Page:The journal of the Royal Geographic Society of London. Volume 34, 1864. (IA s572id13663720).pdf/295

Rh by rubbing charcoal or some colouring substance into the wound. The hunting-grounds of this people extend from Mistassinni Lake to the Atlantic coast of the Labrador peninsula; and there exist traditions among both Nasquapees and Montagnais, of former battles with the Iriquois, or Mohawks, near Trout Lake, at the source of Coldwater River, which must have occurred more than two centuries ago. Their conflicts with the Esquimaux have continued down to a very late period. When we take into consideration the great jealousy with which the Indian races of the American continent, speaking different languages, regard the invasion of their territory, or hunting-grounds, the vast extent of surface over which the Cree nation has established itself, cannot fail to possess great interest to the ethnological inquirer. The hunting-grounds of the Cree nation extend from the foot of the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic coast of Labrador, a distance exceeding 2500 miles, with a mean breadth of 600 miles. Before the advent of the white man, and prior to the general destruction of forests, mosses, and lichens, by fire, the Nasquapees were a numerous people, feeding on the reindeer and rabbit, which were everywhere abundant, and on the porcupine, which was formerly very common on the south flank of the table-land. 

VI.—Notes on the Mountains and Glaciers of the Canterbury Province, New Zealand. By Author:John Francis Julius von Haast, Read, February 8, 1864.

In looking at a map of New Zealand (see p. 56) we observe that a longitudinal mountain-chain of great magnitude, forming the watershed of the island, runs from north-east to south-west, the continuity of this chain being broken through only in very few places, otherwise presenting high and abrupt walls of great altitude through its whole length.

This backbone, as it has sometimes not inappropriately been called, begins at the south-western end of the Middle Island, and continues to the east cape of the Northern Island, broken through by Cook’s Straits, and by a few rivers flowing through lateral and oblique fissures. It would make this memoir far too long, were I to enter into more details concerning the remarkable features of this magnificent chain throughout both islands, and I shall therefore treat of that portion only which occurs in the province of Canterbury.

It reaches its greatest altitude in this province, where, clad in a garment of dazzling snow, from which enormous glaciers descend, it presents us with such wild and fantastic forms, that it has with justice been named the Southern Alps. Beginning at Mount