SOURCE OF ST. PETEr's RIVER. 181 



the same mineral in the compact state ; there was also some 

 hyaline quartz throughout the mass, but whether in regu- 

 lar crystals or not we could not determine. This porphyry 

 is not stratified ; it very readily decomposes and crumbles 

 into dust, forming a fine gravel of a brick-red colour, af- 

 fording good beaches for the landing of boats. This rock 

 evinces a disposition to break in vertical and probably co- 

 lumnar fragments, which are, however, soon destroyed by 

 the easy decomposition of the mass. Beyond the place 

 where we saw the porphyry, the amygdaloid recurred un- 

 der the same appearance, except that its colour was of a 

 bluish cast. It contains a considerable quantity of carbonate 

 of lime, presenting a fine lamellar structure ; the carbon- 

 ate of lime lines fissures in which it has sometimes form- 

 ed small but distinct crystals. At the evening encamp- 

 ment of the 17th, there were no rocks in place ; the 

 beach was strewed with numerous water-worn boulders, 

 among which we observed many fragments of an impure 

 green carbonate of copper, which could not have proceed- 

 ed from a great distance, as its softness would have soon 

 caused it to break. 



The next morning we passed two barges, which we 

 learned were attached to a schooner that is employed un- 

 der the command of Lieut. Bayfield, of the British navy, 

 in making a survey of the coast ; this is a task of some 

 difficulty, but of considerable interest. This part of the 

 coast is termed the Flat countries, and is marked so upon 

 several maps ; to prevent the mistakes which might arise 

 from this name, it may be well to state that the term is a 

 translation of the Chippewa word Payigu§. schinkg, which, 

 according to the antithesis frequently introduced in the 

 names given to particular objects, is here used in opposi- 

 tion to the mountainous and rugged features of tlie country. 



Vol. II. 24 



