191] FAUNA OF BIG VERMILION RIVER—BAKER 93 
commercial shells were observed, it follows that the fishes carrying the 
glochidia must also be present. 
The Big Vermilion River is seen, therefore, to be a valuable asset to the 
State, containing a fauna of both biologic and economic importance, 
which should be conserved for possible use as a restocking reservoir for 
the larger rivers. Pollution should be reduced to a minimum and the 
timber along the banks, especially of the headwaters, should be conserved 
in order that the water may be held in the ground and gradually flow into 
the streams, instead of running off in floods, causing excessive high water 
in the spring and extremely low water in the fall and winter. It would be 
possible to reforest many parts of the upper branches of the streams, 
where they are low or irregular places unfit for farming operations. 
