272 DOUGLAS' JOUENAL 



Tuesday 5th to Saturday 2th. — The route from Carlton to Cumberland 

 is so well known from tte description of the Arctic voyageura that any- 

 thing from my pen is unnecessary. The journey admits of little variety. 

 Eighty miles below Carlton at a high bank on the left-hand side of the 

 river, called ' The Women's Encampment,' the pastoral and rich verdure 

 is no longer seen ; instead low thick marshy woods of Pinus Banksiana, 

 P. rubra ^ and alba,^ Betula, Populus, and Salix — Carices and Gramineae 

 in the marshes. Very imsteady rainy weather with high winds. During 

 the short turns on shore picked up a few plants. Arrived at Cumberland 

 at 5 P.M. on Saturday and was kindly welcome by Mr. J. Leith. Here I 

 was greeted by Dr. Richardson, safe from his second hazardous journey 

 from the shores of the Polar Sea. Every man must feel for the hardship and 

 difficulties which he endured and overcame, and the successful termination 

 of the perilous undertakings. What must be most gratifying is extricating 

 themselves from the formidable Esquimaux without coming to violence. 

 The doctor has a splendid herbarium and superior collection in almost 

 every department of natural history. On telling him I wished to remain 

 at Carlton, he observed that Captain Back would have wiUingly given me 

 a passage. Informed him of my intention of going to Eed Eiver and 

 sailing from Hudson's Bay ; approved of it much. Could do nothing 

 going to Canada. 



lOiA.— Morning and part of the forenoon spent looking over Mr. 

 Drummond's collection from the Rocky Mountains. Many fine Alpine 

 plants. New Dryas, Potentilla, Juncus, Salix, Saxifraga, Menziesia, and 

 a superior collection of Musci. Considering the opportunities, he had 

 many fine plants all arranged together. The Doctor not yet brought out 

 from Great Bear Lake.^ The remainder of the day was spent in looking 

 round the establishment. Ground a perfect marsh and thickly wooded of 

 the same species as along the river. As the doctor goes direct to England, 

 kindly offers to carry letters to be left below at Norway House if I am 

 gone to Red River before his arrival at that place. 



Monday Wth to Saturday 16«A.— The country throughout presents the 

 same rmiformity. Thick low wet woods and muddy banks. Gathered a 

 species of Salix and Garex. No place for botanising. Towards dusk on 

 the second day reached the head of the Grand Rapid and walked down 

 through the wood while the boats descended— one unfortunately struck 

 on some rocks so that they reached the shore with some difficulty. All 

 next day spent drying the cargo and repairing the boat. Had a ramble in 

 the woods and procured a few things which will be noticed below. Killed 

 a fine large male pelican and preserved the skin. The mischievous boys 

 tore the neck and otherwise injured it. Killed a small plover and pre- 

 served it also. High wind and sleet during the whole night and following 

 day. Did not rise imtil midday. Moderated at sundown, when we 

 embarked and entered Lake Winnipeg. Slept none. Charmed by the 

 mournful cries of the Northern Diver. At eight o'clock put to shore and 



^ ? Picea rubra, Veitch, Man. Conif., ed. 2, p. 450. 



^ Picea alba. Mast, in Joum. R. Hoit. Soo. xiv. p. 221 



' So in MS.— Ed. 



