1910-11 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS, FORESTS AND MINES. 97 



part flowing north-easterly into Missanabie River. Another strange phenomenon, 

 some of the creeks between B 8 and B 17 flow from the river. • I presume they 

 unite -^vith the river at some point further down the river. . The bed of the 

 river is of hard clay. The shores and b^d of the lakes are rocky in most places 

 with occasional sand beaches. 



Climate. 



The climate last summer was all that could be desired for agricultural pur- 

 suits, no frosts of any severity being experienced during July and August. We 

 had several frosts, however, in the latter part of September and October. 



Timber, 



The timber is reported on fully by the timber ranger, Mr. W. B. Thomson 

 of Orillia, and further remarks are unnecessary. 



Minerals. 



No economic minerals were discovered, nearly all specimens examined on 

 Wabatongashene and Oba Lakes being" granite rocks of the Laurentian formation, 

 with occasional outcrops of green schist. 



Game. 



Large game, such as moose, caribou and deer were not as plentiful as would 

 be expected. We saw an occasional moose, but no signs of caribou or deer. 

 Bear were seen in the Oba Lake District. Traces of fur-bearing animals such s.s 

 mink, beaver and marten were found, but in our opinion, the country is almost 

 hunted out. "Small game such as rabbit, partridge and duck are plentiful. 

 Abundance of fish — pickerel and pike — were caught by our party, weighing as 

 much as twenty pounds, although they averaged three to four pounds. It is claimed 

 that the lakes also contain whitefish. Local Indians told us that speckled trout 

 were found in many of the smaller streams and in parts of the Oba River. There is 

 good trout fishing at Trout Rapidsi at post A 78, at low water. 



Water. 



The water in the lakes south of the height of land is fresh, clear and soft. 

 Oba Lake and Oba River have that dark color due to vegetable matter, which most 

 of the rivers have in Northern Ontario. 



Water-power is reported on in detail in the field book. 



We have the honor to be. 

 Sir, 



Your obedient servants, 



(Sgd.) Paulin & Bush. 



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

 Toronto, Ont. 



