1865.] GEOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF CANADA. 359 



line and covered with vegetation. The summits in the neighbor 

 hood of Quebec are some of them from 2,000 to 2,500 feet in hight, 

 and in other parts attain 4,000 feet or more; but the genera 

 level of this region may be taken at about 1,500 feet above the 

 sea, although it is much less in the narrow belt which crosses the 

 province east of Kingston. Through the hard rocks of this region 

 run numerous bands of crystalline limestone or marble, which from 

 their softness give rise to valleys, often with a fertile soil. The 

 hill-sides are generally covered with little else than vegetable 

 mold, which sustains a growth of small trees, giving them an aspect 

 of luxuriant vegetation. But when fire has passed over these hills, 

 the soil is in great part destroyed, and the rock is soon laid bare. 

 In the valleys and lower parts of this region however, there are 

 considerable areas of good land, having a deep soil, and bearing 

 heavy timber. These are the great lumbering districts of the 

 country, from which vast quantities of timber, chiefly pine, are an- 

 nually exported, and constitute a great source of wealth to the 

 province. These valleys are in most cases along the bands 

 of limestone, whose ruins contribute much to the fertility of the 

 soil. Lines of settled country running many miles into the wilder- 

 ness are found to follow these belts of soft calcareous rock. 



The settlements in this region are along its southern border, 

 and at no great altitude above the sea. In the higher parts, the 

 rigor of the climate scarcely permits the cultivation of cereals, and 

 it is probable that no great portion of this immense region will ever 

 be colonized, but that it will remain for ages to come covered with 

 forests. These, if husbanded with due care, will remain a perpe- 

 tual source of timber for the use of the country and for exportation ; 

 besides affording, with proper facilities for transportation, an 

 abundant supply of fuel to the more thickly settled districts, 

 where the forests have nearly disappeared, and where from the 

 severity of the long winters, an abundant supply of fuel is of the 

 first necessity. There are other reasons why this great forest 

 region should be protected. The vegetation, and the soil which 

 now cover the hill-sides, play a most important part in retaining 

 the waters which here fall in the shape of rain or snow. But for 

 this covering of soil, the rivers and mill-streams which here take 

 their rise, would, like the streams of southern France, and of the 

 north of Italy, be destructive torrents at certain seasons, and a 1 - 

 most dried-up channels at others. The effect of this great wood- 

 ed area in tempering the northern winds, and moderating the ex- 



