Genre:

Essay, Travelogue

Relevant illustrations:

eng. [10]

Subjects:

Geology, Stratigraphy, Mineralogy, Anthropology

    Suggests that in 'becoming better acquainted with Murray Bay [on the shore of the St Lawrence River in Quebec; now known as Pointe-au-Pic] the stranger will have his curiosity aroused by the many regularly shaped mounds which he comes upon at a certain elevation above the water. They are really remains of land-slips, and are composed of stratified land and clay, belonging to the geological formations known as Lead clay and Saxicava sand. They have been rounded off to their present shape by the action of the weather and the receding waters. The whole region is one of deep interest to the geologist or mineralogist, as the Laurentian system contains for them inexhaustible riches' (202). Also comments on the tribes of 'aborigines' living along the river, who 'veneer their civilization as much as possible with Indian laziness and unpicturesque dirt', and whose unkempt children incessantly attempt to 'solicit pennies' from the white tourists (206).