314 



SCIENCE. 



[Vol. XII. No. 307 



THE GREAT MACKENZIE BASIN. 



The select committee of the Senate of the Dominion of Canada, 

 appointed to inquire into the resources of the Maclcenzie basin, has 

 made its third report, which embodies a vast amount of informa- 

 tion. The report is accompanied by a series of valuable maps, on 

 which the extent of navigable waters and the distribution of min- 

 eral and other products of the country have been laid down. From 

 these maps we have compiled the accompanying sketch-maps, which 

 give a comprehensive review of the results of the committee's in- 

 vestigations. 



One of the remarkable features of the country under considera- 

 tion is the great extent of navigable rivers. The Hudson Bay Com- 

 pany has always availed itself of this fact by using the water-ways, 

 even when circuitous and difficult, rather than resort to land-car- 



The great value of the fur trade in this vast region is so well 

 known that it is not necessary to dwell on the remarks of the 

 committee. Dr. R. Bell's map of the distribution of fur-bear- 

 ing animals, which accompanies the report, will be found very 

 instructive. 



Extensive tracts of land have been traversed by miner-s, and the 

 southern and eastern districts have in part been explored by mem- 

 bers of the Geological Survey. From these and other sources an ac- 

 count of the economic sources of the Mackenzie region has been 

 compiled, from which it appears that there are hardly any layers 

 that would pay to be worked, the auriferous region adjoining the 

 Rocky Mountains perhaps excepted. The extensive petroleum 

 fields which are suspected to exist all along the Mackenzie may 

 become of importance with the progressive settlement of Saskatch- 

 ewan and Alberta. The committee is inclined to consider this oil- 



Lignite Territory. 



Petroleum Territory. 



Auriferous Territory. 



Tlie lieavy lines show the navigable river-stretches and shore lines of lakes. 



riage ; and their inland posts, to as far north as the Arctic Circle, 

 are now supplied from their central depot at Fort Garry, with only 

 114 miles of land-carriage, the greater part of which is from Ed- 

 monton to Athabasca Landing. From the latter place steamers 

 and flat boats run to Fort Smith, on the Great Slave River, where 

 twenty miles of wagon-road connect the shallow with deep water 

 navigation ; and a steamer distributes goods to the various posts 

 down to the mouth of the Mackenzie, just above its estuary, where 

 the river is said to be six miles wide, and up Peel River, which 

 joins the Mackenzie near that point, to Fort Macpherson, on that 

 gold-bearing stream. The great lakes which receive the drainage 

 of this vast region, and give an equal flow to the Mackenzie, all have 

 deep-water navigation, and, like most lakes of the Laurentian for- 

 mation, are studded with islands. The western affluents of the 

 Mackenzie are believed to form valuable links as a means of access 

 to the mining districts of Peace and Liard Rivers. We have indi- 

 cated by heavy lines those stretches of rivers which are considered 

 navigable. 



field of the greatest value, and recommends its thorough explo- 

 ration. 



The principal question,however, is the extent to which agriculture 

 can be carried on in the region under consideration. From a geo- 

 graphical point of view, the determination of the limits of the Barren 

 Grounds is of great interest. For agricultural or pastoral purposes 

 the greater portion of the wooded parts of the country is also waste 

 land, the timber being of no commercial value, and the land being 

 incapable of yielding any crops or of supporting sheep or cattle. 

 Although many of the informants of the committee were inclined to 

 describe the northern portions of the country too favorably, good 

 judgment has been shown in not using such information in the con- 

 struction of the map. It will be observed that the prairie region 

 sends forth a narrow arm north-westward towards Peace River. 

 The soil of this region is described as very fertile, but early frosts 

 in August deprive it of much of its value. Notwithstanding this 

 fact, it must be considered well adapted for stock-raising, and 

 capable of supporting a considerable population. As the settle- 



