They were in some degree replaced by a small sandfly, whose bite is succeeded by a copious flow of blood, and considerable swelling, but is attended with incomparably less irritation, than the puncture of the musquito.
On the 27th of July we embarked at four A.M., and proceeded along the south shore of the lake, through a narrow channel, formed by some islands, beyond the confluence of the principal branch of the Slave River; and as far as Stony Island, where we breakfasted.

This island is merely a rock of gneiss, that rises forty or fifty feet above the lake, and is precipitous on the north side.

As the day was fine, and the lake smooth, we ventured upon paddling across to the Rein-Deer Islands, which were distant about thirteen miles in a northern direction, instead of pursuing the usual track by keeping further along the south shore which inclines to the eastward from this point.

These islands are numerous, and consist of granite, rising from one hundred to two hundred feet above the water.

They are for the most part naked; but towards the centres of the larger ones, there is a little soil, and a few groves of pines.