LITTLE SOURIS OR MOUSE RIVER. 



301 



improbable that connexions exist between both rivers. 

 The Souris crosses the boundary line near the 102nd 

 meridian, and flows at the base of the Grand Coteau, 

 nearly as far south as the 48th parallel, when suddenly 

 turning northward, it re-enters British territory near the 

 101st meridian. 



South of the Souris Lakes it flows in a valley 200 feet 

 below the level of the prairie, with a wooded bottom 

 from one half to two miles wide. The nearest serviceable 

 timber east of the Souris, in the direction of the proposed 

 Pacific railroad near the 47th parallel, is in the valley 

 of Eed Eiver, 200 miles distant, and with the exception 

 of cotton wood there is no timber west of the Souris for 

 400 miles.* 



* Governor Stevens's Explorations and Surveys. 



