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 4, 1832
Lightly overcast sky, raw wind. At seven thirty in the morning, -1°R [29.8°F,-1.3°C]. We worked at home until noon. Mr. Say visited us, and we identified several turtles and other amphibians. At twelve o’clock noon, 2°R [36.5°F, 2.5°C]. Mr. Say lent me Gmelin’s Linnaean system, translated by Turton. Indeed, here we have the convenience of having access to all the important works of natural history, a matter of great importance for identifying our natural history objects.
In the afternoon during my walk, I found ducks on the Wabash and a kingfisher (Alcedo alcyon) near them, but could not get at them. In a tree I found the nest of the red-eyed flycatcher, Wils., and saw several small birds. Dreidoppel had likewise gone out and brought nothing home in the evening. He had come upon a whole covey of pheasants, but they were in cover that was too thick.
Among the books I received from Mr. Say were the Journey of Baron de Lahontan, who lists the following tribes for Canada. For Acadia: the Abenakis, Micmac, Canibas, Mahingans, Openangos, Souokis, Etechemins (Algonquin language). For the St. Lawrence River, from the ocean to Montreal: Papinashois, Montagnois, Gaspesiens (Algonquin language); Hurons de Loreto (Iroquois language); Abenakis de Scilleri, Algonkins (Algonquin language); Agniez du Saut St. Louis (Iroquois language); Iroquois de la montagne du Montreal (Iroquois language). From Lake Huron: Hurons (Iroquois language); Outaouas, Nockes, Missisagues, Attikamak (Algonquin language); Outchipoues (called Sauteurs). From Lac des Illinois [Lake Michigan] or surrounding area: several Illinois at Chicago, Oumamis, Makapoutins, Kikapous, Outagamis, Malominis, Pouteouatamis, Ojatinons, Sakis (Algonquin language). In the neighborhood of Lac de Frontenac [Lake Ontario]: Tsonontouans, Goyogouans, Onnontagues, Onnoyoutes, and Agnies (language different from that of Algonquins). In the vicinity of Outaouas [Ottawa] River: Tabitibi, Monzoni, Machakandibi, Nopemon d’Achirini, Nepisirini, Temiskamink (Algonquin language). North of the Mississippi and in the vicinity of Lake Superior and Hudson’s Bay: Assimpouals, Sonkaskitons, Ouadbatons, Atintons, Clistinos (Algonquin language); Esquimaux.
In the evening our landlord returned from the prairies with many deer antlers.