Topographical Notices. 253 



present survey?, which extend no higher than the Chals 

 lake. 



In no view are tlie advantages of a navigation between 

 Lake Huron and tlie Ottawa more evident than with 

 regard to the hiniber trade. By such a communication the 

 winter supplies of the timber cutters would be obtained 

 from the fertile countries south and west of that great lake, 

 at one-third the cost now incurred in procuring them from 

 Montreal, and the certain result would be an ample and 

 steady supply of timber below the lowest of the present 

 varying prices. If, therefore, there was no other object in 

 view, but that of insuring a regular supply of necessaries, at 

 the cheapest rate, for working the great red pine fields of the 

 Ottawa, it is highly interesting to ascertain what natural 

 facilities may exist, for a communication between Lake 

 Huron and the upper waters of that river. 



Above the C/iais lake, the Ottawa completely changes 

 its character, being, for fourteen or fifteen miles, com- 

 paratively narrow, swift, crowded with islands, and 

 frequently interrupted with rapids. Immediately on leaving 

 the lake, is the swift water of the Chniaux, which can hardly 

 be termed an interruption in the navigation, being merely 

 a smooth strong current, re(|uiring the use of the line or 

 pole, for one or two hundred feet. At this j)lace, and a 

 few others of u similar nature, I think the water wheel 

 might advantageously take the place of the hand line, as 

 has often been before suggested, for the improvtMuent of 

 such obstructions. Where the rapid is moderate, <-hoit, and 

 deep, 1 do not see why this simple machine should not an- 

 swer every purpose. A water wheel of twenty feet diameter, 

 having twenty superficiul feet of float-board to the current, 

 and with its lever power increased about six times, by a 



