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 . 3oundarf between I ic Domuioii^^^S^^^^adi ai 
 
 ORirr DEPOSITS 
 
 RAIRIE PLATEAU I SECO' 
 
 GENERAL SECTION ON THE FORTY- NINTH PARALLEL-LAKE OF THE WOODS TO THE ROCKY 
 
 HORIZONTAL SCALt THtRTY-THREE MILES TO ONE INCH _ VfRT/CAL SCALE SOOO FEET TC ONE INCH. 
 
 Altered slaty rocks with, some 
 conglomerate beds . 
 
 Uered conglomerate 
 
 'I y 
 
 Much Altersd 
 
 itlale <? coTiglonieraie 
 
 WOODS. 
 
 seep 
 
 3. GENERAL SECTION ON LINES C-D E-F LAKE OF THE 
 
PUATEIAU I SECOND 
 
 Y- NINTH PARALLEL-LAKE OF THE WOODS TO THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 
 
 -£S TO ONE INCH _ VERTICAL SCALE SOOO F£ET TO ONE INCH. 
 
 P R A I 
 
 "i 
 
 .•& 
 
 I 
 
 "^ 
 
 «3 (5> 
 
 cc with 
 te beds 
 
 30Tne 
 
 Altered conaiomcrate 
 
 f/'/Z/M 
 
 Much d.lie,r^ 
 blade if conglomerate 
 
 
 
 ^. ^ 'S 
 
 2. SECTION ON LINE A— B. LAKE OF THE WOODS. 
 
 '""'I'"'"" 
 
 Altered slates with some 
 oonglomeraiF beds. 
 
 iiiiiiiiiiuiiii : 
 
 Mi!^ 
 
 Junction not clearly seen 
 
 . GENERAL SECTION ON LINES C-D E-F LAKE OF THE WOODS. 
 
 id= 
 
 #lllMll[llf Syiiiiiiiy 
 
( BN-A Boundary Commission J 
 
(SNA Boundary ('ominission ) 
 
sioii J 
 
 ^ 
 
 Ji; d'o 
 
 rHE 
 
 BRITISH NORTH AMERICAN BOUNDARY COMMISSION 
 
 REPORT 
 
 ON TIIK 
 
 
 
 
 GEOLOGY AND RESOUliCilS 
 
 OK TIIIC 
 
 IMKilON IN Till-: VIC I MTV OF 
 
 TJIE FOKTV-NINTII PAIJALI.KL, 
 
 FUoM TIIK LAKK OF TIIK WdoUS To TIIK lioCKV M<>l STAINS. 
 
 WITH 
 
 LISTS OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS COLLKC TKD. ANU NOTKS 
 ON TUi: FOSSILS. 
 
 BY 
 
 (ii:uii(iE MEKCKi: DAWSUN. Ass.K'. K.S..M., IMi.S., 
 
 UKuLijUlsr AMI IlijIAXlHi r<) TIIK luMMlKlilo.S, 
 
 ADDHESSKD TO 
 
 MA.IOK I). \L CAMKKON, 
 
 \\.\. 
 
 II. M. Uur.NUAIlT tl).M.MIM!lij.\»K. 
 
 »-<2 
 
 .MOXTRF-IAL: 
 
 DAWSON BKOTHEUS, ST. .JAMES STREET. 
 
 LONDON : SAMPSON, LOW & CO. | NEW YOIIK : 13. WESTEUMANN & CO. 
 
 187B. 
 
 NTftCAL . 
 
Tn MA.IOlJ I). I{. ("A.MKIJOX. I{. A. 
 
 //. .1/. Snrfk Ameriran li'iunilarif Cininnimotur . 
 
 Siu, — I Imvo (ho lioiumi' to piv^iMit Ijorowilh, my liiiiil I{«>|»t»rt id' 
 woi-k ill t'oiiiUH'tioii with II. M. North Aincricaii iioiiiKhiry ('oiiiiiiissioM. 
 ill iiiiih'rtiikiii;; sini^U'-hiiiuUMl iho fiirr ol Xiiliinil IliMtory work in coii- 
 iiuction with thi) Moiiii(tary ('oiniiiissioii, it was ohvioiis thai in :iltciu|itiii;; 
 too lunch il iiii;L;ht ha|i|H;ii tlial nothiiii; shoiil<l he wi'll 'lone. I iht'iffoi-i' 
 (lociih'ij tf) ;^ivo tho HiNt phicc to i^coloijy; ami in that ticlil to oiKhMivoiir 
 to W(H'i\ out as far as piwsihio the stnictiiri' of thi- rounlry. aiiij to inal\« 
 ilhiHtrativo colJtM'tions of' ntcks ami fossiU. ralhcr than lo aiiia.--N laru'i' 
 li'c.ij (iillcrtiuiis, at lliLi oxiH'ii.Hf of ^I'lHTai III tbriiial i(Hi. Sinli liinc as 
 tdiild III' s|iaroii fi'oni tho i^ooloi^ical iiivosti^^atioii.s, has lii-cn (i'VoU-il in 
 colloction inid work in olhor (lopartnioiits ; ami in this Report tiic rcsnlu 
 arc prosriiled, clahoraloil in so far a> llu! linio al my ili^po.sii won, I allow, 
 anil siipploincntcd also hy .sovcral valiiuhio noticos of tho colloclinii^ in 
 special dopurlmonts, hy i^onlk'im'ii who^o namos aro olscwlu-ro stated, 
 
 Tho tiold work, in o.xtont, has diroclly covorod a ro;j;ioii, slivlihini^ 
 from tho Lako of tho Woods on tho oast, to tho Rocky Monntuiiis on thg 
 wost, and lyinuj in tho vicinity of tho forty-ninth parallel, which hoie 
 forms tho Intornational Houiidury. In timo it ha,s oxteiidcil over two 
 Kcasons, thoHO of 1H73-74. OwiiiiC t" lI'iJ va.stnos,s of tho ivi^ion covered 
 by tho operations of the survey, much of tho period actually spent in the 
 field ha.s boon necessarily employed in more or loss arduous, and often 
 almost continuoiw travel. 
 
 To yourself I am under <jreat ohlii^ations for the facilities readily 
 granted for work in the department entrusted to mo, and for tlu^ interest. 
 you have tukou in its progress. To all tho oflicors of tho Commission L 
 
iV PEEFATORY NOTE. 
 
 must tender ray most eonliul aoknowlcilgmoiits for their genenil 
 co-operation, and it Hhoiild bo mentioned specially that to the indotatigablo 
 assistance of Drs. Burgess and Miilman — tirst and second Medical officers 
 to the Commission respectively — arc due many of the most interesting 
 plants enumerated in Appendix F. 
 
 In arranging the information accumulated for publication, I have 
 discarded the form of diary or journal often adopted, and by so doing 
 have been able not only to group the facts under certain general headings 
 but by avoiding repetition and useless details, very materially to condense 
 the matter. At the same time, in the arrangement adopted, it has 
 become necessary sometimes to pass more than once over the same region, 
 in treating of diflfereut formations, or classes of facts. 
 
 The main geological result arrived at is the examination and descrip- 
 tion of a section over 800 miles in length, across the central region of 
 the continent, on a parallel of latitude which has heretofore been geologi- 
 cally touched upon at a few points only, and in the vicinity of which a 
 space of over 300 miles in longititude ha.s — till the operations of the 
 present expedition — remained even geographically unknown. 
 
 In working up the geological material, I have found it necessary to 
 make myself familiar with the geological literature, not only of the 
 interior region of British America, but with that of the western portion 
 of the United States to the south, where extensive and accurate geological 
 surveys have been carried on. It has been my aim to make the region 
 near the boundary line as much as iwssible a link of connection between 
 the more or less isolated previous surveys, and to collect by quotation or 
 reference, the facts bearing on it from either side. In this way it has 
 been attempted to make the forty-ninth parallel a geological base-lino 
 with which future investigations may be connected. The matter contained 
 in the special preliminary rcjiort on the Lignite Tortiaiy formation, 
 published last year, has in this final report been included, in so far as 
 necessary to complete the general section on the line. 
 
PREFATORY NOTE. V 
 
 The tnpofifrapli}- of tlie f,'onoral innp is in the main from that lately 
 publi.shod by the Department of the Interior, whieh is based on that of 
 Captain Palliser, Imt includes also the work of the Couimission Survey. 
 In laying down the boundaries of formations north of the localities which 
 I have myself visited, use has been made of the geological jnaps of Dr. 
 Hector and Prof. Hind, and also of facts from Prof. Bell's Keporl, printed in 
 the Geological Survey Memoirs Ibr 1873-74. In the map of the Lake of the 
 Woods, Prof. Bell's Reports have again been consulted ; but for the regions 
 I was unable to examine, Dr. Bigsby's map — elsewhere refei'red to — has 
 been the chief authority. For the topograph}- of the region near Lac 
 Plat, I am indebted to Mr. A. L. Russell. The remaining uncoloured 
 sketches and diagrams, with the exception of Plate xvi, are copied from 
 pen-and-ink sketches of my own, by the photo-engraving process of Mr. 
 D. C. Dallas, Grey's Inn Road, London. 
 
 I am indebted to Principal Dawson for notes on fossil plants col- 
 lected ; to Prof. Copo for a report on the vertebrate fossils, and to Mr. 
 S. H. Scudder for a description of a part of the collection of insects : Also 
 to Dr. P. P. Cai'penter for the determination of the Unionidse; to Pi'of. 
 Macoun for his examination of the grasses, carices, &c ; to Mr. G. Barns- 
 ton for a list of the mosses. Dr. Hooker has also kinilly undertaken the 
 determination of a number of critical and difficult flowering ])lants. 
 
 Dr. Elliot Coues, who accompanied the United States contingent of 
 the Boundar}' Survey, as natui-alist, is, 1 believe, preparing elaborate 
 reports on the zoology of the region. 
 
 Sapper Thomas Duckworth, detailed as taxidermist and collector, 
 and working under my direction for two years, proved verj' useful and 
 zealous in his department. 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 GFOR(JE M. DAWSON, 
 McGill College, Montreal, July li), 1875. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND GENERAL GEOLOGY. 
 
 Genkkai, F'liYsicAi, Geoouai'HY. — Interior rcfrion of the {.'ontiiipnt — Eastern liouii- 
 (l.irv — Western lioundary — Slope of the rcKion — First pruirie level — Second 
 pniirie level — Third prairie level — Transverse waterslieds — Deseription of the 
 sonlhern transverse watershed — The noithern transverse watershed — Areas 
 ihained by dilferent river systems — Awn of the ])lains. (Jknki!AI. Oi:ti-inr 
 OK THK (iKOLOfiv. — General nature of the refjion — Silin-ian series — Devonian 
 series—l'dssilile existeme of Carhoniferons rocks — Permian and Triassic — 
 .Iinassic—Cietaceoiis formation — Lif^nite Tertiary formation— Antliorities on 
 the Geolo^jy of tl'c rcf^ion - I'l 
 
 GIIAPTEE II. 
 
 GEOLOGY OF THE LAKE OF THE WOODS. LAURENTIAN AND 
 
 HURONIAN. 
 
 Position a.nd Geoghai'iiv op the Lake — Clear-water Lake — Sand-hill Lake — Whito- 
 lisii Lake — Lac Plat — Foumku Geological E.xPLOitKHS — LAniK.NTiAX Foiimation 
 — Vicinity of the North-West Anf,'le — Fla,tr Island to Rainy River — RiK-shy 
 Island — Middle Island — North Island — Sheliashca — Ahea of MiTii-ALTEiiEi) 
 HnioNiA.N, — iNTRrsivE (iitANiTic Mass oe Nohtii-West AN(ii.E — Its form — 
 Northern iiraiuh — Sontlern inanch — Included area of altered rocks — 
 HriioNiAN Rocks — Ascii.E Inlet to Ka-ka-ke-wabec — Quart/ite — C'oiiftlomerato 
 licit — Si histosi' rocks — Secfind Conu'lonu'rate licit — Second Schistose lielt — 
 Ka-ka-kk-\vaiikc GnANiTE — Hluonian Rocks Ka-ka-ke-waiiec to Rat PoiiTA(iE 
 — Schistose belt — Coiitrlomerate of Lacrosse Island — Extensive Schistose 
 licit with some con;;Iomciates — .JiiNcn'ioN of the Lavkextian and Htuonian 
 AT Rat 1'ohtaoe — General Distribution and Attitudes of the Rocks — Main 
 directions of tlcxurc — Comparison with other localities — Ciiahacteh and 
 A(iE OF THE SO-CALLED IIcuoNiAN RocKS — Nature of tlic Conglomerates — Meta- 
 nujrphisiu — Dykes and veins — Mineuals ok economic value . - - p. 22 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 STRUCTURE OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS IN THE VICINITY OF 
 THE FORTY-NIN'J'H PARALLEL. 
 
 General Features. — Intersection of the Mountains and Forty-ninth Parallel — 
 (jcneral tJcoIofiical Structure — Rocks in the vicinity of VVaterton Lakk 
 — Series A. — Scries R. — Series C. — Rocks in the Kootanie Pass — Suhdivi- 
 sions of Series C. — East Fork — Rocks west of East Fork — The Water- 
 shed — West Fork — Rocks cxiiosed in Mt. Yarrell — Rockb near the Boun- 
 
vm 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 DARV MoxrifENT — Sftrips H. — S(!<tlon of Scries F. and O. — Eistbhn Fhont op 
 THE Wateioiied Uanoe, Mt. Wilson a.vd C'uike Mountain — Review or thb 
 Section — (.'ompahihon of the Hockh with tuohe of other Localities — Rocks 
 dcsciilx'd to the Nortli — Roiks flcsi ril)i(l t<> tlic South — Llmt'HtoneH like 
 tlioHf of Series H. and 1). — Uiidirlyiiiff litdH — Tipper red bedH — Oeneral 
 tomlusioiis — I'eriod of elevation of the MoiiutaiuB - p. 56 
 
 CIIAPTEE I\. 
 
 CRETACEOrS AND TERTIARY .{OCKS OF THE VICINITY OF 
 FORTY-NINTH PARALLEL— PEMBINA ESCARPMEMT TO 
 WOOD MOUNTAIN. 
 
 THE 
 
 CnETACEOfs Rocks. — Peinbiim Escarpment — Niobrara t^roup — FoKsils of the Boyne 
 River — Pembina MountaiTinroiip — Roeksnear the Boundary-line — Sections in 
 Pembina River — Sections ill Lon.tc River — Thickness of ])ed8 exposed — Litho- 
 lopical character — J<i(inite Tkktiaiiv Rocks on the Socris Rivbii — Drift- 
 covered rcffion — La Jiodie Perc^e — Section on Short Creek — Sections west of 
 Short Creek — Sections near Wood End — Uai- in the Section on thb 
 Bounbarv-line — LiGxin- Tkiitiarv Rocks of Great Valley, and Ptramio 
 (.'rekk — Sections on (■irut Valley — Sections on Pyramid Creek — Lionitk 
 Tehturv Rocks of 1'ohci:i'ixe Cueek — Eigliteen-ft)ot liKnitt? bed — Lionitb 
 Teutiarv Rocks on the Thaukhs' Road p. 78 
 
 CirATTEE V. 
 
 CRETACEOUS AND TERTIARY ROCKS OF THE VICINITY OF THE 
 
 FORTY-NINTH PARALLEL^WOOD MOUNTAIN TO THE 
 
 ROCKY MOUNTAINS. 
 
 Lignite Tertiakv Rocks near Wood Mountain — Sections in Bad Lands South of 
 Wood Mountain — Nature of Bad Lands — Divisions of Section — Fossil 
 plants — Vertebrate fossils — Sections West op the Bad Lands to Whit* 
 Mud River — Cretaceous No. 4 — Fossils — White Mud River — Cretaceous Nos. 
 4 k 5 — Relations of beds, AVliite Mud River and Bad Lands — Sections Wbst 
 OP Wood Mountain Settlement to White Mud Ri%-er — Bay of Cretaceous 
 Rock.s — Tertiary Plateau — Cretaceous No. 4, with fossils — White Mud Riveb 
 to Milk River — Cretaceous plain — Tertiary Plateau — East Fork of Milk 
 River — Section near West Fork of Milk River — Age of Beds exposed — 
 Cretaceous plain — Milk River Valley — Sections in Milk River Valley — 
 Upper arenaceous clays, &c. — Sandstone Zone — Lower arenaceous clays, &c. 
 Milk River to the West Butte — Sections North of East Butte — Nature and 
 height of the Buttes — East Butte — Igneous rocks of the Buttes — Middle 
 Butte — West Butte — West Butte to the Rocky Mountains — Synclinal west 
 of West Butte — First Branch Milk River — Vertebrate fossils — Second 
 Branch Milk River — Fresh Water deposits — St. Mary River — Disturbance of 
 Reds — Coal Bed — Marine Fossiliferous Beds — Exposures nearest the Moun- 
 tains—South Fork of Belly River p. 102 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 GENERAL ARRANGEMENT AND EXTENT OF THE CRETACEOUS AND 
 LIGNITE TERTIARY FORMATIONS. 
 
 Chetaceois No. 1. — Typical series — Representatives westward — Dr. Hector's Group 
 E — Lignites in Lower Cretaceous Rocks — Lignite from Rainy River. — Crb- 
 tackous No. 2. — Typical series — Representatives westward — Beds of this age 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 IX 
 
 on the Sasktttrhcwan— Dr. Ilt'ctor's Group D.— CRETACKors No. 3.— Typiciil 
 
 g,,,.j,.fl Representatives wtstwiird — UiprcsciittitivfH in Miinitolia — C'kktack- 
 
 oua No 4. Typifttl series — Pembina Monntain Ctroiip — IltpreHentatives on 
 
 th(! Lino westward— Effeet of this Formation on tlie country— ModifyinR 
 cffectof Drift— Saline sprinjjs — Prof. Hind's Scition — Dr. Ileetor's (Iroup 
 
 B. and C. Ckktackous No. 5. — Typital sttries — ItepresentivtiveH on the Line — 
 
 Prof. Hind's Section — Dibtribution or C'rktaceouh Surdivisionh — Liomtk Tkr- 
 
 TiARY F'oHMATiON. Relations of l)ods on the Lin(^ — Kiistern limit of the 
 
 Fonnation Western Represc^ntatives — PerKistcait zone of SandstoncH — 
 
 Kescmblanc*! of western series to Judith River beds — Tertiary bedH observed 
 by Dr. Hector p. 136 
 
 CHArTEK VII. 
 
 CONDITIONS OF DEPOSIT CRETACEOUS AND TERTIARY. 
 
 BURNING OF LIGNITE REDS.— COMPOSITION AND ECONOMIC 
 
 VALUE OF LIGNITES AND IRONSTONES. 
 
 CoNDiTiosH IMPLIED BY CitKTECEors AND Tertiauv DKro,siTS — Period of slidllow watcF — 
 Extent and nature of .sulimergt.'nee during Niobrara period — Dt^trital beds of 
 Flirt Pierre group — Closing period of shallow waters — P]xtensiv(! land areas 
 during Lignite Tertiary — Conditions of formation of lignites. — Combvstionop 
 LuiNiTK BEDS — Appearauces indicating this action — EITeits |)r()duced on sur- 
 rounding bods — Area over which similar phenomena have been observed — 
 Uuchtion whether such fires are spontJineous — Extent to wliich ligtiites have 
 bcf'n destroyed — Comi'ohitio.n a.nd Economic Vamtk of HGNrrES and Iron ork.s — 
 Analyses of lignites — Nature of lignites — Classes of lignites re])resented — 
 Variability of water content — Lignites as fuels — Import of the St. Mary 
 River coal — Other similar fuels near tlie mountains — Area of lignite-bearing 
 formation — Iron.stone8of the Lignite Tertiary — Ironstones of the Cretaceous — 
 Probability of their future economic importance - p. 150 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 AGE OF THE LIGNITE-BEARING FOltMATlON AND POSITION OF 
 LINE SEPARATING THE CRETACEOUS AND TERTIARY. 
 
 THE 
 
 AoB OF THE Lir.NiTK B'oRMATioN — NatTiH; of the (juestion — Physical break between 
 Cretaceous and Tertiary of Europe — No physical break in Interior Conti- 
 nental region — Unity of thi; Lignite formation — Tertiary age of Eastern 
 representatives not directly (juestioned — Summary of facts aiul opinions 
 bearing on the age of Lignite formation — Stratigraphical — Invertebrate 
 fossils — Fossil plant.s — Vertebrate remains — Cliaracter of Junction Creta- 
 ceous No. 5 and Lignite formation — Contemiioraneous deposit of No. 5 over 
 the entire area — Rrview ok the EvmENCE — Plants — Fresh-water molluscs — 
 Marine molluscs — Vertebrates — General conclusions p. 183 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 GLACIAL PHENOMENA AND SUPERFICIAL DEPOSITS. 
 
 Glaciation AND SupKRFiciAi, DEPOSITS, Lakr OP TUB W00D8 — Tlie lakc-basiu — Depth of 
 the lake — Direction of glacial striation — Sujierposed striation in different 
 dir(!ction.s — Special instances of glaciation — Prc-glucial age of outfall of 
 lake — Distribution of boulders — tipper Silurian limeston boulders, with 
 fossils — N. E. limit of limebtoue drift — Methods of accouutiug for limestouc 
 
rONTKNTS. 
 
 drift — DniKT Pi.atkai' dk Kastf.iin Manitoha and Noiithehn Minnkhota — Kamcs 
 1111(1 Eskcic — N. VV. limit t>( nil drilt — llci^lit and coiitonr of the pliitcau — 
 ScctioiiH on Uosrau liivcr — Oknkiiai. KKArniKS of (Jlaciai, I'iiknomkna E. ok 
 Rki) KivKit — Klcvatioii and slojic of tlu' Laiircntinii axis — ('oiiiliu'tit glacier 
 covciiiij,' the Laiirciitiiin nuiun — KoriniT soiitlimi outfall of Lake of tlii' 
 Woods — Dhikt Dki'osits c)k iirK Skcomi 1'iiaihik I'i.atkai', and TriiTi-K MoI'ntain 
 — Siirfaci: of tlu' plateau — 'riiraccs of I'cniliiiia I'lscaipiui'iit — ScitioiiK on 
 honj; Uivtr — Nuincrical aniilysis of coiistituriits of the tliift — Turtle Moun- 
 tain — Hoiihlcr covered ic^jioii — IIaikjin and Kastkun liKiiioN ok tiik Tiiiiid 
 I'i.atkai; — The Missouri (Jotiait — Aiiticut riviT viillcys — Erraticis ni the 
 Cotcau — (juartzitt- drift p, 203 
 
 CIIAPTEK X. 
 
 GLACIAL I'lIENOMENA AND SUPEllKICIAL VEVOi^VrS— (Continued.) 
 
 Mahgin and Eahtkhn Hkoion ok tiik 'riiinD I'I/Atkau (Conliniif I) — Drift dt'|)osits near 
 Wood M(Uiiitaiii — Nortlicrii Extiiision of the (.'oteaii — Soutlifrii rxtnision 
 of the Cotcau — CJfiicial aspect of tlie C'oteaii — Methods of aecoiinting for 
 the formation of the Coteau — Diiikt I'ki'osits of the Tiithd I'i.atkau wkht of 
 Wood Mountain — Boiilder-<lay of East Fork of Milk River, &e. — Composi- 
 tion of the Drift near Milk Uiver — The Three Huttes — Western limit of 
 Laiircntian drift — (ii.AciAi, Action in the Rocky Mountains — Former glacier 
 of Wati'rton Lake — 'I'enaces in the mouth of the S. Kootanie Pass — Origin 
 of K>dd — Moraines and lakes — Ciripies — (iknkhal Composition ok the Diiikt — 
 Tiik IIkd Kivkh Vam.kv — Its eliuraeter and iiielinatioii — Alluvial deposits — 
 Sections from lioriii;;s at Winnipi j; and J''ar);»» — Vellow marl deposits — Coii- 
 necLion of deposits of Red River \'alley and Missouri Country — I'uk-oi.acial 
 ASi'KCT of the Cointiiv — Former southern How of Red IMver — First stage in 
 clei)ressioii — (Jorrelatioii of levels of plateaus and terraces — Depth of kuIp- 
 mergeiice wlieii greatest, and action al this time — Emergence of the conti- 
 nent — Diifieulties met with ill I'Xplaiiiing the phenomena — PosT-uiyACiAL 
 I'lIENOMENA — J'ossilile existence of ii pluvial ]ieriod — tireat river valli(fS — 
 Alternative vullies — Valley of the Red River — Tlic formation of coiih'es. 
 - p. 232 
 
 CHAP TEH XI. 
 
 CAPABILITIES OF THE REGION WITH REFERENCE TO 
 
 SETTLEMENT. 
 
 RwiioN' IN THE VICINITY OF THE Lake OF THE W00D8 — Avcas capable of cultivation — 
 Barren region — Vegetation of the lake — Rkoion between the Lake of the 
 Woods and Red Rivku Phaihie — Country in the vicinity of the Govi'rnment 
 Road — Country liorderiiig on the Reed and Roseau Rivers — Height of Land 
 Muskeg — The Red Riveu Prairie — Soil, and nature of the surface — Measure 
 of agricultural capacity — W^)od — Climate — Progress of the spring here and 
 at other points in the Fertile Belt — Rainfall — Water supjily — Country op 
 the Second Piiairie Stei'pf. — Pembina E.scarjnnent — Wcstian margin of the 
 great plains— Turtle Mountain— Timber —Country in the vicinity of the 
 Souris River — Meteorological cycle — Country of the Third Praiiiik Steppe — 
 Plateau of the Tertiary— f^astern limit of buffalo — Big Camp of half-breeds 
 Fertile Belt at the base of the moimtains — Timber of the mountains — 
 Climate of the Third Steppe --- ......p. 2C9 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 XI 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 CAPABILITIES OF TlIK UKCIION WITH UEFEKENCE TO 
 SETTLEMENT.— (CoH^«»HC(/.) 
 
 CAL-RF'i nvTRi.nKVT TO Srttlfmknt AND Aoiiicri.TniE.— Futiin- of tlic North-wrst— Cli- 
 CALSKs ^;;™ "J^YvMn".. i "^^^^^^^ ofaccvKs-lNHoAns ok thk r.>.AHHnor..Ka 
 
 111 iL'in f tl... inH..rt-It.s rang.— Tlu- young an.l w.ngid .wnrn.s-lts 
 fligl.t-Y.arK wh.n it h«K apiu.in d in Manitoba-Moans ot i.r,.v..ntn.n_1 hb 
 Sr....i.Yor Wood in thk N..nTH-WE8T-Th.. plains n.;vor .ntuHy wood.d- 
 OvmvH t.n.ling to .l.'Htruction of forcst-Cuusos of '"['.''••'••'^''^'^/./'f j!""';;- 
 Urvnr«K of «..il and ntniosphcn-CanfioH of dronght-taUKc.H of g'Tatcr rain- 
 fall on wood.'d aroaR-FactK t.nding to show prognss.vi- dvsKcation in 
 the w.Rt-Sinular .Ironght brought on olsrwluTo by .l.stnution of f-u- st 
 -An.rlioration of diniatr by planting forost-'lnTlt'SS amiof the conti ent 
 -Normal area of eountry which should be in f..reHt-SuLc.ssful growth of 
 trees in the west- Seheme for the planting and preservation of trees, p. 301. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 {A)-X„t. on the P/a„f.'<, colhrto,! In, Mr. G. M. />nw,.m, from (he Lifini/e Terfmr!, 
 Depitsits, near the Forlij-niuth Parallel *'" 
 
 (K)-Ueimrl on the Vrrtehrnle Fossils from the Fort rnhm (Iron)) of Milk Hin r - - .IXH 
 
 {C)—Lake of the WooiU—rahle showiwj the nature ami ilistnnce^ of tlw ihjke>t and vehis^ 
 vliserred ■ 
 
 (\))~Nolice of the Butterjiies ami Orlhoptera, collected hy Mr. G. M. DavKon, <m 
 NaturalUtoftheB.N.A.BonndaiyVonmissum ^41 
 
 (E)— Land and Fresh-n-ater Molhises, eoll,ct,d dnriioj the sninnors of IS'-l-:4, ';'//" 
 
 vicinity of Ihf Forty-ninth Parallel—Lake of the W ooils to the liocky Mountaim. 
 
 ___^, .-.-•----- o47 
 
 m—List of Plants collected durituj the mimmers of 1S73-74, in the vicinity of the Forty- 
 ninth Parallel— Lake of the Woods to the Hocky Mountains Sbl 
 
B 
 
 fit 
 
 i: 
 
 Ol 
 
 S; 
 A 
 2 
 
 tl 
 G 
 
 8 
 
 r 
 
 (1 
 'J 
 
BRITISH NOaTH AMERICAN BOUNDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 REPORT ON GEOLOGY, BOTANY, &c. 
 
 CIIAPTI-:]{ I. 
 
 PHYSICAL GEOOliAPHY AND (il-LVERAL (IKOIAXJY. 
 
 Ok.vkr.vi, Physical koci it ai-hy.— Interior region of the rontiiient l•;a^tern Imnn- 
 dary— Western boundary—Slojie of tlie region --First luairie level Second 
 prairie level Third prairie level - Transverse water.-ht(l«- UcscnptioM oi the 
 southern transverse watershed- The northern transvciHe wi'teished Areas 
 drained l)y different river systems — Area of tju; plains. (ii-AiuAi, (Mri.iNK 
 OF I HI-; (iKui.oov. — (jeneral nature of the ret,'ion Silurian series -l)i\(inian 
 series — Possible oxistenee of Carhoniferous rocks IV'rniian and Tria.-'si(!- - 
 . I urassie— Cretaceous fonnatioii - Lignite Tertiary formation Autlioiities on 
 the ( i eology of tlie region. 
 
 General Physical Creography. 
 
 1. Tlio i^roat rog;ion of plain and prairie which ooonpios the whole of 
 the central part of the United States and British America, where it cro.'^.--oa 
 the forty-ninth parallel, ia included in longitude between the IX^th and 
 114th meiTlians. It narrow.s rapidlj- northward, chiefly by the eiici-och- 
 ment on it of it.s eastern border, and is limited to the north by the skirt 
 of the coniferous forest, which nearly follows the line of the North 
 Saskatehowan River. This ojreat inland plain has an area in British 
 America, between the forty -ninth and tifty-fourth parallels, of about 
 205,000 square miles. 
 
 2. Its eastern boundary is tho slope of the old crystalline nucleus of 
 
 the continent, which extends north of the Eiver St. Lawrence and tho 
 
 Groat Lakes, from Labrador to the Lake of the "Wood .s, and, then turning 
 
 suddenly at an angle of about sixty degrees to its former general direction, 
 
 runs with a north-north-west course to the Arctic Ocean, whei-e it is 
 
 described as appearing along the coast-line for some foui- hundred miles. 
 
 The crystalline and highly metamorphic rocks forming this axis, are 
 
 jnostly referable to the Laurcntian formation ; but, no doubt, include 
 
 1 I) 
 
n. N. A. TlOlNDAllY rOMMISfllOX. 
 
 tliroii,y,Iioiil (licir w Imlf cxtciil )i!itilii's n|' tlu> lu'wor irui'fuiinn si'i-ios, as 
 tlioy liavc liccii Hiiiiid 1(» do wlnii'i' cai'i-l'iiHy t'xamiiKMl north of tlic St. 
 Kawi'i'iico, and also in tlio Lake of ilio Woods district as fully shown in 
 anolhcr jiai't of this n'lMtrl. Tho lliii'onian rocks uro incliKh'd witli tho 
 l.aiirciiUan in their th'Nin'tw, aiiil to a !j,rcat cxicnl also pai-takc in tlu-ir 
 nictanior|ihisni, and cncii aiipcai' in sonic phiccN to lia\c ri'-^lcil at linst 
 ulmosl conf<)iMnalily upon thcni. 'I'hi^ castcin hari'ici" roscnililcs nioro 
 a focky plateau, than a nionntain region ; there is no \vell-detine(l 
 hoi,!4:h( of land, and the watei'shed follows a very sinnoiis direction 
 anionij tiio innunierablo lakes, small and ufreat, which cover a lartjo 
 part of its surface. Xortliward from the Lake of the Woods, it 
 divides the waters tlowinii,' into Hudson's ]h\y, from those draining; 
 diivctly int(j tho Arctic Ocean, M'itli one important exception. 'I'ho 
 Nelson Kivor, carryini^ the acciimidaled waters of the Saskatchewan 
 River, tlie [fed IJivcr of tho Korlh, and innumerable siualler streams, 
 breaks through the Laurentian l)arrierat the noi-th end of Lake Winn ipe<j;, 
 and empties into Jludson's Bay at York l-'aclory. Throu!:;h tho wimo 
 ^ap the Churchill or Kni^lisii lliver, a not inconsiderable stream, also 
 ]tasses. The li'eoloii'ical circumstances which have allowed the di'ainai;'o 
 of the jdains to timl this easy exit, and theaij;e and character of the vallies 
 of the Nelson and Churchill Jfivern, arc Interesting (piestion.s .still awaiting 
 .solution. 
 
 3. The Tvooky Mountains on tho west, rise abruptly from tho elevated 
 plain at their base, presenting often to tho oast almost pei'[)endicuhu' walls 
 of rock. Thoy are eompo.sccl, not of a single upheaved ridge, but of a 
 number of more or less neai-ly ]>arallel ranges, which have a general direc- 
 tion a little west of north, and a breadth of over sixt}- miles, extending 
 from the margin of the great plains to the vallies of the Columbia and 
 Kootanie Rivers. Iii tho vicinity of the forty-ninth parallel, tho geological 
 continuity of tho country is as sharply broken by the lino of their eastern 
 base, as its physical character; and we pass suddenly from the littlo 
 allercHl or disturbed strata of Cretaceous and Tertiary ago, to scarped 
 mountain sides of paUeozoic rocks, motamoi'])hosod and erumplod in a 
 violent manner. Southward, tho mountains have not the same abrupt 
 character on theii- eastern slope ; and to tho north, after having culminated 
 between the fifty-first and fifty-second jjarallels, the ranges notonl}- become 
 inoro dittuse, but decrease rapidly in height, till on tho border of tho 
 Arctic Ocean they are represented by comparatively low hills. In 
 intimate connection with this change in tho character of tho mountain.s 
 
oFNKnvT. piiY«<irAi, (lEnnn APTir. 
 
 3 
 
 -1 
 
 is tho rtMnarkalili' luct, tli'st cloai'ly )><>inti'il nut liy I)i'. Ilccior, that llif» 
 rivers tlitwin;^ into Iliulson's Hay and tlic Aiilif Oii'aii have tlicir mhiitos 
 I'lirtlu'i* Itaciv ainoii!; tlu' iinHiulaiiis as we pi'iri'dl nui'thwai'il. Nc-ir tin' 
 IJitiiiiilaiy-liiio, tlio trilmlarit's of tlin Mi^smii-i and S.nilli Sa^Uiitclicwan. 
 riso in tlio ahrupt oastoi'n vallio-^ of tlu' lirst rani,^'. Tlic Kan.'ina>-lvis 
 Hivor, ono iiinidivd niili's to tlio mirtli, riso in tlic \'w>\ loim'itiidinid 
 valloy, or at tlii' i'ool ot" llio second rani;'*' ; Mow iJivcr IVom iIh" lliird 
 rani^o ; tiiu North Saskatchewan from tiic loiiiih raii'^c; ihi- Alhalia-ca 
 front tlio (ifth. and tho Poaco liivor still fui'thcr to tlic west. 
 
 4. Tlio interior ivyion of tho conlincnt. slopes i;radiially eastward 
 from tlie elevated jdaiiis lyiiii; at the l>asi' of tlu- I'ocUy Moiinlains. to ihe 
 foot of the liaiirciilian lii^hlaiids; and thoii,i;ii the inclination is more 
 al)ru|it on a|iproacliinu; tho mountains, it is not so much so as tu allrnci 
 special attention. Hotwoen the tifly-fonrth and forty-ninlli denn-es of 
 hitilude, however, aloiii; two lines wliicli are in a i^ciu'ral way piiialU'l, 
 and hold a north-wi'st and south-east i'oiirsi> across the plains. M'vy 
 remarkahle Htopdiko rises occiii-. These escarpments firm the eastern 
 hoiiii(hirios of the two hii-'hor prairie plateaus, and the most ea^lcin of 
 thorn overlooks tho lowest pi'airie lovol, or that of Ihe Hod I'i\ei' Valley, 
 from the west. The throe jirairie steppes tlins detined diil'er iiuicli in i\>^o 
 and character ; thoy have heen impressed on tho soft formations of the 
 plains by tho action of sub-u'rial doiuidation, of the sea, and of former 
 f^roat lakes, and tliout!;h tho precise iikkIo of their foi'matioii is more fiilir 
 discussed elsewhere, thoy deserve notice here, as beiiit;' amoni;' the ijii-at 
 primary featm-es of the country. 
 
 5. The actual inerouso of elevation accounted for in the two escjirp- 
 monts, liowovor, is but sli,«;ht compaivnl with that due to the uniform 
 eastward sh)po of tho plains. The dl.^ction of their !,'ivatesl inclination 
 is towards tho iiortb-oast, and a lino drawn from the intersection of tho 
 forty-ninth parallel and tho mountains, to a point on the first [»rairie 
 level north of Lake Winnipei;;, will bo found to cross the oscariunents 
 nearly at riifht anifles, and to have an avorai^o slojie ofa-^JS feel to the 
 milo. From the same initial point, in a due east lino to the lowest part 
 of tho valley of the lied liivor— a distance of ToO miles— the plains have 
 an uvera,ij;o slope of 't-48 feet per mile. 
 
 (i. Tho first or lowest prairie level, is that of which the southern pnrt 
 lies ahuir the Ked Rivor, and which northward cmliracob Lake Winnipeg- 
 and a.s80ciated lakes, and tho flat land surrounding^ them, A i^reat i)Ri-t 
 of its eastern boi-dor is conterminous with that of Lake Winnijtc!,', and 
 
 <:m- 
 
II. N. A. noiNDARV roMMrHMinv. 
 
 fonnoil liy llio vovUy IVoiit i»f (ho Lanivntiaii ; Imt cnsf (if ilu> I{t'(| T^ivor 
 it In liDiiiitli'il \>y till' liii^li-lyiiit; tliifl UTracrs hiirrniiiidinLj tlic Luke u\' 
 tho WikmIs, ami t'oniiiii^' a part nt' tlii'ilril't |ilut«>aii<)t'ii(>rtlu'ni Mitiiiosola. 
 To (he woNt, it in liiuKeil \>y (lie iiioio ur loss ahrupt ixl^e of (he pecoiul 
 prairie level, forniiii|( an esear])inoii(, whi<'h, (hoiif^h very re;,nilar in some 
 ))lal'e^<, luw been hroUen through l»y (ho hroail valleys of ilie AHsinehoine 
 and other rivers. The escarpment, where i( crosses the Ijino, is known 
 as INMiiliina Moiinlain, ami is continiaMi northward hy the Hidinu;, I)iick, 
 Poniipinc, ami Mas(piia Hills. The averaije heiy;lil ahove the sea, ol' this 
 lowest level of the interior continental region is al>oiit H()(t teet ; the lowest 
 part heinn' that surrounding the Winnipeg- ;j;roup of lakes, which have 
 an elevation of nhout 7<>0 feet. From this it shtpe.s up southward, and 
 at(ains its greatest elevation — !»(!(> feet — at its (erniinatioii far south in 
 Minnesota. Tho edi^cs of this prairie level an* also, notwithstanding its 
 ap|iarent hori/.oidalit}', consicK'rahly nioi'i' elevated than its eiMitral line 
 whi«di is lollowed \>y the Ifed liiver. Its width on the forty-ninth parallel 
 is oiUy tifty-two miles; its area, north of that line, may he estimated at 
 5r),(i00 s(|uare miles, of which the i,'reat system of lakes in its northeni 
 pait— includinii; T kes Winnipeg'. .Manitoba, Winuipci^osis. Cedar and St. 
 Martin's — occupies 1.'{,1HHI miles. A threat ])arl of this praii-ie level is 
 wooded more Ol- less densely, anil iiiueh of the lowdying land near the 
 great lakes appears to be swampy and liablf to flood. The southern 
 part, extending from the boundary line neai-ly to the south en<l of Lake 
 Winnipeg, includes the prairie of the Reil Kiver Valley, with an area of 
 ab(»ut (i,llUO scpiarc miles; one of the most fertile ri'gions, and, ut tho 
 same time, tho most accessible portion of tho North-west. 
 
 7. Tho superlioial di'posits of this stage are chiefly those of u great 
 lake which occupied its area after the glacial submergence. This part of 
 the interior of tho continent being tho last to emerge from tho Arctic 
 waters, and having Ijcen covered for a long time aftcrwaitl by a sea of 
 fresh water, held back either by drift de])osits, or by rocky barriers, which 
 have subsequently been cut through, and whidi must have united all tho 
 lakes now found in tho region into one sheet of water, which extended 
 with narrower dimensions about two hundred miles south of tho Boundary 
 line. 
 
 Tho Rod and Assineboino Hivors and thoir tributaries have not yet 
 cut very deeply into its alluvial deposits, and its surface is level and little 
 furrowed by denudation. 
 
 8. The second steppe of the plains, is bounded to the east as ali-eady 
 
HKNKR-M. I'llVMirAf. aKnnUM'MY. 
 
 imlicuted, niul to tlio wrHl l»y tlic MiHwouri rotcnu. or oil^'o of tln' lliirM 
 jii'aii'i«> level. Il liiusiiwulfli on tlu< forty-niiilli |iiiitilIol of two liiiii«lr»M| uml 
 fifty milcH, uiul on tlio tifty-foiirth of i>i-<iliiilily al)oiit two Inmilrod, tlioii;,'h 
 il caiiiioi tliorc 1)0 HO Htrictly dctiiu'il. lis total an-a is alMtiil lO.'.dOU 
 si|uai'o inilos, and incliidiw tlio whoin ('astern |»<irlion of tiic ;,'ri'at |)lainrt 
 projiorly so-calird, with an a|)|)ro.\iniato area of 71,i>lM> square miles. 
 Till-so (Ki'iipv its southern ;md wi'-.lern jiortions, and are eontimioiis west- 
 ward Willi those of the third prairie steppe. To the south, tlu' IxtundarioK 
 of this rei;ion appear to bccoiuc inoro indelinile, ami in the Houlhi'rn part of 
 Palvota, llie threi- |iriinary levels of the country so well iiiarke<l iioiiji of 
 the Ijine, ai'e pi'ohahly scarcely sepai'ahle. The rivers have acted on this 
 retfion for a nuich longer time than on the last, and are now found tlowiii;; 
 with uniforin ( iirrt'iits in wide diteli like vallies oxeav.iled in the soft 
 matei'ial of the plains, aiwl often depressed from oneduindred to three- 
 hundred feet lielow the general surface. In these, the eompaiaiively 
 insi^nitieant streams wander from side to side, in tortuous cliannels, 
 which they only leave in times of flood. The sui'face of this pniii-ie 
 steppe is also more diversitied than the last, heiniij broken into i^enlle 
 swells and undulations, partly, no douht, by thi> action of denudation, ami 
 j)artly also as will ap])ear, from theorii^inal uneipial dejiosition by currents 
 and ieo, of Iho drift matei'ial which here constitutes the superlicial lorm- 
 ation. The avoraije altitude of this re;,non may bo taken at l.(!(M) feet, 
 and the character of its soil and its adaptability for agriculture, ditl'er 
 much in its ditVerent portions. 
 
 !>. The third or highest jirairio steppo, may be said to have a 
 general normal altitinle of about ;{,(»0l) feet, though its eastern edge is 
 Romotiines little over 2,0(10 feet, and il attains an elevation of 4.200 feia 
 at the foot of the Kocky .Mountains. Its area, including the high land 
 lying along the base of the mountains, is about 13 4,400 s(]uare miles, and 
 of this by far the greater part, or about 114,000 .square miles, appears to 
 be almost entirely devoid of forest ; the wooded region being conlincd to a 
 Hmall area of its northern e.Ktension near the North Saskatchewan IJiver 
 and its tributaries. Its bi-eadth on the forty-ninth parallel is four hundred 
 and sixty-fivo mile.s, and its eastern boundary is well markeil, being the 
 broken hilly country known as the Cotrau dr Missouri or Cii-cat Coteati, 
 which ero.sses the Houndary near the lOMli meridian, and thence runs 
 north-westward nearly to the Klbow of the South Saskatchewan. It is 
 then — according to Palliser — continued to the north by a range of high 
 landb, of which the Eagle lldU west of Fort Carleton eonfititute a part. 
 
(5 
 
 is. \. A. iior.\i)A;<Y roMMtssiov. 
 
 Hero. Iiowi'vci', i( l)0''onu's l)i'(>ken and uiuU'f'med. Tlic Tliii-kwood 
 Hills iu':irllio Mlliow of tlu> Xorth S;isk!ilcl\o\v:ui. and (Iiolxod IVcr Hills, 
 proiu'lily foriii ()ii(lyiii,ij; [unMio'is of this |)la(oau, and the liin-h "ground 
 wi'si of (lio SasUaU'lu'waii, nca ■ Fort Pitt, may bo its eastern limit in 
 that >'i'i:,ioM. 
 
 10. This |)oi'lion ol'lho i^roaf plains was the lirsl (oemerLje from tlio 
 waters of the Terliary, and from those of the ^laeial sul)nior<;-eneo, and its 
 surface may have been suhjeel lo denudation throunh a threat, part of the 
 two htlei- periods of the Tertiary, as well as in post-ii;lacial times. 
 ThoM' portions of i( whieh slill remain hut little modi tied, form table- 
 lands, the sui'faees of which, from the horizontality of the underlying:; 
 jjiniiite Tertiary strata, may be in many places nearly the same as those 
 of the last deposited beds, it bears some evidence, however, of havin<^ 
 lieen subse(pu>ntly levelled by marine action. The immense denudation 
 which has 'al<en place by rain and rivers, is evidenced by the size and 
 dejfth of the >!dlies of rivers and streams, both of ]ire-_ii;lacial and post- 
 U'lacial lii^v, the<j,real ravines and u;ullies which have been cut, and are still 
 extendiui;- themscKes amonj;" the soft sandstones and days of those 
 newer formal i(tns, and the isolated ])Iateaus and butfos, which now stand 
 far out on plains of lower level, seamed will*, newer systems of covhrs 
 and ij:(>ri;-es. Dejiosils bolonixini;' to the ,i;'lacial ])oriod, and transportetl 
 boulders and u'l-avei, ai'o found on this hiti'hest sto])pe, but are not spread 
 with the same uniformity as on the lower levels, and a !:;reat ])art of the 
 surface is liased almost immediatolv on Cretaceous or Ijii>-nito Tertiary 
 IhmIs. and varies in the character of its vogolation and appearance 
 aceoi'dinu'ly 'J'he uiilure of the soil and ])ros])ective agricultural value of 
 tliis^jreat region are (oovai'ied toallow of tjoneralization ; ombracinii; as it 
 does, land alonL;- the foot of the mountains of unsurpassed fei'tility, and 
 also tlu> noi'lhern extension of the (ireat American Desert, with its 
 surface of sun-balced claj- or sand, scarcely supporting a thin growth of 
 Citcli's and Stijtn. 
 
 11. TIkhiuIi thus so remarkably simple and detinile in its grand 
 features, (he interior region of the continent shows many irregulavitieM 
 and oxci'piions in detail. The second steppe has some elevations on its 
 surface as high as the edge of the Ihiid ])lateau, and that ])art surrounding 
 the Assinoboine I»ivor and its tributaries, appears to have become 
 abnormally depiessiMJ. making some })ortions of the eastern edge of this 
 jtraii ie level, which ovei'look Manitoba Lake, more to resemble otitlyors 
 than integral parts of it. The thinl stojipe, though su iri'cgular in many 
 
 ■^ 
 
 51 
 
(iKXEiiAr, nivstcAr. (lEomtAi'iiv. 7 
 
 of its (K'lails, shows ovi K'lico in tlu' closoly (•<)rros]K)iulin,<'- hci,ij:lits of llu> 
 portions now romiiininy; of its ori,i;iniil smi'Imco, oC iircvions Miiit'orniily. 
 Tho a]))i:n'i'nt indolinilonoss of tlu' tluvi' ])r:iirio iovi-ls ;ni(l otlicr ft'atiiirs 
 of the country to tlu' noi-tli, no doiil)!, arises in ,i,n't'at part, from tlio 
 (li'tii'ioncv of our Icnowlodiiv of tlial portion of the ivirion. and it is Ini^hly 
 ]irol)ai)lo tiiat suliso(pn'nt invest i^'at ion will show tiie second and third 
 steppes to lie widl marked in the elevated district hetwcen the 
 Saskatchewan and Mackenzie IJivers. 
 
 lli. The central ]H)rti(uiof Ih'itish Xorth Anu'rica. may therefore he 
 reujardod as a great sliallow trough, of whi(di tlie western edge is foimcil 
 l>y the Rocky Mountain waterslied, the eastern hy that of the liaurenlian 
 axis, hut of which tin' western |)ortion of the floor is now more (devat»'d 
 than its eastern rim. The age of the former of these l)ouiiding wati'rsheds, 
 with tiiat of the greater part of the mountains tlieniselves, ])roh;iliiy does 
 not go much further l)ack than eai'ly Tertiary times. The latter is a 
 jtai't of the oldest watershed and axis of the continent. There are, how- 
 ever, twoothei'and transverst' watersheds in the area in qucsti(Mi, whieii, 
 thougli apparently not marked hy any great geological hi'i'aks. art> of 
 great importam-e geographically. Of these the soulhern, with a gi'iierai 
 course of I'ast and west, follows a sinuous liiu', and sevei-al tinu's crosses 
 the 15onndar\- (nithe forty-ninth p.-n'allel. It se])arates the waters of the 
 lied Jtiver and Saskatchewan, whiidi tind their way through Winnipeg 
 Jjake to Hudson's JJay, from those of the Mississi|)pi and Missouri and 
 their various triliutarit's. ("mnmencing with an idevalion of ahonl l,(!tl(» 
 feet, in that region of swamp and lake in northern Minnesota which 
 feeds tlie variously destined head-waters of the Winnipeg, St. J-awronce, 
 ^Mississippi and I\ed IJivers ; it dips southward hotween the trihutnrii's ot" 
 the latter two streams, and passes helwi'cn Lak(> Traverse ai\d liig Slone 
 Lake, about two hundred miles south of the iiine, with an eloration of 
 only !.)(!() feet. Thei\ce, pursuing a general noi'th-westward court-e along 
 tho high lands formed hy the southern extensions of l'eml)ina escarpment 
 and the Missouri Coteau. it finally heeonies idcntilied with tiic latter, and 
 eros.se.s the lk)undary-line near its intersection with the l()4th meridian, 
 three hundred miles west of IJed JJiver, and continues with tho sanu' 
 course toward the Klhow of the South Saskatchewan. The trihutaries of 
 the Souris Kiver here li(> along the north-eastern hase of the Coteau, while 
 those of the Missouri cut deeply into the soft liignite formation of its 
 south-western side. Between these river systems it lies as u belt of 
 country without detovniinato direction of drainage or systems of iver 
 

 a 
 
 11. N. A. IMl NUAllV I'n.MMISSIilN. 
 
 I'i 
 
 
 V!illi('^, Ini( ('onsisliiiii,- dl" lirnkcii liiiuiilltioiiH hills of drift nmlcriiil. It 
 lias a width (tfdvcr (wi'iity iiiiloH on tlu! forty-ninth parallel, jwid a lioiifht 
 ot'alioni L','Ji)() I'oi't, and is vory ilotinilc; hut, widens when followed to tlio 
 noith-wc^l, and iH-conies more ditVuse, and where crossed by (he old 
 Trader's K'oad lo Woody Moiiniain, the trihiitaries of the Soiiris I{iver 
 are fniiiid ri^iiii;- wiihin il. and the lino of watershed leavini;; it iiiid falling 
 hai'k somewhat furlher to Ihe south, so that ill Woody Afonnlain settle- 
 ment in I 'nu'itudi' lOii" ."!(• , the /'r/wiif/// wa(ershe(l lies oidy from lifleeii 
 to twenty miles norlh of the forty-iunlh parallel. It is necessary to 
 specily the primai-y walerNhe<l, as it wotdd appcarthat most of thosjuall 
 streams now runnim;' northward in this re,!j;ion, arc intercepted iiy the 
 mounds and riil;;es of drift material, and caiii;ht in saline lakes and 
 ponds. Many of them may. however, still find their way to the Saskal- 
 chewan in seasons oftlood. 
 
 l.'l. The wa(er>he(l near Wood}' Mountain is a narrow flat-topped 
 plateau composed ol' Lianite Tertiary strata, irre^ulai- in outline, hut 
 with a i;eneral east and west course, and fui'rowed on either side hy the 
 vallic- of streams which ramify in it. and winch, were denudation advaii- 
 ccd a little lurlhei', mi^ht inosculate. The hei_s;'ht of the water-shed is 
 here ahoul .'l.'JOil leet. Fifty miles west of AVoody ]\rjiiinain, and twenty- 
 live north ot' the line, whei'(> the watcrslu'd was attain ci-ossod, it preserves 
 mo>i ol'the charactei's just indii'alt'(l, hul has hcen still Juore e.\teiisively 
 reduced l>y d<M\udation, and has a height of (udy about '.],{){)() feet. West 
 of this ])oint il treiuls nortliward. and is a,ii;ain found in the CVpri^s Jlill.s, 
 torty miles n(»rthof the Line in lonn'itudo lid" 30, where it still a])pearH 
 to follow a ridi;e of Liu'nite Tertiary deposits, now but a scanty remnant 
 of that once extensive foiMiiation, as the streams on either side soon 
 debouch on plains of Cretaceous strata, from which the Tertiary has been 
 removed by their action. West of the Cypre.s Hills the Widershcd again 
 trends southward and crosses the lino about thirty miles from the bji.sc of 
 the Kt)cky Mountains for tho last time. It bore se])arates the Avnlers of 
 the St. Mitry. ;i tributary of the \M\y Kiver, from those of one of tho 
 iippiM' branches of' Ihe Milk Kiver, and is scarcely indicated l)y any 
 ]ih\sical feature, (houuh so inipoiMant liydrograjiiiically. Tho valley of 
 the iiihuiary of the .Milk IJiver and ih.'if of the St. Mary llivor, are deep, 
 and the si I e.-nns aic found crossinj;' the l;ine nearly parallel in a iiorth- 
 c:i>t\\ :u'il direction, ihe Milk IJiver .•~ub.--M|uon(ly bending eastward uiul 
 southwaid. and rccros>iug the Ijiiie twenty miles east of tiie Swoct-griiHS 
 ilills. The lower part oi' the watershed region bclween them ia 
 
 lil 
 
ilKNKHAI, I'llVSlCAl, liK.ndll \l'll V, 
 
 9 
 
 uiiduhiliii^ will) Home sniiill I.'ilcos Mini swanips, while tlii- liills aro 
 niil-l()|»|t('il aii<l dry, ami in houic piiic(>s ('(ijiU'sco (n I'onii a lii/;lili'Vol 
 pliiloaii. 
 
 ll-. TliiK soiiMioi'ii (I'.'iiisvorstMviUor.slH'il is tliroiiiiliDiit cliaraclcrizcMl 
 
 (lill'u 
 
 S(>I1(1SS 
 
 111(1 is iii(l('t(M'iiiiiial(" ill (lircclinn. 
 
 as. III 
 
 iii'olia- 
 
 bility, lit'c'ii oiilliiHMl id tirsi l)y sonic vcit penile llcxiii-ci of (lie strata on 
 <a lai'^o si-alc, iirodiiced diiiMiii;- the ciinalinn of llic ( 'rulai'tMiiis and 
 Toi'liary Ix'ds lo tlicir prcsi'nl position, iml lias liccii subsoqiicnlly 
 sliapcd jpy llic denudation of tlies(> soCl lonnal ions on all sides. Siicli an 
 
 cknation would very lil<ely 
 
 Iv U 
 
 aeconipaiiK'd hy eorrespoinlnio- parallo 
 
 depressions, liUe it, sli;;,'lit in unioiint 
 
 iMit 
 
 exieiisive in area, wliieli would 
 
 'I'l 
 
 le eastern 
 
 indieale tlie valleys ol" (lie Siiskateliewan and Missouri, 
 extension of the northern of tli()S(< synelinals nii^lit. also necoiint. for Iho 
 passn^e of tlu^ Ntdson and ("liiireliill liivcM's tliroiiu;!! (he. oliierwisu 
 continuous hairicM' of nietanKU'pliic rocks there. 
 
 If). The Toi'liary |)laiii of the third ])rairie steppe iiiiist lirsl have heeii 
 Hcorod hy rivers (lowinj^ from west to cast, and then hy their iiiiiiicroiis 
 brandies (lowiiiji; to (he north and south to tin. prei'iirsors of (he 
 Sivskalelicwan and Missouri. \>y (hese the strata liavo been Ln'.'idiially 
 cut down and back, till an extensive lible-land separated the valleys of 
 
 (lie two Hd'cains. \Vast(> still conlinuinir, has reijiicrd this in 
 
 man 
 
 y 
 
 places to n mere dividing' rid^(\ or has almost aKoi^elhcr romovofl it. 
 The (|uaiili(y of material carried away has betui vast, and by far tliu 
 ^I'cator part of this denudation appears to havi; been accomi)lisiiod 
 before the ,<flaciivl ])eriod. 
 
 hi. Of the second ;:;roat traiisvcrMc watershed but little, is known. 
 It separates the watiM's of tiio Saskatchewan system ol' rivers from those 
 which pass directly into the An(ic Ocean by (be Mackenzie liiver. 
 Whore cros.sed by the caiioo route at Metliy l'orta;<e, near its eastern 
 junction with the Laiireiitian, Sir J. liicliardson ^ivos it an elevation of 
 1, 5(1(1 Iwt. vVccordiiiif to Dr. Hector's olwerviitioiis, its western end 
 would a]>pear to have an altitude of about 2,400 feet. The intermediuto 
 portion is probably iesn elevated than either of the; extremities. 
 
 17. Of (he area <aH at first delincil, cxleiidini' from the liockv .M( 
 
 )UT1- 
 
 tains to the base of tlio Laurentian country, and lyinij between tho 
 lifty-fourtli and forty-ninth [larallels, the ^-re.'it Saskatchewan I'ivcr and 
 its tributaries drains by far the lar_<i;cst jiai-t, an area of about IIJD.OOO 
 H(iuare miles. Tlie IJed Uiver and its jjjreat tributary the Assiiieboine, 
 drain 70,500 Sf^uaro miles; the vallics of numerous small streams flow- 
 
10 
 
 11. N. A. nOL'.VDAItV rOMMfSSION. 
 
 iiig- iiito (he Winnipeg ifronp of liiUos, inoludinL!; tlu> iivoa of llic hilcos 
 tluMn.solves, cover 52,8(10 s(|uaiv miles. Tiio head wjiters of the Misyouri, 
 and especially of its (rii)iitary flie .Miilc LMvei-, drain a consideralile area 
 to tlie soudi. enihraein,;;' aI>oiit 22,800 square miles; while the Athaliasea 
 and North Pembina IJivers, flowiiiif into the ^Faelcenzie, drain an area of 
 only ahout 10,000 s(|iiar(' miles in the nortli-wostern corner of the refj;ion. 
 18, The t(»tal ari'aof [trairie country within the same limits, including 
 that of all three jirairie levels, may ho estimated at 102,000 square miles. 
 Though much of this vast region is not ahsolutely treeless like its south- 
 western ])art, its aggregate tree-clad area is ([uite insigiuticant as com- 
 pared with that of its open ]ilains. North of the tifty-fourth ]iarallel, 
 the area of the ])rairic region is inconsidei-ahle, and has not yet been .so 
 well detined aw to render any estimate possible, 
 
 ! 
 
 General Outline of the Gcol'y/j/. 
 
 10. After the Iluronian jiei-iod, the geography of which cannot yet 
 be detined, the succeeding foi'nnitions of the western prairio region seen\ 
 to have accumulated on a great submarine plateau, stretching westward 
 from the base of the Laurentian and Iluronian i-Migo, au<l probably con- 
 tinuous with an ocean occui»ying the present position of the Pacitic. The 
 region now occupie<l by the western mountain ranges, Avas at different 
 times outlined by areas of shoals and sand-banks, but true marine lime- 
 stones were formed over it at several epochs. At least as early as the close 
 of the ('I'etaceous jieriod, the elevation of mountain ranges appears to 
 have begun ; and from this time, the formations accumulating between 
 them and the Laurentian and palaeozoic l)arriers to the east, were those 
 oi' a great interior continental basin. These waters, at first in free 
 connnunication with the .sea to the south and north, Averc socni, by the 
 gradually increasing elevation of the continent, cut otf from it more or 
 less completely; and, after a period of transition, became a great fresh- 
 water lake or series of lakes. At the close of the Lignite Tertiary 
 formation— generally attributed to the Eocene period— the elevation of 
 the Rocky ^Mountain r;inges was resumed with renewed vigour, and in 
 lakes of constantly decreasing size, the sands and clays of the later 
 Tertiaries were deposited. These include, in great abumlance, the 
 remains of the numerous land animals which inhabited the then extensive 
 area of the continent ; but arc not yet known to occur north of the forty- 
 uiuth parallel. The Cretacouus and Tertiary rocks lying along the base 
 
 H! 
 
(iKNKIlAI. OrTLINK "1' Till', CKdI.oiiV. 
 
 II 
 
 of (lie inouiitiiins iollowcil (liom in tlicii- fjcvjitioii, uiid (liiis, ul u very 
 liite stau^o ill the history of llio ooiitiiicnt, llio i^'ivat roi!;ion of llu- ])l!iiiis 
 a<.'r|niiv(l its oiislwan! slo|K'. In tlu' vicinity ofliit) forty-nintii |iaralh'l, 
 those rocks have hot'ii raised almost liori/ontaliy to u heiirlii of over 
 4,000 foot ahove the sea; to the south their elevation is even greater, 
 whih^ northward the plateau which they form falls ij:radiially. 
 It is iiiterestinii; to oliserv(! that whilo tiio Cretaceous and Tertiary hods 
 of the interior, have thus been raised en vtassc. liy the slow exercise of 
 immense force, their broken remnants on tho west coast havo seureely 
 been olovuted above tlio level of tiie Pacitic. 
 
 20. Tho details of the Laureutian and lluroiiian rocks receivin<^ 
 moi'o extended iiotieo in suiisi'(|ueiit pai^es, those need not he mentioned 
 ill this preliminary sketch. On tlieir western tiaiiks. and restinif direc''v 
 on tlioir contorted and denuded edyos, limestones of Lower Silurian aue 
 uppoiir. They havo been deposited tranqnilly ai-ound the Laureutian 
 shores, and in <;'eneral still rest almost horizontally upon them, tlioui;h 
 thoy havo boon described us occurring- much disturboil at (me locality on 
 the sontlii'rn shore of Lake AVinni])e_<;\ Tapper Silurian rocks are not 
 certainly known to exist in i)lace, though limestones of this age probably 
 remain concealed by drift and alluvial deposits, and may even at one 
 time have overla])ped a great part of the Laureutian plateau, and have 
 been continuous with those which a])pear to underlie the whoh> thit margin 
 of irudson's Bay on the north-westei-n sideof the same Laureutian region. 
 The best known exposure of the Lowei- Silurian limestones is near the 
 Stone Fort, on tho Eed Eiver, twenty miles south of Lake AVinni|)eg. 
 It was examined as long ago as L'-<4S hy Dr. Owen, then eng;iged in a 
 Geological Survey of the Northern Territories of the United States, lie 
 concisely describes the limestone as '-of a light butf colour, sometimes 
 mottled, spotted, or banded, with light brown,"' and in his report gives 
 the most extensive list of the fossils yet made, and tigures some of them. 
 The list inchuU's si'venteen forms, but — unless some mistakes in the i-efer- 
 once of ihoso has occurred — shows a rather mixed fauna, but one which, 
 accoi'ding tf) Dr. Owen, agrees with that of the lower lieds of the F])per 
 Magnesian limestone of Wisconsin, and uuiy therefoi'o be taken as repre- 
 senting the Trenton. 
 
 Di". Hector also gives a short list of lossils collected at the same place, 
 in his report. 
 
 Tho limestoiio is highly magncsian, and atronlod Di-. Shuiuardj who 
 
12 
 
 n. N. A. BOrNDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 has made analyses of two namplcH, -lO-f) and IT'S per cent, respectively of 
 magnosic carlwnato.* 
 
 I'l'of. Iliiid has also reroiiinlsed limoBtonos of the Trenton, Birds- 
 eye aiul Cha/,\' divisions of the Lower Silurian, and the operations of tho 
 Canadian (Joological Survey' lately extended to this region, will no doubt, 
 soon show the true relations of these hods, with their nearest repre- 
 pentatives in 3rinnesota and the ncighhouriiig states, where the ai-i-angc- 
 ment is as follows in descending order : f 
 
 HiuIboh K. Ma(|uokota Shales. 
 
 ,.,,_ . \(!ak'tia ljiiiiest(inu,--(l)utr ami Mueisli magncsiaii limestone,) ISO feet. 
 
 / 'I'reutdii liiniostonu, — (tlaggy liniestiine, with shale,) I(i() " 
 
 Cha/.y. St. J'eter SaiulHtono, (white aii<l frialile imre ((uartz sanil,) l'2^^ " 
 
 Calciferous. !,ower Magnoaian Limestone, — (light ImtF, some beds sand,) about '200 " 
 St. Croix Sandstone, - (massive white or buflf coloured, shale at 
 
 base J o\-er 500 " 
 
 Potsdam, I'otsdam Sandstone, — (hard sandstones, of ten red, ) at least 400 " 
 
 .e I 
 
 22. Fragments, known hy their mineralogical character and the 
 fossils which they contain, to have belonged to these Silurian limestones 
 of the first prairie level, have been sti'own broadcast over the plains 
 almost to the Eocky i\[ountains, by glacial agency during the period 
 of the drift. 
 
 23. They also, without doubt, underlie the greater part of the interior 
 continental area, though completely covered by rocks of latei* date ; and 
 they are known to occur again in some parts of the Rocky Mountains' 
 but considerabl}' modified in appearance and thickness. Their eastern 
 lino of outcrop follows the Laurentian, to the north, occupying a broad 
 belt of country to the head waters of the Mackenzie, where they appear 
 to be ovoi'lappcd by Devonian strata. Other smaller areas of Silurian, 
 however, appcxr further north along the same line of strike, and lime- 
 stones probably referable to this ago, again expand widely on the shoi'o 
 of tho Arctic Ocean. 
 
 24. Limestones very similar in ap^jcarancc to those of Silurian ago, 
 but known to be Devonian by their included fossils, occur on Manitoba 
 and St. Martin's Lakes, and elsewhere along the western boi'der of the 
 the northern part of tho first prairie level. Prof. Hind has defined by 
 observations in several localities a belt of these rocks at least fifty miles 
 in width. lie describes them as in intimate connection with the brine 
 springs of that district, the wafers of which j-ield an excellent quality of 
 salt on concentration. From the contimuvtion of such saline springs to 
 
 * Dr. D U. Owen's Report. 
 
 t See Prof. N. H. WinchcU's Ueports, &c. 
 
(1ENERAL OI'TI.rNK op TIIR (IROLOflY. 
 
 13 
 
 Ics 
 
 inc 
 
 of 
 
 tlio MOuUnvard, ho has (ItMhiccd thu direction of llic outcrop of tlic forma- 
 tion, whore, from the thiclc covering of drift anil alluvium, no natiral 
 exposures exist. Wliile this method of tracini^ tho limit of the Devonian 
 beds, probably affords as near an ai)proximation to tho fact as can at pre- 
 sent be made, it must be remem1)ered that where so great a thickness of 
 unconsolidated drift and alluvium intervenes, and wliere formations oven 
 of Cretaceous age may overlap these oMer rocks, saline waters, even 
 though emanating stricjtly tVoni a single series of beds, nniy ti-avel far in 
 tlie porous layers of the su[)erticial formations l>efoi'e reac liing the surface. 
 
 25. The Devonian rocks already mentioned as occuri-ing on the head 
 waters of the Mackenzie near Methy I'oi-tage appear, from Sir J. Kichard- 
 son's observations, to occupy a wide belt of country fiom that place to 
 the Arctic Sea. Their eastern edges rest against tho border of tho 
 Laurentian region, and the underlying Silurian a])peai's only in iso- 
 lated localities. The rocks consist of limestones and shales highly charged 
 with bituminous matter. Ifeobtai' ed from them specimens of FrudurUi, 
 Sjjirifer, Orthis resembling O. rcKpinata, Tcrehraiula retictdaris, and a 
 Pleurotomaria which Mr. Woodward considered Devonian.* Also a 
 Pteropod " apparently Tentaculites fistsvreUa of Hall, a Chonetcs, tho 
 Strophomena setirjcra of Hall, and Avicula hvvis of tho same author," a 
 Stromhodcs (Cjjsfiphi/liuvi ^) and Farositcs, like F. polijmurjiha. I'l'of. 
 Mock, who has had the advantage of studying a collection of fossils from 
 the Valley of the Mackenzie, maile b\' Alajor Ji. Kennicott and some of 
 tho Hudson's Bay Company's servants, has described and tigured a 
 number of species, some of them for the tii-st time, in a paper con- 
 tributed to the Chicago Academy of Sciences, f lie i-efei-s the 
 beds from which they wore obtained, and which are the same as those 
 already described by Sir J. Eichardson, and ai-o very extensively 
 developed, to the horizon of the Hamilton rocks and (ienesee Slates. 
 
 Prof. Meek gives the Ibllowinglist of foi-ms trom this very interesting 
 area of the Devonian : — 
 
 Cyothophyllum arcticum, Meek ; Cystiphijllum Americanum var 
 arcticuvi, Meek ; Aulophyllum f Jiichardsoni, Mock ; Zaphrentis recta, 
 Meek; Zaphrentis Macfarlanei, Meek; Sndthia VerrilU, Meek; Comho- 
 phyllum multiradiatum, Meek; PaUvocydus Kirhyi, Meek; Favosites 
 polymorpha, G'oldfuss ; Alveolites rallorum, Meek ; Lingula mimita, Moek ; 
 Strophomena demissa, Conrad; Sfrophomena (Strophodonta) sub-demissa, 
 
 * Juuriial of a Boat Voyage through Rui)ert's Land, vol. 1, \i. 122. 
 t Trans. Chicivgo Aeiid Sci., vol. I. 
 
14 
 
 n. N. A. nouVDARY COMMfSSION. 
 
 Hi! I ■ S 
 
 ;'i 
 
 ' M ' 
 
 li 
 
 Uiill; ()/'^/(/.s Murfarland, Moek ; Orthis luwenm? 'R.ixW. Prodiictn 
 dissimilin .' Hull. Two otlicr iniiK'i-i'cctly clmriictcrized spocicH of Fro- 
 ducia. Chonclcs pK.v'thi, Hall ; JthijnchoncUa rastainti, .Mock; Piutamcrus 
 liorcal'S, ^Ic't'lv ; Afnjini as/icra, SchlotlH'iiii ; Atri/jin niicularis, Linn.; 
 Cyrtiim lhlliii>j&(, ]\lc'C'k; Cijilina JLuinU(jntn.si!>, Hall ; ('i/rtnui panda, Mcok; 
 iSpirifcr Kcn/tirott!, .Mock; Sjiirifrr (■o7ii]i(t<tiif<. Mock; S/iin'/cr {Alurtinia) 
 suliHiieatiis, -Mock ; Sjnrifcr {JDuiinid) Jiii/idrdsoni, Mock ; Sjiirifer 
 (Martiniay Meristindei<, J\Jot'k; Sjnri/cr (Martinia) Franldinii, Meok ; 
 Jicmselcria /(ci-is, Mi'ok ; a Plrurotumarid ; and Gijruccras Lcnjani, Mock. 
 
 2<>. A iiioi'o (.'xtoiKU'd ox|tl()ratioii of tlit' Devonian rocks of tlio 
 North-west is nmcli to lie desired. Their ]»ros])cctivc value as a sall- 
 hearinii; i^'rou]) is i^'rcat, nut oidy in the southern pai-t. hut far to tlie nortli 
 on the .Mackenzie IJiver, where liichai'ilson desci-ihcs very eo])ious brine 
 spring's. Their northei'n extension is also every wliei'o associated witli 
 hituminous doiiosits, from JMothy Portaii;e to tlio Arctic Ocean. Sir .1. 
 I{ichardson especially mentions certain iocalilii's on the Athabasca 
 Jiiver, near the position of a forniei- tradiiii^ establishment, now known as 
 La oidux Fort dc la RicUn Jiou(/e, " a copious sprintf of minei-al pitch 
 issues from a crevice in u cliff composeil of sand and l)itumen. Jt lies 
 a few hundred yards back from tlie I'ivcr in the middle of a thick wood." 
 Of another locality he Avrites : " The whole country for many miles is tso 
 full of bitumen, that it flows readily into .i ])it du<>; a few feet below the 
 surface," '^ and similai- I'eferences abound in his Journal. Where 
 bitumen exists in such abundance on the sui-face, there is every 
 probaI)ility that tlowin;;' oil wells mi,i!;ht be obtained without ^oinii; 
 to any j>'reat depth, the bitumen beiiii!^ ,i,'enerally but the inspissated 
 resiihie of lii;htei' oils beneath. 
 
 The bituminous limestones and shales have, as already stated, been 
 referred, by Prof. .Meek, to the Hamilton and (iencsee e])ochs. The ^'Black 
 Slate " of the Y.'estcrn and Southern States, has been shown to be the 
 equivalent there, of the lattci-. It " holds exactly the same ])osition with 
 relation to the Hamilton beds us the clear water and Athabasca sliales" 
 of the ]\lacken/ie River re^^-ionf and is very frequently connected with oil 
 and brine sprini^-s. This beini-- the case, it is hii'-hly probable that the same 
 formation in the intermediat'j reyion south of 3Ietliy Portasiv and in Mani- 
 toba, where it is to a great extent covered by Cretaceous rocks, would, if 
 properly explored, be found to yield mineral oil as Avell as salt. 
 
 ' Jouviiiil of aBdiit Voyaiie, vol. 1., pp. li.'i >iiul V>6, 
 
 + Tiaiis. C'hiovffo Acad. Sci., vol. I., p. 65. 
 
("IKNEHAL OUTMNi: OV TIIK (iEor.OnY, 
 
 1ft 
 
 27. Tho ])ossil)lc t'xisti'iK'c in tlio vii'iiiity <>(' tlic soil laments of tlio 
 Keil llivi'i' Viilli'V, of In'ils rcl'criiblc to (ho iiciind (liii'Iiii;- which tlio 
 deposits of I'oill ill most ptirts of tht; woi'ld ufii' jii'(»(hic('(i. is ;i (|iu'>lioii of 
 considc'i-iiitlo interest, ;inii has already attracted m)|iu' atleiilidii. No 
 ex]»osuros of ("arlioniferoiis rocks are l<no\vii, and considcrini;' the low 
 ann'ies at wiiieh the Silurian ami l)ovonian lietU n-sl. and liow (dose tho 
 area siipposccl to be occupied by the huter lies alonn' tlie eastei-n edi;-e of 
 the ( Vetaceoiis, it is pi-oliaiile that llu' inaruin of the( 'arboniferoiis si'i'ies is 
 altii^etlier eonci-alcd. I'rof. Hind made a special searcli for the outcrop 
 of tliesc rocks aloni;' the base of the ln,i;'hdaiids west of .Manitoba Lako, 
 wliicli ap])ears to be the most likely locality for tlu'ir occurence; but 
 unsuccessfully.* It would no doubt be possible, by borinn' injudiciously 
 selected localities, west of the escarpment of the Cretaceous, in the Ridin;;', 
 JJiudv and l'orcu[)ine Hills, to ])enetrate that formation, and discover rocks 
 of Carbonifei'oiis an'o; which may ])robably exist (here at no very ujreat 
 de])th. We know somethiiii;' of the Cai'boniferous formation of tho 
 interior continental reifion, however, from its development on the U]»])er 
 waters of the Mississippi, and it would appear that the search foi* any coal 
 l)eds of oecmomic value west of Iowa, is almost hopeless. The ciiaracter 
 of the rocks, as compared with those lu-oducinsf valuable coal beds further 
 to the east, clumi^es C(»m])letely ; the thi(dv shales and sandstones of tho 
 latter rei.!;ion, beiiii;' represented l)y limestones accumulated in deep water. 
 It is true that seams of coal are known as far west as Nel)raska, l>ut they 
 do not exceed a few inches in thickness, and seem to lie on tho very 
 margin of tho coal-bearing basins of the oast. This estimate of the value- 
 lo.ssness of tho rocks of Carboniferous ago wdiich undorlic the groat plains, 
 is coiilirmed by an examination of (heir representatives yet further 
 west. Where again emoi'ging to view along the slopes of (ho Itocky 
 Mountains, they are not known either in the United States or in British 
 America, to show any sign of reverting to their eastern coal-beai'iiig 
 character. This being the case, it would appear that the western prairio 
 regions must depend for their sujjjjly of fossil fuel on the coals and lignites 
 of tho Cretaceous and Tertiary formations, there so extensively developed. 
 
 28. Eocks of Permian or Triassie ago are unknown in the interior 
 region of Briti.sh North America, with the probable exce])tion of some 
 beds of tho Rocky Mountains, the equivalents of which south of tho forty- 
 
 p. 05. 
 
 ♦Prof. Hind fitfurcs a specimen of Prodncta, which Mr. Hillings considered to ho of Carhonifcrous 
 tyiie. U appears to have been derived from a houlder found near Fort Oarr.v.— /{cp. p. 1S7. 
 
in 
 
 T\. V. A. nnrNtiAnv roMMissinv. 
 
 J ' 
 
 I I 
 
 !l! 
 
 iiiiitli i-iirallol li.'ivc Ikm'm ivli'i'ic^l l'> iIu-m- |»>n()(lM. Tlioy miiwt tMtlicr 
 have Itt'i'ii I'l'Miovod liy (loiiiidiilion. aloiii^ IIh> oiiMtoi-n iniir^in of the iivm, 
 proviniis to the CiTtacooiis luiriod, oi- may tiovcM- liav«* Ikvui di-posiUMl 
 IIumt; as an clovalinii ol' tlii'ocoaiiic |datraii loUHiillicic^iil liuiglil (d allow 
 tli(* foi-matioii ot'coai'so scdiiuoiilai-y liods on its wcstoin margin, would 
 |)i-ol)alily lay tlu' oai^lci-ii l)orderin,i!: iv«,'ion dry liir a jj;rout hroadtli, 
 
 2!). Tlio .lurassic ju'riod, also, lias U'I'l few ivcoi'ds in tlii' i'ocIkh of'tlio 
 Norlii-wosl. Jt. is liai'dly jtrolialtU' that strata of this aif(> conic to tlu> 
 Kurfacf in any pai-l, of tlii' ureal interior continiuital valloy north of tho 
 liini', thoMiih Jkichurdson, when with Sir .1. Franklin in ISUH. ohtaincid 
 sonu" fossils which Mr. Soworhy rcfcrrcMl to the "Oxford Oolito and 
 ('ornhrash."=l= As thoy came from the liniestoniJ»e(ls of the MacUeiizio, 
 however, and if placed in the Jurassic series, woidd appear nocossiirily to 
 carrv with tlu'in the liifuminous shales now conclusively proved to he 
 Devonian, there is no doidit some erroi* in the reference. Prof. Meek 
 writes, apparently with rcLCai'd t(» the same fossils ; " from one of those 
 lieds Sir John Franklin collected in ISlif) some iossils referred to Siiii'ifcr 
 anititfi, and several Tirchrafala-, resemhliniij T. rcsiipimtta,'' — " Spirikr 
 anitus, however, heini:;a ('ai'l)oniferoiiss])ecies, and 'I'lrchratida rcsupinata 
 a Liassic form, it is evident ihei-e is some error in these identillcations."f 
 Rocks known to he Jurassic 1)\- their fossils, are however, foun(t in tlio 
 Rocky Mountain region of Montana, and tlu'ir e(|uivalents — thout^h not 
 yielding fossils — ai»|)ear amoii;;- the highost rocks seen in the vicinity 
 of the South Kootanio T'ass, and will proliahly he found ahove the earhon- 
 iferous limestone mucli further noi-th in the range. 
 
 vJO. The Cretaceous locks, corresponding in ago with the great chalk 
 formations of Hui'oiie, though very ditVerent from them in mineral 
 character ; are those which spread over i)y far tho greatest surface. 
 Excejit in a few h)calities, and those chiefl}' in pi'oximity to tho Rocky 
 Mountain i-egion of ii[)lift, they are still almost as ])orfoetly horizontal us 
 when originally depo.sited. The eastern edge of this formation partly 
 overlaps the underlying Silurian and Devonian hods, and runs nearly 
 parallel with tho huso of the Laurontian range at a distance of about one 
 hundred and thirty miles, from the fifty-third to the fiftieth parallel of 
 latitude. Southward it ti-ends to the east, and probably crosses the fortj'- 
 ninth parallel east of Rod River ; while in south-western Minnesota 
 Cretaceous rocks I'opose directly insomo places on granites, which are no 
 
 ' Jounml of a Bout Vojivyc, vol. 1, p. 177, 
 
 t TraiiB. Chieago Acatl. Sci., vol. I, p. 00, 
 
 i- f 
 
(.KNKK \l, 111 Tl. INK tH' TIIK i.K<i|.n.,V. 
 
 i 
 
 00, 
 
 ilniilii liaiiiciil i;iii. Till' !i,rii('i'iil cuiirx' n|' ilic cM^tci'ii ()ii(i'ru|i is const'- 
 ([ilt'litly iiliniil iiDi-lli imi'l li r;[>\ ; :iiii| it is m;iri<ci, li|'(»n(lly, liy a scries <,[' 
 tsscai'pmciils Mild cicvalioiis, iiicliiiliiii;--lViiiii soiilii lo iioil li — I'ciniiina. 
 JJiiliiii^. |)iiclv, l'(>i'cii|iiiir ami liasijiiia Mniuitaiiis. All tlu'so appear In 
 lie coiMpitseil ti)r I lie iiinsl pail, if iml eiil iicly, nl' ( 'relaceoiis rnc!<s, IIkhiuIi 
 llie oxirciiu' ed^v dI' tlic lormalinn may ollcii slrctcli liey(itnl tliein. 
 
 These so-cal led " .Moiiiilaiiis " an-, more con tly speaking' — a.s alrcidy 
 
 hIiowii — salient points ol'tlie eilye of the second plateau, ami ilieu'ciicrally 
 liori/.oiital position of tlie heds thus suddenly cut olV lo (he east, allesis 
 the imnnMisc! denudation which iiiiist have taken place in c(iin[iaralively 
 inodcrii times, 
 
 i}l. North of the Hascpiia Moiinlain, (Voni the vwy scanty inl'onna- 
 tioii we at jircsont ])ossess, iho eilye of Ihe (Velaceoiis would a])pcar to 
 run westward and cross the Saskalchewan IJivcr near i-'oi't a la ( 'oriie, 
 whei-e at Cole's {''alls a dark-coloured shale which has hecii referred to 
 (lie l(»wcst nieniliorof the seri^^s, occurs, it inayv(M'v prohahly he nejirly 
 eontcrniinous with the odn'e of the second jiiateaii, wliiidi, according' to 
 Mr. Selwyii. crosses the rivt-r forty-live miles helow the l''oi'l. 'I'he 
 western lioi-der of the Cretaceous seems in som(> places to fujlow cloudy 
 ajnnij; the huso of the Rocky .Mountain lianii-e, hut many circiimslanccs 
 arise to complicate tluMjUeslion in that lei^non, ;iiid it will only he aflcr 
 the accumulation of miicii more infornialion than is at pre-ent in our 
 jiossession, that the line can ho laid down with any accuracy. In solium 
 parts of the ran,i:;e, Ci-etacooiis rocks hav(^ lieeii included amoni^- the 
 mountains themselves, and consid(M'alily alteve<l; Iml the ixreaiei" part of 
 the newer strata, which must have covered the ]talii'o/,oic rocks of this 
 reiifion when the uplift first to<>k- place, have lieeii reiiiovi'il hy dciuidalion. 
 
 ii2. Tlie Cretaceous rocks thus defined in hreadth, north of the 
 ]}oundarv-liiie, have hoeii noted hy Prof. Hind. Dr. Ilccloi-. .Mr. Selwyii 
 and Prof. l?ell. in many localities on the second ]>rairie level, some of whi<'h 
 arc more )»arlicularly referred to in the secpiel ; and are known to extend 
 in a hroad zone from the North Saskalchewan to the .M(>xican frontier 
 and soutliward. In the western Territories of the rniteil .Stales, the 
 stratiifrapliical seqiKMice and i)ala>ontolo!j,y- of the Cretaceous heds. have 
 heen carefully studied hy Dr. Ilayden, Professors Cope, Xinvhcrrv, 
 Marsh, Lesqiiereux, Leidy and others. South of th(> forly-ninlh parallel, 
 liowovcr, the Cretaceous itself is to a u' real extent concealed hv deposits 
 of Tertiary a,i!:e, which, thonn-h they have heen acciimiiliited at different 
 l)oriod.s, from the generally undisturhed nature ufthe cuuntry, are i-arely 
 
 2i> 
 
! 
 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 M 
 
 
 it 
 
 18 
 
 B. N. A. lUii NKAUV r(t.M.MISS|(tX. 
 
 found to rowt on tho CrclacfoiiH in other than a contorinnlth' jiosition. 
 North of the Lino, tho only on*' oflliCM) hil(M'l'oiniiifions yi-t ivcognizoil i« 
 the lowest or rii.ynilf Torliary. 
 
 IVJl. Oin- knowledge of tlic (Jrotaci'<iiis hcds hcyond Iho North 
 HiiHUalclu'wan, is as yet very liinili«d, a!id (U'pends almost entirely on tho 
 observations of Sir ,1. Tlichai'dson, aiiled hy chance notes of other 
 explorers not profosst'd ^eoloi,dsts. It is likely, however, that a troii^'h 
 or Horios of more or less isolated hasins of li;;nife and eoaldiearin^' 
 htrata, follows near tlio eastern hase of the moinitains the whole way 
 to the Arctic Sea. A l)arl of these he<ls is known to represent tiio 
 Lignite Tertiary of the south; hul jnd^inif fnnn their association else- 
 where, they will prohahly he foun<l to rest on Ci-etneeous rocks throu^^h- 
 ont. Indeed, from the fra;,'mentary nature of the information concerning 
 thiH great northern region, and the misettled (|uestionH with regai-d to 
 tho age of tho coal sei-ies of the analogous region near tlio mountains and 
 Houth of the Noi'th Saskattdiewan, it is impossihle to decide whether some 
 of tho coals and lignites deserihed, may not belong to the Ci-etiicoims 
 formation itself. The existence of Cretaceous bc<ls has, however, oidy 
 been determined with eei'tainty at a single locality, on the Heai- Lake 
 Kiver, near its junction with the Mackenzie. Sir ,1. Eichardson here 
 discovered an Anummite among sandstones and shales which he states 
 resemble those of the coal measures. Prof, ^feek has detected fragments 
 of an Aiiimoin'te and Inoceramun in M'-. Kennicott's collection from tho 
 same j»lace,* and had foi-merly descrilx 'wo s])ecies of Anmionites from 
 that neighbourliood, submitted to him 'ly Prof. Jlind, as A. BanWoni and 
 A. liiUiiKjsi. t 
 
 3;J. The subdivision of tho Cretaceous, as it occurs in .>raiu(oba and 
 tho North-west Tei-ritoi-ies will reipiii'o discussion after the systematic 
 dc.>:Crij)tion of the localities in winch it has been examined. From its 
 olcse general resemblance however, to that which has been studied in 
 the western i)artof the United States, it will be useful to have tho Upper 
 Missouri Section of Meek and llayden, which has now become typical, 
 as a standard of comparison. 
 
 : The formation is there composed as follows in descending order : 
 
 • Tnvus. eliicajfii Acad. Sci., vol, I., )>. 72. 
 t Ku)xirt A»<uincb(iiiic ami ijaskatchuwiiii Kxpedition, p. im. 
 
 f 1 
 
(IKNKIUI. OfTI.INE OK TIIK liK iLnciV. 
 
 Later Cn't(«'ioits. — 
 
 No. rt. K<ix Flii.i. Hkks. (ir«y, f'TniHiiKiim BiiilyelliiwiNli 
 
 «,'m(lntoiH'n iiml amiiui'i'oum'ljiyM. Moiiixf !<liellii. flfl<) feet. 
 " 4. K<iKt' I'lKitiiK (iitiMi', l)iii-k grt'y uiid liliiuiNli 
 jiliiMtio clivys, Munnr thella, fij/iuium and jinh 
 fi iniiiim 7*10 " 
 
 Earlier Cretacoius. — 
 
 Ni). 3. NmiiKAKA Omn'P. -f'aleftieims iimrlM. Moiiof 
 
 .till 111, jish riiiiiiiiii, t'liriiiii'iii'i/i III, ilr' 'J0() " 
 
 " 2. Kdicr Hknion (Jnottp- -i)ark Kr»iy Iftriiiimted clayH, 
 
 uitliMdiiif liiiit'Mti)iit3. Mariiir nlnlln 800 " 
 
 " I, Dakcci'a (liiiiri-. ^■(•ll(>wiMll, reiMiili, iiiid whitiHh 
 (HiiulHtoiiuH, anil t-'lay, with occaxidiml ligiiitvH, 
 Mnriiii iiii'l .^lllll'' /nn/i-ii'iiln' nhfll^, ami Amjio- 
 Mlicnnoiii leiive/i 4()0 " 
 
 19 
 
 aiul 
 atic 
 m itH 
 CM I ill 
 
 frivin/?, as nti appvoxiinalo IliickncsH of tliu formation ii) tliat I'cj^ion, 
 2,<)n0 feet. 
 
 H4. Tlio Li|,'nite Tertiary rocks north of tlio lino are not bounded 
 by any ifi'eat phyNifnl fcaturos of tlio country, but n<lhore closely to the 
 upper members of the CrctacooiiH, and boliave as an upper moiuber of 
 that formation might bo expected to do. Thoujrh no doubt originally 
 dopositeil in extensive basin-liko depressions of tli(> f'retaceouf* strata, 
 those are now generally found forniing slightly elevated plateaus. Denu- 
 dation must have acted on those rocks on a vast scale, but they still 
 cover an immense area, and contain the greatest stores of mineral fuel 
 known to occur in the vicinity of the fortj'-iiinth parallel. The line of 
 their eastern edge crosses the parallel near the 102nil meridian, and 
 thence appears to pursue a north-westward course, remaining for some 
 distance nearly parallel with the edge of the third plateau. IJeyoinl the 
 Elbow of the South Saskatchewan, though the same physical feature 
 continues to the iiorth, it is not known what relation it may bear to 
 tho outci'op of this formation, nor has its northern limit been a>cer- 
 tained. Between the North and South branches of the {•'askatchewan 
 River there is a great tract of country, tho geological features of which 
 are still very imperfectly known, but where it is highly probable, out- 
 lyers, if not direct extensions of this Lignite formation will be met with. 
 To the west, it appears to extend, at least in some places, nearly to the 
 base of the Rocky Mountains. 
 
 35. A thick mantle of sands and clays, referable to the glacial 
 period, and to foi'iuei- great lakes, covers almost the entire surface of tho 
 plains. A geologist may often travel a hundred miles without once 
 
.'I 
 
 , I 
 
 I ! 
 
 I- 1 i' 
 
 i: I' 
 
 V 
 
 11! 
 
 II* 
 
 i 
 
 li:M 
 
 20 
 
 II, N. A. HOINKARV COMMISSION. 
 
 Ix'iiii;' iil)k' to ol)sci'vc a soclioii of 'ho niidin'lyini^ (/Potiu-ooiis or Tertiary 
 rocks, and l)iil for tlu'ir yroat iiiiitorinity and .siin[»licity of stiMuturo, it 
 woidd lie a very ditHfidt task to unravel (lie ,u;eolo/fy of so vast a region. 
 Tlie veiy monotony of the phiins is, however, to a i'l'eat exieiit, a corol- 
 hiry of the altitude of the strata beneath them, and of their u:ieonsolidated 
 and hoiiiOi;eiieous ehai'aeter, 
 
 .■>(). In the t( reu;oini^ brief suinmaiy of the Physieal Geograpliy and 
 (ie(jlony of the interior reirion of British America, 1 luive availed myself 
 IVcclv of the vai'ious sources of information on that subject, some of wbiidi 
 have been already aekno\vledti;cd. Thou^'h there are n-any \vt)rks 
 bearioi;' nioiv or less dii-ectly on tlie ii;eneral nature and i.speet of (he 
 country, (he geoion'ical l>iblioi;-rap!iy is as yc( ([ui(e small, and the 
 kiio\vledi;'e of some dis(ric(s lias not been ex(ended since (he date .:!' ihe 
 lirst oi)sci'vat!oiis. made man}- years ai;-i). The principal au(hori(ies on 
 (his renMon, exclusive of (hose relatiiiii; endrely lo i(s Ai'c(ic [lordon, are 
 as follows : — 
 
 tSir J. Rix'hiirchon, in his •' Journal of a Boat Voj-age thi'ough Ilu])er('s 
 Land," 1851. Also in •' Toi)ogi'a])hical and (Jeological A[»pendix (o 
 Franklin's Second Journey (o the Ai'ctic Sea," and various pajx'rs in the 
 JoiU'nal of the (Jeologieal Socie(\' of London. Jlis personal observations 
 were chieHy conHned to (he Canoe Route, from Lake Suiierior (o the 
 mouth of the .^[acken/.ie, and to (he regions lying near (he coas( of the 
 Polai- Sea. 
 
 Dr. /h'l/fihi/, in (wo papers published in the Journal of (he CJeological 
 Society. 18,")1 and 1S52. gives much information on (he Lake of (he 
 Woods region, as more fully mentioned in mother jiart of this rejjort. 
 
 Jfr. Jsliistfi; in the Journal of the (ieological Society for 1855, gives 
 a concise account of the general geology of the north western regions of 
 America, as (hen known, and ji geological map chiefly based t>n (ha( of 
 Jilchardson. 
 
 Fruf. 11. v. Ulnd. in bis vai-ious repi)r(s of the " Assinoboine and 
 Saskalchewan I'^xjiloi'ing Kxjtedilion," organized by the Canadian (iovern- 
 men( in 18r)7-58, furnishes nuudi infoi'malion, both as lo the geology and 
 ei-al cbai-acter of tin. country (riiversed. 
 
 J)r. Jlir/or. geologist (o (be exploring expedition still out by (be 
 imperial (loverninen( under Cap(, Palliser, traversed an immense extent 
 of country during the years 1857-58-5!). To him the tiist really Iriist- 
 rlby general geological map of the interior |»ortion of B. N. America 
 
 iivn 
 
 wo 
 
 is due; and he has besides iiccumulated and ]uib|ishetl a great ma.ss 
 
 oL 
 
(■iF.NKn.\r, (iITF.r.NK (IK TIIK (IKoi.OdV 
 
 21 
 
 ifooloii'ical ()l)M'rviiti()iis, tlio si<,Miiticiiii(.'<' ofiiiiiiiy of wliicli ji](|ic!ii's iis tlif 
 (•(iiiiid-y !•< iiioi'c tlior<nii>'lily cxjiloi-cd. His rv\Hivt is iiiil-lisluMl. to^ctlu'i- 
 with tho (»(Iu'r n-siiils of the cxpt'ililiDii. \,y tin. i',riiish (iovi'niin(3iit, ;is :i 
 Hhu" ]}()(»U, hoai'iii^' (hitc lS(i;5. .He; has also conirihiiicd a iiaju'r to ilie 
 (loologii-a! Sooit'ty's Joiinial on tho siilijoct. (Vol. xvii.) 
 
 JJr. 1). D. Oirai, ill liis '• (iooloj-y ol' Wisconsin, lowuan.l A[iiiiioso|:i" 
 (1852), toiu'ht's inci(K"iitally on the Sihwian liiiu'stoncs of |{»m1 Jfivor. 
 
 Pi'if. Kriitim/, in 1S2;{. mado sonu* ciirsoi-y ohsrrvatioiis on the san»o 
 liii.cstonc's, and on (lio rocivs of Lako of (he Woods. 
 
 I'rof. F. B. Med;, in a jiapci- cntiflod "Sketch of the (ieoloyv and 
 Paheontoh>.i.y of the VaUey of thi- .Mackenzie JJiver." piililished in the 
 first vohiine of the transactions of the {"liica,u-o Aca(U'niy of Sciences 
 (1H(;8), doscrihesa ni'.nihor (»l' dossils coIUrtcd hy Mr. Keiinicott. and lo- 
 viows the g-oolo<.-y of the region. 
 
 Prof. Heer, in Iiis woik, ''Flora FossiU^ Arrtiru," u-ivcs tliree plates, 
 and (K'scrijitioiiH, of fossil plants from the Mackenzie IJiver. 
 
 Mr. Selwiju. ilirector of the (ieolo^Heal Survey of Canada, in the 
 Report of l»ro,i;'ress, for KST3-74, ,i;-ives the results of a preliiniiiar\ 
 examination of the \orth Saskatchewan re.n-ion. Prof. lir/l, in the same 
 volume, reports on tlie eoiinlry in the vieinity of the South Saskatche- 
 wan and {^ii' A])peile Rivers. 
 
f'i ,i 
 
 I. ,( 
 
 n i 
 
 I'..' 
 
 li'l J^! 
 
 h H 
 
 i\ 
 
 OlIArTER II. 
 
 (iEOLO(JY OF THE LAKE OF THE WOODS. 
 
 HUUONIAN. 
 
 LAUKKN'lIAN AND 
 
 I'dsrnoN AM> (iKonnAi'iiv OK THK TiAKi- -Clear- water Lake— iSaiul-hill Lake - 
 Wliite-liali Lake — Jjae I'lat — Fokmk.k (iKOi.ooioAi, Exvloreus— Lai'kkntian 
 Imikmation- N'iciiiity (if the Nortli-\V est Angle Flag Island to J{ainy River 
 - MigHliy Isliinil- Mi-Idle Island- -North Talaiid -Shehashca- Ahka ok Mt'CH- 
 
 AI.TKUKl) Dl'lUINIAN. — InTRUSIVK (iRANITIU MasS OK NuRTU-WkST AnOLK 
 
 --Its form- Northern branch- Southern branch -lucluiled area of altered 
 rocks— -Hdronian K()rK.s- Anui.k Inmcp to Ka-ka-kk-wabkc — Quartzite — 
 Congloniurate belt — Scliistose rocks — Second tlonglonierate belt Second 
 Schistose belt— KA-KA-KK-wAHKr (Jhanitk — Huronian Hocks Ka-ka-ke 
 w. BEC TO Kat I'outaok— Schistose belt — Conglomerate of Lacroase Island — 
 111* tensive Schistose belt with some conglomerates — Ji'nctkjn ok the Lau- 
 
 RF.iTIAN AND HlKONIAN AT RAT PoRTAtlK— (rENKUAI. DISTRIBUTION AND 
 
 AnTTt'DKs t)F TiiK JiocKS — jV^oiu directions of flexure — Comparison with 
 other localities - Chara<ter a i- Aok of thk so-(Ali,i:i) IIuhonian IUkks 
 Nature of the conglomerates — Metamorijliism — Dykes and veins — Minerals 
 
 OK ECONOMIC VALUE. 
 
 li i I: 
 
 m 
 
 :!l 111 
 
 'i I, 
 
 1r 
 
 Position and Geography of the Lake of the Woods. 
 
 37. The Lakoof tho Woodw in over Hcventy milos in extreme length, 
 and from its excoodingly irregular t'orni has a very extended coaHt line. It 
 belongs to that system of inland waters vphioh includes tho Great Lakes to 
 the east, and is continued in the north and west by Lakes Winnipeg, Atha- 
 basca, Great Slave and Great Bear Lakes ; all of vvhich lie along the 
 southern and western margin of the great metamoi'phic nucleus of tlio 
 continent, where its crystalline rocks sink below those of Silurian and 
 Devonian age. This lake, in its gcograjihical and geological relations, 
 thus (lifters from those which cover so great a part of the surface of tho 
 crystalline metamorphic aeries itself, and which appear to occupy shallow 
 rock basins in it. 
 
 oS. The water suppl}' of the lake is derived chiefly from the north- 
 ward and eastward by the Rainy Eiver, a magnificent stream, draining the 
 western slope of the watershed which divides the water' flowing to 
 the lyako of the Woods, from those falling eastward into Lake Superior. 
 The tributary streams from the country lying west of the lake, though 
 comparatively numerous, are unimportn.nt; as the low ridge which separates 
 these from those passing westward into the Eed River, lies very near 
 
LAKl or THK WOODS. 
 
 23 
 
 t 
 
 the lake. Tlio lake diHcliargCH itn waters l»v Uw Wiimipo^ Rivor at Rat 
 Portage, ami thoro bcgiiis tlio (ioscont of aliout tliroo huiidjod foot to 
 Winnipeg Jjuko, l»y a Hue cascatlo and rapid. 
 
 ;{!>. The northern jmrtof the lake is studded with innumerable islundH, 
 
 •ked 
 
 !ral 
 
 comparatively few of whicli are marked on any map. ."Some are Hover 
 miles in lengtl), others of very small size, hut they are invariuhly comjjosed 
 of solid roel<, and seldom have more than a very scanty covering of soil. 
 The shores of this part of tlie lake are also rocky and Itold, and tlie water 
 clear and deep, giving rise to its common name of Clear-water Lake. It 
 communicHiCs by several narrow passages through a maze of islands, 
 with the southern portion, which is totally tlitferent in character. Hero, 
 islands arc comparatively rare, and tho lake torms a bi-oad sea-like ex- 
 panse, which is easily thrown into violent agitation by the winds, 
 rondei'ing canoe navigation somewhat ])recarious. The shores are for 
 the most }>art low anti swampy, in some places covez'od with a dense 
 growth of tamarac, but often bordered b}' low sand-hills, and stretchingoiit 
 behind thorn in groat reedy Mmhe(js.^^ The water is comparatively shallow 
 and somewhat turbid. To this part of tho lake tho name Lake of the 
 Woods is generally applied, but it is moro properly called Lake of the 
 Sand-hills. A third great division of this system of watei-s lies between 
 the eastern bays of Clo'ir-water Lake and Lake of the Sand-hills. It 
 communicates with the former by narrow channels, and from the latter 
 is entered across a rocky division known as Turtle Portage. This part 
 of the lake is designated Whitc-Jish Lake, and has never, so far as I can 
 learn, been jiroperly examined or surveyed. Lac Plat, situated to the 
 west of Clear-water Lake, may, though much smaller than the othei-s, bo 
 counted a fourth division. It is, I believe, entered in one jjlace without 
 unlosuling canoes, and also l)y several easy jyortages. It would appear 
 to be shallow, merging into swamp westward, and is the groat rice 
 ground of the Indians. The North-west Angle lidot, is a narrow arm 
 runiung westward from near tho junction of Sand-hill and Clear-water 
 Lakes, On it 'n situated tho eastern terminus of tho road from Winni- 
 peg, and VI connection with this there is a Government .station for 
 immigrants. Thoro is also a Post of the Hudson's Bay Company, several 
 traders' /;ouses, and usually a large camj of Indians. At Rainy River is 
 anottier (Tovernment post, known as Hungry Hall, and between this 
 j)lace and the North-west Anglo a steamer now plies regularly, forming 
 
 A Chippewa word geiiorally adopted to deaigtiatc the wide grassy swaiiiixi of this region. 
 
r 
 
 ; ( 
 
 
 iliil 
 
 iir 
 
 1 111; 
 
 
 5: 
 51 
 
 )'/'' 
 
 ' 
 
 24 
 
 n. N. A. nocXDAHV rOMMrSSTOX. 
 
 a link in tlio t!iroiio-li voiilo fVoni Lako Suporior to ^fanitolta. Tlio month 
 <il' liaiiiy IJivor is also, and lias Ixhmi from time imnuMnorial, a lUvoni-itc 
 fanijiini,' |)la('o <>t' llic natives. At K'at Poi'la<;c tlicro is a .small Jludson's 
 Bay I'ost, sM-roandt'd ly a slixdvade, ami tnKling with Indians hunting 
 over a gi'eat area oreoiintiy. 
 
 Fonmr Ge.ijlo(jic(d K.rplorcrs. 
 
 40. The i>-eoloy;v of the Lake of the Woods was tii-st diseussed hvDr. 
 J. J. liii^shy, ill a paper which appeared in the seventh volume of the 
 .loiirnal of (he Geolo^^ieal Society (ISiJli), and gave the results of an exam- 
 ination made, 1 helieve. in 1823, during a visit to the lake in his capacity 
 as Medical Uilicer to the JJoandaiy^Commission Survey of that date. This 
 ])apor gives a remarkably clear general account of the geology of the I'o- 
 gion, and J must express m}' ohligatiou to it for several facts incorporated 
 in the general maj) appended to this rcjiort. Prof. Keating, associated with 
 Maj(U' Long, in a United States Government exjiedition to the sources of 
 tlio St. Peter Kiver and neighbouring countiy, passed tln-ough the Lake 
 of the Woods by the Canoe Route in 1S2;>, and gives a ihw notes on the 
 lithological character of the rocks observed. Prof, llind mentions some 
 facts bearing on the geology, in his Re])orts (1857 and 1S58). Pj-of. IJell, 
 of the Canadian (ieological Survey, in his IJejiort for 1872, gives a short 
 account of the i-ocks seen dui'ing a canoe voyage from Eat Portage 
 to North-west Angle, and some conclusions on the general geology.* 
 
 Detail of Obsercations on Gcohgij. — Lmirentian. f 
 
 4L On a])])roacliing the Lake of the Woods from the west, by the I'oad 
 from Winnipeg, the tirst I'ock in ])lace is seen about three miles east of 
 Birch Creek (Jovernnieiit Station, and consists of Laurentian granitoid 
 gneiss. About eleven miles east of the same jilace, and on the eastern 
 margin of the ('aribon Muskeg, a large suriiiceofa similar rock is exposed, 
 and is seen to be traversed by veins of red felspar. A mile further east, 
 another good sei'ies of exposures occurs, the rock being a greyish gneiss, 
 the lamination of which lias a strike of N. (50° K. Jt is intersected l)y 
 numy veins of red felspar running in all tlii-ections. About ti)urteen miles 
 
 • To Mr. A. I.. Kussiill 1 am iiidulitud fur much iiifdiumtiou cimoeriiiiijf tho [lart of Uie lake which I 
 was uiialiie iiursonallv In visit ; also tm- an o|i|Kiituiiity nf uxaiiiiiiiiiff siiecimuiis cnllt'Otal liy him in l^ac 
 I'lat, anil assistanio in hi'in^i'iii;,' the map uji to date by the aiUlitinn nf the results nf recent surveys. 
 
 t 'I'he hcariip^x nivon lhriin^'hi>nt tliis diapter arc mattnetic. The variation at the NortliAVe'st An{;le 
 l)eiMtf 11^ IT' Ka-t, aicnnlint; to observations by Capt. Anilei-son, lUO., in 0<>tober, 1M2. 
 
 ill 
 
T.AKK OK TIIK Wiiops. — T.AIRKNTI AX. 
 
 2^ 
 
 !jis( of BiiH'li Civi 
 
 ii well stratifiod ami tliiiilv licdiU'd ynoiss r 
 
 l)Cl< IS 
 
 i 
 
 'xliiliitnl. liaviiii;' in soiiu' layers a ui'i'cii colour tVoiii iionil)lfii(k'()r i'|iitl<)U', 
 
 It 
 
 s sli'ikf is 
 
 N. .-jo^ !•; 
 
 Ol 
 
 icr ('\|)osiir('s ot'similai" rocUr- 
 
 with a lii'iK'ral 
 
 at'conlaiu'e of strike, were seen ln'twceii tiii' last inciilioiicd jjlace ami tin' 
 North-west Alible. 
 
 1'2. Near the iiiiper ])art of the Xortli-west Aiiit'le Inlet, roeU ex|)()siires 
 are extremely rare ; htil this re;;'ioii is also appaieiitiy underlaid hy Laiireii- 
 tiaii. A few Imndred yar<ls northward from the IJelerenee M on anient, and 
 in the midst of a dense wood, a low rounded mass of darU yneissie rock 
 I'ises aiiove the general level. It holds apparently hoth lioi-nhlende and 
 mica, which are arrani;-ed in thin and rei;-ular lannnae, and is iieai-ly 
 vertical with a strike of X. TIP K. On the opposite side of the inlet, in 
 the enti-ance to a reedy creek, a tew yards of a compact ;;'reyishd)lack 
 micaceous rock appears neai-ly at the water level, Its attitude is not 
 eieai', l)Ul it is travei'sod hy two (puirtz-felspar veins, eacli ahout eii!;hteen 
 ineiu's wide, with a course of S. 7;")° H. 
 
 4:5. 'I'he rocks in the vicinity of the Xorth-west Anii;le iidet iii'v thi'own 
 into some confusion liy the presence of ayroat ifranitieand syenitic intrusive 
 mass, mo!'e fully noticed on a suhsoqueiit ]taL!;e. South of this intrusive 
 mass on the west shore of the lake, the first rock clearly Laurentian, 
 occurs ahout five miles southward from the entrance of the Inlet, and ahout 
 a mile iroin the southern end of the y'raiutic ])eninsula, known as Flaa; 
 Islanil. The rock miyiit here undouhtedly he called a i^rainte, and in some 
 ])artsis(piitc coarsely crystalline, with lar<>-o and prominent Iclspar crystals. 
 The whole, however, shows a ti)liated structure, and other remains of 
 stratitication ))arallel to tiie direction of this, are to he seen in places. The 
 general line of strike thus indicated, is nearly east and west, turnini;- 
 sometimes a little north of east. 
 
 44. This rock is traversed hy dykes and veins in many placi-s, and 
 one instance of curiously eom])lieated intersection of tliese was oh.served. 
 Tiio oldest hitrnsion is a vein of red fels])ar, but a few inches thick, and run- 
 ning;- ahout noi'th-east. This is divided hy a dyke three or four ieet wide, of 
 ii;rconish diorite, which includes fra,ii;ments of the nnieli-altered liiu-issic 
 rocks, and <i;ives off some diver^'iny; hranelios. A thin si'am of veiy dark 
 hornhlendie diorite of still later a,i;e, cuts across hoth these, and is in turti 
 intersected by an ii-retjidar vein of red u'l-anite. Ijastly, a movement 
 ].i;rallcl'to the dii-ection of the lar,ii;est diorite dyke, and subsequent to all 
 the others, is indicated hy a crack-mark, along which the granite vein has 
 been slipped. (Plate 1.) 
 
ii 
 
 r 
 
 l:i 
 
 i 
 
 ! 
 
 I . 
 
 26 
 
 1). N. A. BOUNDAUV COMMrSSION. 
 
 45. The i^noiss aliovo doMci-ibocI, extonds nlonj^ tlio shore soiithwanl for 
 about a mile and a half, ami then isiidcs below the level of the water, and 
 for about fifty miles, following the eoast-liiie, — whieh treads westward and 
 forms twodeej) bays, — no rook is seen in ])laee; the shore eonsistintiof sand 
 and wide-stretehin^' <;-rassy swani])s. The roeU next a|)|)ears Ibi-ining 
 tlio north-eastern j)oinl of the southern promontory of the lake, whieh is 
 about ei^'hteen miles due south of the last mentioned exposure. It is vovy 
 possibly a much altered gneiss, but assumes the appearance of a tinc- 
 pji'ained g'ranite, very com])aot, and ])inkish-p'ey in colour. It is mueh 
 Itroken nj) by intrusive diorite dykes of larue size, which have a j>:eneral 
 direction of from N. 'HP H. to X. 40° K. These ai-e vejy comj>act, tlark- 
 green, with ifro_i>;uhir grains of iron ])yntos; and show la I'ge isolated gi'een- 
 ish-white blotches which give the rock a roughly ])orphyritic aspect, 
 and are composed of felsjtar crystals, which liave undergone fractui'e in 
 several directions since their formation. A small rocky islet, about a 
 mile aiul a half north-east from the point, is composed of a similar 
 material; it was covered, when visited, with nests full of young cormor- 
 ants (Graculus dilophus). Both these diorites essentially resemble that 
 ccmiposing an island near the tirst exposure of LaiU'ontian rocks south 
 of the Angle Inlet. 
 
 46. Four miles eastward, the north-eastern point of tlie southern pro- 
 montory is Ibund to consist of rock in place, which extends tor more than 
 a mile along the shore. It consists of thinly stratitied gneiss and horn- 
 blende schist, much broken u]i by small taults, and twisted, but showing 
 a general dip of Irom N. 50^ E. to N. 70° K, at angles of 50° and 
 ujjward. 
 
 47. From tliis point to the vicinity of Uainy Hiver no rock ajjpears. 
 Near the mouth of the I'iver, limestone has been i-eportetl to exist, but I 
 did not tind this rock except as scattered bouklers, in which form it is 
 common along tlie whole southern border of the lake. 
 
 48. A few miles north of Kainy IJiver, the Laurentian i-ocks again rise 
 above the level of the drift, as hornblende schists, associated with thin- 
 bedded gneiss. AVhere tirst met with, their strike is N. 85° W., and the 
 dip southward at a high angle. At two jioints a little fui'ther north, the 
 Btrikes were fi)und to be N. 73° W. and N. 78° W. respectively. The 
 hornblende schists are generally composed of black hornblende and white 
 felspai', and are tine grained and thitdy bedded. In some places, however, 
 the hornblende clianges to a rather light green. The rocks are traversed by 
 numerous sinuous red felspar veins, and in minor cracks show streaks of 
 
 ni 
 
 i 
 "-%. 
 
 ■M. 
 
I'.. N. A. rSdlNHAIM ( n,MMISS|(i,V 
 
 Pt.ATK I. 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 I.VT|-,IISK<TIIIN (II- llVKK.- 
 
 -I.AKI-: (IK Tin: W (1(11, : 
 
 II. 
 
 l'":lrC' (). •!>;. 
 
W I 
 
 ii ! 
 
 Ill ^i! 
 
 ,: 
 
LAKE OF THR Wonps. — I.Al'RENTrAN. 
 
 27 
 
 epidoto. A small ishiiid ort' Windy Vo\n\ is of gneiss, with a strike of 
 N". 51° W. and a hii,'li dip to the south. 
 
 4!l. Making a tniverse of three miles to liigshy Island — which lies to 
 the north, and is the most southei-n island of the chain whit'h 
 stretches aei'oss the eastern hay of Sand-hill Lake — the I'oek is found to 
 be a granitoid gneiss with a strike of N. 10° W. It prohahly belongs to 
 a stratum considerably underlying the last described iieds, on the nwiin- 
 land. The south-eastern point of tlie island shows grey and hornblendic 
 gneiss striking N. 50° W. The eastern point is formed of grey granitoid 
 gneiss, only showing in a tew places sutticient traces of stratitication 
 to allow the strike — which is N. 05° \V. — to be obsi^rved. In several 
 places in this vicinity there are lai-ge irregular segregation veins com- 
 posed of red orthodase f'els])ar and white (juartz. The lelspai- crystals, 
 have as usual, foi-med first, and theii- crystallization is very bold ; one 
 of them beautifully cut and polished in section by glacial action, measuring 
 Boventeen inches in length. The quartz has tilled irivgular pockets 
 remaining among the felspar crystals. Two miles noi-th, and still on the 
 eume island, a ])oint was observed where granitoiil gneiss of the usual 
 type, reddish-grey in colour, and also holding veins of fels])ar, was cut by 
 a large dyke of very compact dark-green diorite. The northern ])ortion 
 of this island is entirely composed of grey gi-anitoid gneiss, in .some places 
 scarcely distinguishable i'vom granite, and of which the strike and dij) is 
 indeterminate. At the extreme northern point, it forms low gently 
 rounded knolls which rise slightly above the surface of the drift. 
 
 50. Middle Island, opposite the north end of Bigsby Island and for 
 about two miles uorthw^ard, is composed of thinly bedded and often 
 ribbon-like gneiss and mica schist, with some greenish layers like those 
 intercalated in the strata last described on the mainland. The attitudes 
 at three points, beginning at that furthest south, were found to be res])ec- 
 tivoly: dip N. 53° E. < 68°— S. 60° W. < 35°— 8. 05° W. < 38°— 
 indicating a well marked synclinal fold. The beds where they dip 
 north-eastward on the south side of this synclinal, are probablj- the 
 return of those last seen on the mainland, and must overlie the granitoid 
 gneiss of Bigsby Islanil. It can hardly be supposed, however, that the 
 plienomenon is a simple anticlinal in which all the beds from Windy 
 Point to this locality are included, as the distance is at least eight miles, 
 and the angles of inclination high. It is more probable that a series of 
 sharp flexures having an approximate east and west direction, ai*e super- 
 imposed on a long gentle swell of the st'-sta parallel to them, and 
 
28 
 
 11. X. A. IIKI \1>AKV ('(iMMtHsroN. 
 
 1 
 
 ill 
 
 
 • U 
 
 
 II 
 
 ■ is 
 
 tlio lii^IuM" ]i!ii't (if wliicli liiiN lici'ii entirely rciiiovod hy <l«>iiinlali()n. 
 Xnrtli of till' lii^l inoiitidiii'il locality, i^wy liTUiiiloid gneiss uijnin coii- 
 slitiitfs tilt' >lioi(', iiMil is trnvt'i'si'd a>i ii-iiial liy iniiiiy lMs|iar vi-iiis, s(»ii\o 
 oC thciii 1)1' lari;'i' size and liavinii' an a|)iii'i>\iniati> cast and wi'st course, 
 
 ami uiiderlio to tlic norll 
 
 N'orlliwai'd. aliiHil two nulcs tVoni tlie 
 
 iioi'thei'ii point of till! island. Iiornldcndc schist appears witli a dip o|' 
 S 3!t^ W. < r>5'^. Tliis is inunedialely succeeded liy n-i'anile, bidnu; u 
 jioi'tion 1)1' the ;4;real inti'usive mass of Noi'lli Island, and lornn'nu,' also tlio 
 noi'thoi'n part oltliis islaml willi llie exception of aliout lialt a mile aloni; 
 tiiJ noi'tli-oastocii slioi'e ; wliere the easlci'n end of a small autielinal of 
 jri'oy i^neiss overlaps the edi;i' of the intrusive I'ock, The i>;rioisH, hosides 
 rod lelspar veins, is intersected l>y several of dtirli ^•rl'en diorite haviiifi; 
 an east and west eoiirse. The ii;ranile in the noi'thcrn part of the island 
 assorts itself by ij;ivin,u; the country a mucli higher and holder appearanco, 
 and is evidently intrusive, as it. holds dutai'hed fragments of clearly 
 stratified j^neiss near its jiinc' ion with thiit rock. It is homoi;'eneous. of 
 red and ^'reyish-red tints and tine yraiii ; and is traver.>cd hy oeoasional 
 felspar veins, some of which were founil to have a coui'se of X. IJO"' W. 
 
 51. Opposite the northend of Middle Island, North Island is composed 
 of grey gneiss, dip N. iil^ \V. < i{0°, and prohahly connected with 
 that just noticed. This is immediately followed to the north by pink fine- 
 grained granite, enelosing large unaltered masses of the gneiss. Tho 
 remaimler of the island is foi-ined of similar granite rock ofgi'ey, greyish- 
 I'ed. and red tints, and very eoinpaet. 
 
 52. The JuiK'tion of this great mass of intrusive granite with the rocks 
 to tho northward, is concealed below the waters of the strait which 
 •separates Xorth Island irom the mainlaind, and which is from throe 
 ([Uartors of a mile to a mik' in width. The rock where next seen is a 
 blackish hornblendic schist, dii»ping N. (iS^ W. < 4i>", or away from the 
 granite, and including rod telspai- veins more or less nearly conformable 
 Avitli the strike, which are pi'obably connected with tho ernptive mass. 
 
 5'.). The shore from this point I'uns north-westward for about oiglit 
 miles, and is deeply indented with bays of wvy irrciiular outline, and 
 fringed with high i'ock_\' islands. The rock, with the exception of two or 
 throe granitic masses of comparatively small si/e. is hoi-nblende schist and 
 gneiss, and with a few exce))tions, has i general soiilh-westei'ly dip, and 
 nearly coincides in its sti'ike with thei;eneral lino of tho coast. In a deep 
 bay, a short distance west of the last mentioned locality, and separated 
 from it by a boss of rod gi'aniti' holding gneissic fragments; black and 
 
 I 
 
 
I,\I<K n|' TIIK \ViMit)s, I.AIIIKNTIAN. 
 
 20 
 
 le rooks 
 
 wliicli 
 
 tliivo 
 
 L'li is il 
 
 nil tlio 
 
 ii'inalilo 
 
 iiass. 
 
 K', anil 
 two or 
 isl aiul 
 i|). and 
 a (loop 
 )arato(l 
 k and 
 
 H'ri'cni^li liornlilondo s(lii>( recurs, Il diii-> north ;it an aniilr ot .").")', and 
 a t't'W Imndrcd yards Inrllici' nortliward ln'cnnic vrrlical. Near llic lioiloin 
 of the lia\- I lie I'ock is still lioi'nMcndf schist, vertical, and n'recni^h in colour. 
 with an approximate sIriUeol' \,, "),"»' W. : siiow in^a i;'rt'at Ihiclxnessoi'tlu.so 
 horidiiendic rocks, A nulo and a half westward in the line <>f strike th.) 
 same .sohist appi-ars, with a nearly oast and west strike, an<l is imnu'diatoiy 
 siiecooiK'd to the south liy intrusive n'ranilo. possilijy an extiMision of thu 
 last mass. This is t()llowiMl hy ^^roy n'neiss. strike, N. S;{'^ K. K'ather ovt-r 
 a nulo north-west of this tlio provailini;' rm-k is a:i:ain a honddendic seidsl, 
 which appears to lie partly micaceous in places, iind has adipS. !S° \V. ■. ; 
 olt*^. This rock, in followin;;' the shore, is iinine(liatoly succi'idoil by well- 
 marked ,u;noiss, whi(di appeals to In- stratiu,'rapiiically inferior t > any rock 
 soon since leaving' North Island. It oonstitiites the shore and islands for at 
 least two nules. Its colour is usually i^rt'.y. and in one locality it showed 
 a direction of strike N. 15'^ \V.,andadip at lii^'li angles to the southward. 
 in some jilaees it is n'raniloid, and so massive as to i^ive no woll-ili-tine(l 
 direction of strike or dip. Near the point where this compact i;neiss 
 disappears, the shore I .n'ins to trend ra[)idly to the north. swee[)in^' roinid 
 the end of the promontory dividing; Sand-hill and Clear-water Lakes. 
 This clian;';e is closely ibilowcd hy the strata, whioh show a simultanoijus 
 tendency to altt-r thoir strike toward the same direction. The rook a^aiii 
 ohaiiii'os to a liornhlondio sidiist. with a diji of S. 4t)^ W, < (Id. This rook 
 is |)rolialily the representative of the thick st'rii's of hornlilenilic .schists 
 mentioned as occurrini;' in the first hay west of North Isl;nid. It hocomos 
 niioaooDUs westward, and incdudcs some gneiss hands; and coiistitntes the 
 shore toi' ahoiil two miles, haviui;- in two places where ohservali(»ns wore 
 made, dip S. (J(P \V. s oO^, and S, 4.')° W, (iO. 
 
 54. Wostwai'd from this place, the I'ocks assume a (piite ditVoi't'nt a]>- 
 pearanco. and holonii', as I heliove, to an hvva of mnidi-altcred Ilin-oinan 
 whioh lies to the south of tlio ,<;-reat Xortli-west An,i;lo inti'usive mass. The 
 actual Junction lielween the two formations at this ])oint is conoealed hy 
 water, hut tliey show a ri'markahle appearance of conformity, the next 
 I'ook si'on. hoin.t!; a sott n-roenish slate, with a dip of S. (id'' W. < 45°. It 
 is worthy of notice (hat similar ap]iaren(ly cont()rmalile junctions of liaui"- 
 ontian and so-oalled lluronian rocl^s have heen noticed hy I'l'of. Hell, as 
 ooonrriny,' on the Albany llivor at .Martin's Falls, and also in the nois^hhoiir- 
 hood of White River. =>= 
 
 Ue|")rl cif l'ro;iTL'»s Ounli'jjicul Survc.v of (.'umula, l^Tl-Ti. p. 110, iiinl Is70-71, i'. :il5 
 
k 
 
 liii I 
 
 'i 
 
 iii!, 
 
 .!i 
 
 80 
 
 GKiJl.oaiCAL HL'RVEV OF CANADA. 
 
 Area of Mwh-altcrvd lluronian Racks h/mj South of the Intrusive Gramuc 
 Jliiss of the North-irtst An<jle. 
 
 h^^. Tliisdotiiclu'd mvii of Iliironiiin is conijiarntivoly Hmall ; itn great- 
 est fliiimi'tci', which iioH iit'iifly «'ast and wost, may ho stutod nsnhoiit (>i,tjht 
 milcH, and its width nt ahoiit ^uwv. So far as could he awortainod hv an 
 oxarnination ol" liic ishiiids whicli till this narrow part of thi» hdvo. tlio 
 nortiicrn and western cd^res of the area arc lioundeil hy intrusive^ i-ock, 
 and the eastern passes in tlie niannor already dcscribodinto tiie Ijamvntian; 
 but, as tiio soutliern odi^e is only dofinod l)y tho niurgin of the bolt of 
 islands, and tho falling away of the rock surface Ijelow tho waterH of tlio 
 laUo, it may possibly extend much fiu-ther in this direction, Indeoil, con- 
 sitlering tho close manner in which the form of tiio lake uccouimodates 
 itself to the areas occiH)ied by the softer ro(di formations, it is not improbablo 
 that much of the southern part of its basin may have been excavated in 
 JIuronian rocks softer than those now treated of, which Imvo assumed an 
 altered character from their ]»roximity to tho granitic mass. 
 
 66. Tho rock tirst tbund on leaving those of the Laurontiaii sorios, and 
 belonging to tho eastern end of tho area now in (piostion, is a dull-green 
 soft hornblon<lic slate, separating into rather thin laminie, otten brownish 
 in colour along tho division planes, and where weathered. It includes, in 
 Home places, more or loss lenticular mas.ses of grey rock resembling 
 gnoisH in appearance, which may have been intruded ])arallel to tho 
 Hlratitication |)lanes, but is more i)robably bedded, and tbrmed of material 
 dilTorently attected by metamorphism. A short distance west of this, the 
 ro(!k8 assume a vertical attitude, with a strike of about N. 80° E. 
 (^uartsiites of greyish colours i)reponderate, antl are associated with a rock 
 resembling diorite, but which may possibly be a much altered sedi- 
 ment. The ([uartzite shows many joints running in all directions, and in 
 some places is so cut up by thorn as to render it ditficult to break oif a 
 clcan-taced specimen. Tho joints are soUiOtimes slickonsided and gener- 
 ally rusty. West of this, at about six miles east of tho northern end of 
 Flag Island, tho strata dip X. 27° E., < 70^, tho rock being a soft, very 
 linely laminated micaceous schist of a grey colour; the mica in which is 
 black. It is intersected in one place by a well dotined dyke of diorite, 
 not of great width, but with a tixod direction of S. 40° E. For about 
 a mile south-west of this, the rock, whore seen, is a thinly bedded 
 grey gneiss, imperfectly crystallized. It was found to have at throe 
 points whore observations wore taken, tho following attitudes : — N. 8° 
 
 '^4 
 
I.AKK i>K TIIK WiMiliM. — IIIHiiNIAV. 
 
 81 
 
 ' Cframcic 
 
 ; itrt pi'pnt- 
 iIxMit ciifht 
 i 110(1 l)y ni\ 
 i lake, tlio 
 isivo rock, 
 mirontian; 
 ho holt of 
 ei'H (»)■ tlio 
 kIooiI, coh- 
 iiiinio(lat()8 
 m|)fi)liiiI»lo 
 .'iivuted ill 
 ■<,suiiio(l an 
 
 •series, and 
 
 (iiill-i^reon 
 
 brown iish 
 
 icludcs, in 
 
 'soinhling 
 
 to tho 
 
 material 
 
 tbi.s, the 
 
 80° E. 
 
 th a rock 
 
 ccl sedi- 
 
 is, and in 
 
 ak oif a 
 
 id ^onor- 
 
 n end of 
 
 )ft, very 
 
 which is 
 
 diorite, 
 
 or about 
 
 bedded 
 
 at three 
 
 N. 8° 
 
 W. .- (]()''— X. l.r \V. < 45°. and N. .'. K. < r»H°. It \\,\m-* with 
 llio nx'ks >till I'lii'tlitT wcnI, a »opios with a nearly oawl and wost nfriko, 
 and nnrthorly <li|t, toward tlio intrii>ivo niasH. 
 
 57. South of tho la^t iiioutionod looality, on iho soiithorn sido of tho 
 bolt of islands, tho riKd<, whiedi niusl ooiisidorably iindorlio tlii)>o jiiHt 
 spokon of, is a hardonod ohioritio slalo ol dark-ifroon cojoiir, inoiiidin!;- thin 
 bolts of i^iioiss-liko nialoi'ial. which alt honyh |iai'allol lo ilu- strike, maybe 
 iiitnisivo. Thoso rotdvs havt^ a di|t X. I'J' Iv ' <!<>'', nnd fonnhii;h 
 bold islands. Thoy ai'o very probidiiy the ri'tnrn on the southorn side of 
 n H\'tiolinal of those llnroniaii bods of similar a|)|toaranoo, which wore tirst 
 described, and whicdi, about four miles to the north-(»ast were tbund 
 dippiiii^ soiith-wostward otf the thinks of the J;aiireiitian. 
 
 5H. Three and a half miles east of the north end of Flag Island, rocks, 
 ovc^rlying the last, consist of dark micaceous schiMts, di|i N. KC \V. < 
 45°. In tho islands to the west, the s(diist in rcplai-ed by hard dark- 
 green altered rool<-<, which probabl}' hold a somewhat higher place in tho 
 series. Tho islands to the north, are composed of light-coloinod granitic 
 rocks, the lino of junction 1^ -0011 wlii(di and the green rocks, is every- 
 where covered by water. These green rocks generally yield only an 
 approximate dij) or direction, '»ut were ti)Uiid to give in tw(j [ilacos N. 12° 
 W. < 45°, and N. 5' W. < (W. Near the western extremity of the 
 lluroniaii area, they compose a largo island lying inimodiately east of 
 Flag Island; and on cro>sing a passage three (piarters of a mile wide to 
 the latter, the rock changes to compact pinkish intriisivi- granite (J5<i'4). 
 A little tongue of much allercMl and contorted green rock, occupies the 
 eastern shore of Flag Island tor a few huiulreil yards, and seems to bo tho 
 outlying end of a minor syiudinal fold, the greater part of which has lieen 
 ivmovod by denudation. A similar outlyer of the same rock rises above 
 the lake as a small water-washed islet, in the southern part of the bay 
 south of Flag Island, and may extend westward under the h)W shoro of 
 the bay. 
 
 50. The general (diaractor of the rock.s of this area of much-altered 
 Iluronian, is (piite ditferent from that of the ty])i.al Laurontian of other 
 parts of the lake. They are softer, and more schistose and slaty, and give 
 a ditl'erent appearance to the country, and a more i-aggod and broken 
 character to the shore. Dark green shades are prevalent, the most prom- 
 inent mineral constituent of nmny of these altered rocks being green 
 hornblende, generally crypto-ci-y,stalline, and often occurring with scarcely 
 11 trace of felspar. From the evidence of other rocks surroundin;: tho 
 
;l I 
 
 I ,1 
 
 \'[ 
 
 i . 
 
 •>•) 
 
 Jl. N. A. Ilol NliAHV CU.MMlSSlo.V. 
 
 LCi'jiiiitic itiilliiii'st, llu'si- must have siifVcrcd intense iiH>tiiiii()i'|iliisiii. and 
 liad tliis lici'ii su|H<riin|»()scil on dial wliicli is sccii to otU'ct tin.- liaiiiviitian 
 roi'ks ill ii't'iuTal. tlicy would lijivo assniiUMl a very ditViTciit aspect IVoni 
 that tlu'V now liavc. They ditU'r, howcvrr. t'roin tlic altcrcil llnronian on 
 tlu' norlli si(k' of the ii'ranitc. in the ahscncc. so tiir as oIisci'VimI, of I'oc-ks 
 idoarly ivi)ros*'nliim; allci'cd coiii^'lonu'i'att's, so foninion thi-ro. 
 
 Intruslcc (Imnitic Muti^ of the ^\orth-ir('t<t AikjIc and I'iciitifj/. 
 
 (!U. Tills intrusion may Ik' considcivd as rou!j,'hiy scjiaratiiiythi- Iluron- 
 iaii series of the northern jiart of the lake, from the Ijaureiitian of the south ; 
 Imt I'Uts otf tiie aiva of miu'h altered Iluronian rocks, just descrihed. trom 
 the rest, its i;-em'ral torni. so tiir as I have heei iMe to di'tine it. is that 
 of the letter Y- '''^' hifurcation tak-iiii;- place westward, and the northern 
 iiranch passiiiii; almost directly up the \ortii-west Annie Inlet, while the 
 southei'u cui'ves southward toward Flai;; Island. In the tork" of the Y i'" 
 area of s(>ilinientary rocks is cauii;lit up. which appears, like those ly inn' 
 to the south and iKU'tli. to hi' highly alleii'd Iluronian, hut may also 
 include some hedsol'the Laurt'ntian. 
 
 (tl. The multitude of larn'c and small islands separated hy narrow and 
 tortuous channels, wliich till the lalce opposite the Xorth-west Anyle 
 Inlet, are due to llie siipei'ioi' liardness of this mass, and its siin'oundiiii!; 
 siltorod rocks; and it very prolial)ly. as suyu'esteil hy i^r. Diushy, i-uns 
 eastward and constitutes the liacklione of the |,;';.montoi'y, which so con- 
 stricts this ]>art of the lake. Its most wes|(-i-ii visihle extension is seen at 
 McKay's Island, a rounded half-suhmerii,'t.'d hill, which stands holdly out 
 trom the low swampy nroand of the noi'thern shore of tlu' Inlet, some 
 seven miles east of the n'overnmcnl laiidiiiij,". and aiiout eiiihl mih-s from 
 the I.aurentian rock alivady descrihed as existinn at the Reforctieo 
 Monument not tar from that place. The i;'i'anite is moderately coarse, and 
 o'lvvish-rcd in colour. Ft has scalteivd throun'h it irrennlar masses of 
 greyish tiiie-i;"i"aine<l hornhlendic rock, which is softer and weathers away 
 into hollows, and |)rohidtly re|)resents iucludcfl t'ranments of suri'oundiui;' 
 strata. ^Fany senreii'ation veins of coarse-n'rained i-eddish lelspar with 
 quart/., occur, with a neni'ral coui'se nearly I'ast and west. They run 
 ver_\ strai^'ld in some places, hut do not exceed a fixit in width. Maslwai'd 
 from McKay's Island, on the north shore of the Inlet, si'veral points 
 show a u'vanite similar to that there represented, n'''^'.^' '" colour, and 
 often holiliiiii' sen'r*\H'alions ol ivd lelspar and (piartz. 
 
 ? ^ 
 
LAKK i>K THE WOODS — ■ TUrsiVK tiUANITK. 
 
 33 
 
 iliisiii. mikI 
 L.-iiii'cii'.ian 
 sjK'cl from 
 ui'oiii:iii on 
 '(I, i)i' rocks 
 
 inify. 
 
 llu' Illll'Oll- 
 
 I'tlu'soiitli ; 
 I'ilicd, from 
 (' it, is thill 
 K' iiortlu'i'ii 
 I. wliilc tlu! 
 
 •f till' Y "" 
 tliosc lyiiiijj 
 
 1 m;iy also 
 
 narrow and 
 
 \'st Auii'lo 
 
 irroiinding 
 
 in'shy, I'lins 
 
 icli so con- 
 
 |i is scon at 
 
 lioldly out 
 
 lidcl. some 
 
 lindt's from 
 
 Rcforcnco 
 
 I'oarsc. and 
 
 masses of 
 
 licrs away 
 
 Irroiindinii' 
 
 th 
 
 isiiar with 
 
 hc\' run 
 
 Ivtst 
 
 ward 
 
 irai 
 
 ])oints 
 lolonr. and 
 
 (i2. Biiclv'otc Island, on the south siiU'of the Inlet wiici'c it wi.lens to 
 the laUe, is also composed of i^'raniti', hejomiini;' to tlie same mass, hut 
 rod in colom". Here are also many seii,re^ated \eins and iuinches of 
 lelspar and ([iiartz. Several of the veins were tound to have a direction 
 of \. 4<t° K. Tlie fels|)ar is pale pinl<, llie (piarl/- scarcidy milky, and 
 there are occasional plates of white mica; the vi'ins thus showing,- all the 
 minerals of the matrix. The quartz penelrates ijie lel>par mu-h moi'o 
 than is usual in such agyrei^'utions. Two and a half mih's e;ist and a 
 little north, of Buekele Island, i;'ranile lielon<;inn' to the noi'lhern lunncli of 
 the mass is a^'ain seen, l)ut eonsiderahly ivduei-d in lueadih, and hounded 
 on each side liy highly altered lluronian. 
 
 (i;>. The Southern hrancli is seen fui'llu'st south, al>out a mile south- 
 west of Flay Island, in close conjunction with the li'nnvntian ii;neiss already 
 (leserihed, and is there reddish .ij;rey and com])acl. It continues in a 
 H'erei'al noi'th-eastwar 1 direction foi- aiioul three miles, formim;' in its course 
 nearly the entire mass of Flay Island, and then runs eastward li)r a 
 mile or two, and linally again takes a nortli-easl coinse and passes into 
 the main mass. The soulhei'n jiarl of ['"lay Island is com[)oscd of 
 yreenish-yi'ey and ])inkisli-yrey syeiiitic granite, of rather coarse grain 
 and somewhat peculiai" aspect. The felspar is grty jsh and pinkish, the 
 (piart/. nearly ti'ans])arent and colourless, and llie mica and hornhlende 
 
 hlaelv. 
 
 Tl 
 
 lis rock is travi'rst-d liy man\' veins and lenticular masses ol 
 
 eom])act, greeiiish-grty rock o 
 Jt is iirohahh' an inipertect 
 
 t' diorilic aspect, tine-grained and siliceous. 
 
 ^■rain'te, hut muidi resemhles the giieissie 
 masses already descrilied as occurring lielweeii the layers of greenish 
 much-altered lluronian rocks, (i;^ iili). Some of these veins run nearly 
 in straight linos, with a general course of north-east and south-west, 
 and though presenting much the ajipearance of stratilied hods which 
 hiid resisted the nietamori»hism converting the suirouniling rocks into 
 
 and coiilain hrokcii fr.-iuiiicnts 
 
 granite; ai'o evidently intrusixc dykes, 
 of the oontaiiiiiig rock. The granite h 
 
 ere also shows siiial 
 
 poo 
 
 k-et 
 
 s and veins of vitreous (]iiartz. 
 
 64. The northern [lart of Flag Island is composc<l 
 
 o| a con 
 
 in'OiiUlar 
 
 ip.'ict pink' 
 
 .granite. Ahout a mile north-wesl, a siniila 
 
 r re(| granite is again seen, and 
 
 Ixyond this the rock becomes syeiiitic, changing first to a \\\\ syenite, and 
 then to a grey rock, which might he called a syeiiitic diorito. 
 
 t)5. The main 
 
 lodv of tlie intrusive mass, wlu're crossed aiioiit eleven 
 
 miles oast of the Angle Station, has a hii'adth of ahoiil two and a half 
 miles. Its northoru edge, in this place is composed of a pinkish granite, 
 
 in 
 
 I 
 
!l 
 
 J. i 
 
 34 
 
 B. N. A. noUNDAKY COMMISSION. 
 
 veiy dolicient in quiirtz, and the nik-a of which in black and forms irregular 
 Be<^iVLcat;ons in ihc pyodominatinjf felspar. It in traverHcd by neverul 
 KyyiciiiH of ii'rcmilai- fcl.-pur, and quurtz-felhjjarvciris. Going houfhward it 
 chaiigcH to a Hyenitic granito, showinif perfect felspar crystals in a bawe of 
 black hornblende, the latter sometiniea .so miidi in excess, as to give the 
 rock a very dark colour, iloio also many masses of altered sedimentary 
 rocks are included. Still fiuMher south, red .syenite of a granitic appear- 
 ance (iccurs, and is traversed by fclsjtar and quartz-felspar veins. In one 
 place a grey diorite dyke running N. 30° E. was observed, which fi'om its 
 appearance and course may possibly belong to the same series as those 
 seen in the southern jiart of Flag Island. 
 
 fit). Along its southern e<lge, and wl\ere almost in contact with the 
 altered sedimentary rocks, the intrusive mass seems to assume a still more 
 basic character and darker colour; being represented by blackish diorite 
 of gneissic aspect, and grey syenitic diorite. In one place the sedimen- 
 taty rocks were observed in close proximity to the granite. The dip 
 was fimnd to be N. 25° "W., or directly toward the intrusion, at an angle 
 of 45°, the roi'k being a hard altered slaie, somewhat I'csembling the 
 green altered rocks seen further south, but so much changed as to 
 simulate a clcavalile tliorite. 
 
 holatrd Area of Huronian Hocks. 
 
 fi7. The ar'\'\ of altered rocks, wiiich lies between the two western 
 braiicj.es of the intrusive mass, is not separated b}' a great width of 
 the latter, from the rocks <jf similar cbai'acler to the north; and as thewe 
 have also similar directions and ilips, the two may well be considered 
 in connection. Tlie most eastern portion of this area examined, is 
 composed of a bard grey I'oclc of gneissic appearance, but consisting 
 mainly of (|uariz and liornbleiide, and in some places passing to a 
 distinct quartzile. It is tlien not so highly metamorphosed a.s to 
 ol'lileiale the forms of the grains of sand, which are rather fine, and 
 contain among them many hornblende crystals similar in size. This 
 rock is traversed by many graniie dykes, and by (|uarf7.-felspar veins, 
 which are newer Iban, and intersect llieni. It is jirobable that rocks 
 belonging to ibis ai'ca occupy the greaier part of the large bay between 
 ihickelL' and Fla;.'' Islanils. An island in ibis bay, not lar north-west 
 of l''lag l.dand. is lornn d of tiiu' ycwy lioiiibleiide oi' mica schist, ilijiping 
 >;. L'« W. . i,'!. Il i> iiil'Tsecicd by many red telspar veins li to 3 feet 
 wide, an I aho by -mall scams ol* vilieoiis (pun l/; ; both ot which neai'ly 
 
LAKE OF THE WOf)I)S — IIUUONIAN. 
 
 35 
 
 i irregular 
 )y Hcveral 
 u'liward it 
 1 a buHe of 
 
 ^ive the 
 (limentary 
 ic appear- 
 8. In ono 
 
 1 from its 
 i as tboHC 
 
 t with the 
 ptiU more 
 :iHh diorite 
 3 sedimen- 
 Tho dip 
 t an angle 
 iibling the 
 LTcd as to 
 
 o T\estern 
 
 wiilth of 
 
 id as thef^e 
 
 )iipidcrcd 
 miiieil, is 
 
 onsisting 
 
 sing to a 
 
 ed a.s to 
 
 tine, and 
 VAC. This 
 )ar veins, 
 liat rocks 
 y between 
 lortli-wcst 
 t, dipping 
 li to 3 fret 
 rli neai'ly 
 
 follow the strike. Numerous erack-lines arc also obsorvable on v.'eathered 
 surfares, and run N. 10' W. Anotlu'r ishiiid near lliis is composed of 
 a similar micaceous rock, wliich has a dip of N, 40' W. < 60"^. Along 
 the noi'th-west sliore of Flag Island are lunnoruus small rocky islets, an<l 
 half submerged rocks, some ol' wliich are compo.^ed of black li(irnblon<lc 
 rock with large and numerous red fclsj)ar veins, while otjiers are of red 
 and greyi.Mi granite. It is cpiite possible that in this part of the regiouj 
 some beds belonging to the Laureutian scries, may have been brought 
 u]) 111 connection wiih the disturbances due to the inti'usion of the 
 granite, and appear here with those, the ti'ue analogy of which is with 
 the Iluronian roclcs to the north. 
 
 ITiironiiin Rorh:<: Korth of the Inlrusire Jl<(ss, to Ka-ka-ke-uabcc. 
 
 C8. iSJorth of the granite mass, and rcjiosing on its etlge just east of 
 Euckete Island, a grey, gneiss-like, Hnely straliticd rock a])[icars, dipping 
 about north-north-west at angles of from 2.')' to SO'', and holding — as 
 is usual with the rocks in proximity to the granite — many reddish veins, 
 chiefly coi >posed of orthoelase felspar. At a tiistancc of tAVO and a half 
 miles c;i^t ■••u'd from this, and nearly in its line of strike, a similar rock 
 occurs, and is again seen to abut direclly on the gianitc. Its dip near 
 the latter is N 20^ W. < 45°, and it contimies in a direction at right 
 angles to its strike for nearly three-quarters of a mile, at which distance 
 it was tbunil to have a dip X. h° W. < H5'. It is cut by many 
 red felspar veins, and one dark hornblende dylce with nearly east and 
 west course was observed. The roclc, though close-grained and quite 
 gneissic in aspect, and of a grey colour, is here evidently a much altered 
 conglomerate of the kind abundant further i\orth, which has been called 
 greenstone conglomerate. On weathered sin-faces the original fragments 
 are still quite discernible, foi-ming lenticular areas of coarser texture and 
 lighter colour than tbe unifoi'ndy grey matrix. 
 
 69. Overlying this, and tbrming the islands oppof-ile the southern 
 border of the Small Promontory — which exteiuls froni the north shore of 
 the Inlet about four miles east of McKay's Island — and also seen on the 
 promontory itself, is an important series of (piartzites. AVith the possible 
 exception of those lying south of the granite (J^5(i) tiiese are the most 
 extensive on the lake. Tt is quite probabl(>, indeed, that the beds repre- 
 sented in both localities may be the same, and that the u'ranito has 
 me'-ely sepnratcd them. The southern part of the ()U!ii-t/ite, ii< this 
 place, is shattered and traversed by many rusty joints, but iieai-ly white 
 
•"'"^f 
 
 I 
 
 ^. 
 
 I i 
 
 1' 
 
 Mil 
 
 36 
 
 IJ. N. A. I5(»IINI»AIIY COMMISSION. 
 
 on fVi'slily (Viiclurcd siii'liicos. It liiis a striUo of N. 7(1° f'''., with a dip al 
 ail aiiii-Jc ol' ih)^ ii<)rlliwai'(l. Tiic })art on llio maiiilaml, iiorlli of this, is 
 u very tiiu'-i^raiiK'd lioino^-ciu'ous n'roy rot-k, of wliirli llic (•()iis(i(iR'ii( 
 ]iarlicli's arc harrly visihlo, and widcli includes small crystals of ])yritcs. 
 It is somewliat dislurlicd, but may ho stated to have an averaifo dip of 
 N. ."i") ' W. < 80''. This f|iiai'tzile hell oceii)»ies a width of ahoiit one 
 third of a mile, and unless unUnown (•()mplieations att'eet tlie strata, must 
 liave a (liiekness of at least ]M{) feel. 
 
 Til. Five and a iialf miles west of tliis point, and in imme(liate juxta- 
 position lo the northern edn'e of the uiranite mass, a (piai'tzite, so little 
 altered ihal it miii'hl .•dniosl lui called a sandstone, unexpectedly a[)pears. 
 ll is lini- i;-rained, ;ind ,i;'rey in colour, and is peneti'ali>(l by a d_yko of 
 _u;raniiliie willi (piai'lz seams, anil small included crystals of molyhdenito. 
 It has a <iip of S. '.rt" K. < {i:]°, or toward the .sjranite, hut this is 
 no doidil loc.'il, and (\w' to foldinij conneeled with the extrusion of that 
 mass. Il prohahly i-eprcsents the same hand of ([uartzite as that last 
 dcseiMhe I, ami if so, the northern edye of the i;-i'anite runs obliquely to 
 the strata lo such an extent as to covei' or j-emove the whole of the 
 western extension of the underlyinif coni;']omerat<^ series. 
 
 71. Ill doscribiiii!; the details ot rocks of the remaining portion of tho 
 lake, the order of those beds seen along tho shore of tho mainland be- 
 tween the Xoi'th-west Aniile, and Rat Portage, will be followed. That 
 
 lart ol 
 
 Ih 
 
 coastdine is lai< 
 
 I down with sufficient accuracy on the map to 
 enable points to be fixed with some degi'ee of certainty. In discussing 
 each well niiirkeil scries of beds, it will then be traced eastward as far as 
 my observations extended. The accomi)anying general section (Sect. 3) 
 will be found of use in following tho descriptions, but must bo accepted 
 
 as only accurate m a gone 
 
 ral 
 
 way. 
 
 as s 
 
 ubordinate intercalations of 
 
 dates and shales, occurring among preponderating greenstone and coii- 
 
 irlomeratc beds, have not 
 
 iieei 
 
 1 indicated. Indeed, where the rocks have 
 
 sutforeil great mctamorphism, as in the neighbourhood of the various 
 granitic masses, it is execodingly difficuU to lay down proci.se boundaries; 
 and such accuracy could only be the result of long and patient tracing 
 out of well marl;ed boils as datum linos. 
 
 e rock iinme lialely succeeding the last de.xribod ipiartzite in 
 
 ro 'I' 
 
 I'll 
 
 the Small i'ronionlory. is a darl<-green crystallino hornblondic material, 
 willi lain'iiic of (dilorile. ll ndghl h(> an eru|)tive rock, but rather scoms 
 to belong lo the series of greyish an:l blackish schists next in order, 
 wliieh, unless o\erlooked amonn' (he much altered rocks a few miles 
 
LAKK OV TITF, Wririr),>5 — ITT'ROMAX. 
 
 37 
 
 I ii (lip at 
 )f' this, is 
 )nstituoiit 
 f pyrites. 
 f(i (lip of 
 ilioiit unu 
 atii, must 
 
 iito jiixta- 
 . so little 
 
 appears. 
 L dyke of 
 yiMlenite. 
 iL this is 
 n of that 
 
 that last 
 liqiiely to 
 le of the 
 
 on of tho 
 
 and be- 
 
 Thut 
 
 map to 
 
 iscussing 
 
 as far as 
 
 :Sect. 3) 
 
 accepted 
 
 ations of 
 
 and eon- 
 
 •ks have 
 
 vai'ions 
 
 nidarics; 
 
 tracing 
 
 irtzile in 
 material, 
 er seems 
 n order, 
 'W miles 
 
 eastward, has no re])resentative there, and iinist I'un out in that dircc- 
 
 tioji. 
 
 7;{. North of this, and foi'MiiiiL'; the eastci'n point of the Small i'roiiioii- 
 tory, hard greenish am! Iihic!<ish hornhlendic spotted I'ocks appeal', 'f hey 
 have a strike of X. liT' I'j, and are vertical. Small i-amitying epidotic 
 veins occur, cutting through them in all directions, liocks similar in 
 appearance, also s])otted, and much altered, are again seen on the strike of 
 these, in the i)ay to the south-west of the Small I'l-omontory. They have 
 a dij) of N. 5;}^ W. < 50^, and probahly belong to the same series, whicli 
 a])i)ears to be one of rather tine-grained, but nnich altered conglomerates. 
 These stand in [)lace of the vast thickness of conglomei'ale rocks occur- 
 ring to the east. The eastern jiartofthe conglomeruti' licit apiiai'cntly 
 absorbs the slate band last relerrcd to, and by its great increase in thick- 
 ness iletlects northward tho next slate band, in its eastern extension. 
 
 74. At a ilistance ot a little over tive miles from t!ie Small i'romon- 
 to]-y, the conglomerate iielt covei's a hreadth of two and a half miles, the 
 anirle of diit throiiu'hout beiii"' verv hiiidi. Where crossed from south to 
 north in that ivgion. the component beds [)resent the following lithological 
 cliaracters and altitudes. — Hai'd gneissic altered rock, strike X. 80^ K. 
 Hai'd altei'ed coiiglonu'ratc with some (|uartzite, strike' N. 70'' V.. The 
 two last s])e;Mes of rock ai'i> vei'y frecpu^ntl}' associateil, and in soiiu' locali- 
 ties, one even seems to pass into the other. Hard ilark-grey ro(d<, w iii( a 
 i-esemhles a (piai'lzite. hut has minute hornblende and mica crystals (U-ve- 
 loi)cd in it, and shows the forms of original peltliles diHeiing fi'om the 
 matrix in heing fels]>athic. A little further north, grey high 1\' alteri'd 
 conglomei'ate of gneissic appcai'ance. This continues for some distance, 
 and tlien changes to less altered conglomei-ate with nim-h siliceous matter 
 in its com[)ositioii, and grey in colour. Strike N. (J0° K., with a dip at a 
 high angle to tiie south. This rock constitutes the noilhern eilge of the 
 conglomerate belt now in tiuestion. 
 
 75. The eastern end of the next belt, wlucJi is oi' highly altered 
 slate, runs into the (irsl hay north of the Snudl Pi'omontory. it is not 
 of great wiilth, and ap])ears to narrow eastward, where it bends 
 northward to pass round the convexity due to the thickening of 
 the conglomerate belt just described. The eastern portion is a soft 
 thin-bedded hornhlendic schist, comp()sed ehielly of black hornblende and 
 white (puu'tz, with hut little felspar. It includes a few compact gi'cy 
 lenticular masses, which may have originall}' Iteen jiebhles, and seem to 
 assimilate it to the conghmiorate. At the j)lace examined, it had the some- 
 
H 
 
 ! 
 
 Ill 
 If! 
 
 88 
 
 n. N. A. BOT'NDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 wliivt abnormal dip oi'S. 25^ \V.. and wiih nearly vo/tioal. About six miles 
 •westward, what I believe to lie the same bed, appears as a soft tine-i^rained 
 mleaceoiis sehist, hrowni>h in colour and thiiilj' eleavable. DipS. ;>0° I"'. 
 < 45°. 
 
 76. The next b;ind, whi(di is composed of conglomerates and similar 
 hard rocks, seem-; to be t!ie cause of the jioint immediately noi-th of the 
 Small Promontory, i;nd distant about a mile and a halt from it. This belt 
 runs north-westward for some time; jiretty nearly ]»:irallol to the main 
 shore, formin<^ an interrupted chain of large and bold islands. At the poiut 
 just mentioMod. tht^ rock is gi'eenish and spotted, di]) M. 2ii° K. < G0°. 
 Half a mile further westward a hard greenisli-black hornblendic i-ock 
 occurs, which, though it may be a contempoi-aneous diorite, shows s])ots 
 whicli are aiiparently remains of pebbles. The hornblende crystals are 
 minutely acicular. Haifa mile still lurcher west a similar rock is seen, but 
 silica now so much pi-eponderates that it might In* called a hornblendic 
 quartzite. Three miles westward tVoin the point, the roek is a true "green- 
 stono conglomerate," much disturbed, and showing a local strike of X. 
 10° E. Six and :i half miles northward and westward from the same 
 place, the rock is ngain a typical greenstone conglomerate, hard and con- 
 siderably altered and contoi'ted, Ijut with a general strike of N. 43° W. 
 In one place a pcjlished anil glaciated horizontal section, shows what ap- 
 pears to be the nose of a compressed sjmclinal fold ; a thin layer of conglo- 
 merate imbedded in compact greenish altered roclc, being bent round at a 
 very acute angle. The inner side is quite rough and iri'egular in out- 
 line, as though representing the former u]iper surface of the brecciated 
 material. A mile further north-westwaril, the rock is a hard, spotted, 
 highly altered conglomerate, or greenstone. For about two miles, still in 
 the same direction, greenstone conglomerate continues, with fragments 
 larger or smaller, and often weathering rough suj^erficially. Ac the ex- 
 treme northern edge of the belt, the rock is hard, green, altered, con- 
 torted, and of spotted appearance, but gives un approximate strike of 
 N. 57° E. 
 
 77. North of the belt just described, an extensive series of schistose 
 rocks is found forming the north-westorn shore of the lake for a long dis- 
 tance. Many of these are softer and loss altered than any yet described, 
 but are locally hardened by the occurrence of several minor masses of in- 
 trusive i"ock. The rocks belonging to this series, pr(jbably form the shores 
 of the greater part of the second large bay north of the Small Promontory, 
 though thoy were not actually observed there. Five miles north-wef:tw,ird 
 
 •i 
 
LAKE OP TIIK WOODS — HURONIAN. 
 
 39 
 
 tsix miloH 
 ic-i^raincd 
 
 ) s. :50° I-:. 
 
 1(1 simihu* 
 •th of tho 
 This l)olt 
 tho main 
 tho point 
 \']. < 00^ 
 iidic rock 
 
 OWS S|)()ts 
 
 ystiils are 
 i soon, hut 
 irnhlon(Uo 
 10 "groon- 
 il<e of X. 
 tho samo 
 and cori- 
 ^. 43'' W. 
 what ap- 
 yf conglo- 
 ouncl at a 
 11- in out- 
 n-oceiated 
 spotted, 
 , still in 
 aj^-monts 
 the ex- 
 rod, con- 
 strike of 
 
 schistose 
 long dis- 
 oscribed, 
 ses of in- 
 10 shores 
 nontoiy, 
 ve^:t\\ard 
 
 from tho pro.iontory, (hov aro ropresontod on a >ni!ill island off tho main 
 HJioro, l>v a soft, trroon, chloi'itic schist with a strike of N, VO I'l. atid voi'- 
 tical. AliDiit a mile furlhor woslwai'd, and oj)j)osilc liio month of the 
 third largo hay, tho rock h a thinly lamiinito 1 soft mica-schist, silvery on 
 tho faces, with a dip of S. 5S' Iv ' tO\ The samo bod, a short distance 
 further on, forms the high rock called Pictiire-rock Point ; ami is thoie 
 seen perfectly vertical, with iti» line of strike i)arallel to that of tlie shore. 
 A laigo island lying behind tho point, and within the mouth of the buy, 
 shows much-altored grcyish-grccn rock', abatting ainiinst an i'lijioit.nnt 
 granitic mass, which gives off other minoi- dykes nearly ])arallcl to its own 
 direction. The altered rock, has a dip of X. 42^ "\V. < T0\ and the gr:ir 
 nite appears pretty nearly lo follow its strike. Tho granite has a r;ithor 
 deep rod colour, from its felspar, which is hugely in exct'ss. it is also 
 liornhlendic, tho hornblende being black, and t()rming crv])fo-crystalline 
 aggregations in tho felspar. In its general a])]H'ai'ance it much resembles 
 Home i)arts of the intrusive yranito of the North-we.-t Anglo. 
 
 78. Pictnro-rock Point, is so nanied from tho renniinsoi' Indian devices 
 marked uj)0!\ the broad Hat surface of the slate in red paint. A mile north- 
 west from it, the same thin-belded bright slate, still forms llu^ sliore, the 
 direction of the strike and tliat of the coast-lino nearly coinciding. Two miles 
 from the same point, and still nearly on the .same geological liori/.on, is a 
 finely laminated gi-eonish-grey talcose schist, lying very straight and even, 
 vertical, and with a strike of N. r).S= ]•]. Three and u quarter miles from 
 Pictui'o Point, and still following the shore, tho rotd< is a gre\' altered 
 Klate. verticni. and with a sti-iko of N. 55° K. Beyond this, foi- a short 
 distanc. , greenstone is seen, bnl it is not vei-y clear whether it is ind-ii- 
 sive, or contemporaneous. A mile beyond the last locality, a rather 
 massive (juart/.ilo comes out on the shore, dipping S. 23° E. at tm angle of 
 55° in one place, bul generally nojirly vi'itical. Tt apparently underlies 
 the schists and slates Just described, but no rock precisely resembling it 
 was seen in any other part of tho lake. Jt is very pure, translucent, light 
 greenisli-grey, with occasional thin fibres of chloritie matter. It weathers 
 a dead wldte, and is traveivcd in the bod by immmei-ablo joints and seams. 
 Beyond this the slates become considerably altoi'od, from j)roximity to in- 
 trusive niassos and ilykos, which aro about on the same hori/.on as thone 
 described in Picture Point Bay, and may continue behind the lino of the 
 coast to this place. The rock is here, howevei', a rather imperfect granite, 
 grey in cohnii-, with rouiule 1 white; felspar crystals, and small cubical 
 crystals of iron pyrites. It resembles the intrusive mass of Ka-ka-kc- 
 
40 
 
 Tl. N. A. UOrVBAnY ("'iMMISSIOV. 
 
 walicc lyiii.i!,' )" tli«' iKirtliWMid. A slKU-t dislani-*' fiirllicr wcslwnid, on 
 an islani|,a dyki' ol' siinihir inati'i'ial, also i^ivy, and wifli pyrilt's crystals, 
 r wlulisli felspar, occurs. It traverses a iiurd <:;i'con 
 
 aim a 
 
 lai'-'. 
 
 CXCi'SS o 
 
 altered rock, wnli a course 
 
 th 
 
 oc N r,:r !•; 
 
 ami pi'o 
 
 lialih' lollows the strike. 
 
 'Pwo miles wH'stward IV 
 
 (111 till- lii'sl aiipearaiice of tli(^ iiiti'iisive rock, it i> 
 
 niiuiii si'cii, and is a wliiti-li iiraiiiti-. willi rather larii'c lilack mica crvstals. 
 It cuts thi'oii,i;'h a soft dark-iii'ceii (diloritic slale, with a strike of N. "7° 
 E., which the iiilrii^ioii ti)llows. ihoiiuji irrei^ular and lenticular. 
 
 7JK Kurther north, and aji|)areiitly iniderlyiiiii,' the last, is a hard close- 
 jLjrained slate, witli rather irivy,'iilai' cleavai;-o, and a sti'ike of X. 75° K. 
 Boyoiid tliisjthe roi'lc continues to he hii;'idy altered, and of a darker i^reen 
 eoloin', I lie strike ]iein!j; somewhat olisciire, Imt yvnerally nearly east and 
 west. A mile and a (pi '.; ier south of the southern end of Kad<ad<e-wahec, 
 the rocic is hard, i;Teen-n"rey, folspathic, and rather ('oarse-^'raiiied, with 
 scales of talc. Strike X, 8(»° K. Next this, on the north, is a Indt of 
 thin-hedded and iiiiely (deavahle slate, gM'eenish-i;rey in eoloui-, and 
 ehloritie oi- talcose. It dips N. 5° W. < 80°, a position Avhich a])peai's 
 to indicate the noi'thern side of an anticlinal, (he axis of which must run 
 nearly east and west. This is further conlii'med, hy theroa])pearance of a 
 rock precisely similar to that last desci-ihed . Beyond this, to the north, is 
 a hard much-altered y-ivensjone con^'lomerate, with a strike of N. 72° I"',, 
 and on cd,i;'e. The thickness of (Iiih hed is not clearly shown, hut it cannot 
 be very great, as it is immediately succeeded by a much altered rock, 
 probably not a conglomerate, in which a good deal of pale-green hoi'n- 
 blende is developed, and which lias a nearly vertical attitude with a strike 
 of X. 55° H. The i. arrow belt of conglomerate was not noticed on tlio 
 south side of tlie ;;nti"liiial, but my observations tend to prove that these 
 rocka are only localh' constant. 
 
 li 
 
 ::ii: 
 
 i 
 
 - ^; 
 
 I 
 
 i! 
 
 
 (1 
 
 i 
 
 ■ i 
 
 Intrusive 3Iass of Ka-ha-kc-tcahec Tsbmd 
 
 80. The continuily of the strata is hei'c interru])ted ly the important 
 intrusive mass of Ka-ka-ke-wabec Island. The southern point of the 
 island is high and clitf-like, and forms the eastern side of the narrow and 
 picturesque passage separating it from the main shore. The rock 
 is there a granite, quite similar to that last described, and with small 
 cubical crystals of pyrites. It continues to occur northward, on the west 
 shore of Ka-ka-ke-wabec, for nearly a mile; but changes its aspect some- 
 what, becoming in some places a greyish-red hoi-iddendic granite, and 
 including large masses of highl}- altered siliceous slates, the stratification of 
 
 % 
 
i,AKE or TTiK wnnns — m-RONi.w. 
 
 41 
 
 'slwnnl. (HI 
 I's crystals, 
 liiiid <jjrc'Oii 
 tlu' slriki', 
 • rock, it is 
 •a crystals, 
 of N. 77° 
 r. 
 
 liar<l closc- 
 
 X. 75° H. 
 
 rkci'i^rcon 
 
 ly cast and 
 
 i-kc-wiilicc, 
 
 iiicd, with 
 
 s a licit of 
 
 )loui', ami 
 
 •h a])|H'ars 
 
 1 must run 
 
 trance of a 
 
 ic north, is 
 
 . (^ J^., 
 
 it cannot 
 
 •c(l rock', 
 
 en liorn- 
 
 a strike 
 
 d on the 
 
 lat these 
 
 nipoi-tant 
 t of the 
 rrow and 
 ^he rock 
 th small 
 the west 
 et some- 
 lite, and 
 ieation of 
 
 1 
 
 ■^) 
 
 which is quite ■ >l)litt'ratcd, aii<l which indeed often resemMe diorite from 
 the coarseiU'SH of their cryHtallization. This zone of intrusive rocks, may 
 run eastward u lon^ way, and pi-oltahly forms the luicleus of the chain of 
 lar"-e islands which here extend aci'oss the lake, hut are not correctly 
 re])resenteil on the maiis. Tliis supposition is cdnfirmcd hy the circum- 
 stance that the northei'ii shores of these islands are composed of soft and 
 fi.ssile rocks, v.hich coidd hardly have held tln'ir ground uidess so 
 supported. 
 
 Huronlan Rocks from Ka-ka-hc-naber to Jiat Portrnje. 
 
 81. The north end of Ka-ka-ke-wahee Island, is co'npose(l ofroui;h 
 green chloritic rock, not showing- any appearance of exeessive alteration, .jd 
 fornuiiij^ the soutliern margin f)f anothei- extensive helt of schistose stnita. 
 The com])aratively small distance to which these rocks are altered, north- 
 ward fi'om the intrusive mass, would almost lead to the coiadusion that 
 they have heen brought into contact with it hy a fault, nearly iollowing 
 its northern edge. The next rocdv observed, which occu])ies a ])osition 
 »(miewhat inferior to the last, is a cldoi'itic slate, of I'usty ajipearanoe, 
 caused hy the weathering of dolomite, with wliich it is tniniitoly inter- 
 leaved. A short distance north of this, near the main shore, is a soft 
 thiidy hedded talcose schist of a grey-green colour, almost naci'cous in 
 ])laces, and including pai'tieies of dolomite. It has a sti'ike of N. 88° E., 
 and i^ vertical. A mile and a half west, and nearly on the same strike, a 
 similar thin-hedded talcose schist appears, again showing traces of dolomite, 
 and on edge. North of this, and aixxit a mile north of tlu' eastern end oi' 
 Ka-ku-ke-wahec, is a somewhat micaceous schist, with gi'cenish-white 
 felspar, like all the rocks in this ])art of the lake, vei-tical. Strike N. 85° 
 W. Near the hoi-izon of these schists, and about a mile south of Lacrosse 
 Island, is a whitish thin-bedded talcose slate of rather remarkable as])eet. 
 Strike X. 82° W. Passing northward from this toward the south end of 
 Lacrosse Island, the roclcs, so far as could be ascertained froni an 
 examination of the islands, were: — Thin tine-bedded chloi'itic schist, 
 including lenticular masses composed of dolomite and quartz, round 
 which the layers of rock bend — vei-tical, strike X. 77° H. The rocks here 
 bear the appearance of having been intersected, while still nearly 
 horizontal, by jointage planes at right angles to the stratification, and 
 cutting it neatly; wdiich, no'.v that the beds hav been folded through an 
 angle of 90°, produce on weathering, in some places, almost perfectly 
 horizontal arotis. These are as smooth as though subjected to the action 
 
42 
 
 II. N. A. Unl'NDAIlY <'(iMMISHI<iN. 
 
 of ^liiciiT ifc. 'ill (li!it tlu'V liiivc mil liocii |ir<i(liu'fil in this \v:iy. is ovi- 
 (li'iif. as .'i i-(tiiiiilt'i| iiiid i;l! cialcil siirlaco may sninoliinos lii> socri in'clin;; 
 otl'r iili-r llio action of Hit' wcallicr, niid i-xposin^^ tlio subjacent piano. 
 
 8!i. Here a IVaifniml (il'iloloiui'i*' iinicslonc, 'J I'fcl (! im-lit s in ^rcati'sl, 
 (liaint'lrr, was Coiinil, Immii^; llic only liiMcsloiic iMiiildcr <ilisci'\ t'<l in llm 
 whole noi'liicr'n pari ol' lln^ lake. II diil no| a|i|i('af lo liavi' I ravcllcil liir, 
 ami (liilci's iiiiK'li in cliaiaclcr rrnni lliost; siihsiMiiifnlly to lie nicnlioncil 
 us oc'Mii'ini^ in llu' soiillicrii part ol' llic lake; itcinii; hard, coar.snly crys- 
 (allinc, hiij;hly niati;n('sian, and wi-alln'riny,' to a d».i'p-l)rowii cohtiii'. It 
 iniicli I'cspmliU's the dolomites t'oiind ii ll'c Eastern Townships ol'C^iitln'e 
 in association with llu! allcri'd ro( Us liK-re; and snch limestones may 
 very prolialily oiciii' inler-iicililcd \iilli the doldiuitic schists already 
 (loscrihed, Iml in pa''ls of the series, which from tlicii- more n>a.lily de- 
 coinposahle iiatui'e, are i. Miei'ally concealed l>y water or over;^rown l>y 
 woods. 
 
 83. North of (his on a small islaiul, a roui^h grecnisli schist ujtpears, 
 spotted where wealliered, and liaviiiij; u strike of N. T")'^ I'l. It is in contact 
 to the north witii athiidy eleavahle nacreous schist, minutely undulalini^ 
 and of white and reddish coloiii-s. Another small island nearly on the 
 same lino of sli-ike shows a roii,i;ii, i^reen, and rather hai'd chloritie schint; 
 dip NT. b" V:. < 55°. 
 
 St. Lacrosse Island, so-called on |)r. Bii;sl)y's map,"'= and dorivint!,' its 
 name from the fact that some parts of it are level and open, and have hoen 
 used l)y the Indians at. one lime, tor this, iheir favourite .i^nime, lies about 
 nine miles south of Rat Portaii;e. its extreme south-western ))oint is 
 composed for at least 100 feel of dark-coloured dioi'ito, rather tine-brained, 
 and with little se<i,'re,i^ations of epidoto where in contact with the slates; 
 but coai'ser ami porphyritie at some distance from them. The line of 
 junction with the stratilied i-ocks is vertical, and i-uns very slraii^ht, with 
 a course of S. Ii5^ H. North of this, foi' nearly half a mile, tho western 
 shore is composed of very thinl}' eleavable schists, whitish and greenish in 
 tint, and tlioun'h re,u;ularly bedilod, minutely undulated throui^hout; strike 
 N. 58° N]., ilip northward < 8S°. The shore i'or about a mile, is tlien 
 occupied by i^reonstono conglomerate and associated rocks, forming a 
 belt, with a breadth of about half a mile across the sti-ike, which was 
 observed to be N. 4(i° .1']. at the southern, and N. 78'^ H., at tho northern 
 edge. The rocks are hard and compact, ami though bi-eaking with a 
 
 • Called by tho Indians Pa-(j;a-ta-\va-minl8. 
 
 .'5 
 
 n 
 
 » 
 
 t;^■ 
 
i 
 
 \V!iy, is ovi- 
 seen pc'cliii;,' 
 lit piano. 
 s ill ^q-cjitcst 
 'i'V('(| in llu' 
 Iriivclli'd liir, 
 If iiicntioiicd 
 )!irs(^ly crys- 
 
 <'i)li>iii\ It, 
 
 |tS (if (^I1(Ik'(^ 
 
 jstoiic's may 
 ists already 
 
 ■ readily du- 
 el' <^ row n liy 
 
 list ajipcarH, 
 is in contaeL 
 
 ■ iindiilatiiii,' 
 L!arly on tlie 
 ritic scdiist; 
 
 dorivinii,- its 
 d have hoon 
 i, lies alioiit 
 rn point is 
 ne-ifrained, 
 llio slates; 
 riio line of 
 aij^lit, witii 
 ho wesleni 
 H'reenish in 
 out ; strike 
 le, is then 
 forming a 
 wliieh was 
 3 nortliern 
 ng with a 
 
 I.AKK OK TlIK Wool's — IICKoMAN. 
 
 48 
 
 
 roii/^li Hiii'face, llie fracture passes inditleiently lhr'Mii,di pehhles and 
 matrix, as do also th(( joiiitaiu;e planer of the incdi. It '\h only on n 
 woathered Hiirfuco that thostnictiiie is jilainly apparent. ThiH helt of eon- 
 t^loinerate was not oliserved westward, in t he \icinily ol IIh^ main t-horo 
 of tlie lake, and if it docs no! thin uiil alt(»;,'etlier hofore ivaehin^' that 
 plaee, is proliahl}- hut teel)ly represente(|. It \h possihle, howovor, from 
 \\w attitude of llio strata to the north and south of this mass (tn Laerosso 
 Island, that it may h(» hrouyht U|) on the rid,t;'(^ of an anticlinal, the axis 
 of which dijis away westward. The rock HiicceodiiiLj this northward, 
 and forming; tlie northern |)arl of the island, is a whitish, somewhat 
 nacreous schist ; which, if the last supi»ositioii is ;.Mr(H't, muMt roprenoiit 
 that forminij the southern pai't. 
 
 85. The hand of slates iyinn* north of the Lacrosse Isl;iiid coni^lome- 
 ratc, was seen also in sciveral places aloiii; the main shorts, and neii^hhour- 
 iiiLC islands lyintj to the north-west. The Houthern part seems to consist 
 mainly of soft /^reeii and greenish ehloritic schists, which are jieciiliar in 
 weatherinif rout^li, anil showing!; pitted surfaces. Tlieso Hchists wore found 
 to have in one place on the mainland, a strik(! of N. -l.T H., vertieni, or 
 with a hiii'h tlip north-westward. They are succeeded to the north liy 
 wliitish and •greenish thin-heilded silvery seliists. and the most northern 
 part of tho helt there examined, consists of cidoritie, but rather hard, 
 i^reeii schists, with small intercalations of dolomite. Tho same helt, 
 where crossed a fow^ miles eastward, amoni;' the islands north of Laero.sso 
 Island, ap])ears to he mtudi more altered, wherever exposed to view. It 
 is proliahle, however, that as this is an open reacdi of the lake, tho i^reater 
 part of the softei- heiis has hecn removed. Immediately heyond the 
 north end of Laerosse Island, a small island shows hard wliitish sehistoso 
 rock, with some u;reenstone ooiia,'l(jmerate. Strike ahout N. 4H° E. 
 vertical. Many parallel crack-marks appear, haviiii/; a course of X. 
 80° ]'] Half a mile further iioi-th. a second island shows hard <^i'een 
 altered rock, with a })rohahle strike of N. H')" K. Still further north, and 
 near where the dolomitie zone seen on the mainland should pass, 
 accordint^ to the .strilce, a hard |i;reen altere-I rock appears. 
 
 8(3. This schistose belt is defined northward, on the mainland, by a bed 
 lomerate whi(di comes to the shoi-e at the end of th 
 
 ingk 
 
 rge point, 
 
 which, a mile or two north of Lacrosse Island, constricts the width of the 
 lake to ahout tv/o miles. It resembles a breccia, the frai^ments being of 
 all slia])es, and varying much in size. They are mostly of (piartzite, and 
 imbedded in a greenish ehloritic base, it dips N. 17° W., at a high 
 
t 
 
 t 
 
 M' 
 
 II t 
 ( 
 
 44 
 
 n. N. A. Tint'\n\nY ruMMfssrov. 
 
 initio. This ntck wiis no! (tliscrvcil on the cast w\o of the lako, l>iit inay 
 vi'i'y posMilily lie rcpi'i'si-iitt'il llicri'. 
 
 87. North of tliis, anolhor (JxttMisivc licit of Hhito rocks orosscs fhc 
 lako, hilt tlu" strata in tliis ri>ii;ioii arc not r('u,iihir, ami it isditlicnit to coi'- 
 rchito the hixls except in a ;i;i'nc'ral way. Tlu' lirsti'ock oliservcil iioyond 
 tho t'onii;lonuM'atc, on the west side, was a elose-j;raine(l ^roy seliist, witli a 
 Htriko of N. 5f)" K. A niiii' iK'yoml tlie coii;;lonierate, similar M'histoso 
 rockM wore oIisi'I'wmI, and ai;'ain vt'i'tical. l{oiij;'h. ;;Tci'n. ami rathei- >ol't 
 cddoritic Kciiists tiien apiicar, and are the predominant rocks till within 
 ahout half a mile of the north-west end of the lake. On the eastern side 
 of tho lako, near whore tho strike of the last-mentioned y;reenstone would 
 brin^^ it to liie siiore, and proi>aliiy in immediate jtroximity to its continu- 
 ation, is a har<lj^reen altered I'ock.wilh epidote and «iuart/,oso sei>;re,i,'ations, 
 and no detei'ininate <lip or direction. Xortn of this, thinly laminated 
 ^roeii chloritic slates occur. Amoni;' thes(>, on an island aliont three 
 miles .southwai'd from the Hudson's Bay ostablishmont at Hat Portage, a 
 vein a foot or two in width was oli>erved to pass, apparently eonformin;;' 
 with thoir strike. Tho voin-^tone was white, l>ut had tho appearance on 
 tlic surface of heiiiy; stained I)}- the decomposition of some ore of cop|>ev. 
 It was, however, too hoisterous to land with the canoe at tlie time. 
 Northward, similar rocks continue, Imt hecome harder. A mile from 
 tho Hudson's Hay I'ost, tlioy were ohserved to have an east and west 
 strike and to he quite vertical. Altout half a mile south of tho Post, 
 there is a somewhat extensive holt of !j;roenstone like rocks, which, 
 thoui^h eoni;lomoritie n places, do not show that character persistently, 
 but appear to graduate into com])act homogeneous diorito. This holt 
 soems to cross the lake just south of its extreme northei-n shore, and to 
 strike into the M-ostorn side, immediately south of tho entrance to IJat 
 Portage proper. There its rocks occujw a Itroadth of perhaps half a mile, 
 and are so])aratcd fi'om the Laurentian by a bolt of slaty rocks of about 
 the same width. On this side they appear as com])act diorito, but show 
 cleavage ])laiies, and resemble the sometimes conglomoritie gi'oonstono of 
 the west shore. 
 
 Geology of the ViciniUj of Rat Porta(je, Junction of the ITuronian 
 
 and Laurentian. 
 
 88, The Winnij)eg Hivc^v, on leaving tho Lako of the Woods, falls 
 into an elongated basin, which lies transverse to its general direction and 
 stretches westward noai-ly p irallc! with the shore of tho lake for some 
 
LAKE I'K TtIK WM(»|>s— JINrTION IIITRoNIAN AND I.At'llENTlAN. 
 
 45 
 
 like, liiit limy 
 
 ;m croHsos tlu» 
 
 itiiciilt to ciii-- 
 
 oi'vi'il l)oyuiitl 
 
 si'liist, witli a 
 
 iluf M'liiNtoso 
 
 1(1 I'lillioi- ,s(«rt 
 
 IvH till within 
 
 oltMtoi'ii sidi' 
 
 DiiHtoiic would 
 
 to it.-< coiitimi- 
 
 M\ii;roi?atioiis, 
 
 ily iamiiiatod 
 
 iihoiit tlirc'o 
 
 [at Poi'tanv. a 
 
 y coiifoniiiiin' 
 
 ippearaiuo on 
 
 >i'e of'('0|i|K'i". 
 
 at the linu\ 
 
 A niilo IVoin 
 
 isl and wt'st 
 
 )<' the Tost, 
 
 »cks, which, 
 
 liorsistontly, 
 
 0. This Iiolt 
 
 shoro, and to 
 
 ranee to l?at 
 
 s half a mile, 
 
 ){'ks of ahoiit 
 
 ite, but show 
 
 s;-roonstoiio of 
 
 luronlan 
 
 Woods, falls 
 liioction and 
 iko for some 
 
 i 
 
 di>laiiio. The livec and lake are only laraled hy a eoinpaivitivoly nar- 
 row riil^^e of roik, ilirounh uhirh th(M'i' are thrco K"l"*- ''^l'*' '"I'lhoKt 
 wosi, or Jlal I'ortago propor, does not carry any water; the second or 
 luiddlo i^'aji, is that of the iiul i'oita/^e liapids; the third or east one, 
 near the Hudson's Hay Kort, that of the liat I'orla.ici) Fall. (Plate li.) 
 
 HJ>. A hand <tf slaty rocks, with an avera;;e width of alM)ut half a mile, 
 si'paratos the ;j;!'eenstoiiolike series last deserilM>d, from the Laurciitian, 
 lt> lowe-t hods were soon just north of the ij;rcenMfone, two and a (luarter 
 uiilos westward from the Hudson's Bay I'osI, and at the entrance of the 
 {•lumncl, which leads to {{at Porlai^c proper. The rock is a very Hne- 
 grained micacoo lioriiMeiidic schist of a dark colour, and (juite hard; 
 vei'iical, with a strike of N. ().')" \'\, Mnteriiiy; tlic riverdike inlet, which 
 loads noilhward and then we>tward to the Porta,u;e path, similar rocks 
 are seen, hut ratlnu- darker ami more horiihlendie. They appear to huvo 
 a liiu;h norllicu'ly dip. The portage, front tlio waters of tho luko to tlioso 
 of (he river, at this place is not more than 150 yards long. The southern 
 end of thoi)ath |)ahses over JIuronian rocks, which may he described as 
 eonsiderahly altered slates, chietlly hornbleiidic, grcenish-bhick in colour, 
 crypto-crystalline, and silky in lustre. At the water's edge, — where they 
 are worn smooth by the feet of the voyageurs of old time, — they were 
 found to be vertical, with a strike of X. 7')^ I'l. About halt-way .icroHS 
 the Portage, and at its highest part, tho roclcs dip X. 17'' W. < 49°, uml 
 are (hen immediately succeeded by Laurentian gneiss, which is granitoid, 
 and of a light [)iiikisli-grey colour; dip N. 'M^° W. < 89°. The junction 
 is so close that one may actually lay tho hand upon it, and the separating 
 line is remarkably straight and even. Followed about one hundred 
 yanls westward, it was found to pi'eserve the course of S. (i7° W., or 
 nearly that of the strike of both series u\' i-ocks. The gneiss at this 
 distance, has a strike of N, 72° E,, and the green slate, just across tho 
 line of junction, and only a few yards removed, N. 7iJ" Fi. 
 
 !K). About a mile eastward from tho entrance to the portage, the lake 
 finds one ol' its exi(s by a passage at right angles to its .shore, down 
 which the watei- Hows over a tine series of rapids. At an island o])posito 
 this opening, tho same greenish hornblendic schist occurs, tine-grainod, 
 and sometime^ almost chloritic in asjjccl, as before. A long portage cm 
 the eastern side of the ra])ids leads (o the "Winnipeg River, and a consid- 
 ei'able breadth of very hard coarse-grained green diori(e is exposed, 
 which has not (he asjiect of any of the altei'cd rocks seen in the vicinity 
 of tho lake. It has all tho character of a mass intruded along the line of 
 
4(5 
 
 B. N. A. BOUNDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 ^ 
 
 '1.. 
 
 junction of tho giicisH and green HliiteH, though its actual contact with 
 either was not seen. 
 
 91. A mile still further eastward, at the extreme north-eastern 
 corner of the lake, the Winnipeg Eiver, may ho said to hogin, in a hold 
 cascade, which falls northward, across the Jimction of the Laurentian and 
 lluronian series, through a narrow passage hetwcen rocky ditfs. At tho 
 fall, the rock is quite similar to that seen at Eat Portage proper, heing a 
 fine-grained, hornli'ioudic slate, much hardened and of greenish colour; dii> 
 N". 10° W. < 45°. Just below tho fall, the red gneiss again suthleidy a))poars 
 with a dip N. 18° K < "8°. Tho line of Junction of the formations obtained 
 by jirotracting that at the fall, to that at Eat Portage jiroper, coincides 
 remarkably with that already obtained by observation on a more limited 
 scale at tho latter place, and follows the summit of the ridge which 
 separates the river froni the lake. A rock quite similar to the erup- 
 tive greenstone seen at the rapids, is again visible at the entrance 
 to the gorge of the fall. If it rea'ly belongs to this mass, it must toward 
 the eastern end tlcpart sinnewliat trom the actual line of junction, and 
 maj' possibly attain this po^jjtion by following the strike of tho slates. 
 
 92. Notwithsta>>.ding the close accordance of the strike of both series 
 of rocks, and tho direction of the line of junction, tba evidence appears to 
 be nearly con<^h'sive, that the two formations are here brought together 
 by a fault, with an extensive downthrow southward. If they are thus in 
 contact merel}' by sl.arp folding, the relative position must be reversed, 
 as the dips would cany the slate series below the gneiss ; and it is ditti- 
 cult to imagine such extensive tlexu''es taking place without imparting 
 a yet more highly altered aspect to the schists than that which the}' now 
 have. The stiaighlness (■+ the line, and tho shai'p separation by it of 
 the two kinds of rock, also points in the same direction. 
 
 03. The charige in aspect of the country to the north and south of this 
 great fault, is very sudden and striking. Southward, the shores of Clear- 
 water Lake are general Ij- characterized, — where not caused to assume 
 unusual boldness by hardening eruptive rocks, — by low, gently-rounded 
 rocky hills, which in their natural state boar a good growth of trees. 
 Those hills, even when they have been burned over, retain a sufficiency 
 of soil to cause the re-ap])earance within a year or two of a dense under- 
 growth, giving them a uniformly green aspect from a distance, ^^orth 
 of tho fault, the Laurentian rocks form a succession of boldly rounded and 
 tunniltuous hills, showing a groat surface of bare rock, which may never 
 have been covered by treus, but which more probably has had forest and 
 
 JL 
 
11, N. A. BOTNDAnY CnMMrsSION*. 
 
 PLATE II. 
 
 mtiict with 
 
 rth-oastern 
 ti, ill a bold 
 •oiitian and 
 Ts. At tlio 
 lOr, iioiiifi; a 
 coiour; dip 
 Illy a])poai's 
 (iisoijlaiiiod 
 !', coincides 
 loro limited 
 i(lt;"e which 
 ^ the erup- 
 le entrance 
 mist toward 
 inction, and 
 le slates. 
 ' both series 
 ) appears to 
 ht to,<;-elher 
 ire thus in 
 revei'sed, 
 it is dilU- 
 impai'tiiifi; 
 tlicy now 
 jii by it of 
 
 outli of this 
 
 es of Clear- 
 to assume 
 y-roundcd 
 h of trees, 
 sutticiency 
 
 cnse uitder- 
 e. "J)r1h 
 
 oundedand 
 
 may never 
 
 forest and 
 
 11 
 
 
 \ '. .W'Y ;Vu 
 
 I'.ll'U |i. •Ill, 
 
j. li 
 
 I 
 
 1 
 
LAKE OF THE WOODS — GENERAL CONCLUSIONS. 
 
 4t 
 
 1 
 
 what poaty fsoil nupported it reiuovod at once by firo. Thc^o hills alHO 
 appear ofli<^lit whltiwh and pinkish colours, even from u dintanco, and 
 contrast rcmarknhl}' with the sombre aspect of the slates to the south. 
 
 General Distribution and Attitudes of the Socks. 
 
 04. From the evidence of the foregoing detailed observations, and that 
 which I have been able to collect from other sources, J am inclined to 
 believe that almost the entire southern division of the Lake of the Woods, 
 known a.s Sand-hill Lake, covers rocks of L:uirentian ago, with tlie possible 
 exception of the extreme south-western part, where Uppoi- Silurian lime- 
 stone may exist. The evidence concerning this formation will be more 
 fully stated in reviewing the drift deposits. The isolated area of 
 Iluronian, south of the North-west Angle granite, may however, as already 
 mentionetl, extend further southward than suppoj-ed. Fi'om Dr. Bigsby's 
 map, the extieme eastern arm of this part of the lake, south of Turtle 
 Portage, aj^pears to be much complicated, and may also probably include 
 some beds of the green slate series. 
 
 95. The general direction of strike of the Laurentian wherever it 
 a})pears on tiie west side of the lake, is nearly east and Avest. Toward the 
 extreme south of the lake, the few knolls which rise above the surface, 
 bliow a tendency to north and south strikes, and vertical attitudes. North 
 of .Rainy Eiver, those rocks run generally east and west, or east-south-east 
 and west-north-west. Similar tlirections characterize the rocks of Bigsby 
 Island, while those of the northern islands, and shore of the district of 
 Sheliashca, show bearings from a few degrees north of west, to north-west 
 and south-east. The Laurentian rocks at the North-west Angle, and 
 west of it on the road to Winnipeg, have general north-east by south- 
 west, or east-north-east .by west-south-west bearings. 
 
 96. The Iluronian rocks, though conforming to easterly and westerly 
 directions in the vicinity of the granitic masses of the Angle, when fol- 
 lowed northward, are found to take a north-north-east direction and 
 nearly vertical attitu<,le, which they retain in a general way as far as Eat 
 Portage, with the important exception of the i-ocks in the vicinity of 
 Ka-ka-ke-wabec, which, for a considei-altle breadth, run nearly east and 
 west. The rocks for some distance southward fi'(jm Rat Portage, also 
 show a tendency to turn north-east and casl-norlh-east. The forces 
 acting at right angles to these direi'lioiis have been very great, and the 
 rocks of this series are almost everywhere on edge ; and though probably 
 repeated several times, the evidence of synclinal and anticlinal folds has 
 
48 
 
 H. N. A. liOlNDAHY CO.MMlSiSION. 
 
 been iilmost obliteratetl. The conu'lonierafe lu'ds, however, north of the 
 ^reat ,ii;ranitic mass, have a general dip northward at conijiaratively low 
 an<ijlos, for some distance; the soiithei-ly dij) at their contaet with the 
 granite, sliown in the general section, lieing (piite local. A well-inarhed 
 synclinal axis aj)i)ears to lie immediately noi'th of the Small Pro- 
 montorj', and to have a direction of eaist-north-cast. There is also s(nne 
 evidence to show the existence of an anticlinal axis, which would striUe 
 the main shore uhout a mile south of Ka-ka-ke-wahec, and have a nearl}' 
 cast and west course. From the attitudes of the rocks, and from the re- 
 currence to the noi'th of Lacrosse Fsland, of slate heds characterized 
 by small quanlitii's of dolomite, and resembling those seen north of 
 Kti-ka-ke-wabec, it is furthei' pi-oliablc, that another antiidiiial axis 
 runs north-east through the former. Besides these, Iiowevei", tliere must 
 be many folds not to be discovered without a minute topographical and 
 geological study of the wliole lake ; and it is even possible that ovcr- 
 tm'ned folds may occur without their existence being suspected. 
 
 i»7. Two great series of movements seem to have cons])ired to give 
 form to the rocks of this region, lioth of which apjiear to have been post- 
 huronian in date. The first of these ap])arently produced folds which 
 were not of a very abrupt chai-actei", but involved great breadths of strata; 
 and which run in a general course a few degrees north of west. The great 
 masses of intrusive granite are ])roi)al)ly closely connected with this series 
 of disturbances, and are nearly parallel to the axes of the tblds. These 
 granites intersect inditferentl/ rocks of Laurentian and Iluronian age, and 
 are conse(]uentl3' post-eozoic. The Iluronian rocks of the vicinity of the 
 North-west Angle, are — as ali-eady fidly stated — much altered by these 
 granitic outbursts; and by the superior hardness due to this alteration, and 
 possibly also the support of the granitic masses with which they ai-e in 
 contact, they have been able successfully to resist the subsequent violent 
 north-north-east and nortli-cast Iblding ; — flexure in these directions at the 
 same time affecting the softer remaining portion of the Iluronian, and 
 bringing them up to a vei'tical position. These hardened rocks conse- 
 quently now show com[)aratively moderate dips, and east and west strikes 
 dependent on the ])revious disturbance. This arrangement will be clearly 
 seen on an inspection of the smaller section, (Sect. 2) the nearly vertical 
 rocks at the northern end of which, are the first of those which extejid 
 with similar attitudes to IJat Poi-tage. 
 
 !>8. The chain of large islands stretching northward from near Tlainy 
 Biver, though composed of Laurentian rocks only, is nearly parallel to 
 
LAKK OF THE WOOD.S — OENKUAI. CONOI.USIONS. 
 
 49 
 
 tliofoldrt oftlie lliii-oniaii rocks in ("leiir-waliT L:ik<! ; and is ])i'ol)al>ly duo 
 to an ii|)lif't (tf liai'd lowor uiu'i.-s rodcs \>y action .-'t tlic second period, 
 8ul)so(|ucnl to tliat wliicli lias hci'o liccn tlio chief ii:;'cnt in folding the 
 Laurontiun strata of this pai'l of tlic laicc. 
 
 J1!t. FloxiU'os corresponding ])rotty ck)sel3' to those aliove indicated, 
 nro found att'ecting Latirentian ami iriironian I'ocks at very distant locali- 
 ties. Sir W. K. Logan, in speaking of the Latirentian of the Ottawa region, 
 says: — " Tiio arrangement presented by the outcrop ap]»ears to depend 
 on two sets of undulations, the axis of the one running in hearings ap- 
 proaching north and south, and of the otlier in heai'ings nearly east and 
 west, the latter apjjai-ently related to the oldest system of dykes. The 
 north and south undulations apjiear to be the more imjxn'tant and more 
 numerous of the two, giving to the lines of outcroj) in that direction the 
 greater number of repetitions and the longer stretches. Foi-about tweiity- 
 tive miles from the Ottawa and North Elvers, the beai'ing of these axis is 
 about N. 10'^ E."* .^L•. Henry (r. Vennor, in discussing the general rela- 
 ti()n.s()f thcLaurentian in tiieCouuty of iiasiings and vicinity, in Ontario, 
 remarks: — '-The geographical distribution of these rocks shows a series 
 of north-east and south-west undulations, throwing the upjier division into 
 long narrow troughs in these directions. These undulations ai'e crossed 
 at irregular intervals by geological elevations which .separate the ends of 
 the troughs, and by depressions which unite their sides." f The latter, 
 on reference to his map of the district, are seen to have north-westei'ly 
 courses. The rocks of supposed lluronian age wliich are now being found 
 by the Geological Survey among tho.se of Laurentian date, in widely 
 sej)arated localities, also run in belts with general north-east and south- 
 west bearings. It would thus appeal', that the disturlumces alfecting tlie 
 Laurentian and lluronian formations have not only been very violent, but 
 very unitbrm in their action over u great extent of country, and iiuleed 
 to Jiave o])erated on an almost eoutiiiental scale. 
 
 100. The granitic mass of the North-west Angle and vicinity, whidi, 
 as already mentioned, is of post-huronian age, if it runs eastward through 
 the promontory separating Clear-Avater and Sand-hill Lakes, as suggested 
 by Dr. Bigsby, pi'obably closely follows its iKn-thern eilge ; as in treating of 
 this part of the border of the lake. Dr. Bigsby mentions sc^-eral districts 
 of tive or six miles in length each, showing a rode resembling syenite. 
 This term might well be used in describing large areas of the mass where 
 
 ' Qeolugy uf Caiiudu., |). '13, 
 
 t UuiH)rt of rrofress Cieul. SiuNuy uf CauaUa., Ib70, p. 145. 
 
 4d 
 
50 
 
 B. N. A. BOUNDARY COMMLSSIOX. 
 
 I i 
 
 I have soon i(. It mi\y jvolcil^ly in this case ciit the enslern shore of 
 Cloar-waku- Lako at Jicvl- lill' Hay, whcn-o tlie samo mitliorifcy iiidicatcs 
 thu cxisteiico oi'a cuiisi(lorai)li! bivadlli o('syeiiilic-<>Tc!on.stO)io and ,i,a'aiiito. 
 The direction thus indicatod foi' the extension of tlie intrusive granite, 
 a|)|)ears to be fui'ther (•onlirnied ly the exc'ecdin,t;'Iy even contour of tho 
 aliore us sliown on tlie ma)), a feature wliich in otiier pai-ts of Uie hike is 
 found to arise from a parallel band of hard altered, or ii^neous rock ; and 
 which, in tliis case, has maintained itself against tho prevalent direction 
 of glaciation. ii would also agree with the general course of tho mass 
 where last seen to the eastward, and with that of the fold in the sedi- 
 mentary rocks, which it appeal's to follow. The granite resembles in 
 appeai-ance (hat desci-ibed as catting through typical Huronian und 
 Laurcutian rocks on Lake Iluroii/l^ 
 
 101. Though the com])licated Ktructuro of tho rocks in the vicinity 
 of the Lake of the Woods, renders it ini])Ossiblo to give a detailed section 
 of the formations there exhibited ; an approximate idea of their 
 arrangement may be obtained. The Lanrentian Ibrmation ap])cars to be 
 repre>onted, fu'st, by a great thiekness ol' granitoid and (hick-bedded 
 gneiss, generally pinkish or reddish in tint, and characterized by ortho- 
 claso fels])ar. This ])asses upward into thin-bedded gneisses, und highly 
 crystalline micaceous and liornblendie schists, often more or less epidotic. 
 The lluronian rocks are much more variable in clnu-acter, but the lowest 
 beds appear to be those lepresented south of the North-west Angle 
 granite, and ai'e. for the most part, hard green rocks with little trace of 
 stratification, but hold some well slratitied micaceous and cliloritic schists, 
 and also the imperlectly characterized gneiss already referred to. 
 (^5 50-57.) On these rests a veiy great thickness of massive beds, 
 characterized by the predominance of conglomerates, but also including 
 quartzites, and compact dioritic rocks. Above these is an extensive 
 series of schistose and slaty beds, generally more or less nacreous, and 
 cliloritic or talcose ; but often liornblendie and micaceous. They include 
 also some conglomerate, quartzite, and diorite beds; but how often these 
 recur, or on what luu-izons, it is as yet impossible to say. 
 
 
 Lithological Character and Age of the so-called Huronian. 
 
 102. The rocks spoken of throughout as Huronian, show consider- 
 able resemblance to the typical series of that age, as described on 
 Lakes Huron and Superior, but differ markedly in some points. They 
 
 * Geology of C'anatia,, p. 58. 
 
 i 
 
LAKK OF THE WOODS — OENERAT, C0NCLU8T0NS. 
 
 51 
 
 also i'csoml)lc' tlioso ol'tlio (iuchoc ^roup, as dcvolopotl in tlio Provinco of 
 (^iioltcc, l)iil dn not. so liir as known, lioM sei-jtontiiics in tlio ivn'ion now 
 in (iik'stion. 
 
 lO.i. Tiio coMiijIonioi-atos have boon ali-oady liili^'dL'scribod as to thoir 
 distribution ; Iboy must occni' at sovoral dilli'i'iMit boi'izons anionic; Iho 
 slaty rooks, but vovar tbo ifrcatost breadth at tlio narrow jiai-t of llu' lake 
 north of tho An^Io Iidut. Tho partioulai' soi-ii-s Ihcro shown must bo 
 of ininiensc thicknoss, and ajjpoars to ^-row tliiclvor when followed east- 
 ward. A similar tendency to increase in importance e istward, was 
 observed with other belts of these I'ocks, in ditl'erent j)artiof tlio lake, 
 and ay'rees with thoir gonei'al inconstant chai'actcr. 
 
 104. Perha])s the inost nsiial form of the coni;'lomerafc is that which 
 may appi'o])riately be desiynatod SIdtc Coiu/loiiteraic. Tho whole rock is of 
 a ^reen colour, varying' between the tint ofepidote and that of the liirhlor 
 sliades of hornblende, and ])ossilily in some instances due to a develo])- 
 ment of liotli minerals, thoiii^h, ti;enorally 1 think to the latter. Where 
 a good weathered snrl'ace is c.xpoyed, the rock is seen to consist of nu- 
 merous fraginenis of iii-egulnr shape, which in ap])earanoe resemble tho 
 harder ])arts of the associated slate rocks. Tlie.sc aro imbedded in a matrix 
 composed of similar compact green material, and joints — which aro fre- 
 quent in some localities — cut evenly through both. On a freshly lii'okon 
 sui'faco no clear distinction appears between the fragments and tho en- 
 closing material, and tho rock oidy ditl'ers from the more conqiact altered 
 schists and slates in its rougher suri'aco of fracture, and a somewhat 
 spotted appeai'ance. 
 
 105. Another form of tlio conglomerate, which has boon called by Dr. 
 IJigsb}^ and others Greemtouc C'on(jlo»ieraie, appears to consist of roughly 
 fractured pieces of somewhat ci-ystalliiie di(jrite, the whole enclosed in u 
 dioritic paste, similar in colour. Tho fragments in this species aro often 
 larger, and tho rock they compose is very compact. A third variety con- 
 sists largely of quart/ito and quartzoso rocks, angular fragments of which 
 are found imbedded in a greenish mass, or sometimes in a base also ap- 
 pai'ently of quartzite and of groy and groyish-green colours. 
 
 10(j. The whole of those rocks appear to be uncertain in their exten- 
 sion, and one is sometimes found re[ilacing another seemingly in tho 
 same strike. They are associated generally with comj)act dai-k-coloured 
 dioritic beds, which do not show any fragmentary appearance, but which 
 are not so coarse in texture as the v>'oll characterized intrusive dioi-ites. 
 The quartzitos also show a tendency throughout this region to run with 
 
62 
 
 H. N. A. tint'VDARV OOMMTSSrnV. 
 
 1Ih> (■((iiuloiiKM'.'ilcs. Tlu^ (•(iiiyldiiifi'iilc rncUs, liiivo !is ii \vlii)l(! iniicli llio 
 a-*|)0('t ()| \()|(;illi(' I'l'i'crias, >llcli 
 
 lIlOSC fulllMl ill llSMtClilllllll witli (In 
 
 ol'lcr Silurian xM'irs in Wal(.'> aiii| ( 'iiiiiiiri'laiul ; ami volcimic aclioii would 
 a|i|i('ai' to oiiiT i!k' iiios( rra-oiialilc ('X|ilaiiatioii of (lu'ir oi'iii'iii ami dis- 
 
 triliiilioii. 'I'lu' 
 lie cxiilicalilc, ;;■ 
 
 iK> aci'oiiiiiaiiK'a 
 
 a-soria' 'Oil vvilli till' ^'IVl'llNloll 
 
 ('-like licils. would al.M) tiii'ii 
 ic' '■ ;, 111 o ■ rork IVaniiuMits and lapilli, would jii'oiiaMy 
 (•■■ :'!r' llow of iiiolU'ii rock in tln' >a\\\v lu'i^lilioiirhood; 
 
 (II' Miaiiy III' tl,c>i. (;'■■ o.'-. ■ 
 tlic liia-rdotritU'- IVoin \-olc 
 
 nay lia\o onj^'iii: 
 
 iiy 
 
 llCCll 
 
 ll-l»OllS 
 
 t'oilU 
 
 cil ol 
 
 vt'iiis. lilt' iiiaU'i'ial of liii'-'i', lia\in<j;' Ik'oii 
 al one tliiK' in a slalo of I'li-inn. would liavr llio clKMiiical (•oiiijMi>iti()ii 
 <il' lioriiliK'iid((, pyroxriK'. foli-par, \c.. and would yield moiv readily 
 lo a -uli-e(|ii('iil im'tamor|iliisiii than the siirrouiKliiia; lieils of detriliis 
 iornu'd liy .suha^-ial weatlierinj;' and transported liy water, and from 
 Mliieh a ui'eat pari of tlie liasie eonsiitueiils laid iieeii reinovi'd. Tlieso 
 
 rocks and 1 
 "'reen colon 
 
 he eoiiiiionierales, wine 
 
 nave iieen unileil uiu 
 
 ler the dark- 
 
 r in llie apjieiuled p'lieral section heeaiise of their associa- 
 tion, woiiM in this case lie properly classed t(\i;\'th*.'i' from llielr similar 
 orii^'in. 
 
 K'T. A [loiiil of dillerenco lietweeii the rocks ortliis series, and those 
 of some ]iai'lsof the ly]iical Jliironian of the localities ali'oady mentioned, 
 is the em ire ahsence of fraii,'nu'nls of the uiiderlyiiiggranilio and gneissic 
 
 leds in t!ie conii'lomei'ates and hreccias. Fi'a<>'ment.s of their reddish 
 
 felspar.' do not even occur anioiii;' the ([uartzites, nor are j'ocUs of I'eddisli 
 tints, Mich as inii;'ht arise from their disenteii;ratioii found. This is a 
 remai'kalile fact, and might seem to indicate that tiie Laurentian had not 
 sutlered much metamorphism liefore the formation of tliese rocks, and 
 (■oiise(pieiitly that they are older than the true lluronian. Tlie ajipear- 
 ance of confoi-mity with the Laurentian, of tiie I'oi'ks of this and other 
 
 similar, Ijut widely separated ai'eas; and their resemiaance to some rocks 
 
 ih 
 
 lescriliei 
 
 as 
 
 L 
 
 iiireiitian in JIastinys County, and elsewhere, would 
 
 ippear to jiomt in the same direction. -'= 
 
 lUS. The absence of altered Laurentian rocks in tl 
 
 le 
 
 comp' 
 
 )sitionof tl 
 
 lis 
 
 series may, liowever, be su])po.-,ed to show that their formation took place 
 at a period subsequent to that of the typical lluronian, but liefore the vio- 
 lent (.li.sturliances which bi'oiight large areas of Laurentian again under the 
 infliieuce of denudation ; and that their material was almost whollj' de- 
 
 ll '' 
 I i I 
 
 '"' *,'■ .^ "11 tlu^ l;itt"r p"int, Ocol. C-umilii., p. 31. Kcpoi't uf Pro{;resi5 Oool. Surv. Caiuula. l.'jUO, p. 91, et 
 tcq., ami luut uotu tu ii, \)\i ; also IhliO-UD, p, 14a, et .Vfy. 
 
I, M<K op THR WOODS — riENRn.M- ^0^f^l,^•S10NS. 
 
 :).{ 
 
 i'i\i'(l IVniii till' (li'i;T('il;il ion (»!' c )iii|iai';itivcly iiiiatlci'cil 1 1 iiniiiiaii rocks. 
 
 Fl'olU tll.l OCClllTl'lH'C of UlirlVollS scllists. illnl olIllT jioillts of I'C- ('III I lllllHC! 
 
 to the I'ocivs of the (Quebec ^roiip, llic latlci' sii|i|)oNilioii iiiny jtroltalily 
 prove to 1)0 tlio roi'ivcl one. ami llH'>e rorUs Ite classed a- iiciiiri' in ai;'o 
 to the {^iicboi' i^roiii) lliaii tin- tiiio Iluroiiinii. ^^l•, Selwyii, in tivatiiii;' ol 
 similai' rocks ex ploi'cd l>y him north-west ol' Lake Sii|i(M'ior. writo: "As 
 rei^ards the ay;i.! of these so-calle<l Ilnroniaii rofks, (he I'viilencc is n<>t ol' 
 liie most salistiirlory kind, Wiiile ■^ti'atii(i'a|tlii<'ally ihcyrc-l directly 
 M|ioii liii;-|dy ery.slalline and ly|iical Liiircntian i^neisses, niincrMJo-ically 
 llitiy resenil)le as (dosel\' the (ddorilic, cpidolic, a' ■ ." "ilic slralt) ol' llie 
 altered <^)iiebee ifroiip, as they do those which "\ Ih ImT-. n\' Lakes 
 Iliii'on and Sii|)ei'ior are referri'd to the ILironia^ "r;:': All thai can 
 
 l)e detiintt'ly said with i'e,i;'ar(l to the a,i;'c of i' i -ks in the re,i;'ion ol 
 
 the Lake ot the Woods, taken by itself, is tha' th a/" newer tli;in the 
 typical Laiiri'niian. there lai;i;-ely (levelo|ie>! 'ud .,klei' than the little 
 altered and neai'ly horizontal L.)wer Siiuriai, .n ;e^tones ol' I'^ori (larry 
 and Lake "\Viniii|ieii\ 
 
 100. Xnnierous localities present opportunity foi- ihc; study of the iia- 
 tiii'c of nietainor|)hism expei-ienccd I»y the ro(dcs of the ij,'reeii slate .series, 
 when a|i])roachiiii;' inti'itsive masse--. The (ddorilic, taleose. and nacreous 
 slates, are observed, when lu'ai'iiiu,' such a cent I'e of alteration, to become 
 luirder and less linely tissile, and to assume i;M'eeii and uivy -i^reen colours 
 from (be formation of eryplii-ci'yslalliiie boriiblciiile, and |i'i>-.iii|y al>o of 
 epidotc. They next liecome still bar(ier and more compact, chan^ini;' to 
 a green altered rock, (diaracteri/.e(l by horniik'nde, and in which tlieoi'i- 
 ginal I)edding can sometimes scarcely be distinguished. Wlii're imme- 
 diately in coidact with the crtijtlive ro(d<, this is generally still further 
 changed to " .ii'i'cy soft gneiss, by the a])]H'arance of mica in jilace of 
 the honib'.ende. The conglon)erates generally show a tendency to pass 
 from hard green alteretl rock', to I'ocks of a roughly gneisdc character, 
 which still exhiljit remains of the com]ioiient fi'agments on fi'actiu'cd 
 surfaces. 
 
 110. A tableshowing the (diaracter ami dire(d.ions of all the dyk-es and 
 intrusive masses is ap]iended. The granitoid gneisses and intrusive gran- 
 ites are universally cui by veins of led orthodase felspar, associated with 
 white quartz. These api)ear to lie (ri'e segregation veins, formed by a 
 re-arrangement of the materuds of the iMck. them.-elves in cracks, geiicr- 
 
 * Kcport of riuLjrcss Gcul, Siir\. CiiiMila., la7:!-7o. 
 
 
5i 
 
 II. N. A. MnlNDARV CnMMlMSloN. 
 
 iilly inoi^iiliii', aiiil willi no vmy diitorniinato tliivction. Tlicy luv also 
 coiiiiiioii iiiiioiii;' lioi'iilili-iidic and altoi'cd I'ocUs Miri'diindiii^' tlu; iiilriisivo 
 niassi's; and tlio lalU-r, in Midi places, arc prolialily not (iii'liclow the sur- 
 iaco, and liavc >u|>|)licd tlic nialoi'ials Hllini^ the veins. Tlioy litvvo been 
 scon l(» cut a<T()ss i;-ranitic, dyivos, wiiicli arc jii'iilialily outlying spiir.s 
 ol' tli<' main masses. The i^'ranite ami granitoid rocUs of the siuilhern 
 part of Ihf L'd<e were iilso ()h>i'rvcil to lie penetrated Ijy the very 
 hli'^o coai'.se-tri'ained dioi'ite dyUcs aii'eaily deserihed. These woro 
 not siiltieiontly well exposed to warrant any very detinito statements 
 concei'nini;' them, hut appeared to h'ave general east ami west courses, 
 and may vei'\- [»rohal)ly he aniony; the oldest of the intrusions. 
 Other diorite 'lylxcs, \cvy hard and c()mp;ict, cut hoth the i^'i'anitic out- 
 bursts, and altered Laurent ian rocks, with a t;-cnei'al hearing' of north- 
 east and south-west. These arc s])ecially froipient i" the vicinity of 
 Flag J.sland. 
 
 Occurrmcr of MhivrnU of Kcrmomic Value. 
 
 111. Mint"r;d.-- of ccoiionuc importance, tlnai^h carefully looked foi' 
 throui/hout tlu! district, were not observed to occur in any quantity. 
 The existence o| a vein with 'L least Iracvs of copper, has been ali'oady 
 mentioned, and 1 have been shown specimens of cop[)er pyrites from 
 several parts of the lake which I had not time to visit, Avhich give 
 ground Ibr believing that workable and vaUui'jIe deposits of this ore may 
 yet be found. Small quantities of niol3dxleinte were observed in connec- 
 tion with the allei'ed rocks in oiu? place. Slaty rocks, though abundant, do 
 not assume the ch.aractcr ot true roofing-slate in nny part of this reii-ion 
 which 1 have visitetl. It is not always possible to ascertain how much 
 of the cleavage of the rocks is due to bedding, and how mucli to true 
 sui)criiubuH'd slaly-clcavage. The Iluronian rocks are so closely presseil 
 togelhei", that the two seem often to eoiiiciile; and I did not observe any 
 dear inst.ance of slaty structure fi)rming a considerable angle with the 
 bedding. Of soa])-stone, though not actually observed in ]»lace, T have 
 seen specimens tVom localities in the south-eastern jiart of Clear-Avater 
 La''0. Small (piantities oi" magnetic iron sand ai-e found along the 
 shores of the southern part of Sand-hill Lake, but this mineral is 
 known to be dissendnated in small crystals thi'ough many parts (jf the 
 Lam'entian. 
 
 112. IJo(k> of similar age and character to those here called Ifuronian, 
 and which occupy the wdiole of Clear-water Lake, arc known to be metal- 
 
 i 
 
LAKE fil' THE WOnnS— fiKNERAf, rONOLlTSIONS. 
 
 66 
 
 liforouH iiiodua- regions, and nioro csiKiciiilly in tlu< coiintiy nort.i untl 
 west of [,:il<i' .Siiia'iM(.r. They uro thoro foillKi lo yield silver imd n(,id 
 in i)!iyin<r quantities, and also eontain eojiper and iron ores, and it is no 
 improhaMe that systematic investigation of the roeks of the I.alce of tiio 
 Woods may load to similar diseovories. The examination and definition 
 of those hands of newer rooks among the Laurentian, therefore heeomes 
 important in view ..ffuturo mineral disooverius, as well as interesting 
 ill a )»urely geologioal point of viiw. 
 
 -.'» 
 
IJl 'i' .^IIMVJ 
 
 CUAPTKR 111. 
 
 ISTUUCTUIIE OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS IN THE VICINITY OF 
 THE FOllTY-NINTIl l'AUALLEI>. 
 
 Gbnkkai. KKATriiF.s. — InterHcctinn cif chi; MfiuiitiviiiH and rnrty-iiiiitli I'anillcl — 
 (ii'iKMivl (luologiual Stiiu^tiiru — Kucks in thk viriNirv ok Wmkkion li\KK 
 Scriim A. Series li. Seiios C. KocKS in iiik K(iui.\mk. I'as.s SuIi- 
 ilivisioiiH (if Series ('.- East Fork llnckM went of East l''iii'k 'I'lie Watef- 
 HJieil West I'ork -IJocks exiiosed ill Mt. Nairell -ItiirKs nkau riii', Uoi'n- 
 KAio MnNiMKNr Series II. Seetioii nf Series K. aiiilti.- Easikun Fikint oK 
 riiK Wapkiisiiki) ltAN(;K, Mr. Wilson am> Ciiikk .MoiNrMs 1{i;\ik\v <\v 
 
 TIIK. SkiTION— ('oMI'AIIISciN i)K IIIK ItiKh.S Wmi riloSK iiK MlllKli I.OCAl.iriKS 
 
 li'di'ks deserilied to tlie Nortli- Uneks desorilied ti> the Souili Liiiiestniies 
 like those of Series M. .uid I), rnderlyiiii,' l)eds — Ujnicr red l)ed« --(ieneral 
 eoiR'liisiiPiis — I'eriod of elevation of the Mountains. 
 
 General Features. 
 
 n.'J. Tlu' wisloni i-aiio-c- of (lie Kocky Moiiiilaiii.s in the viciiiily of 
 tlio I'orly-iiiiitli |iai'!illol. Iiav nol licivtoforo ln'cMi tft'oioo^ically I'xamiiicd. 
 Tlie explorcis ol" tlic West: :i Tci'i'ilorios of llio I'liitod States, liavc not 
 ypt |)i'ii('trat('<l so far lo lie iiorili in tin's i-c^ion; and Dr. ircctoi-'H 
 observations do not extend soiitli\\;ir(l in the rann'e, i)eyond alioiit latitude 
 60° i{<)'. Ijieiitenant Hlackiston. orioinally attaelied to Captain I'alliser'.s 
 expedition, erossed the inoinitains liy the South Kootanie, or l?oiiiidary 
 Pass, and ^ives a map and |)rotile of it in his Report to the Impei'ial 
 (lovernnieiil.* hut has not fiii-nished any oeoloo,ieal notes. 
 
 114. The eastern rano;es, where the lorty-iiiiiih pai'allel interseets 
 them, seem to he retroatiny; Tiorth-westward, in a step-like manner, or 
 en iciielon; the lino formeil hy the hase of the mountains as a whole, not 
 coineidin^' in direction with that of the cotniKJnent ridocs. A similar 
 strueturc appears to ooeiir fiefpiently hotii to tlie south and north of the 
 reo'ioii now in question. Cliief, oi- Cliiel's Mountain, which on Palliser's 
 map is placed on the Hoiindary-lino, was loiind to he alioiit titur miles to 
 the south of it. The Liii(\ however, strikes into the In'lls aiid ahrupt 
 rido'cs surroiuidino- its hase; and then erossiiio- the nari'ow valley of the 
 jSoiitli Fork ot tiie Billy IJivcr, passes ovei- the ^It. Wilson ]?ange, of 
 
 ■ i'urthcr Papers lielative tn thu Expluriitioii uiulcr Cujit, I'iillisor, kv., 1800. 
 
 II 1 
 
 1 1. 
 
IKK'KV MoirNTAINM — WATKRToN t,AI\R 
 
 5t 
 
 iJliicki^toii, jiikI iK'.vt iiilrixMtfi Watoiioii or {'U'wi' Moiintiiiii L-aUo, 
 wliicli li»'s 111 the ti)nt of llio |iriiiii|i;il raiiy;*'. Tlio Lim* (liiis runs |or 
 alMMit foiirtooii niilrs tliroiiuh nii outlviiii; iiiouiilaiiioiis coiiiilry, which, 
 Ityadi'toiir of a few inilos to ihv nortli, may Ik' oiitiroly avoided, and 
 \vajj;^ons ln-onnht to (he noi'lli oml of NVaU-rton Lako withotil ditllcnJt^-. 
 
 11.'). The ;4;oniiral .struitaro of tlic main, oi- water-shcil raii^^t", is very 
 isimplc, and ho far as I Imvo iiecn alilo to oxaniinc i(, ai)iicar.H t(» he very 
 constunl ; Ihoii^'h ollen foin|)li('ated liy sniaUcr siiperpost'd lU'xnres and 
 faidts, winch from tiic very clearness witli wiiicli (liey arc sliown, in tho 
 sides of (lie hiU'c rocivy |K'al<s, arc apt at limes to lend to eonfnsion. Tho 
 width of the ran^e is aliout twenty mili'>. and the lioiylil of its lii,i;liest 
 summits in tliis latitude is not ovi'r aliont l(i,(MMl feet. The rocks of ilio 
 eastorn and western hordersarc iimnd todi|iinwai'<l toward the watiM'-shod 
 lino, and nenerally (h) not lie at very hia;h angles ; while the ccntnil 
 mountains frequently show rocks not far from horizontal, oi- atlV'cted l»y 
 local and irregular dips, and often exhibit sonic of the highest hods 
 of till' series. When these latter lieds appear in the central region, 
 they may form a ])art of the general synclinal of the range; hut when 
 oldei' rocks are found, they are jti'oliahly se]iai'atc(| liy fanlting from those 
 of the edges, as apjieai's to he the case in the South Koolanie Pass. In 
 llui outer ridges of the range, the highest peaks usually occur, and 
 the attitude of the rocks determines to a great extent the tonus of tho 
 nioinitains, which generally have their stee|) sides facing outward, 
 and resemble waves curling over to break to the east and west, their 
 inner sitles slojiiiig more gently along the dip of thi' iieds. (Sect, 1.) 
 
 Iio('l;s in the VlcinHij of Watcrton Lake. 
 
 llfi. Disregarding for the present the eastern outlying ranges, I Hhall 
 describe the rocks seen in the vicinity of Watcrton or Chief Mountain 
 1, ke, Avhich include the lowest oliserved in any part of the region. Tho 
 lower beds are brought up by an irregular anticlinal ibid, which cro.sso.s 
 tho I k-e near its northern end, with a north-west and south-east direction. 
 They consist of a series ofimimre dolomites, and an overlying linjcstone, 
 which 1 did not elsewhere rind cxjiosed, but which are here well shovn 
 on both sides of the lako. 
 
 117. The dolomites, which for convenience of reft ronce I shall 'aV 
 Serit's /i.. present a very remarkable a])pcai'ance id '.lie bare niounluin 
 sides 'rom the peculiai'ity of the tints assumed by ilieni on weathering, 
 which arc for the most part liright reddish, ami j-ellowish browns; and 
 
68 
 
 11. N. A. IJdirNDAUY COMMISSION. 
 
 M, 
 
 nltonialo in lirojid Ih'IIs, nccordiiiL;- with tiic slratilii'iilioii. Tho boikliiif^ 
 is veiy ron'iilar. and is inarlu'd, lu'sidcs (ho altci'iiatioii ot" lint, \>y the 
 fi'osioii of soino sot'loi" hiyors coiiiiiDscd oi' thin thiu';;'}" hi'ils, which 
 altoriiato with inassivo ('cmijacl hiycis sovoral Cci't in (liicknoss. The 
 fhiL'tiirc of the nioi'i' massive jiortioiis is coiiehoidal, with a dim histi-o, 
 and the eoloiirs of fresid}- hi'ol<en surfaces are iiiiicli loss marked tliaii 
 those of (lie exterioi-, ami vary from linht i^wy, lo dull piii'plish and flcsh- 
 coiour, some beds beiiii:; a pale pink. 
 
 118. The striictiire of the rock is i^'ciu'rally vcj-y close and tine, and 
 from tiie i)re]iondcrance of sedinu'nlary matti'r, it frequently more vc- 
 semhlcs a mclamor])hosed miidrock, (han a (rue dolomKe. !( does not 
 cfl'ervesce in cold dilute ucid, hut on luatini;' ^'cntly, a brisk atdion 
 commences; and wlien (ho whole of the ma!;'ncsian and cilcuroous matter 
 has been removed, ti coherent, (IioulcIi brittle mass, remains. This, when 
 examined microscopically, is found to consist of very tine and uniibrm 
 argillaceous and silicious ]iar(icles. The ex|)osed surfaces arc generally 
 decomposed toadepdi of a few lines. Small grains of iron pyrites are 
 sometimes included in the iwk, but no organic forms of any kind were 
 diseoveretl. 
 
 119. Of those rocks, at least seven hun(h'ed feet in thickness is 
 exposed ; they are well shown at (he Cascade on (he wes(ern shore of (he 
 lake, but to the south soon (li]> ou( of sigid, and overlying beds come 
 down to the water level. The soudiern end of VV''a(citoTi Ijake, 
 I WHS, however, unable to examine in anj' detail, from the ])reeipitou8 
 and impassible nature of the mountains surrovinding it, and the im])osai- 
 bility, in the short time at our disposal, of making a servicable boat or 
 raft. 
 
 120. Resting directly on these peculiar dolomites, is a very massive 
 bed ol' limestone, also doloni'lic, which forms a pi'ominont feature from 
 the chalky-while aspect of its weathered surfaces. It ma}' be designated 
 by the letter H., and has a probable thicknoss of about two hundred 
 feet, and includes al least one well-n\arked band of coarse magnesian 
 grit. The limestone on fresh fraclui-e is of a i)a!e-grey colour, and has a 
 highly metam(n'|)hic aspect. It is very close-grained and compact, and 
 breaks with a splinteiy fracture, the oi-iginal planes of deposition being 
 almost entirely lost. Some layers are exceedingly chei-ty, the siliceous 
 matter being at limes aggregated into W(dl-dcHned nodules, but more 
 usually disseminated, and forming an ii regular skeleton, which gives 
 to sonic weathered surfaces of the limestone an exceedingly rough 
 
imOKY MOUNTAINS — WATEllTON LAKE. 
 
 69 
 
 \ 
 
 a)»]K'Mr;iiic('. Willi aciil, tlir i-ock liurdly clloi'vosos in tlio t-old, Imt on 
 i;'cnlK! lifMliii:;' is I'lqtiilly dissolvi'il, Icax iiii;' a cDiniiaralivcly small ainoiinl, 
 ol ri'sidiic, wliicli, iiiuU'r tin- micriiscn|ii', a|)|K'ars iidI to In- nT adcli'iliil 
 iiatiiro, lull lo liiivo llir iiinu of miiiulo coiKTotioiis pi-ndiiccd diii-iiii;- llio 
 inelainorphism of tlic rock, liy lln' ro-aiTaiigi'Miciit of the silica. Tliei'i! 
 (loos iiol ai)[)cai' lo lie any tiMconCoi'inily hclwccii tins linioslono sci'ics and 
 llial oI'IIh^ uiidcrlyiiii;' iiu|iuro <loloiuilc.-i, ol' wliicli il may lio coMsi(lci'c(| 
 iiii ii|)\vai'd cxioiisioii. It indicates, lioueN it, a well-iiiarkiMl cliaiii;e in 
 the chai'acter of the ile|)(>sil; depeiidiiii;' on Ihe exclusion ol' the line 
 dolrilal mutter lorming so laru;(^ a ])arl ol the previous heds, — a cliani;() 
 l)r()ui!;hl about, pei'iiaps, hy the dcepcnini;- of the sea. The limestone, 
 where it crosses the lake lolded into Ihe anticlinal ali'ead}' mentioned, 
 from its superior hardness, forms a project ini;- point from eitlu-r 
 side, and a tran.sver.so roof wliieh almcwt divides tlio sheet ui wator 
 into two. 
 
 121. Series C. overlying the last, is well ex|iosed in the haiv sides of the 
 mountains on b(jth shores of Ihe noi-tluM'n (Hid ol Waterton Lake. On the 
 
 cas 
 
 t .side 
 
 e, a "Teat portion of the western I'ront of Mt. Wilson is cominwed 
 
 of it, wliilo to the west, a mountain rising about 4,000 feet above tho 
 lak'o, is almost entindy formed of these beds, Avhich have there boon 
 jcctod lo violent flexure. (.Sects. (! iS: S). Asa whole, this division 
 
 SUll_ 
 
 oi th 
 
 section may 
 
 be (K 
 
 escribed as consisting of hard ([uartziles, sun 
 
 stones, HJalos and shales; and its most remarkable feature is the rapid 
 alternation of beds dill'eriiig in coloui' and tex'ture. Various shades of 
 green, purplish-iu-own, red, and white, are Ihe most prevalent tints. 
 
 122. In tlic almost vertical western side of Ml. Wilson, about two 
 thousand feet of tliose beds is seen. They lie diroetly on the last 
 mentioned white limcslone, and if any unconformity exists it was not 
 observed. Here two ])retty thick bands of magnosian grit appear among 
 
 ;iiid may be distinctly traced along the 
 
 tho oilier rocks of the serit 
 
 mountain si 
 thick 
 
 lie f( 
 
 >r some distance. 
 
 At 
 
 one (Mid of tho section a considerable 
 
 ncss o 
 
 f I'od beds occurs, as the highest in .Series C. an<l in .so 
 
 mo 
 
 ices those arc soon lo underlie directiv tli(> limestone of Series 
 
 I). 
 
 next 
 
 in order, while in others they ar<> wanting, and I), rests on the lower 
 green slates and sandstonos, sho.wing a well in-irkcil uiiconfoi-milj'. 
 (.Sect. 6.) The 
 
 mom 
 
 ilaiii on the western side of the valley of the lake, 
 shows but a single b;uid of the magiicsiaii sand.- tone, Avliich is very 
 
 irregular in its thicknesiJ 
 
 Tl 
 
 10 rei 
 
 I bed 
 
 s are onlv eleai 
 
 ly 
 
 seen in 
 
 a f( 
 
 ew 
 
 places, and faults may cxi.st which complicate Ihe structure moi'c than is 
 
60 
 
 B. N. A. nor.VDAUY rn.MMISSKiN. 
 
 iippiirc'iit. Tlicro sooius, liowcvci", lo lio .'iliovc llie roil hand, ;v coiisidcr- 
 iihlc tlik'kiK'ss oi' slaty rocks, which arc altogolhcr wauling in (ho hist 
 section. 
 
 Moch in the Kootdnie Pdss. 
 
 128. The beds of Sorios 0. arc, howovci", hc-^t disphiyod in tlie sides 
 of the South FCootaiiie Pass, — which enters the mountains three and a 
 half miles nortl) of Waterton Lake, — and were there se])arated for con- 
 venience of reference into five suhdivisions. The rocks at the entrance 
 to the pass have a ii;eneral south-wostei'ly dip. The lowest seen were in 
 the bed of the brook, and must l)c well down in the series. They consist 
 of hanl greenish slates and compact thin-liedded (luartzitcs. mudi resem- 
 bling those underlying (he mag.K>>ian sandstone, in (he last mentioned 
 localKy. In the mountain on the noi-th side these were seen to he over- 
 laid by reddish, greenish, and bluish-grey sandstoiu's, with some sla(y 
 beds, all considerably altered; hut which form a talus, anil are not very 
 Avell exposed. These were designated subdivision 1. 
 
 124. About midway up the mountain, a nuissivc hcd of magnesian 
 sandstone or gi-it, a[)pears, and constitutes sultdivision 2. It must he 
 about tift}- feet in thickness, and great hloclcs of it which have broken otf 
 from time to time, are now strewn round (he t()ot of the slope, and 
 encumhei" the pass. It no <loiiht coi-rcsponds with one of (lie similiir 
 beds already described as occurring near Waterton Lake, and lithologi- 
 cally, also bears a close resemblance to that inteiralated in Scries B. It 
 is composed of hu-ge well-rounded grains of transpai'cnt quartz, with 
 occasiomd darker particles — the whole imbeiklcd in an o])aipic while 
 calcareous and magnesian matri.x, which rapidi}" turns brown on exposure 
 to the weather. 
 
 125. Next in the series, and forming the summit of this mountain, is 
 a considerable thickness of red. greenish, and bluish-grey sandstoiu's and 
 slates; which, dby their altcrmition give the clitls a curious handed a])pear- 
 ance. They resemble lho.se of .subdivision 1, and may he named 
 subdivision 8. 
 
 12(i. A series of bright-red beds appears on the slope of the mountain 
 on (he south sitle, overlying the last;jlicy constitute sulKlivision 4, and 
 represent those already noticed as occurring in Ml. Wilson and elsewhere, 
 fr. t()llowi'ig the trail along (he north side of the valley, they conu" down 
 almost to the level of the brook, about one and a quarter mile ti'oin the 
 entrance of the pass. Their thickness at this place must be about two 
 
ROCKY MOUNTAINS — KoOT.VNIE I'.VSS. 
 
 61 
 
 hundred foci, niid fiMin (lieif fX(H'odiiii;Iy bri,i;lit coloui', tlioy foiistituto 
 wlit'i'i'vi'i' tlioy ocriii'. an oxcidleut ivti'i'ciici' horizon, and may oflcn Ik; 
 dc'k'C'lt'd oven at a ixwai distance. They are liard, ivil, lliin-la'ddcd >and- 
 st()ni.'s, with l'i\'([iieiit (Iiin inlercahilions ofrod urgilhiceoiis material, and 
 ono (II' two beds of small thicdviiess, eomposod of palo-nTcenisii, ^ihaly 
 quarlzilc. ..V lii'ih sulidivision \vhi(di inlervciu's in -^innc jilaccs Itotwcon 
 the red heds and tiie base of the limestone al)ove, is not well seen in thi.s 
 part ol' the valle}'. 
 
 1-7. Five miles westward in the pass, the valley foi'ks, one liran(di 
 takinii,' a north-westwai'd diivetion, the otliei' lamninii,- west-south-west. 
 The trail also divides liere ; one traek, which iloes not apjiear to be miicii 
 used, taking; tlie former, while the otlu-r takes the latter direction, and in 
 doinu' so, Ibllows ihe main stream of the ln'ook. The north-western 
 valley was not examined in (K'lail, but the mountains siirroundiui;' it 
 utt'ordod from a dislanci'. a tine general st'ction of the rocks troni Series 
 C. ii])ward. 
 
 12S. In following the main valley, aftci' crossing the brook, the trail 
 for about half a mile i-uns ])arallel with the axis of a gentle anticlinal 
 which has an east and west coui'se. and jiasses eventually into the 
 nionntanious point which se])ai'ates the two vallies. In the bed of the 
 brook, and well down among the variegated sandstones and (puirtzites of 
 subdivisions 1 oi- ;} of Series ('., is an extensive exposure of diorite. it 
 appears to be inteivalated between the beds, but is probabl)' inti'usive, as 
 it was not elsewhere seen. Over twenty feet in thickness is ex])osed. 
 The rock is so traversed by tissuivs as to render it almost iin])ossible to 
 break off a clean-faced specimen, and is dark coloured and comi)act. 
 8(»me large fragments found in the bi-ook. which appear to luive been 
 deriveil from the same lied, show I'emarkable stellar aggregations, several 
 inches in diameter, of pale green felspar crystals. Ikdow the diorite, and 
 in the tied of the brook, an extensive series of banded red and green 
 sandstones and (pmrtzites, with occasional white (juartzite layer.s, 
 appears. The beds are not imdined at high angles, or miu h disturbed, 
 but are somewhat corrugated on a small scale. A species of slate crm- 
 (jlomerate^' is also not uncommon, though not generallj- oecuri'ing in beds 
 more than a few feet in thickness. The rock so designated, is generally 
 a greenish or white quartzite, enclo.sing small ii-regular fragments of 
 
 * TlinUK'li the iiiiine slate ciinijlniiii'rnli' lieat doscrilios tlio LMiiisti'.uticiu (pf this rock, it ililTuis uiuuli ill 
 apvicuruiRO, luid protiuhly iilsn in (iiiyiii, fnuii tlic lluvniiiui slatu cuiigliiiiit'nites. (§ lu4.) 
 
62 
 
 «. N. A. BOIINnARY COMMISSION. 
 
 green, oi- red, close-.i^n'aiiied slaty rook. I'iieso slate coiiglomei'ates are 
 not uneonunon at srveral horizons in Series ('., ami i'rai;nienls oi' thi-in 
 have been reeoii'iii^eil amon^,- (he dril't deiiosits far out on the plains. 
 
 12!). The erest of a reniai-kahiy l)old ]ieak on the north-west sidt.- of 
 the pass, attliis [ilaee. is eoni|)osedof Ihiek limestone heds, \\)\']u\U'^Seri(sT). 
 of the general soetion. They weather light-hrowu. and fawn-eolonr 
 on exposure, and are found to entei- largely into the eon>|)Osiiion of all 
 the mount; ins of this region. "When, as in this instanee, they form the 
 summits of a peak or ridge, disintegi'aticni proceeding most rapidly along 
 vertical lines of fracture, produces extremely picturesque and rugged 
 outlines. AVhen, however, merely exposed in the side of a mountain, and 
 still covered by other beds, they ibrm steep terraced slopes or pcrpeiuli- 
 ciilar cliffs quite ditlerent in aspect. The u])i»er beds, ai'e generally moi-e 
 iVequently divided by hori/oiital planes than the lower. The entire 
 thickness of the series must be aliout one thousand feet. 
 
 130. About four miles beyond the tlivision of the valley, or Mast Foi'k- 
 of the trail, a thick betl of contemjioraneous tra[( a])pears on the to])s of 
 the mountains on the north-west side, overlying the limestone. 'J'his hed, 
 which is designated in the sei'ies by the letter [•]., must here be over titty 
 feet thick, though any veiy ])recise estimate could not iroin its ])Osition 
 be obtained. Great blocks of the ti-ap have fallen into the valley below, 
 and increase the ditticulty of the trail. The rock is a dark-coloured and 
 very comjiact diorite, but has numerous amygdaloidal cavities. Series F. 
 and G. occur overlying the trap in this |)arl of the pass, but were not hero 
 examined. 
 
 131. A deep Iransvei'se valley, tilled in some places with fine spi'uce 
 woods, lies along the eastern base of the actual ridge of the VN'ater-shed, 
 and from the brook flowing in it, to the summit of the water-shed, an 
 ascent of 1,022 feet is made by the ti-ail ; which hei'e becomes exceedingly 
 steej) and hardly' ])racticable for heavily laden pack animals. The rocks 
 of the water-shed ridge aj);)arently helong, in this place, entirely to Series 
 v., but other beds may also be represented, as the ex])osures are not very 
 gooiJ From tlie evidence, I have been induced to indicate a fault on the 
 .""•eneral section, as .separating these from the last described westerly- 
 dipping beds of ti J valkw, thougii their relation was not actually 
 oh>-orved. 
 
 132. The height of the water-shed where crossed by the trail, as 
 ii; bcUed by the mean of three closely ccn-responding readings, taken on 
 ..- many ditl'eront da_)s, and compared with Mr. Fish's nearly simul- 
 
 
ROCKY MOUNTAINS — KOOTANIE PASS. 
 
 63 
 
 taneous oliscM'vatioNs at llio West Butte, was iiftlii fool.-'' liiontenaut 
 Blac' Isioii, ill ]8")S, ui.'ulo tlio lioii^lit (i,(K>() foot, l»y a siiii;-lo observation 
 in misottlod woatlior. Tiio trail dosconds on the west side of the wator- 
 slicd ridLi'i' voiy rapidly, and at tlie tlistanco of thi'oe quarters of a niilo, 
 orosses a little brook wliioii lies 1,;>25 H:;ot lower than its summit, and iiOO 
 feet below the stream last crossed on the east side. It next passes foi* 
 about two miles aloii!^- the face of a very steep liill-sido, when a deseont is 
 again made to a pioee of flat ground in the bottom of tlie valley, covered 
 with a scaderetl growth ot' young pines. (P. conturta, var. latifoUa Kng.) 
 Tliis place may be called the West Fork, as a secon<l valley as large as 
 that of the pass, here comes in from the south-east. The rocks in the hill- 
 side last meiilioned, di]) generally north-westward; they ajijioar to belong 
 to the same series as those of the watershed ridge, and to be included, — 
 at least for the most part, — in division C. The lower part of the hill is 
 composed princi])ally of greenish slaty-rocks and sandstones, wliile at the 
 liigher levels, red sandstones preponderate, and are seen to be overlaid 
 Just north of the West Fork, by a remnant of the great limestone I). 
 
 Vi'ii. Westward from the West Fork, the Vallo}' of the Pass was 
 examined for about four miles, it is here hemmed in by two immense 
 mountain masses, wdiich were at once I'ecognised as Mis. Yarroll, and 
 Kirby and Spence, of Lieut. Blackiston. The rocks in these have a 
 genoi'al easterly and nortli-oasterly di]), and appear to be iniconnected 
 with those of the central ivgion last describe(l, and probably separ;' .id 
 I'rom them by a fault. About a mile from the Foi'k-<. in the north side of 
 the Pass — which as liefbre offers the best se<- 
 reddish sandstones, often in quite massive layer- 
 most pronounced in the upper layers, the lower 
 with tliin beds of yellow-woatliering magnosi; 
 
 — a great series of 
 
 found. Tlie tint is 
 
 iming interstratitied 
 
 limestone, often con- 
 
 cretionarj', which finally preponderate in gi\ ng colour t< the strata. 
 
 ere more un 
 
 'lUl'Cv.' 
 
 Those rocks represent Series F. and GJ., els 
 Below them, and forming u prominent feat, r is the trap '' '.u K. ]" 
 retains its character as before dcsa-ibod, but in Mt. Yarroll, is mncl' hiok 
 imjKjrtant, and must bo at ieast 101) feet in thickness. Tlie great 
 limestone D., is here also shown, underlying the trap; and is well situated 
 for examination, as the whole of the be<ls (!ome down in succession on the 
 trail. It is not so highly magnesian as the lim?s'tone B., anil generally 
 
 as 
 
 •The obsorvatioiis wuro lus fulluws ; -Aug. ir,Ui, 11.25 A.M., C,6Vi; Aug. Kith. U.-Jy A.M., G,(i78 ; Aug. 
 20Ui, 10.20 A.M., O.d.'iO. 
 
CA 
 
 B. N. A. ROUNDAllV fOMMfSSroN. 
 
 . 
 
 
 li 'llil 
 
 c'ffcrvorcos frc3cly witlioiit iIh^ npjiliciitioii (if lioiu. Il is linnl niid 
 moliiinoi'pliic. Iml rlox'-^'i'aiiicil. mikI imt ci'V •^talliiic. 'Plic cnloiir of 
 fi'oslilv fi'acliii'cil .• iii'facc's is n'ciu'i'ally iiltiisli, and varic- from a dai-lc 
 shade to a pale lili:i.-ii-i;M'cy ; some iayci's, liavc. liownvci', u yellowish 
 tinge. Weiitiiereil siirliirrs are paic-ln'iiwn. fawn, oi- liiill-coloured, and 
 show an invgiUarily of sti'iicturc whieli 's not apparent on fractni-e, Ijut 
 seems t(j arise from tiie luieqtial resistenee to the weather of ])arts more 
 or loss hu\i;'ely inijM'ei^nated with mai'Miesia; tho <lilleivnfiation heing 
 pi'odiieed l)y some soi't of segregafivo action. The more highly nnignesian 
 layers are at times ari'anged in planes pai'ailel to those of depositi(tn, but 
 also, not infrequently, quite ii'res|)eclivi' of it. 
 
 VM. Relow the liniestoiie tho iowe'^t hcih liei'o seen occur. They are 
 com])osod of tln' vai'iegaled sandstones and slates of Sei'ie-^ ('. The for- 
 mer are generally reddish and givenisli, the lattei- grey and gi-eeii. hut 
 there ar*^ also many liands of white (puirtzite o*' small thickness. >.'.) 
 mai'kcd unconforinity hoiween this sci'ies and the limcslone is here 
 ohservalde, hut subdivision 4 was not r ■•ognized. and it would seem that 
 the limestone here I'ests on No. 1 or ."'). The sandstones and slates also 
 seem to be nuudi more metamoi'plioscd than any of the rocks higher in 
 the series, and are bcauiifully plicated on a small scale. 
 
 135. ] was unable to ob-<t'rve the rocks fui'ther west than this point, 
 which is abou. ive miles from the Flatlu'ad Eiver. The monntaius were 
 here, iiowevi^r, (lecreasing in altitude, and the watershed range was nearly 
 pK^sed through. 
 
 Rocks near the fknindari/ Man nncnf. 
 
 1.36. In the valley which I'uus south-eastward from the West Fork, 
 and leads almost directly tow-ard the Houndai-y Monunu'ut on t'.ic water- 
 slied, the rocks exposed in the hill-sides arc chiefly red, or reddisji .sand- 
 stones, generally raiher thin-bei'.ded, but sometimes massive. They 
 ueU)ng for tlie most part to the upper red Series (r. Serieti If., composed 
 of flaggy fawn-coloured beds, which are no doubt magnesian limestone or 
 Handstone, f m-uxs the soft-outlined a;id crumbling summits of some of the 
 
 mountains on the south-west 8i<le. These rocks — ihe hii:! 
 
 •si, oose 
 
 bserved 
 
 m 
 
 th 
 
 e mountaui region — were no (doscly examined, though a greatfi- or 
 less thickness of them was friMpicn'lv seen njsling on Series (i., and 
 differing from it mai'kedly in colour, it was always at a great height 
 above the valleys. 
 
 l;!7. The .spot known as Camp Akamina, the eastern termiiud 
 
 'is 
 
 i 
 
 ■i 
 
ROOKY MOUNTAINS — BOirNDARY MoUNTAfN. 
 
 65 
 
 Fork, 
 \v:it«.'V- 
 
 heiglit 
 
 Hditioii ofllu'old Norlh-wosl Hoiiiidary CominiH.sion, is hiliiatcd iit tlio 
 Iicad uCtlu' vidlcy jiisL dcKcrilxxl. It lias uii elevation ol about 0,000 foot 
 above tlio soa, and is u slu-IU'ivd liollow cliaractei'i/.i'd bytliiidc spnu'o 
 woods of tine ,ifi'o\vth. Tlie Hoiiiidary Cairn is placed on I lie watershed 
 about a mile Irom tlio eaiu]), and tli()U!j,li built thirteen years ago was 
 found in perfect preservation. It is important as marUinif not only tho 
 forty-ninth parallel or boundary between British North Ameriea and tho 
 United States, but as lying .t tho swljacont angles of British Columbia 
 and th(^ as yet unorganized Norlh-wost Territory. 
 
 138. Near Camp Akamina the roeUs arc red sandstones, but are not 
 well shown or regular in position. In a mountain-side between the eamp 
 and the Boundary Monument, however, a verj' good section is exposed ; 
 and here tho structure of .series F. and (1. of tho general section was 
 best Hooii, and over six hundred feet in thiclviiess examined. The section 
 may be taken as en\bracing tho lower beds of Series G., and the whole of 
 Series F. The highest beds examined ■■-nsist almost entirely of flaggy 
 duil-i'cd compju^t sandstones, which are i''' [iiently ri])ple-marked. Above 
 them al>out two huiidred feet of similar reddish beds was visible in distant 
 hili-f<ides, and these again were ovorhiid by the ujiper fawn-coloured 
 Series II. Iti descending, these begin to alternate with beds of grey and 
 fawn-coloured sandstones, the latter magnesian, and whitish on fresh frac- 
 ture. Lower in tho section, while red and reddish-purple sandstones 
 still continue, whitish and fawn-colourc' Umcstones, — frequently concro- 
 tionary, — are intercalated, and become thicker and moi'o frequent toward 
 the base. The lowest rock seen in Series F. is a dark ])urplisli sandstone, 
 and not far below it is tho trap designated in the general section by tho 
 letter B. Many of the sedimentary beds throughout the entire section 
 are rijiple-marked, ami rain-])itting and sun-cracks are not infrequent. 
 At several different levels, too, the surfaces of sandstone beds show 
 imjiressions caused by salt crystals, subsequently dissolved out. Some 
 of these are as much as half an inch in diameter, and exhibit distinctly 
 the peculiar hopper-shaped forms characteristic of sodic chloride. The 
 conditions of formation indicated liy the rocks are those of a shallow, 
 land-locked, salt lagoon or lake ; Avhich was, perhaps, sometimes in com- 
 munication v/ith the open sea. No traces of fossils could be found. 
 
 139. The division made between Series F. and G., and that between G. 
 and H., aro probably not of great impoi'tance. No unconformity obtains, 
 and the same conditions seem to have prevailed throughout ; the deposi- 
 tion of reddish sandstone, alternating with that of pale dolomitic sand- 
 
 5d 
 
66 
 
 B. N. A. noiTNnARY COMMISSION. 
 
 < I 
 
 hIoiio, and rnn^ncsian liniosloiR', It is one of convcnieiife only, and 
 founded on the diU'crciit colours of tlio zones as tlioy appear in tlie moun- 
 tain Hides. 
 
 140. The trap K. is still important at this ])la<e, hut is not so thick 
 as in the Mt. Varivll sections. It is dark-purplish in colour, and full of 
 irroiLjular aniyu'daloidid cavities, which are lined with lyreen chloritic 
 matter, and generally tilled with white calcite. It overlies the great 
 linu'stone, as before. 
 
 Eastern Front of the Wittcr-shed Rivu/i; Mt. Wilson and Chief Mountain, 
 
 111. Northwai'd from the entrance of the South Kootanie Pass, along 
 the eastern side of the mountains, for at least twonty-tive miles north of 
 the Line, the rocks exposed are simil.ir to those already desci-iheil. All 
 the beds of the east^jm ridges appear to clip west waid, or west-noi'th- 
 wostward, toward the axis of the cha'n ; ,ind are broken ott' abi'U])tly to 
 the east, forming steep clitt'y fronts toward the plains. The lower and 
 out^r ranges consist almost entirely of the variegated Series C, of which 
 the red beds are often visible at a great distance. Many of the higher 
 mou'iUxins are capped by the limestones of Series D., and where gaps in 
 the oasiern wall allow the inner ranges to be seen, thiy fre(j[Uently show 
 the upper fawn-coloured, and red beds, with gentle dips foi'Uiing steep, 
 but straight-etlged ridges. Section 5 represents the geological structure, 
 and general contour of the njountains to the north, as seen from a hill 
 about six miles north of the entrance to the South Kootanie Pass. The 
 most distant mountain of which the geological structure is indicated, was 
 estimated to be about fifteen miles from the point of view. The more 
 distant peaks shown on the horizon were but dimly visible, and must 
 lie from fifty to one hundred miles northward. They appear to be of 
 groat height. 
 
 142. The outlying ov counterfort range, which is situated on the 
 east side of Watertou Lake, has a breadth from west to east of seven 
 miles. It may be designated the Wilson Eange ; that name having been 
 applied to a jiartofit by Lieut. Blackiston. Its western side has been 
 already partly described in connection with Waterton Lake. As viewed 
 from the north, its fiont is chiefly composed of the rocks of Series C, of 
 which subdivision 4, the I'ed band, is conspicuous in many places. The 
 central and highe • pir • of the range are of limestone belonging to 
 Series D. Jiocks dillei from the rest, and apparently brought up by a 
 
 M 
 
nOCKY MOUNTAINS — nEVIKW or SKPTION. 
 
 6t 
 
 I 
 
 fault, of'oiu' lit tilt' iioi'tli-castiMMi conicr of tlu' riini^e. The}' wci'o nut 
 C'losoly (!xainiiiLMl, hul may liolon^ to Sorios H. 
 
 1-4;}. Chief, or inoro properly C'liiol's Mountain, which projocts 
 still further to tho castwanl, is ono of the most roniarkahlo mountain 
 masses of this reunion. It is nearly isolated from the rest, thoui^h 
 surrounded l»y ru^<^ed footdiills. which are covered with dense woods 
 and wind-f ill, rendering it almost unap[U'oachal)le. As seen froni the 
 eastward, it resemhlos the base of a broken column, and its outline was 
 (juito distinguishable from thai of the remainder of the monntains, t'ven 
 from the Sweet (Irass Hills, a <listanco of one hundrotl miles. On thi-ee 
 sides, tho central mass of the mountain is preei])itous, and its bare rocky 
 clitfs ar(^ of great height. To the west, it appears to slope more 
 grailualiy, anil its summit is cleft with deep ravines. It seems to owe its 
 remai'kable form to the peculiar weathering of the limestones of Series 
 I)., of which the porpendiculai- ])ortion is composed. The rocks 
 of the foot-hills are softer, and no doubt belong to Series C. Chief 
 Mountain resembles in its structure tho peak called Castle Mountain by 
 Dr. Hector, each being formed of a huge quadrangular block of nearlj 
 horizontal limestone beds. 
 
 n tho 
 ;even 
 been 
 been 
 'lowed 
 0., of 
 The 
 fing to 
 ip by a 
 
 Review of tJie Section. 
 
 144. The total thickness of the beds seen in this part of the TJocky 
 Mountains must be about l-,500 feet, though this can only be regarded 
 as an approximation ; as owing to tho short time at my dis]K)sal, few 
 of the beds were actually measured. The entire series arranged as a 
 continuous section in descemling order, is as follows: — 
 
 II. Fawn-coloured flaggy bods, seen only at a <listance, hut probably 
 composed of magnosian sandstones and limostones. 100 feet. 
 
 G. Beds characterized by a predominent i-ed colour, and chiefly red san \- 
 stone, but including some thin greyish beds, and magnosian sand- 
 stones, the whole gojierally thin-bedded, though sometimes 
 rather massive. Ripple-mai"ks, &c.. Weathers to a steep rotdty 
 talus, where exposed in the mountain sides; and passes gi'adually 
 down into the next series. 300 feet. 
 
 P. Fawm-coloured flaggy beds of magnosian sandstone and limestone. 
 Some red sandstones occur throughout, but are especially abundant 
 toward tho top. Apparently a continuation ujnvard of the lime- 
 stone D., and only soi)aratcd from it by the trap overflow. 200 
 feet. 
 
68 
 
 n. N. A. BOtlNPAHY roMMISHION. 
 
 R. Amyf^'laloMiil tni]i ; tlarU coi.xirod uihI hard. 50 to 100 /rr^ 
 
 J). Conipiict bltiisli liiiu'>loiu', snii\cnvliat iiiaifiioian, and wcatlu'riii;!; 
 bri)\viii--li. Tliis I'oniis soiin' of tlio l)()ldc.st vviv^s and poukH of the 
 nioniilains, arnl apparciilly ivstM uiiconfurnuiltly <>n fSoi'ios C. 
 \, mi) feet. 
 
 C. Sandsloiic.x, qiiartzlti's and shity rocks, of various tints, but chiefly 
 I'oddish an! ^rcotiisli-grcy ; the individual hods seldom of ,i;reHt 
 thiclciiess, and the colour and tcxtui-e of apjjroxinuito beds rapidly 
 alternating. In this series occurs a band of bri<,'ht-red rotdts, of 
 inconstant thickness, also t.vo or more zones of coarse magncsiaii 
 f,'rit. 2,0(10 /(vf or more. 
 
 B. Limestone, i»alc-u;rey, cherty and hi^ddy niairnesian ; hard, mueh- 
 alterod and weatherinji; white. it includes at least one band of 
 coarse nui^nesian n'rit like thai found in the last series, which 
 weathers brown. 200 feet. 
 
 A. Impure didomites ami line dolonutic quart/.ites; dai'k pur](lish and 
 ^•rey, but weathering; brii^dit brown of various shades. 700/t'C^ or 
 
 more. 
 
 145. The trap K. is remarkable for its continuity over an extensive 
 ai'oa without any gi'oat variati(jn m ihicknesH or character. It is I'cpre- 
 Hented along the eastern side of the mountains for ])i'obably at least 
 twenty-five miles, holding always the same ])osition in the series. It 
 occurs also in the Boundary Mountain, and in Mt. Yur:'ell almost at the 
 extreme western margin of the range. In a bold peak standing in the 
 angle between the two branches of the pass at the East Fork, what 
 appears to be a thin bed of a similar ti-ap occur.s among the limestoni'S of 
 Series D. It can there be traced for a long distance on the cliffs, but was 
 not elsewhere observed. 
 
 14(J. No gi-anitic or gneissic rocks wore found in this part of the 
 mountains; and, as elsewhere liown, they even flisai)pear as constituents 
 of the drift before the footdiills are reached in this latitude. Those rocks 
 are not known to occur in any part of the eastern range of the mountains 
 north of the forty-ninth parallel. Southward, they appear in some places 
 as the basal rocks of the series, and in Colorado are quite extensively 
 exposed, and hold in association with them the ores of the precious 
 metals. In some cases these roidcs are observed to be clearly overlapped 
 by the Potsdam sandstone; and if not the equivalent of the Laurentian of 
 the east, are at letist Eozoic. 
 
 •3 
 
 i 
 
 ■ I 
 
 Sil 
 
' (' 
 
 noOKY MOUNTAINS— UEVIEW OF HErTION. 
 
 tin 
 
 147. The (litl'fronco in chanu'tor of tlic cDiiiitiT <>ii i\h' v-asi uiul wo^t 
 nidos ol" till' tirst iiiii.i^t! «»t llio inoiintiiiiis. wliidi i>ii tlu' Inrty-iiiiilli 
 l»aralU'l cuiistiluUN the wiiU-r-slKMl, is vorv stl•ilvirl^^ Slaruliii^- on oiio 
 of tlio hi^'lior siiMunitK, glinipsos of tiio Irooloss praiiic ran lio 
 Hoon botwonn tlii^ castorn bonlorin;; inounlains. Tlio iimliilutions of tlio 
 gniMsy l()(»t liilis are, from llio olcvution, comiilololy losl ; and llio ]»luin 
 ttppoars to ditl'or only in colour from tiio soa. Looldn;; worst ward, even 
 whoi'o tl viuw i.s most I'Xtcnsivo, it is one <•!' tiunultiioiis poaivs and 
 rid;^L's, piiK-fiad or liaiv and i-odvy, to tiio horizon; ami llieso ai't^ only 
 tlio (Irsl of thoso wliicli in alnii>st unbroUon soiios oxlcnd to llio I'acillc 
 Cottht, a distance of foui- Inmdred miles. 
 
 least 
 It 
 the 
 the 
 ,vhat 
 H of 
 twas 
 
 ■m 
 
 Comparison of the Rocks seen in the Vicinitijofthe Forty-ninth ParaUel, 
 with those of other LoeitUti.es. 
 
 148. Sir J. Richardson hasdoscribod the Rocky Mountains, where In* 
 mot with them on the MacUon/.ie Itiver, as Ikmiii^ in i^feat |)art composed 
 of (Jarbonifei'oiis limestone. Dr. Ilec.tor is, so fai' us 1 know, llu' oidy 
 other t^(;oloi^ist who has examined their eastern ranges in British 
 Aniericu. Ho had the opportunity of travoi'siny them in several 
 places, and has noted the occiii'reiice of limestones of (Jai-honileroiis 
 age, ill many localities. In thcs eastern raiii;c, wluwe cut by the 
 Bow River, he describes a "deep blm^ linieslone, whieh weathers to a 
 liu;ht blue colour, and is traversed by veins ofcalcspar. The surfaces of 
 those bods are very rough, and masses of chert are loft protrudiiiu; by the 
 action of the weather." They were found to contain fragments of 
 Enerinito stems ; nUo, I*roifueta and Sitirifer ; and are conse<|uentl3' of 
 Carboniferous or Devonian age. They are said, in this locality, to bo 
 associated with earthy shales.* Xear the same place — in Castlo 
 Mountain — limestone beds occur, which would appear from the descrip- 
 tion, to have boon estimated at about 2,U00 feet in thickness. They 
 overlie quartzites and ([uarlzito-conglomeratos, though not directly. f 
 Somewhat further west, at the head of the Vermilion fiivor, a similar 
 limestone is again found, with fossils like those last mentioned. 
 Certain hill-sides are also described as consisting of " horizontal strata of 
 blue slate rock, closely banded with red stripes"]; which may be supposed 
 to represent Series C. 
 
 149. On the upper waters of the North Saskat(diowan, Cai-boniferous 
 
 ■P.iMUer ExpUinvt .111 of Uritisli North Aimirifn, IW!:!, pp. !)0-100. 
 t Ibid., p. lU;; { lliid,, ji. 101. 
 
^>. 
 
 *^v«> 
 
 IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 4 
 
 /jw/ / &* ^^ 
 
 f/^ 
 
 1.0 
 
 I.I 
 
 1^ 1^ 
 
 :t 1^ iiiiiio 
 
 lU 
 
 ;:.25 
 
 - 6" 
 
 1.4 ill 1.6 
 
 <^ A- 
 
 /. 
 
 ^3 
 
 
 ^1^ 
 
 '/ 
 
 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 
 Corporation 
 
 23 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, NY. 14580 
 
 (7)6) 873-4503 
 

! .-• 
 
 1:'l 
 
 70 U. N, A. bOL'NltAllY COMMISSION. 
 
 liiiU!H(ont'.s full ol' Kiici'iiiiU's jiikI corals, aro nu'iilioiu'd ;* and near 0I«1 
 liow Fori, ( roam-coloiirwl liiiit'.-.loiie, with clicrly ikhIiiIch and oliscurc 
 Kncrinilo stems, IjIiui crystalline limestone and compact earth}' iiniestono, 
 with CyaihophijUum and Fitvofiitr.s were found associated.! 
 
 150. In JJoche .Miette Mountain, near Jasper House, Dr. Hector 
 obtained the <blli)\vini;- interesting section : — J 
 
 Iliiril, ('iiiii|)ii( t liliii; linii'RtoiK! anil Kimic, with luxhilcK of 
 
 iron pyiitcM 2,000 feet. 
 
 Fissile slialcs, uliuost liluck 300 " 
 
 Hard iivi'y sandstone 100 " 
 
 tSliales, towai'il tlie upper j)art with frrccn and red 
 
 )>U)tclies, tlie lower part riist-eoloiired 500 " 
 
 Clierty limestone and coarse sandstone, obseiired. liy 
 timber 
 
 This hliows a nuKlerately close resemblance with the membc;., of 
 the IJoundtiry section from D. to M., inclusive. 
 
 Ifil. At. the nor'li end of Pijie-stone Psiss, u dtirlc-blue limestone, 
 containing Atri/pn reticularis, and thcrelore characterized as J)evonian, 
 occurs. J^ 
 
 15U. Near the I'liper Coluinbia Lake, on the west side of the main 
 ran<i'e of the mountains, Carboniferous limestone is found lying uncon- 
 /'o/mr//*/// on slaty rocUs, a very interesting fact when taken in conjunc- 
 tion with the supposed miconformity of Series 1). and ('., on the Line. 
 Di'. Hector describes the " cherty Carbtuiiferous limestone" as "resting 
 on slate, both dipping to the north-east, luit the hiMer at a very high 
 angle," || and in another place i-ecurs (o the observation .as proving the 
 unconformity of the limestone on tlu^ underlying seri«'s. ^j 
 
 l.W. In sunnning up his observjitiitns. Dr. Hector con.siders the 
 eastern range to be mainly composed of thick-bedded limestones. He 
 writes: — "These limestones are of dark and light-blue coloui-, crystal- 
 line, compact or eherty, with fossils tluit are either of Carboniferous or 
 Devonian age, the principal of wlsich are Spirifer, Ortlds, Cfionetes, 
 Cutmluria, Lonsdnlia, Cynthophi/lluin, Lithostrotion, &.i-. Along with them 
 are softer beds of grity, sandy shale, generally of a dull red or purple 
 colour. "-'^* "' In the second range we have the same limestones and shales 
 re])eated as in the tirst, but at the base I observed traces of a magnesian 
 limestone of a butf colour, containing Atri/pa reticularis, a true Devonian 
 lbssil,"tt " On the Kicking-horse Hiver, in the third range, we have tho 
 
 * Kxiilorutiuii of Uritiiili NorUi Aiiiurira, |i. 113. 
 t Ibiil, p. 14(1. : Ibid., p. 127. S Uiid., p. lf.0. || U.id., p. 164. 
 
 •i Juuni. liool. Soe., \ol. xvii,, p. 443. •* Exploratioii of Uritiah North Amurica, p. 230. 
 
 tt Juurii. Gvul. tsuc, vol. rii., p 113. 
 
ROCKV MOUNTAINS — REVIEW OP SECTION. "Zl 
 
 mountains again formed of bluo limestone, alonj; wKli a com[)a('t Mue 
 rtchist with red bands rivinjj; a eiirious striped aspec-t to the im-ivs. " * 
 
 154. Dr. Heetoi- is not very clear as to the separation of the sup- 
 posed Devonian and Carboniferous limestones, and they may indeed, very 
 probably belong to a single scries. Prof. Meek, in desci-ibing fossils from 
 limestones occurring in the mountains south of the Boundary-line, which 
 from the general faeies, ho bolieved to be ('arboniforous ; mentions the 
 fact that the forms, without exception, belong to genera, which ai-c 
 common both to that formation and the Devonian, and of which a small 
 number are irprcsented also in the Silurian, f 
 
 15.'). Dr. Pealc, in his report to Dr. Ilayden J describes, at Spring 
 Canon, Montana, about two hundred miles south of the Line, an interest- 
 ing section which is clearly comparable with Scries- 1), K, G, and 11. It 
 may be summarized as follows : — 
 
 Cretaceous — 
 
 Red, purplf, iind grey sandstoiU'K, with brown linifHtont'.. 200 fi-et. 
 
 Jurassic — 
 
 Brown and yi'llowish limestones, with sjind.stones and tliin 
 
 (juartzites 449 " 
 
 Triassic — 
 
 lied and purpl(> sand.stones, Kometimi's ealcareons, witii 
 
 one ttiin limestone near the top US " 
 
 CarbonifiTom — 
 
 Limestone, the upper layers arenaceous 435 " 
 
 Allowing for the distance by which the two regions are separated, the 
 agreement is sufiitiently close. We have first, a limestone comj»arablo 
 with D. The trajj E. of the Boundary section, is probably intercalated 
 among the beds here included in the Carboniferous, and sei)ai'atos the 
 representatives of the lower compact limestone, from those of the upper 
 flaggy and arenaceous beds ; which, in the Boundary section, art" desig- 
 nated Series F. Next, a great ascending scries of limestones associated 
 with reddish arcnac<M)us beds. 
 
 15G. The beds classed as Triassic, in the above section, ai-e so-named 
 merely from their analogy with those of that pcri(xl in other regions. 
 Dr. Ilayden, elsewhere, states his belief, that the Tria.ssic and Devtmian 
 series are wanting in Montana,^ and that below the lignite-bearing 
 formation, follow in descending oi-der, the Cretaceous, Jurassic, ('arboni- 
 ferous, and a great thickness of lower strata, probably Silui-ian, which 
 rest unconformably on granitic and gneissic rocks. 
 
 * Expluratiuii of British NurUi Aincriui. , p. 231). 
 t U. S. Oool. Surv. Territ., 1872., p. 432. { IblU., p. 110. S Ibid., p. 2S. 
 
rffi' 
 
 t i; 
 
 
 :t r 
 
 72 
 
 n. N. A. noUNPARV COMMfSSION. 
 
 157. Tlic fj;r<*al soi-ios of liinostoiiow a(tril»u(t«l to tlio OarlMjiiiforoiiH 
 pci'i(Hl, aro also fouiitl to roposo unconf'ornial»ly on the rockw l>oiK>ath 
 tliom. Tiioy lie in somo jtlaccH (iirin-tly on the gnoissic rooks, while in 
 other localities, l,r)00 feet to 2,0(M» feet of Silurian strata intervene.* The 
 entire thiclcnoss of the Carboniferous rot-ks is estiniatod at fi-oin 1,000 to 
 2,000 feet, f 
 
 158. Other limestones, supposed to )io Lower Silurian, are also do- 
 scrilied in (his region, and said to have a " much older look than those of 
 (he Cai*lK)nifei'ous." They are also " more compact, and contain a greater 
 per centage of silica, are full of cavities lined with (uystals of quartz, an<l 
 weather into mudi more rugged forms." | In another locality, limestones 
 ljeloi:ging to the two series are found alniost in contact, and " although 
 tliere is no jiositive non-conformity between the ('arboniferous and 
 Silurian, yet there appeal's to be a well defined physical line of separation. 
 The Silurian limestones are more massive, brittle, chorty, and have an 
 ancient look, while the Carl»onife'"ous beds are more pure limestone, and 
 with thin, well defined layers."^ 
 
 159. On the (Jallatin River the thickness of the various formations 
 is estimated as follows :— Jurassic, 1,200 feet; Carboniferous, 2,500 to 
 3,000 ; Silurian, 800 to 1,0(K). || Xear the Junction of the Gallatin and 
 Missouri, a section shows " about 2,000 feet of metamorphosed slates, 
 I'lays, and quartzites of all textures and cohmrs, but mostly thinly lamin- 
 ated," which Bv. Ilayden has no doubt belong to the Potsdam group. 
 ('Ompact, grey limestones, also of Silurian age, ai'e developed in this 
 locality, and overlying the whole series the Carboniferous limestone is 
 found, ^j The general resemblance of this section to that re|)resented by 
 Series C. ajid D. on the Boundary, is at once apparent. 
 
 IfiO. At Jackass Creek, and near Gallatin City, sections more or Ie.S8 
 closely coni])aiable with tho.se on the Boundary-line are also met with,** 
 but many of the beds entering into tiie composition of the mountains in 
 Montana, seem to be somewhat local and variable in their appearance. 
 
 1(51. In the mountains at the head waters of the Powder River, five 
 hundred miles south-easterly from the Boundary sections, the Carbonifer- 
 ous limestone, again occurs, as a C(mi]mct, cherty, yellowish-white rock 
 with few fossils, but enough to indicate its age. It there rests directly 
 on an ii-regular hurface of quartzites and sandstones attributed to the 
 
 »U. S. Ocol. Surv. Territ., 1S72., p. 28. 
 t ll>i(I., p. 29. I Ibid., p. ai. SlbitL.p. 7H || Ujid., p. SO. H Uiiil., p. 09. •• lliiil., pp. 102, 172. 
 
ROCKY MOUNTAINS — REVIEW OF SECTION. 
 
 73 
 
 (I by 
 
 • IcSH 
 
 Ins in 
 je. 
 
 I five 
 
 liifer- 
 
 li'ot'k 
 1 1 
 
 ettly 
 
 I) the 
 
 Potsdiun.* Noiir tlioHnako River, on the wcslorn sido oi' tlio \vaU'r-Hhe«l, 
 W'l) ai^ain find as a conspicuous feature, a •• Mue, clierty (-arhoiiilorous 
 iinu'stone," overlaid i>y siliceous rocks, j- In the IJIack Hills of Dakota, 
 yellowish CarlM)niferous limestones a|»])ear. ami rest on t^w-y and terrui^in- 
 ous J\)tsdani sandstones, lioldin:^ clwiracteiistic oi'uanic ivniains. The 
 latter Ibi-mation was iicre discovei-ed foi- the tirst time, west of the 
 Missouri Kiver, hy Dr. Ilayden, in IS;")!. J 
 
 1(!2. The rocks representing the Carhoniferous formation, in the 
 Rocky Mountain i-eujion, would thendore appear to he wide-sprea<l, and 
 to he reprosentod in i^reat part hy massive limestones, whicli are 
 reniarkahly constant in their lithological character. 
 
 1(»3. A section «(.\amined hy Dr. Ilayden, in the Uinta Range, in 
 Utah, is interesting as a standard of comparison with those on the forty- 
 ninth parallel. Here, red heds, sujtposed to he Triassic, and from 150 to 
 200 feet in thickness, are tirst met with, and pass downwanl into groy 
 sandstones, (puirtzites and indurated aicMaccous clays; then, alternate 
 heds of thin gre}' limestone and sandstones; and flmdlv, a massive 
 limestone, ahout 1,000 leet in thickness, holding Carhoniferous fossils. 
 Next, dull j^ui'plish sandstones, with a series (»f thin layers of slate and 
 clay, gradually passing down into brittle ivildish and gre}' <piartzitos, and 
 being more compact and massive. In this whole scries, fnmi the reel 
 bods above, to the lowest quart/.itcs, no unconformity is ap])arent ; the 
 junction between the base of the limestone and the underlying sandstone 
 becoming clear and regular. The total tliickness of tlu! heds exposed is 
 
 estimated at 10,000 feet, of which 8,000 feet, is com 
 
 posei 
 
 I of the lower 
 
 sandstones and quai-tzites. Of these last, Dr. Ilayden helieves the upper 
 beds to be Silurian, anil to pass gradually downward without any break 
 in time, to rocks of Iliironian age; the lowei" jjurplish 4uartziti>s being 
 compared with those underl^'ing the Crctaci'ous and Carboniferous rocks 
 in Dakota, which are supposi-d to bidong to that, jieriod. i^ 
 
 Ifil. The iren 
 
 cral SI 
 
 milarity of this with the Boundary section 
 
 IS 
 
 apparent, and the resemhhince of the rocks undei'lying the great lime- 
 stone in the two localities is particularly interesting. The lowest impure 
 dolomites of Series A. might veiy well be (\dlcd j)ur])lish quart/.ites on ii 
 superficial examination, and woidd be siuh but fi)r the jiresence of a pro- 
 portion of calcareo-magncsian matter. The magnesian limestone B. 
 
 kl2, 172. 
 
 • 0('nli>Kiciil l{('|uirt Yullouiitoiin mill Mlswrnri Kxpcditiciii. ISfif)., p. "(>, t Iliiil., p. KS. 
 
 t V. S. Oeiil. Siirv. Ttn-rit. 1S.-|7-.")!I., p. 112. S I'. S. Uw.l. Siirv. Trrrit. 1.S70., pp. 49-.12. 
 
MMftk 
 
 74 
 
 B. N. A. BOUNDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 
 ill 
 
 appoiirsto be wantins^ in the Uiiitii section, bill its inti-oduction would bo 
 in coiTOhpondenco with the imroascd (juuutity of caleareous matter in the 
 other rocks, 
 
 165. ]{ed beds overlyiiii-- the Carboiiil'orous limestone aie frequently 
 found in the western territories. Some of them, from their fossils, are 
 certainly Jurassic, while others are Triassic, or perhaps Permian. They 
 have been alreatly more than once referred to. Near the head waters of 
 the Cheyenne River, in some localities, between the Carboniferous lime- 
 stone and the supjiosed Jurassic I'ed b?ds, they attain a considerable thicU- 
 iiess, and hold gypsum, =i- the accumulation of wliicli implies conditions 
 similar to those causing the briny lakes, shown to have existed after the 
 d'-'position of the great limestone in the Boundary sections. Near the liead 
 of Wind River, the Carboniferous rocks are followed in ascending order 
 by 150 feet of arenaceous beds, and greyish, ash-coloured sandy clays ; then 
 by a great series of reddish, purplish, yellowish, and grey beds, sand- 
 stones flaggy limestones and marls. Ri])])lc-marked surfaces are com- 
 mon, iiiid organic remains prove the rocks to bo Jurassic. f 
 
 1()(). Of the mountains alxnit the soui'ccs of the ^fissoui-i, the Big 
 Horn, and Wind Hiver ranges, Dr. llayden writes: — "A scries of arena- 
 ceous beds, which we have called the red linnaccous deposits, or Triassic, 
 i'onn one of the most conspicuous features of the geology along the flanks 
 of both sides of the principal I'anges of mountains, and are almost always 
 present." They ai-e " /<<)inetimes called saliferous or (jyiisum-bearimj beds, 
 from the fart that they contain both salt and <jijpsum, the latter mineral 
 (ifteiitimes in (jreat tpiantiti/." A portion (tf these red lu'ds is believed to 
 be Triassic, but above them lies a scries of marls, or arenaceous marls, of 
 light or ashen grey colour, with Jurassic fossils. J 
 
 1(J^. Though the absence of fossils in the rocks of the mountains 
 near the forty-ninth jtarallel, wherever I have examined them, pre- 
 cludes the fixing of their horizons by i)ahcontological evidence, it seems 
 possible to correlate them lithologically and stratigraphically with 
 similai' beds in other and better known i-egions of the west. This means 
 of correlation appears to be a pi'otty reliable one, from the great general 
 constancy in succession and character of the stratified rocks of the interior 
 and western part of the continent. 
 
 lt>8. On comparing the sections, it would haixlly seem to admit of 
 
 * QuuluKiual Hcpurt Yclluwstoiiu uiid Missouri Kx|H»litioii., p. TO. 
 
 { V. a. Ut'ol. Surv. Torrit. 1857-61)., PI). 112-113. 
 
 t IbiJ., pp, b2-S3. 
 
 I 
 
HOCKV MOUNTAINS — (lENEHAL rnNCI,U.SI(»NH. 
 
 75 
 
 (l(Mil)t, that llu' iji'oat limoHtonc sci'it'H F). roprcsonts dial altrilniti'il (otlui 
 Cai'lioiiifbroiis hy Dr. IJci'tor, to the north, and l»y Dr. lla^-den anil others 
 to the south. Aljove it, wo have the roiMish and fawn-eolourod beds of F., 
 G. and JI. Of the former, tlie lower part proltahly helon^j^s to the Carbon- 
 iferous limestone l)eneath, heinjj; oidy separated from it l)y the tra)> K. 
 The two latter may represent in part what has elsewhere hei'n called 
 Triassie, l)iit, in all probaltility, are ti)r the most part <»f Jurassie au;e. 
 
 10!>. Helow the Carhoniferous limestone, a break in the continuity of 
 the series obtains in the Boundary scetions, and Series {\ and B. resemble 
 most closely the roeks which to the south have been called Silurian. The 
 linieslone B., in its rou.i>;h, metamorphic, and cherty character, closely 
 resembles some of the Silurian rocks of the southern region, but does not 
 lie so near the base of the carboniferous limestone as is often the case 
 there. 
 
 170. The rocks of Sei'ies A., as already mentioned, may represent 
 those which Dr. Ilayden has compared with the Huro:iian. This com- 
 parison, however, appeai-s to rest on but slender evidence, and to bo 
 niei'ely of the nature of a suirgestion. The similarity of the impure 
 dolomitesof Series A. with those largel}' developed in the Upper Copper- 
 bearing rocks of Lake Supt-rior, however, is so remarkable as to deserve 
 mention, though it be hardly safe to use lithological character as a criterion 
 of age at so givat a distance. 
 
 171. With regard to the t(uestion uf the age of eh'valion of the 
 mountains, I have been al)le to obtain but little information in the region 
 examined, and that chiefly of a negative kind. Cretaci'oris and Lignites 
 Tertiaiy rocks have, however, shared in thi' resulting disturbance. Mr. 
 Clarence King has deduced from his observations on the fortieth parallel, 
 thi'ee great jiericxls of u]>lift. The tirsi, he refers to the Jurassic period ; 
 the second to the close of the Tjignite Tertiary, and the third is supposed 
 to have been simultaneous with the great volcanic outbursts of the post- 
 tertiary. Evidence of elevation at the first of these periods, does not 
 appear to have been very generally ftjund ; and tliat it cannot have been 
 very great, or such as to form a com|)lete barrier between the eastern and 
 western regi(ms, the similarity (jf the marine moUusca of the lowest lig- 
 nite beds of the mountains, with those of the rocks of the west coast, 
 appears to show.* 
 
 172. Other evidence, however, goes to prove that some movement took 
 
 Miuini; IiiduHtry of the Furtieth Parallel, p. 4til. 
 
r 
 
 7« 
 
 D. N. A. liOrNDAKY COMMIMHION. 
 
 pluco {ii'ior to tliu period of cluvulioii iiImivc naiiUHl the suroiiii. I)r 
 llot'tor (U'st'riboM ii liill ofCurhoiiiforourt liinestoiio, wliicli appDurw to Imvo 
 boon HI) iNlaitil at the timuol'tlio deposition of t lie siirroiuidiii;^ Crelaeeous 
 or early Tertiary rocks, and to liavo been siibseciuenlly piisiied up to u 
 greater elevation.* Dr. I'eale believes that the Urid^or Kanye, in Mon- 
 tana, was elevated prolmbly at tiie eloso of the Crolaeeoiis, while «)ther 
 nei^hltoiirin^ inuiintains were not formed till the close of the Kocene ;t 
 and J)r. ilaydun is also of opinion that a gentle elevation hud conunenced 
 bert)re the close of the Cretaceous. | 
 
 17H. The great periinl of elevation, however, was that bringing to a 
 clo.so the f(»rination of the Lignite Tertiary, and intervening between it 
 and the later rocks a.ssigned to the Miocene and Pliocene. Dr. I lay don 
 has accumulated in the course of his surveys an immense number of fuets 
 proving the violence and universality of this dislocation. IIo liolieves 
 the series, up In the summit of the Lignite Tertiary, to have passed 
 completely over the. present position of the mountains, and writes : 
 " From the Silurian to the upper Lignite group inclusive, a thickness of 
 "" 00 to 15,000 feet oxten»k>d, in an unbroken, horizontal mass, over 
 r ivly or (juite the entire area of Montana, and probably much more 
 widely." j!^ 
 
 174. The evidence concerning the jieriods in the formation of the 
 mountains, however, is as yet l>y no means complete ; and it is certain 
 that elevatory movements antedating all these above mentionwl, have 
 taken place. Disregarding those which iiad etfected the Kozoic rocks 
 ])revious to the depi>sit of the next oldest sediments known in tiie west ; 
 we tind at least one break in the series at the base of the Carboniferous 
 and in different localities the Potsdam, (y'arboniferous limestone, Triiissic, 
 and Cretaceous are found resting on the denutled edges of Eozoic rocks, 
 which must at the.se porioils have formed cojvst lines. 
 
 175. The comparatively small total thickness of the beds represent- 
 ing a great part of the Palu'ozoic sei-ies, in the west, is remarkable, 
 especially when taken in connection with the relatively great deposits of 
 the Cretaceous and later ages. This, and the absence of coal deposits, 
 even in the Carboniferous series, would tend tf) show that the area of dry 
 land during the Paheozoic must have been quite snudl. 
 
 • ExplDiatioii c.f British North America., p. 115. t U.S. Oeol. Snrv. Terrlt.1872, p. 113. 
 
 t Oil the Period uf Elevutiuii of the Kouky Mouutaiiis, Am. Juurii. .Science aiul Arts., May, 1802. 
 )S r.H. (leol. Siirv. Territ, 1872.. p 8;). Oe<)l<i((ical Ke|>ort Yellowstone and .Missouri Kx|>edition., p. 5. 
 Also, for the Black Hills and Lanimie .Moun'oiins. U. S. Ucol Surv. Territ. 1857-59., p. 70. 
 
ROCKY MOCNTAfXH— OENKIIAI, CONCLrHlONH. 
 
 11 
 
 Th,. mMirivnco „f ,nu,-i.osian .•...Ivs at m, nuiuy .linVivnt hori/.oim 
 IS «Ino iiolj'wortliy, 
 
 17<;. Tl.o .su.|.l,.n naturoor llu, Ln-aU hotuvcn (Ih- nearly hori;.ontal 
 Hliuta ,.f the plains, nn.l U,o crnn,,,U.d nn-ks c.f fhc n.o.intalns, is u 
 i-finarkal.lo knxUuv <.n ll.o forty-ninth parallH. A similar poculiarity of 
 stnu-t.nv has, however, been ohs(,rvod in other an.l distant parts (,c" the 
 ■•an,:re. Near ,he head waters of the I'owder |{iver. the (Velaeeons and 
 Tert.ary beds, lu-yond ten to (ilteen n.iles thmx the .noantains, nre not 
 flexed.* 
 
 ti..„:''ii:''5"';!i.:rc:.Tei;ri«7:i!'"' *""'""■' '""'""^'■"•- '■ "«■ ""■"■'»'" •"-o «'. Marvm-H sec. 
 
OIIAPTKR IV. 
 
 CHKTACKOUS AND TKKTIAHV HOCKS OF THK VICIXITV OF THK 
 
 FOHTYNINTH I'AHALLKL -I'KMIUNA KS(.'AK1'MKNT TO 
 
 WOOD MOUNTAIN. 
 
 Ckktackoi's Rocks. — I'emhina Escarpment — Niobrara grouj) — FdhhUh of tlm Boyne 
 River- IVmbina Mountain gnmp-RockH near tliu Rouiularyliue— SeitionM in 
 l'enil)ina River --SectionB in I,ong River— Thitkness of lieiis expoHed — Litlio- 
 logioal character —Ln'.M IK TKinrAuv Rocks on riiK SoiKis Rivkk — Drift- 
 covere<l region — La Roche Fercec -Section on Sliort Creek — .SectionH west of 
 Short Creek -Sections near Wood End -(ivr IN the Sk(TIoN on tiik 
 BdtNnAiivi.iNK -Lkinitk Tkhtiakv Rocks ok (tUKAT Vali.kv and Ryhamm) 
 (-Jkkkk —Sections on (ireat Valley Seclions on J'yrainid Creek — I^hinitk 
 Tkim'IAKy Rocks on Rokciii'ink Ckkkk -Eighteen-foot lignite bed — Lki.mte 
 Tektiaky Rocks on thk Tuadeks' Road. 
 
 1 « 
 
 ! I 
 
 I ' 
 
 Cretaceous Rocks of Pembina Escarpment, Pembina River, and 
 
 Long River. 
 
 177. On leiiviii^ tlu* Lako of the WooiIh, and proceedino; westward, 
 the face of tlie country is found to he thickly covered with drift and 
 alluvial de])osits. Tiie Silurian linxestones, which prohahly exist at no 
 very /jjreat depth, are not observed, and the fii'st rocks seen are those of 
 the Cretaceous formation, along the haso of the escarpment known as 
 Pembiiui Mountain, which bounds the Rod River Valley to the west. 
 From this ])oint westward to the base of the Rocky Mountains, no 
 rocks older than the Cretaceous are found. The beds of this series are 
 seldom well exposed in the eastern part of the prairio region lying 
 northof the forty-ninth parallel, and the information acquired concerning 
 them by the few previous explorers hiw, in consequence, been fragment- 
 ary and incojiclusive, though groat areas of country have been ti'uversod. 
 
 178. About twenty-fivo miles noi-th of the Line, whore tho Boyne 
 River cuts through tho Pembina Kscarpnient, beds occur clearly 
 referable to tho 3rd or Niobrara division of Meek and Ilayden's Upper 
 Missouri section. (4^ 3;5.) Though unable to visit this very interesting 
 locality, I have i-eceived specimens of the I'ocks, thi'ough the kindness of 
 Mr. A. L. Russell, which exactly resemble those coming from tho 
 Niobrara division in Nebraska, both lithologically and in the nature of 
 tho included organic remains. 
 
 fl Hii 
 
cnKTArEOfH ANI> TEHTIAnV — IIOVNK HIVEU. '0 
 
 ni>. Till' nxlc is II ('n'iiin-ciili)iii'»««l, or m-arly wliile limcstoiu', 
 liroiikiiig ciisily aloiiLf liin'iy.oiital plaiu-s, piuiilli-l l<» llio Miifaci-s of 
 tlio slit'lls i>f Osfrcit and Inoecnimua, ol' wliicli it is in greal part 
 t'om|K)so(l. Tho /noi'iromi an- (o(» fVaujinontaiy to admit of hjh)- 
 ciHc itlfntification, and liavc scrvod nn siipjiorts f(»i' tlio oystors, wliieh 
 still, in many instanct's, adlu'iv to tlii'm, Tho oystors, appaivntly, 
 nil lit'liinif to a siiigU> spmit's, and arc identical with tlu' O.strcd 
 ro;j(/<'s^a of Conrad, so charaoleristic of tho Xioltrara linu-stonos I'lirthor 
 
 HOUth. 
 
 180. Tlioso lari^or sholls are inilioddod in a soft, whitish, earthy 
 matrix, which is found, whon inirroscopioally oxaniinod, to con.sist almost 
 entirely of tho more or loss porfeet remains of Foraminifera, Cooeoliths 
 and allied organisms ; togotlier with the small irrogidar prisms arising 
 from the disintegration ofluocerami. Tlu' Foraminifera represente<l aro : 
 TiXtularia (/ibbosa D'Orh. Var. (jtobitlosd Khr. Tcxtularia ivjijlutinons 
 Var. pyijmcea JJ'Orh. Planorhulina (jloljulom KUv. Ptdnorbulina farrta 
 Var. arirnincn.sis U'Orb. (HobiijrriiKV reteralile to (}. crt'facea, also 
 oeour though not abundantly. All these I have also identified in 
 H))ecimens of the Niobrara limestone from Kau qui C'ourt in Nebraska. 
 The first named species was found by Khreidierg in the Brighton and 
 Grttvesond ehaik, being one of the commonest forms in tho latter. It 
 also occurs in the Meudon chalk of France, and is still living in tho 
 Mediterranean and elsewhere, at tlepths of from fifty to one hundred 
 fatlioms. The second textularine form is closely allied to, if not identical 
 with, one found in the Knglish chalk, and is common at the present 
 day in the North Athmtic and elsewhere; becoming, however, rare 
 and small at great depths, and apparently most at ht>me at a depth 
 of about ninety fathoms in the latitude of Kngland. Planorbutina 
 globulosa is common in the modern ocean, and in tho North Atlantic 
 is best developed from the shore-line down to fifty or seventy fathoms. 
 The specimens from Manitoba resemble those from tho greater dei)ths 
 in being considerably flattened. The second rotaline form is abundant 
 in tho English chalk, in that of Miien, Denmark, and doubtless elso- 
 whei'e ; and is also found in Tertiary and recent deposits. (Plate XVII., 
 Fig. 2, in Apjtendix.) 
 
 181. Tho general facios of the foi-aminiferal fauna of these Cre- 
 taceous rocks of Manitoba, as well as thcjse of like age in Nebraska, 
 singularly resembles that of the English chalk. Both aboiuid in 
 textularine and rotuline forms of similar types; the more abundant in 
 
^ 
 
 I l' 
 
 80 
 
 H. N. A. IHi|-Nr).\llV CMM.MISSlnN. 
 
 lM)tli, liciii^ tlio foi'iu with ^liiliuso rliiuiilici'N, ami fiitlt having iIh rarer 
 aiuilo^iK', with chaiuhtTs Hallt'iu'il ami nmro <lcli<'af»'.* 
 
 1H2. The fiiiiT )»art of ilic snCli'i" |>(tiiioii.s of tin- n»cl<, ih cnmjMtscil 
 atinost ciitircly of IIk> uNtri'tiu'ly ininiito ImmHcs, which aro iii*'lii(l(M| iimlur 
 (ho ^^ciioral iiaiiios — Coiroliths ;iml Iih<il>il»/it/is. 'I'hosc aiv now Unown to 
 hcloni; to iiiiniito pulai;!*' V(><;clal)l(> oi'u;aiiiMiis. Coccoliihs arc ahiindaiit 
 in most niiMlt'i'ii oceanic tli'|Mtsits, and have ioni; hfi'ii known to occnr in 
 tho chalk of Kn^land and clscwhucc, Imt do nol appear to have been 
 provioiiHly ohstirvod in the (Votaecoiis rx-ks ot' Ainorica. Tho allied 
 lihahdolitlis v.ero dineovortxl hy Dr. (). .Schmidt in IHTli, in the Adriatic, 
 Soa ; hut I do nol know that they have heretofore been found in Llio 
 fosrtil Htato. Theso very minute hixlios are well preserved in tho 
 limestone from Hoyne River, and run throiiii;h the same net of forms us 
 those described by Ih: Schmidt, f (IMaU- XVll., Fig. 1.) 
 
 18;}. The limestone, where it occurs on the IJoyne Iiiver, appears to 
 be interleaved with beds of soft clay ; but tho accounts 1 have received, 
 are not sutHclontly precise to enable any detlnite conclusions as to ita 
 thickness or extent, to be arrived at. Its occurrence at this one localityi 
 enables the outcrop of the Niobrara Division — or highest be<l of tho 
 Lower (y*retucoous sei'ies — to be defined at a point nearly four-hundred 
 miles further north than it has ])reviously been known, and tixes tho 
 position of a well-marked hoi'i/.on in the Cretaceou.s rocks of the North- 
 west. X 
 
 184. In the immediate vicinity of the forty-ninth ])arallol, no rocks 
 referable to the Niobrara division are found along the escarpment of 
 Pembina Mountain, and their outcro]> is no doubt concealed by the gi'oat 
 thickness of sandy and alluvial deposits jtiled against its bjise. The beds 
 here seen in place appear to belong to the 4th or Fort Pierre gi-oup of 
 Moek and Ilayden, which, in their Missouri sections, immediately over- 
 lies the last, anil Ibrms the base (if tho closely associated group of Later 
 Cretaceous deposits. From the scarcity of fossils in the gi'eat thickness of 
 beds exposed in the Pembina Fscarpment, and the want of information 
 as to the nature of the Cretaceous beils intervening between these ex- 
 posures and those of tho tributaries of tho Missouri, caused by tho thick 
 
 1 1 
 
 • The microscopic nrj;ai..;-ni8 from tliin mcli arc dusorilwd, niul tliclr ri'liitimiH iiKiro fully (liscuiiscd, 
 in the Canadian AatiiraliKt., vul. vii., p. 2f>'2. t Ami. iind iMiijr. Nat."Hlat., 187'i 
 
 { S))ccimcii8 siiit'u (ibtaincil hy tlie (.'aiiailiaii (it'olo^'ical Survey, west i>f I.ako Wirmipui;ii8iH, Hceni t<i 
 beloiiK t<) the same diviuioii, and eiiabluM lt« uutcmp tu l)u traced Htiil further lu tlio nortli. See Ilopurt of 
 Progress, 1874-75. 
 
 Tlie rochii of the Niobram divitiiou in Nebnuika, arc fuuiid tu yield the bent (quicklime u( any in th« 
 state, thuu|;h Carbonlfcroiu limcstunes algu occur there. 
 
rnETAOEnirn AND TrnTIAIlV— I'KMIIIW EHrAUPMEVr. 
 
 81 
 
 ilM riwvv 
 
 v\ iiixlui' 
 now II to 
 |iiiii(liiiit 
 iH'i'ur in 
 
 V(( bi'OM 
 
 \o i\\\\vi\ 
 A<li'ialii'. 
 I ill tlio 
 ill tiio 
 lb I' I lis art 
 
 |)oai'rt to 
 ivccivfU, 
 iiH U) itrt 
 I local ityi 
 )d of tho 
 -lumclrod 
 lixos tho 
 10 North- 
 no I'ockrt 
 mo lit of 
 tho ifi'oat 
 ho bods 
 group of 
 ,cly ovor- 
 of Lator 
 cknortrt of 
 brmution 
 those ox- 
 tho thick 
 
 lly (liHCUBHCll, 
 
 t.Iliat.,l872. 
 
 [(isi», «ecm to 
 CO Koix)rt of 
 
 if auy ill thu 
 
 I 
 
 manth^ of driH. it is im|wwHihlo at pioHciil to lix this Lfntiip as oxactly 
 <'oiitoiii|xirarv with that dolini-ii hy .Mcok and lliiydfii. I shall llu'i-cliiro 
 I't'for (o it in this [{cport inci'oly iis tho I'miliiiiii Mountdin (irimit; n nanui 
 to whitli it may woll U- ontitlod, iVoni tli(< niiiiu>riMf« ^ihA oxposiirotj 
 which occur in tho ruviiios (»t' that cscarpinciit, aiul which I'Xprossos itH 
 iiitiinato coiiiicctioii witli this ^roat feature nf the physical gcnt^raphy of 
 tho phiiiiM. 
 
 1H5. Ill tho vallc}' hy which tho ('t>iiiinissii)n Trail axciidfl IVinhiiia 
 \foiiiitaiii, ton miles mirth of the lioiiiidary-lino, and not tiir from tho 
 wotMlod projection known as IViinI Allanl; rocks oi this division were mot 
 with till' the tirsi time, in u hare hill-sido, which is too gently slojiing and 
 ci'unihled hy tho weather to yioldago(Ml socti<iii. Tho rock is a rather dark 
 greoniHii-groy clay-shalo, in wliich no organic remains ajipear. It holds 
 at least one, and prolialily several, layers of cluy iroiislono an inch or two 
 in thickness, dark hrown fragments of which strew tho face of the hank. 
 Tho exposure must represent at least ;{0 feet of the strata, which appear 
 to lie quite horizontal. Tho ironstone is very poor, the iron in a sunipio 
 examined amounting to only 19'14 per cent. Lt is almost wholly in com- 
 hination with carlKinic acid, and is ussocialed with much clayey matter, 
 like that of tho surrounding hods. 
 
 1H(). Seven miles further west, on tho second prairie plateau, of 
 which Pemhinn .\fountaiii forms the front; the Calf Moirntain, so called, 
 though only ahout thirty foot in height, forms a somewhat prominent 
 feature on tho plain. It appears to he an outlyer of a gently sloping 
 ridgo which runs northward from it, and may ho due to tho surface 
 contour of the drift, but more probably indicates the lino of outcrop of a 
 botl of the Pembina Mountain grouji somewhat more resisting than the 
 rest. 
 
 187. Whore the forty-ninth parallel cuts the base of the Pemliina 
 Escarpment, rocks of this series are woll shown in the almost jirecipitou.s 
 hanks of a small stream. Suiiio toot of the up[tor part of the section 
 consist of drift material, in which fragments of the underlying shale 
 aro mingled with gneiss and granite boulders. Behnv this, about forty 
 foot of CVetaceous clay-shale aro exposed, much rosombliiig that already 
 described, and of tho same dark groonish-giey colour when freshl}- broken, 
 but weathering to a lighter shade. It crumbles into little rectangular 
 fragments by tho action of the frost and weather, and the bank, ovon 
 where freshly exposed, is penetrated in all directions by cracks with 
 rusty Hurfaces. Several lui'ge lenticular Bopturian nudules occur in tho 
 
 Gd 
 

 i 
 
 ir 
 
 II ; » 
 
 1 ; 
 
 
 82 
 
 n. N. A. BOIJNDAHV COMMISSIcm. 
 
 Ht'otioii ; one of (lu'iu wjis found to bo as niiidi as six foot loni,', with a 
 tliifiiiioss <»f al>out two foot in tlio mitldlo. Tho .i,fonoral siihistanoe of the 
 oonoretioiis is noarly i)laol< in ooioin-, and hard ; an<l is oomposod of ar^illa- 
 ooous maltor, oonioutod loijothor with oaioic oai'honato, and not hi::jldy 
 foiTiiginous. Tiio voins wiiioh travorso thoni in all dirootions, aro 
 coniposod of white and ainlwr-coloiii-od calcito. In cortain hij'ors of tho 
 Kootion, well formed solonilo crystals aro foinid in givat irimndanco. 
 Thoy aro ofton sovoral inohos in loni^th and (luite transparent, and sonic- 
 tiinos form radiating _i;roiij)s. Some parts of tho day-shale yield also to 
 careful search numerous fragmentai-y remains of small teleostian fishes, 
 consisting of detached scales, and bones, chiefly from the vertebral column. 
 (Plate IS.) These organic remains arc of an incoMsj)icuous brown colour, 
 and little altered ; and from the crumbling nature of the matrix aro very 
 ilifHcult to ])reservo as spocimons. 
 
 188. Pembina Kivcr, where it del)Ouches fiom the escnrpmeiit at St. 
 Joseph's — a small settlement of half-broods, u few tniles south of tho 
 Lino — does ;(>t show any good sections of the Cretaceous formation, its 
 high banks being comj)osed of drift nuilerial. 1 was unable to trace the 
 rumours of the occurence of goKl, coal, and other valuable minerals, in 
 this locality, to any authentic source* That fragments of lignite, or 
 oven traces of gold, should exist in the drift dejjosits of any ])art of this 
 region, is not impossible ; but it is more )>robable that the I'oports 
 (>oncerning the latter, have arisen from tho discovery of ii'on pyrites in 
 the Cretaceous days. 
 
 189. The course of the Pombina i?iver, svost of the escarpment, will 
 bo soon on referonco to the ina|). Where crossed by the (/ommission 
 Trail, nearly twenty miles west of the edge of tho escarpment, and alnnit 
 ton north of tho Line, sections of the Cretaceous rocks are again found. 
 The river, though not moi-c tiiau thirty oi- forty feet in witlth, here flows 
 in an immense valley, about a mile wide, and thrco hundred feet in 
 depth. The banks of the valley aro romarkal)ly abru])t anil steeji, and 
 in any formation composed of hardei-, oi- loss uniformly soft I'ocks than 
 those of this part of the Cretaceous, would no doubt txfi'ovd numerous and 
 fine exposures. As it is, comparatively few sections aro to be found, and 
 these in tho fonn, merely, of stee]j weathoi'od banks, in which tho 
 original stratification is not apparent till they Jnivo been scarped down 
 with the pick and shovel. 
 
 * Rumours prevalent at loaiit 8ince 1862. See Dr. O, U. Owen's Uei>ort ou Wiscoiisin, lowu ami Mill- 
 nesuta. 
 
, with a 
 •e of the 
 t':»rf:;illu- 
 t hi-hly 
 Diis, are 
 •s ot the 
 inuhtnce. 
 ikI soinc- 
 il alH<» to 
 VII tishois, 
 I c'ohimn. 
 n coh)ui', 
 arc voiy 
 
 put at St. 
 h of tho 
 lation, its 
 ti'ac'o tho 
 iiorals, in 
 i<fnito, or 
 rt of this 
 reports 
 y rites in 
 
 pent, will 
 amission 
 nd about 
 [in found. 
 ore tlow^s 
 |l feet in 
 eop, and 
 iclcs than 
 Irons and 
 |und, and 
 liioh the 
 >cd down 
 
 Iwu itiul Mill' 
 
 /O 
 
 
 i 
 
 :'vgs 
 
 CRETACEOUS AND TEIITIAHV — PKMniNA RIVEn. 83 
 
 1!I0. The most ))romisin^ hank in tiiis locality yielded, when thus 
 treated, tlie f(dlowin^ section : — 
 
 KKKT. IN. 
 
 Clay-slmle, rather hard (i 
 
 IriiuMtone noduloa '2 
 
 t'lay aliale, rusty ami decompcwud .S 
 
 Clay-shidu, soft and b!aokiali .30 
 
 The lower shale is so soft as to merit rather the appellation of hardened 
 elay. It is blackish in colour, from the admixture of a rtn:all (luantity of 
 carbonaceous matter, and also holds minute selenite ci-ystals and fratcinen- 
 tary tish remains; tho latter quite comparable with those already de- 
 scribed, in form and state df preservation. Above this is a l»ed of soft 
 decomposed clay-slate, rusty in colour, aiid lioldin^jf much selenite in small 
 stellar groups, which are generally arranged in tissui-es and j)artinus of 
 the rock. Thoy have been developed, no doubt, by t lie decomposition of 
 iron pyrites in the bed, subsequent to its deposition, and undei- the 
 influence of percolating waters. 
 
 101. The ironstone, though nodular, forms a nearly continuous 
 sheet iii some places of about two inches in average thickness. It is giey 
 within aiul rather comj)act, though weathering bi-own and I^ecoming soft 
 externally. A sample examined was found to contain but 21-7S per cent, 
 of metallic iron. 
 
 192. The upper jKirtion of tho section consists of harder clay-slwile, 
 which is, however, when freshly exposed and full of moisture, ooni]>ara- 
 tively soft, and shows little tendency to break along its deposition planes. 
 When dried and weathered it becomes haitler, and splits easily into rather 
 thin leaves. Its colour when in tho l)ank is sombre olive-grey, but on 
 the sui'tace a pale whitish-grey. It contains no tb.-sils, unless certain 
 branching rusty lines, or small tubes, with which some layers ijre p(>ne- 
 tratetl in I'vory dii-oction, may represent fucoidal remains. 
 
 l:>f{. Tho lower part of this stratum is probably sixty feet above tho 
 level of the Pembina River, and though not actually seen at a higher 
 level in tho bank at this place, it occurs at a greater elevation in other 
 secti(ms. Its crumbled remains also exist at a higher level near this 
 place, and form the su'^ -oil of the pi-airio wherever the surface has been 
 disturbed stifficiently to bring it to view, for some distance west of tho 
 Pembina Valley. As the be<ls appear to bo perfectly horizontal, this 
 stratum would have a thickness, measuring upward from its base in tho 
 section just given, of at least 240 foot. 
 
■1 * 
 
 81 
 
 n. N. A. noiTNDAHV ('nMMlSSI<»N. 
 
 VM. Soiilli and onst oCtliiH locnlily. wliorc tlu* IJoiindnry-liiu' cniHHt's 
 the IN'mltitiii Valley, it is Ntill moiv ii;oin;(' like ai\il aliriipl, and hIiows 
 Rovcial soctidiis of du' I'cinltiiia Monnlain licds. ()iu( oi' (hoso iiiiihI ho 
 ovor 1(10 loot in lioiuhl. iiini (liniii^li (lio sol'lor linlidioarin^' slialoK prolialtiy 
 occin* a( its haso, tlioy a|i|)Oiir lo lio I'oniplotoly covorcd l»y (ho (idling 
 down of doliris iVoni (he cnnnhlini; iipju'r hwds. No nodidos or bands oi' 
 imnstonc a|)])(>ar. Scvi'ial of Ou' i-avincs ciitlin^ doo)) into tho prairie^ 
 wost of'llio rivci" valloy, and soutJj of tho Lino, sliow nioro or loss porloct 
 soot ions of (ho saino hanl iippor olay-shalos. 
 
 lit'). Aliont forty niilos wosi fVoni tin* foot of I'ondiinu Monn(ain, 
 
 ox|>osnros of hods holonninj; (o (ho sanio uroup aunin occur in (ho hanUs 
 
 of tho valloy of Lontj Hivor ami in nciii,hhoiH'in_u; ooid«<»'s. A olilf on (ho 
 
 \vos( side i>f Tionij; HiviT. soni(> miles north of (ho Lino, shows a consid(!r- 
 
 alil<> thiclviioss of shalo near tho water level, iindorlyinfj: a ^roat uccnniida- 
 
 tion of <lrif(. 1( is .-dso seen a( intervals for ton or twelve miles ,son(h 
 
 aloiiij iho rivoi' valley. I( app(>ars, .as usual, (o he (piite horizontal, tuid aH 
 
 it is found at v.-irious levels from that of the hod of the river to the i>eneral 
 
 surfa<o of (he prairie. i( mMs( s(ill have a (hickness of fidly one hundred 
 
 foot. 'IMie ol.'iy-sh.alos hori' present exsiotly tho jihysicid characteristics of 
 
 those of tho u]»per pjirt ot' the IVmhina l{ivor sections, and also rosomhio 
 
 tliom in tho ]iaueity of their orixainc remains. Tho curious rusty tnark- 
 
 inu's. which m;iy lu' tho remains of small iinnelid burrows, or of fucoidw, 
 
 are still very Ci^nmon ; and also (>tlior obscure rusty impressions nioro 
 
 nearly ]iarallel to (ho deposition surfaces. The mould of a small fraiimont 
 
 of Inocoramns, which showed (lie prismatic struc(urt> of the shell, was 
 
 found ; also (ho fla((enod im]irossion of a small nadcoid shell, and 
 
 other forms rosomblinj; broken ))or(ions of a I'ibbed cophalopod. 
 
 VM\, Obscure markimxs, like those, indicating; tho formoK positions of 
 ealc.ireous fossils, are frocpiently found in some layers of tluH ohiy -shale 
 btith here and at Pembina >rountain. The fossils thomsolvos, have, no 
 doubt, boon removed by (ho ac(ion ef sulphuric acid, forniod by (ho 
 decomposition by snrtaco watvi.-i of iron ])yrites, contained in thoso 
 little consolidated beds. The acid so pvoduco<l, has attacked tho calcic 
 carbonate, convertinii; it into tho sulphate, and this has been rodistrilmted 
 and deposited in the tissures and more ]iorou8 layers of tho bods as 
 solonito. The clay, at the time of this action, must have been .so soft 
 as to I lose in on (he cavities formed by the abstraction of tho shells. 
 
 107. From this }>oin(, for over ;}50 ndlos westward, 1 have found no 
 exjx)snres of Cretaceous rocks in tho vicinity of tlio forty-ninth parallel. 
 
 
rilETACKOUH AND TBRTIARY — PEMBINA lUVEIl. 
 
 86 
 
 Ions of 
 -shale 
 |vo, no 
 tho 
 
 those 
 icalcic 
 
 Imtcd 
 lis as 
 1) soft 
 
 B\d IH) 
 
 •allel. 
 
 For ahoiil 150 miU-H, tlio couiitiy is ho thicldy covohmI wilh (h'iCt (loposifH, 
 tlial none of tlio Hln-ains ciil Miron^'h lliciii l<i tho iiii(k»rhiyiii^f strata; or, 
 if Ihti ^rout vaHoy of the iS<»uris does so, they are conceahMl hy its |,'ciitly 
 sh»|iiii;j; aixl K''"^^V '"'"'is. When the roeUs iiii(U'rlyiii^ tlie drift arc 
 a,i;aiii seen, near JiU Kocho I'oreee, they l»elon^' to the overlying' lii^'nite 
 Tertiary series. 
 
 IMS. The swclioii seen at the erossin^-|»hi( e of the retnhinu I{iv(^r, 
 and ^iven ahove, is the most instructive, as showing the line of Jiinclion 
 of t\V(» portions of tiiis division of the ( 'rcstac^eons ; of th(!se, tlu; lianh'r 
 beds, lii^hest in tlie soetion, form the stdisti-alnm of tho phiins for a hell 
 at least f(>rty miles wide, and extending westward from the front of 
 IVnd>imi Mountain. The lower heds charaeteri/.ed hy their different 
 litholoi^ieal character, and the comparative abundance of fish remains; not 
 only form the base of the Pendjina iliver section, but are oxtonsively 
 developed alon^^ tho front and foot of PomhiMa Mountain. 
 
 !!)!•. Microscopically exanuned, the clay-shales of the lower series 
 uro Hoon to consist of fine argillaceous nuitter, with some siliceous /grains, 
 not nuich rounded hyattrition. No miinitc! or/^anisms ai'o visible, and tho 
 rock does not oft'ervoscc when treate<l with an acid; provinf^ the entire 
 absence of calcareous matter. Tlie uppei- anil harder clay-shakis from 
 Pend)ina Riverand Long Jiiver, show ahnost exactly the same characters. 
 Siliceous ])articles are moi-e abundant, Init of smaller size, and more 
 uniform ; and no effervescence is caused by acid. Both rocks contain 
 small (pumtities of bituminous or carbonaceous matter. When heated 
 they blacken, and that of the lower division somotimes even sustains ji 
 sniall flame for a moment. When tho carbonaceous matter is removed 
 by urging the heal, a hani mass, with much the texture of biscuit porce- 
 lain, and of white, or very light dun-colour remains. .Some layers of 
 these tine Cretaceous clay-shales would yiold excellent muteriul for tho 
 manufacture of ])ottery . 
 
 200. These rocks, thoiigh so barren paheontologically, are of interest 
 from tho great aiea which Ihev must underlie, and the wry great raiity 
 of Ihoir exposures. The upper |i(»rtioti of the i'embina Mountain seriea, 
 must have a thickness of at least .'{(Ml leei, and taking into consiileration 
 the gentle westerly dip wliich the Cretaceous rocks probably possess 
 throughout all this region, !Mi. I which finally cai'ries them inider I he Tertiary^ 
 it may bo much nun-o. Of tho lower jiortion, it is impossilile to sfneak 
 with certainty, hut it is probable that a thicicnoss exceeding 100 feet waf*. 
 seon in tho various sections examined. It is not pietendcd that tfie 
 
Mtiim*m,i,mtsi 
 
 ii 
 
 ? : i 
 
 i ,; l'\ 
 
 Mi 
 
 ; i: 
 
 ' 9 I in: 
 
 
 86 
 
 B. N. A. BOUNDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 i,il 
 
 division into two parts above indicated, i» ho diHtinct aw to be of much 
 Htniti^fraj)bical importance, or of a nature to be constant over /^reat areas. 
 It oxpresscK merely the composition of the series at the Pembina Mountain 
 
 localitien. 
 
 Lignite Tertiary Bocks on the Souris River. 
 
 201. In proceeding westwai-d across the drift-covcre.i region above 
 I'cfei-red to, tlie upper beds of the Cretaceous are passed over. Th(> 
 Lignite Tertiary roci^s next appear, and are first seen in the valley of the 
 Souris Eiver at a point 250 miles west of the Red Eiver, and about four 
 miles east of the tributary from the south known as Short Creek. These 
 beds may imdci-lio the ])rairie some distance east of this point, but the 
 banks of the Souris Valley near this place show a remarkable change, 
 jiresenting numerous exposures of the Lignite Tertiaiy to the west, while 
 eastward they are gently sloping and grassed from top to bottom. This 
 change probably coincides with the eastern edge of the Tertiary basin. 
 The line of junction runs north-Avestward, and from the con torn* of the 
 surface of the country, and other considerations, I have been leil to 
 indicate it on the map as crossing the Boundary-line near the. 230 mile 
 point. 
 
 202. From the point where the Lignite Tertiary beds are first seen, 
 exposures occur at frequent intervals in the banks of the Souris Valley, 
 westwai-d, to the position occupied in the summer of 1873 by Wood End 
 Depot Camp, a distance of about twelve miles by the Line, and consider- 
 ably more by the river. 
 
 203. The hard sandstones of the base of the Lignite Tertiary, fringe 
 the Souris Valley near the mouth of Short Creek, and give it a pictur- 
 esque appearance. These are not, however, the veiy lowest beds of the 
 formation, as some miles ejwt of this point, and underlying the sand- 
 stones, whitish and purjilish clays, and arcnaceons-clays occm* ; and in 
 one place, a small bed of lignite was found.* 
 
 J^^204. On the south side of the Souris Valley, and a short distance to 
 the oast of the valley of Short Creek, the Roche Percde group of rocks is 
 situated. This locality has already been described by Dr. Hector and 
 Captain Palliser, who mnide a braiK-h expedition to it from the north, in 
 
 * Till! sections and details of exjwsuros of the Lijfnitc Tertiary rocks of this part sf the Souris River, 
 ftnd westward to tlio 393 mile ixiint, were publishcii in a aopamtfl form, as a jMirl of the Report of Progress 
 of Cicolojjical Work in connection with the Boundury Commission, in 1S73. They arc here rei)cated, In so 
 far Hjj is uHsential, as a jiart of the ^'eneral section on the lorty-ninth parallel ; bting raarranged bu as to 
 follow the general order of description, from east to west. 
 
 •^ 
 
11. N. 
 
 Ili»l .\I».MIV COMMISSION. 
 
 •I.ATK III. 
 
 !e to 
 
 and 
 in 
 
 liver, 
 )Kre88 
 
 111 8U 
 
 as to 
 
 50 
 
 H 
 
 s 
 Pi 
 
 Iw 
 
 ^Vs^l 
 
 !MiM || 
 
 ^',i'. /lii^-l 
 
 ',,•1.^1. 
 
 
 
 ri '< 
 
 H " 
 
 PI 
 
 n 
 
 1^ 
 
 1^ 
 
 I 
 
 I hi 
 
 i 
 
 -ilLL 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Mr 
 
 iW: 
 
 
 ;• s •' 5 
 
 ?:§^S^S 
 
 i!^^ 
 
 i^HU 
 
 r^ 
 
 U 
 
 I" 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 Fiuv p. 8i;. 
 
n 
 
 
 !i 
 
 ■!! 
 
 i! V 
 
 ir ; 
 
 II • ' 
 
 
 . 1, 1 
 
 J . 1 j 
 
 ,i ; ', i 
 
 .4 ■' j 
 
 
 
S7 
 
 rai«TAoeoiI8 AND IiBTr«„„ 
 '*"«"■<(, 1857 h ■ . "'"•"""'-sotrBw „,v,„. 
 
 1. Soil ^ ^^"^ ^' ^'fe'- 2.J 
 
 2. YeJJowish "coherent ' sin;) ">"• 'v. 
 
 10 
 
r 
 
 iiii 
 
 I 
 
 if 
 
 •\\\ 
 
 It 
 
 I 
 
 f I' 
 
 'i\ 
 
 88 
 
 B. N. A. BOUNDARY COjmiSSION. 
 
 9. 
 10. 
 II. 
 12. 
 
 ftooil hard lignite 2 
 
 Hani yt'llowish Handy clay 2 
 
 (1(10(1 lignito 4 
 
 Greyish sand luid sandy clay, showing linca of stratifica- 
 tion -in sonic [iliicea soft and incoherent, in others with 
 large concretions, and sometimes forming a nearly solid 
 
 sandstone 9 
 
 Hard grey clay 2 
 
 14. (iroyish-yellow clay with many thin layers of orange- 
 
 weathering ironstone 3 
 
 15. Lignite 2 
 
 IG. (ireyish and yellowish liard sand and sandy clay II 
 
 Section concealed by slope of detritus, about 12 
 
 13, 
 
 99 2 
 
 Small spherical forrui,nn()Us nodnlos, resembling h»illctw, occur in 
 considoniblo nuinbor at the foot of the bank. They have a calcarcouH 
 cement, and are dorivoti from one or other of the Handy layoris. This 
 exposure is remarkable for the very gentle gnuhiation of one bod into tho 
 next, making it almost impossible to draw linos between thorn in a moa- 
 EUrcd section. 
 
 207. Sections more or less perfect are exhibited in many places in 
 tho S(juris Valley, a mile or two west of the entrance into it, from the 
 Bouth, of Short < -rook ; and more especially on the north side of the valley. 
 They show a great siinilarity, though not absolutely tho same in any two 
 places. One of the most perfect exposures seen was in the face of a bank 
 from sixty to seventy feet high, and consisted of sand, sandy clays, and 
 hard tine clays, very regularly and perfectly stratified, and coloured in 
 various shades of yellow-grey, grey, and Ifght drab. At two ditferent 
 levels harder sandstone layers of small thickness wore seen, and also 
 three distinct beds of lignite. The lowest is a hard com2)act lignito 
 resembling canncl coal in aspect, and two feet three inches thick. AfoAV 
 feet above this a second scam, eighteen inches thick, occurs, and still 
 higher in tho series, and about half-way up tho bank, a third, of the same 
 thickness. At tho top of tho bank some large nearly spherical sandstone 
 nodules rest, and have evidently been derived from a superior bed which 
 has been removed by denudation. Tho clays, and arenaceous clays, at 
 Heveral ditl'erent levels inchule remains of mollusca, but these are very 
 fragmentary, having been crushed by tho compression of tho containing 
 nuitei'ial. A sjieiics of Unio is abundant, and remains of gasteropoda 
 also occur, though rai'oly, and in poor pi-oservation. 
 
 208. On the opposite side of the Souris Valley — which is hereof con- 
 :r)id«nible width — and not far from the last mentioned section, soft sand- 
 astoive htidii, capped by a harder layer also of sandstone, weather into 
 
 M. 
 
con- 
 
 iiuid- 
 
 into 
 
 CRETAPEOirs AND TEETIARV — SOITRI8 RIVER. 89 
 
 « 
 
 tiiblc-liko forms. Those IkmIs arc (louhtloss the rcprcscntutivos of those 
 which, n tow miles eastward, pHMhiio I ho lloohe Porodo. 
 
 2()!t. Six miles north from Wood End Depot, on the bend of the river, 
 the following sottion occurs; — 
 
 rXKT. IN. 
 
 1. Fallon bank, no Hection, (about) 8 
 
 2. Finely Btiatitied greyish sandy clay 7 
 
 .S. Lignito 7 
 
 4. Sandy clay, greyish, laminated, inch'diiig two "leaf-bods," 
 
 each a few inches thick 7 7 
 
 5. Yellowish tine sandy clay passing below to grey soft sand- 
 
 stone II 5 
 
 6. Ironstone, a nodular layer 3 
 
 7. f Jrev clay I 
 
 8. Whitish clay 1 
 
 9. Carbonaceous shale 3 3 
 
 10. (Jreyclay 3 fl 
 
 11. Ironstone 2 
 
 43 9 
 
 The betls appear to bo jK-rfcctly horizontal. Those of sand and 
 arenaceous clay, though having the appearance of well characterized 
 layers at a little distance, and giving the banks a ribboned aspect, are 
 found, on closer examination, to pass almost impercej^tibly into each 
 other. This peculiarity is often to be observed in almost all localities 
 where those i-ocks are found. The so-calleil " leaf-beds" are of a greyish- 
 purple tint, and contain many impresssions of fljig-like ])arallel-veinod 
 leaves, which, though distinct enough when freshly taken from the bank, 
 it is impossible to preserve on account of the crumbling nature of the 
 matrix. The ironstone, though generally forming extensive sheets, ia 
 n(xlular in structure, and varies a good deal in thickness. It weathers u 
 brigi.t brownish-red, is haixl, compact, and very heavy, and on fresh frac- 
 ture is bluish to yellowish-grey. 
 
 210. A short distance south of this locality, the bank shows the fol- 
 lowing section very perfectly : — (Plate 3, Fig. 2.) 
 
 FRIT. IN. 
 
 Prairie sod. 
 
 1. Mixed shale and drift 7 
 
 2. Lignite 6 
 
 3. (ireyish sandy shale (about) 4 
 
 4. Lignite 1 6 
 
 5. Greyish and yellowish well-stratitied line sandy and shaly 
 
 clays 14 
 
 6. Ironstone (nodular) 4 
 
 7. Greyish and whitish clay 2 
 
 8. Carbonaceous shale 1 
 
 9. Grey soft sandstone 1 8 
 
 10. Lignite 1 
 
 11. (irey and yellowiih laminated sandy clay 5 
 
 12. Ironstona (nodular) 3 
 
90 II. N, A. llttiiNI'VHV ruMMlNNIiiN. 
 
 1.1. l,iKiiit«' I 7 
 
 14. ( 'iki'lHiiiMt'i'iiiiH nIiuIo I rt 
 
 ITi. l.iMintc 2 2 
 
 Iti. • licy Hiiiidy cliiy U 
 
 I". liiKiiito I "> 
 
 Ih, Sitnily iiiiiUii-i'liiy with liiixi' uikI Biiiall ronU l)K<lly pit). 
 
 KKI-VOll I () 
 
 111. Liniiito ;» 2 
 
 W. OrvyiHli wiinly clny 
 
 ft7 7 
 
 Tho lower liijiiito lu'ds iiic nl' t«\i('lU'ii( inmlily, liriii iiml «'niii|tiicl, 
 iiml ii) sonio itljicoN nIiow s|h»(m nf InMsil rrsiii, 'riic slnicliin- o| llu« cum- 
 |toiii'nt wood is mIso in mimy iiisdintt's \('i'v |iliiiiil_v «|)|>iii'fii(. 'I'lii' ii|»|km' 
 lij::iuN' lyinc imiiu'tliatcly lu'low llic siirlacc, is sol'l uiuhlrroinpoHtMl wIhmv 
 ry|»ost>(|, l»(>inii; in many plact's luMiclralcd liy roots IVoni altovti. It niiirlit, 
 liowovor. provo iviually foinpact with lln> Io\v(M' Itods wIu'ih- imdistmlM'd. 
 Layor IS. is om> ofllic low instances in wliicli li^nil«> was oliscrvcd to li»< 
 upon an ovidont undonday with roots. Tlic ironslonos an» specially ^(»od 
 «nd oonijKud in this stM-lion. Owini;- to tho woiirinu; away of llu> sot'lor 
 strata a lar^o <iuanli(y ol'lhis niatoi'ial sirows tho snrlaco ol'llu' hillsido. 
 
 'Jll. This section (loos not so(>ni lo corrosponil at all with the last, 
 thouifli situated oidy a low hiindroil yar<ls iVoni il ; and if no fault or 
 break in the strata intorvt'iies and thoi'o is no appearanci> of any such — 
 tho horizontal uncertainty of tho deposit must ho very i^roat. Fra^nionts 
 of a vesicular material, rosomhlinix scoriacoous lava, are al)uiidant in 
 this locality. Tho suhslaiico is j)i'oduced hy tho combustion (»f tho lignite 
 bods, a phonoinonon which receives atlenti<»n on a sul)se(pient pnj^e. 
 
 212. Nearly three miles southward from the last mentioned locality, 
 in following up the valley, another very good section occurs on tho 
 cast side of tho stream, where in one of its many devious windings, 
 it has undermined tho banU. This section is upeciully int«rosting, as 
 affording one of tho best localities for tho collection of shells of MoIIuhcu 
 characteristic of the formation. Tho section is as below, measurements 
 being estimated : 
 
 rm. IN 
 
 Sand andsautly clay, stratilieil, and yelhiwish in general odlour 40 
 lienticular mass nf {Mxir clay ironstone, rnnniug ont raiiitUy in 
 
 l>otli direotions 2 fl 
 
 I Grev sand 2 
 
 Shell iMjd 1 
 
 Lignite 2 (J 
 
 S*nd and clay 10 
 
 58 6 
 
 213. The shell bed, is of hard grey sandy clay, and in some placoH is 
 
II N \ iliil Nil MM I nMMl--|itN 
 
 I'l NIK IV 
 
 IH 
 
 I'UMII.- I (■ ."ISli I 
 
 in 
 nilo 
 
 lity, 
 
 (lio 
 as 
 
 bnts 
 
 ;33?*^*>ilte';i 
 
 
 
 i*wT- •^, «[1^ 
 
 0»\- 
 
 S » » r^ ■*;' 
 
 :H.^^-'; 
 
 s..il 
 
 SiikI 
 
 \\ii|i I Iil.i sIhIIm 
 
 till \ <'hl\ 
 
 
 S^gpSFi^^l 
 
 
 ^1) r^ <l-^ (i 
 
 ■ ^^m 
 
 '■■in.h cl.n 
 
 W ilh lrMi,-l..ii( 
 
 CliA l'l:l\ 
 
 ^lUicU I 'in 
 
 r^mesm^im^ 
 
 I'l ml 
 
 Sllllh ('his , 
 
 W llll I iliillr. 
 
 CONCEALtn 
 
 > 1M(I\ t'lin 
 
 S.ll..»i'>li. 
 
 I.i'iiili' 
 
 II Hi! Siiiiih (liv 
 
 l.i<'.iiiti' 
 
 l!ri'\ S:iiii|, 
 
 \\ l(ll ( '••llrrrliMliM. 
 
 II:imI i:i.'\ l'Li\. 
 nilh hoiisli 
 
 I.f'.;llitr. 
 
 Il:inl S:iMcl 
 \ll.l S.lli.h ri;u. 
 
 J Wal.r ..f 
 SIh.iI ( iitk. 
 
 ;(.V*i') 
 
 ^• 
 
 :&<'^ 
 
 ■,i; c ■, .,; 
 
 '• ''' M 
 
 I . 1 
 
 w i n a]> f fe «a «i i «iJiA ii uM w i iM> i ij| g ii»««w?>v«w»»« 
 
 S..1I 
 
 i,iii ,it/,li linft 
 
 \.||..H 
 
 Sill. I, I Ins 
 
 i'..'m' liiiiii'lii* 
 sir il II.. I Siiiil 
 
 1. 1.' I ri 
 
 Ul.l 
 
 \^uj,i\vi'. •_' Sli.irt « 'ifi'k. (S -'<"; ) 
 
 |''ii.'iiM :; I'liM ii|iiiii < Il i|> 
 (.- '.mi; -ill I'lii I ) 
 
 r-n-^f*^^'^ 
 
 i?^fwaff'»'>X'5Kavi 
 
 tiy ■ 11 
 
 
 1; , ' 
 
 
 i-".*^' 
 
 Illi\ S:MliNt..lli 
 
 Siifl S.iiiiUli.iii 
 
 Samh I'l 
 
 Siiiiilv l'hi\ . 
 
 i 'illii.llllri'.lls SIl.lU' 
 
 S.lllih <'l.ll , Willi I'i.llilll I. .Vi 
 
 l.i'^llilr 
 
 llllllv •'I.IV 
 
 larniils ^ll:llt■ 
 
 Sufi SmiilMti.iir 
 
 |-iiruiv I N..II Kiist \MU'. (s :t(io.) 
 
 >;i:cTiON^; ok tiii; i.ii;mti: ii-htiaiiv. 
 
 FiKf ji. 90 
 
li 
 
 I : 1 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 i! 
 
 f r^ 
 
CUKTArEoiH ANI> TBIITIARY— HOIIIIH HIVBU. Of 
 
 vviry t\\\\ of sIuiIIm, wliich aro a\m less cnislii'tl iiinl in a Itotlor Htnto of 
 |iruNoiTalinii ilniii in iiHiial in this titriiwitioM, TIh* imh**! cniiiiiioii 
 MoiliiHc Ih Militiiiit Xi'hntscnisis M iV II., which oniii-H in nil stiijLjoH 
 (»l' growth, iiikI Hcvi-riil varit'lal tlti iii.h. TIuto is al><» a second Mjwicics of 
 thin j^joiniM, or (>i' (iijiiiuhanin, fra^'mcnls of l/nio and PaUuliua ; and a few 
 examplt'M of Caihulit {^Potainomya) niactri/ormis M. k II. 'I'lu! latlor 
 niiiKt ho considiTi'd a hnicUish-walcr type, Imt with this exception, no 
 hracUish or salt water forms are litiunl in theso weclions of tho SonriM 
 Valley. The Molliisca oxai-tly resenihle those ol the Fort I'nion or (Jroal 
 Lignite (Jroiip of the .Missoin-i, and fix with certainty the strati^'raphical 
 position of the heds here represented. 
 
 214. in the water of the stream, at tlii^ place, are several lar^o 
 spheroidal sandstone concretions which have a tendency to split into 
 layers parallel to their flattened surfaces — one of them measuring' four or 
 live feet in diameter. Thi'se do not a]ipear in the hahl<, hut p(»ssihly may 
 have heen washed out of tho h)Wor part of the soetion, which was not so 
 dearly shown. 
 
 215. South of the last section, and uhoiit one mile nearly due north 
 of the position occupied l)y Wood Knd Depot, an exposure, showing the 
 most valuahlo lignite i)ed I have hoop in the Sourib Valley, Ih Hituutcd. 
 The beds are arranged thus : — (Plate 3, Fig. 1.) 
 
 KRKT. I>'. 
 
 1. Drift material, (alxnit) 8 
 
 2. Yellowish aiuI grey stratilicil Bunily clays, olmcureil in most 
 
 places by slijw of the bank ."12 
 
 3. Lignite 7 3 
 
 4. (irey soft arenaceous-clay 1 or more. 
 
 21(). The bottoni of the lignite is about twonty-five feet above the 
 level of the river below, and this part of tho Hoction, though apjjarently 
 conMisting of yellowish wandy claj-s like those overlying it, is obscure. 
 The lignite in continuously visible lor at least two hmidred leet along tho 
 face of the bank, and seems to pi-eserve uniformity of character and thick- 
 ness. Kxternally it is often crumbling, and mixed with clay which has 
 penetrated its joints from aliovo ; but where freshly ex [)osed, it is haixl 
 and com])act. It is quite black on freshly fractured surfaces, but has a 
 brown streak, and in many jdaces the structin-o of the original wo<xl 
 is still quite discernible. Some surfaces arc strewn with fragments of 
 mineral charcoal like that found in many true coals. Other specimens 
 are apparently structni'oless, and resemble cannel coal in ap])eai'anco, 
 though not in composition. The upper beds of arenaceous clay yielil a few 
 poorly prosei-vcd shells (Paludinay &c.) 
 
 w 
 
MMMH 
 
 taruMi 
 
 MtfttMMI 
 
 !' > 
 
 no 
 
 n. N. A. HOIINPAllY roMMISSItiN. 
 
 ,i , i 
 
 217. On the, (>))])osi!o si(l«< <'!' (lie rivor viilloy, noar lliis plnco, (lio 
 ui)|HM" jmrl of l[u' l)iuik shows :i iiood st'i'lioii of iinMiiiifoiis clay, ht'low 
 which, and soino fil'loon or (wciily fool holow tho praiiii' level, is ti 
 Hoam of li/;;ni(oof ;^oo(l (jiiiilily, lo ;r fool in lhiol<noss. Tliis lii:;nilo hcd 
 would Hoom (o oooupy u position sirati^iniphioally suporiof to Iho last. 
 
 218. Sonunvitat furthor np Iho slro;ini, and on Iho sanio sido of Iho 
 valloy, ahoul sixty foot holow tho prairio lovol, ami sixlooii loot ahovo 
 tlic rivor, a bod of lignito ooours. of whioh Iho nppor thivo fool only aro 
 visihio. Tho bank ahovo il is not well oxposod, but appoai's lo ronsisi of 
 sanily oluys, Tho lii!;i\ito is of i;-o(kI (pialily, hut nuioh wealhoii'd al tlio 
 outcrop. 11 may very prohahly ro|)ivsonl tho coutiinuition of tlial ol'tho 
 last .section. 
 
 210. Tho wholo of those deposits, thoiinh in some placos showing a 
 dip aniountiui; to u few dcu;roos in one diroclion or other, u])poar lo have 
 no dotorniiiiato direction of incli. ition, but over large areas lo bo as 
 nearly as possible hurizontal. 
 
 Gap in the Srctim on ihc. Sonndary line. 
 
 220. West of Wood Hnd, the Souris Valloy runs iu>rlh-\vesl\vard 
 along the base of the Coteau, diverging i-apidly from tho Houndai'y-line. 
 It loses, at tho .same time, its abrupt chai-aclor, and no sections oilher of 
 Tertiary or I'relaceous rocks occur on it l()r a long distance, in follow- 
 ing the forty-ninth parallel, the escarpnient of the thiiil great prairie 
 level is overcon\e, and it is not till after having passed through tho bro- 
 ken Coteau bolt, and ivached tho (Jroal Valley, that exposures of the 
 underlyii\g nx'ks are again tbund. This valloy is (he most oastoru great 
 channel of erosion which crosses the Lino southward, towards tho Mis- 
 souri, and in it the beds of the Lignite Toi'tiary are exhibitod on a grand 
 scale. On tho Boundary-line, thus, a .space of oighty-two miles from tho 
 2(>3 to the 345 mile point, is completely shi'ouded b}' drift deposits. 
 There is every rea«ion to believe, however, that the Lignite Tertiary 
 beds stretch uniutorrnpledly between (he (wo localities, and an exposure 
 of these rocks, some distance north of the Lino, helps to sustain this 
 view. 
 
 221. This small exposure of the Lignite Tertiary was discovered at a 
 locality on the meritlian of the ,'507 mile point, bul nearly (weiity miles 
 north of tho Line ; where the Tnulor'.s Et>ad to Wood Mountain, in going 
 wostwju-d, crosses the Souris for the second time. Of the rocks at this 
 place a very biuuU section is soon, but bulHcieut to correlate them with 
 
riiKTArKotrs and tkhtiary — oueat vam,ky. 
 
 d.T 
 
 lor of 
 
 low- 
 
 I'iiiric 
 
 I )!•()- 
 
 (lio 
 
 Mis- 
 
 jnitid 
 
 im tho 
 
 )().sils. 
 
 •tiiiry 
 
 lilt Ji 
 miloH 
 going 
 
 t tlUH 
 
 with 
 
 (liosi'to tlu' oiist iiikI uost. A( ilio wator's odgo, altout oiglitoon inclioHof a 
 IkmI nl' liifiiito a|i|i(>iirs, tli(> liodom of llic liod Jx'in^ concealed. It is 
 overlaiii l)y scvi'ral feel ot ^n^yisli sandy chiy, of ratlier tine t^^\tlll•e. Tiio 
 Iii;nil(« exactly resemlilcs those dc^scriiied as .occiirrin;^ at Wood Knd, 
 and in sonii> places shows spots of ainliei". 
 
 222. Hetween Wood lOnd and Wood Mountain— (Long. 10'1° 10' to 
 U)tl° ;{(f) — tli(> connlry was examined on two lines; the first ncmrly 
 coinciding with the forty-ninth parallel, tiios''cond following tho TradcrH' 
 Tload aliove inciiti()nc<l, and at its fin'thest northerly point heing tldrty- 
 eiglit miles from th«' fane. In describing the geology of this region, tho 
 general plan of taking localities in sMccosHi(»n westward, will he in so far 
 departed from as to allow the description of these in the immediato 
 vicinity of the liine, hcforc mention of those ftirthn- to tho north. 
 
 Iji<jnitc Trrtiari/ lioeka of the (in at Valley, and Pi/ramid Crvvh. 
 
 22H. fn the gni-ge already referred to as the (ireat Valley, the beds 
 cx])osed are at an elevation of alioiit st'ven hiindrod feet greater than that 
 of those last so«mi on the Sonris, near Wood End ; and prohahly at least six 
 hundred feet ahove thosi' of the northern locality (J^ 22i.) Their exact 
 relation to either of these stratigraphically, it is, however, impossihlo 
 to delei'mine. The lowest hi'ds seen ar(^ <'uriouHly handed clays and 
 shales ; clay IkmIs charged with ])lanl remains anil carhonaceous matter, 
 and Iiaving (|uitc a purpK- tint when viewed from a little distance, 
 alternating with clays nearly white, and yellowisli sandstones. Above 
 these is a sandstone layer which though of no grc^at thickness, han 
 in several places produced remarkable conical mr)unds by acting as a pro- 
 tocling ca])piiig for the softer strata below, tho latter forming slopes 
 or nearly perpondicular steps, according to their relative hardness, 
 which, taken togethei" with the distinctive colouring of the bods, 
 gives a very striking aspect to the sceneiy. I'lato 6, which i^i 
 accurately copied from a pliotograph, gives an idea of tho jieculiar 
 weathering of those beds. Above the sandstone capping of this lower 
 part of {\w section, is a great deposit of saiitly clays and concretionary 
 saiulstoncs, among which three beds of lignite of various tliickiiessos 
 are intercalated. The beds are almost horizontal, but undulate at low 
 angles, and the valley of the stream appears to occupy, in tho main, tho 
 centre of a shallow synclinal fold. 
 
 224. Tho up))er part of -the section in this valloy consists of at least 
 100, and probably 150 feet of days and argillaeoous tine Bands of groyibh 
 

 ! t 
 
 94 
 
 B. N. A. BOUNDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 and 3'ollo\vish-groy coIoui'h, and woll sti-iitifiod. They contain tliin loaf- 
 beds at several different levels, Avhich ai-e prominent fi-om their grey- 
 purple tint ; but though containing very many dicotyledonous and 
 flag-like loaves, from their soft and crumbling nature, thoy do not yield 
 determinable specimens. 
 
 225. This part of the section also includes at least throe lignite beds. 
 The liigliest ofthe.se is about 140 teet above the base of the section, and 
 three feet or more in thickness. It would appear to be of fair quality, 
 though much decomposed and quite crumbling at the out-crop, from the 
 action of tlio weather. The next is about 120 feet above the same datum, 
 and can be traced a very considerai)lc distance along the face of the bank. 
 It is five feet in thickness, but includes, where examined, several thin 
 layers of carbonaceous shale ; and, though of good quality in places, does 
 not appear to have the same uniformit}' in the various layers that is 
 generally found in the coals of this region. The lowest lignite is some 
 sevent)--five feet above the ba.se of the section, and is only a few inches in 
 •tliickness. 
 
 226. The com])lete section may bo thus represented : — 
 
 1. 
 
 3. 
 
 4. 
 
 KKET. IN. 
 
 Upper part, yellowish 8.111(18 and clays, lignites, &e 130 
 
 Hard grey and yellowish, somewhat false-bedded sand- 
 stone, forming a " capping rock " to beds below (about) 3 
 
 Greenish -yellow, thinly bedded tine sand 15 
 
 Soft yellowish sandy clay 2 
 
 (Jreyish and yellowish hard bedded clay 2 
 
 G. Blackish thin -bedded clay or shale with plant remains... 5 
 
 7. CJreyish thin-bedded clay, becoming darker toward the top 
 
 (plant remains) graduating into next bed 10 
 
 8. Hard, pale-brown, compact clay, with very few plant re- 
 
 mains 1 
 
 9. Hard, whitish clay, with some plant remains, and a scat- 
 
 tered layer of heavy ironstone balls about a foot from 
 the top {) 
 
 10. Thin-bedded greyish and blackish hard clays, with leaves, 
 
 and some small groups of selenite crystals 7 
 
 11. Fine-bedded clay Idled with leaves and plant remains, 
 
 hard and rusty in tlie upper ])ortioii 1 
 
 12. (Jrey hard sand, with charcoal-like fragments in some 
 
 places 3 
 
 13. Ironstone with many plant remains, mostly sedge-like 
 
 blades 
 
 14. Soft grey clay 
 
 
 
 4 
 G 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 s 
 
 3 
 
 210 1 
 
 4 
 
 1 
 
 jl 
 
 \ 
 
 \ 
 
 i \ 
 
 
 227. In certain parts of the u])pcr ])ortion of this section, the 
 remains of Mollnsca occur in some abundance, but in a very ba<l stale of 
 preservation. By diligent search, however, some specimens of ilii^ianw 
 Kebrasceiisis were obtained ; and also of a peculiar angular Paludina of 
 
CRETACEOUS AND TERTIARY — PYRAMID CREEK. 
 
 95 
 
 tho 
 iite of 
 'lania 
 \na of 
 
 the type of Paludina ( Vivipora) trnrJuformis, M. & II. No sliclls, other 
 than tliose of purel}' fresh waters, were foniul. 
 
 228. Tho lower part of the sectimi forms a group well clistiuguished 
 b}' its colour and the perfection of its stratification from tho upper, uml 
 often endures, protected by its hard sandstone (No. 2), when the more 
 ci'umbling upper division has been removed. The plant remains, though 
 
 occui-ring more or less throughout the whole section, are best preserved 
 in the lower pui'plish laj'ers. The}- consist chief!}' of leaves of dicoty- 
 ledonous trees, which apj)ear to have fallen Avhen mature, in the course 
 of natui'c, and with the change of the seasons, and floated without 
 violence to the great lake in the fine silty deposits of which they have 
 been preserved. Populns, Cinnamomuia, Quercus, and other forms, are 
 represented. Leaves and small branches of coniferous trees, referable to 
 Sequoia Langsdoifii, and Ghjptostrobvs Europeits, are particularly abun- 
 dant at this place. .Details concerning the fossil plants of the Lignite 
 Tertiary, will however, be found on a subsequent page. 
 
 229. Many of the crumbling hill-tops in this valley have a brick-red 
 colour resembling that seen in parts of the Souris Valley, and due, as 
 tliere, to the combustion in situ of the deposits of lignite. The slag or 
 clinker produced by this action is also found here, though it was not 
 observed actually in ])lace. 
 
 230. The next stream crosses the Line at the 351 mile point; it also 
 flows through a deep valley of erosion, anil maj- be called Pyramid Creek, 
 from a remarkable pyramidal hill formed of the usual clays and sands, 
 caj^ped by a portion of a layei- of hard grey sandstone, the cement of 
 which is calcareous. It has a tendency to break into large quadrangular 
 masses along intersecting jointage planes, and shows conspicuous false- 
 bedded structure. Below this is a thickness of about fifty feet of rather 
 incoherent fine yellowish sand sometimes argillaceous. This, pro- 
 ducing a sloping bank, is not very well seen, but constitutes about 
 one-third of the thickness of the beds exposed in this valley. The middle 
 third consists of soft crumbling sandstone or compact sand without any 
 a]j])arent cementing matter, and of which the constituent particles are 
 rather coarse; contrasting strikingly in this respect with the overlying 
 material. It shows evidence of having been deposited by water in rather 
 rapid motion, through its entire thickness, but the false-bedding is veiy 
 definitely cut ott' at many ditJ'erent hoi'izons by perfectly h(U'izontal 
 planes, above which it again comnicnces. The weather acting on these 
 beds causes the hill sides composed of them to assume a well-marked 
 
^ 
 
 n ! 
 
 
 I ' 
 I 
 
 9fi B. N. A. BOUNDARY COMMISSIOM. 
 
 terraced njipcannico, on a small scale, oadi hoi-izontal break ])ro(lucini>; a 
 terrace level. The sandstone contains hei-e an<l there a few poorly- 
 presei'ved shells, among which can be recognized two species of Mdania, 
 fragments of Paludina and of Unio, In one jdace a layer of ii-onstone, aliout 
 three inches thick-, is seen to run for some distance. The most notable 
 feature, however, of this part of the section is the remarkable concre- 
 tionary duiracter of some layers of the sandstone. The concretions are 
 lianl, and of all shapes and sizes. They are generally spherical or sphe- 
 roidal, and two or more of them are often confluent, forming dumb-bell- 
 like masses or m()re or less continuous sheets of a lumpy character. Many 
 are long and root-like, and project in a singular way from the bank. 
 
 231. The lower third of the section in this valley is — as seems often 
 to be the case with the lower hu'ers of these I'ocks, — much more clearly 
 defined, and divided into thinner beds in which dark colours pred(miinate. 
 Altogether the section hei-e much resembles that seen in the last great 
 valley ; the lower bods of this probabl}' coiTcspond with the purplish 
 leaf-beds there, and the great thickness of sands and sandstones above, 
 correspond in a genei'al way ; though in this place they differ in the 
 absence, so far as coukl be ascertained, of beds of lignite. The layers of 
 hardened sandstone must also in this case occupy ditferent horizons in 
 the two sections, but this is not to be wondered at, when the exti-emely 
 local, and indeed often nodular character of the induration is considered, 
 and the fact that it merely dej»ends upon the introduction of a small 
 proportion of calcareous cement among the particles already compacted 
 by pressure. 
 
 232. The whole section in Pyramid Valley may bo lepresented thus : 
 
 FKKT. IN. 
 
 1. Hard capping saudstnne, (several foot) 
 
 2. Soft yellowisYi aaiuly beds, forming a sloping bank, (about) .50 
 
 3. Soft sandstone, grey, false-bedded, (about) 50 
 
 4. Stratified 8an<ly clay 3 
 
 6. Purplish plant l)ed8 with thin layers of lignite, and much 
 
 selenite in thin sheets, isolated crystals and stellar 
 groups 3 
 
 6. Ligmiri, with many spots of amber 1 6 
 
 7. Purplisii bed, with a few plants 2 
 
 8. Gre^- slightly coherent sand, with nodules of arenaceous 
 
 selenite crystals 4 
 
 9. Purplish J)ed, with obscure remains of leaves 1 
 
 10. Incoherent arenaceous clay and sand 7 
 
 11. Purplish-grey arenaceous clay, with obscure plant remains 
 
 and some fossil wood 3 
 
 12. Brownish clay with ferruginous layers 6 
 
 13. Lignite 1 
 
 14. Brown earthy bed .' 6 
 
 15. Grey somewhat coherent coarse sand, with argillaceous 
 
 matter 12 
 
 About 144 
 
 ! i 
 
CRETACEOUS AND TERTIARY — PORCUPINE CREEK. 
 
 97 
 
 Ills : 
 
 The rocks show no well marked dip, hut appear to undulate slightly 
 at very low angles. 
 
 233. The occurrcnfe of gypsum as selenite was ohserved, lioiv and 
 elsewhere, to he nearly always in association with plant-hods, and gener- 
 ally with those holding many lialt-ohliteratcd vegetahle remains, and of a 
 pui'plish shade. This association is not accidental, but brought about by 
 the action of the. included vegetable matter, which when still under- 
 going decomposition, would facilitate the deposition of iron pyrites by 
 the deoxidatioii of iron compounds in presence of organic sulphur com- 
 pounds. The 2)oroiis character of the plant-beds, at a subsefpient period, 
 woukl allow the passage of surface waters containing oxygen; leading to 
 the decomposition of the pyrites, the formation of sulphuric acid, and by 
 its action on the clays, of selenite or calcic sulphate. 
 
 234. A few miles west of P^rani'd Creek several hills are capped 
 with heavy and hard sandstone beds, a feature quite exceptional in a 
 country so gentl}' undulating. These do not appear to be perfectly hori- 
 zontal, but have a slight dip to the west. They ma}' be equivalent to the 
 capping sandstone of the Pyramid Hill, but more probably are yet higher 
 in the series. 
 
 Ten miles west of Pyramid Valle}-, in the upj»er i)arl of the valley of 
 another stream, yellowish and grey stratitied sandy clays, are again seen, 
 but are not perfectly exposed. 
 
 Witb the exception of this exposure, the underlying rocks arc 
 nowhere clearly visible in the vicinity of the Lino from Pyramid Valley 
 to Porcupine Creek, a distance of about thirty-tivfc miles. One very con- 
 sii'erable stream is crossed about midway, but its valley is wide, and with 
 gently sloping banks. Highlands appear to the north, ard may jiossiljly 
 show sections of strata overlying tho.se seen in the banks of the streams, 
 but 1 was unable to reach them, the ground, especially in the vicinity of 
 these highlands, being covered with snow, and the time at my disposal 
 limited. 
 
 L'ujnite Tertiary Mocks of Poraqnne Creek. 
 
 235. In Porcupine Creek and the tributary vallies, many partial 
 sections occur. Lignite is seen in three places near the Line, and just 
 above the level ot the brook in each instance. The exposures seem to 
 belong to the same bed, and if so, nearly a mile of its I.'orizuntal extent 
 
 Id 
 
ggrrr 1 1. 
 
 Hi 
 
 !' 
 
 i I 
 
 i I 
 
 1 > 
 
 i i 
 
 98 
 
 B. N. A. BOUNDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 can bo traced. The lignite aiui associated beds undulate nlightly in all 
 the sections, the former decreasing from four feet in thicifness in the 
 most northern bank, to one foot in that furthest south. The ovci-lying 
 rocks consist of yellowish and grey sands and clays, well stratified, and 
 much resembling those forming the upper pjirtof the section in the Great 
 Valley. (Plato IV., Fig. 3.) 
 
 236. The best exhibition of these strata was obtained in a bank about 
 forty feet in height, on removing the decompcjsed material Irom the sur- 
 face. The section was carefully measured as follows : — 
 
 1. 
 
 2. 
 3. 
 4. 
 5. 
 6. 
 7. 
 8. 
 9. 
 
 10. 
 11. 
 12. 
 13. 
 14. 
 15. 
 
 16. 
 17. 
 
 18. 
 
 19. 
 
 FKBT. IS 
 
 .Soil. 
 
 Quartzite drift, several feet. 
 
 Soft Kreenish sandy clay, 2 feet or more. 
 
 Soft blackish clay 1 6 
 
 Rusty crundiling sandy clay (» 6 
 
 Orey clay, with some plant remain.S 9 
 
 Grey clay, with well preserved dicotyledonous leaves .... 1 8 
 
 Impure ironstone in concretions 3 
 
 Yellowish sand and sandy clay, with obscure plant 
 
 remains 9 
 
 Greyish .and yellowish fine sandy clay 1 3 
 
 Scattered layer of small ironstone balls 
 
 Grey fine sandy clay 1 
 
 Rusty layer, with crumbling plants 3 
 
 Grey sand 4 
 
 Detached masses of lignite showing the form of flattened 
 
 tree trunks, about 4 
 
 Yellowish-grey fine sand 6 
 
 Grey clay, with plant remains 4 
 
 Lignite, not of best i|uality. The grain and form of com- 
 ponent wood generally clearly perceptible. Bed undu- 
 lating slightly. 3 to 4 feet. 
 Soft gi'ey arenaceous clay, 1 to 2 feet. 
 
 A'bout 31 
 
 237. The vegetable remains imbedded in the rocks overlying the 
 lignite, are mostly those of deciduous trees, and in certain beds arc very 
 perfectly presor^'e^l. Lignite from this section was used for camp fires, 
 in the absence of wood, but did not burn very freely, as it was taken 
 damp from the bed, and piled on the ground without any provision for 
 draught from below, 
 
 238. The most interesting and important section, however, in this 
 region, is that wliich occurs in a valley joining that of Porcupine Creek 
 from the west, exhibiting a bed of lignite eighteen feet in thickness, 
 and yielding also some of the most perfect and interesting remains of 
 plants. The bank in which this out-crop is situated is over half-a-milo 
 
 outh of the Line. The bods are ai-ranged thus : — (Plate V.) 
 
 ■% 
 
H. N. A. r.nl N|iAl!V COMMISsrON. 
 
 I'l.AI'F. V. 
 
 au-av.vjtiL-au ii.-Nrrr 
 
 i'^tl uirfrtirin (nifT 
 
 BAMP^ ^t^^ 
 
 (-1 -VNT-RLAHiNT 
 
 LlfNITE HfT 
 
 ckxr sANUErro: 
 
 
 l'"i;.nii'f I I'(ii(ii|iiii(' ( 'ictk. (i'J.HS. ) 
 
 the 
 
 ,'Cl" 
 
 ives, 
 
 11 for 
 
 Figure 2 — Porcupine Cicjk. (;;; •_'4l>. 
 
 this 
 Ireek 
 
 U of 
 lilo 
 
 SKCTION-S (jF TMK I.KIMTK TKISTIAIIV. 
 
 Faee p. It-S. 
 
!l!! 
 
 .* ' ; 
 
 
 i I 
 
 I !1 
 
CllETACEOUS AND TERTIAUY — I'OIlCUPINi; CHEEK. DO 
 
 KKl-T. m. 
 
 I. Siirfiici' Hiiil I 
 
 '.'. (,)iifirt/itti drift I « 
 
 3. VullDwisli iiiid ;,'i'i;y saiiily clayn, Will striitiliod, Imt sonic- 
 
 what soft, aljoiit ; It I) 
 
 4. I.ignito U 
 
 5. liiviiiloil I'lays, yullowisli, ■,'ii;y ami imi'iilu, witli wcU- 
 
 liicsiirviMl ri^inaiiis of jilaiits, aiiil in noiiiu layers laucli 
 
 urystalliiic gyiisiiin 5 
 
 (). Lignite, wcatluiriiig soft, some layers laiiiiiiatuil, otliors 
 
 rotten anil ))ro\vnish; forms a steep sl()i)o 10 
 
 7. Lignite, hard, eoniiiaet, horizontally laitiiiiatcd, Imt also 
 
 breaking into large eiiliieal liloek.s along \ ertiial |)lanes is U 
 
 8. Soft grey 8and:4tone naioh jointed, anil breaking ont in 
 
 pieces hounded by plane f.i/jes, some vertical and others 
 obli(pie ; holds root-like remains and gives issue to 
 springs of water 5 
 
 -to 3 
 
 Though niululatin/^ !i Utile, the sli-atii huvc no li'iic dip, and arc as 
 nearly as possihlo horizontal on the larL!;e scale. 
 
 239. The lower part of the lignite bed is very compact and tono-h 
 under the pick, and holds in some layers many drojts of amhor. The 
 jointage planes tbrm a eons])icnoiis feature, and were not noticed in any- 
 tiiing like the same perfection, in other lignite heds c.xaniiiRMl. They 
 cause the coal to break off in large cubical pieces which lie in the stream 
 at its base. Some of them show thin .scams of white gypsum, and in one 
 case a thin tihn of iron pyi-iles was detected, being the first appearance 
 of this mineral in connection with these lignite de[)Osits. 
 
 2-iO. This section also exhibits the tirst instance of dislocation, ob- 
 served to etfect the Lignite Tertiary formation. The eighteen-t(K)t lignite 
 and associated strata, are seen to have been brought to their ])resent 
 position by a downthrov/ lault, on the other side of which their place i.s 
 taken by underlying s-.indy clays. (Plate V., Fig. .'>.) 
 
 241. The southern side of the valley, op])osile this gi-eat ligiule bed, 
 is broken down, and forms a gentle thoagli irregidar slope, which is 
 encumbered by many large, strangely slia[tcd and colourcMl blocks of 
 btone, much harder than any rocks occurring in the neighbourhood, 
 and in pieces larger than the erratics found in the region. They 
 proved on inspection to consist of masses of beds such as those associated 
 with the lignite, but indurateil by its combustion, which has also caused 
 the interruption in the eil;:e of (lie valley. About a fourth of a mile 
 east on the same valley the gi-eat lignite is again exposed, and apparently 
 in much the same deveh)pment and association. 
 
 242. The plants in layer 5, are in a beautiful state of preservation, and 
 when the clay is tirst split open, show every vein-mark in perfection, not 
 
i! 
 
 ! 
 
 100 
 
 B. N. A. doundahy commission. 
 
 only in tho lurgor and coai'Hor Iohvoh but in dclk'uto ferns, which arc hero 
 miiiHiiiiily common. Tlio matrix is, h(»wcvor, iuitV)rtuiialcly very sofl ; it 
 crumbloH easily, and tends to cracli on drying. A considorable number 
 of spocimons of fossil plants from the vicinity of I'orcujtino Creek, have 
 been preserved, though all in a more or less shattered condition. They 
 are in the main identical with those of the Fort Union grou]), and include 
 Gli/ptostrobns Europcus, Setjuoia L(m</s(hr0i, Thuja inttrniptd, Onodea 
 sensibilis, and one other sj)ecioH of fern ; and exam])loH of tho loaves of 
 many dcciiluous troos. For tho identitication of those fossils, and the 
 notes on them which ajjpear in a subsequent chapter, I am indebted to 
 rrincii)al Dawson. 
 
 No molluscous remains were found in any of the Porcupine Creek 
 sections. 
 
 Liijnite Tertiary Rochs on the Traders' Road to Wood Mountain. 
 
 243. The furthest west of the sections in the vicinity of Porcupine 
 Creek — that in which tho eighteen-foot lignite occurs — is situated near 
 the 3!);j mile point on the Line, and lies about thirty miles south-eaHt of 
 the trading settlement of half ! eeds known as Montague de Bois, Wood, 
 or Woody Mountain. Tho point above indicated was the terminal one of 
 tho geological work of the season of 1873. Eeverting now to Wood End, 
 on the Soui'is River, the e.xposures of Lignite Tertiary rocks on the Trad- 
 ers' Iload to Wood Mountain — which runs nearly parallel with, but to 
 the north of tho Boundary-line — ro(iuiro a brief notice. 
 
 244. Tho section first mot with is that already described as filling a 
 gap in the sequence on the Line (§ 221.) Westward for about ninety 
 miles, no beds underlying tho drift and surface deposits are soon in tho 
 vicinity of the Traders' lload. Beyond this point, however, for the re- 
 mainder of the way to Wood .^^ountain — about thirty miles — many more 
 or less perfect exposures of the rocks of tho liignile Tertiary occur. 
 
 245. Tho road here follows along tho northern slope of the water- 
 shed plateau, or occasionally crosses over one of its projecting spurs. 
 The whole region appears to bo formed of rocks of Tertiaiy age, against 
 which the drift deposits of the northern extension of the Coteau, else- 
 where more fully described, are found to lie. 
 
 246. The nortli-eastern expostn-o of this series is formed in a steep 
 wooded hill, which forms the salient angle between two of the broad flat- 
 bottometl vallies, so common in this region. The section consists of alter- 
 
rRBTACKOI'S AM) TERTFARY — TRADERS' ROAD. 
 
 101 
 
 .'!•- 
 
 nulioiiH of siiiiil hikI iiiviiacoouH cliiy ol' li^ht-tfivy uikI drali (•oloiiis, the 
 (litl'oi'c'iit layoiN not well (loliiicd. No luird sandslono layers croi) out, and 
 the whole of the Ih'iIs are of a very soft and uneoiisolidated nature. A 
 Henn» of inii>iire lii;nite, two feet in tliicUness. occurs. It is soft, lirown in 
 coloiii'. and holds nnnli sandy matter. Sidenite crystals are aluindant, and 
 some thin layers (jf ironstone ai'e also found. The whole appeai-s to be 
 quite horizontal, and the thickness moro or lo.ss pcrfetly displayed, must 
 ho over 150 foot. 
 
 247. The remainder of the sections from this point to Wood Moun- 
 tain do not present any features of much interest, and resemhie j)retty 
 closely that Just descrihed. Yellowish-^iey, greyish, whitish, and drah, 
 soft aronaeeous elays, and sandstones, appear with tmvaryini^ monotony 
 in all the Hcari)ed liaid<s of tlie vallios, which hei'e ramify in every diroe- 
 tion. No fossils, except the badly preserved i-emains of plants, wore 
 found, nor were lii^nites of any importance observed, thouj^h some of tlie 
 men on a hunting excursion, some miles south of the roml, brought bade 
 samples of a fair quality. 
 
 1 
 
 It- 
 
I 
 
 M 
 
 f 
 
 (MI APTKIf V. 
 
 (•iu;T.\<M;ors and ikiiti m!Y kocks oi- 'iiir, vicinity oftiik 
 
 KOHTV NINTH I'AKAl-Llll- WOOD MOUNTAIN TO Till; 
 KOCKV MorVIAINM. 
 
 I<Ii!NITK. TllM'lMn ItiKKS NKAII \V<>i>l> MiH NlAIN Ski'I'IoNS IN IVvK T.ANHH Sol' 111 
 
 (iK WiiiiD McuM'MN Niitiiri' (if lliiil LiiiiiU hivJMidiiH of Stictinn KcimhII 
 iilaiitH N'l'rti'tir.'itc fiwsilM Skciiuns W'ksi' ok tiik Had I, anus i'o Wiiiik 
 \lrii iiivi'it Cn'tai'ixpUM No. I {''ohmiIh White Mini \U\vr ('rctiKt'dim 
 Nils. 4 iV •'). Kt'littiiiiiH <il° IkmIm, \Vliit(' Mini Itivt'i- ami Miul LhiuIh Skciiuns 
 Wi;sr or Wunn Mmsi'Ms Si;ri i. i:\iks r lo WmiK Mn> IJi\i;u Itiiy "f 
 ( 'rc'tai'r<iii>i |{(ick« 'rt'i'ti.iiy I'liiti'.iii ( 'ictai't'diiH Nk. 4. with foHHiin Wiiiik 
 Ml II IJivKK I'D M iiK Uivi K Crt'tai'i'iiiiH |ilain Tertiary I'liiteiiii luist Kiuk 
 of Milk l!i\er Section ne.n' West l'"(irk cif Milk Kiver .\^;e of IteilH exiiimeil 
 ( 'letarodUH |ilaiii Milk Itiver N'alley Seetioiis in Milk Ifivcr N'lilley - 
 I'lHicr areiiiieediin elay.s, tte. Saiidstiine /.mie l.dwi'r arenaeemiK elayH, fir. ■ 
 .Mii.K llivi'.ii ro I'liK Wi.sr Mi tit. Seotions Ncirtli iif Kiwt Hiitte Natiiro 
 ami heiitlit (if the Kutte.s Kastt IJiitte Ignenn.M rciik« of the HutttiH Miihllo 
 Hiitte West I'lUtte Wisr Mii-iK III iiiK 1(111 KV MoiNTAiN.s Synclinal west 
 III West Itiitte. l''iist Uramh Milk l{i\er N'erti'liiate fossils Seeoml Hraiuli 
 Milk l!i\er I'vesli Water ilejiosits St. Mary Kivor -histurliaiice of MikIh — 
 t'oal Ht'il .Marine. Knssilifernus IUmIk -I'lxposiircB nearest the .Moiiiitaiim — 
 South l'"ork iif Kelly lliver. 
 
 liorks ntiir \Voo</ Mountain. * 
 
 24S, In tlio iiniaodiiilo lUMi^hbonrhood ofUio lialf-l)rood Ht'tiloincnt of 
 Wood Moimlaiii. no oooil cxpiwiiri's woro oIkscivciI. Wliei'o rocks wore 
 si'oii, llu'V wore ojciiofuUy lianl givyinli siindstonos, wliicli i»rotnulc! lioi'O 
 and tlu'fc ill tlio sides of (lio hills, and banks of vallios, llio softoi* 
 intorvonini^ beds bcini^ concoalod. Those sandstones no doubt belong to 
 the Lii:;nite Tertiaiy, ;ind pi'obably oeeiir at several dilfcvent horizons. 
 They have iniu h to do with the definite shape of the watershed plateau, 
 wliieh but for them woiiKl probably have lieen but a ditViise ridtjo. 
 
 24!). South-wesl of Wood Mountain, on the trail used by tho half- 
 broods of that place in K'*'"s ^" ^<n-\. N. J. Turncy — a tradiiijij post south 
 of the Line — ravines cut in the southern edge of tho water-shod plateau 
 show occasional sections of the Lignite Tertiary rocks. At ninetoon 
 miles from Wood Mountain, by odometer, tho odgo of tho plateau is 
 
 • The iiiuiio Wooil, or WcMiily Mmiiitain. i.s somothnoa usud to do><i«iiatc tlie wlmle, or an indoflnite 
 part, iif the Tertiary watcrsjied jilatuau. It ia here rcbtrictod tti the half-breed settlement and its imine- 
 iXiaAc vicinity. 
 
rRRTArr.oi'H ANI> TRRTrAllY— HAP FANDrt. 
 
 103 
 
 II 
 [II 
 111 
 
 IS 
 
 n'!i«litMl, atxl a few miles riirllicr mi, llif liiiil ci'dmhom IIic jiitictiMii ol tho 
 'rcfliaiy ami Cit'liicfoiis, iitul passiw niil on a Inwcr Icvfl jilaiii haNcd oti 
 lln> laitt!!- (WniialiiMi. N»'ar lliin |tlati', an cN-posiirf hlinws M-vcral himiius 
 of lii,'iiilt', niH' (»r wliicli a|i|M'ar('(l to Ih' ol' iroo'l i|iialily and iMin^i'lcralilo 
 tliic!<iu'ss, III .ni,'li not siitllciciilly well cxiMtMil \'ny luraMironu'iit. This 
 lu'il iiifiis out fidiii flii" l>aiil< in wliitli il (xcuis, a coiiimis s|iriii|,' of coM 
 water, willi a vi-i-y Hli^^dit ll'rni^'inoiiis laslc. Tlif iiNsociatcd hcdw nro 
 thick aroiiacooiiH clays of |(iir|ilish-liro\vii cMlniir; soil, and cdiilainin^ 
 Monu) Hidi'iiil** ill cryKtalH. 
 
 Sectiiiius in the lta<l Ldiids South of Wooi/ .\fo\intitin. 
 
 250. Tlic iiiosi instiiiclivc section, however, in the Woixl Mountain 
 region, lios l\V(>nly miles south o( (lu' settlement nf that name, on tho 
 forly-niiilh parallel near the llif) mile point from I{cd Hiver; hero hodn 
 undoiihledly lielom^inif to the liiijiiile 'I'eitiary Ibrmalion, — which, east 
 of this locality, has covered mo ^n-al an area of country, — lire found 
 clearly superposcMl on indiihilahle Crotace<nis rocks. The e.KjiosurcH aro 
 numerous, and are produced liy the Htreams flowing from the southern 
 e,scar])ment of the water-shed plateau, ahove referred to, which has here 
 Leeii gashed hy their acjlioii into most rii;^!j;ei| Ihid Linids. 
 
 251. This term has attached to it in the western re^ioiiH of Amorica, 
 a j)cculiar sit^nilicance, and is ajiplitnl to tlio ru^f^ed aial di^Holalo {'ountry 
 tbrmcd where the soft, clayey Tertiary formations an- under;^oin^ raj)id 
 waste. Steep iri'o/^ular hills of clay, on which scarcely a trace of 
 ve^^etaiion exists, nro fouml, sejiarated hy deep, nearly jicrpcdidicular- 
 si(U'(l, and often well nif^h impassable vallies; or, when (h-nudation law 
 advanced to a further sta^e — and especially when some more resisting 
 stratum fiirms a natural base to the t'laycy beils — an arid flat, paved 
 with the washed-down days, almost w. hard as stono when dry, is 
 produced, and supports irregular cones and biittes of clay, tho remnants 
 of a former hi^h-level plateau. Denudation in these regions, procoedrt 
 with extreme rapidity diirinif tho short period of each year, in 
 which the soil is saturated with water. Tlie term first and typically 
 applied to tho newer White River Tertiaries of Nebraska, has been 
 extended to cover country of similar nature in tlie Lii^nite Tertiary 
 regions of tho Upper Missouri, and other Tei-tiary ai-eas of the west. 
 In the Bad Lands, south of Wood Mountain, the hills assume the form 
 of broken plateaus; degenerating gradually into conical peaks, when a 
 fiardor layer of sandstone, or material indurated by the combustion of 
 
 I 
 
104 
 
 B. N. A. BOUNDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 I 
 
 11 
 
 ih 
 
 1^ 
 
 ll^ 
 
 lignite beds, forms a reHistant capping. Where no such protection is 
 att'ordod, rounded mud-lumps are produced from the lio;. ^ij,ene()u» 
 ai'cnucoous clayH. Waste pioceeds entirely by the power of falling rain, 
 and the sliding down of the half-liquid clays in the jjeriod of the 
 melting snow in 8j)ring. Tlie (day hills are conse(piently furrowed 
 from top to base, by innumerable runnels converging into lai-ger 
 furrows below. The small streams rapiilly cutting back among 
 these hills, iiave formed many narro^v stee^.-walled gullies, while the 
 larger brooks have produced wide flat-bottomed vallies at a lowei- level, 
 in which the streams pursue a very serpeidino course. Denudation is 
 even here, however, still going on, as from the frequent change in 
 the channel of the sti'eam, it is constantly enci-oaching on the batd<s 
 of the main valley, umlorcutting them and causing landslips. The 
 method of the immense denudation of Tertiaiy beds, which is proved to 
 have taken ])laco over the area of the western plains, is explained by 
 the degradation still going on in this way along their present borders. 
 
 252. The general section at this place, which though not exposed as 
 a whole at any one spoi, is remarkably clear; is naturally divided into 
 four parts. 
 
 Taking first the highest bod seen, the order is as follows (Plate VII., 
 Fig. 2.) :- 
 a. Yellowish sand and arenaceous clay, sometimes indurated in certain 
 
 layers and forming a soft sandstone. It forms the flat plateau-like 
 
 tops of the highest hills seen. About 50 feet, 
 p. Clays and arenaceous-clays, with a general ]>ur]ilish-grey colour when 
 
 viewed from a distance. About 150 feet, 
 y. Yellowish and rusty sands, in some places approaching arenaceous 
 
 clays, often nodular. Abo^it SO feet, 
 i. Greyish-black clays, rather hard and very homogeneous, breaking 
 
 into small angular fragments on weathering, and forr ang earthy 
 
 hanks. About 40 feet seen. 
 The whole of the beds appear to be conformable, and disregarding minor 
 irregularitie.*, r.: "■■ quite horizontal to the eye. 
 
 253 The days and arenaceous Q\iiyH of the upper part of Division 
 i3. are very regularly bedded, and include a lignite-beaiing zone. Three 
 lignite beds, of fnma one to two feet each in thickness, were observed, but 
 they ai-e separated from each other by rather wide clay partings, and are 
 not pure or of good quality. A bed rich in the remains of plants, 
 immediately overlies the upper lignite. It is composed of a very fine, 
 
 : 
 
 ; 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 ; 
 
 i 
 
; 
 
 i 
 
 I!. N. A. l!i)IMiU!V rO\lMlss((i\. 
 
 IM, \T); VI 
 
 
 
 
 
 SKCrillN^ .11- TIM-: l.ll.MTK Tl:|;| , aii V. 
 
 i1 
 
 I'uio p. 104. 
 
and I 
 arc 
 almj 
 ini"] 
 
 tlii-sl 
 
 thos 
 
 watJ 
 
 f! i 
 
 I i 
 
 ^ i r\ 
 
 i ■ , 
 
 ! ! 
 
 NWy 
 
CRETACEOUS AND TERTIARY — BAD LANDS. 
 
 105 
 
 and ncai'l}' white indunitod cliU', in wliicli the most delicato stiMictiiros 
 are jxn-foctly proservod. From its soft and crumbling eharactor, it is 
 almost impossible to obtain or keo]) good specimens ; but, in the fVag- 
 nic'.'is which were ])reserved, a tew veiy interesting plants a])pear. Of 
 these, some are chai'acteristic of the Fort Union group, and identical with 
 those of P()rcu])ine Creek. The association of remains is that of a fresh- 
 water pond or lake, and a tine new sjiecies of Lewna occurs abundantly'. 
 
 254. In the lower portion of this division, the beds are more 
 sombre in tint, and little ditl'erenti:ited by colour, which elsewhere 
 often renders the stratification a])]iarcnt. They contain some la^-ers 
 of sand and sandstone, which sliow much false-bedding and current 
 structure, and sometimes terminate suddenly with abrupt undulations. 
 In some places, sufficient calcareous cement has been inti'otluced among 
 the grains to form hnvd sandstones, but their tliickness is never 
 great, nor do the}' extend far. ^luch ironstone occurs in thin nodular 
 laj'ers, and some selenitc. About one-third from the base of this division 
 a bed was found, in which curious fruits have been j^i'eserved, referable 
 to a new species of ^Esculus. (Plate XVJ., Figs. 8 and 0.) 
 
 255. The most interesting feature of this part of the .section, 
 however, is the occurrence of the remains of vertebrate animals. They 
 are found exclusively in the lower portion of this division, and most of 
 them below the fruit-bed just mentioned. They are geneially closely 
 connected with the ii-onstone layers, and arc often themselves impregna- 
 ted with that substance. They are also, unfortunately, apt to be attadied 
 to the ironstone nodules, or incorporated with them, and traversed by 
 crack-lines, in such a way as to render it difficult to obtain good 
 specimens. A more prolonged search among these hills, tlian I was able 
 to make, would, however, no doubt result in the discover^' of localities 
 where the remains arc more abundant and in better ])rescrvation. 
 
 2,')6. Professor Cope has kindly examined the vertebrate fossils 
 obtained in connection with the expedition. Thos.; from this place 
 include fragments of severel, species of turtles, scales of a gar-pike, and 
 broken bones of dinosaurian i-eptiles. Of the turtles, two are new 
 species, to which Professor Cope has given tiio luimes — Plastomenvs 
 rostatus, and P. coalcscem — and there are ])orti ms of species of Trionyx 
 and Compseviys. The gar-pike belongs t> the genus Clastes, and of the 
 dinosaurian remains, though mostly too fragmentary for determination, a 
 caudal vei-tebr.". resembles that of Jiadrosaun-s. 
 
 257. Division y., the lower series of yellow sands and arenaceous 
 
mmmam 
 
 I 
 
 s 
 
 ii 
 
 106 
 
 B, N. A. nnUNPARY COMMISSION. 
 
 f'lay.s, is a much bolter dofinod member of the section than Division a. 
 It is ex])osed chiefly in the banks of tlie smallei- ravines, but also in the 
 ujiper parts of those of (lie main brooks. The nodules which it contains 
 are lar<j;e and irrc^uha', bul often apj^roach more or less closely to a 
 spherical form. They are arranged in horizontal lines in the exposures. 
 Xo fossils wore found in this part of the section. 
 
 258. The line of separation between divisions y. and S., is quite 
 well-marked by the change in colour. The latter shows scarcely a 
 ti-ace of stratification lines. 1 was very anxious to obtain fossils from it, 
 but succeeded only in collecting a lew small fragments. They, however, 
 indicate purely marine contlitions; and one oi .;hem is referable to the 
 genus Leda or Yoldla. The identitication of the horizon of this bed does 
 not, howevever, depend on such slight grounds as these, as it was 
 afterwards traced westward, and found to be continuous with well-marked 
 fossil iferous Cretaceous rocks. 
 
 259. Divisions a. and fi. of this section, clearly belong to the Lignite 
 Tertiary. They probably represent, however, merely the lower laj'ers, 
 and differ somewhat in lithological character and arrangement, from 
 those seen at Porcupine Creek, thirty miles east of this place, and at 
 other localities still further eastward. These beds, no doubt, belong to a 
 lower part of the series than is exposed in any of the sections examined 
 between this locality and the Missouri Coteau, and are probably also 
 older than any of those found in the Souris Valley. The bods described 
 as occurring on the trail south of Wood Mountain, (§249) belong to 
 about the same horizon, and it is probable that those seen in some places 
 on the Traders' Road, may not be much higher up in the series. It would 
 appear that the conditions most favourable to the formation of deposits 
 oi' lignite, did not occur frequently or continue long in the earlier stages 
 of the formation in this locality. 
 
 2(30. Division S. being certainly Ci'ctaceous, it only remains to 
 classify division y., which is so markedly diti'erent in character fnmi the 
 beds above and below it. This bed, 1 believe, I'epresents group No. 5, of 
 the Cretaceous ; or the Fox Hill grou]) of Meek and llayden. It was 
 froquentlj'' observed at other ])laces further west, and its relations will be 
 more fully discussed in the sequel. 
 
 2G1. The Lignite beds occurring in division j8., have been burned 
 away over great areas in this region. Numerous red-topped hills are 
 seen, the capping being composeil of indurated chiys and sandstones, 
 often with much the colour and appearance of I'ed brick. The tops of 
 
n. N. A. I!.i( MiAliV roMMISSION, 
 
 I'l.ATK VII. 
 
 S^ or;' 
 
 •y. a 
 
 !r- ,r 
 
 
 2^ ^ 
 
 
 5- te 
 
 
 
 ^1 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 Face ]). lOli. 
 
m ): 
 
 J? - I 
 ii I 
 
 in 
 
CRETACEOUS AND TERTIARY — SOUTH OF WOOD MOUNTAIN. 
 
 107 
 
 these hills are all nearly' on the same plane, ami this, if traced back into 
 some of the larger hills and edges of the plateau, exactly coincides with 
 the zone there still ccmtalning the lignite. The hods, as there exposed, 
 however, seem liaidly of sufficient thickness oi- importance to cause an 
 alteration of the sti-ata so extensive as has taken j)lace. It is possible, 
 from the irregular nature of these deposits, that ovei- the areas destrpyed 
 by combustion, the lignite has been thickei-and of better quality, and that 
 the fire may have been unable to extend itself into the thinner portions 
 of the bod, whei'c it is sepai'atcd by clay partings and vvurcd by such a 
 great thickness of other deposits. The combustion must have taken place 
 ages ago, as isolated red-topped bnttes now only remain to mark what 
 must have been the level of the plain at that time. (Plate VII., Fig. 1.) 
 
 It will frequently be necessniy to refer to this typical section, in 
 discussing the Cretaceous and Tertiary rot'ks further west. 
 
 Cretaceous and Tertiary Bocks South of Wood Mountain Plateau, 
 and between the Bad Lands and White Mud Biver. 
 
 2G2. On proceeding westward along the Line from the sections 
 above described, one ])asses ov<;r Cretaceous bctls, while the southern 
 edge of the Wood Mountain water-shod ])lateau — which is here co- 
 extensive with the edge of the Tertiarj' — follows a more or loss nearly 
 parallel dii'ection at a distance of ten to fifteen miles to the north. 
 
 263. The sombre Ci'ctaceous clays of divisision t., may bo traced 
 almost continuously for a distance of about ten miles. Lower bods are, 
 however, exposed, from^the jjgeneral slight easterly dip of the rocivs ; 
 which is proved by the fact that the sombre clays, though first seen in 
 the bottoms of the vallies, soon form the whole substance of the hills. 
 They attain this jwsition much more rapidly than the slight westw^ard 
 slope of the surface of the countiy at this place, will account for. 
 About ten miles w^estward, near the crossing of the forty-ninth parallel 
 and trail to Fort N. J. Turney, where the Wood Mountain Astronomical 
 Station was established, good exposures of these rocks are again found in 
 the banks of the valley of a large brook. On careful examination they 
 were found to contain fossils, and specimens of Bacxdites compressus, 
 B. ouatus, and other forms characteristic of Meek and Ilayden's 4th, or 
 Fort Pierre group, were obtained. This horizon is also indic.'ited by their 
 position relatively to the Tertiary, and their lithological character. 
 
 2()4. The rock is a soft chiy-shale, which though fine, and regularly 
 stratified, from its homogenious character hardly shows traces of its 
 
I 
 
 ' 1 
 
 I 
 
 ., i 
 
 wi\ 
 
 wi 
 
 ma\ 
 
 108 
 
 B. N. A. notjNnAiiy commission. 
 
 bedding. Tt crnml)Ios down into oarthy banks, which, liowovcr, in some 
 places, exhibit prominent noduhir liamls ot' ii'onstoiif, and in connoction 
 with those the fossils are, for the most part presoi-vcd. They a.o usually 
 {'(mipletely imbc'«lded in the ironstone and tilled with it, thou_<fh the 
 concretions must have ijcon foinied some time after the deposit of the 
 clay, as the lar,i;vi' shells are tVoiiuently crushed. The BacuUtcs still 
 retain to a !4;reat extent, their orii^inal nacreous lustre and play of colour. 
 The ironstone nodules are often soptarian, and from the ra2)id removal of 
 the clays by denudation, their fra,<;inents strew the siu-fiice in abundance, 
 selonite is ditl'used in small (piantity through all parts of the beds. 
 
 2()5. Taking into account the difference of level between this 
 locality and that of the section in the IJad Lands, the clays here seen 
 must be at least 200 feet below the base of division y. The sombre 
 Cretaceous clays of these localities resemble a good deal in lithological 
 character the beds of the Pembina .>[ountain grouj), and they also hold 
 the same relation to the overlying Lignite Tertiary series, as that assigned 
 to those deposits. They ditt'or chiefly in being loss consolidated and 
 darker in colour, and in foi'ming when weathered a crumbling bank of 
 earth}' appearance, rather than one of somewhat sharp-angled shal}- 
 fragments. The scarcity of fossils in the Pembina Mountain sections, 
 prevents any instructive pala'ontological com])arison of these beds with 
 them. Tt must be remembered too, that probably at least several 
 hundreil feet of the upper part of tho Pembina Mountain group, was no 
 seen on tho eastern margin of the basin, and it is this voiy part of the 
 series which must be represented here. Taking into account, liowevei-, 
 the great distance separating the exposui-es on the eastern and western 
 margins of the region covered by Tertiary, the lithological and structural 
 resemblance of the deposits is (piite as close as coukl be looked for, even 
 in an area characterized by such wide-spread similar conditions, as the 
 interior plateau of the continent. 
 
 266. "Westward from these sections, tho continuity of the Cretaceous 
 days in the vicinity of the Boundary-line, is indicated by occassional 
 small ex])osures, and at a distance of thirteen miles, a tolerably good 
 exhibition of the rocks again occui-s. They are now found to resemble 
 very closely tho clay-shales of the upper ])art of tho Pembina Mountain 
 series, and to differ to a corresponding extent from those last de- 
 scribed. They are firmer in foxtiire, and lighter in colour, and are 
 traversed in all directions by rusty-faced cracks. Tho peculiar 
 Hiuall rusty fucoidal markings, already more than once referred to, 
 
CRETACEOUS AND TEHTIAUY — WFIITE MI'l) UIVER. 
 
 109 
 
 arc !ils() :iliiiii(liml, tlioiiijli other to.'-sils jirc oxtromcly scarce. A few 
 improssioiiN resi'ml)liiiif tisli scaU's, Imt very obscure, were found; 
 also u siiiiflc spceiinen of Barnlifi's coviprrMiis. Iioiiii; a cast of the interior 
 of tiio shell in soft ironstone, with tlio impressions of two gasleropodoiis 
 shells, which had tidlen into its outer cliamhcr. One of the latter is 
 of nalicoid type, with a shoi-t spire, and few volutions rapidly increasin<,' 
 in si/e. Not ii trace of the ciilcareous ,sul)stance of a.iy of these fossils 
 remains; and the clay-shale shows in many places, ohscure impressions, 
 which arj)arently nuirk the tormer ])()sitioMs of other calcareous fossils, as 
 in th') shales of the Pembina Mountain scries. The fact that two shells 
 of d'tferent species, wore caught uj) in the body-chambei' of the single 
 Jiaoulite, which owed its preservation to an ironstone concretion, taken 
 in connecti(m with the indications just mentioned, would tend to show 
 that organic remains wei-e originally somewhat abundant, but that they 
 have been removed by chemical action in the way already noticed. 
 
 267. Selenite in small crystals abounds, and is genei-ally found 
 tilling t)ie lines of Hssni'e. Well-marked white bands indicate the 
 the stratification lines in some jjlaces. The}- are occasionally several 
 inches in thickness, and have evidently been bleached subsequently to the 
 deposition of the clays, Ijy the percolation of water charged with sul])huric 
 acid, produced by the decomposition of pyrites, along the more permeable 
 layers. 
 
 2(i8. Where the Line crosses White Mud Itivei- ; '■'= oi-, Frenchman's 
 Creek, numerous and very fine exj)osures uf the Ci'etaceous rocks occiu-. 
 The stream flows in the bottom of a great trough, cut out of the soft 
 Cretaceous strata, over three hundred feet deep, and in some places fully 
 three miles wide. .Many I'avines enter this valley frcmi the sides, and 
 numerous land-slips have brought down the upjter beds to various levels 
 in its banks, and have produced a rugged mass of conical hills and ridges. 
 'Mie to])s of the banks on both sides of the valley are formed of yellowish 
 ferruginous samls, referable to division y., of the JJad Land section. 
 They are. in many ])Iaces, hardened into layers of sandstone, and are 
 nowhere very soft. Land-slips have confused the section, but they can 
 be traced in their oi'iginal position As far u]) and down the valley as can 
 be seen. I could find no fossils in these beds, though si.xty to seventy 
 feet of them must be visible in some ])laces. 
 
 1^] 
 
 ' :\l 
 
 ;«! 
 
 1 
 
 ♦Tliive lire pnilmliU half a ilo/i'ii stri'Miiis nf llii^, imiiiv in ililtertiit parts nf the Ni.rUi West. The 
 best known is that ai tne suuth end of Manitolia Lake, with which this must not he confounded. 
 
I'., 
 
 i : 
 
 Ml 
 
 1^ 
 
 110 n. N. A. HOI \l>\ltV CMMMIHHIMN. 
 
 LMi".'. Holou (1)(W(> ;il'(' snmliU' ( '(("Iiiccoms cIiivn nC divisioii ,T., mill 
 iIh'V I'sltMni iliiw nwiii'il (<> (lie wmIit Imi'I nl' llic ii\»>r; Hlii>\viii;j; ti (liii'k- 
 
 lU'SN Ol L'T^l li'«'l, ill" 1>!I -»« Mill licilli; I'Cll. 'I'lll' pOI'tinll (if (||('^i> rljl V-hIi|((>n 
 
 nmst noai'lv rosonil'liii!; iIkwc ImmI dt-scriln'il. inul tlioM*' dl' llic I'cmlMiiii 
 Mi>iml!iiM scries. \'\oh ininu'ilinli'lv Itclnw tin' vdlnw hiiikIw; Im>|i)\v IIijh, Io 
 (lio liittlmu t>) (lie viilU'v. tlii'v slmw liillicr (ln> t'niinl>liii|X t'Mi'lliy 
 chariirhr :in<l iiiiirt> m«iiiiIii'(> colniii' nl' llii< Hiid li.-iiiih iiml Wood 
 M 
 
 lUmtiiiii Asd'oMomiiiil Sliilinn I'vposnios. 'I'l\is woidd (end tu |irov(> 
 llinl i-oi'Us lilu' ll\oso ol (ln< ii|)|u'i' pjiil of (lie tvpii'iil INmiiImmh iMoiiiiliiiri 
 Norios. iirc iiol conliiu'd to :my luirticnlai' lioi'i/.oii in llic wtNlcni rt'|irt'Nt>ii- 
 tnlivcs of tliiit i;i'oii|), i\l>oiit 1(10 H>tM ludow (lif Imsc of (he yellow 
 sands, a Itod rliarai'Ioi'izoii liy ilie u,r*'iil alMiiidaiite of (lie iviiiaiiiH of a 
 fiiio specios oi'O.stnii, ocnii's. It is nMonililo lo ()stir<i /M^n(f of MroU 
 and liay<i(>n; and fi-aynicnts ot' a lliiiK //loicnn/u/N ajipcar in tlu^ sanio 
 stialnni. Tiio Oslivas. Ut |Ih> niosi pari, arc (piil(> pciii'cl, and have 
 lu'cn intondu'd whci'e lln-y i;re\v. the valves heiny' still aKarhed. Tliev 
 ai'O lri>niiontly roiiuhcncd »>\leiually, and ri'usted with selenile ci-yslals, 
 ]m>dni'ed apparonlly by tlu' action of aeithdous watofs on tho shell 
 ilsolf. 
 
 L'VO. A shofl distant e ludow (his (,)s(fea hcd. is a 7ono eoidainiiiif 
 many lavue soptarian icixistone nodules. In sonic pl.-icos, a hoi'i/,on(al 
 snrfaee oi this l)(>d ha^ hecn exposed, forinini>- an arid wind-Mown 
 >f tvinuhlcd lVai;inents o\' (he shale, which hci'c and there 
 
 oxv 
 
 •>ansi> 
 
 su]iiH>its an ArtnnisiiU and iVoni whi<'h the nodiilai- nja.sses stand up at 
 inicrx.'ds. as tliey have hecn exptvst'd hv wi'athei'iniij. The conerotionH 
 are iMten as much as (welve oi' (it"(een fee( in diaineler. and Icnticidin" in 
 foiin. hut are noi\evally hci^Uen into frai;inents hy the .-ictioii of the ffos(. 
 They hold roinains ol' ADuii'tnitrs and />(((•(////< .s. (he lonner at tinn's iwo 
 feet in dianuMec. and lelei'ahle (o .1. /'Iiuuniii, a tix'in. like Ostira fhitimt, 
 eliaraclei'istie o{' the Ith ^i-oup ot (he Missoiu-i l\*iv(>i' sju'tion. The 
 fv>ssils are unfortunately intersected hy the crai'ks which traverse tho 
 mass o{' the nodules, in such a way ;is to render their ju'osorvatiou very 
 dit^cult. Some of them retain their iuktcous histro in all its oriujiiial 
 perfocti(U>. l^ieachod bands like those already <lescribod, occin- in uumy 
 parts ol' these clays, 
 
 271. The beds hero appear to be perfectly horizontal, and the 
 increased elevation oi tho jivnoral surlhce of tho coup.try will more than 
 sutHcc to account tor tho reaj^pearancc ot' the yellow sandy deposits hist 
 seen in tho B-id Lands — without suiiposing tho existence of any gontlo 
 
rUKTAtRMliH ANIi TKIITIAHY— WKHT <>y W<m»|i MAINTAIN. 
 
 Ml 
 
 Uilirlitiiil lit'lwi'CM III!' I\v<> lociililii'M. Hiii' <')iiM|t, Hiliititcil ii mIioiI 
 
 wiiy 
 
 • ItlWII 
 
 (III' Cllslcl'll Mln|pr (irilir Wliilc Mll'l Vlllll\\, IIIkI <'(»I|H<'(|I|cIiI I y 
 
 Hiiinrwliiil lit<|i>\v llic ^(Mioi'ul It'Vfl ol llin |ii'Hii'i*t, wiih 4 Ifi I'crt iilHtvr tlio 
 WiiihI MiMiiiiiiiii Ah! iiininirul Shilioii, niiinlci'M iiiilcH (last, liy <'iiiii|iui' 
 Ihom of Mi'Vfii liiU'oliU'liic ifinlilic^M iit niicli |ilii('r. Tlic Ipiiho iA IIh' yellow 
 Is liriii^; nliMiil ',',{) !'(•(•( Iirluw IIm' niiii|i, is [W.) I'cnl iiliovi' llm 
 
 HUIII 
 
 A Hi 
 
 I'liiiDinii'iii 
 
 Slllljiili ; iiIhI i(H |Im< I 
 
 )(i-.»i 
 
 III' III*! HMIIM1 Htnilniii (iliviMimi 
 
 y.) ill llll< ll:ii| li.'lllil N(M'lii)|| VVIIH toliml In li*' mIuHII 17" I*'*'! Illmvi' fill* 
 
 AKlroiiomicul Slntioii, II ilitlrrciicn nf li!!ll Irt'l ln'luTdii llif -lime liMii/.dii 
 
 III 
 
 llii'l I 
 
 ;iiiii|K mill ill Wliili' Mini liivrr, udiiIiI n-iiiiiiii in riivniir nl 
 
 till' IkKit. 'riiii disliiiici' lii>iii^ iiliiHil lliii'ty iiiilfj, Lcivrs an ciisl wiinl hIo|)(' 
 ot'iilioiil I'iL'lil li'i'l iti the mill'. 
 
 ('ri'tiii'cnii^ iiiiil 'rcrliiiri/ /iorlts Wowi. Atniiiifiiiii Sitlhininl I" l/n' 
 ('niHsiii(j I'Idfittn Wliili', Mi/il lliiur. 
 
 'J7li, 'I'lic niiiiii liiiil i;<iiii;^f west ri'mii VVdimI Moiinlairi Hclllcminl, 
 |i!iHS(iH jiir sniiid ilisliiiMi' aloii^ III!' iioiiliciii i'Avy of tli<! walrr ^licil 
 plali'aii, anil llirii \s,n\\\ix. nvi^i* il wIkwc il liiriis iiortli-wcMlwanl, nnMHUH 
 llic vall(«y ol' till* While Mini Uivrr, sInIi-cii milcH iiorlli of tlm (oily- 
 iiinlli paiallel, ami Iwenly tliii'o niiieH noilli-vvosl. of I he oxposiiros lasl 
 
 tU'scnhcd 
 
 Hit 
 
 wiM'ii Wooil .MiHinlain ami llir Wliilr Mud ItiviT tlio 
 
 walt'i' slii'il plali'iMi is fornii'il, as Ixilon', of llm Iowit licds of llm l;i;^nil(! 
 Toi'liai'v, and |»ioJ('I'|h liUc [\w |ii'omin(Mil |)arls of a cameo, vvliilc llio 
 lowiM' ground, and till' d('o|ior [Mtrl ions of (lio valli'ys of llie siroums, ai'd 
 formod of llie iiMdorlyiii;;' (IrDlaceoii.s clays. On llie liail, ncai' Wood 
 MoMulain, small (v\|iosiiits of llic Tcrtiin-y rorUs froiiiii'iilly a|i|icai'. 
 vMioiil lliii'ty-foiii" milos uohI o| llud, |ila<'r, m-cIIoiim of cliuiarU'i-islic 
 Honilti'e Ci'i'lacooiis clay-sliale occiii', and a dcoi) hay of flmsi; lower i(;('l<s, 
 poiiolralcs tlie edn,!' of the 'rerliary plateau from the noi-th in I his 
 vioiiiily. On ascendini;- the plaleaii lofniin^^ the we.it Hide of this hay, 
 Liji!;nile 'IViiiary rocks are attain seen at intorvuls, to within about fifteon 
 miles of White Mud River, when tho nmd (IcHCOiids the wostorri ed^c of 
 the jtlaleaii, and a^ain passes over the ('retaeeoiiH clayH. 
 
 273. A reference to the accompanyint;' /fcolo^i'Tt! ma|) will render 
 tho uri'aii,i:,(>m(Mit of tho formations iu this ro^fion cloar. In tin; ahseii(;o 
 of other information for thcdlHtrict north-wostof Wood Mountain, I would 
 have followed Di-. lleclor in provisionally indicatini^ thc^ hoi-d(!i' of tho 
 Tertiary as running from tho (Jyj)roH.s to llio Thundor 15ro(!(lin^ UIIIh. 
 Tho occurrence of a bay of CrotacoouH rocks on the north side of tho 
 
N 
 
 iia 
 
 II. N. A. Iliij N(i\IIV ruMMlMHlMN. 
 
 
 'roi'litiiy ))l:ilt>iiii. Iiit\vi'\i>r, IIiikWh ilniilil mi |ii'. Hci'Idi'h sii|)|HiHilion uf 
 |Im> ronliimily of iIh- oilijc nt i' "> 'rniiMis liciut'cii iIm- hvo IjihI inriilinnt'il 
 locniilitw, .liidijiiii;' IVnin iiin.loirv, llii'icis itiisuh Id liclicvc lliiil (Im> 
 Itiiy I'C ( 'i-«'liii'i>oiiN locks mils! csli'inl rniitiiMinii-.|\ IVmiiiIIii' iKirlli side nf 
 tin' |>lill«';iii 111 till' Sniilli SiiNlv!il('i'\\;iii l>i\('r. 'rin- sliiilii jilc lis iiciirly 
 UN |)i)SNil)|(< li<ii-i/,oiiliil. Mini lliriMi^lioiil lliis rfo'iiHi il i> IihukI ilmi n viillcy 
 
 OIICC cut iIclWIl lliroll!;ll lln« lll'l'ili'l' Tci'liMiy I I\S III llic ( Vi'llH'tMMIH, i|o(>M 
 
 linl ill llii> low IT |i,'il'l iil'ils riim'M' ;|h;i'iIi pM-'S ii\ i'I' I In- lonMri'. I>l'. Ili'flur 
 tliil iiol rciirli llio iimllu'tii I'liu'i' 111' llii< 'l\'rliiiiy Iu'Iwim'm llii' ( '\ |ii('sn nml 
 
 'Vh 
 
 ili'i' Hrt'i'ili 
 
 llill^ 
 
 tliiil th 
 
 hiiMiiiT lircciliMi;- IIiIIh, Mini it is liy iin tiu>;iiiH ii'i'tiiiii tliiKllK'I'i* IH u 
 roiltiiiiliilis t<sr)il'|)liirnt iniil iii^;' llii'iii. ils sliiiuii on llii> inii|i. 
 
 L'7I. Twrivi' miles i<!isl nt lin' NViiili' Mini liivt-r, in llic liiiiiks id' ii 
 dt'Op ciiuhV triluitary In il. i;iiiid i'\|iiisiir«>s nf iIm- ( 'I'l'liici'niis imivs oniir. 
 iiiid yiidd 111 'j;\V!\\ .'iImiiuI.iiu'i' i1h> «diariirl(>ri.sti(' fuNsils of .Meidv !iiiil 
 lliiyiU'ii's III) nriiii|i. HihiilHis I'mnprissiis is lIu' mosi niiiiniiui liuiii, 
 :ind is iissiH'i.'itod with si'vonil sporii's dI' luoi'criiiiius Mini nllici" iiinlliisrs. 
 S|ii'idm('iis id" Ai-iiiilii (/'/(/■/(() InijiKithriDis M. Mini .\<i(<iii rnnrininis, M. 
 \ II.. .•ii'i' iiuliidcd ill lln> I'ojji'iliiiii, Mini mi'i' csiicidMlly iiih'rt'sliiit;, us 
 liMvinn' lu'cii ini'vimisly ri'('o^iiis(>d hy I'lnj'. iliinl. in InrMlilii's riii'llior to 
 tlu' iiorlli.— tlio t'oniiiM' Ml lIu- idlmw id' liii- Soiilli SMsUMlrlicuMii, llic 
 i.MlIri' Ml 'PwD ('I'coUs nil llic .Vs-iiiidmiin'. 
 
 'J7''>. TIio lossils ri'si'iiiiili' vi'iy ilnsidy. Imtli in IIkmi" i^t'iioi'Ml ii|)|i(')ir- 
 iUU'c ;iinl inoilo oj' |in's('i'v:itiiiii. (ln>M' lirouu'lit liy l>i'. llMydcii's cxiit'ilitiiiiis 
 from till' r|i|u't' MisMiiiri. 'V\\o\ .-iri' iiudinlcil in imiiiili's of rcrni;;'iiiiiiis 
 limi'stoiu". wliirli. liki' tin i>iii In^iiii;' rkiys. Ml'*' of dnrk-^Tcy colour. 
 Tlu' cnncrclinns only occur in ccil;iin lu'ds oj' llic cl;iy. .•iinl arc ^^onoraliy 
 luori' or less scptiiriMn in diiiracU'r. Ilio crMcks Ikmiiu' lillcil witli iiinlicr- 
 coloiircti cMJcito. ill oilier |i;irls id' llu' scclion, lieils willi hiri;'!' iroiisloim 
 concretions occur, whiidi iisUMliy have the smiiic .se|d'arian idiaraidor, Iml 
 Were not ohsorved to I'ontain many lossils. Selenite crystals iilioiiinl in 
 tho idays. ami a lihrons mineral, which may liest he ciilled a Ibrro-caUdlo, 
 occurs in disi-ontiiuioiis l;iyers ]>ar!illel to the stralilicalion ; oiio ol' wliicii 
 \va,>* ohsorved to he nearly a foot in thi(d\iu'ss. This suhstuiu'O was also 
 found in connection with the somhro tdays of the Wood Mountain 
 Astronomioal Station exposures, and with those of the Had Lands. 
 (i{ 25S-2(i.'{.) 1 1 is minutely prismatic, the prisms in some c'a.ses, radi- 
 ating from a centre. h\\\ more usually nearly piirallel, and at rii-ht angles 
 to the bods. Il is ])oarly-gi-cy within, hut weathers yellowish-grey, and 
 in that state muidi resemldos. at tirsi siijht, silicilied wood. 
 
f'UKTA«'K<il'M AMI TKIITIAUV — WItlTK Ml l» IIIVKIl. 
 
 113 
 
 a7<I. 'I'ln' vulli-y ol' tlh' Wliil*' MikI l{i\cr, wlicio iioM^cd on lliix 
 n<ii-li,'>i'ii roiilc, \H \*>ry Iii'ii:mI, ImiI (lir IiuiiUn ni'<< iiiinli ri-iliirttl in li(«i^lit, 
 
 IIS ('<llM|<lll'Oi| will) lllfisf IMI tllO IjilM', :il|i| nil' IIdI ril llli' ^^IIIMX |l|-*'<'i piloiH 
 
 I'liariirtfi'. Till' iMiiloni ot tin- viilloy !>< Hal, iiiiil IIh' -^nil lii-in^ liaH«>(l on 
 till' ( Vi'liii'i'iM . I lays witlinnl llir iiili'iiiii'iliaiinn of ilnll malarial, Ih 
 liarri'ii in llir I'slinni', nml hii|i|»oi'lN a sriiilirril ^^mwlli ol' Artiniisid, atul 
 NMinc Mall-|oviii|^ |»laiilH. 'I'lif ( Vrhn I'oiis riays nri' Mrcii in llir IiIiiiUh, hut 
 an' not well rxposnl. 
 
 I'rrfiirniii.-^ mill '/'iitidri/ llnrliA, fr'illl Whifi M\hl /,'iiur tu Milk HiviT. 
 
 L'7T. On lli»« wc^li'i'ii '^iilr of Wliilr Mini liivcr, liilly i,moiiimI occhi'h, 
 in wliirli ^oini' III' the lowi'sl Trrliary Iji'iU iiiiiy ln' ri'|ii'<'sinlril , lull, 
 wliii'li I am imlinril lo lirlii'Vf, is ijiii! (tnliii'ly lo a<'niiinihilion ol' ilrif't. 
 Till' Itaiik^ ol' till' Iwo Iti'iiiii'lii's of < ImI tonwocul ( 'oiili'i-, ni'xl nii^l willi, ilo 
 nol appi-ar lo yield any «'.\|iosiir»>s, Imt 'Im roiiniiy, I'roni lis cliaiacU!!' 
 anil «'li'\alioii is, no iloiilii, iiascij on llic ilai'k ( 'n'laii'oiis clay-slialcfs, fo 
 alxMit tli(< r>u') mile poini, \vli(;r*' llio piairir \slii( lias liccn i^railiially 
 ln'coiiiin^ more iindiilaliii^ and liiily, iiialvus a Si'vy lUiliiiito rise, and 
 fonns a plaicaii, whicli cxtoiids alonir iln; liinr, to tli f).') I iiiilr jioinl. 
 
 27H. Tills platoaii !il<(^ that iiciir Wood Moinniiin, is ti)iind to Ik; 
 roniposi'd of Tertiary IhmIs, Imt is not so will drliiiod. lis siirfaco is 
 always inidiilatiiii^ and ol'toii (|iiit(' liilly, lar^^c <iiiaiititi(s of diil't having 
 apparently, Itrcn piled iijion it. TIk! iiiidi'i'lyint^ rocks an- seldom seen, 
 and its aj^e niiniil liavo remained a doiilitl'iil i|iiestioii, liiit ihv the sc^ctiorirt 
 oeeiirrint; aloiii^ ils ahriipt western I'ront. On eomiiii; to this ed^e, a 
 f^roal area of harreii and arid prairie, at a lower levi^l, and ha^^ed on ('reta- 
 cooiiH No. 4, is seen Nlrotcliiiij^ westward toward the Milk J{ivor. Tho 
 Throo BiitleH or, Swoot (Ji-uss IFills, tlie Meai-'s Paw, and Litth; Jlocky 
 Mountains, are al.so lierii seon ioi- Ihe iirst time, at a ^real disfaii'e, 
 rising ahovc tho Icvol horizon. The exposiiies aic not very clear or 
 extonsive, hut indicate the existence near Iho liiot of the escarpment, 
 oi a considerahUi IhieknoHS of ifreyish and hrownish arenaceous <'lays, 
 forming ratiicr niassivo hedw. Some distance ahovc these, a well-jnarked 
 rod zone occurs, and can ho ti-acod at various points aloiii^ llie edge of the 
 escarpment, as far as the eye can reach. It is dia; to the comhustion, in 
 5<Ym, of one or more lignite heds; portions of which wei'O found in one 
 place, unaffected hy the tire, hut not siitticienlly well exposed to enahle 
 measuroment.s to bo taken, or any estimate of their quality formed. The 
 metamorphism produced, has been very extensive, >and rocks are found 
 
 8p 
 
i t 
 
 1 
 
 !H 
 
 \ : 
 
 P i fi I 
 
 lis'! 
 
 i'^r 
 
 ! 
 
 i ' 
 
 i 
 
 114 
 
 B. N. A. BOUNDARY COMMTSSION. 
 
 in all stages, from those simply reddene<l, to others completely porcelain- 
 ized, or fused into lava-like material. Some of the baked sandstonoH still 
 retain obscure impressions of plants. Overlying the red beds are 
 whitish and yellowish arenaceous clays, of such light tints, as to appear, 
 from a distance almost like chalk. 
 
 The thickness of beds included between the highest and lowest 
 exposures seen here, mi^^ be fiom two to three hundred feet, and so far 
 as comparison can bo made, the section shows a remarkable genei-al 
 agreement with that of divisions a. and /3. of the liad Lands, 115 mile* 
 eastward. 
 
 27'.>. The valley of the East Fork of Milk River, where it crosses 
 the Line, is wide and trough-like, with scarped banks about forty feet in 
 height. The clitFs are composed entirely of drift deposits, and it 
 maintains ' - «• ter as far up and down as I have been able to 
 examine it. Many fragments of Cretaceous fossils, and largo masses 
 of fossiliferous ironstone, are found in the bed of the stream, and in the 
 clay banks ; and so lai-ge a proportion of the dri^t is formed of the 
 redistributeii matter of the Cretaceous clay-shales, that it seems probable 
 that they exist here at no vary great depth. Baculites grandis is 
 among the fossils, and was not elsewhere observed; there are also a 
 few species which are probably derived from the lower bods of the 
 Tertiary. 
 
 2S0. A most interesting section occurs in a deep valley about six 
 miles west of East Fork. Kxactly on the Houndary-line the bankc .show 
 good exposures of the Cretaceous shales, more closely resembling in their 
 lithological character those seen in the upper part of the Pembina 
 Mountain sections, tiian those oi' the same beds as occurring in the 
 vicinity of Wo-^d Mountain. The rock is almost, or quite horizontal, 
 is pretty hard, and well stratified, and includes white bands like those 
 already referred to. On following the valley about a mile northward, 
 these clay-shales seem to bentl suddenly upward, and give place to 
 a series of rocks, which appear to underlie them, and which ditfer from 
 them altogether in character, and include massive layers of sandstone 
 and thick arenaceous clays. 
 
 281. A section was measured across the up-turned edges of these 
 beds, which is given below, tlie measurements being reduced, so as to 
 represent the actual thickness of the strata. The section — supposing uo 
 reversal t't haye taken place — is in d^scendiiig order : — 
 
 i i; 
 
rRKTACEOrS ANT) TKBTIARY — EAST FORK MfLK RIVER. 115 
 
 piurr. iH. 
 
 1. Sombre Cretaceous clay-shales. Division 4. M. & H 
 
 2. Grey and yellow arenaceous clays, with some remains of 
 
 O.itrra in tlie lower layers (alnrnt) 20 
 
 3. Greyish-white arenaceous clay, with irregular sheets of 
 
 ironstone 8 6 
 
 4. Carbonaceous shale 1 
 
 5. <irey arenaceous clay 2 6 
 
 6. Black carbonaceous shale 2 
 
 7. Dark shales, with carbonaceous bands 12 6 
 
 8. Carbonaceous shale, with poorly preserved plant remains 1 6 
 
 9. Grey arenaceous clay . . 30 
 
 10. Brown shale, with indistinct impressions of plants, a few 
 
 inches 
 
 • 11. Grey arenaceous clay 3 6 
 
 12. Laminated carbonaceous shale, with spots of amber, and 
 
 impressions of plants 2 
 
 13. Grey and yellow arenaceous clay ....... 20 
 
 14. Yellowish arenaceous clay 11 
 
 15. Grey arenaceous clay 9 
 
 16. Soft beds — probably yellowish arenaceous clays, but not 
 
 well exi>osed 35 9 
 
 17. Grey sandstone, weathering yellow, and with many 
 
 jointage-cracks 12 10 
 
 18. Greyish arenaceous clay , 45 11 
 
 19. Hard sandstone, breaking into large rectangular frag- 
 
 ments, and weathering into pot-holes 4 
 
 20. Soft arenaceous clays 12 10 
 
 21. Fine-grained grey-yellow sandstone, with dendritic mark- 
 
 ings 2 
 
 22. Grey and yellowish arenaceous clay, with some thin sheets 
 
 of ironstone 34 5 
 
 23. Red-brown sandstone 2 
 
 24. Soft grey sandstone G 5 
 
 25. N(Mlular brown sandstone 6 
 
 26. Soft beds, with some thin sandstone layers 24 
 
 27. Nodular red-brown sandstone (about) 3 
 
 28. Greyish and yellowish arenaceous clays, well stratified, 
 
 and with small fragments of some lamellibranchiate 
 
 shell at the base 88 5 
 
 29. Greyish and yellowish arenaceous clays, well stratified. . 121 10 
 
 30. Sandstone 3 
 
 31. Brownish arenaceous clays, crumbling and rotten where 
 
 exposed 134 4 
 
 32. Grey sandstone (Dip 45°) 1 6 
 
 33. Yellowish sandstone, thin-bedded and flaggy 34 
 
 34. I'urplish and brownish clays, with evident stratification 
 
 lines 47 7 
 
 3.'i. Impure ironstone 1 
 
 • 36. Purplish shaly clays 127 3 
 
 37. Impure ironstone I 
 
 38. Crumbling earthy-clays 2(5 6 
 
 893 7 
 
 The beds hclow those arc not exposed sufficiently well to ennhle the 
 section lo be meafnu-ed. From blocks of Haiidstoiie strewing the banks, 
 }iowever, it is proljablc that one or more lajers of this rock occur not far 
 below the base, as hero given. 
 
 282. When this section was examined, I hud no doubt that the whole 
 
r 
 
 ! 
 
 
 i, 
 
 1l 
 
 l! 
 
 110 
 
 n. N. A. llltl'NKVHY COMMIHSIdN. 
 
 Ill" ilic ImmIm iii('lii(l(<(| ill i( wvw Inily Idwcr (liim llic diirk (Vo(iH'(MmH chiy- 
 t<li;ilfs o|' No. 1. tli()ii'.';li noiinii; tlic -similarity ol' (lif Hccins Imrc »>X|mih(m|, 
 will) ils lii^lil coIoiuhmI luvntH'CDiH clays, irniiHloncM, and carlioiiaccdiiM 
 sliali's, to tin' IhmIh of tlio TtM'tiary. Ilaviii;:; ai'lci-wurciM (>xamiii<'(l tlio 
 MiM't ions of till' lower |mrl ot llic 'I'tMliary in MilU Ifivcr, with wliicli tlicsc 
 arc (>vi>ii mort> ('i(wi>ly comiiariiMc. ami tin<iiii|; tlici'o a M|uH'i«>H of ()s(ri(i 
 wliii'li a|»|M'iU's to 1h« iii(listiii!fuislialilt> from that rcprcst'iilcil Ity tlu> low 
 frai^nu'iils olitaiiu'd from lu'd No. L'. I liiid it still moio (lilliciill to H>ol 
 assiiroil in rolorriiiL!: those IhmIs to u |»osition inferior to No. 4 of the* 
 ('relaeeoiis. IJail thi>y oeciirriMl apart from well-marl<e(l CretaetMius 
 roeUs. they would prohahly have he(>n leferred. without, doiihl, to tlio 
 liiynile Tertiary, in tlu' ahsonee of cliariU'tei'istio orf;anic remains. 
 
 'JS;i. To explain tin* pr(>sent position of these heds, under tlio 
 supposition that theif at^'o is Tertiary, it is mvessary to suppose either an 
 e\li>nsive overturn ; or that tlu'y liave heen thrown down hy a reversod 
 fault, with an an<;le of only ahov,! .'lit", nearly eoiiicidimr with the 
 stralitieation, and earriod henoath the odjiji's of the nnilislnrlM>d ('rotaeeouH 
 elays. I'iither »»f these alternativi> tin'iimstane(>s is dillieiilt to aeeoiint 
 for in a eountiy s(» little dislurhed, and where the strata are, as a rule, 
 aln^wt poi'feeily horizontal. If, however, th(> heels are truly Cretaceous, 
 it still remains uneerlain whether th(\v should he considered as forniinuf 
 an im|)orlanl intercalation in No. I. or whelh(>r they 'ii> entirely helow 
 that division. The latter is the t)>ore pi-ohahle supposition, as wiiero tho 
 rocks o\' No. 4 are turned up auainsi, the llanUs of (ho Huttos. further 
 west, in such a manner as to rev«>al a threat part of their thickess; thoui;li 
 some thin layers of Handslone occur, nothniif is lound comparablo with 
 this series. 
 
 ■JSJ. The sandstones of these hods ditVer a little in aspect from 
 most s.Mudsiones occurrinn' in sections ilearly referahle t<» the Tertiary, 
 lieinu- somewhat nu)iv uniform in (heir heddins;. thinner leaved, and 
 moiv ocpially hanUned throu-ihtmt. The carhonaceous shales of hods (!, 
 and 11.*. are thinly cleavahle. and miu:hl, in some places, hi' called impure 
 liii'uitc. (.)ne ot' the heds I'ontains drops oi' aniher, similar to those found 
 in connection with many of (ho li_i,niite hods elsewhere; and plant 
 remains are ahundant, hut too poorly juvserved lor reeo;;nition. It is 
 evident that where these cirhomieoous sliales were found, all the con- 
 ditions M'hicli mi^iht lead to the accunmlation of important heils of 
 lii^nite ohtained. and (hat xich heds as these miu;h( he f tund, if followed, 
 to widen mit. oi- coalesce with each other wi(hin a short dis(ance. Tho 
 
(KKTACKDUH AND TEltTIAIlY MII.K IIIVKII. 
 
 117 
 
 with 
 
 hVoni 
 liiiiy, 
 iind 
 J.ls (i, 
 ipuro 
 ixind 
 hinnt 
 It is 
 (■oil- 
 Is of 
 Ivod, 
 iTIio 
 
 occiirr<Mi('0 of uihIkt hIiowh timl crjiiilt^roiis wood, vvliii'li coiiiitfiscH ho 
 liii-f^'c ii |iiii-l of (Ik- ck^iifly 'rcrliiiiy lit^Miilcs, w:ih lici'c f^'oini,' to iU'rt\y If 
 (li(>ii it \iv ^vnnU'A Unit IIiono IkmIs iiio lowor ( 'itiliiccoiis, tlic possiliilily of 
 1Ih< o('(-ni'r*Mi('(v of Ii('(|s of fossil IiidI in tlir rocks of tliiif ago, in this 
 iTgioii, would he (!stulilisli(!d. 
 
 2Hr>. Tli(! striki! ol thesis licds is N. 27" K., (niii^'.) iiiid llicir di|i, 
 HoiilliMmslwiird, iit jtn^^K^s vnryiii^' IVoin If)" to idttiiit .'Mf. '\'\n'. tilting of 
 Hti'uttt to siicli iiiinifs US llu^s(v-(',voii if Mio «^\isl(^ll(•(• of ;io molts violtiit. 
 llcNiiiT Ik> siis|H'cl('d — is ill its' If acin'iiiiistiiiii'ii snllicicnlly rciiiiirkiililc, in 
 11 foiiiitiy vvlu'i'c, for liiiii<lf< ds of miles, the rocks iiiM! loiiiid witli iiicliiiii- 
 tions no ^router lliiiii ciin lie iiccoinitcd tiir hy ori/^iiiiil irrc^iihiritics of 
 dc|t((sit. Tlic ncurcst. (listiirlicd rcifion is llnit in the. iKsif^lilioiirliood of 
 the Millies, inid llio upturning is lliero in inimedititcs coniKHtioii uilli tin; 
 oxtriisioii of igneous niiiller. 
 
 2S(I. The Vidley oi' the West, Fork of Milk River, thoii-^di slio\vini( 
 wimo scar|uMl hanks, docs not iienetnite helow the drift. 
 
 liK7. Two iind !i liulf miles heyoiid West Kork, ().\|iosiires of somlii(! 
 Crolaeeoiis eliiy-shiiles of the usual characltir w<!ro again met with, and 
 tlie harreii |»Iain is hased on tlujse rocks for ahoiit IwiMity miles west- 
 ward. Immediately west of the V.vst Kork, a well-mark(sd plateau runs 
 up nearly to the noiindarydine, from the south, and nodoiiht marks Ihe, 
 overlap of TcM'tiary ntcks, which are again mcX with in full force in iIk; 
 high groiinil around Milk Hiviw. On approaching this stream, a liiu! of 
 small lakes* and swamjts, is ioiind along the oast(srn liase of a plateau, 
 which runs nortli-weslward, and on tho Line has a hrcadth of six miles, 
 east of Ihe river. Near the e,dg(s of tho phitoaii the clay plain shows 
 oxtensive superficial doposits of loose sands, wliieh havo prohahly Ik 
 derive" from the disin<ogration of the Hoft Mandstones of division 
 ccpiivaleni to the Fox Hill group. 
 
 288. The valley of tho Milk liiver is one of the most important 
 features met with on Ihe line ot tho li)rty-ninth jiarallel, and otiers coii- 
 timions and magnilicont sections of heds releruhle to the liignitc Ttsriiary 
 scries. The eounlry on liolh sides of it, is seamed with tributary ravines 
 and gorges, the hanks of which are often lusarly ptirpcndiciilar, and which 
 ramity in all directions. Wiierc the Line crosses the river valley, it is 
 utterly impassable for waggons or carts, and nisar this places the dreat l)ry 
 CoultJo bni;v!;es oil', which, according to I'alliscr's map. i-iins to Lake 
 
 en 
 
 y-i 
 
 ' Kmdwm to the li«lf-bruvil liuntvrs lu Lace ties Marruin. 
 
'A 
 
 i\>>\ 
 
 118 
 
 B. N. A. BOUNDARY COMMISSION, 
 
 Pcclcopoe. The appoai-Jincc of the valley ol' tlie river itself is strange and 
 desolate. 
 
 280. ThohankHriso nearly three Inind red feet ahove the level of 
 the stroum, and are inoi-o than a mile apart. They are almost hare of 
 vegetation, and mari-ied by bands of ditt'i'rant coloured clays and sand- 
 stones in a nearly horizontal position, as far as the eye can reach. The 
 descent into the valley cannot be m.nde on horseback, but by taking 
 atlvantage of the well-worn butfalo tracks, which are found leading down 
 almost every couide and ravine. The river itself is comparatively 
 insignificant, and winds in liroad curves from side to side of the valley, 
 and is fringed by a growth of large poplar trees, and by willows. Tha 
 bottom of the valley is marked out into three distinct levels, difTering 
 much in appearance, though only by a few feet in height. Over the first 
 of those the river must constantly pass in flood. It shows in many 
 places a luxuriant growth of grass, and supports most of the timber. 
 The second level, which the river can seldom if over touch, is character- 
 ized by the abundant growth of Artemuia of several ditTerent species. 
 A third level, which forms a kiiul of low terrace at the foot of the cliffs, 
 and must bo twenty to thirty feet above the stream, consists of hard, 
 parched clay, the washings of the banks, and nourishes only the grease- 
 wood, and a few other thick-leaved drought-loving plants. 
 
 290. The sections in the banks are undisturbed and regular. The 
 beds are divided into an upjier and lower series, by a zone of sandstones, 
 which is about two-thirds up the bank near the Line, but about eight 
 miles north-westward up the valley, is found forming the very summit of 
 the clift"; which here, from the better support afforded by such hard 
 rocks as compared with the clays and arenaceous clays of the i-est of the 
 formation, assumes a bolder and more rugged aspect, and a greater 
 height than elsewhere. Fourteen miles south-eastward of the crossing 
 of the Line, the same sandstone zone is again seen, but now only 
 about one-third up the bank, indicating a general inclination of the 
 beds in a south-easterly direction, — which may not be exactlj- that of the 
 full dip, — of about ten feet to a mile. 
 
 291. The sandstones, though often well and evenly bedded, are not 
 regularly hardened, but have a nodular character; and though in 
 some localities indurated throughout their entire thickness, in other 
 places not far removed, they may show only certain hai'd layers of 
 comparatively small thickness, separated by beds of unconsolidated sand. 
 They appear, however, to bo veiy constant in extent, and do not differ 
 
 I 
 
 % 
 
 
 b I 
 
CRETACEOUS AND TEKTIAKY — MILK RIVER, 
 
 119 
 
 the 
 'the 
 
 of 
 md. 
 Iflfer 
 
 matt'iially in thickiicss a1 the several localities where they were 
 oxainined. The}' are slightly ferriiginouH, with prevailiii!}: light 
 yellow tints, and ai'e often more or less atl'eeted hy false-hedding. 
 Below the sandstones oceur clays, sands, and arenaceous clays, generally 
 well stratitied, and individual heds of which may often he trac.'d a long 
 way up or down the valley. The colours are usually light, hut there 
 are some zones of darker carhonaceons clays, and in a few places impure 
 lignites of no great thickness were ohsei-ved. These ap|»earcd to he less 
 persistent than most of the other heds, and generally to thin out and 
 disappear when followed far in either direction. From their appearance, 
 and mode of occurrence, these ligiutes may well have originated from 
 the drifting together of wood or peat\' matter, and differ considerably 
 from the pure and definite heds which characterize the Lignite Tertiary 
 further east, and which appear to be formed of trees which have grown 
 on the spot. 
 
 202. Above the sandstone zone is a great thickness of sands ami 
 arenaceous clays, forming more massive beds, in which the stratifi- 
 cation is less perfectly marked. The genera' tints are pale greenish- 
 grey, greyish, and light buff. 
 
 293. No fossils were found in this upper series or in the sandstones. 
 In the beds below the sandstojies organic remains are also singtdarly 
 rare, but are not altogether absent. In a part of the section not far 
 below the base of the sandstone zone, is a layer with lai-ge arenaceous 
 concretions, which contain in some places abundance of fossils. 
 
 Among these ai-e Melania Nebrascensis, one or more species of 
 Paludina, a Helix, sevei-al species of Corbula, and a Spharium, which is 
 almost certainly S. formosum, described by Meek and Ilaydcn, from the 
 Port Union beds, and is identical with one afterwards found 110 miles 
 further west, and within thirty miles of the base of the Rocky 
 Mountains. A few rolled fragments of bone are also included in the bod, 
 and some traces of fossil plants. Lower down in the section valves of 
 Ostrea are found, sparingly scattered through the deposit, and not very 
 far from the base a layer containing shells of Unio in a poor state of 
 preservation was observed. Near the latter were found fragments of 
 the bones of a large verteb:ale. They were scattered, and not in a very 
 good state of preservation, and had evidently been strewn about after the 
 death of the animal, and before their envelopment by the seiliment. 
 These, with the other vertebrate remains, were submitted to Prof. Cope, 
 
 Ml 
 
 it 
 
 I 
 
^j-T ijuwiJiwtfw— ■■wi 
 
 liiijl 
 
 i 
 
 1 i i-j 
 
 >■ ri!* 
 
 
 111 
 
 |i 1 
 
 
 '^^ 
 
 
 
 
 ;{■■ 
 
 
 t ■ 
 
 i: 
 
 JLi 
 
 ij^ 
 
 120 
 
 n. N. A. BOUNDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 who proiioiinct's tlicm to be })<)rti()ns of the Hacrum and long-ltoncs of a 
 Dinosauriiiii. 
 
 2!)4t A soc'lioii of'tho ii|)pcr bods and sandntoncs, obKervcd in a ravino 
 on (ho cast sido of (ho (iroa( Dry Covdeo, noar (lio Lino, showed the 
 foUowing sut'cossion of bods : — 
 
 PKBT. IN. 
 
 1. Light yullowisli arenaceous days and sands, indicated in 
 
 h[()iic.s and liiglicr grounds, but of which a few feet at 
 
 the base oidy are well exposed (5 8 
 
 2. Grey sa Ml I 4 5 
 
 3. (irey -green arenaee(Uis clay {( 
 
 4. Arenaceous clay (rusty, irregular layer) 2 3 
 
 li. Highly ferruginous layer. A few inches. 
 
 () (iroy arenaceous clay, rather conspicuously banded 17 10 
 
 7. < iroy soft sandstone 14 5 
 
 8. Sandstones, hard and soft, brownish, yellowish and grey; 
 
 often concretionary, generally well stratitied, but some- 
 times false-bedded, forming clitl's in the gorge, ivn<l 
 Weathering out into overhanging ledges, ,ind horizon- 
 ^i'lly liuied walls 35 G 
 
 About 90 
 
 205. Tiio mos( ooni]>lo(o soction of (lio bods bolow (ho sandstone 
 zone was obtained alu)u( oigiit ndlos nordi-westwai-d from the in(ersec(ion 
 of (he valley widi (bo Lino, and on (lio n()rt]i-oas( side of the valley. It 
 may overlap (bo last by a iew feo(> or a few feet may be oiniKod ; bnt, 
 allowing for this sligbl unoortainty^ it fornib a continuation downward of 
 the base of the Ibi'nior section. 
 
 1. 
 
 2_ 
 
 3. 
 4. 
 
 0. 
 
 7. 
 
 8. 
 
 9. 
 10. 
 11. 
 12. 
 13. 
 14. 
 15. 
 16. 
 17. 
 18. 
 19. 
 20. 
 21. 
 22. 
 23. 
 
 KEKT. IN. 
 
 Soft grey sandstone, forniing'thc top of the bank (about) 4 U 
 Iteil-browu concretionary sandstone, with large flattened 
 
 uodules 4 (J 
 
 Hard grey sand 4 5 
 
 lleddish nodular sandstone 2 
 
 Whitish arenaceous clays, v.ith some selenite in the lower 
 
 layers 22 
 
 Greyish and yellowish arenaceous days (banded) 13 4 
 
 Yello^^ -grey arenaceous clay 11 
 
 Greyish arenaceous clay in which stratiticatiou is scarcely 
 
 apparent 71 4 
 
 Yellowish sandstone, thin bedded 2 
 
 Grey arenaceous clay 4 5 
 
 Purplish shale 1 6 
 
 Grey arenaceous clay 5 (> 
 
 Brown shale, with imperfectly preserved plant remains . . 6 
 
 (Jrcy arenaceous clay 14 8 
 
 Purplish shale, with some thin layers of impure lignite. . 8 10 
 
 Purplish-brown shale 1 
 
 Greyish arenaceous clay 7 7 
 
 Grey arenaceous clay, upper part shaly 11 1 
 
 Yellowish arenaceous clay 4 5 
 
 Purplish shale 1 
 
 Yellowish arenaceous cl.ay ■ 8 11 
 
 Purplish shale 2 2 
 
 Greyish arenaceous clay . . . , 6 9 
 
of a 
 
 ivii\o 
 I the 
 
 stone 
 iction 
 
 but, 
 vd of 
 
 ■y- 
 
 CRETACEOtrs AND TERTIARY — MIt,K RIVKH. 121 
 
 24. SandHtoiH!, a few inclius. 
 
 ljr>. ( JreyiHh areuii(;i;iniH clay 4 (5 
 
 20. YellowiHh aroiiacooiis clay (lowt'st lied in wliiuli rcinaiiiH 
 
 of irtiilluMuu were found at tliia jilacc. Ostrco) 4 ■'> 
 
 27. Nodurlai'ly liardeiicd sandntone I 
 
 25. YullowiHli arenaceous clay .SI 
 
 Concealed in sl()i)u to river, aliout .'«> 
 
 About 2a4 10 
 
 2!)(5. Tlio tliickiicss of hods <lis])liiy('(l in (lie iihovo sections, wlieii 
 c'onihinod, is iiliout .'{7r) fi'el. ami \\w boKoni of tiic rivoi" viilioy, in 
 l)i'()l)al)ly not very fai- !il)i)\X' tin- base of iIh; Lii;;nito Tci'tiary formation. 
 It will 1)1' oiisc'i'vcd (hat the lii'iiiis Ostrcd, is hew for the tirst time 
 mentioned as occurrino- in (hese hods; furthm' west it becomes on;- of the 
 most nsiial f<)rms. The conditions of deposit im])licd i»y the l)eds on the 
 Milk Kiver, are those of an estuary, or shallow sea margin, where, 
 while oysters and corhiiias were living, the n-mains of fresh-water 
 shells and land vegetation were being carried, and mingled with them. 
 The salinity of the water just indicated -it Wood Knd, nnist have been 
 here, however, well [ironounced ; a fuel according with the observations 
 of Dr. ITayden and other observers to the south. 
 
 2!>7. The superposition of these beds on the Cretaceous clays of 
 group 4, is not clear in this locality, as no junction of the two forma- 
 tions was observed. Their lithological character, might almost seem 
 to render it probable, that they rei»resent the same sei'ies an that sup- 
 posed to come np from below the Cretaceous clays between the East 
 and West Porks of Milk River. The beds here examined, howevoi", can 
 bo traced almost continuously westward to the country round the Three 
 Buttes, and are thei-e found clcaiiy resting on U])per (Jrctaceous rocks, 
 recognizable not only by their mineralogical simiiarit}* to those alrca<ly 
 described, but by their tbssils. 
 
 298. Eight miles south of the Line, where the Commission Ti'ail 
 crosses the valley of Milk River, the banks ai'e somewhat lower and less 
 rugged, but exhibit the same rocks with veiy similar appearance and 
 arrangement. 
 
 Cretaceous and Tertianj Rocks from Milk River to the West Batte. 
 
 299. In the collides and gorges which inter.sect the prairie on the 
 west side of the Milk Jliver, exposures ol' rocks similar to those described 
 in the main valley occur, the beds continuing to maintain a nearly 
 horizontal attitude. Eighteen miles west of the crossing place of the 
 
122 
 
 B. N. A. ndllNDAUY COMMISSIdN. 
 
 ;i! 
 
 P 'f 1^: 
 
 rivor, the samo Iio(1h won^ iigaiii observed, and ln-ynnd this point sniiill 
 oxposuroH vciy froqiK'iilly occur, .iinl sliow yellowish nothihir h: ndstoncM, 
 and arcnac'oous chiys, [)iccisoly rcsonihliii^ thono of the Millc Kivor. 
 
 300. Sonio milos t'ln-lher west, iioai' (ho (!20milc point on the Ijino, 
 ji very interostini( section was oltsoi'vcd on \\w oastern side of a small 
 eouldo, wheic tlio tlood-wator luul cut away the hank. (I'lato IV., 
 Fig. 4.) The u])pei' layer is ol' massive grey sandstone, about eight 
 foot in thickness, and immediately below it a softer I ed tilled with Ostrea 
 shells occux's. Below this, about six feet of arenaeeous clay, with .-i few 
 shells of Ostrca, and then an irregular and impure lignite about a foot 
 thick, which is underlaid by about seven feet of aretuu'oous clay similar 
 to that above it, but more perfectly stratified. Next, a carbonaceous 
 shale, overlying a gre}' arenaceous clay tilled with the romains of small 
 molluscs, the most abundant of which ajiju-ars to ho idt'iiti'-al with 
 Corhula undifera of Meek ; a second species, proliably referrable to C. 
 mactriformis, is also sjiaringly represented. Below the sholl-bed is 
 another seam of impure lignite, which is slightly thicker than tlio 
 ujiper, and holds in some places rather large drops of amber or tbssil 
 resin. Below this lignite, is a bed of grey arenaceous clay, undoidying 
 which is a foot or two of carbonaceous shale, M'hich rests on a grey, sotl 
 sandstono, constituting the base of the section as hero exposed. 
 
 301. The beds in this section arc exceptionally i-ich in the remains 
 of Mollusca, and the form referred to Corbula un<hfrra, constitutes about 
 half the substance of the bed which it characterizes, oceuri'ing in all 
 stages of growth. The proportion of carbonaceous beds and lignites, is 
 also greater in this section than in the coiTespondii\g beds exposed in the 
 valley of Milk River. The conditions of deposit im])lie(l, are those of 
 shallow water, perhaps estuarine, but of distinctly sa'ine character. The 
 section is situated about fourteen miles north-eastward from the most 
 eastern of the Three Buttes, and the beds are horizontal. In a second 
 locality, nor fsir removed, is a fossiliferous bed containing a few speci- 
 mens of Corbula undifera, mingknl with Goniobasis inscidpta, Meek, 
 fragments of Ostrea, and a species of Dostia or Neritina, not yet 
 specifically determined, but jirobably either iV. patelUformis or N. 
 Bellatula; forms described by Prof. Meek from Colville in Utah. 
 
 302. On approaching the East Butte to within ten oi- tAvelve miles, 
 the hitherto horizontal beds ai'e found to assume a gentle dip away from 
 it, or on this side, to the northward. In the vallics of the streams which 
 seam the flanks of the hills, and furrow the surface of the prairie around 
 
 I 
 
OUETACEtillS AND TKUTIAKY — TIIUEK ntTTES. 
 
 rj;{ 
 
 the 
 e of 
 The 
 most 
 fond 
 put'i- 
 loek, 
 yet 
 H 
 
 K 
 
 thorn, niiiiii'ioiis mon' or kvss oxtciisivo exitosiircs of tho rocks of die 
 Li^liito Torli.'iry, ftcciir. As ini<fhl lio !iii(i('i|)!ilo(l from fhc natuvf' o( tho 
 (h'posit, as it lias hocn ah'oady iiolicfd on tho vSoui'is IJiviT and olsi'whoro, 
 fow of tho hods aio found to havo any ij;ivat hori/ontal oonstanoy; lail, 
 from thoir f^cnoval simihinty, any vory dota'dod account of tho varioUH 
 oxposuros would l>o Itul ropctilion. Clays, and aronacoous clays, witli 
 iiitoi'calalod sands and sandstones, and iri some phicos nodulos and thin 
 slioots of ironstone; in various modif cations of thickness and arranyo- 
 ment, build up tho formation. 
 
 SO."]. Tho isolated mountains, called hy the llalf-hreod huntorH, 
 Montagues du Foin de Scnteur, are known to traders of tho Missouri 
 Eo^ion, as the ''Sweet GrasH Hills." They are i-ou^^hly in<licatcd on 
 mcst good maps of tho west, and are there found under the geographical 
 appellation of tho "Tlu-eo Hultes." As indiiatcd hy the iattei- name, 
 there are three distinct mountain masses. A line passing from tho ])eak 
 of tho eastern, thi-ough the central mas.s of tho western Butte, would 
 have a direction <»!' ahout N. 80° VV., tho Central liutto lying hotwoen 
 them, hut some miles to the south. The highest summits are those of 
 the eastern 'uid western Buttos, which uro about twenty miles apart, 
 and rise nearly 3,000 feet ulx)ve the level of the plains at their haso. The 
 height of tho summit of the East Butte, as ascertained hy tho aneroid 
 barometer, and taking the mean of two readings separated by about an 
 hour, is 0,200 feet. That of tho West Butte was found to be 2,740 ieet 
 above the Depot Camp at its base, by comparison with nearly simultan- 
 eous readings there; and taking the height of tho latter locality as 3,737 
 feet, the height of the West Butte above the sea, would bo 0,483 foot. 
 
 304. The central masses of tho Buttes, are composed of eruptive 
 trappoan rock, and around them, the previously horizontal beds of the 
 plains have been tilted up, those immediately surrounding the igneous 
 masses, resting at very high angles, Tho western Butte is tho most 
 important, and forms quite a little mountain region, having numerous 
 peaks and ridges, with i-ound or blunted tops, and deep, almost precipit- 
 ous vallies. Tho eastern Butte is next in importance, and consists of 
 four main ])eakH, ari'angod nearly as the angles of n square. Tho 
 north-western of these is the most prominent and conical ; the south- 
 western is round-topped and connected with the north-western hy a ridge, 
 and not far below it in height. Tho north-eastern and south-eastern 
 summits arc nearly equal in elevation, but considerably le-is t'lan the others 
 Tho central Butte was not ascendetl, but appears to bo considerably 
 
 II 
 
 -ft 11 
 
 I 
 
124 
 
 H. N. A. »t irNDAIlY POMMirtHK N. 
 
 Hxnn 
 
 Hit (him tlii> iMliorn. It lu: , lidwcvcr, tin cxcoiMliiii^'Iy svinmolricnl 
 roiiiciil loi'ii;, as viowcil Irom n'lnowi ovcry (lircclioii, and its hI()|)on iiiiihI 
 I'oi'm iiii !iii,nli' lit lu'jirly 45" wit'i the liori/.oii. fiiko llic Kasl imd Wi'st 
 MiitU>s. it is siii'i'()I1ii(1(m1 I y iri'Msxy titot-liills, wliidi !in> spcciiilly prDini- 
 iK'iit on ils noi'tliorn slojio. 
 
 IJOf). Dykt's of cniptivt' niaU'iial, (ravcrso tlic scdinn'Mlary rocks 
 sniToundinjn- llu' Unites, in sonio placos, and appear ^ciuM-ally to have a 
 direction radian! tr(»ni their hii,dier peaks. In a valley aooni ten miles 
 north of the sninniit of tlu' I'lasl Mnlte, one ot these is well I'Xposed. Ry 
 till' wearinu,- away of the softor surroiindinij heds, it stands ip Ike a 
 massive jiartly-rnined wall, the resenddance heint!,- increased Iiy (he |ji,'t, 
 that the rock has In'on hrokon np hy the wi<atlier. into <piadr;.n!,ndar 
 hloeks. Its olisi'rved course is N. 10' \']. (man.) The rock would pro- 
 halily he iiiehided iindei- tlu' name Korsanton, wf Von Cotta's elassid- 
 calion, and is u mlca-(rap ot dark y,reenish-,i;'rey eoloiir, and not very 
 hard ; in which small taliidar crystals of Itrown iniea are (hickly 
 dissomina(ed. 1( has prohahly hei-n oriijinaliy of (ho same nature as (he 
 acidic central masses of the Hulles, hut has hecome more hasic hy tlu^ 
 incorporation of poi'tions of tlio siirroundiui;- sedinionlary rock ; and has 
 acquired a different mineraloujical character, from (his eii'cun\s(ane(\ and 
 i(s more rapid cooling. I'ho clays and sands(ones on eithei- side, arc nearly 
 horizontal, except immediately in contact with the d^ke, whoro tlioy arc 
 hcn( and eon(or(od. and much altered. Some dark carhonaceous shales, 
 csj)ocially, arc so much hardened, as to hoar a idosc rcsemhianec to those 
 usually (bund associated with coal heds in the ('arhoniferous forniadon. 
 valves ot Ostira, are abundant in some of the surrouiidiiii; hcils, and 
 sj)eeimeiis of Corhula iindifera wore also recognised. 
 
 .'?()(). On ascending the Kast Hutte, the harder beds are found consti- 
 tuting more or less continuous ridges, rouixl (ho central maHses, while 
 the sollor intervening stiala are not usually well exposci'. The total 
 thickness of the beds seen is not very great, as (he ground rises almost 
 equally with the inci'oasing dip. Tliero are, no doubf. also many small 
 dislocations which complicate the section. The sedimentary rocks, in 
 some ])Iaces, rise to within about one thousand (eot of tlic summit, and 
 are then tbund much hardened and altered, and (lip|)ing very stee])ly 
 away from it. They are liere also traversed, like the igneous rock itself, 
 by many small seams of crystalline (piartz, in which a ciieful examina- 
 tion failed to detect a trace of any metallic mineral. As some of these 
 veins appeared, howe^•er, to be not without promise, 1 afterwards panned 
 
 \W 
 
 L.^ 
 
'.'ItKTAf'EiilM AM) rEllTIMtV - TllltKK III irFs. 
 
 ILT) 
 
 mil u <|iiuiilily '>!' ;;ri(\<'l in nin- o 
 
 )' til 
 
 !■ SIMM 
 
 I l< 
 
 niiiUs, 
 
 lull will 
 
 unit iM'iiiir 
 
 iioarly 
 
 loy jii'c 
 
 .slialos, 
 
 () (lioso 
 
 Illation. 
 
 S and 
 
 coiisti- 
 whilo 
 toliil 
 
 ••ilinost 
 small 
 
 •k'S, ill 
 
 it, and 
 
 U 
 
 o])ly 
 itsoX; 
 iiiiim- 
 thoso 
 inncd 
 
 altic to (ii'toct the pn'sriic*' ul' any valnaMr inclal: a >iiiall (|iiiiiilily nf 
 iiiau,'iu>tit' irnii and ganiot sand I'l-oiii llic iiorllicin drill. Iicing llic uiily 
 result. 
 
 vJ07. Ni'ai'csl tin' trappt'aii nia-s, ami luwi'-'l in llic scries nn ||io KasI 
 Untie, (icciir licds (»r liardcncd Mindslonc, nul ol'i^rciil lliiclviicss ; on tlicsc 
 rosts a coiisidcralilo lliicUncss of hard. Mackisli, fissile slialc, in wliicli no 
 eliaraelcrislie fossils were found, iait wliidi tVoin llic isectioiis afterwards 
 c\aiiiiiied near the West Unite, arc no doiilit referaMc to the Dnirtli 
 division of llit> Croluccoiis, and repivs*>iil llic soniKre clays, and clay- 
 sliales, so freipiontly oliservcil fiirflit>r i^ast. Aliove this, is a rather e.\l<":.. 
 sivc sandstone formation, much of which is rei;iilarly liedd(M|, Ic., which 
 in some jilaces is nodular, and i,nves rise in the vallies wiii< li i-iit tliroii;,di 
 it to easlellaleil, step like, and fluted rocks of pictnrosiiiK- apiieariinee. 
 Next in order are the elays, sandHtoiies and an'iiarcoiis clays, cliaracU^r- 
 ised hy Ostiro, &(•., alrea<ly ilescrilied as coiiHtitiitiiii,' the siihslratiiin of 
 lliu ]ilain. 
 
 .'{OS. The igneous material, composing tlio liit^lier peaks and central 
 masses of th(> nionntains, tlioiiu;h very hanl ;inil compact, is seldom .seen 
 actually m .s/f(/, the solid rock iieinic concealed under a iffeat. depth of its 
 own frai^menls. These arc very irrei,nilar in form, hut ifeiierally angular, 
 and hoiiiuleil \>y |)lane faces; they vary in size from a I'cw inches to 
 ahoiit two feel in i,'reatest diameter, and r«'nder the upper slopes utterly 
 harren. Tln^ rock is very unitoi'iu in appearance and composition. It 
 is usually a IMiyolitic 'rra(diyte-])orpliyry ; hut. I»y th(> introdiielion of a 
 small (piantilyof hornlileiide, sometimes passes, without otherwise much 
 channiiiif its appearance, into a materialVhich may he calle(l a Hanidine- 
 traehyte. The matrix is ]»alo i^rcenisli-Lrrcy. ]iore,ellanoiis, hut not 
 perfectly liomoifeiie<Mis, and encloses crystals of sanidino felspar, which 
 vary from those harely visilile, to others whi(di attain an averai;e si/e of 
 about 8 millimetres, .(^luirtz is |)reseiil as a constituent in small (luuntity, 
 formiii!^ minute granular ai;i!;roj;ations; and spocks^of pyrites are j:;onerally 
 to he -eeii. The liornhlende, when it occurs, is found f^enerally in very 
 small erystaib between tliose of the sanidine, but sometimes fornis 
 bunches an inch or two in diameter, which a))pear as darker spots on (lie 
 surface of the rock. 
 
 .1500 The hiffhest peak of the \V(!st niitle, i.s at it-: eastern side, and 
 is a hirii'e blunt-topped mountain, which to the east presents perpendi- 
 cular rocky elitl's. West and north of this summit, several imp(jrtant 
 
 ir 
 
i :| 
 
 f' 
 
 12fi 
 
 H. N. A. nnt'NKARY PoMMtHSlON. 
 
 poakM unil Hil^'i's riso, ami (MicIokc a i'u;;i,'0(|, |)in(>-cla<l, aitd roclvv urea of 
 Horne oxtcul. Tlic fool-liills of (lio wo.sloni Hiitln aro also on a larger 
 Hcalo timn tlioso of the otlici-s, and an cxaniinalion of llioir rofUn scrvoJ 
 (o «'X|»Iain nmcli foiMu>rly in doulil. Tlio scdiini'iitary rocUs art! Ikmt, jih 
 at the oast IJiitto, found to dip away from thocontral i^ncioiiH intrusion on 
 ullsidos; l»ut a considcriiMo mass of Htralitiod rock, lias hero l)Oon, us it 
 wtMv, caiinJif up liy tho criiptivo matoriid, and (K'ciipii's tho dcpri'ssod 
 contral portion of tiio ^roup of mountains. A <{roat part (»f thoso hods 
 dip south-eastward at a rather hi^rh anifUi; ihoy have heen very eonnidor- 
 ahly altered, and consist now of slaty shales, and hard, thind)oddod 
 sandstones, in which I was unahio to tind any fossils hy which thoir age 
 miglit he made certain. 1 have little doubt, however, that they are 
 (/retaceous. The trappean nucleus of this Fiutte is indistinguishable, 
 lithologically, fi-om that of the Kast Hutte, tbrmorly described, and Ibrma 
 shuttered and i-uhbly hill-tops, in tho same way. 
 
 ;{10. The dearest sections of tho rocks surrounding this Butto, were 
 met with on its westei-n side, (Plate Vlfl., Fig. 2.) where a considerablo 
 brook issues from the central valley. Tho shaly-clays of division 4 of the 
 CretacoouH, are here seen with a gentle westerly dip, somewhat indur- 
 a'od, and in places, baked into rather hard Idack clay-shale, corresponding 
 oxactly^witli that previously found surrounding tho Kast Batte. Their 
 thickness, as developed here, may be roughly estimated at about 800 foot, 
 though tho nature of the sections did not allow of precise nieuHurements. 
 They are not here found to be charactei'i/ed by tho same abundance of 
 Hoptariun nodules, as in localities east of Milk llivor ; a few such, 
 howovci', occur, and minor arenaceous layers are also intercalated, and 
 Bometimes tound to persist a considerable distance horizontally, though 
 generally quite local and lenticular. In one of these masses a number of 
 fossils were found, which tlxuigh not in a very good state of preserva- 
 tion, are very interesting. They include one or two species of 
 Inoceramus, several gasteropods i-esembling l\sus, fragments of an 
 Ammonite, and a jjoi-tion of a Belemnitelta, probably B. Bullosa, M. & II. 
 
 Some fish st'ales, found with the other fossils here, are specifically 
 identical with some of those occurring in certain bods at Pembina 
 Escarpment, COO miles distant, (Plate XVIII., Fig. 1.) and wore not 
 observed in any intermediate locality. 
 
 311. Underlying those clay-shalos of No. 4, in some places, are 
 rather massive sandstones, tilted at high angles against the tliviiks of the 
 eruptive rock. Th.y represent the sandstone be<l8 found occupying a 
 
 I 
 
II. N. .\. liitlNDAKY <'iiMMISH|)tN. 
 
 I'l.ATK VIII. 
 
 iireii of 
 , lurj^for 
 I sorvoJ 
 Ikm'o, ft8 
 isioiion 
 DM, UH it 
 
 wo \m\H 
 oiiiudor- 
 i-l)e(l(lod 
 hoir ago 
 hoy arc 
 lishiiblo, 
 id I'urmD 
 
 tte, wove 
 jiderablo 
 4 of the 
 it indur- 
 ponding 
 . Thoir 
 00 foot, 
 omonta. 
 luiico of 
 |vv Huch, 
 ed, and 
 though 
 mbor of 
 Ircrtcrva- 
 cios of 
 of an 
 
 ifically 
 ombina 
 ro not 
 
 168, are 
 
 of the 
 
 bying a 
 
 I 
 
 •' Hi. 
 
 (* 
 sis. 
 
 ft — 
 
 if 
 
 •:? ? 
 
 I'i' 
 •" ? 
 
 ?§ 
 
 ■ 00 
 
 "< 2 
 
 IT B 
 
 o "■ 
 
 Q 3 
 
 3 W 
 
 a 
 •If. 
 
 n 
 
 
 V ;'^::v •'■»--•• :>-l^ 
 
 
 1 
 
 c 
 
 H 
 
 .:;3 
 / 
 
 c 
 
 - 1 
 
 isai 
 
 
 Kiue l>. VUS. 
 
■I 
 
 1 :i 'I 
 I i ^1 
 
 ill 
 
 1 1 
 
 ■i ; 
 
 ris i!i 
 
 ■;■' ill 
 
 
 
CRETACEOUS AND TERTIARY — THREE UrTTES. 
 
 12t 
 
 similar position on the East Butte, and probably indicate the base of 
 division 4, and the top of the next lowest tliviHion of the Cretaceous. 
 They might very well represent the Handstones which apparently under- 
 lie the dark clay-slmles near the Kast Fork of Milk Eiver. Overlying 
 No. 4, are massive sandstone beds, yellow in colour, and though in this 
 place much more uidformly indurated, than those seen in the same 
 relative position further east, no doubt represent the Upper Cretaceous 
 sandstones of Division y., of the Bad Land sections. These sandstones, 
 froni their superior hardness, generally form a pi-ominent riilge, at a 
 little distance from the base of the Butte; some layers are flaggy and 
 thin-bedded, but they did not appear to contain any fossils. On the west 
 flank of the Butte, they dip away at an angle of about 12°, and a thick- 
 ness of over forty feet is exposed. 
 
 312. The exhibition of the lower rocks at the Buttes, enables the 
 relative position of those; forming the sui-face of the country — and traced 
 almost continuously from Milk River to this point — which might other- 
 wise have been a doubtful question, to be definitely ascertained. They 
 are found to oveilie the upper Cretaceous beds, and to be related to them 
 precisely as the lowest bods of the Lignite Tertiary are, in the Bad 
 Lands south of Wood Mountain. The character of the Cretaceous beds 
 is little changed, though the tendency of No. 4 seems to be, to become 
 somewhat coarser in this direction. The Lignite Tertiary rocks have, 
 however, changed vt^-y materially, and especially in becoming more 
 distinctly marine, and perhaps also less lignitiferous. 
 
 313. With regai-d to the age of the igneous masses, here so unex- 
 pectedly found, all that (he sections prove, is that they are later than the 
 Lignite Tertiary rocks, which are elevated by them and traversed by 
 their dykes. The}' are probsibly [U'oti-usions quite local in character, 
 and not broadly based on similar rocks. This is indicated not only by 
 the comparatively xery slight metamorphism which the surrounding 
 beds have sustained, but by the very raj)id increase of the dip on 
 approaching the .nasses, and the short distance which the disturbarce 
 consequent on their prttmision is found to extend. They have not, 
 however, at all the characte;* of modern volcanic cones, and I did not 
 see any rocks in connection with Ihcm which had even probably cooled 
 "t the surface. If of the nature of volcanoes they are very ancient 
 ones, of which the cores, or stumps, now only remain, and from about 
 which the whole of the ejected jnaterial has been removed. The denu- 
 dation att'ecting the rocks tilted up round the Buttes has been very great. 
 
 HI 
 
! I 
 
 ! I 
 
 1% 
 
 IT 
 
 «. N. A. nOCNDARY COMMISSION. . 
 
 uiid from aiialoiiy witli othor ciiviiiiistuiicos, elscwlu'ru luoro fully 
 dist'UBHod, must have taUcn |)laoe to a .u:ivivt extent liolore the t-lai-ial era. 
 Tliey have, iiuleeil, the appearance of havini;- been subjoeted to a very 
 long courw of erosion in later Tertiary times, and may pi'obably date 
 from that jjeriod of distnriianee clo.sintf the Lignite Tertiary ])erio(l, 
 of wliieli very extensive traees are found elsewhere in this western 
 region. 
 
 314. The quaquavorsal dij) of tlie sedimentary roolcs round the 
 central igneous masses of the Buttes, suggests a resemblance to Von 
 Bach's craters of elevation. This, though rathei- an exceptional mode 
 ot' mountain formation elsewhere, would apjiear from tlie observations 
 of Dr. llayden and others, to be common in the west. Bear PeaU, near 
 the Black llills, may be taken as an instance; and there the features 
 represented in the Buttes appear to be almost exactly paralleled. Dr. 
 llayden thus w'rites of the locality: "This ])eak is un isolated protrusion 
 of basaltic rock, very compact, rising to a height ot 1,500 feet above the 
 prairie around, and separated tVom the Black Jlills by an intervening 
 space of seven or eight miles. All round the ])eak the disturbed beds 
 form annular ridges, receding froni the central point like the waves of 
 the sea.'' * The central mass is elsi'where described as consisting of 
 '*por])hyritic trappean rock." Xeai- Fort Benton, — which is only about 
 eighty miles south of the Buttes, — eruj)tive rocks of ]iost-cretaceous age 
 appear to be frequently met with, and their tontemporaniety with such 
 masses as those of these mountains seems not uidikely. Jn the Eeport 
 ust quoted, Dr. llayden says: " We have near the Ari-ow Creek a bed of 
 erupted material thrust between Cretaceous roeks, which jjresents a 
 vertical wall of 150 to 200 feet at one point, and then suddenly ceases. 
 These small centres of etfusion of melted rock seem to cover the whole 
 region." f 
 
 315. In the very valuable coloured map accompanying the same 
 report, the geology of the country surrounding the liuttes, or Sweet 
 Grass Hills, is conjectnrally indicated, and rejtroduced without question 
 in Hitchcock and Blake's map. ])nblislied in 187-. The amndar structure 
 there extended to these mountains from analogy, pi'oves to bejustitied 
 by the fact; but whereas in ccmformity with the sti-uctin-c of sinulai" 
 mountain masses to the south, i-ocks of Carboniferous, Triassic, and 
 Jurassic ages, are reproseiited as forming wide zones round the central 
 protrusions, in a country based on the overlying Cretaceous rocks, I 
 
 ' Geological Report Yellowstone and Missouri Expeilition., ISCt). p. 42. 
 
 t Ibid., p. 9B. 
 
 I 
 
CRETACEOUS AND TERTIARY — NEAR WEST BUTTE. 
 
 ••OQ 
 
 re fully 
 iiriiil era. 
 () :i very 
 ibly diito 
 y |)erio(l, 
 < western 
 
 •ouikI tlio 
 to Von 
 )nal mode 
 iserviitiona 
 I'eak, near 
 le features 
 Icled. Dr. 
 protrusion 
 . aliove the 
 iitervening 
 urbed beds 
 kc waves of 
 nisisting of 
 )iily about 
 laoeous age 
 : with sufb 
 tlie Eei)ort 
 L-ek a bed of 
 uresonts a 
 ■nly ceases. 
 >r Ibe whole 
 
 if the same 
 s, or Sweet 
 mt question 
 |:ir struelure 
 I) be just i tied 
 |c of similar 
 'riassie, and 
 the central 
 Ions roeUs, I 
 
 m 
 
 could find no rocks older than tho.se of tjio Upper Cretaceous in 
 connection with the mountains, and the plain appears to be based 
 entirely on the Lignite Tertiary beds. 
 
 Cretaceous and Tertiary Bocks from the West Butte to the Eastern base of 
 
 the Rocky Mountains. 
 
 316. Westward from the West Butte, the beds are found to assume 
 a gentle synclinal form, and exposures are not infrequent in the steep 
 banks of couldes. About six miles from the base of the West Butte, a 
 zone of sandstone appears, which must hoUl a position considerably 
 above the base of the Lignite Tertiary, as th"! beds are still dipping 
 westward at low angles. Two miles further west, the same sandstones 
 are again seen, but now with a gentle eastward dip. The eastern and 
 western outcrops of the sandstone form the low escarpments of a 
 plateau, due to its superior hardness, which occupies the ti'ough of 
 the synclinal. (Plate VJIl., Fig. 2.) This synclinal arrangement is 
 not, however, persistent, nor of great structural importance, as, in 
 proceeding westward, sandstones which appear to occupy the same 
 horizon in the Tertiary, are soon again found nearly horizontal. 
 
 3l*J. In a system of ravines south of the Line, about twenty miles 
 west of the base of the Butte, these sandstones are again well exjiosed, 
 and have an estimated thickness of over thirty feet. In these valloj's 
 they occur not much below the general level of the prairie, and forming 
 the upper parts of the banks, give them a most picturesque and remark- 
 able appearance. The lower layers of the sandstone are genei-ally very 
 regularly bedded, and some of them are exceeditigly fine and thin, and 
 show worm-tracks and other obscure markings. The ujipei- beds are 
 more massive and have a nodular character, which causes them to 
 weather out into the castellated forms, resembling in some places those 
 of the Roche Perc^e. (Plate VIII., Pig. 1.) Underlying the sandstones 
 are less permeable clays, or arenaceous clays, of light colours, of which 
 I did not succeed in finding good exposures, but which turn out 
 numerous small springs of a highly saline character. The beds appear 
 to be quite horizontal in this locality. 
 
 318. Near this place, and about ten miles south of the Boundaiy- 
 line, a bold escarpment occurs, fiicing southward, toward a great stretch 
 of lower country-. Its outline is that of any section of the bank in the 
 last described valley, its abrupt edge being produced by the sandstone 
 zone in the same way. Prom the rapid falling away of the surface of 
 
 9d 
 
 % i 
 
fr? 
 
 
 1 II 
 
 i 1: 
 
 
 i 
 
 1 ■ ' 
 
 
 • U! 
 
 L 
 
 : .t ■ 
 
 
 hRh 
 
 
 iili 
 
 ! 
 
 ; ^ ■ 
 
 \ 
 
 ■ 
 
 j 
 
 
 
 It 
 
 1 
 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 'r;f;:^ 
 
 ' 
 
 ■ 
 
 1 
 
 'i' 
 
 111 ! 
 
 ; ^^i: 
 
 \ u 
 
 W 
 
 1 
 
 
 ^R 
 
 i > 
 
 130 
 
 B. N. A. nOUNDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 tho country to tho .sou*h, it must also nearly mark the lino which in this 
 jilace bountlts tho Houtliorn margin of Tertiary. 
 
 319. Two brant'ho 1 of tho Milk Eivor cross the Lino with north- 
 easterly coui'sos hotweon tho Buttes and the Rocky Mountains, and after 
 unitin.i^ to Ibrm the nxain stream of the Milk Ilivor, flow eastward, north 
 of tho Buttes, and recross the Ibrty-ninth parallel, with a south-easterly 
 course, as has been already mentioned. The I^ine crosses the first of 
 those tributaries, at tho G9(J mile point, and though tho stream flows in 
 a deep valley, the banks do not show anything but drift. Six miles 
 west, however, a bend of the river again approaches the Line from the 
 south, and it hero exhibits veiy interesting sections of rocks probably 
 belonging to tho base of the Lignite Tertiary. 
 
 320. The best exposures are found in a group of small hills, which 
 assumes in miniature, the appearance of the Bad Lands, and stands like 
 an island of older locks among the drift deposits, which lap around its 
 base. It is an outlyer of a plateau, which, with irregular edge, runs 
 northward with a little easting, whore it crosses tho Lino. Tho beds are 
 horizontal, and are exposed for a thickness of about sixty feet. The 
 lower jiortion of the section is of pale greenish-grey clays, while above, 
 the greenish colour is not so marked, and there are somewhat massive 
 sandstones. In some places the latter are almost conglomerates, and 
 hold many small pebbles, the majoi-ity of which are of greenish shale.. 
 They also include fragments of re])tilian bones and largo Unio shells. 
 Small nodules occur abundantly in some layers of tho lower greenish 
 clays of a tint similar to the matrix. Tho bones are found in consider- 
 able abundance in all parts of the section,* but are much crushed and 
 fissuroil. When imbedded in the bank, they are purplish-black in 
 colour, but on weathering, assume whitish and rusty tints. It is very 
 difficult to dig the bones out of the bank itself, fi-om the groat haitlnoss 
 of tho dry clay I'olativcl}' to that of tho fossils, and whore washed out by 
 tho rains, they are found only as broken fragments, difficult to recon- 
 struct. From specimens obtained here, however, in tho course of a few 
 hours. Prof. Cope finds, besides many broken bones of dinosaurs, new 
 species of Cionodon and Compse7nt/s, which he has called C. stenopsis and 
 C. aijmius, respectively. 
 
 321. The greenish clay bods are doubtless formed of the disinteg- 
 rated material of beds of green shale, similar to those represented by the 
 pebbles in tho conglomerates. A microscopic examination of the clay 
 did not reveal any recognisable fragments of green mineral or rock, the 
 
CRETACEOUS AND TERTIARY — BRANCHES OF MFLK RIVER. 
 
 131 
 
 IIh, which 
 taiuls like 
 iroiiml its 
 \ge, runs 
 heclH are 
 3et. Tho 
 ile above, 
 k massive 
 ites, and 
 h shale.. 
 shells, 
 [greenish 
 onsider- 
 led and 
 lack in 
 is veiy 
 aixJness 
 out by 
 recon- 
 f a few 
 I's, new 
 'Sis and 
 
 sinteg- 
 Iby the 
 le clay 
 Ik, the 
 
 colour a])])ai'ontly residing ijx tho very fine argillaceous matter, through 
 which n itw lai-ge partly rounded grains of ti'ans])aroiit quartz are 
 scattered. The bones, in tho niainior of their preservation, much 
 resemble those of division /3. of the Bad Lands south of Wood Mountain, 
 which these bods may possibly represent. The litliological chai-actei-, 
 however, has changed considerably, as compared with any of the more 
 eiistern exposures of the Tertiary, though connecting link's are supplied 
 by tho sections on the main stream of tho Milk River, and in the vicinity 
 of the Buttes. Sandstones are now more important, and coarser in 
 texture, and tho clays and argillaceous sands have assumed more defi- 
 nitely than ever before, the greenish tint abov*^ referred to. 
 
 322. It is a curious coincidence that near this place, also, green 
 slaty shale begins to be an abundant constituent of tho drift. It does not 
 appear to be derived from the degradation of the Tertiary rocks, as the 
 matrix of their conglonierates is generally harder than the enclosed 
 shale, but must come dii-ectly from the slopes of the Kocky Mountains, and 
 increases in abundance on ap])roaching them. It would thus appear 
 probable that even in early Tertiary times some ])art at least of the 
 mountains was sufficiently elevated to allow a distribution of fragmental 
 material similar to that afterwards taking place on a larger scale in tho 
 glacial period. 
 
 323. About fourteen miles further west, the Second Branch of Milk 
 River is mot with, and in its valley, for sevei-al miles, beds resembling 
 those last described are exposed and are still appaivntly quite horizontal. 
 The best sections — which are near the river level — probably show beds 
 somewhat lower in the series than those last described, which the higher 
 parts of the banks on both sides of the valley more closely resemble. 
 About forty feet above tho level of the stream, a thin band of nodular and 
 ferruginous limestone was found to be highly fossilifcrous. The rock 
 is dai'k bluish-black internally, but weathei-s reddish-browit Fi-ag- 
 ments from the same, or a i)recisely similar band, were previously found 
 detached in the valley of the First Branch of Milk River, twent}- miles 
 eastward. The fossils are entirely those of fresh-water, and incliido 
 specimens of Paludina, Limna'a, Planorlns, Spliarium, and a Bulinm or 
 Physa. The Planorlns is almost certainly that called P. suhxmbllicalKS 
 by Meek, from the Tertiar}' of Fort Clarke, ( Valcata subumbilicata of 
 Smithsonian Check List?) though I have not had an op])ortunity of 
 comparing it with authentic specimens. It also, however, appears to 
 be ii\distinguishablc from small specimens of Planorbis jmi'vus ot' Hi\y, no\v 
 
 il 
 
i 
 
 hi 
 
 ' 
 
 U 
 
 m 
 
 H 
 
 i] 
 
 132 
 
 Tl. N. A. TinTINDARY nOMMISSroN. 
 
 SO common ovoi- llio Noi-th Amorican lonlinonl. Tlic Sfilurrium '\h 
 
 HluM'i(ic!illy til 
 
 witli lliiil provioiisly fiMind on Iho Milk Hiver 110 
 
 mill's liirtluM- oasi, ami vd'ci'iTd (o S. formosyun M . Hi II. Tlio Pahidina 
 remains ol' aro vory fVaninciitary, but there avo (itrms intlistinguishablo 
 from Hjiecimens of P. Troc/iiformis and P, Conratlii. 
 
 ;J24. The occurrenec of frosh-water foi-ms so far wo.st, while tho 
 general tendency of ihe lower beds of tho Tertiary is to become more 
 distinctly marine westward, would either tend to show that there were 
 important exceptions to this rule, or tliat the beds here re|)resented are 
 high up in the sei-ies. The occui'rence of abundant Dinosaui'ian reniainH 
 in the section described in pai-agraph IJ20, would seem to tell against 
 the latter conclusicni, and it would appear that tho question must remain 
 for tho present an undecided one. 
 
 32.^>. Fifteen miles further west, is the St. Mary River, a tributary of 
 the Belly IJivi'r. Its banks show good ex]iosures for several miles, and 
 here the disturiiance connected with the elevation of the Rocky Mountains 
 is tirst found to begin. Tlu^ sudden nature of the break separating tlio 
 nearly horizontal beds of the country further east, from the region of 
 sharp and frinpient flexures now entered U])on, is a matter of surprise, as 
 is also tho very limited width of the belt of country much att'oi^ted by 
 the disturbance, the St. Maiy River, on the Line, being only about 
 twelve nailes from the bare sides of the outlying range of Chief 
 Mountain. 
 
 32(J. The lowest rocks seen in the part of the i-ivei- examined, were 
 sandstones of greyish and yellowish tints, i-egularly bedded, and quite 
 hard, with some s\irfaces showing ri])ple-inarks and worm-tnicks. They 
 have a i^outh-westerly di]) at an angle of 20°, and ai'e present in con- 
 siderable thickness. Alumt half a mile south of these lower beds, and 
 overlying the upper layers of the same sandstone zone, a bed of fuel, 
 with all the mineralogical characters of true bituminous coal, was found.* 
 It has a thickness of about eighteen inches only, and occurs just at the 
 level of the water in the i-ivor, hy which it is jiai'tly covered. It breaks 
 with a clean fnctnre into cuboiilal fragments with bright faces, and is 
 indistinguishal>'e in appearance from man}' coals of the true Carboniferous 
 formation. Below the coiil is a foot or two of dark carbimaceous shale, 
 somewhat indurated, and holding imperfect remains of plants. A similar 
 shale, but only a lew inches in thickness, rests upon tho coal, and is 
 
 * I am indebted to Mr, W. A, Ashe, of the Survey party, for first calling my attention to this deposit. 
 
'luvrium \h 
 River 1 10 
 PaUiilina 
 
 i;L,'uishal)lo 
 
 wliilt' tho 
 )ino more 
 here wei'o 
 ent«Hl tire 
 II remains 
 II a/^^niiist 
 st remain 
 
 biliary of 
 iiilen, and 
 loiiiitaiiis 
 itiiig the 
 •e^ion ol' 
 rprise, as 
 b(!le(l by 
 about 
 Chief 
 
 , were 
 
 (i quite 
 
 They 
 
 in con- 
 
 ds, and 
 
 of fuel, 
 
 )und, * 
 
 at the 
 
 jreaks 
 
 and is 
 
 terous 
 
 shale, 
 
 milar 
 
 ind is 
 
 CRETACEOUS AND TEIITIAIIY— ST. MARY RIVKR, 
 
 133 
 
 iposlt. 
 
 followed in ascending' order by a hai-d shell-bed ei;fbleen inches to two 
 feet thiek, dark-coloured from include<l carbonaceous matter, i»ul in the 
 main composed of shells of Ostrea and Cyrcna. Above this is a con- 
 siderable thickness of fla^/,'y and rijtple-marked sandstones, j^reyish and 
 brownish-grey, with a dip of S. 28° W. < 35°. Tho ripple-marks 
 indicate a current with a direclion of S. 14° W. (mag.) 
 
 327. A few hnndrctl yards south-east of the last exposure, sand- 
 stones similar to those ovc^-lyiiig the coal are found well shown in a 
 steej) bank. (I'hite iX., Fig. 2.) They art! sharply I'oIiUmI into an anti- 
 clinal Ibi'in, and ai'e overlaid by a consideiable thickness of gri'(mish-gi'cy 
 clay beds. The latter are charged with small flat masses of calcile, formed 
 apparently in fissures, but now scattered over the surface of the clay- 
 bank, giving it a remarkabh^ appeara'icc. A shcil-bed vciy similai- to 
 that found in connection with the coal, but probably not identical witli 
 it, as it wants the carbonaceous colouring matter, also a|)pcars here. 
 It jirobably underlies the sandstone, but though lai'ge bhtcks of it are 
 strewn about, it is not very well exposed. The rocks are so abruptly 
 folded that they appear in some places to be slightly overtnnu'd; and in 
 the absence of large oi' continuous sections, the precise relations of the 
 beds cannot be traced. 
 
 328. Al)Out two miles northward on the same river, it cuts through 
 high banks which exhibit similar rocks. It here seems to follow still 
 more closely the line of fracture of the country, tlu^ beds on the east 
 side being not liii- from horizontal, while those on the west ai'e much 
 disturbed, tho lithological character and general a])pearance of both 
 series being, however, much alike. No coal-l»eds, or beds containing 
 fossils were seen here. 
 
 329. Four miles west of the St. Mary Eivcr, a hard f(jssiliferous bed 
 comes to the surface, forming the crest of a ridge. It dips west-south- 
 west, at an angle of 20°. Where exposed, it is an almost solid mass of 
 fossil shells, forming a rough limestone. The same molluscs are repres- 
 ented here as in the other sections in the locality of St. Mary Itivci", the 
 most abundant being a species each of Cyrena and Osircd. The former 
 is ])robably (7. occukntaliti, M. & If., and in some of its forms is scarcely 
 distinguishable from C. cordata, Morris, a shell of the Knglish Kocene.* 
 The Ostrea is a huge shell, trigonal, and very massive, but not yet 
 specifically determined. 
 
 i 
 
 * FiguMtl ill Journ. Oeological Socictj, Vol. X. .Meuk, cuini)ari;8 C. occiUciitalis with this iiicciu(i. 
 

 11 
 
 m 
 
 134 B. N. A. BOUNDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 330. A short dislaiico further west, a bed of Imrd HundHlono Hppoars, 
 again foniiiii^ the crest of a ridge, wiiieli can be tract'd for miles in u 
 north-westward eourse. The strike of tlie sandstone itself, as bhown 
 by the stratitieation lines, is N. 41° W., (mag.) with a south-westerly dip 
 at high angles. The persistence of this bed in the lino of its strike scorns 
 to show that, though the strata air so mech disturbed, the folding has 
 taken ])la('e very regidarly, parld I (o a lo v ireetion. The sandstone 
 
 evident! underlies the shell bo^ 
 hundreds (il" feet below it. It is yeli 
 
 forred to, and must bo some 
 d not so mueh indurated as 
 
 that seen in the bed of the river, sonir ..lyers 
 
 still quite soft. In 
 
 this bed was found enclosed, a truid\ of silicilied wooti, tlie tirst actually 
 observed in aitu, though fragments are abundant in the drift several hun- 
 dreil miles eastward. 
 
 331. Tlie whole of the exposures seen in the vicinity of the St. Mary 
 Eiver, evidently belong to one series of lieds; but with so much disturln 
 ance and folding, it is ])r()bable that in st)me places, bods both much 
 lower and higher than tiiose observed, must occur at the surface. Those 
 seen do not precisely resemble any part of either the (Jretaceous or 
 Tertiary rocks jireviously examined. Tliey belong, however, without 
 doubt, lo the latter series, and are piobably near its base. The gra<lual 
 change which is found to etfect the Jjigiuto Tertiary, as followed west- 
 ward, lias here reached its extreme. The occurrence of a true coal, 
 differing altogether from the lignites previously tbund to cover so great 
 an aica of these western marine represcn!atives of the Lignite Tertiary, 
 raises questions cf much importance, wliich are more fully discussed in 
 the sequel. 
 
 332. Nearer the base of the mountains, few exposures of the rocks 
 of the plains were seen, and these singularly deficient in fossils or other 
 means of correlating them with their eastei-n i-epresentatives. From 
 what 1 could see, however, I am of o[iinion that in the immediate 
 vicinity of the forty-ninth parallel, rocks re])resenting the Lignite 
 Tertiary, come almost to the base of the bare rocky clitts of tho 
 Mountains. I did not find any beds certainly (Cretaceous, but it is 
 liighly jirobable that they are brought to the surface In many places, 
 and cover larger or smaller areas. 
 
 333. About eight miles north of the entrance to the Kootanic Pass, 
 sandstones similar to those seen on the St. Mary Eivcr, !»nd clays charged 
 in precisely the same way with flakes of calcitc, were found within about 
 two miles of actual exposures of the palaeozoic rocks of the mountains. 
 
l;. \, A. II il M'\in r.iM\ll~sli>N. 
 
 IM \ IT l\. 
 
 Hp|)oai*s, 
 miltJH in a 
 as nhown 
 Mtcrly (lip 
 iko 8oomH 
 )icliiit>; iiuH 
 HJUi'lHtonc 
 , bo HOino 
 Itiratcd as 
 soft. In 
 t acliially 
 •oral hun- 
 
 St. Mary 
 
 h disturl)- 
 
 )th much 
 
 L'. ThoHc 
 
 acoouH or 
 
 , ■without 
 
 ^iwlual 
 
 ed woHt- 
 
 riio coal, 
 
 HO great 
 
 Tcrtiaiy, 
 
 iissed in 
 
 Ihc rocka 
 
 lor other 
 
 J^^roni 
 
 lUiediate 
 
 Lignite 
 
 of tho 
 
 |ut it is 
 
 ])lacos, 
 
 
 
 !«■ 
 
 It 
 
 n 
 Si 
 
 
 e 
 ft, 
 
 
 <( 
 
 r 
 
 't 
 
 
 mm 
 mm 
 
 
 
 10 Pass, 
 ['harged 
 
 11 about 
 intains. 
 
 rare p. i:M. 
 
 ,\i 
 
CRETACEOUS AND TERTIARY — SOUTH FORK OK HEI.LY HIVEU. 
 
 135 
 
 Five miloH eant of llio ontninconfiln' pnHs, an<l iiorlh of'tlio Mount Wil>ion 
 Rmigo, cxpdHUiH's of tliiii-luvldtMl clay.s iiiul arifillacooiiM f^aiidHtoncs, with 
 occaHiotial lu-dn of liaril flaggy saiidMtono, wt'iv scon. Tlu' wlioli' aiv of 
 varioii!' mIuuIos ol'liglit grey, and though cunouKly fbldod and liiullcd, not 
 much altered. Some Hurfai-eH of the sandstone ai-c strewn with small 
 curbonai'oouH fragmontH, but iio rocogniz-ahlo fossils wore found. (IMate 
 IX., Fig. 1.) 
 
 334. The South Fork of the IJolly llivcr — whirh rises hotwoen the 
 Mount Wilson and Chief Moinitain ranges, and flows northward out mton 
 the plain — where its valley is conlraeti'd among the mountains, in some 
 places lies between high banks, which though in most cases composed 
 ot diit't, in one locality, about four miU's north of the Line, shoW(!d a 
 section of betls probably Tertiary. The bods are thin sandstono^il anil clays, 
 like the last, and dip northward at an angle of about 15°. These beds 
 here actually lie in a retired valle}- among ,the older rocks of the moun- 
 tains. Further down the same stream, largo fragments of lignite, 
 e.xactly resembling that of the eastern Tertiary rocks, were ibund. As 
 drift at this elevation is altogether derived from the mountains, and not 
 so tar travelled as that of the lower levels, it is almost certain that in this 
 valley there exist some beds of Tertiary lignite. 
 
!" 
 
 I 
 
 * 
 
 1 
 
 I I 
 
 OHAPTKU VI. 
 
 GENERAL AUHANOEMKNT AND KXTKNT OF THE f'HETArEOlia AND 
 LIGNITE TEliTIAKV KOUMA TIONH. 
 
 Cretaceous No. L- Typical BuricH lluineHuntiitiveH weHtward Di. flector's Group 
 E -LignitcH in Lownr CrctiicooiiN ItockH- Lignitu fniin iUiiiy Ifivor. rnp, 
 
 TACKDi'H No. '2. Typioal Heriiis IIi'prcHt'ntutivuH wcHtwanl 
 
 iv luve 
 Bedn oi 
 
 f tluH age 
 
 oil till! SaNkatdu'waii |)r. Hector's (iroiip I), Ckki'aci.oi's No. 3. Typical 
 BericH HopiH'HciitiitivL'H weHtward lU'pruHnntativt^H in Manitoha. ('kktack- 
 oi's No, 4. -Typical Hcrics I'cniliina Mountain (Jroiip HepresentativeB ou 
 tlio Line weHtwanl - Kllect of tliis Kitrination on the country- Modifying 
 cU'eet of Drift -Saline HpringH - I'rof, Hind'n Section- Dr. Hector'n Groups 
 B and ('. ('hktackois No. '>. Typical BcricH HeprexentativeH on the Lino 
 — I'i'of. Hind'H Section. DisiHim iiiin ok Ciiktackocs Sihiuvisions — I^iti- 
 Nii'K, Tku'I'iahy Foumation. IJelation of liedn on the Line EaHtern limit of 
 the Korniation - AVeHtcrn l{epre«entativeH I'erHisteiit zone of SandstoneH - 
 HeNeinliliiiice of western Buries to Judith IJiver beds— Tertiary Beds observed 
 by Dr. Hector. 
 
 Cretaceous No. 1. — Dakota Group. 
 
 335. Tho IxhIh ropri'seiitin^ the I)al<i)ta,i»i' lowoist CrotucooUH diviHion, 
 ill tlio typical Missouri Jiivor si'dioiis. arc descrilK'c* ts being "yellowiwh, 
 reddish, and occasioiially whito suiidstonos, with, a [ilai'cs, alternationH 
 of variouH coloured clays, and beds and seams of impure lignite; also 
 silicified wood, and great numljors of leaves of the higher typos of 
 dicotyledonous trees," with '' casts of shells i-eferable to the genera 
 Pharella, Axinrra, Mactra, and Cijprina" '■^' and Unio Nehrascemis. This 
 description refers to the eastern outcrop of the formation, and whoro the 
 Cretaceous rocks are again expo.sod beyond the western margin of the 
 Tertiary basin, and along the base of the Eocky Mountains, the whole 
 Dakota group appears to be i-cprosontcd by a series of alternating clays 
 and sandstones. Dr. Ilayden says of the western repix'sentatives of 
 this group: — "Along the margins ot the mountain elevations, I have 
 never been able to discover a single specimen of organic remains that 
 would establish the ago of the I'ocks. 1 only know that there is a series 
 of bods of remarkable persistency, all along the margin of the mountain 
 ranges, holding a position between woll-detined Cx'otaceous No. 2 and 
 Jurassic beds, and in my previous reports, I have called them transition 
 
 ' Geological Kejiort Yelluwgtono and Missouri Kx|)eclition. 
 
 
CRETACKOUb ANli TLHTIABV— (IKNEllAI. AHUAN(»KMKNT. 
 
 1:17 
 
 bodn, or No. 1. Thoy coiiMiHt of 11 Horios of liiyerH of yollow ami ^roy, 
 moro or loss Hiif-mainofl muikIsIoih's and piuMiii^-stoncM, willi Korno 
 intorcalatud luyt'is of aroiiacooiis clayH. In almoNt all caMCH tlioro Ih 
 aHHociutod vvitli tliono bodM <i thin series of rarhojiaceous rlays, whieh some- 
 times herowr impure coal, and contain masHON of MJlicitii'd \v(HKl,iVr." AIho, 
 "on tluMMiHtorn Hlopt- of the Hi^ Horn MoinitainH, I olisorvod this namo 
 Hcrios of Ih'iIm in tlio HUinnicr ul' isr>!>, Ixildin^ a jtositiou lii'twccn Crc- 
 tncooiiH No. 2, anif tlu^ .Iiirassic marls, with a cnnsidcraMf IhicUiu^sH of 
 earthy lignite," and hir^o (inantiticsof pctririod wood.* Frt'sh watorwholls 
 of tlic^foiiora Unio, Plunorhin, and |irol)al)ly Palwlintu have U-oii found in 
 usHOf'iation witli Oatrea, \u hods apfjarontly holongin^ to thiH part of tho 
 I'ormatioii in tho Mlack Hills region. It prcHorvi'M a vory Hirnihir tharac- 
 t(>r us far Houth aw Colorado, and thorc appcarh to have bt'i'n sonu'what 
 definiti'l}' corrclatwl with tho lowest Ori'tacoous of tho eastern Alissoiirl, 
 by tho discovery of certain [tiaiit remains, f The conditions implied 
 throughout, are those of deposits forniiuif in shallow, salt, (»r bra(d<ish 
 waters, with neighbourintj extensive land surfaces, and a marked ten- 
 dency toward thw accumulation of carbonaceous beds or lignites. 
 
 386. To this division of the Crotacoous, Dr. Hector is iT\clined to 
 rofor the grouji which in hi-s general wection be has designated by the 
 letter K., J and which is characleri/ed by great deposits of lignite. Tho 
 proviso, however, is made, that tho region which ho had examined did 
 not atfoi-d sufficiently clear evidence, to render it certain that under tho 
 Banie title, he had not included some Tertiaiy rocks as well as CretaceouH. 
 Tho rocks of Series K., aro thus described : " Sandstone, coarse and friable, 
 or argillaceous and ctmcretiomiry, indurated shales and soft limostones, 
 ironstone nodules, beds of lignite 3 to 10 feet. Silicifiod wood, Taxites 
 and sedge-like stems in tho sandstones." ^ 
 
 337. it is highly probable that some at least of tho coal and ligidte 
 bearing beds, described b\ Dr. Hector, aro really Cretaceous, in view of 
 some of tho fossils which Jic has found associated with them. || Tho 
 question might indeed bo considered as detinitel}'^ settled in that sense, 
 but for the remarkable mingling of Cretaceous fossils with those of tho 
 Lignite Tertiary, in the far west ; a sultject more fully noticed on a eub- 
 Boqucnt page. If then, it bo admitted that a part of the carb<miferou8 
 beds belong to tho Cretaceous properly so-called, it would appear that they 
 
 •U. S. Gcol. Snrv. Tcrrit., 1857-M)., ,). li:t t U. S. Oeol, Siirv. Tcrrit., 1873. 
 
 t The Icttcrinj; atflxeil t<> Dr. Ucctor'H general Hectiidis, in hiH Offlt'ial Kci)<)rt, and in his paper in 
 Vol. aVII., of the .louriial of the Ocologieal Soeiety, differs. I have atloptcd that of the former. 
 
 § Exploration of British North Anicriea, p. 22V. II See espeeiaily Foot Noto to p. 233, Op. cit. 
 
 i. 
 
r 
 
 1 
 
 5 !i 
 
 V f 
 
 I 1 
 
 138 
 
 li. N. A. ftf»UNDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 must represent one or other of its lower divisions, as f'um the lilliological 
 character of the two r|);)er Crc'MOooiis groups, preserved with great 
 uniforniity, in the various localities south of the Line, and also in the 
 most widely separated exposures on the foi'ty-idntli parallel, i( seems 
 highly improhable that in a comparatively short distance to the northward, 
 they should so cliange their chai-acLer as to become coal-bearing. The 
 known tendency of the Dakota group, would then certaiidy point to it 
 as being the one represented. At tlie same time, I canhot resist the con- 
 clusion, that ])r. Hector was J-ight in suj)posing that some Tertiary beds 
 are included in liis division K., and it may even tui'ii out that a large 
 proportion, oi' the whole, of this group, really belongs to the base of the 
 Lignite Tertiary. The siU)ject is oiic not only of geological interest, but 
 of great pi-actical ijn])ortance, for should it be found, that there are two 
 distinct carboniferous hoilzons in the I'ocks of the North-west; the area 
 over which valuable deposits of fuel are to be expected, would — as pointed 
 out b}' Mr. Selwyn — be very largely increased. 
 
 338. The beds referred by Dr. llectoi" to division K., apjiear to be 
 oxter.s'vely develo])ed on the upjier parts of nearly all the rivers flowing 
 eastward from the base of the mountains, including the Rod Deer River, 
 Noith and South Branches of the Saskatchewan, Athabaska, and North 
 Pen.bina Rivers. Their furthest eastward appearance on the North Sas. 
 katch nvan, is stated to be about fifty miles below Edmonton. Mr. Selwyn 
 who has exajuined the coal-bearing rocks of this river in 1873, inclines 
 to the view that they are truly Cretaceous, and draws attention in this 
 connection to the fact, that the coal series of Vancouver Island is now 
 known to occur in the lower part of that formation.* 
 
 339. Rocks of the Dakota period have not been recognised in Mani- 
 toba, or in any locality along the eastern out-crop of the Cretaceous in 
 British America. In the vicinity of the Line they ai'e concealed below 
 the alluvial lands of the Red River Valley, and if natural exposures are 
 to be looked for at all in this region, it must be in some part of the high 
 lands marking the escarpement of the Cretaceous west oi the great sys- 
 tem of lakes. That the occui-rence and nature of these beds may not be 
 an unimportant question, is shown by their character in Nebraska, where 
 they contain lignites, \/hicli though not of very good quality, or groat 
 thickness, have been more or less used economically, on account of the 
 great scarcity of fuel in that treeless region. These beds, associated 
 
 » Reiwrt of Protfruss. Oool. Surv. Canada, 1873-74. p. 50. 
 
CRETACEOUS AND TERTIARY — (iENERAL AKRANOEMENT. 
 
 l30 
 
 with carbonacpoiis clays, arc meiitionod as ofcurriiig in miiiuM-ous locali- 
 ties, and one of tlioni— jvliiih ajj^oars, howover, to 1)C in transition beds 
 between this and tlio next overlying <livision — is even stated to liave been 
 " worked to a considerable extent," and used l)y blacksmiths witli some 
 success.* Similar beds are now also known to occur in Cretaceous rocks 
 in south-western Minnesota, though not as yet lound of a quality suffi- 
 cient I3' good for use as fuel, f 
 
 340. Through the kindness of Mr. A. L. Russell, I have received a sam- 
 ple of lignite from a locality near Fort Francis, on the Eainy Kiver, east 
 of the Lake of the Woods. An analysis of the lignite will be found in a 
 subsequent chapter. It is said to be found below tlie water level, in several 
 small sti-eams, and though no geologist has visited the locality, it appears 
 to occur in too great quantity to be accounted for as far travelled drift. It 
 may prove that in this locality we have a Lower Cirtaceous outliei' simi- 
 lar to those of Minnesota, but here ])robal)ly resting on the liaurentian. 
 
 H-tl. The possibility of the discovery of siu-h fuels as these, in the 
 Province of Manitoba, might not seem worthy of nuuh attention ; but 
 thei'c is no reason why in a sei'ies such as this, good and valuable depo- 
 sits may not exist in some localities; a jirobability greatly beightetied ifthe 
 lignites of the base of the Rocky Mountains, are found toa])pertain to I'ocks 
 of similar age. In any event, in the re])i-esentatives of the Dakota series 
 in Manitoba, there appears to be a possibility that workable lignite 
 beds may exist, and should this prove to be the case, they would offer the 
 nearest and most accessilile .source of fuel, to the settlements of the l{ed 
 Eivei- Valle}-. 
 
 Cretaceous No. 2. — Fort Benton Group. 
 
 342. The Fort Benton Group, or second division of the typical 
 Cretiiceous series, is so closely associated with the last, that further 
 investigation may ju-obably render it advisable to uniie the two under 
 one name. This is especially the case in man}* of the more western 
 
 <i| 
 
 •r.S. Oeiil. Surv. Tenit., IS'liT. p. 4S. 
 t Prof. N. n. Wiiiohell. Secdiiil .Amnial HeiHirt (iful. Surv. .Minn., 1.S74. 
 
 Prof. Winehell'H Lonilusiiins (in till) Crotat'CdUs ciials (so lalleii) of .Miiniesot.i, arc interesting as ticiir- 
 Ing on a country .situated 'n many respect.s almost exactly as .Manitoba. He writes :— 
 
 1. The rocks tliat have been exiilored for coal on the CottonwoiKl and Uedwood Rivers, heloiiR to the 
 Cretaceous system, and d<i not promise to be proilnctive of coal in valuable ([uantities. 2. The coal here 
 taken out is of an inferior (jnule, tliougb varyinjj from cannel coal to charcoal, .'t. As the rocks of the 
 Cretaceous period are believed to have existed throujihout the most of the State, the only probable excep- 
 tion boinj,' in the south-western portion, iucludinL' half-a-dozen counties, such coal Ih likely to occur in » 
 great many idaees. 4. The "Float" coal which has so often attracted the attention of the people, is de- 
 riveil, so far as yet known, from the disrniition of the Cretaceous reeks by the (jlaciers of the ice period. 
 It is scattered throuuh the drift, and is met with in wells and other excavations, and may be often picked 
 up along the beds of streams. 
 
1 \ 
 
 ■I 
 
 M 1 
 
 140 
 
 B. N. A. BOUNDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 localiticH, Koutli of tlr: Black Hills, and alont? the base of the Eocky 
 Mountains, in Nebraska, this division in desci'il.'d as consisting of 
 " dark groy laniiniitod clays, \vi(h lighter coloured arenaceous pai-tings, 
 and layer« and i)eds of sandstone. Towards the up])er part, near its con- 
 nection with the Niobrara Division aiiove it, it sometimes includes inter- 
 calated layers of grey limestone, in all resjMU-ts similar to the lower 
 portions of the overlying rock ; while at some othei- places, its upper 
 portion ])asses into a diirk shale."* Fui'tlur west it is very extensively 
 develo})ed near Fort Benton on the Missouri, from which it takes its 
 name. The beds hci-c "assume the form of black plastic lamiiuited claj', 
 with numerous calcareous concretions." f The western edge of this 
 division in Colonulo, shows shaly beds, which, though generally argilla- 
 ceous, are occasionally quite arenaceous, and sometimes more or less 
 calcareous; the total thickness varying from 200 to 400 feet. J 
 
 'Mii, In the eastern region of Bj-itish North America, this portion 
 of the formation seems to have been pretty clcai-ly recognized, on the 
 Saskatchewan, near Fort a la Corne, by Prof. Jlind, who says: — 
 "On the North Branch of the Saskatchewan, and a few miles above the 
 Grand Forks, huge masses of a dai-k coloured, almost black shale, with 
 shai'p well-preserved edges, jut out of the banks, and are exposed 
 whenever portions of the face of the clay clitl's fall into the river. Their 
 ap]iearance is such as to justify the expectation, that rock in position, 
 from which they originated, is close at hand. Some specimens which I 
 procured and sent to Mr. Mi'ek, contain, according to that gentleman, 
 tish scales, sharks' teeth and Inoccranms, which renders it almost certain 
 that the masses were detached from rocks belonging to foi'mation 2, or 
 3, of the vertical section."^ Cretaceous No. 2 is also stated to have been 
 recognized from specimens found on the Assineboine Eiver, 250 miles 
 west of Fort Garry ;|| but, as the locality thus described must be near 
 Fort Ellice, where the exposures are few, and Dr. Hector, who has 
 examined them, found fossils characteristic of the 4th group only; it is 
 probable that some mistake has arisen, either in the localization of the 
 specimens, or from their obscinity. 
 
 844. Ih: Hector, though he docs not expressly state that he con- 
 siders his CJroup D., as representing the Fort Benton, or 2nd group of 
 Meek and Haydens sectit)n, implies as much by placing it between beds 
 
 ' Geological Rc|iort YcllowHtime ami Missouri Expoilitiou. t ll)i«l. p. 93. 
 
 t r.S. Ocol.Siirv. Ttrrit., ISTH. p. 101. 
 
 S Ut'port AssiiKjboinc ami Saskatohcwi ii Kxploriiij; KJtpoditioii, tSW*. 
 
 II Prof. MoeK, in Geological Ki'i-orl ycllov.utoiie and Missouri Expudition. p. 16 
 
CRKTACEnus AND TERTIARY — GENERAL ARRANGEMENT. 
 
 141 
 
 which ho con-elates with groups 1, and 2. Group D. is desci-ihed hh 
 C(tnsistiiig of "sandstone ovei-lyint; marly elaj's, banded with thin seams 
 of ironstone, thin heds of limestone, stiff chirk blue elay, and arenaeeous 
 shales, with Ostrea cortex, 0. vc/lieata, 0. anoinia-furniis, Cijtherea, 2£i/tihis, 
 Cardiinn, Vcnun, Natica, &c., and stems and roots of silieitied trees."* 
 Kocks of this sei'ies, he believes, underlie a considerable area of the third 
 great prairie plateau, and are mentioned as (X-curring on the lower part of 
 the Red Deer River, at the Hand Hills, at the Elbow of Battle River, above 
 Fcjrt Pitt on the North SaskaUhewan, on the Bow, and Belly Rivers, and 
 also to the west and north ot Kdmonton. The relations of this group 
 with thcjse above and l»el<jw it, do not seem, however, to have been very 
 clearly made out, and Dr. Hector appears to remain in some doubt, as to 
 its position and dislribulion.f Ostrea rellicata,and 0. anomiu'formis, are 
 shells characteristic of the Cretaceous formation, in its development near 
 the Mexican frontier, and while their occurrence probably places beyond 
 doubt, the Cretaceous age of some c)f the beds here referi'ed to, it is 
 probable that others, especially in the. more southern localities, may 
 belong to the marine base of the Tertiary; the rocks of which, in some 
 places near the forty-ninth parallel, an.swer closely to their description. 
 
 leir 
 tion, 
 
 hi 
 
 an, 
 
 lin 
 or 
 jcon 
 
 iles 
 lear 
 
 las 
 it is 
 
 the 
 
 on- 
 of 
 
 LXls 
 
 Cretaceoud No. 3. — Xiohrara Group. 
 
 34.5. Tlie occurrence of rocks of the Niobrai'a,or 3rcl division of the 
 Cretaceous, in the escarpment of Pembina ^Mountain, near the Boyne River, 
 has been already- noticed, (p. 78.) The specimens, so far as they go, ex- 
 actly i-esemble those of this member in the typical socticm in Nebraska, 
 which Dr. Hayden thus describes : — " Lead-grey calcareous marl, weathei*- 
 ing to a yellowish and whitish chalk}' appearance above, containing lai«ge 
 scales and other remains of fishes, and numerous fragments of Ostna conjesta 
 attached to fi-agments of Tnoceramus, passing down into light-yellowish 
 and whitish limestone " and blending with the next lowest group. " At 
 the Black Hills this rock sometimes presents its normal appearance, but 
 generally there, as well as along the Rocky Mountains further west, ia 
 scarcely distinguishable iithologically from the formation below." | Id 
 Colorado, according to Mr, Marvinc, No. 3 still retains to some extent 
 its calcai-enus character, and consists in great part of impure limestones, 
 often highly fo.ssiliferous, ^ 
 
 • Explorat'on of Britlsi. Nurth America, p, 2'27. t Ibid,, p. 229. 
 
 } Ocologioal RcjMirt VellowRtone and Missouri Expoditiim, p. 14, 
 
 § U. S, Geol, Surv. Tcrrit,, 1873, p, 102. 
 
 I 
 
 . j,J 
 
 
 m\ 
 
; 'ii 
 
 i 
 
 III 
 
 'I 
 
 1,. 
 
 142 
 
 B. N. A. BOUNDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 340. AVith this division Dr. Iloctor coiTelatcs /jjronpC, of his general 
 section, composed of (hirk clays, with sept.irian iKxhiles. Those beils» 
 however, I have, I l)elieve, clearly ideiititied as forming an integral part 
 of Meek and ILiyden's 4th grouj), as displayed in the vicinity' of the 
 Line, a conclusion also wari'anted hy the fossils obtained by Dr. Hector 
 in them. If this is the case, none of the beils deserihcd hy Dr. Hector 
 can he cited as representing No. H, uidoss, indeed, a part of those 
 included under D.. may belong here. The rocks which appear to come 
 u]i from below No. 4, near the Kast Fork of Milk River, alivady fully 
 described ; (4^ 2S0) from their j)Osi(i<>n might represent the Niobrara 
 group, and it is worthy of remark, that in tlieir lithological character 
 they ])retty closely resemble J)r. Hector's group D. Limestone beds, or 
 even I'ocks containing many calcareous fossils, are, however, altogether 
 wanting, and the occurrence of richly carbonaceous clan's so dose below 
 the base of No. 4, is somewhat anomaloiis, A similarity also suggests 
 it.self between these beils and those described by Dr. Hayden, * 
 as directly underlying the Juilith River fresh and brackish-water de- 
 posits. These Dr. Hayden pi'ovisionally classes with Cretaceous N<>. 1, 
 and lias observed in anotlier locality, to ])ass beneath No. 4; which 
 ai)])cars to prove that in this jjarticular region, Nos. 2 & H, are unrepre- 
 sented. The litliological resemblance is moderately close. 
 
 Cretaceous Xo. 4. Fort Pierre Group. 
 
 347. This gi-oup appeal's to occujiy a very gi-eal extent of country in 
 the region north of the torty-ninth parallel The Junction of this part of 
 the Ibrmation with that lu'xt below 't, is pretty detinite, and there is 
 not the same paheontological and lithological blending, that occurs be- 
 tween the thi-ee members below it. At its base, occurs the tirst real break 
 in the typical Cretaceous series of the interior of the continent ; and 
 liere the line wpai-ating the u])per and lower ])ortions of the Cretaceous 
 has been placed. In the Nebraska section, this division is represented 
 by a great thickness of " tine, grey, and dark-coloured clays, in moderately 
 distinct laj-ers, but never [)i'esenting a laminated or slaty structure, like 
 the Fort Benton group. When wet the clays are soft and plastic, but on 
 drying they oftc. crack ;i!id cruml)le so as to obliterate the marks of 
 deposition in vertical c^po-i.res."t Toward the ba.se, there occurs in this 
 division, in some })laces, a local bed of from ten to thirty feet in thick- 
 
 » Pr,.c. AAtit\ Nat. S i. ''hil., Mav, 18V.'). 
 tlioo'i'.i.^;! ' .K)i t \f.iii.u.itoiie iviu Missduri i*;xiHHlitioii, p. 19, 
 
CRETAf;EOt:s AND TERTIARY — OENERAL ARRANOEMENT. 
 
 143 
 
 Ion 
 
 of 
 
 noss, of fine unctuous ohiy, with mut'li carbonaceous matter, and contain- 
 ing also crystals of pyrites and seleiiite, and impressions of tish scales- 
 The western outcrops of .>o. 4 on tlie upper ^fissoiii-i, and alon<^ the 
 Rock}- ,V,.antains, as far south at least as Coh)rad(), appear to maintain, 
 to a <^rcat extent, the chai-actoi- which it presents in the cast. 
 
 H48. The heds which 1 have included in tlie Pembina Mountain ^n-oup, 
 appear to beloni^ to this part of the sei-ies. Their chai-acter has alroad}' 
 been fully desci-ibed. They extend, in all probabilit}-. on the forty-ninth 
 parallel, from the escarpment of Pembina Mountain, nearly to the edge 
 of the Lignite Tertiary formation, on the 102nd- meridian. In the great 
 scarcity of organic remains, the}' resemble the tyjtical series as developed 
 in the original locality near Foi-t Pierre,* and from the obscurity of their 
 Htratigraphical relations in the Pembina Mountain region, their j)osition 
 might still remain a doubtful question, but for their precise lithological 
 resemblance to beds, north, and west of this place, the horizon of which 
 can be defined by pali|;()ntological evidence, ami superposition. The only 
 ])art of the Penjbina Mountain series, in which se])tarian nodules form a 
 striking feature, is that shown at the foot of tlie escarpment, and near 
 the base of the sections there exposed. 
 
 349. Where these rocks ai-e again brought to view south of tho Wood 
 Mountain Tertiaiy plateau, their general appeai'anc(> is somewhat different 
 from that of those of the Pembina Mountain sections. They are, as a 
 whole, more crumbling and earthy, but extensive layers in them still so 
 closely resemble the eastei-n rocks, as to be lithologically indistinguish- 
 able from them. These harder layers do not appear to be confined to any 
 particular horizon, but occur in different localities, sometimes near tlu 
 top, sometin es nearer the base. The septai-ian noilules ui-e now found at 
 several different levels in the section, chai-acterizing narrow zones, and it 
 is almost exclusively in connection with them that fossils are presei-ved, 
 the intermedu te beds being nearly as ban-en as the day-shales of Pem- 
 bina Mountai i, but always clearly distinguisliable from the overl} 
 Tertiary rocki;. 
 
 350. Afte.' passing over a great plain based on Totiary i-ocks, the 
 4th group agaii appears u]iturned around the flanks of the Buttes, and 
 still preserving — though now v ithin a hundred miles of the base of the 
 Rocky Mountains— its old characters, the oidy real change being the in- 
 ii-oduction of a few arenaceous layei-s, small in thickness and extent, but 
 
 h 
 
 mi 
 
 I 
 
 ' Qeological Rc|)ort Yellowatnno aiul Missouri Expedition, p. 40. 
 
114 
 
 B. N. A. BOUNDARY CO.MMISSION. 
 
 i 
 
 ■ 
 * 31 
 
 i'it 
 
 Hiifflcient to vindicate the clmvucter maintained through the whole of the 
 Cretaceous pericxl by tiie Rocky mountain region — tluitot'deposit b^'more 
 rapidly moving waters. West of tliis phicc, the beti« of the Fort Pierre 
 group are not seen in the vicinity of tlie Bouuthiry-line, though I am of 
 opinion, from tlie i-apid southward slope of the country toward the 
 Missouri Valley, that these beds of the Cretaceous must again come to 
 the i^urface not far south of the forty-ninth pai-allel. The Missouri, it 
 would seem, flows for the uj)per part of its course in a trough excavated 
 in Cretaceous beds, of which the southern part of the Lignite Tertiary, 
 met with on the forty-nmth pari'Uel, forms the northern edge. 
 
 351. The character imjn-essed on the face of the country, whenever 
 the beds of No. 4 immediately underlie the sui'ttice, is unfavourable in 
 the highest degree. Without the intermixture of foreign material, the 
 debris of those rocks seems Hcarceiy ca])al)le of supporting vegetation. 
 Their tine finctuous character prevents any drainage trom below, and the 
 plains based on them, alternate with the .-jeason, from the condition of 
 soft tenaceou> mud, to that oi' hard white sun-crackod clay. 1 have 
 frequently noticed spots poa( !ie<l u]» by the butt'aloes in their spring 
 migration, consolidated by the heat a;)d di'ought of summei" to such an 
 extent, that tlie passage ct twentj- or thirty loaded waggons will not 
 suffice to form a level trail. These clays appear also to want the 
 chemical ingredients of a good soil. Calcareous matter is generally 
 almost entirely absent, and from the small quantity of organic remains, ' 
 and the refactoiy nature of the shales under the blow-pipe, phosphates 
 and alkalies are pi-obably deticient, tm felspar being, to a great extent, 
 kaolinizcd. The saline waters of springs issuing from those clays, 
 impregnate the soil of the low grounds and vallies, and produce condi- 
 tions favourable to the growth of Salicornea, Obione, Sarcohatus, &c., 
 while the higher plains are the most perfect ileserts met with on the 
 fort) i inth jjarallel, and aie often almost destitute of vegetation ; or, 
 sparingly covered with Cactus and Sfipa. 
 
 352. Dr. Ilayden, in treating of this group, writes : — "This forma- 
 tion is the most inportant one in the Cretaceous system of the North- 
 west, not onl}- in regard to its thickness and its geogi-aphical distribu- 
 tion, but also in its influence on the agricultural capabilities of the 
 country." " In summing up the extent of country underlaid by this 
 great foi-mation, we find that south of the Lignite Basin it occupies an 
 area of two hundred miles in length, and one hundred in width; or, 
 twenty thousand square miles. North of the Great Lignite Basin, 
 
 ?! ; 
 
 l(,l ' \i' 
 
CRETACEOUS AND TERTIAHY — OENERAI, ARRANdEMENT. 
 
 145 
 
 lo of the 
 - by more 
 irt Pierre 
 I I am of 
 miv(\ the 
 come to 
 issouri, it 
 ixeavatod 
 Tertiary, 
 
 wlienever 
 
 •arable in 
 
 ;enal, the 
 
 B^otation, 
 
 /, and the 
 
 udition of 
 
 1 base 
 
 ir spring 
 
 o «ucli an 
 
 will not 
 
 want tlio 
 
 generally 
 
 remains, ' 
 
 losphates 
 
 ]it extent, 
 
 V clays, 
 
 ce condi- 
 
 tus, &c., 
 
 on the 
 
 ion ; or. 
 
 Is forma- 
 le North- 
 Id is tribu- 
 
 of the 
 [by this 
 iipies an 
 |ith; or, 
 
 Basin, 
 
 
 commencing at its first appearance near Mill: River, we find it covering 
 an area of two hundred miles in length, and sixty in breadth; or, about 
 twelve thousand scpiarc miles. 1 have been thus particular in estimating 
 its approximate limits and extent of surface, on account of its influence 
 on tiie future destiny of that region. Wherever this deposit prevails, 
 it renders the countr}- more completely sterile than any other geological 
 fbi-mation I have seen in the North-west. We see from the above 
 estimate that it renders barren, over thirty thousan ] square miles of the 
 valley of the Missouri." * The contrast between the country resting on 
 this formation, and that based on the Lignite Tertiary, is very sti'iking, 
 and even in regions where the vegetation is stunted from the want of 
 sufficient moisture, and Avhere the dry u])lan(ls of the Tertiary would 
 seem, at first sight, less favourable than tlie low-lying plains of No. 4; the 
 former can support a shoi-t thick growth of nutritious grasses, where the 
 latter iias the character above desoi-ibcd. In tracing the outlines of the 
 various fbi-mations in a cou!itr3' where e.xposures arc usually so voi-o and 
 small, this ditfei'once of character in the aspect of its surfac ■, i soon 
 remarked as a valuable aid. 
 
 353. These remai'ks, however, only apply in their entiret}' to the 
 region soutii of (he gi'eat transver.se watershed, which approximately 
 follows the fbrty-nintli parallel ; aJid to the higher ground toward the base 
 of the mountains. Wherever the causes which Iwive proiluced the thick 
 drift deposits of the plains, have operated in their full intensity, the influ- 
 ence of the underlying beds on the soil, has been greatly modified by the 
 addition of transpoi'ted material. This modifying action has j)erbaps no- 
 where been more effectual, than over the ai'cas covered by No. 4, which, 
 from its .-umparatively yielding character, has been cut away into hol- 
 lows and buried under great depths of travelled material. The improve- 
 ment thns effected on the country is especially notable between Pembina 
 Escarpment, and the Missouri Coteau. i cannot speak from personal 
 knowledge of the country .-'.outh-west of the upper parts of the Ked liiver 
 Valley, but it is probable that the drift agencies have here, to a ccrttn'n 
 extent, ovei'-ridden the low bari'ier of the water-shed. Further west, and 
 south of the Tertiary plateaus of Wood Mountain, and the Cypress Hills, 
 the barriers to the north-eastern di-ift appear to have been nearly com- 
 plete, 
 
 354. As already mentioned, the waters of springs flowing from tdl 
 
 ''Nutei explanatory of a Map and .Sectii >ii df t'tmnt rv lionltrini,' mi the Mins(iuri. lsr>7. 
 
 lOi) 
 
 4 
 
1! "n 
 
 i 1 : 1 
 
 i ' 
 
 1 . 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 r 
 
 
 ij 
 
 1 
 
 Ii 
 
 
 1 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 ; \ 
 
 
 : 
 
 i 
 
 I 1 
 
 r i 
 
 1 ! 
 
 t : 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 ,1 
 
 t I 
 
 ! 
 
 110 
 
 Tl. M. A. IMI'VDAUV CiiArMrsHIOV. 
 
 pai'ls or Xo. I jii'c iiii]ir(mi|.ij,.,i wjtii sails — |)iol)alily in tlio iiiaiii sodii; 
 ami iiiai^iK'sic siil|ilial('s — and arc oflcn also cJiai'^HMl witli sul)iliur('IU'(l 
 Jiydro^cMi. S|)i'ini;s dl' I Ins class wci'o specially noted in tlio I'oniltina 
 iMonntaiu roi;'inn, and whci'c tli(! dislnrlicd beds of this division arc nj)- 
 (iiincd al llic IJidtcs. In the latter locality sonm sprin^-s were f'onnd from 
 which sul|iluii'elted hy('ron'en was ^>,'iven otf so freely, and so little rnini^'led 
 with oilier jj,-.ises, thai it niinht ho ii^-iiiicd on llu' surface ol' tho water. 
 
 .'!."),■). l*rof. Hind, in l^^i^S. lecoj^'iiised this division of tlio Cretaceous 
 in several wii' ''y se|iarnlcd localities, and ohtaiiic(l io.sHils from it which 
 
 , and aideil in tixini;' the jxtsition of llie 
 ions described by I'rof. Ili'id, are tho.so on 
 
 Were exaniinco by I'rof. ^Meck 
 beils. 'i'he niosl inlercslini;' sec 
 the Soiiris K'iver, a short distance above lis junction with the Assineboin, 
 and about ihirly miles iLorlh of the east end of Turtle Mountain, or near 
 Ihe prcsenl \veslern boundary of Manitoba. Sevei'al of the fossils ob- 
 laincil w<'re s|)cciHcally new. 'fhc titllowin:;' list is ^iven : Anomia Fit'- 
 iniiiiji, /itticcrdiiiiis ('(iiuii/( iisis, Lrda Ifbuli, Xdiirnohllqiicui, Arcllana con- 
 ■ ■(una and Aniiii"iiit('s.''' 'I'he Iwo lattei- were obtained ut tho Two Creeks 
 on th(> Assincboiiie, sixly niiU's west-north-west of the So'iris llivei- 
 exposures. P>otIi these localities are interesting, as lying at no great 
 distance north of the Line, and opposite a ]>art of it where no .sections 
 appear. Tho other htcalitics H)i' this division, mentioned by Prof Hind, 
 are: Big Cut Arm Creek, and Scis^ors Creek, on tlie Qii' Appelle River; 
 also (he South Saskalcheu ! i near the lOlbow, where Avicula lirKjuifonuis 
 was foiuid ; also midway up the escarpment of the second prairio 
 ste|)])e, at I'iding Mountain. 
 
 .'!.")(). Dr. Hector, in his report considers his group B., to represent 
 No. 4. He describes it as consisting of'.' Indurated olive-coloured shales, 
 with bands and iLssures tilled with clay ir(mstone. This formation he 
 first met with at liong River, the rocks of which are elsewhere described 
 in this rejiort (>^ li>.')) and arc identical with tho.se of the upper jiart 
 of tho Peinliina .Mountain series, as developed on the Pembina Ri\er. 
 Dr. Ilcctoi-, a few days afterward, examined tho oxjjosures near Forked 
 Crook on the Assinel)oine. from which .some of Prof. Hind's fossils were 
 obtained, and there found the rocks to be oxaetl}- similar. Leda Hindi 
 was also I'oinid, and in (Idltion Ostrea hujubris, scales of ctouvud fishes, 
 aiiiielido tube-;, and plant remains, (iroup H., is also .sujiposod to occur 
 south of the <, u'A])pelle River, and on the North Saskatchewan for aeon- 
 
 * noscribcit unci H^rin-cil in liopdrt AssinoljMin luiil Suskiilcliewiin Explnriiit,' KxpeUitlun. Toronto, 1859; 
 ami Narnitivo of Uio Canadian Ktil Uiver lixplorini; ll\liuililion, London, ISCK). 
 
 I 
 
CRETACEOirS AND TKIIT.AIIY — CIENKHAI, AUUANdKMKNT 
 
 ir 
 
 sklomblo (lintaimo above tho Ea,t,'Io Hills. Tin; lii'ils fxainincil in ilic 
 localitios I'ofcrnxl to by liotli Hind and Iloi'toi'. and tlm-i" ol' rciuliin;! 
 Mountain, would sooni to btdoiiu; to tiio ii|t|K'f pari ol' ihi lib L;'niii|i, |ur 
 Prof. Mock in writing of'tlio i'ossils states tbat tlu'y ai'c dl' >|)c'iii'> wbiili 
 occur in No. 5, as woll as No. 4", but nn're coninioidy in llic lalti-i', wiiicli, 
 with tbc lillioloi^ical characlor of 'be inatri.x' " ii-avt s lit lie room to doubt" 
 tli.nt tlio beds I'epi'csont No. 4. 
 
 .'{57. Division C, of Dr. Ifcctor's section, correlated by bini wilb No. 
 3 of tho Nebraska series, may no'.v, I believe, also be cerl:iiiily included 
 in No 4. It is doseribed as coiLsislini;; of '• darlc ]nii'|ile and brown 
 laminated clays, with ii'onstoiie so]itaria, and sometimes ( iy--lal- of 
 selenito."* These beds were found at Fui-t Kllice, on the Assineboinc; at 
 the elbow of the South Saskatchewan, in relation with the escar|imi'in ol' 
 the third jji'airie plateau; at the base of the Cypress .Mountains on their 
 northern siile, at the Ha^le Hills, and on the North Saskatchewan al I'orl 
 TMtt. From the South Saskatchewan locality, /hiculltes (■o/;)y;r(',^.s/^s• 
 Inoreramus (/. ("repsii of Hoemer and Conrad ?) Phohuhiiujn n,i-iil,nliii:^ 
 Morton, Cardium, E.rogyra, Adarte Tcxana, and Cjithcrea wvw obtained, 
 and are in themselves suificient to mark the hori/.on with sonu' (I'rtainty. 
 
 858. I have described similar i'0(d\s, ci'i-tainly ri'ler.Mble to No. 4, 
 about tift}- miles southward of the Cypress Mouidain locality, refenrd to 
 in the last paragra})h ; ami a considerable stretch of count i-y soulli of 
 these hills appears to be basetl on this member of the formation. One 
 hundred and twenty miles southward of the locality on the >oulh Sas- 
 katchewan, and south of the Liginte Tertiary plateau, somlire Cr(Ma- 
 ceous clays, with large sei)tarian nodules, exactly n^sejabling those 
 described b}' J)r. Hector, and containing some of the same fossil.-, are 
 found, and ai-e known to belong to division 4, not oidy by the fossil^, hiit 
 by their stratigraphical relation. These rocks were also found, as 
 already stated, to contain thick bands, indistinguishaltle tVom the Imidi r 
 clay-shales of Long River and Pembina Mountain. 
 
 Cretaceovs No. 5. — Fox Hill Group. 
 
 350. The Fox Hill group, is the highest of the Cretaceous series of 
 the west, and is thus described in the Nebraska section : — '• Tlii> foiina- 
 tion is generally more arenacoous than the Ft. Pierre group, and .also 
 differs in presenting a more 3'ellovvish or ferruginous tinge. T<iwards 
 
 l>ioiitc., 1859; 
 
 • Exploration of BritUli North America, p. 'i:!(i, 
 
4 
 
 =r* 
 
 
 
 !l 
 
 1 
 
 ' 
 
 I 
 
 ' 1 
 
 1 
 
 ! i 1 
 I ■ 
 
 1 
 
 IPi 
 
 us 
 
 B. N. A. TiniNriAUY coMArrssfov. 
 
 the hiiso it consists of sinidy clay'^. I>iit as \v«' usccikI In the lii^'licr ln-ds 
 we liiid I lie iiroiiacdous iimtlcr iiicreiisinif, so tliiit at somo plart's tlin 
 wliolc |»assi's iiit(t a sainUioiK'. it is iiot separated liy any stront^'iy 
 defined lino ol'deniarealion from llie formation lielow, tlin i-liange from 
 tlio tino (days of tlic latter to tlie more sandy material aliove, hein^- 
 very n'radual.'"* Nor does the transiiidn ajipear to Ik^ mark'LMl Ity any 
 ^reat chan^^e in life, as indeed this division niiuhl almost as well l>e 
 eoiisidered tlu' (dosini;' epncdi i>f the last, hill tiir the litholo^'ieal hreul<, 
 and the ])ersisli>ncy of these u|>i)er sandstones over j^reat areas. In the 
 Bhudv Hills region, and alont;' the hase of the monntains. they are well 
 (U'volo])ed, with similar litholo^ieal (diaraetor. 
 
 ;5()(). Thoiinh this division must horderlhe eastern edijeof theLi^-nito 
 Tertiary, its roeUs are not there ex]iosed in the v'>-inity of the forty- 
 ninth paralhd. The first heds distinctly relei-alile to it, were met with 
 in the Bail Lands south of Wood .Mountain, anil in (he j^-enend section 
 thoro dosio'naled l)y the letter y. Their outei'o|) is a^-ain seen on the 
 White Mad River, and they must follow cnntinuoush- alonif the sontliern 
 hase of the Tertiary jtlateaM, thonfj,h seldom exposed. They were not 
 seen at tho Jnnetion of the Cretaceous and Tei-tiary, east of iMilk Iliver, 
 but their position was marked hy sand-hills. On tho flanks of tho Huttos, 
 tho}' are again hrought to the sui'face, and consist of rather hard sand- 
 stone, witli some softei- and more ai'gillaceous heds near the base. 
 Judging from the few localities where they were observed, the extent of 
 their induration apj)eai's to increase westward, being greater in tho 
 White Mud llivei- sections than the Had Lands, and still more pronounced 
 neai- the Buttes. 
 
 Ijdl. Prof. Hind notes the occurrence of tlu'se rocks in two places 
 only, both situated on tho noi'tbern edge of the Wood Mountain Tertiary 
 plateau. The first is at the junction of the Kyobrow IFill stream, on the 
 t^u' Appelle, wdioi'o ferruginous days, and hard greenish sandstones, with 
 some veins of solenito, a]»pear. The second locality is tht Klbow of the 
 South Saskatchewan,! whore tho rocks consist of greenish, and yellowish- 
 grey sandstones, with some clays, and largo imbedded concretions. The 
 fossils obtained from those were submitted to Prof. Meek, and by him 
 stated to be characteristic of group 5 ; the li)llowing s])ocies being repre- 
 sented : Scaphites Gonradi, Nautilus Deckiji, Avlcula Utujuiformis, Avicula 
 
 
 ' Geological Re|)ort Yellowstone and Missouri ExpcUition, p. 22. 
 t Tills is probably also the loualitv described bv lYof. Hell. Report I'roitress Uecjl. Siirv. Canada, p. 
 75. 187a-i4. 
 
I 
 
 rllETACKniIH AND TEHTIARV — (IKNKIIAI, AIIKANUKMKNT, 
 
 49 
 
 lii;i,h('r IkmIs 
 
 .! pllUOH till! 
 
 ii_V sdoiiu'ly 
 'limigi' from 
 aliovo, boiii^' 
 I'ktMl l»y any 
 t as wi'll l>c> 
 ^ical liiTuU, 
 oas. In the 
 I'V ari' well 
 
 (' tlii'Li^'nito 
 )f' tlic foi't)'- 
 
 V mot willi 
 lU'ral sod ion 
 soon on llio 
 the soiitlu'i-n 
 'V were nol 
 
 Milk Rivor, 
 tlio Hiittcs, 
 
 V hard saiul- 
 
 V tlio liase. 
 Iio oxtont of 
 itor in tho 
 
 n'onounoed 
 
 two plaooH 
 lin Tertiary 
 [am, on the 
 ItoiK-s, with 
 |bow of the 
 |3'ollo\vish- 
 
 ions. The 
 |i(l by him 
 
 )ing I'epre- 
 I's, Avicula 
 
 XiltntscaHii. ami {{osiilltiriii Aimriciiiui. As localiijos (»f (Ms Lcronp. Dr. 
 Iloctor incMtion.sdoiilitl'iilly tlio Kll»»\v of ISatllo Hivor.and llio lowor part 
 ol tho M'clioii at llio Ifooho I.'oro«to. Tho hiltor may now l>o includod ( er- 
 tainly in tlu! liiuiiilo Tortiary. Tho former is not fully ilosoribcd, and no 
 ioshils ap]»oar to havo boon obtained from il. 
 
 Di&trih'itiuii of Cretaceous SuOdiuisions. 
 
 :{(i2. Taking- in(f) a<'coiint, the whole of the informi tion aeeessiblo 
 on the Cretaeooii^ I'ormation in the interior ri'^ion of Mritish North 
 Amerioa, and the general eontnur and i-haractor of thoconntry; (lu^ limilK 
 of some of its mond>oi's, and the area llioy rover, may be laid down with 
 an appi'oaoli to acciiraey. The wosloi'ii bounilary of Xo. 1 crosses the 
 forty-ninth jiarallol, between tho 170 ami 'IW nule points west of Ked 
 Kiver, and |irobably noai'or the latter than tho foi-mer. Thence il runs 
 west-north-westward, and passint;' north of tho liii^iuto Tertiary beds dis- 
 covered by Prof. Hell near Dirt Hills, lu-oomes nearly identiliod with the 
 odi^o of the Missoiu'i t/otean, before roachinif that |»art of it called the 
 Thunder IJreedin;^ Hills on Pallisi'r's map. Thence, afti'r dippini;" south- 
 ward into one or two deep bays, it reaches tho Cypress Jlills, A narrow 
 neek of these Cretaceous rocks, may thence possibly pass i-ound the west- 
 ern escarpement of those hills, and unite with the wide ai-ea covoi-cd by 
 them to the south, where they stretch from loni>'. 10!)" to about long. 
 J10° 20' on the Line. Thesti'ii» of this formation northward of the Cy- 
 ess Kills, is, aocordin"' to Dr. Hector's mai),* (luite nai-i'ow ; and north- 
 
 pi 
 
 ward from the Thunder liroedinu; Kills he lias laid down the western edge 
 of the rocks which 1 Identify with Xo. 4, as nearly (()llowini;- the odi^e of 
 the third j)rairic plateau, — previously described, — to tho North Saskat- 
 chewan. South of the Wood Mountain portion of the Tertiary platotiu, 
 tho rocks of this series, and of Xo. 5, liave a breadth of about oi,u;lity miles 
 on tho forty-ninth jiarallel, and stretch northward in tho form of bay.s 
 and inlets into tlu' Tertiary. JJound the wliolo of the northorn edge of 
 the Missouri Coteau, tho rocks of No. 5, ])robably cover but a narrow stri^) 
 of ground, between the boundary indicated for No. 4 and the Tertiary to 
 tho south ; with, however, the cxcejitioii of the loealit\' near tho Klbow 
 of the South Saskatchewan, where they ap[)ear to be more important, and 
 to underlie a considerable area. 
 
 ■"JOiJ. Kastward from the etlgo of the third plateau, rocks of the age 
 
 Irv. Canada, p. 
 
 * Journ. Ocol. .Soc, vtil. .>.vii. 
 

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 IMAGE EVALUATION 
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 Photographic 
 
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 23 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, NY. 14580 
 
 (716) 873-45 J3 
 

 
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 T;. N. A. BOUNOAnY 00>fMI.SSION. 
 
 oft lie ImmI I'ioi-ro fffonp, iiroLiliIj- occupy nearly tlie wiiolc a ca of the 
 sciviiiil pliUcMii, soiitli of the North Kiiskatchowan, and hctwecn it and 
 the HtiiiiMlary-linc. Kastward, they t(Mniinalc in the escarpment ovcr- 
 lookiiii;' MMtii((»ha liako, and the low lands of the Ked Kiver Valley. It 
 is piis^-iiijc, li(»\vcvor, that future oxj)l irations may bring to light, over 
 tills L;iciit ana. man}' places where the heds of No. 5 have been 
 ])r("-civci|. fiom their superior hardness, especially in such high-lands as 
 the Touch \vo(kI Hills, and parts of (ho so-called 'mountains' of tho 
 i-astii-n escarpment. Oullyers of the liignitc Tertiary may oven yet bo 
 found. 
 
 IWIl. The rocks of the earlier Cretaceous do not seem immediately to 
 uuilorlie any great area on the eastern edge of the formalioii, but to occur 
 iiiercly along the base of the high-lands formed by No. 4. In tho 
 vicinity of (he forty-ninth parallel, (hey are completely hidden by 
 alluvial deposits. If it ho supposeil that No. 4 is shown nearly to its 
 base, in i'embina Hscarpnient, on the liine; allowing the two lower 
 divisions the same thickness assigned to them by Meek and Hayden in 
 Nebraska, and taking the general slope of (he prairie surface toward 
 lii'd iJiver. as representing that of the denuded edges of t'le rocks below, 
 — suppositions, none of which are probably far from the truth — then, 
 rotks of the llrd (rroup, with a thickness of 200 feat, would have their 
 eastern limit al)0U( twenty miles fnun the base of the escarpment, while 
 (lio>e of the two lowest groups, would ])ass below the bed of the Red 
 I'iver, with a tliickncss of about 1,000 feet. This would allow them to 
 abut <lirectl\ on the older Silurian or Laurentian rocks of the cast. 
 Jvocks Mpparently belonging to (his formation, as proved by boring, 
 underlie the alluvial and glacial drift <leposits of the Red River Valley, 
 at Moreliead, 18(1 miles to the south; and are also now k.iown to overlap 
 Jiauientian and Silurian rocks in .south-western Minnesota.* While it is 
 proiialile that they exist below (he Red I'iver praii'ie on the Line, at 
 least as far east as the river, and ver}- likely to the eastern palroozoic 
 boundary of the valley; it is hai-dly ])robablo that they do so in such 
 force as above indieatod. Tho basin of older rocks containing those of 
 (be CrelMccous, probably shoals rapidly eastward, and would cause these 
 marginal beds to be thinner than those of tho Nebraska section. It is 
 al>o pi-obabU', that (heir eastern edges may have a pronounced westwnnl 
 dip. wliieli woulil cause them to run out more rapidly. As a proof of tho 
 
 ♦ I'nit. X. U. Wliiilitn, SccoiiJ Annual llupurt Oeul. Surv, llinn., 1874. 
 
 ni 
 
 I 
 
rUKTACKitlS .»\It TKKTIARY — (iKXKHAl. A1!I!A.\(.K.MKNT. 
 
 l"l 
 
 « ca of the 
 Jcn it and 
 ncnt ovcr- 
 ''alley. It 
 if^ht, over 
 Kivc been 
 fli-landw as 
 is' of the 
 vcn yet bo 
 
 cd lately to 
 il to occur 
 k In the 
 lidden by 
 •ai-ly to its 
 Avo lower 
 FlaydcM in 
 i'e toward 
 ^ks below, 
 th— then, 
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 it, while 
 the Bed 
 them to 
 le cast, 
 boring, 
 Valley, 
 overlap 
 lile it is 
 Line, at 
 al«?ozoic 
 in such 
 those of 
 sc these 
 It is 
 estwani 
 »f of the 
 
 KAKLIRK CKKTACKorH. 
 
 I.ATKIl Clir.lAC KcilM. 
 
 
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 ^5 si- 
 
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 =-4 
 
 
 
 r- X r. =-pr 
 z.— *- n X 
 
 C ~ " =■ «* 
 
 5 3 1 S y. 
 
 Cc : S 5 
 
 S IT ■*' — S 
 
 -" = =■*- 
 
 sis S 
 
 3 3-:5S' 
 
 nil 
 
 Kg 3-.5 
 
 a /• m = '". i « 
 
 - r i -- -J /■ _ = 
 
 <t - = 
 T-2 7 
 
 — " y. 
 
 %=■% 
 
 ■? ?X 
 
 S -2 l!i 
 
 T^j 
 
 — "y. C V 
 
 I = 
 
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 ^1 
 
 
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 90 
 
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 r = 
 
 
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 X 
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 (t1 
 
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 152 
 
 U. N. A. UOtrNnARY rOMMlHSIoN. 
 
 gcnoriil hori/oiitalily of (ho (-retuceous rocks, however, it is wortiiy of 
 notice, tlial iJie ilitfereiieo of I'leviitiu.i lietweeii the .station at the toot of 
 Pembina Ksearpnu-nt, — where No. 4 is seen, — and the point whore the 
 Cretaceous rocFvs are Icnown to he ovi'i-Iapped by tlio Tertiary, 200 miles 
 westward, is al)OUt 7')0 feet; 700 feet Iteini,' tiie thiciiness assignc<i to 
 No. 4, in Nebraska. This would allow the beds to be almost jierfectly 
 horizontal, as No. 5 is only about eighty feet thick, when .seen near Wood 
 Mountiiin, and the base of No. 4 is not exixwotl at the first mentioned 
 locality. 
 
 The possibility of the discovery of lignites in the lower Cretaceous, 
 has been already adverted to, and the extent of this ])ortion of the 
 formation, may perlia])s become a question of some importance in this 
 regard. 
 
 Liijnite Tertiary Format ion. 
 
 3(J5. The highest beds of (he Lignite Tertiary .series, in the vicinity 
 of the tbrty-ninth parallel, are ])robably those which occur about Pcn-cu- 
 pine and Pyramiil Creeks, and the (treat Valley, and high lands south 
 
 the Mi 
 
 nd I 
 
 )eli 
 
 that if thi 
 
 K 
 
 iri Coteau 
 
 ditlerence of horizon among the beds of these localities, those of the first 
 mentioned may somewhat overlie the odiers. At the same time, in a 
 region where local «lii)s due to original irregularity of deposition, so much 
 surpass in amount tho.se ilue to any general inclination of the beds; 
 and where individual strata have so little constancy, and good exposures 
 occur with comjiarative rarity, it is imi)ossiblo to arrive at any very 
 precise knowledge of the ecpiivalency of the beds of different localities. 
 The creeks above mentioned cjoss the Line at the 3S.5, 3.52, and 34.5 mile 
 points resjtectively, and have been proved by the explorations of Lieu- 
 tenant (Jreenc of the IJ. 8. Northern Boundary Survey, to be tributaries 
 of the <iuaking Ash, an affluent of the Missouri. In connection with this 
 part of the section, numerous and im])orlant beds of lignite occur, in 
 association with greyish, yellowish, and purplish arenaceous clays, sands, 
 and little consolidated sandstones, and bands of ironstone. The deposit 
 sln)WH no trace of marine or bi-ackish-water conditions, and wherever 
 remains of molluscs are found they are those of fresh water. The lignites 
 a])pear to prove the frecpiont elevation of parts of the area above the 
 surface of the water, and the general prevalence of plant remains in the 
 intervening sands and clays, siiow that at no time were land surfaces far 
 removed. . 
 
rUKTACEnrs AM) TKUTIAllY — (iKNEllAI- ARKANtiEMENT. 
 
 153 
 
 is wortliy of 
 It the t()ot of 
 t wlioro tho 
 y, 200 niilt's 
 iwsignod to 
 >wt ])crfeftly 
 I near Wixxl 
 t mentioiioil 
 
 Cretnccous, 
 ilion of the 
 incc ill this 
 
 tlie vicinity 
 boiit I'orcu- 
 liuuls south 
 here is any 
 of the first 
 time, in a 
 n,s() much 
 the beds; 
 exi)osures 
 any very 
 localities. 
 345 mile 
 of Lieu- 
 ■ilmtaries 
 with this 
 occur, in 
 rs, sands, 
 b deposit 
 liH'rover 
 lif^nitcs 
 [ovc the 
 |s in the 
 ices iiir 
 
 ;{(!(>. The upper lieds of tlie iSouris Ulver sections, in tiio vicinity of 
 Wo<)d Knd I)e|K)l, thou<,'h proliahly occiipyint:; a ]M)sition iidcrior to those 
 of the localities aliove nieiitiuncd. cannot lie >epaialed from them l»y any 
 deternunate character. They show perhajis a somewhat more regular 
 deposition, and a more ra])i<l alternation of conditions, but arc little, il at 
 all, more indin-ate<l. The lower beds of the Souris River sections, including 
 the n(MlIdar sandstone of the Roche Percee series, are in great part 
 arenaceous, which, together with the frc(piency with which someof the 
 molluscs have sustained fractin-e of their shells during life, woidd 
 indicate disturbed waters. Nothing of the natin-e of a conglomerate, 
 however, occin-s, nor can the sandstones often be considered coarse. In 
 beds overlying the Roche Percee sandstones, the only renuiins indicative 
 of brackish-water, — being shells of Corbuhi, — were found; and these 
 were in association with preponderating numbers of purely tresh-water 
 forms. 
 
 3t»T. in my Preliminary Report on the Lignite Tertiary, llie follow- 
 ing remarks, bearing on the ])osition of its eastern limit on the Jiounilary, 
 were made: — The Souris Valley, for about four miles east of the Roche 
 Percee, continues to show numerous sections of the usual clays and sands, 
 and hardened sandstone beds, — the latter in one place nearly three miles 
 east from Roche I'ercde. — forming a grouj) almost ciiually picturestiuc 
 with it. I?nther hard beds of sand and sandy clay are seen in several 
 places to underlie the sandstones, and one of these was found to be filled 
 with well-preserved specimens of a peculiar Paludina. About a mile 
 further east, the valley changes its character considerably; the baid<s 
 formei'ly scarped and clayey, are replaced by regular grassy slo[)cs, and, 
 though followed for a distance of ten or fifteen miles beyond this point, 
 
 "ielded no further section 
 
 This chan'^e I ani at present disposed, in 
 
 lis]) 
 
 the absence of more cei'tain data, to consider a.s indicating the jiassagc 
 from the Lower Tertiary beds to the Cretaceous. The eastern edge of 
 the outcro]) of the harder be<ls connccfed with the Roche Percee, also 
 api)ears to be indicated by a slight, though pretty well defined step in 
 the level of the prairie, which may be considered a,s the first gentle 
 rise of the Missouri Cotcau, and runs about south-eastward to the 
 Boundary-line, which it crosses near the 240 mile point. The sjmng, 
 known among the Half-breeds as Peter's Spring, lies at the foot of this 
 step, not far north of the Line, and is probably connected with the 
 junction of the more permoaltle sandstone beds with the underlying 
 impervious clays. It is possible that lignite coals of importance may 
 
 I 
 
m 
 
 i 
 
 154 •«• N. A. HiMNIiAUV CMMMISSION. 
 
 oxis( on ii lo\v«T lini'i/.iiii llinii litis, .'iiiil in Ii«><|h hliow iii;^ n iiioi'(> <lo«'iil«'il 
 a|t|»roximiili<)ii to ii\;iiiiif (lc)insi, ion. Mini fii'l.'itcoiis rnrnis o|" lifo; in 
 which <'iis«> llicir out ('i-(i|) woiilil (nt'ciii- .slill rnrthci- to the (MI<I. It is 
 not, howovcr, vi'iy pnihiilth* lluil this is lh«' ciisc, iis llic iiivo li^r(iuii,s oC 
 ll:iV(l)<ii mill ollioi's south of llic Liii(> sctMii to show lliiil in tli<< (ustfrii 
 r«\L;ioii tho ilcpositioii of lii;niti> iliti not coiiinu'iiic till tho coinlitioiis of 
 (he ('ivtacooiis foniintioii had tlislinctly |)iissi>il away. 
 
 IJdS. 
 
 am now aware of llu' »'\istt'iiri< of a liifiiilo hoil a few inci 
 
 U'S 
 
 ill liiickiu'ss in clay IhmIs iindcrlyiiiii: the Itoclic !Vici^> saiulslonc, in a 
 (rihiilaiy of the Soiiris llivcr, ami this, takiiii in connection with thi' |nisi- 
 tioii of the (ir«'siinic(l icprcsciitativcs of tlics*- samlstonrs in the westeni 
 (levelo|»nienl of the formation, would seem to show that some thickness 
 of Tertiary heds iiiuy iindeilie them. This would place the outcrop of 
 the eastern ed,i;i' of tlie liirmation at h«ast several miles liirtln'r eastward 
 than aliove stated; as shown in the map accompaiiyiiii^ this K'eport. 
 Norlli w»'siward from its interseclion with the liirty-niiitli parallel, the 
 position ot' the line of jiinclion laid down on the map, is not founded on 
 direct ohservation, the country iK'iiiii; thickly coveri-d with drift, hut 
 '• 'liides all known exposures of the Tertiary joining; with I'rof. Hell's 
 onservations northward — and is prohalily not in any part of its course far 
 from the truth. 
 
 ;{(>!•. The paheontolonical resemhlaiice of the portion of tlie liif^nite 
 Tertiary above desi-rihed. with the typi»-al Kort Union heds, is exact. 
 Their litholoijii-al similarity, though less to he d»'|H'iided on. is not less 
 strikiiiLc; '"d <1>«^' rocks of the tarty-ninth parallel, when compared witli 
 the sections on the Missouri River, appear to siiow a ifeiierul tendency of 
 the hetls, northward, to iiulude more carhonaceoiis matter. The lijj;nites 
 are more freiiiiently toiiiid. are y;enerally tliit kcr, and almost always more 
 eompaet and purer than tliose of the eastern extension of the Tertiary to 
 the south. The identity of the rocks on the Lino, however, from tlie 
 Roche I'ercoe westwai'd to Wood Alountain, with tlie eastern fresh-water 
 extension of the soutiiern liiujnite Tertiary, i^ciierally known as the Kort 
 I'liion Tertiary, doe.s luit admit of doubt, and to whatever iiorizoii the 
 one is finally adjudicated, the other must follow. 
 
 ;{7I). In continuing' a review of the lormation westwanl, the sections 
 in the Had Lands south of Wood Mountain ne.xt re(piire mention. Hero 
 the 1 i:inite Tertiary is toiind with a .somewhat dit!'erent appearance; 
 and westwai'd from this |M)iiit it gradually change!*, till in the region 
 around liio Buttes, it has assumed an ajipearance so entirely difl'ercnt 
 
rHKTArKMCS ANIi TKIITrAHV — tlKNKIlM, AlillAVOKMKXT. 
 
 1 
 
 •III 
 
 li'W ilicllcs 
 ^•<»IU', ill M 
 
 li (lie |)Msi- 
 M' wcslcrii 
 
 ' llli»'l<ll(>MH 
 
 i>iilcr(»|) ,,(■ 
 !• I'lishvni'd 
 
 is Ift'JMII'l. 
 
 "•nllcl, (In- 
 xiiidod oil 
 • Iril'l, liiit 
 n»i: IMVh 
 i'<»iir,sf t'nv 
 
 I' lii^iiifo 
 is I'xiic). 
 
 Il(»l JCISN 
 
 ■0(1 with 
 «'iicy of 
 iijfiiitos 
 s more 
 liivy to 
 >iu tlio 
 i-WiiU'i- 
 10 Fort 
 ;<>ii tiiu 
 
 ei'tions ' 
 
 Iforc 
 raiico; 
 iv^ion 
 fl'oi-ciit 
 
 fnim Unit of its oislcni (|<«vti|o|»iiiciit, tliiit wcro Hdctions IVoin tlx; two 
 loriililit^s (liicrtly <'i)iii|iiii'ril, it would Im- dillinill, to provo tluMi' <>(|iiival- 
 oncy. Thr IkmIs IicsI (>x|ios(mI in the Itiid liiimlH, it iMtrii(,iirr itt tim voiy 
 liiisiwif tli(t (oniiiitioii, mid lown- tliiiii any hod ii oant of IIiIh jtliico ; Hiill 
 (licir dilln'rcncc, wlimi «'on»|»iir('d with tlioMO of tin' Hoiiris, is nol very 
 striUin/r, iind cliicfly olituiiis with tint lowtt.st hods of division fi., whi<di 
 Hr»f inoiT nmssivc. and hnnifif^ciK'niis, while tlu! iipiicr part of thin divinifiii, 
 with its li;;nitt«s, corresponds closfly tMioii|;h with Ww li^^nitr hcarini^ 
 ImmIs near \Voo<| Kiid. In soiiio of the lowcir hcds of /<., a pale tfifcnish 
 ^roy tint, not previously ohscrvcd, appc^irs; and the introduction of 
 reptilian hones is a new feature, none having heeii found east of this 
 place. No inolhiseouH fossils were found in the Iteds of this locality. 
 
 ."171. On the .Milk Uiver, where the next ^reat series of expttsures of 
 this formation occurs, its characi(M' has iinder,ij<»ne a fui'ther change. The 
 pale (greenish sliaile is now more pronounced, and charactcu'istic of a 
 ;^reater thickness of the hcils ; and while well marked freshwater mol- 
 luscs ahoimd, they are mixed for the first time with the remains of Ostrt'ti, 
 a marine i;enus. liignites still occur, llu)uj^li nol al>undaiilly, and 
 repliliftn Ikiiics art! found in certain layers. .Midway in the se(rtion, 
 is an important hand of sandstones, which may he placitd, conjecturully, 
 on the hori/on of those of the Roche l*(!rc«'(i and ilivisi(»ii «. of the Hiul 
 Ijands. The chaiif^e from salt to frctsh water conditions, which, in the 
 eastern re;^ioiis seems .synchninous witli the cliaiii^e from (yi'etaeifous to 
 Tertiary, here In^^ins to fail us as a test. 
 
 'AT*- In the vicinity of the Biittes, or Sweet (Jrass Flills, while liifiiitcs 
 uikI oarhonaceouH ela3's still occur, the he<ls are chara(;teri/ed hy the pre- 
 .senee of Otitrca shells in ;freat niimhcn., with one or more sjiecies of mol- 
 lu.scs identical with those of the Hitter Creek coal series of Wyoming, 
 and a Dostia [Xiritina) apparently indislini^uishahle frrmi tli(»se of Coal- 
 ville in Utah. Near the first and second hranches of the .Milk River, 
 whore the formation is ai^ain well exposed, there is a remai-kahle I'over- 
 sion to fresh water conditions, quite at variance with its ;^cn(!ral tendency 
 U) become more strictly marine westward. Dinosaurian and other repti- 
 lian remains, however, still occur in connection with Unio, near the First 
 Branch, and on the Second I^ranch th*! hone bearin"^ hods djiprarto overlie 
 a considerable thickness of strata holding lAmufPii, PiUudina, PUinorbis, 
 and Sphmrium — some of which are identical with those of the well- 
 defined eastern Fort Union beds. (ireenish-/^rey, arenaceous clays, now 
 constitute a largo part of the soctiotm, coarse sandslones (;cciir fre- 
 

 
 pi ill 
 
 Si' ■{\ 
 
 lft6 
 
 H. N. A. IIOCNDAIIY ("oMMIMSImN. 
 
 •'i 
 
 (|Uoiilly. niitl ii l('\v Ik'(Im of (•(Miuliiiiici'iile ain iiolcd. No li^iiitvs wi'iv. 
 
 howi 
 
 vol', oliM>i'vi*(| in tliis |i:ni ol I lie ti)i'iuali<>ii. 
 
 ■ H 
 
 ;{. Wlu'ii' next iin'l with, on llio Si. Marv K'iviT, llu- hnls ol" llic 
 lonualioM n'pro.scnli'd. arc prolialily ntiisitU'ralily Ik-Iow iIiom) of tlio 
 last liH-alilics. Tlicy s^tiH liavo iu;icli tin- saiiio m-iioral cliaractcr ; and 
 ^ivt'nisli, arcnacooiis clays aiv conspiiMioiis. Tlii'y nw moi'o coiisoiidatod, 
 lutwevor; llio t-oal li»inid Ik-iv dilli'i's ronsidonilily from the li^nitos of any 
 of tho t-astri'n localilii's. and the niolinsca, llioii^'li prohaltly ostuariiio, 
 iiro di'cidodly sall-watci* Ibrnis. N(» ri'p(ili:iii I'uniains wcro found in 
 (liis nci^'hlMaii'liood. 
 
 ."{74. It woultl thus a|tpi'ar, lliat tlioiii!;li tlic i;«.'niM'al UMidom-y of tho 
 liiynilo 'IVrtiary, is toward salt-water I'ondilions westward, and those of 
 I'rosh-water lakes lo the east, that there are important exceptions; and that, 
 while hraekish-waterfornfs spread eastwanl in the lower beds, as fjir as the 
 Jtoeho l*ere«5e, frosh-wutor speeios are stiilterod westwaiil, nearly to the 
 Itaso of tho mountains, and sometimes oeeur in groat ahundanee. A zone 
 of HUndsloui's ajipears to he of very constant oeeiUTence in the t(»rmalion. 
 It appears on the Souris iliver. formini; the {{oche IVrcee. In tho Had 
 Lands it is ahoiit 15(» feet ahove the Cretaceous rocks. In the valUy of 
 the Milk IJiver, about 2(MI feet above the base of the section, and in the 
 region sinToundin^ir the Hulles. at several miles from tlu- base of the 
 
 mou 
 
 ntnins. and thereli)re, ]irobal>ly several hundri'd foot up in tl 
 
 10 
 
 Tertiary. The correlation of the sandst()n«!s of any oiu' of these western 
 localities, with those of tho lloeho Poreoe, miifht be oj)en to ,i;-reat doubt ; 
 Iml from their occurrence so |»orsistently, at a horizon in the formation, 
 approximately the same, 1 think that they may bo cojisidered as ropro- 
 sentiuif the IJocho IVrcee, series with some decree of certainty. In the 
 Missouri Reuioii, south of the Line, tho Lignite flirmation is assigned a 
 (hickness of about 2,(M)() feet. I have not met with any locality neai* tho 
 forty-ninth parallel, where it might bo even approxinmtoly determined; 
 but, assuming the horizontality of the beds, the rise in tho general 
 surface of the country woidd give it, in sevorul i>hu'es, a thickness ol" at 
 least 1 ,000 foot. 
 
 From the Souris ]livoi', westwaiil, the Lignite Tertiary nearly 
 always occupies high gi-ound, and frequently forms a well-marked plaloau, 
 resting on the clays ot'Ci-etaceous No. 4. 
 
 875. Though I Lave not yet had an opportunit}- of comparing the 
 fossils, obtained in the westoi-n nuirine and brackish-water bods of the 
 Tertiary on the forty-ninth })arallel, with those from tho Judith 
 
 ill 
 
rllKTAC'KniS AND TKHTIAIIV— (lENKKAI, AHRANOKMKNT. 
 
 157 
 
 ,'iiiU',s wi'i'i', 
 
 bciis (»r tiio 
 
 DM) of tlio 
 rm-ttjr ; and 
 >iisoli(ln(t((|, 
 lilt'M (tf'imy 
 osdmriiie, 
 luuiul in 
 
 oiify ol'tlio 
 
 11(1 (linso of 
 
 ; and tliat, 
 
 s fill* as (111) 
 
 arly (o (ho 
 
 I'. A /,oiio 
 
 t<)i'niii(ioii. 
 
 Ill (ho Bad 
 
 o valli'V of 
 
 and in (lio 
 
 ISO ul" (ho 
 
 i|) in (ho 
 
 o \vos(orn 
 
 at d()iib(; 
 
 [<)i'ina(i')u, 
 
 as ropro- 
 
 . In (ho 
 
 ssiujnod a 
 
 noai" tho 
 
 rniinod; 
 
 ^oiioral 
 
 loss ol" at 
 
 notirly 
 |l>la(cau, 
 
 [•ing the 
 of tho 
 Judith 
 
 Hivoi- lit'ds of (ho MissoiM'i, 1 liavo lidU' d<iiil.( of (ho i(h'n(i(y of (ho 
 foniiMdoMs. Tlio a.no of (hose .liidi(h Ifivcr licds lias long itocn an 
 iiiiso((h'd <iiit's(ion, and (hey liavo only latoly hoon included l>y sonio 
 goo|o<(is(s, widi (ln' ronniiiKh'i- of tho Mgidto T«'rdary, and oallod Cro- 
 (acooiis. Dr. Ilaydon was only |irovon(od from callinif tlioni Fort 
 Union Tordary * l>y (ho ((courivnco of ooiMain vor(ol»ra(o ronuiins — 
 (ho nioanini,' of whioh \h now lu'ttor nndoi-s(ood. Tho lllliologioal 
 rosomhlanoo hotwoon thoso hods of (ho liino, and tlios*' of (ho .liididi 
 Kivor, is oloso. 
 
 :{7(). I'rof. Hind did not rooogni/.o (ho Lignito Tordary formation in 
 amy i)ar(of (ho Xordi-wost (ravorsoil hy him, whih' in oonnoodon wi(h (ho 
 Assinoltoino and Saska(ohowan Kxploring Kxpodidon. Dr. noo(or, wliilo 
 in somo <loid)( whodior (o adaoh (ho hods soon l»y him noar tho Rooho 
 Poroi'o to (ho (op of (ho ('ro(aooous, or (o tho Ligin(o Itasin of (ho Mis- 
 souri, upitoars (o rogard tho latd'r oonolusion widi mos( fiivom- ; und his 
 supposidon is now horno on( hy (hoii" fidlor oxamiiiadoii. Ilo also 
 oonsidors Kooono Tordary to ho roprosond'd, in tho iippor hods of tho 
 ('y))ross Hills, and colours (horn as marine Tor(iary in his map and sec- 
 tion puldished in (ho (ioological Socii'(y's Journal. Tho following fossils 
 woro oh(aiiiod in (his localKy : Modiula, f sp. Oxtrea Vvleuinna, Unio, 
 CariUinii, ' sp. '-Tho oxis(onoo of Tordary sd-ata, asoer(aino<l to bo soby 
 their organic ronuiins, has only boon pi-ovod a( one ])oiu( Wes( of (ho Cy- 
 ])ross Hills, whoro Mr. Sullivan ob(ainod 0,s//v'a IV/fn/Vm^f, associated with 
 a Modiula, and a fow other fossils wnich Mr. I'Uhoridgo, who has luimod 
 all (ho Xeozoic (iissils brought homo, has boon unable (o idondfy. The 
 beds from which (he fossils were ob(ainod, (M>nsisted of friable sandstones, 
 widi ai'gillacoous and calcareous concretions, (he bedding heavy and 
 irregular, and often ])assiiig into incoherent pebble conglomora(e. Judg- 
 ing alone from (ho mineralogical rosemblanco, these bods were recog- 
 nized over a coiisidorabio area, but always forming high ground in the 
 noiglibourhood of (ho Missouri Coteau, south-east from the moudi of 
 Belly River." t 
 
 377. These remarks are interesting, as bearing on u localKy not 
 forty miles nor(h <»f (he maiiiiidcent exiiosuros o( 
 
 4" 
 
 partly 
 
 in the banks of Milk River near (he Line, und indeed, if the fossils men- 
 tioiuid as ob(ained by Mr. Sullivan, were collcc(ed while on Ids branch 
 expodidon to tiio south, J (hoy may have been derived from somo of the 
 
 • Pnic. Acail. Nat. Sei. Phil., May,1875. 
 t Gxploratiiiii of Uritmh North Amurit'a, |i. -Z-U. t See (reiieral map, Op. eit. 
 
 |l 
 
158 
 
 li. N, A. HMl'NDAllY CO.MMISSloV. 
 
 sM'tioiiH whicli I ItuvM oxaiuinod. I caniint dniiht tliiil tiioso nutriiii' 
 TtM'liary IhmIs jin* n piii't of the ncrit'H ho uxli'iisivoly tli»voln|HHl nii ll 
 
 lU 
 
 Milk Rivonnitl in tho ir^ion of tlio Huttcs. Tho CypivHs llilln, likt> tlu> 
 platiMtn of WootI .Motiiitaiii, ami oiIkm- 'IVriiary |ilat«<aiiH near tho Lino, \h 
 oliararlori/otl l»y conipai'ativo forlilily. and supporln a j^imhI growth of 
 ;rniHh, whilo siirroiindod liy liiinvn plains of Civtacoons No. 4. Captain 
 Pallisor writos: — '• In tlio midst of tiioarid plains travorsod l»y tho Soiilli 
 Saskatohowan. tluTO aro isolatod palohos of talilodand, upon tho siirfaco 
 of\vhi«'h tho vo^jolation iu'conios hi\iiri«>nt, and pasliin' of fair quality 
 may ho found."-'- Tho JIand Hills aro niontionod as an o.xanipio of this 
 jK'ouliar foaturo, which s(»sti'on^ly sntf^osts tho ropotilion of tho snpor- 
 j)()sition of Tort iary rocks like those of WoikI M(»nnlain,on tho Crolacooiis. 
 Tho locks of tho Hand Hills, ahovo rclorrod to, aro classed hy lh\ Hector 
 in his yronp D., and consist of sandstones and handed idays, which nuich 
 roscnihle in their litholoirical tdiaracler thoso of tho Lignite Tertiary. 
 Thoiitjjh it may l>e hazaitlous to i^eneralizo in so vast a country, whore our 
 knowledge is as yet so scanty, I cannot help helieving that some part — 
 porha])s a i^roat part — of tho tliird prairie plateau, marked in Dr. Hector's 
 map as L(»wer Cretaceous, may yet he found to ho tho oijuivalent of tho 
 marine and estuarine haso of tho Tertiary. 
 
 KxplonitloM of HrltiHli Nurth AiiivriiM, \i. 11. 
 
Ilioso iimi'iiu.' 
 •lopotl on tliu 
 lillH, liko tlio 
 
 the Line, \h 
 <\ ^^;v^)\\'t]i of 
 
 4. CH|i(iiiii 
 l).VtlioS(»iilli 
 
 tlio Miiiin'c 
 
 rail- (|iialily 
 Miplo of tliis 
 >t' (lie Nii|>i'r- 
 
 i ('lVtHCO()U.S. 
 
 • J)i'. Iloctor 
 which miicli 
 t« TiTliuiy. 
 )\ wiioro (Mir 
 «)nH> pui't — 
 Dr. Ilfftor'rt 
 alent of liio 
 
 CilAI'TKIf VII. 
 CONDITHtN.S ()V hKI'OSIT CKKTACKOUS AND TKIITIAUY. 
 
 lU'it.NiNt; OK i,i<;niii-; iu:i>.s. cu.mi'o.sition am> kconomic 
 
 VAI.ri", OF l,r»:N:Ti:.s AM> ll!t).\.STONKS. 
 
 CtisnrrioNs iwn.iKn iiv ('hktackits am> rKiniAiiv i>ki'«.sits I't-riod (»f Bhallow 
 wiiU'i' Kxti'iit mill natmi- of Hul>iiicr>(<?iiii' ilmiii^; Nii>l>nira pfriod Dctritnl 
 Ik'iIh iif Kurt I'ii'iTc j{r<mii t 'Irmiiin |iiTicMl of hIiuIIow wiiUmh KxUriiMivti liiiul 
 ar«NiM iliiriiin l-iniiitf 'IVrtiiiry < 'onditioiiM of foiiiiiitioii of Ii^ihUh. <'"M- 
 III s'i'ioN iiK I.KiM'iK iiKiiM .'\|)|i(!uniii('«-H iiitliriitiiig tliitt nttioii - VAYvctH 
 Iti'iHliit't'il oil HiirroiiiKliiig IhmIh .Xrc.i »\vr wliii li Hiiiiilar |ila'iioiii(!iin liitvt! 
 Ih'i'Ii olihirvcil (juoHtii)ii wlu'tlit'i- hik li lin^H iiiu i«;ioiit»iiL'<iiiH Kxteitt to 
 wliicli lij{iiitfH liiivf Ik'cii <lfHtroye<l. ('(iMro.siTnis a.nu KroNiiMir V'ai.I'K i>K 
 i.iiiMiKs AMI liioN oHKs .XiijilyMUH (if lijjiiituM Niiture of lijjiiitex ( 'liwrn'M 
 of ligiiitfM npiTHfnt«(l Viiriiitnlity of wattr loiiti'iit l.iniiittM iw* fiu-lH - 
 lm|ioitof till' St. .Miiiy Itivir toivl Otlicr Miiiiiliir fuflM luivr tliu iiHiuntaiiiH - 
 Area iif li;{iiitf'liciti'iiig foMiiiitioii Irdiistoiu'H of tlu- l.ij^iiit*' 'IVitiary Iron- 
 Htoiii!M of tliu CrutmcoiiH I'roliiiliility (if thuir future uconoiiiiu iiiiixirtuiict!. 
 
 Conilitions imjilied by the Crrtareous and Tcrtitiry Deposits. — Nulure. and 
 
 Oriijln of iht'ir MatmaL 
 
 37H. Tho qiu'stion of the origin of the matoriul coinjio.sinj; the Cro- 
 tacoous ami Tortiary roclcs of (ho interior eontinoiital re/;ion, is one of 
 ooiiKiderahie iiitei-e.-^t. Tin- j^eiieral aspeet of the l>otl.'< of the firwt and 
 second divisions of tlic Ibnnatioii, is that ot sliaMow-wator dejiosits. Tlioy 
 consist lai'<^ely of sands, and coarse detrital materials, and, from the fre- 
 quent occurreneo of land-plants, and the occasional preservation of fresh- 
 water molUiscH, in Ixith their eastern and western develojmicnts, ar/^ne tho 
 nei^hl)onrho(Hl of considerable areas of dry land. The third, or Niobrara 
 division, in the eastern |)ortioii of the area, consists in ^reat j)art of tho 
 caliareous remains of niollii.scs, foraininifera, etc., and resembles tho aecu- 
 midation of a somewhat tleeji sea, fnmi which cold arctic currents wero 
 excluiled, and into which very little detrital matter was being carried. A 
 general depression of the present surtiue of the continent, to the extent 
 of about 1,500 feet, would give a depth ol' 700 to SCO feet, above the hori- 
 zon of the Niobrara deposits; and would be amply HutRcient to satisfy the 
 conditions indicated by their animal ivmains. A depression of this ox- 
 tent, would however, almost submerge the Laiiivntian barriei- to the north 
 and east, and would suffice in its jiresent condition to open broad avemiCH 
 
 J 
 
 I 
 
1()0 
 
 n. V. A. nncNDAnv coMMtHstnv. 
 
 11 i 
 
 tliroiii^li it, to llu» wiitci'H and ciirroiitN of tlu' Nnrtlu'ni Sou. Holoiv (lio 
 (/'retiifooii.s |K>ri<Ml, linwrvor, tlii> liUiiiciitiaii axin had prohalily a(-(|iiiriM| 
 its I'lill lioiiflit tVoiii local i'li'vatory action, wliilf its actual siiinniit niiist 
 iiavo U'cn iniicli lii;;lior than at present, as it had not th«'n siitVorcd the 
 extiMisivc denudation ol' 'IVi'liarv time, and ol the glacial |)ei-iiKl. It 
 would. lheri'f'un>, Mtaiul sullitiently ahove the water, with such a dei^ieeof 
 eonti'ienlal suluuei-^ence as that indicated, to lorni an etlicient harriei' to 
 the noi'th-east. and yet iu»l present a sii'lHcient surface of its own to 
 Hult-aerial denudation, to supply, under oiilinary circuinstaiicus, nuicii de- 
 trital nuittorto the surrounding seas. Kven at tliis time, the ro^ionot'tho 
 fiituri' iJocky .Mountains, must have heen marlvcd out hy shallows and 
 haidcs, and perhaps also hy small areas of dry land, titr the calcareous de- 
 jtosiis do not retain the character of their eastern dovelopmcnts, to tiioir 
 wostoni Uirders. hut are to a ^roat extent replaced hy arenaceous and 
 otiior mechanical sediments; while still containin;;; a sutliciont number of 
 the characteristic fo.ssils of tho Niohrara division to prove tlu'ir ai^o. 
 
 .'{7'.'. Between (his division of thoCretacooiis, and the next in ordtM* of 
 time — that l<nown as the Korl i'ieri'e jjjroup to the South, ami represent- 
 etl hy the l\>mhina Mountain i^roiip in Manitoha, and also extensively 
 »veslward. to the north aii'd south of the Ijine— there exists an evident 
 hrealc, which is not alone marked hy a paheontoloiijical chan«<o, Iml hy the 
 sudden suhslitution of lini' homogeneous argillaceous st'dimonts, with 
 scarcely a trace of cahaivous matter, for those consistini^ almost entirely 
 of the calcareous remains of ntarine life. The surface of (he Niohrara 
 deposits, has also l)eeii noticed, in some places, to have suffered erosion 
 hefore the deposition of the tirst heds of the next jfroup. 1 am not awuro 
 that prool exists of the elevation of auy part of the area, to such an ex- 
 tent as to permit suh-aerial denudation, and it is prohahle, that the surfuco 
 of (he.so soft calcareous heds, was furrowed by the ai-tion of rather strong 
 marine currents; which now, from some change in tho physical geogra])hy 
 of the peri(»d, gained access to tho region. Whether this change was 
 brought alxmt by the opening of an easy con.'!i'"nication from tho waters 
 of the northern to tho southern ocean, between the liocky ^Mountain re- 
 gion and the Laurentian land, by the submergence of some barrier till 
 (hat time existing, it is impossible to say with any degroo of certainty. 
 Thi.s would, however, seem to otter tho most tenable solution, and it is 
 further ju-obablc, that this change was causeil by a general movement of 
 de])ression which brought rocks decayed by sub-aerial weathering, under 
 tho action of the sea, and served to sup]>ly i-eady-miule material. In any 
 
(■|«KT.\rK«Ms ANIt TKIITIAIIY — ro.VIMTinNN tty ItKI'nslT. 
 
 Kil 
 
 lU'f'ort' the 
 
 I'l.V a((|iiiiTi| 
 
 iiiiiiuit iiiiisl 
 
 MifVorinl llu< 
 
 pt'iiiMl. It 
 
 I l» (ll'^ll'Oof 
 
 tit lianii'i- to 
 I' itri own to 
 us, imicli <li)- 
 ■o^'ioii oftlio 
 hallows iiiul 
 ilcarcotis (If. 
 Ills, (o Ihoir 
 naci'oiis and 
 
 It lUllllblT of 
 
 'ir ti^fi). 
 
 t ill ordtM'of 
 
 I IVplVSOIlt- 
 
 oxtotisivi'ly 
 
 an I'vidont 
 
 . hut hy (ho 
 
 icnts, with 
 
 ist I'ntiivly 
 
 Niobrani 
 
 ed orosiou 
 
 not awiiro 
 
 jiudi tin ex- 
 
 the surface 
 
 lior stroiii; 
 
 L;oo<^ra|)hy 
 
 lange was 
 
 Iho watei-H 
 
 luidain rc- 
 
 iiiTier till 
 
 I'ortainty. 
 
 land it is 
 
 loinent of 
 
 lij, under 
 
 In any 
 
 case, the depoMits of this division lescinhlc. in their tinener«s and hnmo 
 j^enicly ImiiIi in liinc and i-xtcn^ion, Hcdinieiil iMiriie Inr l>v niarinu 
 lurrenlM ami dcpoHiifd in a M-a ot" son\c depth, ratlnM- than thai lornu'il 
 from the denudation ot' neiirhlMiurinji; land. In iIh- lioeky Mountain r(>- 
 ^ion, however, these depohits still show the «'xislence t»f somewhat fhal- 
 lower water conditions, and though ^'enerally maintainin;,' Munewhat tliu 
 aspect of these eastern representatives, contain miudi coarser matter. 
 
 IIHO. In the clo^ill^ period of the ('rclatcoiiK ••cpresenled hy it^ lil'th 
 division, we have continually shoalini; waters, and the inlniduction lor a 
 comparatively limited interval, of deposits, for (he nio.st part, coarse and 
 arena«-eoiis, ami almost desdtiite of ori^anic remains. This shoalin^^of (he 
 area, may have heeii pr«Hlueod not so much l»y any general elevadon of 
 the continent, as hy the increasintf thickness of the Cretaceous deposits 
 themselves, which may now havi- amounted in some places to ov»'r "J. (KM) 
 feet. If this was thi' case the hanks and shoals of the rcirion now marked 
 hy the raiij^es of the Ifocky Mountains, need not have heen raisetl up into 
 extensive land areas. hu( would retain the character so lon<; maintained 
 by (hat area, and now aifain assiinu'<l l»y the interior coiitiiicntal rei,'ion 
 generally. The distrihiition of this arenaceous material was prohahly 
 due to arctic currents, no doiihl, then as now formini; a part of the 
 ;,'eneral oceanic circulation. These, liki' those still (lowin;; down the 
 eastern c(»ast ot America, would he iir^i'd westward hythc rotation (d'tlio 
 earth, and passim; over the ex(ensive shallow water area of the contin- 
 ental jdateaii, woiiM Hnd — if not a continou.-i sea — wide straits and open- 
 ings throtii^h the I^>eky Mountain reicion, an<l fall (hence into (he deeper 
 hasin of (he Pacific. Professor Newberry, from tlio indicadons furnished 
 by a I'omparison of the floras. C(mcludes (hat relative differences of tem- 
 jierature, similar to those now obtaining;, existed during; tlii' Crclaccous 
 and Tertiaiy ])erio<ls, UMweeii the interior continental re!j;ion, and the 
 west coast.* li' the former region was influeiiccil in the manner above 
 sup))osed, by the arctic currents, while the shores of the latter were 
 bathed in warmer waters flowing from the south, as at the present 
 day, this may easily bo accounted for. 
 
 HSl. It would thus ap]H'ar. that the Cretaceous opened with a ]>eri(M| 
 of considerable land surl'ace, shallow waters, and current-driven sand- 
 banks, which also extended to the Mississi]i|)i rcifitui, described by Prof. 
 Ilil_u;aril; and probably to the Ci-elaceous eoasl-de|»osits of New Jer.sey. 
 
 ! I 
 
 Hi 
 
 > UcuK>(;ical KviKirt Yvlluwiitunu and Mlnsouri K*:iicilltiuii, 
 
 11 D 
 
iGi 
 
 n. N. A. BOUNDARY COAlMrH.SIuN. 
 
 , :i : 
 
 1.1 
 
 'Hi ' 
 
 
 •Ml. 
 
 TIlis sctMiis lu'xf to liavo Ik'oii followed in tlio iiiU'rioi- coiitiiiontal region, 
 by a gradual siil)si(loii('e, during wliirli the second division was formed. 
 Tlie cessation of sul»sidei\ee — or possibly even a slight movement of ele- 
 vation — and the adven! of a jtrolonged period of comparative traiKpiility, 
 with certain other lavouring circiimstunees, gave rise to the Niobrara 
 limestone fornuition. The indications next favour the lielief of a second 
 subsidence, admitting marine cui-i-inls and bringing on important changes 
 in ])liysical geogra]»liy. During t!iis period, according to MeeU and Ilay- 
 den, a part of the clays and green-saiiils of Xew Jersey, were foimed on 
 tlie Atlantic coast ; and in the .Mississijjpi region, according to Hilgai'<l, 
 the Jlotten-limcstone group was deposited. The fact that calcareous beds 
 were being formed in the southern portion of tho interior continental 
 trough, while sucii purely argillaceous deposits were j)n)duced in the north- 
 ern; would also tend to vei-iiy the suppr»sition of the entrance of 
 sediment-bearing watei's from tho north. Closing the Cretaceous, pro- 
 jierly so-calU'd, the fifth division shows the i'esuni[)tion of shoal water and 
 sand-bank over the entire northern portion of the interior, a ch 
 
 nange pro- 
 bably at lea>i aided by elevation. But that the decreased depth was per- 
 lia[is mainly due to the tilling up of the northern portion of the basin, 
 seenjs io be indicated by the fact, that limestones and niarlites still con- 
 tinued to be deposited in the Mississippi ivgion. 
 
 ."{82. The early Cretaceous [)eriod, from the evidence chiefly of tho 
 l»lants of the Dakota group, must have had a temperate climate. Dui-ing 
 the succeetling ages, the heat was no doubt becoming greater, for though 
 there is no complete succession of land plants, we find a well-marked max- 
 imum of temperatui'e, as stated by I'lof. Lest^ereux, in the early periotl 
 of the Lignite Tertiary, and from that time tho diangc was back again to 
 a climate re.sembling tiiat of tho Dakota group, if r.ot even cooler. 
 
 38l>. Prof N. 11. WinchcU, in his hist published report, announces 
 tho discovci-y of extensive beds of giauite decomposed in place, and 
 kaolin-like materud, covering the oldest rocks of south-western Minne- 
 sota, u-herecer they Juice been proteeted by oceiiiippimj Cretaceous beds from 
 the scouriny of the drift jieriod/^ This throws inuch light on the origin of 
 the tine cla}'ey, and coarser sandy (lei)osits of the Cretaceous, and shows 
 that the rocks ot the Laurentian axis must have been much decomitosed 
 by sub-aerial action ]>rior to the opening of the Cretaceous period, and 
 that these soft materials brought under the action of the waves during 
 
 iSocuiiil Annual Ku|K)rt, (jcul. Surv. Mimi. 
 
rilKT.VfEOI'S AND TEKTrAllY — roNDITFONS OK DKI'OSIT. 
 
 1G3 
 
 eiilal roiL?i<»n, 
 wiXH fonm-d. 
 'iiioiit of olo- 
 ! (rjiii(|iiility, 
 ho Niohrura 
 
 of II sofoiid 
 laiit chaii^os 
 dIv and Ilay- 
 •c foi mod on 
 
 (o nilj;;ard, 
 •arooiis bods 
 
 I'oiiliiicntal 
 ill tho north- 
 on trail 00 of 
 aceous, pro- 
 id walorand 
 oliaii!j;o jiro- 
 )tli was j)or- 
 f (he basin, 
 los still con- 
 
 iefly of tho 
 to. During 
 lor though 
 irkod max- 
 |irly poriod 
 •k again to 
 l)lor. 
 
 lannouiR'Os 
 [ilaoo, and 
 I'll Minno- 
 {beds from 
 origin of 
 liid shows 
 L'( imposed 
 [riod, and 
 [s during 
 
 tho sueocoding jtoriods of doprossion, could supply a groal (puintity of 
 ready foniiod detritus. 
 
 884. The carlior bods included ni the iiignile Tertiary series, wliiie 
 showing a continued jmigression of the ]thysical changes operating 
 during tho later Cretaceous |)erio(ls. evideiiee the elevation of much 
 dry land; and though these deposits ai-e supposed to have passed entirely 
 across the pres«'nt i'ocky Mountain region in some jtlaces, =f= still, about 
 this time si pretty continuous bjirrier of land must have been foinied 
 Ihoro. The northern curri'iit still passed along a narrow trough on tho 
 eastern margin of this land, and piled up local and irregular saiulbanks, 
 whiU^ numerous molluscs of shallow and brackish-water t^pes, assisted in 
 the formaiion of the deposits. At tho same time, or very shortly after- 
 ward, further to the east, much tiner sedinieiits were being laid down 
 with considerable ivguiarity; and only in the very lowest layers of these 
 do we tiiiil salt or brackish-water sjtecios of shells. Tho source of the 
 vast quantity of fine argilo-arenaeeous material of the Lignite Tertiary, — 
 much of which iiuist have been depositsd in land-locked basins, — is a ques- 
 tion of veiy great ditliculty, unless, indeed, wo may supjiose that some 
 parts of the Cretaceous series were already undergoing denudation by 
 rain and rivers. U' the l{ocky Mountain region became an actual land 
 barrier about the beginning of the Tertiary, the later Cretaceous deposits 
 of tho west coast, should present a more coarsely detrital aspect than those 
 of the western part ol" tho interior of tho continent, while those of tho 
 earlier Tertiary, siiould be relatively tiner in the-Jtirst locality. For, dur- 
 ing the former period, the shallow banks and bars would sup[»ly material 
 to the south-western drill, while during the latter, they would prevent tho 
 access of other sediment than that derived from their own waste. 
 
 iJS/5. Jt is unnecessary hero to recapitulate, in giving an account of 
 the lithological-charaeter of the beds of the Lignitj Tertiary, which are 
 fully described in connection with tho various sections on preceding pages. 
 In some parts of the tbrmation, however, tho lignite bods themselves 
 eons'ituto a not unimportant part of tho thickness of the strata. In one 
 ot the Souris River sections, in a total thickness exposeil of 57 toot, the 
 lignite amounts to 17 feet, and is disposed in seven distinct bods, separ- 
 ated by clays and sands. The lignites themselves comparatively seldom 
 show intercalations of shale or detrital matter, and their ash is found, as 
 a rule, to consist of '.ery lino whitish, to pale yellowish or reddish, earthy 
 
 tir 
 
 » Dr. llavdu II. Oooloificttl Itciwrl Vcllow»Umo and Missuurl ExiKjdilioii, p. 5 L' S Guul. Suiv 
 lorrit., ISOcOl), 1). jO, <!lc. 
 
:.|; 
 
 i 
 
 in 
 
 II 
 
 
 H 
 
 I ,.: 
 
 f' ii 
 
 I 
 I 
 
 i; I 
 r'i 
 
 I •: 
 I' ! 
 
 iM 
 
 ,1 ' M 1 
 
 164 
 
 B. N. A. BOUNDARY COMJlISStON. 
 
 maltoi", without coai-so grains, and not moi-o in amount than may have 
 been contaiiUMl in the .substance of (ho original vegetable materials. 
 Tiiough Bomo of the lignites may have been formed i'rom accumulations 
 of ilrift-wood in shallow water, it is difficult to understand how such 
 collection could go on for bmg periods, without the conteraporanoous 
 deposit of sandy oi* mudd}' matters, which would have been suspended in 
 waters moving with suilicient force to convey the wood. It would also 
 appear diffli'ult under this theory, to explain the regular and oven supcr- 
 positi(Mi of the sandy and clayey beds, which overlie the lignites, and tho 
 fact that these do not send extensions downward into them, as they must 
 have done if formed above a tangled mass ot trunks and branches of trees. 
 It seems likely, theretore, — though layers I'ko trne root-beds were only 
 observed in one or two instances to underlie the lignites — that at 
 least the majority of those beds were produced by the growth and 
 partial decay of trees, and also perbaj)s of peaty matter from swamp 
 mosses, in the positions which they now occujiy. Their n\ethod of for- 
 mation would, thei-eforc, agree with that already proved for coals of the 
 true Carboniferous formation. This is rendered more probable by tho 
 circumstance that lignite beds arc sometimes immediately covered by beds 
 holding leaves of trees, ferns, and grasses, a fact which has been noted 
 by Dr. llayden and others with regard to those further south, and 
 which is also found to obtain with coal beds of the Carboniferous period. 
 Some of the more in\pure beds, indeed, seem still to show evidence of 
 having been formed from accumulations resembling those of a peatrbog, 
 •in which occasional logs of wooil have been enclosed. A great part of 
 such a bed is soft and structureless, but it holds irregular masses of haixi 
 jet-like material, with conchoidal fracture, and evident remains of woody 
 structure. As already stated, also, some of the moi'e impure lignites 
 seen in the further western portion of the formation, seem compatible 
 with the explanation of formation from drift-wood. 
 
 Combustion of Liynite Beds. 
 
 386. In connection with the Lignite Tertiary, the phenomena of tho 
 combustion of lignite _ Is over great areas, and the metamorphosis of 
 rocks, anil foatui-es impressed on the country by it, is a subject of in- 
 terest and imjiortance. In no part of the world does this destruction of 
 mineral fuels seem to have occui-red on so vast a scale, as in the central 
 plateau of this continent. The appearances produced by this action wore 
 met with in tho vicinity of the forty-ninth pai'allel, at the very eastern 
 
than may have 
 laltlc matcrialis, 
 I accumulationH 
 tand how such 
 )ntemp()raiieous 
 in Husjiondcd in 
 It woidd also 
 md even supcr- 
 [^nitos, and tho 
 II, as thoy must 
 anchoH of trees, 
 cds were only 
 nitcs — that at 
 e growth and 
 • from Hwami) 
 nethod of for- 
 r coals of the 
 obable by tho 
 >vered by beds 
 IS been noted 
 ir south, and 
 'erous period, 
 evidence of 
 if a peat-bog, 
 !,'rcat part of 
 sses of hai-d 
 IS of woody 
 ure lignites 
 compatible 
 
 lena of the 
 
 [oi-jihosis of 
 
 bject of in- 
 
 Itruction of 
 
 |hc central 
 
 •tion wore 
 
 ry oastoru 
 
 COMBUSTION OF MONITE BEDS. 
 
 166 
 
 edge of the Lignite Tcrtiai-}'. and were also found in almost all the locali- 
 ties in which lignite occurred. The products of the combustion were first 
 noticed as fragments of rocU indistinguishable in appearance from modern 
 lavas, and scorias, strewing certain banks, and in the beds of streams. 
 Tho connection between these traces, and the combustion of the lignites 
 was, however, soon established, and lieds actually found wbit-b bad been 
 burned but a short way in from the outcri'i). The bank of the Souris 
 River, — as stated in the Preliminary Keport already referred to — in one 
 place shows an amphitheatrical depression a few feet below the general 
 jirairio level, in front of which a great quantity of Uijnite clinker, often in 
 largo masses, was strewn down the sloj)e toward the rivor. A bed of lig- 
 nite six feet thick, elsewhere well exposed and overlaid byal)Out five feet 
 of clay and drift, was here complete!}' burned away, (Plate IV., Fig. 1.) 
 By reference to the detailed accounts of the various localities, numy 
 similar in;itances will be found. 
 
 387. Tho effects produced on the lignites and associated bods, as 
 derived from the e-xamination of numerous widely separated localities, 
 admit of classification and general statement. The lignites themselves 
 appear to bo invariably consumed in their entire thickness, and their 
 immediate horizon is repi'osentcd by a layer of ashy clinker, or of a 
 material resembling scoriaceous lava, and vesicular in sti-ucture. Tho 
 fused masses are always dark coloureil, generally blackish or dark grey, 
 but sometimes opacpie bluish or brownish-black. This clinker bed is 
 doubtless composed of the ash of the lignite itself, and any intercalated 
 shaly layers, or portions of carbonaceous clays associated with it ; the ]>ar- 
 tides of which have been brought more intimately in contact with tho 
 burning material. The fusion may also be aided b^'the alkalies and alka- 
 line earths of the lignite ash, which diifors in composition from tho 
 surrounding clays. 
 
 388. The alteration extends much further above the position of tho 
 lignite bed than below it. The surrounding laj'ors are very generally 
 of the nature of fire-clays, and contain little or no iron, and a smal 
 proportion of undecomposed felspar, or other fusible mineral, and aro 
 consequently very rofra(!tory. Those immediately above the lignite, aro 
 frequently altered to hard Jaspery, or porceluin-like i-ock, breaking with 
 sharj) conchoidal fracture, sub-translucent, and of groyish-blue and 
 dull greenish tints. In this substance, impressions of the stems and 
 leaves of ])lants are, however, sometimes recognisable The porce- 
 lainizcd beds are generally traversed in all directions by rusty fissures, 
 
 I 
 
 m 
 
!l_;^ 
 
 ii 'I f 
 
 
 < *• 
 
 •t 
 
 <' u f 
 
 1^ "^ I 
 
 i '! 
 
 iv: iti, .;: 
 
 
 
 ■y i| 
 
 IGfi 
 
 n. N, A. noiJNDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 but on fresh fracture show tlie orif>;inal stratitication of tlio rock by 
 bandrt slightly dirtorin^ in tint. Tlieir hardness is about il'ft, and 
 Hjdintors arc fusible on the ed^cs, befbi-o the blow-pipe, with greater 
 or less difticulty. In their fusibility they ran;^^e fi-om 4'5 to G of Van 
 Koboll's scale, and when fused they iorm tianslucent beads. The thick- 
 ness of the beds thus (jfrcatl}- altered is ifcncraily not more than a few 
 inches. In the Biul Lands section a very tine white day, containing 
 numerous impressions- of plants, rests immedi.ilely on a lignite, which 
 at a short distance, was found to be completely consumed, the repre- 
 sentative of the white clay, being apparently a hard porcdain-like 
 material of this kind, of pale bluish-gre}* colour, and waxy lustre. 
 
 '{80. Other clays and clayrshales not so dosidy in contact with the 
 lignites, arc generally hardened into whiteish and cream-coloured rocks, 
 resembling tiles or biscuit ])orcelain ; and in these the impi-ession of plants 
 are often preserved with great beauty. 1 was not, however, so fortunate 
 as to find any locality in which large collections of ])lajits in this favour- 
 able state of preservation coul<l be obtained. The clays, or shaly-clays, 
 seldom hold enough iron to give them a red hue when metamoi-phosed. 
 The) sandstones and coarser arenaceous clays, are not usually mucli 
 indurated or otherwise altered, except in colour; but generally con- 
 tain sufficient ii'on to cause a moderately striking red colouration, 
 and some beds are very dccpl}' tinted. Such sandstones are among 
 the most prominent marks of the combustion, and were observed in n 
 great number of localities. In the Bad Land region, sevei-al isolated 
 buttes capped with intensely red sandstone, which had a remarkable 
 prismatic structure, were seen. The structure resembled, on a small 
 scale, the columnar appearance of basalt, the sandstone being divided by 
 joip.ts into vertical prisms, and breaking along these nearly at right-angles 
 to itii origimU bedding. The rock hero precisely resembles ordinary red 
 brick, and gives out a foint-ringing sound when struck. Such localities, 
 Mr. Allen, who has studied similar metamorj)hism in Dakota and Mon- 
 tana, believes to indicate fbrnier vents by which the pent-up gases arising 
 from the fii-e iiavo found exit. (Plate VIL, Fig. I.) 
 
 890. Tne effect of the combustion of the lignites over large regions, 
 though to indurate the surrounding beds, is evidently from its obsei'ved 
 relations with great denudation, more destructive than conservative. The 
 strata ajjpear to be cracked and fissured in such a way by the action, as 
 to allow the entrance of sui'face waters to their mass, and accelerate their 
 removal, 
 
rOMHCSTFON OK IJdNITK HKIIS. 
 
 IfiT 
 
 391. Similar conibiistinn of lignito in situ, lias liooii olisorvcd to occur 
 at various placos, over an iiuuioiiso aira. Soulli of the Lino, Lewis ami 
 Clarke luivo luUcd tlio phenoinoiion in (ho account of their Journey up tlie 
 Missouri, ami numerous references to it will lie found in Dr. llayden's 
 various reports. Mr. J. A. Alien, in his inlerestinii; pa]ier alivady 
 roferrod Uy,'-^ has collectoil a i-'reat deal of int()rmation on this suhject, and 
 added the result of his own obsei'vations. As an example of the ijreat 
 areas over which it may exleml, he mentions the Bad Lands of the Littlo 
 Mi.ssouri, where, ''with a Im-ailth of twenty to tliirty miles, these a|)pear- 
 ances are said to he continuous f(>r full}' two hundred miles. Throu!j;hout 
 this vast area, all the ridgos and buttes ai-e capped, or bandt'd with tho 
 reddened and indurated shales," lie is in ei-ror, however, in supposini^ 
 that the phenomena do not occur north of the forty-ninth pai-allel, for, 
 according to tho accounts of various ti-avollers, they extend oven to tho 
 shores of tho Arctic Sea. 
 
 ;U»2. The earliest notice of appearances referable to this cause appears 
 however, in Sir Alexander Mackenzie's account of his voyage uj) tho 
 Peace River in 1793, where he refers to certain " chasms in tho eavth, 
 which emitted heat and smoke, which ditfused a strong, sulphurous 
 stench." A lignite bed on the Mackenzie Kiver, near Bear lliver, was 
 also observed to be on tire by Sir iVlexamler Mackenzie in his tirst voyage 
 of discovery in 179-. Sir J. liichai-dson, in 1848, found it still burning, 
 and omitting smoke and flame, visible by night. "Some portions of tho 
 clay were semi-vitritied, and so hard as to receive no im])ression from a 
 file." Sir J. IJichardson also noted " bituminous shale '' to be on tire, in 
 182G, near Capo Jiathurst on the Arctic Sea. "Tho clays which had 
 boon cxjiosed to the heat were baked and vitritied, so that tho s])Ot re- 
 sembled an old brickfield." lie also had infornudion from Chief Factor 
 Alexander Stewart, "that beds of coal are on fire on the Smoking Uivor, 
 which is a southern affluent of the Peace River, snd crosses the fift}'- 
 soventh parallel of latitude." " Thei'o are coal beds on fire also near 
 Dunvegan, on tho main stream of tho Peace Kiver."-}- Dr. Hector, in his 
 report, mentions several localities whore lignites have been thus de- 
 stroyed. Near Fort Kdmonton, the appearances seem to be particularly 
 striking. Of a locality on the l^ed Doer River, lat. 52° 19' 25", long, 
 113° 3', he writes : — " It was fi)und to bo as the Indians had asserted, 
 and far along the banks of tho Red Deei- River, Avhere the coal a])]ieared. 
 
 :\ 
 
 hi 
 
 ■ I'll 
 
 n 
 
 * Proc. Rdstnn Society of Natural History, vol. xvi. 
 t Journal of a Boat Voyage through' Ku|H)rt'8 Laud, vi.l. i., pp. ls!», 101, 271, 195. 
 
s 
 
 't 
 
 I 
 
 I i 
 
 IfiS 
 
 B. N. A. BOir.VPARY COMMrsSfOV. 
 
 tho spontunooiis tiro was in aitivity. The Iiulimis nay tliat as l()n<; uh 
 they enii remeinbor this lias l)oeii the case."* 
 
 3!)3. This eomlmstion, though often spoken of as spontaneous, 
 cainiot, I think, ho proved to be so. In cases of tlie spontaneous eom- 
 Itustion of hitiiminous eoal, which sometimes occur when hir<^o masseA 
 of it are |>ile(l toi^ether, tiie prtnluction of the deifrco of heat necessary 
 for its initiation, is traceable to the decomposition of pyrites, under 
 tho combined action of air and inoistui-e. In my Keport of Proijress 
 for 1873, I have written: ".Such tires may cither be caused by tho 
 ignition of the bals by prairie tires, or tires of Indiaiis' or Traders' 
 camps; or by tiie spontaneous coml)Ustion of tho lignite, when un- 
 dergoing decomposition at the outcrop. The latter, however, seems 
 im2)rol)able, as iron i)yrites, the usual cause of such spontaneous 
 combustion, is almost entirely absent from tho lignites, which I have 
 examined chemically." To this I can now only add, that a further 
 examination of tho lignites, over a more extended area, confirms the 
 almost total absence of visible pyrites, anil the very snuill (piantities of 
 iron found in the ashes, would alone serve to prove its non-existence in 
 any quantity. The oidy clear case of the occurrence of pyrites, is in the 
 lower part of tho 18-foot bed on Porcupine Creek, where small discs of tho 
 matci'ial, about the thickness of ordinary paper, were found in the vortical 
 joints. Mr. Marvine also, in speaking of the lignites of the same for- 
 mation in a more southern region, remarks that the suljdiei- seldom 
 reaches one per cent., and is often nominally absent, f Though it is 
 chemicallj' possible, that sjiontaneous combustion might arise, under 
 certain circumstances, in the carbonaceous matter of the soft, crumbled 
 outcrops of the lignites themselves ; it is obvious that such places would 
 oi!er tho most favourable opportunities for the ignition of tho beds by 
 prairie fires. These, even when burning over very scantily grassed 
 regions, possess sufficient heat to ignite the bois des vaches, or dried 
 bufftilo excrement, with which the suifaco is strewn, — a much less com- 
 bustible fuel. Mr. Allen says that several instances are well known of 
 the lignite beds having taken fire from the burning of the prairie grass 
 by the Indians. It would thoroforo seem that the aid of spontaneous 
 combustion need hardly bo invoked. J 
 
 304. The destruction by this agency, over great areas, of lignite beds 
 
 * Exploration of liritish North America, p. 88. t U. S. Geol. Surv. Territ., 1873., p. 110. 
 
 } ; • Hliniild be meiitioiied, Iiowever, tlmt such good aiithnrititiH as Pmfs. Losqiiercux and Meclt refer 
 to the sjinntaiifoux coniljustion of lignite slaolc, at Carbon and Coalville resixsctively. U. S. Oeol. Surv. 
 Torrit., 1872, j.p. a08, 449. 
 
VAMTE OP MdNFTES ANT) inONST<)NKS. 
 
 169 
 
 which mi,i?ht hnvo l)Coii of viihic to tlio fiiturc j)0))ulation of the North- 
 west, is a matter of cortaiiity. It would socm, Jiowovor, tluit the i-oni- 
 bustioii dous not titt'wt bods iink-ss their i-ilyos luivc boon laid hare to the 
 weather hy doniidation; and the i»ro)M)rtion thus exi)Osed, in a eoiintry 
 in whieh the strata arc so neai-ly hori/(tntal, nmst be small. The 
 whole of the li,i,'iiites, too. lyiii^ lielow the natural tlrainago level of the 
 country must remain unatloctod, and the tire would also seem unable to 
 peneti-ate very far into u bed. unless it lies so near the surface as to bo 
 able to open communication with it, foi- the escape of its pro(hicts of com- 
 bustion, and to obtain a supply of oxy^'cn. The face of the exposure, 
 crumbling down on the ruins ol'the bed, must soon stop all access of air in 
 that direction; though from the almost com|)leto conservation of the heat 
 of a combustion thus talcing place in the mass of the formation, a ver}- 
 jiniited supply of air would bo sufficient to maintain the necessary 
 temperature. 
 
 395. The only place in which the combustion was still found to be in 
 progress iiear the forty-ninth parallel, was in a locality on the Souris Ki- 
 ver, and then it was only evidenced by the issue of a little smoke of a tariy 
 omp3'rumatic odour. Other localities, from the immense amount of de- 
 nudation which has taken place subse(iuent to the destruction of the lig- 
 nite, show evidence that the tires have been extinct from a very remote 
 period; though as a rule, in the region which I have examined, the pro- 
 ducts of combustion appear to be pretty closely confined to the localities in 
 which this can 1)0 ])rovcd to have taken place. Mr. Allen, however, has 
 found '• this igneous material in a wator-vvoi-n state, occurring in the drift 
 which covers the general surface of the country, often many miles from 
 the noai'ost seat of metamorphic action, as well as in the terraces that 
 border the larger streams," -^ and concludes that the combustion must 
 have begun before the close of the drift period — a very important fact. 
 
 Composition and Economic Value of the Lignites and Iron Ores. 
 
 30G. The following are proximate analyses of lignites from various 
 localities in the vicinity of the forty-ninth parallel, and of the coal from 
 St. Mary River. The greater pai-t of these were published in the Report 
 of Progress for the year 1S78, already referred to : — 
 
 307. Souris Valley. (^ 207.) Lowest lignite, two feet three inches 
 thick, ('onchoidal fracture with rather dull surfaces, and resembling 
 cannel coal, ash reddish-whito. 
 
 I 
 
 \ 
 
 •■■ m 
 
 
 •Loc, fit. 
 
li I-: 
 
 i ,, 
 
 
 
 170 U. N. A. BOUNDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 By rapid coking. 
 
 Water 12.07 
 
 Fixed ciirlidii 4."). 44 38.00 
 
 N'ohitile comhuHtilile matter 3'.l.74 
 
 Ash 2.75 
 
 100.00 
 
 308. Souris Valley. {^ 210) Layn- 10. A wi'iitlioivd spocinion 
 
 Hopai'ivtin^' int() lainiim' horizontally. Cla}- from ovorlyiiii^ bed tillinj; 
 
 iLssiirc's. Ash yollow-browii. 
 
 Hy rapid editing. 
 
 Water l.S.J)4 
 
 Fixcl carlx.n 4.'5.27 38.35 
 
 Volatile conil>U8ti)>le matter 'A't.iH) 
 
 Aali "».7!» 
 
 100.00 
 
 :{00. Sotu'is Valley. (^ 210) Layer 17. "Weathered Hpeeinicn. 
 
 Bhiclc, (•om])act, with shiniiio; laces. A.sh yellttwisli. 
 
 By rapid coking. 
 
 Water 12.(>7 
 
 Fixed carlxm 31.35) 28.01 
 
 Volatile comlmstihle matter 4!). 52 
 
 Ash G.42 
 
 100.00 
 
 400. Souris Valley. (^ 210.) Layer 10. Linjtre (lull, separutiug 
 
 alono; hori/.ontal planes. Ash light yellowish. 
 
 By rapid coking. 
 
 Water 14.00 
 
 FixcMl carbon 3().tt4 30.68 
 
 Volatile comlm.stilde matter 42.08 
 
 Ash 5.18 
 
 100. (JO 
 
 401. Souris Valley. (^ 210.) L^iyer 2. A weathered specimen, soft 
 
 and crumbling. Ash greyish-white. 
 
 By rapid coking. 
 
 Water 17.07 
 
 Fixed carlan 32.SG .30. 10 
 
 Volatilo cumhustiblc matter 44. .56 
 
 Ash 4.61 
 
 100.00 
 
 402. Souris Valley. (^ 218.) Black comjiact lignite with n;uch 
 
 woodj' structure apparent. Ash j-ellow. 
 
 By rapid coking. 
 
 Water 14.73 
 
 Fixed carbon 42.48 34.07 
 
 Volatile combustible matter 30.00 
 
 Ash 2.80 
 
 100.00 
 
 ^.:'- 
 
 Ki! 
 
VALUE OV MdNITKS AND IHONSTdNES. 
 
 171 
 
 40S. Souri.s Vallfi/. (^ 215.) 7 fry>t seavi. Hurd, fompnct. I»ln(k 
 lii^'iiite, hroakin^ witli ])S(Mi(lo-coii('lioi<lal I'racdiiv, iiiul sliowiiii^ traci's of 
 Htnutiire <tf' .vool. Ash yclhtwisli-wliito. li,u;Iit. 
 
 Water '-jn 
 
 Fixed carliim .■*"!'? 
 
 NOlatile <joiiil)UMtil)le iiiattfr H'2.7(> 
 
 A.ih 4."»(; 
 
 Hy rniiid coking. 
 41. C7 
 
 10(t.0() 
 
 401. Suuris Hirer, C)2 in. W. IIW/ A'W. (J? 221.) Laminalod, ami 
 
 broakini^ up aloii^ horizontal planes on (liyin<f. Many small diojis oC 
 
 aml)or or fossil n-sin. Tlii' wood composing tlio U-d lias apparently been 
 
 much dc(oni])osi'd. Asli i-oddish. 
 
 Water 13.85 
 
 Fixed oarlion 47.iM( 
 
 Volatile cdinlmstible matter 30.il5 
 
 Ash 7.30 
 
 100.00 
 
 40.'). Great Vallei/. (J$ 225.) Lmvest Lujnite. Woathored spoc-imoii, 
 
 crumbling. Ash gi'o}'. 
 
 By rapid coking. 
 
 Water 18.74 
 
 Fixed carbon H.5.(5i) 
 
 X'olatile condmstible matter 40.54 
 
 AhIi 5. OH 
 
 30. ()4 
 
 100.00 
 
 40(;.» Great VaJletj. {% 225.) Middle Liynite. "Weathered sjiccimon. 
 
 Soft, brcakinju^ into layers alonif dejmsition surfaces. Lari^ely compo.sod 
 
 of comminuted eliarcoal-liko fragments. 
 
 By rapid coking. 
 
 Water 1(!.28 
 
 Fixed carl)on 4(>.'25 29,18 
 
 A'olatile combustible matter 33. 1!) 
 
 Ash 4.28 
 
 100.00 
 
 401. Great Valley. (^ 225.) Upper Liynite. Outcrop specimen. 
 
 Crumbiinif, Tenilw to break into layers parallel to dejxwition planes. 
 
 By rapid coking. 
 
 Water 15.20 
 
 Fixed carbon ;U.45 27.01 
 
 Volatile combustible matter 44.43 
 
 Ash 5.92 
 
 100.00 
 
 408. Great Valleij. Section ^on the forty-ninth parallel. Bed four 
 feet thick. Out-crop specimen. Brownish. Fracture almost conchoidal, 
 Ash yellowiwh-white. 
 
 
 1 
 
 1^1 
 
 ' ■ I ! 
 
V ' 
 
 .." r 
 
 172 n. N. A. noUNDAHY CMMMIMMION. 
 
 liy rapid coking. 
 
 WuUsr Irt.rtl 
 
 Fixu.1 iniiImiii :«7. 1'i •JS.44 
 
 \'iiliktilt.' (oiiiliiiHtililit inittttir 4'i.li'i 
 
 AhIi 4.72 
 
 1(M).()0 
 
 400. Porru/ii'ue CrciL (^'2:\H.) Lmtrr port of \H foot mun. T<)iif;li, 
 > coiupiK-t li;;nitt>, scpiii'iitiiii; into linri/ontal iiiyci-s. .Much hiiiIum' in small 
 spots, 11 ifood (U'ul of wcKMly slnicliiiv appaivnl, and sonio minoral vhnv- 
 coal. Ash li^ht-^ivy. 
 
 |{y rapid cuking. 
 
 Water l-'.Or. 
 
 Kixi;d farlM.u 40, 18 41.().'« 
 
 N'lilutili! coiuliUHti))k' inattiir 'Vi. \'2 
 
 AhIi 0.«J 
 
 410. Porcupine Creek. (^--JS.) Upper part of m foot seam. Out- 
 crop spocitnen, crunililin^'. Ash whitt'. 
 
 By rapid coaking. 
 
 Water Hi.ST 
 
 Fixed C arboii :M.3'2 'lA.Wi) 
 
 N'oliitile coinliiiHtilile matter .'MSi\ 
 
 Aah ii.:«) 
 
 100.(10 
 
 411. St. Mary River — (4^ 32(1.) — Bitiuninoiis (Vml. Bed altoiil oii^liteen 
 
 iiic'lios thick. A stronj^coal not att'octcd by wouther. Traces of horizontal 
 
 lamination, otton showiiii^ more or less mineral charcoal. Cloal in two 
 
 directions nearly at riufht anf,'les, with smooth shining faces, and often 
 
 very thin tilms of calcite in the cracks. Certain ])ai'ts show slight traces 
 
 of pyrites. Forms a perfect coke when rajtiilly heated, with the evolution 
 
 of a quantity of rich illuminating gas. When slowly heated, in pow- 
 
 der, a weak coke is formed which may be ci-ushed between the fingers. 
 
 Ash reddish grey. 
 
 Water 5.05 
 
 Fixed carbon 64. G5 
 
 Volatile combustible matter 25. .30 
 
 Ash 5.00 
 
 100.00 
 
 412. Rainy River.] (^ 340) Compact Ijignite, with woody structure 
 
 plainly ajijparent. Ash yellowish-grey. 
 
 Water 15.45 
 
 Fixed Carbon 4.S.45 
 
 Volatile combustible matter .33.70 
 
 Ash 7.40 
 
 100.00 
 
VAMK OK l.lilNITKM ANI> IK(»NST«iNKs. 
 
 173 
 
 1 coking. 
 
 'S.44 
 
 in. T(nii,'li, 
 '»'!• in siniill 
 nofiil ciiiir- 
 
 c'uking. 
 I.O.'t 
 
 •am. Out- 
 ing. 
 t.30 
 
 lorixontul 
 
 at in two 
 
 md often 
 
 lit trucos 
 
 volution 
 
 in pow. 
 
 {-. fingers. 
 
 tnictui'e 
 
 trT^ 
 
 41.'{. Tin- li!,'iiiu« IVnin Uiiiny Ifivoi-, lt> wliicli (lu- last analysis r«'|(TH, 
 is nolici'd in tin- |iai'a;;ia|»li iinlicali'il iiImivc. TIu' s|nHiiiii'ii reot'ive<l was 
 n small uiic ; and not having visitod tin- Incnlily, I cannot speak confi- 
 dently as to the nxMleot'its occurrence. In its appearance and conipositioii 
 il reseniltlcs many of tlio lignites of tlie Tertiary, hut if in situ, it may 
 more proliaMy lie found to Ix'lon;^ toanoiitlyer of Lower Oretaeeous rocks. 
 In any case, it is far removed from (he regions to which the other aiialy- 
 8CS refer, and does not at present niijuire further ccuisidcration. 
 
 414. The mineral fuels met with in the nci^hliourhoiKl of (he Jiine, 
 fall nadirally iii(o (wo distinct cate^fories. The first, includini^ all except 
 one, must he called li^niKes; (he second, rc^iireseided hy a single e.Nample 
 only, is a due hidiminous coal. The lirs( class iiududes no( only, (here- 
 fore, (he great majori(y of (he fuels mi'( with in the viciiiKy of the forty- 
 nidi parallel, but also almost all known in (he iii(crior region of (he con- 
 tinent, fxjfh nordi and south of (his line. They are empludicall}' liijnitrs 
 or hrotrn rodls, and though they may he designated l»y (he name liijniti' 
 cual, insomuch as (hoy come under the generic class of coals, (hey cer- 
 tainly cannot properly he named hy the la((oi' word alone, as hy i( an en- 
 tirely different kind of material is generally undersfood. The vas( area, 
 and grea( impor(aiice of these heds of fuel, should not lie allowed to 
 weigh in changing the name which would without any hesi(ation he ap- 
 plied to them, were (heir occurrence on a more liniKed scale. The word 
 liijnite has attached (o it a definite mineralogical significance, and must he 
 employed when it is desired to define the position of these fuels in (ho 
 scale of comhustihlc materials. Jiigni(es iire found in connection with many 
 of (ho later geological formations, and differ from true ^.-oals in containing 
 a larger jieironfage of water, hygroscopic and combined a greater propor- 
 tion of h3-drogen, oxygen and nitrogen, and less caroon. They alsoinva- 
 riably give a bi-own streak or powder, yield easily a brown solution with 
 caustic potash, and sometimes even to water, and, accoixling to Frcmy, 
 may also be distinguishetl from coal and peal by their complete solubi- 
 lity in nitric acid and hypochlorites. The better kind of Tertiary lignites 
 of the region now in question, differ from nniiiy foreign fuels of the same 
 class, in their small percentage of ash, but show for the most part distinct 
 evidence of having been produced from wood, and would therefore oven 
 be classed as lignites under the most restricted meaning of that term. 
 The wootl, from its microscopic structure, has been coniferous, and may 
 have belonged to the same species of Thuya, Sequoia, etc., represented by 
 leaves in the associated clays. 
 
i .- 
 
 tt 
 
 
 
 if m ' i 
 lii till 
 
 171 
 
 II. N, A. lini'NIiAMV niMMlMNinN, 
 
 liri. Tilt* liuiiilcH III' llif I'Mi'ly iiiiitli |iiii'iillt'l ti|i|)r!ii- III luliiiil of 
 rliif<^iliniliMii iiiitlfi' lliit'i' h'liiliiiL; IV|ii'h. 
 
 l')r»t- ('oni|i!M I, liiiiiin^ciM'MiiH li^iiilc, williuiil very rviilcnt {iwvn 
 of <l«<|)iiMili()ii |»liiiit"<. 'I'lif wimmIv slriichirc nl'lt'ii iilninly »|»|»iirt'iit. 
 hiwiiilojfnitiKii |trMfC('iliiii,' int'uiiliiilv . or with r»>H«rt'iin' lo (lie stniclnro 
 oMIh" wimhI. (iciifiiilly lniii,'li niidi-r Ihc |Mrl<, 'I'IiIh is llic ly|ti('iil, ami 
 iiimkI aliiiiiiiniil viirifly, iiinl iiu'liKJcN iiiiiny ol'llic most |iioinisiii|,' licdH. 
 
 IIKSIM.TS OK ASSAYS (H" I.KiMTKS. UATi;i; liKINC KSTIM ATKH AT AN 
 
 A\ Ml! \<;r. OF I'J I'Ki; cknt. 
 
 LiHiility. 
 
 I. 
 
 SimiiM \ 
 
 • alley. . . 
 
 .(S 
 
 >2^ 
 
 It 
 
 It . . t 
 
 .(ii 
 
 ■A. 
 
 II 
 
 II ... 
 
 (S 
 
 4. 
 
 II 
 
 It . t . 
 
 (S 
 
 n. 
 
 II 
 
 11 • • • 
 
 ■ (^ 
 
 0. 
 
 II 
 
 tl ... 
 
 .(S 
 
 7. 
 
 II 
 
 M ... 
 
 .(S 
 
 S. 
 
 'rilullMH' 
 
 I!..a.l. . . 
 
 ■.(§ 
 
 •1. 
 
 «;riiit V 
 
 alloy... 
 
 • (S 
 
 ID. 
 
 11 
 
 It ... 
 
 .(S 
 
 11. 
 
 II 
 
 M ... 
 
 ■ (S 
 
 I'J. 
 
 II 
 
 II . . • 
 
 ■ (S 
 
 18. 
 
 I'onuiiino Cieek 
 
 
 
 l-iiwiT jiart. 
 
 ■ (S 
 
 14 
 
 I'piicr imit. 
 
 ■ (§ 
 
 :<!»7) 
 
 .•«I.S) 
 
 :\\m 
 
 •1(H)) 
 401) 
 »0'J) 
 
 4o:i) 
 
 404) 
 40.".) 
 4(M1) 
 407) 
 
 40S) 
 
 40!l) 
 410) 
 
 l.>. Rainy Hiver (S 4ri 
 
 •J(i:i 
 
 •-•(•.:» 
 
 'J('..'l 
 
 •2('>;< 
 
 :i08 
 ;i44 
 :<44 
 
 344 
 
 ;i4ti 
 
 :«Mi 
 ;v.K) 
 
 i 
 ■J 
 
 ]' 5" 
 1 0" 
 
 (> ()" 
 
 r r 
 
 a fi'W 
 
 IS' 
 18 
 
 CI 
 
 
 4ri.4H 
 Hi. IS 
 
 ami 
 
 ;»s.08 
 :i4.8'-» 
 
 4:i.72 
 
 4<t.:n 
 48.s»:» 
 
 :{8.(!5 
 
 48. in 
 
 Sli.il'J 
 
 :i8.(i3 
 
 4(i.'J0 
 
 4r).'."j 
 
 ^ 9 
 
 :«t.77 
 :».•). !K) 
 
 .'lO.O'J 
 44.57 
 
 48.:«» 
 
 4l>.40 
 
 ;i:».!t8 
 :m.(11 
 4:i.5t'J 
 :u.<H) 
 44. or. 
 
 44.48 
 
 .'15.14 
 
 :i!i.j)7 
 
 ^ 
 
 .•15.08 
 
 •2.7C. 
 5.!fJ 
 15.47 
 5.35 
 4.88 
 •J. 88 
 4.71 
 7. 40 
 .5.43 
 4.4!l 
 0. 13 
 4.8!) 
 
 (..(ill 
 11.70 
 
 7.70 
 
 lIi'inarkH 
 nil .\hIi, 
 
 linliliHJi wliitt!. 
 
 N'fllow-l.rnwii. 
 
 N'l'lliiwiHii. 
 
 \AH\\i Yellowish. 
 
 (Irt'yiMli-whitc. 
 
 Yellow. 
 
 N'liUowiHh-whitc. 
 
 Iteildisli. 
 
 drey. 
 
 (iiey. 
 
 \Yliito. 
 
 Vullowiah-whitu. 
 
 Light grey. 
 \Yhitu. 
 
 Yellowish -grey. 
 
 ^(,,.o;i,/._Lisriiito nioro or loss distiiietly horizonlally lainiiiatcil, 
 >;howinj? little appaiviit wootly .structure, but sometimes a not iuconsider- 
 
VAI.I K "iK MUMTKM ,\.M> llin.NKT<».NKN. 
 
 175 
 
 Kl) AT AN 
 
 uhlc <|ntihlit y of iniiirnil rliiiriiiiil, Nut vi'i-y (nii^^li iimlt'i' llic |iiil<. iiml mi 
 uciilliri'iii;^, ltl'^Ilkill^; iip iilon;^ llif |iliiiit'M. 'I'liiH lunn, is |iiiiliiili|y nlsit 
 ill iiliiiMhi III! ruMCN i'iiiii|Mmci| ui'sviMxl, lull tlic tiiali'iitil liiis iiii)li<r^i*iiu 
 inure lliMi'iMi^'li (Icciiy lu'liiic I lie i|('|iMwil ii| t||(> noxt hi^lu'wl Ik'<Ih. 
 
 rhir>l. 
 
 Soli II I M 
 
 IriiiM 
 
 *■; iirii'M Willi iiiiirli iiiiiH'i'iil rliiirriiiil 
 
 lilt 
 
 ri'n|iu'ii(ly lirnwiii.Hli. iiimI rimliiiiiin^ liunlcr inuHhCM in sninr |tlii<'t'H. Tliis 
 vai'icly, no iluiilil, nllrn l'l■sllll^ Irnni llir lliiii'<>ii;;li <li'n)iii|iiiMitiiin liy llio 
 Weill her, uf eillier u[ llir iilliei>i iiml iietJM willi lliis ii|i|ieiiiiiiiec would 
 jdoliaMy clinniic llieir cliiiriieler liir Ihe Ixller, more or U'!<m eomiilelely, 
 W |»elielriile(| lieyoml Ihe (Mllero|(, There iipneiir, howeV^T, lo he home 
 heijs of ihJN iiiilnri' Ihroii^hoiil ; iinil th<■^«(■ hiive hreii |i)i'tiiei| tiom |i<'iily 
 iieeiiiniiliiljons, wilh lillle wooil. TIiIh eltis.s il Ih, which i^ miomI iipl lo 
 <'<inlaiii iiiiieh anh, anil Ihe heils iinder il, HoiiMMinieH ilo nol nhow clear 
 lines of jniiclion wilh Ihe ''iicloHiii;; cla}M, hut ^railiiale iiilo Iheni. 
 
 ■H'i. In Ihe iiM.'^iiy.s ahove ^iveii, it Iiiim iioI been ihoii^hl ncce^Miry lo 
 renlricl Ihe cxaniiiialion to Ihost) heds which aro of workiiMe thickness, 
 as a /general coniiiHi'ison of (he various seams, thick or thin, is of nioro 
 vuliie in ^ivin^ an idea of the averatje quality of the li|;;nitcs of the 
 tbrmalion now known, and those which fiilimt e.\|iloralioii may hrin^ to 
 lii^hl, in the same re^fion. 'riie analyses, tlierefoic, include a selection 
 from (he various sections; and several Iteds of ^oikI (|iiality and thick- 
 ness, with many of an inferior chai-acter, are iinre|iiesent(!d. 
 
 H7. Though ;;ivin^ tlio actual amount of hy;^rosco|iic and com- 
 bined wator. as ioiind hy analysis, it must Ik^ iirumised that it deiiendM 
 entirely on tlie conditions to which the lignites have jireviously been 
 subjected; and thai, by |troloii|fcd "Xposure todryaii", it n»i;,dil have been 
 in many cases vei-y considerably ri'duced. It has, therefore, been 
 thoiiirlil advisable, in aimtln'r place 1o reiluco the results of all analyses to 
 cones))oiid to a certain |iorcenla«,'e of moisture, that they may be bettor 
 oomjiared with each other, and with toreii^ii lignites. The water content 
 has been tal.n in the table, at 12 ])er cent., which has been adojited as 
 the probable practical limit of dessication by dry air, under ordinaiy 
 eireuinstances, of most of (ho samjiles. Tho ligniteH, it will be observed, 
 are on the whole uniform in composition, and contain an average of 
 over 40 jier eent. of (ixed carbon when tiie water is estimatetl at 12 
 per cent. They thus fall somewhat behind the lignites found in (he 
 vicinity of the (Tnion Pacific Railway; but it must be remembered tliat 
 liicso only rejiresent those seams which have beeu selected as workable 
 I'roni their good quality, and thiekiioss j and also that many of them 
 
 ii 
 
 !m 
 
(i 
 
 I ,1 
 
 'l:/i« 
 
 Mi' 
 
 :i» 
 
 ! ! 
 
 176 
 
 ». N. A. MOCNDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 ItcloM^ to the oxtivino wostorii pari of the iiiU'rioi- roiitiiu'iilal ivi^ion, 
 iiiul to tlio liottor class ot lignilrs rotiiid in tlic v:('iiiily oC tlio llocky 
 Mounlains, wliich are l)iit slondi'rly roprcsciilod in my t'ollertions. None 
 of the lignilos yiold a pi-opor coko. Tlii-y morely sliriiilv somcwliiit in 
 size durinuc tiio expulsion of the V(»Iatilc combustible niatlor, and turn out 
 of the erueible in Ji dry incoherent powder. The volatile nuiltor is, as 
 nii^lit be ex])eclcd, comparatively poor in luminous nases, and the 
 lignites would, conscciucntly, be of little use in the iuamifacture of 
 illuminating i;as. 
 
 41S. The ash is generally of pale colours; 'J^roy and while, ]»ass- 
 inu; into yellowish-while, beini;- the prevailini;" shades. One or two only 
 yield a dee])ly-coIoured ash, which is then brick-red. It is small in 
 amount in most of the specimens, and does not usually aj)pear of a nature 
 to tbrm troublesome clinker. The lignites when burning yield a peculiar 
 empyrumatic odour, Itul no smell of sul[)hur; and indeed, as might bo 
 foreseen trom the natui-e of the ash, ihe (quantity of sulphur ])resent is 
 very small. 
 
 411). The proxiniate aualy.ses give, in ii general way, the means of 
 estimating the value of the lignites as fuels, but there are man}- other 
 considerations which re(iuire attention. The ash is not greater, anil in 
 many cases less, than that contained in most ordinary coals ; and cannot 
 therefore be supposed to detract specially from the quality of the lignites. 
 The amount of water ])resenl is, however, the most serious drawback, 
 as it not only counts as so much incombustible material, being already 
 fully oxidized, but absorbs and ivnders latent a considerable quantity of 
 heat, which is necessary to convert it into the form of steam. Thus not 
 only the total thermal etfecl of the fuel sutfers, but the pyronietrie 
 intensity is reduced, which is a matter of special importance in metal- 
 lurgical operations, and in the use of a fuel for raising steam, when the 
 space allotted to the combustion is limited. Jiesidcs the quantity of 
 oxygen present in these fuels, already in combination with hydrogen to 
 form water; there is an additional ([uantity, — not inconsiderable in 
 amount and probalily in the forn* of various bitinninous com])oun(ls with 
 
 carhon and 
 
 i>y 
 
 (iroLjen, 
 
 iliich, as soon iis combustion bcLfins, combines 
 
 also with the latter to i\ 
 
 )rm w 
 
 aler. The weight of Ibis oxygen, 
 
 anil the hydrogen necessary for its saturaliim, nuisl thus also be 
 deducted, togelher with Ihe nitrogen, which is usually present in 
 greater quantity than in true coals. We have then remaining, a propor- 
 
 ''\ -i i- 
 
VAU'E .OP T,I(JNtTF.S ANP IRONSTONES. 
 
 177 
 
 Ml til I iTii;ioii, 
 r the itocky 
 lions. None 
 ^Diiiowliut in 
 jiiid turn out 
 matter is, as 
 <cs, and the 
 iiuit'acturo of 
 
 while, pass- 
 or two only 
 is small in 
 ir of a nature 
 jltl a peculiar 
 as might be 
 iir ])resent is 
 
 he means of 
 
 many other 
 
 eater, and in 
 
 iiid eaiinot 
 
 "the lignites. 
 
 s drawhaek, 
 
 ing already 
 
 (pmntity of 
 
 . Thus not 
 
 pyi'ometrie 
 
 e in nietal- 
 
 1, when the 
 
 quantity of 
 
 ydrogen to 
 
 iderahle in 
 
 liounds with 
 
 <, c'omhines 
 
 is oxygen, 
 
 IS also lie 
 
 present in 
 
 , a propor- 
 
 tion of carhon and hydrogen which may Iv counted on for the useful pro- 
 duction of heal, considerably less than that found in the same way for 
 most trill' coals, but much in excess of that for wood or peal. 
 
 420. \\y taUiiig into accoiiiil all these circumstances, with ollicis of 
 less importance, and ajiplying the knowledge to the examination of the 
 results of ultiniale analyses of fuels, very exact estimates of their 
 capaldlilies may be formed. Of the lignites of the interior region of tlii.s 
 continent, iinfortunati'ly, but few reliable ultimate analyses are to be 
 found, and of these only two ap|»ly to those of British North America. I 
 had hoped to have ad<lcd such analyses of .some of the more importiuit 
 lignites of the Ibrly-niiilh parallel to this Kejiorl, but the lime at my dis- 
 posal has not sutHced. The analyses i-elerred to are from specimens 
 collected l)y Dr. Hector, and are as follows * : — 
 
 I. 
 
 Carbon 5(5 "SO 
 
 Hydnigen 3 "(!.") 
 
 Oxygen 18!tl 
 
 Nitrogen O'SO 
 
 «ulpl 
 
 luir 
 
 O-tiO 
 
 Ash 5(i2 
 
 Water (hygroscopic) 13 "D^ 
 
 100 -(JO 
 
 r)0(iO 
 
 ;{L'4 
 
 14-41 
 01K) 
 0-42 
 
 ir)!)3 
 
 14o0 
 
 100-00 
 
 No, I. from the Souris Hiver near La Roche I'ercce. No. II. from a 
 six-foot seam occurring near Fort Kdnionton, on the iiorlh Saskalcliewan. 
 The caloritic power of these two lignites as comjiared with that of jiure 
 carbon taken at 100, is 59 ami 53 per cent, rcsjiectivcly. j 
 
 421. One of the most important practical difficulties which has 
 arisen in connectitm with the use of the lignites of the Western .States, 
 has been the cracking uji of the material, on parting with its water, and 
 its speedy reduction to fragments when exposed to the weather. It 
 has there been Ibuiid [(referable to use the lignites as .soon as possible, 
 after their extraction from the mine, even at t!ie expense of an additional 
 quantity ol heat, lost in eva]»orating hygroscopic water. As the lignites 
 do not form a coherent coke, (his cannot be remedied, as it might be 
 with most bituminous coals; lignite charcoals might, however, be 
 produced; and though in most cases, these are found to be rather friable, 
 many of the compact western lignites would probably give a good result. 
 The lignites are, however, now exicnsivcly emplo^'ed for locomotive 
 engines, and other steam-raising purpo.ses, and though not directly 
 
 ♦ Heft<)r. .lourn. (icol. Soc, vdI. xmi.. pp. 4l)l», 421. The iiiml.vses iiiiidu In Mr. ('lmrU'« Timki-y in 
 Dr. Percy's IftboraUiry. Koyiil Solnml nf .Mines. 
 
 t As'valculatcd by Mr. Itoyinuiul. (iuotoil by Mr. Miirvinc in V. S. Gool. Surv. Turrit., Is7;i, p. 111. 
 
 12 i> 
 
 
 id 
 
• I 
 
 . }■ 
 
 
 if i 
 
 i! I 
 
 ! 
 
 i# 
 
 1 1 
 
 i i 
 
 '■ if- 
 
 
 ns 
 
 n. X. A. nOTNBARY CO>rMISSION. 
 
 ai)pliciil)le to most molallur^ical pi'ocoswK, miglit bo used iu tlio form 
 of cliiircoal, or pei'haps more profitaMy in gas I'uniaccs after the pattern 
 of those of Mr. Siemens; and, as settlement spreads westward, and those 
 fuels are more in demand, many new methods will no doubt be found for 
 their application. "When they exist in the vicinity of land capable of 
 agricidtural settloinen*, Ihey will be of great value, not only for domestic 
 uses, but for the manufacture f)f bricks, tiles, and pottery, for whicli 
 many of the enclosing clay and sand beds are very suitable. 
 
 422. The St. ifary River coal, though unimportant in itself, from 
 the thinness of the bed, is yet of great interest, lis showing that there is 
 a region toward the base of the mountains (mi the forty-nintli pai-allel, 
 where fuel, better in (pialily than any heretofoi'e found in the interior 
 eontinential region, may be looked l()r. It is highly pi-obable that impor- 
 tant .scams of similar coal exist even near the Line; and I have heard of 
 the occuri'once of similar beds on the Jielly ]{iver to the north. Some tiu- 
 deis, indeed, brought a sample of coal to one of the Depot (.'amps on the 
 Line, which, being banded to the blacksmith, was, befoi-e F returned to the 
 place entirely consumed ; it being found well suited to smithy work, and 
 thus differing from the lignites. 1 was uiuible to visit the locality from 
 which this .specimen came, but was infoiined that it \i\y about fifty 
 miles noi'thward, at the junction of the Watei'ton and St. Mary J{ivers, 
 that the bed lay nearly flat, and that what appeared to be the same .seam 
 was found on both I'ivers, being about five feet thick on the foi'mer, and 
 si.x on the 'atfer. It would secjn that the conditions of deposit, or ma- 
 terials forming those coals and liigher class lignites in the vicinity of the 
 mountains, must have differed from those of the lignites further east. 
 Metamorphism accompanying and caused by the foldingof the formation, 
 wouM probably convert a lignite'into an aniii:-..ciic, without allowing it 
 to pass through the intermediate condition of a bituminous coal ; and the 
 bod last i-eferred to, and others of son\i'what similar (puvlity elsewhere, 
 arc found in a nearly horizontal position. 
 
 423. Four analyses of fuels obtained by the Itev. L. Taylor, and exa- 
 mined by Prof Haunel, of Victoria College, Coburg, have a very direct 
 bearing oii the (piestionof the nature of the coals which may be expected 
 to occur along the base of the mountains. The analyses appeared in the 
 the Toi'onto (llobe in Fcbriuiry, 1S74, and llieir results may be thus sum- 
 marized : — 
 
VALUE OF LIGNITES AND IRONSTONES. 
 
 no 
 
 iu tlio form 
 r the pattern 
 n\, and those 
 
 be found for 
 »d capable of 
 
 for doinestic 
 y, for whic'.i 
 
 1 itself, from 
 that there in 
 intJi parallel, 
 the interior 
 le that impor- 
 luvve heard of 
 h. Some tra- 
 [.'amps on the 
 .'turned to the 
 h}' work-, and 
 locality from 
 >- about fifty 
 Mai- v Rivers, 
 e same seam 
 former, and 
 posit, or ma- 
 ioinity of the 
 further east, 
 le formation, 
 allowing it 
 oal ; and the 
 y elsewhere, 
 
 |lor, and exa- 
 very direct 
 I be expected 
 learcd in the 
 le thus sum- 
 
 
 tiy. gr. 
 
 Moisture K>von 
 off at '212 F. 
 
 Vi>latilu Matter. 
 
 Fixed Carbon. 
 
 Ash. 
 
 I 
 
 1.375 
 1..375 
 1.:M() 
 1.3.37 
 
 11.88 
 
 11.41 
 
 6.(59 
 
 6.89 
 
 28. 6() 
 29.07 
 33.70 
 33.57 
 
 57.25 
 56.94 
 .53.25 
 .')0.90 
 
 2.21 
 
 II 
 
 2.58 
 
 Ill 
 
 6. .30 
 
 IV 
 
 8.04 
 
 
 ., 
 
 ! 
 
 No. I. from the North Pembina River 100 miles north-west frou\ 
 Fort Kdmonton. No. II. from near Belly River. No. 111. from Belly 
 River. No. IV. from the Saskatchewan River near Fort Edmonton. 
 Prof. Ilaanel thus desci'ibes the specimens: — "I. and II. are bituminous 
 coals, of a bi'ight lusti-e, irre^adar fracture, slu)\viu,uc, to }i\dis,e from the 
 small specimens sent, no distinct lamination ; of a hi^h specitie gravity, 
 compai-atively free from sul}»hur, and giving out little tany matter upon 
 coking. No. III. and IV. are also bituminous, of a loss specitie gravity, 
 lustre didl, distinct lamination; fracture at right angles to laminaticn, 
 irregular with bright surlaces. Parallel to the place of lamination the 
 slabs .separated are dull ; gives out considerable tany nuittcr U]ion coldng." 
 It is stated that the two first do not form a coherent cokr, and it is to bo 
 inferred from what Prof. ITaanel says, that the others do. Nos. 111. and 
 IV. much resemble the St. Mary River coal in composition, and come from 
 the vicinity of the coal bed described to me as occiu'i'ing at the junction 
 of that stream with Waterton River. 
 
 424. In the Report of Progress of the Geological Survey of Canada for 
 1873-74, a luimber of intci-esting analj-sis of fuels from the interior region 
 of British North America are given. Seven of these, by Mr. Christian 
 Iloflf'maim, refer to specimens collected by Prof Bell near Dii-t Hills,* 
 smd soutJi of that place; not far from tlie north-eastern border of the 
 lignite formation near the 106th meridian. The quantity of water in 
 these lignites when thoroughly air-dried, as shown by the analysis, varies 
 fi'om 12-26 to 19-33 {)er cent. They exactly correspond in other respects 
 with those of about the same lonirititude on the Line. The second series 
 of analysis, by Dr. B. J. llari-ington, are of fuels collected by Mr. Selwyn, 
 Director of the Survey, on the Noi-th Saskatchewan, between Rocky 
 Mountain House anil Edmonton ; these, though Prof. Harrington classes 
 
 • This nanio seems to be rather hiosely applied to different piirts of the north-eastern ed|.'e of thu 
 Cot«ni, the point so called on the aceouipaiiying (;eological uiap, is not that referred to by i'rof. Dell, 
 which is further to the west and north. 
 
n 
 
 iih 
 
 !lll 
 
 ! 
 
 i ! 
 
 :' 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 !'l 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 ;« 
 
 
 
 ly 
 
 tl.. 
 
 ^.,iii 
 
 180 
 
 B. iV. A. noUNDARY onMArtSSION. 
 
 them nil an brown coals, arc of nfur Huiierior quality, some of them ap- 
 proaching the St. Mary River cdal, and equalling the best Tertiary 
 fuels of the Western States. The water found in the various speci- 
 mens is as follows :—'782, 11-81. l()-90, 12-93, 7-50, 11-09 per cent. 
 Some of these are stated to crack and fall to pieces on exposure, whilo 
 others are little affected, and are considered suitable for transportation to 
 a distance. 
 
 425. On reviewing the whole of the analysis of these fuels, and refer- 
 ring them to their localities on the map, it will aj^pear that lignites which 
 contain, when thoroughly air-dried, above twelve per cent, of water, 
 occupy the eastern part of the area covered by the Lignite Tertiary, 
 while beyond about the 113tli meridian, many, if not most, of the fuels 
 met with contain less than that amount of moisture, and pass by cr.yy 
 gradations, in some instances to coals indistinguishable from those of the 
 Carboniferous formation. These two regions are not, however, mutually 
 exclusive, for west of the line above indicated, lignites of the former class 
 are often found, and also, apparently, fuels representing all intermediate 
 stages. This mixture of the two classes in the extreme west would sug- 
 gest either the presence of two distinct coal-bearing fbnnations, or two 
 diffe)-ent horizons of the same series of rocks. From the apparently 
 complete gradation in the quality of the fuels, and analogy with the better 
 known regions to the south, the latter would appear at present tiie more 
 probable explanation. In the Western States, this arrangement is exactly 
 paralleled, and the poorer lignites of the Fort Union Beds, are represented 
 in the far west bj' those of good quality and comparatively small percent- 
 age of water in Colorado, Utah, &c. 
 
 426. The total area of the western part of the prairie region 
 between the forty-ninth and fifty-fourth paiallels, now known by more 
 or less connected lines of observation, to be underlaid by the lignite and 
 coal-bearing formation, or foi-mations, does not fall short of 80,000 square 
 miles; and should future investigation result in affixing some of the 
 fuels to the LoAver Cretaceous, it must be very much greater. The 
 importance of these great de]iosits of fuel, in a countiy naturally so 
 destitute of wood over great areas, cannot be exaggerated. In Colorado 
 the thick and workable lignite bods seem to occur only at the very 
 base of the Lignite Tertiary formation, and though this may also be the 
 case in the vicinity of the mountains further north, it does not hold with 
 the eastern portion of the formation, on the forty-ninth jiarallel, where 
 lignites are equall}'' characteristic and abundant at all horizons exposed. 
 
vali:e ok lionites and ironstones. 181 
 
 Whore the very base ol' tho Lignite Tertiary is seen in the Bud Lands 
 section, and further west near tho 534 niik* point, there appears, as 
 ah-eady mentioned — to be a very persistent lignitiferous zone, but there 
 is uo appearance of any fuel of better (puvlity like those of the extreme 
 west. It, therefore, cannot be supposed that the improved a]»pearance 
 of the St. Mary seam, and others, is (hie merely to their occupation of 
 a lower horizon than elsewhere exposed, irrespective of westward change 
 in the character of the beds. 
 
 427. The ironstones of the Lignite Tertiary formation, to which fre- 
 quent reference has been made, though occurring very often in tho 
 same sections and in close proximity to the lignites, have not been ob- 
 served in any part of the area examied to occur in considerable thickness. 
 They generally appear in nodular sheets, or scattered nodules, following cer- 
 tain horizons in the clays and argillaceous sands, and arc i\ und in greater 
 or less abundance in nearly all the sections examined. Externally, they 
 weather to various shades of chocolate-brown and reddish-brown, but are 
 hard and compact in structure, and within preserve their original bluish- 
 grey, or yellowish grey colour. 
 
 428. The subjoined partial analyses of specimens collected in 1873, 
 were published in the " Eeport of Progress" for that year. I regret that 
 the time at my disposal prevents the execution of more complete analyses, 
 or tlie examination of many other specimens subsequently obtained. 
 
 Clay Ironstone. Souris Valley — (§ 209.) 
 
 Protoxide of iron 49.00 
 
 Water lost at 115* C. 1.21 
 
 Carbonic Auid lost on ignition 28. 57 
 
 Siliceous matter insol. in H (^1 17.04 
 
 Sulphuric Acid 0.26 
 
 Phosphorus Traof 
 
 Metallic iron per cent., in raw ore 38. 11 
 
 Metallic iron, m calcined ore 54.27 
 
 Clay Ironstone — Great Valley. 
 
 Protoxide of iron 46. 72 
 
 Water lost at 115" C 3.57 
 
 Carbonic Acid lost on ignition 21.23 
 
 Siliceous matter insol. in H CI 8. 72 
 
 Sulphuric Acid 0,30 
 
 Phosphorus 0.03 
 
 Metallic Iron in raw ore ... 36.34 
 
 Metallic iron in calcined ore 49. 90 
 
 A small quantity of iron is present as peroxide in each ore, hut I 
 have not thought it necessary to make a separate estimation of this, 
 
 1 M 
 
182 
 
 n. N. A. nOT'NPAIlY rOMMrSSION. 
 
 tilt 
 
 III 
 
 lllff 
 
 A lliird specimen from the tircjit Valley examinotJ foi iron alone, 
 gave u pi-reenta^e in the raw ore of I}". 05. 
 
 A detailed analysis by Dr. B. J. Ilarrin^'ton, of a spet-imen of iron- 
 stone obtained l.y Prof. Boll, near the I)ii-t Hills, will be found in the 
 Report of Progress of the (leologioal Survey of ('anada, 1873-74, j). 
 241. 
 
 429. It would appear that the iron ores of this formation rank high in 
 the class to which they belong, and that if occurring insufficient quantity, 
 they might eventually become of great economic importance. I have not 
 seen, however, in the vicinity of the Line, any phice in which they are so 
 abundant as to wan-ant the hope of the profitable production of ij-on. In 
 some localities, great surfaces are more or less thickly covered with no- 
 dules which have been left behind by the erosion of the containing rocks; 
 and it is of course possible that further search may lead to the discovery 
 of sections in which so many bands occur as to render it pi-ofitable to 
 work over the entii-e baidc for their extraction. 
 
 430. The poor ironstones of the eastern out-crop of the Cretaceous 
 have already been described (§ 1S5). In the western ioxt«nsion of the 
 same division of the Cretaceous, ironstone is much more abundant, espe- 
 cially whore it holds the large septarian nodules described by Dr. Hector 
 as characteristic of his group C. These in some places are rich and pure 
 ii'onstones, and were noted to be specially abundant in some of the sec- 
 tions south and west of Wood Mountain. These rocks may in some 
 places occur with sufficient ironstone, near good lignites of the Tertiary, 
 to be of economic interest. 
 
 431. If the manufacture of iron is ever to be carried on on a largo 
 scale, for the supply of the interior region of the continent, it will proba- 
 bly be, however, toward the eastern base of the Kocky Mountains. There 
 the fuels are better suited for this piu'pose, and ironstone probably still 
 occurs quite as abundtmtly in the formation. There, too, it may confi- 
 dently be expected that search will bring to light deposits of the richer 
 classes of ores among the pahuozoic rocks of the mountains. 
 
 i;l 
 
CIIA1'TKI{ VI ir. 
 
 AfJE OF THE LKiNITEBEARFXC FollMATION .\XF> POSTTIOX OF TFIE 
 LINIi SKPAHATINO TFIE CliETACKOUS AND TEltTlAl.'V. 
 
 AoE OF THE LiuNTTK KOKMATION — Nature of the (juostiou — Phyaiual break between 
 ('retaueousi and Tertiary of Eiiniix) — No iiliysiral break in Interi(ir ('oiiti- 
 nental region - Unity of the Lignite formation — Tertiary age of ICasterii 
 
 luulluses — Vertebrates - General eoiichisious. 
 
 432. In ado|jting tlio naiiio Lij^nito Tortiiiry, us that of tlic i^wiit 
 newer coal-bearing fonnation of the west, and usi.ig it — as lias lieen 
 done th.roughout— to ilesio-iiate the part of the series which lies above the 
 5th or Fox Uill gronp of 3Leek and Ilayden's ("retaeeous section, I have 
 not done so carelesslj-, but as tlie result of a caivful, iuid I hope impartial, 
 review of all the evidence l)earing on the ii'j^v of tlie forniati<iii, to whicli 
 I have access; as well as the study of the rocks in the viciiuty of the 
 forty-ninth ])aralle], which have come ujider my more immediate atten- 
 tion, and wliich seem to throw important light on the (piestion. It would 
 appear only proper to state the reasons which have had most weight in 
 leading to the formation of this conclusion, and this will now be done as 
 IjrieHy.as possible. Tl.e .subject is a delicate one, insonuu'h as it has 
 been the topic of mucii eager controversy, but it is ho[)ed that injustice 
 has not been done to the views of any of the geutiemeji concerned, and 
 that if ei'rors have cre^^tt in unobserved, good intentions will serve as an 
 apolog}'. Nor can the gradual change (jf ojiinion — now a mattei' of 
 geological history — which has taken place on some points with the 
 advance of knowledge with regard to the bcnls, be considered derogatory', 
 for nothing caii be more honorable or truly scientific than that imjtar- 
 tiality which allows, on the knowledge of new facts of a dilfei-enl ten- 
 dency, the prompt retractation or moditicatiou of views formerly 
 upheld. 
 
 433. There is, perhaps, no more interesting problem in American 
 geology, than that presented by tlu^ later deposits of the interior region 
 
 
 i I 
 
 f ii( 
 
 1 
 
I 
 
 184 
 
 n. N. A. noiNnABY commission. 
 
 i 
 
 of llu> coiitiiunit, iiiul csptu'iully hy tlial |iart of tliom supposed to 
 rcpri'st'iil tlio flosiiif^ optu'li of tlic ("rclaci'oiis and tlio iiitrodiiolioii 
 of llu- Tt'i'tiarv. This qiu'slion is at tin- saino time one of considerablo 
 dirtlciilty, su nuicli so, thai tlie syslijniatic jiositidii of a threat series of 
 Ik'iIs, in some places several thousand feet in thickness, and incliulin^ 
 tho^-reater part, if not the whole, of the valuahle lignite deposits, is at 
 ])resent in doiiht. Various ^eolo^ists who have devoted niueh time and 
 study to the foi'ination, are almost equally divided in o])inion as to tiie 
 C'rctiieeous oi- Tertiary a^e of the roeks, or the eorrelatioii of u ]iortion 
 with the former and u portion with the latter formation, anil the position 
 of tlie separiUini;- line. 
 
 4;M. Much of the dill'erenee of o])inion, however, ajipeiirs to have 
 nrisen from api>roachinff the proltlom with preconceived ideas, and the 
 attempted ap|)lication of paheontolomical ifenerali/.atioiis derived from 
 the studv of othei- localities, which have been formulated under too riy-id 
 laws. Tlie break between the Cretaceous and Tertiary in Ena;land, and 
 in p]urope ^-enerally, is one of the most complete and strikin«>; in the 
 entire I'ock series, and justities not only tlie strict se])aration of the 
 I'^jjper Cretaceous and Hocene beds, but the introduction of the threat 
 classilicatory line <lividin^ the Secondary from the Tertiaiy. The 
 Micstrichl and Faxoe beds, and the I'isolitio limestone of France, it is 
 ti'ue, show an ap]»roximation to the fauna of the Eocen >, but are still 
 distinctly Cretaceous, and ^o Imt a little way towaril bridpn^^ the fi;reat 
 hiatus between the formations. The lT])per (*retuceous beds of New 
 Jersey, and the interior continental re^jjion, aj)pear to represent these 
 highest European members of the Cretaceous; and in the eastern coast 
 rejfion of America the localization of the break between the Cretaceous 
 and Tertiary at this horizon is also hoi-ne out, the liti;nitic series of the 
 West beini;" unrepresented. 
 
 435. It has been a common paheontological aphorism, based 
 especially on the study of the Ein-opean series, that no sinj^Ie species 
 is known to have passed upward from the Cretaceous to the Tertiarj-, 
 but this, like most negative generalizations in geology, is alresidy found 
 to be imperfect. On examining the typical localities, we find that the 
 change in the i'ovm of life is not alone, but synchronous with vast 
 ])hysical changes, indicated by an entire alteration in the character of 
 the deposits. There is every reason to believe, that the ])hysical break 
 wa,s more sudden and ])otent in its effect on the forms of life, than any 
 slow replacement of old types by new, by development or otherwise. 
 
A(IK OF TIIK I.KIMTE KoRMATH»N. 
 
 186 
 
 Animal lile iA' u funn liitlu'i-to scaicily i-i-prcsi'iilcil. is \>y llic cliangiMl 
 pliyHical rirciiinstaiut's liroiiuhi jnomiiu'iitly lorward, ami adds imioli to 
 the ajjparoiit foiiipli-tt'iu'ss ol' ihc ifplacfiiifiit. It was an appivrialiun 
 dl' this (act, wliicli U'd a liw yi'ars a!j,'i> to tlic cxtri-nii' staloniont, that 
 the (Jrctui'ooiis poriod still oxists in tlu' dfcp soa. 
 
 ■i30. In till' interior region oi" Anu'i-ica, noj^roat physii-al hivak took 
 place at this time, and though the change \\\ fades ot' life forms there, is 
 probably much more i-apid than can he acc()unted for without adding the 
 acceleration due to physical chani;e, the latter ailvanced slowly and 
 uniformly, and, as nuLcht he foreseen, no distinct sej)aratin^ pahconto- 
 loi^ical line can he drawn. As ^eolonical Uiiowled^e increases, it 
 is Couiul that its record of time in any one locality is much moro 
 imperfect than had heen sujiposed. A comhination of the recorils of 
 all i-ci,'ions would, no douht, suitice to till the ^aps, and the Liynito 
 formation of America a])pears to ,i:;o iiir to close one of the greatest of 
 them. 
 
 437. Dr. Hayden, who has heen actively en^aii;ed in working out 
 the jijjeology <»f the ^reat area west of the Mississijtpi, included in the 
 Territories, has afHi-nu-d and I'eiterated his helief, that the whole of the 
 liifnite-hearin^' rocks of the west hclony,- to oiu' threat connected sericH, 
 however sepaniteil now in some reii,ions by the upheaval of mountain 
 chains, oi- by denudation.* This view is also insisted on by Prof. 
 Lesquereux for a great majoi'ity of the ditferent localities, f and is ap- 
 parently acce])ted by Prof. Cope and others. The evidence is also irre- 
 fragable that these rocks, wherevei- their relations are clearly shown, 
 or have boon carefully worked out, rest directly on the upper member of 
 tho well marked marine Cretaceous, in a ])erfectly conformable manner. 
 The underlying rock is invariably, or almost iiivariablj', tho yellowish 
 arenaceoi'is clay or sandstone referable pala'ontologically — wherever that 
 criterion admits of a])])lication — to Meek and Hayden's 5th group, and 
 entirely distinct in ai)pearance from the greater part of the bods asso- 
 ciated with the lignites above. | I can not find in tho rcjiorts of tho U. 
 S. geologists, mention of tho occurrence, in the Rocky Mountain region 
 or eastward, of bods of lignite or coal in tho lower well-marked members 
 of tho Cretaceous, compai'ablo to those of the Saskatchewan, which are 
 provisionally placed on that hoi'izon by Dr. Ifector; with the ])Ossible 
 exception of the coal observed by Pro!'. Marsh on the south side of the 
 
 • Am Journ. Sci. and Arts, 18(B. U. S. Geol. Surv. Territ., 1870, p. 1<!5. IT. S. Geol. Suiv. Territ., 
 1872, J). 14, &c. t IWil.,!". 350. } HiiyJen. U. S. Oeol. Surv. Torrit,, 1807-01), p. 121, &c, 
 
I ! 
 
 !!'! 
 
 lili 
 
 \l 
 
 H I 
 
 186 
 
 H. N. A. nniNDAUY roMAItSSION. 
 
 Uinta Moiintiiiiis in Utah,* and tlu' Placiri'i' roaln ni' New Moxicf), dcs- 
 cnbod iiy Vvol'. NVwliorrv. wliicli arc (•(•tisidcrcd as Tertiary hy Pi-of. 
 LosqiH'rc'iix, and liavo Iummi stated t(t Ix^ so liy l)r. IFaydi'ii.t Witli theso 
 0X('C))tii)Ms, tlioreforc, and leaving' nut of considoratiun a few localities in 
 Utah and olsowhore, with regard to wliicdi tliei-e may still remain some 
 flli<,'ht doiilit ; till' a^i' of the whole of the valiiahle li,i,'nito deposits of tho 
 West dopendH on that assii^ned to tlie series of iicds ininiodiately over- 
 lying' Crotaceoiis Xo. 5, with which thi'y ai'c associated. 
 
 -WH. The Tei'tiary a^'c of the eastci'ii re|nvscntalives of these hcds, 
 in their typical localities, has never iietii directly (piestioned. It is 
 only if tlie Li^nito formation of tlie eastern liasc of tlie mountains be 
 rctei-red to the (Vetaceoiis, that it hecomes necessary, fiom the homo- 
 ireneitv of the li'roiii), to consider these heds (!retaceous also. Prof. 
 Newlterry, however, has throu'i.'hoiit miiintained that these hi'ds are 
 Miocene, J while Prof. Meek more than hints at their ultimate inclusion 
 in the Cretaceous, i;^ ami Prof. Copc^ now definitely classes them as 
 (Vctaceous; the two latter ;4"entlemen ar^uinji,- from the western heds 
 eastward, in the nuinner aliove indicated. Tiiei'e seems little douht, 
 hovvovor, that tho iceneral tenor of the evidence of these heds, when 
 considered alone, favours their Lower Kocene ai;e. Their e.\act synchro- 
 nism with the Ecopean Eocene is a question a])art from the pi'csent 
 in(|uii'y. 
 
 431*. It is in thewestern extension of the heilsoftlicLi^iiite formation, 
 in the Rocky Mountain region, — where, though pieserving the same 
 entire confonnity with the underlying well-markod (Cetaceous, and non- 
 C(mfonnity with the later Tertiary beds above them, — thoy have awsumed 
 preponderating salt and brackish-wator characters; that the dispute 
 with regard to their age lias been closest, and the arguments on either 
 side most eipiallj' balanced. The shells of marine and brackish-water 
 type, instead of occurring merely in the lowest layers, here characterize 
 u great thickness of the strata. At llallville, in Utah, 3,000 to 4,000 
 feet of coal-bearing beds were laid down before the sea waters were 
 finally excluded. |j Yet the tendency of the evidence seems to point 
 to tho necessary inclusion of these coals of Utah, in whatever series 
 those of Colorado are ultiniately placed, though Mr. Marvine appeal's 
 
 *See Cope. U. S. (Jeol, Surv. Territ., 1873, p. 43,"), Priif, Dftiia in the last edition of his Manual of 
 Oeoltitfy rofors to those boilH lus belontfinK to the <lisputo(l IJsfnito formation. 
 
 t U. .S. Oeol Surv. Territ., IsM). Am. ,Ioum. Sci. and Arts, Jmie. 1874. 
 
 { Ocolopieal Report Vellow.stone and Mi.ssouri E.xpedition, 18tl!(. Am. ,Iouni. Sci. and Arts, April, 1874. 
 
 § U. S. Oeol. Surv. Territ., 1872, p. 400. i| Hayden, U. S. CJeol. ,Surv. Territ , 1870. p. l(Hi. 
 
A(tK iiK TlfK t.IOMTK KdHMATIOV. 
 
 l^T 
 
 to liclicvi' tli:it tlit-y I'opivsftit a (lilU'i-ciit liitri/.on. * Tlu> lit,'nito- 
 hoarin^' rm-ks of tlii< Cn-ty-iiinth ]iai'alli'l, fn.in nlxxit l(>in,'i(u(U> 110° ;U»' 
 west war' I, lu'loii^' witli frw fX(i'|. liens lo ih,. sail and l.raclvisli wator 
 Horioy, luid c'losoly ivsoniliK' those of tlu' i'a>U'rii and wf.-U'rn tlanks of 
 tlio lln-ky .\rounlaiiis t'lirtluT soiitli, Kolli litlndouically and palu'onlo- 
 io^ic'uUy. S|nH'itic idontity prol.aKly olitains ln'twi-i-n molluscs from tlio 
 vk'inity ol'tlu' Hiittos, au(l liotii tLo'^c (d' the ("oalvilli' and iJittcr Cnndc 
 worioH of Dr. llaydeii. 
 
 440. Dr. ilaydeii, whose authority with i't'<;ard to the strati^^'apliicai 
 rcdatioii- of tho wt'storn ln-ds can scart'tdy In- dispuii'd, in ail his t'ariior 
 publications and reports, rofois the whole of the li^'ni to-hearing' rotdis, — 
 which as already stated lie considers as an unhroUcn series, — to tlie 
 Tertiary, an<l attaches them to the Miocene division. Writint^ in IH.'iT, in 
 conjunction with I'rof. Meek, he says : — •• We have no evi lence that 
 any of the Tertiary dejjosits now known in Nebraska are oldi r than the 
 Miocene. The |?reat lii;iiitic hasin, and the Mauiunses Tern's of White 
 River, thouirh probably itoth Miocene, are not exactly on a parallel." f 
 A^ain, in the same year, in his Notes exjihmatoi'y of a .Map ami Section, 
 ho writes ol' these beds. '' Tho collections ol' fossils now obtained show 
 most conclusively that it posesses the mixed (diaracter oi'u fresh-water 
 and estuary de])osit, and that it cannot lie oldi-r than the Miocene 
 ))eriod."| In the published results of the Yellowstone and Missouri 
 K.Kpedition of 185!I-G0, J;^ we tind the i-ntire formation still retained 
 in tho Tertiary, but placed doubtfully on the horizon of the Eocene of 
 Kuropo. The iloubt seominii; to obtain chietly with re<^ar(l to the pro- 
 priety' of its separation from the Miocene, and to be based on Dr. 
 Newberry's opinion on the plants. The comparison by Prof. Liedy of 
 the iinimal i-emains with "types even older than the Tertiary" is, 
 however, mentioned. In 1SGS Dr. Haydcn still maintains the Tertiarj' 
 a^o of the formation, and mentions especially the coal-bearini^ beds 
 of the Laramie Plains, altlum^h in tliis locality, as he says, " some 
 marine fossils are found in strata connected with the coal."|| The 
 admission is also made that there may here be " some thin seams 
 of impure coal in the upper Cretaceous bods." In 1870, Dr. Ilayden 
 refers to the Lowoi" Eocene, the coal formation of the Green River and 
 Bridger regions, but designates his classitication of the beds there as 
 
 ' U S, Oeol. Surv. Tcrrit., 1K7;1, p 107. t Descrijitlon, Now SjieclcB and Ocncra FoshMh, &i;. p. 19. 
 
 { Notes Expiaiiatiiry of a .Map ami Section of the (.'ountry Borilerii'n on the Misaouri Uivcr. p. 1). 
 
 S Ooliitfical itepcirt Yellowstone and Missouri Kxpedition. p. -il), et seij. 
 
 II U. .S. Oeol. Surv. Territ., 1S0V-C9. p. 100. 
 
 M 
 
 j: 4 
 
Ji 
 
 188 
 
 B. N. A. HOHNDAKV COMMIHStdN. 
 
 
 III 
 
 Mil: 
 
 proviHidiuil imly.-i- In tlic saiiif rf|»iiit llic pui^ilion ol' tin- ('((iilvillc 
 lignite sorii's is udiiiittcti as ilimhlt'iil, llic iiiiri'i'tiiiiity Itoiii^ niiisiMl, 
 liowovi^r, l»y tilt' jixal ilisiiu'ltaiici's nf llu' strata, llii' IkmIs orcJirlact'oiis 
 Nn. 2 ajipoariiii;' to ovt'rla|» lliciii. Tlu' concliiHioii upcivi'd at is, huw- 
 I'vcr, that tlii' coal is pniltaltly in iralily '' (ilmrr the ItlatU (.'retacfoiiM 
 cliiyK i>t' No. 2. and forms it port of the Upper Cretnccom tjruuji." f 
 On anotlii'i' |iau:t> of tin* saini* I'cpoi'l it is slalcil that whiht in soino 
 localitii's the liiii' lu'twi-cu the Crclaccoiis and Ti'i'tiaiy is wi'll niarki'tl 
 hy tlu! alisi'iicf <if soiiic hods — pi't-siinialily those oCiiiariiu' and Idiukish- 
 \vatt'ras|K'('l — that in otlu'i's,as in tlu' IJridnor Pass district, the division, 
 howover ininiitoly the IumIs may he studied, must always lie an arhitrary 
 one. I In 1S72 I>r. llayilen is Cully |)fe|iai't'd to admit llu- ('reluciM)UM 
 11^0 of a ufiTal pail of tin- series. He considers the evidence of the 
 Ci'ctaci'ous a|i;c of the lower coal hetis in I Mali, especially at Heur 
 River and Coalville, to he cont liisive, and writes : " Hut if we admit 
 that the coal heds of Wyomini; and Colorado are all of Cretaceous 
 ai^e, 1 think we nui}' extend them all over the Noilh-west and i^^iiore the 
 evidence from the fossil j)lants entirely. The facts, as we jiossess them 
 at the pi'esent time, sei>m to jxiint to the coiicliisioii that tiie lignite strata 
 commenced diiriiii;' the latter portion of tlu' Cretaceous period, and con- 
 tinued on into Tertiary times without uny marked physical hi'eak, so 
 that many of the Cretaceous tyjies, es[iecially of the vertehrata, may 
 luivo lini;ered on thr()Ui:;h the transition jiei'iod, even into the Tertiary 
 C])och."i^ Also, in speakini^ of the li^-nite-heai'in^ stra'u of the re<i;ioii of 
 the Gallatin Valley: "The evidence at the present ti points to the 
 conclusion that the lower portions of this <^roiip are ( retaeeous, passing 
 up by "gradual transition into the Tei-tiary, and that the /greater jK)rtion 
 may he regarded as of the aj^e of the latter ])eriod.'' In the maps and 
 sections published with some of the rej)oi'ts n'feri-ed to, the Tertiary 
 classification of the beds in question is adhered to. || Professors Hitch- 
 cock and HIake have also adopted Dr. Ilayden's colourin<f in their general 
 Geolof^ical map. bearing; date 1H72. 
 
 Dr. Ilayden's explorations were begun on the eastern margin of the 
 formation, but previous to 1857 he had examined the country bordering 
 the Missouri as fai' west as Fort Benton, and on the present line of the 
 Pacific Railway, to Green River. 
 
 • U. 8. Geol. Surv. Territ., 1870. p. 73 t Ibid, p. 1.17. I Ibid,, p. 70. 
 
 § U.S. Oecil. Surv. Territ., 1872, p. 14. 
 II See Map and Section illUHtratiiiK Uenl. Htructure nf Country biirderiiiK the Mis^nuri, 1857. Map 
 accomimnyliig Yellowatone and MiBsouri Hcport, 1809. Map acconipanying filial Rejiort on Nebraska, 1872, 
 
A(iK iiK rllK, l.lilNITK KnUMATIo.S. 
 
 189 
 
 •HI. Vvul'. Mi'ck, early in lln' Held, roiiciirH with lla^-ili'ii, an wi- havo 
 Hccn, in lHft7, in uMcriliinj,' tlu' li;,'iiil(' strata to the Miocene. A« I'lirly nn 
 1H(5(>, it would appear, however, llial he had reCei-red some molluscs IVoni 
 tlio l()W(M' part of tlu' eoaldieai'ini,' si-ries to the ( 'retaeeons, and in IH"!) 
 ho taUos the view that the hods of Hear ftiver and Coalvillo in I'tah, 
 are Upper ("I'elaci'onN, ])assinj,; np throiij;}) a sei-ies of transition strata to 
 I'iOeen. ; thonj;h he is at the same time careful to miaid against the 
 HUpposition that he considers the limits of either oiu- fornuition or othcM', 
 to be exactly Mynehi-onous with those of tho same names, and typified Ity 
 Niniilar fossils in Europe, =•= IJcasonitii; entirely from the itmuUh of hi« 
 examination of the invertehrate fossils, he places the lower IkhIs, con- 
 tainini^ undouhleil marine forms in the Upper Cretaceous, assi^nin^ 
 them a positio?i superi(U" to ("retaceoiis \o. '>, of the typical si'ctions, 
 Those with estuai'ine forms, are rcfcrri'il to the Tertiary; thouixh in the 
 conclusion of a nott«, on fossils sulimittctl to iiim hy Mr. Clarence Kin;^, 
 ho remarks: — " While 1 am, therefore, willin/,; to admit that facts may 
 yot bo discovered that will warrant the conclusion that sonu' of the 
 estuary beds, so widely distributed here, shoidd be included rather in 
 the C'rctaceous than in the Tertiary, it seems to me that sucdi evidence 
 must either come from includiMJ Vcrffhrntr remains, or frihn further 
 discoveries i'esj)ecfin^ the strut ii^raphical position of the beds with 
 relation to other established horizons, since all the niolluscan remains 
 yot known from them seem to point to a later origin," f Tho most 
 typical Cretaceous forms iccoirinsed in the marine beds are, Inoceramus, 
 Anchuria and Cfyrodes, "(Jcnera that seem not to have survived tho 
 close of the Cretaceous period,"' J Several other fossils of Cretaceous 
 aspect, however, occur, and in sonu' cases arc compared specifically with 
 those of the hijL^her Cretaceous beds of Califonda. {^ In summing; up his 
 arguments for the Cretaceous a^'c of the lower I)eds of the ttreen River 
 Basin, Prof, Meek lays especial stress on tlu' occurrence of Inoceramus, 
 and a somewhat doubtful s])ecimen nl Anchuria, and also on the fact that 
 there is no evidence of the existence of any strictly marine Tertiary deposits 
 in the interior reyion of the continent, lie admits that if the remainder of 
 the molluscous fainui were presented to any jjahcontologist unaware of 
 the existence of the Cretaceous forms mentioned, and the generalization 
 
 • See Prof. Meck'H vorv intereHliiiK review of tlie (lUuHtion in V, S. fJeol. Hur. Tcrrtt., 1870, pp. 
 200, 201. t l.'.S. <i«"l. KxpldriitiMii Kortitth I'ariilli;! ; vi.l. iii., 1870, i>. m>. 
 
 I V. S. (it'cil. Surv. 'IVrrit., 1870, p. 21)0. 
 § The inelusloii of remiiiiis ilerivod from tliu iliHiiiU'ttnitioii of oliler hut uiiroiisolldtttcd 1)C<U may ac- 
 count for some of those facts. In tliu drift days of the western plains, I have necn little altered 
 Crctaccuui shells inihedded, in a manner which wcjuld have been very puzzlinj,', had their Crutacouua 
 affinitieB not l)een known. 
 
Ills 
 
 :i:in 1 
 
 ■''■I 
 
 il 
 
 ¥: 
 
 B 
 
 190 
 
 B. N. A, Hor.NDAin' OOJIMISSION. 
 
 abovo stiiUMl. tlii'y ini,y;lil lie iiii!K'sit;itiMi>'ly ivfoiTod lo tlio Toi'tiary.* 
 In 1872, Pi'of. Mi'i'k m:i(k' a cai'i'l.il oxiiininalion on tlio spot, of many of 
 the niosl intt'iTstinii,' localitios in tli(> IJoc-ky Mou'^ain Ri'^ion, and in hin 
 report roatUi'nis and oxlonds his torinor viows. It would socm, however, 
 that the question was approaelied witii some ready formiihited rules. He 
 writes, for instanee, in mentionin,y; tiie reference of the fossils to the 
 Cretaeeons in 1871. "This 1 did, mainli/ because there ivcre amomj thevmo 
 fresh-v:ater or sirictli/ brackisli-icater tyjies ; while vp to this time ice knoio 
 of no Tertiary of marine oriyin in all the iuteri- r region of the Cvntinent."f 
 At the same time two of the shells of Imiekish-watei' aspeet were referretl, 
 to the Eocene, thou^'li — as he himself afterward states — they were sub- 
 se'juently found lo have belonijed to the marine beds last referred to. 
 Nothinir ean show more elearlv tlian this error, tin' delieaev of the 
 investigation, even when followed on the evidence of the molhiscan type 
 only; or tlie danger of <lepending on the change from nmrine, to 
 brackish, and tresh water. a,s a detinite line. It is but fair to add, how- 
 ever, that the collectit)n including these t'orms was snndl and apjjarenlly 
 in impert'ect preservation. On another page, Pi'of. ^leek says of the 
 lower nmrine beds, represented in the Hitter (^vek Series : "Although 
 partly c<mimitted in favoui' of the ojiinion that this foi'ination belongs to 
 tlie Cretaceou.', and still provisionally viewing it as probably such, J do 
 not wish to disguise or conceal (he fact that the, evidence favoui-ing this 
 conclusion to be derived from the mollu.scs alone, as now known, is by 
 no means strong or convincing."' |' The absence of all the characteri.stic 
 Cretaceous Cephalopoda is noted as not satisfactorily ex])licable, and the 
 decidedly Tertiary facies of the Corbuhv commented on. Some of the 
 latter, are einiilar to species found \\\ the brackish-water bculs of (he 
 Judith llivor on the Upper Missouri, which have generally been regarded 
 as Eocene, though now, togethei- with (he Fort Union beds, by some 
 included in the Cretaceous. An Anomia, at the same time, so closely 
 resembles one from the Cretaceous of Texas, that it is supposed to be 
 identical with it. Directly associated with (he Dinosaurian renmins in 
 the beds at Black Butte, is found a shell indistinguishable trom Viviparus 
 ■'.'''chifonnis, originally described from the (3-pical Fort Union beds, near 
 Fort Clarke, (m tlu> .Missouri. The unity of the ligiute aeries now 
 renders itself apparen(, and (he impossibilKy of referring (heir eastern 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 ♦ This seems to have :ilrc.i<l.v oeeurreii, lus Mr. ICtlieiiiliro, Pelii'ontiiliij,'ist ••) tlie Codldcical Survey of 
 Great Britoiii, has referred shells obtained liy Dr. Heetor at tlie Cypress Hills,— whieli in all probability 
 belong to this (oriiiation --to the marine Kooene. 
 
 t U.S. Ueol. Surv. Torrit., 1872, p. 45«. { Ibid., p. 468. 
 
 ':' I 
 
A(iE OF TIIK I.KiNITK KOItMATIoN. 
 
 191 
 
 and wostoni ivpivsi'Ml:iti\i's fodilVtrcnt t'onuiititms. It lu'Cdiiu's iuH'fs;-iiirv, 
 it'rtinsisteiK-y shiilt hu jnvstM'vi'd to incliuh' the wholo sorios in tlicCi-o- 
 taceous or Tertiary, ai\il ll>o toniuT coui'so is adojjteil. Prof. ^Ii>t'k 
 writes: — "The occurrence of this last named species here, aloni; with 
 a Cretaceous type of reptilian, and a Corlncida ap])arently identical with 
 C. ci/fhcriformis of the Judith l^iver hi-ackish-water heds, toi^ether with 
 the presence of Corhulas, ver}- closely allied to Juditli River sjiecies, nt 
 lower horizons in tliis series, and the oecuri-ence of some vertebrates of 
 Crotncoons attinities at tlic Judith Rivor localities, would certainly strongly 
 favour tlio conclusion, not only that this Judith River formation, the age 
 of which has long been in doubt, is also Cretaceous ; but that even tlie 
 higher fresh-water lignite formation at Fort Chirke and other Upper 
 Missouri localities may also be Uppei- Cretaceous, insteail of Lower Ter- 
 tiary."* 
 
 442. Professors Newberry and Lcsqiioreux have investigate<l the 
 numerous and rich collet'tions of plants obtained from lieds associated 
 with the lignites. Prof. Newberry, in ISO!), in describing plants ob- 
 tained by Dr. llayden, throughout I'cfers to the deju'sits as of Miocene 
 age. The specimens examined at this time were from various localities 
 in the valley of the Missouri, trom the extreme eastern edgi' of the forma- 
 ti(ni at Fort Clark, to ii point 100 miles up the Yellowstone, f Prof. 
 Newberi-y still maintains the Miocene age of the li])])er Missouri lignite 
 beds, on account of the great similarity of their llora to that of the 
 Miocene of other regions, but inclines to refer those of Colora<lo, AVyom- 
 ing, and Utah to the y|>[)er Cretaceous. | This arrangement is appar- 
 ently (piite at variatict' with the .-itratigraphical unity of the foi-niation, 
 insisted on In' llayden and others, and the resemblance of many of the 
 moUuscan types throughout. 
 
 443. Pi'ot. Lesc^uereux, while admitting the MiiXH'ue facies of the 
 plants from the lignite deposits, when compared with those of the old 
 world, § places those of the Missouri basin in the Lower Eocene, and 
 inchxdes in the same categoj-y the greater part of those of the westei-n 
 Rock}' ]\[ountain region. He, however, points out the close correspon- 
 dence of American Tertiary and Cretaceous tVu-nis — plants from the 
 lower beds of the Cri'laceous having originally l)een referred to the 
 Miocene of Kurope. Prof Lesijuereux visited ami carefully examined 
 scmie ol'the most interesting localities in 1S72, and appears to have been 
 
 •■ i: 
 
 ■f 
 
 * U. S. Oi'i)l. Sur\ . Territ. Is72. p. 4G0. i liLMildKiciil Kipurt VelldWHtdiic lUiil MiH«oiiri Kxpcditiim. 
 
 J Am. Journ. Sci. and ^Vits, April. Is74. § Am. Juurii. Sci. ami Arts, April. 1b74. 
 

 
 T 
 
 J! 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 1 
 
 Iv , 
 
 192 
 
 B. K. A. IIOUNDAUY COM.MISSK)K. 
 
 coiifiniiod in Iiis opinions pivvioiisly oxprosHcd. Ho Ix'licvos the Kocono 
 of Aniorifii and Europe to he identical in (jcnrral. cliaraclcrs, and as a 
 rt'S»m^ of his coneliisions writes: — '' 1 am, I think, authorizeil t<) deduee 
 the f'oliowinif eonelnsions : Tiiat the ,i:;reat Li^'nitie yroiip must he con- 
 sidered as a whoh' and well cha:aeterized formation, limited at the haso 
 hy the fueoidal sandstone, at its to]» hy the conglomerate heds ; that inde- 
 pendent from theCi'etaceoMs under it and from the Miocene above it, our 
 Lignitic Ibrmations i-epresont the Americati Eocene."* In 1874, Prof. 
 Lesquereux a|>])ears in some de^i'ee to moility this statement, l>y placing 
 the heds at C'arhon in the middle Miocene, and including those of Kvans- 
 ton and a few other localities, in the U])per Eocene, while classing the 
 great majority of lignite-hearing rocks — including those of Coloi'ado and 
 Wyoming, with those also of Coalville in Utah, Naiiaimo in Vancouver 
 Island, and the Placiei-e coal of New Mexico — as Lower Eocene, f He 
 believes that the age of th ^ floi-a of many of the European beds referred 
 to tlie Miocene, has not b "en tixed with sufficient pi-ecisioii to admit of 
 their being used as terms of comparison. 
 
 444. Prof. Newberry draws attention to the fact of the diversity of 
 Prof. Lesquereux's so-called American Eocene phmts from those of the 
 recognized Eocene of Europe, and does not thiidi his reference of the 
 lignite beds to the Eocene justified, writing ; — '' This conclusion I am 
 unable to aece])t, from the fact that the general facies of the Missouri lig- 
 nite flora, is altogether unlike that of the Eurojiean Eocene, and it is 
 identified with the Miocene flora of Arctic America, Iceland, the He- 
 brides, and Central Europe, by most of its genera, 'and by a considerable 
 number of well-marked sj)ecies." \ 
 
 445. Prof. Coi)e appeal's tii'st to have i-e+'.rred hcfls of this forma- 
 tion to the Ci'etacetnis, on accoujitof their reptilian fauna in 18(39. § He 
 haH described the remains of the Dinosaurian reptile from the Bitter 
 Creek series near J}lack Butte, where they occur in the closest i-elation 
 with a coal bed, and were surrcnmded h}- a mass of vegetable debris, and 
 associated with Viviparus trochifonnis, already mentioned. He insists on 
 the imj)ortance of this discovery, and writes: — "Jt is thus conclusively 
 jiroven that the coal strata of the Bitter (!reek Basin of Wyoming Ter- 
 ritory, which embraces the gi-eatesl area yet discovered, were deposited 
 during the Cretaceous ]»eriod, and not during the Tertiary, though iiot 
 very long preceding the lattei'."' || 
 
 * U. S' Ocol. Surv. Tcrrit,, 1872, p. 3f>0, 
 
 t Am, .liiiirii. Sci. ami Arts, June. 1874. U. H. Geol. Surv. ■i<.;rit., 1873. 
 
 t Am. Journ. Sci. and Arts, April. 1874. S Soo U. S. Geol. Sur\. Territ., 1873, p. 434. 
 
 II On the existence of Dinosauria in the Trausitiun bedn of Wyumintir- 
 
A(iE OK THE LKINITE FORMATION. 
 
 I'.i3 
 
 Prof. iMursli is slated lo liavc Coiiiul, "'over (he coal sorios, six 
 milos IVom Given Eivor, near Briisli Creek, in Utah, a layer lull of Ostrea 
 congesta, Con., a l_vj»ieal Cretaceous fo.ssil, and above this a crinoid, per- 
 haps related to the Crotaeeous Marsiqntes, and also scales of a Beryx, 
 a f^oims of CrctaceoiiH tishes; and in shales helow the coal l)ed, remains 
 of turtles of Cretaceous types, and teeth resembling those of aMcgabsau- 
 rus." * These beds, however, according to Prc.'f. Co})C, f do not belong 
 to the horizon of the ligiute formation of Bitter (Jreek, but perhaps to 
 Cretaceous No. 3. and cannot bo accepted in evidence for the Cretaceous 
 age of the J,igiute formation pro])erly so-calle<^l. 
 
 446. The Cretaceous age of at least a considerable part of the Lignite 
 formation of the West is also laid by Messi-s. Marsh, Stephensoii, Em 
 mons, and King. The latter places the line of division between the Cre- 
 taceous and Tertiary at Bitter Creek, at the level of the highest horizon of 
 brackish-water shells — a distinction which has the appearance of being 
 a jiurely arbitrary one. 
 
 447. The issue is jierhaps closest with I'cgard to these Bitter Creek 
 representatives of the formation. By Prof. Cope, they aj-e referred to 
 the u]))icr part of the Ci'etaceous, from the occurrence of the Dinosaurian, 
 Agathavmas sylvcstris. Prof. Meek, as we have seen, though not without 
 much doubt, also i-elegates them to this formation ; while Prof. 
 Lesqucreux believes the plants to be unquestionably Tertiar}- and Lower 
 Eocene. Prof. Ilayden had pi'eviously remarked the im])ossiblity of 
 laying down any e.xact line between the Cretaceous and Tertiary of this 
 region, and believes a considerable thickness of " ti'ansiti(jn beds" 
 to be developed; X 'i feature also insisted on subsequently by Dr. Bannis- 
 ter. § Here at least, wo find the co-existence of the romruints of a Cre- 
 taceous fauna, with a flora such as is usually considered Tertiary by 
 palivontologists. 
 
 448. In the above brief summary of facts and opinions, it has been 
 endeavored to bring togethei' the more important data bearing on the ago 
 of the western Lignite formation, and to illustrate the gradual change of 
 opinion which has taken place concerning it. For details and illustra- 
 tions, it will onl}' bo necessary to refer to the elaborate and valuable 
 reports of the gentlemen referred to. 
 
 449. The physical nature of the junction of the Lignite-bearing beds, 
 and " transition beds," with the well nnii'ked Cretaceous, has already 
 
 
 1 
 
 I 
 
 •Manual of Geology. Dana. 187.^. p. 457. 
 I U. 8. Geol. Surv. Territ., 1870. p. 75. 
 
 1 1'. S. Oeol. Surv. Territ. 187:!, p. 439. 
 § U. S. Geol. Surv. Territ., 1872. p. .'i'i.i. 
 
 13 d 
 
mi 
 
 B. N. A. BOUNDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 !!■!■ 
 
 iii - ' . 
 
 
 been alluded to; and that examined in the eonrse of my own explorationH, 
 is fully deserilied in another par: of this Jleport. Ah this junetion is, 
 however, a matter of threat imjtortanee, a few additional faets coneerning 
 it may be atlduced. Though in sonii- loealities, as at Bitter Creek, the 
 separation between the universally leeogiuzed (Ji-etaeeous, and l)eds 
 belonging to the Lignite formation, may not be clearly definable, this is 
 very seldom the cjise. Notwithstanding the locally variable character 
 of No. 5, no division of the Cretaceous seems to be more constant in it.s 
 general chanicters and appearance, over the whole western area of the 
 intei'ior region, as well as in the typical eastern sections. Paheon- 
 tologically; it is to a great extent a contiimation u])ward of No. 4, and the 
 changes it presents as compared with that division, are mostly those 
 necessarilly i>rought about by the shoaling of the waters of t^e 
 sea. There also appears to be, in man}- localities, a second zone of 
 sandstone at about this level in the sei'ies, which has sometimes been 
 attached liy observers to the base of the Lignite formation, and sometimes 
 to No. 5, and to Avhich Prof Lesquereux has drawn particular attention. 
 It is characterized b}' the abundance of fucoidal renuiins in many places 
 where he ha.s examined it. It is not always easy to decide at once 
 between these sandstones, and those more closely attached to the 
 suiiunit of the Cretiiceous, nor does the division appear to be one of 
 great importance, as there is no real physical, or great paheontological 
 break. In the valley of the Yellowstone, Dr. Harden describes, " a 
 deep reddish-yellow Sandstone resting on the well mark'cd Cretaceous 
 rocks which I cannot positively aifirm as belonging to the u])per part of 
 No. 5, or to the lower bed of the Tertiary." A similar l)ed is found 
 holding the same ])osition, high up on the Missouri, and round the rim of 
 the Lignite Basin where it skirts the Black Hills.* Again near the 
 Ilaton Mountains, Dr. Hayden describes " a massive heavy-bedded sand- 
 stone, yellowish-grey or whitish, and rather concretionary in structure" 
 as overl3'ing Cretaceous No. 4 ; and Ibis according to Lesquoreux forms 
 all roimd the mountains, the base of the Lignitic fornmtion. These sand- 
 stones are also described south of the J^aton Pass, along the l)ase of the 
 Bocky Mountains by Dr. Leconte, as "formed like an immense terrace, 
 which extends as far south as the valle}- of the Torejo, and perhaps even to 
 the North bank of the Cimarron." f In the valley of the Arkansas, Dr. 
 Hayden mentions as i-osting on No. ft, a " thick bed of rusty-yeUow 
 
 GcoloRical Re|nirt Yellott'stono anil MiaHouri Ex|>editi()ii, p. 58. 
 t Sec Lcsijucreux U. S. Genl. Surv. Terrii., 1872. i). 321. 
 
A(1E UV THE LKINITE r<»HMAT10N. 
 
 in5 
 
 orations, 
 lU'tion is, 
 neevning 
 Ircek, the 
 ivnd beds 
 [e, this is 
 character 
 ant in its 
 •ea of the 
 Palav>n- 
 4, and the 
 istly those 
 rs of V\i.' 
 id zone of 
 imes Ijeen 
 sometimes 
 • attention, 
 any places 
 le at once 
 ed to the 
 be one of 
 mtological 
 cribes, " a 
 Jretaccous 
 cr part of 
 id is found 
 the rim of 
 near the 
 Ulcd sand- 
 Istrncture" 
 •eux forms 
 'hose sand- 
 )ase of the 
 Ise terrace, 
 ipseven to 
 ansas, Dr. 
 ,ty-yello\v 
 
 sHndstonc," whirh is i-egardcd as the lower bed of tiio Tertiary.* 
 Tlioiigh the Cretaceous .subdivisions are not well defined in the Soutliern 
 liocky Mountain region, so much so that it has been said liy llay<leii, 
 that " if tliey had tii'st lieen studied along the base of the mountains only 
 from Cheyenne soulhwanl, it is very doubtful whether the tive distinct 
 groups of strata would have l)een made out," yet, even where the lines 
 are thus indefinite X(». 5 is ilearly represented, and holds the same 
 relations to the underlying anil overlying series that it does on the forty- 
 ninth i)arallol. The black shales of No. 4 arc said to " pass gradually u}» 
 into yellow I'usly arenaceous clays which characterize No. 5, and No. 5 
 jjasses tij) into the Lignite Tertiary beds whei'e they can be seen in 
 contact, without any well defined line of separation that I could ever 
 discover"! in other localities Dr. Ilayden has denominated arenaceous 
 layers which seem to occujn' the same horizon, " transitiim beds." ile 
 writes '' In various [)ortions of the Laramie Plains, CoUn-ado, Eaton 
 Jlills, &c. I have observed between the well defined Ci'ctaceous and 
 Tertiary beds, a grouj) of sti-ata composed of thin layers of day with 
 yellow and grey sands and sandstones, which 1 have called transition 
 or beds of passage." '• There is no proof so far as I have oi)serve(| in all 
 the Western country of Jion-conformity between the Cretaceous and 
 Lower Tertiary beds." J Kxamjiles might Ite multiplied, but sufficient 
 have been given to illustrate the natui'e of the juiu-tion, and its similai'ity 
 over the broad area ex])lored by the U. S. geologists, an<l on the forty- 
 ninth parallel aiul northward. 
 
 450. The perfect stratigraphical continuity of the Upper Cretaceous 
 and Lignite formation is ap)iarent eveiywherc. No bi-eak occurs from the 
 base of No. 4, up through that division and No. 5. onward through the 
 whole thickness of the beds associated Avith the lignites. The period of 
 the deposition of the Tiignite formation, is however, almost everywhere, 
 brought definitely to a dose by the occurrence of a mountain-making eiva, 
 during which a great part of the Rock}' Mountains was elevated, and the 
 succeeding Tei'tiary beds, when they occui-, are frequently found to rest un- 
 conformably on the Lignite strata below. One horizon only, in this great 
 Upper Ci'etaceous and Lignitic series, is well marked, and that is fixed as 
 definitely as any geological mark of time can be. The 3'elloAV arenaceous 
 beds of No. 5 are almost everywhere recognizable, and with them the 
 lower sandstone of the Lignite formati(m is at least physically connected. 
 
 !| 
 
 * U. S. OsipI . S\irv. Territ. , 1800. p. 50. 
 t Hayilcn U. S. Geol. Siirv. Territ., 1S07-00. ji. Vii. 
 
 I Ibid., p. 197 
 
19G 
 
 B. N. A, B(H!M)ARY COMMISSION. 
 
 451. TJitit the cliaii«j,od phyHinil coiulilioiis, and more turbulent 
 wutoi's, causing this sandstone deposii, were cireumsUinecs simultaneously 
 aft'ecting the whole areu in quest ion, and not progicssively pasaing 
 ovor it in any tlirection, appears eorlain. This is shown by its paheonto- 
 logi .al similarity, and by the faet that while almost immediately suc- 
 ceeded by fresh-water conditions in the eiist, it lies far down umon.'^ 
 brackish-wator and marine fossils in the west. The elevation of the 
 continent following the deposition of these sandstones, taking place gra- 
 duallj', and probably in a somewhat intermittent manner, and with 
 occasioiud slight relapses, brouglit certain areas above the surface in (lie 
 eastern part of the interior continental region, and also even toward the 
 west, at least as far as to the position of the present Jtocky Mountain 
 uplift. The sea was not pei'fcctly excluded from the intervening shallov. ;i 
 in the east, while in the west, the waters surrounding the low-lying, 
 forest-dad land, wei-c essentially marine, The eastern ai-ea was, hovvovei", 
 soon converted into one charactei'ized by shallow lakes of fresh-water, irom 
 which the sea was permanently e^vcluded. in and around these, the 
 lignites and associated beds were formed; while westward, and separated 
 pci'hajw by no ilistmct bari'ier, was a region more or less subject to 
 alternations, and mingling of estuarine and marine conditions, but where 
 also the deposition of lignites was taking place in much the same manner 
 as in the east. Everything seems to favour the belief that the dejiosit 
 was simultaneous, as here indicated. Thus it is, that Avhilo the change 
 from salt to fi-esh-water foi-ms, in the eastern area happens to bo roughly 
 synchronous with the inception of the Lignite formation, it is valueless 
 when extended wcstwai-d as a criterion. 
 
 452. In the eastern region, the change frrm f'ro'aceous to Tertiary 
 life-forms has been manifestly accelerated by the change of physical con- 
 ditions. In the west, a similar accelei'ation has also obtained, but has 
 not been so great, and while several tliou.'and feet of strata were being 
 deposited, occasional relapses of ])h}sical conditions allowed marine 
 forms of Cretaceous aspect to re-appear. The change in type of life on 
 which a pala'ontological classitication is based, and which the increase of 
 knowledge continually tends to shoAV was more uniform and gradual than 
 formerly supposed, is therefore compiiciilctl over the interior area of the 
 continent by a superposed change fioni n\arine, through bj-ackish, to 
 frei;: water conditions ; and this did not take place simultaneously in all 
 parts of the area. 
 
 453. The dividing lines of geology are necessarily to a great extent 
 
 \'4 "i 
 
AOE OP THE T-IOXITE PORMATTOV. 
 
 lOY 
 
 founded on our i«^noranc'0, or local knowledge, and had tlio roooffniscd 
 classification of formations l)ocn based on a study of tlio western interior 
 region of North America, it is prol)al)lo that thoro would have hoen no 
 lino drawn between Mesozoic, and Tertiary- or Cainozoi*' ; or had thei-e 
 heon, it would bo placed altogothor above the Lignite series, which 
 repi-esents, at least in part, the lower Tortiaries of other countries. This 
 at least would have been the grand classitication founded on great areas, 
 and not invalidated by the existence in a few places, — as probably at 
 Kvanston, — of beds of transition upward. If, however, it is desir:iblo 
 to draw a line between Cretaceous and Tertiary for the sake of uniform- 
 ity with other and better known regions, and foi* use as a boundary in 
 geological mapi)ing; no physical non-conformity ottering, it bocomea 
 necessary to turn to the included organic remains, which might indicate 
 the position of some gap otherwise concealed. Those we have seen, 
 however, do not offer evidence of a very certain tenor; but fi'om it, such 
 as it is, our conclusions must be drawn. 
 
 454. The plants and fresh-water molluscs do not appear to bo capa- 
 ble of rendering much service. The flora of the Dakota group, — the low- 
 est of the Cretaceous of this region, and the piobablo equivalent of tho 
 lower or gro}- chalk of Eiu'opo — is well ropi'osented ii; some localities, 
 but is so essentially modern in tyi)e, that it was by competent authoi'ities 
 referred to the Miocene period. Tho distinctive facies of the flora of 
 America, seems even then to have been sketcheil out ; and fi-om this early 
 period to tho present day, wherever a land surface presented itself, plants 
 very similar in appearance, and differing for the most pai"t only specifi- 
 cally, were ready to occupy it. No great wave of vegetation of Indian 
 and Australian typo, like that characteristic of the typical Eocene of 
 Europe, seems to have swept over this continent, and thus the plants of 
 tho American rocks are not strictly comparable with those of the old 
 world. Thoy belong to a separate region, the features of which are its 
 own, and must be worked out by themselves. 
 
 455. Yet further doubt, however, rests upon the evidence of tho 
 plants; for Prof. Losquereux, from a careful comparison of tho flora of 
 dilforent localities of the newer formations of tho interior and western 
 regions, is led to a sub-division and arrangement in series of the bods of 
 those places, which is in many instances manifestly nntenable in the 
 face of other evidence. This is especially the case when be inchides tho 
 Placiere coal beds ot New Mexico, and the Nanaimo coals of Vancouver 
 Island, from paheophytological reasoning, in the Lower Eocene. Tho 
 
 . 
 
 i'« 
 
 '■'\ 
 

 ■ 
 
 
 I ! ■ 
 
 Ilif M. . 
 
 1 
 
 i ! " 11! 
 
 
 108 
 
 n. V. A. HfMNDAHY COMMISSION'. 
 
 ]»laiil l)e(ls of tlio lonncr locality' In-inLf overlaid by some Innidreds* — in 
 ilio latter l>y several tlioiisandf — feit of IumIs, with well-mai'ked marine 
 Crotaeeous forms. ProC, Xewlterry, also, — as pointed out by ('o])e,| — 
 thou,ii,li so familiar with the phnits, is himself obi :od to appeal to the 
 evi(U*nee of the animal remains to fix the ano of the depositH ; the j)lantH 
 not bein/ij^ siitlieiently closely eom])arulile with the Hui'0])ean. Nor does 
 tlio Avido ditt'erenee of opinion, with rei^ard to ag'e, of two so able 
 pala'ontolo;j;ists in this tield, tend U) inspire contidence in the tloi'a as u 
 guide. It would indeed appear, that the Cretaceous and Tertiary Horas 
 of America and Kurojie are not yet sutHeiently known to enable their 
 Use as tests of ai^e. The ditfereiioes established betvvecn various locali- 
 ties, and tliouii;ht when only a small area was known to indicate steps in 
 a jfenera! jirogress ; now seem to be due, to a ii;reat e.xtent, to the replace- 
 ment of one flora by another by mii!,ratioii, or to origiiml ilitl'erences in 
 climate or condition, of the various ])luces. 
 
 45(). In one respect, however, the plants appeal- caj)ablo of affording 
 a useful addition to the evidence. If, as api)ears j)robable diiofly from 
 their study, a well marked maximum period of warmth was co-incident 
 with the early part of the Lignite foi'mation, preceded and followed by 
 cooler jiei'lods, represented b}- the Dakota and later Tertiary tleposits 
 resjiectively ; it may be possible to correlate this with the warm j)eriod 
 of the early Eocene in Europe, and thus establish a direct synchronism. 
 This carries with it udtlitional probabiliiy. now that tlie possible depend- 
 ence t)f such regular cyclical (hanges on astronomical causes, has been 
 shown. 
 
 457. Fresh-water molluscs, do not usually otter to the palaeontologist 
 a very safe criterion. They pieserve, from their earliest known apjiear- 
 ance, a wonderful similai'ity in genera and species; and their forms are 
 longer lived than those of most animals, and from the nature of the 
 shell and its ornamentation, changes which may be specific, are not 
 so well defined or cleai'ly recognisable as in marine shells. Specific 
 relations, howevei'. when demonstrable are of value, and it would appear 
 that such exist between some, at least, of the molluscs of the di8])uted 
 beds of the west, and those of the eastern border of the Lignite forma- 
 tion, the Tertiaiy age of which has onl_> been in dispute since it became 
 necessary for the preservation of consisteiKy, to include it with the 
 former in the Cretaceous. The general fades, however, of the fresh- 
 water shells in so far as it may weigh, is certainly Tertiary. 
 
 * Nowberry. Am. Jourii. Soi. and Arta., 1874. 
 
 t Uiuliardscin, in Keport uf Progress Geol, Surv. Canada, 1872-73. 
 
 t U. S. Geol. Surv. Territ., 1873, p. 443. 
 
A(1E OP THE MdNITE FORMATtOV. 
 
 190 
 
 -in 
 
 fresh- 
 
 458. Tlio oviduiict' ol' the inaiiiii' Molhisca, has l)oi'ii fonnd in 
 palu'onlnlotj}' the m<»Ht vahialiK', and IVoin tlu' hii'^v aiva Dccujiii'd hy tho 
 oct'Uii, the most completo (tt'aiiy. Tho ahk' juihi'ontolo^ist who hasdovoti'd 
 hiH atloiitioii specially t(» tlie rtliidy of this line of life foi'iiis, in the area 
 in (question; th()iiii;h assentini^ to the ehiHsitieatioii of the disputed lu'ds 
 with the Ci'etaeeous, iv^isters his opinion as to thi' prepon<lei'anee of 
 forms of Tertiary facies. He admits in evidence against these a few 
 Hcatterod i^onera, wliich in other countries, where the Cretaceous and 
 Tertiary are widely separated hy j)hysical conditions, have heeii found 
 characteristic of the former. He candidly allows, however, the evidence — 
 which, though ne;.!;ativ'e, must be accepted as of some importance — afforded 
 hy the noii-apj)eavance of the Cretaceous Cepludopoda, even in those 
 regions where marine conditions have ]»revailed most extensively. A 
 disposition has heen shown, to fortify the (!retaceous jjosition of the hods, 
 by using the change from marine to fresh, or brackish-wHter conditions, 
 as a line. It has been said, in discussing the age of the rocks of certain 
 localities, that no marine Tertiary beds are known. They can evidently 
 never be known if all marine beds discovered are affixed to the 
 Cretaceous. The /lon-ociiirrence of fnocenimi, and other such Cretaceous 
 forms, in the base of the Tertiary of a region in which the change took 
 place so gradually, would be a matter of surprise. Rlward Forbes, and 
 Sir Charles Lyell. have long ago pointed out the mingling of such typos, 
 and Barrande and otheis have shown it to occur extensively, without 
 at all invalidating the general tenor of the record. A certain form, may 
 be characteristic of a formation in a given locality, but may not bo 
 capable of use as a touchstone, in another and widely sei)arated one. 
 Prof. Lestpioreux has, miroover, lately shown that the really authentic 
 cases of the discovery of Cretaceous molluscs in the Lignite formation, arc 
 much fewer than had tormerly been supposed.* 
 
 459. To the evidence derived from tho vertebrate remains, great 
 weight, no doubt, attaches, as must always be tho case with that from tho 
 highest forms of life of any period. The few relics of dinosaui-ians, and 
 other reptiles of Cretaceous type, have really afforded the initial point 
 and strongest retreat, of the arguments for the (Jretaceous ago of the 
 formation. W no other facts wei-e forthcoming, a pahcontologist, would 
 with every probability in favour of his classification, place the beds con- 
 taining these in the Cretaceous, doing so, as would alone bo possible, from 
 analogy with othei- regions. It can hardly be admitted, however, that 
 
 
 * U. S. Gaol. Surv. Territ., 1873. p, 367, et acq. 
 
tf ) ' 
 
 200 
 
 n. N. A. noiNDAUY (MlMMrSHtON. 
 
 Ity the (liscovoiy (»!' tln'w (liiinsniii-inii lioiios niiioni,' llioin, it \h " ('(niclii- 
 Hivt'ly |)i-(»von" (liut llut lowvr li^Miitrs woiv di'iMisilcl in llio CVotaccoiiH. 
 'I'lii' liicl ()(' the otcun'tMicc oi' ihcH*^ niiiiiiiils h*i \\'\^U in tlui him-Ioh, liko 
 tliiit <>t tlu> ivciimMicc of plants uml frush-wiitor niollnws of (ypoH HJmi- 
 lin- to lliosc of tlio fjirlior ('ivtHciMdis, dopi'iiilcMl no tlonitt, on tlio nnin- 
 tomipttnl coiitinimnco of land areas with sinular climatic conditions. Tho 
 chan^^'s which operated in I ho coni]»aralivoly rapid oxcliision of such 
 ('rolaccoiiN salt-wator niolhiscH as still lived, from the area in »pu>stion, 
 must have tendeil tospreadand per|»etnale the terrestrial fauna and flora, 
 and the fact of th(> extinction of the lew I'lMnainin;; dinosanrianH, whilo 
 the eonditioiiH continued at least as favoiirahio to thoir exisleneo us in tlio 
 jirccedinrj jHM'iod, shows (hat (iioy helon^ecl ton type, j^rathially siieeunib- 
 \\\>j; to tiint decay, which seems to eflect not <»nly liu* imlividual, hut tho 
 species and tho race. This result may ])erha])s have heen aec(dernte<l, us 
 snui^esled hy Prof. C())u>, hy an irniplion of mamnuds from some other 
 (piarter. 
 
 4fi0. Tho Oretnoeous formation cannot he defined as exactly co-exten- 
 sive with any one form of life, however jjfivaf its classilicalory value may 
 he su])j)osed to ho ; and no classification, of any natural ohjects oi' pei'iods, 
 hased on a single structure or law, has provecl sufficiently facile to include 
 the facts, when nil were known. Tiy the com])arison of certain conditions 
 now oxistini;, ami their aecom]>anyinii- forms of life, with those of tho 
 Cretaceous, we may in a similar way prorc its continuance to the present 
 day. The vortcbrate fauna, when taken ;'.s a whide, is not hy any means 
 an exclusively Cretaceous one, l»ut inchules acconling to Prof. Cojjc's 
 comparative lists.* hoth in Colorado and Dakota, s(mie forms elsewhere 
 su]iposed to he cliaracteristically Tei'tiary. Of tlie vertebrate remains 
 found in connoctiiui with tho lowest beds of this series on the forty-ninth 
 parallel. Prof. Cope writes: — ''This is a characteristic collection of tho 
 reptiles of tho Ft. Union Cretaceous, but with increased admixture of 
 Eocene forms. Plastomenus is an Eoceiio ijenuH, but (he reference of (he 
 new sjiecies to i( is not fimil. liut you send two Eocene fjjar scales which 
 Imve every aiipearance of beloiiu;inti; to tiie same foi-mation. Will you 
 re-examine your not<?8 to inform mo whether (hey i-eally belong- to tho 
 same horizon as the others ?"f 1..d gar scales referred by Prof. Co|)e to 
 the '••onus Clxistcs, were obtained at the vory base of tho Lignite forma- 
 
 • IT. S. (Jool. S\irv. Torni . 18";t, j). 4;«. 
 t Prof. Oi>])o refers the flrecn Kiver ami Hritijter bods, ovorlyiiijf the Iji>,'iiite fornmtioii, to the Koceiie. 
 Prof. CoiH) iiUci savH ot this colleetion, in a ]>&]kit read before the Aeaileniy of Natural Scienees, Philadel- 
 phia ;-" llic list "of H]K;cics, short as it is, indicates the future diseovery of a complete transition from 
 Cretaei'oua to Eocene life more clearly than any yet obtiiiiiod in the Wuat." 
 
 
A«1K OV rilF. I.KINMTK F<i|lMATH>N. 
 
 201 
 
 tiiiri, mid lulow tlic lnwi'^t lii^iiitc lied. Tliry wiTc iiol Hlriiy s])oc'iinoiiH, 
 lull wore liroii^rlil t(» lii;li( in ilii^yiiiii; out Hniiif n(' llic tdi'llt! Imiii's in 
 tlio Mild liiiiids soiilli ol' WiHid Moiinliiiii (on llic li(H'i/,(in iniirUt'd hy nn 
 iistorisk. IMali'VII. h'ij^. "J.) hindsniiriiin Imnos occiini'd witliiii ii few 
 I'cct r)i ilicin. 
 
 4<I1. It should lie n'iii('nil)('f»'(| in disciisHiiii^ the ii;^o of llicsc licds, (liat 
 tlio fossils of No. 5 liiivo lit'cn coinpaicd willi lliosi' ol'lln' Mii'slricht, Aic, 
 of l']nro|K', tli(> ('rctaccoiiH posilion ol wliicli li:is not, lit all tinius hccn 
 undisputed, and should any isolated patches of hii;liei' lieds than Ihu 
 Mu'Htrieht ami assoeiatod foiinntions occur, showini; ev(>n the strict con- 
 tinuance of marine conditions; it is to he douhted whellior tliey wouhl 
 Ite refeno<l to the ('retaceous. Dr. llaydi'ii thus writes of the liflh divi- 
 Nion of thiMveslern (Cretaceous : — '' We would also remark that a few of 
 the forms foinid in our l"'o\' Mill IkmIs, jtarticularly the (/((strroiidtla, 
 present such close specific aflinilies to Terliai-y shells, that wo would 
 liave douhted the propriety of refei'i-int;; them to the Cretac(«)us o])ocrh, 
 were it not for the fact that we find them associated in the same lied 
 with liaculites, Ammonites, Scop/iltrn ami other Cretaceous j^onera and 
 Hpocies." 
 
 4(i2. The general hearini!; of the (nidence, in so far as it is now known, 
 Hcoms in favour of the Koccne Tertiary ai^e of the westiM-n Li/fiiite tornui- 
 tion, thoui^h it may not lie exactly synchronous with that of Kurope; and 
 its base is very jirohalily somewhat lower than that of the (brmation 
 in its typical Kui-opoan localities. Taking into consideration, however, tlie 
 acceleration of the extinction of those jiolaific forms, on which our defini- 
 tions of the fVetaceous period are largely hased, I13' f^efigrajihical chiuii^o 
 in the area in (piestion, there would seem to li(( no impropriety in ullow- 
 inu; a fjreat pai-t of the strata to be called heds of transition. T am also of 
 opinion, that further and more complete investij^^ation of these rocks of 
 disjiuted affe, instead of indicatiiiif more precisely any line between the 
 Mesowic and Cain ozoic of the intorif :• retfion of North America, will 
 tt'nd to show the overla]) of life forms of dilVerent tyju) to be more and 
 more complete, and the sofpience more perfectly unifoi-m. It will also 
 jirobabi}' be found, over this area, that the rocks of many dillerent localities, 
 with more or less distinct orn'anic re"<iains, now cf>nsider(Ml as rejii-escnling 
 the life of separated jieriods in a linear succession, may be ibuiid by the 
 min<j;linii; of the fauna and flora in other localitics,as the area of study 
 
 
 
 ■■■ :■ 
 - 1 
 
 ; ! 
 
 ' Oeolof^iual R«|X)rt Yellowstone and AliHHouri Exiicilition, p 26, 
 
 'i' 
 
•>(»•) 
 
 n. N. A. norviiAHV i-ommmsion. 
 
 «'Xt«>n<l>*. fi> )»' n\(»iv ivr l»>ss niMirly t'itiili'ni|«)rin»»'i>ns. Kroiu (lii'><i' voiy 
 I'ii-i iiiiiNiaix'os, ll)«> t^xploialiiiii ol lli(>s«> li«>i|s iir<|uiri<H on tiililitioiml 
 
 iiui)ort!iii<'«> 1)1)1 
 
 I may y«<t Ih> ti)))iiil to Ihntw wwuU |jgl)( doI only < 
 
 III 
 
 ;;«'olo^it'al, l)Ut on hioloirxal rlahNititiilioii. 
 
 AiV,\. Tho fioNitioii of ilii> lii^iiilt' lii'arii);; t'orniation as a wliolo, in in 
 thrt siit'l), that «>\*>ii allo\viiig(l)t> flaNsiliu'tory in)|)orti)i)<-<> of the iixladt'd 
 ( 'ivtaccoiiN t'oniis, an olm«>rv«>i' lu'^inDiiiir \\\h ^iiiiy of tli«> l)t>(lH on their 
 oaslt'i'ii iiiai'ijiii, ai)(l pi-orociiitii,' wcNtwanl. i\h Dr. Ilaydcn has doiii' , 
 would 111' i'oni|tUMoly jnslitii>d in placiiii;- the wliole >4««)'if'<, at least down 
 to tl»«> lop ot'Ci-etaeeous No. ft, in the Tei'tiaiy ; while a ^'eoloirist tainiliiir 
 ill the tii-hl iiislaine with the litssiis ot the underlying CrelaeeoiiH forma 
 tioDH, and folhtwin^ the Lignite Htrula eastward front their appearanee in 
 the Uoeky Mountains, would in all proiialtilily include the whole series in 
 the upward extension of (he Cretaeeoiis, though iloiilits mijrht he^in to 
 jvssail him hefore lie reaehetl the ii|>per. or most e.-isterii heds. 
 
 4t>4. Should it he ilesirah|i>, liowever, to draw a line in this region, it 
 Heems to me t'roin a eaivtnl eonsiilevalion of the taetK whii'h have eome 
 under my own observation, and the «'videnee addiieed fi\)ni otlnT loeal 
 ities; that it eaii only he phuvd alnne the sandstones of No..'). AI>ove 
 this /.i^ne the eharaeteristie Cretaceous (Vjihidopoda are found rarely, if 
 at all, and here lies the only physical eirnimslanee which can he iisotl 
 in the delineation ot' the tormations on a map. From its imiverHality, 
 and the ])romincnt itUet it sometimes Inus on the surface of the e(Uintry, 
 it seems parliculaHx well siiiti'il tor the piirpos*'. It has therefore heen 
 ad»ipted a,s represent iiii;- (he summit ot' llu'Cn'taceoiis in the maps a(^com- 
 panyiiii; this K'cport, and the licds overlyinif it have heen referre<l to 
 throughout as th<' Lignite Terliarv. 
 
 ■4 
 
CIIAI'TKIJ l\. 
 
 (ii.Ai'i.M, i'iii;nomi:na anii si'i'iiitrici \i, idH'osris, 
 
 (Il.AllAI'lOV ANI» Sri'KHKIi lAI, DkI'iiHITM, l,4Kir OK IMK. \\'iiii|»< Tilt' lnk<' l>UHill 
 
 |)(-|)tli III' till' hiki' hnrrliiiii III ^liii'iiil Hliiikl.iiiii Sii|H'r|MiNi'il xliiiUiiiii iii 
 
 illirul'l'llt iliri'i'tliillN S|M'riiil IMHtilliri'H III' ^liirllllliill I'l'C glai'ial Ik^r iif iillirnll 
 
 iif lul;i' I'iNti'iliiitiiin iif liiiiilili'iK r|i|i<'i' Siliiiiikii liiiit'MtiiiK' IhiiiIiIith with 
 IiimhiIn N. K. Iitiiit. Ill' liiiicMtiilic ilnfl Mt'lhiiilx nf lirriiiintiii^ I'nr liiiii'Mtiuui 
 iliil't l»i(irr riAiKAi' uk K a s i k ii n Mwrnnix anh Nimmiikiin Minnkshia 
 
 KlUllCN ;lliil I'!mI<i'I'h N. W . Illllil nf I'i'il liril't lliti^llt ilinl riilltdlir nl tlltl 
 |iilkti'UII Sri'tliillM nil ItiiHi'tlll Itivt'l (iK.NMIM. {''KVITIIKS iiK lil,Ai'l\l. I'lIK 
 NiiMKN'A I''.. IIK Ith'.li ltl\i:i( KIt'Vlkllnll llllil Nln|l<' nf tll<> I Jllll'l'llluill liXIM 
 ( 'niilliiciit ^larii'l' rnvi'l'lIlK till' l.lllll'i'litliill I'l'^liill l''iirilli'l' Hiiiitllt'lli nlltfikll nf 
 
 l.iikc nf till' W'iiimIm l>i<irr hr.rnsiis dk iiik Skuinu Pkaiuik I'i.aikai , 
 
 \Mi 'I'l llll.K. MiilMAIN Slllfliri' nf till' jiilttcikll 'r«'inirt'M nf ri'liilillia 
 KHrill'|illli'lit St'i'tinllM nil l.nll^ ItlM'l' Nllllliiririkl IklllklyHiN nf niliHtitllclllH nf 
 
 llii'ilnft 'I'lii'tlr Mniiiitikiii niiiiiilcr ciivcicil ii'^jinii Maiiiiin anh I'Iasikkn 
 lUiiins iiKi'MK riiiiiii ri.Ai'Kvr I'll)' MiMHimri ( 'ntrikii /\iirit'iit riviii- vullcyH 
 I'li'i'ikticH III' tlic ( ntituii (/uiirt/.itc ilrift. 
 
 (ihuiiil I'luHomi'Hti iiiul Sii/xriiriiil l)ip(isi(s, Liiln' of ilw Woodn, 
 
 '((if), 'riic ^('lUM'ul t'oi'in ot till' Ink)' has ulroiitly li*'«<ii iiiitic(>)l 
 (4^ ;!7). Il coiisisls III' l\V(» cliicr |iiirlK ( 'ItMir-wnltT \i\\.\w to the iiurtli, 
 anil S.'tiiil-liill LaUt' III lli(> siiiiili. Tlio lniHiii of tlio torinor may hv Hiiid 
 Id lie t'xcavalcd oiitiivly in nicks dI' su rall<nl lliirnnian ii^c, Sundy or 
 fii-avt'lly lu-aclu's aro oxcoplioiial. and, aw a nild, tlio rock dipH ru|iidly 
 liclow the siii'Cacc oCtlic water, and shows wherever exjiosed, the rounded 
 forms due to ice action. This northern part of the lake is also deep, and 
 with rc,u;ard to its form and extent, it may he considered to have remained 
 exactly us it now is, since the tflacial period. The soiitiiern and hir^er 
 jmrt of the lake, jn'ojierly called Sand-hill Lake*, washes hare Laiiivntiaii 
 rocks aloijf^ its northern kdi^e, while the \yIioIo of its southern and south- 
 western inur^in, is formed of sand uiid detrital matter, and swecjis round 
 in large K*^'i>tly rounded hays, very ditVeront from the narrow, irreguhtr 
 ])as,saifes of the north. This southern part of the lake is also cninparu- 
 tively shallow, and perpetually extciidinn; its horder southward and 
 westward, amonji^ tiie swamps, ,'^and-hills and la/i^oons hy whicli it is thero 
 Hurroundetl, and spreadinj^ dotritiis thus ohtained over it.s heil. Tho 
 evidence of this is everywhere a])parent lUonjif its southern mai-gin, 
 where taniarsK'k swamps are in some phices being so rapidly encroached 
 
 ■^v 
 
Ml 
 
 m k 
 
 if 
 
 ^i; [ 
 
 
 204 
 
 B. N. A. BOUNDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 on, thiit the trees may bo seen aloni;; the sliore boiuling forward at every 
 angle and tailing into the lake. Some parts of the shore, have in this 
 way heoome surrounded by an almost impassable belt of tangled and 
 waterworn trunks and branches. The water of the souihorn part of the 
 lake is turbid from the wash of the waves on the sot;: shoi-eii, and matter 
 brought down by Rainy River ; giving rise to a formation of deposits of 
 Band and clay now going on over the greater part of its bod. Before 
 tl>e water in its slow passage northwai-d, through tlic narrow and 
 complicated passages opjwsite the North-west Anglo, gains the northern 
 expansion ; it has parted with nearly all its sediment, and does not 
 receive any from the rocky shores by which Clear-Water Lake is bounded. 
 The deposit forming here, as shown by soundings, is a fine slimy ooze, 
 which is composed in great part of the shells of Diatomacea^ with spicules 
 of Spongilla and organic matter. The lake is thus an interesting exair')!e 
 ■^ f ovifomporaneous deposits of two entireiy dissimilar kinds, taking 
 P'a_ itferent parts of the same sheet of water. 
 
 4G6. The deepest soundings found in Clear-Water Lake, were at 
 its extreme northern end, and near where the waters begin to collect 
 themselves for their fall at Rat Portage, and show a considerable current 
 in that direction. The following depths were observed at intervals from 
 that place southward to the Ncu'tb-west Angle Inlet, the soundings being 
 taken generally in mid channel between the islands. The depths are 
 given in feet : — 
 
 liat Portage. 
 
 84 
 
 42 
 
 20 
 
 48 
 
 ()() 
 
 Lacrosse Isloiul w. 54 
 
 44 
 
 Ka-ka-ke-wabec 23 
 
 32 
 
 ~ - 24 
 
 55 
 
 61 
 
 Ofl" Picture- rock Point 3(5 
 
 — 32 
 
 Katim-oek 60 
 
 The bottom of the lake is generall}- tlat, and dee]> water lies close otf 
 shore. 
 
 4G7. The outline of the lake follows very closelj' tho changing 
 char'K'tor of the rock, spreading out where the schistose, and thinly cleav- 
 able varieties predominate, and becoming narrow and tortuous when the 
 shoi-es ai'e composed of compact dioritic rocks, greenstono conglo- 
 merates, and gneiss. Tlie laminated schist, and thin-bedded slates, offer 
 little resistance to weathering, and even since the glacial period have 
 been much broken down and shattered, in many ])arts of the lake, giving 
 a peculiar character to the shore. The same rock, however, would, in its 
 
 li 
 
OLAOIAL I'UKNOMKNA ANH SCPKRKICIAL DEPOSITS. 
 
 205 
 
 1 
 
 pi'osent vortiial po.sKion, otVor a nmoli greater rcsi Miiifo to nu'chaniral 
 violoiK'c; ami l)et()ro its layers liad Lieen witleneil b}' frost anil weather, 
 would snpi)ort pressure and abrasion at right angles to its original 
 bedding, almost as well as the most solid roik. So far as it goes, 
 then, tho close cotuioction of the bed of the lake with the slaty rocks, 
 would tend to show that it had Ixjen deejjjy outlinotl by sub-aerial weather- 
 ing, before lining sui)jeeted to glacial action. All tho harder rocks of the 
 region still show with the utmost perfection the scratching and grooving 
 of tho glacial period, and some of the moi'o com])act granites and 
 intrusive diorites, retain a surfiicc still perfectly bi-ight and polished. 
 Though the general direction of the northern part of the lake closely 
 follows that of the ice action, its form is probably due in tho main to tho 
 strike of the rocks, which is parallel to its greatest diameter. .Still, on a 
 small scale, even the hanlest and most homogeneous of the rocks show a 
 tendency in tho longest axis of their elevations, to parallelism with tho 
 glacial groovings. 
 
 4G8. The following table, shows the directions of glacial stria) 
 observed on the rocks in tho various jjarts of the lake, the bearings being 
 magnetic. * The tlirections connected by a bracket, were observed to 
 occur together on the same rock suifocc: — 
 
 23 
 32 
 L'* 
 5.5 
 01 
 3(5 
 32 
 60 
 
 offer 
 have 
 
 N. >r. Angle Inlet. 
 
 Place Dirgction. 
 
 McKay Island . . . . S 48°W to S 50° W 
 
 Buckets Island S 35° W 
 
 N. Shore S39^ W 
 
 South ward from A^. W. Amjli Inlet. 
 
 Flag Island f^ 4.)^ W 
 
 S 27° W 
 
 S 42° W 
 
 Southern Prumon'Uory. 
 
 S2.3°W 
 S 60° \V 
 
 N. E. Pouit \ S 25° W 
 
 S20°E 
 L S 55° VV 
 
 Cormorant rock S 23° W 
 
 N. of Rainy Nitvr {Mainland.) 
 
 S 12° W 
 
 S 30° W 
 
 Windy Point .S 20° W 
 
 Biysby Island. 
 Place. Direction. 
 
 South end of S 27° VV 
 
 " " S30° W 
 
 " " S20° VV 
 
 West side of \ ^ J^ yy 
 
 8 23° W 
 
 S 87° W 
 
 Middle Island. 
 
 East side of S 5° W 
 
 " " S 13° W 
 
 North end of 8 25° W 
 
 North Island 
 
 S 30° W 
 
 North Shore Sand-hill fyake, District of 
 Skeljashca 
 
 S 25° W 
 
 a 40° W 
 
 S 35° W 
 
 S 34° W 
 
 S 2.')° \V 
 
 S 20° W 
 
 S 25° W 
 
 • See p. ti. 
 
t I 
 
 in 
 
 206 
 
 B. N. A. BOUNDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 Place. Directinn. 
 
 Xortlmanl from N. W. Angle to lint 
 Portage. 
 
 S 30° W 
 
 « 30° W 
 
 Place. Directum. 
 
 S 8.5° W 
 
 S 42° \V 
 
 S 32° W 
 
 S 27° W 
 
 S3(»°W 
 
 — .... S40° W 
 
 S 38° W 
 
 S 20° W 
 
 Lacrosse Island S 27° W 
 
 " S 40° W 
 
 S35° W 
 
 S 35° W 
 
 S 22° W 
 
 S 17° W 
 
 S 15° W 
 
 S 20« W 
 
 Rat Portage S 25° W 
 
 Rat Portage Fall S 13° W 
 
 (Winnipeg side) S 1G° W 
 
 The Small Promontory S 35° W 
 
 S 33° W 
 
 S 23° W 
 
 S 32° W 
 
 S 40° W 
 
 S 30° W 
 
 S 33° W 
 
 S 39° W 
 
 S 42° W 
 
 . S 53° W 
 
 S 45° W 
 
 S 48° W 
 
 S 40° W 
 
 S 38° W 
 
 S 35° W 
 
 469. It will bo observed from the above table, and on reference to the 
 map, that the direction of ghiciation is very constantly from the north- 
 east and north-north-east, and only a}>])ears to suffer occasional slight 
 deflections whci brought in contact with masses of resistant rock run- 
 ning athwart its course. In the vicinity of Lacrosse Island, the grooves 
 show more westing than they do northward of that place to Bat Portage. 
 Between Iva-ka-kc-wabec and Picture-rock Point, a well-marked westward 
 deflection takes place, the ice appearing to have been crowded off the high 
 rocky land to the south. The pressure exerted by the ice in this neighbour- 
 hood, as it forced its way among the rocky islands and channels, has 
 been exceptionally severe. South cf *^his, the grooving resumes its nor- 
 mal direction, but at the mouth of the Angle Inlet again takes a marked 
 sweep westwartl, toward the low-lying country in that direction, and 
 away from the high rock}- islands. The ice, as it has passed down over 
 the rocks forming the north shore of Sand-hill Lake, has left remarkably 
 uniform traces. Southward, among the islands, the ice appears to have 
 turned a little from the west. The south end of Bigsby Island, shows a 
 convergence of directions, as though ice coming fi-om the eastern and 
 western divisions of the hdce had jnet at an acute angle, and overridden it 
 to foi-m a junction. The glaciation here also is very severe » 
 
 470. At two places on the west shore of this island, glaciation in the 
 ordinary direction, which gives form to the rock masses, was observed to 
 be sui)ci'inscribcd with coarser scratches, nearly east and west in direc- 
 tion. On a small area of granite and greenstone rock, forming the N. E. 
 point of thesouthei'n promonotaryof the lake, a remarkable series ofstriiu 
 exist. The most important direction, and that with which the form of 
 
DirtetUm. 
 
 S S.5° W 
 
 S 42° W 
 
 S 32° W 
 
 S 27° W 
 
 830° W 
 
 S40° W 
 
 S 38° W 
 
 S 20° W 
 
 S 27° W 
 
 S 40° W 
 
 S 35° W 
 
 S 35° W 
 
 S 22° W 
 
 S 17° W 
 
 8 15° W 
 
 8 20« W 
 
 S 25° W 
 
 8 13° W 
 
 S 16° W 
 
 iference to the 
 )m the north- 
 asionul slight 
 ant rock nin- 
 Mhe grooves 
 
 Bat Portage. 
 Ifed westward 
 )d off the high 
 is neighbour- 
 :!hannels, has 
 imes its nor- 
 ces a marked 
 rection, and 
 *d down over 
 
 remarkably 
 ars to have 
 md, shows a 
 eastern and 
 yerridden it 
 
 ation in the V 
 obseJTcd to 
 Nt in dii'oc- 
 g the N. E. 
 fies of strijo 
 ho form of 
 
II 
 
 3i 
 t 
 
 ■ 
 
 liM'M 
 
 II. N. A. linlNIiAltV COMM ISS|m.\, 
 
 ri.ATK X. 
 
 IMaii. 
 
 l''ij:uit! 1 (Maciiil striiitidii oi'dhsiii;!.' a pre IdriiKcl 
 
 hiilliiw, (S -171.) 
 
 Figure "2- I'ticlitii Men ks. (^ 47(< ) 
 
 •I 
 
 % V. 
 
 
 
 1 ■ i •■ 
 
 m 
 
 
 iT^f^'^-iKti^aL. 
 
 riu'iii'L' ."> ( il,i('i;i,tiiiii iif ;i ]jiiiiit, iiKiiciitiiij,' latnal ]it(ssiui'. (-^ 171.) '/. 
 ■IfV.'ltinll U. MctiiilKll rlcx.itii'll 111 .-1 |>lllIU" lit rijjlit ;ilip](S tn '(. 
 
 l.NSTANCK.-^ (IF lll.ACI ATIO.N — LAKK OK Till'. WOdll.S. 
 
 Kaue p. 'i'7. 
 
ri.Ai'i-: N. 
 
 OLACIAT, PHENOMENA AND SUPERFICIAT- DEPOSITS. 
 
 207 
 
 ■J 
 
 the rock eoiiici<lcs, is S. 2:5° W.; siiperiinposiHl on which, at one phico, are 
 scratches S. 55° W., or N. 55° K. Near this a direction of S. (JU° W., 
 or N. 00° E. is seen, on which is superimposed striation S. 25° VV., a 
 uirection closely agreeing with the general one, and probahly indicating 
 a briet resumption of the original force after a short interval. Another 
 surface showed scratches S. 20° E., or N. 20° W. > pai-t of this marking 
 may be accounted for by the packing of ice on the shores of this open 
 reach of the lake, but much of it is not of this nature, and appears to 
 indicate the combined action of glacier and floating ice in the lower part 
 of the region, toward the close of the glacial epoch. 
 
 471. On the eastern siile of Flag Island, a small point composed of * 
 hard hondjlendic rock, was observed to have its nearly per])endicular 
 eastern front pla: ed (jtf perfectly smooth, and beautifully striated and 
 polished, while its summit was only gently rounded, and showed com- 
 jjaratively little evidence of glaciation, anil its southern front remained 
 rough ; the whole evidencing a strong movement of ])ropulsion from 
 the north, and intense local and lateral pressure. (Plate X., Fig. 3.) 
 Not far south of this, on a surface of granitoid gneiss, the ice action was 
 seen to have shaped and rounded jtreviously existing asperities of the 
 rock without obliterating them. One instance was especially remark- 
 able, a little hollow in the rock, obliquely trajisverse to the general 
 direction of the force, had origiiudl}' a sloping northern and perpen- 
 dicular south-western side. The ice had not touched the weathered 
 surface of the former, while it had bevelled oif and polished the latter in 
 the most perfect manner. .Such phenomena as this, appear to show 
 great preponderance of onward movement over downwai'd pressure 
 in the action of the ice. (Plate X., Fig. 1.) 
 
 472. The passages by which the lake finds its way over the junction 
 of the Laurentian and green slate series to the Winnipeg Kiver, do not 
 depend on any evident conformation of the rocks. They cut across the 
 hard ridge which marks the position of the fault bringing these forma- 
 tions together, nearly at right angles, and in a direction a few degi'ces 
 west of north. They are probably due to some fault or crack structure 
 traversing the rocks with that bearing, a course which agrees almost 
 eJcactly with that of the fracture containing the large intrusive diorite of 
 the south end of Lacrosse Island (^ 84), and may tend to prove some con- 
 nection between it and the similar rock Avhich a[)pears near the line of 
 junction at Rat Portage. The go)-ge of the fall is certainly pre-glacial in 
 date, and has probably arisen from subaerial weathering along some such 
 
 11 
 
 11 
 
 ^:m- 
 
^ 
 
 
 208 
 
 H. N. A. HOUNIJAUY CUiMMISSION. 
 
 lino of wouUiioss. The glacial sdiii' croMs over itol>li(iuely, at an an^le of 
 aljout 30*^ willi its directioi', and llie Wv lias iiud wonderl'ully litllo etlcct 
 on its sliapo, having siiccccdod only in roundinf;' otl. somewhat tiic exj)()sed 
 angles of the t-litts. Nor has the river hiul niueh etl'oet on the roeks, for 
 thoy still retain their rounded aspeet and show ice Htriution almost 
 everywhere. 
 
 473. The distribution of boulders and travelle*] material in the Lake 
 of the Woods region, is worthy of some atteation. The whole southern 
 part of 8anddnll Lake is ehai'actei'izod by the abuniU.aee of fragn\ents of 
 limestone, in association with boulders of rocks represented in the north- 
 ern part of this division of the lake, and in Clear-water Lake. Dr. 
 Bigsby in his paper already referred to* gives reasons for bolioving 
 that a deposit ol' limestone of Upper Silurian Age, overlaps tho mcia- 
 morphic series in the southern part of the lake, and though 1 have 
 been unable to confirm this idea by the discovery of any of the rock 
 in situ, there is considerable evidence tending to show that his suppo- 
 positioM may be correct. At Driftwood Point, five and three ([uartor 
 miles south of Flag Island, the gravel of the shore is largely composed of 
 compact limestone in small fragments. From this place to Eeed Iliver 
 Bay, many large Laurentian bouklers stand on the shallows far out in the 
 Lake, and much of tho shoi-e-gravel is of limestone. In the north-eastern 
 angle of the Bay, in many places, about one half of the gravel of the shore 
 appears to be of the same limestone. 
 
 414. A mile north of Heed Eivei-, a dry point jirojects from tho 
 genei'ul tamarack swamp of the shore, and consists almost entirely of 
 boulders and gravel. The greater jiart of the material is Laurentian, tho 
 boulders being of granite, gneiss, mica-schist, &c., precisely similar to that 
 seen to the north, and from the size of pebbles to six and eight feet long. 
 Next in numerical importance are the limestone boulders. None of these 
 are so large as some of the Laurentian, but this may arise only from tho 
 fissile character of the rock, anil the manner in which it is affected by 
 frost, nearly all being angular and chip-like fragments. The stone is 
 hard and compact, more or less concretionary in aspect, often cherty, and 
 giving fire under the hammer. Its colour is gi'eyish-dral), to cream-white, 
 and yellowish or I'eildish, on fresh fracture ; weathering to pure white. Tho 
 weather also fijrms small reiufoi-m hollows in it, and in many specimens 
 gives rise to a minutely pitted structure. From the limestones of this 
 locality, and tragmeids of the same rock tbunil west of the Lake of the 
 
 * Also ill a paper on the Erratics of Canada, Journ. Ovul. 800., Iti51. 
 
(ILACIAI, I'llKNoMENA AND SLI'ERKU'lAU DEPOSITS. 
 
 201) 
 
 II Jlll<'lo of 
 
 ittlo ertcct 
 10 exjioscd 
 rocks, for 
 n jilmost 
 
 the Lake 
 i southern 
 ^nieiits of 
 the iiorth- 
 xkc. Dr. 
 
 believing 
 lie nicta- 
 h 1 htu'o 
 
 the I'ock 
 lis suppo- 
 3 quarter 
 iiposed of 
 L^ctl Kiver 
 out in the 
 h-eastorn 
 the shore 
 
 fi'om tlie 
 
 tircly of 
 
 itian, the 
 
 ir to that 
 
 eet long. 
 
 of these 
 
 from the 
 
 acted by 
 
 stone is 
 
 rty, and 
 
 11- white, 
 
 to. Tlio 
 
 ociniens 
 
 < of (his 
 
 e of tiie 
 
 Woods, a few fossils were olilaiiied. 'Hu'v are not in a very good slate of 
 preservation, but the i()ll iwiug genera are reeogni/able. Strojilwiiicna, 
 Fcnfanierus, Ltptrditia, Favosites, Strvinatopora ; also a tew specimens 
 of cyathophylloid corals, and discs of cnerinal columns. .Mr. Billings, 
 of the Geological Survey, who lias Uindly examined these fossils, 
 pronounces Ihem to be Upper Silurian foi-ms, though not sutticiently 
 distinct tor specific <letermination. Dr. Bigsby gives the Ibllowing list 
 oflbssiln from the limestone, as detenniiie(l for him b}' Mr.'Salter. A 
 small Phacops ; Orthoccrati, Faoo!<itC6 GothUui<lica, CyatlwphijUum, jMuirhi- 
 sonia, Pcntamrnis Knujlitii, Lcjit(V7ia, Ariciila, Afrt/pa, Spirifcr. lie 
 probably enjoyed a better opportunity for the examination of the rocks, 
 from the low stage of the water at the time of his visit, and sjteaks 
 of niacses ten to fifteen feet broad, and three deep, which though 
 cracked and fissured, a])peai' to him to be H.xed.^'^ 
 
 475. Least in numerical importance, at the i)oint above reteri'i'd to, 
 are the boulders of Iluronian origin, from the region of Clear- Water 
 Lake; consisting of indurated slates, dioritic and c[»idotic rocks, and 
 coarse greenstone-breccia of the kind alreaily deseribed, and with frag- 
 ments from four to six inches in diameter. On the shore, in the wash of 
 the waves, a fine yellow-white plastic clay is exj)oscd, which may perhaps 
 be the rejiresentative of the boukler-clay ofthe glacial jierioil. it contains 
 much calcareous matter, eff'ervesing strongly with an acid. Some ofthe 
 boulders in this locality show ti'aces of glaciation. 
 
 47fi. A mile south of Heed Kiver, a second similar ]»oint occurs, 
 where a ridge with an apparently southern course, comes out on the 
 shore. It is covered with boulders in a similar way to the last, and they 
 occur in about the same relative projiorfion. Off Buffalo point, which 
 separates Eeed River anil Muskeg Baj-s, a good many large boulders 
 stand u]) out of the water, and the shore is gi-avelly, and shows a con- 
 siderable quantity of limestone debris. The north-east ])oint of the 
 southern pi-omontory of the lake, is heavily ghu-iatcd, and shows many 
 boulders of Laurentian, some of them forming fine perched blocks. One 
 of these, of red granite, and actually lying in the grooves it had made, was 
 found to to be eleven feet lon^ by seven feet high. (Plate X., Fi-i". 2.) 
 For several miles south-east of this place, the Ijoider of the lake is 
 modci'utely high, and whenever exposed, shows whitish-yellow finely 
 laminated clay, which contains many pebbles, especially of limestone. 
 
 
 ii 
 
 » Journ. Oeol. Soc, vol. vm. p. 405, 
 
 Ud 
 
!10 
 
 H. N. A. BdL'NDAllY rriMMISSInN. 
 
 and :i])iK'iirs to lu' lalluM' u (oriiu'i- lacuslririt' (l»'])()Hit, thtm the rcpresen- 
 talivc ol' llio lioiildcr-i'liiy. It is li:y,lily cjilcHreoiis (lironglioiit, Imt did 
 not yield any traces of orifaiiic rtMiiaiiis even when inicroscopieally 
 I'xaminod. The sand si)it onijosito the mouth ofJiainv Iliver, I'alled Oak 
 
 Point, or Pointc dn Chene, shows iniuh limestone detritus in the ibrm of 
 gi-avel and sand. A few niik^s norlli of Kainy Kivcr, neai- Windy Point, 
 sovoral houlders of limestone occur anionff others of crystalline rockB. 
 They hecomo honeyeomhed on weathei-ing, in a maiuiei* somewhat 
 different from nny hei'oi-e seen. On the southern shore of Bigshy Island 
 many houlders occur. They are mostly of fjaurentian rocks, hut some 
 of the lioneyeomhed limestone appear, and one was ohserved of a species 
 of limestone hreceia, with yellowish-white ptdihles in ji reddish paste. 
 Neai' the northern end of this island, a clay har\k ahout ten feet hi;^Ii 
 forms the shore for some distance, the clay heing hard, wl ere 
 unweathered, grey in colour, and having ti'aces of stiatiHcatioii. It 
 reseml)les in constitution the othi'r clays examined, effervescing 
 strongly with an acid; and holds small bouldei's, and gravel, some of 
 the hitter heing of limestone. A single limestone boulder was oven as 
 far north as the north enil of this island. The limestone-breccia boulder 
 ab(jve described, coincides exactly with a rock which J)i'. Bigsby mentions 
 a.s occurring on Kainy iliver not far from its mouth (i^ 47.) 
 
 477. It would thus appear, that a line drawn through Driftwood 
 Point and running south-eastwai-d to neai- the i)ositioii of Windy Point, 
 would have to the south west of it a region of abundant limestone debris; 
 while though a careful examination was made to the north — with the 
 exce]>tion of two or three boulders near Bigshy Island — not a single frag- 
 ment of limestone was found. (See Majt ri.-iKe of Woods). This line, 
 furthermore, runs in a directit>n almost exactly at right angles to the 
 pi'evalent one of the glaciation. The distribution of the debris taken 
 together with the direction of the glacial groovings, and the known courses 
 of other erratics, woidd seem to indicate the existence of a limestone 
 flooring to the southern part of the lake, which in this case must have 
 overlapped unconformably the older metainorphic strata ; lint may have 
 beei\ in great measure removed, bet()re, and during the glacial period. 
 No outlyers of the limestone Aveie lunvever found, and I do not know of 
 any unvisiled locality in which such may j'et be looked fbi", with the 
 exception of fiardcn or Cornfield Jshmd, which I was unable to reach, and 
 Avhich lies low and flat as seen from a distance. 
 
 478. Two other modes of accounting for the appearance and distri- 
 
 
UI.ACIAI, IMIENOMKNA AND Si;PEHK10IAI- DKIMKSlTH. 
 
 211 
 
 ho roprescn- 
 
 oul, litit did 
 poscopifiilly 
 ', called Onk 
 till! form of 
 'indy Point, 
 idliiic rocks, 
 somowhat 
 gshy Lsland 
 I, but ^*onle 
 of a ispccies 
 ldi,vli jtaste. 
 B)i fo(.'t hi_i,ii 
 ard, Avl ore 
 cation. It 
 pH'crvcsciiig 
 el, wnne of 
 was nvoii as 
 'C'ia boulder 
 )y meiitions 
 
 JDriftwood 
 
 idy Point, 
 
 Mie debris ; 
 
 with the 
 
 ingle frag- 
 
 Tliis line, 
 i'les to the 
 jris taken 
 \vn eonif<e8 
 
 limestone 
 must liave 
 
 may have 
 
 al period. 
 )t know of 
 , with the 
 readi, and 
 
 and dietri- 
 
 butioii of (he limestone dol)ris apjiear to oH'ei'. Icebergs, at some time 
 during the glacial pei'i(Ml, may have passed southward over the Lauren- 
 tiaii wateixhed to the north-oast, bearing with them fragments from the 
 limestone formations of lluilson's Bay. hi this ease. It would be neces- 
 sary also to suppose a subse<pient dcvelo]»ement of glaciers on the 
 watershed itself, sutHeicnt to remove this older ilcbris to the .south, 
 lUi indicated by its ])osition ; and there is no sign of a heaping up of 
 moraine matter, such as might be ex])ected under these circumstances. 
 Jt in also possible, tliut at a certain poriixl ot submergence of the region, 
 ice may have flouted eastward, over what is now an expanse of drift and 
 detritus, and carried blocks from the Red Eiver and Winnipeg districts, 
 where, th(»ugli no be<ls of Tppcr Silurian ago JU'e yet known, rocks of 
 the Lower Silurian and Devonian are found. This ajipears to be the 
 more probable siip])osition, as other evidence seems also to point in the 
 direction of a south-eastern drift in this region, toward the close of (ho 
 glacial period. Whether, howevei-, it be conceded oj- not, that the lime- 
 stone IVagmcnts of the southern part ol the lake, are derived from lime- 
 stone immediately underlying, it is i>robable from (ho general C(mtour of 
 the region, that Silurian or Devonian rocks overlap the older formations 
 about (his place. 
 
 479. The boulders of the northern part of the lake, are exclusively 
 derived from Laureutian and lluronioii rocks. They are generally accu- 
 mulatetl on the south sides of the islands, which are apt to show bare 
 rocky shoi-es to the north. The same is true on a greater scale, with 
 regard to their distribution in the region generally, the northern shore 
 of Sand-hill Lake, being much encumbeivd with boulders. About thirty 
 miles eastward from the Xorth-west Angle, where the shoi-e is sheltered, 
 occasional patches of an old teirace, ten to fifteen feet above tho 
 present water-level of the lake, are seen both on the main shore, and on 
 the southern ends yf islands. It is composed of gravel and small 
 boulders, and may probably be tho littoral representative of the 
 terraces of clay and finer material occurring in the south. A clay quite 
 similar to that soon in tho southern j^art of the lake, appears underlying 
 several foot of sand, in ji deep ditch at the side of the Winnipeg Roatl, a 
 few miles fi-om the North-west Angle, and not far above the level of tho 
 lake. It is rather hard, yellowish-grey in colour, thin-bedded, and mingled 
 with very fine sand. The boul.lers and erratic blocks of Clear-water 
 Lake, are also entirely Laurentian and IIuroiii;..i ; granite, gnoi ^, diorite, 
 and greenstone conglomerate being most abundant. 
 
 
 1 
 
 I 
 i • 
 
 ii 
 
 i 
 
212 
 
 H. N. A. i)(»i;nd.vuy commission. 
 
 480. Till) lioiildorn ol)serv(vl on tho roiul from tho Norlh west Anglo 
 to Winnipeg,', woio nearly all of the usual Laiirontian iiiatiiriulH. On tlio 
 wcht sido of tilt! \Vi (.'rsliod, somo lioiildors of linu'stoiii' apprar, and much 
 of the t^ravid Hcon in hanks is also of this mati'i-ial. It would seem that 
 tho edge of tho liniostono of the Rod I{ivor basin cannot hero ho far 
 holow tho surface. 
 
 Drift Plateau of Eastrni Manitoba and Xorthcrn Minnesota. 
 
 481. From the aliovo descriptions of the ru])erHcial deposits of tho 
 Lakoof the Woods, it will he seen that those answt ring to the hcnilder 
 clay, properly so called, comparatively seldom ajipear, l-eing covered for 
 the most part by more modern accunndatioiis, either those of u later period 
 of tho drift, or those produced by the lake itself, while standing a' a 
 higher level than ut present, Southwar-' and westward, from the 1-ake 
 of tho Woods, the country is studded with inr.umorable small lakes and 
 swamps, which have I'ormorly been more important, and tho ccmijiar- 
 atively modern deposits of whicb, cover the more ancient glacial debris. 
 The northern juu't of Minnesota, and the country immediately west of 
 Lake of the Woods, may be represented as a groat high-level plateau of 
 drift materials, banked up on the slo[»ing spurs of the rocky Laurentian 
 region to the north, and covering, oi'len to a very great dcptli, its old 
 irregularities. It may also bo considered broadly as forming the eastern 
 rcjiresontative of the second praii'ie slepjie, as it stands at about tho level 
 which that plateau would have, wore itsgi'udual eastei'u slo])e continued 
 thus far. 
 
 482. Tho surface of this plateau, though frequently irregular in 
 detail, and covered with banks and rid<rcs of sand and gravel of the 
 nature of "Karnes" and "Eskers," is, on tho whole, remarkably uniform. 
 A section along the forty-ninth parallel, from the ridge bounding the 
 alluvial valley of the Rod Kiver to the east, 'o the Lake of the Woods — a 
 distance of 77 niilos — shows slopes which are so extremel}' gentle, as to 
 be almost imperceptible; the total general westward fall of the surface in 
 that distance, being only about 90 feet. An examination of the profile of 
 the Nortliorn Pacific Railway, from Duluth, to Morehead on tho Ecd 
 River, IGO miles further south,* shows the nature of the southern exten- 
 sion of this plateau, which is liere the birlh-placc of tributaries of the Rod 
 River, tho Mississippi and tho St. Lawrence. Rising pretty rapidly from 
 
 * Sec First Annual Report, Ooel. Surv. .Minn., 1873. Prof. N. H. WinchcU. 
 
 L,\ 
 
(iLACrAl, PHENOMENA ANIl SI'l'EHrKMAI, IiKI'nsrTS. 
 
 213 
 
 I- wont An^'lo 
 ivIh. On tlio 
 iir, luul much 
 lid socin Ihiit 
 L hero bo liir 
 
 xcsota. 
 
 l)()sits of tho 
 ) tho lioiiMcr 
 ■ I'ovcrod for 
 I Inter period 
 anding n' ;i 
 m the Tiidce 
 nil lakets and 
 tho compar- 
 aeial delms. 
 tcly west of 
 1 plateau of 
 
 Laurentian 
 'pth, its old 
 
 the eastern 
 3Ut tho level 
 le continued 
 
 irregular in 
 ravel of the 
 )ly uniform. 
 Kinding the 
 Woods — a 
 gentle, as to 
 e surface in 
 he i)rotilo of 
 m tlio Red 
 .hern exten- 
 ^ of the Red 
 apidly from 
 
 n. 
 
 the shore of Lake Superior, the summit of the jdateau is reacheil, ami 
 the sanm level luaiulniiu'd, with an extreme variation in altitude of not 
 much more than 200 tcet, tor 2r)0 miles westward, when a compara- 
 tively rapid descent is made to the Kctl River Valley, As in the northern 
 region of the plateau, the surface is covered, to a great extent, with laUo 
 and swamp, hut the railway cuttings give occasional opportunities for the 
 study of tho underlying ilrift dejtosits. Near tlu' western edge of tho 
 ])lateau, at Thomson Junction; greon slaty rocks, ap[)ari'nlly Iluronian, 
 pi'oject above the drift d»'posits, but beyond this point the underlying 
 rocks are nowhei-e visible. The cuttings, which are chiclly through 
 banks more oi' less closely resembling eskers, show samly and gravelly 
 material, generally stratified, an<l not so much of tho natur'> ';r till or 
 l>oulder clay, as of bods rosidting from its re-arrungc',,enl, in shallow, 
 rai)idly moving waters. 
 
 4M3. A line drawn north-east and south-west, nearly parallel with 
 tho north-western shoi-eof Lake Su])ci'ior, but laying a short distance back 
 from it, and cutting the Northern Pacific Railway scino miles west of 
 Thonison, in this part of ^linnosota sejiarates su'jerticial deposits of 
 different aspects. North-west of this lino, the prevailing tint of tho drift 
 material is pale yellowish-grey, or drab; south-east of it, redilish tints 
 are almost universal, and become speciallj' prominent on the northern 
 part of the line of tho Lake Superior and Mississii)])i Railway, and continue 
 to St. Paul. The junction of these two varieties of di'ifl, cannot of course 
 he exactly defined, but is interosting as an indication of the dii'oction of 
 trans]»ort of material in this region; tho reddish nuittor being derived 
 froni the red rocks of tho lake shore.* 
 
 484. The average height of the Plateau above the sea, on the line of 
 the Northern Pacific Railway, may l)e estimated at about 1,850 feet. 
 Where crossed by the forty-ninth parallel, it has a general altitude of 
 rather uiuler 1,000 foot, showing a decline northward. The highest part 
 of the plateau appears, however, to lie about midway between the Lake 
 of the Woods and tho line of the Northern Pacific, the elevation of the 
 sources of the Mississippi being, according to Nicollet, at an altitude of 
 1,680 feet. 
 
 • The junction of Uie red drift of I,ake Siiiierior with the lif;hter-eolo>;i-ciI "C'tcrn material, of 
 nortliern Minnesotiv, has, T find, been alreiuly noted by Whittle"' . . in his valuable memoir on the " Kresh 
 water Olaeial Drift of the North-western States." (If:li4.) " li. ,ii,seendin^' the St, I.ouis Kiver, the ash- 
 eoloured drift clay of the Knibarras anil Savannah rivers, assrmes a more purple hue ne.ar the mouth of 
 the Savannah,. The puri)le graduates into red, between thi< poiuf and the Knife Haiiids, and heopuies 
 entirely red on the Grand Portajfe. The red extends aloiiji „lie shores of Lake Superior to St. Mary's 
 and to L'\ke Huron. It is foiuid on all the tributaries of Lake Sui)erior which flow into it from the south 
 up to their sources, and bej-ond the suiumit, on the streams that run southerly into Lake Michigan." p. W, • 
 
 i 
 

 ; 
 
 
 ;i: U 
 
 214 
 
 B. N. A. UOl'NPAUY coMMrHHrON. 
 
 485. Tho moHt inHtructivo Htxlinns <»r this ^ront plntoim woro, 
 liowevor, obnorvtMl on llio Rohi'iui Ifivor, wliidi risiiij^ a fi-w miles wost- 
 waitl of tho Liiko of the Woods and iiitproxinuitcly followiii^ Iho forty- 
 ninth purnllol, though fioiiu'tiini's (li|i|»iii;i- to tlio south, tinally flows into 
 tlie He»l Rivoi', novtii of tho liino. From the oastcrn od^^o of tho phitoaii 
 
 • 
 
 whero it fronts on tho Rod Kivor I'rairio, for ahout twcnty-tivo miles 
 OHstward, hifj;h clitf-like hanks witii yood stu'tions, (reiiiientl}' overlook 
 tho Htroam. In tiioir general character they all a^rce more or less 
 cloHoly, and the Hoctions often present leatiiivH almi»st identical ti)r lon^j; 
 distancoH. Tho lowest hinln are of very tine sand, and arenaceous <'lay, 
 ofloii (luito plastic. Theso f^onendly show irregular and current heddinij;, 
 and do not ineliido Iarfi;o stones or houldoi's. Ahove those heds, and 
 resting on their tlonuded odgos, lie coarser horizontal deposits of rounded 
 pebbles, and small boulders, chiefly of white limestone, and apparently 
 indicating littoral conditions ; which as the country slopes gently west- 
 ward, must have passed over it in tluit direction, as the former great lake 
 of tho Rod River Valley grew buuiller. Above these gravel beds, yellowish, 
 or white, clean, tine sand, several feet in thickness, is very generally 
 found; over which is a Hecond pebbh-bed, the fragments generally of 
 limestone, and smaller and better roundeil than in the lower. On this 
 rests tho present soil, usuall}- from one, to two, or throe feet in 
 thickness, and coloured with vegetable matter. 
 
 486. Some sections showed near the water's edge, clay beds tilled 
 with stones, which though not well oxp )sod, probably i-epresent the 
 bouldei'-clny proper. From it nuist be dei-ived a great part of the largo 
 boulders which so encumber the course of tho stream. Tho falso-bediletl 
 sands, and associated clays, thus seem to intervene between the bouldei" 
 clay and tho littoral lake deposits, and appear to indicate moderately deep 
 water, with strong currents, but as a rule witlnnit ico. Careful seai-ch 
 was made for organic remains, but with little success. Not a single 
 Mollusc of any kind was discovered, but one section showed a con- 
 sidoi-able quantit}- of carbonaceous and peaty matter along the irregular 
 depositicm planes of the sand, and about thirty feet from tho top of the 
 bank, a decayed tree trunk stood out. The wood is soft and crumbling, 
 and stained yellow by oxide of iron, but from its microscopic characters 
 ajipears to be a fragment of the ordinary cedar. (Thuja occidentaUs.) 
 
 487. Figures 1 and 2 Plate XI, illusti-ate the nature of the drift and 
 superficial deposits of the plateau in this regioi;. Section 1, is remarkable 
 for the great thickness of the first gravel bed, and the large sized 
 
il. .V. A. ll(H\|t\l(V 1 i'M>|l«'«'l'>N. 
 
 I'l.MJ. XI. 
 
 • latc'llll \V(M'0, 
 
 w mi Ids wiwt- 
 ■iii;; tlie foi'ty. 
 illy flowH into 
 • it'llio platoaii 
 
 • 
 
 iity-(ivo inilort 
 iitly ovi'i-liMtlv 
 nioi'o <»r Ic'SH 
 ilital for loM^' 
 naceoiiH clay, 
 font hc'ddin^^ 
 to Iti'dn, and 
 ts of mtindi'd 
 il appaivntly 
 ^vntly wi'i^t- 
 cr i,'r('at hiko 
 ls,yell()\visli, 
 i-y goHcrally 
 generally uf 
 or. On llii.s 
 ireo foot in 
 
 bodH filled 
 
 Jivsont the 
 
 of the lar^o 
 
 ralso-bo<l(lod 
 
 the boulder 
 
 31'ately deep 
 
 oful Hearc'h 
 
 ot a single 
 
 Vi}d a eon- 
 
 e irregnlai- 
 
 top of the 
 
 oninibling, 
 
 ohanu'toj's 
 ifnlis.) 
 
 (Jrift and 
 oniarkiiblo 
 ai'ge sized 
 
 
 :^i 
 
 
 '9 >- 
 
 
 ^r 
 
 
 ^^T 
 
 Ki-iMv I. (•. IsT ) 
 
 r'i'.'iiic •_'. c; l^7.) 
 
 SKCTIDNS itK IHMKT HKI'llSITH — l!(i-iK.\l' KlVKIt 
 
 i: I'll 
 
 Kaio p JIJ. 
 
! 
 
 WW 
 
 11 
 
 « 
 
 '!' ' 
 
 f 1 
 
 1 
 
 fi 1- 
 
 \ 1 
 
 i 
 
 \\'i 
 
 1; 1 
 
 I 
 
 iij ?l 
 
 '' 1 
 
 
 )!|. 1 
 
 ■ 
 
 
 
 i 1 
 
 V' ' 
 
 : I 
 
 ■ \'i 
 
 
 5f ; 
 
 
 :^.J.'<\- •"•V 
 
 
 " ,1 ■-•■ ■ 
 
 ■ J f •• 
 
 !li: )! 
 
 ii 
 
QLACIAI, PHENOMENA AN!) SlTEKFIcrAl. DEPOSITS. 
 
 215 
 
 boiiMcM's iml)0(l(U'd in it. Section 2, is from a point about twenty milos 
 oast of Rod lUvov, and is a i;ood typical one. The lower irrei^iilariy 
 bedded seriey, was iiere conijxwed of yellowisli-grey, tine arenaceous da}-, 
 so liai-d as to form a perfectly perpendicular iVont ; and wliei'o it had been 
 underminod by the watei', it hail fallen down and actually separated into 
 slab-like masses, aloni!; theplar.es of beddinjj;, like a soft sandstone. 
 
 488. About seven miles above Jioseau liuUe, on the Kast lio.seau 
 River, a little section showing the tbrmei- extension of the waters of the 
 lake, and their t;nidiud recession, was oliserved. The lower layers aic of 
 yellowish-white, fine, arenaceous clay, like that forminii- in tlu' beds of the 
 pre.sent lakes. Above this, lay about a foot of laminated peaty matter, 
 showini;' the swamp or " muskeg' stage, anil then alx)ut two feet of 
 coarser arenaceous day, forming the present soil, and indicating the de- 
 position of matter stdl going on from the occasional ovci'flowof the river. 
 A similar series of events, is slowly taking place over the whole of this 
 flooded region of the drift plateau, as the stivams draining the lakes cut 
 down their beds ; and lakes and swanips in every stage can be found, 
 
 48SI. Forty miles northward of the Itoseau lliver, where crossed by 
 the rojul connecting Winnipeg and the North-west Angle of the Lake of 
 the Woods, the drift plateau appears to retain much the same structure 
 and altitude. It is, howevei-, much less uniforml}- covered with swamps 
 and l.dies, the flooded region being confined more closely to the vicinity 
 of the actual watershed. 
 
 490. The surface of the jjlateau, is very generally strewn with a 
 profusion of erratics, and some of them are of great size. They are 
 chiefly derived from the Laurentian and lluronian to the north, but 
 there are also many ot white limestone, with regard to the origin of 
 which the lemarks nuu'.e in connection with the pai't of the disti-ict moi'o 
 immediately surrounding the Lake of the Woods, will apply. 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 General features of Glacial Phenoviena East of the Red River. 
 
 45)1. The rocks of the Lake of the W^oods region, lying on the south- 
 western side of "^he great Ijaurentian watershed, follow in their contour 
 its geiieral direction of slope. The bare rocky hills foi'P,;ng the northein 
 shore of Sand hill Lake, seem seldom to exceed 150 feet in height, and 
 the average Vovel of the country, as seen from the lake, probably falls 
 below 100 feet. The rocky sid)sli'atum of the region, slopes away 
 gnulually toward the south-west, till in the southci-n j)ai't of the lake, 
 but one or two, low, rounded masses, rise at all above the level of the 
 
21G 
 
 n. N. A. BOUNDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 I " 
 
 Ki 
 
 i; 
 
 li 
 
 : i 
 
 water. It may thus bo safoly aHsuined that the goiioral fall of the suvfnoe 
 of the rock; from the nortliern to the soutiiern part of the region covered 
 by this portion of the lake, is pretty nearly 100 feet. The distance by 
 the direct ctmrse of the glacial sti-iation is alx)ut thirty miles, and the 
 resulting general slope of the country would bo somewhat loss than 3-5 
 feet to the mile. The general height of the Laurentian watershed, whore- 
 ever it has been ascertained, is extremely uniform, and the slope so grtulual 
 that it does not merit the designation of a mountain region, but rather 
 may bo called a rocky plateau. The average elevation above the sea, 
 according to Sir William Logan, may be estimated at 1,500 to l,fiOO 
 feet.* where crossed by Prof. Bell, between Lake Su])orior and Hudson's 
 Bay. it is only 1,200 feet. The southern extension of the watershed, 
 ])assing between Lake Superior and Lake of the Wo(k1s, is estimated by 
 Palliser at 1,500 feet. North-east of tlie Lake of the Woods, the water- 
 shed region is but little known, but near Lac Soul, which closely corres- 
 ponds with the direction required by glaciatioji, according to Mr. 
 Selwyn's measurements it cannot be over 1,400 feet. The summit of 
 this great watershed, lies at from 200 to 250 miles noi'th-eastward of the 
 lake, and the glaciation is pretty nearly at right angles to its general 
 direction. Estimating the maximum height of the watershed at l,fiOO, 
 and the elevation of the lake at 1,000 feet, a general slope of about three 
 feet per mile results, and nearly coincides with that ascertained on a 
 smaller scale in the Lake of the Woods district itself. 
 
 492. This rate of descent is scarcely sufficient to account for the sponta- 
 neous descent of an onlinary glacier, over a countr}- wh ich Sir W. Logan has 
 well characterized as " mammillated," yet the surfiice is heavily marked by 
 glacier action, and the supposition of the existence of many local glaciers, 
 is negatived bj' the extreme uniformity of the striation. If icebergs and 
 floating ice, 1)0 called in to account for the facts, the difficulties appear 
 even more insuperable. To give rise to such heavy parallel marking, it 
 would 1)0 necessary to suppose ice moving under the influence of a 
 determinate curj-ent, which must have crossed the watershed to the 
 north-east. Iceboi'gs having passed ovoi- this ridge, would in their 
 subsequent course float gradually into deeper water, acting on the rocks 
 very feebly if at all ; the more so, as in their southern journey they 
 would no doubt be continually decreasing in size. Two suppositions 
 only, renuiin ; either the glaciation was accomplished by the irrt'sistalile 
 movement of a great polar ice-cap, — such as has boon considered a neces- 
 
 • UtiiiloKy of CaiiaiU, j). .'>. 
 
OI-ACIAL PHENOMENA AND SUrERFICIAI, DEPOSITS. 
 
 217 
 
 >f tlie Hiii'fuoe 
 gion covered 
 distance by 
 lilcs, and the 
 3SS than 3-5 
 shed, wliere- 
 'e so gi-ad(inl 
 , but rather 
 )vc the sea, 
 
 00 to l,fiOO 
 id Hudson's 
 
 watershed, 
 timated by 
 
 the water- 
 ■«ely corres- 
 ng to Mr. 
 summit of 
 vai-d of the 
 its general 
 d at l,fiOO, 
 bout three 
 ined on a 
 
 hesponta- 
 Logan has 
 narked by 
 
 1 glaciers, 
 bergH and 
 >s apjiear 
 fvi'king, it 
 nco of a 
 id to the 
 
 in their 
 the rocks 
 ley they 
 positions 
 'csistalile 
 
 a neces- 
 
 sary agent bj' some geologists — or the Laurentian axis was occupied at 
 one time bj- a great confluent glacier, pressed outward mainly by its c m 
 weight and nuiss, and directed only, by the pro-existing inclination. 
 Having met Avith no evidence of the former, 1 prefer to account for the 
 facts on the latter hypothesis, which will receive more extended notice on 
 a subsequent page. 
 
 49;]. The general contour of the countr}' siirnmnding the Lake of 
 the VmxhIs, and its position with regard to the watershed, ami axis of 
 Laurentian elevation, seem to show that the dii-ection of drainage has not 
 always been as at present. The initial cause of the Lake of the 
 Woods basin, has no doubt been the occurrence of an area of softer 
 Huronian I'ocks, among the Lrurentian; and the rocky surface as 
 already shown, sinks gradually but persistently iiwtiy to the southward 
 and westward, and in that direction, soon becomes buried under a 
 vast accumulation of drift and alluvial dej)Osits. It is probable from the 
 conformation of the country, that were the drift deposits now blocking up 
 the southern part of the lake removed, its waters would flow southward, 
 in conformit}- with its general, prinuuy^ inclination. The watershed 
 between the lake and the Red ]{iver Valley, lies close to the former, and 
 has an average height of ))erhaps not over thirty feet, the summit being 
 occupied by gi-eat muskegs. Sections wore seen on the East Roseau River, 
 not twenty miles west of the southern part of the lake, which showed 
 nothing but sand and detrital matter, to iiir Ijclew the level of its waters. 
 Suppt^sing then the absence of this drift material, the small streams now 
 running into the northern part of the lake, would flow southward, along 
 the belt of softer Huronian rocks, forming a valley; and toward the south- 
 ern part of the region now occupied by the lake, must have joined the 
 larger stream of Rainy River, and then flowed south-wostward through 
 the northern part of Minnesota, toward the valley of the Red River, 
 which — as elsewhere stated, — may very probably at this time have passed 
 southwjird into the representative of the Mississippi of to-day. 
 
 404. During the glacial subsidence, the groat deposits of sand and 
 clay were formed, blocking up the entire southern part of the lake, and 
 producing the low watershed to the west; thi'ougb Clear-water Lake, as it 
 tormed a bay in the Laurentian, and from its rocky and tortuous outline, 
 may jirobably have escaped the action of the currents bearing silt and 
 debris. On the emergence of (he country, the waters of the Hainy 
 River being dammed back from the south, would probably creep round 
 the junction of the metamorphic rocks and ilrift deposits, to Clear-water 
 
-TKT-^-rr. 
 
 Ill 
 
 flHrl i 
 
 
 VI . 
 
 iiit 
 
 (II ; 
 
 ■ill 
 
 'if. 
 
 I 
 
 -IS 11. N. A. norNDAUY COMMISSION. 
 
 liiilvo, jmd liiuliii;;- flit> lowi'sl pMit ol its i-iin in tl\o ptr-c.vistinii iiolclii's 
 ju'i'oss (lu> jmii'lion of tonuiilions iit Knt Portnpo, would pass ov(>r, iiiitl 
 pursuo its way l>y tlio 'NVimii'pi'ii; Rivor lo I,alu» Wiim(>pi\i!;. Tliis rivor 
 (loos not follow a tnii> rivoi'-vall«>v. I>iil falls rapidly westward throu^fli a 
 siM'ios of rock-l)asii\s, wl\ii'li often lie (ransvorso to its coiirso ; passin^j; 
 ilown till' slopt" of tlu« Iiaiiri'i\lian axis, and acconnuodalin^ itself to tl\o 
 siirfaco of a counti-N pr»>vioiisly sliapeil liy otlier au'en* y. Tlio sultse(iin>nl 
 j^roal spread of llie liake of tlie Woods, soiitliward. must liave lu'en due 
 i'iiietly to the action of the waves on the ineolierent di-ift material, a jH'o- 
 eess which is still goinij; lorward rapidly. 
 
 Drift deposits 1)/ the Sci'oikI I'mirir I'hticau West of tlir Itcd h'in-r, ami 
 
 of Turtle MoiitUtiin. 
 
 V.Kk In ])i"0(eedinj;' weslwani with an (>xan\inalion of the drift anil 
 sup»>rliiial dejuisits. those of the U'h\ River Valley would next claim 
 attention. As, however, they lieloni;; to a latei- pt>riod. than those of the 
 hinher'reiiiion to the west, and represent a dislin»'t pha/.e in the j^rout 
 series of physic.-d chani;os which have passed ov*>i' the interioi' of the 
 continent, it will he hetler to reserve Iheni for suhsetjuent considerati«»n. 
 Heifiniiinn" at the Kscarpenicnt of l*en\hina .Mountain, the western shore 
 of the former (ireat LaUeofthe Red River Valloy—1 shall desei'ilK' those 
 sections of the later deiM)sits whi<'h seen» to he typii'al. 
 
 iitli. The surtiue ot' the second prairi*' steppe, appears to be almost 
 ever^'where thickly covered with drift (h'posits, and the undulations and 
 slin'ht ii'ren'ularitics of its outline, aiv in the main <luc to the arrangement 
 of these surface materials, and though no douht somewhat modified hy 
 siih-aerial wast<\ does not sccns lo have heen much changed in tiiis way. 
 Over large areas, no .system ol Coideesor stream vallies is to l)e fouiul, and 
 the generally undiilatetl surtai-e, must be due to original inecpiality of de- 
 positimi. iU>nudation having acted only in removing a terlain (|uantily of 
 (he material from the rounded hillocks, into the intervening gentle hollows. 
 Such an arrangement, im]ilii>s not only the porous nature of the subsoil, 
 but is in ai'cord with the comparatively very Muall rain-fall of the region, 
 and would tend to show, that at no time since ilsemei'gence has the rain-fall 
 been very great. The drift material is found generally ti> consist in great 
 ]iart of ItH'al debris, derived from the imme<iiately umlerlying soft forma- 
 tions, but this is always mixed with a considerable ([uaiitity of far-trans- 
 ported material, which is generally most abundant in the U))pei' layei-s. 
 Large erratics are in some localities very plentifully strewn over the plain, 
 
 .1 
 
(II,ArlAI, IMIKNOMKNA AND HI I'KliriclAI, KEI'dHIT). 
 
 21!l 
 
 <fin(j imlclics 
 
 «H nv(>r. tlllil 
 
 'riiis rivt'i' 
 
 • I lliron^fli a 
 
 ilNfIC to (1,0 
 
 siil)Ni<(|ii(>n( 
 
 llOCII (llU! 
 
 .M-iiil, u |)r(». 
 
 /i 
 
 'i'irer, and 
 
 V drift nixi 
 noxt claiiu 
 i<»st> (»!' (Iio 
 (lio grout 
 •ior of tlio 
 sidonitioii. 
 
 torn 
 
 siioro 
 
 ril>o those 
 
 l»o nl 
 
 most 
 
 tioiis and 
 ungoniont 
 
 MJitiod 
 
 •y 
 
 111 is way. 
 >nnd, and 
 ity of do- 
 lantity of 
 hollows, 
 siihsoil, 
 I' ivyion, 
 i-ain-fali 
 ill groat 
 I Ibrnia- 
 ir-lrans- 
 layors. 
 plain, 
 
 Itnt (Ik'V loo. sooin to !•*» (>sscntially miiicrlicial. They arc gcnoniliy 
 of I/aiiroiitiaii rocks, Imt often of wliilish, or yellowish linicMtone; tlio 
 latter in some plaecs heing \rvy iilniiidant, 
 
 4!I7. The eastern front of I'diiliina l']sear|)inont, is v^'vy distinctly 
 t«'rrae(>d, and the siininiit of the |ihileaii, even at its eastern <!(ige, thickly 
 covered with drift. The first, or lowest terrace, which is al>oiit one third 
 from the prairio lovol toward the to|) of the ((scarpnient, is th*! Iiest 
 marked ; hut in ditfereiit parts of the esenr|inicnt docs not seoni to pro- 
 sei've exactly the same altitude. On the lioiindary line, its height alM)Vo 
 (he general prairie level, was found to he ahoiit {»(» fcot a second tornico 
 2(10 feid,aiid (ha( of (he (hird level, '>r siimmi( of (ho plateau, alioiit ."{(lO 
 fee(. The siii'face of (he (irs( (errace, which is hero wide, is s(r(nvn wi(li 
 houlders, as is also (ha( of (he socoihI (crracc; and plateau al)ov(!. 
 There are chiefly of Laiireiitian gneiss and granite, hut a fowsmaller ones 
 of limes(oiie occur. The hanks of ravines cuKing (h(( (op of th(f plateau, 
 and draining westward in(o the I'emliina River, show, in some places, 
 a groat thickness of light-coloured, yellowish, marly drilt, with low 
 lioiildors emhoddod in it. 
 
 [W. South of the I'cinhiiia I'lvor on the lino of the ti'inl from St. 
 
 I terraco level, hosides that of the 
 
 niarUci 
 
 Joseph's toTottcn. only one w( 
 sumniit of the escarpment, was found. Its height wns ahoiit 270 fcot 
 ahove the IVmhiiui Itivei-, the summit of the ])latoau h(;irig ahoiit 747 feet 
 ahove (ho same datum.* 
 
 VM). The Pembina Kivor, where it loaves Pomhina Ksear|)mont at St. 
 Josej)h's, shows high hanks of yellowish drift material. TIm! pohhh^s in 
 
 th 
 
 e river valley, denvt 
 
 il f 
 
 roin 
 
 til 
 
 e drift, are 
 
 very variou 
 
 in aspect 
 
 including Laiirentian, and o(hor metamorphic rocks which may ho 
 ITiironian ; also whitish limestone like tha( of Winnipeg, fragmcii(s of 
 calcareous and gypseous nodiilos from the Crotaceous clays, and a single 
 specimen o\' sHicifierl irood, similar to that loiind soahundantly in (he drift 
 of some localities miicli further west. 
 
 5(t(), On (ho west side of F\'ml>ina F?ivor — heyond the oscurpmont, 
 whore its course is nearly north and south — many coulees and hanks 
 sliow yellowish and light-groy arenaceous or marly drift, often resting 
 directly on the clays of the Pomhina .Mountain group, and then always 
 charged with h;i If- rounded jx'hhles of the underlying rock, 'i'lc- I'iver 
 valley, where crossed by the ('(unmission Trail, is over a mile in width. 
 
 * 'llie iiii'iisiirciiiciits iif tiriuiis lien- ),'i\(ii iniHl In.' (•■iiiHiili rid u|i|ir(i\iiu:ili iis iinrtlj, tliu weatlier 
 btiiii; uiisfttlecl, iiiiil Uie iia<iiin;s fiuiii a siMi,'lf sinull Ijiiruiiiftor, 
 
Ill i 
 
 830 II. N. A. IIOI'NDAIIV I'dMMIHMIUN. 
 
 ami wiiH (nntiil (<» lip IlOll l«>(>t ilcop. A loninc mcnrH, wliicli Im H|i(>('iMllv 
 )>n)iniiHMi( on llu> wcslorn liiiiiK. iiml litH n \viili> IrtMil. ll In iiiniiit 201) f'(<t>t 
 iilvno (lio 8(n'!mi, Mini in scnic pliU'CH is tliiildy utiowii witli IiuhMcih. 
 Allowiiiij Hi>mt>ll\iii^ lor (lio liill o(' (In* civcr, il woiiM \\u\n iiciiilv 
 corr»>Hpon(l willi llio llrnl li'iincc inol willi on lli(> S(. .I()M(<|i|i'm iiihI 'rollcn 
 'I'mil. 'i'lio i>xiK)('n»M' ol' IImh Ifniuc in ili(> river viillcv, is inlcrcHlin/ii,. 
 iiH nhowin^ (liiit it niiiwl liiivi' t'onni'i! n niiirow iiiin o('l||(> /rroni |iohI 
 gliu'iill liiUo of (lie Rt<(l |{i\('r N'tilU'v wlicn noiir i(H liif»;lH'M(, lunl in 
 (ln>n>rovo )»i'olinlilv o(" )iit'-i!;lnt'iMl ii^o. , 
 
 501, WoHtwai'd, (owiii'tl I/on^- KivtM, lof niiiny inilcH, wlicicvci' tin' 
 »nl)soil in tuntod up h\ (lit> luirrowin/^i of liiitlm-iN. \ cllowiHli, iniirly dril'l 
 ap)u>afM. iiiitl IioKIh m.iny sniMll pt'MiltM n{' (ln> ( 'icdiccoiis HlmlcN. wliirli 
 llioiifili Hiijllt'ionljy liiin m lu>jir hliiipiiiti- in wiitcr, rM|iiilly nplil np, nnil 
 hoooino tliHinlo/nvjilotl wlion cxpoHcd (o (iic nir. 
 
 Wl. In tlu' viiilov or Ijonji' Kivcc, n \{>r\ in((>r»'slint!: st'clion wiih 
 olisorvo(|. (Pliilf XII., I"'i^-. L'.) Tlio inniU in wliirh it ocinrN in iiltoiil 
 tliirty U'ot lii;>;l\. porpiMulicniHr iiliov(>, mihI conipowi*!! nt llic I'ool ol' ||u> 
 lN>inl>ini\ Mounliiin t "i'i>l!ifoonM. Tlio lowosi portion ol' Ilic dril'l, Ih of 
 stVMtilicd s!ii\ds iind lirMvcls, very evidently liilsc iHMidt'il. 'rii(> pcdiMcn 
 •.wo oliiofly iVoni tlio underlying- rocU, ImiI iIkm'c nrc idso it I'tMV ol' lorciirn 
 oriijin, nnd tlio wliolo is iirriinnvd in ti niiinncr implying ii very Hlron/^' 
 llow of cun'outH in dilVor(>nt ilirci'lions. iMioiil eleven le(>t I'l'oin llie 
 top of the l>nnl\. tlu> Dilse lieddeil InytM's end .'diniplly, lieint;; eiit olV liy ii 
 hori/.ontiil |ilane. Alnivo this tlit> l>oddini>' is re^iilnr. nnd I lie. drift 
 ineludes niMny, iiiid some liiri>e, ti'iividled lioulders of LMurenlitin nnd 
 white liniestoiu'. toi;'t>tlu'r with ninrh sinidl ( 'retiieeoiis in!iti>ritd. F/ili<r(> 
 houldiM's are also .'ihundiint prolriidiiii:; from the soil of lh(> priiirie 
 .'ihove. The surfiiee of the ( 'relMeemis, on whitdi the<lrif| is deposilcMl, \h 
 \\o\ a smooth tme. and there appi'iirs to he some evidence that the vailev 
 of Loiitjj IJiver was indiealed hefore (he p(>rii)d of the drift. We hiivo 
 here, at least, a hollow tilled at tirst uiuler the inllueiice of pow(M'l'ul 
 euiTon(,s in sliallow water, and (hen, it would seem, a deepening of (Ih» 
 sea to sneh an ox(en(, as (o allow (he passa,m> of ln'iivy, lar-lravtdled ice, 
 wliieh planed smoo(h (he summits of the eiirrent-fornuMl haiiUs helow, 
 aid hrouii'ht lai'u'er t'ra;;'meiils of toreit;n rock to add to the deposit, 
 
 oO.'J. The lary'est boulder ohserved in this region was in tlH> valley ol 
 T,on'<- l^iver. It was of I'oarse ^rey i;ranite, and the portion iirojcM'tiii;^ 
 fVoin the uToiind nieasutMl ahout ten leet sipiare. 
 
 501. Had^vr Creek, fourteen miles west of Lonjj; Ifiver, cuts deeply 
 into the surface o\' (he jirairie, and exposes dril'l, reHemhjin;; that of 
 
n. N. ^ IIMl'HiMH fiiMMI'-iSIMN. 
 
 11 A I K \lt 
 
 '■'' ''^ ^'|i«<ri,|||y 
 mIhmiI 2(10 Dm.I 
 
 ividl llltlllilciH. 
 I (llllH IICIII'lv 
 
 i'f< iiikI 'I'liihiii 
 '^ iii((>i('H(iii^-_ 
 
 ,'Ih'h(, iiimI In 
 
 . niiiily (IriCf 
 hllh'N, wliirli 
 ^^I'li' M|», tirid 
 
 HtM'limi wiiN 
 ll'N In nitoiil 
 fixil (»r II, „ 
 
 •IliCl, IH of 
 I'll*' |lollll|(>s 
 
 nl' /(icciirii 
 
 <'i'y hIioii/^- 
 
 'nun til,. 
 
 ( oil' hy n 
 
 (li(t (iiiCi 
 
 idiin Mild 
 
 (/Ml'^«i 
 
 " |ii'iiir'H' 
 •"Hi" led, JH 
 Ih' vnlloy 
 We Imvo 
 |»'>\V(m('iiI 
 1^' •»('lli(( 
 'II(n| i('(>, 
 N Ixdovv, 
 i(. 
 
 Illlcy ol 
 'ojccd'ii^ 
 
 deeply 
 Unit of 
 
 mi 
 
 
 /if ^-''^ 
 
 S-liL'',! 
 
 
 I'liniK' I K.iiit. l''Mrl< iif \Iill< llivri (^."i.r,'; //, li.iili|<i (|;iy 
 /,. .,lili|' iivi'i iilliiviillri ', iii-wiT MVi'i M 1 1 II VI II III '/, -iirf;iic 
 
 hI I III iMii iImI III lii'il I'V fi'"^!, iVi , 
 
 
 I'"it,'iir(^ •„' l.iiiij ftivi-r <i .V)_' ) r;, |r,;vM- ilriff,, 
 rliK'lly I'l'iil. '', M|>|M !■ ilnt't., wiMi l.ii,;c travi-ll"! I rn Ua. 
 
 SK'Ti'iN-i 'iK iii;ii.-i i)k:'''-(| r-: 
 
 FiiCft \: 220. 
 

 li 
 
 ! I 
 
 !. 
 
(ILACIAI, l'IIKNtlMK^A .VNJ» hri'KHH'Irl M, liKI'o.slTt!. 
 
 221 
 
 Loiif? Ei vor, I lilt not so oloiirly. At oik- place 20 lo .'{0 fcot ofMrif'l fonnH n 
 vorticiil clill", UniiMci's nw alniuiliiiil in tlic lied of the Hlroaiii, iind 
 appear to lie cliicfly Fwiiiri'iilian. 
 
 505. Ill oi-(l(M' t(» asciM-laiii as lai- as possililn, the orinin of iho il»roi;,'n 
 materiul of IIk^ dril'l, ami tlio rolativo proportions of its various coiiHti- 
 tiieiits, tho loiio\vin<jf incfhod wasadoptcij. Aii aviM-ai^c collection of poh- 
 bles, taken at random from the ;j;rav('l of any locality, was made; stonoH 
 above or below a cortaiti size beinLC rejected for convenience, and caro 
 boiiif; takcMi whore possible, to coiiiliiMc ;;allierin^s from two or tbreo 
 spots for each locality, ami lo make tlie collection a large one. Tho 
 pebbles so obtaine(l, were then <'ar(^fiilly enumerated, and "vided litho- 
 logieally into groups, wliicli were i-eferr(M| as far as pos idt ) llioir 
 formations. Krom the numbcis thus obtained, ]K>i'cent;. o rt. liavo 
 
 been calcnlated. The comparative simplicily of the geci. ^ii 1 i'oatures of 
 the interior of th<^ continent, the similarity of the lithi/iog-^>' charact(ir8 
 of tho formaliouH over great areas, and the absenc! of /larder meta« 
 mor])hio roeks in the strata of the plains; are s|)eeialb •<> ,:able to such 
 an investigation, and the results serve to show the general course of tho 
 drift in a region where rock sui'faces capable of preserving glacial striio 
 are entirely absent, ft was at first intended, to enumerate! tho boulders 
 and larger erratics in this way, but the criterion by smaller pebbles wan 
 found more fnHiuently api)Iical)le, and wherever comparison was ])ossiblo, 
 tho result obtained frf)m them appeared to agree closely with the pro- 
 portional importance of the larger masses. In on*; respect, the informa- 
 tion to ho derived from tho smaller constituents of the drift, is more trust- 
 worthy than from the larger, as the limestone suffers rapidly from frost 
 and weather, breaking down and ceasing to occu])y a prominent ])Osition 
 among the boulders of harder metamorphic rocks. Particular attention 
 was, however, given to the larger erratics also, and it is hoped that infor- 
 mation derived from different parts of an east and west line, over 800 
 miles in length, across the central portion of tho continent, may not be 
 unimportant. 
 
 50(t. The first numerical examination was made on the Line about 
 eighteen miles east of the present western boundary of Marutoba, with 
 the following result : — 
 
 1. White limestone, of the ordinary kind 48. 18 
 
 2. Granitic and gneissie roeks, generally jh.'ikish 38.48 
 
 3. Felspar 1.22 
 
 4. Pebbles, chiefly or entirely of crystalline quuHz 0.75 
 
 5. Yellow chert 2.43 
 
 6. Dark coloured, hard, metamorphic rocks 4.87 
 
 7. Soft reddish deconipoHed rock 1.22 
 
 8. Grey rock; probably fragments of Cretaceous nodules. .. 1.22 
 
 
 l! 
 
 .';* 
 i 
 
 I ;! 
 
 ,1. . 
 
1 
 
 fill 
 
 it 
 
 II 
 
 OOO 
 
 "■ '• ■'■ "•"'^"^MV. rv,nM,,SN,„N. 
 
 •'"•"7. Tlio liiii(.N(,,n(. r,N..,).M ,i - 
 
 "'""' •" " ■ 1 r, i,„ !•,, ,',;";" '""" '■"''■'•'. 
 
 :z:'z:::t -'■ -':-"; :;:::r::"'-:i;r^;; ' ^ 
 
 ;! '^-'"'^''p"i:''Cl:^^^^^^^ ai. 
 
 ;«""•'■■ i«u, ,, :■,.,' " "I"., in „,.«, ,, 
 
 ''."'"■■""■ ■''''■• -I...U. ..r H,,;,, ,.; ""■•• •"■ '""" .i.'m,i(„ li,™,,,, , 
 
 '"'">'"■ ' "M. !„,.„ „„„,„ ,,^. ,,,,„.".'" "'"'"• '1 "imila,. „„.„,,.„„•„„ 
 
 ' 0.97 
 
<ll,\(rM, lilKNuMKNA ^Nli Mll'KMI''irt-M, nri'ONITM. 
 
 no 
 
 ;< 
 
 I*: 'V'l^'rncnls (,r 
 '"'Wcr Siliiii,,,, 
 
 folic nccun-ii,^ 
 
 "<l.v "mnliotiod 
 ''"' rni^inoiiiH 
 • tiro nUi) pro- 
 '"• •)■ prohalily 
 i'lH'Ntonc linro 
 N<ii! of man;' 
 
 'I'liii, (lie nn- 
 '>(' aiiil oil,.,, 
 
 "".V i;n'ii|MMl 
 
 lilKlH HCniNM 
 
 iiM li(> uwcor- 
 ' 'N iiIho ol). 
 »!i<)iiH of <ho 
 ioN( corlaiti 
 "WohI pni-iH 
 iii-iouH fact^ 
 
 <''<WiZ(l(J l,y 
 
 ''HcrvHtioi, 
 '"<! prairio 
 «"l>-fionul 
 '••iiKion or 
 
 t'llITOtllH, 
 
 '•'"Op out 
 ^ ; and a(, 
 
 IHJICOH of 
 
 Pii niilcH 
 ollouin^r 
 
 i 
 
 .Mo. Tilt' ili'il'l licrc rlonrly n'SdinlilfH lliiil ol' llir Inst Imiilily, clilVcr- 
 iii^ rliiclly in tlic ('oni|iiii'ativt' iilmiKlaiMr of diiik loloniril iiuttiiiiior|ilii(' 
 rorks, wliicli MIC |n'ol)iilily lliironiiiii. Amioiil( IIh« ri(i/,'iiiriilM o(' ci vnIiiI- 
 liiM' (|iini'l/,, wiirc soiiir oC <|ii!M/,il<«, of wliicli hpi'ciMl iiMkoniiij^ wan iiol 
 l<«f|)t. Tlicy limy, tVoin llirir a|i|M'ai'aMi'<<, liavr lircii cillici' liiuircntiaii or 
 Ilili'oiiiaii, or cViMi (li'i'ivrd IVoiii llic i{orl<y .MoiinhiiiiH, as aricrwaiilH as- 
 corlniiicd. Soiii<< of llic liaril ;{i'(UMii,s)i altoiiMl h|)(ii'iiii«-iiK, niiiy alno liavu 
 c'onu' IVnni llu) IiiIIit Hoiiirc. 
 
 511. Turtle Momilain, mo rallcil, will iic (It'MciilK'd nioic I'liiiy in a 
 Niilis(<(|iu>iit |)ii|^c, lull slioiild also lio iiii'iitioiitMl ill coiiiicct ion with tlu^ 
 drift deposits. It is a ln'okcii, hilly, wooded re;.jion, with an area 
 of jierhaps alioiit twenty miles si|nare, iiikI slopes /^'I'lidiiidly upward 
 from the plain around il, alio\< which it is elevated, at its hiichcst 
 pointh ahoiil fiOO feet. II appears to he the eiiliiiinatioii W(;stwai(l 
 of llie iiilly drift reifion previously deserihed, and lorms n prominent 
 oiijecl. when viewed aeross the ts'islern prairie, from the eonlraslin;^ 
 soiuhi'o tint of the lidiii^e of its woods. Kroni the w<'sl il ean Ix! 
 Nueii from a distance of foily-live miles, and when thus viewed, han 
 really much the ^-(^leral outline (d' ii turtle sirell. Il is hisecled hy 
 the forty-ninth paralUd. 
 
 nili. ('aptain I'allis(U''M expcflition followed the Moiindary line Ihim 
 far west hefore tnrnini; northward, and l>r. lieclor, from a ^(^iKiral 
 (examination of tho mountain, eoiisi<lereil il to he composcid of drift, f 
 have had the opportunity ol' (^xaminill;.!; not only !iie outskirts ofthi.s 
 region, hut of pciiel rating' eompletoly aer(»ss it i^i the dire.dion ofllu! 
 liino, iiiid my ohservatioiis teinl to confirm those of |)r. jhctor. The 
 existence oi'a he.d of limeslone in llm (diannci of one of the, brooks in the 
 interior of tlio mountain, was reporle<I to me, hut after having' mado a 
 special trip, occupying' throe days, for the purposes of visiting' the Hpot, it 
 was found to he merely a lar^'c; hoiiMer ofro(d<, much res(mil)lin^ tlio 
 Jiowcr Silurian limoHtono of (Jurry. wliich had heeii lod^'ed in an inclined 
 position amon^ many olIicr.H of granite and ;xm'i^M, and waH hroakin^ "P 
 under the weather. Nearly all (he ahriipt slopes and rid^'es -of which 
 there are many — show houIdiM'H in al)un<laiice, and th(!s<! appear tr, l)C 
 chiefly of liaiircntiaii rocks. The shorcis of some of the numerouH 'akcM 
 are lar^ady composed of while limestone with Laurentian fra^meiitH and 
 some uroyiHli and j^reenish Iliironiaii-like rocks. The western is more 
 ahniptly hilly than the east<!rn side, and the more proniinerit ridyew have 
 a general northerly and soutlierly direction, with intervening vallie.s 
 
i 
 
 i!:. 
 
 •!•> 
 
 II. N. A. tlii|lNli.«(V cnM.MISSIUN. 
 
 (•lmnicloi'i/.»'i| l)y KwntnpN iiihI IiiUi'm. liiirp' inviis ol citiiipiirativcly lovol, 
 or only i^ciitly muliiliiU'il f^fdiiinl, liic liowt-vcr finniil in soino jiliici's. Tlu> 
 Kiirfacn ol" llii- " iiKMiiiliiin" ii|i]M'iir« l<» Iki ti, ' of llic diiCt, ih (lc|i(),siliMl, 
 mill has hci'ii ImiI lilllt* inoilili mI liy siilisiM|iitMil sm iicrial iiitiiin. 'I'lic lakoH 
 io in liaHJn-liko hollow.-., tiiid iml willistainliii:,' tli(<ii' i^roal iiiiiiiIkm-, di-aiii- 
 ai;(> vallioM nixl stroatn-coiii'Hois arc lo>v and iiniinpoi'taiit. A coiiNidt'rahlo 
 quantity of fint'i" niatt'iial, liowi'vcr, hoiwuh I<» liavc^ Ihm'Ii rornovoti IVoni 
 tho liillw and ridtft's, and re (k'|»o^^it^'d in ll.c IioI1o\v,m, causing tlio lornHT 
 to lio sloMV and ;i;nivolly. 
 
 "jI;;, Fii many rcs|u'(ls tlic st'-ncturc of 'Piiitlf Mountain closoly 
 roscniltlt's that of the Coti'aii, olsi'whi'ro dfsci'ilicd, and Ironi its altitnd(i it 
 is onlilli'd to I'ank as an oiitlyor ol'tlii' third stoppo. Similar hills, moro 
 or loss well marUod, and I'oinpo.sod of drilt niatei'ials, appi-ar also to 
 oci'iu" ill othor parts of the second prairie steppe. These, with Tiirlli! 
 Mountain, form a line i-ast of the i'searpment of lh«^ third steppe, hut 
 nearly paralh'l with it, ineludin^ IVoiii south to noilh : — Turtle Mountain, 
 Moose .Mountnin, Wolf irills, Kile Flills, liittleTouehwood Hills, and Touch- 
 wo(nI Hills. Tlie.sf elevations do not appear to hoeonneeted with aiiylhiiii^ 
 like a continuous escarpment, at least there is no such eonncction north- 
 west of Turtle Mountain ; norcaii their arrangement he shown to he due to 
 any fcaturoof the underlying rocks. They lie, iiowever, nearly on a line of 
 e([uul altitude on the eastward dope of the plains, and show a routfli 
 eorrcspondeiue to the main i. ps in the hii^h land, connected with tlio 
 escai'pment of the second sli )pe, to the east.* I'littinj^ aside iho 
 hypothesis of a nucleus of limestone, or other solid rock, tor which there 
 apjicars to he no siipp(»rt, these elevations would seem to have lioen 
 formctl hy the tendoncy of icel>eri;s heai'in^ ilehris to congrcijate in 
 certain positions under tho intlucnco of currents. A shoal once produced 
 in this, Ol- any other way, woulil tend to increase rapidly when the water 
 hecamo sutticiently shallow for the ice to ^'roinid on it, and its extent and 
 dimensions woulil only ho limited hy the len^-th of time during which 
 suitahle conditions prevailed, and the erosive power of the cuiTcnts pass- 
 ing over it. 
 
 514. A careful examination of the pohhles of the drift, on the j)rairio 
 east ot" the lirst crossing of the Lino and Souris ijiver, 170 miles west of 
 Ked River, gave the following ratios: — 
 
 "Kiir a (IcsoriptiiMi iif MiiiiHo Mouiitnin see Kxplorntimi nf liritisli North Anicricn, p. 40. For the 
 Touchwood Hills, Kejiort of rrogrsss Ocol. Surv. L'aiiiula, 1873-4, p. as. .., 
 
 i> h 
 
'i 
 
 arnfivclj level, 
 
 II*' |>lll((«S, TIm' 
 ■(, IH (lf|l<)Hi((M|, 
 
 i«"i. 'i'lio lulxos 
 iniiiiluM', dniiii- 
 A fniiNi(|(>nil,|(, 
 ronntvi'd I'lom 
 iiiK<lii> loriiit'i- 
 
 intiiiii closoly 
 I its altitiiil(^ It 
 Ijii' hills, riKti'o 
 ppciir also to 
 '. uilh TiiriK 
 
 nl Ktc|»)K', hilt 
 
 I'llo Mniiniaiii, 
 
 llH.!IIl(IT()llfll- 
 
 kvilh iiiiythiii<,' 
 
 IH'Clioil llOI'tll- 
 
 n to h(> (iiic to 
 
 lyoii II liiK'oi" 
 
 i'»\v a roiit^h 
 
 •It'll with tho 
 
 1^' aside iho 
 
 ' whii'h there 
 
 lave hoen 
 
 M^nTi,'alo in 
 
 prodiKcd 
 
 uii the water 
 
 H extent and 
 
 innjff which 
 
 iTentH j)as8- 
 
 lio prairie 
 ill's west of 
 
 l>. 41). For the 
 
 ill.M'IAI. eilK.NMMK.NA AND HI'I'ISItKll'I.M, liKl'iisli'M. 225 
 
 I. Wliit -til liiiifnt<>n«! <»-■•' 
 
 'i. (intuitu' unci giiciHHii' rnckN • IH'78 
 
 'A. iluril, Kr<^<'ii, uiul ^n'riiiHlilihu^k rorkM, lioriiMuiulic and u|>i- 
 
 lllltlC, MclllllttlinCH HchlHtngl! 7'ilH 
 
 4. Dark k'i-'uio'^I' rock, uvidi'iitly fru^iiuuital '2tiH 
 
 T). (!ryst klliiiu (|iiiirU '2 W 
 
 <). (Jiiiihrtxitt; unci hard jiixpur liku rock '2'M 
 
 7. KntKMujntH of furru^iiiouM uuiiurutioiiH 1 110 
 
 H. Mi.iii «(;lii«t 0'«7 
 
 !». Illiuk lic)iiil)lcn(le rock (VJ 
 
 10. liiiicl, ('ciarHU'f^riiiiii'cl, lij^lit-coldiirt'il quartzite 0'U7 
 
 1 1. (inci.sM, witli ^iirnc'tH (I'liS 
 
 12. < 'ryHtiillinc ilu.ntc O-.'W 
 
 r>ir». Willi re^uni to derivation, No.s. 13, f), M, I) and 11, are almost eer- 
 taiidy Ijaiueiitian. Nos. .'{and lure lliironian. No. 7,(^'rotaceousor Iii;;tiilo 
 TiMtiary ; and No. lU indoterininate. Nos. (I and 10 uio the first iiiidouhlod 
 o.xainpleH of a speeios ol' drill wliith further westward luieonius inerous- 
 inj^ly prominent, and which I have callecl, for distinction, (/uurtzite drift. 
 Afl«'r havin<^ heen observed in numerous places diiriii;^ the soa.son.- of 1S73 
 and 1874, this drift was finally traced to the Iio(d<y Mountains, a.s its pro- 
 balile plac(» of orii,dn. It is of course possible, that sonu! stray pebbles 
 indislin^uishalile from the true (^uart/,ile drift, but coiniiif^ Irom tlu' east 
 or north-oast may occur; or that some fi'a^ments from the IJocky Aloun- 
 tuins nmy be indistini^uishabic fn)m those of the iluroidan, and included 
 with them hero; but I think, in the main, the concdusions as to orijLfin 
 may be relied on. Fi'om this point onward to the flanksof the mountains 
 the (Quartzite drill will be found to occur more abundantly in the travelled 
 debris. 
 
 51'!. IJetweiai the first and second crossini^s of the Souris Kiver, and 
 near the Antli'r (JreeUs, no sections of the pr;iirie siib-sf>il are tound. 
 Boulders, however, are very numerous in some j)laces, and ai'(! as usual 
 mostl}' Laurentian, thoui^h there are some of limestone, and also a few of 
 hai-d metamorphic blackish and <rreenish rocks like Ilinonian. Occasicmal 
 boulders of pale pink sandstone, with dai-ker colourerl stratification ]»laneH, 
 and also I' >cks of c(mi])act, rather coar.se-^'rained, whitish sandsloim, wcu-o 
 also for the tirst time seen here. They bolon:.? to the (iuartzile drift series 
 and exactly lesemble some rocks of the mountains near the forty-ninth 
 parallel. 
 
 617. Near the 102 mile point, the sujterficial drift was iouirJ. to bo 
 composed as follows: — 
 
 ]. White Hmustoiu' ");•({ 
 
 '2. !>iinitio and gnoisaiu rocks, grcyi.sh and pinki.sli ."I ',7 
 
 3. (irtyisti, lianl. altered rock, rescinding (|iiait7,ite ti ,">4 
 
 4. tjuait/.itcs and hard altered rocks . . . t-(M) 
 
 5. CrysuUine (juartz ;{-(i,'{ 
 
 15 n 
 
 I i; 
 
 ^i 
 
ha 
 
 m i: 
 
 :5 -i 
 
 I - ll 
 
 : 1' li 
 
 ! I' 
 
 III 
 
 22(! n. N. A. Tint'Nn.vRY commispion. 
 
 (>. Flornbk'iKk" schist 1 '86 
 
 7. ^'L•llc)wish (lUivrt/.ite 1 '45 
 
 8. Dioritc OT") 
 
 if. IronHtdue 0''M\ 
 
 r)lS. TIk' liiiu'slono is ])r()l)iil)ly nltoifctliovfroin tlie Ecd Rivor rctjion 
 or iiortliward. Nos. ;{ iiiul 4 ciiimot ho very dotiiiitoly phiced citlici- in 
 tlio Jliiroiiiaii or (iuartzitt' drift, wlilic No. 7 almost cortaiiilj- belongs to 
 the latter. The iatroduetion of the material included uiuler No. 'A, in 
 sueh large quantity is rather anomalous. Nos. 2, (i, and pi-obahly also 
 most of No. 5, are Laurontian. 
 
 f)!!!. The pi-airie south of the south liank of the Souris River- — \vhi(h 
 heyiind the Second Crossing runs nearly ])arallel with the Line for about 
 thirty miles — is for a bi'eadlh of ;;everal miles, sti'ewn with an immense 
 number of boulders. These ai'e generally half buried in the soil, and !ii 
 some j)laees over e.xtensive areas they arc almost in contuet. They <■ )n- 
 sisl maiidy of Laurentiiin rocks, but thei'o ai'C also a good man}' of lime- 
 stone, and some of the hai'der parts of the local Tertiary s indstones. 
 Some are of large size, though most are not over a foot or two in diame- 
 ter. The}' do not appear to be arranged in groups, but are scattered very 
 uiutbrmly everywhere. The north bank of the river as fav as I examined 
 it, is chai-acterized in the same way; and Cajjt. Palliser who crossed the 
 country beyond it on his way to the Kocho Percoc. writes: — "As wc ap- 
 proached this river, the ground was so covered with boulders that our 
 cart could barely get along."* The region thus cvidtMiMy strewn with 
 oi-ratics, seems to be that which slopes gently toward the edge of the 
 stee[) iiunk of the river. The boidders ai-e by no means so frefpient on 
 the genci'al surface of the prairie in this locality, and they would there 
 seem to be covered with a finer supertic':)' dollosi^ which has been 
 removed where denudation has taken i)lace. The layer containing the 
 boulders, however, cannot bo a thick one, us where waste has penetrated 
 to a much greater depth, in the small valleys tributary to the Souris, the 
 covering of i)oulders is not scMisibly iiici'eascd, 
 
 520. Near Wood Knd, 2(!(l miles west of Red River, some good sec- 
 tions of tiie drift occur on the Soi.ris. Tlie surface of the pi'airic here 
 rises to form a r.'Uher well marked plateau, but of small elevation, which 
 may be considered as being the first ascent towai'd the elevated region 
 of the Missouri Coteau. The underlying rocks are here of Lignite Ter- 
 tiary age, and as when resting on the Cretaceous, the drift reposing on 
 
 * Kxploratioii vt lirilibh N'jrth America, p. ib. 
 
. 1 Sfi 
 
 . 1 45 
 
 . O-T") 
 
 . 0-3f) 
 
 1 Rivor roffion 
 accd either in 
 Illy belongs lo 
 nlor No. 3, in 
 liroitably also 
 
 ilivci'^ — whi( h 
 
 L/ine lor about 
 
 an iinmonso 
 
 le soil, and iii 
 
 t. They <■ .n- 
 
 nany ol' linie- 
 
 y 8 mdstones. 
 
 two in diamc- 
 
 scattei ed very 
 
 as I examined 
 
 o c/ossed the 
 
 " As we ap- 
 
 lers that our 
 
 strewn with 
 
 edge of the 
 
 fVequcnt on 
 
 would there 
 
 h has been 
 
 nlaining the 
 
 penetrated 
 
 Souris, the 
 
 ne good see- 
 Iprairie here 
 Ition, whieh 
 lated region 
 jigiuto Ter- 
 I'eposing on 
 
 (lI.AriVI, I'MKNO.MENA AND SirpEKFIClAI, DEPOSITS. — ( 
 
 thorn is round to bo vci'.y largely eotnposed ol" their soft debris. At one 
 plaee about thi'ee miles west .)f Ihf former position of Wood Kiid l)e|K)l, 
 a scarped bardt of tin; stream, about titty I'eet in beiglil, is >eeii to be en- 
 tirely composed of drift ; which is :i yellowish sandy and gravelly dci)os.',, 
 hard I'nough to slinid in perpendieidar-faced banks, and in a general way 
 niueh i-esembling that already ilesci'ibeil at Long River ami elsi-wherc. 
 The boultlersairof Laurentian and liinu'stoiu', with a good many In-long- 
 ing to the (Juart/ite drift, and fragments of local .samlstones. Many of the 
 bouMers and pebbles are polished (lat, on one or more faces, and scoreil 
 
 with glacial mai'kings. Agates ami fragments of silicitied w I, though 
 
 not actually observed imiiedded in it, nnist also occur in the dritt of this 
 vieinitv, as they are not untrc(|uently found in pebble Iieds li)rmeil from 
 its re-arrangement. The agates were hero found more abundantly than 
 elsewhere, but were not in any locality observi'd in the parent rot'U, 
 though they no doubt occur in some of the Tertiary oi- ('retaeeous beds 
 of the i-egion. They do not usually show conspicuous banding, but ai'c 
 semi-transparent and of a pale yellow colour. 
 
 Manjin and Eastern Region of the Third Prairie Plafrou to Wood 
 
 Mountain. 
 
 521. The loealitics so far described, may be eonsideivd as beloiiging 
 to the second prairie steppe, and illustrating the nature of^ the di'ifl of 
 that level. Westward from this ])oint, the country though belonging in 
 the main to the third or highest prairie level, is mueh more diversilied, 
 and to understrnd the arrangement of the deposits of the glacial ])eriod, 
 it is necessary to bear in nnrid its general contour, of which an outline 
 has already been given in treating of the watershed whieh rinis thr<»u<'h 
 it to the Rocky Mountains (^J^ rt seq.) 
 
 522. One hundreil and twenty nules west of Turtle Mountain tl 
 
 10 
 
 second pi-airie i)lateau comes to an end against the foot of the great belt 
 of di'ill deposits, known as the Mis.suuri Coleau. Jieyond this point 
 three diverse zones of country cross the forty-ninth parallel in tho order 
 subjoined. 
 
 1. Tumultuously hilly country ba>ed on a givat tl 
 
 lickness of drift, and 
 
 forming the Cotcau dc Mi!<tiOuri, properly so called. 
 
 2. Flat topped Watershed Plateau, formed of riK'ks of ilic Lignite 
 
 Tertiary, and conslituling a part of the First Transverse Watershed 
 already described. 
 
 3. Lower broken down region south of the lUateau, partly basetl on (hy. 
 
 't 'I 
 
 J El 
 
 ! 
 

 iini 
 
 III ' I" 
 
 1 ■ I 
 
 A. ui>rNi>\nv «'()MMissii)N, 
 
 LiiiTiitc Tcrli.'irv. .'iiul cIcirMctcri/.iMl liy ,<:<ti', 
 diainiiu' lowjuil llif Missoin . 
 
 rt«H niKl \i\V}.r;o valliofl 
 
 Ml 
 
 (> st'ooiKl I'c^ioii ('.111. porli.'iw, scinccly ix' smkI In ci'oh.m 
 
 Ivl. 
 
 <l 
 
 tliol 
 
 illlC 
 
 hut 
 
 H>|u\'ii's imim'<li;il('l\ norlli <it'il 
 
 On lliv hiiic iiiid siHilliwiinl, (lio Htrtmnm 
 
 llowiiitJC (<> (Iu> MissiMiri, i isf ii<>:ir lln> f^oiilluirn «mI^'o ot' llic. tirnt diviHioii, 
 
 tlio ii;rt';it(M' pari ol'llic |>lah';ui lia 
 
 viiur si!c( 
 
 mill 
 
 io<i (o (Icinidiii^ iigoiu'ioH. 
 
 fi'J.'l 'l'li(< Missniin ('olcau ismic oCtlio most iiii])or(aiit CcatinrH ofllio 
 
 \\ 
 
 ostorii 
 
 I' 
 
 aiiis, 
 
 Mild 
 
 IS ('('rtaiiilx' llic iiiosi I'ciiiai'kniilc iiiniiiiiiicid () 
 
 III 
 
 le 
 
 ixlacial )K'riod now oxisliiisr ilui-f. 'riioiiirh fViMincnlly incniioiicd in 
 wi'shM'ii i-rpoits. ! (aniiot loarii llial ils structiiiv has vol hooii caro- 
 I'lilly sliidicd. I I,, no had tho oi>|)orlnint y of oxariiiiiiti;;^ mon^ or Ions 
 olosoly. Ihal jioiMion of it wliiih crossi-^ ilic t'orlyninih |)araIlol, I'"!' a 
 loiii^th oi'ovor 100 iiiil(>s. 
 
 r>L'4. Whore oMi sonirwhai ohli<i|iioly liy this |iarniIoI. Iho ( 'oloaii may 
 bo said to oxtoiid tVom iin' 2!Ml. to ilu- 'X\^> inilo |ioinl. u dislanoo of forty- 
 livo iiiilos. A; riu'ht aii)j;los lo its ;;oiiora! coiirso, howovor, ils oxtrorrio 
 width at this [lojnt cannut ho nioro tiian alioiit thirty inilos. On ap- 
 proaohiii!;' it iVoiii tho oast, on ihr (rail I'roiii Wood l*]nd, wliioh as ahvady 
 statod, is somewhat more idevaled llian llio |irairii> iyina,' east of it, a 
 grathial asooiit is inado. fill iho odi^o orth(> ('clean is roaehi-d . aiiionriting 
 in a distanee oi' Iwonty-livo iiiilos, to ahout 150 fool. Tlio ooiiiitiy at the 
 saiiio tiino hooomos inoro distinctly iindiilatiiii; — as on apiiroaohinjr Turtle 
 _.Moiin(aiii from tho oast — till alm(»st holbro one is awiire ot' the oliaiii^o, 
 tho road is wiiidiiiix atnoiii; a oont'iision of alinipliy roiiiidod. and tumul- 
 tuous hills, whioh oonsisl oiitiroly of drift matorial, and in tnaiiy cases 
 soiMU to ho formed almost .iltoijjether of iMtiildors and s^ravel, tlio finer 
 matter liaviiiL;; hoen to a ^Toat oxtoirt washed dc^wn into the holIowB. 
 Where it ajijiears. however, it is not unlike ihat of the driit of tho lower 
 prairies, hein^x yellowish ;ind s.-indy. Aniomr tho |,ills are hasin-liko 
 vallies. round, or invi^nilar in foini, and wilhoiit outlet ; wliiehare some- 
 times dry hut iroiierally hold swamps or small lakes, which have frequently 
 been tilled ;n with material washed troiii the hills so as to hceonie flnt- 
 iHittomod. The hills and vallies have in _c:enoral no vcrjMleterminalo 
 direetioii, Init a slitrht tendeiiey to iirranjjreinont in north and south, lines 
 was observahle in some parts of this re^rion. The hills ouhninate on tho 
 Lino ahout 'he .'iO.'i mile ]>oi!it. and westw.Mrd froiri this place, they are 
 neither so steep nor so stoiiey. The country ii;i'a(lually siihsides jroni '*jH 
 rough and iuvkeii character, lo that of rather Imkily undulatinff prairie, 
 
-*^„, 
 
 (M.M'IM. PITKNOMRNA ANt) SI'T'KRPrcUAI, PEPnsrTfl. 
 
 220 
 
 nl liii'^'c vallicH 
 
 >Mt» lllO I;i)l(>, hut 
 
 inl, (he Htroiiiiis 
 !• liist (liviHioii, 
 iidiii^ iigoin'ios. 
 
 nniiinciit of (li(> 
 iiicntionod in 
 
 vcl hocn cnrp- 
 
 nnin> or ions 
 
 jtiiriillol, (hi- ft 
 
 lio ( 'olcaii ni;iy 
 ■idificc of Corty- 
 <M", i(s oxtfomo 
 iniloN, On ii|,. 
 lic'li hh nh'oady 
 : <'iu<( of i(, a 
 imiontiliii^ 
 oinHiy at the 
 U'hiriir TiiHlo 
 
 'I' tllO cllfUltrOj 
 
 ami tumul- 
 II many casoH 
 lol, tho iiiior 
 
 llO lioIloWB. 
 
 )f' till! lower 
 •o lia,siii-IiIvo 
 i<>li aiT; Momo- 
 
 frequently 
 Itoeonic fl-'tt- 
 (iotorminaio 
 
 1 Houth lines 
 linato on tho 
 
 'e, thvy arc 
 iile.s fi'om '*M 
 ting- prairio, 
 
 :( 
 
 without ho\vt'V(>i fallin^f much in i,'onoral (elevation helow th(^ topH of tho 
 boitlor hilJH furlJH'r eaHl. \V<' have in I'ar't pUHsed U|i over Iho niar^'in of 
 the third j^rcal prairie stcppi'. 
 
 525, The whole oC the ( 'olc^aii liell i-^ charucteriziiil hy the al)K(!n('e of 
 (lraina<,fe valleys, ami in conwxpu'ncr, its pools and lakes are voiy often 
 eliai'i^'ed witii salts, of which liiose most ahundantly nipi'osenteil are 
 Hodic and niagnesic sulphates. The saliru! laUes very /^fenerally dry up 
 coinplelely toward the eml of (he sUMiiu(>r, an 1 present widc! oxpansoH 
 of white ellloreseent crystals, which contrast in coloui' with tlii' crimson 
 Salirornca, with which they are often frin/^ed. Tlie cryrtlallinec^ruHt gen- 
 erally rests on .: (hick stralutn of soft l>iacl< mud. 
 
 52(i. 'I'he boulders and gravel of the Cotciau were here observed to 
 be chiefly o( liaurentiaii origin, with however a good deal of thci usual 
 white liincfstonc, and a slight admixture of (^uar(/,i(edrif(. On the w(!Htern 
 margin, some ralbei' large disused strc^am vallie8wero seen, holding c'lains 
 of saline lakes; bii( their r(da(ion to (Ik^ drill materials of (he C(»(eau 
 \V(M'e not so clearly shown as in other locali(i((s furdier nor(h, to be 
 described. 
 
 527. In passing westward, (rom (he las( exposures of the Tertiary 
 roeks near Wood Knd, (o the locality of their (irst appearance within tlie 
 Ooleuu, a distance of about 70 Tnihss; w«i risc^ about ^iH) feet, and attain an 
 olovation of vbont 2,500 fe(!t above (he sea. The sIojm! of (he surface of 
 the Lignite Tertiary tlu^n, assuring it to be uiMform, is a little less than 
 one hundred feet per mile; and on and against this g(!ntly inclined plane, 
 the immense drill deposits of tho C'oteau hills are piled. 
 
 52H. The general structure of the OoUiau on th<i forty-ninth puralloi, 
 is illiiHtraled in iigui'e 1, I'laleXIli. Itagreeswell with the section given 
 by Di'. ileclor, of the bor ler of the Coteau, on the Klltow of the South 
 Saskatchewan.* but it is interesting to observe that, in (hat locality, the 
 underlying slope is composed of Cretaceous strata ; showin.g that the 
 Coteau is not eounoeted with any particular formation, but forms a border 
 round the north-eastern edge of a gentle elevation, in which both Creta- 
 ceous and Tertiary rocks are involved, and which determines the water- 
 shed. 
 
 520. Passing westward for about .seventy miles, it is found to preserve 
 much (he same appearanet;. The; prairie <»f the Cot(!au foot, is rather 
 undulating, and Blight ly raised above the general level, but (he edge; of 
 
 • 
 
 ii 
 
 • Kx|ilipriiUc)ti of liiitisli Ncirtli Aiiitriia. |i. 31", 
 
 ^1 
 
 M 
 
■-■»(|T7-^r^-rs»,- • ' 
 
 
 i! 
 
 1 1 •>' 
 
 230 
 
 B. N. A. BOUNnARY COMATISSTON. 
 
 tin' hilly coiintry of the Colotiii ilsolf, is always fi-om a distance well 
 defined. To the northward and eastward, hoiuidU'ss, level, (leeless plains 
 sirelcli to the horizon. TIu! Traders' Road to Wood Mountain, aflei- jiass- 
 inu; aion«^ llu' bast; of tiie Coleaii, for the liistance aliove indicated, tnrnH 
 westward, and crosses it. lakiiiii: ad\ aiilai^'c of a dee)) hay in its ed^'e, in 
 which also risos a main ti-ilmlary of the Soiiris Kiver. The I'oad 
 tlien passes for ahoiit tifl^- miles throii<'h the Cotcan hell, wliich mii;<t 
 here he ahoul thirty miles wide, and repeats almost c.Kaetly the ph3'sieal 
 features already <lescrihed, though in this particular locality neither (piito 
 so tumultuous nor so stoney as on the Line. 
 
 niKI. Followiuif the Traders' Road westward, for about twentj'-fivo 
 miles, toward Wood Mountain, it passes flu- tlie most part between the 
 southern edi^o of the Cotoau proper, and the northern margin of the Ter- 
 tiary' plateau. Wherever, from any hill, a view over the Cotoiiu to the 
 nortli can bo obtained, it is scon to stretch away to the hoi-izon in a 
 KUccesHion of wavc-Jike mounds and I'idges, which do not ditler much in 
 average altitude. 
 
 5:51. The intervening region, followed by (ho road on account of its 
 facility, has characters of its own. Wide and deep valiii's, often Hat-bot- 
 tomed, with systems of tributary coulees, are found everywiiere cut in the 
 soft, rocks of the foot of the Tertiary |)lateau. Some have small streams 
 still flowing in them, fed by the drainage of the ])lateau ; but for the mo.st 
 j),irt these old vallies are dry or occupied by cliains of small saline lakes, 
 (he waters of many of which disapi)ear earl)' in the summer. The lakes 
 usually have the long river-like forms of the vallies which contain them, 
 and receive the waters of the brooks which stdl flow. One of the most 
 important, probably nine miles in length, forms the drainage-basin for the 
 sfreajns ofWood Mountain; its sides are abrupt, and the water appears 
 to be doe]). Theso old vallies ai-e evidently of pre-glacial age, and have 
 formed u part of the original sculptui'e of the country. The heaping up 
 of the great drift deposits of the Coteau along the foot of the Tertiary 
 ])lateau, has blocked thorn up, and prevented the (b'ainage tinding its way 
 noi-thward as before. Since the elevation suecoeding the glacial subsi- 
 dence, the rainfall of the district has nevt>r been sufHeiently great in 
 proportion to the evaporation, to c.mible the streams to cut through the 
 larrk-: thus formed. The existeiu'c of these vallies, and the arr:mge- 
 m-iir of (h^ drift deposits in this reginu. have important bearings on 
 several p'-oblems connected ^ ith its general history, which will be again 
 I'Dlbrred tc. 
 
li. N. .\. liiii \!i\IM <'i)M\||Ss|f)\, 
 
 I'l.ATK Mil. 
 
 a <listan('o well 
 
 >1. (I'OOlOHHpI-lilTS 
 'if-'lill, ilCloi- jKHS- 
 
 iiidicatod, turns 
 y in itH o(l<>'c, in 
 ■«r. Tlio io:ul 
 3l(, which mint 
 
 Ij; tho jihysifiil 
 kV noilhci- quite 
 
 >ut tweii(y-five 
 ft between the 
 gin of the Ter- 
 Cotojiu to the 
 L' horiicon in -i, 
 ditlei' much in 
 
 account of its 
 often flut-bot- 
 >ere cut in the 
 Nnuill sti-oums 
 fc iov the most 
 ' saline lalces, 
 31-. The lakes' 
 ['ontain them, 
 ' of the ?nost 
 -basin for tlie 
 i'ater ajjpears 
 ge, and have 
 ' heaping up 
 the Toi-tiaiy 
 dino- its way 
 glacial subsi- 
 fly great in 
 Ihroiii-li the 
 ho arrann^e- 
 bearingH on 
 nil be again 
 
 iim 
 
 
 m.< 
 
 !■< 
 
 r^ 
 
 ■± \Ji or 
 
 ?- II 
 
 m 
 
 ill 
 
 5 ! 
 
 w 
 
 ■'!■ 
 i 
 
 Kfti-c |i, i!:)(i. 
 
if 
 
 ;: 1'! 
 
 ill;,: 
 
 ! I 
 
 ■ 
 
 I .' 
 
 ii :^s 
 
 I! ■' 
 
(ILACIAI, I'llKNOMKNA AN'Ii SIJPKUFrcrAI. HKI'nslTS. 
 
 231 
 
 'I 
 
 Figure 2. IMiilo XI 11. illii^tiiiti's (li:ii;i';iin:iti<!illy tin- stiiictiirc ol'llio 
 Cotcau, &.C., ill iociiiitios iioi'tii-oast (if Wood Mouiitaiii. 
 
 532. Tlu; Colcau itsi'll', ami tlio (Io^i'imUmI iku'IIu'I'Ii edge of the Li,i;iiite 
 plaU'tui are cfiualiy cliai"ic(('ri/.c(l iiy the aluiinlaiico of liaiircntiaii and 
 Limestoiie iVag'iiU'iits, tlie dril't lieiiig in larl ciiielly (■()lll|ll»^od of iioi'liioi'ii 
 travelled matter. On a.seeiidiiig toward the >nniiiiit of the plateau, 
 howover, tlio drift rapidly changes its eharaeter, the roeks jirevioiisly 
 abundant heeoiniiig eoinjiaratively searee ; and on reaehing its upper 
 Hiii'faee, it is found to bu but scantily ( )verod with drift deposits oi any 
 kind, and the material of these to belong to the Quarlzite drift with 
 but a very slight intermixture ol' Laureiitian. South of the Tertiary 
 plateau, and whei'e it is broken down towanl the tributaries of the 
 Missoui'i, the country still remains but thinly covered with il:il'l. 
 Frag'n\ents of Lauirntian origin and Limestone ai'e rare, and (juartzito 
 abundant. 
 
 'j.'iu. The Quartzitc drift, whore typically develojied, dirter.s not only 
 in its compusition, but in its appearance and ii!(><i<> of deposition, froiu 
 that of nortii-oiisleni oi-igin. Tlu^ tVagmeiits coii .i ^;ig it, whiU' of very 
 re.sistent rocks, are not ofgieat size, aiul rai'ely show an_) evident marks 
 of glacial jiolishing or scratching. They are rounded and smooth, like 
 beach pebbles, or shingle, and ajipear to have been for a long time suiiject 
 to the action of the waves. They do not generally form thick deposits 
 or banks, but are pretty uniformly s])read, and often form a bed only a fliot 
 or eighteen inches in thickness, with little iulmixturo of clayey matter, 
 which rests on the eroded surface oi' the Lignite Tertiary beds, an<l in- 
 tervenes between them and the soil. Sections in Porcujune, and 
 Pyi'iiiiii'^l (^*i'^'oks, and in the Great Valley, all showed a ca|)ping of this 
 material, and the mode of its occurrence may be seen in some of those 
 represented. Tlie (|uurtzi*.es and similar rocks forming this drift, which 
 are here classed together, are often very varied in appearance, though all 
 agreeing in the preponderence of fragmeiital silica. J n colour, the pre- 
 vailing lints are 3'ellowish and brownish, sometimes verging on red. In 
 texture, roc !<s may be found from those of a compact jas])ei\>' apjiearanco, 
 to others in which the grains of sand are coarse, and still plainly 
 distinguishable from each other. Fragments of silicitied wood also 
 (jccur. 
 
i i 
 
 b( ) 
 
 w :fM 
 
 ! 
 
 ! i 
 
 i ! 
 
 M : 
 
 i! ! I 
 
 8:; 
 
 3;i: ■: 
 
 tiiif li i 
 
 ("IT APT Eli X 
 
 •^M>Nri>j.:/;F/(',AL,)i.:Po,srTs /.. 
 
 ''ii/i'T '1',,, „ ■^'"'•ii'if.s an.I lak ' "..'"' '"""tli «f tliu S k-; f ■ ' V"'""-'r 
 
 ^^tern Re^non of the Turd Prairie Pi,, 
 
 Mountain Cco^uin.ed.) '"''' '' ^-^ 
 
 Mou..Ui„, a,„i between i, nnd w, ."' "'" '•''«'"" »»l»..r.l of W ," 
 -"".•miy.™ before. The t,,i ,| ."tl"™ "f ">"-"''» il« elovatio, ,„ 
 
 »pon the .„,«,e of the olav.*„1I fT?;": ''' "'"« I>-"'. ' "Cl 
 
 *• ""ite luueatone *'' "" 
 
 25-83 
 
 19-95 
 
■> Mo '.NT vj v^j r,' 
 
 f tl),. ^ u- ^ • ''"''"er 
 
 "A'. ( ..MPoMITiON- OFT„P 
 
 -1 me , nation _ All„:.!;i 
 
 Missoun Country J'k? 
 " ""^ "f Kc.,1 Hiver 
 
 10 -- Kinergcnco of the 
 
 ■""|nona-P.,,sT.,aAr,AT 
 
 <>rc;it river vallies 
 nnation of coulees. " 
 
 ^^"(■eaw to Wood 
 
 lOsitH, as nearlj as 
 
 r tlio older /brma- 
 
 ^'•^(AVJirrl of Wood 
 
 lie tlireo bolts of 
 
 'i'sthevvatcrshed 
 
 i'H elevation so 
 I h' the plateau, 
 
 foreif^n matter, 
 i-oinarkable, and 
 toi- than in any 
 '« P<»'nt, it rests 
 ^eoiiH formation, 
 f ;j,000 feet. 
 
 ■jft, near the 450 
 
 rey, 
 
 ■ ..40Gf5 
 •..25-83 
 •..19<)i) 
 
 Or.AriAI- I'lIENOMENA AND HI PEUKICFAl, HEI'usITS. 233 
 
 5. F'riigiiienti of ironatoiie iioiIuIoh (local) 4T)0 
 
 0. lilaukish and (lark/i,'rti'n liornidenilic and fi'lspathic rookB, 
 
 HdUiu of wliiuh uiiylit bo cailud diorituH 3'84 
 
 7. C'rystailiMi' (|\iart/. 1 "53 
 
 8. Soft yollowiHli HandHtone (local) 1 '27 
 
 !). (iarnctifcrona gneiss 1 '02 
 
 10. Crystalline dioritc 0'77 
 
 11. Chort Or.l 
 
 r)3C. Part of ti\e coarser qnartzito of No. 1, almost exactly rescmhios 
 that dcscriliotl in the enumeration of ju-ltMi's on the Soin-is Kiver. (^ 51 1) 
 Nos. 2, 7, und 9, aie Laiiivnlian ; No. (5 is jirohahly almost entirely 
 Iluronian. In this 'ocality there are also a j^ood many boulders of 
 ffranito and ^nei.ss of some size. A large limestone boulder, weatherinj^ 
 pinkish white, but grey internally, was found to measuiv 10 by 6 by 2^ 
 foet, neither the length nor thickness being full} exposed. Near here 
 also, in some of the limestone erratics, specituens of a peculiar Strom- 
 atopora were found in some abundance. The Quartzite diift of this 
 locality, is mingled with a greater proportion of easfciTi and northern 
 debris, than thatof the country more cnmpletel y sheltered by the Tertiary 
 plateau, further east, but is still well characterized. 
 
 537. North of the plateau, the increase of limestone and Laurentian 
 rocks is very apparent. At a point about twenty-five miles west of 
 Wood Mountain, near the junction of the Cotcau deposits and northern 
 slope of the plateau, an examination gave the following result: — 
 
 1. liiinestone 33 '33 
 
 2. (iraiiitic and gneissic rocks (prevalent tints reddish and 
 
 gj-eyish) 29'r)8 
 
 3. Quart/ite drift 24-28 
 
 4. Blackish and greyish altered rocks 6-99 
 
 5. ( 'rystalline quartz 2-4(i 
 
 6. ( 'hert (from the limestone) 210 
 
 7. Black hornblende rock and diorite 1-20 
 
 538. Westward from Wood Mountain, the drift region of the Coteau 
 trending northward, follows the base of the Lignite Tertiary plateau, and 
 is not again seen in the vicinity of the Line. It would appear from 
 Captain Palliser's map to run with a course about west-north-west to tlie 
 Elbow of the South Saskatchewan, wliere, as already mentioned, it was 
 met with by Dr. Hector. Here the edge of the Tertiary ceasing to be 
 coincident with that of the third juairie step])e, appears to travel south- 
 westward, while the edge of the third steppe is continued northward, by 
 an escarpment which, according to Dr. Hector, is of Cretaceous rocks; 
 and appears to be closely followed by the bordering drift region of the 
 Coteau as before. The C\)teau deposit, would even seem to extend to the 
 latitmle of the Thickwood Hills, north of the North Saskatchewan, as Dr. 
 
 ii 
 
K I '. 
 
 u 
 
 \ti'- i 
 
 i ' 'I I 
 
 :l! 
 
 Il- 
 
 '■') I 
 
 I I 
 
 li'! i I 
 fill II 
 
 I Ti 
 
 1' 
 
 1 1 ' IJ 
 
 i|i!.J 
 
 fi 
 
 2;j4 
 
 "• •"• ""■ """•>"'WtV .•0M.M/.S8r<..V. 
 
 ^, ""'iiMsni.v. 
 
 '■ ■,"•■'■ ■» ••»"•-. «„„ , ,: :; ;. '■"»""■■• -'"i": «i,i, i. ,,„, 
 
 i'"' '"",""■■■ "■"■"■'.> -."■ IM i ' '■»"-•■-"" ...Kl ,U.C,, 
 
 "•■■"'-■■•■"■'"■"■- ""-- oP:„.„ , / : ' '•> "•'"■'■" 'I- -mi 
 
 "- ".•"■llMvc«,, ,„„, i. ,.v.., .„,„„.':, " ™f f ■"•">■- " ™.-vo,l lino ,., 
 
 '"■""■'"'■ '- "«"!..;■ „„.:.::,.::;■, """"-- ...-.■.■„,.„, „, 
 
 - ;leo„ vain™, „,,, , „„.„.,„,'""" '■'" '"•In-", lu,„.„vo, „„.t 
 
 7' "M,,„c,„™„„„.,„ , ;-, ' "- » wa,. „„ „„„„ ,,„„ 
 
 "',"■'" — i"! have ,,„„„ „i,,., , ""'"l-™"l»..«.-„„tJ„„«;,, 
 
 - !'^ * '" '";ri:;::;:;;:.":,:--»-. < ....„.,.,.,„. 
 
 -"» "i tl,o »c.;, i,s„|,; To ,„.. a „ , ■^•■"""'^- '- >l'0 ,•„„„„■„„ „f ,1,^ 
 
 -3-, tl,,,- a,,, ,„„.„, „.,„;' ^ *-;-,.» vallic. ft. „,i„ „^ .; 
 
 
(1I,A<M.\I. I'llKN'nMKNA A\|i SI I'KUI'ICIAI, liEI'nsiT8. 
 
 2;{5 
 
 I"', with its lirokon 
 lic'ul IuioIIn and deo)) 
 •} WlltTO tho soiidi 
 ikI JiKaiii on a Culiow- 
 owH a cm-voil lino lo 
 I'li'i's, itriiicipally ol' 
 ,yin'Niau iiiuostouo." 
 >\vc'V(>r, touani (ho 
 ito scpaniti' sj-.steniH 
 '( (lopositH no douht 
 liove, howovor, that 
 !>vc |)oij)ioxed Dr. 
 '0' '^^ those found 
 also groat do])osit,s 
 i'<l with j)ro-<,Maciul 
 (bioiice to certain 
 Hio surtaces of tho 
 iind ivnts. rcsemh- 
 tiir soino miles, 
 l*e often (K'oiipied 
 w the plain, and 
 
 e riig;^'cd lis! riot 
 i«Jiiod; and their 
 marked oldeoast 
 'omaiiis of tho 
 I'lalilo, both ironi 
 'K' waters were 
 I*' of (Jj'elaeeous 
 i<al action pro- 
 »■ <>i' Ci'etaceouH ; 
 l^c this as it 
 fi'oni tho salt 
 |c east. 
 
 " of this belt 
 |ai'd, character- 
 souri and tho 
 
 p. 221, 
 
 lied River, but wanlint,' ihe bacUin.u; of the D.^nite Tertiary ])liitoan, It 
 appears lo iiecoine more ditViise, and spreads nioro widoly over tho 
 coiinlry. The drift deposits do \\i>{/"rni thi' liii-h ^'roiiiid, but are merely 
 piled upon il ; and it seems lo be liaseil at no very i,'reat ileplh on a 
 inicli'iis of haul pahi'o/oic rocks, over which the Cretaceous is f,'enorally 
 thinly spread, Imt which appear at Ihe celebrated IMjic Stone (^lariy 
 and elsewhere. From wdiat I can learn, it would appear thai the 
 so-calletl ('i)te(tu dc Prairies and ('<)ti((u df Missouri, between which u 
 distinction is often hero made, are pailsof the same ,i,M'eat feature. Their 
 elevation is similar, and nearly the same as that of the Coleau on tho 
 I.ine, and (hey are e(pially characterized by the immense profusion of 
 ei-ralics, with whidi tliey are strewn, and by basin like swamjjs and 
 lakes. 
 
 542. The followinsj; description of the Coleau south of tho Lino, by 
 Prof. 'J'homas, is the best I have been able to Iind for that ret,'ion, and 
 will be valuable as u term of com|iarison. "The surl'ace oj (he country 
 between the valley of (he Red River on the east, anil Mis.souri River on 
 the west, may bi' described, in li'eneral terms, as consisting of high, roll- 
 ing prairies, inti-rsected by the vallies of a few streams which run south. 
 Hut this general contoui- is interrupled by two elevated platt'aiis, which 
 stand high above (he general level, as monuments reared by tho vast 
 a([Uatic foi'ces of the past, as il to give us some idea of their sIujkmuIouh 
 jiower. The smaller of these olevale<l plains, tho Coteaii des Prairios, 
 o.xtends from a point about forty ndlos west of the north end of Lake 
 Travei'se, latitude 4(!°, longitude il7° -W', southward, ex])anding and 
 somewhat dividing towards its southern extremity. The western arm of 
 this southern extension encroaches clo.-.e upon James River Valley, about 
 latitude 44° 15', where it ends; (he other arm reaidies south-east, ]»assing 
 down on the oast side of tho head waters of iiig Sioux, and gradually 
 fades out in the southwest cjirncrof Minnesota. The elevation of its sur- 
 face averages nearly 2,000 feet above the level of the soa, varying from 
 l.SliO feet, to 2,040 feet, showing a rise above the plains east of it of about 
 800 feet, and above the valley west of it of TOO feet. The other plateau 
 is the Coteaii of the Missouri. This hugs the valley, and follows tho 
 course of theMissoiii'i, noitbward fi'oni Foi't Sully to (he great bend of tho 
 river near the mouth of tlu' Yellowstone. Here it it recedes, and extomls in 
 a northwest direction into British Possessions, where it gradually fades 
 out and is U)st (?). it varies in width from thirty to fifty miles, anil in 
 height from 1800 to 2000 feet above the sea ; Ijut the sui-fuco is more irre- 
 
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IMAGE EVALUATION 
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 23 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 
 
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 B. N. A. UOIINDAUY C(»MMrSSION. 
 
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 gulur than that of the olhorCotouu, portions of it rising m much j i 200 
 foot abovo the general average. The general elevation corre.s])on(lH very 
 closely with that of the Coteau ties Prairies., showing very clearly some 
 relation between tho origin of the two. On each are numemus small 
 lakes, mostly impregnated more or less with saline matter, and at many 
 points on each boulders are quite plenty."* 
 
 543. Dr. Ilavden, treating of the same region, \\Tites : ''North of 
 the Missouri River, from the Big Sioux Iliver to Fort Clarke, there are 
 districts whore one might walk for miles across the plains, and over tho 
 hills without steiijiing upon the ground, so closely paved is it with worn 
 or partially-worn boulders." f Prof. WinchoU describes the extreme 
 south-eastern part of the Coteau, near Lake Ti-averse, as characterized 
 in a similar way, by the abundance of erratics, which, though some 
 limestone boulders occur, are chiefly of granite. J Minne Wakan, or 
 Devil's Lake, in the watershed region of northern Dakota, may be but 
 a larger example of the kind of lakes characteristic of the Coteau. Its 
 waters are saline, and its shores appear to bo fringed with innumerable 
 boulders of groat size. 
 
 544. In the Missouri Coteau, wo find a natural feature of tho first 
 magnitude. A mass of glacial debris and travelled blocl'.s, with an 
 average breadth of, perhaps, thirtj* to forty milos, extending diago- 
 nally across the central region of the continent, with a length of about 
 eight hundred miles. It would appear to go far towanl satisfying the 
 requirements of the theory which accounts for the glaciation of northern 
 America and Kurope, by the southwai-d progress of a great polar ice-cap. 
 It may be supposed that a jirojection of this great ice-sheet, filled the 
 whole northern pai-t of the interior of the continent, from the high 
 ground at the foot of the Rocky Mountains on the west, to that of the 
 Laurentian ])lateau to the east. It would be sup])lied by ice generated 
 in the polar regions, and fed also by that of the Rocky Mountains and 
 Laurentian axis at its sides, an.l may be supposed to have passed south- 
 ward, impressing on the countiy all the features which now characterize 
 it, and especially excavating the basins of the great series of lakes which 
 lie along the western base of the Laurentian. Hemmed in on tho 
 west by the higher ground of the watershed, it may be supposed to have 
 been forced east-.vard, and leaving the Coteau as a gigantic lateral 
 moraine, to have sent a tongue far southward in Dakota and Minnesota 
 
 * U. a. Geol. Surv. Territ., 1878, p. 2!)4. t U. S, Geol. Surv. Torrit., 1867-«9, p. 174 
 
 t Second Annuul Heport Oeol. Surv. Minn., 1874. 
 
 m 
 
OLAriAL PlIENOMEN* AND SIT'ERFfriAI. DKPOSITS. 
 
 23t 
 
 ovei- tho low (country of tho Red River V^allcy. \\y nnvh a scricH of 
 s;;ppoHitionH, nearly all the obnei'vod jilienoinena may he accounted for; 
 while it is cany to attribo Ihc uniformity of the plains, to the action of 
 such a glacial sheet planing its surface ; hut an almost intinito amount of 
 force, acting from behind, must be among the first of the assumptions; a 
 force capable of moving the supposed great ice-mantio across tho 
 northern transverse watershed, down into the valley of the Siiskatch- 
 owan, lying athwart its course, and then for hundreds of miles up the north- 
 eastward slope of the plains. 
 
 545. Tho main facts to be accounte<I for aro these : — A plateau in 
 continuation of tho high land stretching eastward from the mountains; 
 thinly covered with drift material of the nature of shingle, in Avhich 
 quartzite fragments from the slopes of the R<x'ky Mountains greatly pre- 
 iwnderato. 
 
 A lower region to the south wai-d, also characterized by quartzite 
 drift, in which, when most perfectly sheltered from the north, northern 
 and eastern drift, rai-ely occurs; but appeai-sto increase in abundance in 
 exact proportion to the deticiency of the northern barrier. 
 
 A second lower region to the north, thickly covered with glaciated 
 northern and eastern debris, with comparatively little intermixture of 
 western material, and heaped up espcciallj' on the foot of the plateau 
 before mentioned. 
 
 546. From a careful examination of tho Coteau and its surroundings 
 in the vicinity of tho Boundary-line, 1 have been leml to the opinion that 
 not glacier-ice as such, but sea borne icebci-gs only, can account for tho 
 phenomena there presented. Fi'om the great similarity of the nature of 
 the Coteau in all parts of its length, and its essential unity, it would seom 
 that the nature of the origin of any one part must bo that of the whole. 
 Without therefore at the present time entering at any length into tho 
 general question of glaciation, it may be well to attempt to account as 
 far as jwssiblc for this its greatest recoitl on the plains. 
 
 547. It will bo shov/n subsequently, that a depression of the continent 
 amounting to at least 4,000 feet, as marked in the Rocky Mountain region, 
 has taken jilat-e in post-tei-tiary times, and during the subsidence and 
 emergence preceding and following the period of greatest depression, it 
 would seem that most of the features of tho later deposits of the plains 
 were produced. To account for tho Coteau deposit, it must bo supposed 
 that from some cause the level of gn-atest deposition of drift material, for 
 some time coincided with its general altitude ; tut whether this lino was 
 
 •! 
 
 I i 
 

 Mi 
 
 
 11 
 
 A 
 
 l-ii 
 
 ft 
 
 
 1 i 
 
 
 II 1 
 
 ii i 
 
 i 
 ! ij 
 
 ;■ 
 
 !• 
 
 
 ' 
 
 238 
 
 H. N. A. noCNPARY COMMISSION. 
 
 one at wliii'li tlir caiiM's prodiiiMiii^ tlir dril't dcj osit ju ti'd for a very loii^ 
 period, or whetlicr its acciiinidation marks n stano ot'dojiression at wliicli 
 the liainvntian axis, and its flaniiini,' Silurian rocks wore most ravonil)ly 
 situated for doi^radation, ar(\i;('m>ral questions bestdisrusscd in the sequel. 
 The tJotoau l)eU is not exactly a sin :c dejiosit, and its position during the 
 peri(Ml of greatest suhsiilenco nuisl have hcen deeply submerged, though 
 this may have iicen for a comparatively short time. 
 
 54H. Here on the toot of the Tertiary plateau, from the North Sas- 
 katchewan to the Line, heavy ice from the north and east must have 
 grounded, bearing material from the Laurentian hills, a distance of at least 
 four liundred miles; while at the same time from the noi'th-west or, 
 perlnips, even from the south-west, came lighter ice bearing deltris from 
 the glaciers and coast line of the IJocky Mountains, and moving probably 
 under the influence of superficial currents, or prevailing \t'inds. The 
 material from the latter source, must either have been originally shore 
 gravel, oi' have lain for a longtime subject to the action of the waves 
 on the shallow surface of the plateau, and been there impressed with tho 
 character of shingle— a cliaraeter not assumed by the debris of tho 
 Coteau. It is worthy of remark in this connection that while fragments 
 of siliceous rocks from the Eocky Mountains, which arc mingled with tho 
 Laurentian matter of the lower levels, frequently retain marks of severe 
 glaciation, those of the summit of the plateau and higher levels, rarely 
 show traces of it. South-westward of the Boundaiy-line, the Tei'tiary 
 plateau being in most places absent, and the general surface of the 
 country , lower, it Avould seem -that tiie Coteau region is broader juid 
 more scattered, and that much of the northern ice '.nay have passed 
 over it southward. There is nothing to show that tho siliceous drift is 
 in any sense confined to the higher levels. It appears most abundantly 
 there, and decreases eastward, but in many western localities where the 
 northern drift preponderate-*, as great a quantity of the western material 
 may exist as in the thin covering of the plateau; but it loses its pro- 
 minence, from its insignificance relatively to tlie norlli-eastern material. 
 The total quantity of drift, area for ju-ea, on the third a,s compared with 
 tho second stoppe, is j)robably not ovei- (jiic twentictii. It would 
 appear frtmi theij- mingling, that the two deposits if not exactly 
 contemporaneous, are very nearly so. 
 
(II,.\rlAr, I'ltKN'oMK.VA AND SIPRniirtAI, DKI'nsiTS. 23!) 
 
 Drifl Dnmits of the Third Prairie Plateau Wmt of Wood Mountain. 
 
 549. On (lie western side of While Mud Hiver. is u reirion of ^'enllo 
 liills somowlmt elevated ulwjve llie prairie to tlie west of it, and wliieli 
 ten miles north of the Line, is about ten miles in width. Kroni the eonlour 
 of tho surface it .vould seem that tiiis is in <;reat jtart caused l^y an accu- 
 muhition of drift, thouj^h it may also lie connecteil with the occurrence uf 
 outlyers of (Jretaeeous No. 5. From the 51)5 to the 535 niilo jtointK, an 
 outlyiiii; portion of the Tertiary plateau extends, and runs north-westward 
 to an unUnown distance. Its eastern edi^e is somewhat cut up by old 
 (lisuso<l vallies, in one of which a lari^o saline lai<e (x-curs. These may 
 bo of pre-i^hiciai a/^e. The westi-rn front is comparatively little bi-oken 
 by vallies, and is abrupt and escar|)ment-like. No sections or ieatures of 
 interest in connection with the ilrift were observed, thou«jjh some })arls 
 of the re_i;ion show many boiddcrs of mixed oritfin. 
 
 550. Westward, a flat, arid plain stretches to the KasI Fork of Milk 
 Hiver. It is very stoney in many places, and an e.xamination of tho con- 
 stituents of the di'ift near the 540 mile point gave the followin;LC result: — 
 
 1. Quartzite drift T)?' 14 
 
 2. firanitic and giieissi'; rocks "i^'O? 
 
 3. Limestone, some of it reseniMiug tliat of tho I'ocky Moun- 
 
 tains 15'(CJ 
 
 4. Crystalline <|nartz IS.'? 
 
 "). Soft sandstone (local) TOft 
 
 6. Fragments of Oxtrca (local) O'.'W 
 
 7. CJiert .% 
 
 8. WoihI, partly siliciticd 3(> 
 
 9. Hocks uncliiHsitied 073 
 
 551. In the valley of a stream near the 547 niile point, good sections 
 of tho drift appear. The malei'ial is a rather hard arenaceous clay, of a 
 general brownish-grey colour, and sonu! a])i»earance of rough stratifica- 
 tion. It shows stones of all sorts irregularly in\bedded in it, many of them 
 ver}- evidently glaciated ; and also contains specimens of a Cretaceous or 
 Tertiary fossil Ostrca, crystals of solenite, and small angular fragments of 
 a material more resembling true coal than lignite. 
 
 552. The surface of the country, before ivaching Fast Fork of Milk 
 River, again rises somewhat, and is veiy thickly strewn with erratics, 
 which sliow a inixt\ire of northern and western drift. In tho valley of 
 Flast Fork, though there ai'e no sections of the Cretaceous or Tertiaiy, 
 very interesting oxi)Osurcs of true boulder-clay, resembling that last 
 described, arc found. The banks in some places, where the stream has 
 cut away their base, are nearly vertical, and about forty foot in height. 
 (Plato XII., Fig. 1.) The material is a very hai-d sandy clay, varying in 
 
240 II. N. A. IJOIIND.VIIY roMMISSlON. 
 
 colour IVoin yellowish to dull bliiisli-^roy, ami willi rusty cnicks trn- 
 vorsing it in many dircctioiK-.. It is usually so honio^ynoous, (hat on 
 woathcrin^ it assumes vortical forms, and u ruddy columiuir a[)puaranco. 
 It Hooms to have been moved, and to Home extent stirred to^otiio" after 
 its deposition, and contains many glaciated stones and small houldorB 
 scattered irregularly through it, and resting in all positions. Jn some 
 places, however, cui-rent structure and fiilso be<lding are very apparent. 
 The included fragments arc of the usual mdamorphit; rocks, and (^uartzite 
 drift, with some white limestone, and iio.istone nodules, solenito, fo8.sii 
 Ostrcas and ('ephalopodsfrom the Cretaceous. Lignite and coaly lignite, 
 like that already described, are not uncommon. The appearance is that 
 of very heavy ice action, and it would seem that a great part of the ma- 
 terial has been derived from the underlying clays of Cretaceous No. 4, 
 which have been ])()achcd up, without having been far removed, and 
 mingled with travelled erratics. 
 
 553. The valley of the West Fork of Milk River, shows some sections 
 of similar clay. An examination of the superficial drift of this vicinity 
 Tavo the following pumerical result : — 
 
 1. Quartzite drift 52 07 
 
 2 Granitic and gnci-ssic rocks, of prevalent pinkish and greyish 
 
 tints 25 66 
 
 3. Limestone 717 
 
 4. Soft sandstone, clay-shale, &c., (local) 5 66 
 
 5. Crystalline quartz .377 
 
 6. Chert 264 
 
 7. Ironstone, (local) I'SS 
 
 8. Porphyritic trap 1 23 
 
 554. The colours of the quartzite pebbles of No. 1, are generally yel- 
 lowish, brownish and whitish, but among them have been included a few 
 fragments of greenish slaty rocks, and many apparently intermediate 
 between this and quartzite, but not clearly referable to either. The 
 whole have therefore been placed under one hea<ling, as probably 
 derived from the nKmntains, though some — especially of the slaty sam- 
 ples — may be Iluronian. Among the limestone pebbles also, are one or 
 two which resembled those of the mountains. It is interesting to tind 
 here a few specimens of the trappean rock of the nucleus of the Buttcs, 
 which arc situated sixty miles due west. A fi-agmont of an Ostrea was 
 also found though not enumerated. 
 
 555. No instructive sections of the drift wore met with in the %'ici- 
 nity of Milk River. The surface of the plain is strewn with boulders in 
 many places, but the drift deposits do not appear to be thick. Near the 
 610 mile point, the plain has a general elevwtion of about 3,()00 feet. An 
 
 ■; I 
 
4y cnu'ks trn- 
 jnooiis, tliiit on 
 n\v u[)i>uiininc'o. 
 to^otlio" uftor 
 sniull Itoiildors 
 ion«. Ill Homo 
 very ii]ij)arent. 
 s, and (^uartzito 
 I, solonito, tb88il 
 id coaly lignite, 
 )oarancc in that 
 j)art of the ma- 
 L'taccoua No. 4, 
 [• removed, and 
 
 V8 some sections 
 of this vicinity 
 
 yish 
 
 52 07 
 
 25 66 
 7 17 
 5 66 
 377 
 264 
 1-88 
 1 23 
 
 •e generally yel- 
 n included a few 
 : intermediate 
 o either. The 
 4, as probably 
 f the slaty sum- 
 also, are one or 
 cresting to find 
 lS of the Buttes, 
 f an Ostrea was 
 
 with in the vici- 
 ivith boulders in 
 ick. Near the 
 
 3,600 feet. 
 
 An 
 
 OLACIAL PHENOMENA AND 8UPERFICIA1, DEPOSITS. 241 
 
 oxaraination of the suiierlicial drift at this jilace gave t!io following 
 result: — 
 
 1 . Quartzite (h'ift 5556 
 
 2. (jrraiiitii; aiul gnessiu rocks, pruvalunt tint rcddiHh, hut niucli 
 
 black hornlilendo 2777 
 
 3. Liinustune, one fragment at Icuat from the Rocky Mountains 61 1 
 4 Crystalline <iuartz 387 
 
 5. Hard altered clay-rocks, yellowish, greenish-grey and 
 
 blackish 3'.13 
 
 6. Diorite 2-22 
 
 7 Hornblende schist 0'52 
 
 8 Ironstone 0'52 
 
 An analysis by colour of the components of the Quartzite drilt was 
 also here attempted, and with the following result: — 
 
 Yellowish and brownish 4123 
 
 Reddish and purplish 21 64 
 
 ( Jrey and greyish 1 7 52 
 
 White, or only slightly iron stained 1546 
 
 Yellowish, compact. 3 09 
 
 Greenish 1 03 
 
 The yellowish and brownish specimens are as a rule very compact, 
 though some are of coarse, graiiulai' quartzite. In the purplish and rod- 
 dish series, cijurse-graiiied and compact varieties are about equally 
 divided, ami sevei-al of the greyish, are (luito coarse-grained, the constitu- 
 ent ])articles being of different coloured rooks. 
 
 550. The Three Buttes, or Sweet Grass Hills, already briefly des- 
 cribed in treating of their structure, yielded but few traces of action 
 during the glacial period. Aware of the imjiortance of these isolated 
 mountains, I searched carefully for any glacial markings upon them, but 
 the shattered nature of the hard rocks of their summits, and the softness 
 of the strata flanking thoiu, has prevented the i)reservation of such 
 striation, if it originally existed. The terraced aspect of the foot-hills, 
 though at first attributed to marine action; was afterwards found to be 
 mainly, if not entirely, duo to the arrangement of the subjacent rocks. 
 The bouldors of their immediate neighbi)urliood are frequently com]K)sod 
 of the trappean I'ock of the summits, mingled largely with Laui-entian 
 and Quartzite erratics. A stream, flowing from the West Butte, at tho 
 foot of the steep slope of tho mountain, has cut tlirough a considerable 
 thickness of rough, mostly angulai-, thoiigli not evidently glticiated stones, 
 with which its valley had been filled. Of these the greater part were 
 local and trappean, but some of foi'eign origin. Laurentian and (iuartzite 
 eiTaties are found in abundance to a height of over 4,000 feet. 
 
 557. The main stream of trappean fragments, which, in whatever 
 
 16 D 
 
 ll 
 
''■\\ !l i ( 
 
 242 B. N. A. nOUNDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 way the irlaciatioTi of tlio ])Iuins is iicconntod fitr, must W siii>])Osc(l fo 
 have flowed away IVom tlio Hiilte-. cannot liave taken a direct easterly or 
 westerly eoiirse, as s])eeimensof'thc roek aiv scarce in Itolh thesodireetions. 
 Nor does there a]>iiear to be any consideraltle aceuniuiation t>l' deltriB 
 imniedialely north of the Biittes ; and a southerly coui-we, for the drift in 
 this retjion, Avoiild seem to be indieateil. 
 
 558. The First Hraneh of Milk River, where it cro.sscs the liinc, 
 flows in a moderately wide valley witli banks forty to fifty feot hi^h. 
 These sliowi^ood sections of l)oid<lcrclay, which almost exactly resembles 
 that described in the East Fork, l-4() miles eastward. It is, perliajw, 
 however, of a paler tint, and rather yellowish in colour. It includes 
 glaciated stones, ai.d shows bore and there traces of stratification ; ami aH 
 before, tends on weathering to break into upright columnar frafjjmcits, 
 which i^ive the dirt's a peculiar appearance. Pale green, slaty peliblcs 
 were noteil here in some ubundance lor the first time. 
 
 55;). The superficial drift examined in a favouiable locality, six miles 
 west of this place, gave the following percentage ratios: — 
 
 1. Quart/.ite drift 4257 
 
 2. (iriinitiu .iiid giicissic rocks, chieHy pinkisl) and blackiah. . .. 22"27 
 
 3 Slates and altered clay-rocks, pale greenish, and greyish 18".'U 
 
 4. Limestone, some evidently from the mountains, but the 
 
 majority of fragments resembling that of the lied Itiver 
 
 country 6*43 
 
 a. Soft sandstone and clay-shale (local) 4'4.'> 
 
 0. Diorite 247 
 
 7. Ironstone (local) 1 "43 
 
 8. Fragments of 0.■^fr<■a (local) ()-99 
 
 9. Crystalline quartz 0*99 
 
 560. Nos. 1 and 3 are, no doubt, identical in origin, and in 
 considering the derivation of the material should be treated of together. 
 The most striking featuic in this collection is the remarkable abundance 
 of the softer rocks, which though associated with the quartzites in the 
 mountains, have not previously been observed to accompany them on 
 the plains in an}- quantity. A jtortion of No. 4 is also from the 
 mountains, but it is almost im]M)ssible to draw distinctions in all cases 
 between the limestones of eastern and northern, and those of western 
 origin. They have therefoi-e been classed together. 
 
 561. Near the Second Branch of Milk Ivivcr, the plains have an 
 average elevation of somewhat over 4.000 feot, and lie about thirt}' 
 miles from the nearest spurs of the Rocky Mountains. The drift, while 
 chiefly from the mountains, contains boulders of Laurentian oi-igin, and 
 ajtparently also a few of the eastern white limestones. Fifteen miles 
 
(II.AriAI, niKNoMKNA AM) SfT'ERKirfAI. ltEP<>SITS. 
 
 •2 i:i 
 
 fiirlhiT wi'sl. ill tilt' lU'iuhltourlioMil ut ilio St. Mttiy IJivcr. at al'Oiit tin- 
 Hiuno clevati<»n, [iUiinMitiaii IVai;im'n(N wen' iil»t'rvi<<| in coiMaiii plaios 
 in sonu' a^iindanct', Imt woro lost >ii;lit of iH-yond this point. Tlio 
 distance ol'tlu'st- travelled l)l(»rl\s I'nun the nearest part of the liaiiroiitian 
 axis is over 700 miles. 
 
 5(52. We liave here then, as (losely as it can he detinod in this 
 latitufle, the most western, and hi^'liest limit of the Jjanrentian drilt, 
 hut not necessarily that attained l>_v the walei-s when at their highest 
 sta^c diirini; the j^laciai siihmeri^etice. Terraces, clearly iniplyin<; a sea 
 margin, are, indeed, fiuind hi/i^her on the flanks of tlu' mountains. A 
 depression of the eastern I'ej^ion to an extent of M, 000 feet, would more 
 than suffice to cover the Laureidian axis, as it is at ])resent, and though 
 in pi'c-glacial times its heii^ht was <^reatei', it must have sIocmI, at this 
 stage of subsidence, scarcely, if at all, alM)ve the level uf the sea. 
 
 'i( 
 
 Glarial Actiuii in the fiockij Af'irintains. 
 
 5(!,'{. In the part of the llock}* Mountains crossed by the Houndary- 
 liiie, the etiects of j^lacial action are very fre([uently apparent, thouu;li no 
 glaciers, pro])erly so-called, now exist. The streams Mowing iVom the 
 mountains, cut through baidvs of well-rounded gravel, and snudl bouMers, 
 similar in general character to that which has been called <iuarl/,ite ilrift. 
 The stones wore not observed to be glaciated. 
 
 5(i4. Watei'ton, or Chief Mountain Jiake, occupies a deep valley with 
 exceedingly steep and precipitous sides, which opens northward. Its 
 height above the sea is 4,2i;{ feot, and it is about ten miles In length, and 
 tills the valley from side to side, with an average width of about three- 
 tourths of a mile. Near its nor'hcrn end, is a collection of rounded and 
 hummocky hills, which are evi<lently com j)osed of moraine matter, atid 
 show rocky fragments of all shapes and sizes ; wlicre these are not con- 
 cealed by softer nuiterial, or the luxuriant vegetation of the region. The 
 hard limestone of series Ji , where it crosses Waterton Lake, thoiigh not 
 observed to show glacial markings, has the general roundeil outlines 
 produced by ice action. There is thus evidence that a gi'eat glacier 
 pushed northward down the valley of the lake, and debouched ujjon the 
 plain, being fed, no doubt, from the numerous smaller transverse ravines 
 which enter it. 
 
 5G5. Without going into detail in eveiy case, it may be stated, that 
 in all probability every valley of impoi-taiico was in like manner occupic(l 
 by «treams of moving ice ; and to their niuruincs much of the contour of 
 
 ■i ! 
 
 1 
 
 I 
 
 ; ' \ 
 
f^ 
 
 241 
 
 B. N. A. BniNDAriY roMMJSsrnV. 
 
 S'V'I 
 
 (Iio imiiKMlintc font-liills of llic iiiniintiiiiH is diu-. Tho hrook issiiinj^ 
 ouhfwiiril IVom llio iiunith oC i\w Soiilli Konlmiic Pass, Ims cut tlinm^'h u 
 ^roal lliicknoss ofcloiin i^nivcl di-ifl, (■(•inpONcil (irinr/,'p nnd nnifonii, wtll 
 rounded ])oM)Ios, of wliicli llio f^ciicral liiil, as viowi-d f'rnin a dislatico, is 
 palo ])iii'|)K'. Abovo llic lu'd ofllu) lti'<»(>K',on tlio flaid<s oltlio mountains, 
 on flio south side, aiv s'lnu- \v«'ll |nvsorvL'd toiTiiccs. In onis |tlac'o flioso 
 were obsorvi'd to liavi; siiHiTcd an apparont disjdcalion. tlio top ol' each 
 torrnco on one side, corresponding' in elevation willi the iniihiie oftlie slope 
 of that on tlie ojiposite side ; the two sj.slenis hoin<; si'paralcd only, hy a 
 Htraii,'ht narrow water-fuiTOw down lli«' mountain side. The arran^o- 
 niont allo:i,('ther was hiujldy su^ifestive of faulting on a small scale, since 
 tho formaMon of the terraces ; an cNplanalion rendered the more pro- 
 huhlo from the fact, that terraces on the west side of the mounlains 
 discriheil hy Dr. Hector, seem also to have iieen ntfected by very recent 
 movements. =*• The hii^hesl of these tt-ri'aces in the Kootanie Pass, though 
 its altitudo was not actually measured, was estimated from that of tho 
 pass, to be aiioul 4,4')0 feet above the K-vel of the sea. and al)Ove this no 
 reliable sen-murk was found. Fi'om tho |)osition of the terraces in the 
 open eastern throat of the pass, from which the ground falls rapidly away, 
 it would appear that they cani\ot have been formed liy any smaller sheet 
 of water; nor would the nature of the locality allow me to exjilain their 
 formation on any hy]>olhesis of a former moraine bloclving up the valley. 
 
 5()(i. The material of the drift, westward from a line which may 
 be dniwn near the valley of the St. Mary I?iver. appears to be composed 
 altogether of the debris ot' the mountains of this immediate vicinity ; n(U' 
 were any fragments seen which could not with great propriety l>e assigned 
 to one or other of the beds observed in place. The gold, which is known 
 to exist in small (pumtity, in almost all the streams which have been 
 prospected for it, can therefoic hardly have other origin than that of the 
 drift, of which it appears to form a i)arl. Though no metaliferous veins 
 were observed in this part of the mountains, they are tound southward in 
 Montana, and may exist also here, but if so nothing was observed which 
 Avould lead to the belief that they were either rich or numerous. 
 
 5G7. About four miles westward froni the West Fork, in the valley 
 of the Kootanie Pass, well pi'cserved glacial stria>were found, on a surface 
 of haril gi'cen slate. Their direction was 8. 40° W. (niag.) or coincident 
 with that of the main trough of the valley. This is the only locality in 
 
 * Expluntiou o{ Britinh North America, p. 317. 
 
(JL.Vri.VI, I'llENdMENA \S\> SII'KUKIi lAI, liKI'nsiTS. 
 
 A't 
 
 which i^liicial strialioii was actiinlly nlixfi'Vi'cl, iht> sinfiicrH of ilu- ii>c1<h 
 having yciicrally h»'cii toii iiKich hrnkcii ii|i liiilhcii' |n•l•^^•|■vatil>||. Near 
 horoaiKo, homu' lar^i> i;ravcl (cn'acrs icmaiii mi the inniiiitaiii siiU'«-, and 
 ill ftiu' place llic ImioU lias ciil ilii-oiijrli a iwush ot'tnui^ii hctiildor-chiy ni'u 
 li^ht fawn colour. 
 
 508. Four miles up the valley, on the woHlern xifie of llio watershed 
 
 which runs Miiith-castward IVoni the j-'orks. i) is hlocked I 
 
 IV a series 
 
 of 
 
 very evident and |»»'rl'ect moraine niounds, traces ot' which extend tor 
 nearly a niilo. TIiom- lowest down the valley, have liei'ii iiiucli inodilled 
 l»y water, and .are merely sleep rounded and irret,'iilar knolls; while tlioHo 
 last left liy the ^flacier, still retain their aluiipt rid^edike I'orin, and aro 
 
 convex downward 
 
 Whei 
 
 e a smal 
 
 hit 
 
 eral 
 
 rallev 
 
 oiiiN (he main one, a 
 
 Ntrai^ht-t'fl^^ed ridi:;*' has hei'ii prodiiei'il Ky the intertcrenct« of its ^^lacier, 
 afler the r*'! real of tin- lai<;er one. The nioiaiiie ha>. no dotiht, at one 
 time held in a lake, similar to th(»se now I'.xistiiiu; in many of the vallies, 
 hut has lonj^ ai^o heeii ciil throuifh hy thestream. Tlie hi^flu'st portitm oftho 
 moraine is situated ahout ti\e miles helow the head of the valley, and 
 no intermediate ridgt's weiv ohserved. lien-, and el.sewhere, there are 
 indications uf die rather suddon conclusion of the period of cold, and 
 retreat oftho fi;lac;iers. 
 
 r)6!». The upj.or ends of the valleys, surroundinij tho hif^hor ]i(>akH 
 and ridtjes, aro <fonerally very al)ruj)t, and tako tho form of cirques, 
 or amphithoatrical ilepiossions, of i^i-eat depth, in the mountain sides. 
 The l»a(ks and sides of these are often iieai-ly vertical, and they aro somo- 
 timosonly separated laterally, l»y steep knife-ed<fodike ridj^os, the crests of 
 which form tho most practicable patli-> to tho summits. Mach of these 
 upper terminations oftho valleys, oonerally also shows a smalMako, or 
 pond, in the hollow of the surrounding (ditfs ; the hasiii ofAvhich has 
 evi<loiitly been formed hy glacier ice — which must here have heeii 
 desceiuling almost vertically — in tho moi-aine matter or shattered rocky 
 floor. Further down >omo of the valleys, long riverdike lakes are seen, 
 evidently occujiying the hods of old glaciers, hut whetlier hehl in hy 
 nioraiiio matter or not, 1 was unahio to detormine. The water of tho 
 idler lakes in the uppo)' ends of the valleys, as soon from the hoightrt 
 
 sm 
 
 around, is of a heautiful semi-opalo<coiit i 
 
 ini 
 
 ligo-bl 
 
 ue, 
 
 aixl 
 
 mus 
 
 t b^ 
 
 •0 OI 
 
 eonsiderablo depth. The lakes aro su[»plied in part by the great banks of 
 perennial snow, which api»ear in these sheltered hollows. The snow 
 though not <tf the consistency nC ice, is firm enough to bo walked over 
 with ea.se, and ha-s, no doubt, kept up tho direct succession, from tho 
 
 i 
 
Stf 
 
 n. N. A. nni;Nr»AHY rnMMIM.HlOJf. 
 
 I' 
 
 tiiiu' when ^icat nfvhs (!lli'<l tin* lioads of tlu* viiIIcvh, iiihI tlio iiwtiiiitiiiiiH 
 nroiind tliom wciv cniniilutcly Hiio\v-fln*l ; aii*i mv waitiiiir only wtnio 
 I'lian^u in tlu> rliinalif ciinditiitn.'*, to advamc attain down IIk* lini'r> of 
 the <»id valli'vs. and iMcupy tlio jdacon tlu-y flirnicrly (ilh-d. 
 
 I! ;• : 
 
 . !! 
 
 ,;M I '.'I 
 
 ii M5.J 
 
 fPi 
 
 GeiifiuO OompnxUlon of the Drift. 
 
 A70. In till' siilijoiiKHl taltl«', tlio rt'sulls of tlu* ntiint'i'ifal anal^-M'M of 
 tli«> drill. Iiuvi* Ix'i'ii I't'urranucd nioi't> iirnadly ; that a i;cnt'ial idoa of its 
 (■iiin|Misitinn may !)«> an-ivcd at. All «dt>ai'ly l<aiii'(>nlian niat«'i-ial is 
 classi-d iindoi' that naiui-. In the liincstoiit' coliinin, clu'i-l plainly dt>i-ivi>d 
 from llii> sam'- IkhIs, has iK'cn incliidt'il. It li('in<; im|)ossililc in all <-ast>s 
 to separate the moinitain drift from tin- lluronian, I have distin;i;nish«>il 
 thoso ii^nivs in which any uncertainty of this kind may exist. It is pro- 
 liahle also that a sniall proportion of jjnronian, the fragments of which 
 have litH-n inchid«'d in the now prt'pondei'eiil (^nart/.ite drift, i-iins on even 
 as far as the Laureiitian is found. The results hi'r*' arran<;eil, are founded 
 on the travelled <lril't oidy. all local samples having heen thrown out. The 
 j<reat mass too, of the lower and undisturhed drift, composed of solt 
 matter mostly of local oi-i^in is. of course, here (piite unrepresented ; as 
 not ihrowin;^ any ii;j;ht on the direction of travel. Crystalline (piartz, 
 (liorite, iS:c., thouifh ap|)earin<; in the calculation, are not represented 
 in the talile, as their origin is more lU* less uneertiiin. 
 
 571. The limestone is all includud in a simple column, and has lieeii 
 almost alto;:;ether derived from tin- eastei-n limestone lieds, thouj^h IVom 
 No. 7, onward, frai^ments clearly referalde to the monntuins lie;j;in to ap- 
 pear, and in some of the niore western localities, material of the latter kind 
 may amount to even titty j)er cent, of the whole. The small (piantity of 
 limestone from the mountains compared with other rocks of this orij^in 
 
 in the drift, except immediately on their tianks. is re 
 
 marKai)le. 
 
 Tht 
 
 limestone lieds, thouijli formini; so pronnneiit a feature in the mountains, 
 are. hi>wever, «'hictly devel<»ped in the hi<fher rei;i(»ns; and it may he that 
 the action of the waves was chiefly directed on the rocks ofSeries ('., the 
 general character of which closely resenddes that of the quartzite drifll, 
 aiul which forms the lower and outer ranj.fes. The eastern limestcme, thoufi;h 
 from the same direction as the Laurentian debris, which appears at nearly 
 the same percentage throughout ; in consfrast to it, rims(mt very rapidly 
 toward the upper levels, a fact to be accounted for by itH lower posi- 
 tion on the flanks of the Laurentian highlands, and consequent rapid 
 submergence below the line of efficient action of the ice. The constant per- 
 
Ik'I'M 
 IVoin 
 
 o HI)- 
 
 viixl 
 
 ity of 
 
 origin 
 
 Tho 
 
 titainf, 
 
 .e tliat 
 
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 centiigo of Lnn rent inn, must not be Kiipiiossed to sliow that orraticH of that 
 origin iii'o equally f roquont ovt-r the second and third steppes, tor the 
 total quantity of drift on the latter is comparatively small. 
 
 The Bed River Valley. 
 
 5*72. The valley of the Red liiver, is a continuation of the trough, in 
 the northern part of which LaUos Winnipeg, Winnipegosis, and Manitoba 
 lie. On the east, it is bounded by the plateau of di-itl materials, already 
 deseril)ed, which stretches southward ivom the Laiirentian region. On 
 the west, the nearly straight line of the Cretaceous escarpment, with the 
 terraced front of Peml)ina Mountain form its limit. The part of this 
 valley lying north of the Boundary -line, and between it and the southern 
 shore of Lake Winni])eg, is ninety miles in length; while from the Line 
 southward to Traverse Lake, it is 225 miles, giving a total length i>f 315 
 miles. On the forty-Tuuth ])arallel, its width is forty-six miles, and for a 
 long way south of the Line, it preserves an average bieadth of about 
 thirty miles, though linally narrowing near Traverse Lake. The general 
 course of the valley is exactly north and south, to which the river con- 
 forms, but not very precisely ; lor at Gi-anil Forks, seventy miles south of 
 the Line, the Ked Lake lliver — a stream of magnitude, equal to, or greater 
 than, the southern branch which continues to beai" the name of Eed 
 Eiver — comes in at right angles without [jroducing any ctjri'esponding 
 bifui'cation or change in the valley. The valley appears to have been 
 adopted by the river, not formed by it. 
 
 573. The slope of the valley norlhwiird from the Line, probably docs 
 not exceed six inches in the mile. From Morehead in Minnesota, 150 
 miles south of the Line ; tiie average fall of the river is a little less than 
 one foot per mile, by railway levels, and that of the valley must be even 
 less. The inclination of the sides of the valley, east and west of the 
 central depression, jjrobablj- seldom exeeetls ten or twelve feet in the 
 mile, and frequently falls nuich below this. Its general aspect is that of 
 a perfectly level plain, bounded only by the luu-izon, or by a belt of trees 
 fringing some stream. 
 
 574. The whole of this valley, has at a time geologically recent, 
 been occupied by a great lake, with the tine silty deposit of which, it is 
 now floored. The alluvial deposit is uniform and of great depth. I 
 have never observed any organic i-enmins in it, but leaves and fi'agments 
 of wood appetu' to have been found in some places. The lake must have 
 been a fresh-water one, but the remains of molluscs are not found. The 
 
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<n,A(!IAI, iMIKNdMRNA ANIi Hli|'KIU'»c lAI, hKI'dSn'M, 
 
 249 
 
 l<»\vor layoiH nl" Ili(> il««|n»Hil, iii'i> iiH II iiilr (li»> lincHl hikI imohI iiiiifoi'tnly 
 Hlrnlillcil. 'I'lioHo iH'iii' llic Hiiiliicf, iIhmi^Ii inicly HlM»\viii|r imy niuloriiil h(» 
 ntniNc UK (u l»o rnlli-d miiihI, sitmrliiiM'H tukv (lie I'ni m nl iiMKUiiutcly cmhiho 
 nroitnccuiiH ilny. A |Mtrtiiin fif'llicHr ii|i|)(<r Inyt'iH mimv Ikivo Ihtii rninind 
 Ity lln< !>v(<r(lu\v nl'llir river ilHt'lC, fi('(i«r IIm' rrccHHion (il'llio liiUc I'olililrH 
 f»i' ItmildriH of Miiy luiid me cxtiM'iliii/rly riirc, iitnl wlioio hcoii v/i'Vr |»r«i- 
 
 Jo<'liii;^ iilinvr llic Miiiliif I llic Hoil. Tin' (otiil imiiiiIkm' olisci vi-d in till 
 
 my t>x('iirHi(tiiH in (liiH viillcy, miij^lil iiIiihihI Iio < 'nmfod on tlitr lintid. 
 They lire iiHiiiilly of l<mir<'iiliiiii (iri^in, IIhmi;^';Ii oik' oc two o( lijiM'Htonc 
 \vor(> riK'l will). 
 
 ntn. 'riir drplli of tli(Williiviid di'poMil nnii- llii^ i'nity riiiMli piiiMllcl, 
 liiiH iiol Imtii iiKccrtiiini'd, il in, liowrvri', rcildiidy >:;i't'ii(t'r lliiiii tlic df'|(Mi 
 n| tli(< iininrdind' viillcy ol'llin river, wlierr ii Hvction of I'lotii thirty liv« 
 lo forty I'i'ct in cxpoMfd. Sonic <>{' IIm> lower and liiter IhmIh nrc ol'teri, 
 twiNlcd inid liciit, llioii;f|i not Mliowin;."; iiny rvideiice of f'ldso lieddiri^. 
 'I'liiH I run only iillriliiite to llic jii'lion of lloiitin^ ico-ciiKcs in llie 
 loriner lid<i>. Sniiill lliitt(wii<d nodnlrs iire ociiisioniilly t'oiind iorniin/^ 
 liori/.onttil lint'H in (he dcpoHil. 'riion;r|i dccj) iind wry iinirorm in llio 
 centre of Mie viilley, llie nllnviiini does not nniintiiin tlie snni;! Iiorno- 
 ^(Miiidy on npproaeliin/^ tlie nideH, tind these iippeiir lo Imve l)e(>n oeeii])ie(| 
 iiy ItiiidtH juid kIiouIh of riilher eonrwer iniilerialK. Several niileH Ih-Ioh! 
 r(>aeliinfj; llio hawe of INindiina Mountain, on the West, lln^ HiiliHoil is Coiind 
 to ('(tnlain mindl rolled pelihleH, of which the jricatcr part ar-(i derived 
 (roiu lli(M'lay-sliales of the I'ctnhina Monrdain ^roiip Ninc! milcH from 
 (lie hase of the mountain, a, widl, dnt^ oi/^hl feet deep, jiasMcd (or (hat, 
 depth lliroii;^h very (ino, clean, silicioiiH Hund. Occasional thin layerH 
 liiddin;^ coarser pardclcH occur even in (he centre of IIk; \alley. One 
 which was ciill(>d a "sand," when the argillaceous matter was washed 
 away, was found (o consi.,1, of \i-vy minute i'oiindc(| (Va/^mcnts of the 
 (JrotucooiiH clay-HhulcH uhove nnntioncil. 
 
 r>7(i. 'I'lnnypiciil deposit, however, wdi(M'e I htivc examined it, in tho 
 vicinity of \{w\ itiver, is a fine i/dlDinish marly itnd armdnetnui clai/, holdin^^ a 
 ^ooddeal of calcareous mill (t^r, and efVerv(!Hcing freely witliiin acid. Under 
 (he micoseopi- tln^ e<iarser siliceous parti( les, in their averag(! h\/,c, vary 
 from 0()02 to OOOl of an inch in diamctoi-, and fherc is much i'onnlcrtH 
 airgiiluci'ouH nuitter. 
 
 From (he occurrence of rtu^of^nisahlc fra/^'mcnts of Ci-etaceous No. 4 
 in many places, it is pndiahle that rocks ai' the Cretaceous scries may 
 huvo contrihutod largely (o the fornuition of the alluvium, a.s indocd 
 
 n 
 
 t ', 
 
or. 
 
 50 
 
 H. N. A. IK)'.M>A11Y COMMiSSION. 
 
 nuylil Ik' ]>rcKU|>]M>s»Hl from tlii'ir rolativo (lositions. It is likoly llmt 
 till' ralcaivous lualtiM- is niinii ol' it (K'rivotl from (lie chalky beds 
 of No. ;}. 
 
 577. Ill sections on (lie Roseau Hiver, the e(lfj;e of llie alluvial 
 deposit is J'ound resting on the coarser sands and gravels of the drift; 
 and in the neiifliln)urhood of Lowci" Fort (iarry and elsewhere, accord- 
 ing to Prol. Hind's sections, it rests directly on houlder-clay.* In the 
 vicinity of the town of WinMi|»eti;, horini;- lor water has already heen 
 somewhat extensively carried out, for infornialion concerning; which I 
 have again to lliank Mr. A. L. Hiisscll. Water has generally heen 
 ohlained at from forty-live to sixty-tive feet, the average Iteing ahout 
 fifty. The general section met with is thus statt-d : 
 
 Hlack loiiiii about 4 feet 
 
 Vi'llow inud and sand " 6 " 
 
 UliK- mud and alkali " 30 " 
 
 Liiurstouf ((uui'i'to, ri'st'iuliliiig tlu' l>ud t)l' a livor, uinl 
 rarryiiig water 
 
 The most instructive Section of the deposits of the valley, is, how- 
 ever, that ohtaineil in a deep boring at Fargo, Dakota, about 150 miles 
 south of (he Line. The record is as follows, as given by I'rofesBor 
 Thomas : — f 
 
 Soil 3 feet. 
 
 White ami yellow (or diah) elay 50 " 
 
 Fine dark clay 42 " 
 
 Small stone and fjravol 10 ' 
 
 Hard elay (' hard pan ') mixed with gravel and 
 
 lioulders 115 " 
 
 Soft, dark-hlue shale 32 " 
 
 Coarse sand-rink 6 " 
 
 Soapstoiie 4 " 
 
 2G2 
 
 The (wo sections may be thus paralleled : — 
 
 Winnipeg. Fargo. 
 
 Soil 4 3 feet 
 
 Ujijior lacustrine dejmsit 6 50 " 
 
 Lower lacustrine deiiosit 30 42 " 
 
 Moditied d"itt unknown 10 " 
 
 Boulder (.ay " 115 " 
 
 Cretaceo.is rocks <• 42 " 
 
 The lower parts of the lacustrine deposit may havo been formed at a 
 time when (he sheet of water was n()( limited by the Eed River Valley, 
 and ])erhaps even before the .sea M'atei' finally loft the area. 
 
 * Papers relative to Exploration between Lake Superior and KeU River, 
 t U, S, Ueol. Surv. Tcrrit., 1872, p. 301, 
 
 i 
 
(lI.ACIAr, l'IIKN<»MKNA AND SII'KRKiriAl, DKI'OSITS. 
 
 >1 
 
 at a 
 
 57^. 'Phc'<lr|M)sit (»f lilt' Kfil IJivcr V'allov, compiUH's closdy willi llio 
 A/c&s of till' Rhine, :iii(l with Iht- nliiivial <l(>|)i)sity wiiich occiii- on Ihi; .Mis- 
 soiiri IJiviT iiiiii its hrandios. as hi;;;h upas I't. I'it'iro. 'I'ho vality ni'tho 
 Missouri, liUo tlial of (In' \M liivoi-, apprars to ho Moored \)y a very line 
 deposit, fVoin lient-ath wliich as the i^roiiiid rises at tlie si(h's, tho stony 
 material oi' (he dril'l einer;;es. 'i'he term ycUnir marl, has been applied to 
 these li,u;ht -colon ri'd alluvial iieds, iiut some coni'iision has arisen from tho 
 use of the same name, to tlesi^nate similar hut coarser di'posits, of the 
 Hiirrounding liiu;lilands, which helon^ properly to tlu; L>'lacial dril'l. The 
 yellow marl deposits of the vallies, and the liii;ht coloured marly drifts 
 irom which much of their material has lieen derived, are alike charactei-- 
 ized Ity their extremely favourahle influence on tlu^ oveil^in^ soil ; and 
 all who have studied the aici'icultui-al resources of the Westei'ii States and 
 territories, concur in atti-ilidlin^; the inexhanstahle fertility of the soils 
 of the lower lovel prairies, to the wide distrihution of this marly nuiterial. 
 
 r)7'.*. South of the Line, the pale marly drift set'Uis to exteml on the 
 Missouri as far west as tlii' i;'rcat licnd, and southward (o cover tho 
 entire eastern j)art of Ntd)raska. It would appear to he limited 
 westward, hy the uradually increasing- elevation of the prairie, in that 
 direction, aixl to spread out in a fan-shaped foiin, from the 
 southern end of tiu- great Inoi-th and south deprt^ssion. which thi^ JJed 
 River V^alley in part occupies. It is, no douht, connected with tlie 
 northern drift, and hy description agrees exactly with the palo-oolourod 
 and marly drifts developed in liritish America, from the eilgc of tlio 
 Pemliina Ksear|>nient westward to the foot of the Missouri ('olcau, thus 
 oeeupyint"; the whole of the second great prairie steppe. 
 
 580. The similai'ity of the yellow nuiily alluriuin of the Mis.souri 
 and Red River vallies, is not one of chance merely, nor to be accounted 
 for altogether hy the resemblance of the glacial drift from which much 
 of (he material has been dei'ive<l. The trough of the Reil |{iver \'alley is 
 eonlinuous beyond the source of the river, and ]»assiiig southward from 
 Traverse Lake, from which the river rises, it still jiresei-ves its 
 character and direction, and in about six miles, liig Stone Lake, the 
 waters of which cmjtty into the Mississippi Rivei-. isattained. In thus 
 passing over the watershed between Hutlson Hay an<l the (iulf of Mexico, 
 tlic elevation is found to be at no point ii'reater than from !l(JO to 070 feet 
 above the sea. The figures are from Prof. Thomas" rejiort ; who has 
 drawn attention to the importance of this remarkable ]»hysieal feature.* 
 
 • U. S. Geol, Surv, Turrit., 1872, p. 201, 
 
252 
 
 H. N. A. BOUNDARY COiMMISSION. 
 
 Pr< f. WinclioU, wlu) Iuih vi^iteil the locality, thus tloscnbos it: — ''A 
 continiiouH vullcy, betwfoii bliittVi of tho samo tbi'in and ajjpoai'anfo, and 
 of neui'iy the wuno do[)th, coiuuh'Is the two lakes, giving the imprewwiou 
 of one valley instead of two. The short interval eonHtitiiting the divide 
 between the two lakes is usual iy without water, but is often overflowed 
 by the sprinu; freshets, when a continuous overland watereourwe is estab- 
 lished between the (rulf of Mexico and Hudson's Bay." * 
 
 581. The waters of the lake of the Ued Jliver Valle}', even if only 
 attaining the level of the margins of the great alluvial deposit on the 
 Boundary-lino, would flow Ireely throui>;h this gap, which must then have 
 formed a narrow strait, connecting the great northern lalce, with that 
 occupying the vallies of the Mississip]»i and Missouri; and at an earlier 
 stage in the history of the continent, when the waters wci'e deeper, the 
 communication must have been ([uite free. In some parts of the lofss 
 
 .deposit of the Missouri, the remains of fresh-water and land shells, 
 mingled with bones of the Bison, the Mastodotiaud otlu'r lately extinct, 
 or still surviving forms, have been found.f The fresh-water origin of 
 the deposit is thus demonstrated, but the further difficulty at once pre- 
 sents itself, that there is no trace of any efiicient barrier southward to 
 hold in the great lake now required, and if the depression of the con- 
 tinent was such as to i-ender a barrier uimecessary, the water tilling 
 the vallies must almost cei'tainly have been that of the sea. This has 
 been ingeniously accounted for by supjwsing that in such u comparatively 
 land-locked area, the flow of fresh water from the rivers and streams 
 woulil be sufficient to effect the exclusion of the salt. 
 
 582. Information is wanting a.s to the natiu'c of the barrier existing 
 in the northern part of the great Ited Eivcr Vallc}', which prevented the 
 waters of the i-egion tVoni draining away, as they now do, by a hollow 
 across the Laurentian plateau. It may probably, however, have con- 
 sisted of moraine rubbish, or boulder-clay. On the supposition that the 
 deposits were formed in a fresh-Avatcr arm of the sea, which opened 
 southward, it cannot be sii])posed that any passage existed northward 
 also, or the tidal cu;*j'ents would have rcMuIered the entire area salt. 
 
 583. The wide trough-like val]c3s, much depressed below the 
 general level of the plains in which most of the rivers of the west flow, 
 and in which the river itself is generall}^ small and puisues a winding 
 course, usually show a considerable thickness of nearly horizontal 
 alluvial dej)osits, which, like that of the Red River Vallo3^ have been 
 
 ♦ Second Animal Report Geol. Surv. Miiinesotu. 
 
 t Hayilen. Final Report on Nebraska, p. 10. 
 
(JLACrAI< PlIKNOMENA AND srPERFiriAT, DEPnsiTS. 
 
 25.T 
 
 produced in jvist-ylacial tinios. Somo of (lu'sc Imvo Ikumi alivadv inci- 
 deiitiilly loiu-liod upon, and m the iniportanco ol' tlioso dt'posits is finiall 
 tlu\y will not bo fiirthor inontioned. In tlio alluvial (le]>osit forniin<; 
 the present hanlc of tho stream, in tins hottoni ol' the Souris Valley, 
 near the second ciDssiniif, ahout fifteen feet tVoni the siirfaeo of tho 
 water, and six feet helow the sinnniit of the hank; a layer was fuund 
 to eontain numerous artiilcial chips and flakes of a hard cherty 
 quartzite, for wliich the ])osition indicates a very considerable anti(piify. 
 IJiill'alo hones are also frequently imbedded in these deposits. 
 
 II 
 
 Pre-(jlacial aspect of the Country. 
 
 .'1^4. TTavini^ in the above systematic detail, stated the facts as they 
 came under observation, it may be well in briefly reviewini^ the pheno- 
 mena, to ari-an^e them in sc([uence as far as possiljle ; and that they may 
 bo better understood, com])are these observations with those made in 
 other neighbourintjc rcLcions. and without entering at length into the (Uh- 
 puted questions of glaciation, account for them as seems to me most 
 probable, 
 
 585. Before tlio close of the Tertiary, then, we find that the interior 
 region of tho continent had lost its character as an area of dcpositiim, 
 and had become one in which denudation was progressing i-apidly — the 
 soft deposits. es})ecially of the lately formed Tertiary beds, sutlering by 
 this process. We know that waste had been jii'ogrossing for a very long 
 time, not only on the mountains, Imt over the whole Hui'face of the plains, 
 before the advent of tho ])eriod of cold. There is every reason to 
 believe, that the Laurentian highlands had at this time a ver^- much 
 rougher and more mountainous character than at present; while on tho 
 plains, the main drainage systems were already marked out, and there 
 is much evidence to show that every river and stream, if not flowing in 
 exactly the same course as now, had at least its pi-ototypo. 
 
 5S(). The position of the valley of the Red River, must always have 
 been that of an important stream, from its relations to the sloju- of tho 
 Laurentian on the cast and the softer Crctacc<ms rocks on the west. I 
 think it very probable, however, that in pre-glacial times it flowed south- 
 ward, and it is even |iossible that the waters of the great Saskatchewan 
 Riveralso thus found exit, and were tributaiyto the repi'esentative of tho 
 Mississippi of to-duy. For tho Red River, a southei'ii course woidd bo 
 the one coinciding with the general slope of tho country ; and by the flow 
 of a largo volume of water in this direction, tho excavation of tho basins 
 
 ! i' 
 
 !Ml 
 
 i'l 
 
251 
 
 11. N. A. Hot'NDAIlY f'dM.MIHSEON. 
 
 of Mio Wiiini|i('Lf i:;i'oii|) of lakes, ami llio t;roat valloy of Iho Ro<l Rivor 
 itself, can l>o ox|>laiiKHl ; tlie rivof fiittini;- downward and wcslwanl on 
 tlie slojtiiii^ surface <><' the liaiirenlian rocUs, at tlie exitense of tlio Cieta- 
 ecous sti'ata, ami latci-. of llie limestones of llie Devonian and Silui'ian. 
 Tlio siili.se(iiU'nt Mockini; npof tlio southern exit, and clianiied difcelion of 
 flow, beini^ a jihcnomenon only sinulaf to that which is known to have 
 takoii place with the (iroat fjakes of the St. Lawrence. 
 
 587. The altitude of Lake Winnipei; is about 710 feet. That of the 
 Hurface of the prairie on the forty-ninth p;irallel, 7H(! feet, the depth of 
 the alluvial depositsand drift bein;^ unknown. At Far/^o, the elevation 
 of the surface of the praii'ie is !I(M> feet, but that of the surface of the 
 underlyinif Cretaceous beds, as pioved by boring, is only 68(Meet, and the 
 rod may not have descen<led in the dooi)est juirt of the old valley. The 
 HUi'face of the ground forming the wateished between Traverse Lake and 
 Big Stone Lake — as already stated — is only from 960 to 1>70 feet, and here 
 the continuation of the great drift ridge of the Coteau should cross tho 
 valley. The [>resent surface of the Mississi])pi at St. Paul is ()70 feet. 
 Pi'(jf. Thomas has drawn attention to the general direction of the tribu- 
 taries of the l{cd Hiver ; as a rule those on the west side How south-east, and 
 those on the east Hide south-west, till they approach the nuiin stream, 
 when some of them tend abruptly northward. =i^ This is a sugestive fact, 
 jis indicating the primitive southern slope of those i)arts of the hollow 
 least encumbered by drift or alluvium. 
 
 The evidence with regard to the former drainage of the Lake of the 
 Woods region, and the coui'se of the tributaries of the lied River, has 
 already been fully stated, t 
 
 588. Kxactly how tho glacial period was introduced, in the area in 
 question, or by what phenomena its beginning was marked, it is now 
 very ditticull, if not impossible to tell. JSor can any reliable estimate of 
 itsduration be formed, for theetlect of the later ])eriods has been, not merely 
 to obliterate more or less many of the formei- physical features of the coun- 
 tr}-, but such as to cover uji and conceal those which antecedent glaciatioti 
 may have produced. There is nothing to show, however, that glacial 
 
 • V. .S. Ocol. Surr. Territ , 187'2, ]>. AS.S. 
 t Since tlie iibove was written, I flnii tlii\t similar ciinchisiiins have been arrived at by Major Oeneml 
 O. K. Warren, and jmblisheil by him as " An Kssay mni'crninK inirortant Physical Features exhibited in 
 the Valley iif the .MinnesdUi Hiver, and npun their signifiiation " beiiiK part II. <if lieimrt im Minncsnt* 
 River, submitted t<) lirijr. (!en. A. A. Humphreys, Chief ii( Knjjincers, Oct. ;U, 1874. 1 am indebted to 
 Maj. (Jen. Warren for cojiies (if his Cisay, tii which I would refer, as thniwinu very ini|«irtant light on 
 some phenomena connect'jd with the jflacial period. It is very (.'nitifyii)); to find my conclusion as to the 
 former s utliern outflow of Lake Wimiipctr, Ac, borne out by an entirely indeiiendcnt study of the .Min- 
 nesota ;iiver, which must have carried it« waters. I cannot ajjree with lien. Warren, huwevf r, iti makinjr 
 the formation of the gfeat southern outlet |iost-ij;lacial [liw til. p. 8,1 as I think the evidence of its pre-(;lacial 
 fonnation is complete, and that it Wiis after the };lacial period re-occupied. 
 
ni.AriAt, PIIKNOMENA AND SIPEnKiriAl. HF.I'OSITS. 
 
 the 
 htiH 
 
 •a in 
 
 MOW 
 
 (c of 
 ■rely 
 oun- 
 [ition 
 ticial 
 
 ■iieHKi 
 
 Icncral 
 I in 
 
 llltA 
 
 btcd to 
 [lit ol) 
 I to the 
 Min- 
 liaking 
 L'lacial 
 
 conditioiiH prevailed tor a very loiij; pcricHl boforo tliut of I he ixreato«l snl)- 
 Hideiice. iior do wo meet witli any [ilu'nonienu nt»t easily explicaitle liy the 
 action of the waters and ire during the Hiihsidence and snlisef|Uent eleva- 
 tion. There isalso reason t<t helieve that the elevation took place rapidly 
 as compared with the subsidence, 
 
 58!). The first act, then, in the scijuence of the cold i)erio<l, which 
 can bo detinitolv recalled bv its effects, is that in which we find the 
 waters gaininj^ upon the land, and flo'viiii;- up over a ^reat part of the 
 eastern ))lains. The wi<le channel thus formed along the western base 
 of the Laurenlian region, lliougli it may have existed for sometime in the 
 form of two deep bays, one opening northward to the Arctic Sea, the 
 other southward, and scpai-ated by the highland of tho present second 
 transverse watershed ; must soon have formed an open strait between tho 
 Arctic and Southern Oceans. At this period, if not l)efoiv, it must have 
 been invaded by the saltwati-rs of the sea; and it was encumbered with 
 icebergs which wore sti'ewing boulders and finer detrital matter over tho 
 foi-nier surface of the land, and producing tho lowest portions of the drift. 
 TJiere is no indication on the Laurcntian plateau to the east and north, 
 of a great northern ice-cap, siicli as has been su))posed to be necessary to 
 acccmnt for the glaciation of certain regions. The slopes of tho j)lateau, 
 as already shown, ai-e Um gentle to account for the descent of 
 glaciers from it in the ordinary way except on a scale altogether 
 too small to explain the general uniformity and amount of its glacia- 
 tion. I can therefore only su])pose that this plateau, or gently sloping 
 ridge, of granitic and gneissic rocks ; was covered by a thickness of ico 
 Huflficiont to form a cotifluont glacier, which by its own weight, rein- 
 forced by the gentle inclination of the rocks, moved forward along 
 its whole front into the sea. The subsidence continuing, the condi- 
 tions of a sea margin passed in succession westward over each [)art 
 of the plain; then that of water dcej) enough for ice of small burthen 
 only, and lastl}- deep water, bearing icebergs of great size. In conform- 
 ity with this sequence, we find on the higher levels the lower portion of 
 tho deposit to have a decide<lly local character, and that in ascending in it, 
 travelled stones become larger and nioi-e frequent, while in the superficial 
 layers the larger boulders are most abundant. 
 
 590. On leaving the eastern region, we cease to find in grooving 
 and striation, a guide to the direction of the action of the glaciat- 
 ing force, and must trust instead to the distribution of tho rocky frag- 
 ments. Southwai-d, however, as far as lat. 41° on the Mississippi Eiver, 
 
 
! 
 
 I ,: 
 
 til 
 
 iil ^ 
 
 i ^i 
 
 25i; 
 
 n. N. A. BOt'NDARV POMMISSIDN. 
 
 wluTO OarlxiiiiU'roiH limosloiu's cniiM^ to llii' siirfiicc, llmv iiro stuouthed 
 l>y tilt' iH'tioti (if ice, iinti ^liow iKirth-ousI mxl smitli-wcst .Hti'iiitinii, crosHt'il 
 liy ^craliliiii^ in oiIkt tlii'cflioiis.* Similar pluMiuiiu'Dn would iiodoiiht 
 ^t'liorally prosont tluMnsclvcs ovit \\n< aii'a of llu- )»laiii!i, woiv llioi'O 
 8ur('at't's of lianl rock to n'ci'ivc and jirusorve tlioni. 
 
 5!M. IJi-acliinti; tlii' Ifvcl ol' tlio loot of tlio third |iruirii' stoppi', tho 
 udgi) ot wliicli had already hcen niarki'd out hy suh aurial doinidation, 
 'lie action of the wavoK on its hasc no doiihl ri'nd'rcd it moro 
 <U'tiniti', and the hoavior ii'o followini^ thcin, and i^roimdinif <>ii its lowor 
 slo|K's, iK'jxaii tho di'jMisition of till' Cotcaii. It nuiy ho that the dc^roda- 
 tion oflho Laurfnlian hills was at this time proci'i-din^ with increased 
 rajiidity, hut in any case this de|iosit, formed in i:;real \mv\ of (heir 
 material, must havi' iiu'reased oijually fast with the depri'ssion of tho 
 land, and preserved the edu;e of the Lijbfuite plateau from tho destriU'liVe 
 aetion of the waves. 
 
 r)It2. The averai^i' hei/^ht of the Coteau near the forty-innth parallel, 
 may he taken at about 2,200 feel; and ahove this the higher liunimoekN 
 and ridges prohahly do not rise more than fifty to ei.n'hty, or one hundred 
 feet. Its soullu'i'?! extensions have an avenige altitude of 2,000 feet. 
 It is not necessary to .suppose that tho shon- line stood for a lonir time 
 nearly at this level, foi- the heavier ici' masses no douht continued 
 ixntunding on the e<l,i!;o of the third plateau, even when the waters stood 
 neai- their n'reatest elevation. The data aro jierhajis yet too slight for 
 general izat ion, hut there appears to he a tendency in tho CJotoau to 
 occupy a somewhat lower level southward, which may indicate a less 
 subsidence in that direction. 
 
 r)!»;i Kast of the I{ed River, we find the great drift plateau stretching 
 southward and westward fnmi the Lake of tho Woods, witii an average 
 elevation varying from l,(]t)0 to 1,000 feet; and which, though doubtless 
 everywhere based on tlu' boulder clay, shows in its upper layers a con- 
 siderable thickness ot roughly stratitietl sands and gravol, indicating the 
 action of rapitl and varying currents. On these rest the scattered houhlers 
 dejiosited at a still later periixl. 
 
 594. Probably contemjioraneous in origin with tho plateau just 
 referred to, aro the terraces with a U'vel of 1,435 feet, which Pi'of. Hind 
 describes at Dog Portage, two hundred miles east of Lake of the Woods, 
 on tho Lake Superior side of the watershed. These ho afterwards 
 
 • U. S. Geol. Surv. Territ., 1870. p. !t9. 
 
Or.AriAI- I'llKNDMENA ANI» sri'KIU'irlAI, HEI'iisiTS. 
 
 257 
 
 it loss 
 con- 
 thc 
 
 just 
 lind 
 toils, 
 lai'dM 
 
 i-uin|)Hi-c>8 with liii,'li-lt'V('l tt-iTurt's, roiind mi lln- hills vvc'>t nf Mniiiioha 
 LuUi', witli an i'sliiiiatt-d lii'i^hl of l,42H t«>(tt, ami live lniiiiiriMl iiiih>silihlant. 
 Wo huvo thi'n'foif tlu« iiinsi f*atisla('t<»ry fviilciiff u|' tin- t'liniuT <l«'|in's- 
 Hioii (»f tho htiul to this oxioiil in l\w caslcrn i'i'i,'i<iii, ;iiii| it is ilillicnil to 
 umU'rHtaiid \>y what waters it was rnvci'rd, if not thnsi" (>\' tin- m a Tlif 
 t'ori'i'spondciK'*' in In-ii^ht of tliose Icrracfs. mid the platean south of the 
 Tiako of the Wools, is icnnirkalile. Tlu^ iieiiihl of -Mtlliy I'orla^e — 
 l,5<I(i feet — whieh aeeordiii/L; to Sir ,1. IJiehardson's de^('i'i|itioii nniy lu- a 
 similar drift |ilateaii, with a north ward-faeint;; I'si-arjiinenl, also eorros- 
 ]>oiids; and so, in a i-'eiierai way, does the averai;-e lieiu;lit of liie Laiireii- 
 tian axis, and that of (he .soiitiiein part of the Coteaii. Siippo^ini,' the 
 depn'.HHion to have heen everywhere eipial, the water niii>l at this tinm 
 have reaclu'd to near the fool of the third prairie >teppe, on the fort\- 
 ninth parallel. 
 
 r>!>5. On passiiji;' up on to the higher levels ot the prairie, we 
 eontiniie to tiiid proof' of ilm former action of the sea at yet u;reater 
 elovatioiis. On the sunnnit of the third prairie steppe, with an avei-aixo 
 ultitiide of ahout l},()Ol> feet, dehris of Tiiuiri'titian ami its tlankint!; Siliii-ian 
 liniostoiieN is fouiul over neai-ly the whok- area; tlioni;li now niiiii^led 
 with a |»re]>on(ieratini; (|iiantity of t^iart/iti' drift from tiie Kocky 
 Mountains, and in many cases with a ^rejit pi-oportion of softer material 
 from the iindeil^-in^ rocks. The livcr valleys, ami lower levels, fre- 
 (jiientl}' show true till or l)oulder-clay, whih' the summits of the plateaus 
 jiro f^enerally covered with shiiij^ly deposits, which may have heen 
 derived in part from the re-ari'ant^emeiit of houlder-clay, l»ul appear to 
 consist chiefly of heach material, like that of tiie flanks of tin- Ifocky 
 Mountiuns, and may have iiecn carried lioro hy small icehcrjfs from the 
 mountains themselves, or by shore ice. Tlie larirer iceheiii;s, with liaii- 
 rentian and Silurian limestone dehris, must have drifti-d to tlu' west or 
 south-west with a prevailini,' cui-rent, hearini,' the moi-aine matter of 
 glaciers; while the smaller herii;s and floes of the Rocky Mountains, 
 came t!;enei'ally eastward with prevalent winds or siii'fa(e currents. It 
 does not apjieai' prohahle that theycame directly i'a>twai'd. They may 
 have como from the south-east, borne by a superficial I'Ui-rent miniilini;- 
 with adeop northern flow, in a manner analai:;ous to the Arctic current 
 and tridf stream on the Newfoundland banks; or. ])ei'hai)s evei 
 
 more 
 
 probably, hav« floated from the north-west, or possibly Irom tlu' north, 
 touching here and there on their way on the shores of the Hocky 
 
 Mountiiiu land, 
 
 17 D 
 
 11 
 
 Ml 
 
 I ! 
 
 \ 
 
 d &1 
 
 n 
 
•-TiH 
 
 n, N. A. llnl'NKAUV luMMrSHloV, 
 
 I 
 
 I! 
 
 i' 
 
 r)!W!. |''riit^mi'riti^ oC liJiiircnliiiii, iirul of ciisli-ni liiiH'sinin', were iiift 
 uilli (III llit> rortyiiinlli |iiii'allt'l, iih liir wcsi as Iniiiriliiilc 11,'t" 20, at 
 an I'lt'vatiiiti smncwlial <>\ff(><liiitr 4,000 ti-t't, he, llccliu-, cxainiiiiii^ 
 a n'ljinii riii-llici' In tilt' iiiiftli, iliil iini liinl llic oiiliiiary Laiii'i'iitian 
 t-rralicM aliiivo .'{,000 I'ci'l, lull i|<"«ciilK'i| n ii'inar-kalilc liiu' u|' vt«ry lar><t' 
 ivil ^raiiili" liitiiMi'rH, as iic(ii|iyiii;( aU-vi'l ol'Il.T"" I't'i'l.-*' II«' in iiiici'i'tuin 
 wliftliiT tlicsc may have (-omi' t'loin ihf Ijuirciiliaii of not ; Imt Inking 
 into coiisidcration tlic alisonce ofirranilic rocks on tlic raHtrrn flanks of 
 tli«> mountains in liiitisli America, ami llic Tacl thai such rocks do not 
 occur in place over llie entire area of the plains, it is Jii^rhly prol ultju 
 that they are ol'easlei'n orij^in. 
 
 f)!)?. 'riie eslimateil lieij^ht of the highest |»'rraees ohserveil, thorn* in 
 llie month of the Soulli Koolanie I'ass, is 4, (00 feet, ami I have little 
 (loiiltt hut that these are of marine orinin. Ahout Ihirty-si.x miles north 
 of the Lint'. Ijeul. Blakiston nu'asiiretl three terrac*- levels, and fouml 
 them to he l,li2l!. 4,17^, t.0S5 feel, rcspectividy, in altitude ahove th«' sea. 
 Ife descrihcs I hem as •' wry marked, ajipeariny as a siiceession of .stejm 
 from till- level oftlu' rivi-r to the plain ahove, often in sii^ht for miles, 
 and runnin<^ liori/onlally." Dr. Hector also measin-ed similar terraces 
 at the head waters of tlu' How, North Saskatchewan, and Alhahasca 
 Hivers, and stales that they " may he considered as ran^in^on the east 
 side of the Uo(dvy Mountains, from .'{,500 to 4,500 feet ahove the sea."t 
 Ife further says '• until wi* approach close to the mountains, these 
 terrace deposits art' conlined to tlii' vallies of the larger streams, hut 
 gradually tin'y spread out. and at last cover the whole country alon^ 
 the hase of the mountains, tilling up the hollows and vallies of the outer 
 rani^os to a depth of severnl liundrod feet."]; " Shinu;lo heds of a similar 
 kind are found to cap the ('y])rcss Hills, which liave an altitude al»ovo 
 the sea of 3,S00 feet," These liills, as has been already stated, are witiiout 
 douht an extension of the ])lateau of the Liu.iiite Tertiary, and the whole 
 of those shintjie heds and terraces lieh)n^ to tlie deposit which I have 
 called the Quartzitc drift. Yet further north, (m the upper waters of the 
 I'eace River, Sir Alexander Mackenzie descril)cs the country as step- 
 like or terraced as far as the eye could reach. His voyas^o was mmlc in 
 the year ITO.-J, and thou«^fh not viewing tlie country with the eye of a 
 geologist, he a])])ears to liave matle remarkably careful and accnrato 
 observations. 
 
 ♦ Exploration of Brltisli North America, p. 221. 
 
 t Ibid., p. 222. 
 
 { Ibid., p. 221. 
 
1J 
 
 fir. vr-rAi. i'iiKN"iMF.v\ Av»t xi'i'K.nKin.M, t)Ki'iisrTs. 
 
 '2:,0 
 
 oast 
 
 lii'se 
 , l.ut 
 
 1 11 tor 
 inilar 
 hovo 
 limit 
 hole 
 ■ avo 
 the 
 tcp- 
 in 
 of a 
 livate 
 
 filW. Dr. Iloolnr cotnliiili's I'luin llio nhitiuiis (»(' ilu- .|ci|'t i|i|»i>its (»f 
 tli(> wunI hIiIo III' iIio Rim-Uv MiMiiitaiiis with llio <'a-ciiilo l!iiiii;o, tliiit tlio 
 ili'|iroHHii>ii tlioi'o liiiiiini liiivo i'\(i'o<lo<i jiImhiI I, coo I'i'i'I.''' TIio wator 
 wliitli hIihuI at lliis olovali"ii ran have litcn ili.it uf ilicncoaii nnly. ami 
 tlii>ii;;li I'oroii^ii ili'iri is in)i iiH'l with nii ilio |{cmI<v MoiiiitaiiH, (•!• tlioir 
 hIo|k>.s, it is nut to U) loMcindi'il that llio Mta was Iito tVoin iro ; |iii- at 
 tlilH tinio tlio cHstorn jjfranilic roi^jith, wliidi liail always liooii tlio /.jroat 
 Hourc'o of on-atios, must liav«' lioon dooply Miltinoii^oil. Its poiiiloroiis ioo- 
 
 cap may liavo 
 
 maintainoil itsolf for Homo timo attor tlio wator was 
 
 U( 
 
 tiially aliovo tlio lovol of llio rocky siilistratiiin, Imt must oro tliis havo 
 
 Hiicciimltod 
 
 fiiC.l. hr. Ilayilen spcakini; of ro;;ions fiirtlior MtutliwanI, wlioro tlio 
 «'lovato(l plains of iho oxlroino wost arc liiiilior, ami stn'lili fiirllior 
 
 from llio mountains, insists on tlio saino faot. Ilo wrili 
 
 As I liavo so 
 
 oftoii stalotl in my provioiis roports, I liavo novor lu'on ai»lo to timi nii}- 
 cviiU'iioo in tlio Hooky .Mountain roL^ion i^\' wlial is usually tornioil a 
 iiortliorn drift."! In im-ntionin^' tlio oociirronoo of toi-raoos un lli(> 
 wostoni triliularios of tlio .Missouri, in tlio U<Mky .Moiiiilains, lu' stalos liis 
 lii'lii'f ill tlio ('(minion orif^in of llioso, and llioso on tlio woloin sido of tlio 
 snmo raii^o.and in llio fact that tlio iiioiintaiiis may liavo hcoii (loprosso(<, 
 till only tlioir highest peaks roso ahovo llio waters. J 
 
 l!t)0. Tlioro is no ovidoiico tlial this porio I (.!' maximum (loprossion 
 oiidiirod loii^, nor that diirinu; tho ro-olovalioii ot tliocontiiioiit, the waves 
 noted loiiif at any ]iartioular lov(d ; and tlioujj;li ice, hearini; doliris, no 
 (loiiht still enciiiiiliorod the waters, it does not seem iiocessary t(» siipposo 
 that any imjviiiant addiiioiis to the deposits took place at this tiiiio. 
 Somo hods which may in part be composed of nioditicd and re-arra lifted 
 liouldor-clay, suoli es|)oe:ally us those of tho third prairie steppe, and of 
 the plateau south (»f tin? Lake of tho Woods, may perhaps, however, (>\vo 
 their jiroseiit ap]>oaraiioo to action at this time. 
 
 001. On the retreat of the sea, each part of tho country would a^ain 
 heeome for a short time a shore-line, and the rivers and streams on tho 
 onieri^enco of the land, ajipeur in most cases to have resumed their former 
 channels, and hei^an to re-e.\eavato their bods in the drift material with 
 which they had been filled. At one pei'iod, as Dr. Hector has pointed 
 out, a ^'eat bay must have existed, bounded .southward and w^'stward by 
 tho curved lino of tho Coteuu and third prairie escarpment, and north- 
 
 ' Kxplurutiun uf Urltish Nurth Aiiiuricu, )>. 224. 
 t U. S. Oeol. Surv. Territ., 1872. \>. S5, : U S. Ouol, Surv, Tcirit., 1H70. p. 174. 
 
 I 
 
 11 
 
 ii 
 
2fi0 
 
 n. N. A. nnrNDARY coMMrssroN. 
 
 wanl l»y tlio liiuli iiroiiml lu'voml the jioHilionof Hie presoiit Saskalchownn 
 JJivor. Al this tiiiu', tin.' iioi-tli uiul soiitli Itraiu-hos of the .Saskatila-wun 
 fonnt'd soparato rivers, and divided between theiii the whole of the 
 di'aiiiai>;oof the t]>ird])latoaii. Turtle Mountain, and other similaraecumu- 
 lalions ofdrift, and the hii!;h hills of the ('retaceous, overlooking- Manitoba 
 Lake, fornied islands or shoals. The ed.n'e of the Penibinu esearpnient 
 and the second stejjjte next beconiinif the shore, tlie muted waters of 
 the Saskatcliewan, the Assineboine, and other sinallei- streams, tlowod 
 eastward into the inlet of sea-wiiter, oeeiipyini^ the lowest prairie level, 
 which, as the elevation continued, became that ifivat lake of the Red 
 lliver Valley, the history of which has been alrcad}' traced. There is 
 I'vidcnce, too. to show that as the Laurentian rei^ion rose above the water, 
 it was aii,ain covered with f^laciers for a shoi't time ; but that these did 
 not last till the very close of the submeri,'ence, a])|)cai's to be sliown by 
 the vei-y tine character of a'l the later deposits of the Red Kiver Valley. 
 The few fraii;meiits of rocks which are found, beino- not more than may, 
 with ])robability, be attributed ;■) the ice of the <?reat lake itself. 
 
 ()02. Fn attributing the glacial phenomena presented by the central 
 plateau of the continent, almost entirely to sea borne ice-bergs, I have 
 adopted that explanation which appeared on consiileration of the facts, 
 to embrace them best, and which would account for them 'Viost simpl}*. 
 In so doing 1 am in accoi'd with Dr. Hector, and also I believe with Dr. 
 llayden ; who have studied the jdiencunona most extensivel}' on the 
 ground. That some circumstances, however, give at least negative 
 evidence against marine glaciation, must be admitted. The most 
 important of these is the complete absence, so far as I have ol>sorved, of 
 any marine animal remains in the drift. This is found ecpially over the 
 entire western jiortion of America, and though it has been supposed to 
 show that the drift was deposited in fi'csh water, this explanation docs 
 not seem to remove the difficulty. Tt is impossililo to imagine a sub- 
 mei'gence so great in amount as to oyei-flow nearly all the bari-iors, with 
 the continueil exclusion of salt waters; and though the absence of 
 marine shells is remarkable, on one sup])osition, that of lacustrine forms 
 is almost e<iually so, on the other. That molluscous remains might have 
 been preserved, had they been imbedded in the deposit, is shown by the 
 occurrence of specimens of Cretaceous or Tertiary Ostreas. The non- 
 occurrence of molluscs in great de])osits older than the drit>, and known 
 to be of nuirine origin, is, however, an acce])ted fact ; and in such cojiglo- 
 mcritic beds as those of the drift, it is most frequently obiervod. Recent 
 
(M.ACl.Vr. PHENOMENA AND SirPEUKIClAI, l)EP(tSlTS. 
 
 i(il 
 
 iC 
 
 the 
 
 itive 
 
 most 
 cd, of 
 
 r the 
 (I to 
 does 
 siib- 
 with 
 
 ce of 
 
 forma 
 
 have 
 
 y the 
 
 non- 
 
 IllOWll 
 
 l)nj;'lo- 
 Iccent 
 
 di'e(lj;in,i;' operalions, ulso, in tlu' vicinily ol" the south iiolai' gliuicrs, 
 sooin to sliow the possibility of tiu' deposit of iioii-fossilifcrotis iiiuriiie 
 bouldur-C'hiy. 
 
 ()();}. The second ditHi-ulty, is t'oiind in tiu'('oni|>iii'ativi'ly siniiil innnunt 
 of I'iianifc, wliich lias lii'on \vi'oiiu;lit on tlio extcnsiw area of tlic phiin.N, 
 foniposod of yirldintr, scairi'ly soliditii'd se<linu'nts, hy so vast a iwohition 
 in physii-al ijoogi-aphy as that iniplii'd by tiie old water marks. This 
 objection, however, applios oven more forcil)ly to any i^fnoral s^-stcm of 
 gUieialion by a northern ico-cap ; and it is scarcely possible to imagine 
 a mass of ico, liUc that iniplii'd i)y such a ihcory, [)assini;- southward 
 across the soft rocks ol' tlu' j)lains, against the general slope of the 
 country, and yet not obliti'rating its pre-forined I'iver valleys and 
 fealuros. Suidi a continental glacier, too. though it might have been 
 le.ukjil with Jiaurentian debris on its eastern margin, and with frag- 
 ments from the I?ocky Mountains on the west, can scarcely accoinil for 
 the west and east transport of these materials for hundreds of miles, 
 and their deposit in groat qtumtilies in the central region. If such an 
 ice mass, be supposed instead, to have moved down at right angles to (he 
 Laurentian a.xis, and pass(>d out across the |)lains in an uid)roken shei't ; 
 setting aside the dilticulty of supplying an efficient motor [)ower, an<l 
 other minor eircumstanees; it will be found necessary to suj)posi' that it 
 climbed up and over the alirupt easteiMi edge of the second steppi", with- 
 out destro^-ing it, and proceeded 700 miles weslwai'd up an incline 
 averaging about five feet per niile. 
 
 604. Mr. IJelt, in an tnteresting pajter lately- published, -!= deals with 
 similar ditHculties in explaining the glacialion of Siberia. Tlu> nor'.hern 
 part of Asia, surrounded on all sides save the north, by inoinilain chains. 
 foi-ms an interior continental basin, covered with ''vast level slu'cls of 
 sand and loam." Marine sIu'Us are absi-nt from the <leposils, except near 
 the low ground of the noi-thei'n coasl,and ti-ue boulder-cla}- is apparent ly 
 not found. Mr. Helt, to account for the fads, resorts lo a theory lirsl, 
 suggested by him eight years ago, by which he supposes the »'xislence 
 of a polar ice-sheet, capable of blocking uj» the entire noi'tbern front of 
 the country, and holding back its waters to form an immense fresh-water 
 lake. Prof. N. 11. Winchell, in an article in the ''Popular Science 
 Monthly," of Juno, 18Ti}, broadly ai'counts for (he glacial jtlienomena of 
 the North-wost, on the supposition of a j)olar glacier. His illustration.s 
 
 "Jour. Ocol. Sue, Nov., 1S74. 
 
 ::!i 
 
 i 1 
 
 ^1 
 
 i 
 
2(12 
 
 n. N. A. HnlNDAHV COMMISSION. 
 
 ; ■' 
 
 arc cliic'lly liorrDWHMl iVoiii !i ciiivl'iil sliidy oC tlic ivj^ioii south of (lio 
 iCroal liikos of (lu' St. liiiurciicf.', hiA iis lu' iiicliidcs (lie viilloy of llie Rvd 
 Ikivi'i, iiiid (ho c'lilirc Noi'lli-wcsi, in his (liMliiclioiis, its im'ii(i(»M hoir may 
 not 1k' iiiii|)|ti'oi)i'iulo, 'I'ho most siiirjri'stivo psirt ol' the- ]i!i[K'f is tliat in 
 whicii — liUo Ml'. licit — he iriucs llic noccssary prodiuMion of a yrcat 
 inland soa, oi- lake, as the lt)ot of Midi an ici'-slu'ot as that siijiposi'd, 
 i^radiially irti'cats iiortliward (hiwn an iiicliiu'd plaiu-. 
 
 (!(I5. In^vnious as tiiis hypothec is iiiidoiihto<lly is, its iiiapplicabiiily to 
 Hie ]ihoiioiiioiia and physiral fcatnii's of tiio ivn'ion now niidor considera- 
 tion, niiist Ik' at once apjiarciit. 'I'he ureal deptli to which siihinorf^eiico took 
 jihice is one of liu' most patent (iilliciiities. From thiMlesci-iption of the 
 lied Iliver Valley ah cady i;ivcii, it will he evident thai the entire druiiuige 
 of the ureal lake nmst have passed southward l>yit. There is hero no 
 range of iiiouiilains to he crossed, and iiiil(;ss the retreat of tlie gl.'icier 
 was \x'i'y rapid, no reason can he assigned, why a channel once lormod, 
 should not have heen cut down through the gentle swell of the watei-siied, 
 and remained the |>ermanciil e.\il of the drainage of thecoiintry. Again, 
 the distrihution of northern erratics in lines ti.xed hy the altitude of tlio 
 country, and their o(pial spri'ad ove" the central and marginal regions of 
 the plains, and the inlerpenelration of the easlei-n and western drift, do 
 not admit of explanation on the suj)position of a southward moving loc 
 sheet ; nor docs the surface of the country show any ti'aee of the jirogre.ss 
 of such a mass. The whole (iiicstioii is a very intci-csting one, and it 
 would seem pi-ohable tiiat a solution once ari'iveil at, will he ibund to 
 ajijtly equally to North America and Northern Asia. 
 
 Post -Glacial Phenomena . 
 
 (iOll. The existence of a period characterized by great rainfall, or 
 pluvial period, has been very generally supposeil foi- the West. Sueli an 
 event may i»robably have supcrveiicil at the end of the ejxK'li of glacia- 
 tioii, hut it would seem tiiat much of the evidence brought to prove its 
 occuri'eiiee is not ol the most unexceptionable nature. 
 
 • KIT. Chief among the phenomena which at tirst sight seem to imply 
 the action of large bodies of riiiming wsiti'r, an- llii- great vallies which the 
 stri'anis of the prairie couiitiy. themselves olteii so iiisignitieant, have 
 jirodiiced in the yielding strata. These vallies, like that of the Pembina 
 Kivcr. are sometinu's more than three hundivd feet m (lepth below the 
 plain, and over a mile in width; and are frequently depressed moi'e than 
 one hundred feet below the general surface. The stream generally oeeii- 
 
ross 
 (1 it 
 (I to 
 
 or 
 
 1 an 
 
 iK'iii- 
 
 •e it.s 
 
 nply 
 llic 
 
 liavo 
 
 hiiia 
 the 
 
 than 
 
 (ILACIAI, r'IIEN<tMKNA AND sri'KIlKKMAI, DEI'OSITS. 
 
 2(i3 
 
 pii* but a very iianow strip ol tim Itotloin ol' lli«i valley, ami wimls dl'leri 
 ill tlic most, tortiKMis luaiiiu'r from side to side of its level Ihtor. It is 
 usually the tii-sl idea of a traveller, that a ^I'eat river luis oceiiitii'd the 
 valley at some former time, and completely tilled it. A little I'onsider- 
 atioii, however, scrvi's to modily this belief, niid it is rerij tjvnvraUy foiiiid 
 on examination that tln^ cijuiparatively jamy sli-eam by reason of its tor- 
 tuous ehai'aeter, is still in some places excavatin/i; and nndernnnin^ (he 
 banks of (ho main valley. Evidence is also t'oinid of the constant chan^'e 
 of the pttsition ol the stream in the fiat valley bott<»m, and places may \w 
 seen, where the excavations of late years are beinu; covered by a sod 
 of ;^rass. (iiven (»nly time enou/fh, and the f()rmation of these i^rcat 
 trouirhs in (he jiraii'io, is accounteil for by forces still in operation. 
 There are valleys, it is true, which do not show any erosion of theii" 
 sides now ^oins;- on, and in which (he immt'diale hollow of the 
 stream is dei'jily cut, and a condition of comi)ara(ive efiuilibriuei 
 attained, yome of these, may re<juire tor (heir explanation a period 
 of giH'atcr rain; but at a certain stam' of devi-lopement, cvciy vali-'y 
 is a|it to fall into this state, if the flow ot water be not actually 
 inereasinf;. 
 
 ()()S. The valley of the Souris lliver, gives some excellent illustrations. 
 Near \Voo<l End it is of an avei-age width of about one jourth of a mile. 
 The s(ream is qui(e small, and in summei" barely runs from pool (o pool, 
 between the stones of i(s bed; ye( it is found, that at almost every convex 
 bend, the banks are scarpe<l and bare, an<l are year by year being under- 
 mined. For about six miles, the river preserves the same charac(er, and 
 then joins, almost at right angles, a larger old valley, about a mile wide, 
 in which there is no flow of water above the place of junction. Jlere, 
 though there is abundant evidence of the changeabh! nature of the river 
 bej, in the jiresence of lagoon-like pomls, (he Itaiiks are com|)ara(ivcly 
 ruinous, and covered wi(h vegetadon, and are seldom ap])roachcd by 
 (he s(reani. 
 
 GO!t. The rivei's are pi'oved (o have f.'c(iucn(ly changed (heir 
 eoiinscs. and great valleys occur in which little or no present waterflow 
 (akes place, but which may once have carrie<| important streams, now 
 diverted. I'rof. Hind has shown thai (he Sou(h Saskalchewu',. probably 
 flowed at a former period by (he great valli-y now occujiied by the 
 (iu"A)tpelle, and River That Turns, (o (he ,\ssinel)oine.=i= If the part of 
 
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 * Asainebuine and Ijaskatuhcwaii ICxpIuring Kxpcditiuii, i>. 21, 
 
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204 
 
 B. N. A. BOTTNPAnY COMMISSION. 
 
 li' •% 
 
 
 I ik 
 
 Ihc v;ill('y soparaliii^' (lu> sources of the Qu'A]i|H'1Ic jiikI Eiver That 
 Tunis, has not Ik^cm luMirhtt'iiod voiy c'oiisi(leraI)ly by the ai'cumulation in 
 it of (k'l)i'is iVoni its sides, tho Soiitli Saskatchewan must have cut 
 flown its prcsont hcd, since its occupation, aiiont eighty-five feet. Prof. 
 Jlind also believes tliat llie Soiii-is River flowed southward at one time 
 tlu'ough the i^i'eat depression now occujiied by the Back Fat Lakes, and 
 joined the IVndtina Hiver, a fact wiiich may assist in explaining the for- 
 mation oi the great valley of the lattei-. Such changes of beci may have 
 arisen from some general altei-alion in the inclination of tho countiy, and 
 it is perhaps worthy of remark, that both the instances cited, show change 
 from courses easterly and southerly, to north-easterl}'; and such as would 
 bo brought about by a slight elevatory movement of the transverse 
 watershed in the vicinity of the forty-ninth parallel, or an incrcflM' of 
 depression northward. 
 
 GIO. One of the most remarkable instances met with of this sort 
 of change, is that of tlie disused secoi.d valley of the Souris, near its first 
 intersection with the Line. The old valley lies to the east of the present 
 one, and is se])arate.d fnmi it by al)out two miles /)f prairie. They are 
 about cfpially wide, and de])ressed about 90 feet below the general sur- 
 face, though from u bai'ometi'ic comparison, the valley of the present 
 stream ;i])pears to be from ten to eighteen feet below the disused one. In 
 the old valley, the course of the stream is still discernable, and is occupied 
 in some places by small, and somewhat saline pools. 
 
 (]11. Another striking instance is found in the (iroat Dry Coulee, 
 which joins the valley of tlie Milk lliver, a few miles north of the Line, 
 and, according to Palliser, extends north-westwanl to the junction of the 
 Bow and Belly Rivt'rs. About ecpiidislant from the Milk River and the 
 latter locality, the valley contains a large saline lake, known as Peekopeo. 
 It would appear that the watei's ol the Bow and Belly must at some time 
 have passed thus to the Milk Rivei-. and if this is the case, a northward 
 diversion of the water must have lai<en place here also. 
 
 ()12. The so-called y^it-vcrc (?<'.s /^(7«, which crosses the Lino at the 227 
 mile poi:rt, also seems to occujn' the bed of a former sti'eam. This sheet 
 of wutei', where it'is intei'secte<l l»y the Lino, must benearlythi-ee quarters 
 of a mile wide, and is not fortlable. It occu])ies the bottom of a valley, and 
 is over fifty feet below the pi'airie level. Northward, it extciuls about 
 four miles, bec(miiiig gradually mirrower, and ending in a b-oad, dry 
 couldc, which shallows and dies away in a strip of boulder-covered ground, 
 which stretches northward toward the Souris River, five miles distant, 
 
OLArlAL PIIKNOMENA AND SirPERFiriAL nEPnsiTH. 
 
 265 
 
 Ibo, 
 liinc, 
 the 
 the 
 pec. 
 lime 
 
 unci is somcwhiit lower than the general surfueeof the plain. ,Si»ntli\vai'(l, 
 it is Haid to extend about seventy m'les, and tinally (o join the southern 
 bend of the Souris River, where it i:;ives issue to a small runniiii>- stream. 
 The present eondition of attuirs, however, will not .serve to ex])lain its 
 formation, nor docs it resemble the bed of an old tributary to the Souris, 
 from its sudden northward cndinic, imd the absenee of .systems of eouloes 
 ramifying from it. It may be aeeounted foi" by sup])osing that it lias 
 been a former shorter channel of the Souris itself, but in that ease, either 
 its northorn end must since in some way have been blockc<l uj) ; or the 
 rivor being diimmed back in im own channel, has spi-eiid over the prairie 
 in a lake-like ex])ansion, which has tinally found exit southward bj' 'he 
 -Riviere des Lacs Valley. The valley oceM])ies just the jtosition, which 
 such flood water would take, and bends round the most eastern portion of 
 the high ground, rising toward the third prairie steppe. 
 
 G13. Vallies such as those above described, appear, from the accounts 
 of different explorers, to occur in many parts of the great prairie region,* 
 and though some of them may tend to show^ the action of greater bodies of 
 water than those now flowing in them, they cannot all be accounted for 
 in this way. It is difficult to conceive any ordinary ciirumsiancc, which 
 would cause a stream to leave a wide valley, often ovtM- lOt) fi'ct in depth, 
 and to commence the formation of a new channel of like proportions. 
 The blocking of the stream by ice jams, or accumulations of tindter, 
 though capable of oxplaiiung change of course in rivers flowing through 
 alluvial country, not much below the general level, cannot be supposed 
 to be a sufficient cause for deflexion on so great a scale. A careful study 
 of these phenomena, over great areas, may eventually bring to light some 
 general cause, such as local, or unequal, elevation or depression. At 
 present I can only account for these duplicate vallies, on the supi)osition 
 that n\ost of them ai'e alternative channels, of the streams at i)resent in 
 existence. In a level region, composed of soft niaterials, it is probable 
 that sint'O the rivers first flowed across its surface, they have been subject 
 from ice and timber, to frequent obstruction in certain places. Before 
 the river bed had been deeply worn into the surface, the stream might 
 thus easily be turned aside; and l)cfore many years, a similar occuri'cncc 
 in the new channel might cause it to revert to the old. By such oscilla- 
 tion, a single river may cut out two or more beds simultaneously, and to 
 nearly an equal depth. Some of these great dry vallies, ma}' again 
 
 ,' \ 
 
 * See especially U. S. Geol. Surv. TerriU, 1S70. p. 170. 
 
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 ill 
 
 I ^ 
 
 2(JG 
 
 n. N. A. BOL'NUARY COMMISSION. 
 
 I)oc'omo rivor I'luiimcls, but in most casos tlioy seem to have boon 
 
 rr 
 
 ilual (1 
 
 (U'crcj 
 
 th 
 
 now loiiif (lisusnl Tins may anso oil her ii'om a ^I'inl 
 amount of flowinj- water, a'^l 'i' 'I'o inlonsily of tlio sjn-insj; Hoods; or 
 from an increasing scarcity of tinilicr ca])ai>lo of forming obstructions, in 
 the regions traversed by the streams, which seems on other grounds to 
 i)e undeniable. 
 
 ()I4. The lied Eiver is still not far below the level of its bordering 
 prairie, and from the fixed elevation of its out-full in LaUeWinnipeg, cannot 
 bo lowering its bed apprecial)ly, though the boi-dering prairie is no doubt 
 gra<lually gaining s(;niewha( in height from the sediment deposited in 
 seasons of flood. The course of the I'iver is exceedingly tortuous, and 
 it is 3early becoming more so. An examination will show that all the 
 concave sides of the bends are being eaten away by the stream, and the 
 stumjjsof old half-buried oaJ<,and elm trees, beingtUei'c exposed; while the 
 ()])posite, or convex sides are almost invariably gaining by the ad<litiiinof 
 banks of sediment, which as soon as tliey are formed are taken [)0ssession 
 of by thickets of young willows, and consolidated by their roots. When 
 this jirocess has been carried to an extreme, it is naturally remctlied by 
 the breaking of the water across one of the mirrow necks sepai-ating 
 two of the bends, dui'ing some period of excessive Hood, and the formation 
 of a new course. 1 do not know of any veiy modern instance of this, but 
 old portions of the river-channel, may fre<[ueutly be oliserved forming 
 ponds and small lakes on the j)rairie, sometimes more than a mile trom 
 the lU'csent stream. These, like the parent river, may be fringed 
 with trees, and are generally surrounded by a dense growth of reeds, and 
 tilled with rank aquatic vegetation. 
 
 015. The floods of this river, arising from the melting snow in spring, 
 are intensitied by its northern couj-se; tlie sources being broken nj) and in 
 flood, while the ice at its mouth is still (piite firm. Extensive ice-jams 
 are apt to form, and a small increa.se in the elevation of the water 
 above the banks, serves to overflow a gi'cat area of Country. The 
 silting up of the mouth of the river, may also, as has been suggested, 
 have something to do with the recurrence of great floods at somewJiat 
 regular intervals, and may re(pni'e some such natural paroxysm for 
 its I'cinedy. 
 
 (>!(!. The systems of ramifying collides with gently sloping grassy 
 banks, but with neither brooks nor regular stream courses, when seen 
 during the dry weather of summer, may seem to require lor their cxpla- 
 
OLACIAI- PIIKNOMENA AND SUPEUKICIAL DEPOSITS. 
 
 2G7 
 
 issy 
 
 ICCIl 
 
 bhi- 
 
 iiutioii Homo a(iiii'(His umoiicy inoi-c potent tliaii tho prosi'iit, and appear to 
 roi^oinblc tlu' diHUMod boils ol' larii;o trUuitary ^st^oaIns. To any oiio, liow- 
 cvor, who has oxaniinod thorn in oarly sprini^, and durin<; soasons of flood, 
 tlioir origin isapparoi\t. Tho wholo thioUnossot'tho soft ])rairioanuviiiin, 
 is tlion oonij)U'toly saturatod with nioisturo, and tho oouleos aro Itrim- 
 full witli water, lioldinu; in suspension a groat <]iiantity of fine I'arlhy 
 matter, and flowing witii a rogular, tln>iii!;li gontlo and often soarooly 
 pevooptiblo oiirivnl, txnvard tho main stream. At their oxtromo raini- 
 fioations, little streams may be found, gatiierod togethoi- almost imper- 
 ceptibly from tlu! half-flooded surfaoe of the prairie, and direote<l into u 
 oortain course — jterhaj)s by means of snow-banks, which have not 
 yet entirely disappoai-ed — and Just engago<l in cutting throu.!!:;h the 
 tough prairie sod in the first process of the extension of tho valley. 
 
 (j17. During the ])ost-glacial emergence of the countiy, every stream 
 must at one time have flowed, us the Red River now does, into a great 
 lake not nmcli below its own level, and have boon in the same way, more 
 or loss subject to floods and overflows. Man}' of tl; .■ coulees now found 
 bordering the river vallios in the higher prairies mandate back to this 
 time, and may not havesiiu-e received important inci'emopt. 
 
 018. An examination of tho bods of tlio rivers and streams, while 
 pi'obably leaving some balance in favor of a period ofgroator rainfall, does 
 not appear to ott'oi- any evidence of its great intensity. Other 
 facts seem 
 
 point 
 
 l'< 
 
 greater than at present, and it would even seem that a 
 gradual dessioation is yet i/rocecding over great areas of tlio 
 Avost. This does not apjiear, however, to be more than can be 
 accounted for by tho decreasing area of forest — a subject elsewhere 
 more fully niontioned. It is hardly probable tliat tho prairies as a 
 wholo have boon at any time wooded, but that largo areas of forest have 
 existed where bare plains now spread, is undoubted. The existeneo in 
 some [daces of great (|iiantities ot the remains of land am! fresh-water 
 sliolls in the older river deposit of tho Missouri, which now occur rarely 
 if at all in the neighbouring region, has been mentioned by Dr. llayden ; 
 and seeming to imply for the upi)or watoi's of that I'iver at no very 
 distant time, a coiisi<lorable forest area, is one of the most striking 
 facts in favour of a change of climate. Any very groat oi- long 
 continued excess of rainfall over tho prairie region is, however, 
 negatived liy the aj»poarance which its surJiice presents, and 
 
 . . I 
 
.^. I 
 
 i' 
 
 2(i8 
 
 n. N. A. lUiUNDAllY COMMISSION. 
 
 I'spocially by the cxiHlcm-v of lur^o iirciis wliioli since the drift 
 j)oi'io(l liavo ncvor (lcvolo[)P(l syslomH of draiiiiigi' vailoys, jind yot retain 
 with little modification the irreujulai' apj)eai'ance of the orii^inal siirfaro ' 
 ot tho drift deposit, and an> dotted with numerous pomls and lakes 
 without outfall. The |ti'e-,t!,laoial streams too, choked up al(»n<; the edji^e 
 of the third ste|t[»o hy tlie drift of the C'oteaii, and which have since 
 hecn unable to clear their channels, give eviilence of this kind. 
 
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 1 
 
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 TM 
 
 
CHAPTKR XI. 
 
 CAVABTLITIKS OF THE ItEOIOX WITH llEFEUENf'K TO 
 
 SETTLEMENT. 
 
 Rkhion in thk VKiNtTY I )K THK Lake OK THK WooDs— Areas capable of cultivation 
 — Harren region -Vegetation of the lake -Ukoion hktwkkn riiK Lakk ok thk 
 Woods and Kkd Uivkk I'kaikik Country in tlie vicinity of tlie (lovcrn- 
 nient Hoail — (.!ountry bordering on the Keed and Hoaeau Uivers - Height of 
 Land Muskeg -'I'll K I'kd i{ivi;i{ I'kaiuik Soil, and nature <if the surface- 
 Measure of agricultural capacity -Wood Climate — Progress of the spring 
 lierc and at other points in the Fertile Belt — Rainfall — Water supply — 
 Coi'NTHv OK TiiK Skcond Pkaikik Stkite — I'embiua Escarpment — Western 
 margin of the great plains — Turtle Mountain — Timber — Country in the 
 vicinity of the Souris Hiver — Meteondogical cycle— Countrv ok i'hk Third 
 Pkaikik Spkitk— I'lateau of the Tertiary- Eastern limit of butfalo Big 
 Cautp of half-breeds — Fertile Belt at the base of the mountains — Timber of 
 the mountains— Climate of the Third Steppe. 
 
 fiin. In tluK chapter it is propostMl to examine l)ricfly the nature 
 of tlie eountry in the vicinity of the 4nth parallel ; with regard espe- 
 cially to its a^laptability for settlement and agriculture, and its 
 superficial features. The nature of the surface, however, depends so 
 closely on the underlying rocks, and especially on the drift deposits, 
 where these are largel}- developed, that much has alreiuly of necessity 
 been given, which might properly be included here. It is not 
 intended to go over any of those general points which have received 
 notice, but merely to touch on those which have not yet been men- 
 tioned, using the nmterial of the foregoing chapters as a substratum. 
 
 Lake of the Woods Region. 
 
 (120. A very small pro])ortion of the country immediately sur- 
 rounding the Lake of the Woods, is at all suitable for agricultural 
 settlement. The northern and eastern shores are entirely composed 
 of barren rock, and though valleys in this district — and especially in 
 the part of it occupied by lluronian rocks — ma}- be found of bettor 
 a))peai"ance, the soil will probably be sandy and poor. Pine timber 
 of fair growth occurs in some localities, but forest fires have already 
 
 I ' ij 
 
 .:ll 
 
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I 'I 
 
 II 
 
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 P8 ;| 
 
 |i J -i. 
 
 270 
 
 n. N. A. nnir\i(Anv fuMMiHsrov. 
 
 • I(>ini(l««<l ixi*»>iit iu'OHh oC liotli IrccH mihI snil. Icvivini; only (lie Imrc, 
 numdt'il. rocky sii list rut iim of tlii> coiiiitry. 
 
 (I'il. Tlu' ai't'iis fii|i!il>lc ol' nillivjilinii Mfc rliictly (liosf liMscd on 
 tli«' low torracc level, wliicli liiis alrnaily lieeii ilesei'ilied. Ijaciosst* 
 Island, and oilier islands, and slioltt'red hays, show eoiisid(«ral>le lemnaMts 
 of this lerraet'. It also loi-ins Ihe flat ground siirroiindiiiif the Norlh- 
 wost Allele, and has there heen enltiviiled to ;i small exlt'nt, llio 
 Indians i^rowini^ palelu's of niai/e. whieli thrives well eonsiderini; 
 the small amount of attention i^iven to it. Wheat, I am inlorm(>d, has 
 heen sown as an ex|iei'iment, and siieceetis well. Potatoes yiidd 
 exeollent crops, and all the ordinary veicetahles and coreals would 
 douhtlesK flourish, with careful farming; were there snilicieni indiu'i'- 
 nuMit for their cultivation. The sanu' terrace forms some flat land 
 in the ( hain of hir^o islands of Sand-hill Lake, and it is also oxt(>n- 
 sively developed on hoth sides of |{uiny I'ivor, and from the accounts 
 of Prof. Hind and others, would appear to run a loiii;' way up that 
 stream. Westward from the mouth of tlu- rivei-, and forniini:; the 
 northoi'ii shoi-e of Minnesota, it extends for ahout tiMi miles, and thoiiii'h 
 Uonorally swampy, has an elevation sullicii-nt to admit of drainaije, 
 and sustains a tiiir growth of elm, poplar, cedar, spruce, and hircli. The 
 eastern front of Biiti'n > Point, prohahly helon<:;s to tlu- same terras, 
 thouifh t'onsidorahly hiijher than elsewlu-iv. Its surface^ is dry and 
 clad with a thiidc i^rowth of poplar and birch. Kit-d-ijimt'-iiuni^, or 
 (ianlen Island, has heen from time immemorial cultivated hy the Indians 
 of the lake, and is one of tlu-ir i;roat meetinij places and head (|uai'ters. 
 Its area must ho from one to two scpnire miles, and thounh I was 
 unable to visit it, it a|)itears from a <lislance to he h'vel, and to sui)|)ot 
 a fair growth of timhci'. It is now almost deserted. 
 
 (122. All these localities are based on the old plateau oi' terrace level, 
 a foi-mer lake bottom ; aiid the soil where I haveexamined it, ist'om|)osed 
 of line sand and calcareous debiis, deficient in vegetable matlei'; whiih 
 when it occurs, is apt to form a peaty accumulation on the surface. 
 
 (>2;{. The greater part of the southern and western margin of the 
 lake is utterly useless, and a more forbidding and desolate region can 
 scarcely be imagined. The immediate border of the lake, is here formed 
 by a low ridge of sand, often blown into nuniature sand-hills, but son\e- 
 times lM)und togethei- b}' the roots of various grasses. Behind this 
 margin is very generally a stretch of gras.sy swamp and lagoon, of a 
 nxile 01- two in width, and boi-dered in the distance by a forest of 
 
(•.M'.MIII.ITIKS WITH HKKKRKNrK TO SETTt.KMKNT. 
 
 ■21 \ 
 
 Ml 
 
 '(I 
 
 e- 
 
 is 
 
 ii 
 
 of 
 
 tiirniinicU ( l,iin.r Amiriaina) ;;;r<>\viiiL; on u scarcely less (loodcd soil. In 
 sdnic plai'cM, low, swampy savannah I'ronls ilircctly un tin- lak*', ami ;nis 
 1 have Keen IVin^'cij allor a naif, liy ii l»cl| many Icol in wiillli, (if 
 hrown vr^otaltlt' pulp, ciinally inipossiitlc In walU on, ami inipassalilo 
 I'oi' \\w canoe. On oilier parts oj' ihe cuasi, on ;^ainin,t'' llie snnuiiit 
 of a poaty liaiik u few feel in liei<;'lil, wliicli is Itreakin;^ oil' uiider tlie 
 aclion of llie waves, an expanse of swamp, willi simiil dead laimiruck 
 (roes, sirelclies as far as lliu eye can leaeli. 
 
 (•24. In llie shallow waterofllic lake, a lar^e species of rush abounds, 
 and is used hy the Indians for making mats. The root is also eaten at 
 certuiii ncusoiis. Wlu-re tho watt-r is (juito shoal, and in reaclicH pro- 
 t(i<'tet| tViun Ihe full force of the waves, Ihi- roseaii ii;rass ( I'hroyiiiitcs com- 
 j«i/n»,s) covers i^rcat areas. Il does nol apjiear to lie loiif^li eiioiii^h for 
 tlit> mnniii'acture of paper, and I do not know any other pui'pose to which 
 it can he apjilied. The wild, or Indian rice [Ziznniit (Ujuoficn, — rna-nuwin 
 of Ihe (Miippeways) does not occur ahundantl}' in the Houtln'rn part of 
 the lake, so I'ar as I have seen, luil niiisl yrow lu-xiirii-ntly in some parts 
 of the northern division, and especially in liac IMal, where ihe Indians 
 collect larf^o (pumlities of the schuI in anlunin, for winter uho. Tho plant 
 appears to thrive host, where ^rowini^ up through several feet of water in 
 slieltered la<j;oons and inhds, and certain areas formerly noted for its jiro- 
 (luction, have of late years, from the hii^hor level of Ihe water, become 
 unproductive. Scarcely siiflicicnt attention seems to have been i^iven to 
 this native i^iain. (irowini^ far to the north, in areas altoj^ether iinsiiited 
 for othei' crops, it seems to afford a prospect of utili/inif ;^i'eat i-c^ions of 
 lake and swamp, otherwise iireclaimabie. its ^i-owth nught no doubt be 
 cncoura<jjed by the use of jii-oper precautions, and improved varioties 
 result from careful selection. The grain, though dark in colour, is 
 palatable, and tho straw is now coming somewhat extensively into use in 
 the manufiictiiro of ])a])cr. 
 
 (Ilif). Many of the less dee|)ly siibmorged swamps would yield large 
 quantities of natural hay. Those in the vicinity of Ihe North-west Anglo 
 are alreatly made to furnish hay for the stock kept there, which though 
 rather coarse, it is found to be nutritious. 
 
 (!2(». The flora of the country surrounding tho Lake of the Woods, 
 closely resembles that characteristic of tho Laurentian region, north of 
 tho St. Lawrence River, and differs froni that of the prairie country to tho 
 west. A few western and southern forms, however, occur in a.'*sociation 
 with those of eastern and northern aspect. Tho majority of tho forest 
 
 :;. 
 
■:«> 
 
 n. N. A. 1IM|INI»AI«Y ('(IMMISSION. 
 
 li't'cH iiiv foiiifoi'iHiM, Hiul IVoin ilic H\vaii)|iy clianictor <»!' (lit' ((miifry, tlic 
 tiiiDiii'iick Ih poi'liitps moHt altiimlHiit. T\w ct-ilaf ( Thuja (iCi'iilenfiiliH) was 
 ill a ti'W placoH tilHt'ivt'd, ((iniiiiif^ ^lovt's of liiuilod oxlciit. Tin* rotl 
 piiio, liaiikMiaii, or scnil) pine, ntid wliili- |iiiii', {^PlitiiH nsiiuiM, I'. 
 Honlmiiiiui, iuhI /'. stmhiin,) also occiir wlioio llio /^nuiiitl in tiry, and 
 t'Hpoi'ially nil the sandy rid^os separating tlu< Hwanips ; lnit nut in very 
 linX*' >^''*>vt">'. All till' <trdinaiT fasliTii spnifcs and liis aii' also icprn- 
 si'iitod. or di'i'idiioiis Iri'i's, llu' poplar is most toninioii, and p'nci'ally 
 icpivsi'nti'd liy llu' asp«'ii or l)alsan» jioplar {P. tninutitiilcti and /*. 
 I)iils(iiiill't'rii) willows of many siiccics lonn lliickfls in tlu' swamps and 
 aloiiii; the ctli^'cs of flu' woods, I'llni, oaU, liinli, and llic ash k'avod 
 luapli', also occur sparingly. 
 
 •!27. 'rill' I'limalc of ilic rcifioii immediately itordcrinj; on the linko 
 of the WoimIs, is miicli iin|troved hy it. 'Phe >hallow expanse of water 
 Itecomes healed iiy the rays otthe sun. and in .Inly and .\iii;iist was very 
 f^eiierally found to have a temperature of from 7<>" to TfV Fahrenheit. 
 Karly frosts are thus prevented, and the nights, which at a like elevation 
 on the prairie west of K'ed River are freipiently cold, are here, as a rnle, 
 deliciously halmy. Should land for a,!j;ricuitiiral |mrposes ever hecome of 
 value in this rei^ion, a j^reat area of the bottom of the lake mii^lil be laid 
 dry, at comparatively small expense, by renio\iiiif the rocky barrier at 
 Kat I'ortai^e, the water beiii'j; thus lowered about eiiijhtoen led. 
 
 ( i 
 
 h'lUji'in hi'tircni the Liihr of tlw Wooils and the h'ld /t'ic >' Prairie. 
 
 (i2S. West ot the Tiake of the Woods, is an extensile wooded, and 
 very !j;enerally swampy re<;ioii, which extends to the eii.siern eili^e of the 
 alluvial prairie of the Ited River. Where crossed by the road from tho 
 North-west Anjjflo to Winnipeif, tho wooded ivi,noii is about sixty niile.s 
 in bi-eadth; on tho forty-ninth parallel, about seventy-tivo miles. On tho 
 northern line of section thecharacter of tho country in us follows : — From 
 the North-west v\i\u:le to Birch ('reek (iovernnient Station, is for the most 
 ]»art thickly wooded, but almost a continuous swamj), with here and 
 there a rocky or sandy ridii,-e risiiiu: above the ii,eiieral level. Much of tho 
 soil would dry uj) if tho woods were removed, but appeared to bo Handy 
 and i)ooi', and of little or no use for ai^ricultural pui-jiosos. There i« much 
 tall, but sliifht, pine timber, suitable for railway sleepers, but not of much 
 use for the saw mill. The sand of the ridges is generally of yellow ferru- 
 jfinouB colour, and tho gravel, when it occurs, ischieHy of small limostono 
 
••AI'AHII.ITIKH WITH IIKKKKKNCK I'n .iETTI.KMKNT. 
 
 and 
 f \\w 
 1 the 
 miles 
 |i the 
 
 Voin 
 Imost 
 und 
 
 If tlio 
 
 liiu'h 
 liiu-h 
 
 'ITU- 
 
 ftono 
 
 I'la^iiU'iilH. Ten iiiilo> rasl nl' lliiili Ci'ecU, in (lie wali'i'slicil ^waiii)), 
 liiTe kiiDwii a> (li(> CarilKMi .^lll^k(■<^ 1 1 i 
 
 •^ a 
 
 II 
 
 iiitdt'ii 
 
 Havaiinal 
 
 of 
 
 |)Oi'lia|iH, a iiiile ami a hall in uitjlli, anil is an cnIoiimioi 
 
 il th 
 
 M\sani|iy 
 
 watei'slit'il rt'iiiiin, rius.seij 
 
 fiii-lh 
 
 tiilli. l-'iuni llinli Creek (u Whilt* 
 
 Month River, the Miifaee Hl()|ie> ^Dnlly Wi'slwani, yel iiioic than halfllu' 
 area is oeen|iieil hy swauipH. The ilry lrarl>» are toverrd with a Miimly 
 hoil, which though warm, in loo li^^ht lo atlrael the aij;ri('nlliiraliNl. 
 The Hanksian pine ahoimiis. |-'rom lhi>< phiee lo llrokcii Mead Kiver, aiitj 
 Iheiito lo Iht' ei|;;(.' ol thi' wocnled re^^ioii, ni'ar I'oinI ijii Cln'iic, lhcsiirlar»' 
 irt Mot so wet, lull still shows niimeroiis Hwainps ; and (h«' soil in no jdaeo 
 compares liivoralily with thai of the prairie t<t the wtst. 
 
 (j-!>. An examinalinn of the soiitlicrn part of the renion lyin.i^ west 
 of the lake, was made hy ci'osMln^ it hy the iiced and Roseau Rivers ; 
 the former, a sin:ill stri'am llowiin^ into llu^ liake of the Woods, the latter, 
 in<»scoliiliii^: with il in the walershel swamp, is one of the lar;;'e-t trilm- 
 (aries of the Red River, The route tliiis indicaled, in the m.-iiii nearly 
 follows the hoiindary-iinc, tlioiii;|i a coii^iileraMe porliMiioftlie iio>eiiii 
 Riv«'r, and the whole of Roseau liak(>, lie a short distance south of it, and 
 in the northern pari of .Minnes(»ta. The erossim;- was elleett'd in the 
 latU-r part of Aii,i:;iist, IST.'J, with two men, and a sini;le ' three liithoin' 
 hark canoe ; and from the waters of the lake lo those of the J{ed IJjver, 
 occupied nine days; much delay arisiiiij li'om ohstructions hy drift 
 timher in the rivi-rs, the state of the portaice on the lieioht of land, 
 and the had rapids <»n the lower part of the Ifosi'im Jliver. 'I'iie route 
 thout^li loni;' known to the Indians ; and used hy the Chijtpeways and 
 Sioux as a war-[)ath iietwceii llu'ir respcclixc coiintrii-s, has ri-nuiiiicd 
 ulmost wijolly unknown to explorers, i'rof. Hind, and Mr. S. .1. Dawson 
 had Intended passim;' hythis route to Ri'(| River in connection with the 
 Assiiiehoine and Saskatihewan Kxploriiiif K.xpedition, in IS")?, hut wei'e 
 turiKMl hack hy a lar;;'e t()ree of Indians collecteil on (iardcii Island. 
 
 (!;{(). On enteriiii;" tlio inoutlt of the Reed River, asaiid l)ar is crossed, 
 the water on which is, apparently, not more than four or live feet dee|). 
 The lower portion of Lho rivor itself, for alioiit four miles, is hoth wide 
 and dee}), and not very tortuous. Near the mouth, it p;isscs throiin-Ii a 
 grassy swamp, and for ,sonie miles the shores c()iitiniie swampy, thoiinh 
 generally covere<l hy hushes and small trees. Heyond this the river, 
 though still deep, hecomes narrow and tortuous, and retains this charac- 
 ter lliroughout its iipjier pari, which for several miles hefori' reaching tho 
 source is often not more than sixteen feet in width. At the same time, 
 
 18 D 
 
 lit 
 
I- if 
 
 
 1!I 
 
 if 
 
 ^. ^ 
 
 1 I if 
 
 
 I! 
 I 
 
 Hi 
 
 urn 
 
 
 274 
 
 n. N. A. nOUNDARV OOMMISHFON. 
 
 the (•unvnt bocomes miioli sti'onifi'r, (li()iiii,-li not {issiiininij aiiytliiiig of 
 tlio cluii'iictor of a rapid. For about two and a half inilos from tbo bogin- 
 mug of the narrow portion of tho river, in a gonorul So.tth-wostorly course, 
 tlic banks i-ise several feot above the water, and sujiport a moilerately 
 good growth ol' aspen and balsam poplar, with some oaks, aiid a few 
 tumara(dv8. ^Jost of this higher ground has, iiowover, been burned over 
 years ago, and (he greater ])ar( ol" (he timber thus destroyed. The soil 
 is radier j'o(en(ive, being eompose ' of aline, grey, sandy clay. Bo^'ond 
 this, and to its .souive, tiie stream is fringed by grassy swamps, bordered 
 at a shoi't dis(anee by a dense gi-owth of (aniaraek, scarcely, if at all above 
 the level of (he water. Tho eiirren(, however, is still strong, and tho 
 stream, though very nari-ow and tortuous, remains ditch-like and deep. 
 
 031. On approaching the east end of tho Portage the tamarack lirst 
 reti'oats further from the stream, and tho latter remains merely as a 
 narrow rut among the reeds. The bottom of the swamp, though here 
 covered by a few inches of water and decayed vegetable matter, i^; hard, 
 and firm, and consists of fine whitish arenaceous clay, of such a nature as 
 to be almost completely impei-miable to water, it here becomes necessary 
 to track the canoe with rojies, and for a few hundred yards the swamp 
 was found so shallow, that it was best to lighten tho canoe, and portage 
 the stufl^" by hand. On thus entering the Muskeg Portage Swamp, the 
 tamarack li-ees become small and scattered, and soon remain only in 
 isolated groves, standing out like islands in the grassy expanse. After 
 passing the shallow edge of tho swamp, above described, which may bo 
 about half a mile in width, it becomes softer and <lecper, and is entirely 
 composed of peaty matter and soft swamp muck, in which in some places 
 one sinks from knee to waist deep, and often no fiiin bottom exists for a 
 depth of five or six feet, and probably much more. In some spots small 
 fishes were .seen among the grasc. In the softer ])arts, gas arising fnmi 
 the decomposing vegetable matter, buoys up poi-tions of the sod, which, 
 however, easily sink under any weight. 
 
 The surface of the swamp is usually grassy, but some extensive 
 patches of Sjurwa bushe-* occur. Ledum latifuliuin, oi- Labrador tea, 
 Sarracenia purpurea, the pitchei- plant, nud Andromeda polifolin, also occur 
 abundantly ; Lobelia. KaJimi, Parnassia Carolinian^, and Drosej'a lomjifoUa, 
 were found in flower. 
 
 ();J2. The source of the North-east T?oseau Tlivor, is six and three 
 quarter miles from that of the Eeed River, in a south-westerly dii-cction ; 
 but the track through the muskeg deviates considerably in some places, 
 
CAPAnilJTIES Wrril nEl'KRKNPE TO SKTTT,E:\rE\T. 
 
 275 
 
 the 
 
 I)! aces, 
 
 to avoid tamarack i^rovcs, i^tc, ami incivasos tlu' actual dislancc wliidi 
 must bo passoil uvoi' ill talviiii;" a caiiDc Iroin one rivt'i- to the other. On 
 a|)i)roaching the Hoiirco of the Jloseaii llivcr, the swamp aij;aiii hocomcs 
 Hhalk)\v and hard-hottcmu'd. The stream, as at fii'st found, is a riunnel 
 scarcely wide cnoii^'h for a canoe, hut falling westwai'd with a swift cur- 
 rent. The heii^ht of land musUci;;, judy-ini!; from the line of levcllinic on the 
 forty-ninth ])avallol — ahout six miles south — and from the cm-rent of iho 
 Reed River, camu)t he more than ten or twelw feet above the TatIcc of 
 the Woods. It has all the ap])earanco of having been at one time a shal- 
 low lako-basin, with a hard bottom of ili-ift material ; and has liecn gradu- 
 ally filled by the growth and deca}' of vegetable mattei-. 
 
 633. 1 believe that this and other swamps of the region of the water- 
 shed, might yield important supplies of ])eat fuel to the woodless prairie 
 country to the west. The peat would, of course, require to be manufac- 
 tured by one of the processes now ein[)loyed elsewhere, and advantage 
 might be taken of the u])per part of the Roseau for its shi]»meiil. The 
 peat here found must be pretty pure, though not formed by tlu' accumu- 
 lation of the Sphihjnuin or peat moss, but from grasses and other acpiatic 
 phtenogamia. 
 
 634. The Xorth-east Roseau, is at tirst narrow and tortuous, like 
 the upper part of the Reeil River, and the surrounding country is swampy 
 and covered with tamarack, and willow bushes. The banks soon, however, 
 begin to risfc higher, and pojilar becomes the jn'cvailing wood, h'ine 
 oaks, elms, and ash-leaved maples also fringe the stream. The I'oiest 
 retains this character as far as Roseau Lake, and where small o])enings 
 occur, rose bushes, asters, convolvulus {Calystefjia sepitnn) wild hoj) (IJii- 
 viulm htpuius) the prickly cucumber {Echinoct/stis lobata) and high-bush 
 cranberry ( Viburnum opulm), i'ovvci a tangled thicket. 
 
 635. About thi'ce miles from the source of the river, and two-and-a- 
 half from its crossing with the forty-ninth parallel, a tributary nearly as 
 large as the main stream enters from the north. A few miles above Ro- 
 seau Laki", a second large stream comes in from the south-east, and may 
 be called the South-east Roseau. The banks of this pai't of the rivei' are 
 usually higli, and are as much as tilteen feet above the water level wlien- 
 it crosses the Line, As far as can be seen from the edges of the river, 
 the land continiu's in most places dry, and sujiports a good gi'owth of 
 timber. For several miles before reaching Roseau Lake, however, the 
 dry banks merely form narrow ridges at the sides, and open grassy swamp 
 lies both north and south of them. The whole upjjcr on North-east Roseau 
 
216 
 
 n. N. A. BOUNnAnY tommtssion. 
 
 
 I'ivor is at pvosont much oricnmbci'od by JaniH of diifl tiinl)ci', and beaver 
 dams. 
 
 G.*}!). Tlosoaii Lak'o, is a sliallow expanse of open waier in llio midst 
 of a ^reat re!j,-ion of reedy swam]). It lies about foni* miles soiilb of tli(> 
 Line. Tiie Hast Koseau enters al its soiiliiei-n ])art, and (lie West Roseau 
 flows out on the same si<ie, at less than a mile distant from it. 
 
 fi37. The upper part of the West Koseau River, for about ten miles 
 following itseourse, has banks sutfieiently lii<i;h to sn])poi't asmalli^rowth 
 of poplar, oak, and willow bushes. Tiie li'eesthen (lisa])pear, the current 
 beeomes mueli more slui>nish, and the river enters the (rreat Roseau 
 Swam]). This vast muskeii; is absolutely without trees or bushes of any 
 kind, l)ut is covered by a i-ank g-rowth of grass and reeds, and inters])ersed 
 Avith small ])onds and lagoons. The distance through the swam]), 
 following the course of tbe river, which is exceedingly tortiious, must 
 be at least twenty miles. I'\)r a few miles iiefore ri'aching the Ibrly- 
 ninth i)arallel, the river is again fringed with trees — oak and elm being 
 abundant. 
 
 (j.'JS. A sliort distance south of the Line, and before re-crossing it, 
 the fu'st island occurs, and bouldi-rs i)ecoine plentiful in the bed of the 
 river, which, though unencumbere<l and deej) from Roseau Lake to this 
 j)(>int, now becomes shallow and ra])id, and so continues till the border of 
 the Reil River ])raii'ie is I'eached. The btinks are high throughout, and 
 this belt of country, about twenty miles in width, is (jf much improved 
 a])pearance. The sub-soil is of gi-avel and tine sand — as already noted in 
 connection with the drift de]DOsits — and most of the surface is dry, though 
 large swamps still occur. It is ])artly of a praii-ii' charactei', but is 
 l)i'()ken up by extensive groves, which are iisually of ]i0])lar. The soil, 
 though lighter than that of the Red River A'alley, shows in some ])laces a 
 considerable de])th of vegetable mould ; and would be warm and easily 
 worked, and bi'ing cro])s rapidly to maturity with careful cultivation. 
 The presence of so much limestone debris in the drift, has a favourable 
 influence. 
 
 Pojilai', oak, and elm, attain a larire size along the margin of the 
 river in this ]>ai't of its course. 
 
 03!). In this region of oak and pojilar ' ojienings,' there is, to tome 
 extent, a mingling of eastern and northei'n woodland plants, with those of 
 the plains. East of the edge of the true prairie land, the coniferous 
 forest comes to an end, in about longitude 9(»° 30'; and coniferous trees 
 are not again found in any force — with the single exception of the moun- 
 
 
 r«: 
 
rAl'AUILITIES WITH IlEFEllBNCE To SETTLEMENT. 
 
 211 
 
 tains known as Iho Tlireo Biittcs — till the imuiodiatc flanks of the llofky 
 Mountains are n'uched 
 
 640, The West Eoseau River would seem to l»c navi^alile hy steam 
 hunichcs, or stern-wheel hoats of lii^ht drauirht, from the l{e(l IJiver 
 nearly to its intersection with the old St. I'aid and (iarry road. From 
 this place to its erossinij; of the ioi-ty-iiinth j)arallel, it is harred liy (he 
 rapids ahovc mentioneil, which, from their shallow and houldei'-strewn 
 character, are ditHcult of navigation, even in a bark canoe. From a point 
 a few miles south of lUv Fjine, a small steamer might pass through the 
 Roseau fSvimp and Jloscau Lake, and jjossihiy ascend the I'^ast lioseau, 
 nearly to its intersection witii <he forty-ninth parallel. 
 
 (i41. Of the wooded country between Jjake of the Woods and the 
 margin of the lied River prairie, a comparatively sniall proportion there- 
 fore a])pcars to be tit for cultivation, though much of the surface coidd he 
 reclaimed at small cxjkmisc. The areas formerly occuj)ied iiysnuill lakes 
 show better soil than the ridges and higher grounds, which iire generally 
 sandy or gravelly. The chief present value of the region would however 
 seem to be us ai'oservc of fuel, and timber for construction, for the more 
 fertile prairie land bordering the Ucd Iliver. A large quantity of valuable 
 red pim^ (Pinus jrmiosa) lumber has been cut during the last few years on 
 dry ridges near the Pine Kiver, which I'uns into Roseau Lake frorri the 
 north ; ami similar pine-bearing highlands, will ])robably be found in 
 other parts of the area. The timber cut on Pine River, was floated into 
 Roseau Lake, and thence by the West Roseau River, to J?ed River. It 
 therefore passed for a })ortion of its course through the northern part of 
 the Slate of Minnesota. The Roseau, and piobably also the Rat River, 
 may be used in the conveyance of flre-wood to the Red River couidry, 
 should the demand rtMpiirc it. 
 
 The Red Ricer Prairie. 
 
 (i42. Of the alluvial pi-airie of the Red River, n\uch has alieady 
 been saiil, and the uniform fertility of its soil cannot be exaggerated. 
 The surface for a ilcjith of two to f'oui' feet, is a liark mould, composed of 
 the same material as thesidjsoil, but mingled with much vegetable matter. 
 Its dark colour is, no doubt, in jtart due to the gradual accumulation of 
 the chaivred gi-asses left by the jjrairie tires. The soil may be said to lie 
 ready for the plough, and in turinng the tough thick pi-airie sfxl, the first 
 year, a ci'op of jiotatoes Miay be put in, though it is not efliciently broken up 
 till it has been subjected to a winter's frost. When the sod has rotted, 
 
 I 
 
 ii'l 
 
 
 1 1 ; 
 
 
278 
 
 ]{. N. A. B(»UN1)AUY COMMISSION. 
 
 'if;;i 
 
 I -i 
 
 till) soil appe!ir8 ns a lii^liL tViublo mould, easily worked, and niost favor- 
 able lor atfi'ieidtiire. The mii.rl}- alliiviiiin iiiidoi'lyiiig (lio vegetable 
 iiinuld, would ill most eoiiiitries be considered a soil of the best quality, 
 and the fertility of the ^rounil may therefore be eon«idcred as practieally 
 inexhaustible. 
 
 G43. The area of this lowest prairie has already been ajiproximately 
 stated a.s G,yOO square miles, but of this the whole is not at present suited 
 to agrieultiiiv. Small swamps are scattered pretty uniformly over its 
 surfaie, and in some places very large areas of swamp}' land occur, as 
 will be seen on reference to the large map of Manitoba latel}' published by 
 the tJoveriiment. The greater part of these swamps, are, however, so 
 situated, as to be easily drained, c.'ier into the Eod Eiver or some of its 
 tribulai'ies, which arc usually depressed thirty to fortv feet below t!.e 
 level of the suri'ace. At pi-esent the swamps in the vicinity of the seMle- 
 ments are made to j-icld supplies of natural hay ; and until hay-grass is 
 sown and regularly cultivated, the ' hay-swam])s ' will continue to be a 
 necessary part of the economy of the settler. The wide overflow of these 
 swamps in the spring, when the season is wet, or when the dissolution of 
 the winter's snow tak'es place very ra])i(liy, is shown by the large area 
 often found to be strewn with the dead shells of fresh-Avater molluscs, 
 chiefly of the genus Limnwa, 
 
 (>44:. As a measure of the possible agricultural capacity of this great 
 valley, take one half of the entire area, or 3,400 square miles equalling 
 2,170,000 acres, and, for simplicity of calculation, let it be supposed to be 
 sown entirely in wheat. Then, at the rate of 17 bushels jier acre — which, 
 according to Pi'of. Thomas, is the average yiokl for Minnesota — the crop 
 of the Eed liiver valley would amount to 40,992,000 bushels. 
 
 645. The wooded area of this lowest prairie steppe is quite small. 
 The lied Eivei- aiul its tributaries are fringed with trees, of which oak, 
 (Quercus macrocarpa, var.) elm, (Ulmus Americana) poplai-, {Populus 
 tremuloides, d-c) and ash-leaved maple, {jyegtmdo areroiden) are the most 
 abundant. In some places the trees attain a large size, and the oak 
 Woods bordering many of the sti-cams are especiallj* beautiful. Much of 
 the best timber has, however, already been culled out, and it is yearly 
 decresising, without any systematic attempt for its preservation. The 
 steamers running on the Red River are among the largest consumers. 
 Away from the immediate borders of the streams, the prairie, though 
 covere<l with a luxuriant sod, is absolutely treeless. It is fortunately the 
 case, bowcvi'r, that the IJeil Ivivi'i- N'alley is bordered on the east by the 
 
CAPAlUMTrES WITH KKKEUENCE To SKTTLK.HENT. 
 
 •'TO 
 
 foroHts aliTiidy de.^crilx'd, and on (lii' west hytlio wooded distrkd of Pem- 
 bina Mountain and its norliioi'n extensions. 
 
 6'4(). The climate of the Red River Valley, like that of the whole 
 interior of the continent, is an extreme one, the cold of winter heini^ 
 exceedingly severe, and the heat of the summer season also excessive. 
 The courses of the summer, and winter isothermal lines across the conti- 
 nent, do not require notice here, as they have alreaily been ably (liscusse<l, 
 and laid down as far as the observations now at command allow. It 
 would seem, however, that between the Laurentian highlands on the east, 
 and the Rocky Mountains, a great summer wave of warmth passes fai* to 
 the north, reaching its highest latitude near the eastern base of the 
 latter range; while in winter a c()m]iensating and hmg-contiiuied flood of 
 cold air invades the whole regioi\ uf the plains, and the eastern and 
 western flaid<ing ranges. 
 
 641. The watershed between the Red River, and the St. Louis and 
 other streams floAving into Lake Superior, forms a pretty well marked 
 climatal line. The influence of the lake, and the high wooded ground 
 forming a partial barrier to the north-westerly winds, renders the autumn 
 in the latter region warmer ; while in spring the ice accumulations of 
 the lake, and wooded character of the surrounding country, keep the 
 temperature much lower than in the Red River Valley. The temi)e- 
 rature of the Red River country, like that of the prairies generally', 
 depends very closely on the direction and origin of the wind, though iu 
 years to come, when great regions of the plains have been planted with 
 trees, much amelioration may result. A single instance — though an 
 cxtj'eme one — may be mentioned. On the 8th of May last year, a strong 
 south wind raised the tem[)crature at Dutferin to 100° F. At Wiunepeg, 
 b'O miles further north, the temperature was 9-4"5°, the mean tempera- 
 tui'o for the nu)nth being 52-52°. The Red River Valley, as the lowest 
 trough of the intoi'ior region of the continent, would also seem to serve as 
 a channel of eflux for the cold northerly winds in spring; for immediately 
 on passing out of it, and uj) to the level of the second stejipe, the vege- 
 tation was found to he slightl}', but distinctly, more advanced. 
 
 648. The following notes taken at Dufferin in the Spring of 1874, 
 will illustrate the lulvance of the season, and serve for comparison with 
 other localities : — 
 
 It 
 
 I 
 
 f, 
 
 'I 
 
 m; 
 
 I' ! • 
 
 i; 
 
 : !F 
 
 April I'). — (General surface of tlie prairie free from snow, an<l in some places alreaily 
 quite dry, though frozen lielow. Collides holding large snow-banks. 
 Ponds beginning to open. Ducks observed, and several of the smaller 
 birds of passage. 
 
 1, 
 
 I 
 
280 
 
 n. N. A. BOUNDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 ;! H 
 
 Ajiril 24.— Ploughing ooiiiinenccd, but gnmnil still partly frozen. 
 
 " 2"). — First frog hoard. 
 
 " 20. — Many ducks, guest;, and crancH, flying northward. 
 
 " 27. — (^uite a concert of small birds in the tliickets for the first time. Buds of the 
 earlier willows and poplar.s l)ur8ting. 
 
 " 29. — Flics anil Mosijuitoes becoming abundant. Frogs noisy. 
 
 May -. — Grass beginning to look a little green in swampy hollows. 
 
 " 8. —First thunder-storm. 
 
 " y. — Most of the willows, and the aspen poplar (I'dixiIus fn'mi)li>iif(i^) in full bloom. 
 Also elm, ( riwiin A iiiirirdiKt ) iwh-lcaviid maple, ( Ncgnndo acrroiilvn). 
 Sweet Coltsfootf A'a;v/r«m((( sai/U/atd) in flower. First Strawberry blossom 
 found ( Fniijiiria Viniimnita. ) 
 
 " 10. — (irass beginning to assume a general grcon tint. 
 
 " 18.— MosipiitocH troublesome for tiie first time. Many geese flying overliead, 
 with a fjivouring soutli wind. 
 
 . " 21. — (!ra.ss in h(dlows, wliere the ground has not been burned over, now forming 
 pretty good feed ; where the Are has passed List autumn, though very 
 green, still (piite thin. Ucitia trijltinun, abuiulant in some localities ; in 
 full bloom Aiionotii' pn/ciis, in many places with seed already forming, 
 sepals having fallen. (Jan-x J)iitiijla.ii, Hanitnculux rhomhotdi'Mti, iu full 
 flower. 
 
 " 22— The cimimon blue Violet ( Vhi/it, cwtdldla,) in full bloom, abundant. Vuila 
 jitddfa, r. dfiuai/i'iish and I', piilwscni'', just in flower. The Service- 
 berry ( AnK'lanrh'icr C'diKii/riiKis) Choke-cherry (J'riuiiin Vinjiiiiana) 
 \Vil(l lied Cherry (P. I'liuLsiilniiiica) Wild V\m\\ (P. Amrricana) ; just 
 about to bloom. Poplar grovt'.s showing green. 
 
 04!). A rofcreiK'e to the oalalogiie of plants will serve to continue this 
 record, though after tiic above (hite, the observations for 1874 refer to the 
 country west of the Ecd Eiver Valley. The phiiit^^ in flower in June, 
 1873, can however he found by referring to the list. 
 
 G50. The following list gives the arrival of some of the more impor- 
 tant birds in the spring of 1874 : — 
 
 /)irds arririinj privlous to April loth, 
 
 f'(j7-ru,i AmfririiuHn. — Common Crow. 
 Eri'iiMiihila al/nMrii, — Horned Lark. 
 Spizr/la iiiDuiicoln. — Tree Sparrow. 
 J'/irtro/ihancH Lappimiciii. — Lapland Longspur. 
 CircitK lludHuiiiiis. — Marsh Harrier. 
 Filled colli inliiiruin. — Pigeon Falcon, 
 A<cipitfr J'lificnft. — Pigecm Hawk. 
 Jiiiico liyfmiilix. — lilack Finch. 
 Cullurio liorralix — direat Nortliern Shrike. 
 ScukcophaijHHj'cmnibwm — Rusty (jrackle. 
 
 Apnl ir,th to Mth. 
 
 Aixui /HwrAa.v -Mallard Duck. 
 
 (JiK'n/ueduIn C'rtro/inc/f.s-'s - ( irecn-winged Teal. 
 
 Tunlns mhjrnlurhm — liobin. 
 
 Aiji'livnn phtrnlcciifi — Ited-winged lilackbird. 
 
 TiilnnuD iiielaiiolviicun — (Jreater 'I'ell-tale. 
 
 yEijialitk rorj/V-r;/.* -Kihlecr Plover. 
 
 (rn/HiKV/o Wihonii ? Snipe. 
 
 t'olai>tfK ituratiix — (iolden- winged Woodpecker. 
 
 Pa-ixi'rt'lla iliiieri -Fox .Sparrow 
 
 Regidm calemltdm — iluby-erowned Kinglet 
 
CAPABILITIES WITH REFERKNCE TO SETTLEMENT. 
 
 281 
 
 AiirU ..'0th til :.'oth. 
 
 A/ert/its cvridlatHn — Hooded Mcrfjanscr. 
 S/minla (-////(^a^i— Shovuller Durk. 
 liiici'/i/iiil(i a//«o/a -Bufne-hcfided Duck. 
 Uemlnvca corunata — YcUow-crownod Warbler. 
 
 AiirU .J5th to 30th. 
 
 Fiilirn A merkmia — CJnot. 
 
 ifni/i danailrnsU -Sand-hill C!rane. 
 
 DaJ'iln anita Vh\-ta\hi\ Duck. 
 
 Marcca Avi(rira)ia-\\'u\\^vm\. 
 
 FuHnulii inarUtt iScanip Duck. 
 
 lioldiiriix iiiwor -IVittiivn. 
 
 (Jcrijlc alci/on — Kingfisher. 
 
 Sturntlln niiupiti — Prairie Lark. 
 
 Xanlhoccfihalu!* iclrrocephalun — Ycllow-hcadcd Hlackl)ird. 
 
 The iTmaining Mrds appeared rapidly after tluH time. 
 
 Mdi/ Stii — A iitrnsti/)uus rorifvrvx -NVhippoorwill. 
 
 Mail nth — 'J'rochilu.i co/H/x-is'— Rul)y-thn)ated Humming Bird. 
 
 Maji ITtli- Ecto/jisltx iiiiiinildriun — Wild Pigeon. 
 
 <)51. Observations comparable witb tlioHe above given for the Ked 
 Elver Valley, are on record for tbrcc jioints on the Saskatchewan Jiivcr, 
 appro.ximatc to various parts of tlie ' fertile bolt.' 
 
 652. Sir Jolin Ilicbardson compiled the record for Cumberland 
 House, from which the following extracts are sclectc<l, from his own 
 observations, in 182(1, and tliose of Chief Factor Lewis, in 183!)4()*. 
 Cumberland House is situated in about hit. 54°, long. 102°20 , or west of 
 the Northern end of Lake Winnepeg. 
 
 AjirU, 7. — Crows {Cornns Ami-7-icanus) seen. Not till April lOtli, in 1820. 
 
 " 8. — Snow-birds {Plfftroiihniit.s iiimUs) seen. 
 
 " 9 — A Merganser seen, 1820. 
 
 " 10. — Willow catkins beginning to burst. 
 
 " 12.— (Jeese and Swans seen, 1820. Ii. 1840 not seen till 20th. 
 
 " 13. —Buds of Pd/iiiIii-i halmuidfira bursting 1820. 
 
 " 17. — Plovers, (irackles, and Orioles seen, and on the following day, Cana- 
 dian Jays, and Fly-catchers, Frogs croaking. 
 
 " 20. — Coltsfoot {Nartlimvila jialinata) Howering. Sap Howing in Ash-leaved 
 maple (A'limndtj acrroiiLx.) 
 
 " 20. — Alder Howering. 
 
 May 1. — Anmione fiaU'nn in flower, leaves not yet expanded. 
 
 " 2. — A fall of snow to the dejjth of two feet. 
 
 " l^. — Planting potatoes. 
 
 " 14. — Sowing l)arley, 1820. A>;/('()'/(( rtrrroiV/r."., and gooseberry bushes in flower. 
 
 " 17. — Willows, gooseberries, and Aspen (I'djiiihis ' n mnlohlc.i) in leaf, 1820. 
 In 1840 the trees only bursting their buds at this time. 
 
 " 24. — UlniHH Amerkanun Howered, in 1820. 
 
 " 25. — Pruiiiii! Pcinifii/lraiiica, P. Vtrj^nniana, and A nKfitiirhicr in flower. 
 
 .. ' 
 
 * Juunml uf a Boat Yoyaifc through Kupcrt'B Land, Vol. n, p. 236. 
 
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 • <s ^^ li\1n- 1vUii»ii S\\ -(llow ( 7\^^*(,^•fMr^» ftti-ii/or^ mill iii:iii\ CiiIIm, niiniil. |S'.»7. 
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 mill I M||l:|,|(,| ill)' IIm' /M IIIMlll \ l|l|lllll(ll| I r(llll|l|l|ll|| 111 till !|ll lll/^ III I'./ I, 
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 llfil Mlilllillllii I mi'mI III I iiill'llMMliliiii 111 I'll 'i I 11 Iniii' II: 
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 f». N. A. IIOI'NDAIIV ('(»M>fr,SS|(t[<. 
 
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 (l\(' iiiiliiiv of tli(> ui'slcni li«rfiliM'i(>s noiiIIi nl' llit< Liiu', liiivo |))iHHi>t| 
 tliroiii^li stt iiiJiiiy |iliM.si's, lliiil it is inipoi-linil to know llial (here is ii 
 i\ iiractical liiiiit to tlu> tide of si'ttliMiu'iit in that ilirtMtioii. Since it has 
 hi>i'n (lisfoviMcil that a i^i'i'sil pMil oCihis i'cn;ion is not ol'lht' iiatiii-f ofllio 
 ty[>i(al (li'siM't. us liad hocn sii|i|ios(mI, there has heen a li>ii(h>iiey, aided hy 
 the statenn'Mts of inlfi-ested railway and other t'onipanies, to eUnale it to 
 th(< iniat;"itiary |)osilioii of an ai;-rieidliiral eoiinlry. Now, howevt«r, Ihaf 
 tlie eriifial test of ex|>crit'n('e is lieiii^; a;iplieil, mid systematic nieleoro- 
 h\i(ieal oliservat ions are lieini;' ohlnincil, ii lioconies evifh-nl that if selth'- 
 nieid tor aii;ricultiiral piirjioses is to pass the !)!llh meridian, it must do so 
 sh)wly, and sircnotheiun^ its advance l>y irrii;ation and ai'lM)i'icidturi). 
 The _i:;real area hased on Cretaceous No. l, wonid appear to lie ahsoiiili'ly 
 iireclaimalile. 
 
 (!.")7. In estinnitini;' the h'ast necessary amoinit of rainfall for tin- snp- 
 poi'l of cereals, so many circiinislanccs occnr to complicate the snhject, 
 that it is often ditlicuit to arrive at any vt-ry (>Nact conchision. Chief 
 amonij those is the distrii>Mli(ni of pivcipitalion with i'»'<;ard to various 
 seasons, in ordinary I'iiciimstanci's, only that rain which tidls dni-infi; 
 tho s[»rin_sjj and summer, wlien the crops an' in the tjround, is of imporl- 
 aiKT. Miii'ii, howevei', depends on the nature of the salisoil, for, wiu-roa 
 eonsideralile thicUness ol porous maU'rial is hased on impervious i-ocUs or 
 clays, with a nearly horizontal, or slii;htly hasin-shaped sui'face, a part ol 
 the autumnal and wintei' pretipitaliou, and especially the tlood-waler of 
 the meltin!; snow in sprini;, may also be counted on. Many considerahle 
 aioas of prairie country are thus situatcil. The gcMieral walor level has 
 in some eases hoon ascorlained to bo not lar from tho surface, even in tho 
 autumn, and the moisture rising by capillary attractitin prevents tho 
 entire desiccation of the surface soil. The nature of tho soil hero enters 
 as an important liu'tor. 
 
 (>r)8. It is staled by IJoussinnault, however, that in Ki;ypt, where no 
 rain falls durinii; tho period of u;rowth, that the distribution of soventoeu 
 and onc-thii'd inches ot' water over the surface, durim:; the season, of one 
 hundred and fifty days, suflices to brinu; the crops to maturity. Tho 
 ground is here water-soaked to begin with. In India, in a season, of the 
 same length, sixteen and one-third inches of irrigation water are dis- 
 tributed, the I'ainfall making the amount up to nineteen and one-half 
 inelies. The evaporative ett'ect of the air of tho westeni plains is no 
 doubt usnully le.sa than that in the countries above named, I'eiulcring u 
 somewhat smaller quantity of water neces.sary. 
 
('M'Allll.iriKS WII'll IIKI'KIIKNCK r<» SKTTI.KMKNT. 
 
 L'H& 
 
 (irili. I'i'mI'. 'riiMiiiii'^ csliiiiiitcM tli(< riiiiif'ull luf ihc Spriri!^' ami Siiiimihm- 
 iiutiillis, on till- wcslciii |i()i'li<iii (if ilic |tlniiH, iil onlyTitl iiiclic.'s ; llu* 
 (It'liriciH'v 1)1' wliitli will 111 (Hire ill' ii|i|(!iitMit, wlicllicr ciuiiitiiiiMl willi llm 
 t'slimiili's oivcii iibuvc ; or willi Ilic rain liillin oilier ami ln-IUw UnoWM 
 roi^lons. Diirini!; tilt' same pcrioil, New York icceivcs li.'J intlics, (!inrin- 
 null -.'», Missouri lid, Miclii^^an IS.-'- A I Ihr town of Winnipe;,', (lio 
 uvorui^'o tail ol iiiiu ilnrinu; lint spring ami siiniint-r inontlis, ilcrivtd rmni 
 tlio ol)si'rvalions oC lln' I lirt'c past years, is IfrlMI inclies. 
 
 litil). 'rii(« tollowin^ ilelaiU'il laMe ol' raint'all at. llie last inentione<l 
 loculily, lor wliicli I am imleldcil to I'roj'. Kini;stoii, t^ivos a lietter ideu oC 
 its <lislriliiilioii tliroii^liont tlio year, ami il will lie apparent thai tlio 
 ^read'st procipilalioii lakes plaet^ at Hie seasons when it is most riMpiired 
 for aicrieiiltiiiv. 
 
 Yfur 
 
 I", 
 
 IHT',JI>-(l(l()-il(IO- 
 
 187;t<)MIO<(()0()'(((l 
 
 IH74(lM)(),(i(lO()-ir( 
 
 
 I •.^lO 
 
 (I-H7 
 ()-(l2 
 
 ka-4 
 
 ;t'Ho:t'Ho 1 ■t;-i \ ir, 
 
 I I I 
 2-:ih:{':i7 :»'r.r. i -it 
 
 I J 
 1 ■'.!!»i-:t:. :t-()V:i';ir) 
 
 ± 
 
 a 
 *■* 
 
 ■/ 
 
 7-2,' 
 •2- 2: 
 l-7:i 
 
 i'5r> 
 
 ()'()2 
 II -04 
 
 s 
 ()-(i() 
 
 a 
 
 i 
 
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 '« 
 
 it 
 
 o 
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 0.00 2t-(i'J 
 
 0- 00 0.00, l.-J-.f-.H 
 (1-00 0.00 I.'} -00 
 
 K.,07 
 
 :t . r. I 
 ;i . 'i'.i 
 
 o 
 
 
 :io.l!i 
 1 7 . (lit 
 I H . 211 
 
 Tlic ])r('cipitatioii in the \lci\ River V'alloy would appear to he leant near 
 the Hoiindary-liiie, as at I'emliitia the average lor three years is stated to 
 he 1:{-H) inches. In l.S7;{, it was I-JIS;") inehes, ai;ainKl nO!» at Winne- 
 peii,', winh* at l''ort, Ahereroniliie, l.S(> miles south ol" the I'orty-rMnth 
 parallel, it was ahoul l.'^f), and at fort Wiulsworth. M tniles further 
 south, 2!)'45 ; the average? for live years at tlii' latter place heiu';- ]H'lir),|- 
 or probably about the same as at Winnipeg. 
 
 (KJl. Prof. Dami's general means of total precipitation for different 
 areas ol the continent may he compared with the above. It is estimated 
 that the eastern portion of the continent, from the (iulf States to 
 Labra<lor, incluiling the greater part of New Kngland, New York, and the 
 Atlantic States, and Tennassee and Kentucky; receive 40 to 45 inches (U* 
 moi'o. Michigan 'AO inehes. A lar/;e pai't of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, 
 and New YorU, towai-d the St. Lawi-ence, ',>'6 to 40 inches. Kegions be- 
 yond the Mississij)j)i, 25 to 15 and 10 inches. 
 
 • Sbo I'rof. Tliomius in U.S. deol. Siirv, Turrit., 1870. 
 t Sue .Major Fur(|ii)iar's lUiport on the Ku>l Uivur. 
 
 i '■ !i;'P 
 
2Rfi 
 
 n, N. A. noi'NKAHY rDMMfssrojj. 
 
 I i: 
 
 (Ui2. It woiiltl ii|»i>»'!ii' ii(»l only (III tlicorolical grounds, hut tin tho 
 rosull of c.X|H)iMciK'o, that the ruiii-liill dt'lho Rcfl l{iv(<r Valley, asNislfd 
 hy tho wulor n'lnaiiiid^ in tin' soil tVoni tin- spriiii,' Hoods, is as n 
 rulo ain|»ly siitlicii'iit for ai^ricultiiral |tiii'|ioM's. 
 
 ()<!.'{. Thy ([lU'slioii ot' water sii|(|ily, secnu'd some years ap» a dilllcuit 
 one in the l{ed River Valley. (Jreat areas of level and t'erlile prairie, lio 
 far from any stream, or are only travei-seii hy coulees, which <li'y up eom- 
 pletel}' diirinn' the suinmor. Tlio structure oftho country renders tlio 
 existence of surface springs almost an inipossihility. This apparent dif- 
 ficulty is, however, hi'in^ solved in the most satisfactory nuiniier ; as it Ih 
 found that there are tew rei;ioiis whei\' ordinary wells of moderate depth 
 do not succeetl in tindinijt ample supplies of water ; ami this not only far 
 removed from the rivers, hut in their immediate vicinity, though the 
 water K'Vel of the .stream may lie considerahly lower than that of the 
 bottom of the well. The rather im|)ervious nature of the prairie sub- 
 soil, renders it jirohahle that these wells ai'e supplied either hy inter- 
 calated coarser la^'ers, or, — as api)ears to he more likel}' — by water circu- 
 lating in fissures; which formed originall}- by tin' cracking of the soil 
 at the surface, often ])eneti'ate its homogeneous mass to a considerable 
 depth. 
 
 (>C4. The success of artesian wells, atAVinaipeg (4^ •'>'77) also tends to 
 show that no apprehension necil exist, with regard to water supply. Water 
 is there formed in a gra^ elly stratum lying above the bouldor-elay, and 
 has, I believe, sufiicient head to form flowing wells. It is further probable 
 that a second water-bearing stratum might be reached by continuing the 
 boring through the boulder-cla}', lo the more ])orous stratum which 
 usually intervenes between it and the solid i-ocU. 
 
 G()5. For the su])ply of the shallower wells first referred to, the water 
 is no doubt mainly derived from that which falls during the wet months, 
 on the surface of the prairie itself. The water obtained by the artesian 
 wells, however, lias not this source, and cf)mes from below the most 
 tenaceous beds of the alluvium. It is introduced, no doubt, at the edges of 
 the more jiermealilo la\ers whore they come to the surface oast and west 
 of the alluvial valley. That there must nocessarally be a considerable 
 underground circulation of water, is rendered evident on ins])ecting the 
 region near Pembina Mountain. The gaps worn in the front of this 
 escarpment, are occupied by streams, some of which drain consiilcrable 
 ureas, ;.nd are not dry even in the latter ymvi oftho summer. All these, 
 except a few of the very largest, wdiere they ileboudi on the low-level 
 
C.M'Anil.lTIKS WITH IIKh'KltK\( E Tn SKTTI.EMKNT. 
 
 •287 
 
 |iltiiii, occuiiy ••uiil<<c.s III sDiin' ilcpdi Ik'Iow its ^oiu'ral siii'i'.icu, whicli, 
 liowovur, ^^liiiliially <lio »)U(, the f*tivaiii ai ilio f*amo limt> <li«a|)|)oariiig. 
 
 ('nuntnj of thi' St'ftind Prairie Steppe. 
 
 CM\. Tlio oxtroim- wostorii marjiiii <>{' the Hi'il IJivor prairie, in tlio 
 vitii, ,y i>f till' slopo ot I*oinliiiia Moimtain, is divcrsiHiHl hy jrrovoH of 
 oaiv, wliicli stretch out from its liaso; and vvoiiM ni) doiilit, Ik^ iiiikIi niori' 
 oxtt'Usivid)' woikUmI, liiit lor tlio constant rcciirronco of prairie fires. Tlio 
 front of the escarpment, and its summit, forndiit;' theedueof the second 
 prairie ste]»p*', are in some places thiclvly wooded, and always show ex- 
 tensive patches of tinilier. The f<»rest-covei't'd area incivases north- 
 westward. In till' vicinity of the Line, the wo(»ils owe liii-ir preservation 
 to the prote(^tion a;L:;ainst Hres atl'orded hy the hrokeii nature of the ed^e of 
 the escarpment, l)y the great valley of the Pembina River, and its systems 
 of trihiilary coaleos, and to the frequent occurrence of patches of swamp. 
 I'oplar is prohal'ly the most almndant tree, though even aftoi' ascending 
 the escarpment, grovi's of o k are found. The wooded region has, 
 however, in all localities suffered much from local firi's; most, of the trees 
 at present living are .small, while traces oi a former heavy forest growth 
 frecjuently a])pear. 
 
 6(!7. In some places pretty extensive pi-airie areas occur hotweon 
 Pemhina Escarpment, and Pemhina River, and with the exception of a 
 few localities, Tiear the edge of the escarpment, where the Cretaceous 
 clays are near the surface, the soil is of excellent quality, and differs from 
 that of the Red River Valley Ity the addition of a considerahle proportion 
 of sandy material. Swamps are hero pretty thickly scattered, and some 
 of them attain large dimensions in spring. Those parts of them which 
 are permanently wet, however, hear liixurient crops of natural hay- 
 grass, and the general aspect of this region is favourable. 
 
 608. On crossing the Pembina River, the eastei-n margin of the 
 great treeless plain is entereil on. Xo woods now appear, ex(!ept those 
 forming nari'ow belts along the vallies of the streams, and soon, even the 
 smaller bushes become rare. The shrubs mot with are generally stunted, 
 from the absence of Hholtci- against the wind, and the frequent passage of 
 prairie fires. The little thickets consist, accoi-ding to situation, of dwar- 
 fish snow-berry {Syviphoricarjius occidcntalis) Sjnra'a, roses, and wil- 
 lows fringing the small swami)s and pools. The metallic-leaved silver- 
 bony (Ehvtujnus anjentca), comparatively rare in the Rod Iviver Valley, 
 now^ begins to occur in abundance on the drier areas. In the last 
 
 '■■i'] 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
28S 
 
 H. N. A. HOUNDAHY ro.MMISSION. 
 
 :-» 
 
 wook of Ma}', 1S74, tlio rominon Howoriiiii; pliiiits on tliis easloni i)ai'( ol' 
 till' tirst prairie stopjte, woiv ; I'iola citrulltitd, I', /nulatd, Jiaiiuii cuius 
 rhoiiihi)i\lcus, AntinoHf pntciis (lu'ii i^oino- to scod, ami tin' wiiolo prairie 
 coviMvil Willi its hrowiiisli woolly lioads ; (/((///i. tn'tloruin, linmd most 
 alMindaiitly near tlio odi^o of the esear|»ineiit. less .omiuoii westward ; 
 Astrii<j(ttus cari/oCiii'pKS, boeoiuiuij; ra|tiilly more almiidaiil westward, Aten- 
 luiria />lan(ti(janifolui, /jit/tospcnitiiin cancscats, tirsi blossoms. 
 
 <!(!!>. The uiuliilatiiii^ eliaraeter of the piairie iietweeii I'emhiiia 
 Ksiai'pmeiil and Turtle .Mounlain, and the oeeasionrd oi-ciirreneo of stony 
 and gravelly hillorUs, has reeeived mention in the ehapters on the drift. 
 With reference to the soil west of i'emhina River, nearly the same re- 
 marks njiply as to that east of it. It is fertile, thoiiii;h not so deep or 
 inoxhaustihlf. as that ot the Red Rivi'r \'alley. and rests on a i:;ravelly, 
 drift suli-soil. Swamjiy hottoms hearinii,' a i;()()d ^-I'owth of hay-i;'"<sH 
 a')i'inid, l>iil their area is (piile small !'.s compared with that of the dry 
 Toward the end of the summer, most of these swamps dry up 
 (•omj)leU'ly, and extensivi> ren'ions are then without other water supply 
 than that derived from the streams and rivers, which lie in deep vallics. 
 and !;re often far apai-l. 1 do not I'.nnk. however, that ditliculty 
 would l>e Ibiind in ohtainiuu' water, hy wt'lls sunk in any of the lower 
 parts of the jirairie. The rainfall of this ren'ioii is prohahly slin-htly h-ss 
 than that of the Eed River \'alley, luit appears to he sullii'ieiit for ii<;ri- 
 enltiiral purposes. 
 
 ()7<h It seems jirohahle that at a period not very remote, a n-reat ])ar*. 
 of tliis district was covered with forest trei's. The h.imidity of the s(/il 
 and climate is suliieieiit tor tlieir ijrowth, ami in some places, little liiim- 
 moeks, rosemhlini;' those formed in a f(»rest. and known as • I'radle lulls' 
 wereoiiserved. On appi'oaeliinyl'urtle Mountain, (he ti'iideiicy of thispart 
 of the piairie to reelothe itself, is shown hy the occurivnce of thickets 
 of seedliiii:; ])oplars on the sheltered sidi's of t!ie iiiidulalions, wherever 
 the tires have not passed for a few years. Hetweeii I'emhina River and 
 Turtle Mountain, and especially towaril the latter place, the dee]) narrow 
 paths, or ruts, made hy the hutlalo when travellinu', are still (piile appn- 
 roiit ; thoui;'li the animal has not i>ei'n known so far east for niaitv years. 
 They have here a remarkahly uniform north-west and south-east 
 diroetion. 
 
 (!71. The water of the swanijis and ponds of this part of the jirairie 
 is i:;enerally sweet, hut one distint'tly saline lake was Hcon. It hail not 
 the thick fringe of i;rasses and sedi;es of the other ponds, and here, for 
 
CAI'AUII.ITIKs WITH UKKKHKNTK TD SKTTIKMKNT. 
 
 lISl) 
 
 lulls 
 
 tlu' lirst lime, (lie Siiliconuit wiis met willi in snint' aKiiiKliiiicc. Tlici'i' 
 wore also inimy (ifjid slu'lls of I jI iii luvii, lunl Phiii(irf>is /utrnis; Iml wln'- 
 tlior |Ik>so molliisrs livoil in the saliiu' \val(>i'. or wriv \vaslu'(l lliitlicr 
 from some iiiMi^lilioriiii; swamp, I was iiiiaMi' (o doti'i'miiu". 
 
 ()7-. Tho I'xtiMit iiiid j;H'iH'nil (■(Hiloiir of Tiirlk' .Mountain liavo 
 already bi'on (li'scriliod in anotlior ('onneclion (J^ f)!!). iMdiniiin' as il 
 does, a mor'' or loss lliirUly woodi'd aii'a, wliii-li may Ik- oslimati-d as (i\i»i 
 ;iO0 s(|iiai'o miles, it cannol but lii> a valnaMc; iiucUmis I'oi- i1u> utili/.alion of 
 till' surround iiii;- trndcss plains; scrviui;' as a sup|ily of I iicl and luiildini;- 
 mati'rial, and as a ri-liiiin U)r winlcriiii;" shu'k, wliirh duriiiy,' llu' sunmu'r 
 lias lu'iMi lu'rdfd a! Iai'i;i' over tlu" prairii'. 'riiouyli llir idi'valcd and 
 hrokon uiva of tlio ' mountain ' is pivlly nearly I'lpially divided liy the 
 Line, tlu- northern half is more unitormly eovcred with woods, and pi'o- 
 hahly emliraees two-(hii'ds of the foi'esi ari-a. ^Phere are ah-o lai\i;'e ri'i;ions 
 of the so-ealled mountain, which, Ihounh more boldly undulatiiii;- than 
 the prairie, show i;()od soil, and will evenlually lu" eleaied for an'rieulluie. 
 Tiiero arc indieadons that this wooded area receives a much more copious 
 rainfall than that of tiie surrounding counti'y. 'IMio ' mountain ' is now 
 llie head ((uartors ot' a large hand of Sii)ux Indians, many of whom were 
 concerned in the Minnesota massacre. Tiiey are a rat lu'r good looUing 
 and well-disposed race, and derive a modci'alely cointortahle sultsistt-nci' 
 fn)in hunting the moose, wapiti, ite. 
 
 (i7.'{. The wood is cliielly poi>lai' (/'. trciinilnidfs, I', hiilfidntiffrd, \c.) 
 Oak {Qiwri'tii^ iiutrnHUiriKi) however, occurs ahundanlly along tlu- margins 
 of the foi'est. and forn\s gi-o\os on the ridges, or grows inlei'sperscd wilh 
 other trees, White birch ( lUiuld alba) is abundant, though not forming 
 large groves, and black bircii (//. tiiita') also occurs. The ash-leaved 
 maple, or 'box elder' (^\i<ji(n<lo iicrroidi's), and the elm (TV/zo/.s Aiiu-ri- 
 caiia) are also foinid, the hitter attaining considerable dimensions in 
 .some ot the more shellere<l vallies. The largest po|)lars observed miisl 
 have been over two feel in diameler at the liasc, and of good height. 
 The average si/.e in many groves is about eighteen inclu's. '|'lu> oak and 
 birch are seldom over two feel in diameler, and the latter are gencrall\- 
 much less; but growing in thick masses, aiul very tall. .Most of the 
 swamjts are grassy, and would yield excellent hay. They are generally 
 fringeil Ihickly with willows of dilVei-enl spi>eies. The underwoo(l is 
 composed of ha/.les [('(irijhis Anurifaiia), choke cherries ( l'rinni,'< 
 Vii'ijiniana), thorns (^<rafai/iis corfitiKi). roses, raspberries { It'iihiis 
 stri(/oxus), A;e. IVas and vetches are al'.un<lanl. and occur with the tire- 
 
 l!l 1. 
 
 
 i i-l 
 
 \m 
 
 > 'Ml 
 
2no 
 
 n. N. A. nnlMiAIIV lOMMIsslnN. 
 
 it! 
 
 -i.4 
 
 wccil [ I'liilohiiiiii ,ni'!iisfiii>liinu), iiixl vMiiciiis N|i('('ii>H itl' N, >'/(/,(,/() mihI 
 .Is/,/. 
 
 (>7 I. I'wos ,'ir(' t'\iiliMiil\ I'l' li(>i|U('n( m riiiirtu't', iiinl s\v('('|) (ivcr Ihc 
 Mii'iis w luM'O :» Millicionl dcplli ol' \ ci^rlMlilc iiiiilln'. mihI |ii>M(y Ndil, Iinso 
 ;iriiiimil;il<'.l ; llnis iircv I'lilni."; llii> I icivs (rum nlilaniiii);' ii l.'iii'.c !i\ crtl^o 
 sii'.(\ Miiil I'mn inii'iii;^ I he '-prciiil ol llii- |iii|il!ir, ;ii\il hIIht s|n<ri(>s oI' i'H|iiil 
 <!,rii\\lli. Some I ,i;<"- w cic nnlit'iil, Iiu'n »'\ ci , \vli('i(> n lii(> |iiisHin^ (piit'kly 
 tln'oii^lt lln' w.di.l', liMil l>t'(M» NiiHiiiciH III Kill iicinly nil (ln< (iii|t|iii-H, 
 \vl\ilt> ihc <>!iK^ li.'iii (' I M|n'.l, o\\ ill;" III ||||V |iriilorl inn ;illonl(Mlli\- lli(>if 
 Ihii'U l>;nk. 'Hu- \ .>mi.", rii'w lli mi luinnMl jin-Ms is ;;(>iuTnlly of |)(i|iliir, 
 ronuiii!', di'ii'-t', .111,1 somoiinu"- .mIiuksI iii\pi'iu'li'.'il>lt> (liicUclN of .snplini^H. 
 
 (i7.'>. I'lu' '-Ih'MIiis llnwiiiv, 11,11 liiw ;iri| rrmn 'rnillo Mi>iiii(,'iiii, wliirli 
 (Inriii!'; llio '-uiumcr iwo \cr\ '-iumII, liill iiilo W'liitc w MU'r IimKc, iiIh i,l 
 M>\ en iiiiU'^' ilislMiil, Tin- InKo ;i|i|M';if.s (n Ic ji l;ii'<',i' .^licrl dl' wiilcr. lull 
 is s;ii,i 1(1 In- \ or\ '>li;ill,i\\ , .•iiul '-in'rniiinlcil |i\ .'in cNliMisivt' swniiipy 
 lv_irioi\. 
 
 (m<'. Wt'slw.'U'il lV,Mn Tinllc MomiUiiii tlio |)i;iiii(> r,'i|ii(ll\ loses i(h 
 !ll>niHlly nn,lnl;itin>;' rli;ii;ultM'. :in,l iHTdiiios silniosl pcili'dly level lM-ror(> 
 veiU'hiujV llu> S.niris jJiM-r, :i( lli(> ITl'milo pi'inl. 'I'licre Mfo, Ii<>\V!>v«m', 
 slill ni.-niy sh;ill>>v\. I'jisiu s|i;i|it'ii luillow s, whirli niiisl lu> liilcd witli wiHor 
 in e;nl\ '-prin;:', biil s,>(>n show ;i iin(> lall !';i'"^^lli <>l swamp i.',''!'^^ ; wliii'li 
 in tho :iulunin was (ImiihI in man\ i>la((>s lo stand ('onsid(>ralily lii^JHT 
 thaN a horse's lia,'K, and ennlrasls stiiUini^ly willi llie 'lioiM erisp sod nl' 
 the s\nii»nndinic jMaivie. 'I'lie vei;e(alile m-!! is nol very det'p, ol'leii only 
 ,si\ (ir ei>;ht inehes, an,l is somewhal lii;hl and sandy, lull is hased on 
 wiiilisli marly >lri('I. which toiins a ;;-,io,l siihsoil. 
 
 (>T7. .V tew mill's east ot' the lirsi inieiseelion ol'lln> Line and SoiiriN 
 IJivor. llie tir-l -^Iiine <'ireK>s marKiiiirlhe toianer positions of Indian sUin 
 hvii^e^, <>r lepee'-, were ohserved. Westward these eii'cles are \vr\ alunid- 
 ant. and marU ev<>ry spot tavonrahle lor eampinir ; ''ill easlwai-d, llion^h 
 siiilahK' stones strew the siiiiaee in many |tlae(<s. (In,\- hav(> not heeii 
 Used. 
 
 (»TS. The v:dley ot' the Soiiris K'iver is Ihm-(> lu'arly a inil»> wide. It 
 inelii,le>. s,ime ilal .•iml very t'erlile ;dlnvia! land, .and a limitt'd (pi.antity of 
 timber eliiellx elm is toiind ;ilonu- llie immedi;ili> h;inUs of tlie strcatn, 
 ;»n,l is mas.^ed in line ;;i'o\es on (he peiiinsiilas Hirmeil l>\- its lU'vioiis 
 \\ iiidin^'-. 
 
 fi"'' Tile H'i^i,'!! helweiMi (he tirsi and seeond eiossiiuis of (h»> Sonris 
 Ju er l'\ the l.ino. ahoui liny niiles in w idth, presents fealnres similar 
 
I'Ai' MUM rii'.s wmi iikkkiiunci.: to ski ii.kmknt. 
 
 •j:i| 
 
 III lliiiMi> III' Hull I;imI (l(>N('rilii>i|. 1 1 Im /rcni |y nnilnltii iii;r, with n muII wliirli 
 \H ill Hitiiic plfircs, |MM-|ia|iH, ialii(-r lliiii niul !^rii\rlly; Iml \vlii''li in ilrr|M>r 
 mill riclicf in tlir vii'iiiily nf lli(> Norlli imd Sniilli ,\iillrr ( 'l■(•l^k t liilni 
 liii'ioH i»i' lli(> Smifiii. ,\li)iiir tli(< viilli'v III' lli(> Mdiilli Aiilirr, II ii;!""! ''ill 
 III' I I'ccM (<xI(MiiIm I'll- iii!Ui\ milc'i. 'I'lio Miiil'iHti in (>vi>r\ wlii'in ('(ivnicil 
 Willi II Nli'diifT Moil III' hIkiiI. /^I'liwH. TIki only slinili /ri(>\viii/.( nii llic immic 
 nil Miirliici" (if lli(i |iriiirii> \h )Ih> l''lii'it'iii\i», wliidi riirniH lillln lliirki^ls 
 HciiiM'dly l\v<i I'tM'l ill lM>i;r|i'. 'I'Im> \ (>;;(>t!ili(iii nl' lliin jiiirl ol' IIk^ ki'ciukI 
 |iniiii(> h(('|i|h«, ii|i|ii>iirF In lir Hiiirlilly in iiilviiiuc nrilnil nl' llie Kril iJiviT 
 Viilli'V. Ill llii' r.'irlv |iiirl III' S('|ilciiiiirr, \'^T-\, IIm' hnilna, sitll sliMwiii'.^ 
 liliiDlii ill lln- liillr, n'i!;iiiii, \mim Ih<I'(> rniitiil |ilisl llnwri'ilii^, llini will) nnil 
 well iiil\ iiiii'cil. 'I'liis iiifiy iirisr iih iinicli rruiii I he Wiirm iiml dry iliiinn- 
 ((>r nl" lli(> Miiil, lis liitiii liny jiIihiiIiiIc dill'dnMiin nri(>iii|iriiitiir(i. 
 
 (IHO. 'j'hr SiiiiriH.ul. ilHHnrniid ri'iiHHiii;', IIuwm in !i viillcy w ilh roiiiidcd 
 /fi'iissy li!iiil<M, Hniiii'wliiit iiiiri'MWrr lliim lii'liiir, .'iiid uilli lln' imincdiiilc 
 lied III' llic Hi renin |irii|iiirlinniil(dy dt'('|M'r. Il in hIiII vvtdl I'mh/mmI vvilli 
 wiMid, iind (itnliiiiirs In lir so lis liir lis Wmid Knd 'JH'J inilr |iiiiiil ur 
 nliiMil (Mi^lily miles liy lln- cniirsr (if llic sln-iiin. < )ii llin iii,";lil nf llirHlJi 
 ol' .liini>, liisl \i\\\\\ II I'riisl I 'I'lirrcd in lliis viilley. Tlie/jfriis i wiis (•()vi'ri'd 
 willi II lij^lil lioiir li'ds', !;:ri lliiti lilnis ol' ice were I'oriiiid on vviiler 
 sliindinij; oiil in vessels. II did iiol, liowever, seem lo mIIciI llie ve!!;e(!ilioii, 
 iiiid its oeeiiri'diiee wiis tjitilr eNi'e|ilioiiii,l. A very sl.ron|r tiiid rold norlli 
 wind (leiii|ieriiliire VI") Idew during; llie mornini^ id' llie Hlh, Iml jell 
 lowiird eveiiiiii^-, leiiviiif^ llio sky (jiiile Iriiiu |iiireiil iiiid cleiir. 'I'lic 
 eiiiiiilry lu>iii!f lliiis lloodivj willi eold iiir, llie lein|ier!il,lli'e wiis re.diiee.d 
 dtli'iii;:; llie nii!;lil liy riidiiilion, to a |ioinl lielow ."tli", 
 
 (ISI, h'rom llie second erossinii; of Mie Soiiris lo llie fool, ol' llie Mis 
 soiiri Coleini rioin 'Jir» to 2It(> mile jioinls — llie [irairie slill sliows a 
 U'enlly imdiiliiliiiij; siirliiee, iiiid in mosi [iliires ii sliorl, llii(d< tci"'>wlli o 
 j^riiss. 'I'lie soil, liow<!ver, in [liissiiii^ weslvvard, shows a leiidiMK'y l.o 
 lieeomo niort! siiiidy aii<l sloiiy, and some liir^e trjietw iiro covered willi 
 IioiiIiUm'h in such pniriision, us lo lie rendenMJ permatiently until fiir aj^ri 
 eillliir(\ No sudden (dian^e in IIk! character ol' the soil, marks the 
 piisHiin'e from the ( 'relaceoiis to the Tertiary, in this rc;.rioii ; the >iii'faees 
 of hiitli formations hein;^ compltdely masked hy Ihi^ thick ilepo-.il, of 
 marly drift. 
 
 (i.S'J. Alioiit the middle of Septeinher, IH7."!, the prairie hot ween 'I'lirth; 
 Moiin lain and the ( 'i it can had a iiniliirin yellow tint, exicpl in the hollows , 
 the ^rasH heiii;j;doiil nearly to Ihe tools, ovi'i the /general Miilai c of llic 
 
 ^1 
 
 
 ; -«' 
 
•)()•» 
 
 n. N. A. T»n(TNt),\HY Oi>MMlSSr<)N, 
 
 r.4 
 
 rli 
 
 I 
 I 
 
 |)l!iin. TiMst yc.'ir, (liis iM'^ioii was |t!isso(l over during tlio IjihI (ilayN ol' 
 Si>|)ti'nilK'r jmmI lirsl of OrloluM', and had llicii a uriu'ral /^tocii (iii(, llio 
 urass luMiiu; I'lvsh and jjjood. Tlic shoiM praifid i^rass, liowmor, ovon 
 wlioii dry, pi'ovos iioiii-isliiiii^ I'nod lor aiiinialM, and is pndoriH'd l)y (ln'iii 
 (odiat of llu' swamps and IkiIIows. 
 
 (!S.'{. \V(>s( of 'rni'tlo Mi)Mnlaih, tlic ('(uinlry is un([iU'H<i<inal»ly dryer 
 llian lH'l()ri>. 'IMic sliorl lnitValD-n'rass (//of/Yc/ni/a o//yf),s7rt(7i//(() ItoconicH 
 aliundani, and it would apprar at least donbU'iil, wliollior llic rainfall over 
 inut'li of tins r('ii,ioi\ is snllicii'iit ti>r tlic niatiirinu; of crops, with H soil 
 and sniisoil loo iiniil lo I'l-lain nuich nioislnrc. lrriti;ation, tliou^Ii nnndi 
 talUc(l of a> a rcn\ody foi- the dclicicnt rainfall of many wcHlorn r»<nioiis, 
 is only applicable (H'l" those coniiiarativcly sniall <lisliictH. whoro wator 
 can Ivohlaincd at a snllicicnt cK'vation. Most of tho western rivers f'ow 
 in vailii's n\nch di'pi'essed helow the _i;'oiu>ral level of llie plains, and hav- 
 ing; a very small rate of desci'nt. cainiot ho used in this wa}-. It would 
 appear that vast areas of the western plains, sontli of the I'Vrtilo FJolt 
 of the SasUalchewan ivi^ion, an<l west of the MiHsonri ("otoau, muNl 
 remain as pasture uronmls, for which they aiv in great purl well tilled. 
 
 (ISI. 'l^li(> precipitation dni'iuL!; the summer months, on tliose groat, 
 plains, appears to he ;ilmost wholly of the nature of local sliowors, accom- 
 panied hy discharge of cici'tricily. 'Pile ONtreme uniformity' of tlio sur- 
 face of the country, -wIumi the wealhci' is settled — allows a well marked 
 meteorological cvcle to recur, The mornings are g(>nerally clear and 
 otti>n complotely clouilless. hut as soon as the sun's heat begins to he 
 teit. small cumulus and cirro-cumulus clouds appear, ]»rodiiced by local 
 ascending currents tVom the heated surface of the ground. Tiiese grow- 
 ing continually larger, and more numerous, <lrift with the prevailing 
 winil — which isgeiierally westerly — and about tluvo or four o'clock in (he 
 afti'i-noon, small local thunder sionns are developed. Several of (hcso 
 nuiy ol'ien be seen at one lime, and ihoiigh occjisionally (he clouds coa- 
 lesce lo form larger storms, this is comparatively rare. Din'ing tlie night 
 the storms generally dissipal(\ and equilibrium is restored before dawn. 
 
 (IS.'i. It would seem that the character of the second ])rairio |)lateau 
 where crossed by the forty-ninth parallel, is that of much oftbonorth- 
 eri: part of tbisgrcai steppe. While ils more Cert ih' eastern bonier rapidly 
 expands iKU'lbw.'iid, its xMilh-weslein i'i\iXi' appears to hecoine in the vicii.- 
 itv ot'the i.}\\' .\|)iielle. and Soiilli Sasivalchewan b'ivers, even drier and 
 Ics^ inviliny,'. 
 
 ,**... 
 
 ■■»»«*WWW»> Mi- l . . JIlLfcM I H I 
 
I 
 
 CVI'MllMTIKS WITH IIKI'KKKNI'K T(» SKTTI.KMKNT. 2!KJ 
 
 ('(Hiiilr!/ (if tlir Thinl I'niiric SIi/i/k;. 
 
 (iHd. A i;('ii('f;il <l('s('i'i|il ion (>r I lie M issMiiri ( 'dlciiii, is inl r'ndiiccd wmivo 
 iippropi'iiiloly ill (•niiiit'dioii willi tlic iliil'l tIcpKsiis. {^^7*22 ct si'i/.) 'TIk* 
 stri|) of hrokcn coiiiilry ciiiliriiccd iiimIci' IIwiI ii.'iiiir, rmin wlicrc it cnisscH 
 (lit' MoiiiKlai'y-liiic In llic I'llliow fil tlic Soiilli Siisl<!it<lii'Uiiii, liii.s iin iiicii 
 ol'iilioiit 7,r)(M) s(|iiiiio miles; (ilwliicli Ilic i^iciilcr |.!iii iiiii-t iiluiiys I'ciiiiiiii 
 iiiiHiiilod ((ni^riciilliii'c, IV(»iii ils tiiiiiiilliioiis ami stony rliariictiT. It would, 
 li()wov*'i', l»(^ an (^N<'(!ll('iit slocU raisin!;'(|is(rict. Tlioiiuli srtnic oft lie s(cc|i(M' 
 hills uro bill, scan I ly clad willi vc,n'i'lali()ii,H,ii,()od growth oCsliorl initrilions 
 ^fass ('ovoi'H iiiosi ol \\w siirCacc ; and swamps and sloughs with cxtcllcnl 
 liay-j^niss, aiv scatlcrod cvt^rywlmrc. In ils pliysical Iraliircs llio ('olcaii 
 rcH('iiil»li(HTiii'll(* Moiin(ain,aiid liko that plact; would iiodoiilit naturally Ik» 
 thickly woocUmI, iiiil lor IIk? prairie tires, which hero soinclinKis run 
 liiiiidredH ol' miles in the i\yy weather of the aiiliiniii. As it is, the want 
 ()(' wood is one ol' the most serious drawbacks ; and animals fed over these 
 hills in summer, would r(M|iiire to ho wintered in some ol'tlio rivtsr vallios 
 to the norlh, (»r in Iho woodod riiviiioH of Iho Tertiary plateau to llio 
 
 HOUtll. 
 
 (IH7. A sample of the ellloiM^scent saline matter, of oik^ of th(* ' Alka- 
 line' hikes of the (Jot.caii, i;ave on analysis, the following result : — 
 
 Mivj,'i)osi(i su]])liiit(! 40 '00 
 
 S()(li(t Hiii|ili;it(! 47 '711 
 
 Sodic cliloridi! ()l~t 
 
 Iniii tr.'KMis 
 
 Tho ii'on occurs as |)roloxid(% and appt^ars to be protected by orfjjauic 
 milltc'i' jircsont in the mass. A (iiialitativc examination of a similiir 
 saline incrustation from (he Houris Valley, near Wood Knd, showed tho 
 jtresenee of ma^nesic and sodic sulphates, only. A small (|uantity. of Huh 
 salino mattttr or ' alkali' is not found to bo injurious io crops, in (ho 
 \Ves(ei'n Statos, whore siitlicient moistiiro exists; nor docs it appeal- to bo 
 dotrimonljil (o tho ji,'rovvth of ffrass. 
 
 (188. Soiidi and west of (he (/'o(oau, lios tho f^roat ))la(oau of the 
 Li^iiito Toi'tiary, which ?nay bo said (o betfin about the .'{f)!) mih; point, 
 and oxtond as a woll (U^finod table-land, as far us White Mud Ilivor — a 
 distanco of 115 luilos — in tho vicinity of tho Line. Its foi-in is very irre- 
 gular, l)ut its area may bo about 12,000 sipiaro miles. Tho soil of this 
 platoaii, apjiears as a rule to bo of a tordlo cliaract(M-, but tlus indication.s 
 uro that the rainfall, oxcopt in a few fiivourod spots, is loo small for the 
 growth of tho oj-dinury cropB. Ita clovution also, no doubt, londerH it 
 
 \ 
 
 1 ' 
 
 h • 
 
 n, 
 
 ?i ij 
 
 ii - 
 
 t.l l\ 
 
 1 -11 
 
 u 
 
 f: 
 
 ' : '1. 
 
I! ii 
 
 •It t 
 
 
 M' ' ! 
 
 294 
 
 B. N. A. noTTN'DARY COMMISSION. 
 
 moro Hubjoct to oai-l}' iind hito frosts, (luvn tlio piiiirio to (ho oast, tlioiiglj 
 tlio winter is probalily not so sovorc as tliat of llio Rod I{iver Valley. ',)ii 
 iviu'liinii; (his part ot tho tliinl ])Iatoaii in Juno of last year, tlio vo<;otu- 
 tion — from a com])arison of the tlowoi'in^ ])lants — apjtoarod to be about a 
 week behind that of the sooond Hto])]u>. The jtlateau of (ho Tertiary is 
 for tho most pai't, only adapted tor pas(oral occupation; l)ut beinj^ covered 
 with a ^ood ^rowdi of ^-rnss, is well sui(od for this use. The strip of 
 country between (ho plateau and soudiern edge of the Coteau, ])artakes 
 in some measure of its character, but has u loss favourable apjiearance. 
 
 GHf). An impoi'(ant advantage of this plateau, is the existence along 
 its edges of shvltored ravines and vallies, containing groves of poplar; 
 and also the presence beneath it of great deposits of lignite coal. In 
 one of these sheltered valleys, the halt-brooil settlement known as 
 "Wood Mountain, is situated. No culiivation of the ground has been 
 n+tomptod bj- the few families fiequonling the ])laco, and its prosperous 
 days are already over, as the buffalo, on which its existence dejiends, 
 now rarely come so far cast. Tt is, in fact, merely a base for a certain 
 number of hunters and traders, who have found i( convenient to erect 
 wintering shandes (here. 
 
 ()!)0. South of the plateau, as far west as Wood Mountain, tlie region 
 draining to the Missouri, is also based on tlie Tertiaiy, and gonerall}' 
 bears a close, shoi-t growth of grass. JJeyond Wood Mountain, the low 
 ground, both to the north ami south of tho plateau, is based on the Cre- 
 taceous clays, and is, in most places, dry and barren. The 'grease-wood' 
 (Sarcobatus) and other peculiar chenopodium-, now appear in the flat, 
 clay-bottomed vallies of the streams; and many varieties of 'sage' 
 (Artemisia), and other shrubby compositic are found. Tho disc-leaved 
 cactus (^Opuntia Arissouriensis), in some })lacos forms extensive beds, and 
 in the last week in June, was found to bo in full flower. The drier slopes, 
 which are scarcely capable of supporting a sod, show among the stunted 
 grass Sclaginella rupestris, and a small s])ccies of lichen. Many peculiar 
 southern, or extreme western plants, were here met with for the first 
 time, and here also the 'Jack rabbit,' and ' sage cock ' (Centrocervs nro- 
 phnsiamts) find their eastern limit. 
 
 (!i)l. The White Mud Eiver, or Frenchman's Creelc, may at present 
 be considered the eastern limit of the buffalo, in this lattifude. During 
 the last sixteen yoa,"s, their front has been tlrivon back, in tho vicinity of 
 the Line, over two hundred miles, and it is probable (hat their northern 
 limit has been contracted to at least a like amount. 
 
OAPAnrUTIES WITH HKKEUENfF. To SETTt.EMEXT. 
 
 2!>r) 
 
 (502. West of Wliik' Mud River. Id IIu' :)(»r) mile poiiil, an iiiiiliilji(iti.LC 
 pi-uiric is ])iisso(l over, rosiMiMiiii; in ils vejfi'tatioii tlic siii-facc of tlio 
 Tortiury plateau. It is dei'ply drift-eovered. i^eyoiid this poini. an oiit- 
 lyiiii!; ])()Hioii of tlio Tertiary plateau stretehes for aliout thirty miles. It 
 is mueli eiit up by ravines, and sonietinu's very stony, hut is covered 
 ill ifeneral hy a close sod, and shows a few swamps with _i;ood n-rass. 
 
 (}!>3. There is evidence thiit over the whole eastern part ot the third 
 prairie steppe, and especially over the Tertiary plateau, the season of 
 1874 was an exceptionally dry one. (Jrasscs en the drier lull-sides, 
 which had ri|)eiied their seeds the season hcfon — as I'videnced l>y tiie 
 Heed stalks — in 1874 showed no flower, and even Die leaves were scarcely 
 green. 
 
 61)4. Beyond this portion ot (he Tertiary plateau, an arid j.lain 
 stretches with little interrui)tion tor iifty miles, or nearly to the Milk 
 liiver. It also extentls far north-westwartl towaid the Cypress Hills, and 
 appears to coalesce, along Iheii- western front, with a similar desert 
 region, which— according to Palliser— exists to the north. It appears to 
 be irremediably sterile and usole-s, being based on Cretaceous ^'o. 4, and 
 in great j)art coiuj)osed of the debris of these rocks, (i^ ;551.) In eai'Iy 
 spring it is evidently, in mai\y places wet, but in smnmer, dry. hard, and 
 fissured, and scarcely supporting a .soil. It is tiaversed by the vallies of 
 the East and West Forks of ^lilk Iliver, which i-ise in the vicinity of the 
 Cypress J lills ; but both the main streams and tbeii' tributaiy coulees 
 become nearly dry befiire the end of the summer. 
 
 (J!t.'5. The westei'u limit of this plain, is formed by a strip of moi'o 
 elevated land, lying between it and the Milk liiver, and about live miles 
 wide. This is again based on the Lignite Tertiary formation, and shows 
 a uniform, short .sod; with some lakes and swamj^s, surrounded with line 
 haj'-grass, along its eastern border. 
 
 ()1)(J. Here, during July an<l August of last year, the gi'ealer part of 
 the 'Big Camp' of the half-breeds, was situated. The hunters and 
 traders in this i-egion congregate f'oi' mutual protection, and form, as it 
 Avere, a tribe among the Indians. They live under no law or rolraint, 
 other than that impo>eu bv necessity and by (he general consent, or by 
 the priest who accompanies (hem. Spending the summer at large, in the 
 neighbourhood of any disti'ict which liapj)ens to be well stocked with 
 buflalo, they fall back ei.stwai-d for winti'r (piarlers. .\ few of them 
 going to Wood Mountain, but most (o (he While Mud River, south of 
 the Line, near a trtuling post known as Fort N. J, Turnay. A compara- 
 
 
 It 
 
 * ■ 
 
 ( ;-r 
 
 !i . 
 
 
\& 
 
 W. ': 
 
 
 >00 
 
 B. V. A. UnlNTtAHY (M)MMISsrn\. 
 
 livi'ly small pi'oporlioii of tlu' rolics olitiiiiu'd liy tlicsi' ju'dplc. tiiid tlicir 
 most of \]\v trjulc lu'iii!;' caiTii'il on to\viir<l (lie 
 
 \vii\- 
 
 to W 
 
 iimipcii' 
 
 ^I 
 
 issoiin. 
 
 Im^ siiinmor liiiiit is cliicny to oiitiiin /n'lin 
 
 (in iiu'.'it. till' skills 
 
 oC tlic liiitViilo kill('(l lu'iiii;' t'ro(iiionlly wiislt'd, In fli<' iMidinui iiiui ciirly 
 winter, wlu'ii tlii' skins i\ri> prinit\ rolics arc the cliict'oliioft. Tlio Indians, 
 lliouu'li some ol' tlii'ni arc tViondly to tlu'sc liaM-ln'cods, and n'lad onoiiiili 
 to ti'ado with thorn, aro iiatui-ally jealous of their hiniliiiii', and slaiin'iitor- 
 int; iiMlValo lor tliomselves. In .Inly last, the 'Bii^Cani])' consisted of 
 over two hiiiKh'cd tepoos, most of them of dressed skin, like those 
 of the Indians, hut some of canvas. Every family owns carts, at least 
 eipud to in num!)er to that of its niemhers; and when the camp is 
 made, these aiv arranged in n cii-clc. lo form a 'corral' for the 
 horses; the tents heini-- ])itched I'oiiiid the whole. The total numher 
 of hoi'scs possessed hy the camj) was staled to he ahout 2,000, valiietl 
 at from $20 to $100, according to their a|>(itiule in luitfalo running. 
 A few weid<s hcfoi'e our ari'ival, the half-hreeds had heeii in tlu' Cy- 
 ]»ress inils, and hail there assisti'd, or countenanced, the Siou.x in a 
 tiii'ht with the IMackfeet, in which ei^ht of the latter trihe were killed. 
 The camp is assiduously i^-uard.ed, to ])revcnt surprise oi- horse stealint!;. 
 
 (107. Krom what I coidd learn, I heliove, that at the i)iesent rate of 
 extermination, twelve to fourteen years will see the destruction of what 
 now I'emiuns of the throat northern htmd of hutt'alo, and the termination of 
 (he trade in i-ohos and pemican, in so fai' as re<^ards the counti'j north of 
 the ^[issoiuM River. 
 
 (!0S. Westward from (he Milk Hivcr, (ho infertile Cretaceous clays 
 do not recur, the country hoiny hased on (ho Li^-nite Tertiary. To tho 
 haso of the Kast Butte, the sui-faco. thouii'h not of (he same dosort charac- 
 ter as that met with east of Milk lliver, is covered hy a shoi"(, (hin sod 
 only, and \h in many places s(ony also. The unfavourahle appearance of 
 all this rei!;ion, does not arise so much from any deHcioncy in tho soil itself, 
 as from tho ahsenco of sutHcient moisture. Tho vou^otation, in fact, 
 depends chiefly on the saturation of (he i^round iiy tho water of tho 
 moltini!,- snow, and sjn-ing i-ains; and, when this is oxhausiod, is hrounht 
 to an end as eft'octually as if hy (he on,so( of winter, (hough lony; hofbre 
 that event. 
 
 (iOn. The n'oneral appearance and ox(ent of the Sweet Grass Hills, oi- 
 Three But(os, have already hoon noticed (i^ 30;}.) Their height and 
 mass is sufttcient to cause tho formation and arrest of clouds in their im- 
 inodiato vicinity, whoi'c tho rainfall is in conseijuenoo much more copious. 
 
 i\-«? 
 
CAPAnri.ITtES WtTII REKKHENi K To SETTI.KMKNT. 
 
 2fn 
 
 Tlu-sc moiiiituiiis. iunl the hrokoii i;;r()Uii(l around tlu'iu, fonn a f'avoiifito 
 li.'innt of the ImtValo; wliicli hero Hml alimidaiico of food and wator. Tlio 
 spi'ins;. iirisinj; fiom sonic parts of the Bnttcs arc \<'ry co| ions, uiid form 
 streams, wliidi on Icaviiri;' llic slicllcr of tlic wooded vallii's, and ismiinj^ 
 on llic plains, are rapidly ahsorhed Ky the dry soil and atmospliere — at 
 least in tlie summer season. One ot tliese was observed to lie a rajiidly 
 f1(»win;;' lirooU durinu' tlie niylit and inorninji; iiours. l»ut in the afternoon 
 iieeame (piile dry. The timherof the IJuttes Ih eliiefly i)ine. (P. Bank- 
 sianii .■") much of it has heen hui'iied, hut it shows ji tendency to renew 
 itself. The frees aiv not of great size, and generally in somewhat iniio- 
 cessihle parts of the mountains, hut cannot he considered unimportant in 
 a country so treeless. A few of the jdants, found at elevufions ahovo 
 fi, 000 feet in the I^)eky Mountains, ajipear also on tlie summits of the 
 Hiittes. 
 
 TOO. The eounti'v surrounding the T?uttes, is said to have heen for a 
 long time a neutral ground hetween various hostile trihes of Indians. 
 That it has been so. is evidenced hy the almost complete absence of 
 hiitfalo bones in their neighborhood, and the rare occurrence of the 
 circles of stones, marking camjiing jilaces. The region is at present a 
 debatable gi'ound between the niacUfeet, I'eagans, and liloods of the 
 west ; the Sioux and Assineboines of the east, and the Crows and other 
 tril)cs of the Upper Missouri. It is not passed thi-ough save by war 
 jiarties. strong in numbei's, and travelling rapidi}', Ten miles north of 
 the central Butte, the bodies of over twenty Crow Indians were found, 
 unbiiried, on the scene of a conflict. 
 
 701. From the Sweet Grass Hills, toward the Kockj- Mountains, the 
 country improves in appearance, and shows evidence of a greater rain- 
 fall. The cactus, grease-wood, and Artemisia cease to ap])ear. To the 
 Second Branch of Milk Eiver— a distance of 55 miles — the country is 
 generally much broken, liut shows remains of a former more elevated 
 surface, in son\ewliat extensive flat-top])ed hills, which, when ascended, 
 are found to be nearly of equal height, and show much drier and more 
 gravelly soil than elsewhere found in the region. There is usually a 
 clos(^, thick growth of grass, and the swamps and sloughs, which are 
 numerous, genei'ally hold gi-asses and Carices to the exclusion of the 
 rushes formerly most abundant. The watershed region, from the Second 
 Branch of ^lilk ]?iver, to the St. Mary lliver, is of a similar character. 
 
 T02. The ])ortion of the fertile belt fringing the eastern side of the 
 Ilocky Mountains, in the neighbourhood of fho forty-ninth parallel, is 
 
 HI 
 
 |)|^ 
 
 II 
 
Its 
 
 U. N. A. IIOIINDAT'V POMMIHSIOV. 
 
 'i \ 
 
 
 t' I 
 
 r 
 
 t 
 
 i\ 
 
 Ill 
 
 ahont twoiity-fivy miles in svidtli. Oil t'lossiii^' llic Si. .Miiiy IJivor, a 
 very mai'Uoil aii<i ratlior siiddon ''laiine i\'f the bettor is oliHiTved. The 
 Hui'taeo, tit tlio Name ti.uo, lioeonios more mululatiii^' and broken, and '\h 
 quite liilly befor> tlio aeinal base ot'tlio nioiintMiiiN isreaebed. it is now 
 covered vvi'ii a tiiiek voujetaljlo soil, sii|iportiii^ ii luxurianl ^i'rowlii of 
 grass ; and wlierever the tire lias sjiared them, trees tire to be foiinil in all 
 staijfeH of growth. Many plants, last. se«Mi in the nei^hbourlKtod of i'em- 
 bina Mountain and tlu* lied lliver Valley, and wliieh across (be more 
 arid plains have been lurking only in sheltered hollows and dainji eoiilees, 
 now re-appear over the suifaeoof the eoiuitiy gonoraliy. The rivers and 
 streams, also, entirely ehaiige their chavaeti'r, and inteid of flowing 
 sluggishly with a milky o[Kieity, now hold (dear blue water, run swiftly 
 over stony and gravelly beds, and are tilled witli trout. 
 
 The thickets are generally of pophii , but in the immediate vicinity 
 of the mountains show birch aiul eoniferoiis ,rees also. The Elwaijtnts 
 found ill stunted (hickets on the plains, now forms a well-grown bush, 
 and the vallies and hill-slopes in August were gay with various species 
 oi Aster, OolidiKjo, Epilohium, Castilleia, and with Geranium Fremontii. 
 
 703. T was informed liy traders, who had wintered in tlm vicinity of 
 St. Mary Kiver, that the snow does not lie here lor more than about three 
 months, the temjiorature also being much milder than in localities further 
 east. It would apjiear probable, however, from the altitude of the 
 country, that early and late frosts may shorten the season agriculturally, 
 to a greater extent than indicated by the above statement. As the 
 Mounted Police are, I believe, at present wintering in this neighbourhood, 
 more authentic information on the climate will no doubt soon be forth- 
 coming. The butt'alo are said to frequent the foot-hills of the mountains 
 in winter, in great numbers, and their remains were found in the South 
 Kootanie Pass, as far as the last patch of meadow land, on the east side 
 of the watershed. 
 
 704. For this part of the country, the mountains form an inexhaust- 
 able source of wood for construction, and also for fuel, though extensive 
 areas are known to be underlaid by coal. The timber in the mountains 
 is chiefly coniferous, and not of large size, except in certain secluded 
 vallies. A species of pine, somewhat resembling tlie Banksian pine, 
 but which 1 believe to be Pinas, contorfa, is found pretty abundantly in 
 some localities, especially on the gravel terraces, and valley bottoms, it 
 would afford good straight timber, but does not attain a great girth. 
 The Douglas pine {Abies Douyiasii), also occurs on both sides of tlio 
 
 
rAP.\Illt,ITIKS WITH IIEKEIlENrK TO HETTI-KMENT. 
 
 299 
 
 wiitorHlit'il, Imt [H mMionilly Hiimll. TIio lar^cMt lhnf;oi' olisorvod, was in 
 soiiicol' tlio hi^'lioi' iimi inoro Kechulod vallies. Tlio trees rcsoinltU'il llio 
 black spruce, Imt wore proliultly Ahics I'^ni/cliiianni. It is lUUioccHsary 
 lioro lo oiitei' into detail witii ri'i^anl to tiie alpine and aretie (lorn of 
 tlio liis^lier |»arts of the nionnlainH. I was only aide to devoto u 
 few spare lioiii's to the eoileelion of ]ilants, hut a ninnher of Vi^vy 
 interestiii;f forms wore ohtainoti, and will he found eataloo^ueti in tho 
 appended list. 
 
 TOf). The foi'Oifoiii^ dcseriptions will show that the elmraeter of tho 
 third sto|)po is nnieh more varied than that of either of the othei-s ; hut 
 also tlint no pait of its Houthern extent (•oni])ares fiivoiirald}' with tiio 
 land of the Kod IJiver A'alley, or that of the hest parts of the 
 second steppe — always excepting the land alon;;' the imni' uiate base of 
 the nioiiidains. At the sanu' time, the explorations in connection with 
 the Boundary Survey have served to show, that this country, formerly eon- 
 sidered ahnos! absolutely desert, is not — with the exception of u limited 
 area — ol' this<('lKii'aeter; that a ])art of it may be of f-iture imjiortance 
 a^rieulturall}-, and that a 4?i'oat area is well siuted for pastoral occupation 
 and stock (ai-min^. 
 
 700. The fertile rei;ion at the base of the Kocky Moinitains, accord- 
 ins^ to I'alliser and otliei" explorers, narrows somewhat about fifty miles 
 north of the Line, but then spi-eads eastward, wliile the njoimtains tread 
 to the west, and includes a ,i;reat area of fertile country in the vicinity of 
 the Noi'th Saskatchewan, the more northern position of which is more 
 than compensated for, by its decreased altitude, and the lowei- and more 
 0])on mountain passes to the west. 
 
 This fertile belt to the nortli, must form the basis foi- tlie settlement 
 and utilization of the westerTi plains. The cactus-covered desert tract 
 does not seem to stretch far to tlie north of the Line; but there is an 
 cxtensivo i-eijion of tho third prairie stoppo south of the fertile belt' 
 which is described as having a poor soil, with scanty herbage, and no 
 wood, exce]it on northern exposures. 
 
 707. Witli regard to the climate of the tliii'd prairie steppe in 
 tlie vicinity of the Line, not much information is at comnuuid. In two 
 ])laces, r was able to observe the temperature of copious sprin,a;s, 
 fiowint:: out at such a depth from the surface, as io render i'_ ])robable 
 that their waters were not fai' from tho mern annual temperature. On 
 both occasions, the thermometer indicated -'t()° K. One of the localities is 
 near longtitude 10(1° ;^t) ; tho other at ll.->°. The mean temi)oraturo of 
 
:i; 
 
 1 i 
 
 ' f ' 
 
 300 
 
 II. N. .\, IKIirND.MlY COMMISSION. 
 
 tlio^roatorpui't ol' .Monlana, to the soiilli, isnsliniiiUMl to li*'4H°*; sliowiii;,', 
 if tho obsorvatioiis ai'o to Ik- inisttMl, a lower iiu-aii tt'iiiporatiiiv liy two 
 (h'^^ives oil till) rorty-iiiiitli |iaialli'l. Climatal linos, liowoviT, arc nr»t 
 very strict oi wull inarUi'il on llio wttstcrr plains, and it is prohalilc that 
 till! cliinato ot a icrcat jiart ot'tliK tliiid sti'|i|K' nearly coinciilcs with that 
 of iiorthi'in Montana, wIiimi' iiiorts ooiitiniioiis loconls oxist thuii any 
 uvailahlc fi)rtho ri'^ion to the north. 
 
 708. Tho miMin tt'inpcratiiri" for each nionth at Fort Sliaw, one liiiii- 
 (li't'il miliis south of the Liiif on the ll'Jlh iiK>ri<lian, is, in the following' 
 tahio, plaet'd side l»y side with that of Winnipegt : — 
 
 Kt. Slmw. WliiiiliHJU 
 
 Jiiiiuury •2\'2S •Jill 
 
 Fubiuary .SO-.'I!) '2-M) 
 
 March 30 ns ilOd 
 
 April 4G-.'il HOlM 
 
 May 5(5 04 51 18 
 
 June 1)4 ys G3-C4 
 
 Kt Slmw. Wiiiiil|WK- 
 
 .July 7o-2-.> (ir)'«7 
 
 August G71"> ()4-7'> 
 
 Sei.tL'uiber MM 51 "29 
 
 OctoLor 4«-r-' 4(101 
 
 Novenibor 3ttl>'.' 1458 
 
 Duceiiilier '2G75 OoCi 
 
 The iTieaii aniinal temperature of F'^ort Shaw is 47;i3, while tliat of 
 Winnijiog is 32'51*. The toniperatiire of tho si.x warinei' niwiiths, May to 
 Oi'tohor imlusive, in northorii Montana and tho lied llivor country is 
 pretty nearly ofpial, showing a halaneo of only ahoiit tour degrees in 
 tavoiir of tho former. The six winter months are, Iiowevor, very much 
 colder in thooastorn locality; and this notwithstanding tho fact that Fort 
 8haw is ahout 3,000 toot higher than Winnii)og. Thus, while tho moan 
 annual tomporaturo of tho Rod Itivor Valley stands ahout 14 degroos 
 lower than that of Montana, this is not hi-ought ahout by any groat 
 doficioncy of summer heat, hut by the long continuance of steady cold 
 weather in tho winter. Tho extreme of winter cold is probably almo.st as 
 groat in Montana oh in tho Rod River country, tho thermometer at Door 
 Lodge showing a minimum of — 30° F. in several 3oars, but the cold 
 weather is not of long continuance. The snow fall is very light, and sel- 
 dom exceeds a few inches in depth at any one time. Tho total annual 
 proeepitation — moan of two years — amounts to 8-95 inches only. 
 
 As a pastoral and stock-raising country, tho higher moan annual tem- 
 perature gives tho thii-d plateau an important advantage over tho I'ogion 
 to tho east. 
 
 * U. S. (Jeol. Surv. Territ., 1872, p. 811. 
 t Temperature of Kort Slmw frmu the iiieiiri nf two yearn. U. S. Oei>l Surv. Territ., 1871, p. 266, 
 niat of Winiiii«)g, fmm three jeiirs dbservaticiius, is kiiull.v »U)>plied by Prof. Kiiig«toii, 
 
IJ s 
 
 Wllllll|M'((. 
 
 ().")«7 
 (>47.'> 
 51 21) 
 4001 
 
 14 -ns 
 
 0-5fl 
 
 C II A P T K [{ X I I. 
 
 CAPAHILITIKS OF Till; RKCION WITH lUiFERKNCE TO 
 S I:TT LKM KNT. ~( Conti,, ,i,d. ) 
 
 Cai'skh hri'KiuiKNT m Skiti.k.mkni' ami AoKicri/ri'KK. Futuii; of tiic NOitli wunt 
 ('liinate- Wintering of Htock Mitlitwlty of iucchh Iniioad.h ov iiik. (Ihah.s- 
 Hiii'CJ M Origin <if tho insuot Its rango-'riii; young iind wingi;il HwarinM— 
 Its flight Y«iiiJ< wluin it lia« uiiiiciiruil in Manitoliii Moiiiim itt jircviintinii — 
 Thk Si rri.v OK WiKiii in 'ihk Nipihii-wknI' Tht; [ilrtinH never entirely 
 wciodeil- Ciiusew temling to duMtruetion of fiirent — (^anHen of treeleHnnuHH of 
 jiiairie hryncHs of Hoil and atnioHpliere -CauMOH of drought CivUHeH of 
 greater rainfall on wooded arean - Faetn tending to whow |irogreMnive dt^niu- 
 eation in the west- Sirnil.ir drougiit lirought on elscwlierc liy deHtruotion of 
 forest Amelioration of idiniatc liy planting forest TreeleHs area of the 
 continent No/inal area of iimntry wliieli should lie in forest Successful 
 growth of trues in thu west — >ScLeine for the planting and jirusurvatiuit uf 
 trees. 
 
 m 
 
 709. The (loKcription of tlio ro.u;i()ii in tlio vii-iiiity of llio BouiKlary- 
 lino, given in the hist c'ha])U'r, may Morve to indicate tliose areaH host 
 fitted for MottU'nieiit, in tliat direction. .Xccurate and detailed inflirtna- 
 tion of the same kind is now in process (»f acciinndation over a great 
 part of the Nortli-west, and il will ore h^ig he ]>ossii»le to estimate tiie 
 prohahle value of the whole interioi" jtortiori of the Dominion. Facts as 
 at present known, appear to show, that after the fertile valley of the IJed 
 River is taken up, the progress of settlement will follow the valley of the 
 Saskatchewan lliver to its head, and then spread nortii and south along 
 the eastern base of the mountains ; that the great [)astorai area of the 
 plains south of the Fertile Belt, will he entered I'rom the north, while the 
 northern forests and lakes will beeomo tributary in their products to the 
 settled region, fnjm the other side. To a certain extent this progress of 
 Hottlomenl will regulate itself, and will bo a milurul growth taking advan- 
 tage of the capabilities of the eountr}', but there arc certain adverse in- 
 fluences, which will reciuii-e early and close attention, if this growth is to bo 
 as rapid and .sound as it shouM. It is proposed here — without enlarging 
 on the great advantages of the North-west — briefly to discuss some of 
 these, .ind to indicate the heai'iiig on them if tiic results of ex|)crienco 
 gaineil in other regions similarly situated. 
 
 TIO. Manitoba, and a great |»art of the North-west, has hctiire it ll»e 
 future of a great agricultural coiintrj', an<l enough is already known to 
 showthat over immense ai'eas minesof metallic minerals cannot be relied 
 
|!t:^ 
 
 ■mir 
 
 302 
 
 U, N. A. lliillND.VKY (iiMMISSIdN. 
 
 on as souiros of wealth. It is iuiprolialilo tliat motallic ores, otlu'i- (Iiaii 
 Ihoso of iron, will ho foiiiid ovit the aiva of the plains, imdorlaid as (licy 
 arc hy I'lO soft and liltlo dislui-lnvl nu'ks of tho .Mosozoir and IVrtiaiy. 
 Gold, it is Inu', is known to exist in small (|iianlilics in tho drift materials 
 of some localities,* and may here and thcjv he J'ound in rcmunorativo 
 proportion, hiil it« proiliiction will prohahly never assume miieh import- 
 unco The <j;reat area covered liy the coal and lii;ni to- hearing formations, 
 as they arc at present known, insures a su[i;.Iy of fuel for all time, to tho 
 settlers of the western portion of the plain.->, hut coal mininii; will only 
 bccoip.o an important industry, when the country has been opened u]), and 
 thero are extonsivo ag-ricultural communities dependiii!;- on it. TI;o ,i;roat 
 present ohjo.'t of those interested in the North-west, should thorolbre he 
 to further agriculture, and (he interests of the agriculturist and stock- 
 fai'mer, in every ])ossilile way. 
 
 Til. Climatic conditions have already received some attention, and 
 it . not hero pro])osed to discuss them furthei*. They have a very 
 direct bearing on the utilization of the country, but for the present they 
 must be taken as they are, and the special problems j>resented in each 
 district will bo solved by experience i-apidly ac<iuired. Tho soverity of 
 tho winter season is certainly one of the groatost diHadvantagcs of tho 
 North-west, as an area for settlement, but, agriculturally, tho inton8it3' 
 of tho cold is not so much a matter of importance as its duration ; and 
 where — as in this region — the length and heat of the summers aro 
 known to bo sufticient to mature all the ordinary crops, it may, to a 
 groat extent, be disregarded. For stock raising, both tho duration and 
 intensity of the cold must be taken into account, (hough even hero (ho 
 former is the more important. 1 am aware, (hat in (his region, horses 
 and "attlo are at ])i'csont fre<iuently alhnved during tho winter, to food 
 themselves as bes( they nniy. They generally suivive, and often do not 
 look much tho worse for thoir hard treatment ; l)ut this haphazard plan 
 will not find. favour with careful (armors. In (lie Red Kivor country, 
 animals to which proper a(tontion is shown, retpiiro additional food (o bo 
 su])plied to them, eithoi" in tho form of hay or roots, for at Ioas( six 
 mondis in tho yoixr. For the cultivation ot tho latter variety of ci-ops, 
 tho soil of the Ked lliver Valley appears to bo excellently suKod. 
 
 712. In northern Montami, the conditions are somewhat ditVeronl, 
 and stock is (here systematically allowed to wilder out indopondently, 
 or with only very slight aid in the way of feed. Similar conditions of 
 
 r 
 
 • Kcjvjrt <if i'rogruns, lli'nl. Suiv. Caimilii, l!S7a-7J. 
 
 m 
 
I'AI'AlilMTIKS WITH KKI'I'.ltKNCK, TO SKTTl.K.MKNT. 
 
 'Ml 
 
 cliiuiilo 111) (Idulit prevail ovor till' i;iT;it or pari ot tlic tliird sloppo. To 
 rear 111 )i'.sos in lliis rci^ioii is vi'iy iuisy,aiiil llic Indians ami tnuli'rs cotiso- 
 qticnd}- possess larn'c iiamls of tint\ tlii>iii;li sniail animals, wliicli llioy 
 Viilui- ill a low rale. Mr. Solwyn, in advocaliii;^ llio idea ol" indiiciii.n' tlio 
 Indians to hccoiuo stock-raisers, and ealtle lierders, as the biitValo lioeoino 
 oxtinc't, mentions instances of stray eattlo winterinij out siiceessfnlly 
 on (lie Noi'tli Saslvii(eliewan.+ In July of last summer, I saw a band of 
 cattle in tlie vicinity of the Line, sonth of Wood Mountain, which hud 
 Htrayod from one ot (he 11. S. forts to the south, 'riiey were (piKe wild, 
 and almost as ditlicult of apjiroach as (he hiilValo; and notwithslandinu; tlie 
 fact that they had conui originally tVom Tcvas, and wore unaccustomed 
 to frost and snow, they had jiassed tliroiii;h (he winter, and were iu 
 capital condition. 
 
 71."{. In the future, when (h.e NoiMli-west is somewhat thickly 
 POtdod, the loiii;' period of the year during.!; which out-door agricultural 
 work is impossihie, will (end to foster the n'rowlh of inanufacturcH ; 
 and especially of mills and factories for (he elahoration of the crude 
 matci'ials produced in the country K.solf. Tlu-n only will (he full ud- 
 vaidage of the enoi-mous lignite and coal deposits, and watcr-powor bo 
 devclo])ed. 
 
 T14. The liiree most importaiil remaining natural deterrenls (o the 
 sottlon.ent of the North-west appear to lie: — Distance from markets, 
 and diHiculty of attainment hy the imniii;-raiit ; the i;Tasslio])per visKa- 
 tioiiH ; and (he (reelessness of o-reat areas of the plains, and general 
 scarcity of timhor. 
 
 715. The first of thes(> dithcultios, will soon he to a great extent 
 remedied, es|)ecially as regards the access of immigrants. ^Phe remoteuesH 
 of markets will, howcvei", continue to ho felt in .some measuro, and when 
 the local demand tor the (dieajier grains, and heavier food stidVs, is 
 Hatisded. s(ock raisir.g and the production of light and valuahle crops, 
 which will hear a considerahle tdiarge for transport, will remain the 
 most protilaMo l<)i- a long time (o conu-. Though wheat may he easily 
 grown in iinmoii".' (piantily. the protit to the farmer must he light, iis 
 long as <he cost ;'f transpoi't forms so large a part o( its total value at 
 the eastern |)o;'ts. Wool and dairy produce will demand attention, and 
 for the growl Ii of (lax, hops, \c., a gr<'at part of (he western regions, 
 — and especially of the ifed i;i\i>r Valley— is well suileil. h'lax and 
 
 • LiH\ l-it.. p. lill. 
 

 304 
 
 B. N. A. BOUNDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 •!': 
 
 hemp have already heen cuHivated with !siU'('e>s in tiie Red Kiver 
 country, in former years, the ITudson's Bay Coni])any granting a small 
 bounty for their production. Their growth was discontinued chiefly, it 
 would Mcem, from the Avant of proper milling facilities/'^ The natural 
 limit of agricultural settlement I.) the west, renders it certain, that as 
 tho eastern regions are more exclusively taken up for this purjiose, the 
 western plains, untit tor other use, will hecome more valuahle as pastoral 
 lands. 
 
 Ilfi. The inroads of the westei'n devaslating grasshopper, or locust, 
 must he counted among the greatest discouragements to the settler, and 
 in some of the newly occupied Western States have caused actual ruin 
 and famine. The gras.shoppers forming destructive swarms in the region 
 of the plains cast of the Rocky Mountains, appear to belong to a single 
 species, which has been called Caloptenus sprcttts. This insect much re- 
 sembles the Caloptenus femur-ruhnim, or i-ed-legged grasshoppei-, which in 
 exceptional years has been destructive to crops in various parts of the 
 Eastern States.f Spretus differs, however, froni femur-rubrnm specific- 
 ally, and can not only be distinguished from it in foi-m, but possesses to a 
 far higher degree the instinct and power of migi-ation ; circumstances 
 suiting it to the almost boundless plains which it inhabits. It is not here 
 intended, however, to enter into a zoological description of the insect, for 
 which Prof. Thonuis' Synopsis of the Acrididai ; or the Seventh Annual 
 Ileport on the Insects of Missouri, by Mr. C. V. Riley, may be i-eferi-ed to. 
 
 717. The locusts are not natives of the eastern region of the plains, 
 where their devastations are most severely felt. They come from the far 
 west as a winged swarm, and whei-e the}' happen to be when they are 
 mature, their eggs are depositetl. From these eggs, in the ensuing spring, 
 tho young come forth, and cause often more comj^lete destruction of ci'ops 
 than the winged adults; for they attack the young grain, eating it down 
 as fast as it grows. The yoinig so produced, however, appear not to have 
 so much vitality as those coming fresh from the west. A great part of 
 them may reach maturity and migrate some distance, but their progeny 
 in tho third season seems rai'cly to give much trouble. 
 
 718. The real home and jiormanent source of supply of the locusts, 
 has been a (jueslion gi\ing rise to considei-ahle discussion. Mr. Walsh 
 and others have supportcil tlie theory that they come from the al])ine 
 
 *rri)f. niiiil, Assiiit.'liiiiiR' luiil Saskatehewaii Kx|il(ii-iii(!; Kx|)etliticpii. 
 t Soo S. U. SciicUlur in Hiiyilen's Miial Itopurt on NetmuHka, \>. 2.VJ; also, Harris' Insects Injurious to 
 Vt't'etatioii, p. 105. 
 
CAPABILITIES WITH KEKEUENCE TO SETTLEMENT. 
 
 :]05 
 
 regions of tlio Rocky Mountains, antl issuing I'roni tiioii' viillics and 
 canons, spi-cad eastward over tiui plains. It seonis, iiowevor, (o lie now 
 veiy genurally foncedod, that liie liigli ami i\vy plains along tlio wliolo 
 eastern base of the mountains, aro their cliiet'ltrceding places; to wliieli in 
 Hritish America ma}-, 1 lielieve, l)e adiled the ontiro area of the Lignite 
 Tei'tiary [)lateau, and prohably also the gi'eater j»art of the third gi'eat 
 praii'ie stoppo. 
 
 Tin, The range of the insect (meaning hy that term not only their 
 chief breeding places, but the whole area known at one time or other to 
 he overrun by tliem) is not bounded to the west by the I'ocky Mountains, 
 except where these constitute, as in Hritish America, the unbroken front 
 of the weslei-n i-egion of forest. They spread across the watershed in 
 ('olorado and L'tah, and appear to liave been observed by Mi'. B^-ers in 
 the valley of the South Fork of the Cohnnbia Rivei-, near Fort Hall. 
 Southward, acc(U'ding to Prof. Thomas, they extend as far as the Eaton 
 Mountains and into Texas; while to the east they have spreail to the 
 prairie country <^>f the Mississi])]»i, and have been known, on more than 
 one occasion, to penetrate far into Iowa. The entire Province of Mani- 
 toba is liable to their incursions, and they have ])eiietrated in swarms as 
 far east as the Lake of the Woods. Northward, they are probably only 
 limited by the line of the coniferous tbi'est, which approximately follows 
 the North Saskatchewan Eivor. 
 
 720. The eggs of the locust are not depositi'd ])r()miscuously, or 
 unifoi-ml}- distributed over the surface ; whether in theii' native breeding 
 places or in tlieir eastei-n colonies. High and dr}' situations, with hanl 
 soil, are preferred. Thu.s, when the young ai-e hatcheil, from this oi'iginal 
 di.s2)osition of the eggs — and no doubt also from a nalui-al givgarious ten- 
 dency — they form colonies, which are often widely sepai'ated. These 1 
 have seen on the third prairie plateau in 1874, and the yoinig insects 
 are also noticed to l)e thus distributed in the lied .River country this 
 yeai',* and elsewhere, wherever they have been carelully observeil. 
 The insects do not seem to travel far from their hatching place for 
 some days; but when they have increased somewhat in size, begin 
 to move forward togethei-, anil in a determinate direction, though 
 not by any means invarialily from north-wi'st to south-east. Dr. 
 Studley, of Kansas, has experimented on the nnlledged grasshoppers, 
 by sifting floin- on them in the morning, and measuring tin' distance 
 travelled over by the insects so marked at night ; ami finds that 
 
 ji: 
 
 ' FiUc A. L. HusscU. 
 
 20 1) 
 
300 
 
 B. N. A. BOlINnARY COMMISSEON. 
 
 PI 
 
 |li^'' 
 
 ! I iM 
 
 :i't; 
 
 1 1'-i 
 
 'S;iii 
 
 their rate of pi-Oiji-oss is tVoni oiio-fburtli to ono-liall' inilo ])oi' diem. In tlio 
 last woeU of July. IS73, I mot, the i;rassli()j)])ors hatcliod out in tlio iiorlh- 
 orii part of the Roil liivcr country, travelling soutliwanl clown the valley. 
 Thoy were in the pupa stage, and apiieareil to be advaneing more ra[)idly 
 than the ahove measurement woidd indicate. Their fixed dotorniination 
 to travel southward was remarkable. 
 
 T21. On oiitaining their wings, the grasshoppers pi'epai-e for flight, 
 and oidy wait the advent of a favoui'ing bi-eeze, to set out in the direction 
 which theii' instinct leads them to pursue. On July 12th of last yeai-, f 
 observed swarms ready for flight on the high ])lains of the tiiird plateau, 
 west of White .Mud River, (long. 107° 35'.) The day was hot and calm, 
 and though many of the insects were on the wing at all altitudes in the 
 atmosjdiei'o, they were following no determinate direction, but sailing in 
 circles, and crossing each other in flig it. The greater number were 
 hovering over the swamps and s])Ots of luxuriant gniss, or resting on the 
 praii-ie. A slight breath of air would induce them all to take to wing, 
 causing a noi^ie like that of the distant sound of surf, or a gentle breeze 
 among pine trees They appeared ill at ease, and anxiously waiting a 
 favorable wind. 
 
 722. The grasshopper has not intrinsic jwwei* of swift flight. It can 
 bear itself up on the wing for a long time, but depends chiefly on the wind 
 for propulsion, and travels fast or slow according to its motion. It flies 
 only in the smdight and during the wai-mer hours of the day, coming to 
 the groun<l about 4 p.m., if the day be fine ; oi' at any time when a heavy 
 cloud covers the sun, cu" on the ajiproaeh of a storm. Nor does it fly in 
 any direction the wind may happen to blow, but has the extraordinary 
 instinct to travel oidy on those days when the wind may favour it in its 
 appointed course. This, as already mentioned, is generally s(mth-east- 
 ward, from its high-land bj'eeding grounds to the lower and moi-e fertile 
 eastern regions, it is not by any means invariably so, however; and 
 some of the broods hatched this spring are already showing a similar ])er- 
 sistent desire to move northward, while yet in their full strength and 
 vigour. When the locust reaches nearly its eastern or southern limit, 
 the organization of the swarms apjiears in great measure to fail, they move 
 in almost any directon with the wind, or remain long on the ground 
 where food is abtmdant. After the deposit of eggs, which in the normal 
 Cfpience of events next happens, the insects are much exhausted, and 
 soon die, though often niaking a last short fickle flight. 
 
 723. Such is the usual life-history of the insect. The causes which 
 
w 
 
 n 
 
 
 CAPAniLrTlES WITH nEH'KHENf'E TO SKTTl-EMENT. 
 
 307 
 
 fortuiiiitoly pi'cveiit its increiiso and ooiitiiiiied ahodc in tlie eastern 
 prairie region, appear to be chiefly climatic. Ft would seem that the 
 locust re(piirert to bring it to liealthy maturity the di'v warm climate of 
 the higher plains. In the eastern colonies the young are son)etimes 
 hatched in consideralile numbers by a mild autumn, and pei'ish ii? the 
 succeeding winter. A relapse of cold and dam]) weather after their 
 hatching in the spring, causes the death of gieat numbers. The eastern 
 brood is a weaker one, and is acconlingly more sui>ject to the attacks of 
 disease, and parasites. Mr. Riley catalogues four of the latter.* The 
 two first (Trombidium sericinm, and Astoma ijri/llaria) are mites; the 
 two latter (Tachina nnonyma, and Sarcofhoi/a carnaria) flies, the lai'vo) 
 of wdiich feed on the grassho])per and live within it. All these seem 
 to have appeared in connection with the swarm of 1S74, and their progeny 
 of this spring, in Manitoba, The Trombidium or silky mite attacks the 
 oi:,^. The Aatonm attaches itself to the mature insect, generally under 
 the wings. 
 
 724. The first appearance of the locusts in formidable numbers in 
 the Red River Valley, seems to have been in the year 1818, six years 
 after the foundation of Lord .Selkirk's colony. They then ari-ived on the 
 wing in the last week of July, ami destro^'ed neai-ly everything but the 
 wheat crop, which partly escaped, being neai'ly ripe.j Kggs Avere dei»o- 
 sited, and in the following spring, the wheat and all other crops were 
 destroyed as fast as they appeared above gi'ound. Kggs seem again to 
 have been deposited in 1819, and in 1820 the crojis are said once more to 
 have suffered greatly. The next recorded incur.sion is that of 1857, from 
 which it would seem that for 8G years the insect had not appeared. In 
 1857, the crops are said to have been so far advanced as to escape gi-eat 
 damage, but eggs were deposited, and in 1858 all the young grain was 
 devoured. Tn 1864, they again appeared, and left their eggs, but neither 
 the adults, nor the young of 18G5 were sutficiently numerous or wide- 
 spread to do much damage. In 1807, mnnerous sw^arms poured in, but 
 did little injury, the crops being too far advanced; their progeny in the 
 ensuing Spring, however, devoured everj^tbing, causing a famine. They 
 again appeared in 1869, the young in 1870 doing much harm. In 1872, 
 fresh swarms arrived, but as usual, too late to tlo much damage to wheat. 
 Rggs were left in abundaTice in the northern part of the Province, and in 
 the following Spring the farmers over considerable <listricts did not sow. 
 
 i§ 
 
 \i 
 
 HI 
 
 • Lnc. cit. 
 t Alex. Ko98, <^U(Jtoa by Prof, Hind. Assiiiiboiiio uiul SaskatchewiUi Exploriiii; Exiiedition, 
 
30S 
 
 T\. V. A. nnrNnART pommisstox. 
 
 1^' 
 
 1: ■?' ' : 
 
 In 1S7L winded swjii'iiis iiu,'!ii" <'iniu* in from llu' wost, arriving onrlii-r 
 lliini iisinl, ;iii(l inlliclini;' n'rcjit injury on tin' iTdps in some dislrifls. — 
 |<;n'us well' ii(>|iositO(l in almost nil pa/ls of tlic Frovincc, and tlio irsnlt, 
 has yd to lu' si'(Mi/I= 
 
 7-"). To llic (|iuis(ioM : wliiit run ho dono to pivvont tho ravan'os of 
 lliosi' insofls ? The answci" is l>y no means so satistactoi'v as could ho 
 dosiivd ; yot it appi'aiN thai much may ho dono by comhinalion, and the 
 cultivation ol'a scH'-rcliant spirit amoni;' llio fVontiorsottlcrs, aided hysiicli 
 \vis(> Icnisialivc mcasiii'os as may ho IVamod, and carriod into oxociilion 
 with a hivadth commcnsufato with the ti'n'itory to which they whoiild 
 apply. It is now known tha* u very <;Teat ai'oa, »'omi)risin_i; (ho cliioC 
 biTotliiii;' iii'oiinds of tho locust, must always i'i>main unsoltled, or ocou- 
 ])ie(l oidy as pasture ^-rounds. It cannot thoreforo he hoped, that advanc- 
 inif cultivation will restrict tlu' hi-oodiiiii' mva; yet oven hero it seems 
 that some ett'ort may usefully ho made. 'I^ho vast extent of tho western 
 plains mi_<:;ht at tirst sot'in to pi'e(dude the possil>ilit\' of omhraciny; tlumi 
 in any com])rehensive moasuro, hut their (duiructor renders this leas diHi- 
 cult than would appear. By a .system of inspection, in which many men 
 need not he employed, the chief localities in which e^'n's were deposited 
 in the autumn, over immense areas, initjht he learned. Then when tho 
 younn' hrood appears in Sprinu;, the systematic tirini!; of tho praii'io ^-ra.sn 
 over these areas, would, if it ilid not destroy (he whole of the young in- 
 sects — yet rendei' the country for a time so barren that tljo greater part 
 of (hem would probably perish. To preserve (ho prairie grasH from tiren 
 the jirot'oding autumn, would bo (he n.ost ditticult part of this scheme, 
 but by taking advantage of rivers and other na(ural features, and the 
 addition of ploughed lines, as tire-guards in some [)laces, a very groat area 
 iiiigh( be so divided in(o isohdod blocks, as to prevent the very wide 
 Bproad of any accideiUal tire. This jjrecaution seems a desirable one also, 
 as a measure in (he systematic preservation of timber trees. Supjiosing, 
 however, (hat it bociime known (ha( gi'assho])pers in great numbers had 
 ha( 'hoil. and wore likely to deseend on the settlements, it would appear 
 possible by jjreconcertod ari'angoments, to form, by tiring (ho ])rairie a( 
 tho appropria(e time, a broad black zone .'icross the lino of their migra- 
 tion, which the iiisocts would not willingly cross. There wouUl be litde 
 
 • With tlio itieii of iK'iniirinn ivh iiiiuli infuriniition :is pDSsilik' mi tlie iiivasuiii iif 1S74, I iHBiii'il iv imiii- 
 biT of I'in-uliu-s to .M:iiiitol):i. tlir Wosti'iii Stiitos, iMul viiriows luirts of tin; N. W. IVrritories. 1 Imvo to 
 tliiiiik the trciiUfiiK'ii who Imvu hooii Uiiul ciioiiifli to ivtiirii tlu'sc iMi-cuhirs, for- imiih Mvlimhle iiifoiiiut- 
 tion. Tho iiimiber received hiis, however, not been so ({rent iis eNpccteil, nor hiuH tlie iiiforniiition in all 
 eases liet^n preeisu us to direitioii and date. 1 have tlierefore been oblifjeil to abandon the idea of eon- 
 gtrnetins; a eoiupU'te map of their niijjratioiis for last sunnncr, but may yet iimke use of the (feueral 
 inforiuatiuii obtained. 
 
CAI'AIUMTIKS WITH RKKEUKNCK T(i SKTTLKMKNT. 
 
 :m) 
 
 earlier 
 
 •ii'ts. — 
 ri'.sul). 
 
 
 (liHieiilly — supposiiii;" (ho oxisleiici! ol' idiipir lii'r-,i,ni;iriis, us ul)t»vi' isii^- 
 ,u;i!st«(l — ii) pi'iKliiciii^ within ii lew (Iji>h n h»^il (d'hhiek t'Diintry lO(t luiU-s 
 wide, iiltof^cther boyoiid the presenl limits of tho I'l-uvinee of iMiiiiilolm. 
 72(1. Wln'M 11 horde ofwiiijf(«i| loeitsls comes down on tlie wettU^inenls, 
 e(»m|>iiriitively little eun ho iloiie to pi'oveni tho destruction of the cro|i,-,. 
 Swjirm lid lows swiirni, often for diiys lo^fcther, mid eventnally overlioiii' 
 rosistjince. \\y the use of smoke, which is ullowod to drift across tho 
 fields from siiu)tliei'ed tires or 'smuil^os,' many ol the insects may ho 
 provcntod from alii^hlin^. in southern Minnesota, a proci'ss called 
 ropiiiu; ' the ,i;'raiu has l)een atlemled with considoi'ahle success. A horse 
 l)ein,u; fastened to each end of the rope, il^ is dra^'iicd lo and IVo across llu' 
 Held, hrushinu; the insects from tho stalUs, and often causing' them al \n>'., 
 to fly otf. The}' may also he cau_u;ht in jLcreat nundiers in scoo|)-n(^ls and 
 ha,ii;s, especially when somewhat tor|)id, in tiio ovcnini;'s and morniiiu's; 
 and where tlie ai'oa atl'ected is limitiul, this nuiy he uscfidly employed. 
 
 727. Whenever the i!;rassdioppors have deposiled Ihcir Ciiii^s, atten- 
 tion should he turned to these. The method of iK'sl ruction which seems 
 to have hoeti found most successful in the Western States, and else- 
 where, is fail plouy;hinii;. The c,ii;i;'-lul)es are thus dci'ani^ed, and most 
 of thom liuried hy wo deep a layer of earth, that they either do not 
 come to lite at all in the siu-cci'dinn- sprinii;; or hatcli so hitc, and in 
 such small nundiers, that they do comiiarativcly little injury to the 
 crops. This also allows early spring' sowing', and i!;ives the <j;r;un time to 
 attain some n'rowth hefore the yoiniu; locusts come down on it. This 
 plouifhint;; slu)uld (extend, as Mr. Taylor has shown, (o roads and ollu'r 
 l)aro spots where ;:;reat <)uanti(ies of o^jjuis have heen laid. Of more lim- 
 ited applicaliility is the collection of the c,u"A'^ ''.>' luiml, as practised in 
 diil'erenl jtartsof the oltl world. ='= The inhaliitants, armed with sharpened 
 sticks or hoos, go out together to the spots where the ogg.s are known to 
 he most ahundani, and receive a govcrnnu'nt hounty hy measure for the 
 eggs collect I'd. In a coiintiy where the settled area is (piile small, in coni- 
 |)arison lo that lying waste, this would j)rohahly have little resnll, 
 oxcopi in cases whert' tho deposit of eggs was contint'd to a sonx'wliat 
 limited area, when its vigorous adoption might not only save the crops 
 of the immediate viciinty, hut those of other localities which the grass- 
 hoppers might visit, when afterwards taking flight. 
 
 728. In spi'ing, the wai- should bocontinuod, and as soon as the young 
 
 (1, 
 
 * Se« the tmislatiiin (if mi essay liy V. Mcitchiilsky. in the Siiiitlis"iiinii llci"""'. l^'"'"'- -Miniy pliins >'l 
 destruction of locustji are here meiitioiied, and statistics, i.Ve., euiiceniiiig tliem t;i\eii. 
 
110 
 
 B. N. A. nolNIlAllV COMMISSIdN. 
 
 i / ■■(■ 
 
 tj 
 
 iirc liiilclu'il, iiicims must KoiU'visod for tlioir dostnu'tioii, iiidctl if iiood 
 bo liy j:;ovoriiiiu'iit I'oiiiitios. Hiiiiiiiiii; flio prnirio ii\ dry woiitlu'r ; (lio 
 use ol lioiivy rctlli'i's ; di-iviny; tlio yoiiiiif iiisocls toifotlior l)y (•(>iivtM's;iii<^ 
 circles, and doslroyiiii;' tlicin with ll'il wooden sliovcLs ; driving tiioin into 
 .straw, wliicli is afterwards tired, or ii.to tires, streams, or ditclies, iiave all 
 been ein|iloved with i^reatei- or less success. Tlie various spocios of blaclv- 
 birds, tiie itrairio liens, and otln'r birds, willalsoaid in tlioir destruction nt 
 this season, and where laryo tlock- ol 'oniestic fowls ai'c kept tho}' will 
 materially assist. Fields "v a'- : c pi)tecled from the ^ounu; inseclH 
 A'herever a ditch of modi.::' v ; .tl. surroundinii,' them, can be tilled 
 with water. 
 
 7-!*. The locust ai)pears to be wi ■ in'h omnivorous, and thoui;U 
 showing a preference for certain kinds of food, will oat almost any plaiil 
 in case of need. There is theivfoiv no crop which may be grown with 
 assurance in a grasslieMpor yeai'. It is very generally found, however, 
 that they avoid sorghum anil broom-corn ; and when othei- food is to bo 
 had they do not eat pt)latoe-tops, beets, or ti)matoes. They also appear 
 t<> iiave a general dislike to the Lcguminosa', and j)refer other [ilants to 
 peas and beans. This last fact ma\' stanil in causal connection with the 
 great abundance of leguminous j)lants H>unil on the western plains, an 
 abundance obtaining both spoeitically and nnmorically. Wheat would 
 appear to be one of the surest crops, when foreign swai-ms are expected, 
 as it vei'v generally ripiMis bclbre tlu-ir arrival. That it may do so, 
 however, it is necessary that the seed should bo sown as promptly as 
 possible in the s|)ring. 
 
 T.'JO. Manitoba, iVom its more northern position and ]>roximity to 
 the groat tbrcst regions, appears to be less liable to wide-spread visilu- 
 lions of the locust than the regions further south, and the swarms which 
 appear do not seem to be so dense or destructive. Some of the above 
 mentioned means may consc(|uently bo enii»loyo<l here with success, but 
 1 believe that a great pai-l of the Western Stales and territories will 
 ulways remain subject to periodical invasions. The extensive planting 
 of trees, and the establishment of belts and groves of woodland over the 
 jirea of the jilains suitable for agriculture, seems to offer a future pros- 
 pect ot' amelioration. The breaking uji of the surface of the country in 
 this way. will not only fond to prevent the swarms from spreading 
 themselves so widely ami uniformly, but will encourage Iho increase of 
 birds and other animals likely (o prey on the insect; and will besides 
 tend to bring about a dumgo in climatO; which will render it less 
 
t'd if 1100(1 
 itlior ; (lio 
 oiivorniii;^ 
 thorn into 
 H, iiiivo all 
 s of ithick- 
 I'lictioii at 
 tlioy will 
 
 1^ IllSOCtH 
 
 1)0 Hiiocl 
 
 il thoiinh 
 
 any pi.ini 
 
 own with 
 
 howovor, 
 
 (I is to 1)0 
 
 HO appoar 
 
 plants to 
 
 with tlio 
 
 )lains, an 
 
 at would 
 
 ^X poet 0(1, 
 
 do so, 
 niptly a« 
 
 mil}' to 
 visiia- 
 s which 
 10 ahovc 
 'OSS, hut 
 I'ios will 
 iinling 
 )Vor the 
 
 •0 pl'OS- 
 
 ntry in 
 ■oadinif 
 •oasc of 
 hosidos 
 it less 
 
 r.M'AIUMTlKM WITH IIKKKIIKNCK To SKTTl.K.MKNT. 
 
 :;il 
 
 HilituMo to llio inv:idoi's, and ospooially unsuitcd for Ihoii- pi'op!ii;;ilioM 
 mid incroaso. 
 
 T.'tl. Tho supply ol' wood for Imilding, foncing, ;iiid I'lul, ovor ji f;i(:il 
 part of the Xorth-wost, is a inattor wlii(di a|)poars lo ro(|uiio iin;iiodialo 
 attontion. Tho oxistoiico of i^ roat aroas ol plain, almost ciiliroly dosti- 
 tuto of linihor troos, is now gonorally known, and on aiiollior paiic of 
 this Iloport, it has hoon attoinptod to ostinnilo the pari of liiis rcnion 
 which lies lo tho north of tho Hoiiildarv-lino. Apart tVoni the ureal iinini'- 
 dialo disa(lvanla,<i;os of so vast an extent of trtioloss pi'airie, its jn'csence, 
 and tho conipleto alisouco of forost-clad aroas, cannot hut have a 
 very serious oll'oct on the climate of tho whole interior region of the 
 oontineiit. 
 
 I'.l'I. Several writers have devoted atlontion to tiie caus' (,i ih coo- 
 lessness ot Ihc plains; and while on oiu' hand it has hoe^ . : j.ii' . ilml 
 tho whole, or almost tho whole, inlci'ioi- iH'u'ion of the cor ,v it as heeii 
 Ibrost clad; it has heen contended hy others that the greater ^ irl >!' the 
 area has never heen covorcvl with troos, and certain ro us l-ave heen 
 liroiight forward whi(di show, in the o|)inion of those oi. i/h,- side of iho 
 controversy, that the prairies arc incapahle of sup|iortinga IbresI growth. 
 The plains are known lo have heen thickly clad with coniferous and other 
 forests, in the Tertiary jioriod, Imt thei'o are other cirouinstanccs tending lo 
 show that ill comparatively modern, and post-glaeial times, a voi'y much 
 greater area was treo-cdad than at present. Chief among those is the great 
 ahundanco of land and frosh-wator shells, in the later dejiosits of the 
 Missouri, already mentionoil, and the gradual desiccation, which, on 
 the testimony of many ohservors, has heen, and is still, going on over 
 groat aroas of the West. This, though it may al present he iiiteiisilicd 
 by extra-lerrostrial intliicnces, hriiiging ahoiil cyclical ch;mgos of idi- 
 mato, cannot be entirely attributed lo such causes, but is the natural 
 result of tho decreasing area of llie region of lorest. Against these 
 facts may be placed others toiuling to an op|>osito conclusion, or al 
 least to the iiiodiHcation of tho idea of the Ibrmer iiiiiversalily of 
 forests. The absence of systems of drainage vallies in many regions, 
 has been already referred to, as showing the improbaliilily of former 
 great rainfall. The abseuco of any remains oi old forests, or of roots, 
 or drift-wood in the subsoil and alluvial deposits of the greater part 
 of tho plains, would appear to have a like iiK-aning. It would scctih 
 nujst accordant with the fads, as they are at piosent known, to cwii- 
 cludc that, since the glacial period, the plains have nover been eniiroly 
 
 4 
 
 ii: 
 
frill 
 
 I • 
 
 lit ' 
 
 M 'i 
 : f 1 
 
 f<{ ' 
 
 ■ I 
 
 # 
 
 312 
 
 n. N. A, noiiNHAnv pommisskin. 
 
 h I 
 
 l*"i 
 
 
 JWI'-1 
 
 oovorcd will) foi'ost ; Inif that cxlonhivc prnirics hiivo cuiitiiinod to 
 exist in llu- drii'i' rcnioiis, froiti lluit tiiiii' to tlic pivscnl duy. 
 
 7-'{.'{. Till! causos now in i)|KM'aii(tn ti'mling to tlic iK'r|K(ti'ation anil 
 sjiroatl of till' ti"i'"'ii'-s ai v'a. ai'i' sMilicii'ntly ohvioiis, lu-in^- prairie tires an'! 
 tlioir attendant i(»nse(|iiences. .Iiidifini^ IVom the presenl origi>i and in- 
 fluence of tliose ((tntlai^falions, i( can hardly he donhled, that ever sineo 
 llio tirst peoplini; ol' this contitioiil, llu' area of treeless prairie has hceii 
 in process of enlarueineni in an increasing; ratio. 
 
 7.'M. In the vicinity ot'tlic foi-ly-ninth parallel, west of Turtle Moun- 
 tain (lonjj;;, 100°). trees are never found u;r(»\vin!X on the open surface of (he 
 j)Iain. When they exist, they InrU in slu'ltere<l river vallies and ravines, 
 whei'e they are ]>; >tec(ed, in i^reat measure, from the sweep of prairio 
 tires, and find more ahundant moisture; yet even in these retreats, ll.oy 
 sutler periodical destruction. On the i!;ro\vth of trees for a nuinhei' of 
 years, they hecoine suri-onnded with nuich veu'etahie matter, and the tiro 
 catchini^ in this, hums down into the valley, and sweeps away a gi'eater 
 or less area of wooilland. 
 
 735. The incivase <tf the area of the plains at the borders, and the 
 destruction of the forest, are clearly perceptible, and have been noticed by 
 nil the explorers of ijic re,i;'ion. ('apt. Palli.-er writes: — "Large tracts of 
 country now prairie lands have at one time grown valuable forests, and 
 theii' present absence is- the lesult of the repeateil i-avages of tire. Whei'o 
 a scattered and stunted growth of willows is found, as a general rule 
 was ancient forest laml, which, when dug t( a suilicient depth, still dis- 
 closes numerous roots ot destroyed tind>er,'' and in iinother place: — "It 
 is most lamentable to see so often such masses of valuable timber des- 
 troyed, almost invariably by wanton cai-elessiu'ss and mischief. The 
 most trivial signal of one Indian to another has often lost hundreds of 
 acres of foi'cst trees, whiidi might have brought wealth and comfort to 
 the future settler, while it has broU!j,hl starvation and miseiy to the 
 Indian tribes themselves, by spoiling their hunting grounds. The 
 ImlianSj however, never taught by experience, still use ' signal tires ' to 
 the same extent as in former years, driving the animals from their re- 
 ti'oats, and nuiri-ing the fair face of nature for the future coloiust."* 
 Mr. Selwyn, in his last published repoii, niaUes the following remai-ks on 
 the same subject : •• The drying u]i of the country already alluded to haw 
 been ascribed to various causes, but is generally supposed to be con- 
 
 ■E.\l)l.iriiiinii uf British Nnitli Aiiiulii;a, pp. fti, Si). 
 
C.M'AUIl.tTlKS WITH UKI'KIIKNCK TO SEm.K.MKNT. 
 
 818 
 
 11 (lis- 
 
 "It 
 
 TIio 
 •oils of 
 fort to 
 lo the 
 Tho 
 ' to 
 )ii' rc- 
 ist."* 
 •ks oil 
 
 () llUH 
 
 I'on- 
 
 nccliMl witli tlic icradiml <l<'s|rn(tioii (»f iho forostM ovor lai';f(' ll^•u^*, hy 
 Hri>, (lirninisliini;- the rninl'nil. WIiuIovit IIic ctfoct nuiy li(« of tlicht* df- 
 slnittivc t'Diitliitfi'ulioiis, in rcfciTiitc to tlu> wiilrr supply of tlio region, 
 tlu'iv is no (loul)t that lit (litl'oi'cnt tinu's iihrosi evory s(juiiro mile of tlio 
 ooiintry holwi'cn UcmI llivor iind tlit^ l{ocky Mountains, lias iioiiti sub- 
 joi'ti'd to tlicni ; and that. Iiiiiiilrods o( miles of foiosis have thus boon 
 foiivi'i'tod into wiili' and almost troidoss ox[»aiiscs of ])rairii'." Now 
 that atli'iition is so proininciiitly drawn to tho North-west as a ri'^ioii 
 for settlement, it seems time that some lo.ifislativo actinii, havin/^ for 
 its object the in'ovention of these disasteroiis jirairie tires, should bo 
 taUen. 
 
 7;U). With such a potent (tauso as this still in active operation, it 
 would scarcely seem necessary to search further ; 3et lo account for 
 the present treeless condilinn of the plains, many theories have been 
 brou,!^lit lorward. 1 1 has been contended that the exlrome tinencss of 
 t'le »>:';iiiir soil prevents the growth of trees,* but in tiie lied Jtiver 
 and Mississippi N'allies, ti-ees are found growinu;, and attaining a very 
 large size, on the tiiiest varieties of this soil. Again, the peaty charact(M' 
 of the soil, is urged as a cause of treelessness. It is su])posed to liavo 
 been I'ornuMl during the gradual recession of great lakes, and to bo 
 unfavourable to the growth of trees, liki' that of modern peaty wwumps, 
 from the |»i'opoi'tion of iiimic acid which it contains.)- The tirm and 
 tough nature of th(^ prairie sod, and the well established suju'cntacy 
 of the grasses, is also mentioned, ami is no iloiibt a irue cause to 
 a cerlaiu extent. The juesence of • alkali' dv saline matter in the 
 Hoil, lias also been suggested as a cause, and though it may have some 
 ett'ect in exceptional localities, 1 have not obscrveil that its oci'Ui-ronco 
 in small (piantity is incompatibli> with the growth of trees, except in 
 so far as il may tend to show the loo great dryness of the soil. It 
 has also been staled, that as at a coin|iai'atively modern period, tho 
 whole interior region of America has been submiM'ged, and as largo 
 lakes arc known to have covered extensive areas of low-lying prairie 
 in even more modern limes; that the forest growth has not yet had 
 time to s{)read again over the re-elevated surface. |' It seems to have 
 boon forgotten by the advocates of this lasl theory, that many of tho 
 trees best suited for growing on the ]»i'airie, have light winged and 
 
 I. 
 
 
 WhitiR\, Gi'oldgy (if luwrt, viil. I. 
 
 t Lesquurcnx, Am. .Jourii. Hci. and Arts, May, isii.s. (ienldjfy of Illiiuii'., vol, i., ISflfi, \c. 
 
 J A. Wiiicheli, Am. Joiirti. Sci. anil Arts, Nov., 16(14. Sketi'lica of Cruatidn, 1S74, 
 
.311 
 
 n. N. A. lloHNItAllY roMMISHION. 
 
 f 
 
 I 
 
 *ii' I; 
 
 <;:,!;,; 
 
 foHtlu'iTtl HiH'<lf*, I'upaltlo of loiiu; aoiiiil flights. Tin- variniiK hpccich ol' 
 pophii's ami willows may lio H|u'C'ially iiu'ulioiiixl, ami it \h a I'act wiiirii 
 any <>ii« *'Hii (diMorvi', tliat tlio ^cimIm ofllm Uh'vh uw i»; i foinid liir finm 
 wo(mIs. (Irit'liii^ over the oj)cii roiiutry with (ho hiiow. '''ci'o uro pro- 
 hahly fow lar/^i' ai'caH of (he plaiii.'> which arc not ovory yoi . iium-c or loss 
 thifUly Ht'oihid with, at h-ast, willow and poplar. 
 
 TM. Tlui cxcosH of nioisUiri! in tin' soil, dm'in;;' some months, lias 
 also hocn hroii^lit forward, hut i-ortainly cainiot apply to any consid- 
 oi-ahli' aroa west of Iho Mississippi and Jiod llivor. The dryness of Iho 
 soil and utinosjihcri', as a causi' of troi'losHiiess, has di'scrvodly roccivc^d 
 more attention, and is iin»h)uhtedly a Irne cause over ^^I'eal areas. Prof. 
 Dana upholds tiiis theory, and lias very clearly shown the relation of 
 prairies and rey;ions of drou|^ht.='- The seeds of trees and shruhs, and of 
 all plants, except tiiose suited to withstand the fj;realest desiccation, 
 thou,i,'h they may he seatt(M'e(l hroadcast, and may ^erniinalt' in the 
 spring, are, in many districts, within a few months killed hy droULjht; 
 or, even where tho moisture may he siitlicient for their jj;rowlh, it may 
 not he enough to atford protection from tire. In these rc/^ions a i>atch 
 of forest once destroyed does not renew itself, and can only ho restored 
 hy euro and cultivation. 
 
 7IJ8. The aiva of the intei'ior phiitis can never, since the conqtlete ele- 
 vation of the Rocky Mountains, have heen a very moist one. The winds 
 with their prevailing direction toward the cast, in passing ovei- three to 
 five hundreil miles of serrie<l ])eaks and ridges, loose a great projiortion 
 of their moisture; and a great part of the lain which should he spread 
 over the entire west, is expended on a comparatively narrow strip of 
 country along the coast. All the t'acts al present known, however, 
 Hti'ongthened also hy analogy with other countries, appear to show that 
 the dryness of the ])lains is in great measui'e inlensitie<l hy their treeless- 
 iiess. The very dryness of the atmosphere and soil, is thus hroiight ahout, 
 to a great extent, hy the destruction of torest areas hy tire, and the elVeet 
 is a cumulative one. When therefore it is asked — why, if tho i)rairies 
 wore originally in great pjirt li tret* t-c lad, they do not now show an}' ten- 
 dency' to revert to that condition, oi" even to renew the growth of trees 
 over lately burned areas? It may he answered: that while the area of 
 prairie was still quite small, there would he an immediate effort in that 
 direction, hut that as the praii'ie with its hot, jiarched, and rain-repelling 
 
 * Seo ospuuially Am. Jour. Sci. and Arts, vul. xl., i>. iUT, 
 
 m 
 
CAI'AIIIMTIKS WITH KKH KIIKNCK Tn HKTTI.KMKNT. 
 
 81ft 
 
 KM'il'h of 
 
 I't wliii'li 
 liir fiuin 
 arc pro- 
 r ni' loss 
 
 lltllS, 1)IIS 
 
 y t'oiisid- 
 is of I ho 
 roooivod 
 1. IM'of 
 laliiiii (if 
 )n, ami of 
 ■<iooati<iii, 
 
 in tho 
 (lroii,ij;l>t ; 
 I, it may 
 
 a patch 
 
 1 rostoroil 
 
 |)h'to ole- 
 10 wiiuls 
 tiirco to 
 >|iorti()ii 
 > spiral I 
 sti'ip of 
 lowovor, 
 low tiiat 
 Ircoloss- 
 it ahoiit, 
 lio oll'oft 
 
 praii'ios 
 any ton- 
 
 of troos 
 aroa of 
 t in thai 
 •i']tolliiig 
 
 Hurfaco incroascd, tlic cllorl wmilil imconu' nutrc fool)lo. Afoiimi lis hor- 
 (U'i'M tho forest is hDWovcr still caiiahlo <>\' s|troa(iiM;i sponlniu'ously wlioro 
 proloclion from tiro is all'oivU'd ; ami it is ohsorvalihs that iti many diroo- 
 tions ihc pi-airio land has alriMidy roadiod its natiiral limit, and that itH 
 fiii'thor oxtoiision, and thoaoottmpiuiyin;^ inoroaso of drought, aro chooUod 
 against rogionsloo miuh lirokon l»y irrogidarity of snrfaco, or siib-dividod 
 by Hwanij) and lako, to allow wido-sproad conHagralions. 
 
 7J{!(. Many faots aro alroady known whioh tond to show tho progroH- 
 wivo dosiccation of tho Wost in niodorn tinios; and oxplorors aro oon- 
 Hlantly mooting with ailditional ovidoiico of tho sanu) kind. Ovor tho 
 groator part of Montana, lorost onco doslntyod is n^i nalurally roiiowod, 
 horo and thoro a low troos aro found \vhi<'h appoar to iu- ronmants of lor- 
 nior forests, and thoro is Honio roason to holievo that " ovon wlioio undis- 
 turljod by tho hand of man, the fdiosis arc gradually disappoaring from 
 natural causos."* Similar fads aro also obsorvod in California. In J)a- 
 kota, I'rof Thomas tinds 'dry lakos,' or the dry basins whoro lakos 
 formorly oxistod, now ontiroly devoid of water, and which do not appear 
 to have boon in this slate many years. hiVeii the lakos which still con- 
 tain water, aro said to have tho appearance of decreasing year by year. 
 There aro also evidences of former swampy pots where the grass is still 
 moro luxuriant than thai surrounding it, but the water has disujipeared 
 from the surface.")- These hollows and lakelets no doubt resemble those 
 of the second prairie plateau north of the Lini', and though 1 believe 
 many of the appearances bear other iiiterjirotatioiis, thoro still apiioars to 
 be a residuum of ovidonco in favour of change of climalo for the wdi'so. 
 In south-wostern Minnesota, I'rof. Wiiichell has recorded facts coneorning 
 the former deposit of calcareous tula, which appear to have a siniilar 
 bearing. J ^Mi-. Selwyn's observations to the same ett'ect on the second 
 jirairio stcpjic between the (^ii' Ajipolle and tho Saskatchewan, have been 
 alroiuly roforivd to, he writes with regard to the little lakes of tJio 
 prairie : — '' Tlnv appear all to be gradually diminishing in si/.e or drying 
 up. This, Mai Miald tells mo, has been going on steadily for several 
 years, lie sa^s that what wore formerly large lakos are now small 
 pools, and all the l< ssor ones arc already quite dry, an<l their beds over- 
 grown with gi-ass and woods." ij 
 
 740. Kvidonco similar in teiioi to tho above, is mc.t with constantly 
 
 *U.S. Geol, .yurv. Territ., 1871. * I'. S. (ioA. ,Surv, Turrit., 1872. \>. 305. 
 
 , rj Soeond|Aiiiiual Report, ficol. Surv , Minn., p. 107, 
 
 § Ki'portof Progress. Geol. Suiv. Canada, lt)73-74, p. 27. 
 
 V I 
 
 «i- 
 
316 
 
 li. N. A. BOUNDAllY COMMISSION. 
 
 ii^ -■; 
 
 f a 'J 
 
 ¥ ' 
 
 m 
 
 ^ 
 
 ■|;ju,:, 
 
 J 
 
 on tlio pliiins, aiid tin' cliiiii^-o toward desicciition would tlievct'oio 
 jipj)car to lie widespread, and is often, even by tlie least seicntilic 
 observers, attril)iUed directly to (be doereased area ol' iorest. Tbut 
 this may at least 1)0 a _ij;reat part of the cause, is rendered evi- 
 dent from tlie proved oti'ect of the desti'uction of forest-land, in other 
 and bolter known re,ii;ions. Where countries situated in a too humid 
 and chilly climate, have been to a great extent bared of forest, direct 
 amelioration apj)ears to have resulted, init whore this denudation has 
 been carried to excess, or where the rainfall is naturally not more 
 than suliicient, disastrous effects have followed. The annual raiid'all 
 has beoi observed yj diminish, oi- in ])laces where it is small, the sum- 
 mer precii»itation lias tailed altogether. The climate has bec<mie more 
 extreme, springs have (lisa])peared, and districts formc^'ly uiuler culti- 
 vation have ha(' to be abandoned. 
 
 741. Sir R. Murchison observed such effects in Eussia. He writes : 
 " The axe of the minei- has been a prime ciuise of this increasing 
 drought. The inhabitants of the Ural Mountains, complaining of the 
 annual decrease of water, invai'iably refer this etfect to 'the clearing 
 away of the forest." Dr. Str>;elecki, speaking of New South Wales, 
 says : '• The destruction of forests has i-enderetl the climate drier, and 
 is threatening the interests of agriculture."-'^ Similar results have been 
 observed to follow the clearing of forest lands in France, Spain and 
 other countries of Kurope, in Africa, in India, and elsewhere; and were 
 the fact disputed it might be substantiateil by other references and 
 quotations. Eoussingault, Sir John F. W. lierschel, and other meteoro- 
 logists, who have given the subject attention, concur in their estimate 
 of its importance. 
 
 T42. The converse of this proposition can, however, -brtunately be 
 ju'oven, and increased rainfall and general amelioration of excessivo 
 climates, have been founil. to a greater or less extent, to follow the 
 renewing of forests, and in some cases to result from the Judicious 
 planting of comparatively inconsiderable rre-'.s of trees. These results 
 have iiaturally been observed, for the most pai't, in the old world ; and 
 es])ccially where attention has b(>en paid to forest growth and culture 
 for s<Mne time. Habinet and Mlangi concur in stating that rainfall has 
 been caused in the |)reviously j'uinles.s region of Lower Fgypt by the 
 
 ♦ Uunted by A. Fryer, in a series of articles, entitled tlie Influence nf Furescs nn Rainfall, inihlislicd 
 in " Trie Sufjar Cane." M\K'h v.aUiiible information on this sidijeil li;is been eolleeted by .Mr. Fryer, 
 See also memorial on behalf of the Board of Aj^iiculturu to the Legislature of Maine, 1)059. 
 
 • 1 
 
 ri ^^ 
 
! U 
 
 CArAHTTJTrES WITH UKl'KUENCE TO SETTLEMENT. 
 
 31 T 
 
 tliercfbro 
 
 scientific 
 
 it. That 
 
 Icrcd ovi- 
 
 iii other 
 
 00 humid 
 !8t, (.lircct 
 itioii hiis 
 not more 
 
 1 niintUll 
 the siim- 
 
 jme more 
 (ier culti- 
 
 e writes : 
 norcasing 
 iig ot the 
 
 clearing 
 Ih Wales, 
 Irior, anu 
 liave been 
 pain and 
 and were 
 noes and 
 
 meteoro- 
 ' estimate 
 
 nately he 
 excessive^ 
 jllow the 
 judicious 
 se results 
 irld ; and 
 id culture 
 in tall luis 
 pt by the 
 
 iill, imhlislipil 
 bv .Mr. t'rjer. 
 
 <(j3. 
 
 growth of j^lnntations, and a siniilai- eti'ecl, cou))led with the increase of 
 spi-ings ill nunil>cr and volume, has been noticed in Franco, South 
 America, Austi'alia, Madeira, St. Helena, and other countries.* 
 
 74;J. A country clothed with arboreal vegetation is, to a great 
 extent, ])r()tected from denuding agencies, by the mat of vegetable soil 
 with which it becomes covered. Tlu' shade atibrded by the trees, also 
 prevents the too rajiid abstraction of moisture from the soil, and it 
 is accumulated in the subsoil, and the stip])ly of s]irings and rivulets 
 regulated and maintained. The ))recise manner, however, in which u 
 mantle of trees acts, in causing increased precipitation, is not so well 
 known. The foliage, no doubt, tends to retard and arrest currents of 
 air, and \>y lowering the temperature of the stratum nearest the earth 
 causes the fornuition an<l growth of clouds. It would appear, however, 
 that a great part of (he influence is of a more subtle luiture, and depends 
 on the electrical state of the air and earth. Mr. Fiyer evidently inclines 
 to that oj>inion. Trees rooted dee])ly in the damper layers of the soil, 
 and ending ujiwards in innumerable conducting points and edges, must 
 teiul silently to neutralize the ditVerently electrified air and earth, and 
 relieve that state of tension, which, when it exists in the former, causes 
 the repulsion of the a(iueou8 particles, and prevents theii- eoalesence and 
 precipitation. The prairie grass when it is green and fresh, may, to 
 some extent, have, in this wa}', the same effect as ti-ees; but it is at onco 
 ap[)arcut, that a hot and parched surface, whether of rock or sand, or dry, 
 withered grass, must not only not attract I'ain, but actually tend to repel 
 it, and pi-event the precipitation of the moisture existing in the atmos- 
 phere. Last year, on the second ])rairie stepjie, I noticed the formation of 
 clouds over the broken and wooded area, known as Turtle Mountain, 
 which, though it may have been brought about in some measure by its 
 elevation, seemed to be caused chiefly by its forest-dad surface. The 
 wind was fresli, and blowing from the south-south-east, and though the 
 whole sky was ha/y, with light clouds, a persistent cloud-cap seemed to 
 form over the higher woocled area, an<l tail away towards the north, 
 some light showers falling upon the mountain at the same time. 
 
 744. The (rreat West of America is too new to have yet accumulated 
 many facts from experience, but in several directions, encouraging results 
 have already beeti observeil to follow the advance of settlemcni, and the 
 ])lanting of trees. "When the .^b)rmons first settled in Utah, they found 
 
 .» '..« 
 
 * J 'I I 
 
 'ii, 
 
 'i 
 
 v' I 
 
 '.Si'o Fryer, iw. int. 
 
 
318 
 
 B. N. A. BOUNDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 s 'M 
 
 n 
 
 M 
 
 III 
 
 tho district Imrfoii. Wjitci- had \ l>e liroiiu;lit almost inci'edible distances, 
 in wooden pipes. Trees were carefully jilanled, and iionrislicd with the 
 water so hronu'lU, and now the district may he termetl tlie y;arden of the 
 work!, and is not dependent on water iiron,i;-ht from a distance, but enjoys a 
 steady rainfall."* lam ihformc<l hy MV. (iroo, editoi- of tlie Salt Lake 
 Herald, that the climate is still chan^-ini;' rapid!}-, lie writes : '• The lake is 
 gradually rising, and has been for many years. It is perliaps four or five 
 feet deej)or than it was twenty years ago. Tiiis is doubtless due to change 
 in the character of the seasons. Each year the amount of rain that tails in 
 this valley is greater than that which fell in the ))revioiis season ; hence 
 the streams of water which tlow into the lake ai-e lai'ger. The water of 
 the lake is not so strongly impregnateil with saline maltci' as formerly, 
 and not so much .salt is found on tiie short's, as there was a few years 
 ago." I)c. llayden, as far back as ISfi^, is aiile to write:—" The settle- 
 ment of the country, anil the increase of the timber have already 
 changed for the i)etter, the climate t)l that jiortion of Nebrask-a lying 
 along the Missouri, so tliat within the last twelve or fourteen years, the 
 rain has gradually increased in (|uantiiy, and is much more equally dis- 
 tributed throughout the year."'t And again, in 1870, '' It is true that, 
 over a width of one hundred miles or more, along the ML^^souri River, 
 the little groves of timber are extending their area; that springs of 
 water are continually issuing from the gi'ound where none wore ever 
 known before ; and that the distribution of rain throughout the year is 
 more equable." | Mr, E. S. Elliot states that there is a popular persua- 
 sion in Kansas, '• that u climatic change is taking place, pioniotcd b}- tlie 
 spread of settlements westwai'dl}', breaking uj) portions of the prairie 
 soil, and the covering of the earth with plants whicli shade the ground, 
 more tluln the short grasses. Tlu' fact is also noted, that even where the 
 prairie soil is not disturbed, the short bnltalo-grass disappears, as the 
 ' frontier' extends westward, and its place is taken by gra.sses and other 
 herbage of taller growth."*^ 
 
 745. The treeless plains of the western j)ortion of the United State.s 
 are estimatetl to have an aiva of 40O,Ot»O scpiare miles ; adding to this 
 the plains north ot the forty-ninth parallel, with a ])robable ai'ca of 
 192,000 square miles, we obtain as an ap[)ri)ximale total area of the 
 .great treeless plains of Xorth America, the sum of nearl}' six hundred 
 thousand square miles. The injurious etlect of a treeless region so vast 
 
 •«iuc(teil bv Fiver, ^ir cit. \ I'.S. (ieul. S\irv, Territ., lHfi7 flO, p. 14. 
 
 J U.iS. Uuol. Suiv. Ten-it., 1870, p. 104. j Il.id., \>. 4f)u. 
 
(.•Al'AlilLlTIES WITH REKKHENCE TO SETTLEMENT. 
 
 319 
 
 !iH Hiis. (Ill llic climato of the wosloni ])ai"( of the ooiUinent nviicrally, 
 caiiiiot hut he very i;Teat : and if in the course of time, any cousidei-ahlo 
 fraotion of it can he phinted witii trees, or hroui^'Iit uutier the piou<fh, tlie 
 resultiii<i; amelioration in elimate will lie remarUahle. 
 
 74(). Mr. Klliott in his ivporl, makes the followini^ very sng<^estive 
 remarks; — "Were it possihle to hreak u]) the surface to a depth of two 
 feet, from the ninety-seventh meridian to the ntountains, and from the 
 thirty-tifth to tlie forty-tifth parallel, we should have in a simjjlo season a 
 growth of taller herha<i;e over the entire area, less reflection of the sun's 
 heat, more humidity in the atmos])here, more eonstaney in spi'ing's, ])ools, 
 and streams, more frequent showers, fewer violent storms, and less 
 eapriee and fury in the winds. A single year would witness a changed 
 vegetation and a new climate. In three years (tires ke])t out) there would 
 lie young trees in numerous places, and in twenty years there would be 
 fair young forests. — The limited area which it is in our power totui-n up 
 by the ])lough, will have the same results in kind, to follow a breaking of 
 the entii'e suiface, but less ettective than if the operation wei-e universal. 
 Yet a beginning can be made by the Railwa}' ('ompany, and by indivi- 
 <luals. — A few acres at intervals aci'oss the plains, or onl^'a few clumps 
 of ti'ees growing without regularity will be a demonstration more ett'ective 
 than theory."* 
 
 The possibility of the successful gi'owth of ti-ees on the prairie, 
 when the most suitable localities are chosen, and proper eai'e given to 
 their planting and cultivation, has already been demonstrated in many 
 parts of the West. Many interesting facts on this point, and on the ra- 
 pidity of growth of the trees, will be found scattered through tlie various 
 reports on the Western Territories of the United States. Dr. Hayden 
 gives the following statistics of growth of plantations in Nebraska, some 
 of then'i situated on the higher level praii'ie, six hundred feet above the 
 Missouri River.f Cotton-wood (PopuJus monilifera) of seven ^-ears growth, 
 with a circumference of 2 feet; ten years growth, 2 feet 4 inches to 2 
 feet 11 inches, and 2.j to 30 feet high. Soft ma])le (Acer rubrum) of seven 
 years growth, with ii circumference of 1 foot 10 inches, to 2 feet 1 inch, 
 and 15 feet high ; ten years growth 2 feet 8 inches. Box-elder (Xe(jundo 
 aceroides) ten years old with a circumference of 2 feet 2 inches. And 
 other varieties of trees showing similar I'ajiid increase in .size. Dr. 
 Itayden is of opinion that within thirty to fifty years forest trees may be 
 
 ii i; 
 
 
 
 b- 
 
 FjCC. cU., p, 4.'i 
 
 1 1'. S. Ocol. Siirv. Turrit., 1807-aO. 
 
ammm 
 
 320 
 
 «. N. A, noiJNDAUV COMAII.SSION. 
 
 ihki 
 
 41 
 
 f 
 
 grown hirffo eiioiiyli foe all cooiioinical [yiirposos, and instances a t-asc in 
 which, ill ton years' time a f'arinci was uhlc to siipjjly his own fuel from 
 the Iiini)s and dead trues of his pianlalions, whirii \\H)iild otiicrwiso havo 
 gone to decay. 
 
 TlT. It has hccn cslinialcd that aliout one-thii-d of the snrfaco of a 
 country shoukl i)o in tlic state of forest to secure tiie ,i;-reatest climatic 
 advantaifo, and to yield a suthciciit supply of wood for the various ])Mr- 
 poses of soltlenicnt and civilization. Such an estimate is necessarily 
 only aj)])roxiniatoly correct, and thoi'e are vai'ious circumstances, ditfei'ini;' 
 in each locality, which tend to modify it, iduef among which is the pre- 
 sence of minei'al fuel, and the neig'hhoiirhood of extensive and unhroken 
 tracts of forest. It', however, it bo reduced to one-fourth, to cover the 
 case of the parts of the Noi'th-west more immediatel}' suitahlo for settle- 
 ment, it will still he a])parent how far these fall short of the reipiiretl 
 proportion, in the territory of Dakota, tlie highest estimate i)laces the 
 timljcred area at from 3 to 5 per cent of the whole only. The proj)ortio]i 
 of timber in the Pi'ovince of Manitoba, as at ])i'esent constituted, is much 
 greater, but is still too small ; especially when it is taken into considei-a- 
 tion that a great part of the woodland lies together in the eastern I'egion, 
 and is far remove 1 from many of the districts best suited Ibr agricultui'c. 
 West of the 100th meridian, there are regions of greater si/e than this 
 Province ir which the tree-covered area is almost nothing. 
 
 748. In Manitoba, and the Noi'th-west generally, then, on the tirst 
 introduction of settlement and civilization, itroblems concerning the 
 maintainence and planting of forests are found, which have not presented 
 themselves till late in the histoiy of most countries, and have then given 
 I'ise not oidy to extensive enquiry and research, but to the inclusion of 
 Forestry as a branch of the (Jivil Service, antl the appointment of 
 skilled superintendents and conservators. Though it has been (dearly 
 proven that thei'e is an area of the Canatlian North-west capable of 
 immediate settlement, and suttici cut for some time to come; there are 
 vast regions in which the evils of the absence of timber, and its attendant 
 results, are too great for the .settler to struggle against unaide<l. Con- 
 sidering that the amelioration of the conditions in these regions must be 
 aw >:!: ">f tini", it cannot be too soon begun, and must proceed either as a 
 public wor'. r (m • encoui-aged and protected by the Government. 
 Woods anti uolts of timber, ali'eady existing, should be protected and 
 ma'nti'ii.td , : reas formerly wooded, 'eplanted; and the planting of wuod- 
 lami J( )i> . > i> If. lied forsvard in eveiy suitable locality. It cannot bo 
 
 m 
 
CAPAniMTIES WITH REPERENrE TO SETTI.EMKNT. 
 
 321 
 
 
 ii<;' the 
 
 ■escntctl 
 
 II i;'ivon 
 
 iisioii of 
 
 ineiit of 
 
 Icai-ly 
 
 lable of 
 
 fO uio 
 
 lendant 
 
 Con- 
 
 nmst bo 
 
 icr as a 
 
 •iiinont. 
 
 ted and 
 
 )f w (tod- 
 
 unot be 
 
 doubted that the rosult.H of siu'h a policy will bo, not only the rodoni))- 
 tionof^reat areas of wild, open prairie, but a very rtontsible improvement 
 of elimate. 
 
 7-4!). The (piosiion, liowevei', for its satisfaetory and rapid solution, 
 ru(|uii'es the formation and oxoeution of a comprehensive sehonio, which 
 Hhall embrace not only the direct planting and protection of trees, but 
 he shaping of the general policy, with regard to the settlemout of the 
 country, to the same end. In such a scheme it would appear to be 
 necessary to consider the following points : — 
 
 /. The planting of trees should be undertaken and encourayi'd. 
 
 150. This might leiiuii'o to be carried out as a public work in the 
 remote ilistricts, but where settlement is going on, or has taken ])lace, the 
 planting of sufficient areas might be brought about ])y legislative action; 
 which might take the form of exemplicm from taxation for a certain num- 
 ber of trees set out, or oven in cxcci)tioiud circumstances, be of the nature 
 of adirect bounty on ])lanting. In several of the Western States and Terri- 
 tories such a course has been adopted. In Nebraska, where more })lanting 
 has probably been done than in any other couiiti-y so new, the act of 18()9 
 exempts from taxation property U) the value of $100 for live years for 
 each acre of forest-ti-ees planted and cultivated for timber. It Ijeing pro- 
 vided that the ti'oos are kept in good growing ordei- and sot not more 
 than twelve feet apart. This enactment is said already' to have pi'oduced 
 a very considerable eti'ect, many settlers availing themselves of it. The 
 French, Italian, and other tJovoinincnts have similar regulations.* — 
 Eussia with reganl to the distribution of its foi'osts much resembles 
 British America, for though its wooded area is estimated at 1 'y per 
 c^nt of the whole, it is very unequally distributed, and internal imuni- 
 cai!on is yet imperfect. The Southern Provinces are very jh in tim- 
 ber, and since 1842 a (iovernment Forest Admijiistration .as been 
 plaiting largely. Between 1806 and 1870, 20,000 acres have In . n planted 
 cxc usive of the action of private owjiers. f 
 
 751. An important item under this head is the collectio and circula- 
 tion of information, both with rogai'd to the species of trees niost suitable 
 for eich locality, and the best methods of planting anc' cultivation. Fx- 
 perin ental plantations of ditferent kinds of trees, indigenous and foreign, 
 in the various distriv-ts, would l)e very instructive. Nature, of course, 
 to a certain extent, indicates the best .species to occuj)y advanced positions 
 
 ::l 
 
 ^ilC 
 
 • Soo Kaycr loc. cit. 
 t r N, Werekha yutice stir les foreU et lew prodiiiu. (^uoteil in Nature, Jan. 28, 1875. 
 
 21 P 
 
i i m 
 
 
 «. N. A, WdllNDARV CoMMlHSroV. 
 
 on tlic jdiiins. l)iii (Ikmv luiiy lio otlu-rs, wliii'li il'introdiicoil, would siicceod 
 at least I'liiuUly woll. The vui-ioiiH sjiecies ofspnice and pine, though not 
 occnrrin*;' nalnnilly on tlic i)raiiie region, if tliey will ^'I'ow tlnji'o, would 
 I'orni I'liicii'ut wind-breaks. Among oiIilm' trees |»;ii'tic'uUii'ly suitable, may 
 1)1' inentioiu'(| tbi> various s|)e('ies oj' poplars and willows, wliicli have 
 the advantai;e of being easily propagated by cuttings, whei'e tlu' soil 
 i« !t< all damp in spring; and also the ashdeaved ma)»le. All these are 
 trees of I'apid growth. For low ground or the boiders of sloughs and 
 eoulees, elms suggi'st themselves as a valuable ad<li(ion; and to secni-e 
 liie permanence of woods when oiiie establishod. oaI<s — of whi(di several 
 sj)eeies would no doidit succeed — I'ircli, and othei- hard-wood trees, 
 should be j)lanted among the poplai's and majdcs, and wlien these are 
 fiiilinji', will still be in their first vigorous growth. It has also been 
 argued with much siiow of leason, that to jtroducr the greatest amount 
 of wood, and timber of real praeiical utility, suiteil (o fencing, and 
 otlier needs of the settler, t.'ie ti'ees should be planted much closer 
 1o'^■ her than suggested by the Nebraska law. They thi'O supjKirt 
 ( ,ch otbei' better a"::unst the boisterous winds of the jirairie, and 
 form clean long sticks, whi<'li can be thinned out as occasion requires. 
 It has also been pointed out by Mr. Jlodgcs ii.;t they shade tiie 
 "•round when thickl}' ])lanted, and prevent the growth of grass from 
 intertering with them. 
 
 752. Fi'om facts already stated it will be seen that the growth of 
 trees of fair size is not necessarily the work of a givat many 
 years, espeeiall}' if some ca?v be given them, and ploughing about (heir 
 roots attended to while young. The wood cut out in thinning a few 
 acres, will, after a few years, serve the farmer for fuel, which if counted 
 at the cuiTcnt rales, will in a shoi-t time ])ay the cost of ])lantii)g and 
 attention. The settler then finds himself with a valuable area of wood- 
 land, worth perhaps SlOO to S-(H) jter aci-e. When it once becomes 
 well understood that the growth of timber trees from the seed, is as 
 certain as that of any other ero]). and that they require a comparatively 
 Kmall amount of cultivation, it will cease to be necessary to induce the 
 settler to plant and cai-e for them. 
 II. Economy in the use of Wood should he obsared 
 
 753. This must be don'. f!)r the most part indirectly, by jiopulari.'i'jn^ 
 substitutes for this material. Foi- building perposes. where wood is 
 scarce it has only to be shown that it is possible to make concrete or ar- 
 titicial stone from some of the gravels of the district , which will make 
 
i SUCCOl'tl 
 
 KHi^h not 
 ro, would 
 [ibU-, may 
 lii'li have 
 till' si>il 
 tlieso aiH' 
 iiU'lis and 
 
 to SOOlll'C 
 
 li sovoral 
 
 od Irocs, 
 
 tlieso are 
 
 llsd bl'L'll 
 
 ( aniotiiil 
 •iiig, and 
 ell closer 
 1 >sii]i)tort 
 lirie, and 
 re([iiiies. 
 ihade tiio 
 rass iVom 
 
 fowth of 
 It many 
 ut their 
 ;• a lew 
 eounted 
 ting and 
 of wood- 
 hecomes 
 jH'd, is as 
 ai-atively 
 idiico tlie 
 
 iiihiiixintr 
 wood is 
 
 'te or ar- 
 ill uuike 
 
 rAPAKn.ITIK.S WITH REKERRNf'E TO SETTF.EMENT. 
 
 823 
 
 i\H substantial and warm buildings, and more permanent ojies. to dis- 
 courage the use of trees for Ibis purjtose. Many of the praii'i*- subsoils 
 and clays will make iiricks, but fuel is usually required to burn tln'ni. It 
 lias been found, liowevei'. in some parts of the westei'ii territories that 
 pressed and sun-dried Iiricks stand \i'\-y well. 
 
 15k It is for fuel, hitwever, that the greatest quantity of wood 
 is requii'ed; and to ceom)niisi' in this resjiect it is necessary to cncotirago 
 in ever}' way the opening up of the various beds of coal and lignite. Also 
 to have the an^as likidy to yield such fuel earefidly surveyetl and tcslt'd 
 by boring or otlu'i-wise.sct that the most ebgilile parts of them, anil those 
 nearest the thickly settled disti'icts shall be dclci-miiicd. The probability 
 of the discovery of such fossil t'uel in various parts of the prairie region, 
 has already been discussed, and something has been said on the possibility 
 of obtaining a supply {)i' peat, with especial reference to the valley of the 
 Red Rivei'. This is a material not to be despise<l, when it can be ob- 
 tained of the liest (juality; and which, when the pi'ice of fuel is i-ather 
 high, will bear transport to a considei'able distance. There are also many 
 areas which yield an inferior peat, much ini.Kcd \> • -arthy matter, 
 which nniy yet be dug and used on the spot with advancage. This may 
 be distinguished as filou(/h peat, and as it occur.s on the ju'airies, generally 
 formsa comjiaratively shallow stratum of a foot or two at the bottom of 
 the little tlepressed swamps, oi haH'-dry lakes. Many a fai-mer, by a 
 little search in his immediate neighbourhood, might tind spots whei'c it 
 would be easy lo obtain this material, and by digging it out in blocks 
 and stacking ii, might lay by the greater part of his .sinter's supply of 
 fuel at a snuill co.st in lubour.=l= 
 
 755. Under this head, too, cornea the opening up of projier means 
 of communication, by which coal from the mines, which may be estab- 
 lisheil. and wood from the largei- forests, may bo brought to districts im- 
 perfectly .supplied, and ]»revent the destruction of scattered areas of wood- 
 land. 
 
 lll.—Prcccnikin of Prairie and Forest Fires. 
 
 75l). No subject requires more immediate antl strict attention than 
 this, for unless measures are taken to stop these destructive contlagra- 
 tions — the etiect.s i)f which have been already referred to — no appreciable 
 benetit will result from the adoption of the other means. It may 
 1m^ said that it is very ilifficult to prevent the Indians from firing the 
 
 •Compare N, H. Wiiiohell in Second Anmial Report Oeol. Surv Minn., wliere an iiiUresting rc,<«m« 
 of the vnrii'iw |>roct.'itses eMi|>l()ve»l in |iciit nwn\ifai.turc will also be found. 
 
 
 fi: 
 
 ■li: 
 
 :':ll 
 
jij 
 
 324 
 
 B, N. A. nOTTNDARY COMMISSrON. 
 
 pniii'M", wliicli is tiuo, l»iit only iipplii's to llio i-eifioiis i'ar lie^'oiul any 
 in whicli sottlomcnt is likoly to tako ])la('(' I'or a loii<^ tinu' ; and Ihcso 
 liiTs seldom sjji'cad many liiiiidivd nulcs, witlioiil hoin^' chocked liy 
 viiin or otliorwiso. If is uidoitiniaUdy the case, howcvi'r, tlial the 
 Hottlei's themselves havo acquired a lialiit of tiring tlu> i^rass in atitmnn 
 or early spriiii^, with the idea oC producing; lietti^r /jfraziiiy;, and (dear- 
 ing out tlio hay swamps. It seems nri^ontly necessary- that le^ishition, 
 cnforccil if need 'j)e by ratlier seveie penalties, should hi'in^ this custom 
 to an •" I ; or at least if it ho considered a hai'dship to prohil)it 
 it altof^cthcr, to restrict it greatly, and allow it to he a])])lied to 
 small areas only, which are snrrounded \>y a nood broad plon<i;hcd line. 
 It should also he rendered imperative that the fire should he \vat(died 
 durini;' its progress, that if through any carelessness, it sin-passes the 
 hounds, the ])(M'son settini;; the (ire should he in a mcasui'e res]»onsihle for 
 the consecpiences. It is of course easy to circumscribe lields, buildings, 
 and fences, oi- plantations, with a few jdough furrows, wliich if care- 
 fully turned, form a very efficient barrier to th ' I'^re; but the wood 
 growing at large on the prairie, and the belts of limber along the 
 rivers and coulees, sntt'ei- almost atunially from flu in"ursions of fires, 
 and arc jn-evented from spreading, as they othoi'wise would. A better 
 illustration of this cannot ho found than the Eod River \'^alley south 
 of the Boundarydine. The fires on the western, or hakota baidc, are 
 much more froqu 'i t, and have a broader sweep, and are also ver}' 
 gcnei'ally urged forward by the prevailing wind. The womis fringing 
 the stream on this sitle are consequently thin and ]K)or, compared with 
 thoso on the eastern bank ; and thei-c are groat areas covered (/nly 
 ivith burned ' rampikes,' and straggling bushes. The fire sweeping 
 across the prairie is almost immediately extinct, but when it is carried 
 forward to the tliick belt of oak or ehn trees, maintains itself in the 
 dry vegetable soil and half-ilccayed timbei-, and n\ay be detected by 
 its lurid glare at night, often for a long time. 
 
 157. The advantage dei'ivcd from burning the old grass is verj' 
 slight, and the young blades are exposed to the action of the night frosts, 
 and to di'ought, in a majiner which causes them to become stunted and 
 soon dry. Jf the ha^'-swamps were properly cut the preceding year, 
 they would not re(piire to he burned. It will also be found moie advan- 
 tage us to enclose gi-ound, and sow proper hay-grass, and to jdace less 
 relii'nce on the comparatively ])oor and thin prairie hay, which the 
 farmer has sometimes to go a h)ng way to obtain. 
 
 ■:ii: 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 ' If 
 
 I ^ ^'i 
 
 fd 
 
A P I^ E N I) I X. 
 
 f . I 
 
 (A) Xotf on (Iw Pliinfs, lollirtcd hi/ Mr. <!. M. Ddw.^im, irom t/ir /jh/nitc 
 
 Tvrtiarij J)eiio,sif.s, iinir t/u l'nrti,'iiint/i /'iiralhl. 
 
 I!y I. W Kaw.son, k.h.s. 
 
 Till' HpiMiini'iis ((irisiHl d ' liiivrs mikI oIIm t n'limiiiK iiri'scrvid in sluili', iiinl of 
 HJIiiilicil wikiiIh, iniistl\ I'kiiimI Iimini' ; luit witliunt iloiilit ilirivi'il tiKiii llic niiiih' fniniii- 
 tioiiK witli the dtlirr ri'iiiiiiiiH, Vcfrclnlilf KtnicdircH aUu iiii|ii'ur in koiih' <>( llm Jjjg. 
 riifi'K, uiid iiiii lie (Icvfldprtl iiy tlic actidii of (itiiHtic pdliisli, dr iiitrir m id. 
 
 J. — I.KAVKS KTC, \\ MIIAl.K. — (ri.ATK .XVI.) 
 
 'I'lii' ;;rciitrr piirt of tlirsi' arc in a HkIiI KI'''.v I'l I'lciwiiisli .■.linic, liiiin rdi(ii|iiiic 
 C.'irrk, and tin' vicinity of Wood Moiiiitiiin ; imt anotlicr and sonnwlial diHlimi f:iciii|) 
 of siiiiicH occiMK in darit >;ii y hli."'c' from (ircat Valley, froni lirds liilicvcd to lie viiy 
 nearly on tlie same geolo^iiial horizon willi llie otlierH. Tlic lirht and more im|iortrint 
 f^roupi with reference to iiiimliers and slate of prcNcrvatidii, uc may dehigniitc tin; 
 the /'<}rrii/iinr Cri'i'k (rrniiii ; the hcc ond, the tt'niil I'ul/ii/ (,'iiiii/i. 
 
 The plants of the first of these groups are for the most part iileiiliciil with lh((8c 
 found liy the American (ieolojiists in the Kdrt Union series, and which have ln'cn 
 descrilied hy I'rof. Newherry and Mr. I,es(inereiix. They are also similar td plants 
 collected hy Dr. IJichardson in tlie M^'iiite series df the Ma^ ken/,ic> liivcr, as descrilied 
 tiy lleiT, and represented hy specimens in tlie cullecfion of the (iedlof:ical Survey and 
 of till' T'nivirsity. They alsn appr<iacli very cldscly td the so-ciUled Midceiie floras 
 of Alaska and (ireeiilaiid, as descrilied hy Ilcer ; iiiid in their Ituies and in several of 
 tlieir species, they coincide with the Miuceiie Mora of Europe. 
 
 If We were to rcKiu'd tlie attinities of the plants merely, and to comiiare them 
 with the Jlidcene of other eountries, and also td { (insider the fact that several df the 
 sjiecies are identical with thdse still livin;,', and that the whole fades of the flora I'oin- 
 eidos with that of modern teniiiciatc America, little hesifatioii would lie fell in as- 
 signing the formation in wiiieh they occur to the Mioteiie period. On the other 
 hand, when we consider the fact that the lower beds of this formation hold tlie 
 remains of ri jitiles of Meso/.oic type, that the lieds pass downward into rocks lioldin|j; 
 Baculites and liioccranii, and that a flora essentially similar is found associated with 
 Cfvtaceons marine animal remains i;oth in Dakota and in Vancdiivers Island, we 
 shduld he inclined td assi-^ii them at least td the Ijase df the Kdceiie. 'J'hey have in 
 fact heon thuK variously (ilactd, and recently I.es(iuereu.\ has atteiiii)ted to suli-divid(! 
 the beds of the corresiuinding rocks in the Uniteil States into a series of groups, 
 ranging from the Cretaceous to the Miocene. 
 
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 IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-S) 
 
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 1 
 
 1^128 |2.5 
 (^ l« III 2.2 
 
 
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 1.25 
 
 
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 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 Corporation 
 
 23 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. 14590 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 
 '^V 
 
 NJ 
 
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 6^ 
 
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328 
 
 H. N. A. not'NDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 ill 
 
 In mj* jtulKint'iit, nny pit-ciHe (Iccision as to tlieir penlopital age In premature. 
 Wi" liavi- before hk tlie fact tlmt at a time when the CretaeeoiiH fauna "till prevailed 
 in the Hen, the hind phints of Amcriea had alrtiady eonie in under the exiKting generic 
 forms, and tliat Komc modern specioK had heen introduced, and in the intervening 
 time, wiiile very dtcidcd ( imnnes have taken plaee in animal life, this flora has per- 
 sisted with only speeifle ehange, and with no marked hreaks. At the same time, it is 
 evident that lotal diversities of station were suftieient to produce very distinct floras 
 in ditfi'rent localities at one and the some time, and the paheontological botanist is 
 constantly in danger of mistaking local diversities for differences in age, and on the 
 other hand, if correlating beds of different ages, in consequence of the similarity of 
 their fossils. 
 
 In these circumstances, it is rasli to identify the beds, on the evidence <if plants 
 alone, with particular sub-divisions of the Tertiary elsewhere. In order to do this 
 with certainty, it will be necessary to wait until the stratigraphical relations of the 
 beds are better understotxl, and until sufliciently extensive collections hnv" been 
 made to enable us to eliminate local dift'erences, and to understand the actual pro- 
 gress of the changes on the great scale which have occurred between the Cretaceous 
 period and the present time. In the meantime, it is sufficient to hold that we have 
 here a flora which in Europe would be regarded as Miocene, but which in America 
 probably began to exist at a much earlier date. 
 
 The small collection of plants from a dark clay, at Great Valley, indicates a 
 Bomewhat (litferent assemblage of species from that of the other localities, though 
 believed to be on the same geological horizon. The leaves are mostly fragmentary, 
 and not so well preserved as those of Porcupine Creek. Amonj; them are Conifers 
 referable to Srquoia Lani/.vtorjfii and (jli/jilontrnhii> Kuroiimux^ a Populiit with large 
 round cordate leaf, having distinct obtuse teeth, and pinnate venation, and resembling 
 P. ffrandidetitatiiii, a, Smnndiis, pitrhaps S. ajfinii of Newbvrry, a Cinnomommn, one or 
 more narrow-leaved species of Querent, a leaf similar to IMtra McClureii of Heer, 
 and the remarkable equisetaceous plant described below, Physagenia Parlatorii, Heer 
 Such an assemblage, supposing it to be on the same geological horizon, may be 
 accounted for by supposing a marked diffen'uce of station, or some local change of 
 vegetation, depending, for example, on an extensive forest fire, or perhaps the afflu- 
 ence of a river bringing vegetable material from a distance. The flora as a whole 
 has perhaps more resemblance to that of Lesquereux's fourth or Green River group, 
 as mentioned in Hayden's report of 1873. 
 
 The following list of species includes all the forms wliich I can certainly identify 
 with the aid of the present material. In determining several of the species, and in 
 comparing them with those found in the United Stiites, I have been much aided by 
 the kindness of Prof. Newberry. 
 
 FUicef. 
 
 O.NOCI.EA 8E.\sinu-i8, L. — This well-known modern Fern, which occurs also in the 
 Miocene of the Isle of Mull, in Scotland, and in the Kort Union group of Dakota, is 
 found in great abundance in the clays at Porcupine Creek. Dr. Newberry has shown 
 that it is not distinguishable from the existing forms, but most resembles that known 
 U.S var. obUniloba of Torrey. 
 
AIM'EMtlX A. 
 
 ;}20 
 
 Davam.ia (StbnoIiOma) TBNi'iKoi,iA, Hw. — III thu ((illcrfiniis fiom rorciipinc 
 Cix't'k, tlici't' aiT si'vcral friignu'iitH both of liiirrcii iirid IitHU' IVoikIh, wliicli I cannot 
 (listin^MiiHli from thiK widely diKtrilnitcd Asiatic species ; I (five inn);nittcd iraciiiKH of 
 portions of the fossils for comimrison. I have not Imd recent s|)ecimcns of the 
 barren frond, and my deU-rmination is therefore based upon comparison of tin- fertih? 
 fronds, for spei 'mens of which from the fliniaiayus, I liave iH'en intiebted to tlie kind- 
 ncHH of D. A. i . Watt, Esq., of Montreal. In any case, this fern is of the type of I). 
 lenuifolia, and represents a genus not now found in North America. It is found in 
 the same bedH with Omwh'ti .vnnihi/iK. It appears to me just possible that the barren 
 fronds described by Heer, as Sjiheiin/iterin JJlviHalniwii may hi; of tills Hpetifs. (1*1. xvi., 
 Figs. 1 and 2.) 
 
 I It 
 i 
 
 
 f 
 
 Equinctiiceir. 
 
 Eqi'isktum, sp. — Nnmero!is fragments of an Kquisetum, not determinable ; but 
 similar to E. Arctica, of Huer, from tlie Miocene of Spitzbergen ; Porcupine Creek. 
 
 PnyBAOENiA PAiiLATonii, (Figs. 3 and 4,) Heer, Great Valley. — This curious plant 
 first described by Heer, from the molasse of Switzerland, consists of cylindrical striated 
 Htvms, with n«Mles at con.'<ideralile inturvals, and jiroducing whorls of inflat^'d or sack 
 like bodies (ampullae,) which may have been of the miture <if roots, or of submerged 
 hollow leaves, or bladders. Heer seems at a loss to refer it tr) any detinite place, 
 but inclines to regard it as submerged jiortior.s uf an Equisetaceous plant. The 
 specimens from Great Valley are not distingu:s<iable, specifically, from those he 
 figures. 
 
 Coii(feriv. 
 
 GLYPTOSTnonus ErROPA;ua, Heer.— Branchlets and leaves, Porcupine Creek, This 
 species is common to the Mioc^ene of Switzerland, Alaska and (ireenland, and is 
 found in the Fort Union grouj) of Dakota, Newberry. South Park, Lcsij, 
 
 Sequoia LANOsnoBrFii, Brt. — Hranehlets, leaves and cones. Porcupine Creek; Dirt 
 Hills, R. Bell ; McKenzie River, Cireenland and Switzerland; also Fort Union group 
 and Black Hills, according to Les({uereux. 
 
 Thuja iNTEnnuPTA, Newberry. — Very abundant at Porcuiiine Creek, and wood of 
 the structure of Thuja is abundant in tlie lignites with which it occurs. Remains of 
 Its fruit seem more to resemble that of the western T/i. i/ii/nnleii than that of the Th. 
 occiihnUiliii, which, nowever, the leaves anci branchlets are so like as to be scarcely 
 distinguishalde. This sjiecies is characteristic of the F«)rt Union group. 
 
 Monocotyledonfii. 
 
 Lemna (.spirodela) hcctata, N. S., (Figs. 5 and G.) — Fronds round kidney-form, 
 untire or slightly undulate at the edges, sometimes an inch in diameter, single or 
 grouped. Roots numerous, tiliform, proceeding from a round spot near the notch of 
 the frond. 
 
 This species is very abundant at the Bad Lands, south of Woody Mountain, where 
 it is associated with great (|iiantities of roots, and rootlets, or tiliform siib-aijuatiu 
 leaves. It was an aquatic jilaiit with floating disc-like leaves, and I can refer it to 
 nothing else than Lenina. 
 
 At the same place is found a smaller tri-lobed frond, with three equal ovate divi- 
 sions, and a diameter of three or four lines. It iimy indicate a sciond species, but 
 as only a single perfect frond was found in the collection, I hesitate to describe it. 
 (Fig. 7, a.). O.'i the same slab are roots with jiiunate or radiating rootlets, and which 
 are very common in these beds. 
 
 PHHA0MITK8 ? sp. — Associated with the above and also at Porcupine Creek, are nu- 
 merous indistinguishable remains of reeds and (tther grass-like plants. 
 
 Sciiiprs, sp. — Hjiikes small, numerous, less than a line long, each with four to five 
 pairs of incurved lanceolate scales. Bad lands. 
 
 HciRPUH, sp. — Another species, with about six pairs of scales and two Hues lutig. 
 Porcupine Creek. 
 
 1 ' 
 
330 
 
 n. N. A. milTNtiAUV rOMMIHSlON. 
 
 HirnljlleUmen. 
 
 PopfMH UiciiAKitsdxi — Unr, Ton ii|(iiic ('nek. — Tliis fiin' sincics of Poplar, dcs- 
 crilti'fl |py HciT IViiiii Miickcii/.ic Iti.iT iukI (in-ciiliiiKl, is rcpicNciitcd liy u few 
 I'm^iiK'ntN (inly in tiii'Hc rollcrtionH. 
 
 SAr.i.x ItAKANA ? Hccr, <ii(iit Viilliv, — 'riiis spii iis occms at Markcn/.ir llivrr 
 nn<i in (iii'mlaml. A ffw leaves ajipi'iii' ret'eialile tn it lint nut with rertainty. 
 
 t'oHYH's misTiiATA — Ait. — Leaves n"t (listinf;iiislialile IVcmi tluise iil' the e(inini(ili 
 heaked Ila/.cl, dcein' at l'(ii'('U|iine Creek. This spi'cies is also reidrded hy Nuwiierry 
 from the Fort I'nion (iniup. 
 
 ('. Amkimcaxa. — Wail., I'oreiipiiie I'reek. — This als<i is a recent species and is cre- 
 dited )iy liofh Newiierry and LestinereuN to the Furl I'nitm (ironp. 'i'hns hoth onr 
 American Hii/.els occnr in tliese deposits; and a :till finer species, T. J/(/r(^i((//-;'iV, 
 Heer, is ronmi at Mackeii/.ie liiver and in the Fort I'nion heds. 
 
 I'l-ATANiH MKTKiKM'iivi.ia's, N«'\vherry. — Wood End, loose, lint no doidit, from tin; 
 Ligniti' Tertiary formation. The species is found in the Fort Union unnip. 
 
 Dkisi'viios, sp. — 'I'd this ;.'enns ! refi'r a few imperfect leaves from I'lirciipine 
 Creek, liut cannot certainly identify them with any of the species descrihi'd from 
 otlier jiarts of these formati<ins. 
 
 SAi'i.NMifs AKKi.M.s, NcwIierry. — Had Lands, Woody Mountain. This species in 
 fonnd also In the Kort I'nion Iteds. 
 
 liiiAM.N'cs, sp. — (ireat Valley, ;t4."i mile point. A singl'' l''iif| wanting part of the 
 tip and liase. Imt otherwise vitv perfect. It corresponds, as far as preserved, with R. 
 Kridinii lA rnjier, which occiM's in (ireenland, liut it may he one of the species dt'w- 
 cribcd l>y Les(inereu.\ fi<im the Lignite Tertiary of the I'niti'd States. 
 
 HiiAMXUscoNciNNiTh. — , Newlicrry. — I'ori'Uiiine Creek. This species also ociiirs in 
 the Fort rnitin groii]i. 
 
 Caiiva ANTiijioiUM. — NewlH'rry, I'orcnpinc Creek. — This species is als«i found in 
 tlie Fort I'nion group. 
 
 .)i(ii.Axs ci.NKUKA ? I'orcnpine (heek — A leaf so near this specicK thiit I hesitate 
 to separate it. It ri'semhles, however, 7. Iiilinica I'ng, 
 
 ViiiniNi'M I'niKscKN.s — I'ursh, Porcupine Creek — Either this species or a large leaf 
 of r. I'lnriiiliilti^ Newlicrry, from Fort I'nion (iroup. 
 
 Other leaves in this collection nniy r4'present a sjiecies ol J'riiiiiiK, a T/itiliclnim 
 different from <inr modern American species, and several other plants, hut not detei 
 iniiuilile without more material. 
 
 Aksctlvh A.NTiyfis, N.S. (Fi'rs. 8 anil !•.) — Pericarp U iiu'hes in length and 1 inch 
 in hreadtli ; oliovate, truncate at luise, regularly rounded aliove, with several strong 
 woody spines on the upper half. 8ecd of similar form hut smooth or with a few 
 tortmnis impressions, liad Lands west of Woody Mountain. This fruit is almost 
 certainly an Aesculus, hut with <'haracters intermediate in some respectH between the 
 Horse Chesnut and tlu' American Huck-eye. 
 
 TiiAi'A lioiiKAi.is '? — Heer, (Fig. l(».) — A few oliscnre prints seem to indicate a 
 sjiecies of this genus, which iiiay he identical with the aliove species descrilied by 
 Heer from Alaska. They are associated with stems and linear snbmerged leaves which 
 nniy have belonged to this plant, and similar to tliose described by Heer from Alaska. 
 In one of my specimens, the two lateral tubercles seen in Heer's figures seem to be 
 produced into spines, making si.\ in all. The specimens are from Had Lands, west of 
 VVoodv Mtinntain, and tliere is an obscure example of the same form from (Jreat 
 Valley. 
 
 Caim'oi.ithkh, sp. — An ovate fruit <if the form and size of C. liiiKitiiii, of Ni'wberry, 
 but not distinctly striated. Had Lands, west of Woody Mt. 
 
 The folbiwing are the sjiecies catalogued by Heer, from Uii'hardson's colleclionH 
 on the Mackenzie. As they belong to this region, tliey are given here for compa- 
 rison : — 
 
APPENDIX A. 
 
 sai 
 
 1. Cllyiitdstidliiis I';iirii|i;i'iiK, ni'K't. 
 
 2. S((|iii(iii liiiii^'sdoillii, Hint. 
 
 3. I'iiiiis, s|i. 
 •t. Sinilux Kniiikliiii. 
 T). I'ii|iiilii- Hi('lmi(ls<)iii. 
 li. I'i>|iiiliis Aiflica. 
 
 7. I'<i|iiiliis )liM)ki'ii. 
 
 8. Sikli\ Uaiaiiit. 
 
 17. ('itr|)<)litli( 
 
 !». Ititiilii, sn. 
 
 III. Cm \ Ins Mr(^imiiii, Fiilir. 
 
 1 1 . QiiiTciis Olat'si'iii. 
 
 I'J. I'liitiiniis Aci'iuiilcK, (iocpt. 
 
 i:t. Ili'ili'iii MrCliiiii. 
 
 I I. l'li'l'<>s|M'l'Miilr.s ili'liliitllN. 
 
 !.■>. I'livllid's iirniilciis. 
 
 Hi. Aiilliolitlicx aiiiisKii.K. 
 K smiiiiiiliiiii. 
 
 II. — Cd.MKKUdl'H WOOim. — (I'LATK .W.) 
 
 TiiirKi' i|iiiiiititii's (if Niliritii'il fosHil woihI, ilcrivi'il uppart'iitly fnnii tlit' (li'iniilatidn 
 of the 'I'nliarv liv'iiilc fnriiiatioii, air scattrird nvrr the jilaiiis. Init tlif lirr.san' 
 lardy f<>iiii(l in situ in tln' Ih'iIs. Slices uf a niiinliri' <if tln' iimsi pi'iiinisin^ spi'iiiniiiN 
 liavc Ik-i'Ii mail)', and in iiddition similar sli'cs fnnn lli< .Saskatclii'wan and tlir Mi- 
 Ki'ii/.if Kivcr, in till' colhrtiuns of llic (iti)loj;ii ul Sniviv. 'I'lic ;;n atiT nniiilpri- arc 
 ColiifcroiiH. and soinc of tlicin, no doiilit, tin' wood of tin' .saliu' spnii's wlmsr Iiiivi-k 
 and coiit's arc found in the luiis, tlioii^di it is not pnssilde with icrtainty to idriitify 
 tlit'sc, and it docs not sccni nc<'cssary to ^ivc s|m cilii nanus to fragments which will 
 possilily soini' day he reteircd to their proper species. 'I'hey indicate a lar;,'e niiiiiher 
 of Coniferous tret's helon;;inu: to dilhrciit ui'inrii tyjics. and may lie arran;;i'd as fol- 
 lows, in the conventional giiiera at present recojiiii/.ed \>y palicohotanists. 
 
 Ckkiid.wi.on. — A Wood of tliis type is very coniinon, iinil may very |i<issilily have 
 bchm^^ed t<i Tliiijii iiilirrii/i/n, as it is very closely allied t<i that of the northern T. 
 urriiliiilii/i.«. (Fi).'. 1.) 'I'hcrc is also a second species of this j;eiius, with siiorler 
 incdiillary rays, havinj; inucli resin, and w l-< ells with one row of pores rarely seen. 
 
 I'lTo.wi.iiN. — Wood of this type, similar to the modern I'iiiiin. is rare ; Init one 
 Well chtiracteri/.ed species o( <iirs, (Ki,!.'. 'J.) It may havi' lielon^'ed to a Scriili Pine, 
 similar to tin northern /'. llinikKinnn. and Iteer liiinrcs a haf of this type from Mac- 
 kcii/ie lliver. 
 
 Cn'iiKssdxvi.o.N. — The greater part of the wood |ireseiits this type, and may licloiig 
 to trees of dilVereiit ircncra. 'I'lic followin;; kimls are well <liaracteri/ed : — 
 
 Species (//.) — With two rows of discs on the wide w 1 cells, and Ion;; resin- 
 
 cells. It is closely allied to the wood of Sii/iinin xnii/i'iriii ii.'', and may lieloliK to 
 one of the SiMpioias found in the heds, (Ki^^. :'..) It lias medullary rays with many 
 rows of cells superimposed and some ciim|iosite resinifenuis rays ? 
 
 Species (/).) — With one row of dis<s on the wide wood cells, and wide resin-cells, 
 llcsemliles till' wood {if Sii/iiiiiii i/if/iinli'ii^ and prohahly liclon^'s to that p'liiis. 
 
 Species (r.) — With one row of discs on the cells and nnmeroiis medullary rayK 
 which are very short, having; usually only two r<iws of cells siiperimin <ed. Ap- 
 pi'ditclicH in its characters to the wood of TiumUinii and ('iii/iliiniriin ; lint may proliHlily 
 have heloliKcd to (I'/i/iilnslriihiis, (Ki.U 4.) 
 
 Species (./.) — Narrow wood-cells with one row of discs and many resin cells. 
 Medullary rays of several rows of cells superimposed. 
 
 Specie!, (»■.) — Wood cells with one row of discs and very lon^' and numerous 
 rays, (Fip:. ,'».) 
 
 Species (./".) — Wood cells very wide, with several rows of .scattered discs. This 
 wood is not Well preserved, Imt is appari'iitly near to ('. /inli/iimrinhnii of Cramer 
 from Banks' linnd. 
 
 Taxo.WMin. — A wood not well preserved, lint with spirally lined wood-cells of the 
 type of those in the modern 7'iijii\ and discs with a slit instiad of a round pore. 
 
 There are prohalily other species, with the wood less distinctly characteri/.ed or 
 preserved ; and the lignites when treuterl with caustic potash, show ahimdant coni- 
 ferous tiKsiies of the types of Tliiijit and .V<yi/<//.i, which thus seem to have larfjely 
 tdntributcd to tlu-ir niasH. 
 
 III. — ANC.IdHPKIIMOrH WOODS. 
 
 Of thes(> the specimens sliced which were siifticieiitly preserved for determin- 
 atidn, arc rcferahle to the genus J'ojiidiii', which genus is also largely rcprcKfntcd 
 among tlic foHsil leaves. 
 
 m 
 
(H.) — Re}x)rt on ihf Vtrtthroie. Fossils from the Fort Union Group of 
 
 Milk River. 
 
 Hv K. D. (.'oi'B. 
 
 Thf ftiHHilK Hiiliinittcd to my fxiiiniiuition liy Mr. Diiwhoii, an- KciuMally in a 
 fi'iiKiiK'ntJiry toiulition, iind Ix-Idiik ton nitiiilifr of iliHtiiict iiulivi«lnnlH. In Itiit few 
 iiistniu-cM arc tlic fiiiKiitciitH ho clinructiriHtic itH to a4iiiiit of HpoitU' <iia^iioHiH, but 
 thfy Ifuvc no iloulit \m to the ordinal rt-latioiiM of tlic aninialx t^i wliicli they li«>- 
 lonfrt'd. TlicHf iiri- »'xilUHiv«'ly DinnMaiirin, tortoim-H, and nar-tiHliiB, no Mamiiuiliu or 
 marine vi'rti-liratn lit'ihK indiiati-d. 
 
 Tlif collection Ik of expecial intercHt, aH fiirniHiiinK one more Htation wli<-n<'e a 
 glim|iNe of the life of the " tranHition pcri(Ml" of th«^ hiHtory of the wextern |»art of 
 America may be ohtained. And tlie rcNulting information Ih Himiiar t4> that already 
 derived from HtudicH of the paheontolo^y of the Mime horiiton liy I'rof. Leidy and 
 myHelf in Dakota, Wyominfj, (Colorado, etc. Tlie Hpecien are evidently tlie lati'Ht 
 cxanipleH of the terruxtrial life which charaiterized the McHojsoic a^ttH, and wliicSi 
 preceded the advent of the mantmalH in the northern hemisphere. The formationK 
 in wliich the foKHilH occur conHixt of ^reeniHh-lirown arenuceouH clayH of vurioUH 
 tlc^'reen of hardncKX, frei|Ucntly including HUiall ffravel-HtoncH, and KonietimeH 
 forming a hard cement between them. The foMsilK were found near the base of 
 tliii formation, and " not more than one or two hundred feet above yellow 
 arenaceouH beds, whiih I conceive lepresent CretaceouK No. 5, and which are 
 rapidly f(dlowed in clencending by well-marlced No. 4 with charactttriHtic fossiln." 
 (Extraited from letter of Mr. Dawnon.) 
 
 The Kpecies are the following: Vltisti'i, up.; Compsfmi/n oymiu* ; C. f victim; 
 PloittomeHus runlutim ;• /*. coalencenn ; Tritiiii/i ? oayanK ; Trioni/x ? 8|).; ? Ifailromtiirim 
 ? 8p.; C'iunodon xleno/mn. 
 
 The dinosaurian remains are qi<ite abundant, and indicate Hcverul Hpocien, but 
 arc mostly ro fragmentary as to be unfit for determination. The dirtgnostic g»!n- 
 era of this list are Comimemi/K, Plaslamftius, and Cioiiodon ; the specicR referred to 
 I/iidrimiurux being represented by caudal vertebrae only. The first-named genus is 
 characteristic of the Fort Union epoch only ; the fragment referred to C. victun, 
 the only xpccies of the list previously known, is too small for final specific 
 reference. The I'lastomenus coaleacetia is represented by a more perfect specimen 
 than any other species referred to this genus from the Fort Union Beds, but is 
 not sufficiently (omplete to render the reference t(» this Eocene genus final. It 
 is, in any case, not a member of any othiir known genus. One species of Trionyx 
 is represented by a hyosternal bone, and is not definable ; while the fragment 
 
 I ■ 
 
 * Two g|)ecie8 are pruvifiioually reterretl to the Tertiary geniu Pla4tomenus, but are too (ratnnentary 
 (or fliial dc'temiination. 
 
 >: i ■ 
 
334 
 
 II. N. A. IJOfNUAHV COMMIMStitN. 
 
 rcfrri'cil to T riii/iiiin, tliiillcli rlosi'ly Irst'inMili^' Dull N|icrii'N, Im not Illl'Ki' i'nini);li 
 fur tliiitl ili'tt'i'iiiiiiialioii. 'I'lir ('niiniliiii, (liiiu^)i lniNitl dii iiiciniiiili'ti' I'liniiinH, ix 
 qiiitt' •iilticicnt for pnla'Diitiilo^iciil |iui'|iiin('k. 
 
 lit rtiiK'liisiiin, it iniiy Ik* Htutitl llutt tliirc urr incMi'iit two lo'in'ia in IIiIk 
 ('(illi'('tii)ii wliii'li urc iliu^'iiiixlii <it tin- l''(>i'( riiiuii rimrli, liiit III) s|M'ri('M ci'i'tHiiily 
 
 HI), tllollKll t^vi) M|)iM ii'N air |)r<)|)||li|y iilnitirul >\i(ll Hpri Icn uI' lliiil rporli ; iiIkii, 
 tliat till' |ircsi'ii(i' III' l>iitii!iiniiiii icIVin tlir raiuiii In llu- Mt'Ko/.iiir Kfrii-K ; luiil tlial 
 tlirl'i* ix no KiitiKl'iii'loiy cviili'lit'i' 1)1 lllr ro-ixlsli'iici' of llirsi' rr|)tili'H willi 'riTtJiiry 
 fiirniN ; tliiit III)' N|)('<'ii'K I'l'l'i'irnl ti> I'ltixiitmcniix ii'iisliliiti' an iiidiialiDii nt'atlinity 
 with <'orrfK|ninilin>j Kdii'IH' luniis. 'I'lic prrsriui- ul' k'hI'^'k''* "I' tlir ncniis I'luflf in 
 ttiiH tiii'iniiti«>n In iiH y<'t iiiTiiliar to tliiN ami tin- .liMlitli Kivir lonilitii'H. Ah IIii'hc 
 pii'H liavc not lii'irtot'iii'i' Ix'i'ii t'oiiiiil in Nnitli Ainrrica l)i'lo\v tlir Korcnt', tlii'V 
 ronNtitnlf tlif tii'Ht caHc ut' iipiiuii'iil < iiiiiiiiiii^tlin.u of Ti'itiaiy ami I'lrtairoiiH 
 imiinal lift' yrt cicuily ilctrriiiiiicil. \'rt tlir iviili'mc In far fmni hciiiK as weighty 
 in imliialion of 'I'l'itiary icIiitionK iin In tlic pri'sinic of tlir saiiritiiiH in ipirHtioii uh 
 
 rviilrnrr of Mrso/.iiii rliaiaclrr ; for tlir uni's, llioli^li How living, arr an allrii'iit typr, 
 
 tlirir allii'H having Kwurninl in tlir .liiinsNir hiiis. ami it is tlirrrforr altof(r||iri' irti- 
 8onal)lc that thry should In' found in frrsli walrr ilrpoHits of ( 'irtarroiis and 'I'rrtiaiy 
 nfH'. 'i'lir rarity of the luralitirs of the forinrr deposit iicroiints for Ilir late dtitr of 
 thrir discovery tlirre. 
 
 ClONODON, Cope. 
 Hull. rs. (Seol. Survey Terrs.. No. 2. p. 'J 1 . 
 
 <^hiir. i/i'n. — Kstalilished | riinarily on a portion of the righl niaxillary hone, with 
 ninnerouHteotli in phire, of the r. -//■fV./Zi/.v, < 'ope, a spriies discovered in the Kort rnioii 
 heds of Colorado. The followliij,' i,'riirrlc clmrarti'is arc drrivrd from the typical 
 Hpeciinrii of this species. Tile posterior portion e.xhiliits a suture, prohahly for iniioii 
 with the palatine hone, while the rest of the interior nnii'tfin in free. It is reinoved 
 Home distance from the tooth line in conseipienre of the hori/.ontal expanse of the 
 hone, while the outer face is vertical. 
 
 The teeth are rod-like ; the upper jiortioii siilicylindric in section, with the inner 
 fiK'f ilnttened from apex to hiise, while the low"r half Ih tiattrned hy an ahrupt exca- 
 vation to the middle, for the uci ommoiliiiioii of the crown of the siiccessional tooth. 
 The inner face of the tooth, from apex to hasr. is shirhird hy a jilati' of eiiiiniel, 
 which is sonn'what eh'vated tit tlu' margins, iind supports a keel in the middle, thuH 
 giving rise to two shallow loniriludinal trou^'hs. The remainder of the tooth in 
 covered with a layer of some dense siihstiince, possihiy cementum, which overlaps 
 the vanishinjt imir^rins of the enamel. The outer inferior excavation of the shaft 
 presents a median lon>;itudinal groove, to accomm.idiite the keel of the closely-ap- 
 pressed crown of tlie siiccessional tooth. The apex of the tooth lieing 
 ohtusely wedge-shaped, the functional tooth is pushed forward and trans- 
 versely, toward the inner side «>f the Jaw. The tooth slides downward in a 
 closely-fitting vertical groove of the outer alveolar wall. The inner wall is 
 ohlitiue, its section forming with that of the outer a V ; it Jh fi)rrow«!(l 
 
lili 
 
 AI'I'KNDIX II. 
 
 ;{;{5 
 
 with ^roovi'H Miiiiiliir iiiul itpiioHid' to tlioN*' of tlic otitrr wiill, but ciitircly 
 iliscDiiin'ctcMt troiii IIk'Iii. 'I'Ik ItiiMc of (lit- Hlmiik of tlic fiinitioiml tootli, on 
 lii'iiiK (liHplut't'd liv Hie Hiicri-KHioiuil, Mlidi'N dotMiward mid inwiird iilmif; the 
 ({roiivi' of tlir iniuT nidi' ; nirli liilcml iiiovcinriil liciii^' iiccoiniiniiicd liy ii corri'Miioiul- 
 iiiK pi'otniHJon. At tlic iiioHt, tlii'fc trcth form ii ti'iiiiNVci'Nit line ; iiiiiiicly, one in-w 
 ii|it'X I'xtt'i'iiiil, our liall'-worii ci'owii iiii'diuii, and the Ktiinip or luiHiH of n sliank on 
 tlir iiun'r. Tlif nrw i rownw arc, however, jirotrnded xucieMKively in Heries of llirec, 
 ill tlie loiiKitndii'Hl dini tioii also. 'I'Iiiih, wlieii an apex Ih fresiily protruded, tlie 
 HJiunl; in front <>f it is a little more prominent, ainl thi' third HtandH heyond tli<> 
 ulveohir liorder. As each shank inereaxes soiiiewlmt in diameter downward in tlic 
 ('. iiirldliin, the sertion iliereases ill si/e with Jilotrilsion ; hence, liel'ore the llp|iear- 
 tiiiee of II new crown outside of it, there are liiit two functional teeth in a eroHH-riiw, 
 Thus, ill the oiiti'i- loiifiitiidinal row, only every third tooth is worn by fuiietional 
 use at one time ; in the middle series, all arc in use ; while in the inner, every third 
 one is siiiiiiltaiieoiisly thrown out in the lorin of n minute stump of the shank, if not 
 entirely (ground up, 
 
 Tlic doi'Mil vcrteliric are cpisthociclian, the anterior iimre compressed than the 
 posterior ; capitular articular faces, if cxisfinn, nre slightly marked. The 
 /.yK'i|'*'l'''.'^''"''' '"'' ''"' little piomiiMiit heyiind the arch. A caudal vertelirii is plano- 
 concave, with rather depressed ceiilrum, a liMIe longer than liioad. The eoiidyles of 
 the femur have a short arc and chord ; the head of the tibia displays a Uiifiv ctiemial 
 crest, but is not emarKinate beliind. 
 
 The type of dentition exhibited by this ^eiius is, perhaps, the most complex 
 known unioiiK reptiles, and is well adapted for the coiiiininutioii of vexctahic food. 
 While tlic mechanical elfcct is (jiiite similar to that obtained by the structure of tin- 
 molars of ruiiiinatiiiK uiamnials, the mode of construction is entirely alti'red by tlic 
 nititerials at hand. Thus, the peculiarly siiii|ile form and rapid repliiceiiieiit of the 
 reptilian dentition is, by a system of c(uiiplication by repetition of |iarts, inndc to 
 Hiibserve an end iih'iitical with that secured by deep plication of the crown of the 
 more spcciali/.ed molar of the niamm.il. 
 
 CioiKiiliiti is evidently allied to llihlrii.tiiunix, but displays ni'cater dciit^ii complica- 
 tion. In that Kcniis, iiccordin^ to Leidy, the sucicssioiial ciowiih appear on i\\v front 
 side of the sliiink of tlic toolb, not bchiiiil, and b.iow the liase of the ciiaincl-iirea, so 
 that the tooth is distinjruisluil into crown and shaft. It also follows, from this ar- 
 ranpiiiciit, that the siiccessional tooth does not aiipcar until its predecessor has been 
 worn to the root, in which case there can hi' only one functional tooth in a transvcrsf 
 Hi'ctioii, instead of two or thri-c. 
 
 ClONODUN HTKNOI'SIH, Cope. 
 
 This Dinosaur is represented by fra^'iiieiits of maxillary bones, with n i^ew con- 
 tained pieces of teeth. Probably, several of the numerous bones of reptiles of tliiH 
 order, obtained by Mr. l)awsoii, pertain to the sanu^ f^cniis and species; but there are 
 as yet no means by which to distin^iiish them f.uai other sjn-cics of /fiiilrnsiiiiriilir in 
 the collection. 
 
 The maxillaries exhibit the vertical ;^rooves chariicteristic of the fieiius, and tlic 
 teeth are of the rod-like form of those of the ('. nrrtuhin, Cope, and the roots an; 
 Kimilarly compressed. An importiint ditlereiice in the teetli is seen in their hii k of 
 
 
 ti 
 
 i 
 
 ,H 
 

 .'Mfi n. N. A. nni'NDAnT roMMiHHntN. 
 
 till' rnrinn on the I'lmiiicUfiKf of (lie Imhc of tin- rrouii Ht IriiHt ; tlit! nplci'R InIiik i» 
 t>ii(ii I'UHr lii'iiki'h uwuy. Aci'DiiliiiKlv, tlx' I'oot I'xIilliitN no i'oi'i'<'H|Miuiliii^ kidovi' on 
 iti« iniii'i' Mitlc, Hi< JH til)' I'HHr ill ('. iirvliitiiK. 'I'Ik' t'oriii of tlu' inuxilliiry Imhic Im hIho 
 rliHriU'tt'i'iMtir. Ill r. arrliiliin, IIiIm |ii<Ti' Iicuih n loii^ltiiiliniil iiiotiilMTHiicc on Itn 
 iniK'l nIiIi', MO UN to liHVi' ^'ivcii tile fix I' ^I'rilt |iro|ioi'ti(itiiktr Miillli. Ill ('. flriw/miii, 
 (IiIm itrotulxriiiici' Ih uimli Iimh |iioiioiiii) nl ; tlir iniici fit< r, iiiHii'itil of iH'iiiK luiiily 
 liorixoiitiil uIhivc, in curvtMl ulirii|itly ilowiiwitnl, iiiiii li hIiiiIIow lioriKontitl fuci' of no 
 Kii'iit wiiltli riplunH tin- widt' olili<|iir coiiiicc wliidi cxtiiKlN from tlu' lilviolitr lioiili-i 
 In ('. iirrliitiiii. Tin- nniuiiiM iiulicutc u H|n'iiiM of tlir Mitic of ('. nrrdiliin. 
 From hIx iiiIIch wcHt of KiiHt Itmiuli ot Milk River, iicur liititutic 40''. 
 
 Mfiiiiurrmrntii. 
 
 M. 
 
 IHiptli iif tht' niitxIllHrv Ihiiiu mi » ili'iititl KriMivu O.lKiAO 
 
 Dlaiiii'U'nif till' iiiit\lllui',\ Ihiiiu uxUiriml !•■ iilvunli U.UltUO 
 
 liiAiiU'U'r iif Ik liHith O.UU46 
 
 <;oMI'SKMVS, L.iily. 
 
 This ffi-niiK pn-Kcnts (In- cliaiiuttrMof h'nn/s in its will-ilcvclopid innr^finul iKint'H, 
 nnitiil to the coNtulN liy Hiitiirc. Tlic NiirfHccH of tin- cui'iipui'c poHNCHx ii ilcimc layer, 
 whirli in sculpt iii'cil ill two of tin- known NprcicH. Oiii' nf tlirsc, the ('. rirlun, l.i'iily, 
 lioH lu'cn found to liuvi' liad ii wide ruii^rt' in tlir Went iliiriiiK tlw Fort I'liion epoi'li ; 
 wliilt' a Hccoud haw liecn fo'ind in I'orri'Mponding htiata near the iiortliorn iHHindary of 
 Dakota. 
 
 ('(IMI'MKMYH (l(IMII!H, C'opf. 
 
 Ilcprcsfntcd in the collections of the Hritisli American Itoniulary C^)mmiHHion by 
 portions of the carapace and ]ilastroii. These are nntssive, and indicate a species of 
 larne si/.e. As in other Kj.i'cies of tlu' ^enus, the external surface is a tiense layer of 
 eenu'iit or allied siilistanee, which is seiilptiired with shallow pits. 
 
 A portion of the costal hone is concave, and increases rapidly in thickness in 
 one direction. The suture is course, hut neither Koniphosial nor si|uamosal. A 
 portion of the jilastron is thinner, not curved, and displays a very coarse median 
 suture, in part s<|uaniosal in character. The sculpture consists of shallow pits, not 
 wilier than the low, smooth ridp-s which se|)arate them. There are deep superficial 
 grooves, niarkiiif^ the lioundaries of dermal areas ; a feature in which this tortoise 
 dift'ers much from the J'ttislomniiin roiilisci'iin, and resembles tin' species of C'omfisetHifi. 
 Should marginal hones be found to exist in the C. uyiiiiiin, its reference to that genus 
 will be furtlier establish<-d. 
 
 From six miles wist of First Ibanch of Milk River, near latitude 49°. 
 
 I'LASTOMKNUS, Cope. 
 
 This genus has been discovered to (mbriice tortoises having eliaracters of both 
 Tiioni/x and Kmi/f. The carapace is like that of the former, in the absence of articu- 
 bited marginal bones, and the presen<'e of a superficial cement layer, which in sculp- 
 tured in various patterns. The plastron resembles that of some j'mydoid genera, 
 but ])resents certain fontanelles indicating an incomplete grade of ossitication. The 
 Hpecies known to possess the typical structure are found in the Eoccuch of Wyoming 
 and New Mexico ; and those here referred to it are all from the Fort Union or 
 Transition beds t>f the Cretaceous. In none of them is the sternum so well-preserved 
 as to exhibit the characters which should finally refer them to the genua VlaMomcnua. 
 This is due to the fact that they, as well au otliur vertebrate reniftinH from this 
 horizon, are always much broken or dislocated, 
 
AI'I'KNhlX II. 
 
 ;;a7 
 
 K InIiik ill 
 
 ^IIMIVt' (III 
 
 iiic iH nJHti 
 
 ICC oil itH 
 
 IliK licHlly 
 fiicc III no 
 iliir Ihii'iIcI' 
 
 M. 
 
 (i:ir>o 
 
 .U'itN) 
 .MMfi 
 
 inat boncH, 
 IciiHc luvcr, 
 rtu», licitly, 
 ion cpocli ; 
 MMiiulury of 
 
 iiiiHHioii by 
 
 I M|ICcicH of 
 
 ISC layer of 
 
 lickncKH in 
 
 iiiiowil. A 
 
 rHc iiicdiaii 
 
 pitM, not 
 
 sii|icrticiiil 
 
 H tortoiHc 
 
 omfmeiHi/s. 
 
 tliiit KciniH 
 
 r8 of Iwtli 
 of urticii- 
 
 'll iH HCIl1(>- 
 
 ii(l ffciicm, 
 
 tion. The 
 
 Wyoming 
 
 Union or 
 
 -preserved 
 
 'lasfomenui. 
 
 from this 
 
 I'l.AHToMKNI H roAI.Km'ICNH, ('o|)c. 
 
 TIiIk N|)ccicH In rr|in'Nciitc<l liy liirKc friiKtiiiiilH of mraiMHc uiiil |>laHlii>ii nl a 
 Kindle iiiiliviiliial. 'I'Ih'nc imlicali a lai^c Hiiiiiial nl ailiill a^'c 'l'h<' Ira^iiMiitH are 
 (liii k, ami llie HiiliircH Ni'|iaratiiiu tlir < iini|>oiii iit ili nx iiIn liav>' <liHa|i|>cuii'i|. Iiir- 
 nial Hiitiiral ^roovrH arc aJNii waiiliii^'. 'I'lic |iiiitii>n>< <>|' Ihc ulaHlinti |ircNi rvnl are 
 eni\<li>i(t in < liarai Icr, Ih in^' nioNt tliii kciicd in (lie lalcral |Mirlii>iiN, c»i|ici iaily in the 
 iimiiinal rc^inn. Tin ImrilcrH nC llic i aiapai c arc iicc anil hIiIiinc ; nt humic |miIiiIh, 
 KonicW'liat tliiiincil mil. 'I'lic riliH |irii|icr, in ilic iinrlioiiH prcHci vct|, tcitnjiiuic in a 
 uliiirl, fici' cxircniily, Nlmrlcr than in inoMi n|ici iix nf Tmoiiii. 'I'licrc in no iinlicaliun 
 of llic cxinli'iicc III niarKinal Iidiich. 
 
 'I'lic Miirfacc of |ilaHlr<in aii<l cara|>acc \n lovcrol ^^illl a iIciinc layer, Hliiili in 
 tliriiwn intii ratlicr < oaiNc, iiiiiMi iilalin^ IiiIiIh. 'I'Ik nc I'nrni an ii|'cn, nliiiilalc |iat- 
 tern liiwanln the iniilille |iiirliiin nf llic i'ara|iaic, anil lucninc hIini nre umii tho 
 liiu'ilcrN. They are well niarkeil lui the |ilaHtri>n, ami arc mure or Icmm IntiKitiiilinal. 
 The a|i|>carani'c \n I hat nf it Tntini/j. 
 
 The iiintal axin Mcarcdy iirnjeetM mi Hie inner l"i,.c of (he i'ara|>ai c The aiil< rior 
 biirilcr nf the rara|iacc iM a free, thickened margin, divided by a hori/.mital ^roiivc. 
 'I'lic prcHcnce of nuchal hone cannot he aHcertaiiied. 
 
 Mfimiiremnitn. 
 
 W. 
 
 TlilrklicHK i<r tlii^ iitrii|iH<'r iit lliii iiiiililln iif llir li'liKtli of » iiiiit«l Imiiu IIU 
 
 1°)ilrkiii'M» <•! Iliii nimpnr)' iil tin- .iiilcrlor iniirt(ili O.INM 
 
 Tliii'k iii-HM iif Mir i'Hni|«<'i' iil t he luleriil iiiurKlii U.INM 
 
 Thii'kiii'HH iif till' iiliiNtriiii iii'iir llir liriiluc OOld 
 
 Tliii'kiiuNx <if thf jijiuitniii iiinri! ei'iitmlly U.INIU 
 
 K'Oir iirii'lu' In O"'. 10. 
 
 This Kjiecics in fmiiid in a K>'ecniMli-br(iwn aretiai cmis clay dcpoHit in tlii! Had 
 LaiidH Noiith of VVnody llmintain, latitude 'lir. 
 
 I'l.AHTOMKNI'H COHTATt'H, ('o|M'. 
 
 KeprcHcntcd, in the cidlcctimiH miule by Mr. Iiawxitn, liy Hiiiall pnrtinns nf 
 plastron and carapace, wliicli iliHplay diNtiiict. nKNemiH, Iml nn ilcrniiil sciiial KiiturcH. 
 These spe-'iiiicns Were discnvered tonclher, and are hcji.'vcil III lielmij; til the saiiie 
 individual. The bmics arc thinner than cnrrcspmidiiiK nnes nf the twn nther species 
 of tnrtoiscK dcscrihed, t'rniii the same locality, excepting <it the cnstal eiilar^'cinciil, 
 which is remarkably prmiiincnt and wcll-dctine<| on the nmler side nrtlie carapace. 
 The dense nr cement layer nf the carapace is thrown iiitn very delicate, bill prcini- 
 licnt ridges, which run parallel to the axis nf the carapace, and nccasinnally 
 inosculate, nr are crnssed by a similar rid^i runnini; at riylit angles In them. The 
 sculpture nf the plaslrnn is similar, but more nhtu-te and nlisciirc The siiperinr cd^e 
 of the free bnrder of one nf the Inbcs nf the |ilastrnn prnjccts licynild the inferini, and 
 is ii(d, as is usual, less prominent than tlie inferinr. 
 
 MftviureiiunU, 
 
 M. 
 
 Tliiokiit-HH nf A eiiHtftl lit thu iimrKlii O.iHi.'i 
 
 Thli^kiusis nf a niHtal iit the rlh o.(MXI 
 
 ThiekiicMs nf the fruc oilifuof thu pliuitrnii 0.000 
 
 The costal bnne nf this species is much like that of a Trioni/.r, but the character 
 of the plastron refers it to I'lmluiueniiii. 
 
 li 
 
 ■.I 
 
 \ ( 
 
 r 
 
 In 
 
 22 b 
 
((') lAiki' of (heWixidn. — Talile shoirinif thr luitutr nml ihniiions at the 
 dykrs lUiil vi'im ohstrird, and thf r<><'/xH irhirk thiif trtinrsr, (T\n^ 
 lui'^or ^riuiilit* outliui-NtH ulrrmly fully I'ot'rn-rtl to ur(> licrn niniltod.) 
 
 TIkks lirarknlml iin tlia Inft ocrur nn lli« MinK iixit. Ttmcii lirarki<lnl lii tililllliiti on tlm rluhl Intor- 
 Mct, tliair reUtlvK sh"* UtIiiH In tli« onl«r of tlin lilt. 
 
 NaMF. (IK I'l.Al'K. 
 
 MuKay'H iHlaiul. 
 
 Kuukvtc IhIaikI 
 
 C'orinorant Hock. 
 
 Near Windy Ft. 
 Bigahy iHlaiiil . 
 
 MiiMIo lalaiid 
 
 
 District of Shc- 
 biishca 
 
 Picturo-rock Bay. 
 
 Ka-ka-ke-wabcu . 
 
 Bat Portage 
 LncroBBC Island . 
 
 
 V 
 
 ee 
 
 ('liara<tor of Dyku 
 or Vuin. 
 
 Bo<l feUpar and 
 
 iiimrt/. 
 
 B(!<l fclsjiar 
 
 \U'A f(dH|iar 
 
 VitmiiH <|iiart/. 
 
 (Miiiali) 
 
 Bed fulHpar aiitl 
 
 iliiart/. 
 
 (iranitf dykim 
 Kcd fulHpar and 
 <|uart/. 
 
 C'liarai'tor of rock 
 travumud. 
 
 Bu<l fulHiiar (Minall) 
 
 Hard dioritic 
 
 Black hornldundic 
 
 (Biiiall) 
 
 BmI granite 
 
 C.'oarsu dioritu (wit)i 
 
 pyrito) 
 
 Be<l felspar 
 
 t* (4 il 
 
 Rod felspar and 
 
 qiiartz 
 it II 
 
 Diorite 
 
 Bed foUpar 
 II II 
 
 Black dioritu 
 Bed felspar 
 
 Diorite 
 
 Bed granite 
 
 Grey granite 
 II I* 
 
 Coarse diorite 
 
 Diorite 
 Grey granite 
 
 Be<l felspar and 
 
 quartz 
 
 Grey diorite 
 
 (iraiiite 
 
 (illcJHHic 
 
 liornltleiidic Hcliist 
 
 (iraiiite 
 II 
 
 Mica schist 
 Altered slates 
 
 Granitoid gnei.ss 
 
 (iranite 
 
 lioridilende schist 
 (iiioiss&Ilnlj. schist 
 
 firanitoid gneiss 
 
 Grey gneiss 
 Granitoid gneiss 
 (trey {^leiss 
 (iranite 
 
 Hornblende schist 
 Honiblendic slate 
 
 Altered! slate 
 11 II 
 
 i< << 
 
 Junction Laur. & 
 
 Hur. 
 
 Altered slate 
 
 Klatcs 
 II 
 
 Quartzitc 
 Granite 
 
 ConrHc of Ilykc 
 or Vein. 
 
 K k W. 
 
 N. 7(r K. 
 
 N. Mr V, 
 S. 70' K. 
 
 N. N. K. 
 
 N. K. 
 
 K. k W. 
 
 N k H irregular 
 
 N. 20° to 40° K. 
 
 Irregular. 
 
 E. k W. (dip. N.) 
 E. k \V. 
 
 N. 3(P W. 
 
 N. :«»' E. 
 S. 40° E. 
 
 N. E. 
 
 E. k W. 
 
 S. 25° E. 
 N.77°E. 
 N. G;r E. 
 Irregular, 
 
 Irregular, 
 
 N. 30° E. 
 
 I 
 
1 
 
 1 
 
 11 . 1 
 
 a 
 
 
 ■1 
 
 u 
 
(T).) — Notice of the Butterflies and Orthoptera, collected by Mr. (tcorge .V. 
 Dawson, as A\ituralist of tlu: B. N. A. Boundary Commission. 
 
 Ih' SaMLKI, H. SciDDKII. 
 
 The insectH retoriUd in thiH liHt were taken along the boundary line Ixtwinn 
 British America and the United St<ite«, from tlie Lake of tlie W<)odH, in W. h)nfr. i»5 ', 
 to the Rocky Mountainn in W. Uma. 115". Tlie principal localities reftrretl to are : — 
 Dufferin, on the Red River of the North, altitude 780' ; Souris River, (a tributary of 
 the Assineboine), between long, tid^ and 102°, altit'ide about IGOO ; and V*'oody 
 Mountiiin, about long. 107°, on the waterHhed between the MiHscuiri River and the 
 streams flowing north, the elevation of whose plains is about 2,50()'. A few s]iecinienH 
 were also taken at Roseau River, lying between Red River and tlie Lake of the Woods) 
 and flowing into the former; Wood End, cm the Souris River, long. 103", altitude 
 1700' ; the east fork of Milk River, which crosses the line in long. lOt) ' 30 , at an alti- 
 tude of 2700' ; and West IJutte, the western part of the Three Ruttes, in long. 111° 
 30', altitude 4,000'. The highest elevation from which specimens were brought, was 
 the summit of the Rocky Mts., in long. 115°, the altitude from 7,000 to 8,000 . 
 
 If we compare this list of butterflies with that of the Yellowstone K.\pedition 
 of 1873,* we shall find some interesting and striking fact«, altliough no great nunilxT 
 of species were tak(>n by either party. The two collecting grounds, while not 
 more than one or two hundred miles apart, lay mostly in different drainag<' areas ; 
 and if we omit from the present list the species found only at Woody Mt. and west- 
 ward, as being upon the summit of the water-shed between the two river basins, and 
 thertifore likely to impair the value of the result, we find that out of the forty-three 
 species found in the two collecting grounds, only seven were taken in both. Of the 
 twenty-two Nyniphales, only three occurred in both regions, viz. : Vanessa cardui, 
 Argynuis Nevadensis and Phyciodes Tharos, thi; first and tlu^ last sjtecies of un- 
 usually wide distribution. Of the five Rurales, none of the species were taken in both 
 localities. Of the seven rapiliouiiUe, two were tjiken in both, Eurynius I'hilodice and 
 E. Eurytheme ; also species of v. very extended range. Of the nine Urbicolie, two 
 were brought home by both parties : Thorybes Fylades and Thanaos Persius, the for- 
 mer certainly, and the latter probably, of exceptionally widi' geographical distribution. 
 Of the seven species occurring in both regions, only one may be said to have a range 
 at all restricted, and they are mostly such species as one might find in almost any 
 part of America, east of the Rocky Mts. 
 
 The same will be noticed, though less conspicuously, on comparing tlu? 8pt;cies of 
 single genera ; thus Coiiionympha Ampelos of tiie Assineboine Rasin is rei>laced by 
 C. Qalactina in the Yellowstone ; and Basilarchia Arthemis of the former, by R. 
 Weidemryer? jfthe latter. B. Disippe was taken only on the Yellowstone, but cer- 
 
 l-l 
 
 \ n 
 
 ^ '^ 
 
 • 8«e Proo. Bost. Soc. Nat, Hu ., xvii., 86-01, 
 
 : >ll 
 
:1 
 
 f' 'i 
 
 
 f^ 
 
 ■t !5.2 ■ 
 
 IJ 
 
 342 
 
 n. N, A. IJOUNltAHV COMMtSSlON. 
 
 tninly otcuiH in (lio AHHincluiiiu' rcnioii, Ai>ryiiiiiH KtlwiinlHii of the Ytllowstono Ih 
 rcjdiuiti !))■ A. Hri'miurii in the AsNinclioinr, ami iiiDliiiMy iiUo liy A. A|iliro(liti', 
 uUlionKli tluH WHS liikcn at Woody Mountain. Tin- two Kix'ticH of KuiyuiUH, ImwoviT, 
 Win- taken in liotli rcgioiiH, and a H|)t'(icH of ArgynniH (A. NcvndciiKiH) wan alno fonnd 
 cnnnnon to liotli. 
 
 Tilt' watcrslu'd between the AHMinclmine and SaHkatciiewan I)a»inH on the ono 
 side, and tlie basin of tin* Missouri, of wbiiii tlie YeUowstone is a tributary, on tlio 
 other — a watershetl wliieh follows a course nearly coinciding with the annual 
 isotherm of 4.')'" Kahr. (corrected for altitude) — woidd seem, therefore, to be, in all jtro- 
 ability, the dividing line between a more northern and a more southern famni ; or 
 per)ia|)s, more <'orrectly speaking, between a north-eastern antl a south-western fauna. 
 The northern branch of the Missouri, to be sure, intervenes between the regions tra- 
 viM'sed bv Messrs. Dawson and Allen, but its fauna must itn<|Uestionably have a facicH 
 essentially similar to that of the Yellowstoni'. We si. ,11, ho%vever, look with intj'rest 
 for Mr. Kdwards' forthcoming report upon the butterllies collected by Dr. ('oueH 
 through this region, to see whether the facts will add to, or detract from, the weight 
 of the considerations we have prcsi-nted, from the scanty material at our disposal 
 
 Cambuidok, IJ. a., March, 1875. 
 
 BUTTKUFLIKH. 
 
 1. (Eiirin Uhli'ri. — A single male, remarkably small, measuring but 4.')'5 mm. 
 in expanse, was taken in the vicinity of Woody Mountain, between the middle of 
 June and July 7. 
 
 2. KnoJia PortlitmUa. — Two males were taken in the neighlK)urhood of the Lake 
 of the Wtmds between the middle of July and the middle of August. 
 
 3. Cifiioiii/mftha Atufielos. — A badly broken specimen, probably referable to tluB 
 si)ecies, was taken at DulVerin. 
 
 4. Dnnaida Plexippus. — A male was tftken in the Ued RivtT valley, June 20. 
 
 5. /litMlarrhiii Arlhfiiii.^. — A female was taken at Duflferin between June 21 and 
 2t>. and another near the Lake of the Woods between the middle of July and the 
 middle of August. The latter specimen is interesting from its large size, (expanding 
 81 mm.) and in the extent and dullness of the red spt)ts of the under surface, ia 
 which it begins to show no inconsiderable resemblance to IJ. Weidemeyeri. 
 
 6. Poli/goiiia Progne. — A male was taken in the vicinity of the Lake of the 
 Woods between the middle of July and the middle of August ; a female was taken at 
 DuiTerin. 
 
 7. Papilio Antiopa. — One spt'cimen was taken at Dnflferin between June 21 and 
 26 ; another at the Lake of the Woods between the middle of Ju'y and the middle of 
 August. 
 
 8. AghuK Milherti. — A single inalo was taken near the Lake of the Woods between 
 the nuddle of July and the middle of August. 
 
 9. Viineum cardiii. — C rimon at Duflferin, June 14. » 
 
 10. Argynnh Aphrodite. — One male was ttiken in the vicinity of Woody Mountain 
 between .Tune \b and July 7, and another near the Lake of the Woods between July 
 1.5 and August 15. 
 
 11. Argj/iinis Xci'ndfiiHiii. — .\ single fresh male was taken at the close of June at 
 Wood End ; fresh specimens of both sexes between Woody Mountain and the base of 
 the Rocky Mountains, from Jidy 15 to August 7. 
 
 12. Argi/nnis liremnerii. — A male was taken at Dufferin. 
 
 lb. Brenthis Bellona. — A male was taken at Dufferin in June. 
 
' 
 
 API'KNDIX I). 
 
 343 
 
 14. Rii/thifJri/ii* Phiiflon. — 0»p fciimh' whh tiikrii at Oii- Iiiikc of the VVodiU 
 bctwcni Jiily 16 hikI AiiKiiHt ITi. 
 
 15. l'h)iciodi>» ThariiK. — Two liiiilcH were tdkcii iiciir tlif liiiki' of tlii' VVooiIm 
 iM'twccii July i,') iiiul AiiKUHt 15. 
 
 1(1. Hvcri'n (■timynliin, — One tiiiili' wiiH (uki'ii ut DiitlVrin iinil iinotlicr <'(iHt of \Voo<ly 
 Moiintuin, iH-lwcm tin* niiiliilr of Miiy iiiiil tlic midilli- of .Iiiih'. 'I'Ih'hc hiu'cIiih'iih 
 (litlVr from imkIi'I'm lypcH in liiiviiiK llif nliolr iijiiut Niiifiur of (lir wImkh of ii lioiuy 
 iiH|i('ct, Hiich uH >;ciiiTiilly ii|i|i('iii'm only ut the toNlul id^r of IIm' foic winfx« in cukIciii 
 individinilH ; luxl in the rcniarktililr fiiintncHH of tlic diiik kjioIh on the nndiT Hinlaci* 
 f)f the wiuKH, wliirli licar no Hnuill ifNcinldancc to tlioHc id' lif(litly luurkc^il Hiiccitni'iiK 
 ofCyuniriH nc^dcrta. 
 
 17. h'liri/mun I'hiloilirr. — A male anil a fmiali' of tlir puli' foiiii witc taken near 
 till' Liikr of till' M'ooiIh lirtwrrii till' niiildli of .July and tlir iiiiddli' of AiiKUHt. 
 
 18. Hiiri/mu.1 h'liri/l/it'iiir. — A Hingli' iiiair wiih lnoiifrlit lioiiii' from tlii' Laki' of the 
 WooiIh, tiiki'.i at till' Kiimr timi- with thi' prrrrdiiin- 
 
 19. I'driKifHiiK Smiiilhi'u,i. — Tivo fri'Kli s|M'iiiiii'iiH weri' tHk"n on tlic Knnimil of tlii> 
 Rocky MtH. (nrar ihi' nortli-wi'sti rn rorni'r of Montana) at an ilrvation of from 
 (>-V,il(l(» on AiiKiiHt it. Thry weri' Imth of tlii' typi' liKinid hy KdwarilH, in IiIk plali! 
 I'arnaNsiiis II. 
 
 20. T/ion/bff Pt/ludeH. — A male WftH taken at Diitl'eriii. 
 
 21. Thamioit I'rminx. — A female, very hailly rnlilieil, liiit a|)parently helonniiitr to 
 thiK HpeeieK, wiih taken near the Lake of the WooiIm helweeii thr middle of .July and 
 the midilli; of AugUKt. 
 
 22. Anihominler C^nriix. — Two nialew were taken hetw^;!'!! Woody Mt. and the Ipiiho 
 of the Uoiky MtH., lu'tweeii the middle of .July and the end of the hint week in 
 
 AiiKUHt. 
 
 onTIIOHTKHA. 
 
 1. Srudilfrid riirrirniKlii. — A male wiih taken at UoHeaii River on An^^MHt 30, and a 
 female in the vieinity of SouriH River. 
 
 2. Xi/iliidiiim millaun. — One male and live femalen, SouriH River. Heretofore 
 known only from Nehranka and the iieiKlihonrinK ref^ion. 
 
 3. AiKilirim finr/mraiici'nii. — Four maleHiind foiM' femalen were taken at West Hnfte 
 .Inly 2!» ; in the vieinity of Woody Mt., lietween .liine l.^ and .July 7 ; and in the nei^^h- 
 bourhood of the SouriH Uiver. The HpeeimeiiH from the two former placen laek the 
 mottled markinKM of the ahdoiiien ko peculiar to thin Hpecies ; there are, however, no 
 other (liHtinfruinhinK featureH. Mr. Thoman, while retainiiiK the generic name Ana- 
 bruH, referH thiK Hpeeien to Tliamnotrizoii ; but wrongly, for it in congeneric with 
 A. Himph^x Hald. tlie tyjie of the genUH. 
 
 4. Ciilofitrnuii xpreliiK. — SpecimiuiH of thiH deHtructive insect were brouKht homo 
 from DiitVerin, the HouriH lllver, the vicinity of the Lake of the WooiIk, and the Kawt 
 Fork of Milk Uiver. In the latter place they were " forming HwarniH" on July Kith. 
 Mr. DawHon iiIho writen mt , that IiIh party " met with great Kwarms of thcHe insucts 
 on the high [tlaiuH north of the MisKouri and Milk Rivern, in July, 1874." 
 
 5. Cdlojitennii bilituratHx. — Two femalcH were taken at Sourls River. 
 
 6. Ciildiitoniix liinillaliiH. — A single femah^ waH taken near the Laki^ of the Woods, 
 July 30. This is the triii^ bivittatus of Say, with wliich the Acrid, icucostoma of Kirhy 
 Ih probably synonymous; and distinct from IhefemoratUH of liiinneister (the Acrid, 
 tlavovittatum of Marrin), with which all reiteiit authors, myself included, have hitherto 
 confounded it ; this species has the hind tibial glaucous and yellow ; in (.'. femoratus, 
 they are red ; and the species cati be instantly distinguished by these |ieculiaritics. 
 
 7. Przole/tU htirciilin, — A Mingle pair of thiH species was taken in the vicinity of 
 the Souris Uiver. 
 
 8. /'ezntfflix fhtwnnni nov. Hp. — Brownish fuscous ; face, sides of head and prono"- 
 tum yellowish, with tlie exeeiition of a broad, reddish-brown stripe e.xtenrling from 
 the eyes to the poHterior Hiilcation of the pronotum ; untcanio yellowish at tho bane, 
 
 { ( : i 
 
 
 : \y 
 
 \ rA 
 
 I ! il 
 
 'I 
 
 >ll 
 
 • 
 
 •P 
 
 i 
 
m 
 
 Si 
 
 ill 
 
 II 
 
 III 
 
 
 1 
 
 H 
 
 till 
 
 M 
 
 344 
 
 B. N. A. nOUNDARV COMMISSION. 
 
 beyond infuKciited ; tepminii half aB long ivx tlie iilidomcn, broad lanceolate, atumi- 
 niitc, dark browniHli niHcoiis, with a few Meattered indiHtinct blackish HpotH, KonictinieH 
 t'olleetfd into ti nu'Hial Heritu ; hind femora very obliquely and broadly bifaseiate with 
 blaekisii brown, the tij) black, the Huperior carina vellowiKh ; hind tarsi dnll, alniuHt 
 dusky, yellow. C'erei of male riither small, compressed, simple, but little tapering, 
 rounded at the tip, curved gently upward, obliquely Kulcate at the extremity. Length 
 of body, $ 14 9 16 mm.; of tegmina s 6 4 G nun.; of hind femora 5 8.75 ^^ 9.2.'5 mm. 
 One nuile and two fenuiles were taken at the Souris lliver. 
 
 9. Oomphoeerus cUpsi/dra nov. sp. — Brownish yellow ; antenna? infuscated at the 
 slightly expanded tij) ; head more or less si)ottcd and banded with dark brown and 
 blfK'kish, but witli a lighter yellow, immaculate, vertical stripe between the lateral 
 carinic of the fate, and the deep sulcatitm following the lower angle of the eyes ; this 
 sulcation is black, shading off into brown posteriorly , a broad dark band, blackish 
 above and edged at this point with yellow, extends from behin<l the eye nj)on the 
 pronotum ; it is of equal width an far as the greatest constrictiim of the lateral carina) 
 of the pronotum, but bey<md this narrows rapidly, and scarcely reaches the posterior 
 edge of the same ; a small triangular patch of the same colour appears, however, at 
 the posterior lateral angles of the pronotal disc ; and the lateral lobes of the pronotum 
 are heavily marked with the same, especially in front, the lower portion always imma- 
 culate ; tegmina half the length of the abdomen, brownish, with a few longitudinal 
 fuscous flecks in the lower luilf ; hind femora blackish along the middle, deepest next 
 the carinaj ; hind tibitp yellowish, flecked minutely with brown, the spines tii)ped 
 with black ; base of the abdominal joints heavily marked with black at the sides. 
 Lateral foveola) of the head distinct, three or 1 'ur times as long as broad, equal, mo- 
 derately deep, the walls abrupt ; median and lateral carinic of pronotum equally 
 sharp and distinct, the latter strongly ajjproximate in tlie middle of the anterior two- 
 thirls of the pronotum ; and jince they are edged interiorly with yellow, forming, with 
 tb yellow line bordering the black band of the head, a clepsydral outline. Length 
 01' body ? 19 mm. ; of antennic 9 5 mm. ; of tegmina 9 5 mm. ; of hind femora $ 11 
 mm. Two females were taken on the Kouris River. 
 
 10. Arphia frigida nov. sp. — Dark reddish brown ; antenna; reddisli-brown at 
 base, infuscated beyond ; tegmina flecked obscurely and rather uniformly through- 
 out, but least at base, with small dusky spots ; wings j)ale yellow at base, with a 
 moderately broad, blackish fuliginous bent band beyond the middle of the wing, 
 faintly interrupted with pale fleckings on either side of the nervures (though the 
 nervures themselves in this part of the wing are blackish), occupying the entire 
 space between the two principal veins of the ni)per area of the wing, from the base 
 three (juarters the distance to the outer border, but paling next the base, at the 
 extremity bent downward and outward as far as tlie outer border, thence following it 
 marly to the anal angle ; beyond the band, the apex of the wing is fuliginous, 
 slightly the darkest at the extreme tip ; the costal margin is yellowish, tinged with 
 dull orange above the transverse portion of the fuliginous band ; hind femora indis- 
 tinctly transversely fasciate with dark brown ; hind tibia; livid, broadly clouded with 
 fuliginous just before the middle and at the apex, dusky at the base, the spines black, 
 excepting at base. A pair of minute frontal foveidas separate the lateral foveolae of 
 the head from each other, and also the vertex from the frontal costa ; they arc dis- 
 tinct, minute, longitudinally quadrate, confluent above, their bounding ridges, as 
 well as those of the lateral foveola;, punctulate. Pronotum rugose above, especially 
 on the anterior half; median carina lov/, uniform, almost straight, once interrupted ; 
 posterior border of pronotum bent at a rounded right angle. Length of body : J 
 18 ; 9 27 mm ; of tegmina: J 22 ; 9 25 mm. ; of hind femora : 11 5 mm. A single 
 female was .aken near Wood End in June. I have also a male from the Yukon 
 River, AhijJca, collected by the late Mr. Robert Kennicott. 
 
 11. Arphia tenehrosa — A single male was brought from Souris River. 
 
 12. Ilippiscus phccnicopterus. — A male and two females were taken at Duiferin, 
 .June 13 and 14. 
 
 13. (Edipoda tr\faxciata. — One female was taken at Wood End in June. This is 
 the most northern locality from which it has been obtained. 
 
 14. Trimerotropis verruculata. — A female was taken at Dufferin. 
 
i :. 
 
 APPENDIX D. 
 
 3t5 
 
 15. Telliqidm aradica nov. 8p.— Hiad blackiHh fiiscouH, rather thickly Htuddcd 
 witli ininutf, jtallid, misfd jmints ; thi- mouth parts paler, but the tip of the labrum 
 blmk i pr<).i,.tuin pale .imrcous, thickly studihd with n.inuto, whitish, rais.d points 
 and a hw littlu black dots on tlic upixr surfaco next tii<> niiddlo of tho t.Kmina • the 
 sides, above the tiKniina, dark br..wn like these organs ; legs pale .inereous, heavily 
 flecked with b ack, the hmd femora less «o than the other parts ; hind tibia 
 blackish at the base, in the middle, and more broadly at th(! apex. Median carina of 
 summit of head sharp, equal, extending over its ant.^ior half ; pronotum extendini: 
 backward to the tip of the abdomen, forming a low crest, highest anteriorly falling 
 rapidly in front, and raised abov tlu. level of the liead by about as mut-h as the 
 width of the vertex between the (^yes ; wings reaching to the tip of the abdomen 
 Length of pronotum 95 mm. ; breadth of same, 31 mm. A single femab, was taken 
 near the Lake of the Woods. 
 
 The Gryllidcs were not determined. 
 
 \n 
 
 t:1 
 
(K.)-~f,itn<f. (Viif Ftrsh-iratrr MoUiixra, mUcrtal ihtrimj t/ir .suviiitrrs of 
 lHT.'{-74, in the vichiifi/ of llw ForUj-nitdh ParoUd—lAihv. of the MW/.s 
 to the llocky Mountains. 
 
 In rifniiiiK <li<« Hpccinicim to tlicir typ.H, it Iimh Immii round iwcHHrny U> fakr ii 
 I'loml view (if »li.. HpccirM, to iiV(.i<l th.' too Knilt lMMlti|ilii iitioii »{ Ko-ciillcd Hprcilic 
 imuii'H. Over the Kiciit iir.ii of the jiIdiiiK, .vciy pool mid river Iihh itK iiion or I.hh 
 diMtiiift Hiiitc of forms. Limmm rlo,l,:i in prrlmjm tlic imonI variiililc of all, and iiiid.r 
 tliiH name hIu-IIk luivr hnn incltidrd, from wliich Npn inniiH mijilit have licni h(1«< ted 
 v.'iy dilfcrcnt in appearance, lint wliieli are all more or leHH eloNely conned. d liy 
 intermediate varietieN. llulinuK hiiimonim In prolialily one of the moKt couKtant In 
 fiirm, in all its l<i(alities. 
 
 Tiic GaHt('ro|)0(Ift of tlio Htrcams and lakes of the wooded reffion to the east, difl'er 
 consideralily in K«'neial /nrien from tliose <if the tied Uiver Valley and iiiains went of 
 it, where a Kcneral increase in the tliiekness and rolniHtness of thii shells is foiin<l, 
 and Kives ris(^ to a distinct series of varietal modilications. In the jioolsand swamps 
 of the i>raiiics, food and calcarcouK matter no doidit ecpially ahonnd. Sfijmntlimi 
 (iniiii/ira there ivssnmes its varietal form cdiii/irKtrin ; I'lanorhi* Irivolrin often ajipears in 
 its variety macroKlonins ; Limniiui utiiijniiliit, and //. ilmlfn increase in size and weight of 
 shell, and other siieiies are similarly aftected. I5y carefnlly noting tli<! stati<in of 
 eadi form, and espwially the natnn^ of its foo<l, and the iirohalije iiresence or alisenco 
 of stiftlcient caicareons matter in the water ; many iniz/.linK shells are fonnd to bo 
 varieties flependin^,' on these circnmstances. The names enijiloyed are cliiefly thost? 
 of the monographs in the Smithsonian Miscellaneous Colic tions. 
 
 (: 
 
 G. M. U. 
 
 nASTEHOPODA. 
 
 Rl880IDi« : 
 
 Amiiicoln pallidti, Ilald. Lake of the Woods. 
 
 Amntcola porata, Hay. Lakt^ of thu Woods. 
 
 Somatogeirm depr'-mm? Tryon. fiOO Mih^ Lake. East Fork Milk Uiver. 
 
 rALl'DIVADil'; : 
 
 J'tiliuHnu decina, Say. Lake of the Woods. 
 
 Valviila trirnrinata, Say. Lak(^ of the Woods. East Fork Milk River (worn 
 sp('cimens, may have travelled fnim pools near the (.'ypn^ss Hills.) 
 
 Vdlvata fiiirrni, Say. East Fork Milk Uiver (worn sjx'cimens.) 
 
 HBLifiDit; : 
 
 IMix utriali/lii, Anthony. Lake of the? Woods. Dufl'erin. PemMna Mountain. 
 Ttntle Mountain. Wood Mountain. 
 
 Helix pulcliiila, MiUter. Lake of the Woods, I'eniliina Mountain, Wood Mountain. 
 
 J/flix liiiiilariH, Sp. nov. — Shell consjiicuously umliilicated, Klohosely deiiressed, 
 solid, coarse ; whorls carinate at the iierijihery, and suh-carinate near the 
 unil'ilic^us, giving the mouth a distinctly rhomhoidal form in young 
 
 •i' 
 
 
 f«<l 
 
m 
 
 I K 
 
 
 
 348 n. N. A. HOUNDAUY COMMISSION. 
 
 spcciniciiH ; ix'iiphcnil iiiriniitioii iilniDKt olisolcti' nil Hit' IiiHt linlf wlir»rl ; 
 apcrtiiii' iduiidcdly Imiiitc, viiv t(lilii|iii', sli>;litlv ntlcxcd ut the miiliiliiuH, 
 H«) us til iiiti'i'tric sdiiK'wIiiit witli its (in iiliir nntliin' ; pci-istoiiii' iicutf, 
 lliickciii'd williin ; ciilliis dilicutc, triiiis|iiiriiil ; wIkhIh TiJ ; huIuii' slij{litly 
 imprcsHcd, l)i( (unin},^ nicnc distiiu t in tlic lust luilf wlidrl ; surl'mi' miirkt'd 
 with coiirsi' IriinsviTsc wiiiikli.s, mid I'luiit iivolviiig lines, the liittcr scuiitdy 
 pfic iptildc on the oiittT wlmil ; colnnr, dull ycllowisli, witii I'mir lirownisli 
 revolving Imnds, two oi' wliieli a|i|(eai' pretty eonstiinl, and are itituated on 
 each side of the peiipheial earina, wliieli is generally whitish ; the two re- 
 maining liands near the suture and unihilieus respectively, fainter and lesH 
 constant. Animal rcHembles //. aolituriti in general form, pule, with brown- 
 ish spots. 
 
 (Ueatest diameter 17 mm. ; least diameter 14 mm. ; height 11 mm. Young 
 specimens only J mm. in diameter are very strcjugly carinaled, and tlattened 
 above; 8emi-transparent, hrownish-tawny in lolour; deliiately nuirked with 
 close revolving and transverse lines. 
 
 This shell is closely allied to l/i/u sulitiirin, but is smaller, darker eolouriul 
 and rougher, more distiiutly larinated, especially in yonng specimens; the 
 shell is also .sonu what thicker, the mnbilicus is narrower, und the lip cn- 
 croaehes slightly on its circular outline. 
 
 Loc, Waterton Lake. Koeky Mountains. 
 
 VUiitui liiiiiiiihi,Cio\\h\. Lake of the Woods. Turtlo Mountain. Wood Mountain 
 
 IfyuUna aihureu, Newcomb. Lake of the Woods. Dutlerin. Turtle Mountain. 
 Wood Moinitain. 
 
 Pembina Mountain. Turtlo 
 Dutferin. Pembina Mountain. 
 
 Ifi/alitia /iilra, Draparnand. Lake of the Woods. 
 Mountain. Wood Moiuitain. 
 
 lli/aliuit uiriiliilii, Menke. Lake of the Woods. 
 Turtle Mountain. Wood Mountain. 
 
 Siiccinrii iMiijiKi, f^iiy. Lake of tin' Woods. Dufferin. Pembina Mountain. Turtle 
 Mountain. Many specimens showing a decided ajiproximation to iS. Tol- 
 teiiianu, but with intermediate forms. 
 
 Succineu avarti, Say. Lake of the Woods. Corresponds exactly with Say's descriji- 
 tion and ligiire, but many of my spetimens exceed C mm., the largest 
 measuring 9-5 by 5 mill. 
 
 Sueciiifa ovalin, Gould. Lake of the Woods. 
 
 Succiiiea Ifai/deiti, var minor, Hinney. Pembina Mountain. 
 
 Sticciiifii linfittii, Rinney. 30 miles E. of Wood Mountain. 20 miles S. of Wood 
 Moinitain. The specimens agrtM- jiretty closely with this species, and apjiear 
 to belong to it, though tlu'V do not show any distinct revolving lines. The 
 callus is very (h'lieate. The agreement with liiniU'v's figure is more satis- 
 factory than with the (h'siription, my specimens having the aperturi; longer 
 than half the length of tlu^ shell ; shell solid, amber coloured, to greenish- 
 yellow. 
 
 Cionella .vil)-cf/lindrica, Lin. Lake of the Woods. Dufferin. Pembina Mountain. 
 Turtle Mountain. Wood Mountain. 
 
 Pupa. — Near Saline Lake, east of Turtle Mountain, 
 mature.) 
 
 (One specimen only, im- 
 
 LlMNiEID.« 
 
 Limnipa .itaffnnlis, TAn. Lake of the Woods. Pointe du Ch6ne. Dutl'erln. Long 
 River. The specimens from the prairie region are often very well grown 
 and robust, the shell being thick and showing strong growth-lines. S.ime 
 specimens from pools at Dutferin measured .56 by 26 mm. 
 
 Limninielodes,iifiY. Lake of the Woods. Pools and swamps of the Red River 
 prairie. Pembina River. Saline Lake, east of Turtle Mountain. Turtle 
 ?Jount<vin. Riviere des Lacs. Souris River. Pools near Traders' Road. 500 
 Mile Lake, Creek near East Fork Milk River. Pool 30 miles west of West 
 
APl'KNDIX K. 
 
 340 
 
 Riitfc, Ac. Of'ciiriinK in very iiiany varietal fniiiiH, wliich an- all licrc iii- 
 cliiilt'd. K]t('(iiacuH trtiiii ciiiilfr, 'I'lndciH' Koad iiicaKUrcd 3(1 by \'.i iiiiii. 
 
 Limiiirii liiiniiliM, Say. Lakt^ of llx' WoodH. Dntli'iiii. IViiibiiia Mountain. Haline 
 Lake, K. ol'Turtlr Mountain, TradciV Uoad. 
 
 Limnira ihciillnhi, MIkIu'Ih. Lakr of the Woodw. Al)Un<Iant on Homr pftrts of tho 
 nIioics of the Lake of the Woods, ^'cncially ainon).; rorkH and liouldt'i'8 on nn 
 ('X|ioH('d coaHt, and creeping over tlie NtoncH even in tlie waHli of the waveo, 
 witli the haliit of a l.itioriiiii. Well grown NpecinieiiN nieaKure IT) by 11 mm. 
 Colour pale, yellowiHli-brown ; surface marked with lines of growtli, whicii 
 are sometimes rather coarse, and in the outer whorl arc sometiincH croHsed 
 by gt-ntle, irri'gular,, revolving ridges, dividing tlie stirfticc into quadrate 
 areas, in a manner reHembling tluit frcijuently seen in Liiniiiin eUnks. Well- 
 preserved speeinicnH also show very line and close undulating transverse 
 lines, and di'licate revolving striie, giving thi- shell a lustrous KUrfH(.'i'. liip 
 usually tliiekt lied, and tin :l brownish-purple. 
 
 Limntra ciitiinfiifiiiin, Say. Dufl'erin. Uivieredes Lai'S. I'ool Traders' Uoad, Creek 
 near East Fork Milk Uiver. W.st lJutt<V 
 
 Limnma c(Ua)ci>iiium. Vav pini/ni.", Say, Creek near E. Fork Milk River. 
 
 Limnmacaperntu, Say. DulVerin. Pembina Mouutaiu. Pembina Uiver. 
 
 I Amnien pallida? Near Diitfcrin. 
 
 Phym heteroitnipliii, Say. Lake of the Woods. I'ointe du Chene. DufTerin. 
 
 J'hj/m ancilldriii, Say. Lake of the Woods. 
 
 J'hyia amfiullaceu, (Jould. Creek 13 miles went of Wood Mount^vin. Measiiremeiit 
 of largest speciini'UH 22 by 13 mm. 
 
 liiiliiiii.ilii/finoniiii, Lin. Lake of the Woods. Pools on Red Uiver prairie. Pembina 
 Mountain and River. Turtle Mountain. Riviere des Lacs. Tiiwiers' Road. 
 SiKximeiiK from Lake; of the Woods attain sometimes 20 mm. Those from 
 the prairie region reach 23 mm. 
 
 Ancyliis parallelus, Hald. Lake of the Woods, 
 
 Ancyliif rivulari.1, Say. Roseau River. Souris RiviT. 
 
 rianorhix trivolvia, Say. Pools on Red River Prairie. Turtle Mountain. Traders' 
 Road. East Fork Milk River. 
 
 I'liinor/ii.i /rii'ii/rin var. Mticrostiimii.i, Whiteaves. Lake of the vVoods. Pools on Ued 
 Uiver Prairie. 
 
 This variety is not abundant at the Lake of the Woods, but is the common 
 form in the po(ds and coulees of the Ued River Prairie, where calcareous 
 matter and food equally abound. Some specimens 28 mm. in greatest 
 diameter. 
 
 Planorbii campaniilntus, Say. Lake of the Woods. 
 
 Planorbis bicarinatus, Say. Lake of the Woods. East Fork Milk River. 
 
 rianorhis cor/iiili>nlii.i, Say. Flag Island, Lake of the Woods. — The 8i)ecimens are 
 from Say's typical locality, and agree pt'rf<^ctly with liis description, the form 
 being even better marked than in his figure. I', trirolviii, and its variety 
 7nacroglomiiK, also occur in the Lake of the Woods. If /'. cnrpiiletitun is also a 
 variety of trmtlvix, as .has been suggested, it is a very well marked one, and 
 is characteristic of the ojjen reaches of the lake. 
 
 Planorbis exaciiliis, Say. Lake of the Woods. Dufferin. 500 Mile Lake. 
 
 Planorbis parous^ Say. Dufferin. Saline Lake, E. of Turtle Mountain. 
 
 Segmentina armiyera, Say. Lake of the Woods. 
 
 Seymentina armiyrra var cam/iesfris, Pointe du ChAne. Dufferin. Traders' Road. 500 
 Mile Lake. Tliis is a large fine variety chai'acteristie of the prairie region, 
 which I have distinguished by the above varietal name. The normal form, 
 with the usual number of whorls (4) is abundant in the Lake of the Woods, 
 and surrounding wooded region. Specimens seldom at ail exceed 65 mm. 
 
 i 
 
850 
 
 n. N. A. iiorNnAnv commission. 
 
 Thf vnr'uty cnm/ientrh ovcnrtt iiliiindaiitly in Hoinc pnolH unil cnitlricH of Uii> 
 U«il Uivcr VhIIi'v, iiiul piiiiilc iiRion w.Mtwiiid. Tlx y uif iiiiich Iuik.t, with 
 inoif wIumIn, Hiiil only in ytnniK sptciiiniiH hIiow the JrtUi. (Niloiir K<iitiiilly 
 wax yellow or puli' lirowii. niuiuitrr of liiix<'Ht KpcciincnN IVoin lor) niiii. lo 
 la 5 iiini, whoi-JM often six, sp c inuiiM to 7 j mm. often, Imt not inviuiiibly 
 hIiow teeth ; iibovii tliiH Hi/,e no teeth were recognized. ' 
 
 ! ! 
 
 LAMKr-MMIIANl'IIIATA. 
 
 ConBicuLAi)^: : 
 
 Si>hirriinn sulctihim, Lnmank. Liike of the WoimIk. Penihinii Uiver. 
 
 Sl>hfrriiim itrialiniivi, Lanmrek. Lake of tlie WoikIh. I'emblna UiviT. 
 
 St'/ifrriiim /Kirtiimfiiiiii, Hny. Lake of the Woods. Dnfl'eri.i. 
 ^ S/i/wriiiiii r/ioinli<iitlriini, Say. fjake of tlie WooiIh. I'emhina lliver, 
 
 Si>liirriiiiii tniiic, I'rinie. Houris Uiver. 
 
 SfiliirniiiH unli. Iiiturii, Vr'nnv. Lake of the Woo(Ih. SourJH Uiver. East Fork Milk 
 Uiver (worn specimi'ns). 
 
 Sfihirriiiiii ? .itiimini'iiin, (7onra<l. I'emhina I{iver. 
 
 rirUium Vinjinicum, IJomnuignat. Lake of tiie Woods. 
 
 Unionid* : 
 
 For tlie identification of speciis in tliis family, I am imlelited to Dr. P. P. Cur- 
 jtenter : — 
 
 Affla/ilrni alula, Lam. Ued Uiver ; rare. 
 
 /'/)/() .ijialulatan, Lea. Ued Uiver. 
 
 Cnio rerlii.1, Lam. Lake of the Woods. Roseau Uiver. Somewhat rare. 
 
 J'/<-ctoiiirni.i iiikIuIuIiih, Barnes. {^.laliconlatiiK, /.,;i.) Ued Uiver. Uoseau Uiver. 
 
 lliirHellii eanUiim, Uaf. (=i>fntricosa, Barnes var. _ mbovata, Lea.) Uoscau 
 Uiver. Ued Uiver; not common. 
 
 Jfi/iiilella li(/itiiicntina, Lam. Uoseau Uiver. 
 
 Jli/rUella luleola, Lmn. (^si/iijuoidfs, BtmwH.) Lake of the Woods- very com- 
 mon. Souris Uiver; very common. Uoseau Uiver ; abundant.' Ued Uivcr 
 Pembina Uiver. 
 
 him/»iliajl,ivus, Uaf. (^ntluyinomn, Lea.) Ued River. Uoseau Uiver. 
 
 TheUdermaqiiadrulux, Uaf. (=^lachnimui,ttin,hvi\.) Ued River; abundant. 
 
 LejUoilea Uplodu,,, Raf. (= y,/„««, Barne8.=^.«/-/i«/-<«w«,x, Swains. = taiuisnima. Lea 
 9 =iW«w, Say.) Souris Uiver. 
 
 Complanaria rumplanata, Barnes. Somis Uiver ; abundant. Roseau Uiver Lake 
 of tlie Woods ; .somewhat rare. 
 
 Com/ilanaria costata, Uaf. (=r«i^o»(/, Barnes.) Uoseau Uiver ; rare. 
 Uiiw,>sis IFentuMciana, Un. Lake of tlu; Woods; abundant. 
 
 Sirophilux PnuwilvanicaH, Lam. (=.l«o,/o«/„ ,«,;o.,„, Swains. [Not AUumodonta 
 r»,</«.w, Barnes.] =:.l/,o,/o«^Mm,^</«^;, Say. [lloi AUwiwdonta umhilala. Say! 
 
 , .- [N( 
 Roseau River. 
 
 AnoJoiita Footiana, Lea. Souris Uiver ; very common. 
 
 ', «»yj. 
 
(F.) — List of J'lants collected duriny the Summers of 1H7U-74, in the 
 vicinity of the Forty-ninth Paralkl — Lake of the Woods to the liocky 
 Mountains. 
 
 It liiiM not been atti'iii|it<'(l to innkc tliiH liHt » Ki'icrnl uno, by i\w nddition ufin- 
 fiii'inatioii from other NoiirccH, Ix-niinK on pnrtH of the iginic, ur on contiKUouH rcKionH. 
 TlioHc {ihintt* only mc rnfiilomicd, which were cithcf collfi tid or olmci veil, in 
 (onn('( tion with tiic Hoiindary C'oinniiHHion Kxpcdilion. Tin- lo<<ilitii'H \i\\v\\ ant 
 in k^'iiithI thoMc from wliicli Hpt'cimenH wttre uctiiiilly olituincd, tlioiiKh in Homo 
 iitHOH I have Ad(h'd additional information from my note-hook. I have alwi endeav- 
 oured to xive the date of each Hpecimen, and a ntite as to itM ntate of advance at thx 
 time; that the lixt may also Herve aH a contribution to the phenology of the re)(ion. 
 Tlie placeH mentioned by name may be found on the K*'ueral K'uloKical map accom- 
 panyiuK tldH Keport. 
 
 I mUHt exprexH my obli^atiouH to l)r, T. .1. W. Hur^eHH, and Dr. Millnum — Chief 
 and second Medical OtHcerK to the expedition renju'ctively — for their aHHiMtance in 
 makiuK ((dlectionf. To them many very IntereNtiuK plantH are due. 
 
 I am alHo indebted to I'rof. John Macoun, for the determination of the ■Utnciffm 
 Ci/iifriirrir^ and (inimiiiew, to Mr. George BariiHton for that of the Mimri, &c. Dr. 
 Hooker luiH kindly couHented to examine and name Hcveral of tlut more ditKi.idl and 
 critical flowering plantH, which have bueu Hent to him for that pur|)0He, and if in 
 time will be added to the Appendix. 
 
 O. M. D. 
 
 ItANtTNCULACKil':. 
 
 Aquileyia Caniidcmis, L. Dufferin, (thicket), .June 7, '7.3, in flower. 
 
 Aquiletfin ftavfsrens, Watson. Kootanie PasH, (thick wood) Aug. 16, '74, in flower, 
 but with mature seed also. 
 
 Annnniif Pfiin\i/lvii>ii<ii, L. Dufferin, (thick(^t) .June 6, '73, firHt blosHoniH. First 
 crossing Souris River, June 3, '74. 
 
 Anemone nemoroM, L. Pembina Mountain, (wood) iu.i/, 23, '74 ; in flower : abun- 
 dant. 
 
 Anemone Piilenn, L. Var. NulhiUiana, Orey. Near Dufferin, May 4, '74, in flower. 
 May 21, flowering nearly past. (Jommoii in ct^rtain places on the Ued Uiver 
 prairie, probably choosing dry open soil. Very abundant on the second 
 j)rairie steppe. Flowers w(!re foimd near Turtle Mountain an<l liong Uiver 
 on Aug. 7, and in tlie second week of Hept. respectively, but only where the 
 prairie had been burned early in the summer. 
 
 Anemone miillijidu, D.C. Winnipeg and N. W. Angle Rd, July 2, '73, in flower. 
 Badger Creek, (open prairie) June 28, in flower. Turtle Mountain (open 
 glades) .July 10, '73, in flower. Short Creek, July 10, '74. First flowers. The 
 last named is the white variety. 
 
 Anemone fiarvijlora, Mx. Rocky MounUiins (7,000 feet) Aug. 18, '74, in seed 3j 
 inches high. 
 
 Anemone Alpina, L. Rocky Mountains (6,000 feet) August 16, 1874, in seed. 
 
 t ■ 
 
■ I ■ » 
 
 li. N. ,\. IMI NltAi;V CoM.MlHHtitN. 
 
 f'.»//*.i Valuttri*, \. WtmiipiK «ml N. W. Anjrli' lloinl (hwnin|i),.liily ft.'Trt l.unl 
 (liiwi'm. I.nk*' (if till' WikhIn Swiiinp ut I>iini' I'< iiiMmii M( Muy 'J4, '74, 
 
 ill llllWl'l. 
 
 Clemnltt hiiu'hfyfoltn, Null \Vii»< ili.ii Lake (tlii<k(l) Aiin, Jll, "l\. I'llM 
 
 tloWl'llllK. 
 
 (\il<li» tr(fi'li,i, ShIIhI'. f.rtki <>1 (III' WimkIm. 
 
 l>fll>hiiiiiim iitiirriim, Mx. rinliiK ii< lu Woiiij MoiiiiUiii, .Filly 'i:\, '7.1, In flowi-r 
 Init with iiinliirr hcciI itlNo 
 
 Mi/omirw minimiin, I,. Nt'iu Slimt Cui k, (opiH hwiiiii|i) .Illlii' Id, '7.t, III llowiT. 
 
 liiiniinnihiii injimhlti; I., viir ••niiilhii'i'Uf, S Aiitlri ( 'icck, .Iiily Ml, '7:1. WiukI 
 Ktiil, .Inly \\\, '74. Nrm WimhI Moiniliilii. .Inly 'X. '74, In tlnwcr. 
 
 Kitniinfiihif l'ur»hu. HirliintlK Knot liilln nf Km ky Mitniitftlim (KWiinip*) Ann. t'l 
 '74, in tliiwiT. Wiuiil Knil, .Inly l:i, 74, in tinwci. 
 
 Kiinunnihm tfinnmiihi, \,. vur, r</«/.Mi». Luke of tlic WoixIn Aiik. 7, '7:t, in llowcr. 
 
 Niininirulu.i iihorlinin, I.. hntVcrili (llli< Ui't), .Intlr (!, '7:i, in tloWiT. 
 
 Hnniinrii/u* rr/iniii, I,. Uiil Uivir I'miric (open NWiiinp) .hint' 'JNIIi, '7:i, in 
 (lower. I.iikc of the WooiIh, .Inly H, '7:1, in llown. Ilotli tlir liiNpiil vitiirty. 
 
 Hiinuneiiluii ojfiiii.^, Hi. l.iiUi' of the WoikIh, (Htimly hIio-i'), .Inly rj, '7:1, in llowrr, 
 lint xvitli lipi' Ni'i'd 'I'iikIiih' UimuI, (open Hwunip), Jnin' Id, '71, in (lower, 
 with fully foniied Heeil. 
 
 Riinunruluf rfioiiiliouldin, (loldie. Ketl Uivei (piiiirir), May Ti, '74. I'eiiiMiiu 
 Monnluin, (open eonlee), Muy 'Jii, in llowei, Inil iiIno wHh eiiipeiN liulf p;ro\vn. 
 Coninion on tl\<' open pniiiie, riiiely NinpiiHNin^ :i or 4 InelieM. In more 
 Hlieltered loeiilitieK tiiking (lie form of A', ovnlin. Hooker. 
 
 Kiiniiiinilii' c>/mhti/,iriii, I'lirHli. PiilTi rill, .lime ft, '7;i, (open prilirie), Wood Klid, 
 .Inly 8, '74, ii'Hr Wood Monntiiin, .lime 2(1, '74. KirMt liiiuieli Milk llivi-i, 
 Ahk. (i, '74. All in tlowcv. Utown on wet prairie, and hIouk the lioideiH of 
 HireaniM. 
 
 Kdniincutiif Ai.«/'i./(/.«, Mx. DniVeriii, (Nwiimp), .liine li!, '7;i. Wood Moimtuin, 
 (s.viimp), .liiiie 2\, '74. Holh in flower. 
 
 Kimiinriihis f>i/t/m)ri4!>, Wehl. Uoeky MonntiiinH, 7,itiin feet, Anjf. M, '74, In (lower, 
 
 Thaliftnim ,/i.)i>i/m, I.. i>nlVi'rin, (open jirHirie), ,Imie •(, '7:i, in (lower. Very 
 common. Kir8( eroHHinj; SoiiriH Uivi'i,.liine .'>, '71. In river viillieH iind open 
 prairie, almndant in (lowir. 
 
 Thiiliftrum iUnifum. Var. pui-fiuntfi-fuf, !>.('. Kirnt eroNsiiiK Soiirln Uiver, .Inne 
 .5, '74. 
 
 Thiiliftrum fornuli, L. Dufterin, (thieket and holders »>f woodB), June 25, '7.1, in 
 dower. 
 
 MKMHI'RKMACK.K. 
 
 MfmU'frmum ramhifiinr, L. Dnd'erin, (ihieket), .Iiine 21, '7:t, in flower. 
 
 BKKnRninAOK.K. 
 
 Jierhfiif (Miihnniii) aqtiito/ium, I'lirsh. Hoeky MonntninH. With ripe frnit in 
 AiijT. Owftif, rarely exeeedinu one foot in heiffht. Moiirftean myn it Ik found 
 on west Hide of Koeky Moimtains only, hnt on the forty-nint!' parHllel it iw 
 ahiindant nltto on tlic east«)rn niopeH. 
 
 NVMPHKACKiV. 
 
 Nuphnr ihU'fna, Ait. Lake of the Woods. July 30, '73, In flower. 
 
 RARRACRNIArK^. 
 
 Sarracrvin fmrpurfd, L. Swmups luar the Lake of the WoodH. Common. July 
 6, '73, in flower. 
 
 m 
 
AI'I'K.NIHX K. 
 
 :m 
 
 iiintnin, 
 
 fniit. ill 
 ix foiiixl 
 U'l it iH 
 
 II. July 
 
 ffiiHUiiniiinn Ciiinhliun; I., rrtnliiiiit MniiiiUiii (Tliiikol) Miiy 'i I, '71, in 
 
 l|l>Wl>| l'llll|tll'. 
 
 ri MAIIIAl'KK 
 
 CitntJii/iii i/liiiirn, I'lirxli, \Viiiiii|i<'K nml Nnrtli VVcMt. AiiKJr IIimkI .ImIv ^,'i'^, 
 with rl|ii< Hi'tol. 
 
 Citrit'l-ih* iiiirfi, WilM Dnn'i rill, Olil<-l«<'l) •tuiM' ^, '7 1, in llnMrr. I'liiil-lnii, 
 MiMiiiliilii, Mi«y 2:1, '71, (IihI lildHHnmM 'I'mfli- l\l"niil(iln, liilv '.'^, '7 i, ««illi 
 i'l|ii' M I. Kiinnil xi'lH'inllv wIm'ii^ liiiniiwInK iiiiIiiiiiIh Iim\< illMtinlMij tin' 
 
 ((Klllllll. 
 
 riirnrKti>:. 
 
 .\riilii»htr>iitii,Hii>\y IhilTi'ilii, .Imih' |H, '7.1, In IJowiT, 'rmilc Mnnnluiii, ,liil\ I", 
 '7:i, Ntill ill lliiwn ; Nnitli Aiill<'i'('ii'<'l«,'liiiii- 7, '7 I, III llnwii 'rimlri n llmul, 
 .liiiii' 'i\, '71, in lliiwi'i 
 
 i'l^mflniii mlirii, ('rnutr,. flrij lllvi'f, .Inly II, '7;i— Hflll In llmvi'i. 
 
 Viiltitllii liiirni-i>iitlurit, Mii'iit'li. jtiilTi'rlii, .liiui> I'J, '7;i-- In lliiwi'f. WiiiiiljD'K 
 mill N. W. AiikI" I<<I., Inlv '.! '7:i ii|ii' m I 
 
 I'lir'l'iiiiin^, H|». I. Uiirky MitiMiiiiliiH, (7,011(1 frit,) AiiKiiHt IH, '71 In llmvir. 
 
 Ihiihii, Mji. I. ri'inliinii Miiiinluin, (nitiuhI iiiiiirl)' li'vrl ) <i|M'n I'ruirii', Miiv '.':>, 
 '7 J 111 lliiwi'i. 
 
 h'n/fiiiium rhiiriiiithiiiilrii, \,. Itiikii i>l llii' WihmIh, .liih H, "i.\. 'I'liilli' M>iiiiilajii, 
 July 10, '7:i— Imtli III ll.iw.i. 
 
 Uri/miiiiiit liiiifiDliiliini, llr. Itrij llivi'i (<i|ii'n iiriilili) .liini' '.!l,'7'l 'I'liuli i m IIiI 
 ()i|ii'ii piiiii'lc) Jlliii' 'i\, '7 1. HIiDil I'li'i'k. .hilii' III, '7 1 nil in llouir 
 
 Uri/timinii imiifriiiii, {).<'. N, AiitliT ('htU, ,Mini' •!, '71, IIimI IiIiinnihiin. IIihU'ci 
 Ciri'U, June 'J.'i, '7.1. I'c'inliiiinMiiiiniiijii, .liiiii' .|, '7.'>. jtnlli In llnui i .Mum. 
 iImiiI nil Mil' <i|ii'ii ih'hIi li'. 
 
 Xiifliirtiiini liitiiirrli/ii/iiim, llniiU. Ki'i'iiliilliiillirli Milk II (Wil liniilii nT nIhiiiii), 
 Hf|it. I, '74—8(111 ill ll.iwcr. 
 
 XiiKtiirliiim imliiKlrr, D. (*. WliiiiijirK (ilid N. \V AiikIi; llil , July :i, '711 hIIII in 
 tlowci. 
 
 Sitiii/iif iiri'rii>if, \,. DltlVi'lill. 
 
 Sini/iiiliriiiiii riiinnriiin. I'i'inliiiiit MiMiiilniii, July <l, 0'|"'n |iriiiiii') in lliiwii. 
 
 Sini/mhriiim /iriirhi/riir/iiim, llonk. Kcil llivi't, Jiiiir 'i7, '7.'l, in llnuri. 
 
 Strriitiint/iilK H]t. ?. Slinil ('icrk, Jlllli! IH, '71, ill tinwrr. 
 
 Tiinifi.'> i/fiilirii, h. VVinnl|ic|.i, nnil N. W. AiikI"' H'l ; July :i, '7.t ; hHII in llnwn. 
 
 Tlifiin/ii iirvriinf, I,. DiitTrrin, .liiiir li, '7:i, in llown ; iiciii \Vin!ii|ic(;, Jntii' 'Jl», 
 '7;i, with lijii' NiM'iI ; aliiinilniit (iii tin- Itiil llivi r, tuiii (lie i>|<|i r niIIIi iiiriilx, 
 not yi't ('(iinnioii hn I'lir Hoiitli hm flic forty-nlnlli |iiiimIIc|, IhiI iii|i|iII\ Hpfinl- 
 iiiK. A iiioNt iiDxidiiH wcnl, iif i'iiiii|iHrithvi'ly liilr liitiiiilnrtiiiii, ninl known 
 ilM MiiiiriiiKf hrrhr, iir llrrli it Vinlrllr, the latter niuiif licin^t dcilvfil ffum flir 
 liinii (III wliicli it wiiH llrHt iintici'd, in the vicinity i>f I,. \Viiiiii|)cK, |h.-)7 
 (ItoiirKciiii.) OcciM'H iiliiiiiilMntly in (^iiclicc niiil (iiilfliin, iinil Ihih Imch h c<iin- 
 iiion wcci! iicnr Moiitrciil hIiicc IH'il (MhIiiich' llcrlDuiiiin.) Nut oflfii 
 foiiiKJ III the NMrtlicrn StiilcK. 
 
 Vr>iriiriii f,iiili)ririiiiiii, I). ('. Nciir lliulKcr Cr. (Dry IiIUnIiIch.) Mny .'UI, '7 J, in 
 flower. 
 
 I'mciiriii <liili/moriif/iii, Hook, llocky MtH., ((Jnivd ItiinkH) Auk. '-«, '7 t, in (lower. 
 
 CAI'l'AIIIO.\('K.K. 
 
 Clfome iiili-i/r(Miii, T. k (1. H. of Wond Mt., (dry cliiy-liottonied viillcy,) Jinic '21 , 
 tiiHt MoHKoniH. White Milk 11 ( valley ), ,(iine lo, '74, in (lower SeetriM to 
 prefer ii dry, clayey, and Kiih-Hftliiic Hoil. Northward to the Snskudlicwaii 
 (Bourguau.) 
 
 23 I> 
 
 M 
 
«** 
 
 ;-)A4 II. N. A. IliM Nt»A«V COMMIHSION. 
 
 <Vr.»»<, Np 1 l\its( IliiHi . Au)! KM, ill (li>«i'r, 
 
 l\^lonnt>i ,n'ir,,)),ny, Iwil \\ <>i>.l Mini, .liilv I', T I, in tlowi'r. 
 
 \ lill M v.K, 
 
 l',../,i ;.)/^v,v ,(,, Ai( Oiilliiiii (llii. Ixc () Miiv I'.i, is; I, tlit<( I'li'ssniiiM, .liiiic 'i, "I'M, 
 \\\ (nil liluniu 
 
 r»W<> fV»M.i.// »,«)*. I,. KonI I'l niliiiiM Moiml.iiii ((ImU'lt Mm 't, M. (ll^<t l'l"«- 
 x.iiiis Wiiiiiipn; mill N \V Aiii;l<' IM 0'"'' I*'", '"In M, ' ■ :t, Ntill iiillowci. 
 Tiiitli- Mi>iintiiin ^slimix (liii Ui (). .Iiil\ I :i, «i(li ii|i<' nihI 
 
 ri.>/.i ;>«-. /<»/.!. I OiilVoiin (i>|>i>t\ |(iniiii'V .1iiii>'. .1. ; ', in iIihmm ri'iiil>iim Moiin- 
 liiin (rijivc- i>i -..i mill |>iiiiiic' virppi'). Mnv ';<,'; I, (iisl IiIi'shoiiii. l'',\(i'nilH (n 
 
 (III N ^;l .K;l(. In "Mil 1m lii. Il.llil'-on, lli>lll;;i 1111 ) 
 
 IV.>/.i .((. ■)///.(/, I, Ai( l>iill<iiii ((ImiIm'IV .Iiiik- '>, 'T:i I'l'iiiliiim Mmml'iiii, Miiv 
 V'V. "; ) (1lii>K<'(V in llo»i'\ A (mni. «lii<li ii|i)iuu'ii(l\ irinrMiiilH (IiIh 
 s|>i', iis iv ti>iinil nn bt'ili (In' (iisi unil ■^ri mid |Miiiiii' m(('|i|ii'k. ninl tnnn IIh 
 sti»(i.>n I onii s (>ii( s,>n\i vv liiil imlii-i lli;iii tlic oriiiiiiiiv xiiiirly It In iihiiiiIIx 
 MilJill .'Uiil sliinlcil, not inoii' limn two nnd ii linlf iin Inw liljili, rind nIih« m 
 We'll niaiKi d Viiiic till diOi'icn.'i's Tin' Ii'hv.'h nn' hiniilli'i, lonni't in |>ni|iiii- 
 tion, iiud ot (inner dvdiii' l'"li>«i'is KO)ni'«liii( hhihIIi'I, diiiU I'lnc . (Iir 
 spni' <« ii'c i«s lonu in propiiHiiin :\h in < KinnnMi n|ii'i irn. mid iilninNl iiscin- 
 Mitig (li«< oC SrHiiku. I. own |ii(,il I'lindlrNn. i''onnd iiiMi |tii(V>iin. in 
 (liMVi'i. Imt 1>'HM s no( Ciillv (hiiimI, Mux J'.', "? ( 'n tluwi'i, .Inn.' :<, ";:( 
 
 I).)/-! A'i///<(/(i. riiisli n.'t«.'.'ii l.onii Kivcr itnd |li»d>ii't ("ii'rK. Mnv :io I'liiiiiH 
 w.-s( .'t 'rnrd.' Monndiin. .Innc !, in (lowi'i. mid sonic .ii|ihii|i'n «i(li 
 
 si'i'd iii'.'irlx lip"'. (. 'ws on dry. i;ii»m'U> liillsidi'M liiii^ (lliHirvid only 
 iMi (111' sciond prfiitic j-r ppi', l>ii( inii\ piiNs mi (i> (In' (liiid, Nmllnviiid (o (In' 
 SjiNKitti In »!»n (Uii liiudsou, Hi'iirui'iin.) 
 
 nliOSKUAlK.K, 
 Piwrrn /,i«,')i','/;,i. 1. llci^llt nl' Imul. MtlsKou. Iiilwi'll l.ilKci'l (ln' WimmU Ulld 
 
 K( d liix ri ri'mnit'ii. 
 
 rVHN.VSSIM'K V 
 
 J\i)-ri:7ff}ij <^,n;-<!t»i<r>hi. L. llcijili) o( Ininl, MllsKii;. IhIwi'i'Ii l.ilki' ol (lir WiMnln 
 lUid l{<'d Uix'i Ani}-, •J'J. T:!. in (Inwcr. "rids is piol'iiMy iil'oiK lln' nmili- 
 wiNti'in limit <>( (l\i' spci ics, 
 
 IIM'KIUCACK.K. 
 
 Ihi:prii,-iim Sriwliii. Monk. lioiKy Mmintiiins. ^^liiino (ret.) Ann. IH, 'Vt, in 
 tUnvi'v. 
 
 (',\«VOrMYl.l,,MK..l.;. 
 
 .l/vM<7)-»,r Inlfniior.i. I, nntV>'tin (tliiikctl .hin<' ',', "iW. I'.nil'inu Moiintiiin, (tliii kit) 
 Mi»\ !.'>, Tt. Kiist Crossing Souiis DiMi, (tliiiktt) .luin' ,!, "il. All in 
 tUnviT. 
 
 Arnhrrin jonujrnn. Nntt Kt'otmiic I'lss. Aiij;!!. Tl.si'id slii'd. lim ky Moiin- 
 t.'iins ('(^M l<'( tt, .Viii;. l.>*. Tl. in (lower. 
 
 Arrnariii h.7)-.?( '.>/>.». l.i'dih. I!<i> k> Monnt.'iins, (('...MXI fi'i't) AiiK- I'S '"', ''''^*' 
 
 rtowois iiniiiinint;, 
 (\r<tsli>nn n>il,i»f, lint' lhi(V( rin, .linn 1.^. ',":! 'I'm tic Monntiiiii (<>|M'n jiiitirir), 
 
 stnnti'd \:iri<'t\..'nly J."). '■;:!. IN ihMiki MonnlMin (o|u n piaiiic). May 'Jr>, "i'i. 
 
 All in llowci. 
 Vtrnfimtn ohlonuitohum. 'Vow. li(nK> >li>iuitiiins ^(;,^00 |V«H, Ani;. IS, "Tl, in 
 
 Silmr Mni:iffi!. Hook. Sondi Foik IVIlx l;i\(i (wood). Ami;. Ill, '71, still in 
 
 lloWl'l. 
 
 Silnif .iiiunhiti'i, \.. \Viiniii«'K and Noitli-wist Angle Hoad, July '2, '7:1, in llowci'. 
 
Al'I'KNKIX y. 
 
 :ir.r. 
 
 I I. Ml 
 
 Suihnui /,m,„A,/,„, Mnl.l. |.„n..||i. (.Irn,,, (hi. lull, ,1,,,... I:;, 'V,!, i„ ,|'n„,.. 
 
 MALVAfRM 
 
 r, ' ^^""•' '•:'■. ' "I-" l'n.l.i..|,.l. IV ||,„( 1,|.;mm,„„m Vm Ml „ n 
 
 I'""."" "•<. 1.'^ K WMMmm..,, «-m„„„|, ,„,„..iM||vnM.|,v i-hiim 
 
 MNAciMi. 
 
 '"""";"■'■"•""■. I' "'nlliniMll |(,,n, III.' Ilr.l II im.iIpI,. ,v,..,I«m,.I , • 
 
 ;;:;;■■;„'•';;;;;:: ' • "■■■"' '"■.'".';:.'.;;...";;'':;:■.';',::;;:;; ;;::J,";; 
 
 (h,tl„ ,i,„'i„, I, |)„n,.,in, .h,„v III, v.i, in (1..w..r. 
 
 • milANIACM.K. 
 
 M.« A,m V. ■V, in (I..W..,, |,„1 will, ,i,„: „,...,! HlH., Wl.i J i, ' "'" ''^ 
 r,.™.,, /.„.„.„„/„. T,„,, vv,„„| Ml .in «l„.||..,..| vMll,.vH, „n, i, ,i 
 
 A nn. .... A... ,M,wi,,, will, i.,„ „. „„„„ ,:,„;■,;;'., ;•,'';::;;;;, 
 
 llH, ll.rKI-Hlr, ,,n.l n( ||„. ||,„v.,h |„„| (nl|,.„ jn U,r (i, H w, I. r A 
 
 •|li"mnlHnlll,iH,,|»n(, .„ tl... |„„,, .„ ,„,,„ „,„ 1. II,, ,,,, V; • ''■ 
 n-iii.'ily r..i flimil,,,.,. ' ' '> •'"' lii'ImiiH mm ii 
 
 U.,-.n,.,m r„n,/n,nn„n„, I,. \Vin„i,.,.,r „n.| N W An,;l.. ||,| .|„|v .1 'Vl ■ in IIhw... 
 <;.M,wn„,Hf,.l. tlH.kH.Tnrll.. M.n.nfHi.,. ,|„lvjr, Vii 
 
 ■<!r>, 'V:i ; ill lldwi'i 
 ''"'"""""•'■""""• ^""' '""^ ■ ""• W"'"'". (^*WH..i,,^ AiiK-Hl, 2, •■/.. ; in II-,.,.,. 
 
 ItAI.HAMIVACK.K. 
 
 ANAi'AIII,IAr|.;,ii;. 
 l{l„i!< .//„l,r<i, \.. I.iili,' ,,| II.,. W„,.,|h, .Inly (I, 'V;!. 
 
 '^''''Mu'''l:;JT--y'T'^^^^^^^^^^^^ ''■"'^' "'^•' '"""'" '"'• ''■ • M - 
 
 iMin .III .,■ J! , , I |l,.,,„.„ n.Mily ,i,„.. aIk,, ..I,h,..v-.| hh t„, ,„hI ,.„ P.,,, 
 "'"I '"•■•K. «...«VM ..nly .,n .hy l.,un., l,ill-Mi,|,.„. K,.w ., . in , .f J 
 I'lH.H. w...,. H-.-ii; ,„„| |,„i„„,., ,,„ iH ,„„|,n|.|y ,.|,.„„, ilH n,„ll!..,n hn'il 
 lihu> h,x,v„.ln„ln,n, \.. I).ill,.,in. (Tlii,K,f), .lilii.^ '^il, '7.1- in ll„w,,, 
 
 VITACK*. 
 
 An,rrl,r.,.,,uin.,„M,.,, M,. ,,„K,„, „„. \V„.„|.. Jnlv Mi, 7.1- ii,H. ,,„.,..(,„, 
 ^/^■<,■r</7(/„/,„, Ms iHill.iin, .Inn,. IH, 7:1, in ll-.w-i. 
 
 IIIMMNAIK,!.;. 
 
 K.M.Uni.. l>aHM.,Hl,rnl,al„,nl,:tr,-ri,iKl., * ' '"'"/"""■, If.M.h > 
 
 A>A„»j„,M. /„//;,/,»., l/ii,.,.. f„^k,., .,,,,.„ vv ,H, A.iK, V,'7:.. Iv,„fani,. I'uh. An^- 
 
 li, 71. Ill, III in li.iil, ' ""'■•• 
 
 K 
 
 m 
 
I'll' 
 
 H 
 
 m 
 
 u 
 
 Iff 
 
 356 
 
 n. N. A. llotNUAKY COMMISSION, 
 
 Arrr nihriuii, L. Kootnnic l^nss, MniiTilftins ncnr Wntcrtdii T.iikf. 
 
 Xfi/iiiido ncrroiilfn^ Mu'ncli. I.nkc of tlic Woods, Hcrl Kivt'i' Vnllcy, (vnd wogtwBrtl 
 iti thf viillics of rivers. In flowir iit Diilfcriii, May «, 'T4. Kinds ils northern 
 limit on (he N. Susiviitrluwaii in Int. r>4', Hccordintr to HiclianlHon. Its ba]) 
 is fi('(Hi('ntIy collected iind iioiied down to ninke siij,'ar in Hiniiif?. 
 
 I'OI.YOAI.ACKM. 
 
 l^olyyahi /loli/i/nvui, Wall. Liikc of the Woods, July 21, '1'^, in flower. 
 
 J'oli/i/dlii fiii't/ii, L. liisinjr .ground K.of lU-d Uiver ,iiiiirie, June 20, '73, in flower. 
 Lnke of the Woods, .Iiilv 2'J, '73, with ripe seetl. 
 
 'ill 
 
 '1 i 
 
 LEni'MINOS.*:. 
 
 Antniifiiliif Cimmioi.iii', I.. Winiii)ieg mid N. W, nnnU' rond, July fi, '73. Rod 
 liiver piniiie, June 24, '73. Turtle iMouiitftin, July 30, 73. Wood End, July 
 I'i, '71 — nil in flower. 
 
 Aflrai/abin Civ)<i(Un»i>, Vnr. Wood Eiul, June 30, '74. Lnko of Wood Moiirtain, 
 June "27, '74 — hotli i)i flower. 
 
 Aflrni/nliif citri/orar/'ii.'. Ker. llisinj,' pround K.of Red River jirairie, June 20, '73 — 
 fruit fully fonued. West of I'liuhiuii tsearpiuent, (dry linnk,") May 26, '74, 
 in flower. Very coiunioii on the second prairie stepjie, W. of i'euihina 
 River. — \',ir. Wood End, (dry hank), June 11, '74, with larger leaves and 
 fewer flowers, hut Hot iijireeinir with A. mfxiramii', and A. cnryorurpux of the 
 normal form, jirowing on the same hank, hut having its fruit fully formed. 
 
 AMniffuliiK hi/fini/liiltiD, L. Red River Prairie, May 22, '74, first hlossoms. June 4, '73, 
 in flower. First crossing Souris R (Valley and open prairie), June 3, '74, in 
 flower. Ahundant. Traders' lid. June 1!», '74, In flower, Whitt; variety. 
 
 Aalrnfjiiliin flrruofiis. Doiigl. Red River Prairie, June 27, '73. Turtle Mountain 
 (dry hank.) .Inly 2(3, '73. Wood Mountain (dry open prairie,) .Tune 9.s, '74. 
 All in flower. 
 
 A.itriii/iilii.i ftrrii(i>!ii.i, Doujrl. Var. (•lotujafin' (= Phucii Ehngntu, Hook.^ Near Short 
 t'reek (oj)en prairie) June 10, '74, first hhissomn. 
 
 Aslraijaliif Miiinoiirirufin, Nutt. Near Short Creek, (dry hill sides), June 10, '74, in 
 flower. 
 
 Atlnp/dhi.'' )'frtiiiii/ii, Dougl. First crossing Souris River, (dry open prairie), June 
 3, '74, first hlossoius. Plant with a strong inipleasant odour. 
 
 Astnri/aliia ihhinynii; Pall. Traders' Road, (ojien prairie), June 21, '74, in flower, 
 forming dense tufts ahout 18 inches high. South of Wood Mountain, June 
 30, '74, in flower. 
 
 Astnii/nluK (ilwrh/iiionnii. Rich. Penihina Mountain, (open j>rairie), July 4, '7,3 — in 
 flower. Short (.'reek, June 10, '74 — in floiver. 
 
 Aftni(/iihi/< Bourganii, (troy. Itocky Mountains, ((5,000 feet): August 17, '74 — in 
 flower, 
 
 Astroffoliig tii/i/ii/l/iis, Pursh, (not J'/iaca r,r.tiiiio.vt Nutt.) First crossing Somis 
 River, (dry gravelly hanks), June .3, '74, last hlossonis. Forming dense matted 
 tufts, flowers white with hright purple tips when fresh. 
 
 AMralngua cfenpilosuf, (Jrey. White Mud River, (dry liank), June 3, '74, with seed 
 nearly ripe. 
 
 Aftny/irliin ti'yeiarius, Watson. Kootanie (Pass, dry hank,) August 14, '74 — in 
 liower. 
 
 JJefiiiodiiim CanaJenne, T>. ('. Lake of the Woods. July 28, '73, in flower. 
 
 JJcdi/mrinii Iwiralr, Nutt. f'oot Hills of Rocky Mountains, (thickets and horders 
 Of streams). August 15, '74, still in flower in slidtered localities. 
 
 Liipinui argenlcus, Pursh. South of Woody Mountain. July 25, '74, in flower. 
 
 n • 
 
 tt"A« 
 
wostwBrd 
 ; northorn 
 1. ItB sap 
 
 In flower. 
 
 •73. Rod 
 End, July 
 
 Mtnirtaln, 
 
 .' 20, "?3— 
 ay 26, '14, 
 ' Pembina 
 leaveB and 
 '/mt of the 
 foiined. 
 
 rune 4, '73, 
 le 3, '74, in 
 variety. 
 
 I Mountain 
 ine 5\ '74. 
 
 Near Rliort 
 
 I 10, '74, in 
 
 •vie), June 
 
 in flower, 
 iitain, June 
 
 y 4, '73— in 
 
 17, '71— in 
 
 ■linp Sotuis 
 xmo matted 
 
 with seed 
 
 14, '74— in 
 
 nd liorders 
 1 flower. 
 
 APPENDIX K. 
 
 :}57 
 
 I'.nninus anjrnteun? Wood Kiid. Si'pti'nilx-r 1, '73, in llowcr. 
 
 LatlnjrHK iiMiiliiniin, Uigi'luw. Lulif of tlio WoimIh. Antiusf 7, '73, in (lower. 
 
 /.athi/ntu vennmiH, Mulil. DiilTerin. June 2'J, '73, in flowiT. 
 
 Lathiinm ochnUeiini.^, Ilooit. DullVrin, ((liicket). .hini' 3, '73, in lldwi'f. — I'^irHt 
 eroH.sinj; Souris lliver, tiiicltet in viillcy. June ^>, "l, lirst Mohkoihs. 
 
 Oxi/lro/ii'^ l.iimlii'rti, I). ('. N. Antler ('n'cii (o|M'n pniiiic) ,lune 0, '74, in flower. 
 White Mud lllver (dry liiiiik) July 3, '71, still in tlowci'. I'"irst crusHinK Sourin 
 Uiver, ,)une 3, '71, (dry open prairie (Uid gravelly IiiiiiUhJ in liower. Wliite 
 variety. 
 
 Oxi/tro/iin K/i/i'iidi'ii!', I)out,'l. (var. iwnlitn, Ifooli). 'I'urtli' Mouutniii, (opni prairie) 
 July 10, '73, in tlovver. 
 
 Oxjilriiiiis xiilvinh'HK, IJoukI. (var. /{irlinnl.'tonii, llutik). 'I'urtlc Moutitain, thicket, 
 July II, '73, in flowi'r. My speriiucn.s arc very dilVcrent in appraiiince I'roni 
 the la.st, and niiffht almost rank as a difVcrcnt speeies, eHpccially as t'(iund 
 /^rowiuK nearly in the same locality. The leaves are almost all r'^'ularly 
 pinnate, with scarcely a trace of verticillate arrangement in the leatlets. 
 
 /'Knriilfd linii-liitild, l)ou,i,M. liisiuK ground east of Red Itiver prairii', .lune I'.i, '73, 
 in tlo\v(M'. Wood Kiid, (o|ien |irairie) Jidy I, '71, •■ilillin liower. lOast Fork 
 Milk Uiver, July 18, '74, past flowering. 
 
 I'.vinilfii ari/ojilii/lla, I'ursli. Turtle Mountain (open prairie) ,Iuly 3o, '73, in 
 flower, N. crossing White Mud Kiver, .luly 1 1, '74, lirst lilossoms. Kioiu the 
 eastern edge of tlu^ seeor.d piajrie steppe, to the Kocky Mouidiiins, aliuudant. 
 ['■"lower, colialt hlue. 
 
 J't-ltilonli'iiwit I'iolari'iim, M.x. llising gioinid 1'^. of lied liiver prairie, Aug. '11, '73, 
 in flower. Tintle Mountain (open |)rairie) July 2^>, '73, in flower. West 
 liutte, July 24, '74, in flower. 
 
 Pelaloitli'inon cdiKdiliiiii, '^\x. var. Tintle Moinitain, (ojieu prairie) July '21, '73, 
 in flower. S. of Wood Mountain (dry praiiie and hill-sides) .luly 2, '74, first 
 lilo.sKoms. The leaves nearly all ohtuse, and sometMues slightly olni;idate. 
 Does not agree I xactly with :Michau.\'s figure. 
 
 T/irniiti/inin i/ii)iiilii/iitiii, y nit. l''irst crossing Siiuris Itiv i- and wcslwanl, (dam|) 
 spots on the open prairie and hill-sides) .lune 3, '74, in flower. 
 
 \'iciu Aiiiriiranii, Mtdil. Lake of the Woods, July, '73, in (lower. Dutl'erin, (open 
 jirairie) Juui^ l(i, '7:!; (thicket) June 12, '73 ; near Sluirt Creek, June l(t, '74. 
 i$otli in flower. 
 
 Viria Ainrriraiia, Muhl, var. 15,, Hooker. Near Tintle Mountain (open luairie), 
 June 1, '73. Near Wood iMoiintuin (opc'u prairie), ,Inne 2\>, 74. Hoth in 
 flower. A well-mark, (i variety, inhaliiting dry e.xpused prairies. 
 
 lUIHACK.K. 
 
 Affrimoiiia eiijiatorid, \j. Turtle Mountain, (thicket) July '23, '73, last hlossoms. 
 
 Amdivichkv Canaikiinix, T. & (!. DiitTerin, June .'(, '73, in flower. Foot Pemhiiui 
 Mtuintain, May 22, '74, first lilossoms. Common on the forty-ninth parallel 
 from Lake of the Woods to the Jlocky Mountains. West of thc^ Red Uiver 
 country, only oeeurs in sheltered valleys, hut hecomes very ahiindant again 
 oil the foot hills of the mountains. In many varietal forms. 
 
 CratH'yux cocciiifn, L. Dull'erin, June 2, '73; Hecond crossing Souris, June 8, '74. 
 Both in flower. 
 
 Comanim imluslri', L. Winnipeg, and N. W. Angle Road. July 3, '7.'!, in flower. 
 
 Di-jnm oclo^wtala, h. Uoeky Mountains, (6,.')00 feet). Augu>,; 18, '74, in flower. 
 Ahunilant on gravelly hanks in the Ivootanie Pass, where plants showed half 
 ripe seeds at the same ilate. 
 
 Frayaria Viri/iniitiiu, Khrhart. Dull'erin, Jr^. 2, '73, in flower. Found growing 
 on the third prairie steppe in slieltere I parts of the valley of White Mud 
 Uiver. 
 
iy I ^ 
 
 368 B. N. A. BOUNDARY COMMISSION. 
 
 Fragariii re.ira, L. \Viiinii)fg and N. W. An^le Road. July 4, 73, flowers and fruit. 
 
 Oeum I rijiorum, Vmith. lied River prairie, May 21, '74, in flower. June 19, '73 
 styles 3i ineheK \onn. Northward to Athabasea Lake (Richardson), and tlio 
 rcacc River (Maeoiin.) 
 
 Geiim viacrophiillii-r., Willd. Turtle Mountain (thieket). July l.'i, '73, in 
 flower. Foot-hills of lUieky Mountains. August 12, '74, flowering nearly 
 over. 
 
 Geiim Htiirtum, Ait. Winnipeg and N. W. Angle RoimI. July ;•., '73, in flower. 
 
 I'otentiila tridfiiluta, Ait. Winnipeg and N. W. Angle Road. July 4, '73, last 
 blossoms. 
 
 J'otentilla 7iorvf;/icii, L. Red River. June 29, '73, in flower. 
 
 Polentilla /nitiro-ia, L. Eastern border of Red River Prairie. June 20, '73. 
 Winnipeg and N. W. Angle Road. July 3, '73. Woody Mountain, June 
 22, '74 ; all in flower. Alumdant near Woody Mountain, and on the Foot- 
 hills of the Roeky Mountains. 
 
 Polentilla an.ierina, L. Dutt'erin, .June 10, '73. Near Short Creek, June 10, '74. 
 Both in flower. 
 
 Polentilla anjiila, Pursh. Red River, June 28, '73 ; near Wood Moiuitain, June 
 27, '74 (open i)rairie). Roth in flower. 
 
 Polentilla i/landulosa, L. Roeky Mountains (0,000 feet,) Aug. 16, '74, in flower. 
 Variety, with petals considerably exceeding the .ve))als. 
 
 Potentilla efiiM, Dougl. Pembina Mountain (gravelly bank) May 20, '74, first 
 blossoms. Long River, (open ])rairie) May 29, '74, in flower ; iir.st crossing 
 Souris River, (dry bank) June 3, '74, in flower. 
 
 Poti'ntitla!/racili»,'Do\\ii\. Pembina Mountain (open i)rairie) July 6, '73 ; Turtle 
 Mountain, (open prairie) July 9, '73, both in flower. 
 
 PulenliHd Penn-v/lranica, L. Var. strii/omi, Pursh. Turtle Mountain, (open prairie) 
 July 10, '73 ; Wood End, (open prairie) June 13, '74. Roth in flowsr. 
 
 Polenlilla hip/iiana, Lehm. Wood End, (open prairie) July 7, '74, in flower, 
 
 Polentilla Sp. I. Wood Mountain, June 24, '74 ; Traders' Road, July 15, '74. Both 
 in flower. 
 
 Polentilla, Sj). II. Rocky Mountains (Oj.lOO feet), Aug. 18, '74, in flower, 
 
 Polentilla (Iveiiia) Sp. III. N. Antler Creek (open prairie), June 7, '74. Wood End 
 (open prairie), June 14, '74. Both in (lower. 
 
 Piiinus Viif/iniuna, L. Dutt'erin, June 4, '73. First crossing Souris, June 3, '74. 
 Both first blossoms. Distribution same as Amelanehier Canadenm. The 
 Toqua-e-iiiiuiirfi, of the Lake of the Woods Chippeways. The Indians collect 
 the berries, beat them till the stones arc crushed, and then dry them, 
 
 Prunm Americana, Marsh. Duft'erin, June 3, '73, in flower, 
 
 Prunus Pennxylvanica, L. Foot Peuibina Moimtain. May 22, '74, flowers just 
 opening. 
 
 Prunui dej}rei<sa, Pursh. Lake of the Woods. 
 
 liosa hlanda. Ait. Duft'erin, June 19, '73, in flower. Near Wood Mountain, June 
 30, '74, in flower. Grows commonly in a stinited form on the open ))lains 
 of the Red River, and westward on the second prairie stepi)e, as far as 
 Turtle Mountain. Beyond this point, it is seldom seen, except in sheltered 
 spots in vallie.s, and along the bordei s of streams. 
 
 Ruhm HrigosuK, Mx. Duft'erin, June 19, '73. Wood Mountain, June 24. Both in 
 flower, 
 
 Rubiis Iriflomn, Richard, Dutt'erin, June 3, '73. Wood Mountain, June 24. Both 
 in flower. 
 
APPENDIX V. 
 
 35!) 
 
 Habits NatkaniiK, Moc. Kootanii- Puss, Aug. 10, '71, in flowtT. Also lommoii lUi 
 the Foot Hills with lipi' fiuit, 
 
 S/iinr(t sttlici/dliii, L. Liiki; of the Woods. Diiftrrin. Jimc 30,73. Bfulttcr's 
 (-'rci'k, (open praiiif). .laiiu uy 7, '7;!. I'l'inliiiiii Moiintiiiii, (opcii inuiric). 
 January 4, '73. Winnijicfj: and N. W. Anulf l{iiad. July ">,. '73. All in 
 flowiT. Abundant on tliu I'astcin |)oition of tlii' s^iond i>niiric sti.'|>pi', 
 whiTcvei' till- Hoil is at all damp. Forms stunted tliirki'ts. Tlic form most 
 fhaiact<.'ristic' of tlu' opi'ii plains .soenis to hi' ouc with small lait luoad 
 luavus, slt'ndur stums, pauidu small and tlosu. 
 
 Spinrti betiili/oliti, Pall. West Butte, July 28, '74. Kootanic Pass, August 
 l(i, '74. Both in flowiM-. 
 
 Sililmldiu iiiovnnihen!>, L. llocky Mountains, (7,000 tVot), August 18, '74, in 
 flowiT. Abundant hut nuich stunted. Sear, ely an ineh high. 
 
 onacikacka:. 
 
 Virrifd a//>in<i, L. Lakt; of the Wood.., July !t, '73, in flower. 
 
 N/jilol)ium tinffimli/oliuiii, L. Lake of the Woods. 'J'uitle Mountain /"thicket.) 
 July 13, '74, in Hower. Var. cunrKo-ni. Laki' of the Woods. August 7, 
 in flower. 
 
 Epi/oliium 1(1 1 i/o/ ill III, L. St. Mary Kiver, near the Rocky Mountains. (Border of 
 stream), August U, '74. Nearly past flowering. Rocky Mountains, (7,000 
 feet). August 18, '74, in flower. 
 
 Kjiiltihium piiliinli-i-. Var. Vinfiti-f. Gray. Near Wood Mountain, July 2, 
 '74, in flower. Foot-hills of W. Butt'', (liorder of stream), August 2, '74. 
 Second Branch Milk River, August 4, '74. Tiie two last in flower hut also with 
 fully formed pods. 
 
 Eiiilobium /lafiintir, var. ulbifluni, Hook. Near Wood Mountain, (swnmp) July 7, 
 '74, in flower. 
 
 Epilubium coloniliim, Muhl. Lake of tlu? Woods, July 18, '73, in flower. Foot 
 hills of W. Butte, (border of stream) Aug. 2, '74, in flower, but with ripe pods. 
 
 K/jilobiitiii oni/iiiii/dliiiiii, Lam. Rocky Mountains, Camp Akamina, ((),000 feet) 
 growing in the shade of thick woods, in llower. 
 
 (iaiirii coceinea, Nutt. Badger Creek, July 7, '73, in flower. Wood End, (dry banks) 
 rare, June 11, '74, first tlowers. Common westward from these localities, on 
 the dry places. 
 
 Mi/riophi/llum xpicutum, L. Lake of the Woods, Aug. 1, '73. 
 
 Qhiothera bie7iiiis, L. Lake of the Woods, (dry sandy shore) July 7, '73, in flower. 
 Turtle Mountain, July 25, '73, in flower. 
 
 (Enuthcra mui-yiiinla, Nutt. (—(Eiiul/ieni ca'K/n'toKii, Nutt,) in Porter & Coulter, Syn. 
 H. Col.) Short Creek, June 10, '74, (dry clay bank) fragrant. Aiaulescent 
 var. 
 
 (Eiiolhera hetenintha, Nutt. Traders' Road, (ope:i prairie) June 14, '74, in flt)wcr. 
 
 (Eiiothf.ra Icucocarpa, Comien. Turtle Mountain, (open prairie), July 20, '73. 
 Wood End, July 18, '74. Near Wood Mountain, July 9, '74. All in flowi'r. 
 Agrees with Hooker's description, but the anthers appc^ar to be versatile, nttt 
 adnate. 
 
 (Eiiolhera pumila,L. Lake of Woods, Aug. 20, '73, last flowers. A dei)auperated 
 variety, with flowers bright yellow, scarcely four lines in diameter. 
 
 (Enolhera albicaulis, Nutt. Pembina Mountain, Sep. 0, '73, in flower. Uniipie. 
 Glabrous variety, witli white jjctals. 
 
 (Enolhera, Sp. 1 (nv\w aU.icauHx). Wood End (opt'U prairie), July 7, '74, in flower. 
 West Butte (o])cn prairie), July 30, '74, in tlower. 
 
 (Enothera, Sp. II. Second Branch Milk River, Aug. 4, '74, in flower. 
 
 (Enolhera, Sp. III. Milk River, July li), '74, in flower, 
 
 ;' i 
 
3CU 
 
 11. N. A. nolINDAllY COMMISSION. 
 
 Symiihoricarfim oecidfulaUn, U. Hi'. 
 '27, '73, in flower. 
 
 Lake of the WoihIs. lU'tl Iliver, Jimo 
 
 i./ri 
 
 LOASACK,*:. 
 
 Mentzelia oriuila, I'ursli. and Niitt. Foot-hillH of WohI Uuttv (sliflti'iitl valley), 
 July 31, '74, in tlowir. 
 
 CACTACK.t;. 
 
 OpiiHliii ^[il^^lur^en^i», D. ( '. Spciinu'ns apiicar to belong; to var. rujinpina of Kn- 
 glcniaiin & HIj^Iow'k i{t'|)oi't in connection with the Pacific Uiiilway. Tliu 
 l»lunt is very variable, however, and no doubt other varieticH are represented 
 <in the forty-ninth piirallel. Neur Wood Mt>untain, June 'it!, '74, in flower. 
 'I'lie plant cuuit-x very Huddeidy into bloom, and in very (^ay for a few days. 
 Jn '74, from .Inne 'i(J to .July 3. Common everywl. ere, l)Ut eHprcially char- 
 acteristic of dry hilU and barren valleys, with parched and clayey soil. 
 From Wood End, Loiif;. 103', to near the K. Butte, Lon^. 111'. East and 
 west of these |>oints tlu^ rainfall increases, and it is probably this causu that 
 limits the plant. Collected on the Saskatchewan, by Konr^'cau. Miicoun col- 
 lecti'd a cactus, which he refers doubtfully to this species, near Uunregan, oil 
 the l'»'ac(f Iliver. 
 
 Miimilhiria {Coryphanlha) riri/tarn, Haw. Wood Knd, .lune '27, '74. Near Wood 
 
 RIonntflin, .July ti, '74. Hoth in flower. Han^fe similar to last, but not nearly 
 
 so abundant, lierry edible, ripe in Sept. The flowers, before being «lried, 
 
 are not purple, but carmine. 
 
 Th(! locality furthest east wlu're (lacti were observed, on the forty-ninth parallel, 
 
 was on the plains near Turtle Mountain. The form there seen was not in flower, and 
 
 did not appear to be growing lu.xnriantly. It was rare, and may be a depauperated 
 
 variety of o. Jtisiourttusin, but is probably distinct. Sir .1. Uiehardson mentions thu 
 
 occurri ut e of a Cactus on the Lak(^ of tlu' Woods. He writes, "We gathered O/mntia 
 
 < Home rata, M- the C'rapaiid Ten/, of the voyageurs, on the Lake of the Woods." (Jonrn. 
 
 Boat Voyage, Vol. 11., p. '277.) 'I'hough .some time on the Lake of the Woods, I did not 
 
 succeed in coutirming the presence of this form, and from the dampneusof thu climate 
 
 am led to suspect that some error in reference has occurred. 
 
 (II10SSUI.ACK,E. 
 
 Kibes (ttirnim, (Pursli). West Fork Milk Iliver, ,Tuly 18, '74. Fruit foruicd, but not 
 ripe. Seen only at this place. 
 
 Ribes roluii'lijolium, Mx. West Fork Milk Iliver, .luly 18, '74. llipe fruit, 
 
 liibci Jliin'.hiw, L. Her. Dufl'erin, ,Iune 2, 73, in flower. First crossing Souris Iliver. ' 
 ,liine •(, '74, in flower. Luke of Woods, &c. 
 
 Kibes lubridii, L. Winnipeg, and N. W. Angle Road, July 4, '73. Kipe fruit. 
 
 Kibes t'j/noshiiti, L. Tembina MomiUiin (thicket). May '27, '74, in flower. 
 
 CUCUUUITACK/E. 
 
 Eehinoctistis lobata, T. & S. Lake of the Woods (boggy short;), July 8, '73, in 
 flower. Turtle Mountain, July 23, in flower. 
 
 CKASSULACKiK. 
 
 Sedum slenopctaliim, Pursh. Summits of three Buttes, or Sweet Grass Hills, July 
 29, '74, in flower. Rocky Mountains (G,()00 to 7,000 feet), Aug. 18, '74, in 
 flower. 
 
 Sedum rhodiola, D. C. Rocky Mountains (7,000 feet), Aug. 18, '74, past flowering. 
 
 Sedum, Sp. L Kootanie Pass, dry bank. 
 
 BAXirRAQAOBA. 
 
 Jleucheru eyliadrica, Doug. Kootanie Pass, Aug. 14, '74. With ripe seed. 
 
 Jleuchem Kichardsoni, R. Br. Red River Prairie, June 18, '73, in flower. Abundant. 
 From the Lake of the Woods, westward, 
 
Al'I'ENIHX V. 
 
 3(i1 
 
 LefJlarrhma /lyioli/oliii, ]hi>wn. Il()( ky Mountiiiiis, ('amp Akuiniiiii (fiono ft-rt), 
 Aug. 17, '7». Sicd iiciiily iiiiitiiic. (Jniwiii^ oii tlir slimly liiiiik dl ii iiioiiu- 
 tuiii sticaiii. Tlic h(i<1m lire sl.iidci, s|)iii(llt-sliii|ii(l, tliickciu'd in tin' Jiiiddlf, 
 the two ciuIh Klightly litul in ditlVn nt dirrclioiis. 
 
 Mitella nmla, \j. Wiiuii-pi'j;- mid Noitli Went Aii^l'' Umid (tliirk wood), .Inly 5, '7:!, 
 Ht'i'd lu'aily ntatuiv. 
 
 Mitella penliiiulni, lltnik. Uocky Munnfains. Camp Akamina (0000 fci't, 
 thick wood), Aug. IH, '74, weed nearly matnii'. 
 
 Saxifraya luleranlliii, Ht>i>k. Itoiky Moniitains. Camp Akamina, (fiono fcit, 
 hank of Hti'cam), Au^. IS, '74, in llowcr. A weak variety, with smooth 
 li'avi'H. 
 
 Saxifraya Dahurica, I'all. Kootanit' I'ass, An^. KJ, '74, jiast (lowcrinK- 
 
 Saxifraya l)nmrhiiili!<, 1). C. Wist Mnttc (fjOno feet), .Inly 'Jil, '74, in llowi-r. 
 Iloiky Monntains (liOdO t'lit), Aiijr. ">, 74, past llowiiini!. 
 
 Saxifrayu i<ernaliit, Willd. var. H., Hook, in Fl. ISot.Am. Uo(k> Monntains (7000 
 fwt), Aiifjr. 18, '74, in llowcr. 
 
 Saxifraya A',i(7/o//--(V, Stern li. Iloeky Monntains (7,000 feet), An^j. 18, '74. I first 
 ohtained a speeinieii of this plant from Major Cameron, who found it on the 
 Niinimit of a monntain near the Kootanie Pass. A few days afterward, I 
 found it growing in eonsiderahle almndance on the peaks near the ISonndary 
 Monument. It forms a dense, matted sod, and is generally seen growing he- 
 twoen Ktoiu'H in the shady and retired parts of tli- mountains, near melting 
 HUow hanks. Most of the specimens were past llowering on the date men- 
 tioned. Deserilied hy Sternlierg from Northern Asia, hut found also on tlie 
 north west coast of Aineriia, hit. C>'J~\ ISehring's Strait, and on the Arctic Sea 
 shore, near Mackenzie Uiver. 
 
 Tiaretta unifoliiila, Ifook. Kooliiiiie I'ass (wood), Aug. KJ, '71, nearly past 
 llowering. Desciilird hy Hooker from sperimeiis rollectiil hy Druiiiiiiond on 
 the height of land in the Uocky Mountains, near the sources t>f the Coliimhia, 
 and at Tortagi! lliver. 
 
 3, '73, in 
 
 UMHELLIFKII/b. 
 
 Cifiita ilaciilata, ]j. I^ake of the Woods, July 31, '.'I!, in tlower. Winnipeg, and 
 N. W. Angle lioad, .Inly 2, '7;!, in tlower. 
 
 Varum (iairdiieri, Heiitli k Hook. South Fork, Helly lliver, Aug. 1.'), in tlcnver. 
 Ahundant. 
 
 Cyinotileri.", Sp. I. Wood Knd, .luiie 11, '74, in flowi'r. 
 
 Ihradiuai lanatum, h. Uiul Uiver, prairie, July 3, in flower. 
 
 Osmorrhizu breviUi/lin, D. C. Kootanie I'ass (thick wood), Aug. IG, '74, witli ripe 
 carpels. 
 
 Onmorrhiza lonyiilylis, D. C. Wood Mountain (thicket), Junt; 24, '74, in flower. 
 
 Peitcedanum Sp. I. Wood End, .lunc 11, '74, with seed nearly ripe. 
 
 Saniciila Marylandica, L. Ut'd lliver, Juno 20, '73, in flower. 
 
 Siumliimire, M.x. Lake of the Woods, July 31, '73, in flower. Turtle Mountain, 
 July 25, '73. Both in fU)wer. 
 
 Thaspium Irifolialuw, Viv. Duft'erin, Jiiiu' 4, '73, first hlossoniK. Traders' Road, 
 .lune 14, '74, in flt»wer. Ahundant over the first and second prairie steppes, 
 and very variahle. 
 
 Umh. I. Foot Hills of Uocky Mountains (dry banks), Aug. 7, 74, in flower. 
 
 Umb. II. Near Tembinu Mountain (open prairie). May 22, '74, in flower. 
 
3fi2 
 
 «. N. A. BOIINDAIIY COMMISSION. 
 
 AnALIACK/1<:. 
 
 Aralia nudicanlh, L. Wood End, HoiiiiH River (thicket), Juno II, '74, puHt 
 flowfiiiijf. 
 
 Aralia hitpida, Winnipeg and North-wi'st AiirIp Iload, July 5, '73, in flower. 
 
 OOHNACE;*;. 
 
 Cornus Canadtnm, L. Winnipeg and N. W. Angle Uoiid, July 4, '73, in flower. 
 
 Cornu.1 pnnieulata, L'Her. Duft'erin, June 6, '73, flrnt bloHHomw. Hiaind troHHing 
 SouriH River, June 8, '74, in flower. 
 
 Cornus stoloni/era, Mx. Liilio of tiie Woods. 
 
 C'AI'RIFOLIACKi*;. 
 
 Diervilla Irifida, Mmncli. Winnipeg, and N. W. Angle Road, July 4, '73. 
 
 Linnma borealis, Gron. Lake of the WoodH, ,Iuly 9, '73, in flower. 
 
 Lonicera iiwulucrata, BankH. South Fork of Rilly River (in the Mountains), 
 Aug. 1.5, '74. Kootanie Push (thicket), Aug. 10, '74. Both in flower. 
 
 Lonietra ohlonyifoUu, Muhl. Winni|>eg and N. W. Angle Road, July 3, '73, in fruit. 
 
 Lonicera parvijioni, Lam. Dutt'evin (thicket), June 14, '73, in flower. 
 
 Viburnum oiiulua, L. Dutt'erin (tliicket), June 12, 73, in flower. 
 
 Viburnum lentayo, L. Duft'erin (thicket), June 13, '73, in flower. 
 
 kubiacea;. 
 
 Qalium boreah, L. Hufferin (open prairie), June 17, '73, in flower. Wood Moun- 
 tain, June 23, '74, in flower. Vory abundant, especially on the Red River 
 l)rttirie. 
 
 Oalium triflorum, Mx. Lake of the Woods, July 8, '73, in flower. Turtle Moun- 
 tain, July 19, '73, in flower. 
 
 Oalium trijidum, L. Winnipeg and N. W. Angle Roud, July 3, '73, in flower. 
 
 Houttonia ciliolata, Torr. Wiunii)ug and N. W. Angle R( iid, July 3, '73, in flower. 
 
 Jloustonia tenui/olia, Nutt. Lake of the Woods, July 7, '73, in flower. 
 
 VALKKIANACKiK. 
 
 •il ' ri 
 
 ! i| 
 
 Valeriana sj/loatica, Richards. Rocky Mountains, (6,000 feet) Aug. IC, '74, last 
 blossoms. 
 
 coMPoaiTi*;. 
 
 Achillea millefolium, L. Red River, prairie, July 2, '73, in flower. Abundatit 
 everywhere from the Lake of the Woods to the Rocky Mountains. 
 
 Ambrosia psiloKtachy a, D. C. Lake of the Woods, July 18, '73, in flower. West- 
 ward, ttt least over the first and second prairie Ktei)pes. 
 
 Ambrosia trijida, L. Var. integr{ "olia. Near Milk River (low, fertile prairie land) 
 July 19, '74, in flower. Specimens about 1 foot high, with a single flowering 
 spike. 
 
 Actinella acaulis, Nutt. West Butte (dry hill), July 30, '74, in flower. Plant not 
 uncommon, but only a single flowering specimen obtained. 
 
 Amida hirsuta, Nutt. Foot Hills of West Butte, July 30, '74, in flower. . Plant 
 with a heavy, unpleasant, minty smell. Number of ray flowers inconstant. 
 Found only in this locality, and growing in a sheltered hollow in great 
 abundance. 
 
 Antennaria plantaginifolia, Br. Red River Prairie, May 20, '74, in flower. Pem- 
 bina Mountain, May 26, '74, in flower. 
 
 Antennaria dioica, var. rosea, G.aertn. Near Short Creek, June 10, '73, in flower, 
 
 Antennaria Alpina, Oaertn. Rocky Mounfeiins, Aug. 18, '74, in flower. 
 
'74, piwt 
 
 VIT. 
 floWlT. 
 
 I I'i'oHHing 
 
 mutainn), 
 3, in finit. 
 
 nod Moun- 
 Red KivxT 
 
 rtli' Moun- 
 
 )Wor. 
 in rtowor. 
 
 C, '74, last 
 
 Abundant 
 
 vr. WuRt- 
 
 •airie land) 
 flowering 
 
 Plant not 
 
 wr. . Plant 
 
 nconstant. 
 
 w in great 
 
 ,viM'. Pem- 
 
 in flower. 
 
 APPENDIX F, 
 
 Mfin 
 
 Antenmria Sp. I. 385 Mile Point, Foot Hills of Ilcnky Mountains, Aug. 1, '74, 
 l)aKt tlowering. 
 
 A/ilo/iiififiiiK Nutlitim, T. and (1. 
 Ilower. 
 
 VVliitf Mud River (dry Imnk), July 3. '74, in 
 
 Aplo/iapfiiiK Kiiiniiloiiiin, I). ('. Turtle Moinitaiii. Aug 23, '73. First ('roHsing 
 Souris Uiver, .July .'iff, '73. Hotli in flower. Not eonnnon on tiie second 
 prairie sti'ppe, but abundant westward, on the drier plains. 
 
 AfitofKifjfiiin titnceolatiis,T. tmi\ li . First Hraneli Milk Kiver, Aug. 5, '74, in 
 flower. 
 
 AplojiapjiiiK, Si). I. Short Cr., June 10, '74. (i rowing in dense, matted tufts. 
 
 Arnica aiii/nnli/olia, Vahl. Souris Iliver (open prairie), ,fune 7, '74, in flower. 
 Abuiulant. 
 
 Arnica Menziesii, Hook. Kootanie Pass (thicket), Aug. 10, '74, in flower. 
 
 Arnicii lunyifdlia, D. ('., Katon. Iiocky Mountains (7,0(i() feet), Aug. 18, '74, in 
 flower. 
 
 Artemimifriqiili, Wiild. llising groinid, east of Red Iliver ])rairie, Aug. 23, '73. 
 Wood End, Sept. 1, '73. Roth in flower. 
 
 Arteminiti now/lii.Hiana, Ress. South of Wood Mountain, dry clay banks in the 
 bad-lands, .June 20, '74, in flower. 
 
 ArlemiHia Lmloviciana, Nutt. Var. I. F^ast Pork, Milk Iliver, Aug. 23, '74. West 
 Fork, Milk Uiver, Sept. 10, '74. Roth in flower. This is the most common 
 variety of "sage " on the third prairie plateau, and grows very abundantly 
 on dry, open plains and dry valleys. On the sei'ond prairie jilateau 
 A.frigida is jirobably more abundant. 
 
 Arteminia Ludoviciana, Nutt. Var. gnaphuloiden, T. k O. Wood End, July 14, '74, 
 not yet in flower. 38.1 Mile Point, Sept. 18, '73, jiast flowering. 
 
 Arti'ininia Canadensin, Mx. Lake of the Woods, Aug. 7, '73, in flower. Wood End, 
 July 14, '74, not yet in flower. Foot hills of Rotky Mountains, (dry hill- 
 sides) Aug. 7, '74, in flower. 
 
 Artemisia discolor, Dougl. Kootanie Pass (dry bank), Aug. 4, '74, in flower. 
 
 Artemisia dracmicidoidea, Pursh. Second Crossing Milk River (dry bank), Aug. 5, 
 '74, in flower. 
 
 Aster viultiflorus, L. Turtle Mountain Aug. 12, '73. Second Rnineli Milk River, 
 Aug. 4, '74. Foot hills. Rocky Mountains, Aug. 2(>, '74. All in flower. 
 Abundant from the Red River to tlie Rocky Moimtains. 
 
 Aste- macroplii/Him, h. Lake of the Woods, Aug. 7, '73. Tiu'tle Mountain, Aug. 
 11, '73. Roth in flower. A straggling variety, with broiul winged petioles. 
 
 Aiter fframini/iilius, Pnrsli. Height of Land Muskeg, between Lake of the Woods 
 and Red River, Aug. 21, '73, in flower. 
 
 . ster carneus, Nees. Foot Hills of Rocky Mountains (damp thicket), Aug. 20, '74, 
 in flower. 
 
 Aster liF vis, li. Second Crossing Souris River (thicket"), Aug. 11, '73. in flower. 
 Abundant. Foot Hills of Rocky MountainR, Ang. 20, '74, in flower. Sj)eci- 
 mens from the first locality coming under var. lievigatus, tliose from the latter 
 api)roaching var. ci/anfus. 
 
 Aster miser, Lake of the Woods, Aug. '73. 
 
 Aster salsuginosus, Rich. Rocky Mountains (0000 fbet), Aug. 10, '74, in flower. 
 
 Atler. Sp. I. Near Wood Mountain. Saline soil. Sep. 15, '74, in flower. 
 
 Aster, Si). 11. Turtle Mountaiu, (o])en prairie). July 20, '73, in flower. 
 
 Aster, Si>. III. Near Wood Mountain, (saline soil.) September l.'i, '74, in flower. 
 
 Bidens Beckii, Torr. Lake of the Woods. August 18, '73, in flower. 
 
 Bidens chrgsanthemoides, Mx. Lake of the Woods. August 18, '73, in flower. 
 
364 
 
 n. N. A. UOirNOAIlV COMMISSION. 
 
 Chiemirth, I). (;., S|i. I. W.mhI Mouiitiiiii. Slion- oi' Siilini- Liikf. July 20, 
 '74, ill llttwcr. 
 
 Chri/KoiiKif viltoMii, Niitt. UiHiiii; Kioiiiiil cant of U<'<1 Uivcr pmiiic. AiiKiiMt 22, 'T.i. 
 Tuitli' Moiiiituiii, Mipfii iniiiiif.) .Iiily 23, Til. Hi'tli in flower. Almmltiiit 
 I'vurywluif uu dry Mtoiiy |iltiiiiH. 
 
 ChriiKopm {/>i/itoi>(ii>/iii.^) >ii'</iiil<i, lIiHik. Woixl Kiul, or Woiul Moiiiitulii. (Lftlml 
 (if Hpi'ciiiR'ii limt.) Aliiiiitliiiit ill tlic Cotcaii. 
 
 Cinuim }iiuliciim, Mx. Lakf of tin' VV'dods. .Fiily ."JO, '7,1, in (lowc- . 
 Ciniiim iillin.*iiiiiiiii, S\)v\nii. Tiirtlf Moiint.iiii, ((>|k'ii priiirif.) AiiwiiKt 5, '73, In 
 Hower. Kootuiiif I'iiks, (iiifiuluw.) AiiKUst 14, '74, ntill in Howcr. 
 
 Coreo/nfin liiicloiiii, Nutt. Siiutli <if Wood Mi)uiitiiin. .Inly 1, '74, liiHt blimHouis. 
 WcNt Fork Milk Ulvrr. August 22, '74, in llowir. Not iiliiiiiiliint, nor oIihimvi'iI 
 on the nortlu-rn Hiiic of the wiittrslicd. 
 
 Cretin flri/aiix, \U>ok. Kootaiiic I'ltKS. AiiKUKt 15, '74, still in flower. Found cm 
 Ki'iivcl ImnkH flooded in Spiiiii;. 
 
 ])ildoiiiii>i>u» imbdlaliin, V. and U. Turtle Mountftin. Autfust 11, '7:i, iu flower. 
 
 Kehiiuicea piirfittmi, Mu'iieli. Wood End, (open iniiirie.) July 8, '74, in flower. 
 
 Kriyeron Ciinitdenni', L. T,uke of the Woods. .July 22, '73, in flower, vftr. 
 lumilliim, Nutt. Aii}<u.'<t 1, '73, in flower. 
 
 Kiiyerun xtrii/uKiiiii, L. i^iike of the Woods. July 22, '73. Turtle Mountai n 
 August 2, 'i3, lioth in flower. Sweet (iiass Hills, July 24, '74, in flower. 
 
 Kriyiron(jlal>eUnm,^\\ii. Dutferin. June 14, '73. Turtle Mountain. August 1, 
 '73. Near Short Cr, June 10, '74. South Fork H.'Uy Uiver, August '74. All 
 in flower. Ahuiidant across the whole prairie region and assuuiiiig many 
 varietal f'orinH. 
 
 Eriyeron piimilHm, Nutt. Wood Kiid, (ojieii prairie,) June 27, '74, in flower. 
 
 J-Jriyeron comi>oKilum, I'mnh. Hoeky Mountains, (7,000 feet,) August 18, '74, in 
 flower. Vi!i 'ty witli ciliate jietioles, hut glabrous leave.s. 
 
 h'iiy>'iiiii al/iiniini, ],. Kucky Muunliiins, (7,000 feet,) August 18, '73, in flowt^r. 
 Miicli reduced forms. 
 
 Kiifiiilunum peifulititum, L. iiake of the Woo(ls, Jul)' 3, '73, in llower. 
 
 J-jiijHilorium purpureiiiii, L. 'I'lirfli- Mountain, (marsh) Aug. 3, '73, in flower. 
 
 (iuiUardia pinnalijiihi, Torr. Hed Itiver i)niirie, June 27, '73. I'enihina Moun- 
 tain, July 4, '74. South of Wood Mountain, June 27, '74. All in flower. 
 
 Grittdeliu sqinirruna, Diinal. First Crossing Soiiris Kivi^r, Aug. 7, '73. West 
 Butte, Aug. 2, '74. Second Hriinch of Milk Uivur, Sejjt. 1, '74. AU ill 
 flower. 
 
 Giiaphulium polycejihaliiiii, Mx. Lake of the Woods, July '73, in flower. 
 
 llelenium aiilinHiKile,!,. Second Crossing Souris Uiver, Aug. 11, '73; Sept. 20, 
 '74 ; both in flower. 
 
 Jleliopsin tcabrii, Unn. Red Uiver prairie, June 21, '73, first blossoms. Turtle 
 Mountain (tliieket), Aug. 2, '73, in flower. 
 
 IhliauthuK riyidus, Diif. Uising ground east of Ued River valley, Aug. 23, '73. 
 Turtle Mountain (ojien jjiairie), July 26, '73. Second branch Milk River, 
 Aug. 6, '74. All in flower. 
 
 Ilelianthm yiyaiiteus, L. Dutt'erin, Sejit. 1, '73, in flower. Coming up in great 
 abundance where new jjiairie land ploughed, jirobably from seed stored by 
 the gophers in their underground burrows. 
 
 Ilieracium Canadenme, Mx. Lake of the Woods, July 25, '73. Turtle Mountain, 
 Aug. 2, '73. South Fork Belly River, Aug. 15, '74. Foot liills Rocky Moun- 
 tains, Aug. 26, '74. All in flower. 
 
 Ilieracium triste, Willd. Rocky Mountains, Aug. 16, '74, in flower. 
 
API'RNMIX V. 
 
 :m 
 
 (Liilu'l 
 
 in great 
 itorud by 
 
 Hifrnriiim iilliiffonnii, Hiiok. Horky MountniiiK (<!/)()() feet), Au;;. IH, 74, in 
 
 tloWiT, 
 
 Ifiriiiciiim vrnoniiiii, \.. \W(\ lllvrr piHliic, June 20, '7,1. Wocxl Moiiiilajn, .liinr 
 U, '74. 
 
 lfi/mfiiiifi,i/i))ii» hitrim, Niitt. Wliltr Mud Hivcr (dry Imiik), .liinc :», '74, in llnwfr. 
 
 //■(/ iixillarin, ruiNli. Nfnr Siiort. ('nek (oprn |ntiirir), .liinc H), '74. Not oli- 
 Kcrvcd fiirtlu'i' ciiKt tliim tlilN liuiilily, Imt alxindaiit westward, growin^r 
 generally on luird, dry day Hoil, wliiili Iihn liccn tloodi'd in Hpriiif;. 
 
 LaeUmi elongnta, Mnlil. I.akc of tiic Woodn, .July 2H, '7^, with ri|i(' Herd. 
 
 /.ri'iir/ii/K roliitiinurii, T. k (t. First CrosHiiiff Sonrin, .Inly .'in, '"'', in (lower. 
 Wood Knd, (open prairir), .Inly 7, '74, lirst IiIohhoihs. Wliitc Mud Ulvfr, 
 •)idy II, '74, tirMt MoMNonis. 
 
 Li/noKi/riH Ifov'tnlii, I'arry. Stcoiid Hrancli Milk Ilivtr (dry rlay bank), Sept. 1, 
 '74, in Howtr. Tnftcd from a slont Ntw woody. 
 
 /.if/ioni/ris f/riirfn/riiK, T. & (i. Hrtwccn Laki' of Woods and 3r)(i Mile I'oint, lH7:i, 
 (ialivl of Hpwinicn lout.) 
 
 JAolrh fcariosu, L. Turtle Mountain, July ;io, '7;t, in tlowcr. Alminlant on the 
 first and Hccond prairie steppes, 
 
 J.iahin I'liticlii/ii, Hook. Hisiiif; ^'rourid, east of Hed liiver, August '2i;, '7;i, in 
 llower. Turtle Mountain, (open prairie,) August .I, '7,'t, iu (lower. .MiuiHlaiit 
 in |>ntehes of prairie, east of the Ued Kiver; and also west of the Ked 1(1 ver 
 over the second prairie steppe. 
 
 Li/i/ihli'smiit Jiiiirrii^ Don. Turtle Mountain, (open prairie), August 2n, '7.1, in 
 (lower. Olmerved nearly to tln' edge of the second prairie Nteppe, hut very 
 rare east of Turtle Alounlain, Aliundant wcHtwurd on dry i)lainN hoth norili 
 and south of the watershed. 
 
 MacliH'rantliera cmieKveiiK, (irey. South of Wood Mountain, (dry clay-liottoiued 
 vallit's, Hub-Raline soil). Variety G to 8 inehes high, with entire leaves. 
 
 Jliicrorrlii/nciis troxamoiden, V. and G. Dufferin, .lune 10, '7't, in flower. 
 
 Macrorrhi^nnix (/Inuriiii, Torr. Red River Prairie, .lune 7, 20, '7;t, (open i)rairic 
 near Somis liiver, Septenilier, '73. Near Turtle Mountain, (open prairie) 
 June 2, '74, all in (lower. I cannot Heparat<' this form satisfactorily from tiie 
 last, which is much less aliundani. Specimens from the iU-d Uiver Valley 
 hav(^ leaves 1(1 inches or more long; scapes 12 (o 14 inches. In specimens 
 from the st^'ond prairie Rtepjie, the leaves are shorter in i)roportion to tiie 
 scape, and have assumed a thicker and more rigid character. 
 
 M(icroj-rh;/ncu.y, ISp. I. Uocky Mountains, ((J,000 feet), AugUBt 1(5, '74, in flower. 
 
 Miicrovrlnpicus, Sp. II, Kootanie Pass, August Ki, '74, in flower. 
 
 Mtilyedium acuminatum, D. C. liake of the Woods, Jidy :{0, '73. Turtle Moun- 
 tain, July 26, '73. White Mud Kiver, July 4, 74, All in flower. 
 
 Mulgedium Icuro/ihniim, D. C. Lake of the Woods, July 31, '73, with ripe seed. 
 
 ^''ab(lfuK linottii, D. C. A''tir, South Fork Belly Uiver, Aug. 13, '74, in (lower. 
 Growing in thickets and much taller than usual. Proper scales of inv(ducre 
 about 12. Head about 12 — flowered. Leaves below triangidar, tapering 
 abruptly to a broad-margined petiole. 
 
 Xahalux alliiin, Hook. High land east of Red River ]>rairie, Aug. 24, '73, in flower. 
 
 Nnhalun, Sp. I. Kootanie Pass, Aug. LI, '74, in flower. 
 
 Xttrdoxmia nai/itUita, Pursh. Dufferin (low damp thicket). In full bloom in the 
 rtrst w<-ek of May, '74. Seed nearly ripe, June 4, '73. Flower with an 
 odour like that of Ciatu'ijun, white, tinged with purple. 
 
 Picnt'hnia (Actinella) Fk/ianlsoni, Hook. TradiTs' Road (dry hills) June 18, "74. 
 White Mud River, July 4, '74. Both in flower. 
 
■n: 
 
 n ' 
 
 366 n. N. A. iinirNit.vnY commihhion. 
 
 HmUifrkiii liiriniiilii, I.. lloHiiiii llivir, AiiK. '-'.!, '7M. Tiirllf Miniiilain (tliii kit) 
 July -iW, '73. Itolh ill down-. 
 
 hudliiikiii/ulijilii, Ail. l)ii(T( rill, .hiiif .1(1, '711, in (lnwir. 
 
 Si'iiffiii tii'/ni', Huh. Viir. I'mri/i, WuIhoii. I'lairir inftr 'riiillr Mfiiiiiluin, 
 Jiiiii- 2, '7 », ill lliiwcr. 
 
 »Sr/i(c/'i n.ifiH/iiliiix, IiCNhlnn. Ilni ky MniiiitaiiiN, (tl,r>iM( IVi't), AiikhhI IH, '71, in 
 llowcr. 
 
 Sriirriii /■'rrmoiilii, T. iiiul (1. Ilticky MouiituiiiN, ((i,r)(M» IVcl), AiinHHt IH, '71, in 
 Mower. 
 
 Stnerio trill iiifiilarin, Hunk, iloi ky MoimtuiiiM. llorilci' of Moiintuiii Htiium, (t),(M)() 
 feet), AiiKiiNt 17, '71, in flower. 
 
 Sriirrw ciiiiiik, Hook. WliKe Miiii lii\ei, (dry Imiik,) .Inly \, '74, in floWtT. 
 
 Srnecin iturfuii, \i. DnlVerin, (o|icii |niiirie,) .liine i;i, '7U. Koiitli Fork Helly U. 
 Aiijtnst 'J.""!, '71. Koiiiiiiile I'liHK, AiiK. M, '71, III! in (lower. ( 'oninion every- 
 where in inuny viirielnl I'oriiiH. 
 
 Solilayti liniefulntii, Ait. I.nke of the WoocIk, Aii^UMt IH, '7;i, in (lower. 
 
 Suliiliii/i> Iniiiitiilid. I'ihnIi. Turtle Moniitiiiii, (open prairie,) Anf;iiKt 'l'.\,"i\\. 'Wood 
 .\lount4iiii, (shore o| .saline lake,| .Inly 'JO, '71, Fir»*t hrandi Milk Itiver, 
 AllKIINt '), '74, all in (lower. KepreHelits Sd/nlni/n luiino/iitil on (he (liy open 
 plains. SteiiiH ol'ten many to),'e(lier Croiii ii woody eaude.x ; rarely atdiinin^' 
 a lieif^ht Kreater than 8 inelien. S. Ifnii{fii/iii var. II. Hook. 
 
 Solii)ii;/(i n'r/i'lii, \.. Turtle Mountain, (open prairie,) August 11,'7.'J. Fork Milk 
 It., Se|)tenilier 11, '74. both in (lower. 
 
 Solidiiffo rin/ii-iiiiird^ I,. Turtle Monn(aiii, Aug. 21, '74, in flower. 
 
 Siili'lii'/ii rin/'i-iiiirni, I,, var. Al/iiiiu lligel. Koeky Monntnins, (7,000 feet,) Auff. 
 18, '74, in llower. 
 
 iSoliJiiffo CiitiiiihiiKiit, L. Turtle 'Moiiiitain, August .'>, '7.'l. Near K. Fork Milk 11., 
 Septeniher 11, '74. First Itrain h Milk U., August 0, '74, all in flower. 
 
 Suliiliiijo .■<niiliiifi, Ait. Lake of the Woods, ,luly :iO, '73, in flower. 
 
 Siilidiiifo f/ii/iinti'n, Ait. Three Huttes, .luly '28, '74. Near Second Ilraneli Milk 
 River, Sei)t. 1, '74. Hotli in flower. 
 
 Suliilii;/i> Mi>!"iiiiii'ii-''i.i, Nutt. 'I'urtle Mountain (ojieii prairi(>, July 23, '73, in 
 flower. 
 
 Soli(lii(^o Kliiclii. Foot Hills of Koeky Mountains, Aug. 20, '74, in tiower. 
 
 Svliildi/o iirmoiiiliK, Ait. Wood Knd (open prairie), July 14, '74, not yet in 
 flower. Threi^ l$nttes, July 25, '74, in flower. 
 
 f)i/iiinoiiini(i minor, Nutt. Var. South of Wood Mountain (dry clay hank), 
 June 2ii, '74, in flower. Heads ,'> flowered. Ligulate flowers pink-purple. 
 I'appus of ahout 23 plumose setai. 
 
 Tiiraxiiciim ilmx-lroiiiK, Duf. Dufl'erin, .Inne (!, '73, in flower. 
 
 A'anl/iiitm ulniiiiniiiiiii, L. Lake of the Woods, Aug. 10, '73, in flower. 
 
 A'ant Ilium echiiialu III, Murr. BnnkH of the Red River. Abundant. 
 
 LOIIKMACRyV. 
 
 J.(il)r/i,i h'a/mii, L. H<'ight of land muskeg lietwoeii Lake of Woods and Red 
 River, Aug. 23, '73, in flower. 
 
 Liilii-lid x/iiciidi, J-ain. Turtle Mountain (low, open prairie). July 2<!, '73, in 
 flower. 
 
 CAMPANULACE^;. 
 
 Camiiamila niliiiiiUjotin, L. Red River luairie, June 18. '73, in flower. A1)undant 
 Ciiw/iiiiiii/ii ii/Kiriiiiiiilci'. I'ursli. Winnepeg and N. W. Angle Road, July 4, '73. 
 Lake of the Woods (grassy swamp), July 21, '73. Botli in flower. 
 
 Stni/i 
 
 
I'k Milk 
 
 < and llrtl 
 
 AI'I'KNDIX V. 
 
 KU\(Arr.M. 
 
 :)67 
 
 Anilromritii iiiiti/iiliii, \,. Iiiiki- of llii' WimmIm (nmIxiu'I'ki'iI 1><*kV llri^'lit uf liintl 
 iniiHktu liitwct II l.ukc <i| WiHuU jiMil lied llivi r, Aiin. -'.', '7;i, in flowir. 
 
 Arrliiiilii/'hi//ii.i iiriii-iiini, SjiiiiiK. I.itkr "f (lir VN'tHMJH, .Inly '22, '7.'l, Ixrry ripe, 
 ri'iiiliiiiii MiMiriliiiii, Miiy 2:1, '7>, in llowci. Sliml Cnrk (dry luuikN) .Iiud' 
 10, '71, ill llowir. 
 
 CilifHiiihliil rii/i/iu/,ilili I,. liUkr ipf the VViiodK (hlllilllt'l'Ki'd l«>n,) Aug. I 'J, '7.1, |lHHt 
 lldWci'iiiK. 
 
 (idii/thfriii iiri>niiiili>'ii:i, Ji. Lake of tlir Wdodx. 
 
 J.nhiin liiiijtiliiiiii, Ait, WiiiiiiiifK mid N. W. Auk'"' lloiid, .Inly .'», '7.1, ])iiMt 
 llowi'ihiK. 
 
 Mni:ii!>iii i/hitii/ii/ijli)iii, Iliiiik. Itipcky MoniiliilnH (7, '•()() I'rit), Anj,'. IH, '74, in 
 Itdwi'i'. (iiowing ill iiiiittcil <'lnin|iN in little inciiilows trciintiili'd liy iiumiii- 
 
 illill hI|I'I'|). 
 
 Mduifniii (,' nihil III a, lldok. llticky MonntuiiiH, ('iiiii|) Akiiiiiiim, ((>,,')nn iVct), An^. 
 18, '74, in llowcr. 
 
 MniirurK iniijfiiiii, I,. WiniiiiH'K and N. \V. Angle lloiid, .July .I, 'i.'!, in llinver. 
 'I'liick WDod. 
 
 J'l/rnfn riti/ilirii, ti[\\t. I.uke of the WihmIn, .Inly 2'), '7:i, in flower. VVoodn eiiHt 
 of Ked Kiver Valley, 'rmtic Mimntain j thicket), .July 27, '7:1, in llower. 
 
 J'l/rii/ii Kfniiiilii, I,. Lake of the Woodn, .Inly l», '7.'l, in llower. Winiii|ie^' and N, 
 \V. AiiKle Koad, .July 4, '":«, in tlower. Kootunie I'iihs (thick woo(Ih), Aug. 
 IG, '7l, ill llower. 
 
 I'l/riita riiliiii'l{fi>Hii, L. Var. iiiniiiiulii, KiHcli, Near Wood Mountain ^wooded 
 ravine), .luly 7, in tlower. 
 
 J'/irotit iiniiri/oliii, M.\. \Vimii|(eg and N. W. Annie lioad, .July 4, '73. 
 
 V'icriiiium iiii/iiiUnidfi', Mx. Kootanie I'ass (hill Hides), Aug. 16, '74, with ripe 
 fruit. Leaves do not hIiow any pllhtml•L'nL•t^ 
 
 MONOTR01'Ki«. 
 
 Monotrojiii iinijfvnt, \j. Jjiike of the Woodn (thick wood), Aug. 1, '7:i, in flower. 
 
 IM.ANTAOINACE/l':. 
 I'hinltii/n .)fiijiii; L. lied lliviT. 
 
 J'/iiiihii/ii eiiii/ioila, Torr. Near Uiidger Creek (<lry, open prairii;), Miiy 30, '74, in 
 tlower. 
 
 J'tuHiiii/i) /'iitiii/iiiiicii. Viir. fiiiiifihaliiiilffy (Jray. Near Wood Mountain (dry hill 
 sidcH-, .Iiine :tO, '74. 'i'his plant wan tirst met with at the place ahove men- 
 tioned, hut occurred in great ahundance wcKtwanl to heyond the Threo 
 Huttes, growing among the short grass of the dry plains. Large speci-neiis 
 measure 4 inches. The forty-ninth parallel is ])rolinlily not its northern 
 limit in the western interior region. Known in Texas, (.'alifornia, and 
 Western Wisconsin (Watst':i). Also common on the harreii jilaiiis of the 
 Colunihia (Douglas), which Hooker hulieven to he about itn northern limit 
 on the west coast. 
 
 Plunlinio /iif//oiii, (ijay. Traders' ]{oad (dried swamp, clayey soil), ijiiiie 14, '74, 
 with rijie Seed, I :j inchi's high. Known from lienica, California (lliglow), 
 and in Salt Luke Valley, Utah (Watson). 
 
 J'liiiiliii/ii, Sp. f. criiiiiiirla, smooth var. 
 
 J'lanlayo, Sj). J I. criofioihi '/ 
 
 primi;lack/>:. 
 Amh-oKdri' rwriilfiila/in, f'nrsli. Foot Pemhina Mountain (oi)eii i»rairie), May 22, 
 '74, in Hower ; not exccuding 2 inches. 
 
 tl 
 
 111 
 
;{f?H 
 
 "■ "• •'• """NI'Anv r..MMt,sst„v. 
 
 >nN» (l..w,.,i„^.. N.jir u ,"'""'l">r "11(1 N, w .,,„,, „ , 
 
 ;■;„;';;-• '>•■•".■ >v::;;i'Vir,t;',;'s,,,!^;;» '; ^ , ,, ,„ .,, 
 
 '■•■'-T*' *'«. '. ...■.in, . '■' ■■'"■"■''■ 
 
 -4:.::;;;::::i';fii''"- 
 
 '•""■' '". '•', l"i,s( (|,„v,.nnjr. 
 ^Vl.it.. M„; Uh-,. '■)„ f,',; VJ "'•" ^^'<'"<lH. Julv 8 .-, V 
 
 '^''•''•'"'rii!, '7.1. iu>thiu!uZ'l. ' '■ ^"■""'1' "•.•.( <.ni,o 
 
 I I'- »>t>()(| I.,,„i ,, „r.;,.:., , 
 
 ( "">f/'->" cuYinra, Smiin. v .., 
 
 ■^f""«fu.f nn,„„s, T, South A ., ' '••'"'"<'«•,..■. 
 
 <'o«<'r. ()l,s,„. ' , ■ f^V't'iK" PiiRN (I.,)i(I,.r ,.(• . 
 
 «>yMr,s, '« r, "V. ^.r^'' *'..''■■ ."■■;;'■• "'„"""-.■ "«"■. 
 
 71 .. ' I'l'^" l'"*iri('| ,Jii.„, 0(1 •-, . ;, -"> '•') 111 flower TM. 
 
 """""""'""""■ «'-• -■''"«.v4..i ;■;;:::::„.,;. 
 
 "■ -•'■;!" '*,,.■■ («-, ' 
 
■ AiikIi- Komi, .hilv -1 "!:\ 
 M».v IH, Tl. I'mj,i,/,u-rti' 
 
 n(<'pon prniiir), .hiiK- i, 'Tj 
 I III flower. Also w.N|wfti,| 
 
 ill nmiNlicH, .Inn,. 5, ao 'Ti 
 H(rciiinK), .I,„„. ,„,^ .y.,'^ j,; 
 
 '",'1 •'•il.v •>, -T.;, ill il,„v,-r. 
 of the WooHn. 
 
 "»"''), "I l!i, '7:1. Lnko 
 
 '-, '7;i, imsf llowcrinK. 
 
 '7,1. Swillll|l Wi',st of tlu. 
 
 <•(, ill (lower. 
 
 lonii.l east of 1{,.,1 Jiiver, 
 •r. Luke of (lie Woods. 
 
 Iiy liill sides) .!iine ;i, 7.), 
 
 ills of Koeky Moiinlniiis, 
 the iiionntniiis lie(ween 
 
 , "7,1, in flower. 
 |f, in (lower, 
 'i't, slill in 'lower, 
 r. 
 
 (lower. 
 
 Hill, AiiKiist !(!, 7.)_ i„ 
 k Rtreniiis, io fi_o,|(i f,,,,(, 
 "lie reeeiit j,|„„t |,„j, ^ 
 
 "74, ill (lower. Also 
 tlie wiiter of n upriiifr 
 
 '7;t, in flower. 
 r Prairie, June lO, '7;i, 
 
 tse wood), AuKU,st 1,3, 
 
 I '74, in (lower. 
 
 "f.^, ill flower; r«re. 
 |7;t, in flower. Near 
 
 .\iri;.Niiix I' 
 
 :;(;:» 
 
 /'rnhtrniiiii Mriiii'Mtii^ llooK. lim Ky Moiiiidiilih', 1(1,0(10 feci] AllKUsI IC, '71, ill 
 (lower. I<'ii(iiiil iiIkiiiiIiiiiIIv in one imiilily, i;r<iwi(i|; ((iiiiiiik Ix'okin sidlie, 
 on (III exposi'd iid);e. 
 
 I'liilnlriiiiiii r(>;(/('/7(/.v, Doiinl. Kooldllie I'iisn., Ailf;iisl l('i, '71, id llowcc 
 
 I'riil.'^li'liioil /iriiri'iii.i, |)oii);l. 'riinlecs' liiiiiil, ,ll(lie I |, 7 I, ill lli>u.i. /' nnifrrliiif 
 Vlir., i-:iriii'rii.iiiir/iiiii 11.1, (in'V, li((( il|i|iill i|il I y i|(lilr (lisdm I liclii IIkiI N|H(ies. 
 
 /'riihlfiiiiiii (inimiiiiiliin, |)cmi|;I. Nciir .Slmit CniK, idiy liKiiksi ,liiiii' |(i, 'VI, ill 
 (lower. A Villirly wilii lower eillllilii' leiivis, liiiuiil, olnnidiilr lit llii' exlniii- 
 ily, willl II lllillllte toulli liilwci'ii |||,> lulus. r(i|iil riillliin' Iriivrs lllll|iliX- 
 ieillll, I'ordlllc, olillISC, Willi il IllilUlle lieeillllilinl ion. I''|nweis H lilirs, luiglil 
 Idlie. 
 
 /'iiilsli'miiii iliisi//ilii///n.'<, ,S|i. I. Kouliiiiir Viinn, AiihiikI IC, '71, l(is(. Iilossmiis. 
 
 It'/iiiKiiiiliiif ('ii^iii-/(i/ti. l''iM,t Hills of IliiiUy Miiiniliiiiis, .\tit;i(.sl '.!(!, '7 t, si ill in 
 llowiT. Also on (lie w, si, in siij,' of lli,' wiilr, je tl in Hie l\,p,,(.iiii,> I'liss. 
 
 \'ni>iiii-(i .{iiii-ririiiKi, Scliweiii, Ni'iii W'liod .Muiiiiliiiii |.-i\viiiii|i , .liijy I, '71, in 
 tlowev. 
 
 Vniiiiint Mjiiii'i, I,. 1,'im Uy MoMiildins id, :")(((> fnli, .\(I!.',iih(. |H, ", I, in IJuwii. 
 
 VrniliiC'i /H ir;/iiii'i, \i. Ii'ed lllviT lojirii swiini|>i, .liine 'JM, '7:!, with ii|ii' (,i((l. 
 Neiir Slioil Creik lopeii piiiiiie swiiiii|ii, .liiiie Id, '7l in llow, r. 
 
 vi';ii(ir.NAe(C.K. 
 Vcrlii-iui /idylalii, I,. I.akr of (lie Woods, .Inly '2t<, '7:t, in llowrr. 
 
 I.AIIIAI'.K. 
 
 liniDillii riili/dris, I,. Sonlli l''tirk I!, 'ily llivi r, Anmisl 'J.^, '71, in lluwir. Wiitcr- 
 lon 1/iike, Aiigiisl II, '71, in Mower. 
 
 (Inlni/i.'i:* Irlniliil, \i. 'riiclle Moiiiiliiiii it liiikil i, ,Iiily '2.t, '7:1. in lluwi'i'. 
 
 l.ilCdfii- siniiiiliis, Hi'iidl. Iiillu' of (lie Woods, .Inly IH, '711. 
 
 /.i/ra/iin I'in/iiiirii.i, I,. I, like of I lie Woods, ,liilv H, Aii/^iinI 7, '7,1 in (lower. 
 West niiKe, Aii.n. •', '71. 
 
 l.ophiiiilhii^ iiiiiniilii^, lieiilli. Winiii|M7; ;ind N. \\ . .\imli- 1,'iind, ,liily H, '7:i. 1/iike 
 of (lie Woods, .Inly 1.'^, '7:1. 'rinlle Munniiiin, .Inly !.■,, '7.1. Ail in (lower. 
 
 Miiiiha ('iiiKiilni.si.i, I,, 'riirtle Moiindiin, ,lnly 2'i, '7:i, in llowei. 
 
 Mniiitnlii lislii/omi, li. 'rnille Moiiiitiuii lopi'ii [iriiiiiei, .liilv U'l, '7:i, in (lower. 
 Wesi IhiMe, ,liily '2(1, '71, in (lower. 
 
 I'lii/.uiiili\(/i'.i Virijiniitiui, llenlli. 'I'lirde Moiinl.'iin iswiuiijiy gliidesi, Aii^;iiHt 11, 
 '711, in (lower. 
 
 Sl(iclii/.i /itiliialiix, ],. Tiirlle Monnlain, ,Iiilv 15, '7;i. Near Wood Moiintiiin, .liilv 
 ■7, '7-1. llodi in (lower. 
 
 Sliirlii/.i intjirrd, .Mx. Winni|iej; and N. W. Angle i;oiid,,lnly 2, '7:1, in (lower. Diif- 
 ferin, Seplenilier ;!, '7:1, still in llower. 
 
 Sciitrl/iiriii i/ii/rrini/(il(i, L. Winnijieg ami N. W. AiikIi' Uo.'id, .Inly ;i, '73, in 
 llower. 
 
 iiditiiAinNACK.i.;. 
 
 I\riliichtiiii f/liiincnili/iii, |l. ('. Hill of tlic Mii('de( id S,iinl, and westward, on dry, 
 open piaiii,'. ,l(ine It, '7 1, in tlowi'r. 
 
 /uiliirlimii, Sp. 1. Near Slioil Creek lopeii prairiel, .lime 10. '71, in flowic. 
 
 Kchiniisfii'iiiiiim Ihiriliiiihliini, Leluii. Ited Ki ver, .Iiine 'JO, '7!!, in llower. 'rnrtle 
 MiMindiin idiiekel i, ,lnly 15, '7,'!, slill in llowir. Wood Mountain itlii(i<et), 
 .Itine 'i'l, '71, in llowi^r. 
 
 /■'rhiniis/ii'iiiiiiin /.n/i/iiitu, Ijeliin. Iird lliver lopi'n prnirie\ .liiiii- 'ix, ,liil\ '1, 7:i, in 
 (lower. Aliiindant. Wood Klid, ,l(iiie I I, '7 1, in llower. 
 
 24 1) 
 
MtO U N. \ 1<<M Nn\U> lOMMIMSinN. 
 
 f'.' \i>i. '«/"•• ""'^•' ]><iiiihif». I • 1n\i \<<A lii\ii iiiprw |iit(lili (, ,lm\i' '^J, liih ;«, ";:i, 
 •.tilHu (li'«rv ,MMinil.\i\( \\ immI i;u.l, .Itini' I I, 1 I, i" (li-wn 
 
 /iyA.>.V"''»>it(W i-'i«'-.'<-.ri,», l.i-lini I; il linii .•!>. i\ puitiiii, .linii' ;(, "; i, In iI.xmi, 
 ,}\\\\i' 'M, ";:(, '<\\\\ n> (\i'«ii r. ml-iMn M.i\m".iiiu, lMii\ '.';, 'T4, Hint IiIohhuiuh 
 Aluiwilnnt 
 
 / ir'K'.ii <v'<ii,'>i /."i(;)tfiiiK«M, Spiini! SoniiM Vnlli\, ■\\\\\i' :\, 'I'.x, In iIi'im i Nul 
 
 rti'MUilnnt. 
 tdrtrnini y(tnt<'tihto^ l>on Noidi Vnil.i i i.iK, .Initi' n, T l, in (InwD Al'iiuiliin) 
 |/i/.>.».>ri.< .i//'.-.«C!i,t, Si l\n\i.l< l>i>. U\ MoiindiinH il.i'i'i'i. AniiMHt Id, ; i, iiHl-MMi 
 <>N,i\'>i.';u."i rfv_,-,^,,,v,.-i, Alrli, O < I'nidr Mioiiiinin (lii.U.i , ,lnh 'M. •71, In 
 
 nn KMOM Mr V 
 (»i/m "^('.'i*'! r, (ii N.;n \\ I'Kil M.'inidiin. .Iiih i\, 'Tl.in llii\\i'i 
 
 Vhh- .•rti<-.».' M', V .1 If 1 'Mill IvHil ,li|>' 11 pillilir Mll\ '.".'," I, lllllliw) I'UhI 
 
 TA/.r ;>f/i',»rt, )( Kill linri imiiiir, .Iniw .".i, "ii Tiriili i-^ lli'inl, .Iiiin ■.'I, '7), 
 l>oll\ in lli'«i I . 
 
 \ 
 
 lilW ill \ It \ltr V 
 
 (\(/i,s^-i7M .«.»;>.>•!, 1^1 1 mKi' "t (111- \\ uml'). ,lnl\ n. T:' I'lnlli' Mnnnliiin, 
 .1n"l\ l.'t,'?^ I'liiil. IS l!i>inl,.lnl\ IS. Ti Nrm W imhI Mmmlnln, ,linii' im, 'T I, 
 ,lll in I'.iwii On till timil imiini' ■.), |i|i,' i( onh ;i|>|i. iii-^ iiloiii.' Ill'' ImnliiH 
 ol Ntvomnsin slnldii'il I'lmitiiMis 
 
 (\i!f/!>ti:i}tn *;)fyVi'>i,»-i(.i, Tnisli !!• il liiiii pi;iiiii' Hiiii' 
 
 i^i.t.-ht.i fvr.'iiVP, \V iDil Kiis, nn lii\ 1, Vnuimt '.li', '":•, himmI fni iiiiil 
 
 m 
 
 SOI A\ \l'f »'. 
 
 /'Ai'#(i/»,« 17.V.1M, 1 Winnipi!- ^iiil \ U \nulr liiMiil. .hih J. '7', in (linvn 
 
 •*>\Vrt»«»i ^((W'l'WM, Null vrtv H Vi,',. , lliii'U Si'inli ii( AViMiil MnnnlMin, .Inlv 
 '2, '14. in lli'«i'i. Niit mil oininun i'\ • I 11 i;i' lit I'.nt 1 t llir Hriniiii mnl tliliil 
 pioiiii' sli'|i|ii's (Jiiiwini; i'.Iiv.ksI iiI«ii\s in iliNlinlnii initli miii tin' 
 Iniitiiws ot' Iwnlijris .'uiil i;"p''''"" i'^" nud'il iiNn li\ liiniiiiiinnil, l''l Hi Am , 
 
 S,-'l<i<)!i><t ^^rt',l'•^,»l, \,n Kiivf 1 iiisf^iiii; Soniis l\i\i'i ilnw ^ln^lnll', .linn' :i, '71, in 
 (lowor. Sdins Miii'iilli , jii'tinli's 111 tin' Ii'Hms liliiitc ; tlir Ii'Mmh lluni 
 soUoR sprtvinjilx hull V iMi till' \ I ""is l>i'li'" Almvr witli 1 Insr, Hlnnt imlirn 
 ivtioo ; v"i>U\ I'liliiiri'inis, lull •• oMonfi uni', i \iriiling tin' I'rdils, wliirli nn' 
 1j«\ oiiili'i I'l I'Hlr |ini|>lo 
 
 CKWUNAl'S*. 
 
 (u»ti't»f} <^ri>iitf), Kiivliili IviiM'iiii liixi'i, Aiiunst W, TH . (ImnKw of hIii'miiiI, In 
 rtowor, 
 
 (irntiiift/i i/M/iVM, 1.. Sinilli I'luK Hilh lii\ri, ,\o\\ moinnl iiinl lliii Kit , Aiii'iiHt 
 15, "H, in f1o«i'i 
 
 <.V>t.'f\»tM An^h-fu-fii, itiis.li PiilVi'iiii, Si'|i|i'nilirr 1, 'r:t, in (luwct'. 
 
 fifntii7>})i pvKnn',1, Mx rmi'ir \vi".t nl Kril Kivri, Si'iitmilni , '7.1, in tlnwiT 
 
 <>f»ttiTitr V'v;if.«ii, «?visol>. li.>i'K\ Miiiiiitiiins ('!\in|i Aliiiiiiimi, ifl,ii(iii I'itIi, 
 A^v^tiNt If*, 'T-(. in tlowi'v 
 
 iif»i»ti»ii i^rvr.j, M\. I'liitli' Miiiintiiin, ii|ii'n piniiir, Aiinnst I ',;, '7:1, in ilii« n- 
 NortV Wliitr Mniil{i\i'i, npi-n i>iiiii ir, ,liil\ II, 7 1, in lluwi'i SchiIIi {''mli 
 •?i Ih lu\ii. Aiif;ii>t 1.1, '74, in tlnwif. Kimlmiii' I'usk, AiiumkI II, 'M, in 
 Tli>« i-r. 
 
 y 
 
M'l'UNin y I' 
 
 .•IT I 
 
 >, .Itmi' :i, ", \. Ill lli>«i-i , 
 
 il\ ',';, 14, l\l ^»t li|nMHii|ll« 
 
 :\, ";:<, In (l.'«ri Not 
 
 I, in lliiw ii Al'iiiiiliinl 
 \ll|!ll''( I !', i I, ill ll"" il 
 ,(liii K. ( , ,Iiil\ ■.! I, T:!, Ill 
 
 llowi'l 
 Mm '.'!'. "; I, lllllinMt |'H»( 
 
 iil>'i >. lii'nil. .Iiitii' '.' I , '71, 
 
 '":i I'liiili' Mmiiiliihi, 
 >il IMiniiiiniii, .liiiii' :iii, '7 1, 
 
 |>|ii III '^ llli>ll|; ( II'' li.Mili'l H 
 
 ai'i'll fi>l lllril 
 
 llh 1, T'l, ill lli'Wi'l 
 
 (>( Wimil Molllltllill, ,llll\ 
 < I llir HiTKllil MMil llllnl 
 ImiI'iiI iiiiIIi iii'MI IIii' 
 liniiiiiiioiicl, Ji'l 111. Am , 
 
 111 oinicr, .liini' :i, '71, in 
 liliMd' : (111' li'iu I'H I In III 
 
 (l\ 1 lo'ii', kIiiiiI plll'l's 
 11 (III' pclllls, wliirll HI I' 
 
 h , (IwimUm !>(■ mIii'imiiI, ill 
 
 lllil MMil lllii Im'I ', \llulisl 
 
 |i llowir. 
 
 iMiM'i, ";:i. in llnwi'i' 
 AUiiiiiiiiM, iil.iMio (it! I, 
 
 Inr.iist 1 ri, 'V.t, in iIiumt 
 
 III tliiwi'i Stiiitli |''iirk 
 
 'iisi-, .\iiKiisl II, 'M, in 
 
 l,\<iiiiu,i,H\\ I Ni'Ml Wliltr l\1n,| Hill I, iMill,'\ ,, Ml |,I,'|iiIm I r,, ' ,• | \|..i|,(,,l, 
 nlil\ till' "iinir M|ii'rii'U « i'hI Hmik In, ii,|,,ii |Miliilii, ii,,| iii|iiln"ii, \ii|'ihl II, 
 'il, 111 (Inui'l, iltlil III (111' Hlltlli' \lr|lli(\ '[(ill IImim |lh|. |||u( (Vi'i'll Sr|il' llll'i I 
 
 fiViifMii.i, M|. II M.iiidi I'nili 11, Ih lliw I. illil, In I , \ii|.i|.'( I'., '7 (, 111 Hum I 
 Ihth'ltltl i/.'rf. i.i, (IiIhi 11 l.illo' o( (III' W 111. lilU i|, "J I, III (liiiM I 
 
 Ariir\ N M'r I' 
 
 l;'ii>'»/ii"'il 'Ht''"'«.'>'iiii'ii/i'/iii, I. Itlllli'llli 'diii 1(1 I I, lillii "I, i I. Ill limn I 
 
 .l;iii>'l/i|i(m fitnilftliininit, I, \MI ,;l,ilui i iiiinit, |l I' Niill \V I M nilli I ii I II Imiilii 
 
 nf hIii'MIiii, ,IiiI\ '', ' i (, In (In" i i 
 
 AHI|,l'l'l Mi.M'li' f 
 
 ,l.'i'/'/iM« ()I,',IMI/I^i, I, l.llllr 111 (III' W'lulllu, .llllv III, 'i 1, III (Imvi'l 
 
 ,(«. ,'''^1HI» I'lll lii'il'ij, I , \lll lll;il'ii, llnnh llrll lllvil lil|ll|l |i|illl|i'i, lllMi 111, f 1,1(1 
 (llHVl'l 
 
 .\>l'ff^l4lf fll.tllfi'll.t, |l (' I'l I lliillll l\tiilllll'li |i' II |IIM|| il I, ,|i|h' !, '/ I, ill llnivi I 
 
 .|.«r'/.;iM,. r,nlifl'>i,i, Isll WmmiI I'jhI, liilv I. "I\ . In IImuii 
 
 .■(,ii'/.'yiiif< if iiM.i, 'I'liii Ni'iii \\nMil Miiiiiiliilii 'liiiiilii III ilii.'iiii , lull ,, 7 1, ill 
 
 lllHTI't. 
 
 /Mlllllnl.liriirM'l'' I'. 
 
 .I.Mii;m i',riif(./»'ii,«.', I, ri'iiiliiiiii Mniiiiliiiii 1 1 lilrliil ,, Mm\ ''•, "1 \ , In Mmuii 
 
 N\ r lAiilv M'r I: 
 
 I ht/l;i/<liill hllililillllill', Mwi'l I l,lll(i' 111 llli' WmiiiIm hiiIIIiI\ ijlll'i'l lif iimllli Ml 
 mIihH'). .Inly I I, '7:1, ill lliiWi'l, lull «l(li iljii' Mi'i'il Wiiml l^liii, .llllii' in, '7 1, 
 
 In (liiwi'i 
 
 rilli '(iii'iiiilAri' 1 
 llhhri) •'•ii'iliihiffi, I, \\ liiiii)ii|'. Mini M W Aii|.|i Hum', liiU I 7', in 
 
 (llMM'l 
 
 fUifiiin !'iini:i Iliiii I'lii, lli'ii III 111- i.iilii' 111 llii U'iii,i|.:, AiifiiMJ :, '7 1, Willi il|ii' 
 
 Ml" l| 
 
 t'lifiif •'i.liii'ii iillnini, I, l.iilu I'f 111! U'iiihIm, AiI|!IIh( I, '7:I, ill (jinvii i.iilii' (if llic 
 W'ihiiIh, (niiiidi 111 llii il lllvi I I,mI(|' III llii U'iiikIm, Ai(u(imI, '), '71, in flmvi'i, 
 Mllli KIvi'I.iiIm rlin (liil I Ni(ii Wimil Mi.iKiliiin, ,li(((i' :i(i, '7 1, in llmvir. 
 W'ihkI l'',n(|, llllv II, '71. IIihI IiIii«mii((ik Smilli (if VVddd Mniiiidijii clny 
 linllniMi'il viilli'Vi .liliii' ','7, '71, In (linvi i VN'lild Miii| KImi, 'lin'v, hiiIi- 
 piiliiii' mill, , Inly II, '71, nnl vil in IIiumi !I'i niil'' I'liinl, imd yji>w\iin 
 (lliliniliinllv ill Mlllilii' Mull, fidlii (lie Hnilli'^ l!ivi( wi^lwnnl iSiidiiij liiiinili 
 Milk llivi'i, ujiy liny Imnlii Si pd mini I, '7 1, willi ii|ii' mid lldidii df 
 Knlinc liiiUi' Ni III VVimil Mniintiiin, liimlt nf uiiljni iiiml Simlli nf Wond 
 Miiiinldln, II l(iv lid((iii(ii'd miIIivi liini' ',^7, '7 1, in llnwii SmiUi i.f Wddd 
 Mniinldin, id|irii |ii(iiiiii .'nm :iii. '71, with ii)ii' mciiI 
 
 Hiiiitil'iidin trimiitilillli', 'I'dii I'dii ii|iiiii' I'liili iiiid uikIwiikI, Iiii' (hiI In ||ic 
 lldi liy MiiiinlninH Ncik VN'dud Mdiinliiin, ,(iiii< ■/,'! ^ '71, in (Inwi 1 (imwi* 
 llldiv, cliiv lidlldlMi'd villliyK, Willi Niilinc Knil, (ind Ik iiidlmlil v mm JIk 
 IkhIIii'IIi 11 mi I nii l,nl 'Mr Ih tlic " i^m mhc wmid " df wi k(i ( n i„iil,tiii 1^ I Imnlii 
 I lie II eve llliinur rnlir^i'fll^ Ik iiJKd Bd(iii(||iirH Pd ( (llli d 
 
 Siihfiiiiiiii lilt liar, II, ], I'l liu'.iii)' Kiilim ikhiIh nnd Inhi h wIii|(vi'I (li( t iii(iir^ 
 lull N|i('('iiilly II I 111 mill II I in tin' lunlti n < luinliy df tin MiKMniii I ( dt' nii, 
 
 AMAIIA.NIM'K/K, 
 Amitiiinlii^ irhiijlviin, I, Iiiihi' nf tin' WdndH, Aii)mihI '!, '7.'i, with ri|i(' KC'd, 
 
 rAIKlNVcmK/K 
 
 I'liiiiiiiiiliiii fi'iihil.i , N..!l '>Vliili Mud li'ivi( ii\i\ liiink,, Inly ^, 71, iin 
 flnwi'i. mill Mill I'diiil, Si |i(i mill 1, '7 !, |iii«l tlnwi iini,' 
 
'\'70, 
 
 f>«7 
 
 B. N. A. BOt:NI)ARY COMMISSION. 
 
 H 
 
 U,;*?; 
 
 
 POI-YnONACK/K . 
 
 Erioyomtm crom/vlium, Htiiith. Wood Kml, ({?invi-lly liill), June 24, '74, in floW(;r. 
 Krwiiunum, Sp. II. Tiiidi'i's Road, (dry rocky liilli, .Tiino 17, '74, first blossonm. 
 
 /''lioi/niiinii, Sj). III. Soutli of Wood Mounttiiii, (dry, clny-liottomt'd Valley), Juue 
 
 27, '74, in flower. 
 Krioyonum, Sj). IV. Great Valley, idry flay banksi, September, '73, in flower. 
 Erioyoiwiii, Sp. V. I?oeky Monntiiinn, |8,{)00 feed, August IG, '74, in flower. 
 Oxiini (lii/;/ii(i, Canipd. Hoeky I\Iouiitains, i(),,500 feeti, Aug. 18, '74, i)aKt flowering. 
 
 J'li/i/i/diiiim iiiii/ii'ii>jiinii, L. var. Inirsln. Lake of the Woods, July 21, '7;!, in 
 flower. Traders' l{oad, July 1"), '74, in flower. Var. nqnalinim. WiuniiX'g 
 and N. W. Angle Rd., July 5, '7o, in flower. 
 
 J'olf/ffoniim /ii/(lro/ii/irroi(h'.i, Mx. Laki of tlie AVocds, July 10, '7:!, in flower. 
 
 J'o/i/ffiiiiinii Pnimti/lriiiiinim, L. Luke of tbe Woods, July 8, '7li, in flower. 
 
 J'oli/i/'iiiinii ihniirtiiniw. AViiinipeg and N. W. Angle l!oad, July !!, '73. Turtle 
 
 Mountain, July 25, botli in flower. 
 
 J'otiif/ninnn ri/iiioilr, 'Mx. Winnipeg and N. W. Angle Rd., July 5, 'i."^, witli ripe 
 seed. 
 
 J^oli/!/'iiiinii /■•.,iie,'Mx. Lake of the Woods, July 23, 73, in flower. Foot Hills of 
 tlie lioeky Mountains, idnni]) nicadowi August 7, ' '4, in flower. 
 
 J'oh,ijonuiii (ivinihiri\ L. Near Wood Mounfain, leliiy banki July 2, '74, in flower. 
 
 J'oliji/oiii/m (ificiiltnr. L., vai'. cirrfmii, Rotli. West Butte, iiotdee) July 25, '74, in 
 flower. 
 
 Ntniifr x'lf iri/n/ ins, y,\\'inm. R( d River, June 28, '73, in flower. South of AVood 
 Mountain, June 27, '74, seed formed. 
 
 liiiwr.r irnosiii', Pursh. South of Wood Mountrain, ibank of stream) June 27, '74, 
 witli ripe seed. 
 
 Riimcx, Sp. I. Roeky Mountains, |G,500 feet) August 18, '74. 
 
 KL/KA(!.^■ACKy^;. 
 
 Elfrapmin arr/fulra, Pursh. Uufferin, June 13, '73, in I'owir. Second crossing 
 Souris River, June 8, '74. in flower. Soutli Fork Belly River, August 15, 
 berry fully foimed. Extends on tlie forty-ninth parallel, from the extremis 
 eastern edge of the Jirairie to the base of the Ro( ky Mountains It is not 
 common on the lied River I'rairie, but fre(pi( nt on the higher level jirairie 
 to the ea.st. and abundant westward, tspecially on the si'((ind jirairie level, 
 forming scattered clum|is, where no cfhcr sliiidis are seen. Tiie jilant on 
 the plains rarely attains a height of ovc r two to three feet, hut near the 
 mountains is a huge bush, extr( ni< ly fragrant. 
 
 S/ieji/ioJiti (in/r/)lr(i, Nutt. White Mud River, July 4, '74, berries half grown. 
 Not obseived east of Woo<l Mountain. 
 
 Slupherdia Cinuidviixit:, Nutt. Kootanie I'nss. August 14, '74, berries ripe. 
 
 SANTAI,ArK/1i. 
 
 Ctiiii/nulro iivihe/liilii, Nutt. DnllVrin (open jirairie), June .'"). '73, in flow<>r. Abun- 
 dant (iarry and N. W. Angle Roiid, .Inly 3, 'T3, [last flowering. 
 
 Vijituindrd iiiilli'hi,Y). V. I'rairie near Turtle Mcuintain, .lune 1, '74, tirst blos- 
 soms. The fust s])eeieK seems to pass into this form westward. 
 
 
 f '*'' 
 
 KIlIMlOHltlACK/V;. 
 
 h'li/iliorliiii f/Zii/ildKiirrtiKi. Khglm, Scudli of Wood Mountain (dry clay bank), July 
 2, '74, in flower. 
 
1 1, Jiuu- 21, '74, in flower, 
 u' 17, '1l, first bloHSdnm. 
 ny-l)()ttomc'(l Vdlluyi, Juuc 
 
 )tombcr, '73, in flower. 
 
 iRt IG, '74, in flower. * 
 
 uff. 18, '74, j)HKt flowering. 
 
 e Woods, July 21,'7:i, in 
 iir, nqiinlinim. Winnipeg 
 
 ly 10, '7;i, in flower. 
 
 y8, '73, in flower. 
 
 Road, July .3, '73. Turtle 
 
 l, July 5, '73, witli ripe 
 
 in flower. Foot Hills of 
 I, in flower. 
 
 iki July 2, '74, in flower. 
 
 ■, leouleei July 25, '74, in 
 
 flower. South of Wood 
 
 of .stream) June 27, '74, 
 
 '74. 
 
 '(iWcr. Second ero.ssing 
 Uelly River, Augu.st 15, 
 iiillel, from tlie extremes 
 ' Mountiiin.s It is not 
 the liigher level jiriiiric! 
 he se(<)n(l ]irairie level, 
 r(^ seen. The plant on 
 tlnee feet, hut near the 
 
 '74, herries lialf grown. 
 
 , '74, herries ri])e. 
 
 5. '73, in flower. Ahun- 
 loweiin^i'. 
 
 •I'ine 1, '74, flrst hlos- 
 westwurd. 
 
 n (dry clay hank), July 
 
 AI'I'K.VDfX V\ 
 
 ymv,kv¥..v,. 
 
 ;{7.'{ 
 
 n„m„lu.lu,.uh,.,\,. Lake, nf the W Is. iMithriu. Turlle Al.,untniu, .lulv 5 
 
 73, \n flower. ' ■ ' 
 
 Laporim CaiKuhn^h, (Jaudieh. Itoseau lliver (woods). 
 
 Ulmui Aiaeiicanii, L. DuflVrin, May 8, '74, in llower. 
 
 Urtka gniciUK, AM. Turtle Mountain. July l,"), '7.i, in tlowi 
 (thicket), June 23, '74, in flower. 
 
 Wood Minnitain 
 
 CL'PCLIFKRyK. 
 
 Cori/lus Americana, Walt. Duff.Min, Jlay 8, '74, in flower. 
 
 QiiPrcuH marrocarpii, M.k. Vur. Turtle Mountain, .fune 1, '74, in flower. Tliis is 
 tlie common oak in tin' lied Wwm- lountrv, and attains a good size along the 
 streams and in sheltered h)ealilirs. Tlie fruit, hcwever, is mueh smaller 
 than typical inarronirp,/. Acoin <j lines long liv lines hroad ; cup 7 to 8 
 lines broad, 5 lines di'cp. Tliis is probably the species which Itourgeau re- 
 ferred to Q. oLIuhUoIhi, M.k. (Palliser E.\pl. 15. N. Am.,) but which (irav in an 
 appendix to the report, calls Q. macrocdi/m. ' ' 
 
 SAUOACKJE. 
 
 PopiiliiK Iri'muloidfK, M.v Dufl'erin, May 8, '74, in flower. 'I'he most abundant 
 poplar in the eastern prairie region, attaining alonu the Ked River generally 
 a height of 30 to 40 feet. 
 
 Populu.t moitlUfitra, Ait. South Fork Belly lliver and St. Mary Kiver, attain- 
 ing a large size. 
 
 Populu.1 h(i/.iamij}'ni, L. var. lunilicnii.t, Ait. Milk lliver, growing along the 
 border of the stream. 
 
 SalU iiiffra, Marshall. Dufferin, Juno 10, '73, past floweriug. Second crossing 
 Souris River, June 8, '74, in flower. Turtle Mountain. 
 
 Satis, Sp. II Dufterin, June C, '73, in flower. 
 
 Salix, Sp. III. Dulferin, June 4, '74, past flowering. 
 
 Salix, Sp IV. Dutlerin, May 8, '74, in fl(jwer. 
 
 Salix, Sp. V. Dnti'erin, May 8, '74, in flower. 
 
 Salix, Sp VI. Dutferin, May 8, 'V4, in flower. 
 
 Sa/ix, Sp VII. Duft"erin, May 8, '74, in flower. 
 
 Sa/ix, Sp. VIII. Dnflerin, May 8, '74, in flower. 
 
 Salix, Sp. IX. Dufl'erin, May 8, '74, in flower. 
 
 Sa/ix, Sp. X Dutferin, May 8, '74, in flower. 
 
 Sa/ix, Sj). XI. IWky Mountains ii3,.J00 feeti, August 18, '74, with ripe seed. 
 
 CO.NIFKll.K . 
 
 Abien Jhtii/Zaxni, Lind. lloeky Mountains, ni'ar Waterton Lake, east slope, uot 
 attaining a large size. 
 
 Alji''/i Eiii/lfmi/iii, a tree of large growth probably this sprcies, forming dense 
 groves in retired vallies :it a height of (5,000 to 7,000 feet in the Roeky Moun- 
 tains. 
 
 Allies Allia, MivhK. Lake of the Woods. 
 
 Abies nigra, Poir. Lake of the Woods. 
 
 Abies liohamvd, Marshall. Lake of the \Voo<ls. 
 
 Litrix Americana, Michx. Lake of the Woods. 
 
 Pinus liankxiaiM, Lambert. Winnipeg and X. W. Angh' lload and Lake of the 
 Woods. 
 
374 
 
 IJ. N. A. HOUMMllY COMMISSION. 
 
 PiiiiiK RcKintiiiii, Ait. Liikc <il' the Wooils. 
 
 T/iui<i occidfiitiiliK, L. Liikc of tlie WciodH, Roaciin River, &c. 
 
 Junipcrus Viiyiiiiami, L xnr. /iiuciiiiiIiiiik, Hook Liiki' (if tlu' Woods. 
 
 rinii.n rontorta, ]>oiifcl. var. luti/olia, Eng. Kootanio I'lins Vuij' almndant. 
 
 AKACEJi. 
 
 Acont) Ciilamu.i, L. Liiko of the Woods. 
 
 Ari.wnia triphi/lliim, Torr. DtiftViin, July fi, '73, in flower. 
 
 Calla /Kiluniriii, L. Winnipeg and N. W. Angle Road, July 5, '73, in flower. 
 
 TYl'IIACE.K. 
 
 Sjxin/iuiium fKri/rar/uiiii, Eng. Lake of tlie Woods, August 5, '73, in fruit. 
 Sjuin/iiiiiiiiii iHifiins, L. Lake of the Woods, August 1, '73, in flower. 
 Ti/ji/ui (ali/oliu, L. Lake of the Woods. 
 
 LEMNACB.X. 
 
 Lemna trimilca, L. Small lakes. Red River prairie, Lake of the Woods. 
 Limna minor, L. Common in the same localities. 
 
 NAIAnACKJK. 
 
 Potamogeton pusillii.i, L. Lake of the Woods, July 8, '73, in flower. 
 I'otumoifctiiit iititiiiiK, L. Tiake of the Woods, August 1, '73, in flower. 
 I'otdmiiiifto/i jierfolinlus, L. Luke of the Woods, July 8, '73, in flower. 
 
 ALISMAOCK. 
 
 .■ili-i)iia /il(intai/i>, L. Winnipeg and N. W. Angle Road, July 4, '73. Turtle 
 Slountain, July 2.'5, '73, hoth in tlower. 
 
 Sdf/iltariii varialiilis, Eng. Lake of the Woods, Julv 30, '73. S. Antler Creek, 
 July 31, '73. Wood End, July 13, '74. All in flower. 
 
 Triglorhin inaiitimiim, L. Near Wood Mountain, bolder of saline jjool, July 9, 
 '74, in flower. 
 
 Tiifflocliin tKilustn; L. Var. ehitum, Nutt. Winnipeg and N. W. Angle Road. 
 
 :- I 
 
 !1 
 
 ! I 
 
 I I 
 
 I 
 
 I I 
 
 OnCHIDACEA,'. 
 
 VnlopiH/oii piilcliillux, Brown. Winnipeg and N. W. Angle Road, July 5, '73, in 
 flower, 
 
 C'gpri/tediiiin ptibeacens, L. Duflferin, June 13, '73, in flower. 
 
 riatanthcra hi/perboreti, Lindl. Lake of the Woods, thicket, July 8, '73, in flower. 
 
 I'latant/iera piii/cndes, Gray. Lake of the Woods (grassy swamps), July 20, '73, in 
 flower. 
 
 Platnnthera hrartentii, Torr. Eastern border of Red River prairie, June 20, '73, in 
 flower. Pembina Mountain, May 27, '74, first blossoms. 
 
 Spiraiithe.1 ci'miia, Richard. Lake of the Woods, July 20, '73, in flower. 
 
 AHARVLLU)ACEiG. 
 
 Hypoiix creeta, L. Dufferin (damp meadow), June 13, '73, first flowers. North 
 Antler Creek (open prairiei, June G, '74, first flowers, 
 
 nUDACE.*. 
 
 Iris versicolor, L. Winnipeg and N. W. Angle Road, July 3, '73, in flower. 
 
 Sisi/rinrhiiiiii tmirronatmii, Mx. Red River prairii-, June '73. First crossing Souris 
 River, June 3, '74, in flowej, 
 
 U^ 
 
1-, &(: 
 
 tho Woods. 
 8 Veiy aliuiidant. 
 
 il.v C, '73, in flower. 
 
 *t T), '73, in fniit. 
 , in flower. 
 
 ke of tlie Woods. 
 
 in flower, 
 i, in flower. 
 3, in flower. 
 
 id, July 4, '13. Turtle 
 '73. S. Antler Creek, 
 of Baliiie pool, July 9, 
 N. W. Angle lload. 
 
 e Road, July 5, '73, in 
 
 ^t, July 8, '73, in flower, 
 amps), July 20, '73, in 
 
 prairie, June 20, '73, in 
 
 18. 
 
 3, in flower. 
 
 '3, first flowers. North 
 
 , '73, in flower. 
 First crossing SourJR 
 
 AITENDIX F. 
 
 LILIACE.K. 
 
 375 
 
 Alli,mM,l,m, Frazer. Near ]5adger Creek, ,dry l.ill Mde.,, Muy 30, '7-1, in 
 
 Allium, Sp. I. South Fork Belly lliver, Augu.st 13, 74, in flower 
 
 Lilium PhiUuMj.hiaun, L Kod Kiv.r, June 21, '73, in flower. Abundant 
 
 ^''X^iu'Sf " P' V ,','"'■ ^IT-' ''''"•*'^' ^I»-'»tain, ..pen prairie,, July 15, 
 73, in flowei. Probably an albino, j.^tals pale yellow, no Plotted' more 
 narrowly laneeolate, and with b.ngw daws, liarc. ^poiuci, moio 
 
 Pobjgonatum yiganleum, Dietrieh. Duilerni, ,tliu ket , June 22, '73, in fl„wcM-. 
 Smilacina MclhiU,, Desf. Dufterin, ,t)iieket,, June 2, '73, in ll.'.wer r,.,nbina 
 Mountain, (thieket,. May 27, '74, lirst blosHoni«. Knihina 
 
 Smilacina bi/vlia, Ker. Dutl'erin, June 7, '73, iu flower. 
 
 mblanthacea;. 
 ^''■^'Swerin'''*''^^^^^ ^^''^''' ^'''^^' *'"''"t'^i»«. <6,000 feet,, August 17, '74, past 
 
 ''''"'^rstiinn tb!w,.r^'"'^'"''"'' ^'''''•^" ^^""^ ^'"' ^"'''^' M^'"»t'ii"«. August 7, 
 AWopln/lh,mt.na.r, rursh. Rocky Mountains, ,f;,(.00 feet,, still in flow.r. Abundant 
 
 eoar!,e matted soil in some upland meadows. 
 ^•^^'a;;';;';/^'"'"-'' ^""- ^'^' '^'^'■"^' ^i^o'^taiu, ,open prairie,, June 10, '73, in 
 
 EIJUISKTACK^. 
 
 E,jHi>etum arvens, L. DuftVrin, June 10, '73. Late specimens springing up on 
 banks emerging from Hood. 1 » "b "1- 
 
 EqxUsetim limoimm, L. Lake of the Woods. 
 
 EqiiiieUm licvif/attm, Brown, lied River. 
 
 EqiiiseUm iiyemak, L. Souris River. 
 
 FILICES. 
 
 Axpidium lAmchiti.t, Swartsi. Roeky Mountains (n,r.00 feet) Auirust 8 '74 
 Spores not ripe. • /> o , . . 
 
 Aspidium spintilosinu, Willd. Lake of the Woods. 
 
 Jiotrychium Virginicum, L. Woods on Roseau River. 
 
 Jiutniehiinn liaiarioides, Swartz. Lake of the Woods at mouth of Rainv River 
 July 19, '73, spores not ripe. " ' 
 
 Ci/stopteris btilhifera, Bernh. Lake of the Woails. 
 
 Cystopteris/raffilis, Bernh. Near Short Creek. Roeky Mountains (G,SOO feet.) 
 
 Ophioylomm vulgatum, L. Lake of the Woods at mouth of Itaiuv River July 19 
 '73, spores not ripe. " 1 j ) 
 
 Onodea sensibilis, L. Lake of the Woods, July 30, '73, spores not ripe. 
 Polypodium Dryopteris, L. Winnipeg and N. W. Angle Road. 
 Polypodium oulyiin; L. Lake of tlie Woods, July 0, '73, spores not ripe, 
 Woodxia iluensis, II. Br. Lake of the Woods. 
 
:m 
 
 It. N. A. BoiNrtAHY COM.MISStON. 
 
 I.VI'iiI'dlH M'K.K. 
 
 /^ll<ii/i(i hilJil rniil/i/iiitiilltiii, li. I.ilki' i)t' llii- W Is. 
 
 Li/copiidnim lucidiilitm, Mx. l^iiUi' i>t' tin' WoihIs. 
 
 Si'/,n/iiitt/(i ni/ifatrii, L. liiikc of Uii' \Vi. (Is iilso wistwiinl, urowinfj; iiniong 
 Htiiiitcd jjiiiss on ('X|KiKi'(l liillsklcs, on tlio (liini iniiirir stipiir. 
 
 'f) 
 
 Juneaceoe, Cypcmcca'. nnd G/'<miiimv, determined by Professor John Mucoun. 
 
 
 i ' 
 
 JL'NCACE.K. 
 
 Junceus a/pinun, vur. inaii/iiis, Fiii'S. Lake of tin; Woods, iboggv slioi'oi Garry and 
 North-wi'Sf Ann'h; Uoiiil. 
 
 Juncni.i iKUtiiiiiidtii.i, Miihx First branch Milk River, (river margin.) 
 
 Juncnus ripliioidi-.i, E. Mayer. Var iitunlaiittn, Kngl. Soutli Fork Uelly Uiver. 
 
 Junceus fld/t/iini-; Willd. DuflVrin and Urd River lountry generally, (damp, open 
 prairie.) North Antler Iheek and prairie generally, (damp grounil.) 
 
 JunccuK /ialt/iicti«, var. monldiiun, Engl. Lake of the Woods. 
 
 .hinceus Nodosiin, L? Oarry nnd N. W. Angle Eoad. 
 
 .Junceus Mrrlcnsianu.i^ ISoug. Rocky Mountains. Camp Akamina, 0,000 feet, (wot 
 groundi August 17, '74, in tlower. Kootanie I'ass, (border of stream) August 
 17, past flowering. 
 
 Luzula paroij/oiii, var. mclaiwcarpa. Bl'uv. Rocky Mountains, Camp Akamina. 
 
 CYPKKACE.K. 
 
 C(7rcj: aperta, Boott. North Antler Creek, (low ground), June 6, '74, in flower. 
 
 Carfx lunuf/iiioKu, Miehx. Dufferin, June 7, '73, in flower. 
 
 Caret longironlris/Vxnv. Souris River, ( valley, damp ground), June 3, '74, past 
 flowering. 
 
 Caret ripari'a, Curtis. Lake of the Woods, isandy swampi, July 9, '73, past flowering. 
 
 Caret jio/i/lriclwides^MuM. Winnii)eg and N W. Angle Road, (thick wood). 
 
 Carex srirpoidea, Midix. Retwt'en Itadger Creek and Turtle Mountain, (swamp). 
 
 Carex nupiiia, Wahl . Red River, (open prairie swampi, June 1 9, '73, past owering. 
 
 Carex ntrala, L. Rocky Mountains, Camp Akamina, (datnp woodi, August 17, '74, 
 in flower, 
 
 Carex festira, Dewey. White Mud River, (open prairie swampi, July 10, '74, past 
 flowering. 
 
 Carex aurea, Nutt. Lake of the Woods, (tliicketi, July 8, '73, seed nearly ripe. 
 Rockv Mountains, Kootanie Pass, (border of streami. 
 
 Carez slriiiniiir,!, Wahl. Dull'irin, (danii) prairiei, June 7, '73, flowering. Winnipeg 
 and N. W. Angle Road, Ju'v 4, '73. Turtle Mountain, (low open prairie), 
 July 2G, '7'^. 
 
 Carex Uicluirdnoni, R. Br. Souvis Valley. 
 
 Carex (i/opccoidea, Tucker. Turtle Mountain, (low, open prairie,, 
 
 Carex pseudo-ci/perus, L. Lake of the Woods, (marsh.) 
 
 Carex lupulinn? Muhl. Winnipeg to N. AV. Angle Road. 
 
 dar.x rijida, Good. Rocky Mountains, (summits) August 17, '74. ni flower. 
 
■Htwrtrd, flowing among 
 iiiirii' st(|i|n'. 
 
 ■qfessar John Mucoun. 
 
 (bogyj siioro) Garry and 
 
 'or niarffin.) 
 
 \\ Fork Ik'lly lliviu-. 
 
 V Kcncrftlly, (diiiiip, open 
 (damp ground. I 
 
 il8. 
 
 uimina, 0,000 foot, (wet 
 order of Htroamj August 
 
 Qs. Camp Akamina. 
 
 ino 6, '74, in flower, 
 ind), June 3, '74, past 
 
 ly 9, '73, past flowering. 
 
 id, (thiek wood). 
 
 le Mountain, (.swamp). 
 
 19, '73, past owering. 
 
 woodi, August 17, '74, 
 
 mpi, July 10, '74, past 
 
 '73, seed nearly ripe. 
 
 , flowc'ring. Winnipeg 
 I, (l.)w op.-n ])rairio), 
 
 iirie., 
 
 T, '74. in flower. . 
 
 AIM'KNtirX V. 
 
 377 
 
 ('<nrr /)n„,//,n.vi, U„„k. |;,.,| |!iv.i, (n|M„ |,i„iii,.| M,,,. ■.,, -, ;„ „ 
 
 !;.;.,S.',,;'u;.';;.T';:i;;;' ■■■'■■»■■ •■'"•" '■■'>■ »' ">■ .n 'v- 
 
 Carex striclu? Lam. IWd lliver, June 28, '73, in flower. 
 Carez rn:<ea, Hdik. Kod River, (swamp.) 
 Carex siccatd, Dew. 
 Carcx alenup/i)/lla, Walil. 
 
 ^''" Faid'?'""'"' '' '"'■ """'='•'" ('•'""''' '^1'^" l"''''"")- «"""« Ri^•er (open 
 
 ''""wSs":i;:S;'::h^e"''' '^'' "'^^■'' '""^" '^^'^"•■^ --^^p)- i^^>- ^^ the 
 
 ""'t^n;,'"? Irflow/r^^'"" ^"'^•^'■'' ^ ''-^ -^'' '^'-"e Mountain (swamp,, 
 Eriophomm ,.ol,isUwh;,inn, h. Winnipeg and N. W. Angle Roa.l 
 '^■''^::;:;;:;'''""'*' ''■ '"""^' l--'-- "-'^ Tume Mountain, September, '73, in 
 
 *^''^:^;i;?^::;:;:'(!;r!:it..rr""'''^'' """ ^- ^'- '"^'" '^"^'^ <^--'^>' L'^'- 
 
 -So>i>«» validu., Valil. Winnipeg and N, W. Angle Road. Traders' Road. 
 
 GKAMlNE.t. 
 
 Agro»tU icahra, Willd. Lake nf tlie Woods. July, '73, immature 
 
 ^''Tt? ftower'"'*'' ''''"' '"" ''■ '''■ ^'"*^'^' '^--'•'•'^n.p ground,, July 
 
 ^«<//o/>o^o„ y,,,,„/,,v, M.ihl. Turtl.. Mountain (open prairie, Autrust 11 '7-? 
 
 iScis:iu!^r"tin't-?^ -^'-'"'^ -' '^^^-"-"' «' 
 
 Andropo^on ,vo^«,;v»., Miehx. Souris Rivor (dry bank,, August 24, '74 H..ed slied 
 
 ^^"'^3:13 Si ^'' "^^ ""^' ^- ^- ^"«''' ^^-'1 i^"T sandy soil), July 4; 
 
 Beckmanma cruc,^nn>., Hart. W.st Fork Milk River, July 18, '74, past flowering 
 BoHtdona oligostarhya, T„rr Tuitl.; Mountain and westwar.l t<. .St Mary's Riwr' 
 
 ^'"Tv&^^foraS' "' "" ^^^'"^'^ «^'""' "-"<^»' Celly Riyenflat,, August 
 Catatmmi aquatka, Rea-.r. Near Woody Mountain, July V, '74, in flower. 
 ^""'feetS *'""""' ^'"""'" ^''^'' "* *^"' ^^'""''' "'''^ '"'"'''^ '""'' "^"'y -^ «^'"1 Pt.r- 
 
 Elymm Canada^. L. Wo.,.l End .clay Imnk., July 13, 'iS, in flower Turtle 
 Mountain ,tiii(ket I, July ?5, '73, in flower. ' 
 
 ^'^"i'n flower' ""''''' "" ' ^'" '"•''"''"*• ^^"'^" "^ "'^' ^^'""tl'* 'S'lmly shore), July 7, '73, 
 
 £';y«i«.? Virffiiiictif, L Roseau liiyer, (river hanksi. 
 
 Ericoma cuspidafa, Nutt. Whitr Mud River, fdry bank), July 4, '74, seed perfeeted 
 
 in 
 uth 
 
t ' 
 
 m £ 
 
 
 i 1 
 
 I 
 
 878 
 
 n. N. A. HOt'NDAnY (^OMMISSfON. 
 
 Peifuca ooina, L. lied Uivir, (open imiiriii, 
 
 re»turii fioirnliK? Mcrt. [,iiki' nf llic Wouiis, in wiilci i, ,liily 20, '7 f, hcciI inifccti'il. 
 
 (ili/cnii( iirmihi '' 'I'liii. \\'iniii|iiK iiiiil N.W. Aiiulf lloiul, .liily 1, '7:i, JuiHt tlowcr- 
 inti DiilTcriii, (open pniiiii') 
 
 Iliirnch/ixi /iiiiYiih'.', Itiii'iii fi ScliiiltcN. lli'd Hivcr, (open pniirlc , Knot I'cinliiim 
 Miiiiiitiiiii, May li'J, 'M, in (lnwfr. Uuirciiii, luprn |iiiiirii ), Jiiiu' 3, '7;J, in 
 lldwrr. 
 
 J/ordeinn jiilniliiiii, L Kcd Kivcr I'ruirio goncnilly. 
 
 Kueleria rristatn, I'ith. Dufll'i'iin, .Mine 2r), '1:\, in flowfr, Trmli'iN' Iload, Jiuu' 10, 
 '74, in llowrr. 
 
 Li'iitiirua fiaiiirtildhi), Niitt. Ninr WimkI .Moiintiiiii, i Imrri'ii pniiric). 
 
 J'aniciim fxiiiri/hinnii, Kil. Kfd liivcr, iKWdnipy piiiiric), Jnni' 21, '73, in flower. 
 
 Phalcria nrumUnariii, L. lied FUvor, (open piiiiiici, .luiic I'J, '73, inimatuif. J,akc 
 of th»! Woods, (Khoici, .Inly 0, '73, Berd nintuie. 
 
 Phraymito cunimiinis, Triii. Kosean ^tiass. liiikc of tiu' Woods, lloHcan I.nkc, 
 &e. Very eoninion. Horder.s of jiooln, Red Kiver prairie. Also on tin- 
 SouriB Itiver. 
 
 J'lileum (xljiinum, Ij. Hoeky Mountains (fi,()()0 feeti, Aug. 18, '74, in flower. 
 
 Poa firatenfia, L. DuiVerin (open iiriiirier, June 10, '73, iniiuature. 
 
 Pitii iil/iina, L. Rocky Mountains !G,000 feetj. 
 
 J'od ca'fid, Sniitli. Var. .ilrirliur. lied itiver. Near Woody Mountain (open 
 lirairiei. 
 
 Poa jUxudKi, Mulil V Red liiver lopen prairie , June 20, '73, in flower. 
 
 S/iartiiia yrocilU, Uotli. Near Wood Mountain iliank of stream i, .lunt- 30, '74, 
 in flower. 
 
 Sjiartiiia cynosinoi^lr-/, Willd. Kust Sonris ilow grcunul), 2 to 4 feet, July 30, '73, 
 in flower. Winnijieg and N, W. Angle Road, .luly 3, '73. 
 
 .^/*/)« spartina, Triii. I'eniliina Mountain lopeu iirairiei, June 30, '73, seed per- 
 feeted. Garry and N. W. Angle Road jirairie., July 3, '73, seed perfected. 
 
 SHpa virirhila, Trin. White Mud River iliottoni land., July 3, '74, seed i)crfected, 
 Wood End, July 30, '74 seed perfect<'d. 
 
 Triticum repeiix, L. Var. Lake of the Wooils isantly sliorei. 
 
 Triticiim striyo.itim, Stend. Wood End ihank), July 30, '74, in flower. Near 
 Wood Mountain (clayey valluyi, June 27, '74, in flower. 
 
 Zrizania aquatka, L. Lake of the Woods lin wateri, August 18, '73, in flower. 
 
 Trisettim9 Red River._ (Open prairie.) . 
 
 Festiica? Red River. iOi)en prairie.) 
 
 E. Fork Jlilk River, (valley of creek.) 
 
 Rocky Mountains. 0,000 feet. 
 
 Nr. Wood Mountain. (Edge of saline ])ool.) 
 
 Mosses, Lichens. d'C, detennined l>ij d'eorgc liarnstun, Esq. 
 
 ML'SCl. 
 
 Funaria hygrometrka, Hcdw. DuiTerin. 
 
 Jiriium cernuum, llvdw . Rising ground east of H(!d River prairie 
 
 Bryuvi ceniuiim, Iledw ? Lake of the Woods, 
 
 U. 
 
(»V. 
 
 riily20,'7<, H<((i jHifc.t.,1. 
 kI, -'illy 1, '7.!, (iiiHt tldwrr- 
 
 n pmiiic , Foot I'.iiil.inR 
 I I'liiiiir), ,jiia,. ;{^ '7:1^ ,•„ 
 
 . TniilcrN' |{()a(l, Jiiiu- 10, 
 
 r<'ii prairie). 
 
 , June 21, '73, ill fiow.r. 
 I'J, "7rt, iriiiniitiui', J.nkc 
 
 lie Woods, IloHcan I,!ilu', 
 •r prairie. AIko on tin- 
 
 :. 18, '74, in flower, 
 iniuatiire. 
 
 iVoody Mountain (open 
 
 '7:(, ill tiower. 
 
 of stream I, .rune .'^0, '74, 
 
 , -' to 4 feet. Julv 30, '7:), 
 
 I, '7:1 
 
 , June 30, '73, seed per- 
 3, '73, .seed perfected. 
 
 ly 3, '74, seed perfected. 
 
 re I . 
 
 ), '74, in tiower. Near 
 er. 
 
 list 18, '73, in flower 
 
 AI'I'KNDIX K. jjiyj) 
 
 iHcranum ,ii,.l„l„lum, Tiirn.r. Luke of the Woods. 
 
 /'o/i/tricliiiiH eommiint; L. Lake of the Woods. 
 
 /Wv;.V.W, ,,,/,/;,,,„,, Sel.reher. Winnipeg and N. W. Au^le Uoud. Lake of ,|.„ 
 
 C<-ral<:lon ,,ur,,unus, Ilrid. Lake of the Wo.kIs. 
 y'l-kyru pfiiiMta, Hedw. Lake of tlie Woods. 
 /y./,w(, iiiirirafa, Hr. Kur. Lake of the Woods. 
 CliniiU-wm Amerieuiuim, Ilrid. Lake of the Wootln. 
 
 MnUnn >,,i,n,tosum, llr, Kur. (hroad leave.l variety). Lak the Woo.ls. 
 
 Mnium ri'^lnihnn Svhwiy'fx'! Lake of the Woodn. 
 
 .»////(///! ((/;/,«■, lllaiul. Lake of tll,- Woods. 
 
 J/!/t'>uun *,,v«7.., L ? (a variety ,vith short eapsules). Lake of the W,.ods. 
 
 IIKI'ATIL'.E. 
 
 .V"rc/<unli„ H>nnurj,/,a, I.. WiMnij.e;. and N. W, AiiRle Koad. 
 
 LlCHE.NliS. 
 
 VmbUiv.nia liilhnii. Lake of the Woods. 
 M'idollwci fdatiii.hyll,,. Lake of the Woods. 
 J'eltiyera a,,lilh,,n, Uolfm. Lake oft' ■ Woods. 
 J'latynma? Lake of tlie Woods, 
 VluJover,, cmtalelUj, Tuek. Luke of the Woods. 
 VlaJvcera!,rac,li,,h'r. Lake of the Woods. 
 Clwlocn, /ureal,,, Hotlin ? Luke of tlie Woods, 
 n<hU;r.t n,n;/i/crmi, HotYm ? Luke of tlic. Woods. 
 
 •nston, Esq. 
 
 raine 
 
i ' ' 
 
 i 
 
 «liU 
 
II. N. A. IlitlMiAKV « nM.\ii.s.s(o.\. 
 
 I'l.ATK W, 
 
 00,1 '^ 
 
 Figiiro ;{. 
 
 I 1 M 
 
 C 
 
 op,, 
 
 l''i;,'iiro 'J, 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 :I5I I 
 
 ■•'iguro 4. 
 
 WiCUO.COPlC STliL-CTL-KK iW W,H.aS-,.„;N,TK TKKT.AUV. 
 
 in), Tau-untial Sootioi.s. (A), ].,,.ii;tl Sections. 
 
F^ 
 
 '1 
 
 
 ■.'i ' 
 
 1 
 
 K ■ 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 
 i 
 
 Ul 
 
 :. 
 
 
 mi 
 
 lihm 
 
B.N.A.Bouiularv Coiiimission 
 
 PI ale X\ I 
 
 ALD.Delt. 
 
 FOSSIL PLANTS.- LIGNITE TERTIARY 
 
». N. A. liiirNDAIiV CoMMissKiN. 
 
 ri.ATK xvrr. 
 
 X /S50 
 
 Fiizuru I.— \' nil, us forms (,t ( .iccolitlis '„) ;iii<l 1;1i;iIk1(i- 
 
 iltlls(o) tlclu the ■ -itiuccus (,l l;„yiic llivtT, Mill!., (j; KVJ. ) 
 
 X 100 
 
 : i;i.i^ino ?.- hiniiiiiinfuM, fi.iu tl:.- C'lttn. C(,iiy of fcviic Kivir, A;;,,,, (^r )>() ) 
 ". IcNtnlana L'loliilcsa, Klir. /-. Tcxtularia j vt^ii o a,' D'Cil). r. 1 ];.ii.,rl,ii]iir 
 anniiiiuiisia i) Oil). "ii'iuiii.i 
 
a. N. A. noUNJ).VllY ('((.MMISSION. 
 
 I'LATE XVIII. 
 
 
 
 '?\^ 
 
 X e 
 
 Figuro I— rcmhiiiii Ivscarpmcnt aiiil \V(;.st liuitc. (^ 1,S7 ;{|() ) 
 
 ^^^^. 
 
 Figure 2— I'cmliiiia Hini-. (^ i;)() ) 
 
 Figure .'? — I'euiliina lliver. (5; li)0. 
 
 vim SCALES 1.-U0M THE l-EMliLVA MOU.NTALV .aiCiri- AND CUErACEOUS NO. 1. 
 
I 
 
 ; 
 
 
'-1, ^ 
 
 
 
 ,H B.Fort 
 
 '^3J^ 
 
 
 
 (B.N. A. Boundary Commission J 
 GEOLOGir4AL MAP 
 
 ^...^^^J^ OF THE ;^^^> — 
 
 LAKE OF^E^OODS 
 
 ot 
 
 r *f r (f« 
 
 ikt 
 
 '^ 
 
 /" jjJ^^ CLEAR WATER "^ 
 
 ) "J ^ _^ .. c jC'c' /-^ii t/'' Portape de Bois 
 
 Bed-cliff 
 Bed. 
 
 ' " Ms' jX '■■'''' P'^^f'^9^ ^^ ""'s 
 ri" yTj^^v'' Skot-a-wawinnagum. 
 v'(yf'l7j / crDrvForta^e. 
 
 
 
 ■^■v^"^^ 
 C 
 
 .^i 
 
 >-A^-V 
 
 \ 
 
 ■^ 
 
 WHITE FISH 
 LAKE 
 
 
 
 ^fe^^ 
 
 
 Laurentian 
 
 Huronic 
 
 lan 
 
 ^^# Intrusive 
 
 Drift 8 Alluvium 
 y ^ Glacial Stri^tion 
 
 H " M Limestme Fragments ■ 
 
 'minv^ 
 
(BN.A.BcuRdAry Commission J 
 
 c^y^^ 
 
 ,iC^> 
 
 .y**^ 
 
 
 S ECT. 8 . Fei^ht 4, 000 ft. distance 3% m. 
 
 ]i j 
 Series D. I I Series E . I 1 Series FAG. 
 
 iSeries C. 
 
 I (red beds I 
 
 

 ^>?^^^?^^ 
 
 SECT. 4. KOOTANIE PASS._ Mori 
 
 ZOTi 
 
 
 
 :;,,,X,NY,^J^^^,^ 
 
 ^■^■^4j6»C,i 
 
 
 SECT. 5. EASTERN RANGE ROCK 
 
 
 "■"^'^^r 
 
 
 '^v ^\ 
 
 \ 
 
 r^iTTm) '"Li-ITT^ -cSXTT 
 
 \i 
 
 f^"'r:S%^^ 
 
 |,^^V^ 
 
 r^^M'^^JiiJM^ 
 
 SECT . 6 . Heiffit 3, 300 ft. distance I'/sm. 
 
 iK\if\ 
 
 
 SECT. 1 .Hi'ioht 3,000 
 
 o 
 
 mmi 
 
 Se 
 
(BM.A . Boandajy Commission) 
 
 •^- 
 
 "vu^ ^^.0^ 
 
 
 
 E PASS.— HorizoniaL Scale 1 Mile to V* Inch 
 
 N RANGE ROCKY M\P ^ ZooJcin^ North. 
 
 :CT. 1 ,Hi'i?ht 3,000 ft. Distance rUra. 
 
 Series A . ^^"^j^^ Series B. 
 
 I iiiu! "Ill IJ 
 
 Series C . 
 
 SECT. 8. i7ei^A.^ 4,000 ft. Distance 3% m. 
 
 I Series C I I I I I I 
 
 I crf d Aeds / ■ I 1 Serics D. I 1 Series E . I I Series F S.G. 
 
i 
 
 I i ii 
 
 i i 
 
 ^1 1H 
 
INDEX. 
 
 2s:f 
 
 '.".):! 
 Iii7 
 
 'l.i'l 
 •Ml 
 
 I'AdK 
 
 Ak'I' of lllc lilltlcs 1-27 
 
 A;,'!' (if llic l.i;;iiil<' fnnimtioii isa 
 
 A>,'riciilliiri', biisi.s of pmspei'il.v nf the Nnrtli- 
 
 W4'St 
 
 Auriculturo, wotcrii limit uf 
 
 Akiiiiiiiiiv, riinip 
 
 Alkali, Ku I'iilloil, aiiiilvsift iif 
 
 Alien, . I. A , "11 ciiiiiliiisticii of LiijiiitL'-i 
 
 AlliiN itiiii I if livfi' \;illii's 
 
 Alliniiini nf the Hnl lU\i'r V:illev 
 
 Allmiiuii nflhc li.il iiixLT V:illry, fri'sh-wiiter 
 
 <iri;.'iii "f 
 
 Altered Miir<iiii:iii rneks, a'-ea of 
 
 Alteniiilive eliaiinels 
 
 Aiiierii'aii <le.sert, noitliern ex'eii^iiiM of the. il 
 
 Analysis of iroiistoMes l.sl 
 
 Analysis of Saline ni.it ter fnun lake 'I'M 
 
 Analysis of l.i);nites Itl'.l 
 
 .Anal \ sis. nltiniate. of l.ijrnites 17V 
 
 .Xntielinal, |irolialile, S. of Ka-ka-ke-wfitiec. .. 411 
 
 .\rea, total of pnurio in liritisli Vnu'riea In 
 
 Area of seeonil prairie li'M'l h 
 
 Area of lirst prairie level 4 
 
 .Area of tliinl |iriiriu level Ti 
 
 .Area of plains in Hriiisli .Aniuriuii 1 
 
 .\rle-ian liorinu' at l'"art;o i'ltt 
 
 .Xr'esian liorin;' it Winnipeg "i.'iO 
 
 liiul^'er Cieek, drift di'posils of IWO 
 
 Itad Lands, l.i);nite 'I'ertiar.i nf iri4 
 
 iiad Lands, mode of formation of UCf 
 
 Had Lands SoMth of Wooil .Mt. Sei'lioiis in.. .. lli:t 
 
 Ituar's 1 a« .Monntains, tlie distaid view of.. .. IIS 
 
 iioar Lake K, CretaeeoMs lieds at l.s 
 
 liell.v liiver, eoal from 179 
 
 Hollv Liver, l.ifrnite from ITil 
 
 liellv liiver. .Sontli Lork of Hi.') 
 
 Hell', I'rof, referred to il 
 
 Holl, I'rof, on lieiirlit l.anrentian WatiTslied . . -21(1 
 liell, I'rof, on eonformitv Lanrentian aial lln- 
 
 ron'an -1> 
 
 liell. I'rof. on laustern limit of Li;;nite Ter- 
 
 tiarv I."i4 
 
 licit. .Mr. oM (;laeiiition of Silieria '2(11 
 
 liililio;;rapliy. y;t'cdoKieul of interior 11. N. 
 
 .\ineriea "2(1 
 
 ISii^- Cnt .Ann Creek, Creiai eons No. 4 on 1411 
 
 • llii;- (.'amp' the. of halt lireeils •211;'. 
 
 Ili;.'shy, Hr. .1 . 1. . referred to iV 
 
 liinsli\ Inland, roeks of '27 
 
 llirds. arrival of, at DntTerin, l,s74 "J.Nl 
 
 llirel- t'roek, meks near '24 
 
 Hitter Creek heds, dis)inteil a);e of the I'.Ki 
 
 "itnmeii anil .NiiiKial oil. in hevonian 14 
 
 " lllaek Slate." eiplivaU nt of un .Maeken/.ie It 14 
 
 111:' ■kiston. Lient, ; ,, liei^;hts of 14'rraees 'J.VS 
 
 lilail;i»ton, Lieut, ri leried to ,'iii 
 
 lllaek lid's, (arlioniui- Ills Limestone of ... . 7^1 
 llonlders, dist- jliiil ioii ol in Lake of the Woods 
 
 region '21^ 
 
 llonldei-eov ered re/ioii '21111 
 
 llonlder-el.iv, mi i.ake of the Woods •201) 
 
 lioiindarv .Moimlain. roeks of the K> 
 
 Hcinndary .Moiininent, roeks near the '14 
 
 Honnilar.v Line, the eoiirse of. In the Itoek.v 
 
 .Mount, liiis .'id 
 
 llov lie liiver, Niohrara (iroup nil "t* 
 
 liianeliesof the Milk liiver IHd 
 
 I'.MIK 
 
 Uranehus of .Milk liiver, M^'iiitc Tertiary of . . \:>f> 
 
 liiiekete Island, tcriiiiitu of IW 
 
 liiilfalo, old paths of •2S« 
 
 lintralo, |irohalile extinetioii of the 2!Hi 
 
 liiilTalo, pri'seiit eastern limit of the '2(14 
 
 llnlfalo ijra.ss, eastern limit of '2!l'2 
 
 Hnttes, the distant view of lUl 
 
 Unites, the deseription of l'2;i 
 
 Hnttis, dvUesiiuar 1'24 
 
 lint tes, eruptive rocks of l'2r) 
 
 linttes, aj:e of tlie 127 
 
 Hnttes, how rupresuiited on Dr. llayden's 
 
 maps 1'2S 
 
 HiitteK, eoiiipariHiin of with siinilar tiiiusscH 
 
 elsewhere 1'28 
 
 Hnttes, Li^Miitu Tertiivry of In.") 
 
 Hnttes, country snrronndiiiK the iJilfi 
 
 Cactus I'lain. li;uscil nii CrelaeeiiUH No 4.... 144 
 
 (-'iilf .Mountain, proliahle cause of SI 
 
 Camp .\kamiiia (54 
 
 Carlioniferous forniatioii, pnihahlc fixi.stenee 
 
 of in .Manitolia l.'i 
 
 Carlioniferous roeks, character of, in Ne- 
 braska 15 
 
 Ciirhoniferons fonnation.ehanielerof, In Kocky 
 
 Mountain re;.don l.'i 
 
 Cartionifei'ous Limestone of Kocky Mountains. (V.) 
 
 Carlioniferous, rocks of in .Montana, i^e 7'2 
 
 Caileton House, advance of spriiii,' at 2S2 
 
 Caribou .Miiske;;, rocks near '24 
 
 Cattle. vviliL livint;- out tlirouj.'!) the winter,.. 303 
 
 Chief .Mountain, structure of 66 
 
 Chief .Mountain Lake or Watertoii Lake, roeks 
 
 ill the vicinity of r>7 
 
 Chief .Mounlaiu Lake, former ^'lacier of '243 
 
 Cinpies in tlie Kocky .Monntaius '24.') 
 
 Clayebale of Pembina .Mountain y:roup, cha- 
 racter of S.T 
 
 Clear-water Luke, character of '23 
 
 Climate of i:astern ba,«e of Kocky .Moinitaiiis.. ■2!»8 
 
 Climate of tliird I'lairie Steppe.' '211;) 
 
 Climate of the Ked liiver \'alley '279 
 
 Clinker, Iroin l.i^;nite. occnrreiiee of l(i,5 
 
 Coals, analysis of by I'rof. llaanel 17S 
 
 Coal, bilnminoiis. oil St. .Mary Kiver VM 
 
 Coal of St. .Mar.v It, ini|iortance of 178 
 
 Coal, runioiirs of it.s oceurreiieo at I'eiiibina 
 
 Mountain S'2 
 
 0"'ci'/'V/i.v of .Niobrara j;rouii 80 
 
 Cole's Kails, (.'retaceoiis beils at 17 
 
 (.'ombustiou of Lignites, whether simiita- 
 
 neoiis 1(18 
 
 Combustion of Lijiiiite beds Iti4 
 
 Conclusions, licneral, on the Lake of the 
 
 Woods 47 
 
 ('onloi'iiiitv , apparent of Laiireiitian and 
 
 lliironian '20 
 
 CoiiU'loinerates, iinipient, in the Lieiiite Ter- 
 tiary i:>0 
 
 Conjilomeratc, j;reenstone ."il 
 
 (.'oii;.'liinierat(', slate ."il 
 
 CoiiKlonierales, lliironian, origin of the .V2 
 
 Coiiilerons limlier, western limit of '270 
 
 Cope, I'rof., on theaueof tlio Lignite forma- 
 tion 1!)'2 
 
 Cope. I'riif., ideiitilieation of fossils by 10.5 
 
 Cojie, I'rof., on Vertebrate Fossils HIW 
 
;3S2 
 
 rNOKX. 
 
 1^ 1'i 
 
 my t 
 
 
 i - 
 
 I'retiu'i'uus Nn 
 (,'retacenis Nn 
 rretHivous Nil 
 Crotiiceinis Ni 
 
 I ijlf 
 
 I'AOE 
 
 ('iili|i(>r ore. occiirniin' I'f. nn I.aka "f Wnnils.. 51 
 
 ('(iniiHniiit, lirc'filitin |il;ici' of tlio '2tl 
 
 Cnttau, :iii|>J"iu'l] til llu! 'J'iS 
 
 Cntt'iui, :ip)u;iiiiiii'L- nf the 2if< 
 
 Cotcau, tiromltli nf the, oi! Int. 4U-" 228 
 
 Cotrau ile-i I'rairios 2,(.'> 
 
 Cdtomi, (lisusoil Btriiiiiii \ alloys c.f t lie 2L<0 
 
 C'liteiui, (cinnatinii nf, by tloiktin^; ice 2rC 
 
 Colrau, luMj.'tit (if 2;>K 
 
 Cotcnii, .Mit^siMiri 227 
 
 Ciiteau. nil the 'I'nwlerij' Univd 2:i0 
 
 C'dtciiu, s\i|iyin>itiniis tn acvniiit for -',W 
 
 Cuti'aii, KniitliiTii eniitimi.ilinii nf thi' 234 
 
 Cotoiui, iinrthorn cxtuiisinii nf ihu 2a;i 
 
 Coulees, firriimtinii (if. 2()(i 
 
 Countn', oniiipiwatiTe aspsct nf l,a\iieiitiaii 
 
 anil iliinniiaii 4() 
 
 Cnuiitry nf thf Third Hrairie Steppe 21>3 
 
 Country nf the Secniui I'rairii' Stejipe 2s7 
 
 CrctaeoniiH heds at Hear Lake Hiver Is 
 
 CretaeudUs bedH imrth of N. .Sa.skatchewaii 
 
 Kiver Is 
 
 Crctnceniis, cniiiparative tabic nf tubdiv isinii 
 
 (if IM 
 
 CretaeooiH f.iniuitinii. itn dhtriliutinn 1C> 
 
 Crotaeedus fni-niatioii, thicknusH of.nii fpper 
 
 Missniiri ll» 
 
 Cri'taeeous. imiistniies nf li^'l 
 
 C'retacenu!*, junetimi nf, with Lignite funim- 
 
 tinll l'J4 
 
 ("rctaoemip. limit nf eu-<ter!i edije nf \bn 
 
 C'retaeemis No. 4, Hniith nf Wnnd MnuntiMii,. 107 
 
 4, at We^t lUitti' 12rt 
 
 .'i, at West Butte 120 
 
 .'i, Had LaiulKtSeetiniiM 10(1 
 
 fi, tfeueral distriliutinii nf . . . . 147 
 
 C.'retaeenos. |iiist.ible neoiirreiioe nf U(,'iiite» in . . Ix.'i 
 
 CretHoeniih rncki, by whom examin d 17 
 
 ( 'reta^'eniis mcks-, uniiditiins nf depnsit nf.. .. l.Sy 
 C'retaeeniis, Rulwideiiee Hiid elovatbin duritiK 
 
 the 1«2 
 
 CretaoenUB. subdivisions, treiieral distributimi 
 
 nf 14U 
 
 C'retaecniiH south nf \Vn( d Mniiiitain, dip of 
 
 beds no 
 
 Cretaeenus. weHterii border nf 17 
 
 C'retarenUK, I'liper MiiJuouri, seetion nf the. Is 
 
 (.'iimberland llnitie. advanee of spviiivr at , . . . 2sl 
 
 CypreNs UillK. watershed in S 
 
 C'ypreB'' Hills, marine Tertiiiiy beds at 157 
 
 Daily nietcnrnlnifleal eycle 292 
 
 Dakota jfroup, jfoiieral ^p|learan(•^' and distri- 
 bution of ..^ latl 
 
 Dana, Prof, on rainfall 2s.'i 
 
 Dawiion, Dr J. W.. on Kn^ull I'lant* .'(27 
 
 Dawson Rna<l, country near the 272 
 
 Denudation, poi-t-tertiar\ 2.'i;t 
 
 1 •enudatioii, carried on b.r streams 2(18 
 
 Detiert eharaitor of eountry oTerlyiug (Jruta- 
 
 taeeous No 4 
 
 I>eheit, Amerietin, northern extension of the. 
 liesiccation of the plains, fnctii tendiin ti 
 
 show 
 
 Devonian and (-'arbniiiferous of Uoeky Moun- 
 tains ' 71 
 
 Devonian, bitumen and mineral oil In 14 
 
 Denudation, action of on third )irairie level . . 6 
 
 Devonian, as a salt-bearing fnniiatioii 14 
 
 Devonian, exploration of in Manitoba desir- 
 able 14 
 
 r)fvoiiiaii Fossils from Mackenzie 11 1.1 
 
 Devonian, its distribution 12 
 
 Devonian of Manitoba Lake 12 
 
 Devniiiaii of .MaekuiiTHP K 12 
 
 Dioritc. intru'^ve, in Kootjuiic I'ass fil 
 
 Dirt Hills, l.i^rniles from 179 
 
 Division " of LiKiiile Tertiary KH 
 
 Division /^ of Littniie Tertiary Itl4 
 
 Division y of Li;:iiit<; Terliary IU4 
 
 Division (" of Lignite Teitiiiiy 1U4 
 
 144 
 
 « 
 
 31."> 
 
 P.40R 
 
 Division n,, of Dr lleelo's' Scrtion 14(1 
 
 Dni-iniiC.or Dr. Heetors' ISeetinii 147 
 
 Don I'ortnire, ternu'es at 25H 
 
 |)o|nniiti's of Series A in Hoeky Mountains... .')7 
 
 Dramaire, primai\ systems of B 
 
 Drift depnsits, uniform eoatiiiK of lit 
 
 Drift deposits oi Turtle .Mountain v:23 
 
 Drift, course of the hi 
 
 Drift i;o\ere(l region 84 
 
 Drift, general eoni;'nsitinn of 24li 
 
 l>rift, Laurentian, it« western limit 243 
 
 Drift, numerical examination of ennstituentH 
 
 of .• 221 
 
 Drift of the Ked Uiver Valley, horiinfs 
 
 ihrniiirh 2jO 
 
 Drift I'hitcau. .S. W. of Lake of the Wood.s.. .. 212 
 
 Drift, lied, N. W. linut (jf 213 
 
 Drift, Seetion.s of, on lloBcau R 2U 
 
 Drilt, the l,niail/.ite 231 
 
 Dykes, eoniplieated intersection of 2.') 
 
 Dvkes nb.serveil in Lake nf the Woisls re>cinn. f'S 
 
 l>ykes near th<- lUittes 124 
 
 Ka-^t Hntte, seetioiis north of 122 
 
 Kast Hntte. the 124 
 
 Ka-t Pork of Milk Kiver. drift dciiosita of., ., 23it 
 
 Kast Knrk nf K."itanie I'ass til 
 
 Kast I'nrU nf .Milk Kiver, Cretaeenus fossils at 114 
 
 Kdiiiontnii, advance of spring at 283 
 
 Kdnionton, eoal fmm 171) 
 
 Klevatinii after ^lai-ial subsidence 25!» 
 
 Kleiation of Kocky .Mnuutains, period of 76 
 
 Kiev at ions, i^nrrelation nf 26fl 
 
 Klevatinii nf first prairie level 4 
 
 Klevatinii of second pruirie level 6 
 
 Klevatinii nf tliird prairie level ft 
 
 Kllinit, .Mr K. S , (111 amelioration of elimalo 
 
 by pl;i lit in^r trees 3 IS 
 
 Kmiiiniis. Prof., on the age of the Liirnite 
 
 formation 1113 
 
 Ivcene au'e of Likrnite formation 201 
 
 Kscarpiiieiits of the piiiirie stepjies H 
 
 l"ar'..'n. artesian boriny at 2riO 
 
 Fiinlt in Liirmte Tertiary. Porcupine Creok. . »» 
 
 Kinna. foraminil'enil of Niohrara liroup 7l» 
 
 Kerro-caleite, nucurrencc of in cretjicooug 
 
 sliales 112 
 
 Kertile Helt, sinuiltaneous advance of spring 
 
 in- 2^3 
 
 Fertile Helt. part of on the forty-ninth 
 
 par«llel 29.^ 
 
 File Hills 224 
 
 Fires, forest, in Turtle Mniintain 2X1) 
 
 Fires, ]irairie, necessity of iireveiition of.. .. 323 
 First Hraiicli .Milk Uiver, exposures near.... 130 
 
 First prairie level 3 
 
 Fla^r Island, uranite nf ,S3 
 
 Fiavr Island, Ihirniiian on 31 
 
 Flexures afltectin^,' the Laurentian and 
 
 Hurnnian 4!) 
 
 Flora of countrv surrounding Lake of the 
 
 Woods .' 271 
 
 Fnramiiiiferal fauna of the Niobrara (;roU]>. . 7'» 
 Forest, Kiheiiie for the culture and prcKerva- 
 
 tioii of 321 
 
 Forest, destruction of. eausinf; decreased r^iii 
 
 fall 818 
 
 Fi.reHt of Pembina Mountain 2ti7 
 
 Fnrest area of 'hirtle .Mountain 289 
 
 Fork. ea.st of Kootaine Pass fil 
 
 Fork, west of Kootanic Pass 63 
 
 Forty-ninth paralli'l. cretaceous rnekH of the, 
 
 coin|iared vvith other .leetioiis 161 
 
 Fort Hent.m Oroup, ijeneral Rrrttiijfenieiit 
 
 and distribution of 130 
 
 Fort Pierre (iroup at West Huttc 12(i 
 
 Fort Pierre (iroup. conditions of dcpoBit of, ItiO 
 
 F'irt Pierre Oroup at White .Mud Kiver 109 
 
 Fori l*terre (iroup, wealherinK of, at White 
 
 Mud Kiver 110 
 
 Foil Picire limiip, pi'nliable represclilalive of 
 
 in Pembina .Mniintain .so 
 
 iillt.' 
 
INDEX. 
 
 I'AilK I 
 I'nrt riorri' tipnip, ','rm!rn,l a|i|'L'ar;iiu'i: ami 
 
 ilistriliuti I 11^ 
 
 Kni't I'U'rju (iroiip, liiiil I'lloct of, nji appuai'' 
 
 aiiix' 'if I'liuiitrv Ill 
 
 Fort Tierrc Uriiii|' .-.011111 ni W.ioil .Mountain,, lo; 
 
 Kort Shaw, in !an ti'niin.Tature of wju 
 
 Kort IJiion (.ron|i, weslurn rujiru'cnliUiMj. 
 
 of i.m; 
 
 Kort rni'pn (iroup. 'I'tTtiarv ajfo ot liil 
 
 Kussil pl;iiits of l.innitf 'rurllary 'M7 
 
 KoS!<il vrrtibratos iiM 
 
 KoHsilN, Uuvuiilan. from .Mai'ki-nzio llivur.. .. VA 
 
 FoHfils from llrst l^rancli Milk KUui i;iU 
 
 FoHsiln from .Milk Kiver llil 
 
 Fossils from MH'fioii, 11. irtli of Ka^t liuttc... li^i 
 
 FossiU from sDcoiui bnint'li Milk River KU 
 
 Fossils from W (.'^t Mutte li'' 
 
 Fossilb, niodu of preservation iif, in (.'rotaoeous 
 
 No. 4 ll'J 
 
 FoMsils of '.'rotai'eons .N'o, 4, sontli of WooJ 
 
 iJountaiii I'i7 
 
 FosxilH of (.'rctaci'oMrJ No, 4, piod l.jcalit.v for 11- 
 FoHsil.-, roforroil to Jiirassir from .Maokenziu 
 
 Ki\.,-r li; 
 
 Fox Hill (iroiip at Whitu .\luil jlivor lUli 
 
 Fo\ llilUironp ;it West Hut ti' Vli' 
 
 VnK Hill liroup, ).:iiii'ral ili>.triliiition of U7 
 
 Fux Hill (ironp, -mniltami'ty of duiionitot . . ,. I'.HI 
 
 Fox Hill Croup Hi Hud Lands suctions lull 
 
 Fox Hill itfoiip, Tcrtiai-.v facies of iiioUusos 
 
 from 201 
 
 Fox Hill 111.. up, i-haractcr of 147 
 
 Fox Hill ()i-..up,coi,ditions of deposit ,.f inl 
 
 Fox Hill liroiip, uiiiioral oiTiiiuiuv of 1!M 
 
 Froiu'linian's (.luvk, or \\ liito .Mud Ui\rr, 
 
 sections in lull 
 
 Fr\ur, .Mr., on intluuiico of forosts on rain 
 
 ' fall ;i'-7 
 
 Fuel, iisd of |>(.'at to fconoiiiize Hood yil 
 
 Fiiuls, arwis o.-ciipit-d liv dilferoiit olu.ssos of, 
 
 in tliu West '. K'U 
 
 Fuels, \ahie of lij.'iiites it- 17i.'' 
 
 liallatin K., .Montana, .Section on 7- 
 
 (.lenesee and llainiltoii epc.chs, eipiivalciits of, 
 
 on the .Mackenzie 1( 14 
 
 (leneral section in tlie lioeky -Mountains (17 
 
 (ieneral coiiclu.-ioiis, I.aku of the Woods 47 
 
 Cioolo>.ry, general outline of In 
 
 U«(do{;ioal liibiio^'rapli.\ of interior li. N. 
 
 America "u 
 
 (.Jeologieal explorers, formci'of the Lake of ll.e 
 
 \S is -24 
 
 tllncial iieriod. inlrodiietioii of •2.'i4 
 
 Glacial plieiioiiieDa 'Jua 
 
 Glacial phenomena, ifeneral features of 1^;. of 
 
 lied It 21:. 
 
 (Jlacial stria' of Lake of the WooiU region .... -0,') 
 
 llluuial siilimerKcnce 2.'>r> 
 
 Glacial suhnieiji-eiue, dilHeiilties of theory. . . iiO 
 
 Glacial action in the lioeky .Mountains 2iii 
 
 Glacier, eonlluent, on the Laurentiaii a.\is.. .. 21') 
 
 Glacier, former, of Watertoii Lake 248 
 
 Ghihiin'i'ina 711 
 
 Gneissic Mcks, alisence of, in Koeky Moun- 
 tains, on .I'.Uli parallel (is 
 
 tiold, ruinouT.s of its oceiirrenee at Pembina 
 
 -Mountain i>2 
 
 Graculus dilophus ((.'oniiorani) broedln^f place 
 
 of the 2ii 
 
 Granite, iutrnsive, of the North-nest .Viigle, 
 
 proliable course of the 1!» 
 
 Granite, intrusive of .N. Island 2.'S 
 
 Granitic rocks, absence of, in Rucky-Mountains 
 
 on 4!ttti parallel ' (V-i 
 
 Granite, inlriisi-. e of .N. \V. .-Vngle :i2 
 
 (iniss, bnniini; of repreheiisilile, on the plains :I24 
 
 Grasshopjier. (Sec locust.) 
 
 Great Hrv Coulee, .a disused liivor Valley.. .. 2fi4 
 
 (ireat l>n CoiiKie. the "..... 117 
 
 Great Itoscaii .s«ainp 27'! 
 
 (ireat \alle,\, .Analysis .,f Lignite- from 1,1 
 
 Great \ alley, fos.sils from the shales 115 
 
 383 
 
 I'AllI! 
 
 (ireat \'alley. Sections on y;j 
 
 Grc.U Valley , anal.\Sl^^ ot ironstone from l>il 
 
 (irueii.stoiiu eongiomerale 01 
 
 (.irit, .Magneian, oi Series (.' Ou 
 
 Groo, Mr. H.. on (,;real Salt Lake H18 
 
 llaanel, I'rof., analyses of lignites by 17H 
 
 ILdf-breeils. bigeaiiip of, the ' iUf) 
 
 Hamilton and (Jeiiesee epochs, o(|uivaleiits of, 
 
 on the .Mackenzie Kiver 14 
 
 Harriimton, Dr. H. .1., analyses of lignites by 171> 
 iiawleu and .Meek, section of Crotueeous on 
 
 L'pper -Miasouri iiy IS 
 
 llaxilen. Dr., on the a^re of the Lignite forma- 
 
 ' tioii 1S7 
 
 lla,\deii, Dr., on glacial subliiergonce 25U 
 
 Ha.sileii, Dr., .hi amelioration of climate by 
 
 lilaiitiiig trees 318 
 
 Haydeii, Dr., on southern extension of the 
 
 Coteau 230 
 
 Haydeii, fir. , section 111 I'iiita Hau(te by 73 
 
 tlav swanip-, promiscuous burning of, reiiro- 
 
 ■ hjiisiblc ; 321 
 
 Hect.'t, Dr., referred t.i 20 
 
 Hector, Dr., on sources of rivers in iiocky 
 
 -M.iuntains 3 
 
 Huct..r. Dr., ..n structure of KocUy Moun- 
 tains ' oy 
 
 Hect'ir, Dr.,hiH cretaceous section compared 
 
 with .ithers 151 
 
 Hector, Dr., on valleys without outlet 234 
 
 IlecL.r, Dr., on northern exleiisi.in of the 
 
 (...tcau 234 
 
 llect..r, Dr., on 'I'urlle .Mountain 223 
 
 llict.ir, Dr., I n heiuhts ..f terraces 2.^8 
 
 llect..r, Dr., his I. calilies for miuiiie Tertiary l:>7 
 
 lleer, I'r.if., referred t.i 21 
 
 lleiglil..f Land .Muskeg 274 
 
 Hills ami poiuls, sci'.iii.l prairie stepi.e 222 
 
 Hind, I'r.'f., on limestones of Lake Uinnipog 12 
 Hind, I'rof , .111 carbonifer.jus of Manitoba ir> 
 
 Hind, I'r.if. H;. ., referred to SO 
 
 Hind, I'r.if., localities in wliicb he found (.'re- 
 
 taceous No. 4 140 
 
 Hind. I'rof., localities in which be found (.'ro- 
 
 taceous -No. .'. 148 
 
 Hind, I'rof.. his Cretaceous section eom|>arod 
 
 With others 151 
 
 Hind, I'rof., on terraces at Dog I'ortage USO 
 
 lliii.l, I'rof,, on cbaiige nf course in rivers.. 203 
 
 Hotfnian, C, .Xiialvses of lignites by 171* 
 
 llm.gry Hall, position of '23 
 
 Hiironian rocks, altered area of 30 
 
 llur.iii.iii rocks, isiihited area of 34 
 
 iluronian rocks, from -N. \V. .■\iigle to 
 
 Iva-ka-ke-wabec 3o 
 
 Uuroniaii ro.'ks, from the Ka-ki-ke-wabco tii 
 
 Itat I'onage 11 
 
 Huroiiiun and l.aiirentiaii, junction of the, at 
 
 Kat I'ortage 44 
 
 Iluronian and Laurentiaii, dherse effect of, on 
 
 country -"0 
 
 Huroiiian, distribution of the, on the Lake of 
 
 the Woods 47 
 
 Huroniau and Laurentiaii, flexure of the, on 
 
 the Lake of the W.i.ids 4S 
 
 Iluronian, litliology .if the Lake of the Woods 00 
 Iluronian and Laurentiaii, Lake of the Woods, 
 
 general seijUeiice iO 
 
 Huroiiian of Lake of the Woods and else- 
 where, eomparison 52 
 
 Iluronian, so-called, age of the .'i2 
 
 Iluronian c. mglomeraies. origin of the 52 
 
 Hur.iiii an, lueraniorpliisiii of 53 
 
 Iluronian, |io,ssible occurrence of, in lioeky 
 
 ;Uoimtaiiis 75 
 
 Indian ilcvices on La lioclie I'ercee S7 
 
 Insi.'cts, list of 341 
 
 Interior contineiitial basin 10 
 
 Intrusive ma.ss of Kakake-wabec 40 
 
 Ir.mstono, poor, of I'embina .M.iimtain hi 
 
 li.iiis|oiic, poor, of I'embuia liiver s;; 
 
 li oilstones, analyses of 1*1 
 
384 
 
 INKBX. 
 
 I - .; 
 
 Ml 
 
 IronatniioH ^f tlir Liuiiilc Trrtiiir.v 
 
 Iiviii«tniic-i of ( ril;uiMPiiH 
 
 Irrinatiiiii, limilcil ai'pl'ciitiility nf 
 
 Isibi.'-lor, .Mr., ri'iciri'il I" 
 
 Uoliitoil rti'i'ii (if Ihipiiiiiui liorks 
 
 Juiiitli liivtn' lii'il-i, curichiliiiii nf. witli lu'iN '<n 
 
 the line , . , . 
 
 Juiiftinii ni tin; I.HiirL'iitiiin mid lluniniuii iy\ 
 
 Kilt l'ortiii;e 
 
 Junvssio, rooks lit'lijiiKiiiK' tn. in Ui.cUy Moun- 
 
 tiiin rt'tfidii 
 
 Jiinissio. imsiKilile in'onrronce nf, on Miioki'iizii' 
 
 Kivor 
 
 Jiirnssic, lU'iurrfiM'u of, in Knrky Muuntjiiiis.. 
 
 Ka-k;i-kt;-"i\lii-i'. iiitrii-^ivi.' mass uf 
 
 Kcivtiiij.'. I'rof rclVrriMl t(i 
 
 Kill);, I'lareiico, mi the 'ige nf the I, lignite for- 
 
 iiiatioii 
 
 Kiugntcn, I'mf , mi rainfiill of \Viiiiii|ief; .... 
 
 Kirhy and Speiiee .Mt., Kdntiiiiii; V:ui» 
 
 Kcrsniitmi, iit the liutti'S 
 
 Ivintaiiic I'.iss, roeks of 
 
 Kootiiiiie I':i.<s. Watei sli'.'d in the 
 
 l-ior( sse Isliiiid, rocks of 
 
 I.iie Plat 
 
 I,ake I'f the Sand-liills 
 
 I.ake of the \V Is, position of 
 
 Lake of tlu: Woods, ^reo|o(.'.>' of 
 
 Lake of the Woi.ils, \\nU:v suipply of 
 
 Lake of the \V Is, ^eo.^raphy of 
 
 I..akii .if tlie Wooils, diseliar^e "f 
 
 Lake of the W'.ods, northern part of 
 
 Lake of the Woods, outlets of the 
 
 Lake of the Woods, ^fenural eonehisions on 
 
 j,'e' ilo^y of the 
 
 Lake of the W.iods, ^rlai-ial phenomena of.. .. 
 
 Lake of tlie W,...ds, dejith of 
 
 Lake of thf Woods, c niieetion of hasin of, 
 
 witli tlie rooks 
 
 Lake of the Wo. ., ., ohaiiieter of uorthcni and 
 
 Bontlierii jiarts 
 
 Lake of tlie Woods, general diroetimi of glacial 
 
 stri.o of " 
 
 Lake of the Woods, nature of outfall of 
 
 Lake of the Wood-, T'pper .Silurian Liiiie- 
 
 Btoiie on 
 
 Lake of tlio Woods, !■ riiier soiiiheni out- 
 let of 
 
 Lake of the Woods, liiidier of i;ountry sur- 
 rounding; the 
 
 Luke of tlie Woods, charaoter of reu'ii'ii sin- 
 
 roundiin.' 
 
 Luke of the Woods, small area tl: for eulli\a- 
 
 tioii near 
 
 LiUie of the Woods, flora of ooiinlrv surround 
 
 ill*-' 
 
 Lake, .Saline, ntrar 'I'lirtle Mountain 
 
 Lakes in glacier vallieii in the Kooky Moun- 
 tains 
 
 Lakes, Winnipeg group, areaeoveroil by.. .. 
 
 Laurelitian axis, its v;eneral course 
 
 Laureiitiaii axis, its nature 
 
 Lanreiitiaii. most western rooks of near 
 
 Lakeof the Woo:|s 
 
 Laureiitiaa formation on the Lake of the 
 
 Wo,,ds 
 
 Lnurcntiaii and Huroiiian, junction of the at 
 
 Hat Portage 
 
 Ijjurentian ami Unroiiian. diversecffoet I'f, on 
 
 country 
 
 Lauri'iitian, distrihution of ijie, on the Lake of 
 
 tlie W Is 
 
 !«aureiilian ami llnroiiiaii. Ilexiire of the, on 
 
 the Lake of (lie W I> 
 
 Laurelitian, Ili.'XurcH iiffecliiig the, in Ila.'^tiiigs 
 
 C'oimly 
 
 Laiirentian, fleTures affecting the, on the 
 
 iiltawa 
 
 lAiireiitiaii and Hiironiaii. Lake of llie Wooils. 
 
 general Reu enee 
 
 I,aiireiitian \>ater'-lied, slope of 
 
 Lanrontian drift. Iti weijterii limit 
 
 Kiir. 
 1^1 
 |y.' 
 211-J 
 •J I 
 ■M 
 
 i.v; 
 
 41 
 
 k; 
 
 7-4 
 
 411 
 
 ■n 
 \m 
 i;:< 
 
 ]'J4 
 
 llil 
 (Vi 
 4 -J 
 
 44 
 
 47 
 •in:! 
 •J"4 
 
 •:U4 
 
 2i)4 
 
 ■jDii 
 207 
 
 20.'^ 
 
 217 
 
 2i;',i 
 
 27n 
 
 271 
 
 24 r. 
 
 24 
 24 
 41 
 
 4(1 
 
 17 
 !'■ 
 4!l 
 4'J 
 
 2l^ 
 
 I'ArtK 
 Lesi|iiireii\, I'lof , nil the ago of the l/igliite 
 
 formal ion 191 
 
 Les(|uereii\, Prof., on Tertiary a(fe of cfrtaln 
 
 c.als 1U7 
 
 Life, I'haiige of aeceloratud. hv plivsieal con- 
 ditions IIKI 
 
 Lignite Tertiary foriiiation, lioiindarieH of . . IB 
 Lignite Tertiary, hectimis on Souris lliver.. hO 
 Lignite Tertiary of Souris Valley, inolluses of 91 
 Lignite Tertiary, exposure of iiii Traders' 
 
 Hoad ' 1)2 
 
 Lignite licit, uightceii-foot OS 
 
 Lignite, coiiilnistion of. in Had Lands sections lOH 
 Lignite Tertiary. neaie>t the nioiinlaiiis. . . . i;i4 
 
 Lignite on south folk of Holly Hivor 1X> 
 
 Lignite Tertiary formation, arrangemeut atid 
 
 extent of,.' l;iO 
 
 Lignite, prohahility of diseovery of, in Dakota 
 
 (iroup .' lyit 
 
 Lignite from I'ort rraneis, Haiiiy Itivur lu!» 
 
 Lignite Tertiary formation, general arrange- 
 ment and ili--tritiiitioii 162 
 
 l.ii;iiile Tertiary, dilfereiil horizons of 152 
 
 Lignite Tort iiwy. eastern hounilary of 163 
 
 Ligiiilehearing fonnation, ea.stern limit of 
 
 the 153 
 
 Lignite Tertiar>. liedsof, below Koohe Perc6e 
 
 sandstone 164 
 
 Lignite Tertiarv, possible northern e.vteiisloiiK 
 
 of ■ 168 
 
 Lignite Tertiary, ironstones of 181 
 
 Lignite formation, age of the 183 
 
 Lignite fonnation. unity of the 185 
 
 Lignite forniiition, I'unotion of, with Cruta- 
 
 ills 11)4 
 
 Lignite forniation, llooene ago of 201 
 
 LiL'i'ite Teriiaiy. oonditioiis of deposit of.... Ki."! 
 
 Lignite, occiirrcnee of. in drift 240 
 
 l.igii'tes, combustion of, on .Maekenzio 
 
 Hiver. \c 107 
 
 Lignites, combustion of, whether spontunc- 
 
 olls 1(W 
 
 I.ijiiites, areas de-<troyed by combuHtion l»ii) 
 
 Lignites, niial.cscs of .'.... .' 1(10 
 
 Li^niti-s. essential characters of 173 
 
 r,i'.:iiitcH, three types of. met with 174 
 
 Lignites, variable «ater content of 176 
 
 Lignites, their value as fuels 178 
 
 Lignites, character of ash of 176 
 
 Lignites, bohav ior on heating 17rt 
 
 Lignites, ultimate analyses of 177 
 
 Lignites used as fuels 177 
 
 Lignites from SaHkatchcwan River 170 
 
 Lignites fioin Dirt Hills 17!) 
 
 Lignites, analyses of. by Dr. Itarringtiin 171) 
 
 l.iunites, aiiiilyses of, by Mr. IIofTmaun 179 
 
 Lignites, regions ocoiipiod bv ditTereiit oliwiieH 
 
 of ' ISO 
 
 Lignites, ooourreiioe and mode of foriimtuili 
 
 of 164 
 
 Lignites, combustion of 164 
 
 Lignites, fi.i\, area occupied by ISO 
 
 Lignites, possible oceiirronee of, in ('retaceous 185 
 Limestone. Lower Silurian, at the Stone (''ort 11 
 Limostoiio, reported e.\islenoe of, near lUiiiiy 
 
 Hiver 26 
 
 Limestone of Series li ill Koeky Mountains... 68 
 Liuiestone, great, of Series 1), Rocky Moun- 
 tains ' 62 
 
 l.iniostonc of Scries D. Mt. Yarrell 63 
 
 l.iniestone. Carboniferous, of Hooky .Moun- 
 tains " (',<) 
 
 Linio'..toiie of Niobiara (Jroiip on Hoyne HImi' 70 
 l,imo<toiicdilni>oii llie Lake of the Woods. . . 2ii8 
 
 l.iiinsionc iliifl, orgiii of 210 
 
 Limestone debris, iioilh oaslorn limit of 210 
 
 Liiiic^lone, reporteil occiirroiioe of, in Turtle 
 
 Mountain 223 
 
 Limestone di'ifl. the 246 
 
 l.imeslouos, t'aibonifermis and Silurian, of 
 
 Montana 72 
 
 Lllli lie gy of jliiiMiiian, Lake of Wouilb 60 
 
INDEX. 
 
 385 
 
 liinc, t)io lioiiiiiliirv, luiii-sc iif. in tlio Itm.ky 
 MiillMtllillS 
 
 hit)iii|iii;'l('iil s('i|iii'iit'(' iif, Lauiviilhiii mill 
 lliiripiiiiiii, l.iki' iif WiumIh 
 
 liittle lliicks Muiiiit^tiiiM. tlic ili-itiiMt vii'W nf 
 
 I.lttk' 'I'diiiimuiMl Hills 
 
 l.ciuiiMt, iiiriiiiiU lit llu! 
 
 hipoust, eftli'* iiml .vmiii:,' nf t'lo 
 
 liUiMist, niijjnitiiiii III' till.' 
 
 Ijiicust, yritrs nf iiiriniiis nf, in Manitnliii 
 
 Liirll.sl, |iiU';Lyilt.-M iif tlif 
 
 Ijiirnst.'*, in'fcantiiins a;,'ain-t lliu 
 
 I<iiriisls, nuums nf attarlviiii.' llie 
 
 Iiiiiiist |ilii;;ue, anii'l:iiratiiin nf, liy jilaritint; 
 
 r.o 
 11 :i 
 ■m 
 iwi 
 ;ior. 
 
 ;i07 
 Ao- 
 .•tds 
 ■My.) 
 
 tri 
 
 ;iio 
 
 Lnrnsts, linnif nf tlie :iOt 
 
 Lnnan, Sir W. K , mi Huxnivs affui'tiny l^jiu- 
 
 runtian iiirks 4'.i 
 
 LiiKan, Sir W. !•',., nn liti^'lit Kaurcntlun 
 
 wati'r.iliL'il -JKI 
 
 Ijiini,' liivi.T, si'i'liiins (if I'oniliina .Mmnitain 
 
 (irnu]> in f'l 
 
 Lull;; IfiviT, ilrift ilo|iiisitH nf 2-ll 
 
 Lii« el' Silurian, ili'|in>iits nf 11 
 
 i.nwi'i- Silnriiiii. serins in .Minnusnta. Ac 1'- 
 
 Maukfiizif, area ilraiiicil liy, smith nf lat. .'il-'. m 
 
 iMuKay 's Islaiiil. f;raniti; nf :li 
 
 iMannesian ','rit m Surirs I' (iu 
 
 Manitnlia, inrnails nf l.ncnsls In ,'iu7 
 
 .Marjfin uf tliinl |irairii' sti'|i|ii,' 'I'l' 
 
 .Markets, Jistancu frmii, ilt'terrriit tn si'ttle- 
 
 iiii'iit :iil:t 
 
 .Mari'Biis, l,aes iliis 1 17 
 
 .Marsli. I'rnf., mi tlifaironf thu Lijjiiite fnrma- 
 
 tlmi l!i:i 
 
 Malrrial nf llio l.'ri't.n I'niis ili'|iiwits Ifi-i 
 
 Muek ami llayilfii, -cotimi nf C'retaeeuiis mi 
 
 l'|i|ii'r .Missmui. liy IS 
 
 Mwk, I'rnf., list 111 Devmiian fnssils frmii 
 
 Maikenzii' Hivor, liv I'.i 
 
 Muuk. I'rnf. K. I!., rcfi.'rruil tn '.'1 
 
 Mt'i'k, I'rnf., nil tliu a^'c nf the l.i^'iiitu fnriiia- 
 
 tinii ly.» 
 
 Metaiiinr|iliisin nf lliininiaii rneks r>:i 
 
 .Meti'iirnlnifical oyelu, ilailv '^.l- 
 
 Methy I'nrtano. I'li'i^'lit nf! 'J.M; 
 
 Miililii' Islaiiil. rni'ks nf '27 
 
 .Milk Rivor, \alliy ..f 117 
 
 .Milk idvcr, si'ct Inns In valley nf lis 
 
 .Milk liiver, fnssIN frmn rneks nf U!) 
 
 Milk Kivor, irnssiii!,' |ilai'e nf llie I'il 
 
 .Milk Uuer, liraliolus nf l:io 
 
 .Milk IliM'r. I.i'4:nite Tertiary nf l.'i.'i 
 
 .Mineral oil ami lilhinien. In Hevonian 11 
 
 Aliiiiie Wakair -2;n 
 
 JMyie.snta Ili'.l 
 
 Missniiri Cnteail ... -17 
 
 Missmiri River, area ilraiiieil li\ . in lirilisli 
 
 .Vineriea in 
 
 Mississi|i|ii, smirees nf 'Jl:; 
 
 .Mnlliisea cnlleeleil, list nf :M7 
 
 .Mnlluse.s frmii l,li;iiUe Tertiarv nf Smirls \'al- 
 
 ley !)1 
 
 Mnlliises, frtfsti-water. eviileliee nf, witli re- 
 
 tfaril to ft^'e nf Li,i,'nite fnrinatinn VK 
 
 iMolluses, marine, eviilenee nf, with roi^ai'il tn 
 
 a^e nf Mifiiite forniatinii 11*11 
 
 MnlylMleiiite, meiirronee nf ,M 
 
 iMnnta>,'iies llu Koln ile Soiiteur, ileseriptinn nf I'i'i 
 
 Moimmenl, linuiularv, nn thu waturHhuil <i.'i 
 
 Mnnse Mt '. in 
 
 .Mnraiiio iiioinuls in the Rneky Mimntaiiw '24,') 
 
 .Mninit Wllsmi, struetiire of .■>i)-(ll> 
 
 .MoNeiiients '.;i\ ill:; rise tn strilelure nf Laku 
 
 of Wooils roeks 4s 
 
 .Mini linii|is, fnrinatinii nf, 111 Kail Lanils liM 
 
 Miiskei; -J;) 
 
 .Miiske'j; I'nrtajfe Swaiiip.s "74 
 
 Nehra.ska. ty jiieal Cretaeeniis seetinii, in eniii- 
 
 p'lreil wall 11, .\. .\, sei'timw l.'il 
 
 Newberry, I'rnf., mi teln|ierature nf l,lH:nito 
 
 Tertiary perinil Kil 
 
 P.MIK 
 
 .N'ewhi'rry, I'rnf,, mi the atro nf t'lO l,ii,'iiite 
 
 fnrinatinii lill 
 
 Neutral iji'niiiiil nl Imlians -117 
 
 Ninlirara (irmi|i. '.general apiiear.iine ami ilis- 
 
 tlillUtinll nf 141 
 
 Ninhiaiadiniip in I'einliliia Kseirpiiieiit 7.S 
 
 !<uliniurj{onee 
 
 71) 
 
 ir.l) 
 si 
 
 275 
 2'i 
 ir> 
 28 
 
 179 
 
 221 
 
 54 
 
 2:«) 
 
 Ninlirara (Irmip, fn.ssil.s nf. 
 Ninlirara periml, depth 
 
 iliirln;; 
 
 Nmlules, larye, in I'eiiiliina .Mmititain shiilus 
 Nnrth Kast Roseau River. 
 
 North West .\n-le 
 
 Norlh West ,\ir.;le Inlet, roeks nn 
 
 North Isliiml, meks nf 
 
 Xnrtli I'enihina River, analyses nf IJijiiito 
 
 frnin 
 
 Niinierieal e.xaniinatinii of enii.stitneiits nf 
 
 drift 
 
 Oresmi Lake nf the Wnn.ls... 
 ()>trea, nirurreliee of, In ilrift. 
 
 Outfall of hake nf the Woods 2(17 
 
 (lulletsof the Lake nf the Woods 44 
 
 iKveii, Dr., referred tn 11-21 
 
 r.i-LTii-tji-wa-miniB, or I,aern89e Island, roeks 
 
 or... *i 
 
 t'eale. Dr., seetion in SpriiiK ('iiiiiin "1 
 
 I'eat, use of, tn oennoniizi) wood 3-.i 
 
 I'emtinia Ksearpment, rneks nf 7.S 
 
 Pemliiiia Mniiiit.iin (Jiiiup f*l 
 
 I'emliina .Mnuntain at iiiturseetioii with 
 
 lat. Ili: ; PI 
 
 I'l'iiiliiiia River vallpy, expiiBiiros in Hi 
 
 I'eiiiliiiia Mniintaiii (irniip, thickness exposed 
 
 in Peniliiiia River Valley 
 
 Penihiiia Monntain (Ininp, exposures in Long 
 
 River Valley 
 
 I'eniliiiia Mniiniain elay-shalea, "haraeter of., 
 
 I'eniliina River, ilrift deposits of 219 
 
 I'einliiiia Kaearpiuent, drift deposits of 21!) 
 
 Teat swunips '-T5 
 
 I'embiiia Mnuntain, wooded eountry of 2S7 
 
 I'eiiililna River, eimntry near the 2S7 
 
 Permian and Triassie of the interior t»n- 
 
 tiiiental reu'ioii l") 
 
 l'li.\sieal yennraphy, general outline of 1 
 
 I'ietiire Roek Point, roeks nf 3!) 
 
 I'ine tinilier on the Rnaeau Iliver 277 
 
 J'ipc-.Sloiie Pass, rocks nf .. 70 
 
 Plains, area nf, in Ihitiah America 1 
 
 Plains, area of the treeless SIH 
 
 Plains, ciiltiv.ition of trees on 31!' 
 
 Plains, facts tending to show ^railiial dossica- 
 
 tioii nf 81.1 
 
 I'l.lltnrhlllillil lllliliulll.lll 79 
 
 /'/,in"r/fnliinl r'ltn'tit 79 
 
 Plants, fossil, fmiii l.iKiiite Tertiary of (ireat 
 
 Valley "'" 
 
 Plants fiissil, frniii Porcupine Creek 107 
 
 Plains, fossil, from Pad hands section lll-'i 
 
 Plants, evidence nf, with re^janl to age of l.ij;- 
 
 nitp formatinn 1'.'7 
 
 Plants enlleeted. list of ;l")l 
 
 Plants in llowor on second prairie steppe, 
 
 May, 1S71..,, 287 
 
 I'laleau, nutlyinj;, of the Inniiite Tertiary.. 2i:i 
 Plateau, drift, southwest of Lake of the 
 
 \V.»ls 21i! 
 
 83 
 
 84 
 S.5 
 
 Pluvial period, possiblii occurrence of.. 
 
 Ponds and hills secniid prairie steppe 
 
 Porcupine ("reek, analyscB nf lignites from 
 Piireupino ("reek, eiyhteen-foot lignite near. 
 
 2ii2 
 
 222 
 
 172 
 
 9H 
 
 Porcupine ("reek, exposures in (17 
 
 Porcupine ("reek, fossil plants from 100 
 
 Piist-jfku'ial plienoiiu'iia 2li2 
 
 Pottery, material for manufacture of H.l 
 
 Powder River, ("artmnilerons limestnne on. .. 72 
 Prairie, total area of, in Hritish America... . . 10 
 
 I'rairie, the Red Klver 277 
 
 Prairies, causes asaiKUed for the trecleasiiiss 
 
 of. :il.'l 
 
 Prairies, .'iiltivatioii of trees on :il!t 
 
 I'rairiea, i|ueatinn il ever tree-elad :ill 
 
 Prairies, spreail of, hy liri ;il2 
 
3S(» IM.KX. 
 
 PriiiiioB, why iint rnrlnthc I with tn-cs ;M4 
 
 I'rairii' li"'"' inic^Kil.* "l inivi'iiliiiii cil' 3'J3 
 
 rvoi'ipitilliii:!, li.hll, 
 
 UiviT Vulli' 
 Pri-Kliiii;il iiK|it' 
 
 It I'illVr. lit piiiiiln ill l{i<il 
 
 a»-.') 
 
 ■t ol' tlio (tiiiiitry 
 
 Hi" he Miotto Miiuiitaiti, iprtioii in. 
 lwi»r;iii UiviT, KPoticiiiH ol ihitt on.. 
 Ifi'^raii Kivcr, riiuiitrv iii'iir tlm... 
 Itnscm l,-.ki' ■ 
 
 I'll, A. li , nilorriiil to 
 
 I'viiimiil I'li'i'W. Mi'iliiiiiu (in 
 
 Apl'oll 
 
 <Jii;nt/iti', iiii HI 
 (Jiiiul/ili', 
 
 III! uM liviT valley 
 
 i|iiirt:iMt bml ut' 
 lOOiiToiii'e of 
 
 (^iiart.'.itii ilrili 
 
 l,)iiart/.ili' 
 
 liil't, tlip 
 
 Kaiiit'all, ni'vi 
 
 I'Xi'i'Hsivo on tlio |iliiiii». 
 
 Kaiiilall of Iti'tl Itivi'i- coumry 
 
 Haiiifall, li-a.'t lu'i^'ssavy amount of 
 
 Mil sunimi'r in tlii' wi'st. 
 
 •jii;) 
 ilf) 
 37 
 
 
 KiiKBi'll, .\, ii , lit'iiilr roniviiil from. 
 S.iliiii' laki' of till' Ciilfim 
 
 iSaliiir l.iki't* 
 
 111. 
 
 Saliiii' lake iii'ur I'm tie Mountain. 
 
 Sain 
 
 liiii' niattri- liuiii laki', analyst:* of. 
 
 IC S|T1IIBB 
 
 214 
 273 
 
 •>m 
 
 78 
 139 
 Ti'.> 
 2.tt 
 •lh<J 
 2!<3 
 115 
 
 .^alt s|inn)j:. i 
 
 I .Manitolia liako. 
 
 liainfall. HiniiiK' a , , , 
 
 Kaiiitall. ili'ri'i'ai-i' ol, on ilcslini'tioii ol loiest .'ilil j han.lstoiu 
 
 Sail ill lli'voiiiaii roi'kg 14 
 
 Saiiiiliiii'-traclivto of tlio lluttcs I'.'fi 
 
 Saiiil-hill ],aki' '-'3 
 
 iicui' till' liiiai' of 
 
 Hail I 
 
 tall, cause of iiii'ii 
 
 asi'il, ovi'i' irei'-rlail 
 
 'J I'ltiary . 
 
 iiiiia 
 
 11, incroa-iL'il (111 iilaiiiiiiL' tiri'.s. 
 
 Rivi 
 
 lalvsi' 
 
 K 
 Kaiiiy 
 
 Hat I'oitauc li'iHition ol 
 
 liat Port«'_'(' ^!l'"lo^y of, 
 
 Itoil 'm.'ilH ol Si'rii'H C 
 
 of liijiiilo IVoin 
 
 Saiiiiitoiii'8. wi'iitlii'icd, of III! Uoclie Pcrcdc. 
 
 .S.iskalilii'waii Kivn- aira diuiiioil li\ 
 
 Sabkaulicwaii Uivcr, livjiiitcB lioni 
 St Miirv Kiv, 
 
 111 
 
 41 
 
 till 
 
 |{cil-lii 
 
 .linaBsir. 
 
 ol ill 
 
 Si. .Mai X Kivi'i' scictiuiisi on 
 
 St. Miciy J<ivoi', aiialysi>8 of coal fioin. 
 .■<t. iMai\ liiv.T, cliai 
 
 Koikv .MoiiiitaiiiH 
 
 St. M.i 
 
 li 
 
 nine ol (•omitiy rear. 
 
 lioil ilrifl. iiorthwi St limit of 
 
 l.ik'iiiic 'I'crllary of. 
 
 Ki'il I.akcKivcr 
 !{.'d li 
 
 ivci. aicailraiiK 
 
 the 
 Ir 
 
 • lliy .. 
 Kcil Jvivoi-. I'ouniiy near I lie 
 Kcil lliver cnuiitiy, a iv.iiici 
 
 s|iriii'4 111. 
 
 •Jl.s 
 
 273 
 •.7<l 
 
 .•^1. .M.iiy itivi.'r, fo.'<Hils fioiii v, 
 ScinHoTH Creek. 1 rclaicniiH No 
 .Sciiiliicr oil iiisi'i IH idUcitc I . 
 ,Seciiiiil liiaiicli .Milk II 
 
 niiiily (it 
 
 iver, cxpoHin'cH on 
 Sccoiul liriiiicli .Milk Kivci, lossils frdiii .. 
 
 l.'iO 
 
 i:i2 
 
 172 
 2IIH 
 I, Mi 
 1.S3 
 1411 
 .14. 
 
 i;ii 
 i;ii 
 
 Ki'il iiiver coniiliy 
 
 ariiva! of liinls in Bpring 2'*it 
 
 mil 
 
 prairic 
 
 level 
 
 K" 1 Kivir (Miiniiy, la 
 
 ifall of 2,'*:i I Secoiiil piairi* Htepjie, ciIko of, on SaBkatclic- 
 
 Iry, innuulii of lociiatu in. 
 
 111-.! llivei 
 
 Itel Kivei- prairie 
 
 lied Kiver prairic. measure of iwrieulliiral 
 
 307 
 
 cal 
 
 laiitv of 
 
 Keil Kivoi tinilier 
 Ki>d Rive. Valle 
 
 of, destroyed liy lire :;24 
 
 Ked 
 
 Valle 
 
 alliiviuin of the 
 
 248 
 249 
 
 Seeoml ]iniirie rtteppe. Hnr'iiee of 2IH 
 
 Second jirairie sieppe, coiiiitrv of flic 2H7 
 
 21H 
 07 
 S3 
 112 
 
 etion with the 
 
 lie.l iliver Valley, com: 
 
 .Missiiisipiii sontliwaid 
 
 lied Kiver Valley, formatinii and former 
 
 soiitliern ouillow oi 
 
 lle.l Kiver Valley, climate of 
 
 lied ilivei. eliarac;,-. of 
 
 Ked River. Il'.oila of 
 
 Ke.l River Valley, former cuiiiniuiiieation ol. 
 
 with the Mississippi 
 
 Keptili'S, fossil, fniiii li.iil I.ainU seetioiiH . . 
 /,'/„/'„/e,^//l.^■ of Niolirara (Iron)i .... 
 
 Ilhvoliiie tiai'hvte. poiphyry of the Itiiltes 
 Uic'liardsiiii. Sir .1 , on llevoiiiaii ol .Maekeiizio 
 
 River 
 
 RiehardHon. Sir ,1., referred to 
 
 Kidiards u. Sir J., on stucture of Roeky 
 
 Mountains 
 
 Ilicliardson. Sir .1 . on Metliy l'orta«e 
 
 Riley, Mr., on parasites of thu locusl 
 
 Ki VOT Valleys, lar>.'e 
 
 Kiver valU'ys, a'^'e of 
 
 Rivers, chaiijie of ojiurxj ill 
 
 Riviere des I.acs, coiirso of. 
 
 Kobes, trade in ■,.• 
 
 RiK'ky Mouiilaiiis, aspect of their eastern 
 
 Iroiit 
 
 llncky Moniitaina, iwc of eli'vation of. . . 
 Uocky .Moniitains, Ineak oelween rocksof, ami 
 
 tiiose of the plains 
 
 Koi'ky .Mount^iiiis, ciniius in the 
 
 llncky Moiintiiins, compariBon of rocks with 
 
 those of other localities 
 
 Roeky Mmiiitaina, eastern front of the ... 
 
 Kocky .Mountains, elevation of 
 
 Koeky Mountains, general structure of, ac- 
 
 eordinu lo I >r. Hector 
 
 Rocky MoiiutaiiiK, (,'laeial action in 
 
 Rocky MoiintaiiiB, marine niounds in the. ... 
 
 Rocky Mouiilains. tiniher of the 
 
 Roche I'eriY','. ...' 
 
 Rocks, Huronian, from N. W. angle to Ka- 
 
 !i;i-ke-walec 
 
 Rocks. Huronian, from Kn-lia-ke-waliee to Rat 
 
 I'ortaye 
 
 ir>i 
 
 2i.ii 
 2lili 
 
 'J.W 
 
 lii.'i 
 
 MO 
 
 VJ') 
 
 I'i 
 
 20 
 
 m 
 
 307 
 2(i2 
 253 
 2'.3 
 2li( 
 •2!)ti 
 
 7,'i 
 
 77 
 24.') 
 
 liU 
 11(1 
 10 
 
 70 
 213 
 
 2 \r, 
 
 8U 
 
 H 
 
 Second prairie sieppe, drill deposits of 
 Section, 1,'eneral, in the Rocky .Mountains. . . . 
 
 ■S-'clion ill I'c'iiliiua Kiver valley 
 
 .Section on the lloundaiy-line, break in 
 
 St>ction, important, near Kast Fork Milk 
 
 River 114 
 
 Selwyii, \1r. A. R. ('. referred to 21 
 
 Sel«yii, iVIr.jon heiKlit oi liaiirentian water- 
 shed 218 
 
 Seleiiile. its association with plant-beds U7 
 
 Seiiueiice, liilioloLjical ol l.iiMre.ctian and 
 
 lliUMiiian, Lake of the Woods ... &0 
 
 Series A ol Rocky Mountain beds .'i? 
 
 Series I! ol Rocky Mounlain lieos .... fi8 
 
 Series Col Ro( ky Mountain be.ls .'ilt 
 
 Series C. hull I'visioiis of 00 
 
 .Series I), yicai liimsione, Rocky MounlailiR. 02 
 Series J';, conleniporaueiais liap, Kocky 
 
 Monniains .... 1)2 
 
 Selieiiicht.ilcterrcntB to, in tlio North West ,'! 3 
 .Seitleiiieni. capabilities of the reniou with 
 
 lelerrence to ... 'Jii9 
 
 Shoal iiake, see Lac I'lat 23 
 
 .Slioil <'reek, section on ^7 
 
 JSliuniar.l, Dr., aiialyse.s of linieutone of Stone 
 
 Fort by ... 11 
 
 Siluiian, weaterii and northern exlensiun of 12 
 
 Slate eoii'.doraerate ... .SI 
 
 Slate coiifiloinerate of Scries (', Hocky 
 
 .Mountains. .... , m 
 
 .Slop! of the interior rcwion of thpcdiitinent. . 3 
 
 Small I'loiiiontory, the 31 
 
 Snake River, CaiboiiileroiiH limeHtone on .. 7! 
 
 Soil ol the second pr.dric steppe 'J-hH 
 
 Soil of the Red River prairie 277 
 
 Soil, ferliliij of, duo to yellow uiarl 2ril 
 
 Souris Vallev, aiialyaes of Irorstone from ... ImI 
 
 Siinris Valley, analyses of li«'.it«i from 10U 
 
 Souris River, (n.untry near •J.'JO 
 
 Souris River, ('reta<'eouB No. 1 on 14(1 
 
 Souiis Kiver Valley, cliaractci. of 2li3 
 
 .Souris River, drift depos ts ol .. 2.,'i 
 
 i^ is Kiver, higiiite Tertiary rocks on S6 
 
 Souiis Kiver, disused valley of 2t>4 
 
 Soulheiii I'rouiontoiy. the ,. 20 
 
 South Kast Roseau River .. 275 
 
 South Fork of Helly River 13,1 
 
 South Kixitaiiie I'ass, terracog in 244 
 
FNOKX. 
 
 .^R7 
 
 rAOK 
 
 
 
 . 214 
 
 . 273 
 
 . -im 
 
 . 78 
 
 IM 
 
 . Ti)) 
 
 . 'J.M 
 
 . . 'l^'J 
 
 '203 
 
 ,' H5 
 
 .. li 
 
 ,. H 
 
 ,. I'J.'' 
 
 .. -'3 
 
 ic 
 
 . . ir>o 
 II 
 
 . I7il 
 
 .. i;.i 
 .. i:i2 
 
 172 
 . . T.tH 
 .. iTili 
 . . 1 H3 
 ,. HH 
 .. 34. 
 . 131 
 131 
 ■1 
 10- 
 
 .. 17 
 ,. . 1!1H 
 
 , . . an; 
 
 . 'ilH 
 ... Ii7 
 , . S3 
 . . . I'V! 
 ilk 
 
 ... 114 
 . . '.i 1 
 or- 
 
 ... 216 
 ... 9" 
 lUlll 
 
 60 
 
 . r,7 
 
 . fiH 
 M) 
 . <)0 
 lis. 02 
 ckv 
 
 ti2 
 
 It ;i 3 
 
 21(9 
 23 
 (<7 
 
 11 
 
 .11 i)f \-l 
 
 . r.-i 
 
 ,„kv 
 
 . <;i 
 
 •lit.. 3 
 . 31 
 
 .. -Z-t^ 
 .. 277 
 
 , . -im 
 
 n .. . INl 
 
 . 1(19 
 
 . -J'JO 
 
 .. 14« 
 
 .. 'Jli3 
 
 2li4 
 
 'it: 
 
 27fi 
 
 13,'-> 
 211 
 
 1U 
 
 ••r,i.t 
 
 '.'5'J 
 
 no 
 
 ■2U.i 
 1J3 
 'J-11 
 
 ;;00 
 
 300 
 •.i44 
 
 ■;r,r, 
 •i.'S 
 
 I (i.-! 
 
 I'AOK 
 
 HoulliiTii iiiitlel, Lake of the Woodn ■•\7 
 
 ^Sl>lllll Saskiilclimviiii, cliiuiui' III cdiiiHt' iif .. U'ii3 
 i<|ii'iii^', ;i IViiiiri' nl rit Iviriiiiiitnii ... .... 'J><.'i 
 
 Kprliii.'. ailvaiiri' III' ill Ui'ii HiviT niiiiilry ... '2"'' 
 8|>i'iiih'. aiWaiicc oi' ut Ciiiiilii'i liiml Hhuhk..,. '.'HI 
 
 jSiniiiK, iiilviiiirc nl iit ('urk'luii IIiiuho i>'2 
 
 iS|inii|{ (';iiii>ii. MHiit:iiia, iii>C'ti<iii ill 71 
 
 SpiiiiK'*. H.iliiii' 14fi 
 
 SliriM^'H, trmiu'i-aturf dt'im 111 in I Hlopiio '.i'.ili 
 
 Sti'I'lii'iisiiii, .Mr., nil till' iiKi' 111 till' l.i«iiitc 
 
 rdi'iiiutiiiii 1!>3 
 
 Sti'|i|iiiH nl'ltu' pniirio, ttiiir liipiiiiiliiiu i'sciii|i- 
 
 ii'CiitH 3 
 
 Stiii'li. \viiiti'iiii« 111' 3(lJ 
 
 titMiio rinli'.s, I'liHlorii limit ol' '^'Kl 
 
 Stiiita, uisliiilioil, iifiir I'^a.-t h'dik nl' .Milk 
 
 liiviT 
 
 Stria', ylacial, (.f liakc nltlii' Wools n'^imi., 
 .Sllliiiii'vui'iH'i', Klacial. Dr. Ilayiii'ii im .... 
 SiiliiiH'i'idMiit', ul.ii'ial, .litlicultic^ lit tliLMiiy 
 
 SiiiiiiirrKriicc.Kiari.il .• 
 
 SiilmiurKi'iuti, limit ol wi'at of JUiiky MdUii- 
 
 tains 
 
 SiiliiiiviHions III' .Series (', Kofit.'iiiin Pans... . 
 
 Siiln'ilicial ili'i'i HitH 
 
 SwiTl (iras- Hills, ih sci i|itioii of. . . 
 
 ."<\M'i-i liiiihs Hills, plaii.ll iilii'iiomciia of.... 
 
 'l'«iii|M'.,atiiir, mean, of Korl SI law 
 
 Tiimi'i-'nituit', nil iiii, of WiiiiiipPK .. 
 
 Ti'riaii'S ill thi' ^olltll Kootanii' I'ass 
 
 TiMriU'i'S al Iln^r roitiit!f 
 
 Ten aces 111 the Uorky Mount. liiis, hniRlits (if. 
 'J'l'rtiaiJ . I.iyniti' eoinliiioiia of .leposit of. . . . 
 Tertiary. l,ij{nito, pnssililo iiortliern extcii- 
 
 KJollB o|' l.^h 
 
 Tertiary I'latciiii. goil aiul apiicarHiuC of '2'.>'-i 
 
 Ttitiil<ina ii'iifliiliiiiiiK 71/ 
 
 T. vtii'itv III gil.l.iiMi 79 
 
 Thiekwooil Hills T.V.\ 
 
 'I'liinI praiiie lovi'l. . . •" 
 
 Tliiril prairie .itepiio, (■(iiintry of till' '1V> 
 
 TliinI piai lie steppe, ilrilt ileposits of •J3'.i 
 
 'I'liinl piairie atepin', iiiaruiii of ... 2i7 
 
 Tliiril prairie, .steppe, cliiiiale of 'IW 
 
 Throe Hiittea, glottal plieiioiiieiia of '241 
 
 Thomas, I'rof., on rainfall of the West '-'f*,^! 
 
 Thonia.s, I'rnf., on S'liithcin uxleiisioii ol llii^ 
 
 ( oieaii -rMi 
 
 Tiiiitiei, i|iieKlioii (if siipjily (if 311 
 
 Timlier of eoniitry surioiuiiliiin Lake of the 
 
 Womls 272 
 
 Timlier (if the Hoeky Mountains.... .. 2'.i.S 
 
 Timlier of the Jteil liiver deBtroyed by fire. o24 
 
 Tondiwoo,! Hills '2 .'4 
 
 Tnuliyie-poriihyiy of the Unties ,. 12.'i 
 
 Ti.iili'rs' Hoail. Coteaii on llu' '230 
 
 'I'railers' Itoud, exposiirei- of Lignite 'J'ertiary 
 
 (III !l'2 
 
 Triulers' Hnail, Lignite Tertiary roeks on, 
 
 near Woml Mountain led 
 
 Trap, eonteiiiporaiieoiis, of Kiieky Moiintaimi li'2 
 Treelessiiess of prairies, eani-es assi-iiieil for. . 313 
 
 Treeless area ol the coiitineiit . .'-ilK 
 
 Trees, cause of their ell'eet on rainfall 317 
 
 Trees, eiiltiv.aioii of. in the West 31(1 
 
 T'rees, enaetniehls eiieournging plantinu of 3'il 
 Tri'es, iilaiitiiiu of. iiuT.asing laiiifall .... 317 
 Trees, iilaiitiiij^ of, iieceaanry in the North 
 
 West :''2(l 
 
 Trees, rapid growth of on the plains ol'.' 
 
 Trees, selieme for the culture and preserva- 
 
 tioii of \\->\ 
 
 Triasaie and Permian of the iiiterior eoii- 
 
 tinentul region. .. . \h 
 
 Trias.sie, ((Uestioii of existenee of in Montana 71 
 Triassie. oeeurreiiee of. in lioeky .Mountains. . 74 
 
 Turtle .Mountain, drift deposits of •l-> 
 
 Turtle Mountain, forination of. Iiy Moating ic* •2-24 
 Turtle .Mountain, one of a series of drift ele- 
 vations it'H 
 
 Turtle .Mountain, roiiorted oeeurrence of lime- 
 
 Htmie ill •'■>! 
 
 PAdK 
 
 Tiirlln .Momiliiiii, trees I'lmiid nil !;hi) 
 
 Turtle .Moiuitiiin, country of 2m> 
 
 riiil:i U.iii'^e. aeetion in the 73 
 
 ritiniale anal.v ses I'l iigiiiles |7; 
 
 I'neoiilormity helMeen .SoriiiB (.' and Ji of 
 
 lioeky .Moiintiiiiig 7.S 
 
 I'pper ( 'ohinihiu Luke, roeks of. . . 70 
 
 rpper copper-hearing series, rocks rosem- 
 
 liling, ill Itock.N .Moiiiiliiiim 75 
 
 rpper Silurian limeatoiio on liftko of the 
 
 Woods .JOS 
 
 I 'tail, iiicreaseil rainfall hy plautiiiK trees in 317 
 
 Villi ies, aiirieiit. of t lie Coteuu liSO 
 
 Valley of the lied Hiver 248 
 
 Vnllies, large, of rivers. . . ••(,% 
 
 Vallies, tormiitiiin of great iilteinalive JSI 
 
 Veniior, II (r.,011 flexures ulfeetiiig I,aureii- 
 
 l an Kocks 
 
 Vortelirates. ovideneo of, with regard to ago 
 
 of Lignite liinnatiiiii 
 
 Vi'rtelirates of Lignite format'ou, not all 
 
 t'retaeeous type 
 
 Veiti'lirati'9. from Lignite forniatidu, on 1»! 
 
 •Ill-, hearing of, on (lUestiou of axfe of tli.- 
 
 heds ,.. . 
 
 Volcanic origin of Hurdiiian conglonieiiites 
 
 l«C 
 
 Warmth, period dl, iiurenBe.H, p.issihly ayn- 
 
 (■hidiious in America and Kurope 
 Warren, Ma.ior-lieiicral G. K , on Miimesotn 
 
 Kiver Ac 
 
 Watersheds, hounding the iiitciior coiitiueiitul 
 
 region 
 
 Watershed, the simtliern transverse 
 
 Wiitersheds, transverse, of interior conti- 
 nental region 7 
 
 Watershed, the northern transverse 9 
 
 Watershed, the southern transverse, its 
 
 cause \ 
 
 Wateishcd. the, in the Kocky Mountuins, 
 
 Watershed plateau 
 
 Water -upply in the Ked Hiver Valley , .'. 
 
 Watertoii Lake, rocks in the vicinity (if .17 
 
 Watertiui Lake, former glacier of 'J4;i 
 
 Wells, deei.erand shallower in the Ked River 
 
 Valley 
 
 Wist Hutte, description of . 
 
 West liiilte, sectioiiH near.,,, 
 
 West l•^'lk of Kootanie I'ass 
 
 West I'm k of Milk Hiver .., n7 
 
 West Hoseau Hiver .... 27ii 
 
 White-lisli Lake ], 23 
 
 White Mud Kiver, or J-'renchmau's t'reek, 
 
 sections in 109 
 
 W hite .VI lid ttiver, fossils of No. 4, at '. . . n» 
 
 White .Mild River, woathoring of C'rctaeeou,s 
 
 slialcs at 110 
 
 19 
 1911 
 •200 
 
 2011 
 
 nj 
 
 108 
 
 'in! 
 
 7 
 7 
 
 9 
 
 03 
 '227 
 2HB 
 
 2Rti 
 I '25 
 
 i:j« 
 
 1:3 
 
 291 
 
 213 
 
 66 
 
 11)2 
 •261 
 
 236 
 4 
 
 White Mud River, country rear 
 A'liitlesea. Col, on red ihift. . 
 Wdsoii Mduiitaiii. Btiuctiire of. 
 Wiiichell, I'rof, .V. H,, pre-crelaceous decom- 
 position of gianites 
 
 Wiiuhcll., I'rof., on polar ic e-ca] 
 
 Wiiicliell, I'rof., on .southern extension of the 
 
 (.lot can 
 
 Winnipeg group of lakes, area covered by , . . 
 
 Winnipeg Kiver, heginning of the 44 
 
 Winnipeg liiver, origin of 007 
 
 Wiiinipc!.', artesian lioriiig at. ., . -250 
 
 Winnipeg and N. W. Angle Road, country " 
 
 near the 272 
 
 Winnipeg, mpan temperature of 300 
 
 Winteringof stock ij0^2 
 
 Wolf Hills ■ . 22* 
 
 WiHid, meanp to ecotiomize use of 
 
 Wood of the Ked Kiver 
 
 W(kh1, (luestici'i of 8Up|>ly of 
 
 Wood Kiid, sections of drift near. , , . 
 Wood .Mountain, watershed near. . . . , , 
 W(Kid .Mountain, Lignite Tertiary near. 
 Varrell Mountain: Ivootanie I'asg, 
 
 322 
 278 
 
 sn 
 
 226 
 
 H 
 
 .. us 
 Yellow marl, fertility of soil hased on •;5i