Summary Narrative of an Exploratory Expedition to the Sources of the Mississippi River, in 1820 / Resumed and Completed, by the Discovery of its Origin in Itasca Lake, in 1832

by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft

5. ZOOLOGY.

No professed zoologist was attached to the expedition, the topic being left to such casual attention as members of it might find it convenient to bestow. Of the fauna of the region, it was not believed that there were any of the prominent species which were improperly classed in the Systema Naturæ of Linnæus. It was doubtless desirable to know something more particularly of the character and habitat of the American species of the reindeer (C. sylvestris) and hyena, or glutton. Perhaps something new was to be gleaned respecting the extent of the genera arctomys and sciurus, among the smaller quadrupeds, and in the departments of birds and reptilia. The mode of travel gave but little opportunity of meeting the larger species in their native haunts, but it afforded opportunities of examining the skins of the quadrupeds at the several trading stations, and of listening to the narrations of persons who had engaged in their capture.

In effect, the crustacea of the streams furnished the most constant and affluent subject for enlarging the boundaries of species and varieties. The collections in this department were referred to members of the Lyceum of Natural History at New York, and of the Academy of Natural Sciences at Philadelphia. The results of their examinations have been published in two of the principal scientific journals of the country. It had been originally proposed to republish these papers in this Appendix, together with that on the botanical collections, and some other topics; but the long time that has elapsed, renders it, on second thought, inexpedient. Distinct references to the several papers are given.

XII.
A Letter embracing Notices of the Zoology of the Northwest.

By Henry R. Schoolcraft.

Vernon, N.Y., October 27, 1820.

Dear Sir: I reached this place, on my return from the sources of the Mississippi River, on the 21st instant, having left the canal at Oneida Creek at four o'clock in the morning, whence I footed it three miles through the forest, by a very muddy road, to the ancient location of Oneida Castle, while my baggage was carried by a man on horseback.

The plan of the expedition embraced the circumnavigation of the coasts of Lakes Huron, Michigan, and Superior. From the head of the latter, we ascended the rapid River of St. Louis to a summit which descends west to the Upper Mississippi, the waters of which we entered about five hundred miles above the Falls of St. Anthony, and some three hundred miles above the ulterior point reached with boats by Lieutenant Pike in December, 1805.

From this point we ascended the Mississippi, by its involutions, to its upper falls at Pakagama, where it dashes over a rock formation. A vast plateau of grass and aquatic plants succeeds, through which it winds as in a labyrinth. On this plateau we encountered and passed across the southern Lake Winnipek. Beyond this, the stream appears to be but little diminished, unless it be in its depth. It is eventually traced to a very large lake called Upper Lac Ceder Rouge, but to which we applied the name of Cass Lake. This is the apparent navigable source of the river, and was our terminal point. It lies in latitude 47° 25´ 23´´.

The whole of this summit of the continent is a vast formation of drift and boulders, deposited in steps. In descending it, we found the river crossed by the primitive rocks in latitude about 46°, and it enters the great limestone formation by the cataract of St. Anthony's Falls, in latitude 44° 58´ 40´´. We descended the river below this point, by its windings among high and picturesque cliffs, to the influx of the Wisconsin, estimated to be three hundred miles. Thence we came through the Wisconsin and Fox valleys to Green Bay, on an arm of Lake Michigan, and, having circumnavigated the latter, returned through Lakes Huron and St. Clair to Detroit. The line of travel is about four thousand two hundred miles. Such a country—for its scenery, its magnificence, and resources, and the strong influence it is destined ultimately to have on the commerce, civilization, and progress of the country—the sun does not shine on! Its topography, latitudes and longitudes, heights and distances, have been accurately obtained by Captain Douglass, of West Point, who will prepare an elaborate map and description of the country.

Personally, I have not been idle. If I have sat sometimes, in mute wonder, gazing on such scenes as the Pictured Rocks of Lake Superior, or the sylvan beauty and mixed abruptness of the Falls of St. Anthony, it has been but the idleness of admiration. I have kept my note book, my sketch-book, and my pencil in my hands, early and late; nor have once, during the whole journey, transferred myself, at an early hour, from the camp-fire or pallet to the canoe, merely to recompose myself again to sleep. If the mineralogy or geology of the country often presented little to note, the scenery, or the atmosphere, or that lone human boulder, the American Indian, did. The evidences of the existence of copper in the basin of Lake Superior are ample. There is every indication of its abundance that the geologist could wish. Nature here has operated on a grand scale. By means of volcanic fires, she has infused into the trap-rocks veins of melted metal, which not inaptly represent the arteries of the human system; for wherever the broken-down shores of this lake are examined, they disclose, not the sulphurets and carbonates of this ore, but fragments and lumps of virgin veins. These, the winds and waves have scattered far and wide.

But what, you will ask, can be reported of its quadrupeds, birds, reptilia, and general zoology? Have you measured the height and length of the mastodon—"the great bull"—who the Indians told Mr. Jefferson resisted the thunderbolts, and leaped over the great lakes?[ [252] Truly, I beg you to spare me on this head. You are aware that we had no professed zoologist.

I herewith inclose you a list of such animals as came particularly under our notice. Imperfect as it is, it will give you the general facts. The dried and stuffed skins of such species as were deemed to be undescribed, or were otherwise worthy attention, will be transmitted for description. Among these is a species of squirrel, of peculiar character, from the vicinity of St. Peter's, together with a species of mus, a burrowing animal, which is very destructive to vegetation. This appears to be the hamster of Georgia. Of the larger class of quadrupeds, we met, in the forest traversed, the black bear, deer, elk, and buffalo. The latter we encountered in large numbers, about one hundred and fifty miles above the Falls of St. Anthony, about latitude 45°, on the east bank of the river. We landed for the chase, and had a full opportunity of observing its size, color, gait, and general appearance.

Great interest was imparted to portions of the tour by the ornithology of the country, and it only required the interest and skill in this line of a Wilson or an Audubon, to have not only identified, but also added to the list of species.[ [253]

The geological character of the country has been found highly interesting. The primitive rocks rise up in high orbicular groups on the banks of Lake Superior. The interstices between groups are filled up with coarse red, gray, or mottled sandstone, which lies, generally, in a horizontal position, but is sometimes waved or raised up vertically. Volcanic fires have played an important part here. I have been impressed with the fact that the granitical series are generally deficient in mica, its place being supplied by hornblende. Indeed, the rock is more truly sienite, very little true granite being found, and, in these cases, it is in the form of veins or beds in the sienite.

There have also been great volcanic fires and upliftings under the sources of the Mississippi. Greenstone and trap are piled up in huge boulders. The most elevated rock, in place, on the sources of the Mississippi, is found to be quartzite. This is at the Falls of Pakagama. In coming down the Mississippi, soon after passing the latitude of 46°, the river is found to have its bed on greenstones and sienites, till reaching near to the Falls of St. Anthony, where the great western horizontal limestone series begins. To facilitate the study of the latter, opportunities were sought of detecting its imbedded forms of organic life, but their infrequency, and the rapid mode of our journeying, was averse to much success in this line without the boundaries of the great lake basins.

In the department of mineralogy, I have not as brilliant a collection as I brought from Potosi in 1819—but, nevertheless, one of value—the country explored being a wilderness, and very little labor having been applied in excavations. Among the objects secured, I have fine specimens of the various forms of native copper and its ores, together with crystallized sulphurets of lead, zinc, and iron; native muriate of soda, graphite, sulphate of lime, and strontian, and the attractive forms which the species of the quartz family assume, in the shore debris of the lakes, under the names of agate, carnelian, &c. The whole will be prepared and elaborately reported to the Department.

I found the freshwater shells of this region to be a very attractive theme of observation in places

"Where the tiger steals along,

And the dread Indian chants his dismal song;"

where, indeed, there was scarcely anything else to attract attention; and I have collected a body of bivalves, which will be forwarded to our mutual friend, Dr. Mitchell, for description. Indeed, the present communication is designed, after you have perused it, to pass under his eye. No one in our scientific ranks is more alive to the progress of discovery in all its physical branches. Governor Clinton, in one of his casual letters, has very happily denominated him the Delphic oracle, for all who have a question to ask come to him, and his scientific memory and research, in books, old and new, are such, that it must be a hard question indeed which he cannot solve.

Next to him, as an expounder of knowledge, you, my dear sir, as the representative of the corps editorial, take your place. For, if it is the writer of books who truly increases information, every decade's experience more and more convinces me that it is the editor of a diurnal journal who diffuses it, by his brief critical notices, or by giving a favorable or unfavorable impetus to public opinion.

I am expected, I find, to publish my private narrative of the expedition, to serve at least—if I may say so—as a stay to popular expectation, until the more matured results can be duly elaborated. I am taking breath here, among my friends, for a few days, and shall be greatly governed by your judgment in the matter, after my arrival at Albany.

I am, sir,
With sincere respect,
Your obedient servant,
HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT.

To Nathaniel H. Carter, Esq., Albany.

List of Quadrupeds, Birds, &c. observed.
The identification of species in this list, by giving the Indian name, is herein fixed.

ENGLISH NAME.	INDIAN (ALGONQUIN) NAME.	SCIENTIFIC NAME.
Buffalo,	Pe-zhík-i,[ [254]	Bos Americanus. Gm.
Elk,	Mush-kos,	Cervus Canadensis. L.
Deer (common),	Wa-wash-ká-shi,	Cervus Virginianus. Gm.
Moose,	Möz,	Cervus alces. L.
Black Bear,	Muk-wah,	Ursus Americanus. Gm.
Wolf (gray),	My-een-gan,	Canis vulpes. L.
Wolverine,	Gwin-gwe-au-ga,[ [255]	Ursus luscus. L.
Fox (red),	Waú-goosh	Canis vulpes. L.
Badger,	Ak-kuk-o-jeesh,	Meles labradoria. C.
Fox (black),	Muk-wau-goosh,	Canis argenteus. C.
Muskrat,	Wau-zhusk,	Fiber vulgaris. C.
Martin,	Wau-be-zha-si,	Mustela mortes. L. & B.
Fisher,	O-jeeg,	Mustela Pennanti. C. Am. ed., app. v.
Beaver,	Am-ik,	Castor fiber. B.
Otter,	Ne-gik,	Lutra vulgaris. L.
Porcupine,	Kaug,	Hystrix cristata. C.
Raccoon,	Ais-e-bun (from ais, a shell, and bun,past tense),	Procyon lotor. C.
Hare,	Wau-bose,	Lepus Americanus. Gm.
Polecat,	She-kaug,	Mephites putorius. Cu.
Squirrel (red),	Ad-je-dah-mo,	Sciurus vulgaris. C.
Squirrel (ground or striped),	Ah-gwing-woos,	Sciurus striatus. C.
Squirrel (an apparently new species).
Pouched Rat or Hamster,	No-naw-pau-je-ne-ka-si,	Mus busarius. Shaw.
Weasel,	Shin-gwoos,	Mustela vulgaris. L.
Mink,	Shong-waish-ke,	Mustela lutreola. C.
Jerboa, called the Jumping Mouse,[ [256]		Dipus. C.
Eagle (bald),	Mik-a-zi,[ [257]	F. lucocephulus. L.
Fork-tailed Hawk,	Ca-niew,	F. furcatus. L.
Chicken Hawk,	Cha-mees,	F. communis. C.
Pigeon Hawk,	Pe-pe-ge-wa-zains,	F. columbarius. Wilson.
Raven,	Kaw-gaw-ge,	Corvus corax. L.
Crow,	On-daig,	C. corone. L.
Magpie,	Wau-bish-kau-gau-gi (White Raven),[ [258]	C. pica. L.
Cormorant,	Kau-kau-ge-sheeb (Raven-duck),	P. carbe. Brin.
Pelican,	Shay-ta,	P. onocrotalus. Illig.
Goose,	Wa-wa,	An. anser. L.
Brant,	Ne-kuh,	An. bernicla. Wilson.
Duck (d. and m.),	Shee-sheeb (a generic term),	Anas.
Duck (saw-bill),	On-zig,	A. tadorna. C.
Duck (Red-head or Fall)	Misquon-dib,	A. rufus. Gm.
Duck (alewives),	Ah-ah-wa.
Swan,	Wau-bis-si,	A. cygnus. C.
Heron,	Moosh-kow-e-si,	Ardea. C.
Plover,	Tchwi-tchwish-ke-wa,	Charadriûs. C.
Turkey,	Mis-is-sa,	Meleagris. C.
Blackbird,	Os-sig-in-ok,	The red-winged species.
Rail,	Muk-ud-a-pe-nais,
Jay (blue),	Dain-da-si,[ [259]	Garrulus. C.
Whippoorwill,	Paish-kwa,	Caprimulgas. L.
Robin,	O-pee-chi,	T. migratorius. L.
Kingfisher,	Me-je-ge-gwun-a,	Alcedo. C.
Pigeon,	O-mee-mi,	Columba emigratoria.
Partridge,	Pe-na,[ [260]	Tetrao. C.
Crane,	Ad-je-jawk,	Crane family.
Gull,	Ky-aushk,	Gull family.
Woodpecker,	Ma-ma,	Picus. C.
Snipe,	Pah-dus-kau-unzh-i,	Scolipax. C.
Owl,	Ko-ko-ko-o,[ [261]	Generic terms for the species.
Loon,	Mong,
Mocking-bird (seen as far north as Michilimackinac),		T. polyglotis. Wilson.
Sturgeon,	Na-ma,	Acipenser. L.
Sturgeon (paddle-nose),	Ab-we-on-na-ma,	Acipenser spatularia. C.
White-fish,	Ad-ik-um-aig[ [262] (means deer of the water).
Salmon trout,	Na-ma-gwoos,	Salmo. L.
Trout (speckled),	Na-zhe-ma-gwoos,
Carp,	Nam-a-bin,	Denotes the red fin.
Catfish,	Miz-zi,	Silurus. C.
Bass,	O-gau.	The striped species.
Tulibee,	O-dön-a-bee (wet-mouth).
Eel,	Pe-miz-zi (a specific term).	A specific term.
Snake,	Ke-ná-bik (a generic),	Ophidia. C.
Snake,	A species supposed peculiar,
Turtle (lake),	Mik-e-nok,	Chelonia. C.
Turtle (small land),	Mis-qua-dais,

Philological Note.—Three of these fifty-seven terms of Indian nomenclature are monosyllables, and twenty-four dissyllables. The latter are compounds, as in muk-wah (black animal), and wau-bose (white little animal); and it is inferable that all the names over a single syllable are compounds. Thus, aisebun (raccoon), is from ais, a shell, and the term past tense of verbs in bun.

XIII.

Species of Bivalves collected in the Northwest, by Mr. Schoolcraft and Captain Douglass, on the Expedition to the Sources of the Mississippi, in 1820. By D. H. Barnes.

This paper, by which a new impulse was given to the study of our freshwater conchology, and many species were added to the list of discoveries, was published in two papers, to be found in the pages of Silliman's American Journal of Science, vol. vi. pp. 120, 259.

XIV.

Freshwater Shells collected in the Valleys of the Fox and Wisconsin, in 1820, by Mr. Schoolcraft. By Isaac Lea, Member American Philosophical Society.

A description of these shells, in which several new species are established, was published by the ingenious conchologist, Mr. I. Lea, of Philadelphia, in the Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, vol. v. p. 37, Plate III., &c.

XV.

Summary Remarks respecting the Zoology of the Northwest noticed by the Expedition to the Sources of the Mississippi in 1820. By Dr. Samuel L. Mitchell.

The squirrel [from the vicinity of the Falls of St. Anthony], is a species not heretofore described, and has been named sciurus tredecem striatus, or the federation squirrel. (A.)

The pouched rat, or mus busarius, has been seen but once in Europe. This was a specimen sent to the British Museum from Canada, and described by Dr. Shaw. But its existence is rather questioned by Chev. Cuvier. Both animals have been described, and the descriptions published in the 21st vol. of the Medical Repository, of New York, pp. 248, 249. The specimens [from the West] are both preserved in my museum. Drawings have been executed by the distinguished artist Milbert, and forwarded by him, at my request, to the administrators of the King's Museum, at Paris, of which he is a corresponding member. My descriptions accompany them. The animals are retained as too valuable to be sent out of the country. [B.]

The paddle-fish is the spatularia of Shaw, and polydon of Lacepede. It lives in the Mississippi only, and the skeleton, though incomplete, is better than any other person here possesses. It is carefully preserved in my collection.

The serpent is a species of the ophalian genus anguis, the oveto of the French, and the blind worm of the English. The loss of the tail of this fragile creature renders an opinion a little dubious; but it is supposed to be opthiosaureus of Dandrige, corresponding to the anguis ventralis of Linnæus, figured by Catesby.

The shells afford a rich amount of an undescribed species. The whole of the univalves and bivalves received from Messrs. Schoolcraft and Douglass have been assembled and examined, with all I possessed before, and with Mr. Stacy Collins's molluscas brought from the Ohio. Mr. Barnes is charged with describing and delineating all the species not contained in Mr. Say's Memoir of the Productions of the Land and Fresh Waters of North America. The finished work will be laid before the Lyceum, and finally be printed in Mr. Silliman's New Haven Journal. The species by which geology will be enriched will amount, probably, to nine or ten. (C.) We shall endeavor to be just to our friends and benefactors.

S. L. MITCHELL.

For Gov. CASS.

Notes.

(A.)

An animal similar, in some respects, has been subsequently found on the Straits of St. Mary's, Michigan, a specimen of the dried skin of which I presented to the National Institute at Washington; but, from the absence of the head bones and teeth, it is not easy to determine whether it is a sciurus, or arctomys.

(B.)

The duplicature of the cheeks of this animal having been extended outwardly in drying the skin, was left in its rigid state, giving it an unnatural appearance, which doubtless led to the incredulity of Cuvier when he saw the figure and description of Dr. Shaw. Dr. Mitchell was led to a similar error of opinion, at first, as to the natural position of these bags; but afterwards, when the matter was explained to him, corrected this mistaken notion.

(C.)

By reference to the descriptions of Mr. Barnes and Mr. Lea, recited above, the number will be seen to have exceeded this estimate.

XVI.
Mus Busarius. Vide Medical Repository, vol. xxi. p. 248.

XVII.
Sciurus Tredecem Striatus. Medical Repository, vol. xxi.

XVIII.
Proteus. American Journal of Science, vol. iv.