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Lake Huron, contain similar organic remains to those that occur, abundantly, in the limestone rocks, which prevail as the base of Anticosti. Along the north coasts of Lake Huron and Lake Superior, granite predominates. Some distance back from the lakes and rivers, steps or ramps, which are abrupt elevations, occur. They seem to have formed, at some period, the banks or beaches along which the waters flowed. Behind the first of these steps, table land generally extends for some distance, or until a second step and flat land occur, sometimes followed by a third and fourth ramp. These appear at Malbay, Lake St. Peter, Lake Huron, and at many other places. Indications of volcanic eruptions appear at St. Paul's Bay, and on the mountains north of Quebec. The great earthquake of 1663 is said to have overturned a chain of freestone mountains, 300 miles long, north of the St. Lawrence, and levelled them with the plains. We cannot, however, consider the authority, we find in the journals of the Jesuits, as sufficient to establish this circumstance, when the configuration of the adjoining country has not apparently been disturbed. Canada is considered rich in minerals. Iron of the best quality has been found in great abundance. Silver has been picked up in small quantities; lead, tin, and copper, have been discovered in several places. Coal has not yet been discovered. We are, however, still ignorant of the mineral riches, and even of the geology of these regions. The researches of the Montreal Natural History Society leads us to expect important discoveries. The following extract enumerates most of the minerals that have been discovered: "The mineralogy of the Canadas has hitherto been almost altogether neglected; but the imperfect researches which have been made prove it to be rich in the scarce kinds of minerals, and not deficient in those applicable to economical purposes. Petalite, one of the rarest substances in the world, and remarkable for containing the newly-discovered fourth alkali, lithia, was sent from York in Upper Canada, in 1820, by Dr. Lyon, surgeon to the forces. Beryl is found at Lake of the Woods; Labrador felspar (Lake Huron); axinite (Hawkesbury Ottawa, the only place in North America); aventurine (Lake Huron); amethyst (Lakes Superior and Huron); apatite, a phosphate of lime (Fort Wellington), may be added among others; Aragonite (Laclina); strontian, in magnificent forms (Erie, Ontario, &c.); schorl (St. Lawrence); manganese and garnet (river Moira, Ontario, &c.); carnelian, agate, zeolite, prehnite, barytes, and fluor spar (Lake Superior); brown and green coccolite (Montreal and Hall Ottawa); olivine, angite (Montreal); staurotide (Rainy Lake), and the very rare anthophyllite (Fort Wellington). Marbles and serpentine are quite common. Plumbago, ores of antimony, lead, iron, and copper, are frequently met with. The northern and western shores of Lake Ontario abound in salt-springs, some of which (Stony Creek and St. Catherine's) are very productive, even with the employment of small capital. The north shore of Lake Erie exhibits immense beds of gypsum, which are quarried for the purpose of agriculture."

The region between Lakes Michigan and Superior and the Rocky mountains, is generally flat; and in this territory, and south of it, to Santa Fé, are situated the largest savannahs in the world. The lands separating the rivers which fall into the lakes of Canada, and those of the Mississippi and Missouri, are generally low, and sufficiently overflowed in spring to allow a communication with canoes.

The coast and interior country of Lower Canada from Cape Gaspé to the Paps of Matane, a distance of about 200 miles, still exhibit the same primeval wildness which this portion of the western world presented to Cartier 296 years ago. The northern shores, from Labrador to Tadousac, are sterile and desolate; and if we except the king's posts at Seven Islands Bay and Pont Neuf, we discover no signs of art or civilisation, no traces of the industry or enterprise of man. A few miserable wandering Montagnez Indians, and a few transient fishermen and furriers, are the only human beings that frequent this cold and barren region. The vast country which lies between the lower shores of the St. Lawrence and Hudson Bay, seems, indeed, unfit for any other inhabitants, save the shaggy bear, prowling wolf, ruthless Esquimaux, and hardy mountaineer Indian, who wander along its waters, or traverse its wastes; yet the vast swarms of salmon that frequent its rivers, and the remarkably fine fur of its wild animals, offer sufficient temptations to the adventurous, and sources of profit to the industrious. Minerals, especially iron, are believed to abound; but, from the geological formation of the country, we think that few, unless it be copper, will ever be found east or north of the Saghunay.

Cape Gaspé is rather high, and its rocky cliffs are perpendicular. Cape Rosier is low, but the land behind rises into high round hills; and the whole is covered with trees of various kinds, except the few small spots near the Cape cleared by some fishermen settled there. The coast preserves this character as we proceed up the St. Lawrence, and generally slopes, covered with trees, to the water's edge.

The countries of Gaspé, Rimouski, and Kamouraska, comprehending a fertile territory, extending about 300 miles along the river St. Lawrence, are less known in England than Kamtschatka.

THE RIVER ST. LAWRENCE, and the whole country from the lowest parishes to Quebec, unfold scenery, the magnificence of which, in combination with the most delightful picturesque beauty, is considered by the most intelligent travellers who have visited this part of Canada, to be unequalled in America, and probably in the world.

Niagara comprehends only a few miles of sublimity. The great lakes resemble seas; and the prospects which their shores, like those of the coasts of the ocean, afford to our limited visual powers, although on a grand scale, fall infinitely short of the sublime views on the St. Lawrence below Quebec.

Here we have frequently, as we ascend the eminences, over which the post road passes, or as we sail up or down the St. Lawrence, prospects which open a view of 50 to 100 miles of a river, from ten to twenty miles in breadth. The imposing features of these vast landscapes exhibit lofty mountains, wide valleys, bold headlands, luxuriant forests, cultivated fields, pretty villages and settlements, some of them stretching up along the mountains; fertile islands with neat white cottages; rich pastures and well-fed flocks; rocky islets; tributary rivers, some of them rolling over precipices, and one, the Saghunay, bursting through an apparently perpendicular chasm of the northern mountains; and on the surface of the St. Lawrence, majestic ships, brigs, and schooners, either under sail or at anchor, with pilot boats and river craft in active motion.

This beautiful appearance, however, changes to a very different character in winter; and late in the fall of the year, a dark stormy night in the river and gulf of St. Lawrence, presents the most terrific, wild, and formidable dangers.

In winter the river and gulf are choked up with broken fields of ice, exhibiting the most varied and fantastic appearances; and the whole country on each side is covered with snow; with all the trees, except the stern fir tribes, denuded of their foliage.

The upper waters of the Ottawa has only been partially explored. It rises in the north-west regions, beyond Lake Huron; and probably winds its course, for from six to eight hundred miles, before it joins the St. Lawrence. This great river, however, was scarcely known, except to the Jesuits and fur traders, before the conquest of Canada. It was their grand route to the north-west territories. Forty to fifty canoes formerly proceeded from Lachine with articles of traffic, and ascended the Ottawa for about 300 miles, from whence they were carried over portages and decharges, or paddled along lakes, and then across by French River to Lake Huron. The coasts of this lake, and those of Lake Superior, were afterwards traversed, until the voyageurs reached the Grand Portage, where they received the furs purchased by the company's agents from the Indians. The voyageurs then returned with these furs to Montreal, and in light bark canoes, voyages of several thousands of miles were performed by those adventurous men.

The navigation of the Ottawa is freqently interrupted by cataracts and rapids; and the scenery exhibits picturesque beauty and fertility. In some parts it expands over the country, and forms what are termed the Lesser or Thirty-mile Lakes of Canada. It receives several rivers between its embouchure and its upper settlements, most of which issue from or run through lakes. The largest of these rivers are the Petite Nation, the Rideau, the Canadian Mississippi, La Rivière des Lièvres, the Madawask, &c.

It divides Lower from Upper Canada; and townships have been laid out, and settlements have for some time been rapidly forming along its banks. Its periodical rising, which enriches the alluvions, owing to the rapid melting of the snows in the extensive northern region through which it and its numerous tributaries flow, is much higher in the spring than in the fall of the year.

Neither the northern nor western boundaries of Upper Canada are well defined, but generally considered as including the countries watered by the streams falling into the Ottawa from the west, and into Lakes Tomiscaming, Huron, and Superior, from the north and north-west, and comprising altogether a superficial surface of about 140,000 square miles, or the vast area of 89,600,000 acres. Of this region, the greater portion, if not all, north of Lake Tomiscaming and of Lakes Huron and Superior, may be considered a hunting country, and, with few exceptions, unfit for agriculture. Of the extensive territory south of Lake Tomiscaming, and bounded by the Ottawa, the St. Lawrence, and by Lakes Ontario, Erie, Sinclair, Huron, and the Georgian Bay, the greater part has been laid out in townships and reservations.

The configuration of Upper Canada we have delineated partly in the general description of British America, and partly in the geographical outline and aspect of Canada. The whole province may be considered, with few exceptions, as sufficiently level in all parts for agriculture; its soil generally fertile; and, exclusive of the large lakes and rivers, abundantly watered with small lakes and streams.

The principal height of land rises between the Ottawa and the St. Lawrence. Its elevation, however, is neither abrupt nor great. This height, or rather table land, extends westerly between the streams descending into Lakes Ontario and Erie, and those falling into Lake Huron.

There is no other remarkable elevation, except its principal ramifications, which commences above Kingston, and sweeps round Lake Ontario. To the north-west of Bathurst, and north of Lake Huron, a mountainous country prevails. In the districts east of Lake Ontario, the exceptions to rich soil are some portions of heavy clay land, and marshy or swampy tracts. None of these are extensive. The country between Lake Ontario and Lake Simco, is in some places less fertile, in others more loamy, and generally less obstructed by rocks or stones. The prevailing character of the territory lying between Lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron, and the river Detroit, is luxuriant fertility.

Limestone, gypsum, iron ore of the best quality, salt-springs, clay, for brick and potters' use, marble, freestone, granite, timber, of great dimensions, and adapted for all purposes, are abundant, which, with a soil and climate that will produce wheat, maize, and all other grains and vegetables grown in Europe; delicious fruits, even vines, nectarines, and peaches; grazing lands, plenty of wild

fowl, and fish in the numerous rivers and lakes; fresh water and mill-streams, and a climate generally salubrious, are the prominent natural advantages.

Its natural inconveniences are, chiefly its being more difficult of access from the ocean, and somewhat further from markets, than the other colonies. It is, however, doubtful if these be real disadvantages; for the industry of the inhabitants is consequently more closely applied to agriculture-the most substantial and lasting source of individual prosperity and independence—than in the maritime colonies.

There are springs of petroleum near the Moravian village, and springs near the head of Lake Ontario, impregnated with sulphur, thrown out sometimes in small lumps. Medicinal springs, like those of Balston, are also found at Scarborough, near Toronto. The water of the lakes and river St. Lawrence is wholesome, but in summer too warm to be agreeable. It is impregnated, in a slight degree, with lime, though the resident inhabitants do not perceive it. The best spring water is where the country is undulated. With the exception of the alluvions, the lighter soils prevail near the lakes; the richer and heavier some distance back in the country.

NORTH-WEST AND HUDSON-BAY TERRITORIES, &c. The region lying. north of the boundary of the United States, and south of the lakes discharging into Hudson Bay, and west of Lake Superior, to the Pacific Ocean, has long been called the north-west, or Indian territory.

These boundaries on the north and south are not easily defined; and their adjustment is likely to be attended with doubt and difficulty. But if we consider of how little importance even the whole territory can be to powers, which, like those of England and the United States, already possess far more of the surface of the earth than can be profitable, wise statesmen, and reasonable people, should willingly consent to settle the Oregon boundary on the same principle as that on which the north-eastern boundary of Maine was adjusted: that is, by each party yielding to the other a portion of their respective claims.

This vast region possesses almost every variety of the soil, and of the temperate and cold climates. Its configuration, and aspect, unfolds innumerable lakes, rivers, mountains, savannahs, magnificent forests, immense tracts of fertile lands, and barren, rocky, and frozen countries.

A great portion of the region lying south of Lake Athabasca, and west of the Stony Mountains, is eminently adapted for agriculture, and its splendid forests and broad savannahs, abound with buffalo, moose, carraboo, common deer, and most, if not all, the wild animals and birds of America. In the lakes and rivers great varieties of fish are plentiful.

This remote territory possesses resources capable of yielding sustenance and independence to many millions of inhabitants; but hitherto the soil has

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