456 ASSINNIBOINE AND SASKATCHEWAN EXPEDITION. 



and Cedar Lake are seen all the characteristics of a great 

 alluvial delta. The Saskatchewan ramifies into many 

 different channels, some of them return to the parent 

 stream forming large islands, and several flow into Muddy 

 Lake and other expansions of the main river, before 

 finally emptying into Cedar Lake. 



The country bordering the Saskatchewan from Marshy 

 Lake towards Muddy Lake and Cedar Lake, consists of 

 low mud-flats not exceeding eighteen inches above water, 

 supporting along the river's edge a belt of willows, alder, 

 dogwood, and long rank grass ; in the rear is an exten- 

 sive marsh with occasional islands of small poplar and 

 spruce. These flats, being so little above water, are 

 flooded every spring after the ice breaks up, and no camp- 

 ing place can then be found for a considerable distance 

 up the river. A very rich mud is deposited during these 

 floods, raising and extending the flats every year. 



Muddy Lake, near which we were compelled to remain 

 for some time, owing to a boisterous head wind, is ap- 

 parently a dilatation of the Saskatchewan in a northerly 

 direction ; it is about two miles wide, and extends to the 

 north for about four miles. We effected a landing on a 

 point of the river four to five feet above the level of the 

 water, where we found an exposure of light-coloured 

 limestone in horizontal beds along the water's edge, and 

 several large detached masses adjacent. This was the 

 first outcrop of rock in situ we met with on the main 

 Saskatchewan, and I made a very careful search for fossils, 

 but, being unsuccessful, had to content myself with some 

 specimens of the rock. On examining the point it was 

 discovered to be an island eight chains long and four 

 broad, with the river on one side, and on the other a vast 

 reedy marsh interspersed with large ponds. This island 

 is a favourite camping and fishing place of the Swampy 



