p. 18

Lakes

other evergreen trees of a similar character. Perhaps
a small rocky island, will vary the scene, covered with
a conical mass of vegetation, the [with] low shrubs and
bushes being arranged around the margin and the
tall trees in the center [illegible.]
These lakes usually abound in fish of various kinds
affording food for the pioneer settler, and among
the pebbles on their shores may occasionally be found
fine specimens of agate carnelian, and other precious
stones. In the bays where the water is shallow and
but little affected by the winds, the wild rice (Zizania aquaitica)
grows in abundance affording subsistence for the
Indian and attracting innumerable water birds to these
lakes. The rice has never been made use of by
the settlers in Wisconsin as an article of food, although
at some places it affords one of the principal means of
support for the red men. It is said to be about
equal to oat=meal in its qualities and resembles