THE MAIN YUKON RIVER. 107 



fore be supposed to have some idea of the drainage system, iu attempting to 

 return, passed its mouth and ascended the main stream for over fifty miles 

 before discovering their mistake. My observations while at the junction of 

 the rivers just referred to confirm what Dawson has written concerning that 

 locality. It seems evident to me that no unprejudiced observer could 

 examine the junction without concluding that the " Tes-lin-too " should be 

 regarded the main drainage channel. 



In this paper the nomenclature adopted by Dawson will be followed so 

 far as it accords with the geographical conditions. The name Yukon will 

 be applied to the main trunk of the drainage system now under discussion 

 from its mouth to its source, the source being in the as yet unexplored region 

 draining into LakeTeslin. The name Lewes will be retained for the stream 

 on which Lake Lebarge and the numerous lakes higher up in the same sys- 

 tem are situated. The main source of this stream, as stated by Dawson, is 

 unquestionably to the southeast of the Tako arm of Tagish lake, but like the 

 source of the Yukon it awaits exploration. A branch of the Lewes has its 

 source in Crater lake and is the route now usually followed by persons enter- 

 ing the Yukon region from Juneau. 



When the lake region drained by the Lewes is fully explored, and espe- 

 cially when it becomes popular among summer tourists — an event perhaps 

 not very remote — the separate reaches of the river connecting the various 

 lakes will for convenience probably receive individual names. 



Before dismissing this subject, attention may be called to the fact that 

 Dawson, who is the only authority on the geography and geology of the 

 Yukon district of the North West Territory, regards the main source of the 

 Yukon to be the Lewes. The reasons for this conclusion are stated in part 

 in the quotation given on page 106, and in part in other portions of his report. 

 On page 16 B he says : " Whether reckoned by size or distance from its 

 mouth, the source of the Lewes must be placed at the head-waters of the 

 Hotilinqu river;" and in a foot-note on the same page: ' The Tes-lin-too 

 occupies the main orographic valley above its confluence with the Lewes, 

 but is smaller than the Lewes, and besides doubles back on its course, as is 

 shown on the map." 



The measurements made by Dawson place the discharge of the Lewes at 

 15,600, and of the " Tes-lin-too " at 11,436 cubic feet per second. Volume, so 

 far as shown by this single measurement, is in favor of the Lewes. This 

 circumstance is more than counterbalanced, however, in my opinion, by the 

 character of the channels or valleys of the streams in question. The main 

 orographic valley is occupied by the " Tes-lin-too," and there is no note- 

 worthy change in its configuration where it receives the stream flowing from 



Lake Lebarge. 



Dawson's statement that the source of the Lewes is more distant from the 



X V-Kri.i.. Geol. Soc. Am., Vol. 1, 1889. 



