Vegetation of Northern Cape Breton. 



265 



face in northern Cape Breton is between 1,000 and 1,200 feet, 

 but in places it is considerably higher.- South of the area under 

 discussion the plateau becomes greatly fragmented and its surface 

 gradually approaches sea level. In southeastern Cape Breton the 

 summits of the Laurentian highlands rarely attain an elevation 

 of more than 300 feet. 



Figure 4. — Characteristic view on the plateau : looking westward from 

 an eminence north of the Barrasois River; primeval forests of balsam 

 fir, etc. 



As one approaches the eastern coast of northern Cape Breton 

 in the little coasting steamer, which affords the easiest means of 

 travel along the shore north of Sydney, the plateau, as viewed 

 in the distance, presents an even, unbroken skyline (see especially 

 Fig. 30). But to one standing on the summit of Mount Franey, 

 or some other eminence along the eastern margin of the table- 

 land, its surface appears as a broad expanse of low, rounded hills, 

 which stretches westward to the horizon (Figs. 4, 51). Hidden 

 away among these distant hills are innumerable little lakes and 

 ponds, countless deep valleys and wild gorges. 



^ Mount Franey (Fig. 3), the loftiest hill recorded, measures 1,370 feet 

 in height. In the opinion of the writer there are numerous higher summits 

 in the interior of the island. 



Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. XXII 



19 



1918 



