278 DOUGLAS' JOURNAL 



I tave observed Quercus, stunted trees of Q. obtusiloha, also small trees 

 of Fraxinus puhescens. Evening fine, with heavy dew. 



Saturday, 7«A.— Started at 5 a.m. and went on until nine, when the wind 

 increased so much that we could no longer proceed, although the lake here 

 is not more than three and a half miles broad. The waves were heavy and 

 broke with great violence on the shores, which are white limestone ; no 

 alteration of the conditions throughout the day. Found in the woods 

 Pyrola rotundifolia, P. chloraniha, P. uniflora '^ and P. secunda, Cypripedium 

 puhescens, Vicia sp., Orchis sp., Solarium sp. Annoyed by the smoke 

 while engaged drying paper, the wind blowing with great violence. 



Sunday, 8<A.— Started at 6 a.m. and passed several high limestone 

 clifis. Took breakfast on a low sandy shore where, in small still waters, 

 was abundance of JJtricularia in blossom. Eemained on shore an hour and 

 then proceeded for twelve or fourteen miles when a stay was made for 

 changing linen. Arrived at the establishment on the River Winnipeg 

 (Fort Alexander, or Basch), the Riviera of the voyageurs. We were 

 welcomed there by Mr. John McDonald, a brother of the person who 

 crossed the Rocky Mountains last autumn ; he was also here on his way 

 to Canada. Became acquainted with the Rev. Mr. Picard, of the Roman 

 Catholic Mission at Red River, on his way to Canada. 



Monday, 9iA.— Early in the morning had a large fire made for drying 

 paper and had all my plants changed before breakfast. Wrote a shor 

 letter to Governor Clinton of New York, saying I should sail from Hudson's 

 Bay for England. About 10 a.m. Captain Franklin and Dr. Richardson 

 started in their canoe for Canada, and took with them as passenger Mr. 

 Picard, he having been disappointed in going by the Company's barges or 

 canoes. Feel obliged to Captain Franklin (good man) ; will see Mr. 

 Sabine. Made several walks round the establishment and collected a few 

 plants. Several heavy showers accompanied by thunder and lightning. 

 The scenery of this place is fine, rich, and very beautiful ; well-wooded ; 

 low, level country ; soil fertile, deep alluvial loam, with a heavy sward of 

 herbage. Requested of Mr. John McDonald the favour of hiring me a 

 small canoe to carry me to Red River. Neil McDonald, a person who 

 accompanied Captain FrankHn, offered to carry me in his, but found it too 

 small for our luggage. The Indians being camped a considerable distance 

 from the place and aU at this season being much engaged, I had hired for 

 me a Canadian, who agreed to carry me for the sum of four dollars and his 

 food. Saw that his canoe was in repair in the course of the evening and 

 made preparations for starting in the morning. 



Tuesday, lOfA.-High winds during the night and morning from the 

 lake ; delayed until ten o'clock, the swell being too heavy for such a small 

 canoe. Bemg provided with provision for myself and man I took my 

 leave and descended the river to the lake ; pleasant clear weather Pro- 

 ceeded along the western shore close to the land, which is low weU-wooded • 

 many places overflowed. The lake at this season being 'high, nothing 

 worthy of notice occurred ; saw no plants ; observed flocks of passenger 

 pigeons. Camped at dusk on a graveUy beach near a small creek, and was 

 1 Moneses uniflora. A. Gray, Syn. PI. N. Am. ii. x. p. 46. 



