214 ASSINNIBOINE AND SASKATCHEWAN EXPEDITION. 



geological formation of the region is known to contain. 

 But while this description is applicable to the coast line 

 and the margin of some of the rivers and larger lakes of 

 the interior, it is by no means so to the country in general. 

 On the contrary, there are in many parts, especially in the 

 valleys of the Thessalon and its tributaries, extensive 

 tracts of the finest lands, covered with a luxuriant growth 

 of hard wood interspersed with stately pine trees, pro- 

 bably equal in average size to any of the same species 

 known in the province." 



The interior of the country north of Lake Superior is 

 now being surveyed for the purpose of laying off mining 

 locations ; its extraordinary mineral wealth cannot fail to 

 draw a large mining population, which will cause the agri- 

 cultural lands in the valleys of the rivers to be sought 

 after ; the fisheries are also of great importance. Under 

 these favourable circumstances there is every probability 

 that the country north of Lakes Huron and Superior will 

 speedily grow in importance, and the day is not far 

 distant when uninterrupted communication with the 

 north-western Eailroad termini in Canada will be es- 

 tablished during the winter months. 



THE SUMMER COMMUNICATION. 



The opening of a summer communication between 

 Lake Superior and Eed Eiver was one of the objects 

 which the Canadian Government had in view in explor- 

 ing the route. The duty of continuing the examination 

 of the country in 1858, and reporting on the best means 

 of traversing it, was confided to Mr. Simon Dawson. 



The following extract from his report will explain the 

 manner in which he proposes to open the communication 

 by carts, boats, and steamers : — 



