Madison County, Illinois - Chapter 5, 1882

Flora

T is not the purpose of this chapter to give an elaborate or scientific treatise on the ^V^l^j^^ illl' plants found in this county. The design V>£^--^' ill 's rather to give a catalogue of the var- ~ ious plants indigenous to this region. The state of Illinois is divided east and west into three quite distinct botanical belts, viz.: The heavily-timbered regions of the south, whose flora is distinguished by its great variety and luxuriant growth, the central portion, embracing the great prairies of the state with their multifarious forms of vegetation, and the northern part which is divided between woodland and prairie.

The plants of a country are a sure index of the character of the soil, and for this reason the following list will be of special interest to the agriculturist.

To add a detailed botanical description of each plant, or of all the species, genera, or even familes, represented here, would fill a large part of this volume, to the exclusion of other more appropriate matter. By way of preface, it may be stated that vegetation is a sure index of the character of the soil in which it is growing. No class of persons realizes this fact so fully as does the practical, observant farmer. If he wishes to buy uncultivated land, the kinds of trees, shrubs, or grass growing in the locality decide for him the approximate depth and fertility of the soil, and the consequent value of the land for agricultural purposes. According to its flora Illinois has been divided by botanists into three parts ; the heavily timbered regions of the south.

whose dense vegetation is remarkable for its variety; the central portion, which, except in the vicinity of the watercourses, is mostly prairie, and noted for the great number and variety of its grasses, and other indigenous plants; and the northern section, which is about equally divided between woodland tnd prairie. This county lies within the great prairie belt, a region famous for the fertility and depth of its soil, and the luxuriance of its flora. Plants, like animals are greatly influenced in their growth and development by surrounding circumstances. As man and the domestic animals have driven many species of the native animals from this region, so numerous kinds of indigenous plants have disappeared before the onward march of civilization. Hence, we find to-day in the fields and meadows few of the grasses and other plants that flourished in their native beauty here fifty years ago. Thus, under the great laws of evolution and succession, all animated nature, from age to age, moves gradually, but grandly forward toward the eternal destiny which the Almighty, in the beginning, ordained for all His creatures. For this region the following is a complete

List Of Native Woody Plakts

Of the forest trees the most valuable deserve special mention. Rock Sugar Maple is excellent ; the Black Cherry is used by cabinet makers and is a wood of good color and grain. Vhe Shag-bark hickory is perliaps the most valuable of its kind. The White Oak is much used in making furniture and agricultural implements. The Blue Ash is capital for flooring. The Honey Locust is a very durable wood and shrinks less than any other in sea oning. The Walnut is nearly all gone. The Plane tree or Sycamore is used by cabinet makers. Of the Oak family the most valuable kinds are the Burr Oak, Panel Oak, and Pin Oak.

In the following list of grasses, the common grain plants, not being indigenous to the county, are omitted. Some of the grasses given are not native, but are among those best adapted for animals. Hence we include them :

Fauna

The following chapter embraces all the animals witliin the memory of man that have had their habitation in this county. Prior to the advent of the white man, the principal animals were the buffalo, bear, wolf wilil cat, deer, panther, itc, which have mostly disappeared before the onward march of civilization. These various occupants of the wild prairies and forests afforded rare sport to the pioneer settlers of this region, and furnished an interesting subject of study to the student of aatural history. That all cla.sses of readers may find pleasure and profit iu the article, both the technical and common names of the animals enumerated are given.

Of the ruminating animals that wereindigneous to this territory, we had the American Elk (Cervus Canadensis), and still have the deer of two kinds ; the more common well knowa American deer (Cervus Virginianus), and the white-tailed Deer (Cervus Leucurus). And at a period not very remote, the American Buffalo (Bos Araericnnus), must have found pastures on the alluvial prairies and rich bottom lands of this county. The head'*, horns and bones of the slain animals were still numerous in 1820. The Black Bear (Ursus Americauus) were quite numerous even in the memory of the older settlers. Bears have been seen in the county within the last fifty years. The Gray Wolf (Canis Occidentalia) and Prairie Wolf (Canis latrans) are not unfrequently found, is al.?o the Gray Fox (Vulpes Virginianus >, which still exists by its superior cunning. The panthers(Felis concolor) was occasionally met in the earlier times: and still later and more omraon, the Wild Cat (Lynx rufus); the Mink (Putorius Vison) ; American Otter, (Lutra Canadensis) ; the Badger (Taxidea Americana) ; the Raccoon (Procyon Lotor). The coonskin among the early settlers was regarded as a legal tender. The Bear and Otter are now extinct in the county, and were valuable fur their furs. Many of the pleasures, dangers and excitements of the chase are only known and enjoyed by most of us of the present day through the talk and traditions of the past. The Buffalo and the Elk have passed the borders of the Mississippi to the westward, never more to return.

To the weasel family (MuMeUdie) belong the well-known animals, minks, skunks, otters, common weasels, &c., most of which have long, slender bodies, five- toed feet, and glands which secrete a liquid of very disagreeable oder. Otters and minks are hunted for their furs, which are very valuable. The former are ampliibious, and are at present rarely seen The costly fur called ermine is obtained from a weasel which inhabits the northern parts of Europe and Asia.

Wea^els are brown in summer and white in winter, the tip of the tail being black. The color of minks is darkbrown, or black, throughout the year. The otter (Lnlra Canadensis), is black, and is noted for its size and strength. Its toes are webbed ; head large and flat ; ears short ; tail slighly flattened, and nails crooked. It is aquatic and subsists on fish. Minks and weasels prey on birds, poultry and small animals of various kinds. The skunk (Mephitis Americana) has a pointed nose, bushy tail, and is nocturnal. It feeds upon beetles and other small animals. It is also fond of eggs. It was very common a few years ago, but like most of the wild animals, is gradually disapptaring Of the opossum family {Diddphidiv), the only species here is the common opossum, {Didelphys Virginiana). Opossums are small animals, about twenty inches long to the tail, which is from twelve to fifteen inches in length, nearly bare, and prehensile. Its hair is whitish with dark-brown tips. When captured and wounded, it feigns itself dead. It is a marsupial, or pouched animal, and carries its young, which at birth,tweigh only a few grains, in a ventral pouch situated near its hind legs. On emerging from this pouch, which occurs four or five weeks from birth, the young twine their tails around that of their mother, and thus supported ride on her back. Tlie oposum lives on birds, eggs, insects and other small animals. This animal, like the raccoon, is found in all parts of the United States and throughout most of North America.

Eodentia, Or Gnawers

The animals of this order are easily distinguished by their teeth. In the front part of each jaw, they have two chisel shaped incisors, between which and the molars is a considerable space, without teeth, these animals having no canines. The largest representatives of the rodents ever known in this country, the American beaver. Castor Canadensis, is still met with in this county in the timbered nooks of Wood River. The rats and mice {Muridce) constitute the most numerous family of the rodents. They number, in all, about three hundred species in the world.

Their appearance and habit are too well known to require description here. The black rat {Mus raiius) was formerly very common, but of late years it has been almost extirpated by the brown or Norway rat [Mas decumanus) which is much larger and stronger.

Of the mice we note, as found here, the common housemouse {Mus ynvscidus), the field-mouse, the meadow-mouse, the jumping-mouse (Jaculus hudsoniiis, of the f&mily Jacu- Hdaw) which has a body about three inches long and a tail six inches - and the tree-mouse. The musk-rat ( Owlatra zibetkicus), allied to the beaver, has but one species. This animal is about the size of a cat, and has a strong, musky smell. It is amphibious, building itis mud houses in ponds and shallow lakes. It is a native of North America, and is still quite common. Its fur, like that of the beaver, is valuable. The fur of the latter is used for making the finest hats.

The sqirrel family (SciuridaMs represented here by the red (fox) squirrel (Sciiirus hudsoni//s), the gray squirrel {Sciurus Carolinensis), the flying squirrel (Pteromijs volueella) the ground squirrel {Toinias striaatus), the gopher {Sperma- ^/t»7((«), the prairie squirrel and the woodchuck or groundhog {Arciomys monax) all of which are so common that they need not be described.

Of the hare family (Leporidic) the common gray rabbit {Lepsus euniculus),\s the only representative now inhabiting this region. It is very prolific, and is destined to propagate its species long after some of the animals mentioned shall have become extinct

Bats and moles - the former belonging to the order of animals (Chiroptera), the latter to the order {Insectivora) - are still very numerous. Both are carnivorous {insectivorous), and during hibernation are semi-torpid.

Reptilia Or Reptile.S.

Under this class we find represented here the order Testudinata, or turtles, and including such individuals as the box twTt\e {Cistudo virginea), snapping-turtle {Chehjara serpentina) wood tortoise {Gh/ptenys insculpta), and soft-shelled turtles including mud turtles. Of the order Lacertia (lizards,) the common striped lizard (Ameiva sexlineata) is the only representative we have found here. Under the order {Ophidia) or serpents, we note the common black snake (Bafcanion constrictor), water snake (Serpens aquaticus), rattlesnake (cr'dalus horridus\ moccasin( Toxicophis atrapiscus), copperhead {Trigonnncephdu^ coniortrix), garter-snake (Euania sirtalis) house snake, joint snake, blue racer, and green snake. Of these the rattlesnake, copperhead, and moccasin are very poisonous, and therefore most to be dreaded. The blowing, or hissing adder, a venomous serpent, is rarely seen here.

The class Batrachi'i, or frogs, has as representatives, the leopard frog (Rana halecin), bull frog (Bmui pipicns), wood frog, trf e rog ('' tree toad ") Bana Ay/al, marsh frog (Bana pa/iisfris), common toad (Bafo vulgaris,) tadpole, salamander {Amblystomapunctatun), triton, or water newt (Diemictylus viridescens, and mud puppy (Menobranchus lateralis).

The class of Pi'^ces, or fishes, is represented in the streams of the county, by the white, the black and the striped bass, catfish, pike, sturgeon, (rare), gar, gogle-eyed perch, sunfish, chub, white perch ("croppie "?), white and black suckers, bufl^alo, and a few others of minor importance.

Class Of Aves Or Birds

In the following list of birds indigneous to the county, the old system of groups, or orders, is used rather than the new classification of birds adopted provisionally by the Smithsonian Institute at Washington. The former, as it contains fewer and less difficult technical terms, will, it is believed, be more readily understood by the general reader.

The chief characteristics of all the birds belonging to each order are given first, aa;l appeii led thereto are the names of such birds of the order as arc indigenous to this region.

Raptores, Or Birds Of Prey

These are generally of large size and stout form ; bills hooked and very strong ; claws sharp and curved ; wings extensive and muscles powerful ; females larger than males ; live in pairs and choose their mates for life(?). Under this order and belonging to the hawk family {Falconidcv, are the sparrow-hawk {Tiniiuneulus alandarius) ; swallow-tailed hawk {Nauderiis farcatm) ; hen-harrier blackbird {Merulu mmicci), king bird, or bee martin (Tyraunus Caroliue7isi,s) Raven {Corvus corax), common crow {Curvus Americanus), Summer red bird {Pyrangra (estiva), scarlet tanager, Baltimore oriole (.Icterus Baltimore), pewee, or Phoebe bird, (Saijorius ficscus), kingfisher (Ceryle afci/o»), ruby throated humming-bird (Trochilits colabris), yellow-billed cuckoo {Cuciiliis eanorus), ruby-crowned kinglet, golden-crowned kinglet, whippoorvvill (Aiitrostomus vociferuii), grass sparrow, or black throated bunting, lark sparrow, or finch, snow bird (Jtinco hyemalii), chipping sparrow {Spizella socialk), night hawk i^Cliordeiles popelue).

Scansores, Or Climbing Birds

Birds of this order have their toes in pairs, two in front and two behind. Under this order and indigenous to this county are the swift, or chimney-swallow ( OypMlus pelaKgiua), red-headed woodpecker {Melaiierpes eryfhrocephalus) , goldenwinged woodpecker {Colaptes auratiis,) Carolina paroquet; ( Conurus CaroUnensis), sap sucker (^Picus pubescciis); ( Circus cyaiieus) ; goshawk {Falco palainb:trius) ; sharpskinned hawk {Bateo horcalis) ; red-shouldered hawk, pigeon-hawk {Falco Columbarum); ring-tailed, or golden eagle {Aquila chryfctos).

To the owl family (^Strigidw) belong the great horned owl {Bubo Virffinianiis); snowy owl (Sirix nisa); barred owl {Syrnium nebaloseum, or "hoot-owl"); American barn or screech-owl {Strix Jlamnue) ; spotted owl, marsh owl, Kennicott's (?) owl.

Rasores, Or Scratching Birds

Birds of this order are characterized by their stout bodies, strong legs and feet, and their general adaptation to living on the ground. It includes the wild turkey (Melengris gallopavo,) prairie-hen {Tetrao cupido,) ruffled grouse, or "partridge " {Bonasa umbellas,) q\ia,i] {Orlyx Virginianus,) turtledove {Tartar aurilus,) wild or passenger pigeon {Ectopistes migratoria.

Grallatres Or Wading Birds

These have long necks, long bills, very long and slender legs, and slender bodies. Their general form is well adapted to wading. This order includes the plover { Charadrias,) common snipe (Scolopax galliiiago,) American woodcock (Plillohelo minor,) Wilscm's snipe {GaUinago Wilsonii,) mudhen (Fulicn Americnna,) Kill-dee (Aegialits voci/erus,) redbreasted-snipe ( Gambeita melanoleuea,) tell-tale snipe ( Gamhetia flavipes,') water-rail {Rallus Aquaticus) sand hill crane

Natatores, Or Sw'Imming Birds

These are broad and flat; feathers compact and well oiled; legs wide apart; femur short; and feet webbed. Under this order are found the common wild goose (.4n«YT Americanus,) summer or wood duck (Aix sponsa,) Canada goose {Bermicala Canadensis,) American Swan (Cygmis Americanus,) brand-goose, or (" brant " {Anser Bernicla,') butter ball (Bucephala albeola,) mallard {Anas bosehas,) blue-winged teal {Bosehas c'recca,) American widgeon {Mareca Americma,) red-head duck (Apthaya Americana,) canvass-back duck (?) {Aythaya vaWsnerio,) green-winged teal {Nettion Carolidensis,) pintail duck {Dajila acuta,) trumpeter swan {Cygnus buccinator.)

Insessors Or Perching Birds

The i)erchers differ greatly among themselves ; all have three front toes and a single hind one ; feet well adapted to perching. To this order belong the majority of birds, of which we note, as belonging here, the wood thrush {Tardus mmtelinus,) mocking bird {Mimus polyglottus,) blue-bird {Sialis Wilsonii,) cat bird {Mimus CaroUnensis,') robin {Tardus migratoriiis,) brown thrush, or "thrasher" {Turdus rufus,) titmouse, or chickadee {Parus atricappillus,) brown creeper {Cei-thia familiaris,) nuthatch (<S'iMas Caro- Unensis,) winter wren {Troglodyte-i hyemalis,) cedar bird {Ampelis cedrorum,) rose-breasted grosbeak {Guiraea ludoviciana,) chewink (Pipilo erythrophthalnus,) meadow-lark {Sturnella m^gaa,) blue jay {Cjinara, cristata,) wren, {Troglodytes domestica) warblers, barn swallow {Hirundo hordeorum) bank swallow {Cotxjle riparia,) l)lue martin Progiie pxirpurea, cardinal retl bird (Cardinalis Virginianus,) field sparrow {Spizella pmilla,) indigo l)ir(l {Cyanospiza cyanea,) great northern shrike, or butcher bird {Collurio borcalis.) yellow, or thistle bird (Syloatica nstiva,) swamp, or red winged black bird {>Slurnns predatoriiis,) cow blackbird "cowbird."