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NARRATIVE
OF
AN EXPEDITION
TO THE
SOURCE OF ST. PETER'S RIVER,
LAKE WINNEPEEK, LAKE OF THE WOODS,
&c. &c.
PERFORMED IN THE YEAR 1823,
BY ORDER OF
THE HON. J. C. CALHOUN, SECRETARY OF WAR;
UNDER THE COMMAND OF
STEPHEN H. LONG, MAJOR U. S. T. E.
COMPILED FROM THE NOTES OF MAJOR LONG, MESSRS, SAY,
KEATING, AND COLHOUN,
BY
WILLIAM H. KEATING, A.M. &c.
PROCESSOR OF MINERALOGY AND CHEMISTRY AS APPLIED TO THE ARTS, IN
THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA; GEOLOGIST AND
HIST0RIOGRAPHER TO THE EXPEDITION.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. II.
CITY OF WASHINGTON
PHILADELPHIA:
IL C. CAREY & I. LEA—CHESNUT STREET.
1824.
EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA, to wit:
BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the twenty-ninth day of November, in the forty-ninth year of the independence of the United States of America, A. D. 1824,
H. C. Carey
&
I. Lea
of the said district, have deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof they claim as proprietors; in the words following, to wit:
“Narrative Of an Expedition to the Source of St. Peter's River, Lake "Winnepeek, Lake of the Woods, &c. &c. performed in the year 1823, "by order of the Hon. J. C. Calhoun, Secretary of War, under the "command of Stephen H. Long, Major U.S. T.E. Compiled from the "notes of Major Long, Messrs. Say, Keating, and Colhoun, by "William H. Keating, A.M. &c. Professor of Mineralogy and Chemistry "as applied to the Arts, in the University of Pennsylvania; Geologist "and Historiographer to the Expedition. In two volumes—Vol. II.”
In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, entitled “An act for the encouragement of learning, by Securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned.”—And, also to the act, entitled, “An act supplementary to an act, entitled, “An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned, “and extending the benefits thereof to the Arts of designing', engraving, and etching historical and other prints.”
D. CALDWELL,
Clerk of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
.
SKERRET—LOCUST STREET,
PHILADELPHIA.
CHAPTER I.
The party leave Lake Travers. They fall in with large herds of buffalo. Observations upon the rovings of this animal. Meeting with a war party of the Wahkpakotas who manifest hostile dispositions. Arrival at Pembina
CHAPTER II.
Fort Douglas, and Lord Selkirk's colony. Bark canoes. Lake Winnepeek. Fort Alexander. River Winnepeek. Rapids. Portages. Fine falls. Lake of the Woods. North-westernmost point of the boundary line. Rainy Lake river and lake. Fort; Series of rapids and lakes. Dividing ridge. Falls of Kamanatekwoya. Arrival at Fort William
CHAPTER III.
Account of the Chippewa Indiana. Their usages, manners, and customs
CHAPTER IV.
Departure from Fort William. Trap formations un Lake Superior. Michipicotton house. Arrival at the Sault de St. Marie. Conclusion of the Journey
CHAPTER V.
General description of the country traversed by the Expedition, designed as a topographical report to the War Department, by S. H Long, Major United States' Topographical Engineers.
I. Of the country between Philadelphia and the Ohio river
II. Of the country between the Ohio river and Lake Michigan
III. Of the country and navigable communications between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi river
IV. Of the St. Peter river and adjacent country. Also of the Coteau des Prairies
1½
V. Of Red river and the adjacent country
VI. Of the country between Lakes Winnepeek and Superior
VII. Remarks on a variety of subjects connected with the topography of the country
1st. Of the natural features of the country in a military point of viewid.
2d. Of the Indians inhabiting the country traversed by the Expedition
3d. Statements relative to the elevation of different parts of the country
4th. Of the accompanying Map
APPENDIX.
Part:I.—Natural History. §1. Zoology, by Thomas Say.
A. Class Polypi—Order Vaginati
B. Class Pisces
C. Class Mollusca
D. Class Vermes—Order Cryptobranchia
E. Class Insecta—0rder Coleoptera
0rthoptera
Hemiptera
Neuropter
Hymenoptera
Diptera
§2. Botany. A Catalogue of plants collected in the North-western territory, by Mr. Thomas Say, in the year 1823. By Lewis D. de Schweinitz
Part II.—Astronomy
Part III.—Meteorology
Part IV.—Indian Vocabularies
The party leave Lake Travers. They fall in with large herds of buffalo. Observations upon the rovings of this animal. Meeting with a war party of the Wakkpakotas who manifest hostile dispositions. Arrival at Pembina
.
THE fort of the Columbia Fur Company has been determined, by Mr. Colhoun, to be in latitude 45° 39′ 52″ north, and in longitude 96° 34′ 30″ west; the magnetic variation at this place amounts to 12° 28′ 50″ east. The lake upon which it stands is about fifteen miles long; in breadth it scarcely exceeds one mile. it is the handsomest of the three lakes which we saw near the head of the St. Peter. It is incased more than one hundred feet below the adjoining prairies, but the valley in which it lies is about double the breadth of the lake itself, and is filled with large fragments of primitive rocks. A view of this lake has been given in the Frontispiece to volume second it includes the Company's fort, the Indian lodges near it and also a scaffold, upon which the remains of a Sioux had been deposited. The horizon is bounded by a distant view of the Coteau des Prairies. The lake has received its present appellation,
2
On leaving Lake Travers, our party was strengthened by the addition of Mr. Jeffries, one of the Company, who agreed to guide us to Pembina, and by four Frenchmen, who were returning to that place, with six carts which had been employed to convey the families and baggage of several Swiss emigrants, from the British settlements to the St. Peter. Of these carts, we chartered four to convey our baggage and provisions. As it was expected that, after having travelled forty miles, we Should meet with no Dacotas, it was agreed that when Renville should have accompanied us that distance, he would be at liberty to return to the fort where business required his presence. Vague reports of large parties of Dacotas had been circulated for some days past, and a rumour that five hundred lodges of the Yanktoanan were collected on Shienne river, made us desirous of being accompanied by Wanotan, which he readily agreed to do; finding, however, that these reports
The first day of our journey was unpleasant; it was across dry prairies. We stopped to dine upon the banks of what is termed Mu
On the bluff which encloses the lake we saw a few small tumuli, the last that were observed by our party; we have not been able to hear of the existence of any to the north-west of this place. Thus have we, during this expedition, traced these ancient Indian works from Irville in Ohio to the head of Red river, upon a distance of upwards of eight hundred miles in a direct line, and nearly double that amount according
* Mr. Colhoun's MS.
The dullness of our morning ride was dissipated by the distant view of the buffalo grazing upon the prairie. We shall not attempt to depict the joy, which the first cry of “ buffaloes in sight,” created in the whole company; all were in activity. The practised hunters immediately gave chase to the buffaloes, and before the sun set, three of these noble animals had been slain. We encamped early to enjoy what, to many of our party, was an entirely new scene, The spot which we were obliged to select, was utterly destitute of wood, and the only fuel which we could procure was the buffalo dung, which lay profusely scattered over the prairie. This made a fine warm fire, giving out no smell. The meat was cooked, and eaten with great delight. The party never were, perhaps, in greater spirits than during that evening. They considered themselves almost on their way home. For the first time they saw abundance of game before them, and a prospect of its continuance for a few days, whence they anticipated ample supplies of stores in the camp.
The spot of our encampment is called, both by Indians and traders, Buffalo Lake; it is only an extension of Lake Travers, being separated but by-a marsh overgrown with high grass, through which a canoe can navigate at all times. It is immediately below this place that the lake assumes the characters of a stream, and receives the name of Sioux or Swan river. Mr. Colhoun endeavoured to determine the situation of this place, but a high southerly wind impeded his observations. Previous to encamping, we passed a party of squaws engaged in conveying to their camp some slices of fresh meat to jerk; their fellow labourers were dogs. Each of the dogs had the ends of two poles crossed and fastened over the shoulders, with a piece of hide underneath to prevent chafing. The other extremities
The next morning, as we proceeded, the buffaloes began to thicken before us; in every direction numbers of them were seen. They generally collected in herds of thousands together, keeping at a distance from us, though sometimes suffering us to approach very near to them, and, in some eases, indeed, running through our line of march. We stopped in the morning at a few Indian lodges, which we were pleased to find were those of our acquaintance Wanotan, the Yanktoanan chief. He invited us to partake of some fresh buffalo meat, which, being obtained from a fat cow, far exceeded in quality that which we had tasted the preceding evening. Wanotan assured us, that from the information which he had obtained, he thought we would not meet with any Dacotas after passing the Bois des Sioux, a small grove at a distance, and beyond which we expected to encamp that night. Some of the gentlemen having expressed a desire to see the chief hunt the buffalo with his bow and arrow, he complied with their request. In the mean while, the body of the party continued their route, crossed the dry bed of Sioux River, and proceeded as far as the Bois des Sioux, where they
The squaws at Wanotan's lodge were engaged in jerking the meat and dressing the skins which he had obtained. We had some curiosity to observe their mode of operating. The meat was cut up in thin and broad slices and exposed on poles, all round the lodge. Two days of exposure to a hot sun are sufficient to dry the meat so that it will keep. The skins are dressed in a very simple manner; the green skin is stretched on the ground by means of stakes driven through its edges; then with a piece of bone, sharpened to a cutting edge, about an inch wide, and similar to a chisel, the softer portions on the flesh side are scraped off, and with an instrument of iron similar to the bit of a carpenter's plane, the hair is removed from the outside. If the operation be interrupted here, the product is a sort of parchment; but if the skin be intended for moccassins or clothing, it is then worked with the hands
* Lawson's New Voyage to North Carolina, ut supra, p. 209.
We observed that Wanotan, used the common Sioux bow, not exceeding four feet in length; the arrows were proportional: At Wapasha's some of the party observed a bow of from five to six feet, which he was engaged in rasping; but perhaps it was intended to be cut off to the usual size.
Our route that day led us near to Sioux river; for some distance we had on our right a ridge of about thirty or forty feet in height, which as we advanced inclined to the north-east and soon disappeared. By the Dacotas, Sioux river is called Ka
As we were travelling along the prairie that morning, we were delighted to see our former companion, Lieut. Scott, from whom we had been separated for upwards of
The Bois des Sioux is supposed to be the northernmost limit of the undisputed property of the Sioux on Red River. Beyond this they never hunt without being prepared for war, as the prairies between this place and the Wild Rice River to the east, and Turtle River to the west of Red River, form a sort of debatable land, which both Chippewas and Dacotas claim, and upon which both frequently hunt, but always in a state of preparation for hostilities.
After travelling nine miles beyond the Bois des Sioux, the party came to a stream, called Red River. This stream branches out, at about four miles above the place where we struck it; one of its branches rises, as we have mentioned, in Lake Travers, but is dried up during some parts of the year. The other rises in 0tter-tail Lake, which is in the neighbourhood of the head of the Riviere de Carbeau. By the Indians this branch is called 0tter-tail River, and the stream continues, after the junction of the two, to be called by them Sioux or Swan River, until it receives the Red Fork
3
That lake is, as we were informed by one of our carters, situated about one hundred and fifty miles in a northeasterly course from the head of Lake Travers; it is, according to his statement, about twenty-four miles long, and from four and a half to five miles wide. From the point at which we crossed Red River, Otter-tail Lake bears northeast, and is distant about seventy or eighty miles. Near to the head of the river are high lands, which were visible at various times during the day, they are called the “Montagnes des Feuilles,” or Leaf Mountains. Mr. Jeffries described the country in that direction as being full of small lakes and “islands of wood.” We forded Red River, it was about twenty-five yards wide, and about two and a half feet deep. Its current was very rapid; the colour of its waters was white, owing to the muddy-nature of its banks. As we were crossing it one of the carts was by the carelessness of the driver upset, just as it descended the bank, so that its contents got wet; as these consisted principally of the jerked meat, we were obliged to stop on the opposite bank to dry it, lest it should spoil. This detained us a long while, and afforded to some of the party an opportunity of shooting buffalo. The harassed state of our horses had obliged Major Long, that morning, to issue an order to prevent the “running of the buffalo,” as it is called here, or the chasing of them on horse-back. Such a chace frequently extends over four or five miles, and the excitement which the horses themselves derive from it, is sometimes sufficient to impel them to run until their strength is completely exhausted. This measure, prescribed by a prudent care of our horses, was likewise in accordance with the
After having dried our meat, we continued our journey, and soon discovered, at a distance, a herd of elk, (Cervus major,) to which three of the gentlemen immediately gave chase. This herd consisted of about fifty or sixty elks. After having approached on horseback as near as they could, without alarming them, the gentlemen dismounted, and erept for about a quarter of a mile on their hands and knees, leading their horses, until they came within eighty yards, when they all fired, and one of the herd fell. Mr. Colhoun, who was one of the party, then mounted his horse and pursued the herd for more than a mile. His horse being the best in the Company, he got up with them in half that distance, but the horse was so much alarmed by the appearance of the elks, having probably never seen the animal before, that no spurring on the part of the rider, could urge him on near enough to give effect to the pistol shots which he fired. While Mr. Colhoun was chasing them, he observed that the elks in the rear would frequently stop to look at him. When in herds, elks are easily overtaken, but when they are alone it is much more difficult. This animal is however represented as being short-winded. The elk are generally approached in a creeping posture; this mode is also used in hunting buffaloes, by those whose horses are not very fleet. In order to protect their guns from the moisture of the grass, as well as to prevent them from being accidentally
While riding quietly across the prairie, with the eye intent upon the beautiful prospect of the buffaloes that were grazing, our attention was suddenly aroused by the discharge of a gun. in the vicinity of the river, which flowed about half a mile west of the course that we were then travelling. While we were reckoning up our party, to know if any had straggled to a distance, we saw two Indians running across the prairie; their number increased very soon to twelve or fifteen, who hastened towards us, but as soon as they came near our party, stopped and examined us with minuteness; after which they presented their hands to us; we gave them ours. It was immediately observed that they were in a complete state of preparation for war, being perfectly naked, with the exception of a breech-cloth. They had even laid their blankets by. All of them were armed with guns, apparently in very good order, or with bows and arrows, and some with both. Their appearance though at first friendly soon became insulting. Their party had, in the mean while, increased to thirty or forty, so that they outnumbered ours. We found that they belonged to the Wahkpakota or Leaf Indians, whose character, even among their own countrymen, is very bad. Mr Jeffries, who was to act as interpreter, being away, we availed ourselves of Mr. Snelling's knowledge of the language to communicate to them, in the course of conversation, our objects and intentions, as well as
The party being again safely united, Major Long considering that if an attack was intended, it would be made a short time before daylight, determined to allow the horses to rest until mid night, when the moon, rising, would make it pleasant and safe to travel. Accordingly at that hour we resumed our line of march. Our preparations for departure were made with the greatest expedition and silence, so as not to be observed by the Indians at a distance, and to avoid disturbing the old man that was sleeping
Our march was continued without interruption for six hours; we have reason to believe that it is to this sudden departure that we owe our having escaped an attack from that band.
It may be interesting to mention, that the Dacotas have means of communicating information to those of their party that are at a distance. We had an opportunity of observing these telegraphic communications in more than one instance. In this ease, in order to inform the mounted Indians that were seen at a distance on the prairie that we were white men, and that they might approach without fear, a few of them separated from the group, and ran round a circle several times, a signal which was immediately understood by their friends.
Had not our attention been seriously occupied by the hostile dispositions manifested by these Indians, we should have taken much interest in witnessing one of their great diversions. Some time before we met them, we observed a fine buffalo bull, who seemed to challenge a combat with our party; he travelled for about two miles abreast of us, and almost within gunshot; his eyes were intently bent upon us. Though occasionally driven off by our dog, he would constantly return, and continue in a parallel line, as though he were watching our motions. This fearless character,
4
When we stopped for breakfast the next morning, we heard some guns fired in the woods, which convinced us that some of the marauders were still in our vicinity; we continued our journey, however, without any impediment, avoiding the firing of guns, the separation of any of the party, or any other measure which might warn the Indians of our situation. We encamped at an early hour. Our journey across the prairies was extremely unpleasant; there was nothing to relieve the monotony of the scene; KILLING OF A BUFFALOE.
The calm repose of these prairies seemed to be more disturbed during the night, the lowings of the buffalo on the west bank of Red river were then frequent and distinct; they contrasted strongly with the barkings of the wolf. During the first few nights that followed our adventure with the Indians, it was deemed advisable to increase the number of our sentinels, and with a view to stimulate them to vigilance, the officers and gentlemen of the party undertook the duty of watching in turn. These nights made a more lively impression upon several of the party, than any of those that had preceded them. The beautiful and boundless expanse of the prairies, as seen by the bright moonlight which we enjoyed during that period, the freshness of the night air, the stillness of the scenery, interrupted only by the melancholy howlings of the wolf, and the prolonged lowing of the buffalo, the recollection of the dangers which had lately threatened us, and against the recurrence of which we were then watching, all these were likely to suggest to the mind melancholy yet not unpleasant reflexions.
In such a state the mind is apt to magnify and to form an incorrect opinion of the various objects which present themselves to the eye. It was, while watching on the night of the 29th, that Mr. Say's attention was suddenly directed to an object in the prairie. He saw it approaching with caution, and immediately the idea that it was probably an enemy, induced him to creep in the direction from which the object approached; it had the aspect of a wolf, but this he immediately
At this encampment Mr. Colhoun estimated Red river to be twenty yards wide, and its current about half a knot per hour. Its banks are boggy, and the water is thickened with particles of the rich light-blue clay through which it flows.
On the morning of the 30th we resumed our march at a very early hour, proceeding by moonlight. We crossed before breakfast a stream called Buffalo river which, from the muddiness of the banks, offered some difficulty. It is about eight yards wide. In the afternoon we reached Menomone or Wild-rice river, the wading of which was more difficult; it was, however, effected without accident; but a very heavy shower, which fell immediately after we had crossed the river, detained us a long while; after which our tents, baggage &c. were found so wet that it was deemed expedient to take advantage of the returning sunshine to dry them; our situation in the valley being a very exposed one, we removed our tents to an eminence in the neighbourhood, where we found a position favourable for defence in case of need. Wild-rice river is twelve yards wide, where we crossed it, which was nine miles above its mouth; it was about three feet deep at the time. On
* Purchas his Pilgrimage, London, 1614, p. 778.
The buffalo was formerly found throughout the whole territory of the United States, with the exception of that part which lies east of Hudson's river and Lake Champlain, and of narrow strips of coast on the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. These were swampy, and had probably low thick woods. That it did not exist on the Atlantic coast is rendered probable from the circumstance that all the early writers whom Mr. Colhoun has consulted on the subject, and they are numerous, do not mention them as existing there, but further back. Thomas Morton, one of the first settlers of New England, says, that the Indians “have also made description of great heards of well growne beasts, that live about the parts of this lake,” Erocoise, now Lake Ontario, “such as the Christian world, (until this discovery,) hath not bin made acquainted with. These Beasts are of the bignesse of a Cowe, their flesh being very good foode, their hides good lether, their fleeces very useful being a kind of wolle, as fine almost as the wolle of the Beaver, * New English Canaan, by Thomas Horton. Amsterdam, 1637. p. 98. † De Laet America Utriusque Descriptio. Lugd. Batav. Anno 1633, Lib. 6. Cap. 6. ‡ Idem, Lib. 6. Cap. 17. § Lawson, ut supra, p. 48, 115, &c. ∥ Purchas, ut supra, p. 759. * “Juxta Yaquimi fluminis ripas, tauri vacccœ eque et prœgrandes cervi pascuntur.”—Ut supra, Lib. 6, Cap. 6. † The principall navigations, voyages, and discoveries of the English nation, &c. by Richard Hakluyt. London, 1589. p. 676,
* Vol. II. p. 325.
At present it is scarcely seen east of the Mississippi, and south of the St. Lawrence. Governor Cass' party found, in 1819, buffaloes on the east side of the Mississippi, above the falls of St. Anthony. Every year this animal's rovings
5
All the buffaloes which our party saw, were of an uniform dun colour. We were informed that they had been sometimes seen white or spotted. The age of the animal is generally indicated by the number of rugae or transverse lines on the horns. Mr. Colhoun killed a bull, that by this process of reckoning, was supposed to be twenty-six years old; in this calculation the first four rugae are allowed for the first year. If this mode of calculation be correct, as is generally supposed, the buffalo probably attains a greater age than the tame ox. The frame of the buffalo is much larger than that of domestic cattle, and though its fore parts are uncouth, the hind parts are handsomely formed. Cows are considered more delicate eating than bulls, especially during the rutting season, when the latter assume a rank and strong flavour. This was the case about the
In pursuing a herd of buffalo, particularly if it consist of bulls, a strong odour of musk is emitted, which imparts the scent very distinctly to the prairie, and their feet make the grass crackle as if on fire. We mentioned that the buffalo bulls frequently approached very near to our line, which, by some of our fellow travellers, was attributed to the imperfect vision of the animal, whose eyes are obscured by the great quantity of hair which covers its face; this is probably, however, incorrect; it either arises from the greater fearlessness of the bulls during the rutting season, or perhaps from the circumstance that though they
The difficulty of killing this animal is very great, and may be judged of by the fact that Mr. Peale fired fourteen balls into the chest of a buffalo before he killed him, and Mr. Scott, with a view to ascertain whether a ball fired at the head would break the frontal bone, discharged his rifle at a dead bull within ten paces; the ball did not penetrate, but merely entangled itself in the hair where it was found. It had,however, struck the forehead, and left a mark before it rebounded. This agreed with the general impression which Mr. Scott had formed on the subject, having been stationed more or less for the last ten years in a buffalo country, and having had frequent opportunities of firing at them in every direction. His skill and address
When we consider the great force, size, agility, and speed of the buffalo, we must regret that no successful experiment has as yet been made to domesticate this noble animal, and appropriate it to the wants of man. Instead of endeavouring to turn to use the many valuable animals which formerly roved over our country, the settlers seem to have been satisfied with importing those from Europe. There can, we think, be but little doubt that the buffalo might, by proper management, be domesticated, and made to replace with great advantage the European OX. We have seen it, in one instance, used with apparent facility. Another experiment, which would certainly be very interesting, would be to ascertain whether the breeds might not be crossed, and what would be the result. We have, it is true, heard it asserted, and the impression appears to be general in that country, that a domestic bull had in certain cases impregnated a buffalo cow, and that the produce had partaken of the characters of both parents; but that a favourable issue could not be expected in the case of impregnation of the domestic cow, by the buffalo bull, because the pelvis of the former being too small for the issue of the calf, both the cow and her progeny would die before parturition. Mr. Say has endeavoured, but in vain, to trace the report to its source; having always found those who related it to speak on conjecture, he is inclined to doubt whether the experiment has ever been tried; indeed we were told, on Lake Winnepeek, where we saw a pair
While in the vicinity of the buffalo we were entirely free from the torment of mosquitoes, from what reason we know not; we can scarcely believe that the animal attracts them all to itself. It is probable that as we were at some distance we should have had a few of them were there not some other cause for their disappearance which we have not been able to discover; we at first attributed their absence to the cold nights which we experienced, but after leaving the buffalo we encountered still colder nights, and although all the other circumstances seemed the same, yet the insect reappeared.
On the 31st, the party continued its route, without any observation except for latitude, which was found at meridian robe 47° 26′ 41″ north. In the morning a female elk was killed by one of the Frenchmen that accompanied us. Our marches had, since we met with the Indians, been commenced at an early hour in the morning, but a very dense fog which covered the prairies until past sunrise detained us late on that day. Our apprehensions of being followed were, however, completely quieted on observing a large column of smoke behind us, which proved that the indians had fired the prairies. The beds of two small streams, Plum and Sand-hill rivers, were crossed this day. In the former there was no water, and we were obliged to satisfy our thirst with the stagnant fluid found in a pool, the quality of which was not much improved by its having been resorted to by buffaloes. Having travelled eight miles on the morning of the first of August, and being
We had an opportunity of observing while travelling upon these prairies the long twilight nights which characterize high latitudes. We had scarcely more than five hours of night, and as the moon was at that time pretty full, we seldom experienced any darkness during the whole of our journey to Pembina.
There were numerous ponds of stagnant water upon these prairies, in one of which a beaver was seen, but at too great a distance to be shot at; in the vicinity Mr. Scott killed a line-tailed squirrel * Sciurus grammurus, (Say,) Account of an Expedition to the Rocky Mountains, vol. 2. p. 72.
On the 5th, we travelled fifteen miles before breakfast, and reached Red river, which we crossed in a barge, opposite to the settlement called Pembina, where we remained four days.
This completed a journey of two hundred and fifty-six miles, performed in eleven days, averaging therefore about twenty three miles per day. Had it not been for our meeting with the buffalo, and with the party of Indians, we should scarcely have experienced on that part of our journey any thing to which we could look back with interest. The dull monotony of a journey upon prairie land never appeared to us so fatiguing. No trees were to be seen except those that fringed the water courses, these consisted principally of several varieties of oak, of the white, and some red elm, linden, gray ash, red-maple, cotton-wood, aspen, hackberry, ironwood, hop hornbeam, and white and red pine. On Red Lake we were told that the trees consist of fir, sugar-maple, and birch. The country is very flat; and remarkably deficient in water. There are no valleys; and but few brooks, streams, or even springs.
The streams that enter Red river from its source to the 49th degree of north latitude are, on its right bank, Buffalo, Wild-rice, Plum, Sand-hill, Red Fork, Swamp, and the “Two rivers;” on its left bank, Pse, Shienne, Elm, Goose, Turtle, Saline, Park, and Pembina. Of these it may be observed, that some confusion exists as to the names of the
Buffalo river rises in a chain of small lakes, surrounded by a large forest, (Bois Grand) which is said to extend to the Mississippi. Its course from its source is about northwest, its length sixty miles, its breadth where we crossed it eight yards; its bottom muddy.
Wild-rice river is about one hundred and twenty miles long; its name is derived from the abundance of wild rice which grows in a circular lake, about eighteen miles diameter, in which it takes its rise, It is said that the supply of grain which this lake yields is inexhaustible. The course of the river is about parallel to that of Buffalo river; its breadth, nine miles above its mouth, was twelve yards,
6
The bed of Plum rivulet was five yards wide, that of Sand-hill ten, but both were dry.
The Red Fork, which, by the Indians, is considered as the main branch, takes its name from the Red Lake, in which it rises. Both are said to be translations of the term
bloody
, used by the Indians, and which is doubtless derived from some slaughter committed in that vicinity; not, as is the ease with many other rivers which have the same appellation, from the colour of their bed.
In times of flood the Red Fork is navigable for barges throughout its length to Red Lake, a distance of one hundred and twenty miles; in ordinary stages of water, canoes can ascend it to its source. This is the most important tributary of Red river, containing probably an equal quantity of water with the main stream itself. Mr. Jeffries informed us that Red Lake had the form of a crescent, with its back to the south-west, that its dimensions were sixty miles by twenty-four. Carver says, p. 72, that “Red Lake is a comparatively small lake, at the head of a branch of the Bourbon river, which is called by some Red river. Its form is nearly round, and about sixty miles in circumference?” Carver had not visited the lake. The general course of the Red fork from this lake is north-west; it receives a few small tributaries, the most important of which are Clear river, entering about thirty miles from its mouth on the south-west side, and Thief river, entering it from the north-east. The woods along Red Fork are very thick, and extend to about half a mile on either side. Hazlenuts were very abundant, and nearly ripe at that time. Below the junction of Red Fork with the main stream, Red river was observed to be about forty yards wide, and its current was about one knot per hour. The bed of Swamp river was dry. At the place Where we crossed the “Two rivers,”
As we travelled on the east bank of Red river, we saw none of the tributaries that come in from the west, but Mr. Jeffries, who is well acquainted with the country, has described them to us as follows:—
The Pse river rises near the Coteau des Prairies, at the distance of about forty miles from Lake Travers.
The Shienne or Sha
Turtle river is formed by the junction of two branches, about forty miles above its mouth; it is of the size of Wild-rice river; it takes its source in Devil Lake; its course is north of west.
Big Salt river is a considerable stream, which rises in a lake of the same name, which is about a milo and a half in circumference.
Park river is of the same size as Big Salt river, and is formed by the Union of several insignificant streams.
About one mile above the village of Pembina, the river of the same name falls into Red river; this is probably, next to the Red Fork, the largest tributary south of the 49th degree; about three miles above its mouth it receives the Tongue river, which is a large brook.
There are doubtless in this country a great many salt springs, especially below the Red Fork; we saw none, but we were informed that fine springs exist on Big and Little Saline rivers, on the “Two rivers,” &c. where the salt
The causes of these conflagrations are numerous. The Indian frequently sets the prairies on fire in order to distract the pursuit of his enemies by the smoke, or to destroy all trace of his passage; to keep the country open. and rims invite the buffalo to it; to be able to see and chace his game with more facility; as a means of communicating intelligence to a distance with a view to give notice to his friends of his approach, or to warn them of the presence of an enemy. The traders often burn the prairies with the same view. Independent of these, the fires of encampments
The settlement of Pembina is situated on Red river, about one hundred and seventy miles above its mouth. The river is here only fifty yards wide, but its depth is very considerable; in the middle of the stream not less than from ten to twenty feet; it is deeply incased, which prevents the water from overflowing the country, though its swells are considerable. An old trader, who has resided there for upwards of forty years, informed us, that he had once witnessed a flood which covered the banks; the water having risen sixty-six feet. The usual rises are from fifteen to twenty feet.
The principal inhabitant of the place, Mr. Nolen, being apprized of our arrival, furnished us the means of crossing the river, and entertained us several times at his house during our stay in his vicinity. We are indebted to him for much polite attention.
Pembina constituted the upper settlement made on the tract of land granted to the late Lord Selkirk by the Hudson's Bay Company. It may be well to observe, that by virtue of a charter from Charles the Second, granted in 1670, to Prince Rupert and others, constituting the “honourable Hudson's Bay Company,” the whole of the BritiSh dominions lying contiguous to Hudson's Bay or its tributaries, has been claimed by that company, not only as regards the monopoly of the fur trade, but also as respects
* The
b has been introduced by Europeans; the theme of the word is Nepin, summer, and Minan, berry.
The Hudson's Bay Company had a fort here, until the spring of 1823, when observations, made by their own astronomers, led them to suspect that it was south of the boundary line, and they therefore abandoned it, removing all that could be sent down the river with advantage. The Catholic clergyman, who had been supported at this place, was at the same time removed to Fort Douglas, and a large and neat chapel built by the settlers for their accommodationGens libres
or Freemen, to distinguish them from the vants of the Hudson's Bay Company, who are called
Engagés
. Those that are partly of Indian extraction, are nick-named
Bois brulé
, (Burnt wood,) from their dark complexion.
A swift horse is held by them to be the most valuable property; they are good judges of horses, particularly of racers, with which they may chace the buffalo. Their horses are procured from our southern prairies, or from the internal provinces of New Spain; whence they are stolen by the Indians, and traded or re-stolen throughout the whole distance, until they get. into the possession of these men. Their dress is singular, but not deficient in beauty; it is a mixture of the European and Indian habits. All of them have a blue capote with a hood, which they use only in bad weather; the capote is secured round their waist by a military sash; they wear a shirt of calico or painted muslin, moccassins and leather leggings fastened round the leg by garters ornamented with beads, &c. The Bois brulés often dispense with a hat; when they have one, it is generally variegated in the Indian manner, with feathers, gilt lace, and other tawdry ornaments.
The character of the Bois brulé countenance is peculiar. Their eyes are small, black, and piercing; their hair generally long, not unfrequently curled, and of the deepest black; their nose is short and turned up; their mouth wide; their teeth good; their complexion of a deep olive, which varies according to the quantity Of Indian blood which they have in them. They are smart, active, excellent runners. One of them, we were told, often chased the buffalo on foot; we did not, however, see him do it: This man had a handsome, well-proportioned figure, of which Mr. Seymour took a sketch. He was very strong, and was known to have three times discharged, from his bow, an arrow, which, after perforating one buffalo, had killed a second; an achievement which is sometimes performed by Indians, though it is rare, as it requires great muscular strength. Their countenance is full of expression, which partakes of cunning and malice. When angry, it assumes all the force of the Indian features, and denotes perhaps more of the demoniac spirit than is generally met with, even in the countenance of the aborigines.
The great mixture of nations, which consist of English, Scotch, French, Italians, Germans, Swiss, united with Indians of different tribes, viz. Chippewas, Crees, Dacotas, &c. has been unfavourable to the state of their morals; for, as is generally the case, they have been more prone to imitate the vices than the virtues of each stock; we can therefore ascribe to this combination of heterogeneous ingredients, but a very low rank in the scale of civilization. They are but little superior to the Indians themselves. Their cabins are built, however, with a little more art; they cultivate small fields of wheat, maize, barley, potatoes, turnips, tobacco, &c. A few of the more respectable inhabitants keep cows and attend to agriculture, but we saw neither
7
The main object of the party in visiting this place being the determination of the 49th degree of latitude, Mr. Colhoun lost no time in taking observations. The first one which he made was near Mr. Nolen's house, and although not very satisfactory, yet it showed that we were near to the boundary line, as it indicated 48° 59′ 27″. We then pitched our camp a little further down on the bank of the river, and as near as we could judge to the boundary line. A large skin lodge, which was lent to us, sheltered the gentlemen of the party during our stay there; our flies were pitched around it for the use of the soldiers. In honour of the President of the United States, this place received the name of Camp Monroe. A flag-staff was planted, which, after a series of observations, made during four days, was determined to be in latitude 48° 59′ 57⅓″ north. The magnetic variation having been ascertained to be 13° 17′ 25″ east, the distance to the boundary line was measured off, and
“Prater hæc animalia, nullas préterea divitias noverunt barbari; héc ipsis cibum potumque subministrant, (caro autem optimi est saporis,) tergoribus illorum corpora sua pariter atque casulas muniunt; e laciniis eorum funes contorquent; ossa illis stilos; nervi villique funes; cornua buccinas; vesicæ utres; fimus denique siccus fomites prébet.” Vide De Laet, ut supra, L. 6, C. 17, and Parchas, p. 778.
The spot upon which we were encamped was a fine level prairie on the edge of the woods that skirt the river; two or three lodges were built in our vicinity; these Mr. Seymour Sketched, and they are represented in plate 8, which shows the two different kinds of lodges used by the northwest Indians; those who reside on the prairies, and who hunt the buffalo, use the skin lodge, which is formed by a number of buffalo skins, united into one, and wound round a number of light sticks or poles, so as to form a conical tent. Of this nature are all the lodges used by the Dacotas. On the other hand the Chippewas, who for the most part live to the north-east of the buffalo regions, and who have no more of these skins than they require for their personal use, construct their lodges of large pieces of the birchbark, which they fix upon a frame, made of the young branches of trees, bent so as to form an oblong lodge. These are covered with bark, which, when they travel, is rolled up and carried by the women. The plate gives a good idea of the dress, appearance, and attitudes of the Indians and half-breeds that surrounded us. It likewise exhibits two dogs, carrying burdens in the manner of packhorses. We have ascertained that a good dog will sell here for twenty dollars, (payable in goods.) This animal generally consumes from six to ten pounds of fresh meat, or four pounds of dry meat per day; it is never fed but at night, otherwise it is indolent all day. We were not a little amused at examining the house of a man that takes dogs to board and lodge for the summer, receiving about three dollars a head for the season. He returns them in the autumn to their masters, who use them during the winter season. He feeds them in summer altogether upon fish, chiefly the
INDIAN LODGES AT CAMP MONROEhyodon
. In a short time he catches enough to support during the day thirty or forty dogs, which he now has under his care; sometimes the number of his boarders
Although the weather was not as favourable as might have been wished for the astronomical observations, yet the point at which the boundary line passes is probably determined with as much accuracy as the nature of our instruments permitted; and we are happy to state, that it coincides very well with approximate observations taken by Mr. Fidler, who was employed as surveyor to the Hudson's Bay Company.
This constitutes the amount of furs annually made up for the use of the company, and which is probably rated at the nominal value of the country. They might in addition to these collect a large quantity of buffalo, grizzly bear, wolf, hare, rabbit, swan, and prairie wolf. But the company
Martins, very few; they inhabit in preference evergreen woods.
Ermine abundant, but not traded.
Lynx, less than one pack.
Antelope, none.
Thus the trade of the St. Peter, reduced as it is at present, is still far more important than that of Pembina. But whatever this trade may be, it will diminish as the population increases; hence it is only to the agricultural resources of this settlement that we must look with a view to the future improvement of the country. And no doubt can exist that, in this respect, Pembina will equal, if not surpass, all other settlements on Red river. The most important question, however, which suggests itself to us is, not what can be raised, but what market can be obtained for the produce of the country; and here
Of the plants observed in this neighbourhood, besides the Pembina, we can only mention the common hop; and the raspberry-bush, which yields fruit in great abundance and of a very superior quality; also a large kind of whortleberry, the fruit of which is double the size of ours, and more oval. The forest-trees are the same which we had previously seen on Red river. The zoology of the country is not very diversified. Among the birds seen by Mr. Say, during our stay at Pembina, were the turkey-buzzards, * Cathartes aura. ‡ Tyrannus pipiri, Vieil. ∥ Turdus migratorius, † Fringilla tristis. § Tinnunculus sparverius. ¶ Hirundo pelasgia.
* Hirundo Americana.
‡ Caprimulgus Virginianus.
∥ Icterus quiscala.
** Arias rubidus, Wilson.
‡‡ Columba migratoria.
† Caprimulgus popetue, Vieil.
§ Ardea Herodias
¶ Charadrius vociferus.
†† Loxia Ludoviciana
Among the quadrupeds were the pouched rat,
§§ Pseudostoma bursaria, (Say.) See Account of an Expedition to the Rocky Mountains, vol. 1, p. 406.
∥∥ Pteromys volucella.
¶¶ Sciurus Hudsonius.
We may conclude this imperfect statement of the present situation and future prospects of this colony, with a tabular view of the distance from Pembina to some of the most important places; premising, however, that estimates made upon such immense extents of territory, and in countries as yet very little explored, must of course be liable to errors; it is only upon loose calculations that these estimates are founded.
From Pembina to the mouth of Red river
Along the eastside of Lake Winnepeck
Play Green Lake
Carried over
8
Brought over
Saskatchewina river and Portage
Hare Lake
Each-away-man's brook, in dry seasons no water; ten beaver dams kept in repair
Rivulets and small lakes, 5 portages
Holy Lake
Trout river, many rapids, 2 portages
Knee lake
Jack-tent river, many rapids, 5 portages
Swampy Lake
Hill river, series of shoals, strong rapids, innumerable sunken rocks, 12 portages, and many discharges
Main river, comes from South or Nipegon, Steel river, must be towed up,
Hayes river
The above admeasurements were made by David Thompson, Esq. one of the best geographers in the British Dominions of North America, and at present employed on the boundary line commission. They are extracted from “A Narrative of Occurrences in the Indian Countries of North America, London and Montreal, 1818.”
From Pembina to the mouth of the Grand Fork of Red river
Thence to the mouth of the River des Sioux
Carried over
Brought over
Length of the River des Sioux
Length of Lake Travers
Portage to the St. Peter
Length of the St. Peter
From the mouth of the St. Peter to New Orleans upwards of
From Pembina to the mouth of Sioux river
To the head of Otter-tail river
Two small lakes and portages
Thence to the Mississippi by Leaf and de Corbeau rivers, a distance, as stated by Pike, (App. Part I. p. 53,) of
Distance to the Falls of St. Anthony
Thence to New Orleans, say
The distance from the Mississippi to Otter-tail Lakes, by this route, appears to us very much overrated.
From Pembina down Red river to Lake Winnepeek
Across the lake to the mouth of Winnepeek river
Up Winnepeek river to the Lake of the Woods
Brought forward
Across the Lake of the Woods
To Fort William on Lake Superior
Along the northern coast of the lake to the Sault de Ste. Marie
To Mackinaw
To Detroit
To Buffalo
On this route there are seventy-two portages.
To the mouth of Grand Fork
Up Grand Fork to Red Lake Portage
Thence by a series of lakes and portages to Cassina Lake
Through Cassina Lake
To Sandy Lake
Through Sandy Lake
Up West Savannah river
Savannah Portage
Down East Savannah river
Down river St. Louis to Fond du Lac
Along the southern coast of Lake Superior to Sault de Ste. Marie
Thence to Buffalo
The distances from Cassina Lake to the Sault de Ste.
Several of the routes which we have enumerated can be travelled at much shorter distances by wheels in summer, or by sledges in winter. The object which we have had in view is not to give exact distances, which, in the present state of the country, is as unnecessary, as it would prove impossible, but to show that direct, water communications, exist by various routes between the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and Hudson's Bay; and that in this respect, North America presents perhaps an unparalleled instance of direct water communications for thousands of miles. Some of these routes are, it is true, very much obstructed by rapids and falls, which occasion portages and lightening places. Still there can be no doubt that, at a future period, new routes will be discovered, or the old ones will be so much improved as to admit of a comparatively easy communication with the elevated plains which furnish the sources of Nelson's river, the St. Lawrence, and the Mississippi.
Fort Douglas, and Lord Selkirk's colony. Bark canoes. Lake Winnepeek. Fort Alexander. River Winnepeek, Rapids. Portages. Fine falls. Lake of the Woods. North-westernmost point of the boundary fine. Rainy Lake river and lake. Fort. Series of rapids and fakes. Dividing ridge, Falls of Kamanetekwoya. Arrival at Fort William
.
WITH a view to comply with his instructions, Major, Long proposed to travel along the northern boundary of the United states to Lake Superior; but he was informed at Pembina that such an undertaking would be impracticable; the the whole of the country from Red Lake to Lake Winnepeek, Lake of the Woods, and Lake Superior, being covered with small lagoons and marshes, which rendered it impenetrable for horses. The only practicable mode was to follow the principal streams in bark canoes, which being very light could be carried whenever the navigation was obstructed by shoals, rapids, &c. Several routes were suggested; that by Lake Winnepeek appeared the best, and was adopted. It is the same which was formerly travelled by the partners and clerks of the North-west Company, and which is still occasionally used by the Hudson's Bay Company. Our horses becoming useless, we had to dispose of them, and in this transaction we were more fortunate than we could have expected. Horses from the United States are in great repute, and notwithstanding the bardships which ours had undergone they were sold, without
Mr. Snelling and Mr. Jeffries having volunteered their services to this place only, and Considering that, as we had left the Dacota territory, we had no further necessity for Sioux interpreters, resumed their march homewards, the former gentleman to his father's garrison on the Mississippi, the latter to his residence on Lake Travers. As an escort they took with them corporal M'Phail, and privates Newman and Irvine, three men whose services were no longer required, and who behaved themselves well while with us. We are happy to add that this party reached its destination without accident.
On the 9th of August, Major Long left Pembina, and reached Fort Douglas the second day after. He estimated the distance by land at sixty-one miles. It had generally been rated at Seventy-five miles, which is undoubtedly too much, as it has often been travelled in one day on horseback, and even in a light carriage, on the snow. After travelling about fifty miles on the west side, he crossed over to the east bank, which he followed until he came to the confluence of the Assiniboin and Red rivers, when he * SIR, This letter will be exhibited to you by Major Stephen H. Long, of the United States' Topographical Engineers, who, for Objects purely scientific, has been ordered to conduct an exploring expedition up the St. Peter's river, thence to proceed to the 49th degree of north latitude, and thence to the lakes on his return home. The American government, conceiving it possible that Major Long may have occasion to pass on his way through some of the British posts or settlements along the frontiers, have requested me to state the nature of the expedition, and to recommend that officer and his party, to the civilities of his Majesty's officers and subjects in the North-west Territory. It is on this account that I furnish MajOr Long With the present letter, not doubting that it will afford you pleasure to treat both him and the party which he conducts, in case of their approaching your station, with attention and good offices suitable to the friendly relations subsisting between the two countries. I am, sir, with truth and regard. To any officer of his Majesty or other person having authority in the posts or settlements situated within his Majesty's North-western American Territories.Washington City, May 1st, 1823.
Your most obedient humble servant,
STRATFORD CANNING.
9
At about seventy miles from Pembina, while we stopped for breakfast, we were informed that there was a salt spring in the vicinity; to this we immediately repaired; we found it to be in the bed of a brook, called Saline river; the brook was dry at the time; there was a stagnant pool of water, which contained probably about five per cent. of salt; the spring which supplies this pool must be a very large one. We were informed that this spring, which was worked during one season, had been abandoned, being considered the weakest in the country. We observed, with some surprise, the Salicornia herbacea growing very abundantly around it. We brought home specimens of it. Mr. Schweinitz states, on the authority of Mr. Nuttall, that this is the only inland locality of this plant, besides the Onondago salt springs in the State of New York, vide Appendix 1, Botany. At this place Lieut. Scott saw an antelope, (Antilocapra Americana, Ord,) but did not succeed in killing it. A singular fact respecting this antelope was that it approached very near to Mr. Say, without evincing the least apprehension; unfortunately he was at that time so intent upon the collecting of insects, that he was not even aware of its presence. This animal is not abundant here; we occasionally saw tracks of it, as well as of the elk and bear, on the soft mud near the river bank, but the most frequent tracks were those of the wolf. Mr. Say killed here a Muscicapa ruticilla and Totanus flavipes. But the most abundant game we saw were ducks and pigeons, of which we might have killed many, had we been able to spare the time; our sportsmen, however, occasionally fired at them and were generally very successful. In
Along the bank there is an abundance of bushes, bearing a small wild cherry; the Pembina, and several other berries, some of which are very pleasant to the taste.
Two observations for latitude were taken on the river; one about true mile below the mouth of the Wa
The first house of the lower settlement is situated about twenty mileS by water above the fort, but the country is thickly settled only within three miles of the mouth of the Assiniboin. At the lower settlement there are two forts, one called Fort Gerry belonging to the Hudson's Bay Company; the other, called Fort Douglas, is the property of the Colony; there are also two houses of worship, one of them of the Protestant Episcopal Church, erected and supported at the expense of the London Bible Society, who likewise supply the funds for a free school. The clergyman, who attended both to the church and school, had left there a short time before our arrival, on a visit to England. The other church is the cathedral of a Roman Catholic Bishop established there. His diocese extends north of the United States* boundary line, from the Rocky Mountains to Upper Canada. He is styled Bishop, (
in partibus
,) of Julianopolis. A Catholic school, instituted at this place by the Missionaries, and conducted upon the same plan as Mr. M'Coy's on the St. Joseph, appears to have been attended with the same success. The whole of the expenses of this Catholic ecclesiastical establishment is, We believe, defrayed by the Bishop of Quebec.
The population of the settlement amounts to about six hundred. There is an appearance of neatness, and even of comfort, in many of the cabins belonging to the Swiss and Scotch settlers. The agricultural improvements are daily becoming more respectable, and adding to the prosperity of the colony. The soil is not so good as at Pembina, yet large. crops of grain have been obtained. It appears well adapted to the growth of wheat, barley, oats; and potatoes. Maize has not yet had a fair trial. Of wheat they have repeatedly obtained from twenty to forty and even more bushels to the acre. Perhaps the greatest desideratum at Fort Douglas is wood, which, growing only upon the banks of the rivers, is becoming scarce. They have a few tradesmen and manufacturers among them. A tanner, who appears to understand his business well, has been brought over, and makes very good leather from buffalo hides, so that they are not all at present reduced to the necessity of wearing moccassins. An attempt has also been made to convert the wool of the buffalo to some useful purpose. An association has been formed for this object, which has contracted with the Hudson's Bay Company for the requisite supply of skins; they pluck out the hair that covers the wool; and then separate the latter by an ingenious process into the different qualities, which are said to be no less than nine. The coarse wool is manufactured into a good substantial cloth; the fine qualities are sent to England, where, it is said, they find a ready market. Mr. Pritchard, who superintends this important establishment, kindly showed it to us, and communicated some interesting facts relating to it. It was in his possession that we saw a hat, manufactured by his brother in London, in which the beaver had been replaced by buffalo wool.
A number of gentlemen, formerly officers in the colony, have remained and settled here; some of them are represented as wealthy; several of them expect their families over. These, with the family of the governor, whose arrival was daily looked to, will form a small society, calculated to refine the manners of the colonists. It must be admitted that the choice of the settlers was in some respects unfortunate; instead of good agriculturists, a number of tradesmen and mechanics were brought over from Switzerland; some of them were watchmakers, unacquainted with the culture of the soil. We could not help pitying a poor man, who had been an apothecary in Switzerland; he was possessed of that pharmaceutical and chemical knowledge which the Swiss apothecaries generally have, and hearing of a settlement about to be formed on a large scale, imagined that one of his profession would be much wanted. He accordingly joined the party, stocked with aniseed, Palma Christi seed, &c. all which he soon found would be of no use to the colony or to himself. The place was healthy, but destitute of grain; his hopes of a botanical garden dwindled away at the necessity of handling a plough, and attending to the more important cultivation of wheat, potatoes, &c.
The history of Red river would, if correctly and impartially Written, offer many useful lessons. The place was first visited by the French, and their arrival there is referred to the visit of the Chevalier de la Veranderie, who is said to have been the first French officer that travelled to the Rocky Mountains. He built a fort at the mouth of the Assiniboin, called it the Fort de la Reine, and garrisoned it with soldiers. The French continued to trade there alone for many years, but about the year 1767, the first English traders visited it; and, it appears, that
The first colony was planted in the year 1812, when Miles Macdonell, who was appointed its governor, built a fort on Red river. The colony throve indifferently well, but quarrels broke out between the colonists and the North-west Company's servants. We have no wish to enter into particulars on the subject of this unfortunate division; suffice it to say, that a disunion, founded upon commercial rivalry, had for a long time previous existed between the Hudson's Bay and the North-west Companies; the colony was considered by the latter as planted for the purpose of strengthening the interest of the former. Fears were expressed that the establishment of the colony would prove ruinous to their commercial transactions, as agriculture and a fur trade cannot flourish in the same country. Apprehensions were likewise
The terms upon which the colonists were brought hither;
10*
One of the greatest evils, which the colonists have experienced, was the abundance of grasshoppers, that almost ruined the crops for one or two years. This was only, however, at the lower settlement; none were seen at Pembina. Cattle appear to be very much wanted, and supplies are anxiously expected; Some were brought over, at first, from England, they throve very well; after which others were procured from Mackinaw, and in 1822, a drove was brought by Mr. Dickson from Clarksville, but he lost many on the way. Another drove was daily expected at the time our party were there. Lord Selkirk had a fine farm, which he intended to stock with Merino sheep; but all, that were brought over, were destroyed during the dissensions. Hogs have not succeeded so well. Norwegians were brought over with a view to domesticate the indigenous reindeer and substitute them for dogs; and an establishment, called Norway house, was formed at the northern extremity of Lake Winnepeek, But it does not appear to have met with great success. Dogs are the most numerous of the domestic animals. Some care seems to be taken at present to prevent their roving at large as they formerly did, proving a great nuisance to the agricultural pursuits of the colonists.
Our camp was situated on a high bluff, about seventy or eighty feet above the level of Red river, near Fort Gerry, which is at the junction of the two streams. Fort Douglas lies about one mile below this on the fiver. The Assiniboin is a beautiful romantic stream, whose breadth, at itsstone
. As the district of land, ceded to the late Lord Selkirk by the Hudson's Bay Company, has received the official name of Ossiniboia. it is probable that this new orthography will prevail. The extent of this territory, as.stated in Governor Macdonnell's proclamation, will be seen in Major Long's topographical report. (Chapter 13.) The United States' boundary line will, of course, cut off much of this province; still it will leave it nearly as large as the State of Georgia.
The prospectus of this colony, as published by the late Lord Selkirk, has been censured very harshly by many, who have taxed him with wilful misrepresentations, intended to mislead those whom he wished to enlist as colonists. This charge does not appear to us to be just. His prospectus presents the description of a really fine country, expressed in those terms of warm commendation which we would naturally expect from a mind of a sanguine and generous disposition, such as the whole course of his public and private life indicates that of the distinguished founder of this colony to have been. The great exertions and sacrifices, which he made in behalf of the settlers, prove that he was sincere and ardent in the
One of the principal hardships which the colony had to undergo was from the severity of the winters. The maximum of cold, or lowest point to which the thermometer descended in the winter of 1822–23, was -52°(F.) But this is amply compensated by the warmth of the summer; and the rapidity of the vegetation makes up for the shortness of the season. From the quantity of wild fruit about here, we are led to believe, that with a little care, good orchards might be obtained. The fruit consists of apples, plums, pembina, and several varieties of raspberries, one of which is deeper coloured, smaller, and more oval than the domestic raspberry of our gardens; it partakes of the flavour of the strawberry.
We were detained several days at the settlement, by the preparations required for our navigation; but the time spent there was rendered very interesting, by the singular association of features which the country presented, as we observed it while seated on the elevated bank upon
The time of the party was likewise occupied in hearing Mr. Mackenzie relate some of the interesting adventures of his life. This gentleman, who is of the family of Sir .AleXander Mackenzie, has spent twenty-four years in the Indian trade, and has travelled over the greater part of North America. He wintered as far north as the sixty-second degree of latitude, on the river Which bears the name of his distinguished kinsman. He was one of the party consisting of Messrs. Hunt, Crooks, Stewart, Mathews, &c. who in the employ of Mr. John J. Astor, of New York, crossed the Rocky Mountains, and penetrated to the mouth of the Columbia, where they made the first settlement for the American Fur Company. Mr. Mackenzie spent ten years on that side of the mountains. In the course of his travels he followed for upwards of six hundred miles the stream usually called, in Lewis and Clarke's travels, the Multnomah, but the true name of which, according to Mr. Mackenzie, is the Wallamut.
* Mr. Henry, a trader, whom we met at Fort William, and who likewise imparted to us some valuable information concerning that part of the country, did not consider the Wallsmut to be the name of the stream itself, but of a fall of about forty feet, situated in the river, a short distance above its confluence with the Columbia. The river itself has a distinct name, which Mr. Henry could not recollect at the time.
We had an interview with an old Chippewa chief, the leader of a party that resides near Red Lake. Although he dwells in the territory of the United States, yet as we met with him on British soil, we confined our conversationhomme noir
.
The position of Fort Gerry was determined from a series of observations to be in latitude 49° 53′ 35″ north, and in longitude 97° 00′ 50″ west.
On Sunday, the 17th of August, our preparations being finished, we left this place, at which We had experienced much kindness, not only on the part of Mr. Mackenzie, but also of Mr. Kemp, the acting governor,
* Mr. Bulger, the late governor, left Fort Douglas a few days before our arrival. A new governor was daily expected; in the interim the colony was governed by Mr. Mackenzie, as chief factor, and Mr. Kemp as acting governor.
We embarked in our canoes at noon, and proceeded down the river. Our party, which had been reduced at Pembina by the departure of six of our fellow travellers, was reinforced here by the addition of a Chippewa interpreter, a pilot, and nine canoe-men, of whom five were Canadians, and four Bois Brulés. Our numbers therefore .amounted to twenty-nine. We were divided into three bark canoes, known by the name of “canos du nord.” Although these are made nearly on the same model, yet there is great difference in their speed, burden, soundness, &c. according to the skill manifested in their construction. A canoe of this kind is generally constructed of ribs of cedar bent so as to impart to it its proper form, the ends being secured to a band that forms the superior edge of the vessel, and acts as a gunwale; over these ribs the birch bark is * Abies alba.epinette
, and which is probably a spruce.
11
Our soldiers, who at first were unacquainted with this
Our journey down Red river was performed in a day and a half; we encamped the first night on a small island, about thirty-five miles below the settlement; and the next morning at an early hour we reached the mouth of Red river, which is situated forty-three miles below that of the Assiniboin. The stream retains much the same characters as above Fort Douglas. There are several rapids, more remarkable for the shallowness and rocky nature of the bed than for the swiftness of the water; At the first rapid, which is about twelve miles below the fort, the banks cease to be muddy; they become gravelly, the soil is thin and of a pale hue; the growth was principally small aspen. At twenty-eight miles, we saw limestone
in situ
; it is a horizontal secondary rock, such as probably underlays these prairies. It was the first rock which we saw in place after we had left the primitive islands in the valley of the St. Peter, unless indeed the rapids in Red river be occasioned by ledges of primitive rocks in place, which is not impossible, but which we could not ascertain at the time that we passed over them. We observed in the limestone no organic remains, although it probably contains some. This is the only place where limestone has been found, by the settlers, at the surface; it is therefore resorted to for the lime used in building at the fort, as well as for the tan yard, and for the other wants of, the colony, &c. At the island upon which we encamped on the 17th of August, the river was much wider; the eastern channel was small, but the western
Having already enumerated the tributaries of Red river south of the 49th degree, we shall briefly note those which occur between Pembina and the mouth of the river. These consist, on the right bank, of the Reed-grass and Muskrat rivers; on the left, of Swampy, Plumb, Gratiats, Saline, Muddy, Assiniboin and Death rivers.
Reed-grass river is by the Chippewas termed Pe
The Wa
Swampy or Pe
Saline we have already stated was a dry brook. The We
The last of the tributaries of Red river is Death river, or O
Red river discharges itself into Lake Winnepeek by four channels.
Lake Winnepeek receives its name from the muddy or sallow appearance of its waters; We
* Pinus alba, nigra, &c. ‡ Juniperus communis. ∥ Juniperus Virginiana, Mich. ** Popolus balsamifera. † Abies Canadensis, Mich. § Laryx Americana, Mich. ¶ Betula papyracea. †† Mespilus arborea, Mich.poire
; it has received the English name of service-berry; the Chippewas call it O
Lake Winnepeek appears to have been the same as was formerly called by travellers, Lake of the Assinipoils. It is mentioned under this name by Lahontan and Charlevoix; Carver gives it its modern appellation. The situation of this lake, in the centre of the continent of North America; is singular and interesting. Few lakes receive so many and such large streams; by means of these, and of the rivers that flow from it, a direct communication is kept up, not only with several distant points of the Eastern or Atlantic Ocean, but also with the Pacific or Western. An observation for latitude taken on the shores of this lake, gave 50° 41′ 3″ north. Previous to entering the lake, we passed two small Indian villages, one situated at Death river takes its name from that stream, the other receives an appellation indicative of its situation at the mouth of Red river.
On the 19th of August we reached a peninsula, which lies at the mouth of the bay into which Winnepeek river discharges its waters. This peninsula was then under water, so as to leave exposed merely an island of about four miles long and three broad, usually called Elk Island. In order to avoid passing all round it, it is usual to unload and carry the canoes and their cargo over this peninsula, which forms two small portages of about thirty yards long. Our canoes passed, however, without difficulty, owing to a high wind which, sweeping the surface of the lake from the north-west, had raised the water upon this bar. At this place our canoes were steered nearly east. This was considered the most distant part of our journey. We reached it in one hundred and twelve days, having travelled over upwards of two thousand and one hundred miles, without any accident, and with but little difficulty. At this place we left the track usually travelled by the Hudson's Bay Company's canoes, to take that formerly followed by those of the North-west Company. The brigade that carries the furs from Fort Douglas to York Factory, the ancient Fort Bourbon of the French, passes go the west Of Elk island. It performs its voyage in about fifteen or twenty days. On its return, the voyage requires from thirty to thirty-five days, on account of the length of time consumed in ascending the streams. It is usual for the Company's ships to leave England together, with supplies of goods; they generally sail about the last of June, arrive at York Factory about the middle of August, and return to England with the furs brought down in the spring. The brigade does not wait their arrival, but carries and distributes at all the posts, the goods imported the preceding year, so that there is always one yearns supply in advance at York Factory.
On reaching the outlet of Winnepeek river, we observed a great change in the aspect of the water, which was clear and transparent; this was soon accounted for by meeting with sienitic rocks in place, and we were informed by our guides that similar rocks extend all the way up the river. About a mile beyond this we reached Fort Alexander. The junction of the primitive and secondary rocks is therefore about 50° 45′ of north latitude and about 96° 30′ of west longitude. It appears probable, from all the information which we have collected, that the whole of the eastern shore of Lake Winnepeek, is occupied by a primitive formation, while the western is composed of secondary, and these probably limestone, rocks. This accounts for the fact that the prairies are limited to the east by that lake, while they extend as far north as the Saskatchawan and to a considerable distance up that stream. It appears to us by no means improbable that the excavation of this lake was occasioned by the easier decomposition of the strata at the junction of the two formations. No where, perhaps, upon the surface of the earth, is a difference in the geological characters of the country attended by a more striking diversity in the superficial or topographical aspect. We observe here, that wherever the primitive rocks prevail, the country abounds in lakes, swamps, short streams filled with falls and rapids, as is the case with the whole country which extends from Lake Winnepeek to Lake Superior, and which reaches nearly to the Falls of St. Anthony on the Mississippi, while the secondary formation is covered with fine high and dry prairies. The track which our party followed must have been very near to the eastern limit of the secondary or prairie country, as all the eastern tributaries of Red river or the St. Peter, are represented as rising in those small lakes and lagoons. It would be curious to ascertain
Fort Alexander, usually called “Fort du Bas de la Riviere,” was one of the most important posts of the Northwest Company, being a distributing one, whither all the goods and furs were sent. Its position was in this respect well chosen, but it has now lost all its importance. One of our canoes being very leaky, we determined to make it undergo a complete repair, and with this view remained there a day. The situation of Fort Alexander, surrounded with marshes, restricted our walks and confined us to the immediate vicinity of the establishment. Its position was ascertained, by observations, to be in latitude 50° 36′ 30″ north. It was at this place that we saw a buffalo bull and cow, with their calf, associating with domestic cattle. They were young, but had been so far tamed as to come and lick salt on the hand, even of strangers. Their size appeared very great compared with that of the European hull. Although but three years old, the buffalo bull measured within half an inch of sixteen hands; this was inclusive of the hump. We were told, that before the cow calved she ran several miles into the woods, and remained there some time. When the calf was found, it was very wild, but at the time we saw it, it had become at least as tame as a domestic calf.
A question, which has been much discussed by travellers, is that of the supposed periodical rises in the lakes; we do not propose to take part in this discussion at present, but we may state that we observed at Fort Alexander an appearance, such as has probably more than once been mistaken for an effect of tide. On our arrival, we pitched our tents upon a sort of wharf projecting into the river, and
12
During our stay at Fort Alexander, we were politely treated by the superintendant, Mr. Bell, at whose table we ate of a fish new to us, called in those parts a sturgeon, but very unlike the sturgeon of our waters. It was well tasted; With a goad firm flesh, and tolerably rich; it is the principal subsistence of the residents upon those waters. Mr. Bell likewise offered us some Buffalo meat, (the tongue and hump,) that had been salted; it was very good, and in our opinion far superior to the jerked meat. We inquired why the salting was not usually resorted to instead of the jerking of the meat. Salt is so abundant on the prairies, that the expense or trouble would probably be but little greater. We were informed,however, that the prairie salt did not preserve flesh as well as that which was brought from England, with which the buffalo of which we had eaten had been cured. It is probable that in the salt of the prairie there are impurities, perhaps deliquescent salts, which render it unfit for the preservation of meat unless purified.
In the afternoon of the 20th, we resumed our journey, and ascended the bay about six miles, with a fine fair wind, which allowed us to spread a sail. We afterwards entered Winnepeek river, and found it to be a most majestic and impressive stream; its width is considerable, but is very variable, as it runs through a primitive formation in
At one spot, (Portage de I'Illet,) we observed a granite with an excess of feldspar throughout the mass, which occasions in it a fine lammellar structure; this is however interruptedapparently
fragments of other rocks imbedded in them. These fragments, however, are always composed of one or more of the four simple minerals which constitute the whole mass, viz. quartz, mica, feldspar, and amphibole. Although they present the appearance of fragments, still we see no reason to doubt their being of contemporaneous origin; indeed, when examined with the microscope, we have frequently traced a gradual passage of the feldspar of the vein into that of the imbedded fragment; it was not a mere impregnation of the rock by the feldspar, as is often observable in the vicinity of metallic veins, where the rock has received a portion of the metal of the vein; but we could trace an uninterrupted union in the crystallization of the feldspar of the vein with that of the imbedded mass. In some eases also, veins posterior in formation to the mass of the rock were distinctly observed. They were frequently seen intersecting older ones in a gneiss rock, and exhibiting very beautiful and diversified instances of a shift or slide of the older vein at its intersection by the more recent one.
In the afternoon, we passed in the river several rapids and fails, which occasion what are called by the voyagers the. “Décharges” and the “Portages” The former term is applied whenever the obstruction is but a partial one, in which case the canoe is lightened, and either paddled or towed over the rapid. In such eases the passengers always leave the canoe, and as much of the baggage or load is taken out as the shallowness of the water requires. The portages are those places where the obstruction being greater, the whole of the cargo, as well as the canoe itself, has to be carried over; these vary much in length. Welucus, (u non lucendo
.) We observe this practice to prevail with our Bols brulés canoe-men, who had no sooner seen our black man, Andrew, than they immediately agreed among themselves to apply to him the term Wa
As soon as a canoe reaches a portage, a scene of bustle and activity takes place, which none can picture to themselves but such as have seen it. The goods are unloaded, and conveyed across, while the canoe is carried by the stern and bowsmen. As soon as they have reached the end of the portage, it is launched and reloaded without any loss of time. An obstruction of one hundred yards does not detain them more than twenty minutes. We had occasion, however, more than once, to regret their speed, which caused them to toss our baggage very unceremoniously,
Voyagers compute distances on the water by
pipes
, which are the intervals between the times when they cease to paddle in order to smoke their pipe. We cannot determine, however, the length of a
pipe
, haying found it to vary according to the hurry of the voyagers, the peculiar disposition of the guide, the nature of the weather, &c. &c. When a portage exceeds hall a mile in length, it is generally divided into what are termed
pauses
or distances travelled without stopping to rest. These also vary much in length according to the greater or less difficulty of the portage, its length, &c. A pause averages about a third of a mile.
On the 20th of August, we passed three lightening places and three portages, none of which were long. We encamped immediately above the Portage des Chenes, having travelled fourteen miles. The evening being very favourable for observations, Mr. Colhoun determined the position of this portage to be in latitude 50° 31′ 30″, and in longitude 95° 55′ 5″.
It was at our evening's encampment that the splendid scenery of the Winnepeek first displayed itself to our view, realizing all that the mind could have fancied of wild and sublime beauty, and far surpassing any that we had ever seen. The characters which we admire in the scenery of the Winnepeek, are the immense volume of waters, the extreme rapidity of the current, the great variety of form which the cascades and falls present, and the incomparable wildness of the rocky scenery which produces these falls, and which contrasts by its gloom, its immoveable
The falls on this river have another advantage, which is, that the whole country has a picturesque appearance, which prepares the mind, and keeps it in a proper disposition, to appreciate the splendour of its cataracts, while the country around Niagara is flat, uniform, and uninteresting.
On the Winnepeek we have constantly in View changes in the rocks, which contribute to those of the surface; they present at times the shistose appearance of a gneiss and mica-slate, which disappears at the recurrence of the dark-coloured granite or reddish sienite; these, being filled with veins of feldspar, display on a gigantic scale the beautiful striped appearance, which has given to some of the marbles of Italy their well-deserved celebrity.
The place of our encampment was characterized by one of those peculiar effects of water, which, once seen, leave an indelible impression upon the mind. After having passed over numerous rocks, which form diversified cascades: (the whole height of which is about thirty feet,) the water is suddenly received into a basin enclosed by high rocks; where it is forced to sojourn awhile, by the small size
The artist could not behold, without rapture, a scene so worthy of being painted, and accordingly Mr. Seymour employed all that remained of daylight in sketching its
The next day, being the 21st of August, we reached an expansion in the river, that forms a small lake called Lac du Bonnet, at the upper end of which we encamped. This lake is about fifteen miles long, and from six hundred yards to four miles in breadth; it presents a fine glassy and smooth surface, free from any current; this afforded to Our paddlers a relaxation from the hard task of working up stream. Previously we had passed one
* Bombycivora Carolinensis. † Falco haliætus. ‡ Alcedo alcyon.decharge
and three portages; of these, only one was fatiguing; it was about one mile long. At these portages, the rapids, though very fine, are not to be compared to the lower falls. The general features of this country still continued the same; the rocks at times attained a greater height, though they never rose into hills. At one of the portages we observed small black crystals, probably of tourmaline, shooting through the mass. A little beyond this, at the upper “Portage du Rocher du Bonnets” a fine white clay was seen, in which small fragments of lamellar feldspar were observed. This was evidently a kaolin, or decomposed feldspar; it appeared to be very abundant; at the surface where we saw it, it was much intermixed with the soil which appeared somewhat deeper and better than usual,
13
On the 22d, we proceeded through the upper part of Bonnet Lake, and soon reached the rapids. The current was so swift, and the obstructions so great, that paddling was found unavailing, and the voyagers preferred
setting
the canoes with poles; in order to diminish the load the soldiers were landed; they walked along the shore. Although the bed of Winnepeek river displays in many places larger falls, and bolder features than at this spot, yet there was no part of the stream which pleased us more than that which lies immediately above the lake. The river presents so many and such varied appearances, produced by the rush of waters over the rocky barriers which extend across its be, that it was impossible for any of us to remain uninterested spectators of its wonderful scenery. Although the rocks rise burro a moderate height, their outline is very bold; the current at all times swift, often partakes of the nature of a torrent, and occasionally gives rise to beautiful cascades. The corroding effect of the stream upon the rock has produced many basins or coves in which the water forms eddies, and, not unfrequently, presents a smooth expanse, contrasting with the rough billows of the adjoining torrent. The red colour of the sienite is relieved by streaks of black mica which intersect its surface, and give it the appearance of designs executed on a gigantic scale. The trees which cover this rock offer to the eye a pleasing aspect; the aspen, distinguished by the
In the evening we were visited by a few Chippewas, Who came to exchange wild rice for ammunition. They had heard of our visit to Pembina, and had prepared themselves to welcome us. In the course of the day we observed hung up, near the door of a cabin, a bear's snout, which, we were told, was put up, according to the Chippewa custom, as a sort of trophy. We stopped to procure some of the meat, but were informed, that although the animal had been killed only on the preceding day, still it had been all consumed, fresh meat being a rare treat to those that inhabit the banks of this river. Indeed, their game appears to he restricted almost exclusively to a few
The river, as we proceeded, lost altogether the usual characters of a stream; it appeared to be a series of lakes of from one hundred yards to three or four miles in diameter, which were united by rapids. These lakes were encompassed by an iron-bound coast, which the current had indented into bays. A difference of level of several feet, separated these lakes, and gave rise to the rapids; in one case where the portage did not exceed fifteen yards in length, there was a fall of six feet. In these small lakes numerous islands are seen, all resting upon a rocky foundation. On the 23d, after proceeding eight miles, we arrived at the fails, called by the Chippewas A
CLAVE FALLS OF WINNEPEEK RIVER.
The navigation of this stream is frequently attended with fatal accidents, and the number of wooden crosses which we observed at some of the rapids, are the brief mementos erected by the survivors, to the memory of the shipwrecked voyagers; they form, as it were, beacons which point out the dangers of the stream. These accidents are generally occasioned by the breaking of the tow-line. The only chance of escape which the canoe-men have, in such cases, if they be not too close to the rapid, is to throw themselves into the stream, and endeavour to swim to one of the eddies, which fortunately are very numerous. We were told of a canoe that was lost at Slave falls by the breaking of the tow-line; the men who were in it had sufficient presence of mind to abandon the canoe; they were saved, while the bark was shattered in its way down the stream, and lost in the rapid; its cargo was picked up at some distance below. This fall is about eighty miles above Fort Alexander. It is probable that this, as well as the
Two and a half miles above this fall we reached another, which, for beauty, is second only to the lower falls. It is formed by two chains of rocks stretching across the stream; the-upper one occasions a cascade of about ten feet, and the lower one of fifteen; the length of the falls, including all the rapids, is about two hundred yards; the breadth of the stream about one hundred and fifty. The lower sheet of water is divided into three parts by two islands, and the effect is quite picturesque; the foam produced by these two falls, exceeds, that observed at any other, and imparts to the river, for a certain distance, a white, milky aspect. Mr. Seymour's view of this fall, which we have called the Upper Falls of the Winnepeek, was not taken at a favourable spot, as the rocky nature of the bank prevented him from landing at a place from which an advantageous view of both the falls could be obtained. The Bols brulés call this the fall of the “petite pointe de Bois.” A short distance above this, another, called Jack's fall was seen, which was also very fine, On the 23d we passed six portages and one towing place. The distance travelled was thirty-two miles, and on the first twenty, the fall in the river could. not have been less than one hundred and fifty feet.
After passing Jack's falls; a great change in the appearance of the river was observed, and was distinctly traced to a difference in the nature of the rock. The granite and UPPER FALLS OF WINNEPEEK RIVER.
A large loon flew by in the afternoon; its screamings which had of late been frequent are, by many, considered as sure indications of the approach of stormy weather; we heard them frequently, but had no opportunity of forming
14in situ
on the Winnepeek and elsewhere, have been derived from the great convulsions to which we allude, appears to us equally apparent. We are not prepared to enter into any discussion as to the manner in which these boulders have been dispersed; we profess ourselves as little satisfied as any geologists can be, with the various theories which have been suggested in Europe to account for the boulders of the Jura, or for those which cover the north of Germany, and which are probably analogous to the rocks observed, in place, in the Scandinavian peninsula. We are not prepared to admit that the boulders of the state of Ohio have been projected by a subterraneous explosion, or have been washed by the mere force of the stream, or floated down upon masses of ice, &c. &c.; but we cannot resist the conclusion of our senses, that they have not always lain where we now find them, that they have been removed from their original site, that every thing makes it probable that they were formerly connected with the primitive formations of the St. Peter, the Winnepeek, the Lake of the Woods, &c. Thus far we think ourselves warranted to proceed from observations. The rest must be a matter of speculation, and we are not disposed to indulge in it. We shall therefore restrict ourselves to the following
Most of the streams which are mentioned by the guides as rivers emptying into the Winnepeek, are upon closer inquiry found to be mere branches of the same river that divide off at distances of twenty or thirty miles, and which again unite with the main stream, or, as we would deem it more probable, they are parts of the general system of lakes which cover the whole country. One of these branches is termed the English river, because it has been ascended by the Hudson's Bay Company's traders to its sources, which interlock with those of Albany river; it offers a direct communication between Lake Winnepeek and Albany Factory, of James' Bay.
On the 24th, we passed two portages and three lightening places. Our canoe-men experienced great satisfaction at the sight of a canoe, which passed us in the middle of the day, from Montreal. There was on board a gentleman, bearer of despatches, who had left London on the 23d of May, having passed in the space of three months from the extreme of civilisation and population to
On the 25th of August we proceeded and reached the head of Winnepeek river. Our paddlers had a comparatively easy task all day- except at one place, where they attempted to paddle up the stream instead of resorting to the towing line as is usual. This place, called the “Grandes Dalles,” presents the most rapid current against which we have ever seen a canoe paddled. It is a narrow strait, not exceeding forty yards in breadth; it is bounded on both sides by perpendicular precipices of granite; great exertions are required on the part of the canoe-men in order to ascend this, and one of the canoes, after two unavailing attempts to stem the current With paddles, was towed up with a line. A short distance above this we passed a cross at a place called the “Petites Dalles.” This spot has acquired a melancholy celebrity as having been the scene of the murder of one Owen Keveney, one of the men employed by the Hudson's Bay Company or the colony. His death was almost the only crime committed in the Indian territories that was punished. After a protracted trial, his murderer, de Reinhard, was convicted and executed. We heard all the particulars of the transaction
While we were resting upon one of the islands, an Indian came up in his canoe with his family and supplied us With fresh sturgeon and with dried huckleberries. These are said to be cured in a manner which will preserve them for two or three years; they are first dried in the sun, then smoked by placing them upon a net over a slow fire until the skin bursts, and the juice begins to flow; after which they are again exposed to the sun until they become dry. The smoky taste which they acquire improves their flavour.
After passing through a small lake, rendered very rough by a stormy wind, we reached Rat portage, which is about one hundred yards long, we crossed it and encamped on the shore of the Lake of the Woods. We are informed that there is a communication by a fine fall from the lake into the river, and that iris to avoid this fall that the portage is made across an island. We did not see the fall. We had scarcely reached the eastern end of the portage when a heavy rain commenced, to which we remained exposed during the greater part of the afternoon.
Rat portage has become a point of some importance, as it appears probable that the north-westernmost point of the boundary line of the United States will be at or near
The determination of the north-westernmost point of a lake which presents a great number of bays and indentations, will be an object of difficult accomplishment; we had heard from the Indians that the boundary line had been run to Rat portage, and were therefore anxious to find it out. We saw evidences of the commissioners having been there but a short time previously, but no land marks could be discovered. We subsequently, however, met John Bigsby, M. D., surgeon in his Britannic Majesty's service, a gentleman who is attached to the boundary line commission, and who has taken advantage of the situation which he fills, to investigate very fully and extensively the geology of British North America. We have had frequent communications with Dr. Bigsby concerning the geology of that part of the country which lies between the Lake of the Woods and the Sault de Ste. Marie; and are pleased to find that our observations correspond well with his. Our specimens were likewise very concordant; with this exception, however, that Dr. Bigsby's Stay in the country having been much longer than ours, he was enabled to visit many more places than we were. His investigations were therefore more full and more minute, and his specimens selected with more care. In travelling as rapidly as we did, we were obliged to Confine ourselves to the observation of the general features of the country,
From Dr. Bigsby we heard that the line had not yet been run; the commissioners having hitherto been engaged in making separate surveys West of Lake Superior.
It appears that Rat portage is about nine or ten miles from the northernmost extremity of the lake. The lake is elevated about ten or twelve feet above Winnepeek river, at the point where we left it. Its latitude, according to M'Kenzie is 49° 37′ and its longitude 94¼° west. Dr. Bigsby set it in latitude 49° 44′ 22″, probably from an observation of Mr. Thompson's. Previous to our arrival at Rat portage, we observed that the rocks had again changed to a slate, of which the stratification was very distinctly directed from east-north-east to west-south-west. The inclination was nearly a vertical one; the colour of the slate is a dark green; it is very decidedly a micaceous slate, at least on Rat portage. This produces the same feature which we had observed in Winnepeek river, above Jack's fall, but which becomes more distinct in the Lake of the Woods. The stream expands and includes an immense number of islands. It is to this circumstance that the lake owes its picturesque appearance and its name, as every one of these islands is covered with trees. The aspect of the lake differs essentially from any other that we had previously seen. At Rat portage our view was limited by an island which nearly closes the bay at which the LAKE OF THE WOODS.
The weather was so unfavourable during our stay at the portage, as to prevent us from taking any observation. It having cleared up at night, we proceeded at two A.M. with a fine moonlight. At one of the islands, (Cosse's) while we stopped for breakfast, Mr. Seymour sketched the scenery of the lake, plate 11.
The Lake of the Woods has been described to us as being about three hundred miles in circumference. Its shores are very much indented by bays, in which an immense quantity of wild rice is annually collected. Our passage through the lake, which was nearly in a diagonal direction, was effected in a time. very little exceeding two days. The number of islands which we saw was immense; at one time, looking merely before us, we could count upwards of fifty in sight. All are on solid rock, except one, near the
15
With a view to avoid a circuitous navigation round a projecting peninsula, it is usual for voyagers to make a small portage over this point. It did not exceed one hundred yards at the time we crossed it. Our guide says that it is often under water, so that the canoes pass without difficulty. This requires a rise of about five or six feet above the level of the waters at that time; We found in great abundance the plant which bears the wild-rice; it was quite ripe at that season. The Indians collect the grain in great plenty, considering it as one of their best articles of food, and that
Although most of the islands in the lake are formed of slaty rock, yet some, as for instance, the Red-rock island, on which observations were made on the 27th of August, aretraverse
without difficulty. We met in it a canoe with three men who were coming from Rainy lake; they had been detained twenty-four hours by the wind.
As we approached the south-east extremity of the lake, an arm of considerable extent, running in a southerly direction, appeared on our right; it is through this that the connection with Red river, by means of Reed-grass river, is made.
From the observations made on Red-rock and the Sand-bar islands, it appears that the 49th parallel of latitude passes through this traverse. Among the animals seen by Mr. Say, were two kinds of gulls, one of which was probably the Herring-gull, Larus argenteus, young; also a number of pelicans, and a few ducks; swans, it is said, do not exist on this lake; the Testudo geographica was also seen, as well as a soft-shelled turtle, of which the species could not be determined, the lower shell alone being visible. Catesby's spotted frog was found to be abundant as far as we travelled.
We saw on the Lake of the Woods but few Indians, probably not more than twenty altogether, this being the season when they are dispersed. On one Of the islands We observed a recent grave, over which a pole was supported by means of stones; it was bared of its bark, and rings of red paint had been described upon it; its top was bushy and a wooden spoon was suspended from it.
We entered Rainy-lake river on the morning of the 28th of August, and reached its head early on the 31st. The length of this stream is about one hundred miles. Its breadth at its mouth is about four hundred yards; it becomes narrower above; its average breadth is three hundred yards; its current is rapid and uniform; there are very few obstructions to the navigation, there being but two places at which canoes are lightened and towed up. The longest of these is about one mile.
At its mouth the banks of this stream are low and marshy
The country is much drier; there are fine pieces of meadow land; the grass is of a pleasanter, livelier green; the vegetation more luxuriant; the White. maple is seen; the birch attains a larger size. We Observed here, however, as we had for a long time past, a total absence of walnut, hickory, and beach. The poplar is very abundant on Rainy river.
Among the animals Which are occasionally seen here, are the bear, otter, wolverine, carcajou, moose, squirrel, wolf, weasel, beaver, muskrat, fox, &c. The martin, and fisher are very abundant. The principal fish in the river is the sturgeon.
Among the objects which chiefly attracted our notice, were. the interesting ephemera which we had seen on Winnepeek river. They became so abundant on Rainy river towards sunset, that they presented the appearance of a snow storm. They continued for some time, until they were driven by the wind into a small tributary valley where they formed white clouds, beautifully relieved against the dark green of the forest, deepened in its shade by the approach of night. The ensuing morning their dead bodies were seen floating on the stream, and drifted by the wind into small coves near the shore. From their great
The mosquetoes, which had not been seen for some time past, again made their appearance while we were on Rainy river; the weather, which was warm and moist, contributed to increase their numbers. Although we experienced much rain while on this river, and on the lake from which it flows, we have not been able to discover that the climate is more damp there than elsewhere; the name which they bear may have been, therefore, derived from an accidental fall of rain experienced there by the first white visiters, or it may be derived from the colour of their waters, which has much of the appearance of rain water, and which differs greatly from the limpid character of Winnepeek river.
Rainy-lake river receives but few tributaries; We shall mention only the River of Rapids, Pine river, Black river, and the Grand and Little Fork.
The first of these is so called from the fine rapids which it presents immediately above its mouth; it is said to take its rise in lakes and swamps; its course is about eighty miles long; it enters from the left bank.
Pine river, which flows from the north, is about thirty yards wide at its mouth.
Black river is a small tributary from the south-east.
The Grand Fork, which enters from the left bank, is the largest tributary of the river, and probably contains asLittle
Winnepeek Lake; it is in the vicinity of Red Lake. Mr. Davenport, one of the agents of the American Fur Company, represented this fork as being one hundred leagues long, very rapid, and not well supplied with water; it has two short portages; it passes through a small lake called
Sachawgan
Lake; from this there is a long portage, (ten
pauses
,) to Little Lake, which has an outlet half a mite long into Little Winnepeek Lake. The whole distance may be ascended in eight or nine days by loaded canoes. A trade has been carried on by the American Fur Company, between Rainy Lake and Fond du Lac, by means of the Grand Fork of Rainy river, Little Lake Winnepeek, the Mississippi, Sandy Lake, Savannah river, and the river St. Louis.
The Little Fork which enters above the Grand Fork, is a wide stream, but it is unimportant, as it does not extend far into the country, and as it furnishes no medium of communication with other lakes or streams.
We saw but few islands in Rainy river, and these were generally small. We occasionally observed stakes which had been used by the boundary line commissioners, to determine the breadth of the Fiver in several places.
During this part of our journey our provisions were not so good as they had previously been. Until we reached Lake Travers, we had depended chiefly upon the salt pork, &c. which we carried along with us, and upon the biscuit which was prepared for our party at Fort St. Anthony. From Lake Travers to Pembina, we had much fresh buffalo and some dried meat. But after leaving Fort Douglas,
Being informed that at the head of Rainy river there were two settlements, one on the north shore, belonging to the Hudson's Bay Company, and the other on the south, kept up by the American Fur Company, we stopped, at the latter, but found it destitute of provisions, and of the articles required for the repair of our canoes. Notwithstanding, therefore, the polite reception of the superintendant, Mr. Davenport, we crossed over to the north shore, where Mr. M'Gillivray gave us the same hospitable treatment Which we had received at the other trading posts of the Hudson's Bay Company. We remained at this place two days, to repair our canoes, which had suffered from the rapids in Winnepeek river. One of them being very heavy, and in bad order, was broken up, and its materials used to repair the others.
At Rainy Lake we met with a man, whose interesting adventures deserve to be made known to the public; of
16
At the time that the shot was fired, Tanner was on his way to the United States with his family; this had interrupted his voyage. Feeling himself better, but still unable to travel alone, he applied to Major Long for a passage in our canoes for himself and his daughters; this request was granted. He removed his tent from the enclosure within the British pickets to our camp; all his preparations were made, and the poor man's heart was light and happy at the idea of resuming his journey in such company as secured him against apprehensions of an attack, when his happiness met with a terrible and unexpected cheek. We had appointed to depart on the morning of * Dr. John M'Laughlin was formerly a partner in the North-west Company, and after the consolidation of the two societies he obtained a share in the Hudson's Bay Company. His usual residence was at Rainy Lake; on our arrival there he was absent, having gone to the annual meeting of the partners at York Factory. He returned on the 1st of September. His attentions to us during the short time that we saw him were of the most flattering kind, and evinced a generous disposition; they could be compared only to those of Mr. Mackenzie. We have met with no persons who have in a short time acquired so great a claim to our respect and gratitude as these two gentlemen.
The hope which we had entertained of having Tanner for a fellow traveller during the rest of the journey, as well as thereat of increasing his pain by too much conversation, prevented Mr. Say from securing a complete history of his life, but the following is believed to be accurate:—
John Tanner was the son of a clergyman, who removed with his family to the banks of the Ohio, near the mouth of the Miami river, some time previous to the year 1790. He had been settled there but about ten days when apprehensions were entertained of an attack from a party of Indians. The unsettled state of that part of the country, at the time, exposed its scattered inhabitants to frequent incursions from their savage neighbours. Tanner was then about nine years of age; notwithstanding the prohibition of his father, he had wandered to a short distance from the house, and had just filled his hat with walnuts, picked from a neighbouring tree, when he was seized Upon by a party of Indians, who by their threats forced him to silence: they carried him off. This party was commanded, it is said, by an Indian who resided near Saganaw, and whose wife had lately lost her son. Bereft of her only child, the mother appeared inconsolable, and finally begged that her husband would make a prisoner of one, about the same age, to whom she might transfer all the affection which she had borne to her own offspring. With this view the Indian had armed a party of his friends, proceeded down towards the settlements, found this child, carried him off, and returned with him to his wife, who was delighted on beholding
By these Indians young Tanner was treated with kindness; he rose to manhood, became distinguished as a brave man and a hunter. From circumstances which we have not ascertained, his adopted parents, who belonged to the Saganaw tribe of the Ottawa nation, removed to a more western country; the man died; his wife became the leader of a small party that resided occasionally on the Lake of the Woods, or on Red river, or the Assiniboin. Tanner was offered the situation of chief, which he wisely declined, judging that his white origin would make him an object of suspicion. He appeared satisfied with his success as a hunter, and had no further ambition. We were told by those who had long known him, that although he had acquired many of the characteristics of Indians, still he had some peculiarities which marked him as one of a different origin. He had never been seen to taste of ardent spirits, or to smoke a pipe. Instead of purchasing trifles and gewgaws as is customary with Indians, he devoted the produce of his hunts, which were always successful, to the acquisition of articles of clothing useful to himself, to his adopted mother, or to her relations. In this state he appears to have lived perfectly happy, respected and esteemed by all his fellow hunters. In the year 1816, he rendered an important service to Lord Selkirk's settlement, by guiding a party of new settlers, who were under the direction of Governor M'Donnell and Captain D'Orsonnen from Rainy Lake to Fort Douglas; this reinforcement arrived at so timely a moment as to make Tanner a great favourite at the settlement. He was pointed out to Lord Selkirk during that nobleman's visit to his colony. His Lordship took great interest in his situation, and by
Tanner placed in our hands a letter which was written by Lord Selkirk, and Which is dated Lexington, Nov. 25, 1817. It was written after a personal interview with Mrs. Taylor, whose account of the family corroborated Tanner's statement in the most important particulars. There were some slight discrepancies, but these were no other than might have been expected from the imperfect recollections of a child of nine years of age, after twenty-six years of estrangement from his country and friends. It is perhaps somewhat singular that he should have totally forgotten a language which he must have undoubtedly spoken with considerable fluency at the time that he was taken prisoner. The following extract from Lord Selkirk's letter, at present in our possession, shows how far his recollections extended.
“The circumstances that Mrs. Taylor mentioned of his family coincide with those which he told me in the north, particularly that he had a brother called
Ned
, and two sisters married previously to his being carried off. Also that his father was a big lusty man, as the young man described him. The only point of difference is, that Mrs. Taylor said that Ned Tanner was Older than the boy John, who was carried away, whereas I had understood him to be younger; but as I could converse with John only through an interpreter, such a mistake might easily arise. Mrs. T. also said that old John Tanner had been settled in Kentucky several years before 1790, but that possibly he
Through the benevolent and active interference of Lord Selkirk, Tanner was restored to his family, who recognized him and received him well. He had already brought several of his children into the United States, and had three of them at Mackinaw, when, in 1828, he determined to return to the Lake of the Woods for the others. The Indians it appears, manifested great unwillingness to allow the two young girls to be taken out of the country, and they opposed his endeavours, until finally, with the assistance of Dr. M'Laughlin, he succeeded in removing the children. He appears to have felt but little affection for the mother of his daughters, and wished her to remain in the country; but she, finding her efforts to keep her daughters unavailing, resolved to go with them. They had passed Rainy Lake and were at the Portage de l'Isle, in Bad, (Maligne,) river, when the wife induced an Indian, who was travelling with them, to shoot Tanner. She, it appears, bribed him with the promise of her elder daughter.
The poor man was near falling a victim to the plot; his wife ran away With the Indian, took her daughters with her, and left him alone and wounded; fortunately he was picked up by a canoe going to Rainy Lake; they conveyed
We have endeavoured to acquire some knowledge of the character and principles of a man, whose early impressions must have been completely extirpated by those of the men among whom he spent the greater part of his life. He vowed to be revenged on the Indian who had shot him heedless of the personal danger which he must incur from another visit to the country, he resolved upon returning to Rainy Lake as soon as he should have regained his strength, in order to pursue and punish his enemy. Any observations which were made to him, on the impropriety of his feelings, only drew from him this answer; “Why did he shoot me? If he wished to kill me, it is my duty to kill him, for he is a bad man.” This was uttered in a cold, decisive manner; it was not the result of passion, but of a conviction founded upon a process of reasoning, to Which he had been long accustomed. In his intercourse with traders he appears to have been honourable, and this reflects the more credit upon him, as it was at a time, when an active competition between rival traders frequently induced them to stimulate the Indians to frauds which affected their opponents. One instance appears well attested. In a letter, dated Montreal, Nov. 1818, and which was written by Mr. John Allan, it is stated, that “Tanner did not choose to traffic exclusively with any trader, but used to take goods on credit, at the same time, from parties trading in opposition to one another, and on one occasion, brought two parcels of furs to a post of the Northwest Company, at the fork of Red river; he employed the
17
Of his attachment to his children, he gave a strong proof by the long and perilous journey which he undertook to visit his daughters; and the distress which he felt, when they had disappeared, was among the most heart-rending scenes which we have ever witnessed. His language was the natural expression of grief deeply felt. If the abandonment, which he had meditated of his wife, presents him to our consideration in a less deserving light as a husband, it must be borne in mind, in extenuation, that the woman who could, under any circumstances, be induced to plan, and instigate another person to so atrocious a crime as that in which she afterwards shared, could not be an amiable companion, and could probably have no claim upon his affections.
What will be the future destiny of Tanner appears to us very uncertain. We much question whether he can ever be satisfied with sharing in the occupations and comforts of civilized life. We think it more probable that the wandering and irregular habits which he seems to have imbibed from the Indians will soon drive him back from the settlements to his usual haunts in the woods. He was at one time considered, by zealous persons, as a fit instrument for the conversion of Indians to Christianity, but we doubt whether he can ever be brought to feel that deep conviction in the truths of Revelation, which is required to make fit ministers of the gospel. While his strong mind appears to have rejected the superstitions of Indians,it has imbibed a sort of philosophic incredulity, which would make him but a slow and unwilling convert to the purest of faiths.
Tanner was of a disposition naturally stern, which his mode of life and the sentiments of his companions have but increased. He was said, by many, never to have been seen to shed a tear; when he was bereft of his daughters, he wept not; his grief was of too stern a character. But it was evident that the conflict of emotions in his mind, at the time that he was compelled to land from our canoes, overpowered him, and his eyes glistened with a tear which he attempted in vain to shake off.
There is a feature in his character which we have not alluded to, and, as it is honourable to him, we should be loath to omit it. We allude to his warm gratitude for all those who have at various times manifested kindness to him. His affection for his Indian mother, and for her family, was great. Of the late Lord Selkirk he always spoke with much feeling. To Dr. M'Laughlin he appeared sincerely attached. He frequently mentioned the kind sympathy
Such is the sketch of the life and character of this interesting man, as far as we have been able to collect them from personal interviews with him, from the account of Dr. M'Laughlin and others, who had known him for many years, and especially from the perusal of the documents which he had in his possession, and which fully establish him to be the son of the Rev. John Tanner, late of the neighbourhood of Frankfort, in Kentucky. These documents consist of letters from Lord Selkirk, from Mr. Edward Tanner, and from other persons who interested themselves in his behalf. Tanner had promised to supply us with the particulars of his life and adventures, and with a full account of the manners and habits of the Ottawas and Chippewas, among whom he had resided. His well established character for candour make it an object of much regret that the state of his wounds prevented him from continuing with us. His language, though broken, was intelligible; he had in his intercourse with white men, since 1817, acquired enough of the English language to converse in it, though always with much difficulty.
At Rainy lake fort there is a very fine water fall, surpassed by two or three only of those on Winnepeek river. The whole of the waters of the lake discharge themselves into the river by these falls, the height of which is about twenty-five feet. The beauty of the spot depends much upon the wildness of the rocky scenery, occasioning a foaming or dashing of waves that is very striking. The rock is chiefly sienite, in which we thought we could distinguish a tendency to a stratification directed about north-east, and
* Parus atricapillus.
† Picus pileatus.
We proceeded through Rainy lake, for a distance of about fifty miles, on a general easterly course. We found it to resemble in its characters the Lake of the Woods; it contains many islands, all resting upon a rock which for the most part is a mica-slate, whose strata are directed north 70 degrees east, and nearly vertical; we have in a few places seen granite, sienite, &c. The islands betray a rapid and constant decomposition by the crumbling of the vertical strata, so that we doubt not that the physical characters of the lake, as well as the size and form of the islands, must undergo very striking changes in the lapse of ages. From Rainy lake the voyagers pass into a number of small rivers or narrow channels, separated by portages. Among these rivers they distinguish that of the “New Portage,” de la
Beyond this, we found a small lake, at the upper end of which we encamped; the air was perfumed by the sweet-scented grass, (Holcus odoratus,) which we found here in greater abundance than elsewhere, it had already grown into seed, of which we collected some. At this place, the cold, which had been gradually increasing, became very unpleasant; the dews were still heavy, and on the morning of the 7th we found ice about our encampment. The Portage des Français which we then passed, was a very difficult one; it was about two miles and a quarter long, and was so swampy that it offered great difficulties. Towards the summit level, the portages become longer and more difficult. At the time when the North-west Company carried on an extensive trade by this route, the portages were kept in good repair; the bushes being cut off, the paths well traced, and causeways erected wherever the ground was swampy. The case is otherwise at present; the little travelling along this route has occasioned them to be neglected, and they are in a worse state than if they
While ascending Bad river, Mr. Say observed on the bank a beautiful little animal, which was soon made out to be a fox, probably of the rare and valuable species called the Cross Fox. The animal was shot at, and wounded, but unfortunately he succeeded in making his escape. From the trace of blood which was left on the rocks, it was judged that he could not have run far, but as the woods were very thick, our hunters failed in discovering him.
Among the plants, none appeared to call for particular notice from Lake de la Croix to the height of land, except the raspberry, which yielded fruit in the greatest abundance and of a very superior quality. The minerals presented but little diversity; in one place, the rock, which is a mica-slate, contains many small nodules of quartz, and probably of garnet, which impart to it a rough appearance, and have caused it to be noted by the voyagers under the name of the “Rocher Grenuilleux.” But the crystals of garnet were so small and ill defined, that it was with difficulty they could be made out. The only good crystals which we saw were of tourmaline, in a granitic rock which forms the Island of the Straits, in Little Sturgeon Lake. These were beautiful, about an inch long, and terminated at both ends, but they could not be detached except by blasting, which we had neither the time nor the means to execute. They were of an intense black, the more remarkable, as most of the rocks which we observed in the portages, as we advanced in our journey, were almost free from colouring matter. We frequently found granite, whose mica was of a silvery white, the quartz transparent and colourless, and the feldspar resembling the adularia or moonstone.
18
Although the country is hilly near the summit level, yet the highest ground, between the waters of the Winnepeek and St. Lawrence, is not more than one hundred and fifty feet above the level of the two lakes in which these waters are supposed to take their source. We are induced to consider the country as inclining towards Lake Superior, from which circumstance the water at the north-east extremity of the Portage, is less elevated than that at its south-west end. The length of the portage is but very little more than two and a half miles. We had been told that there is a water communication at this place between the two streams, but we believe that this is not the case. The highest water of the St. Lawrence, which we saw, was in a small pool called Cold Water Lake. This is a basin which is only one hundred and fifty yards long and about twenty wide. Its name is very appropriate, the temperature of its water being much lower than that of the surrounding lakes and streams. It is supplied by a spring issuing from the side, of the hill, and which is not more than two hundred yards from the lake. This is one of the finest springs we have ever seen; its temperature, which was only 41° of Fahrenheit's thermometer, is lower than that of any spring which we have examined. The temperature of the lake is about 42°. That of the atmosphere at the time we made the observation was 63°. We saw no rocks in place about the spring, but entertain no doubt that the whole country is granitic.
We reached Cold Water Lake on the morning of the 10th of September, and commenced our journey down the Streams which fall into Lake Superior, near Fort William,
Dog portage receives its name from the figure of a dog
On descending Dog portage we found mica-slate
in situ
on the east side Of the hill, and this we observed still more distinctly at the next portage, where the sharp lamina of the slate, resembling the blades of cutting instruments, bare caused it to receive the name of Knife or Devil portage. Although it was late when our party reached this place, yet we had occasion to observe a junction of the slaty and greenstone rocks. The greenstone underlays the slate, whose strata are directed north fifty degrees west, and incline to the north-east about seventy degrees. There does not appear to be a passage from the one into the other; but a tendency to the formation of both reeks probably existed at one time, whence the mica-slate was deposited immediately after the greenstone, no interval of time occurring between the formation of the two, as appears from the fact that we find patches of the latter enclosed in the inferior strata of the former, and also some portions of mica-slate in the superior part of the greenstone mass; as the latter is not stratified, we could not determine whether the slate lay in parallel superposition, though we have reason to believe that it does. We observed that the masses of greenstone enclosed in the mica-slate lay in a direction parallel to the stratification.
The descent on the east side of the height of land is very rapid, as can easily be observed in passing the portages. On the 12th of September, we travelled thirty-five miles, and the difference of level which we observed in the water FALLS OF KAKABIKKA
Directly opposite to the place from which we contemplated the fall, there is in the rock a cavity, which, in the superstitious legends of the Indians, is regarded as the residence of the evil spirit. The entrance to this cavity is scarcely large enough to admit a man. About a quarter of a mile below the fall there is a sort of cove in the right bank; it is about three hundred yards in diameter, and bounded
We observed, on the 12th, a very important change in the geological features of the country. In the morning, the rock was a very decided mica-slate, which gradually passed into a clay-slate, whose primitive characters were inferred from a vertical stratification observed in several places, and especially at a portage called the “Portage du Raccourci,” or of the
short cut;
in one place the rock abounds in iron pyrites. At the Mountain Portage, or that made at the Falls of Kakabikka, the rock was found to be in very distinct horizontal stratification. The connexion of this with the former rocks could not be observed, but we are induced to believe that there is a distinct passage of the one into the other. At the descent of this portage we could study the characters of the rock. We observed that the whole mountain is composed of an alternation of strata; some are formed of a clay-slate, and others of a grauwacke or sandstone, formed by the union of grains of quartz and feldspar united together by an argillo-calcareous cement. There are a number of small specks of calcareous spar.Bad
Portage, we observed the compass vary much; the north pole pointed to the southeast; this continued for a few moments, and induced us to believe that we were then near to a bed of iron ore, which influenced our instruments.
The great mist which arises about the falls, and probably also the nature of the rock, produce a fertile soil, supporting a fine forest of large hazel, spruce, tamarack, red or pitch pine, white pine, larch, &c. The cottonwood was observed on the 12th, for the first time on our return. The aspen had been seen on the 7th, while crossing Frenchman's Portage. The bushes consisted of pembina, raspberry, &c. besides which there was an abundance of whortleberries, &c. The scented grass grew very thickly near the place, and its perfume added to the pleasure we experienced while contemplating the falls. As we passed the portage
19
Proceeding down the river, about ten miles below the falls of Kakabikka, we encamped at a portage, occasioned by a considerable bed of flint or silex in every respect similar to that observed at the Mountain portage. It is probable that this flint was in like manner enclosed in the slaty rock, and that being of a more durable nature it has resisted decomposition, while all the surrounding slate was washed away. At this place we found large plums, apparently of a good quality, but they were not yet ripe. The next day, we proceeded on our journey, and were overtaken by a canoe in which one of the partners of the Hudson's Bay Company, Mr. Henry, was travelling. We had the pleasure of witnessing a spirited competition between his canoe-men and ours, in which the former had the advantage. The country improved as we advanced; the banks of the river were generally low, and covered with a fine vegetation, indicating a strong soil. We passed at the foot of a hill called Thunder Mountain; it is supposed to be about five hundred feet high. We passed the ruins of the old fort de Meuron, erected by Lord Selkirk. We were likewise shown the remains of a winter road opened by him from this river to the Grand Portage; it extends in a southerly direction, and is about thirty-six miles long. As we descended the river, divided into three channels, we took the northernmost, and at about ten o'clock on the morning of the 13th, we reached Fort William, having performed a journey of about eight hundred and twenty miles in twenty-seven days, and without accident. The usual passage is about twenty days, and in some eases the distance has been travelled in fifteen, yet considering the nature ofDecharges
on that route, together with the length of several of the Portages.*
From Fort Douglas to the mouth of Red river
Through Lake Winnepeek
Up Winnepeek river
Through the Lake of the Woods
Up Rainy Lake river
Through Rainy Lake
Up small streams and lakes to the height of land
Through small lakes, Dog and Kamanatekwoya rivers, to Fort William
These distances agree tolerably well with those given by Mackenzie.
Winnepeek and Rainy Rivers, &c.
1. No name.
2. Portage des Eaux mouvantes.
3. Decharge de l'Illet.
4. Decharge du défunt Minet.
5. Portage des Grandes Eaux qui remuent.
6. Portage des Chênes.
7. Portage de la Terre blanche.
8. Portage du Rocher du Bonnet.
9. Portage du Bonnet
10. 11. Portage du Rocher du Bonnet d'en haut.
12. Decharge de la Riviere blanche.
13. Portage, (1st,) de la Riviere blanche.
14. Portage, (2d,) de la Riviere blanche.
15. Decharge de la Chute à Bas rond.
16. Portage de l'Agacé.
17. Portage du Grand Galet.
18. Decharge du Grand Galet.
19. Portage du Cantara.
20. Portage, dernier, de la Riviere blanche.
21. Decharge des Petites Dalles.
22. Decharge de la Batture des petites Dalles.
23. Portage du Grand rapide, this is the shortest on the route
24. Portage de la Barriere.
25. Portage de la Chute de l'Esclave
26. Portage du Bois brulé.
27. Portage de la Petite Pointe de Bois
28. Portage de la Grande Pointe de Bois
29. Decharge de Jacob.
30. Portage de Jacob.
31. Portage de l'Isle.
32. Decharge de la Cave.
33. Portage de la Terre blanche
34. Decharge du Petit rocher de Charette.
35. Portage de la Terre Jaune
36. Grande Decharge.
37. Portage du Rat
38. Portage du lac des Bois
39. Decharge du long Sault.
40. Decharge du Manito.
41. Portage du lac de la Pluie
42. Decharge du petit Rapide du lac de la Pluie.
43. 44. Portage Neuf
45. Portage, (1st.) de la Riviere de la Croix.
46. Portage, (2d,) de la Riviere de la Croix.
47. Portage, (3d,) de la Riviere de la Croix.
48. Portage de l'Isle.
49. Portage du Rocher Grenuilleux.
50. Decharge de l'Islette.
51. Decharge du Defunt Courchin.
52. Portage du Petit rocher.
53. Portage des Grosses Roches
54. Portage des Deux Rivieres
55. Portage des Morts
56. Portage des Français
57. Portage de la Pente
58. Portage du Baril
59. Portage de la Savanne
60. Portage du Milieu
61. Portage de la Prairie
62. Portage du petit lac de l'Eau froide.
63. Portage de Jourdain.
64. Decharge de la Riviere des Chiens.
65. Portage du Chien
66. Portage des Couteaux ou du Diable.
67. Decharge des Roses.†
68. Decharge des Grandes Dalles.†
69. Decharge des Epinettes.†
70. Decharge des Fossilles.†
71. Decharge des Bonleaux.†
72. Decharge Mauvaise.
73. Decharge du Défunt Bellanger.†
74. 75. 76. Decharge du Plainchant.
77. Portage de Plainchant.
78. Decharge du Raccourci.
79. Portage du Raccourci.
80. Portage de l'Isle.
81. Decharge du Recollect.
82. Portage Ecarté
83. Portage de la Montague
84. Decharge du Paresseux.
Bad as these names are, we have preferred retaining them, than attempting a new nomenclature. We have not even attempted a translation, which, in most cases, would be unnecessary.
Those rapids marked with a † were passed over by our canoes without unloading. When ascending the stream the canoes are always lightened and towed up.
We heard, while on our journey, that the water of Muddy Lake, near the height of land, was so viscid, that it was with the greatest difficulty that the canoes could be
* Voyages through the continent of North America, by Sir Alexander Mackenzie. Philadelphia, 1802, vol. 1. p. xlviii.
From Rainy Lake to Lake Superior we did not meet with a single quadruped. The only animals we saw were about thirty or forty birds, chiefly ducks. Among the
* Garrulus Canadensis.
† Garrulus cristatus.
‡ Vanellus Helveticus of authors, according to Ord's reprint of Wilson's Ornithology.
§ Tetrao umbellus.
The mosquitoes, which troubled us but little after we left Red river, were replaced near the height of land, by some dipterous insects belonging to two distinct species of the genus Simulium.
∥ One of these is the S. venustum, Say, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. vol. 3, p. 28.
A number of aquatic plants were observed in Cats-tail river; among these was one resembling our splatterdock,
¶ Nuphar lutea.
** Ranunculus delphinefolius, Torrey.
The Kamanatekwoya receives no tributary of any importance.
From Rainy lake to Fort William we saw no Indians except one Chippewa and his wife, whom we met on Dog river; they were near an otter's hole, and were in hopes of a successful hunt. We are informed that the otters found on these streams are very good; indeed, the quality of the furs generally improves as the animals are obtained in more northern latitudes. While on the Missouri in 1820, Mr. Say was told by Manuel Lisa, one of the most extensive fur-traders in Louisiana, that the otters of the St. Peter were preferable to those of the Missouri. Lisa was impressed with the belief that he could distinguish the one from the other, even when obtained from interlocking streams. He had made up at one time a pack of otter weighing one hundred lbs. although it contained but forty-five skins; they were all, however, from a tributary of the St. Peter. The Missouri skins are inferior both in size and in intensity of colour. When the otter is pursued in winter, it attempts to escape by alternately springing and sliding upon the ice. It subsists upon fish, and meat of almost any kind; it eats frogs, muscles, muskrats, &c. The otters sometimes emigrate in numbers; they seem to be well acquainted with the neighbouring lakes and water-courses. We were told by Mr. Jeffries that they had been known to winter with the beaver, as had been ascertained
20
The fisher inhabits thick woods, holes in trees, and fissures in rocks. It resorts to the shores of lakes, and banks of rivers, in pursuit of mice, frogs, and other animal food. It crosses rivers, but can no more be considered as a water animal than the fox. It is taken in steel and wooden traps; sometimes it is shot by means of spring guns, sometimes also it is chased and fired at.
Mr. Say observed in the small lakes a number of leeches, among which four new species have been established.—Vide Appendix I. D.
Account of the Chippewa Indians. Their usages, manners, and customs
.
HAVING described with some detail the manners and habits of the Potawatomis and Sanks, we shall curtail our observations and notes upon the Chippewas, because they have derived from their common Algonquin origin, customs and usages, in many respects very similar. The languages of these nations will, on reference to the vocabularies, (see Appendix,) be found to have a great analogy, while all will be observed to differ much from that of the Dacotas.
The term Chippewa, which is generally applied to this nation, is derived from that of O
1. Mi
2. O
3. Sa
4. Wa
5. Wa
6. Ko
7. 0schekkamega Wenenewak, or those of the cross or transverse ridge. 8. Ke
9. O
10. Pa
natural language
, implying that they speak an original tongue, and that other nations have an acquired one. The term Neenawesik includes, however, all those that speak the same language, and that are usually designated under the names of Algonquin, Nypsins, (living near Montreal,) Ottawak, Meskigouk, Menomones, and even the Sauks. At least such was the statement of Charles Bruce, a man who was considered as well acquainted with the Indian manners and habits, and who was recommended to Major Long, as one on whose assertions implicit reliance might
We can form no idea of the population of each of these bands, or of that of the whole nation; but, although we travelled over about fourteen hundred miles of country claimed by the Chippewas, from the main fork of Red river to the Sault de St. Marie, the whole amount of Indians whom we fell in with did not exceed one hundred.
We heard of no traditions respecting their origin upon which any confidence might be placed. The tales we heard were so much intermixed with childish details, and contained so many coincidences with the Mosaic doctrines, evidently derived from their intercourse with white men, that they do not deserve to be noted. The Chippewas appear at present to be in the lowest state of advancement. They have no national councils; their dispersed condition and their excessive indulgence in spirituous liquors have destroyed their national character.
They entertain, as all the Indians whom we saw did, a belief in a Supreme being, author of all good; and in a subordinate one, who has both the power and the inclination to do all mischief. They also people the sun, moon, stars, &c. with spirits. Their form of sacrifices differs from that of the Sioux in this, that he who offers the sacrifice frequently partakes of it. It is usual that he who makes the sacrifice should appoint one of the magicians or speakers of the nation, to manage the feast. This man disposes of all, invites the guests; among whom he may include, if he pleases, the person who provides the feast, in which case alone the latter is allowed to eat of the meats prepared; their
In fasts they place their principal reliance, considering them as instrumental in producing dreams, which they value above all things; these are supposed to lose their efficacy if they be divulged.
Polygamy is held to be agreeable in the eyes of the Great Spirit, as he that has most children is held in highest estimation; one of their chiefs had nine wives.
In the assigning of a name to a child, much interest is taken. The father applies to one whom he considers as well gifted or favoured by the spirits above, and entreats him to bestow a name upon his offspring. A day is fixed for the ceremony; the friend settles what objects will be required on the occasion, and whatever they may be, the parent never fails in providing them; if not from his own hunt, he obtains them from others. Guests are invited; as soon as the manager appears, the whole of the provisions are placed before him; he takes for himself the head, heart, and other choice parts. The residue he divides among the guests. The tobacco being laid before him, he fills a pipe, offers the stem to the spirits, smokes of it himself, and then proceeds to relate his own adventures, his experience in religious matters, his intercourse with spirits, &c. He generally premises by observing, that when young, he dreamt of a certain object, and valuing his dream much, had never divulged the subject of it, but that, in consideration of his great regard for his friend, he will mention the objects of his dream, and name his young friend after it. He then relates the circumstances attending it, and bestows the name upon the child. It is immediately repeated by all
A feast to which still greater importance is attached is that which is given by a parent on the occasion of the first animal killed by his child. This ceremony is alluded to by Harmon,
* Ut supra, p. 346.
The number of children, which a man has, varies much; the average is four; they seldom have as many as seven, unless they have many wives. The pride and honour of parents depend upon the extent of their family. This causes them to attach a high price to them. In some cases this affection is displayed in a barbarous and unfeeling manner, as in an instance which Bruce witnessed.
The Chippewas have no marriage ceremony. The business of promoting unions rests principally with the female relations, and originates with those either of the man or woman. In such cases the preliminaries are settled between the mothers without consulting their children. When the terms are agreed upon, and the customary presents exchanged, the property of the girl is removed to the lodge of the man, whom the mother has selected. The disappearance of her property is the first intimation which she receives of the contemplated change in her condition. She is then accompanied to the man's cabin; this is generally done during his absence. On his return he finds a female at his usual resting place, and her baggage placed near his; the purport of this change he cannot misunderstand. If the parties give consent they are from that moment considered as man and wife. If, as is often the case, one or both of them be unwilling, they remain as strangers to each other, avoiding all conversation; but the
21
The Chippewas believe that there is in man an essence, entirely distinct from the body; they call it O
The usual mode of disposing of their dead consists in interring them. It has been observed that the Chippewa graves are always dug very deep, at least six or eight feet; whereas the Dacotas make but shallow graves. Great respect is paid by the Chippewas to the corpses of their distinguished men; they are wrapped up in cloths, blankets, or bark, and raised on scaffolds. We heard of a very distinguished chief of theirs, who died upwards of forty years since, and was deposited on a scaffold near Fort Charlotte, the former grand depot of the North-west Company. When the company were induced to remove their depot to the mouth of the Kamanatekwoya, and construct Fort William, the Indians imagined that it would be unbecoming the dignity of their friend to rest any where but near a fort; they therefore conveyed his remains to Fort William, erected a scaffold near it, and upon it they placed
The Chippewas obtain the wild rice, upon which they chiefly subsist, by going in canoes, (two men in each canoe,) into the rivers or lakes in which it grows. Both men are armed with long poles. When they have reached a field of rice, one of the men with his pole turns down into the canoe the plant from one side, and the other thrashes it until all the grain is separated from the stem. The same operation is performed with that on the other side; after which they move their canoe to another place, and continue until they have obtained a sufficient supply. They can, in this manner, often collect with case from twenty to thirty bushels per day. The grain is subsequently dried over a small fire by placing it in a fine sieve made of reeds, secured in a square frame. It is then collected into a small hole, and trampled under feet in order to separate the hull without crushing the grain, which is afterwards separated from the chaff by stirring it in wooden platters, exposed to a gentle wind.
Although the fields of this plant appear to be inexhaustible, yet from improvidence, or otherwise, the inhabitants are frequently in great want. We have already illustrated, by one instance, the cruel necessity to which they are frequently reduced. We might have obtained a number of well authenticated stories on this subject. Bruce knew a man, who in a journey with his wife and two children, aged six and eight years, from the Manitoba Lake to Fort Douglas, had been induced by famine to kill his children; both he and his wife supported themselves upon this food.
Among the Chippewas the institution of the
Totem
exists as among the Sauks, and serves as an important distinguishing feature between these two nations and the Dacotas.
The principal disease to which the Chippewas are liable is a consumption of the lungs, induced by the great fatigues and exposures which they undergo; it generally
It is about thirty or forty years since the small-pox over-ran the country, and the terror which it inspired is still to be traced among them.
All the Chippewas attend more or less to medicine, and are acquainted with some plants which afford salutary remedies; but there are some men who make a particular study of the subject, and who are supposed to excel in it; these are consulted in all dangerous cases, and are paid for their attendance: the fees are very high. Harmon informs us that among the Carriers, the physicians receive high fees, but that it is usual for them to return the amount paid when the patient dies. The Chippewa physician resembles that of civilized nations more, in this respect that whenever the patient dies, his death is ascribed, not to the impotency of the physician's prescription, but to the fault of nature, so the fee is kept. Their mode of treatment depends more upon the adoption of proper spells than the prescription of remedies. Every dose which is administered, is accompanied by certain songs, in which the efficacy of the remedy is supposed to reside. The medicines are always pulverized and compounded, to prevent their nature from being detected. Those who are skilled in medicine, will instruct others in their secrets, whenever a sufficiently large fee
Soothsayers exist among them, both male and female, but the great medicines or charms are only practised by men. Their jugglers appear to be well skilled in the art of imposition. Bruce witnessed their powers frequently, but never could discover their secrets. Thus he has frequently seen the trick alluded to by Carver, of the Killisteno who threw off all the ropes with Which he had been fastened, though he was bound hand and foot. It is well known that Dr. Richardson witnessed the failure of the experiment in one instance; and probably the result would be the same
Bruce states that a magician once chewed certain roots in his presence, and that his breath appeared to be on fire; it seemed as if he exhaled flames. Another one smoked through a pipe, the stem of which was made luminous every time he drew his breath, and instead of smoke, it was flame which issued from his mouth. Others take up red hot stones with their hands, apparently without any injury; they introduce ignited coals into their mouth likewise without any pain; in such cases they protect their mouth and hands with certain compositions, which they keep secret; As we witnessed no exhibition of this kind, we shall attempt no explanation of their tricks, but merely add, that the number of persons whom we met with, some of whom were well informed, and who all attest having seen these tricks, prove that the Chippewas have, among them, some men well skilled in jugglery.
Poisons are frequently administered by Chippewas to those whom they consider as enemies; these are all of a vegetable nature, and are introduced into their meat or drink.
Insanity is not common among them; it is sometimes affected with a view to succeed in obtaining objects which are at first refused. We heard of two instances, which may serve to show how far an Indian will maintain a deception, if he thinks he may carry his point by it. A Chippewa, named O
Another instance, of a somewhat similar nature, happened in the presence of the same interpreter; a young Canadian had secured the affections Of an Indian girl called Nisette, whose mother was a squaw that had been converted by the missionaries; being very pious, the mother insisted that the young folks should be united by a clergyman. None being in the country at the time, they travelled to an Algonquin village, situated on the Lake of the Two Mountains, where there was a missionary. Meanwhile the Canadian's love cooled away, and by the time they reached the village he cared no more for the poor girl. Disappointed in her affections, she was observed to sicken, she became subject to fits, her intellect appeared disordered, and she was finally considered as quite insane.The only lucid intervals which she had were in the presence
22L
appears to be wanting in their language. Among the several hundreds of Chippewa words with which we have become acquainted, not one presents an
L
. This is the more curious as we believe this letter occurs in other languages of Algonquin origin.
The Chippewas are not naturally very strong, but they are active; they will walk, swim, paddle, &c. for a length of time without any apparent fatigue; they are inured to exercise and heedless of exposures of all kinds; they make good hunters and skilful fishers. They are generally tall and thin, and are easily distinguished from the Missouri Indians by the absence of the aquiline nose, which may be considered characteristic of the latter; their bodies and shoulders
Their sight is keen, it becomes weak at an early age; they are frequently afflicted with sore eyes, which is supposed to be caused by their constant exposure to the reflection of the sun by the water during the summer, and by the snow in the winter season. Blindness is not common. Many of them become deaf at an early age; their stomach is naturally very strong, but is impaired by the inordinate excesses in which they indulge when provided with food. They appear to be deficient in mechanical ingenuity, and do not cultivate the few natural talents with which they are gifted. Their ornaments consist of beads, paints, and other trifles which they obtain from traders at very high prices. Their cabins are constructed of birch bark, secured to a slight frame by means of heavy poles placed upon it to prevent the wind from blowing it away.
Hospitality is one of their chief virtues. Their disposition though cheerful is taciturn; the women are more loquacious;
* Wametegogin does not properly mean a white man, but one who suspends logs in the air, probably from the beams or eaves used in the construction of white men's cabins.
We found much difficulty in ascertaining the division of time among the Chippewas. Our interpreter at first asserted that there were thirteen moons, then made out but
Kisis signifies
Moon
in Chippewa.
* Nanabush is the name of a fabulous character, whose story appears to be a very long and perplexed one, which we regret that we could not unravel. In the account which we obtained, it appeared that the histories of Adam, Noah, &c. had all been referred to one man, and blended with the original Chippewa traditions.
Chastity is a virtue in high repute among the Chippewas,
Suicide is not of common occurrence among them; some men are impelled to it by disappointments; sometimes also by a high sense of shame. An Indian who had been created a chief by the Hudson's Bay Company, and who had received presents from them, subsequently traded
Duelling is not practised among them; we heard of but one instance of a combat between two individuals, which, from the attending circumstances, approaches to the nature of the duels of civilized men. Two warriors of distinction who had been noted for their mutual attachment, ceased to be friends; the cause of their disunion remained a secret; no apparent motive could be ascribed to it; it did not spring from any quarrel about their mistresses, or from gambling. After the coldness had subsisted for some time, they were again seen together, and hopes were entertained that the breach had been made up. One evening both were known to be in search of each other; they met, and welcomed with their left hands, uttering an expression corresponding to our word
well;
one of them then passed his right hand behind him and drew his knife; the other immediately did the same, and before the bystanders were aware of their object, each had plunged his knife twice in the bosom of his adversary. Both fell severely wounded; one died, the other survived his wounds. He was observed ever after to be melancholy; but he never could be induced
When warriors return from a successful excursion, they are met and welcomed by such as staid at home; these take away from them every article of property which they have, giving them others of at least equal value in exchange; the articles thus taken from the warriors are held in high estimation, being considered as relics; this extends to their horses, guns, &c. The women dance the scalp-dance; those, whose husbands have brought home scalps, use them exultingly, and relate the adventures which led to their capture. Warriors are never made slaves of; if any be taken prisoners they are soon killed, so are the old women; the marriageable women are reduced to servitude, and are treated with great cruelty by the squaws, the children are generally spared and incorporated into families, where they frequently meet with tolerably good treatment.
23
Departure from Fort William. Trap formations on Lake Superior. Michipicotton house. Arrival at the Sault de St. Marie. Conclusion of the Journey
.
THE route which we travelled from Lake de la Croix to Lake Superior was first explored and laid out by Messrs. M'Gillivray, M'Leod, and M'Kay, and is very creditable to them; it being probably one of the best and most eligible means of communication between these two points. Fort William was erected in 1803, on a scale commensurate with the importance, which was justly attached to the principal depot of a company remarkable for its active and ambitious views. It covers an area of two hundred yards square, enclosed by a strong picketting, fortified by three block-houses. The accommodations which it affords were sufficient in the days of the prosperity of the North-west Company, to receive forty partners, and at least as many clerks, who, being all attended by their families, were provided with separate quarters. In the large mess-room, where we were handsomely and kindly entertained by the superintendant, Roderick Mackenzie, Esq. much mirth and hilarity formerly prevailed, but from the immense size and deserted appearance of this elegant apartment it had acquired a gloomy character. We regretted to find that this establishment, which had cost a great deal of money, and which had been embellished with many of the luxuries of civilized countries, is about to be suffered to fall to ruin;
The residents of the fort chiefly support themselves upon the produce of their fisheries, which yield abundance of choice food. We were present at the hauling in of the net, which contained upwards of three hundred fish, consisting principally of white-fish, trout, the salmon of the Ohio, sturgeon, suckers, perch, &c. Of these the white-fish deservedly ranks first; it is, we think, the best fish we have ever eaten, and is remarkable for the whiteness and firmness of its flesh, as well as for the total absence of the strong or fishy taste, which characterize almost every kind of fish. Its weight varies from three to six pounds. The largest known are said to be caught in the Athabasca, and to weigh twenty-two pounds.
The garden near the fort is in good order, and yields very large potatoes, turnips, &c.; but maize and wheat do not come to maturity, so that the tilling of the ground is not attended to.
The fort is situated, according to Mr. Colhoun's observations, in latitude 48° 23′ 33″ north. It stands on the river, at about a mile from its discharge into Lake Superior; the country around it, to a considerable distance, is level, rising gradually from the lake shore till it mingles with the highlands, at a distance of from four to five miles from the lake. The situation is very cold, and the quantity of snow which falls annually is considerable. The winters are long; they last about seven months.
The proceeding through the lake in canoes being judged unadvisable, we refitted an old boat which had been left by the Boundary-line Commissioners; it was the only craft of the kind which we could obtain, and although it was very old and crazy, yet, our soldiers, who were better accustomed
Our provisions which were nearly exhausted, were replaced by a supply of a few bags of maize prepared in the usual manner for voyagers. As no meal could be procured, we were obliged to satisfy ourselves with the maize and suet allowed to Engagés.
On the afternoon of the 15th of September, we took leave of Messrs. Mackenzie and Henry, and commenced our voyage along the north coast of Lake Superior. The weather was fair, the wind favourable and not too strong, we hoisted a sail, descended the river, entered the lake, and soon lost sight of the fort. The river discharges its waters into a hay which is separated from the lake by a barrier of small islands, one of which has received the name of Paté, or pye, from its form. This is a high turreted rock, elevated several hundred feet. We passed at a distance from it, but it appeared to be formed of nearly vertical cliffs, and the upper part presented the appearance of a columnar division, while the lower seemed as though it was formed of the same horizontally stratified slate, which we had seen at the Falls of Kakabikka. Our course gave us an opportunity Of observing about three-fourths of its circumference, on all which sides it appeared to be inaccessible. We were told, however, that it had been ascended, and that there is, on its summit, a small lake, stocked with excellent fish. As we entered this bay, Isle Royal could be distinguished as a faint blue streak, pencilled along the horizon; and after we had cleared the cluster of small islands which enclose the bay, it was seen stretching
Having crossed the bay, which is about fifteen miles wide, we passed a promontory called Thunder Point, the elevation of which was estimated at eight hundred feet. This, as well as the rest of the shores, has a bold and fine outline. It is doubtless formed of the same rock as the islands; its dark-red colour, deepened by the effects of the weather, is picturesquely relieved by an orange-coloured lichen which in many places conceals the rock. The weather being very fair, and the wind having subsided, we determined to continue our route in order to pass a part of the lake, which, being unsheltered by islands, is very rough when the least wind raises a swell. Having merely stopped for supper we resumed our voyage by moonlight. The effect of that evening scene was beautiful beyond description; tall cliffs filled with caverns, and curiously indented by numerous little coves, rose abruptly from the smooth and undisturbed surface of the lake, whose unbounded expanse lay then open to view. In the midst of such a scenery, where both the rock and the lake had an appearance of immensity, and where naught else could he detected by the eye, our small boat seemed a mere speck upon the surface of the waters. At about midnight, we had again reached a shelter of islands, which were very numerous and small; we continued along them until two o'clock, when the moon setting left us in total darkness; as it became both difficult and dangerous to continue our course, we sought for a landing place, which we had some difficulty in finding. There we spent the rest of the night; the next morning we observed that the place where we had landed was covered with an immense number of small waterworn stones,
The physical revolutions, of which this part of our continent was the theatre, were too great to attempt to assign
We are not aware that the spot which we visited has ever been examined by any geologists, except by Dr. Bigsby and Major Delafield. With the former of these gentlemen we met at the Sault de St. Marie, after our observations on these rocks had been completed; if he has published his views on the subject we have not yet seen them. We have not seen Major Delafield, nor do we know of any publication of his upon this subject, so that the above observations are offered rather with a view to call the attention of future travellers to this interesting question, than from any wish on our part to express a decided opinion upon a subject which, in the present state of our acquaintance with that country, we freely confess to be beyond our reach.
These amygdaloidal rocks, interspersed with other varieties of trap rocks, were frequently seen on the coast of the lake. We, however, often saw also sienite, but never had an opportunity of examining the junction of the two rocks. On the morning of the 17th, we observed a beautiful red porphyry, which on inspection we found to be formed by fine crystals of feldspar, united by a cement of
The next morning we passed two barges, which we learned were attached to a schooner that is employed under the command of Lieut. Bayfield, of the British navy, in making a survey of the coast; this is a task of some difficulty, but of considerable interest. This part of the coast is termed the Flat countries, and is marked so upon several maps; to prevent the mistakes which might arise from this name, it may be well to state that the term is a translation of the Chippewa word Pa
24
We passed on the 18th a river called Rapid river, from a fine fall which interrupts its course very near to its mouth. We did not see the fall, but the spray rising in a white cloud was very visible, and indicated a considerable cascade. The wind increased so much towards night, that we were highly pleased on reaching a fine bay; in which a sandy beach offered us a safe harbour for our boat; this place is called Bottle Bay. The breeze heightened into a storm, which was accompanied by a heavy rain, that continued all night; the weather was very cold, and our tent-flies had become so thin as to offer no protection against either rainy or cold weather. We had fortunately a plentiful supply of wood near us, and we endeavoured to make ourselves as comfortable as our situation admitted of. The waves in the lake were so high that we were prevented from proceeding the next day. The bay in which we had landed was surrounded by projecting points of land on all sides but one, and this was sheltered by an island which stretched across its entrance. In order to enjoy the splendid spectacle of the lake during a storm, several of the party crossed the point of land which separated our harbour from the main body of water. The large waves which were impelled against the shore were of a more delicate green than those of the sea. It was a noble sight to observe each wave as it approached the high and rugged rock upon which we stood, and as it broke at the base of the cliff, throwing up a foaming spray to a height of at least twenty-five feet. The trees that grow in the vicinity of this bay consist of two kinds of spruce, of the tamarack, larch, white cedar, blister balsam, * Abies balsamifera.
There was a heavy fall of snow on the morning of the 20th, but the wind having lulled, we resumed our journey, and continued all day with a fine sailing breeze; we passed a bay, into which a small river discharges itself, and saw at a distance a trading house of the Hudson's Bay Company; but as it would have detained us much to go thither, we proceeded on the journey without stopping. This establishment is called the Peek, which is an abbreviation of the term Pe
On the morning of the 21st, as we were preparing to start, one of the men was reported to be missing. His name was Daniel Brown; he was at first supposed to have strayed a little from camp, and a few guns were fired to bring him back; these failing in their object, some uneasiness was felt on his account, as he had expressed himself unwell the evening before, and had been seen up before day-light; but on loading the canoes a few of the articles were observed to be missing; a closer inspection proved that a number of things had been removed; not only the public stores had been pilfered, but even the baggage of some of the gentlemen, and the knapsacks of the soldiers had been opened and robbed. The disappearance of all
After waiting a suitable time for him, we proceeded onwards with a head wind and a high sea, which retarded our progress so much as to induce us to stop in a small cove, which received the name of Sunday harbour. In the evening we proceeded some distance, and made our encampment in a small and dangerous bay, where, for want of better accommodation, we spread our blankets upon a beach covered with large boulders.
On the morning of the 22d we resumed our journey with a high south-easterly wind. We observed, as we advanced, that the country being all sienitic, presented a wilder and more barren appearance than where the trap rocks prevailed; i did not rise to such a height, the shores probably seldom exceeding two hundred feet; but good harbours became more scarce, owing doubtless to the greater NORTH SHORE OF LAKE SUPERIOR.protogine
of Jurine does; for in it, the mien is replaced by amphibole, while in the protogine its place is supplied by talc. In some spots the protogine is also found, as well as a more compound rock, formed of quartz, feldspar, amphibole,tripe de roche
, and the bones and pieces of leather which they could pick up at old camps. Although we were not quite so destitute as Captain Franklin, yet we made two meals upon the rock tripe, and they stand recorded in our recollections as the most unpalatable of which we have ever partaken. The moss is collected, and boiled in water, when, if young and tender, it resolves itself into a thin jelly; we were not well skilled in the selection of the moss, so that, instead of taking the tender and delicate, we took large pieces which, having probably undergone a change in their properties occasioned by age, did not resolve themselves completely in jelly, but left a black matter floating in the liquid, and imparting to it as unsightly an appearance as its taste was disagreeable; we endeavoured by red arid black pepper to render it tolerable, but all in vain. When all travellers, in those northern regions, have been exposed to the most severe privations, we would find but little grace in complaining
A heavy rain, which fell in the evening of the 23d, abated the force of the wind, and the next morning we again ventured in our boat; the waves were high and retarded our progress, but our anxiety to proceed impelled us on. We doubled a high promontory called the Otter's-head, from a fancied resemblance between that object and a large block of stone which appears to be formed in the shape of a truncated pyramid, and to be at least ten feet square, and thirty feet high. It forms a distinct land-mark, which, being very elevated, can be seen from a distance. It is considered half way from Fort William to the Sault de St. Marie. In the afternoon we saw a very fine water-fall, at least thirty feet high; the stream which gives rise to it is considerable, and the fall is close to the lake shore. This was so picturesque that we stopped awhile, to allow Mr. Seymour to take a sketch of it. Proceeding onwards we reached in the evening the western extremity of an island, known by the name of Michipicotton island; opposite to this the rock becomes a talcose-slate, directed north and south, and inclined about sixty degrees to the west; On the 25th, our course was in the strait between the island and main land; this channel is about fifteen miles wide, and the recurrence of the sienitic rock convinced us that the talcose-slate was only a subordinate formation. We entered on that day the deeply indented bay of Michipicotton, Which is so wide that voyagers never dare trust themselves across it in open boats, but always coast it. In this ease we were particularly anxious to enter it
“I carry my pocket compass in a fob. When it is taken out, one end of the needle is found adhering to the face of the instrument, which is enamelled like that of a watch. The adhesion is not overcome by the approach of steel, but it yields to the weight of the needle, for if it be sufficiently inclined the other end adheres in turn. The duration of this phenomenon varies according to the temperature of the atmosphere; at the lowest temperature, which we have experienced, the needle was unable to traverse for the space of fifteen minutes, as if the cold rendered the operating principle slow to retire. During the warm weather, I frequently remarked a disturbance, but it so quickly subsided, that I was content to attribute it to an accidental agitation of the compass. Electricity, evolved from the body, will be at once looked to, as the cause of this phenomenon, from the connexion long known to exist between it and magnetism. Whether the needle be operated upon immediately, or through the substance of which the face is composed, future observation must determine. Perhaps the Chinese would say that the magnetic virtue is not suspended, but only beneficially modified by some property or concomitant of vital heat, and there appears to be sufficient ground to establish for them a claim to the discovery of its influence, in the last sentence of the following quotation:—
25
“It has been related on the authority of some Chinese books, that these needles do not receive their virtue from the loadstone, though the Chinese possess that mineral in abundance, but from a curious mixture of orpiment, cinnabar, sandrak, and filings of steel, which, being reduced into a fine powder, are made into a kind of paste by a sufficient quantity of blood drawn from the comb of a white cock. In this paste the needles were said to be put, being previously rolled in paper, and there kept seven days and seven nights, over a clear charcoal fire. After this operation, being taken out, and
worn three days longer next to the skin of a man
, they are found fit for use, pointing directly to the north, and
unliable to the frequent variations which affect those that are touched by the load-stone
.”—History of Marine Architecture, by John Charnock, London, 1802, vol. 3, p. 299.”
* Mr. Colhoun's MS.
Sleep being out of the question during this war of the elements, we resumed our journey long before day-light, and proceeded until about nine o'clock, when we reached the head of the bay. The preceding evening we had stopped at the mouth of a river called “la Chienne” which is renowned for the excellent white-fish caught near it. We met there a few Chippewas who had arrived the preceding day, but who had not yet succeeded in obtaining a supply of fish.
We saw a boat adrift in the bay, and would have approached it, if the waves had not been so high. At the mouth of Michipicotton river there is an extensive sandbar; on the opposite side of which we observed a person in a canoe, who, after having made signs to us which we did not understand, disappeared among the rocks. We entered the
In the immediate vicinity of the post we saw but sand; and there is an extent of at least one mile square which appears to be formed entirely by the sand brought down by Michipicotton river. This stream is there about one hundred and forty yards wide; it affords an easy communication with Moose river. We were told that the country north of this bay resembles that near Winnepeek river, being entirely formed of small lakes, rivers, rapids, and enclosing large rocky islands. The country is quite impassable during the summer season except with a bark canoe, which the traveller carries over the portages, and which he again launches after arriving at a navigable stream or lake. In winter the whole country being frozen and covered
This place is acquiring more importance, being much resorted to by canoes going to Moose Factory. The dividing ridge between the waters of Hudson's Bay and those of Lake Superior, if indeed the term dividing ridge can be applied to such a country, is said to be about thirty miles north of the lake. Every river in this part of the country presents more or less beautiful cascades. There is a very handsome one about two miles above the fort on a small branch of the Michipicotton; and one at a greater distance is represented as being very beautiful; we saw the cloud arising above it, and from its size suppose the cataract to be very great. Mr. Mac Intosh showed us very fine foliated and transparent gypsum which came from Moose river, where he represents it as being very abundant. From his description it would appear that the country on Moose river is of a different nature from that on Lake Superior; he did not represent it, however, as being a prairie country. A walk up the river offered us the largest whortle-berries
Notwithstanding our desire to get under weigh, we were compelled by stress of weather to remain at Michipicotton one day, during which time we experienced a heavy southwesterly gale accompanied by rain, hail, snow, and sleet. The next morning, the wind having apparently abated a little, we resumed our journey, but as soon as we left the river and entered the lake, we found ourselves exposed to a storm so violent that we were obliged again to resort to land. We had travelled but about five miles during near three hours of hard rowing. With considerable difficulty we got our boat round a promontory, and hauled it up, on the shore, in a small cove which appeared tolerably safe. On looking back to the various difficulties which we have experienced on the route, we are induced to believe that we were at no period of the journey exposed to so imminent a danger as on that morning when we were sailing in a crazy boat, on a very rough sea, near an iron bound coast, in which there were but few harbours. We landed, however, in safety, and lay by till the next morning. With a view to keep ourselves as warm as possible, we used our flies and sail in the manner that the Sioux construct their skin lodges, winding them round, in a conical form, upon a frame of light poles, which had been left there by some Indians. In this manner we sheltered ourselves partially against the effects of the snow and wind.
We had on the west coast of Michipicotton bay observed slaty rock, of a dark colour, sometimes almost black; it was well stratified; the direction of the strata was North 40° west, their inclination was vertical. It is found in somein situ
, and that therefore these loose masses ought not to be looked to as indicative of mines in their immediate vicinity. The great weight and size of the mass on the Ontonagon might, it is true, induce us to believe that it has not been transported from a great distance, if the much greater size and weight of the boulders which are dispersed along the vallies of the Mississippi did not attest, that, whatever may have been the cause which produced these revolutions, the force with which it operated must have been immense. It is not, therefore, to these masses of native copper, but to the ores of this metal found in rocks
in situ
that our attention ought principally to be directed with a view to discover copper mines. We have ourselves seen a number of localities of copper pyrites throughout the primitive rocks of the north coast of Lake Superior, but these were always in small specks. A more minute examination might probably lead to more successful results. We believe that there is a site of copper mines somewhere near this lake, and we think it in no manner improbable that the masses of native copper which occur, from the south shore of Lake
26
These observations are offered with the more hesitation, as they are not founded on an extensive acquaintance with the localities of native copper, &c. but rather upon a general, perhaps some may think a hasty and superficial, inspection of the features and resources of that section of country, which many have considered as destined to become the seat of future mining operations on a great scale.
After remaining twenty-four hours encamped, we resumed our voyage, though with the disadvantage of a high sea, and cold and snowy weather; but the wind being favourable we proceeded with facility, coasting along the eastern shore of Michipicotton Bay; after travelling twenty-seven miles, we reached Gape Gargantua which we doubled, and which may be considered as the entrance of the bay. We stopped for a meal at what appeared to be a very safe harbour near to the point. The name of this place is supposed to be derived from a high rock, which rises in a disconnected manner at the entrance of the harbour. To a fanciful imagination it might appear a Colossus. The spot has in truth a very beautiful and characteristic appearance; the rock, which is an amygdaloid, having but little solidity, appears robe fast wasting away under the destructive influence of the waves, producing a number of picturesque and irregularly shaped masses, projecting to a small height
This place offers one of the best localities for zeolites, and will probably, when better explored, yield specimens of great beauty. We collected some fragments, rather with a view to mark the locality than on account of the merit of the specimens; but Dr. Bigsby, who was there several times, has obtained some very good pieces, for one of which we are indebted to his liberality.
Proceeding onwards we passed several islands, known by the name of Fox and Montreal Islands, and after a long and swift sail, at a distance from the shore, to avoid all its indentations, we reached the place of our evening encampment. While on the trap rocks, we observed that the soil was not deep, but that what there was of it was good, and that it supported a fine growth of cedar. The Montreal Islands were observed to present sandy beaches; the country became lower and less dreary. In the evening we however found no suitable place to pitch our tents, but spread our blankets on the stony beach, having no means of sheltering ourselves from a heavy fall of snow which occurred during the night. At this place we observed two rocks in immediate contact, one of which was a granite formed by a fine pink-coloured feldspar, intermixed with a very small proportion of quartz and mica. Near it was a mica-slate, which we judged to constitute a subordinate formation.
On the 29th we reached at an early hour a projecting point, called the Pointe de Memens, a corruption of the Indian word Marmoaze, which signifies all assemblage of rocks. We there met with a trap rock in place, but the beach is strewed with water-worn fragments of conglomerates or sandstone; these were the first conglomerates which we observed on the lake shore. After leaving this point we proceeded on a long stretch, thirty-one miles long, to what is termed the Grand Cape, which we reached late at night. Our course led us near to a group of small islands, called Maple Islands, and there we first observed the sugar tree in abundance. Being during part of this day at a considerable distance from the north shore, we with great satisfaction discovered the south coast of the lake to be in sight; this afforded us a sure indication of the approaching close of our navigation on this lake. The part of the south shore which first disclosed itself to our view is termed White-fish point. The land appeared to be very low, and nearly overflowed by the waters of the lake. The next point of land which is disclosed on the south shore is Iroquois point, differing but little from the former in its general character.
We had reached the Grand Point at too late an hour to judge of its real situation; it was only, therefore, on the next morning, that we became aware that we had arrived at the eastern extremity of the take, and that on doubling that cape we would enter a bay from which the river St. Mary issues. We left the Grand Point on the morning of the 30th of September, the weather was fair and pleasant; after travelling a short distance the rocks were observed to recede gradually from the lake, the shores of which were lined with sandy beaches; but the hills at a distance decreased rapidly in height, and from the change in their
The Pointe aux chênes, or Oak point, may be considered as the commencement of St. Mary's river, which at the Pointe aux Pins, one mile lower down, is about three miles wide, and has a rapid current and a devious bed. The wind being fair, we spread a sail, and in two hours' time reached the head of the rapid which is termed the Sault de St. Marie. We landed, left our boat, and walked along the Portage road, on the south bank of the river, to the “Cantonment Brady,” which is the highest military post occupied by the United States' troops on the chain of lakes. A mill-race has been dug from the head of the rapid to the fort; it is somewhat less than a mile long; it discloses the nature of the rocks, which consist of red sandstone horizontally stratified. This was the first spot at which we observed this rock in place, but Dr. Bigsby has informed us that he found it in many of the spots at which he occasionally encamped on the north shore of the lake. In Mr. Schoolcraft's narrative we are informed that this rock extends to a very considerable distance along the south shore of Lake Superior. The canal or mill-race, which the garrison has opened at the Sault, has been made with much less difficulty and expense than would at first have been expected, from the apparent magnitude of the undertaking; at a very slight additional expense the canal might be enlarged so as to render it navigable for bark canoes of the largest size.
Our party travelled the distance from Fort William to the Sault de St. Marie in fifteen days; this passage was considered very short considering the season. An idea can be formed of our success in this respect from the circumstance that the superintendent of Michipicotton house,
The country along the lake is one of the most dreary imaginable, considering its latitude, and the facility with which it may be approached. Its surface is every where rocky, broken, and unproductive, even in the natural growth of trees common to rugged regions; its climate is cold and inhospitable; the means of subsistence are so circumscribed that man finds no possibility of residing on it in a savage state. Game is extremely scarce. Few, if any, esculent plants grow spontaneously. Fish, it is true, abound in its waters, but only such as can be plentifully caught by means of nets; the total absence of sandy beaches on the greater part of its extent prevents
At Cantonment Brady, the party were kindly and hospitably received by the officers of the garrison, which was at that time under the command of Major Cutler of the 2d regt. United States' Infantry. The gentlemen of the party enjoyed a few interviews with Mr. H. R. Schoolcraft, who was stationed there as Indian agent; they found this gentleman very obliging in communicating to them his observations on the topography and mineralogy of the country, as also upon the character and dispositions of the Indians within his agency. Mr. Schoolcraft has devoted much time to this latter subject, and has collected much valuable information, which he kindly offered to impart to our gentlemen;
Having brought the history of our voyage to the Sault de St. Marie, we deem it proper to conclude it there, being persuaded that the observations which we made after that time, having been of a hasty and superficial nature, could contribute but little to the history of a country which has been so long known, upon which so much has been written, and which, by becoming the seat of military operations, during the war of 1812, has acquired so great a degree of celebrity.
It will be sufficient for us to state that the party left the Sault in their open boat, on the 3d of October, and reached the island of Mackinaw on the next day. There they divided. Lieuts. Scott and Denny proceeded with the ten soldiers to Green Bay, thence to ascend the Fox river to the portage, and descend the Wisconsan to the Mississippi. We have heard with satisfaction, by a letter from Lieut. Scott, that he reached Fort St. Anthony with his command without any accident, though after having suffered much from cold weather. At Mackinaw Major Long embarked
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General description of the country traversed by the Expedition, designed as a topographical report to the War Department
, by S. H. LONG,
Major United States' Topographical Engineers
.
THE region, whose description is intended in the present essay, as embracing the route of the Expedition, is limited, on the N. W. by the intersection of the 51st degree of N. latitude with the 97th of W. longitude, and, on the S. E. by that of the 40th degree of latitude with the 74th degree of longitude west of Greenwich. Its figure is rhomboidal, about thirteen hundred miles long, from E. S. E. to W. N. W. and has an average width of between four and five hundred miles. Its boundaries may be traced on the accompanying map, being coincident with the route of the Expedition.
The researches of the Expedition were more immediately limited to the region above specified, but our attention has been nevertheless directed to the attainment of new information relative to other parts of the country, whenever a favourable opportunity presented. The substance of the whole is briefly embodied in the following remarks, with the view of giving a geographical outline as complete and satisfactory as circumstances will permit.
In order to render the description as plain and perspieuous as practicable, we shall arrange our remarks under separate heads, corresponding to particular divisions of the route of the Expedition, and conclude with a few observations of a more general nature and application. The following 1st. Of the country between Philadelphia and the Ohio river. 2d. Of the country between the Ohio river and Lake Michigan. 3d. Of the country and navigable communications between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi. 4th. Of St. Peter's river and the adjacent country. Also of the Coteau des Prairies. 5th. Of Red river and the adjacent country. 6th. Of the country between Lakes Winnepeek and Superior. 7th. Remarks on a Variety of subjects connected with the topography of the country.
After all that has been written in description of this part of the country, a very few remarks relative to its general aspect and character will suffice, on this occasion. Eastward of the Alleghany Mountains, the country is most agreeably diversified with hills and valleys, and is prolific in all the vegetable products common to a temperate climate, and suited to the convenience and welfare of man and beast. On approaching the range of mountains just mentioned, the elevation above tide water gradually increases, and the irregularities of the surface become more apparent. Connected with these appearances some slight change of climate is perceptible, and is evinced by a more frequent occurrence
The surface of the ridges is often broken and rugged, and generally covered with a profusion of rocks and stones, of the older sandstone formation. The mountain growth consists principally of pitch pines, scrub oaks, chesnut, hemlock, aspen, laurel, bramble, &c.
North-westwardly of the Alleghany Mountains, the country presents a surface exceedingly diversified with hills and rallies, yet more generally susceptible of cultivation, and not less fertile than to the eastward. Its general elevation above tide water may be estimated at about one thousand feet, and its climate in most respects is very similar to that of the country adjacent to the mountains, on the other side, in the same latitudes. In this respect,
On this part of the route are presented two varieties of country, distinctly marked; the one exceedingly hilly, like that between the Alleghanies and Ohio, before noticed, and the other of a waving aspect, presenting extensive flats, with occasional hills and swells of moderate height and declivity. The line of division between these two tracts commences on the Mississippi, near Cape Girardeau, and runs north-eastwardly to the Miami river, thence eastwardly to the Muskingum, which it crosses near Zanesville, and thence north-eastwardly, passing along the sources of Big-Beaver river, and terminating near the eastern extremity of Lake Erie. (See Account of the Expedition from Pittsburgh to the Rocky Mountains, vol. 2, p. 333.) The region situated between this line and the Ohio river exhibits, as before hinted, a surface exceedingly diversified with hills and vallies; the hills uniformly present rounded summits; rocks are seldom abundant upon the surface, though secondary lime and sandstones prevail at a moderate depth below; precipices no where occur except as boundaries to the numerous water-courses. The general elevation of this region may be estimated at between six hundred and one thousand feet above tide water, gradually increasing from the mouth of the Ohio upwards. The inequalities of surface do not render it unfit for cultivation. The vallies, especially
North-westwardly of the limit above-mentioned, the country wears a very different aspect, palpably manifest in travelling in the direction of the assumed line. The river rallies are broader and more regularly defined, being separated from the high lands by parallel ranges of bluffs or mural banks. No hills of any considerable height or magnitude, if we except numerous swells, some of which are broad and extensive, are here to be seen. Extensive tracts of flat country, with scarcely an undulation upon their surface are presented; also many large swamps and morasses, some of which are deep and miry. The country on the Sandusky and St. Mary's rivers, as also upon many other streams in this quarter, abounds in blemishes of the nature last mentioned, for which, remedies no doubt will be provided, as soon as the population and wealth of the country are sufficiently advanced to admit of the Various improvements that are practicable.
In the northerly parts of Illinois and Indiana, as also in the west corner of the state of Ohio, are extensive campaigns, flat and marshy, of a soil apparently very rich, but too wet for cultivation. A large proportion of the flat lands of Ohio and Indiana, however, is heavily wooded; and is for the most part denominated the Beech lands, the red beech being the prevailing growth upon it. The soil of these lands is thin, but remarkably black, resting
The general elevation of this portion of country may be estimated, as before, at about one thousand feet above tide water. It is remarkable, that the strip or zone of country, in which numerous tributaries of the Ohio interlock with those of Lake Erie, should decrease in altitude as we proceed from the Miami river, eastward; also, that a hilly region should intervene between the Ohio river and the zone above mentioned, or the country in which its tributaries, from the north, have their origin, of greater elevation than that of the zone itself. Yet however repugnant to the doctrines of the geologist, and however discordant to the general principles of hydrography, such is nevertheless the case, as has been satisfactorily ascertained by the surveys recently made in Ohio, on the several canal routes that have been explored. From the Miami northwestward to Lake Michigan, a very gradual declension of the surface takes place, in so much, that in the vicinity of the lake, the general level is about seven hundred feet above tide water.
In regard to the facilities for artificial water communications, between the lakes and the Mississippi, through this district of country, no doubts can exist, but in relation to the supply of water on the several summits in a dry season. Of the routes across the state of Ohio, notice has already been taken in a former part of this work. The route through the Maumee and Wabash, and that through the two St. Joseph's and Kankakee rivers, remain to be explored. Of the practicability of these routes there can
A water communication connecting the west end of Lake Erie with the southern extremity of Lake Michigan will ere long become a subject of great interest, inasmuch as it must be regarded as an important link in the grand chain of internal navigation connecting New York with the country of the Mississippi. The route by which this is to be effected remains also to be explored, but the abundance and size of the water-courses intervening between these two places, leave but little room to doubt of its practicability.
No part of the region traversed by the Expedition can be considered more interesting than that now under consideration. The surface, which is generally prairie, is agreeably diversified by gentle swells and rallies, and checkered with skirts of woodland fringing its numerous water-courses. The soil in many places is exuberant in a high degree, and is no where infested with rocks or stones. The bottoms especially exhibit proofs of the greatest fecundity, in the rankness of their vegetable products; to these valuable traits must be added the abundance of lead ore, which prevails in many places; all of which conspire to render this country quite as valuable as any other tract of equal extent within the basin of the Mississippi. In this brief recital of the natural advantages and resources of the country, it should not be forgotten, that the facilities for water communications between the lake and the Mississippi are numerous; there being no less than three different
The foregoing remarks are intended as applicable more particularly to the tract bounded, north by the Wisconsan and Fox rivers, south by the Illinois, east by Lake Michigan, and west by the Mississippi river, than which few countries of equal extent can boast of a finer aspect. The rivers included within the limits just assigned, are the Chicago, Milwacke, Manitowacke, and several others of less note, tributary to Lake Michigan, the Des Plaines, De Page, Fox, Mequin, &c. tributary to the Illinois, the Rock and Makabea or Small Fox river, and several others of smaller size that mingle their waters with the Mississippi. Rock river has many tributaries, among which are the Kishwake, Pektannon, Little Pektannon, and Wassemon rivers, all respectable, streams, never before recognised in the geography of the country. The rallies of the water-courses generally, and particularly of those just mentioned, are bounded by parallel ranges of hills, of moderate height and gentle declivity.
The country embracing the southern extremity of Lake Michigan, and extending inland many miles from the lake, presents no hills, except the elevated sand-drifts that bound that extremity of the lake. On the contrary, an extensive flat embracing woodlands and meadows alternating with each other, spreads from the St. Joseph to the Des Plaines, and from the lake to the Kankakee. Its soil is apparently good, but the chilling northerly winds, which blow from the lake, charged with vapour, seem to carry with them blast and mildew, and render its prolific energies abortive. At Chicago, which is situated within this tract, attempts have been made to cultivate maize, wheat,
28
In the vicinity of the Mississippi, the high lands on both sides of the river are intersected by numerous deep ravines and water-courses, which, together with the bluffs and precipices by which the river valley is bounded, give to that part of the country a hilly and broken aspect. At the mouth of the Illinois the high lands are elevated from one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet above the river. At Prairie du Chien their elevation is four or five hundred feet. About one hundred miles above this place, the high lands are said to be more elevated than on any other part of the Mississippi, rising to seven or eight hundred feet. At the mouth of the St. Peter, their height varies from one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet.
On the Wisconsan river, at the distance of fifty or sixty miles eastward of the Mississippi, commences a region of hilly country, which extends northwardly to Lake Superior, and embraces the head waters of the Wisconsan, Fox, Menomone, Ontonagon, Bois Brulé, St. Croix, Chippewa, Black, and Prairie de la Croix rivers. To this region the name of the Wisconsan Hills has been given, which are terminated on the south by the Ocooch and Smoky Mountains, whose altitude is about twelve hundred feet above the common level, or two thousand feet above tide water. Its aspect is exceedingly diversified by hills and vallies, the former of which are high and rugged, supporting a heavy growth of pine, &c. while the latter often present extensive flats, abounding in lakes, swamps, and ponds, yielding wild rice in great abundance and perfection. The rocks of the southern portion of this region may be regarded as of a secondary character, while those of the northern, according to Mr. Schoolcraft, are primitive. In the former of these
On the west of the Mississippi above Prairie du Chien, upland forests of considerable magnitude present themselves at the distance of six or eight miles from the river, and continue in view for the distance of nearly one hundred miles above that place. Their extent westward, however, cannot be very great, for the prairie region, in which the De Moyen has its sources, commences at the distance of above one hundred miles from the Mississippi, and excludes all appearance of woodlands except in insulated groves and narrow skirts bordering upon the water-courses.
The growth of this section of the country comprises the following trees, viz. the white, black, red and post oak, hickory, walnut, sugar-tree, maple, linden, cotton-wood, white, blue, and black ash, elm, hop-horn-beam, red cedar, sassafras, willow, aspen, &c. in addition to which sycamore, coffee-tree, mulberry, pecan, Spanish and willow oak, persimmon, honey-locusts, black and red haw, crab-apple, plum, pawpaw, dog-wood, spice-wood, &c. are found in the country below rock river. Gum, cherry, red birch, butternut, or white walnut, red hickory, and slippery elm, are occasionally to be met with. Yellow, pitch and white pine of an excellent quality abound upon the Wisconsan Hills. White birch, white cedar, spruce, juniper, &c. sometimes appear in the woodlands above Prairie du Chien. The undergrowth
Under this division of our subject, we shall particularly notice a portion of the Upper Mississippi, (by which is meant that portion of this noble river, situated above the confluence of the Missouri,) the Illinois, and the Wisconsan rivers, referring to the accompanying map for the names and localities of the rest.
The valley of the Upper Mississippi, below the Falls of St. Anthony, varies from three to ten or twelve miles in width, except at the De Moyen and Rock Island rapids, where its breadth is so contracted that it affords sufficient room only for the bed of the river, which at the former place is about twelve hundred yards wide, and at the latter from eight hundred to one thousand. It is uniformly bounded by high bluffs, which are generally abrupt, and often precipitous. Within the valley, especially in the vicinity of Lake Pepin, insulated knobs and hills of considerable magnitude, based upon horizontal strata of rocks, and towering to various heights, from one hundred to five hundred feet, are frequently to be met with. These must be regarded as the remains of the high country, through which the river in process of time has scooped out its
The upper Mississippi is also remarkable for the great width of its bed, and the multiplicity of islands it embosoms; It spreads in many places to the width of five or six miles, and seems to lose itself among countless islands through which it flows in numberless small channels. Between the mouth of the Missouri and Lake Pepin, no less than six hundred and forty islands of considerable size have been enumerated. Lake Pepin is a very beautiful enlargement of the river, twenty-two miles long and from one to three broad, destitute of islands, and affording a great depth of water. Above the lake the river becomes narrower, and the islands smaller and less numerous.
The valley country is made up of prairies and woodlands alternating with each other; the former of which are usually elevated above the reach of floods, and are richly carpeted with herbage and flowers, while the latter sustain a dense and heavy growth of trees, intermixed with vines and shrubbery, and are, for the most part, subject to inundation in flood time.
During the spring floods, which usually prevail during the months of April, May, and June, this part of the Mississippi is navigable to the mouth of the St. Peter for boats of great burden. In a low stage of water the rapids above mentioned oppose serious Obstructions to the navigation, which is also rendered still more precarious by the numerous shoals and bars with which the bed of the river is infested. The rapidity of the current decreases as we ascend, being about three miles per hour at the mouth of
A description of the Falls of St. Anthony has been already given in the preceding narrative. For a description of the Mississippi above this point, we beg leave to refer to the “Account of Pike's Expedition to the source” of that river, as also to the narrative published by Mr. Schoolcraft, and to that which Captain Douglas is preparing for the press.
The Illinois river is to be ranked among the most important of the western rivers, inasmuch as it affords greater facilities as a water communication between the lakes and the Mississippi than any other stream. Its length from its mouth to its source, at the junction of the Kankakee and Des Plaines, is three hundred miles. For a distance of fifty miles on the upper part of the river shoals abound, which are serious impediments to its navigation in a low stage of water. The most formidable obstructions of this nature are the rapids situated at the confluence of Vermilion river, which are utterly impassible for boats except in times of flood. Below this, the navigation is exceedingly easy, for boats of moderate draft and burden, to the mouth of the river, a distance of two hundred and fifty miles. The current throughout the distance last mentioned is exceedingly gentle, often quite imperceptible; indeed, this part of the river may with much propriety be denominated an extended pool of stagnant water. Its valley is broad and bounded by parallel ranges of bluffs, presenting, in most places along the margin of the river, low bottoms covered with a dense growth of timber trees, surmounting thickets
The navigable communication above mentioned is continued from the head of the Illinois by two different routes, viz. to Chicago fifty miles through the river Des Plaines and a small water-course connecting the stream just mentioned with Chicago river; and to the St. Joseph of the Lake about one hundred and twenty miles, through the Kankakee, and a small tributary of the St. Joseph interlocking with that river in a tract of marshy country. Through both of these routes loaded boats have passed from the lakes to the Illinois during the vernal floods. The route first mentioned is very direct, and is now frequently traversed with boats of burden; the other is extremely tortuous along the windings of the Kankakee, and is seldom practicable.
The Wisconsan, from its magnitude and importance, deserves a high rank among the tributaries of the Mississippi. When swollen by a freshet it affords an easy navigation for boats of considerable burden through a distance of more than one hundred and eighty miles. Its current is rapid, and, like the Mississippi, it embosoms innumerable islands. In a low stage of water its navigation is obstructed by numerous shoals and sand banks. At the distance from its mouth above mentioned, there is a portage of one mile and a half, across a flat meadow, which is occasionally subject to inundation, to a branch of Fox river of Green Bay, thus affording another navigable communication between
While on the subject of water communications it is proper to remark, that a third route, viz. by way of the Rock and Milwacke rivers, has been found practicable for canoes.
The St. Peter, called in the Sioux language Menesota Watapan, or River of turbid water, receives most of its waters from a remarkable ridge distinguished by the name of Coteau des Prairies, hereafter to be noticed. Its most remote source is a small lake, called Pole-cat Lake, about three miles in circumference, situated at the base of the ridge just mentioned, in latitude about 45° 40′ N. and longitude 96° 36′ W. It enters the Mississippi nine miles below the Falls of St. Anthony, in N. latitude 44° 53′ 49″ and W. longitude 93° 8′ 7″. Its length, following its meanders, is about five hundred miles, but in the direction of its immediate valley, does not exceed two hundred and seventy-five miles. Its course is exceedingly serpentine, varying from side to side of its valley, and is interrupted by several rocky ridges extending across the bed of the river, and occasioning falls of considerable descent. About fifteen miles from its source it passes into Big Stone Lake, which is about twenty-five miles long, and from four hundred yards to one mile and a half wide, lying in a direction
During the spring freshets, and at other times when floods prevail, the St. Peter is navigable for Mackinaw boats and pirogues, from its mouth to the head of Big Stone Lake, there being but two obstructions that are impassable on such occasions, viz. at Patterson's Fall and the Grand Portage, at which are carrying places or portages of moderate length. For a distance of about forty miles on the lower part of the river it is from sixty to eighty yards wide only, and navigable for pirogues and canoes, in all stages of the water; higher up; its navigation is obstructed in low water by numerous shoals and rapids.
The only tributaries worthy of notice are the Blue Earth, the Liard, improperly called White-wood, the Red-wood, or more properly Red-tree, the Yellow Medicine, the Beaver, and the Spirit Mountain rivers, all heading
29
The country of the St. Peter possesses many features highly interesting both in a geological and agricultural point of view. Its physical character and, structure as also those of the other regions treated of in this paper, have been discussed in the course of the preceding narrative. In regard to its soil and aspect, much maybe said in its praise. The immediate valley of the river has an average width of about one mile and a half, and is connected by bluffs or parallel ranges of hills, which attain an elevation of about one hundred feet. The lower portion of the valley, embracing nearly one-half the length of the river, is low and marshy, subject to inundation, and abounding in lakes, swamps, and lagoons. Nevertheless, it sustains in many places a dense and heavy growth of trees, consisting principally of oak, elm, white maple, ash, linden, white-walnut, wild-cherry, &c. together with a luxuriant undergrowth of shrubbery, vines, grasses, and weeds. The neighbouring highlands present numerous copses and groves of considerable magnitude, containing several Of the trees before enumerated. Prairies are frequent, and some of them spacious, on this part of the river,
On the upper part of the river the valley assumes a different character, expanding in some cases to the width of two or three miles, and embracing extensive tracts of rolling or level prairies. The bottoms are more elevated, and seldom give place to swamps or ponds. The woodlands become less frequent, and the prairies more extensive, till at length all that appears of the former are mere skirts fringing the water-courses.
The uplands on both sides of the valley are of a rolling aspect, in some instances inclining to hilly; rocks occasion ally appear upon the surface, but are no where abundant. The stratifications, on which the country is based, consist of secondary sand and limestone, perforated in several places, towards the head of the river, by peaks and ridges of primitive rock, which rise twenty or thirty feet above the water-table of the country. The aggregate descent of the St. Peter may be estimated at about one hundred and fifty feet,
* In vol. 1. p. 364, the descent of the St. Peter was from general considerations estimated at sixty feet, but Major Long is of opinion that one hundred and fifty feet accords better with known facts in relation to the descent of water-courses.
On retiring from the river in either direction the country becomes undulatory, but no hills remarkable for their magnitude occur, till we arrive at the Coteau des Prairies, on the west, and at the Pine ridges, &c. which are represented as the birth place of the waters of the Mississippi, on the east. The height to which these last attain is said to be inconsiderable; they do not probably rise more than a few feet above the general level above mentioned.
The Coteau des Prairies is a very remarkable feature in the aspect of this region, situated between the waters of the Mississippi and those of the Missouri. It may be regarded as the dividing ridge between those waters, and is doubtless the grand dike which has obstructed the latter in its progress eastward, and caused it to flow southwardly through a distance of many hundred miles, before it could again resume a direct course to the former. This huge swell has an elevation of about one thousand feet above the common level of the country just described, and extends from the 44th degree of latitude, in a direction north-north. west to the sources of Pembina river, in latitude 49 north. It presents a rounded summit, with but few irregularities of surface, and is for the most part destitute of a woody growth. Its easterly slope exhibits a gradual declivity, intersected at intervals, by ravines which serve as channels to numerous streams, that pay tribute to the St. Peter and Red rivers. The distance from Lake Travers to the base of the Coteau, is about twenty-five miles in a westerly direction, while that to its summit is said to be more than double that distance. Its width, character of its western slope, &c. could not be satisfactorily ascertained. It is said, however, that this ridge is succeeded by another, parallel to it and of a Similar appearance, at the distance of thirty or forty miles, between which and the first is a river of moderate size, probably Jaeque or James river of the Missouri. It is further stated also, that the western declivity of these ridges is considerably less than the eastern, which is in accordance with the deductions to which the hydrography of the country give rise. At both extremities the Coteau loses itself in a multiplicity of hills and swells, which give to the country an aspect highly varied.
This stream is tributary to Lake Winnepeek, whose waters have their estuary in Hudson's Bay. Its immediate source is Lake Travers, situated northwardly, and within three miles of Big Stone Lake, and in flood time, communicating at its upper extremity with the St. Peter's river, which is here a mere brook, and passes the lake at the distance of a few hundred yards only. This lake is about fifteen miles long and between one and two wide, stretching from south-west to north-east. By observations taken at the establishment of the Columbia Fur Company, situated two miles from the head of the lake, its latitude was found to be 45° 39& 52″ and its longitude 96° 34& 30″. At the north-eastern extremity of Lake Travers, is situated a pool of considerable size called Buffalo Lake, communicating with the former. The channel through which these are drained is denominated Riviere des Sioux, or more correctly Swan rivulet, and is about thirty miles long. At the time of our passing it, (Aug. 1823,) it contained no water except in stagnant pools. At the distance abovementioned it unites with a considerable stream from the north-east, called Grand or 0tter-tail river, which has its source in a lake of the same name. The lake is about twenty-four miles long and five broad, and is situated near the head waters of the Mississippi, at the distance of about one hundred and fifty miles north-eastwardly from Lake Travers. These two streams may be regarded as the constituents of Red river. The general course of the river is northward, inclining a little to the west; it is exceedingly tortuous; its length, following its meanders, being more than five hundred miles, while in the direction of its valley it does not exceed three hundred and sixty. It receives numerous tributaries, of which the following are the principal,
The Pse or Rice river, the Shienne, the Buffalo, Elm, Wild-rice, the Plum and Sandhill rivulets. The Goose river, the Red Fork, the Turtle, Big Saline and Park rivers, the Swamp brook, the “Two rivers,” and Pembina river, all within the territory of the United States. The Reed Grass, Scotchman, Rat, Muddy, Assiniboin, and Death rivers, entering northwardly of the 49th degree of north latitude. The localities of their heads, their connexion with other waters, their relative extents and consequently their magnitudes, will be more readily understood by a reference to our narrative.
Red river is navigable for canoes, and even pirogues of two tons burden, from its mouth to its source, as also to the sources of several of its tributaries when swollen by freshets. On such occasions canoes have been known to pass from Lake Travers, its source, into the St. Peter, and back again, without inconvenience. The voyage down the river is now seldom performed, owing to the limited nature of the trade in this direction. Formerly the Hudson's Bay company had a trading establishment on Lake Travers, (the same that is now occupied by the Columbia Fur Company,) between which and their establishments lower down the river, considerable intercourse existed. It abounds in rapids, which, together with its numerous and extensive windings, render the passage by water very tedious.
The aggregate descent from Lake Travers to Lake Winnepeek, or from the source to the
debouchure
of Red river, a distance of about six hundred miles, following the meanders of that stream, amounts probably to two hundred feet.
Otter-tail river is navigable as above to its source, through which a water communication is continued forming a connexion
The Goose and Turtle rivers, both of which take their rise in Devil Lake, are navigable to that place, and the lake itself, which is said to be made up of a multiplicity of small pools, connected by navigable channels, affords an extent of navigation of about one hundred miles.
The Assiniboin river is the largest of all the tributaries of Red river, and in point of magnitude and extent, vies even with the principal. Their point of junction is in north latitude 49° 53′ 35″ and west longitude 97° 00′ 50″. Its sources mingle with the waters of the Saskatchawan, north-westwardly from the point just mentioned. In its progress downward, it forms an extensive curve with a convexity to the south-west, and receives numerous subsidiaries, among which is a stream of respectable size, called Mouse river, that is said to receive some of its waters from a point within one mile of the Missouri river. The Assiniboin is navigable at all stages of the water to a great distance, and is the channel of continual intercourse between
The immediate valley of Red river is not bounded by parallel ranges of bluffs or banks like that of the St. Peter and other tributaries of the Mississippi, but expands to a great width, terminated on the west by highlands connected with the Coteau des Prairies, and on the east by the ridges and swamps in which the waters of the Mississippi, St. Lawrence, and Nelson's rivers find a common origin. A broad expanse of verdant prairie, spreading beyond the utmost extent of vision, is here presented to the view. If we except the margin of the river and those of its tributary streams, which are fringed with trees and shrubbery, there is very little to interrupt the simplicity and uniformity of the scenery; Scarcely is there an undulation to variegate the prospect, save what is afforded by an optical illusion that makes the traveller fancy himself in the centre of a basin, and surrounded by an amphitheatre of rising ground at no great distance, which constantly eludes his approach.
The Soil is generally thin, of a light complexion, and argillaceous structure. The dwarfish appearance of the herbage which it supports, especially on the upper portion of the valley, indicates either a want of fecundity or the admixture of salts or other ingredients not congenial to vegetation. In many places, however, the soil appears rich, supporting a dense and luxuriant growth of grass, weeds, &c. As we descend along the river, the indications of fertility multiply, the soil becomes deeper and the vegetation more thrifty, woodlands become more frequently and the trees attain a larger size.
The flatness of surface that almost uniformly prevails throughout the valley of Red river, may be regarded as a defect in its natural character that cannot easily be remedied.
The colony planted by the Earl of Selkirk occupies two positions on the banks of this river, one at the confluence of the Assiniboin, usually called Fort Douglas, and the other about sixty miles above, called Pembina. The amount of population at both places, exclusive of those in the immediate employ of the Hudson's Bay Company, does not exceed one thousand souls, about three hundred of whom, principally
metifs
of French and Indian extraction, reside at Pembina, within the limits of the United States. This village is situated on both sides of the river, at the distance of about two miles below the mouth of Pembina river. The settlements at the confluence of the two rivers above mentioned, are scattered through a considerable tract of country embracing an extent of about twenty miles along the bank of Red river; here are two stockade works, viz. Forts Gerry and Douglas; the former called the Hudson's Bay Company's fort, and the latter the Colony's; also the remains of two others of a similar character, one Catholic chapel, and one church for Protestant Episcopalians; a more particular account of which has been given in the preceding narrative.
Agriculture has been commenced at both these places, and is attended with success. Wheat, barley, millet, pulse, together with potatoes and other culinary roots, have been cultivated to great advantage. Maize is cultivated in small quantities, but, at best, it is of a very stinted growth, and affords a very scanty and uncertain crop. Black cattle have been lately introduced, and succeed well. As yet they have no sheep, and but few swine; of the success of the latter there can be little doubt, however the climate may counteract that of the former. Their horses are hardy, which is almost the only excellence they possess; the services of this animal in the sledge are superceded by the
30
The region granted to the late Lord Selkirk, and called-0ssiniboia, has the following limits, viz. “Beginning on the western shore of the Lake Winipie, at a point in 52° 30′ N. latitude, and thence running due west to the Lake Winipigashish, otherwise called Little Winipie, thence in a southerly direction through the said lake, so as to strike its western shore, in latitude 52°, thence due west to the place where the parallel 52° intersects the western branch of Red river, otherwise called Assiniboin river, thence due south from that point Of intersection to the height of land which Separates the waters running into Hudson's Bay from those of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, thence in an easterly direction along the height of land to the source of the river Winipie; (meaning by such last named river the principal branch of the waters which unite in the lake Saginagas,) thence along the main stream of those waters and the middle of the several lakes through which they pass to the mouth of the Winipie river, and thence in a northerly direction through the middle of the Lake Winipie to the place of beginning, which territory is called Ossiniboia,” or Assiniboia.
The 49th parallel of north latitude, which is the northern boundary of the, United States, crosses Red river at a point so far down, as to include within the limits of our territory all the village of Pembina, with the exception of two or three cabins. The boundary is designated at this place by an oaken post, erected by the exploring party, which stands on the west upland bank Of the river within a few paces of the brow of the bank, with the letters U.S. inscribed on the south, and G. B. on the north sides of the post.
The hydrography of this region is as vet very defective, and although it may be traversed in a thousand directions, must forever remain so, if the shape, magnitude, and position of innumerable lakes embosoming myriads of islands, and the courses, sinuosities, and declivities of countless channels by which they are united, are deemed essential as rudiments of that science. The country is literally a wilderness of lakes, islands, and peninsulas; a mazy waste, so inhospitable and irreclaimable, as to mock the art and enterprize of man, and bid defiance to his industry.
The water route most frequented between the Lake of the Woods and Lake Winnepeek, is denominated Winnepeek river, which enters the lake last mentioned in latitude 50° 86′ 30″, and has an extent of about one hundred and seventy miles. It is composed of a series of deep and broad basins rising one above another, and serving as the channel of a huge volume of water, which is precipitated from one basin to another in tumultuous cataracts of the most romantic character. Of these water falls, there are no less than thirty-one in the route above mentioned, which interrupt the passage of canoes, and at all of which are carrying places. The aggregate descent of water in Winnepeek river may be estimated at four hundred and ten feet, which may be considered as the elevation of the Lake of the Woods above Lake Winnepeek. The route by Covert and Sturgeon Dam rivers is probably the most direct, (the lower portion of which is the same with that above mentioned,) but the obstructions are said to be more numerous and formidable, especially in a low stage of water. Besides these there are numerous other deviations from the main
At the distance of about sixty miles below the Lake of the Woods; Winnepeek river receives a large tributary from the north, called English river, which is of a character similar to that of the principal, and nearly as large as the latter above their junction. Its head waters interlock with those of Albany river, which empties into James' Bay, and is the principal channel of intercourse between Lake Winnepeek and the trading establishments on that river.
The Lake of the Woods is about seventy-five miles long, and of irregular widths, from ten to thirty-five or forty miles. Compared, with other lakes, it deserves a high rank on the scale of beauty. The scenery is wild and romantic in a high degree, its shores being faced with precipices and crowned with hills and knobs of variable heights, clad with, a dense foliage of shrubbery and evergreens. Its surface is beautifully studded with countless islands of various sizes and forms, disclosing between them the continued sheet of its wide-spreading waters, the extent of which enlarges upon the vision as the traveller advances upon the lake, till the main land is shut out from the view by the islands that multiply around him.
The 49th parallel of north latitude crosses the lake within the distance of about twelve miles from its southerly extremity.
The region bordering upon the waters above described, is one of the most dreary imaginable. Its climate is rigorous, its surface exceedingly rugged and broken, and its products so limited and meager, that it seems never to have been claimed as a residence either by man or beast. A solitary moose, caraboo, or bear, is occasionally to be found;
The prevailing rocks are primitive, and are almost exclusively the ingredients of which the hills are composed, while the earthy portions of the vallies are made up of the coarse and unproductive detritus afforded by their disintegration. The soil is uniformly thin, and in many places totally wanting. The stinted growth of the woodlands, and the dwarfish character of vegetation which prevail generally throughout this region, are attributable to these causes. The islands of the lakes and river are similar to the circumjacent highlands, being uniformly based upon rock and presenting rugged and broken surfaces.
The growth found on the lower part of the river, comprises only the aspen, white birch, spruce, tamarack, and scrub-oak, none of which attain any considerable magnitude. As We approach the Lake of the Woods, the following trees make their appearance, viz. two species of pine, called the white and red epinette, the former of which is more commonly called the larch. From the latter is extracted the gum employed for pitching canoes, which usually have their ribs and lining constructed of its timber; a small species of pitch pine called by the Canadians cypress, which also furnishes a gum inferior to that above mentioned; and the liard, a variety of the poplar, more commonly called the Balm of Gilead.
The undergrowth is dense in many places, and consists of stinted oak, chokecherry, hazle, pembina or bush cranberry, service-berry, arrow-wood, wild plum, raspberry, briar-bush, whortleberry, sumac, wild rose, sweet briar,
Above the Lake of the Woods, Rainy river becomes the channel of communication, and extends one hundred miles to the 1ake of the same name. It has an average breadth of about three hundred yards, is deep and gentle, and has no obstructions to its navigation, within forty-eight miles of its mouth; at this distance are situated the rapids of Rainy river, Which are about one mile long, and have an aggregate descent of about ten feet. About ten miles further Up is another inconsiderable rapid, with a fall of three feet. At the outlet of Rainy Lake is a rapid of about five feet descent, and two miles and a half below are the Falls of Rainy river, down which the torrent pours with terrific grandeur through an aggregate descent of twenty-five feet in the distance of but a few yards. At this place are situated an establishment of the Hudson's Bay Company on the north side of the river, and one belonging to the American Fur Company on the south. Twenty miles below the falls is the entrance of a considerable tributary from the southwest called the Grand Fork, which affords a channel Of communication between the principal and Little Winnepeek Lake of the Mississippi, navigable in wet seasons. It receives several other streams of less note. Between the Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake there is another water route which is sometimes travelled; it is delineated on the map as the back route.
The contrast between the country of Rainy river and that before described is no less striking than that between the two water-courses themselves. Here bottoms and table lands of considerable extent are often to be met with, wearing the aspect of a secondary region; these are, however, generally terminated, at no great distance, by tracts
From the estimates above given, making some allowance for the general descent of the river, it will appear that the surface of Rainy Lake is elevated about sixty feet above that of the Lake of the Woods, or four hundred and seventy feet above that of Lake Winnepeek.
Pursuing our course upwards we passed through Rainy, Sturgeon, La Croix, Upper Sturgeon, Doré, Cannibal, and Thousand Lakes, besides numerous others of less note and size, and also the channels by which they are connected, which, in the language of the voyagers, are denominated rivers, and known by various names, before we reach the dividing ridge between the waters of Lakes Winnepeek and Superior. Several routes are practicable through this part of the country, but the one we pursued is said to be the most frequented. The route connected with the Grand Portage, which was the only route frequented till within a few years, is united to the new route by two channels, one branching off at Lac de la Croix, and the other at Upper Sturgeon Lake, both of which unite in Lake Saganaga, and enter Lake Superior at Pigeon river.
The country along these routes is very similar to that on Winnepeek river, though of an aspect somewhat more inviting. Patches of ground susceptible of cultivation, here and there present themselves. The trees of the forest exhibit a greater variety, and attain a larger size; as we approach the dividing ridge between the waters of Lake Superior
The lakes of this region are of all possible shapes, exceedingly numerous, and thronged with islands. As on the route before described, the lakes here rise one above another in continual gradations, but less abruptly, giving an altitude to the uppermost on the route at least equal to one hundred and thirty feet, making the entire elevation above Winnepeek about six hundred feet.
The altitude of the dividing ridge, above the water-table of the adjacent country, is no where greater than about one hundred and fifty feet, the head waters of the streams tributary to Hudson's Bay being somewhat more elevated than those of Lake Superior.
The channel of communication thence to Lake Superior, is through Dog river, the lower portion of which is more commonly called the Kamanatekwoya. This river is exceedingly serpentine in its course, has a regular bed, and a rapid current, About forty miles below the point where we entered it, is a lake of the same name, about twelve miles long and from one to five broad. The river receives several tributaries, the most considerable of which is the Cypress, entering from the west above Dog Lake. Two others, (names unknown,) one of which enters Dog Lake from the north-east, and is said to communicate with the English flyer before noticed, and the other into the south. west part of the same lake affording a communication with
On this route the portages are equally as numerous, and more extensive than on the other, nor are its other impediments less formidable. Rapids and cataracts abound; among the latter is one of the most magnificent cascades to be witnessed in any country, it is denominated by the Indians, the Falls of Kakabikka or Cleft rock, and is situated about thirty miles upward from the mouth of the river, which is here contracted to the width of about fifty yards, and supplied with a volume of water unusually large for that width. Thus confined, the whole body of the river is precipitated, in a dense sheet, down a perpendicular precipice more than one hundred and thirty feet into a deep chasm, bounded by perpendicular cliffs of the height just mentioned; the banks of the river, for a distance of nearly one-half of a mile below, are completely insurmountable, rising perpendicularly, and in many places overhanging their bases. The chasm throughout this distance, is no wider than is necessary to give free passage to the water, which is mantled with foam and hurried down with great rapidity. This scenery, although it is less extensive, yet vies in grandeur and sublimity with that of the Falls of Niagara. In beholding it, the spectator is inspired with equal awe, the principal features are equally terrific, while the deep intonation, which is not only heard but felt at the distance of four or five hundred yards, is more sensible than that of its rival, and has a nearer resemblance to the roar of distant
31
The country on this part of the route is somewhat more inviting than any other part of the region now under consideration. Bottoms of considerable extent frequently occur, but in the upper portion of the river, they are low and Subject to inundation. The high lands are less broken, rising to the height of one hundred and fifty or two hundred feet. As we descend, the country becomes still more interesting, exhibiting many indications of an exuberant soil. The growth is similar to that before mentioned, with the addition of the fir and white pine, which occasionally present themselves. The liard becomes more stately and plentiful, and the trees generally attain a much larger size. A dense undergrowth of shrubbery, vines, and bramble, prevails. These, together with other indications which might be enumerated, seem to distinguish the valley of this river as the future residence of civilized man.
Near the mouth of Dog river is situated Fort William, formerly the principal depot of the North-west Company. This site was selected as being more eligible on some accounts, than that of Fort Charlotte at the mouth of Pigeon river on the Grand Portage route, which was consequently abandoned. The circumstance of the latter site being contiguous to the line of demarkation between the territories of Great Britain and the United States, no doubt had considerable influence in bringing about this measure.
The country on the north of Lake. Superior, both in regard to aspect and character, bears a strong similitude to that of Winnepeek river. The growth is generally stinted, and consists principally of cedar, spruce, White and yellow birch, liard, aspen, scrub oaks, alder, &c. The lake coast is indented with numerous bays and inlets, and presents an uninterrupted succession of hills, based upon rocks, and faced with precipices. The hills are generally from one hundred and fifty to four hundred feet high; there are several, however, in the vicinity of Fort William, considerably higher, among the largest of which are Fort William Mountain and Thunder Point, rising five or six hundred feet above the lake. These appear to be the remains of a slaty formation which once covered the neighbouring country, and which still appears at the Falls of Kakabikka, forming the precipices of that interesting spot, and at various other places.
Isle Royale, which is the largest island of Lake Superior, is about fifty miles long and from two to six broad, and is surrounded by a multiplicity of small grassy islands. It is situated off Kamana bay, between which and the island is a cluster of small islands, called the Paté or Pie islands, based upon rock, of a turretted form, flat upon their summits, and elevated between two and three hundred feet. Between Kamana and Michipicotton bays, the margin of the lake is thickly studded with islands and peninsulas, the shores of which are invariably rocky-bound and precipitous. Michipicotton Island, situated at the entrance of the bay of the same name, is second in magnitude to Isle Royale. The other islands of the lake are inconsiderable in point of size. Eastward of Michipicotton bay, sandbars occasionally present themselves, connected with small islands and tracts of flat land, interposed between the hillsdebouchures
of the larger streams. Small parcels of tillable ground are occasionally to be found along the coast, hut they occupy but a very inconsiderable portion of the surface; Agreeably to the best intelligence that could be had, the country back of the lake, to the distance of fifty or sixty miles, is very similar in aspect and character to that in the vicinity of the lake.
On the southerly coast, we have no information more authentic than that furnished by Mr. Schoolcraft in his narrative of Governor Cass' expedition, from which we should infer, that a region equally as unproductive and inhospitable is there presented.
In concluding our observations relative to this part of our route, we would remark generally, that no part of the country can ever admit of a dense population, if we except perhaps the valley of Rainy river, which is of no very considerable extent. The most favourable estimate of its future population, founded upon present appearances, would not admit of more than a single soul to every thousand acres of country. Yet, notwithstanding the rudeness of its aspect, the severity of its climate, and the sterility of its surface, it is possessed of some features grateful and interesting-in a high degree. No country can boast of a greater variety, beauty, and grandeur of water scenery. In the few places where agriculture has been attempted and found practicable, wheat succeeds well. Potatoes grow to great perfection. Turnips, beets, and other culinary roots are raised to great advantage, and onions, notwithstanding the shortness of the summery attain their full size in a single season.
It may be thought that this chapter ought to contain
1
st
. Of the natural features of the country in a military point of view.
In this view it is proper to comprehend not only the extreme northerly frontier of the United States, but to considercordon
of posts that art could devise. This barrier is intercepted by a space of considerable extent, including the valley of Red river, and extending westward to the Great Desert, through which there are two considerable passes, the one by way of the Red and St. Peter rivers, and the other by that of the Assiniboin and Missouri, through which an enemy from the north might gain access to the heart of the western country. But when we consider that the policy of the Hudson's Bay Company, in whom is vested the right of soil to all that part of the British possessions drained by the tributaries of Hudson's Bay, is opposed to the colonization of their territory, their interest prompting them to foster the fur trade, the products of which must diminish in proportion to the increase of population, we have very little to apprehend from the attack of a powerful enemy in that quarter. Added to this the utter impracticability of transporting by ordinary means heavy ordnance, and other munitions of war, up Nelson's river, or by any other route, to the valley of Red river, must for a long time to come place an enterprize of this nature beyond the reach of any hostile power. Accordingly, under present prospects, no hostilities are to be apprehended in that part of our frontier, except such as may be inflicted through the medium of the savages. A large portion
Before we dismiss this subject, we would remark, that the strait of Mackinaw, (Michilimachinack,) presents itself as one of the most important passes to an extensive interior coast, and indirectly to the very vitals of the western country that is any where to be found westward of the Alleghany Mountains. By means of this channel the whole coast of Lake Michigan, embracing an extent of more than six hundred miles, is open to the attack and depredations of any regular force that might be disposed to wage hostilities in that direction. Whereas if the entrance into Lake Michigan through this pass, were effectually guarded by a chain of military works stretching across the straits, at or near the island of Mackinaw, any future danger to be apprehended in that quarter, would be effectually obviated, and it would no longer be necessary to maintain garrisons at Green Bay, Chicago, and other points on the lake, except for the purpose of restraining the Indians and securing the frontier against their attacks. The practicability of establishing a line of works that would effectually command the passage of the straits, has not yet been
The importance of this pass appears the more striking, when viewed in connexion with the easterly arm of Lake Huron, which extends far into the interior of Upper Canada; and to which munitions of war and naval stores of every description may be easily conveyed from the depots of both Canadas. An enemy designing to attack the western country might here prepare an armament in complete security, and operate to great advantage through the straits. Not only the practicability, but the efficacy of an attack in this direction, has been fully demonstrated in some of the events of the late war.
2d
. Of the Indians inhabiting the country traversed by the Expedition.
A few remarks on this subject, in addition to those heretofore made in the narrative, will here suffice.
The march of civilization, which has been carried triumphantly nearly to the sources of the Scioto, Miami, and Wabash, has been almost uniformly attended by the retreat of the nations formerly inhabiting in that quarter. The Shawnees, Delawares, Miamis, Potawatomis, and Kickapoos, who once overran the extensive region that now embraces the states of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, are now nearly extirpated; small remnants of these once powerful nations are scattered through the northerly and westerly parts of this region, all of whom begin to be convinced, that the lapse of a few years more must bring about their utter extermination, unless they resort to agriculture as a means of prolonging their existence.
A similar destiny awaits the Otawas, Menomones, Winnebagoes, Sauks, Foxes, and Iawas, who now inhabit the
There can exist but little doubt, that most if not all of these Indians would, in any emergency decidedly favourable to their views, take up arms against the people of the United States. They have no calamity to dread so fatal to their repose, as that of the inroads of our population upon their territory, and no evil so much to be deprecated, and so pernicious to their Welfare, as that of a free intercourse between them and a semi-barbarian race, often resident among them, and always ready to occupy the ground from which they have retreated. There is, however, no new occasion to enlarge upon this part of the subject, and we shall conclude with briefly stating, that the intercourse, between the citizens of the United States and the Indians, is of a nature calculated to vitiate and deprave the former, while it engenders distrust, malevolence, and hatred in the minds of the latter. In fine, the language held forth by the Indian in relation to the Americans is, that they have claim to no Other feeling but that of abhorrence, and that it is from principles of policy, and not of esteem and reverence, that he treats them with deference,
32
It may here be remarked, that the Indians westward of the Mississippi are, for the most part, addicted to an erratic life, migrating from place to place in quest of game on which they principally subsist. They are divided into numerous bands, each of which has its appropriate leader, and in all their movements they are prepared for any event whether of the chase or warfare.
The Chippewas, from the nature of the country they inhabit, are distributed into families rather than tribes, the general scarcity of game, and other necessaries of life, rendering it impracticable for them to dwell in large numbers at any one point. In the event of a war, several families unite in forming a martial force suitable for the occasion. They subsist principally upon fish and wild rice, the latter of which is very abundant in the region they inhabit, and would afford them a competent supply of food, were they sufficiently industrious in collecting it, and frugal in its expenditure.
However gloomy the prospect of the Indians, as it relates to the means in their own power of ameliorating their condition, we cannot forbear to entertain the hope, that the humane exertions made in their behalf by our government, and especially by charitable missionary institutions, will prove efficacious in promoting their welfare. The efforts of the Baptist Missionary Society, which have been particularly noticed in the preceding narrative, have been bestowed in a manner that promises great advantage to the unfortunate savage, and nothing seems wanting to secure unbounded success, but perseverance in the same benevolent course. In witnessing the striking change that has
3
d
. Statements relative to the elevation of different parts of the country.
With the exception of those items Of intelligence drawn immediately from the canal-surveys in New York and Ohio, all that can he said on this subject is of a speculative nature, and may be styled conjectures rather than statements. Under the article Mississippi, in the Edinburgh Encyclopedia, American edition, it is stated by the writer of that article, that the Ohio, at Pittsburg, has a greater elevation than Lake Erie by two hundred and sixty-five feet, which no doubt exceeds the true elevation by at least one hundred, if not one hundred and fifty feet, and we would rather assume the difference, viz. one hundred and fifteen feet, as a nearer approximation to the truth. From the surveys recently made in the state of Ohio, it would appear that the point at which the Ohio passes the plane coincident with the surface of Lake Erie, which has an elevation of five hundred and sixty-five feet above tide-water, is situated at no great distance below Wheeling in Virginia. Hence we must infer, that the descent of the Ohio, between Pittsburg and the point alluded to, is one hundred and fifteen feet, which is as great a descent as can fairly be attributed to that portion of the river, especially when we are assured by the documents relative to
* In Vol. II. page 382, of the Account of an Expedition from Pittsburg to the Rocky Mountains, a mistake has been committed, which we here take occasion to rectify. Instead of four hundred and fifty feet, which is there skated as the altitude of the head of the Illinois above tide-water, it should have been five hundred and fifty feet.
The writer above alluded to advances a doctrine, to the correctness of which we feel considerable reluctance in yielding our assent, viz. that the surface of the Gulf of Mexico is elevated one hundred and twenty-five feet above that of Chesapeake Bay, or in other words, that the gulf stream is occasioned in a great measure, if not exclusively, by a declivity in the Atlantic 0cean, corresponding to the velocity and direction of its current. Until the truth of this proposition be satisfactorily established, we shall content ourselves with the assumption that the level
Agreeably to the authority above cited, the source of the Mississippi has an elevation of thirteen hundred and thirty feet, which may not greatly exceed the truth, yet we are inclined to think that twelve hundred would be a nearer approximation.
In order to simplify our ideas upon this subject, and exhibit them in a manner less prolix, we shall embody the several statements, made in this and the preceding articles of this paper, in a tabular form, with the view of introducing at the same time, the probable altitudes of other points relative to which no remarks have herein been made.
Points indicated.
Mouth of the Ohio river
Ohio river, at Cincinnati
Do. at the mouth of Scioto river
Do. at the mouth of Muskingum river
Surface of Lake Erie,
Lakes Huron and Michigan
Lake Superior
The Ohio at Pittsburg; the Mississippi at the mouth of the St. Peter; and the Missouri at the mouth of the River Platte
Sources of the St. Peter and Red rivers
Source of the Muskingum * The altitudes annexed to the several plans distinguished by an asterisk, are deduced from the measurements actually made in connection with the canal-surveys of New York and Ohio.
Source of Big Beaver
Source of the Scioto
Source of the Miami
Lake of the Woods
Rainy Lake
Sources of the streams on the route of the Expedition, tributary to Lakes Winnepeek and Superior, and head waters of the Mississippi
Dog Lake
Lake Winnepeek
4
th
. Of the accompanying Map.
This document has been compiled principally from elements obtained during the progress of the Expedition. The astronomical observations and calculations, fixing the latitude and longitude of the several points, were made by Mr. Colhoun, astronomer, &c. for the Expedition, as recorded in the Appendix.
To the gentlemen of the Hudson's Bay Company we feel much indebted for the geographical information they gave us, as well as for the generosity and hospitality we uniformly experienced at their hands. The kind letter of the Right Hon. Stratford Canning, Plenipotentiary of his Britannic Majesty, at Washington, ensured us a most friendly and cordial reception among the officers and gentlemen of that company.
It will be perceived that the locality assigned to the southern extremity of Green Bay, and the direction of Fox river, one of its tributaries, also the shape of Lake
The delineations of that part of the Mississippi, situated above the Falls of St. Anthony, are copied from Pike's map of that river; those of the western part of Lake Superior, and the eastern part of Lake Huron, from Bouehette's Map of Upper and Lower Canada.
For a sketch of the surveys made in Michigan territory, from which we have made our delineations of the country along the west side of the straits between Lakes Erie and Huron, we are indebted to the politeness of Mr. H. S. Tanner, whose excellent maps of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, we have consulted for information relative to the older parts of the country traversed by the Expedition.
To Dr. Bigsby, an English gentleman attached to the British commission for determining the boundary between the United States and the British possessions, we are much indebted for various items of geographical intelligence, relative to Lake Superior, Lake of the Woods, and the intervening country.
The southern coast of Lake Superior, together with the rivers, lakes, &c. situated between that lake and the Mississippi, has been delineated almost entirely from information kindly imparted by H. R. Schoolcraft, Esq.
The route of the Expedition is designated on the map by dotted lines and asterisks, the latter of which represent our places of encampment, and have the date annexed.
POLYPIFER simple, lapideous, forming a somewhat irregular mass, and composed of parallel tubes. Each tube contains a series of inserted, infundibuliform diaphragms, constituting a continued siphuncle, which occasionally inosculates, through the parietes of the tube, with the siphuncles of the proximate tubes.
By the general character of this interesting fossil, it might seem to be, in some degree at least, allied to the genus
Favosites
of Lamarck, but it is widely distinguished by the extraordinary conformation of the interior of the numerous tubes of which it is composed. The diaphragms, unlike those of
Favosites
, may be compared to a series of funnels inserted into each other and connected together by their siphuncular terminations, their superior peripheries being so expanded as to join the inner walls of the tube, thus interrupting the caliber of the latter into numerous
33Spirula
for instance, but the diaphragms are less symmetrical and of a more acute concavity. The communication between the neighbouring tubes is another remarkable character of this fossil genus, which, however, it possesses in common with
Favosites
and a few other genera, but these lateral openings are few in number, and do not seem to exhibit any regularity in their distribution. Linné would probably have placed this fossil in his genus
Millepora
, but its proper situation in the modern system is probably next in order to
Favosites
.
C.
intricata
. Tubes cylindric, small, separated in the mass by nearly the distance of their diameters; siphuncle very obvious at the opening of the tubes on the surface, and placed on one side. P1. 14, fig. 1, nat. size,
a
. magnified.
In addition to the detailed description by Mr. Lesueur, in the first volume of the Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, the following characters may serve to complete the descriptive representation of this singular fish, as it appears in the living state.
Colour
above livid-brown, immaculate on the body, but with small blackish spots placed in circles or ovals on the head as far back as the gill opening, on the upper part and sides of the rostrum, about the eyes and on the unwrinkledbelly
white, with a few spots on the middle;
fins
dusky, pectorals and ventrals white before and behind;
gill covers
capacious, broadly united beneath, and each side tapering gradually to a somewhat obtuse point which nearly attains to the line of the anterior Origin of the ventral fins; on the upper basal portion of the gill cover, and extending for a short distance along the side of the head, the surface is wrinkled to permit the great dilatation of the part;
mouth
entirely destitute of teeth, or of roughness to the touch;
tongue
with large dusky spots;
jaws
within margined with dusky; posterior bone of the gill opening covered with papillæ pointing backwards; a yellow oblong-oval cartilaginous bone on the tail beneath the termination of the caudal fin.
Total length four feet eight inches.
Rostrum, from the anterior canthus of the eye to the tip, fourteen and a half inches.
In the above description we have endeavoured to state such characters chiefly, as could not be drawn from the dried specimens, and that have therefore been hitherto wanting.
In the gills of this fish were several Lamprey Eels, (Petromyzon,) of a small species. The Paddle-fish is frequently seen to leap out of the water in the manner of the Sturgeon. They grow to a somewhat larger size than the measure above recorded. The Polyodon of Lacepede we have not seen.
The shells described in the following pages constitute but a small portion of the collection obtained during the expedition. Those collected on St. Peter's river were packed in a box, and intrusted to the men who returned in canoes to Fort St. Anthony; this box has not yet been received, and is supposed to be lost. On the subsequent part of the route I put all the univalves collected, iu a canteen which I constantly carried, but which was finally lost at Mackinaw. Another parcel of shells sent from Chicago has not since been heard of. To this statement of our losses I may add a still more important one, consisting of a box which contained skins of quadrupeds, birds, reptiles, and fishes.
1. H.
harpa. Shell
conic, reddish-brown;
whorls
four, convex, with numerous elevated, subequidistant, equal, lameliform, acute lines across, the interstitial spaces flat and wrinkled;
aperture
suborbicular, truncated by the penultimate whorl, and very little oblique;
labrum
simple;
umbilicus
small, nearly concealed by the base of the labrum.
Length rather more than one-tenth of an inch.
Inhabits the North-west Territory.
The elevated lines on this shell give it a very handsome appearance, and readily distinguish it from any of our native species that I have seen. The European analogue is the
aculeata
of Muller, but our shell is destitute of recurved points on the lameliform lines. P1. 15, fig. 1.
2. H.
porcina. Shell
depressed, yellowish-brown;
epidermis
, rugose, with minute, very numerous bristle;
whorls
rather more than four, depressed above, beneath rounded, forming a very obtuse angle rather above the centre of the whorl;
umbilicus
open, rather small, profound;
labrum
simple.
Breadth rather more than three-tenths of an inch.
Inhabits North-west Territory. Pl. 15, fig. 2.
3. H.
fraterna. Shell
convex, brownish-horn colour, minutely hirsute;
whorls
five, rounded;
umbilicus
partially or entirely closed by the termination of the labrum; region of the umbilicus indented;
aperture
much contracted by the labrum;
labrum
reflected, white, unarmed; its outer edge not projecting beyond the curve of the whorl; its inferior angle extends to the centre of the base of the shell;
labium
with a strong, prominent, oblique, compressed, white tooth.
Breadth one-third of an inch.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
I obtained a specimen of this shell several years ago, but supposing it to be an accidental variety of the
hirsuta
, I laid it aside without further notice. Since then, however, Messrs. Hyde and Mason have presented numerous specimens of the same species to the Academy, having found it rather common; I therefore no longer hesitate to consider it as a distinct species. It resembles
Helix
monodon
of Mr. Racket, (Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. vol. 13, pl. 5,) in the conformation of the aperture, but that shell is represented as being largely umbilicated, and its labrum does not extend near to the centre of the base, as it does in our species. Pl. 15, fig. 3.
4. H.
diodonta. Shell
somewhat depressed;
spire
convex, very little elevated;
whorls
five, rounded; regularlyaperture
moderate;
labrum
reflected, with a slightly projecting dentiform callus near the base on the inner edge;
labium
with an oblique tooth on the middle;
umbilicus
rather large, profound, exhibiting all the volutions.
Breadth rather more than seven-tenths of an inch.
This shell inhabits the state of New York. It is closely allied to H.
profunda
nob. but may be distinguished by its smaller size and armed labium. Its aperture also is much less dilated than that of the
profunda
. Pl. 15, fig. 4.
H.
perspectiva
nob. is common in the North-west Territory, it varies in being smaller, and in the circumstance of the labrum embracing a somewhat smaller proportion of the penultimate volution.
H.
arborea
nob. common in this territory.
H.
chersina
nob. A variety of this species is not uncommon in the North-west Territory. It differs in the greater rotundity of the upper part of each Whorl, and in the somewhat less rounded or more flattened figure of the labrum. It may, however, prove to be a distinct species, when many specimens of
chersina
can be had to compare with it.
H.
alternala
and
albolabris
nob. On our return homeward these two species were not found until we arrived in the secondary country towards the eastern extremity of Lake Superior.
H.
thyroidus
nob. Falls of Niagara.
H.
ligera
nob. North-west Territory.
V.
pellucida
of authors. This shell was first found near Coldwater Lake in latitude 48¾° north, under stones, fallen
B.
lubricus
of authors. This species occurred under stones, &c. on the shores and islands of Lake Winnepeek and Lake of the Woods. It is altogether similar to the European specimens of this species, excepting that the labium is somewhat more transverse.
P.
modesta
. Shell dextral, suboval, minutely wrinkled; apex obtuse;
whorls
six;
umbilicus
distinct;
aperture
obliquely subovate;
labium
with a prominent compressed semioval tooth equidistant from the extremities of the labrum, and a somewhat conic one rather below the middle of the columella;
labrum
not reflected, joining the preceding whorl at its upper extremity with a curve; bidentate, lower tooth placed opposite to that of the middle of the labium, the others smaller and placed a little above.
Length less than one-tenth of an inch.
Inhabits the North-west Territory. P1. 15, fig. 5.
Var. α The smaller tooth of the labrum obsolete or wanting.
1. S.
avara. Shell
suboval, pale reddish-yellow, subdiaphanous, fragile, covered with an earthy crust;
whorls
three, minutely wrinkled; body whorl very large;
spire
small;
aperture
large, subovate, about two-thirds of the whole length of the shell.
Length three-twentieths of an inch.
Inhabits the North-west Territory.
This small species of Succinea occurs in humid places, very frequently under stones and near the water. The shell is always completely incrusted with a coating of earth. It may at once be distinguished from either the
ovalis
or
campestris
by its very small size. P1. 15, fig. 6.
2. S.
obliqua. Shell
oblong-oval, nearly pellucid, pale amber-coloured;
whorls
three, very obliquely revolving, distinctly wrinkled;
spire
a little prominent;
aperture
suboval, somewhat oblique.
Length seven-tenths of an inch; length of the aperture less than half an inch.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Of this fine species, found in the vicinity of Philadelphia, many specimens were some time since presented to the Academy Nat. Sc. by Messrs. Hyde and Mason, and we obtained a specimen near the Falls of Niagara.
It may be at once distinguished from either the
ovalis
or
campestris
by the much greater obliquity of the revolutions of its whorls. It is very like the
Helix
putris
of Linn. but it is more than double the size of that species. It may, however, be a variety of that shell. Pl. 15, fig. 7.
1. P.
deflectus. Shell
dextral, depressed;
whorls
nearly five, minutely and regularly wrinkled across, wider than long, with a much depressed rotundity above, descending to an acute lateral edge below the middle;
spire
not impressed;
suture
indented, but not profoundly;
beneath
a little concave in the middle, exhibiting one-half of each volution to the apex; whorls flattened, slightly rounded;
aperture
declining very much, suboval, the superior portion of the labrum considerably surpassing the inferior portion and taking its origin a little above the carina; inferior portion of the labrum terminating on the middle of the inferior surface of the penultimate whorl.
Greatest breadth two-fifths of an inch.
This shell was presented to me by Dr. Bigsby, who collected many specimens in the waters of the North-west Territory.
It resembles the
exacuous
nob. but the aperture does not embrace so large a proportion of the preceding volution, and the volutions on the inferior portion of the shell are consequently more Obvious, and the umbilicus is but slightly indented; the upper portion of the labrum does not extend so far beyond the lower portion, the aperture declines much more, and the carina is less acute. It has also an affinity for the
carinatus
of Europe, but in addition to other differences the aperture of that species declines but little, if at all, and the carina is an elevated revolving line. The aperture embraces the penultimate volution about as much as in the
rotundatus
of Europe, to which our shell is also allied, but differs in its declining aperture, and the less degree of rotundity of its whorls on their upper Surface. Pl. 15, fig. 8.
34
2. P.
corpulentus. Shell
dextral;
whorls
more than three, rather rugged with coarse wrinkles, much higher than wide; superior surface much flattened, and edged by an abrupt acute line, which is distinct to the aperture; sides hardly rounded, and terminated below by another abrupt edge, which is not quite so definite and acute as the superior one;
spire
slightly concave;
umbilicus
exhibiting a portion of each of the rapidly retiring whorls to the apex;
aperture
longer than wide, the superior part extending higher than the preceding volution and the inferior portion declining much lower than the inferior line of the same volution.
Greatest breadth three-fourths of an inch.
Length of the aperture nearly half an inch.
Length of the penultimate whorl near the aperture rather more than three-tenths of an inch.
Inhabits Winnepeek river, Winnepeek lake, Lake of the Woods, and Rainy lake; common. Pl. 15, fig. 9.
Of this species I collected numerous specimens, but had the misfortune to lose them all, as well as a great number of interesting terrestrial and fluviatile shells, on our return to the settlements, and I am indebted to the liberality of Dr. Bigsby for the individual above described. It is closely allied to
trivolvis
, nobis, but is much less rounded on the sides of the whorls, the carinæ are more prominent, the upper Side is much more horizontally flattened, the labrum is less rounded, and the whole shell is larger and higher in proportion to its width, and the aperture extends both above and below the penultimate whorl.
P.
campanulatus
, nob. Falls of Niagara.
P.
trivolvis
, nob. North-west Territory and Falls of Niagara.
P.
parvus
, nob. is common in the waters of the Northwest
P.
armigerus
, nob. St. Peter and Red rivers, common.
P.
bicarinatus
, nob. North-west Territory, rather common.
L.
megasomus
. Large, dilated suboval;
spire
Short, rapidly diminishing, acute;
whorls
about five, rounded, obtusely wrinkled across; body-whorl large, the wrinkles very obvious;
suture
deeply impressed;
aperture
subovate, much longer than the spire, within chesnut-brown
columella
white.
Length more than one and six-tenths of an inch.
Length of the aperture more than one inch.
Greatest diameter one inch.
This remarkably large and fine species was found in Bois blanc Lake, North-west Territory, by Dr. Bigsby, to whom I am indebted for specimens. The colour is brownish, sometimes lineated across the body whorl with dull greenish and pale ochraceous; and the chesnut-brown colour of the interior of the shell, combined with its large dimensions, distinguish this species from all others yet discovered in this country. Pl. 15, fig. 10.
L.
emarginatus
, nob. from Lake Namakan, north of Lake Superior, collected by Dr. Bigsby.
L.
elongatus
, nob. Rainy Lake and Seine river, Dr. Bigsby.
L.
desidiosus
, nob. Falls of Niagara.
P.
heterostropha
, nob, North-west Territory.
V.
sincera. Shell
subglobose-conic;
whorls
nearly four, accurately rounded, finely and regularly wrinkled across;
aperture
not interrupted by the penultimate whorl nor appressed to it, but merely in contact with it, the labrum not diminished in thickness at the point of contact;
umbilicus
large, exhibiting the volutions.
Breadth less than one-fifth of an inch.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
For this species I am indebted to Dr. Bigsby. It is very similar to the
tricarinata
, nobis, but is destitute of carinated lines, and the umbilicus is rather larger; it differs from the
obtusa
of Europe, also, in the much greater magnitude of the umbilicus. Pl. 15, fig. 11.
P.
limosa
, nob. North-west Territory.
A.
depressa. Shell
ventricose, subglobular, obsoletely banded with obscure green;
whorls
four, slightly wrinkled; body whorl more prominent above, somewhat flattened towards the suture, of a pale olivaceous colour, which is almost concealed by numerous, unequal, longitudinal and transverse greenish and brownish lines;
spire
very much depressed;
aperture
suboval, within somewhat glaucous,labrum
simple, as much rounded above as below;
umbilicus
small, nearly closed.
Greatest width one inch and nine-twentieths.
Total length one inch and a half.
Length of the aperture one and one-fifth of an inch nearly.
Inhabits East Florida.
During an excursion to East Florida, in company with Messrs. Maclure, Ord, and T. Peale, I obtained a single dead and imperfect specimen of this interesting shell. It occurred in a small creek, tributary to St. John's river, and on the plantation of Mr. Fatio. Captain Le Conte of the Topographical Engineers, has since presented me with a perfect specimen, with the information that he observed them in very great numbers on the shores of Lake George, a dilatation of St. John's river; that in some places the dead shells were piled up confusedly to a considerable height, and that the
Numenius
longirostra
feeds upon the living animal. The spire is still less elevated than that of the
globosa
of Swainson. Pl. 14, fig. 2.
M.
virginica
, nob. Falls of Niagara.
A.
gibbosa. Shell
thin and very fragile; much inflated; anterior and posterior hinge-margins compressed, the former alated; surface pale-yellowish testaceous, finely radiate with green, and having somewhat regular concentric minute undulations; within somewhat iridescent.
Length about one and nine-tenths, breadth two and nine-tenths of an inch.
This shell exhibits a remarkable appearance, in the unusually great convexity of the disks and umbones. It is strikingly distinct, and was presented to me by Captain Le Conte of the Topographical Engineers, who informs me that it is an inhabitant of South Carolina. Pl. 14, fig. 3, 4.
1. H.
parasitica
. A yellow vitta before; quadrate marginal spots each side; beneath with about eleven longitudinal lines; ocular points two.
Descr.
Body
dilated when at rest, narrowed before; above varied with dull-yellowish and blackish-brown; a yellow vitta commences at the anterior extremity and is more or less elongated, in some specimens less than one-fourth the length of the body, and in others extending nearly or quite to the posterior disk; lateral margin with eighteen or twenty symmetrical equal and equidistant quadrate yellowish spots; posterior disk above radiate with yellowish; ocular points two, approximate, sometimes apparently confluent; beneath very flat, whitish, with about eleven longitudinal lines; lateral edges very acute.
Length in a state of repose two inches, greatest breadth seven-tenths of an inch.
This leech is frequent in the lakes of the north-western region, adhering to the sternum or inferior shell of Tortoises,geographica
of Lesueur. Their young are often found with them, attached in considerable numbers to the abdomen. The superior surface of the body is subject to vary considerably in the arrangement of its colours. In one specimen the fuscous colour prevails and is interrupted only by dull-yellowish distant points, which, in their disposition exhibit an approach to the formation of three longitudinal irregular series; in another individual an arrangement into three series is still more obvious; the lateral quadrate spots, the yellowish vitta, at least on the anterior portion of the body, and the ventral lines, appear to be permanent characters. The form of this species is similar to that of the H.
swampina
of Bosc, but it cannot be the same from its number of eyes and the lineation of its inferior surface. The flat inferior surface and the acute lateral edges seem formed to exclude the air and assist the disks in their office of adhering to a foreign body.
2. H.
lateralis
. Dull livid with a rufous line each side; ocular points six.
Descr. This species is more elongated than the preceding, and far less depressed; the colour of the body is uniform dull livid, not at all paler beneath, but the rufous line each side extending the whole length of the body, is rather broad, and although dull, is yet very distinct; on the superior surface are a few very remote minute black points; the ocular points are placed in a regularly curved line.
Length when at rest two inches and three-fourths.
This species occurred in most of the small lakes on the height of land, between Rainy Lake and Lake Superior.
3. H.
marmorata
. Blackish varied with dirty whitish; ocular points six.
Descr. Body slightly broadest in the middle, from
Length when at rest about two inches and a half.
This, and the preceding, are both large species, but the present is by far more abundant in the same situations, where they may be observed, many at a view, adhering to rocks, or swimming in their undulating manner.
4. H.
decora
. Body livid with a dorsal series of twenty-two small red dots, and a lateral series of the same number of black dots of a similar size; a transverse line of ocular points in close order before; on each side of which, and at a short distance from them and from each other, are two points of the same kind; beneath fulvous with a few black spots.
This species is much smaller than either of the preceding and is comparatively rare. It occurred in Vermilion Lake.
1. C.
longilabris
. Blackish; elytra spotted and banded with white; labrum long.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Head
and
thorax
slightly tinged With greenish;
antennæ
,labrum
white, nearly as long as broad, obtusely longitudinally carinated, obscurely tridentate at tip, and a little dilated at the lateral base;
mandibles
white on the exterior edge near the base;
palpi
dark blue, or cupreous;
elytra
with rather large, dense punctures; a humeral spot, another before the middle on the margin, a reclivate nearly transverse band on the middle, and a spot at the posterior curve of the elytra, white;
venter
black, with a purplish reflection.
Length less than three-fifths of an inch.
Var. α. The spots of the elytra obsolete.
This insect seems to approach nearest to C.
vulgaris
, nob. (Trans. Amer. Philos. Sec. vol. 1. new series,) but it is sufficiently distinct by the following characters. The labrum is twice as long, and the punctures of the elytra are more than double the size. The venter is sometimes dark green.
2. C.
terricola
. Black; a white line at the tip of the elytra.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Body
destitute of metalliclustre;
labrum
white; breadth more than twice the length; tip three-toothed, intermediate tooth conic acute, the lateral teeth angulated obtuse;
mandibles
white on the exterior base;
thorax
a little hairy;
elytra
with scattered very minute punctures, which are oblique, as if formed by a pointed instrument directed towards the anterior part of the insect, so that the surface before each puncture is a little elevated; a white line margins the extremity;
venter
blackish-testaceous;
tibia
dull testaceous.
Length rather more than two-fifths of an inch.
This species is closely allied to C.
pusilla
, nob. but the marking of the elytra differs, and the thorax is not so much
35
P.
fraternus
. Dark green; elytra dark greenish-cupreous; palpi and feet piceous-black.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Antennæ
fuscous; three basal joints yellowish, and carinated, carina dusky;
thorax
slightly margined; dorsal impressed line extending entirely to the basal edge; lateral edge regularly arcuated; basal angles slightly more than right angles;
elytra
dark coppery, with a dark green exterior margin; striæ impunctured; interstitial spaces a little rounded;
beneath
piceous-black.
Length two-fifths of an inch.
Although the thorax of this insect is not broadly margined, yet the margin is much wider than that of the
chalcites
, Helwig, (in Melsh. Catal.) and it may be distinguished from the
lucublandus
, Knoch, (in the same work,) by the colour of the palpi, &c.
D.
fasciventris
. ♀ Dark olivaceous-brown; thorax and exterior elytral margin margined with yellow.
Inhabits Lake Superior.
Head
darker than the elytra, greenish-back, with a rufous transverse frontal spot;
antennæ
rufous, joints dusky at their tips;
labrum
and
nasus
yellowish;
palpi
colour of the antennæ;
thorax
colour of the head, margined all round with yellowish; a longitudinal impressed line, and extremely minute scattered punctures;
scutel
elytra
each with ten grooves extending nearly two-thirds the whole length from near the base; exterior margin yellowish, becoming obsolete at tip; an obsolete spot towards the extremity resembling the commencement of a branch from the colour of the margin;
feet
pale rufous;
postpectus
black, yellowish each side behind and at the anterior angles;
venter
black, with yellow bands, terminating each side in triangles of the same colour.
Length one and one-tenth of an inch.
This species is most closely allied to D.
marginalis
of Europe; the appearance of the superior surface of the body is altogether the same, even to the form and appearance of the frontal spot, nevertheless our insect is much smaller, and the arrangement of colours beneath, on the postpectus and venter, is altogether different.
L.
punctatus
. Dusky testaceous; very regularly and profoundly punctured.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Body
suboval, short, dull testaceous;
head
with two dilated slightly impressed spaces on the front;
clypeus
obtusely rounded at tip; punctures numerous, rather sparse on the vertex;
thorax
blackish on the anterior and posterior margins; punctures subequidistant;
elytra
darker than the head and thorax, very regularly and beautifully punctured punctures rather larger than those of the thorax, subequidistant;
beneath
, excepting the feet, also punctured.
Length more than one-tenth of an inch.
This is a very pretty species, readily distinguished from others.
B.
maculativentris
. Violaceous with a cupreous reflection; anterior thoracic angle with a spot and a series on each side of the renter, yellow.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Head
confluently punctured; a yellow spot before the eye, almost confluent with another beneath the eye;
thorax
with a very distinct margining spot at the anterior angles; punctured, but with a glabrous dorsal line and one or two lateral glabrous spots;
elytra
violaceous, with cupreous reflections; base violaceous; punctured-striate; tip with a small tooth at the sutural angle, and about four very minute teeth;
beneath
cupreous, polished;
venter
with a series of three yellow quadrate spots on each side, and, a larger oblique oval one on the anal segment approaching at the middle of the segment and extending by a branch for a short distance on the edge.
Length thirteen-twentieths of an inch.
This is a very pretty insect, readily distinguished by the subocular, thoracic, and ventral spots.
1. S.
clavipes
. Blackish; elytra bright rufous, blackish at tip; antennæ longer than the thorax.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Body
hairy;
head
piceous;
antennæ
rather longer than the thorax, and with the
palpi
, dull rufous;
thorax
blackish with an impressed transverse line at base and the appearance of a longitudinal one before; hairs numerous;
elytra
smooth, polished, impunctured, and without striæ bright rufous; hairs long; humeral angles longitudinally elevated;feet
rufous; thighs clavate;
venter
dull rufous.
Length more than one-twentieth of an inch.
2. S.
brevicornis
. Blackish; elytra bright rufous, blackish at tip;
antennæ
shorter than the thorax.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Body
hairy;
head
black;
antennæ
rather shorter than the thorax, hairy, dull rufous;
thorax
polished, black;
elytra
smooth, polished, impunctured, and without striæ, bright rufous; hairs long; humeral angles longitudinally elevated; a slight groove at the base of each elytrum, tip black;
feet
rufous; thighs clavate, dusky at tip.
Length rather more than one-twentieth of an inch.
Strongly resembles the preceding, but the antennæ are much shorter and more robust, the thorax is destitute of real or apparent impressed lines, and the clavæ of the thighs are more dilated.
D.
oculata
. Rounded-oval, blackish-brown, a little hairy; antennæ yellowish-piteous.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Head
very obscure piceous; a few short hairs;
antennæ
yellowish-piceous, first joint large, arcuated; second joint much smaller, rounded; third, fourth, fifth, still smaller and not very distinctly articulated; sixth transverse, very short; seventh much enlarged, on the inner side extending into a conic process, which is nearly as long as the preceding part of the antennæ, and when at rest is applied closely to the inner Side of the eighth joint and extends quite to its tip; eighth joint elongate-obtriangular; ninth joint as long as the preceding joint, a little arcuated;
eyes
with an indented,thorax
punctured, with short hairs, and slightly tinged with piceous; anterior angles very much decurved and acute; posterior angles hardly acute; posterior margin lobed at the scutel;
scutel
small, rounded;
elytra
punctured and with short hair; exterior submargin with three impressed striæ;
beneath
punctured, hairy;
feet
dull piteous.
Length one-tenth of an inch.
The form of the penultimate joint of the antennæ differs considerably from that of the
dresdensis
in being much less dilated on the inner side, the seventh joint has the inner process more slender and the terminal joint is a little arcuated.
N.
unicolor
. Black, immaculate, antennæ piceous, clavum yellowish.
Inhabits Missouri.
Head
with dense, dilated, shallow punctures;
thorax
short, length less than half the breadth; punctures less dense than those of the head; posterior edge regularly arcuated; lateral edge hardly arcuated, nearly rectilinear; angles acute;
elytra
irregularly punctured; humerus a little elevated; humeral angles subacute;
beneath
and
feet
punctured; anterior tibia widely and deeply emarginated on the exterior edge near the tip and serrated; intermediate tibia with four or five serratures on the outer edge, and a prominent tooth near the tip; posterior teeth with about five small subspinous teeth, and a robust tooth near the tip.
Length one-fifth of an inch.
E.
crenatus
. Thorax with four elevated lines; each elytrum with two dull rufous spots.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Parnus crenatus?
Knoch in Melsh. Catal.
Body
blackish-brown;
front
with two dilated, cinereous, longitudinal lines;
antennæ
and
mandibles
rufous;
thorax
with four, obtuse, elevated, longitudinal lines; two intermediate ones nearly confluent at each end; lateral ones more distant, slightly interrupted behind the middle;
elytra
with striæ of dilated impressed punctures; an elevated line from the humerus terminates rather before the tip; another elevated line nearer the margin also originates at the humerus and becomes obsolete before the middle; a third elevated line originates at the middle of the base and also becomes obsolete before the middle of the elytrum; an oblong rufous spot on the humerus and another near the tip;
tarsi
dull rufous.
Length less than three-twentieths of an inch.
(
Dryops
, Oliv. Latr.)
P.
fastigiatus
. Blackish-brown, with very short dense hair; elytra with striæ of rather large punctures.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
P.
fastigiatus
. Knoch in Melsh. Catal.
Antennæ
fuscous, terminal joints yellow;
palpi
dull yellow-testaceous;
thorax
highest rather behind the middle, and with an obsolete indentation each side behind anterior angles prominent, acute; posterior angles obtuse;
scutel
quadrate, acute behind;
elytra
with short hairs overfeet
blackish-piceous; tarsi piceous; anterior tibia with a line of dense yellowish hairs before.
Length one-fourth of an inch.
1. H.
cinctus
. Black, surrounded with a yellowish margin.
Inhabits United States.
H.
cinctus
, Knock, in Melsh. Catal.
Body
black, polished; with very numerous, minute, regular punctures;
head
with a large, triangular, yellowish spot before the eye;
palpi
yellowish;
antennæ
fuscous;
thorax
margined with yellowish; this colour is sometime, obsolete on the anterior margin, and generally obsolete on the posterior margin;
elytra
without any appearance of striæ; the exterior margin from the humerus to the suture, yellowish;
beneath
blackish-piceous;
tarsi
dull yellowish.
Length more than one-fifth of an inch.
We obtained specimens on Red river of Lake Winnepeek; it is also found in Pennsylvania.
2. H.
globosus
. Very convex, oval; elytra with striæ of punctures.
Inhabits United States.
H.
globosus
. Knoch. in Melsh. Catal.
Body
very convex, black, immaculate, punctured; head with very regular minute punctures, and three or four somewhat larger ones before the eye;
palpi
yellowish;antennæ
yellowish, clava fuscous;
thorax
with minute punctures but slightly impressed; angles rounded;
scutel
with obsolete punctures;
elytra
with minute, numerous punctures, which are very slightly impressed, obsolete; with nine regular striæ of distinct larger punctures, and an irregular series on each alternate interstitial space;
beneath
piceous-black;
tarsi
colour of the palpi.
Length three-tenths of an inch.
This species is oval, not elongated, and is more convex than any other species of this country yet discovered.
3. H.
nebulosus
. Pale whitish-testaceous; a subsutural line on the elytra obsolete before the middle.
Inhabits United States.
H.
nebulosus, Melsh.
Hi
labiatus, Knoch.
Melsh. Catal.
Body
very finely but irregularly punctured; punctures sometimes obsolete;
head
black or varied with black;
thorax
; angles rounded;
elytra
with a subsutural impressed line which disappears before the middle, and is more deeply impressed behind;
beneath
, excepting the feet, blackish.
Length less than three-twentieths of an inch.
I obtained a specimen in the Lake of the Woods.
1. A.
hamatus
. Thorax impunctured on the disk; claw of the anterior tibia dilated, incurved.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Body
dark piceous;
clypeus
minutely punctured; margin reflected, particularly at tip; tip truncated, subemarginate;
thorax
punctured each side and at base; large, equalling at least two-thirds the length of the elytra;
elytra
36feet
rufous; the claw at tip of the anterior tibia is dilated and curved inwards like a hook.
Length less than one-fourth of an inch.
An insect remarkable for its short robust stature and the proportional length of its thorax, as well as for the dilatation and crooked form of the appendages at the extremity of the tibia.
2. A.
clypeatus
. Black; elytra, testaceous; clypeus, covered with small tubercles.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Head
black, convex, covered with very small obtuse tubercles; edge a little elevated, piceous; tip hardly truncated;
thorax
with irregular small obtuse rugæ; anterior angles rectangular; posterior edge regularly arcuated, not dilated in the middle;
elytra
rufo-testaceous, dusky at base; with deep, punctured striæ; interstitial lines convex;
thighs
dull-yellowish; posterior ones much dilated.
Length more than three-twentieths of an inch.
Readily distinguished by the rough appearance of the clypeus.
T.
canaliculatus
. Thorax with an entire groove; clypeal edge not reflected; elytra with alternate series of large and small elevated bristly dots.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Body
blackish-brown;
head
with numerous irregular discoidal punctures;
clypeus
obtusely rounded at tip; the edge not reflected; surface flat, excepting two little elevated protuberances on the upper part of the front;
antennæ
yellow;
thorax
with a strongly impressed obvious definiteelytra
with four elevated lines on Which are oval fascicles of yellowish short bristles; interstitial spaces each with a series of small rounded points, also furnished with bristles.
Length seven-twentieths of an inch.
It is about equal in size to the T.
capillaris
, nobis, but is altogether destitute of the fine capillary lines which ornament the elytra of that insect.
T.
reticulatus
. Black; elytra rugose with impressed spots which have elevated centres.
Inhabits St. Peter's river.
Body
deep black;
head
with numerous small and regular punctures, more dense before and on the labrum;
antennæ
, third joint but little longer than the fourth;
thorax
with numerous regular punctures; narrow, a little contracted before and very slightly contracted behind; lateral edge longitudinally a little arcuated, and vertically rounded, with a slightly impressed line bordered by slightly elevated one, both so small as not to be visible to the eye;
elytra
irregularly reticulated with elevated lines; the intervening spaces with slightly elevated centres;
thighs
clavate; anterior and
intermediate tibiæ
a little curved;
tarsi
beneath, and inferior portion of the tip of the tibia with yellowish hair.
Length nearly seven-tenths of an inch.
This species is very distinct from an other that I have seen and readily recognized.
1. P.
testacea
. Pale testaceous, beneath black; thorax impunctured; elytra striate, and With a blackish spot on each near the tip.
Inhabits United States.
Body
oblong-oval, polished;
head
hardly perceptibly punctured; a transverse indented line before the eyes;
antennæ
sensibly dilated towards the tip; joints from the sixth to the tenth inclusive, transverse, hemispheric-compressed, perfoliate; eleventh nearly globose;
thorax
transverse-quadrate, impunctured, rather wider behind; an impressed puncture each side on the basal margin, anterior angles rounded;
scutel
blackish;
elytra
striated, striæ slightly punctured, more deeply impressed behind, abbreviated at the humeral angle; a blackish-brown spot on each near the tip;
tergum
blackish;
beneath
black;
feet
pale testaceous; anterior tibia serrate with short spines, tip rather abruptly dilated, forming almost a lobe on the exterior side; intermediate and posterior pairs spinulose-serrated, gradually dilating towards the tip.
Length more than one-fourth of an inch.
This insect is not uncommon. It occurs in Pennsylvania and under dead marine animals on the sea-beach; from New Jersey to Florida.
2. P.
picipes
. Black; antennæ mouth and feet piceous.
Inhabits the southern states.
Head
destitute of an impressed line before the eyes;
antennæ
and
thorax
formed as, in the preceding species,feet
as in the preceding, excepting that the anterior tibiæ are gradually very much dilated at tip, and not somewhat abruptly dilated near the tip, the line of the exterior edge is therefore nearly rectilinear.
Length from one-fifth to less than one-fourth of an inch.
Var. α. thorax dull piceous.
Var. β. entirely piteous.
E.
canaliculatus
. Thorax with two lines and lateral edge elevated.
Inhabits United States.
♂
Body
blackish-brown, more or less bronzed, with very numerous short cinereous hairs;
thorax
broader behind, somewhat lobed at the scutel; angles produced, very acute; lateral edge rectilinear, elevated; anterior edge abruptly undulated disk with two elevated lines which become obsolete behind and originate each in a flattened and porrect tubercle on the anterior edge;
elytra
with dilated, slightly impressed grooves.
Length nine-twentieths of an inch.
Var. α grooves of the elytra obsolete.
The female is very different in appearance from the male, by being entirely destitute of the elevated lines and edges of the thorax, and of the undulated form of the anterior edge of the thorax. The elevated lines and lateral edge give the thorax the appearance of having three dilated grooves. This insect is found in Pennsylvania, but is more frequent in the southern states; I also obtained specimens in Missouri.
E.
bifasciatus
. Dark reddish-brown, sericeous; elytra black bifasciate with rufous.
Inhabits United States.
Palpi
terminating with a large obconic joint, truncated;
thorax
sometimes blackish, nearly semicircular, somewhat truncated before; posterior angles rather less than a right angle;
scutel
transverse, very obtusely rounded behind;
elytra
with a rufous waved band near the base, extending to the base at the outer margin, and widely interrupted at the suture; another rufous band behind the middle, slightly undulated and hardly interrupted by the suture; sutural edge a little elevated behind;
venter
very distinctly sericeous with yellowish hair.
Length more than one-fifth of an inch.
I obtained a specimen many years ago near Philadelphia, and we lately captured another in the North-western Territory.
D.
tibialis
. Black, with short hair; base of the antennæ and tibia yellowish.
Inhabits North-west Territory:
Body
oval,orbicular, with very short.hair, and irregularly and very minutely punctured;
antennæ
, three basal joints obscurely pale rufous;
clypeus
a little dilated before the antennæ and truncated;
palpi
dusky rufous; terminal joint rather abruptly conic-acute;
thorax
convex, short, wide; lateral edge arcuated; angles rounded;
scutel
rather large, triangular;
elytra
destitute of striæ; tip narrowedtibia
pale rufous; posterior thighs much dilated, formed for leaping.
Length three-twentieths of an inch.
S. 4-
maculatus
. Blackish-brown, sericeous; elytra with two yellow spots.
Inhabits Arkansa and Missouri.
Antennæ
and
labrum
dull testaceous;
thorax
, anterior margin obsoletely dull testaceous;
scutel
minute;
elytra
narrower behind; a large, very irregular yellow spot before the middle and another behind the middle of each;
pectus
and
postpectus
distinctly punctured;
anterior tarsi
dilated and covered beneath by very denser short, yellow hair; remaining tarsi slender;
venter
dark red-brown, paler at tip.
Length nearly seven-twentieths of an inch.
This species appears to be of rare occurrence.
1. H.
arctatus
. Dark brassy, irregularly punctured; elytra with dilated indentations.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Body
long, cylindrical, a little depressed; punctures dilated, rather large, profound, approximate, irregularly disposed;
antennæ
piceous, less than half the length of the body, terminal joint oblong-oval;
palpi
dark piteous, long;
labrum
, breadth equal to twice the length; a small impressed spot between the eyes;
thorax
depressed; widest hardly before the middle, from which part the edge is rectilinear to the posterior angle, and very nearly rectilinear to thescutel
rounded behind, with short, cinereous, prostrate hairs;
elytra
not dilated behind; punctures larger, than those of the thorax, often confluent; a slightly prominent line between the middle and suture, a depressed one between the middle and lateral margin; several slightly elevated lines near the tip; disk with two series of two or three much dilated alternate indented spaces; tip rounded;
beneath
blackish with small punctures;
feet
blackish-piceous.
Length half an inch.
This insect occurred on the shore of St. Peter's river, and on that of Red river of Lake Winnepeek. The large indentations of the elytra have a fortuitous appearance.
2. H.
venustus
. Dark brassy, punctured; posterior angles of the thorax slightly excurved elytra iridescent.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Body
densely punctured;
antennæ
and
palpi
blackish-piceous;
thorax
, posterior angles acute, the lateral edge near them being a little curved outwards;
elytra
with brilliant coppery and green vittæ changing place with the direction of light; striæ profound, and with the convex interstitial spaces impunctured;
beneath
cupreous, brilliant.
Length more than three-tenths of an inch.
This species closely resembles the
micans, Fabr
. which has been described under different names by several authors; it has the same beautiful variable colour upon the elytra, which induced Olivier to call that insect
vittatus
, and Beauvois to give the name of
tæniatus
, but it is a small species, the lateral edge of the thorax is a little curved outwards near the posterior angles, whilst that of
micans
is rectilinear in the same part, and the interstitialmicans
are nearly flat.
1. C.
binotata
. Blackish, sericeous; elytra with a humeral rufous spot.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Body
black, polished; in a particular light sericeous both above and beneath with small hairs, which do not, however, at all conceal the punctures;
head
punctured;
palpi
and three basal joints of the
antennæ
rufous-yellow;
thorax
with equal large dense punctures; very slightly contracted behind, rounded before; posterior angles not prominent; an abbreviated longitudinal impressed line at base, on each side of which is an obsolete dilated impressed lunate space;
elytra
densely punctured, and with punctured striæ; humeral gibbosity rufous;
feet
dull rufous, sericeous.
Length nearly three-tenths of an inch.
2. C.
sericea
. Pale testaceous, sericeous; striæ of the elytra obsolete.
Inhabits United States.
C.
sericea
, Knoch in Melsh. Catal.
Head
minutely punctured, transverse impressed line before the antennæ very obvious;
thorax
semioval, a little truncate before and not undulated behind; posterior angles rectangular;
elytra
hardly perceptible, darker towards the tip, rather lighter at base; striæ obsolete, excepting two next the suture which are distinct;
wings
a little dusky, particularly towards the tip;
feet
somewhat paler than the body.
Length one-fourth of an inch.
37
A very common species, particularly in July on the Ceanothus Americanus and other flowers.
1. M.
striata
. Black; thorax with three grooves; front with an impressed dot; elytra striate and punctured.
Inhabits the middle and northern states.
Serropalpus canaliculatus
, Melsh. Catal.
Head
with numerous minute punctures; a distinct rather longitudinally oval impressed spot between the superior part of the eyes
palpi
at tip of the terminal joint, and one or two terminal joints of the
antennæ
dull rufous;
thorax
gradually dilating to the base, from the width of the head to that of the elytra; surface minutely punctured with small sparse hairs; three dilated longitudinal grooves, or undulations, obsolete before; lateral edge almost rectilinear to near the posterior angles, where it is a little incurved, it is vertically rounded before the middle, and acute behind the middle; posterior angles nearly right angled;
scutel
suborbicular, convex, punctured;
elytra
, striæ dilated, with numerous punctures, those of the base being more distinct as the striæ are not so profound in that part.
Length three-fifths of an inch.
A specimen of this interesting insect occurred in the North-west Territory. My friend, the Rev. John F. Melsheimer, with whom I corresponded on the subject of this species, agrees with me perfectly in the propriety of placing it in this genus, and in its being altogether different from the S.
canaliculatus
, Illig.
Melandrya
canaliculatus
, Fabr. This conclusion indeed is irresistible, when we compare our insect with the description of that of Europe, and
2. M.
labiata
. Black; labrum rufous; elytra destitute of
striæ
.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Head
with minute punctures; no impressed frontal spot;
labrum
distinctly rufous;
antennæ
, terminal joint at tip, tip of the
palpi
and of the
tarsi
, rufous;
thorax
with the lateral edge regularly arcuated; a deep slightly arcuated groove on each side almost divided transversely into two impressed dots by an obtuse elevated line; a central nearly obsolete impressed line;
scutel
rounded, convex, punctured;
elytra
densely punctured; punctures small; striæ none; three or four obsolete raised lines.
Length rather more than two-fifths of an inch.
A smaller species than the preceding and more rare; it differs also in the colour of the labrum, the more rounded form of the thorax, and in the elytra being destitute of strife. It may he sometimes found on plants in June.
L.
aenea
. Green; thorax oblong; elytra punctured; antennæ and palpi yellowish.
Inhabits United States.
L.
aenea
, Melsh. Catal.
Body green, sometimes tinged with brassy;
head
irregularly punctured; with a few scattered hairs, which are more numerous on the labrum; a transverse groove between the antennæ, formed by the incisure of the nasus;
antennæ
yellowish rufous, terminal joint longer than the three preceding ones together;
palpi
yellowish;
thorax
cylindrical, rather larger than broad, punctured, sometimes with transverse abbreviated wrinkles; posterior angleselytra
nearly rectilinear, not dilated at the posterior curvature; punctures dense, profound, rather large;
beneath
blackish-green;
tarsi
dark testaceous.
Length from two-fifths to nine-twentieths of an inch.
This is not the
Lagria
aenea
, Fabr. Ent. Syst. Suppl. as the late Mr. F. V. Melsheimer supposed it to be, for independently of the different specific characters in the description of that insect, it has since been referred by that author to the genus
Dasytes
, and must therefore be a Pentamerous insect. The circumstance of that species being removed from the genus
Lagria
enables me to retain the specific name given by Mr. Melsheimer. We obtained a specimen on Red river.
L.
aenea
, nob. varies in being green, with black tarsi. The antennæ of this species resemble very much those of the genus Mylabris.
C.
labiculata
, nob. This species varies considerably in colour, but not, as I believe, in the number or arrangement of its spots.
Var. α. Spots of the elytra ocellate, being surrounded by a yellowish areola.
Var. β. Elytra yellowish-white, with the black spots as in the species.
R.
rubricollis
. Blued-black; thorax and feet rufous: elytra striate, hairy.
Inhabits United States.
R.
rubricollis
, Melsh. Catal.
Body
slender;
head
hairy, black, with irregular punctures larger on the rostrum;
antennæ
and
labrum
dark piceous;
thorax
rufous, hairy, with dilated irregular punctures, and a longitudinal impressed dilated line, which neither reaches the anterior nor posterior margins;
scutel
black, rounded;
elytra
with regular striæ of punctures furnishing upright hairs; interstitial lines with each a series of upright hairs;
pectus
rufous;
postpectus
and
venter
blackish;
feet
rufous, pale.
Length more than three-twentieths of an inch.
This insect occurs occasionally in Pennsylvania; we also found a specimen on Red river of Lake Winnepeek.
C.
scutellatus
. Brassy-black, punctured; scutel pure white.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Body
brassy-black; punctures numerous, confluent, impressed, with minute hairs;
head
with a deeply impressed line between the antennae, extending to the origin of the thorax;
front
with minute punctures;
labrum
piceous;
mandibles
dark piceous at base;
antennæ
longer than the body, dark reddish-piceous, paler at base;
thorax
with a very robust short spine on each side; posterior margin with an impressed transverse line; anterior margin with the punctures so transversely elongated and confluent as to appear wrinkled;
feet
blackish-piceous, paler at base;
scutel
covered with dense prostrate pure white hair;
elytra
with the impressed punctures larger at base, transversely confluent; humerus rather prominent, obtuse; on different parts of the elytra is dense, dirty brown, verybeneath
blackish with a purplish or slight cupreous tinge; a little hairy, particularly on the postpectus.
Length nine-tenths of an inch.
S.
vestita
. Body entirely covered with a very short greenish-yellow hair; elytra with three small dots.
Inhabits near the southern extremity of Lake Michigan.
Antennæ
about the length of the body;
eyes
dark chesnut;
thorax
with an obsolete dorsal line;
elytra
unarmed at tip; dots black, small, three on each elytrum, placed one before and near the middle, largest, one a little nearer the base and more distant from the suture than the other, and one behind the middle, distant from the preceding in a line with the anterior one.
Length three-fourths of an inch.
A very fine insect. It is also sometimes found in Pennsylvania.
1. C.
speciosus
. Black; thorax dilated; elytra about five-banded; feet yellow.
Inhabits near Prairie du Chien.
Body
deep black;
head
with a band passing from the vertex round behind the eyes and meeting a band which is round the mouth above, yellow; a yellow band on the front immediately above the antennæ, terminating in the sinus of the eyes;
mandibles
yellow;
nasus
and
labrum
pale yellowish, glabrous;
antennæ
all black;
thorax
subglobular, depressed; an oblique spot each sidescutel
yellow; two small yellow spots before the scutel under the thorax;
elytra
with yellow bands; first band forming a regular arch of which the scutel represents the key stone; second band in the form of a W, each V receiving a termination of the first band; third band nearly transverse, placed upon the middle; fourth band arcuated each side from the suture obliquely backward, parallel and near to a large terminal spot or band, which on each elytrum is ovate with a central black spot; tip with a short obtuse tooth;
humerus
with three small spots;
postpectus
spotted with yellow;
thighs
with a brown line on the inner side;
venter
yellow.
Length less than one inch.
This very fine insect was caught on the banks of the Wisconsan river. It is certainly the finest of all our species of this genus, and seems to be allied to the
detritus
, but is sufficiently distinct.
2. C.
undulatus
. Brown; thorax subbifasciate; elytra with a spot and three bands, yellow.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Body
dark brown;
head
darker than the elytra;
antennæ
dark ferruginous;
front
below the antennæ bilineate with pale yellow;
thorax
darker than the elytra, rough with minute spines and hairs; anterior and inferior margins yellow, interrupted above; basal margin with a transverse yellow spot each side;
elytra
with a transverse spot on each near the base; an undulated narrow band across the middle, rising along the suture nearly to the scutel; an undulated transverse band behind the middle, and a terminal band;
postpectus
, incisures margined with yellow;
venter
, segments margined with yellow.
Length ♂ half an inch, ♀ three-fifths of an inch.
This appears to have some resemblance to the
mucronatus
of South America, but the elytra are not obviously mucronate, the markings also of the superior surface of the body materially differ.
M.
marginalis
. Yellowish; elytra dusky on the disk; antennæ shorter than the elytra.
Inhabits United States.
Body
with numerous minute hairs;
head
yellow;
vertex, palpi
, blackish;
antennæ
short, hardly reaching the tip of the elytra, and excepting the three basal joints, blackish;
eyes
prominent, black-brown;
thorax
short, transversely oval, yellow with a dusky disk;
elytra
much abbreviated, rounded at tip, yellow; disk dusky, reaching to the base; the margin at tip is broad so as to resemble a yellow spot on each elytrum; edge, like that of the thorax, a little elevated, particularly at tip;
abdomen
long, yellow; segments more or less tinged with rufous at base; tail dusky or black;
feet
more or less dusky, with yellow incisures, sometimes nearly all yellow;
venter
somewhat sericeous.
Length three-tenths of an inch.
This species is not uncommon in Pennsylvania, and it is also an inhabitant of the North-west Territory.
H.
vittata
, Fabr. This species varies much in colour, so much so indeed, that more than one species might be formed of it by a naturalist who relied implicitly on thevittata
, differ so widely from the quoted description, that they would probably be considered as altogether new by an entomologist who had not a specimen which could serve as a link to the Fabrician specimen. These individuals all correspond perfectly in having a bright rufous thorax, dark steel-blue elytra with a narrow rufous fillet and lateral margin; the venter also is very dark steel-blue.
H.
marginata
. Fulvo-sanguineous; elytra with sanguineous lines; feet yellowish.
Inhabits United States.
H.
marginata
, Melsh. Catal.
Head
with an acute impressed line;
antennæ
dark rufous, not surpassing the thorax;
thorax
with dilated irregular punctures; anterior and lateral edge dull sanguineous;
elytra
serrate on all the outer edge; sutural edge, external edge, and four lines elevated, and with abbreviated sanguineous lines; first line bifurcate at base; third line widely interrupted in the middle and confluent with the fourth line near the tip and on the humeral tubercle; fourth line serrated; humeral tubercle prominent; interstitial spaces with a double series of profound, dilated punctures, separated by elevated lines; tip of the elytra so
38beneath
sanguineous;
feet
pale yellowish.
Length more than one-fifth of an inch.
Var: α. Disk of the pectus and postpectus, black.
This is our most common species, and we found a specimen in the North-west Territory.
G.
decora
. Dusky; elytra dull testaceous, sericeous with golden-brassy hair.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Body
dusky;
head
with a transverse impressed line between the eyes and another descending between the antennæ;
antennæ
, two basal incisures whitish;
face
between the antennæ and a little above them pale yellowish;
labrum
and
palpi
blackish;
thorax
tinged with golden-brassy hair; a longitudinal impressed line, and a lateral sublunate impressed space; anterior margin, particularly on each side, dull whitish; anterior angles with a slightly elevated tubercle surmounted by a single hair, and separated by an impressed line;
elytra
dull testaceous, sericeous with brilliant, dense, prostrate, golden-brassy hair; punctures rather large, profound, scattered irregularly;
beneath
blackish, with very short prostrate hair; punctures small;
feet
whitish.
Length less than one-fifth of an inch.
A.
tæniata
. Black; antennæ, feet, and vitta on the elytra, white.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Body
deep black, polished;
head
with rather distant, profound punctures; region of the antennæ a little elevated and dull rufous;
antennæ
pale, dusky at base and tip;
thorax
punctured; punctures rather large and profound, but not very dense; no impressed line; posterior angles with a minute abrupt excurvature, acute;
elytra
punctured like the thorax, with a longitudinal white vitta on the middle of each, commencing at the middle of the base and extending rectilinearly, with a slight degree of attenuation near to the tip, and occupying about the sixth part of the surface;
feet
pale, posterior thighs dusky towards the tip.
Length three-twentieths of an inch.
This species resembles A.
striolata
, Schoenh. (which seems to be the
Crioceres
vittata
and
Galleruca
elongata
of Fabr., and Mr. J. F. Melsheimer quotes also as synonymous the A.
flexuosa
, Panzer,) but it is larger, of a more elongated form, and the vitta of the elytra is not flexuous as in that common and profusely named insect. I have not met with it in the Atlantic states.
1. E.
flavidus
. Pale yellowish; elytra striate with double series of punctures.
Inhabits United States.
Body
densely punctured; punctures rather large and profound;
head
with two slightly elevated tubercles between the antennæ;
thorax
tinged with rufous;
elytra
with elevated lines, of which the inner one curves round at base and descends a short distance to unite with the sutural line; interstitial spaces, excepting the subsutural one and the two exterior ones, with double series of ratherventer
dusky.
Length nearly one-fifth of an inch.
Var. α. interstitial spaces of the elytra black; beneath, excepting the feet, black.
This insect is common in Pennsylvania; the variety was obtained on St. Peter's river, and might readily be mistaken for a distinct species.
2. E.
cochlearius
. Body black; base of the antennæ, tibia and elytra testaceous.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Body
short, robust;
head
punctured, hairy; an impressed line from the vertex bifurcates near the antennæ;
antennæ
, five basal joints testaceous, more slender than the remaining ones, and hardly equalling their collective length;
palpi
testaceous, terminal joint black;
thorax
with short, prostrate, cinereous hairs like those of the head; punctured, punctures rather large, giving origin to the hairs; transversely oval; sides without edges;
elytra
testaceous; punctures numerous, rather large, subequidistant, giving origin to prostrate hairs;
beneath
deeper black, with smaller punctures and shorter hairs;
feet
also with fine hairs, more numerous on the tibiæ which are testaceous.
Length ♂ more than three-twentieths, ♀ one-fifth of an inch.
C.
bitriangularis
. White; thorax with six, elytra each with nine, black spots.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Body
above white;
vertex
black, the colour extending downwards in a point near each eye;
thorax
with six largescutel
black;
elytra
, each with nine spots, placed as follows; one, large subquadrate; two small; one large oblong; two small; two, the exterior one elongated; one small, transverse;
beneath
black; feet yellowish-white.
Length more than one-tenth of an inch.
S.
femoratum
. Apterous; intermediate thighs dilated, angulated, and with the posterior thighs armed with a spine near the tip.
Inhabits United States.
Body
greenish-brown, without any rudiments of hemelytra;
head
yellowish with three dilated fuscous vittæ;
antennæ
elongated, brown;
anterior thighs
unarmed, simple, bright green;
tibia
dull green, tip and
tarsus
testaceous;
intermediate thighs
dilated, angulated, pale ochreous, annulated with brown, the inferior angulated lines slightly serrated; a prominent, piceous, acute, robust spine beneath near the tip; tibia greenish, slightly serrated on the inner side; tarsus testaceous;
posterior thighs
brownish, ochreous, with a prominent, piceous, acute, robust spine near the tip, beneath.
Length about three inches.
A specimen occurred at the Falls of Niagara on a Hickory tree, (Carya,) and I formerly obtained one near the Missouri river. They are both males.
1. S.
binotata
. Head much arcuated, subtrilobate at tip; a large cinereous spot on the humeral region.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Body
oval, yellowish-gray, varied with dusky; punctured; punctures small, black;
head
longitudinally very much decurved, not forming a right line even on the vertex; fuscous, with three obsolete, dull fulvous vittæ; punctures dense, small, profound; two profound, very obvious, distinctly undulated impressed lines on the anterior two-thirds of the head, the included space a little elevated, and at tip forming a small lobe; lateral edge concavely arcuated, forming a rounded lobe at the lateral tip;
thorax
, punctures rather smaller than those of the head; anterior half, excepting the lateral margin, unequal, fuscous, with three obsolete dull fulvous lines; posterior half abruptly a little elevated; lateral edge black, concavely arcuated before and convexly so behind; posterior angles slightly emarginated;
scutel
entirely concealing the tergum and the hemelytra, excepting a very small portion of the latter at base; basal disk dusky; a glabrous line extending to the tip and margined with dusky; a large cinereous semiorbicular spot in which are abbreviated black lines, extending from the humeral angle to the lateral middle;
beneath
covered with black punctures;
feet
black;
knees
and spot near the tip fulvous;
tibia
fulvous with black lines;
tarsi
black.
Length more than one-fourth of an inch.
This species may be distinguished by the curvature of
2. S.
æneifrons
. Dull fulvous, varied with fuscous; head and two spots on the thorax brassy.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Body
oval, punctured;
head
densely punctured, convex, with two impressed nearly rectilinear lines from the tip abbreviated at the vertex; lateral edges convexly arcuated, tip rounded, the space included between the impressed lines very slightly projecting;
antennæ
fuscous, basal joint whitish;
thorax
dull fulvous, with obsolete longitudinal fuscous spaces, and a brassy triangular spot each side before; lateral edge nearly rectilinear to the posterior angles, which are rounded entire;
scutel
dull fulvous, varied with fuscous;
hemelytra
punctured, visible portion triangular;
beneath
pale, head brassy, a brassy spot on each side of the pectus;
thighs
with a few black points.
Length about three-tenths of an inch.
This species is subject to vary in being rather smaller, and in the fuscous variegations being hardly discernible, but the other characters remain unchanged.
1. M.
diceros
. Thorax 2-horned; varied with brown, pale before; wings and beneath blackish.
Inhabits United States.
Body
above punctured, truncated and vertical before, surmounted by two horizontal subconic horns extending laterally;
clypeus
, vertical portion of the
thorax
, and triangular space included between the horns, whitish-green, varied with fuscous; horns fuscous behind and beneath;
back
acutely carinated, terminated in a very acute subulate decurvedhemelytra
and
wings
blackish-brown;
beneath
blackish;
rostrum, knees, tibia
, and
tarsi
, whitish.
Length three-tenths of an inch.
This is an inhabitant of Pennsylvania, and also of the North-west Territory. It is closely allied to
Centrotus
bubalus
, Fabr. and is infested by
Leptus
hispidus
, nob.
2. M.
trilineata
. Brownish-rufous; thorax elevated on the middle, with three longitudinal, one oblique and one transverse line, whitish.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Body
with rather large dense punctures;
head
pale greenish-yellow, obsoletely irrorate with brown points;
thorax
before rounded, unarmed; a dilated pale greenish vitta from the head, is divided by the rounded elevation near the middle of the back, and passes down on each side in an oblique white line which terminates at the inferior edge behind the middle; a narrow line on each side passes from the head and terminates at the emargination of the origin of the hemelytra; a white band near the tip margined with fuscous; dorsal foliaceous elevation taking its rise behind the line of the origin of the hemelytra, its edge very obtusely curved, and gradually disappearing behind at the white band, its sides in the middle are abruptly compressed; tip acute, not attenuated;
hemelytra
with a punctured scale at base, which is adjusted in the emargination of the thoracic edge; coriaceous exterior margin less than one-fourth the length of the hemelytra, and punctured;
beneath
yellowish-green.
Length three-tenths of an inch.
3. M.
concava
. Fuscous with elevated lines on the thorax, and an oblique white band behind.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Body
with dilated punctures;
head
inequal, varied with whitish and fuscous; tip a little more prominent in the middle;
thorax
unarmed, rounded before, with a carina originating at the head and continued to the tip; elevated lines like nervures, which are reticulate on the anterior part and near the back, but on the sides they are distinctly four or five in number; back over the origin of the wings a little concave; anterior or front of the thorax pale; carina on its concave portion white, and a white oblique band from behind the middle of the back to the exterior edge nearer the tip; tip obtuse, hardly surpassing the hemelytra;
hemelytra
dull amber, dusky at tip; nervures brown; a fuscous, coriaceous, punctured basal margin extending more than half the length of the wing; a fuscous, punctured scale adjusted in an emargination of the edge of the thorax;
beneath
piceous-black;
knees, tibia
, and
tarsi
, yellowish.
Length one-fifth of an inch.
Var. α. Thorax ferruginous or whitish, black or fuscous before and behind.
This species is also an inhabitant of Missouri and Arkansa.
4. M.
binotata
. Thorax with a compressed horn extending above the head, and two spots on the back.
Inhabits United States.
Body
fuscous, punctured;
head
longer than broad, rounded at tip, minutely punctured;
thorax
with a projecting horn before, which rises high above the line of the back, compressed, carinated above, each side, and beneath, and incurved towards the tip; between the lateral and inferior
39anterior
and
intermediate tibiæ
dilated, foliaceous;
posterior tibia
with two serrated lines behind;
hemelytra
opaque, much longer than the abdomen;
wings
hardly longer than the abdomen.
Length including the horn seven-twentieths; exclusive of the horn more than one-fifth of an inch.
The eyes are very nearly equidistant between the tip of the horn and of the hemelytra. It very closely resembles the
lanceolata
, Fabr. an inhabitant of South America, of which it may possibly prove to be a variety.
5. M.
latipes
. Thorax with a compressed, porrect horn; body fuscous, immaculate.
Inhabits United States.
Body
fuscous, punctured;
hemelytra
paler;
thorax
, horn extended in a line with the back and slightly decurved at tip; but in other respects resembling that of the preceding species; back immaculate; posterior tip acute;
hemelytra
paler than the thorax; nervures fuscous.
Length equalling the preceding species.
This species very closely resembles the
binotata
, but the horn has a very different direction; the back is destitute of spots, and the hemelytra seem to be of a more membranaceous texture.
C.
parallella
. Hemelytra with two whitish bands, which are margined with dusky.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Dusky yellowish-brown, punctured;
head
densely punctured; dusky in the middle and near the eyes; a glabrous somewhat elevated longitudinal line; length less than one-third of the breadth;
thorax
less densely punctured than the head; angulated at the middle of the anterior edge; a glabrous somewhat elevated line from the anterior central angle, continued on the scutel; scutel acute, punctured at base, glabrous at tip;
hemelytra
densely punctured; an oblique band from the tip of the scutel, attains the exterior edge near the middle, it is whitish, margined with dusky; another oblique band parallel with the preceding and of the same colours, is placed a short distance behind the middle; near the tip on the inner edge is a whitish spot;
pectus
and
feet
yellowish;
tarsi
, terminal joint dusky;
tergum
and
venter
dusky, margined with sanguineous.
Length two-fifths of an inch.
This species varies a little in the shade of its colouring, and when dark in colour, the hands are almost obsolete. This species also occurs in Missouri and Arkansa.
1. B.
bilineata
. Large, pale ferruginous; inferior wings margined behind with dusky; tergum fuscous with a double series of whitish lines.
Inhabits St. Peter's river.
Head
above somewhat fulvous; beneath and front yellow;
thorax
, first segment yellowish-brown, blackish each side and before; second segment pale brownish, a little tinged with rufous and with indistinct oblique whitish lines, proceeding from the longitudinal impressed line; two brown spots on the middle placed transversely; wings hyaline, whitish, with fuscous nervures; posterior margin of the inferiores fuscous;
tergum
fuscous, lateral margin whitish; posterior edges of the segments white above; a double series of whitish, oblique, dilated, abbreviated lines.
Length ♀ to tip of the wings one and three-tenths of an inch.
This is much the largest species of this country I have seen, it appeared in considerable numbers.
2. B.
alternata
. Wings whitish, nervures fuscous; tergum fuscous, segments whitish at their bases.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Body
fuscous;
head
on the anterior margin and
genæ
white:
thorax
pale brownish-livid, yellowish near the scutel;
wings
hyaline, with a whitish reflexion, nervures not margined;
pleura
and
pectus
varied with yellowish;
feet
pale ochreous, a fuscous annulus near the tip of the thighs;
tergum
fuscous; segments whitish at base, one or two ultimate segments with two whitish longitudinal lines; venter whitish, each segment with two oblique lines and two intermediate points, black;
seta
whitish, with regular fuscous spots alternating.
Length of the body ♂ from two-fifths to half an inch.
Closely allied to the
* Western Quarterly Reporter, vol. 2. p. 162.femoratus
, nobis,
3. B.
alba
. White; vertex and anterior feet above dusky.
Inhabits Winnepeck river.
Thorax
slightly tinged with pale yellowish-brown;
anterior feet
short, rather robust;
nervures
upon and near the costal margin dusky.
Length of the body ♀ about half an inch.
This insect appears in immense numbers. They rise upon the wing in the evening, and their short existence in the perfect state appears to be terminated before sunrise. For a more particular account of this species, see the Narrative.
A. 4-
maculatus
. Wings with a white costal spot; antennæ as long as the body; tergum varied with black and testaceous; eyes with a suture.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Head
and
stethidium
covered by long cinereous hair, the latter part blackish, varied with paie testaceous;
labrum
honey-yellow;
antennæ
as long as the body, dull yellowish-brown; incisures blackish, clavum oval, compressed, blackish with pale incisures;
eyes
large, prominent, in the middle divided by an impressed line;
wings
hyaline with a milk-white reflexion, an opake snow-white spot near the tip of the costal margin, nervures black;
tergum
testaceous, segments with a dorsal line and oblong spot each side, black, terminal segments nearly all black; sides black, varied with testaceous.
Length to tip of wings one inch and a half.
Like the
cayennensis
, Fabr. this species has a white spot on each wing, but the clavum of the antennæ is not truncated. The eyes are each bisected by an impressed line in the middle, as in the
maculatus
, Oliv. and all others of this genus. This species was found by Mr. William W. Wood.
1. H.
irroratus
. Blackish; thorax with three lines and lateral margin yellowish; wings hyaline with black spots.
Inhabits united States.
Body
hairy;
antennæ
fuscous, less than half the length of the body, filiform;
orbits
above and before, and
hypostoma
glabrous, white, the latter with a broad, transverse, brownish line near the tip;
labrum
white, with two obsolete; dusky, longitudinal spots;
maxillary palpi
black; a large, transverse, quadrate, black, glabrous spot, surrounding the base of the antennæ;
thorax
, anterior segment five-lined, lines equal;
feet
whitish, hairy, four anterior thighs annulate with brown near the tip, their tibia at tip and annulus near the base, brown;
pleura
, incisures whitish
wings
hyaline, with numerous irregular, unequal, black and white points and spots, which are larger on the inner and outer margin; nervures and margins alternately spotted with blackish and white; nervures of the disk with only a single line of connecting nervures which pass across the middle; margin with numerous nervures;
inferior wings
without spots, excepting on the margin.
Length to tip of the wings one inch and a quarter.
Rather rare in Pennsylvania. We obtained a specimen in the North-west Territory, and Mr. Isaiah Lukens informed me that they are extremely numerous near Lake Erie in June.
2. H.
vittatus
. Pale yellowish, with a black vitta on the pleura; abdomen fuscous; wings spotted with black.
Inhabits Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Head
with a transverse, quadrate, dusky spot between the eyes;
antennæ
somewhat longer than the head and thorax, yellowish-rufous, blackish at tip and base;
eyes
prominent, black;
thorax
greenish-white, dusky between the wings, first segment a little narrowed before;
wings
hyaline, with black spots; costal nervures articulate with black and white; a small white spot near the costal tip of each wing; inferior wings with fewer spots than the superior ones, but behind the costal middle is a large orbicular spot, and a smaller irregular one near the tip;
metathorax
blackish above;
pleura
with a broad blackish vitta, extending from near the head to the abdomen;
feet
blackish, thighs at base, an annulus near the tip of the posterior ones, and posterior tibia towards the tip, pale;
abdomen
blackish, with an obsolete pale, small spot on some of the segments of the tergum.
Length to tip of the wings one and two-fifths of an inch.
This fine insect is in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum, and was found by Mr. Titian Peale.
C.
serricornis
. Brownish-black, wings spotted with white.
Inhabits United States.
Head
somewhat wider than the thorax, dusky testaceous at base, diameters nearly equal;
antennæ
deeply serrated, black;
wings
blackish;
superior wings
with a white band across the middle not attaining the inner margin and widest on the costal margin, a white spot on the costalinferior wings
with a narrow band across the middle not attaining the inner margin and near the tip larger spots, white.
Length to tip of the wings from one inch and a quarter to one inch and a half.
A fine insect, which appears to inhabit almost every part of the United States, though I have not met with many specimens any where. Mr. Nuttall brought me an individual from Arkansa; Dr. Bigsby took a specimen as far north as the Lake of the Woods, and I have found one in Pennsylvania, another in Missouri, and a third on Red river of Lake Winnepeek.
1. P.
subfasciata
. Pale yellowish-brown; wings covered With minute elevations, with two spots and posterior margin fuscous.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Antennæ
brown, first joint yellowish on the inner and inferior sides;
thorax
with two series of large granules furnishing hairs;
superior wings
covered with bullæ or minute raised points, and with short scattered hairs; inner margin of a somewhat darker colour; a band on the middle not reaching the costal margin; an irregular sublunate line, composed of confluent spots at the termination of the central elongated area, and posterior margin, fuscous;
inferior wings
fuscous on the posterior margin; setæ of the tibia and tarsi, black.
Length to tip of the wings seven-tenths of an inch.
2. P.
radiata
. Pale yellowish-brown; wings with a fuscous circle, from which proceed four radii.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Antennæ fuscous;
vertex
and
neck
hairy;
thorax
on each side before the wings, and two dorsal series, hairy;
superior wings
nearly hyaline; beyond the middle a large fuscous circle from which a dilated line proceeds to the tip, another to the inferior angle, a third to the carpal spot, and a fourth towards the base, interrupted in its middle; dorsal margin, particularly towards the base, fuscous; surface with scattered hairs, those of the nervures more distinct and blackish;
tibia
and
tarsi
with black setæ.
Length to tip of wings seven-tenths of an inch.
3. P.
sericea
. Blackish, sericeous; wings varied with fuscous and sericeous.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Head
with a cincreous gloss, and a few long hairs;
antennæ
brown, incisures margined with yellowish; basal joint colour of the head;
thorax
with a cinereous gloss in a particular light;
superior wings
varied with pruinose and fuscous; a transverse, quadrate, blackish spot on the middle of the inner margin; hairs numerous, minute, those of the nervures larger and black;
inferior wings
immaculate;
posterior pairs of feet
pale ochreous, sericeous, with black setæ.
Length to tip of wings more than two-fifths of an inch.
M.
brunnea
. Light brown; antennæ fuscous, light brown at the extremity; wings with a very broad, brown margin.
Inhabits United States.
♂ Antennæ short; posterior and inferior
orbits
yellow;
thorax
, first segment obtusely wrinkled, or undulated, anterior margin black, submargin yellow; base black, with a
40scutel
yellow;
metathorax
yellow on the posterior edge;
pleura
bilineate with yellow;
wings
with a broad, light brown costal margin and tip;
feet
, intermediate and posterior pairs with yellow tibiæ and tarsi, a rufous spot being near the knee anterior thighs blackish on the inner side, with a yellow exterior inferior margin, and numerous spines on the inferior edge, of which one is very prominent;
tergum
at the base of the first and second segments black, the former margined with yellow;
venter
black at base, segments broadly margined with yellow.
♀ The yellow colour and marginings, excepting on the feet and first segment of the thorax, obsolete; the wings are darker than those of the male, and the hyaline portion of the wings is tinctured with a shade of the general colour.
Length of the body ♂ half an inch, ♀ to tip of wings more than nine-tenths of an inch.
A specimen of the female of this curious insect was presented to me about a year ago by Mr. William Mason of this city; it was found near Philadelphia by Mr. Tyler. The male occurred on St. Peter's river.
X.
ferruginea
. Ferruginous; thoracic spots and base of the abdomen blackish.
Inhabits Arkansa.
Antennæ
fuscous, basal joint ferruginous; above the antennæthorax
each side above the base of the superior wings with a longitudinal blackish spot, connected behind with a transverse, almost indefinite one;
metathorax
blackish behind;
wings
hyaline, slightly tinged with yellowish, nervures brown;
tergum
, three basal segments black, remaining segments obsoletely blackish on their posterior margins; posterior pairs of tibiae six-spined, one on the middle, one beyond the middle, and the other at tip.
Length to tip of oviduct seven-twentieths of an inch.
This interesting insect was presented to me by Mr. Thomas Nuttall, who obtained it during his expedition to Arkansa. The forms of some of the wing cellules differ a little from those of the type of this genus. The first radial cellule receives the first recurrent nervure and is nearly square, slightly oblong, and nearly two-thirds the size of the second cellule, which receives no recurrent nervure and is somewhat smaller than the third cellule. The latter receives two recurrent nervures. The cubital cellules are sub-equal, bounded beneath by an almost rectilinear line, the third nearly attains the tip of the wing, leaving the fourth cellule very small. The maxillary palpi also are much shorter than those of the Swedish species. This disposition of the nervures will authorize the formation of a distinct section in the genus.
1. X.
abdominalis
. Black; abdomen rufous.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Head
confluently punctured;
antennæ
short;
vertex
with two distant, longitudinal, yellow spots, and anotherthorax
confluently punctured, margined, and with three longitudinal impressed lines distant before;
wings
fuliginous;
abdomen
bright rufous; first segment above blackish;
feet
piceous-black.
Length more than half an inch.
The abdominal colour of this species distinguishes it at once from any other. In
dromedarius
the middle segments of the tergum are rufous, but the terminal and three basal segments are black, and there is a series of whitish lateral spots.
2. X.
tibialis
. Black; four lateral spots of the abdomen, first tarsal joint and base of the tibia white.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Stethidium
rough with confluent punctures, immaculate;
wings
hyaline, nervures dark fuscous;
feet
black; tibia white, fuscous at tip; tarsi, first joint white;
abdomen
black, three middle segments and penultimate segment, each with a white spot on each side.
Length more than two-fifths of an inch.
This species resembles the
camelus
, Fabr. and
Urocerus
annulatus
, Jur., but is less than half the size of either, and the former, according to authors, has ferruginous feet, and a smooth thorax; the latter has a lateral white spot on each of the abdominal segments excepting the penultimate one.
T.
scripta
. Black, with white lines and spots; abdomen rufous.
Inhabits North-west Territory and Arkansa.
Hypostoma
on its anterior margin,
mandibles
and
palpi
, whitish; line upon the orbits extending from near the antennæthorax
with an abbreviated, transverse, angulated line before, slightly interrupted in the middle, a line before each wing and three small spots on the middle placed triangularly, white;
wings
hyaline, nervures fuscous;
feet
yellowish-white;
abdomen
rufous, first segment, and sometimes the tip, black.
Length from more than three-tenths to two-fifths of an inch.
1. C.
trimaculatus
. Black; abdomen with a yellowish-white spot each side at the middle.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Orbits
before, two longitudinal spots on the hypostoma, and base of the mandibles yellowish-white;
wings
brown-black;
metathorax
with a pale greenish, membranaceous, triangular spot behind;
abdomen
on the middle with a transverse oval paie yellowish spot each side.
Length ♂ nearly one-half, ♀ nearly three-fourths of an inch.
Var. α. head immaculate.
Var. β. a very small indistinct spot each side beyond the middle.
In the collection of Mr. William W. Wood, the great difference in point of size between the sexes of this insect, might readily lead to error with respect to their specific identity.
2. C.
abbreviatus
. Black; abdomen rufous at base.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
♀
Body
black, polished;
labrum
white, with a dilated, longitudinal, fuscous line;
thorax
with an oblique, white, abbreviated line at the base of the superior wings;
scutel
with a transverse white line;
metathorax
with a longitudinal white triangle;
wings
hyaline, nervures fuscous; the small nervure which divides the first marginal cellule from the first submarginal cellule is abbreviated and does not reach the margin;
feet
pale rufous, tibiae with a White abbreviated line on the exterior side near the knees; posterior tibiæ and tarsi black;
abdomen
compressed, acutely edged above beyond the middle; first and second segments rufous.
Length seven-twentieths of an inch.
This may be readily distinguished from the preceding species as well by its inferior size and colour, as by the remarkable, abbreviation of the dividing nervure of the first marginal and submarginal cellules.
H.
dulciaria
. ♀ Pale rufous; head, wings, and feet violaceous-black.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Antennæ
black, with a slight violaceous tinge;
pectus
with a large, well defined black spot, tinged with violaceous;
feet
hardly tinged with violaceous;
abdomen
yellow; tail black.
Length to tip of the wings nine-twentieths of an inch.
This species was found by Dr. Bigsby, to whom I am indebted for the specimen. It seems to be allied to the
pectoralis
, Leach, of which, however, the wings are “luteohyalinæ.”
L.
abdominalis
. ♀ Antennæ 18-jointed, pale yellowish; thorax with black spots.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Head
reddish-yellow; a large, transverse, black spot above the antennæ descending on each side between the antennæ and the eyes to the sides of the mouth, and ascending by two distant narrow lines over the vertex to the occiput;
mandibles
piceous at tip;
thorax
with large black spots, occupying the greater portion of the surface;
scutel
pale yellow;
wings
hyaline, nervures and stigmata fuscous;
thighs
dusky at base;
tergum
yellow, tinged with rufous, whitish on the lateral margin; segments piceous on their posterior edges.
Length of the body nearly three-tenths of an inch.
This species seems to be allied to L.
americanus
, Leach, but that insect is stated to have nineteen joints to the antennæ.
N.
ventralis
. Black; venter and feet pale.
Inhabits United States.
♂
Hypostoma, palpi
and
mandibles
at base, whitish; orbits above and behind piceous;
thorax
dilated; triangular line before the wing, and wing scale, whitish;
wings
slightly dusky, nervures fuscous; feet honey-yellow, posterior tarsi black-brown;
tergum
black, segments each with a yellow band of which the four terminal ones arc interrupted in the middle;
venter
pale honey-yellow.
Length one-fourth of an inch.
♀
Orbits
all round whitish; white line or spot beforefeet
white, thighs black in the middle, posterior tarsi blackish;
tergum
black, the bands obsolete;
venter
white, anal segment blackish.
Length three-tenths of an inch.
Belongs to
Nematus
, Leach, and to
Nematus
†††, Le Peletier.
1. T.
basilaris
. Black, hypostoma and basal joint of the antennæ yellow; tergum bifasciate.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
♀
Body
polished;
hypostoma
emarginate in a curved line, and with the
labrum
and
mandibles
yellow, the latter piceous at tip;
gena
with a yellow line abbreviated above;
tongue
and
palpi
pale yellow;
thorax
with a yellow line before the wings;
scutel
yellow;
metathorax
with two small yellow spots;
wings
tinged with ferruginous;
pleura
with an oblique, dilated line above the intermediate feet, and a rhomboidal spot above the posterior feet, yellow;
anterior feet
greenish-white;
intermediate feet
pale yellowish, a black spot on the thighs near the tip behind;
posterior feet
pale yellowish, thighs and tibiæ annulate with black at tip;
tergum
, first segment white on the posterior margin, fifth segment rufous, penultimate segment with a yellow subtriangular spot on each side, ultimate segment at base, and tail, pale yellow;
venter
, fifth segment rufous.
Length of the body two-fifths of an inch.
♂
Cheeks
entirely yellow; a yellow spot on the
pleura
above the anterior feet, connected with the thoracic line;
tergum
yellowish-rufous, dusky at tip and black at base;
venter
yellowish-white, dusky at tip.
This species resembles the
bifasciatus
, nob.,
* Western Quarterly Reporter, vol, 2, p. 72.
2. T.
verticalis
. ♀ Head pale yellow; vertex and antennæ black; tergum yellowish, spotted with black, tip black.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Mandibles
piceous at tip;
antennæ
rather long;
vertex
with a somewhat lobated, large black spot, extending by a process down between the antennæ, and connected with another large spot on the occiput;
neck
, a black line each side;
thorax
black, about four oblique, short lines in the centre, and dilated line before each wing, yellow;
wings
hyaline, stigmata and nervures fuscous, costal edge dull yellowish;
scutel
yellow;
metathorax
black, a triangle at base, two dots and behind, yellow;
pleura
black, a yellow spot near the anterior wings and another over the posterior feet;
feet
yellow, slightly varied with pale testaceous; posterior thighs black on the terminal half, their tibiæ black at tip;
tergum
yellow, with a testaceous tinge, second, third, and fourth segments two-spotted on each; those of the anterior one nearly confluent; fifth immaculate, terminal ones black;
venter
pale yellowish, black at tip.
Length of the body three-twentieths of an inch.
3. T.
rufipes
. ♀ Black; mouth yellow; feet rufous.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Antennæ
moderate;
hypostoma
emarginate with a regularly
41labrum
nearly orbicular, and with the
mandibles
paie yellow, the latter piceous at tip;
stethidium
and
abdomen
black, immaculate;
wings
with fuscous nervures, stigmata, and costal edge;
feet
pale rufous; posterior tarsi and their tibiæ at tip blackish.
Length of the body half an inch.
4. T.
terminalis
. Antennæ white at tip; abdomen testaceous.
Inhabits United States.
♀
Body
black; head testaceous;
vertex
with a blackish longitudinal vitta;
antennæ
black, four last joints white
stethidium
black;
thorax
with a piceous triangle before, and a large yellow spot behind;
thorax
with two small yellow spots;
wings
tinged with fuliginous; nervures fuscous; carpal spot whitish on the basal half;
pleura
with large testaceous spot beneath the superior wings;
feet
testaceous, coxæ black, tip of the posterior coxæ white;
abdomen
entirely testaceous.
♂ Tip of the antennæ pale yellowish; superior orbits with a white sagittate spot; occiput each side with a white spot; instead of the piceous triangle of the thorax is a white V-like spot; pleura testaceous; pectus testaceous, disk and posterior coxæ at base black.
Length seven-twentieths of an inch.
The white terminal joints of the antennæ of this species are very distinct and striking.
5. T.
pygmæa
. Black; thorax rufous before; feet white. Inhabits United States.
♂ ♀
Body
polished;
hypostoma
obscure whitish;
thorax
, anterior segment rufous, collar dusky;
wings
dusky;
feet
white; thighs blackish in the middle behind; posterior tibiæ and tarsi black.
Length ♂ one fifth of an inch, ♀ rather more.
1. D.
inornatus
. Body black, polished; feet white, tarsi dusky.
Inhabits United States.
♀
Labrum
and
palpi
whitish;
thorax
with a line before the wings and wing-scale, white;
scutel
with a small bullate white spot on each side;
wings
a little dusky; nervures blackish-fuscous; pleura with an abbreviated white line over the intermediate feet;
coxæ
] colour of the feet.
Length one-fourth of an inch.
This species belongs to
Dolerus
†† of
Le Peletier
,
Emphytus
,
Leach
.
2. D.
arvensis
. Blackish-violaceous; thorax rufous, a spot before and triangular spot behind, black.
Inhabits United States.
♀ Antennæ black;
palpi
and
mandibles
black;
head
black with a violaceous tinge;
thorax
with a longitudinal spot from the collar to the middle, a small spot over the wing, posterior margin connected with a spot, black;
metathorax
black;
wings
dusky;
pleura
and
pectus
black, tinged with violaceous, the former rufous at the humerus, this colour being connected with that of the thorax;
feet
black;
abdomen
dark-violaceous.
Length more than seven-twentieths of an inch.
Var. α black spot above the wing enlarged and reaching the dorsal spot.
This species belongs to
Hylotoma
,
Fabr
.
Dosythaeus
,
Leach
, and
Dolerus
, †††
Le Peletier
. It is found in the North-west Territory, Pennsylvania, and Arkansa. This species is closely allied to
Tenthredo
thoracina
, Beauv. but it does not fully agree with his figure, and his description is two unessential to be useful.
3. D.
sericeus
. Entirely black, immaculate.
Inhabits United States.
♂ ♀ Body, particularly the
venter
and
feet
, sericeous, with short hairs;
wings
dusky;
tergum
glabrous, polished.
Length seven-twentieths of an inch.
Belongs to the same division With the preceding species.
It is found as far south and west as Arkansa. It resembles
Tenthredo
unicolor
, Beauv. but is somewhat larger, the three last joints of the antennæ are differently formed, and the wings are dusky.
E.
unicolor
. Entirely black, immaculate, slightly sericeous.
Inhabits United States.
Antennæ
long as the body;
palpi
piceous;
thorax
with very few, small punctures;
metathorax
densely punctured;
wings
hyaline, nervures fuscous; a distinct nervure passes from the dividing nervure of the cubital and discoidal cellules to the posterior margin of the wing;
abdomen
much compressed, impunctured, polished, oval, rather longer than the petiole;
posterior feet
elongated.
Length more than three-tenths of an inch.
The proportions of the petiole, abdomen, and posterior feet of this insect are nearly the same with those of
appendigaster
, Fabr. I obtained a specimen near the Rocky Mountains, and it is also found in Pennsylvania. The additional nervure is sometimes connected with the radial cellule by a faint, transverse nervure, so as to form a second cubital cellule.
F.
tarsatorius
. Black; feet pale rufous; posterior tibia blackish, at base white.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Antennæ
black-testaceous beneath towards the tip; mandibles testaceous, at tip black;
hypostoma
each side silvery;
stethidium
immaculate, confluently punctured;
wings
hyaline, nervures fuscous;
anterior and intermediate feet
pale rufous, the tibiæ] with a whitish line, the base of the tarsi white;
posterior feet
piteous, tibiæ blackish, clavate, a white band near the base, which is much dilated before; tarsi white at base, the first joint with a black origin;
abdomen
blackish, with about three dull testaceous spots on each side;
oviduct
pale testaceous; valves blackish, at tip whitish.
Length of the body eleven-twentieths of an inch.
1. S.
sericeus
. ♀ Black; tergum sericeous; tibia ochreous at base.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Head
with dilated, transversely confluent punctures;
nasus
minutely punctured;
thorax
with much dilated, irregularly confluent punctures;
scutel
polished, almost impunctured on the disk, lateral margin grooved;
wings
slightly fuliginous, nervures fuscous, those of the base very pale brownish;
metathorax
with very large, somewhat discoidal punctures;
tergum
without obvious incisures, black, covered with short, dense, cinereous, sericeous hair; obtuse at tip;
venter
excavated;
anterior pairs of feet
black,posterior pair
black, sericeous, tibiæ ochreous at base.
Length one-fourth to nearly three-tenths of an inch.
Very like the
sulcatus
, Jurine, but is much larger; it differs from
Ichneumon
oculator
, Fabr. by being immaculate, and from
Cryptus
irrorator
, Fabr. by the oval form of its abdomen.
2. S.
basilaris
. Black; base of the antennæ and feet pale yellowish.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Head
punctured; antennæ first and second joints pale yellowish;
mandibles
yellowish;
palpi
white;
thorax
punctured;
scutel, metathorax
, and
tergum
at base longitudinally wrinkled;
wings
hyaline, pale yellowish at base; nervures fuscous;
feet
pale yellowish, tips of the tarsi dusky.
Length nearly one-fifth of an inch.
This species is in the collection of Mr. William W. Wood. It is much smaller than the preceding species and readily distinguished by the colour of the basal joints of the antennæ and of the feet.
1. B.
tibiator
. Black; wings fuscous at tip.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
♀
Wings
hyaline, nervures robust, fuscous; tip including the extremity of the second submarginal cellule, fuscous;
feet
, anterior pair of tibiæ and tarsi yellowish-white; intermediate tarsi whitish; posterior pairs of tibiæ white at base.
Length of the body one-fifth of an inch.
2. B.
populator
. Black; abdomen red; wings dark fuliginous.
Inhabits United States.
♂ ♀
Metathorax
rough, with confluent punctures;
abdomen
entirely reddish-fulvous;
oviduct
black, longer than the abdomen.
Length of the body two-fifths of an inch.
A very common insect in many parts of the United States. The head and stethidium are sometimes dark piceous with the anterior portion of the thorax black. It resembles B.
initiator
, Fabr.
3. B.
ligator
. Black, abdomen and feet rufous, antennæ with a white annulus.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
♀
Vertex
and
occiput
impunctured; annulus of the
antennæ
placed beyond the middle;
palpi
piceous;
stethidium
with confluent punctures;
thorax
with two dilated, abbreviated, longitudinal, dull rufous lines;
scutel
with a dilated, longitudinal, dual rufous line;
wings
hyaline, nervures fuscous;
metathorax
dull rufous; feet rufous, tarsi blackish at tip;
posterior thighs
with a strong tooth beneath near the tip;
posterior tibiæ
fuscous;
posterior tarsi
whitish;
tergum
punctured, glabrous at tip;
oviduct
blackish.
Length seven-twentieths of an inch.
4. B.
stigmator
. Dark yellowish-rufous; metathorax and first segment of the tergum black.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Antennæ
as long as the body, dusky towards the tip; vertex between the stemmata black;
occiput
all round the neck, blackish;
metathorax
above and on the sides black;
pleura
with a blackish, dilated, longitudinal line;
pectus
with a blackish, dilated line before the anterior feet, reachingwings
hyaline; nervures fuscous; stigmata rather large, triangular, fuscous, dull white at the anterior and posterior tips, and also on the costal edge;
tergum
paler, disk of the first segment blackish.
Length less than one-fifth of an inch.
This insect is one of the many species that deposit their eggs in great numbers in the larva of Lepidopterous insects. In a dead and dried larva, which I found adhering to a tree, were the follicles of forty or fifty individuals of this species. It varies somewhat in the quantity of the black colouring with which it is marked. In some specimens this extends not only along the pectus, but is continued in a capillary line along the edge of the thorax, the metathorax also is entirely black, the tergum is blackish at tip and on the sides, the pectus has a black spot in the middle, and the hypostoma has a transverse, blackish spot.
S.
rufipes
. Black; abdomen sessile; thorax not remarkably attenuated before.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Body
somewhat sericeous;
palpi
pale yellowish; scutel with a groove on each side, rough;
metathorax
rough, and with two slightly elevated, longitudinal, distant lines;
wings
hyaline; a large, triangular, fuscous, carpal spot;
feet
rufous; posterior pair of tarsi dusky;
abdomen
a little rough at base;
oviduct
as long as the abdomen.
Length one-fifth of an inch.
Although the arrangement of the wing nervures agrees precisely with S.
coronatus
, Jur., yet the form of the body differs materially, the thorax not exhibiting the remark
A.
stigmapterus
. ♀ Black; incisures of the feet white.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Thorax
densely punctured; two dilated grooves confluent behind;
scutel
united to the thorax by a carinated line each side;
wings
tinged with fuliginous; nervures blackish; stigma terminated before by a small white spot;
metathorax
with large confluent punctures; terminated on each side behind by a short conic process;
pleura
and
pectus
polished;
tibiæ
at base, first joint of the tarsi at base, and near the tip of the tarsi, white.
Length more than one inch.
Well distinguished by the white points on the wings, and the white annulations of the feet. The head in my specimen is deficient.
I.
anceps
. Dull ferruginous; wings blackish; abdomen piteous.
Inhabits Arkansa and St. Peter's rivers.
Head
with a black curved line at base of the antennæ;
collar
abruptly elevated at the anterior edge, and slightly emarginate in the middle; near the neck black;
thorax
transversely wrinkled, and with three longitudinal impressed distant lines, of which the intermediate one is black, and the lateral ones black on the exterior side;
scutel
scabrous, abruptly elevated at tip, and emarginated;
42metathorax
scabrous, black on the disk;
wings
fuliginousblack;
pleura
and
pectus
blackish, the former with an obsolete, longitudinal line beneath the wings;
thighs
piceous in the middle; posterior pair black in the middle;
abdomen
compressed almost to flatness, piceous-black, margins of the segments paler; elongate-oval; rounded, but sharp-edged at tip;
tergum
and
venter
also with sharp edges.
Length nearly seven-tenths of an inch.
This species is not of very common occurrence. It is very closely allied to
Banchus
cultellator
, Fabr.
1. C.
microgaster
. Slender, black; anterior pairs of feet and posterior tarsi, yellowish; peduncle as long as the abdomen.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Stethidium
with dilated, dense punctures;
metathorax
with an angulated line above the insertion of the abdomen;
wings
hyaline, costal nervure fuscous;
posterior feet
black; tarsi yellowish; first joint of the coxæ with a small acute tooth above near the tip; thighs as large as the abdomen, with numerous, small, regular teeth on the posterior edge;
tibiæ
, terminal-spine longer than the first joint of the tarsi;
abdomen
polished; a little compressed, triangular, the superior angle rounded.
Length less than one-fifth of an inch.
2. C.
ovata
. Robust, black; feet yellow, thighs black at base, head with a golden reflection.
Inhabits Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Head
black, with golden sericeous hair, which is indistinct on the vertex;
antennæ
testaceous beneath towards the tip;
stethidium
with dilated, dense punctures, a littlewings
hyaline; nervures fuscous, at base pale yellowish;
feet
bright yellow; basal half of the anterior pairs of thighs black; posterior thighs smaller than the abdomen, black, with a yellow spot on the tip above, dentated on the posterior edge; posterior tibia piceous on its basal incisure; terminal spine robust, shorter than the first tarsal joint; first joint of the posterior coxæ with a robust tooth above near the tip;
abdomen
subovate, polished; first segment nearly glabrous, second segment hairy on each side, remaining segments hairy near their tips.
Length one-fifth of an inch.
L.
affinis
. Abdomen sessile; oviduct as long as the abdomen; black, varied with yellow; collar each side and behind margined with yellow, and with an abbreviated, transverse, yellow line on the anterior submargin.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
♂
Body
densely punctured;
antennæ
, basal joint yellow;
collar
margined each side and behind with yellow, the yellow abbreviated line on the anterior submargin is about half the width of the collar;
thorax
, incisure at the base of the wing dull yellow;
scutel
with a transverse yellow line;
wings
brownish;
pleura
, a yellow line over the insertion of the posterior feet;
feet
yellowish, thighs dusky or black at base; posterior thighs black, with a yellow spot at base and another at tip on the exterior side; posterior coxæ testaceous at tip;
tergum
with three nearly equal bands, and an oval, longitudinal spot near the tip, yellow;
venter
with a yellow spot each side, opposite to the termination of the third band of the tergum.
♀ Resembles the male, but the bands of the tergum are more dilated than those of the male, and the first is interrupted by the groove of the oviduct; the second band is reduced to a small lateral spot; the yellow spot at tip is divided by the groove of the oviduct; the venter is immaculate, and posterior thighs are piceous on the inner side.
Length rather more than three-tenths of an inch.
This species is very closely allied to the
dorsigera
and
gigas
, but more particularly to the former; it is much smaller than the
gigas
, and differs from both in many respects, and more obviously in the circumstance of the anterior margin of the collar being black, with an abbreviated yellow line on the submargin.
I observed this species running actively over the surface of a rafter in a barn, very busily feeling with its antennæ for a proper situation to deposit its eggs. Having found a suitable place, the insect, after some exertion, suddenly disengaged its oviduct from the groove and valves, and gradually thrust the instrument into the wood, nearly to the base; then having for a short time remained at rest, probably in order to protrude the egg, the oviduct was withdrawn, adjusted in its dorsal groove; and the insect proceeded again as before, in search of another spot suitable for its purpose. I could not ascertain the kind of larvæ, within the wood, that received these eggs.
P.
brevicornis
. Black, polished, immaculate; tibiæ and tarsi piceous.
Inhabits St. Peter's River.
Antennæ
short, first joint much elongated, second joint longer than the remaining one, which are subcylindric-quadrate;mandibles
pale testaceous;
thorax
convex, rounded, two faint impressed lines each side behind converging to the scutel, and on the posterior margin two indistinct dull whitish spots;
scutel
elevated, convex;
feet
dark piceous; thighs nearly black;
wings
, costal nervure indistinct;
abdomen
depressed fusiform, acute at tip.
Length more than one-twentieth of an inch.
B.
rufipes
. Black; antennæ and feet rufous.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Body
slender, polished, black;
mouth
rufous;
thorax
punctured;
wing joint
ochreous;
abdomen
, incisures and terminal segment obscurely piceous.
Length less than one-fifth of an inch.
This insect is also au inhabitant of Missouri.
P.
caudatus
. Pale testaceous; oviduct as long as the abdomen.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Head with a blackish, transverse line between the antennæ;
thorax
and
scutel
impunctured;
wings
hyaline, with a very slight ochreous tinge, stigmata very distinct, and with the costal nervures fuscous, the other nervures light brownish, the process of the radial nervure continued transversely to the middle of the disk of the wing, is not only extended from that point to the extremity of the wing, but also towards the base of the wing, terminating in this direction at the first transverse nervure.
Length of the body nearly two-fifths of an inch.
This species was also found in Missouri.
1. H.
ventrale
. Green polished; tergum tinged with blue; antennæ blackish at tip; venter bronze.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Antennæ
, excepting the first joint, blackish-brown;
front
impressed;
stethidium
with dilated punctures;
thorax
in the middle between the wings, with a purplish shade;
wings
dusky, nervures fuscous;
tarsi
, excepting the basal joint, dark brownish;
tergum
passing to bluish-purple towards the tip; tip very obtusely rounded, terminal segment longer than the preceding one;
venter
entirely dull bronzed.
Length more than one-fourth of an inch.
2. H.
dimidiatum
. Green polished; posterior half of the renter bronze.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Antennæ
, excepting the basal joint, and
palpi
, brownish-black front somewhat impressed; vertex between the stemmata dark purplish;
stethidium
with dilated punctures;
thorax
longitudinally on the disk dark purplish;
wings
dusky, nervures fuscous;
tarsi
, dark brownish;
tergum
longitudinally in the middle slightly tinged with bluish, ultimate segment less than half the length of the preceding one;
venter
green, posterior half coppery.
Length nearly three-tenths of an inch.
From the collection of Mr. William W. Wood.
M.
unicolor
. Black; abdomen with cinereous hair; metathorax with an impressed line.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Head
with short cinereous hair, somewhat longer about the mouth; densely punctured;
thorax
and
scutel
densely punctured, and with scattered cinereous short hair; posterior segment of the former with two light parallel impressed lines;
wings
hyaline, nervures fuscous;
metathorax
with a longitudinal, impressed, very distinct line; and a transverse one at base; hair more obvious each side; punctures smaller than those of the thorax;
abdomen
more hairy than any other part of the body.
Length three-tenths of an inch.
This insect also occurred on the Missouri, at Engineer Cantonment, and in Pennsylvania.
1. T.
inornata
. Black, immaculate; wings yellowish-fuliginous.
Inhabits Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Head punctured;
antennæ
piceous, paler towards the tip;
mandibles
piceous, blackish at tip;
thorax
punctured, wing-scale and posterior margin of the first segment impunctured, edge of the latter piceous;
metathorax
with three longitudinal, slightly elevated lines; posterior edge also slightly elevated into an acute line;
feet
hairy, tibiæ and tarsi more or less piceous;
abdomen
, particularly behind, hairy.
Length three-fifths of an inch.
2. T.
interrupta
. Black, stethidium with yellow spots; tergum with yellow spots and bands.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Antennæ
dull black-brown, first joint polished, piceous at tip;
mandibles
piceous, black at tip;
thorax
with a spot each side before, three in a line between the origin of the superior wings, yellow;
scutel
with a yellow, transverse line;
wings
hyaline, costal margin fuliginous;
metathorax
at the tip each side with a double, longitudinal, yellow spot;
pleura
with a vertical, yellow, oblong spot beneath the origin of the superior wing;
tarsi
pale piceous;
tibiæ
, anterior pair blackish-piceous, posterior pairs pale piceous;
thighs
black;
tergum
a little iridescent; first segment with a band abruptly and widely narrowed above; second segment with an oval spot each side; third segment, band gradually narrowed in the middle; fourth and fifth segments, bands slightly interrupted;
venter
immaculate.
Length nine-twentieths of an inch.
In the collection of Mr. William W. Wood.
This species would seem to be allied to the
serena
, judging by the description that Fabricius gives of that insect, particularly as he describes the costal margin of the wings to be fuscous. That insect, however, is stated to be only a little smaller than the
namea
of the same author, a size which at once puts that species out of the question.
1. P.
fascipennis
. Black; wings hyaline, with a fuscous band near the tip; abdomen rufous at base.
Inhabits United States.
♀
Hypostoma
, and inferior portion of the
front
, withwings
with fuscous nervures; a fuscous band including nearly all the radial cellule, and not reaching the posterior angle; tip slightly margined with fuscous; posterior thighs and tibiæ at base rufous;
abdomen
sessile, first and second segments rufous.
Length about three-tenths of an inch.
2. P.
marginatus
. Black; wings dusky, with a broad, darker posterior margin; abdomen sessile, first and second segments rufous.
inhabits North-west Territory and Missouri.
♀ The terminal dark margin of the wings is so broad as to reach almost to the terminal cubical cellule, and passes round on the costal margin to the origin of the radial cellule; on the inferior wings is also a broad, terminal, darker margin.
Length two-fifths of an inch.
Very similar to the preceding, but manifestly distinct by the above characters.
1. C.
fasciata
. Black; thorax and tergum spotted and banded with pale yellowish; feet ochreous, tarsi pale yellow.
Inhabits United States.
Front, labrum
, and
orbits
yellow, the latter interrupted above;
thorax
punctured; anterior margin, a spot each side near the head, a longitudinal, abbreviated, central line, yellow;
scutel
with a spot on the disk, and another transverse one beneath its tip, yellow;
wings
immaculate, nervures blackish;
pectus
with a yellowish spot over the intermediate and another over the posterior feet;
coxæ
, first joint with a dilated yellow line;
posterior feet
elongated;
tergum
43
Length nearly two-fifths of an inch.
This insect has considerable resemblance to the
macularia
, Fabr. but the longitudinal thoracic line, scutellar spot, the form and number of the bands of the tergum, &c. sufficiently distinguish it. It is more especially found in Missouri.
2. C.
ferruginea
. Ferruginous; wings violet; pleura and metathorax black.
Inhabits United States.
Antennæ
beyond the third joint, gradually shaded into fuscous;
mandibles
, the two teeth black;
thorax
, middle segment with a black anterior margin; posterior segment, and
scutel
, black on each side;
wings
decidedly violaceous;
posterior coxæ
at base black;
tergum
, first segment at base and tip, and second segment at tip, black.
Length less than three-fifths of an inch.
3. C.
bipunctata
. Black; wings dark violaceous; posterior thighs bright rufous in the middle; a small yellow dot each side at the tip of the metathorax.
Inhabits United States.
♂
Hypostoma, labrum, anterior orbits
, and line on the basal joint of the
antennæ
before, yellow;
mandibles
piceous;
palpi
pale;
collar
yellow on the posterior margin, and with the
thorax
and
scutel
with somewhat distant punctures;
wings
violaceous;
posterior thighs
, excepting at base and tip, bright rufous.
Length from one-half to three-fourths of an inch.
♀
Hypostoma
and
labrum
black, the
anterior orbits
collar
destitute of the yellow margin behind. Smaller than the female.
This species may readily be distinguished by the two small, bright, yellow dots at tip each side of the metathorax, and the bright colour of the posterior thighs. It varies considerably in size.
B.
monodonta
. Black; tergum with dilated, greenish-yellow bands.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Front
and
vertex
with cinereous hair;
labrum
with a greenish, oblong, margined spot each side, near the base;
thorax
hardly hairy; anterior edge, terminating in a spot on the pleura; an oblique, abbreviated line above the origin of the wings, terminating in a comma-formed spot behind, greenish-yellow;
metathorax
, a transverse, rectilinear line at base, and an arcuated one at base, slightly interrupted in the middle, greenish-yellow;
thighs
, at tip,
tibiæ
and base of the
tarsi
, pale yellowish; tips of the latter dusky; a dilated black line near the tip of the anterior tibiæ;
wings
hyaline;
tergum
with six yellow and green bands, which occupy more than two-thirds of the surface; first band bilobate before, yellow, with a broad green posterior margin; remaining bands somewhat dentated before; the second and third bands yellow, with a green central dash; fourth and fifth bands yellow, their anterior margins green; terminal band entirely yellow;
venter
entirely black; a single elevation on the second segment.
Length ♂ half an inch.
In the collection of Mr. William W. Wood.
1. M. 4-
fasciata
. Black, obscurely iridescent; tergum with four bands, interrupted and narrowed in the middle.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Antennæ
with the basal joint beneath yellow;
orbits
anteriorly,
hypostoma
and
labrum
, yellow; the latter margined each side with piceous, and the hypostoma has a more or less dilated black spot above;
mandibles
blackish-piceous;
thorax
with a capillary line before;
wings
hyaline, slightly fuliginous, nervures fuscous;
metathorax
at tip each side compressed and yellow;
pleura
with a whitish spot over the anterior feet, and from one to three yellowish approximate spots above the middle;
feet
pale yellowish; thighs black on the basal two-thirds, those of the anterior feet black only on the exterior side;
tergum
with four yellow bands, dilated on the sides, and gradually narrowing to the middle of the back, where they are slightly interrupted, the terminal one widely interrupted; two terminal segments with large punctures each side and at base;
venter
with three small yellow spots each side near the middle; ♂ with an obsolete spot each side on the two segments beyond the bands, and the anus is three-spined, of which the lateral ones are curved, and ♀ with an obsolete, yellowish line before the wings on each side.
Length ♂ three-fifths, ♀ nearly seven-tenths of an inch.
This species is in the collection of Mr. William W. Wood. The hypostoma of the male specimen is occupied by the black basal spot, excepting on its anterior margin. The bands of the abdomen in this species are not at all dentated.
2. M.
ventralis
. Black, obscurely iridescent; tergum
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
♂
Orbits
anteriorly obsoletely tinged with dull yellowish;
antennæ
first joint beneath yellow;
hypostoma, labrum
, and
mandibles
black;
palpi
whitish;
thorax
punctured; a line on the anterior edge, with a spot at tip on the pleura, and a small, longitudinal, oval spot each side above the inferior wings, yellow;
scutel
with a transverse yellow line;
metathorax
at tip each side compressed and yellow;
wings
hyaline, very slightly tinged with fuliginous; nervures fuscous;
feet
yellowish; thighs black from the base to near the knee, first pair on the anterior side only the basal half black;
tergum
with about five or six yellow bands, which are rather wider on the back and interrupted by a very narrow space; excepting the first band which is slightly undulated, slightly narrowed on the back, and interrupted by a wider space; the ultimate bands narrowed each side and interrupted near a spot on the lateral margin; terminal segment with large, dense punctures, as numerous on the disk as upon the sides; anus three-spined, of which the lateral ones are curved;
venter
each side with a triangular spot at the tip of each of the dorsal bands excepting the first.
Length nearly half an inch.
I have not seen the female, the male is in the collection of Mr. William W. Wood.
A.
unicolor
. Deep black, immaculate; wings dusky at tip.
Inhabits North-west Territory and Missouri.
♀
Head
with rather long, silvery hair;
thorax
and
scutel
with remote punctures, the former with a very slight appearance of longitudinal lines before, the latter with a longitudinal, impressed line at tip;
metathorax
with dense, dilated punctures;
wings
hyaline, with a broad, dusky tip, nervures black;
tarsi
piceous;
abdomen
polished, immaculate.
Length less than half an inch.
O. 4-
notatus
. Black; tergum with a slight, whitish, abbreviated line on each side of the first and second segments.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Antennæ
towards the tip beneath,
stethidium
, immaculate;
wings
hyaline, nervures brown;
metathorax
and
scutel
each with three raised lines, two superior spines of the former whitish at tip, decurved; inferior spine larger, black;
tarsi
testaceous at tip;
anterior tibiæ
testaceous on the inner side;
tergum
polished; lateral abbreviated line of the first segment much more distinct than that of the second.
Length nearly one-fourth of an inch.
G.
bipunctatus
. Black, collar and scutel with a white line; tergum with two white spots.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Hypostoma
silvery white; basal joint of the
antennæ
before, exterior base of the
mandibles
and
palpi
, white; line of the
collar
capillary, of the
scutel
broader, abbreviated;wings
hyaline, nervures fuscous;
pleura
with a small dot before the wing;
feet
black;
tibiæ
sericeous, white on the exterior base;
tarsi
white;
tergum
, second segment at tip each side with a small white spot.
Length three-tenths of an inch.
This species corresponds in its generic characters precisely with
Arpactus
, Jurine, and of course possesses those oblique parallel lines of the metathorax which Jurine mentions as distinguishing this genus.
1. P.
concolor
. Black, minutely punctured; metathorax with dilated punctures; abdomen glabrous.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Head
with minute pubescence, more distinct on the front;
mandibles
obtusely bifid at tip, immediately above which are two obtuse teeth; punctures minute sparse on the vertex;
thorax
with a slightly impressed, longitudinal line, from which proceed numerous, minute wrinkles, curving outwards and backwards; punctures larger than those of the head;
wings
slightly fuliginous, nervures blackish;
metathorax
with dilated punctures, or slightly impressed cavities;
feet
somewhat sericeous;
abdomen
polished, impunctured; petiole moderate.
Length of the body nearly seven-twentieths of an inch.
This is allied to P.
unicolor
, Fabr.
2. P.
inornatus
. Black, immaculate, punctured; abdomen impunctured, polished; petiole nearly one-third the length of the abdomen.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Wings
hyaline, very slightly tinged with dusky, the
Length less than three-tenths of an inch.
S.
fraternus
. Black, antennæ and feet yellowish.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Body
deep black, polished, not obviously punctured;
mandibles
and
palpi
whitish;
wings
hyaline, nervures pale brown, stigma piceous-black, whitish at base; origin of the wings yellowish;
pleura
with a white spot rather before the origin of the wings;
feet
immaculate;
venter
whitish at tip.
Length rather more than three-twentieths of an inch.
This species is in the collection of Mr. William W. Wood. It is closely allied to the
ater
of authors, the petiole of the abdomen, however, is proportionably longer.
1. C.
tibialis
. Black, polished; thoracic line, scutel, knees, and tibiæ, yellow; abdomen with piceous incisures.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
♀
Head
with a slightly impressed frontal line, extending to the stemmata;
antennæ
, basal joint yellow;
hypostoma
silvery, brilliant;
thorax
with a transverse, yellow line on the collar, not extending to the postpectus;
scutel
yellow;
wings
hyaline; nervures fuscous, those of the disk pale at base;
metathorax
slightly carinated each side with a longitudinal, impressed line, which is a little dilated beyond the middle, and a slight transverse line on the Middle;pleura
immaculate;
tarsi
slightly tinged with testaceous;
posterior
pair entirely black;
abdomen
rather long, blackish-piceous; incisures edged behind with pale-piceous, the second segment above margined behind with palepiceous.
Length three-tenths of an inch.
A small species in the collection of Mr. William W. Wood.
2. C.
scutellatus
. Black, polished; thoracic line, scutel, knees, and tibiæ, yellow; abdomen totally black.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Length ♀ one-fifth of an inch.
This species closely resembles the preceding, but is smaller; the abdomen proportionally shorter, and entirely black; the yellow line of the collar extends to a yellow spot at the commencement of the pleura; the transverse line of the metathorax is much more profoundly indented, and a transverse punctured line is far more obvious than in the preceding; the intermediate and posterior tibiæ have a black spot near the tip.
3. C. 6-
maculatus
. Black; tergum with three yellow spots on each side.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
♀
Antennæ
, basal joint yellow;
mandibles
at base yellow;
hypostoma
silvery, brilliant;
thorax
with a yellow band on the collar, interrupted in the middle; two parallel, abbreviated, transverse, equal, yellow lines behind;
wings
dusky;
pleura
with two, equal, rounded, yellow spots, one of which is beneath the superior wing and the other before it;
thighs
black, knees yellowish;
tibiæ
yellow with a black or piteous spot on the inner side;
tarsi
tinged with rufous;
tergum
on the second, fourth and fifth segments with a transversely oval spot.
44
Length three-tenths of an inch.
4. C.
trifasciatus
. Black; scutel, two spots on the collar, base of the antennæ and lateral spots of the tergum, yellow.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Body
with numerous, short hairs;
hypostoma
silvery; first joint of the
antennæ
and middle of the mandibles, yellow;
thorax
punctured;
collar
with two yellow spots;
scutel
yellow;
metathorax
with dilated, confluent punctures, and an impressed longitudinal line;
wings
fuliginous, nervures brown;
pectus
with a yellow spot before the wings;
feet
yellow, thighs, and a line on the inner side of the tibiæ, black; tarsi dusky at tip;
tergum
polished, impunctured; a yellow band on the middle of the second segment interrupted above; a short yellow line each side of the third segment; a yellow band on the fourth segment, slightly interrupted above; a yellow band on the fifth segment, not interrupted but only slightly emarginate above;
venter
immaculate.
Length two-fifths of an inch nearly.
1. P.
punctatus
. Black; head and thorax with yellow spots; tergum with large punctures and four yellow bands.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
♂
Eyes
very slightly emarginate; a longitudinal line each side of the hypostoma, a triangular spot on the middle of the anterior margin, another on the front, a small rounded spot on the basal joint of the antennæ before, a small dot each side on the vertex, and another behind each eye, yellowish-rufous;
thorax
uneven, with large profound punctures; a line on the collar, another on the scutel beforewings
fuliginous;
pleura
with a double yellow spot beneath the anterior wing;
feet
honey-yellow, thighs black at base, tibiæ bright yellow before;
tergum
rough with large profound punctures; first segment rounded, immaculate; second with a broad, yellow, slightly arcuated line, touching the anterior edge and curving towards the posterior angles; third, fourth, and fifth segments, each with a narrow, dull yellow band on the posterior margin; venter immaculate.
Length less than two-fifths of an inch.
2. P.
politus
. Black, polished; tergum, first segment with two whitish spots, the other segments with a spot each side, connected by a whitish band.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Hypostoma, mandibles
at base, and anterior
orbits
as high as the emargination, whitish;
antennæ
beneath beyond the third joint, rufous-brown, a whitish spot on the basal joint;
thorax
with small, irregular punctures;
collar
with two transverse spots;
wing-scale
, and transverse line on the
scutel
, whitish;
wings
a little dusky towards the tip;
pleura
, a double whitish spot beneath the superior wings;
thighs
black;
knees
and
tibiæ
excepting a black line on the inner side, whitish;
tarsi
dusky;
tergum
polished, first segment with a transverse ovate spot each side; remaining segments each with a transverse quadrate spot each side, touching the posterior margin and connected along this margin by a band, which is transversely thicker in the middle.
Length more than seven-twentieths of an inch.
C.
deserta
. Black; hypostoma, feet, and bands of the tergum, yellow.
Inhabits North-west Territory, Missouri, and Pennsylvania.
♂
Hypostoma
entirely yellow;
antennæ
yellow before, dark brown behind;
collar
with two transverse yellow spots;
scutel
with a transverse line, yellow;
wings
hyaline, brownish on the costal margin near the tip;
feet
yellow; anterior thighs black on the posterior middle, intermediate thighs on the posterior base and posterior thighs at tip, black;
tergum
, first joint rounded with a spot each side; second and third segments with each a band on the posterior margins slightly and widely emarginate before, remaining segments with each a narrower band on their posterior margins, yellow;
venter
, three or four first segments with each a lateral, triangular, yellow spot.
Length more than two-fifths of an inch.
Var. α. metathorax with a yellow, oblique line each side behind; first joint of the tergum immaculate.
Var. β. metethorax and first joint of the tergum immaculate; bands of the tergum excepting the first, very narrow, linear; ventral spots obsolete; feet with a larger proportion of the black colour.
Var. [???]. a small yellow spot each side before the tip of the scutellar line.
1. E.
fraterna
. Black; hypostoma, anterior thoracic margin, scutellar line, posterior submargins of the segments of the tergum, and two spots on the second segment, yellow.
Inhabits United States.
Body
polished, punctured;
hypostoma
emarginate, and with a line between the antennae, pale yellow;
antennæ
,thorax
with the anterior margin somewhat contracted in the middle, yellow;
scutel
yellow;
wings
fuliginous;
thighs
black, yellowish at the knee joint;
tibiæ
whitish, a black line near the tip;
tarsi
pale yellowish, dusky towards the tip;
tergum
, first segment with a subbidentate yellow band on the posterior margin; second segment with a yellow band on the posterior submargin somewhat sinuated before, and an oval, oblique yellow spot on the middle of each side; third and fourth segments with each an abbreviated, whitish, submarginal line behind;
venter
with a spot at tip of the first segment, and a submarginal band on the second behind.
Length from nine-twentieths to more than three-fifths of an inch.
Var. α. Spot on the second segment of the tergum eliptical.
Var. β. A pale yellowish spot on each side of the scutel, and nearly in a line with it.
This species is very closely allied to the
coarctata
, Fabr. of Europe, but the whole of the hypostoma is yellow, the line between the antennæ being only a process from it; there is no yellow point beneath the wings; none on the first segment of the tergum; and the bands on the third and fourth segments are always much abbreviated, never extending to the sides or upon the venter.
Like the
coarctata
this species constructs for each of its eggs a hollow globe of earth, with a short ascending neck, the rim of which is sometimes widely outspread horizontally; it is often built around a twig of a bush for support, as represented by Degeer, (Hist. abrégée des insectes, vol. 2, pl. 16, fig. e.) sometimes the nest occurs simply attached to the superior page of a leaf. The egg deposited in this globe in June, is inclosed with a sufficient supply of food,Vespa
nona
, (Icon. vol. 1, pl. 53, fig. 10,) which is proportionally much smaller than in Degeer's figure of the
coarctata
. This species is found as well in Pennsylvania, as in the North-west Territory and Missouri.
2. E.
verticalis
. Black; hypostoma above, anterior thoracic margin, scutellar line, posterior submargins of the abdominal segments, and spot each side on the first and second segments, yellow; metathorax with a vertical spot each side at tip.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
This species differs from the preceding in the following characters; anterior portion of the hypostoma with a deeply trilobated black spot; superior wing-scale rufous; a small yellowish spot beneath the superior wing and a yellowish line over the insertion of the inferior wing; a vertical, oblong, yellow spot each side near the inferior tip of the metathorax; a small spot each side on the first segment of the tergum, and the yellow margin is reflected backwards on the lateral edge for a short distance; the spot of the second segment is elongated, and the bands of the third and fourth segments pass round the venter. Size about equal to the preceding, and seems to be allied to the
pomiformis
, Fabr.
3. E.
anormis
, Black; first abdominal segment very short and dilated.
Inhabits St. Peter's river and Arkansa.
♂
Antennæ
with the scapus yellow before;
hypostoma
attenuated, truncate at tip, with large, longitudinal punctures, and at base a transverse, yellow, arcuated line; athorax
densely punctured, a yellow spot on each side of the collar; wing-scale yellow, with a palebrown spot;
wings
fuliginous;
scutel
with a transverse, yellow line;
metathorax
, on each lateral margin with an oblique, yellow line;
pleura
, a yellow spot under the superior wing;
feet
yellow; thighs except at the knees, and spot on the anterior tibiæ, black;
tergum
, segments yellow on their posterior margins, first and second segments with each a yellow, lateral spot, the former segment short, dilated, not pedunculiform;
venter
immaculate.
Length more than seven-twentieths of an inch.
Excepting in the character drawn from the first segment of the abdomen, this insect has a general similarity to the preceding species, and the form of the anterior portion of the hypostoma and the trophi, prove that this species is properly placed in this genus.
P. 5-
fusciatus
. Segments of the tergum yellow on their posterior margins; first and second segments with a lateral, ferruginous spot on each.
Inhabits North-west Territory and Missouri.
♀
Head
black; dilated posterior orbits, and anterior orbits to the emargination of the eyes, ferruginous;
hypostoma, scapus
of the antennæ and
mandibles
, ferruginous; tip of the former acutely emarginate in the middle;
flugellum
black-brown;
labial palpi
testaceous, very long, ciliate with long hairs, three-jointed; terminal joint much compressed, flat, obtuse at tip;
stethidium
black; collar and
wing-scale
ferruginous;
scutel
with two, large, yellowmetathorax
with a transverse, yellow line, and at the base each side a large ferruginous spot;
wings
a little fuliginous;
pleura
with a yellow spot beneath the superior wings;
feet
ferruginous;
tergum
black, with five, broad, bright yellow, somewhat dentated bands, the posterior one abbreviated; first and second segments with each a large ferruginous spot on each side;
venter
black, ferruginous at base.
Length more than seven-tenths of an inch.
O.
annulatus
. Segments of the tergum yellow on their posterior margins; first and second segments with a lateral, ferruginous spot on each.
Inhabits North-west Territory and Missouri.
♂
Head
black;
hypostoma
yellowish, truncate at tip, and with a small denticle each side; a large triangular spot on the
front
, front of the
scapus
of the antennæ,
mandibles
, and
anterior orbits
to the bottom of the emargination of the eye, yellowish;
posterior orbit
above with a ferruginous spot;
antennæ
, terminal joint very much compressed, ferruginous, and reflected outward and backward on the two preceding joints;
stethidium
black;
collar
and
wing-scale
ferruginous;
scutel
with two yellow spots;
metathorax
with a transverse, yellow line, and at the base each side a large ferruginous spot;
wings
a little fuliginous;
pleura
with a yellow or ferruginous spot beneath the superior wings;
feet
ferruginous;
tergum
black, with six, broad, bright yellow bands; first segment ferruginous excepting the posterior margin, with a black spot in the middle; second segment with a large ferruginous spot each side, in which is a smaller yellow spot;
venter
black, ferruginous
Length more than half an inch.
♀ First and second joints of the antennæ ferruginous;
tergum
with five yellow bands; first and second segments ferruginous with yellow posterior margins, the latter segment with a large yellow spot each side, and more or less of black in the middle.
Size very little larger than the male.
The very striking similarity in markings between this species and the
Pterochilus
5-
fasciatus
, led me at first to consider it the male of that species, but having several Specimens, on submitting them to a more accurate inspection, I discovered that one of the number is a female nearly corresponding in size with the others, and agreeing with them in the form of the termination of the hypostoma and in the ventral bands, which specifically distinguish this species from that just mentioned.
N.?
heteropoda
. Hairy, blackish-fuscous; wings blackish at tip; posterior tibia much dilated, triangular; terminal joint of the antennæ compressed, dilated.
Inhabits North-west Territory, Arkansa, and Maryland.
♂
Body
blackish-fuscous, with cinereous hair;
antennæ
hardly as long as the thorax, terminal joint compressed and dilated on the inner side, subsecuriform;
mandibles
unarmed;
wings
slightly tinged with dirty yellowish, with a broad, blackish, terminal border, nervures reddish-brown;
intermediate feet
with the thighs very much dilated, compressed, triangular, first joint of the tarsus dilated and compressed before;
posterior feet
with the thighs dilated,
45venter
sparsely hairy; fourth segment divided by a longitudinal suture in the middle, at the posterior angles prominent, acute; fifth segment short, longitudinally carinated in the middle, and with a prominent tubercle each side behind; sixth segment longitudinally divided in the middle by a suture.
Length seven-tenths of an inch.
This singular insect does not perfectly correspond in character with the genus under which I have placed it, and it disagrees still more with the neighbouring genera as defined in the books.
P. 8-
maculatus
. Black; tergum with four, transverse, yellow spots on each side.
Inhabits United States.
♂
Hypostoma, labrum, mandibles
at base, inferior part of the anterior orbits, yellow;
antennæ
brown, yellowish beneath and bright yellow on the anterior side of the basal joint;
thorax
slightly tinged with brassy, a small yellow point each side on the collar;
pleura
with a yellow spot before the wings; wings slightly dusky, pale at base, nervures fuscous;
feet
yellow, middle of the thighs and posterior middle of the tibiæ blackish; posterior feet blackish-brown, knees and base of the thighs yellow;
tergum
dark-brown, four first segments each with a transverse, yellow spot.
Length more than one-fifth of an inch.
♀
Hypostoma
with three, longitudinal, yellow spots, of which the intermediate one is longest;
orbits
on the anterior inferior portion with a triangular yellow spot;
antennæ
basal joint entirely black; spots of the
tergum
less elongated than those of the male, and the feet have more of the black colour.
Length rather over one-fourth of an inch.
1. M.
interrupta
. Thorax surrounded by ferruginous; tergum five-banded.
Inhabits Missouri.
♂
Body
punctured, above glabrous;
head
black;
antennæ
, first joint at base and third and fourth joints dull rufous;
hypostoma
, broad frontal
orbits
, and
mandibles
at base, yellow;
vertex
with a ferruginous band, interrupted in the middle and extending down the cheeks; labrum rufous, a small black spot at base;
thorax
black, surrounded by a ferruginous margin, which is interrupted before, and passes upon the posterior margin of the scutel;
wings
fuliginous;
pleura
with cinereous hair beneath the wings;
feet
rufous, tarsi with yellow hair;
tergum
convex, black, with dilated, obscure, rufous, scarcely definite bands, five in number, on each of which, excepting the basal one, is another yellow band emarginate each side behind, and the three posterior ones are interrupted in the middle;
anus
trilobated; lobes yellow, intermediate one small; posterior
coxæ
each with a robust yellow spine;
venter
with transverse bands of long, dense, yellow hair.
Length nearly two-fifths of an inch.
♀ The black colour of the front extends down upon thelabrum
black on the disk;
mandibles
black, excepting a small, rufous spot at base; the three last bands of the tergum are destitute of any rufous colour about them;
venter
densely covered with hair;
mandibles
, as in the male, three-toothed; posterior coxæ unarmed.
Length about the same as the male, but more robust.
2. M.
emarginata
. Black; a band on each abdominal segment, slightly interrupted in the middle, and emarginated each side before.
Inhabits Missouri.
♀
Body
punctured, above glabrous;
head
with a small yellow dot each side of the vertex;
mandibles
five-toothed;
thorax
with a small, whitish spot before the wings; wing-scale whitish, with a brown spot; a whitish spot on the posterior angles, forming a curve with two whitish spots on the scutel;
wings
hyaline, nervures fuscous; feet black, a dilated whitish line on the exterior side of the tibia, tarsi with dull yellowish hair;
tergum
convex, a whitish band on each segment, very slightly interrupted in the middle, and, excepting the first one, deeply emarginated each side before, the terminal segment with two rounded spots instead of a band.
Length less than seven-twentieths of an inch.
3. M.
jugatoria
. Black; a band on each abdominal segment, interrupted in the middle and entire each side.
Inhabits Missouri.
♀
Body
punctured, above nearly glabrous;
head
with a yellow line on the superior part of the cheeks;
hypostoma
with a dilated, yellow line, which extends upon the anterior orbits nearly to their summit;
thorax
with a widely interrrupted line before, extending round above the wings,wings
fuliginous;
feet
blackish, with dull rufous joints, and tarsal hair; anterior feet before dull rufous;
tergum
, bands yellow, not at all emarginated each side, the basal band widely interrupted, second band less widely interrupted, the penultimate one hardly interrupted, and the ultimate one entire.
Length about seven-twentieths of an inch.
That these three species are congeneric is evident, but they do not correspond in all respects with the genus
Megachile
as defined by entomologists. The trophi agree very well, and the form of the nails of the feet in the two sexes are also similar, but the tergum is convex, as in
Osmia
, and the abdomen curves very much downwards towards the tip, as in
Stelis
, from which latter genus they differ by having a hairy venter.
C. 8-
dentata
. Black; abdomen with five white bands, tip eight-toothed.
Inhabits United States.
♂
Front
and
hypostoma
with dense, long, dull yellowish hair;
thorax
with a dentated band before interrupted in the middle, a spot at the base of the wings and a transverse line at base of the scutel, white;
wings
a little dusky on the apicial margin;
feet
rufous;
tergum
with five white bands, of which the two or three terminal ones are double; segments each with a transverse indented line; tip with eight teeth, of which two are on each side, and four at the extremity placed two above and two beneath;
venter
with a white line on the posterior margin of each segment, the basal and terminal ones obsolete.
Length two-fifths of an inch.
Var. α Spots and lines of the thorax obsolete; feet, excepting the tarsi, black.
This is an inhabitant of various parts of the United States, from the North-west Territory to Arkansa, and is common in Pennsylvania.
N.
bisignata
. Terminal half of the wings with a dusky margin; abdomen rufous, with a bright yellow spot each side of the middle.
Inhabits United States.
♀
Head
ferruginous, front with a large, black spot, confluent with another transverse one on the vertex; occiput and throat black;
antennæ
blackish, beneath rufous;
stethidium
black, varied with ferruginous, and like the head rough with dense punctures;
thorax
ferruginous, with a longitudinal, black line;
scutel
ferruginous;
feet
rufous; thighs black at base;
wings
dusky, particularly on the margin of the terminal half;
tergum
rufous, the segments on their posterior margins, and the basal segment at base also black; second segment with a large, lateral, yellow spot, and a slight appearance of another on each side of the third segment.
Length rather more than three-tenths of an inch.
This species varies in having the thorax black, with four ferruginous lines.
1. E.
lunatus
. Tergum with two opposite lunules on the first segment, and three bands on the other segments.
Inhabits Missouri and Prairie du Chien.
♀
Body
black;
front
with a whitish spot surrounding the base of each antennæ;
antennæ
black-brown, three basal joints and
labrum
ferruginous;
thorax
with two abbreviated, whitish, longitudinal lines before the middle, a pale yellowish line on the collar, another over the wings, passing round behind above the scutel, a double line beneath the scutel, and an oblique sagittate spot each side on the metathorax, also pale yellowish;
wings
a little fuliginous;
feet
rufous; thighs blackish in the middle;
tergum
velvet-black; first segment with an angulated lunule on each side, and a subterminal band on each of the three following segments, of which the first is very slightly interrupted; terminal segment with a slight, oblique, cinereous spot each side.
♂ Anterior half of the thorax with much of the pale yellowish colour; bands of the tergum larger than those of the female and one more in number, feet nearly all blackish.
Length half an inch.
Smaller than E. 4-
fasciatus
, nobis, but much larger than E.
mercatus
, Fabr.
2. E.
scutellaris
. Thorax surrounded by ferruginous; posterior spines dilated.
Inhabits Middle States.
♀
Body
deep black, densely punctured;
front
with a white spot surrounding the base of each antennæ;
antennæ
black-brown, three basal joints and
mandibles
rufous;
thorax
with the collar, obsolete line over the wings, dilated posterior teeth and
scutel
, ferruginous;
wings
dusky on the terminal margin;
feet
rufous;
tergum
black-brown; two distant bands on the first segment, of which the first is obsolete, and the other is interrupted in the middle, second
Length from three-tenths to nearly seven-twentieths of an inch.
Much smaller than the preceding, and about equal in size to E.
mercatus
, Fabr. from which it differs by various characters, and particularly by the much more dilated form of the posterior thoracic teeth. During rainy or windy weather, this insect secures itself to the edge of a leaf or to the small branch of a bush, by its mandibles, retracts the feet to the body, and projects the antennæ forwards.
A. 4-
maculatus
. Pale brownish; wings with four fuscous spots.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Thorax
dull cinereous; two oblique, brown lines confluent behind and reaching the posterior edge; a broad, lateral, brown line also extending the whole length of the thorax;
wings
hyaline, the nervures hairy, forming two blackish spots near the middle, placed longitudinally; and two others nearer the tip on the bifurcations of the nervures, placed transversely;
scutel
dull ochreous, dusky in the middle;
feet
black-brown, incisures at tip of the thighs and of the tibiæ, yellowish;
tergum
whitish, a little varied with dusky.
Length ♀ to the tip of the wings more than three-tenths of an inch.
Closely allied to the
maculipennis
, Hgg. I have not seen the male. Wiedemann informs me that my
Culex
punctipennis
is a true
Anopheles
, an observation which I have found to be correct. I described that insect in the year 1819, before any account of that new genus had reached this country, otherwise I certainly should have adopted it.
L.
ventralis. Body
blackish-brown;
antennæ
18-jointed, hairy, joints subglobular, rather transverse, and placed close to each other, basal joint whitish;
thorax
and
tergum
immaculate;
feet
whitish, exterior side of the tibiæ blackish;
tarsi
blackish, first joint very short;
venter
whitish in the middle;
wings
with a narrow, blackish, costal margin, which is gradually narrowed to the tip.
♀ Length rather more than one-twentieth of an inch,
I caught this species in the garden of the University of Pennsylvania, early in August.
C.
ornata
. Carneous; wings spotted.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Body
varies in colour from a very pale flesh colour to a deep red;
antennæ
and
feet
whitish;
wings
with five or six dusky spots occasioned by the greater density of the hair of the surface in those parts.
Length to the tip of the wings nearly one-tenth of an inch.
This is most probably the prettiest species of the genus;
46
P.
alternata
. Wings acute at tip, with a small black spot at the tips of the nervures.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Body
pale yellowish-white;
abdomen
dusky;
wings
ovate-lanceolate, acute at tip, cinereous with an obsolete pale band on the middle and base; the alternate nervures of the posterior margin at their tips and the tips of the nervures of the anterior margin, with a black spot; spots of the posterior margin more distinct.
Length to the tip of the wings more than one-tenth of an inch.
A very common little insect, even in Philadelphia. It may be readily distinguished from other species by its more acute wings, as well as by the arrangement of the spots and bands, however obsolete, which exist on these organs.
L.
argus
. Yellowish-white; head black; wings ocellate and marbled with blackish.
Inhabits North-west Territory,
Antennæ
moniliform;
thorax
pale yellow-piceous, whitish near the neck;
wings
hyaline, with a double series of large, pupilate ocellæ, those near the tip confused; ultimate nervure furcate;
poisers
fuscous, at tip white; coxæ whitish;
thighs
annulate with black near
the tip.
Length ♂ ♀ more than three-tenths of an inch.
To this species the name of
ocellata
would perhaps be more appropriate than it is to the Linnæan species of that name, inasmuch as in the latter the ocellæ are epupilate. It is a very pretty insect, and exhibits much singularity in the arrangement of the nervures of its wings, the penultimate and ultimate nervures being connected by a transverse nervure which arises from the tip of the latter. In other respects the distribution of the nervures are similar to that of the
bifasciata
, Fabr. Wied.
T.
maculatipennis
. Cinereous; thighs black at tip; wings dusky with white spots.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Antennæ
yellowish, incisures of the joints dusky;
palpi
blackish;
thorax
with two, brown, dorsal lines, which are confluent on the anterior margin, attenuated behind, and abbreviated behind the middle; a lateral line slightly interrupted in its middle, and hardly reaching the anterior or posterior margins;
scutel
dull honey-yellow, with a black line;
wings
dusky, with a black carpal spot margined with white, three or four white spots along the central nervure, and about as many near the termination of the ultimate nervure;
poisers
white, dusky at tip;
abdomen
blackish; incisures edged with whitish;
thighs
with a very obvious blackish tip.
Length to tip of the wings ♀ seven-tenths of an inch.
P. 4-
fasciata
. Wings hyaline, with four brown bands. Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Head
and
thorax
blackish-brown;
antennæ, palpi, mouth
, and
hypostoma
, except near the base of the antennæ, whitish;
wings
with four, brown, subequidistant bands, of which the third reaches the inner margin and the others are abbreviated;
pleura, pectus
, and
feet
, yellowish white; the incisures of the latter dusky.
Length to the tip of the wings nearly half an inch.
This species is infested by a parasite of the genus
Ocypete
. It occurred in June.
T.
scutellata
. Dark fuscous; scutel whitish.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Palpi
, blackish;
thorax
slightly tinged with livid; anterior angles and neck segments dull yellowish-piceous;
scutel
dull whitish;
wings
immaculate, whitish at base;
poisers
white, with a fuscous capitulum;
coxæ
, and
thighs
at base, dull yellowish.
♂ ♀ Length of the body three-twentieths of an inch.
Taken in September at the Falls of Kakabikka, beyond Lake Superior. The posterior margin only of the scutel is dull yellowish-white in the male. This species seems to be closely allied to T.
parva
, Meig.
(
Ceroplatus
, Bosc. Fabr.)
P.
fascipennis
. Thorax yellowish; wings with a blackish subterminal band.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Head
yellowish; disk of the
vertex
black;
thorax
immaculate;
wings
hyaline, with a blackish band near thepoisers
, colour of the thorax;
coxæ
and
thighs
whitish;
tergum
blackish-testaceous;
venter
blackish, segments dull yellowish on their posterior and lateral margins;
abdomen
slender at base, gradually dilating behind.
♀ Length rather more than one-fifth of an inch.
The wing nervures are arranged as in P.
baumhaueri
, Meig. It is probably closely allied to the
carbonaria
of Bosc, which, however, is described to be altogether of the same form as the
tipuloides
, Bosc, to have a black thorax and obscure feet; whereas ours is a much more slender insect than the
tipuloides
as represented by Coquebert.
1. S.
pallipes
. Brownish-black, with gray short hairs; antennæ and feet whitish.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Antennæ
, (at least the two basal joints,) yellowish-white;
thorax
with numerous, scattered, short, gray hairs, which are fewer in number and more prominent behind;
wings
dusky;
poisers
elongated, yellow-white, at base dusky;
feet
yellow-white;
abdomen
with numerous, prostrate, short, gray hairs.
♂ Length to tip of the wings nearly one-fifth of an inch.
The nervures of the wings correspond with those of S.
hirta
, Hgg.
2. S.
littoralis
. Pale yellowish; thorax trilineate; abdomen fasciate with fuscous; feet dusky at tip.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Vertex
and a line extending down between the antennæ upon the hypostoma, blackish;
antennæ
dusky, two basalthorax
with a double, brown, middle line, attenuated and abbreviated behind, and a brown approximate line on each side abbreviated before; a small fascicle of hairs beneath each wing, and a dusky spot over the insertion of each foot;
wings
immaculate;
poisers
yellowish-white;
abdomen
slender at base, gradually dilating towards the tip, dull-yellowish, hairy; incisures and tip dusky;
feet
dull-yellowish, towards their tips dusky.
Length of the body three twentieths of an inch.
I obtained this species on the rocky coast of Lake Superior, in a thicket of small bushes. The nervures of the wings correspond with those of
Asindulum
punctatum
, Latr., excepting that the second nervure is not at all connected.with the first nervure, but curves downward at tip and enters the intermediate cellule before the middle; and the ultimate and penultimate abbreviated nervures are distinct; it is a much smaller species than the
fasciata
, nob. the nervures of which agree better with the preceding species, but its connecting nervure from the second nervure enters the intermediate cellule at the middle.
3. S.
hirticollis
. Yellowish-white; thorax hairy; tergum black, with pale yellowish bands.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Head
black;
hypostoma, mouth
and
trophi
whitish;
antennæ
black-brown, the four basal joints yellow, with a dark brown spot above on the third and fourth;
thorax
with rather numerous, somewhat long, black hairs; three dilated, brownish-livid lines, the intermediate one abbreviated and attenuated behind, and the lateral ones attenuated before;
wings
a little dusky, the intermediate cellule appearing to the eye like a small, black spot;
poisers
whitish;
pleura
with a brownish-livid spot over the intermediate and posterior feet;
feet
dusky towards the tip, the coxætergum
black, with black, rather long hairs; segments with broad, yellowish hind margins; tip black.
Length of the body three-twentieths of an inch.
The wing nervures resemble those of S.
littoralis
, nob., but the abbreviated nervures are very strongly marked; the second nervure is connected with the first, and by a transverse nervure with the intermediate cellule opposite to the middle; the cellule is also connected with the central, furcate nervure, by a nervure as perfectly transverse as that of S.
vitripennis
, Meig.
4. S.
bifasciata
. Dark yellowish; wings bifasciate.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Head
black;
antennæ
fuscous;
hypostoma
yellow, near the antennæ blackish;
palpi
whitish at base, dusky towards the tip;
thorax
honey-yellow; two oblique, black lines confluent behind, and not reaching the posterior margin; a black line above each wing, joining on the posterior margin and meeting the oblique lines at the anterior angles;
wings
hyaline, with two blackish bands more obvious at the costal margin, one of which is near the middle widely interrupted on the disk, and the other near the tip;
metathorax
black;
feet
white-yellow at base, dusky towards the tip.
Length to tip of the wings nearly two-fifths of an inch.
A large and handsome species. The wing nervures agree with those of
Asindulum
punctatum
, Latr. excepting that the second nervure is continued a short distance beyond its transverse nervure, which latter enters the intermediate cellule at the basal angle.
5. S.
obliqua
. Pale yellowish; thorax four-lined;
tergum
fasciate with black.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Head
black;
hypostoma
and base of the antennæ yellow;
thorax
with two oblique, fuscous lines confluent at the middle of the base; and a dilated fuscous line each side much abbreviated before and hardly reaching the basal edge;
wings
slightly tinged with dusky, immaculate;
poisers
white;
feet
white, dusky towards the tip;
tergum
, segments with blackish posterior margins; last segments entirely blackish; anal segment yellow.
Length ♂ nearly one-fifth of an inch.
The wing nervures are arranged altogether like those of
Asindulum
punctatum
, Latr. Closely allied to S.
fasciata
, nobis, but may be distinguished by the narrow, oblique lines of the thoracic disk.
L.
ventralis
. Deep black, polished; wings fasciate near the tip; feet yellowish.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Head
a little hairy;
palpi
and three basal joints of the
antennæ
, yellowish; remaining joints of the latter fuscous;
thorax
with sparse hairs; a whitish humeral spot;
wings
hyaline, with a dusky band near the tip, which does not reach the thinner margin, and a dusky tinge or line between the ultimate and penultimate nervures;
poisers
with a fuscous capitulum and yellowish stipes;
feet
yellowish-white;
tarsi
dusky;
tergum
hairy;
venter
pale yellowish.
♂ Length of the body nearly three-twentieths of an inch, to tip of the wings more than one-fifth of an inch.
This species is closely allied to the
bimaculata
, Meig. with which it also corresponds in the position of the stemmata and the arrangement of the wing nervures, even to the dislocation of the superior branch of the inferior furcate nervure.
1. M.
sericea
. Head and thorax sericeous; the latter dusky, margined with yellowish.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Head
blackish, with a yellowish, sericeous gloss;
antennæ
fuscous, two basal joints and
palpi
yellowish;
thorax
sericeous, blackish on the disk, dull yellowish each side and on the anterior edge;
wings
immaculate, nervures fuscous;
poisers
and
feet
yellowish-white;
tarsi
and
spines
fuscous, the latter half the length of the first tarsal joint; coxæ yellowish-white, with a few short, black, rigid hairs on the exterior sides and tip, particularly the anterior pair;
abdomen
compressed, dusky above; sides dull yellowish on the tips of the segments.
♂ ♀ Length to tip of the abdomen one-fifth of all inch. The wing nervures are arranged as in M.
fasciata
, Meig. excepting that there are three abbreviated nervures, as in M.
lateralis
of the same author.
2. M.
maculipennis
. Yellowish; thorax trilineate; wings three-spotted.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Body
pale yellowish;
vertex
dusky;
thorax
with a double fuscous line attenuated and abbreviated behind, but near, the middle; and a larger line on each side abbreviated before, confluent behind, extending upon the scutel; a spot of the same colour above the insertion of the wings;
pleura
with about two dusky spots, one over the insertion of each of the posterior feet;
wings
with three blackish spots on the costal margin, of which one is on the middle; the second much beyond the middle, obsoletely extended into an undulated band; the third is near the tip;
feet
47tergum
with blackish bands.
Length of the body nearly one-fifth of an inch.
A very pretty species; the wing nervures are like those of M.
fasciata
, Meig. The antennæ in my specimen are deficient. Found on the coast of Lake Superior in a thick growth of bushes.
(
Molobrus
, Latr.)
1. S.
atrata
. Entirely deep black, polished, immaculate;
wings
dusky, iridescent;
nervures
dark fuscous;
poisers
black;
thorax
in a particular light somewhat pruinose; abdomen opaque, with short black hairs; spines of the tibia rather longer than the transverse diameter of the tibia.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
♂ Length to tip of wings less than one-fifth of an inch. The nervures of the wings agree with those of S.
thomæ
, Fabr. This seems to be very closely allied to S.
nigra
, Wied. an inhabitant of South Carolina, but the thorax in a particular light exhibits a grayish reflection, a character which Wiedemann attributes to the antennæ only in his species. The antennæ are deficient in my specimen.
2. S.
polita
, Deep black, polished; poisers whitish; feet yellowish at base.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Body
with numerous short hairs, which are slightly sericeous;
eyes
without interval above the antennæ;
wings
dusky, pale yellowish at base;
poisers
whitish;
feet
dusky towards the tip;
coxæ
and
thighs
yellowish-white.
♀ Length of the body less than three-twentieths of an inch.
The abdomen and thorax are both highly polished.
3. S.
fraterna
. Deep black, polished; abdomen black-brown, opaque; base of the poisers, and feet pale yellowish.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Antennæ
dark fuscous, with dense grayish hair;
eyes
in contact above the antennæ;
thorax
polished;
wings
dusky, pale yellowish at base;
poisers
with a yellowish scapus and fuscous capitulum;
feet
dusky towards the tip;
abdomen
fuscous, opake.
♀ Length of the body one-tenth of an inch, ♂ smaller.
4. S.
exigua
. Black; thorax piceous at the anterior angles; poisers whitish at base; feet whitish, dusky at tip.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Antennæ
fuscous, with dark gray hairs;
wings
a little dusky; nervures fuscous;
poisers
elongated, whitish, capitulum fuscous;
abdomen
fuscous, opaque.
♂ Length of the body one-twentieth of an inch.
♀ A little larger, with the base of the feet and of the poisers of a darker shade than those of the male.
S.
atrata
. Deep velvet black; tarsi pale; tip of the antennæ abruptly compressed.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Body
hardly polished and nearly opaque, immaculate;
poisers
colour of the body;
wings
hyaline;
marginal nervures
but little more than half the length of the wing, fuscous; furcate nervure attaining the tip; below the furcate nervure are two parallel nervures which do not reach the margin; beneath the latter is the ordinary undulated nervure.
I obtained several specimens which were crawling on the glass of a window, in September, in Philadelphia. Thenotata
, Linn. Meig.; the marginal nervures do not approach so near the tip of the wing, and instead of a single nervure between the forked nervure and the undulated nervure, as in the
notata
, this species has two.
B.
thoracica
. Black; thighs rufous.
Inhabits East Florida.
Body
black, somewhat polished;
thorax
bright yellowish-rufous, with a small black spot on each side of the scutel;
collar, scutel
, and
metathorax
black; spines of the anterior tibiæ piteous, the exterior one much larger;
wings
fuscous; the fourth marginal nervure abbreviated, and not attaining to the inner margin.
Length ♂ two-fifths of an inch.
This is a very large and fine species. On the thorax is sometimes an obsolete brown line.
B.
viridis
. Bright green; tergum black-brown; venter pale; feet yellowish.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Head
brassy-green, polished;
antennæ
obscure, yellowish, brownish at tip;
proboscis
and
palpi
whitish;
stethdium
green, polished;
scutel
with four yellowish spines;
wings
hyaline; stigmata large, fuscous; nervures fuscous, those of the costal margin anterior to the stigmata whitish; central areola destitute of an abbreviated nervure, two nervures passing off from the tip, and a third from very near its base;
poisers
white;
feet
pale yellowish, tarsi dusky attergum
black-brown, incisures and lateral edge yellowish;
venter
pale yellowish, dusky at base.
Length to the tip of the wings one-fourth of an inch.
This species seems to be allied to the
tibialis
of Europe, but the posterior tibia are not very obviously clavated, the central cellule of the wings is destitute of the small abbreviated nervure, and the inferior of the three nervures which radiate from this cellule issues out very nearly from its base, and not from the inferior middle as in that species.
O.
vertebrata
. Black; abdomen white with dorsal black spots.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Mouth
deep black, pale within;
hypostoma
with an elevated testaceous knob;
antennæ
deep black, terminal joint beneath dusky testaceous;
thorax
blackish, with hardly perceptible hairs;
scutel
dull testaceous, black at base; tip a little hairy; spines horizontal, white;
wings
white;
poisers
white, with a whitish-glaucous capitulum;
feet
yellowish-white;
abdomen
subquadrate, much depressed, white;
tergum
with a series of large black spots almost connected together.
Length ♂ rather more than three-tenths of an inch.
C.
pallida
. Wings and abdomen yellowish-testaceous; thorax ferruginous.
Inhabits near St. Peter's river.
Head
yellowish-testaceous;
orbits
beneath and behind dark cinereous;
vertex
with an elevated, obtuse, dusky line between the stemmata;
thorax
ferruginous; anterior angles a little prominent, rounded and concave behind with an elevated line reaching to the origin of the wings;
scutel
colour of the thorax;
wings
pale yellowish-brown, with margined nervures;
poisers
whitish;
feet
somewhat paler than the thorax;
tergum
polished; posterior segments somewhat sericeous; second, third, and fourth segments with three abbreviated series of punctures near their bases.
♀ Length four-fifths of an inch.
Of this interesting insect I obtained three specimens, which were females.
T.
frontalis
. Black, thorax with two yellow vittæ; tergum annulate with yellow.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Head
beneath with white hair;
antennæ
,
proboscis
, and
palpi
black;
front
and
vertex
dusky yellowish, with a large, deep black, glabrous, polished, transverse, undulated spot;
thorax
black with two yellow lines, or yellow with three black lines;
wings
hyaline, tinged with dull yellowish; nervures fuscous, slightly margined, and with a carpal spot;
scutel
yellowish, with a dusky basal spot;
tergum
glabrous, polished, the posterior margins of the segments bright yellow, wider upon the sides;
pleura
and
pectus
glaucous, the latter hairy;
poisers
whitish, with a blackish capitulum;
feet
black;
tibia
excepting at tip dull testaceous;
venter
cinereous, changeable, second and third segments with yellowish posterior margins.
Length more than half an inch.
1. A.
alcyon
. Wings brown, a hyaline spot near the middle, another at tip in which are two curved brown lines.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Body
black, with pale fulvous hair;
head
yellowish-white, hairs above the antennæ black; tip of the hypostoma prominent, and with black rigid hairs;
antennæ
black, basal joint yellowish with black hairs;
vertex
black;
occiput
with a very profoundly impressed line above;
scutel
piceous;
wings
dusky, pale brown on the disk, an obsolete, small, subhyaline spot Between the middle and the base; a large, subtriangular, hyaline spot near the middle, a small portion of which is cut off by a nervure; tip with a large, subquadrate-oval, hyaline spot, the two arcuated nervures that pass across this spot are margined with blackish; central cellule widely bilobated at tip, lobes equally approaching the inner margin, a nervure passes from between the lobes to the edge of the wing, an abbreviated nervure passes from the lobe nearest the base, half way to the inner margin, and another nervure connects this lobe with the third nervure so as to form an additional cellule;
feet
yellowish;
tarsi
black;
venter
pale, two last segments black on the disk;
tergum
with blackish hair on the incisures.
Length nearly eleven-twentieths of an inch.
This species seems to approach nearest to Wiedemann's fifth tribe, though the additional cellule will justify its being placed apart; we observed it frequently on St. Peter's river and on Red river.
2. A.
tegminipennis
. Black with pale fulvous hair; wings brownish-black, immaculate.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Head
yellowish-white below the antennæ;
hypostoma
prominent, with a few rigid black hairs at tip;
antennæ
black, basal joint whitish, with black hair;
front
dull fulvous;
vertex
black; wings entirely brownish-black, without spot;
feet
pale rufous;
tarsi
black;
tergum
with black hairs at the incisures, which on the side alternate with the fulvous ones, but more distinctly so near the tip.
Length from nine-twentieths to half an inch.
This species belongs to Wiedemann's fifth tribe.
3. A.
fulvianus
. Black, covered equally with pale yellowish hair; wings hyaline, with a narrow, brown, costal margin.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Head
with dull yellowish, short hairs, intermixed with black ones on the front and hypostoma;
thorax
densely hairy;
wings
hyaline, interval between the two nervures of the costal margin, and base to the first transverse nervure, light brown;
feet
black, sericeous, with yellowish-fulvous hair, intermixed with black hairs;
tergum
covered with dense hair, without any intermixture of black hairs, and without any fasciated appearance;
venter
each side behind with hairs of a brighter fulvous tint than the others.
Length more than nine-twentieths of an inch.
Allied to A.
hottentota
, Fabr.
Belongs to the fifth tribe in Wiedemann's arrangement. It is common on St. Peter's river, at Pembina, &c. It is closely allied to
alternata
, nob. in the characters of the wing, but there is no sign of fascia on the tergum, nor of alternating black fascicles of hair on the sides. The colour of the hair on the last segments of the venter is sometimes ferruginous, but it is always of a deeper tint than that of
4. A.
fascipennis
. Black, slightly hairy; wings varied with blackish and hyaline.
Inhabits Red river of Winnepeek.
Body
deep black, hairs sparse, very short, ferruginous;
head
with black short hairs above, and between, the antennæ; sides of the mouth whitish; hypostoma with dull, yellowish-ferruginous hairs; posterior orbits with silvery hair;
thorax
with long hairs before the wings;
scutel
margined with piceous;
wings
with a wide, blackish-brown costal margin from which proceed two oblique bands; the basal ont is dilated and attains the thinner margin, on which it extends from the middle of the basal curve of the wing to the extremity of the first and second nervures; the second band is irregularly arcuated and is abbreviated near the thinner margin where it terminates in the form of a hook; on the costal margin near the tip is an oblique spot connected with the costal coloured margin;
poisers
fuscous;
capitulium
white at tip;
tergum
with the second and third segments obsoletely piceous each side;
venter
whitish at base;
feet
dusky;
tibia
pale.
Length one-fourth of an inch.
This species coincides with the third tribe in Wiedemann's arrangement of this genus. It is small, and the wings are prettily variegated. The specimen I obtained is remarkably destitute of hair.
5. A.
costata
. Black; wings hyaline, with a black costal margin, and small anastomosis in the middle.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Body
deep black, with very short, sparse, sericeous hairs;
thorax
with the lateral hairs longer and pale yellowish-rufous;
wings
hyaline, with a blackish costal margin bounded
48feet
black;
poisers
fuscous, capitulum whitish.
Length more than three-tenths of an inch.
The disposition of the wing nervures of this species corresponds with that of the fifth tribe in Wiedemann's arrangement.
1. L.
posticata
. Black; thorax and before the tip of the tergum covered with yellow hair.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Antennæ
, hair of the
vertex
and of each side of the antennæ, black; long hair beneath the antennæ yellowish; hair of the
cheeks
long, white;
thorax
covered with yellow hair, immaculate;
pleura
and
pectus
black, the latter with long whitish hair between the feet;
poisers
yellowish-white;
wings
dusky;
tergum
blued-black, polished, with black hairs each side; two last segments and posterior margin of the preceding segment covered with yellow hair;
venter
polished, immaculate.
Length three-fifths of an inch.
2. L.
flavicollis
. Black; wings dusky; hair of the head and thorax yellow.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Head
with long yellow hairs, and a few black ones over the mouth;
proboscis, antennæ
, and
palpi
black, the latter with black hairs;
thorax
thickly clothed with yellow hair, immaculate;
wings
dusky;
nervures
fuscous;
poisers
feet
with black hair; a few pale hairs on the basal half of the thighs, and many about the origin of the feet;
tergum
black, with a slight shade of blue, polished, and with black hairs.
Length more than half an inch.
This species resembles the
thoracica
, Fabr., but may be distinguished by the colour of the hair of the head, it is also a smaller insect, with a more slender form.
A.
abdominalis
. Black; hypostoma silvery; tergum fulvous in the middle.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Head
rather small;
antennæ
elongated, second joint very small;
hypostoma
bright silvery;
mystax
sparse, rigid, black;
thorax
with minute black hairs, and a few longer ones on the margin;
wings
broad: black;
tergum
, segments, excepting the basal one and two terminal ones, reddish fulvous.
Length more than three-fifths of an inch.
The styles of the antennæ being lost in the specimen, I am not certain that this species is correctly arranged when placed in this genus. It will not agree with
Dioctria
, as the antennæ are perfectly sessile, nor with
Dasypogon
, as the basal joint of the antennæ is nearly four times the length of the second joint. The rectilinear posterior tibiæ will not authorize its reference to
Laphria
. The appearance of the pectus and the adaptation of the feet are precisely as in
Asilus
. In the arrangement of the wing nervures it agrees with Wiedemann's first tribe.
H.
superstitiosa
. Whitish; thorax with a broad, blackish-brown vitta; tergum with a broad black vitta, which is crenate on its edges.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Antennæ, proboscis
, and
front
white;
occiput
and
inferior part of the head
blackish-brown, in some parts slightly sericeous;
eyes
chesnut-brown;
thorax
with a broad vitta, which is paler in the middle and occupies the greater portion of its surface;
wings
hyaline;
poisers
white;
scutel
dusky, with a paler margin;
tergum
, the broad vitta is very deeply crenated on its edges, and is often separated into a series of large spots by the incisures;
beneath
white.
Length nearly three-twentieths of an inch.
This species is very closely allied to the H.
oratoria
, Fall. The disposition of the nervures is the same with those of that species, but the
oratoria
is said to have only a line on the thorax in place of a vitta, to have the abdomen all dark brown, and the tip of the posterior tibia brown.
1. S.
decorus
. Front blue; thorax green; tergum greenish golden; feet pale yellow.
Inhabits Pennsylvania and East Florida.
Hypostoma
and
vertex
blackish;
proboscis
yellow;
antennæ
dusky yellowish, third joint darker;
frontal tubercles
with a white reflexion;
wing
dusky, stigma distinct; poisers pale yellow;
pleura
blackish-piceous;
feet
yellow; posterior tarsi dusky;
abdomen
slender, widest at tip, gradually
Length about three-tenths of an inch.
This species is very closely allied to the S.
auratus
, Meig. Fabr. but it is smaller and the feet are dissimilar; it may, however, prove to be a variety of that species.
2. S.
dorsalis
Black, eyes brassy, with a green line; feet white, tibiæ and tarsi above blackish.
Inhabits Kentucky.
Stemmata
approximate on the vertex;
eyes
brown, when recent brassy-green tinged with red or purplish, a broad, green, longitudinal line across the middle;
antennæ
whitish at base;
feet
white;
tarsi
black at the tip;
anterior
and
posterior tibiæ
black above;
wings
dusky,
nervures
deep brown,
carpus
distinctly marked by an oblong, opake, brown spot;
abdomen
oval, middle of the two or three basal segments of the tergum and venter whitish.
Length of ♀ one-fifth of an inch, ♂ rather less.
The male is very similar to the female, but is a little smaller. This species is allied to the genus
Vappo
,
Latr
. by the nervures of the wings, the nervure between the three which radiate from the central joint being altogether wanting, but the second joint of the antennæ resembles that of a
Sargus
, the third joint is deficient in my specimens. In general form it resembles S.
politus
, Linn.
P. 4-
fasciatus
. Black; tergum with four yellow bands costal margin of the wings fuscous.
Inhabits North-west Territory.
Head
pale yellowish;
hypostoma
slightly impressed with a black line, and another dilated black line descendsmouth
each side black;
antennæ
blackish-piceous, basal joint and seta paler; second joint decidedly longer than the first;
eyes
with two yellow bands of which the anterior one is irregular;
occiput
black, with a cinereous orbital line;
thorax
with four yellow spots on the anterior margin; an obsolete, yellowish, curved line above the wings terminating anteriorly in a transverse, whitish spot on each side of the centre; an angulated yellow line behind;
pleuræ
with two yellow spots placed vertically;
scutel
edged with yellow;
wings
hyaline; a fuscous, costal margin, ferruginous at base and gradually dilated towards the tip;
poisers
white;
feet
white; anterior pair with the anterior half of the thighs and tibiæ and all their tarsi black; intermediate pair with the tip of the thighs, of the tibiæ, and all the tarsi pale rufous; posterior pair hairy beneath, with a tooth near the tip and posterior half black; tarsi and tip of the tibiæ pale rufous, the latter arcuated;
tergum
with a band near the base, somewhat narrowest in its middle; another narrower one on the middle and two near the tip a little broader in their middles, yellow;
venter
with about three distant, narrow, yellow bands, of which the middle one is sometimes fulvous.
Length less than three-fifths of an inch.
This insect does not altogether agree with the characters of the genus in which I have placed it, inasmuch as the hind thighs are toothed, the hind tibiæ arcuated, and the terminal joint of the antennæ is oval and not elongated. It disagrees with
Milesia
in the elongated first and second joints of the antennæ, and with
Pipiza
in the length of the palpi, and but for the character of the antennæ, I should certainly refer it to the genus
Milesia
.
Of plants collected in the North Western territory by Mr.
Thomas Say
,
in the year
, 1823. By
Lewis D. De Schweinitz
.
Mr. Thomas Nuttall, who had taken upon himself the charge of examining this collection, and had begun to commit his remarks to paper, not having returned from Europe in time to complete his work, the plants collected by Mr. Say were entrusted to me, with a request to attempt their determination, and a description of such as appeared to be nondescripts. I have undertaken this task with great diffidence and sincere regret that it could not be executed by a gentleman, every way so exclusively competent as Mr. Nuttall is, both from his well known botanical talents in general, and his particular acquaintance with the western plants, my own knowledge of which is almost confined to what I owe to that gentleman's liberal and kind communications.
As it, however, appeared desirable, that a catalogue should be made out for the Appendix of the account of Major Long's second expedition, I have exerted myself to the best of my abilities to furnish it, in continuation of the work commenced by Mr. Nuttall, which, however, unfortunately comprised only the five first plants of the present catalogue.
As I am conscious of my incompetency to establish new species from specimens, which, though generally well preserved, are mostly imperfect, rarely furnishing both flower and fruit together, unassisted by that acquaintance from nature which Mr. Nuttall possesses, I have to remark that the names I have ventured to designate such by, as I could not find described in the books, should be considered, together with the descriptions I have subjoined, nothing more than an attempt to point out what has been met with by the gentlemen of the present expedition, leaving the confirmation of the new species proposed to future investigation and abler hands.
1.
Salicornia
herbacea
, Willd. Sp. P1.
Collected in the vicinity of a salt spring on the banks of Red river of Lake Winnepeek, about the latitude of 49 degrees. The only inland locality of this saline plant besides the present, is the salt springs of Onondago, in the state of New York. (Mr. Nuttall.)
2.
Veronica
peregrina
, Fl. Dan. Tab. 407.
Common throughout the United States as far south as the mouth of the Mississippi. (Nuttall.)
3.
Calymenia
nyctaginea
, Nutt. Gen. I. p. 26.
Allionia
nyctaginea, Mx. Fl. Am. p. 100. (Nuttall.)
4.
Cyperus
*
alterniflorus
, L. v. Schw.
This very remarkable plant was labelled
Cyperus
by Mr. Nuttall, and I have attemped the following description:
Root
tuberous.
Stem
about a foot in height, triquetrous, scabrous in margin, strongly striate, bifoliate at base, sheathed by a few marcescent sheaths.
Leaves
much shorter than the culm, narrow, (two lines wide, inclined to fold,) striate, scabrous in the margin, midrib smooth.
Involucrum
leaves equal in number to the rays of the umbell, those of the longer spikes or partial umbells, exceeding these in length and broadened at base; very scabrous in the margin.
Rays
of the umbell 5–6; the outer ones on long peduncles, central ones nearly sessile; each ray surmounted by 7 or 8 alternate, subdistichous spikelets, containing 5 or 6 florets.
Florets
regularly alternate, subdistant, the one in summit sterile.
Glumes
striate, broadly ovate, with an abrupt mucro, arising from the protruded, green, scabrous carina, having an indenture on each side thereof.
Seed
markedly triquetrous, compressed, shorter than the glumes.
Filaments
3.
Style
three-cleft; margin of the glumes membranaceously scariose; short, acuminate, rigid bracteas at the base of each spikelet.
It might be characterized thus:
C. spicis corymboso-umbellatis, compressis centralibus, subsessilibus: spiculis distichis, floribus, alternatim, distantibus. Glumis lato-ovatis, carina mucronatis.
“5.
Eriophorum
angustifolium, β. megastachyon
, culmis subtrigonis brevibus, involucro umbella longiore; spicis pedunculatis maximis.
Hab
. Prairies between Fort Wayne and Lake Michigan.
49
“
Obs
. A singular dwarf but robust species; in the only specimen I have seen, (said by Mr. Say to present its general aspect,) the culm is scarcely more than 12 inches high, triangular above, and unusually thick for the height of the plant; the leaves I have not seen. The involucrum consists of three very unequal, rigid leaves, (when dry,) striate and carinated, with blunt, attenuated points, the longest exceeding the length of the umbell. The size of the umbell, and the spikes which compose it, are remarkably large; the number 7, upon elongated and nodding peduncles of unequal length. Each spike measures about an inch in length, and about the same in breadth. The scales of the spike are ovate and acute, the seed elliptic-oblong, and somewhat flatly quadrangular. It is in all probability a distinct species.” (Mr. Nuttall.)
6.
Limnetis
glabra
, Pursh.
Not rare.
Hab
. Prairies of the St. Peter.
7.
Agrostis
brevifolia
, Nuttall Gen. I. p. 44.
8.
Panicum
elongatum
, Pursh, I. p.
This is the plant I have always designated by the above name, finding it frequently in North Carolina.
Hab
. Prairies of the St. Peter.
9.
Festuca
spicata?
Nutt. Gen. I. p. 72.
I am not sure whether this is Mr. Nuttall's plant, but it evidently comes near it. The specimens in the collection indicate a larger size than he ascribes to it.
Hab
. Prairies of the St. Peter.
10.
Bromus
ciliatus
, Linn. Willd. Spec. P1. I. p. 433. See Elliott, Sketch, I. p. 173.
This I think is the true
ciliatus
of Linnæus, for, in the present species, the margins only, and not the back, are very hairy.
Hab
. Prairies of Red river.
11.
Atheropogon
oligostachyum
, Nutt. Gen. I. p. 78.
Found on the Missouri and northern lakes.
Hab
. Prairies of the St. Peter.
12.
Hordeum
jubatum
, Nutt. Gen. I. p. 88.
Hab
. New England. Lakes.
13.
Triticum
*
pauciflorum
, L. v. Schw.
This grass greatly resembles a
Lotium
, but must be arranged in the Genus
Triticum
, on account of its two-valved calyx. It is allied to
junceum
.
Culm
about two feet high, distantly and alternately foliose, terete, deeply striate, smooth, simple.
Leaves
clasping the culm with sheaths of their own length, viz. two or three inches, linear, striate and very scabrous on the ribs and margin, somewhat glaucous.
Spike
simple, erect;
spikelets
mostly only two-flowered, closely adpressed in a two-valved calyx.
Valves
equal, acute, strongly striate and scabrous on the ribs.
Glumes
on a short, thick, hairy pedicell, with a short arista.
Hab
. Prairies of the St. Peter.
14.
Lechea
tenuifolia
, Pursh, I. p. 91.
15.
Cornus
canadensis
, Pursh, I. p. 108.
This occurs on all the high mountains of the United States.
16.
Cornus
alba
, Pursh, I. p. 109.
C.
stolonifera
, Mx.
Not rare in the northern states.
17.
Potamogeton
pauciflorum
, Pursh, p. 121.
This may be the P.
gramineum
of Mx. but it certainly is not that of Europe, which, however, is common in mountain brooks in the United States.
18.
Myosotis
virginiana
, Pursh, p. 134
Common in the United States.
19.
Lysimachia
ciliata
, Pursh, p. 136.
Common in the United States. The specimens are unusually small, but not even a variety.
20.
Convolvulus
repens
, Elliott, Sketch, p.
C.
sepium
, American. auctor.
It appears to me that the American
Convolvulus sepium
has been judiciously separated from the European species.
21.
Campanula
rotundifolia
, Pursh, p. 159.
As usual destitute of round leaves.
22.
Symphoria
glomerata
, Pursh, p. 162.
Called vulgarly in North Carolina “Devil's shoestrings.”
Hab
. Rainy Lake, Lake of the Woods, &c.
23.
Symphoria
racemosa
, Pursh, p. 162.
Snowberry
. Common to the Lake country.
24.
Ribes
albinervium
, Pursh, p. 163.
On northern mountains.
Hab
. Islands in Lake of the Woods.
25.
Impatients
fulva
, Nuttall Gen. I. p. 146.
Common through the United States.
26.
Apocynum
androsaemifolium
, Pursh, I. p. 179.
β. pubescens
.
This is so constant a variety, (common in Pennsylvania,) that it might be specifically separated. The leaves are pubescent below and acuminate ovate.
27.
Gentiana
crinita
, Pursh, I. p. 185.
Common in the northern states.
28.
Gentiana
*
rubricaulis
, L. v. Schw.
Though there were but two specimens of this Gentiana, (one of which I was under the necessity of sacrificing to the examination,) it presents so distinct an appearance thatpneumonanthe
and G.
ochroleuca
. I describe it thus:
Stem
erect, simple, terete, very smooth and firm, of a red colour; about one foot in height.
Leaves
about one inch in length, alternately opposite at intervals, oblonglanceolate, of thick consistency, smooth, entire in margin and slightly undulate, obtuse, sessile and sub-amplexicaule or connate at base, with three nerves, the two lateral ones inconspicuous. The upper leaves forming a pseudo-involucrum of ovate leaves, not exceeding the corollas in length. Involucrum and leaves sub-erect.
Corollas
campanulate, erect, sessile, terminal, fasciculate or single, sub-quinquefid. Segments sub-connivent, the interior plait with a single tooth.
Calyx
very small in proportion to the flower, 5-fid.
Appears to have been bluish.
G. caule tereti glabro rubro: foliis oblongo-lanceolatis, trinerviis, obtusis. Corollis terminalibus fasciculatis sessilibus, 5-fidis campanulatis non ventricosis, laciniis acutis conniventibus; plicis interioribus unidentatis.
Hab
. Prairies of St. Peter's river.
29.
Thaspium
aureum
, Nuttall Gen. p. 196.
Smyrnium aureum
, Pursh.
A dwarf specimen out of flower. Common.
30.
Viburnum
pubescens
, Pursh, p. 202.
I have met with this in the low parts of North Carolina before.
Hab
. Sault de St. Marie.
31.
Viburnum
oxycoccos
, Pursh, p. 203.
Eatable and similar to cranberries in taste.
Hab
. From Pembina to Lake Superior.
32.
Aralia
hispida
, Pursh, p. 209.
Wild Elder. Common on Pennsylvania mountains.
33.
Allium
angulosum
, Nuttall, p. 214.
The red variety.
34.
Smilacina
umbellata
, Pursh, p. 232.
Found likewise in the Alleghany mountains.
In fruit.
Hab
. Rainy Lake.
35.
Smilacina
stellata
, Pursh, p. 232. Nutt. p. 225.
In fruit.
36.
Rumex
brittanicus
, Pursh, p. 248.
37.
Oxycoccos
vulgaris
, Pursh, p. 263.
The European cranberry—common in Canada.
Hab
. Near Winnepeek river.
38.
Epilobium
spicatum
, Nuttall, p. 250.
Commonly called E.
angustifolium
, Pursh, p. 259.
Hab
. Near the river St. Peter.
39.
Arbutus
uva ursi
, Pursh, p. 283.
Common northwardly and in New Jersey pines.
Hab
. Falls of Kakabeka and shores of Lake Superior.
40.
Ledum
latifolium
, Pursh, p. 300.
In Canada and Labrador.
Hab
. From Rainy Lake to Lake Superior.
41.
Monotropa
morisoniana
, Pursh, p. 303.
In shady woods not uncommon, Carolina.
42.
Oxalis
corniculata
, Pursh, p. 322.
Common throughout the United States and Europe.
43.
Prunus
*
incana
, L. v. Schw.
Mr. Say calls this shrub a cherry, found at the Lake of the Woods, and from a vestige of an umbell, there is little doubt that it belongs to the genus
Prunus
, although there is neither flower nor fruit. If so, it is doubtless an undescribed species.
The young
branches
are very red and angularly grooved; the older gray and verrucose. The
leaves
alternate, on short petioles, elliptically acuminate, finely and subdistantly serrate above, and attenuated into the petiole below, with the margin somewhat revolute. The upper surface smooth and shining, the under pinnately nervose, and remarkably glaucous, a little tomentose. Two large glandules in the axill of each leaf. The traces of a few flowered umbell appear at the commencement of the young branches of the year.
Hab
. Islands in the Lake of the Woods.
44.
Aronia
sanguinea
, Nutt. p. 306.
Pyrus sanguinea
, Pursh, p. 340.
Destitute of flowers or fruit; but doubtless this Canadian tree.
Hab
. Lake of the Woods.
45.
Crataegus
elliptica
, Pursh, p. 337.
Not uncommon.
Hab
. near Pembina and Lake of the Woods.
46.
Cratagus
*
flexuosa
, L. v. Schw.
Flower and fruit are wanting, but there can be no doubt of the genus from the habit. The leaves greatly resemble those of C.
populifolia
, although they cannot be said to be at all cordate at base. Perhaps it may be the C.
populifolia
of Walter, see Elliott, Sketch, I. p. 553. But the remarkable
Branches flexuosely bent, spreading, with very long, straight, rectangularly divaricate spines, of a shining brown colour from the axills of the leaves; nearly as long as the leaf and petiole.
Leaves
ovate, broad, acutely, but not deeply lobed; lobes crenately serrate, with a conspicuous glandule on each serrature, on petioles half as long as the leaf, which are densely beset with numerous glandules all their length. Upper surface of the leaves smooth and shining; lower nearly smooth, or only sparse hair on the nerves.
Hab
. near Rainy Lake.
47.
Sorbus
Americana
, Pursh. p. 341.
Common on northern mountains. Hab. Falls of St. Anthony.
48.
Spiraea
opulifolia
, Pursh, p. 342.
Common through the United States.
49.
Spiraea
hypericifolia
, Pursh, p. 341.
Not so common as the former.
50.
Rosa
*
Sayi
, L. v. Schw.
This appears to me to be a Rose quite distinct from any American one, although it is past flowering; the germen being manifestly not globose, (which is the case with all the rest except
laevigata
,) nor do I find any European one sufficiently agreeing. I describe it thus:
Germen
oblong ovate, perfectly smooth, and proportionably large, crowned by erect calyx leaves, exceeding it in length, which are villous, and expand at summit. Peduncle smooth, or somewhat glandularly hispid, rigid. Common petiole villous and aculeate on the back, with three pairs of ovate, sessile, deeply serrate, small leaflets,
51.
Potentilla
fruticosa
, vat.
floribunda
, P. p. 355.
Canada and New York.
52.
Potentilla
norwegica
, Pursh, p. 354.
Common to the United States and Europe.
Hab
. Prairies of St. Peter's river.
53.
Potentilla
tridentata
, Pursh, p. 353.
Common to high mountains and northern latitudes on both continents.
Hab
. Falls of Kakabeka.
54.
Geum
album
, Pursh, p. 351.
Although the lower leaves are wanting, the circumstance of the “aristis apice pilosis” appears decisive.
Common in the northern states.
55.
Hudsonia
ericoides
, Nuttall, Gen. II. p. 4.
Though in an imperfect condition, this is doubtless the above plant.
Hab
. Falls of Kakabeka.
56.
Delphinium
virescens
, Nuttall, Gen. II. p. 14.
On the plains of Missouri. I have specimens from the Cherokee country.
57.
Ranunculus
filiformis
, Pursh, p. 392.
β. *hispidus.
The imperfect specimens of the collection represent R.
filiformis
in every respect, except that it is impossible to ascertain whether they are repent or not; and, that the
50
58.
Hyssopus
anisatus
, Nutt. Gen. II. p. 27.
On the Plains of Missouri and about Lake Superior. (Professor Douglass.)
Hab
. From Fails of St. Anthony to Lake Superior.
59.
Stachys
aspera
, Nutt. Gen. II. p. 30. Not rare.
60.
Stachys
*
velutina
, L. v. Schw.
This may possibly be found on future investigation in nature to be only a variety of S.
hispida
; in the specimens before me it certainly presents a very different appearance.
Stem
erect, not branched, quadrangular, villose, or subhispid, about one foot high.
Leaves
alternately opposite, closely sessile, clasping the stem at base, ovate-lanceolate, crenately serrate, and finely sericeously velutinous, or shortly tomentose on the ribs, on both surfaces.
Verticills
about six-flowered; segments of the calyx acutely pointed, pungent, and extremely hispid. Intermediate segment of the lower lip, broadly rotundate.
Corolla
somewhat pilose and apparently blue.
61.
Darcocephalum
virginianum
, Pursh, p. 411.
Common in the southern states.
62.
Euchroma
coccinea
, Nutt. Gen. II. p. 55.
β.
lutea
.
Bartsia coccinea lutea
, Pursh.
The specimens are too imperfect to allow a decisive opinion whether they belong to a species of
Euchroma
,coccinea
.
63.
Melampyrum
*
brachiatum
, L. v. Schw. Although unfortunately the specimens before me do not admit of distinguishing a flower, (being badly dried and black,) there can be little doubt from the whole habit and peculiarity of the capsule, (greatly resembling that of M.
cristatum
,) that this constitutes a distinct new species of
Melampyrum
.
Stem
terete, somewhat scabrous, naked below, branching by long, naked, adscendent, opposite or whorled branches, which subdivide into trichotomous whorls, with two opposite leaves in the axills.
Leaves
about an inch long, 1–2 lines wide, attenuated into a thin petiole, margin entire, rugose and scabrous on both sides.
Capsules
on short peduncles from the axills of the floral leaves, which become more and more crowded into a kind of spike towards the summit of the branches, without bracteas as far as I can distinguish.
Capsule
obliquely bent downward, acute, containing two large, cylindric, oblong, yellow seeds, in each cell. Height of the whole plant 6–8 inches.
64.
Gerardia
tenuifolia?
Pursh, p. 422.
The leaves are rather too broad and scabrous, but it would scarcely admit of being considered different.
65.
Draba
arabis
, Nuttall, II. p. 63.
Draba arabirans
, Mx. so labelled in the collection by Mr. Nuttall, and certainly with propriety. It is not, however, the plant so called by Pursh, as Mr. Nuttall clearly points out, and very correctly calls that
Alyssum dentatum
, see Nuttall, Gen. II. p. 63. A rare plant.
66.
Geranium
robertianum
, Nutt. Gen. II. p. 80.
Common in Pennsylvania.
67.
Pretalostemum
candidum
, Pursh, p. 461.
Indigenous to the western country.
68.
Petalostemum
violaceum
, Pursh, p. 461.
Likewise peculiar to the western countries.
Both these plants are well described by Michaux, and figured on his Tab. 37, f. 1 and 2.
69.
Corydalis
glauca
, Pursh, p. 463.
Common among rocky hills.
70.
Amorpha
canescens
, Nutt. Gen. II. p. 92.
Peculiar to the north-western country.
71.
Lathyrus
palustris
, Pursh, p. 471.
Found in Canada by Michaux, and common in Europe.
72.
Lathyrus
venosus
, Pursh, p. 471.
Common in the Pennsylvania mountains.
73.
Vicia
*
tridentata
, L. v. Schw.
The single, but good specimen of this plant, does not agree, I think, with any one described by American authors or Persoon. I therefore venture to point it out by the above name, taken from the singular form of its stipules. It approaches nearest to V.
sylvatica
.
Stem
flexuosely bent, subpubescent, angular and much grooved.
Peduncles
equal to the leaves.
Leaflets
numerous, sometimes alternate, sometimes opposite, narrow, oblong, entire, obtuse, with a short mucro, sprinkled with hair on the upper surface, and almost canescently so on the under.
Stipules
, upper ones lanceolate, long, acuminate,
Hab
. Rainy Lake.
74.
Astragalus
carolinianus
, Pursh, p. 472.
Common in the mountains of Carolina.
75.
Astragalus
hypoglottis?
Nutt. Gen. II. p. 99.
Very imperfect specimen in fruit. Leaflets more ovate than the European specimens.
Hab
. Prairies of St. Peter's and Red rivers.
76.
Psoralea
esculenta
, Nutt. Gen. II. p. 102.
Peculiar to the north-west.
Hab
. Between Chicago and Prairie du Chien, and on the prairies of St. Peter's river.
77.
Psoralea
incana
, Nutt. Gen. II. p. 102.
Likewise peculiar to that district.
The fine specimens of the collection differ from Mr. Nuttall's description in being much branched and to all appearance of a larger size.
78.
Prenanthes
virgata
, Pursh, p. 498.
There are a number of species of this genus which have fallen under my observation, not distinctly established. The leaves are, however, so variable, that it would be highly improper to establish new ones from single specimens, especially when destitute of radical leaves. The present plant has certainly not occurred to me with exactly this form of cauline leaves, but in other respects it perfectly resembles the P.
virgata
of Pursh.
79.
Lactuca
integrifolia?
Nutt. Gen. I. p. 124.
This appears to coincide with Mr. Nuttall's plant if I am not mistaken in the colour of the flower. The leaves are however more lanceolate and acuminate than he describes them.
80.
Hieracium
canadense
, Michaux, II. p. 86.
β. var.
scabrum
.
Differing from the plant I have been wont to consider as the H.
canadense
of Mx. by smaller, more rigid, and scabrous leaves.
81.
Hieracium
*
scabriusculum
, L. v. Schw.
The collection affords but a single specimen, which, however, is so different from the rest of the American species, (not agreeing with any European, as far as I have been able to ascertain,)that I have thought it well to point it out by the following description.
Stem
glabrous, firm, erect, terete, much grooved and foliose.
Leaves
alternately sessile, clasping the stem, closely set below, decreasing in size, and becoming more distant upwards; ovate-lanceolate, not exceeding an inch in length below, one-fourth in breadth; distantly and elongately toothed in the margin, which appears somewhat involute. Lower surface glaucous, and distantly beset by short, rigid hair. Upper surface rugose and the margin rendered scabrous by short, thick, close set setæ or teeth, very conspicuous under the lens. Stem divided in summit into several few-flowered branches, the peduncles tomentose, and incrapate above, with a few lanceolate bracteas or floral leaves. Calyx nearly smooth. Flower large, yellow.
Apparently about one foot and a half in height.
82.
Carduus
muticus
, Pursh, p. 506.
A very imperfect specimen, which, however, decidedly belongs to this species.
83.
Vernonia
*
corymbosa
, L. v. Schw.
I think there can be no doubt, that this is a new and distinct species of
Vernonia
, although the description from a single specimen may be imperfect.
Stem
apparently about one foot high, erect, grooved, somewhat scabrous, and densely covered by proportionally large, suberect leaves. These are sessile, subclasping, lanceolate, acuminate, about one inch and a half long, entire towards the point, sharply serrate below, and about half an inch broad. Upper surface roughly scabrous, the lower remarkably punctate by numerous small, impressed pores, otherwise smooth.
Corymb
terminal, fastigiate,
pedicells
pulverulently subvillous.
Calyx
ovate, imbricate.
Scales
ovate, obtuse, very large, and finely ciliate all round their margin.
Flowers red, of considerable size.
84.
Artemisia
sericea
, Nutt. Gen. II. p. 143.
Peculiar to the north-west; labelled by Mr. Nuttall,
Hab
. Prairies of St. Peter's and Red rivers.
85.
Gnaphalium
margaritaceum
, Pursh, p. 524.
Common in Pennsylvania.
Hab
. Rainy Lake.
86.
Erigeron
canadense
.
β. *
grandiflorum
.
This may be a new species; as, however, the leaves and stem resemble the
canadense
perfectly, and there is but one specimen, I prefer arranging it as a variety. The flowers are more than twice the size of those of E.
canadense
, (with some appearance that the rays were yellow, on short peduncles and pedicells, by no means branching out, crowded together in the summit and axills of the leaves.
87.
Inula
scabra?
Nutt. Gen. II. p. 151 and 152.
I am not perfectly satisfied that this is the species
8.
Inula
amygdalina
, Nutt. Gen. II. p. 153.
Aster amygdalinus
auctorum.
Not rare in the United States.
89.
Aster
ledifolius
, Pursh, p. 544.
A.
nemoralis
, Nutt. p. 154.
The present specimen of this elegant Aster is more ciliately scabrous than my Jersey ones.
90.
Aster
multiflorus?
Pursh.
A small indistinct branch only, which, however, exactly resembles one communicated to me by the above name from Dr. Muhlenberg, except in being scabrous.
91.
Aster
puniceus
, Pursh, p. 554.
Common in the United States.
92.
Aster
laevigatus
, Pursh, p. 553.
Common in the United States.
93.
Solidago
canadensis
, Pursh, p. 535.
Common in the United States.
94.
Solidago
graminifolia
, Nutt. Gen. II. p. 162.
(Euthamia,) S.
lanceolata
, Pursh.
Common in Pennsylvania.
95.
Achillaea
setacea
, Persoon Synops. II. p. 469.
This species, the only specimen of which is about one foot and a half high, minutely agrees with the description of Persoon.
It has not heretofore been observed in
America
, but is found in Germany, Hungary, and Switzerland.
Hab
. Pembina, common in some districts.
96.
Helianthus
petiolatus
, Nuttall, in Journal of Academy, vol. II. p. 116.
Resembling, however, more the garden specimens than some I received from Mr. Nuttall.
97.
Helianthus
giganteus
, var.
crinitus
, Nuttall, Gen. II. p. 177.
98.
Helianthus
.
I have not been able to determine this species, which is but indistinctly characterized by the imperfect specimens of the collection.
99.
Bidens
minima
, Pursh, 566.
As a variety of β.
cernua
, I think them distinct.
100.
Urtica
procera
, Pursh, p. 113.
Common in Carolina and western country.
101.
Pinus
banksiana
, Pursh, p. 642.
Found likewise on the Canada lakes.
102.
Pinus
balsamea
, Pursh, p. 639.
On the mountains.
103.
Pinus
nigra
, Pursh, p. 640.
Not rare on Pennsylvania mountains.
104.
Pinus
alba
, Pursh, p. 641.
Distinguished by its incurred leaves.
105.
Pinus
pendula
, Pursh, p. 645.
Black latch.
Hab
. On the northern lakes and streams.
106.
Pinus
microcarpa
, Pursh, p. 645.
Without strobilae. Red larch.
Hab
. Common along the northern lakes and streams.
107.
Thuja
occidentalis
, Pursh, p. 646.
Likewise on Pennsylvania mountains.
51
108.
Salix
.*
The collection affords three distinct species of Salix, neither of which appear to agree with those known to me, or the descriptions of Persoon. But they are all without fructification, and cannot therefore be correctly determined. The first species has
Long, linear, lanceolate, rigid, acuminate
leaves
, slightly covered in the young ones with short sericeous hair on the underside, perceptible by a lens in the old leaves likewise, they are distantly and slightly toothed in the margin, of a light yellow colour on both sides, subsessile; young branches yellowish, the older red, smooth, but distantly spotted with black verrucae.
109.
Salix
.*
Leaves
on short petioles, narrow, lanceolate, serrately dentate in the margin, smooth, green on the upper, glaucous on the underside. Approaching to
Salix discolor
.
110.
Salix
.*
Leaves
on short petioles, ovate-lanceolate, attenuated at both ends; smooth above, densely villous below, entire, or undulately crenate in the margin. Stipules apparently ovate.
Allied perhaps to S.
caprea
.
111.
Fraxinus
sambucifolia
, Pursh, p. 8.
Common in Pennsylvania.
112.
Empetrum
nigrum
, Nutt. Gen. II. p. 233.
In Labrador and Canada, as well as Europe.
113.
Populus
balsamifera
, Pursh, p. 619.
In high American latitudes.
Hab
. From Pembina to Lake Superior.
114.
Shepherdia
argentea
, Nuttall, II. p. 240.
Hippophae argentea
, Pursh.
Towards the sources of Missouri.
Hab
. Rainy Lake.
115.
Shepherdia
canadensis, Nuttall, Gen. II. p. 241.
Hippophae canadensis
, Pursh.
On the borders of the Canadian Lakes.
Hab
. From Lake Winnepeck to Lake Superior.
116.
Juniperus
prostrata
, Persoon, II. p. 632.
Repens
, Nuttall, II. p. 245.
117.
Lycopodium
sabinaefolium
, Michaux, Fl. II. p. 282.
I have specimens from Labrador.
118.
Lycopodium
clavatum
, Pursh, p. 652.
Without fructifications.
119.
Botrychium
fumarioides
, Pursh, p. 655.
120
Polypodium
vulgare
, Pursh, p. 658.
Common to the United States and Europe.
121.
Woodsia
ilvensis
, Pursh, p. 560.
Not uncommon northwardly.
122.
Woodsia
hyperborea
, Pursh, p. 560.
After an inspection of the plates of Skuhr, I doubt whether these two plants have not been mistaken one for the other. I have named them as they appeared to me from his figures and the comparisons of my European specimens. Possibly, however, the specimens under consideration belong to a new species altogether.
123.
Aspidium
filix femina
, Pursh, p. 664.
Common.
124.
Aspidium
dentatum?
Willdenow.
Destitute of fructifications, but very much like Labrador specimens in my collection.
125.
Sphagnum
acutifolium
.
A very common moss in bogs.
126.
Marchantia
polymorpha
.
Destitute of fructifications, but no doubt belonging to this species.
127.
Cenomyce
rangiferina
, Achar.
The well-known reindeer moss.
128.
Cenomyce
pyxidata
, Achar.
Apparently destitute of fructification.
129.
Cenomyce
vestita
, Achar.
130.
Cenomyce
allotropa
, Achar, one of its supposed varieties.
All these Lichens are common every where.
Astronomical Observations and Calculations made in
1823,
during the Expedition to the Source of St. Peter's River, &c. by
J.
Edward Colhoun
,
Astronomer, &c. to the Expedition
.
The instruments used in making the following astronomical observations, were,
A brass sextant, of five inches radius, divided by means of a vernier to 30″, made by Cary, London.
A common surveyor's compass, marked to degrees, and having a needle four inches long.
An artificial horizon of mercury.
A patent lever watch, by Robert Roskell, Liverpool.
Except in two or three instances, when the rate of the watch was found, altitudes were taken for time, a few minutes, either before or after the lunar distances were measured.
In giving the data, the error of the watch is indicated as exceeding or being less than apparent time, by having no algebraic sign or the sign—prefixed; the index error continues the same, till otherwise stated; the object to the east is mentioned first; in general, it is the mean of three times, three altitudes or three distances, which is recorded.
Many observations, embracing every kind of which the sextant is capable, are not inserted, because taken at points tint cannot be easily designated. They have answered a sufficient purpose in corroborating those here given, and in correcting estimated courses and distances.
It was endeavoured by frequency and variety of observation, to supply the want of better instruments. If this deficiency
June 10. 8
P.M. Alt. Sun's centre
Index error—3′ 52″
Latitude deduced
9
2
Latitude
Latitude of Chicago
Variation of the compass at Chicago, by a mean of two morning amplitudes
June 16. 5
Index error—4′ 22″
Error of watch deduced
5
Longitude deduced * From Greenwich.
5
Longitude
Longitude of Camp on Wassemon rivulet
June 17. 00
Latitude deduced
00
Latitude
Latitude of same Camp
June 20. Mer. Alt. Star α 110° 48′ 00″
Index error—3′ 56″
Latitude deduced
11
Latitude
June 23. Mer. Alt. Star α Scorpionis
Index error—4′ 00″
Latitude
June 24. Mer. Alt. Moon's L.L.
Latitude
Latitude of Fort Crawford
June 20. 3
Error of watch deduced
11
Index error—3′ 56″
Longitude deduced
11
Longitude
June 21. 8
Index error—3′ 50″
Error of watch
Longitude of Fort Crawford
Variation of the compass at Fort Crawford by a mean of two morning azimuths
June 28. Mer. Alt. Moon's U.L.
Index error—4′ 00″
Latitude of Camp
June 29. Mer. Alt. Star α Scorpionis
Index error—3′ 7″
Latitude deduced
June 30. Mer. Alt. Moon's U.L.
Latitude
Latitude of Camp
July 2. Mer. Alt. Star α Scorpionis
Index error—4′ 00″
Latitude deduced
July 3. 8
Latitude
Latitude of the mouth of St. Peter's River
8
Longitude deduced
8
Longitude
July 4. 9
Index error—3′ 55″
Longitude
9
Longitude
9
Error of watch
Longitude of the mouth of St. Peter's River
Variation of the compass at the mouth of St. Peter's River by a morning azimuth
July 12. Mer. Alt. Star η. Ophinchi
Index error—4′ 00″
Latitude of Camp
July 14. 9
Index error—3′ 45″
Longitude of the Crescent
9
Error of watch
9
52
Latitude deduced
July 15. 8
9
Latitude
Latitude of the Crescent
Latitude assumed for Great Swan Lake
5
Index error—3′ 30″
Error of watch deduced
5
Longitude deduced
5
Error of watch
5
Longitude
5
Longitude
Longitude of Great Swan Lake
July 17. Mer. Alt. Moon's U.L.
Latitude of Camp
July 18. Met. Alt. Moon's U.L.
Latitude of Camp
Variation of the compass by an evening amplitude
July 24. Mer. Alt. Star α Aquilæ
Index error—4′ 7″
Latitude deduced
July 25. 9
3
Index error—4′ 00″
Latitude
July 26. Mer. Alt. Moon's U.L.
Index error—4′ 7″
Latitude
Latitude of Lac Travers
July 25. 3
Index error—4′ 00″
Longitude deduced
July 26. 2
Index error—4′ 7″
Longitude
2
Error of watch
2
Longitude
Longitude of Lac Travers
Variation of the compass at Lac
Travers, by a mean of two evening azimuths
Aug. 1. Latitude assumed
7
Index error—3′ 55″
Error of watch deduced
7
Longitude on the bank of Red River
Aug. 5. Mer. Alt. Sun's U.L.
Index error—3′ 59″
Latitude of the upper part of Pembina Settlement
Aug. 6. Mer. Alt. Star α Aquilæ
Index error—4′ 00″
Latitude deduced
Aug. 8. Met. Alt. Sun's U.L.
Latitude
Mer. Alt. Star α Aquilæ
Latitude
Latitude of Camp in the lower part of Pembina Settlement
According to the three last observations the forty-ninth degree of north latitude crosses Red River, about two miles below the mouth of Pembina River. A post was fixed at the end of the distance
No stars, bearing north, were served, because, either their altitudes were too great at the time of culminating, or the weather was unfavourable.
Variation of the compass at Pembina, by a mean of two evening amplitudes
Aug. 12. Mer. Alt. Sun's U.L.
Index error—4′ 18″
Latitude of the mouth of Muskrat River
Aug. 13. Mer. Alt. Moon's U.L.
Index error—3′ 52″
Latitude deduced
Mer. Alt. Star α Aquilæ
Latitude
Aug. 15. Mer. Alt. Sun's U.L.
Index error—4′ 15″
Latitude
Aug. 16. Mer. Alt. Sun's U.L.
Index error—4′ 7″
Latitude
Latitude of the mouth of Assiniboin River
Aug. 13. 4
Index error—3′ 52″
Error of watch
4
Longitude deduced
4
Longitude
9
Longitude
9
Error of watch
Longitude of the mouth of Assiniboin River
Aug. 18. Mer. Alt. Moon's L.L.
Index error—3′ 56″
Latitude of Camp on the southern coast of Lake Winnepeek
Aug. 20. Mer. Alt. Sun's U.L.
Index error—3′ 52″
Latitude of Fort Alexander
Mer. Alt. Moon's U.L.
Index error—3′ 30″
Latitude of Portage des Chaînes
9
Error of watch
Longitude
9
Longitude
Aug. 21. 0
Longitude
Longitude of Portage des Chaînes W. 95° 55′ 5″
Mer. Alt. Sun's U.L.
Index error — 4′ 15″
Latitude of east end of the first Portage du Bonnet
Mer. Alt. Star α. Aquilæ
Index error — 3′ 15″
Latitude of the southern extremity of Lake du Bonnet
9
Error of watch
Longitude of the southern extreme of Lake du Bonnet
Aug. 22. Mer. Alt. Sun's U.L.
Index error — 4′ 15″
Latitude of Portage du Grand Galet
Aug. 24. Mer. Alt. Star α. Aquilæ
Index error — 3′ 30″
Latitude of the Island de la Grande Equerre
9
Error of watch
9
Longitude of the Island de la Grande Equerre
Aug. 26. 8
10
Index error — 4′ 22″
Latitude of Cosse's Island (L. of the Woods)
Aug. 27. Mer. Alt. Sun's U.L.
Index error — 4′ 17″
Latitude of Red Rock Island
Mer. Alt. Star α. Aquilæ
Latitude of Sandy Island
Variation of the compass in L. of the Woods, by a mean of the Sun's morning and evening amplitude and an amplitude of the Moon's rising
Aug. 28. 8
9
Index error — 4′ 7″
Error of watch
Latitude of the mouth of Rainy River
8
Longitude deduced
8
Moon
Longitude
Longitude of the mouth of Rainy River
Sept. 2. Mer. Alt. Sun's U.L.
Index error — 4′ 00″
Latitude of Camp on an Island in Rainy Lake
Variation of the compass by a morning amplitude
Sept. 4. Mer. Alt. Star. α. Aquilæ
Latitude of the lower Portage of St. Croix River
Sept. 5. Mer. Alt. Star α. Aquilæ
Index error — 4′ 00″
Latitude of Little Rock Portage
Sept. 6. Mer. Alt. Star α. Aquilæ
Latitude of the west end of the French Portage
Sept. 7. Mer. Alt. Sun's U.L.
Latitude of the east end of the French Portage
Sept. 11. Mer. Alt. Sun's U.L.
Latitude on the south coast of Dog Lake
Latitude assumed for the south end of Dog Portage
3
Error of watch
53
4
Longitude of the south end of Dog Portage
Mer. Alt. Star α. Aquilæ
Latitude of Knife Portage
Sept. 15. Mer. Alt. Sun's U. L
Latitude of Fort William
Sept. 16. Mer. Alt. Sun's U. L.
Latitude of an island in Lake Superior
Sept. 17. Mer. Alt. Sun's L.L.
Height of observer's eye above the natural horizon
Latitude of an Island
Mer. Alt. Star α. Aquilæ
Index error — 3′ 30″
Latitude of Camp on the north coast of Lake Superior
8
Longitude of same Camp
Sept. 18. Mer. Alt. Star α. Aquilæ
Index error — 4′ 00″
Latitude of the bottom of Bottle Bay
Sept. 24. Mer. Alt. Star α. Aquilæ
Latitude of Camp on the north coast of Lake Superior
Variation of the compass by an evening amplitude
Sept. 26. Mer. Alt. Star α. Aquilæ
Latitude of Michipicotton House
Sept. 30. Mer. Alt. Sun's U.L.
Latitude of the west end of Portage Sault St. Marie
Mer. Alt. Star α. Pegasi
Latitude deduced
Oct. 1. Mer. Alt. Sun's U.L.
Latitude
Oct. 2. Mer. Alt. Sun's U.L.
Latitude
Latitude of Fort Brady
Oct. 5. Mer. Alt. Sun's U.L.
Latitude of Fort Mackinaw
Oct. 13. Mer. Alt. Sun's U.L.
Latitude deduced
Oct. 14. Mer. Alt. Sun's U.L.
Latitude
Latitude of Detroit
Oct. 13. 10
Longitude deduced
11
Error of watch
11
Longitude
Oct. 14. 3
Error of watch
3
Longitude
Longitude of Detroit
Exhibiting the daily mean temperature of the weather from observations taken at several of the military posts of the United States, by
Joseph Lovell
, M.D.
Surgeon General of the United States' Army
.
The following tables are abstracts of meteorological observations taken at eight of the military posts of the Atlantic coast, extending from Eastport in Maine, to Fort St. Philip near New Orleans; at one on the Mississippi, above New Orleans; and at seven on the north western frontier, from Council Bluffs on the Missouri, to Fort Niagara on Lake Ontario; embracing an extent of 16° 22′ of latitude, and 28° 39′ of longitude. To these have been added, as a standard of comparison, observations taken during the same year near the city of Philadelphia.
It will be perceived that Eastport, Portland, Fort Constitution near Portsmouth, and Newport, are respectively in about the same latitude as Fort St. Anthony, Green Bay, Prairie du Chien, and Council Bluffs; while the average difference of longitude is 21° 39′. On comparing the observations taken in these two sections of the country, the most remarkable difference will be found to consist in the extreme cold of the winter and the proportionate warmth of the summer at the Western, and the comparative equable temperature at the Eastern Posts. In January, which is the coldest month, the thermometer stood at - 25° at Fort St. Anthony; - 23° at Green Bay; - 19° at Prairie du Chien, and - 16° at Council Bluffs. The mean for the month at the first place was 11.68; at the second 13.20;
In July, which is the hottest month, the weather was proportionately warm at the west. Thus the highest degree, on our average of four observations, is 96°; and the mean for the month 75.31, while at the east the highest degree is 83 and the mean for the month 68.82; making a difference of 6.49. The mean for the year at the four western posts is 46.04; and at the four eastern 47.23; a difference of 1.19 only.
The centre of these sixteen stations lies between Norfolk and Annapolis; taking therefore these two posts, and the three northern and the three southern ones, which are respectively about equidistant from this centre, it will give 53.91 as the mean temperature for the year throughout the country; which is about the same as that of Detroit in Michigan Territory.
The difference in the range of the thermometer was 27°; it being 133° at the west, and 106 at the east. At the most southern station it was but 43°. The result of forty-eight monthly observations of the course of the winds at the western posts is N. W. 20—S. W. 17—N. 5—N. E. 2—S. E. 2—W. 1—S. 1. At the east; N. W. 14—S. W. 14—S. 11—S. E. 3 —N. 3—W. 2—N. E. 1. The N. W. and S. W. are therefore decidedly the prevailing winds, being in the proportion of 65 to 31; and it is remarkable that the proportion of S. W. winds in the summer; and of N. W. winds in the winter at the western is exactly the same as at the Eastern Posts.
At the west the proportion of fair weather to cloudy is as 17 to 7; and at the east as 11 to 1. The proportion of fair weather at the east is to that at the west, as 4 to 8, nearly.
On comparing these results with the most accurate accounts we have of the climate of the Eastern States on their first settlement, we shall find that it was much the same as that of the north western frontier at the present time. The winters were much more severe, the summers warmer; and the mean temperature of the year probably about the same that it now is.
Similar changes are believed to have taken place in Europe; and this fact will in a great measure account for the contradictory statements of writers on this subject; some of whom affirm that the climate of Europe and the eastern part of the United States is warmer, some that it is colder; and others that there is no material change. The one party stating, by way of proof, that the Rhine, Danube, and Tyber rivers, the Euxine and the borders of the Mediterranean Sea, &c. were frozen during the winter months of former years, and that many plants could not be preserved through the Winter, even in the north of Italy, which are now successfully cultivated in much higher latitudes; while the other asserts that at present many kinds of grain and fruit will not come to perfection in large districts of country, where they formerly flourished and were perhaps indigenous.
The truth probably is, that the mean annual temperature is about the same; but that the climate is much milder in consequence of the great reduction in the range of the thermometer—that the quantity of heat is the same; but that it is now more equally distributed throughout the year. This supposition will explain the facts above stated. For on comparing the monthly mean temperature of the western and eastern posts as given in these tables, we shall find that, although in January it is much lower at the west, yet the spring advances more rapidly; that even by March it is 2° 45′ higher than at the eastern posts; and that by July the difference is 6° 49′. Of course, such plants will thrive as require a warn, summer to bring them to perfection; and are yet hardy enough, with due care and a proper exposure, to withstand a severe winter; while the more delicate and sensible ones, which flourish under
The causes of this change have also been the subject of no little dispute; but it is thought that numerous circumstances connected with the rapid settlement of the United States will show that it has been produced mainly by the clearing of the country, and the cultivation of the soil. Had accurate observations been kept, it is believed that the change in the climate of the United States would appear to have been as rapid, in comparison with that in Europe, as the increase of population and the extension of cultivation has been unexampled; and that the effect has in both cases borne as exact a proportion to the cause, as could be expected in a subject susceptible of so many variations from accidental and extrinsic circumstances.
How far the character of the diseases of a country are defected by difference of temperature can of course only be decided by numerous observations, many circumstances however render it probable that whether observations are made at various places within the same period, or at the same place through a succession of years, we shall find a close connection between the temperature of the several parts of the year and the diseases of the place or period.
From the sick reports of the army, intermittent and remittent fevers appear at present to be the prevailing diseases of the greater part of our country, and there is reason to believe that the proportion of remittents has not only increased within a few years, but that they are much more frequently combined with symptoms of derangement of the biliary organs.
Out of 7000 cases of acute disease, upwards of 3000 were of fevers of an intermittent and remittent type, 1750 of inflammatory complaints common to all parts of the country during the winter mouths; and of the remainder, the greater part were of disorders peculiar to the life, habits, and duties of a soldier in all situations. At the western posts by far the greater proportion of cases are intermittents. At the southern and middle Atlantic stations, remittents of a decidedly
By the tables it will be observed, that from the 17th of July to the 2d of September, the daily mean temperature was steadily as high as 80½° with the exception of one day, and below 81½° only three days during that period. The mean temperature for the month of August was 82.22, and the range of the thermometer but 14; the highest degree being 89, and the lowest 75.
Even as early as June, there appears to have been a peculiarly unhealthy state of the atmosphere; and the very intelligent surgeon of the post, Dr. M'Mahon, in his report on the 30th of September states, that “the month of J a ne was ushered in by the prevalence of a fatal distemper among the brute animals, its operation was particularly marked upon dogs; foxes, and panthers, in the woods, suffered very severely, the mortality among them was indeed immense, numbers of them were found dead in every direction, and it is somewhat singular that they were generally found in troops of four, five, and six, collected about the same spot.” Whether the diseases of our country are more fatal than formerly, and if so, whether it arise from the malpractices of the professors of the healing art, as appears of late to be the opinion of some of them, is believed to be somewhat problematical, at any rate, it is but reasonable to defer a decision on so important a subject, until we shall have collected a series of well attested facts; and not to mistake the suggestions of an overweening vanity for the results of calm investigation and practical experience.
54
55
56
The following schedule exhibits the names, &c. of the gentlemen from whose records the Meteorological Register has been compiled
.
* Deceased since 1822.
* Deceased since 1822.
The mean temperature, &c. for Philadelphia, as recorded in the Register, were furnished by Mr. Reuben Haines, Corresponding Secretary of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and Honorary member of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Turin, whose judgment and precision in observations of this nature entitle them to the fullest confidence.
It is believed that the foregoing tables exhibit as correct statements in relation to the temperature of the several places of observation, as any others that have hitherto been published on a scale equally comprehensive. It is well known that meteorological observations of every description are liable to numberless inaccuracies, both from defects in the instruments necessarily employed in making them, and from the want of a uniform mode of observation.
We are informed by the Surgeon General that the thermometers used at the military posts were made by Mr. Fisher of Philadelphia, who sustains a high reputation as a manufacturer of that instrument—and that they were uniformly furnished with metalic scales, with the exception perhaps of some few that have been procured to supply the place of those accidentally broken. The observations from which the temperature as recorded in the tables, has been deduced, were taken daily, at morning, mid-day, and evening, at which times the state of the weather, wind, &c. were particularly noted. But as it was not practicable to exhibit the whole in a form sufficiently condensed, much interesting matter relative to atmospheric phenomena, has necessarily been excluded from the register.
Dr. Lovell, to whom the public is indebted not only for the register itself, but for the measures that have led to its construction, has instituted a course of meteorological observations, at the several military posts of the United States, which is to embrace a period of at least five years. When this shall have been performed, we have reason to believe that the data furnished therefrom, will lead to results relative to the climate of our country, more satisfactory than any that have hitherto been published.
S. H. L.
OF the following vocabularies, Mr. Say obtained that of the Killisteno language; the others were taken down by me. In order to enable the philologists to establish a comparison between the languages spoken by the Indians whom we saw, and those visited by the party that travelled to the Rocky Mountains, Major Long desired that the same system should be adopted, viz. that accompanied by Walker's pronouncing key. Had it not been for this circumstance, I would have adopted the German vowels, as they appear to me more simple and satisfactory. In the vocabularies which I obtained, I found the nasal sounds to be very frequent, and to be exactly the same as those in the French language; in order to distinguish them, I have used the sign n[???]. It appeared likewise necessary to designate the long and short vowels in order fully to convey the Indian sounds; this I have attempted to do by the introduction of the accents; the grave (`) being used to distinguish the long, and the acute (') the short syllables. This has rendered our present system still more complicated, and has increased my regret that the valuable Suggestions of Mr. Duponceau and Mr. Pickering
* See Mr. Duponceau's “Dissertation on English Phonology,” in the Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, N. S. vol. I. and Mr. Pickering's “Essay on the Orthography of the Indian Languages,” in Vol. IV. of the Memoirs of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
The great analogy which exists between the Sauk, Chippewa, and Cree languages, will be readily remarked; especially by those who will attempt to pronounce the words according to the key. The difference which they present to the eye will then vanish; thus the syllable
kwa
used by me has the same sound as that of
qua
used by Mr. Say. The Sauk vocabulary was taken from Wennebea, the Dacota from Renville, the Chippew a from Bruce, and the Killisteno from a half-breed of that nation.
WILLIAM H. KEATING.
Fa
58