tains inexhaustible mines of rich iron ores, besides 

 copper, lead, marbles, and other mineral substances 

 of economic importance. 



n. 



k 



THE EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. 



Under this head, as already explained, is included 

 the belt of hill-country south of the St. Lawrence, 

 with the region on its southeast side extending to the 

 frontier, and forming a succession of valleys, which 

 may be traced from the head-waters of the Connecti- 

 cut northeastward to the Bay of Ghaleurs. It is true 

 that the Eastern Townships, as now known, do not 

 embrace this northeastern extension ; but as it belongs 

 to them both geographically and geologically it may 

 be conveniently included with them. 



The area whose limits are thus defined forms about 

 one-tenth of the province. The hills of the range 

 which traverses it are composed, like those of the 

 Laurentian region, of crystalline rocks ; but these 

 are softer than the greater part of the rocks on the 

 north shore, and yield by their wearing-down a 

 more abundant soil. Some of the hills in this range 

 attain an elevation of 4,000 feet above the sea, and 

 the principal lakes in the valley on the southeastern 

 side, Memphremagog, Aylmer, and St. Francis, are 

 from 750 to about 900 feet above the sea-level. This 

 region is well wooded, and when cleared is found in 

 most parts to have an abundant soil, generally sandy 

 and loamy in character, and well fitted for grazing 

 and for the cultivation of Indian corn and other 

 grains. Great attention is now paid to the raising of 

 cattle, and the growing of wool, and within the last 

 few years the best breeds of sheep have been sue- 



