


PREFATORY NOTE. \ 
The topography of the general map is in the main from that lately 
published by the Department of the Interior, which is based on that of 
| Captain Palliser, but includes also the work of the Commission Survey. 
In laying down the boundaries of formations north of the localities which 
I have myself visited, use has been made of the geological maps of Dr. 
Hector and Prof, Hind, and also of facts from Prof, Bell’s Report, printed in 
the Geological Survey Memoirs for 1873-74. In the map of the Lake of the 
Woods, Prof. Bell's Reports have again been consulted; but for the regions 
I was unable to examine, Dr. Bigsby’s map—elsewhere referred to—has 
been the chief authority. For the topography of the region near Lac 
Plat, [am indebted to Mr. A. L. Russell. The remaining uncoloured 
sketches and diagrams, with the exception of Plate xv, are copied from 
pen-and-ink sketches of my own, by the photo-engraving process of Mr. 
D. C. Dallas, Grey’s Inn Road, London. 
I am indebted to Principal Dawson for notes on fossil plants col- 
lected ; to Prof. Cope for a report on the vertebrate fossils, and to Mr. 
S. H. Scudder for a description of a part of the collection of insects: Also 
to Dr. P. P. Carpenter for the determination of the Unionidex ; to Prof. 
Macoun for his examination of the grasses, carices, &c; to Mr. G, Barns- 
ton for a list of the mosses. Dr. Hooker has also kindly undertaken the 
determination of a number of critical and difficult flowering plants. 
Dr. Elliot Coues, who accompanied the United States contingent of 
the Boundary Survey, as naturalist, is, I believe, preparing elaborate 
reports on the zoology of the region. 
Sapper Thomas Duckworth, detailed as taxidermist and collector, 
and working under. my direction for two years, proved very useful and 
zealous in his department. 
Your obedient servant, 
GEORGE M, DAWSON. 
McGill College, Montreal, July 19, 1875. 

