Original - North Central Michigan College Library

each two miles in length. Their name 22 describesthe boggy ground of which they consist.In passing one of them we saw many beaverhouses and dams; and by breaking one of thedams we let off water enough to float ourcanoes down a small stream which would nototherwise have been navigable. These carrying-placesand the intermediate navigationbrought us at length to the head of a smallriver which falls into Lake Nipisingue. Wehad how passed the country of which thestreams fall northeastward into the Outaouais,and entered that from which they flow in acontrary direction toward Lake Huron. Onone side of the height of land, which is thereciprocal boundary of these regions, we hadleft Lake aux Tourtres and the River Matawa;and before us on the other was Lake Nipisingue.The banks of the little river by whichwe descended into the lake, and more especiallyas we approached the lake, were of an exceedinglydelightful appearance, covered with highgrass and affording an extensive prospect.Both the lake and river abound hi black bass,sturgeon, pike, and other fish.Among the pikeis to be included the species called by theIndians masquinonge. In two hours with the22 Vase is the French equivalent of mud or slime.Editor.23 Known to sportsmen of the present day as theMuskellunge.Editor.30