1909-10 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS, FORESTS AND MINES. 61 



lowed, the same oontiimoiis succession of hill after hill is encountered. Owing to 

 the dense forest growth, views of any wide extent are not usual, but in some in- 

 stances, especially along the second base line where the line enters the fire area, a 

 wide sweep of country could be seen and its general character observed. These hill 

 masses are so tightly packed together that in many instances the lakes present so 

 attenuated an appearance as to be at first sight mistaken for rivers. 



i 

 Water Areas. 



The main drainage of the area considered is through the Mississaga River 

 and its main tributaries the Abinette and the Wenebegon. The Mississaga enters 

 this area from the east, crossing Niven's first meridian flowing in a south-westerly 

 direction, at a distance of about I14 miles southerly from the nortli-easterly angle 

 of Township X, thence it turns north-westerly, crossing the north boundary of said 

 township about ten chains east of (the 11 M. post and looping back again at 111 M. 

 the base line crossing at the latter point just above Hanging Stone Chute. It's 

 general character in this stretch is thatt of a narrow lake-like expansion with only 

 moderate current. From Hanging Stone Chute the course of the river is south- 

 westerly, crossing, paralleling and recrossing the south boundary of Township X. 

 in a flat loop near the south-westerly angle of said township. This stretch has 

 fairly strong current and numerous rapids. At about fifty chains west of the 

 nieridian boundary of Township X and 4 A, the river takes a north-westerly course 

 tlirough a marshy flat to its junction with the Abinette, the latter river entering 

 Ifrom the north at a point about two miles south from the centre of the north 

 boundary of 4 A. The course through this marshy flat is tortuous and the cur- 

 Tent swift. From the Abinette the river turns slightly south of west, passing a 

 large island in its course and crossing the meridian boundary between 4 A and 4 B 

 at about 2% miles. Rapids occur at the island, the notherly channel being used as 

 the canoe route. From the boundary 4 A, 4 B, the general trend is slightly north 

 of west till Green Lake is reached. This lake has an extension north-easterly and 

 south-westerly of about 1^/4 miles by about %mile and touches at its westerly 

 extremity the meridian boundary 4 B and and 4 C. It lies almost completely 

 north of the river channel, the latter flowing through it but a sliort distance along 

 its southerly shore. One fall occurs on the last mentioned stretch at about % mile 

 westerly from the boundary 4 A-4 B, and is avoided by a portage on the south 

 bank. From Green Lake the river takes a southerly dip, crossing the meridian 

 4 B-4 C near 2% mile from here after passing the falls on a westerly course at 

 about a mile west from the said meridian, the river widens and enters the eastern 

 extension of Lake Minnesinaqua, a considerable body of water extending across 

 Township 4 C and the south-westerly corner of 4 D. The river again debouches 

 iat 114 miles on a southerly course across the base line on the southerly boundary of 

 4 D and turns westerly, crossing Niven's second meridian at a distance of about a mile 

 south of the south boundary at 4 D, thence northerly again, crossing the meridian 

 to the east, flowing directly along it for some distance and finally turning west at 

 Aubrey Falls. The Wenebegon enters from the north about a mile south from the 

 base line and a quarter of a mile east from Niven's meridian just below a bad rapid 

 on the Mississaga. The water of the Mississaga is clear and dark, carrying lit- 

 tle sediment and flowing usually over a sandy or gravelly bottom. With few 

 exceptions the valley is narrow and hedged in by rugged hills. Owing to the lack 

 of rain during July and August the water in this as well as its tributary streams 

 was very low, so much so that our party readily crossed dry shod on the stones at 



