318 DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY 



and seems to resist the action of disintegrating forces better than most of the slates 

 hitherto seen. These lakes are filled with small rock-islands. 



At a point, called by the Indians Wa-bi-se-gon, near the entrance to Nemakan or 

 Sturgeon Lake, is an exposure of mica slate, with felspar veins, as shown by the 

 subjoined cut, which, from the resemblance of one of the veins to a serpent, is 



regarded by the Indians as a manitou or god, and must be highly esteemed by them, 

 from the quantity of vermilion bestowed on it, and the number of animals depicted 

 on the face of the rock. The mica slate (No. 535), is much folded and doubled, 

 the veins (No. 537), cutting across the laminaB. This section serves, also, to illus- 

 trate the bendings and foldings of the schistose rocks throughout all this region of 

 country. 



Nemakan Lake is perfectly studded with small islands of mica slate, dipping to 

 the north at an angle of 14° and 16°. On the north shore, where a portage begins 

 across the ridge between this lake and a small stream which empties into a bay of 

 Rainy Lake, granite was observed protruding through the slate, and bearing east- 

 northeast and west-southwest. During seasons of high water, Nemakan Lake com- 

 municates with the stream above mentioned, which is about thirty yards wide, and 

 nine feet below the present level of the lake, where the portage trail strikes it. On 

 this river graphic granite (No. 538) was observed, containing garnets, much actino- 

 lite, and some tourmaline. 



The rock at the mouth of the river is mica slate (No. 539), with some exposures 

 of No. 538. The bay upon which we entered is called by the Indians Wa-bush- 

 kon-de-ga. The channel leading from this bay is narrow, and shows mica slate on 

 both sides, dipping at a high angle. 



I neglected to say, in the proper place, that from representations made regarding 

 the difficulty of finding our way on Rainy Lake, in consequence of the multitude of 

 islands and channels in it, we procured a guide at Crane Portage, from a company 

 of men in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company, who were encamped there for 

 the purpose of trading with the Indians. He was a mere boy, however, and not at 

 all acquainted with the intricacies of the lake, although his father, Menville (who 

 is mentioned in Colonel Long's Narrative of explorations in this region, in con- 

 nexion with the murder of young Kevenay), represented him as being fully eompe- 



