No. 50.] 
345 
view, is the number and magnitude of its ponds and rivers, and the 
almost unparalleled extent of natural batteaux navigation that they form. 
It is also a remarkable fact that these waters, although belonging in 
some cases to different and remote systems, are situated for more than 
100 miles in extent in nearly the same horizontal plain. This will ap- 
pear sufficiently evident from the following table, in which the distan- 
ces and directions are rudely estimated from Racket lake. 
Racket lake, 
Forked do 8 miles north, 
Long do 20 " northwesterly 
Upper Saranac lake, 58 " " 
Round do 54 " " 
Lower Saranac do 64 " " 
Tupper's do 60 
Rich do 30 
Newcomb do 40 
Lake Sanford, 50 
" Henderson, 52 
Clear pond, 80 
north, 
northwesterly, . 
westerly. 
Elevation. 
1731 feet. 
1704 " 
1576 " 
1567 " 
1567 " 
1527 " 
1500 " 
1547 " 
1699 " 
1712 " 
1826 
1870 " 
These distances are vaguely estimated by the courses of the rivers, 
or the most direct land routes, without seeking any greater degree of ac- 
curacy than is requisite for forming a general idea of extent. The ele- 
vations of all were taken by the barometer, except that of Tupper's 
lake, which is connected with my station below Racket-Falls by an 
unobstructed navigation, as I am informed, and consequently not very 
different from 30 or 40 feet below it. 
These lakes are chiefly situated on the northeast quarter of this table, 
and that, too, which presents the most varied and mountainous surface. 
Judging from some examinations of my own, and from other sources 
worthy of confidence, the southern and western divisions are each equal 
in extent to this, and conform still more nearly to a horizontal plane 
which rests upon the surface of Racket lake. 
Some general idea of the extent of natural batteaux navigation, may 
be derived from a glance at the Saranac and Racket rivers. The for- 
mer of these rises near the southern line of Franklin county, in a beau- 
[Assembly, No. 50.] 44 
