BIOLOGICAL. RECOXNOISSANCE AT FLATHEAD LAKE. 93 



Establishment of the University of Montana 

 Biological Station. 



The organization of the University of Montana Biological Station was 

 effected in the spring of 1899. The State of Montana contains several 

 lakes of larger size, and many smaller ones. Very little work has been 

 done on any of these lakes, that of Forbes on Flathead and Swan, as given 

 later, being all that is known. Little systematic study of birds, flowers, 

 insects, shells, or kindred topics, has been made save the collections from 

 expeditions which have been taken to the institutions of the east for study. 

 While there have been many expeditions to Montana and the Northwest 

 Territory, and while large quantities of material have been taken from 

 the state and incorporated in reports, there nevertheless has been little 

 systematic study of particular groups by residents of the state. 



Early in the spring of 1899 a trip was made to Flathead lake for the 

 purpose of selecting a site for the station which would meet the de- 

 mands for work. Through the kindness of Mr. E. L. Sliter the launch 

 "Undine" was placed at the disposal of the writer, and almost the entire 

 shore of the lake was examined. 



The site chosen is on the main road to Kalispell, which is 18 miles dis- 

 tant by wagon road, and nearly double that by water. The steamboat 

 running between Kalispell and the foot of the lake will stop to let off and 

 take on passengers. The launch "Undine," the property of the Kalispell 

 Club, is also moored here. It is a pleasure resort of considerable promi- 

 nence. The hotel at Bigfork gives accommodations to those who do not 

 wish to live in tents. The mouth of the river makes an excellent harbor 

 for small boats, which is a very important item on so peculiar a body of 

 water as Flathead lake, where the waves may rise high in a few minutes. 

 A small field laboratory was erected on the banks of Swan river, a short 

 distance from the lake. A few rods from the laboratory a bridge gives 

 communication with the opposite side of the river. Immediately above 

 the bridge a series of rapids offers excellent sport for the fisherman, as 

 well as exceptional field for the photographer. The country in the im- 

 mediate neighborhood is well timbered. To the north the country is 

 well tilled, fine fields of grain and good orchards making a splendid show- 

 ing in the fertile valley. Two and a half miles to the west the Flathead 

 river enters the lake, its mouth being marked by a well defined delta 

 with sand banks and shoals, a great shelter for birds during the migrat- 

 ing season. 



The laboratory is a wooden structure with suitable accommodations 

 for summer outdoor work. There is table room for twelve students. 

 The site is excellent for camping. A large spring enters the river from 

 the bank immediately below the laboratory. 



