142 THE LABRADOR PENINSULA. chap. xxix. 



stream there is a large lake abounding in fisli, where the 

 post was estabhshed. The general course of the river is 

 north, running nearly parallel to the coast of Labrador, 

 whence it is at no time more than 100 miles distant, and 

 often much nearer. 



The lakes on the northern watershed of Ungava Bay- 

 are not many or of very great size. On the plateau, or 

 dividing plain, the proportion of water to land is about 

 equal. The larger lakes are those which feed South 

 Eiver and its tributaries. Lake Caniapuscaw is about 

 seventy miles long and from fifteen to twenty broad ; the 

 surrounding country is hilly, especially on the western 

 side ; the hills are well wooded and abound in animals. 

 A post Avas estabhshed some years ago by the Hudson's 

 Bay Company on this lake, and supphed from the East 

 Main, Hudson's Bay. Lake Caniapuscaw occupies a cen- 

 tral part of the great peninsula, and is nearly equidistant 

 from the St. Lawrence, Ungava, and Hamilton Lilets, 

 being about 350 miles from each of those places. It is a 

 notable feature that this large lake, surrounded by well- 

 wooded hills, should occupy nearly the centre of the 

 Labrador Peninsula. To the vast chain of lakes occu- 

 pying the table-land, beginning with the Ashwanipi, and 

 finding their outlet through the Hamilton Eiver into the 

 North Atlantic, reference has already been made in pre- 

 vious chapters. With regard to the general aspect of the 

 country drained by the rivers tributary to Ungava Bay, 

 Mr. Davies informs us* that bleak and barren rocks are 



* Notes on Ungava Bay and its Vicinity^ by W. H. A. Davies, Esq., 

 1842. 



