Observers' Field Reports 93 



NOTES BY observer WISE. 



Trees. The most numerous and most widely distributed trees observed were the 

 spruces. Both the black and white spruce were found in all timbered portions of the 

 district traversed, the former seeming to be the more abundant. The largest trees occurred 

 around the Lac Seul and Root River region, though fairly large spruce was also encountered 

 along the lower Albany River. The tamarack was also widely scattered, but all of it 

 which was large enough to be of commercial value had been killed by some pest, probably 

 the larch saw-fly. Of the pines, the most numerous was the Banksian or Jack pine, noticed 

 as far north as the Pettikau branch of the Fawn River and on the Albany as far north as the 

 Kenogami. The Jack pine seemed most numerous around Lake St. Joseph and Cat River. 

 The red pine observed were confined principally to Lac Seul, but a large point covered with 

 red pine was seen on the northern shore of Lake St. Joseph. The balsam was very wadely 

 distributed, but it was neither abundant nor very large. Cedar was found widely scattered 

 and as far north as the head waters of the Severn River, but never in large quantities nor of 

 any considerable size. The wood is used by the natives for their canoe-frames. The white 

 birch was found to be scattered pretty well overthe region, except to the north of the Pettikau 

 River. The birch was for the most part rather small, though around Lake St. Joseph and 

 along parts of the Albany River it was of fair size. Two varieties of poplar occur throughout 

 the whole region or nearly so. The white poplar (probably the aspen poplar) was the more 

 numerous, but was very scarce along the northern reaches of the Severn River, and none 

 was seen at the mouth of the Winisk. The black poplar (probably the balsam poplar) was 

 very plentiful in this region, as well as throughout the district. The rowan or mountain 

 ash was seen all along the Albany River, Lake St. Joseph, and Root River. A variety of 

 low or ground maple was observed along the upper Albany River as well as at Lac Seul. 

 The timber in many parts of the district has been either injured or destroyed by forest fires 

 in recent j'ears. Thisisparticularly true of the region between Lake St. Joseph and Cat Lake, 

 and also large areas between Pakhoan and Trout lakes. Along the coast between Trout 

 River and the Opinnagau no trees whatever are visible. The woods in general are rather 

 difficult to traverse except on beaten paths, on account of fallen trees and underbrush and 

 tangled roots. Away from the river banks there is apt to be muskeg with innumerable 

 ponds, streams, or lakes, making it verj' difficult to traverse. Of the smaller growth, the 

 willow is the most useful to the Indian and is found very generally along the streams. 



On James Bay shore, above Ekwan Point, the first berries were noticed. These were 

 strawberries which were just ripening, and gooseberries which were quite green, but relished 

 b}' the Indians in that state. On an island between Ekwan point and Attawapiskat a 

 great many bushes were seen fairly loaded with ripe gooseberries. We found also a variety 

 of small ground berry and a little berry looking and tasting much like a raspberry, but 

 growing on a \'ine closely resembling the barren strawberry. Along the Albany River 

 cranberries were quite plentiful and fairly large. The natives also ate with evident relish 

 the mountain-ash berry and the fruit of the wild rose, which we found very palatable. 



Minerals. No indications of minerals were noticed during the trip except of iron 

 around Lake St. Joseph and on Cat River, above the winter post of the Hudson's Bay Com- 

 pany, where black sand was seen that proved to be magnetic. Also just south of Cape 

 Henrietta Maria the beach is well covered with black sand. On the banks of the Albany 

 near Ghost River were places where an oil of some nature was oozing from the banks and 

 forming a film over the small pools and puddles. 



Fauna. Of the fur-bearing animals, the Indians trap beaver, otter, marten, fisher, 

 lynx, mink, muskrat, and fox throughout all this region in the district of Patricia. No bear 

 were seen, but their tracks were occasionally noticed. Both black and gray wolves were 

 seen. Caribou were seen only in the northern parts of the district; near Cape Henrietta 

 Maria they were seen in herds of from 30 to 40, but in other parts they were seen only 



