Four-and-a-Half Months’ Stay in New Harmony
Description of the region – Natural history – Messrs. Say, Lesueur, and Owen – Hunting excursions in Indiana and Illinois – Wabash, Fox River – Illinois prairies – Albion – Black River – Mr. Bodmer’s trip to New Orleans
December 31, 1832
Early in the morning, on the last day of the year 1832, densely overcast sky and an extremely mild temperature. At seven thirty, temperature of 10 3/4°R [56.2°F, 13.4°C]. The horizon is very dark and indicates rain. On the 30th Mr. Bodmer had still not found a ship [on] which to travel to New Orleans. One of the horses was not yet back today, and therefore we were in a predicament. It rained the entire forenoon; I worked at home. At twelve o’clock, temperature of 9 1/2°R [53.4°F, 11.9°C]. Mr. Say visited me briefly and brought new issues of the Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, in which there are articles by Harlan on the amphibians of North America. After eating I went to see Messrs. Say and Lesueur. The latter was preparing a deer that I had not wanted to buy. When I arrived at home, I found a nice big fish otter, which I bought, since from this specimen I immediately recognized the difference between the European, Brazilian, and North American otters. That evening, the last one of the year, I spent in pleasant conversation at the home of Mr. Say.
