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UNITED STATES. 



The Lake of the Woods, 



The Lake of the Woods, the most northern in the 

 United States, is so called from the large quantities 

 of wood growing on its banks ; such as oaks, pines, 

 firs, spruce, Sec. This lake lies nearly east of the 

 south end of lake Winnepeck, and is supposed to be 

 the source or conductor of one branch of the river 

 Bourbon, if there be such a river. Its length from 

 cast to west is said to be about 70 miles, and in some 

 places it is 40 miles wide. The Killisteneaux Indians 

 encamp on its borders t© fish and hunt. This lake 

 is the communication between the lakes Winnepeck 

 and Bourbon, and Lake Superior.* 



The Lake of the Woods, according to;M'Kenzie is 

 nearly round, and the canoe course through the cen- 

 ter of it among a cluster of islands, some of whiclv 

 are so extensive that they may be taken for the- 

 main land. The reduced course would be nearly- 

 south and north ; but following the navigating course, 

 Mr. M'Kenzie makes the distance seventy-five- 

 miles, though in a direct line it would fall very short 

 of that length. At about two thirds of it there is a 

 small carrying place when the water is low. The 

 carrying place out of the lake is on an island, and 

 named Portage du Rat, in lat. 49 deg. 37 min. north, 

 and long. 94 deg. 15 min. west, and is about fifty 

 paces long. The lake discharges itself at both ends 

 of this island, and forms the river Winnipic, which 

 is a large body of water interspersed with numerous 

 islands, causing various channels, and interruptions 

 of portages and rapids. 



* Morse. 



