p. 774

a bed of pure black iron sand a foot in thickness and extending for a great distance along the shore; such beds are numerous, and in many places might be worked to advantage as an ore of iron. This region is subject to frightful [sudden] storms, and sudden changes of temperature, to fogs and mist so dense as to be disasterous to navigation; the winters are long and dreary; but much of the land around Lake Superior is of a very good quality [quantity?] for agriculture, and might be made to sustain a considerable population. At present the inhabitants, mostly Indians, live more upon the fish obtained in the lake then upon the products of the land; these are very abundant consisting of two kinds of trout, whitefish, sturgeon, pickerel, pike, carp, black bass, and herring. It is not a favorite resort of water fowl, the water being too deep and clear and too much agitated by the lighter wind to allow the wild rice to grow, upon which these birds are in the habit of depending for food.

438 [439]