of the western Mountains— they now one River under the name of the Kootanae River take its Course thro the Valley N. w . 70 Miles, to where we first saw it @ then bends round seemingly more to the westward, with a very strong deep Current; as it flows along it is joined by 2 other considerable Rivers @ several large Brooks, which soon swell it's waters to 200 yds. wide of clear Channel, but in general has many Islands, @ the Space occupied by the River, is seldom less than from ½ a Mile to 1 Mile wide.
That part of the Kootanae River near the Portage is well wooded with a kind of Hemlock 3 sorts of Fir, three of Pine, with Aspens @ Birch, @ it's sides are thick set with Alders-Willows, @ a few Poplar, abt. 20 Miles above the Portage are low points of fine white Cedars, the Red Cedars grow everywhere but seldom to any Size. Beaver seem to be plenty @ the River, Islands @ Valley seem expressly made for/ them. Of the Animals there are a few Bears @ others, a few Red Deer @ a small sort of Chevreuil, one of whom 10 Men will very well eat at a Meal. As one approaches the Lakes, the Woods of this almost impenetrable Forest, become gradually less close, @ abt. 25 Miles below the Lakes, begins to show small Meadows, @ soon becomes open clear Ground for Horses, bearing plenty of good Grass, with straggling Hemlock; the Spot that any Person is in, is a fine Meadow of Hill @ valley @ Gullies, with Hemlock planted upon it as it were for Shelter against the Heat @ bad weather, all the rest of the Country to" the Spectator appears a thick Forest, but as he advances, he constantly finds the same open Meadows, which become more @ more Spacious, as one proceeds to the southward, @ the Red Deer @ small Chevreuil become more @ more plenty. What kind of Fish the Lake produces we cannot tell, as all our angling, have produced only 1 small Trout @ a few Mullett as the Water is clear, Carp @ a small kind of Herring have been seen, from our Nets, however changed from place to place @ well attended, we never get anything.
