CHAP. XXXII. THE MEALY MOUNTAINS. 187 



great degree, to the danger of navigating the bay in 

 foggy weather, for there is generally deep water close 

 alongside of them. 



The scenery along the shores of this great arm of the 

 sea is of the wildest description ; high hills are seen 

 in every direction entirely bare of trees, particularly at 

 the entrance, where the country exhibits in a striking 

 degree that barrenness which forms such a distinguishing 

 feature of Labrador scenery. This ruggedness is, how- 

 ever, only perceived when close to the shores. -At a 

 distance of from four to six miles, it becomes softened by 

 the distance, and to the eye, deceived by the green of the 

 moss, it may well seem to be a cultivated country. A 

 closer view dispels the illusion, and reveals a land whose 

 ruggedness it would not be easy to exaggerate. On 

 ascending the bay, the landscape is improved by trees 

 which first appear at the bottom of small coves, and 

 then gradually climb up the sides of the mountains, until, 

 on arriving at the Port of Eigolette, the whole country is 

 found covered with timber, small and stunted, it is true, 

 but still large enough to hide the ruggedness of the ground. 



Above the Port of Eigolette, and on the shores of the 

 Salt-water Lake mentioned above, the scenery becomes 

 very grand ; the range of the Mealy Mountains here 

 strikes the shores of the bay, leaving but a narrow strip 

 of land between the water and their base, from whence 

 they rise 1,400 to 1,500 feet in height, almost perpendicu- 

 larly like an immense wall, the resemblance to which is 

 increased by the singular evenness of the summit. The 

 Mealy Mountains are a range whose tops are first seen 

 about 100 miles to the south of Esquimaux Bay, running 



