b 



Topographical Notices. 297 



smooth beds, or layers, from six inches to four feet thick, 

 and generally dijjping to the soulh-wcst. I observed no 

 limestone on any part of these routes, from the Ottawa 

 until reaching Penetanguishine bay, where it appears in 

 abundance. 



About the first lake on the Muskoka, the shores are 

 rocky and fir -timbered, and they continue so for a mile or 

 two farther down the stream. In half a mile it touches 

 upon another piece of water, extending to the left, and a 

 mile further, after passing a fall two or three feet high, 

 is a very picturesqne lake, extending also to the left, 

 apparently several miles. Here the country resumes its 

 fertile appearance, and retains it, with some inconsiderable 

 exceptions, to the mouth of the river. Immediately 

 beyond this lake, is a short rapiil and portage, a little 

 below which, the river is joined by a considerable stream 

 from the north, and soon after enters a fine open piece of 

 water, about two miles in extent. Within three miles 

 below this, are two more small lakes, and from this point, 

 which is about twelve miles from the first basin, the water 

 ceases to widen out in this way, now forming a regular 

 river channel, in which are only three more lakes on the 

 whole course. 



A little above the lowest of these basins, the Madawaska 

 route, by which we recrossed the country, strikes olV from 

 the channel of the Muskoka, and to prevent recurrence 

 may be lare described. 



On leaving the latter stream, this route follows a chain 

 of small lakes, extending nearly eastward. The height 

 dividing the waters of the two rivers, is between the second 

 and third of these ponds, only about four miles from the 

 Muskoka ; and to this point the ascent appears very ton- 



