OF THE FUR TRADE, &c. lai

wreaths of herbage and branches. There have been examples of men
taking feven packages of ninety pounds each, at one end of the por-
tage, and putting them down at the other without flopping.

To this, another fmall portage immediately fucceeds, over a rock
producing a fall. From thence to the fall of Terre Blanche is two miles
and an half; to the firft portage Des Eaux qui Remuent is three miles ;
to the next, of the fame name, is but a few yards diftant; to the third
and laft, which is a Décharge, is three miles and an half; and from this
to the laft Portage of the river one mile and an half; and to the eftablifh-
ment, or provifion houfe, is two miles and an half. Here alfo the French

had their principal inland dep6t, and got their canoes made.

It is here, that the prefent traders, going to great diftances, and where
provifion is difficult to procure, receive a fupply to carry them to the
_ Rainy Lake, or Lake Superior. From the eftablifhment to the entrance
of Lake Winipic is four miles and an half, latitude 50. 37. North.

The country, foil, produce, and climate, from Lake Superior to
this place bear a general refemblance, with a predominance of rock
and water: the former is of the granite kind. Where there is any
foil it is well covered with wood, fuch as oak, elm, afh of dif-
ferent kinds, maple of two kinds, pines of various defcriptions, among
which are what I call the cyprefs, with the hickory, iron-wood,
liard, poplar, cedar, black and white birch, &c. &c. Vaft quan-
tities of wild rice are feen throughout the country, which the natives

colle

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