12 $ 
Bulletin Wisconsin Natural History Society [Vol. 13, No. 3 
tion can not again be studied under the nearly undisturbed 
conditions in which the writer found it. 
Wingra is the smallest of the lakes in the Madison district, 
being about one and one-half miles long, and three quarters of 
a mile wide. It is very shallow, the maximum depth being 14 
feet, while the greatest portion does not exceed 9 feet. The chief 
source of water is from springs which are found along the shores 
of the lake, but especially from the three large ones at the south- 
east corner, in the region under discussion. Besides these springs 
two small streams enter the lake, both being derived from the 
spring-fed swamps beyond the lake. The larger of these streams 
is in the center of the formation, a little less than half a mile 
from the west end of the lake. 
The shores of the lake are swampy around the entire circum- 
ference, the amount of this swampy border varying from a few 
feet in some places to approximately three score acres at each 
end of the lake, over which the lake formerly extended. Though 
fed by springs of crystal-clear water, the lake-water is never clear, 
being of a dull ochre tint. This may be accounted for by the 
fact that the lake is shallow, together with its open and unpro- 
tected exposure, and perhaps, to a less extent, by the marl 
bottom, and the activity of the carp which abound therein. 
Fish life is rather limited, the most common species being the 
bluegill, the sun-fish, the silver-bass, the bull-head, and close 
to the shores, more especially at the mouths of the springs, the 
common minnow Notropis heterodon. 
The Swamp 
The swamp itself is of especial interest to the zoologist be- 
cause of the abundant life which thrives therein. In the early 
spring, with the breaking up of the lake ice, and the gradual 
thawing of the frozen ground, the swamp becomes nearly im- 
passible. Innumerable little streams form to carry the accumu- 
lating water to the lake, though the entire swamp may be covered 
by from six inches to a foot of water. This saturated condi- 
tion persists until well into May, the land gradually drying off 
until the area is merely very muddy. Walking is always hard 
and uncertain, and what appears to be relatively solid ground 
often proves to be a cleverly hidden mud-hole, into which 
one may flounder to the waist. 
