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
February 4, 1833
In the morning, slightly overcast sky; good weather. At seven thirty, -1°R [29.8°F, -1.3°C]. In addition to yesterday’s comments about the great sea serpent, I must relate the following incident that occurred in America: proof of the inaccuracy of sailors’ and seamen’s observations. One time when Captain Rich, from one of the eastern cities, was at sea, his sailors called him to report that a sea serpent had been sighted. The captain saw curved bodies coming to the surface and swimming away one after the other. He asked his men, “Now, is this really the famous serpent?” “Yes! Yes!” was their reply. “We recognize it. That’s it. You can be sure of it!” Rich said, “Then let’s put out a boat and catch it.” This was done, and they got close enough to harpoon the animal successfully, but what they caught turned out to be a Scomber thynnus, creatures that usually swim in a row, one after the other. The captain reported this incident, and it gave rise to various comments and disputes. Here I provide in outline the sketch from the Wernerian Society’s publication. The animal rather closely resembles the plesiosaurus or ichthyosaurus, and Mr. Say is quite right when he states that this could have given rise to the [supposed] existence of the sea serpent.
At twelve noon today, very warm; temperature of 8°R [50°F, 10°C] in the shade. I received word of Mr. Bodmer’s arrival in Mount Vernon. At three o’clock Mr. Twigg arrived with two other travelers. We learned that Mr. Bodmer had not come along but would probably come with the next steamboat. Mr. Twigg took thirteen live turtles, several nice crabs, [and] some enormous frogs but particularly the Amphiuma means a live coati up to Mount Vernon for me. Mr. Barrabino in New Orleans sent me several bottles of interesting snakes, and Mr. Twigg had mounted an interesting bird. Cholera had not yet completely disappeared from New Orleans, nor from other towns, such as Natchez. Mr. Bodmer had made several interesting drawings and also portraits of the Indians there. I spent the evening at the home of Mr. Owen, where I had been invited for supper. Mr. Owen fetched me shortly before five o’clock, and I rode to his house. Four of us dined there, and I stayed until about ten o’clock. The night was clear and pleasant.