16 Messrs. Foster and Whitney on the 
Gneiss generally flanks the granite, succeeded by dark masses of 
_ hornblende, with numerous joints, but obscure lines of bedding, 
which often graduates into hornblende slate or chlorite slate, as 
we recede from the purely igneous products. 
The outlines of this class of rocks are extremely irregular, and 
a reference to the general map will give aclearer idea of their 
range and extent than a mere verbal description. * * * 
In this district, the area occupied by these rocks exceeds eighty 
townships, or more than three thousand square miles. ‘The con- 
figuration of the slates and granites may be compared to the con- 
tours of a rugged coast. 'The main granite masses form numerous 
projecting headlands, while the subordinate patches rise up like 
islands. The slates sweep round the promontories and form 
numerous narrow and deeply-indented bays. 
The topographical features of the region occupied by the slates 
are striking. It is diversified by bold, rocky cliffs and narrow in- 
tricate valleys, with lakes and water-falls, with luxuriant forests 
and natural meadows. he culminating points reach nearly 
twelve hundred feet above Lake Superior or eighteen hundred 
feet above the ocean-level. 
We commence our description of the local phenomena of this 
system of rocks where they intersect the lake shore between Ri- 
viere du Mort* and Chocolate river. 'The sketch entitled, ‘ View 
near Carp river’ forming the frontispiece [see Report], may serve 
to convey an idea of the contours of this region better than a writ 
ten description. The lake here forms a spacious bay with gently 
curving shores. A range of quartzose hills rising to the height of 
six hundred feet, terminates abruptly by the coast and forms the 
background of the picture. The extremity of the point con- 
sists of sand-dunes rising to the height of fifty or sixty feet, with 
rounded outlines and highly inclined slopes towards the lake. 
Along its margin are to be seen the remains of ancient terraces 
which indicate its former limits. ‘The middle ground is occupied 
by a range of trappean rocks interlaminated with the slates. ‘The 
settlement represented, has been named Marquette, in honor of 
the early missionary, and has already become the main outlet of 
the Iron region. ‘I'he foreground is composed of another rocky 
~ * This river is generally called Dead river. It cannot be from the sluggishness of 
its current, for in the distance of thirt i 
abounding in rapids and cascades. Its true name is the River of Death. There is @ 
local tradition as to some act of violence here perpetrated, which we cannot now 
name, gitar 
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