THE GIANTS AND MESABI EANGES. 31 



and north with gradually declining- surface to Lake AVinnipeg and Hudson 

 Bay. The highest point of this plateau on "tEe line of the Canadian Pacific 

 Railway is 1,584 feet above the sea, or 982 and 874 feet, respectively, 

 above Lakes Superior and Winnipeg. 



Giants Range. — The Giants Range extends in a west-southwest course 

 from north of Gunflint Lake, on the international boundary, to the lakes 

 on the EmbaiTas River, about 15 miles south of Vermilion Lake, and its 

 mostly lower continuation, forming the northern border of the Mesabi iron- 

 bearing belt, appears to reach to the falls of Prairie River and Pokegama 

 Falls, on the Mississippi. Southeast and south of Vermilion Lake, Avhere 

 it has been called the Mesabi Range, Prof N. H. Winchell describes it as 

 "a distinct, nan-ow ridge, rising about 200 feet above the average level on 

 either side. It is intersected at several places by streams." Its elevation 

 there is mainly about 1,800 feet above the sea, but eastward it rises to 

 nearly 2,200 feet. 



Mesabi Range. — Professor Winchell resti-icts the title "Mesabi Range" to 

 a more prominent and persistent belt of highland 5 to 15 miles south of the 

 foregoing, with which it is approximately parallel. The eastern and highest 

 part of its extent is commonly known by this name. "It is, however, broad 

 as well as high, and holds on its summit some of the largest lakes of this 

 part of the State, Bnil(i Lake bemg one. It is characterized by bare rock, 

 alternating with peat bogs and muskegs, with scattered and stunted spruces. 

 * * * Its width is sometimes 15 miles, but generally from 4 to 6; 

 and in most places, especially north from Grand Marais and south from 

 Ogishkie Muncie Lake, its rounded low crest is distinct and narrowed to 

 less than a mile." ^ The summits of the Mesabi Range and of outlying hills 

 near are 1,800 to 2,230 feet above the sea, including the highest points of 

 land in Minnesota. The latter elevation is that of hills adjoining the south 

 side of Winchell Lake, as determined by leveling for the Minnesota 

 Geological Survey. Near the international boundary the Mesabi Range 

 extends from south of Gunflint Lake eastward to South and North lakes 

 and the south side of Mountain Lake. 



' Geol. and Nat. Hist. Survey of Minnesota, Thirteentli Annual Report, for 1884, p. 22. 



