172 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [Vol. 



THE GEOLOGY OF ST. IGNACE ISLAND, 

 LAKE SUPERIOR. 



By Charles Robb, 

 Mining Geologist, Montreal. 



(^Read before the Natural History Society ^ Feb. 27, 1882.) 



The region bordering on the North or Canadian Shore of 

 Lake Superior is dail)- rising into iujpoitance both in a scientific 

 and practical and, I may add, in an gestlietic point of view ; afiFord- 

 ing, as it does, ample scope for the investigations of the geologist 

 and naturalist, the explorations and operations of the miner, and 

 the delectation of the tourij^t and artist in search of health and 

 of the picturesque in nature. Not very many years ago this 

 region was reg-ardcd as remote and almost inaccessible; but the 

 modern facilities for travel, and the ever active and expansive 

 growth of commerce and civilization, are rapidly bringing it 

 within the reach of all; and a new interest has very recently 

 been added to it, by the I'act that the Canada Pacific Railway 

 will, it is hoped, within a few years be constructed along, or near 

 its shores. Already the South Shore of this great lake, for a 

 considerable part of its extent, is occupied by a numerous, thriv- 

 ing and rapidly increasing population. It is to be feared that 

 our side, in consequence of numerous and insurmountable 

 natural obstacles, can never compete with the American in that 

 respect; but, notwithstanding the extremely rugged and sterile 

 nature of the country, enough remains in its mines and fisheries, 

 and in its grand and beautiful natural features, to make it a place 

 of great interest and importance. 



During the cour.se of last summer I had occasion to visit pro- 

 fessionally and spend about three months on the Island of St. 

 Ignace, one of the largest of the out-lying islands on the North 

 Shore, where I was engaged with a small party in mining explor- 

 ations, or rather in searchinu' for mineral veins which miu,ht serve 

 as a basis for mining operations, on a ten square mile location, 

 lying at the south-ea.^tern extremity of the island, and belonging 

 to the Quebec and Lake Superior Mining Association of this 



The paper was illustrated by maps and numerous specimens. 



