16 B GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA. 



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the shore, and there is no arable land, scarce]}' indeed any soil properly 

 so called. The trees, from the exposed position of this part of the 

 islands are rather stunted, and show much dead wood. They grasp the 

 almost naked rocks. A strong tide runs through the channel, the flood 

 fecundity! setting eastward from the Pacific, while the ebb flows in the opposite 

 direction. This is very favourable to the existence of certain forms of 

 marine life, and the rocks are alive with sea-urchins, star-fish, acorn- 

 shells, mussels, chitons, holothurians, &c. The bottom was found on 

 dredging to consist of gravel and shelly sand, except in the sheltered 

 bays, where it is mud. 



Soundings and _A.t about four miles from the eastern entrance to Houston Stewart 

 shoals- 

 Channel the depth is said to be 90 fathoms, which gradually shoals to 



20 fathoms within a mile of it. The soundings then become very irre- 

 gular, ranging from 30 to 7 fathoms. In the channel the depth varies 

 from 11 to 20 fathoms. Within the entrance point on the north side 

 there is a snug bay bordered by a sandy beach. There is also good 

 anchorage for a small craft east of Ellen Island of the chart. Care 

 must be exercised in sailing up the channel, as there are several rocks 

 which contract the available width. Eose Harbour is secure and capa- 

 cious, with anchorage at from 6 to 15 fathoms, but with kelp and shoal 

 water along its eastern shore. The basin at its head is full of little 

 islands and rocks, and should not be entered. Imray gives the follow- 

 ing directions for entering Houston Stewart Channel from the eastward. 

 When abreast Cape St. James, the vessel should close the land to 1^ 

 miles, and coast along till the entrance opens out. After passing a 

 convenient distance southward of the largest or outer island (Anthony 

 Island), off the southern end of which an extensive ledge of rocks 

 extends south-westward, the channel will show itself. A bare flat rock 

 about 50 feet high, which should be kept on the port hand, is a good 

 guide. 



Danger Rocks. Off the point, between the east entrance of Houston Stewart Channel 

 and Carpenter Bay, to the north, are the North and South Danger 

 Eocks. These are low rocky islets, but are said to be surrounded by 

 sunken rocks. In entering Houston Stewart Channel from the north- 

 ward they should be given a wide berth. The point above mentioned 

 is low and densely wooded. At a little cove on its north side, protected 

 by rocks and full of kelp, is an Indian house, which appears to be 



Carpenter Bay. occupied at some seasons. Carpenter Bay, between Iron Point on its 

 north-western and Islet Point on its south-eastern side, is a little over 

 two miles wide, and runs westward about five miles. On its south 

 side are two small bays, the western of which has already been men- 

 tioned under the name of South Cove, as approaching near to the head 

 of Eose Harbour. In its head is srood anchorage for a small schooner 



