3^ ■ Oil the Geography ayid Geology 



Mr. Thompson expressed to me his surprise that this peninsula 

 should furnish 25 rivers and brooks, exclusive of that of the lake, 

 three of them being considerable ; one near north-east end has a 

 fall 30 feet high. 



From Point Keewawoonan, westwards, the shore passes nearly 

 WSVV., with a waving outline, to the strongly-marked headland 

 immediately north of Point Cheguimegon, and fronted by the 

 almost unknown cluster of large islands, named after the twelve 

 apostles. Close on the west of this headland, the long island of 

 Montreal ranges south-west. Here the Fond du Lac, already 

 noticed, commences. In this division of the south shore of Lake 

 Superior, the rivers are very numerous ; the most remarkable 

 being Ontonagon, (Coppermine River,) Montreal, and Burnt River. 

 Of these, I shall only allude to the second, as being of some mag- 

 nitude, and leading to Lake Flambeau, placed on the south, in a 

 district of sandy and argillaceous alluvion, loaded with dense 

 woods, and once celebrated for the abundance of its game. Near 

 Lake Superior the liver undergoes a fall of 80 feet. It is as- 

 cended by the fur-traders for a considerable distance, when a port- 

 age through swamp and forest is made of the enormous length of 

 120 poses, (about 35 miles,) to reach a second stream, by which 

 they arrive at Lake Flambeau. (Mr. Sayer.) This part of the 

 south shore is of moderate height, except where the Porcupine 

 Mountains approach the lake, in longitude 90°, They are esti- 

 mated by Captain Douglas at 1800 feet in elevation. Major 

 Long lays them down as a continuation of the Onisconsin Hills. 



I proceed to the geology of Lake Superior. I have examined 

 the interval between the Falls of St. Mary and the Grand Portage 

 with all possible care ; for it is to be remembered, that I was 

 only a traveller hastening to a more distant point. I landed on 

 the main and islands every five miles, making now and then short 

 excursions from the place of disembarkation. With this advan- 

 tage, together with being constantly close in shore, (except in cross- 

 ing bays,) I have been enabled to designate the boundaries of the 

 principal rocks, but sometimes indeed from distant observation 



