THE MUSKOKA LAKES 3 



of the country is occupied by rocks and lakes ; 

 but both in the water and on the land the rocks 

 jut directly up, so that alongside the base is 

 immediately a good depth of water or of soil. 



The rocks of Muskoka seem to have the 

 faculty of nourishing trees, shrubs, and verdure, 

 which cling to and cover their sides in a most 

 incomprehensible manner. Between Bala and 

 Lake Huron is a rocky waste of many thousands 

 of acres. This is in the district of Freeman's 

 Land, and here I heard the wolves fourteen 

 years ago, whenever I chanced to pass near the 

 place at sunset. 



The chief Muskoka lakes comprise Lake 

 Rosseau, Lake Joseph, and Lake Muskoka ; and 

 Nature has provided remarkable rivers con- 

 necting these lakes, thus rendering navigation 

 easy. The portages near Bala to the Muskosh 

 River are only trifling a circumstance which 

 enables the hunter to pursue his journey by 

 water even so far as Lake George. To the 

 hunter this neighbourhood presents a sporting 

 paradise, and during the autumn and summer 

 half a million rich Americans spend their holi- 

 day here. Some have built costly residences, 

 where they reside for a few weeks ; others 



