200 On the Geology of the Island of Montreal. 



the level space immediately on the northeast, employed as a 

 race-course. It is a long oval, extending from northeast to 

 southwest for nearly three miles, and having a comparatively 

 small breadth ; now and then, however, increased by lateral 

 projections on the north, enclosing little vallies. It is sepa- 

 rated into two unequal portions by a broad fissure, now used 

 as the west road to the interesting village of St. Catharine. 

 The western of these divisions is frequently called Mount 

 Trafalgar. I am not certain which is highest. The surveyor- 

 general of Lower Canada states the greatest elevation of the 

 hill to be five hundred and fifty feet above the contiguous 

 river j* the measurement having been directed, I believe, to 

 the flagstaff on the northeast end of the hill ; on the southeast 

 declivity, below which flagstaff, it may be mentioned for 

 the sake of reference hereafter, there is an elegant monument 

 in memory of Mr. McTavish, one of the founders of the 

 Northwest Company of Fur Traders. 



A ridge, or bank, of sand and other rolled materials, rests 

 on the base of the hill on the south and east : somewhat closely 

 near the village of St. Henry : but in general there intervenes 

 a varying breadth of flat, marshy, or stony ground. Its height 

 is greatest at the above-mentioned village, where it is aseended 

 by the Lachine turnpike. It is scarped there, and may be 

 one hundred and forty feet high. Near Montreal it is called 

 " Coteau St. Pierre," and slopes to a lower level, about 

 twelve feet above the St. Lawrence, from an elevation of 

 less than one hundred feet. This bank is scarcely apparent 

 on the north side of the hill, but extends from it. east and 

 west, to the ends of the island, at a small interval from its 

 shore. It is every where smooth and rounded, furrowed by 

 streamlets, and somewhat lowered, except at Chateau Brillant, 

 on the Lake of the Two Mountains. The vicinity of the 



New measurements wiil be taken this winter. 



