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No. 17

and winter a little below the surface, round about these springs, a kind of strata is discovered, resembling coals which when tried in the fire by a Blacksmith was found to answer the purpose, but smelt very much of Sulphur.

There are likewise a few salt springs, which produce very fine Salt, but by no Comparison in such immense quantities as in other Parts of the Interior, particularly the Salt springs in the neigbourhood of Slave lake, in the Athabaska Department. From the specimen of the soil already given, it cannot be expected that the country in general is well wooded. The white and Red fir of a very puny growth are the most abundant, nay, almost the only productions of this part of the Country. The small quantity of Birch, rough and smooth Poplar, is scarcely observed and I understand, that this nakedness gradually becomes more

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