With the advent of the era of railway building, and as the number of the shining rails increase yearly at these geographical centers, the strategic nature of the portage routes has been and is still being strongly emphasized. Engineering art is now defying nature everywhere, and daring feats of bridge-building are daily accomplished; but the old routes and passes still remain the most practicable, and in the long run pay best. In spite of the fact that tunnels can go wherever money dictates, and bridges can be swung across the most baffling chasms, at the same time the fiercest struggles for rights of way (outside the cities) are being waged today for the portage paths first trod by the Indian. PART II A Catalogue of American Portages CHAPTER I INTRODUCTORY As introductory to the description of the more noted American portages, it will be advantageous to present them at a bird's-eye view in the form of a comparative chart stating the names and termini of each, with a remark concerning its specific function: _Portage Route._ _Water Termini._ _Remarks._ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- St. Johns--St. Grand River--Wagan. This and the two Lawrence. following are important land passes in the water route up the St. Johns to Canada. Same. Touladi--Trois Pistoles. Same. Ashberish--Trois Pistoles. Same. Temiscouata--Rivière Route of present post du Loup. road between same points. Same. St. Francis--Lake Short but difficult Pohenegamook, to head portage. of La Fourche branch of Rivière du Loup. Same. Black River--Ouelle. Morris Map describes this as an express route. Same. North-West Branch of "Grand Portage." St. John River--Rivière du Sud. Same. Lake Etchemin route. Route of Etchemin Indians to Quebec. Kennebec--St. Rivière des Probably the most Lawrence. Loups--Moosehead practicable route from Lake--Rivière Quebec up the Chaudière Chaudière. and over the divide into the Kennebec River.