1897.] The Swamps of Oswego County, N. Y. 698 



and perhaps four miles'from the shore of Lake Ontario. The 

 depression in which it lies is one of the largest in the northern 

 part of the county, as indeed, the lake is one of the largest of 

 the numerous small lakes in that section. It is about a mile 

 long by somewhat less than three-fourths of a mile wide. The 

 lake lies in a region where the fluted character is not so pro- 

 nounced as it is in some other sections, nevertheless the lake 

 itself is elongated in a northerly and southerly direction, and 

 the whole depression of which the lake forms but a small frac- 

 tion is more than twice as long as wide. This lake has with- 

 stood the encroachment of the land-making forces better than 

 many of the lakes in the country, probably on account of its 

 greater depth, yet, if the testimony of old residents is to be 

 trusted, and in this respect at least I have no doubt it is, the 

 surrounding moor is encroaching upon the lake very fast. The 

 moor surrounding the lake is the most extensive one in that 

 section. 



THE LILY MARSH. 



The swamp known by this name is better known to the peo- 

 ple living in that vicinity than other moors as large, or even 

 larger, and probably for two reasons. One is that for many 

 years it has been a famous hunting ground for white rabbits 

 in winter; the other is because a highway was constructed 

 many years ago directly across the open part of the swamp, the 

 open, softer portion being bridged with a long plank bridge. 

 Few people in that part of the county but have had occasion 

 to drive across it, an experience not soon forgotten, at least by 

 a timid person. The Lily Marsh is situated in the southwest- 

 ern corner of the town of New Haven. It presents the phe- 

 nomena of a lake just disapi)earing. The lake in the center is 

 reduced to a mere pool not more than twenty rods long and half 

 as many wide. I have had very definite statements from men 

 who could remember well when the bridge was built, and they 

 assured me that at that time the lake reached to the bridge ; 

 now it does not reach within fifteen rods of it. Notwithstand- 

 ing the fact that the lake in the Lily Marsh is almost over- 

 grown, the swamp itself is a very extensive one. The whole 

 depression in which it lies is very long and narrow. I did not 

 48 



