138 BULLETIN UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA 
is apparently composed of sediments deposited in the manner mentioned 
as a large delta. The course of the river is plainly traced into the lake 
for some distance by the delta thus formed, which for a distance of from 
one-fourth to one-half mile from the shore is sufficiently high to be 
covered by vegetation and in some places by shrubbery. Beneath the 
surface of the water the formation is discernible for a long distance far- 
ther into the lake. Consult Plate XXXVII. 
The opportunities for interesting and valuable geological study in 
connection with the Station are therefore apparent at first sight. Whether 
in connection with a study of the bottom of the present lake or as a sep- 
arate study of the glacial deposits along the valley north to the bound- 
ary the study will be both of value and of interest. To students who 
have had some general work in geological study the field is a most prom- 
ising one. A study of the valley from the upper end of the lake north- 
ward with particular reference to its relation to the older lake and river 
will certainly afford work for many students. This portion may be a 
delta itself or only the sediment of quieter waters. Beyond all of these 
questions a study of the territory within greater distances, especially 
north of Kalispell and around the divide between Swan river and the 
Big Blackfoot tributaries, may bring out information that will throw great 
light on the history of many other portions of old topography of the 
western slope of the Rocky mountains. The Mission mountains will 
prove to be an interesting study from the petrographical standpoint as 
will also the Kootenais. In view of the recent developments in the study 
of the Miocene Lake beds of Montana it would seem that Flathead lake 
offers a great field of study as both ancient and recent beds can be studied 
at once.” 
In addition to the above notes by Mr. Smith may be given the follow- 
ing: 
The outlet is called by some Pend d’Oreille river, by others Flathead 
river. Some consider Flathead river to extend from its source to the 
lake, then from the lake to the Missoula river. Others give the nama 
Pend d’Oreille to the stream from Flathead lake to the Missoula river. 
The river formed by the junction of the Missoula and Pend d’Oreille is 
called Clarke’s Fork of the Columbia. 
The present outlet of Flathead lake is of recent origin. The river 
for several miles near the lake is swift and rocky, a series of rapids 
alternating with more quiet water. About a mile from the lake there 
is a large bank of clay through which the river has cut. The clay is 
continuous with and apparently a part of the moraine mentioned. At the 
river bank it has been cut and eroded by the wind and rain. The bank 
is abrupt and steep, the clay clinging together so as to form cliffs, some 
ending in sharp pinnacles. Below the clay is the bed rock, similar to 
that found at different places around the lake. The river has done some 
cutting through the solid rock bed, but not much. At one place the chan- 
nel is partially dammed by a large rock in the center of the river. Above 
and below this place the river is a beautiful sheet of foam, with several 
small falls. It is as beautiful a rapid as one usually sees. In my esti- 
mation it is superior to the rapid above the first falls in the Yellowstone. 
Plate XLV shows the rapids as seen from the hillside some two hun- 
