498 



APPENDIX. 



[No. I. 



latitude are flat, and the depth of the sea decreases very gradually on 

 approaching them. In seven fathoms of water the tops of the trees are just 

 visible from a ship's deck. Large boulder stones strew the beach, and form 

 shoals, even at the distance of five miles from the shore, which are very 

 hazardous to boats. Nearly in the centre of this district, Nelson's and 

 Hayes' Rivers pour their waters together into the bay. The former is a 

 mighty stream, and carries off the waters from a vast extent of country. The 

 Saskatchawan, its principal branch, rises by two heads in the Rocky Moun- 

 tains, one adjoining the sources of the Missouri and Columbia*, and the 

 other near the heads of the Elk, Caledonia, and Peace Rivers. As these 

 rivers diverging nearly at right angles, flow into the four bounding seas, it 

 is more than probable that the Saskatchawan originates in the loftiest height 

 of land in North America. 



Red River, another of the branches of Nelson River, has a source far in- 

 ferior to that of the Saskatchawan in altitude, but remarkable as being in 

 the same height of land from whence the Mississippi f and St. Lawrence 

 derive their origin. The altitude of this latter height has been calculated 

 by Mr. Schoolcraft at one thousand three hundred and sixty feet above the 

 Atlantic J. — By Split Lake and the chain of lakes communicating with it, and 

 by Beaver Lake and its chain of waters, Nelson River receives supplies from 

 the very banks of the Missinippi § or Churchill River. Indeed, the Beaver 

 Lake chain which lay in our route, originates within a hundred yards of the 

 latter stream. A consideration of these circumstances will give a pretty 

 correct notion of the general declination of a large extent of country. 



Hayes' River, although it pours out a considerable body of water, traverses a 

 district which appears very small when compared with the one just mentioned. 

 It is separated from Nelson River at its mouth by a low point of alluvial lanol, 

 upon which, at the distance of five or six miles from the sea, York Factory stands. 



* Specimens of agates and calcedonies, collected near the source of the Colombia, by Mr. 

 M'Kenzie, one of the chief factors of Hudson's Bay Company, have been probably washed from 

 amygdaloidal rocks. 



t Meessee seepee, great river. 



X Schoolcraft's Narrative, of Governor Cass's Expedition. 

 § Meessee or Meectchee-neepee, much water. 



