The Laibeador Area. 215 



possessed regarding the climate and natural resources of the 

 country passed through. 



During the month of July and August, 1895, again accom- 

 panied by Mr. Eaton, I was engaged in an exploration of the 

 country about the head-waters of the Manicougan River, which 

 flows southward into the St. Lawrence about 220 miles below 

 Quebec. The river was ascended 200 miles to the uprper end of 

 the Lake Mouchalagan, to where the Quebec Crown Lands 

 survey ended. From there the course of the river was traced 

 125 miles to its source in Summit Lake, which, as has already 

 been stated, is also the source of the longest branch of the 

 Koksoak River. In order to reach the head of the river we were 

 obliged to leave the stream thirty miles above Mouchalagan, 

 and to pass by many long portages, that lead either over ridges 

 of boulders or through deep swamps to and from small lakes 

 situated on the highlands along the west side of the river. The 

 country passed through is the highest and roughest in Labrador 

 and its elevation varies from 2000 and 2500 feet above the 

 sea level. 



Before reaching Summit Lake a trip was made westward 

 to the head-waters of the Big River above Lake Nichicun, in 

 order to connect with the survey of 1894. Having with great 

 difficulty gained the head of the river, we carried the survey 

 down it, and in doing so had to pass for 50 miles through a 

 narrow gorge, where it was impossible to make portages out of 

 the valley and where the river, by its heavy grade, forms a con- 

 tinuous rapid. This work was exceedingly dangerous and in 

 running a heavy pitch a canoe upset and one of our Indian 

 canoemen was unfortunately drowned. 



The results of this season's work was a number of surveys 

 in this almost inaccessible region which give a good idea of the 

 location of the central watershed. Along the portage route and 

 the river above Lake Mouchalagan great thickness of crystalline 

 limestone were discovered, and associated with them extensive 

 beds of valuable iron ore. 



