30 Canadian Record of Science. 



necessaries as were required, and we reached that place 

 about noon of the 8th. 



In proceeding thither we pursued a northerly course, and 

 on the 5th came to a lake called "Loon Lake," along which 

 we continued, camping that night at its northern end. It 

 is about twelve miles in length, with a breadth of from two 

 to five miles. On the 6th we encamped on the west side of a 

 larger lake, and next day crossed a smaller and halted at 

 the southern end of another, in size equal to " Loon Lake," to 

 which I gave the name of Chief Trader Murray. These 

 lakes, together with a chain of from forty to fifty small 

 ponds or sheets of water, varying in extent from one-eighth 

 to two miles, lie in a flat or valley formed by two ridges of 

 rising ground running parallel with each other, and extend- 

 ing; on the southward from within a short distance of the 

 Mackenzie (the country thence being undulating) to Mur- 

 ray Lake, where they subside into a series of gentle hills 

 or eminences, to Canoe Lake. The country appeared to be 

 well timbered in every direction with pines, juniper, several 

 species of willow, and a few small groves of poplar and 

 birch. Marshy plains and swamps occurred at intervals, 

 and the soil, where not composed of moss or vegetable 

 mould, consisted of a thin layer of dark loam, with a 

 whitish clay or reddish sand underneath. Ice was still as 

 firm as ever on the larger lakes, and wild fowl were exceed- 

 ingly numerous wherever water appeared. On the west side 

 of " Lac Eory " (where we camped June 6) several fossils 

 similar to those found in the limestone forming the Kam- 

 parts on the Mackenzie [Devonian] were picked up. The 

 beach was shingly and no rock in situ could be discovered in 

 that quarter. 



Canoe Lake is larger than any of the above and is of a 

 triangular form, with high banks and hilly ground toler. 

 ably wooded in its vicinity. At its northeast end we found 

 the Iroquois, who had the canoes and everything in excel- 

 lent order. Finding that the river issuing from the lake 

 was too insignificant to admit of being navigated by canoes 

 even of the smallest size, I determined on making a portage 



