M \KK\Tl\i:, a.-. II 



sidered a part of the main lake, although the current ofthesepe- 

 rating channel, indicates the latter to be rather a river than a 

 strait. It will be convenient to refer to it. as it is from this point 

 that the Mississippi, which has now been pursued to its utmost 

 northing, is iscended directly south. Aboul lour miles above this 

 bay, the Mississippi has its ultimate forks, being formed of an 

 east and west branch, of which the west branch is decidedly 

 the largest, and considerably the longest. Reasons indicated 

 by our guide, induced him to conduct us up the east branch, 

 which we soon found expanded into a small lake, denoted Mar- 

 quette, and not far above, into another, denoted J. a Salle. We 

 were twenty-four minutes in passing through the last, and 

 nn leaving it. found the stream strikingly diminished in volume, 

 with a limited depth, and a vegetation of a more decidedly alpine 

 character. About four miles above the latter, the stream ex- 

 pands into a lake some six or seven miles in length, and about 

 halt' that distance in width. This lake, which is called Kubba- 

 kunna, The Rest in the Path, presented a j >b :i -inir aspect, after 

 the sombr tion, we had passed below*. Rushes, how- 



were abundant toward its head, and we found the ground 

 too low and wet for encamping. After ascending the river, for 

 a distance, we put ashore for the night, at a point of woods ex- 

 tending into the marsh -land, constituting the river margin. The 

 soil at this place, appeared to be of the most frigid character. 

 A carpet of moss covered it. which the foot sank deep into, at 

 every step. The growth was exclusively small grey pine, with 

 numerous dead branches below, and strikingly festooned with 

 flowing moss. Neater the margin of the river, alder, tamarack, 

 and willow, occupied the soil. As night approached it com- 

 menced raining, which served to add to the natural gloom of 

 -pot. 

 Notices of the natural history of the country, during this day's 

 journey an- meagre. The principal growth of forest trees, out o( 

 ..mediate valley, is pine. The plants appear to present little 

 variety, and mm • culiar to moist, cold, or elevated 



