﻿1848. BUEBOT OK LA LOCHE. 109 



are scattered over the surface, and line the bed of 

 the stream. We encamped on the driest spot we 

 could find, and had to sustain the unintermitting 

 attacks of myriads of moschetoes all night. 



The Methy Kiver, Lake, and Portage, are named 

 from the Cree designation of the Burbot (Lota ma- 

 culosa) (La Loche of the Canadians), which abounds 

 in these waters, and often supplies a poor and 

 watery food to voyagers whose provisions are 

 exhausted. Though the fish is less prized than 

 any other in the country, its roe is one of the best, 

 and, with a small addition of flour, makes a pala- 

 table and very nourishing bread. 



Four hours' paddling brought us, early on the 

 28th, to the head of the river, and two hours more 

 enabled us to cross to the eastern side of Methy 

 Lake, where we were comj)elled to put ashore by 

 a strong headwind. A female mink ( Vison lutreola) 

 was killed as it was crossing a bay of the lake. 

 It had eight swollen teats, and its udder contained 

 milk ; so that probably its death ensured that of a 

 young progeny also. The feet of this little amphi- 

 bious animal are webbed for half the length of its 

 toes. It is the Shakweshew or Atjakashew of the 

 Crees, the "Mink" of the fur-traders, and the 

 Foutereau of the Canadians. 



In the evening, the wind having decreased, we 

 paddled under shelter of the western shore to the 



