PRELIMINARY OBSERVAT103S. II 



this source. As it is the largest and tlie purest of the scries of 

 lakes it is also the highest in position ; its altitude being compu- 

 ted at 640 feet above the Atlantic. Its banks arc diversi- 

 fied with mural precij ices, with extensive deposits of marine 

 i. and with beds of muted detritus. Its immediate margin 

 is loaded with primitive boulders and pebble-stones, alternating 

 with shores of yellow and of iron sand. Several bold mountains 

 of primitive construction, stand near the central parts of its 

 south shores, which are in striking contrast with the ruin-like, 

 walled masses, of horizontal structure, which characterize other 

 parts. Among the detritus of its shores are still occasionally 

 found masses of native copper, which are now referred to the 

 trap formation. 



Of a body of water so irregular in its shape and imperfectly 

 defined, it may be vague to speak of its superficial area, but this 

 may be assumed to cover 30,000 square miles. It embraces 

 numerous islands, the largest of which are Grand, Royal, and 

 Magdalen islands. It has several noble harbors, bays and inlets, 

 and receives numerous rivers. It abounds with fish, the most 

 noted of which are white-fish, sturgeon, and salmon-trout. But 

 by far the most valuable product of its present commerce, is its 

 furs and peltries. The Indian population of its immediate 

 shores, is not great. Exclusive of bands located on the heads 

 of its rivers, it does not exceed 1006 souls, to which may be 

 added 436 for the American side of the St. Mary's river. Their 

 trade is conducted by 15 clerks, licensed by the Indian depart- 

 ment, employing 70 boatmen, interpreters and runners. Re- 

 cently a mission has been established on Magdalen Island (La 

 mU of the traders) by the American Board of Foreign 

 Missions, and the gospel began to be preached to the natives. 

 The estimated population which, in a comprehensive view, 

 should be added for the south shores, extending to the borders 

 of the Winnebago and Monomonee lands, and running west, to 

 the Sioux line, is, for the northern curve of Green Bay, 210 ; 

 heads of the Monomonee and Wisconsin rivers, 242 : the Chip- 



