The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-04-30
Solving the Labrador Mystery.

We published. yesterday. most interest
ing piece OF geographical news relating to
this continent. A. p. Low OF the Canadian
Geological Survey crossed inner Labrador
last summer from south to north. and the
report OF his achievement, written at his
winter quarters in Hamilton Inlet, has just
reached Quebec. The greatest unknown ex-
panse Of North America has at last been
traversed by an explorer. Even an un-
trained traveller could not have failed to
bring home many interesting facts from
this virgin field: but Mr.. Low lie scientific
geographer and geologlst; and when he
returns home we may expect from him
report OF much value on the various aspects
Of inner Labrador. from south to north.
which he Is the first to study.
This region two and q half times as large
as Great Britain and Ireland. has not been
nearly 30 well known as the interior Of
Africa. The very fact that nobody knew
the truth about 1t. gave rise to sensational
stories which were long uncontradicted.
Nearly ten years ago a surveyor came
home with astonishing stories Of Lake Mis-
tassini. which. he said. was as large as Lake
Ontario. and he told OF Its big waves and OF
the water horizon all around him. Then we
heard of the Grand Falls plunging into a
chasm from the dizzy height OF 1900 feet.
1t was left for Messrs. Low and BRYANT to
reduce this lake and these falls to their
proper dimensions.
We have only a glimpse OF Mr.. Lows
journey in the brief report that has reached
us. but this Is enough to show that he has
obtained a fair idea OF the topography and
geology OF the great peninsula. He I'M
doubtedly followed the backbon OF the re-
glon. tracing the water-parting between the
drainage flowing to the Atlantic and that
which is tributary to Hudson Bay. He dis
covered large number of lakes aud found
the country well covered with timber OF
stunted, sub-Arctic growth. He noted far
north large outcrops OF the Lower Silurian
rocks, such as fringe in a broad band the
southern edge OF the Archean exposures
along the northern part Of our State.
Mr.. Lows work will add interesting
facts to what is already known Of the geol-
ogy Of the continent, and Of the traces OF
ice movement In the glacial age. We shall
now know something definite OF the height
of this northern plateau. and our map
makers will be able to fill a considerable
part OF the large white space on the maps
His plan for this summer is to cross the
peninsula from east to west in the latitude
OF Hamilton Inlet. thus making another
traverse OF the entire region. an enterprise
that Is likely to be as fruitful OF results as
his last summers journey. We are glad
the work he has accomplished and that
which he has still In view have been out
lined thus early, for the information will
doubtless be serviceabe to the expedition
which is soon to start for Hamilton Inlet
under the auspices Of the Geographic Club
Of Philadelphia. We are inclined to think
that. In view OF Mr.. Lows achievements
and plans for this season. the Philadelphia
party will find 1t expedient to take more
southerly course inland and trace the still
unknown northern limit OF the watershed
Of the st. Lawrence. Good work may be
done here In territory which. for the most
part. Is wholly unknown, and our own ex-
plorers. II fortune favors them. will thus
be able to render important service In the
geographical study OF Labrador.