132 LETTERS FROM PROF. KIRTLAND. 



swarming with flocks of mallard and summer ducks, evi- 

 dently reared near by, and the blue herons are striding 

 along the shores with an unconcern I never before 

 witnessed. Large numbers of the passenger pigeon are 

 hovering about the grain fields and stacks in the neighbor- 

 hood. 



The entomologist finds here a rich field, especially among 

 the Lepidoptera. As there is no very apparent difference 

 in the flora of this vicinity and of Cleveland, it would be 

 inferred that insect life would be about the same in the 

 two localities — yet such is not the fact, especially with the 

 butterflies. Yesterday, during a few hours of bright and 

 warm sunshine, I saw, by thousands, the Papilio Mar- 

 cellus and Ajax about the clover heads in an extensive 

 field. Their abundance here is to be imputed to the 

 universal prevalence of the paw-paw bush, on which the 

 larvae of these beautiful butterflies feed. At Cleveland 

 both this tree and these insects are less common. The rare 

 Vanessa furcata I have occasionally seen here, usually 

 alighting on the flowers of the may-weed. 



In the clear and cool spring runs, which are so abundant, 

 immense numbers of small fish are found — principally 

 chubs and minnows — yet the number of species seem to be 

 limited. Almost every farm aft'ords fountains and runs of 

 pure cold water, which could be profitably and pleasantly 

 employed in the cultivation of the trout. The settlements, 

 however, are not suffiently mature to allow the people to 

 attend to pursuits of that kind. 



To-day I observed the Turkey Buzzard performing his 

 lofty gyrations over this locality. This bird, formerly 

 common in Northern Ohio, is now rarely or never seen 

 there, yet it seems to continue its visits to this more west- 

 ern locality in the same latitude. 



Yours, J. P. KiRTLAND. 



