VALLEY OF THE KAMINISTIQUIA. 



37 



between the temperature of the springs and river being 

 about 20°. The right side of the cliff at the falls is per- 

 pendicular for a height of more than 100 feet, and ex- 

 poses the stratification with perfect fidelity. The peculiar 

 rounded forms into which the rock divides itself, noticed 

 by Mr. Murray, were well marked. 



The alluvial valley of the river from about three miles 

 below the mountain portage to Tort William varies in 

 breadth from a few hundred yards to one mile ; the 

 breadth occupied by land of a quality which might fit it 

 for agricultural purposes extends to near the summit of 

 the flank of a low table land, which marks the true limit 

 of the river valley, and the average breadth of this may 

 be double that of the strictly alluvial portion. 



The low table land is thinly wooded with small pine, 

 and the soil is poor and dry ; the alluvial valley sustains 

 elm, aspen, balsam, poplar, 'ash, butternut, and a very 

 luxuriant profusion of grasses, vetches, and climbing 

 plants ; among which the wild hop, honeysuckle, and 

 convolvulus, are the most conspicuous. The rear portion 

 of the valley, with an admixture of the trees just named, 

 contains birch, balsam-spruce, white and black spruce, 

 and some heavy aspens. The underbrush embraces hazel- 

 nut, cherries of two varieties, &c. 



Occasionally the flanks of the low table land approach 

 the river, contract the valley, and give an unfavourable 

 aspect to the country. This occurs near the Decharges 

 des Paresseux, and at most of the heavier rapids. The 

 area available for agricultural purposes below the Grand 

 Falls, probably exceeds twenty thousand acres, but if the 

 flanks of McKay's Mountain be included in the estimate, 

 a large addition may with propriety be assumed. 



The Grand Falls mark the limits of a tract of country 

 differing in many important physical aspects from the 



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