McKay's mountain. 



27 



of 1000 feet above the lake, and is the north-eastern 

 boundary of an irregular but extended trap range, whose 

 south-eastern flank follows the trend of the coast as far 

 as Pigeon Eiver. 



It is worthy of remark, that the flanks of McKay's 

 Mountain support a heavy growth of hardwood timber 

 (maple, &c), and through various sources I was informed 

 that this heavily-timbered land stretches far to the south- 

 west, on the side and borders of the trap range. The 

 rock formations which comprise the country between the 

 Kaministiquia and Pigeon Eivers indicate the presence of 

 a fertile soil on the flank of the irregular table land ; the 

 trap with which the slates are associated giving rise upon 

 disintegration to a soil of superior character. At the 

 Mission, a light reddish loam constitutes the soil, having a 

 depth of six feet, and resting upon a bluish grey clay, 

 which extends to the water's edge. 



. The Mission of the Immaculate Conception is under the 

 charge of the Rev. Jean Pierre Chone, who has resided 

 on the banks of the Kaministiquia for nine years. From 

 that gentleman, who kindly afforded me much information 

 respecting this valley, I obtained numerous facts of in- 

 terest in relation to its adaptation for settlement. At the 

 Mission there are already congregated from thirty to 

 thirty-five houses, substantially built of wood ; in their 

 general arrangement and construction they are far su- 

 perior to the log houses of Canadian pioneers in the forest. 

 Many of them had gardens attached to them, a few of 

 which were in a good state of cultivation ; some small 

 fields fenced with post and rail were in the rear of the 

 most thriving. The river here is from 60 to 70 yards 

 wide, its waters are very turbid, with a current not ex- 

 ceeding two miles an hour. 



M. Chone's room, into which we were admitted, gave 



