752 [Assembly 



bark, the aspect of the pear and apple trees which had been visi- 

 ted by the destroying fire blight. If, as I conjecture, these dis- 

 eases are identical with those known to our gardens, (their results 

 are certainly very analogous,) does not the fact open an interest?- 

 ing field for the researches of science, as to their origin, causes, 

 and operations. 



The chestnut groves, which so beautifully adorh some of the 

 northern towns of Warren county, approach, but do not enter the 

 confines of Essex. The sweet walnut is, however, widely scat- 

 tered over various sections of the county, and flt:>urishes in great 

 profusion and beauty, in the lovely tract that spreads from the 

 cliffs of Lake George to Champlain. When the early frosts of au- 

 tumn have opened the~ husks, and their luscious treasures are 

 poured upon the earth, the jocund, shouting, joyous groups of 

 nutting children, which gather beneath their buughs, communi- 

 cate to the landscape a most priniitive and pastoral scene. 



Spreading from the warm soil that borders Champlain, to the 

 Alpine summits of the Adirondacs, whei-c the rigors of the frigid 

 zone are stamped upon the climate, the soil of Essex county, 

 naturally imparts a great diversity to its botanical productions. 

 Thers is nothing however, so distinct or novel, as necessarily to 

 require notice in a work of this character. The subject of the 

 natural grasses and nutritive plants, I propose to discuss in a sub- 

 sequent department of this report. The same remark a]iplies to 

 the ornithology and entomology of the county. Tlie birds, insects, 

 worms and bugs are those familiar to the public mind, to the 

 world of science and the- practical farmer and gardener. 



Reptiles — The rattle-snake, formerly infested several localities 

 in this county, in horrid profusion. In the early stages of its set- 

 tlement, they were seen in the vicinity of their dens, basking in 

 groups upon the rocks, in the sun beams. A mountain was point- 

 ed out to me, near Lake George, where the legend says, eight 

 hundred were killed in one season. These reptiles are now al- 

 most extirpated. No other snake of a venomous character \% 

 found in the county. 



