DRAINAGE. 41 



flowing northeast follows this course for a short distance, then turns to the 

 southwest and joins the Kawishiwi about 2 miles from the outlet of the lake. 



Somewhat farther west there is a striking case of the division of the 

 stream and the foiTnation of an island in this way. The island here referred 

 to is only partly included in the area shown on the present map, and 

 the reader is referred to plate 78, Vol. IV, Geological and Natural History 

 Survey of Minnesota, Final Report, where the course of the river 

 aroimd it is shown. The area is briefly described by Grant, page 400 of 

 the same report. Extending through T. 62 N., Rs. 10, 11, and 12 W., is 

 a large island, with a maximum length of about 1 1 miles and a breadth 

 of 4 miles, which is completely surroimded by the north and south 

 branches of the Kawishiwi and the lakes which are developed in their 

 courses. The water of the main Kawishiwi divides in sec. 26, T. 63 N., 

 R. 10 W. A part of it, forming the north branch proper, flows nearly 

 dae west a distance of about 8 miles, in which distance it descends 

 about 70 feet. That portion forming the south branch flows south and 

 southwest, then north and northeast. The total length of the South Kawish- 

 iwi is about 30 miles, and it descends 70 feet before it joins the first or the 

 north branch. 



Lakes. — The lakes are the most characteristic drainage feature of 

 the Vermilion district. They are a source of great relief to the geologist, 

 who, wearied with a day's tramp through the brush on the hills, returns 

 to his birch-bark canoe and paddles back to his camp, situated at some 

 pleasant spot on the shore. They likewise afiPord a constant source of 

 pleasure to the traveler through the district, whose interest is aroused 

 by the rapid changes from a narrow lake with rocky cliffs to others 

 showing broad reaches of open water studded with green islets. This 

 interest is sustained by the fact that each succeeding lake entered affords 

 something new to attract the attention. The scenery, although all of the 

 same general character, is constantly changing in its details. Occasionally 

 a moose or caribou may be seen swimming from shore to shore, and the 

 fishing' is generally excellent. The lakes vary greatly in size. Vermilion 

 Lake, the largest, covers about 70 square miles, excluding , islands, more 

 than fifty of which are in the area mapped. Other large lakes are Bass- 

 wood (Bassimenan or Whitewood) Lake and Saganaga Lake, which border 

 the district. From these large ones the lakes grade in size down to mere 



