PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. 81

habitat, like the water lily, being the water itself. And this vegetation seems to be gradually creeping out into the lake. Thus the edge of the water is difficult of approach and the curious who have ventured out say that a rod can be pushed to considerable length underneath and into this mossy mass. One spring at least, and of considerable size gushes up from the bottom of its north- east side and near the road. Popularly the lake is said to have no outlet, or at least no visible one, and consequently in the popular mind an underground one is surmised. But this, too, is said to be untrue. The head- waters of the Percival river, which flows into Egmont Bay, are within less than a half mile to the southwest and there is a small flow over this falling ground (but only visible here and there) in that direction. The watery moss here, like the vegetation grow- ing in the upper Nile, has so obstructed the flow that in places only a soakage takes place. The course, however, is, between the swampy nature of the ground and the close thickets of forest growth, difficult of access.

Another characteristic of this county in common with the other two, is the low-lying marsh land which fringes the shores of the bays and, in a number of instances, the mouths of the so-called rivers. The soil of these marshes is composed largely of somewhat soft black mud and upon them “marsh hay” grows. High tides overflow these and sometimes the hay is, in conse- quence, called salt grass. There are years when a good deal of this hay is allowed to rot where it grows, but in years when the upland hay is scarce then resort is had to these marshes. .

In regard to the inhabitants three differ- ent peoples live in this province. These are the Indians, the French and the British.

6

The Indians belong to the Mic-mac tribe although it is said that a kindred race—the Abenaki—also visited the Island in the early days. These were tribes of the great Algon- quin nation which roamed over the north- east part of the continent. Their path in making excursions across Northumberland Straits was from Cape Tormentine on the New Brunswick side to Cape Traverse on the Island side, these being the nearest points. The great probability is that although the distance is about eight miles it was much narrower in the very early days—possibly there was a connection once—and this part having become the usual crossing place it got impressed in the Indian mind as the only possible place for their frail canoes to embark with safety. It is said that the Mic- macs are not of pure Indian blood, but that there has been an intermixture with the early French—probably not the Acadian French but rather with those who came here to fish and trap in Doublet’s time. The name of this tribe “Mic-mac” is believed to have been given them by the Acadian settlers, as it is a French word meaning “intrigue” or “secret practice” to which blame is to be attached, and is understood to have been given them from their sly and cunning dis- . position. They were, however, brave and daring, as well.

The fact of their having at least made periodic visits here is sufficiently attested by the “Kitchen Middens”--to use the European term—which have been found on the banks of some bays and rivers, consisting principally of oyster and other shells. Stone hatchets have also been found, which they used before the advent of the peoples of the older civilizations.

Lennox Island, at the mouth of Rich- mond Bay, in this county, so far as known,