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203 Geology^ ^-c. of Malhmj^ L. C. 



courses joining the river obliquely, and at seasons inun- 

 dating it with their contents. 



About five miles up the valley, a circular expansion of 

 half a league in diameter takes place to the west, from the 

 sudden bending to the north-west of the east face of the 

 Middle Hill. This cavity rises, bowl-shaped, on every 

 side, to the surrounding heights ; at first, partially and con- 

 fusedly, but higher up, in two or three concentric ter- 

 'races, much injured by natural causes. A streamlet pass- 

 es through its centre, in a deep woody dell, to join the Mal- 

 bay river. 



On the eastern uplands, about five hundred feet above 

 the present bed of the River Malbay, a flat and uniform 

 embankment extends the whole length of the valley, abrad- 

 ed at intervals by torrents. At a certain distance below 

 this range, another is situated, parallel, and marked with 

 corresponding breaches. It declines rapidly, and is suc- 

 ceeded by the broken ground, and barrow-like tumuli of 

 clay and gravel — which immediately overlook the river, 

 and on which are placed the fields, gardens, and dwelHngs 

 of the parish St. Etienne. 



One breach, afTecting equally all these plateaux, is so 

 large and deep, and so regular in its form, that it resem- 

 bles in the strongest manner, the deserted bed of a river of 

 magnitude, about to add its waters to those of the lake, 

 contained in the valley at some distant epoch. 



The west side of the valley exhibits the same appear- 

 ances in the steep bank of alluvion four or five hundred feet 

 high, resting on the Middle Hill. This answers to the 

 highest eastern level, and is followed by the inferior ter- 

 races ; although much disturbed and degraded. 



The Malbay river rises near the sources of the St. Mau- 

 rice, which discharges into the St. Lawrence, ninety miles 

 above Quebec. During its i:ourse of several hundred miles 

 through the marshy plains and rocky elevations of the inte- 

 rior, it presents many cascades and rapids. The lowest 

 of the cascades takes place near the sortie from the con- 

 fusedly grouped hills at the head, or north end of the val- 

 ley. The river is here about fifty yards broad ; it is clear 

 and rapid, with shelving banks of sandy soil, an hundred 

 feet high. A bleak and lofty hill of primary rock is within 

 a few yards on the east ; and another is on the west, still 

 higher, with flanks enveloped in alluvion. Up the river, 



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