228 Country betxccen the Rivers 



Metabetslnian andOnigatshouan is described as particularly 

 gooii. After ascending the Assuopnioussoin for about 

 thirty miles, the land again becomes barren and moun- 

 tainous, and between that river and the Mistissini a con- 

 siderable tract of poor sandy land is met with. Following 

 the course of the Mistissini, good land is discovered for 

 about forty miles ; when a range of high and barren moun- 

 tains again occur, abounding in lakes and rivers. On the 

 immediate shores of the lake between the Mistissini and 

 river Coucouatin, the land is low and swampy. The land 

 around lake Onigatshouan is hilly and covered with a light 

 sand; the limber a dwarf growth of sj)rucc, poplar, and birch; 

 and this character of country continues without intermission 

 as far as the shores of the St. Maurice, and should a level 

 spot of interval land be discovered on the shores of the 

 numerous lakes and rivers which water this part of the 

 district, it vvill invariably be found to consist of a light sand 

 covered with bowlder rocks. 



In reviewing the foregoing statement it appears that 

 there does exist a large portion of very valuable cultivatable 

 land fit for immediate settlement, amounting to several 

 million acres, particularly around lake St. John. This 

 tract possesses the advantage of a remarkably healthy 

 climate; resembling, by all accounts, that enjoyed by the 

 inhabitants of Montreal. 



That mineralogical treasures will at some future period 

 be discovered in Lower Canada can scarcely be doubted, 

 from the many indications of metallic veins (particularly 

 common iron ore and carburet of iron, commonly called 

 black lead,) which have been found in the neighborhood 

 of St. Paul's Bay, and also in the back townships to the 

 north-east of the Ottawa, in the Montreal district. 



