REVIEWS — GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA. 329 



dance, but I was informed that it was less abundant than in many other past 

 seasons. The raspberry was rarely met with. 



The most surprising part of the natural vegetation was a species of pea which 

 was found on the beach, and in open spaces in the woods. On the beach the plant, 

 like the ordinary cultivated field-pea, often covered spaces from a quarter of an 

 acre to an acre in extent ; the stem and the leaf were large, and the pea sufficient- 

 ly so to be gathered for use ; the straw when required is cut and cured for feed 

 ' for cattle and horses during the winter. 



But little is yet known of the agricultural capabilities of the island ; the only 

 attempts at cultivation that have been made are at Gamaehe Bay, South-west 

 Pomt, and Heath Point. South-west Point and Heath Point are two of the most 

 exposed places in the Island ; and G-amache Bay, though a sheltered position, has a 

 peat soil ; the whole three are thus unfavourable. 



On the 22nd July potatoes were well advanced, and in healthy condition at 

 Gamaehe Bay ; but a field under hay, consisting of timothy, clover and natural 

 grass, did not show a heavy crop. At South-west Point, Mr. Pope had about three 

 acres of potatoes planted in rows three feet apart ; he informed me he expected a 

 yield of 600 bushels, and at the time of my arrival on the 5th of August, the plants 

 were in full blossom, and covered the ground thoroughly; judging from the ap- 

 pearance they seemed the finest patch of potatoes I had ever seen. About half- 

 an-acre of barley was at the time commencing to ripen ; it stood about four feet 

 high, with strong stalk and well filled ear. I observed oats in an adjoining patch ; 

 these had been late sown, being intended for winter feed for cattle ; their appear- 

 ance indicated a large yield. 



Most of the streams and lakes swarm with the finest brook trout and salmon 

 trout, and large shoals of mackerel were almost daily observed all around the 

 island. But in my tour I saw no appearance of schooners employed in fishing, 

 with the exception of one at South Point. The only operations I heard of con- 

 nected with the trade, were carried on at the mouth of a few of the larger streams 

 on the south side, and at that of Salmon River on the north, by men under Mr. 

 Corbet the lessee of the island, and they were entirely confined to the taking of 

 salmon and salmon trout. Seals were extremely abundant, and but for a few 

 Indians who come over from Mingan in July and August, and take a few of them 

 on the north side of the island, they would be wholly undisturbed. In the bays 

 and more sheltered places round the island these creatures are met with by thou- 

 sands. It was not unconamon to stumble across one asleep on the beach, when 

 generally it was despatched with a blow or two of our hammers. 



Several species of whale were observed to be abundant towards the west end of 

 the island. This must be a favorite resort, as they were either seen or heard at 

 irregular intervals day and night. One of them about sixty feet in length, and 

 about fifteen feet above the water's edge was found grounded on the reef in Prinsta 

 bay when we passed on the 3rd September, 



The only fishing schooners I saw, with the exception of the one mentioned, 



were at the Mingan Islands, where twelve or thirteen came to the harbor for shelter 



during a storm. I was informed by Mr. Henderson, the gentleman in charge of the 



Hudson's Bay Company's post at Mingan, that they were all from American ports. 



The wild animals met with on the island as far as I am aware, are the conimon 



VOL. III. W 



