NATURAL HISTORY AND PHYSIOGRAPHY OF NEW BRUNSWICK. 39 
vegetation. Also I think the ancient Indian portage trails, in 
which the hollowed path persists long after it has been over- 
arched by vegetation, would give the same impression. And I 
venture to think the old serpent path from the sea to Lake Utopia, 
mentioned by Adams, was simply the important old Indian 
trail which we know existed between the Lake and the Letang 
River. 
If the reader will spread before him a modern map of New Brunswick,, 
and will fix his attention upon all the boundary lines shown thereon 
he will be impressed by the irregularity of the network the boundaries make, 
and by the seeming lawlessness of most of their courses. Close observation 
will show that a few of the lines coincide with natural features of the country, 
such as sea-coast and rivers; but the great majority have no such deter- 
minants, and are obviously entirely artificial. Every one versed in the history 
of this Province will readily recall that some of these boundaries have been 
subjects of serious international contentions, have exhausted the powers 
of the highest diplomacy, and have brought great nations within sight of 
war. A few are old, and interwoven with the earlier periods of our history, 
while others have had experiences sufficiently remarkable or curious. Al- 
together, it is unlikely that any other country of equal size has had 
its boundaries so often or conspicuously in contention, so fully discussed 
by many and weighty commissions, so closely interlocked with its general 
history, or determined by so many distinct considerations as has the Province 
of New Brunswick. — W F. Ganong, Preface to the Evolution of Boundaries 
of New Brunswick. Trans. R. S. C., Vol. vii, 1901. 
