438 ASSINNIEOINE AND SASKATCHEWAN EXPEDITION. 



On the 29th we reached the south-eastern termination 

 of the Eicling Mountain, and obtained a fine view of the 

 successive steps of which it is composed. These were 

 three in number, each step being separated by a gently 

 sloping terrace ; subsequent observation showed that we 

 were encamped on a fourth terrace which is continuous 

 with Pembina Mountain. The entire mountain appeared, 

 from our point of view, to be densely covered with forest 

 trees, and effectually resisted all attempts to reach the 

 summit on the west side with horses on account of the 

 fallen timber and thick growth of aspens. The country 

 through which we passed during the day was very wet 

 and swampy in many places, but on the ridges the soil 

 is dry and gravelly ; we were in fact, descending the 

 Pembina Mountain, which being here extended over 

 a great breadth, is not easily recognised. In the after- 

 noon we arrived at a beautiful ridge, running N. 12° W. 

 and S. 12° E. One side of this ridge is partly excavated 

 by the White Mud Eiver, and exhibits finely stratified 

 gravel, consisting almost altogether of small limestone 

 pebbles, with a few belonging to the unfossiliferous rocks. 

 The ridge is gently sloping towards the east, and pre- 

 cipitous towards the west, having on either hand a level 

 country, higher on the west side than on the east. I have 

 no doubt this ridge is a continuation of a former lake 

 boundary at a higher level than the Big Eidge of the 

 Assinniboine. Some fine oak grows on the banks of 

 White Mud Eiver near the ridge, and ash-leaved maple 

 begins to show itself again. 



Our course on the 30th lay through the prairies drained 

 by White Mud Eiver. This tract of country is second 

 only in beauty and fertility to the valley of Eapid Eiver. 

 Not only is the herbage of surprising luxuriance, but the 

 trees in the river bottoms are of very large dimensions, 



