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timber, as I have stated, has been mostly cut away or destroyed by fires, 

 but its place is taken by the dense second growth of trees above referred 

 to. On approaching from the south, a traveller is at once struck by 

 the extremely broken ground. On this side and on that, huge masses 

 of rock rise up among the trees. Chaos reigns supreme and many a 

 one well acquainted with the country who has gone out in summer to 

 pick berries and has lingered till twilight, has failed to reach home that 

 night. There are deep gullies and chasms between the rocks. 

 The south side of the Blue Mountain proper is very steep, rising in ter- 

 races one above another; the outlying ridges contain steep rocky bluffs,in 

 places bare, in others thickly wooded. Between these bluffs are swampy 

 spots, little creeks, or here and there a marsh. In some places the 

 chasms between the rocks are so narrow, though from forty to fifty feet 

 in depth, that a good sized tree that has fallen across, forms a natural 

 bridge. Few except such as are lovers of nature or are fond of romantic 

 scenery, with hunters and berry pickers, visit this spot. The latter are 

 numerous in the summer months, for the ridges, as they are called, 

 abound with blueberries, the gullies with raspberries and blackberries 

 and the small marshes produce very fine cranberries. Near the crest of 

 the highest ridge, running parallel with the large lake below, are two small 

 lakelets, about half a mile long by a quarter wide- The highest of these 

 is a romantic spot, a complete basin among the rocks. On the east side 

 rise abruptly from the water precipitous rocks, to a height of probably 

 a hundred feet, clothed with scrub pine and oak. The water in 

 these lakes is said to be very deep, it is clear and cold, and 

 on a fine day of a lovely blue. The only fish in these lakes is a species 

 of minnow or small chub ; speckled trout if introduced, I do not doubt, 

 could thrive well. I should suppose the rugged nature of this district 

 is due to volcanic forces, and those who know the geology of the country 

 better than I do, will say whether it is not altogether probable that 

 these lakelets are the craters of extinct volcanoes. Charleston Lake 

 at the foot of these ridges is now pretty well known. It has been much 

 frequented for some summers past by American tourists, who resort 

 thither for the sake of sport, retirement and the pure air. The salmon 

 trout of this lake are held in much repute, and by those who understand 

 the method of fishing for them, are easily caught in the summer and 

 -fall". 



