1920-21 DEPAETMENT OF LANDS AND FOEESTS. 67 



Timber. 



The only timber of considerable size is to be found west of the Opazatika 

 Eiver, ranging from 3 in. to 10 in., and in some places to 12 in. or 14 in. This 

 timber is spruce, generally from 4 in. to 8 in. diameter, poplar 4 in. to 14 in., 

 balsam, 2 in. to 8 in., W. birch, 3 in. to 10 in., dead tamarack, 4 in. to 8 in., with 

 some small green tamarack (a new growth), balm of gilead in places 4 in. to 

 12 in. Few cedar of value are to be found off the river. 



This portion is also covered with a growth of underbrush, chiefly alders, 

 hazel and moose-maple. 



Generally, the timber classification changes rapidly and there does not seem 

 to be any body of timber large enough to make profitable operations on a large 

 scale. 



East of the Opazatika Eiver, the country has been burned over and is now 

 covered with a growth of poplar from 1 in. to 4 in. diameter and white birch- 

 about the same size, with a few patches of original timber of the class found 

 on the west side of the river and generally covered with a thick growth of alders 

 and hazel and in places with a thick growth of small spruce. In places the 

 original spruce and tamarack have fallen in " windfalls " which make travel 

 across such areas very difficult. 



The timber east of the Opazatika Eiver cannot be said at present to be of 

 great value as the poplar and birch are only from 1 in. to 4 in. diameter, but in 

 time may be very fine cutting. 



EOADS. 



Probably the best way of reaching the area covered by the survey will be 

 later determined; possibly a road from Lowther on the Transcontinental Eailway 

 would give the best result. No deposits of gravel were observed on the lines run. 



Minerals. 



No minerals of any kind were found and the few outcrops of rock are grey 

 country rock of the kind usual to this section of the countrv. " ' \ 



Game and Msh. 



^fffY!:'' 



Beaver are quite plentiful in this section of the country and have been very 

 industrious in damming up the small creeks, and as many as three families are 

 to be found fibove one dam in places. The work of these animals considerably 

 hindered the progress of the survey. 



Moose are plentiful along the Opazatika Eiver and many signs of bear are to 

 be found east of the river. There does not appear to be many deer in this section 

 of country. 



Small game does not seem to be so plentiful as usual and only a few part- 

 ridge and ducks are to be found. Signs of mink and muskrat were observed. 



The fish to be found in the waters consist generally of pike and pickerely 

 and a species of " wall-eyed pike.'' The fish are not large but are quite plentiful. 



Water Powers. 



No survey of water powers was made, as I understand this work was cojn- 

 pleted by the surveyors making the traverse of the Opazatika and Kapuskasing 



