1919-20 DEPAETMENT OF LANDS, FORESTS AND MINES. 77 



Spruce is very shallow and can be used to advantage for canoeing only in the 

 early summer months. It was necessary for us to use it, however, and from 

 Little Sturgeon Lake to the south boundary of the limit between twenty and 

 thirty portages were cut out. The Spruce is joined by a smaller stream, the 

 Eaglehead River about eight miles from the south boundary. The Poshkokagan 

 River appears to have a greater flow than the Spruce. It was only used from 

 Chief Bay to the north boundary of the limit (about ten miles) and in this 

 distance there are only two portages and both are short. The portages further 

 up the river are well cut out and are used by Indians in the spring. 



Black Sturgeon Lake was made the supply base for the performance of the 

 survey. Supplies were brought here via Lake Nipigon and were cached with 

 the forest rangers. The mam party was taken in via Black Sturgeon River and 

 the first meet with the packers made at the Spruce River. 



Water. 



A.11 water was free from alkali. The water in all the lakes was clear and 

 clean while that in the rivers and small creeks was dark in colour but had no 

 objectionable taste or odour. 



Game. 



Moose are plentiful in all parts and particularly near the Black Sturgeon 

 River. No caribou tracks were seen but signs of deer were noticed on the north 

 boundary. 



Beavers are the most numerous fur bearing animals and nearly all creeks 

 and lakes showed indication of their work. Bears are also numerous along the 

 Black Sturgeon River but further in no signs of them were seen. The Indians 

 report lynx, fisher, mink and fox in abundance, but rabbits, partridge and wolves 

 are almost extinct. 



The lakes and rivers are well stocked with fish, pike being the most numerous. 

 Black bass are found in the Black Sturgeon River and in Black Sturgeon Lake. 

 The waters tributary to Lake Nipigon are nearly all good trout streams. 



The magnetic variation remained fairly constant at one degree and twenty- 

 five minutes to one degree and thirty minutes. 



The maps supplied by your Department were found to be very reliable in 

 most cases as also were those of the Geological Department of the Dominion 

 Government. 



We have the honour to be, Sir 



Your obedient servants, 



(Sgd.) Phillips & Benner, 



Per J. K. Benner. 



The Honourable, the Minister of Lands, Forests and Mines, 

 Toronto, Ontario. 



