liver, the snow became so soft and the ground so broken that 
 it was eafciei kr the men to portage the loads on their backs than otherwise 
 
 (£ H. Legehdre. 13th November, 1873.) 
 
 PABOS, PORT DANIEL, HALL, IITTIiE CASCAPEDIA AND NOUVELLE RIVERS. 
 
 From Nouvelle river to the forks, 
 chantable timber, cedar, poplar, elm, 
 large, heavy and of excellent quality, 
 pine in small quantities and a great d 
 heights is almost everywhere wooded 
 there birch which could furnish a log 
 incliea square. These forests have ah 
 remain enough iiine and spruce to give 
 
 there is a great abundance of mer- 
 
 &c. This timber is generally very 
 
 The hills and mountains supply 
 
 leal of spruce. The summit of the 
 
 with birch and soft wood. I saw 
 
 of thirty feet in length by twenty 
 
 eady been worked, but there still 
 
 them a considerable value. 
 
 I commenced to work on the west branch, and on the 31st December I 
 had finished my operations on this river. At this time I was in want of 
 provisions. I went over different water courses, — the Smaragne, the 
 river Trois Saumons, Deep Brook and Ruisseau Jaune. The Smaragne 
 is the best water power among these streams : pine and spruce abound ; 
 
hes grew so low, 
 ccordiugly cut a 
 i snow was nine 
 ' S!iy, the trees, 
 d and worthless, 
 
 id left, and then, 
 ohn river, which 
 e miles from its 
 ile from my last 
 
 well av/are from 
 i weather that it 
 rs, I was obliged 
 , we returned on 
 ided the river to 
 '•est, we reached 
 st branch of the 
 d so broken that 
 s than otherwise. 
 
 mber, 1873.) 
 
 VELLE RIVERS. 
 
 mndance of mer- 
 s generally very 
 ouu tains supply 
 e summit of the 
 ft wood. I saw 
 ngth by twenty 
 , but there still 
 3 value. 
 
 31st December I 
 
 was in want of 
 
 1 Smaragne, the 
 
 The Smaragne 
 
 spruce abound ; 
 
 707 
 
 and the driving of the timber is easy, at least for the few miles which I 
 saw. The west branch takes its rise in a magnificent lake 61 miles 
 from the rear line of New Richmond. In this lake there is a tongue 
 of land, half a mile long, trending towards the north-east and having°an 
 elevation of six feet. This tongue of laud is intersected by a forked stream, 
 tk" source of which is unknown to me. I believe that Rui.sseau Jaune 
 forms one of the sources of this branch. I was enabled to make these 
 observations from the summit of a high mountain which is situate between 
 the.-e two rivers. The west branch of the river Little Cascapedia receives 
 ihe waters of a large number of small streams. Its course is very broken and 
 uneven. There are rapids, still waters on flat lands, swamps, &c. 
 
 The timber, which in these localities consists of cedar, birch, poplar, 
 sprure and balsam, is of a remarkable size, and abundant in quantity. ^ 
 saw several cedars from 18 to 20 feet in circumference and generally sound. 
 This abundance gradually diminishes in approaching Trout lake. The 
 land there becomes sandy and produces only stunted timber, unfit for 
 anything. The valley of the west branch, although rich in timber in cer- 
 tain places and very picturesque in appearance, is altogether nnadapted for 
 cultivation. If there are fertile tracts, there are on «he other hand yo many 
 inoimtains, hills, and swamps bordering on the river, that it would be 
 exceedingly expensive to make practicable roads there, for colonization pur- 
 poses. 
 
 On the evening of the 12th January, 1874, 1 began my operations on the 
 east branch, which I terminated on the 31st. This branch is only 50 miles 
 ni length, from the rear line of New Richmond to its source, and is five 
 miles shorter than the west branch ; it is wider at certain points, and its 
 water |>ower appears to be more considerable From the forks to the 32d 
 mile, on the east side, there is a large quantity of spruce. There is also 
 much cedar and poplar. I have remarked that in this country the low lands 
 are generally well wooded with soft wood. From the 45th mile to the 
 source, I saw nothing but swamps. The east side of this river is more 
 elevated than the west side, and appeared to me devoid of vegetation. The 
 lake which forn.s the source is surrounded by marshes and swamps, but 
 there is, on the north, a ridge of white birch. 
 
 On the 17th I commenced my operations on the river Pabos, and 
 terminated them on the 24th. The weather was magnificent and thus I 
 was enabled to work with rapidity. I sent my men to get provisions, while 
 I continued, with my chainbearers, the survey of the said south-west branch 
 Ihe south-west branch retains its .size and volume as far as the 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 18th 
 
708 
 
 mile, and is well adapted for (he descent of merchantable timber. Alter 
 that, there are only rapids and cascades. It becomes narrow and often 
 disappears among rocks, and, at the 20th mile, it ceases to be perceptiMe, 
 without waiting' for our discovery of its source. At this place, the gronud 
 inclines towards the south, as far as the river Port Daniel ; near the river 
 Pabos, there is a great deal of spruce as far as the 19th mile. As regards 
 the rest of the south-west branch, from the forks, there is no timber or any 
 value ; but from the rear line of the township of Newport, there is i'ouud 
 an abundance of cedar and poplar on the shores of the river, and also pine 
 and spiuce on the heights, and on the streams. The lake which forms 
 the source of the river is shallow, and I believe it dries up in summer. 
 There is no vegetation, but the land rises a littlo on the east and loftv 
 mountains are seen at two miles distance. 
 
 The survey of this river being completed, I repaired to the river Port 
 Daniel. I made the survey of this river from the township of that name to its 
 source. I found no merchantable timber. I then proceeded westward to the 
 south-west branch. There was a thaw and I could not survey it. I fol- 
 lowed this river for about 10 miles, and took a west-south-west course 
 to the river Hall, which I surveyed downwards to the rear line of Cox, 
 
 All the land which I have gone over, in rear of the townships, is with- 
 out value for agricultural or commercial purposes. The river Hall, how- 
 ever, is well supplied with birch, pine and spruce, as also the rivers of 
 Grand Pabos. As to the river Nouvelle, I was unable to finish the survey 
 of it, because of the bad weather, the season being too far advanced. But 
 I succeeded, though with much difficulty, in performing that of the east 
 branch, which I terminated on the 13th. On this river I found merchant- 
 able timber in a sufficiently large quantity to encourage the working of it; 
 but there, as on the other rivers, I do not think it possible to follow agri- 
 culture with any beneficial results. 
 
 {E.-H. Legendre, 18th Sept , 1874.) 
 
 BONAVENTURE RIVER. 
 
 The Bonaventure falls into the Pay des Chaleurs, about seven miles above 
 New Carlisle, in the district which bears the name of the river. The 
 entrance to it from the bay is between two long narrow bars of gravel, one 
 
too 
 
 timber. After 
 'ow and oCtiJu 
 be perc.'ptiMe, 
 ^e, the ground 
 
 near the river 
 i. As regards 
 
 timber ot any 
 there is t'ouud 
 
 and also pine 
 ! which forms 
 p in summer, 
 east and lofty 
 
 the river Port 
 hat name to its 
 estward to the 
 rvey it. I fol- 
 ,h-west course 
 ine of Cox. 
 
 iships, is with- 
 ver Hall, how- 
 ) the rivers of 
 ish the survey 
 ivanced. But 
 hat of the east 
 and raerchaut- 
 working of it ; 
 to follow agri* 
 
 pt , 1874.) 
 
 en miles above 
 
 le river. The 
 
 of gravel, one 
 
 extending from a high bank on the south side, and the other from the Hat 
 on which the village of Honaventure stands on the north. Inside these 
 barriers, there is an extensive basin, measuring from north to south one 
 mile and a half, and from east to west three-quarters of a mile of which 
 space several low alluvial islands occupy a considerable part, a'nd a laro-e 
 proportion on the south side is dry at low tide. The main channel of the 
 river, north of all the islands, is seventy to one hundred yards wide, and is 
 bounded on its north bank by low marshy plains extending towards the 
 village. 
 
 From the mouth of the river to the highest p.irt we reached, the gen- 
 eral direction is nearly true north, and the distance in a straight liiw is 
 about thirty-nine miles ; but following the various bends of the stream it 
 would exceed sixty miles. The portion actually measured was fifty-three 
 miles and forty-nine chains, but this includes a small part of an eastern 
 branchjust above the junction of which the main stream is blocked up 
 with drift timber. 
 
 In the distance of about eighteen miles from the mouth, the river passes 
 through a level or gently undulating country, producing while pine, bal- 
 sam-Iir, spruce, black and white birch, cedar and varieties of the ash and 
 elm, but the two latter are not abundant. This part constitutes nearly the 
 whole depth of the township of Hamilton, and in a straight line to the 
 nearest part of the coast may possess a breadth of ten miles. The soil of a 
 large portion, judging from the settlements at New Richmond and New 
 Carlisle, is very probably capable of advantageous cultivation, and an ample 
 supply of w^ater passes through it by various tributaries to the main stream. 
 Two considerable branches flow in from the eastward, one about four and 
 the other about eleven miles from the mouth, and several brooks join on 
 either side. The breadth of the river in this distance varies from three hun- 
 dred to one hundred feet, and it is bounded by banks in some instances 
 rising to the height of more than one hundred feet, in others not exceeding 
 ten or twelve i'eet. 
 
 Above these eighteen miles the country becomes more broken and less 
 accessible. Three small hills called the " Three Brothers," rising abruptly 
 from the river to the height of five hundred and five feet above high water 
 mark, are the first indications of an approach to a mountainous region, and 
 the character of one gradually increases proceeding further up. The pine 
 timber, although still abundant, diminishes in quantity, and is of smaller 
 dimensions than lower down, while spruce and lir, though more plentiful, 
 are also of inferior growth. 
 
 ii^ 
 
710 
 
 At the distance of about twenty-five miles and a half from the moiUh 
 a third branrh. cominj? from the northward, joins on the right bank, and atl 
 the junction the upward direction of the main valley takes a sudden l)eiid| 
 to the oaslw:»rd, a short distance below which there are stronu; rapidsl 
 (tailed " Th<> Falls, " by the lumbermen, though the name is scarcely ii|)|)li.| 
 cable, as they can at all times be ascended by light canoes. At this point 
 the hills ris'.'i to the height of five to six hundred feet abnv'e the bed of the 
 river; pine trees become still more scarce, and the inferior orders of spruco 
 and iir constitute the prevailing timber, thougii white cedars ofthe liii:st 
 descriptiou abound in the low grounds. 
 
 The river continues its easterly direction for about six miles, keeping 
 in the strike of the stratification, when it again bends to the northward and 
 is joined at the turn by a foiirlh branch from the south. In this distance 
 its breadth frequently contracts to about seventy feet from bank to l)ank, 
 while occasionallv it opens to two hundred or even to upwards of three 
 hundred feet across. 
 
 Two branches join the main stream above this ; the first, at a distance 
 of about thirty-four miles from the mouth, falls in on the east, and the 
 second, about two and a half miles higher up, on the west side. Hills from 
 five hundred to six hundred feet high occasionally rise abruptly from the 
 river and ag tin recede to some distance, leaving extensive flats alont^ the 
 banks, which, were they in a state of cultivation, I should suppose capable 
 of growing excellent meadow grass, a material that would be of considerable 
 value to the lumbermen as fodder for their cattle. The limit to the opera- 
 tions of this enterprising class of persons is to be found a short distance 
 below the sixth branch, and from this downwards a considerable supplyof 
 timber is annually driven to the moiith ofthe river. But above the sixth 
 branch, pin(> almost w^holly disappears, or at any rate it is either too scarce 
 or too small to attraot attention. 
 
 Above the junction of the sixth branch, the upward course ofthe river 
 again bends to the eastward, and continues in that direction for about three 
 miles, presenting frequent rapids, where the width contracts to a space 
 occasionally not exceeding forty feet, with high mountains rising pre^ipit- 
 ously from tho banks ; but, turning northward, it keops this bearing to the 
 highest part we attained. The wate:" becomes smooth, the hills open out, 
 and ilats bearing heavy spruje and cedar timber extend over a large surface 
 to their base. 
 
•711 
 
 from the mou'.h 
 ght bank, mid at 
 ;s a sudden l)eiid 
 ir»} stronu: lapids 
 is scarcely iippU. 
 s. At this j)nint 
 ve the bed of the 
 
 orders of spruco 
 dars of the fiu.^st 
 
 X miles, keeping 
 3 northward and 
 In this distance 
 n bank to l)ank, 
 p wards of three 
 
 rst, at a distance 
 le east, and the 
 side. Hills from 
 ^rnptly from the 
 \ flats aloni^ the 
 suppose cajiable 
 le of considerable 
 nit to the opera* 
 a short distance 
 lerable supply of 
 fibove the sixth 
 either too si'arce 
 
 urse of the river 
 1 for about three 
 •acts to a space 
 rising preiipit- 
 s bearing to the 
 hills open out, 
 r a large surface 
 
 The 
 
 'hieh blooks up the 
 
 in stream, as already stited, is nearly 
 a mile in extent. The water above dammed bv^k by it his inundate I tho 
 Hats on either bank and, wearing a ituiltitu le ofsmill chmnels in thorn, 
 has formed a 1 ibyrinth of little i.slanl<i. Threading our wiy amouT these 
 it was not until we ascended a hill to reconnoitre, 785 feet over the bed of 
 tbt' river, or 1392 feet over high water mark by barometric il measurement 
 that we discovered we had left the main channel and proceeded a short 
 distance up a tributary falling in fro n the east. This branch was seldom 
 more than twenty-live to thirty feet across, and the frequent interrui)tions 
 it presented, resulting from fallen trees and drift timber, -endered our pro- 
 iirfss so tedious and difficult that a further ascent seemed impracticable. 
 
 The country over which we walked lies b ttween this east branch and 
 thi' main stream, and consists of a high table land reaching thi altitude of 
 14>^ feet over the level of the sea, and producing birch, fir, .spruce, and a 
 spi>''ies of larch, known in the country by the several names oftamarac, 
 hiicmatack and juniper. The growth of these, among which m pin? what- 
 ever was seen, was in matiy places so thick and close, whil 5 at the same 
 tiiuo' the trees were small, that it bj^amj necessary to cut a way through 
 for the passage of the party. 
 
 With the exception of the timb-^r jam upon the main stream, there 
 appeared no formidable im le lim3nt to its ascent by cam^s to the highest 
 point we reached, audit seems, too, probable that, when th?re is a full sup- 
 ply of water, it might be navigated for a considerable distance beyond. 
 
 The Bonaventure is remirkable for the peculiar transparency of its 
 waters, a circumstance observable from its mouth upwards, and orisriuatino' 
 the name given it by the Indians, who called it the Wagamet, signifying the 
 clear water. Unlike the ChU and th ^ Cascapedia, it nppears to be almost 
 destitute of lish, for. with the exception of a very few salmon, sea trout 
 and eels, which latter do not appear to ascend higher than thj first fork, we 
 saw none the whole distance we surveyed ; water fowl are likjwise scarce, 
 probably in consequence of the absjnce of fi^h. Thi g."3at mirgvnser 
 diiek was the only species met with. Ruffed and spotted grouse frequent 
 the woods ; and the wild, quadrupeds we saw were the marten, and in 
 great and serviceable abundance the porcupine, while thj recent work of 
 tho beaver and fresh tracks of th.» caribou indie vted their presence also in. 
 the remote regions near the junction of the last tributary. 
 
 {Alexander Murray, 20th April, 1845). 
 
712 
 
 Conformahly to iiistriKitiouH for tht^ survoy of th< uppir wiitoM oft 
 rivtT (Iraiulo Honivvnnturo luul its tributuri-s, I h-wti thu honor to subimi 
 tht> followiuj^ r.'port togithor with tho plan and Hold notjs of tho nbovo 
 mentioned survey : 
 
 I may h'»re also mention thit there vvus formerly a portage road fron 
 Now Richmond to \\u\ west branch, but the bridges and lojfgiuir of th( 
 several gullies are now inipassiible or carried away by rhe freshets, uu I in 
 many places the windfalls have nearly stopped the road, rendering ii 
 impassable without a too expensive amount of labour. 
 
 On the 1st, 2nd and 8rd days, I had th« greater part c.f my supplies 
 forwarded to within about six miles of w^st bramih and started with the 
 intention of camping at the said starting point, but found that above SpnuM 
 island there was no ice. I was therefore obliged to camp th3re. O/i thu 
 next day I proceeded up with my first chainbearer, as far as the west branch, 
 where wo made a raft and sailed down to our camp, the river bein<'- as 
 clear of ice as in mid summer for five miles. Hero I was obliged to cut 
 portages all along which caused a great deal of labor, as the banks are 
 covered with a thick growth of cedar. 
 
 While my men were forwarding supplies, I spent several days searching 
 for the rear line of the township of Hamilton as described in my instruc- 
 tions to pass at the fool of Bald Mountain, but could not find any tra^^e of 
 it. The oldest settlers and lumbermen, who have worked there for the last 
 thirty years, assure mo that there was never a line run farther north than 
 the line between the 8th and 9th ranges of the said township. I inteudevl 
 to commence scaling the west branch, but owing to the springy nature of 
 that tributary, there was no ice on it, nor has it, nor even the main river 
 for several miles bidow it, been frozen the whole winter. The weather was 
 very unfavorable for the greater part of January ; it rained every alternate 
 day, and at intervals an intense cold night's frost would dam up the river 
 with anchor ici.\ backing up the water in some places more than 16 fee' 
 perpendicular. 
 
 Proceeding up the main river, I scaled the B. or 1st branch for hve 
 miles ; the land on either side is hilly, intervened with valleys and flats, 
 well timbered with spruce, cedar, gilead and pine. Here and there are old 
 rolhvays showing whe.e square timber had been made many years ago. 
 Seeing the unprecedented mildness of the winter and fearing an early break 
 xip, I stopped my operations on that branch and proceeded up the main 
 liver, in order to find the headwaters before the opening of spring. 
 
 
1\B 
 
 Ooinp up 1 scaled tho 2nd onst or 0. braiu^h for six mil<'8. At tho mouth 
 it is lu'urly as largo as tho main rivor, hut, following up, it gotH Hinaller, and 
 ftt T) 18/HO inilcH, it hranchos oil'. Wo followod tho north-oast hrantth to tho 
 Cth uiilo. Tho Houth-oast branch is likoly tho largost. Tho wholo (Country 
 oil oithor sido of this stream is rough and mountainous, timborod with 
 gprnco and i)ino. Siiuuro timbor has boon mado horo also many yoars ago. 
 Tho I), fork or 2nd wost ])ranch may possibly run as far north as tho main 
 river. I only scalod it a short distance in going up. Abovo tho I), fork, tho 
 main rivor is vory crook«'d and tho land mountainous on both sido.s as far 
 as tho 20th milo, but from that (o tho 2»;th, tho rivor is straight and tho 
 liind on oith»!r sido levollor, oxccpt on tho 23rd milo, whoro Ihoro aro two 
 largo mountains, ono close to oast about six or seven hundred foot high, and 
 another similar ono about half u milo to loft or wost. There aro however 
 some very good flats of land all along horo (mooso and caribou aro numerous 
 in those environs). 
 
 On the 19th mile the two small streams shown on Sir Wm. Logan's 
 plan are from the same souico, a considerable largo stream which falls over 
 a prt'cipi(!C more than one hundred foot high. Tho country abovo it is in 
 general rough, but well timborod with spruce and pine. 
 
 At 24 34/80 mile there is a large tributary east, as shown on the second 
 copy of Sir Wra. Logan's plan which yon gave me. I scaled it for four miles. 
 It passes through a valley of good land between ranges of mountains, 
 thickly timbered with an abundance of spruce and fir. To tho loft, however, 
 of the 2nd milo post, there is a large mountain without a shrub on it having 
 a smooth face several acres in area and elevated about 60°. 
 
 On the 27th and part of tho 28th miles, there are jams of old timber 
 which obstruct the passage of the water and cause it to pass under ground 
 through tho soft alluvial soil and reappear in several small streams forming 
 groups of islands, which aro covered with a very thick growth of large 
 cedar from 2 to 4 feet diameter. 
 
 From tho 28th to the 48th mile, the river is clear again, its average 
 width is from 1 J to f of a chain. The land is rough and broken and covered 
 ■with spruce cpdar, bouleau and scattering pine. As far as tho 34th mile the 
 soil is a pretty good quality of clay and gravel, but there is not in anyplace 
 enough of it to make any settlements. There are several tributary streams 
 which would lengthen my report to give a detailed description of, for which 
 I would beg to refer you to the field books and plan accompanying this 
 report. 
 
714 
 
 From iho 46lh milo th 
 
 r 
 
 m 
 
 divided into sovcM-al sniiill strojims as t 
 
 i\'er is jammiMl np a^-ain with old timb; 
 
 1" and 
 
 ir as till' 4'Jth mile, after which it 
 
 again clear but very rapid 
 
 At f,l 55/80 miles there is a small shallow lake 22 (^h.ius lo,,..- ,,1,1 i 
 chains wi.le. At the east side of its dis.hir-e, thens is a tree hh^^.l „, 
 marked thus (1856 I. P ) The mountains h,>re a .o not so abrupt as Ij.low .u^ 
 the land se.'ms poor and of a swampy nature. On the 52nd and 5;{,criuilo> 
 there is a larger lake jf of a mile long and from 10 to 15 chains wil> witf 
 two inlets at the no.th end. The N. E. inlet seems the largest, but ou Ihl 
 lowing It up, I lonnd it ran dry at about 30 chains from the lake. I iruoo, 
 the other inlet which runs lun-th to 5l5J miles. At 55 61/80 miles it lorh 
 around a conical mountain over 1000 feet high which may be olisidered 
 the source of the river Grande-lbnaventure. I was detained here s.veril 
 days on account of the rainy weather in the beginning of March I inf^.ndJd 
 to have taken observations from the summit of the mountain, and for that 
 purpose I climbed it on the 12th of March ; but as if doomed to disappoint- 
 ment It commenced blowing and snowing, rendering it impracticable to 
 take any satisfactory observation. J sent my men down with the bao-ao-e 
 &c., and remained with my cliainbearer to explore the cou.itry Tu Uio 
 direction of the opposite waters, but it rained and snowed ince.ssauflv 
 hindering the same. I .aw enough of it, however, to satisfy me that a 
 range of mountains runs nearly east and west in line with the above men. 
 tioned corneal mountain, from which the land iJls off to the north Vlono- 
 this range of mountains there was from 6 to 8 feet of snow, while at the 
 east fork or 26th mile post, there was scircely 18 inches. I may h to state 
 that on the whole river from the beach to the upper lake, there is not a 
 single fall, but it may be considered one (Continuous rapid, free of any 
 obstructions whatever, excepting the two jams above described. 
 
 The total northing or dillerence of latitude between my point of depar- 
 ture at the mouth of the west branch and the source of the main river 
 Grande-]5onaventure is 39 06/100 miles, and there are only 221 ^'hains diffe- 
 rence of longitude or east departure. The distance by the river is 55* railos 
 which may be considered to run due north 
 
 On my way down 1 scaled to their sources all the navigable tributary 
 streams which are above the last forks. There was no ice on the main river 
 iroin the lakes down to the 2nd east branch. I had some supplies raM^t 
 tne U. tork. There I sent men for canoes and proceeded up that westerly 
 tributary with the rest of my party while my supplies lasted. I only went up 
 
tl6 
 
 ith old timl) >r iiu< 
 , after \vhi,'h it i 
 
 1 litis long-, jiiij j( 
 I tree hh\y,M\ aiK 
 ruptiisl),.lo\v, aiu 
 ulaud o-'ird'aiiles 
 chains wi.U', with 
 r<,^est, l)uf, „ii loi 
 ;lie lake. I traced 
 '80 miles, it iork 
 uy be •■oiisidered 
 iued lien> s.'vorul 
 larch. I iiiioiuled 
 Mn, and Ibr that 
 [led to disappoiiit- 
 imprrtctical>le to 
 vith the ban-i,':x(ye, 
 i country in iho 
 wed iiii'essaufly, 
 satisfy me. that a 
 I the above men- 
 the north. Alono- 
 )vv, while at the 
 I may h;Mv state 
 I, there is not a 
 iind, free of any 
 •ibed. 
 
 1'2 miles on the main braiieh. There was no ice on the Inst live miles. Thero 
 an' tliiee prt'tty large tributaries fallinq: into this braneh, one of which 
 m^ seven miles, and another 4 miles. I scaled them to their sources. Tho 
 ;uul here is better than on any other tributaries of the Honav-'Uturo which 
 luue scaled, except tlu^ 1st west l)ranch, and it is covereil with a consi- 
 (lii;il>l<' quantity of i)ine and an abundance of spruce, fir and Ci'dar. 
 
 On the Gth April, I suspc-nded work, left my men to briny the ba'>-"-a<>-o 
 down tlu) river, expecting to met the party I had sent for canoes, but 
 t'ouiid ihai tliere w(>re about 10 miles of solid ice. I then dcci(l«?d on n-oin<»" 
 oil to examiiu^ the lower part of th«! river and see if it was possible to iret 
 canoes. I found the river opened i'rom west l)raiu'h to Deej) Water creek, 
 but fnnn there to the beach, the ice was bettor than at any tim(> during tho 
 winter. 
 
 y point of depar- 
 
 the main river 
 
 22] chains diffe- 
 
 ver is 5');^ miles 
 
 igable tributary 
 1 the main river 
 ajiplies niched at 
 3 that westerly 
 I only went up 
 
 I arrived at the settleuu-nt on the 8th and forwarded two canoes and 
 other necessaries, by horse as far as river Duval. Imoui tiiirc to deei) water wo 
 hiul to drag them on the ice. I commiMU'ed sealing the west branch on tho 
 l(]th and finished it on the last day of the mouth. This branch at tho mouth 
 appears to be a very large tri!)utary, but, at 24 chains from the' initial point A, 
 a!ciii;e branch falls in from the west called McG-innis crtudc, whoro square 
 timber has been made' made some yiMirs ago. A1)0V(! the mouth of McCfinnis 
 crirk, the west branch s[)reads into bays and morasses, and a little below 
 the Ist mile post, the channel of the stream turns eastwar 1, but thc^ro is no 
 water for a considerable distaiujo. Tiuu-e are two old lumber shanties on tho 
 west branch where square timber has been made, one on the 2nd and tho 
 other on the Ih'd mile. There is some splendid land both along the main 
 river as far as the 2nd mile post ami up tho west branch for a cmsiderablo 
 distance. The total area would be about two thous;iud iI'-wh The valleys 
 are well timbered \ 'ith spruce, cedar, lir, gilead and pine, and the mountains 
 with sprm'o, scattering pine aiul white birch. On the (3th mile the streams 
 spieati through a cedar Hat about J a mile wide, and there is no water to 
 be seiii l(n- over a mile. At G.Gl/SO miles a large tributary ialls in from tho 
 west, and anothtu- at 7. 14/80 miles. The latter is nearly as large as the maiu 
 braneh and timbered with spruc(% (;edar, lir, pine and gilead. At half a 
 mile Irom the forks there is a picturesque fall 25 feet high bofwoen two 
 perpendicular clills upwards of 50 feet high. Th(> valley of the main branch 
 averages from 20 to 50 chains wide and is well timbered with spruce, fir, 
 cedar, white bi^ch and scattering pine. A little below tho 10th mile post 
 the stream Ibrks again ; tho largest branch boars to tho north-oast ; beyond 
 the 10th mile post tho mountains close in leaving only a narrow passage 
 
116 
 
 from one to two chains wide. Along' the north-west braanh the moum 
 rise to five or si'^ hundred feet above the level ol' the st 
 
 ream. Whi 
 
 «it' rann 
 
 at west branch I climbed Bald Mountain which is about 500 feet abo\.' 
 level of the water. From the top of a large spruce tree, on the very sntni 
 of it, I had a splendid view of the surroundini;' country. To the sod 
 Bay-des-Chaleurs and the coast of New-Brunswick ; to the west, thtMnoi- 
 taius of Ca.scapedia, and to the north and east, ranges of small rnonn tail 
 rise one over another crowned by the blue heads of the Shick-Shocks ai] 
 the mountains at the head of Tort Daniel and Gaspe Basin rivers. 
 
 The cedar of the Bonaventure deserves a special mention as I have ii»"- •.' - 
 seen in any other part of the province anything to equal it in either si; Jut '^'th 
 quality or quantity. There is also a considerable quantity of pine, .'^pruc 1)0"^ '^^'* 
 fir and gilcad, and according to the explorers and lumberers that have visits 
 the heads of the rivers Hall, Duval and Deep- Water, there is an abiindaiK 
 of birch and maple in that locality. 
 
 In concluding my report, I may mention my surprise in finding th m^ 184 
 
 ilr. ^I i^i'i 
 jtreiiiTi oi] 
 irth'^v di 
 Inuti'dc 
 
 lortiig't' re 
 coii.side 
 '0 111 lies 
 Ise in do 
 'panites 
 ike hv ai 
 
 VlTiig-O ft 
 
 The ( 
 some e 
 
 agriculture in general in such a backward state, aU hough there is over 
 advantage for farmers. Along the beach from New-Carlisle to New-Rid 
 mond, the first range only is settled in many places, although the Ian 
 seems good and level for from 4 to 10 miles back, w^hich seems to run alon 
 the sea shore as far as Port-Daniel. The soil for the greater part i.s of 
 superior quality. 
 
 As the Bonaventure river has already been explored by a more o.xpt 
 rienced geologist than I am, it is useless to lengthen my report with 
 description of its geological features, any more than to say that the sam 
 slate rock and conglomerate is prevalent all through. There are at preseii 
 only four tributaries unfinished, if I except the tributaries falling into th 
 Bonaventure below the west branch, and they can be surveyed in su nrne 
 easier than in winter. 
 
 {Hmry O'Sul/ivan, 28th July, 1874 ) 
 
 niiignetit 
 ides lor i 
 loiiit the 
 reas ol k 
 ivhito bir 
 pxct'il'nt 
 upper poi 
 en tare f 
 iiila. Th 
 Jestroyfd 
 Baf-iii, \\Y 
 live areas 
 weiity-fi-' 
 and, thov 
 rost will 
 ce on nea 
 
 BON.A.VENTURE AND CASCAPEDIA KIVEUS. 
 
 We therefore proceeded to the mouth of the Bonaventure, and in 
 days, notwithstanding the high w^ater and consequent heavy poling, roachec 
 the forks. After clearing the way past the heavy timber jams, by whicli 
 
 SIX isp 
 
 The I 
 
 )f its wat 
 vera<?t; ol 
 rout, till 
 specially 
 lorlhern ] 
 
Ill 
 
 rauf- 1 the momiia«|, Murray was stopped, in 1844, we commenced the survey of the main 
 
 ream. Whil<. , am 
 
 at 500 feet abo\o 
 
 on the very sum 
 
 try. To the sou 
 
 the west, the mo 
 
 of small mountai 
 
 le Shick-Shock 
 
 sin rivers. 
 
 Ks ai 
 
 jntion as I have n 
 
 irtiim on the 3rd July, and in six days reached the lake at the head, a 
 iitli'i distance of twenty-seven miles, progress being slow from the ob- 
 ni> ii'd character of the river channel, necessitating the cutting of numerous 
 iingc roads where the jams were too extensive to be cleared out. An inlet 
 considerable size enters the north end of the lake. This, at a distance of 
 oiailfs, divides into three branches, the eastern and middle of which 
 se : 
 
 ill close proximity to York river, while a ridge of moderate elevation 
 paiates their sources from the waters of the Magdalen on the north. The 
 ke by aneroid was calculated to be 1,451) feet above sea level. The des- 
 il it in either si Jen' '^' th« branch is much more rapid then that of the main stream, being 
 tityofpine, .'jpruc bout twenty eight feet to the mile, while from the forks to the sea the 
 ers that have visits vir.ige fall per mile is not more than twelve feet. 
 
 unuaiK q'jjp country bordering on the lower part of the Bonaventure river has 
 osome extent been already described by Mr. Murray, in the report of pro- 
 rise in findiiifT th fifs^s 1844. Above the forks the general course of the valley is north 
 agiietic variation about twenty-five degrees west). The hills on both 
 ides lor fifteen miles are from 500 to 800 feet above the stream. Above this 
 oiiit the surface becomes much less rugged and there are quite extensive 
 leas oi low land along the banks. Timber of large size, spruce, fir and 
 wh'iW birch, is plentiful, but the cedar, which is so abundant and of such 
 pxall'ut quality along the main stream, disappears almost entirely on its 
 uppor 1 ortion. As a source of supply for lumber the valley of the Bona- 
 eiiiiiie far surpasses any other stream examined by us in the Gaspe peuin- 
 ala. The spruce has so far apparently escaped the agency which has 
 destroyed so much of the forest along the streams flowing east into G-aspe 
 Bai-iii, while large quantities of pine still remain-on its branches. Exteu- 
 ;ive areas of good land, well suited for agriculture, border the river for 
 weiity-five miles Irom the mouth, but on the upper part of the stream the 
 and, though in many places of good quality, has such an elevation that 
 rost will probably prove injurious. During the first half ofJuly wehad 
 ce on nearly every clear night. 
 
 The Bonaventure river is noted for the extreme clearness and coldness 
 
 )f its water. The temperature, taken at various times in .Inly, gave au 
 
 ivera<f(' of 450 Fahr. No fishes are found in it, except A. few very small 
 
 rout, till the advent of the salmon and sea-trout. Birds of all kinds, and 
 
 enture, and in six 'specially water-fowl, which are so plentiful on all the rivers of Gaspe and 
 
 ivy poling, roachec lorthern New-Brunswick, are almost entirely wanting. 
 
 er jams, by which 
 
 ugh there is over 
 lisle to New-Rid 
 1, although the Ian 
 I seems to run alon 
 reater part is of 
 
 I by a more ixpt 
 my report with 
 say that the sam 
 'here are at presen 
 ies falling into tli( 
 irveyed in sunme 
 
 th July, 1874 ) 
 
718 
 
 The 
 
 i'ound 
 
 survey ol' several branches, of which the 
 
 al) 
 
 re are five of o-ood 
 
 SV/A 
 
 * 
 
 be iinpncticauje in canoes on aceouiu wx jaia«. una tne s 
 ]o\^-ness of the ihaniiel, while the coldness of the waters rendered i^ iu.no^ 
 sibletowade them. Finding it therefore useless to attempt any furthj 
 work in this direction, we descended the stream and returned to the Cis.'x 
 pedia, where a second attempt to rea.'h the Salmon branch, fifty miles from 
 the mouth, was successful, and the survey of it w.is commenced on thf 
 27th July. ^ 
 
 The cou.se of the Salmon branch to lake Cascapedia is twenty-«evoni 
 miles, with a fall m that distance of 840 feet, makins? it very roa-^l^ 'md 
 rapid. Only twenty-two miles could be surveyed in (tanoes, and ni this 
 part there are three falls, the first at sixteen miles, of four fe.it ; tli.? se -ma 
 at eiohteen miles, 25 feet, and the third at nineteen miles, 10 feet. Where 
 our survey ended, there are Vi^ry heavy rapids. These are caused l)y the 
 stream suddenly turain<? past the spur of a:i immense clilF, not le^s thui 
 1000 feet high, on the west bank, while on the east a low 11 it lies b't wu 
 the river and the foot of a peak, called the South moantain, which rises 
 abruply for nearly 1,400 feet. 
 
 The upper part of the Salmon branch for fifteen miles must hue i 
 
 descent of nearly fifty feet per mile, presenting the character of a moimtaiu 
 
 torrent. A short distance below its mouth a range of lofty hills, called the 
 
 Big Berry mountains crosses the Cascapedia. Northward from this ra.i-e a 
 
 tract of comparatively level country extends for eight or ten miles, lonnino- 
 
 a large inland pK.teau. which is well defined for many miles, both to the 
 
 east and west, and probably stretches from the viciniiv of lake Matan -dia 
 
 to Gaspe Basin. It was traversed for a distance of forty-five miles oa th.' 
 
 lake branch of the Cascapedia, and appeared to extend much furthor as no 
 
 island was visible in that direction, while, to the east, it crosses th.3 hoad- 
 
 waters of the Little Cascapedia in the vicinity of lake St. Anne. This 
 
 plateau may be stated to contain from 1,200 to 1,500 square, miles with au 
 
 elevation over a mvat part of the area of 500 to 700 feet. Should early frost 
 
 not be prevalent, its value, fro n an agricultural point of view, is very 'neat 
 
 since the soil is generally of excellent quality, and the large areas of spniw 
 
 and alder sw imps, if cleared, would furnish extensive grasslands. The 
 
 first white frost, w'lich, however, was slight, was noted by us on th» lOth 
 
 of August. 
 
 The valleys of the Shickshock range and of the several streams surveyed 
 in this direction contain a large amount of valuable timber which is as yet 
 
 iart''et''C 
 
 ihould it 
 
 liiiercoloi 
 
 the she 
 
 l)V crossii 
 
 ivould be 
 
 )piii up a 
 
 lie Iiiterc 
 
 Jniles. Be 
 
 he count 
 
 Near 
 fiioe becoi] 
 Is and 
 vicinity 
 does not i 
 from the 
 level lane 
 tributary 
 becomes 
 peaks 1,5 
 magnilico 
 grrtudeur 
 the fovegi 
 in a doul: 
 limits of 
 about Iht 
 seiratid i 
 huge bui 
 immense 
 ward bey 
 Table- top 
 renlly rig 
 level plai 
 lilies indi 
 
 East 
 Cascaped 
 extensive 
 the inlan 
 a second 
 
flV'U of good ,^12 
 
 ims. and the shall 
 •endored it impoi 
 Jmpt any fmthe 
 rued to the Cascai 
 h, fifty inilostro 
 jmmencod on th 
 
 719 
 
 liiiatli'<t'd by disease and will prove a source of revenue for many years. 
 Should it ever be in contemplation to constvuct a line of railway from the 
 ntercolonial to Gaspe Basin, the route along this plateau would certainly 
 wtlii' shortest and easiest, since the country is comparatively level, while 
 )y crossing the heads of the several streams the expensive bridges that 
 ivouUl be necessary on the shore line would b.; avoided. It would also 
 )piii up a large tract of at present inaccessible country. Thi^ length from 
 he Intercolonial to Gaspe by this route would not be much more than 1>0 
 niles. B<4ween the lake branch of the Cascapedia and the Bay des Chaleurs, 
 
 I is twenty-seven he country is not well adapted for settlement, 
 t very rough and" 
 noes, and in this 
 
 feet ; the se-iucl 
 
 10 feet. Where 
 
 3 caused by the 
 i(F, not le.ss th;\ii 
 
 II it lies bjt ,v,!dii 
 iiin, which rises 
 
 
 les must hn-e a 
 :er of a mouutaiii 
 
 hills, called the 
 'rom this range a 
 n miles, iorming 
 iles, both to the 
 ' lake Mata!)'dia 
 .ve miles on tho' 
 oh furthor as no 
 rosses th.) hoad- 
 St. Anne. This 
 ?, miles with an 
 lould early frost 
 w, is very great 
 
 areas of sprucij 
 iss lands . The 
 
 us on th» 10th 
 
 Teams surveyed 
 which is as yet 
 
 Near the rear of the townships of Maria and New-Richmond, the sur- 
 face becomes exceedingly broken and rugged and shows a succession of 
 
 ills and ridges from 800 to 1,700 feet high. The stretch of table-land in tbo 
 
 icinity of the Nouvelle river, referred to in the report for IS^il, evidently 
 does not reach this river, as the ranges are intersected by deep gorges, and 
 
 ora the reports of those who hav3 traversed this area comparatively little 
 level land exists. In the neighborhood of the Square Fork, which is a large 
 tributary from the west, at thirty-eight miles from the mouth, the scenery 
 
 aonics i)articularly wild, the Little and Big Berry mountains having 
 peaks 1,;)00 to 2,000 feet high. From the summit of these mountains a 
 magiiiiicent panoramic view ol I he Shickshocks is obtained, surpassing ia 
 girtudeur the mountain scenery of any other portion of Eastern Canada. lu 
 the foreground the immense mass of the Barn shaped mountain towers 
 in a double-headed peak to a height of 3,400 feet. It marks i\v^ northern 
 limits of the inland plateau, and in its rear are the minor granitic peaks 
 about the head of the St. Anne river and lake. In the back-ground the long- 
 serrated ridge of the Notre-iJame mountains, terminated eastward by tho 
 huge bulk of Mount Albert, and containing among a hundred others the 
 immense masses of Mounts Logan, Bayfield and Matawees, stretches west- 
 ward beyond the limits of vision. Further eastward the traverse range of 
 Table-top mountain, with peaks but little short of 4,000 feet, cuts appa- 
 rently right acro.ss the strike of all the others, while irom the approximately 
 level plain at our feet rise several cone-shaped masses, which by their out- 
 lines indicate their probable igneous origin. 
 
 East of the Cascapedia the country is much less rugged. On the Little 
 Cascapedia, Bonaventure, Port Daniel and Pabos rivers large areas and 
 extensive flats can be found, apparently suited for cultivation. Between 
 the inland plateau, previously noted, and the foot of the Shickshock range, 
 a second tract of apparently good land, formed from calcareous and slaty 
 
•720 
 
 rock, is seen. This also has a considerable extent, both east and west. It has 
 an aA^erage elevation of 1,000 feet. Much of it is well- wooded, especially 
 with spruce, the forests of which are continuous as far as the eye can 
 reach. . 
 
 The country along the lake branch of the Cascapedia and its two tribu- 
 taries, Lake inlet and Miner's brook, is, for the most part, comparatively low 
 and broken by a few ridges and scattered elevations. Of these, the most 
 marked is the western prolongation of the Berry mountains, which extends 
 for some thirty-five or forty miles, dividip;^ i-^. their upper part, the waters 
 of the Lake inlet and the Miner's brook. > < • ountry to the south of this 
 range we cannot speak from personal obser, on. but from the reports of 
 hunters, there seems to be another area of low land of considerable extent. 
 The sluggish character of the Lake inlet, and the fact that the Square Fork 
 of the Cascapedia, and the Nouvelle river take their rise here in large lakes, 
 tends to confirm this view. 
 
 (K'W. Ells 1SS2.) 
 
 egress, 
 
 GULF SHORE, CAP CHAT AND CASCAPEDIA RIVERS. 
 
 The coast country between Cape Rosier and Cape Chat is of a moun- 
 tainous character ; the ridges in regular succession run in towards the 
 interior at a very small angle with the trend of the shore, and, with the 
 exception of nine miles between the first mentioned point and L'Anse k 
 Grifton, the hills in general come close upon a rocky and precipitous 
 margin, leaving very little space for settlement beyond the narrow flats at 
 the mouths of the principal streams that descend from the highlands to the 
 St. Lawrence. 
 
 These are in general occupied by fishing establishments of more or 
 less importance, and among the principal are those of the Great and Little 
 Fox rivers, and those of the Magdalen, the Mont-Louis, the St. Anne and 
 the Chat. On the chief part of these flats, there is not much room for agri- 
 cultural labor, and the inhabitants, wholly engaged in fishing, depend for 
 their supplies on importations from Quebec, which appear to find their 
 way by Gaepe and Cape Rosier ; and provisions become dearer, the closer 
 we approach Quebec up to Cape Chat. 
 
 Reaching the Ste. Anne river, the land immediately on the St. Lawrence 
 assumes a less rugged aspect than lower down. There, aa well as on the 
 
 "^t^ 
 
•721 
 
 and West. It has 
 
 aoded. especially 
 
 as the eye can 
 
 iiid its two tribu* 
 tnparatively low, 
 these, the most 
 3, which extends 
 part, the waters 
 the south of this 
 I the reports of 
 iderable extent, 
 he Square Fork 
 re in large lakes, 
 
 : Ells 1882.) 
 
 RS. 
 
 t is of a moun- 
 in towards the 
 !, and, with the 
 t and L'Anse El 
 md precipitous 
 narrow flats at 
 ighlands to the 
 
 ats of more or 
 ■reat and Little 
 St. Anne and 
 room for agri- 
 [g, depend for 
 r to find their 
 arer, the closer 
 
 e St. Lawrence 
 '■ell as on the 
 
 Chat, some few signs of cultivation make their appearance, and a small 
 amount of arable laud existing in the vicinity would permit its further 
 extension. 
 
 The Magdalen, the Mont-Louis and the St. Anne present the only 
 harbors along the coast. That of the Magdalen is the salcst to lie in ; and, 
 if it were not for a sand bar in front, there would be water enough for 
 larger vessels than the class of schooners frequenting it. That of Mont- 
 Louis gives good shelter to small coasters ; while that of the St. Anne, 
 though possessed of deeper water than the others, is difficult of ingress and 
 egress, there being a dangerous rock just at the entrance. Large vessels are 
 occasionally Wilt there, and one of 340 tons burden was on the stocks when 
 we visited the place ; but such a vessel could not be fully loaded in the 
 harbor, there being only twelve feet of water on the bar in spring-tides, 
 
 The Chat affords no shelter for vessels of any description. On the Cape 
 there stands a conical hill 366 feet high, and, about three miles lower down, 
 the stream joins the St. Lawrence in the bight of a shallow bay bounded to 
 the eastward by a low point, which is covered with sand above high-water 
 mark, but juts out into a ledge of rocks laid bare for several hundred yards 
 at the ebb of the tide. A current wich comes obliquely across the St. 
 Lawrence from the opposite side, at a constant rate of one to two knots an 
 hour, and makes upon the shore, renders this point and the whole vicinity 
 dangerous to navigation ; and the hull of a fine transport called the 
 Premier, cast away the previous autumn, on a homeward voyage with a 
 large number of troops, and lying on the reef, after having been once raised 
 in the spring and again stranded during a heavy gale which occurred while 
 we were on the spot, afforded a melancholy proof of the perils of the coast 
 and the insecurity of the bay. 
 
 At the mouth of the Chat there is a small lagoon, dry at low water, 
 which is separated from the bay by a narrow barrier of clay, sand and 
 gravel, and from this, looking across the lagoon up the valley of the stream, 
 we had a striking view of the majestic mountains of Notre-Dame, which 
 reared their lofty heads to the south and which it was our intention to 
 pass on a line of exploration to the Bay des Chaleurs as near tj a straight one 
 across the strike of the stratification as circumstances would permit. 
 
 The accuracy attainable by a careful use of these means is perceptible 
 in the result of our admeasurements across from the St. Lawrence river to 
 the Bay des Chaleurs, after having been mapped on the scale of an inch to a 
 mile. We dialled the river Chat, and, having by means of bearings fixed the 
 
 46 
 
•too 
 
 peak of a mouiitaiu towi'riiig 2,600 i'lot. closo ovor its lel't builc, IV nn 
 
 
 it ol' 
 
 Iht 
 
 iks liK*5(l by 
 
 Bummit ol iliis aiui tn? siimi 
 base line on \\\o shore of the St. Lawrence, and visible from the oth'v, wo 
 triangulated a conical peak seventeen miles forward, on a stream H owiii-v 
 into the Bay des Chaleurs.Walking across to this mountain, through tlu> ior.'-st, 
 we again took to water and dialled our way to the bay. The whole distaiio, 
 following the windings of our course, is upwardsof one hundred and eleven 
 miles ; but in a straight line, according to our map, it is seventy-four miles 
 and sixty chains The same line as determined by the latitudes and loiiivi- 
 tudes of its extremes, taken from Bayfield's accurate charts, is seventy-t)ur 
 miles seventy-nine chains, and as shewn by Deputy Surveyor-djueral 
 Bouchette's new map, about to be published, it is seventy-five milos ten 
 chains. The bearing of the line so nearly coincides in all the three that the 
 ditference is scarcely perceptible. 
 
 The distance measured on the Chat, before it became necessary to 
 abandon our canoes, was thirty-two miles and a half, following its curves, 
 and twenty-five miles and three-quarters, taking the general course of the 
 valley. This carried us clear across the range of Notre-Dame which rises up 
 at a distance of twelve miles in a direct line from the margin of the St. 
 Lawrence, and occupies a breadth of six more. The stream cleaves these 
 mountains to their very base, and, at the point where we left it, the height 
 of its bed above the level of the sea, we found to be 587 feet, after ascending 
 two small falls in the mountain gorge, one of ten feet and the other of sixty, 
 giving a slope ol eighteen feet in a mile tor the water, and twenty-throe 
 feet in a mile for the valley of the strea'ii. The breadth of the Chat at our 
 last station on it was between fifty and sixty feet, while at the mouth it 
 M'as about one hundred and fifty feet. Its course between these two points, 
 without attending to minor curves, in a downward direction, is as follows, 
 the bearing being magnetic, and the variation 22" 30' west. 
 
 At every elbow made by these courses, with the exception of the lust 
 three which are through soft ground, a tributary ol more or less consequence 
 joins the stream ; but the farthest sources of the river take rise in a Hat 
 ridge about three or four miles south of the Notre Dame mountains, which 
 is much lower land, and constitutes the watershed between the St. 
 Lawrence and the Bay des Chaleurs, over an extent probably ranging, both to 
 the east and to the west, far beyond the Chat, which does not embrace more 
 than twelve to fourteen miles of it. The waters ofthese sources are brought 
 to the mouth of the deep mountain gorge by three main streams, all 
 meeting at a point just there ; two of which running in exactly the same 
 
723 
 
 l)iu!c, IV Mil i;ii< 
 )y m.3aiis ol' om- 
 in tho othn-, we 
 . stroam llowin..- 
 rough tlu>i'ori'>t, 
 
 whole (list;iu •(,■, 
 fired and eleven 
 veiity-iour miles 
 uidos and loiiivi- 
 
 is sovonty-hur 
 urvcyor-t^Mieral 
 y-livo miles ten 
 le three that th*; 
 
 no necessary to 
 ving its curves, 
 al course of the 
 3 which rises up 
 irgin of the St. 
 n cleaves these 
 ift it, the height 
 , after ascending 
 lie other of sixty, 
 id twenty -three 
 the Chat at our 
 it the mouth it 
 ;hese two points, 
 on, is as follows, 
 
 )tion of the last 
 ess consequence 
 e rise in a ilat 
 ountains, which 
 letween the St. 
 ranging, both to 
 ot embrace more 
 rces are brought 
 ain streams, all 
 tactly the same 
 
 line, l)ut ill opposite directions, are in iIk; slriko of Ih.' stratilication and 
 imnk the boundii 7 of the Not re-Dame formation, while Ih.' third makes a 
 parti il section neirly at right angle to the others, across the strata which 
 JO upon tliohc roi ks to Ihe south. 
 
 The whole area watered by the Cliat iu<iv not exceed thnv; hundred 
 >quare miles, ilearly one half of this liea to the south ol Iht? great moun- 
 (iiins, or among them. These send their tri))ute chielly throuiih two deep 
 ■Dngitudinal valleys, immediately opposite to one another, in Ihe strik.' of 
 ihe range, whii;h extends about six miles on wich side of the gorge, and, 
 t'liil lying into it. are terminated by two maeter summit- at their extr.'milios, 
 thirlcen miles in a straight line as under, while seven-l transverse valleys 
 assist the others in carving the mountain mass into a considerable number 
 of lower but important tops. 
 
 Both the principal summits we visited. In ascending the eastwanl one, 
 whi(h stands exactly opixisite to the lower part of the valley of the Chat, 
 aud seems to terminate it, looking from the St. Lawrence, we clambered up 
 the north side of the range, which presents a face whose slope cannot bo 
 much under 40'' for 8,000 feet ; and we found that, before the horizon was 
 clear over the lower ridges between us and the great river, we had attained 
 the elevation of 1,753 feet above its surface. The higest spring of water we 
 could discover, which was an abundant one of excellent drinkable quality, 
 coming from the strata at the upper base of the peak, was 3,544 feet up. 
 The summit peak itself, a bare pointed rock, was 3,768 feet, while the 
 brond Hat top of another mountain summit, two miles to the westward, 
 which went among us by the name of Mattawees (the Micmac word for a 
 porcupine) from our having killed one of these animals as wi scaled its 
 side, and on which we rested the first night of our ascent, having reached 
 it by mistake, was 3,365 feet. A deep ravine separated mount M itawees 
 f^'om the main peak, and another one severed it from a dome-shaped lop 
 nearly its own height, about a mile and a half to the westward, between 
 which and the gorge of the Chat stood another gigantic boss. 
 
 The main summit to the westward of the Chat, to which we gave the 
 name of Bayfield mountain, in honor of Captain liayfield, who on one of 
 his charts has indicated its position, we ascertained to be 3,471 feet, after 
 having reached it by a very steep and fatiguing ascent from the gorge to a 
 precipitous mountain knob, 2,669 feet high, which acquired the title of the 
 Old Man, from the existence of an erect stone on a step at his edge, in the 
 position of one watching what might be passing below, and a journey 
 
724 
 
 alcnti' Iho ridfiv cp[ a (rii-U-'.oppcd bill over 8,000 I'eet high, s.'pnratcd I 
 
 Mount Hitylltid by I wo nn in 
 iiio(]eni*< 
 
 ^'f^, iiiul an iiitcvposcd uunuilaiii of i 
 
 rom [<! 
 
 iioro 
 
 cbvation. All lboM> hi'ii>bts, oiv(>n In'twecii (be two «>xtrfimo 
 sumii il^, an- Iho links oi a thain istandiii^' on tbo north side of tho lon^Mtu- 
 dinal valbys which have been mentiontd, and, while they constitute the 
 mcfet elevated ienated ridge, none of ibtm are much more than a mile from 
 thenorfbcni biice ol'tbe \\ bole belt. The five miles, which compose the 
 nmainder ol" its breadth, jMesent s-ummits of more moderate height, and 
 one of the mo.st elevated of these, which stands conspicuously protruded 
 into the goige on its east f-ide, and was named the South mountain, wo 
 found to be 2,413 feet. The whole of these, as well as the northern crest, are 
 ahiupt on the north side, and in general more sloping on the south, in the 
 pulable direction of the dip of the strata ; and these, as indicated by the 
 ridges, hhve a strike which in this part of the range may be considered E. 
 N. E and W. S. W. magnetic 
 
 Frcm the bigbett summit we visited, the panorama displayed was of 
 the grandest description. In the northern half of the circle, the waters of 
 the St. Lj.wrence, dotted with its ships and fishing boats, spread out to 
 the right and to the left as far as the eye could reach. On its northeru 
 shore, immediately in front, unaided vision could plainly distinguish the 
 lighthouse of the Tointe des Monts, some fifty miles off, from which the 
 granite bills rising immediately behind it in the interior gradually sank 
 below the horizion as they receded from us, following them down the 
 expanding gulf, to a point where we thought we could discern the 
 Island of Anticosti, one hundred miles aw^ay, in the mist of the distance, 
 while at our feet were arranged in parallel lines the ridges and valleys of 
 the lower land between us and the river. To the eastward a confusion of 
 mountains and ravines belonging to Notre-Dame range filled up several 
 degrees of the circle, and one summit which exhibited a patch of snow, we 
 supposed might be higher than the point we stood upon. Many of the peaks 
 were bare, and as they retired one behind another and occupied a smaller 
 angle in the perspective, it became difficult to distinguish those of the 
 Notre-Dame from such as appertained to other ranges. Turning southward, 
 a sea of parallel undulating ridges occupied the picture, the more distautof 
 which we conceived might present a table land, with a few marked points 
 rising in cones and domes ; and through one gap, which probably was 
 the valley of some south-flowing river, we distinguished a faint blue hori- 
 zontal line, which we fancied might be in New-Brunswick. Prominent 
 points became still fewer, veering westward, until the horizon was agaiu. 
 
126 
 
 , St' pn rat I'd from 
 )Uiiliviii ol' iiioro 
 he two oxtromo 
 !e of tho loiiijitii- 
 y <oii8titnt»> tho 
 hail a niilo from 
 eh coinposo the 
 ate hoighl, and 
 )usly protiuilLtl 
 I mountain, wo 
 jrthern crest, are 
 he south, in the 
 iidicated by the 
 )e considert'd E. 
 
 lisplayed was of 
 e, the waters of 
 8, spread out to 
 Dn its northern 
 
 distinguish the 
 [rom which the 
 
 gradually sank 
 hem down the 
 lid discern the 
 of the distance, 
 s and valleys of 
 I a confusion of 
 lied up several 
 ;ch of snow, we 
 any of the peaks 
 upied a smaller 
 ih those of the 
 ling southward, 
 
 more distant of 
 
 marked points 
 L probably was 
 faint blue hori- 
 ck. Prominent 
 
 •izou was agaia 
 
 intonuplt'd in that direction by a well defined outline of a not 
 
 very distant 
 
 
 part of the range from which we looked. 
 
 The highest summits within our view WM'e generally l)are rocks. 
 Those next in the scale were crowned withslurdy dwarf spruce trees, many 
 of Ihem not live feet high, })ut springi.ig up so close together that their 
 branches interlocking rendered it very difficult to makt^ way among them. 
 On those still lower, spruce became mingled v\ith white birch, and the size 
 ofthe trees gradually augmented in proportion to the decrease of elevation. 
 One feature in the vegetation high up in the hills, that struck us ibrcibly 
 and gave us much satisfaction after confinement in the forest below, was 
 the great extent of open glade that appeared on all sides but the north. 
 Wide slopes on the east, the south, and the west, were carpeted with the' 
 most luxuriant growth and abundant specific diversity of ferns, from which 
 clumps of spruce or of white birch, or of both mingled, started up here and 
 there, giving the hills occasionally almost the character of park scenery, as 
 if art had arranged the distribution with a view to ornament, and often 
 producing, in combination with peaks, ravines, and a distant horizon, 
 a landscape of a very pleasing description. 
 
 On the hills on the banks ol the Chat and in the low grounds, the 
 limber consists chiefly of spruce of good size balsam-fir, white cedar, and 
 ■while birch, with occasional poplars in wet places, and a frequent fringe of 
 alders on the margin. Maple is scarce : wo saw only one grove ol a size 
 lit lor sugar trees, and this was at the north base of the Mattawees moun- 
 tain, where we commenced our ascent. "White pines were not wantino-, 
 though not over abundant, and it was evident to us that the lumberer^s 
 axe had never tried its edge upon them. Ascending the stream we saw 
 trees enough close upon the water to furnish a good stout cargo without 
 any haulage, and in the space of a mile back from it in one place were 
 counted twelve good long-stemmed trees, measuring from nine to ten feet 
 Kxmd at five feet from the ground, and thirteen trees of the same size in 
 tuother. 
 
 The small number of rapids and cascades in the Chat would render it 
 an. excellent stream lor driving lumber, and if there were a good port in 
 its vicinity, what with pine for scjuaro timber, spruce for saw ^ogs, and 
 ■white cedar for shingles and lathwood, a fe-w^ cargoes might be got out 
 
 profitably. 
 
 The soil of the Chat above its mouth is of alight description, consisting 
 of sand and gravel ; but I greatly doubt ■w'hether thei e is much soil at all on 
 
 f 
 
 J; 
 IM- 
 
 U 
 
720 
 
 U 
 I * " 
 
 the hill tops and sides, Tho low parts such as tlw nieadows on tho ])rooks 
 itiiyht porluips yifld somo t'nir «^r«ss land il' cloan'd , but tht» vallcv is 
 nanow, and the onuntity of this cnn he hut small. 
 
 Ahjindouiiij,'' our <ano«'8 oji tht> Chat, the gcnonvl course ot'oiir p.'.los- 
 trian journ. y Ihroujih the Ibre.st utross thn wattM-slu'd hftwccu thu St. law- 
 rence and the Bay des Chalours to tho conical mouulaiii lix<<d by triaiiyula- 
 tion i'rom Notiv-Damc ranf,^o, was about 8. 40 E, Tho di.-tan<-f« in a strai-rht 
 lino was about Iwolvo miles and a half, but tho deviations of our ronte 
 increased it to thirteen miles and thre(>-(|uarters. Tho position of inlcrme- 
 diato stations wo delermined by counting our paces, nnikiiiy allowaiKv for 
 minute zig-zajjs and disturbing obstructions as thoy occurred, and . heck- 
 ing our (ahuiations by bearings and angles on tho peaks from whi. h we 
 wore receding, taken from tho summits of high trees wherever tho slope of 
 the ground favortd us with an opportunity. 
 
 Those successive points wore regularly vvrappod, and we were thus 
 always ]n-opared to indicate tho direction to be taken, trusting to the ,s,i<.-a. 
 city of our Indians to kerj) a straight lino after tho course had boon uiveu 
 thorn. By this moans we came with precision upon our conical mountain, 
 though we did not get a sight of it until within a couple of miles ofit,s 
 base, and wo were rather surprised to find with how much accuracy our 
 pates had moasurtd the distance. 
 
 After rising in the space of a mile to the brow of the slope bounding 
 the Chat, which wo found to be 1,204 feet above the level of tho St Lavv'- 
 rence, the surface over which wo traA'ollod up to tho dividing lino of tho 
 waters had a very gentle ascent of about eighty feet in a mile in the direc- 
 tion taken, which would produce about oiu> hundred and twenty-lire foet 
 iu a mile at right angles to the run of the ridge. 
 
 The chief inequalities of th'} grouu 1 resulted from a few sudden narrow 
 gullies of 100 to 150 f, deep, constituting water courses, of which those 
 iu the first half of the distance belonged to tho St. Lawroin:e and those in tho 
 other to tho Baydes Chalours. The barometrical heights determined as we 
 proceeded were 1,2*34 feet ; 1,194 foot on th.' edge of a watercourse ; 1,500 feet 
 on the top of a sloping step, beyinid Avhich we saw no more of the northern 
 streams ; 1,707 tho sutn;..ic level ; 1,030 feet on the margin of the first stream 
 fiowing southward ; 1,008 foet, and finally 1,1G7 feet on a brook at tho 
 northern base of the conical mountain, after a sudden descent of about 200 
 feet. The height of the apex of this mountain, which consists of trap, wo 
 found to be 1910 feet, and from it we had an opportunity of verifying the 
 
 I't-t A- 
 
121 
 
 angles wpou it I'rom tho peaks of Notre-Dame. It gave us also a sight of a 
 lOiisitleraliln stream llowing i'loin llm wt'stvvard, which wo had heoii 
 apivroaching, and now bi'held at its wcsttTii 1)iini> and wliii h wo rightly 
 supi>osed to 1)1' tho Great Casnapodin. liound thot'astorn huso of tho conical 
 inoiintnin, our doscout to tho banks ol tho Cascai)odia, through a doop and 
 iiiinow nivino, wiis rapid, and on altnining its margin, at a distam.' of two 
 mill's and tiirco furlongs, in a general rourso of S. '20'' W. from tho sun'.mit, 
 \vt' touiul that we stood at tho hoight (.f Uol foet over the water of tho St. 
 Liiwreuco. 
 
 On Iht* surface bolwoen tho Chat and tho Cascapodia, thoio appo.ircd 
 to us to 1)0 ovidoncoH ol' a vory thin soil. We saw the solid strata iiidoed 
 only iu two places; but whorovor wo met with a tree blown over by tho 
 wind, its ui)toru roots wore almost cortain to expo,«o a mass of small angular 
 fni'imont' (oiton containing iossils) b. •longing to tho rock which must have 
 bivn close bolow, and it sicmod to nio i)r(il)al)lo that to this want of depth 
 rather than to tlu> chemical quality of tho constituents that would have 
 boon derived fiom a more complot*; d(>sintt>gration of the rock which was 
 at tho same time calcareous, silitious and aluminous, was to be attributed tho 
 pivsonce of only those species of trees which are in general considered no 
 great mark of aptitude for agricultural improvement. The ruins of this 
 rotk may yield a more promising growth of timber in other parts, but on 
 our line we saw ©uly white spruce, balsam-lir, and a few white birch ; and 
 it was very [leroeptible that the two former species were frequently arranged 
 iu broad parallel belts, partaking of a north and south direction, nearly 
 moiiopoli/ed sometimes by tho one and sometimes by tho other. The fir 
 giive us open woods and easy walkiiig, while the spru>o groves wore very 
 tiuigled and dillicult to i)enotrate. 
 
 Arrived on tho banks of tho Cuscapedia, nnr Indians in lliieo days 
 constructed three canoes of spruce bark, capable of holding two persons 
 ea- li, and dismissing two of our men who were desirous of returning to tho 
 St. Lawrence, siipplying lliem at tho same time with a suitable cjuantity of 
 provisions, we floated down the stream, dialling its course to the mouth. 
 Tlv whole distance, following all the windings of the river, was sixty-live 
 milt s and a quarter : but, pursi;ing only the main graiul curves, we iirst 
 ia;i<lo two miles and a half in a course a little to the east ol south; then 
 eleven miles in a curve rather to the south of east, passing three piiucipal 
 tril)utaries in a valley of red sandstone ; our course then became nearly 
 south, and in this direction three grand sinuous sweeps carried us in about 
 thirtv-cif?ht miles to salt water. Where the river turned south, we had 
 

 1'2S 
 
 — , , — t- 
 
 a,2:ain and for the last time an opportunity of obtaining bearings on the 
 peaks of Notro-Darao from the naked top of a hill 1,435 feet above the St. 
 Lawrence, yielding so great an abundance of blueberries and low-bush 
 cranberries that we were induced to give it the name of Berry hill. 
 The stream at its base was 440 feet high. 
 
 Down to this turn in the stream we did not observe much chau"-o iu 
 the character of the timber, which still continued to consist of white spruce 
 balsam-lir, and white birch, with cedar in moist places : but further ou 
 with these species of trees became mixed a predominating proportion of 
 black birch and some pine ; but the frequent lumber landings, as they are 
 called, both old and new M'hich met the eye, pointed out that the enter- 
 prise of commerce had thinned and was continuing to thin down the last 
 very fast. Towards the mouth of the Cascapedia, maple exists in some 
 abundance, and elm t'lid ash are se n in a few places, particularly on a 
 number of large fine alluvial, but still uncultivated islands, which there 
 divide the river into several channels. 
 
 {W.-E. L(}gan, 1st May, 1845.) 
 
 RIVERS ST. ANNE AND CASCAPEDIA. 
 
 On arriving at St. Anne des Monts it was found impossible to ascend 
 the river on account of the freshet caused by the melting snow on the 
 mountains, and it was not until the 20th that the river was at all navigable 
 with canoes. 
 
 While waiting, a carefully measured base line, nearly two miles long, 
 was run on a blutf distant about one-quarter of a mile from the shore. This 
 was connected with the mouth of the river by a chained survey and its 
 position fixed. From this base line three prominent peaks in the Shick- 
 shock range, distant about eleven miles, were accurately determined. 
 
 Having engaged four men with two canoes, we left St. Ainie des 
 Monts on the 20th, and reached the forks of the river, distant about thirty- 
 two miles, three days later. Here the geological work of the season com- 
 menced, as the river had been explored and a micrometer survey made to 
 this point by Mr. Murray, in 1846. His description is as follows:—" The 
 total measured distance up the Ste. Anne river was rather less than thirty- 
 two miles. The first general course from its mouth was S. 5^' W. [Ma"".], 
 
bearings on the 
 'eet above the St. 
 68 and low-bush 
 Qe of Berry hill. 
 
 much chaugo iu 
 it of white spruce , 
 : but further ou, 
 ug proportion of 
 liugs, as they are 
 it that the euter- 
 lin down the last 
 J exists in some 
 particularly on a 
 ids, which there 
 
 May, 1845.) 
 
 ossible to ascend 
 ing snow on the 
 s at all navigable 
 
 two miles long, 
 1 the shore. This 
 i survey and its 
 ks iu the Shick- 
 3ler mined. 
 
 ft St. Anne des 
 \nt about thirty- 
 ' the season corn- 
 survey made to 
 follows:— "The 
 less than thirty- 
 S. f)0 W. [Mag.], 
 
 729 
 
 for a distance of thirteen miles 66 chains (10 miles 30 chains straight), 
 ^vheu it reached the base of the Notre-Dame, or Shickshock mountains ; 
 then S 10^ E. 10 miles eight chains (8 miles 40 chains straight), falling 
 very rapidly along the northern base of the range. At the end of this dis- 
 tance it is joyned by a branch from the north called Marten river, and then 
 turning, S. 43° [Mag.] E. it bears that course for 1 miles and 68 chains (6 
 miles straight) to the end of the measured distance, where it splits into two 
 streams of about equal size." 
 
 Three days were spent collecting specimens of rocks and plants in the 
 neighborhood, while the men were employed bringing up provisions to 
 a store camp established at the forks. 
 
 Leaving the forks on June 2*?th, a micrometer survey of the south or 
 main branch was made as far as lake St. Anne. This distance was 
 accomplished in three days, including a portage of upwards of one mile, past 
 the falls, which occur about half a mile above the Ibrks, and are about 60 
 feet high. The river here breaks through the east flank of Mount Albert* 
 and below the fall passes through a deep and beautiful canon one quarter of 
 a mile long, with perpendicular walls rising to more than 200 feet above 
 the river. In places it is not more than six feet wide, but very deep, and 
 above the falls so rapid that it cannot be ascended except at high water, 
 and then only with great difficulty. 
 
 Seven miles above the forks, in the distance of half a mile, there are 
 five small falls from two to seven feet high, caused by ledges of granite 
 which here cross the river. These had to be passed by five portages, causing 
 much delay. 
 
 In-om here to the lake, about three miles distant, the river passes 
 through a flat country, and has very little fall, but is obstructed by timber 
 jams and is very crooked. The total distance from the forks to the lake is 
 10 miles 61 chains (9 miles 52 chains straight), the general bearing S. 15° E. 
 
 As the forks are Y09 feet above sea level, and lake St. Anne is 1,313, 
 there is a difference of 604 feet, which gives the river an average fail of 
 nearly sixty feet per mile between the two places. 
 
 The river for the first four miles of its upward course passes through a 
 deep valley formed in the Shickshock mountains, which rise from its bed 
 on either side into peaks varying from twelve to fifteen hundred feet in 
 height. Having passed through the range, the country becomes compara- 
 tively flat, with small hills bordering the river. These rise two or three 
 

 ISO 
 
 lit 
 
 hundred feet, and arnou, „.^ „ .^w i^^m.ci^ y.a.nLw peajis, wnich risB 
 
 to a height of more than 1,400 feet. This region is a continuation ofth 
 Devonian table-land which extends from near lake Matai)edin. alono- th 
 south side of the Shickshock range to lake St. Anne and to the Magdalei 
 and York rivers, forming an almost level tract of country from the Intercc 
 louial railway, near lake Metapedia, to Gaspe Basin, more suitable lor 
 branch line of railw^ay to Gaspe than the route by way of the coast fron 
 Metapedia station. 
 
 On account of its elevation, this table-land is of little or no imporiau. 
 for agricultural purposes, summer frosts being frequent. The timber growini 
 on it is of small size and apparently stunted, and consists principally o 
 white and black spruce, balsam-fir, and white birch, cedar not being (ouiu ^^'''- '^'^^'^^ 
 
 Com 
 
 raiiav are 
 lower hil 
 
 CO:^I iUK 
 
 Btvciiid i 
 moiuitai] 
 leiiiitilal 
 
 jno rockj 
 
 llorks of 
 
 rrowih o: 
 rrowth c 
 eet. Th( 
 hickot. 
 lictui'es ( 
 
 lati-s^tafF 
 'ouvi-e be 
 the acror 
 
 above the falls of the St. Anne 
 
 Lake Si. Anne, three miles long and rarely more than a quarter wide 
 general course S. E., is divided in to two portions by a shallow strait abou 
 one hundred yards long by fifty wide. The lake is very deep, a forty yard— 
 line iiiiling to touch bottom in the middle of the largo portion. On the east 
 and west side of the lake granite peaks rise to heights of from 1,200 to l,.50i 
 feet above its level, while to the N. E. and S. \V. low ranges of liills'uol 
 more than 500 feet high are seen. These hills are composed of Devonian 
 sandstone, as are also the lower Hanks of the granite peaks. The granite has 
 burst up through the sandstones and is part of the mass of Table-top moun- 
 tain to the north 
 
 ;^i 
 
 Having completed the survey of the lake and explored a portage (o tk 
 headwaters of the west branch of the Little Cascopedia river, whi.l passes 
 about throe mihs south of the lake, we returned to the forks on July -Ith. 
 The next day we ascended Mount Alberi'. Its summit is about 8.0U0 feet 
 above the bed of the river and one mile and a-half dislant. 
 
 Here a ramp was form(>d, and two weeks were spent on the Hat top of 
 the mountain, running a base line three and a quarter miles long. From 
 this line we were enabled to triangulate 158 peaks, in the snrrnnudiii •• 
 ranges. Geological investigations were carried on at the same time, aii.l 
 sections made along three brooks, which rise on the mountain nud How 
 into the St. Antie. 
 
 The top of Mount Albert is nearly flat and is rent by a deep gorge on 
 the east side, which, near its head, splits into several smaller ones. ° The 
 sides of these gorges are quito destitute of vegetation and the bare scrpou- 
 
 As ^ 
 
 risiiit:' int 
 
 Aocks, ai 
 
 north (^ru 
 
 )Ir, Kichf 
 
 This 
 Mount A 
 moiT ihai 
 the vallej 
 moniitaiii 
 
 To tl: 
 
 .Inn- ill t 
 lar- t>ran 
 stivt''hi's 
 pc-ciks, w 
 iraiiil)"r 
 How the 1 
 
 ilavi 
 
 of Alpine 
 
•781 
 
 
 ! peaks, which ri 
 ontiuuation ofth 
 tai>edin. along- th 
 1 to the Magdale: 
 y from the Inteicc 
 lore suitable Ibr 
 ' of the coast fron 
 
 ! or 110 imporiaiirt 
 he timber growiui 
 sts principally . 
 ir uot beiii"' {oun 
 
 m a quarter wide 
 lallow strait abovv 
 ieep, a forty yard; 
 rtion. Oil the east 
 i-oin 1,200 to 1,500 
 anges of hills not 
 Dsed ol Devonian 
 :s. The granite has 
 'f Table-top mouiv 
 
 iiio rocks are weathered to a light b.T color. On the top of the mountain 
 iloiks of serpentine are scattered, and are partially covered by a thick 
 rrowih of mosses and lichens. Sheltered places are oc-cupied by a stunted 
 jrowth of black spruce [AlmK. nigra), which rarely attains a height of ten 
 eet. The branches interlace near the ground and form an impenetrable 
 hirket. The whole surface has a dead appearance, and reminds one of the 
 )i(tures of th(> moon. The top of the mountain has a gentle slope from 
 nV. and N. E. towards the centre, and the base line was run from the 
 Ifig-s^taff point on the N. E. to an elevated point on the southern side, the 
 ouvse being S. 28" W. From the north-east end of the base line, where 
 tho accompanying sketch was made, a fine view of the surrounding country 
 was obtained. 
 
 d a portage to tho 
 v^er, which passes 
 jrks on July 4th 
 s about 3,0(JO feet 
 
 on the flat top of 
 liles long. From 
 the snrroundiiij' 
 ,e same time, and 
 )antain and Hot 
 
 a deep gorge on 
 
 aller ones. Tho 
 
 the bare serpeii- 
 
 CoHimencing froin the west, all the important peaks of the Shickshock 
 raii2v are seen .stretching to beyond the Mataiie river. North ol this the 
 lower hills of the Cambrian rocks run in a series of ridges parallel to the 
 co;M iind are cut by the valleys oi the Cape Chat and St. Anne rivers. 
 yond is the Gulf dotted with passing ships, and on the horizon the 
 mountains of the North Shore are seen, the whole forming a grand and 
 eiiutilul picture. 
 
 As we turn* east the mountains of the coast become higher, often 
 risiiit;' into peaks having an altitvide almost equal to those of the Shick- 
 hocks, and shut out the view of the Gulf Further to the N. E. we see the 
 northern part of the great granitic mountain called Table top mountain by 
 3Ir, Richardson. 
 
 This mountain, with its several peaks (a few of which are higher than 
 Mount Albert), lills up tho whole eastern horizon, ft rises abruptly 
 more than 2,000 feet above tho surrounding country, which undulates from 
 the valley of the St. Anne to its base'. The higher parts and sides of the 
 mountain are bare, trees being unable to grow in .such exposed places. 
 
 To the south-cast is seen the valley of the St. Anne, with the lake St. 
 .Inii" in the distance, looking like a streak of silver; surrounding it are 
 baiv granite peaks. To the south, the great table-land, already mentioned, 
 stroti'hes along the ])ase of the Shickshocks, broken only by a few granite 
 peaks, while, in the distance, the Devonian mountains are seen in a 
 imrnh"r of parallel ranges, cut by deep transver.se vall'ys, through which 
 llow the branches of the Cascapedia river. 
 
 Having flni.shed the work on the mountain, and made a collection 
 of Alpine plants, we descended to the forks on July 20Lh. 
 
 tm 
 
 1 h' 
 
732 
 
 II 
 
 Messrs. Porter and Hamilton remained to make paced surveys aloi 
 the several small brooks on the north side of the river, and two men wj 
 sent to cut a road to the summit of Table-top mountain, about eight in.l 
 distant, while I descended the river to St. Anno des Monts to proruro , 
 fresh supply of provisions and compare my barometer with that of AJ 
 Vibert, who kindly kept reading three times a day during the entire sui 
 mer, thus enabling me to fix the heights of all the peaks ascended duriJ 
 the season. 
 
 On account of a freshet, I was unable to return to the forks until tl- 
 2*7th. The men had then completed the road, and we started for Tablt'-iol 
 mountain, but did not reach the top till next day, being unable to tra\i 
 fast from the poor condition of the path and the heavy packs can'ioc, 
 Table-top mountain is about fifteen miles from north to south, with a) 
 average breadth of three miles. Thesurtace is uneven, and numerous p -aid 
 often rising five hundred feet above the general level, are found aronwd it 
 edges, while the centre is an undulating plain dotted with many lakes (i, 
 many as twenty-six were counted from one point) varying from one to oil 
 hundred acres in extent. The central area is about 3,000 feet above th; se] 
 level, but several of the peaks are higher that Mount Albjrt. Richxrasou'j 
 peak (3,700 f.^et) is the highest. This mountain presents a marked coiitras) 
 to Mount Albert. The peaks on its margin form a bas' i*of the central p.uL xx.^x. 
 in which, protected from the severity of the w^eather, black spru )e grows U ripally of 
 a height of thirty feet, many trees being a foot in diameter ; these are clus 
 tered together with open glades between, covered with a rich growth 
 of Alpine timothy and ferns. The mingled colors of the dark spruce, thi 
 light grasses, the blue lakes, and the pink, bare, granite peaks form i 
 pleasing picture. Brook trout abound in all the lakes and in th) hio)k 
 flowing out of th^m, while the woods are alive with spruce partridges. 
 
 The lakes are arranged in groups, each group being drained by o!i« 
 large brook. East magnetic i'rom the forks of the St. Anne, on the wes 
 side of the mountain, there are two groups; one of five to the south, am 
 the other of three to the north. The brooks from these, in leaviim' th 
 mountain, fall directly more than 600 feet, and unite a short distauc^e IronH 
 its base, joining the north branch of the St. Anne river about two mi 
 from the forks. 
 
 Immediately south of these lakes is another group of three, forming th< 
 head of the middle branch of the Magdalen, and the north branch risei 
 from a group to the east of the last. 
 
788 
 
 To the iiorlh, sovernl lakes empty into a brook which joins the north 
 |;;ui<h ol the St. Anne, about six miles from the forks, while further north 
 sa large hike ttr.d several tmall ones, which form the headwaters of the 
 |r,iii<h itself. 
 
 After having spent several days examining the top of the mountain, 
 It'iiijr greatly delayed by rain, I started, accompanied by Mr. Porter and two 
 Li, down the middle branch of the Magdalen river. A micrometer survey 
 Us made fiom the hikes at its head to the forks, to connect with the 
 liuvty made by Mr. Richardson in 185*7. 
 
 While we were thus engaged, Mr. Hamilton remained on the moun- 
 laiii, triangulating peaks to the east and south. 
 
 From the lakes, the middle branch flows down a gorge in the moun- 
 lain lor a distance of seven miles, the general course being S. 20*^ E. This 
 torgo is very deep and divides the mountain into two portions. Below the 
 Ugo the stream turns east for a distance of two miles and passes through 
 limestone hills not more than 800 feet above its level. It then turns N. 20*^ 
 E. and Hows through the same description of country for seven miles, where 
 It joins the south branch and half a mile beyond is the junction of the north 
 Ibraiich where Mr. Richardson's survey ended. 
 
 . Along the first course the timber is small and stunted, consisting prin- 
 
 5kspru)e grows t ripally of black spruce, white birch and balsam-fir. That found along the 
 r ; these are clus jetond course and the upper part of the third is even poorer, consisting of a 
 thick growth of black spruce, few trees of which exceed six inches in 
 diameter. The lower half of the third course is well wooded, with valuable 
 timber, mainly white spruce and white birch, many fine trees remaining 
 
 aced surveys aior 
 and two men wj 
 II, about eight irul 
 Monts to procure 
 r with that of 
 ng the entire sui 
 :s ascended duriii 
 
 tie forks until t 
 tarted for Table4o 
 ? unable to travi 
 ivy packs carri 
 to south, with a 
 d numerous pjak 
 3 found around i 
 ith many lakes ( 
 tg from one to ou 
 ' feet above th; sei 
 birt. Richxrdsou'i 
 a marked coiitrasi 
 'of the central p.\i 
 
 th a rich growth 
 dark spruce, thi 
 
 lite peaks form , _. ^ _ , ^ 
 
 nd in th? brojki although considerable lumbering has been done in the vicinity 
 
 ace partridges 
 
 ? drained by o:i( 
 .nne, on the wes 
 to the south, am 
 e, in lea villi;' th 
 lort distaucM? Iron 
 about two mile 
 
 three, forming th< 
 orth branch risei 
 
 This survey was rendered very difficult by the rain which fell steadily 
 lor the last three days. It caused a freshet in the river, making it impossible 
 10 wade, while the woods along the banks were almost impenetrable on 
 iccount of fallen timber. We reached the forks about 10 a. m , August 4th, 
 and, being without provisions, immediately started for the camp on Table- 
 top mountain, ill teen miles distant, which we reached at 8 p. m. After 
 resting the next day we descended to the forks of the St. A.nne on the Gth. 
 Here high water detained us three days, when we proceeded down about 
 four miles to a large brook wjiich comes in from the north. From here Mr. 
 Porter descended directly to St. Anne des Monts, so that he might dry 
 and arrange the specimens of plants collected during the summer. Having 
 spent two days surveying this ^brook, we descended to another which 
 
 i 
 
 lit: I- 
 
 I 
 
734 
 
 p' 
 
 ont.Ts Ww St. Anno rivor from thrt south about twenty miles IVoai i| 
 mouth. From tho lioad of (his brook we (Muloavored to roach hiko (\is,.j 
 podia, about throo milos distant, but \v,>ro uiiabh) to do so on aivoaai' 
 the great blow-down of timber which covers the sides of the mouutaiu 
 far as could be seer.. In passing thrort:.Ii it 1 strained my kii.'e so 8.1 vivl| 
 that I had great dilliculty in again rea.^hing the St. Ann «. Iho n,-xt dat 
 August lOtli, we descMided eleven miles to a largo brook (tailed rivii-^ 
 Cote, iiowing Irom the south. My km,>e being very painful, I loir MJ 
 Hamilton to survey the river, and descended to St. A»»ne des ilouts. m\ 
 Hamilton having iinishod his survey joined us there on the isth and 1.- 
 with Mr. Porter for Ottawa, on the 22nd They took with them all tli] 
 specimens collected during the summer aud pirt of the outfit not in us, 
 
 On the 23rd of August I started up the Cape Chat river with two u.oi 
 and a canoe. Groat difficulty was experienced owing to the low states 
 the water, and we were only able to reach a point about twenty-live miK>. 
 from the mouth. This river has been described by Sir Willie. ,1 l.ry.ui iil 
 his report for 1844. 
 
 Descending the river, we returned to St. Anne dos Monts, and loll 
 there on the 20th to make a traverse across the Gaspe peninsula by way 
 the St. Anueand Little Cascapedia rivers We arrived at the forks on 8opl 
 tember 1st, and a day was spout cutting cedar and putting a battom on (Iw 
 canoe, as the river above the forks was so low that we had to drag tha 
 canoe the greater part of the way to the lake, which latter we reachal on 
 the Gth. From thence wo made a portage to the west branch of the LitlKi 
 Cascapedia river, three miles distant. Two days were necessary to clear J 
 trail aud carry the canoe and baggage across. 
 
 Where we reached that stream, it is only ii'teen feet wide and gr,>atl, 
 obstructed with logs and fallen trees, so much so that four d lys were muv 
 pied cutting it out aud hauling the canoe seven miles. The river for this 
 distance is very crooked, with little current. Beyond this, havin^• ix'ou 
 joined by several large brooks, it becomes more navigable, attaining a width 
 of about lifty feet with a swift current. The fallen trees, which are swopt 
 down it, form huge jams at intervals of three or four mile.. These had to be 
 passed by cutting portages and carrying everything over them, entailing 
 great loss of time. 
 
 Seven miles from the portage, the river is joined by a large brook from 
 the west, and just below this passes over a fall thirty-live feet high, at the 
 f Jot of which it meets a large brook from the east. 
 
t86 
 
 Mow th(> fall Iho hills aro hi-xluM-, liavinij an chMalion of 800 to 1,000 
 leot !il)ovo Iho river. The soil along the Hats of ih,> valh-y N.H>niH l.o bo 
 Mu'h bottor than noar lake St. Anno. Good sprnco and birch tiinhor is 
 |ouu»l I'loso to Iho rivor, with a qnantity of pino on tho hills. 
 
 Nino milos below the first fall a second one of ton feet occurs, and 
 lielow this the current, which .so far has been rapid, slackens, and thu rivor 
 
 vimls from side to side in a valley about one mile vvid(\ contiiininy cxcol- 
 jeiit l)ottom land covered with a rich s^rowlh of white spruce, white and 
 li'llow birch, ot>dar and poplar, with a lew trees of ash and maple. On thi^ 
 jaills there are lound largo spruco and a few pines, all lit for lumbM'. This 
 liiuM'nIley extends for a dislanco of twelve miles, with a south cour.se. A, 
 bile ahove the forks, distant eighteen mil(>s from the mouth, the rivor 
 liijaiii heiomos rapid, and the valKw uarrovvs to Ivss th m a <|uarterofa 
 
 ttile. 
 
 Tht^ Little Cuvscapedia, from the forks to the mouth, h is b m'U des -ribed 
 IbyMr. Jillls (Report of Trogress 1SS0--J, pp. !> D, 12 D.) 
 
 being much delayed by the cause mentioiu>d above, wo did not reach 
 the mouth of the river until the uight of the lOth, aiul having counted on 
 making the traverse in ton days wo only carried provisions enough for twelve 
 [days, and so were without food for two days. 
 
 Next day we proceeded u}) the Bay des (Jhaleurs to Dalhousie, whore wo 
 wore mot by Mr. A. K Harlow, who h;»d boon left thoro by Mr. Ells to 
 assist in making mi<'romoter surveys in the neighborhood of Itimouski. 
 Affor spending three days at Dalhousie, collecting fossils and specimens of 
 protmite from the dills of Capo Bon Ami, wo proceeded to lake Metapedia, 
 where three days were spent examining the rociks on the east short; of the 
 lake, l^'rom here we went to liimouski to make sev<M-al snrvoys ol loads 
 in that vicinity, but as the weather was cold and unsettled, ami the roads 
 very had, it was found impo.ssible to do this work ; wo therefore, left 
 K'raouski on September 28th, and returned to Ottawa, October Ist. 
 
 The work of the season was greatly retarded by the iVetiuent rains 
 during the months of June and July and the Jirst week of August. 
 
 Serpentine and Olivine. — These rocks are largely developed at the eastern 
 extremity of the Shickshock range and form the prominent peak of Mount 
 Albert. They extend in a southwesterly course from the west side of 
 Table-top mountain acro.ss the south branch of the St. Anne river to Mount 
 Albert, which is about the centre of the mass, and thence to the headwaters 
 
 11^ 
 
786 
 
 If 
 
 of the east fork of the Salmon branch of the Cascai^edia river, makiii 
 total length of twelve miles. 
 
 The greatest breadth is four miles, on Mount Albert, but the av 
 is not more than tw^o and a-half miles. 
 
 oragi 
 
 The rocks are chieily olivine, more or less changed into a dark "TeeB 
 serpentine, associated with patches of mottled brownish red, the whol] 
 overlaid by the banded beds before described. 
 
 The green serpentine has sometimes a coarse fibrous structure (picrolite)] 
 but the quantity is small and the quality not fine enough to make it com] 
 mercially valuable as asbestos. 
 
 All the rock seen on Mount Albert was altered into the above serpeuJ 
 tine, but on the eastern slopes, along the St. Anne river, olivine was fouuc 
 only slightly decomposed upon weathered surfaces. 
 
 Chi 
 
 i to be 00 
 I strike ir 
 
 Thi 
 
 I serpen ti 
 I about i\ 
 
 The 
 
 [through 
 [prolitab] 
 
 Wh 
 
 [light gre 
 of no ec( 
 
 Mr. Adams examined a section of this rock, under the microscope, and 
 gives the following description of it :— " This rock, which is very fresh, 
 in section seen to be composed of olivine, arranged in very irregular bands 
 of larger and smaller grains, together with a small quantity of an opaque 
 black iron ore, which, judging from its association with the olivine. 
 
 IS 
 
 probably chromic iron ore. A few grains of a very light brownish-greeu 
 fibrous mineral, some of which show parallel extinction, are also present. 
 These are probably enstatite, but none of them are cut so as to enable this 
 to be determined with certainty. An interesting point in connection with 
 this rock is that each grain of iron ore is surrounded by a greenish ring 
 composed of an aggregate of wavy fibres, which in a few cases, where they 
 were sufliciently large for examination, were found to have a parallel extinc- 
 tion, and which resemble serpentine. It is an olivine rock." See also 
 description of similai rock from nearly the same locality by Dr. B.-.T. Har- 
 rington. (Report of Progress ISII'IS, p 40 Gr.) 
 
 These rocks all change to a light buff color where they are exposed to 
 the action of the atmosphere ; and, as the soil above them is very poor, 
 supporting little or no vegetation, a dead appearance is given to the scenery. 
 
 Banded structure is distinctly seen amongst the serpentines on the 
 niorntain, but the direction of the strike of the beds is not continuous, nor 
 parallel to that of the surrounding stratified schists, and is supposed to be 
 due to flow structure, as the olivine is iindoubtedly of igneous origin. 
 
 "Ic 
 tree, chai 
 until I ai 
 west side 
 running 
 the flats 1 
 of spruce 
 
 I pro 
 
 trees on t 
 miles and 
 one runni 
 Between 
 brooks an 
 main rive 
 believe th 
 timber la] 
 chantable 
 the ninth 
 growing ( 
 ("f the sam 
 
•737 
 
 Chromic iron is found assoeiuicd with the greon serpontino and seems 
 to be conhnod to certain beds of Ihe rock, as it is found scattered alonjr the 
 I strike m loose blocks, some of which are ten inches in diameter. 
 
 This mineral was observed on the surface near the banded beds of 
 serpen ine, at the north-east side of the mountain, and also along a hod 
 I about two miles south of the first place. 
 
 The ore was found to occur in small, widely separated pockets, scattered 
 through the serpentine, and where seen is not in sufhcient qaantitv for 
 prolitable mining. j- "^ 
 
 Where the olivine crosses the St. Anne river, veins of steatite of k 
 light green color were observed, but the cost of transportation renders them 
 I of no economic value. 
 
 (A.-P. Loio, 1885.) 
 
 m 
 
 NOUVKLLE RIVER, WEST BRANCH. 
 
 " I commenced the scaling of this river from the aforesaid sixth mile 
 tree chaining upwards on the ice when practicable, and through the bush 
 until I arrived at the seventh mile tree, which I marked as such on the 
 west side of the river. In the traverse of the river, I met with one brook 
 running mirom the east and crossed several small islands, the soil alonff 
 the flats being fertile and consisting of a red loam: the timber principally 
 ol spruce and fir, with some poplar of large dimensions. 
 
 I proceeded on with the scaling, marking and establishing all the mile 
 trees on the west side of the river, until I arrived at a small fork at fourteen 
 miles and 14/50 chains, where the river divides into two branches, the main 
 one running to the west, while the other branch inclines to the north-east 
 Between the seventh mile tree and the said forks, I passed several small 
 brooks and islands, the former furnishing a good supply of water to the 
 mam river. I could not obtain the names of any of these brooks, nor do I 
 eheve they have yet been named. The soil in this locality is rich and the 
 timber large, more especially the spruce, which would make good mer- 
 ohantable timber, being sound and straight. In the vicinity and betweea 
 the umth and tenth mile trees, there are some pine trees of good quality 
 grovvnig on the slopes of the mountains facing the river and on both sides 
 01 the same. 
 
 47 
 
738 
 
 li- 
 
 Ihe brooks that run into the main river are small ; the spruce end fir 
 are large ; there is also some white and black birch ; the soil is good, althoi^gh 
 in some places very stony. Excellent timber of the same kind abound* 
 along the slopes of the mountains. 
 
 At a short distance above the nineteenth mile tree, thereisagoodsizt^d 
 brook, which comes in from the west, and, after passing the same, keeps 
 uorth-wp&t, as far as the twenty-third mile tree. Between these two points, 
 the soil is not quite so good, nor is the timber as large, consisting priaoi- 
 pally of a smaller growth of spruce and fir, with a few birch trees. 
 
 , The banks of the river are not high, seldom exceeding three or four 
 feet. The river here is very rapid, but without any falls. From the twenty- 
 third mile tree to its soiarce, the river narrows very much, and the soil is 
 poor and stony ; the timber consists of spruce and fir, but of a small and 
 inferior quality. At twenty-eight miles 65 chains the river forks off into 
 three small brooks which n\n north for about one quarter to one half mile 
 each, taking their rise in an alder swamp, and may be considered the head 
 waters of the west branch of the river Nouvelle. 
 
 The land in the vicinity of its source is level and continues so to the 
 north and west as far as the vision of eye extends. I may add there is not 
 along its whole course, from ray point of departure to its source, one single 
 fall, and it may be considered a continuous rapid, free from any obstruction. 
 
 In general along the whole course, on either side of the river, there is 
 hardly sufficient breadth of land to make it of any use for settlement pur- 
 posts. At its source, however, there is a largo tract of land that could be 
 make available for that purpose. 
 
 (P. Mvrison, 187G.) 
 
 CASUPSCULL RIVER. 
 
 Fr^m the confluence of the Metapedia and Casupscull rivers, ascending 
 the valley of the Casupscull to Four-Miles brook, the land has generally 
 been burnt over and is barren. Both sides of the river present to view 
 nothing but stoep and bare hills and arid rocks increasing in height until 
 they attain an average altitude of 250 to 300 feet. On the top of these hill-^, 
 the soil, however, appears susceptible of cultivation. In the valleys, it is iu 
 
789 
 
 ) spruce Pud fir 
 8 good, although 
 i kind aboniuU 
 
 ire is a good sized 
 the same, keeps 
 hese two points, 
 insisting priaci- 
 h trees. 
 
 g three or four 
 'rom the twenty- 
 , and the soil is 
 it of a small and 
 er forks off into 
 to one half mile 
 iidered the head 
 
 inues so to the 
 add there is not 
 >arce, one single 
 any obstruction. 
 
 le river, there is 
 settlement pur- 
 lid that could be 
 
 'mow, 1876.) 
 
 ivers, ascending 
 i has generally 
 present to view 
 in height until 
 )p of these hill , 
 I valleys, it is iu 
 
 genera! uncultivablo. Tnu\ there arc here and there, now on one side of 
 the river and now on the other, small strips of cultivable land, but not in 
 sufficient ([uantity, at each point, to induce a settler to take them up, except 
 at one place situated iit about three and a half miles from the < ouHuenco of 
 the two rivers, on the left slope, where there is a point of land well suited 
 to cultivation, although hemmed in, over an area of about 150 to 200 ncres, 
 which might make a good farm, and to which communication might be 
 had at present by a logging road running to it from the Metapedia road. 
 This point is occupied, it is said, by a Mr. Bruno Danjou, who raises hay 
 on it and pastures cattle there. 
 
 From Four-Miles brook to Eight-Miles brook, brul6.s are also of frequent 
 occurrence ; but here and there some clumps of timber of little value remain 
 standing. In this tract, there are on each side of the river steep hills, some- 
 times bare and sometimes wooded, and cliffs still steeper and altogether 
 liarren, maintaining a uniform and average height of 250 to 300 feet. In the 
 valleys, there is no cultivable laud, a few small points of insignificant size 
 excepted, such as .re met with '-om time to time to the head of the river 
 and the large timber is in too limited quantity to permit of profitable 
 working. It consists of white and grey apruce, cedar, white birch, &c. 
 However, at the mouth of Eight-Miles brook, and along that stream, the 
 wood is sound, of good appearance and in sufficient abundance, and I may 
 say the same of Four-Miles brook. On the top of the hills, the ground, 
 though broken, is arable. 
 
 Three miles further on, there is a ^mall brook, with a valley of easy 
 access, along which the Indians have established a portage road to commu- 
 nicate with the Casupscull lakes, in which they fish for trout. Ov^>r these 
 throe miles and for a mile further, the ground presents the same chivracteris- 
 tics, appearance and topography as between the Four-Miles and Eight-Miles 
 brooks, with the exception that there are no brul6s and that the valleys and 
 hills are better wooded. The timber is of average size, but the soil on the 
 hill tops seems little suited to cultivation. 
 
 Then follows a succession of cascatles and r.ipids, difficult ot access and 
 often dangerous, as far as the falls distant about live miles from Eight-Miles 
 brook and about twenty feet in height. Above the falls, there is another 
 mile and a half of rapids and cascades. In summer, this spot is turned by 
 a portage road for canoes, to the left, which comes out on the second ^ndian 
 portage connecting the Casupscull lakes with the Metapedia road across the 
 lands. Along the cascades and rapids, the hills which border the river are 
 lower, but sometimes steeper. 
 
 '#- 
 
 i 
 
 3 IP 
 
740 
 
 «.>t 
 
 
 — 1., 
 
 wtvn the second liuliMii portngo and Ih,. grand disohar"-o ol 
 
 CiiMipNt uU ItikcH, n distance of iihout 
 
 gn 
 seven miles, then 
 
 the 
 
 IN still another htMvy 
 
 rapid, at ahoni r.f) chains from the second Indian portage, whiih would bo 
 
 very snilahl.- for the erection of milJH. The appearance and topography of 
 
 thegionnd is ahout the same as that ])revi()Ufily des.ribed. with the exception 
 
 that the hills are not so steep. In ascending the grand discharge of tho 
 
 lahcH, at a few .-hains only from the river, there is a fall which prevents the 
 
 salmon from n-aching the Casupscull lakes. From this to the lakes, lh<.rJ 
 
 nre cedar, spruce and balsam-lir of fine quality ; but the ground is hrokou 
 
 and unsuitcd to cultivation. From the grand to the little discharge on tho 
 
 river, a distance of about a mile and a half, the land presents the sumo 
 
 aspect as before. From the river, on the little discharge, the ground rises 
 
 crradually ibr about 56 chains and is of little value, although the timber 
 
 upon it is fair, after which the surface becomes flat, damp and swampy, 011I7 
 
 supporting a stunted growth of black spruce. 
 
 The lakes abound with fish. Every winter, the Indians of St. Anno 
 de Ristigouche visit them in large numbers to catch trout which they sell 
 nt Campbelton to traders who export them. Large quantities of lish are 
 taken. Around the lakes, the forest growth is generally black spruce and 
 cedar of little value; but in the interior of the lauds the timber is better 
 and more mixed. 
 
 From the grand discharge to the south branch of the river Casupscull 
 the height of the hills gradually diminishes. The land is barren both in 
 the valleys and on the hill tops. The, timber is mixed and of moderate size 
 Un the south branch, the timber is pretty good for three miles and a half 
 to the point where this branch forks ; thence to the source the land is wet 
 and swampy, supporting only a stunted growth of small black spruce. From 
 the south branch to the Still Waters, the altitude of the hills decreases 
 gradually and, at the Still Waters, they disappear completely. The timber 
 diminishes in value as the river is ascended, and the same remark applies to 
 the land. The salmon, it is said, ascend to the Still Waters. From the 
 latter to the end of the survey, the ground continues flat and wet, except 
 at a couple of points, where there are small hills. The timber is verv poor» 
 consisting only of stunted black spruce. 
 
 The Casupscull river abounds with trout and salmon, but I regret to 
 say that herein consists its whole value. Neither the soil, nor the timber is 
 worth the expense of working. 
 
 UUiL. 
 
 {C.-S. Lepage, 4th February, 1888.) 
 
«'hnrj?o of tho 
 iinothtM' hiMvy 
 liih would bo 
 topography of 
 1 the t'Xwption 
 chnrgo of tho 
 h proveuts tho 
 e hikes, there 
 iiul is l)rokt>u 
 icharge on tho 
 uts tho sumo 
 ground rises 
 h the timber 
 swampy, only 
 
 of St. Anno 
 lich they sell 
 ^8 of fish aro 
 k spruce and 
 iber is better 
 
 (r Casupscull, 
 rren both in 
 noderate size 
 3 and a half 
 e land is wet 
 spruce. From 
 ills decreases 
 
 The timber 
 irk applies to 
 3. From tho 
 
 wet, except 
 is very poor» 
 
 it I regret to 
 the timber is 
 
 Y, 1888.) 
 
 741 
 
 INTERIOR OF THE OAHI'K I'KNIN8UI,A. 
 
 This roport will be short and concise, as the a<!companyin.r journal 
 contains in detail all the information, I could procure by my own" observa- 
 tions or from other i>arties. 
 
 This exploration will, I believe, be of considerable service, as my 
 journal will show^ all the places where lumbering is carried on, some of 
 which are probably beyond the limits of the licenses granted. I was led to 
 think that many lumber-merchants cut timber on unlicensed territory from 
 the fact that they do not keep any road open during the winter to co.mnu- 
 nicate with tho settlements, all the provisions for the lumberino- season 
 being brought up in the fall of the year, and the lumber being c°ut with 
 great facility along the rivers, where there is little or no hauling involved 
 The spruce is so close at hand along the great rivers and their tributaries 
 that many contractors use no horses, but have tho logs brought to and 
 placed in the water by hand. 
 
 Another practice, which I consider an abuscis that of placing no booms 
 at the mouths of rivers at the time when the logs cumo down. Instead of 
 that, men are placed to watch and immediately raft every piece that makes 
 its appearance, and these rafts are at once towed by steamers either to Dal- 
 housie to Mr. Moffat's mills or to Mr. Montgomery's mills at Now Rich- 
 mond. 
 
 Tine, spruce and cedar are plentiful throughout this region. The cedar, 
 Avhich is of very good quality, besides being used for other purposes, is 
 made into great quantities of shingles, which are exported to the West India 
 Islands in packages 20 inches long (length of shingles) and 9 inches broad ; 
 each package containing one hundred shingles. Large quantities of shingles 
 similar to those which are sold here are also made. The pine is generally 
 of good quality, yet not eqiial to that of Ontario. The merchantable spruce 
 is much superior to that found in any other place. There is good huntino- 
 to be had throughout this country, as it contains large numbers of moose, 
 caribou, marten and fisher. There are also some otter, mink and beaver ;' 
 the latter is scarce, because, like the moose, it is too much hunted duriu"- 
 the close season. I have remarked that the otter and mink destroy large 
 quantities of the eggs of the salmon which spawn in all the rivers runuiu'^ 
 through these lands. ° 
 
 f 
 
 liH 
 
t42 
 
 There are numbers of salmon and trout in all the rivers and the lakes 
 are all well stocked with trout. Some of the rivers are more advantageous 
 than others for fishing, but they all contain fish, and there is much fishino- 
 done. This country is so very mountainous that the soil is unfit for cultf. 
 vation, except in the spots marked on the plan accompanying the report. 
 Another reason which induced me to designate these lands on my plan, as 
 forest-reserves, ip that there is still in the neighbouring township nearer the 
 sea-coast, a large extent of land fit for cultivation, which is not yet colonized. 
 Also, from the township of Nouvelle to the township of Port Daniel, the land 
 is A-ery good and less mountainous than that above mentioned, and may be 
 colonized as readily as any other place in the province. 
 
 I may say before closing that ray work was at times difficult and 
 painful, but I trust it will not be unprofitable. 
 
 River Casvpscull. — October 22nd. — Began my exploration on the river 
 Casupscull. Along this river there is a burnt tract {brule), extending about 
 eight miles from its confluence with the river Metapedia. Both sides of this 
 river are mountainous, but there is a little land fit for cultivation on the 
 summit of the mountains. 
 
 October 23rd.— Continued my exploration, ascending the small dis- 
 charge of the lakes about five miles, where I found quantities of spruce 
 cedar, fir and white birch I especially remarked the fir, which is very 
 large and as fit for working as the spruce. 
 
 October 24th.— Continued ascending the Casupscull for aboat five 
 miles. The valley of this river is like that of the discharge of the lakes, with 
 regard to the species of wood. The land is very mountainous and the soil 
 poor. 
 
 October 25th,— Continued my ascent as far as the falls. Mountains and 
 wood the same as on the preceding days. Large quantities of birch on the 
 west. I noticed that there was lumbering <^.onQ some 15 or 16 years atyo, 
 from the mouth of the Casupscull to the falls, marked on the plan. 
 
 October 26th,— Explored the eastern part between the river Casupscull 
 and the Grand lake. In all the low grounds there are good spruce, fir and 
 cedar, and on the mountains, white birch, fir, and some small spruce. Nearly 
 all the large timber is blown down. 
 
 October 27th — Explored to the west, between the river and the 
 seigniory of lake Metapedi I. Ttie land is mountainous, and the wood is 
 
743 
 
 and the lakes 
 •e advantageous 
 s much fishing 
 unfit for culti- 
 ing the report, 
 on my plan, as 
 iship nearer the 
 )t yet colonized. 
 >aniel, the land 
 3d, and may be 
 
 3 difficult and 
 
 I on the river 
 :tending about 
 ith sides of this 
 ivation on the 
 
 ;he small dis* 
 ies of spruce 
 ivhich is very 
 
 or aboat five 
 
 he lakes, v^ith 
 
 and the soil 
 
 fountains and 
 ■ birch on the 
 16 years ago, 
 plan. 
 
 er Casupscull 
 pruce, fir and 
 pruce. Nearly 
 
 ver and the 
 the wood is 
 
 cedar and spruce in the low grounds ; on the mountains, the wood is nearly 
 all blown down. 
 
 October •29th. — Continued my exploration, ascending the river to the 
 grand discharge of the lakes. Timber — cedar, spruce and fir throuo-hout. 
 The land is mountainous, and the wood on the mountains blown down. 
 
 October 31st. — Explored to the westward towards the seigniory of 
 Metapedia. Tiniber and lands the same as the preceding. 
 
 November Ist. — Continued the exploration, ascending the river Casup- 
 scull. Saw very little merchantable timber ; the trees are short and stunted. 
 There is a little cedar and black spruce. 
 
 November 2nd. — Explored to the west in the interior, finding nothino" 
 bat mountains and overturned timber. 
 
 November 3rd. — Explored to the east, between the river and mouth of 
 the lakes ; the land is all mountainous and the timber stunted. 
 
 December 19th. — Resumed my interrupted exploration ; continued 
 ascent of the Casupscull to about six miles above the grand discharge. 
 Both sides of the river are mountainous, and the timber becomes smaller as 
 the land rises. 
 
 December 20th. — Explored to the north, towards the river Matane. The 
 principal timber is small^black spruce on the lowlands, and, on the heights, 
 white birch and fir, overturned. 
 
 December 21st.— Shifted my camp while exploring about six miles 
 higher ; very little useful timber in this distance, except some tamarac, 
 suitable for railway ties. Land low and swampy. 
 
 December 22nd. — Shifted camp again about five or six miles further; 
 found the same land and timber as yesterday. 
 
 December 23rd. — Sunday. Shifted camp about six miles further, near 
 the height of land ; same land and timber. 
 
 December 24th.— Explored towards the sources of the rivers Matane, 
 Cape Chat and Cascapedia. On the high mountains of this locality, which 
 are called the Chick-chocks, the timber is very smidl, and consists of bou- 
 lean, fir and black spruce. In the lov.' lands, the soil and timber are the 
 same as mentioned above. 
 
 December 25th. — Returned and camped at the mouth of the south-east 
 branch of the river Casupscull. 
 
 if 
 
1U 
 
 II < 
 
 December 26th.— Explored this branch on the way up. From near the 
 mouth upwards, for about four miles, there is good spruce fit for makin«- 
 logs ; but above that the land is swampy and sparsely timbered, like the 
 rest of this country. 
 
 December 27th.- Shifted my camp to the third lake Casupscull. 
 Around these lakes there is a considerable quantity of spruce and a great 
 deal of cedar. The land is mountainous. All the spruce along this river 
 which I have mentioned is of the best quality (good grey spruce). On the 
 upper part of the river, especially, there are large quantities of tamarac 
 suitable for railway-ties. The driving of logs can be done with much facility 
 on the river Casupscull, and even on the outlets of the lakes and other 
 tributaries. This river is also well stocked with fish, especially salmon and 
 trout. The salmon run up as far as the head of the east branch, as shewn 
 on the plan annexed hereto. The lakes which empty into this river are 
 also filled with trout, but the salmon cannot pass above the falls, marked 
 on th- outlet. I am told that |300 worth of trout are taken every winter 
 by people from Campbeitou, who ship it to the States. My plan of this 
 river and the lakes is from estimated distances walked over and courses 
 taken with a compass. ■, 
 , •■ - 
 
 Rivers Nouvelle, Assemetquagan flWf/iS^scz/wuwrtc.-December 28th.— Shifted 
 camp to the head of the river Nouvelle. Near the lakes I saw some good 
 timber, cedar and spruce, and further on in the low lands good tamarac fit 
 for making ties. West of this line the timber is nearly all blown down. 
 
 December 29th.— Shifted my camp to the head of the river Assemet- 
 quagan. Near the head of the Nouvelle there is some good timber, spruce, 
 in the low lands, but on the heights I saw nothing but small timber and 
 windfalls. There is plenty of good timber along the Assemetquagan, but 
 the land is very mountainous. 
 
 December 30th.— Sunday. Shifted my camp lower down on the same 
 river to the forks— to the part already done. The timber along this part of 
 the river was cut during the winter of 1881 and 1882 by Mr. John Forrest 
 of Campbelton, and the forest is now all but stripped. All the rest of the 
 timber along the river, lower down, was cut about eight or ten years ago 
 by Mr. Mofl?at, of Dalhousie. There are no salmon in this river, but it Is 
 well stocked with trout. The river Assemetquagan is very suitable for 
 driving logs. 
 
 along th 
 
*745 
 
 From near the I December 31st.— Shifted camp to the head of the river Escuminac, and, 
 ce fit for making lou my way, observed some good land and a little good timber, but most of 
 mbered, like the B the trees are blown down. 
 
 ake Casupscull. 
 ruce and a great 
 
 along this river 
 spruce). On the 
 titles of tamarac, 
 th much facility 
 
 lakes and other 
 ally salmon and 
 ranch, as shewn 
 to this river are 
 he falls, marked 
 3n every winter 
 My plan of this 
 >ver and courses 
 
 r 28th.— Shifted 
 saw some good 
 ;ood tamarac fit 
 )lown down, 
 
 river Assemet- 
 . timber, spruce, 
 lall timber and 
 netquagan, but 
 
 vn on the same 
 ong this part of 
 r. John Forrest 
 the rest of the 
 ten years ago 
 river, but it is 
 ry suitable for 
 
 January 1st, 1884.— Shifted my camp to the forks of the river Escu- 
 minac. The land is mountainous. There is a good deal of hardwjod at 
 forae distance from the river, and quantities of spruce in the vicinity of the 
 liver and its branches. 
 
 January 3rd.— Explored towards the head of the little river du Loup 
 and of the Little river. In this very mountainous part, there is a good deal 
 of timber, spruce, but I was told that the timber along the Little river was 
 cut in 1881 and 1882 by Mr Moilat. 
 
 January 4th.— Shifted camp near the line of the township of Mann, 
 along the Escuminac. The timiaer along this part of the river was cut 
 Eome ten or twelve years ago by Mr. Moffat, of Dalhousie, and again in the 
 muter of 1879-80 by the same party, according to what I was told. I 
 myself saw two of the camps which were used when this timber was cut. 
 The mountains are very high on both sides of the river, and well timbered 
 with fine merchantable birch ; there is also a little cedar. 
 
 January 5th.— Explored the north-east branch of the Escuminac, and 
 found that the timber had been cut there also by the same Mr. Moffat. 
 Between the two branches just mentioned the land is mountainous and the 
 limber mixed. 
 
 January 'Zth.- Explored between the east branch of the Escuminac and 
 Eocky brook, and found the land mountainous and timber mixed, birch, 
 spruce, fir and cedar ; the spruce and birch are of good merchantable quality. 
 
 January 8th. — "Went out to the settlements, seven miles from the coast, 
 near the forks. The river Escuminac and its tributaries are well adapted 
 for the driving of logs, and very rich in sea-trout. I am told that a great 
 many strangers go there to fish every summer. 
 
 January 9th.— Sent my men and the baggage to the river Nouvelle^ 
 and went to Campbellton to get some provisions. 
 
 January 11th.— Shifted camp from the Nouvelle to Tub-Brook. 
 
 January 12th.— Explored between the Nouvelle and Tub Brook, where 
 I found spruce and pine, and in the mountains mixed timber, The birch is 
 merchantable. 
 
•746 
 
 
 January 13th.— Sunday.— Explored Tub-Brook upwards to its souroel 
 Found some pine and spruce, but some of it was cut two years ago by Mil 
 Anthony Carl, of Nouvelle. This little river is suitable for the drivin<r d 
 loffs. = ' 
 
 On tl 
 |ii(l pine > 
 ibie for k 
 If strange 
 
 January 14th.— Moved my camp to the upper forks of the NouvolleB C/.s-m 
 As we acend the river, the mountains approach very near the banks, though edia" l' 
 here and there are some small level spots of ground (plateaux), fit for ouUi. 
 vation. I found there spruce, cedar and poplar in the lowlands, and a 
 little pine on the mountains. Lumbering was carried on some years a^ro 
 along all the branches of this river. The section is mountainous, and thu 
 timber mixed. 
 
 loiii^' the 
 self into 
 
 Januj 
 apodia, ai 
 be Chick- 
 miill stun 
 
 •Tanus 
 'hero is ti 
 pruce wat 
 
 Tiinua 
 Hiiid sprn 
 
 Janua 
 
 Januaiy 15th.— Explored the north-west branch of the Nouvelle about 
 eight miles up. In this space I found a considerable quantity of spruce 
 and some pine at the places indicated on the map. The river Hows be- 
 tween high mountains, which are covered with mixed wood ; some piue 
 and a good deal of spruce. 
 
 January lYth.- My men shifted camp higher up, while I explored to 
 the eastward, between the rivers Des Lacs and Nouvelle. In this se 
 tion I found on the mountains stunted limber and overturned trees. Alon"-- u..,.^^ 
 the Nouvelle there is a considerable quantity of good timber, especially le way ol 
 spruce. ■ 
 
 January 18th.— Explored to the eastward between the Nouvelle and 
 the north-west branch of the Cascapedia. I there found a good deal of spruce 
 along the small streams, and around the small lakes. Further on to the 
 north there is a large mountain covered with small, stunted trees. 
 
 January 19.— Shifted camp four miles higher up the same river. Both 
 sides of the river Nouvelle are mountainous. There is a little spruce at the 
 foot of the mountains, and at the top, black spruce and bouleau. 
 
 January 21st. — Explored the section comprised between the two 
 branches of the Nouvelle, and about five miles of the western branch, goiug 
 upwards. Along the latter branch, the laud is mountainous and the*trees 
 are of stunted growth, but, on the borders of the river and its tributaries, 
 there is a good deal of merchantable spruce. 
 
 January 22nd.— Explored the north-east branch of the Nouvelle as far 
 as the source of the Casupscull waters, where I found swampy ground, 
 which produces tamarac and a little grey spruce along the small tributaries! 
 
 Janua 
 
 if hind wl; 
 111 both sic 
 aouutaino 
 f the lake 
 lad hxlgod 
 
 .lanuai 
 
 low 11, wh 
 ialmou riv 
 
 The Vi] 
 ttoun tains 
 
 Januai 
 long the c 
 lear the ba 
 (here it ha 
 lie lake, bi 
 
•74*7 
 
 for the driving oftl 
 
 ards to its souroeB On the whole, the valley of the Nouvolle is well wooded with spruoo 
 years ago by Mijnd pine of good quality. The river throughout its whole length is avail- 
 e for lumber driving. It is also well stocked with trout, and numbers 
 [strangers visit it every summer on account of the Jishing. 
 
 h °K*^^ Nouvoilel Cattcapedia iJu'c/-.— January 23rd.— Moved my camp to the river Oasca- 
 
 he banks, thoughHedia. I found a good deal of spruce near the small lakes as well as all 
 
 aux), fit for oulti«|oiin' the portage ; there is also a great deal along the stream which empties 
 
 ! lowlands, and Aelf into the Cascapedia. 
 
 m some years ag J 
 
 ntainous, and thJ -^i^'^ua^y 24th— Worked upwards in a westerly direction along the Cas- 
 
 apodia, and found spruce for a distance of about three miles Above that are 
 
 e Chiok-Chock mountains already mentioned, which are covered with 
 e Nouvelle aboutliniill stunted trees, 
 lantity of sprucel 
 
 •Tanuary 25th — Moved my camp down the Cascapedia about five miles. 
 
 hero is timber all along this distance, but I remarlced that much of the 
 
 pruce was dried up. 
 
 le river Hows be-| 
 vood ; some piue 
 
 January 26th— Went to the head of the north-west branch, where I 
 |)uiid spruce and somj pine on the mountains. 
 
 January 28th— Moved my camp to the lake on the Cascapedia. On 
 imber, especially ilie way observed a good deal of spruce and pine on both sides of the river. 
 
 liile I explored to| 
 le. In this se> 
 ed trees. Aloiijrl 
 
 le Nouvelle and 
 •od deal of spruce 
 irther on to the 
 d trees. 
 
 ime river. Both 
 tie spruce at the 
 ileau. 
 
 tween the two 
 
 rn branch, going 
 
 IS and the trees 
 
 its tributaries, 
 
 Nouvelle as far 
 wampy ground, 
 [nail tributaries. 
 
 January 29th— Explored the middle branch which rises in the height 
 if land where the Cape Chat also has its source.- 1 found a good deal of spruce 
 111 both sides of the branch, principally above the forks. The land is very 
 aoimtainous, with nothing but stunted trees on the heights. At the foot 
 (the lake I found the remains of a c.unp where Mr. Montgomery's jobbers 
 lad lodged during the winter of 1881-82 
 
 January 3Cth— My men shifted the camp about five miles further 
 [own, while I explored the river between the middle branch and the 
 ialmon river. I found a great deal of spruce on both sides of the latter. 
 
 Tlie valley of this tributary of the Cascapedia is bounded by high 
 ttountains very thinly wooded. 
 
 .January 31st —Moved my camp to the mouth of the Salmon river. All 
 ilong the course of the river downwards from the lake, spruce has been cut 
 lear the banks, but there yet remains a great deal, as there was none cut 
 (here it had to be hauled. I found another camp about six miles below 
 be lake, built the same year as the other, 1881-82. 
 
 41 
 
748 
 
 Fobrnary 1st and '2!ui.— Rxplorod aloiiff (lu^ hanks of th,^ Salm.Mi n, 
 going upwards. Abovi- the Ibrks I found a i-anip built this winh'r by ? 
 Montgomery, and from suoh information as I couhl procure from lh<> ov, 
 seer audshantymen, they must have out about 5/)[H) spruce trees, in Ann'iic 
 style, that is, leaving the trees their full length. Jligher up the tim^ 
 gradually diminishes in size, and, near the source of this river, there is not hi 
 but stunted trees. 
 
 February 3rd, Sunday.— Moved my camp to Berry-brook. On the w; 
 down I noticed some cultivable land on both sides of the river as indica 
 on the plan The timber has been cut during the last three winters. 
 
 February 4th.— l^lxplored upwards the banks of B-rry-broak. The timh 
 has been cut for a distance of about four miles. There is slill a little timh 
 remaining higher up, but on the height of land it is all stunled, espooiul 
 ou the mountains. 
 
 February oth-lkplored the Little Cascapedia to its source. Fom 
 very little timber, The section between the Grand and Little Cascaood 
 rivers is quite mouniainous. 
 
 February Gth— Moved my camp to the mouth of the north- west l)rau(>. •• --'-- 
 of the Cascapedia. Going downwards. 1 found a camp belonging io soui '"'^'^^ ''*^' 
 of Mr. Montgomery's jobbers, Johnny Ouellet and his brother. "On" the oas The t 
 there is a large burnt tract (brnle) in the rear of which there is still .soiii „b,,. !^Uoir 
 pme ou the mountains, as shewn on the plan. On the west, there is als n ^ome 1 
 some pine on the mountains, although a great part of it has been (U)nvcMto 
 into square timber, the same as on the other side of the river bv M 
 Ouellet. ^ 
 
 jili' pine I 
 tort' is SOI 
 
 lA'brui 
 h, 1 t'xpli 
 
 1(11111(1 lui 
 
 iii.liiig li 
 nintiiinoi 
 
 I'Vhrun 
 wii, foun 
 V. 
 
 Nearly 
 
 ; river, 
 plar, (dm 
 DUiilains. 
 
 Ivbrua 
 irds as fai 
 mp to the 
 Ne^ir 
 
 February 1th and 8th— Explored the north-west branch, going upwatcL 
 Lumbering has been carried on, this and preceding winters, over a spaco o 
 eight or ten miles in length. The Ouellets have also been making sqmii 
 pine and spruce during this winter. Higher up along this river tliei 
 is still some spruce and pine standing. The region is mountainous, witlJuToos'ot' 
 nothing but small trees on the heights. 
 
 .'at deal 
 uminac 
 
 ft'brua: 
 imcli of th 
 1(1 parties 
 hero is stil 
 1(1 ul the Y. 
 
 February 0th -Moved my camp to the river Dos Lacs. On the right 
 going down, there is a burnt tract (brule) as shewn on tlie accompaiiyiiu 
 plan, but there is a strip of green timber ou the mountains on both sido.s o 
 the river. 
 
 Februai 
 liich cuts 
 
 Ft'hruar 
 liiptcd for 
 
 February 10th, Sunday.— Explored the river Djs Lu-s going upwards |fn,,|r'j^"^^r 
 Found that the timber liad been cut nearly up to ihe lake, There is still ^^'' ^" 
 
749 
 
 )f iho SaluKMi ri' 
 tliis wiiih'r l)y 
 •nro IVom lh,> ov( 
 3 tivos, ill Aniciicj 
 ler up tho tiuil 
 ,'or, there is not hil 
 
 roo 
 
 111,' pino slinulinn- on the moniilains, aiul heyoiid tho river in th." interior 
 |,.iv is some spriuv. 1 was iold (hut llioso li.k,>,s aro fnll ol'lroul, 
 
 Frhruary 1 1 1 h. -Shifted my eamp furllu'r d..wn I he river. Tlie .sanio 
 
 iy, 1 .'xpk)red the lirst branch to the (misi Io,- a distance ofahoulsix miles. 
 
 IJoiiiHl hunher whicli haJ Uimmi out this vvintor. but Ihoro is still a lidlo 
 
 ihliiii? timber near the upp,>r part of the rivor. This section is v.>ry 
 
 |.iiiilaiuous, with nothing- bnt scrub on llui heio-lits 
 
 On the wl Fcbruaryliith.-Camped at the forks of the Kscmnuuxc. On the way 
 
 J nvei as nuliealMva, found a camp about two miles below the river explored the previous 
 niuc \\ III 10 1*8. ^^ 
 
 'lTlT'^i?rr'"!l ^''''^^ ''^^ ^''' '^°'''^' "^'='"'^"»S ^^^ ^<^^'"-. '^^^^ »"HMi cut on l,othsi<les of 
 sfn.r. 1 ' '".',i''^''"'-- "^^'^ «o'^ '« Soo'^. '^« «hewn on the plan. Tho timber comprises 
 ' ' ^■'^l'^'^'''"iplar, .dm and ash on tho lowl., ids, and bla,;k and white birch on tho 
 
 iniilains. 
 
 ts source. Fou J i,,,,,,,,ry u^^,, ^,,^ ^^^j^ _ j^^^^j^^^^^^ ^j^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^, ^^^ liscuminac. up- 
 ^.vs.i-aMe(iH,r,is as far as (ho north-oast branch of the NouvoUe. Obliged to move our 
 ipto tho forks of the ISscuminuc. At tho fall there is a majrnilicont mill- 
 north- west l)rau(.#' ^^'i^^' *^"« f^'ll' ^h*^ro is a pioco of cultivable land, on which three 
 belonftinff io soij'"'^'^^ ''*^''^ already begun (bearing. 
 
 . _ The timber in this section is ash, poplar, elm and aspen. Almost all the 
 
 tiiere is still soui ^y,. along the Escuminac was <'ut s.n-en or eight years ago. There was 
 
 ri'^ull,^!! !'.!!,' '" ^^'"""^ ^'^'"'^' "^"^ ^'"^ ^'"^^^'1' «" t^*^ north-east branch. There is a 
 eat deal of merchantable birch all through the section between the 
 
 as been convcrto 
 
 the river by M ;euminac and the township of Oarleton. 
 
 h, going upward: 
 rs, over a spaco o 
 an making scjiian 
 f this river tlier 
 
 [*\'bruary Ifith.— Being in the neighborhood, I exi)lorod the north-east 
 anch of the Nouvelle. I found the spruce and pine cmt nearly everywhere 
 1(1 parties were still cutting for Mr. Mcll'att in the township of Nouvelle. 
 bert) is still a little pine and spruce standing. Tho region is mountainous 
 1(1 at the head- waters of this river and of tho Escuminac, there is nothing 
 
 lountainous, witl|,t troos of stunted growth. 
 
 February ItUh.— Shifted my camp to the falls on the north-oast branch 
 hich cuts the corner of tho township of New Richmond. 
 
 February 17th, Sunday— Explored this little branch, which is well 
 
 Mod for driving, to within six or seven miles of its conlluonce with 
 
 "•oiii'v upwmls '^ ^"^'^'^P'^^"'^- Found two shanties whore parties were cutting cedar and 
 
 ''Ther' sstiUa '"''' ^'"^ ^^^'^^ i« "°w ^'ery little timber remaining. There are many 
 
 )s. On the right 
 lie accompaiiyiuj 
 5 on both sidos o 
 
760 
 
 
 mountains iu the distance covered with mixed timber, birch and othPThe land 
 
 
 M- 
 
 kinds. There is a magniticeut water-povA'er at the falls suitable for a mi 
 site. Settlers are established there as far as the township line, thirte* 
 miles from the coast. The river Cascapedia otters great advantaf^os H 
 lumbering, because provisions can be transported in the fall by mteans 
 scows drawn by horses. There are only two i)ortages, and only one rapi 
 at the division line between the counties of Rimouski and Bonaveuturo 
 obstruct this mode of navigation. Only two portages have to be mudo i 
 going as far as the mouth of Salmon river. All the tributaries of this riv 
 are equally advantageous for getting out lumber. 
 
 The Grand Cascapedia is the finest salmon-river in this part of th 
 province ; salmon are found as high up as the lake near the source, aud i 
 the Salmon branch up to the falls. 
 
 All the timber that is cut and sent down this river is for Mr. Men 
 gomery, who has his establishment mid-way between the Grand and Littl 
 Cascapedia rivers, iu New Richmond. I am told that last year he loade( 
 ten vessels for Europe, besides having sold a great deal of lumber on th 
 spot. 
 
 February 19th.— Went up the Little Cascapedia as far as the last settle 
 meut iu the 6th range. 
 
 February 20th.— Camped on the same river, two miles further nortl 
 than the township line, at Mill brook. I there found parties cutting spr k 
 and cedar. The soil is good all along the river, as shewn on the plan. Th 
 timber is mixed, comprising poplar, ash, cedar, spruce and fir. 
 
 February 21st.— Camped at the upper forks. Going np, I noticed tha 
 parties had been making square pine and spruce, besides cutting cedar 
 The forest thereabouts is very much devastated, there being scarcely any 
 thing left but cedar. The land is mountainoas, and the timber ou the 
 heights is black and white birch, with a sprinking of other kinds 
 
 February 22nd.— Ej:plored the north-west branch of the Little Casca- 
 pedia, about six miles upwards. Spruce and pine had bjen cut on 
 this branch during the winter of 1881-82 by jobbers for Mr. Montgomery, 
 There is still some spruce standing on the tributaries, and a little pine on 
 the mountains, which are numerous all through this region. The only 
 other timber is stunted black spruce and white birch 
 
 white bii 
 
 Febr 
 
 same brai 
 
 the previ 
 I 
 
 Febr 
 
 river. Th^ 
 nothing I 
 river. U 
 
 Febr 
 
 two days 
 
 Febr 
 found a ft 
 illy on th 
 black spr' 
 
 The: 
 also well 
 been larg( 
 the last fe 
 
 Bonm 
 branch of 
 mountain 
 iu rear of 
 
 Maro 
 the same 
 .«een, but 
 
 Marc! 
 
 branch. I 
 timber. 
 
 February 23rd. — Moved my camp about eight miles higher up on the 
 north-east branch. Found spruce and pine growing on the low grounds. 
 
 Marcl 
 venture, I 
 Cascapedii 
 quantities 
 they are p 
 
t6l 
 
 , birch and ot 
 suitable lor a mi 
 ibip line, thirtet 
 it advautagi's 1< 
 e Ikll by means 
 ul only one rapi 
 d Bonaveuturo, 
 ave to bo made i 
 taries of this riv 
 
 this part of 
 the source, aud i 
 
 is for Mr. Mon 
 Grand and Littl 
 st year he loade( 
 of lumber on th 
 
 r as the last settle 
 
 es further nortl 
 ,es cutting sprici 
 on the plan. Tin 
 fir. 
 
 ip, I noticed tha 
 s cutting cedur 
 ig scarcely any 
 ! timbjr on the 
 r kinds. 
 
 the Little Casoa- 
 d bjen cut on 
 Ir. Moutgomerv. 
 1 a little pine on 
 jion. The only 
 
 ligher up on tht 
 le low grounds, 
 
 th 
 
 iThe land is very mountainous, with nothing but small black spruce aud 
 white birch on the heights. 
 
 February 25th.— Moved my camp about six miles higher up on the 
 jsamc branch. Found mountains and forests similar (o those passed through 
 the previous day, except that there was less pine. 
 
 February 26th and 27th.- Explored the north-west branch of the same 
 river. The space between the two branches is very mountainous and bears 
 nothing but scrub. I found a good deal of spruce and a little pine along the 
 river. Upon the mountains the wood is small and stunted. 
 
 February 28th.— Retraced my steps to where I had left my provisions 
 two days previously. 
 
 February 29lh.— Camped at the head of the river. On my way up I still 
 found a few spruce trees, but the timber gradually becomes shorter, especi- 
 illy on the mountains, where there is nothing to be seen but a few small 
 )laek spruce and white birch trees. 
 
 The Little Cascapedia generally is a fine river for driving logs. It is 
 also well stocked with salmon and trout. As previously stated, there have 
 been large quantities of timber cut on all the branches of the river durino- 
 he last few years, by Mr.'^Montgomery. 
 
 Bonaventnre iJ/jw.— March 1st.— Shifted my camp to the north-west 
 branch of the river Bonaventnre. The whole way across I met nothing but 
 monntains covered with small timber. There is a little merchantable spruce 
 in rear of the Bonaventnre. 
 
 March 2nd. — Although Sunday, shifted my camp six miles below, on 
 the same branch. On the first four miles, nothing but small timber was 
 seen, but below^ that the spruce is of better quality and in greater quantity. 
 
 March 3rd. — Shifted camp about five miles further down on the same 
 branch. Saw a good deal of spruce and a few pine trees among the other 
 timber. Land very mountainous. 
 
 March 4th.— While my men camped at the forks of the Grand Bona- 
 ventnre, I explored to the west, towards the branch between the Little 
 Cascapedia and the Grand Bouaventure. In this part, there are considerable 
 quantities of spruce and pine, especailly down towards the forks, where 
 they are plentiful, as represented on the plan accompanying this report. 
 
762 
 
 March 5th.— Shifted camp about eight miles higher up, on tho 
 
 Bo 
 
 venture. All the way up, [ met a ^ood deal of spruce, and a HtUi^'pin^fl 
 amojig th • mountains. The land is monntainous throughout and thy 
 summits are covered with small timber. 
 
 March Gth.— Shifted cpthi- still higher to the forks on the same river. 
 The timber gets smaller i.ud stunted us we ascend along this river. Thero 
 is very little merchantable spruce, and nothing but small black spruce ou 
 the heights. 
 
 March 7th.— Shifted camp, exploring on the way up, an, camped near 
 the intersection of the county lines. I'ound very little merchai 'able spruce ; 
 the timber is short and nearly all black spruce. 
 
 March 8th and 9th, Sunday.— lieturned to the left fork, below tho 
 branch of the same river Bonaventure. 
 
 March 10th.— Wei;t up this little river to its source. Found . onsid- 
 erable quantities of spruce, from the forks downwards and up along this 
 little stream. There is also a little pine. This little branch is very suitable 
 for driving logs. 
 
 March 11th.— Shifted camp ^elow, to the confluence of the river des 
 Pins with the Bonaventure. All along the latter, going down, there ia good 
 spruce and some fine pine. The land is very mountainous. 
 
 March 12th.— Descended the Bonaventure to the rear line of the 
 township of Hamilton, and, in the afternoon of the same day, went up about 
 three miles on the first branch outside the township. There is a good deal 
 of spruce and pine througout this section, although some w^as cut a few- 
 years ago. I also found considerable quantities of cedar, which is more 
 abundant than any other timber, both on the lowlands and on the mouu- 
 tains. There is also, near the township-line of Hamilton on the right of the 
 river, some fine merchantable birch. Some cedar was cut last fall, all alon? 
 the river from the township of Hamilton to the forks. I was informed 
 that the cedar had been used in building the Government bridge below, oq 
 the Bonaventure. 
 
 March 13th.— Shifted camp higher up on the river des Pins. All along- 
 this river'there is a good deal of spruce, cedar and pine, although some was 
 cut some years ago. The land is very mountainous. 
 
 The valley of the Bonaventure, as shown above, is very rich in pine 
 spruce and cedar. This river is very advantageous for the driving of logs! 
 It is also, as I was informed, well stocked with salmon and trout. 
 
758 
 
 ip, on tho ]{ona 
 and i\ litfl,. ^,\y 
 
 nghoiit and tha 
 
 the same rivor 
 
 lis riviT, Thero 
 
 black spruce ou 
 
 nd camped uear 
 lai. table spruce ; 
 
 brk, below the 
 
 Found consid- 
 
 up along this 
 
 is A'-ery suitable 
 
 f the river des 
 '■11, there ia good 
 
 ar line of the 
 , went up about 
 3 is a good deal 
 vas cut a few 
 which is more 
 on the moun* 
 the right of the 
 3t fall, all along- 
 was informed 
 'idge below, oa 
 
 Ins. All nloni^ 
 ugh some was 
 
 y rich in pine, 
 riving of logs, 
 rout. 
 
 Port Daniel River.— Uaich 14th -Shifted c mp to the head of the rivor 
 Tort Daniel. The dividing ridge between the waters of this river and 
 those of the Bonuventure is composed of very high mountains covered 
 with stunted timber. 
 
 March 15th.— Explored all day down the Port Daniel. At the head 
 of this river, the timber is small and stunted, but lower down, where i 
 turned back, some merchantable spruce can be found. 
 
 March 16th (Sunday), Hth and 18th.-Being on the evo of running 
 out of provisions 1 directed my explorations towards the head of the Pabos 
 From here to the West Pabos the land is very inounta. ous, and spruce not 
 plenUlul. On the heights especially there is nothing but smal! black spruce 
 
 March 17th and 18th.— Directed my course towards .the Grand Pabos 
 to obtain a general idea of the head-waters of this rivcr. The lands through 
 which these iiow are very mountainous and the imber they bear is very 
 small and short. Quit.^ at the head of this river, on the left, is a ontinuation 
 of the extensive bun • tract, (grand brule), which crosses the rivers of the 
 Gaspe basin, the St. John &c., which I mentioned in a previous report. 
 White birch, aspen, spruce and lir are now growing on this burnt tract. 
 
 March 1 0th.— Returned to the north-east brau.h of the Bonaventure. 
 
 March 20th.— Camped at the forks of the same branch, lower down 
 There is very little timber on this section, hardly anything but small black 
 spruce throughout. 
 
 March 21st.— Sent ray men down by the Bonaventure to the township 
 olCox, while I Walked in a southerly direction towards the township of 
 Hope. On this line I saw very little timber near the river, but, as I continued 
 ni the same direction, I came across a small tract of ' md fit for cultivation 
 (marked on the plan). Here there are birch, spruce, c 'dar, poplar and cherry 
 treeb. According to the report of my men, there is •' nty of spruce on each 
 Mde on the north-east branch of the Bonaventure, and the river is very 
 advantageous for driving logs. 
 
 I was told thai ae -ivers Pabos and Port D nicl are very rich in salmon 
 anfl trout, and that their alleys are well timbered towards thci • mouths. 
 
 (Joseph Bureau, 1884.) 
 
 48 
 
DISTRICTS OI- RIMOUSKI AND TEMISCOUATA. 
 
 (•(lUNTY OF RIMOUSKI. 
 
 I hav tho honor to report tipoii the exploration ordered by your letter 
 of instructions, dated 20th February, 1884. 
 
 First Bpf^ion. —Tho 4th of March, and the seven succeeding days were 
 employed in transporting baggage to the mouth of the east branch of the 
 river Rimouski, better known as river Caribou, and in examinin"- the 
 land, the warter-courses and the timber from the last range-line of Flynn, 
 at a short distance from the central lino, follov^'ing the right side of the said 
 river Caribou, with western courses from time to time, in such manner, 
 that having arrived at the grand river Rimouski, all the region comprised 
 between the Rimouski and the Caribou, in rear of the surveyed rano-os of 
 Flynn and Duquesne and part of Chenier, are explored. 
 
 All this region, forming a superficiesof over fifty miles, comprises lands 
 of most excellent quality, slightly undulating towards the interior, and 
 almost everywhere sloping gently towards the rivers ; the soil brown and 
 yellow earth, generally mixed with gravel. Hardwood predominates on the 
 heights. On the whole, the soil throughout this region is fit for cultiva- 
 tion and advantageous for settlement. Cedar is met with nearly every- 
 where, (ind the mountain ash, sure sign of the good quality of the soil. 
 
 Second Region.— The seven days from the 11th to the 18th were employed 
 in going over, in all directions, as much as possible, the tract between the 
 river Rimouski and the township Biencourt, in rear of the township Che- 
 nier. These lands are of the best quality for settlements ; the head of the 
 river Snellier and other small streams met with form valleys of fertile soil, 
 a brown and grey earth in the valleys, and a rich yellow soil on the hills 
 The timber is fine and large, -omprising maple, birch, white birch, spruce, 
 cedar and fir. The banks of the Rimouski are very high, although inclined 
 in certain places. From the mouth of the Caribou, where we returned on 
 the 18th at night, we went up, the next day, to lake Rimouski, on the river 
 of this name, commonly known as Trout lake. The 20th, taking a general 
 westerly direction over the mountains bordering the river, we reached the 
 lake, which is the source of a large stream, called the north branch of the 
 Eimouski. From this point, about two miles from the river, the aspect of 
 
 On 
 
 On the 
 
 explorcc 
 
 into it, 
 
 the bou 
 
 mounts: 
 
 and olle 
 
 spruce i 
 
 birch, fi 
 
 lake Rir 
 
 yellow fi 
 
 forest. 
 
 and, as ' 
 
 of about 
 
 height. ' 
 
 sometira 
 
 plateaux 
 
 spruce ai 
 
 the soil ii 
 
 hard woo 
 
 hinulred 
 
 The 
 
 far as the 
 toward t] 
 as before 
 cedar is 
 widening 
 covered ■ 
 appear be 
 more or 1 
 
t55 
 
 OUATA. 
 
 i by your let toi- 
 ling (Itiys wore 
 
 branch of tho 
 examining tho 
 -lino of Flynn, 
 t aide of the said 
 
 such manner, 
 jion comprised 
 eyed ranges of 
 
 comprises lands 
 e interior, and 
 ioil brown and 
 )minates on the 
 fit for cultiva- 
 1 nearly every- 
 of the soil. 
 
 were employed 
 ;t between the 
 
 township Che- 
 he head of the 
 s of fertile soil, 
 il on the hills 
 
 birch, spruce, 
 hough inclined 
 we returned on 
 iki, on the river 
 aking a general 
 we reached the 
 I branch of the 
 r, the aspect of 
 
 the land changes suddenly ; high rocky clills are replaced by low hillocks 
 surrounded by gulh-ys through whi.h large streams How in didorent direct 
 tions Irom tho lakes with which tho country is d.)tted. All these lakes 
 contain fish. From the Ulst to the end of the month of Munh, followinir 
 a course to the vicinity of the line between the counties of Uimouski and 
 Tmiscouata, and in rear of Hiencourt to the province line, I found the same 
 (loscriptiou of land throughout ; the fir, sprue, white bin;h and cedar are 
 ol large size, birch and mountain-ash are plentiful, and there are a few 
 maples. 
 
 On the Ist of April, we reached the Uimouski near tho boundary lino 
 On the 2nd, 3rd and 4th April, following the course of the Uimouski, we 
 explored the lands on ea<-h side, and along the small streams which Uow 
 into It, to lake Kimouski, which we had left on the 20th March. From 
 the boundary down to the forks of the north branch, the land, although 
 mountainous on leaving the river, is (>xcellent, the Hats are very extensive 
 and oHer all the desirable advantages for colonization. Of wood there is 
 spruce in sufficient quantity for exploitation, cedar, yellow birch, white 
 biroh fir and alders. From this last point down to about three miles above 
 lake Kimouski, though the land is generally level, the soil is poor, bein-of 
 yellow sand and gravel. Fir and poplar-leaved birch predominate in "the 
 lorest. Beginning with the above-mentioned three miles, the land rises 
 and as we advance, the hills are seen rising one above another for a distance 
 ol about two miles ; some of these in the vicinity are above 1800 feet in 
 height. These mountains afford some most picturesque scenery ; their sides 
 sometimes steep and rocky, sometimes gently sloping, afford but narrow 
 plateaux of soil of medium quality, generally sandy and gravelly the 
 spruce and white birch are as before, but on the summit of the mountains 
 the soil IS good and not very stony, and is covered with fine timber, mostly 
 hardwood. The whole region here described may comprise about one 
 hundred miles in superficies. 
 
 The 7th of April, we continued our exploration along the Rimouski, as 
 iar as the mouth of tho Caribou, with easterly courses from time to time 
 toward the summit of the mountains. The soil here is of the same quality 
 as before mentioned, but the flats are more extensive and of better soil, and 
 cedar ig m greater quantity. Approaching the river Caribou, the fiats, 
 widening out, comprise several hundred acres of rich laud, the greater part 
 covered with alders. Here again, the mountains, which, at first sight, 
 appear bound together like a wall, are found to be surrounded by gullies 
 more or less deep, which afford facilities for passinir beyond. Snm« v.ry 
 
766 
 
 excellent land is found on the sides of the mountains and in the gullies 
 where many good settlements might be made. 
 
 Tliird Region. — On the 5th of July following, we resumed our work. 
 In the first week from the 22nd to the 25th we had three days of rain ; but 
 from the 26th July to the 21st August we had most desirable weather and 
 profited by it accordingly, going over the country in all directions. The 
 region with which we are now occupied is that lying between the rauwe 
 of mountains to the east of the river Rimouski and the river Mistigouche, 
 from the surveyed ranges of Flynn and Ouimet to the province line, and 
 comprising an extent of about 250 miles. 
 
 "With the exception of this chain of mountains which skirts the river 
 Eimouski and also of the heights or large hills in the vicinity of the 
 boundary, which lands, nevertheless, offer no serious obstacle either to 
 communication or culture, though the soil is more meagre, composed of 
 sand and gravel generally, we found no place which could not be worked 
 to advantage. The land, slightly undulating after leaving the streams and 
 lakes, is composed of rich yellow soil of good quality. The vicinity of the 
 river Mistigouche, for and extent of many miles, is magnificent in all respects- 
 Maple, bin h, mountain-ash, spruce, white birch, cedar and alders are the 
 kinds of woods which predominate. 
 
 In the interior of this region there are a great number of lakes ; the 
 most remarkable are the lake Mistigouche, a Sifrois and a C6t6 : all these 
 lakes are the sources of numerous water-courses and rivers which run 
 through the country in all directions. Immediately west of the headwaters 
 of the Mistigouche, running south-west, we crossed a grove of many thous- 
 and maples, which was formerly used as a sugary by the Indians of the 
 locality. The soil is of superior quality. 
 
 Fourth Region. — Having come down from the woods, on the 21st August 
 we retuint'd on the 27th. "We explored by courses.in various directions, the 
 region situated between lake Mistigouche, and the river of that name, on 
 one side, and the river Metis, the seigniory of lake Metis aul the river 
 Patapedia, on the other, fro»n the province line down to the rear lines of 
 the townships Ouimet and Masse, the whole embracing a superficies of two 
 hundred and eighty miles or thereaboiats. Besides, we examined the lands 
 situated along the river Metis, east side, to the wes'^t line of Nemtaye, ou a 
 depth of about twelve miles, say a further extent of over seventy miles. 
 
 In the part aboA e the townships of Ouimet and Masse, between Misli- 
 gcuche and Metis, on a depth of about two miles, the land is generally level 
 
 f 
 
 .jd 
 
757 
 
 and of excellent quality ; soil yellow and grey earth on the heights, grey 
 clay and black soil in the low and moist spaces. The timber is, as before, 
 spruce, white birch, birch, maple, mountain-ash, cedar in quantity and 
 alders. At the end of the above mentioned depth often miles and for about 
 ten miles higher, between lake Mistigouche and the west branch of the 
 Tatapedia, the soil and timber are both of the same description as above 
 mentioned ; but from there to the province line the land looks poor and is 
 very hilly and rocky. The country preserves the same character, returning 
 between the two branches of the Patapedia until near their sources. Thei^ 
 is a very large ilat at the conlluence of the two branches of the Patapedia, 
 at the foot of the mountains. The soil is of good quality, but rocky. The 
 timber on this ilat and the neighboring lands, say for about five miles 
 around, was totally destroyed by fire in July last. 
 
 As to the seventy miles on the banks of the Metis going towards the 
 west line of Nemtaye, the soil is hill^, but easy of access and of good 
 quality. Here and there on the banks of the river, are some line large liats 
 of rich land, covered, generally, with cedar and alders ; ash, poplar and elm 
 are also sometimes met with. In all this region, there are not probably 
 more than seventy square miles of land of inferior quality, mountainous and 
 rocky such as I have just mentioned, while the remainder, about two hun- 
 divd and eighty square miles, is eminently suitable for colonization and 
 sulhciently watered by lakes and rivers. 
 
 Fifth Region. -Between the 3()th of March and the IGth of April, we 
 traversed and examined the fifth and last region in all directions. This 
 region (-omprises all the unsurveyed lands, in rear of the townships Nem- 
 taye, Humqui, Metalik and Mihiikek, as far as the seigniory of Metis and 
 the river Patapedia, and containing an area of about three hundred and 
 thirty square miles. 
 
 As to the description of the lauds it will, I think, sufTice to say here that 
 everywhere throughout this region, though it is mountainous in certain 
 plares, the soil is of the same quality, excellent and well adaptvd to culture. 
 The forest contains many varieties of wood. The following woods,— spruce, 
 white birch, maple, birch, hazel, mountain-ash and cedar, are those chieily 
 mot with on the heights as well as on low grounds, A great part of this 
 lino country has been ravaged by lire. In rear of the township of Milnikek, 
 in the county of Bonaventure, on a tract extending to the Patapedia, con- 
 taining over fifteen square miles, the finest timber has been burnt. Spruce, 
 bnvh, maple and cedar are yet found in abundance in the few spots to 
 whi-h the fire did not penetrate. This devastation dates some years back, 
 
•758 
 
 as the new growth of all species, which now replaces the lofty timber of 
 former days, has attained a height of 15 to 20 feet. The lands in this region 
 are well watered by numerous lakes and rivers. 
 
 Before entering upon the general observations with which this report 
 should close, I would point out that, during our last exploration, we were 
 favored with very fine weather, solid suow under foot, level ground nearly 
 everywhere and clear woods. 
 
 The principal streams and rivers which we met in the various regions 
 above described, which deserve being pointed out, are seventeen in number 
 viz : — ' 
 
 1st. The river Caribou, or east branch of the Rimouski. 
 2nd. The upper part of the Rimouski, from the Mo>itag)te Cliiedos, to its 
 sources. 
 
 3rd. The Snellier river. 
 
 4th. The outlet of Echo Lake. 
 
 5th. The river des Sables. 
 
 6th. The north branch of the Rimouski. 
 
 Yth. The south-west branch. 
 
 8th. The Flat river. Riviere Platte. 
 
 9th. The river a Sifrois. 
 
 10th. The Little Kedgwick. 
 
 11th. The river Mistigouche. 
 
 12th. The river Patapedia. 
 
 13th. The river Metis. 
 
 14th. Mill stream. 
 
 15th. McKiunau's brook. 
 
 IGth. The river Humqui. 
 
 17th. The ruisseau Sauvage. 
 
 The waters of Ihe Snellier river How into the river Grand Touladi, and 
 this into the liimouski ; the discharge of Echo Lake into E.igle river which 
 falls into lake Temiscouata ; the river des Sables into the discharge of Echo 
 lake ; the north arm, the south-west and Flat river into the river Ri- 
 mouski ; the river a Sifrois into the liver Caribou; the Little Kedgwick 
 into the river Quataduam Kedgwick, in the province of New Brunswick; 
 the river Mistigouche, into the river Metis ; Mill stream, McKennan's brook, 
 Humqui and the ruisseau Sauvage into the river Metapedia. 
 
 Water- Powers. —AW these streams and rivers become large enough, 
 during freshets, to tloat logs for the greater part of their length. The rivers 
 
759 
 
 ofty timber of 
 i in this region 
 
 ich this report 
 ation, wo were 
 ground nearly 
 
 arious regions 
 en in number, 
 
 '■ CInedos, to it* 
 
 Touh^di, and 
 river which 
 large of Echo 
 the river Ri- 
 le Kedgvvick 
 
 Brunswick ; 
 nnan's brook, 
 
 irge enough, 
 . The rivers 
 
 Caribou, a Sifrois, Mistigoucht, Metis and Iluraqui are lloatable to (hoir 
 sources, the llimouski to about two miles above its north arm. The banks 
 I of all these streams and rivers atlbrd at certain points good sites for saw or 
 jrist-mills. 
 
 Merrhantnbk Timber. — As to merchantable timber, sui^h as spruce and 
 pine, it is nearly all destroyed in the viiinity of the Uimouski, of the t'ast 
 j branch, the Metis and Mistigouche ; s'.ill Iherc is a good deal of fine spruce 
 \m many places, as at lake a Castor, at ihe head of Ihe >')i('llier, of the 
 Kimouski, of the north and south west arms, and river a Sifrois. The new 
 growth is in great quantity throughout. On the laiuls outside of the limits 
 under license, as the Little Ivedgwick, the I'atupedia and the vicinity of 
 small streams at the head of lake Mistigouche, there are <|uantitiesof spru(!o 
 lit for logs, with a few pin(^s scattered here and there. There is a considerable 
 quantity of spruce and pine along M^-Kennan's brook and at the source of 
 ihe Ilumqui ; spruc^e abounds everywhere else. Timber suitable for build- 
 ing- purposes, especially cedar, abounds on the heigiits as well as in low 
 places all through the country explored. 
 
 Lakes. — The lakes within this territory abound v, ith lish, the red trout 
 being the only kind, so far as 1 was able to prove ; nevertheless, salmon 
 Were seen to rise in the Grand lake of the east branch of the Tatapedia; in 
 Biii' Ilumqui lake, white iish, suckers, and lunge (touladi) are taken ; the 
 other little lakes in the interior contain line large trout. There ans also 
 lunge (touladi) in the lake a Cote, one ot the sources of the river Sifrois, 
 and in the still waters of Mistigouche, which contain numbers of trout. 
 
 i)/«w(?/-rt/.s.—.Tiu]ging from the nature of the soil, there is no doubt that 
 minerals of some value exist along the rivers, at the foot of the mountains 
 and among the rocks which we mvt, biit, not having the ni'( cysary tools 
 orsulRcient time, we wen? unable to make any search for them. 
 
 Means of Coiinnntiicafion. — As to the means of communicatiuii, 1 have 
 seldom travelled .n-er any country wlii<'h could be more (Ni-iily made ai'ces- 
 sible by roads in all directions. A route from the 'I'ache road might b^ 
 opened in the vicinity oJ" the central line of Macpes and l^'lynn as far as the 
 province line, across magnificent and generally level land ; this would bo 
 a prolongation of the Macpes route. Others might also be made with great 
 liioilily, in the valleys of the river Snellier, of the Grand Neigette, Metis, <Stc. 
 There is nothing to prevent the opening of a first-class road from the Inter- 
 oolouial station at Ilumqui to the fine lands of the fifth region and beyond it. 
 
760 
 
 Colonizalion.— With regard to colonization, the lands explored, embrac- 
 ing a superficies of over 1300 square miles, offer very great advantac^es • 
 all, with rare exceptions, being fit for settlement. I consider them fully' 
 equal to the much vaunted lands of Lake St. John, which I have alreadv 
 had occasion to visit, The cultivation of these lands, with the assistance 
 which the lumber trade will afford for many years, would support thous- 
 ands of families. 
 
 Vie Climate— The climate is about the same a« at Quebec ; a little milder 
 I think that at Rimouski, on the banks of the St. Lawrence. 
 
 {J.-B. Lepage, 1st May, 1885.) 
 
 RIVERS RIMOUSKI, NOIRE AND CARIBOU. 
 
 I have the honor to report that I have completed the scaling and explo- 
 ration of the river Rimouski, including its north-eastern branch and the 
 rivers Noire and Caribou. I began my surveying oporations at th^ mouth 
 of the river Rimouski, in March last, after having Pscertained the variation 
 of the magnetic needle by an observation of the polo star. At about thirty 
 chains from the starting point, we met the Boucher brook on the left ; it is 
 of no importance. The lirst mile is dotted with small islands, of which the 
 chief group is known as " Samson's islands " At the fifth station on the first 
 mile, the shores of the river rise, forming pretty steep banks. A little 
 before the end of the first mile, the Levasseur brook comes in from the 
 left and discharges at the foot of the Bradley rapids. 
 
 The second, third and fourth miles snow an undulating shore line, 
 frequently very steep and broken by rocks, brooks and cascades. At the 
 end of the second mile, towards the Faustin fall, the ground, though rocky, 
 is flat and covered with a growth of white birch and aspen. On the fifth 
 mile, the banks are sometimes level and sometimes scarped like the pre- 
 ceding. This mile is remarkable especially for an abundMUces of second 
 growth hardwood ; from the sixth mile to twelve and a half miles, that is, 
 to the head of the Long-Sault, the river preserves about the same aspect ; 
 extensive brules are occasionally met with. Towards the islands on the 
 right, there is a quantity of fir and spruce. The river becomes narrower 
 and narrower to the fifteenth mile, so that, at certain spots such as the 
 fourteenth and following stations, its width is no more than twenty links ; 
 
IQI 
 
 ; a little milder 
 
 several small falls, varying from eight to twelve feet, occur on the first 
 fifteen miles, but at fifteen miles and seventy two chains there is one of 
 seventy five to eighty feet high. Above this fall, the stream resumes and 
 maintains its ordinary width to the fool of the Three Falls on the thirty 
 eighth mile where it again narrows to thirty or forty links and is bordered 
 by perpendicular cliffs, varying from 45 feet in height. 
 
 From the thirty-ninth mile, the banks disappear and the river resumes 
 its width, which it retains to the north-east branch. On the thirteenth, 
 fourteenth and fifteenth miles, the river is hemmed in between rocky banks 
 ranging from one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet in height and 
 between which it Hows with great rapidity. From the sixteenth to the 
 twenty-fourth mile, the river banks become more and more wooded, the 
 prevailing species, which are of good quality, being the white birch' and 
 spruce ; black birch, however, is abundant ou the twenty-third mile. 
 
 I should not omit to mention that, in the twenty-second mile, there 
 are some fine lands well adapted to tillage, and which only await the axe of 
 the hardy settler to reward him for his labors. 
 
 From the twenty-fourth mile, hard woods, such as ash, elm and birch, 
 become more frequent and are found mixed with the spruce, vhite birch 
 and balsam-fir, as far as the thirtieth mile, from which to the fortieth mile 
 the banks are generally low and rocky, pretty well wooded, it is true, but 
 soft woods preponderating : they are also cut by numerous brooks and rivers, 
 some of which are very important. 
 
 At forty-eight m.iles sixty-eight chains, the north-east branch, which 
 I had to scale, commences. Permit me to call attention to the south-west 
 branch, which, as well as the noth-cast branch, begins at the point above 
 mentioned. It is an important stream, with a pretty large volume of 
 water. The Messrs Price have already cut timber on it for a short distance. 
 It will undoubledly, before very long, be sought after by limit-holders, and 
 I believe that it is the Grovernment's interest to not allow this fine river to 
 be ignored, as it promises to yield a considerable revenue. 
 
 With the north-east branch, I commenced a new numbering for the 
 miles. The two or three first leagues are remarkable for the constantly 
 varying height of the nver i>anks, on which cedar and spruce prevail and 
 sometimes pine and balsa.a-fir. At seven miles and forty-three and a half 
 chains, a pretty large stream, called the river Sifrois, is encountered. I 
 blazed a cedar to the left to indicate where the scaling of this pretty river 
 should begin. 
 
U'f 
 
 702 
 
 Tho uiiilli milo is woll wootUnl with sotf wooc], it is true, but of voryi 
 vnriod kinds. Tho liuul soo>ns of* ox(vll(>iil (Hialily. The liiko A rrimc ulsJ 
 bogint^ on this nnK\ ondijig on tho noxi mil.', wlunv tho ri,,>r nu-oivcs thi 
 contributions of !s,>v»M\\l brooks bonleivd by codurs to tho fonlluonc,< of (i„1 
 river Noiro, which is on»> mih' lU'(y-lbur chuins ivnd scvtMity links ion.r L 
 including- the lake in which it takes its rise. The hunks of this river anJ 
 partly wooded with a large (juantily of line bluek spruce; they mv n,,!, 
 high and the land soems to be ol good api)oarance, being also ooven-d wiiJi 
 bouloiui and birch. 
 
 At ihc ou(> hundred and forty-sixth station, the north-east branch lakes] 
 the name of the river Caribou to the ennlliuMue of the river Noire. 
 
 The river Noire has a virying width of ;{() to ;")() links, its bank.s arol 
 hnv. Spruce and cedar i)rodominale. II lakes its rise in tin- lake of the 
 same name. This lake is pro ily hirgi« and encloses a good-siz .d i^l,||ld. 
 A high mouruaia, eoverod with hnnhvoods, bouiuls it to (he Icfi, while 
 the opposite side is very llai and covered with mix(>d woods. 
 
 (/.-//. Lt'ln/, ;!(Mli June, ISTf..) 
 
 i;iVKlJ SlKlidlS. 
 
 I 
 
 In April last, I began fliis survey ;it the coiilluence ol the river SilVois 
 and the east branch of the ;iv(>r Kiniouski :if seven miles forty-three chains 
 aud a half on the said oast branch. At seven chains IVoni the slartinsj 
 point, I discovered a pretty large lake near the coiilluence, which 1 scaled. 
 The banks of this lake are generally low or not very high and are wucled 
 with spruce and cedar — the fornier predominating. 
 
 Having compli>led the scaling of the lake, I continued that of tlu' riv(H- 
 Sifrois to station number twenty-one, a dislanceofonc mile lorty-l wo chains 
 and eighty-two links from the starting point, where it forks Vvom this 
 point, I continued the surv 'v along the right or .scmth branch lo ils soune 
 iu three lakes, the second of wliich is of good si/e. The b.uiks are generally 
 low, though broken; but on the fifth mile, there is a high mountain to the 
 left, covered with white birch. The banks are generally wooded with 
 mixed timber— birch, wdiilc birch, cedar aud si)ruce, grey and rod, bui ihc 
 grey predomimtting. 
 
768 
 
 no, hut or v^>^., 
 ilco A I'limo alsc 
 . «'i' nu'oivcs fluj 
 
 i»llllu(MU't> (if (hiJ 
 
 'i»ty links lomr, | 
 
 f I his rivi>r aroj 
 
 ; <lioy lilt" iioL 
 
 io oovorcd wiUi 
 
 Al'ltM-oomplolinj? tluN l.mn.li, I lotuniod Io hIuH 
 
 It tho lorks ulinv8nitl, nnd Ihoiuv cnrricMl 
 kst l)n\n<^h to its wourno in two laltoN, I 
 [;iiiiil>cMiuK lor thn miloN. Tho ImnkM of 1 1 
 iiid ('ovt'nH 
 
 on niiuilior l\V(Mily-on»* 
 lht> Noalin^' iilonu' lli»> loll or nortlj- 
 
 )i>gtnnin«' al I he Namo iinio a IU)W 
 UN IniUhih ai'o alno ^[''luMiilly low 
 
 1 with inixod \V(hh1n, Npruc.o, tho jfn^y Np.MurN, ONptu-ially, pml 
 
 iiiiiatinK. Tlu' Imnks ol" tin* JirMl, lal 
 jitli inixod limhor; tho8o of tli 
 
 is Hkirtod l>y a inoiinlain tlollmd 
 (< Noi'ond lak(^ an* low and rovorod willi 
 lu-k spriK'o. Tliiw rivor, \vh().s(> avoraifo lnvadth iN llfly links. iH lloataldo 
 foiij? ilH vvholo lonjfth, and, according' (o tho roportn of thn liniit,-oxploi-orH 
 
 may !)(« inado on it — al)()ul, 
 
 )loyod l»y I ho Trioo linn, liA.OOO to ;{(),()00 logs 
 I'iKhlh of tho (Hiunlity hciny- pinu. 
 
 1 should not. omit to monlion ihon* \h vory liltio .•ultivahi.. l,u,d alo 
 
 lis iiv«>r, and, accordino; to I \w .stalt«i!i.'i;l,.s of tho (>xiil 
 
 "g 
 
 > lands I'ui'thor in tln^ inl(>ri 
 
 ly Nupi.oi-t a grovvlh olHtuniod whilo hiroh 
 
 plofoi'H ahovo intwitionod, 
 or aro no hoi lor, as I hoy iwo voiy rocky and 
 
 (L.ir. hiiri, 2r>ih.iuiv, iH7<i.) 
 
 IMVKR Ttiii|,AI)I AND ITS I'lM HIITAIM KM, 
 
 II' rivor SilVois 
 ty-throo olmins 
 n tho sstartinif 
 vhioli I scaled. 
 nd aro won, led 
 
 lal of tho livor 
 rty-l wo t'haiiis 
 s I'^rou) this 
 •h Io its soun'O 
 s aro g'oiioraUy 
 ountain lo llio 
 wuodod witli 
 lu rod, bui I ho 
 
 llVl' 
 
 livur. 
 
 W»» wont to Uivor-du-Loup and llionco Io tho point indicniod on II 
 v Touladi, situatod hoyc.nd tho si^igniory of luko 'I 
 1(1 Io scale. AVo cauipod ul tho starting'' point of 
 Touladi, which I soalod to lli.> I. ranch of Mao-l 
 
 "Wiiiscouata, whioh 
 our oxploration on tho 
 o rivnr and S(j ;iitook 
 
 I''rom tho lorks ol said rivor, I oxplorod I 
 
 sgodd land in tho two lirst mih^s, 
 
 i' 
 
 WOO( 
 
 lour miles Io I ho ouHt. Tl 
 
 loro 
 
 lod 
 
 wit! 
 
 d liirih 
 
 I mixed lurihcr ol ^ 
 jiiiilily, ami I ho surl'aco is lev! and IVoo IVoin sIoik's. TIk' third and lourth 
 nilos aro pnilty well vv<«Klod, hut tho Nurlaco is hrokon an<l tho soil ol' 
 Bi!(li()cr(> c,hara,(;tor. On tnoso IWur miles, irmrchniitahio timhM- is Hc,ar<;o, 
 laviui.- heon already cut olf |,y the Amoricans. l<'roiu the same, forks, f 
 xtcxi)lored a iuih* aiul a hall to th.! south-W(!st to the Huminit of a high 
 aoniilain. Along this course, tho laud is good and wooded with (!<?dar, 
 rtite halsam, nuiple and hirch. l<^'0)n tho top of this mounlain, in asouth- 
 asii'vly direction, a hrulo can Im' soon exttrnding to (he head of the lirst 
 palook lakes. This brule o •.ours hetwoni (hose lakes and tho rivor Touladi 
 
 I 
 
7G-1 
 
 J-t'' 
 
 
 mi' 
 
 on mostly level uroiind for th«^ j^roaliM- part, oi its loiiglh niul shows t 
 men-hantahle timbtM- in any dirootion oxcopt a lew soatlenHl wliite sprm 
 
 Leaving the forks, 1 scaled Eagle river lor a distance oi" Ibnr miles i\n(i 
 then stopped to explore for four mih^s more on eaeh side of I lie slrtMiu t 
 the east and wi'st. The first exploration was eastward. The two lirst mile, 
 are level and wooded with l)ireh, balsam, spruce and houleau. Tlic soi 
 is a yellow loam free from rocks. At the beginning of the third mile, wi 
 crossed the river du Milieu, and this mile, as well as the fourth, is hrokoi 
 and geiuM-ally wooded with spruoe, balsam and bouleau. The soil is o 
 mediocre quality. The second exi>loration was to the west for a distance o 
 four miles, and, along the whole of it, the soil is magnilicent, level anc 
 wooded with spruce, balsam, birch, maple and some scattering white piuosi 
 In conducting this exploration, logging roads were met with. 
 
 After these two explorations, I continued the scaling of l*]aglc rivor t. 
 Eagle lake. This river is still water along almost its whole narrow aiu: 
 tortuous course, which is navigabl'» by canoes. It is bordered by Hat. 
 wooded with elm and ash, the soil therefore being alluvial and very riih 
 I continued the scaling of the lake to the little river St. John, which occur 
 at a mile from the foot of the lake on the north-west side. I then scaltn 
 the river to its source, which is in a small lake. 
 
 For three quarters of a mile from its month, it is still wafer um 
 bordered by Hats of elm and ash — the remaind(>r l)eing 1)roken by rapids 
 There is even a line fall at a mile and a half from the lake, whi<-h could ha 
 utilized as a water power. The soil is pretty good. The merchaiituhli 
 timber has disappeared and logging roads are to bo seen in all directions 
 1 then continued the scaling of Eagle lake to its di.scharge, three miles di.stoiit, 
 whence I n»ade explorations to the south-east and .south-west for a distance 
 of lour to livt> miles. I explored lirst to the .south-east. The two first inilos 
 are pretty Hat and the soil is good and generally wooded with hard woods 
 of all kinds. At the beginning of the third mile, a branch of the river du 
 Milieu is met. It is of good size. At, four and a half miles, a very high 
 burnt mountain occurs, from the summit of which 1 discovered a hruli't 
 extending to a great distance. Towards the north, the ground appeared 
 very level. Towards the north-east, the view beyond a mile is cut oiri)ya 
 mountain. Towards the south-west, the view extends very lar and embraces 
 some merchantable timber, apart from some bad pines. I then ran tho 
 second exploration to the north from Eagle lake. The two lirst miles are 
 level and wooded with balsam, cedar and some birch — the soil being of 
 
 In th( 
 
 balsam, C( 
 Towards t 
 but there 
 
 In th 
 
 sealed, tht 
 itan<!e c 
 quantity c 
 tomparati' 
 
 In th( 
 
 is bordero 
 about two 
 west and \ 
 
 On th 
 quality at 
 balsam ant 
 On the oil 
 
 CoNC 
 Inniljorinj 
 
705 
 
 ^ood quality. The third niul fourth iniloHuro rolling', hut vvoU woodi>(l with 
 pplo, hirch and white halsam. Tho soil is oxcollotit, hut thoro is no 
 Donhautahlo timhor except 
 
 Nam. Iho Hoil is o 
 a lew scattering whilt! wprueeH 
 
 From the head of Jilagh? h\ke, I scahHl the disohurge, whieh at that 
 Lint takes tho lorm of a brook formed by a small lake four miles further to 
 Ihe north-east. This brook is bordered with cedar, tamarao and stunted 
 ilack spruce. Tho soil is generally mediocre. 
 
 After completing the exploration of Kaglo river and lake, we proceeded 
 Ls rapidly as possible to scale tho Squatook river and lakes and to exjilore 
 
 surrounding country. This work was performed in three sections, the 
 ISrst comprising the four Squatook lakes, tho second tho river Squatook and 
 [ho third, great lake Squatook. 
 
 On the lirst section, in tho vicinity of the four lakes, the soil generally 
 lis broken, but of good quality. The north-west part is well wooded, but 
 Ibo south-west has boon partly burned over. However, some pines of 
 Inferior (juality and some scattered white 8i>ruce remain. 
 
 In the second section, the 8urfa(!e is generally rolling, wooded with 
 balsam, cedar, spruce and some birch and comparatively fre»; from rocks. 
 Towards the head of the river, very extensive maple groves are encountered, 
 but there is no building timber, the pine and spruce having been cut off. 
 
 In tho third section, on each side of great lake Squatook, which I 
 sealed, the mountains skirting the lake are wooded with m!ii)le for a long 
 diBtan<!e on the south-west side of the lake. On the south-oast side, the 
 (iiianlity of maple is smaller, and the ground is ihore broken, though still 
 comparatively free from rocks. 
 
 In the fourth section, the disi^harge of lake Sipiatook, which I scaled, 
 is bordered with very rich alluvial Hats of abh and elm for a distance of 
 about two miles. The stream then changes its course towards the north- 
 west and tho mountains come closer. 
 
 On the tops of the mountains, the ground is level and i\w soil of good 
 quality and free from rocks, being wooded with maple, birch and a little 
 balsam and spruce. A few pines still reraiin, but they are of bad quality. 
 Ou the other hand, there is workable spruce on this section. 
 
 Conclusion. — Tho conclusion to be drawn from tho fonjgoing is that 
 luniljering cannot be carried here with profit uud facility ; that tho soil in 
 
 I 
 
7t>6 
 
 general is good and comparativoly froo from rocks ; and that hard vvoodB ^u 
 abound, espeomlly mapio grovos of large extent and superior quality arouuddown, h 
 Jake fcquatook. ' ^ , 
 
 ■ caused 
 
 (E. Casgrain, 23rd March, 1872.) 
 
 COUNTRY BETWEEN LAKE SQUATOOK AND MADAWASKA. 
 
 As the accompanying plan, proc.^s-verbal and field-notes can bo referroi 
 to for details of the work done and topography of country traversed byoml 
 Jme, It 18 only necessary in this report to make a few remarks on the "-(.mio] 
 ral features, nature and capabilities of the country and available means of 
 developing them. 
 
 I may in a word express my surprise that such a site for colonization! 
 should remaui so long unnoticed. I have heard a great deal of the Lake St 
 John district, the Ottawa valley, the Eastern Townships, &c., and from time 
 to time I have surveyed more or less through each of the said districts, and 
 1 must say that, for richness of soil, the whole country between lake Squat- 
 ook and the provincial boundary line surpasses any tract of bush laud I 
 have yet surveyed. 
 
 It is true that in general the land is very uneven ; there are no extended 
 level flats nor elevated ranges of table land ; it may bo called a rolling hilly 
 country, but the greatest difference of level between the highest hills and 
 deepest valleys would not here exceed seven or eight hundred feet • and 
 strange to say that it is on the highest elevations we find the best soil and 
 timber. 
 
 Generally north of the St. Lawrence, we iind good bir.h and maple 
 on the side hills, but as we approach the summits, at about tue same eleva- 
 tion as the hills in the Madawaska district, the quality of both soil and 
 timber diminishes and on the hill tops we find nothing but stunted spruce, 
 hrandbouleau; while, there, (in Madawaska), bottom flats are covered 
 with cedar, birch, beech, spruce and fir are confined to the side hills and 
 the summits are crowned with splendid maple sugaries through which one 
 might drive a carriage without cutting a twig. Some scattering pines are 
 be seen here and there, but the greater part of that timber was cut and 
 laKen oft many years ago. 
 
 To 
 
iG'r 
 
 Oil the side lulls in sevtjnu places, a good doul of the timber '^ brokon 
 down, hi ' .0 tr»'08 hav • fallen so irrejrularly that it seems to have been 
 m\bO([ 1 i.x't r ther than by wind stui-ms, 
 
 o.oil (hroughou* is ho; day generally of a greyish hliv coloi. 
 but ill >ome places approaching to yellow. There are no boulders , some 
 (aetacli .' ro, ks and stoi ., of .*>■ ure are visible here and there ; b^t 
 
 ilh the excrption of an (^ ..,. .,aL cropping ledge on the steep side 
 
 I lulls, ^here is nothing t, hinder thn free use of the plough, when the land 
 I would be ck'ared off. 
 
 The alhi ium posits along the Basley brook and Owen's river are 
 exceedingly rich ; but en approaching lake Squatook, there are some low 
 marshes and mudholes, and a portion of the land east of the head of the 
 lake has been overrun by fire some years ago and is now -covered with a 
 I second growth of poplar, cherr' hazel and other biushwood. 
 
 The burnt district, howevi , does not seem to be very extensive, for, 
 from the hills south of the lake, looking north ana oast, the primitive forest 
 timber is discernable, and splendid hardwoi hills seem to rise one above 
 I another as far as the eye can reach. 
 
 As to the best mode of development of the country within the limits 
 of our survey, I should say that a colonization road from end to end along 
 our line would be very advisable and quite feasible by following the course 
 of the dotted line on the accompanying plan. 
 
 It appears that the Squatook portage could be easily improved to serve 
 as an outlet, and that a still better outlet could be had in the vicinity of 
 BasK>y lake to strike the Madawaska river midway between the D6gele 
 and the province line. 
 
 To give a clearer idea of the configuration of the country, I have added 
 to the plan an approximate profile of the section traversed by our line, and 
 take the liberty to suggest that, if this system was carried out in townships 
 and outline surveys, much improvement might be made in the location of 
 colonization roads. 
 
 (Henr?/ O'Sullivan, 1882.) 
 
^%, 
 
 18^, 
 
 .V*. '^^■ 
 
 
 IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 
 1.0 
 
 
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 2.2 
 
 IL25 ■ 1.4 
 
 2.0 
 
 1.6 
 
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 Sciences 
 Corporation 
 
 23 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 
o 
 
 
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 ; <t 
 
 V 
 
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Y68 
 
 CABANO ROAD, 
 
 The first and second miles of the pad run through cultivated lauds- 
 but there is still a good deal of standing timber on the second concession.' 
 This timber is mixed and the soil is mediocre, for the bed of vegetable 
 mould, although of good quality, is light and in some places the rock crops 
 to the surface, which renders cnltivation difficult. The third and fourth 
 miles, also occupied, are wooded with maple. The soil is better than on 
 the two first and formed of yellow gravelly loam without rocks. The fifth 
 mile, wooded with balsam and spruce, ismediocie along the road, but better 
 to the north and south. The sixth mile is wooded with maple and its soil 
 is excellent. From the seventh to the twelfth mile, the soil is superior, as 
 it is largely composed of very rich gravelly grey loam. The thirteenth and 
 fourteenth miles ares in maple, spruce and balsam and gravelly yellow 
 loam is the most common. The Cabano river traverses the fifteenth mile 
 which embraces more mediocre land than any other part of the road. The 
 sixteenth and seventeenth miles are wooded with mixed maple, cedar and 
 ash on a very rich grey and black soil. To the north of this part of the 
 road, there is a large cedar grove extending to the Blue river. The laud is 
 good, but would require a great deal of work to drain it, as it is very flat and 
 in spring the Blue river floods it for a distance of at least ten acres to tl^e 
 south. The eighteenth mile traverses broken ground, wooded with mixed 
 timber, but the land is good. The north-east part of the nineteenth n^ile 
 is mediocre and would be difiicult to cultivate. 
 
 My instructions being to terminate the road at the confluence o^ the 
 Blue river with the river St. Francis, I was prevented fro;n doing so ]by the 
 fear that the water, which floods the banks in the spring for a distance 
 r-nging between two and fifteen acres, would render the construption and 
 maintenance of the road expensive. 
 
 Without delaying the laying out of the Cabano road, I explored the 
 land to about the middle of the townships of Packington and Robinson, to 
 run a colonization road through there later. From the seventeenth mile, 
 this line extends for about seven miles to the south and traverses level 
 ground well wooded with maple. The soil is generally grey and yellow 
 loam. It would be opportune to locate a road at this point and to subdivide 
 the lots, which would be taken up as soon as the line is run. 
 
 The Cabano road traverses one of the finest sections of the country. 
 The absence of rocks and stones, even on the suiiUce, is especially notevvor- 
 
769 
 
 altivated lauds; 
 coad concession, 
 ed of vegetable 
 88 the rock crops 
 bird and fourth 
 Is better than on 
 ■ocks. The fifth 
 J road, but better 
 aple and its soil 
 I is superior, a* 
 e thirteenth and 
 gravelly yellow 
 e fifteenth mile 
 ■ the road. The 
 aple, cedar and 
 ' this part of the 
 jr. The land is 
 is very flat and 
 en acres to tl^e 
 led with mixed 
 ineteenth n^ile 
 
 ifluence o^ the 
 
 doing so }yy the 
 
 for a distance 
 
 onstruption and 
 
 I explored the 
 id Robinson, to 
 enteenth mile, 
 traverses level 
 sy and yellow 
 id to subdivide 
 
 F the country, 
 .'ially notewor- 
 
 thy. Apart from the two moiintains of the Oabano, there are no hills 
 of sufficient size to impede cultivation. Everywhere maple predominates, 
 mixed with cedar and ash. Splendid rivers and numerous brooks drain this 
 region, relieving the scenery and contributing to its richness. On the 
 Cabauo river, there is a strong water power. The branches of the Baker 
 river to the south of the Cabano road have also some heavy falls and excellent 
 water powers. Lastly, there is no part of the country where the work of 
 clearing can be effected at less cost and would yield a greater return to the 
 Isettler than all the territorv south of the Tach6 road between lake Temis- 
 jcouata, the New Brunswick line and the river St. Francis. 
 
 The lands skirting Ihe lake Temiscouata road are generally not of 
 superior quality, but this need not be allowed to frighten the settler as 
 to the nature of the lands in the interior. To disabuse his mind on this 
 head, he bias only to take* one of the branches of the Blue river and follow 
 it to the river St. Francis. He will find the lands of such uniform goodness 
 that he will not hesitate to .locate there, with the certainty that the quality 
 of the soil will not fail to attract the attention of his fellow countrymen as 
 it is attracting that of the (government. In addition to the exploration of 
 the road to serve as an outlet for the settlers in the townships of Robinson 
 and Packington, I made several others on both sides of the road. All of 
 them were satisfactory both as regards the quality of the soil and the faci- 
 lities for cultivation offered to colonization. 
 
 {A.-F. TeUu, 21th. January, 1864.) 
 
 CABANO AND POHENEGAMOOK ROAD. 
 
 The first mile runs over rising ground for a distance of 24 chains upon 
 an angle of 8 to 15 degrees. On the second mile, at 1 chain 20 links, there 
 is another ascent of 2 chains, with an angle of 25". At 23 chains, there is 
 still another ascent of three chains, with an angle of 15° Thus far, the 
 wood is mixed and is composed generally of balsam, spruce, birch, cedar, 
 and some maple. At 30 chains, there is a descent of 10 chains. In this last 
 part, there is a fine hardwood bush running from east to west. The rest of 
 this mile is level and the soil generally grey. 
 
 It being impossible to continue any longer on this course, on account 
 of a large mountain at the end of the 3rd mile, I proceeded in a direction N. 
 
 49 
 
•770 
 
 W 
 
 45*=* E. astronomical for a distance of 37 chains ; then having secured enoug 
 easting to avoid this mountain, I resumed a south course 55^ 50' east astro 
 nomical, which I prolonged to the line between the townships of Pohene 
 gamook and Estcourt, a distance of 84 chains. In this part, the land is! 
 pretty level, and suited to tillage. The prevailing woods are birch, ceda; 
 and balsam. The soil is generally grey. I then resumed a straight south- 
 east course for a distance of 80 chains 62 links, continuing to always tra- 
 verse good land. Subsequently, I had to change the course several times to 
 avoid passing too near a large brook, whose banks are too flat for bridg- 
 ing. I first went north 5"^ 10' west for eight chains fifty-two links and 
 then south 59'= 50' east for ten chains. At the beginning of this last course, 
 I crossed the large brook called the Niger brook. It is fordable. Its course is 
 30® west and its breadth forty links. At the extremity of this course, I was 
 again obliged to change direction to avoid a cedar swamp. I w^nt north 
 76° 40' east for 20 chains 45 links. On the last mile', the land is good enough, 
 The prevailing woods are spruce, balsam and cedar. Thence, I ran south 
 55^ 51- east for 38 chains 38 links over level ground well wooded with 
 maple and birch. The soil is grey. I next went south 74'' 20' east for 91 
 chains 62 links, meeting everywhere a rich level soil covered with maple 
 groves ; at the end of this course, there is a cedar swamp that could be 
 easily drained and sloping towards the south-east for a distance of 40 
 chains. The soil is of first quality in this part. 
 
 After the last course referred to, I continued south 79° 50' east for 19 
 chains, and thus completed the sixth mile. I then began the seventh mile 
 on a course south ll^ 50' east for 52 chains 54 links. In starting, there is 
 an ascent of six chains on an angle of 12'=' to 15°. The remainder is level 
 and the soil of superior quality, wooded with beech, maple and birch. 
 The eighth mile begins with a gradual ascent of 24 chains on an angle of 
 4° to 5°, iollowed by a descent of 14 chains on a similar angle. This mile, 
 like the previous one, is well wooded with maple, birch and cedar. Amon§- 
 these hardwoods, there are splendid maple groves a little more to the east. 
 
 At this point of my line, there being no further impediment to run- 
 ning a due south-east course, I did so for 5 miles and 36 chains as for as 9 
 chains on the fourteenth mile. The ninth, tenth and eleventh miles are 
 very level. The twelfth begins with a descent of 10 chains ; the rest of the 
 mile is pretty level. The thirteenth mile is rolling. In general, on these 
 five last miles, the timber consists of spruce, cedar, balsam and birch. The 
 soil is cultivable. The trees are very large and tall, which is indicative of 
 
771 
 
 ig secured enoug 
 S5'^ 50' east astro 
 ships of Pohene 
 part, the land is 
 1 are birch, cedar 
 a straight south- 
 J.g to always tra- 
 ) several times to 
 too flat for bridg- 
 ;y-two links and 
 •f this last course, 
 able. Its course is 
 this course, I was 
 ►. I want north 
 id is good enough, 
 )nce, I ran south 
 ell wooded with 
 14" 20' east for 91 
 ered with maple 
 ip that could be 
 a distance of 40 
 
 ■9° 50' east for 19 
 the seventh mile 
 starting, there is 
 emainder is level 
 naple and birch. 
 Qs on an angle of 
 nglo. This mile, 
 nd cedar. Amon«' 
 more to the east. 
 
 pediment to run- 
 chains as far as 9 
 eventh miles are 
 s ; the rest of the 
 general, on these 
 I and birch, Th 
 h is indicative of 
 
 great force of vegetation, and, from information received from parties who 
 have been lumbering m this place for years, the land is not at all rocky 
 
 On the fourteenth and fifteenth miles, I had to run several courses to 
 avoid the channels of the Blue river and to select the highJst ground At 
 b5 chains on the fifteenth mile. I found a suitable spot to bridge th^rivt 
 whose width there is one chain. The water is two feet deep and the banks 
 are from 18 to 24 feet hig\. ^ "*^* 
 
 At 5 chains 23 links on the Jifteenth mile. I struck the lino of the Cabano 
 road lately run by Mr. A. T^tu. And at 23 chains 56 links. I stopped my 
 road at the portage 14 chains from the river St. Francis, the point indicated 
 m my instructions as the terminus of the line. In this last part, the land 
 18 exce lent for tillage, the soil being also free from rocks. Elm and ash 
 abound on the banks of the Blue river. 
 
 K- ?T ?"i T ^ ^'T^y ^^^'^""^ *^"* ^ ^^^*^*^ judiciously realized the first 
 ob,ec I laid down for myself in running this line ; namely, to give it a 
 direction passing through the best settling lands. It is sufficient to atten- 
 
 lively read my report to be convinced of this. As for my second object-to 
 make tho lands more accessible to the pioneers of .Ionization, [ think I 
 have also attained it, for, if I have mentioned in my report several ascents, 
 some of which are pretty long, it is well to remark that they are not at all 
 steep, as indicated by the smallness of their angles of inclination. 
 
 {E. Casgrain, 18th April, 1864.) 
 
 RIVER NOIRE REGION. 
 
 In conformity with the instructions of the Crown Lands' Commissioner 
 dated 22nd December, 1871, to explore the lands embracing the sources of 
 the little river Noire, in the townships of Chabot and rainchaud, and 
 also to ascertain the value of the soil in tho.se townships, [ went on 1st 
 March to the 7th and 8th ranges of the township of rohonegamook by the 
 St. Alexandre road to the we.st of lake Tohenegamook. Wc explored six 
 miles along a logging road running south south-west and camped on the 
 banks ot Wild Cat brook, on the 40th lot of the tenth range of the town.ship 
 ol Chabot. This exploration line is represented on the accompanying plan 
 Dy a red line. To that point, this line traverses splendid land well wooded 
 
772 
 
 a.ul IVoo Irom roi-ks. The piuo has h.vn »m olf; only a low ecuttorin- 
 white spriuos remain ; fine first quoljtv mlar, however, is plentilul. 
 
 In continuing this exploration J)eyond the sixth mile, we reaehetl Iho 
 little river Noire, whieh passes on the 18th lot of the!»th ran<ro of the town- 
 ship orOhabot. It llowsat the bottom of a very deep ravincMuul resembles 
 more a brook than a river. Belore dese.^ndinjr into.this gully, wo perceived 
 the tops of «ome pines and spruces. The cedar is very large and abundant 
 along the whole line, and in some spots there are mixed hardwoods On 
 leaving the river Noire, we skirled the mountain, whieh is also very well 
 wooded, going towards the (^oulh-east. From the top of this mountain the 
 view extends very far to Iho south-east and north-east, and some pine'and 
 spruce ol good (luality can be seen. AVe then continued southwesterly for 
 two miles over pretty level land, meeting some hardwood and a good qua- 
 hly ol settling soil We then left this township to onter that of raincluiml. 
 which IS very mountainous and unfavorable to i-olonizalion, on account of 
 lis many lavines. We continued our route westward for al)out three luiles 
 and then crossed a high mountain, which enableed us to see for a groat 
 distance to the southn^ast and south-west of said township. Only ,. few 
 scattered spruces were noticed on the Hanks of the mountains. We next 
 went down info a ravine, where we found a portage load made by the 
 Americans running towards the north-north-west, and Wi> followed it to 
 the Tache road, between rhe sixth and seventh ranges of said township • 
 and this road continues by the line of the Tache road to the Government 
 road at St. Dcius, by which we came out on the 13th March instant. 
 
 CoNChusioN.-In the explored part of the township of Chabot, the soil 
 IS good, lavorable to colonization and abv ndantly wooded. But the town- 
 ship of Painchaud seemed to us unsuited to settlement, at least the greater 
 part ol It, for the reasons already given and on account of thi iiony soil. 
 Merchantable timber may be made along the river Noire. 
 
 {E. Casgrain, 23rd March, 1872.) 
 
I'l'w scattering 
 plontil'ul. 
 
 wo iviu'hotl I ho 
 lu^o of the town- 
 and rosomhlos 
 y, wo pon-oivod 
 
 aiul iihuiulaul 
 lard woods. On 
 i also vory woU 
 8 mountain, tho 
 [ somo pino juul 
 uthwostorly lor 
 iiul a good qua- 
 
 1 orraiui'luiutl, 
 1, ou aooouul of 
 •out threo milos 
 
 SCO for a groat 
 p. Only .1 few 
 ains. Wo uoxl 
 1 mado by the 
 
 followed it to 
 said township ; 
 le Government 
 
 instant. 
 
 Dhabot, tho soil 
 
 But tho town- 
 
 i3ast tho greater 
 
 thi iiony soil. 
 
 rch, 18Y2.) 
 
 FISH AND GAME. 
 
 SALMON AND SEA TROUT RIVERS. 
 
 As, above or wost of (Juoboo. tho only rivor still froquonred in any nurn- 
 l.ors by thosalnron ,s tho J,n.,.s.Car„r iu it„ lower rlaohoH whi lw " 
 pnvato hands the sahnon and trout rivers, leasable either i^2olZ u 
 pa t from the Clovornment of the IVovinee by anglers, may b sT (ol" 
 
 e ow or ..toi that eity all along both shonJof ,^ sl. U^ ^ 1 
 .ml tho Hay des Chalours. "Above Quebec, "- «Hy„ Kownnd in h « 
 Ln^nnU an,l ^,,on.nan in 0,nn,la, (published in Lond.m, in im)J"r^Z 
 the nvers have been spoiled forsal.non; but many thousand of tTou 
 
 reams and sonu, hundreds of salmon rivers discharge their watesnt^ 
 thogulandruer8t. Lawrence; and I think I , nay assert vvilW ^^^^^^^^^ 
 conrad.ct.on.,,..thoa^ ,n Canada is tho iLst in Z,t . "( 
 cch shore o he r.vor, there is hardly u mile of <-oast line witho.rt a rive 
 0.' s roan.. Thousands and thousands ot lakes, all of which hohl , , « 
 
 ndden away ,n he forest ; in the mnjonty of then, perhaps a lly has v r 
 
 .no s and lakes .s c.pon to everyone And un<ler belter regulations there 
 would be salmon lishing for every Canadian an.lerand for .^verv visi.o o 
 tho country at a tithe of tho expen.se of Scotch or L-ish salmon lishing- 
 a.ul such salmon hshing ! Not pulling from bank to bank of a dull stagnant 
 nver with hues trading after the boat, but casting into magnificent rapid 
 streams, m whi<-h the water, cdoar as crystal, is now lashed into foam over 
 
 In wibr'''''n''f"^ 'r' " '■'"'' "'"'"'^'^'^^ '" an ecMying pool dotted 
 en. 1 with loam .ells. Irom Ihonce to plunge headlong into a narrow goi-.c 
 
 :md to pause agam and again in pools where rhero is endless diVersltv'of 
 
 .shing water, and endless charms of forest and mountain, of rock and river 
 
 Ihe banks of .h. rivers are alf beautiful ; in some places clad with forest 
 
 hey rise gently Irom the river's edge, in others they take the form of rockv 
 
 terraces many hundred feet in height, rising abruptly from the water. 
 
 borne of the Nova-Sootian rivers resemble the Scotch in color, but tho bulk 
 
 the Canadian (IWince of Quebec) rivers, almost all those th:.t flow into 
 
 .he St. LawreiKo, are very bright and clear. There is no ploughed land 
 
 no drams, and very few bogs to discolor their waters. Their sources aro 
 
774 
 
 iu the primcuval forest or in the bare, rocky hills of Labrador and Gasp^. 
 Sitting on a high bank on one of these rivers, when the sun is high, \vo 
 can see every pebble in the bottom and count every salmon and trout. Iu 
 the llshing season, thove are very few of the dark, cloudy days that the old 
 country angler is favored with. The Canadian sun has a knack of shinin-i- 
 nine days out of ten or nineteen out of twenty in summer. Fortunately the 
 banks of most Canadian rivers are high and often precipitous, so that (he 
 stream is in shade up to nine or ten o'clock in the morning and again from 
 four o'clock in the afternoon." This description of the Quebec salmon and 
 trout rivers, drawn from the personal observation of an experienced augler, 
 is neither exaggerated nor over colored, as every one knows who has ever 
 visited them. 
 
 NOUTH SHdUE UELOW QUEliEO. 
 
 The Moiiimorencij is the lirst stream of any angling importance, which 
 enters the St. Lawrence on the north shore below Quebec, from which the 
 celebrated Falls at its mouth are only distant some six miles. It is, of 
 course, impassable for salmon on account of these Falls, which are higher 
 than those of Niagara ; bui, though its lower reaches have been greatly 
 fished for many years, owing to their proximity to the city, it is still a 
 famous trouting river, very heavy fish being taken out of it at times. It is 
 also remarkable for the gameuess and beauty of its trout. For some 18 or 20 
 miles 01 the lower part of its course, it runs through a settled district. 
 Naturally this portion has been the most fished. But, above this, its rapid 
 flow for some 40 miles from its headwaters in Snow lake, an extensive sheet 
 of water famous for its immense grey trout {(ouladi) and speckled trout, as 
 well as for the numbers of caribou that frequent it in winter, is wholly 
 through the wilderness, where it is leasable. Its upper waters can bo 
 reached either from Laval by canoe or bv the colonization road from Stone- 
 ham and Tewkesbury. 
 
 The ;S/e. Anne du Nord falls into the St. Lawrence, some 18 miles lower 
 down than the Montmorency, between the parishes of La Bonne Ste. Anne 
 and St. Joachim. It was formerly in high repute as a salmon river, but 
 unfortunately enjoys this reputation no longer owing to the destructive 
 practices, which have deplected its waters. Efforts aie being made to 
 restock it. Above the Falfc, which are some two or three miles from its 
 mouth and of the most romantic character, it is good for trout. It is easily 
 reached cither by waggon, steamer or rail from Quebec. 
 
776 
 
 lor and GaspC*. 
 sun is high, \vo 
 I uiul trout. lu 
 ays that the old 
 naek of shining- 
 Fortunately the 
 )us, so that the 
 and again from 
 bee salmoK and 
 oriencod angler, 
 i who has ever 
 
 >ortauce, which 
 Voin which the 
 lilos. It is, of 
 hich are higher 
 e been greatly 
 !ity, it is still a 
 at times. It is 
 >r some 18 or 20 
 settled district, 
 e this, its rapid 
 extensive sheet 
 !ckled trout, as 
 iter, is wholly 
 waters can bo 
 >ad from Stone- 
 
 18 miles lower 
 June Ste. Anne 
 mon river, but 
 ;he destructive 
 jeing made to 
 ! miles from its 
 at. It is easily 
 
 Th. Riviihe du Ooiiffre, the next in order, falls into Iky St. Paul, some 
 40 miles below Quebec. It was formerly a good salmon river, but has 
 Imuch deteriorated. The scenery is grand beyond measure. The course of 
 the river is circuitous and much broken by rapids, which are difficult to 
 ascend. It is fed by a number of lakes, all of whi<Ii abound with trout aud 
 are leasable. 
 
 The Murray River joins the St. Lawrence near that favorite watering 
 place, Murray Bay, some 00 miles from Quebec, and is remarkable for the 
 beauty of its scenery. It was formerly called by the inhabitants La Riviih-e 
 SaianoH^e from tho immense quantities of fish that used to be taken in the 
 bay and river. The late Mr. R. Nettle, Superintendent of Fisheries for 
 Lower Canada, in his work on the " Salmon Fisheries of the St. Lawrence " 
 says of this river : " I have been informed by John Nairn, Enq , seignior of 
 Mulbaie, that from 200 to 300 iish were netted at a tide, aud that he himself 
 had killed about 50 fish in three or four days with fly." Since those days, 
 the reputation of the Murray river as a salmon stream has sadly fallen off, 
 but it still furnishes fair sport occasionally and its Iish usually run heavy. 
 Its upper reaches, which are alone leasable and now leased at a rental of 
 $50,— the lower parts of the river flowing through seigniorial lands— are 
 not frequented by the salmon, but are still famous for the abundance and 
 large size of their trout. In 1887, guardian IJoily reported as follows in 
 regard to them : " Trout in abundance and of large size." 
 
 The Canard and Noire arc two small streams entering the St. Lawrence 
 between Murray Bay and the mouth of the Saguenay, but they are of little 
 moment, though salmon have been taken ii; tkem. 
 
 Tlie Sagxemy, the grand, the chief tributary of *he St. Lawrence, so 
 noted for its sublime and picturesque scenery — though one of the greatest 
 salmon rivers in the world— is of no angling importance, except for sea 
 trout, as the royal Ash do not rise to the fly in its dark, deep waters. But 
 as a nursery for the salmon, few rivers can equal it. Sufficient spawn could 
 be preserved in its numerous tributaries alone to stock the whole river 
 with myriads of the finny tribe. On its downward course from Lake St. 
 John, it receives the waters of over 30 considerable affluents, in most of 
 which salmon w^ere formerly taken. However, the same causes which have 
 led to the destruction of the fisheries elsewhere hold good on this river. 
 But there are still many of its branches, beautiful streams, up which the 
 fish make their way to spawn an i which afford splendid sport to the 
 
 11^ 
 
 m ■ I 
 
776 
 
 
 U'" 
 
 angler. Foremost among these may be placed the following, which are 
 accessible by steamer four times a week from Quebec : 
 
 The Little Saguemy, a fine salmon stream, falling into the main rive. 
 on the north-west side, not far from its mouth, and actually under lease 
 until 1890 at an annual rental of $845. It was visited in 1885 by Mr. D.-C. 
 Mackedie, the official inspector of the department, who reported upon it 
 as follows : " The Little Saguenay flows through the townships of Sagard 
 and Dumais, falling into the Saguenay about 20 miles above the mouth o. 
 the latter. None of the lands on its banks are granted or even surveyed 
 except a strip of about half a mile in length on the left bank near the 
 mouth. A couple of settlers named Tremblay and Girard have a few acres 
 of land under cultivation on the banks of the river some distance abovt^ the 
 Price property. A comfortable fishing lodge, with outbuildings, stands, -a 
 a pleasant situation about four miles from the river'.s mouth. Some four 
 miles further up, there is a fall, or rather there are two falls, the lower about 
 20 feet high, sloping ; the upper about 50 feet in height, perpendicular. 
 Salmon are thus, of course, limited to the lower eight miles of the river. 
 Within this distance, there are 10 or 12 pools available for the use of 'he 
 lessee, besides one or two in front of the patented lands. I was told that 
 there is good brook-trout fishing to be had above the falls. The lessee, who 
 was on the river at the time of my visit, informed me that he was tolerably 
 satisfied with the sport it had afforded him this year, and, as he now keeps 
 it carefully guarded, there is reason for anticipating a steady increase in the 
 number offish frequenting it." In 1885, the largest fish taken by the 
 lessee weighed 25 lbs and the smallest 8J lbs, the average weight beiuo- 
 17j lbs. In 1887, the lessee did not fish the river, but the guardian reported 
 " a larger number of salmon than the previous year observed on the spawn- 
 ing beds ; brook trout in abundance." 
 
 The St. John (L'Anse St. Jean), another stream discharging from the 
 north-west side of the Saguenay, affords tolerable rod fishing for salmon, 
 as well as excellent trout fishing. It takes its rise in little lake St. John, 18 
 miles from its mouth, and empties into L'Anse St. Jean. In its course, it 
 receives the waters of the rivers du Portage and Du Moulin, besides those 
 of great lac des Islets, lac a la Balle, lac a I'Ours and lac Grenouilles. In 
 his report for 1885, the inspector, Mr. Mackedie, reported of this river : 
 •' The River St. Jean (Saguenay) flows through the townships of Ducreux 
 and St. Jean, falling into the Saguenay about twenty-six miles above the 
 mouth of the latter. The lands on its banks for over nine miles from its 
 mouth, or the whole length of its course through the township of St. Jean, 
 
777 
 
 owing, which aro 
 
 ito the main rive: 
 ;ually under lease 
 1885 by Mr. D.-C. 
 
 reported upon it 
 '•nships of Sagard 
 ove the mouth o 
 or even surveyed, 
 ft bank near th 
 
 have a few acros 
 listance abovt^ the 
 lildings, stands -a 
 outh. Some four 
 8, the lower about 
 it, perpendicular, 
 liles of the river. 
 for the use of 'he 
 
 I was told that 
 
 The lessee, who 
 I he was tolerably 
 
 as he now keeps 
 dy increase in the 
 sh taken by the 
 Lge weight being 
 guardian reported 
 '■ed on the spawn- 
 
 arging from the 
 hing for salmon, 
 lake St. John, 18 
 In its course, it 
 lin, besides those 
 
 Grenouilles. In 
 id of this river: 
 hips of Ducreux 
 
 miles above the 
 le miles from its 
 iship of St. Jeau, 
 
 are surveyed ; most of them are occupied, and several lots aro patented 
 Near the mouth stands a large saw-mill, the sawdust from which is not 
 allowed to pass into the river, but is carefully deposited in immense heaps 
 on the bank. Most of the angling in this river is done in a pool just below 
 the mill, lying within the lauds patented as a mill-sito. There are only 
 three pools between this and the first fall, a distance of five miles. Two of 
 these appear by the map of the river to be in front of ungranted lands. Tho 
 fall referred to is about fifteen feet in height and impassable for salmon, 
 but they get above it when the river is high by taking advantage of some 
 natural basins in the rock at one side. I understand, however, that there is 
 no fishing done above this fall. The salmon frequenting this river run 
 from twelve to twenty-two pounds in weight. " In 1887, the guardian 
 reported : " Noticed at least 150 salmon on the spawning beds." This river 
 IS actually under lease to Senator E.-J. Price, the owner of the mill at the 
 mouth, at a rental of $150 per annum. 
 
 The Eternity, which falls into the Sagiienay higher up on the same side 
 near the celebrated Cape of the same, is also a salmon stream and was under 
 lease until a few years since. 
 
 The River d Mars, another north-west tributary of the Saguenay, falling 
 into Ha! Ha! Bay. Mr. Mackedie reported o4" this river in 1885 : " The 
 river a Mars, another tributary of the Saguenay, flows throu""h the 
 township of Bagot, falling into Ha! Ha! Bay. Though not 'so consider- 
 able as the St. Jean, it appears to be bettor stocked with fish. It also con- 
 tains a much larger number of pools, some eighteen having boon pointed 
 out to me, most of ^hem in front of lands patented or soon to l)e so. Some, 
 iiowever, lie beyond the surveyed lauds, notably one in front of the* 
 land on \vhich a fishing-lodge is built, about eight miles from the bay. 
 This is one of the best pools in the river, and at the time o^ray visit, it 
 appeared to be swarming with fish, which were supposed to number 
 several hundred." The largest salmon caught in it that year by the lessee, 
 Senator Price, weighed 24 lbs and the .smallest 10 lbs, the average of his 
 catch being nearly 12J lbs. The rent actually paid for this river is .$235 
 per annum. At the head of the river a Mars are a multitude of splendid 
 trout lakes, and its own waters also al^ound with trout. 
 
 The Ste. Marguerite (en luiut) is one of the chief tributaries of the 
 Saguenay, which it enters from the north-east side about 18 miles above 
 Tadousac. At a short distance from its mouth, it divides at the forks into 
 two arms known respectively at the north-east and the north-west branches, 
 each of which form a considerable river. They take their rise in the moun- 
 
tainous region bordering the Saguenay and How through a country remark- 
 able ior the wildness and grandeur of its scenery. The Ste. Marguerite is 
 particularly famous for the abundance and large size of its salmon, which 
 ascend its branches for fully 00 miles. Leraoine, in his Pe'cheries do Cunadn 
 tickets it as follows : " Principal afHuent of the Saguenay. Trout and salmoii 
 in abundance either for [lyor net." Uowand, in his Emigrant and Sportmnn 
 in Canada, thus refers to it: " Near the mouth of the magnificent Saguenay, 
 to which comfortable steamers run three times a week from Quebi-c, is one 
 of the best rivers in Canada, viz, the Ste. Marguerite. It is rented by the 
 proprietor of the Russell House (St. Louis Hotel), Quebec, on lease to the 
 year 1883, at a yearly rental of -1^555. The lessee has furnished cottages ou 
 the river, which he lets to anglers at $50 per week up to the 10th August, 
 and at !|35 per week after that date up to the close of the season. The right 
 of angling is attached to the cottages, canoe men and food being extras. 
 Salmon average about 16 lbs in the Ste. Marguerite and as many as 300 
 fish are taken in the season. The sea trout iishing is also capital." In 1875 
 Mr. Gagnon, land surveyor, reported of it that it abounded with the iiuest 
 salmon and trout ; and Mr. Mackedie, the official inspector, wrote of it in 
 1885 : " The north-west and north-cast tranches of the Ste. Marguerite are 
 two rivers of considerable size, which rise in unsurveyed lands in the county 
 of Chicoutimi, meet in the township of Albert, in the county of Saguenay and, 
 after flowing together for about a mile and a half, fall into Ste. Marguerite 
 bay, which again opens into the Saguenay river, about eighteen miles above 
 the mouth of the latter. Thi^ tide Hows to a point about three-eighths of a 
 mile above the head of the bay. Some of the lands fronting on the river 
 between tidal-water and the junction of the two branches are occupied and 
 cultivated, but none are granted, except two lots on the north-west side, 
 which were patented in 1871 to the Hon. D.-E. Trice. Salmon frequent this 
 river in large numbers. There are two good pools in front of ungranted lands 
 on the north-west side. The Nodh- West Branch flows through the townships 
 of St. Germain, Charapigny, La Brosse and Albert. Ii contains some thirty 
 pools between the lower and upper forks, a distance of about twenty-six 
 miles. Some of these are in front of the lands patented to the Hon. D.-E. Price 
 and Mr. "W. Kussell, but the greater part of them are within ungranted lauds. 
 This river seems more subject to change in the number and position of 
 pools than any other I have visited. Several places, formerly considered 
 good pools, have been filled up with sand and gravel carried down by 
 freshets. New pools are, however, frequently discovered, and the formation 
 of others may be promoted at little expense. Six commodious cottages have 
 been built at convenient points along the river upon tha patented lands 
 
779 
 
 country remark- 
 Ste. Marguerite is 
 s salmon, which 
 'cheries do Cunadn, 
 rrout and salmon 
 nnt and S/urtsman 
 liliceut Saguonay, 
 m Quebi»c, is ono 
 is rented by the 
 , on lease to the 
 ished cottages ou 
 the 10th August, 
 leason. The right 
 od being- v-xtras. 
 as many as 300 
 apital." In 1875 
 1 with the liuest 
 5r, wrote of it in 
 ). Marguerite aio 
 ids in the county 
 ifSaguenayand, 
 Ste. Marguerite 
 teen miles above 
 hree-eighths of a 
 ug on the river 
 ire occupied and 
 north-west side, 
 ion frequent this 
 ungranted lauds 
 ;h the townships 
 ains some thirty 
 ibout twenty-six 
 Hon. D.-E. Price 
 mgranted lauds, 
 and position of 
 lerly considered 
 irried down by 
 d the formation 
 IS cottages have 
 patented lands 
 
 Lbove mentioued. and so furnishr ! ns to render it unnecessary for anglers 
 going there to provide themselves with tents, bedding, or cooking 
 sjil)aratu8. There appeared to bo a greater number of fish in the river 
 ihis year than usual, and the average size of those taken was larger 
 Ihun has been the case for seven or eight years back. The North-East 
 ^EruniJi, although rather larger than the other, is of much less value for 
 angling, being obstructed within five miles from the i'orks by a steep 
 fall of over forty feet in height. If .outains only about a dozen pools, 
 and two-thirds of these lie within or in front of patented lands. The 
 present lessee of the public portion of the river will probably end^javor to 
 form some artificial pools in front of ungranted lands. He has had an ice- 
 house constructed near the forks, and intend.s, I believe, to have a dwel- 
 ling-house built next year. Having carefully examined the fall above- 
 nuiitioned, I think it would be quite possible, and not expensive, to make 
 |a way lor salmon to pass above it, by cutting a series of basins in a part of 
 thf rook and placing a fish-ladder over another part. This would open a 
 fine stretch of some IG miles of run, where the fish would find new and 
 more extensive spawning grounds, and make this branch, almost, if not 
 (jUilo, as valuable as the N. W. branch " Since 1883, the North-West 
 Drauch has been under lease to the Ste. Marguerite Salmon Club, at an 
 annual rental of $310, and the North East branch to W. M. Brackett, Esq., 
 the celebrated American artist, at a rental of $120. The largest fish taken 
 on the N. AV. branch in 1888 weighed 28 lbs, and ou the N. E. branch 
 20-the smallest being 10 and 12 lbs. respectively. In 18S5, one weighing 
 33 lbs was killed in the former, and one of 27 lbs. in the latter. 
 
 The following can be easily reached by sthooner, yacht, or fortnightly 
 coasting steamer : 
 
 The Little and GmU Bergeronnes, which run parallel and lie in close 
 proximity fo each other, are the first streams of any siz.' or note ou the 
 north shore below the Sagaenay. The former is a fair salmon and trout 
 river, and the latter a good trout stream. 
 
 The Great Escoumains is one of the large and important rivers of the 
 north shore and was once a famous salmon stream, but its character, in 
 this respect, has almost, if not wholly, departed. Its upper waters, however, 
 still abound with trout. It falls into the St. Lawrence about 23 miles 
 below Tadousac, and is a cold, clear and rapid river, abounding in rapids 
 and deep pools. 
 
 The Sault-au-Cochon is a fine trout stream, but high fills near its mouth 
 barthe'upward passage of the salmon. 
 
780 
 
 m 
 
 The Sanll-au-Mouton, a little further down, partakes of the samL i 
 character. JP^'^ ^" 
 
 ■ii the sti 
 
 The Portncitf, which is a considerable stream still affords good sporM)oi»t for 
 It is said to be a very pleasant river to fish with the fly. Up to the Brfjost and 
 falls, it swarms with trout and k frequented by salmon for several mileMadousac 
 higher up. lorthern 
 
 The Lava/, which falls into the St. Lawrence 60 miles below Tadousac ^'^^^*^°" 
 and which is at present under lease to Sir R.-TV. Cameron, at a rental o 
 $75, is a fine salmon stream. In 1858, the late Superintendent Nettli 
 reported that he had explored it for some distance up and found it wel 
 stocked with salmon and trout of a large size and fine quality. He adds 
 " The produce of the net fishing at the mouth of the river averages fron 
 800 to 900 salmon of the largest description, average weight being 20 lb<, 
 but sometimes they weigh G5 lbs, The sea trout fishin-' is almost incredible 
 and of a superior quality. The falls on the Laval river are about 27 miles 
 from the mouth.' ^he Laval is a wild and picturesque stream, alternatiuf 
 with gentle rapids and deep, narrow pools. 
 
 The Co/ombier is a small, but promising salmon stream, falling into the 
 St. Lawrence near Cape C^lombier. Mr D.-C. Mackedie, of the Crowi 
 
 Lands Department, reported with regard to it in 188 4. " I went (Auo-ust luthis ri 
 
 21st) in my canoe to examine the river Colombier, which had been spokei, 
 of in the department as likely to a (ford good fishing. The water was rery 
 low, and the course of the rivtr much obstructed by floating wood, so that 
 it was impracticable, except for a much smaller canoe than I had with me. 
 I saw no sign of salmon and very few sea trout, but I noticed two or three 
 places within the lowest miiii of the river in which I think salmon could 
 be taken with the fly early on the season. A thorough examination made 
 iu June or July next would probably show the Colombier to be worth 
 leasing." Lemoine describes the Colombier as good tor salmon 
 
 The Blanche, which is a )ieighbor of th(3 Colombier, is a small, but 
 beautiful stream, but unimportant to-day as a salmon river, thou"h de 
 scribed by Lemoine, in his Perk^ries du Cana'la, as good for salmon. It is, how- 
 ever, yet cajntalfor trout. 
 
 The Plover, another stream in the same vicinity, does not differ mate 
 rially from the last. 
 
 The Behiamils or Bei'simb is, after the Saguenay, one of the largest and 
 most important rivers of the north shore of the St. Lawrence, with a great 
 
 :tiO mile 
 lii?sod a 
 ethers la 
 ibound > 
 [he rive 
 survey: 
 all, ibrtj 
 ,em ine 
 mmieiou 
 he ai!lu( 
 ivrote as 
 ihe !Sagu 
 almon o 
 
 sible to b 
 strangt 
 arrived a 
 a bay of 
 islands, 
 iearch of 
 aud who€ 
 do well t( 
 fish iu th 
 downw^ar 
 to desceni 
 lis that tt 
 ^'o river ( 
 and grave 
 Bersimis 
 in his " 1 
 fiorsirais ; 
 lishors. " 
 the Bcrsir 
 
781 
 
 ftkes of the sainl 
 
 affords good spor 
 
 . Up to the fir 
 
 for several mill 
 
 lepth and volume of water, and drains a vast este)it of country still wholly 
 
 ithe state of wilderness, except at the river mouth, which is the rallyiuo- 
 
 Wnt for the Indians of the coast, and where there are an important trading 
 
 ,ost and mission. It falls into the St. Lawrence. about 10 miles below 
 
 :adousac and 200 below Quebec. It takes its rise in the region of the 
 
 lorthern height of land between the province of Quebec Tnd the old 
 
 5s below Tadousac ^'''^'''? ^'^^ territory, and, in its course to the sea, a total length of about 
 
 iron, at a rental o '^'"^ "" ' '^ '*'^"''*^' ^^"^ contributions of numerous streams, which may be 
 
 li,?sod as rivers, and many lakes of considarable ext^vt, including amono- 
 
 ihcrs lakes Pipmaukan, 30 miles, and Nikoukamiau, 13 miles, whose w^ater^'s 
 
 ibound with speckled trout, large lake trout {/ou/adi), pike, white fish, cScc. 
 
 [he river itself is also well stocked with fish, but according to the report 
 
 [surveyor T. Casgrain (page 590), the salmon do not ascend beyond the 
 
 ill, lorty miles above the St. Lawrence. In his " Pficheries du Canada, " 
 
 ,cm ine describes the Berfeimis " as a vast river with charming scenery and 
 
 imnierous afHuents, filled with large trout, but which only rise^to the fly on 
 
 the alHuents." In 1858, the late Mr. R. Nettle, Superintendent of Fisheries 
 
 wrote as follows of Hie Bersimis: " The Bersimis River is second only to 
 
 ihe b?aguenay, and the next largest on the north shore, abounding with 
 
 almon of the largest size and in the greatest abundance. No nets are set 
 
 rintendent NettI 
 iud found it wel 
 uality. He adds 
 iver averages IVoir 
 ight being 20 lbs 
 almost incrediblt 
 re about 27 mile 
 tream, alternatiug 
 
 m. falling into the 
 ie, of the Crowi 
 
 had been spokei 
 e water was rery 
 ;iug wood, so that 
 xn I had with me. 
 ticed two or throe 
 ink salmon could 
 xaminatiou made 
 .bier to be worth 
 iilmon. 
 
 I", is a small, but 
 river, thoui^-Ji de 
 xlmon. It is, how' 
 
 3 not differ mate- 
 
 3f the largest and 
 Mice, with a great 
 
 " [ went (August lu this river, and one reason of my going up was to see if it were not pos- 
 
 sible to be netted ; the Sagueuay is netted at several points, and I thought 
 strange that the Bersimis could not be made available for nets. Aug. 14th, 
 arrived at ihe falls this morning. They are about 30 feet high and fall into 
 a bay of about a mile in circumference, in the centre of which are several 
 islands. I was surprised to find about a hundred seals plunging about in 
 leaivh of their prey. They are the greatest enemy the salmon can have, 
 and whoever may lease this or any other river w^here seals frequent would 
 do well to exterminate them. No salmon can get up these falls. All the 
 fish in the Bersimis must be in the main river and tributaries from the fall 
 downwards. Having gained all possible information, we then commenced 
 to descend, arriving at the Nipewicawcounanan, and, as our guide informed 
 lis that the salmon went up this branch to spawn, w^e went some way up. 
 h rivin- could be better adapted for the spawning of salmon ; fine pools 
 and gravelly shoals. Here must indeed be the breeding ground of the 
 Bersimis and should be kept as such. " Speaking of this branch, Lemoine 
 in his " Pecheries du Canada, " describes it as follows : " Tributary of the 
 Bersimis; a fairy-like stream with cascades ; a terrestrial paradise for fly 
 iishors. " Another writer says : " With the single exception of the Moisic, 
 the Bers imis, which is a lovely river, breeui the largest salmon on the co.<^st," 
 
 m 
 
782 
 
 The Missiquinak, Pajdnachois, Outardes, St Pancras and other stream 
 falling in somewhat lower down, afford no spawning grounds for salmoi] 
 as these migratory fish, cannot ascend the high falls near their mouths, bu 
 large quantities of sea trout frequent their estuaries and speckled trou 
 abound in their upper waters. 
 
 The Manicouagan, the next river of importance, is one of the large river 
 of the coast, but is not a salmon stream in the proper sense of the term 
 these fish being prevented from ascending it by a fall of 200 feet high 
 its mouth. At 20 leagues from the sea, however, the Godbout and Mam 
 couagan communicate by means of a lake of 3 leagues in circumference, an 
 the salmon found in the Manicouagan reach it through this lake. 
 
 The Mistassini, from 35 to 40 miles lower down, is not a large strean 
 and does not hold very heavy salmon ; but they are tolerably fine fish anc 
 the casts are clean and numerous. 
 
 The Becscie or Sheldrake empties just below the preceding and is o 
 much the same description. 
 
 The Godbout, one of the most famous rivers of the coast, is the next in 
 order, about 15 miles further down, or about 250 miles from Quebec. The 
 privilege of fishing its sparkling waters is unlet at present, though it 
 continues highly reputed for the abundance and excellence of its fish, as 
 well as the sport they afford. In 1858, according to the late Superintendent 
 Nettle, the G-odbout yielded about 1,250 salmon to the Hudson Bay Com- 
 pany ; other parties had taken about 100, and the bay nets had given about 
 2,000. In 1881, it yielded to the fly about 164 fish, of a total weight of 
 2,3*77 lbs, the largest weighing 30 lbs., and the average weight being 
 14J lbs. Kowand in his Emigrant and Sportman in Canada, says of the 
 G-odbout : " Great numbers of fish are killed in this stream, sometimes 500 
 in one month, but the size is small, viz 12 lbs. Salmon run up to a distance 
 of about 80 miles." 
 
 The Little Trinity follows, and is a good salmon and trout rivrer. Tho 
 guardian reported iii 1887 : " More salmon and trout have run up this year 
 than last. The lessee, (Mr. Machiu, Assistant Provincial Treasurer, who 
 leases it at $20 per annum from the Government,) did not fish himself; his 
 friends took 4 sp.lmou and 5 doz. trout. The salmon run from 8 to 20 lbs, 
 and the trout up to G lbs. The latter are of two kinds, salmon-trout and 
 sea-traut." 
 
 Ti 
 
 with sf 
 netting 
 upper A 
 this ri-' 
 adaptec 
 are of 1 
 j)lea8an 
 1885, ] 
 Trinity 
 of the 
 departn 
 very sa 
 trout fr 
 is easilj 
 time, b; 
 perly gi 
 next off 
 paid for 
 Grilmou 
 total of 
 at 16 lb 
 same ses 
 not risii 
 this yea 
 0*" younj 
 by sea ! 
 than us 
 
 Th( 
 
 Quebec, 
 swift st; 
 
 Th( 
 the sam 
 
 The 
 
 distance 
 gable fo 
 receives 
 rapids a 
 the Ste. 
 
1S3 
 
 nd other stream 
 
 rounds for salmoi] 
 
 their mouths, bu 
 
 atl speckled trou 
 
 i of the large river! 
 sense of the term 
 >f 200 feet high a 
 odbout. and Mani 
 ircumferenco, an 
 lis lake. 
 
 lot a large strean 
 ably fine fish atic 
 
 eceding and is o 
 
 3t, is the next in 
 'm Quebec. The 
 resent, though it 
 ce of its fish, as 
 e Superintendent 
 Aidson Bay Com- 
 I had given about 
 a total weight of 
 je weight being 
 add, says of the 
 a, sometimes 500 
 1 up to a distance 
 
 ;rout river. Tlio 
 run up this year 
 Treasurer, who 
 fish himself; his 
 from 8 to 20 lbs, 
 almon-trout and 
 
 The Trinity River, 278 miles from Quebec, is a rapid stream, aboundino- 
 with salmon and .trout. In the past, it was greatly injured by excessive 
 netting at its mouth and the desultory and destructive fishing of its 
 upper waters, but it is now rapidly recuperating. Mr. Whitcher examined 
 this river in 1858 amd reported that he had found it physically well 
 adapted for salmon. And he added : " The sea trout frequenting it 
 are of large size, firm in flesh and of uncommon fine flavor. More 
 pleasant tasted and nutritious fish food I seldom have eaten." In 
 1885, Mr. Mackedil visited it for the department and reported : " The 
 Trinity appeared to me to be rather more considerable than either branch 
 of the Marguerite (Saguenay.) It appears, from reports made to the 
 department, to be fairly well stocked with salmon, of a size that affords 
 very satisfactory sport, and is notable for the number and size of the sea- 
 trout frequenting it. It flows entirely through vacant Crown lands, and 
 is easily reached by yacht from Tadousac, or, with more certainty as to 
 time, by steamer from Quebec. For these reasons I think it should, if pro- 
 perly guarded and not over-fished during the next four years, fetch, when 
 next offered to public competition, a much higher rental than is at present 
 paid for it. " It is actually leased to Mr. Gilmour at a rental of #105. Mr. 
 ailmour's score during a short visit in 1888 was 51 salmon, weighing a 
 total of 607 lbs., and an average of 13 lbs, the largest fish turning the scales 
 at 16 lbs., and the smallest weighing 9 J lbs. The guardian's report for the 
 same season was as follows : " Salmon as plentiful as last year ; larger, but 
 not rising so well to the fly, so that the number taken by angling was less 
 this year. Believes this was owing to the lowness of the water. Numbers 
 o'' young salmon (grilse) ascended the river." The river is also frequented 
 by sea and salmon trout, the latter in great abundance and of larger size 
 than usual. 
 
 The Pentecost, which is the next in succession, about 300 miles from 
 Quebec, is also a river frequented by salmon and sea trout. It is a full, 
 swift stream and gives excellent fishing, especially trout. 
 
 The Calumet and Little Marguerite, in the same neighborhood, bear about 
 the same character. 
 
 4 
 
 The Ste. Marguerite (en bus), which falls into the St. Lawrence, a short 
 distance above the Bay of Seven Islands, is a considerable river, being navi- 
 gable for schooners and barges up to the first rapid, and, in its long course, 
 receives the waters of numerous lakes and tributaries. Between the first 
 rapids and the Grand Portage, there are 25 salmon pools. Besides salmon, 
 the Ste. Marguerite contains grey trout, pike, white fish, shad, &c. The 
 
784 
 
 late Superint.iidant Nettle said of this river : " The river Marguerite is a 
 lino stream and, though only 30 barrels of salmon were taken this season, 
 (1858) I am convinced it would produce a great many more, if fished 
 properly. The trout are of the finest quality (silver trout)." 
 
 The Moixic or Misleshepii River, the " Great River " of the Moutagnais 
 
 Indians, is another of the great north shore tributaries of the St. Lawrence 
 
 and one of the best salmon streams in the world, being specially noted for 
 
 its heavy fish. It is described in the late Commander iFortin's report for 
 
 1801-62, as one olf the best stocked on the north shore, and as having been 
 
 fished by the Hudson Bay Co. from the time when the Company became 
 
 the lessee of the King's Posts. In 1859, the whole of the estuary part was 
 
 . leased to Mr. John llolliday, of Quebec, for the sum of $1,800, whilst the 
 
 Jluvial division was rented for fly-fishing to Messrs. "Williams & Bacon, of 
 
 Boston, for |;40(i. In 1802, Mr. Holliday took 576 barrels of salmon and 
 
 Messrs. Williams iSc Bacon caught with the fiy 308 fish, equal to 14J barrels. 
 
 In 1873, Messrs. Ogilvie and Turner, who angled the Moisic, took 217 
 
 sa^^non in the short space of three weeks, the largest fish weighing 37j lbs. 
 
 Iix all, 279 fish were killed with the ily in the river that season, their 
 
 aggregate weight being ov^r 4,500 lbs. In 1881, the lessee of the fiuvial 
 
 division reported his catch with the ily at 24 salmon, total weight, 2,967 lbs., 
 
 average weight 27^ lbs., largest fish 42 lbs., smallest 15 lbs. The upper 
 
 part of the Moisic is actually under lease at an aunual rental of $105, 
 
 Tnmt River, (d (a Iruite), 7 miles below the Moisic, is unimportant as a 
 salmon river, as these fish do not pass above the falls at its mouth ; bu-t, as 
 its name indicates, it is famous for its trout. Fishing, however, in it is not 
 very early. 
 
 The Maniton " pties into the gulf of St. Lawrence, a short distance 
 below the Bay oi Seven Islands. This large river boasts one of the finest 
 waterfalls in North America at two miles from its mouth. The whole body 
 of water in the river, which is of very considerable volume, falls perpendi» 
 cularly in an unbroken sheet from a ledge of rock, 113 feet in height, 
 and the surrounding hills, perpendicularly scarped and in part crowned 
 with fir and spruce trees, present a picture equalling in picturesque 
 beauty anything of the kind to be found in Canada. Owing to the obstruc- 
 tion offered by this fall, salmon cannot ascend to the upper reaches of the 
 river, but they frequent the estuary, as do also large sea trout. The river 
 above the falls abounds in speckled trout of great size. Actually unleased 
 
r Marguerite is a 
 
 ikeu this season, 
 
 more, if fished 
 
 the Montagnais 
 e St. Lawrence, 
 •ecially noted for 
 Ttin's report for 
 
 as having been 
 ompauy became 
 stuary part was 
 ,800, whilst the 
 tns & Bacon, of 
 
 of salmon and 
 al to 14J barrels, 
 loisic, took 217 
 eighing 37j lbs. 
 at season, their 
 J of the fluvial 
 eight, 2,96t lbs., 
 lbs. The upper 
 ilof $105. 
 
 nimportant as a 
 mouth ; bu«t, as 
 svor, in it is not 
 
 short distance 
 ne of the finest 
 ?he whole body 
 , falls perpendi' 
 feet in height, 
 I part crowned 
 in picturesque 
 to the obstruc- 
 
 reaches of the 
 )ut. The river 
 ually unleased 
 
 785 
 
 The Si. John (north bhore) flows through the Laurentide mountains 
 and falls into the gulf of St. Lawrence about 70 miles below the river 
 Moisic, It is a large and excellent salmon river. In his official report on 
 this river for 18G7, Commander T6tu, of the Government schooner La Cana- 
 tlienne, says : " The salmon fishing also had been good and altogether it 
 had been many years since there had been such good fishing in the St. 
 John. In obedience to orders from the department, Mr. Beaubie°n had gone 
 far up the St. John river, accompanied by a miner and had succeeded in 
 blowing up a rock several tons weight, which had until then presented an 
 almost insurmountable obstacle to the ascent of salmon to the spawnino- 
 l>cds of this beautiful river, and, in the attempt to get over which, thousands 
 of that fish had lost (heir lives, for, when the water was low, there was to 
 be seen, below the rock in question, a cavity several feet in diameter, which 
 Avas invisible when the water was high, and into which fell all the poor 
 salmon thai did not succeed in leaping the rock, and once in, they could 
 not get out and soon died or became a prey to the beais, who, vs'hen the 
 water was low, ventured as far as this spot, called the chaufmre. and 
 devouied all the fi.sh (o be found there. On the occasion of his expedition 
 to the diaudin-e, Mr. Eeaubien found from 25 to 30 dead salmon in it, and 
 the remains of many more on the rocks around, whither they had been 
 dragged by the bears. The eflect of the blast has been such that salmon 
 will now be able to ascend it without danger, the whole of the side of the 
 ihaucmre having been blown away." In his report for 1873, the 
 Jishery overseer of the Mingau division, reported that the net fiishinn- 
 ol the St. John liver had yielded that season 4,020 salmon, weicrhin^ 
 ■)3,214 lbs, and averaging 13] lbs. per fish and that 147 fish, weighing 
 18115 lbs and averaging 13 lbs, had been taken with the fly. At the°same 
 time, he adds : " All hough the pools were full of fish, vet the water was quite 
 low and very clear, so that the fish would only lake the fly on very dull 
 days." Mr. C.-lil. Forgues, provincial laud surveyor, who visited the St. John 
 111 1885, reported as follows: (page G03) "I have reason to believe, from 
 what I saw, and from th'^ opinion of a man who aoco:npanied me, who 
 understands such matters, that this river is much frequented by salmon. 
 The pools are marked on the map sul)mitted by me to the department.' 
 There is no obstacle to prevent salmon from entering this river I was not, 
 however, able to establish their presence mv>olf, as the season was too far 
 advanced ; they had all gone above 1 e falls. Some anglers, who have 
 leased the right of rod fishing at the iail., have taken as many as 27 salmon 
 111 two days. This is sufficient to indicate that the fish niust have been 
 i'loiitiful. Tlie St John has for veais pa.^i Iveii one of the ]r\A Drciervcd 
 
78G 
 
 rivers in the province." It is at present under lease at an annual rental of 
 $205— the lessee's catch during the season of 1888 being 72 salmon of a total 
 weight of 1,13SJ lbs., and an average weight of 15J Iby., the largest fish 
 caught weighing 26 lbs. 
 
 The Magpk is a rapid little river, with a good reputation as a salmon 
 and trout stream. 
 
 The Mingan, about 90 miles below Trout river, is also one of the prin- 
 cipal rivers of the north shore, traversing the Laurentides from north-east 
 to south-west and falling into the St. Lawrence. It is navigable for light 
 canoes up to the foot of the Grand Rapid, a distance of about 9 miles, but, 
 above that, the navigation is obstructed by impassable rapids. It is famed 
 for the abundance and large size of its salmon. The late Mr. Richard 
 Nettle, Superintendent of Fisheries for Lower Canada, includes it among the 
 best salmon rivers in the country in his work on " The Salmon Fisheries 
 of Canada," and Mr. Lemoine states that it is good both for net and fly, and 
 that the pools always contain heavy salmon. The late Commander Fortin 
 states that Mr. McFarlane, who angled the Mingan for a few days only 
 during the season of 1873, caught 157 salmon and 250 large trout. Mr. 
 surveyor Forgues, in his i-eport of 1885 on the Mingan river, adds the 
 following testimony as to its excellence : " Judging from what I could see, 
 salmon are very abundant in this river. I cannot say how many were 
 taken this year, for the fishermen seem interested in not letting the truth 
 be known. From the mouth of the river to the first fall, the pools, marked 
 on the plan, are not first class, but those higher up are superexcellent. The 
 reason is obvious. The salmon, having overcome the first fiUl, seek a 
 resting place. The height of the smaller fall is only from four to six feet, 
 while that of the first fall is over forty-six (46.18) feet. From the number 
 of falls mentioned, it might be supposed that little would be gained in 
 going- as far as the Grand Rapid. The portages, however, are so easy and 
 so short as lo form n > serious obstHcle. This is one of the finest salmon 
 rivers in the country. At the spawning season, the fish run up the Grand 
 Rapid, and, according to reports, push iheir way as far as twenty leagues 
 into the interior. The fiuht-ry laws are strictly observed, as on the St. John." 
 
 The JMmiUou, an important afilueut of the Mingan rirer, flowing into it 
 below tidal water, has the reputation of being a well stocked stream. Tho 
 lakes which lie on its course are also famous for speckled trout of tho 
 largest size and finest quality. The salmon have no difliculty to skip the 
 falls, alter which they have a clear run of 30 miles. 
 
nniial rental of 
 ilmon of a total 
 :he largest fish 
 
 on as a salmon 
 
 >ne of the priu- 
 from north-east 
 igable for light 
 at 9 miles, but^ 
 Is. It is famed 
 e Mr. Richard 
 es it among the 
 Imon Fisheries 
 let and fly, and 
 imander Fortin 
 
 few days only 
 ge trout. Mr. 
 river, adds the 
 aat I conld see, 
 •w many were 
 tting the truth 
 3 pools, marked 
 rexcellent. The 
 •st fall, seek a 
 four to six feet, 
 m the number 
 d be gained in 
 are so easy and 
 
 finest salmon 
 L up the Grraud 
 twenty leagues 
 I the St. John." 
 
 ilowing into it 
 d stream. The 
 id trout of the 
 Ity to skip the 
 
 m 
 
 The Little RonuUne, nine miles lower down, is a rough 'stream, but 
 excellent for salmon and trout. It is in high repute for the strength, size 
 and playfulness of its fish. 
 
 The GreQt Wntslmhoo, Corneif/e, Paslmheebo, Nahmi/n and Af^wanm, 
 next enter the St. Lawrence between Mingan and Natashquan, and are 
 all more or less good for salmon angling, especially the firdt, third and last. 
 
 The Natashquan, another of the great tributaries of the St. Lawrence 
 falling into the gulf from the north shore, is rightfully placed in the fore- 
 most rank of salmon rivers. It is navigable for boats of light draught up to 
 the foot of the fiist fall about 12 miles from the mouth. The salmon pools 
 are for the most part near the falls. Of this river, the late Commander Fortin 
 reported as follows : " There were a great many salmon in this river, this sum- 
 mer (1862)." And again in 18U3: "lam informed that the persons, who fish 
 for salmon with the fly in the upper part of this river, have made a splendid 
 catch. " And again in 1865 : " Mr. Towell, the lessee of the fluvial division 
 of this magnificent stream, had been most successful in fishing for salmon 
 with the rod an.l fly. Never had so many salmon been seen at the foot of 
 the rapids in that river ; most of them were very large. An idea may be 
 formed of Mr. Powell's success, when I state that with throe rods that 
 gentleman and his ooTipanions had already taken several hundred salmon. 
 One of them, in a single day, caught 33 with his own rod. This was a moat 
 conclusive proof that there was a great deal of salmon in the Natashquan 
 river." Again in 1808, he reported the river full of salmon, and in his 
 report for 18*73, he states that " the sport on the Natashquan was most 
 encouraging." lu 1885, Mr. Forgues, V. L. S., reported the river well stocked 
 with salmon. Another writer says: " The Natashquan is a splendid stream, 
 full of fish ranging from 6 to 40 lbs. You must camp at the second ftiUs 
 and need not leaA^e that spot to better your chances, for there you may- 
 hook and kill salmon usque ad nauseam:' Rowand says: " The Natashquan 
 is, perhaps, one of the very best rivers in Canada. The only drawback to 
 this and many other splendid streams on the Lal)rador coast, is the difficulty 
 of gettingatthem. A Government steamer makes two trips down the coast 
 in summer, and if the angler misses these chances ho must go by sailing 
 l)oat. (N. B, — Since this was written, a coasting and mail steamer makes 
 regular fortnightly trips). The Natashquan was unleased \\\^ to the end of 
 last year and wiis offered on lease of five years for $800. The angler must, 
 of course, have his own camp. But this is no hardship, for the climate is 
 charming in the fishing season and the scenery perfect. Both the salmon 
 and sea trout fishing are probably the best in the world. The season for 
 
 m 
 
 Ml 
 
788 
 
 
 Jill Ihci-o rivers is from the 15th Juiio up to the end of July. There are 
 iiiiiiiy si)h'mlid hlreams, east ol the Nalashquuii, that have never beeu pro- 
 perly explored by the angler ; the Kegashka, the Washecootni, the Meccatina, 
 and the St. Augpptine. It woixld he a delightful expi'ditiou to visit and 
 i'Xi)lore these rivers during the fishijig season." 
 
 The 3Jti!i(ju(irn' now a thiough the Laurentian mountains and falls into 
 the gulf of 8t. Lawrence, about 40 miles below the river Natashqiuvn. It 
 is a bold, ]a].id river, but navigable by canoes ibr a considerable distance 
 and excellent ior salmon and trout with the lly. Lemoine, in his " P^ohe- 
 lies du Canada " labels it as follows : " Rapid river, with steep banks. Good 
 Jor both net and ily." The angling privileges are actually unleased. 
 
 The Ke<ioxhk(u U miles l)elow the Musrjuarro and 45 below the Nitash- 
 fjuan, is more largely frequented by salmon and trout than the Musquarro. 
 The late (\.nimander Fortin, in his official report for 18(10, refers to it brielly 
 as a line river, but it must be remarked, he adds, that .salmon generally asnend 
 it i.t a much later in-riod than any other river of the north shore. Lemoine, 
 in his Pvchain du Cdnoda, however, states that salmon abound in the bay, 
 but they cannot ^i}{ up the river be>'ond the rapids. The angling privileges 
 are unleased. 
 
 The Waahewolai Hows through the L.iuiontides and empties into the 
 St. Lawrence, about 50 miles below the Nalasliquan. It is navigable by 
 <anoes to the loot of the great rapid, a distance of 15 miles, but, o°t about 7 
 miles from its mouth, there is a fall 47 feet high. In his report for 1873, the 
 Jishery overseer for the Natashquan division reported as follows on the 
 head of this river : " AVashix-ootai ri\er was angled this season for the first 
 time by ]\lr. .lohn Thomas Molson and party of three. Sixteen fish were 
 caught in two days, of the average weight c f 10 lbs., two rods only fishing 
 litany one time. Fifty-one fish were caught in the Natashquan river.''' 
 ^Surveyor Forgues, in his report of 188G, (page G08), says of the salmqu 
 iishery of the AVashecootai : " From the fisheries' point of view, I may state 
 ihat the salmon did not run much up this river this year; but I am inclined 
 1o think, that they got above the rapids and the tails before the nets were 
 .'^et. Trout swaim in the lakes. " The angling privileges of the Washecootai 
 jire actually unleased. 
 
 The Romaiiw or Olomanosheebo is one of the large rivers of the Labrador 
 coast. Its waters, aie. liowever, shoal. It extends north and south many 
 hundred miles, and has some fine ialls. 100 miles from its mouth there is a 
 Jiotuial l)ridgc and a considernl)].' disianco further magnificent falls said to 
 
789 
 
 There are 
 or been pro- 
 
 } Mor-catiiia, 
 to visit and 
 
 id falls into 
 shqiian. It 
 .ble distance 
 his " Tdcht;. 
 -inks. Grood 
 ised. 
 
 the Nitash- 
 Musquarro, 
 to it briolly 
 rally asnond 
 Lomoiiie, 
 ill the bay, 
 g l)rivi leges 
 
 ies into the 
 ivig-able by 
 t, at about 7 
 for 1873, the 
 lows on the 
 for the first 
 1 fish were 
 »iily lishiiig 
 luau river." 
 the salmon 
 I may state 
 am inclined 
 e nets were 
 ^Vashecootai 
 
 10 Labrador 
 south many 
 h there is a 
 falls said to 
 
 be equal to those of Niapfara. It abounds with salmon and trout of tho 
 largest size and is remarkable especially for a rare and beautiful quality of 
 white and silver trout. 
 
 The Conrnchon, Etnmnmn and Napnteepe, still further down the coast, aro 
 also splendid salmon and trout streams, especially the second. 
 
 Tho Neloframu, still further, is a large, deep stream, but salmon cannot 
 go up, except tor a short distance, on account of the falls near tho mouth. It 
 is, however, a splendid trout stream. 
 
 The Little Mecmtina, Ste. Augustine and Corkeioetpeeche, lo.ver still, are 
 fine salmon and tiout rivers. 
 
 The Estpmiaux, otherwise called the St Paul, is one of the remotest, as 
 it is also one of the largest and finest of the provincial salmon river.-?. ' In 
 his Pe'clieries du Canada, Lemoine speaks of it as formerly yielding 52,500 
 salmon per season to the nets of the fishermen of tho Hudson Bay Company, 
 but, though its productiveness has since groitly fallen off, it is still one of 
 the best salmon rivers of the north shore. It falls into the harbor of 
 Bonne Esperance only 30 miles west of the eastern limit of the province at 
 Blanc-Sablon, and divides into two branches at about 4 miles from its 
 mouth, one called the Rapide Champagne and the other Rapidea la Perche. 
 It is navigable for vessels of a considerable draught for Hvq miles and for a 
 considerable distance further by canoes. From the foot of th(} rapids to the 
 falls, the distance is 80 to 90 miles Mr. Forgues, P. L. S., who visited it 
 in 1885, reports that it is more frequented by salmon than any other river 
 on the coast. 
 
 SOUTH SHORE BELOW (iUKBEC. 
 
 The Rinionsla is the first really important salmon river below Quebec 
 on the south shore, but, as the pools are located almost wholly within 
 seigniorial or conceded lands, it is unnecessary to here refer to it except to 
 sta^e that its upper waters and those of its numerous branches and lakes, 
 which are within the Crown domain, are famous for their red trout,' 
 touladi, &c. 
 
 The Grand Metis, which is next in order, is also a fair salmon stream, 
 but runs almost wholly through seigniorial or concecTed lands. 
 
 T\iQ Matane, which is actually under lease to Sir A. T. Gait, at a rental 
 of $50, is an excellent salmon river, flowing partly through the seigniory 
 
790 
 
 of Matane and partly through the townships in rear, and easily accessible 
 from the line of the Intercolonial Railway. The guardian reported in 1887 : 
 " Trout and salmon frequented this river in large numbers during the 
 season of 1887, but were much less plentiful in the upper waters than 
 below the dam." Fish weighing 30 to 40 lbs. have been taken in the Matane, 
 but they usually run about 16 lbs. It rises in the Shick-Shock mountains 
 and after a course of about 60 miles, falls into the gulf of 8t. Lawrence, 33 
 miles west of Cape Chat. 
 
 The Tnrtigo and Blanche, two small rivers falling in between the Grand 
 Metis and the Matane, hold an occasional salmon and plenty of sea-trout 
 from 4 to 7 lbs in weight. 
 
 The Great and Lui/e Mechim and the Great and Little Cajmcins partake 
 of the same character as the last. 
 
 The Cape Chat, which enters the gulf about 2J miles N. E. of the cape 
 of the same name, is a good salmon, but a better sea and salmon trout river, 
 and is leased at an annua) rental of .|50. The lessee last season took 6 
 salmon, the largest of which weighed 24 lbs, and 2,000 trout. 
 
 The Ste. Amie des Monts, which falls into the gulf about 11 miles below 
 Cape Chat, is a large and beautiful stream, flowing from beyond the 
 Shick-Shocks in the county of Eimouski. It is navigable for schooners 1 
 mile at high water and for canoes 54 miles. It is a bold, rapid river, 
 abounding with salmon and trout and affords tb*^ finest fishing. Salmon 
 run very large in it, averaging nearly 20 lbs. It is at present leased to Mr. 
 Henry Hogan, of the St. Lawrence Hall, Montreal, at a rental of $230. The 
 lessee's ocores during the last two seasons, fishing for only a short period in 
 each, show the excellence of the Ste. Anne des Monts as a salmon river. 
 They were as follows: In 1887, 150 salmon; total weight, 2,677 lbs; 
 average weight, 16 lbs ; largest fish, 33 lbs ; smallest fish, 7 lbs. ; in 1888,' 
 210 salmon, total weight, 4,192 lbs; average weight, 20 lbs; largest fish, 
 49 lbs ; smallest fish, 8 lbs. 
 
 The Claude, Anse-Pleureuse, Pierre and Mont- Louis are streams lower 
 down, holding an occasional salmon and plenty of sea-trout. 
 
 The Magdalen, which falls into the gulf about 70 miles below Cape 
 Chat, is one of the important rivers of the coast and a good salmon stream. 
 It has not been leased for some years past. In 1880, the guardian reported : 
 " Fly-fishing was satisfactory ; 69 salmon, weighing 1,030 lbs, having been 
 killed in the Magdalen river." Its s( enerv is mao-nificent 
 
ily accessible 
 rted in 1887 : 
 3 during the 
 waters than 
 i the Matane, 
 k mountains 
 Lawrence, 33 
 
 n the Grand 
 of sea-trout 
 
 wins partake 
 
 of the cape 
 u trout river, 
 ason took 6 
 
 miles below 
 
 beyond the 
 
 schooners 1 
 
 rapid river, 
 
 ig. Salmon 
 
 eased to Mr. 
 
 f$230. The 
 
 )rt period in 
 
 almon river. 
 
 2,677 lbs; 
 
 >s. ; in 1888, 
 
 largest fish, 
 
 jams lower 
 
 t)elow Cape 
 ion stream. 
 n reported : 
 aving been 
 
 791 
 
 The forejfoing streams are reached by Intercolonial Railway, by the 
 river, or by rail and waggon from the Intercolonial along the Maritime road. 
 
 The Dmlmoulh, which falls into the bay of Ga8p6, is a splendid salmon 
 stream, with a course of about 50 miles, actually renting lor !|520 per 
 annum. Ilowand says of it : — " The Dartmouth is another charming 
 stream ; 2 or 3 miles from the mouth, there is a beautiful pool at the foot 
 of some falls, where I have killed big sea trout and salmon until my arms 
 were tired. Recently these falls have been blasted to let the fish higher 
 up the river. " I^emoine refers to it as " swarming with salmon." In his 
 report for 1883, Mr. Mackedie says :— " The Dartmouth river Hows through 
 the townships of De Beaujeau, Blanchet, Sydenham South and Gaspe Bay 
 South. None of the lauds on its banks to which fishing rights appertain are 
 disposed of. There are som*' 8 or 10 good pools between tidal water and 
 the first falls, a distance of about 10 miles. To fish above these would 
 involve a long portage over a high hill. Very little angling was done in 
 this river this year, only 26 salmon having been taken, averaging 19 lbs. 
 More ihan 200 are supposed to have gone above the falls." Last year, the 
 lessee's score showed a catch of 24 fish, averaging 20 lbs. 
 
 The York also falls into Gaspe Basin, and is another famous salmon 
 river. It is a large stream, with a total length of about 100 miles and many 
 tributaries, and takes its rise in the mountainous region in the interior of 
 the Gaspe peninsula. It is navigable ior large vessels one mile from its 
 mouth, lor boats 5 miles, and for canoes to its source. It is actually rented 
 at $320 a year. In 1880, the guardian reported : " Salmon angling has 
 been very good in York river ; anglers having killed, in less than a 
 mouth's time, 100 salmon weighing 2,402 lbs. The river is reported to be 
 well stocked with breeding fish. The York river fish average about 20 lbs." 
 Mr. Mackedie, in 1883, reported on it as follows : — " It contains some 15 
 pools within a distance of 25 miles from tidal water, which is as far as 
 angling is generally done, through there are some fine pools within the 
 next 14 miles. Salmon begin to enter this river about the middle of May 
 and cease running about the end of July. Angling may begin about the 
 10th .Tune or later, according to the season. There was not much done this 
 year, only about 70 salmon having been taken or one tenth of the number 
 supposed to be in the river. The York is remarkable for containing very 
 few sea trout in comparison with other rivers : " Rowand says of the York : 
 — " Fish do not run quite so large as in the St. .John, but there are plen* 
 of them and they take the fly very h-eely." In 1887, the guardian reporte-' 
 " Established an increase of a hundred in the number of s.<\lmon on the 
 
192 
 
 m 
 
 4:- 
 
 spawning grounds as compared with Inst year. Owing to the small depth 
 of water this season, iho fly fishing was not successful. There was great 
 abundance of young salmon in August, but they were almost entirely 
 destroyed by the sheldrakes. In my opinion, the Government should offer 
 a reward for th^ destruction of these birds." The attention of the Govern- 
 ment has been called to this subject. 
 
 The St. John (Gasp6), which falls into Gaspe Basin at Douglastown, 
 after a course of about 70 miles, furnishes the finest salmon and sea front 
 angling. Canoes can ascend it to its source which is in the highlands of 
 the interior of Gaspe. Rowand says of it : " The St. .Tohn is the l)e8t of 
 the three in Gaspe bay ; it is a charming stream to fish and salmon run 
 large." Mr. Mackedie reported on it in 1883, as follows : — " The St. John 
 (Gasp^') flows through the townships of Lafbrce, Baillargeon, York and 
 Douglas. It is said to contain some 22 pools, pretty widely scattered over 
 a length of about 50 miles. Most of thorn appear to be in front of vacant 
 lands. Anglers visited it about the lOth June, which was much too early. 
 They would have had a better chance in July and August, as the greatest 
 number of salmon enter the river in July, and fresh run fish were'seeu in 
 it as late the 19th Aiigust last; 25 in one of tiie lower pools: I was 
 informed that no angling has been done on this river for the last five or 
 six years above Barnes' pool, about 30 miles from tjie mouth, the guardian 
 and lessee being agreed a.s to the advisability of leaving the higher pools 
 undisturbed; and it was suggested that, in leasing the river, the fishing 
 should bo restricted to the lowest 30 miles by a clause to that effect being 
 inserted in the lease." At present, the St. .Tohn rcMits for $240 per annum. 
 Last year, the lessee killed 35 fish of an average weight of 23 lbs, the 
 largest being 28 lbs. 
 
 The Mnlbnie is a small salmon and trmit stream, fsxlling into the bay of 
 that name midway between Gaspe Basin and Perce and navigable for 
 canoes for 30 miles. It flows mostly through conceded lands. Bowand 
 says of it : " Malbaie is a nice-looking strtam, which salmou hiivo access 
 to, but it has been poached to death." Since this was writt n ihe gi. .rdian 
 of the division reported in 1880 : " Malbaie river appears to be steadily 
 increasing ; at least 100 salmon having spawned in that stream last season." 
 
 The Grand liiver is a first class salmon river, which flows into the sea 
 some 16 miles from Porce. Rowand says of it : " Grand river is a good 
 stream, salmon pi'n-itul, ^.eraging about 12 or 13 lbs. It is leased at a 
 yearly rental of 'i;'';'": 
 
 Tile angling season for all these rivers on the south 
 
the small depth 
 hero was grout 
 almost entirely 
 eiit should oflor 
 
 I of the Govoni" 
 
 t Douglastovvii, 
 
 II and 8oa trout 
 he highlands of 
 n is the l)e8t of 
 id salmon run 
 " The St. John 
 oon, York and 
 
 scattered over 
 front of vacant 
 much too early, 
 as the greatest 
 ih were seen in 
 
 pools : I was 
 the last five or 
 1, the guardian 
 e higher pools 
 er, the fishing 
 it effect boin*; 
 140 per annum. 
 
 of 23 lbs, the 
 
 into the bay of 
 navigable for 
 nds. Rowand 
 ou ii.i.vc access 
 '1 ihegi irdian 
 to be steadily 
 m last season." 
 
 vs into the sea 
 iver is a good 
 t is leased at a 
 s on the south 
 
 798 
 
 shore is from the 10th June to the 16th July ; of course, this is only 
 approximate because seasons vary according to the melting of the snow in 
 the t^hick-vShock mountains. After the middle of July, most of these rivers 
 run very fine, though sea trout and grilse never fail." In 1880, the guardian 
 reported : " The lessee of Grand Rivor had excellent sport and killed 8'.) 
 fish with the lly. The guardian saw no less than 800 fish in the breeding 
 pools during the month of November." In 1883, Mr. MacTtedie reported : 
 ' The Grand river Hows through the township of Itameau (Crown lands) 
 aiid the seigniory of Grand Hiver (private). The best of the angling is 
 within the limits of the seigniory, but good fishing may be had in the part 
 i\i/ove (Crown lands) in the months of July and August. The lessee of the 
 portion within the seigniory pays the owners |225 a year for it, and the 
 'r I er portion is considered worth at least half as much." In 1887, the 
 guardian reported : " Fish are plentiful in this river. On the 15th November, 
 oil my last visit to the upper waters, 1 saw some 450 salmon on the spawn- 
 ing grounds." The upper part of the Grand river is leased at !|o0 a year, 
 but has not been fished by the lessee for several years past. 
 
 The Liftle Pnhos, which flows into the gulf near the entrance of tho 
 Bay des Chaleurs, has a high reputation as a salmon and troiit stream. Mr. 
 Mackedie says of it in his reports for 1883 and 1884 : " The Little Tabos 
 rivi'V, rising in unsurveyed lands, flows through the seigniory of Pabo? 
 (Crown property.) It contain.s salmon pools as far up as thirteen miles 
 from the month, but anglors seldom gi above the falls, eight miles up, and 
 it is recommended that fishing should n jt be allowed in the upper portion 
 (at)ove the falls) after the first of August. The lands along the river for 
 four or five miles from tho bay are nearly all disposed of, but there are 
 several good pools in front of unsold Uiiuls in the lower portion as well as 
 ill the upper. This river does not appear to have been angled until two 
 years ago ('81) when only four fish wt-re taken, out of forty supposed to be 
 in it. Last year it contained two hundred, of which eighteen were taken. 
 This year the same number of fish aro supposed to have run in, bi\t there 
 hf.d been no fishing done at the time of my visit. The present lessee, who 
 has had the river for several years, has been endeavouring to improve it, 
 and is entitled to some consideration on account of the little benefit he 
 has yet derived from his outlay, but some definite arrangement as to time 
 should be made with him. The Little Pabos is one of the few well guarded 
 livers in the Gaspe district. It is too small to be divided into sections, but 
 is well stocked with salmon and should fetch a higher rental on a 5 years' 
 lease than has hitherto been paid for it." It is at present rented for $lU5, 
 
•794 
 
 and the lessee last year reported his catch at 34 salmon , total weight 413 
 lbs ; average weight, 12 lbs ; largest fish, 30 lbs ; besides 200 sea trout. 
 
 The Grand Pabos, five miles from the little river of the same name, is a 
 splendid salmon stream, divided into two branches, which rent respectivelv 
 at $50 and $30 to Mr. Henry Hogan, of the St. Lawrence Hall, Montreal. In 
 his reports for 1883 and 1884, Mr. Mackedie thus refers to this river .-^ 
 " The Grand Pabos, north branch, Hows through the township of New- 
 port and the seigniory of Pabos. It. countains about twenty good pools 
 between the granted lands and the first falls and several more between the 
 first and second falls. This river was leased up to 1S81, but has not bec^ 
 taken for the last two years, although reported as having been full of salmon 
 last year and containing a large number this year. Unfortunately, not having 
 been leased nor protected, ii is supposed that nearly every salmon which 
 entered the river this year was speared. The west branch is said to have been 
 well stocked with salmon some years ago, but the fish, having been pre 
 vented from ascending it by a dam, lorsoc •< it, and have not returned, 
 although the dam has been cut. R--stocking and guarding might restore 
 it, " " I visited the G-rand Pabos also for the second time, and found that 
 though it has been very extensively poached for some years past, it still 
 appears to contain a considerable number of salmon, and would, without 
 doubt, afiord a fair amount of sport if properly guarded. It might be divided 
 into two sections,— the first, from the mouth to Falls Brook, a length of 
 auoat ten miles, containing ten or twelve pools, and the second frorn*Falls 
 Brook to thi> Second Falls, about the same length, and containing as many 
 or more pools. It is possible, however, that in the present condition of the 
 river, it could not be disposed of in sections, but if leased entire, it ought to 
 fetch not less than seventy-five dollars per annum for five years. Iii°view 
 of the large amount of poaching that has been going on in this river of late 
 years, it is very desirable, and may even be said to be absolutely necessary, 
 that a guardian should be appointed to take charge of it at once, for if not 
 protected it bids fair to be completely ruined. The mouth of this river forms 
 a large shallow basin about three miles long by a mile or more in width, 
 separated by a sand bar from the Baydes Chaleurs, into which it flows through 
 a narrow channel. It is understood that many salmon are killed in this 
 basin at night throughout the season by parties who are ostensibly in search 
 of eels; their flambeaux proving an equally attractive lure to the larger 
 fish. On other rivers, notably Grand River and Little Pabos, which are 
 both well guarded, this flambeauing for eels is prohibited, except vvheu 
 and where the salmon are not likely to be interfered with. On thi.s account 
 
 ould I 
 niucia 
 enforce 
 ■ate aiK 
 wal caj 
 :almou 
 inet'tioi 
 ling rif 
 
 the Si 
 t. if pre 
 .dition. 
 ueh, a I 
 ending 
 .lug' us t 
 m the r 
 river. 
 ,de to re 
 ipev'tion 
 fill wit 
 1)08, the 
 iffht mo 
 )ort for 
 i north 
 s ahund 
 tro'naii 
 ii year.' 
 
 The I 
 
 m its ei 
 ackedie 
 iiiiel riv 
 ve been 
 :ter. 1 1 
 formed 1 
 ken up i 
 ndered i 
 
 The G 
 e village 
 ough ex(, 
 eaui for 
 
1 , total weight 413 .vovild seem advisable that river guardians, v^^hether employed by the 
 es 200 sea trout. )nucial Government or bv lessees, should be emnow«r«f1 nnri ,nef,.n^+^,i 
 
 es 200 sea trout. 
 
 he same name, is 
 )h rent respectively 
 i Hall, Montreal. In 
 3rs to this river :- 
 
 township of New- 
 twenty good pools 
 I more between the 
 
 but has not becu 
 ' been full of salmon 
 anately, not having 
 'ery salmon which 
 is said to have been 
 having been pre 
 liave not returned, 
 ing might restore 
 le, and found that 
 
 years past, it still 
 id would, without 
 t might be divided 
 
 Brook, a length of 
 
 second from Falls 
 jutainiug as many 
 nt condition of the 
 I entire, it ought to 
 ve years, In view 
 n this river of late 
 iolutely necessary, 
 
 at once, for if not 
 
 of this river forms 
 )r more in width, 
 3h it flows through 
 ire killed in this 
 stensibly in search 
 lure to the larjjer 
 Pahos, which are 
 ted, except vvheu 
 I. On thi-s acoouut 
 
 195 
 
 incial Government or by lessees, should be empowered and instructed 
 enforce the Federal fishery laws in tidal as well as inland waters, to con- 
 ate and destroy all spears and other implements that may be used in the 
 gal capture of salmon, and to prosecute ofFenderh , lor the preservation 
 almon is a matter of as much importance to the^Federal Government, in 
 inet'tion with the coast fisheries, as to the proprietors or lessees of inland 
 ling rights, if not more so. The West Branch of the Grand Pabos falls 
 
 the same basin as the north branch. It is much smaller than the other, 
 
 if protected, would furnish sport for one or two rods when in proper 
 .ditiou. I was informed, last year that there were no salmon in this 
 ueh, although a mill-dam which had formerly prevented them from 
 ending if had been cut away. On making a personal examination of it, 
 .lug'ust .ast, I saw some fifteen or twenty large fish in one pool not far 
 mthe mouth, and have no doubt there were more in the higher parts of 
 ! river. This is one of several instances in which I found that statements 
 de to me last year were not to be relied on, and goes to show that actual 
 tion is the only means by which information that may be acted 
 with confidence can be obtained. On both branches of the Grand 
 bos, the water, after being raised by heavy rain, returns to its ordinary 
 
 ht more quickly than is generally the case with other rivers. " Tu his 
 )ort for 1887, the guardian says : " Counted seventy to eighty salmon in 
 e north branch, and saw numbers of trout Both salmon and trout much 
 s abundant in the west branch ; the trout seldom run up this branch, 
 tronain near the mouth. No salmon, but only trout takoii with the fly 
 is year." 
 
 The Port Daniel, which falls into the Bay des Chaleurs, about 4 miles 
 m its entrance, is a considerable river divided into three branches. Mr. 
 arkediesays of these : " TI7.- west, middle and east branches of the Port 
 miel river flow through the township of Port Daniel. They are said to 
 
 e been formely good salmon rivers, but do not at present bear this cha- 
 ter. I did not think it advisable to visit thetn on this occasion, as I was 
 formed that, on the west and middle branches, the lauds are all granted or 
 ken up as far as salmon-fishing would extend, while the east branch is 
 ndered inaccessible to salmon by a jam at the mouth." 
 
 The Grand Bonavenlure, which falls into the Bay des Chaleurs opposite 
 
 village of Bonaventure and about seven miles above New-Carlisle — 
 
 ough excelled by some other rivers in the same district— is still a famous 
 
 eani for salmon and sea trout in their season. Of other fish, however, it 
 
 iiffl 
 
m 
 
 796 
 
 seems to be comparaiiA'ely destitate. Few ot the Canadian salmon ri 
 
 have suffered more from the murderous spear of the Indian and tho ille 
 
 practices of the white man than the Bonaventure, but at present it is rapi 
 
 regaining its old-time reputation, It is admirably fitted by nature tot 
 
 favorite haunt of the royal fish. It is free from falls, the only obstruotiom 
 
 uninterrupted navigation by canoes from its mouth almost to its sou 
 
 being occasional jams of drift wood, carries a large body of romaika 
 
 clear, cold water varying in breadth from 10 and 100 yards at its mouth 
 
 40 feet and loss in its upper roaches, and is joined on its way by sove 
 
 important tribiitaries on both sides. It takes its rise in the mountain 
 
 region in the interior of the G-aspe peninsula and the total length of 
 
 course, which lies partly through the townships of Hamilton and Cox 
 
 between GO and TO miles amid the most romantic of scenery. Last year, 
 
 official angling score of the lessee, who pays an annual rental of $285 
 
 this river, was 65 salmon, of a total weight of 1,132 lbs. and an avon 
 
 weight of 15 lbs. The largest fish killed was one of 40 lbs. ; but salmon 
 
 50 lbs. and upwards have been frequently taken in the Bonaventure ai 
 
 as a rule the run of salmon killed in it are composed of heavier fish thun 
 
 the adjacent streams. Mr. D.-C. Mackedie, in his official report on t 
 
 Bonaventure to the Government of the Province in 1883, says: "I( 
 
 largely Irequentod by salmon and trout, contains many pools and may 
 
 angled as ftu- as the First East branch, about 2(3 miles from its mouth. Aha 
 
 the ninth mile, the lands aro all vacant, except one lot in the townshii: 
 
 Cox, in front of which there are a couple of pools. There had only bi: 
 
 four rods on the river this year at the time of my visit and about 50 .sahu 
 
 taken. If known to be in the market and put up to auction, it would pn 
 
 ab.y let for a much higher price than has hitherto been paid for it." ) 
 
 J. Bureau, provincial explorer, reported as follows regarding the l?onav 
 
 ture in 1884 : " It is also, as I was informed, well stocked with salmon a( 
 
 trout." Mr. ]\Iackedio, in his report for the .same year, says : " As I w 
 
 unable to see miu-h of the IJonaventuro river last year, I visited it ag 
 
 and examined it as far up as the Second East branch, a distance of abo 
 
 forty miles. There are seven pools in front of private lands within tliolii 
 
 eight miles from the mouth, and above that forty-eight more, all in front 
 
 ungranted lands. These might be divided into three sections, as follow 
 
 No. 1, from the mouth to Deep Water creek, liftoon miles, containin2' 
 
 pools in front of ungranted lands, besides the 7 which may be considoi 
 private property. No. 2, from Deep Water creek to First West branch, 
 miles, 16 pools. No. 3, froxu First West branch to Second East branch, 
 miles, 18 pools. Each of these sections, with the water in good couditic 
 
 iild giv 
 ilnre is 
 r(1888 
 ght 15 
 
 M\, t( 
 
 (.Host, ? 
 
 The L 
 
 only all 
 valua 
 
 wed 2] 
 
 lbs., t] 
 
 k-Sho( 
 
 m its m 
 
 thi.n fl 
 
 ishes c 
 
 miles 
 
 t low s, 
 
 is si 
 
 188;'.. 
 
 r salm 
 rout. 
 vxtin 
 
 e liver : 
 (li:i, boil 
 toiK-^oq' 
 W\ with 
 irs, wou 
 ght aft 
 jr." In li 
 tie Case 
 od bind 
 
 out tWfl 
 
 es I'urtl 
 lid not { 
 Mirsl SO' 
 it thiT.' : 
 rw A\iili 
 los thor* 
 utholtl 
 
season. The Boua- 
 ituio is at present leased at an annual rental of $285, and the lessee, last 
 ir (1888), reported a catch of 05 salmon, total weight 1,132 lbs. ; average 
 ght 15 lbs. ; largest lish, 40 lbs. ; smallest 8 J lbs. In 1887, his catch was 
 titih, total weight, 1,350 lbs. ; average, 15 lbs.; largest lish, 30 lbs. ; 
 ilkvst, 8 lbs. 
 
 191 
 
 nadian salmon ri' 
 
 udian and the ilk „|,i gi^e fishing for lour to six rods throughout the 
 it present it israpi 
 tted by nature to I 
 e only obstruotiom 
 
 almost to its sou 
 
 body of remaika 
 yards at its mouth 
 n its way by sov( 
 
 in the mountaiiK 
 e total length of 
 lamilton and Cox 
 cenery. Last year, 
 lal rental of $285 
 
 lbs. and an aven 
 ) lbs. ; but salmon 
 he Bonaventare ai 
 if heavier lish tlum 
 iflicial report on t 
 I 1883, says: "I( 
 ny pools and may 
 rem its mouth. Ab( 
 t in the township 
 
 Thoro had only h 
 and about 50 .sahu 
 Lction, it would pi( 
 been paid for il." ) 
 arding the Bonan 
 ived with salmon a 
 tar, says : " As I w 
 r, I visited it aga 
 , a distance of abo 
 ands within tho 
 t more, all in front 
 sections, as follow 
 niles, containinij' 
 I may be eonsidor 
 *'irst "West branch, 
 cond East branch, 
 r in good conditic 
 
 The Mile Cascopedia runs parallel to the Grand Cascapedia at a distance 
 :ily aboTit live or six miles to. the eastward, but is much less important 
 valuable as a salmon river, though its ofiicial angling score for 1879 
 wed 21 salmon, of an average weight of 11i\r lbs. and a total weight of 
 lbs., the largest fish killed weighing 33 lbs. It also takes its rise in the 
 nkShock mountains and divides into two principal branches at 22 miles 
 ID its mouth, which is also in the Bay des Chaleurs on a fine bay, not 
 thun miles in breadth and on the shores of which are two important 
 shcs of New liichmonu and Maria. Its course is between 75 and 
 miles in length. The scenery is magnillcenl. It used to be said 
 ifcw salmon were seen in it, but, on the other hand, plenty of trout ; 
 Ihis statement seems to be corroborated by the report of Mr. Mackedie 
 188;'.. " The Little Cascapedia, " says Mr. Mackedie, " was formerly 
 ir salmon river, but is now of no value whatever for angling, except 
 trout. I'he use of the spear and drift net has resulted in th(> almost 
 1 ixtinction of the salmon accustomed to IV.'quent it. The mouth of 
 river is of a very different character from that of the* Grand Casca- 
 dill, being wide and shallow, but this is generally understood to be of 
 (oii.-^cquence as far as the passage of salmon is concerned, for they 
 wr with the rising tide. Ke-stocking, with eflicicnt protection for a few 
 rs, would probably restore this river to its lornur condition, and make it 
 ight after by anglers, whose numbers appear to be increasing every 
 In his report of the following year, Mr. Mackedie added this. " The 
 til' Cascapedia Ifi \s through the township of New liichmond and unsur- 
 iHll.mds. It is practicable for ordinary canoes as far as 'The Forks,' 
 out twinty miles from its mouth, and for light ones some twelve or fifteen 
 t's i'lutheron both branches. As the time at my diSj)osal was very limited, 
 id not examine either of the braiu^lies. There are four pools wiOiin 
 HirM seven mil(>s, where the river Hows through granted laiuls. Above 
 tl llii'iv are only two, until the sixteenth mile is reached, where there are 
 rot' within a mile-and-a-half. IJetween the twentieth and twenty-third 
 l*'s there are six more, making eh'ven pools within vacant lands from the 
 mil (il the Forks, Allhr.uiili this is a " In'iu-ht " liver. the wntcr beiu"' 
 
798 
 
 If i fl 
 
 very clear and transparent, I saw no salmon in it, but have reason to belie icenery 
 
 that there had been some, which had either been killed illegally or .r, 
 above the Forks. A few were seen in it by the lessee later on, but no 
 were caught. I was informed that this river had been pretty well clear 
 of salmon three years ago by the use of nets and that the lessee had foa 
 a net set in it this year. Under such circumstances, it is not surprising- 1\ 
 
 salmon seem to have forsaken it, and that it is considered worthless ! 
 
 angling.. The absence of a guardian empowered to prevent poaching a '* ^^^ ^ 
 prosecute trespassers naturally leads the people of the locality to suppc 7^^^ ^i 
 that they are free to take all the fish they can, by any means, and to arg 
 that if one person do nut take them another will. Experience has sho" 
 that a few prosecutions, resulting in fine or imprisonment, would hm 
 very good effect in reducing the amount of poaching and destruction 
 breeding fish, now so extensively practised on this and other rivers. 
 
 well stocked, this river would give good fishing for three or foUr rods whi contribi 
 
 eugth 
 be moi 
 ed by s 
 ind tak 
 inland, 
 ards ir 
 
 lavigah 
 
 limpid. 
 
 such as 
 
 ire met 
 
 iometin 
 
 the salmon are running, and ought to fetch a rental of at least two hundi 
 
 dollars a year, but in its present condition it will probably not bring mo 
 
 than fifty dollars per annum for the next five years, if so much. Arrang 
 
 ments ought to be made for its being re-stocked next year, either by t 
 
 lessee, if disposed of, 6r at the instance of the aoverument. if not lease 
 
 There would seem to be ample reason for feeling confident that the expeu 
 
 of re-stocking and guarding a river for a year would b^ more than counti 
 
 balanced by the increased rental which would consequently be obtained for 
 
 In 1887, the guardian reported as follows: "The salmon of this riv 
 
 have been destroyed by poachers ; on the other hand, sea-trout are abundau 
 
 The salmon pools are so small that all the fish may be taken in one nigl 
 
 To afford encouragement for the re-stocking of the river, it should be least 
 
 for a term of ten years. The lessee has this year, at his own expeiis 
 
 caused the mouth of the river to be deepened, to afford a better passage fi 
 
 the salmon. " The improvement promoted in this way and foreshadows 
 
 by Mr. Mackedie would appear to have already set in, as Mr. Bureau, wli 
 
 has since visited and reported on the river, states that it seemed at the tin 
 
 of his visit will stocked with salmon and trout. The Little Cascapedia 
 
 at present under lease at an annual vent of $60. 
 
 The Grand Cnscapedin is to-day, without exception, the finest saiino 
 river in the province, the fish in it being not only as a rule more abundau 
 but usually heavier than those taken in the other rivers, 40 to oO and eve 
 60 lbs being a not uncommon weight. It is also ono of the most picturesqu 
 flowing through a mountainous country unrivalled for the grandeur ot 
 
 Canada. 
 
 to spaw 
 into the 
 creeks i 
 farther < 
 places t( 
 very lar 
 remarka 
 
 S(d 
 oftheS 
 cipal br 
 
•799 
 
 itive reason to belie cenery. It takes its rise in a lake of the same name, of about two miles in 
 eugth by a mile and a half in breadth. This lake is about 76 miles from 
 be mouth of the river at New Richmond in the Bay des Chaleurs, and is 
 ed by a little river which may be considered as the main river Cascapedia 
 md takes its rise in the Shick-Shock mountains about 30 miles further 
 
 lied illegally or g( 
 'e later on, but no 
 1 pretty well clea 
 the lessee had foa 
 
 is not surprising tl iil^"^; -^.t two miles below the lake, the river Cascapedia is only 20 
 
 idered worthless fai'<is ^^ breadth, but from that place it widens by degrees until it reaches 
 event poaching a '* ^*^ mouth a breadth of about 500 yards. There are no falls in it, but a 
 locality to suppc [reat number of rapids, which nevertheless do not prevent it from being 
 
 . „„,! .- ,|iavigable for wooden and bark canoes. The water is very clear and 
 
 impid. Numerous islands, covered with the finest trees of 'the country, 
 iuch as ash, elm, maple, white and red birch, all growing on alluvial soil! 
 ire met with along nearly its whole course, and, together with its shores 
 sometimes steep, sometimes gently sloping and covered with rich grass, 
 contribute to make it, as already stated, one oi the most picturesque in 
 Canada. It appears that the salmon do not go as high as lake Cascapedia 
 to spawn. They have been seen in Miner's Brook, a stream which falls 
 into the main river, very near to the lake, but more frequently in the 
 creeks and pools, where the water is deep and still at 3, 6 and 7 miles 
 farther down ; there they are found in great numbers and choose favorable 
 places to deposit their ova. The sea trout and speckled trdut are also 
 very large, of fine quality, and very abundant. The following are the most 
 remarkable spots on this river, with the respective distances from its mouth • 
 
 means, and to aro' 
 perience has shov 
 ment, would hiTt 
 ig and destruction 
 ind other rivers, 
 je or foUr rods whi 
 it least two hund 
 ably not bring rao 
 so much. Arrang 
 year, either by t 
 ment, if not lease 
 lent that the expeu 
 ! more than counti 
 itly be obtained for 
 almou of this riv 
 i-trout are abundau 
 taken in one nigl; 
 f, it should be leas 
 t his own expeus 
 . a better passage fi 
 ' and foreshadowt 
 as Mr. Bureau, wli 
 t seemed at the tin 
 Little Cascapedia 
 
 , the lines t sal mo 
 rule more abuiulaii 
 i, 40 to .50 and eve 
 le most picturesqu 
 ■ the grandeur of 
 
 Picapico mountains 14 
 
 Turner's brook 2 
 
 Montmorency falls (in a brook). 2 
 
 Jonathan's brook 3 
 
 Tracadie 3 
 
 Charles Vallee's brook 4 
 
 Square Fork 5 
 
 Indian Falls (rapids) IJ 
 
 The coniluence of Cascapedia 
 river (properly speaking) 
 
 with the Salmon branch... 9 
 
 miles from the sea 
 " higher up. 
 
 m 
 
 Salmon Branch is a tributary of the Cascapedia and takes its rise west 
 of the Shick-Shock mountains. It runs toward the east and joins the prin- 
 cipal branch at the above mentioned point. It is less considerable than the 
 
800 
 
 main branch, but moitj rapid aud ver)'' much broken by falls and rapids Ou 
 the Square Fork, which is a large tributary from the west at 38 miles from 
 the mouth of the Cascapedia, the scenery is particularly wild; the Little 
 and Big Berry mountains having- peaks 1,500 to 2,000 leet high. From the 
 summit of these mountains, a magnificent panoramic view of the Shiok- 
 Shocks is obtained, surpassing in grandeur the mountain scenery of any 
 other portion of Eastern Canada, llowand, in his Emigrant and Sporisman 
 in Canada, says of this river : " The Grrand Cascapedia is celebrated for the 
 immense size of its fish. It is a large and very rapid stream. Its salmon 
 average 23 lbs and e rery season mighty monsters of the deep are hooked 
 by anglers. Fortunately, owing to the color of the water, somewhat coarser 
 tackle can be used than in most other rivers.'" Mr. Joseph Bureau, explorer 
 for the Crown Lands Department, says : " The Grand Cascapedia is the 
 finest salmon river in this part of this province (Graspe district) ; salmou 
 are found as high up as the lake near the source and in the Salmon Branch 
 up to the ialls." Mr. D.-C. Mackedie, who inspected the different salmon 
 rivers for the department, in 18?<o, makes the following report regarding the 
 Cascapedia : " The Grand Cascapedia, well known to be one of the finest 
 salmon rivers on the continent, falls into the Bay des Chaleurs between the 
 townships of Maria and New-Richmond All the lands within these town- 
 ships to which fishing rights appertain have been taken rip, if not patented 
 and the fishing privileges leased at an average yearly rental of $50. Above 
 the surveyed lands, or from the mouth of the Escuminac to Salmon Falls ou 
 the Salmon Branch, a distance of about 42 miles, there are fifty or more 
 pools or fishing places, at the disposal of the Government : these might b^^ 
 divided into five sections as follows ; No. 1. From rear line of townships of 
 Maria and New-liichmond to lower end of Four Mile Tree Island, 4 miles ; 
 10 pools. No. 2. From lower end of Four Mile Tree Island to foot of Butt jn's 
 rapid, t miles, 12 pools. No. 3. From Button's rapid to Indian Falls, 12 
 miles, 13 pools. No. 4. From Indian Falls to " the Forks ", including Fork's 
 pool ; 10 miles, 12 pools. No. 5. From the Forks to Salmon Falls, 10 miles, 
 12 pools. The number of salmon taken in the Grand Cascapedia tin* 
 year has boon estimated at over 500, besides large quantities of irout. It 
 seems probable, from the reputation of this river and the many applications 
 which have been made for it, that it would yield a large revenue, if ofFn-ed 
 to public competition and especially, if leased for terms of five to ten year.i, 
 as the lessees would be inclined to erect hou'ie.s and ex''rt more careful 
 guardianship." In one season's angling (1870) as many as 647 salmon 
 have been killed with the fly in the Grand Cascapedia, their total weight 
 representing 10,288 lbs and their average individual weight 27 lbs, the 
 
801 
 
 Is and rapids Ou 
 t at 38 miles from 
 wild ; the Little 
 high. From the 
 dew of the Shiok- 
 liu scenery of any 
 ant and Spurlsmnn 
 celebrated for the 
 •earn. Its salmon 
 3 deep are hooked 
 somewhat coarser 
 L Bureau, explorer 
 Oascapedia is the 
 district) ; salmou 
 le Salmon Branch 
 ! different salmon 
 »ort regarding the 
 i one of the finest 
 leurs between the 
 ithin these town- 
 p, if not patented 
 alof^oO. Above 
 ) Salmon Falls ou 
 are fifty or more 
 : these might hi 
 le of townships of 
 3 Island, 4 miles ; 
 to foot of Buttju's 
 Indian Falls, 12 
 including Fork's 
 ni Falls, 10 miles, 
 . Cascapedia this 
 ties of irout. It 
 aany applications 
 •evenue, if ofFn'ed 
 ' five to ten years, 
 I'Tt more careful 
 y as 647 sulinon 
 heir total weight 
 eig'ht 27 lb>, th" 
 
 largest fish weighing 44J lbs and the smallest 9 lbs. At present, the Grand 
 Cascapedia is under lease to His Excellency the Governor General of the 
 Dominion at a rental of |500 per annum ; but a better idea of its real value 
 can be formed from the prices paid for the purchase of the fishing rights of 
 the riparian proprietors along the lower part of the river — Mr. Dunn of 
 Dunn & Wiman, New-York, having paid— it is said — 110,000 alone for 
 the two pools opposite Woodman's and a club of American gentlemen 
 $4,000 for the Princess Louise's cottage and the two pools along its frontage 
 while another gentleman, who has acquired several of the other private 
 pools, sublets them at the rate of $150 per rod for the season. 
 
 The Nouvelle and, its neighbor, the Escuminac, which fall into the Bay 
 des Chaleurs, nearly opposite Dalhousie, are two beautiful little rivers 
 famous for the abundance and splendid quality of their sea trout, Rowand 
 says of them : " There is no artificial obstruction on either of these strv.dms 
 and yet salmon do not ascend them. The reason of this, in my opinion, is 
 that both of them empty their waters into the bay over flat, muddy bars 
 which are grown over with sea grass. In both of these streams there is a 
 peculiarly large and fine run of sea trout. These trout are quite different 
 in color and shape from the sea trout that are taken in the other Bay des 
 Chaleurs waters. I regret'that I am not learned enough in fishes to give 
 their peculiar icthyological marks. Their average weight is larger, their 
 color darker, and their habits different from those of other sea trout I have 
 met with. I: their habits, the places they choose to rest in, and the way 
 they rise at the fly and play when hooked, they exactly resemble salmon. 
 In fact, trout fishing with light tackle in Escuminac is salmon fishing in 
 miniature ; they average about 3 or 3J lbs. ; the smallest fish 1* lbs., and 
 the largest not over 6 lbs. It is, perhaps, worth noting that these trout 
 are peculiar to the only two streams in the Bay des Chaleurs, in which 
 there are no salmon. The trout fishing in the Escuminac in the month of 
 .July is about the best I know of anywhere. This stream, flowing from 
 the snow-clad Shick-Shock mountains, is icy-cold and clear as crystal. 
 Civilized trout would object to rise to a fly under these conditions, but in 
 Escuminac they are not fastidious." Mr. Mackedie, in 1883, made the fol- 
 lowing report on these rivers : " The Escuminac and Nouvelle rivers are 
 both well known to contain large numbers of fine sea trout, and might be 
 advantageously leased to parties who would sub-let and adopt means to 
 attract anglers who desire only a day's or a few days' sport. The best fishing 
 on the Nouvelle, at least, is above the granted lands." The Nouvelle is 
 actually leased at a rental of $55 and the Escuminac for $40 per annum. 
 
 51 
 
802 
 
 All the foregoing rivers are easily and quickly reached either directly by 
 steamer from Quebec or by the Intercolonial railway and steamer IVom 
 Dalhousie, as well as by waggon road. Those tailing into the Bay dos 
 Chaleurs are especially noted for the magnificence of their scenery and for 
 the great distances they can be ascended towards thoir headwaters without 
 obstructions. Very little portaging is needed also to enable the tourist ov 
 sportsman, ascending to their sources, to descend by some of the streams 
 falling into the gulf of St. Lawrence, such as the Cape Chat, Ste. A.nno des 
 Monts or Magdalen rivers. 
 
 The ResligoHche, which is in part the dividing line between the pro- 
 vinces of Quebec and New Brunswick and tails into the Bay des Chaleurs 
 at its head, after a course of nearly 220 miles from its source near lake 
 Temiscouata, is one of the greatest and finest salmon rivers in the world. 
 It is, so to say, the key of the Bay des Chaleurs, which is the great salmon 
 emporium of Quebec and New Brunswick. Its name means " the river 
 which divides like the hand " in allusion to its separating at the head of 
 tide into five principal streams, varying from 50 to *70 miles in length. The 
 entrance to the Restigouche from the Bay des Chaleurs is 3 miles wide and 
 9 fathoms deep. The tide flows up it 24 mile*, of which 18 are navigable 
 for the largest ships The principal towns on its banks are Dalhousie and 
 Campbellton in New Brunswick. The scenery on its course is everywhere 
 both grand and beautiful, but that portion is most interesting where it 
 forces its way through the mountain lands, which give birth to the great 
 streams of New Brunswick and those of the United States emptying into 
 the Atlantic Ocean. Here the eagle unmolested builds its nest upon high 
 cliffs, the bear and cat secrete themselves in caves and rocky fissures, the 
 moose and caribou brouse upon their favorite food, and the svlmon, fearless 
 and free, reflect the sunshine in the deepest and darkest pools, Mr. S. Wil- 
 mot wrote of this river in 1872 : " In the study of nature or in the admira- 
 tion of that which is really beautiful, no one would regret a trip up the 
 Eestigouche. Its clear, transparent, limpid and highly aerated waters are 
 as cool and grateful to the palate in midsummer as spring water itself 
 The beautifully wild and indescribable grandeur of its scenery is almost 
 beyond description. At many of the windings of the river, a general p.uio- 
 ramie view is produced, impressing one with the idea of some mighty 
 amphitheatre situated in the midst of nature's wilds, which completely 
 dazzles the eye with delight and for a moment almost overcomes the raiacl 
 with awe. Add to this the musical sound of the sparkling and foaming' 
 rapids, through which you are constantly passing, and all combiao to 
 
either directly by 
 lid steamer from 
 iito the Bay des 
 r soeuery and for 
 dvvatera without 
 ble the tourist ov 
 e of the streams 
 at, Ste. A.U110 des 
 
 between the pro- 
 3ay des Ohalours 
 
 source near lake 
 ars ill the world, 
 the great salmon 
 eaus " the river 
 ig at the head of 
 s iu length. The 
 ] miles wide and 
 18 are navigable 
 re Dalhousie and 
 •se is everywhere 
 iresti ng where it 
 )irth to the great 
 !S emptying into 
 s nest upon high 
 )cky fissures, the 
 i svhnon, fearless 
 ools, Mr. S. Wil- 
 or in the admira- 
 ret a trip up the 
 3rated waters are 
 ring water itself, 
 icenery is almost 
 , a general p.mo- 
 of some mighty 
 rhich completely 
 roomes the raiacl 
 ing and foaming' 
 
 all combine to 
 
 808 
 
 make the far-lamed Restigoucha one of the most desirable rivers on this con- 
 tment either for the tourist or sportsman to visit. The Restigouche, with its 
 numerous branches, is one of the principal sources from which the fisheries of 
 the Bay des Chaleurs are annually supplied with their catch of salmon. " 
 The late Mr. R. Nettle speaks of the Restigouche as the grand, the majestic, 
 and as crowning the whole with its numerous tributaries, which drain an 
 area ot about 5,000 miles. Lemoiue styles it " a noble stream, with magnifi- 
 cent tributaries ; salmon frequent it by thousands. " In 18*73, the ''total 
 catch of salmon in the Restigouche was about 500,000 lbs. In'l874, over 
 1,500 salmon were killed with the ily in the Restigouche and its tribu- 
 taries. Salmon average about 16 lbs; but very large jish are frequentlv 
 taken - ■-- '" .-.r , ^.. ,, , __ ■_ -i j 
 
 , ranging 
 
 from 35 to 60 lbs. In 1883, Mr. Mackedie reported. 
 On the Quebec side of the Restigouche river, the greater part of the 
 land is taken up, and the fishing rights are mostly in the hands of private 
 individuals. A few lots, however, in front of which there is good fishing, 
 remain undisposed of These I have indicated on a plan of the river, and°i 
 think it very likely that the fishing privileges appertaining to them will be 
 Ji demand next year Mud fetch good prices if put up to public competition. 
 There was some contention between parties holding laud on opposite sides 
 otthe river, regarding their respective rights in certain pools. This, I pre- 
 sume, will have to be settled by the courts. On a great portion of this river 
 the banks are so high and steep that clearing and cultivating them is 
 impracticable, and, inasmuch as it would injure the river for fishing, 
 mulesirable. Settlement would be in no wise retarded by the whole face of 
 the hill in such places and a depth of two to five chains in other places 
 less steep, being permanently withdrawn from sale to be leased as a fishery 
 reserve. The lands in the neighborhood, though generally unfit for cultiva- 
 tion, are not without prospective value as timber lands on account of the 
 increasing demand for white birch and poplar for spool-making and cedar 
 lorrailway-ties. " The Restigouche is at present leased in five sections at 
 rentals respectively of |200, |170 ; ^90 ; |25 ; and |80. The Restigouche 
 Salmon Club, which is composed of wealthy and distinguished Americans 
 and included the late President Arthur, holds two of these. The Dominion 
 Government maintain a salmon hatchery on a small branch of the Resti- 
 gouche a few miles above the junction of the Metapedia with the main 
 mer and the Patapedia, another of the large Quebec tributaries of the 
 Kestigouche, is leased to the Restigouche Salmon Club, at an annual rental 
 ot $100 and reserved for breeding purposes. This club have a splendid club- 
 liouseatthejunctionof the Metapedia and the Restigouche near where 
 the latter is spanned by the Intercolonial railway bridge. The Quebec 
 
804 
 
 Mornin}:: Clironide, of July 4th, 1889, referring to this Club, had thol 
 following :—" Rev. Dr. Kainsford, of St. George's church. New York, am 
 lately of Toronto, has become a niember of the Kcstigouche Salmon Club 
 14,700 havinc been paid for his admi.ssion share. The reverend gentleman 
 who is now at the club house, has so far enjoyed fair sport, having raiset 
 quite a number of Rsh, a large proportion, however, getti' g away. H. W 
 DeForrost, secretary ot the Restigouche club, has made the best record oi 
 the river so far this year, having killed nin. en fish in four days of las 
 week. Most of the salmon ta\en this season are of much larger size thai 
 usual, the average weight not having been exceeded for many years." 
 
 The Metapediu or Musical River is one of the famous salmon rivers o 
 
 Canada, falling into the Restigouche about 19 miles above Campbelltou 
 
 In its course, it receives the waters of a number of large streams and lakes 
 
 particularly the Assematquegan, the Casupscull and the Humqui river 
 
 and lake Metapedia, some 16 miles long by 3 miles wide, famous fo 
 
 its speckled trout and touladi. Mr. S. Wilmot, of the Dominion Fisheries 
 
 service, thus described the Metapedia in 1873 : " The Metapedia with it 
 
 tributaries forms a magnificent body of water, Hows principally over 
 
 rocky and gravelly bed, and is very rapid in its current, presentiui 
 
 no serious obstacles to the passage of salmon into the interior of the couutrj 
 
 It is said to take its rise in the Chik-Chak mountains, some 60 miles in th 
 
 interior, and to flow thence northeasterly, through an uninhabitable regio 
 
 to lake Metapedia, after passing through which, it is increased in volume b 
 
 the confiuence of the Humqui river, a considerable strea.u coming from th 
 
 south-west. Thus enlarged in body, the Metapedia runs in a southeasterl 
 
 direction until again increased at the forks by the waters of the Casupscu 
 
 which conies from the north-east, whence it flows on very rapidly till 
 
 reaches the Restigouche. The line of the Intercolonial railroad follows th 
 
 windings of the Metapedia river, from its mouth, till it reaches the lake of th 
 
 same name ; as this road will now be speedily completed for travel, the riv 
 
 will be ,broi;ght into great notoriety as a salmon river, and as its natur 
 
 capacity for production is reported to be of considerable magnitude, audtl 
 
 salmon of more than average si^e, it will likely be more frequented Ij 
 
 fishing purposes than heretofore." Rowand says of the Metapedia: " TM 
 
 fish in this river are nearly, if not quite as large, as in Cascapedia, a strea 
 
 which it resembles in characteristics. Salmon average 21 or 22 lbs. It 
 
 noticeable in the Bay des Chaleurs, and I think in Canadian rivers geu 
 
 rally, that the stronger the stream the larger the fish. There are about ■ 
 
 miles of fishing water on this river. The best pool is at the Forks aboutj 
 
 miles fr 
 miles a! 
 access it 
 Motape( 
 of the ^ 
 with m 
 are coui 
 to a gre 
 catch ol 
 Greorgo 
 22J lbs. 
 a total '\ 
 woighii 
 Metape( 
 
 Th( 
 
 about 3, 
 OO to 70 
 up whi( 
 And he 
 to be en 
 I pushe 
 stream i 
 culean 
 is impof 
 the strei 
 111 thesi 
 catch tl 
 precipic 
 monster 
 tiou see 
 report o 
 higher r 
 Still Wi 
 with trc 
 "This I 
 The sail 
 this riv( 
 falls, mi 
 every w 
 
805 
 
 is Club, had tho 
 h, New York, aiu 
 iche Salmon Club 
 vereiul gentleman 
 )ort, having raisec 
 ii'g away. H. \V 
 the best record oi 
 n four days of las 
 ;h larger size thai 
 many years." 
 
 i8 salmon rivers o 
 )ove Campbelltou 
 streams and lakes 
 ,e Humqui riven 
 
 wide, famous fo 
 )oininion Fisheriei 
 kletapedia with it 
 principally over 
 urrent, preseutin 
 vior of the couutrj 
 »me 60 miles in th 
 linhabitable regie 
 eased in volume b 
 xi coming from th 
 5 in a southeaster! 
 s of the Casupscul 
 
 very rapidly till 
 
 •ailroad follows th 
 
 iches the lake of th 
 
 for travel, the v'm 
 
 and as its uatur 
 magnitude, aiul th 
 .ore frequented t 
 
 Metapedia: " Tt 
 ^iscapedia, a strea 
 re 21 or 22 lbs. It 
 ladian rivers geu 
 There are about ■ 
 ; the Forks about I 
 
 miles from the mouth.*** The Intercolonial railroad runs for 80 or 40 
 miles along the very bank of the Metapedia, so that it is perhaps the most 
 accessible river in all Canada. The fish do not take the liy as fniely in the 
 Jlotapedia as in the Rcstigouche. Season, July and August." The scenery 
 o( the Metapedia is magnificent. The river is in many places diversified 
 with numerous islands and picturesque windings ; sometimes, its waters 
 are contracted between stupendous mountains and at other times .xpanded 
 to a great extent in a fine open country. In 1880, the overseer reported a 
 catch of 200 salmon in the Metapedia with the fiy. In 1887, the lessee, Sir 
 Greorge Stephen, reported his catch at 40 fish, total weight 1002J lbs , average 
 22J lbs. largest fish 36J lbs. ; smallest 8 lbs. ; and in 1888 at 45 salmon, of 
 a total weight of 996 lbs. and an average weight of 23 lbs., the largest fish 
 weighing 35 lbs. and the smallest 8 lbs. The rent paid a( present for the 
 Metapedia, the Casupscull and lluraqui is $260. Sea trout are also plentiful. 
 
 The Campscull is the chief affluent of the Metapedia, into which it falls 
 about 35 miles from the mouth of the latter. It has a total course of from 
 (JO to to miles. Rowand describe it as " a very rough and rapid little river, 
 up which go the largest fish of the Matapedia. Its salmon average 25 lbs.' 
 And he adds : " It has seldom been angled owing to the great difficulties 
 to be encountered in getting up it and next in fishing it. On one occasion, 
 I pushed up this stream some 10 miles with great trouble. The bed of the 
 stream is so rough and rocky, and the stream is so strong, that it is a her- 
 culean task to push a canoe up it, while tho banks are so preoipitous, it 
 is impossible to walk. In one place, I found a long gorge, through which 
 the stream foamed, throwing itself over a lot of ledges into as many basins. 
 In these, there were plenty of salmon, but I found it almost impossible to 
 catch them. A canoj could not live in this place, the banks were 
 precipices and even when one could get one's lly into the water and hook a 
 monster, the chances were ten to one against getting him. " This descrip- 
 tion seems to agree with that furnished by Surveyor Lepage, in his 
 report of 1888, (page 758). Mr. Lepage adds that the Casupscull in its 
 higher reaches receives a number of affluents, that the salmon ascend to the 
 Still Waters, and that the river, as well as the lakes at its head, abound also 
 with trout. Mr. Bureau, who visited the river in 1837, reported as follows : 
 "This river is also well stocked wnth fish, especially salmon and trout. 
 The salmon run up as far as the east branch. The lakes which empty into 
 this river are also filled with trout, but the salmon cannot pass above the 
 falls, marked on the outlet. I am told that $300 worth of trout are taken 
 every winter by people from Campbellton, who ship it to the States." Mr. 
 
806 
 
 Miitk»)dio sayn of tho Casui).s<'ull in liis report for 1884 : " Tho Cusupstuill, a 
 tributiiry of (ho Matiipodia, Hows through tho township of (JaHiipscull and 
 unsurvt'yed hinds, fullinj^ into tho Matapf^dia about thirty-six mih^s al)ovo 
 junction of tho hittor vvitii tho Uosti^oufho. It is praticahlo for canoi's up 
 to a point about twi'lvo miles from its mouth, whore thore is a brokon full 
 or cascade, some twenty foot or more in hoijfht. Nono of tho landfi on its 
 banks aro disposed ol. Statements made to mo with respect to its value 
 for fishing wore very contradictory, such as, " Salmon do not j?o above tho 
 falls" — "Salmon do not stop at all in tho lower part of the river, but 150 at 
 once above tho first falls." — " It (the lower part) willntlbrd moderate fishing 
 for two rods all the season." — " None but large fish can p.iss over the first 
 falls." — " There is nothing to prevent any salmon from getting above those 
 falls." — " There are only throe pools in the first twelve miles." &;c. In 
 examining the first twelve miles, I observed some fifteen places where 
 salmou might lie, but was unable to try them, so cannot say how many of 
 them may bo called "pools." I think it probable, however, that salmon may 
 bd caught in at least six of them while running in, vrith the water in good 
 condition. I understand that there aro also some good pools abivo the 
 falls, but it is difficult to reach them, and it was impraticablo for me to do 
 so at the t* ue, as I was not prepared for making a portage. A ;-.:\rty taking 
 the river on a five years' lease, might have a road cut by which access to 
 the upper portion could be more easily obtained, and would probp^ly find 
 good fishing there. This river is said to be much poached, and especially 
 by parties from Salmon lake, who take large quantities of fish from the 
 spawing beds in the upper w^aters. It would thus seem necessary, in order 
 to protect it eiractually, for the guardian to go into camp above the falls, 
 and remain in the vicinity of the spawning grounds from the time wheu 
 the fish arrive there until they disperse after spawning. Such protection 
 could not fail to be beneficial to the owners and lessees of fishing rights in 
 the lower portions of the Metapedia and Restigouche, by increasing the 
 number offish that would return through those waters to spawn in thoir 
 native river; and the exclusive control of these rivers on that account alone 
 should be worth a considerable sum to the parties referred to." The 
 CasupscuU is at present embraced in the lease of the Metapedia to Sir 
 George Stephen. 
 
 The Hiimqui, which runs into the south-west side of the Metapedia, 
 three miles below lake Metapedia, is also a salmon river, included in the 
 lease to Sir George Stephen, with the Metapedia and the CasupscuU. Mr. 
 Mackedie thus refers to it in his report for 1883 : " The first river flowing 
 
ha Cii8ui)8»uill, II 
 OiiHupscull und 
 six mill's ahovo 
 lo lor canoi's up 
 ) is a broktMi full 
 the lauds oil its 
 wcX to its value 
 lot go abovo tho 
 
 riviT, but 150 at 
 nodorato ILshing 
 ss over the lirst 
 ting abovo those 
 miles." >kc. In 
 n places whore 
 ly how many of 
 hat sahuou may 
 e water iu good 
 pools abivo the 
 bio for me to do 
 
 A ;'.:\rty taking 
 which access to 
 Id probp'^ly find 
 ,, and especially 
 )f fish from the 
 cessary, in order 
 above the falls, 
 the time when 
 Such protection 
 ishing rights iu 
 r increasing the 
 
 spawn in their 
 lat account alone 
 ferred to." The 
 letapedia to Sir 
 
 807 
 
 through Crown lands whiih I oxamino.l was the Hum.iui, a tributary of 
 the MataiH'dia, It is naturally froquontod by salmon, and .ontains sevoral 
 line pools above the granlod lands; and, if protected, would be worth 
 leasing, but some of tho people living iu (h<' n(>igh])()rhood are inveterate 
 poachers and allow the salmon no chance to increase. Jl is g.Mierally under- 
 Mood that every salmon that goes up the river is speared. In order to pro- 
 vent this wholesale destruction of breeding lish by keeping them out of 
 the Humqui altogether, a dam has been placed ac^ross the Matapodia, below- 
 Salmon lake, by Mr. Stephen. When I saw this dam it was not in a condi- 
 tion to hinder the passage oi salmon, but I was told that it was intended 
 to raise and repair it, so as to make it an ollectual barrier. This is in direct 
 contravention of the fishery law-sec. 13, sub-sec. r,-but under thocircum- 
 stances It would appear to be more merciful to the fish than lotting them 
 pass up freely would be." 
 
 The Ammelqmgnn, another tributary of the Metapedia, falling ia ou its 
 left bank, is a famous trout siream. 
 
 ; the Metapedia, 
 
 included in the 
 
 I!asupscull. Mr. 
 
 ■st river flowing 
 
LAND-LOCKED SALMON WATERS. 
 
 LAKE ST. JOHN. AND ITS TRIBUTARIES. 
 
 Lake St. John, ihe great inland sea at the head of the Saguenay river, 
 and its numerous tributaries are the home par excellence of the far-famed 
 ouananiche or land-locked salmon, a fish which is now attracting the more 
 general attention of anglers and which is not excelled in gameness or 
 toothsomeness even by its congener, the true salmo-salar. Trout, pickerel, 
 pike, while-fish, &c., also abound, and afford good sport, but the ouananiche 
 constitute the real charm of these waters for the sportsman. They are taken 
 both in the great lake itself and for certain distances up the diflferent rivers 
 which fall into it, as well as at its discharge. Lake St. John is tapped 
 directly by the Quebec and Lake St. John railway, which extends on one 
 side to the north-westward as far as Roberval, crossing on the way the 
 Ouiatchouan and Ouiatchouanishe rivers, and on the other to the north-east- 
 ward as far as the Metabetchouan river, whence it is the intention to push 
 the construction of the road to Chicoutimi, at th». head of steamboat navi- 
 gation on the Saguenay. The principal tributaries of Lake St. John are : 
 
 The Belle Riviere which rises in the lake of the same name, in the county 
 of Chicoutimi, and falls in about six miles above the Little Discharge of the 
 great lake. 
 
 The Metabetchouan, a fine broad stream, which enters on the south side 
 about eight miles higher up than the Belle. It rise in lake Naguagami in 
 the vicinity of Kiskisink or Cedar Lake, on the line of the Lake St. John 
 Railway, and has a total course of between 60 and 10 miles. Its upper 
 waters and the lakes which discharge into them swarm with speckled trout 
 of the largest size and finest quality, and its lower reaches are frequented 
 by the ouananiche. It is leased in two sections, the upper and lower, at a 
 rental of |150 each per annum. 
 
 The Ouiatchouan, which means in the Indian language " Do you see the 
 Falls there ? " and which enters the south-west corner of Lake St. .John, a 
 little more than the same distance further, has a course of 59^ miles. About 
 a mile from its mouth are the Great Falls, 230 feet high. They rival those 
 of Montmorency in height and far surpass them in the distribution of the 
 
.s. 
 
 Saguenay river, 
 of the far-famed 
 racting the more 
 
 in gameness or 
 
 Trout, pickerel, 
 •ut the ouananiche 
 L. They are taken 
 lB different rivers 
 
 John is tapped 
 1 extends on one 
 on the way the 
 to the north-east- 
 intention to push 
 f steamboat navi- 
 St. John are : 
 
 me, in the county 
 Discharge of the 
 
 on the south side 
 :e Naguagami in 
 he Lake St. John 
 miles. Its upper 
 th speckled trout 
 es are frequented 
 r and lower, at a 
 
 ; " Do you see the 
 ■ Lake St. John, a 
 .59J miles. About 
 They rival those 
 [istribution of the 
 
 809 
 
 water as it descends over the pendant rocks. These beautiful falls can be 
 seen almost from the opposite side of Lake St John and have given the 
 river its name. Ouirtaniche are taken in the estuary and as far up as the 
 falls while the upper reaches of the river and the tributary lakes abound 
 with red and grey trout, pickerel, &c. 
 
 The Ouiatchouonishe or Little Ouiatchotian, about six miles beyond, joins 
 the lake on the west side. It is a somewhat smaller stream. 
 
 The River aux Iroquois is another small stream falling into the lake ou 
 the west side at St. Prime. 
 
 The Ashnapmouchouan or Chamouchouan is one of the largest tributaries of 
 the lake, into which it falls on the west side, and might properly be consid- 
 ered the continuation of the Saguenay. It is over half a mile wide at its 
 mouth, rises in the highlands forming the watershed of the rivers flowing 
 on the one side towards the St. Lawrence, and on the other towards Hudson 
 Bay, and, in its course of about 110 miles, receives the waters of many 
 tributary rivers and lakes. At about 92 miles from its mouth, it divides 
 into two branches, one of which being the largest, is called by the Indians 
 the Chief river and the other retains the name of the Ashnapmouchouan, as 
 far as lake Ashnapmouchouan, a large sheet of water, whence to its source 
 it is called the Nikoubau. Among the affluents which join it in the lower 
 part of its course, are the rivers a I'Ours, au Saumon and Piraonka. These 
 are famous fishing grounds for the ouinaniche. Mr. Surveyor Gagnon states 
 at page 133 : " That part of the river Chamouchouan, called Pimonka, 
 abounds in fish, of eight different species, viz : salmon, ouinaniche, trout, 
 dore, white fish, carp, loach, pike and perch. The trout especially is of 
 superior quality, abundant and large, measuring from 20 to 30 inches in 
 length ; it is called mingouche by the Abenaqui Indians. Lake " Witouche " 
 abounds in fish, such as the " witouche ", white fish and delicious trout. 
 The same remarks apply to the other lakes where trout is more abundant 
 and superior in quality." 
 
 The Mistassini, so called from the supposition that it was the ancient 
 route to G-reat Lake Mistassini, falls into the north west corner of Lake St. 
 John, about three miles from the Chamouchouan. This is also a large river 
 abounding w'th fish. It has numerous tributaries, among which the largest 
 are the Mistassibi, aux Rats, "Wassiemska, &c. 
 
 The Peribonka, which discharges on the north side about 12 miles from 
 the last, is one of the largest, as it is also the most beautiful of all the 
 
 
tributaries of Lake St. John, 
 mouth. 
 
 810 
 
 The Little Pmbonka falls into it near its 
 
 The Grand and Little Discharge of Lake St. John are also famous fishing 
 grounds, especially the former. Mr. Surveyor Duberger, page 126, says : 
 " Both the Petite and the Grrande Dechargo offer a great advantage to 
 settlers by the quantity of fish of different species which abound in their 
 waters, such as pike, ouinaniche and pickerel, &c., &c., particularly about 
 the islands on the borders of Lake St. John." Some of the best ouiananiche 
 fishing grounds on the Grand, as well as the Little Discharge, are in private 
 hands, but the islands of the Grand Discharge which are also capital 
 ground are leasable and actually let at a rental of $20. 
 
 All the rivers falling into Lake St. John, as well as the Grand and 
 Little Discharge, are accessible by rail, steamer, boat or waggon. 
 
into it near its 
 
 famous lishiun: 
 page 126, says : 
 it advantage to 
 ibound in their 
 rtioularly about 
 »est ouiananiche 
 fe, are in private 
 ire also capital 
 
 the G-rand and 
 ?gon. 
 
 INLAND LAKES AND STREAMS. 
 
 The inland lakes and streams of the province of Quebec, which abound 
 with the various kinds of trout, bass, pike, pickerel and other game fish 
 prized by the angler, and which may be leased from the Government, are 
 much too numerous to be described or even catalogued. In fact, most of 
 the province, especially its northern section, is simply an immense network 
 of lakes and rivers, large and small, constituting a veritable sportsman and 
 angler's paradise. Thousands of these beautiful forest-environed bodies of 
 water within the Crown domain have never been fished, and many of 
 them are nameless. Some of them lie just beyond the settlements and 
 others again can only be reached by canoe, the logging roads of the lum- 
 berer or the trails of the adventurous hunter and trapper. The following 
 information is therefore confined to such of those inland waters as are 
 referred to in the foregoing reports of surveys, to those actually under lease 
 and to those which are more or less accessible by the regular lines of com- 
 munication from the great centres, such as Ottaw^a, Montreal, Three Rivers, 
 Quebec and Sherbrooke. 
 
 OTTAWA DIVISION. 
 
 This territorial division, comprising the extensive counties of Ottawa 
 and Pontiac, and having the cities of Ottawa and Hull, as its chief centre, is 
 drained by the great Ottawa river and its numerous tributaries and dotted 
 over with so many lakes and connecting streams, many of them of great 
 naguitude, that it would be impossible to enumerate more than a mere 
 "tithe of them. The lakes on the Rouge, Petite Nation, Du Lievre, Blanche, 
 Gatineau, Coulonge, Black, &c., branches of the main river, and their afflu- 
 ents are famed for the abundance of their game fish, such as speckled and 
 forked-tail trout, .bass, pike, pickerel, maskinonge or muskalonge, white 
 fish, &c., and among them may be more particularly mentioned the 
 following : 
 
 Ottawa County.— Lake Wolfe, in the township of Ponsonby ; lakes 
 Rognons, Rond, au Brochet and Long, in Amherst ; Cameron, aux Castors 
 and des Trois Montagnes, in Clyde ; Maskinonge, des Mauves, la Truite 
 and Vert, in Labelle ; de la Montague Tromblante, Grand lac Castor, Long, 
 Vert and Mitchell, in Joly ; Macaza, Chaud and a la Grue, in Marchand '; 
 
812 
 
 Longiies Pointes, Desert, Cameron, Maskinong6, du Rat Musqu6 and au 
 Sable, in La Miuerve ; Great and Little Nominingue, des lies, Blanche, 
 Noir, Big Bay and Croche, In Loranger ; Sucreries and Rond, in Wadding- 
 ton ; Simon, Barriere and Vert, in Hartwell, which are connected with 
 Great and Little Whitefish, Long and aiix Sucreries lakes, in the unorgan- 
 ized territory to the northward ; lakes Ecorce, in Lathbury ; Heart, Poissou 
 Blanc and Sinsic, in Mulgravc ; Clay, in Villeneuve ; Grand Lac, McArthur, 
 McLeod, Ste. H6lene and Tamo, in Portland ; Rouge, Kiamika and Bark, 
 in Kiamika ; du Cerf, St. Germain, in Dudley ; des Sables, Corbeau, Ser- 
 pent, des Aigles and au Brochet, in McGill ; des Ours and Wabassee, in Wells ; 
 au Poisson Blanc, Thirty-One Mile, Mitchell, a la Carpe, au Rat, Cameron, 
 Pemichaugan, &c., in Cameron, Blake and Northfield ; Great and Little Cedar, 
 Blue Sea, des Isles and Grant, in Bouchette ; a la Truite and au Brochet, in 
 Low ; St. Joseph, Quinu, Long, au Castor Blanc, Sapin, Murray and Hogan, in 
 Aumond ; Hall and Serpent, in Kensington ; Baskatong, Long, Clair and 
 Piscatosin, in Baskatong ; Bras Coup6, in Lytton ; Etroit, Pontiac, Long, 
 Hogan, Blanc and Rond, in Egan ; Philomene and a la Carpe, in Sicotte, &c., 
 &c., besides thousands of others in the unorganized territory in the rear. 
 Surveyor McMartin says of the township of Amherst (page 269) : " The 
 streams and lakes abound with fish and the country with game." Surveyor 
 Roney says of the township of Blake (page 271) : " In reference to the waters 
 in Blake, they are, as in the other lakes in that country, well stocked with 
 plenty of good fish, more especially, the beautifvl Thirty-One Mi^o lake, 
 w^hich contains the finest fresh water trout I have ever seen." Surveyor 
 Rainboth says of the to wai ship of Bouchette (page 273) : " There are several 
 good roads, good markets for all kinds of produce, the lakes teeming with 
 fish, immense quantities of which are caught every winter by the settlers.' 
 And again of the township of Cameron (page 275) : " There is a beautiful 
 stretch of lakes on Post creek extending from the Gatineau river to the 
 Grand lake, and they are teeming with fish of the finest variety, such as 
 trout, white fish, bass, pike, &c. Surveyor Mathieu says of the township 
 of Clyde (page 276) : " Lakes are numerous and abound with trout, some 
 of very large size." Surveyor Allen says of the townships of Dud.ey and 
 Kiamika (page 277) : " The rivers and the lakes abound with excellent fish, 
 trout, pike, perch, bass, pickerel and chub, a soft w^atery fish averaging 
 from four to six pounds in w^eight, trout predominating in the lakes, in 
 fact, monopolizing the most of them, and chub predominating in the rivers." 
 Surveyor Johnston says of the township of Mulgrave (page 288) : " All the 
 lakes in this township abound in salmon trout, some of w^hich are of a 
 very large size. There seems to be no other species of fish in these lakes, 
 
813 
 
 »Iusqu6 and au 
 i lies, Blanche, 
 d, in "Wadding- 
 connected with 
 in the unorgan- 
 
 Heart, Poissou 
 Lac, McArthur, 
 mika and Bark, 
 i, Corbeau, Ser- 
 )assee, in "Wells; 
 I Rat, Cameron, 
 ,nd Little Cedar, 
 d au Brochet, in 
 y and Hogau, in 
 Long, Clair and 
 Pontiac, Long, 
 , in Sicotte, &c., 
 ry in the rear, 
 ge 269) : " The 
 ;aaie." Surveyor 
 ice to the waters 
 ill stocked with 
 One Mii«' lake, 
 Jen." Surveyor 
 Chere are several 
 2s teeming with 
 by the settlers.' 
 sre is a beautil'ul 
 lau river to the 
 variety, such as 
 dI' the township 
 vith trout, some 
 s of Dud-ey and 
 th excellent fish, 
 
 fish averaging 
 in the lakes, in 
 gin the rivers." 
 
 288) : " All the 
 which are of a 
 h in these lakes, 
 
 except Gull lake, where perch are caught in great abundance." Surveyor 
 JIainboth says of the township of Robertson (page 297) : " Grarae in great 
 variety is very plentiful throughout this section of country." Surveyor 
 Russell says of the territory of the Rouge, du Lievre and Petite Nation 
 rivers (page 441) : " The fur-bearing animals are pretty well decimated, 
 deer, that is, moose, caribou and the "Virginian or chevreuil are moderately 
 abundant. Of fish, the lakes and streams seem to possess a bountiful sup- 
 ply, consisting for the most part of the finest kind of trout, pickerel or dore 
 and the pike families." 
 
 Pontine County. — Lakes Lapeche, in Onslow ; Sinclair, in Aldfield ; 
 Kantuagama, in Doriou ; Lacroix and Blue Sea, in Church ; Ellen and 
 Mary, in Clapham, connecting with lake Dumont ; Squaw, Hickey and 
 Moore's, in Huddersfield; Calumet and McGillivray, in Chichester ; 
 McGonnell, in Aberdeen ; besides the following, among a vast multitude 
 of others, in the unorganized territory beyond the settlements :— Pythonge, 
 Desert, Round, Thomasine, Papin, Green, Dusable, Island, Pike, Windfall, 
 Bark, "Wolf's, Trout, Moose, Nicota, Big, Dam, Gardner's, Kawaskiaraiqua, 
 Barriere, Kanequanika, Bouchette, Kakebonga, Poignau, Pine, Des Rapides, 
 Travers, Great Bear, Price, Lindsay, Big, Grassy, "Wolf, Oorsick, Ecarte, 
 Sasseganigoa, Winnowaya, Ostaborning, Keepawa, Turtle, Mohr's, Little 
 Moose, &c., &c Surveyor McGrath says of the township of Aldfield (page 
 302) : " The best fishing lakes in this part of the province are in Aldfield 
 and Cawood." Surveyor Duraais says of the township of Guigues (page 
 315) : " On the sixth and seventh ranges, there are three little lakes in 
 which pike abound. Lake Sassaganigou, situated at the depth of the ninth 
 range, seemed to me pretty large (4 or 5 miles long), and possesses bays 
 and islands. Pike, trout, white fish and pickerel are plentiful in its 
 waters." Surveyor Roney says of the townships of Leslie and Cawood 
 (page 316) : " This country is very well supplied wits springs, brooks, 
 rivers and lakes, of which the waters are pure and very healthy. Some of 
 of the lakes are of a good size, and very plentifully supplied with choice 
 fish, and lovers of trout come from a distance to feast from those lakes. The 
 Kazabazua river runs through a large portion of this survey ; it is a nice 
 stream." Surveyor Evans says of the township of Sheen (page 319) : " Fish 
 abound in all the large lakes. The varieties consists of pike, pickerel, bass 
 and trout, chiefly." Surveyor Russell says of the Upper Ottawa country 
 (page 419) : " The main Ottawa seemed to be well stocked with fish of 
 various kinds. The principal seen of the larger or finer as food wore : mas- 
 kinonge, pike, pickerel, bass, sturgeon, white fish, alanabit of the smaller ov 
 
814 
 
 inferior kinds, gold-eyes, suckers, dace, catlish and eels ; trout are not 
 found in the main stream, but, in some of the tributary lakes, they are <'ot 
 in abiandance and of the linest quality. Some animals are not plenty and 
 the fur-bearing ones bat moderately so, being pretty well kept down by 
 the native hunters trapping for the Hudson Bay Company. Moo&e and 
 
 caribou are the representatives of the deer tribe, but in small numbers 
 
 nothing like what may be found in the St. Maurice or more eastern terri- 
 tories. The principal furred animals are, on land : bear, lynx, fisher, fox 
 and marten ; those frequenting the w-^^'" : beaver, otter, mink and 
 muskrat. Of game birds and wild fow'. i:.- ■ , are the rutted partridge 
 and the Canada goose, rarely, the ptar* ■ : u, ducks of various kinds, 
 bitterns, occasional geese and very rarely swans." 
 
 MONTREAL DIVISION. 
 
 This division, so called because it is more accessible from the city of 
 Montreal, which is its chief centre, includes the counties of Argenteuil, on 
 the Ottawa, Montcalm and .Toilette. 
 
 Argenleuil Counly, which is within easy distance of Montreal by the 
 Canadian Pacilic Railway, is watered by the Rouge and North rivers, 
 besides several minor streams and tribittaries, and embraces a number of 
 fine fishing lakes in its rear towhrdiips, such as the Trembling Mountain 
 lake and lake Gauthier, in G-raudisou ; lakes a la Truite, Nantel, Carre, an 
 Castor, au Caribou, de la Bale, Manitou, de la Rouge, Cornu, Helene, a la 
 Petite Truite, aux Quenouilles or "Wolfe, in Wolfe ; lakes aux Ecorces, 
 Sanon, David and des Seize Milles, in Mont(;alm ; lakes St. Joseph, St. 
 Denis and Ste. Marie, in Howard; and lakes Morin, Ste. Agathe and aux 
 Sables, in Beresford. Some of these are leasable and not a few of them are 
 of considerable dimensions. Surveyor Quiun (page 5) says of the portion of 
 the township of Montcalm, which he surveyed : " It is well watered with 
 living streams and some lakes of pure water abounding with speckled 
 trout and other species of fish ; beaver in these lakes and streams are more 
 numerous than in any other part. I have also seen many otter, mink and 
 other species of amphibious animals and the woods abound with the 
 moose, caribou, deer and many other animals, atlbrding a prolitable pasture 
 to the settler, trapper and hunter." Surveyor Barnard (page 9) says of the 
 inland waters of Wolfe : " In the part of the township of Wolfe, which I 
 have subdivided, there are, in addition to fifteen small lakes, five or < 
 others whose area varies from thirty to a hundred acres. Lake Wolfe (uin 
 
8 ; trout are not 
 akes, they are got 
 re not plenty and 
 ell kept down by 
 any. Moo.se and 
 small numbers- 
 ore eastern terri- 
 , lynx, fisher, Ibx 
 otter, mink and 
 rulled partridge 
 of various kinds, 
 
 i from the city of 
 of Argenteuil, on 
 
 Montreal by the 
 nd North rivers, 
 noes a number of 
 nbling Mountain 
 Nantel, Carre, an 
 rnu, Helene, ti la 
 ces aux Ecorces, 
 is St. Joseph, St. 
 . Agathe and aux 
 L few of them are 
 
 of the portion of 
 ell watered with 
 ig with speckled 
 streams are more 
 ' otter, mink and 
 bound with the 
 )rolitable pasture 
 ge 9) says of the 
 f Wolfe, which I 
 akes, five or < 
 /ake Wolfe {nhi 
 
 815 
 
 miles in circumference) alone covers a surface of several hundred acres. 
 The abundance of trout which these lakes countain may be of great help to 
 settlers and fishing for them has already been turned to profitable account 
 by parties settled in the adjoining township. These l;»kes are likewise 
 remarkable for the clearness and freshness of their waters, which attain a 
 considerable depth in some places." Surveyor Leclerc (page 12) states that 
 " trout abound in all the lakes of Wolfe." In 1880, the°Federal Govern- 
 ment's fishery overseers, for the Argenteuil Division, reported : " The prin- 
 cipal kinds offish frequenting the waters of this division are the speckled 
 and grey trout (of which 5,000 lbs. were taken during the season), herrino-s 
 black bass, &c." Surveyor McMartiu (page 453), who reported as late°as 
 1887 oi the river du Diable, which takes its rise in Grandisou and extends 
 through Wolfe to its source, in the county of Montcalm : " To those who are 
 in search of sport, I can safely say that the country on the river du Diable is 
 a veritable hunter's paradise, where the forest teems with game, and trout, 
 bass, pike, perch, pickerel, &;c., fill the rivers and lakes with moving 
 things. Their onfy eneriy is the otter, which is often more destructive to 
 the finny tribe than the seine, spear, &c. Difierent kinds of game, such as 
 the moose-deer, caribou and red deer are plentiful, and roam free and 
 undisturbed in these quiet forests. They are actually so tame that they 
 know not the fear of man, and can be approached easily to within a few 
 yards. Small feathered game is not plentiful. Of fur-bearing animals, the 
 bear, otter and mink are numerous. Beaver is almost extinct. The abun- 
 dance of game on this river is due to the absence of the lumberman, the 
 sound of whose axe has never been heard in those parts. The Indians, I 
 am sorry to say, are now almost totally extinct on the Rouge and its trib- 
 utaries ; the country has thus retained its primitive character." 
 
 Montcalm Cotinti/, situated in rear of Argenteuil, Two Mountains, Terre- 
 bonne and L'Assomption, contains many excellent lakes which are the head- 
 waters of streams flowing towards the Ottawa, the St. Maurice and the 
 St. Lawrence. Among these may be mentioned lakes a la Truite, in Chert- 
 sey; de I'Orignal and Ouareau, in Chilton; Ouareau, Vaseux, Croche, 
 Pembina, Provost and Archambault, in Lussier ; de I'Orignal, Archambault, 
 Minette, a la Quenouille and Black Mountain, in Archambault ; Brule, in 
 Doncaster ; and Long, Eeaulieu, He du Pin, Wright, Catherine, Helene, 
 Pope, Daly, aux Sapins, aux Erochets, desCornes, Chaud, Tapanee, &c., &c.[ 
 in the unorganized territory beyond the townships : Some of these are 
 leasable. Surveyor Quinn says of the townships of Archambault and 
 Lussier (page 260) : " The magnificent lakes of pure water are abundantly 
 
816 
 
 stocked with speckled trout, and amphibious animals are numerous around 
 the lakes and inlets and furnish valuable furs." Surveyor Regnaud says 
 of the township of Doncaster (page 200) : " There is a considerable uumbe 
 of lakes and streams. The lakes are generally deep, clear and limpid, and 
 their aspect is altogether agreeable." Surveyor Temple says of the lakes iu 
 the rear of Montcalm (page 464) : " The lakes abound with trout, maski 
 nonge, pike, white fish, dore and carp." 
 
 Joliette County.— Among the good fishing lakes in this county, may bi 
 mentioned lakes Cherrier and des Pins in Oathcart ; Two Mountains, Cro- 
 che. Provost and les Trois Scours, in Cartier ; a la Truite, in Joliette and in 
 the unorganized territory in the rear, lakes L'Assomption, des Islets, McLel 
 land, du Diable, Eat Musqu6, des Bales, Grand Lac, Maisonpierre, Bouleau 
 Rouge, Mattawin, Jobin, Croche, St. Servais, St. Gr6goire, &c. Surveyoi 
 Quinn (page 241) says : " Speckled trout are numerous in most of the lakes 
 and L'Assomption river abounds with all species of fish. " 
 
 THREE RIVERS DIVISION. 
 
 This division, with the city of Three Rivers as its centre, comprise 
 the counties of Berthier, Maskinonge, St. Maurice and Champlain, and i 
 famous for the great number and superior character as fishing water of il 
 numerous lakes and streams tributary to the St. Maurice river. 
 
 Berthier Cow«//y.— Lakes Long, Blanc, Clair, La Croix, Caribou and St 
 Rose, in the township ot Gautier ; David, St. Anselme, Remi, St. Pierre 
 Robert and Croche, in Courcelles ; St. Louis, Obompwasin and St. Stauis 
 laus, in Provost ; Des Pins, in Brassard, and Long, in de Maisonueuve 
 may be ranked as among the best fishing grounds in the rear of this county 
 Surveyor Laurier (page 41) says of Provost and Brassard: " There areals 
 numerous lakes abounding iu very fine trout and other fish." 
 
 Maskinonge Count//.— The rear townships and the unorganized portioi 
 of this county are dotted with a vast number of excellent fishing lakes am 
 connecting streams, such as lakes aux Ecorces, Carufel, a la Truite, Noe' 
 du Camp, au Violon, a Deux Etages, au Tonnerre, Willy and Bleu, in th 
 township of Chapleau ; Saccacomi in Decalonnes, and lakes Sans Bon 
 des Sables, au Cordon, Grand Lac des lies and Chamberlin, &c., iu th 
 unorganized territory. Surveyor de Lachevrotiere says of the waters i 
 Chapleau (page 2ol) : " The lakes are well stocked with fish. I took som 
 excellent trout in the lake aux Ecorces. " Surveyor LeBer, says (page 464 
 
81t 
 
 *e numerous around 
 reyor Regnaud says 
 )usiderable number 
 3ar and limpid, and 
 says of the lakes in 
 with trout, maski' 
 
 his county, may b( 
 vo Mountains, Cro- 
 5, in Joliette and in 
 1, des Islets, McLel 
 isonpierre, Bouleau 
 oire, &c. Surveyoi 
 n most of the lakes 
 
 ts centre, comprise 
 
 Champlain, and i 
 
 fishing water of il 
 
 se river. 
 
 oix, Caribou and St 
 B, Remi, St. Pierre 
 Lsin and St. Stauis 
 u do Maisonueuve 
 } rear of this county 
 d : " There are als 
 fish." 
 
 morganized portioi 
 nt fishing lakes am 
 ;1, a la Truite, Noe 
 ly and Bleu, in th< 
 i lakes Sans Bou 
 nberlin, &c., in th 
 's of the waters i 
 th fish. I took som 
 ler, says (page 464 
 
 " Except in the g reams connected with lake Sorcier, Q-rand Lac des Isles 
 and lake Sans Bout, there is a surprising abundance of small trout in this 
 part of the river du Loup, but no other fish. Besides roaming animals, such 
 as mink, otter and others, there are considerable numbers of beaver in the 
 river du Loup. If the hunting of beaver were prohibited for ten years, the 
 number of theso animals would increase prodigiously. " Some of the lakes 
 in this county are actually under lease. In 1886, the guardian of some of 
 these lakes reported as follows : " Lakes Willy, Tonnerre and St. Bernard, 
 arc all well stocked with small sized trout, of from a quarter to a half 
 pound ; the trout in Lake Saccacomi are much larger, reaching from three 
 even to six pounds, but are not so plentiful as those in the other lakes, 
 owing to tke excessive fishing to which they have been subjected, winter 
 and summer, for some years past. Doubtless Lake Saccacomi will soon 
 recover its former condition, now that it is well protected. " Durino* the 
 same year, the lessees of these lakes reported their season's catch at 3,580 
 trout, weighing 1,750 lbs. average weight J lb ; largest fish 6 lbs. In 1887 
 the club reported the trout steadily increasing and a catch of 1,896 trout, 
 weighing 9-18 lbs, and last year their catch was reported at 1,795 tr .ut, 
 weighing 897 J lbs. They pay a rental of $50. 
 
 St. Maurice Counfi/.—Tha fishing lakes and streams in this county are 
 also numerous and in high repute. Among them may be specified lakes a 
 I'Eau Claire, in Caxton ; Pizagonque, des Pins Rouges, a I'lsle, a la Coureuse, 
 in Belleau ; Grand Lac Souris, in Shawinegan ; des Chutes, aux Chantiers 
 and Pembina, in Dosaulniers, river a la Chienne, &c. Surveyor Barnard 
 (page 466) says : " The river a la Chienne is famed for its pike and trout 
 fishing. As for pike, I was unable to note their existence here, as I had 
 occasion to do on a preceding expedition, at another point on the Matawin, 
 where I saw some of these fish taken, weighing 15 lbs. and pickerel of 10 
 lbs ; but I do not doubt that lac an Brochet (Pike lake), which figures on 
 the plan of this tributary, was thus named for good reasons. As for trout, 
 I have seen them taken in great lake ii la Chienne, weighing 10 lbs. and in 
 abundance. " Mr. Mackedie, who, in 1885, inspected part of the lake 
 country lying in the angle formed by the confluence of the St. Maurice 
 and Mat.xwin rivers, and actually under lease, reported as follows: 
 " Some three miles from St* Elie, on the banks of Lake Long, stands 
 the Winchester Club House, originally built by Mr. Parker for a summer 
 residence, at an expense, for house and grounds, of about $6,000. From 
 the Winchester Club House we proceeded through lake Long, lake de Gau- 
 vreau, lake Vert, lake de Joe, lake a Bellemare, and over the iutervenina: 
 
 62 
 
ISl 
 
 which 
 
 Pit'vrich 
 lul Bam 
 
 J' Railway 
 
 818 
 
 portngos, coming out on a country road. I did not test any of these lak',>s 
 as most of the lands about thorn are granted, and they are not undcrstoodl,,^! jj^ 
 to be available for leasing. From the last lake above mentioned, Wi\ drov. ,jj^„^j^ j 
 to lake ri/agonke, one of the group li\asod to the Shawinegan Club, and 
 near" the foot, or south end of which, the Club have placed their head 
 quarters. The establishment of this Club consits of the club-house, sixty 
 two feet in length ; ladies' house, twenty-eight feet square; barn, thirty-»i4]-^,.jjjj^^ 
 feet by thirty ; boat-house, forty feet long, besides thirty arpents of lum ^i^^^^ ^^ 
 cleared, most of it already under cultivation. The Club have likewise buil 
 a wagon road from the settlements to the lake, six miles in length, at a cos 
 of i|GOO, besides cutting out three miles of portage roads between lakes and 
 making other improvements. They claim to have expended over $5,000 in ,j, q 
 this connection and are anxious to procure a grant of 300 or 400 acres ol 
 land for cultivation, grazing and other purposes of the establishment. Tli 
 lakes leased to this Club lie in the unsuiveyed portions of the townships o 
 Belleau and Desaulniers. The most important are lake I'izagonke, about ^ 
 miles long but very narrow ; en Croix, shaped as its name indicates, ubju 
 a mile across ; des Isles, two miles long; IJond, barely a mile in diameter 
 Little, three quarters of a mile ; Brodeur, two and a half or three miles 
 Caribou, three miles or more ; aux Isles, al)OUt two miles ; Croche, some 
 thing over a mile ; Gauthier, rather smaller, and Anlikiauiak, generally 
 called •' Yagamak," three miles long. The last mentioned contains pikt- 
 pikerel, loche and chub. We caught several of the llrst named by trolling 
 weighing from 1 lb to 8J lbs. The other lakes are all fairly well stockuc 
 with speckled trout, which are understood to have increased considerabl] 
 
 lulSt. JV 
 lul oast 1 
 
 in numbers during the last three years, thai is to say, since these watoi: o„nj^,^| 
 have been irnder lease to the Shawinegan Club and known to be protected 
 The lish in Pizagonke appeared to be of rather small size, averagin'r al)ou 
 five to the pound. Those in the others or Shawinegan lakes run larger, ii ^^.^^^ .^^^^ 
 some cases reaching 3 lbs. From the foot of lake '• Yagamak " it is only 
 short distance, say 10 minutes' paddling, to the Matawin river, in whic 
 pike of much larger size than those in the lake seem to abound, one of 2 
 lbs having been killed by one of our party during a short time on the wate 
 before breakfast." In 1887, the guardian of the S.'.awinegau Club's lake 
 reported as follows : " Abundance of trout, grey and speckled ; also numberj^Q ^^^^ ^ 
 of pickerel and pike. The catch of this year was in round numbers about 
 12,000 lbs. of trout ; 2,000 lbs. of pike ; 2,000 lbs. of pickerel, (./ore)." Thi 
 Club pay an annual rental of i^lOO. 
 
 Champlain Connfi/. — The lake and river system of this county is ver 
 extensive and embraces some of the best fishing waters in the proving 
 
 iki's are 
 'echo lak 
 ischarge 
 smiles 
 ikes, as t 
 
 :ctsy, R 
 -01 ig, di 
 lul Litt] 
 incj 
 xtonsiv* 
 ud 8 w: 
 fitli fis 
 ays of 
 
 lake I 
 hich so 
 oyor B] 
 owurds 
 mall a IK 
 iver Tre: 
 ortion o 
 
 paid a 
 .aurentiii 
 
 !t\voen t 
 lat I can 
 ttud in a 
 '«r a pon 
 sail herr 
 
819 
 
 irenotundorstood ^^''^^^ '^^^ ^■'^"'^'•;^'^l"^°re or loss accessible by the gr.at ri .or St. Maurice 
 utiou.,1, wo drov. "' T^^^ ''l^'''"''''^ ir'^'^^^'S the Matawin, Rat. Vermillion. Fhua- 
 
 pla "hI their head " nf ^ ^ '^"^^^^/^"^ Wmdigo. as well as by the Batiscau river, the Pile 
 
 . club-house, sixty ' n i I-"^*^»[»'l^"« ^'^'^vvays from Three Rivers, and the Luke St. John 
 
 re ; barn, thirtv-si: ^'^^^ Irom Quebec. Amo.ig its lakes may be enumerated the tbUowing : 
 
 ,.-. ^l^"'"*^. Caribou, Laiontaine. Vincent. Long, Archange. u I'Oiirs PtVhe 
 
 :iair. I ranpai , Fou, Dawson, a la Truite. au Sleigh, Batiscan. Uickey iMas- 
 :ctsy, iloberge. aux Isles. Travers. Dussault. u Beaujour. Gih^rdeau ' Alex 
 -ong, du Centre, au Lard. Brule, -^ la Loutre. Castor. VVayagamack, Great 
 lul Little, K Boucher, du Raccourci, Ecarte, Kempt. Sasamaskin. Grand Lac 
 OS Cinq and an mlinity of others. Some of these bodies of water are verv 
 xto.isive ; among others great lake Wayagamack. which is 11 miles loni 
 iHl 3 wide. and. according to Surveyor DeLachevrotiere (page 83) " teems 
 vith fish, the trout being of excellent qiuilitv." Surveyor Cas-nin 
 ays ol the section extending from Mekinac township to the island 
 Ih.keEduMrd: " It is intersected with stjep mountains and lakes of 
 hi.h some are very large; they are generally d.-ep and full of lish " Sur- 
 eyor Blaiklock (page 409) says the country extending from La Tuque 
 owurds Lake St. John, is "well watered by streams and innumerable 
 mall and large lakes." Surveyor Oaguou (page 472) says the lakes of the 
 !ver Irenche " abound in fish." Mr. Mackedie, who officially inspected a 
 omon of the lake country of this county, in 1885. reported as follows : 
 I paid a ilymg visit to a few of those leased to Mr. Wm. Parker for the 
 .aurontiau Club. The country within which these lie may be described as 
 ouiuled on the .south-west by the line between the counties of Champlaiu 
 lul ^t. Maurice, on the north-west by the river Matawin, on the north 
 lakes run laro-er i. , '"* l'^ *^' "'''' ^*^ ^^'''''''''^ ^^"^^ «" ^^^ south-east by the P6che 
 .■■miak " it is oulv I I '"'\':°";i^V''' '^"^ ''•"'" ""^ ''"*' hundred and fifty square miles. These 
 ' ^ ^'l''' '^''■^^''^ '"t« lo»r distinct groups. The most accessible are the 
 
 echelakesand tributaries, some twenty-five or more in number which 
 ischarge their waters into the St. Maurice, through the Ptichc river, about 
 leoau Club's Ivke- [ u^''"'" *^' ^'^'' Railwaystation. The first and second P6che 
 
 kfeT- -do number '' "' '^'^' ''^ "'""'^ ^'^ ^^^ ^^^^^'^^^ ™^P^. ^^« '^^out three and a half and 
 kled , also nuuibtr ,^ ^,^^ ^ half miles long, respectively, with a short stretch of broken water 
 
 !tvvoen them. They are well stocked with lake-trout of large size, some 
 lat I caxTght weighing between four and five pounds. These arc not 
 aud in any of the other lakes of the system. They also contain perch of 
 er a pound in weight, and watassee, another scale-fish, somethino- like a 
 
 ty arpeuts of lunc 
 have likewise bull 
 in length, at a cos 
 between lakes and 
 ded over ^o.OOO in 
 300 or 400 acres oi 
 ;tablisliment. Tin 
 if the townships o 
 ['izagonke, about >i 
 ne indicates, abju 
 
 mile in diameter 
 df or three miles 
 les ; Croche, somo 
 ikiamak. generally 
 ned contains piki- 
 named by trolling 
 ['airly well stockoc 
 eased considerabl] 
 
 since these water 
 (Vn to be protected 
 !e, averagiu'j; aboir 
 
 rin river, in whicl 
 ) abound, one of 2( 
 t time on the vvate 
 
 nd numbers about 
 kerel, {dure):' Thi 
 
 this county is ver 
 
 'S 
 
 in the proviaa aall herring, besides gudgeons or chub, and redfinshiners, which serve as 
 
820 
 
 locd for the larjrer fish. A substantial log house ixm been built uii the li 
 luko lor tho ucc:oinmt)datiou ol' members ol" the club. The third and Ibu 
 rOche lakoh, otherwise called luc Clair and lac du Fran^uis. pretty li 
 
 Bheets of water, eaih about two-thirds of a mile across, appear to be qi forme 
 distinct Irom the larger lakes. They swarm with speckled trout, thoug 
 believe they have undergone a good deal of poaching. I was iniormed t 
 nine hundred pouiuls weight of lish had been taken from them last win 
 These lakes are less than two miles from the St. Maurice river, and 
 more than live miles from the Piles Railway station above mentioned 
 Government road, locally called the Dubord road, over which I passed ^,,.,.<^ 
 upproaching the first P^'che hike from the Shawinegan river, runs close ,L.^rei 
 a tiny hdu-let called lac des Vases, which appeared to be fairly alive w ^^ ^y 
 trout of small and medium size. Lake des Isles or hiTruite, which I also t 
 on my route, lies close to the lirst laak de la PcHhe, on the west. This 
 lake of considerable size, being nearly, if not quite, two miles in diameter, 
 waters are remarkably bright and clear, and contain numbers of la 
 speckled trout as livelv and gamy as any angler can desire. Thesi ' 
 Truite, first and second P^che, Clair aud Fran9ais, were all the lake 
 the Pt^che group that I examined. They alone would, in my opin 
 well repay the trouble and expense of a trip to visit them Another gr 
 of lakes, named after the central and largest one, which is called \ | 
 appropriately lake Fou, lies some distance to the north of the Pfiche gn ^.^^].^ 
 It is much more dilHcult of access than the latter, though very probi ,,,[0^^ 
 a shorter and easier way of reaching it than that by which I vvas^condiK ^jt^r st 
 to it may be found. The rcute I followed was by way of creek Fou, vvl 
 falls into the St. Maurice about six or eight miles above De.s Piles ; ci 
 Uouchard. whi.^h runs into creek Fou ; a portage of two miles over a \vi 
 road ; then along several i^hort stretches of creek Fou again, with 11 
 vening portages, to the lake itself. The total length of the portagc3s, 
 whicirthe canoei 'enl^, provisions, &c,, had to be carried on then 
 backs, was above six miles ; and as two trips had to be made at 1 
 landing, the men had to walk more than eighteen miles, carrying h( est oft 
 
 wB 
 
 loads for twelve miles. The best part of two days was occupied m goin 
 from Des Piles to lake Fou, but a day sufficed for the return trip 
 account of the route being known and the weight of provisions somej 
 reduced. Lake Fou is about four miles long, and ot very irregular si | 
 Its most remarkable features are the number of deep bays which radia 1,^^,^ ^ 
 all directions from the main channel, and the near approach of the opp 
 shores at several ditfereut points, ailbrding. to a person seemg it loi 
 ihst time, a successiou of surprises, as each new portion, previously uui 
 
 mes 1: 
 count 
 
 er.vge 
 
 y * 1 
 
 Iv lar 
 le oth 
 m eij 
 ocies. 
 ler t\A 
 ii 
 i\ 
 ,'i 
 m om 
 rentec 
 aters 1 
 the la 
 Mrd t 
 place 
 the \^ 
 at the 
 well 
 
 nq, th 
 awii 
 Dule, f 
 iiug i: 
 jpoctiA 
 auot! 
 the la 
 
 ually 
 les an( 
 quires 
 b for 
 
 auty, 
 the A 
 
irn 
 
 passec 
 
 w 
 
 been buill on tlu> 11 
 The third and Ibu 
 Frnn^uis. pretty li 
 OSS, appear to be 
 ecklfd trout, thoug 
 g, I was in [or mod 
 IVom them hist win 
 laurioe river, aud 
 II above mentioned, 
 iver which I 
 an river, runs close 
 . to be fairly alive 
 ruite, which I also t 
 on the v/est. This 
 miles in diameter 
 tain numbers of la 
 .'an desire. Thesi 
 is, were all the lake 
 A'ould, in my opin 
 t them Another gr 
 , which is called \ 
 irth of the Pfiche gr 
 r, though very pro 
 which I was cond 
 ay of creek Fou, vvl 
 ibove De.s Piles ; o 
 two miles over u \vi 
 Fou again, with ii 
 th of the portages, 
 )e carried on the 
 ad to be made at 
 L miles, carrying 
 v^as occupied in goii 
 tor the return trip 
 of provisions soine\ 
 3f very irregular si 
 ?p bays which radia 
 approach of the opp 
 person seeing it loi 
 rtion, previously «u 
 
 s into view. It is, however, chiefly worthy of notice in this report on 
 count of the number and size of the speckle 1 trout it contains. The 
 ervge weight oftho.se taken while I was there, early in the .s.-ason, wa.s 
 'y a pound ; some of them weighed over two pound.s. I have since ])een 
 fH|lormed that the average of some canght later in the season was consider- 
 ly larger ; of sixteen fish, not one was less than two pounds in weight. 
 le other lakes of this group, according to the information given me, are 
 n eighteen in number, and all are well stocked with trout of the same 
 
 821 
 
 hit 
 
 .vies. Owing to want of time, I could not visit any of the lakes in the 
 
 Her two groups, but with Mr. Parker's assistance, I g.ithered information 
 
 ' ' rr ' ' ' ' "" ■ ~ 
 
 bi 
 
 11' istor 
 
 lecting them to the following cfTect : A group on a stream called the 
 Laren oreek, falling into ilie Shawineg.in river, numbers five lakes, all 
 vc with brook trout. In two of these luke.s, Brule and Truite, the fish run 
 m one to four pounds in weight. The lakes of the fourth group, some 
 renteen in number, are known as the Cinq lakes (Lacs des Cinq.) Their 
 aters Hows into the Matawin river, about five miles above the junction 
 the latter with the St. Maurice. They are said to be unrivalled with 
 Mrd to the numbers of speckled trout they contain. If any reliance may 
 placed upon the statements of men who have spent much of their time 
 the woods in connection with lumbering operation.s, it would appear 
 at the country north of the Matawin is dotted with innumerable lakes, 
 well stocked with trout, and in some instances containing fish of 
 arkably large size. From a man who had been a foreman in Mr. Baptist's 
 ploy, I obtained some circumstan'ial details, as follows : — On the Petit 
 stream, which fails into the Matawin at a phu'c called Tete des 
 nq, there are eight lakes, the first large one being lour miles from the 
 atawin. On the creek de la Truie, two small lakes. On the creek de 
 Dule, four lakes. On the river Castor Noir two lakes. On the creek Prudent, 
 'ing' into the Castor Noir, two large lakes, two miles and four miles louff, 
 spoctively ; on another branch, Lac Clair, containing largj trout ; and on 
 t another, Lac Long, three miles in length. These seem to be only a few 
 the lakes lying within ten or twelve miles north of the Matawin and 
 est of the St. Maurice. East of the St. Maurice, the lakes appear to be 
 ually numerous. With a steamboat running on this river between Des 
 les and La Tuque, and stopping at convenient points, this district only- 
 quires to be brought into notice, to become the resort of hosts of anglers, 
 b for many years to come w^ould find all the fishing they could desire 
 ithin ea.sy reach of the river, in the midst of scenery unsurpassed for 
 auty, and at much less expense than is now entailed by a short sojourn 
 the Adirondacks or the lake region of the State of Maine. " In 188G, the 
 
 I 
 
 h( 
 
822 
 
 local guardian oificially reported lakes Koberge, Masketsy, &c., " full of 
 fish " and in 188^, the oilicial report respecting lakes des Cinq, Fou, a la 
 P6che, &c., was as fellows : "These lakes contain brook and salmon trout; 
 only one contains grey trout. The number of these fish is astonishing. " 
 In 1888, the Laurentian Club reported their catch in the last mentioned 
 lakes at 3,500 trout and their largest fish at 3 lbs weight. In the P^che 
 lakes, the largest fish caught weighed 7| lbs. For the two sets of lakes, the 
 Club pays rentals of $50 and $75. The other clubs, which have leased lakes 
 in the same county, pay rentals varying from $100 to $l0. 
 
 QUEBEC DIVISION. 
 
 This division, which comprises the extensive counties of Portneuf, 
 Quebec and Montmorency, and has the city of Quebec, the capital of the 
 Province, as its great centre, is the one actually most in favor with the 
 •no-lino- fraternity. This is dueto thefactthatit is traversed throughout most 
 of its length by the Lake St. John Railway, an excellent road now^ equipped 
 with all the requirements and comforts of modern travel, which has opened 
 np and rendered more or less accessible on both sides of its line, a vast region 
 among the Laurentian mountains, famous for the grandeur of its scenery 
 and actually teeming with lakes and rivers hitherto locked up in the wild- 
 erness and absolutely swarming with the finest trout, pickerel and other 
 game fish. A nuinber of local and other clubs, as well as private parties, 
 have leased some of the most accessible lakes and streams along the rail- 
 way and made considerable improvements, erecting club-houses, cutting 
 roads, &c., and applications from wealthy American and other sportsmen 
 are pouring in daily for others, but the extent of splendid fishing water in 
 this district is so immense that it wnll satisfy the demand for many years, 
 while the expiration at an early date of the actual leases will, no doubt, 
 throw much presently taken up again upon the market : 
 
 Porlmvf Comtf/.— This county, which is watered by the rivers Jacques 
 Cartier, St. Anne, Batiscan, a Pierre, Noire, Mequick and their numerous C,^^"^ 
 branches, which cover it like a network, contains a host of fine lakes, many 
 of them forming connected systems of twenty, thirty and even fifty which 
 may be leased together. Among these bodies of water, may be mentioned 
 the following : Lakes Sept Isles, a I'lsle, Vert, au Chien and a la Truite, in 
 Gosford ; Hauteur, Petit Batiscan, du Coin, G-rande Chute, du Ruisseaii 
 Portage, St. Joachim, au Renversi, in Rocmont ; Bon Lac and Blanc, iu 
 Tonti ; Clair, Belleau and Bellevue, in LaSalle ; des Sables and George 
 
 in Cha 
 Bleu, 1 
 long h 
 lish. " ' 
 i>te, Ai 
 during 
 large q 
 New-Y 
 by the 
 .1 propt 
 fine se£ 
 proxim 
 hull tin; 
 Mauvai 
 peakin 
 lessee o 
 
 Qu 
 
 Jacquej 
 iuclude 
 lake Ed 
 Murray 
 dance, j 
 Lake Bi 
 weight 
 iiarily h 
 The firs 
 second 1 
 iue. A 
 he raib 
 Martear 
 Canards 
 boux, L( 
 .ijor 
 lonnais, 
 Etoile^ 
 Surveyo 
 la Place, 
 ivinds M 
 aeadow^ 
 
itsy, &c., " full of 
 les Cinq, Foa, a la 
 aud salmou trout; 
 1 is astonishing. " 
 tie last mentioned 
 ;ht. In the P^che 
 '0 sets of lakes, the 
 h have leased lakes 
 0. 
 
 nties of Portneuf, 
 , the capital of the 
 in favor with the 
 i throughout most 
 oadnow equipped 
 which has opened 
 i line, a vast region 
 ieur of its scenery 
 ed up in the wild- 
 pickerel and other 
 as private parties, 
 ams along the rail- 
 ub-houses, cutting 
 id other sportsmen 
 id fishing water in 
 lid for many years, 
 ses will, no doubt, 
 
 the rivers Jacques 
 ud their numerous 
 of fine lakes, many 
 1 even fifty which 
 may be mentioned 
 and a la Truite, in 
 lute, du Ruisseau 
 Lac aud Blanc, iu 
 ables aud G-eorge 
 
 823 
 
 ni Chavigny : Montauban, Carillon, Blanc, Richard, Ljng, Clair, Simon 
 Bleu Auguste, &c. Surveyor Proulx (page 487) says of Long lake, 5 miles 
 long by 1 broad, at the head of the river Noire : " It abounds with excelleut 
 lish. '• Surveyor Faiard (page 494) says of the , north Iminch of the river 
 ?te, Anne : " The settlers to whom I had occasion to spi^ak told me that 
 during the summer, the river al)oun.ls with fish, and that trout are takeu iu 
 Luge quantities, but generally of small bize. I was also informed that a 
 New-York gentleman, a painter, it appears, named Grace, was so charmed 
 by the beauty of the site and the attractions of the place th.it he purchased 
 II property at the " Forks " and has come there with his family to spend the 
 fine season of the last two years. The great number of lakes aud their 
 proximity to each other make this a magnificent country for fishing aud 
 hunting." Surveyor Lefran9ois (page 486) says of the lakes on the^river 
 Mauvaise ; " Most of these lakes are very picturesque and, generally 
 speaking, abound' with fish (trout and gudgeon)." Last year (1888) the 
 lessee of Petit Lac Batiscau reported his catch at 3,050 trout. 
 
 Quebec Comitij.— This county, which is watered by the St. Charles, 
 Jacques Cartier, Ste. Anne, Batiscan and a multitude of minor streams, also 
 includes an infinity of lakes, large and small, among others, the famous 
 lake Edward, some 20 miles long, so deservedly praised by " Adirondack " 
 Murray, Kit Clarke aud other sporting writers, for Us beauty, and the abun- 
 dance, great size and gameness of its magnificent speckled trout. Great 
 Lake Batiscan, with its speckled trout running up to 7, 8 aud eveu 10 lbs. 
 weight ; aud Kiskising or Cedar Lake also in high repute for its extraordi- 
 narily heavy trout aud pickerel, some of the latter running as high as 15 lbs. 
 The first aud last named are tapped by the Lake St. John Railway aud the 
 second by canoe aud portage over a distance of 14 to 15 miles from the 
 line. Among the other famous sheets of water, more or less accessible from 
 the railway, may be included the following : Moise, Croche, aux Rognons, 
 Marteau, de I'lsle, des Passes, Pearl, lake and river aux Rats, au Cauot, aux 
 Canards, aux Becscies, Clair, a la Croix, aux Biscuits, Travers, Trois Carl- 
 boux, Long, Brule, Hugh, a la Place, aux Chicots, Metascouac, des lies, 
 Carc;ijou, de Males, Naquagami, Kamamintigongue, Kakisksagamack, Bos- 
 lonnais, St. Henri, Hugh, Mirror, au Rat, Baptiste, de la Montague Brulee, 
 LEtoile, de la Hauteur, de la Pluie, Najoualank, du Coin, aux Brochets, &c.' 
 Surveyor Casgrain (page 524) says : " For the first eight miles above lake a 
 la Place, with the exception of two rapids, the river, swarming with trout, 
 ivinds with an almost imperceptible current, through magnificent natural 
 neadows, where wild hay grows luxuriantly, affording splendid feeding 
 
824 
 
 grounds for the moose and caribou which abound in these parts. " Surveyor 
 de Lachevrotiere (page 525) says : " Most of the lakes met with on the 
 course of the survey swarm with fish ; red trout is abundant, especially in 
 lakes aux Biscuits, Travers, Trois Cariboux, Brule, &c., &c., judgin*'. from 
 the results of the fishing trials I made in passing. " Lakes Edward and 
 Cedar Lake are presently leased to the Lake St. John Eailway Company at 
 rentals of |100 each, and are open to the public on payment of a small fee. 
 The Stadacona Fish and aarae Club pay $100 a year for lake and river 
 aux Rognons, &c ; the Laurentides Club a similar amount for lakes Long, 
 des Isles, Vert, &c., $105 are paid for Great Lake Batiscan and smaller 
 amounts for some of the other lakes actually under lease. There is an excel- 
 lent modern hotel at lake Edward. 
 
 Monlnwreficy Counti/ .—The leasable lakes and streams of this county are 
 less accessible than those of the other sections of the Quebec Division- 
 there being no railway— but for the same reason they are likely to much 
 longer retain their high repatation. They include the upper reaches of 
 the'jacques Cartier river and Great Lake Jacques Cartier at its head both 
 famous for the abundance and large size of their trout ; Snow lake, at the 
 head of the Montmorency river, a large sheet of water difficult of access 
 except in winter, but noted for the abundance of its speckled trout and 
 heavy lake trout, as well as for the herds of caribou which roam the woods 
 around it ; Grand and Petit Lac a I'Epaule, lakes Regis, Noel, au Foiu, 
 Grand Lac a la Chute, des Sept Isles, Vert, Tetit Lac Malbaie, des Roclies, 
 &c. This county is traversed by the old colonization road from Quebec to 
 Lake St. John, which has, however, fallen into disuse since the construction 
 of the Lake St. John railway. 
 
 LAKE ST. .TOHN DIVISION. 
 
 This division comprises the extensive counties of Chicoutimi and 
 Charlevoix : 
 
 Chicoutimi County, which is one of the largest territorial divisions of 
 the province, extending from the 48th parallel of latitude to the Northern 
 Height of Land and having au estimated area of 15,206,355 acres, contains a 
 greater body of inland waters than probably any other district of the same 
 extent in North America. It is drained by Lake St. John, which is almost 
 an inland sea, and by a large number of rivers, among which the principal 
 are the Sapruenay, the Charaouchouan, the Peribonka, Mistassini, Mistassibi, 
 
parts. " Surveyor 
 net with on the 
 .ant, especially in 
 CO., judging; from 
 ,kes Edward and 
 [way Company at 
 jnt of a small fee, 
 >r lake and river 
 lit for lakes Long, 
 scan and smaller 
 There is an excel- 
 
 of this county are 
 uebec Division- 
 ire likely to much 
 upper reaches of 
 sr at its head both 
 Snow lake, at the 
 difficult of access 
 peckled trout and 
 h roam the woods 
 is, Noel, au Foiu, 
 Ibaie, des Roches, 
 d from Quebec to 
 e the construction 
 
 : Chicoutimi and 
 
 torial divisions of 
 le to the Northern 
 5 acres, contains a 
 istrict of the same 
 1, which is almost 
 hich the principal 
 stassini, Mistassibi, 
 
 825 
 
 aux Rats, "Wassiemska, Great and Little Peribonka, Shipshaw, Valin, Ste. 
 Marguerite, Bersimis, Little Saguenay, St. Jean, a. Mars, Canard, Noire, 
 Metabetchouan, Ouiatchouan, Ouiatchouanishe, Lalielle, aux Ecorces, 
 rikauba, Upika, Upikauba, itc, and their branches ; and is traversed for a 
 considerable distance by the Quebec and Lake St. John Railway and by 
 a multitude of waggon and logging roads, as well as by steamers in summer 
 from Quebec to Chicoutimi, the county town. The settlements are chiefly 
 confined to a narrow strip around Lake St. John and down the Saguenay 
 river. All the remainder is still in a state of wilderness and is the property 
 of the Crown. Part of this vast territory has been surveyed and laid out into 
 townships, but the residue, which embraces by far the largest portion of 
 the county, is still unorganized. The number of its lakes and streams, large 
 and small, most of which abound either with the famous ouinaniche or the 
 finest brook and lake trout, pickerel, pike, &c., and have never been fished, 
 is almost incalculable, and many of them are nameless. Among those 
 which are most accessible may be enumerated the following : Quakamaksis, 
 a considerable lake, actually leased at $10 and which yielded last year, 1,282 
 trout weighing in all 403 lbs. ; Ecarte, leased at |25 ; Cache, des G-randes 
 Oreilles, all to the westward and within easy distance of the lake St. John 
 Railway ; aux Rats, a la Passe, au Portage, St. Paul, Ouitouche, Long, aux 
 Cariboux, and C ircajou, in the township of DeQueii, which is traversed by 
 the railway ; Commissioners', 21 miles long, leased at $30 ; Bouchette and 
 Ouiatchouan, in the township of Dablon, also traversed by the railway ; 
 Amabilish, des Cedres, and the great and little lakes of LaBelle Riviere, easily 
 reached from the Metabetchouan river or the colonization road to Quebec ; 
 St. Croix, in the township of Caroii ; Vert, in the tow^nship of Me.sy ; 
 Kaskouia, Clair, Long, Henri and Kenogami, in the township of Kenogami, 
 the last named 25 miles long ; Grand Lake Ha ! Ha! Little Lake Ha ! Ha ! ; 
 Sainta, a la Belle Truite, a Menard and Huard, in the township of Boileau, 
 easily reached by the St. Urbain road ; St, Jean, in the township of BrebcBuf; 
 a Johnny, in the township of Lallemant ; Otis, a Garth, Long, a la Balle, 
 des Islets and Rond, in the township of Otis, which is traversed by the St. 
 Agnes road ; de la Decharge and Rouge, in the township of St. Germain ; 
 des Monts, in the township of Labrosse ; a Fortin, a Gagnon and Ste. 
 Marguerite, at the head of the west branch of the river Ste. Marguerite ; a 
 Roger and a Bouchard, in the township of Harvey ; Charles and Tortue, in 
 the township of Falardeau ; LaBonte, Chabot and Vert, in the township of 
 Bourget ; aux Brochets, in the township of Tache ; Ouatcheway and Pomous- 
 cachiou, at the head of the river Shipshaw ; Yshitagama, on the Grand 
 Peribonka river ; de I'Ouest, des Pins, des Cypres and a I'lsle Blanche, on 
 
826 
 
 If 
 
 the Little Poriboiika ; aux Rats, on the brniuh of the Mislussiui of that 
 name ; dcs Portagcvs, Netsagamu and Kawashagami, on (ho Wassiomaka, 
 branch of (ho sanio river ; nux Rognons, a hi Croix, Clair, a Fraiifois, i\ C6t6, 
 Tolowoganii, Witoucho and Moshnsk, on the Salmon branch ol the river 
 Chamonchonan ; Pimoka and Duilorin, in the (ownshii) of Dnflorin ; and 
 Port^nenf. Emmuraillc, Bois Vort, Hrulc, do I'Ouost, dcs Monts, Milanikiche, 
 au Pecan, anx Islots, au Rcnard, dos lies, Ilo Verte and Grand Lu-. des R:uos, 
 at (he head of (he riv(>r IJersimis. Snrveyor G-agnon says of the lakes in 
 the township of Boilean (page 110) : "They abound with irout." Surveyor 
 Dumais says of lake. S(. Jerome, in the (ownshiji of Caron (page 117): 
 " This lake, which is well stocked with iish, discharges its waters by a 
 branch of (he river Couchepegamish." Surveyor du Tremblay says of the 
 lakes and streams in the township of iJeiiuen (page 120) : " The lakes 
 generally abound in iish " Surveyor Gagnon says of the lakes in the 
 township of St. Germain (page 1*74) : " All the lakes which I met in the 
 course of my survey abound with fish, trout and eels predominating." 
 Surveyor du Tremblay says of the waters in the township of St. Ililaire : 
 " These lakes and rivers abound with fish." And at page 540, of the river 
 Shipshaw : " Game and fish of all kinds abound all over." 
 
 Charlevoix County, which fronts on the St. Lawrence and has the 
 famous watering place, Murray Bay as its centre, is accessible from Quebec 
 by tri-weekly steamer, as well as by waggon road. It contains a consider- 
 able number of good lakes and streams ; among others lakes de I'Escarpe, 
 des Cariboux, Double, du Chemin de Canot, do I'Eiifer, Andr6, de la Sotiris, 
 a Main, Porc-opic, de la Belle Truite. des Martes, du Cran, de I'Equerre, 
 Grand Malbaie, Castor, des Isles, laGalette, Antoine, Malfait, Long, Pointu, 
 Pied-des-Monts, Larouche, des Cedres, des Sables and des Marais, all more 
 or less accessible from the St. Urbain and des Marais roads ; lakes des Hots, 
 au Plongeou, Noire and Jacob, in the township of Chauveau ; lakes Gau- 
 thier, Port aux Quilles, du Cap, do la Grosse Truite and Bale des Rochers, 
 in Callieres; aux Canards, in Saguenay, and a David, in Dumais. Surveyor 
 Gagnon (page 96) says of the lakes in Callieres : " All the lakes in this 
 township are well stocked with fish and full of trout." The same, no 
 doubt, may be said of most of the others, many of which have never been 
 fished. 
 
 SAGUENAY DIVISION. 
 
 This immense division, extending from the north-eastern boundary of 
 the county of Chicoutimi to the eastern extremity of the province, at Blanc 
 
82Y 
 
 ■ilassini of that 
 lio Wassiomaka, 
 'raii^ois, i\ 06t6, 
 ('h ol tho river 
 DufliM-in ; and 
 is, Milanikifhe, 
 I L'U', dos lilies, 
 of iho lakes in 
 3Ut." Surveyor 
 )ii (paj>"o 117) : 
 ts walors by a 
 day Hiiys of the 
 ) : " Tho lakos 
 e lakos in the 
 I I mot ill the 
 rodominating." 
 of 8t. Hilairo : 
 40, of tho river 
 
 ) and has tho 
 I'rom Quo boo 
 lus a cousidor- 
 8 do I'Escarpe, 
 6, de la Sotiris, 
 do I'Equerre, 
 , Long, Pointu, 
 irais, all more 
 lakos des Hots, 
 . ; lakes Gau- 
 le des Roohers, 
 lais. 8urvoyor 
 e lakes in this 
 The same, no 
 ve never been 
 
 8al)lon, lakes in the whole of the lerritrvy known :ih IIk* Noilh Shore, below 
 the river SaguciiMy — an almost oomplolo wilderness— In-Mer known on 
 neoount of its salmon and sea-trout rivers than of its iukes, whi.-h are, 
 lunvevor, innnnuMablo and many of them of great hv/a\. They literally 
 teem with the linest fisli, especially tront of the dillerent kinds, bnl their 
 remoteness and dillienlly of a<(H'ss will, no donbt, leave th.-m ttndistiirbed 
 for many years to come. Therc^ is, however, a .H'rlnin niimbor, witliiu easy 
 and accessible distance's from Tadonsac, which are well wortiiy ol pi><s<uit 
 attrition, such as lakes CUmrles, des isles, Knssdl and a la Boule, in tho 
 township of Albert ; Long, A Gobeil, des Nabli-s, h Patrice, Petit and Grand 
 Bergeroi.nes, A. Ifas do Hole, Caribou, de la Uiviero A Polelle, Chaligny, A 
 IJoulanger, des Kscoumains, Corbeau, aux I'erdrix, Parent, A la Truilc liav- 
 
 mond, ike. 
 
 (tASPro DIVIHION. 
 
 n boundary of 
 'ince, at Blanc 
 
 This division, which comprises the counties ol (laspe and Honaventuro, 
 and forms what is known as (he Gaspfi Peninsula, stret<!hing from the G-ulf 
 of 8t. Lawrence on tho one side, to tho Bay des CJhaleurs on the other, is 
 not less famous for its trout lak"ft than its s^ilmon rivers, The interior of 
 the peninsula is dotted with them and thiur connecting streams, r)ut, 
 tlioughl)oth counties are easy of access by the Intercolonial Railway, as well 
 as by waggon roads and by steaunrs from Qucbe.MUid Dalhousie, (In* inland 
 waters can only bo reached at present by asccMiding the rivers from tho 
 coast, which is, however, as a rule, easy, most of these rivers being without 
 .serious obstruction from their mouths to their hcad-w^iters. Among those 
 which are accessible in this way are a fine group at tht; head ol' the Mag- 
 dalen river and another at the head ol the river Htc Anne des Monts, in 
 the county of Gaspfi; lake Chasseur, on the east branch of the Nouvelle, 
 lakes A la Truite and Trois Haumons, on the Little Cascapudia ; and lake 
 Cascnpedia, on tho Grand ('ascapedia, in the county of Bonavcnture. The 
 latter county also contains the famous Matapedia, Caoupsoull and Salmon 
 lakes. Surveyor Legendre (pag*! T)!*) says of Matapedia township : " Besides 
 the fertility of the soil, I admired three pretty little lakes forming the source 
 of the south east branch of the Gloaden brook. Thes«! small lakes are full of 
 trout. The growth of wild hay all around them is very tall, and through 
 it may be soon the tracks loft l)y the moose and caribou which feed there, 
 it seems, during the night. " These are a sample of mo.st of the other lakes 
 in tho same region. 
 
828 
 
 
 SOUTH SHORE DIVISION. 
 
 This extensive division -compripes all the South Shore counties stretch- 
 ing from the St. Laurence to the New Brunswick and United States, boun- 
 dary lines and ascending from the Qaspe Peninsula to Levis, opposite the 
 city of Quebec, viz: Rimouski, Temiscouata, Kamouraska, L'Islet, Mont- 
 magnyvand Bellechasse. These counties are traversed by the Intercolonial 
 and Teraiscouata Railways, as well as by a multitude of waggon and log- 
 ging roads, which facilitate access to the numerous lakes and streams in the 
 unsettled districts : 
 
 Rimouski Count>/.-This county, one of the largest ia the province, is 
 watered by the Rimouski river and its numerous branches, as well as by 
 many other streams, and includes a large number of splendid fishing lakes 
 in its rear townships; among which may be ranked lakes Rimouski Tache, 
 Vingt-Qaatre Arpents, des Truites, des Baies, du Diable. Otter, Eagle (lake 
 and river) Macpes, Grand and Petit Neigette, Tinette, Beau, Chicots, Ferree 
 (lake and river) Noir, Rodier, Mistigouche, des Isles, Humqui, Malcolm, du 
 Portage, a Johnston, La Trtaite, Petit and Grand Matane, &c., &c Sur- 
 veyor Garon (page 340) says in his report of the survey of the township of 
 Flynn : " The centre section surveyed by me is well watered ; it is crossed 
 by many streams, and dotted with lakes in great number, of which the 
 largest and most important is lake Tache, which is very deep and abounds 
 with fish The other lakes are also well stocked with fish, among others 
 lakes Lunett.i and Depot in Macpes, and lake Pierre in Flynn, which last 
 one empries into the river Neigette, which in turn discharges into the river 
 Metis." Surveyor Roy (page 341) says of the towns. lip of Humqui : " In 
 the interior of the township of Humqui, there is a number of small lakes 
 generally abounding with fish. These lakes are the source of a number of 
 brooks which flow through the township in every direction. " Surveyor 
 Lepage (pag.>. Y59) says : " The lakes within this territory (Rimouski) 
 abound with fish, the red trout being the only kind, so far as I was able to 
 prove ; nevertheless, salmon were seen to rise in the Grand lake of the east 
 branch of the Patapedia; in Big Humqui lake, white fish, suckers and 
 lunge (touladi) are taken ; the other little lakes in the interior contain fine 
 large trout. There are also lunge (touladi) in the lake a Cote, one of the 
 sources of the river Sifrois, and in the still waters of Mistigouche, which 
 contain numbers of trout." Surveyor LeBer (page 762) says : " The river 
 Noire has a varying width of 30 to 50 links. Its banks are low. Spruce 
 and cedar predominate. It takes its rise in the lake of the same name. This 
 
829 
 
 nties stretch- 
 States, boun- 
 opposite the 
 yislet, Mont- 
 Intercolonial 
 fgon and log- 
 treams in the 
 
 3 province, is 
 as well as by 
 
 fishing lakes 
 louski, Tache, 
 r, Eagle (lake 
 hicots, Ferree 
 
 Malcolm, du 
 CO., &c Siir- 
 1 township of 
 ; it is crossed 
 of which the 
 
 and abounds 
 among others 
 u, which last 
 
 into the river 
 lumqui : " In 
 of small lakes 
 fa number of 
 1. " Surveyor 
 y (Rimouski) 
 
 I w^as able to 
 ike of the east 
 , suckers and 
 )r contain fine 
 ote, one of the 
 jouche, which 
 
 ; " The river 
 
 low. Spruce 
 le name. This 
 
 lake is pretty large and encloses a good-sized island." Only a few of the 
 lakes in this county are under lease. 
 
 Temiscouala County. — The rear section of this largo county contains a 
 number of fine fishing lakes open to lease and very accessible. Among its 
 inland waters may be mentioned the following : The three Squatook lakes ; 
 lakes des Sauvages, McLean, des Islets, Sept Lacs, St. Hubert, Des Fourches, 
 des Roches, St. John, St. Fran9ois, Mernimticook, Baker, Long, &c., besides 
 the rivers Trois-Pistoles, Boisbouscache, aux Sapins, aux Bouleaux, aux 
 Perdrix, St. Francis, Cabano, Blue and Baker river. Surveyor T6tu (page 
 378) says : " The Baker river, which discharges into lake Mernimticook 
 and thence into the river St. John, is a very pretty little stream with a 
 sandy and rockless bed, and without falls, but, in certain places, with a 
 rapid and shallow current, which renders it navigable only by canoes. The 
 lakes, which empty into it, are deep and, as they are full offish, would be 
 of great assistance to the settlers locating in these tov/hships, if their finny 
 wealth was not in great part destroyed in summer by poachers from New- 
 Brunswick, who ascend this river armed wnth nets and negogs and commit 
 irreparable havoc among the large red and white trout. The so called fishery 
 guardians do not seem to pay any attention to ihis great wrong, as not oae 
 of them has yet taken the trouble to pay this place a visit, though one is 
 imperatively demanded." Surveyor Fournier (page 379) says of the township 
 of Raudot :— " It is seldom, on the south side of the St. Lawrence, and on so 
 small an extent of land as that surveyed by me in Raudot, that so many lakes 
 occur, I was told that there is another pretty large one, on the fourth range, 
 towards the lots numbers twelve and eighteen or twenty, but I did not see it. 
 Lake St. John is generally deep, although the lands, on both sides, near the 
 lake are level or gradually sloping. There is a great deal offish in this lake ; 
 we caught three kinds— white fish, of which some measured from fifteen to 
 eighteen inches in length, pickerel and trout. They say there is a fourth 
 kind, but we did not catch any. The small lake which discharges into the 
 river Boisbouscache, on the lots numbers three and four of the third range, 
 contains, they say, a great deal of trout; we did not fish there." The 
 Squatook lakes and some of the others named are also famous for the 
 abundance of their large red trout. 
 
 Kamoumflia Count// also contains some excellent fishing lakes, among 
 which may be mentioned lakes Tohenegamook, (a considerable boay of 
 water,) de I'Est, Ste. Anne and Noir 
 
 Llslel Covrili/.— This ccunty contains but few lakes of note beyond the 
 seigniories 
 
880 
 
 Montmagny Coitnhj. — The majority of the lakes in this county are small, 
 the only one of any importance being Frontier lake, in the township of 
 Talon, with regard to which surveyor T6tu (page 267), makes the following 
 statement : " This great lake which empties into the river Quara, by a 
 large outlet, is filled with fish called " touladi, " trout, white fish and others, 
 
 Bellechasae County. — This county is also comparatively destitute of any 
 lakes of much size or value as fishing resorts. Surveyor Lavergiie (page 3(>) 
 says : " The lakes are small and very shallow and contain very little lish, 
 trout being about the only kind to be met with. " 
 
 1 
 
 EASTERN TOWNSHIPS DIVISION. 
 
 •A 
 
 < ' 
 
 The region, traversed by the Quebec Central Railway and comprising 
 the counties of Dorchester, Beauce, Megantic and Compton, with the cities 
 of Quebec and Sherbrooke at its extremities, still includes a number of good 
 fishing lakes and streams, such as Grand and Petit Lao Abenaquis, St. 
 Jean and Du Portage, in Dorchester ; Young, Miller, llat-Musque, Mecaii- 
 vamuck. Little and Great St. Francis, Fortin and aux Cygnes, in Beauce ; 
 Clapham, a la Truite, Black, &c., in Megantic. Surveyor Casgrain ^page 
 213) says of the river Daaquam, in the township of Langevin, (Dorchester) : 
 " The river abounds with fish." Surveyor Legendre (page 220) says of Met- 
 germette South (Dorchester) : " The lakes and rivers abound with fish." 
 Surveyor Legendre (page 14) says in connection with the township of 
 Adstock, in Beauce : " Trout and Little St Francis lakes are very deep and 
 swarm with fish. Trout abound in the first named and white fish in the 
 second." The Spider and Arnold rivers territory, in the county of Compton, 
 is actually under lease to the Megantic Fish and Game tJlub, at a rental 
 of $200. 
 
mty are small, 
 n township of 
 the following 
 r Quara, by a 
 sh and others. 
 
 stituto of any 
 rj^iio (page 3U) 
 ory little lish, 
 
 INDEX TO SURVEYORS AND EXPLORERS. 
 
 [(1 comprising* 
 with the cities 
 umber of good 
 Lbenaquis, St. 
 asque, Mecaii- 
 s, in Beauce ; 
 'asgrain ^page 
 , (Dorchester) ." 
 0) says of Met- 
 id with fish." 
 ! township of 
 very deep and 
 lite fish in the 
 y of Compton, 
 ub, at a rental 
 
 Albanel (P\ither).— Snguonay to Hudson Bay, 637. 
 AixBRiGHT G. A.— Grandison, 3, 
 Allen S. — Dudley and Kiamika, 277. 
 
 Arcand L. a. O.-Caxton, 368 ; St. Miurice district, west section, 456 ; do, east 
 section, 456. 
 
 Arcand L. Z.— Houde, 254. 
 
 Ashe W. A.— Duhamel, Laverlocheres and Guigues, 310. 
 
 Austin G. F. —Wakefield and Templeton, 298. 
 
 B 
 
 Barnard J.-Wentworth, 5 ; Wolfe, 8 ,; Boucher, 76-77 ; Lakes and Rivers in Radnor 
 and Cap de la Magdeleine, 464 ; River h la Cliienne, 467 ; River xVIatawin 
 and its tributaries, 479. 
 
 Belanger C. a,— Cox, 50 ; Metapcdia, 65 ; Risborough, 75. 
 
 Belanger p. R. a.— Arago, 245 ; Lessard and Beaubien, 249 ; Talon, 266. 
 
 Bell R.— Magdalen River, 688. 
 
 BiGNELLj.-Gayhurst, 16-17; Shenley, 29; Upper Ottawa, 433 ; Upper Lifevre, 443; 
 Outardes, Betsianiits and Peribonka rivers, 593 ; Manicouagan, Pentecost, 
 Trinity and Godbout rivers, 596 ; Mistassini expedition, 6ro ; Upper St.' 
 Maurice, Gatineau and Ottawa Rivers, 657. 
 
 Bignell J.-G.- Ditchfield, 15; Louise, 22; xMarlow, 23 ; Risborough, 28-29; Spald- 
 ing. 30 '} Tessier, 356. 
 
») 
 
 'm 
 
 ■1SX' 
 
 882 
 
 La Tuque and Lake St. John, 4^9- 
 Bo.vm E.-Ferland. 133 ) Hergeronnes, 36. ; Escoumains, 363. 
 BoucHETTE C.-A.-Risborough, 25. 
 BoURGETC.-A.-l'oit Danitl, y- 
 BRABAzoN S.-L.-Huddersfield, 3^5 ) Mamfield, 317. 
 Bradley J.-A.-Macpes, 344 5 Matane, 348. 
 Breen T.-Beaubien, 246; I-essard, 248; Awantjish, 334- 
 Bureau J.-Inierior of Gasp^ Peninsub, 74'. 
 
 u nnnnmm iz • Mekinac to Island of Lake Edward, 92 ; 
 
 CASORAiNE.-Armagh, 31;"^^^"='"^' 35, ™. 373-374-376; River 
 
 Lmeevii), 211-215; Bourdages, 263, i^stcourt, 373 J74 i/ > 
 Metabctchouan and tributar.es. 5^3 ; Block F, 525 ; Bets.amUs. Outardes 
 ivieiauciLuu ,a. . Uivpr \Toisic cun ; R vt r Iviuladi and trib- 
 
 and Loup-Mann rivers, 584 ; River Moisic, 599 -^ 
 utaries, 763 ; Cabano and Pohenegamook road, 769 , R>ver Noire 
 
 region, 771. 
 CiMON A.-OUer Tail liver, 434- 
 Crawford W._Joly, 280; Ma chand, 285; Ponsonby, 290. 
 
 X) 
 
 D'AUTEUIL L. J.— Bedaid, 336 ; Lepage, 343. 
 
 n^ r r-iriLman IT Langelier and River Croche, 78 ; Mailliot 
 nif T A Chevrotiere 1. C— carignan, 77 , i^ang^. 
 
 DeLaLhev 251-252; Decallonnes, 252-253-254; Masson, 255, Bo. 
 
 :32 C^ha igny, 325 ) Belleau, 367 ; Desaulniers, 368 ; River Manouar, 
 o L .k Kempt. 459 ; R-'cr Manouan, from Temple's line to Lake Kemrt 
 460 • RcgioTbat^i; Lake Lacroix and the Metabetchouan, 524. 
 
 Demeuees J. C-Chauveau, 97 ; De Sales, ^04;^ ^^^^^ ^'^^i ''' ' ''''' 
 betchouan, 142 ; Reg'on along the De. Marais road, ,52. 
 
 Demeules p. T.-Region .long Maritime road, 569- 
 
; country bcrween 
 
 3f Lake Edward, 92 ; 
 373-374-376; River 
 Betsiamits, Outardes 
 
 ivt r 1 ouladi and trib- 
 769 ; River Noire 
 
 Croche, 78 ; Mailhot, 
 ; Masson, 255 ; Boi?, 
 , 368 ; River Manouan 
 e's line to Lake Kem[ 
 etchouan, 524. 
 
 :enogami, 136 ; Meta 
 road, 352. 
 
 888 
 
 Dery L— Colbert and Rocmont, 327 ; Gosford and Rocmont, 330 ; Montauban, 333. 
 
 Desruisseaux p. — Polette, 86. 
 
 Desrochers V — Bungay, 343. 
 
 DoRVAL U.— Provost and Brassard, 40 ; Jolictte, 243. 
 
 DvHi. O. A.— Buckland, 34. 
 
 Duberger E. A,-Alma Island, 106 j Bourget, 110 j Delisle, 134 ; Jonquiferes, 138-139. 
 
 DucHESNAY A.— Spalding, 29 ; Watford, 222. 
 
 DUGAL J. N.— Ashford, 345 ; Chesnier, 337 ; Botsford, 370 ; Packington, 376. 
 
 DoucET G. A.— Biencourt, 337 ; RobitaiUe, 354 ; Begon, 369 ; Demers, 372. 
 
 DuMAis P. H -Bourget, 111-113 ; Caron and Mesy, 116; Normandin, 150 ; Ouiatchouan, 
 T58 ; Jarent, 161 ; Sip-^ai, 171-172-173 ; Country between St. Raymond 
 and Lake Edward, 490 ; Rivers Ouiatchouan, Bostonnais and Batiscan, 
 503 ; Rivers Mistassibi, au Rat and Wassiemska, 531 ; Little Peribonka 
 "ver, 537 ; Petite and Grande Bergeronnes, Escoumains, Sault-au Mouton 
 Portneuf, &c., 570. * 
 
 DuMAis P.-J.-C.— Chamouchouan, 113; Charlevoix, 116; Roberval, 169: Simard. 178- 
 Duhamel, 305; Fabre, 312-313; Lorrain, 317. ' ' 
 
 DuTrembiay A.— Racine, 168 ; St. Hilaire, 175. 
 
 DuTremblay G.-B.— Dalmas, 119; Dalmas and Taillon, 121; Demeules, 127 ; pe 
 Quen, 128-129; Dolbeau, 131; Labarre and Kenogami, 139; Metabet- 
 chouan, 149; Tach^, 181 ; Bergeronnes, 360; Iberville, 364; Manicoua- 
 gan, 365 ; River Shipshaw, 539 ; Rivers Valin, Betsiamits, Shipshaw and 
 Peribonka, 543 ; River Valin, North Branch, 546. 
 
 DuTremblay P.-P.-V.—Lejeune, 80-81 ; Rivers Towachiche and Eaux Mortes, 496 ; 
 . Rivers Musquarro and Kegashka, 607. 
 
 E 
 
 Ells R. W.-jSt. John, Douglastown and Dartmouth rivers, 698; Bonaventure and 
 Cascapedia rivers, 716. 
 
 Evans S. T. A.— Sheen, 318-320. 
 08 
 
884 
 
 Km AKn Vah:. Noitli lliaiuh, Kivcr 81. Ann, .i<j4- 
 
 Klkicmkr O.- Chcshain, i88; Whillon, joj ; I'onsonby, 290. 
 
 FoROUKS C. K.- St. John, Mingan, NalaslKiiian and Ksiiuimaiix Rivers, fioj ; Musiiiiano 
 and Ktgashka, 607 ; Wasliccootai, 608. 
 
 Koi'RNiKK C. K Pohencganiook, j-k^ ; Asliford, 24^): llocquarl, 376; Raudot, 37.S. 
 rouRNiiiR 1'.— Auckland, 35 
 
 C3- 
 
 « 
 
 (lAiiNDNC.KUKON.— Callil-rcs, 96; JJoilcau, no; Dulfcrin, 132; I-abrosso and Albert, 
 141 ; Metabclchouan and Charlevoix, 149; Saint-Clermain, 175; Rivers 
 Trenchc and I'lerriche, 470 ; Sahnon and Windigo rivers, 473 ; River Sle. 
 Margncrite, 564 ; Rivers Ste. Marguerite, .\ la 'J'ruite and Manitou, 599, 
 
 Garon G.— Duquesnc, 339. 
 
 Garon L.-J.— Hedard, 336 ; Flynn, 340 ; Macpds, 346 ; Neigette, 353. 
 
 GiLMAN R.— Doncaster, 260. 
 
 GossKi.iN 1.. — Laterrit-rc, 142. 
 
 Grjkkin p.— Pope, 291 ; Suffolk and Ponsonby, 298 ; Huddersfield, 315 ; Colbert and 
 Ossonane, 326. 
 
 Grondin L. J. E.— Mass^, 346-347 ', Matalek, 347 J Ncigelte, 352 ; Ouimet, 354 ; 
 Tessier, 356. 
 
 EC 
 
 llENDEBSOM P.. D.— Wure, 221. 
 
 Henderson W.- -Jersey, 17 ; I. angevin, .M 7. 
 Hill J.— St. Denis, 355 ; Tessier, 356. 
 
 IT ,1 >.- ■ J.. Allcyn, 302, 
 
886 
 
 Johnston |. lUnko, 271 ; Lathhiiry, jHj ; Miilgravc, 3M7 ; Ripoii, 291;. 
 
 s, ()Oi ; Miisciiiarro 
 376; Raudot, 37.S. 
 
 iluosse and Albert, 
 irinain, 175 ; Rivers 
 :ts, 473 ; River Sle. 
 ,' and Manitou, 599. 
 
 553- 
 
 d, 315 ; Colbert and 
 352 ; Ouimet, 354 ; 
 
 Laiikkc.k K. Ashburton, .'62. 
 
 LANdLors J.- 'I'aillon and Dclislc, 1S2 ; Asiibiirton, 262 ; (loljjert, 326; Country around 
 Laice St. John, 549. 
 
 l.M'OKTK J. — Mrassard, 59 ; I'rovosl, 44 45. 
 
 I,ai;kii:k (;.- -Provost and llrassard, 41 ; Peterborough, 255. 
 
 Lavkrcnk p. K. — llelleciiasse, 31 ; Koux, 36 ; Rivers Ulanchc and ('olombicr, 595. 
 
 l.AVloi.i'vni; (1.- Wolfe, (> ; Peresford and Howard, 380. 
 
 KkHki. I-. 11.— Rivers Rnnou.ski, Noire and Caribou, 7^10; River Sifrois, 762. 
 
 I.kPkk II. Milnikek, 07; l.ejeuno, 81 ; Aw.uitji.sh, 335 ; liuuKini, 340; Nomtaye, 
 353 ; River du Loup, .1^)3. 
 
 LkPoutmii.i.ikk I'i. A. • 'I'ourelle, 357 ; Mont l.ouis, Anse I'leureuse, Pierre and (!laiide 
 livers, O89, 
 
 Li.P.ou'iim.i.iKU Ci. -Douglastown, 231 ; Perce, 236. 
 
 Licci.KRC L. — Wolfe, 12 
 
 LiofranCjOis N. K. — LaSalle and Larue, 331. 
 
 Lkh<aN(;ois N. J. E. — River 'Palayardo, 495 ; River Mauvaise, 496. 
 
 I,|',(1i:ni)KK V). H.— Causapscull, 50; Mann, 55 56 ; Metapedia, 58-59-63 ; Ristigouchc, 
 73; As.samat(iuegan, 75; Pabos and Port Daniel rivers, 701; Pabos, 
 Port-I)aniel, Hall, Little Cas(:ai)edia and Nouvelle rivers, 706. 
 
 Lkckndrk I'". — Price, 84 ; Metgerniettc South, 220. 
 
 LK(!KNOKt', I'". O. A. — Adstock, 14 
 
 Lkoenure Hi.ARiON. — Mckinac, 85-86 ; Region between the St. Maurice and Hatiscan 
 from Mekinac to Lake Edward, 467. 
 
 Legkndrk J. B.— Bulstrodc, 13 ; Price, 24 ; 'I'lietford, 257. 
 
836 
 
 '.J k 11 
 
 Lepage C. S. — Carleton, 49 ; Dalibaire, 338-339 ; Matane, 349 ; Romieu, 354 ; Romieu 
 and Dalibaire, 355 ; Casupscull river, 738. 
 
 Lepage J. B. — County of Rimouski, 754. 
 
 Lepage O. G. — Metapedia, 63. 
 
 Logan, Sir W. — Gulf Shore, Cape Chat and Cascapedia rivers, 720, 
 
 Low A. P. — Mistassini Expedition, 619. Rivers St. Anne and Cascapedia, 728. 
 
 Lucas S. B. — Cameron, 274. 
 
 Macdonald W. — Patapedia, 7 1. 
 
 Maltais J. — Ross, 170 ; Rivers Upikauba and aux Ecorces, 548. 
 
 Martin J. — Joliette, 242 ; Peterborough, 256. 
 
 Martin J. A. — I-esage, 283 ; Loranger, 284 ; Marchand, 286. 
 
 Mathieu N. C, — Archambault, 258-259; Lussier, 261; Clyde, 276; Kiamika, 281; 
 Labelle, 282 ; Marchand, 286; Preston, 294. 
 
 McArthur J.— Addington, 268; Bouthillier, 273; Hincks, 279; Lytton, 285; Pon- 
 sonby, 288 ; Dorion, 309. 
 
 McGrath B.— Aumond, 269 ; Aldfield, 302. 
 
 McMartin G.-E. — Grenville, 4 ; Addington and Labelle, 268 ; Amherst, 268 ; Bear 
 river, 445 ; River du Diable, 451. 
 
 McOuatW,— Temiscaming and Lake Abbitibbi, 387 ; Lakes St. John and Mistassini, 634. 
 
 MicHAUD C. — Stratford and Garthby, 385. 
 
 MiCHAUD, J.-L.— Boisclair, 303. 
 
 MURISON P.— Carleton, 46 ; Milnikek, 252 ; Nourelle river. West Branch, 737. 
 
 Murray A.— Matane, Cape Chat, St. Ann and Douglastown rivers, 691 ; Bonaventure 
 river, 708. 
 
 2sr 
 
 \\ 
 
 Neilson J.— Linibre, 21. 
 
 J 
 
'^ra* 
 
 mieu, 354 ; Romieu 
 
 edia, 728. 
 
 76 ; Kiamika, 281 ; 
 Lytton, 285 ; Pon- 
 
 ^mherst, 268 ; Bear 
 1 and Mistassini, 634. 
 
 SSI 
 
 iranch, 
 
 737. 
 
 s, 691 ; 
 
 Bonaventure 
 
 \\ 
 
 
 
 
 O'DwvK. W. W.-Chesham. ,85 ; Ditton. ,88 ; E.berton. ,9. 
 O'Hanly J. L. P.-Egan, 278 ; Dorion, 306. 
 O'Neil J.— Ditchfield, 14. 
 
 O'SULLIVAN H -Douglas, 230; Country between Cedar Lake and I^ke q^ T K 
 
 Grand Bonaventure river, 7x2- Count,^ hi r 1 ^^ ^°^"' 5" 5 
 
 Madawaska, 766. ^ ''"'''""" ^ake Squatook and 
 
 O'SULLIVAN J.-Block A, Pontiac, 426. 
 
 Pag£ F.-Tonti, 3S3 I Rivers Moise and Croche, 469. 
 
 Painchaud A.-Chloridorme, 22 s- Christie „fi . r» 
 
 Fortin 2,.- pLnJ/ ? ' ^"°"^' "9; Duchesnay, 232: 
 
 runm, 233, l-abos (seigniory), 21^ • Rqm=.!,i, ,,q t- 1. "•*''' 
 
 Magdalen Islands, 674. ^ ' "' '^^ ' Taschereau, 239. 
 
 PounnrKK A.-I^Cape Rosier. Gasp^ Bay North and Fox, 224. 
 PouDRiER F.-L.-Nemtay^, 353 j Ham, 384. 
 
 PKOULX J.-P.-Country between Jacques Cartier and Batiscan river, 48, 
 Proulx P.-A.-Metgermette North, 219. 
 
 QuiNN T. C— Montcalm, 4. 
 
 Qn.N. F. P.-Johette, 24: ; ArchambauU and Lussie, 259 ; Lussie, 260. 
 
 lES. 
 
 Rainboth E. J.-Bouchette, 273 ; Cameron, 275 ; Campbell. 275 • 
 SOI., 296 ; Suffolk, 297. ^ • ^^ ' 
 
 RAmBOTH G.-Portland East, 292. 
 
 Rauschek R.-Portland, 291 ; Portland West, 293 ; Wobassee, 
 
 McGill, 287 ; Robert- 
 
 30c 
 
838 
 
 Regnaud F. J. v.— Doncaster, 260 ; Wexford, 381. 
 
 Richard J. B.— Wells, 383. 
 
 I 
 
 Richardson J.— Temiscaming and Lake Abbitibbi, 357 ; Valley of Lake St John, 499 j 
 From Saguenay to Bay of Seven Islands, 560 ; Headwaters of the Saguenayi 
 St. Maurice and Gatineau, 644 ; Mingan Islands, 662 ; Anticosti, 663 ; 
 Magdalen River, 679 ; District between Magdalen River and Gaspe 
 Bay., 685. 
 
 Robertson H. H.— LaSalle, 330. 
 
 RoNEY J.— Blake, 270 ; Bouchette, 272 ; Kensington, 280 ; Wells, 299 ; Church, 304 
 Clapham, 304; Duhamel, 304 ; Guigues, 313 ; Leslie and Cawood, 316 
 Thome, 320-321. 
 
 Ross A.— Marlow, 22 ; Risborough, 27-28 ; Buckland, 33 ; Watford, 221. 
 
 Ross R. J. — Jersey, 20 ; Liniere, 21. 
 
 Roy C. F.— Christie and Duchesnay, 226 ; Humqui, 341, 
 
 ^QY G.—New Richmond, 68 ; Standon, 220. 
 
 ^ 
 
 Russell Lindsay.— Headwaters Ottawa river, 416; Rivers Rouge, Lievre and Peti . 
 Nation, 435. 
 
 S 
 
 ^e 
 
 Sinclair D.— Aberford, 302 ; River Rouge, 446-449- 
 
 St. Pierre J.-R.-E.— Begon, 369; Cabano, 371. 
 
 Symmes H.-C— Suffolk, 297 ; Headwaters Ottawa river, 414. 
 
 ,-„p 
 
 a? 
 
 Tascitereau G.-S. — Colcraine, .?57. 
 
 Temple E.-R.—Metgormctte North. M.S-219 
 Maurice Rivers, west so-:li<"i 
 
 TfeTuJA.-F.— Cibano toad, 768. 
 
 ' .-twoen the Lievre and 
 .(' district, east section, -1 
 
69 
 
 of Lake St John, 499 ; 
 iwaters of the Saguenay, 
 , 662 ; Anticosti, 663 , 
 alen River and Gaspe 
 
 I 
 
 ;lls, 299 ; Church, 304 
 eslie and Cawood, 316 
 
 tford, 221. 
 
 uge, Lievre and Peti 
 
 •md l\u\ 
 inson, .J- 7. 
 
 J'-.ai, io() ; llagot, 10- 
 •nd i-alardeau, , 80 : Region 
 
 MOurn.uKui ;,n(! ihnncuk, , 
 ...ion, r74. 
 
 'elisle, lio; (oiiio,,^ i8j. 
 
 V 
 
 iii^TJCr, 
 
 ^ Mars and J fa ! Hi ' . •■, 
 
 ■ ^! -'rr line between M 
 4:'4- 
 
 ^"' " ■|^'rcotte and Polette, 88; .Si 
 ^ ^'•— Garthby, 3-, <^- ,tu,rd, ,585. 
 
 "P ! .... 
 
 con the Lievre and "^ 
 Jistrict, east section, 4- 
 
 
 ■'>• "'7 ; .Siioard, 
 'cMii road, r^?^ 
 
 ^'gnai, Labarrt 
 
 ' ' •• >ita\va, 409 i iitadvcwers Ottawa 
 
 / 
 
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