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BULLETIN OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 
ARTICLE II. 
THE PHYSIOGRAPHY OF GRAND LAKE, 
By W. S. Butler. 
Read 7th February, 1905. 
(abstract) 
Grand Lake is the largest sheet of fresh water in New 
Brunswick, and is part of a group of lakes on the eastern side 
of the valley of the St. John, in the flat region where it is 
bordered by extensive intervals or alluvial flats. It is connected 
with the other lakes by a thoroughfare or narrow creek-like 
passage, and connected with the St. John river by a narrow, 
tortuous passage called the “Jemseg.” The lake is about 
twenty-five miles long, and from three to five miles wide, and 
has some long bays extending to the north-eastward. Salmon 
river, the principal affluent, enters the lake close to its upper 
end and with several important branches, conveys to it a large 
volume of water. The river next in size that enters the lake is 
Newcastle river, on which are important coal mines. Douglas 
Harbor, on the north-west side of the lake, formerly called 
the “ Keyhole ” is a remarkable indentation ; it has high banks 
around it, but no stream entering it. Long point, on the same 
side of the lake is dangerous to navigation, because from it 
runs out a long bar, just under water, and so concealed from 
the navigator. The lake is comparatively shallow, especially 
in its upper part, between Bear island (concerning which the 
writer sent a communication to the society some years ago) 
and the head of the lake. There are extensive farming lands 
around this lake, especially along its south-eastern and western 
shores, with rolling lands and fertile fields. The northern 
shores of the lake are flatter and lower, and the lands there 
have supplied much lumber for market, at present the soft 
wood used for lumber is mostly cut away, but much hardwood 
remains. Formerly large vessels were built around Grand 
lake, but now the construction of vessels is confined to wood- 
boats and schooners. In the spring of the year there are 
excellent fisheries for gaspereau and shad in Grand lake and 
the lakes connected with it. Large numbers of wild fowl are 
found in its marshes and afford much sport in the autumn. 
