QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS. 35 B 



a distance of ten or fifteen miles northward the two appear to lie 

 together in the axis of Eose Point. 



The north shore of Graham Island near Masset is generally low, Approaches to 

 with shoal water extending far off, though at a distance of about 

 twelve miles from shore, in Dixon Entrance, the depth is about 100 

 fathoms. At Masset, instead of the wide open bays generally met 

 with, we find a funnel-shaped entrance leading to the narrow waters 

 of Masset Sound. Masset requires to be approached with great caution 

 by vessels, as, according to the sketch published by the Admiralty, a 

 bar with only about 3 fathoms of water stretches across between 

 the outer points. On the map accompanying this report the bar is 

 indicated according to the sketch referred to, which may be approxi- 

 mately correct only. Inside the bar the depth increases to 9 and 11 

 fathoms, and anchorage in 10 fathoms is found in a bay on the east 

 side, opposite the chief Indian village. The strength of the tide, how- 

 ever, renders this a poor stopping place. Owing to the great expansion 

 of the upper part of Masset Inlet, the current continues to run up the 

 sound, opposite Masset, for about two and a half hours after the water 

 is falling by the shore, while the ebb runs out for about three hours 

 after the tide has begun to rise on the beach. 



The village just mentioned is called Ut-te-was, and here is situated a Mission station. 

 Hudson Bay post — the only one on the Islands — and a station of the 

 Church Missionary Society, in charge at the time of our visit, in 

 August, 1878, of Eev. Mr. Collison. The station has now been estab- 

 lished for two years. About a mile south of this place, also on the 

 east shore, is a second village, and on the opposite side a third. Though 

 all these are now decaying and with comparatively few inhabitants, 

 Masset must at one time have been a very populous place. 



The land in the vicinity of Masset is all low, no hills being visible. Country about 

 It is generally densely timbered with fine spruce trees, but there are Masset - 

 reports of ' prairies ' in the interior, which may not improbably be 

 swamps. Three miles up the sound a lagoon or arm runs off on the 

 east side. At this place the land pretty suddenly attains an elevation 

 of 100 feet or more, spreading back in a flat or gently undulating plain 

 at this level. Where seen in the banks this is formed of drift deposits. 

 Clays and gravels below, hard-bedded sands above. Nearly oj>posite 

 this place, on the west side is Maast Island, which appears to have 

 given its name to the entire inlet. It lies across a bay, which seems 

 at first sight to offer better anchorage than that already referred to. 

 The island is, however, low and sandy, and a great part of the bay or 

 passage behind it is dry at low water. The length of Masset Sound Masset Sound. 

 from its seaward entrance to the point at which it expands widely is 

 nineteen miles. It is about a mile in average width, and though 



