70 NORTHERLY PARTS OF LOUISIANA. 



in our latitude. North of 44- degrees however, and at the 

 distance of seven or eight hundred miles west of the Missis- 

 sippi, this animal is very common. The beaver (castor fiber) 

 is very common here, and has been observed in great num- 

 bers as far west as the whites have penetrated; and agreeably 

 to the accounts of the savages, this animal is found in great 

 abundance in the mountains that divide the waters of the 

 southern from those of the Atlantic ocean. 



The buffaloe (bos americanus) is common in all this country, 

 and is found in great abundance as far west as the country has 

 been penetrated. During the winter they change their range, 

 and ramble to a great distance in the south, returning again 

 in the spring to their more northern residence. In these ram- 

 bles they go together in immense droves, and the savages, by 

 watching them in proper passages, destroy great numbers with 

 little trouble and expense. 



The elk (cervus* wapiti), the common deer (cervus virgi- 

 nianus), the raccoon (ursus lotor), the panther (felis concolor), 

 the ground hog (arctomys raonax), the grey fox (canis Virgi- 

 nian us), the mink-f-, the flying squirrel (sciurus volucella), 

 the ground squirrel (sciurus striatus), the grey squirrel (sciurus 

 cinereus), and the black squirrel (sciurus niger), are all found 

 in this country, and are common for many hundred miles to 

 the west. 



The opossum (didelphis opossum) is common here; and agree- 

 ably to the information of Mr. Choteau, a sensible well-infor- 

 med man, this animal is to be met with as far west as three 

 hundred and fifty leagues from hence, that is, following the 

 course of the Missouri, which is west one quarter of a degree 

 to the north ; and that after passing a large river, called la 

 Riviere qui ande, the opossum disappears, and the Porcupine 

 (hystrix dorsata), which is not to be seen about here, becomes 

 common. 



In mounting the Missouri, after passing thje river qui conic, 

 that is 350 leagues west of the Mississippi, the country assumes 

 a different aspect. The river washes for several hundred miles 

 a barren ungrateful soil, destitute of timber. Nothing is to be 



• Unknown to Linnaeus- I call it C Wapiti. B S. B. f Mustela Winingus miii. B. S. B, 



