SOURCE OP ST. Peter's river. S/J 



^vhether the small group of lakes called Devil Lake, &c. 

 situated between the two Coteaux des Prairies, may not 

 be occasioned by a reappearance of primitive formations 

 at that place. 



Fort Alexander, usually called " Fort do Bas de la Ri- 

 viere," was one of the most important posts of the North- 

 west Company, being a distributing one, whither all the 

 goods and furs were sent. Its position was in this respect 

 well chosen, but it has now lost all its importance. One of 

 our canoes being very leaky, we determined to make it 

 undergo a complete repair, and with this view remained 

 there a day. The situation of Fort Alexander, surrounded 

 with marshes, restricted our walks and confined us to the 

 immediate vicinity of the establishment. Its position was 

 ascertained, by observations, to be in latitude 50° 36' 30" 

 north. It was at this place that we saw a buffalo bull and cow, 

 with their calf, associating with domestic cattle. They were 

 young, but had been so far tamed as to come and lick salt on 

 the hand, even of strangers. Their size appeared very great 

 compared with that of the European bull. Although but three 

 years old, the buffalo bull measured within half an inch 

 of sixteen hands ; this was inclusive of the hump. We were 

 told, that before the cow calved she ran several miles into 

 the woods, and remained there some time. When the calf 

 was found, it was very wild, but at the time we saw it, it 

 had become at least as tame as a domestic calf. 



A question, which has been much discussed by travel- 

 lers, is that of the supposed periodical rises in the lakes ; we 

 do not propose to take part in this discussion at present, but 

 we may state that we observed at Fort Alexander an ap- 

 pearance, such as has probably more than once been mis- 

 taken for an effect of tide. On our arrival, we pitched our 

 tents upon a sort of wharf projecting into the river, and 



Vol. II. 12 



