1909-10 DEPAETMENT OF LANDS, FOEESTS AND MINES. 65 



across the burnt section on the second base line between I.M. and II.M., 4 C, 

 running from a few inches to a foot or more in width. Conglomerate outcrop was 

 also reported on the hillside rising from the westerly shore of the first lake 

 crossed by the 2nd base line westerly from the 4th meridian or at mileage IM. 

 30 chains north boundary, 4D. These rocks appear to be barren of minerals of 

 economic importance. A little specular iron was met with in narrow seams or 

 gashes along the first six miles of the first base line. A milky quartz vein about 

 three feet wide in red coarsely crystalline rock, with a strike north-easterly and 

 south-westerly, occurs on the 2nd base line about eight chains east from the north- 

 west corner of 4C., and it was again found twenty or thirty chains southerly from 

 this point and east of the 4th meridian, when cutting across the rough hills of 

 this locality. A cursory examination did not expose any metallic minerals in 

 (this quartz. Another quartz vein of similar character to the above, and about 

 18 inches in width, was crossed by the second base line on the westerly slope of 

 the hill descending to the easterly shore of the lake cut by the line at V.M. 36.29 

 chains on the north boundary of 4A. This latter vein does not appear to be 

 mineralized. 



The compass seldom shows any marked variation from a mean declination 

 of 51/2 degrees west, and is remarkably steady in alignment for a region of this 

 character. This mean was obtained as the average of a large number of observa- 

 tions. 



Game — Fur. 



Large numbers of moose frequent this section and could be seen almost any 

 day during the hot weather along the rivers and small lakes. The trails of this 

 animal are everywhere through the woods, leading usually from one lake to another 

 or to the river, and so well beaten that were it not for the absence of axe marks 

 they might be mistaken for well travelled portages. In the northerly part, and 

 especially on the brule section east of the 2nd meridian, red deer are also plenti- 

 ful. The thick nature of the bush, however, gives little opportunity to see the 

 animals themselves, but on one occasion a doe evidently with fawns close by came 

 within a few feet of the tents when several members of our party were in or about 

 them, and showed no signs of alarm. Signs of bear are abundant, and occasion- 

 ally the fiendish music of the wolf packs strikes the ear with its unwelcome sound. 

 Abundant indications of the one-time abundance of the beaver are present, but 

 only in a very few places along the easterly part of the 2nd base line were the 

 animals found to be present. Their number appear to have been almost decimated 

 over this region. Little signs of the smaller fur-bearing animals were met with, 

 although the country appears to be regularly hunted by a number of Indian 

 families, as the winter camps of these people were observed in several places. 



We have the honor to be, 

 Sir, 

 Your obedient servants, 



(Sgd.) Cavana & Watson. 

 The Honourable the Minister of Lands, Forests and Mines, 

 Toronto. 



