The Geographical Journal (Journal of the Royal Geographical Society): Volume X, No. 6 [‎117r] (86/186)

THE TOPOGRAPHICAL WORK OF THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA. 625
In 1870 Mr. Richardson made a micrometer survey of the canoe-route from the
upper portion of the Ashuapmouchouan river, by Nikobau River Lake, Abatagamaw
and Chibougamoo lakes, to Lake Mistassini, and of the shore-line of the latter for
30 miles. His provisions failing to reach him, he was forced to abandon the survey
of Mistassini and return to Lake Nikohau, where they were stored. From Nikobau
he carried his traverse by the Foam-fall and Clearwater rivers to the St. Maurice,
which had been surveyed previously by the Crown Lands Department. From
Kirkendach, on the St. Maurice, a survey was made of the route by the Hair-
cutting river and south-east branch of the Gatineau, and the Gatineau to the
Desert. Of the surveys thus made, 274 miles were measured with the micrometer,
and 300 miles were track survey.
In 1871 Mr. McOuat carried a micrometer-traverse in a north-westerly direction
for 90 miles from the Mistassini river to the lake of the same name, and thence along
the lake-shore to the end of Mr. Richardson’s survey of the previous year. He
also surveyed 150 miles of the coast-line of the lake to a point on the main north
west shore, about 70 miles from the extreme south-west point.
In 1885 Mr. A. P. Low commenced at the terminal point of Mr. McOuat’s survey,
carried his traverse up the west side to the north end, and down the east side to
Big Narrows, where he connected with McOuat’s survey 139 miles. He found the
average length of the lake to be about 100 miles, and average width 12 miles.
From the outlet of the lake he made a track survey of the Rupert river to Hudson
bay, 300 miles.
In 1891 to 1894 Dr. Ells made about 3200 miles of odometer and 400 miles of
paced surveys in the Grenville and Pembroke map-areas, 6900 square miles.
Labrador Peninsula. —In 1887 Mr. A. P. Low surveyed Agumska,Weston, and
other islands in James bay. In the following year he made a track-survey of Big
river from its mouth upwards for 160 miles, of the canoe-route by the headwaters
of Bishop Roggan river to the south branch of Great Whale river, and of the
latter to the main stream, and thence to Hudson bay, 350 miles. He also made a
micrometer survey of the route from Richmond gulf to Clearwater lake, 63 miles.
In 1892 Mr. Low made a micrometer traverse front Lake Mistassini by the Rupert,
Kawashagami, and East Main rivers to Hudson bay, 326 miles, and of the East
Main between the Kawashagami and Chegami branches. In 1893 and 1894 Mr.
Low, with Mr. Eaton as topographical assistant, continued his explorations in the
Labrador peninsula. The micrometer traverse was continued from the mouth of
the Tshegami branch, where it connected with the surveys of the previous year,
up the East Main river, 104 miles, to where the route to Nichieun leaves the main
stream. From this point a track survey, checked by sextant latitudes, was made
of the route by way of the headwaters of Big river, Nichieuo, and Kaniapeskau
lakes, and the Koksoak river to Fort Chimo, upwards of 600 miles. In February,
1894, having wintered at North-west River Post, a micrometer survey was carried
from the post up the Hamilton river to Sand-girt lake, thence up the Attikonak
branch to the Height of Land, down the Romaine river for 115 miles, thence by
portage-route to the St. John river, 702 miles. From this point a track survey
was made to the mouth, 72 miles. From Sand-girt lake micrometer surveys w<re
made of the Ashuanipi river, Petitsikapow, and other lakes, 293 miles, and track
surveys of the canoe-route to Lake Michikamau, and of the lake itself, 269 miles.
Total in the two years, 1100 miles of micrometer, and 940 miles track surveys.
In 1895 Messrs. Low and Eaton made a micrometer traverse from the head of Lake
Mouchalagan by way of the headwaters of the Manicugan and Outardes rivers to
the Height of Land, and thence by a chain of lakes to Naokokan lake, on Big river.
In 1896 Mr. Low continued his micrometer survey of 1888 from the outlet of