BIOLOGICAL RECONNOISSANCE AT FLATHEAD LAKE. Ill 



the water from the amphitheater toward the east, which has for drainage 

 not only the peaks visible, but also the eastern slopes of McDonald peak. 

 A general view of the upper end is shown in Plate XXX. 



The bottom of the lake is comparatively level and from the mud 

 on the bottom the impression is gained that the lake Is either older than 

 Sinyaleamin or has filled up much faster. The depth from end to end 

 is nearly uniform, the deepest being eighty-four feet. The lower end I9 

 shallow, the outlet being crossed by a ford, hub deep in July. There la 

 considerable shallow water. The mud at the bottom Is of a reddish 

 color, apparently from the decomposition of the rock on the north shore. 

 At a point near the middle a ledge of rocks projects from either side, 

 making the lake at this point quite narrow. The ledge is precipitous, 

 and the water a few feet from the rocks is deep. These stones are worn 

 smooth by glaciation, and show deep and numerous glacial scratches. 



On the north, to the left in the illustration, Plate XXIX, the rocks 

 are very steep for about 2,000 feet. Shale and cliffs alternate. By 

 much hard work one can reach the top of the talus. Above is a mass of 

 precipitous rock, not to be ascended from this side. Four waterfalls, 

 with small streams, tumble over the rocks. The waters disappears in 

 the loose talus at the base long before it reaches the lake. The south-, 

 ern slope is not so abrupt. Large masses of loose talus, with large boul- 

 ders, line the water's edge, making a loose and spongy surface for the 

 retention of moisture. 



Life in and around the lake is not abundant. There are few frogs, 

 and probably no snakes, as but one of the former was seen during the ten 

 days and none of the latter. On the rocks at the water's edge, altitude 

 3,300 feet, several pika.Lagomys princeps, were killed. This is the lowest 

 altitude known to the writer at which these peculiar animals have been 

 taken. They are abundant on the peak at 8,000 feet and over, but none 

 were taken, owing to the difficulties in getting them when killed among the 

 crags at these high altitudes. The banks of the lake are so steep and 

 rough that it is all but impossible to climb along. Almost an entire after- 

 noon was spent in going the length of the lake a few hundred feet from 

 the water's edge. An exploration will probably show great possibility 

 of increasing the size of the lake by overflowing the valley at the upper 

 end, if it shall ever become a necessity to use this lake as a reservoir site. 



On the northern side the timber is not so dense, owing to the nature 

 of the rocks. The banks are steep, and the cliffs afford poor hold for the 

 roots of trees which have not gained much headway. On the mountain 

 above the precipitous rocks the timber is quite heavy, being largely of yel- 

 low pine and fir. The southern bank is well wooded. The canyon at the 

 head of the lake is densely wooded, through which there does not appear 

 to be an entrance made by road or trail. At the outlet and along the 

 moraine near the lake there is fine timber, some of which has been cut 

 for rails and lumber. Everywhere there is much underbrush, making 

 progress difficult. 



The road to the lake is good, considering it is a mountain road. 

 There is some travel over it. The lake is a great resort for the 

 Indians and those who visit the reservation, on account of the excellent 



