306 Topographical Notices, 



Penetanguishine bay does not extend up the Severn, the 

 stone of this river appearing exactly of the same nature as 

 along the Muskoka. Both streams evidently flow from the 

 same ridge of country, though the sources of the Severn, 

 are without doubt in a much lower part of it. The elevation, 

 however, of lake Simcoe above the Huron, must be consi- 

 derable, there being seven portages altogether to this 

 lake, and five of these which I passed, certainly form an 

 ascent not far from one hundred and twenty or thirty feet. 



At the outlet of the large Muskoka lake, is a fine fall 

 sixteen or tweenty feet high, with a heavy body of water. 

 The river now appears to contain considerably more water 

 than the Severn, and probably three times as much as the 

 Rideau. A mile or two below this fall, the channel is 

 divided. The principal branch runs north-westerly, and 

 enters the Huron at Moose point, said to be abimt thirty 

 mils from Penetanguishine, The lower branch appearing 

 to lead off about one third of the water, continues in a 

 westerly course thirteen or fourteen miles to a small 

 sequestered bay on the lake, about ten miles north of the 

 same place. 



We followed the lower stream. There are on it ten short 

 portages chiefly passing moderate falls, which, with some 

 rapid water, form a descent from the Muskoka lake, of 

 probably about one hundred and fifty feet. The breadth of 

 this channel is very irregular, particularly towards its 

 outlet, where it spreads out into ponds fuUof rocky islands. 

 The lands along it continue good, and even appear to 

 increase in fertility as we approach the lake. The soil at the 

 portages is richer than I had generally observed close to 

 the river, and often free from stones to the brink of the 

 falls and rapids. Within three or four miles of lake 



