The diluvial hills inclosing the basin, at distances of one or two miles, are covered with pines. From these elevations the lands slope gently down to the water's edge, which is fringed with a mixed foliage of deciduous and evergreen species. After passing some few miles down its longest arm, we landed at an island, which appeared to be the only one in the lake. I immediately had my tent pitched, and while the cook exerted his skill to prepare a meal, scrutinized its shores for crustacea, while Dr. Houghton sought to identify its plants. While here, the latter recognized the mycrostylis ophioglossoides, physalis lanceolata, silene antirrhina, and viola pedata. We found the elm, lynn, soft maple, and wild cherry, mingled with the fir species. An arm of the lake stretches immediately south from this island, which receives a small brook. Lieutenant Allen, who estimates the greatest length of the lake at seven miles, drew the following sketch of its configuration. (See p. 243.) The latitude of this lake is 47° 13´ 35´´.[162] The highest grounds passed over by us, in our transit from the Assowa Lake, lie at an elevation of 1,695 feet. The view given of the scene in the first volume of my _Ethnological Researches_, p. 146, is taken from a point north of the island, looking into the vista of the south arm of the lake. I inquired of Ozawindib the Indian name of this lake; he replied _Omushkös_, which is the Chippewa name of the Elk.[163] Having previously got an inkling of some of their mythological and necromantic notions of the origin and mutations of the country, which permitted the use of a female name for it, I denominated it ITASCA.[164] [162] By the report of Governor Stevens (June, 1854), the selected pass for the contemplated railroad through the St. Mary to the Columbia valley is in 47° 30´, where there is but little snow at any time, and rich pasturage for cattle. The phenomena of the climates of our northern latitudes are but little understood. [163] A The Canadian French call this animal _la Biche_, from _Biche_, a hind. [164] This myth is further alluded to, in the following stanzas from the _Literary World_, No. 337:-- STANZAS. ON REACHING THE SOURCE OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER IN 1832.[165] I. Ha! truant of western waters! Thou who hast So long concealed thy very sources--flitting shy, Now here, now there--through spreading mazes vast Thou art, at length, discovered to the eye In crystal springs, that run, like silver thread, From out their sandy heights, and glittering lie Within a beauteous basin, fair outspread Hesperian woodlands of the western sky, As if, in Indian myths, a truth there could be read, And these were tears, indeed, by fair Itasca shed. II.