OR, THE LAKE LANDS OF CANADA. 117 



companionship, lingers near the ' trysting-place' until the 

 inamorata approaches in answer to the call." 



If the captain is correct in the opinion which he has 

 expressed on this subject, may we not find in his theory a 

 full explanation of the fact that the castoreum, which trap- 

 pers have long been accustomed to employ as a bait on the 

 trap to lure the poor beaver to death, depends solely on 

 this magical power? 



I am aware of the fact that the mounds mentioned by 

 Captain Ross have not been generally recognized by our 

 backwoodsmen, but this does not materially impair the 

 force of his statement. The captain does not claim that 

 they are very numerous, but says that he has seen several 

 such mounds in the Canadian wilderness. 



Immediately after the arrival of the steamer at Burk's 

 Falls my party proceeded to make such purchases as were 

 thought necessary. A store of provisions was laid in 

 sufficient to last the party eight weeks, with such addi- 

 tions as were expected to be obtained by the use of the 

 rod and gun. These purchases were made with very little 

 loss of time. 



We now hired of the merchant from whom we pur- 

 chased our supplies a horse and wagon to take our canoes 

 and other luggage up the north branch of the Maganetawan 

 River, to a point just above Sphynx Falls. This portage 

 was made necessary by the fact that the river was filled 

 with mill-logs up to the falls mentioned, and, consequently, 

 could not be traversed by our canoes. It may be well to 

 state in passing that Burk's Falls probably possesses more 

 than ordinary attractions for business men and others 



