Meriden Township

Meriden Township

Township 36, Range 2, constitutes the town of Meriden. It is bounded on the north by the north line of the county, and is a prairie region, sur- rounded by prairie on all sides except a small grove on Sees. Sand 6, called Fonr-Mile Grove. Afew families pitched their tents around the little oasis in the middle of the wide prairie, in the year 1896, and these were all the early settlers.

John Rose, from Scotland, James Cunningham, Hiram Cristler, John Weisner, Thomas Eager and a few others constituted the pioneer force that commenced the task of transforming the wild prairie town into productive farms and the quiet pleasant abode of a numerous, wealthy and prosperous people - a task that with the aid of succeeding emigrants has been most successfully accomplished.

Wallace embraces the west part of Township $4, Range 3, being four and one-half miles in width from east to west. Until a few years since it was a part of Dayton, and being nearly all prairie it remained unoccupied excepting a few settlers on its sonthern border until the impetus given by the completion of the canal and railroads sent the population over all the prairie. Its proximity to Ottawa and Dayton made its settlement a mild experience compared with the more secluded sections,

Thomas Robinson came in 1888; Mr. Cavanaugh and E. W. Curtis, in 1847 or 48; A. P. Hosford, Seth Sage, R. 0. Black and a few others, were the earliest residents.

John Manley, from Clinton County, N. Y., settled in Ottawa in 1887; has kept a hardware store either alone or with a partner, for nearly forty years, probably the oldest honse in tewn. A daughter, who had just completed her education, was drowned + in the Hudson river. A younger daughter is the wife of Richard C. Jordan, cashier of the City National Bank of Ottawa. Carrie is at home.

Peter Ruseel, from Ireland, came to Ottawa in 1838; a cabinet-maker; his has been the leading house in that branch in Ottawa for many years. His son is now a partner in the firm of P, Russell & Son.

William Palmer came from New York in 1836; a wagon maker by trade; he has followed the business since he came till 1875; he has left the county.

John Palmer, brother to William, came at the same time ; settled on 2 farm ; afterwards moved to Ottawa; was County Assessor, and the first that assessed the land sold by the Government, being five years after the sale; he died in Ottawa, John and George Armour from Ayreshire, Scotland, came to Ottawa in 1834. After a few years residence in Ottawa, George went to Chicago, where he still resides, John was a prominent warehouse owner and grain dealer till his death, several years since; he never married. James and Archie, brothers of the above. came er, James died in La Salle; Archie is still living in Ottawa.

Jacob C. Van Doren, from Montgomery County, N. Y., came in 1888; settled on §. 28, T. 92, R. 3; about 1855 he removed to Ottawa, where he and his wife died some years after. His eldest son, C. M., came before the family ; he also removed to Ottawa andis now in Washington Territory. James married Olive Dimmick, and died in Ottawa about 1874, The only daughter is the wife of Jesse Dickey in Ottawa; Lansing and Lucas have left the county.

Albert H. Ebersol came from Dauphin Gounty,Pa., to Grand Rapids, with his father, Joseph Ebersol ; married Miss Celia Pearre ; has one son, Joseph P.; he is now the oldest settler in Grand Rapids.

Byr. William

In » botanical point of view, the surface of the county may be conveniently divided into four habitats or districts, ench baving a flora peculiar, io part, to itself: 1; the prairie or trockeas district, the soil n deep black loam; 2, the belts of wooded upland, hordering the river valleys, having for the most part a clay soll; 3, the alluvial bottoms and lalands of the Tiinols and Vermillion rivers; 4, that part of the Tilinols River Valley characterized by the up: hoaval of the Silurian formation, and lying principally between the cities of Ottawa and LaSalle, A glance at this varied surface, ranging in the quality of {ts sol! from a deep alluvium to a barren sund, will prepare the botanist to look for @ rich flora, and be will not be dissppointed.

Of one hundred and thirty-two onlers found native in the Northern United States, one hundred and eleven are represented in Illinois by one thousand and fifty-two different species; sumber of Graminew or true grasses, one hundred and fifty-two ; of forest trocs there are over seventy specics, including thirtecn species of oak; there are one hundred and sixty-six apecies of Composite or compound flowers, including twenty-three species of Aster, twenty: of Solidago or golden rod, and fourteen of the Helianthus or sunflowe

'The following list embraces but fow species that hare mot been personally identified by the writer of this article, during « residence of twenty years in the county, Much Inbor has been bestowed to make it ns completo and accurate us possible. Correspondence is regard to omissions or doubtful points in nomenclature fs invited.

'The herbariums prepared by W. W. Calkins, of Chiongo, and W. 'W. Johnron, of Marsetiles, bave afforded much valuable assistance in the preparation of this list.

Clemutis Virginiann, Virgin's Bower. Anemone nemoroea, Wind Flower, "" Pensylvanion. thualietroid sp eylindrica, lols, Liverwort, "acutiloba.

Dales alopecaroldes. Petalowemon canilidum, : violuceum: Astragalus Canadensis, * Plattensls Phaca nstragalina. Tephrosia Virginlana, Robinia Psoudacscia, Apios tuberosa. Phaseolus peronnts,

Ceorasus serotina, * Virgininna, Pennsy!! "vulgaris ( Pranus Americana, Asselaochier Cauadeusls, Cratmegus coccinwa, +" tomentosa, Pras coronaria, Ross setigers. * blanda. lucida, Carolina, © rabiginoss (introduced), Agrimonia Eupatoria, " parriflora, Geam vernum, Virginiannm Rubus villosus, Canadensis, occidentalis, Fragaria Virginians, Potentilla Norvegion,

Gatto . Cleavers. > dum. =: tris Diodia Virginians, Ceplalanthus Seles, Button Bush, Houstoala cceruley Bluets. "VALBNIANACE. Volerinna ciliata, 'Valerianella umbitleata, Lamb's Lettuce, Composit. - Asterworts, 'Versonla fasciculata, Iron Weed. Lintris eylindracoa, squarross, Blazing Star. ae " fachya. Bupatotfom purpireamn neem perfoliatum, Boneset, ae serotiqum. i ratoides, White Souke Root. nt altissimum. Achillea Milefolium, Yarrow, mbosus, Aster. iifollus. agittifoliua. Qoen : 'Anglie. sericous. tonulfolios, undulatus. opus nai ae tifolius. beat Flos Baup A Fauadetphican. Selligitollur, Robin's Plantain, heterophyllum annuum, White Weed, dago Lenuifolio, Goldenrod. latifolia, ".

Solidago lanceolnta Missourlonsis Canadensis, altissina, rigid, Inula Heleninm, (introduced), Polymnia Canndensis, Silphiam Iaciniatum, rebinthinaceam, grifolium perfotlatum, Parthen\um integrifolum. Ambrosia artemisiofolia,

Verbascum thapsus (Europe), Malleln. Linaria ralgaris " Toud Plax, Scrophalarin nodosa, Figwort Chelone giabra, 'Turtle Head. Pentsiemon gracilis, Beard Tongue, * digitalis ifonarda fetuloes, Wild Bergamot Le punctata, ba Lophanthus serophnlarifaline, Hedge Hyssop. ' nopetaides. Nepeta entarla (Europe), Catnip. Brunella vulgaris, Biue Curls Scutellaria versicolor, Skal-eap. " can) econe. " parvula * galerieulsta, a Tateriflara. Physostegia Virginiana, Lion's Heart Synandea grandiflora, Goleopais tetrahit, Hemp Nettle. Stachys hyasopifolin, Hedge Nettle. palustris. Leonarus Cardinca (Europe), Motherwort

Lithospermum canescens, Paccoon, hirtan, Mertensia Virginica, Smooth Lungwort Myosotia stricta, Porget-me-not + cmapitose. Lycopsis arvensis (Europe), Wild Baglors Echivospermum Lappula, Barr-seed.

Ellisla Nycteles PoreMontsck - Phloxworts Phlox acuminats, Phlox glaherrima. * divaricata * pilosa "bifida. Polemoaiaiw reptans, Greek Valerian CosvoLytLace.®: Bindweeds Convolvulus arvensis Bindweed, Pharbit * purpurea Morning Glory Bil

By William Wirt Calkene

Of the ten great systems at present recognized by goologista, five are wantlug in this State, Theve are: The Cretaccous, Jurassic, Triassic, Huroninn, Laurentian, Of the otber five, we have in this county, the Quaternary or Post-Tertiary, the Carboniferous, and the Lower Silurian Formations. 1 thus appears that we have in the county no Tertiary or Devonian deposits. These are developed further weat and south.

This embraces the soils, sands, gravels, clays, und other deposits forming the surface of the county, and varying in depth from a few feet to perhaps one hundred feet in certain localities on the prairies, "This Formation nowhere attains a thickness of one hundred and fifty fect, as estimated by Freeman.

'The *"Byulders" form a peculiar feature of this system, and have giren to it the name of the " Boulder" or '* Drift" epoch, referring to the manner of its deposition. These boulders are familiar to all and found throughout the entire county, though more pomerous in somo localities than othere, Col, D, F, Hitt, of South Ottawa, has on elegant collection of them on exhibition, showing the usefal, scientific and ornamental purposes to which they may be put. £ have at different thmes secured from the Colonel's "fence" more than twenty varieties of the primitive rocks containing mincrals of mica, feldspar, garnets, copper, ete. Large deposits of boulders occur in the Ilinols Valley, lying in some places directly upon the 3t. Peters Sandstone, and so dimer ous and closely packed ns to exclude everything else. A good example may be found in West Ottawa, near D. 8. Ebersol's rest ence, which shows their deposition to be conformable to the course of the valley und the direction nssumed by the agencies that brought them from thelr origiual to thelr present location. Lake Superior is the neurest point from whicl these gmnite rocks could have been derived ; and the formation there which outcrops at the surface, is here hurled many hundred feet below and beyond our rach, feo and icebergs moving through the floc of waters coming from the the North, brought to us our boulder deposits, 'The scratchings and groovings found on many of them are sufficlene evidence without examiaing localities whero the formations tu place during the Drift epoch, as on the west shores of Lake Michi+ gun, show the same crosions, only to m greater extent. 'The ares eceupted by boulders shows that the great lakes once covered an immense country, and gives us some idea of the Toe period when these boulders were distributed. During the changes that followed, the lakes were contracted, but the Ilinois river was for a time an immense stream, serving as an outlet for vast bodies of wator that afterwards were diverted cleewhere, We can safely assume that the Tilinols river once dowed from bluff to blail, confined in ite course go far north as Jolict, probably becoming at that point undistinguishable from the vast lnkes above, 'The fossil remains found in the Drift are of course accidental anil derived from other formations. Some of these are as follows: a Lithoatrotion, spocies undetermined, found near Caton's spring in South Ottawa. 'This is nn Interesting coral and belongs to the Carboniferous Formation, Of Crvstacea, several Trilobites hare heen found by Mr. U, Ellsworth, in Clurk's Run at Vermiliiouritic. 'The species & common to the Trenton Group, which is nearly denuded and approaches the #arface where the Drift lies immediately upon it at this point. Fousilized wood is frequently found in digging wells. In the more recent deposits romaine of the Mastodom have been found ; lao species of land and fresh water shells identical with those now living in the county. The banks of ourrrivers will affiand examples. Of valuablo minerale - copper, lead and trom, occur tn the drift, sometimes in quite large masses, but all these ame here with the boulders und by the same agencies,

The Carnoniferous Formation

Split Rock, running thence in the direction of Deer Park, Big Bend, and Lowell, hos a direction nearly parallel with the Big Vermll- Hoo river, and the Coal measures on elther side present distinctly marked fentares caused by the commotions of the period when they ocourred. The thickness of the Ooal measures west of the exis at La Salle, approximates six hundred feet, from the most rellable figures I ean obtain, In this locality they rest upon the 'Silarkan rocks 'Their beds of coal are known as the upper, middie nnd lower, and some claim that there is a fourth bed. East of the great axis the Coal measures thin out, ouly one bed of coal 'appearing in a large ares of the district, But there are two veins in Deer Park back of the Fisuburn place, only one, however, of sufficient thickness to work, which is done mainly by stripping, though the main one was once worked by driving a shaft into the Ailiside, 'This was dono by my father somo years ago. On a recent 'examination by Col, Hitt and myself on the O'Connor place, we exrefatly traced the deposits from the edge of the timber down the ravines leading to tho Illinois bottoms where these deposit rost upon the &. Peters, and found very interesting outcrops, We could Rave loaded a wagon in o short time with fossil Lepidodendrons which wore then Jying exposed in the ravines, 'These Coal plants 'were most numeryus at the head of the suvines and near the marface.

Proeman remarks (8 Ila Repta), that with one exception, only one bed of coal appears east of the anticlinal axis, which he sys 4 the "lower LaSallo bod." Such, however, is not the case, ax recent developments show. Neither do belicvo that all the beds referred to are equiralents of the LaSalle lower bed. On page 207, {8 its. Repta) Frecman says: "Fossils aro rare in this county, smociated with this coal, so far as my observations extend." He tefers tothe "lower bed." And the fact of there being immense quantities of feaai! coal plants as well as other fossils, found east of the axis as slated above, would warrant the conclusion that neither the beds of the Ottawa and Deer Park districts, or those east of the Big Vermillion, are in reality the third or "lower La Salle bed." For additional evidence, I may say that f have myself taken out at Mifferent times a full wagon lond of fossils from the so-called "lower beds," east of the Vermillion, in the vicinity of Lowell and above, eo far ns Kirkpatrick's Mines. These latter are undoubtedly supper beds, and the same is true of those at Clark's Run, which ae cording to Freeman are "lower beds." Much confusion has been caused by the diversity of ideas about our coal strata, and the unsatisfactory conclusions of the State Report, We ean determine certainly that where the coal rests upon St. Poters, as at Ottawa, its alower bed and the lowest in the State,

'The immense coal mining operations now carried on all oFer the district will afford excellent opportunities for studying our coal 'rata, which should be improved. The Canuel coals on the Vermi: lion also deserve attention, Only the Coal Measures Group of the Carboniferous System is developed in the county.

'The Subcarbouiferous does not appear at all, hence the absence of crinoidal forme in the abundance represented elsewhere. The Group Is however prolificin numerous organic remains, both animal and vegetable. A lst of these appears elsewhere. The coal beds, shales, clays, sandstones and limestones, of this Group, show good outcrops, and I know of no section where better opportunities are afforded for investigation, The Blutls of the Big and Little Ver million are good localities for obtaining fossil ehells, while the coal mines swarm with various types of past vegetable life.

From the city of Streator to the mouth of the Big Vermillion, all on the Ine of the great axis, there will be found a greater represen tation of foss!) species than elsewhere, awing to the upheaval, In the banks and bed of the Vermillion ooour muny fine septarie or turilestones. These assume various fantastic forma, and sometimes contain shelle Mr. Hurd, of Lowall, exhibited one tome before the war, in which was a perfect Veutitus They are, of comrse, referable to the Carboniferous cra. A good story is told of = cer tain reverend gentleman, (who was also a lover of science,}and bis studies of (urtlestones. Having resolved to investigate, he exhumed a large one after much labor and expense, from the bluil at Lowell. 'This was carefully transferred to bis home in 'Tonica and seiemtifically set up in the front yard. The gentleman labelled it Cefacea or Whale.foaril. It wasn big ane, though not of the species he sup. posed. 1 traveled on foot six miles to sce the wonderful whale, and still had my doubts.

The Silurian Formation

The divisions proper are *' Upper" and "Lower." Only the latter outcrops In La Salle County, The Groups or Subdivisions exposed are: the Trenton, the Caicifereus, aud the St. Peters,

The first contains numerous fossils of great interest, and is well ex- 'posed in various parts of the county. 'The Homer beds are Zrenton 'ad regarded by Frocman as local, being left aftor the denudation ofthe drift movement, 1 do not, however, concur in this view, but 'regard the deposit as extensive, extending south, cast, and northwest, though only slightly exposed on the Little Vermillion at other points The Trenton also appears nenr the railroad tunnel below Utica, and within the city limits of Ottawa, where it is . 'quarried for Building purposes The McPherson and Reddick Quarries, weet of town, are Trenton, as shown by the fossils; and resting upon 5t. Peters at this point in more than usually heavy masses, IC seeme 10 fll a depression or gap left in the underlying 'rook, It eppears on the Fox river at different pointe, but generally thin bedded, silictous to character, and the fossils hard to obtain perfect. South of the Tilinois good outerops are seen on Covet ereck resting on St. Peters sandstonc, These finally disappear | Beneath the Coal measures in the blaffs. The thickness is frem | twanty fo forty feet. Some very fine fossils have been obtained here,

'The St. Peters Sandstone Group ts familiar to all. Tt outcrops at Ottawa, Buffalo Rock, Split Rock, Deor Park, Starved Rock, ete, corer one-third of the county, and is of great thickness - from 161 fect at Ottawa to 600 on the Vermillion, as determined by borings. North of the Tilinois river it thins out towards the west, nesr Utles, where its junction with the Calelferous may be seen. Thhave now given n sketeh of ali the geoligical formations developed in La Salle County, without enlarging upon the pecutiar tenturcs of any, which would be desirable if space permitted, 1 can oot, however, leave the subject without referring to eset of two points of particular interest. Near the railroad tunnel { the Eiltnols Valley, and west of Utica, may be seon within a short distance, outcrops of four different formations : the Coal Mensures, Trenton Group, St. Poters, and the Caleiferous. Here vill also be notions immense detached masts of rock scattered around in the valley. 'This ts opposite Little Rock, and all on the line of upheaval. The ovidence protnted shows that along the great axis powerful conrulsions occurred at some former period, resulting to the juxteposition of the formutions mentioned above. Portions of the Carboniferous and Trenton enst of the axis were swept away. The strata on the west suffored a sinking process, and a strong dip tothe southwest, in some places fifty degrees. At the mame time a cor responding dip oceurrod enst of the axia. 'The coal shafts at Lintle Rock also show a displacement of the strata there. To a person familiar with geology the question wil) arise, as he looks ower the ground and the facts presented, whether or not, there once extaed here wn linmense wall of rock, extending from Little Rock to Split Rock, on the opposite side, and forming & cataract far excelling 'Niagara in sizeand grandeur. I have no doubtof it myself, though positive proof is wanting .

Theso have boon referred to in a general way, A Hst of apectes will now be given. Asis known to some, I have made a study of these for twenty years: und prior to the great" Chicago Fire" of 18T1, had collected representatives of all the specios knows. 1 lost in that "Fire" more than two thourand species, among them the La sounty collection, but fortunately bad preserved a Bat of thove from this county, which is now embodied in this papers The greatest care has been taken to verify species and localities, and though tho specimens were destroyed, every one ls even now, after the lapse of six years, as familiar to mo as though they were still in my hands. Touly regret that figures und descriptions ex not, for obvious reasons, be given in thisbook. Forthessthe lover and atudent of geology must refer to the State Reports and the variona other scientific publications of the thme - a labor requiring a vast amount of pationce and researols, but one that will not intimi date the zealous explorer after knowledge.

Cardoniperous Formation

Gasteropoda Naticopsts Shumardi, McC. Found in the blue limestones of the Coul Mensures along the Little Vermillion at La Satle. Naticypaia Mtonensis, MeC, Same ns last,

Cephalopoda, Gontatiter Hathawayanus, MeC, La Salle Nautibus £2 Sallensis, M.ond W. Same. Orthoveras Vermittionensis, Calkins, M. 8, From the Cost strata ales. Lente tricarinata, M. and W. Lower Coal Measures, Big Ver million.

Poeail Coal Plants

Lepidodendron rugosum, Brong. Frou whe Lite Vermillion. 'There are stitl a lnrge number of unidentified and sudeveribed forms from Deor Park and Streator.

The Radiata do not appear wo be gumerous in species, A, C. Baldwin found near Wild Cat Point « species which T recognized as Chactotes lycoperdon, Lay. ts position and oceurreace here still puzzles me, 'Thé strata there and at Balley's Falls neod further study, While the majority of the foesile are Curtoniferons, there are forms which appear to belong to the Cineunati Growp, In Sile rian. All along the Big Vermillion, at Clark's Ford, will be found namerous Huainite tome (Crénoiden,) ooourting separately and in large masses, which in places are deposited in regular strata, as near Clark's Fonl, high up in the Carboniferous, 'These are called by tho local geologints petrified butions, und other curious but expressive names, None have been found suiliclently perfect to identify, They are very beautiful and very abundant

Culymene Mumenbachi. Beong. (Tritobite.) Supposed to equal ©. cenaria, Con. Locality, Clark's Run. Also on the Vermillion ani st Ottawa. This suggests the close proximity of the Clacinnati Group - or its destruction in the general denudation,

Gasteropoda

[have identified from the Tronton at Homer the following species: Litwites undates, Con. Goniocerus anceps, Hull, Very fine, Orme ceras Backs, Stokes Orthoceras fusiforme, Hulk Knidoceras anwutotum, Hall, Endocerae protiforme, Hall Several varietios Cyrtecsras dartanua, Halt. Vanweemia(?) Ceenotonta (ty Lap tarna sericea, Halt. Strephomena atternata, Con. Asaphus(t) Pe tamerus(?) Very fino,

From the Trenton of the Big Vermillion and Gavel creek we have Onthoceras anellum, Gon, Orthocras Junecum, Hall, Orthoceras verteiralé, Hall, Cyrtoceras macrostomum, Halt. Oyrtoveras consirietostriatum, Halt. Maclurea'?). Orthoceras Titan, Held This is our largest species. All Cephalopoda. Otherspecies are: Conw: dsria frentonensis, Miller, Found near Lowell by A. ©, Baldwin, Very rare. Sireptelasma cornicutum, Hall, Leptaena sericea, Hale Abundant, Orthis - Rhynchonella - Strophomena, Lust throe species not positively identified. The Pucvider aro represenied by several species. The observer will see at Lowell - Juthotrephis #eceulens, Hall, and Buthotrephis gracitis, Hatt,

Of Corals we have two species of Malysiter not named, and Favistella riutiata, Halt, at Eatons - before referred to ax Honeycom Coral, which ull will recognize. A fow ood specimens of the screw-coral, Archimides reverse, Worthen, were found near Wid Cot Point by A. C. Baldwin, and are the only ones that I have seen from this county,

Thie completes the list of identitied species coming under my potice. There are many others still undiscovered, whieh' farure research will reveal

Fauna Of La Salle Cou

The Fauna of this locality, from the open and exposed character of the country, did not embrace those animals which delight fn the seclusion of the dense forest - the bear, the panther, was not known; or, if known, only as trosient visltors. But those adapted to the country appear, from the testimony of the Franeh explorers and other sources, to have existed in immenes numbent 11 was a country prolific of animal life - but limited tn species.

Seventy-five years ago, the buffalo, in immense herds, swarmed ever the broad plains of Illinois, and fattened on the rich prairie pasture, 'Their bones were scattered profusely over the prairie when the settlements first commenced,

There was sald to be a tradition that they were nearly exterminated by a bard winter with an immense depth of snow. But it te well known that the buffalo retreats south on the spprosch of winter, and the situation of the bones would not ladiente any whole sale slaughter from any cause, Each skeleton was by itself, and they wore apparently of different ages, as indicated by the different stages of decay, and no great number existed In the same decaying stage. And tho natural mortality from old age oF accident among such immense herds would account for all the bones then existing. 'They must have existed here in immense numbers, as the pasture would have sustained millions, 'I'he country now inhabited by the buftalo is comparatively bares, and yet thoy are found tm herds that ean not be numbered or computed, but like thelr Indian ecm panions, on this theatre of what wns doubtless the scene of their highest development, they are fast fading out before the cruel but resistless advance of civilized mon. Like the Indian, they have gone toward the setting sun, and the place that now knows them will soon know them no more

And the deor have followed the buffalo, The first sottlors, and even those who came in twenty-five years agu, will testify to the immense number of deer that tempted tho skill of the hunter, 'They could be started from almost every thicket or point of timber. 'Thay could dafly be seen in droves of four or five to twenty-five, and even 85 fo 40 have beon ween together, They were somotimes serious nulsance - they would cat tho limbs of young fruit trees to the great disgust of the owner, who was Imputlently walting for the growth of the firet apple, And they were nearly as destructive as @ many bogs (n the ripened com. A farmer would frequently have three or four acres of unpicked corn caught In the first deep snow, and when the soow melied, four to aix weeks afler, would find it all harvested by the deer. They were a pretty feature in the landseape - excessively timid - their lithe and sleck forms ever alert and apprehensive of danger, were continually in motion; when feeding they would hastily take a bite or two, then throw up their heads and look suspiciously in all directions, and if startled by any introder, would holst thelr white flags and leap over the ground with a fleetness and grace unmatched by any other animal. Their flesh wus choice ating, und their skios were valuable ; many of theearly settlers could dress them nicely, and make them into mitten: giores, and frequently into coats, hunting frocks, pants, and m easins, They wore easily killed, and their fleeh was » common article of dict. Experienced huoters often made it a profitable 'business Killing therm for the market. They gradually diminished before the advancing settlements, and had nearly nll left the country in 1800, The Inst one killed in the county known to the author was killed on the Vermillion, in 1806, since which time none have been seco. The young fawns easily domesticated if caught when quite young and carried in the arms for half a mile, they would then follow readily and remain if properly fed and protected. They were quite interesting pets, but soon became destructive to young trees and shrubbery, and an ordinary fence was nevor in the way of adeor. Theso characteristics wore usually fatal to the young pets, nud by the tme they were half. grown their flesh was consigned to the cook and their skins to the glover. The buffalo and the deer and other game are being preserved in both public wod private collections, and will not entirely be Lost to the world, but the deor confined will never rival in beauty and agility his wild congener in his native haunts, any more than the caged

The buoter and his game bave yielded to their destiny, while the farmer, and the flocks and herda that go and come athis onl und feed at his hand, ocoupy their heritage. The flocks and herds that fret replaced the buffalo and deer have, in turn, given place to these of more perfect form, and they, too, must yield to a better and more perfect raco, whon that better one claims the right, The survival of the filtest is a law as imperative when applied to animals, as when applied to nations and individuals,

Fruaxzs - The Canada lynx was occasionally met. It lives on rabbits and birds, sometimes on young pigs and poultry, but othorwite is harmlons ; it is a stupid animal, easily shot or caught im traps. 'The wild eat, or bay lynx, was more plenty but not sumer ous; were destructive in the hew roost, Hott of the lorygoing have disappeared.

Canis Lurua - The large gray wolf was anly occasionally seen. 'They sought more seclusion and » better hiding place than this rogion afforded. But the prairie wolf here found their natural habitat, and existed by thousands. 'They are a bold, (impudent, and mischievous animal, living on rabbits, binds, lambs, pigs, poultry, green coru, watermelons, berries, and almost every thing that comes in tuelr way. They burrow in the ground, usually on some high ridge of the prairie, to reor their young, having from six to ten ata liter. They would come around the cabins of the enrly sot- Uere at night and pick up the crumbs and bonos thrown out daring the day. They were cunning and not cusily killed or caught in traps; atleast, it required experience and skill to tmp them sac comfully, Hunting them on horseback, with dogs and grayhounds to lead, was exhilarating sport. Well mounted, preceded by the dogs, and they by the wolf, bounding at full spoed over the swells 'of the prairie, was very exciting to the participant, or to the observer, and if the wolf did vot reach the covert of a thicket or timbor, was protty sure to yield op bis skin, A single horseman, well out from timber, could ride over and eventually tire owt anil Kill a wolf, if lis steed did not tire first; one or two good dogs would shorten the process aod much relieve the horse, The wolves would frequently make n bed on a bog, of ant hillock, by crawling under the grass, which, when killed by frost, Was nearly the Color of the wolf, and excavating 0 as to bring his body about even with the surface with a perfect fit, his head on the side of the hillock in = good position for observation, and then walt for bis prey. The 'writer pateed within three feet of one in that position, when perceiving # pair of eyes among the grass, retarned to about the same distance, and for a minute er two looked steadily at the eyns, which returned the gaze witbout winking, and then giving a loud scream and jumping toward the.eyes, devel very large wolf, which leaped nearly ten feet at the first bound One caught in «heavy trap, on being approached made desperate efforts to get free, then, with the hate on his back erect, Le barked flercely like a dog, but percelviag his enemy not frightenod, instantly foll as if shot, and lay as dead while being dragged some distance by the trap, A severe blow on the hed, designed to kill him, made him very lively. Thoy were very noiey, expecially at night, barking, yelping and howling, frequently a combluation of all three - four or five would make as much noiso as twenty might be supposed capable of doing, Their concerts wore often repeated during the night and frequently in the daytime, and were the lullaby that put our children to sleep - at least their concerts wore usually in progress when they wont to sleep.

'Two good dogs could muster a prairie wolf, but one alone would seldom attempt St, unless anextra one for size and spunk, Generally when the nightly concert commonced, the old dog, which would turk violently at other thmes, would seek his kennel or get nader the bed.

'The prairie wolves are not yet exterminated. For a number of Years they Were not seen or heard, having retreated to the large un settled prairies, but they were probably as much surprised as the early settlers to Gnd those, then solitides, filed with an eaterprising, dense popolation, and now disturbed in their favorite haunts, they have soattored over tho State, not very numerous, but enough to prove a decided auisance, They are one of thy retiring races, And boing without one redeeming trait of character, their final exit will be hailed with satisfaction.

The opossum, the only American marsopial, are found in quite MUmited numbers, It is said they were not here before the settlo~ ment and fer some years after, Their temporary advent was not to them m success, and being easily caught they wil! soon disuppear.

'in heavy timber : they visit the settlements in pursuit of grees corn and chickens. Our open country is not their favorite home, yet they are found in limited numbers in the vicinity of the streams 'and timber belts.

'Tho skunk wax seldom seen at an early day, but have rapidly in ererecd in the Inst few years. Though, cometimes destructive to young poultry, they are doubtless, on the whole, a benefit, iring almost entirely on beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, and other insects and larew, Their good acts far overbalance their evil ones, yet they could not be recommended for pets.

'The gray rabbits are very numerous both on timber and prairie. 'They incroased rapidly after the settlement of the county. 'Ther are sometimes very destructive to nurseries, young fruit trees and shrubbery, gnawing the bark and girdlingthe trees. Immense mum hers are killed without seeming to dimintsh thelr numbers, as Ukey breed like rabbits.

Of the true, or tree, squirrel we have but one variety, ae the aquirrel ia distinctively an inhabitant of the woods, 'The fox squirrel is of a red or fox color, ond one of the largest of the squirrel family. Much larger than the black or gray squirrel of the Middle States. They have gradually increased with the settlements, there having been but fow found here at frst.

'The chipmunk, or ground squirrel, was not found here for several years after the settlements commenced ; they are now quite common, When they first appeared, their peculiar chirrup was at ence recognized by emigrants from the Eastern States, and they were greeted aa old acquaintances. The chipmunk Jy regarded as inter~ mediate between the tree aquirrel and the spermipholes, laying wp his winter store like the first and burrowing in the ground Tike the Jatter. He bas not yet acquired the bad reputation of bis eastern congener, of digging up the newly planted com,

'The flying squirrol diffors from all the squirrel family im its appendage for sailing from one tree to another, although not properly flying. 11 also differs in being nocturnal in ite habite, and consequently is not often seen even when quite numerous, two vasictics - the striped ond gray. The gray variety is more than twice the size of the striped ; thelr habits are the same. The gray were never aa numerous ss the striped, ond have now nearly or quite disappeared, The striped varicty are yet quite numerous, Dut when the country was new they were much more go, and & great enemy to the farmer's corn at the planting senson, In Northem iinols and Wisconsin they are erroneously culkd gophers, 'The spermipholes all hibernate, or sleep through tho winter without food. They select some bank or sand ridge that will not be flooded, and at the bottom of thelr holo exeavate a space that will held frem & third to half » peck, which they 61 with leaves and ry grass. 'The hole |s clored from the inside, and obedient 10 the instinete 1bar guide him, the little fellow crawls tothe centre of the nest, rolls himeelf into a ball, and sleeps till pring, unconscious of the cold snow wreaths piled above him.

'The gopher, like the mole, lives beneath the surface. Is about the size of a large rat, of dark color, with fine fur like the mole. 'Their burrows, or run-ways, are ten to twelve inches below the surface, avd extend indefinitely, While excavating their burrows, at intervals of few feet they come to the surface and deposit the earth from the excavation ; these piles of earth contain half abuslelormore. For this work, nature has provided them with a pouch, or pocket, on each side of the neck, which they fi and then come to the surface, ond by a contraction of the muscles 'emply tho pockets with a force that ejects the earth to a distance of six to twelve inches, The gopher lives mostly on roots, und is vory destructive to young trees and vines, and especially #0 to Orage hedge. It is claimed they are not found north of the IIiinols river, but they are very plenty south of it 'To kill them, put a grain of strychnine jn a small potato and drop in the ran-way,

Outer were found along all the principal streams, and frequently exnght. They sre very seldom seen now. 'The Americen otter welghs about twenty-five pourds, and its fur is valuable. It has a singular habit of sliding down a wet clay bank into the water, apparently for sport. It will climb the bank, slide down, and repeat the process for a great length of time with as much apparent pleasure as the boy courses with his sled. - A trap set under the water nt the proper point is very apt to spoil the sport, and is a common way of taking them.

Mink are quite plenty over all the country. Their fur te more valunblé than any other animal we have of thelr size, and of course they draw the principal efforia of the trapper, Butthey are very prolifie, and wre fikely to hold thelr own. They mre about the 'worst enemy that preys on the poultry yard.

'The small brown weasel, thovgh not numerous, are Yelm great pest among the poultry, 'The cruel, bloodthirsty Titike raseal has no fevr, and very Witle discretion, but more pluck thas cam be found elsewhere enclored in so small askin; bis reckless daring: often leads him to his death.

The Norway rat soon followed the emigrants, and in a few years became immensely numerous. All snimals increase in proportion to immunity from molestation by enemies nnd easy acces to thelr natural food ; the profusion of the cereal grains all exposed made this the paradise of rats. Yards fitled with corn cribs, standing for three or four years, became infested with numbers innumerable. 'They xo and come, sometimes swarming like the locusts of Byps, and then leaving for several years. The Black rat, so commen seventy yeurs ago, diswppoared immediately after the introduetion of the Norway species, which {s a larger and much more powerful and gagacious animal. 'The country has gained nothing by the exchange. Some succeeding race may ¢xtorminate the Norway, but that may resuli, as before, only in a change of evile The good things of the world were not made for man alone Imperious man say:

The common mouse was a native of the pratric, and no sooner wax « house completed und occupied than the mice asserted their right to m place therein, and they held it, as no buildings then erected would exclude them, Now they are no more annoying here than elsewhere.

orchards and shrubbery, Any treo or shrub left in the fall, with grass or other mulching about the root, Is lable to be girdled by these rodents This is prevented by removing everything down to the waked ear}h from the tree, aod tramping heavy snows solid about it.

Bar. There are two groups of this singular little animal, the fru givorous, of fruit-eating, and {nsectivorous, or Insect-enting. We Have only two or three closely allied varieties of the Insect-eating kinds they fly In the dark in pursuit of prey, which they take like the swallow and other insectivorous birds, The bat differs in its organs of sight from all other nocturnal animals. The owl and the cat have Farge cyes, with » pupil that dilates to the size of the eye; while the bat has extremely small eyes and evidently of Uttle jase, a6 it avoids all obstructions when on the wing equally well whon its eyos havo been destroyed - hence the adage, "blind as n bat" Cuvier discovered that the extreme dellente sensibility of the lurge wings answers the purpose of sight; the reaction of the air upon these ecnsitive surfaces enables them to judge of the dis. tance as well as size of all surrounding objects, and there is no doubt the minutest ray of light affects them as really as it doos the retina of the best formed eye. Does not this explain how tomnam- Dulistic clairvoyants see to rend from the top of the head 2

Tho prairie region could not boast of us full a list of the feathered tribes as a timbered country. In fact, the more common sing fag birds wore at first almost entirely wanting, and one of the causes of discontent and homesickness was the absence of the well-remombered bird music, which made the groves and orchards 'af the olfer States vocal with song. This was more marked away from mh timber, but even along the edge of the Umber, where the first settlements were made, it needed groves, orchurds, and gar dens, aud especially the fruits they bore, to muke an acceptable home for the birds of song. The constant roar of the prairie cook, the distant whoop of the crano, the bittern's solitary note, and the yelping of the prairie wolf, wus to a homesick eur « poor exchange for the cheerful song of the robin, the thrush, the cat bird, and the oriole of the orchards, and the vircos and warblers of the groves

Jength a solitary, pair might be seen in the timber, but the orebard and garden, their favorite home, did not exist, but when they did, the robia quickly occupied them in plentifel numbers The robin is so close & Companion of civilized man, and #0 nearly connected with the rural population and all the recollections of childhood, thar, during its absence for the tirst few years af ploneer fife, it was sadly missed, and its advent grooted with sincere ¢atixfaction, It is w sweet tingor, and confides in man, building its nest in the favorite apple or cherry tree. It is true, the robin is fond of chorrics and small fruits, but it is boticr to plant as extra tree or two for their use than to dispense with their pleasant company.

'The cat bird, like the robin, came in gradnally as the comntry improved. It is a sweet «inger as well as inveterate scold, o famiiar inhabitant of our thickets, groves, and hedgerows, frequently rearing it young in the garden or hedge, and becomes quite familint ; if kindly treated, will come to the steps and even imto the house for the crumbs daily thrown for its use,

'The brown thrash - thrashor - sandy mocking bird, i a delightful singer. It came a little earlier than the robin, but at first only few in number; they are now numerous, Tos preity pet, and sings finely in confinement. In the Eastern States it was asid whea the thrush appeared in the spring it was time to plant corn.

Faniy Saxtcouma. - The bluebind j< usually the first arrival of 'our migratory binds at the close of winter, and the sound of bis pleasant note is balled as the harbinger of spring The note of the bluebird, though aot musical, but ins half plaintive, half cheerful tone, heard on the first warm days of February or March, is to most ears peculiarly grateful,

Faun Panta - Tinnice, or chicadees, area bardy bird, eoduring tho rigors of the severest winters, and, as © consequence, none of them are migratory. 'They are musteal after their fasbiow, chirping a quaiat ditty, which, heard on a cold winter's day when all sounds of suimal life are hushed, is pleasant to hear. They are active, restiews, and heediess of man's presence, and live om 'insects, seeds, and almost anything that comes to hand, We bare several species, :

Noernarcn - The nuthatches sre among the most mimbie amd octive creepers, running up or down the tree with equal facility - they hang in o conceivable position, head dowa ss often na amy other way; this distingoishes them from other creepers,

Paity Trostopyitpe - Tho wrens aro a numerous family, of which the house wren may be taken ws atype. It is an lmpudent Tittle creature, very pugnacious and apt to show bad temper, ara particularly spiteful toward swallows and martins, sometimes 'taking possession of their nests 'They sing chcerily, and when disturbed while singing, scold vociferously. There are two or thyes species only with us; they are not numerous, but increasing.

'Tie Faminy Srivracourom, on Watnrens, are a family of mall birds embracing an immense number of apocies. They moztly inhabit the thick woods, nestling among the dense foliage, 'ving om insects, nnd cheering the solitude with thelr cheerful 'musical notes, being mostly good singers. In a heavy timbered region they are found in {mimense numbers, but we have but a few 'species, of which tho summer yellow bird is one.

Panty Taxsontps. - Of the tanagers we have a s'ngle species, 'the scarlet tanager, n brilliant flery red, except the wings and tall, which are black; a very showy bird, becoming quite common.

'Pho cliff or carve swallow, unknown here till within the lost twelve or fifteen years, naturally congregate In lurge numbers und 'Poild their ballshaped nests on high overhanging cliffs, but recently have takon to building under the cavos of barns, nearly covering the sides of the bullding. They are flycatchers, and are said to use up the mosquitoes in the loculity where they stop.

Bank swallow, sand marten, like the foregoing, are gregarious, sind collect in the breeding season in Inrge numbers, and make oles for their neste in ome back or river bluff.

'Tho swallows arc all migratory, and leave soon after the close of the butiding season. Their sudden departure and return, and thelr abit of flying close to the surface of the water for insects, has given rite to a fiction that thoy winter in a torpid state at the bottoms of Inkes and streams

'Of the waxwings, we have the Carolinn waxwing, cedarbird, cherrybird. 'They are not residents bere, but visit us occasionally. 'Thay are very destructive to oherries: «Nook of them will clenn a -cherry-trec of \ta frait in n fow minutes, without saying by your leave.

habits Our open prairies tempt bat few of them to stop with ax 'The vireo appeals to the ear rathor than to the eyo, having # plain dress that harmonizes with the verdure, and being seldom seen, as their home is among the densest follage of the forest. 'There they warble their lays unseen, while the foliage iiself seems stirred to music. Standing on a still summer day In the solliude of the forest, that heart must be callous to emotion that does not, while listeniag to the wild notes of the little songster, echo thoughts hé cam never expect to clothe in words.

Of the shrikes we have the great porthora shrike, or butcher bird - s bold and quarrelsome bird. They are carnivorous, feeding on insects and such small birits and animals as they ean overcome, 'They have a curious habit of impaling thelr prey on thorns, or sharp twigs, and leaving It there - for what object has never bees ascertained.

Tne Pawriy Paexonatoa embraces the sparrows, and allied birds, finches, buntings, linnets, etc They are very cumerous both in species and individuals, in fact, the two families fringillide and sylvincolidw, or warblers, compose about one-fourth of all our species of birds, 'The sparrows, finches, ete., live mostly om seeds, and consequeatly are not 0 strictly migratory like the purely Insectlyorous birds, which go south with the frst cold to secare their food,

Wehave several varioties of the sparrow. 'Tho chirping sparrow, or chipplug bird of New Englund, is either not here, or varies from tecnstern type, which it is said to do, and still more further west, 'The song sparvow, field sparrow, and other varieties, are plenty, some of them fine singers. The snowDind, the lark, bunting, oF white-winged blackbird, the indigo-bird, cardinal or red-bird, not native here but kept in confluement for its song ; towhes, or chewink, a well known (nhabitant of woodlands and thickets; may he scen solitary soratching among the leaves, occaslonally emitting « vingle note or cry, are all well Known here, and arcof the same family.

Tae Faciy Toren, or American Starlings, embraces bobo link of the North, or rice-blird of the South, yellow headed blackbird, grackle, or crow blackbird, Geld, or meadow tark - this bind iv a protty singer, partially gregarious, and not migratory, The above were hero when the settlements commenced. The orchard oriole, of an orange color, with black wings and tail, and the Balthmore oriole, golden robin, firebird, or hangnest - of 9 flery red color, black wings and tail; bork of them are fine singers, ani hang their nests (which are round suck with an opening at the top,) to the end of a pendant bough. 'They only come nmong tes after the country has become well sottlod,

'The raven ts only distinguished from the crow by Its much larger size and ite croaking note, A bamesick woman said every thing here was change ; even the crows were so hoarse they could only croak.

Tho crows bare increased with the settlements, They have» better reputation here than thelr castern congeners, where they pall the young corn ; here they are not accused of that us yet. 'They live mostly on insects, and do much more good than harm. 'They take an egg oceastonally, tut are far less erlminal In that respect than the ravens, which wore oxperts at hunting eggs.

Tux Bucesar. - Every one knows the Jay, with ite blue dress and harsh, discordant note. Ho is n lively, cheerful fellow, and though he sometimes oats tho early applo, (who would not?) and It fe esid ho base bad habit of disturbing the young of other birds, Fel he may be slandered, and all have thelr faillogs; he could not well be spared from the fall and winter landscape, and he may well 'be tolerated about the cattle yards on a winter morning, where be picks up occasionally a stray kernel of corn.

Paty Trnaximss - Fly-catcher - Kingbird - Bee Martin - A pagnacions, quarrelsome bird and noted tyrant among his fellows, and, like all quarrelsome individuals, bas fow friends ; hola accused of enting bees, but, like all bad characters, Is very likely to be accused unjustly. He is « habitual Hy-catcher, und probably destroys ® thousand noxious insects to one boc, but on the theological dogma, that » good act performed by n sinner ts yet asin, 80 T suppose the poor kingbird will not be allowed credit for any good 'mt, however ureful

Pawns, Pawrr, Prone - A small bird, of brown color ; itesong resembles the word " phobe" quickly and sharply spoken, henee ite common name, phoobe-bird. It builds under bridges, caves of out- Duildings or house-porch ; it appears when spring hns fairly opened known to all, and t* a great addition to ihe songs of the summer night, sod a cheorfal sound floating through the dampness, when ouly the sad moan of the owl Is heard.

'Niowr Hawk. - This bint belongs 10 the same family asthe whippoorwill, bat not to the same genus; while that bird is nocturnal, the night hawk files by day, or more generally toward evening, flying in companies, foraging for insects. In the breeding semson it performs curious evolutions, falling through the air with a load, booming ery.

Fawr Crranuapm, Swrere, Comey SWALLOWS, - These birds closely resemble the swallow in form and habits, but are really widely different. They are noted for the grent development of the aallvary glands, which secrete largs quantities of a kind of mucta, with which they glue the sticks together which compose thelr nests. 'They build in chimneys.

Famtuy Trooutnrpa:, Howacsontnps - There are said to be ive hundred species of this beautifnl creature, all American. Most numerous in the tropies. The ruby-throated hummingbird is the moat common in this latitude, disseminated from the Atlantic to the Rocky Mountains. Its tloy form; beautiful colors rivaling the rainbow ; its activity and celerity of motion, standing balanced om its pinions while it sips the nectur from nature's fountain, changing its position tn any direction with the quickness of thought - altogether it scoma a being of « more perfect organization than pertains to carth, ax if nilled to the fabled sylphs of the kigher air, and too delicate for the rough storms that bent on a# here,

Famtiy Axcieinas, Kixormiea. - The belied kingfisher t found plentiful along our streams. 'They are adroit fishers, diving beneath the water to seize their prey, They burrow in the banks of streams, where they tear their young:

Fastny Cvovrips, Cockoo - The yellow-billed cuckoo i the only one with us, Iv isseldom seen except when on the wing from one covert to another, being a shy and solliury bint, yet frequent ing orchard and thickets in the viclaity of dwellings, where its note, sounding like "cow, cow," may be heanl. Tt builds ita own host and reareits own young, whilé most of the enckoos deposit thelr eggs in the nests of other birds, which wawittiagly become foster mothers in place of the unnatural parent, and the young cuckoo, ay soon as nble, ejects the rightful Hedgtings from (ho nest, taking sole possession; hence the saying, "as ungrateful ss 8 euckoo."

Fasicy Prctoe:, Woonrnexens. - We have the red-headed wood pecker, whoee gay color and loud harsh screams are well known. 'Tho golden-winged woodpecker, highholder, flicker, or yellow ie nlsocommon. There ure severnt other varieties found in the timber, and they are all useful, living on the larvoof beetles, which they extract from trees, being provided with an apparatus for that purpose. 'The tongue of the woodpecker is sharp and hard 'ashorn, with numerous barbs projecting backward on the sides, 'and he has the power of extending bis tongue several inches beyoud his bill, this he thrusts into the hole made by 1hé larva, or borer, as he is frequently called, plerces, and the barbs hold him securely while the bird draws out and swallows the precious morsel. How curious and wonderful is this arrangement, and how well adapted to its purpose ; design is stainped on al) that exists,

'There is a variety called aphyrapions, or sap-sucker, whose tongue is not sharp or extenailo, but is broad nnd covered with fine sharp 'ani hard papilla: with this, afver removing the outer bark with his bill, he rasps off the cambium, or new and soft wood and inner 'vark,on which be sabsists, 'They make a horizontal row of round holes sometimes entirely around the tree, repeating the process sev- 'eral times, so us to remove all the inner bark, and girdle the tree. 'They peey mostly upon evergreens, doing great Injury.

Faany Sreicm®, Ow1s. - The owls are mostly nocturnal, and all carnivorous. Their solema appearance, coupled with their 'Mmnge and lugubrious notes, has caused traditional superstition to class these dismal night birds ux illomened. 'Tho little screech 'owl, one of the smallest of the family, is quite common. Its shrill seream in the stillness of the night, uoul familiarized, is really startling. The long-eared ow! is of medium size, and 'variety tint breeds here except the above. Tho great gray owl and the snowy or white owl, the Inrgnst of the owls, are natives of the Doreal regions, but travel south during the winter and are frequonily scen at tbat season.

Famatx Farcoxtpm, Hawka - The hawks hold the same relation to the feativered tribes that the beasts of prey do to the mammals, Tn round numbers, there are 1,000 species and 200 genera in all Paris of the world, Of this large number, we have but three or four.

'The rusty crowned falcon, sparrow hawk, is one of the enzaillest, and preys upon small birds, 'This, with the cooper, or chicken, hawk, includes about all that are now common in this locality,

A medium sized, reddish colored hawk, called prairie hawk, were 'Vory Dumerons st an early day. They were constantly on the wing, hovering near the ground, und living on mice nnd insects mostly. 'They have now entirely disappeared.

Bato Exsia - This emblem af the Republic lives mostly oo tith, and is 6 pinatica} parasite of the oxprey. It will sitfor hours watching the osprey, and when that bird rises from the water with its prey, the eagle at once pounces apon it, compels it to drop ite hard+ earned prize, which the eagle sexes and carries to ite eyrie, where it feasts on its Ml)gotten treasure.

'The traditional nobility of the eagle, like that of the red man, fades out on close acquaintance, and @ more fitting emblem might take its place ns the (nsignia of the great Republic,

Mankind makes |ndigcriminate warfare on the hawk family, for the reason that they sometimes (ake & chicken, but they destroy immense numbers of insects, mice, moles, rabbits, and reptiles, and with few exceptions aro our benefactors.

Faminy Carnantios, Vouronks - The well-kaows turkey bux zard Js the only specimen of this fa It fee Glthy, gluttonous bird, yet entirely harmless and useful asa scavenger.

Fa Conus, Piokons, - The wild pigeon ate only vis~ tora here, their breeding places are in the dense forest. "They come and go as food serves; like all wild birds aod mammals, they congregate where food is most plentiful and most to thelr taste,

'The turtle-dove, or mouraing-dove, are oumerous, anit with us through the year, Their plai though not musical, ie not unplensin missed from the usual sounds of the summer day.

'The numerous varieties of the tame pigeon doecended from some of the wild varieties, By | the parent stock, furnish the strongest proof theory of development.

bere by the first settlers, and still holds its own, or Is probably inereasing, owing to the better protection furnished by the increase of timber,

Paine Ternaoni.s, Gxovsic - The plnnated grouse, or prairie hem, Was once very sumcrous, congregating in tloeks in the fall to the number of two or three thousand, and when the flock rose on 'the wing the nolse resembled distant thunder. 'They were shot and taken in traps in any amount wanted. The attempt to protect these birds by game laws has reealied in their rapid extinction; bunting is profibited till the chicks are nearly grown, consequently the birds are tame, and with trained dogs, when a covey is started, the Inst bird is killed, the slaughter is literally murderous,

'The rusted grouse, oF partridge of New Engiand, are not com- 'mon bere, a stray one is occasionally seen, and the pecullar drumaming sound for which this bird is noted. is heard from the thick 'timber but seldom.

Quait - Partridge of Virginia, Bob White. - These protty and useful birds hare largely decreased since the settlement of the country. 'The practice of every boy that can carry a gun for mere sport sheoting the litike Innocents should be discountenanced, The amount of food obtained ix» amnalt eqaivalent for a ife taken, and iw it not barbaroas to live on the life blood of innocent beings Ts man 8 benst of prey? be is - but should he ber

Pasty Cuaxanmr.x, Proven - A numerous family, containing nearly s hundred species. The prairie was formerly the fayorite haunt ofa numberof species, but they now give us but a passing call 'as they go and return from the-brooding grounds farther north.

Pasay Sconsroctox - Sanre, Woovcock, xTo. - Amerioan woodvock, « favorite bird fur sportsmen, plenty in some localities, 'Long-billed curlew, once numerous on the prairie, called pralrio #uipa, now gone to a newer and wilder region. The eandpiper, Bodarts, tattlers, are sometimes soon; these Inst are all shore tin

Pasty Grew, Cnaxts. - Tho brown, or sand-hill crave bas « body as lange wild turkey, while theirvery Jong legs, neck and Dill give them a majestic and commanding appearance. 'Their extreme height is four to five fect. They foed mostly om grains and insvets, frequenting the high and dry prairie, but building thelr nests on the margin of ponds or streams. The young in colorand Appearance resemble young goslin. They are * social, playful bird, collecting in groupa on. the prnirie, where they were fre quently seen dancing cotillions, Some ten or adexen would forms a circle, lock their heads together, cirele right and left, let go and each turn by a succemion of hops and agaia lock' their heads and repent, occasionally stopping to utter their loud and shrill screama or whoop, which could be heard » long distance. Whether this indalence is approved by the more staid and olier cranes, or are the wild orgles of the young mad-eaps, is not known; or whether they learned from unfeathered bipeds, or the unfenthered learned of the cranes, bas not been fully settled, They were once numer ous here, and a conspicuous object on the prairie, and thelr shrill whoop one of the frequent and conspicuous sounds that greoted the early pioneer, But they seldom stop bere now; their scream is heard high in air, in spring and fall, as they gound return to and from their breediug places in the far North, away from civilization.

Famity Banus, Kars, Coors, ete. - These are a sural class of birds that frequent swamps and marshes, and from the absence here of their favorite haunts, they are but seldom seen.

Fasiny ANxatipa, Geesn, Docks, #10. - The Canada, or wild goose, brant and ducks, once to some extent reared their broods and summered here, but with the exception of a few species of dueks, they all pass by for their summer haunts { wer region, but they are plentiful in spring and fall, as supply of food tempts them to tarry.

Gulls, pelicans, loons, swans, and other water fowl, are seen, some of them froqucatly in largo flocks, along the Minois river and other large streams, as ocessional visitors, bat none of them make this loonlity their home.

The reptiles common to this latitude are not plenty, meiwithstanding the wide circulation of the Illinois snake stories Tonries. - The soft turtle is common about the large streams

Sxaxxs - Were once numerous but ore fast disappearing. 'Tho yellow?ianded rattlesnake, "Crotalus durissus," are occasionally met with, but have 20 far diminished us to coase to be u tortor to the timid,

'The prairie rattlesnake, Massassuger,"* Crotalophous tergeminus,"* ence so numerous, are only occasionally found. 'Theve two are the only Yenomous reptiles we have. The copper head is sald to be found farther south, but it is not found here,

Of harmless snakes, we hare tho water snake, tho blowing viper of sissing adder, the Dull snake, a very large and beautiful repiile, Dlack enuke, striped enake, and green enake. These are not only harmless, but useful. 'They destroy immense numbers of field mice and other vermin. One good sized bull snake is worth more than 1 dozen cata to destroy rate and mice, and yet noarly every one Kills a snake, and in doing so the farmer kills his best friends. 'The immense increase of the flekl mice, "Arvicoln riparia," so destructive to young trees, is mostly daw to this senseless war on the snakes, The devad of a snake is not natural, but acquired and {raditional. 'There is room enough in the world for these harmless reptiles and us too,and by relentlessly destroying them we broak the harmony of nature's balance and do irretrievable injury. 'The dangerous poisonous reptiles should be destroyed, but the barm- Jess ones have a right to protection, and our best interest demands that asenseless superstition should no longer mar the wisdom of nature's laws.

Baruacusa. - The warted tond is quite commen. The tree frog may be heard from his perch whenever the iocreasing moisture in the atmosphere calls forth histhankfol song, 'i

"The poeping frog is found whore water existe for apy length of time, and it is singular how soon a pond formed on dry ground will develop this nolsy 'ittle batrachian, Its famtllar note in early spring shows that tho icy chains of winter bave broken and released him from his cozy bed at the bottom of the marsh, where in unconscious silence he as slept the winter away.

The Common

Number females in County under 21 youre 'Total number pérsons under 21 yours Number males between © and 31 years... Nomber females between 6 and 21 yeurs . Total number between 6 and 21 yoars- Number of male pupils eurolled . Number of female pupils eurolled. Total number of pupils enrolled .

Number districts having school tess than 6 months 7 'Total number Pablic Schools sustained uy 'Total number of months schools sustained. - 2,948.68 Average number months schools sustained 7.58 Grand tous! number days attendance....,..--. 15,868.08 Number Graded Schools . aecareaeniee 18 Number months taught in Graded Schools - 4 Number Ungrade Schools 63 Number months taught in Ungraded Schools 1,201.90 Numbor Public High Schools -.....- e Number Male Teachers ____ 2 - f 4 16 Number Female Teachers. on 'Total aumber Teachers is $10 Numbor months taught by Male Toachei 1,019.65 Number months taaght hy Female Tene 2,021 75 Total number monthy taught SO41,83 Number Private Schools... : 16 Number male pupils ia Private Schools... 22S eel Number female puplls in Private Schools: 38 Total number pupils in Private Schouls -...- iu

Number of applicants examined for Teaching Number of males rejected 'umber of females rejected... -- maber Districts having Libraries ber Vols. bought during year for District Lil Total number Vols in District Libraries Number acres School Lands sold during year... Number acres School Lands remaining unsold. Number School Houses built daring year... Number Stone School Houses - ' Number Brick Schoo! Houses. Number Frame School Houses ..--... 'Total number in County. Estimated ynlue of School Property

'Allen Chapel, M. B. Protestant German. - Brooktield - Preatiyterian, of OLtawa 'Transferred to Brookti Bruve - Streator Catholic Mission... > ee Presbyterian, asthe Galloway Church. i888 'Transferred to Sireator.... ~ iso Cumberland Presbyterian ons

'Tho First Congregational + 1880) The Plymouth Church 1858+ 274 85,000 The two united... 1870 | Baptist 2 z 18H Protestant Episcopal = 1838 Presbyterian SAS 1869 Methodist Episcopal... 1830 Germon Evangelical Associ: 1865 Bt Francis, German Catholic. 1858 i German Lutheran... 1885 35 families Otter Creek Hopewell Chapel, United Brethren 1806 18 1,300 Pera - tholic and German Cathollc. 1849 2,000 15,000 thodist Eptscopal 2 14h 40 8,300 Presbyterian, organized at Rockwell 1887 then 6!

Wealth And Resources Of La Salle County

The following statemont of the asseusment of real and personal estate of La Salle county for 1876, and of the taxes for ali purposes assessed for that your, is the anaual statement made by Hl. A- Me b, County Olerk, and is correct, but in one particular gives = 'Y erroneous impression of the value of the property of the county, 'The law roquires the ausesiors to asses all property at its evel value, but the tendency has over beem tq yearly rus the price down, till for the year here given it is acarcely 60 per cent. of The assessed price of land for 1877 Is, for in per acre; for unimproved, $14,738; average, $24.71); while the actual value ia twice that, Horses svemge $18.53, mules $46.69, cattle $15.82, sheep 82.09, hogs $5.14, planes 895,55, parlor organs $4 A glance at this list will make It apparent that the aggregato of the axsessed valuation should be doubled at least to show the true amount

Miscrllaneous Societies

Prao - Gorman Benevolent Society. Port Turnverein. St. Mary's Total Abstinence Society BL Patrick Benevolent Soulety. La Sauce - Pather Matthew T. A. Boys St. Patrick Cadet Brothers' Parochial School Academy by the same... School by the Sisters of Charity Hibernian Benevolent Society. K. 0. P, 40. UW. Srukaton - N, Streator Lodge, No. 429, 1.0. @, Centennial Temple, No. 1,'U. Rose of Eden Father Masthew , Centennial Lod, 14, ALO. of W ; N. Streator Lodge, A-0. of U. W.

Ginss works manufacture, in value... peteuum., They coniume $,090 {ons of con), 260. Tons soda ash, 16,000tons of sand, 3 tons of arsenic, employ 150 hands. 4,000 bbls. of lime, nud 800,000 foct of lumber for boxes.

cultivators, ete, to the amount of... -2 200,000 'The business of the Peru Foundry, Brenner & Snow, AMOUMES 0. owes : 000 Ths manufacture 'of beer amounts to over 100 barrels laily. Utica: nme