. Narrative of a journey to the shores of the Polar Sea, in the years 1819, 20, 21, and 22 [microform]. Scientific expeditions; Expéditions scientifiques. No. I.} GEOGNOSTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 513 small stream. On the north side of Methye Lake, the elevations of sand assume a more decided hilly form, and on the further side of Methye Portage, they form boundaries to the beautiful valley of the Washacummow, from one thousand two hundred to one thousand five hundred feet high. The prevail- ing tree, in this sandy district, is the Pinus Banksiana. This valley from two to three miles wide, and bounde
. Narrative of a journey to the shores of the Polar Sea, in the years 1819, 20, 21, and 22 [microform]. Scientific expeditions; Expéditions scientifiques. No. I.} GEOGNOSTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 513 small stream. On the north side of Methye Lake, the elevations of sand assume a more decided hilly form, and on the further side of Methye Portage, they form boundaries to the beautiful valley of the Washacummow, from one thousand two hundred to one thousand five hundred feet high. The prevail- ing tree, in this sandy district, is the Pinus Banksiana. This valley from two to three miles wide, and bounded on each side by these almost precipitous sand- hills, is traversed by the Clear Water or Washacummow River. At the dis- tance of ten miles below the portage, the channel of the river is obstructed by a ridge of limestone. This ridge appears to have once blocked up the outlet of the valley altogether, for portions of it still rise from the solid strata through the thin sandy soil of the plain to the height of fifty or sixty feet. These pro- jecting parts have generally a columnar form, and bear from their arrange- ment a striking resemblance to the ruins of an extensive city. The stone much resembles that at the Grand Rapid on the Saskatchawan, but perhaps contains silica instead of alumina. Like that it yields readily to the action of the stream, falling down in large tabular masses. The outline of the sandy boun- daries of this singular valley, strongly countenances the idea of the waters of the Washacunmiow having been at some distant period accumulated therein. Tongues of sand frequently project from the hills on each side, and run across the plain, exactly similar in appearance to the ridges thrown up by the currents, and eddies of an extensive lake. The ground on the portages sounds hollow; and this, together with the ruinwiorm appearance of the rocks, and the occur- rence of sulphureous springs in the neighbourhood, hns impressed the traders vsrith a notion that the wh
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, booksubjectscientificexpeditions, bookyear1823
