168 H. P. STEENSBY. 
Such stretches, rich in magnetic-iron, are to be found on both 
sides of the mouth of Portneuf River, of Bersimis River, Moisie River, 
Manitou River, St. John River, Mingan River besides Natashkwan Ri- 
ver and a number of other rivers. Namely on both sides of Natashkwan 
Point a considerable extent of over 40 km is to be found consisting of 
a continuous, flat, sandy shore containing magnetic-iron. Besides this, 
there are several rivers of which the sand does not contain magnetic 
iron to any great extent, but which still have given rise to considerable 
sandy stretches of coast; this chiefly concerns the rivers Outard and Mani- 
couagan, which disembogue near each other. 
Labrador’s south coast is therefore no fjord coast. On the whole 
it is not particularly indented, in any case not to the west of Cape Whittle. 
Its monotony is further increased by the coast terrain being so very 
slightly varied. From this shallow beach the terrain rises to a low plateau, 
the even surface of which seen from out at sea looks extremely monoton- 
ous. On the central stretch of this coast, between Cape Whittle and Point 
de Monts, it is seldom that the height of 60 m is reached. 
The “pilot” on the Gulf of St. Lawrence! says about this stretch 
of coast, that when seen from the sea at a considerable distance “it is 
almost impossible to distinguish one part of it from another.” East of 
Cape Whittle the ground is much higher, and there are a few points, 
like Bradore Hills, that rise to the height of 400 m. The most westerly 
part of the coast from Point de Monts to Saguenay River is again higher, 
without, however, a single point near the coast attaining a greater height 
than 3—400 m. The ground here, meanwhile, has a more mountainous 
character, and forms the outset of the mountains which follow the north 
coast of the St. Lawrence River west of the mouth of Saguenay River. 
The coast just described is not only monotonous, it is also difficult 
of access for further investigation and colonization, as the rivers which 
here ought to give access to the interior no doubt all have rapids in the 
vicinity of their outlets. The coast is not suitable for agriculture on 
account of its raw and severe climate and its poor soil and vegetation. 
A modern geographic author?, who compares the south side of the 
Gulf of St. Lawrence with the Gulf’s north side as far as the mouth of 
Saguenay River, says that on the north coast “there are no people to 
look across nor ever will be.” Fishing is the only livelihood that can be 
carried on, and therefore a few, poor fisher-camps are to be found, the 
inhabitants of which are, to the west of Cape Whittle, of French-Canadian 
origin, and, to the east, of English-Newfoundland origin. Added to these 
there are a few Indians, out of regard for whom the Hudson Bay Company 
keeps a single station between Natashkwan Point and Cape Whittle. 
It seems to me that this long, monotonous and, in parts, sandy coast 
1 The Gulf and River St. Lawrence published by the Hydrographic office, 3rd 
ed. [Washington 1908]. 
? A.G. BRADLEY, Canada. Home University Library [London 1916]. 
