286 Topographical Notices. 



greatest part of the distance, from every thing I could 

 learn, consists of good lands extending far up the country, 

 in fact to the neighborhood of the line in which I crossed it. 

 It is probable enough that the immediate coasts along the 

 route are generally rough ; but this affords no proof that 

 the country beyond them continues so for half a mile. — 

 Even the shores, however, are not often visible along lake 

 Nipissing and the French river, on account of the numerous 

 islands. The latter, in particular, which has usually a 

 channel of great breadth, is described to be full of rocky 

 islands nearly from one end to the other, which may in 

 some measure account for the character of peculiar sterility 

 which it has received. But even here, 1 am assured, that 

 good soil is found along the bays, and appearing to extend 

 far inland. 



Of the country farther eastward, 1 have been able to 

 obtain more distinct information. To the south of lake 

 Nipissing is a great level tract, abounding in a rich heavy 

 soil and extending, with little rise, many miles southward. 

 These lands are traversed by two considerable streams, the 

 largest, called the South river, entering lake Nipissing, 

 not far from the outlet. As far as I could heai*, this river 

 has a course, of eighty or one hundred miles, nearly 

 north. The source is near that of a northern branch of the 

 Muskoka, and by this route canoes sometimes cross the 

 country towards Penetanguishine : about four days are 

 required to reach the source of the South river.. The first 

 fifteen or twenty miles is described to be without rapids ; 

 and through very fine lands, which, indeed, continue more 

 than halfway up its course, and on the upper parts of the 

 river, the lands, though inferior, are said to be still per- 

 fectly habitable. 



