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 9, 1833
Early in the morning, bright sky, dreary, hazy horizon. At seven thirty, 3 3/4°R [40.4°F, 4.7°C]. We were occupied this morning sealing the amphibians in metal containers. At ten or ten thirty, a steamboat going up the Wabash passed by. The weather was warm and excellent, as in spring; however, an unpleasant dry wind arose. Several persons brought us two groundhogs, a mink, a raccoon, and a crow. In the afternoon I went for a walk with Mr. Say and Mr. Lesueur. It was so warm that one might have thought it was a warm day in May. Several persons do not feel very well in this weather. After five o’clock my thermometer still registered above 15°R [65.8°F, 18.8°C]. We saw swarms of insects flying about, and flights of wild doves were moving east or north.