HISTORY. 87 



to this country I knew a brother of our order who was a gold- 

 smith by trade, who, while on his mission at Sault Ste. Marie, 

 had gone in search of it, and had made chandeliers, crosses, 

 and censors of it ; for the copper is often almost wholly 

 pure." 



The savages supposed that when Michebou formed Lake 

 Superior, he dwelt at Missi-Mackinac,* where he was bom. 

 This name is properly that of a small island, nearly round and 

 very high, situated at the extremity of Lake Huron, and it 

 has become extended by custom to all the country about. 

 The island may be three or four miles in circuit, and may be 

 seen at twelve miles distance. There are two other islands 

 at the south, the most distant of which is five or six leagues 

 long, the other is very small, and perfectly round. Both are 

 well wooded, and the soil is very good, while that of Missi- 

 mackinac is but a sterile rock, and scantily covered with a 

 little moss and grass. It is, however, one of the most cele- 

 brated spots in Canada ; and it was a long time, according to 

 some old Lidian traditions, the head-quarters of a nation 

 which bears the same name, and which counted, they say, 

 thirty bands, scattered over the neighboring country. It is 

 said that the Iroquois destroyed them, but it is not said at 

 what time, or on what occasion. It is certain that no vestige 

 of them remains : but I have read somewhere that our early 

 missionaries have seen some remnants of them. 



This is the account given by Charlevoix, and he adds that 

 the name signifies much turtle. 



* This name means much turtle, and the first part is the same as the 

 first part of Missi-sippi, i.e., much water, or great river. The French 

 travellers called it Michasippi, and Michilimackinac. Perhaps also the 

 w^ord Michebou is corrupted in the same way. Miche is probably Missi, 

 great, and the whole word, Great Spirit. The name of the Great Lake 

 also before spoken of is given Michinippi. It should be Missi — the same 

 word again 



