CHAPTER IV. 



IT is much to be regretted that Mr. Clinton did not, 

 (or could not consistent with his plan,) give us a more 

 general description of this interesting lake; for the 

 want of which, I am obliged to depend on verbal, 

 though respectable information from several sources. 

 That is, that the alluvions formations on Lake Ontario, 

 are by far the greatest, or most extensive on the north 

 side of the lake. That it extends from near the 

 western part of the lake, northwardly, almost to Lake 

 Nipisin ; from thence north-eastwardly embracing the 

 river U taw as, and a part of the country of the an- 

 cient Algonquins ; thence south-eastwardly taking in 

 Mont-real. 



Whether this be true or not, Mr. Heriot says, 

 " The land on the north east coast of Lake Ontario 

 is low and, in some situations, marshy/' therefore, 

 doubtless composed of alluvion. 



With respect to the alluvions formation on the south 

 side of Lake Ontario, Mr. Clinton observes, " These 

 facts evince, beyond doubt, that Lake Ontario has re- 

 ceded from this elevated ground ; and the cause of 

 this retreat, must be ascribed to its having enlarged its 

 former outlet. " A. similar opinion is likewise enter- 

 tained of the north east shore of Lake Erie : but are 



