108 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
South of Mr. Varin. The Shore here was singular and to a scientific 
man would have been worthy of much Attention and Consideration. 
The Water was so clear that you could perceive the Bottom at a Depth 
of some Fathoms and the Beach consisted in large Sand Stones with 
the most perfect Petrifactions of large Fish,—in many the Fish was 
remaining, but when the Space was left the mark of the Fish was quite 
perfect, that is the Ribs, Bones, Head, &c. Behind were several 
Layers of Slate and the Background Granite. At 3 we embarked and 
at 8 we arrived at one of the Manitoualin Islands but the Water was 
so low we could not land. We were thus obliged to make a long 
Traverse and so arrived at another. Our Men quite fatigued having 
been out 19 Hours actually paddling 17 but still preserving their good 
Nature and good Sipirts. The Manitoualian Islands consist in a chain 
which runs across the main Channel of the Lake from East to West. 
They abound with Rattlesnakes and our Voyageurs, who took care not 
to enter the Woods had many frightful Stories to tell. It was with 
great Difficulty we could land for the Shallowness of the Water and at 
cne time had the Prospect of being out all Night. Our Encampment 
was a bad one being on hard Shingles as we were afraid of entering 
the Wood. The Name of Manitoulin signifies the Residence of Spirits 
or Manitoes. On this Island a Number of Hurons who had been con- 
verted to Christianity by the Jesuits were attacked by a Party of Chipe- 
wyans—but instead of fighting they commenced Praying and the 
greater Part were destroyed. The few who escaped immediately mur- 
dered the Jesuits. 
Saturday the 23rd [June]. At 3 we embarked at 8 landed on an 
Island to breakfast. Great quafftity of Gooseberries, Raspberries, Cherry 
Trees. At 9 we embarked. Passed several Islands where we observed 
the land marks or Posts which Mr. Thompson! the Government Geo- 
grapher, who is now employed in surveying the Country and fixing 
Boundaries [has set up]. At one landed to Dinner and at 10 encamped 
at Night at an Island called the Snake Island so called from the Quan- 
tity of Reptiles which are here found. In our Hurry to light our Fire 
and in the dark we destroyed the Remains of a poor little Indian child. 
The Indians to preserve their dead children from Animals place them 
in. a tree about which they put Faggots and these without knowing 
what they covered we pulled down for our Fire. The Quantity of Fire- 
flies which were in the Wood had a most brilliant Appearance. 
Sunday 24th June. Nor Ghosts, nor Rattlesnakes, nor Spiders, 
nothing can prevent the fatigued Voyageur from sleeping. At half 


1 David Thompson, 1770-1857, the explorer, geographer and scientist. See Henry 
(Coues), pp. xxi. xxiii. 
