1093- 1057.

THE FOREST TREES 01:' WISCONSIN

•r 1, A. Lapham

(Vol. 4, Trans. Wis. State Agr. Soc, 1857.)

That the great forest and Forest Trees of our country are worthy of much more attention, not only from the cultivator, but also from the artisan and even the statesman, is evident to every one who bos tows upon than a thought? and it is gratifying to every true and intelligent lover of his ountry, to know that the recent efforts made to direct public attention to their importance, to the importance of their preservation and to the necessity of providing for their restoration where they are already destroyed, have been to a considerable degree successful. We may hope to see the time when many of our farmers and landholders will dee" it a part of their duty to plant trees. Should this be done to any considerable extent their successors, at least, will have cause to honor and respect the for e thought that preserved and handed down to them,

ir full share of this great source of national wealth.

The dense forests have a marked effect upon the climate of the country in several ways. ley protect our houses and our cattle from the rigors of the north winds of winter, and from the fierceness of the burning sun of summer. They preserve the moist­ ure of the ground, and of the air? and render permanent and uni­ form the flow of water in springs, brocks ano rivers. By the fa1 1 of their leaves, branches and trunks they restore to : he soil tgbse elements of vegetable life and growth, that would without this natural process, soon become exhausted, leavii I e soil barren and unproductive. Their leaves absorb the carbonic adid from the atmosphere and restore to it the oxygen? thus rendering it more -1094- 1857. pure and better suited for respiration by men and animals. Without this restoration agency all animal life would long since have ceased to exis t. o ther The uses to which wood and wsfeep- products of the forest are applied are very numerous and various? but so well known to everybody that it would be \aseless to enumerate them here. With :, wood is consumed largely for fuel, for building houses and other structures, for shipbuilding, fencing, furniture, and for the con­ struction and repairs of Railraods and Plank roads. It is use.:: for many implements of husbandry and of the household? for making barrels, wagons, carriages and for charcoal. Large quantities are annually consumed in the smelting of iron, lead and copper*. The working of wood gives employment for numerous artisans, trades­ men and laborers. The quantity of wood annually consumed in the United states must be enormous. Few peseons can realize its extent or the amount we owe to the native forests of our country for the capital and wealth our people are now enjoying. Without the fuel, the buildings, the fences, furniture and thousand utensils and ma chines of every kind, the principal materials for which are taken directly from our forests, we should bo reduced to a condition of destitution and barbarism. Trees, besides being useful are ornamental--they enter largely into the material of the landscape gardener. Desolate in­ deed would be our dwellings were their environs entirely treeloss. They are associa ted with our early recollections--they become in reat degree companions of our lives? and we unconsciously form * .

-loo - 1857. strong attachments for such as grow near our horaes--thus increas­ ing our love of home and improving our hearts.

It therefore becomes a duty to study these noble speci­ mens of v'^etable growth? we should know waht trees we already have in Wisconsin, and what kinds it would be advisable to intro­ duce* Every farmer at least should be familiar with the trees that grow in his woods? and know enough of botany and vegetable physiole gy to be able to preserve them from harm or injury. He should stu dy to keep up a supply that shall always be equal to the demand, as the intelligent farmer strives to supply annually to the soil

(by manures or otherwise) the exhausted elements, so he should provide for an annual growth of wood that shall be at least, equal to the amount consumed.

We propose in the following pages to give so much of the botanical characters of the sixty trees indigenous to our state, as will enable any one by the aid of the illustrations to distin­ guish them with certainty? and also such general information in

• regard to their several uses, as will tend to call attention to the importance of the subject. A lar ;e vftlume would be required to contain all that could be desired in regard to these trees.

Though we have at present in almost every part of Wis­ consin an abundant supply of wood for all our present purposes, the time is not far distant when, owing to the increase of population and the increased demand from the neighboring states of Illinois,

Iowa and Minnesota a scarcity will begin to be felt. is sea -city may be considered asalrady begun in several of the counties along our southern border, where there was originally much prairie and open land. In these counties the annual fires being presented by -1096- 1857. settlement and occupation, trees are now springing up rapidly in all waste places? and in this way nature is already making efforts to prevent the disasters we are thoughtlessly bringing upon oursels ves by the destruction of the forests.

These new growths should be protected as much as possible

--in many cases by a good substantial fence. The value of these waste places will be , in a few years, greater than that of the cui ivated land? and this with bu1 very little cost to the owners. * **

From a --ecent report of the Board of Agriculture of tiie State of Massachusetts, we lear" that the experiment of tree planting has already bean tried' in that state. Mr. Whiting Me t- calf planted pitcn pines twenty years ago, when he was nearly sixty years oi' age, and. he still lives to reap the mental satisfac­ tion and peunia-*y returns, from the- entirely successful experiment.

From one and three fourth acres ten cords of small wood was thin­ ned out? and there is left about fifteen cords per acre of good merchantable wood. It is estimate t the annual growth will be equal to at-least one cord p3 r acre hereafter? and that the result will be a profit of thirty per cent, per annum upon the cost of the laanodand of the original planting. * * * This subject, the protection of out- houses, gardens, yards, stock an crops, front the cold blasts of winter, is one of g>-eat importance to the farmer of Wisconsin, ana should induce the immediate planting of trees where they are needed, even if there were no other reason for doi so. I have, under several of the species, indicated the character of trie trees "tHalf -enders thenf useful for this purpose. Of course, the more rapid gowing trees will first be planted, so as to secure, as s>toon as possible, the expected .£ nofits? but theweshould always 1097- 1857. be mingled with others of slower growth and greater value. As

the latter gradually attain their maturity, the forme* may be re­ moved to supply the anmu and. By thus planting different

kinds of trees together, we secure a mere rapid and better growth?

for experience shows that trees when growing together mutually

protect e|sh other, and produce timber that is better--being more

straight, -olid and free from knots. Evergreens should be planted with trees of deciduous kinds? but care rust be taken to prevent

the too ;reat interference of the tranches. * * *

le loss of a la rue number of trees t ran sp^ Ian ted from

the woods and nurseries is cw in ; to improper treatment, and mdght be avoided by a little attention to some of ! ost obvious

princ ipl es of vegetable physiology. Lar

trees' are annually brought from the northern part o i 3 state, from Mackinac &c., but not one i$ ten of such trees usually survive the as. re less process of removal.

The proper way to remove trees from their native places

in the wood, is to cover the roots as soon as taken from the ground with damp (not wet) moss, which can be secured with twine. By adopting this course, nearly every tree, with careful management after planting will live. It would be well for every one stbout

to procure trees front the north to remember this hint. The trees can be packed in open boxes and thus easily transported. Every raft floating down our rivers, at tho proper season, coiild be made the means of supplying the country with evergreen -trees, by a lit­ tle attention to:^the above s uggest ions. * * *

Doubtless "any farriers and landholder.- are deterred from engaging in treeplanting, front a want of knowledge and skill in -1098- 1857. obtaining seeds and young plants,o1- in rearing them. This would

be remedied by a few persons--say one in each county--woul.'• estab­ lish a nursery, from which his neighbors could, at a moderate price, obtain supplies.

It should be an object with us to preserve, in our vil­ lages, towns and cities, specimens of the native poreat tre*£ of the state. li those ha > iara of pu ' <- 'o would, i a little attention to this subject, much beauty and interest would be added to these places. Even the rows of trees along the streets of our towns and cities might be made to represent the ancient forest, now rapidly being defaced and swept away by the allpde- vouring axe. What lasting beauty and variety would thus be secured for those grounds and streets 1 A public square filled mostly with trees of any single species, is a beautiful object? but how much more beautiful and interesting it would be if it contained sixty different trees, and an- under growth of an hundred handsome and ornamental shrubs. Such places would at once give character to the locality and attract to it pr6ple of taste and refinement.

It would seem to be peculiarly appropriate for our univer si ties and colleges to secure upon the grounds by which theyare surrounded, at least one n,0^^- specimen" of each tree and shrub in that grows naturally in Wisconsin? and I will venture to predict

that the university or college that shall first sarround itself with s "Arbdretum" will first secure the patronage and good opinion of tee people? and will thus outstrip those institutions that show a lack of taste and refinement by omitting to plant tree:-; -1099- 1857.

It is found that the rate of increase of the wood grow-

upon an acre oi' land is about at the rate of one cord a year.

In the native woods this quantity is annually destroyed by storre and natural decay, thus making room for the new growth. A family supplied of ordinary size could therefore be suppe-Fted from ten acres of timber without diminution of the quantity of the land. By select­ ing always for removal the poorest and least thrifty trees and by proper care of the remainder even a less number of acres may be made to afford this supply. Almost every farmer has on his grounds at least this amount of land over the quantity which he wishes to cultivate annually in crops? and by planting it to trees he may be securing to himself and his posterity quietly and gr ally numerous blessings.

If our several railroad companies could be made to see thei\- true interest and to act upon it, they would immediately plant rowa of treosand a hedge along both sides of their roads.

These by their growth would save the cost of fencing and supply the ties and timber that will very soon be wanted to repair and to renew their structure. Different kinds of trees should be selected to suit the different qualities of soil. What a beautiful feature this would give to the landscape I It would afford shelter and shade to the trains. The trees and hedges might be so disposed as to 'deep off the bleak winds in winter and prevent in a great de­ gree those accumultatedns of snow that now so often stop the trains

The Illinois Central Railroad company have contracted for

• planting o:' three rows of locust trees on each side of the

Illinois Central F.ailraod for a distance of one hundred and twen­ ty miles . The rowa are to 'be set eight feet apart, and the trees three feet from each other. In eight years, it is said, the trees -1100- 1857.

will furnish ties in place of those which have become rotten. They

will also furnish a delightful shade in summer, and a protection

from all the snow drifts in winter. * * *

That the great forests of Wisconsin are rapidly disap­

pearing will be quite evident to anyone who will reflect a moment

upon the vast amount of wood annually consumed for fuel by the

people for domestic purposes, by the railroad locomotive, and the

steam engines scattered over the state? for lumber to supply our

own demand and for exportation and for the thousand other purposes

to which wood is annually applied. The rapid increase of popula­

tion is constantly augmenting this draft upoj the forests. Already

vast vast quantities of lumber and fuel are annually exported to

Illinois? and very soon, as her population increases and her rail­

road facilities are perfected, Minnesota will call upon us with

heavy demands for lumber to enable her to populate here prairies

and t hinly t imb er 3d districts.

The immense lumbering establishment on our rivers are

annually converting linage numbers of the magnificent 'pine trees

--the growth perhaps of ce niuries --into a marketable form for con­

sumption and exportation-one of these establishments yielding no

less than twenty millions of feet of lumber per annum.

It is very much to be regretted that the very superabun­

dance of trees in our state should destroy, in some degree, our veneration for them. They are looked upon as cumoerers ?of the

•round, and the question is not how shall they be preserved, but

a shall they be destroyed. Place a few of our noble oaks, or

elegant elms, or majestic pines in any of the older countries, and

the': would be looked upon as among their' finest o • 3hts • 1101- 1857.

The Great Elm on Boston common is venerated by old and young? the aid of iron bars has been invoked by Mayor Smith, to protect it from harmj and books have been written to preserve its history. The loss of an oak tree lately in Connectmcut sent a

thrill of regret throughout the land.

It happens that the trees of Wisconsin all belong to one division of the vegetable kingdom!} that division which in­ cludes plants that grow by the deposit of an external layer of wood annus!ly--hence called exogens or outside growers. Thye are of two kinds, Anglosperms, having seeds enclosed in a capsule of fruit, which in germination present cotyledons or seed lobes? and

Gymnospe^ms, having the seeds naked in an open scale, the cotyl­ edons mostl^ more than two. This las+ kind includes only one fam­ ily, the Coniferae 0" Pine family, which is mostly evergreen, while the Angiospev,ms of our state are all deciduous.

-o-o- ClzJU^^r fUrry -1074- 1857.

Milwaukee Wis cons in,

Jar ' • , 1857-

Prof, fi.Desor,

chat el, zerland;

Dear Sir, -

I have had the pleasure to receive your kind favor of the

7th ult. I am glad you have found the "Antiquities of W is cons in" of so much interest and importance. It is possibl e though not very probable, that our 3 tate Historical Society may continue the work of investi.gatin g these very curious relics. There are numerous localitiesi not visit ed by me,some of them doubtles s exhibiting now forms.

I have done very little in Geology since the appointment of Mr.Dani.el s by the state except to publish a vor y small geolog- ical map o> f Wisconsin. My leisure hours have been devoted to bo­ tanical pursuits,esp ecially the aramineafc of the l nd ted States . * *

* *

I remember with much pleasure our rambles over our drift hills —mart y of them now covered with fine dwelling houses &c . it is. so seldom I have such visits that they always make an impression.

Can you se nd me a copy of your report on the subject of our antiquiti es ? I presum e it is printed.

Very t ru 1 y yo u r s ,

I . A.Lapham.

Milwaukee Wis.J an,20th,1857.

D.J.Browna Esq .

Washington D.C.

Dear Sir,-

I find the Chinese Sugar Cane which has been introduced - tyi 4

-1075- 1857. into the United States by the Patent Office and now atracting so much attention ,is known in botanical works,under the name of Sor­ ghum nigrum of Roemer & Schultd >Jjffc * * * AS this species differs from the Sorghum vulgare,known as Dhurra Corn,it seems necessary and proper that it sh ould have a distinctive name and it would be best to adopt the one given in the books. There may be some wues- tion whether it should rank as a distinct species or only a variety but in either case a name is needed. The best writers of botany consider it distinct.

To clear up the apparent confusion that exists in regard to this and the several nearly related species,caused by the ref- erence of these plants by different writers to dif f er<4itgenera or families, I give a list of them with their synnyma ****** i am preparing now for the next volume of the Illinois Agricultural

Society a paper on the native and cultivated grasses of that state in which I shall give the distinct characters by which each of ! 3 these species can be known,the one from the other.

dory truly yours,

I. A..La pham.

'Tilv;aukee j?eb 20th, 1857 .

I.A.Lapham,Esq.

Dear Sir,-

At a meeting of the EJoar d of Trustees of the University of Milwaukee held February 14th,1857, you were unanimously elected a Trustee for 5 years from July 24yh,1856.

The following was ofi'ere d and passed.

8S0LVED, That the thanks of this ooard be presented to I.A.

La pham Esq.for the donation by hint to the University Library

of two valuable books,Viz..*, Dr.Warren'3 Scientific Treatise v

.1076- 1857.

on the Mastodon,handsomely illustrated, and The Antiquities

of Wisconsin by I.^.Lapham, and also for his former handsome

donation of his large map of the City of Milwaukee.

Gifts which this Board highly appreciate as valuable ad­

ditions to their incipient Library and also as testimonies of

the donor's liberal interest in the objects of their Institu­

tion. Anthony Greene,

Secretary.

Royal Gardens, Kew*England,

March 3rd,1857.

I.A.La pham,Esq.

My Dear Sir,-

I am indebted to the excellent pr.Darlington for many acts of kindness and I do not place among the least of them the

fact of his having put me in correspondence with you. I have

this mor.'ning received two interesting objects front you, a capital

geological map of Wisconsin and a fern new to the United States I g a thered by y r. J. D.Whi t ne y.

I must not delay one posvt in writ ihg to thank you , * * *

I shall/now be very curious £o know whether that which you \ \ find in the llells of the Wisconsin ^-iver (las 43°--35') be the same v as the "Ise Fioyale" fern, or possibly Allosorus gracilis. * * * * ' \ If tin the fall of the year or any time in the winter you \ should be able to send me seeds of any of your Saks,Pines or any of - your Forest trees or shrubs they will be very acceptable, for I am

forming a great arboretum,which occupies a good clea\ of my atten­

tion just now. * * * f /9*- /^7

t_A» Co

/»

^L-^cI^O / <4-t_ v/ U^L-a ^h-^J-*- <\*-~-0-dL>~ tZ^Lr jLjJ^uQ cv^s~i "yU^ly

CU^^J^ lytr^H Hj^o^ Lu^-i^ CL^V-JU- &^~ <-^- ^^V 2^^b^

jW ^ A^JMv 4tl+^^ c^cA^6 K tn

} / cr-C

J *£***<- a^-^A^ q^^s^J/ ^_ JutAu J^x^ljLLuJL UhUti ctuu

•

C^U^JJJJ^UJU

/&- ftJLl* erf rf^ ^ G^r^- - ^W^ V^^- '^^.^^d^^ 1%*

-1077- V , 1857

I have the pleasure of possessing the proc. of the A.AJA.S. con­ sequently yo\ir interesting catalogue 6% the plants of ^iiscons in.

^ The botanical pioneer pj!'"'"that country,NuUn.ll,still lives \ ' jS at a very advanced age a^nd^often somes to see jtfe, he is very ener- getic among his plan,fcs in his garden.

Prayvtfeliove me, my dear Si/1, with much regard, Z / I.A Laphaja'f / your faithful & very obliged Milwaukee,Wis. U.S.A. .J.Hooker.

West Northfield 111.mar.15th,1857.

I.A,Lapham,

dear and Respected Friend,—

I got your essay on the grasses last Saturday. it is cap­ ital,better than even I expected and worth every dime of $300.

I sent down to Springfield and had presented to our

Board a semi-official memorial asking only $100 for you and nothing for pubV^* * * e corresponding sec'y sends me the report of a committee appointed to consider my memorial. The report sanctions my course and gives you y * * * * So you get half paid any way and the alance will come in some way, in credip and appreciation if nothing else. * * *

Mercury down below zero yesterday, our instrument said

4° below--our neighbors 10° below.

Your friend,

John A.Kennicott.

-1078- 1857.

For the Prairie Farmer, Chicago.

THE DUTY OF CITIES TO FARMERS*

We have often heard of the duty of the state and of Con­

gress to foster and encourage agriculture,and I now propose to say

a few wrods on the duty of cities to the same great interests.

The farmer draws ahnually from his soil thtf rich elements of human

food and sends them to the cities in the shape of animal and vege­

table products,for the support of the inhabitants. Here they are

consumed and lost to the soil. Cities are therefore gradually de­

stroying the fatness of the land, and however slow and impercepti­

ble the process, it is nevertheless Lua JMi»*«> and the time will

sooner or later come if the bad policy be continued when the pro­

ductiveness of the country will be exhausted. That Hi is is no fic­

tion of the imagination the history of many ancient cities and

their environs and even of some portions of our country fully at­

tests •

Now what is to be done? What is the plain duty of the

all absorbing concentrations of human beings,called cities ?

Clearly it is to return to the farmer a full equivalent for the-

elements of human food thus c onstimed by them.

This may be easily accomplished and. the result will be

beneficial to both parties. The city has only to gather up what

is now suffered to pass off into the neighboring stream and thence

into the sea, cause it to be concentrated so as to be cheaply

transported and then sell it to the farmers who have furnished the

original supply. This can be done at but trifling cost,when com- p ared with the benefit,by processes well known and often adopted

in other countries. By this means the health and comfort of the

city is preserved, the fertility of the surrounding country,without f z •:..

_I079- 1857. which the city must languish,is maintained, emplyment iws given to many more of the poorer class of her citizens? great annual outlay of capital and annual expense of drainage is saved? and the waters flowing through or near the cities will not be contaminated. So it is the duty of the citizens,for their own good,for the good of the country and for the good of their successors in after years, to gather up the precious exuvia of their consumption and return it

to the soil from which it was taken. Few citizens have looked upon

the subject in this light? but the least consideration will convince any one of the obligation thus resting upon them. Relations are mutual,and should be acknowledged and carried out in good faith by all classes of men.

But let us take a more practical view of the matter and bring it nearer home to ourselves. Let us tkke Chicago for an ex­ ample. The level ground on which she is built having but little

n eleiation cl*oyi& the lake affords only slight inclinations to cre­ ate currents of water for carrying off the accumulations oi^all kinds that are incident to so dense a population. Let any one look at hor principal streets on the first melting of the snow af­ ter the accumulations of the winter--what a pleasant sight' what a rich bed of manure--what a waste and loss to the country says the political economist for rather he would say so, if we had any of that kin d of politicians I But Chicago is no worse than other P laces in this respect. An extensive system of sewerage has been adopted and placed in the hands of very competent men to be exe­ cuted? the object of which is to improve and preserve the health of the city, by carrying these invaluable accumulations of wealth i nto the river and lake.. The plan is to carry all the filth in­ to the river and then increase the current by supplying pure wa- t )T*

-1080- 1857. ter above so as to carry it far into Lake Michigan. This system of drainage is a wise and proper one, as far as I can judge,with the single exception,that instead of allowing this immense waste it should go a little farther and provide for the collection, preparation and concentration of the contents of the sewers into solid manure to be returned to the country from whence it came.

This would much mere effectually improve and preserve the health of the city.

Now let Mayor Wentworth recommend to the council the adoption of this modification of the plan--let the sewerage com­ missions be authorized to appoint some competent person to collect all information on t is head—let them call in the aid of the chemists,scientific farriers and others—let the experience of the cities of Europe be ascertained, for much attention has been given to this subject recently in other countries. With this informa­ tion and with a little Yankee invention the thing can be done.

Ewen the Chinese could teach us a useful lesson on this subject, they have long been in the habit of restoring' to the <$oil with the utmose care every particle of matter extracted from it in their crops. This accounts for the wonderful fertility of their old country and for the density of the population which it is made to sustain. Shall we be exceeded in wisdom by the Chinese?

Perhaps the first five years this may involve the city in some cost,but by that time it may be safely predicted that the sales of concefrntrated manure will more than repay the annual ex­ pense,making it a source of revenue instead of a tax upon the treasury. Chicago could confer upon herself great honor in tak ?2dY

-1081- 1857.

ing the lead in this new reform? other cities would soon see the

advantage and follow her •xample. The objection often heard,

that Chicago is too low and flat,and consequently liable to be­

come the repository of offensive matters and consequent sickness,

will be entirely done away. Add a reputation for cleanliness and

healthfulness would add largely to her growth and prosperity.

If this could be accomplished without expense,but even be made a

source of revenue besides securing so many other benefits,how

great would be the credit and honor due to those who should have

the forethought, energy and ability to carry it into successful

operationf,

For obvious reasons I do not propose to enter into detaij

but I cannot close without referring to one case in Great Britain

which shows that something of the same kind has been done. I

have added a few words in brackets to show the application.

The Mag is t rates of Cardiff Jail(Chicago) v/ish to do away

with the nuisance arising from the drains emptying into a ditch

(Chicago river) from which all the filth and night soil of the

jail was conveyed into a thickly populated part of the town. The

expense of carrying the drain to the sea (Lake Michigan)would be

about Two Thousand pounds. This serious outlay induced the magis­

trates to adopt the plan for deodorizing sewage,which cost Two hundred pounds. The plan fully answered the purpose, the water

passed off without unpleasant smell? the sewage precipitates were

dried,moixlded into bricks and sold at Three Pounds per ton.

Those bricks were found quite equal to the best guano. By using

the words in brackets its application will be obvious.

I.A.L. Milwaukee March 20,1857. J1082- 1857.

Milwaukee April 1,1857.

Dear Brother,-

* * * I saw by the Prairie Parmer that I was appointed

by the new Nat.Hist.Soc.on the cormittee on botany. Am I also a

vice-president as your letter would seem to indicate? I wish

Kennicfot every success in his laudable undertaking of advancing

the cause of the study of natuye in Chicago. Such studies are

us eful.

Our geological survey is to be continued under the joint

guidance of Prof^MJas.Hall, E.S.Carr and E.Danielle. Hope it will

do much better than heretofore. * * *

V e r y t ru 1 y yo urs,

I. A. La pham .

CoL.Sam'l Stone,Chicago. leu,* Milwaukee April 6,1857.

Prof James Hall,

Dear Sir,

As one of the geological conimission I beg to call your

attention to the clause in the late law requiring a full collection

to be made of "cultivated and other useful plants." Now as there

are but few plants that are entirely useless I take it that this

includes a prett y large share of the vegetable kingdom. What I

wish to suggest is that this collection should include not only the

herbarium of dried specimens arranged in suitable books,but also

seeds,woods and generally all curfeus and useful vegetable products

with Hay of the articles prepared from the same. Such a collec-

tion properly arranged with tickets showing the name,originj.uses c\ %£>

-1083- 1857. Iferof each article could not fail to be a very valuable source of inforrnation for the people who wolld have free access to it. I know of but one such collection in the world? that at the Kew Gardens near London under the direction of Sir.William J. Hooker. This Museum of economic botany is found to b e of great service not only to the scientific botanist,but to the merchant, manufacturer, the physician,the chemist»the druggist,the buyer, the carpenter,the cabinet maker,and artisans of every description who find here the raw material employed in their se^veral profess­ ions correctly named and accompanied by some account of its ori­ gin,native country &c. either attached to the specimen or record­ ed in a popular catalogue. Over three hundred thousands visit this museum annually thsis showing the deep interest the public take in them?many of them are attentive visitors,taking notes and making drawings of articles exhibited. This collection appeals di­ rectly to the faculties and understandings.showing the practical uses of the study of Botany and of the services thus rendered to mankind. It is done more to recommend and popularize the science that commun i/cated a knowledge of the vegetable creation than all the princely palms.gorgeous water lilies,elegant ferns &e, \n the tropical houses of these nc ' s. Its utility is farther testified by the remark of a not a few visitors--"Now we see f$r the first time in our lives and on a large scale a practical appli­ cation of the science of botany? In arranging and distributing the functions of the sur- vey(see Sec.2 of the Act)would it not be well to appoint an as­ sistant well skilled in botany to take charge of this portion of the work and to apportion a proper share of the appropriation to meet the necessary expenses. Yours truly, I.A.La pham. 1 / 6 S-z /8-sj

0/7-

Jlf<^2 z^i- its

LtAJj^u j arrvcL rr~rUsU-t thxurijl, fuxruu IrO^u Vyie- it-cuy^n^JzZtJZ OCJTI,OL

UULCUZOUXJ /Lex4*ui>~t.cL Iru ZZe, /^cum& rrn^xZC . drue, JA^-OU, tZ the, u luusl'tctsrrLs a^- & uc~rurrn-uc ft (StZsruu Cd -eA^-C^xZLu CXXU-U-CUIHU- tZ 1 A • ryne, . Cytr^ J A-asist. lyt4s~>-T-> t/un^u-ruo Zcr ttusnA. ai -d-crrrue, th-tsn^,

fry the ^.XsTrjes ZusyzoL Ly\-- o-ucsc ausrz, yjtZxlZ ay rjZ^Ccrru^sn. xm-oL

• - Ch-ui Zouon^ZzJUZ- /l-ruruj-3 thcut /Ji~ XJ Ji^xutZc-ouir(U; xm-eL SustisiU+LA

IPAASU

XZp^xyp^<^-oJZ{rru (Jf $bi0~U~Vj Lefts UrrdZjTTu^-TLA. trie- V -Cer^O^CaJL tf^OL.-

(x^t-UTjcr^uu^Z the- CrfiZ&ctZrYL- ai oUJL AAJ-tM-JL feZo^rJZ • cwn-eL j

4-Zi^rujLol ZZte, tZ h- JXrrTLZ,

pto-rnt thout /J rr-ert ^^r^eU<-ui [ Llo^-aLes-u thu Lo-uX-^ ui J C0s~n.

jxThoiuoue, true, cjrin^yrrz^u^urn. to taJhe, trie, h^ux/h-t /isuuux of the-

r/yvouttZi- J tZu-rrJh- +t c-xrn^ Is*-- xLemxu.

Jc a/m- Ct/LouOL tZ ruOuvt, tZeyru /yrixtsZusrn^rruLcU. I 'fl4ru>esists-

ris-OUsx-tJ^ZZrvaZ\p I u^ru OUCLZUSTLO. OU nnj2*ur (-cSirru to- the. tult at Zh&Le-

i-ru to- -J-truZ

su/rus true. hZayrut toiZZc-ZZoL out the- J> exltt at the, y/^urniwu- T . o

si-cnstsu j ft-estJ^Q-k-i lsun

Xr §-cus- atrusis ZtsurU Zhx^n^Jut^ru^ truxZ tn&u. ryruasu, ^rtZtZHUj Zt-

^sTiA^xi^eyyCuOn-Oi, ttr r<~ftru^. ftZij, lstytosyu-Csx£- ixds-cr%*i ZZ-e^ /ZQUZ /i^osu AUXA>4- tZ&rn- oUst£jJZi ttr Xrn- e/^(xrrrusn~aZ~Zrru crL Zh^e, y'A-asrrzisr'i^a-e- si, yus_- ujs^h&ve, U P UnvyuOiTL/ Us~r~ucttsv Zh

J'p

,ctui• OuuLSisrvcte -esCULt rUst-th t cZetZouJ-i <4- the, ft Z-ustsu- -eJZc o~n,

AT-e^eJZ Axs-uCoulsLe, i-CftuInTts ^Zve,the. zsrixyucurisLSu i dL I4ve.the. Xivm4-Cxsm£,e "^ylK-Icxisi,- aJ the.

fotatZt oi- the. V ryrisjZhtss-y^sXLsru le onnJsXs-tt^-tiorul ; CLSTLCL tr cxrucexut

CtXYixt A^eJ>tr\t aJt -unnJ

Ot/u cx-uLZiaxxtlcL,

Z-rvtrru Cxrrn^'lt-tLoL fy-e. -OsTUrte, tZ irt, Z-ut>txhue.cL isru cu &qjL.

nx^jt^xrrue, A-axtL aJLL the. cLn,Ouustsn,CyS i •eJx\.. Jru-d LoJair^ ^ CTYLZL,

tuCLuxTL- t (tax, is- t-cud tsxJUZn-cL^cL rrur frOunZthtAs truxrn, ZZ rnn-cxJbe. a;

C-(^CUuCrcyCut. Oy 4-U-cJv slhsXs-e4 Out rOasv-L, -O-cesri^ rttSX^tZ4r0ft-C, Zusls-

h^trut-cL S-Lsx-tZ thxusv sLSLyrxsnnsy-rn-as KxZ^Jutsruuex &-Lt,. — Jcr c-onm^tsUZ

this t^OuCcxJLcrOyu-e, J CxTyx^s-cttZdi 44si>-LSuaJ. Z-t^oJ-U-e^ the- rYYUri-t

ns-lxJuu-OuLZsL, ZL Jsrfu-cju / d^u AJ-LCJ Zxusytucrte*) S-irtiXl that- ct ' ^ULrruoL

X/ly •

it jyruJLu-cLu b'S? Jr^-cxx-ej trx, Csts-uu SK^OAUH.

"&) . t>f theJ-e,

r nn Lj. lx> 1 QJT-t, nn-ouuunst : ? y •° ^h^olxiXl^oL • (Xsr-uoL $ Q trnoisrru

U-*uLtLaroJZuCrru .

(fit the- /TUMxsist, JJMUU&S _

// 5 OtSUs fyruxrt-oL cm, the, lUusx- t sruaZosnrcL JtaJZt ,t cut el u. JaxJlJ.

I ^lj /STL the^ IhitoLoltt, dtatu I ft • Ja^Jt iZ v l^tusru-a, i/yictuxs-ove.).

/ S. b" im. the. ll. WA4Zesuru dtcdZj ( (Jlsy. 9'-ltcxt

13$ xm. Juhe. JrCaJZi A^yxZuh oi yUSL,OLAXYXUXU oxrvcL jiA/nAMXsHsu .

i a y IrtJZist^rn, the, ihiU^jJyu- Assists,- f {he, fl^ruAZ YhsO.

h Cj ItAsusLAsy,- the, fl-rtAyi yriAl

JvUsi tout /YLUsyrU^u /7~n-<>uit tu MAsfux- tfue, LZ^ssth Cunn-cL 4-ryi, oLuCoJZj that thsi. o/i,0U4-t4 Zi trbout /-{-&,0t/xrn-•fyuOru /I LI'A^e-Ci/rruLVSL^cyo-ru °{ 71/a

JlStSuutZtS-t^ f it) OuLsjrt^s-ns-ou) i ryutrt te^esru /jru-uttu siJsZohu*2,oL • it JJ hstxSuoUyu to- Ze, /Ms-h^er}Jt,oL that Zhesx-e^ sXI sU-uCJu ix, iJui^cu^esrucsu

LZxsiA- , dJ o~ tiun-u Onxst thusruK yisr . J-risi, /}is^csrrut

As^cuCe-i ^J-t-tt Z/uer{youlZu Jsc K^ohuJtstjdL 4xryru£s tu ou C^CUKJZJUJJL dtZ^oLu oi tf-ue, /i-jo-ts-utd Ou^r-cL Cxy-Tri^aJ-uul-t-n- c/L cuutZhtcsyiM-c, J-p

J yUscZZ, £/YUsLt,oxlrO-u>Ts CkJZ the, cJZie- oi- tri^. ^si,Ouisr-n- te~ A^sn-oL

Oyo-u- s^trrru- 4^e.oU <%* CrUSu ItrT-e-td-" ZZut^d syiOutZue, ^tszu-tf etZ, f 1?

ltfZustX\JZu o^tZOZ ttxA^O 0^ J IAZSUXASI^ u>-J^ b^°f

\/--oJUxJL- lu* y-troA_ , tti^yu^at^_ J &sts^_ Oc-

&su>uui Qc-C^jhi/[}u\slZ Qyv^ LA^trvu /~^ttut-> £u(r^*u\rjL-CsLo ^j^JS KsJnJtt^ Ct/u-isLn.* C\_>

(v^Js^(JY. %*sk t fe^tZ^t /diJrCL^uut^£i.) c^2 c^JLfjryuM

JY~- 7 o^k, CJ-y i <^J-$^ sAet^en^L, <^^s_ VM_ Uts^LsL, c>L^ OUJLUA;

^^AX^~OL,O\S^AJ UCA- T&jtJz t*Mu ,

(L&utZq i.«ui^^riA. ^u-trvt-C- t%-*~ /3-lLx^/y grf /xx^Q tuu*-^shspZ-

j^r{-4X^ui^-f t lyASlSKsiAZ&u*rttri^ &/o „ ^ (j-is-A— (Zxr^^^tu^-/ / CCAS-C)

JY-V-T-* ftUsL Q-CLSUXW-XL- , ^tir-u(_ t^j-ZzzC SULJt— ^U_cxMr C7 A^v-O

>v^Zc^) LULSQ -£&Js-»KuO 1*JW IZU^ c^rv^^M^ c^ E&JU Lx^J^-h^tx^>

/^^u^y */ n^uK_jn^Y kjz-A^-futtx_x. us^^, w^-i^c

0\JL> [y-^UiLs^uK.-. i-crtZx-Cutt O

OWULU) AA^-^LA-^-

^^JL^ *^>^- L^uucr^. Cr^Ju_ . c) O-^lyL^^j^ t£Zfi~ ^.riJ^Ss^jX

O^Jt) ly^Jtb- ^h ^ y&-4 o^>^ Ums^l2 . (Vs^§ VJL-J) f~+--*~ £^ts Y tt^ ^o^^ ^^f (tfc^ f&r^k% n^^-^-^J^^L^ t^d c^M- a- ziJL^tu^r^ u^ Mr/

ly-^-^-4 ttZZ^JZy H—yn^SL-O

C/w JT- ohxj-t?~^-a-*^-<--- ?3

1084- 1857.

Great Salt Lake City, U. T., April 16, 185"7.

I. A, La pham, Ssq. ,

Dea>-- Sir--

In reply to yours of August, 1856, 1 have requested that a few grass seeds indligtnous to this territory be collected this simmer and fall as you have requested, and expect to send them on by Sept. o " Oct. mall next.

Respectfully yours,

Brigham Young .

C. M, Saxton & do.'s Agricultural Book Rooms,

New York, May 5, 1857.

I. A. Lapham, Esq.,

^lvvaukee, Wisconsin--

D ea r Sir--

Our friedd Dr. John A. Kennicott informs mo that you have prepared a valuable essay on the western grasses with illustra- tions. * * * It seems to us that if you would add this ,fce. a history of the ot er dmerican grasses and entitle the whole The Grasses of the United States" it might be a valuable hanabook for publica­ tion in onr series. * * *

Will you advise us whether yon would :et up such a tor!; receiving compensation in a copy right commission upon the sales?

* * * Your ability to get up such a work is well known to us, and we think it a pity that such an essay as yours should remain un­ published. An early reply will oblige,

Yours respectfully,

C. M. Saxton d Co. f2

1085- 1857.

Sewage Sowmission Office,

Chicago, May 14, 1857.

I. A. Lap ham, Esq.,

Milwaukee, Vis .,

Dea •' Sir-

Some weeks since I noticed a communication in the Prai­ rie Farmer in reference to the use of sewage matter as manure. Prom the initials subscribed I concluded this article was written by yours elf. « r&<^0"t*^*-

I think the problem is not yet solved. The use of sew­ age as manure is the advanced idea, but it will require a good deal of thought and contrivance to reduce it to the practical.

ours truly and in haste,

JT. . re s ter.

May 7, Went to Prairie du Ohio"1 by the Milwaukee and Mississippi

Railroad with Jose1)^ . e .iohn McMullen a^d Mrs. J. J1'. McMullen and my daughter Julia. Got off the track and ot arrive until

2 A. M.

May 8. Went up the river on the steamboat"Itasca to St. Anthony where we left the ladies and started or. a trip to the ed River of the North. * * * to 15.

"day 16. Left Camp at 6.45 A. M. Crossed head of Cross diver.

\sVJZU^ Boulder Rill--2,000 to an acre I At 2 1/2 P. M. crossed sharp summtj ridge--brook runs to trie lef t--reached Camp No. 2, on a lake, 0 p ****** -108o" 1857.

May 17. Left Camp on T.ake of Two Islands at 7 1/4 • M. Passed

I onument Hill. At 7 1/2 miles.found a brook running to the left into a small lake. * * * Valley at the southwest supposed to the Waukau river. At 10 A. M. halted between two mountain lakes.

*****

a;: 18. Crossed to pois du Sioux, 15< miles rom St. Cloud. * * *

Appearance of Niagara limestone and of shale among pebbles dm the

»e. it- lo tracks one or two days old. * * * Saw wild geese.

* * * *

•• 19. Struck Bad lUver three miles from camp a little east of the great south bend. * * * Width 140 feet, banks steep, 20 feet high, valley narrow. High grounds near with Indian mounds. Laid out town ofLapham." (This town was burned by the Indians in

1862 and nearly all the people massacredAjA.j.-^ day 21. Started on return trip? reached home at 4 P. M. 3oth of

Ma y. fl

-1087- 1857.

Prom the Minnesota Advertiser, May 28, 1857.

"The party front Milwaukee who left here some two weeks since for trie Red River have just returned. To say that they are satisfied far beyond their anticipations would express too feebly their feelings. Suffice it to say, they leave for home more than ever impressed with the bright prospects of the country west of

St. Cloud. They have located a town which they call "Lapham" in honor of an eminent geologist of Wisconsin who accompanied them.

Their point is on the Red River 25 miles east of Breckinridge,at the foot of the rapids where the river leaves the timber and comes out into the ope4n prairie, distant from ST. Cloud about one hun­ dred miles.

AT "Lapham" there is a water powe^* with a head of twelve feet at least. Over th i ri 'or they design buj ' ; a o-idga, then a dan, to be followed by mills in due time. They hope to forward one hundred men before the close of navigation to their new town.

The party saw fresh Buffalo and &V& tracks some distance this side in abundance. Vegetation is represented to be fully as far forward as at this point. The soil is eq\?al to the best soil of Wisconsin or Iowa." -1088- 185r-'.

L. A.*ur ling ton, N. J., July 3, 1857.

I. A. La pham, -lis q . ,

Dear Sir--

Your favor of the 19th of June is before me.

Many thanks for- your kindness in furnishing me with your experien­ ces of snail hunting. The Helix, like labyrinthica but smooth and toothless, is H. Chersing.

Any of your Wisconsin shells will at any time be most acceptable if I can return your kindness. Ilelicina occulta I should particularly like and any of the fossil specimens of the r e c en t s p ec i es . * * *

Always command yours very truly,

. G, Binney. q%V

-1089- 1857.- . —. July 4. The Mississippi above St. Paul. {For the Sentinel.'

While so many of our citizens are daily making the trip to St. Paul, enjoying the grand and beautiful scenery along the

;reat river below that place, only a few have ventured to extend their observations above. The rails of ST. Anthony is a great turning point in the character of the Mississippi, and of the country on its border. The scenery below is grand, but that above is beautiful. Ins teadd of the bold bluffs, studded with immense masses of naked rocks, the banks are low, gently sloping towards the water. Beautiful farms and sndl ing villages occupy these slopes. The river is sensibly narrower, and the channel has less depth? slight rapids are encountered at several joints. Nothing can exceed the calm and placid beauty of some of tke turns of the the river, with the groups of low well wooded islands and prcj act­ ing points of land, especially when seen in the subdued light and brilliant tints or' the evening sun, and doubled 8 inverted re£ in the water flection seen fpep. below. The tourist will not find here the splendid steamboats with their luxurious appointments, but small stern-wheeled affairs suited to the new condition of things. These boats are daily thronged with hardy pioneers and their" stuff" crowding into the country along this part of the river, where the lands are still open for the first occupant. rWen the floating lumber shows a new character here. In the place of the immense rafts--much larger thn t he gen era 1 run of city 1 o t s - -1 ha t vone mee t s with, and t ha t ma ke so important a feature in the river below, we see only logs, floating each on its own account. These are so numerous as to f 3 £

-1090, 1857

become serious impediments to the navigation, and form one of the

reasons why the lit+le steamier9 are obliged to lie by at night.

With all the skill of our pilot, we could not avoid numerous hard

bumps against these solid masses of> unsawed lumber, causing all on

board to start. These logs are collected at the falls by some

ingenious contrivances, and formed into rafts below. Tue numerous

mills along the banks of the river have only to stretch out a

'boom" to secure a supply of logs for the season. Each log is

marked so that no trouble exists in rega -d to ownership.

This condition of things extends for eighty-three miles

up the river, to St. Cloud, a new and very flourishing town near

the Sauk Rapids, w.ere the navigation is interrupted by a chain

-ranite rocks, and the river assumes another character.

At this place a new hotel (the Steams house), situated

on a commanding eminence, affords i'ood cheer and a fine view of

the scenery around. The town is destined to figure largely in the

future history of this part of Minnesota.

1. A. L. IC 1091- I 57.

Aug. 10/ Took leave of family and friends and left Milwaukee at

8h. 45m. for Montreal to meet the Am. Ass'n for Adv. of Science.

Fare through *23.^ * *

Aug. 12. A -rived at Montreal in time to be present at the opening of the Am. Ass'n. Remained there one week, among the men of scions

&c.

Lord Selkirk ostablined a colony in 1313, opposed by

Indians and N. W. Fur Co. Land assigned to settlers, 50C soon in­ creased to 5,000. Grants to chain on V&ttr 1 mile inland, 40 miles on the river?, schools, churcues

Sioux, sepaate governor and council. Vessel sent annually to Hud- son13 Bay in August. * * *

Aug. 20/ Left Montreal for home. Toronto at night in a mob. A»e-3a-r- fi—• 11 B >;' 11.

Milwaukee, Oct. 14, 1857.

Doa1* Brother —

I have sent to the express office today the books I bor-owed of the Hist. Society and presume they will be delivered as I paid the charges. * * * . ". ?. Stephens vritMnte as fol­ lows, under date of Aug. 11, 1857—

"I have this day day put up for you a »erias of carbon­

iferous fossils &c. I shall forward thin ey my sister who will next rat tiro to Chicago about the middle of khe month. If the box does not reach you soon thereafter you will find i'; at Peter Page &sq.*s

24 Washington st., or courier of Wasuington and Wabash."

As 1 have heard nothing of this box, please call at the places indicated for mo and if there forward to me. All well. Your s t ruly, Col. Sam'l Stone, Chicago. I. A. Lapham. 1092- 1857. Boston, Dec. 3, 1857.

Mr. Lapham,

Dear Sir—

Your letter and box have both reached me.

I am obliged to you for the volumes, particularly the one contain­

ing your article on the grasses. * * *

1 am glad to get the cryptogamous plants, especially the fungi. It won't do for yjau to say you can't get up much interest

in mycology. A man that, makes such admirable specimens as you do , and whose knowledge of phenogamous botany is so extensive cannot

be permitted by the scientific world to neglect branches of study

so little understood. * * *

I have looked ove«" your specimens and recognize many. The others will have to be sent to Dr. Curtis, especially all the aga­ rics, which are always posers. * * *

With regard to the mosses I shall send them to Rev.

John L. Russell of Salem, Mass., and accomplished muscologist and

lichenographer. I should advise you to establish a correspondence with hint. * * * do named for me a few lichens you sent before. * **

Let me hope that you will not neglect whatever offers

itself to you in the way of fungi, even if the collections be mere­ ly what chance m&y throw in your- way.

It is not often that a chance offers to secure an obser­ ver like yourself in a new field.

Your s v e ry t rul y,

C ha s . J a s . S pr a gi i e. c[ir

• 1102- 1857.

Catalogue of the Plants of the State of Illinois.

•ans. Illinois State Agr. Soc, 1857, Vol. II.)

BY. I. A. Lapham, of Milwaukee, Wis.

During various JoUrnies throw * te state of Illinois at several times since the year 1836, I have carefully note bot­ anical productions and-hence ant able to make a catalogue of the specie growin within her boundaries. But the following enumera­ tion embraces many specie' which 1 have admitted on the authority o*' ot hers .

As early as 1794 Andre Michaux, a distinguished botanist of France, visited Illinois in search of plants, which were to be

sent home to enrich the gardens and pi easure grounds of his own beautiful country. In 1803 was published in Paris his "Flora Bo- reali Americana," the first general work on the botany of North

America, in which a number of plants are set down as having been found " in regione M ll .1 i no ens is'r or "in vastissimus pratensibu j.11 inosensibus ."

In 1826 Da. La?;is C. Beck published his contributions towards the botany of Illinois and Missouri, in the 10th and 1.1th volumes (1st series) of Silliman's American Journal of Science and Arts. But most of the localities mentioned by Dr. Beck are in

Missouri. In the same work vol. 46, for 1843, we find a catalogue of a -oil action of plants made in Illinois ana' Missouri, by Charles

A. Geyer, with critical remarks &c, by George Z inn, M, D., of St. Louis. In this paper several new species are described and quite a number added to I lora of the state. f\

1103- 1857.

Dr. C. W. Short, of Louisville, Ky., has published in the Western journal of Medicine for March, 1845, an account of his observations (made in autumn) on the flora of the prairies of 111! nois. be traversed the central portions of the state and returned by a different route, which gave him an opportunity of seeing and examining the face of the country and its productions, under a great variety of aspects. Being an enthusiastic botanist, and traveling in a light covered wagon, well prepared for making ex­ pensive collections, his observations are of great va^te^-/and add much to our knowledge of the paculiar vegetation of the central portions©!' the state. * * *

To Dr. S. B. Mead of Augusta, Hancock Co., 1 am indebted for a catalogue of tne plants growing in that vicinity and also forvery numerous specimens. He has probably devoted more time and A labor to the examination of Illinois plants, than any other bota­ nist, and his collections now form part of moat of the principal herbaria of the wor 1 d.

To Dr. Dl . George dngelmann I am also much indebted for a list of the plants found in the southern part of the state, mostly opposite St. Louis. His accurate knowledge of the plants of this country is well know"., and will give confidence to any statements that rest upon his authority. * * *

But in addition to all these sources of information, I have had an opportunity to examine the extensive collections of plants made by Mr. Robert Kennicott, 1 •••. Emil e Claussen and others and exhibited at the state fair at Chicago in 1855. This collec­ tion, besides adding quite a number to the species before known as belonging to the state, was of material aid in c bowing their &CJ o

-1104- 1857. distribution. * ** * A glance at the geographical position

Illinois, with a knowledge of her principal topographical feat­ ures, will prepare us to look for a rich flora. Bordering on trie great lakes? bounded on her whole western side by the great Missis­ sippi river, with the valley of the dfabash on the east and of the

Ohio on the south, she is almost entirely s^r^ounded by wate^.

The southern extreme of the state lies in latitude 37 deg., or> nearly as far south as the lower pa>-t of Kentucky and. Virginia, and has an elevation of only two hundred and seventy-five feet, at low water at Cairo, above the ocean level. Here are found quite a number of plants thatbdo no+ extend into the central and northern portions of the state, - - - The north line of the state is in latitude 43 deg. 30 min., and pa -takes in a considerable degree of the character of the south part of the adjoining state of '.7is- cons in. * * *

The caitral portion of the state lies on a nearl$ uni­ form plain, whose average elevation is considerably be low the level of Lake Michigan ( 57S feet aoove the ocean) and constitutes the greal prairie districts. r"hese are rapidly being subdued and converted into "improved lands" front which every trace of the ori - inal vegetation is destroyed. The time will soon come when many of trie species here enumerated wall exist no longer in Illinois.

Already the number of introduced species (mostly vile weeds) is very considerable..

Mere catalogues of the plants growing in any locality might, without a little reflection, be supposed to possess but little value? a supposition which would be far from the truth. The intelligent farmer looks at once to the native vegetation as a surj, indication of the value of new lands. The kinds of timber growing o

-1105- 1857.

in a given locality will decide the qualities of the soil for

agricultural purposes. The farmer will be interested to fond how

few or the plants he so assiduously cultivates are indigenous to

the soil. The physician will see which of the plants having medic­

inal value may be gathered in his neighborhood? and may thus in

cases of sudden emergency, when no time is allowed to send to a

(MfS^rrrrrt apothecary, be enabled to effect important cures. The

cabinet maker, the wheelwright and all other workers in wood will

find what, materials are at hand to answer their purposes. The

horticulturists will look over the list with deep interest to find

what flowers and shrubs may be obtained at home, and this save the

trouble and expense of purchasing and transpor ting from the

east (perhaps covered with noxious insects) the very plants he c

c o u1d hav o found n ea r his i own door.

Such lists are useful in a scientific point of view,as

showing the geographical limit os species and their diffusion

whether gener 1 or confined to limited districts. »*any very

useful as well as highly interesting results are obtained by worn-

paring different catalogues and by the study of the statistics of

different floras.

It will be seen by this enumeration that there are over

seventy species in Illinois that attain the height and dignity of

forest trees, including twelve or thirteen species of oak. The rijja,

bottom lands along the margins of the Mississippi, the Ohio and the

Wabash afford specimens of the noblest and mos t gigantic trees

of the great valley of the west. It was here that Michaux became

so deeply interested and impressed with the grandeur and maginifi-

&, cfH1^

-1106- 1857. cence of the forests of the new world. Jf-he difficulties, priva­ tions and dangers, to which he was exposed, at that early day, in these unsettled wilds, may be easily imagined? but we can readily conceive that these were more than balanced in his mind by the delights which he experienced in traversing a hitherto untrodden region through which, in refereee to the lights of science and the labors of civilization, it may truly be said--

«*- He bent his way where twilight reigns subli

O'er forests silent since the birth of time I"

{Dr. C. W. Short).

The "Sylva Americana " of his son remains to this day the only standard work on the Forest Trees of the United States

* * *

The large radical leaves of the Silphium laciniatum,

Linn, when growing in tufts or bunchas on the open prairies, so as to be full " exposed to the sun, during the day, usually stand with their edges (not their faces, as inadvertently stated in Dr. Gray's manual) towards the north and south, hence the name "Compass

Plant." * * *

-o-o- 9i%

11C7- 1857

The Native, Naturalized and Cultivated

Grasses of the State of Illinois.

Trans. Illinois State Agri. Soc. Vol. 2, 1856-7.

BY I, A, Lapham of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

It is proposed in the following pages to present an ac­ count of these plants growing in Illinois which belong to the natural order of Grasses or Qraminae as they are called in the systematic works of botanists.

This great family includes all those species that have certain characters, especially the flowers and fruits in common, and includes not only the grasses such as are cultivated for pas­ turage and for hay, but also wheat, oats, corn, rice, the sugar­ cane and many other important productions of the vegetable king­ dom. These constitute a very natural assemblage of plants so nearly allied that the slightest observation suffices to show their affinity. When a definite idea is once formed of the true type of the order, there is no difficulty in recognizing the flifferent species. T "ere have been no questions among botanists about the classification of the graminae. Their family res e, blame e led the first observers to arrange them into an order by themselves, where they remain. Additions have been made to the family, from time to fame, by the discovery of new species, but these find their place readily in the system, without requiring any consider­ able modification of the general characteristics by which grasses are universally known and distinguished from other plants.

But farmers will tell us that clover and some other plans are cultivated as grass and should be included in the same family.

This would be adopting a wrong basis of classification in natural rii

1108- 1857. history, requiring those plants to be classed together which hap­ pened to be applied to similar uses. A little examination od the flower and fruit of clover" would show that it has analogies ranking it with the pea and 0~t4Mfc»*rath8 r than with the grasses. It be­ longs to another grand li vision of the egetable kingdom, with a different internal structure and mode of growth.

From personal observations, made at different times with­ in the last twenty years, with the aid of several botanists of

Illinois and elsewhere and from the examination of the collection of plants exhibited at the state fair at Chicago in 1855, I have been a> le to make a very complete list of the grasses found w;thin her limits. It will be seen that there are 105 species, 11 introduced species and 12 t are known only as they are culti­ vated. This is a larger number, in proportion to the whole number of flowering plants in the state {being about one tenth) than is usu*al in the same climate.

There are but few grasses peculiar to Illinois? nor could we expect to find such when we reflect that her pr-airies are only the borders of the vast prairie^ country lying at the west and southwest. The species found in the wooded districts are found again in simile1* localities in the adjoining states. The great "dather of Rivers", the Mississippi, which runs a Ion „ whole extent of the state, comes down from the far north and runs on to the sunny south. The species alona: the margin of that great stream av,e not confined to narrow limits of distribution. Again,

Illinois borders on the "Great Lakes," and the species found ther-• are common to othe^ portions of these great inland seas. ?yj

-1109- 1857. The wild grasses of the prairies, though in some respects inferior to those usually cultivated, have been found to be very important in sustaining the early settlements? and it is in no small degree to these humble species that the state is indebted for her p* esent condition of wealth and prosperity? If no cattle coul have been introduced until the farmerlhad prepared by cul­ tivation his pasture and his mead ow, Illinois would have been today very far behind what we see her. These native grasses are, there­ fore, entitled to their share of attention and I have no;, hesita- ted to include them all in the descriptions that follow. »y are deserving of the careful study and investigation of the botanists and. the farmars? so that we may ascertain with certainty what are the merits of each. P ssiblj some may be found better adapted to the aculiarities of soil and climate than those we have introduced and cultivate. But it is not to any one species of grass that we should look for the stipport of our stock. On the native prairies we find many species interminglad, each doing its part? some preferring low, wet stations, others grow only on dry ground? some prefer the shade of the forest trees, while others flourish best on the most exposed parts of th prairies? some grow only in the water, others along the margin.; of lakes and streams, some at­ tain their maturity early in the season, others late in autumn? some are best suited for preservation in the form, of hay, others are only suited for pasturgae. This natural combination of different species on the prairies, each having its own peculiar habits and qualities, su - ges ts to us the propriety of cultivating a number of different kinds of grass in our artificial pastures and meadows and of not yV<

-1110- 1857. confining ourselves to jtimothy and a few other favorite spesies. A judicious combination should be made, having • arence to the qualities of each and the pur-poses for which they are designed by the cu 1 tivator. English farmers understand this matter? and their writers inform us that twenty or more jpecies of grass can be found on a sing1 - square foot of a rich, ancient pasture in that country. From the beginning of spring till winter there is no month that a is not the peculiar season in which one or more of these grasses attain the greaest degree of p^fection. Hence the comparatively never-failing supply of nutritive herbage obtained from natural pastures, which it is vain to look for in those artificially formed with one or two grasses only. * * * The drawings a^e rede directly front nature? they serve to illustrate the nature of grasses in general and represent nearly every genus (or family) found in the state of Illinois. * * * To prevent confusion, 1 nave giv 31 under each species, a full list of tii e synonoma, or diffentT names by which it has been known. As instances of the different application of names, it may be mentioned that the "herd's grass" of Pennsylvania is not the grass known by that name in New York? and. that the "Blue Grass" of Kentucky is quite different from the "dine Grass" of England. * * *

-o-o- /ftOtL. /tyf

'IY«^K- Jh>^*frvL. j"/*******

t ^_ cZ. -_

c^u^tzjpsJL ry^Jl^^j-j ^r^X-<-^ <>^LxUutZ,

iZtZcutT *-pnr-ix~ C P-L-- ttUZ*^ r%xLs^Q--iT~^^_ O^-*-^4-^"-*^-

I ^^Z- y^^h •Vnr^u^

M^^K. ^-^^-o C°~^% iLsfz-Kj tHtt^J^ t^^ €*Ayxj> tf1^ ULk~JL^ J UX-TJJL- Ur *M^J5L_eJz_! tZ:fcxL^cZy-*-f trf /Cutu CLZCZZ*s-uo^H^h\^^ ^UTK^U o V7 C^^fU^zW^ /9irtr 1111- 1858.

Smithsonian Institution, Jan. 11, 188

1. A. Lapham, Esq.,

Dear Sir--

The specimen sent by you has been exam­ ined by one of our collbaora tors and he informs us it is a moss

containing a large number of Diatomaceae plants, not animals, whose movements attracted your attention. It is uncommonly rich in a very fine and large campy1odiseus, probably spinalis.. * * *

It is considered the richest specimen in these forms ever brought to the notice of the gentleman referred to.

He states that you could do good service by sending such contributions for it is an object of much importance to compare specimens from different parts of the country in order to deter­ mine whether certain forms are species or mere varieties.

1 remain very truly yours,

Joseph penny.

Secretary.

Jan. 11/ Received front Mr. Byron Kilbourn a note requesting me

v. to meet sane gentlemen at his offt^e on special business this morning. Did so, found he was about to '"found an Institution of learning and charity to be called the pilbourn university, and wanted me to bo one of the four trustees.

Cambridge, Jan. 26, 1858.

I, A. Lapham, Esq.,

• dear Sir— Your favor of the 13th arrived here dur­ ing my absence, which has prevented an earlier acknowledgement and ur{^o ZQ 4t~ £e-c^j^. ^ *- ^^J J^uup, Ay^. ttl, S^rhZs^^

+4 tcAsf^fru&~*tt ^ t*J-^U^cdL t^Q G-+Z* isiz^ /OSZ ^IXA^A. trS tfe> A^zfcL *Ar h$tU_» LslsUz h-^Uz sZt-C^tLeJ)

^Wt-^Uxt— eyv>-v~£> i^u9~<— art %li&^^ ex^-0> C^-cJ-cs

gL£>^-tJUO ^ / >-t—- nu*-*r^*-u--x3

-v U e*->dtZ. ptZc^> Q-*-^J\U^^JLX^ *~£r f^fr

1112- 1353. response to the very gratifying information contained in your let­ ter. * * *

As to the book to which you refer I am quite at, a loss to know what it may "have been. * * * The best ^uide for the con­ struction of an observatory, would I should think be Struve's great "Description de 1'Observatoire de Poulkova," one vol. 4to. and one vol of plates. * * *

The prospect of an endowment is the pleasantest of all.

We have quite enough un-edowed pst i tut ions . * * * ith best respects, I am,

Ve ry s in c er ,-1 y yours ,

B. A. Gould, Jr.

Cambridge, Feb. 12, 1858.

Dear Mr. Lapham--

I regret having overlooked the parcel with your favor of the 4th of January, which came when 1 was very busy in­ deed. A well named catalogue of Minnesota plants vail be very in­ teresting.

Thanks for the Agric 'Itural T-ansa.cticns and all you send ITS . * * *

Ever tuuly yours,

A. Gra y .

lilwai kee, April 1, 1858.

Dear Brother--

* * * * want that recently published Geol. He- port, if you can find it easily. I want to know also whether any

Illinois coal is used in Chicago? how it compares with that from lit

-1113- 1858.

Ohio for various purposes? the price at which it is delivered in

Chicago by the quantity? and whether there is a probability of its

being delivered at a less price, hereafter, as mines are better

opened &c .

How far from Chicago are the principal mines? 'ou can

ascertain all this of some person interested in the subject. * * *

I have again spent three? days in "adison trying to get

Kilbourn University on its legs ag,;iija? hope I have succee-ded. * ** r* You rs tr 1.1 y, Sarrtl Stone, Esq. I. A. Lapham,

April 8. A remarkable"swell" struck the shore of -r.ake Michigan

at Milwaukee quite similar to the "earthquake waves" on the ocean.

At the foot of Huron street the water rose, it is said, five feet

above its usual level and was depressed as much below, making a

total change of ten feet. A vessel entering the harbjor at the mouth of the river at a good rate of speed was stunck by the re­

turning wave and sent back at a rapid rate. In its progress up

the river the wave suddenly upset a small ferry scow on which were nine passengers. So quickly was it done that those in the water

did not know what caused" it until they saw their"hats going off upst"5'*eaT>: with the current at the rate of ten miles an hour." This was about noon.

There was a great depression of the barometer at the time as the following observations show°

7_ t. J . _ _ 2 P. U* 9 P. I.__ _

April 7 . . . . 29.51 29. 41 29.30 April 8 28.88 28. 75 28.05 Aptil 9 . . . . 28.80 29. 05 29.21 e» b*~t>

I

-1111- 1858.

Chicago, 11., April 23, 1858.

Brother Lapham--

* * * I was sorry crfr*-your aasence the day the

/9AV\7VVP« Nonius, Swedish consul, called, he had a letter to you? he

leaves us for his home, to remain. Mr. U. has had charge of the

Jenny Lind church of this city.

Yesterday Mr. Leo Lesqua*-e'ju36, author of Palaeontological

Report of the fossil j?lora of the coal measures of the Western

Kentucky coalfields," left one of his pamphlets with us for you.*** \^

Though quite deaf and never heard a word of English spokeiL, could

converse «rrTr7rp-^^i.?rTTtTr^^ with Mr. $6fln the French language? he

could talk quite rapidly by watching our lips. * * *

We had quite an interesting meeting of Hist. Soc. last

Tueday. Yesterday the society, twenty in number, went into Hes­

ter's Daguarian Gallery and. sat collectively for our pretty

faces .

Biisiness with us appears quite lively. Our streets are

thronged. Great many of our brick blocks are lifting up to our last

grade * * * but few houses are empty? very difficult to get a

good clean well-located house.

Yours truly,

Wn^r>-J[ua-pi*a4tt.' Saml Stone.

Milwaukee, May 3, 1858.

Col/ Saml Stone,

Dear Br other--

* * * Am sorry M. Lesquereiux did not come

this way ? 1 .hoped to make some botanical excursions with him. 1r /

-1115- 1858.

Please send the pamphlet ho left for me by express and also

Prince Maxmillian's Travels (if Hist.Soc.will loan it to me for a few days). * * * * I want to make some extracts front it. * * *

Yours truly,

I.A. La pham.

May 30 A stormduring the evening and the night did nuchdamage

in Chicago,Milwaukee and other places,--a violent tornado in Illi­ nois. It was accompanied by heavy rains and floods at Milwaukee. * -M * * *

Office of Superintendent of

Pu blie Inst r u c t i on, Mad i s on Ju1y 26th, 1858.

I.A.Lapham,Esq.

My dear Sir,-

You were once kind enough to give me a rough pencil draw­ ing of the locality where Gen.Simon Kenton was».fMfto« sentenced to be hung in Logan Co.Ohio. I have so carefully laid it aside that I can not now lay my hands on it, and wishing to use it may I beg

you. to make another from memory and describe locality. * * *

I shall shortly go to Ohio and may pass through Logan. Co. and hence wish your drawing before I go.

Very truly yours,

L.G .Draper.

West Northfield Tuesday Aug 3rd 1853. Dea r Mr.Lapham,--

The two Hikes and myself will leave here next Monday for

Milwaukee,stopping a day or two in Racine,we will try to induce Dr. Hoy to join us. As Ulke is a very good colsppterist Dr.Hoy would f>• z.

-1116- 1858. doubtless like to go into the field with him. we Our final destination.will settle after advising with you

* * * I am more delighted than I can say at the prospect of a trip

in the field with you.

Yours always,

R.Kennicott.

Milwaukee Aug.15th,1858.

My dear Daughter,-

We are glad to learn by your last letter that you are^

enjoying your visit so much and hope you v/ill make it profitable

as "/ell as pleasing by improving every opportunity to increase your

knowledge of things. Learn to derive pleasure from the simple

beauties oi nature and you will always have on hand sources of hap­

piness that will never fail, and happiness that is pure and inno­

cent and entirely worthy of human beings . They afford happiness

of a different and better kind that that of the fashionable fri­

volities of the times.

Henry and I have just returned from a trip to the Dells

of the Wise nsin river,where we spent a day very agreeably with

Robert Kennicott and. the Messrs Ulke. We bagged many bugs,snakes,

&AZC> minnie fishes . plants, &£i * * *

I am to go in about a week to Lake Superior to examine ta

the Iron and Copper mines, shall be absent about three weeks. I

am to go on t.e"Lady Elgin"on her next trip. So I may not be at hone when you return. * * *

Mr. L.C.Draper,the secretary of the State Historical

Society at Madison wants to know all about Simon Kenton,who was 9 y3

.1117- 1858.

taken prisoner by the Indians and had "to run the gauntlet" on a

spot near West Liberty. He talks of going there to see the place,

to see his grave,to talk with the old settlers and collect tradi­

tions about him,if any can be found. Should he conclude to gc 1

shall give him a letter to "our folks" and perhaps he will give

you a call. You know he is a great enthusiast in all such matters

* * * * We all join in sending love to Julia.

Miss Julia A.Lapham, Yours father,

West Liberty.O. I.A.La pham.

Stevens Point Aug.18,1858.

Dear jyr . La pham, -

Here all right and catching Pine-boring beetles like fun!

Don't get many shells or vertebrates but lots of insects. * *

What is the pink spirea so abundant here? Ulke says a "red variety

of Sp.Salsifolla* * *

' I wish I had thought to ask vou for a letter of intro­ duction, I find "I.A.Lapham" very well known and respected through here * * *

With kind regards to your family,

Yours always,

. jKennicott.

Aug. 23. Left Milwaukee on an exploring expedition to Lake Supe­ rior via Chicago and Detroit,--saw the new sleeping cars at Chi­ cago .

Aug. 24. Arrived at Detroit 10 1/2 A.M. * * * Rode up to Iron works near Marine Hospital above Bloody Run. * * * Left petroit cfb-i

-1118- ' 1858. at 2.15 P.M.on the "Lady Elgin" got over the flats at 5 P.M. .Jour dredges,tug boats &c.at work on this delta of the St.Clair.

The bulrush first appears, then phragnites, bushes, small trees aAfa^^

Entered lake Huron at 9 P.M. Each town saluted by running close

to the dock and the fine brass band playing lively airs; on one occasion the compliment was replied to by hoisting the American flag and waving of handkerchiefs.fteu—Aft • • fte«>

Aug. 25 Morning found us on Lake Huron, Trwr land in sight. At 9

A.M.we passed Thunder Bay and Islands,on one of which is a light­

house, saw in the distance the high land said to contain coal.

Aug. 25 Arrived at Mackinac 4.30 P.M. Saw the Arched Rocks,**>.

Staid till 12 at night.

Aug. 26 At 8 1/2 A.M. passed the locks of the Sault St.Marie ca­ nal,and scon after entered Lake Superior. Mean depth of Lake Supe­

rior 474 feet, according to Bayfield's Map. Arrived at Marquette

10 P.M. Didn't see the Pictured Rocks as promised,--too late and

too c 1 oudy. Found Mir. J .D. Whitney the g eo 1 ogis t t he re, * * * *

Iron a more useful metal than copper, one that can not be dispensed with even in hard times,--has more nearly a standard value. Iron mines of Lake Superior may hereafter be most produc­

tive of wealth'.* * * * Such is the purity and bracing quality of

the air in the Sake Superior country that men are found to be able

to do 25 per cent.more work in a day without as much fatigue as in

Ohio, tafe At night men feel like enjoying active sports instead of eating and going directly to bed.

Aug. 27 Went on railroad 17 miles to Lake Superior mines. Walked back to the Cleveland mine and to the Jackson mine and then totbhe

Pioneer Funaaee. Dinner at I^r.Hungerford's. R.R.Co.gave me free passage. Collected specimens of the different kinds of ore o-j-S-

-lllO- • 1858. good and bad,also of the slate and trap between which the ore chiefly lies. Persons handling slag must be careful not to cut their fingers with it III

Iron Mountain 8 or 900 feet above Lake. Superior.

Aug. 29 Examined granite at and near mouth of Dead river.

Sandstone and a black highly ferruginous trap on Presque Isle, also at same place a very curious reck,supposed to have been vol­ canic ash now hardeSned to rock.

Aug. 30 Went 2 l/2 miles up the railroad to see the Erttca Iron mine,situated in slate rock. The ore not in muwh quantity, inti- assoc iated metely e-€>B»eeyed with the slate. At noon 3 steamboats in the har­ bor, "Illinois" "Iron City" and "Cleveland." Took passage on the last named for La Pointe at 5 1/2 p.m.

The day on which a geologist^ visit* the Iron mountains may be considered an epoch in his life. These immense masses of iron fill the mind with astonishment. The little inducement held IX, out to the farmer here by the unpropitioa climate and comparitiva- ly barrenip*irf jsd soil is amply compensated by the bountiful sup­ ply of iron, and the day is not distant when this locality will teem with an industrious and virtuous populations These mountains are of iron ore,with here and there portions of slate rock,thus reversing the usual rule,where the rock predominates with only veins or beds of iron. Here the rock constitutes the veins and bed, the iron makes the mountain.

We soon left the coast for Keweenaw Point. Splendid au­ rora 3 l/4 to 8 l/2 P.M. At 11 P.M. around the point, Aurora beaut3ful.

Aug. 31 At 11 l/2 A.M. arrived at Ontonagon, a considerable town at mouth of the river of same name, pere **r. J.D.Whitney left to examine Copper mines,while I proceeded to La Pointe to examine t f^-C

-1120- 1858. those of iron. The water of the river has a light tinge of red, derived probably front the red marl through which it runs. Arriv­ ed at La Pointe 7 p.m. Found yr.Cutler but must wait some days for other matters before going to the Penokee Range of Magnetic Ore.

Sept.l Wednesday. Examined sandstone, also made collection of plants. Rain and a heavy blow from 3.W. at night.

Sept.2 Blow continued all day. Made a botanical excursion on the island.

Sept.3 Blow from 3 .'.V. continued during the past night and all day

to day. At night started for Superior City on boa^d the "North

Star".

Sept.4 Boat driven back to Bayfield last night by the storm.

Started again at 6 1/2 A.M. Arrived at Superior City at 12 1/2 being 6 hours. From the boat we could see the hihh land of the

Mineral Range. From La Pointe I could see the "Iron Range" at the south forming low peaks in the distant hotizon. Soon after leaving

LaPointe we could see the north shore of Lake Superior, spent the afternoon at Superior along the Iron Range. * * * Superior is at

the mouth of the StLouis river, saw red sandstone same as at La

Pointe,which came from the river above. The mud or soil from this rock much resembles the red mud of New Jersey and Virginia.

Obtained specimens from near Buchanan on the N.Shore of the lake in. Minnesota. They consist of native copper,calc spar, 1*. prehite &c. with reddish spar (metamorphic sandstone) quite like A that of the Cliff Mines. * * *

Sept. 5 Left Superior 8 a/m. Arrived at La Pointe at 1 1/2 p.m.

Found Mr.Daniells,state geologist,at Bayfield in a small tent.

In the afternoon had a fine sail boat ride across Cheqiiamegon Bay to Ashland, a newtown of only 1 l/2 years growth,situated on a bank *'• • • f^7

_U 1 9 1- 1853. •* JL X f*j . of red marl 20feet hi gh,level,contains abou t 20 houses. We found gt> o,d quarters in the house of Messrs.Beaser & Prince,who are among

the proprietors. In Mr .feasor's gard 9n w e s -w the usual garden 1 v ege tables, all exceji t corn of good growth. * * *

The clay or• marl on which the town is built is arranged in " dollars"as the y a.r e called,or ancient 1 ake beaches.

Sent .6 * * * * We walked due south, clay soil 1 1/2 ITdie s then sand y for a short dis tanca. At six miles ( 2 l/2 hours)stoppe d to lunc h at Mr.Welton's. Trees,conifers,poplar and birch. At Wel-

ton' s first saw elm. White river runs in a deep broad v alley cut

in t He red marl.

Mrs.Wei ton recently shot a large black bear from a window w i th a rifle,111ling him on the spot. Pass ed a large beaver dam.

Beaver are still trapped occasionally in th is region. Sandstone appeals here in the tie d of the river in thin layers, dipp ing S east-

erly ,interlaid with red shale. * * * 12 mi les from Ashl and soil

i s muc h better--a pine tree measured 13 ft. around. New ses of- t en made of bark of Thuja (Arbor witae) Roofs of"G n mad:; of

this bark. Oats 5ft 9 in.in height. Here f irst saw sugar maple.

* * * * Borers work cm some trees so as to leave a quant ity of ref- use resembling sawduai t at the base. There are "borers" and "saw- yers ii

Balsam trees have little bladders of turpentine under the bark •

Staid at Si bley's, a nice place.

Quadrupeds of this country are * Moose, deer, Black Bear.

Gray woIf,Beaver,Pro cupine,(pientiful ) (no skunk) Fisher martin,Mih

Mink , Otter,Raccoon (rare ) Rabbit,Red Fox,G rey Squirrel, Red Squir- rel , Chipmunk,Voodchuck,Striped Gopher,Deer or Kangaroo mice, Lynx ,2 species of e,Muskrats,Chippeway M ole (about the size of - frir . z ^

-1122- • '." ... 1858.

rat)-Weasel, Cross Fox, or Cross .Bray Fox', (rid with a stripe of

" ' 1 \ 'black on his back and down his hind legs) Silver Grey Fox and . the. Bat (black) .

Sent.7 At 5 miles S.E.Sibley's in the ,bed of a stream, trap and 4fc_ ' ' altered sandstone with epidote appears,said, to indicate copper,

We-saw none, probably the epidote is the only indication of copper.

* * * * Timber on the ridges mostly hard wood but some pine,hem­

lock, bass wood &c. * * *

Halted for dinner at a brook between two ponds, in one of

which we caught bass. At 2 l/2 miles after passing trap, the ground

descends rapidly to the ponds,one of which is called Island Lake.

* * *

On Sec.34 Sienite with large concretions of hornblende.

Entered Sec .3 T.44 R.3,found the rock darker and less crystalline

a hornblende trap. Came at night to the Bad river (Mauvaise)at

the place where it breaks through the Iron Range,at which the com­

pany have a location called "Peno^kee "consisting of one shanty

and one nice,hewed log house. * * *

The range covered with dense forest and undergrowth to th

the summits. Seldom get a distant view front it. Tall pine trees

on top. * * *

Sept. 8 Started with six 'men (3 packers) to walk along the Penokec

Iron Range* * * Got pn a log house to see the country,but the

maple trees obscured the view. The chimney of this house built of

magnetic iron ore.

On the N.W.of 18-44-2 found ore (red oxide)with jaspery

rock, very hard,mottled or narked by drift,yet on the summit. * * *

Saw corn nine feet high, potatoes large and fine,not injured by the frost. At Penokee 2 hours of sunshine is lost by yhe hills. ?rf

-1123- 1858.

Walked 11 rales along t lie-erest of the fron Range to

Tyler's Fork (Springdale)•

Sept.9 * * * Trees pretty well blazed, walked from Springdale

along the ridge, no iron found. * * * Afternoon rainy, have had

but one clear day(the 8th) since we left Ashland.

The Gorge is a place where the Fork breaks through the

Iron Range of rocks, abflve is a succession of rocks and softer

shales or slates,causing very beautiful rapids or falls.

The Gorge is 22 ft.deep and 15 or 20 feet wide,crossed by

a bridge of poles. * * *

Sept.10 * * * * At noon exmained S.E.l/4 near 3.line,along a r rook.* * * We hunted for a large vein known to be here but did

not find it, said to be 6 inches thick I * * *

Singular that the tributaries of Lake Superior rise

south of Iron Range on lower ground,yet cut through it 1

Sept.11 * * * Examined the bluff west of the river where slaty

or lozenge ore is found in great quantities. * * * Large quantities

of ore fallen and laying in masses among the debris. Very large

boulders of granite on the north side of the ledge,west £ide of 3ad

river, while conglomerate bowlders were found east, indicating that

the granite range was highest west and conglomerate east of Bad

river,when4 the icebergs of.the drift period passed over them. * **

There is qxxite a body of drift on the north side of the-

ridge with numerous moderate sized bowlders of foreign rocks with

large angular ones of sands tone,conglomerate and granite evidently

not moved front their original beds. * * *

Saw trees 2 to 5 inches in diameter,maple and birch that

had been felled by a beaver.

These trees were near the river where there was no dam

and were cut by what are called "Bank Beavers." One tree it is- ?£0

-1124- 1858. said measured 19, 3/4 inches diameter,a birch, cut down by beavers.

Quite a number of these animals are still found here and are trap- ed every winter.

' r A porcupine was killed this morning. I secured some of the quills.

Birds found in this country are* Bald Eagle,Large Gjfeay

E.Fish-hawk, Hen-hawk,Pigeon-hawk,Meat-hawk,(a small hawk that eats meat,about half the size of a pigeon hawk)Large pray Owl, White

Owl/Cat-owl,Kingfisher,Crow,Raven,Rob in,Crossbill,Red-headed wood­ pecker, Speckled Wood-pecker,Yellow-hammer,Wren,Lark,Runround(nut h hatch)Cat bird,Chipping bird,Blue Jay,Chimney Swallow,Fork-tailed swallow(3arn 3.) Red winged Black Bird, Song Sparrow,Bush Sparrow

Common Partridge,Spruce Partridge,Quail,Prairie pens, Wild-goose,

Mallard Duck,Hell-diver, Shell-drakes, Loon, Mud-hen, Rail,Plover,

Snipe,Sand-hill crane, Gull,Blue-bird, Pigeon,Yellow-bird Snow bird

Night hawk and Humming Birds.

Reptiles* Striped snakes, Frogs,Toads,Tree-toads,small

Hop-toad, Green Frogs (no. salamanders) Snapping Turtles.

Fishes^ Chub,Shiner,Horned Dace,black Bass,Rock bass,

Sunfish, Yellow parch, Speckled Trout, Suckers , Sturgeon cane up the river and Muscalonge. Suckers are caught and put into potato hill for manure, 2300 caught by one woman,. (Mrs .Wei ton. )

Crustaceans. Crawfish large and small.

Insects. Musquetos,Musketo-hawks,Black fly,Sand fly,

Buffalo Gnat,Flea,Big house fly, Ox or Deer fly,honey bee, Bumble

Bee, 5 kinds of Butterflies, Millers, Borers.Sawyers,an insect with

a long ovipositor, Little Hornet,Yellow-wasp,Big nlack Hornet, and Ants.

Shells* Helix thu.roides and H.alternata. fZ

-1125- 1858.

Sept.12 Near E.line of 17-44-3 the needle pointed almost directly south'. S.E.l/4 18, a good show of iron,needle lies in direction of range,nearly due westl at a point only 3 ft.away the needle points north I * * *

The hard vein bearing rock usually forms the north slope and crest of the range,and it is to the hardrs ss of th is rock we must attribute the preservation of the range from destruction by the drift agencies.* * *

The soil along the ridge is deep and rich giving rise to a vigorous growth ,chiefly of maple trees.

Red Oak is occasionally found, but no young trees of this kind are to be found, so that a few years hence the oak will be ex­ tinct of the range. This may be occasioned by an increase of squip- rels who destroy the acorns.

The climate is very moist. Rain almost every day. The bark of the Arbor Vitae is used to make a temporary '|pant under which to sleep at night, a small tree bent over or two twisted to­ gether in form of an arch,makes the siipport. Balsam boughs make the bed.

Sept.12 On such an excursion the shot gun affords much of the supply of food. Pigeons,Partridges,Squirrels fec.are frequently found . * *

The cliff observed yesterday at N.W.cor of 16-44-2 we named Mt.Whittlesey,from the geologist who first explored this re­ gion. * * *

At Pen^okee we could constantly hear the low murmur of th the waters of the Mauvoise or Bad river as they flowed over the rapids,and at Springdale Taylor's Fork rush^through the Gorge witha a similar sound. This monotonous noise soon becomes tire- fC

-1126- 1358. some, we awakened in the night with the impression tha^-t rain was falling on the roof,but it was the noise of the Rapids. This is different here from the noise of the lake beach or ocean shore, which is varied by every change of the wind,sometimes roaring in th

the storm at others gently murmuring in the light breeze.

A pine tree cut at Penokee was about 160 feet high.I

Sept.13 Started on our return trip Y-reHmtas far as Sibley's, 18

'.diss * * *

Sept.14 At Wei ton's * * * *Searched in vain for traces of fossils

* * * *Got back as far as Ashland at noon and had a pull over the bay,got to LaPointe at 7 p.m.just in time to escape one of those sudden gales that sprung up half an hour after we landed from our

small craft. * * *

At La Pointe all day.

Sept.15 At night started on steamboat "North 3tar"for Ontonagon, went only a few miles when the Captain decided the lake was too rough to proceed, ran back to LaPointe,where we remained all night.

The finest view about LaPointe is from a high ridge east of the "Middle-Fort." LaPointe proper and Bayfield nearly in a line with the bay for a foreground and the distant forest clad hills and the western sky for a background. The bay with its pier here and there a sail-boat, or IndioAdbark canoe, the old Catholic church, the white buildings,the remmants of the old stockade of pickets, all unite to nake up a very fine and unique scene.

Sept.10 The wind continuing high from the S.W. we remained at

LaPointe all day.

Got a pair of Indian snow shoes (Ah-ge-muck) to carry 7*3

-1127- 1858.

home. Got under way again at 6 p.m. Lake now quite calm. Saw a

magnificent comet at N.W. IrcarrtTGr-^Tftar--^^

t02''dtTter--d*'i'p^ei?.

Arrived at Ontonagon at 11 p.m. but the engine being -

over heated did not work well and we were a whole hour getting to

the dock. Went to the Bigelow House. * * *

Sept/l7 Rode in a stage over a plank road 13 miles to Maple

Grove,then walked a half mile to Ridge mine, to Bohemia mine, to Uer

Mars mine, * * * *. Collected specimens and saw the machinery in o peration. &c. * * *

Sept.18 * * * * Examined the Trap ridges and the remains of an­

cient aboriginal diggings Secured one of the stone haramers/which

is only a very hard boulder with a groove around it. It was prob­

ably used with a cord instead of a handle or a handle fastened with

cords .

Near the village N.W.of the mine, a lake beach,which

must be 500 feet above Lake Superior,appears very distinctly form­

ing a low ridge.

After dinner walked 2 l/2 miles to the landing and went

down the Ontonagon river in a boat. The first ten miles rowed by

eight men, the other eight miles of a very_ small steamboat. H^d

a very pleasant ride along th:e beautiful river,with but little

change from its original state. S^anery beautiful,especially the

reflection of tne autumnal foliage &c &c. High banks of red

marl nearly all the v/ay * * * Waiting for a boat.

Sept.19 Aroused this mom ing by the band,which I knew had been on

an excursion and must have been brought back on a boat. Found it

was the Illinois." Left port at 9 A.M. for Detroit and home 1 p^f

-1128- 1858.

Weather fine, auroral arch last night very brillant and extensive.

* *-* At 2 P.M. landed at Eagle River, a small town from which swC

next to Ontonagon the most copper is shipped. Probably named be­

cause the river isv so small that it requires an eagle eye to see

it. * * *

3 o'clock P.M.arrived at Eagle Harbor, spent some time

in efforts to reach the dock,though the water was entirely calm.

At 5 P.M. entered Copper Harbor,which is well secured,

by a trap dyke,from storms on the lake. A small place.

Sept.20 Stopped at Portage Lake in the night and this morning at

nine o'clock arrived at Marquette. * *

Dr. A.H.Jones gave me a skull of a beaver.

A warm south wind was blwang » g this morning and © ntmued A until noon,when it suddenly changed to north-west and became very

cold.* * * Remained at Marquette all day.

Sept.21 Left Marquette at 2 A.M. in. a N.W.blow!

The steamer "City of Cleveland"in the afternoon returned

to port, in consequence of the blow'. Blow continued until noon

when we rounded White Fish Point. At 3 l/2 passed the locks at

Sault ste Maries;.

The sandstone at Sa-ult ste Marie is both red and gray

and thvyer-bedded like that at pells of the Wisconsin river. Is

there anything in this structure that gives origin to Rapids and

Dells 1

While going front the Ontonagon river in a boat (Sept.

18th) I observed the white cedar trees very numerous along the

banks and all of them with about 1/3 of the foliage killed,giving

the tree a spotted appearance as seen from a distance, Was this caused by a frost ? I had no opportunity to examine the dead f&V

-1129- 1858. leaves and twigs perhaps the work of an'insect.* * *

The northern part of Wisconsin is but little known to the people of the south part of the state. The business connections are mostly with Detroit and Cleveland,rather than Milwaukee. The small number of inhabitants also,gives but little political influ­

ence, so they are scarcely thought of in the great contests as to who shall fill the offices of state &.c. Measures should be taken

to ascertain the character and resources of this part of the state.

It is reported that mines of copper and iron exist there,but of the

truth of such reports but little isknown.

The Indian title is extinguished except at a few small

reservations and theland is open to pre-emrtors and much of it for private entry.

Some of the lands are said to be poor and not suited for cultivation,but lh is is far front being tha case generally.

At a short distance from Lake Superxo^ wo find forests consisting mostly of the sugar maple,growing on soil that is rich and would

yield the ordinary crops ddapt^d to this latitude (•6°) in great abundance .

Sept.22 Morning found us on Lake Huron opposite the north cape of Saginaw Bay and soon "we were out of sight of land" opposite

the mouth of that bay. Weather clear and wind light. At 3 l/2 P.M lBft Lake Huron and began to go down the river.

At 7 p.M. arrived at Detroit and as the cars on the di­ rect road home do not leave until tomorrow concluded to return by way of Chicago. Left Detroit at 8h 45m P.M. (Chicago time)

Sept.23 Arrived at Chicago 8.15 A.M.*left 9h-30m. for home! 9i<

-1130- I808.

Milwaukee 0ct,eth,l@S©* (Oct 5,1858) Col.Sam'1 C.Stone,

Dear Brother,-

Sometimes I regret that railroads make such "Close connee

tions",they prevent one from seeing their friends. I had only an hour in the morning when 1 passed through Chicago on my return from

Lake Superior.

I brought home a »oi@ of mosses which I wish to examine

this winter, if you can spare me your microscope for the purpose.

I send some peaty soil found in one of our drift banks buried 10 feet under -&m*@ sand and gravel and on the surface of the hard blue clay. This clay appears to have been once the soil o of the ® untry on which was deposited the other materials with an

occasional log, bunch of shells,or patch of black soil. Please examine it and see if it has animalculae or vegetable fibers &c.

All well,

yours truly,

I. A. La pham.

Boston, Oc t.25 th,]858.

Mr.Lapham,

My dear Sir,-

Thanks for the specimen of SullivantiA. We have good specimens from Sullivant and I am glad to receive it from your lo­ cality. I have little faith in the local occurrence of plants in our borders except they be introduced or Alpine fornus. Our flora is remarkably identical throughout the whole territory,par­ ticularly along our northern borders where individuals are abund­ ant but species limited. * * * to

-1131- 1858,

Have you never noticed that when once you find anything it seems to meet you at every turn? I shall not be surprised to hear of your finding the Sullivantia in years to come in greater or less abundance.* * * I shall be very glad of your fungi when­ ever they arrive.

Yo ur s v e r y t r ul y,

Chas.Jas.Sprague.

Cambridge 27 Oct.1850.

Dear Mr . La pham, 1 A great find it is, that of Sullivantia in Wisconsin.

I thought it would turn up somewhere. Few plants are. really very local. I ant much obliged to you for it,and note it for new edition of Manual one of these days.

Yours ever,

A.Gray.

Smithsonian Institution,

Washington D. 0. November 4th, 1853.

My dear pa-". La pham,

Your catalogue of animals of La Pointe was duly received and will be filed away for future use. We are always glad to fret lists.especially when we can rely,as in your case,on the accuracy of the determinations.

Yours truly,

Spencer P. Baird. 9

-1032- 1858.

Mi1waukee Dec.25 th,1858.

Col.Sam'1 C.Stone,

Dear Brother,—

* * * I send, you (also Mr.Barry and Col.Graham) a Sen­ tinel with an article in regard to my discovery of the tide in 1849 which may interest you and them.

I have a copy of the Sentinel and Gazette of Sept.3rd

1849, and also of the observations on which my conclusion was founded. Someuof my friends here remember the announcement.

yery truly yours,

I. A. La pham. tit

-ih*- 1858. ON THE MAN-SHAPED MOUNDS OF WISCONSIN.

By I. A. Lapham.

For Wis. Hist. Society.

-o- e at the next meeting of e discovery by Mr. Wm .H, ncient artificial mound aO r raordinary character of ents.as will be seen by jslearly and decidedly the an expression of boldness The figure is no less d, gth, the head is thirty ^ jgs eighty-four. The i *i i ^ «i westward. All the ^ j n>-Vved gracefully,much care V y V its construction. The

horns,giving a comical i

2lcl. The method of sur- jMlin^Shape d M 0 unds of W:is ron S, t~x * the middle of the fig-

in feet measure at right angles to the bordering lines of the figure.

This remarkable man lies on the northwest quarter of the

southeast quarter of section twenty eight in township twelve north

and range sven east,about four miles east from Baraboo. It was sur­ veyed July 23rd, 1857. til

',3- 1858. ON THE MAN-SHAPED MOUNDS OF WISCONSIN.

By I. A. Lapham.

For Wis. Hist. Society.

-o-

I wish the Secretary to announce at the next meeting of the Wisconsin State Historical Society the discovery by Mr. Wm .H.

Canfield,near Baraboo,in Sauk Co. of an ancient artificial mound or earth-work of the most strange and. extraordinary character of any yet brought bo light* It represents,as will be seen by the accompanying drawing ( Sketch) very clearly and decidedly the human form, in the act of walking and with an expression of boldness and decision which cannot be mistaken. The figure is no less

than two hundred and fourteen feet in length, the head is thirty feet long, the body one hundred,and the legs eighty-four. The

head lies towards the south and the motion westward. All the

lines of this most singular effigy are curved gracefully,much care

laving evidently been feakea bestowed upon its construction. The

lead is ornamented with two projections or horns,giving a comical

repression to the whole figure. The arms and legs are too short

*or the proper proportion and the lower part of the body too narrow

rut with these exceptions the general proportions are good.

The drawing is made from the notes of a very minute and

areful survey and measurement by ^r.Canfield. The method of sur-

ey adopted was to run a straight line over the middle of the fig­

ure lengthwise,and at intervals of every ten feet measure at right angles to the bordering lines of the figure.

This remarkable man lies on the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section twenty eight in township twelve north and range sven east,about four miles east from Baraboo. It was sur­ veyed July 23rd, 185^. 97°

-1134- 1853

The discovery of mounds of the human form in Wisconsin

was first made known by Mr. R.C.Taylor in Silliman's Journal of

Science in 1838*,where he described and figured the mound repre­

sented on the accompanying plate ,fig.2.

It lies in an east and west direction,the head towards

the west,and the arms and legs extended. Its length is one hun­

dred and twenty five, and it is one hundred and fifty feet from the

extremity of one arm to that oftheother. The body or trunk is

thirty feet in breadth,the head twenty five feet and its elevation

above the general surface of the prairie is about six feet.

Its conformation,it will be observed,is so distinct,that

there can be no possibility of a mistake in assigning it to the hu­

man figure. - This mound forms part of a group near the old mili­

tary road about seven miles east of the Blue Mounds in Dane county.

Again in Mr.Stephen Taylor's paper,published also in Sil­

liman's Journal #,we find an account of a mound of the human fig­

ure,having two heads (see the accompanying plate fig.3) reclining

gracefully over the shoulders, the arms (not fully represented in

the figure)are dispropo-tioned,being much too long. This mound

also appeaes to have been made with unusual care,all theoarts being

gracefully rounded. The principal deimensions are,length of body

fifty feet, Of legs, forty feet, of arms one hundred and thirty

feet. The bearing is north and south, the headtfio th e southward.

This mound lies north of the Wisconsin river about four miles west of the village of Muscoda.

Mr. S.Taylor has figured and described in the same paper

several other mounds of the same general form,but with arms or wings,which would indicate that thye were intended to represent

See vol.34, p.38 plate I. # Vol.44 p.21(1343)Palte VII fig.6. 97/

-1135- 1858. some bird,like the forked-tail hawk or swallow. Other mounds are without legs or bifurcation,so that it is often quite difficult to decide whether the ancient artist intended to represent a nan or a bird!

In my memoir on the antiquities of Wisconsin,published in the Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge will be found fig­ ures and full deserupt ions of many others in various parts of the

/state with the same general form,and having the same uncertainty as to what they ail were intended to represent. Indeed wJith the single exception of the mound figured by Mr. R.C .Taylor (fig. 2 on accompanying plate) wo may doubt whether any of the so-called man- shaped mounds heretofore discovered were really intended to repre­ sent the human form.

But whatever doubts may exist in regard to other mounds there can be none with respect to the one discovered by Mr.Canfield and now first publicly noticed.

It would be idle to attempt to speculate upon theobject and meaning of the strange mound here represented. The reader may indulge his own imagination on that subject and he -will perhaps ar­ rive at as near the truth as could the most profound antiquary.

-o- i 7

[J^j0u\/>t\tt> J.X, /ftrf -1186- 1859.

Milwaukee Jan'y 15 th,1859 .

Hon.M.M.Davis ,

Dear Sir,—

You did me the honor last winter to ask whether I would

like to be connected with the Geological Survey of the State, and

I have now concluded to ask the state to extend the survey so as to

include the Natural History and if my friends deem me a suitable

person to conduct this new department I should be happy to do so.

I have mentioned the subject to several of our members who will ad­ vocate the measure.

New York employs Dr.Fitch at a handsome salary to study

the insects alone I Massachusetts has done the same, several oth­

er states have included Natural History in their Geological Sur­

veys, Illinois has a similar project before the legislature at the

p res ent ti ate .

The additional expense will be but small but the public

benefits that, may be expected to result from such a survey will be

numerous and of great importance. * * *

Very truly yours,

I.A.La pham.

Madison Jan'y 19th,1859.

I.A.Lapham,Esq.

Dear Sir,-

Your recent note and bill were duly received and in re­

ply will say that I conferred with Senator Comstock find we conclud­

ed that it was best to introduce the bill at once,and have it re­

ferred to the Committee on State Affairs,of which I have the honor

to be Chairman. * * * a ? 3

-1137- 1359.

I am pleased to learn that you consent to engage in the survey? Will keep you posted in regard to the bill.

Truly thine,

M.M.Davis .

Boston, 20 Jan'y 1859.

I.A.Lapham,

Dear Sir,-

I have your favor of the 12th inst. The Almanac or rather sheets have this morning gone to the binders. You will still find an errop in regard to latitude and longitude,of the state,in which Prairie du Ohien is situated. * * * I failed to send your correction in time. It will be corrected next year.

* * * Will yo be kind enough to note and to send me the time of the fellew4ng flowering of fruit trees in Milwaukee in the spring of 1859? * * *

With many thanks for your kind aid, I am

yours very truly and faithfully,

Geo.P.Saq&ger.

Milwaukee Jan'y 31,st 1859.

Warner Lewis, Surveyor General,

pear Sir,—

If any credit is to be given to the Astronomical de­ terminations of Lieut.H.W.Bayfield R.N. of I.N.Nicollet and T.F.

Cram on Lake Superior in this state,the line of the Fourth Prin­ cipal Meridan must have a bend to the west above township.-.34 of about 7 miles 1 My object in taking the liberty of writing to fT9

-1138- 1359. you is to ask whether ,from subsequent surveys of parallel lines.,

sre are any facts which go to indicate or disprove this want of

accuracy in the survey of that line.

I find in the south part of the state the surveys agree very closely with the positions ascertained by the astronomers,and hence it is the more remarkable that this difference should be

found on Lake Superior.

I will add that I am preparing a memoir on the subject

to be read before our State Historical Society.

Very truly yours,

I.A.Lai ham.

Hamilton Ohio Feb.21,1859.

I .A.Laph-

Dear Sir,-

I am engaged in procuring the photograph likeness of the

Canal Commissioners and engineers,who have been and now are enga. - ed in the service of the state of Ohio. As you were among the

early Engineers, I would be very much pleased to have yours.

They are to be placed in the office of the Board of Public Works

in Columbus. * *

Respectfully yours,

John W. Erwin. , £7*

-1139- 1359.

Milwaukee peb 28th,1859. « John W.Erwin,Esq.

Dear Sir,—

In a few days I will in compliance with your request

send a large photograph likeness of myself. * * *

I have written to Mrs.Lavinia Lapham of West Liberty ,

Ohio,to see whether she can furnish a suitable likeness of my

brother Darius Lapham.

I was in the service of the state of Ohio first on the

Miami canal between Middletown and Hamilton, next on the Ohio canal

between Circleville and Chillecothe, also on trie fifteen miles norh

from Portsmouth. Afterwards I was secretary of the Board of Pub­

lic Works until I was "reformed" for political reasons and left

for Wisconsin in 1836.

V e r y t r i j 1 y y o ur s ,

I.A.La pham.

Kew England March 8,1859.

I. A. La pham, Bs q •

My dear Sir, -

I was favored with a call from Dr.Eddy,who brotight me

your kind present,the volume of Agr.Trans.(where I am most inter­

ested in your notices of Trees of Wisconsin) and the curious lit­

tle fern. I say curious /because it is so unlike the normal form

he species ,AspidiuJ^fragrans , a ve££_ northern species ,as far

Ttorth as Arctic America.

But I see it has been found at the Falls of the St.Croix

Wis.by Dr. C.C.Parry. This is probably its southern limit, —-ti^^ tUf /fay

-^^h ' *^i> J k^<- L^zL kuJLxJU U^^ /^ZL^u C^ J y-^ <£_^u-^ (r^dx. kJljU l^y^_ JK-^t dtu^sJL^^

C&n^. Ux-ULl erlUzx^<- tttc, £urvO c^ C^-U~-^UL2) uX-tttz,

C^CtrX.Ou**~c±. l^JxLx_CxU> Q^LS-^CI thtlx, &JQJL.CLL2JJ^ P^_C%^^JL_ . y^

<^ex-Q^£^^(l^ CxJ^Ct^L^jluJ CxJtZX tfau $^aL_.^^JU^ OLXLJL,

°^^> v >V^_ t^ilL J2 CU^ O^AJL- l^J) WcO

i*+ oLtr^Jrt- (xJU-x> zt^ a ^cJtx atizUSL y uC£x> 977

-1140- 1859. I should be delighted to receive any more specimens of so singular a plant and of any moss&s in your state. J arm very anx­ ious to render my vast herbarium useful as illustrative not only of species,but the geographical distribution of species, and your state seems particularly interesting ii this respect. You have species that find their southern limits with you and that are scarcely found elsewhere within the United States. Most truly yours, wm J,Hookor.

Philadelphia March 16th,1859.

I. A. La pham, Es q .

Milwaukee,

Hear Sir,-

I have examined the mosses sent by you,ccllected hy Dr.

Geo.Vasey and find them to be as follows* * * *

Mrs.James (my wife)desires me to ask you to send with the next consignment an engraved likeness of yourself, she has for years been collecting materials for a work called "Flora's

Valhalla" or "Biographica Botanica",which is after this plan? first an engraved portrait of the botanist,then an autograph,then

uimen of the genus named for him and lastly a sketch of his life &c. She has the "Laphamia"and an autograph.

Dr.Darlington speaks of the work in terms of much com­ mendation and is desirous that it shall be published,but it would be a heavy undertaking. Mrs.James intends presenting the work to some public institution,in case she does not publish it. She has collected considers! natorial and the whole forms an inter- o s t i n; 5 w o :•.!>. R e s p e c t f u 11 y yo u rs , Thos.P.James. f/r

-1141- 1859.

Milwaukee, March 18, 1859.

Proi A-f-Ionry Barnard,

Dear Sir—

Hoping this will find you sufficiently restored to health, I take the liberty of requesting you to let me know whether Prof. George B. Emmerson would be likely to accept the office of Superintendent of our city schools and Secretary of the School Boa*-d, * * * and if not, tc give me, please, the name of some other person, who by our new school law must be of

"suitable learning, experience and skill in the art of instruction and practical famiarity with the best and most approved methods of organizing and conducting a system of city schools."

It would be important for you as our state superintend­ ent to have a man like Professor Emmerson at the head of o

Milwaukee schools as you would thus mutually sustain each other* and with such direction our educational interests could not but prosper and yield maximum results.

Very truly yours,

I. A . La pham.

Milwaukee, April 10, 1850.

Col .Sam! Stone,

D jar Brother-

Mr. Robert Kennicott will be in,

Chicago about the 20th to make preparations for a journey to the north as far as Fort Simpson on the McKenzie river, to be absent one and a half years, for the purpose of making collections &c., in Natural History, & 7?

-1142- 1859.

I have concluded to asd him to take Chas. \. Hubbard with him as an assistant as this will give Charles an opportunity to see the world, to harden his constitution. * * * If he concludes to take him, Charles will make you a visit and will need your ad­ vice in r to many details of the proposed arrangements * * *

Yours truly,

I. A. Lapham.

Milwaukee, April 10, 1859

Robt. Kennicott,

Dear Sir--

Your letter from Ann ^rbor about the Arctic expedition was received yesterday, answered and forwarded to Dr.

Hoy. I proposed to contribute $25 and asked that yon would col­ lect grasses, seeds ana mosses which could be done without outlay for paper &c. The mosses could be sent to me just as they are gathered and j can rstore them with moisture and prepare them for the herbarium at my leisure. * * *

Since writing that answer, we have concluded to do some­ thing more in the way of furnishing an assistant. Mr-. Charles A.

Hubbard, a ward of mine, has long wished for a n opportuni ty to make just such a tour and if you can take him with you on some fa­ vorable terms we will make an an sment to that effect. * * *

Yours truly,

I. A. La pham. -1143- 1359.

Milwaukee, April 12, 1359.

J. F. Willard, Esq.,

Pres. Wis. Agr. Soc.--

Dear Si r—

The Secretary of the State Agricultural scoiety has done me the honor to ask me to prepare another article for the "Trans­ actions* and I am -willing to continue my contributions, provided the Society will allow me suitable compensation. I think my former labors, gratuitiously given, are as much as I can afford or the

Society ought to ask of m .

I notice that the law, making the state appropriation, authorizes the application of the fund to "the prosecution of sci­ entific investigations and experiments, and the collection and diffusion of information tending to develope the natural and agri­ cultural resources of Wisconsin?"and as but little, if any, o:.' the appropriation has heretofore been expended in this direction, it

lid not be improper to set off a fair share of the $3,000 for making such, scientific investigations as will tend to develope and make known our vast agricultural resources.

I propose to you • society to make a regular Botanical survey of the state, reporting from time to time upon the natural resources of Wisconsin, so far as they depend on the vegetable

Kingdom, for a compensation of $500 a yea:.-, payable half yearly.

This would enable me to furnish for each of your future volumes articles like those on th J Glasses, and on the Forest Trees, al­ ready published, in the 3d and 4th volumes. Or, I will prepare an article during th e present year on the shrubs, or those woe- plants that do not attain the dignity of trees, with suitable draw- C frj

-1144- 1859.

ings &c., for the sum of $5 00. Or, lastly, I will prepare an elab­

orate meoir on the subject of the "Climate of Wisconsin," with maps

showing the isothermal lines &c, for the sam nsation. This would require me to visit the Smithsonian Institution at washi. -

ton, where all the materials are collected and to spend some time

there.

I may be excused for saying that it is such articles,

published in the "Transactions" that give them permanent value, and make them desired by people abroac . The accompanying extract

from Silliman's Journal of gcierc e and Art may be adduced as evi­

nce on this point.

Very re s p ec t fu 11 y yours,

I. A. Lapham.

From Silliman^s Journal of Science and Art (vol. xix,

page 442)--*Both as to the matter which they contain and tanner

in which theybare edited and printed The "Agricultural Transact­

ions' of the young state of Wisconsin compare most gavorably with

those of any of the older states. * * * At the close oi' the vol­ ume nearly one hundred pages are occupied by Mr. lapham,s faithful and excellent account of the*@-rasses of Wisconsin" prefaced by a general account of the family and a convenient artificial ar­ rangement or key to the grasses of the northwestern states. The species are well described in plain botanical language, their qualities and uses indicated, good 8vo plates of eleve-n species ao given each accompanied by magnified analyses v i' die parts of fruc­ tification and similar' analyses ot' many more species are given on another plate. These are creditably executed from original draw­

ings by Mr. Lapham himself, and they will afford invaluable assis- ?«-

-1145- 1859.

tance to the. student of this difficult but very important natural order of plants, most important to the agriculturist since it furnishes the principal sustenance of nan and the domestic animals.

Janesvi11e, May 5, 1859.

I. A. Lapham, Esq.,

Dear Sir —

Yours of April 12$h was received last even­ ing, I have been absent from home. * * * By mistake yo ?r letter was not forwarded to me, and consequently has remained unanswered until now. In regard to the subject matter I most heartily coin­ cide. We propose to obtain for our next volume of Transactions some articles of superior merit j and the subjects you suggest, are very important ones and perhaps the most so of any at present, but the amount our "board" may think proper to set apart for the payment of such servicesha.s not been decided yet, but will be at

• next meeting. * * * In very great haste,

Ve ry tru 1 y yours,

J. P. Will a- .

P. Sf There is another subject upon which 1 should like an arti­ cle, especially since our two hard winters have killed so many of our valuable fruit and ornamental trees* and that is what fruit and ornamental trees would be sure to stand our climate in view of our isothermal position, arrived at from the known facts of simi­ lar locations, this would necessarily involve researches into the history of plants &c., in like latitudes of other countries.

Z~L•u. «j_ p K h>XX£,t n-y XX / "I was the first to decid ued observations that there was a slight lunar tide on ; Mich- j¥&

• 1146- 1359. igan—a tide which is so slight" that it can only be detected by

numerous observations and by deducing the mean or average for

long periods.

These series of observations show other laws which I have

never yet. published to the world." --La t.-t er—t-o T~»—3-?—Drape >•-,—May- >< * *

J^zf< w^v

M r . Increase A. La pha m,

Dear Sir—

Will you be kind enough to inform me

how the city of Milwaukee was originally spelled and .^iftir is the

authority for spelling it k i e instead of kee-, which we find to b-;

the case on some of the old maps (for instance Mitchell's Map published 1833, entered 1836) it is a matter of sane importance

to know. I should like the spelling of the word in the applica­

tion for charter in 1330, * * * as it is to decide a bet you will please be a little particular. \

Res pec tfull y,

J. W. Hauxhurst,

May 23, 1859. Care T. Putnam & Co., New York.

Milwaukee, pray 27, 1859.

J. W. Hau xhurs t,

Dear Sir-

In answer to your note of this 23d, I have

to say that the name of our gpity and of the town, county &c t, was always Milwaukee.It is so on the original recorded platg in

the first charter and in the laws relating to glace. I have fr?

-1147- 1059.

no means of knowing how the name in the application for the char­

ter is, but have no doubt it corresponded with the charter as

granted, which is with the proper terminal letters kee.

At on 2 time the good people on the east side of the

river, for our river at that time had two sides to it, took it

into their heads to mis-spell the name kie and it became quite

fashionable on that side-, but never on the other side. One could

tell on which side a citizen resided by the way he spelled the name I

Unluckily the postmaster happened to be on the east side

of the river and had his stamp prepared with the _j_ in it, so that

all letters sent from here were for many years incorrectly stamped

even long after the feeling on the subject had ceased. This

tended to p rpetuate the error, especially among strangers who hi

ocas ion to receive letters from her;.

Nobody here now thinks of using the kie, it is confined

almost exclusively to strangers and a v erir few who, perhaps from habit continue the jL, though they know it to be wrong.

You r s t ru 1 y,

1. A. Lapham.

Madison, Juno 7, li

My t - Ir. Lapham--

You. see by the heading of this letter that 1

have not yet. got "the hang" of my new psition -ncS. I shall be obli­ ged until after commencement, to decline all invitations to lec­

ture and think of nothing beyond learning how to be useful in my

new field of labor. * * * 1 am none the less grateful to you foi ?;'

-1148- 1859.

offering me this opportunity of becoming acquainted with t te Mil­

waukee Female College and with the Milwaukee folks. * * *

Very tmly yours,

H enr,r B a ri la rd.

Grand Rapids, Jul."" 1, 1859.

I. A. Lapham

On account of old acquaintance I take the

liberty of introducing to you my son Howard yo.rrer. * *• * Howard

has some taste for the study of botany and other kindre.. sciences

and knowing your inclinations in the same direction and not doubt- valuable ing that you have laid up a goodly dtor; ofAinformation and that

you will take pleasure in imparting knowledge to young men, I feel

free to ask your favorable notice of Howard so far as you may be able without trespassing on your time. * * *

It is so long since I have heard from you or of you, that

I feel pleased at this opportunity of renewing old recollections

of a pleasnt nature and shall be particula- ly gratified to hear from you.

Yours truly,

Saml Forrer.

Dayton, Ogio, July 20, 1050.

Mr. I. A. Lapham,

Dear Sir--

If you feel half aa much pleasure in receiv­

ing this small collection of plants as i experienced in collecting

-lid 9- 1859.

each individual plant, I shall be well pleased and feel as though

I had in some measure repaid the kind attentions you showed me

while I was in Milwaukee. * * *

Yours reape c tfull y,

Howard Forrer.

Racine, Aug. 9, 1859.

I. A. Lapham, Esq.,

Dea r S ir--

We shall have an extra plate for

you and Mr. Metcal f on Thursday at dinner (should the weather be

fine, should it prove stormy, come the first goo -). - will

find lots of candidates for the aquarium. Don't fail, bring any

or all of your family along.

Naturalists and their friends are always welcome at our

table.

Yours truly,

P. R. Hoy.

-4H-H-B-H-}- Detroit, Aug. 9, 1869.

I. A. La pham, gsq .,

Dear Sir--

* * * * * I write to ascertain if you are

in town as j desire to see you when in Milwaukee and be governed

by your advice and judgment in the selection of a suitable posi­

tion for my tideguage. * * * In the hope of hearing you are at home, I remain,

Most truly yours, Geo r. Meade, Capt. Top. Eng. ft?

-1150- Itfty.

Aug. 20/ Observations taken today at my residence corner of Poplar

and Fourth treats by Mr. Smith U. S. A. for declination, dip &c.

of magnetic needle. Var 6°20* E. Dip 73°57'r.

Aug. 22. Met'l observations commenced for Lake Survey. Also set

up a self-registering tideguage (.mad* h%. Caast Survey) on the nc

pie1" of city harbor.

Aug. 24. Set water g e foot of Poplar street so that the zero of guage is 5 feet above, *zero of grades which is low water of March, 1036, and zero of all

former observations made by me..

Aug 27. Steamers Milwaukee and Detroit entered harbor at 11 A.M.

Splendid aurora Sunday 9 P. M.

Terre Haute, Ind., Oct. 12, 1359.

To Dr. I. A. Lapham,

Dear Sir--

The times have brought with other changes

a change and a renewal of the "Class BOOK of Botany" to which long

since you vouchsafed essentia! aid. It seems to me proper (and

certainly agreeable) to drop you this line, dear sir, reminding

you of this fact, and of my still grateful remembrance of your

munificent contributions. I doubt not you have been an attentive

observer of nature since, as before that time, and have probably

recorded some facts of importance to the science of botany, which

ought in some way to oe rendered available to the students of this

department of knowledge. I therefore write you once mora after a

long silence between us to ask you to favor me (an. public 1

with any facts or discoveries in relation to the plants of your s$aute or region that I may insert then in their proper place int. "New Class Book." * * * Yo ich ool ble servant, Alphonso Woot . • /J TO . /tlf

Ia>ct^xlux-(><^. itr^-*uh^u^ ffc^uu^

Jjc-txX- ^UA,: /m §ut O^ p£*. t^ Y ^h^ ~

tksC^v-^tx" /X t>-*-t»>-*-%_ Cl*u»~rit\ »— e^x^eJ-ot-*-^-^- >MJuy t^XL\Jt-^/xi-cJtttvt>'

SiuU*-a- if h£z iA^Tctt\- *f ZtX- <>i-L^x^L^ l&U *— czc^^^> £y a^ f?*^^

^ t£*Jr aU^ Z~ <&Lo ^^^ u^>L ^tb- ^

fcr\^ju ±- t^^? J U-*~u~<~ (ZW* n^. £^t*A

/ffi6 ) &Jti~& *&*•* s£*d**- <-»^~>-*^-' c^Lc*-^y*^) (&xi*Jt& KlsJL4uiuixA-L,*

ttt<-fft<-^ - ?fr^

-1151- 1859.

Oct . 21. Went to Waukesha with Prof. James Hall, State Geologist?

Oct. 22. Want to the quarries of Mud Creek and on the Milwaukee river.

ABOUT THE CLIMATE OF WISCONSIN.

To the Editors of the Free Democrat--

Though very numerous obser­ vations have oeen made by the voluntary efforts of persons inter­ ested in promoting scientific enquiries, with the barometer, ther­ mometer, rain guages &c., in various parts of this state, but few have oeen made on the state of the atmosphere as to the amount of moisture which it contains from time to time. To suppyy this de- ficier ;. E. P. Larkin, Principal of one of our- public (Free) 3W High Schooljr'has commenced a series of observations on the.W>©int . Water is coiled down in a thin metallic 't three times daily, until moisture begins to form little drops on the exterior o surface. The temperature of the water at this moment is the'*d point." When th here is cooled down to this point, fog be­ gins to appear* or if in the higher regions, '©suit is a clou .

The dew point being known, the degree of saturation of the air with vapor, and alsoMits weight an] elastic force is found, by refer­ ence to tables carefully prepared and published by the Smithsonian

Ins ti tution.

Dr. Charles Winkler records the state 0 3 rometer, thermometer, &c, so that the climate of milwaukee will soon be accurately known. f rf

-1152. 1859.

The mean results of these observations a- iptember,

1859, is as follows--

Barometer (reduced to 32° F.) 29.293

Temperature of the open air 60o

Dew point 03°

Relative humidity (safuration being 100 73

Force of pressure of vapor in inches of mercury 0.877

Weight of a cubic foot of vapor in the air (grains) 4.887.

So it, appears that during the month of September t quantity of aqueous sapor in the atmosphere at Milwaukee was less than three fourths what is necessary to produce complete satura­ tion and cause the \v ecipitation of moisture in the form of rain or fog* that it was necessary to cool the air eight degrees to produce this result, and that about, one eighth of the whole -of weight of the atmosphere upon the ground was due to thetpeaence of vapor of water. It is found by experiment that the air is one degree colder for every one hundred yards of elevation above the surface of the earth, and consequently in September the \ d ; at cloud >egin to >ar ;. SOO'yardsf: 4 or if sir at tat surface could be forced up to that elevation it jrould begin to give out the moisture causing rain. These observations when compared with others in different places, and continued throu ;h the year will become very valuable as showing how our climate compares with world, that, of other parts of the-s-fcafce The comfort and. even health of inhabitants depends much upon the hygrometrical condition of the air, and the growth of vegetables and of various crops is material­ ly affected by it. How important then it becomes, for us to study the subject. I, A. L.

-1153- 1859.

VAPOR IN THE AIR.

BY I. A. Laphi

—o —

We are usually told by the nooks and by leeturere that the atmosphere consists of two gases, oxygen and nitrogen in t proportions of21 of the former and 79 parts of the latter. Chemiss also admit a very small propo out one part in one thousand of carbonic acid. Small Qjb this quantify of carbonic acid may seem

to be, it nevertheless furnishes nearly all the carbon or charcoal to the vegetable world. Without tl^is small prportion of carbon

; air no plants could live--and con itly no animals who are all, directly or indirectly, sustained upon vegetables.

But there is another very important element in the atmos­ phere, equally important both to animal and vegetable life, which

-ally overlooke ig casual or acc4dental--I allude to the vapor of water existing in trio air, *he proportion of which the amount of as compared with evepy~«fea?«»$9 air, ia constantly varying with every change < f ".;ind and weather. In a hot day the proportion of vapor may be as much as 1/2 (equal to 2.5 inches mercury) or on a cold day, or the air is unusually dry the proportion is exceedingly small. There- is however no time or place when a where there is no moisture in the air.

When the air has about its ordinary sunnier heat in this climate {60°^.) the quantity of vapor which the atmosphere could hold is about 1/60 — and if w atmosphere and its

;redients separately it would be found that about one pound in every sixty is due to trie weight of the vapor. weight or pressure of the atmosphere is about 15 pounds to each, square inch then - sixty pounds on four square inches. We have a weight or A pressure of one pound of aqueous vapor on every four square inches 1,1

1154- 1059. of surface.

The absolute amount of vapor in the atmosphere is not important as the relative quantity* that is, the quantity as com­ pared to wtttUr atmosphere at the time is capable of holding .

This capacity for holding vapor is increas Increase of temperature.

When the thermometer is 15° above zero the air will con­ tain twice as much as when the thermometer in the open air stands a t zero.

n at 31° twice as much as at 15°

- - 50° _____ 3lo

_ _ 7Qo _____ 50°

940 _ _ _ _ _ ^0° &c.

But it is not so much the exact amount por in the air that concerns us as the relative proportion as compared with the full amount which the air could contain 1 'en ten - - ture. Thus absolute quantity ma to exert a pressure or elastic force of half an inch of mercury, and if the temperature of the air is /*0° it will DO necessary to cool the air

11" before moisture will be deposited on surrounding objects* if the temperature i: (p3T° it. will require only a reduction of 6°.

A knowledge of the principles governing the atmospheric

"or is important to the architect and builder. 1 have a ne ighoo whose house is so constructed for lack of this knowledge that the walls are like the tumbler in taking the dew point, ar 1 con- covered by CL, stantly taking-t-ke deposit, of moisture that renders t is e almos- uninhabitable. Curtains bee or- and mouldy* the wall paper peels off* metallic implements become oxydized* the inmates n*-

-1155- 1859.

take colds* fires are needed at midsummer to k rooms suffic*

ientl; . -: for use. . The result is that tenants avoid the house and

it stands idle* taxes must be i but no rents are received. A

little practical application of the knowledge we have of the nature

o;' atmospheric vapor and the effects of the changes of temperature upon it would have . all this.

The baroaeter is an instrument by which we ascertain

the weight or pressure of the atmosphere. It is composed of two

Creek words which signify "the air" and "to measure." It is so

contrived that a column of mercury in a glass 'tube is exactly bal­

anced by the weight: of the atmosphere on the mercury in a cup at

the lower end cf the glass tube, exactly as the merchant balances

1 goods on one s&wta of the scales by weights on the other. The

level of the column of mercury necessary to balance relght

of the air ii 30 inciaes, which weighs not quite fifteen pounds for

a square inch* at our elevation the air is a little lighter, requir­

ing only about 29 1/2 inches for mercury to balance it and being

only about 1/4 of a pound less on every square inch.

Now if the air is saturated with moisture, that is, if

i' contained as much as it could hold, without letting it fall in

of dew or rain, and had a temperature of 40° F. a a.

1/4 of an inch of this column of mercury would be due to the vapor.

If the temperature was 59° it would be l/2 inch.

If 80° 1 inch.

If 10 'o 2 inches. d??/ 3

1156- 1859.

From the Milwaukee Free Democrat, Nov. 11, 1859.

IMPORTANT OHOLOOIOAL DISCOVERY.

At the last meeting of the club or association which has been organized to discuss matters De'lating to geological science,

Mr. I. A. Lapham announced the ddscovery of rocks near Milwaukee, equivalent in age to the Old Red Sandstone of Europe (Devonian) and containing remains which he exhibited of those strange extinct fishes, about which Hugh Miller discoursed so eloquently and so well. These remains do not show trie entire fish, but consist of fragments of bone teeth, a fin or paddle, with portions of the tuberculated skin or shagreen. The roctt lies above the Niagara groups (Silurian) and is the newest of the rock formations proper, yet discovered in Wisconsin."

This discovery was also announced in Silliman's Journal vol. 29, 2d series p. 145. y« ;u^^> ajr**jz^ T- _ J / e-

7-vw J) VOA_A_ . _x__^4^t^«^-^^

J /-_*_!_) o—-^c ^~-*- ^ c •e- ^ t> o^-^ ^^ l^^y^,u~^tfr J 0^Z>

Z & §0-^yy-sJjLc^ %-eJLC^cttKs \\y2SUAr\str*A^tt*y

/^•^

^Jh ^wv- ^fc^ &T /wd_ r^y^-^^

J o^sz Zrt-H' l'+-t^x^-y= ^ZZx^^Z <^

' -+tS ^ t J ^L> £^ <-/^—- '^A^-td CK^^L-^yU^-^ 4J-u^A-^ t-n- -isw- t-^-Ay-^~*—iw 1 ffH

-1157- 1859.

Nov. 9. Went with T. ff. Hale to Saukville to hunt for fcasils.&C.

On the east side of the ri^sr are some remarkable drift ridges 1/2 mile long, nearly east and west. Another has a crescent form between two marshes, -Jtuw-

Madison , Wis., Friday, Nov. 13,1859.

I. A. Lapham,

My dea r Sir--

I thank you for your favor of the 14th inst.

The trip you. propose would be preferable to the projected Red.

River excursion. * * * 1 agree with, you that an examination of that isolated region would be attended with useful and perhaps profitable results. * * *

Theodore Dwaight, the corresponding secretary of the

N. Y. Ethnological Society, sent me the Evening Post containing mention of our mound exploration and he said that he intended to prepare for publication in the N. Y. Times the correspondence, your paper and the proceedings in reference thereto by the society and perhaps a pamphlet would be issued embracing the matter in full. * * *

S incor ely yours,

Ceo. P. Helaplaine.

St. Louis, Nov. 23, 1859.

3y dea*"Mr. Lapham--

I was glad to hear from you and hdpe you continue your botanical researches, as in fact I see that you do from specimen Euphorbia, you sent. This Euphorbia is another instance of the many truly western plants which in your stare cross -1158- 1859.

the Mississippi. You will also probably find the Buffalo grass in

Wisconsin. * * * Man y years ago you. offered me if I am not mistakep

live plants * * * from your . As a public spirited and en­

thusiastic gentleman of our city, Mr. Shaw, is forming now botanical museum in good style, your former offer , if

still available, may be accepted. Meanwhile, if you come across

objects for the museum such as a good-sized piece of wood or a_ whole stem of Pinus Banksiana and other things peculiar to you. in

the north, please lay aside for us. Of course any peculiar plants

will be acceptable now as ever formerly.

Very truly yours,

Geo. En;-el ma nn .

Sal em, W as., Nov. 29, 1859.

My Dear Mr. Lapham, My old acquainjrance--

I am much pleas

to find that you are yet alive and awake to Natural History. * * *

Your newspaper account of the Devonian in your vicinity pleased me much, but I hope you will reserve frorae specimens for the Essex In­

stitute. * * * Always happy to hear from you.

I r era a in you r f r i end,

John L. Russell.

Near Louisville, Ky., December 10,1859.

I. A. La ph am,

My deai' Sir —

Feel Lng very sensibly that my botanical la bora (as well as all other worldly avocations) are Lng to a Hi

-1159- 1859. close, I have felt desirous of distributing among my quondam friends and correspondents a sons idera Die mass of duplicate speci­ mens. * * * And. in carrying out this meaaare 1 have Ventured to lay aside one parcel for yourself. In it you will doubtless find somethings which I have had the pleasure of communicating to you in bygone times, when our intercommunications more frequent than they have been of late. * * * Whatever may be the worth or worthlessness of the collection it is most probably the last one which ! shall have the pleasure of sending you and in reverting to my mand botanical correspondents I can honestly assure you that there are few who have contributed more to my pleasure and gratifie cation than yours-elf by the many beautiful and characteristic specimens you have had the kindness to send me.

As you are a comparatively young man I trust you may ^et have many years to devote to the "amiable sciences" after 1 and my humble laoors have been forgotten .

Wishing you all happiness in this Jifo, and that far greater happiness reserved for the blessed in the life to come, I am, my dea r sir,

V e ry tuu 1 y you rs ,

C. W. Short.

Milwaukee, Dec. 12, 185' .

E. Hall , jgsq. ,

Dea r Sir~-

It alsways affords me pleasure to ai any­ one devoted to the study of any of the b ranches of the uatural or

Physical sciences, so far as I can do so* but I fear I shall not b. able to aid you much in y< "esoarches. 117

-1100- 1859.

There is no genera! work on the © nchology of this coun­

try* the species are described in various works. The Unios are mostly scattered through the volumes of the transactions of the

American PHil, Soc. of Phila.

The same is true of Entomolgy. To make a study of eith­ er one must consult a large library or communicate with other natu­ ralists who have access to the books. Your safest way is to col­

lect many duplicates and send them to be named for you.

Some persons use oil or varnish on their a'noils, but most naturalists prefer to have them in their natural condition, well cleaned, I do not know how to prevent, the Anodons &c., from breaking by changes of weather.

I send you by express a copy of the volume of Wis. Ag.

Trans, which contains my catalogue &c. Can you secure me a copy of vol. 3 of your Illinois Transactions, which I hear- has just been published. I have not seen it yet.

It is not. at all strange that my catalogue of Illinois plants was not complete* it would have been parsing strange if it were otherwise 1 Some botanist of your state should una work of making a supplementary list, which should include the spe­ cies found by all .

Philipoea Ludoviviana was credited to Illinois on t authority od Mr. E. Hall in Cray's Manual, 2d ed. P. 381. Oood authority, I presumel

1 could, send you. a few shells front her.-- but nothing like a full suit, as my duplicates are not. numerous.

Perhaps it would be well for you to send me specimens of your new Illinois plants, especially the mor - rare and doubtful ones. Do you collect mosses? I coulf -. in determining -1101- them and would like to see '-hat species 4h your part of the state. Many kinds may be coll oted in winter in fruit. They may be sent in masses as they are collected and I will prepare them for the herbarium should they prove worthy.

Yours truly,

I.A.Lapham.

Milwaukee Dec,12thml859.

A.D.Bache,Sup*t. Coast Survey,—

Dear Sir,-

I send another sheet with a few elevations recently as­ certained in the region of Lake Superior, also a map of a remarka­ ble range of Iron mountains,which contains information not yet published on any map.

As you seem to desire information in much detail perhaps you had better commission me to obtain full profiles of the several railroads radiating front here,copied on "profile paper" as is us­ ual with R.Road Engineers.

I think this,which would give you all you could desire^ could be done. There is an extensive system of railroads cen­ tering at Chicago,the profiles of which would be valuable to you.

The elevations of the Mississippi river formerly sent are supposed to refer to the low water,though it is possible that this point may not always have been ascertained with accuracy.

I do not place entire confidence in the elevation of Lake

Michigan above the ocean (578 ft.Jas given in the state geological reports of Michigan. A request from you to the proper officers of the "Buffalo and Lake Huron Railway",of the "$rand Trunk Railway", ff

-1102- 1359. and the "Northern Railway"(from Toronto to Collingwood) might A bring out the true elevation.

Should you be able to ascertain the true elevation of

Lake Huron (Michigan is the same) I wish you would let me know it.

I believe no levels have been yet extended to Lake Superior.

yours truly,

I.A.La pham.

C o a s t 5urv e y Office, y Washing ton D. C .Dec ,f.0,135 9 .

I.A.Lapham Esq. C.E,

Milwaukee, Wis.

r Sir,--

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the

12th inst.giving additional communication of elevations near Lake

Superior and a map of the Penokee Iron Range,for all of which please to accept my best thanks.

I am obliged to you for your suggestion as to gathering detailed plats of profiles of railroads centering at Milwaukee and

Chicago, but in the present stage of the enquiry,wit i limited funds available,and ^considerable mass of material has already bean A collected,it is deemed hardly advisable to take any further steps m in that direction.

As you remark,the hitherto received hight above the sea A of Lake Michigan is somewhat doubtful. * * * With renewal of my previous offer to supply you with any information desired, I remain,

Yours very respectfully, A.D.Bache, Sunt.U.S.Coast Survey. ftp*

-1103- 1859.

NOTE . -o-

The great storm Nov.1859 was first clearly indicated on the evening of the 23rd fully twenty four hours before the commence ment of the heavy wind,by an unusual elevation of the mercury in the barometer,amounting to 1/2 an inch above the mean. This high barometer continued until nine o'clock A.M. on the 25th,when the mercury began to fall and went down with a steady and uniform mo­ tion until half past 5 in the evening of that day. This fall was accompanied by rain and occasional gusts of wind, at this time

Mercury began to rise and the wind began to blow a heavy gale

(Sketch ) which continued throughout the night. AT© J*i* -o-

N 0 T E.

—__ f~\ v _/, _ -_

A series of observations made at Elgin 111.,a whole de-

;e of latitude south of this city,shows very clearly that we are indebted to Lake Michigan for the moderate weather we enjoyed in

January.

Mean temperature Jan'y at Elgin 1.7.40 Milwaukee 21.90

Highest Jan'y 6th & 23rd,Elgin 39 " 45

Lowest " 31st, " " -39 " -10