Page:The journal of the Royal Geographic Society of London. Volume 34, 1864. (IA s572id13663720).pdf/292

84 this step is 1850 feet above the sea-level; and the summit of a dome-shaped rock which overlooked the dividing ridge 15 miles further north, was found to be a little more than 2200 feet above the sea-level, which is about the altitude of the sources of the Ashwanipi or Hamilton River on the table-land. The course of the Ashwanipi lies roughly parallel to the north shore of the gulf, according to the Indians, who make it their canoe-route to the Hudson Bay Company’s post at Petshikupau, and thence to Hamilton Inlet.

The chief mountain-range through which the different branches of the Moisie find their way, was estimated to have an altitude of about 3000 feet above the sea. The portage-path in the gorge through which Coldwater River flows, was found to be 1460 feet above the same level. The general direction of this range is roughly parallel to the north shore of the gulf, having an easterly and westerly trend; and the three branches of the Moisie flow in deep gorges cut through it nearly at right angles to its axis, which, according to the statement of Indians, is prolonged far to the east and west.

The sources of the Magpie River, which enters the gulf 65 miles east of the Moisie, can he distinguished from the headwaters of the north-east branch, and the peaks of the Mingan Mountains were just discernible in the eastern horizon from the same point of view.

The Mingan Mountains lie at the head-waters of the Mingan River, one of the largest tributaries to the gulf, next to the Moisie, on the southern slope of the Labrador peninsula.

Far to the north-east a series of snow-capped peaks were seen, distant two days’ journey in snow-shoes (about 60 miles); but, with this exception, the whole horizon to the north and north-west was bounded by a low undulating outline, rarely rising above the point of view. To the south, the distant peaks of the ‘‘Top of the Ridge Range” was visible, from which the Indians told us ships in the gulf, and the sources of the Ashwanipi River, could be discerned on a clear day in the summer months.