154 Featherstonhaugh's Geological Report. 



upland prairie. The Coteau itself is another upland prairie, 

 somewhat more diversified than that I had left behind, having 

 numerous small wooded lakes on its surface, which have a 

 very picturesque appearance. From the plateau here there 

 is a very extensive view of the prairies below, with the lakes. 

 The prairies in every direction are bounded only by the hori- 

 zon ; a few occasional trees indicate stagnant water. It is two 

 good days' march from hence to the river Shyan, and eight fur- 

 ther to Pembina, on Ked river of Lake Winnipeg, the whole 

 of it over a prairie country with many small lakes and occa- 

 sional wood. The Nid de Tonnerre, or Nest of Thunder, a 

 name derived from some Indian tradition, comprehends a small 

 tjact of country with a very irregular surface, where knolls, 

 depressions, and small wooded lakes prevail. The sand-hills 

 I have before spoken of as lying in front of the Coteau de 

 Prairie, extend into this vicinity, and still farther to the north- 

 west. Farther to the northwest are several saline lakes, one 

 of which, named Saline lake on the map, is about ten miles 

 long. On the shores of these lakes crystallized salt is found 

 in dry seasons, when the surface has been much evaporated; 

 muriate of lime appears to be mixed with it. As there is no 

 rock in place around here, conjectures only can be formed 

 upon the nature of the subjacent beds. About thirty miles 

 from Lake Travers the Psee, or Wild-rice river, flows east 

 of north to Red river, rising principally in a small lake at the 

 foot of the Coteau. From this stream there is a constant line 

 of sand-hills to the Shyan, a shallow stream about thirty yards 

 wide, with plenty of wood. The buffalo abound about here, 

 but seldom come much farther south. For twenty to twenty- 

 five miles from this stream, the country on the left bank is 

 hilly and dry, and more easily travelled over than on the op- 

 posite bank, which is much cut up by coulees. Another In- 

 dian locality now presents itself, called the Grizzly Bear's 

 Den, a lofty hill on the south side of the Shyan. From this 

 place it is five days' march to Lac du Diable. 



