238 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 
The portion of this extensive lake which is near 
to the establishments, is called “The Lake of 
the Hills,” not improperly, as the northern shore 
and the islands are high and rocky. The south 
side, however, is quite level, consisting of alluvial 
land, subject to be flooded, lying betwixt the dif- 
ferent mouths of the Elk River, and much inter- 
sected by water. The rocks on the northern 
shore are composed of syenite over which the 
soil is thinly spread ; it is, however, sufficient to 
Support a variety of firs and poplars, and many 
shrubs, lichens and mosses. The trees are now 
in full foliage, and the plants generally in flower, 
and the whole scene is quite enlivening. There 
can scarcely be a higher gratification than that 
which is enjoyed in this country in witnessing the 
rapid change which takes place in the course of @ 
few days in the spring ; scarcely does the snow 
disappear from the ground, before the trees are 
clothed with thick foliage, the shrubs open theif 
leaves, and put forth their variegated flowers, and 
the whole prospect becomes animating. ‘The 
Spaces between the rocky hills, being for the most 
part swampy, support willows and a few poplars: 
These spots are the favourite resort of the mus 
quitoes, which incessantly torment the unfortt- 
hate persons who have to pass through them. 
Some of the hills attain an elevation of five OF 
