INVESTIGATIONS IN MINNESOTA AND NORTH DAKOTA. 347 



fiat spiral shell hung- suspended in the water. The genus Limncea was 

 more abundant, both in variety and numbers. Limpets fastened to the 

 bottom and sides of stones were also abundant. 



Though the food suj)ply is plentiful, comparatively few fishes were 

 found in the lake ; owing to the great number of bowlders thickly strewn 

 over the bottom of the lake the seine could not be used to good advan- 

 tage, but from observation and what could be learned from local fisher- 

 men, about the only food species taken are pickerel [Lucius lucius), 

 catfish {Ameiurus nebnlosus), and a few strawberry bass [Pomoxis); nor 

 are these varieties as abundant as in former years. No small fishes 

 were observed in the lake proper, and frequent attempts with hook and 

 line failed. 



The two tributaries of Lake Traverse were examined, which com- 

 X^leted the work in this lake. 



The specimens obtained give a fair representation of the fish fauna 

 of this basin. 



Daugherty Creel', Broums Valley, Minnesota, July 13, 1892. — This is 

 the largest western tributary of Lake Traverse. It flows into the lake 

 about 8 miles from the southern end, and is only a meadow brook 8 or 

 10 miles long, the outlet of two small "grass lakes." The stream will 

 average 6 feet in width and has a rapid current in the narrow places. 

 The depth of the water varies from 1 to 3 feet. The bed of the stream 

 is of gravel and coarse stones. The banks are overgrown with grass 

 and other prairie vegetation, but no trees are to be found. In the 

 more quiet places the water is matted with water vegetation, Pota- 

 mogeton, Ilyriophilhim, Sagittaria, Lemna, and a few species of algae. 

 The temperature of the water was 67°.* Numerous small crustaceans 

 and insects sported among the tangled vegetation. As a southern 

 tributary to this stream, a small spring brook added its waters, which 

 were much cooler, 62°. The stream is well stocked with fish, but of 

 few sjDecies. During the spring pickerel [Lucius lucius) ascend to 

 spawn, and we were informed on good authority that they sometimes 

 fill the stream and can be thrown upon the bank with forks or shovels 

 in large numbers. 



MuslinJca River, Wheaton, Minn., July 55.— ^This river rises in the 

 central portion of Grant County, Minn., flows a general southeasterly 

 direction for 25 miles, and joins Lake Traverse at its head, or northern 

 end. The stream lies at the bottom of a broad, shallow valley, one-half 

 to three-fourths mile in width, and is by far the largest and longest 

 tributary of this lake, but it is little more than " a wet- weather drain." 

 It is long and winding, with low banks and a current that moves so 

 slowly that its motion is almost imperceptible; it does but little, except 

 during the season of greatest rainfall, to replenish the waters of the 

 lake. The stream will average 18 feet in width and 2^ feet in depth. 



* Tbo temperatures given in this paper are in Fahrenheit degrees, and were deter- 

 mined by means of a Wilder protected thermometer. 



