558 On Metallic Minerals. 



to the " Percey Landing" the river is navigable for steam- 

 boats; here sliallows and rapids again occur for tliree 

 miles to what are called the " Big Falls," on the Trent. — 

 A navigable channel for boats, through these rapids, might 

 be obtained, it is said by the removal of some of the many 

 boulders which here crowd the stream. In all the course 

 of the river thus far there is not one very fovorable situation 

 for the construction of a dam, the most so is that which has 

 been mentioned, near the mouth of the river. The " Big 

 Falls" are occasioned by the river running over a ledge of 

 limestone rock about eighteen feet high — above the falls 

 the river is one continued rapid to the "Middle Falls" a 

 distance of five miles, these falls are at the foot of Crow 

 Bay, about one mile or more from the confluence of the 

 two rivers. Pursuing the Marmora or Crow river to the 

 right it is navigable for two miles, where a succession of 

 rapids and falls continue for one mile. Hence it is navi- 

 gable for two miles further, after which a winding rapid of 

 about one hundred and fifty yards in length is met with. 

 A furthei^ distance of two miles of navigable waters brings 

 you to the first falls be lov.^ the iron works, and distant from 

 them about two miles, which are navigable. The main 

 branch of the Trent to the westward communicates with the 

 Rice Lake and Otonibe river, interrupted by one heavy 

 fall called " Healey Fall" and partial shallows. 



The general character of the soil between the Trent and 

 the Moira is good, which is sufficiently indicated by the 

 description of timber upon it. As the works are approached, 

 however, a considerable change for the worse is perceived. 

 The limestone which had been previously well covered up 

 by soil, gradually obtrudes itself upon the eye, until at last 

 little is seen upon the surface of the ground besides its dry 



