The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1900-11-10
EXCELLENT
RESULTS.
Montana University Biologi-
cal Society
ON FLATHEAD LAKE
Had Most Successful Term. Productive
Of Excellent Results. Study of
the Lake Bottom.
ON FLATHEAD LAKE

the Lake Bottom.
The summers work for the uni
versity museum and for the biological
station has been productive of en-
cellent results, for better than was
anticipated. Immediately after the
close of the university, in June, Earl
Douglass and E. H. Murray started
toward the eastern part of the state
in search Of fossils. Detailed rd-
suits of their trip have not vet been
made public, but they were very
successful and there have been some
valuable additions made to the
museum as a result Of their work
On July 6 the biological party
started on collecllng trip in the
Mission mountains and valley ad-
jacent. A camp Of ten days was
made at the lake known on the reser-
vation as Marys lake, for which
there has been suggested the name,
Mcleod Lake. This lake was
thoroughly explored, soun, ,lngs being
made at various places, anu man.,
pumpings taken from diffrent depths
at different times of the day. It was
at this lake that -le uiurnal move
ments of the fresh water cDto-
mostracans was first opserve>., the
movements being verified at the
other bodies of water examined. The
ascent OF the mountains on the north
OF the lake produced many alpine
plants, as well as very interesting
species of shell found at 1000 feet
and afterwards taken at the same
altitude on Mcdonald peak. From
this camp have resulted many inter-
estlng collections, and some excell-
ent photograph representing bio
logical and geological subjects.
A second camp of ten days was
made at Lake Mcdonald The inspir-
atlon for this camp was Il desire 10
md out more about new species
OF land snail found the summer pre-
viously, and named by Pilsbury of the
Philadelphia academy, pyramidula
elrodi, in honor of the finder. The
hlllsldes were searched for the new
species, as none had previously been
found alive. In this earch the collec-
tors were rewarded with success much
beyond their expectations. Several
dozen live specimens We're found also
several quarts of shells. These are
being distributed, and already have
been sent to a number of the largest
museums and to wellknown private
individuals who have been conspicu-
GUS for work on conchology. By this
means the work of the university is
being put to use among those inter
ested.
The lake was also carefully studied
and it's bottom determined by ser.
les of soundings. Numerous pump
ings were made and the results are
being compared with those from other
waters. The woods yielded a go ID
series of birds and the ornithologists
were kept busy all the time making
skins and taking notes. In both this
and the preceding lake numerous
specimens of fish were taken, which
yet await detailed study. The ascent
of Mcdonald peak resulted in many
valuable finds, which will afford op
portunity of study when compared
with collections on the first mountain
OF the range, and from the othe.
ranges.
Mention has been made of the col
lection of Grow creek and around the
foot OF the lake. The lower end OF
the lake was examined carefully as
regards the opportunity offered by the
marsh on the southern and eastern
side for the growth or microscopic
life. This part of the lake presents
the only opportunities worth mention
ing for such life to find suitable hab
itation. Several days were spent in
this study, while the others were max
ing collections along the shore and
Pend d'Oreille river, which carries the
water from the lake.
The work at the station which is
on the bank of the lake, lasted foul
weeks. During this time the worl
begun on the lakes in the mountains
was continued and extended, at the
same time giving attention to the
wants of those in attendance fol
study. AS has been previously point
ed out, the field adjacent to the st:
tion presents exceptionally good op
portunities for studying animal ant
vegetable life. Extended observa
tions were made on Daphpa pond, rs
rey's pond, Swan lake, and Flatheat
lake. The collection at these waters
kept Prof. Youtz hard at work all th'
time, and the results when present
ed to the public will be of great valu'
in studying ichthyological problems
as valuable contribution to pure sci
ence.
The material equipment of the sta
tion for work has been given before
but may be here stated again. Fo
work on water there are three boat
"a gasoline launch, Missoula; a WOO
row boat, Culex, and canvas boa
Daphnia. The canvas boat was use
a great deal in the Alpine lakes an
proved one of the most valuable az
QUESTIONS for carrying on work in n
mote regions where boats were scare
A special sounding apparatus was prt