Sieur de Monts named the island Saint Croix Island, and Champlain described it as covered with fir, birch, maple, and oak, naturally well located, easy to fortify, and the best place they had seen for settlement because of its location, fine surroundings, the interaction they expected with the Aboriginal peoples of the coasts and interior among whom they were situated, and the abundance of shellfish at low tide, including clams, mussels, sea-urchins, and snails.