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CHAPTER IV.

Character of Country between lat. 50° and 51° West of Manitoba. Assiniboine below Brandon-Brandon-Assiniboine Rapid-Land near Brandon-Brandon Hills-Land along the C.P.R.-Flat Creek-Gopher Creek-Land West of Gopher Creek-Pipestone Creek-Weedy and Wolf Hills-Rich Country along the C. P. R.Qu'Appelle River-Navigation of the Qu'Appelle-Country North of the Qu'AppellePheasant Plain, Leach Lake-Very rich Land in this Region-Long Lake-Fish in Long Lake-Waterfowl-Creeks at the Head of Long Lake-Country West of 102nd Meridian-Wood for House building and other Purposes-Country West of Touchwood Hills-Estimate of good Land in Qu'Appelle Valley-Unequalled tract for WheatEarly Ripening of Grain-Absence of Summer Frosts-Early Spring-Moose Jaw Creek -Dry Country in its Vicinity-Sand Hills West of it-The Coteau-Old Wives Lakes -Country West of Lakes - Excellent Pastures-Nutritious Grasses-Their Distribution -Sage Brush and Cactus no Proof of Aridity-Bullrush Lake-Strong Current Creek-Want of Wood-High broken Country-Appearance of Cypress Hills.

THE traveller ascending the Assiniboine finds that, after passing the mouth of the Souris, the eroding power of the river ceases; its width sensibly diminishes and its tortuousness increases, while the banks become so low that from the hurricane deck of a steamer an extensive view, especially to the south and southwest, can be obtained. Owing to the crookedness of the river the ascent is slowly made, and an intelligent observer does not fail to notice that this is the reason that boats can ascend the river, for were it less crooked, and its waters not thus backed up, no boat could ascend the stream.

The "Rapid," situated about eight miles above the mouth of the Souris, is caused by a ridge of boulders which here crosses the river, and which can be seen as a gravel and boulder ridge, extending back from the river on both sides. On the south side this line of boulders seems to extend in the direction of the "Hills of Brandon."

The point on the Assiniboine which is now called Brandon, but formerly the "Grand Valley," was well named. The river banks at this point are very low, but some dis

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