50 Canadian Record of Science. 



low, the soil moss and vegetable mould covering sand, the 

 beach stony, shingly and sandy at intervals. A large hill 

 or rocky mountain (several hundred feet high), destitute of 

 wood, lay at the end (S.E.) of the lake, beyond our encamp- 

 ment, and a chain of lower and well wooded hills encircle 

 the Lake. The river thence to the Great Fish Lake, 

 said to be the largest lake in the Hare Indian country 

 (and now named after Sir George Simpson), which then lay 

 to the west of us, at the distance of a few miles, could not 

 be ascended with the canoe. It was, therefore, determined 

 on proceeding overland to Fort Good Hope. These lakes 

 lie to the west and southwest of the Anderson. Rabbits 

 and partridges were pretty numerous, but very few geese, 

 and no deer were seen after leaving that river. 



We set out early on the morning of the 11th July, and 

 had dinner on the summit of the ridge at this end (S.) of 

 the lake, to the right of the mountain alluded to, which 

 was now perceived to be the commencement, as well as 

 the highest, of a chain of similar hills stretching for a 

 considerable distance to the east and south-east. The walk- 

 ing hither was over a series of undulations, gradually 

 ascending as we advanced, the top of each ascent being flat, 

 the ground dry or swampy alternately, well wooded and 

 interspersed with small lakes. This ridge has also a simi- 

 lar descent on the other side. The country thence to an- 

 other ridge, which we reached next day, was flat and broken 

 by some small mounds and knolls, with lakes and marshes 

 as usual. Until we reached the Peau de Lievre Eiver, 

 on the evening of the 13th, after three long days' march, 

 the general appearance of the country did not differ very 

 materially. It comprised several valleys lying between ridges 

 resembling those described, and is bounded on the left by 

 the chain of rocky hills before mentioned, on the right, 

 occasionally, by lower ridges of wooded ground. One lake 

 several miles in extent, and numerous smaller ones, were 

 passed, such of them as lay in our path having to be 

 skirted. The soil consisted of moss, vegetable mould, turf 

 and clay, the higher ground being sandy, mixed with clay 



