160 BULLETIN UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA 



sional glimpse of the lake until the foot of the cliffs at the summit is 

 reached. From; this up the view is superb. 



The most impressive feature of the panorama spread before the eye 

 is the great stretch of timbered country visible. Westward to the 

 summit of the Mission range there is nothing to be seen of the mountains, 

 so well are they hidden by the forests of pine, fir, and tamarack. The 

 lake with its swamp and meadow relieves the somewhat monotonous view 

 of forest, and sparkles and glistens in comparison with the sombre green 

 of the trees. It looks beautiful in the valley far below. To the south is 

 the timber belt along the Swan river. Pathless save for the trail men- 

 tioned, unbroken by the woodman's ax save for the few trees cut by the 

 early settlers along the lake shore, it stretches as far as the eye can 

 reach, and dimly beyond may be seen the high snow crowned summits 

 marking the valley yet almost unknown. On the right may be seen the 

 high summits of the Mission range, McDonald being most conspicuous. 

 To the left Swan peak rises high towards the clouds, and in late summer 

 wears a crown of white. Eastward the lower summits hide the wooded 

 valley of the South fork. Everywhere forests greet the eye. No one can 

 comprehend the enormous quantities of marketable timiber visible from 

 the summit of this mountain, almost all of which is in the forest reserve. 



While the ascent is largely devoid of interest it is certainly worth 

 while to see this great stretch of timbered country, and few are likely 

 to make the ascent and be disappointed with the view. 



The ornithology of the lake has been partially studied by Mr. Sillo- 

 way, who has a special report on the birds of the region. This will 

 be issued separately later. Mr. Whitford has made a comprehensive 

 study of the forest region about the lake. He has travelled through many 

 miles of pathless woods guided by the compass. Several weeks have been 

 spent in this work. The result will be of great value to students of the 

 laboratory, and to students of forestry in general. His report will no 

 doubt be published in full by the Bureau of Forestry. 



It would be premature to make report of the entomostraca in the 

 lake. The material consists of collections made during two different 

 summers. In 1900 the writer spent several days at the lake. Pumipings 

 were made from different depths, and a number of surface hauls made. 

 In 1902 Mr. Silloway made almost daily collections during the month of 

 June. The work of Forbes has been previously referred to. 



Shell life in the lake seems to be scarce. No more than six species 

 have been found in the water or along shore. They are as follows: 



Planorbis thvolvis Say. At the lower end they seemed rather com- 

 mon. At the upper end, in the swamp, Mr. Silloway secured a good 

 series, and reported them abundant. 



Limnaea stgnalis, L. A few specimens of this large shell were pick- 

 ed up at the lower end. At the upper end they were common in the 

 swampy bay, where Mr. Silloway gathered a moderate quantity. 



Limnaea emarginata, Say. Specimens very CiOsely related to those 

 found at McDonald lake, described as variety montana, were taken spar- 

 ingly. 



Physa heterostropha, Say. A few were picked up along shore at the 



