NATURE IN ACADIE. 65 



In some parts of Nova Scotia and in the adjoining 

 portion of New Brunswick, are very rich tracts of land 

 formed by the alluvial deposit of the streams, and ap- 

 parently at one time consisting of mud-flats more or 

 less under water. This formation extends over large 

 tracts of land around the head of the Bay of Fundy, and 

 also around the Petitcodiac, on which stands the town 

 of Moncton. Indeed around the great Basin of Minas, 

 are miles upon miles of mud-flats which would be dry 

 land if it were not for the mighty tidal wave of the Bay 

 of Fundy. 



A little before daybreak the next morning we began 

 to enter the rocky region bordering the southern part of 

 the great desolate peninsula of Gaspe, situated in the 

 extreme east of the province of Quebec, and upon the 

 southern side of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Once we 

 were running for many miles alongside a rapid river, 

 upon the other side of which was a continuous range of 

 the heavily- wooded hills of Gaspe, this stream forming 

 a natural boundary to the vast wilderness beyond. 



The morning was well advanced before the train 

 slowed down, and we alighted, stiff and weary, on the 

 station platform in the picturesque little French town 

 which was to mark the first stage of my journey. Ri- 

 mouski is thoroughly French, there being hardly a 

 resident of British extraction in the place. The town 

 boasts a handsome Roman Catholic church and other 

 buildings, including a large boys' school or college, under 

 the management of the priesthood. I noticed, with 

 pleasure, that the youths had plenty of outdoor exercise 

 and sport together with military drill, and that in spite 

 of the fact that to-day was Sunday. In an enclosure 

 adjoining an inn, also, several persons were enjoying a 

 game of croquet, while many onlookers stood around. 

 Indeed, the general brightness, cleanliness and prosperity 

 of this little town was apparent on every hand. 



The beaches left bare by the receding tide were 

 covered with flocks of shore-birds, amongst which I 

 identified some parties of the white-rumped sandpiper 

 and the red-backed sandpiper, or American dunlin, but 



