SO TRAVELS THROUGH LOWER CANADA B . 
touch they were destroyed and reduced to 
powder. They were particularly attracted 'by 
any white object, and having once alighted 
were not to be driven away but by force. The 
leaves of a book,, which I happened to have 
in my hand, were in a few seconds so thickly 
covered by them, that it was impossible to 
discern a single letter, and no sooner was one 
swarm of them brushed off, than a fresh one 
immediately alighted. These insects have 
very broad wings in proportion to their size, 
and fly heavily, so that it is only when the air 
is remarkably calm that they can venture to 
make their appearance. 
About sunset on this, the first evening of 
our voyage, we reached the island of Perot, 
situated at the mouth of the U taw as River. 
This island is about fourteen miles in circum¬ 
ference; its soil is fertile, and it is well cul¬ 
tivated. There are two considerable villages 
near its centre, but towards Point St. Claire, 
at its lower extremity, the settlements are but 
very few. We landed at the point, and pitched 
our tent in a meadow which stood bordering 
upon the water. Here the bateaux were drawn 
up, and having been properly secured, the 
different crews, amounting in all to upwards 
of fifty men, divided themselves- into 'small 
parties, and kindled fires along the shore, in 
order to cook their provisions for the sue- 
