4G4 
BULLETIN OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 
panying map* (Map No. 5). Big Lake is made by us 1,136 feet above 
the sea. The only previous measurement was by Ells, who says :f 
“ The general elevation of the lake at the head of the Little Southwest 
^liramichi is, by aneroid, about 1,200 feet above sea level,” an estii 
mate which our measurements make somewhat too high. 
Geology. — On this I have nothing to add to what is given by 
Hind, Jack and Ells in the notes earlier mentioned, and incorporated 
on the geological map. The whole country is covered with granitic 
and schistose boulders, the former in great majority, but Jack is not 
correct in stating that from Devils Book to Gulquac and Serpentine 
no rock in place is to be seen, for Hind records schistose ledges below 
the outlet of Big Lake, and I found some fine, large ledges of schist 
south of the old MacDougal road, over a mile west of the Big Lake 
on the line of a recent timber line, and ledges occur also on Milnagek 
Lake, as will be shown in a later note. 
Natural History. — On this subject no publications exist aside 
from the notes by Long already mentioned. Doubtless, few animals 
or plants occur here that are not found elsewhere in the province. 
For studies upon the habits of the larger animals, the region is, how- 
ever, unsurpassed. Beaver are now building their houses in Big Lake ; 
moose and caribou wander in abundance and tamely around its shores, 
and other animal life is there in great display. 
Economics. — The region abounds in fine spruce timber, the princi- 
pal game and fur-bearing animals, and big trout. It is, on the other 
hand, utterly useless for agriculture and settlement. It is, therefore, 
a part of that central wilderness of New Brunswick, marked out by 
nature for a great timber and game preserve, and needing only good 
management to make it a perpetual source of revenue to the province, 
and an enduring natural recreation ground for her citizens. 
The Lakes Individually. — This region, as a whole, has the features 
characteristic of so much of the interior of New Brunswick. Its 
shallow lakes, with margins and islands of boulders and bog, are con- 
nected by swift boulder-strewn streams, and lie amongst low domed 
hills and ridges clothed with unbroken forest. 
* All of this map, except the Big Deadwater, taken from Berton’s plan, and the Pear 
and Renous I^kes, taken from the Crown Land office plants, is based upon our own plane- 
table and traverse surveys. 
t Rei>ort of the Geological Survey, 1879-80, D. 32. 
