TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 171 



most western point in the neighbourhood of the boundary line, previously reached 

 by the expedition from the eastward in 1857. A westward course was then resumed 

 along the country between the South Saskatchewan and the British boundary line, 

 thence once more across the Rocky Mountains. Finally, the connexion of a route 

 practicable for horses was effected the whole way from Red River settlement across 

 the continent to the Gulf of Georgia, entirely within British dominions. 



This large belt of country embraces districts, some of which are valuable for the 

 purposes of the agriculturist, while others will for ever be comparatively useless. 



The extent of surface drained by the Saskatchewan, and other tributaries to Lake 

 Winipeg, which we had an opportunity of examining, amounts in round numbers to 

 150,000 square miles. This region is bounded to the north by what is known as the 

 " strong woods," or the southern limit of the great circum-arctic zone of forest, 

 which occupies these latitudes in the northern hemisphere. This line, which is in- 

 dicated in the map, sweeps to the north-west from the shore of Lake Winipeg, and 

 reaches its most northernly limit about 54° 30' N., and long. 109° W., from where 

 it again passes to south-west, meeting the Rocky Mountains in lat. 51° N., long. 

 115° W. Between this line of the "strong woods " and the northern limit of the 

 true prairie country there is a belt of land varying in width, which at one period 

 must have been covered by an extension of the northern forests, but which has been 

 gradually cleared by successive fires. 



It is now a partially wooded country, abounding in lakes and rich natural pasturage, 

 in some parts rivalling the finest park scenery of our own country. Throughout 

 this region the climate seems to preserve the same character, although it passes 

 through very different latitudes, its form being doubtless determined by the curves 

 of the isothermal lines. Its superficial extent embraces about 65,000 square miles, 

 of which more than one-third may be considered as at once available for the pur- 

 poses of the agriculturist. Its elevation increases from 700 to 3500 feet as we ap- 

 proach the Rocky Mountains, consequently it is not equally adapted throughout to 

 the cultivation of any one crop ; nevertheless at Fort Edmonton, which has an altitude 

 of 2000 feet, even wheat is sometimes cultivated with success. 



The least valuable portion of the prairie country has an extent of about 80,000 

 square miles, and is that lying along the South Saskatchewan, and southward from 

 thence to the boundary line, while its northern limit is known in the Indian languages 

 as " the edge of the woods," the original line of the woods before invaded by fire. 



On the western side of the Rocky Mountains, in the country which we examined, 

 there were but few spots at all fitted for the agriculturist, and these form isolated 

 patches in valleys separated by mountain ranges. 



As the next result of our explorations, I shall briefly mention the different passes 

 through the Rocky Mountains which we explored, alluding to the chief advantages 

 and disadvantages of each. 



The Kananaskis Pass and the British Kootanie Pass were examined by myself. 

 Of these I consider the Kananaskis Pass the preferable one, both on account of its 

 direct course through the mountains and its easier ascent. 



The ascent to the height of land from the east is through a wide gently sloping 

 valley, and the immediate watershed is formed by a narrow ridge, which, if pierced by 

 a short tunnel, would reduce the summit level to about 4600 feet above the sea. The 

 descent to the west, into which Kananaskis Pass opens, is comparatively easy. 



The British Kootanie Pass also opens out into the Kootanie River valley, but the 

 altitude here to be overcome is much greater, amounting to 6000 feet. There are 

 likewise two ridges to be passed, which fact would form a very strong objection to 

 this pass. 



The Vermilion Pass, which was traversed by Dr. Hector, presents on a whole the 

 greatest natural facilities for crossing the mountains without the aid of engineering 

 work, as the rise to the height of land is gradual from both sides, a feature which 

 seems to be peculiar to this pass. It would thus be impossible to diminish its summit 

 level (which is less than 5000 feet), as is proposed in the case of Kananaskis Pass, 

 but on the other hand it would be the most suitable for the construction of an easy 

 waggon road. 



This, like the other two passes I have mentioned, also strikes the Kootanie River 

 close to its source ; but last summer Dr. Hector crossed the mountains bv another 



