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Topographical Notices. 305 



through the islands, about ten miles to the outlet of the 

 lake, which we found without much delay, having fortu- 

 nately met with an Indian, (only tlic third we had seen,) 

 the night before, Mho directed us how to steer, and but for 

 this, we should, in all probability, have spent days in 

 searching for it. It was impossible to form any idea of 

 the extent of this piece of water to the northward, on 

 account of the multitude of islands. To the south west, 

 it extends about ten miles from the outlet. In this direction 

 it is less crowded with islands, and has a fine appearance. 

 Where the main shores could be distinguished, they 

 generally seemed to be of a habitable nature, continuing 

 round the water in an even moderate elevation, with, 

 however, a greater proportion of white pine than I had 

 before usually observed. At the lower end of the lake, the 

 appearance is not favorable, the growth, as far as seen, 

 being of the fir kind. 



From the southern extremity of the lake to the Severn 

 river, the distance is only eight or nine miles, and over 

 this space is the common route by which the fur traders 

 reach the waters of the Mu^kuka. From tl:c lake is a 

 portage of about three miles, leading to a rivulet which 

 passes through two small lakes, and enters the Severn, half 

 a mile above the fifth portage from Penetanguishine bay. 

 On my return I ascended the Severn and regained the 

 Muskoka by this route. The long portage, close to the 

 large lake, is mostly over a good, though uneven soil, but 

 from that to the Severn, the country gradually assumes a 

 barren aspect. Along this river from the filth portage to 

 Its mouth, a distance of fifteen or sixteen miles, the shores 

 are uniformly barren, consisting, in fact, generally of solid 

 rock, even on the smooth water. The limestone of 



