Topographical Notices. 309 



are well elevated above the waters. My opportunities of 

 examining them were chiefly confined to the ncigliborhood 

 of the falls and rapids, where, of course, we may expect 

 to find the inferior portion of the soil ; but even in these 

 places 1 frequently found excellent loamy lands, and seldom 

 any that are totally unfit for cultivation. If, however, this 

 line of couniry cannot be considered. as the richest in 

 Canada ; its considerable elevation, free soil, and pure 

 waters, ensiu'e it as being unsurpassed, and perhaps 

 unequalled, by any other section of the country, in the 

 important re<|uisite of healthiness. 



With regard to the nature of the whole body of the 

 country, extending from the sources of the Madawaska to 

 lake Nipissing, and from lake Huron to the Ottawa, I 

 cannot, from merely passing through it in one or two lines, 

 pretend to speak with certainty. The central part, how- 

 ever, of this wide region is, without doubt, generally 

 good, there being, as already stated, every reason to 

 suppose that the soil increases in fertility as Me descend 

 from the elevated tracts on the head waters of the Xesswa- 

 bic and Muskoka, towards lake Nipissing. As to that part 

 nearer lake Huron, and south of the French river, I have 

 obtained but little distinct account, which is favorable, 

 however, as far as it goes. On the whole, every thing I 

 have seen or heard, enables me at least to state that in this, 

 hitherto, uiniuticed part of Canada, a fine habitable country 

 will be found, to the extent of millions of acres ; and i have 

 now only to ex|)ress my hojie, that it will, ere long, be 

 rendered accessible to population. 



