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NATURE AND USE
49

western boundary line of the United States included the courses of two portage paths.

As in Maine, of which subsequent mention is to be made, so throughout the continent, portage paths were commonly named from the destinations to which they led; thus they had two names, as is true of highways in general. In certain instances, as in the case of the "Oneida Carrying-place" well-known portages had one general name. To the portages about the rapids on such rivers as the St. Lawrence and Ottawa, descriptive names were given by the French. One was called "Portage de l'Épine," another "Portage des Roses"—suggestive of the fragrant wild rose which overhung the path to the annoyance of the traveler in spite of its perfume. Another path was known as "Portage Talon." Perhaps the most fanciful name recorded is "Portage de la Musique"—where the river's tide boiled noisily over the rocks and reefs, forever chanting the same song. Other names were "Portage des Chats," "Portage de Joachin," "Portage de la Roche fendue," "Portage des Chenes," "Portage des Galots." One