To]po graphical Notices. 303 



of it by a trader well acciuulnted with this vicinity. He 

 further asserted that saltpetre is found on a certain part of 

 the stream, not far from its mouth. The fine central basin 

 which receives those rivers appears to have been long a 

 principal station of the traders. There are here vestiges 

 of two old establishments, besides a commodious house in 

 good repair, but deserted when we passed. 



Tlie Muskoka flows from the southern extremity of the 

 lake, apparently doubled in size. It is now from one to 

 two hundred feet wide, containing about as much water 

 as the Hidcau, and continually interrupted by small falls, 

 with here and there a short rapid, among which obstruc- 

 tions there is seldom four miles of still water together. 

 The channel between the falls is alternately composed of 

 sand and a firm compact gravel. The portages, which are 

 now well tracked, are generally over even ground, the 

 shores of the river being seldom rough or precipitous, even 

 near the falls and rapids. Considering the great descent 

 of the country, the canoe route is as good as could be looked 

 for, consisting, with little exception, of smooth runs and 

 5hort portages, and this continues to be its character to 

 the end. In returning we made our way up the river 

 about as expeditiou-ily as we had descended. 



'J'his succession of small falls continues for about twenty 

 mik'i* from the Trading lake, when the river again makes a 

 great anri sudden descent. There are first two falls, from 

 fifteen to twenty feet in heiglit, and then a sloping fall of 

 of sixty or seventy, all witliin a quarter of a mile, and in a 

 Btraiglit range down the ridge, forming together a wild 

 intrrc>iting scene. A little below this, tlie river is joined 

 by a large branch from the nortli, and it now winds gently 

 with a broad deep and still channel to iti last and largest 



3 Q 



