SOURCE OF ST. PETEr's RIVER. 199 



above the level of the lake. In one of these there is a ca- 

 vity, which by some might be taken for the crater of a 

 volcano, though it probably owes its present appearance 

 merely to the action of the waves upon the rock. This 

 spot is held in great veneration by the Indians, who, when- 

 ever they pass it, deposit near it presents of tobacco and 

 other valuable articles, which, in their simple faith, they 

 expect will propitiate the spirit that dwells there. 



This place offers one of the best localities for zeolites, 

 and will probably, when better explored, yield specimens 

 of great beauty. We collected some fragments, rather with 

 a view to mark the locality than on account of the merit 

 of the specimens ; but Dr. Bigsby, who was there several 

 times, has obtained some very good pieces, for one of which 

 we are indebted to his liberality. 



Proceeding onwards we passed several islands, known 

 by the name of Fox and Montreal Islands, and after a long 

 and swift sail, at a distance from the shore, to avoid all its 

 indentations, we reached the place of our evening encamp- 

 ment. While on the trap rocks, we observed that the 

 soil was not deep, but that what there was of it was good, 

 and that it supported a fine growth of cedar. The Mon- 

 treal Islands were observed to present sandy beaches ; the 

 country became lower and less dreary. In the evening we 

 however found no suitable place to pitch our tents, but 

 spread our blankets on the stony beach, having no means 

 of sheltering ourselves from a heavy fall of snow which 

 occurred during the night. At this place we observed two 

 rocks in immediate contact, one of which was a granite 

 formed by a fine pink-coloured feldspar, intermixed with 

 a very small proportion of quartz and mica. Near it was 

 a mica-slate, which we judged to constitute a subordinate 

 formation. 



