waters, and the sickly look of vegetation, one would be led to imagine that those Hills contain metals of various sorts. On some of the little Creeks there is a scum of a thick consistency composed entirely of Metallic Particles of Blue, Green, and yellowish Colours, and the water strongly impregnated with a sulphureous taste &c. In Peace River there are some small Islands composed of a Calcareous Stone of a very white and soft nature which, by being burnt and put into water, falls into a Calx and becomes a very adhesive plaster of a much brighter hue than when in its native state. There might certainly be found many curiosities of the mineral class in this part of the Country, were there people possessed of a competent knowledge to examine nature's productions; but as interest and ambition are the only principles which actuate those who might be the most fit to pry into those things, little can be expected at this time; and another great obstacle is the want of proper books from whence comparisons might be drawn, or, even to furnish terms whereby things might be named according to their various denominations as at present we cannot explain ourselves with more perspicuity than an Indian &c.

[36]