, 1859-04-16

<7sstraf UAsse4pffsa OF sAs- EeNtry h.
fscss1 k&ks Exps4ser and Ed 1gesF. !,


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The region through which the. explorations
hare extended embraces two sections Of co1n-
try widely different in physical character. Tbs
first, extending from Lake Snperior to Laka
Winnipeg, il Of the primitive or orcrystalline for
nation. In its general aspect it Is = billy and
broken country, intersected by rapid rivers and
widespread lakes. The mountains, however,
do not rise to any great elevation, except on the
immediate borders Of Lake Superior, md there
arc several fine aIlurial valleys, the most e1ten
sire Of which is that Of Rainy. Riyer, which has
been go often referred to In previous reports:
The lakes and rivers present long reaches Of
nasigahle wafer, the principal Of which, extend
ing from Fort Frances to the western e11semHy
Of Lac Plat, il l5s miles in length. Dense for
ests cover the whole Of this region, and the most
valuable kinds Of wood are seen in various
places and in considerable quantities. Elm is
to be found on the Rainy River, and white pine
Of fair size and good quality, abounds on the
borders Of the streams which rush down the
steep declvity Of the eastern slope to Lake su-
perior; but it is still more abundant on tue
western slope, on the waters which flow towards
Rainy Lake. On the Sageinaga River, and on
the Seine and Maligne, there arc extensive for
ests Of red and white pine. Occasional White
pines appear too in the beautiful valley Of halny
River ind on the islands in the Lake Of the
Woods, but on proceeding westward they be-
come more rare, and on nearing Lake lnnlpee
disappear altogether. =
When the nine forests in the neighborhood Of
RAINY Lake arc considered in connection win
the fertile region to the westward Of Red kiver,
where there is but little wood fit for economic
purposes, and regarded ~ reference 70 "na'
NAV be the future wants Of thai extensive ois-
trict, they assume M importance not TO be over
looked in estimating tbs resources Of this part
Of the country.
Of the lakes in this section, the Lake Of the
Woods is the most extensive. From Lac fiat,
which may be regarded as its western extremity
to White Fish Lake, which is a somewhat siml-
lur extension in an opposite direction, the dis
tance is NOT fur short Of l0O miles, and from the
mouth of Rainy River, at the entrance Of the
Lake to its outlet at Rat Portage, in lat. ~ deg.
II min North, and long. 81 deg. n min. West,
the distance is about 70 miles, 50 TINT aitogetneF
il may occupy IN area Of sixteen hundred square
miles, This extensive sheet OF water, nEe III
the other lakes on the line OF route, is inter
spersed with islands, and GU some Of these the
! Indians haye grown mnize from time inlmemo-
! rial and have never known it fail, SO that the
climate cannot be untavorab!e for agricultural
operations To what extent the country on
only be asccrtaiued On further exploration !;
for, except on the burders Of Lac Plat, it
has not been at all examined. It would
be difficult to conceive anything more
beautiful Of its kind that the scene
ry Of this lake. Islands rise. in contin-
nous clusters, and in every variety OF form.
Sometimes in passing through them 'ne pros.
pccs seems entirely shut in soon again i opens
out and through longyistas glance is obtained
of nn ocean-like expansc, where the wafer meets
the horzon Not trace Of civilization is any
where observable, but the Indians nre numer-
GUS and, indeed, this lake seems to be their n
yorite resort in summer; the wild rice On It's
borders, and the fish which abound in its waters,
| Aftording them IN easy means OF subsistence,
not to mention the maize which they grow on
the islands, They are fine looking race, and
| if removed from the hunlanlzinE influences OF
civilization, they are also strangers to the noes
which it brings. The men are generally tall anu
vel! formed, and some Of the women remarkably
co1ncly, but they are not very cleanly in their
hubits, and there can be nothing more sugges-
tive Of Incidence than their mode Of life, which,
however, has one feature to recommend It IN
| the entire exemption from care with winch It
seems to be attended. Gliding in their light
canoes from island to island, basking IN the sun
shine on SOME pebbly strand, and merely exert
ing themselves 10 IN extent sufficient 10 supply
their immediate wants, the future affects them
not, and they appear to be supremcly happy /;
but the winter bringsits troubles, and they have
then 10 betake themselves to tile forests in single
| families, where, having only game to depend
upon, they arc sometimes sadly straitened.
From tile Lake Of the Woods to Lake Winni-
reg; the Winnipeg River presents succession u,as
making altogether descent Of about 361 feet
in 4 distance Of lG0 miles. The shores arc in
general rocky, but there is nothing TO warrant t
the assumption tint there may not be good land
ut soInc distance from the river; for on making
inquiries Of the Indians who were familiar With
tic country, We leurned that the region inland
was comparatively level, or rising only in undu-
lations which scarcely deserve The namc Of hills.
To explore it, however, would be a mere waste
Of time, as it is not on the line Of route which,
instead Of following tho Winnipeg, must strike
across the country from the Lake of the Woods
to Red River.
Some Of tue falls on the Winnipeg arc remark
ably beautiful, and acquire additional interest
from the widness Of the surrounding scenery
The Silver Falls, Pointc du l3ois and Chute Il
.Iaquot arc all very imposing, more especially
til. latter, which is one Of the few places where
the whole volume Of the Winnipeg Gun bc seen.
In general, however, tile scenery IS compara-
lively tame. High rocky bluffs. woody 'sets
and lakes. compose u picture pleasing enough In
Itself, but wearisome in its monotony.