of apart of the Saguenay Country, &c. 157 
Wishing to ascertain the capabilities of the river we descend- 
ed it in an old wooden canoe. This river may be considered 
as one continued rapid, though of moderate violence ; the only 
obstacles in which to its free navigation arise from an accumu- 
lation of boulders in several parts of its channel, over which 
it is difficult to pass without striking. This we did repeated- 
ly, and once or twice were nearly swamped, but more owing 
to the unskilfulness of our guide than from any other cause ; 
however the inconvenience of a good ducking would have been 
the only penalty had the canoe actually filled, for the river is in 
most places shallow. If there were any sufficient object to 
warrant the expence, such as the establishment by Government 
of an iron foundry, there is no doubt that the river might 
be rendered navigable for batteaux by removing only such of 
the boulders as are most in the way of the channel; for we be- 
lieve that no rock in place offers any obstacle. To drown 
these boulders would not be easy, and would occasion a great 
loss of excellent land, without expensive banks were formed to 
retain the waters. This river is very circuitous in its course, 
surprisingly so, considering the tapidity of its current ; it owes 
this character to the alluvial bed it traverses. By it the river 
is rendered perhaps one-third longer than the road, between St. 
Urbain’s and the bay, so that whatever capabilities might be 
given to the river, it is probable that all materials for the sup- 
ply of an establishment, such as we have named above, would 
be transported over land from the bay, while the articles ma- 
sufactured would be sent down by the river. Such is the prac- 
tice at Mr. Bell’s well-conducted establishment on the St, 
Maurice river, up which the returaing boats always poll empty. 
With numerous stoppages we were only five hours descending. 
The height of the banks on either side the river varies from 
one foot to fifty. Rock in place was observed forming the 
bank in a few places. .1t was said to be limestone. Our 
eX. 
