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 6, 1832
In the morning, weather just as bright and beautiful as yesterday. At seven thirty, -2°R [27.5°F, -2.5°C]. After breakfast Mr. Bodmer and I got into the boat again. We rowed to Fox Island, shot several ducks, a nice Alcedo, and again saw the urubus collecting around the birds we had shot. Today Mr. Bodmer sketched an interesting landscape, the efflux of the Fox River into the Wabash. It was very warm at noon, 8°R [50°F, 10°C] in the shade, and we perspired profusely during our exertions in the forest.
In the evening, on the other hand, I felt very cold in the boat because of wet footwear. We reached Harmony at dusk again with somewhat less exertion, for today we had taken a rower along.