HISTORICAL SKETCH. 61 



1835, Featherstonhaugh.J 



in the formations, and five miles further some rocky bluffs come in on the 

 left bank, the lower beds of which are a brick red color and of a fine grain. 

 On landing and leaving the bank I found the country covered with beds of 

 red gritstone of a very hard quality, inclined about fifteen degrees. These 

 rocks are full of potholes, some of them a foot in diameter and eight inches 

 deep, and are as smooth as metal. The carboniferous limestone formation 

 seems to terminate here, and to be stopped by a conglomerate resembling 

 in its mineralogical characters the upper beds of the Old Red sandstone. 

 The river has in old times passed over these rocks, worn the pot-holes, and 

 made them so glassy smooth." 



He mentions the first granite met, known as " little rock," and says that 

 no other kind of rock was seen in place during his further progress toward 

 the northwest. 



THE COTEAU DBS PRAIRIES. 



He estimated the Coteau to rise 450 feet above the level of the general 

 prairie; the ascent being so gentle that one is hardly aware of going up hill. 

 The ascent perhaps continues two and a half miles, and is not more than at 

 the rate of 160 feet to the mile. "The Coteau itself is only. another upland 

 prairie, somewhat more diversified than that I had left behind, having 

 numerous small wooded lakes on its surface, which have a very picturesque 

 appearance. From the plateau here there is an extensive view of the prairies 

 below, with the lakes. The prairies in every direction are bounded only by 

 the horizon; a few occasional trees indicate stagnant water. It is two good 

 days' march from here to the Shyan, and eight further to Pembina, on Red 

 river of lake Winnipeg, the whole of it over a prairie country with many 

 small lakes and occasional wood. The Nid de Tonnere, or Nest of Thunder, 

 a name derived from some Indian tradition, comprehends a small tract of 

 country with a very irregular surface, where knolls, depressions and small 

 wooded lakes prevail. The sand-hills I have before spoken of as lying in 

 front of the Coteau des Prairies, extend into this vicinity and still further 

 to the northwest. Farther to the northwest are several saline lakes, one of 

 which, named Saline lake on the map, is about ten miles long. On the 

 shores of these lakes crystallized salt is found in dry seasons, when the sur- 

 face has been much evaporated; muriate of lime appears to be mixed with 



