236 Organic Siliceous Remains. 



versed members of different tribes, especially chiefs, related to 

 me the tradition that, in very early times, the various tribes 

 occupying the northern island were at war with those of Madomai. 

 War parties frequently crossed from one island to the other on 

 depredatory expedition?; but finally, when the land rose and 

 united the islands, friendly relations were established among all 

 the tribes. 



With regard to the previous occupation of the country, I have 

 found no tradition which bears directly upon that point. There 

 is certainly no tradition crediting their ancestors with the con- 

 struction of such mounds as are found at Otarunai and elsewhere. 

 Neither is there any tradition concerning the manufacture of 

 burnt pottery, and the general evidence seems to indicate that, 

 the Ainos never possessed a knowledge of the art. 



There is nothing relating to a language at all different from that 

 now in use, and it is highly probable that written characters were 

 never known or used. If they ever existed, they have been com- 

 pletely St. 



VII. Organic Siliceous Kemains in the Lake Deposits 

 of Nova Scotia. 



By A. H. MacKay, Pictotj Academy, N. S. 



The siliceous deposits in the lakes referred to are, first, and 

 most abundantly, of vegetable origin, consisting of the exquisitely 

 sculptured cell-walls of the unicellular plants, constituting the order 

 Diatomacece ; and, secondly, of animal origin, consisting of the 

 spicules which form the skeletons of that group of the fresh-water 

 sponges known as Spongillina. 



The investigation of the character of the lake deposits of Nova 

 Scotia has only been cummenced and much is yet expected to be 

 brought to light. The explorations made during the last two 

 summers include a large number of lakes throughout the province, 

 varying from five miles in length to less than one half of a mile, and 

 from 160 feet in depth of water to that of only six or seven. 

 1) posits of some of the larger lakes have been examined, but no 

 systematic survey of them has yet been made. 



